Agfa launches global CR radiotherapy solution
1 March 2005
New multipurpose solution for digital image acquisition for simulation
and portal imaging
Mortsel, Belgium. Agfa HealthCare has announced the launch of its CR
(computed radiography) Radiotherapy Solution, a digital simulation and
portal imaging system for both low and high dose applications that handles
both low and high energy x-rays.
The CR Radiotherapy Solution is a complete system that provides the
capability to acquire radiographic images in a radiotherapy environment
using CR technology. It enables the acquisition of digital CR images, which,
in contrast to conventional film, offer post-processing image enhancement
resulting in higher contrast images within radiotherapy application areas
that currently use radiographic imaging.
The CR Radiotherapy Solution, which is available with Agfa's recently
launched CR 25.0, is capable of serving multiple rooms simultaneously. It
complements, and can even replace, the use of an Electronic Portal Imaging
Device (EPID) system by offering a broader radiation field and image quality
that equals that of EPID systems, but at higher resolution. In addition, the
configuration of the system enables elements, such as the imaging cassettes,
to be more ergonomic, offering unprecedented flexibility in image
manipulation.
A cost-efficient choice because of its lack of requirement for film,
chemicals, dark room facilities and storage, the CR Radiotherapy Solution
co-exists alongside customers' existing routing capabilities, offering
flexible image transfer over the network via DICOM.
Commenting on the CR Radiotherapy Solution's launch, Ann Meersschaert,
Product Manager, CR Radiotherapy applications, said: "Following successful
field tests in sites across Europe and Canada, and approvals from CE,
Europe, the FDA in the US, and the Canadian Licensing Authority, we are
delighted to launch our CR Radiotherapy Solution. Whilst the solution is
based upon proven components and built upon Agfa's knowledge and expertise
in imaging and information management, it has been specifically tailor-made
to address the particular challenges faced by professionals within the
radiotherapy field and we are confident it will prove invaluable to our
customers."
Agfa customers are already experiencing the benefits of the solution. Brad
Murray, M.Sc., Senior Medical Physicist Department of Medical Physics, Cross
Cancer Center, Alberta Cancer Board, Edmonton, Canada, said: "After
reviewing several images from various anatomical sites, which were created
with the Agfa CR 25.0 system, both the Radiation Oncologists and the
Radiation Therapists felt that the image quality was impressive. The
software was very user friendly, and images could easily be moved from this
system via DICOM. We are excited about using this system to facilitate
becoming filmless in the near future."
And Crister Ceberg, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Medical Physicist, Department of
Radiation Physics, Lund University Hospital, Sweden, said: "In 2004, we were
in the process of introducing digital imaging at the Radiotherapy department
in Lund. Digitally reconstructed radiographs were produced by our
CT-simulator and treatment planning system, and four of our seven linacs
were already equipped with EPIDs. On our remaining conventional simulator
and the older accelerators, however, we were still using regular film.
A CR 25.0 system was installed to bridge the gap between film and digital
imaging. The CR system provides all the advantages of electronic image
management. Yet, the CR cassettes are handled in the same way as the film
cassettes, which help making the transition as smooth as possible.
Within a few years, all our simulation and treatment units will probably
be replaced or upgraded with digital imaging equipment. Nevertheless, we
expect the CR 25.0 system to remain a valuable component in our department,
both as a back-up system in case of temporary EPID failure, and for
treatment techniques where EPIDs cannot be used, such as for total body
irradiations."
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