The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, Texas) has purchased two Elekta Versa HD™ linear accelerators. The radiation therapy system, which recently received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, features the versatility to deliver high-volume conventional techniques, in addition to the most advanced linear-accelerator treatments that require the greatest targeting precision. MD Anderson predicts it will be ready to treat patients on the systems by January 2014.
Versa HD is equipped with the Agility™ multileaf collimator for high-speed, high-precision beam shaping to support extremely accurate tumor targeting and improved healthy tissue preservation. With previous beam shaping technologies, high-definition (HD) beam shaping was limited to small targets. Versa HD with Agility now enables high-definition beam shaping over a significantly larger treatment field, expanding advanced treatments to a broader spectrum of tumors. Combining this novel technology with a new High Dose Rate mode, Versa HD is expected to provide rapid delivery of more sophisticated therapies within standard radiotherapy treatment times.
"To have MD Anderson employ our latest technology gives us added confidence that Elekta is providing the tools that top healthcare providers need to treat their patients," says Jay Hoey, Executive Vice President, Elekta North America.
New PULSAR radiation-therapy strategy achieves better tumor control