Elekta has gained 510(k) clearance for its Clarity 4D Monitoring software, allowing US medical centers to deploy a new way of minimizing the uncertainty caused by prostate motion during radiation treatment.
Clarity 4D Monitoring software with autoscan acquisition technology, will enable physicians to monitor the motion of the prostate and surrounding tissues and organs in real-time and with sub-millimeter accuracy during the delivery of therapeutic radiation beams.
Fletcher Allen Health Care radiation oncologist James Wallace said 4D monitoring is a simple, inexpensive software, which enables continuous monitoring of the prostate.
"In comparison to other systems, 4D monitoring with Clarity will not only be more cost-efficient, but patient acceptance will also be higher,'' Wallace added.
4D monitoring of the prostate with Clarity during treatment process also provides continuous tracking of the target and imaging of the surrounding anatomy, including the bladder, rectum and penile bulb.
Visualiziation of these structures during treatment is expected to allow clinicians to plan tighter margins around intended targets, thereby minimizing radiation exposure to healthy tissue.
