GammaMedplus™ iX, GammaMedplus™ 3/24 iX HDR Afterloader

Performance at the next level

For more than 40 years, Varian's GammaMed products have forged a legacy of firsts, driving technology forward to provide cancer centers worldwide with the most advanced tools for planning and administering brachytherapy treatments. The GammaMedplus iX is the fifth generation in a long and respected line of GammaMed afterloaders.

The GammaMedplus iX introduces a new level of digital technology, with a new console computer system that is compatible with today's hospital networks; enhancing the brachytherapy experience today and providing a platform for future development.

Applying the principles of integration and openness, the GammaMedplus iX system has evolved to include multiple options and flexibility for the end user: GammaMedplus iX and GammaMedplus 3/24 iX remote afterloaders, BrachyVision™ treatment planning software, and Varian and third-party applicators.

To meet the needs of a broader range of customers, Varian BrachyTherapy includes the GammaMedplus 3/24 iX model in its family of brachytherapy solutions. Based upon the proven GammaMedplus platform, the 3/24 model can handle typical brachytherapy procedures requiring three treatment channels, and can be upgraded to a 24 channel afterloader on site, at any time, by a Varian service engineer.

Safety you can trust

GammaMedplus iX complies with and has been validated against IEC 601-2-17 and meets major international standards for product performance and safety. In addition, the system includes a built-in Geiger Muller radiation detector and features distal-to-proximal source movement, and a unique applicator length test for utmost safety and quality assurance.

Fixed length treatment distance

To eliminate errors due to incorrect treatment length entry, the GammaMedplus offers a fixed length treatment distance. The combined length of the applicator and source guide tube is always 1300 mm. This ensures you always know where the source delivers radiation.

Unique applicator end test

Only the GammaMedplus offers the unique applicator end test capability, which sends its dummy source to the end of the channel and then presses another 5 mm to ensure that it detects a closed-end catheter. This test also verifies an unobstructed source path and a total channel length. The last five channels in the device, and two of the five usable channels on the GammaMedplus 3/24 model, however, do not perform this applicator end test.

These channels are used for intraluminal cases where it is not desirable for the dummy to push against the end of a flexible catheter.

Distal-to-proximal source movement

By sending the source to the furthest point and pulling it back towards the safe, the device maintains wire integrity, accuracy in positioning, and again verification of clear source passage.

Simple source data entry

After source exchange calibration, the source strength is entered one time into the control software. The decay factor is maintained on the non-volatile memory of the control computer.

Uniquely bases treatment times on nominal 10 Ci source activity

Treatment plans are accepted with a fixed 10 Ci activity, so you develop a knowledge base of typical dwell times for similar cases. It is the device that tracks the decay of the source and then modifies the treatment time to accommodate this decay.

The iX Treatment Console

Direct transfer of patient information

Treatment data can be transferred between networked computers to remove the possibility of data entry error. Data can also be transferred via USB memory stick between non-networked computers.

Dedicated, intuitive control software

Varian understands that time pressure is tight, patients are anxious, and the importance of getting it right is paramount. We have worked with customers, human interface engineers, and software developers to produce an afterloader control interface that is both intuitive and simple to use.

The best way to travel the information highway is step by step. From logging on to the system, to treatment delivery, the new console software walks you through the process one step at a time. At each stage, you are presented with information in a controlled and stepwise manner in order to ensure no detail is overlooked.

After logging on, you have a simple choice of workflows – deliver a treatment, or create a treatment. In the case of treatment delivery, the software then steps through selecting the patient, confirming the demographic data, selecting the fraction, checking the treatment parameters and then helping you monitor and control the treatment delivery process.

Useful data you can understand

With the logical screen layout, intuitive icons, and clear graphics the control software gives you everything you need where, and when, you need it. Icons at the foot of the screen indicate the system status, including the condition of the interlocks prior to treatment initiation.

In order to reduce the risk of selecting the incorrect patient for treatment the iX software uses a “wizard” style process for importing patient data from the treatment planning system. The user is stepped through the patient demographic data to ensure that all fields match. The software also recognizes if the patient file already exists on the system, and offers to create a new file or add the treatment to the existing course as a new fraction.

Another unique feature of the software is plan data presentation. Rather than present a mass of figures that are easily misinterpreted, the software represents dwell times in a bar graph format making it straightforward to spot a discrepancy. Furthermore, prior to treatment delivery the console displays a full treatment report that can be printed or stored.

When it comes to treatment delivery knowing exactly what is going on during a treatment is essential. With the iX software this can be determined at a glance.

The right tools

Precision treatment requires precision applicators, accessories and quality assurance tools. Varian BrachyTherapy offers a wide selection of applicators and accessories for your HDR intracavitary, interstitial, intraluminal, intraoperative and surface treatments. Our titanium range of CT and MR compatible applicators represent a major step forward from plastic products. They are robust, and the tubing used is very thin–thin enough that the tandems can be used with Smit sleeves for rapid and easy tandem placement for each fraction, without the need for anesthetic. And, these products can be steam sterilized.

The GammaMedplus 3/24 iX

Nearly 80 percent of all HDR brachytherapy procedures are performed with up to three channels. A modified version of the 24 channel GammaMedplus iX, the 3/24 is the easiest way to initiate a brachytherapy program. As your HDR brachytherapy program grows, the 3/24 can be upgraded on site at any time by a Varian service engineer.

The 3/24 has all of the safety features, precision and flexibility of the GammaMedplus iX, with five channels rather than the standard 24. Channels 1-3 are typically used for intracavitary treatments and allow for GammaMed's unique applicator end test. Channels 23 and 24 are used for intraluminal or other treatments where an end test check is not desired. A maximum of three channels can be used in one treatment delivery session.

Contact Varian Oncology

Varian Oncology Headquarters
Tel: 1.650.424.5700
Contact Us

Events

11/18/2008 - 11/21/2008
Medica
11/26/2008 - 11/29/2008
AMPI Conference
11/30/2008 - 12/05/2008
RSNA 2008
12/06/2008 - 12/09/2008
ASH 2008 Annual Meeting (American Society of Hematology)

varian / us / oncology / brachytherapy