Varian Medical Systems (VAR) of Palo Alto, California, USA, is a radiation oncology treatments and software maker. Their medical devices include linear accelerators and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy, and brachytherapy. The company supplies software for managing cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers, and medical oncology practices. Varian is a supplier of tubes and digital detectors for X-ray imaging in medical diagnostics, dentistry, veterinary care, scientific, security, industrial inspection including high-energy X-ray technology for cargo screening. Varian Medical Systems employs approximately than 6,500 people at manufacturing sites in North America, Europe, and China and approximately 70 sales and support offices globally.
Video Varian Medical Systems
History
- The beginnings of Varian started in the late 1930s when brothers Russell and Sigurd Varian worked on microwave signals to help warn against potential Nazi raids during World War II. They came up with the klystron tube, a high-frequency amplifier that generated microwaves.
- Varian was officially established in 1948 with brothers Russell and Sigurd Varian and four other scientists. The company incorporated and opened for business with $22,000 of capital and six full-time employees. A few months later in 1949 Varian announced their first commercial klystron to be used in actual labs.
- In 1957 Varian came out with the Nobel Vacion pump, the first device of its kind without moving parts or fluids, which made it resistant to power failures. It was also used for simulating conditions in outer space since it was vibration free.
- In 1959, "a Varian linear accelerator is used for the first time to examine the structural integrity of rocket motors. The first unit was sold to the U.S. Navy to produce radiographs". Varian was listed on the New York Stock Exchange for the first time on September 14, 1959.
- In 1960 Varian introduced the Clinac 6 medical linear accelerator (linac). As a result, people realize that linacs can be used to treat cancer which has revolutionized the way cancer was treated and still treated today.
- In 1976 Varian developed their CT scanner which could take images of the body in only six seconds. Varian eventually sold their CT scanner department to General Electric.
- The 1990s were a very productive decade for Varian. In 1990 Varian introduced its first multileaf collimator which shapes beams of radiation to match the shape and size of the tumor that is being treated. In 1993 Varian introduces its first software programs that provide hospital workers documentation for the radiotherapy procedures. The program becomes known as VARiS. In 1994 Varian released the Clinac 600SR, a linear accelerator made specifically for radiosurgery. In 1997 The Clinac EX series of accelerators is introduced with integrated multileaf collimators to enable early forms of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). This new approach to radiotherapy enables doctors to shape and modulate the radiation beam to sculpt it in three dimensions so that it conforms to the shape of the tumor.
- In 1997 Varian purchases GE Medical Systems' radiotherapy service and support operation, which covers an installed base of 400-plus medical linear accelerator systems and 340 treatment planning products at hospitals and clinics worldwide.
- By 1999, Varian Associates had branched into semiconductor, vacuum tube, and medical device fields. On April 2, 1999 these divisions split to become Varian Semiconductor, Varian, Inc. and Varian Medical Systems. In 1999, Varian became officially known as Varian Medical Systems, a worldwide organization manufacturing products for radiotherapy, radiosurgery and X-ray imaging.
- In 2000, Varian received FDA approval to officially upgrade to VARiS information system which facilitates the management of all patient data.
- In 2002, Varian moved its Security and Industrial Products operations from Palo Alto, California to Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas is also where Varian holds their training courses for new hires.
- In 2008, Varian introduced the RapidArc volumetric arc therapy system to speed up the delivery of image-guided radiotherapy .
Acquired companies
Varian Medical Systems has acquired other companies including Pan-Pacific Enterprises, ACCEL Instruments, Bio-Imaging Research, Inc. Sigma Micro Informatique Conseil, Argus Software, Velocity Medical Solutions. and MeVis Medical Solutions AG
In January 2018, the company announced the acquisition of Sirtex Medical for $1.3 billion.
In February 2018 Varian Medical Systems announced that it bought a private Canadian based company called Evinance Innovation which specializes in clinical decision support software. Evinance Innovation will help further Varian's 360 Oncology care management platform by integrating scientific workflow and decision support. With this integration patients and doctors can make better planned decisions for future treatments. This acquisition is the latest step in Varian's long-term strategy to become a global leader in multi-disciplinary integrated cancer care solutions.
Spin-off companies
30.01.2017 spin-off of Varex Imaging Corporation (manufacturing of X-ray imaging products) from Varian Medical Systems had been successfully completed.
Maps Varian Medical Systems
Products
Varian offers many different types of advanced radiation treatment systems that provide specific treatment and patient care. Varian's systems can be easily modified and upgraded depending on the clinical needs.
X-ray
Varian manufactures a range of megavoltage LINACs with varying levels of features and complexity, for example different numbers of multileaf collimators or the ability to perform radiosurgery.
Halcyon System
Varian's newest cancer treatment machine, made to simplify and better image-guided volumetric intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Can be used in standard vaults but also in smaller, lightly shielded rooms.
Edge Radiosurgery System
The Edge radiosurgery system revolutionizes the way advanced radiosurgery is delivered. Capable of both photon and electron energies. Can treat many types of cancers including lung, brain and spine.The EDGE radiosurgery suite was launched in 2012. The first cancer centers to use the new system were the Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon, Portugal and Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan.
TrueBeam Radiotherapy System
The TrueBeam platform system is a fully integrated system for image-guided radiotherapy and radiosurgery. Allows for customization of energies and additional capabilities.
VitalBeam Radiotherapy System
The VitalBeam's Maestro control system synchronizes a monitoring system that treat advanced cases accurately. Uses x-ray technology to treat all parts and organs of the body.
Clinac iX System
The high-performance Clinac system is a reliable accelerator designed to deliver a wide range of imaging and patient treatment options. Built on an analog and digital platform.
Proton therapy
Varian manufactures the ProBeam Proton Therapy System, with current and planned installations at several sites globally. These are an all pencil-beam scanning proton therapy system utilizing IMTP (intensity modulated proton therapy), which was developed with PSI of Switzerland. Varian also develops medical software and radiology information system for proton treatment-planning system.
Litigation
Free speech
In 1999 Varian Medical Systems, Inc. sued a former employee for defamation in Varian v. Delfino. The terminated employee Dr. Michelangelo Delfino posted numerous messages criticizing the company on the Internet. The case finally settled on undisclosed terms. The lawsuit itself was controversial, heavily publicized, and led to a landmark ruling about California's anti-SLAPP statute. Some market-based workers rights activists uphold Delfino as an example because he mortgaged his house to pay his legal bills related to the lawsuit with Varian.
University of Pittsburgh
On April 25, 2012 a US federal judge in Pittsburgh awarded attorney fees, costs, and doubled damages totaling $73.6 million to the University of Pittsburgh after the university won a suit on medical patent infringement grounds against Varian.
References
External links
- Official website
- Timothy Guertin - Forbes
Source of article : Wikipedia
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