Today

The James M. Slater, MD, Proton Treatment and Research Center (JMSPTRC) in Loma Linda, California, using Optivus’ proton therapy systems, has treated nearly 13,000 patients, delivering nearly a half-million individual treatments with a perfect safety record. Thus Optivus commissioned the JMSPTRC proton facility when it opened, continued to maintain the system, and over the years developed improvements and new technology according to clinical specifications laid down by the facility’s physicians and physicists. They continue that task to this day.

 

Milestones

• In 1996, digital imaging was used for the first time at the Proton Treatment Center. This technology permitted more-rapid verification of patient positioning and set-ups. The 2,000th patient was treated during 1996.
• In 1997, the 3,000th patient was treated, and radiobiological research, for both medical and space-travel applications, began in the new laboratory facilities. During the year, a NASA upgrade and a new beam transport system were emplaced at the Loma Linda proton facility.
• In 1998, the Department of Radiation Medicine reported treating 100 patients with protons and 100 patients with photon beams in a single day. That year also, Optivus reported a 98.5% uptime for their proton therapy system at JMSPTRC.
• In 1999, Optivus upgraded its ion accelerator.
• In 2000, Optivus created beam scanning on the new Conforma 3000 treatment system. Optivus gained FDA approval for the Conforma 3000, the fastest, most precise, and most environmentally friendly proton therapy system. That same year, Optivus completed a PBTD control upgrade at the JMSPTRC.
• The 5,000th patient was treated at JMSPTRC during the year 2000.
• 2001, LLU radiation oncologists were treating 140 patients daily with proton beams. During 2001 also, Optivus installed beam energy/intensity performance enhancements at the JMSPTRC.
• In 2002, the number of patients being treated daily with protons at JMSPTRC reached 150, and by late summer of that year, the 7,500th patient had been treated.
• In 2003 the Conforma 3000 had an accelerator control update.
• In 2004, a successful active (scanning) proton beam was tested, and a flat-panel digital capability installation occurred at the JMSPTRC.
• In 2005, the 10,000th patient was treated at the JMSPTRC.
• In 2009, the 13,896th patient was treated at the JMSPTRC.

Technology Advances
The advances noted here have been made possible by the ongoing research and dedicated work of the physicians and physicists at the JMSPTRC, assisted by the expertise of Optivus engineers. Continued research helps to refine proton treatments, to discover new applications, and to make proton radiation treatment more effective and available to more people by developing a variety of techniques, including spot scanning, raster scanning, and fully electronic puter-controlled treatment delivery. All these new advancements have been FDA cleared.

Future FDA Cleared Advances Include

• 2009, Optivus completed the installation of a new robotic Precision Patient Alignment System (PPAS) in gantry one at the JMSPTRC. (Certification is currently in progress)
• A DICOM treatment planning proton system and electronic variable energy capability.
• Active beam scanning (ABS) system will be installed in a treatment room, (currently installed in the research room.).
• Optivus and JMSPTRC will put into use an Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) System to treat larger and multi-site tumors. IMPT will enhance the capabilities of the Conforma 3000 to treat more than twice as many cases as other proton therapy systems.

The Future of Proton Therapy and Optivus
Optivus leads the industry in design advances, service and maintenance, reliability, throughput and safety. Optivus’ team of innovators and visionaries are dedicated to advancing proton therapy; expanding its capabilities and accessibility to patients throughout the world.

• Proton Radiosurgery and functional Radiosurgery
• New disease applications
• Future advances in neurology