Philips advances MRCAT Head and Neck radiotherapy imaging and simulation for head and neck cancers

The company’s artificial intelligence (AI) enabled MRCAT Head and Neck radiotherapy application, which allows the use of MR as the sole or primary imaging modality for radiotherapy planning in the treatment of soft tissue tumors in the head and neck, along with the brain, pelvis and prostate, has received FDA 510(k) clearance and is commercially available in the U.S.

As a result of a recent development partnership with patient-positioning company MacroMedics, Philips has also announced compatibility of MacroMedics’ latest DSPS (Double Shell Positioning System) Prominent positioning system with Philips MR Head Neck Coil. This unique solution combines the superior soft tissue imaging capabilities and the high-resolution image quality of Philips’ head and neck coil with the comfort-enhancing and positional accuracy and stability features of MacroMedics’ mask. These developments aim to improve the accuracy of radiotherapy planning and simulation to help achieve better patient outcomes, enhance patient comfort, and offer the efficiency benefits of an MR-only workflow.

"With this innovative mask that fits into Philips’ head coil, we expect to acquire head and neck images for radiotherapy planning with diagnostic image quality and improved patient comfort,” said Marielle Philippens, Associate Professor, MRI for Radiotherapy at University Medical Center Utrecht (Utrecht, The Netherlands), who is currently using the integrated Philips and MacroMedics solution..