LITTLETON, Mass., Oct. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mevion Medical Systems announced today it has delivered the world's first superconducting synchrocyclotron to the S. Lee Kling Center for Proton Therapy at the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis MO. This inaugural shipment marks the last phase of the manufacturing of the first MEVION S250 proton accelerator module and the first of many to come deliveries of this revolutionary cancer therapy device.

The synchrocyclotron was delivered after a 1,200 mile, 4-day trip from Mevion's Headquarters in Littleton MA to St. Louis MO. "It was a very rewarding day to see our first system leave our factory knowing that what we have achieved may affect and improve the lives of cancer patients," stated Joseph K. Jachinowski, chief executive officer of Mevion Medical Systems. "The innovative design of the MEVION S250 makes adding proton therapy remarkably easier for our hospital partners than what was previously available."

Powered by a TriNiobium Core™, the high-energy proton source of the MEVION S250 will preserve all of the treatment benefits of conventional proton treatment systems while removing the obstacles of size, cost and complexity that have limited the wide adoption of this promising cancer treatment modality. The MEVION S250 Proton Therapy System combines a patented, gantry-mounted proton source with a highly integrated, image-based workflow and robotic patient positioning, making proton therapy a practical clinical reality.

Similar to traditional radiation therapy systems in terms of footprint, workflow, and throughput, the MEVION S250 will easily integrate within existing radiation therapy departments to deliver innovative cancer care in a very conventional way. "Barnes Jewish Hospital prides itself in providing the most advanced technologies to its patients. We are delighted to add this latest development in radiation therapy to our cancer-fighting arsenal," says Jeff Bradley, MD, director of the S. Lee Kling Center for Proton Therapy at Siteman Cancer Center.
This installation of the MEVION S250 at Barnes Jewish Hospital is to be completed early next year. Two additional facilities are also in the midst of installation; Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ and Oklahoma University inOklahoma City, OK. Both of these installations are also to be completed in 2012.

ABOUT MEVION MEDICAL SYSTEMS

Mevion Medical Systems, Inc. (formerly Still River Systems, Inc.) is a radiation therapy company dedicated to advancing the treatment of cancer. As the pioneering developer of modern proton therapy systems, Mevion provides innovative, safe, and effective solutions by transforming advances in medical technology and science into practical clinical reality.

Mevion's flagship product, the MEVION S250 Proton Therapy System, is designed to preserve all of the treatment benefits of traditional proton therapy systems while removing the obstacles of size, cost, and complexity. Realizing this vision, Mevion has forever changed the economics and accessibility of proton therapy worldwide.

Founded in 2004, Mevion is a privately held company headquartered in the Boston metropolitan area with international offices in the United Kingdom and Japan.