News and Events

October 12th, 2009

NORTHMAIN RADIATION ONCOLOGY NOW USING CALYPSO® 4D LOCALIZATION SYSTEM, “GPS FOR THE BODY®”, FOR TREATMENT OF PROSTATE CANCER.

The Center is the First in Providence to Offer Calypso, a New Precision-Guided Technology

PROVIDENCE, RI — NorthMain Radiation Oncology announced today that it is the first and only cancer-care program in Rhode Island to offer prostate cancer patients access to the Calypso® 4D Localization System™, also known as “GPS for the Body®.”

This new form of technology allows precision-guided radiation therapy delivery to the prostate with continuous, prostate-motion detection and monitoring. Essentially, the Calypso System tells the physician where the tumor location is at all times during daily radiation treatments.

Movement of prostate tumors can occur during and in between treatments as a result of changes in the bladder, rectum and bowel. This daily organ motion can result in ineffective delivery of radiation and damage to surrounding healthy tissues. The Calypso System was designed to “track” the location of the prostate tumor during oncology treatments to precisely and continuously target the delivery of the external beam to the position of the tumor.

“I am excited to be able to offer my prostate cancer patients this new advanced radiation technology” said Dr. Nicklas Oldenburg, President of NorthMain Radiation Oncology. “We believe that patients are well educated in prostate cancer treatment options and seek the best treatment approach possible. The Calypso® 4D Localization System™ provides them with the opportunity to have continuous monitoring during their treatment.”

The major components of the Calypso System are implanted Beacon® electromagnetic transponders, each about the size of a grain of rice. Three Beacon® transponders are implanted in the patient’s prostate prior to the delivery of radiation therapy. They work in tandem with the other two main components, the Calypso System and the 4D Tracking Station™, to accurately and continuously locate the tumor in the prostate during radiation treatments.

“New technologies such as the Calypso System facilitate the delivery of higher doses of radiation with fewer complications and side effects than patients typically experience when treated with conventional radiation therapy,” added Dr. Oldenburg. “Our goal with all such technology is to increase cure rates while preserving the quality of life for our patients.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call (401) 521-9700.

About NorthMain Radiation Oncology

Since 1978, NorthMain Radiation Oncology has been providing high quality radiation therapy services to patients in Rhode Island and Southeastern New England. As a freestanding facility, our mission is simple: To know each patient as a person and provide leading-edge cancer treatment.

“GPS FOR THE BODY®”

About Calypso® Medical

Calypso Medical Technologies, Inc. ("Calypso") is a Seattle, WA-based privately held medical device company. The Company's proprietary tumor localization system utilizes miniaturized implanted devices (Beacon® electromagnetic transponders) to continuously, accurately, and objectively pinpoint the location of tumors for improved accuracy in radiation therapy. Calypso addresses two major issues in modern radiation oncology: errors in treatment set-up and tumor motion during treatment. In addition, the Calypso® 4D Localization System's non-ionizing electromagnetic guidance has been found to improve work flow efficiency and treatment room utilization. The technology is designed for body-wide cancers commonly treated with radiation therapy, including prostate, breast, lung, head, neck and other radiation therapy target organs. The products are FDA 510(k) cleared for use in the prostate and prostatic bed.

CONTACT:

Trace Longo
Longo Communications
(949) 364-2821

Mary Ellen Thibodeau
NorthMain Radiation Oncology
(401) 300-1000