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Hitachi, Ltd. Acquires AccSys Technology, Inc
to Expand Proton Beam Therapy Systems Business |
Tokyo, Japan, May 29, 2002-Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501, NYSE: HIT, Hitachi)
today announced that it has acquired an eighty percent(80%) stake in
AccSys Technology, Inc., (AccSys) to expand its proton beam therapy
systems business. Through the acquisition, Hitachi will apply AccSys's
ion linear accelerator (linac) technology to its in-house developed
proton beam therapy system (PROBEAT). The move will enable Hitachi to
aim for the top share in this market.
Proton beam therapy is a new type of cancer treatment. It is a localized form of radiation therapy, in which a proton beam is directed solely at a tumor lying deep within the body in order to destroy the tumor. When a proton beam is used to treat a tumor, the side effects are minimal compared with those of a conventional electron beam and X-ray radiation therapy. This is because the proton beam has little effect on the surrounding healthy cells and only the cancerous cells are treated. Compared with surgical treatment and chemotherapy, the strain on the patient is much less. Proton beam therapy is drawing attention worldwide as a promising application for the treatment of a variety of difficult-to-treat diseases. In the United States, this therapy became widely accepted in 2000 following its approval for insurance coverage that year. It also appears likely that it will be accepted for insurance coverage in Europe and Japan in the near future. Against this backdrop, Hitachi developed its own proton beam therapy system PROBEAT, and has delivered a system to the University of Tsukuba in Japan. The system has gained recognition for its high level of reliability. AccSys is the only commercial supplier in the world who has patented compact linac systems used for proton beam therapy. This product is incorporated into the synchrotron-accelerator as an injector for initial acceleration of the proton beam and also has applications in other devices , including neutron generators. By uniting AccSys's linac technology and its own sophisticated acceleration technology, Hitachi has succeeded in developing a proton beam therapy system that realizes a higher level of performance than conventional models. Hitachi is also supplying AccSys linac systems for other applications of this technology through its worldwide sales network. About Hitachi, Ltd. About AccSys Technology Inc |
Information contained in this news release is current as of the date of the press announcement, but may be subject to change without prior notice. |
WRITTEN BY Corporate Communications Division |