Siemens First in U.S to Combine CT Scanning With Radiation Therapy

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@earthlink.net>]

Siemens First in U.S to Combine CT Scanning With Radiation Therapy At 
Atlantic Health System in New Jersey
  
CONCORD, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Aug 10, 2000-- 

Breakthrough PRIMATOM System Revolutionizes Radiation Therapy 
Technology 

Siemens Oncology Care Systems Group today announced the unveiling of 
the PRIMATOM(tm) System, the nation's first combination of a CT 
scanner with a medical linear accelerator for radiation therapy at 
the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center at Atlantic Health System's 
Morristown Memorial Hospital. 

The PRIMATOM System consists of a Siemens CT scanner on a sliding 
gantry combined with a PRIMUS(R) Linear Accelerator. The technology 
provides oncologists for the first time with accurate, almost real-
time diagnostic-quality images of tumors within the treatment room. 

"The PRIMATOM represents an extraordinary breakthrough in the field 
of radiation therapy," said James. R. Wong, M.D., chairman of the 
Radiology Department at Atlantic's Morristown Memorial Hospital. "The 
system allows the patient to remain on one table while the tumor is 
pinpointed and treatment is more accurately delivered. Current 
procedures require the patient to be relocated from a diagnosis area 
to the treatment table, increasing the potential for the tumor or 
internal organs to move." 

"I would, personally, equate the use of this system to the discovery 
of ether for surgery," Dr. Wong continued. "Just as ether allows the 
patient to undergo surgery without movements, the PRIMATOM allows the 
patient to undergo radiation therapy without organ movement." 

The gantry moves along a set of high precision rails, bringing 
diagnostic imaging capability quickly and easily to the patient on 
the treatment table. The gantry encircles the patient lying on the 
treatment table, and then makes incremental movements during the 
scanning process. The gantry is easily retracted when image 
acquisition is complete. Based on the updated tumor localization 
data, the system will then deliver the most optimal radiation therapy 
to the tumor while providing maximal sparing of normal tissue. 

"At Siemens we are continuing to advance technologies that will bring 
accurate diagnostic imaging to radiation therapy," said Pat Boyle, 
group vice president of Siemens Oncology Care Systems. "The 
advantages of imaging and treating a patient in the same controlled 
environment, from the same patient table, are truly significant." 

"With the addition of the state-of-the-art CT-on-Rails/Linac System, 
Atlantic Health System advances radiation therapy and enhances our 
high quality of care," said Joseph Trunfio, Ph.D., president and 
chief executive officer of Atlantic Health System. "In fact, you 
can't find more advanced radiation treatment in the United States." 

Morristown Memorial Hospital is part of the Atlantic Health System, 
one of the largest health care systems in New Jersey which serves 
nearly five million people in 11 counties in northern and central New 
Jersey, with a combined total of 1,997 beds and providing a wide 
array of health care services. 

The Siemens Oncology Care Systems Group world headquarters is located 
in Concord, Calif. The Group develops and markets a range of 
radiation therapy and electronic information products as solutions 
for the worldwide oncology market. The website address is 
www.sms.siemens.com/ocsg. The company is part of Siemens Medical 
Engineering Group, Erlangen, Germany, one of the largest suppliers of 
healthcare services in the world. The Medical Engineering Group 
employs 19,000 worldwide and reported fiscal year-end sales of $5 
billion. In the U.S., the Oncology Care Systems Group is part of 
Siemens Medical Systems, Inc. Iselin, N.J., which employs nearly 
4,500 people in the U.S. and reported annual sales of approximately 
$1.8 billion. 

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Sandy Perle					Tel:(714) 545-0100 / (800) 548-5100   				    	
Director, Technical				Extension 2306 				     	
ICN Worldwide Dosimetry Division		Fax:(714) 668-3149 	                   		    
ICN Biomedicals, Inc.				E-Mail: sandyfl@earthlink.net 				                           
ICN Plaza, 3300 Hyland Avenue  		E-Mail: sperle@icnpharm.com          	          
Costa Mesa, CA 92626                                      

Personal Website:  http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/1205
ICN Worldwide Dosimetry Website: http://www.dosimetry.com

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