Varian Medical Systems Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance for New Nasopharynx Applicator Set for Advanced Brachytherapy Treatments | Varian

{ "pageType": "news-article", "title": "Varian Medical Systems Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance for New Nasopharynx Applicator Set for Advanced Brachytherapy Treatments", "articleDate": "14 March 2005", "introText": "", "category": "Brachytherapy" }

Varian Medical Systems Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance for New Nasopharynx Applicator Set for Advanced Brachytherapy Treatments

PALO ALTO, Calif., March 14  /PRNewswire/ -- Varian Medical Systems (NYSE:VAR) today announced that the company has received FDA 510(k) clearance for a
brachytherapy solution that enables more accurate and flexible treatment of
nasopharyngeal cancer. The new Varian Nasopharynx Applicator Set has been
designed for the delivery of localized radiation therapy in the upper throat
area.

    "This applicator offers an accurate and flexible way of achieving higher
doses to nasopharyngeal tumors while delivering minimal dose to adjacent
critical structures such as the brain stem," says William Hyatt, VP of
Oncology Systems Operations and head of Varian's BrachyTherapy business unit.

    Suitable for use in the nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal regions, the new
applicator set is CT and MR compatible and will typically be used in
combination with external beam radiotherapy. The set comprises two soft and
transparent plastic ear, nose and throat mold probes with two very soft
guidance tubes that can be fed through the nasal cavity without damaging the
mucous membranes. It also features an expandable balloon for easy fixation
regardless of variations in the patient's anatomy.

    "It's the only dual channel device of its type to incorporate an
expandable balloon for optimal fixation and source placement," said Hyatt.

    Cancer of the nasopharynx is particularly prevalent among Asian
populations. High dose rate brachytherapy is a recognized treatment option for
this cancer, but has previously been handicapped by lack of a suitable
treatment catheter.

    Varian Medical Systems, Inc., of Palo Alto, California is the world's
leading manufacturer of integrated cancer therapy systems, which are treating
thousands of patients per day.  The company is also a premier supplier of X-
ray tubes and flat-panel digital subsystems for imaging in medical,
scientific, and industrial applications.  Varian Medical Systems employs
approximately 3,300 people who are located at manufacturing sites in North
America and Europe and in its 55 sales and support offices around the world.
In its most recent fiscal year ended October 1, 2004, Varian Medical Systems
reported sales of $1.2 billion.  Additional information is available on the
company's investor relations web site at http://www.varian.com/.

    CONTACT:  Spencer Sias, +1-650-424-5782, or spencer.sias@varian.com, or
Neil Madle, +44 (0) 7786 526 068, or neil.madle@varian.com, both of Varian,
Inc.


SOURCE: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.



Web site:  http://www.varian.com/