Siemens Healthineers Introduces Three Major Innovations in Radiation Therapy at ASTRO 2025
At the 67th annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) in San Francisco, CA, Varian, a Siemens Healthineers company, unveiled three breakthrough technologies designed to advance imaging, precision, and patient comfort in radiation therapy.
During the conference, Kieran Anderson, Group Publisher of Applied Radiation Oncology, met with Ekta Jhala, Head of Marketing for EMEA at Varian, and Elena Nioutsikou, Head of Radiotherapy Imaging Marketing at Varian, and Siemens Healthineers, to discuss these innovations: the Magnetom Flow RT Pro Edition MR scanner, the NaeotomAlpha Prime photon-counting CT scanner, and the Halcyon Platform with HyperSight imaging technology.
Magnetom Flow RT Pro Edition: Low-Helium, High-Precision MRI
Unlike traditional MRIs, which may require 1,800–2,000 liters of helium or more to operate, the Magnetom Flow RT Pro Edition requires just 0.7 liters, sealed for the duration of its operational lifespan. This drastic reduction not only lowers costs but also eases installation challenges by eliminating the need for a quench pipe.
“Going down to 0.7 liters a reduction of more than two magnitude shifts the paradigm,” Jhala explained. “It’s not just about cost savings; it’s about accessibility, sustainability, and the ability to install closer to radiation therapy devices without venting challenges.”
Beyond environmental benefits, the scanner integrates with Siemens Healthineers’ Syngo.via platform, enabling features such as automated contouring and improved soft tissue contrast for radiation treatment planning. According to Jhala, early feedback from test sites highlights “the additional insights from imaging, which translates directly into better treatment planning.”
Naeotom Alpha Prime: Photon-Counting CT for Confident Decisions
The second highlight from Siemens Healthineers was the Naeotom Alpha Prime CT scanner, the world’s first photon-counting CT designed for radiation therapy planning. Unlike conventional CT detectors, the system uses cadmium telluride (CdTe) crystal detectors to count each photon individually. This delivers images with higher contrast and improved resolution which are energy-resolved and functional imaging insights such as ventilation and perfusion mapping.
Nioutsikou described the impact of this technology as transformative. “Our first users report that with photon counting, they can differentiate tumor tissue from atelectasis or inflammation in the case of lung cancer, leading to more confident decisions and potentially narrower treatment margins.”
Ekta Jhala added that the single-scan efficiency is a paradigm shift: “Previously, clinicians needed multiple scans and reconstructions. Now, one scan provides all the necessary anatomical and functional data, reducing workflow challenges and patient discomfort.”
The system has already received FDA clearance in the U.S. and is beginning to see clinical use. Early adopters are reporting improved visibility of small lesions, with Hrvoje Kaučić, MD, of Radiochirurgia Zagre, Croatia, noting: “Compared to previous images, those acquired with our new photon-counting CT scanner show considerably greater detail. We can now detect very small liver lesions, as small as 4 mm.”
Halcyon with HyperSight: Smarter Positioning and Imaging at Treatment
Rounding out the portfolio is the latest release of the Halcyon platform with HyperSight imaging technology, designed to improve patient setup and treatment accuracy. The system integrates a multidimensional freedom dynamic couch PerfectKinetix Dynamic Couch with Varian’s IDENTIFY surface-guided radiation therapy (SGRT) system. Together, they allow automatic, surface-guided patient repositioning and treatment beam hold if the patient moves out of alignment.
“This integration of surface guided motion management and multidimensional freedom of couch motion maximizes efficiency of the workflow improving productivity,” Jhala said, “while also ensuring precise positioning and enhancing confidence.”
HyperSight, meanwhile, enhances onboard imaging by offering a large 86x43 cm field-of-view panel that delivers CT-equivalent Hounsfield accuracy directly on the treatment system. This allows adaptive replanning without requiring patients to return for additional CT imaging.
Building a Seamless Imaging-to-Treatment Ecosystem
Together, the three technologies represent a comprehensive approach to modern cancer care. The MRI provides unparalleled soft tissue contrast, the photon-counting CT offers precise anatomical and functional data, and the Halcyon ensures accurate delivery—integrated within the Aria Core oncology information system for streamlined data flow.
As Jhala summarized: “See clearly to treat precisely. With better imaging, you can target more accurately, improving both positioning and dosimetry.”
Nioutsikou emphasized the complementary nature of the portfolio: “CT and MR provide different but essential information. Having both, combined with advanced treatment platforms like Halcyon, gives clinicians the full picture needed for confident decisions.”<