Philips has announced that the FDA has approved its Pinnacle3 Proton module that was developed to plan proton therapy treatment sessions. Proton therapy is becoming more common even though it is very expensive, but the promise of safer, more effective treatment has continued to promote its development.
The Proton module works within the company’s Pinnacle3 system, together providing for planning of treatment using either proton or photon (gamma, etc) modalities independently, or as a combination of the two. The software works with a number of proton therapy systems, so can be purchased independently of the hardware installation.
From the announcement:
The combination of specially designed tools and the seamless integration within Pinnacle³ provides an extensive range of functionalities that include composite proton-photon planning, fast commissioning, and automated contouring and re-planning. These features offer clinicians the chance to select the appropriate treatment options for the patient and do the work quickly through improved workflow.
Features like automated re-planning allow the clinicians to adapt the treatment plans quickly (which, in turn, allow them to change the treatment regime) and take into account the impact of the treatment on the patient’s anatomy, providing more targeted treatments. Without these automation tools, the task remains very laborious and time-consuming; deterring clinicians from developing alternative treatment plans.
Product info page: Pinnacle³…
Press release: Philips announces FDA clearance for its Pinnacle³ Proton treatment planning system…
