Proton Therapy – Siemens signs a cooperation contract with the Paul Scherrer Institute

The Swiss Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Villigen and Siemens Medical Solutions (Med) in Erlangen, Germany, have recently signed a cooperation contract. Both partners agreed to a closer collaboration in proton therapy planning – an important component of a particle therapy solution.

Within the scope of the agreement, Siemens has access to the know-how of the therapy planning system at the Paul Scherrer Institute. Both partners are joining forces to further develop proton therapy planning. Siemens will be provided with the opportunity of testing its own methods at PSI and will complement this offer by supporting research at the institute.

PSI is the only institute world-wide which uses so-called Spot Scanning for proton therapy. Spot Scanning is a method where the target volume is scanned via raster points to enable precise irradiation. PSI has been gathering clinical experience in treating patients with this method since 1996 and now more than 200 patients have been treated at the proton gantry. Additionally PSI has treated more than 4200 patients with eye melanomas using proton therapy since 1984.

The Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) is a multi-disciplinary research centre for natural sciences and technology. Our priorities lie in areas of basic and applied research, particularly in fields which are relevant for sustainable development, as well as of major importance for teaching and training, but which are beyond the possibilities of a single university department. In national and international collaboration with universities, other research institutes and industry, PSI is active in solid state physics, materials sciences, elementary particle physics, life sciences, nuclear and non-nuclear energy research, and energy-related ecology.

It is the largest national research institute with about 1,200 members of staff, and is unique in Switzerland.