Hitachi Receives Order for Proton Beam Therapy System from U.S. Hospital

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On June 10, Hitachi, Ltd. announced that it had received an order from Sibley Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland (USA) for its proton beam therapy (PBT) system known as "PROBEAT." In addition, it also said that it had concluded a ten-year operation and maintenance service contract with the facility. Sibley Memorial is affiliated with Johns Hopkins Hospital, one of the world's premier medical institutions.

The sale represents Hitachi’s fifth PBT system to be sold in North America. After the announcement, Hitachi President Toshiaki Higashihara said, “This is an excellent development, and will contribute both to the treatment of cancer patients and to cancer research around the world.”

This latest version of PROBEAT uses spot scanning irradiation technology to deliver narrow proton beams (minimal scattering) in repetitive doses with quick changes of position. It can thus irradiate tumors with complex shapes more accurately, reducing the effects on healthy tissue surrounding tumors.

In December 2007, Hitachi obtained permission from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for marketing of the PROBEAT system in the United States.