Elekta Receives CE Mark Clearance For 'Everyday Radiation Therapy' Accelerator, Elekta Compact

Main Category: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals
Article Date: 31 Aug 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Elekta recently announced that it has received CE Mark clearance to distribute Elekta Compact(TM), the latest addition to its line of treatment systems, offering clinicians an easy to implement, more affordable solution for radiation therapy. CE Mark clearance from the European Union certifies Elekta Compact has met health, safety and environmental requirements for consumer safety.

Elekta Compact was developed to address the demanding clinical requirements in emerging markets, which require a low energy system that can be dedicated to specialized cases. Its ultra-compact design also makes it more accessible to clinicians who want to provide their patients with optimal radiation therapy care.

"We are pleased to offer this treatment option to our customers, completing our range of linear accelerators with a system suitable for small bunkers and developing markets," says Peter J. Gaccione, Elekta Vice President - Global Sales Initiatives. "Elekta Compact's modular design makes it not only upgradeable, but capable of delivering advanced radiation therapy, such as performing stereotactic treatments or conformal therapy. For countries needing to rapidly increase treatment capacity or where new Cobalt units are being considered for purchase, Elekta Compact is the ideal treatment system. Alternatively, in markets where clinically installed Cobalt unit replacements for new low energy linear accelerators are being considered, then once again Elekta Compact is a perfect fit."

With unrivalled patient clearance, patients receiving radical breast treatment can be treated with both arms raised while supported on a breast board. For more conformal techniques, a range of accessory mounts and custom or standard blocking trays are available. The low isocenter of Elekta Compact ensures simple and convenient attachment for a range of small field high resolution multi-leaf collimation systems and X-ray beam-shaping accessories.

"To enhance efficiency, clinics may enhance the system over time with new features and functions to support its caseload expansion, as well as the specific range of protocols it employs," explains Gaccione. "There are appropriate treatment planning and record and verify solutions to complement many clinical workflows, whether you want to simply move forward from a cobalt machine or add an external multi-leaf collimator system to complement a department which already has accelerators for standard conformal and IMRT -- all available today for an entry-level investment from Elekta."

Elekta Compact was launched in 2007, is one of five linear accelerators within the Elekta Delivery system portfolio and is compatible with many products, accessories, and options within the Elekta Precise Treatment Systems and Elekta Synergy product lines.

About Elekta

Elekta is an international medical technology group, providing oncologists, radiation therapists, neurosurgeons and many other medical specialists with state of the art tools to fight serious disease.

Elekta provides advanced clinical solutions, comprehensive management and information systems as well as services for improved cancer care and management of brain disorders.

Elekta's systems and solutions are used in over 5,000 hospitals around the world. Clinical and information management solutions include, among others, Leksell Gamma Knife(R) for non-invasive treatment of brain disorders, Elekta Axesse(TM) and Elekta Synergy(R) for stereotactic and image guided radiation therapy and radiosurgery as well as the MOSAIQ(R) suite of software for image-enabled EMR and efficient management of clinical and patient data.

With around 2,500 employees globally, the corporate headquarter is located in Stockholm, Sweden and the company is listed on the Nordic Exchange under the ticker EKTAb. More information about Elekta can be found at http://www.elekta.com and more information on Elekta Compact can be found at http://www.elekta.com/compact.

Elekta