Radiation therapy firm Varian Medical Systems has launched a Calypso 17-gauge soft-tissue Beacon transponder that is 50% smaller than the previous version.
Beacon is designed to enhance the precision of radiotherapy and radiosurgery treatments by giving radiation oncology personnel continuous information on tumor position based on the implanted transponders. The new version has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as the CE Mark.
Designed to work with Varian's Calypso system, the Beacon transponder is implanted in soft tissue and emits a nonionizing electromagnetic signal that is tracked in real-time, guiding treatment beams to target tumors during treatment with medical linear accelerators, such as Varian's Edge radiosurgery system.
