Radiation Therapy Technology Provides Flexibility for Customizing Treatments

A new radiation therapy system is a linear accelerator engineered specifically for adaptive radiation therapy (ART). Unique in design, the system is an integrated imaging and workflow system that provides a comprehensive range of image-guided and advanced treatment delivery protocols.

Siemens Medical Solutions (Erlangen, Germany) has received U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA) 510(k) marketing clearance for the sale and distribution of its most recent innovation in radiation therapy technology, the Artiste system.

Developed by Siemens' Oncology Care Systems, the Artiste radiation system offers clinicians multiple imaging modalities. From Megavoltage (MV) to gold standard, in-room computed tomography (CT) imaging, clinicians can select the optimal imaging application for their treatment approach. Siemens' MVision cone beam imaging package provides excellent soft-tissue resolution, especially in challenging cases, such as imaging prostheses and with large patients. The CTVision CT-on-rails system provides in-room, diagnostic quality imaging; thus opening up opportunities to implement benchmark concepts, such as daily re-planning.

"Patient anatomy and tumor size and shape change during the course of treatment, often making it difficult to maximize dosage to target tissue while sparing healthy tissue,” said Holger Schmidt, president of Siemens Medical Solutions, Oncology Care Systems Division. "Artiste provides both fast, powerful 3D [three-dimensional] MV imaging and CT high-contrast imaging to help monitor daily changes and enable precise radiation treatment delivery. Along with the improved tumor conformity, high-leaf speed, and low leakage of the new 160 MLC multileaf collimator, Artiste empowers clinicians--offering them the flexibility and assurance they need to deliver optimal care.”

The system's design incorporates an array of proven components that reinforces clinicians' confidence in adapting protocols for each patient. For precise patient positioning, the 550 TxT treatment table meets the growing demand for accuracy and stability, while providing the mechanical strength to accommodate a patient weight capacity of up to 250 kg. The Artiste is additionally enhanced by Siemens' comprehensive software system, syngo Suite for Oncology: a workflow platform providing scalable workspaces that enable clinical team members to access data, patient information, and images as needed.

"Worldwide demographics continue to change, and healthcare demands are on the rise. Higher cancer rates and the increasing need for radiation therapy solutions pose many questions, and Siemens has answers,” said Mr. Schmidt. "With innovations like Artiste, we provide the reliability and options that support optimized radiation therapy and simplified clinical workflow, as well as a clear upgrade path for the incorporation of changes in clinical scope and future treatment advances.”


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