Radiation Oncology Archives

GE’s Q.Freeze Motion Correction for PET/CT (video)

by Gene Ostrovsky on Apr 23, 2012 •

Q.Freeze motion correction GE GEs Q.Freeze Motion Correction for PET/CT (video)GE Healthcare received FDA clearance for its Q.Freeze motion correction technology that combines multiple PET/CT images from different points in the patient’s respiratory cycle to create a composite high resolution image.

This is accomplished thanks to a camera that tracks the movement of a block resting on the patient’s chest, which provides movement correction data to the algorithm that’s aggregating the images together.

Q.Freeze combines the quantitative benefits of 4D phase-matched PET/ imaging, MotionMatch, into a single static image. By collecting CT and PET data at each phase of the breathing cycle, then matching the data for attenuation correction purposes, Q.Freeze is designed to improve quantitative consistency compared to conventional static PET imaging techniques while facilitating the reading of the 4D PET/CT imaging. None of the acquisition data is wasted, as 100 percent of the counts collected are combined to create a single static image. The goal is an image that has the dual benefit of frozen patient respiratory motion and reduced image noise.

Press release: GE Healthcare Receives FDA Clearance of Q. Freeze, Helps Clinicians Assess Cancer Treatment Response…

Oncology / Radiation Oncology

Elekta Agility Beam Shaping Device Cleared in Europe

by Gene Ostrovsky on Apr 4, 2012
Elekta Agility Beam Shaping Device Cleared in Europe

Swedish company Elekta received clearance in the EU to market its Agility beam shaping system for linear accelerators used in treating tumors.

Elekta claims the new device achieves outstanding precision while shortening treatment time, helping to get more people through therapy.

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Net News / Radiation Oncology

PlanTouch iPad App for Accuray’s CyberKnife Radiation Therapy System

by Gene Ostrovsky on Mar 28, 2012
PlanTouch iPad App for Accuray's CyberKnife Radiation Therapy System

Accuray has released an iPad app for use by physicians to review and approve treatment plans for the company’s popular CyberKnife radiation therapy system.

Since many hospitals and clinics are already using iPads in their practice, the new PlanTouch app, which received 510(k) clearance from the FDA, will save physicians time by not having them go to the CyberKnife workstation for review every time a patient undergoes treatment.

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Radiation Oncology

MEVION S250 Proton Therapy Cleared in Europe

by Gene Ostrovsky on Mar 14, 2012
MEVION S250 Proton Therapy Cleared in Europe

Mevion Medical out of Littleton, MA received the European CE Mark for its MEVION S250 Proton Therapy System.  Proton therapy’s advantage over traditional radiation is that it allows for precise targeting of tumors so that energy is deposited almost exclusively at the target without damaging tissue on the way to and away from the treatment area.

The real limiting issues with proton therapy is the cost of the systems and their large size because they are powered by synchrocyclotrons.  By managing to build a compact accelerator (6 ft (1.8 m) in diameter) that can deliver protons at 250 MeV to a depth of up to 32 cm, the company believes it can bring down the cost of this technology and make it affordable to more hospitals.

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Radiation Oncology

C-RAD Catalyst Radiation Therapy System Coming to U.S.

by Gene Ostrovsky on Mar 7, 2012
C-RAD Catalyst Radiation Therapy System Coming to U.S.

C-RAD AB out of Uppsala, Sweden received FDA clearance for its futuristic looking Catalyst system.  The device is attached to the ceiling in a radiation therapy suite and optically monitors body movements and breathing of patients on the table for positioning, motion control and respiratory gating of the beam.

It displays various parameters right on the patient’s body and integrates with the other equipment to provide warnings and send hold signals to the radiation beam as necessary.

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Radiation Oncology / Radiology

Elekta Clarity with Autoscan for Robotic Ultrasound Visualization During Radiation Therapy

by Gene Ostrovsky on Feb 22, 2012
Elekta Clarity with Autoscan for Robotic Ultrasound Visualization During Radiation Therapy

Elekta, a Swedish firm, received FDA 510(k) clearance for its Clarity soft tissue visualization system with the Autoscan option.

The ultrasound system can now be used to automatically scan the prostate and surrounding anatomy from a control room during radiation therapy, providing live precision targeting without the unnecessary exposure of patients and clinicians to ionizing radiation.

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Radiation Oncology

Elekta Fraxion Head Frame for Stereotactic Radiation Therapy Receives FDA Clearance

by Wouter Stomp on Feb 20, 2012
Elekta Fraxion Head Frame for Stereotactic Radiation Therapy Receives FDA Clearance

Elekta has received FDA clearance for its Fraxion head frame. The head frame is used in stereotactic radiation therapy of intracranial tumors where it helps ensure accuracy and precision.

The Fraxion integrates multiple cranial immobilization options in a single solution.

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Radiation Oncology / Radiology

Varian Medical Systems Receives FDA Clearance for New Radiotherapy Planning Software

by Jan Sinnige on Jan 13, 2012
Varian Medical Systems Receives FDA Clearance for New Radiotherapy Planning Software

Varian Medical Systems, Inc., Palo Alto, CA, developed a new radiotherapy planning tool that automates and accelerates the treatment planning process. The smart segmentation knowledge-based contouring tool works with the company’s earlier released Eclipse planning software.The Eclipse treatment planning system includes contouring and field set up, with the added benefit of 4D visualization throughout the process. Eclipse displays the motion of targets and critical structures using specially designed 4D tools. With Smart Segmentation Knowledge Based Contouring, two techniques are combined to make the contouring process as quick and accurate as possible. The ‘Smart Segmentation’ will automatically identify and visually outline organs and other anatomical structures. ‘Knowledge Based Contouring’ will accelerate the process by matching pre-contoured images from a database with those of the patient. The Knowledge Based Contouring tool contains an anatomy atlas that covers all of the areas of the body most commonly treated with radiotherapy.

Jefferson Amacker, director, clinical solutions commented:

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Oncology / Radiation Oncology

Varian Medical Systems Updates Radiotherapy Devices to Deliver Higher Doses

by Jan Sinnige on Dec 8, 2011
Varian Medical Systems Updates Radiotherapy Devices to Deliver Higher Doses

Varian Medical Systems, Inc., a Palo Alto, California firm, received FDA clearance to update the control software of the Clinac and Trilogy targeted radiotherapy devices and for the new Pivotal Care Solution for prone breast treatment. This enables a higher intensity dose delivery, up to 2400 monitor units per minute, and better support for treating breast cancer in the prone position.

The technology can now facilitate treating breast cancer patients on their stomachs rather than their backs—an approach that can reduce the volume of lung and heart tissue exposed to radiation during treatment.

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