Varian receives FDA clearance for enhanced imaging technology across radiotherapy systems
Varian, a Siemens Healthineers company, has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its HyperSight imaging solution on TrueBeam and Edge radiotherapy systems. This technology enables high-quality adaptive radiotherapy planning with reduced imaging times and improved anatomical accuracy, potentially enhancing treatment precision and patient comfort.
Advanced imaging capabilities expand across treatment platforms
The HyperSight imaging solution, originally launched in 2022 on Varian’s Ethos and Halcyon therapy systems, has now been extended to the company’s TrueBeam and Edge radiotherapy systems. This expansion represents a significant advancement in imaging technology available within the radiotherapy treatment room.
HyperSight enables clinicians to acquire high-quality cone-beam CT (CBCT) images during a patient’s daily radiation treatments. These images deliver Hounsfield Unit (HU) accuracy comparable to conventional CT scanners, making them suitable for treatment planning directly from the acquired CBCT images. This capability eliminates the need for patients to make additional trips to a separate CT scanner when anatomical adaptations are required.
Faster acquisition with improved clinical outcomes
A notable technical improvement with HyperSight on TrueBeam and Edge systems is the 50% faster gantry rotation, which significantly reduces image acquisition time compared to traditional CBCT scans that can take up to 60 seconds. This speed enhancement offers several clinical benefits:
- Reduced motion-related artifacts due to minimised patient movement
- Decreased patient discomfort and anxiety through shorter time on the treatment table
- Greater precision in targeting tumour volumes whilst sparing healthy tissue
Dr Wesley Talcott, Assistant Professor and Radiation Oncologist at Lenox Hill Hospital’s Cancer Institute, an early adopter of HyperSight on their Halcyon system, reported: “HyperSight imaging has allowed us to improve patient comfort by decreasing the time patients spend on the treatment table while simultaneously targeting with greater confidence.”
Research collaboration and clinical evidence
Varian has demonstrated commitment to evidence-based implementation of HyperSight through clinical research partnerships. Nine studies have been conducted, are in progress, or are planned across eight institutions to better understand the technology’s role in advancing care and enhancing patient experience.
The company has also established an Intelligent Imaging Consortium, providing HyperSight users with a collaborative forum to innovate on trials and studies, potentially accelerating clinical implementation and optimisation.
Integration within comprehensive cancer care
Arthur Kaindl, Head of Varian, emphasised the company’s strategic direction: “As a Siemens Healthineers company, we are pioneering innovative solutions to advance radiotherapy and connect the power of imaging, both inside and outside the treatment room.”
This integration of advanced imaging across Varian’s radiotherapy platforms aligns with broader trends in precision medicine and personalised cancer care. By improving the accuracy of treatment delivery and streamlining clinical workflows, HyperSight technology may contribute to better patient outcomes whilst potentially improving operational efficiency in radiotherapy departments.
- For more information, visit: varian.com/hypersight
