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Philips New Drag-and-Drop Oncology Software Allows Faster Tumor Contouring and Paves the Way for Adaptive Radiation Therapy

Posted on: Monday, 31 July 2006, 15:00 CDT

Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) today announced the release of its Model Based Segmentation (MBS) software for Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) workflow enhancement. The MBS software, an upgrade on the current Pinnacle(3) Radiation Therapy Planning system, will be showcased at the 48th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), July 30-August 3, 2006 in Orlando, Fla.

The current Pinnacle(3) system combines AcQSim(3) simulation, Syntegra image fusion and P(3)IMRT modules to provide a powerful oncology toolbox capable of sculpting radiation doses to tumors. The new MBS software offers a revolutionary advancement in reducing the time it takes to contour tumors and anatomical structures and is a crucial step toward the future of IGRT and the ability to quickly adapt patients' treatment plans based on their response to daily treatment.

The MBS software includes an anatomical library of 3D patient organ structure models. Users can simply drag and drop the models onto patient image data and the software automatically adapts to each patient's anatomy. The library of anatomical models grows as new patient data are added, providing a unique ability to build a library based on regional demographic or clinical practice specialties.

"Philips investment in research and clinical IGRT partnerships has paid off with the launch of MBS," said Philips project manager David Robinson, a Certified Medical Dosimetrist. "IGRT workflow is enhanced by allowing clinicians to quickly contour the tumors and organs at risk in three dimensions, then propagate the organs to alternate 4D datasets to help physicians determine the extent of tumor movement within the patient. This capability opens up the possibility to adapt the daily treatment plan on the fly."

In addition to MBS and its time-saving benefits, Philips has introduced other workflow enhancements such as P(3)PC for remote planning, which allows Philips clinical customers to remotely access their patient data at more than 1,600 installed Pinnacle(3) sites around the world. While remote patient contouring and treatment planning offer workflow efficiencies today, future adaptive IGRT planning will depend on these remote collaboration tools in order for oncologists to review and interact with their patients' 4D data and daily response to treatment.

Brilliance CT Big Bore: More than 100 Installed and New Features Added

Building on Philips legacy of innovation in CT simulation, the Brilliance CT Big Bore oncology configuration was designed specifically for use in radiation oncology and is already in place at more than 100 clinical sites, including some of the most prominent healthcare facilities worldwide.

New 4D tools have been added to the Philips-exclusive Tumor LOC application, allowing the user to assess motion of respiratory correlated studies. The ability to review patients' breathing patterns and easily draw contours encompassing the range of motion over the entire respiratory cycle simplifies this complex procedure. Advanced 4D tools such as dynamic digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRR) and digitally composited radiographs (DCR) allow visualization of respiratory motion from a beam's eye view perspective. The interconnected Brilliance Workspace allows users to easily evaluate multi-phasic volumetric datasets. With new evaluation tools such as intensity projections over time, dynamic slab viewing and user-defined phase selections, novel treatment options are now possible. These new views assist physicians in determining where a tumor has moved over time, giving them flexibility in choosing treatment-planning options.

Philips new Brilliance CT Big Bore delivers clinical insight through tighter integration with the LAP laser system. Direct connection between the scanner and the laser system reduces the chance of error and makes the absolute marking procedure more automated and easier to use than ever before. In addition, the Brilliance CT Big Bore includes, as standard, a couch and therapy tabletop that meets requirements of the AAPM Task Group 66.

Extended display field of view is another new enhancement debuting at the AAPM meeting. Provided at the request of clinicians, extended display field of view allows users to visualize outside the standard true 60cm SFOV to help avoid untargeted areas during treatment planning.

With the largest installed base of oncology scanners in North America and systems installed in seven of the top 10 cancer treatment centers in the United States, as ranked by US News & World Report Best Hospitals, Philips offers one of the most complete and advanced lines of integrated radiation oncology solutions in imaging, simulation and planning.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of $37.7 billion (EUR 30.4 billion) in 2005. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 158,000 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

Source: Business Wire

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