The Radiation Unit of Rambam's Oncology Institute currently has four linear accelerators for radiation therapy, of which one is relatively new and the other three are extremely old. Of these latter, one is more than 20 years old and uses obsolete technology that enables only the simplest treatments, and another is 16 years old and can deliver only limited treatment without the maximal precision acceptable by international standards today. We urgently require a state-of-the-art accelerator on behalf of our patients.

State Of The Art
The linear accelerator that Rambam wishes to purchase is able to emit photon and electron beams for the treatment of various cancers, supervise positioning of the patient's body and pinpoint the location of the irradiated area, and produce two- or three-dimensional images before and during irradiation. The equipment includes an especially precise treatment table, and a delivery system that can be adapted to the patient's respiration. The new linear accelerator will be operated by a computerized control system that is already in place at Rambam and has been used with various devices for approximately two years.

Work Stations & Bunker
The proposal additionally calls for purchase of physicians' work stations to be linked to the linear accelerator's computerized control system, and for equipment capable of retrieving and reproducing the images executed by the linear accelerator and stored in the physicians' work stations. The budget also includes provision for upgrading the specialized bunker that will house the new linear accelerator as that bunker was built 3 years ago and lacks air-conditioning, electrical and other infrastructures.