This technology was recently announced at a healthcare investor conference; a copy of the presentation video can be found here. At this time, the MRIdian linac is available for non-clinical research use only.
Nearly two-thirds of all treated cancer patients in the United States will receive some form of radiation therapy during the course of their illness, according to estimates by the American Society for Radiation Oncology.
Precision delivery of radiation therapy is a challenge because tumors and internal organs continually move during treatment. MRI-guidance improves the ability to aim radiation therapy directly at tumors, while avoiding surrounding tissues.
ViewRay has patented innovative solutions that enable the integration of MRI-guidance with a compact linac for radiation delivery. This breakthrough technology is being developed to be an upgrade to the current MRIdian system, the world’s first and only MRI-guided radiation therapy system.
ViewRay worked with Washington University researchers to develop the original MRIdian system, and Siteman Cancer Center was the first center to treat patients on the MRIdian. The company again is working with Washington University to develop the capabilities of its next-generation linac-based technology.
"We look forward to evaluating the potential of this new linac-based technology to further advance cancer care," said Jeff Michalski, M.D., the Carlos Perez Distinguished Professor of Radiation Oncology and a member of Siteman Cancer Center.
"Researchers at Washington University are renowned for groundbreaking research that ultimately provides significant patient benefits," said Chris Raanes, president and CEO of ViewRay.
"They played a leading role in the development, testing and clinical implementation of the MRIdian system, and we are delighted to have them as a research partner for our new linac technology."
