RapidArc will also make it much simpler to plan and deliver IMRT by eliminating numerous steps required for conventional treatments that use multiple beam angles. By reducing the time it takes to deliver IMRT and other highly-precise forms of radiation therapy, RapidArc has the potential to improve the quality of care and of patient comfort, while making radiation oncology a more affordable treatment. "This can reduce the treatment waiting lists in parts of the world where capacity is a limiting factor," Wilson said.
"Clinicians everywhere are rapidly adopting image-guided radiotherapy," observed Karl Otto, PhD, medical physicist at the BC Cancer Agency, whose research has contributed to the development of Varian's RapidArc product. "With RapidArc, it is likely that we will see image-guided radiotherapy sessions complete much faster than they are now, including imaging and treatment."
"Varian's goal is to reduce the time it takes for imaging and treatment to under five minutes, through technology advancements," said Wilson. "With RapidArc, we're taking a big step in this direction."
RapidArc Technology
RapidArc technology utilizes a sophisticated algorithm that makes it
possible to program a Varian linear accelerator to deliver a complete
intensity-modulated radiation treatment in a single revolution. By varying
three parameters simultaneously-the speed of rotation, the beam shaping
aperture, and the dose delivery rate-doctors can create finely-shaped IMRT
dose distributions that more closely match the size and shape of the tumor
while sparing healthy tissues. "We have been working to develop and perfect
RapidArc capability for more than five years and it is exciting to see this
important technology coming to fruition," s
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