Japan’s Fukuoka Kieikai Hospital to Launch Advanced Brain Radiosurgery Program with ZAP-X Gyroscopic Radiosurgery

Landmark Glass-Walled Installation Will Bring State-of-the-Art, Vault-Free Radiosurgery to the Fukuoka Region

SAN CARLOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZAP Surgical, a global leader in non-invasive robotic brain surgery, today announced that Fukuoka Kieikai Hospital has selected the ZAP-X^® Gyroscopic Radiosurgery^® platform to establish a new stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) program serving patients throughout Japan's Fukuoka Prefecture and the greater Kyushu region. The installation will also incorporate the recently Shonin-approved ZAP-Axon^® Radiosurgery Planning System, further advancing the hospital's next-generation radiosurgery capabilities. This new installation represents the fourth ZAP-X system in Japan.

The 260-bed community hospital, which provides emergency medicine, surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term care services, currently refers all cranial SRS patients to outside facilities due to the absence of in-house radiosurgery capabilities. Installation of the ZAP-X system is expected to begin in October 2026, with first patient treatments anticipated in early 2027.

In a highly distinctive architectural decision, the hospital will locate ZAP-X within a glass-walled, first-floor corner space formerly occupied by a retail business. The prominent location will create a visible and symbolic center for next-generation medical care, reflecting the hospital’s commitment to innovation, accessibility, and community engagement.

“We have strong confidence that ZAP-X will significantly enhance patient care throughout our region,” said Dr. Yoshitaka Nakamura, Owner and Hospital Director of Fukuoka Kieikai Hospital. “The introduction of ZAP-X represents an important step in our long-term vision to establish a comprehensive brain care program that integrates neurosurgery, radiosurgery, and chemotherapy. By bringing these capabilities together under one roof, we aim to provide patients with seamless access to advanced, multidisciplinary care for brain tumors and other intracranial disorders.”

“Having extensive experience with historical cobalt-60-based radiosurgery, I recognize the tremendous potential of dedicated cranial radiosurgery to improve patient outcomes,” said Dr. Satoshi Suzuki, Director of Neurosurgery. “ZAP-X will allow us to offer modern intracranial radiosurgery locally while leveraging our existing expertise to provide exceptional care from day one.”

Stereotactic radiosurgery, a completely non-invasive and painless procedure, has emerged as a game-changing treatment for many primary and metastatic brain tumors as well as other disorders of the brain. Frequently serving as an alternative to open surgery, SRS is typically completed during a single brief outpatient visit, and often allows patients to return to normal activities the same day.

Fukuoka Kieikai Hospital cited several key advantages of ZAP-X, including its vault-free design, which eliminates the need for costly shielded treatment bunkers while enabling installation in a highly visible location. The hospital also valued ZAP-X’s elimination of Cobalt-60 radioactive sources for beam generation – thus eliminating source decay, perpetually lengthening treatment times, and recurring and costly source replacements.

Renowned for its groundbreaking design, ZAP-X employs unique gyroscopic mobility to direct radiosurgical beams from thousands of potential angles, enabling precise targeting while helping avoid critical structures such as the brain stem, eyes, and optic nerves. The system is also designed to reduce non-therapeutic radiation exposure to healthy brain tissue, helping preserve cognitive function and quality of life.

“Fukuoka Kieikai Hospital’s vision perfectly demonstrates the transformative potential of ZAP-X vault-free radiosurgery,” said Yair Bauer, Vice President of ZAP Surgical APAC & President of ZAP Surgical Japan. “By placing radiosurgery in a highly visible setting, the hospital is creating not only a clinical asset, but also a powerful symbol of innovation and patient-centered care for the entire community. Together with the recently approved ZAP-Axon planning system, clinicians will have access to a fully integrated next-generation radiosurgery solution from treatment planning through delivery.”

About ZAP Surgical Systems, Inc.

ZAP Surgical Systems, Inc., a global leader in non-invasive robotic brain surgery, is committed to reducing the costs and complexities that limit access to world-class radiosurgery (SRS) for the brain, head, and neck. The company manufactures the ZAP-X^® Gyroscopic Radiosurgery^® platform and is also pioneering new potential applications of high-precision SRS in areas such as depression, addiction, and obesity. Founded in 2014 by Dr. John R. Adler, Emeritus Dorothy & TK Chan Professor of Neurosurgery and Radiation Oncology at Stanford University, ZAP introduced the world’s first vault-free radiosurgery platform - eliminating the need for costly shielded treatment rooms and enabling flexible, high-visibility siting. ZAP-X also advances beyond legacy Cobalt-60 technology with a modern linear accelerator for safer, more sustainable care. Learn more at ZAP Surgical and follow us on LinkedIn.