[August 12, 2014]

Indy Composite Works Engineers Custom Patient Table for IU Health Proton Therapy Center

Indy Composite Works (ICW), an innovative supplier of highly engineered, ruggedized, light weight composite structures and tooling systems, collaborated with the doctors and staff of the Indiana University (News - Alert) Health Proton Therapy Center in Bloomington, IN, to design and manufacture a customized carbon fiber patient treatment table that has significantly improved the flexibility and precision of proton therapy while increasing patient comfort.

"When we contacted ICW in 2011, we were one of only nine proton therapy centers in the country, and there were few companies developing products for proton therapy needs. The tables available did not meet our needs for the complex case mix of patients that we could treat," says Dr. Jeffrey Buchsbaum, a radiation oncologist at the IU Health Proton Therapy Center.

Proton therapy utilizes a concentrated beam of radiation, which spares normal surrounding tissues from exposure, having fewer long-term effects on organs and limiting tumor risks later in life. There are many challenges specific to craniospinal irradiation (CSI (News - Alert)) cases, where patients receive radiation to the brain and spinal cord. Prior to the new table, CSI patients had to lie on their stomachs, which made using anesthesia for children less safe and difficult to protect the vocal cords. In addition, the precision of the therapy makes it critical for patients to remain in the same position for up to one hour, difficult especially for children, which makes up about 30 percent of the center's patients.

"A customized table became critical in providing the absolute best positioning of adults and children during treatment," continues Dr. Buchsbaum.

The new treatment table design allow CSI patients to be more comfortable in the supine position (on the back), and anesthesia can be delivered with greater ease, particularly important when dealing with young patients. The staff indicates that the tables have helped increase productivity and improved work flow.

"The new tables have given the IU Health Proton Therapy Center the ability to treat a wide variety of conditions," states Victor Simoneaux, BS (R), (T), and chief radiation therapist at the center. "We have developed new methods or treating adults and children with tumors of the brain, head and neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis and extremities. These treatment methods were not possible before ICW created our patient table, which is a fundamental part of what we do every day, impacting about 50% of our patients."

Indy Composite Works business comprises much more than the average composite work performed out in the market. "Our professionals design and manufacture precisely engineered composites that meet very specific needs, such as the patient table," says Dave New, vice president of ICW. "Many clients come to us because the products available in the market do not meet their specific needs or do not perform in the way required. Through close work with the client and innovation, ICW delivers the needed product."

"Our collaboration with ICW was a fantastic experience," states Dr. Buchsbaum. "ICW made several trips to the center to discuss the table with our team and to learn about our treatment. We also visited their shop to meet with their engineering team. Every step of the way, we had discussions and reviews about the measurement of table flexion, safety issues, and proton beam design needs. ICW took on this project with passion, and showed real concern because it was going to be used to help our cancer patients, particularly the children.

"ICW took our ideas and needs and worked with us with CAD drawings and several prototypes. We knew what we wanted, and the ICW team knew what could be manufactured to create a solution. It was truly a collaborative effort to come up with a design that was functional, innovative, and producible. In the end, they surpassed our expectations," concluded Buchsbaum.

About Indy Composite Works
Indy Composite Works (ICW) is an innovative supplier of highly engineered, ruggedized, light weight composite structures and tooling systems that are deployed worldwide. The company was forged in 2005 on the foundation of producing top quality composite parts for the Indy Racing League and other racing series. Recognized as one of Indiana's Companies to Watch, ICW is experiencing growth propelling the company into new divisions, designing and manufacturing composite components for a wide range of industries such as satellite communications, municipal and national defense, amateur and professional sports, medical devices, and other exciting and original applications.

ICW's expertise expands engineering, pattern design, mold cutting, tool fabrication and the manufacture of both small and large quantities of composite parts, specifically in autoclave-cured and resin-infusion carbon fiber structures and part production. Over the last decade, ICW has partnered with over 130 large and small manufacturers in the conceptual design, engineering, tooling, prototyping and manufacture of composite structures. Find out more at their website.

About IU Health Proton Therapy Center
The Indiana University Health Proton Therapy Center is a state-of-the-art center offering a highly precise method of treating tumors. Since February 2004, the medical team has treated adults and children with both benign and cancerous tumors of the head, neck, spine or prostate. The center, located in Bloomington, is one of 14 proton therapy facilities in the United States to provide highly precise cancer treatment. It is the only proton therapy center in the U.S. to use a uniform-scanning beam for dose delivery which decreases undesirable neutron dose to patients. To learn more about the center, visit their website.

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