Tech talk: how to predict machine breakdown in radiation oncology

Radiotherapy is the use of ionizing radiation to treat malignancies and is one of the most computerized and technologically advanced medical disciplines utilizing highly precise and complex equipment to treat a patient. Treating a patient requires many components and devices to work together in harmony to provide optimal treatment. One of the major problems within radiotherapy with especially proton or light-ion therapy are delays in the patient treatments and the high demand of highly skilled staff needed to guarantee machine performance and prevent machine breakdown downs. Preventive maintenance is critical to reduce, costs, optimize machine performance and provide optimal care and is powered by connectivity by design. This ensures clinical and technological compatibility and information exchange at an intra- and inter-device level. The novel algorithms and data analysis methods require accurate and high-quality data in the context of the device, provided by connectivity by design. In this tech talk, we answer the question, what software can provide and why interoperability drives innovations and drives preventive maintenance in radiotherapy.