One might think it’s challenging enough to develop software that enables the highly precise irradiation of multiple brain metastases in a single session. But as many patients undergo multiple rounds of irradiation, the workflow becomes even more complex. We joined Brainlab R&D Director Cornelis Kamerling and his team tackling these new challenges.
Multiple brain metastases present a unique clinical challenge. Treating several lesions simultaneously requires extraordinary accuracy to deliver high doses directly to the tumors while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. “We developed software to achieve steep dose gradients — very high dose inside the targets and very low outside,” Kamerling explains. “And to do that, every step in the workflow has to be incredibly precise.”
In this video, Cornelis Kamerling shares how Brainlab’s RT Elements software is reshaping how clinicians prepare treatment plans for patients with multiple brain metastases—and how the system is evolving to support repeated treatments over time.
Manage multiple brain metastases quickly & efficiently with SRS
“When a patient returns for a second or third round of radiosurgery, this workflow becomes even more complicated,” says Kamerling. “We have to consider past treatments, previously irradiated tissue, and new lesions—and create a plan that delivers maximum precision while protecting what’s already been treated.”
From academic research to clinical application, Kamerling brings a rare perspective on the evolution of radiosurgery planning. After years working as a research scientist in Heidelberg and London, he made what he describes as a bold step: leaving academia to bring his skills into a product and eventually into the clinic.
“At the university, you work on elegant concepts and publish papers, but I wanted to create something that makes a direct difference for patients.”
For Kamerling and his team, it’s clear: technology can’t and shouldn’t replace the experience of clinicians. Instead, its role is to enhance their decision-making.
“I don’t claim that the software is smarter than our customers,” he emphasizes. “But it can help ensure consistent, high-quality care. Our goal is not to replace clinicians, but to support them—so they can make faster, more informed, and ultimately safer treatment decisions.”
