October 9 2000  


 

Veenendaal, The Netherlands October 9, 2000 - Nucletron announces clinical use of Advanced Simulation in the United States. Advanced Simulation is a unique radiation therapy treatment planning and validation system, which offers the ability to perform conventional, virtual and CT-Assisted simulation all in one. Nucletron has taken the strengths of both Plato’s Virtual Simulation system and the Simulix treatment simulator into the integrated Advanced Simulation product. Advanced Simulation is where the real and virtual worlds come together.


"Our new Advanced Simulation system from Nucletron has truly changed the way we perform radiation therapy treatment planning" states Dr. Robert Brookland, Chief of Radiation Oncology at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland.


"The virtual simulation has added another level of accuracy and verification to our treatment set-ups. Primary prostate treatment planning is now being performed with Advanced Simulation, which enables us to better perform conformal radiation therapy to the tumor, and sparing healthy tissue. We can now compare the virtual simulation DRR (Digitally Reconstructed Radiograph) next to the fluoroscopic image and make the needed adjustments in real time. The integration of virtual and conventional simulation gives us the final verification needed with sophisticated treatments" adds Dr. Brookland.


Using CT scans, Plato VSS (Virtual Simulation System) allows the radiation oncologist to easily define tumor volumes and beam placement. VSS includes contour interpolation, eliminating the need of the clinician to work on each slice and includes tools for adding margins, interpolation, and volumes of interest. VSS offers multi-leaf collimator optimization, which gives a precise coverage of the tumor volume without any user interaction. VSS and the Simulix have a two-way communication so that virtual simulation fields can be automatically transferred to the Simulix for confirmation. A live fluoroscopic image is then displayed on the VSS screen with the DRR for field placement comparison. Any changes made during the conventional verification simulation will be automatically updated in VSS. This process is unique, efficient and streamlines the entire treatment planning process.


Advanced Simulation is an effective Physicians tool for pre and post treatment planning. With an on-line interactive link between virtual and conventional simulators the Advanced simulation gives you the quality assurance tools needed. During Advanced Simulation if a change is made to the treatment plan the Plato system will automatically update the data to prevent duplication of work. Kim Chambers, product manager of Nucletron commented, "The increased accuracy of treatment planning for conformal therapy and IMRT requires more quality assurance. The verification of what is virtually planned with the real patient, is crucial."


The Greater Baltimore Medical Center is a not-for-profit, 372 bed community hospital providing innovative and comprehensive services in surgery, women's health and cancer. Most recently GBMC was recognized by US World and News Report as one of America's best hospital's for cancer care. The Radiation Oncology Department treats over 80 patients per day and Dr. Brookland is board certified and a fellow of the American College of Radiation Oncology.


Nucletron B.V. is a radiotherapy company specializing in the development and production of the world’s most innovative products in the fight against cancer and their marketing, sales, service and support on a worldwide basis. Nucletron occupies a prominent position in the global radiotherapy market for afterloaders. Nucletron B.V. is a subsidiary of Delft Instruments N.V., the holding company for an international group of companies employing approximately 1100 people with an annual turnover in excess of NLG 400 million