If I Buy a Used Varian Linear Accelerator, Will Varian Service It?

Radiation oncology facilities that purchase pre-owned and refurbished linear accelerators will often ask whether the manufacturer (Varian, a division of Siemens Healthineers) will continue to service the equipment after it’s been relocated.  In the category of refurbished linacs, the Varian Trilogy and Varian iX models, as well as the Varian TrueBeam models, are the most popular.

So, will the Varian service team take over the service contract of a newly installed, pre-owned linac?  The answer is yes, provided it passes the inspection, which Varian refers to as the System Performance Audit, or SPA.  This article discusses what the SPA entails, and what is important if you want Varian’s service team to take over the service and maintenance of the linear accelerator.

What is the Varian SPA?

The SPA is Varian’s thorough inspection and testing process to validate that a used system meets their stringent specifications for performance and safety. Varian technicians will methodically evaluate the linear accelerator following a comprehensive checklist over the course of 2-3 days.

Varian requires that used equipment pass the SPA before they will provide service and finalize licensing for the system. They want to ensure used accelerators still meet the high standards expected of Varian-serviced machines before taking over maintenance responsibilities.

What Happens During the Varian SPA?

The SPA checklist covers all aspects of system operation and safety. Varian technicians will:

• Perform extensive system checks and calibration
• Review event and error logs
• Test mechanical, electrical, and radiation components
• Assess beam performance and quality
• Evaluate crucial system interfaces and connectivity
• Thoroughly inspect hardware, cables, cooling, etc.

After completing all SPA testing, Varian provides a detailed audit report. This will outline any deficiencies found that must be addressed before Varian will license the system.

SPA Findings – Expect Recommendations

It is common for the SPA to uncover areas that do not meet Varian specifications. For a used system, this could include components that have degraded over time.

Varian will provide recommendations to correct any issues, prioritizing critical safety and performance items. For example, replacing worn cables or hoses.  Varian has a policy that requires hoses to be replaced when a machine is relocated, and this expense should be planned and budgeted accordingly.

They may also suggest upgrades or replacement of some hardware for preventative purposes, even if still functional. The goal is to optimize the system to Varian’s standards for a new accelerator.  Most clients of used linacs don’t pay for extensive refurbishment options initially and therefore may wish to set aside funds to cover these.

The SPA report will distinguish between required fixes vs. recommended improvements. The customer and Varian will collaborate to determine what modifications to implement before completing the licensing process.

In summary, Varian will thoroughly inspect a used linear accelerator as part of their SPA process before taking over service responsibilities. This ensures used systems meet the same high standards as new Varian machines. Expect the SPA to identify necessary upgrades to bring the system to Varian specifications.