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Proton Therapy | Benefits
The clinical benefits of protons are illustrated in the image below that shows the dose depositions as a function of the depth in tissue for both protons and photons. The dose deposition of protons has two desirable characteristics:
- The maximum proton range is well defined and a function of incoming beam energy
- Most of the proton energy is lost over a short distance close to the maximum penetration depth resulting in the so-called Bragg peak.
The Proton Advantage
For treatment purposes, the proton beam energy can be selected so that the Bragg peak coincides with the treatment volume. To irradiate most treatment volumes a Spread-Out Bragg Peak (SOBP) is accomplished by superimposing multiple beams of slightly different energies. The Bragg peak or SOBP ensures a limited dose deposition in the skin region and no dose behind the target volume. This greatly improves dose conformity and the ability to spare healthy tissue allows clinicians to treat tumors close to vital organs.
Disclaimer
The proton therapy device technology described here has not been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) for clinical use and is in development. The FDA has a unique set of standards for proton therapy devices because the entire proton therapy facility must be built for the specific device. For these types of devices, the FDA allows proton therapy sponsors to discuss projects with potential customers and to engage in contracts/orders to build proton therapy facilities and /or to purchase proton therapy equipment. However, contracts or other engagements specific to clinical practice are strictly prohibited; that is, no engagements or agreements for patient scheduling or physician group practice to use proton therapy equipment are permitted in advance of FDA clearance.
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Events
- 9/10/2008 - 09/13/2008
DGMP Meeting - 09/12/2008 - 09/16/2008
33rd ESMO Congress - 09/13/2008
5th European Systems Users Meeting - 09/14/2008 - 09/18/2008
26th ESTRO Meeting
