ELEKTA EXTENDS LONG-STANDING DEVELOPMENT RELATIONSHIP WITH UPMC THROUGH ELEKTA AXESSE™

"We have an excellent, long-standing relationship with Elekta for the development of intracranial radiosurgery,” says Peter Gerszten, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. “I look forward to a similar collaborative relationship for extracranial neurosurgery with the Elekta Axesse system.”The Elekta Axesse system provides robotic image guided radiosurgery for the spine with free breathing delivery, which reduces treatment time and complexity. Unique beam angle flexibility enables radiation delivery angles that are not possible to achieve with other systems. In addition, highly conformal beam shaping helps ensure high precision and excellent target conformance.L. Dade Lunsford MD, is also excited about this new endeavor. Dr. Lunsford is the Lars Leksell Professor and Chairman of Neurological Surgery and Professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.“The year 2006 represents another milestone as UPMC and Elekta work together to deliver the most advanced extracranial stereotactic radiation technologies,” Lunsford says. “Elekta Axesse will form an integral base for our expanding spinal and extracranial radiosurgery volume.”“As we have done for the past 25 years, UPMC and Elekta will continue to evaluate and investigate the outcomes and methods necessary to obtain the best results for patients. By partnering with Elekta, we allow patients from all over the world to benefit from the latest in technological development for brain, body, and spine surgery. More than 15,000 patients have undergone surgical or radiosurgical procedures with Elekta technologies at this center since 1980.”UPMC was the first site in the U.S. to incorporate Leksell Gamma Knife® radiosurgery into its brain program in 1987. Today, UPMC has treated more than 8,000 patients with Gamma Knife® surgery alone.“Elekta Axesse is the most advanced system for image guided stereotactic radiation therapy with the multifunction versatility required for extracranial applications,” says Anthony De Carolis, CEO of Elekta, Inc. and President of Elekta operations in North America.Note: Elekta Axesse™ is subject to regulatory clearance in USA.******