September 13, 2011 — .decimal Inc. (pronounced dot decimal) announced it received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market electron apertures for use with Varian treatment machines. These devices are now available to radiation oncology centers across the United States and Canada.
Electron apertures — also known as electron “cutouts” or collimators by radiation therapy departments — are medical devices required for targeted delivery of electrons to patients in radiation therapy.
An electron aperture is a metal tool implemented in cases of neck and head or breast cancer. It features an opening through which a radiation beam passes during delivery of electrons to a patient with a tumor.
Hospitals and cancer centers across the United States will order electron apertures via the Internet; they often receive the devices already in the mold frames within 24 to 72 hours from receipt of an order.
By providing custom-made electron apertures to radiation oncology centers, .decimal helps reduce the cost of maintaining an on-site mold room.
Cerrobend is an alloy composed of cadmium, lead and tin that can be shaped at relatively low temperatures. It does, however, release toxic fumes that, when produced at a medical facility, have the potential for affecting clinical personnel thus requiring expensive ventilation systems.
With this solution, .decimal provides radiation therapy facilities the ability to focus on treating patients, rather than manufacturing medical devices.
For more information: www.dotdecimal.com/products/ElectronAperture
