The precision of a TrueBeam system is measured in increments of less than a millimeter. This accuracy is made possible by the system's sophisticated architecture, which establishes a new level of synchronization between imaging, patient positioning, motion management, beam shaping, and dose delivery technologies, performing accuracy checks every ten milliseconds throughout an entire treatment. Over 100,000 data points are monitored continually as a treatment progresses, ensuring that the system maintains a "true isocenter," or focal point of treatment.

"This increased level of precision will make it possible for doctors to treat a moving lung tumor as if it were standing still," said Guertin. "By synchronizing treatment with tumor position changes throughout the respiratory cycle, doctors will be able to reduce the margin of healthy tissue affected by the treatment beam."


The TrueBeam system also delivers Varian's new 'gated' RapidArc radiotherapy, which compensates for tumor motion by synchronizing imaging with dose delivery during a continuous rotation around the patient. "This exciting new capability makes RapidArc an even more powerful tool for treating cancers of the thorax, such as lung and liver cancer, when tumor motion is an issue," Guertin said. Other innovations built in to the TrueBeam system include:

* A streamlined treatment console with a modern, graphical, easy-to-use interface that consolidates all controls for imaging, treatment, and motion management. Treatment processes and workflows are simplified and easy to learn, with prompts, messages, and a "follow the light" guidance system that enhances safety by guiding therapists through the steps of even the most complex treatments. "One button" IGRT enables the therapist to spend more time attending to the patient, and less time managing the technology.
* A newly-designed X-ray tube is optimized for generating high volumes of quality 3-D (cone-beam CT) images.
* These 3-D images can be generated in 60% less time, with a 25% reduction in X-ray dose to the patient.
* A treatment couch that can be positioned with sub-millimeter accuracy in relation to imaging and beam delivery processes.
* A unique new non-clinical Developer Mode designed to facilitate collaboration with Oncology thought leaders interested in pioneering new treatment and imaging techniques.

"With its many new unmatched capabilities, we've created a new breed of accelerator with the versatility to improve conventional treatments and at the same time support the clinical development of treatment innovations that offer patients more options for fighting their disease," said Guertin. "TrueBeam takes us a significant step closer towards our goal of helping to save 100,000 more lives each year."

More HCB News