January 27, 2017 — Mevion Medical Systems and UF Health Cancer Center - Orlando Health recently announced the first patient treatment on a Mevion S250 proton therapy system in conjunction with Airo, a mobile, diagnostic computed tomography (CT) scanner. The advanced 3D CT-based localization is integrated to Verity Patient Positioning System, a component of the Mevion S250 Series, and is based on high-precision stereotactic localization and tracking technology. This solution improves treatment accuracy and reduces patient positioning uncertainties.
Orlando Health has been a pioneer in the implementation of image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). The Mevion S250 is the first compact proton therapy system to integrate an in-room CT scanner for high-precision positioning and adaptive treatment, according to the company. CT imaging provides superior, high-resolution images that can be used for both positioning and adaptive treatment.
Orlando Health treated its first patient using a Mevion S250 in April 2016, and in less than four months was treating more than 20 patients per day thanks to the system’s fast ramp-up time, high throughput rate and low operating costs. Additionally, the Mevion S250 Series is capable of treating a wide variety of complex cases in adult and pediatric patients. In Orlando, it has treated tumors of the central nervous system (CNS), head and neck, breast, spine and other sensitive locations.
“Proton therapy is the most advanced treatment in radiation therapy and has allowed us to significantly reduce harmful radiation to healthy tissue, which is especially important for cancers near sensitive, hard-to-reach locations, both in children and adults,” said Naren R. Ramakrishna, M.D., Ph.D., director of neurologic and pediatric radiation oncology at Orlando Health. “Integrating proton therapy within our cancer center has given us the ability to provide a comprehensive range of services, allowing us to keep our patients in our system to receive the best treatment possible. In-room diagnostic CT imaging for positioning and treatment adaptation allows us to provide the most accurate treatment localization with protons.”
“This is an advancement in how we can precisely position patients for proton therapy compared to conventional planar imaging methods,” explained Omar Zeidan, Ph.D., chief of proton therapy physics at Orlando Health. “This CT-based IGRT system offers superior stereotactic localization with submillimeter accuracy in addition to the capability for adaptive proton therapy.”
For more information: www.mevion.com