Ajou University Hospital introduced the radiation therapy equipment, Halcyon 4.0 HyperSight, for the first time in Asia and began full-scale operation on Monday.
Halcyon is a state-of-the-art radiotherapy equipment that performs optimal three-dimensional intensity-modulated rotational treatment in real-time according to the patient's condition. It can treat most tumors, such as brain, head, neck, lung, prostate, and breast cancers, and has the advantage of the most accurate precision treatment and dramatically faster speed compared to existing equipment.
This is the second time Ajou University Hospital has introduced Halcyon since its introduction in 2021 and the first in Asia with the HyperSight feature. HyperSight is equipped with the largest imaging panel and the latest algorithms of any radiotherapy machine currently in use globally, enabling high-definition images comparable to conventional CT in just six seconds.
It also halved patient exposure to imaging radiation.
In particular, conventional cone beam CT images have limitations, including large errors when applied to radiation dose calculation and inaccurate radiation treatment. However, HyperSight images have been developed to be used directly for radiation dose calculation, overcoming these limitations.
"With the latest features of these HyperSight, we can change the treatment plan in real-time to reflect even the slightest changes in the tumor during the treatment process through high-quality images acquired daily and apply them to the actual radiation dose calculation, enabling highly safe and precise radiation therapy," the hospital’s medical team said.
The dual structure of fine 10 mm-spaced multilobular collimators allows for precise irradiation of cancerous tissue with a resolution of 5 mm spacing, minimizing radiation to normal tissue.
"By enabling customized and adaptive radiotherapy, we can maximize the effectiveness of tumor treatment and minimize side effects," the medical team added.
Ajou University Hospital also introduced Align RT, a surface-guided radiotherapy aid.
Surface-guided radiotherapy is a marker-less method that does not directly mark the patient's body during radiotherapy. It is an advanced technology that improves the accuracy of radiotherapy by tracking the patient's exact position according to the treatment plan in real-time through 3D optical and infrared cameras and the latest software.
Align RT also eliminates the need for markers on the patient's body during the one to two months of radiation therapy, removing the daily inconvenience of covering the markings with clothes or washing them frequently to prevent them from being erased.
"After introducing TruBeam-HyperArc in 2018 and Halcyon in 2021 for the first time in Asia, we are now equipped with the latest equipment to provide the safest and most precise radiation therapy while maximizing patient convenience," said Dr. Noh O-kyu, head of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the hospital.
Ajou University Hospital Director Park Joon-seong said, "Following the opening of the robotic surgery center and same-day treatment center with independent (dedicated) space and dedicated medical staff, we introduced new state-of-the-art medical equipment as soon as the new year began, focusing on implementing medical services centered on patient safety and convenience. We will continue to strive to create a medical environment for the best medical care."