Revolutionary Radiation Therapy System FromViewRay Incorporated Is Acquired By Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center At The University Of Miami
CLEVELAND, July 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami has become the fourth U.S. customer and the first hospital on the east coast to acquire an MRI-guided radiation therapy system from ViewRay Incorporated, a privately held medical device company. The MRIdian (me-rid-i-an) system is the first and only FDA cleared system of its kind and provides a unique combination of simultaneous radiation therapy delivery and continuous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the treatment of cancer.
Because MRI technology eliminates the radiation exposure associated with computed tomography (CT) scans, the MRIdian system allows for continuous imaging during the delivery of radiation therapy. Physicians may directly view and track the tumor during treatment; the system also permits the physician to adapt treatment based on changes in the tumor and surrounding tissues.
For the first time, doctors are able to see the tumor they are treating continuously, enabling personalized and truly adaptive radiotherapy. The MRIdian system offers this advancement to the full spectrum of patients who get treated with radiation and establishes a new level of patient care.
The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of UHealth - University of Miami Health System, serves as a hub for cancer diagnosis, treatment, research and education in South Florida. "We at Sylvester have a long-standing emphasis on the integration of advanced imaging techniques in our clinical practice and research, and the MRIdian system is a natural extension into treatment delivery," said Alan Pollack, M.D., Ph.D., Radiation Oncology Chair at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. "Real-time monitoring of tumor and normal tissues using MRI-guided radiotherapy is a new paradigm that will translate into significant gains in tumor control and reduced toxicity."
As a ViewRay partner, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center will join the elite ranks of Siteman Cancer Center at BarnesJewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center in acquiring the world's only clinical MRI-guided radiation therapy system. The MRIdian system has demonstrated success in treating a wide array of patients since treatments commenced in January this year. In total, seven customers have ordered eight ViewRay systems in the worldwide market.
"We are excited about the opportunity to extend the benefits of MRI-guided radiation therapy to an even greater population of patients," said Chris A. Raanes, president and CEO of ViewRay Incorporated. "Sylvester Cancer Center is known for its commitment to education, research and clinical collaboration, and they will be valuable members of ViewRay's growing team of exclusive healthcare partners."
About ViewRay
ViewRay Incorporated of Cleveland, Ohio, is a privately held medical device company developing advanced radiation therapy technology for the treatment of cancer. The MRIdian system provides continuous soft-tissue imaging during treatment, using MRI-guided radiotherapy, so that clinicians are able to see where the actual radiation dose is being delivered and adapt to changes in the patient's anatomy. For more information, visit http://www.viewray.com.
About Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center integrates all cancer-related activities of faculty members at the University of Miami, including cancer diagnosis, treatment, research and education at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine, and within the University of Miami Health System (UHealth). As the only academic-based comprehensive cancer center in the region, Sylvester plays a unique role in the South Florida medical community. In 2012, Sylvester physicians treated nearly 6,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients within the University of Miami Health System. In addition, Sylvester physicians supervised the care of more than 2,500 new cancer patients at Jackson Memorial Hospital. In an effort to better serve current and future patients throughout the region, Sylvester has established exemplary outpatient treatment facilities in Miami, Deerfield Beach, Kendall, Plantation, and Hollywood; providing local access to Sylvester physicians, clinical trials, radiation therapy, infusion therapy, imaging, and laboratory services. With an unparalleled team of dedicated faculty and state-of-the-art facilities, Sylvester confirms its steadfast allegiance to ensuring convenient, as well as compassionate, expert cancer care. For more information visit www.sylvester.org.
ViewRay and MRIdian are trademarks of ViewRay Incorporated.
ViewRay acknowledges the contribution of the State of Ohio, Department of Development and Third Frontier Commission, which provided funding in support of the MRI Technology Enabling Expansion of MRI into Radiotherapy Guidance Project.
SOURCE ViewRay Incorporated