RapidArc is an advanced technology we use in our Trilogy™ system to deliver intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with speed and precision. RapidArc shortens treatment times to one-half to one-eighth that of conventional radiation therapy.
RapidArc represents a major medical advance and is more comfortable for patients because they spend less time in their daily treatments. A fast, precise RapidArc Therapy takes less than two minutes. Patients can be in and out of treatment quickly and return to their daily routine. RapidArc rotates 360 degrees around the patient, enabling the very small beams with varying intensity to be aimed at the tumor from multiple angles. Unlike helical IMRT treatments or other forms of radiation therapy, with RapidArc the radiation treatment being delivered to the patient can be modulated continuously throughout treatment. This means that higher doses of radiation are delivered to hit the tumor harder, and less radiation is delivered to surrounding healthy tissue.
RapidArc treatments are delivered using either a Clinac or a Trilogy linear accelerator from Varian Medical Systems outfitted with imaging capabilities. The RapidArc imaging capabilities let the clinician see the location of the tumor in three dimensions before treatment. If the cancer has moved due to physical changes, treatment can be adjusted so the patient receives a precise treatment. This treatment platform is the most widely used and reliable platform available. Over 75 percent of the leading U.S. hospitals and clinics use Varian technology.
RapidArcTM Radiotherapy technology from Varian Medical Systems delivers treatments using either a Clinac or a Trilogy® linear accelerator, outfitted with an On-Board Imager kV imaging system for using images to guide patient placement and treatment delivery. The linear accelerator rotates around the patient to deliver radiation treatments from nearly any angle. During a RapidArc treatment, radiation is shaped and reshaped as it is delivered continuously from virtually every angle in a 360-degree revolution around the patient.
Like other forms of radiation therapy, RapidArc treatments are planned using sophisticated computer programs that analyze diagnostic image data and calculate the best way of delivering the radiation dose to minimize impact on healthy tissues for each patient.
Immediately prior to treatment, the exact location,size, and shape of the patient’s tumor is visually observed through a simple two-minute imaging procedure using the machine’s On-Board Imager.
After imaging is completed, the images are reviewed by the therapist and the patient’s position can be adjusted so that an accurate treatment can be delivered. The patient does not need to move off the treatment couch for this process—all adjustments are made automatically by the treatment couch.
A RapidArc radiotherapy treatment is delivered quickly—in less than two minutes and with just one turn of the machine around the patient. RapidArc shapes and modulates a highly focused treatment beam so that it targets the tumor precisely, sparing surrounding healthy tissues. It treats the entire tumor with pinpoint accuracy and is easier on the patient, who does not have to hold still for long periods of time.
During a RapidArc treatment, the treatment beam is continually shaped by a multileaf collimator (MLC), a device with 120 computer-controlled mechanical “leaves” or “fingers” that move to create apertures of different shapes and sizes.
Physician BenefitsRapidArcTM radiotherapy technology from Varian Medical Systems is a major advance in cancer treatment that improves dose conformity while significantly shortening treatment times for some types of cancer.
RapidArc treatment dramatically reduces the amount of time spent in each treatment. Your patients face less discomfort and disruption, which helps lower the stress of treatment and enables them to quickly resume their daily activities and lifestyle.
RapidArc treatments can be delivered in less than two minutes, which is two to eight times faster than older forms of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and faster than helical IMRT.
RapidArc delivers precise treatments to match the tumor size and location, sparing the surrounding healthy tissue.
RapidArc uses a unique Varian algorithm that provides exceptional treatment delivery control, resulting in improved dose conformity for greater normal tissue sparing and tumor control.
RapidArc combines unprecedented speed with remarkable precision. During treatment, the single gantry rotation speeds treatment delivery, so peripheral tissues receive a lower overall dose compared to conventional IMRT treatments.