Addenbrooke’s Hospital Cambridge is the first centre in the UK to introduce ExacTrac Dynamic

• This cutting-edge technology developed by Brainlab is the first application of a 4D Thermal Camera tracking the patient’s external surface whilst correlating with X-Rays internal anatomical information for submillimetric accuracy radiotherapy treatment.
• Deep integration with Varian and Elekta delivery platforms enables a broad range of streamlined workflows accommodating both Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR).

Building upon the already proven clinical principles of ExacTrac 6, ExacTrac Dynamic has taken this to an advanced level of radiotherapy positioning and monitoring. Surface-Guided Radiotherapy (SGRT) presented a number of problems and limitations when using structured light alone. This is commonly referred to as over 300,000 points projected on the patient’s surface which also lends to tattooless patient positioning. Brainlab’s all-in-one solution takes SGRT a step further by combining structured light to thermal data which enriches every individual 3D point, adding higher tracking accuracy compared to 3D data alone.

Brainlab is already in the process of collaborations with a number of centres across Europe to demonstrate the single camera accuracy and clinical implications. For example, how ExacTrac Dynamic could facilitate Planning Target Volume margin reductions whilst providing true dose sparing for critical structures.

Addenbrooke’s Hospital received their training on this technology in August, with the aim to go live in September with SRS patients. June Dean, Associate Radiotherapy Manager and Head of Technical Operations for the radiotherapy centre at Addenbrooke’s said: “Our focus is on making sure patients have access to high quality treatment that meets their needs.

“This system uses surface guidance for patient positioning with high quality imaging that enables us to reduce the use of high dose x-rays and ultimately to treat patients with far greater precision. Eventually, it will also allow us to successfully treat a broader range of patients, including patients with breast cancer who struggle to achieve deep inspiration breath hold; a technique that enables us to avoid treating the heart.

“We are really lucky to have it. Radiotherapy is a highly targeted treatment and anything we can do to spare healthy tissue is ultimately going to benefit the patient.”

Dr Raj Jena, Academic Consultant Clinical Oncologist adds that “The timing is excellent. Recently proposed changes in NHS commissioning of radiosurgery will come into place in April 2021. These will allow us to offer a wider range of radiosurgery treatment to our patients here in Cambridge. I am confident that we can implement these new treatments rapidly due to our knowledge of the existing Brainlab Elements platform. Furthermore, being the first centre in the UK to install ExacTrac Dynamic offers us a unique opportunity for machine learning and radiomic research using this new technology.”

For more information on ExacTrac Dynamic click here.

Lead picture: The radiotherapy team from Addenbrooke’s Hospital and Brainlab’s Tara Djanani and Hesham Saud.

This news story has been sponsored by the companies concerned and does not represent the views or opinions of RAD Magazine.