September 16, 2015 06:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time, FLOWER MOUND, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ProTom International ("ProTom") is pleased to announce its accelerated focus on the installation of its Radiance 330® Proton Therapy System ("Radiance 330") to be housed in the Massachusetts General Hospital ("MGH") Department of Radiation Oncology. For the first time, advanced scanning-beam technology that’s more affordable than ever is being installed inside a radiation-shielded vault embedded within an existing, operational radiation oncology department -- a solution that enables the facility to share clinical staff, ancillary equipment, and patient support areas.

Beginning last Fall, modifications were made inside two empty linac vaults that were reserved for future expansion, preparing the space for the new proton therapy suite. Adapting the unique technology to the space and occupancy constraints of the operational clinical facility was made possible partially due to the lower neutron emissions of the compact synchrotron accelerator. A reduction in the footprint of the treatment room due to the smaller gantry, as well as the highly-efficient scanning proton beam have each helped reduce shielding costs in the facility. Stray radiation has a major impact on shielding requirements and facility design, and Radiance 330 has some of the lowest levels in the industry.

On site, the equipment support and alignment components have been installed, and the pre-installation utility infrastructure has been completed and accepted. Nearby, at ProTom’s assembly and test facility, equipment assembly, integration, testing and optimization are underway in preparation for installation on site. The synchrotron has been assembled and tested for all energies up to and including 330 MeV. A new, custom-designed power supply has been factory tested and demonstrated to provide power to the synchrotron for acceleration of protons to energies of up to 330 MeV, ensuring that the system is “future-ready,” having already been prepped for proton radiography techniques. Radiance 330 is the only system that will be capable of proton imaging for all patients and all treatment sites, once the optional capability is released to production.
ProTom is currently working on the Radiance 330’s interface with a new and unique, combined 2D/3D imaging and positioning system. The system, selected by the hospital, features a cone beam CT image guidance ring atop a custom designed robotic patient positioner. The system will be controlled through Radiance 330 workflow management software for seamless automation of clinical operation. Over the past several months ProTom has commenced design of its own hand pendant for system control, which shall be honed to accommodate user input and MGH-specific - functionality. The pendant interfaces with ProTom’s software governing workflow management and motion control. ProTom’s proprietary Treatment Delivery Control System (TDCS) shall interface directly with MGH’s in-house information and workflow management software (Whiteboard).

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