CMS Introduces Interplant 3.1 and AccuSeed DS Digital Stepper.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 30, 2003

CMS, Inc. expands its commitment to permanent seed prostate brachytherapy with the launch of new treatment planning software, Interplant(R) 3.1, and a new digital stepper, AccuSeed(R) DS.

The new release contains a number of unique enhancements making it a must-see for current users and those considering enhancing their prostate seed implant program.

New features include DVH-based dose optimization to automatically recommend implant patterns and needle loading based on the user-defined DVH control parameters.

An enhanced comparison view provides analysis of dose distribution and DVH comparison of planned versus post-implant seed locations. New anatomical contouring tools offer composite shape stretching and shrinking, morphing, display of interpolated contours and Rapid Contouring, all of which save valuable time. Rapid Contouring is a semi-automatic contour generation tool that creates a contour from just a few points along an anatomical boundary.

While Interplant is ideally used for Interactive Treatment Planning, which combines a preplan of seed placement with intra-operative guidance and source delivery, it also supports real-time, intra-operative treatment planning, as well as traditional pre-planning. In fact, Interplant is the only system available with Dynamic Dosimetry(R) for visualization of dose buildup using real-time seed position feedback during intra-operative treatment planning.

AccuSeed DS is the most advanced digital stepper for use with Interplant. It's designed for use with the AccuSeed floor stand or table mount stabilizer. And, because of its modular format a newer manual AccuSeed can be easily upgraded to a digital system at any time.

The complete system is truly unique when used with the Point-of-Care Cart designed specifically for the operating room. The cart is equipped with a docking station for the treatment planning laptop computer, a power supply for the digital stepper, a printer and an 18-inch flat screen monitor, making setup quick and easy. The monitor provides the physician with a single screen for viewing live ultrasound integrated with the planning software during treatment delivery, while the physicist continues to make plan adjustments on the laptop based on real-time seed placement.

"This represents the latest in a series of significant upgrades to our prostate brachytherapy treatment planning system and supports our efforts to provide the very best in guidance and visualization for prostate seed implants," said Doug Sprague, President and CEO. "Our customers should expect more technological advancements as CMS looks to guide the future of this procedure and other related prostate cancer treatments."

CMS, Inc. is a world leader in the development and support of radiation treatment software. With more than 1,400 treatment planning systems installed worldwide, CMS is a global resource to radiation oncology departments for treatment planning software and prostate brachytherapy systems. A privately-held corporation, CMS employs 250 professionals in its headquarters located in St. Louis, MO and regional offices in Champaign, IL; Freiburg, Germany; Shanghai, China; and Tokyo, Japan. To learn more, visit cmsrtp.com or call 314/812-4320.