LINEAR ACCELERATORS CANCER SOFTWARE IN THIS
LINEAR ACCELERATORS CANCER UPDATE USED MEDICAL

Linear Accelerators Cancer Software In This

Overall treatment capacity is restricted by departmental opening hours and the number of available linacs, and depends on the presence of a multidisciplinary group of RT. ROS president John Vano discusses the impact of Covid-19, demand for refurbished linear accelerators and the ever-growing role of software in this spaceLinear Accelerator Radiation Therapy Stereotactic Radiosurgery & Radiotherapy. Cell Lung Cancer: The NRG-LU001 Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial.The global medical linear accelerator market is growing at a CAGR of over 7 during the forecast period 20192025. The growing prevalence of cancer worldwide, coupled with rapid technological advancements and increased healthcare expenditure, is expected to boost the market growth.

Linear Accelerators Cancer Update Used Medical

Vano says the company carries out between 10 and 12 of these projects each year.This whole refurbishment process can take anywhere between three and six weeks to complete, and any software updates or changes that are necessary to keep the machine optimised are made during the reinstallation stage.Software has not always been such an integral part of these machinesвЂ™ radiotherapy capabilities, however.As Vano describes, only last year, ROS removed a linear accelerator in Latin America that had been treating patients since the late-1970s, and featured almost no software at all.But, due to technical advancements in the field, that machine is closer to being a вЂњmuseum pieceвЂќ than a medical device now, and more up-to-date models rely heavily on specialised software to function effectively.It plays a key role in everything from exactly how much radiation is administered, to storing patient data and cyber security measures.Advanced software is also critical in more recent technological developments in LINAC machines вЂ” including volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), which enables radiotherapy treatment to take place in record time, and hypofractionation, which divides the radiation into larger doses so treatment can take place over a shorter period compared to standard radiotherapy.And, by teaming up with the вЂњgenius software engineersвЂќ at Dignatel, Vano believes ROS can now provide a more comprehensive machine, and a more complete service, than ever before.вЂњWhen a customer orders a used linear accelerator, they want to know they wonвЂ™t be faced with expensive upgrades and updates in the future just to keep it functional, and secure,вЂќ he adds.вЂњPartnering with Dignatel allows us to offer full protection, and say вЂhereвЂ™s your machine, hereвЂ™s your software вЂ” thereвЂ™s nothing you have to worry aboutвЂ™.вЂњThey have the compliance, the security and the dependability of a new system at a fraction of the cost вЂ” so, weвЂ™re really excited about that.вЂќThe ongoing coronavirus pandemic has already had a significant effect on the radiotherapy sector.In the US, for example, Vano says some clinics have seen a 40% decrease in patient volume, and radiotherapy procedures are one of many types of elective, non-urgent treatments regularly being postponed due to Covid-19.A national survey conducted in April by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) also found that, while many of the 222 physician leaders surveyed had continued to provide radiation therapy services during the early weeks of the pandemic, 85% reported declines in the number of patients seen, with patient volume down by one-third on average.вЂњThe damage that Covid-19 hasnвЂ™t done, cancer has, because patients are more terrified of going in and getting the virus than they are of maybe risking their tumours growing,вЂќ says Vano.The fact many patients, especially elderly ones, have chosen to stay at home and not continue their treatment has also lessened the need for certain pieces of equipment вЂ“ including LINAC machines вЂ” and decreased the money coming into hospitals.Healthcare centres are having to cut costs to stay afloat, and even, in some cases, move money and resources from departments that are not seeing as many patients to those that are. Smart Technology to Extend Lives with Linear Accelerators. Radiotherapy is an essential component of cancer care being a very effective means of curing.Companies such as Radiology Oncology Systems refurbish and update used medical equipment, before selling it on for a fraction of the original price (Credit: NCI)Refurbished medical equipment is by no means a brand new sub-sector within the broader healthcare industry вЂ” but new technologies, regulations and, of course, more recently, the omnipresent Covid-19 crisis, mean it is constantly evolving. Jamie Bell speaks to industry boss John Vano about one very specific component in this ecosystem вЂ” linear accelerators.For cancer patients, visiting the nearest hospital or specialist clinic to get regular treatments can be stressful, daunting and burdensome enough in itself.But, in many cases, this situation is made more testing by the lack of a local radiology oncology centre.Those wanting to set up a radiotherapy clinic, particularly in remote or poorer areas, can rarely afford to meet the multi-million dollar price tag associated with a brand new linear accelerator, or LINAC вЂ” the machine used to provide radiotherapy treatment.Because of this, patients in rural areas вЂ” or in developing countries where specialised, advanced medical facilities are often more sparse in general вЂ” may have to undertake a lengthy journey for appointments.In some cases, they may even be unable to access this vital cancer treatment at all.However, companies such as Radiology Oncology Systems (ROS) can provide a solution by refurbishing used LINAC machines and selling them to smaller healthcare providers for a fraction of their original cost.The San Diego-based firm recently announced it is teaming up with Dignatel вЂ” a tech company that also works alongside manufacturers to provide the software featured in brand new machines вЂ” leaving ROSвЂ™ president John Vano вЂњreally excitedвЂќ about the new partnership.вЂњOne of the big changes weвЂ™re seeing now is that software is becoming an increasingly important part of the whole system,вЂќ he adds.вЂњItвЂ™s not just about whether or not you can provide a linear accelerator вЂ” itвЂ™s about the brains inside it, the software thatвЂ™s on it, and what it can do.вЂњ Used medical equipment is a very important sector in terms of filling a lot of the holes that exist in healthcare infrastructures.вЂњThere are a number of industries that have these secondary markets вЂ” including cars, trucks, aeroplanes, helicopters, factory equipment, and farming equipment.вЂњAny time that thereвЂ™s equipment with a useful life left in it, it makes sense to keep using it while itвЂ™s functional.вЂќLinear accelerators produce high-energy X-rays, and deliver them precisely towards a patientвЂ™s tumour from multiple angles to ensure that cancerous cells are destroyed, and normal tissue in the surrounding area is undamaged.At the start of the 21st century вЂ” around the time ROS was founded, in 1997 вЂ” there were three major players making these LINAC machines.German tech giant Siemens, US-based radiation oncology specialist Varian Medical Systems, and Swedish radiotherapy company Elekta competed across the world, and their machines were all considered вЂњpretty good optionsвЂќ for healthcare providers, according to Vano.This dynamic changed in 2005, however, when Elekta purchased IMPAC вЂ” the California-based firm that supplied software used in many LINAC machines at the time.

Depending on your type and stage of cancer, a radiation oncologist will determine if treatment with the MRIdian System is a recommended treatment option.Each patientвЂ™s treatment plan will be different, but treatment courses typically range anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the following:Connecting You with the Most Advanced Cancer CareMRI-Guided Radiation Therapy is available at the McGlinn Cancer Institute at Reading Hospital, in West Reading. Radiation Treatment Delivery (*RTD)Real-time direct visualization of tumors during treatment deliveryReduced chance of side effects as a result of improved targetingBest chance of avoiding healthy tissue around tumors by using real-time beam adjustment during treatmentPotential for higher radiation dose to moving tumors and tumors in difficult locationsMRIdian is a game changer in the treatment of cancer and limited metastatic disease in areas of the body that are hard to reach or near critical organs.Our world-class healthcare team has cared for many cancer patients and will create a personalized treatment plan that meets your specific needs. Optimizes the dose of radiation to the correct locationMRI-Guided Radiation Therapy is the most precise noninvasive treatment today, providing personalized and powerful treatment unavailable in other conventional technologies.