New technology unveiled at ASTRO 2009

CHICAGO-Accuray introduced the CyberKnife VSI System. The system is designed to also include conventionally fractionated robotic intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

Enhancements of the CyberKnife VSI System include features a 1,000 MU/minute X-band linear accelerator, advanced visualization capabilities, automated segmentation capabilities, and logical workflow.

TomoTherapy debuts TomoHD
The TomoHD treatment system (below) bundles technologies previously available only as options for the TomoTherapy Hi-Art system.

The new system combines TomoHelical for 260-degree volume targeting and TomoDirect for discrete-angle delivery option paired with 3D conformal radiation therapy capabilities. Clinicians can plan, image, and treat targets of up to 160 cm in length, with no need to reposition the patient and no need for field junctioning, according to the company.

Philips launches big bore CT
Philips Healthcare revealed advancements to its Brilliance CT Big Bore platform, including an 85 cm large bore and 60 cm true-scan field of view for an enhanced patient positioning. Other features include RapidView 4D reconstruction system, an amplitude binning algorithm, metal artifact reduction, a block technology that allows data to be sent directly from the CT console, and tumor localization on console.

The arrival of Artiste
Siemens Healthcare showcased Artiste, a linear accelerator engineered specifically for adaptive radiation therapy. Artiste offers standard in-room CT imaging and Siemens MVision Cone Beam Imaging Package for enhancing soft-tissue contrast. The CTVision CT-on-rails System provides in-room diagnostic imaging to support daily replanning. The 550 TxT Treatment Table can accommodate a patient weight capacity of up to 550 pounds. n