RaySearch’s VMAT solution launched by Philips
RaySearch Laboratories’ partner Royal Philips Electronics, has announced that the new treatment planning solution SmartArc has received 510(k) clearance and has been introduced on the market. The product has been developed in collaboration with Philips as a part of the long standing partnership between the two companies. SmartArc is a solution for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatment planning. Available as a module in Philips’ Pinnacle3 version 9 radiation treatment planning software, the new planning option can be used with any VMAT-capable delivery system on the market.
VMAT (Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy) is an advanced form of IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy) in which the treatment machine rotates around the patient while the treatment beam is on. The basic promise of VMAT delivery is to significantly reduce treatment time per patient compared with traditional IMRT. VMAT can benefit the patient by offering shorter treatment times, increased accuracy and better sparing of healthy tissue. Reduced treatment time results in decreased stress for patients and increased capacity for providers.
SmartArc advanced treatment planning technology allows single or multiple, user-definable arcs and supports both constant- and variable-dose rate delivery. Constant-dose rate delivery allows clinicians to explore the benefits of VMAT delivery without the expense and downtime associated with an upgrade to their linear accelerator. SmartArc is the first commercially released inverse planning solution designed for both Elekta and Varian linear accelerators. This flexibility is important to allow clinicians the freedom to choose the delivery device that best fits their needs.
“SmartArc is a very powerful extension of the market-leading Pinnacle3 system. It is by far the most versatile VMAT solution on the market as it can handle a variety of options for all relevant treatment machines. I believe that this will be highly appreciated by the Pinnacle3 users as it enables them to realize the faster and better treatments that VMAT promises without extensive hardware upgrades,” says Johan Löf, President of RaySearch.
“Over the years, RaySearch’s advanced development capabilities have been instrumental to realize several of the innovative treatment planning concepts provided in Pinnacle3. SmartArc continues the tradition, enabling a wide range of new treatment options benefitting clinics and patients alike,” adds Keith Tipton, General Manager, Philips Radiation Oncology Solutions.