How is the treatment output controlled in a 60 Co unit?

The treatment output in a 60Co (Cobalt-60) therapy unit is controlled primarily through the use of a timer. In radiation therapy, precise controls are essential for ensuring the appropriate dose is delivered to the patient while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.

Using a timer allows for the accurate measurement of exposure time during treatment, ensuring that the patient receives the correct dose according to the prescribed treatment plan. The timer can be set to the predetermined duration required for effective treatment, which is essential in maximizing the efficacy of the radiotherapy while ensuring patient safety.

Other options, such as a manual dial or a digital control panel, can provide settings and adjustments but do not directly control the output in the same way a timer does. Constant current adjustments also play a role in maintaining the stability of the beam and ensuring consistent treatment output, but the primary control for delivering a specific dose over time remains the timer. This makes the timer the key component in the operation of a 60Co unit for delivering the required radiation dose efficiently and accurately.