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LIBERTY TWP., Ohio (AP) — A more than 125-ton piece of medical equipment is in the process of making its way to the Liberty Campus of Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
The first piece of the hospital's cyclotron was expected to arrive by the end of July, according to the Dayton Daily News (http://bit.ly/1KFvT7A) . The equipment powers proton laser beams that fight pediatric cancer.
Proton therapy is a form of radiation used to treat certain types of cancers and lymphomas. There is more precision in proton therapy's ability to deliver radiation than traditional radiation, which helps avoid exposure to surrounding healthy tissue and reduce side effects.
A second piece will arrive on the back of a special multi-axle trailer in early August. Both pieces originated in Germany, arrived by ship in Baltimore and is en route to the Liberty Township hospital.
An 800-ton crane is already on site to lower the medical equipment into place upon their arrival.
Cincinnati Children's announced plans in 2013 to build a $120 million proton therapy center at its Butler County campus. Once constructed, officials believe it would be one of the first proton centers owned by a children's hospital in the world.
Construction on the new facility is expected to be completed for a winter 2016-2017 opening.
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Information from: Dayton Daily News, http://www.daytondailynews.com
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