Wall Colmonoy Aerobraze Cincinnati received a late in the day phone call from Varian – a medical device and software manufacturer that specializes in radiation therapy cancer treatments. Their engineers searched for local brazing and machine shops in the Cincinnati area. Aerobraze Cincinnati popped up and the phone rang. Paul Dubuque, Production Manager, took the call.
Varian needed a part fixed and fast. Not any part, but a lifesaving part for kids that were awaiting radiation therapy treatments, using innovative Proton Therapy, at Cincinnati Children’s Proton Therapy Center.
Varian engineers rushed over with the part for Paul and his team, Jose Cruz and Carlos Negron, to braze repair it. Carlos went to work disassembling and cleaning the part. He prepped the part by hand grinding it and then reassembled using a hydraulic press before handing it over to Jose. Jose repaired the cracked joints using silver torch. This brazing method is most effective in joining brass to copper.
“Varian engineers stayed right here with us while we worked,” explains Paul.
Normally the part would arrive from Europe, but Cincinnati was experiencing a heavy blizzard, so the airports were shut. Varian had to find another
solution.
“We stayed late into Friday evening to get that part in running condition. We felt for those kids and knew what we were doing would have a
lifesaving impact.
The next day, we received a text from one of the engineers at Varian and said the installation was a success. We were pretty proud after getting that news.”
“Thank you to Aerobraze Cincinnati for everything they did to fix the part so that we could treat our patients. One of our patients was at Cincinnati Children’s for their cancer treatment, which included Proton Therapy. The family’s visas were expiring, and they had to finish treatment early to get back to England. Another one of our patients had traveled from Nashville Children’s and with the treatment protocol that they were on, it was the very last day they could start their proton therapy. You guys were literally a lifesaver, ” states Abram Gordon, Vice President of Innovation Ventures at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
And months later, the part is still running strong.
About Proton Therapy
Proton therapy is a type of radiation therapy which uses protons rather than x-rays to treat cancer, and, at high energy, protons can destroy cancer cells. Doctors may use proton therapy alone or combine it with surgery, chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy. For details: National Association for Proton Therapy
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Contact
Aerobraze Engineered Technologies Cincinnati
940 Redna Terrace | Cincinnati, OH 45215
