JP2010227464A - Radiation exposure system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radiation exposure system which can shorten the exposure time of radiation. <P>SOLUTION: An exposure position control part 44 has a radiation dose integration section 44a which integrates a radiation dose, an irradiation position change finalization signal acquisition section 44b which acquires an exposure position change finalization signal, a controlling delay determination section 44c, which determines as controlling delay when a radiation dose, which is integrated, reaches a radiation dose to be exposed in an exposure position and the exposure position change finalization signal is not acquired and determines that controlling delay is eliminated when the exposure position change finalization signal is acquired after that, and an exposure position change starting signal output part 44d which outputs an exposure position change start signal to an exposure position change device 31, when determined as controlling delay, the radiation dose integration section 44a integrates a radiation dose, in which monitoring is carried out, as a radiation dose in the following exposure position and the exposure position change starting signal output part 44d outputs an exposure position change start signal about the following exposure position when determined that controlling delay is eliminated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiation irradiation system, and more particularly to a radiation irradiation system that emits radiation by a three-dimensional scanning method.

  In recent years, radiotherapy (particle beam therapy) using radiation such as proton beams and heavy particle beams has attracted attention. Radiation therapy is performed by selectively irradiating a predetermined irradiation region in the deep layer of the irradiated object (human body) by adjusting the irradiation energy of the radiation, so that normal radiation other than the irradiation region is obtained. A treatment that can reduce the occurrence of disorders in tissues.

  One of the radiation irradiation methods in such radiotherapy is a three-dimensional scanning method (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The radiation irradiation system using the three-dimensional scanning method does not enlarge the thin particle beam emitted from the accelerator, and the irradiation region of the irradiated object is in the vertical plane direction and the depth direction with respect to the traveling direction of the particle beam. Scan in three dimensions and irradiate with radiation so as to fill the irradiation area of complex shape.

JP 2006-087649 A

  However, the conventional radiation irradiation system is limited in dose by the performance of an apparatus (for example, an electromagnet) that changes the radiation irradiation position. That is, it is difficult to shorten the irradiation time because the dose of irradiated radiation cannot be increased.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a radiation irradiation system capable of shortening the irradiation time of radiation.

  In order to solve the above problems, a radiation irradiation system of the present invention is monitored by an irradiation position changing device that changes an irradiation position of radiation emitted from a radiation emitting device, a dose monitoring device that monitors the radiation dose, and A radiation irradiation system comprising: a control device that controls the irradiation position changing device based on the dose, wherein the control device controls the irradiation position changing device based on the monitored dose. And a storage unit that stores the irradiation position of the radiation and the dose to be irradiated at the irradiation position in association with each other, and the irradiation position control unit is based on the monitored dose. A dose integrating unit that accumulates doses at the irradiation position and an irradiation position change completion signal from the irradiation position changing device. In the position change completion signal acquisition unit and the one irradiation position, the dose accumulated by the dose accumulation unit reaches the dose to be irradiated stored in the storage unit, and the irradiation position change completion signal is not acquired. A control traffic determination unit that determines that the control traffic has been resolved when the irradiation position change completion signal is acquired after determining that the control traffic is a control traffic, and the irradiation position An irradiation position change start signal output unit that controls the irradiation position change device to change the irradiation position by outputting an irradiation position change start signal to the change device, and when it is determined that there is control congestion The dose integrating unit integrates the dose monitored by the dose monitoring device as a dose at the next irradiation position, and outputs the irradiation position change start signal. , When the control traffic congestion is determined to have been eliminated, and outputs the irradiation position change start signal regarding the next irradiation position.

  In the conventional radiation irradiation system, when the control device outputs the irradiation position change start signal in a state where the irradiation position change completion signal has not been acquired, the entire system is stopped due to the abnormality determination of the electromagnet power supply. Therefore, the dose of the charged particle beam is suppressed so that the dose accumulated until the irradiation position change completion signal is acquired does not reach the dose to be irradiated. On the other hand, the radiation irradiation system of the present invention adopts the concept of control congestion, so that the dose can be integrated even in the state where the irradiation position change completion signal has not been acquired. Can be increased and the irradiation time can be shortened.

  In addition, the control device, the radiation emission control unit that controls the radiation emitting device, whether the difference between the number of times determined to be control congestion and the number of times determined to have resolved the control congestion has reached a predetermined number of times A control traffic number determination unit that determines whether or not the control traffic jam is determined, and when the difference between the number of times determined to be control traffic and the number of times determined to have resolved the control traffic has reached a predetermined number of times Furthermore, the radiation emission control unit may be configured to stop emission of radiation from the radiation emission device.

  Further, the control device integrates a radiation emission control unit that controls the radiation emission device, and a control traffic congestion dose that is a dose monitored by the dose monitoring device during the control traffic congestion, and the integrated control traffic congestion A dose determining unit for determining whether or not the dose has reached a predetermined value; and determining that the accumulated dose in the control traffic has reached a predetermined value, the radiation emission control The unit may be configured to stop the emission of radiation from the radiation emitting device.

  According to the present invention, the irradiation time of radiation can be shortened.

It is a figure which shows typically the particle beam irradiation system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the irradiation system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the particle beam irradiation system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the irradiation parameter file memorize | stored in the memory | storage part. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st operation example of the radiation irradiation system which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is a graph which shows the relationship between time and the irradiation position of a charged particle beam, (b) is time and (C) is a graph showing the relationship between the time and the accumulated position of the charged particle beam dose, and (d) is the charged particle beam dose I at the accumulated position. (E) is a graph which shows the relationship between time and the dose _IX of the charged particle beam in control congestion. It is a figure for demonstrating the 2nd operation example of the radiation irradiation system which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is a graph which shows the relationship between time and the irradiation position of a charged particle beam, (b) is time and (C) is a graph showing the relationship between the time and the accumulated position of the charged particle beam dose, and (d) is the charged particle beam dose I at the accumulated position. (E) is a graph which shows the relationship between time and the dose _IX of the charged particle beam in control congestion. It is a figure for demonstrating the 3rd operation example of the radiation irradiation system which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is a graph which shows the relationship between time and the irradiation position of a charged particle beam, (b) is time and (C) is a graph showing the relationship between the time and the accumulated position of the charged particle beam dose, and (d) is the charged particle beam dose I at the accumulated position. (E) is a graph which shows the relationship between time and the dose _IX of the charged particle beam in control congestion. It is a figure for demonstrating the 4th example of operation | movement of the radiation irradiation system which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is a graph which shows the relationship between time and the irradiation position of a charged particle beam, (b) is time and (C) is a graph showing the relationship between the time and the accumulated position of the charged particle beam dose, and (d) is the charged particle beam dose I at the accumulated position. (E) is a graph which shows the relationship between time and the dose _IX of the charged particle beam in control congestion.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a radiation irradiation system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a system that irradiates radiation by a three-dimensional scanning method, and includes an accelerator 10, a beam transport system 20, an irradiation system 30, and a control device. 40.

<Accelerator and beam transport system>
The accelerator 10 accelerates and emits a charged particle beam B that is an example of radiation. The beam transport system 20 transports the charged particle beam B emitted from the accelerator 10. The combination of the accelerator 10 and the beam transport system 20 is an example of the “radiation emitting device” in the claims.

<Irradiation system>
The irradiation system 30 irradiates the irradiation target 51 (for example, a tumor part) of the irradiated body (human body) 50 with the charged particle beam B transported by the beam transport system 20. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the irradiation system 30 includes an irradiation position changing device 31, a dose monitoring device 32, and an energy adjusting device 33.

≪Irradiation position changing device≫
The irradiation position changing device 31 is a device for changing the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B emitted from the accelerator 10 and transported by the beam transport system 20, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 31b and an electromagnet power supply 31c.
The electromagnet 31a is for deflecting the charged particle beam B in the X-axis direction on a plane perpendicular to the traveling direction (Z-axis direction) of the charged particle beam B by the electric power supplied from the electromagnet power supply 31c.
The electromagnet 31b deflects the charged particle beam B in the Y-axis direction perpendicular to the X-axis in a plane perpendicular to the traveling direction (Z-axis direction) of the charged particle beam B by the electric power supplied from the electromagnet power supply 31c. Is.
The electromagnet power supply 31c includes a power supply and a power supply control unit, and electromagnets 31a and 31b are based on an irradiation position change start signal output from an irradiation position change completion signal output unit 44d of the control device 40 described later. Is supplied with power, and the irradiation position (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction) of the charged particle beam B is changed to a desired position.
When the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B is changed to a desired position, the electromagnet power supply 31c outputs an irradiation position change end signal to the irradiation position change completion signal acquisition unit 44b of the control device 40 described later. .

  In the present embodiment, the power controller of the electromagnet power supply 31c acquires the electromagnet current values of the electromagnets 31a and 31b measured by a current sensor (not shown), and the electromagnet current value becomes a value corresponding to the desired position described above. When this happens, an irradiation position change end signal is output. The power supply control unit of the power supply drive unit 31c stores in advance the relationship between the electromagnet current values of the electromagnets 31a and 31b and the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B. With reference to the relationship, it is determined whether or not the electromagnet current value has reached a value corresponding to the desired position.

  The irradiation position changing device 31 includes a beam monitor unit (not shown) on the downstream side of the electromagnets 31a and 31b, and the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B monitored by the beam monitor unit corresponds to the above-described desired position. When it becomes, the structure which outputs an irradiation position change end signal may be sufficient. The beam monitor unit stores in advance the relationship between the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B monitored by the beam monitor unit and the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B to the irradiation target 51, and the power supply driving unit 31c. The power supply control unit determines whether or not the monitored irradiation position of the charged particle beam B is a position corresponding to the desired position with reference to such a relationship.

≪Dose monitoring device≫
The dose monitoring device 32 is a device that monitors the dose of the charged particle beam B. The monitored dose is output to a dose integrating unit 44a of the control device 40 described later.

≪Energy adjustment device≫
The energy adjustment device 33 is a device that adjusts the energy of the charged particle beam B while adjusting the stop position of the charged particle beam B in the Z-axis direction. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the energy adjustment device 33 includes a range shifter 33 a including a plurality of energy absorbers, and a range shifter driving unit 33 b that drives the range shifter 33 a.

<Control device>
The control device 40 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), an input / output circuit, and the like. As a functional unit, a storage unit 41 and an accelerator control unit 42 are provided. And an energy control unit 43 and an irradiation position control unit 44.

  The storage unit 41 stores an irradiation parameter file as shown in FIG. The irradiation parameter file includes a spot number unique to the irradiation position. The coordinates of the irradiation position in the X-axis direction, the coordinates of the irradiation position in the Y-axis direction, the dose to be irradiated to the irradiation position, and the energy of the charged particle beam B irradiated to the irradiation position. This file is stored in association with each other and is provided for each coordinate in the Z-axis direction. In such an irradiation parameter file, for example, spot No. 1-No. The irradiation position corresponding to 1217 is set so that the charged particle beam B having the same energy is irradiated by different doses.

  The accelerator control unit 42 is an example of a “radiation emission control unit” in the claims, and performs ON / OFF control of driving of the accelerator 10 and the beam transport system 20.

  The energy control unit 43 refers to the irradiation parameter file stored in the storage unit 41 and controls the range shifter driving unit 33b of the energy adjustment device 33 so that the energy corresponding to the irradiation position is irradiated. Drive.

  The irradiation position control unit 44 refers to the irradiation parameter file stored in the storage unit 41 and controls the electromagnet power supply 31c to match the irradiation position with a desired position (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction). Thus, electric power is supplied to the electromagnets 31a and 31b. The irradiation position control unit 44 includes, as detailed functional blocks, a dose integration unit 44a, an irradiation position change completion signal acquisition unit 44b, a control traffic jam determination unit 44c, and an irradiation position change start signal output unit 44d.

  Based on the dose output from the dose monitoring device 32, the dose integration unit 44 a integrates the dose at one irradiation position.

  The irradiation position change completion signal acquisition unit 44 b acquires an irradiation position change completion signal output from the electromagnet power supply 31 c of the irradiation position changing device 31.

  The control congestion determination unit 44c, when the irradiation position change completion signal is acquired at one irradiation position and the dose accumulated by the dose accumulation unit 44a reaches the dose to be irradiated stored in the storage unit 41. It is determined that there is no control congestion. Moreover, the control traffic determination part 44c reaches the dose which should be irradiated memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 41 in the one irradiation position, and the irradiation position change completion signal is not acquired. Then, it is determined that there is a control jam. Further, the control traffic determination unit 44c determines that the control traffic has been eliminated when the irradiation position change completion signal is acquired after the control traffic is determined to be control traffic.

  The irradiation position change start signal output unit 44d refers to the storage unit 41 and outputs an irradiation position change start signal related to the next irradiation position when it is determined that there is no control congestion. The irradiation position change start signal output unit 44d also refers to the storage unit 41 and outputs an irradiation position change start signal related to the next irradiation position even when it is determined that the control congestion has been eliminated.

  Here, the dose integrating unit 44a starts integrating doses at the next irradiation position when it is determined that there is no control traffic jam. In addition, even when it is determined that there is a control congestion, the dose integrating unit 44a does not wait for the output of the irradiation position change start signal related to the next irradiation position after the control congestion is resolved, and the dose at the next irradiation position. Start integration.

  The control device 40 further includes a control traffic number determination unit 45 and a control traffic dose determination unit 46.

  The control traffic number determination unit 45 determines whether or not the difference between the number of times determined to be control traffic and the number of times determined to have resolved the control traffic has reached a predetermined number. When it is determined that the difference between the number of times determined to be a control traffic jam and the number of times determined to have been eliminated is the predetermined number of times, the accelerator controller 42 determines that the accelerator 10 and the beam transport system 20 To stop the emission of the charged particle beam B.

  The control traffic congestion dose determination unit 46 integrates the control traffic congestion dose, which is the dose monitored by the dose monitoring device 32 during the control traffic congestion, and determines whether or not the integrated control traffic congestion dose has reached a predetermined value. To do. When it is determined that the accumulated dose in the control traffic has reached a predetermined value, the accelerator controller 42 stops the emission of the charged particle beam B by stopping the accelerator 10 and the beam transport system 20.

<First operation example>
Then, the 1st operation example of the radiation irradiation system 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated with reference to FIG. The first operation example is an operation example for explaining a case where no control traffic occurs. In each operation example described later, the energy of the charged particle beam B at the irradiation positions SP1, SP2, SP3, and SP4 has the same value, and the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B is set to the irradiation position SP1 at time t = 0. It is assumed that

  First, at time t = 0, the accelerator control unit 42 of the control unit 40 turns on the driving of the accelerator 10 and the beam transport system 20, whereby the accelerator 10 emits the charged particle beam B, and the beam transport system 20 The emitted charged particle beam B is transported. Further, the energy control unit 43 of the control device 40 adjusts the energy of the charged particle beam B at the irradiation position SP1 by referring to the irradiation parameter file in the storage unit 41 and controlling the range shifter driving unit 33b. Further, the dose monitoring device 32 monitors and outputs the dose of the charged particle beam B, and the dose integration unit 44a of the control device 40 integrates the monitored dose as the dose I at the irradiation position SP1 (= integration position SP1). Begin to.

Subsequently, at time t = t _1, the accumulated the dose I reaches a dose I ₁ to be irradiated in the irradiation position SP1, the irradiation position change start signal output unit 44d refers to the exposure parameters file in the storage unit 41 The irradiation position change start signal is output and the electromagnet power supply 31c is controlled to move the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B to the irradiation position SP2. Further, the dose monitoring device 32 monitors and outputs the dose of the charged particle beam B, and the dose integration unit 44a of the control device 40 integrates the monitored dose as the dose I at the irradiation position SP2 (= integration position SP2). Begin to.

Subsequently, at time t = t _11, when the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B has finished moving the irradiation position SP2, the electromagnet power supply 31c may output the irradiation position change completion signal, the irradiation position change completion of the control unit 40 The signal acquisition unit 44b acquires an irradiation position change completion signal.

Subsequently, at time t = t _2, the accumulated the dose I reaches a dose I ₂ to be irradiated in the irradiation position SP2, the irradiation position change start signal output unit 44d refers to the exposure parameters file in the storage unit 41 The irradiation position change start signal is output and the electromagnet power supply 31c is controlled to move the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B to the irradiation position SP3. Further, the dose monitoring device 32 monitors and outputs the dose of the charged particle beam B, and the dose integration unit 44a of the control device 40 integrates the monitored dose as the dose I at the irradiation position SP3 (= integration position SP3). Begin to.

Subsequently, at time t = t _12, when the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B has finished moving the irradiation position SP3, the electromagnet power supply 31c may output the irradiation position change completion signal, the irradiation position change completion of the control unit 40 The signal acquisition unit 44b acquires an irradiation position change completion signal.

Subsequently, at time t = t _3, the accumulated the dose I reaches dose I ₃ to be irradiated in the irradiation position SP3, the irradiation position change start signal output unit 44d refers to the exposure parameters file in the storage unit 41 The irradiation position change start signal is output and the electromagnet power supply 31c is controlled to move the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B to the irradiation position SP4. Further, the dose monitoring device 32 monitors and outputs the dose of the charged particle beam B, and the dose integration unit 44a of the control device 40 integrates the monitored dose as the dose I at the irradiation position SP4 (= integration position SP4). Begin to.

Subsequently, at time t = t _13, when the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B has finished moving the irradiation position SP4, the electromagnet power supply 31c may output the irradiation position change completion signal, the irradiation position change completion of the control unit 40 The signal acquisition unit 44b acquires an irradiation position change completion signal.

In the first operation example, since control congestion does not occur at times t = t ₂ and t ₃ , the counter value in the control congestion number determination unit 45 is always 0, and the control congestion in the control congestion medium dose determination unit 46 is performed. The medium dose is always zero.

<Second operation example>
Then, the 2nd operation example of the radiation irradiation system 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated with reference to FIG. The second operation example is an operation example for explaining a case where a control congestion occurs.

  First, at time t = 0, the accelerator control unit 42 of the control unit 40 turns on the driving of the accelerator 10 and the beam transport system 20, whereby the accelerator 10 emits the charged particle beam B, and the beam transport system 20 The emitted charged particle beam B is transported. Further, the energy control unit 43 of the control device 40 adjusts the energy of the charged particle beam B at the irradiation position SP1 by referring to the irradiation parameter file in the storage unit 41 and controlling the range shifter driving unit 33b. Further, the dose monitoring device 32 monitors and outputs the dose of the charged particle beam B, and the dose integration unit 44a of the control device 40 integrates the monitored dose as the dose I at the irradiation position SP1 (= integration position SP1). Begin to.

Subsequently, at time t = t _1, the accumulated the dose I reaches a dose I ₁ to be irradiated in the irradiation position SP1, the irradiation position change start signal output unit 44d refers to the exposure parameters file in the storage unit 41 The irradiation position change start signal is output and the electromagnet power supply 31c is controlled to move the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B to the irradiation position SP2. Further, the dose monitoring device 32 monitors and outputs the dose of the charged particle beam B, and the dose integration unit 44a of the control device 40 integrates the monitored dose as the dose I at the irradiation position SP2 (= integration position SP2). Begin to.

Subsequently determines, at time t = t _2, the accumulated the dose I reaches a dose I ₂ to be irradiated in the irradiation position SP2, the control-congestion determination unit 44c is a control congestion. Further, the dose monitoring device 32 monitors and outputs the dose of the charged particle beam B, and the dose integration unit 44a of the control device 40 integrates the monitored dose as the dose I at the irradiation position SP3 (= integration position SP3). Begin to. Further, the control traffic number determination unit 45 sets the counter value to 1, and the control traffic dose determination unit 46 starts to accumulate the control traffic dose _IX .

Subsequently, at time t = t _21, when the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B has finished moving the irradiation position SP2, the electromagnet power supply 31c may output the irradiation position change completion signal, the irradiation position change completion of the control unit 40 The signal acquisition unit 44b acquires an irradiation position change completion signal. Further, the control traffic determination unit 44c determines that the control traffic has been eliminated. Further, the control traffic frequency determination unit 45 sets the counter value to 0, and the control traffic dose determination unit 46 interrupts the accumulation of the control traffic dose _IX . Furthermore, the irradiation position change start signal output unit 44d refers to the irradiation parameter file in the storage unit 41, outputs an irradiation position change start signal, and controls the electromagnet power source 31c, thereby controlling the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B. Move to irradiation position SP3.

Subsequently, at time t = t _22, when the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B has finished moving the irradiation position SP3, the electromagnet power supply 31c may output the irradiation position change completion signal, the irradiation position change completion of the control unit 40 The signal acquisition unit 44b acquires an irradiation position change completion signal.

Subsequently, at time t = t _3, the accumulated the dose I reaches dose I ₃ to be irradiated in the irradiation position SP3, the irradiation position change start signal output unit 44d refers to the exposure parameters file in the storage unit 41 The irradiation position change start signal is output and the electromagnet power supply 31c is controlled to move the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B to the irradiation position SP4. Further, the dose monitoring device 32 monitors and outputs the dose of the charged particle beam B, and the dose integration unit 44a of the control device 40 integrates the monitored dose as the dose I at the irradiation position SP4 (= integration position SP4). Begin to.

In the second operation example, since the control congestion between times _t = _t 2 _{~t 21} occurs, during the time _t = _t 2 _{~t 21,} the counter value in the control congestion times judging unit 45 1 Therefore, the control traffic jam dose _IX in the control traffic dose determining unit 46 is integrated.

<Third operation example>
Then, the 3rd operation example of the radiation irradiation system 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated with reference to FIG. The third operation example is an operation example for explaining a case where control congestion occurs continuously.

  First, at time t = 0, the accelerator control unit 42 of the control unit 40 turns on the driving of the accelerator 10 and the beam transport system 20, whereby the accelerator 10 emits the charged particle beam B, and the beam transport system 20 The emitted charged particle beam B is transported. Further, the energy control unit 43 of the control device 40 adjusts the energy of the charged particle beam B at the irradiation position SP1 by referring to the irradiation parameter file in the storage unit 41 and controlling the range shifter driving unit 33b. Further, the dose monitoring device 32 monitors and outputs the dose of the charged particle beam B, and the dose integration unit 44a of the control device 40 integrates the monitored dose as the dose I at the irradiation position SP1 (= integration position SP1). Begin to.

Subsequently, at time t = t _1, the accumulated the dose I reaches a dose I ₁ to be irradiated in the irradiation position SP1, the irradiation position change start signal output unit 44d refers to the exposure parameters file in the storage unit 41 The irradiation position change start signal is output and the electromagnet power supply 31c is controlled to move the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B to the irradiation position SP2. Further, the dose monitoring device 32 monitors and outputs the dose of the charged particle beam B, and the dose integration unit 44a of the control device 40 integrates the monitored dose as the dose I at the irradiation position SP2 (= integration position SP2). Begin to.

Subsequently determines, at time t = t _2, the accumulated the dose I reaches a dose I ₂ to be irradiated in the irradiation position SP2, the control-congestion determination unit 44c is a control congestion. Further, the dose monitoring device 32 monitors and outputs the dose of the charged particle beam B, and the dose integration unit 44a of the control device 40 integrates the monitored dose as the dose I at the irradiation position SP3 (= integration position SP3). Begin to. Further, the control traffic number determination unit 45 sets the counter value to 1, and the control traffic dose determination unit 46 starts to accumulate the control traffic dose _IX .

Subsequently, at time t = t _31, when the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B has finished moving the irradiation position SP2, the electromagnet power supply 31c may output the irradiation position change completion signal, the irradiation position change completion of the control unit 40 The signal acquisition unit 44b acquires an irradiation position change completion signal. Further, the control traffic determination unit 44c determines that the control traffic has been eliminated. Further, the control traffic frequency determination unit 45 sets the counter value to 0, and the control traffic dose determination unit 46 interrupts the accumulation of the control traffic dose _IX . Furthermore, the irradiation position change start signal output unit 44d refers to the irradiation parameter file in the storage unit 41, outputs an irradiation position change start signal, and controls the electromagnet power source 31c, thereby controlling the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B. Move to irradiation position SP3.

Subsequently determines, at time t = t _3, the accumulated the dose I reaches dose I ₃ to be irradiated in the irradiation position SP3, the control-congestion determination unit 44c is a control congestion. In addition, the dose monitoring device 32 monitors and outputs the dose of the charged particle beam B, and the dose integration unit 44a of the control device 40 integrates the monitored dose as the dose I at the irradiation position SP4 (= integration position SP4). Begin to. Further, the control traffic number determination unit 45 sets the counter value to 1, and the control traffic dose determination unit 46 starts to accumulate the control traffic dose _IX .

Subsequently, at time t = t _32, when the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B has finished moving the irradiation position SP3, the electromagnet power supply 31c may output the irradiation position change completion signal, the irradiation position change completion of the control unit 40 The signal acquisition unit 44b acquires an irradiation position change completion signal. Further, the control traffic determination unit 44c determines that the control traffic has been eliminated. Further, the control traffic frequency determination unit 45 sets the counter value to 0, and the control traffic dose determination unit 46 interrupts the accumulation of the control traffic dose _IX . Furthermore, the irradiation position change start signal output unit 44d refers to the irradiation parameter file in the storage unit 41, outputs an irradiation position change start signal, and controls the electromagnet power source 31c, thereby controlling the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B. Move to irradiation position SP4.

In the third operation example, a control traffic jam occurs between time t = t _{2 to} t ₃₁ , t _{3 to} t ₃₂ , and therefore between time t = t _{2 to} t ₂₁ , t _{3 to} t ₃₂ . The counter value in the control traffic number determination unit 45 is 1, and the control medium dose _IX in the control traffic dose determination unit 46 is integrated.

<Fourth operation example>
Subsequently, a fourth operation example of the radiation irradiation system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The fourth operation example is another operation example for explaining the case where the control congestion occurs continuously.

  First, at time t = 0, the accelerator control unit 42 of the control unit 40 turns on the driving of the accelerator 10 and the beam transport system 20, whereby the accelerator 10 emits the charged particle beam B, and the beam transport system 20 The emitted charged particle beam B is transported. Further, the energy control unit 43 of the control device 40 adjusts the energy of the charged particle beam B at the irradiation position SP1 by referring to the irradiation parameter file in the storage unit 41 and controlling the range shifter driving unit 33b. Further, the dose monitoring device 32 monitors and outputs the dose of the charged particle beam B, and the dose integration unit 44a of the control device 40 integrates the monitored dose as the dose I at the irradiation position SP1 (= integration position SP1). Begin to.

Subsequently, at time t = t _1, the accumulated the dose I reaches a dose I ₁ to be irradiated in the irradiation position SP1, the irradiation position change start signal output unit 44d refers to the exposure parameters file in the storage unit 41 The irradiation position change start signal is output and the electromagnet power supply 31c is controlled to move the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B to the irradiation position SP2. Further, the dose monitoring device 32 monitors and outputs the dose of the charged particle beam B, and the dose integration unit 44a of the control device 40 integrates the monitored dose as the dose I at the irradiation position SP2 (= integration position SP2). Begin to.

Subsequently determines, at time t = t _2, the accumulated the dose I reaches a dose I ₂ to be irradiated in the irradiation position SP2, the control-congestion determination unit 44c is a control congestion. Further, the dose monitoring device 32 monitors and outputs the dose of the charged particle beam B, and the dose integration unit 44a of the control device 40 integrates the monitored dose as the dose I at the irradiation position SP3 (= integration position SP3). Begin to. Further, the control traffic number determination unit 45 sets the counter value to 1, and the control traffic dose determination unit 46 starts to accumulate the control traffic dose _IX .

Subsequently, when the accumulated dose I reaches the dose I ₃ to be irradiated at the irradiation position SP3 at time t = t ₃ , the control congestion determination unit 44c determines that further control congestion has occurred. In addition, the dose monitoring device 32 monitors and outputs the dose of the charged particle beam B, and the dose integration unit 44a of the control device 40 integrates the monitored dose as the dose I at the irradiation position SP4 (= integration position SP4). Begin to. Further, the control traffic number determination unit 45 sets the counter value to 2, and the control traffic dose determination unit 46 continues to accumulate the control traffic dose _IX .

Subsequently, at time t = t _41, when the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B has finished moving the irradiation position SP2, the electromagnet power supply 31c may output the irradiation position change completion signal, the irradiation position change completion of the control unit 40 The signal acquisition unit 44b acquires an irradiation position change completion signal. Further, the control traffic determination unit 44c determines that the first control traffic has been eliminated. Furthermore, the control traffic number determination unit 45 sets the counter value to 1, and the control traffic dose determination unit 46 continues to accumulate the control traffic dose _IX . Furthermore, the irradiation position change start signal output unit 44d refers to the irradiation parameter file in the storage unit 41, outputs an irradiation position change start signal, and controls the electromagnet power source 31c, thereby controlling the irradiation position of the charged particle beam B. Move to irradiation position SP3.

In the fourth operation example, since the time t = t ₂ after the control traffic congestion is occurring continuously, at time t = t ₂ later, the counter value in the control congestion times judging unit 45 becomes 1 or more, control congestion The medium dose determination unit 46 accumulates the control congestion medium dose _IX .

  In the second to fourth operation examples, the difference between the number of times that the control congestion number determination unit 45 determines that the control congestion is determined and the number of times that the control congestion is determined to be eliminated (FIG. 6B, It is determined whether or not the predetermined number of times (corresponding to the counter values in FIGS. 7B and 8B) has reached a predetermined number of times, and the number of times determined to be control traffic and the number of times control traffic has been resolved When it is determined that the difference between and the predetermined number of times has been reached, the accelerator controller 42 may stop the accelerator 10 and the beam transport system 20. The predetermined number of times is set to the number of times that the dose distribution of the charged particle beam B does not deteriorate by performing a simulation after the irradiation parameter file is established.

Further, in the second to fourth operation examples, the control traffic dose determination unit 46 adds up the control traffic dose _IX that is the dose monitored by the dose monitoring device 32 during the control traffic, and performs the integrated control. It is determined whether or not the traffic congestion dose _IX has reached a predetermined value. If it is determined that the accumulated control traffic congestion dose _IX has reached the predetermined value, the accelerator control unit 42 The beam transport system 20 may be stopped. The predetermined value is set to a value that does not deteriorate the dose distribution of the charged particle beam B by performing a simulation after the irradiation parameter file is established.

  In the conventional radiation irradiation system, when the control device outputs the irradiation position change start signal in a state where the irradiation position change completion signal has not been acquired, the entire system is stopped due to the abnormality determination of the electromagnet power supply. Therefore, the dose of the charged particle beam is suppressed so that the dose accumulated until the irradiation position change completion signal is acquired does not reach the dose to be irradiated. On the other hand, the radiation irradiation system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention adopts the concept of control traffic jam, so that the dose can be integrated even in a state where the irradiation position change completion signal is not acquired. The dose of the charged particle beam can be increased and the irradiation time can be shortened. That is, the radiation irradiation system 1 can reduce the burden on the patient by shortening the irradiation time, and can also reduce the risk of changes in the position and size of the organ.

  Here, control congestion is likely to occur at an irradiation position where the dose to be irradiated is small, and control congestion is likely to be eliminated at an irradiation position where the dose to be irradiated is large. An irradiation position with a small dose to be irradiated has little influence on the dose distribution generated by adding doses at all irradiation positions, and an irradiation position with a large dose to be irradiated is generated by adding doses at all irradiation positions. The effect on the dose distribution is large. The radiation irradiation system 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention can implement | achieve irradiation which utilized the performance of the system to the maximum, preventing the deterioration of dose distribution by managing the information regarding control congestion.

  A radiation irradiation system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an accelerator having an intensity modulation function of a charged particle beam as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-136523 filed and published by the same applicant as the present application. It is applicable to a system comprising In an accelerator having an intensity modulation function, a deviation depending on the performance of the accelerator occurs between the set intensity and the actual intensity of the charged particle beam. The present invention is an accelerator having an intensity modulation function of a charged particle beam. By applying it to a system comprising the above, it is possible to suppress the stoppage of the system due to intensity (dose) deviation.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to embodiment, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A design change is possible suitably in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, the accelerator 10 includes an energy adjustment unit integrally, and the energy control unit 43 adjusts the energy of the charged particle beam B by controlling the energy adjustment unit provided integrally with the accelerator 10. May be.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Radiation irradiation system 10 Accelerator 20 Beam transport system 30 Irradiation system 40 Control apparatus 41 Memory | storage part 42 Accelerator control part (radiation emission control part)
44 Irradiation Position Control Unit 44a Dose Accumulation Unit 44b Irradiation Position Change Completion Signal Acquisition Unit 44c Control Congestion Judgment Unit 44d Irradiation Position Change Start Signal Output Unit 45 Control Congestion Number Judgment Unit 46 Control Congestion Dose Judgment Unit

Claims (3)

An irradiation position changing device for changing the irradiation position of the radiation emitted from the radiation emitting device;
A dose monitoring device for monitoring the radiation dose;
A control device for controlling the irradiation position changing device based on the monitored dose;
A radiation irradiation system comprising:
The control device includes:
An irradiation position control unit for controlling the irradiation position changing device based on the monitored dose;
A storage unit that stores an irradiation position of the radiation and a dose to be irradiated at the irradiation position in association with each other;
With
The irradiation position control unit
A dose integrating unit that integrates doses at one irradiation position based on the monitored dose;
An irradiation position change completion signal acquisition unit for acquiring an irradiation position change completion signal from the irradiation position change device;
In one irradiation position, when the dose accumulated by the dose accumulation unit reaches the dose to be irradiated stored in the storage unit, and the irradiation position change completion signal is not acquired, it is a control congestion. A control traffic determination unit that determines that the control traffic has been eliminated when the irradiation position change completion signal is acquired after determining that the control traffic is a control traffic;
By outputting an irradiation position change start signal to the irradiation position changing device, an irradiation position change start signal output unit for controlling the irradiation position changing device to change the irradiation position;
With
If it is determined that there is a control jam,
The dose integrating unit integrates the dose monitored by the dose monitoring device as a dose at the next irradiation position,
The irradiation position change start signal output unit outputs an irradiation position change start signal related to the next irradiation position when it is determined that the control congestion has been eliminated. The control device includes:
A radiation output control unit for controlling the radiation output device;
A control traffic number determination unit that determines whether or not the difference between the number of times determined to be control traffic congestion and the number of times determined to have been resolved is reached a predetermined number of times;
Further comprising
When it is determined that the difference between the number of times determined to be control traffic congestion and the number of times determined to have resolved control traffic congestion has reached a predetermined number of times, the radiation output control unit is configured to receive radiation from the radiation output device. The radiation irradiation system according to claim 1, wherein emission of the light is stopped. The control device includes:
A radiation output control unit for controlling the radiation output device;
A control traffic dose determining unit that accumulates control traffic doses that are doses monitored by the dose monitoring device during control traffic and determines whether the integrated control traffic dose has reached a predetermined value; ,
Further comprising
The radiation emission control unit stops emission of radiation from the radiation emitting device when it is determined that the accumulated dose in the control traffic has reached a predetermined value. Radiation irradiation system.

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