Breakthrough Technology Expanding the Potential in Cancer Treatment

Breakthrough Technology Expanding the Potential in Cancer Treatment Elekta introduces the new Elekta Synergy(TM) image-guided radiotherapy research project. This project will define tomorrow's leading edge cancer treatment systems. These Elekta Synergy(TM) systems will have the potential to expand the use of radiation medicine by delivering cancer tumor targeting via a new integrated 3-dimensional imaging system Elekta has an enviable track record of innovative technology with many market leading products and world firsts on its list of credits. However as befits a company founded by a clinician it not only develops outstanding medical technology but it ensures this technology can be successfully implemented in a busy clinical environment and make a real difference to the patient quality of life. As treatments for cancer advances there is the increasing need for precision and accuracy, providing more direct and intense radiation to the tumor with smaller field sizes while avoiding damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Elekta is currently addressing this need in an investigational setting. This "first of its kind" image guided radiotherapy system addresses the need for optimized radiation delivery by integrating IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy) with state- of-the-art 3-D imaging technology. "Elekta is the leader in the integration of imaging and radiation delivery for cancer treatment" stated Laurent Leksell, Ph.D., CEO and President, Elekta. "Our collaboration with leading clinical institutions enables Elekta to rapidly bring this invention to the wider oncology community in a clinically practical, integrated system". The Elekta solution will address and solve the clinical workflow issues added Dr. Leksell. X-ray Volume imaging (XVI) is a unique technology invented by William Beaumont hospital, in collaboration with Elekta. The Elekta Synergy(TM) project is working to bring XVI to market as soon as possible. Currently Elekta has four research systems installed and operational. The Elekta Synergy(TM) will be a completely integrated system for 3-dimensional volume imaging and delivery of cancer treatment. By imaging the patient at the time of treatment and in the treatment position, the clinician can accurately pinpoint the position of the cancer and surrounding critical organs. This will allow clinicians to introduce new clinical techniques that aggressively targets cancer, potentially increasing the scope of radiotherapy. Elekta expects that Elekta Synergy(TM) image guided systems will become an important part of the portfolio for large community centers and an essential tool for leading university hospitals. Elekta is the leader in x-ray volume imaging (XVI) and is the first and only vendor with an operational system providing a full 3-D data set with sub-millimeter resolution in all three dimensions utilizing a digital linear accelerator. Reconstruction of slices in any direction combined with excellent visualization of low contrast soft tissue has the potential to revolutionize localization of tumor and critical organs at time of treatment. Several years of development work conducted by Elekta and William Beaumont Hospital has evaluated different technology and potential clinical protocols. This has culminated in the formation of an international research group of four world famous hospitals that will take the technology into the clinical phase, that of defining the requirements to support the workflow associated with real-time imaging in radiotherapy. The hospitals in the Elekta Synergy(TM) research group are: · Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Canada · William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan, USA · Christie Hospital, Manchester, UK · The Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI), Amsterdam, The Netherlands It is planned that the full Elekta Synergy(TM) system will be available for general market in less than 18 months. However, an upgradable platform is available now, based on the same, reliable Elekta Precise Treatment System(TM) currently in distribution modified structurally to be able to accept the latest advances in image-guided radiotherapy as they become available. ***** Elekta is a world-leading supplier of advanced and innovative radiation oncology and neurosurgery solutions and services for precise treatment of cancer and brain disorders. Elekta's solutions are clinically effective, cost efficient and gentle on the patient. For further information, please contact: Lars Jonsteg, Group VP Corporate Communications, Elekta AB (publ), Tel. +46 708 78 37 35 More information about Elekta can be found at: www.elekta.com ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/06/10/20030610BIT00450/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/06/10/20030610BIT00450/wkr0002.pdf