March 14, 2011 – The University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center (UWCCC) in Madison, Wis., will soon become one of the first oncology research centers to acquire a radiotherapy system from ViewRay. The research radiation therapy system features a combination of radiotherapy delivery and simultaneous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The system is being designed to provide continuous soft-tissue MRI during treatment so that clinicians can see precisely where the radiation is being delivered.
Radiation therapy is critical for cancer treatment, and nearly two-thirds of all cancer patients receive radiation therapy during their illness. However, natural organ motion can hinder the precision of radiation delivery to the tumor.
"Patients breathe, swallow and digest with movement of internal organs during treatment," said Paul M. Harari, M.D., professor and chair of the UW Department of Human Oncology. "We plan to use the system to observe and address this problem in a new way with the use of MR imaging. Our researchers are particularly interested in studying possible applications in the treatment of thoracic, abdominal and pelvic malignancies, where precise radiation targeting must account for organ motion."
The UWCCC is known for conducting some of the most innovative research in the field. A number of original treatment technologies have been developed at UW, particularly in the area of image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) using pretreatment computed tomography (CT).
The system is designed to enable clinicians to plan and deliver precision radiotherapy and radiosurgery to treat lesions, tumors and conditions anywhere in the body.
The company is working to secure clearance from the U.S. FDA for commercial distribution of the system for clinical use.
For more information: www.viewray.com
August 09, 2024 
