News
- Titlee2v technologies and TomoTherapy treat 100 cancer patients in one day
- Date01 October 2004
Leading UK manufacturer, e2v technologies, has supplied complete RF systems to TomoTherapy Inc. for their Hi-Art radiotherapy system, playing a major role in the routine treatment of over 100 patients daily at 13 sites in North America as of July 2004. The Hi-Art systems incorporate e2v's new compact modulator, which will be exhibited alongside other system components on Booth 1255 at ASTRO 2004.
e2v's complete RF system consists of a 3-phase power supply, a control system, a compact modulator, a magnetron with electromagnet, and a microwave launching system. A key component in the system is the compact modulator, e2v's latest offering to the radiotherapy market. This is a high voltage, direct switching unit specially designed for Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machine use. Combined with an e2v magnetron, and other system components, it provides the high-energy, pulsed microwave source required to drive the LINAC that provides the life-saving X-rays used in the imaging and treatment of tumours.
Bob Evensen, Director of Manufacturing at TomoTherapy, commented: 'We have been working with e2v for two years, having selected the Company on the merits of its progressive technology. e2v's modulator is compact in design, making it ideally suited to the Hi-Art system's unique space requirements. Early results showed the solid-state modulator to be more stable than line-type modulators. Furthermore, its computer-controlled and detailed diagnostics capability is a significant advantage for rapid diagnostics, something that could potentially be managed remotely in the future. Being able to provide so many patients with highly conformal, image-guided IMRT radiotherapy treatment truly reflects the progress that TomoTherapy and e2v technologies have made to date. We are confident that our systems provide significant integration and workflow advantages and would like to continue working with e2v to realise these in the global marketplace.'
Approximately 40 complete RF systems have been delivered to TomoTherapy to date, 13 of which are today 'clinical', meaning they have been fully tested and are currently being used for patient treatment. The compact modulator systems offer numerous technical advantages, including:
- High-level FRU replacement - allows service by engineers who are not experts in modulator systems.
- Control over many waveform properties - allows accurate dose servo-ing for a variety of treatment modalities.
- Self-shielding - does not require large RF enclosure.
- Far fewer exposed high voltage components - safer for service operations.
- Lower RF noise emissions relative to line modulator - more suitable for environment with other sensitive electronics and easier to comply with IEC requirements.
- Future developments for the system include the potential for maintaining and monitoring the equipment from remote sites.
e2v: enabling the next generation of radiotherapy.