Curing Cancer Through Metrology

Abstract

CM Global Measurements Solutions, provider of quality dimensional metrology and engineering support services, is working with ProTom International, developer and manufacturer of medical technology, to install a state-of-the-art proton therapy treatment center in Flint, MI, for McLaren Healthcare. This is the first in a series of proton therapy centers to be built by ProTom around the world for treating cancer patients. The healthcare industry is rapidly embracing a new form of radiation treatment: proton therapy. Proton therapy is a blending of particle physics and oncology. It is defined as “a type of particle therapy which uses a beam of protons to irradiate diseased tissue, most often in the treatment of cancer.” This form of treatment has two distinct advantages over tradi- tional X-ray (photon) radiation treatments: lower risk to surrounding tissue due to a highly accurate delivery method, and the ability to administer high dosages for specific tumor types. The key to the effectiveness of proton therapy is the accurate positioning of the components that accelerate, position, and deliver the beam of protons to the patient. Figure 1 depicts a patient lying on the positioning robotic arm in preparation to receive proton therapy. ECM, recognized as a world leader in high-accuracy alignment, was contracted by ProTom to align the key components of the proton therapy center under construction in Flint. The services ECM provided to ProTom were supported by ECM’s use of portable