Servco Industrial

Application: Precision Alignment of Proton Treatment Center

Dr. James Slater at Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC) became dissatisfied and distressed about the side effects that radiation treatment often caused in patients. He recognized two fundamental reasons for this outcome: that the X-rays and gamma rays used to deliver ionizing radiation were not sufficiently controlled to concentrate the radiation dose in the tissues where it was most needed; and that radiation treatment planning was not yet developed for use in a precise manner. He needed a way to insure that the individual Cancer Cells were hit with Protons and a minimum of the surrounding tissue exposed. Dr. Slater along with many of his collages built a proton accelerator and delivery system for precision bombardment of cancer cells. Through the use of precision alignment equipment the proton accelerator, beam transport system and 35-foot-diameter gantries were aligned to within a few thousands of a millimeter.

Application: Cosmetic Enhancement of Prosthetic Limbs

The medical field is ever changing with new technology. Prosthetic limbs are being created to help patients get back to everyday life. However, not all prosthetics offer realistic features. With the use of non-contact laser scanners the actual patient’s hand can be digitized. A mirror image model is then made and fit to the appendage using a fit process in a CAD program. Once the fit is confirmed the actual skin or cover is made and attached to the limb. Now the patient has two hands that look alike.