Gamma Knife® Removal Service
Complete, turn-key removal of your older GAMMA KNIFE® — including safe removal of all radioactive sources, container transport, licensing, and disposal, handled by qualified, licensed technicians. Save hundreds of thousands of dollars versus the manufacturer's removal cost.
On-site GAMMA KNIFE® removal facility
What's included
Complete turn-key service to fully remove your older GAMMA KNIFE®
Safe and thorough removal of all radioactive sources
All container transport, licensing, machine source removal, and source disposal
Qualified and licensed technicians providing professional oversight
Save hundreds of thousands of dollars on the cost of removal
Why hospitals choose us
You now have another choice when deciding to remove your older GAMMA KNIFE®. ThermaVein USA can save you hundreds of thousands of dollars on your GAMMA KNIFE® removal project. We remove all models of GAMMA KNIFE® machines anywhere in the world, efficiently and at a great cost savings to you.
Our team of experts coordinates all security, transportation, and ownership transfer of radioactive sources — so your facility can retire the unit without the manufacturer's price tag.
*GAMMA KNIFE® is a registered trademark of the Elekta Corporation.
Who's behind the work
ThermaVein USA was founded by John Clark, who manufactured rotating Gamma Knife machines and has spent decades installing and removing these systems for hospitals worldwide.
That manufacturing background is why removals go smoothly — the team understands the machine from the inside, not just the paperwork around it.
Recent removal work
A look at the equipment and process behind a recent GAMMA KNIFE® removal.
Why hospitals trust the work
Radiation source work carries no margin for shortcuts. Every removal is built around the standards that govern it.
Source removal follows IAEA-associated protocols from first assessment through final sign-off.
Every transfer, indemnification, and disposal step is formally documented before a source moves.
Every job is staffed by qualified, licensed technicians providing professional oversight start to finish.
Understanding the source
Cobalt-60 is the radioactive isotope inside every Gamma Knife®'s collimator helmet, and it's what makes removal a specialized job rather than routine equipment teardown. Unlike an X-ray tube, it can't be switched off — it emits gamma radiation continuously. Here's what that requires.
Cobalt-60 decays and emits high-energy gamma radiation around the clock. There's no power-down step, so shielding and distance control apply for the entire job, start to finish.
Cobalt-60 has a half-life of about 5.27 years, so even an older unit retains significant activity. It stays hazardous for decades and can't be left in place or treated as routine waste.
Every phase follows the ALARA principle — As Low As Reasonably Achievable exposure — using calibrated shielding, remote handling tools, and controlled distances throughout.
Once extracted, a source can only travel in a certified Type B(U) transport cask, on routes and schedules cleared with the relevant transport and radiation-control authorities.
A removed source can't go to a landfill or scrapyard — it has to reach a licensed disposal, consolidation, or recycling facility authorized to receive sealed radioactive sources.
Radiation levels are monitored in real time through removal and transport, with every step logged to keep an unbroken chain of custody from your facility to final disposition.