Philips (NYSE:PHG) announced today that it received FDA 510(k) clearance for its AI-enabled MRCAT head and neck radiotherapy application.
Amsterdam-based Philips designed its MRCAT head and neck application to allow for the use of MR as the sole or primary imaging modality for radiotherapy planning. It is used for the treatment of soft tissue tumors in the head and neck, along with the brain, pelvis and prostate.
Through a development partnership with MacroMedics, Philips also announced the compatibility of its DSPS Prominent positioning system. DSPS (double shell positioning system) works with the MR head neck coil from Philips. Together, they offer soft tissue imaging capabilities with high-resolution image quality from the head and neck coil. It also features the comfort and positional accuracy and stability of MacroMedics’ masks.
“With this innovative mask that fits into Philips’ head coil, we expect to acquire head and neck images for radiotherapy planning with diagnostic image quality and improved patient comfort,” said Marielle Philippens, associate professor, MRI for radiotherapy at the University Medical Center Utrecht (Utrecht, The Netherlands). Philippens currently uses the integrated Philips and MacroMedics solution.
Philips said the developments aim to improve the accuracy of radiotherapy planning and simulation. It helps to achieve better outcomes, enhance patient comfort and offer the efficiency benefits of MR-only workflows.
“The superior soft tissue imaging of MR together with advances in the integration and orchestration of data, including the use of artificial intelligence, promise greater clarity and less subjectivity in planning radiotherapy for head and neck cancer,” said Ilya Gipp, CMO, oncology solutions at Philips. “Our collaboration with MacroMedics to develop a patient-friendly mask system compatible with our high-resolution dStream imaging coils highlights Philips’ commitment to providing the precision tools needed for the localization and characterization of difficult-to-treat tumors.”