GPS Application Cleared for Prostatectomy
The GPS for the Body system was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in patients with prostate cancer who are undergoing radiation therapy. The device is manufactured by Calypso Medical. As described in the company’s press release, the system was previously approved for use only in patients with an intact prostate.
The GPS tool incorporates the Beacon eletromagnetic transponders with the company’s system that supports delivery of external beam radiation. The transponders support set up of and tracking of tissue positions intended for radiation delivery.
The availability of a system that monitors tissue location over time allows detection in the case that the tumor site moves outside the realm of acceptable limits. This allows clinicians to adjust therapy during daily treatment sessions. This ensures that healthy tissue and organs are spared from radiation exposure. An additional benefit of the system is minimized complications from radiation treatment.
This radiation delivery platform is the only one currently available that provides tracking information that includes objective, continuous, and accurate data during delivery of radiation that does not include additional exposure to ionizing radiation.
This system is most likely to be used with patients who have disease recurrence following radical prostatectomy. Almost one fifth of patients will require adjuvant radiation therapy to treat disease recurrence.
May 28, 2008 Related topics: Radiation Oncology, Product Approval & Certification, Quality, Safety, Errors, Renal & Urology