myQA Blue Phantom3 - Setting up for Measurements

This chapter describes the setup of the water phantom system for measurements in the beam. It is assumed that the equipment has been installed and verified according to Chapter 5. Instructions for performing measurements are provided by the myQA Accept Instructions for Use.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: AWARENESS 
Personnel using the water phantom system must read this chapter, as well as Chapter 11 and Chapter 5, and be fully aware of its contents.

Water Phantom Setup

Step 1: Align the Water Phantom

• Using the lift table, position the water phantom under the treatment head. Choose the correct orientation according to the application.
  CAUTION: LOCK TABLE WHEELS 
  Always lock the lift table's brakes when not moving or positioning it.
• Switch off the room light and switch on the light field of the radiation device. Open the field as much as possible.

• Move the lift table to align the lines on the bottom of the water phantom with the lines of the light field.
   

  

• Lock the lift table in place using the parking brakes.
• Use the lateral adjustment knobs (1) for fine adjusting the water phantom position. Ensure that the light field crosshairs and the crosshairs on the bottom of the water phantom are still superimposed.
• Place the spirit level on the platform of the lift table and turn the tilt adjust hand wheels (2) to adjust the phantoms to a perfect horizontal position.
  

CAUTION: COORDINATE SYSTEM 
The phantom coordinate system are indicated in one lower corner of the phantom. Choose the orientation according to the application.

IMPORTANT NOTICE MARKERS ON WATER PHANTOM 
The alignment markers at tank bottom are intended for the initial alignment of the tank only. The references for the horizontal detector movement on the main axes are the light field crosshairs.

CAUTION: POSITION THAT WATER PHANTOM SECURELY ON THE LIFT TABLE 
Never position the water phantom significantly off-center or unbalanced (hanging over the edge of the table top) as this could lead to injury or damage of the equipment.

CAUTION: POSITION THAT WATER PHANTOM SECURELY ON THE LIFT TABLE 
Always ensure that the orientation chosen in the application software corresponds to the setup. A wrong orientation may lead to incorrect measurements.

Step 2: Fill the Water Phantom

• Position the water reservoir carriage close to the water phantom. 
• Lift the filling hose out of the tube support at the water reservoir. 
• Connect the quick coupling of the water reservoir hose (1) to the counterpart on water phantom (2), which is located at one bottom corner of the phantom; push in until it snaps on.
  
• When the desired water height is reached, press the Stop button.

CAUTION: DO NOT REMOVE FILLING SYSTEM IF PUMP IS SWITCHED ON 
Do not remove the quick coupler from the phantom while the pump is switched on.

CAUTION FILL THE TANK WITH CARE 
Always fill the water tank with care. Overfilling the system my cause damage or injury.

CAUTION DO NOT FILL IN ADDITIONAL WATER 
Do not fill the water phantom with additional water when the former proper filled water reservoirs tank is empty to avoid an overflow of the water reservoir when the phantom is drained.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: DELAY IN FILLING MODE 
If the Fill button is pressed the first time after the water reservoir has been connected to the mains outlet, there is an incident waiting time of approximately 15 seconds. During this time, the electromagnetic valve is opened in order to remove the air between the pump and the electromagnetic valve.

Step 3: Adjust SSD (Source Surface Distance)

• Take care that the lift table parking brakes are locked. 
• When an electrical lift table is used, press the Up or Down button to lift or lower the lift table. If a mechanical lift table is used, turn the hand wheel to move the platform up- or downwards. 
• Switch off the room light and switch on the distance indicator of the radiation device. Open the field as much as possible. Alternatively, a SSD verification tool can be used. 
• Adjust the height of the equipment with the lift table until the water surface has achieved the desired SSD (use a piece of paper on the water surface if the read-out of the current SSD is done by the light distance indicator or a SSD verification tool is used to indicate the contact with the water surface).
  IMPORTANT NOTICE: REPEAT SSD CHECK 
  Check the Source Surface Distance before and after measurements or in-between long sessions. The tank material is absorbing water or the water volume gets less by evaporation.

Step 4: Connect the Water Phantom to CCU-X and PC

• Place the PC in the control room, close to the accelerator control terminal. 
• Place the CCU-X in the treatment room. It is convenient to store the CCU-X on the top plate of the water reservoir or treatment couch. However, before performing measurements, it is recommended to place the CCU-X as far away as possible from the primary beam, since leaking radiation and neutron contribution may damage the electronics.
  
  WARNING: PLACE THE CCU-X AS FAR AS POSSIBLE FROM THE BEAM 
  Do not place the device closer than 2 meters to the central beam. Placing the device closer than 2 meters to the central beam might lead to damage of electronic components and/or flawed measurements.
  CAUTION: DO NOT BUILD TRAPS 
  Take care about that the CCU-X and the cables are located at a safe place and persons will not come across them, especially when the room light is switched off during adjustment work at the water phantom.
• Connect the drive control cable between the CONTROL CABLE connector on the CCU-X and the CONTROL CABLE connector on the water phantom.
  CAUTION: UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT 
  Make sure that the CCU-X is switched off before connecting the drive control cable between the CCU-X and the water phantom.
• Connect the Ethernet cable between the NETWORK connector CCU-X to the NETWORK connector on the PC, direct or via the local network.
  IMPORTANT NOTICE: NETWORK CONNECTION 
  If the CCU-X shall be connected to the computer via the local network, ensure that the TCP/IP settings have been done before. For the first time it is recommended to use a direct Ethernet connection between CCU-X and computer to get a first fast overview of the correct communication function.

Warming-up the CCU-X

• Turn on the CCU-X to begin the warm-up procedure. The warm-up and stabilization time is 15 minutes from a cold start. Please note, if the device was sufficiently acclimatized before power on, the warm-up time can be as short as 1 minute. If ionization chambers are used, the high voltage should be applied during the warm-up time. If semiconductors are used, do not apply a high voltage. 
• Once the warm-up is complete the LED will turn green and the device is ready to use. 
• To turn on the high voltage, click the HV Setup button in the Controller panel of myQA Accept SW:
  

IMPORTANT NOTICE: WARM-UP TIME AND LED 
The CCU-X requires 10 minutes to warm-up. When powered on, the yellow LED will be on for the duration of the warm-up. If an error occurs with the CCU-X, the red LED will be constantly on.

CAUTION: ALWAYS REGARD THE WARM-UP TIME OF THE CCU-X 
Always regard the warm-up time of the CCU-X. Not regarding the warm-up time of the CCU-X could lead to inaccurate measurements.

WARNING: NO CALIBRATION PROCEDURE FOR THE TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE Currently there is no calibration procedure for the temperature and pressure readings provided from the water phantom and CCU-X, therefore, automatic kTp correction must not be used for absolute measurements. Using the kTp correction for absolute measurement might lead to flawed measurements and potentially patient harm. kTp correction should only be used when performing relative measurements.

Step 5: Detector Setup for myQA Blue Phantom3

CAUTION: SET HIGH VOLTAGE TO ZERO 
Always set the high voltage to zero before connecting / disconnecting detector extension cables or detectors. Of course, this is also fulfilled if the CCU-X is switched off.

CAUTION: USE SPECIFIED DETECTORS 
Performance of the system cannot be assured if detectors or adapters other than those specified for the myQA Blue Phantom3 are used. Unsuitable adapters may pose a safety hazard, as high voltage may appear on adapter or detector surfaces.

Two detectors, a field and a reference detector, are required to use the water phantom in continuous measurement mode under a LINAC. Field and reference detector should be of the same type, or if this is not possible, have at least approx. the same active volume (please note, this does not apply to the Stealth Chambers). The standard field and reference detectors for the water phantom are the CC04 ionization chambers (or diodes) and the Stealth Chamber as reference detector.

Using the continuous measurement mode of the water phantom (myQA Accept software option) has two significant advantages compared to the systematic (integrating) measurement mode:

• It significantly reduces scanning time. 
• It delivers more data points in a given time than in systematic (step-by-step) mode.

A LINAC produces pulsed radiation. If only a field detector would be connected and continuous measurement would be used, the pulsing of the beam would directly appear on the curve. The signal of a reference detector is needed in order to remove the accelerators pulsing from the curve, using real-time division of the field detector signal by the reference detector signal.

Step 5a: CC04 Setup

• Insert the detector holder into the counterpart of the scan mechanic (top side of slider at X-axis). Fasten the screw when the holder is in the right position, indicated by a noticeable “snapping”.
  
• Mount the field chamber in the detector holder and fasten it with the screw at the side. 
• Insert the detector cable into the self-gluing cable clamp on the water phantom's metal frame or outer side of the tank (for pull-relief of the detector). Cable clamps are part of the tool kit, delivered with the water phantom system.
• Connect the detector cable to the chamber extension cable. Close the connector protection caps by screwing them together.
  
• Connect the extension cable to the field sensor input of the CCU-X. 
• Insert the reference chamber into the reference holder tube and fasten the chamber with the nylon screw at the front end. When using a Stealth Chamber attach it to the collimator of the LINAC.

• Mount the reference holder at a comfortable place at the water phantom mechanic frame (preferably a corner). When using a Stealth Chamber attach it to the collimator of the LINAC. 
• Insert the detector cable into the clamp on the water phantom's metal frame (for pull-relief of the detector, see above). 
• Connect the detector cable to the chamber extension cable. Close the connector protection caps by screwing against each other. 
• Connect the extension cable to the reference sensor input of the CCU-X. 
• Place the reference chamber with the chamber tip towards to the focus at the field’s edge (the light field helps to find the correct location).

IMPORTANT NOTICE: CORRECT CONNECTOR HANDLING 
Connectors on detector and extension cables are susceptible to contamination and mechanical damage. Keep cables covered by the protective caps when not in use. When connecting TNC connectors, keep the connector body steady and only rotate the swivel nut (screwing ring).

IMPORTANT NOTICE: LOCATION FOR REFERENCE CHAMBER 
The reference detector should be placed well in the field as this reduces the effect of unstable field-asymmetry. On the other hand, care should be taken not to shadow the field detector with the reference detector. 

The reference detector must always be within the primary radiation field to provide a stable signal. Therefore, it is recommended to review the placement of the reference detector from time to time, especially, when the field size has been changed. 

When the Stealth Chamber is used in the appropriate holder it is ensured that the filed is covered and the chamber is centered. There is no need for adjustment of the detector when the filed sizes are changed.

Step 5b: Diode Setup

• Insert the detector holder into the counterpart of the scan mechanic (front side of slider at X-axis). Fasten the screw when the holder is in the right position, indicated by a noticeable “snapping”.
  
• Mount the field diode in the detector holder and fasten it with the screw at the side. Take care about to select the right diode with respect to the used energy (yellow = photon, blue = electron, green = stereotactic). 
• Insert the detector cable into the self-gluing cable clamp on the water phantom's metal frame or outer side of the tank (for pull-relief of the detector). Cable clamps are part of the tool kit, delivered with the water phantom system. 
• Connect the detector cable to the detector extension cable. Close the connector protection caps by screwing against each other. 
• Connect the extension cable to the field sensor input of the CCU-X. 

• Insert the reference diode (RFD) into the reference holder tube until it appears at the other end. Put the reduction tube at the RFD stem, move both backwards into the reference holder tube and fasten them with the nylon screw at the front end. The reduction tube can be found as a part of the tool kit, delivered with the water phantom system.
   

  

• Mount the reference holder in a comfortable place at the water phantom mechanic frame (preferably a corner).
• Insert the detector cable into the clamp on the water phantom's metal frame (for pull-relief of the detector, see before). 
• Connect the detector cable to the detector extension cable. Close the connector protection caps by screwing against each other. 
• Connect the extension cable to the reference sensor input of the CCU-X. 
• Place the reference diode with the white dot at the chamber tip towards to the focus at the field’s edge (the light field helps to find the correct location).
  

IMPORTANT NOTICE ORIENTATION OF REFERENCE DIODE 
At the reference diode’s tip, there is a small white dot printed. This point indicates the best position for the beam entrance, i.e., the point should be oriented towards to the focus.

Fine Leveling of the Water Phantom

After filling the water phantom with water, the 3D servo frame must be leveled to the water surface. The water phantom servo mechanism is equiped with automated leveling to quickly and accurately level the frame. 

Fine leveling is done automatically with the myQA Quick Level or manually, using leveling pins mounted at the upper four corners of the phantom (Section 6.1.6.2). For special cases that the water is filled to other levels, please use a CC chamber (Section 6.1.6.3) or diode detector (Section 6.1.6.4) for frame leveling.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: INCLINE CORRECTION 
The slider at the X-axis does have an option for incline corrections. The horizontal alignment of the detector can be performed with this tool easily. It is recommended to check the orthogonality of the slider (holder) every time before defining the water surface, see Section 9.2.

CAUTION: DO NOT PLACE BODY PARTS UNDER THE LEVELING FRAME 
Do not place any objects or body parts between the the water tank and the leveling frame while operating the system as this could lead to system malfunctions or injury.

Automated Leveling with myQA Quick Level

The myQA Blue Phantom3 frame is equipped with the myQA Quick Level, an automatic fine leveling system. The myQA Quick Level has been calibrated by IBA Dosimetry before delivery.

• Ensure that the myQA Quick Level is connected to the power supply (1). 
  Note: The myQA Quick Level can be powered via the power bank or with the provided power cable. 

• Turn on the Quick Level by pressing the Start button (2). 
  Note: Press the Stop button (3) at anytime to interrupt the Quick Level.
   

  

During the leveling process the LED ring around the Start button will cycle through the following stages: 
a. Orange (steady) = System ready 
b. Orange (blinking) = Motors referencing 
c. Green (blinking) = Autoleveling 
d. Green (steady) = System leveled

• If there is an error and the levelling could not be performed, the LED ring will show Red (steady). After a leveling error has occurred, the user can:
  • First check that the lift table or treatment couch are level. 
  • Unplug the power supply and plug it back into the myQA Quick Level to restart the leveling procedure. 
  • If the error persists, please contact IBA Dosimetry Service (Section 15.1).
• When the leveling is done, the myQA Quick Level can be disconnected from the power supply (1). If not manually powered off, once the autoleveling procedure is finished successfully, the electronics will switch off automatically after about 5 minutes.

CAUTION: DO NOT START MEASUREMENTS UNTIL THE LEVELING HAS BEEN PERFORMED 
Do not start your measurements in case the system is not in the state of "Leveling successfully performed" (indicated by the steady green LED). In case the system cannot reach this state, manually level the system before proceeding.

CAUTION: ENSURE MYQA QUICK LEVEL CABLES ARE CONNECTED CORRECTLY 
Do not misconnect the cables to the controller box as this may cause system damage and/or lead to a not working system. When connecting the cables, pay close attention that the cables are connected properly.

Leveling with Leveling Pins

The leveling pins are used to fine-level the frame to water surface. There are two sets of pins available: the pin length = 6.2 cm (a) and 15.5 cm (b). The water should be filled to the tip of the pins.

With a lift table, both sets can be used for normal LINACs at any SSDs. However, for a Halcyon LINAC, the long set is for SSD 100 cm and the short set is for SSD 90 cm.

Note: The leveling pins should stay in the frame to ensure that the autoleveling is accurate after               each storage.

Manual Leveling with Pins 
The leveling pins are used to manually fine-level the frame to water surface. There are two sets of pins available: the pin length = 6.2 cm (a) and 15.5 cm (b). The water should be filled to the tip of the pins.

With a lift table, both sets can be used for normal LINACs at any SSDs. However, for a Halcyon LINAC, the long set is for SSD 100 cm and the short set is for SSD 90 cm. 

Note: The leveling pins should stay in the frame to ensure that the autoleveling is accurate after               each storage.

The water phantom can be manually adjusted without the automated leveling function. One corner has a leveling screw while the 3 corners with auto leveling motors have hex keys that allow the user to manually adjust each corner.

• To have maximum adjustment lengths in both directions (~ 5 mm), check that the lengths of the leveling screw bolt above (1) and below (2) the rail are about the same.
  
• Since the adjustment height is about +/-5 mm, please fill water to about 1 mm below the tip of the pin.
  IMPORTANT NOTICE: START THE LEVELING WITH THE PIN ABOVE THE WATER SURFACE 
  Because the movement of the water makes the alignment difficult, it is recommended to start the leveling with the pin above the water surface.
• Look at the tip of the leveling pin from the side of the phantom. When the tip is exactly at the water surface, the tip and its mirror image form a perfect cross.
• If the leveling pin is not exactly at the water surface, loosen the locking screw (3) at this corner of the servo frame. Turn the leveling screw (4) to adjust the frame vertically so that the leveling pin and its mirror image at the water surface form a perfect cross. Then tighten the locking screw.
  
  Please note, to ensure correct leveling at the water surface, the pin should be coated in comercially available detergent.

Exchange pin sets (optional)

• Remove the old pin by pushing the pin up from the bottom and then removing it from the top. 
• Install the pins. The ring of the hold has a spring ball that locks the pin (a). Push the pin down until the pin is locked (b). The head of the pin should be flat with the holder surface (c).
  

IMPORTANT NOTICE: FIXATION OF LEVELING PINS 
Please ensure that the top of the leveling pin is aligned with the top of the Leveling Pin Holder.

CAUTION: DO NOT REMOVE LEVELING PIN HOLDER FROM FRAME 
The leveling pin holders are aligned to each other. After the leveling procedure, do not remove the leveling pin holder. If removing the holders, the leveling pins must be releveled to avoid wrong alignment of the mechanical frame.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: REPEAT PHANTOM ALIGNMENT CHECK 
After the phantom is filled with water, the gravity point becomes much higher; it could happen that the equipment is slightly tilted and thus the phantom alignment is no more correct against the CAX. Therefore, please perform a crosscheck light field vs. markers at phantom bottom every time you lift the phantom up and make a correction by using the Lift Table lateral alignment screws.

Leveling with a CC Chamber 

This section describes the fine leveling of the water phantom's mechanical frame, using a CC chamber and the alignment cap.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: ALIGNMENT CAP DESIGN 
The delivered alignment cap should be only used with the CC13 chamber. However, for the Z-direction alignment, e.g., water surface levering, it can be also used with other CC chambers.

• CC chamber is already mounted in the phantom. Have the white alignment cap ready (part of the tool kit delivered with the water phantom system). 
• Unfasten the CC chamber and insert the chamber as far as possible into the alignment cap, usually until the thin black ring. The active volume (the black part) of the chamber points away from the X-axis, towards the phantom's front wall. 
• Slide the chamber with the mounted alignment cap backwards until the rear edge of the alignment cap touches the field chamber holder. This should be done by pushing the alignment cap and a soft support at the chamber cable. Do not pull at the cable only; otherwise, it may happen that the chamber is no more at the right position in the alignment cap. 
• Secure the chamber in the holder by closing the detector locking screw. Leave the alignment cap mounted. 

• Switch on the CCU-X control unit.
   

  

• With the remote control, position the chamber into one of the corners of the water phantom, approx. 5 cm away from each wall and at the water surface. 

• To check whether the chamber is really at the water surface, turn the alignment cap so that the crossline on the front of the cap are at 45° towards the water surface. Look at the cap from below the water surface. The exact water surface position (1) is reached if the lines form a precise cross (see the figure below).

  

  IMPORTANT NOTICE START OF LEVELING 
  Always begin the leveling adjustment from below the water surface.

• Ensure that at the starting corner the chamber is exactly at the water surface. Do not use the leveling mechanism here, only position the chamber with the remote control.

• Store the current chamber position as position A on the remote control

  

• Look at the alignment cap. If the chamber is not exactly at the water surface, use the manual leveling pin to adjust the mechanical frame vertically so that the lines on the cap again form a precise cross. 
• Turn on the Quick Level by pressing the Start button.
  IMPORTANT NOTICE NO MOVEMENT OF SERVO DURING LEVELING 
  Do not move the servo vertically during the leveling procedure.
  
  The remote control provides just three positions for storage, the water surface position can be used at the manual corner.
  
  IMPORTANT NOTICE USAGE OF STORED POSITIONS 
  You can use the stored positions to approach easily the leveling points again.
• Turn off the Quick Level by pressing the Stop button.

Leveling with a Diode

• Diode and detector holder are already mounted in the phantom.

  

• Switch on the CCU-X control unit. 
• With the remote control, position the diode into one of the corners of the water phantom, approx. 5 cm away from each wall and at the water surface. 
• To check whether the diode is really at the water surface, look at the top of the detector from below the water surface (1). The exact water surface position is reached if the mirror image of the detector meets the top of the detector.
  
• Ensure that at the starting corner the diode is exactly at the water surface, use the manual leveling pin to adjust the mechanical frame vertically so that the lines on the cap again form a precise cross. 
• Store the current detector position as position A on the remote control.
  
• Turn on the Quick Level by pressing the Start button.
  IMPORTANT NOTICE: NO MOVEMENT OF SERVO DURING LEVELING 
  Do not move the servo vertically during the leveling procedure.
  
  The remote control provides just three positions for storage, the water surface position can be used at the manual corner.
  
  IMPORTANT NOTICE USAGE OF STORED POSITIONS 
  You can use the stored positions to approach easily the leveling points again.
• Turn off the Quick Level by pressing the Stop button.

Step 7: Define Water Surface and Isocenter

• With the remote control, move the field detector to the actual water surface in the central beam (use alignment cap). If a diode is used, proceed in the same way until the mirror image of the detector meets the top of the detector. 

• Check horizontal alignment – if required perform incline correction.

  

• With the remote control, define the water surface.

  

• With the remote control, move the field detector to the isocenter position in the central beam and define the isocenter position at this point.
  

• When a field detector with alignment cap is used: Turn the alignment cap at the water surface position by 45° until the line at the front of the alignment cap is equal/parallel to the water line. Now move the alignment cap to the CAX (light field cross) until the crossed lines at the alignments top are matching with the cross hair of the light field – this shall be the Isocenter position.alignment cap to the CAX (light field cross) until the crossed lines at the alignments top are matching with the cross hair of the light field – this shall be the Isocenter position.

  

• When a diode is used: The light field’s cross hair need to be placed exactly at the center of the diodes round top surface if this area is equal with the water surface – this shall be the Isocenter position in this case.

  

Step 8: Ready for Measurement

After the previous steps have taken place, the water phantom setup is complete and device connection should be the same as the diagram shown in Section 5.4.2.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: CCU WARM-UP AND BACKGROUND SUBTRACTION 
For the CCU, observe a warm-up and stabilization time of 30 minutes. If ionization chambers are used, the high voltage should be applied during the warm-up time. If semiconductors are used, do not apply a high voltage. 
Background subtraction should be done initially after the warm-up time, and each time the sensitivity settings have changed. 
For absolute dose measurements, background measurements shall be done repeatedly every 30 minutes after warm-up, and each time the sensitivity settings have been changed.

From this status onwards, measurements with myQA Accept can be started. Please refer to myQA Accept Instructions for Use for instructions.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: INFLUENCE OF WAVES 
In case that there should be profile scans close to the water surface, it might be recommendable to reduce the scanning speed (see myQA Accept Instructions for Use, Measurement Queue Setup) to avoid waves, which could have negative influence to the scan quality.

CAUTION: LOCATION OF CONTROL 
When the remote control is not used, do not hang it up at the phantom servo mechanic to avoid a blockage during movement.

Measurement tips

IMPORTANT NOTICE BACKGROUND SUBTRACTION 
For the CCU, background subtraction should be done initially after the warm-up time, and each time the sensitivity settings have changed. For absolute dose measurements, background measurements should be done repeatedly every 30 minutes after warm-up, and each time the sensitivity settings have been changed.

IMPORTANT NOTICE INFLUENCE OF WAVES 
In case that profile scans are close to the water surface, it is recommendable to reduce the scanning speed (see myQA Accept Instructions for Use, Measurement Queue Setup) to avoid waves, which could have negative influence on the scan quality.

CCU-X Electrometer Setup

Important for good measurement results are the right, well-adapted selection and constellation of detectors, and the associated electrometer setup in the myQA Accept software. 

The CCU-X electrometer panel provides three different, independent selectable sensitivity ranges for the Field and Reference channels: 

• High 
• Medium 
• Low

Table 6.1. Input current ranges of sensitivities

To choose an appropriate sensitivity setting, the operator needs to estimate the measured current, in regards to the dose rate used. 

To calculate the input current, use the following formula: I (nA) = sensitivity (nC/Gy) x dose rate (Gy/s) 

With the calculated input current for the electrometer, and the known sensitivity of the selected detector, the applicable sensitivity range for the CCU-X electrometer channel can be selected. 

The associated myQA Accept Instructions for Use contains additional details and instructions concerning the CCU-X control panel.

Transport and Storage of the Water Phantom

After the measurements have been completed at the linear accelerator the lift table is used to transport the water phantom to its storage place. 

• During the transport of water phantoms the lift table should be kept on its lowest position. 
• The parking brakes must be released.

CAUTION: TRANSPORT OF THE WATER PHANTOM 
Always empty the water phantom before moving from one location to another and lower the lift table to the lowest possible position. Moving a filled water phantom could lead to injury or damage of equipment.

CAUTION: STORAGE 
Unplug the power cord when table is not in use. Store the lift table only in dry and air-conditioned rooms.

Disassembly and Storage of Water Phantom Equipment

• Move the detector to the top position with the remote control. 
• Connect the water hose and empty the water phantom with the water reservoir. 
• When the water phantom is empty, disconnect the hose. If using the water reservoir with bideriectional pump, please ensure that the pump has been switched off. 
• Move the lift table to its lowest position and release the down switch. 
• Before disassembling cables and connectors from the CCU, power off the system (or at least turn off the high voltage for the electrometer channels). 
• Remove the detectors and cables and close the connectors with the protection caps. 
• Take a towel to clean the detector from remaining water before storage.
• Turn off the CCU and disconnect the controller from all cables. 
• Disconnect drive control cable from the water phantom connection box. 
• Store the CCU, detectors and cables at a safe place. Before the water phantom will be stored, remove remaining water from the phantom with a towel. 
• Use the dust protection cover when the phantom shall be stored for a longer time.

CAUTION: DO NOT DISASSEMBLE INDIVIDUAL DEVICE 
Do not disassemble individual device, e.g., detector or phantom mechanical frame. The device may loss its functionality. 

CAUTION: DO NOT STORE WATER IN PHANTOM 
Do not store the device filled with water as the Perspex walls of the phantom might distend through long-term exposure to water. Always empty the water phantom after your measurement session. 

CAUTION: DO NOT LEAVE IONISATION CHAMBERS IN WATER 
Never leave an ionization chamber in water longer than necessary. Increasing humidity inside the chamber can lead to faulty measurements. 

CAUTION: KEEP THE CONNECTOR AWAY FROM WATER 
Do not let water come into contact with the connector of the detector or cables or any air vents. 

CAUTION: REMOVING THE DETECTORS AND CABLES 
Do not pull on cables when removing the detector.

Packing and Shipping

To avoid damages of the equipment, use the original packing material and transport locking when shipping. The packing should be done in the reverse order as given for unpacking.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: CONTACT IBA FOR ADDITIONAL PACKING MATERIAL 
When packing and shipping your water phantom first contact IBA Dosimetry (Section 15.1) to receive the proper shipping materials. For safe shipping of the water phantom the customer has the option of receiving: 

• Replacement packaging materials (pallet, cardboard box, transport belt with clamp lock) 
• A metal transport case with foam inserts