In the conclusion of this 3-part video series on recent advancements in diagnostic radiology, current editorial advisory board member Robert L. Bard, MD, PC, DABR, FASLMS, discusses other advancements in diagnostic radiology and what new technologies are in development that could help in the fight against cancer.
Watch VIDEO PART I: Using 3-D Doppler Imaging and Other Advancements in Diagnostic Radiology
Dr. Bard is internationally known and recognized as a leader in his field. He specializes in advanced 3-D Doppler imaging to detect cancers in numerous organs, including the breast, prostate, and other areas. His images are used to accurately guide biopsies, target therapy and provide focused follow-up after treatment. He is committed to improving non-invasive cancer testing and developing minimally invasive image guided technologies to prevent cancer spread.
Watch VIDEO PART 2: VIDEO: The Advantages of Using Power Doppler Sonography on the Prostate to Screen for Tumors
In the spring of 2020, the Ellis Island Honor Society officially recognized Dr. Bard for his life’s work in clinical and research contributions in diagnostic imaging detection of cancers, which he received in person during a May 2022 ceremony, the prestigious 35th Annual Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Dr. Bard is also an Editorial Advisory Board Member for Imaging Technology News.
VIDEO: Using 3-D Doppler Imaging and Other Advancements in Diagnostic Radiology
VIDEO: The Advantages of Using Power Doppler Sonography on the Prostate to Screen for Tumors
One on One ... with Robert L. Bard, MD, PC, DABR, FASLMS
The Full Body Imaging Movement: A Strategic Upgrade of the MRI
Microcirculation and Electromagnetic Response to Inflammation
Paul Keall, Ph.D., FAAP, professor and NHMRC Australian Fellow at Radiation Physics Laboratory at the University of Sydney, Sydney Medical School, discusses radiosurgery beyond cancer. He explains how radiotherapy might be used to ablate cardiac tissue noninvasively, which could eliminate the need for the current invasive, catheter-based ablation therapies used in electrophysiology.
Peter G. Maxim, Ph.D., assistant professor of radiation oncology at Stanford University, discusses stereotactic radiotherapy for renal sympathetic nerve ablation for the treatment of refractory hypertension, and some of the challenges involved, with Imaging Technology News Editorial Director Melinda Taschetta-Millane.
Kettering Medical Center Therapist, Sarah Macke, describes how their center improved their treatment process with safety and efficiency by using the Elekta Versa HD system.
Varian Medical Systems celebrates its 65-year anniversary, focused around innovation, partnership, collaboration and service. As it looks to the next 65 years, the company's vision is focused on a world without fear of cancer. Varian's goal is to work closely with the clinical community to help remove fear, provide better tools and also software solutions that will improve care over time. At ASTRO 2013, Varian highlighted what is new this year: The first installations of the Edge Radiosurgery Suite CT on Rails solution for brachytherapy, in partnership with Siemens' Aria and Eclipse Version 11, with over 500 installations to date; Connectivity to Siemens accelerators currently in the process of regulatory filing; Launch of RapidPlan Knowledge-based planning system
Varian Medical Systems launched RapidPlan Knowledge-based Planning at ASTRO 2013. RapidPlan is a new paradigm for treatment planning that will change the way planning is done by helping facilities capture actual clinical practices based on treatment plans that have been done in the past. RapidPlan will help busy clinics increase efficiency overall for the treatment planning process. For clinics new to the technology, models from other clinics can be used, applying past learning experiences to their own model. And with academic medical centers, RapidPlan is a great tool for narrowing the variations between the different clinicians within the practice itself.
Esteya electronic brachytherapy by Nucletron, an Elekta company, is a new, high-precision treatment solution for treating skin cancer. Esteya mimics high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy by bringing a miniaturized X-ray source very close to the cancerous site, enabling the local application of radiation for effective treatment. By virtue of this direct delivery, Esteya can concentrate more therapeutic radiation to the disease target and minimize radiation to the surrounding tissues and organs. Notably, Esteya requires only minimal room shielding and features a compact design and exceptional mobility, allowing the treatment to occur virtually anywhere patients are seen. Esteya represents a desirable alternative to surgery, the therapy that patients most commonly select to treat their skin cancer. Esteya features: Patient-friendly design, with a high dose rate that enables treatment delivery in less than three minutes; user-centric operation, offering a highly efficient workflow and easy patient set-up; and attractive economic profile
AAPM President John Hazle, Ph.D., discusses trends in medical physics and major initiatives that the association is addressing in 2014 with Imaging Technology News Editorial Director Melinda Taschetta-Millane.
Varian introduced the Edge radiosurgery Suite during ASTRO 2012. The system features real-time tumor tracking and a six-degree of freedom couch.
At ASTRO 2012, IBA featured a scale model install of its Proteus One compact proton system combined with the Philips Ambient Experience, designed to count patients through lighting visual effects.
At ASTRO 2012, Ray Search Americas demonstrated the latest features for its radiation therapy treatment planning system.
At ASTRO 2012, Mevion featured its compact Mevion S250 Proton Therapy System, which has a footprint comparable to traditional radiation therapy systems.
Dr. Gary Ezzell, president of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), talks about current trends in medical physics, particularly the melding of imaging and radiation therapy to guide treatment. He also recaps some of the hot topics discussed at this year's annual meeting in Charlotte, N.C., and AAPM's key initiatives for the coming year.
IBA Dosimetry offers commissioning services for linear accelerators (linacs), using state-of-the-art equipment like the Blue Phantom and the linear diode array. A variety of service options are available, from a turnkey operation to segmented individual services or post-installation support, depending on the customer's needs. Utilizing these services can help a clinic get up-and-running in the quickest time possible. Customers also can utilize IBA's new International Competence Center (ICC) to receive training to do commissioning on their own. For more information, visit www.iba-dosimetry.com
Gary Levine, M.D., program chair/incoming president of the National Consortium of Breast Centers, discusses the emergence of interoperative radiation therapy (IORT) at the 22nd annual National Interdisciplinary Breast Center Conference (NCoBC), held in Las Vegas in March.
Michael L. Steinberg, M.D., incoming president of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), presents highlights of the 2011 annual meeting, including an overview of educational programs and scientific sessions held during the event. Presentations included study findings regarding IMRT versus other forms of radiation therapy treatment for prostate cancer, as well as a study regarding hypofractionation of prostate cancer to decrease treatment time. Steinberg also describes some of ASTRO's other activities and gives his thoughts about challenges facing the membership during the coming year.
For more information: www.astro.org
IBA ProteusONE offers uncompromised treatment solutions enabling physicians to leverage the clinical effectiveness of proton beam therapy. While Pencil Beam Scanning enables the delivery of Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) treatment plans, the latest imaging techniques make Image Guided Proton Therapy (IGPT) possible. ProteusONE has been inspired by everyday clinical practice. Its design enhances the patient experience by fostering a soothing environment while making the medical staff's daily practice safer and easier. Finally ProteusONE is IBA's response to making protons affordable. It is a proton therapy system that is smaller, more affordable, easier to install, easier to operate and ultimately easier to finance. With ProteusONE, protons are possible for more patients worldwide.
For more information: www.iba-worldwide.com
John Feller, M.D., of Desert Medical Imaging explains how prostate MRI technology from Invivo has improved diagnosis and offers better guidance for biopsy procedures. For more information: www.invivocorp.com
IBA showcased its noninvasive radiation oncology treatment systems during the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) 2011 annual meeting. This included its new Proteus One proton therapy system, advanced dose management and the addition of cone-beam computed tomography (CT) to help guide therapy.
For more information: www.IBA-protontherapy.com
Tony Seibert, Ph.D., president of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), explained the key initiatives of the group during its 2011 annual meeting. These include:
• AAPM is working with its members to reduce patient radiation dose across radiology modalities.
• It is developing physics-based Web training modules for diagnostic radiology residents.
• Members are working to create residency programs for both radiation therapy and diagnostic radiologists.
• AAPM is also working with several states to create license certification programs to ensure who is a qualified medical physicist.
For more information: www.aapm.org
IBA introduced its new Proteus One proton treatment system during ASTRO 2010. It is about one-third the size of current proton treatment systems, taking up about the same amount of space as two linac rooms side-by-side. The Proteus One is designed to offer more patient access to proton therapy by making the treatment system easier to install. It is also designed to be used as a single treatment room installation, rather than sharing a larger cyclotron and beam with several treatment rooms. For more information: www.iba-worldwide.com
At ASTRO 2010, one of the big topics was how radiation oncology as a profession is in a period of retrenchment due to the economic crisis. There is also a growing demand from payors to show value for these treatments, said American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) President Anthony Zeitman, M.D., director, Harvard Radiation Oncology Residency Program, Jenot and William Shipley Professor of Radiation Oncology at Harvard Medical School. He said the radiotherapy technologies used need to undergo rigorous clinical testing to show what technologies and techniques work best and what is most cost-effective. Part of ASTRO's push is for a national registry to help advance this data collection.
American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) President Mike Herman, Ph.D., radiation oncology medical physicist, Mayo Clinic, explains the role of the society and its goal to improve patient care. Activities include sharing the latest scientific research, developing best practices, education, setting guidelines for certification and the roles of various staff under mediacl physicists, and how physicists can better serve their hospitals. The main focus in sessions at the AAPM annual meeting include patient safety concerning radiation dose and how to lower these doses in practice. Herman said AAPM is also calling for a national patient safety event recording process to make it easier to see where there are mistakes so they can be addressed. The society is also Herman said the process needs to be easy to access and use. He spoke to ITN at the some 2010, 52nd annual AAPM meeting