Elekta Unveils New Treatment Solutions in the Brain and Body at AANS

ATLANTA, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Elekta will give neurosurgeons attending AANS in Orlando May 1-6 the first look at the new Leksell Gamma Knife(R) 4C, the fourth generation of the most successful radiosurgery weapon in the fight against brain disorders. In addition, the company will preview the revolutionary Elekta Synergy(TM) S, the ideal extracranial counterpart to Leksell Gamma Knife(R).

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Elekta’s stereotactic solutions are based on over 30 years of history and experience, with clinical applications in the field of intracranial SRS and extracranial SRT. Elekta’s solutions give clinicians the most technologically advanced tools available to aggressively battle cancer and brain disorders. The company’s complete lines of neurosurgery and radiation oncology solutions are both effective and gentle to the patient.

“Elekta has long been recognized as an innovator, providing highly precise, specialized intracranial and extracranial treatment solutions,” explained Jim Rose, Vice President Marketing. “We are convinced that having dual platforms is the optimum treatment solution in terms of effectiveness and business success. And that approach has been consistently validated by researchers, clinicians and patients.”

“While some companies’ limited clinical experience leads them to tout claims of ‘all in one’, Elekta refuses to compromise on delivery methods that could ultimately result in diminished accuracy and effectiveness,” explained Rose. “Instead, we believe that having specialized Leksell Gamma Knife(R) and Elekta Synergy(TM) platforms not only leads to unmatched precision and the highest possible quality of care, it allows centers to maintain healthier case loads while meeting the specific needs of both neurosurgeons and radiation oncologists. Our unique position of being able to distinguish between the common versus unique requirements of the specialties of neurosurgery and radiation oncology results in an exponential increase in our ability to create both intracranial and extracranial solutions that set the standard for precision.”

Leksell Gamma Knife(R) 4C

The changes to Leksell Gamma Knife(R) 4C were designed to improve workflow, increase accuracy and provide integrated imaging capabilities. The integrated imaging, powered by Leksell Gamma Plan(R) 4C with MultiView(TM), offers users an unprecedented ability to integrate images from multiple sources to achieve the most accurate treatment capability ever. These images can also be exported on a CD-ROM, so the referring physician can receive pre- op or post-op images for reference and follow-up.

The new features and advancements on Leksell Gamma Knife(R) 4C are both visually appealing and increase functionality. Operators now have the flexibility to view planning information on both sides of the couch, and the redesigned operator console is more intuitive and easier to use. The faster, more efficient helmet changer and robotic Automatic Positioning System(R) streamline operations and reduce treatment time.

Setting the Standard in Radiosurgery

Leksell Gamma Knife(R) remains the most proven means of performing intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery, and is the single most trusted and utilized solution for treating brain disorders without invasive surgery. Over 250,000 patients have been treated using Gamma Knife(R) surgery and there are 2,000 peer-reviewed published papers. Patients and physicians prefer the convenience and efficacy of a single dose achieved with clinical confidence using Leksell Gamma Knife(R), which is three times more accurate than other radiosurgery treatments.

Leksell Gamma Knife(R) is part of a complete and successful practice, offering a proven business model that reduces risk while allowing centers to reach profitability faster. Leksell Gamma Knife(R) is installed in 200 clinics worldwide, and all original sites are still operating. With increasing patient volumes and a growing number of indications treatable using Gamma Knife(R) surgery, centers are finding their investment in Leksell Gamma Knife(R) to be sound. They also benefit from being perceived as a leader both in technology and thought leadership, as well as additional income from performing associated procedures. In addition, users participate in the well-established Gamma Knife(R) Society and Gamma Knife(R) Administrators meetings.

Groundbreaking Radiation Oncology Technology

Elekta will also exhibit the groundbreaking Elekta Synergy(TM) S system, the next generation of technological advancement in stereotactic radiation therapy, at AANS. Elekta Synergy(TM) S integrates 3D X-ray volume imaging and treatment together in a single platform and provides an ideal, highly accurate, high precision, extracranial complement to Leksell Gamma Knife. The system combines real-time imaging capabilities with the unique, fully integrated Beam Modulator(TM) and provides fine resolution beam shaping for challenging extracranial indications, where treatment objectives typically include increasing dose, limiting the volume of normal tissue exposed to radiation, and decreasing the number of treatment sessions. Elekta Synergy(TM) S is a works in progress and not available for sale or distribution.

Elekta received regulatory approval for the Elekta Synergy(TM) platform in 2003. The company was the first manufacturer to start research on image guided radiation therapy (IGRT), the first to have systems in clinical use, and the first to bring these solutions to market. Elekta Synergy(TM) is the most advanced IGRT solution available today because high-quality anatomical information is available in the treatment position, at the time of treatment.

Elekta Receives Achievement Award

Elekta’s on-going success was rewarded when the company was recently awarded the prestigious “Achievement Award 2004 for Corporate Excellence” in recognition of the outstanding performance and success of the company’s U.S. division.

The award is presented annually by the Swedish Trade Council, the Consulate General of Sweden and the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce and is awarded to Swedish companies with divisions in the U.S. Previous winners include Ericsson, H&M, Hasselblad, Orrefors, Skanska, Thule and Volvo.

Fighting Serious Disease

The strength of Elekta’s diverse and specialized treatment solutions provides a solid market position, which is being strengthened with the introduction of leading edge, emerging clinical applications of technology. With a robust pipeline of new orders for Leksell Gamma Knife(R) and Elekta Synergy(TM), Elekta has proven that it is a company that will continue to make a difference in the lives of patients today and in the years to come.

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. The company’s North American headquarters are located in Atlanta and corporate headquarters are in Stockholm, Sweden. For additional information about Elekta, please visit http://www.elekta.com/

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CONTACT: Michelle Lee, PR and Advertising Manager, +1-770-670-2447, ore-mail, michelle.lee@elekta.com, or Investors, United States, Lars Jonsteg, VPInvestor Relations North America, +1-770-670-2419, or e-mail,lars.jonsteg@elekta.com, or International, Peter Ejemyr, Group VP CorporateCommunications, +46 8 587 254 00, or e-mail, peter.ejemyr@elekta.com, all ofElekta Instruments, Inc.