Elekta announce first order for elekta synergy(TM) in Germany
ELEKTA ANNOUNCE FIRST ORDER FOR ELEKTA SYNERGYtm IN GERMANYUniversity of Würzburg, Germany, has ordered the Elekta Synergytm S, thenext generation of linear accelerators for image-guided radiationtherapy of cancer (IGRT), adapted also for stereotactic radiationtherapy.While intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has increased theprecision of radiation delivery, organ motion still presents an obstacleto delivering the radiation with high accuracy. Elekta Synergytm S willprovide imaging of the patient's organs in treatment position and attime of treatment so physicians at University of Würzburg will be ableto adjust their protocol based on the daily position of target andcritical organs.The order includes the new and advanced X-ray Volume Imaging (XVI)equipment for high resolution 3-D imaging of the patient in thetreatment position as well as other equipment such as PrecisePLAN®, theElekta 3-D planning system that integrates the planning functionsassociated with Elekta Synergytm.While Elekta Synergytm systems have been ordered from other parts ofEurope, this order from the leading radiation therapy institution atUniversity of Würzburg is the first in Germany.The initial delivery will comprise of the basic system components,Elekta Synergytm Platform, Stereotactic Body Frame®, Active BreathingCoordinator and PrecisePLAN®.The price range for a complete package for planning and delivery ofimage-guided and stereotactic radiation therapy is approx. 2.5-2.9 MUSD,depending on scope of supply and specifications.Today, over half of the radiation therapy systems now being shipped byElekta worldwide are Elekta Synergytm Platform, a linear acceleratorready to accept XVI imaging and advanced Beam Modulation in the future.This rapid acceptance of Elekta's equipment for IGRT is partly based onthe result of the successful work of the four research sites that formthe Elekta Synergytm research group;· Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Canada· William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan, USA· Christie Hospital, Manchester, UK· The Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI), Amsterdam, The NetherlandsCurrently the unique X-ray Volume Imaging (XVI) technology is onlyinstalled on the four systems of this research group, which is currentlydeveloping image-guided protocols to reduce or eliminate the problem oforgan motion.The Elekta Synergytm research platforms provides 3-D volume imaging ofsoft and bony tissue, adding accuracy to the precision of conformaltechniques such as IMRT. 3-D volume imaging will provide more and betterinformation for clinicians to make informed decisions on new clinicaltechniques that target cancer with higher precision and with less riskfor complications. ***********For further information, please contact:Product inquiries:Dee Mathieson, VP Product Management, Elekta,E-mail: dee.mathieson@elekta.comInvestor inquiries:Peter Ejemyr, Group VP Corporate Communications, Elekta AB (publ),Phone: +46 8 587 254 00, e-mail: peter.ejemyr@elekta.comPictures of Elekta Synergytm are available athttp://www.elekta.com/mediaElekta is a world-leading supplier of advanced and innovative radiationoncology and neurosurgery solutions and services for precise treatmentof cancer and brain disorders. Elekta's solutions are clinicallyeffective, cost efficient and gentle to the patient.For additional information about Elekta, please visit www.elekta.com------------------------------------------------------------This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.netThe following files are available for download:http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/09/18/20030918BIT00610/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/09/18/20030918BIT00610/wkr0002.pdf