Lifeline Software

Question: Does RadCalc® have FDA 510(k) clearance to sell in the U.S.?

Answer: 
Yes.

LifeLine Software, Inc. is committed to providing safe and effective QA software. We pledge to continue to follow FDA guidelines required for Class II medical devices such as RadCalc®, as well as follow industry good manufacturing practices that help ensure the safety of our products and help minimize risk to our clients and the patients they serve.  

Click here to see LifeLine Software's regulatory compliance documentation.

Question: What is next for RadCalc®?

Answer:

Recently Released:

Release of TomoTherapy® verification module in version 6.3.5.0:

On March 28, 2018, LSI announced that a new version of RadCalc, version 6.3.5.0, is available. RadCalc clients who have an up to date maintenance renewal are being provided instructions on how to download and install this latest version. Included in this release is a new TomoTherapy® verification module available as a purchasable licensed option for current users or as part of a package for new RadCalc clients.

For a complete list and detailed description of all of the 6.3.5.0 changes, please login to the Customer Area of our website and download the change log from the My Institution page.

Coming Next:

On July 12th, 2017 we announced our acquisition of Math Resolution’s Assets including Dosimetry Check. Our plans are to incorporate all of Dosimetry Check’s dose calculation functionality into the current RadCalc fully automated platform. This expanded QA platform will provide all of RadCalc’s core dose verification and 3D Dose Volume for Brachytherapy functionality while adding a new 3D Dose Volume suite that includes support for conventional linac and TomoTherapy®, EPID based patient Pre-treatment and Exit-Transit dose for In-Vivo dosimetry as well as its 3D dose volume verification package that utilizes a collapsed cone convolution/superposition algorithm dose engine.

The combined QA Software Package will include the first fully automated Pre-Treatment and 3D In-Vivo Exit dose verification software and provides a complete suite of 3D Dose Volume verification analysis tools which include Image Analysis and EPID based measurement functions. Our goal is to release the Dosimetry Check integrated products in the following order: *RadCalc 3D TPS 2nd Check within the second quarter of 2018 and *RadCalc 3D EPID by the end of the third quarter of 2018. The 3D EPID functions are currently available for sale in the form of Dosimetry Check. Dosimetry Check users will be automatically upgraded to the fully automated RadCalc 3D platform when released at no extra charge with an active maintenance contract. Contact our sales department for more information about purchasing Dosimetry Check software from LifeLine Software.

On July 24th we announced our acquisition of Radify Monte Carlo QA Technology from McGill University. The integration of the Radify technology will immediately improve accessibility to the significant advantage of Monte Carlo accuracy in clinical settings, specifically for verifying photon, electron, and proton treatment plans. We hope to have a beta version out in 2018, and after filing and receiving the appropriate regulatory clearances, we anticipate releasing a new RadCalc module that will provide fast and accurate 3D Monte Carlo Dose Volume verification for photon and electron calculations during the second half of 2018. We will provide more detailed information on our website when we are closer to a release date.

 *Not Available For Sale Within The United States - Work in Progress

Targeted for release in calendar year 2018:

• *3D Monte Carlo Dose Volume Verification External Beam

This package will utilize a revolutionary Monte Carlo dose calculation engine for photons.  Please review our news item regarding our collaboration with McGill University Inventors.

  *Not Available For Sale Within The United States - Work in Progress

Answer: 

Yes.  It supports 3D Dose Volume Brachytherapy calculations which include DVH protocols.

The Brachytherapy module is available for purchase to those clients who have upgraded to or purchased RadCalc version 6.0. The Brachytherapy module will function only with version 6.0 and future releases.

For a demonstration and a quote, please contact our sales department or click on the Request A Demo Link on our Homepage. Our contact information is provided below. We look forward to serving you soon with RadCalc for Brachytherapy.

Answer: 

Yes, RadCalc supports all VMAT solutions. 

One of the most challenging second check calculations in radiation therapy is the Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) calculation, with trade names such as RapidArc, Monaco with VMAT by Elekta, and SmartArc. The challenge has to do with the fact that the treatment planning systems only provide a physical average depth and effective depth. This is not adequate because the beam does not have a constant output as it rotates around the patient. A correct solution requires that the depth and effective depth for every control point be known and the treatment planning systems do not provide this.
These second check calculations can now be performed quickly, easily, and effectively with RadCalc's Regions of Interest (ROI) Module. A Regions of Interest tab was added to RadCalc's Photon Calculations for this purpose.

To perform these calculations, the CT structures are exported along with the plan file from the VMAT calculation to the RadCalc software. Average densities for the various structures can be imported (depending on the planning system), automatically selected from a prepopulated density table, or manually entered.

The ability to import Regions of Interest requires one to purchase the Regions of Interest module. Please contact our sales team for a quote.

Answer: 
Yes, RadCalc supports CyberKnife. 

Answer: 
We have an automated process to configure your system to make this a very easy process. The following input would be needed: TMR, TPR, or PDD data Output factors: Total scatter or phantom and collimator scatter factors Wedge factors: Single factor or field size dependent factors Attenuator Factors: For block trays and other devices Off Axis Profiles: For open and wedge fields of varying field sizes and depths Electron cone and cutout factors.

Answer: 
Yes.  We added this functionality in RadCalc® version 6.3

Answer: 
Depending upon how automated you would like to have your MU or point dose verification process, RadCalc provides these two optional utilities to further streamline the verification process. For example: The Import module allows the user to import all the necessary parameters from the treatment planning system that would be entered by hand into RadCalc automatically, thus speeding up the process of data entry and eliminating potential human data entry errors.

The Export module allows the user to transfer plan information and MU dose to the Verify and Record system if the user cannot transfer this information from their RTP system, thus reducing re-entry of data parameters and potential data entry errors. Another Export module function is when you are using RadCalc to perform simple calculations such as a whole brain, spine, or electron calculations without using the RTP system. These types of calculations can be transferred directly without hand entry of data. Another potential benefit of the Export module is in cases where you would like to modify the imported plan within RadCalc and then send it on to your V&R system for testing or research purposes. RadCalc currently exports to IMPAC/Mosaiq, LANTIS, Varis, and ARIA systems.

As one of our clients stated, "These utilities have tremendously increased our throughput!"

Answer: 
First, RadCalc is purchased as a site licensed package. You may have as many machines and energies as you like configured. You may also have as many people accessing the software as you like at one institution either via multiple PC's or a Network setup. Additional charges may apply if you have multiple institutions. This would require the purchase at a discount of another site license or if you have more than two machines, additional setup fees may apply depending on your unique situation. Please ask your sales rep for details on your setup. Second, RadCalc has available five optional add on modules, i.e. Import Module, Export Module, the IMRT Module, 3D Dose Volume Brachytherapy, and the Regions of Interest Module. Additionally, the 3D Dose Volume Brachytherapy Module can be purchased as a stand-alone module or be used along with the other modules.

For the most recent pricing information, please contact our sales team at 1.866.592.1343, Opt 1. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. International callers dial: 1.903.207.4298, Opt. 1.