we want to simplify radiotherapy
As an engineer, I learned how medical linear accelerators work, how they fail, and why they are so useful in radiotherapy.
As a physicist working in the hospital, I saw how the machines were operated in a real environment. Most of the time good decisions are made about managing medical linacs, but also too often, the lack of understanding how the machines really work prevents clinical users from using them to their full potential to benefit patients and the clinic.
At the same time, radiotherapy was changing dramatically, with new features being added to medical linacs relentlessly: verify & record systems, imaging systems, dynamic delivery systems, surface guidance systems, advanced treatment planning systems, etc. Today, the linear accelerator seems to be forgotten in the landscape of radiotherapy technology.
People always talk about the “next big thing.” But seeing how medical linacs have advanced, and despite the significantly improved quality of radiotherapy treatment that is available today as compared to even 20 years ago, it’s hard to imagine anything new that could have such a dramatic change.
I think the next big thing in radiotherapy is just radiotherapy available to more people. Available to people in rural communities, people in lower- and middle-income countries, people not living near major urban medical centres. People anywhere in the world.
The Linax story is about improving access to radiotherapy. We believe that the best linear accelerator is one that works, and critical to that are service engineers and medical physicist that know how linacs operate, know how to work together, and make informed and safe decisions about maintenance.
Current linac training falls short due to the complexity, availability, and cost of these machines. It is mostly available from the OEMs. Linax believes that in order to learn about linacs, training should be available at a reasonable cost to anyone who needs it right in the clinic. Training should also teach us about the wonderful technology in medical linacs, and how it works for all linacs in any scenario, not just specific components on specific machines in common scenarios. Addressing this gap, Linax offers a web-based training solution with Simac, a linac simulator that breaks geographical barriers. Linax ensures consistent, hands-on learning, committed to accessible and uniform training.
Empowering clinics through a customizable learning platform, Linax envisions a future where this vital technology is within reach of every clinic, transforming global cancer treatment.
Meet the Team
Trusted Partners
For over 25 years, Radiology Oncology Systems has been providing affordable, high quality refurbished radiation therapy and diagnostic imaging equipment solutions to facilities around the world and increasing access to health care treatments and services for millions of patients.
Dosimetrica is an Italian based company focused on the marketing of advanced instruments for dosimetry and consultancy in Radiotherapy, Radiology and Medical Physics.
Hear from our Amazing Customers!
SIMAC provides a unique environment where our students can gain familiarity with how medical linear accelerators work. SIMAC has played an important role in the education of our graduate students for a number of years now
Justus Adamson, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology,
Duke University Medical Center
The SIMAC software and related product offerings were a great resource for us. Our electronics technicians used the simulation software during the linac related training and found it very helpful. It all fits together nicely - Hats off to the Linax team.
Gavin Sranmer-Sargison, Director of Medical Physics
Saskatchewan Cancer Agency
Teaching and learning the operational details of a medical linear accelerator is one of the most challenging tasks in medical physics education. Developing an intuitive appreciation for the dynamic nature of the electromagnetic acceleration of electrons does not come from staring at complex equations in a textbook. Experimental access to a real accelerator is limited to off-hours and manipulation of operational parameters is risky for a machine in clinical operation with heavy demand. A computer simulation tool is long overdue, and it overcomes the above limitations with self-paced learning available “any time anywhere”. SIMAC software is coupled with a comprehensive course package based on the author’s decades of real-life experience in maintaining clinical megavoltage accelerators. It features graphical material and ample user interaction with the key LINAC components, their design, and their settings. For example, the effects of changing the x-ray target or flattening filter materials on the output dose rate and energy spectrum can be observed graphically. SIMAC is a welcome addition to training programs in clinical physics and biomedical engineering.
