LiGHT technology redefines what's possible in proton therapy
LiGHT (Linac for Image Guided Hadron Therapy) is a modular compact LINAC system that delivers electronically controlled beam energy without the need for mechanical degraders. This breakthrough eliminates proton loss and enables unprecedented precision in dose delivery.
High-efficiency Radio Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ) generates and accelerates initial proton beam with exceptional stability and repeatability.
Compact acceleration stage bringing protons to intermediate energy with minimal beam loss and high transmission efficiency.
Final acceleration to clinical energies up to 230 MeV, enabling deep-seated tumor treatment with electronic energy selection.
Advanced robotic patient positioning with image guidance integration for sub-millimeter treatment accuracy.
The Game-Changing Difference:
Traditional proton therapy systems use mechanical energy degraders—physical materials that slow down protons to achieve different penetration depths. This approach wastes up to 90% of the beam and generates unwanted neutron radiation.
LiGHT eliminates degraders entirely.
Our electronically controlled beam energy adjusts the accelerator's RF power to produce exactly the proton energy needed for each treatment layer. This means:
| Feature | Legacy Cyclotron/Synchrotron | LiGHT LINAC |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Selection | Mechanical degraders (up to 90% beam loss) | Electronically Controlled (minimal loss) |
| Maximum Energy | ~230 MeV | 230 MeV achieved (Daresbury) |
| System Cost | ~$250M–$300M per site | ~$85M per 4-room site (~30%) |
| Installation Time | 24–36 months | 12–18 months |
| Footprint | Large dedicated building | Compact modular design |
| Energy Switching Speed | Seconds (mechanical) | Milliseconds (electronic) |
| Neutron Generation | High (from degraders) | Minimal (no degraders) |
| FLASH Capability | Requires major hardware upgrades | Software upgrade (no hardware change) |
| Treatment Rooms | Typically 3–4 rooms | 4 rooms per site standard |
Operational today with precision dose delivery enabling fewer, higher-dose treatment sessions. Reduces patient burden and improves clinical workflow efficiency.
Future-ready platform: Ultra-high dose rate delivery (>40 Gy/s) enabled via software control without hardware modifications. FLASH's normal tissue sparing potential represents the next frontier in radiation oncology.
Integrated PPS with real-time imaging ensures sub-millimeter positioning accuracy for complex anatomical targets and adaptive therapy protocols.