Vault-Free Radiosurgery Platform Expands Access to Cranial Tumor Care

Brain tumors and certain skull base lesions often require precise, non-invasive treatment that protects nearby critical structures. Although stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) enables outpatient therapy without incision, workflow and siting constraints can limit access. To support efficient, patient-centered care, a new vault-free system offers cobalt-free SRS with gyroscopic beam delivery that focuses radiation while limiting exposure to healthy tissue.

ZAP Surgical Systems (San Carlos, CA, USA) reported that the European Radiosurgery Center Munich has treated more than 1,000 patients with the ZAP-X Gyroscopic Radiosurgery platform. The center uses SRS for many primary and metastatic brain tumors and select disorders of the brain, head, and neck, often as an alternative to open surgery in a single brief outpatient visit. The milestone highlights growing clinical adoption of patient-centered cranial radiosurgery at the site.

The ZAP-X system employs gyroscopic mobility to direct radiosurgical beams from thousands of potential angles, concentrating dose on the intended tumor or target. This method is designed to help avoid the brainstem, eyes, and optic nerves while reducing exposure to healthy brain tissue. Clinicians at the center report achieving excellent target coverage with sparing of normal brain structures using this approach.

In addition to targeting performance, the center reports workflow advantages with ZAP-X. Treatment delivery is often highly efficient, with radiosurgical procedure times frequently shorter than the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging required for treatment planning. With the ZAP-Axon Radiosurgery Planning System, optimal cases have been planned in as little as five minutes, and overall planning time has been reduced by approximately 20%.

ZAP-X is the first and only vault-free SRS delivery system, removing the need to construct shielded radiation rooms and enabling installation in more visible, accessible, and patient-friendly clinical environments. The platform also uses a modern linear accelerator rather than cobalt-60 radioactive sources, making it the first dedicated cranial radiosurgery system to avoid reliance on Co-60. This design eliminates logistical, regulatory, and financial burdens associated with hosting, securing, and periodically replacing radioactive isotopes.

“At ERCM, our mission has always been to deliver the most precise, least disruptive radiosurgical care possible. With ZAP-X, we have been particularly impressed by our ability to achieve excellent target coverage while minimizing the volume of healthy brain tissue exposed to non-therapeutic radiation. For patients, that distinction matters—not only for tumor control, but for preserving quality of life, cognition and executive function,” said Prof. Dr. med. Alexander Muacevic, Neurosurgeon, Radiosurgeon and Medical Director of the European Radiosurgery Center Munich.

“The efficiency of ZAP-X has become an important part of our clinical workflow. In many cases, the imaging takes longer than the treatment itself. And with the recent introduction of the ZAP-Axon® Radiosurgery Planning System, we are seeing additional planning efficiencies, with optimal cases planned in as little as five minutes and overall planning time reduced by approximately 20 percent,” said Theresa Hofmann, Deputy Head of Medical Physics at ERCM.

Related Links
ZAP Surgical Systems
European Radiosurgery Center Munich