September 22, 2008 - Philips displays its breadth of oncology care solutions at ASTRO 2008, showing three systems for oncology imaging – MR, CT and PET/CT – for tumor diagnosis and staging, therapy planning and therapy response monitoring.
Philips Brilliance CT Big Bore Oncology Configuration is designed specifically for the radiation oncology department and reportedly provides image quality, accuracy and workflow efficiency, while facilitating shorter exam times for patients. The 85 cm bore allows for flexible treatment setups and the comprehensive motion management tools improve confidence in treatment volume assessment, according to Philips. The system features an intuitive workflow environment and provides flexibility and ease of use. In addition, Tumor LOC and motion management tools are now available on the Brilliance Workspace.
New on the GEMINI TF PET/CT and GEMINI TF PET/CT Big Bore is Philips 4D time-of-flight technology, a toolkit to better manage respiratory motion by offering comprehensive tools for combined CT, PET and PET/CT correlated imaging.
The new Philips GEMINI TF Big Bore is the first commercial Big Bore PET/CT with a full 85 cm bore diameter for both PET and CT scans. The system combines Philips time-of-flight PET imaging technologies with its Brilliance CT Big Bore simulation to reportedly optimize oncology workflow, accuracy, and patient experience. The GEMINI TF PET/CT Big Bore system is designed to meet the requirements of radiation oncology applications, providing improved planning in cases that call for patients to be in extended positions, such as with treatments of breast and colorectal cancers. The system allows patients to be positioned for simulation in the same manner as they would to receive therapy.
Combining Philips’ technology innovations in image processing and modeling with Traxtal’s PercuNav system, the companies have collaborated to deliver an image guided interventional system that offers minimally invasive soft tissue navigation and auto-image fusion of live ultrasound with CT and MR. The system includes real-time 3D visualization and navigation to guide needles and probes to defined targets and has been used clinically for a range of applications, including biopsies, radiofrequency ablation and abscess drainage.
Philips is showing, as a work-in-progress at ASTRO, a version of its Panorama High Field Open (HFO) MR system with advanced therapy simulation capabilities for treatment planning and interventional oncology. An open MR design allows patients to be scanned in treatment position, which is often not possible in a cylindrical magnet. Philips Panorama HFO is reportedly the first high-field open MR with active shielding, delivers high-field performance and 1.5T-like image quality combined with maximum patient comfort and access.
Philips focuses on enterprise-wide image and information management with the latest version of its radiation treatment planning system, Pinnacle Version 9, being shown as a work-in-progress. Expected for release in the second quarter of 2009, the new version is being designed to offer new workflow improvements, including features such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) feature enhancements include handling of 4D image sets, streamlined image import that allows for one click imports of multiple image sets, and expanded DICOM export functionality. To address the more complex treatment plans of volumetric arc therapy planning, Philips is also demonstrating SmartArc, a dose planning module for volumetric intensity modulated arc therapy based on Philips’ existing IMRT and conformal arc planning software.
For more information: www.medical.philips.com
March 25, 2026 
