Varian Medical Systems Introduces ProBeam(TM) Proton Therapy Platform at Particle Therapy Co-operative Group (PT COG) 2010 Meeting

GUNMA, Japan, May 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR) is introducing the fully-integrated ProBeam™ proton therapy system at the 2010 Particle Therapy Co-operative Group (PT-COG) meeting here this week. The ProBeam system incorporates imaging, gating, robotic patient positioning, treatment planning and oncology information software to enhance treatment quality for patients and workflow efficiency for clinicians.

"ProBeam is the result of decades of leadership in proton therapy research and development and it has been designed from the ground-up to meet the needs of clinicians and patients alike," says Moataz Karmalawy, head of Varian's particle therapy group. "This fully integrated system can be used for all forms of advanced proton therapy including image-guided proton therapy and intensity-modulated proton therapy."

The ProBeam system incorporates Dynamic Peak™ integrated scanning technology which paints a precise radiation dose on the target volume, enabling true intensity modulated proton therapy. The system also incorporates proprietary pencil-beam scanning technology, which allows for precise dose distribution.

Utilizing the proven technology of Varian's 250 MeV super-conducting cyclotron and features, the ProBeam system includes a streamlined treatment console with a modern, graphical, easy-to-use interface that consolidates all controls for imaging, treatment and motion management. Treatment process and workflows are simplified and easy to learn, with a 'follow the light' guidance system that is designed to enhance usability and promote safety by guiding therapists through the steps of even the most complex treatments.

The ProBeam interface has the same revolutionary design as Varian's recently-announced TrueBeam™ system for radiation therapy and TrueBeam™ STx system for radiosurgery. "It's structured and organized the way oncology clinics work every day," adds Moataz Karmalawy.

"ProBeam simplifies the proton therapy treatment process for clinicians and patients alike," says Lester Boeh, head of Varian's emerging businesses group. "Varian is bringing the same integrated, automated and versatile approach to proton therapy as it has for many years of leadership in radiation therapy."

Editorial contact: Neil Madle, Varian Medical Systems, +44 7786 526068

About Varian Medical Systems

Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California, is the world's leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy, and brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing comprehensive cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers and medical oncology practices. Varian is a premier supplier of tubes and digital detectors for X-ray imaging in medical, scientific, and industrial applications and also supplies X-ray imaging products for cargo screening and industrial inspection. Varian Medical Systems employs approximately 5,100 people who are located at manufacturing sites in North America, China, and Europe and in its 79 sales and support offices around the world. For more information, visit http://www.varian.com/

SOURCE Varian Medical Systems, Inc.