Model DAPCKP
DAPcheck Plus
DAP Analyzer
Instruction Manual
Made in Germany for Radcal Corporation
under the Following Patent: Pat No. 7,413,345
Radcal Corporation
426 West Duarte Road
Monrovia, CA 91016-4591 USA
USA (626) 357-7921
Fax USA (626) 357-8863
email Service@radcal.com
www.radcal.com
Radcal Part # MNL/DAPCKP
4077023 Rev:-
Printed: Nov, 2012
Important.
Throughout this manual the following words are given a specific meaning and the
reader should be aware of their significance.
Attention
; Used where there is a risk of damaging the DAPcheck Plus by
incorrect handling or operation error.
Note
; Used where information is provided to aid better understanding of
the
DAPcheck Plus or its use.
4
CONTENTS
General user information .......................................... 6
Application ..................................................... 6
Classification ................................................... 6
Handling, transport, shipping ....................................... 6
Cleaning ....................................................... 6
Storage, conditions of application ................................... 6
Disposal ....................................................... 7
System description ...................................................... 8
Introduction .................................................... 8
Construction.................................................... 8
The Ion chamber ................................................ 8
The radiation target .............................................. 8
Preparations for operation ................................................ 9
Preparation ..................................................... 9
Power-on test................................................... 9
Stabilization time ................................................ 9
Operation ............................................................ 10
Technical specifications ................................................. 11
Warranty............................................................. 15
5
General user information
Attention. This section contains essential information that is required for the safe use of
the DAPcheck Plus.
Application
The DAPcheck Plus has been designed for checking the calibration of dose area product
meters and air kerma meters used in patient dosimetry. It can also be used to establish
reference dose area product levels for specific examinations.
Classification
The DAPcheck Plus is not a medical device; it is a laboratory measuring instrument and
should not be used with patients.
The protection afforded by the housing of the DAPcheck Plus corresponds to IP41 (IEC
60529).
The device is not suitable for application in proximity of combustible substances.
Handling, transport, shipping
The ionization chamber and electronic system are highly sensitive components and must
be handled with care.
For transport and return shipment the original or an equivalent packaging must be used.
During transport the following ambient conditions must be maintained.
Temperature 0°C - 50°C
Relative air humidity 10% - 80% (max. 20 g/m
3
; non-condensing)
Cleaning
When cleaning the ionization chamber no abrasive cleaners and no organic solvents or
cleaning agents containing solvents (e.g. petroleum ether, alcohol) must be used.
The enclosure of the DAPcheck Plus can be cleaned by wiping with a damp cloth
containing a mild washing-up liquid solution.
Storage, conditions of application
Nominal range of application with regard to temperature and relative air humidity can be
found in the Technical specification on page 11.
A relative air humidity exceeding 80% can cause precipitation of condensate on the
ionization chamber and electrical connections. This will lead to increased leakage current.
Where the DAPcheck Plus might have been exposed to excessive humidity, the risk of
such insulation failures can be reduced by drying the ionization chamber at an elevated
temperature (max. 50°C).
A relative air humidity exceeding 80% can cause precipitation of condensate on the
ionization chamber and electrical connections. This will lead to increased leakage current.
In order to eliminate such insulation failures, the ionization chamber may be dried at an
increased temperature (max. 50°C).
6
Disposal
The DAPcheck Plus must be disposed of in accordance with the applicable national
regulations or returned to the manufacturer. A WEEE manual is available from Radcal.
7
System description
Introduction
The DAPcheck Plus is designed to function as an external sensor for use with a
Accu-Gold Digitizer. The Accu-Gold Excel software operates the DAPcheck Plus
though a computer interface. (See separate software user manual). A support
stand is provided to elevate the DAPcheck Plus above structures that might add
scattered radiation to a primary beam measurement.
Construction
The DAPcheck Plus consists of an ion chamber assembly. The components are
housed within a protective housing that incorporates a beam alignment target.
Note
. There are no user accessible components within the housing.
The Ion chamber
The ion chamber is suspended within the protective housing to minimize
disturbance during positioning the DAPcheck Plus in the radiation beam.
The radiation target
A target assembly is provided to assist with alignment to the radiation beam.
Where a light field is not available a matrix of radio-opaque markers are provided
for alignment with a fluoroscopic image. The markers are placed at points of
major intercept on the target and are illustrated by red lines.
The radio-opaque grid markers are
built in to be able to make X-ray to
light-field congruency measurements
to a resolution of 1.0 mm.
8
Preparations for operation
Preparation
The DAPcheck Plus should be carefully removed form its packing case and inspected. If
any damage to the components is found, the supplier or manufacturer should be
contacted. Damaged components must not be used.
Power-on test
Note.
Prior to use, all components of the measuring system should have been adapted to
room temperature.
The measuring system includes an automatic power-on test during which the function of
the ionization chamber and all electronic systems are checked.
Stabilization time
The ionization chamber is a highly sensitive detector which must stabilize following
application of the ionization potential in order to meet the specified performance (see page
11).
The period of time required for this process is known as the stabilization time.
The measuring system is however operational during this stabilization time.
The required stabilization time for the ion chamber is 3 minutes..
9
Operation
Attention
. The DAPcheck Plus should only be used by personnel who are authorized to
use sources of diagnostic medical X-radiation and are acquainted with these instructions.
Installing the software Your AccuGoldExcel software is included on a USB flash-drive. Uninstalling an older
version is not necessary but please be aware that the installation will overwrite existing
files. See the ‘readme’ file on the flash drive for more information.
Open an Explorer window for the flash drive and run ‘Setup' from the AccuGoldExcel
folder. The files will be copied to your hard drive and an Accu-GoldExcel icon will be
placed on the desktop automatically.
AccuGoldExcel is an Excel interface for Accu-Gold and the software is installed as an
Excel add-on. A quick start manual can be found under Manuals in the same folder. (Use
of AccuGoldExcel requires that Microsoft Excel is already installed on your computer).To
run the software, open the Accu-Gold Excel folder using the shortcut or navigate to
‘Program Files\Radcal\AccuGoldExcel’.
A simple template for making single measurements is called:
AccuGold-DAPCheckPlus
Additional templates are found in the folder called \Examples
The sample templates available for the DAPcheck Plus are:
DAPCheckPlus - Consistency
DAPCheckPlus - DAP Variation
Open the templates and follow the instructions.
For questions or troubleshooting, contact Customer Support at
(626) 357-7921 x 123 or email cust_sup@Radcal.com
10
Technical specifications
Notes:
All technical data is valid for the ambient conditions as defined in IEC 60580.
Only values given with tolerance ranges or limits are guaranteed.
All other values are for information only.
Subject to change without prior notice.
Accuracy
DAP ± 10%
DAP ± 7.5%
Inclusive of all uncertainties i.e. temperature, pressure rate,
area and beam quality
Under reference conditions
10 mGy/min, 15 x 15 cm field, 80 kVp, 2.5 mm Al filtration.
Digital Resolution
Dose area
product rate
1μGy·m
2
/min to 0.91 Gy·m2/min
Rated range of use
Tube voltage 40 - 150 kV
Automatic Temperature and Pressure Correction
Pressure
Temperature
Air Humidity
80 - 106 kPa
+15 to +35 C operating
0 to +50 C storage
10% - 80% relative humidity (max 20 g/m
3
; non-condensing)
Ionization Chamber
Response vs.
radiation quality
(50 kV - 150 kV
norm. to 100 kV;
acc. IEC 60580)
Quality equivalent
filtration (70 kV)
Active area
Dose
area
product
± 3%
0.6 mm Al
max 300 x 300 mm
2
min exposed area 50 x 50 mm2 (at center of chamber)
11
Connection to Accu-Gold Digitizer One meter disconnect cable with 2
connectors
Protection Class (acc. IEC 60529) IP 41
Weight 2.3 kg; 5.1 lbs.
Dimension (L x W x H) 350 mm x 410 mm x 35 mm;
12
Support Elevation Stand
Foam Elevation Support Stand fits inside the interior of the Carry Case lid
13
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Warranty for the Model DAPcheck Plus
Radcal Corporation warrants that, in the event that any defects in material or workmanship
should develop within one year of the date of shipment, the company assumes full
responsibility for servicing equipment of its manufacture without charge upon return of the
equipment to Radcal, with shipping costs prepaid by the customer. Costs to return-ship to
customer by ground transportation will be paid by Radcal if the repairs are warrantyapplicable. This warranty excludes batteries.
Radcal shall not be held liable for damages or delays caused by defects beyond making
repairs or furnishing replacement parts, nor shall Radcal be liable for any defective
material replaced without Radcal’s consent during the period of this warranty. Radcal
reserves the right to perform warranty services at its own factory.
Non-Warranty Repairs
The calibration of this instrument was correct within specified limits when the instrument
left our factory. Radcal cannot be responsible for injury or damage resulting from improper
use or calibration errors which develop subsequent to our shipment of the instrument.
If Radcal determines that a fault has been caused by misuse, abnormal operating
conditions, or repairs by unauthorized personnel during the warranty period, repairs and
shipping costs will be billed at normal rates.
If the equipment is found to be in proper working condition, Radcal will return-ship the
equipment at customer expense.
15
Declaration of Conformity
According to ISO/IEC 17050 and EN 45014
The Radcal Corporation declares, under our sole responsibility, that the model DAPcheck
Plus Measurement System conforms to the following product specifications.
EMC: EN50081-2/EN55011, Class A
EN61000-4-2, EN61000-4-3, EN61000-4-8
IEC60601-1
IEC60601-1-2
QA Manager
Date: July 20, 2007
Radcal Corporation
426 West Duarte Road
Monrovia, CA 91016-4591 USA
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