Remote Control (CCU-X Hand Control)
Function |
| 1: Activation button |
| 2: Mode buttons |
| 3: Soft keys |
| 4: Display |
| 5: Z-movement buttons, fast speed |
| 6: Joystick for X- and Y-movements |
| 7: Z-movement buttons, slow speed |
CAUTION: LOCATION OF HAND CONTROL
Never store the remote control on the mechanics/axes of the device. Storing the remote control on the mechanics/axes may damage the mechanics, potentially leading to inaccurate measurements and patient harm.
The Information page
Each menu has an information page that can be displayed by pressing the icon. It explains the icons in the current menu.
The SW version of the remote control is displayed in the lower right corner of any Information page (see the above right screenshot).
Mode buttons
The mode buttons are the first level of functionality. When a mode is selected, the green LED above the specific button is on.
Water Phantom
Lift table
Water reservoir
Activation button and Joystick
The joystick is used to move the detector in X and Y directions. The speed is controlled by the deflection of the joystick.
To prevent unintentional movement of the servo in X and Y directions, the joystick is locked 20 seconds
after the joystick is released to middle position and the symbol is displayed at the remote control
display (see the above left screenshot). To activate the joystick, press the activation button.
Soft Keys
There are eight soft keys used to open the menus, which are defined by the icons below or above in the display. The figure example shows the main display of the water phantom mode. It includes the soft key menu icons and water phantom menus.
Press a soft key of a corresponding menu and press the Return soft key ( ) to go back to the previous page.
Soft-Restart CCU-X
If the remote control displays the Error page, you are able to soft-reset the device by pressing the Restart CCU soft key. The remote control will go off and the CCU-X will boot up.
The Water Phantom Mode
Water Phantom main menu
Press Water Phantom Mode button to open the water phantom main menu. It displays the soft key menu icons on the top and bottom and the current detector position in the middle. Only the coordinates of the axes that are connected / present to the phantom are shown (same for the detector position displays in other menus).
| Opens Zero Position menu | |
Opens Joystick Lock menu. The color of the lock Green: both axes are un-locked. Yellow: one axis is locked. Red: both axes are locked. | |
Toggles the buzzer ON / OFF When the buzzer is ON, it beeps during the | |
| Opens Isocenter menu | |
| Opens Water Surface menu | |
| Opens User Positions menu | |
| Opens Sub-Limits menu | |
| Displays the joystick moving direction |
Isocenter menu
In the water phantom main display, press the soft key to open the Isocenter menu:
| Goes to isocenter position | |
Saves current position as isocenter When isocenter is saved, a green checkbox |
Water Surface menu
In the water phantom main display, press the soft key to open the Water Surface menu:
| Goes to Water Surface position | |
Saves current position as water surface When water surface is set, a green checkbox |
Joystick Lock menu
In the water phantom main display, press the soft key to open the Joystick Lock menu:
| Locks/unlocks the X axis; unlocked. | |
| Locks/unlocks the Y axis; unlocked. |
User Positions menu
In the water phantom main display, press the softkey to open the User Positions menu:
| Goes to position C | |
| Saves current position as position C | |
| Goes to position A | |
| Saves current position as position A | |
| Goes to position B | |
| Saves current position as position B |
Note that when the position is set, a green checkbox appears on the right side.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: EMERGENCY STOP
During the movement, pushing the joystick will stop the movement.
Sub-Limits menu
In the water phantom main display, press the softkey to open the Sub-limit menu:
| Sets sub-limit left side X-dimension | |
| Sets sub-limit right side X-dimension | |
| Sets sub-limit left side Y-dimension | |
| Sets sub-limit right side Y-dimension | |
| Sets sub-limit upper side Z-dimension | |
| Sets sub-limit lower side Z-dimension |
By default, the moving range of the detector is the maximum dimension of the phantom. All limits can be seen in the Positioning panel of the Controller in the myQA Accept software.
However, if a large detector is used, the maximum range may cause the detector to crash into the wall of
the phantom. The sub-limits are used for setting sub-limits for the necessary dimensions.
To set a sub-limit, move the detector to the desired position, press the corresponding softkey. When a green checkbox appears on the right-side of the icon, the sub-limit is set.
To reset the limit to the maximum range, press the corresponding softkey until the checkmark disappears
(about 2 seconds).
CAUTION: USE SUB-LIMITS TO AVOID DEVICE DAMAGE
It is important to use sub-limits to avoid device damage when using large detectors. The sub-limits are only applied to the movement range in myQA Accept. With the remote control the full movement range still can be used.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: ACTIVATE THE DISPLAY
Due to some firewall settings, after setting the sub-limits, the myQA Accept may be not updated automatically. Disconnect and connect the software by clicking the connection button twice will update the position display in the software.
Zero Position menu
In the water phantom main display, press the soft key to open the Zero Position menu:
| Sets zero position for X-dimension | |
| Sets zero position for Y-dimension | |
| Sets zero position for Z-dimension | |
| Sets zero position for W-dimension (TMR probe) |
Zero Position is used in case that the zero position indicated at the phantom rulers does not match the displayed position in the remote control and/or control panel of myQA Accept. In such a case, read the corresponding Section 9.3.1.1 and Section 9.4.1.
CAUTION: WRONG ZEROING
The zero position should be always at the zero positions of the phantom rulers. The zeroing position at other places will lead to moving range shifted and thus the detector cannot move to the expected position. To check the zero position, please see Section 9.3.1.1 and Section 9.4.1.
Water Reservoir Mode
Press Water Reservoir mode button to open the Water Reservoir menu:
| Fills the phantom as long as button is presseds | |
| Drains the phantom as long as button is pressed | |
| Fills the phantom as long as the pump is stopped by the operator by pushing this/another button | |
| Drains the phantom as long as the pump is stopped by the operator by pushing this/another button |
IMPORTANT NOTICE: RESTRICTION
The pump needs to be switched off with the same remote control used to switch it on; there is no cross connection in--between the hand control of the water reservoir and the water phantom. This function is available only if an IBA water reservoir with bidirecitonal pump is used and it requires a cable connection to the phantom's connection box. This is given if a TMR option had been purchased.
CCU-X (Common Control Unit)
The CCU-X controls the movement of the detector inside the water tank through the hand control or the myQA Accept SW. The device can control certain features of IBA water reservoirs and electrical lift tables.
The CCU-X is delivered with the following:
- Calibration certificate
- Power cable
- Switch (standard standalone switch with 4-5 ports max, e.g., TPLink TL-SF1005D)
The connectors, switches, and indicators are located in the front and back panels.
myQA Accept 9.2 is required for operation of the CCU-X.
Note: Do not connect the CCU-X to a chamber assembly which is used in contact with a patient.
CAUTION: HANDLE WITH CARE
Handle the CCU-X with great care. The device is very fragile.
WARNING: NON-INTENDED USE
The device must not be used for patient QA. Using the device for patient QA could lead to serious injury of the patient.
CCU-X Front Panel
| No. | Item | Label | Function |
| 1 | 42R connector |
| Connector for power cord with integrated power switch and fuses. |
| 2 | Sealed | Service
| To be used by service personnel only. *Not pictured, the security seal placed over the service port. |
| 3 | Reset / | Config
| Short press (< 1 s): Enables the "webconfig" interface for device configuration and firmware updates (see Section 5.4.3). The webserver is not active (listening on ports) unless this physical button is pressed. Long press (about 10 s): Resets the device to the default |
| 4 | Red LED | Error | In case of a device error, the Error LED (red) is on and steady or blinking. |
Green LED | WLAN
| Connector for the phantomThe WLAN LED (green) is on after successful connection to the wireless network. control cable. | |
Green LED | Power | The Power LED (green) is on and steady when the device is powered on and blinking when the Config mode of the device is enabled. | |
| 5 | RJ-45 Ethernet | Data | Connection to a computer or a network. |
Floated vs. Grounded Input
The CCU-X has two different methods for connecting ionization chambers to an electrometer: Floated and Grounded input technology. The main difference between the two systems is the way in which the polarization voltage is supplied to the ionization chamber.
Floated: The floated input clamps the outer chamber wall on ground potential, and provides the polarization voltage through the inner (collecting) electrode. Therefore, the electrometer amplifier is on polarization potential, and needs an isolating amplifier to provide analogue output. The extremely low current, initiated inside the chamber by radiation, forces the use of high sophisticated guarding techniques, in order to make the entire system (chamber, cable, connectors and amplifier) usable in clinical routine.
Floated input technology allows a consistent triaxial conception of electrometer input, cable, and detector. The chamber wall is on ground, and therefore the entire chamber and cable system is properly shielded. No protective sleeve is needed. This consequent shielding system provides extremely low noise operation. The outer shield of the triaxial cable is on ground. Standard triaxial connectors (either bayonet or threaded) can be used.
Grounded: The grounded input clamps the electrometer amplifier on ground potential and provides the polarization voltage to the outer chamber wall.
With grounded input technology, typically all electrical components inside the electrometer are on ground potential. With grounded input, the construction of cables and sensors is more demanding, for the following
reasons:
- The chamber wall is on polarization voltage, and an additional isolating sleeve is necessary to protect
from electrical hazard and leakage current, especially when used in water. - As the chamber wall is not grounded, RF noise may enter into the chamber and cause problems under
all RF operated particle accelerators. - If a triaxial cable is used, the connectors become complicated, because at the inside the connector’s
inner and outer shielding must be crossed to get the outer shell of the connector on ground level.
Self-Test Functionalities
Self-tests are performed automatically during device warm-up.
- Leakage Test: Isolation test between inner conductor and inner shield.
- Electrical Stability Test: Test of the long-term stability with a built-in reference charge.