Varian improves brachytherapy treatment

2 November 2007

Varian Medical Systems (VAR: NYSE) has the iX range of advanced afterloaders that simplify high dose rate brachytherapy delivery and optimise treatment of cancer patients.

The afterloaders have new Windows-based control software, common to both the VariSource iX and GammaMedplus iX afterloaders, the computer-controlled devices used for delivering the radiation sources. The new software integrates with Varian’s BrachyVision treatment planning system. The company says the new iX systems are in operation at a number of sites and are currently being shipped to customers.

Varian is also introducing an updated version of its VariSeed brachytherapy seed-planning software. VariSeed 8.0 incorporates several new features that allow greater visibility of the treatment.

VariSeed 8.0 offers brachytherapy physicists new and improved contouring tools, including the ability to contour in the sagittal and coronal planes. Contouring the urethra has been simplified by the introduction of the Structure sweep, which is also available in the VariSeed Implant View module for interactive seed placement and dosimetry.

Among the new features is a tool that creates a digital reconstruction of the CT image and makes it much simpler to define the seed placement. A typical permanent seed implant involves up to 120 radioactive seeds, each the size of a grain of rice.

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