A computed tomography (CT) imaging system that allows patients to be scanned while seated has received a 510(k) letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administartion (FDA) allowing P-Cure to market its P-ARTIST CT scanner system.

Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center will be breaking in this new technology as the first proton center in the U.S. to use the imaging technology for lung cancer patients.

"This technology is an important addition to our proton offerings," said William Hartsell, MD, radiation oncologist and Medical Director, Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center in a press release. "We expect that imaging lung cancer patients in an upright position will allow us to more precisely target the tumor when we treat it with the proton beam."

The seating position should be able to provide more comfort to patients during treatment, and with a reduced amount of tumor motion a more precise proton treatment.

"When a patient is in an upright position, the lungs expand more readily, which contributes to lower lung density and a better image," said Hartsell.  "Since absolute lung volumes are larger in the upright position, we may be able to better treat the lung tumor while at the same time sparing more of the normal lung tissue."

The CT scanner will be administered first to patients being treated for lung cancer, mediastinum and possibly some head and neck cancers.

"We are looking forward to demonstrating the clinical benefits of our Patient-Centric approach for treatment planning, immobilization, adaptive therapy and motion management.  The P-Cure team is committed to establish cost-effective proton therapy services for the best possible patient care and cure," said Michael Marash, MD, CEO of P-Cure, in a statement.