39: Therac-25
The successor to the Therac-6 and Therac-20 RadioTherapy machines would integrate the powerful DEC PDP-11 mini-computer to control all of the Therac-25s functions, including the safety interlocks, for the first time. In two years the 11 machines in service would overdose six people across two countries, killing three of them before they figured out why.With John Chidgey.This show is Podcasting 2.0 Enhanced Reports into the Incidents: An Investigation of the Therac-25 Accidents Medical Devices: The Therac-25 The Therac-25: 30 Years Later A Usage-Model Based Approach to Test Therac-25 Good Computing: A Virtue Approach To Computer Ethics: Chapter 6 Links of Potential Interest: Therac-25 The PDP-11 Assembly Language PDP-11 Digital Equipment Corporation Programmed Data Processor Rad (unit) Order of Magnitude Myelitis Collimator Fatal Dose: Radiation Deaths linked to AECL Computer Errors Reactor Accidents: The Human Fallout An Overview on Radiotherapy: From Its History to Its Current Applications in Dermatology In MedTech History: Mammography The programmer behind the THERAC-25 Fiasco was never found AMA: My professor investigated the Therac-25 incident How history, principles and standards led to the safety PLC Support Causality on PatreonEpisode sponsors:Premium Jane: Premium Jane are a US-based provider of organic CBD products that meet the highest standards of quality and purity. Visit premiumjane.com and use the Coupon Code PJ20OFF for 20% off. Hurry it's only for a limited time!Many Tricks: If you’re looking for some Mac software that can do Many Tricks remember to specifically visit the URL below for more information about their amazingly useful apps. Don’t forget the return of Usher with the Usher 2 Pre-Sale! Visit manytricks.com/pragmatic and use the Coupon Code (listen to the episode to get the code) for 25% off the total price of your order. Hurry it's only for a limited time!Episode Gold Producers: 'r' and Chip Salzenberg.Episode Silver Producers: Mitch Biegler, John Whitlow, Kevin Koch, Oliver Steele, Lesley Law Chan, Hafthor and Shane O'Neill.