Image courtesy of Protom International
September 17, 2015 — ProTom International announced its accelerated focus on the installation of its Radiance 330 proton therapy system to be housed in the Massachusetts General Hospital ("MGH") Department of Radiation Oncology. For the first time, advanced scanning-beam technology 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 in fall 2014, modifications were made inside two empty linear accelerator (linac) vaults that were reserved for future expansion, preparing the space for the new proton therapy suite. Adapting the 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.
ProTom is currently working on the Radiance 330’s interface with a new combined 2-D/3-D imaging and positioning system. The system, selected by the hospital, features a cone beam computed tomography (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).
ProTom’s accelerated focus on the MGH project comes after successfully completing its restructuring and recapitalization as offered through the Chapter 11 process, and throughout the reorganization MGH has sustained its full support to ProTom for successful project completion. The new MGH proton facility is expected to be completed and could begin treating patients in 2017.
For more information: www.protominternational.com
March 28, 2024 
