Varian, a Siemens Healthineers company, has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its RapidArc Dynamic solution. This innovative technology utilizes advanced algorithms to transform treatment planning, significantly reducing the time between consultation and treatment.
Radiation therapy is a critical part of cancer treatment, helping approximately half of all cancer patients. Over the years, advancements in radiation therapy have focused on minimizing radiation exposure to organs at risk, thereby improving post-treatment quality of life and reducing long-term complications. For example, in breast or lung cancer treatment, each gray (Gy) of radiation received by the heart increases the risk of cardiac issues by 5%-7% and cardiac mortality by 1%-2%. To address these risks, Varian’s RapidArc Dynamic offers enhanced precision and control capabilities, significantly reducing radiation risks to vital organs.
RapidArc Dynamic, available as an optional feature in the latest version of Eclipse treatment planning software for the TrueBeam 4.1 radiotherapy platform, is designed to minimize radiation exposure while improving the efficiency of radiation planning. Early research has shown that this technology can reduce radiation to organs at risk by up to 50%, while accelerating plan optimization and dose calculation by up to 70%. Additionally, the number of treatment arcs required can be reduced by up to 50%, improving the overall treatment process.
“RapidArc Dynamic is an example of Varian’s continued commitment to innovation in radiotherapy,” said Sasa Mutic, PhD, President of Radiation Oncology Solutions at Varian. “By optimizing plans faster, it helps reduce the time between diagnosis and treatment, while enhancing the precision of radiation dose delivery. This is a major advancement in our field.”
RapidArc Dynamic offers several key features designed to improve treatment planning and delivery:
- Next-Generation Algorithms: These allow clinicians to plan and deliver treatments more efficiently, handling a higher case volume without compromising on quality.
- Dynamic Collimator and Gantry Control: The collimator can be adjusted in real-time, and the gantry can be paused during rotation, providing greater control for optimal dose delivery while combining modulated ports and arc therapy in a single treatment field.
- Simplified Workflows: Tools like Auto-Skin Flash automate complex processes, streamlining workflows for advanced features like Multi-Criteria Optimization (MCO), RapidPlan, and clinical goal templates within the Eclipse system.
“RapidArc Dynamic is a powerful new solution for personalizing treatment planning while reducing doses to critical organs, minimizing toxicities, and maintaining treatment workflow,” said Dr. Sushil Beriwal, Vice President of Digital Oncology at Varian. “This flexibility enables care teams to reach new milestones in improving treatment outcomes.”
With FDA 510(k) clearance and CE Mark approval, RapidArc Dynamic represents a significant leap forward in precision radiation therapy, offering enhanced control, efficiency, and safety for cancer care teams worldwide.
Varian, now part of Siemens Healthineers, has been at the forefront of cancer care for over 75 years, delivering innovative technologies to support the entire cancer care journey, from screening to survivorship.
