Toshiba Receives Order for Heavy Ion Therapy System from Asan Medical Center in South Korea
- NEWS RELEASE
- Nuclear Power
- Heavy Ion Therapy
- Order received / delivery
April 07, 2025
Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation
Kawasaki, Japan — Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba), in collaboration with DK Medical Solutions, a leading global medical company based in South Korea, has received an order for a heavy ion therapy system*1 from Asan Medical Center. This marks Toshiba's third heavy ion therapy system order in South Korea, following previous orders from Yonsei University Health System and Seoul National University Hospital.
The system for Asan Medical Center has one horizontally fixed beam treatment room and two rotating gantry*2 treatment rooms. It incorporates Toshiba's latest technology, and features a compact rotating gantry that utilizes advanced high-speed scanning irradiation technology and superconducting electromagnets. Treatment is scheduled to commence around 2031.
Heavy ion therapy is a form of radiation therapy that accelerates heavy particles, such as carbon ions, to approximately 70% of the speed of light. The particle beam is then directed at cancerous lesions from outside the body. The system ordered for Asan Medical Center will initially use a carbon ion source, but its design allows for future expansion to a multi-ion source. The ability to use multiple ion sources will realize more precise treatments tailored to the location, size and shape of the patient's tumor.
Toshiba has already established a comprehensive maintenance system for its heavy ion systems in South Korea, including securing the necessary personnel and parts, and has begun maintenance operations for the system at Yonsei University Health System. This established framework will be used to ensure seamless maintenance for the Asan Medical Center system.
Asan Medical Center, founded in Seoul in 1989 by Asan Foundation, is one of South Korea's largest medical institutions, with 2,432 beds. The hospital treats over 3.3 million outpatients annually, and is renowned for its world-class medical professionals, cutting-edge medical equipment and advanced healthcare systems, and for setting high standards for medical excellence in South Korea.
Toshiba developed its heavy ion therapy system in collaboration with Japan's National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST), and delivered the world's first compact and lightweight heavy ion rotating gantry featuring superconducting electromagnets to QST's Chiba facility in 2016. In South Korea, Toshiba previously secured orders from Yonsei University Health System and Seoul National University Hospital, and treatment commenced at Yonsei University Health System in 2023. Toshiba's proven track record, state-of-the-art technology, and well-established maintenance framework were key factors in securing this latest order.
Toshiba will continue to contribute to the global expansion of heavy ion therapy and the realization of high quality cancer treatment by proactively seeking orders in Japan and overseas.
*1: Radiation therapy that accelerates carbon ions to about 70% of the speed of light and produces a carbon ion beam (heavy particle beam) that is used to irradiate cancer tumors. A heavy ion beam spreads less than other particle beams and delivers a larger amount of energy to cancerous tumors with pinpoint accuracy, greatly reducing the likelihood of damage to normal surrounding cells. It is also more effective at destroying cancer cell genes than other types of radiation, and is recognized as a treatment that enables early recovery while imposing fewer physical burdens on patients.
*2: The angle of irradiation can be freely set through 360 degrees, allowing tumors to be irradiated from the optimum angle while the patient maintains a comfortable position. Combining the low scattering characteristics of heavy ion beams with scanning irradiation technology makes it possible to avoid healthy tissues and protect organs, further enhancing the concentration of the dose delivered to the cancer tumors.
External view of Asan Medical Center
Photo courtesy of Asan Medical Center
Photo of the signing ceremony
Mr. Takeuchi Tsutomu, Vice President of Power Systems Division, Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (left),
Mr. Seung Il Park, President of Asan Medical Center (center),
Mr. C.K.Lee, Chairman & CEO of DK Medical Solutions (right)
Image of Toshiba's heavy ion therapy system
Information in the News Release, including product prices and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current on the date of the News Release , but is subject to change without prior notice.
