October 16, 2017 — Elekta and Brainlab have reconfirmed their alliance for the integrated use of the Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator and Brainlab ExacTrac patient positioning and monitoring technology. The integration of these two technologies offers high-definition stereotactic radiosurgery (HDRS) treatments with versatile patient positioning and monitoring through simplified workflows. A Versa HD system augmented with ExacTrac was displayed at the Elekta booth during the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting, Sept. 24-27 in San Diego.
The number of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) procedures is expected to increase dramatically between 2014 and 2024 (70 percent and 103 percent, respectively). This growth is substantially larger than the estimated increase in the number of patients estimated for these treatments (22 percent and 26 percent, respectively), reflecting the wider adoption of stereotactic radiation to treat intra- as well as extra-cranial tumors. Innovative workflows that address the challenges associated with using these procedures for different anatomies are essential to ensuring a high degree of safety, efficacy and efficiency.
In line with the growing adoption of radiosurgery, the Versa HD HDRS and ExacTrac solution will provide clinicians the following benefits:
- Support the delivery of high-definition stereotactic treatments in standard treatment slots, regardless of tumor complexity or anatomy;
- Frameless stereotactic solutions for multiple anatomical applications; and
- Integrated workflows and robust image guidance and motion management during delivery for coplanar and non-coplanar treatments.
Ludwig-Maximilian University (LMU) Hospital in Munich has used the integrated system for more than two years. “The integration of Versa HD and ExacTrac enables a seamless workflow that allows us to improve patient comfort while reducing treatment time,” said Prof. Claus Belka, M.D., director, Department of Radiation Oncology at LMU. “Combined, these technologies give us the flexibility to treat complex tumors that require extremely precise targeting using the same systems with which we treat more conventional cases. This helps us to reduce the cost of delivering quality care to all of our patients.”
In September 2016, Elekta and Brainlab announced an agreement designed to ensure the continuous evolution of interoperability and safety of Elekta’s Leksell Vantage Stereotactic System and Elements Stereotaxy treatment planning and verification software from Brainlab. The integrated use of both systems is designed to improve the safety and accuracy of stereotactic neurosurgical procedures. In June 2017, the companies announced that Brainlab would be the authorized distributor of Elekta’s stereotactic solutions for neurosurgery in selected markets.
For more information: www.elekta.com, www.brainlab.com