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iPlan(R) Automatic Segmentation Saves 25 Minutes of Treatment Planning Time for Each Prostate Cancer Patient at the University of Nebraska Medical Center

Posted on: Sunday, 28 October 2007, 09:00 CDT

CHICAGO, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- iPlan RT treatment planning software is helping the University of Nebraska Medical Center to save more than 83 percent in planning time, while achieving greater consistency in radiotherapy treatments for prostate cancer. The automatic segmentation software developed by BrainLAB replaces manual analysis of CT scans of the prostate and surrounding organs.

"iPlan RT Automatic Prostate Segmentation has been in clinical use at our hospital for more than two years. The overall contouring process with iPlan RT is complete in less than five minutes, compared to the 30 minutes it used to take. We are delighted by the drastic reduction in time and the consistent outlining results for all patients," said Dr. Charles Enke, Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Hospitals today are faced with the challenge of providing better care to patients while increasing efficiency. iPlan RT Automatic Prostate Segmentation is designed to address both needs. "Compared to the standard manual contouring procedure, this software not only helps us save time, it also allows us to visualize risk structures with a much higher degree of consistency," said Dr. Enke.

The software features a highly detailed anatomical atlas that can visualize each patient's internal dimensions through a process called "elastic fusion." Both quick and efficient, it allows physicians to make clearer evaluations and plot a more accurate course for treatment.

More than 120 hospitals worldwide have benefited from the time-saving tools provided by iPlan RT Automatic Segmentation since its unveiling at ASTRO 2005. Time saved in critical steps such as contouring tumors for accurate treatment outlines enables more patients to be treated in less time.

"iPlan RT Prostate Automatic Segmentation software exemplifies the BrainLAB commitment to developing advanced radiotherapy planning applications that improve both clinical workflows and efficiency," said Ralf Schira, Marketing Manager Oncology Solutions, BrainLAB. "This unique application enables doctors to make faster and more informed treatment assessments, thereby helping to further elevate standards in patient care."

About BrainLAB

BrainLAB develops, manufactures and markets software-driven medical technology that enables procedures that are more precise, less invasive, and also less expensive than traditional treatments. Among the core products are image-guided systems that provide highly accurate real-time information used for navigation during surgical procedures.

This utility has been further expanded to serve as a computer terminal for physicians to more effectively access and interpret diagnostic scans and other digital medical information for better informed decisions.

BrainLAB solutions allow expansion from a single system to operating suites to digitally integrated hospitals covering all subspecialties from neurosurgery, orthopedics, ENT, CMF to spine & trauma and oncology.

With more than 2,650 systems installed in over 65 countries, BrainLAB is a market leader in image-guided technology. The privately held BrainLAB group, founded in 1989, is headquartered in Munich, Germany and today employs around 950 people in 15 offices across Europe, Asia, Australia, North and South America.

For more information, visit http://www.brainlab.com/

(R) registered trademark of BrainLAB AG in Germany and/or the US

BrainLAB

CONTACT: Kate Franco, Marketing Communications Manager of BrainLAB Inc.,+1-708-486-1915, kate.franco@brainlab.com

Web site: http://www.brainlab.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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