Canada funds MR-guided RT device development

The Government of Canada has provided $2.5 million to support the University of Alberta, Alberta Health Services’ Cross Cancer Institute and industry to develop, test and commercialize a radiation therapy (RT) technology prototype called Magnetic Resonance Real-time Guided Radiation Therapy.

The prototype will combine an MR system and a linear accelerator to create an integrated medical device. It will produce real-time 3D images with the potential to pinpoint cancer tumors more accurately while treating the tumor with RT. The device may improve the effectiveness and precision of treatment while expanding the range of tumors that can be treated by radiation therapy, University of Alberta said in a statement.

In addition to federal funding, the Province of Alberta is also investing $250,000 toward the initiative, while the Alberta Cancer Foundation is contributing $2.15 million. Alberta Health Services and its industry partners, ASG Superconductors and Paramed, are contributing $1.1 million.

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