Brainlab Licenses Critical Intellectual Property from Dalhousie University for Next Generation Cranial Radiosurgery Product
New Algorithm Creates Patient Specific Arc Trajectories by Penalizing Geometric Collisions with Critical Structures and rewarding steep Dose Gradients towards such Structures
Brainlab AG, a leader in cranial SRS software development and Dalhousie University, Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university located in Nova Scotia, Canada, have entered into an exclusive intellectual property license agreement for integration with next generation radiosurgery software.
The exclusive license covers technology for patient tailored, optimized arc-trajectories aim at minimizing radiation dose to organs at risk without compromising target coverage. The new algorithm creates a suitability ranking for every gantry- and couch-position based on geometric overlap of multiple risk organs and the target volume, and considers the relative depth of structures and dose tolerances. The algorithm can reward regions of approach which allow the most rapid dose fall-off toward specific organs at risk. The optimization can be applied to fixed couch arcs as well as simultaneous gantry-couch movements.
“We have developed an effective method for trajectory based treatment planning and delivery, often referred to as the Four-Pi approach. In addition to minimizing peripheral dose, the new algorithm alleviates the need for beam modulation, increasing the efficiency of planning and treatment delivery” explains James Robar, PhD, FCCPM, Chief of Medical Physics, Dalhousie University. “For patients, this means that we can further limit dose to healthy organs surrounding the tumour, without extending treatment times.”
“We have worked with the team in Halifax for many years and are excited to incorporate this innovative technology into the next generation of Brainlab cranial radiosurgery software scheduled for release within this year”, commented Stefan Vilsmeier, CEO and Founder, Brainlab, “This license bolsters Brainlab’s already strong IP position for beam pathway optimization”.
Brainlab AG
Brainlab creates software-driven med tech digitizing, automating and optimizing clinical workflows. Serving physicians, medical professionals and patients in 6700 hospitals in 127 countries, we’re transforming healthcare to improve the lives of patients everywhere. We employ over 2400 people in 25 locations worldwide. Visit and follow: Brainlab, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
About Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the province of Nova Scotia, Dal’s 18,500 students and 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community. Across 12 faculties, Dal students and researchers conduct more than $140 million in funded research and benefit from over 200 partnership agreements in 63 countries. Through learning and discovery, Dal is united in its quest to make a lasting impact on our world.