Warwick, Warwickshire, United Kingdom
Leo Cancer Care, in collaboration with DCA Design International, has pioneered an innovative approach to radiotherapy as this is recognized as a fundamental component of cancer treatment, traditional radiotherapy typically requires patients to lie on a rigid table.
Instead, they bring they created a system where the patient sits upright, which is a treatment posture that is associated with significant clinical, emotional, financial, and operational benefits.
This pioneering project has been awarded a 2023 Good Design Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
Named after Ruby Payne-Scott, a pioneer in radiophysics, the Ruby system is a complete upright cancer treatment solution: a real-time, image-guided, photon radiotherapy system.
Integrating Leo Cancer Care’s upright patient positioning system, Ruby has been designed to improve the effectiveness, and the patient experience, of radiotherapy, making it an exciting part of the next generation of cancer care.
One of the major advantages of Ruby is its significantly reduced footprint (compared to traditional linacs). By rotating the patient to an upright position, and fixing the treatment beam, there is no need for a large rotating gantry.
In many cases, multiple Ruby systems can be installed in the space that would have been required for a single linac.
The system can be installed in existing treatment bunkers, or supplied fully shielded, making costly, large concrete bunkers a thing of the past.
Ruby’s visual design focuses on minimizing the size and visual presence of the complex system, which includes a linear accelerator and cone beam CT imaging to support accurate treatment delivery.
This was carefully balanced with prioritizing easy access, for both therapist and patient, partly achieved through innovative arrangement of imaging equipment, while simultaneously providing a comfortable and familiar aesthetic.
This design adopts pure, quietly confident forms, carrying an intrinsic logic. The patient facing surfaces softly curve, which, combined with refined lighting and textiles, offer reassurance through a homely familiarity.
All these aspects are embodied with awareness of the healthcare environment in which they are being installed.
Cancer treatment is typically highly emotional. Ruby enables more meaningful engagement with patients.
Faster, simpler setups, combined with the ability to be installed in current and new build facilities (with a much lower shielding requirement), means lifesaving treatments can be more affordable, and more accessible, with a lower environmental impact than traditional gantry-based treatments; ultimately improving the future of healthcare and patients’ lives.
Project: Upright Photon Radiotherapy Treatment Tystem – Ruby
Designers: DCA Design International Limited
Lead Designers: Malcolm Boyd, Maartje Pel, RP Kruizinga, Marina Baranova, Daniel Jenkins, and Josh Teodoro
Manufacturer: Leo Cancer Care Ltd.
