SAN FRANCISCO--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 5, 2001--Varian Medical Systems, Inc. (NYSE:VAR) and GE Medical Systems (NYSE:GE), the world's leading radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging companies, today announced a new cancer treatment installation designed to improve tumor targeting by linking a CT scanner and medical linear accelerator in single room. The first installation of EXaCT Targeting(TM) has been installed at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
"EXaCT Targeting will enable physicians to fine tune radiotherapy and adjust for changes in the size, shape or location of tumors and surrounding tissues by using diagnostic images taken moments before treatments are delivered," said Tim Guertin, president of Varian Medical Systems' oncology business. EXaCT Targeting was jointly developed by engineers at GE and Varian Medical Systems, as part of the two companies' See and Treat(TM) Cancer Care initiative. The installation at M. D. Anderson combines GE's HiSpeed CT scanner with Varian's Clinac(R) medical linear accelerator in a radiation oncology treatment room.
EXaCT Targeting also incorporates Varian's Exact(TM) Couch with Indexed Immobilization(TM), so clinicians can position patients rapidly and consistently for scanning or for treatment. The Exact Couch pivots smoothly between the GE HiSpeed CT scanner and the Varian Clinac linear accelerator while the patient remains in one position.
"The principle is to image patients in the same position that they will assume for radiation treatment," said James Cox, M.D., head, Division of Radiation Oncology at M. D. Anderson. "The patient will not be moved during the time between the CT scan and the time we initiate treatment. The table will move, but the patient will not. We anticipate using this system to image the patient prior to each treatment. This allows our treatment to be even more precise."
"Radiation therapy has traditionally had to rely on images taken days prior to actual treatment. EXaCT Targeting will allow for a more seamless and optimized workflow, and better coordination of imaging for staging, treatment planning, patient positioning, and treatment verification," explained Guertin.
"EXaCT Targeting is an excellent example of how Varian Medical Systems and GE Medical Systems listen to the needs of customers, and deliver innovative See and Treat solutions," said Peter Arduini, general manager of GE Medical Systems' Global CT business. See and Treat(TM) Cancer Care was established by the two companies to provide a comprehensive suite of integrated imaging, information management and treatment solutions for radiation oncology facilities.
Varian Medical Systems, Inc. (NYSE:VAR), of Palo Alto, Calif., is the world's leading manufacturer of integrated cancer therapy systems as well as X-ray tubes and flat-panel sensors for imaging in medical, scientific, and industrial applications. Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 2,570 people and reported sales of $774 million in its most recent fiscal year ended Sept. 28, 2001. For more information, visit www.varian.com.
GE Medical Systems is a $7 billion global leader in medical information and technology. Its offerings include networking and productivity tools, health care information systems, patient monitoring systems, conventional and digital X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR), ultrasound, positron emission tomography (PET), and nuclear medicine. For more than 100 years, health care providers worldwide have relied on GE Medical Systems for high-quality medical technology, services, and productivity solutions. For more information, visit the GE Medical Systems Web site at gemedicalsystems.com.
This press release contains certain forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 which provides a "safe harbor" for these types of statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results of Varian Medical Systems, Inc. to differ materially from management's current expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, product demand and market acceptance risks; new product development and commercialization, the impact of managed care initiatives in the U.S. on capital expenditures and resulting pressures on medical equipment purchases; and other risks detailed in Varian Medical Systems, Inc. filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Varian Medical Systems, Inc. assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
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CONTACT:
Varian Medical Systems
Spencer Sias, 650/424-5782
spencer.sias@varian.com
or
GE Medical Systems
Patrick Jarvis, 262/544-3668
patrick.jarvis@med.ge.com