Researchers at Accuray have introduced a new robotic radiosurgery system designed to extend the benefits of non-surgical treatment options for cancer patients.

The CyberKnife VSI is the latest addition to the California-based company's CyberKnife Robotic Radio Surgery System, which enables the delivery of high-dose radiation during radiosurgical procedures. Its technology remains the only non-invasive cancer treatment option in the world that combines computer-controlled robotics and image guidance technology to track, detect and correct movement of benign and malignant tumors.

Like its predecessors, the new product line provides non-invasive radiosurgical cancer treatment anywhere in the body afflicted with the disease; and developers hope new enhancements will enable physicians to better customize care for their patients when determining a course of treatment. Among its benefits, the VSI System -- named for being versatile, simple and intelligent -- boasts a more logical and simplified workflow for physicians. Unveiled earlier this month, its development now allows clinicians to complete the treatments for their patients during routine clinical visits.
In addition, the VSI can intelligently track respiratory motion in real-time and automatically adapt to changes in the patient's breathing pattern -- a key development for the treatment of lung tumors. Researchers have also enabled the VSI with capabilities to address the challenges of random and excessive target motion by using intelligent and adaptive image guidance, resulting in minimized damage to surrounding healthy tissue and decreasing the risk of treatment complications and side effects.

Developers have championed other significant advancements, including a 1,000 MU/minute X-band linear accelerator, enhanced visualization capabilities, automated segmentation and the previously fractionated robotic IMRT.

Dwight Heron, M.D., chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology at UPMC Shadyside, explains, "There is a tremendous need for the capabilities built into the new CyberKnife VSI. Depending on each individual patient's case, we will now be able to better tailor care so that the right amount of radiation is delivered to the right place in the right time frame for each patient, all with the same accuracy for which the CyberKnife is known."

According to company reports, the CyberKnife System has treated over 70,000 patients worldwide, and 180 systems are currently installed in hospitals in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Accuray executives also hope that the development of the VSI will spark new growth among untouched markets and help patients around the world find a more acutely customized method of treating their disease. Accuray Senior Vice-President and chief marketing officer Eric Lindquist says, "Our continued goal is to provide clinicians with an adaptive and superior treatment delivery system. CyberKnife VSI offers clinicians the flexibility to choose the treatment regimen they feel is best suited for their patients and further enhances the business case by expanding the number of patients it can treat."

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