Dresden's OncoRay Center First to Acquire Innovative PCCT Scanner for Precise Radiation Therapy
Dresden's OncoRay Center has become the first worldwide to acquire an innovative photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) scanner for radiation therapy. Funded with two million euros by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, this new technology promises more precise radiation planning and reduced doses for patients.
The PCCT scanner, set to be installed in the coming weeks and ready for clinical use by mid-July, counts every individual X-ray photon. This enables much more detailed and accurate images than previous CT systems, allowing for more precise radiation planning, especially in proton therapy.
The acquisition reaffirms Dresden's role as an internationally leading location for medical innovations and forward-looking cancer research. OncoRay, a joint project of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), the Medical Faculty of TU Dresden, and the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, will now have the capability to treat moving tumors with the DirectSPR method, previously only usable for stationary tumors.
The PCCT scanner's arrival at OncoRay Center marks a significant advancement in radiation therapy. With its ability to count every X-ray photon and enable treatment of moving tumors, patients can expect improved care and outcomes. The device's installation is imminent, with clinical use starting in mid-July.
