Varian cone-beam CT software receives FDA clearance

Varian Medical Systems Inc. has received FDA 510(k) clearance for cone-beam CT imaging using the company's On-Board Imager device for real-time, image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) with its Clinac and Trilogy linear accelerators.

Using Varian's cone-beam CT imaging technology, the On-Board Imager, an accessory to the medical linear accelerator, can be rotated once around the patient to quickly acquire a high-quality 3D image of the tumor and surrounding anatomy.  Just before treatment, clinicians can compare these 3D images to reference images from the patient's treatment plan and make positioning adjustments that put the tumor directly in the path of the beam, Varian said.

The capability augments the image guidance toolkit already commercially available with the On-Board Imager device, encompassing radiographic (2D imaging), fluoroscopic (motion pictures), and now, cone-beam CT (3D imaging), Varian said.

Scientists at Varian's Ginzton Technology Center (Mountain View, Calif.) and Varian's Imaging Laboratory (Baden, Switzerland) developed the software, in close collaboration with customers.

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