Linear Accelerator Varian Edge
Using technology designed for radiosurgical ablation, the Edge™ radiosurgery system represents an evolution in the way advanced radiosurgery is delivered. With the Edge system, clinics may be able to treat more patients because of the speed, precision, and streamlined treatment planning developed in its architecture. The Edge™ radiosurgery system provides a turn-key solution for delivering full-body radiosurgery treatments with accuracy. Edge offers advanced tools designed to deliver highly conformal dose distributions to tumors of the lung, brain, spine, and other areas of the body where radiation is indicated.
A growing body of clinical evidence is demonstrating the benefits of delivering high doses in a small number of fractions[1]. Starting from classical neurosurgical targets, Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) is progressing to treat targets previously not considered candidates for high-dose, hyprofractionated delivery. The ability to accurately deliver targeted treatments and manage tumor motion is driving growth in radiosurgery. A 108% increase in SRS utilization for brain cancer treatments is predicted over the next 10 years. SRS treatment volume is expected to grow 93% and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) volume is expected to grow 144% within the next 10 years[2]. These numbers are suggestive of the high level of confidence that clinicians have in targeting tumors with precision.
One of the main advantages of EDGE radiosurgery is its precision and accuracy.
Calypso® Extracranial Tracking System
Calypso® system tracks the patient’s tumor in real time for intracranial and extracranial treatments, precisely calculates patient movement in all six degrees of freedom, and monitors respiratory motion.
Higher Dosage, Fewer Treatments
By integrating the highest dose rate (2400 MU/ minute) with non-ionizing, direct and real-time guidance for target location, Edge offers surgeons and clinicians the ability to pinpoint the target and deliver highly focused treatments, in fewer sessions and at a noticeably fast rate while minimizing the dose received by surrounding healthy tissues.
As an all-in-one, single vendor radiosurgery solution, Edge’s real-time system architecture helps enable a high level of synchronization between imaging, patient positioning, motion management, beam shaping, and dose delivery technologies. Potentially reducing the overall time and resources required for surgery when compared to traditional methods can lead to an increase in the volume of procedures performed and lower per procedure costs for the hospital. In an effort to advance radiosurgery treatments, clinics worldwide have already adopted Edge to help advance the way cancer is treated.
Sub-Millimeter Accuracy
Every step of the Edge treatment is characterized by high-level accuracy so treatments can be delivered with confidence. Calibrated to perform accuracy checks every 10 milliseconds, the Edge treatment process is characterized by precision so treatments can be delivered safely and with confidence. The use of Monte Carlo equivalent algorithms for dose calculations, extra-fine 2.5mm MLC leaves for beam shaping, real-time tracking for direct target localization, and beam specifications that are amongst the tightest in the industry, all join together putting treatment with Edge in a category of its own.
A streamlined evolution from traditional surgery, Edge offers QA tools to help ensure faster delivery conformality while minimizing the dose received by surrounding healthy tissues. Dedicated to quickly and accurately delivering radiosurgery, Edge integrates the highest dose rate with non-ionizing, direct and real-time guidance for target location. The large dose level is designed to maximize the amount of radiation to the targeted area while minimizing the amount of time patients spend being treated.
Advanced automation helps clinicians guide and maintain the accuracy of treatment delivery by continually tracking patient movements and adapting treatments as the target moves. This feature can potentially decrease the risks of unwanted dose to surrounding healthy tissues.
Fast Treatments
Leveraging the highest dose rate in the industry, 2400 MU/minute, Edge treatments allow for short treatment times, enhancing patient comfort. The use of RapidArc radiosurgery technology makes it possible to use the Edge system to deliver SRS and SBRT treatments typically in a standard radiotherapy treatment slot. Clinicians may deliver precisely sculpted 3D dose distribution to single lesions or multiple mets for stereotactic ablation of inoperable and high-risk operable tumors.
RapidArc radiosurgery, powered by Eclipse™ treatment planning system, enables planning specifically for radiosurgery treatments with automatic, easy to use contouring tools.
As a result, fast, accurate treatment delivery can not only help improve patient comfort by reducing the amount of time a patient spends on the treatment couch, but may also result in a lower overall peripheral dose.
Edge’s real-time system architecture enables a high level of synchronization between the functional capability of the gantry, collimator and couch. Having a carefully guided, workflow automation using intuitive visual cues to enhance safety and reduce operation times, Edge optimizes patient throughput. By streamlining imaging and patient positioning, Edge enables more treatment flexibility to treat a wide variety of cases throughout the body wherever radiation is indicated.
Varian EDGE - real-time monitoring of the patient's position:
Varian EDGE - real-time monitoring of the patient's breathing:
