CMS, INC., AN ELEKTA COMPANY, ANNOUNCES FIRST CANCER PATIENTS TREATED WITH MONACO™ RADIATION TREATMENT PLANNING SYSTEM

Featuring biological modeling, constrained optimization, and Monte Carlo dose calculation algorithms, Monaco represents a fundamentally new approach to IMRT planning, including a unique and sophisticated set of tools to make the radiotherapy planning process easier, more straightforward and clinically reliable.

"The biologically-based Monaco IMRT treatment planning system produces clinically relevant plans, which are dosimetrically superior to plans from dose-based IMRT treatment planning systems, feature shorter plan delivery times, and can be easily verified with normal QA procedures,” says Moyed Miften, Ph.D., DABR, and Allegheny General Hospital’s Chief of Medical Physics. “The multi-criteria optimization and the sensitivity analysis tools in the Monaco system also help reduce the time needed to optimize IMRT plans."

While IMRT delivers significant improvements for radiation treatment, the technology presents challenges, including managing the time and resource intensive processes associated with planning. With Monaco, CMS offers new approaches that improve IMRT planning in the following ways:

Sensitivity Analysis tool that minimizes trial-and-error by guiding the decision making process Smart Sequencing™, a constrained aperture optimization that produces efficient step-and-shoot segments Biological models, voxel definition controls, and multi-criterial goals that provide more intuitive and direct control over the optimization process.

Monaco was developed with the University of Tűbingen in Germany. Markus Alber, Ph.D., and colleagues developed the Hyperion project, which is the engine behind the new Monaco system. CMS commercialized these innovative concepts and approaches from the Hyperion project to create the foundation for Monaco. The result is an advanced, clinically sophisticated IMRT planning system backed by the core research and capabilities of one of the world’s leading research institutions.

About CMS
CMS, Inc., an Elekta Company, is a worldwide market leader in radiation treatment planning and workflow management, combining innovative software applications and advanced technology tools to deliver comprehensive treatment planning and workflow management solutions that integrate seamlessly in any clinical environment. With a commitment to product excellence and a reputation for world-class service and support, CMS makes all members of the treatment team more effective in providing patient care.