June 7, 2010 - One of the biggest challenges in image-guided treatments is tissue location. To help guide visibility, new biocompatible pure gold implanted markers are designed to identify the location of normal or diseased tissue for future treatments, including image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT).
The markers, FlexiMarc and FlexiCoil, used primarily for IGRT, are the first implanted fiducials designed with image projection and marker stability as the primary objectives. Unique node-based technology projects a non-biological image providing the best reference for accurate localization. Both the human eye and software programs can identify FlexiMarc and FlexiCoil.
FlexiMarc’s clearly definable nodes and endpoints project a non-biological image for better automated registration or point based localization. FlexiMarc is available in two or three node variations; nodes are fixed 10 mm apart, are 3 mm long and are available in 0.9 and 1.2 mm diameters.
FlexiCoil was designed with the same imaging advantages as FlexiMarc, but the nodes are placed inside a pure gold coil. FlexiCoil is constructed of a flexible pure gold coil, and is available in 10 and 20 mm lengths. 30 mm lengths will be available shortly. FlexiCoils are currently available with 0.9 and 1.2 mm diameters, and smaller diameter markers are in development. Nodes are placed at each end of the coil, making it simple to locate and determine the exact end of the line.
For more information: www.civco.com
