First Customer Installs CyberKnife System in Existing Radiation Therapy Vault

July 24, 2009 at 8:31 AM EDT

Installation in Existing Vault Enables Cost Savings and Speeds Deployment Time

SUNNYVALE, Calif., July 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Accuray Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARAY), a global leader in the field of radiosurgery, announced today that CyberKnife Center of Chicago at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital in Elmhurst, Ill., has installed the CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System in one of the hospital's existing radiation therapy vaults. This marks the first installation of this new CyberKnife configuration option, which can save hospitals both time and money.

"We are excited about the new CyberKnife configuration and its ability to fit into an existing vault, because it requires significantly less modification and has allowed us to get the System up and running more quickly so we can begin treating patients," said Greg Spurlock, chief operating officer of US Radiosurgery, the managing partner of CyberKnife Center of Chicago.

Because radiation therapy systems are gantry-based machines, meaning they only rotate in a single rotational plane, radiation therapy vaults are typically smaller and require less shielding than a standard CyberKnife vault. Since a key factor in the CyberKnife System's precise treatment delivery is its ability to move in virtually any direction, it wasn't previously possible to install a CyberKnife System within a radiation therapy vault. Recognizing that this was an obstacle for many hospitals, Accuray used advanced optimization techniques to reconfigure a new layout that made this type of installation possible with minimal-to-no additional shielding.

The new footprint helps hospitals to save on construction and shielding costs, and enables an accelerated go-live schedule, allowing sites to start patient treatments within a significantly shorter period of time. This is particularly beneficial for sites that are interested in securing a CyberKnife System to replace an aging gantry-based radiation therapy system, but are faced with space constraints in their existing facilities or are unable to build a new facility.

The new CyberKnife configuration made this vault modification and installation possible in just five weeks," said Chris Raanes, senior vice president and chief operating officer at Accuray. "Now hospitals can go-live with their CyberKnife program very quickly and for a fraction of the cost."

With feature nearly identical to the standard CyberKnife vault layout, the gantry LINAC vault layout requires 34 percent less vault space and reduces the equipment room footprint, giving customers more flexibility in where they can place a CyberKnife System. The vault modifications at this center were done by one of Accuray's installation preferred partners, NELCO. Vendors in this program have the expertise and resources to efficiently support customers with any required construction and modifications.

About the CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System

The CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System is the world's only robotic radiosurgery system designed to treat tumors anywhere in the body non-invasively. Using continual image guidance technology and computer controlled robotic mobility, the CyberKnife System automatically tracks, detects and corrects for tumor and patient movement in real-time throughout the treatment. This enables the CyberKnife System to deliver high-dose radiation with pinpoint precision, which minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue and eliminates the need for invasive head or body stabilization frames.

About Accuray

Accuray Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARAY), based in Sunnyvale, Calif., is a global leader in the field of radiosurgery dedicated to providing an improved quality of life and a non-surgical treatment option for those diagnosed with cancer. Accuray develops and markets the CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System, which extends the benefits of radiosurgery to include extracranial tumors, including those in the spine, lung, prostate, liver and pancreas. To date, the CyberKnife System has been used to treat more than 60,000 patients worldwide and currently more than 164 systems have been installed in leading hospitals in the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.accuray.com.

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The foregoing may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including uncertainties associated with the medical device industry. Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements relating to commercialization of products, clinical studies, and regulatory review and approval are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made and are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual performance and results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make include: market acceptance of products; competing products, the combination of our products with complementary technology; and other risks detailed from time to time under the heading "Risk Factors" in our report on Form 10-K for the 2008 fiscal year, as updated in our Form 10-Q filed on May 6, 2009 and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company's actual results of operations may differ significantly from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements as a result of these and other factors. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual performance or results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Accuray Incorporated
07/24/2009
CONTACT: Stephanie Tomei, Senior Manager, Public Relations of Accuray Incorporated, +1-408-789-4234, stomei@accuray.com; or Brianne Donahue of Schwartz Communications, +1-415-817-2545, bdonahue@schwartz-pr.com, for Accuray Incorporated
Web Site: http://www.accuray.com/