Five New Oncology Diagnostic and Treatment Devices at Bulgaria's ISUL Hospital Expected to Launch This Autumn

Bulgaria's "Queen Joanna—ISUL" University Hospital expects to begin operating five new devices for imaging diagnosis and treatment of oncological diseases starting early this autumn. The hospital stated that patients will be able to use these high-tech devices after the relevant licensing and approval procedures are completed.

Source: "Queen Joanna" University Hospital - ISUL

The newly added equipment is deployed in the imaging diagnostics department and the radiation oncology department. Among them, the radiation therapy department will be equipped with a TrueBeam v4.1 medical linear accelerator, primarily used for radiotherapy and radiosurgery. This device can deliver high-energy radiation to tumor tissue with greater precision, supporting high-precision dose planning to achieve the required therapeutic effect while minimizing radiation exposure to healthy tissues and organs surrounding the tumor.

According to the hospital, radiotherapy can be used for various oncological diseases including breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, head and neck tumors, brain tumors, uterine cancer, rectal cancer, and bone tumors. In some cases, radiotherapy can also be used for non-oncological conditions.

The imaging diagnostics department will install four new devices, including a uMR Omega 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging system. This device provides high-resolution images of different parts of the body, with a 75-centimeter-wide opening designed to enhance patient comfort during examinations, and incorporates artificial intelligence-based technology to assist in image acquisition and processing.

The hospital will also launch a uCT 960+ multi-slice spiral CT scanner for imaging examinations of cardiovascular diseases, tumors, and trauma. This device also incorporates artificial intelligence-related technologies and features radiation dose optimization functions. Additionally, the newly installed MULTIX Impact digital radiography system enables rapid imaging after exposure, shortening examination time; the LUMINOS graphic fluoroscopy X-ray system combines radiography and fluoroscopy technology, allowing real-time observation of the movement of certain organs in addition to standard X-ray examinations.

To support the installation and use of the new equipment, "Queen Joanna—ISUL" University Hospital has renovated parts of the two clinics. The project is part of the "Hospital Modernization" investment program under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, implemented by the Ministry of Health. The total budget for the ISUL project is nearly EUR 2.47 million, of which EUR 2.05 million is provided by the EU through the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism.