CK in Japan – expected to grow from 20 to 100 in 5 years??

from the IV MB, by yyy60:

>>CK in Japan – expected to grow from 20 to 100 in 5 years??

Japanese love robot and CK is one of their favorites. But they also have strict rules for CK. Although FDA approved CK for treatment of tumors in any location of the body in 2001, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare did not grant the approval until June 2008. Twenty CK (for head and neck) were installed in Japan at that time. There was a very high expectation for future sales after the approval. An old news from July 24, 2008 said: “CyberKnife units are expected to grow to about 100 over five years”.

At the end of 2008, CK in Japan increased to 21. No more were installed in 2009 and first half of 2010. Why sales stalled? Is “100 over five years” over expectation?

News on June 3, 2010 “First CK Treatments Using the Synchrony Respiratory Tracking System Completed in Japan” http://www.asianetnews.net/view-release?pr-id=39715
may answer some of the questions.

It said: “ In April 2010 fiducial markers that are compatible with the CyberKnife System were approved for use.”

June 2008 – Approved treatment in any location of the body
April 2010 – Approved fiducial markers

I think it is just a slow start, “100 in 5 years” is still a possibility, may be delayed a couple of years because of the recession. ARAY have received 3 new orders in the last two quarters. I hope the approval of fiducial markers has removed the last hurdle.