Madison, Wis. — Accuray Incorporated has entered into agreements with Samsung HME America, doing business as NeuroLogica Corp., to pursue advanced volumetric imaging capabilities for the CyberKnife System.
The companies announced the collaboration during the American Society for Radiation Oncology Annual Meeting in Boston.
Under the collaboration, Samsung NeuroLogica’s expertise in mobile computed tomography and volumetric imaging will be combined with Accuray’s experience in precision treatment delivery, robotic radiosurgery and motion management.
Accuray said customers have identified imaging capabilities that can improve treatment efficiency and clinical decision-making as an important priority.
“When I joined Accuray, I spoke about the importance of bringing meaningful innovation to customers with greater focus and speed,” said Steve La Neve, President and Chief Executive Officer of Accuray. “That requires clarity about where Accuray should lead, where we should collaborate, and how we translate customer priorities into action. Our collaboration with Samsung NeuroLogica reflects that approach by bringing together complementary expertise to pursue opportunities that are expected to help address important customer and patient needs.”
The companies said volumetric imaging could improve visualization of patient anatomy in the treatment environment and support future clinical workflows. The collaboration is intended to explore ways to bring additional imaging information closer to treatment decision-making while meeting regulatory requirements in radiation oncology.
“We have long been interested in what volumetric imaging could add to CyberKnife’s non-coplanar treatment delivery and real-time motion management,” said Professor Nicholas van As, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and Chief Investigator of the PACE trials. “Seeing the target and surrounding anatomy together at the time of treatment could help us make more informed decisions for each patient.”
The Royal Marsden is the first center participating in the Accuray-Samsung NeuroLogica collaboration.
Jonathan Lischalk, Clinical Director of Radiosurgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and Clinical Associate Professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine, said the potential use of volumetric imaging alongside robotic radiosurgery could extend across thoracic, abdominal and pelvic cancers.
“For clinicians treating lung, pancreatic and prostate cancers, understanding the relationship between the target and nearby healthy organs at the time of treatment is central to the decisions we make,” Lischalk said.
Samsung NeuroLogica develops mobile CT technology designed to bring imaging closer to patients.
“Our team has spent years developing mobile CT, bringing imaging to the patient. The discussion with Accuray begins with a practical clinical need: better visualization of anatomy in the treatment room,” said Boris Geyzer, Head of Business, Mobile CT at Samsung HME America.
The companies said the collaboration will proceed through phased development activities as they evaluate technical, clinical and commercial opportunities.
No commercial product has been announced, and any future products remain subject to further evaluation and applicable regulatory requirements.
