Elekta To Enhance Cancer Treatment Accuracy With Addition Of Ultrasound Targeting From North America

ATLANTA and CHATSWORTH, Calif., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Elekta will begin including state-of-the-art ultrasound targeting technology with its linear accelerator platforms, based upon a new agreement between Elekta and North American Scientific, Inc. .

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The inclusion of the BAT(R) SXi image-guided ultrasound technology with Elekta’s highly precise digital delivery systems will provide clinicians with the ability to more aggressively treat cancer while avoiding damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

John W. Manzetti, President of the NOMOS Radiation Oncology Division of North American Scientific, said, “This alliance couples the power of two state-of-the-art tools, Elekta’s Digital linear accelerators and our BAT image-guided technology, as a cancer-fighting weapon. With this combination, we are providing advanced technologies that enhance the clinical community’s ability to treat cancer more aggressively. This worldwide distribution agreement will enable hospitals and clinics in the U.S., as well as those internationally, to offer their patients advanced solutions as part of their cancer treatment arsenal.”

“Elekta continually seeks to achieve two goals -- to improve the quality of treatment while increasing a clinic’s effectiveness,” explained Dee Mathieson, Elekta’s Global Vice President of Product Management. “Our inclusion of BAT SXi with our radiation oncology delivery systems is just one more way we can assist clinicians in maintaining a financially healthy operation while providing effective patient treatment.”

BAT Targeting System

BAT is an image-guided targeting system that provides fast ultrasound localization of a treatment target on a daily basis. Currently, it is most commonly used for treating prostate cancer. Combining ultrasound with a 3D tracking system and a touchscreen-based treatment room interface, BAT non- invasively pinpoints tumor targets rapidly and accurately at the time of a radiation therapy treatment.

The system’s breakthrough ImageSync(TM) technology provides a continuous stream of ultrasound images that can be utilized in real time. Clinicians are able to dynamically move and align structure sets with the touch of a finger. BAT’s optical camera and multi-application tracking solution provides the ability to track objects or apparatus connected to the treatment table or to the patient and can be used to locate soft tissue targets anywhere in the body.

Elekta’s Radiation Oncology Products

Elekta is the only manufacturer to offer a totally digital linear accelerator product line. The company’s product line of highly precise delivery systems is led by Elekta’s ground-breaking IGRT platform, Elekta Synergy(TM), which is integrated with an advanced X-ray Volume Imaging system.

Elekta’s state-of-the-art treatment solutions are highly effective and offer proven clinical outcomes providing a foundation for long-term success, generating a strong return on investment for treatment centers. Additionally, Elekta’s on-going education programs, users groups and research, combined with comprehensive business support programs, have created a role model for the industry. By combining quality patient care with business success, Elekta has created a solution that is suitable for any size facility.

About North American Scientific:

North American Scientific is a leader in products for radiation therapy and patient assessment. Its innovative radioisotope-based products include brachytherapy seeds, used primarily in the treatment of prostate cancer, marketed under the trade name Prospera(R). The Company is also a leading supplier of planning and delivery technology for intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). IMRT allows an escalated radiation dose to be delivered to a tumor while limiting exposure and damage to nearby healthy tissue. More than 400 hospitals and research sites worldwide are equipped with the Company’s clinically proven PEACOCK(R), CORVUS(R), BAT(R) and ancillary treatment solutions. The Company’s lead radiopharmaceutical product candidate is Hynic- Annexin V, based upon the Apomate(TM) technology platform, which is in clinical testing for the in vivo imaging of apoptosis and necrosis, two common forms of cell death, to provide information on an individual patient’s response to cancer treatment or to diagnose underlying disease. Please visit http://www.nasmedical.com/ for more information.

About Elekta:

Elekta is a world-leading supplier of advanced and innovative radiation oncology and neurosurgery solutions and services for precise treatment of cancer and brain disorders. Elekta’s solutions are clinically effective, cost efficient and gentle to the patient. Please visit http://www.elekta.com/ for more information.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020318/ELEKTALOGOPRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.comElekta Instruments, Inc.

CONTACT: Media, Michelle Lee, Media Relations Manager, +1-770-670-2447,or michelle.lee@elekta.com , or Investors, Lars Jonsteg, VP InvestorRelations, North America, +46-708-783-735, or lars.jonsteg@elekta.com , orPeter Ejemyr, Group VP Corporate Communications, +46-733-611-000, orpeter.ejemyr@elekta.com , all of Elekta, Inc.

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