What is Proton Therapy?
Proton therapy is one of the promising therapeutic methods against cancer. A proton beam is obtained by accelerating the proton, the atomic nucleus of hydrogen, to high energy level. One of the features of proton therapy is the optimal dose distribution in the human body. Proton beam’s Bragg Peak makes this radiation very effective for the targeted irradiation of the tumor with lower side effects to surrounding healthy tissues. Unlike surgical procedures, this is a gentle and noninvasive treatment that allows patients to be treated as outpatients and the quality of life (QOL) can be kept. For this reason, proton therapy is attracting attention around the world.
Proton therapy is reported to be adopted for the treatment of cancer in head/neck, lung, liver, esophagus, pancreas, pediatric, prostate, etc. from existing facilities in the world.
Comparison of dose distributions between X-ray therapy (left) and proton therapy (right)
Bragg Peak
Features
Reliable accelerator technology for medical applications
The SHI Group developed cyclotrons for proton beam therapy by utilizing the accelerator technology that it has been developing since the early 1970s. In 1997, the SHI Group delivered the first proton beam therapy cancer treatment system to the National Cancer Center Hospital East. In 1998, the SHI Group commenced operations as Japan’s first proton beam therapy cancer treatment facility to be installed in the hospital (and the second in the world). The system continues to offer stable operation to this day.
Configuration of proton beam therapy systems
Proton beam therapy systems are comprised of an accelerator (cyclotron), an energy selection system, a beam transport system, and rotating gantry irradiation equipment (gantry, irradiation nozzle, and patient positioning equipment). (This system has been approved as medical equipment by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.)
Compact and flexible layout
Placing the cyclotron and the compact gantry top and bottom helps to reduce the required building space significantly, and enables the development of an installation plan in locations where space is limited (in the case of the top-and-bottom layout type).
A cyclotron to continuously supply high-intensity proton beams
This feature helps to shorten the beam irradiation time, leading to a reduction of the load on the patient, and it is highly adaptable for the irradiation of respiratory organs (such as the lungs or liver, etc.) and high-precision scanning methods.
Top and bottom installation layout
Cyclotron (Aizawa Hospital Proton Therapy Center)
Selection of the beam expansion method (Wobbler method)/scanning method to cater to the disease
The multipurpose irradiation nozzle enables you to change the beam expansion method (Wobbler method)/scanning method for a short time without the exchange of hardware. It is possible to select the appropriate irradiation method to cater to the disease.
Beam expansion method
Scanning method
Networks and support systems centered around Asia
The SHI Group has the networks of the facilities where our systems are delivered in Japan (four facilities), Taiwan (two facilities), and South Korea (one facility), and provides operations of cyclotrons, overall system maintenance and management, and after-sales service through the provision of information between facilities.
Image Guide Technologies for Precise Treatment
Accurate patient positioning is carried out by 6-axis robotic couch and orthogonal X-ray DR System which is high range of movement and high accurate locating before irradiation. . Cone Beam CT image can be acquired with X-ray DR system by rotating gantry. In addition, we can provide the patient positioning system from 3D image by setting up the On-rail CT device and sharing bed for diagnosis and treatment. (Option)
Proton Therapy System
This system consists of the accelerator (cyclotron), energy selection system, beam transport system, rotating gantry, irradiation nozzle, patient positioning system, etc.
(Picture: Aizawa Hospital in Matsumoto, Japan)
