Varian Med Launches Tools for Radiation Therapy
Varian Medical Systems will showcase their new RapidArc technology at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO), along with a number of products that help foster speed and precision in the delivery of radiation therapy. The plans were described by Medical News Today.
RapidArc Radiotherapy is a new approach (pdf) to deliver intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). It employs radiation volumetric arc therapy that enables rapid treatment delivery with optimal precision in a shorter time period than is available with current approaches for IMRT delivery. Treatment is delivered with a Varian linear accelerator, which simultaneously changes three different parameters.
This tool allows for the delivery of IMRT during one complete rotation of the machine around the patient, total treatment time can be shortened from ten minutes to two. Simultaneously, the dose is more closely conformed to the shape, location, and size of the patient’s tumor. This approach mitigates potential radiation delivery to surrounding tissues and structures.
One advantage of the RapidArc compared to other approaches to deliver IMRT is the treatment time. Not only is the delivery shorter, but the delivery with one rotation does not require starting and stopping the machine or repositioning of such. The RapidArc also minimizes the amount of time required for technologists to plan treatment delivery by eliminating the plans required for multiple beam angles.
November 6, 2007 Related topics: Product Launches, Conferences & Events, Quality, Safety, Errors, Radiology, Hematology & Oncology