VariSource™iX – superior HDR brachytherapy

The VariSource™ iX and VariSource iX(t) model afterloaders advance high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy with a new level of digital technology. New control software is compatible with today's hospital networks, enhancing the brachytherapy experience today and providing a platform for future development.

By combining the latest technology with several unique features, the VariSource iX offers superior specifications to meet all of your brachytherapy needs:

Smallest diameter source wire for lower trauma in new interstitial techniques, and the most kink-resistant bronchial catheter in the business
Intelligent Drive™ with force feedback for more successful treatments
The new iX treatment console with intuitive controls and full network interface capability
Electronic turret for easy, positive, and accurate transfer tube engagement
CamScale™ automated position verification system for fast, efficient daily QA checks
Full UPS and battery back-up for safe treatment completion in a power failure, and automated wire recovery
Broad and growing range of treatment accessories, including new patient and user-friendly titanium CT- and MR-compatible applicators
Backed by the international service and support network of the world's leading radiation oncology equipment supplier

Finally, the new iX technology is available as an upgrade option for all previously sold VariSource models – helping you to maximize the value and get the longest use from your capital investment. Key features of the upgrade are electronic transfer of prescription data from BrachyVision, and 60 dwell locations per channel.

It all comes down to the source wire

At only .59 mm diameter, the VariSource iX has the thinnest source wire available for HDR procedures. A thinner source offers four main advantages – thinner needles; thicker wall, kink resistant catheters; better tracking through standard catheters and transfer tubes, and better position control through no in-channel length compression.

The source itself conveniently measures 5 mm in length, thus providing contiguous, line source like dosimetry for 5mm step sizes. The source is embedded directly into the tip of the wire, leaving no crimps or joints to produce weak spots. Loaded with enriched iridium, and annealed at the tip for greatly improved trackability, the source wire can be installed at an activity of up to 11Ci.

Fine needles reduce trauma

With needles as fine as 20 gauge (0.9 mm diameter) possible, VariSource offers treatment options which are not possible with any other system. For transperineal use, 18 gauge needles (1.27 mm) are the standard – equivalent to needles commonly used for permanent seed implants and much smaller than possible with all other HDR afterloaders. Smaller needles generally mean less trauma.

Kink-resistant catheters for fewer treatment failures

The thin source profile permits the wall of the VariSource standard catheter (for endobronchial use) to be thick with respect to its outer diameter (4.7 Fr. gauge, 1.57 mm), making it extremely robust and kink resistant. This translates to fewer treatment failures due to catheter kinking, which is the most common cause of treatment failure for these cases with other HDR systems.

Superb Deliverability

The VariSource iXsource wire is annealed at the tip to give it just the right amount of flexibility to navigate the tightest catheter bends in a clinical setting. Further, the wire will not fold on itself along its length, as a cable might, so more force can be successfully applied to the wire.

Intelligent Drive - Unique force feedback device for navigating constrictions

The VariSource iX uses a solid wire rather than a cable to position the radioactive source. Since the source is driven to the treatment position and forces are exerted upon it, there is no change in the length of the wire and the solid wire allows for accurate transmission of the forces on the wire back to the afterloader. Here they are constantly measured by the unique Intelligent Drive System, which determines if they are consistent with normal operation.

In cases where the force measured indicates a tight bend in the catheter, the system will attempt to step around it. If an impassable obstruction is detected, the system will retract the wire. Other systems simply use a go/no-go slip clutch mechanism.

With the possibility of connection to 20 channels, the source wire can be positioned at up to 150 cm from the afterloader turret, with a transit speed of up to 60 cm/second. The system also enables you to program up to 60 dwell positions and select a large range of step sizes, anywhere from 2 mm to 99 mm, in 1 mm increments. Use of the default step size of 5 mm gives the system the unique ability to match step size with source length in order to produce a line source like dosimetry along the entire treatment length – minimizing dose hot spots close to the treatment catheter.

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 precision is essential. 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.

Stay informed

Remote text displays at the console area, treatment room door and on the afterloader itself, give important information on the wire position and status, and any error messages which may be present.

Unique Quality Assurance Support Features

The CamScale™

One common daily QA test for an HDR treatment unit is a check that the source is actually positioned where the afterloader says it is. Many accessories have been developed to support this routine task, but VariSource iX uniquely has a built in device which automates and speeds up the process. The CamScale uses an interior source guide system, a scale and a digital camera to allow you to drive either the active or dummy wire to two preset distances on the scale. The camera is then used to capture a digital image of the wire tip on the scale that is displayed on the console and can be printed if necessary. This provides several clear advantages – including no film development (or film signing and storage), no need to re-enter the treatment room to set up the next test, and no accessory equipment to retrieve and store each time the test must be performed. The VariSource iX CamScale is a truly innovative product feature that makes your day easier and speeds the time from morning start to first patient treatment.

Quality Assurance Check Sheets

The VariSource iX enables you to custom design your daily and other periodic QA program right on the treatment console, and keep a record of QA tests completed on conveniently printed check lists.

Precision at its best - the perfect connection

The connectors themselves are not only simple to operate but are designed to ensure a perfect connection every time, almost eliminating misconnection errors. The electronic lock precisely aligns the connectors to the reference plane, and a sensor sweeps the channels checking the connections. The sensor then provides a visual indication (red or green) of which channels are ready for treatment. This avoids having to re-enter the treatment room to check catheter connections.

Contact Varian Oncology

Varian Oncology Headquarters
Tel: 1.650.424.5700
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