Using innovative physics, researchers have proposed a system that may one day bring proton therapy, a state-of-the-art cancer treatment method currently available only at a handful of centers, to radiation treatment centers and cancer patients everywhere. Compared to the X-rays conventionally used in radiation therapy, protons are potentially more effective, as they can deposit more cell-killing energy in their tumor targets and less in surrounding healthy tissue.

Global Dosimetry Solutions Inc., a division of Mirion Technologies, announced the release of a copper doped quartz fiber in vivo dosimeter, which provides real-time assessment of tissue exposure to radiation during radiodiagnostic and radiotherapeutic procedures, as part of its strategy to provide solutions for radiation therapy and diagnostic radiology.

Standard Imaging announced at AAPM the final release of RAy Film Dosimetry Software, a 3-D solution for radiation treatment planning that compares 2-D and 3-D image datasets as well as dose volume histograms.

A new type of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging system could enable surgeons and interventional radiologists to perform minimally invasive procedures under the guidance of 3-D images acquired during surgery with sub-millimeter spatial resolution. Medical physicists and engineers from the University Health Network in Toronto and Siemens Medical Solutions will present this technology at the 49th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), taking place July 22-26, 2007.

Siemens highlighted its MVision, a leading-edge IGRT system that is said to deliver outstanding image quality for accurate patient position verification and adjustment.

Designed to work with Siemens’ linear accelerators, MVision is the first commercial implementation of cone beam technology utilizing a standard radiotherapy treatment beam. MVision makes it possible for the megavoltage (MV) source used for treatment to also create a 3-D image of the patient, enabling clinicians to see inside the patient at the most appropriate moment.

Varian Medical Systems recently displayed its I-Response software created by Cedara, that shows how tumors are responding to treatment at the biological level, reportedly before changes in tumor shape or size become visible, at the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) annual meeting, July 22-26, in Minneapolis, MN.

Selecting the best set of gantry angles for delivering an IMRT treatment can be challenging, even for a skilled dosimetrist. Varian has enhanced its Eclipse treatment planning system with beam angle optimization, a treatment planning tool that automates the process of choosing the best set of beam angles. Beam angle optimization uses sophisticated algorithms to analyze anatomical images and calculate the optimal number and combination of angles for achieving a dose prescription.

July 26, 2007 – The American Medical Association (AMA) Common Procedural Terminology (CPT) Editorial Panel has approved a CPT Code for the use of electronic brachytherapy for the treatment of early stage breast cancer. Electronic Brachytherapy is a novel form of high-dose rate (HDR) radiation therapy targeted for the treatment of early stage breast cancer.

July 26, 2007 – RF Surgical Systems Inc. recently announced that the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) will be among the first medical centers in the country to fully implement the RF Surgical Detection System in its operating rooms.

The patented and FDA-approved RF Surgical Detection System scans for and signals an alert if any RF DetectTM tagged surgical sponges, gauze or towels remain in a patient prior to surgical closing procedures.

July 26, 2007 — Carestream Health Inc. recently signed contracts for its KODAK CARESTREAM PACS and KODAK CARESTREAM RIS solutions with leading healthcare facilities throughout Europe, including Hopital Universitaire Erasme (Bruxelles, Belgium) and Finland’s Seinäjoki Central Hospital Region.

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