Medical & Pharma

Particle therapy

Particle therapy is a form of radiotherapy using beams of energetic ions for cancer treatment. Particle therapy works by aiming energetic ionizing particles at the target tumor. These particles damage the DNA of tissue cells, ultimately causing their death. Cancerous cells are particularly vulnerable to attack due to their reduced ability to repair damaged DNA. RI designs and delivers accelerators for particle therapy.

Shock wave treatment

Externally applied, focused, high-intensity pulses of ultrasonic energy (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, ESWL) constitute a non-invasive technique for the treatment of uncomplicated cases of kidney stones. The pulses cause fragmentation of the stones, sparing patients more invasive procedures.

At RI we develop and deliver pulsed power systems for the generation of these ultrasonic pulses.

Medical isotope production

Particle accelerators can also generate electron, proton or heavy ion beams for the production of medical radioisotopes to be applied in hospitals for cancer diagnosis and also treatment. RI contributes the physics layout, assessment studies, and detailed planning especially of high-power accelerators optimized for this purpose.