September 23, 2016 — ZDi Solutions LLC announced that it will soon market its Z-System patient positioning devices to proton therapy and conventional radiation therapy facilities in the United States, with plans to collaborate worldwide. The system is comprised of the Z-Box, Z-Square and Z-Tilt. The team from ZDi will be attending the annual meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) in Boston Sept. 25-28 to demonstrate the technology.
The devices were developed by Zachary Dutton, R.T. (R)(T), chief design officer of ZDi, who saw a need for strong, lightweight, positioning devices. Dutton explained, "Although moldable technology has improved, it can be difficult to work with as therapists navigate the positioning bag and the patient. Several hands are needed to assist in complex cases involving the thoracic and abdominal regions. A device was needed that would take the place of those extra hands. Additionally, many of these setups present a challenge for patients who are unable to hold both arms above their head." Dutton also factored the strength of the immobilization device into his design.
The Z-Box, the custom supportive piece of the Z-System, is a winged apparatus used during immobilization foam mold fabrication, most often during computed tomography (CT) simulation. The Z-Box is fully adjustable to any arm position and has side "wings" on the board which operate on a hinge that can be raised or lowered to the desired height to fully support the patient's arms. The adjustable extension under the hands and forearms can be locked in to the appropriate height. These adjustments not only support the patient in a comfortable position but also create a deep mold for the cradle. This deep mold provides an accurate casting around the patient's arms. This exact reproducibility of the arm position is one of the most important factors in treatment alignment for proton therapy.
ZDi has successfully tested the device at the Provision Center for Proton Therapy in Knoxville, Tenn.
For more information: www.zdirad.com
August 09, 2024 
