October 12 2005
VEENENDAAL, THE NETHERLANDS – October 12, 2005 – Nucletron B.V., a global leader providing some of the world’s most innovative products and services for cancer treatment, announced that the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has assigned new reimbursement for “Placement of endorectal intracavitary applicator for high intensity brachytherapy” using the OncoSmart™ Intracavitary mold applicator. The new applicator is fully CT- and MR-compatible and consists of a disposable, flexible silicone cylinder that ensures patient comfort during cancer therapy. The OncoSmart™ Intracavitary mold applicator, co-developed with Dr. Té Vuong, Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology of the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, Canada, provides benefits for patients and surgeons by offering better delineation of the tumor, less likelihood of sphincter damage, an average 68% down staging of the tumor, reduced patient side effects and improved quality of life. According to Dr. Vuong, “the OncoSmart Intracavitary mold applicator offers improvements in its simplicity and convenience over currently available options for endorectal brachytherapy. In addition, we have demonstrated that the applicator ensures optimal coverage of the tumor target, while sparing adjacent healthy tissue.” CMS announced the addition of the new coding for “Placement of endorectal intracavity applicator for high intensity brachytherapy” to the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) effective October 1, 2005. The new code (C9725) provides a payment level of $550 to hospitals under the OPPS system offering better access to patients and physicians using this new technology. “We are pleased to see that CMS has assigned appropriate coding and payment for the OncoSmart Intracavitary mold applicator. This will increase access to this technology for patients who are not candidates for other methods of treatment,” stated Dr. Arve Gillette of Texas Oncology in Dallas, TX. The OncoSmart Intracavitary mold applicator is part of the OncoSystem Rectal solution. Nucletron now offers this turnkey concept for pre-operative endorectal brachytherapy for use with the OncoSelect HDR-3, and the microSelectron HDR or PDR remote afterloaders. The OncoSmart Intracavitary mold has FDA 510k, Health Canada and CE mark approvals and is currently available for sale and shipment. Jeroen Cammeraat, President of Nucletron Corporation, stated, “Nucletron is proud to play a supporting role in enabling the adoption of this important new treatment option for patients diagnosed with rectal cancer. The new CPT code and the reimbursement established by CMS will permit patient access to treatment options by permitting appropriate reimbursement for hospitals and will encourage clinicians to expand their endorectal treatment options to include brachytherapy.“ About Nucletron B.V. Nucletron is a global leader in the development, manufacture, sales, service and support of the world’s most innovative products for cancer treatment, with particular expertise in treatment planning systems, brachytherapy, simulation, integrated software solutions for oncology, and comprehensive support and professional education and services. The company has over 20 offices worldwide, including its corporate headquarters in Veenendaal, the Netherlands. For more information on Nucletron, please visit: http://www.nucletron.com//. Nucletron B.V. is a subsidiary of Delft Instruments. Delft Instruments is the holding company of an international group of companies, which hold a leading position in their respective markets with high quality, high technology products and services. Delft Instruments is active through wholly owned subsidiaries in more than 30 countries worldwide, employs approximately 1,000 people and reported turnover of EUR 261.6 million in 2004. For more information on Delft Instruments, please visit: http://www.delftinstruments.com/.