ViewRay announced that Edogawa Hospital in Tokyo Japan has purchased a MRIdian system, the world's first and only clinical MRI-guided radiation therapy system, as part of an expansion of the hospital's cancer center.

The MRIdian system is a unique medical instrument that integrates an MRI with cobalt radiation delivery to treat cancer. Using the MRIdian system, clinicians can see soft tissue, and visualize and adjust the dose in real-time.

"We believe MRIdian offers a new approach to cancer treatment through its ability to visualize the tumor and nearby anatomy in real-time and adapt the treatment based on that information," said Shojiro Katoh, M.D., president of Edogawa Hospital.

"We're excited to offer this important treatment option to patients throughout Japan."

"The ability to spare healthy tissue and focus dose more accurately through MRI-guidance is a significant advancement," said Yukihiro Hama, M.D., Ph.D., chairman of the department of Radiology at Edogawa Hospital.

"We believe MRIdian is a vital addition to our radiation oncology offerings."

In mid-August, ViewRay announced that the company had received Shonin approval from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to market the MRIdian system within Japan, and in September the company announced the first sale in Japan to the National Cancer Center (NCC).

Installation of the MRIdian system at NCC is currently underway and patient treatments are expected to begin in the first half of 2017.

"The upcoming MRIdian installations at NCC and Edogawa Hospital demonstrate the system's value to a broad range of institutions," said Chris A. Raanes, president and chief executive officer of ViewRay. "We're pleased but not surprised to see the Japanese radiation oncology community responding so well to the MRIdian system."

ViewRay is represented in Japan by ITOCHU Corporation, one of the two largest general trading companies in Japan. ITOCHU has been focusing on the healthcare business to promote important medical innovations in Japan for approximately 40 years.

ViewRay designs, manufactures and markets the MRIdian radiation therapy system. MRIdian integrates MRI technology, radiation delivery and proprietary software to locate, target and track the position and shape of soft-tissue tumors during radiation.

 ViewRay believes this combination of enhanced visualization and accuracy will significantly improve outcomes for patients.