Michael Ashenafi, MS, DABR, a medical physicist with 19 years of experience, has worked in high-volume brachytherapy programs at both the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). During his tenure as lead brachytherapy physicist at MUSC, workflow efficiency and applicator stability were paramount—particularly for complex gynecologic HDR treatments.
While at MUSC, Michael managed a workflow where applicator placement, imaging, and treatment occurred on separate floors. He notes that the Zephyr system was essential to this process: “Without it, the logistics would have been incredibly difficult for both our staff and our patients.”
Because the team used Diacor’s MR-compatible Zephyr hoverboard, patients remained on a single surface from OR through imaging and treatment. This continuity eliminated the need for multiple transfers, ensuring a smoother clinical experience.
Reducing Uncertainty. Increasing Confidence.
From a physics perspective, keeping the patient on the same surface significantly reduced spatial uncertainty caused by movement between transfers. Motion artifacts during CT or MRI were minimized, improving image registration and contouring accuracy.
“We must ensure applicator displacement is kept to an absolute minimum,” Michael says. “No matter how excellent the treatment plan is, if we can’t deliver it accurately, it means nothing.”
The Zephyr system’s dedicated anchor for the immobilization arm secures the applicator in place—critical in HDR brachytherapy. With reduced movement between imaging and delivery, both physicists and physicians gain greater confidence that the delivered dose matches the planned dose.
That confidence enables something powerful: the ability to create more complex, optimized treatment plans. “When you trust the immobilization and the setup, you can design a plan that’s truly ideal for the patient,” Michael notes.
Risk Reduction for Staff and Patients
Beyond dosimetric precision, the system also reduces physical strain. The air-assisted transfer allows the bed to “hover” smoothly between surfaces with minimal effort, lowering the risk of workplace injuries for clinical staff. Because patients are not repeatedly lifted or repositioned, their risk of injury decreases as well.
“It provides peace of mind for the entire clinical team,” he says. “We can focus on delivering the best possible care.”
Built with Clinician Feedback
Michael also highlights Diacor’s responsiveness. Early user feedback led to practical improvements—alignment markings on the stretcher, clearer head/foot orientation indicators, and modifications to accommodate MRI coil positioning during feet-first imaging. “They listened,” he says. “It’s refreshing to see a company incorporate real clinical feedback.”
As brachytherapy programs evolve toward streamlined HDR workflows that allow patients to return home the same day, immobilization becomes foundational. For Michael and his team, the Zephyr system was an intuitive solution to a complex clinical challenge—one that continues to support precision, safety, and confidence at every step.