Installation of AcQSim(3)and Pinnacle(3)treatment planning systems at top U.S. hospital reinforces Philips leadership in oncology imaging and treatment planning
Philips Medical Systems, a division of Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI), today announced that Barnes-Jewish Hospital at Washington University Medical Center in St. Louis, named one of America's best hospitals for the past 12 years by U.S. News & World Report, has selected Philips AcQSim(3)and Pinnacle(3)systems to improve cancer treatment planning and accurately target tumors.
The newly added systems will not only improve cancer care for patients at Barnes-Jewish, but also facilitate clinical research efforts at the School of Medicine.
"Washington University has been committed to developing state-of-the art treatment planning protocols, including the development and verification of advanced dose calculation algorithms, novel treatment methods, and ground-breaking simulation protocols," said Daniel Low, Ph.D., director of the Division of Medical Physics at Washington University School of Medicine. "We are excited about the prospect of continuing the development of IMRT and IGRT capabilities."
The installation of the Pinnacle(3)system provides the Siteman Cancer Center with leading radiation therapy planning technology that accurately delivers radiation to tumors and avoids irradiating healthy tissue. The addition of the AcQSim(3) workstation, which integrates leading CT Simulation tools into the Pinnacle(3) treatment planning system, eliminates the need for network transfers facilitating seamless workflow. AcQSim(3) is the only commercially available CT Simulation system with absolute marking (exclusive with select Philips scanners). Absolute marking allows clinicians to more precisely mark the exact coordinates of a tumor, which improves accuracy and saves time.
"We are extremely pleased that Washington University Medical Center has expanded the use of our technologies," said Keith Tipton, general manager, oncology systems, for Philips Medical Systems. "The addition of Philips treatment planning systems at a leading hospital such as Barnes-Jewish reflects the value the facility places on this technology and on the longstanding relationship with Philips Medical Systems."
Philips has been a partner of Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine for more than a decade with a portfolio of oncology solutions featured at this site, including the Big Bore CT. The collaboration between Philips and Washington University School of Medicine began when Philips started working with the hospital to develop and test the most effective oncology imaging methodologies, including AcQSim VoxelQ and the AcQSim single-slice Big Bore scanner. Washington University was the first oncology beta test site for the Brilliance Big Bore and is an early user and clinical collaborator on several Philips technologies.
"Our relationship with Philips has allowed us to develop state-of-the art simulation solutions in PET-guided radiation therapy and 4D simulation. We expect that the expansion of this relationship into treatment planning will stimulate expanded research into treatment planning and delivery protocols," said Dr. Low.
The relationship with Washington University School of Medicine has helped Philips Medical Systems develop cutting-edge technologies such as Philips exclusive Tumor LOC, a localization option that allows physicians to more quickly determine tumor isocenter and boundaries while the patient is present. The collaboration has also produced Pulmonary gating, which allows respiratory-correlated imaging to take place both prospectively and retrospectively, giving clinicians the tools to assess organ motion and define target volumes.
Philips now offers a comprehensive portfolio of innovative, integrated oncology tools that facilitate the precise targeting, treatment accuracy, and efficient workflow required to achieve optimal patient outcomes. Philips continued contribution to Washington University Medical Center supports its leadership position and collaborative approach to advancing oncology treatment.
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of $37.7 billion (EUR 30.4 billion) in 2005. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 159,200 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.
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