Siemens Receives 510k Clearance For 550 TxT Treatment Table

Siemens Medical Solutions today announced that its 550 TxT(TM) Treatment Table has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and is now commercially available in the United States. As the newest treatment table on the market, the 550 TxT will support the advanced radiation therapy treatment techniques used today and into the future.

The Siemens 550 TxT was designed to meet the increasing demands for accuracy, stability, and precision, in addition to fulfilling the latest clinical requirements of modern radiation oncology departments. The system's innovative design improves patient positioning capabilities to new standards, while providing the mechanical strength that allows for a load capacity of 550 pounds (250 kg).

"Like our ONCOR(TM) Linear Accelerator and COHERENCE(TM) Suite of Oncology Workspaces, the 550 TxT is designed to meet the needs of current and future treatment protocols," said Ajit Singh, Ph.D., president of Siemens Medical Solutions Oncology Care Systems. "Our customer partners provided us with a list of requirements, and we have worked hard to achieve their requests. The availability of a treatment table that would provide stability and accuracy when treating larger patients has been identified as a very real necessity. We are only too happy to comply."

In addition to the increased weight limit, a number of enhanced features are available to meet the ongoing changes in radiation therapy treatment techniques and protocols, including:

-- A choice of different carbon fiber table tops. Each system has been validated with the 550 TxT in order to provide unparalleled patient positioning accuracy.

-- All motorized movements with ramp-up speed functionality.

-- Ergonomic design features, such as tactile feedback buttons on the side panels of the table.

-- Hand controls at the table with an integrated flashlight to assist with correct patient positioning in the darkened treatment room.

The 550 TxT table was designed and manufactured in conjunction with the Components Division of Siemens Medical Solutions in Kemnath, Germany. As a partner for global internal and external customers, Siemens Components Division provides more than 25 years of experience in the design of patient support devices.