February 25 2002  


 

Veenendaal, The Netherlands (February 25, 2002) - Nucletron B.V, an international leader in radiotherapy systems today announced that it has commenced clinical deliveries of the FIRST System, an innovative solution for permanent seed implant prostate therapy.


Nucletron has invested into the development of a completely new solution for the treatment of prostate cancer with radioactive seeds and the Nucletron FIRST system. Core to the FIRST system is the seedSelectron®, the world’s first automated system for seed implant operations. The system significantly minimises the preparation time for the operation and it is designed to offer maximum radiation protection for the staff in the operating theatre. Integrated verification and quality assurance tools offer an additional, unprecedented degree of safety and confidence during the implant operation.


Especially in combination with SPOT, a system for real-time 3-D treatment planning during the operation, the treating clinician can instantly adapt a treatment plan based on the clinical findings during the operation, leading to an optimum coverage of the tumor with the therapeutic dose.


Clinical tests were conducted successfully by Professor Battermann and his team at University Medical Centre (UMC)  in Utrecht, the Netherlands over the last few months. The system was cleared by the FDA in October 2001. With full CE mark in place for the seedSelectron, selectSeed I-125 and all treatment accessories, clinical deliveries are now commencing. After completion of the tests, UMC is the first hospital worldwide, which can offer the permanent seed implant treatment with this advanced technology to it’s patients.


The first site to sign an official contract for the delivery of the FIRST System for prostate treatment is the Klinikum Offenbach, Germany. Prof. Zamboglou, Chief of the Radiotherapy Department is very excited about the installation of the system in his department:” When deciding which system to purchase, we had to look at the options and were following the developments in the market very closely.  Some of the convincing features of the FIRST System are the very short preparation time for the operation and the integrated Quality Assurance, while minimising radiation exposure for everyone involved. From a clinical point of view, we particularly like the flexibility of on-line planning and immediate seed-delivery to match the exact clinical situation during treatment. We are certain that in the long run this new concept will prove to be a break-through for permanent prostate seed implants, making this treatment accessible for an increasing number of patients.” The Radiotherapy Department in Offenbach is a renowned centre of excellence specialising in innovative brachytherapy procedures. The site has a high number of scientific publications in international clinical and medical physics journals. Further information about the department can be found under http://www.klinikum-offenbach.de/strahlenklinik.


With the availability of the seedSelectron ® for worldwide sales, Nucletron is now in the unique position to supply all products required for permanent seed prostate therapy, including radioactive seeds and other disposable items, as well as treatment planning solutions.


Nucletron B.V., Veenendaal, The Netherlands, is a worldwide leader in radiotherapy systems and thoracic imaging equipment for radiology and mass chest screening and specializes in some of the world’s innovative products used for cancer treatment. The company has 11 offices worldwide, including its global headquarters in The Netherlands. Nucletron is a worldwide leader in remote afterloading brachytherapy for over 25 years. Nucletron B.V. is a subsidiary of Delft Instruments N.V., an international group of companies with about 1000 employees and annual sales of almost EUR 190 million. Delft Instruments is listed at the Euronext stock exchange in Amsterdam.