B dot Medical Inc. (Headquarters: Edogawa-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Takuji Furukawa; hereinafter referred to as B dot Medical) is pleased to announce the acquisition of regulatory permission for its self-propelled* treatment table, “Shuttle Treatment Table Throup™” (hereinafter, Throup™), designed for radiation therapy systems.
* Patient transport must be always accompanied by medical staff, initiated and fixed at the destination by the operation of medical staff.
Image: Shuttle Treatment Table “Throup™”
■Enhancing Treatment Room Throughput
Achieving precise radiation beam delivery necessitates a “positioning” process. Traditionally conducted within the treatment room, this process consumed time, impeding treatment efficiency. B dot Medical, particularly in reevaluating the workflow of proton therapy, opted for a separate room for positioning, enhancing the efficiency or throughput of the treatment room. Throup™️, after positioning the patient outside the treatment room, moves along magnetic tape laid on the floor, utilizing its self-propelled capability* to navigate to the treatment room, efficiently making use of the treatment room to provide treatment to a larger number of patients.
■7-Axis Adjustable Robotic Arm and Self-Propelled* Shuttle
Throup™ consists of a tabletop, a robotic treatment table with an adjustable arm for patient positioning, and a shuttle that functions as a vehicle for these components. The robotic treatment section offers a 7-axis adjustable capability, incorporating a longitudinal axis for the operational arm device and 6-axis arm movement for positioning and supporting the treatment table. The self-propelled* shuttle reduces the need for manual transport and handling, alleviating strain on medical staff compared to conventional stretchers.
Additionally, sensors are installed on both the front and rear of the shuttle, allowing it to detect and avoide (or stop for) any obstructions in its path. This system is designed to give medical staff peace of mind while caring for patients who require special attention or preparation, including elderly patients, those in poor overall health, and pediatric patients, helping ensure a smooth treatment process.
■User-Centered Design
A primary concern for Throup™ development engineers was ensuring user comfort. The tabletop gracefully descends to welcome the patient during boarding and maintains controlled acceleration during vehicle start and stop, minimizing any potential discomfort. When rotating the treatment table or tabletop, the patient’s head remains as stationary as possible, with movement primarily from the lower body, ensuring a perception of minimal motion.
Additionally, to instill confidence in both patients and those encountering a self-propelled* treatment table for the first time, the design incorporates rounded shapes at both ends of the vehicle, expressing the direction of movement, aligning intuition with actual operation. Overall, a balance of curves and straight lines creates a reassuring aesthetic.
■A Product of Collaboration among Japanese Companies
The robotic treatment table section of Throup™ was developed in collaboration with Kawasaki Heavy Industries, a renowned industrial robot manufacturer with over 50 years of history, and the shuttle section with Shiko, an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) manufacturer. B dot Medical, having been adopted for the 2021 NEDO Startup Support Program/Product Commercialization Alliance (PCA), showcases this Japanese innovation at the forefront of global healthcare technology.
■Product outline
Common name: electric treatment table for accelerator-based therapy
Brand name: Shuttle Treatment Table Throup
Medical Device Filing Number: 13B1X10334000001
**Approval from regulatory authorities in each country is required for clinical use outside of Japan.
