Elekta technology virtually eliminates MEG helium refills

SEATTLE, Dec. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A major factor limiting the scope of magnetoencephalography (MEG) programs worldwide has been the cost and availability of the liquid helium needed to operate these advanced brain mapping systems. With its zero helium boil-off technology* for Elekta Neuromag TRIUX, Elekta nearly eliminates the need for liquid helium refills. Elekta (booth # 519) introduced the helium recycling technology at the American Epilepsy Society Meeting, December 5-9 (Seattle, Washington).

"This is a major leap forward in functional brain mapping, as it dramatically decreases operating costs and does away with the need for weekly liquid helium refills," says Miikka Putaala, Director Business Line MEG, Elekta Neuroscience. "With Elekta's zero helium boil-off technology, over 1,300 gallons [5,000 liters] of liquid helium can potentially be saved each year on a single system. That means users of our Elekta Neuromag TRIUX system will be largely unaffected by liquid helium price increases or shortages."

The cost and availability of helium has soared in recent years as a result of supply shortages and the privatization of strategic helium reserves in the United States, Putaala says. The spot market price of helium has more than doubled in many countries, including the United States, to well over USD 38 per gallon [3.78 liters] and, at times, as much as USD 113 per gallon.

"The availability of liquid helium has been unstable in the last few years as extraction facilities have been out of service due to maintenance or other reasons," he adds. "The ability to have integrated helium recycling technology in Elekta Neuromag TRIUX comes at a critical time, and will enable our clinical and research users to continue their MEG programs cost-effectively and without interruptions."

What is MEG?

MEG is based on the detection of very weak magnetic fields that originate from electrical activity within the brain. MEG functional mapping is used to evaluate epilepsy and to perform pre-surgical mapping of visual, auditory, somatosensory, motor cortex and language functional areas. MEG also has been employed to study the neural basis of developmental disorders, psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, memory, attention, emotion, language and social cognition.

*Elekta's zero helium boil-off technology is a work-in-progress and is not available for sale or distribution in all countries.

For further information, please contact:
Gert van Santen, Group Vice President Corporate Communications, Elekta AB
Tel: +31 653 561 242, e-mail: [email protected]
Time zone: CET: Central European Time

Kris Walmsley, Corporate Communications Manager, Elekta AB
Tel: +46 70 537 9545, e-mail: [email protected]
Time zone: CET: Central European Time

About Elekta

Elekta is a human care company pioneering significant innovations and clinical solutions for treating cancer and brain disorders. The company develops sophisticated, state-of-the-art tools and treatment planning systems for radiation therapy, radiosurgery and brachytherapy, as well as workflow enhancing software systems across the spectrum of cancer care. Stretching the boundaries of science and technology, providing intelligent and resource-efficient solutions that offer confidence to both health care providers and patients, Elekta aims to improve, prolong and even save patient lives.

Today, Elekta solutions in oncology and neurosurgery are used in over 6,000 hospitals worldwide. Elekta employs around 3,800 employees globally. The corporate headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and the company is listed on NASDAQ Stockholm. Website: www.elekta.com.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/elekta-technology-virtually-eliminates-meg-helium-refills-300005129.html

SOURCE Elekta

Related Links

http://www.elekta.com

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