Hitachi Receives FDA Clearance For Spot Scanning Of PROBEAT Proton Beam Therapy System
Tarrytown, NY - Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., recently announced that it has obtained FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) clearance for spot scanning irradiation technology of Hitachi's PROBEAT Proton Beam Therapy System for application at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in the United States. Hitachi America will be the first in this growing market to commercialize proton beam therapy system with spot scanning irradiation technology.
Proton Beam Therapy is a new and remarkable type of cancer treatment. It is a localized form of radiation therapy, in which a beam of protons is focused at a tumor lying deep within the body in order to eradicate the tumor. Proton Beam Therapy minimizes the unnecessary irradiation to the normal tissue compared with conventional electron beam and x-ray radiation therapy.
Hitachi's PROBEAT, Proton Beam Therapy System, currently employs double scatterer technology. This technology involves two scatterers whereby the proton beam is expanded to cover entire tumor profile.
While scattering irradiation technology is effective for many types of tumors, limitations exist in treating tumors depending upon the target geometry.
Hitachi's PROBEAT, Proton Beam Therapy System, with the new spot scanning technology utilizes an unperturbed narrow beam that is smaller than the typical target cross section and regulated such that prescribed dose spots can be positioned very precisely within a tumor volume. This precise positioning reduces damage to the surrounding healthy tissue, while mitigating constraints related to tumor shape.
Various technical challenges existed regarding commercialization of this advanced technology, particularly maintaining beam quality and controlling dose rate. Hitachi overcame these challenges and developed this advanced technology through its accumulated experience in extracting uniform beam and in controlling beam with high quality.
With this newly-developed technology, Hitachi further enhances its presence and position in the proton beam market in North America.
SOURCE: Hitachi, Ltd.