ProNova Delivers Cyclotron to First Dual-Accelerator Clinical Proton Center in the World
CONTACT: Bill Hansen | (865) 360-1015 | bill.hansen@provisionhp.com
Knoxville, Tenn., USA (September 15, 2014) – – ProNova Solutions announced today they have delivered a 230 MeV cyclotron to the Provision Center for Proton Therapy in Knoxville, Tennessee, making this the first facility in the world to have two cyclotrons delivering protons to cancer patients.
The Provision Center for Proton Therapy is the first installation of the new ProNova SC360 compact proton therapy solution. The currently operating proton center, which houses a cyclotron and three treatment rooms, is adding a two-room ProNova SC360 system. The ProNova system installation, which includes a compact superconducting gantry treatment room and beam line, will be completed in December 2014. Upon completion, Provision Center for Proton Therapy will have five treatment rooms.
The ProNova SC360 includes Fast Scanning IMPT technology with integrated 3D imaging. This unique solution merges leading edge pencil beam delivery, innovative dual-energy 3D imaging capability, and precision positioning to aid physicians and therapists in minimizing collateral damage to healthy tissue and maximizing dose to the tumor. The ProNova compact superconducting gantry is a first of its kind and allows for 360 degrees of patient treatment angle and improved workflow, resulting in faster treatment times and higher productivity.
“Because of the unique design of the system, the entire solution can be delivered using standard freight carriers,” said Joe Matteo, Division President of ProNova Solutions, R&D and manufacturing. “We are thrilled to be installing our first system in Knoxville at the Provision Center for Proton Therapy and look forward to delivering our next systems in Asia and Europe.”
ProNova is building a 55,000 square foot R&D and manufacturing facility in East Tennessee. The first phase of the facility will enable ProNova to manufacture and fully test the SC360 system in the United States. The building will be completed in November of this year, with ProNova starting operations in January of 2015.
The new ProNova SC360 system is on display in Booth #637 at ASTRO’s 56th Annual Meeting being held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA. This year’s meeting will highlight many of the advances in proton therapy, including the need for continued innovation in imaging capability and positioning accuracy.
About Proton Therapy
Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation therapy that uses a single beam of high-energy protons to treat various forms of cancer. Just as with conventional radiation therapy, proton treats tumors by directing radiation into the tumor site where doses of radiation destroy cancerous cells. However, unlike conventional radiation therapy, in which x-ray beams deposit their energy into the healthy tissue before and after the tumor site, physicians can control the timing and dosage of energy from protons, which allows the maximum energy deposited directly into the tumor, reducing damage to nearby healthy tissue and thus limiting negative side effects.
About ProNova Solutions, LLC
ProNova is committed to making proton therapy accessible to a greater number of patients and physicians worldwide. Founded by the leaders of CTI Molecular Imaging, ProNova’s team brought positron emission tomography (PET) technology out of the laboratory and made it a clinical reality for millions of cancer patients. Our team’s early work revolutionized cancer diagnostics and helped to develop an industry with over 350 cyclotrons, more than 3,000 PET & PET/CT systems and 160 PET radiopharmaceutical distribution centers installed around the world today. The same team will redefine cancer treatment once again with the introduction of the SC360 proton therapy system.