WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — On Wednesday, November 20, 2019, one of the key components of the proton therapy system, the cyclotron, arrived at the site of Orlando’s new proton therapy center, which is under construction in the Hamlin development in Southwest Orange County. The center, located at 15775 New Independence Parkway in Winter Garden, Florida, is being developed by Provision Healthcare and will offer one of the most promising new cancer therapies available, proton therapy. It will also utilize one of the world’s most innovative proton therapy systems, the ProNova SC360 manufactured by ProNova Solutions, LLC in Maryville, Tennessee.
The cyclotron traveled from Cape Canaveral to Hamlin on a flatbed truck along a FDOT pre-approved route. The travel time was approximately four hours before arrival at Hamlin. The cyclotron generates the proton beam that is used to treat patients through the ProNova SC360 system. Delivery of the cyclotron is a milestone event in the construction of the proton therapy treatment center.
After the cyclotron arrived, the Provision team, which includes personnel from ProNova Solutions, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., Barnhart Crane & Rigging Co., began the rigging and installation of the cyclotron into the new proton therapy center building. Following installation of the cyclotron, installation, testing and commissioning of the ProNova SC360 will continue as the proton therapy center building is completed.
The cyclotron accelerates a proton beam that is incorporated into the ProNova SC360 delivery system and then used to deliver this advanced cancer treatment. This treatment provides a means to treat the cancer and avoid unnecessary radiation to nearby healthy tissue, resulting in fewer side effects for the patient.
The proton center is located in a 17-acre development in Hamlin. Provision also offers proton therapy in Tennessee. All Provision-developed cancer centers provide comprehensive and integrated diagnostic and therapy services for patients and physicians who need those services.
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. Proton therapy treats tumors by directing protons into the tumor site and destroying cancerous cells. Unlike with other forms of radiation, radiation oncologists can control both the dose and range of protons, which allows the maximum deposition of energy into the tumor. This reduces damage to nearby healthy tissue and limits negative side effects. Proton treatment can be combined with chemotherapy and biological treatments, depending on the cancer type, to provide better outcomes with less tissue damage.
ABOUT PROVISION’S PRONOVA SYSTEM
An affiliate of Provision Healthcare, ProNova Solutions, LLC is committed to making proton therapy accessible to a greater number of patients and physicians worldwide. ProNova was founded by former leaders of CTI Molecular Imaging, which brought positron emission tomography (PET) technology out of the laboratory and made it a clinical reality for millions of cancer patients. Today the same team is redefining cancer treatment once again with the introduction of the first and only superconducting 360-degree compact proton therapy system. It is the only proton therapy system developed in a clinical setting, benefitting from continuous input from physicians, medical physicists, and therapists during design and development. The system includes state-of-the-art features such as pencil beam scanning and advanced imaging with cone-beam CT, all in a compact design.
ABOUT PROVISION HEALTHCARE
Provision Healthcare, LLC was formed in 2005 with the purpose of developing innovative healthcare solutions focused on improving patient care and clinical outcomes and developing support for research, educational and charitable causes. Provision has developed a unique, comprehensive expertise in proton therapy including Provision’s patient focused “Culture of Care” that distinguishes Provision from other proton and cancer center developers that have a much narrower focus. The combination of unique expertise and an innovative, entrepreneurial approach continues to propel Provision towards a position of industry leadership with respect to both cancer care and proton therapy.
——