World's First Mobile Radiation Therapy System Developed To Lighten Backlogs

A new mobile radiation therapy system and service are being developed for use in trailers.

TomoTherapy, Inc. (Madison, WI, USA) is developing the world's first mobile radiation therapy system, the Hi·Art, in trailers that would be available for use by TomoTherapy customers during new construction, in advance of system installation, to alleviate temporary backlogs, or as a permanent placement for centers that are unable to expand their facility. The announcement was made September 22, 2008, at the 50th annual meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO).

The Hi·Art treatment system combines integrated computed tomography (CT) imaging with conformal radiation therapy to deliver advanced radiation treatments with speed and precision while reducing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

For the mobile service initiative, TomoTherapy has entered into discussions with Alliance Oncology, a radiation oncology provider and a subsidiary of Alliance Imaging (Anaheim, CA,USA), a leading provider of diagnostic medical imaging services. The companies expect to work together on the development and implementation of the mobile radiation therapy service.

"We are very pleased to announce our plans to develop the world's first mobile radiation therapy service,” said Shawn Guse, TomoTherapy's vice-president of global sales. "If successful, this will allow all radiation oncology centers to easily upgrade aging linear accelerators with no interruption in patient care. We expect that this offering will provide yet another key competitive advantage for TomoTherapy's Hi·Art system over less integrated options and outdated system designs.”

Alliance Imaging is a leading U.S. provider of shared-service and fixed-site diagnostic imaging services, based upon annual revenue and number of diagnostic imaging systems deployed. Alliance provides imaging and therapeutic services primarily to hospitals and other healthcare providers on a shared and full-time service basis, in addition to operating a growing number of fixed-site imaging centers, campuses, medical groups' offices, or medical buildings and retail sites.

Related Links:
TomoTherapy
Alliance Imaging