September 28, 2026
New Elekta Esprit system expands treatment options for patients with brain tumors and neurological disorders
The Valley Hospital announces the installation of the Elekta Esprit, a state-of-the-art Leksell Gamma Knife® stereotactic radiosurgery system that enables highly precise, non-invasive treatment of tumors and other conditions in the brain and skull.
The Esprit is now open and replaces the Elekta Icon as the technology used at Valley’s Gamma Knife Center. Valley is the first health system in New Jersey to acquire the Esprit, according to the technology’s manufacturer, Elekta. Since 2011, Valley has been a leader in Gamma Knife technology to treat benign and malignant conditions of the head and neck, including primary and metastatic brain tumors, and neurological pain conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia.
Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a specialized form of radiation therapy designed specifically for the brain. Unlike conventional surgery, it does not involve incisions. Instead, hundreds of finely focused beams of radiation are delivered with extreme accuracy to a defined target, such as a brain tumor or vascular malformation, while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. The technology provides a non-invasive alternative to open brain surgery.
“With Elekta Esprit, we can treat complex brain conditions with sub-millimeter precision,” said Chad DeYoung, MD, radiation oncologist and Co-Medical Director of The Valley Gamma Knife Center. “For many patients, this means effective treatment with fewer risks, shorter recovery times, and the ability to return to daily life sooner than with traditional surgery or conventional radiotherapy.”
“The Esprit gives us an exceptional level of control and consistency, which is essential when treating lesions located close to critical areas responsible for movement, speech, or vision,” said Rupa Juthani, MD, neurosurgeon and Co-Medical Director of The Valley Gamma Knife Center.
Elekta Esprit is designed to treat a wide range of conditions. In addition to those mentioned above, they include:
• Acoustic neuromas
• Meningiomas
• Vestibular schwannomas
• Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
• Craniopharyngioma
• Gliomas
• Pineal tumors
• Pituitary tumors
• Skull-base tumors
Because Gamma Knife radiosurgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, most patients go home the same day. The treatment does not require general anesthesia, and patients usually experience minimal disruption to their normal routines post-procedure, with little to no down time.
Elekta Esprit represents the latest generation of Gamma Knife technology, according to Elekta. It combines extreme accuracy with high treatment efficiency, enabling clinicians to plan and deliver treatments more quickly than previous Elekta gamma knife technology.
Key features of the Esprit include:
• Advanced imaging integration, allowing clinicians to precisely visualize targets before treatment
• Highly efficient treatment workflows, reducing time spent during a treatment day
• A design optimized for patient comfort, helping to reduce anxiety during procedures
For more information about The Valley Gamma Knife Center, please call 201-634-5610 or visit ValleyGammaKnife.com.