Elekta has unveiled Elekta Unity, its new magnetic resonance radiation therapy (MR/RT) system, at the 36th European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) meeting in Vienna, Austria, from 5 to 9 May.

The system comes with an integrated (1.5 Tesla) MRI scanner, advanced linear accelerator and intelligent software.

The device is designed to simultaneously deliver precisely targeted radiation doses and capture high-quality MR images to facilitate tumour visualisation and treatment adaptation.

Elekta Unity features compact, wide bore (70cm) MRI, soft tabletop, non-glare room lighting, and a table with low load height to increase patient comfort.

Elekta president and CEO Dr Richard Hausmann said: “Elekta Unity is a technical tour de force through which we have overcome the longstanding limitations of operating a radiation delivery system within the high magnetic field of a diagnostic-quality MR imaging system.

"The real-time imaging capability of the system is expected to enable treatment adaptation, while the daily imaging helps minimise uncertainties regarding tumour location."

“We are pleased to present Elekta Unity to the global oncology community here at ESTRO 36 and recognise this milestone as a testament to the expertise and perseverance of the members of the MR-linac Consortium."

The real-time imaging capability of the system is expected to enable treatment adaptation, while the daily imaging helps minimise uncertainties regarding tumour location.

The system is expected to allow improved tissue differentiation and radiation therapy, functional MR imaging for identifying the response of tumours to therapy, while it also supports higher dose administration.

The clinical and workflow protocols used to enhance Elekta Unity's therapeutic efficacy and integration into existing radiation procedures have been developed by the firm's consortium, which was established in 2012 to combine precision radiation delivery with MR imaging.


Image: Elekta Unity. Photo: courtesy of PRNewswire/Elekta.