Varian Medical, of Palo Alto, California, just announced it received 501(k) clearance from the FDA for its new software to automatically detect features within the thorax and male pelvis in diagnostic images, used in preparation for radiotherapy treatment.
The new Smart Segmentation™ feature, which has been added to Varian’s Eclipse™ treatment planning product, is the world’s first fully automatic tool that uses intelligent software to identify and outline organs and other structures within diagnostic images of the thorax and male pelvis. Up to now, identifying structures to be irradiated or protected during radiotherapy treatments had to be done by hand.
“Contouring is an essential and time-consuming step in radiotherapy treatment planning,” said Jeff Amacker, business manager for treatment planning systems. “Now, with Smart Segmentation, we can increase treatment plan efficiency by about 30-40 percent.”
The Smart Segmentation tool can automatically identify all of the structures of interest in less than 45 seconds. Clinicians can now start the planning process with images that have important anatomical structures already outlined, and simply adjust them according to their clinical judgment. “It’s similar to building a house from scratch or remodeling,” Amacker said. “Remodeling is generally much faster because you have something to work from.”
Varian’s Eclipse treatment planning product is a versatile tool that enables clinicians to plan a wide array of radiation therapy treatments including intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), brachytherapy, and proton therapy.
Press release: FDA 510(k) Clearance for Smart Segmentation™ Tool…
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