GE Healthcare has finished installing its 400th cyclotron at Korea Institute of Radiological Medical Sciences (KIRAMS), the company said Monday.
A cyclotron is a type of particle accelerator that accelerates particles into a spiral shape using high-frequency electrodes and magnetic fields. Institutions use the device for research purposes in physics, as well as for producing radiation isotopes for diagnosis and radiation therapy. There are 43 cyclotrons installed in medical institutions across the country.
The hospital plans to operate the machine at its new complex research center to diagnose and treat cancer.
The hospital is a pioneer in the field of domestic radiology. It is currently studying radiation for cancer treatment and conducting research and development on nuclear medicine. KIRAMS expects the installation of this cyclotron will produce positive results in R&D for nuclear medicine, while also helping with cancer diagnosis and treatment.
“GE, who has many years of experience in GMP (good manufacturing practice) guidelines in medically advanced countries such as Europe and U.S., provided effective and quick assistance in constructing our Cyclotron Center,” said Im Sang-moo, director of the department of nuclear medicine at the hospital. “With the help of GE's cyclotron and PET (positron emission tomography) nuclear medicine solutions, we will be able to produce more consistent and stable radiopharmaceuticals.”
Such increase in efficiency will be of great help in cancer diagnosis, treatment and nuclear medicine research, he added.
GE Healthcare Korea also showed high expectation.
“GE Healthcare has been supplying the world's largest number of cyclotrons over the past 50 years, which has allowed the company to obtain experience and expertise for cyclotron production and installation,” GE Healthcare CEO Francis Van Parys said. “We are very pleased that GE's 400th cyclotron has been installed at KIRAMS, which is leading the advancement of Korean nuclear medicine.”
The company hopes that its experience and technical expertise in the field of nuclear medicine will contribute to the production of radiopharmaceuticals and help diagnosis and treatment cancer patients at the hospital, Parys added