September 12 2005
Veenendaal, The Netherlands,– Nucletron B.V. supports Southend Hospital to become the first acute hospital in Europe to provide faster, more accurate treatment for cancer patients. Results of Southend Hospital’s first clinical use indicate early signs of success. Dr. James Green, Head of the Radiotherapy Physics department at Southend Hospital, explains, “Southend puts the patient first. We are constantly seeking ways to improve treatment accuracy and patient convenience. We embarked on clinical trials with Nucletron to evaluate the possibilities in combining imaging modalities on a single system, in order to perform single-session rather than numerous patient treatment planning sessions. It is important that we scan and plan treatment in one go, and avoid moving the patient around once a tumour has been precisely identified. With cone beam CT, our simulator delivers precise images in just twenty minutes.” Oncentra ConeBeam is a breakthrough method of acquiring multi-slice CT volumes using a radiotherapy treatment simulator X-ray system. CT images are then available directly on the simulator and integrated with Nucletron digital simulation, allowing two proven technologies to be combined to perform innovative treatment planning. Having these imaging modalities in one system streamlines patient flow by reducing the number of appointments needed, and speeds up the time to treatment. Oncentra ConeBeam was installed at Southend Hospital as part of the gamma test of new software on the simulator. Comments Dr. Green “integration with existing equipment is excellent, and users have found it very easy to use. It is intuitive, and fits in well with our routine workflow”. Dr. Green continues, “the cone beam option is very simple to use clinically, and very convenient. Use of cone beam on a conventional simulator has many possibilities.” In its current state, cone beam is clinically advantageous in certain cases. Dr. Green states, “we have immediately implemented it in breast planning. It has potential advantages for many other cases, including head and neck treatments and most palliative treatments.” Oncentra ConeBeam increases the function of an existing simulator. Its clinical use frees up resources in a hospital’s diagnostics CT, making it available for other applications, thereby making the best use of an existing investment. About Southend Hospital Southend Hospital has about 4,000 staff and 842 beds to serve a population of more than 330,000. It provides a comprehensive range of acute services, including acute medical and surgical specialities. An Associate Teaching Hospital, it has this year retained its top three-star status for the third year running. Southend Hospital is currently undergoing a major expansion of facilities, with plans for an off-site diagnostic and treatment centre, and plans to become an NHS Foundation Trust hospital from January 2006. The hospital is proud of its record of recruiting high-quality staff and participates enthusiastically in research and education. 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: https://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/. For further information: