FDA approves GE diagnostic for brain tumors

A molecular imaging agent developed by GE Healthcare to home in on rare neuroendocrine tumors in children and adults is ready for the U.S. market. The FDA approved AdreView for use in diagnosis and during patient follow-up if relapse or recurrence is suspected, according to GE. The newly approved agent will have an immediate impact on the diagnosis of children with neuroblastoma, according to Dr. Arnold Jacobson, GE's clinical project leader for the AdreView program. It will also provide reliable imaging data to aid in identifying primary and metastatic pheochromocytoma, a predominantly adult tumor that often presents diagnostic challenges, he said.

Siemens shines light on robotics, treatment planning

A robotic patient table, accompanied by new treatment planning approaches, was one among many works-in-progress highlighted today at the Siemens Healthcare booth during the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology meeting in Boston. Featured as part of the company's "Robots in Image Guidance" forum, the Treago Robotic Table is designed to rapidly and precisely position patients during radiation therapy in order to support complex treatment applications and improve productivity. Another work-in-progress, the IM-Confident Plan, is described by Siemens as a simple and efficient intensity-modulated radiation therapy solution that can cut treatment time to under five minutes. The IM-RealART Solution allows plan adjustments to accommodate changes in patient anatomy within image-guided radiation therapy and combines the Treago Robotic Table with Siemens' CT Vision system for real-time imaging and its Prowess RealART Treatment Planning System.

GE launches MR package at ASTRO

A detachable flat-surface patient table, flexible surface coils, and positioning aids compose the Signa Magnetic Resonance Imaging package unveiled today by GE Healthcare at the ASTRO meeting. The new package integrates high-definition MRI into treatment plans, according to the company.

Philips features MR, treatment planning

Philips Healthcare featured two works-in-progress at the ASTRO meeting: one in MR and the other in treatment planning. A version of its Panorama High Field Open MR system includes advanced therapy simulation capabilities for treatment planning and interventional oncology. It leverages the magnet's open design to scan patients in set positions for radiation treatment. The other prototype, Philips' Pinnacle3 Version 9 with SmartArc, focuses on enterprise-wide image and information management. Scheduled for release in the second quarter of 2009, Version 9 promises workflow improvements for intensity-modulated radiation therapy, as well as image-guided radiation therapy through improved handling of 4D image sets, image import, and expanded DICOM export. The integrated SmartArc calculates dose as a part of volumetric intensity-modulated arc therapy.