Healthcare Industry News: Perfexion
News Release - April 30, 2007
Washington Hospital Installs First Leksell Gamma Knife(R) Perfexion(TM) in United States
New Device is the cornerstone of state-of-the-art Neuroscience InstituteHospital to Host First Annual Neurosciences Symposium
FREMONT, Calif., April 30 (HSMN NewsFeed) -- Washington Hospital today announced that the hospital is the first in the United States to receive shipment and install the new Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion(TM), the most advanced non-invasive device for the treatment of brain disorders. Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion is a treatment device that delivers doses of focused radiation without making a single cut to reach even the deepest brain tumors while sparing surrounding tissue. The device can also treat additional disorders, such as brain metastases, vascular malformations, trigeminal neuralgia, epilepsy and Parkinson's disease.
"This technological breakthrough incorporates a completely new and optimized design that will improve and expand Gamma Knife® surgery," says Tomas Puusepp, President and CEO of Elekta, the company that invented radiosurgery. "With Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion, the gold standard just went platinum. This new device is a quantum leap in the field of radiosurgery and an important milestone both for Elekta and the neurosurgical community. The installation and availability of this technology coupled with the experienced staff at Washington Hospital is unprecedented in the community hospital setting."
Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion is the cornerstone of Washington Hospitals' new Taylor McAdam Bell Neuroscience Institute, which will also include the hospital's Stroke and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Programs. The Gamma Knife program is being led by co-medical directors Sandeep Kunwar, M.D. and David Larson, M.D., Ph.D., who recently joined Washington Hospital from the University of California, San Francisco. Washington Hospital expects to begin treating patients in June.
"Washington Hospital's primary goal is to provide the highest quality of care possible. With the addition of the new Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion technology and a world-renowned staff to lead the program, we are well positioned to become the preeminent hospital for neuroscience in both the Bay Area and throughout the country," said Nancy Farber, chief executive officer of Washington Hospital Healthcare System.
To mark the official opening of Washington Hospital's new Taylor McAdam Bell Neuroscience Institute and the Gamma Knife Program, the hospital is hosting the first annual Advances in Neurosciences Symposium on Saturday, May 19, 2007 from 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. The program is co-sponsored by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and will feature leading physician specialists from around the world who will discuss the Gamma Knife Perfexion and advances in brain tumor therapy, spine surgery and neurodegenerative disorders, and controversies in cerebrovascular disease. Featured speakers include:
* Charles B. Wilson MD, DSc, MSHA, Professor Emeritus, Chairman of Neurological Surgery at UCSF and founding director of the Brain Tumor Research Center
* Christer Lindquist, MD, PhD, Professor of Neurosurgery and Director, Gamma Knife Centre, Cromwell Hospital, London
* Dan Leksell, MD, Head of Clinical Research Programs at Elekta and grandson of Gamma Knife inventor
"The level of expertise featured at this symposium, along with highly experienced staff at the Taylor McAdam Bell Neuroscience Institute, truly demonstrates Washington Hospital's commitment to the neurosurgical and patient community and enhances our already outstanding reputation," said Dr. Kunwar.
About Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion
Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion is a new, highly advanced device that takes non-invasive brain surgery to the next level and provides a platform for the expansion of radiosurgery procedures in the brain, cervical spine and head and neck regions. With Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion, up to 40 percent more patients can benefit from Gamma Knife surgery compared to previous-generation technology. Designed from the ground up with patient comfort and patient and staff safety in mind, Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion further minimizes any unnecessary body radiation dose compared with competing technologies. For more information, visit http://www.braintumortreatment.org/ .
About the Taylor McAdam Bell Neuroscience Institute
The Taylor McAdam Bell Neuroscience Institute will offer a wide range of neuro-related programs.
The cornerstone of the institute will be the Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion. Other Institute programs include a Stroke Program, providing treatment for all aspects of stroke care; Brain Tumor Surgery for both benign and malignant tumors; and a Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery program that specializes in reconstructive spine surgery. The new institute is named for Mr. Bell, who was diagnosed in November 2003 with a brain tumor, in recognition for his years of service as general counsel to Washington Hospital and for his significant impact on the local community.
About Washington Hospital Healthcare System
Washington Hospital Healthcare System includes the 337-bed, acute-care general hospital; four clinics located in Fremont, Warm Springs, Newark and Union City; Washington Radiation Oncology Center; Washington Outpatient Surgery Center; Washington Outpatient Rehabilitation Center; Washington Outpatient Catheterization Laboratory; Washington Center for Joint Replacement; the Institute for Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery; and Washington West, a complex which houses Washington Women's Center, Outpatient Imaging Center and additional outpatient hospital services and administrative facilities.
Washington Hospital is the recipient of HealthGrades' 2006 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence, which places the Hospital among the top five percent in the nation for clinical excellence. HealthGrades is the leading, nationwide health care ratings, information, and advisory services company and produces its ranking and ratings in a report released annually.
For more information about or to set up an interview to discuss the Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion, please contact Christopher Brown, director of Community Relations, Washington Hospital Healthcare System, +1-510-791-3417.
Source: Washington Hospital Healthcare System
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