MADISON, WI, Jul 27, 2022 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - UW Health has selected Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501, "Hitachi") to provide the infrastructure to support proton therapy at UW Health Eastpark Medical Center.Proton therapy equipment combined with Hitachi's 360° rotating gantry and Leo's upright systemHitachi will provide equipment and technology to support UW Health's traditional proton therapy room equipped with spot scanning irradiation technology, a 360 degrees rotating gantry with cone-beam CT(1), and Real-time image Gated Proton Therapy (RGPT)(2), as well as the revolutionary upright proton therapy coming to UW Health from Leo Cancer Care, according to Dr. Paul Harari, radiation oncologist, UW Health, and chair of the Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health."We're excited to reach this important milestone to offer state-of-the-art proton therapy at UW Health," Harari said. "It's particularly significant in linking together Hitachi, an experienced proton provider, a new technology from Leo Cancer Care and a major academic medical center with a track record of cutting-edge technology development and implementation, all working together on behalf of cancer patients."UW Health worked closely with Proton International, a consulting organization dedicated to connecting hospitals and physicians with proton specialists and developing state- of-the-art proton therapy facilities."The team at Proton International is excited to help UW Health bring this important technology to the people of Wisconsin," said Chris Chandler, CEO, Proton International. "We also believe that the Leo Cancer Care's upright treatment room is an important innovation that will help patients and we look forward to working on the project implementation.""We feel privileged that we were selected by UW Health, one of the top healthcare institutions in the nation," said Hiroyuki Itami, General Manager of the Smart Therapy Division of Hitachi. "We are also thrilled to partner with Leo Cancer Care and Proton International to achieve a new innovative proton therapy solution. Hitachi is committed to supporting people's quality of life through technical advancement."UW Health broke ground on Eastpark Medical Center in May and it is expected to open in 2024.(1) Cone beam CT provides three-dimensional anatomical images of patients, at isocenter immediately prior to being treated. Information on the location of bone is obtained from traditional orthogonal x-rays and the motion of tumors is captured by RGPT. These are then combined with the ability to identify healthy tissue surrounding a tumor, particularly the location and shape of soft tissue, via Cone beam CT.(2) RGPT allows real-time beam irradiation to the tumor while compensating for movement associated with respiration. This technology was collaboratively developed between Hokkaido University and Hitachi and supported by the Funding Program for World-Leading Innovative R&D on Science and Technology (FIRST) of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
TOKYO, Feb 2, 2022 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501) has announced that "Shonan Kamakura Advanced Medical Center" at Shonan Kamakura General Hospital of Tokushukai Medical Group, where Hitachi's compact proton therapy system (hereafter, "the system") has been installed, has commenced treatment with the system on 31 January 2022. This is the first order for Hitachi's dedicated compact proton therapy system.Proton Therapy SystemShonan Kamakura Advanced Medical Center is a medical facility providing comprehensive cancer treatment, including advanced radiotherapy, built adjacent to the site of Shonan Kamakura General Hospital by Tokushukai Group Medical Corporation, which operates approximately 400 medical facilities and nursing homes throughout Japan. Until now, there have been no proton therapy facilities in Kanagawa Prefecture, where the center is located, but the compact proton therapy system, with its reduced footprint, makes it possible to install a proton therapy facility on a limited site close to the city center.Features of the installed systemIn response to the growing worldwide demand for smaller proton therapy systems, Hitachi has developed the proton therapy system, which is specifically designed for a single treatment room. The system is a compact proton therapy system which, by optimizing the layout of the machine, reduces the installation area to about 70% of that of conventional solutions, making it possible to install the system on a limited site in an urban area and reducing the cost and time involved in its installation. It is equipped with advanced technologies such as spot scanning irradiation technology, which allows the proton beam to be delivered according to the shape of the cancer, a 360degree rotating gantry with cone-beam CT(1) for high-precision positioning, and Real-time image Gated Proton Therapy (RGPT)(2), making it both compact and highly functional.Hitachi is committed to accelerating the global development of particle therapy system and contributing to cancer treatment around the world, as well as to further expanding its healthcare services.(1) Cone beam CT provides three-dimensional anatomical images of patients, at isocenter immediately prior to being treated. Information on the location of bone is obtained from traditional orthogonal x-rays and the motion of tumors is captured by RGPT. These are then combined with the ability to identify healthy tissue surrounding a tumor, particularly the location and shape of soft tissue, via Cone beam CT.(2) RGPT allows real-time beam irradiation to the tumor while compensating for movement associated with respiration. This technology was collaboratively developed between Hokkaido University and Hitachi, and supported by the Funding Program for World-Leading Innovative R&D on Science and Technology (FIRST) of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.Overview of Particle TherapyParticle Therapy is an advanced type of cancer radiotherapy. Protons extracted from hydrogen atoms, or carbon ions are accelerated up to 70% of the speed of light. This energy is concentrated directly on the tumor while minimizing radiation dose to surrounding healthy tissue. Particle therapy improves the quality of life for cancer patients since the patient experiences no pain during treatment and the procedure has very few side effects compared to that of traditional radiotherapy. In most cases, patients can continue with their normal daily activities while undergoing treatment.About Hitachi, Ltd.Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, contributes to a sustainable society with a higher quality of life by driving innovation through data and technology as the Social Innovation Business. Hitachi is focused on strengthening its contribution to the Environment, the Resilience of business and social infrastructure as well as comprehensive programs to enhance Security & Safety. Hitachi resolves the issues faced by customers and society across six domains: IT, Energy, Mobility, Industry, Smart Life and Automotive Systems through its proprietary Lumada solutions. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2020 (ended March 31, 2021) totaled 8,729.1 billion yen ($78.6 billion), with 871 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 350,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com. Copyright 2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
TOKYO, Nov 22, 2021 - (JCN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501) announced today that it has been selected by the University of Tsukuba to provide Hitachi's proton therapy solution including its design, manufacturing, construction, maintenance and operation as a PFI (Private Finance Initiative) project*. The parties have signed the contract on September 30, 2021. The new proton therapy center will be equipped with Hitachi's compact design proton therapy system, including a set of one accelerator and two rotating gantry treatment rooms. The new therapy center is expected to start treating patients around the summer of 2025, followed by a 20-year period of operation and maintenance support by Hitachi.Image of New Proton Therapy Center; The new center is on the left of existing siteThe University of Tsukuba has been using Hitachi's proton therapy system since 2001. After 20 years of operation, due to aging facilities, the university has determined to introduce a 2nd unit. Upon completion and opening of the new proton therapy center, the University of Tsukuba will shift its treatment from the existing center to the new center. This is the first time in Japan for a particle therapy system provider to receive a 2nd unit order from an existing facility.*PFI (Private Finance Initiative) project: Method for utilizing private funds, management skills, and technology in order to construct, operate, and maintain public facilities, etc.Background and InsightThe University of Tsukuba has been practicing cancer treatment using a proton accelerator since 1983, as a worldwide pioneer. In 2001, the University of Tsukuba adopted Hitachi's proton therapy system and has provided proton therapy to approximately 6,000 cancer patients to date. Hitachi will establish a new proton therapy facility through a strong partnership with the University of Tsukuba which is aiming to be a base for further development of research, education, and treatment for radiotherapy that represents not only Japan, but also the world. In addition, Hitachi and the University of Tsukuba will carry out a joint research program on treatment technologies for pediatric cancer, and tumors of respiratory moving organs (migratory tumors) such as liver and lung cancer. Through this project, Hitachi will contribute to treatment that is gentle to children and the elderly, as well as the maintenance and improvement of patients' quality of life after treatment.In addition, Hitachi will accelerate the global expansion of particle cancer treatment systems and contribute to the further development of minimally invasive cancer treatments.Overview of Particle TherapyParticle Therapy is an advanced type of cancer radiotherapy. Protons extracted from hydrogen atoms, or carbon ions are accelerated up to 70% of the speed of light. This energy is concentrated directly on the tumor while minimizing radiation dose to surrounding healthy tissue. Particle therapy improves the quality of life for cancer patients since the patient experiences no pain during treatment and the procedure has very few side effects compared to that of traditional radiotherapy. In most cases, patients can continue with their normal daily activities while undergoing treatment.About Hitachi, Ltd.Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, contributes to a sustainable society with a higher quality of life by driving innovation through data and technology as the Social Innovation Business. Hitachi is focused on strengthening its contribution to the Environment, the Resilience of business and social infrastructure as well as comprehensive programs to enhance Security & Safety. Hitachi resolves the issues faced by customers and society across six domains: IT, Energy, Mobility, Industry, Smart Life and Automotive Systems through its proprietary Lumada solutions. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2020 (ended March 31, 2021) totaled 8,729.1 billion yen ($78.6 billion), with 871 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 350,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com. Copyright 2021 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)



