Siemens Medical Solutions unveiled Artiste, an integrated system for dose-guided radiation therapy (DGRT) that uses the company's In-Line technology, this week at the 46th annual meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) in Atlanta.

According to Siemens, DGRT, which relies upon information about the tumor shape in order to adapt the treatment, has the potential to advance treatment capabilities beyond image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). While current IGRT systems concentrate on accurate treatment delivery based upon tumor position, DGRT introduces the consideration of anatomy and dosimetric changes into the treatment protocol, Siemens said.

Artiste provides both kilovoltage and megavoltage imaging capabilities by providing a separate radiation source and imaging panel for each energy range. Each energy range is then used to provide the images necessary for DGRT, and can become the basis of distinct treatment and imaging capabilities, Siemens said. The arrangement of the sources and imaging panels are 180 degrees (in-line) from one another, which allows imaging of both the patient and the treatment at the same time.

In addition, Artiste will provide synchronized image and dose monitoring, quality cone beam information correlated with the treatment plan, and both entrance and exit treatment ports.

Siemens also showcased at ASTRO 2004 its Somatom Sensation Open CT for radiation therapy planning and other CT applications where patient accessibility is required. The 20-slice CT system with a 0.5 second gantry speed system has an 82-centimeter gantry bore and 82-centimeter field of view. According to Siemens, the system incorporates the compact Straton X-ray tube, providing better image quality and increased examination speed.

First installations of the Somatom Sensation Open were completed in early summer. First introduced at RSNA 2003 in Chicago, the CT scanner system was cleared for the U.S. market in April. Siemens said it will be commercially available by November.