Varian Medical Systems received FDA 510(k) clearance for its Halcyon system, a device for cancer treatment. Halcyon simplifies virtually every image-guided volumetric intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

“We are proud that Halcyon has now received both 510(k) clearance and CE mark,” says Kolleen Kennedy, president of Varian’s Oncology Systems business. “With its human-centered and user-friendly design, Halcyon is engineered to revolutionize clinical workflow. These two clearances are very important milestones in the availability of this new system and advancing cost-effective cancer care worldwide.”

Halcyon is a system that is comfortable for the patient while delivering ease of use for healthcare providers, accelerated installation timeframes, expedited commissioning, simplified training, and automated treatment. With its streamlined workflow, the system requires nine steps from the start to the end of treatment compared to up to more than 30 steps with older technologies. Halcyon is suited to handle the majority of cancer patients, offering advanced treatments for prostate, breast, head & neck, and many other forms of cancer. 

Halcyon features large touchscreens on both sides of the machine to assist in easy patient set-up. For increased patient comfort, Halcyon is up to two times quieter than other systems, has a low couch height for easy patient access, and soft indirect ambient lighting in the gantry opening. To create a closer connection between patient and therapist during Halcyon treatment, the system includes an integrated couch-mounted camera for the therapist to watch over the patient during treatment, and an integrated noise-cancelling sound system that makes it easy for patients to converse with the therapists.

With 510(k) clearance, Varian can begin selling the Halcyon system in the United States. The system requires Eclipse 15.1.1 treatment planning software, which is currently 510(k) pending.