The DIGICUT is a fully integrated device for the production of beam shaping filters used in radiation therapy treatment. The unit consists of a 4-axis automatic cutting machine, with back-lit digitizer and computer. The complete system is controlled by a sophisticated software package which integrates all the system's components with your planning computer.

The advantages of this approach over existing manual procedures are as follows: It is reproducible, accurate, fast and clean (cutting vapor is exhausted by a built-in fan). This system utilizes the latest developments in digitization and automation and eliminates one of the last remaining manual tasks in the modern high technology treatment center.

The cutting mechanism is based on two parallel tables, each with independent X-Y movement. A hotwire links the center of the two tables, and the filter to be cut is positioned between them. Relative movement of the two tables alters the position of the hotwire and controls the angle of the divergence from the vertical. This allows any filter shape to be cut.

The information concerning the area to be shielded is entered either by manual tracing on the digitizer table or by file transfer from the planning computer's beams-eye view.

Once digitizing is completed the cutting mechanism will automatically produce the shielding filter with only a minimum of commands. While the machine is cutting the filter the computer is free to perform other tasks.

The DIGICUT is designed to be extremely user friendly. It seamlessly meshes with your current procedures, with the added advantages of increased throughput with precise, automated block cutting.

The DIGICUT is state-of-the-art technology for the automatic production of beam shaping filters. The system is based on the Par Scientific ACD-4 which is installed in radiation therapy centers around the world.