BrachySciences Introduces AnchorSeed(TM), a Major Breakthrough in Precise, Loose-Seed Implants.Designed to significantly improve accuracy of seed position AnchorSeed launched at ABS (Automatic Backup System) See backup program. 2008 World Congress of Brachytherapy brachytherapy /brachy·ther·a·py/ (-ther´ah-pe) treatment with ionizing radiation whose source is applied to the surface of the body or within the body a short distance from the area being treated. , Booth #129 OXFORD, Conn. -- A dramatic breakthrough in manufacturing technology by BrachySciences (Booth #129) will be introduced at the 2008 World Congress of the American Brachytherapy Society being held in Boston, May 4-6. The new manufacturing technology has lead to the development of AnchorSeed[TM], the first major clinical innovation for real-time applicator ap·pli·ca·tor n. An instrument for applying something, such as a medication. applicator, n a device for applying medication; usually a slender rod of glass or wood, used with a pledget of cotton on the end. users. AnchorSeed's unique patent pending design is intended to give existing low dose rate prostate brachytherapy sources the ability to maintain their position within tissue, thereby allowing physicians to confidently place seeds in more strategic and beneficial locations than in the past. It is designed for use both with Mick[R] applicators as well as with pre-loaded needles. The American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) is a nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. that seeks to provide insight and research into the use of brachytherapy (radiation seed implantation implantation /im·plan·ta·tion/ (im?plan-ta´shun) 1. attachment of the blastocyst to the epithelial lining of the uterus, its penetration through the epithelium, and, in humans, its embedding in the stratum compactum of the ) in malignant and benign conditions. The organization consists of physicists Below is a list of famous physicists. Many of these from the 20th and 21st centuries are found on the list of recipients of the Nobel Prize in physics. A
Utilizing the same bioabsorbable polymer as in BrachySciences' portfolio of strand products, AnchorSeed's unique proprietary design offers a true anchoring effect to help significantly reduce seed misalignment mis·a·ligned adj. Incorrectly aligned. mis  a·lign ment n. and seed migration. This ability to better maintain its
position now allows physicians to place seeds where they may have
hesitated in the past.
"The quality of an implant implant /im·plant/ (im-plant´) to insert or to graft (tissue, or inert or radioactive material) into intact tissues or a body cavity. procedure is highly dependent on the precision of the seed placement, so it's exciting to be able to offer a powerful new technology designed to improve loose seed fixity fix·i·ty n. pl. fix·i·ties 1. The quality or condition of being fixed. 2. Something fixed or immovable. ," says James Matons, President, BrachySciences. "Initial market acceptance has been phenomenal and has surpassed our expectations. AnchorSeed is proving to be a very compelling proposition to brachytherapists who use loose seeds." The success of brachytherapy is driven by strategic seed positioning and dosage dosage /dos·age/ (do´saj) the determination and regulation of the size, frequency, and number of doses. dos·age n. 1. Administration of a therapeutic agent in prescribed amounts. . Physicians seek to be as accurate as possible regarding seed placement without underdosing or overdosing any areas. AnchorSeed's intended benefits would allow physicians to focus on the need to treat the periphery periphery /pe·riph·ery/ (pe-rif´er-e) an outward surface or structure; the portion of a system outside the central region.periph´eral pe·riph·er·y n. 1. , extending the dose margin and reducing hesitation over seed location. A Revolution to Enhance the Mick Implant BrachySciences worked closely with Mick[R] Radio-Nuclear Instruments (MRNI), sharing valuable information to ensure that the technologies of both AnchorSeed and the Mick Applicator worked in harmony and offered the most effective seed delivery system. The result has been a new custom Mick cartridge designed exclusively for AnchorSeed. The objective was to enable physicians and their patients to experience the clinical benefits of AnchorSeed without changing anything about the way the Mick Applicator implant is performed. Clinical research studies have shown that seeds placed in peri-prostatic tissue are more likely to migrate than other seeds. Yet physicians recognize the clinical value of placing seeds in these areas in order to extend the margin of the dose, thereby treating any cancerous cells that have spread just beyond the confines con·fine v. con·fined, con·fin·ing, con·fines v.tr. 1. To keep within bounds; restrict: Please confine your remarks to the issues at hand. See Synonyms at limit. of the prostate. The AnchorSeed innovation combined with the Mick technology provides the added confidence to physicians to more accurately place seeds, while at the same time aiming to minimize patient side effects Side effects Effects of a proposed project on other parts of the firm. . "Working with BrachySciences on this project was very inspiring," says Felix W. Mick, President and founder of Mick Radio-Nuclear Instruments Inc. "Our cooperation has ensured that Mick Applicator technology and BrachySciences' AnchorSeed technology function together seamlessly. As a result, physicians receive all the benefits of a Mick implant with the added benefits of AnchorSeed, without having to alter any aspect of their technique. This should prove to be a very desirable method of performing 'real-time' prostate implants." AnchorSeed is designed to offer loose seed users the best of both worlds: the proven performance and "fixity" of strands, while maintaining the infinite flexibility offered by a real-time applicator approach. Dr. Thomas Shanahan is a Radiation Oncologist radiation oncologist Radiation therapist A radiologist specialized in using radioactive substances and x-rays to treat tumors and CA; an oncologist who uses various formats of radiation to manage CA Salary ± $200K. See Oncologist. with Memorial Medical Hospital in Springfield, IL. He has been performing prostate brachytherapy since 1989, and has trained many physicians both in the USA and abroad. "AnchorSeed can be considered a real advancement in loose seed viability," says Dr. Shanahan. "As a long-time user of the Mick Applicator, I understand the benefit of a seed that will remain fixed. With AnchorSeed, I am very pleased with how the seeds truly anchor themselves to the targeted tissue and do not follow the needle out (suction suction /suc·tion/ (suk´shun) aspiration of gas or fluid by mechanical means. post-tussive suction a sucking sound heard over a lung cavity just after a cough. effect) during withdrawal. It is significant that there is now a seed on the market that caters to the Mick user and may potentially improve patient outcomes. I expect AnchorSeed will be the option of choice for many of my colleagues." A Major Advantage for Pre-Loaded Needles AnchorSeed has the potential to offer a significant advantage for users of pre-loaded needles (PLNs) as well. Many users of strands in PLNs use loose loads for the peri-urethral areas. AnchorSeed now gives these users a seed that is designed to better maintain its intended position while allowing them to continue using loose seeds in these areas. For more information on AnchorSeed, contact Matt Bouffard at 866.314.8146 or at mbouffard@brachysciences.com. BrachySciences is dedicated to improving and expanding the use of brachytherapy implants for the treatment of early stage prostate cancer prostate cancer, cancer originating in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is the leading malignancy in men in the United States and is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death in men. . We develop, market, sell and distribute radioactive seeds as well as unique delivery systems and ancillary equipment used in brachytherapy implants. BrachySciences is committed to optimizing the quality and efficiency of prostate brachytherapy implants by providing state of the art, quality brachytherapy products, innovative technologies and services to the physicians and institutions that treat patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. |
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