May 12 2004
The Hospital in, Sweden recently adopted the advanced contouring capabilities found within the Oncentra Virtual Simulation system. The majority of patients undergoing breast and prostate therapy, are being contoured with the sophisticated tools found in the Oncentra system. Prior to transition to Oncentra, the clinic used a Unix based virtual simulation system. “ The Unix based system cannot compare to Oncentra” states Dr Lars Franzen, Chief Radiation Therapist at the Sundsvall Clinic. “ The Oncentra Virtual Simulation tools are very easy to work with and provide smooth outlines from structures much more rapidly than the previous system” Once the patient’s images are contoured, they are sent electronically to the physics department to have the dose plan created. The treatment plan is then returned to the Sundsvall treatment unit to be administered to the patient. Oncentra Virtual Simulation gives the clinic flexibility to improve their clinical workflow processes. “In addition to powerful contouring tools, the DICOM interconnectivity provides clinics with a multitude of clinical options,” according to Tim Bateman, Oncentra Treatment Planning Segment Manager. He states, “Virtual Simulation decreases patient waiting times and provides physicians with great tools for contouring. It assists in expediting the entire planning process.” Oncentra Virtual Simulation facilitates the simulation process by establishing the isocenter based on the patient’s reference points. The patient need not be present for target definition. This increases the efficiency of the treatment planning process and provides convenience to the patient undergoing treatment. The fast Digitally Reconstructed Radiograph also makes beam set-up and shaping an effective way for the clinician to specify the desired plan geometry. Oncentra Virtual Simulation is a key module within the Oncentra treatment planning and information management system, made available by Nucletron. The Oncentra system is the first in the world to facilitate archiving of DICOM RT images, RT structure set, RT plans and RT doses to the Oncentra DICOM Archive and other archives that support DICOM RT objects. The Oncentra system is clinically installed in Oncology clinics worldwide and provides clinicians with innovative, world class solutions designed to meet their specific requirements. About Nucletron B.V. Nucletron specializes in the development, manufacture, sales, service and support of the world’s most innovative products for cancer treatment, with particular expertise in Treatment Planning, Brachytherapy, Information Management, Simulation and Service. The company has 22 offices worldwide, including its corporate headquarters in The Netherlands. For more information on Nucletron, please visit: http://www.nucletron.com/. Nucletron B.V. is a subsidiary of Delft Instruments N.V. http://www.delftinstruments.com/Delft Instruments employs some 1,200 people, is listed on Euronext Amsterdam and is included in the NextEconomy segment. The company reported a preliminary net profit of EUR 10.4 million on turnover of around EUR 237 million in 2003. For further information: