JP4648817B2 - Particle beam therapy system and beam course switching method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a particle beam therapy system, and more particularly, to a particle beam therapy system for irradiating a diseased site with a charged particle beam such as protons and carbon ions and a beam course switching method thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art A treatment method for irradiating a diseased part of a patient such as cancer with a charged particle beam such as a proton is known. A large-scale treatment system used for this treatment has conventionally been provided with a charged particle beam generator, a beam transport system, and a plurality of irradiation devices installed in a plurality of treatment rooms. The charged particle beam accelerated by the charged particle beam generator reaches the irradiation device in each treatment room through the beam transport system, and is irradiated to the affected area of the patient from the nozzle of the irradiation device. At this time, the beam transport system includes one common beam transport system and a plurality of branch beam transport systems that branch from the common beam transport system and reach the irradiation apparatus in each treatment room. Each branch beam transport system is provided with a switching electromagnet for deflecting the charged particle beam from the common beam transport system and introducing it into the branch beam transport system. An electromagnet group (course electromagnet group) such as a deflecting electromagnet and a quadrupole electromagnet for guiding a charged particle beam introduced by an electromagnet to an irradiation apparatus is provided (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The power supply group corresponding to the course electromagnet group is usually one set, and by switching the load switching device (load switcher group), one set of power supply groups is connected to the selected branch beam transport system course electromagnet group. Then, the course electromagnet group is excited to perform initialization and current setting processing.

Japanese National Patent Publication No. 11-501232 JP 2004-264781 A

  In the conventional particle beam therapy system, a charged particle beam from a common beam transport system is selectively introduced only into the treatment room at the time of irradiation treatment in each treatment room. At that time, if irradiation treatment has been performed in another treatment room until now, after the completion of irradiation in the treatment room, all switching electromagnets are controlled to be switched, and the power supply group is connected to the course electromagnet group related to the selected treatment room. Is switched, and then the course electromagnet group is initialized and the current setting process is performed, thereby forming a beam transport path to the selected treatment room.

  In this way, after completing treatment irradiation in one treatment room, when performing radiation treatment in another treatment room, in the course selection process, not only switching control of the switching electromagnet, but also connecting the power supply group to the course electromagnet group In order to do so, the switching process of the load switching device is necessary, and the total treatment time from the start of operation to the end of irradiation becomes longer by the amount of the switching time, thereby reducing the treatment efficiency.

  As a method for eliminating this switching time, it is conceivable to provide one-to-one electromagnet power supply for all the electromagnet groups of the branch beam transport system. However, in this configuration, since the number of power sources obtained by (number of branch beam transport systems) × (number of coarse electromagnet groups) is required, the number of electromagnet power sources increases as the number of treatment rooms increases.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a particle beam therapy system capable of reducing the number of electromagnet power supplies and a beam course switching method thereof.

A feature of the present invention that achieves the above object is that a charged particle beam generator for emitting a charged particle beam, a plurality of irradiation devices respectively installed in a plurality of treatment rooms, and the charged particle beam generator, A beam transport system for transporting the charged particle beam emitted from the charged particle beam generator, wherein the beam transport system is a first beam transport system connected to the charged particle beam generator And a plurality of second beam transport systems branched from the first beam transport system and connected to the respective irradiation devices, and each of the plurality of second beam transport systems includes a plurality of electromagnets. In a particle beam therapy system including an electromagnet group, at least two electromagnet power supply apparatuses each having a power supply group corresponding to the electromagnet group, and the electromagnet power supply apparatus Provided bets each have a switch group corresponding to the electromagnet groups, one power supply groups of the electromagnet power supply device of said at least two electromagnets power supply, selection of the plurality of treatment chambers Connected to the electromagnet group of the second beam transport system related to one treatment room, and the power supply group of another one of the at least two electromagnet power supply apparatuses is connected to the plurality of treatment rooms. And at least two load switching devices for switching to connect to the electromagnet group of the second beam transport system related to the other selected one of the treatment rooms .

  Another feature of the present invention is that in the particle beam therapy system, the power supply group of one of the at least two electromagnet power supplies is irradiated with a charged particle beam among the plurality of treatment rooms. Connected to the electromagnet group of one of the second beam transport systems related to the first treatment room, and the power source group of the other electromagnet power supply is irradiated with the charged particle beam next to the first treatment room. It is provided with a control means for controlling the at least two load switching devices to be connected to the electromagnet group of the other second beam transport system related to the second treatment room to be performed.

  As described above, since the present invention is provided with at least two electromagnet power supply devices and at least two load switching devices, the power supply groups are switched to be connected to the electromagnet groups of the second beam transport system related to different irradiation chambers. In order to control, the electromagnet group of each 2nd beam transport system which concerns on several treatment rooms can be excited using at least two electromagnet power supply apparatus alternately. Since at least two electromagnet power supply devices are sufficient, the number of electromagnet power supplies can be reduced.

  Preferably, at least two electromagnet power supply devices can be used alternately to excite the electromagnet group of each second beam transport system in a state where no charged particle beam is guided to each second beam transport system. The course selection process can be performed before guiding the patient, and the time required for one patient to occupy the treatment room can be shortened. For this reason, the number of treatment per one irradiation apparatus can be increased.

  Preferably, since at least two electromagnet power supplies are provided, in the unlikely event that one electromagnet power supply fails, other electromagnet power supplies can be used for backup, so treatment in each treatment room can be performed. It can be done continuously.

  In another feature of the present invention, the control means connects the power supply group of the other one of the electromagnetic power supply devices to the electromagnet group of the second beam transport system related to the second treatment room. When controlling the load switching device, the load switching device further includes switching state determination means for determining whether or not the connection is completed for all the electromagnets of the electromagnet group, and the control means is positively determined by the switching state determination means. In this case, a current command is output to the other one electromagnet power supply device to initialize the electromagnet group and set an exciting current.

  This ensures the introduction of the home appliance particle beam into the intended treatment room irradiation apparatus and maintains safety.

  According to the present invention, the number of electromagnet power supplies can be reduced because the electromagnet groups of the respective second beam transport systems can be excited using the electromagnet power supply devices alternately.

  In the unlikely event that one electromagnet power supply device fails, the other electromagnet power supply devices function as backups, so that treatment can be continued in at least some treatment rooms.

  Hereinafter, a particle beam therapy system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a proton beam therapy system that is a particle beam therapy system according to this embodiment includes a charged particle beam generator 1, six treatment rooms 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, and 3, and charged particles. A first beam transport system 4 connected to the downstream side of the beam generator 1 and second beam transport systems 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, and 5E provided so as to branch from the first beam transport system 4 are provided. It has a beam transport system, switching electromagnets (path switching devices) 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, shutters 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E for each treatment room, and a shutter 8 common to all treatment rooms. is doing. The first beam transport system 4 is a common beam transport system that guides an ion beam to each of the second beam transport systems 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, and 5E.

  The charged particle beam generator 1 includes an ion source (not shown), a pre-stage accelerator (pre-stage charged particle beam generator) 11 using a linear accelerator, and a synchrotron 12. Ions (for example, positive ions (or carbon ions)) generated in the ion source are accelerated by the pre-accelerator 11. The ion beam (for example, positive ion beam) emitted from the front stage accelerator 11 is incident on the synchrotron 12 via the quadrupole electromagnet 9 and the deflecting electromagnet 10. The ion beam, which is a charged particle beam (particle beam), is accelerated by the synchrotron 12 by being given energy by a high-frequency power applied from a high-frequency acceleration cavity (not shown). After the energy of the ion beam that circulates in the synchrotron 12 is increased to a set energy (for example, 100 to 200 MeV), a high frequency is applied to the ion beam from a high frequency application device (not shown) for extraction. The ion beam orbiting within the stability limit moves out of the stability limit by the application of this high frequency, and is emitted from the synchrotron 12 through an extraction deflector (not shown). When the ion beam is emitted, the current guided to the electromagnets such as the quadrupole electromagnet 13 and the deflection electromagnet 14 provided in the synchrotron 12 is held at the current set value, and the stability limit is also kept almost constant. In addition, extraction of the ion beam from the synchrotron 12 is stopped by stopping the application of the high frequency power to the high frequency application device.

  The ion beam emitted from the synchrotron 12 is transported downstream from the first beam transport system 4. The first beam transport system 4 includes a beam path 61, a quadrupole electromagnet 18 arranged in the beam path 61 from the upstream side in the beam traveling direction, a shutter 8, a deflection electromagnet 17, a quadrupole electromagnet 18, a switching electromagnet 6A, a quadrupole electromagnet 19B, and a switching. An electromagnet 6B, a quadrupole electromagnet 19C, a switching electromagnet 6C, a quadrupole electromagnet 19D, a switching electromagnet 6D, a quadrupole electromagnet 19E, and a switching electromagnet 6E are provided. The ion beam introduced into the first beam transport system 4 is converted into the second beam transport system 5A, depending on the presence or absence of a deflection action by switching between excitation and non-excitation of these electromagnets and switching electromagnets 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E. 5B, 5C, 5D, and 5E are selectively introduced. Each switching electromagnet is a kind of deflection electromagnet.

  The second beam transport system 5A is connected to the beam path 61 of the first transport system 4 and communicates with the irradiation device 15A disposed in the treatment room 2A, and the beam path 62A is upstream of the beam traveling direction. Further, a deflection electromagnet 21A, a quadrupole electromagnet 22A, a shutter 7A, a deflection electromagnet 23A, a quadrupole electromagnet 24A, a deflection electromagnet 25A, and a deflection electromagnet 26A are provided. It can be said that the switching electromagnet 6 </ b> A is disposed in the beam path 61.

  The second beam transport system 5B, the second beam transport system 5C, the second beam transport system 5D, and the second beam transport system 5E are configured in the same manner as the second beam transport system 5A. In these second beam transport systems 2B to 2E, components equivalent to those of the second beam transport system 2A are indicated by subscripts B, C, D, and E instead of the same reference numerals. ing.

  The ion beam introduced into the second beam transport system 5A is transported to the irradiation device 15A through the beam path 62A by excitation of the corresponding electromagnet. Similarly, in the second beam transport systems 5B, 5C, 5D, and 5E, the ion beam is transported to the irradiation devices 15B, 15C, 15D, and 15E through the beam paths 62B, 62C, 62D, and 62E, respectively.

  The irradiation devices 15A to 15E are attached to rotating gantry (not shown) installed in the treatment rooms 2A to 2E, respectively. The irradiation devices 15A to 15E are double scatterer type irradiation devices. For these, a wobbling type irradiation apparatus may be used. The treatment rooms 2A to E are, for example, first to fifth treatment rooms for cancer patients, and the treatment room 3 is a sixth treatment room for ophthalmic treatment that includes a fixed irradiation device 16.

  The electromagnet groups provided in the second beam transport systems 5A-5E are electromagnets specific to the treatment rooms 2A-2E, and the electromagnets provided in the synchrotron 12 of the charged particle beam generator 1 and the first beam transport system 4. The group is an electromagnet group common to the treatment rooms 2A to 2E. In the present specification, the electromagnet groups provided in the second beam transport systems 5A to 5E are called coarse electromagnet groups, and the electromagnet groups provided in the synchrotron 12 and the first beam transport system 4 of the charged particle beam generator 1. Is called a common part electromagnet group. The course electromagnet group and the common part electromagnet group are specifically listed below.

<Course electromagnet group>
1. Treatment room 2A: Electromagnet group of the second beam transport system 5A (deflection electromagnet 21A, quadrupole electromagnet 22A, deflection electromagnet 23A, quadrupole electromagnet 24A, deflection electromagnet 25A, deflection electromagnet 26A).

  2. Treatment room 2B: Electromagnet group of the second beam transport system 5B (deflection electromagnet 21B, quadrupole electromagnet 22B, deflection electromagnet 23B, quadrupole electromagnet 24B, deflection electromagnet 25B, deflection electromagnet 26B).

  3. Treatment room 2C: Electromagnet group of the second beam transport system 5C (the deflection electromagnet 21C, the quadrupole electromagnet 22C, the deflection electromagnet 23C, the quadrupole electromagnet 24C, the deflection electromagnet 25C, and the deflection electromagnet 26C).

  4). Treatment room 2D: Electromagnet group of the second beam transport system 5D (deflection electromagnet 21D, quadrupole electromagnet 22D, deflection electromagnet 23D, quadrupole electromagnet 24D, deflection electromagnet 25D, deflection electromagnet 26D).

  5. Treatment room 2E: Electromagnet group of second beam transport system 5E (deflection electromagnet 21E, quadrupole electromagnet 22E, deflection electromagnet 23E, quadrupole electromagnet 24E, deflection electromagnet 25E, deflection electromagnet 26E).

<Common part electromagnet group>
1. An electromagnet group of the synchrotron 12 (a quadrupole electromagnet 13 and a deflection electromagnet 14).

  2. Electromagnet group of the first beam transport system 4 (quadrupole electromagnet 18, deflecting electromagnet 17, quadrupole electromagnet 18, switching electromagnet 6A, quadrupole electromagnet 19B, switching electromagnet 6B, quadrupole electromagnet 19C, switching electromagnet 6C, quadrupole electromagnet 19D, switching electromagnet 6D, Quadrupole electromagnet 19E, switching electromagnet 6E).

  The course electromagnet group is partially omitted. For example, in each of the second beam transport systems 5A to 5E, only two quadrupole electromagnets are shown, but actually there are more (4 to 5). In addition, the steering electromagnet is omitted in each of the second beam transport systems 5A to 5E.

  Next, the control system of the proton beam therapy system of this embodiment will be described.

  The proton beam therapy system of this embodiment includes a control device 40, and the control device 40 includes a control unit 41, two electromagnet power supply devices 42A and 42B, and two load switching devices 43A and 43B. .

  The electromagnet power supply devices 42A and 42B are for exciting the electromagnet groups of the second beam transport systems 5A to 5E, that is, the electromagnets included in the coarse electromagnet groups, respectively. The electromagnet power supply device 42A has a one-to-one correspondence with each electromagnet included in each course electromagnet group (for example, each electromagnet 21A, 22A, 23A of the second beam transport system 5A, shown in FIG. 2). 24A, 25A, 26A,... Those power supplies included in the electromagnet power supply 42A are hereinafter referred to as an electromagnet power supply group A. Similarly to the electromagnet power supply device 42A, the electromagnet power supply device 42B includes the power supplies 30B1 to 30Bn shown in FIG. 2 corresponding to the electromagnets included in each course electromagnet group in a one-to-one correspondence. Those power supplies included in the electromagnet power supply 42B are hereinafter referred to as an electromagnet power supply group B.

  The load switching devices 43A and 43B respectively select one of the electromagnet power supply groups A and B according to a switching command based on a course selection command (described later) as one selected course electromagnet from the second beam transport systems 5A to 5E. It is for switching to connect to the group. The load switching device 43A includes switching devices 31A1 to 31An shown in FIG. 2 (for example, the first power supply 30A1 to 30An included in the electromagnet power supply device 42A and connected to one corresponding power source provided in one-to-one correspondence (for example, the first switch 31A1 to 31An). Each electromagnet 21A, 22A, 23A, 24A, 25A, 26A,... Of the two-beam transport system 5A is provided. Those switches included in the load switching device 43A are referred to as a load switch group A. Similarly to the load switching device 43A, the load switching device 43B is provided in one-to-one correspondence with the power sources 30B1 to 30Bn included in the electromagnet power source device 42B and connected to one corresponding power source as shown in FIG. The units 31B1 to 31Bn are provided. Those switching devices included in the load switching device 43B are referred to as a load switching device group B.

  There are as many power supplies as the electromagnet power supply devices 42A and 42B and the same number of switchers as the load switching devices 43A and 43B as the number of electromagnets included in one course electromagnet group. Each of the switching devices 31A1 to 31An connects one corresponding power supply to one of the five electromagnets having the same arrangement order in the second beam transport systems 5A to 5E by a switching operation. Similarly, each of the switchers 31B1 to 31Bn connects one corresponding power supply to one of those electromagnets by a switching operation. For example, the switch 31A1 connects the power source 30A1 to one of the deflection electromagnets 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, and 21E of the second beam transport systems 5A to 5E by a switching operation. Further, the switch 31B1 connects the power source 30B1 to one of the deflection electromagnets 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, and 21E of the second beam transport systems 5A to 5E by a switching operation.

  The control unit 41 receives a treatment room preparation completion signal 51 from each of the treatment rooms 2A to E, 3 (or a control room corresponding to each treatment room), selects a treatment room that transports the irradiation beam, and selects the electromagnet power supply group A. Alternatively, the load switch group A or B is switched so as to be connected to the course electromagnet group related to the selected treatment room. For example, the treatment room where the ion beam is guided at that time (hereinafter referred to as the treatment room being treated) is the treatment room 2C, and the treatment is performed next to the treatment room being treated (the ion beam is guided). When the treatment room (hereinafter referred to as the selected next treatment room) is the treatment room 2A, the control unit 41 converts each power source included in the electromagnet power supply group A in the standby state to the course electromagnet group related to the treatment room 2A. Each switch of the load switch group A is switched so as to be connected to the corresponding electromagnet included. This switching operation is performed when the ion beam emitted from the synchrotron 12 is guided by the switching electromagnet 6C to the second beam transport system 5C connected to the irradiation device 15C in the treatment room 2C being treated. Done in parallel. In addition, after confirming that the switching operation by the load switch group A has been completed, the control unit 41 controls each power source of the electromagnet power source group A to initialize each electromagnet included in the course electromagnet group and the electromagnets thereof. Excitation current setting processing for.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 41 includes a control circuit 33, a first come first service (FCFS) circuit 35, a storage device 32 for storing operation parameters, a standby queue circuit (electromagnet power supply allocation means) 34, A course selection state determination circuit 36 is provided. In the figure, the solid line indicates the flow of processing on the actual operation side (described later), and the broken line indicates the flow of processing on the standby operation side (described later). In FIG. 2, for convenience of explanation, both of the load switching devices 43 </ b> A and 43 </ b> B are representatively shown as two switch groups. Moreover, the control part of the treatment room 3 is omitted.

  The first arrival determination circuit 35 receives the treatment room preparation completion signals 51 from the treatment rooms 2A to E, 3 and determines the arrival order of the treatment room preparation completion signals 51 (the order in which treatment room preparations are completed). The treatment room number is output in order.

  The waiting queue circuit 34 is an electromagnet power supply allocating means, and based on the arrival order from the first arrival determination circuit 35 and the treatment room information, for the course electromagnet group corresponding to the next selected treatment room, the electromagnet power supply group A, Manage allocation to one of B.

  The control circuit 33 performs standby operation processing and actual operation processing based on the power supply group allocation information from the standby matrix circuit 34, the determination information of the course selection state determination circuit 36, and the operation parameter information from the storage device 32.

  In the standby operation process, the control circuit 33 creates a course selection command and an excitation current command for the next treatment room selected based on the power supply group allocation information from the standby matrix circuit 34. The control circuit 33 outputs a switching command corresponding to the course selection command to one of the load switching devices 43A and 43B that is in a standby state, and switches each switch of the load switching device. In addition, the control circuit 33 confirms that switching of each switch of the load switching device in the standby state is completed based on the determination information of the course selection state determination circuit 36, and then transfers from the storage device 32 to the corresponding treatment room. Read the relevant operation parameter (current setting value) and create an excitation current command. The created excitation current command is output to each power source of one of the electromagnet power supply devices 42A and 42B that is in a standby state. Thereby, each electromagnet of the coarse electromagnet group for the next selected treatment room connected to each power source of the electromagnet power source group in the standby state is excited by each switch of the load switch group in the standby state. By this operation, the initialization of the electromagnets and the excitation current setting process are performed in parallel with the state in which the ion beam is guided to the irradiation device 15C of the treatment room 2C being treated as described above.

  After completion of irradiation in the treatment room being treated, the control circuit 33 completes the above-described initialization and excitation current setting process corresponding to the course electromagnet group in a standby state (corresponding to the selected next treatment room. When there is a course electromagnet group), determination information “irradiation permission is present” is generated, and actual operation processing is performed. The accelerator control device 39 (FIG. 1), which is another control device to which the determination information “irradiation permission is present”, is input, in the actual operation process, the common part electromagnet group (the electromagnet group of the first beam transport system 4, the synchrotron). 12 electromagnet groups) and the excitation current setting process. However, the initialization of the electromagnets of the electromagnet group of the first beam transport system 4 and the setting of the excitation current are performed in accordance with the second beam transport system (for example, the next next selected in the treatment room). If the treatment room is the treatment room 2A, a switching electromagnet (for example, a switching electromagnet 6A) that guides an ion beam to the second beam transport system 5A), and each electromagnet located upstream of the switching electromagnet in the first beam transport system 4 In the first beam transport system 4 performed for the above, initialization and excitation current setting for each electromagnet located downstream of the switching electromagnet are not performed. When determining that “irradiation permission is present”, the control circuit 33 stores first flag information indicating that an actual operation process for the next selected treatment room has been started.

  The course selection state determination circuit 36 determines whether or not the switching of the load switch groups A and B is completed based on the switching state signal from each switch of the load switching devices 43A and 43B, and the determination result is sent to the control circuit 33. Output.

  The storage device 32 stores operation parameters for creating an excitation current command in the control circuit 33. This operating parameter is created in advance based on irradiation conditions obtained from treatment plan data (patient ID number, irradiation dose, irradiation energy, gantry angle, irradiation field diameter, irradiation position, etc.) for each patient. Includes a current setting value for the electromagnet group of the second beam transport systems 5A to 5E, a current setting value for the common part electromagnet group, and the like.

  The structure of the course selection state determination circuit 36 and the load switching device 43A will be described with reference to FIG. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the load switching device 43B has the same configuration as the load switching device 43A.

  The load switching device 43A includes a contactor group 44A including contactors 44A1 to 44An provided in one-to-one correspondence with the respective electromagnets of the respective course electromagnet groups of the second beam transport systems 5A to 5E, and the second beam transport system 5A. To 5E, and the auxiliary relay group 45A including the auxiliary relays 45A1 to 45An provided in one-to-one correspondence with the respective electromagnets of the course electromagnet group. The load switching devices 43A and 43B have an auxiliary relay and a contactor. For example, the switch 31A1 includes an auxiliary relay 45A1 and a contactor 44A1. The switch 31A2 includes an auxiliary relay 45A2 and a contactor 44A2.

  Each of the contactors 44A1 to 44An connects the electromagnet power supply group A to the selected one of the course electromagnet groups of the second beam transport systems 5A to 5E in response to a switching command based on the course selection command. A plurality of contacts that are switched to The auxiliary relays 45A1 to 45An are arranged in a plurality of switching state detection lines 46A to 46E provided corresponding to the second beam transport systems 5A to 5E, respectively. Each of the auxiliary relays 45A1 to 45An has a plurality of contacts that close according to the switching state of the corresponding contactor among the contactors 44A1 to 44An.

  The course selection state determination circuit 36 includes a plurality of course selection completion determination units 37A to 37E and continuity determination units 38A to 38E provided corresponding to the second beam transport systems 5A to 5E, respectively.

  The continuity determination units 38A to 38E determine whether the switching state detection lines 46A to 46E are in the conductive state, respectively. If it is in the conductive state, the continuity determination units 38A to 38E are configured such that all of the contactors 44A1 to 44An use the respective power supplies of the electromagnet power supply group A for the second beam transport system selected from the second beam transport systems 5A to 5E. It determines with having switched so that it may connect with each electromagnet. Course information based on this determination result is output from each of the continuity determination units 38A to 38E to the corresponding course selection completion determination units 37A to 37E. For example, as described above, the standby operation process is performed on the electromagnet group of the second beam transport system 5A that is the next treatment room in which the treatment room 2A is selected and is connected to the irradiation device 15A in the treatment room 2A. Suppose (state of FIG. 2, FIG. 3). In all of the auxiliary relays 45A1 to 45An, the contacts corresponding to the second beam transport system 5A are closed, and the switching state detection line 46A is in a conductive state. For this reason, the continuity determination unit 38A determines that all of the contactors 44A1 to 44An have been switched to connect each power source of the electromagnet power source group A to each electromagnet of the coarse electromagnet group of the second beam transport system 5A. Course information (for example, an ON signal) based on the determination result is input to the course selection completion determination unit 37A.

  The course selection completion determination units 37A to 37E respectively compare the course information based on the course selection command given from the control circuit 33 to the load switching device 43A and the course information based on the determination results of the continuity determination units 38A to 38E. When the course selection completion determination units 37A to 37E match each other, the load switching device 43A converts the electromagnet power supply group A into one electromagnet group selected from the electromagnet groups of the second beam transport systems 5A to 5E. It is switched to connect, and it is determined that the switching (course switching) is performed according to the course selection command. The determination result is input to the control circuit 33. The course selection information based on the course selection command in the standby operation processing of FIGS. 2 and 3 described above is information that gives an ON signal to the course selection completion determination unit 37A, for example. The course information from the continuity determination unit 38A is also an ON signal. Therefore, the course selection completion determination unit 37A is switched so that each contactor of the load switching device 43A connects each power supply of the electromagnet power supply group A to each corresponding electromagnet group of the second beam transport system 5A, and It is determined that switching (course switching) has been performed on the second beam transport system 5A in accordance with the course selection command. The determination result is input to the control circuit 33.

  Details of processing contents of the control circuit 33 and the accelerator control device 39 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the control circuit 33 recognizes an electromagnet power supply apparatus that is in an empty state (not connected to the course electromagnet group) (step 70). This recognition is performed using second flag information indicating completion of irradiation stored in the control circuit 33 when irradiation is completed in steps 79 and 89 described later. Then, using the recognized standby electromagnetic power supply (electromagnetic power supply 42A or 42B), the standby operation processing for the course electromagnet group of the second beam transport system communicated with the irradiation device in the next selected treatment room Is implemented. Processing such as initialization and excitation current setting processing for each electromagnet of the course electromagnet group using the electromagnet power supply 42A is referred to as A-side processing. In addition, processing such as initialization and excitation current setting processing for each electromagnet of the coarse electromagnet group using the electromagnet power supply 42B is referred to as B-side processing.

  The treatment room 2C is being treated, the treatment room 2A is the next treatment room selected, and the case where the electromagnet power supply 42A and the load switching device 43A are in the standby state will be specifically described. Since the treatment room 2C is under treatment, only the switching electromagnet 6C is excited among the switching electromagnets 6A to 6E, and the ion beam is guided to the second beam transport system 5C by the switching electromagnet 6C. In the waiting queue circuit 34, it is assumed that the treatment room 2E is selected as a treatment room for treatment next to the treatment room 2A. In this case, the A-side process is performed for the course electromagnet group corresponding to the treatment room 2A, and the B-side process is performed for the course electromagnet group corresponding to the treatment room 2E.

  If the electromagnet power supply devices 42A and 42B are both vacant (for example, when treatment is performed for the first time in a day), it corresponds to the treatment room selected by the queuing circuit 34 as being initially prepared. The coarse electromagnet group to be initialized is subjected to initialization and excitation current setting processing by the electromagnet power supply 42A (A-side processing). In addition, for the coarse electromagnet group corresponding to the treatment room selected by the waiting queue circuit 34 that the preparation has been completed, initialization and excitation current setting processing are performed by the electromagnet power supply 42B (B-side processing).

<A side processing>
This A-side processing includes operation parameter acquisition processing (step 71), course selection processing (step 72), switching state determination processing (step 73), initialization and excitation current setting processing (step 74), irradiation permission determination processing (step 75), common part electromagnet initialization and excitation current setting processing (step 76), operator irradiation operation determination processing (step 77), irradiation processing (step 78), irradiation completion determination processing (step 79), standby course determination processing (step Each process of 80) is performed. The processing of steps 71 to 75, 77, 79 and 80 is performed by the control circuit 33. Steps 76 and 78 are performed by the accelerator control device 39. In the case where the selected next treatment room is the treatment room 2A, specific processing in steps 71 to 80 will be described below.

1. Operation parameter acquisition processing (step 71)
The control circuit 33 inputs information on the next treatment room selected from the waiting queue circuit 34, that is, the treatment room 2A. Based on the input information, the control circuit 33 acquires, from the storage device 32, operating parameters created based on the treatment plan data of the patient who receives treatment in the treatment room 2A.

2. Course selection process (step 72)
The control circuit 33 creates a course selection command for the treatment room 2A, and outputs a switching command based on the course selection command to the load switching device 43A. The load switching device 43A switches each of the contactors 44A1 to 44An of the load switching device group A so as to connect each power source of the electromagnet power supply device 42A to each electromagnet of the course electromagnet group related to the treatment room 2A.

3. Switching state determination processing (step 73)
The control circuit 33 confirms whether each switching of the contactors 44A1 to 44An has been normally completed based on the information of the determination result of the course selection state determination circuit 36.
4). Initialization and excitation current setting processing (step 74)
After confirming the completion of normal switching of each contactor, the control circuit 33 sets the operation parameters (for example, excitation current setting) for each electromagnet of the course electromagnet group (the course electromagnet group in the standby state) related to the treatment room 2A among the operation parameters. Value), the excitation current commands for these electromagnets are created. Each power source of the electromagnet power supply 42A is controlled by the control circuit 33 based on each excitation current command, and excites each electromagnet of the course electromagnet group. Thereby, initialization of these electromagnets and excitation current setting processing are performed.

5. Irradiation permission determination process (step 75)
The control circuit 33 determines whether irradiation is permitted (introduction of the ion beam to the irradiation device 15A in the treatment room 2A is permitted). This determination is performed based on the “irradiation permission” information generated when it is determined that “waiting course is present” in step 90 of the B-side processing after completion of the ion beam irradiation in the treatment room 2C. . In step 75, “irradiation permission is present” is determined based on the “irradiation permission” information. As a result of this determination, the control circuit 33 outputs determination information “with irradiation permission” to the accelerator control device 39. Note that “there is a standby course” means that initialization and excitation current setting processing have been completed for each electromagnet of the course electromagnet group in the standby state. When the control circuit 33 determines that “irradiation permission is present”, the control circuit 33 stores the first flag information described above.

6). Common part electromagnet group initialization and exciting current setting processing (step 76)
When the accelerator control device 39 inputs the determination information “with irradiation permission”, the common part electromagnet group (the switching electromagnet 6A among the electromagnet groups of the first beam transport system 4 and the electromagnets upstream of this, the synchrotron 12). The electromagnet group) is initialized and the current is set. The initialization and current setting processing of these electromagnets is illustrated by the excitation current command created by the accelerator control device 39 based on the operation parameters (for example, the excitation current setting value) of the common part electromagnet group acquired from the storage device 32. This is done by controlling the power supply group not to excite the common part electromagnet group. The switching electromagnet 6A, when excited, guides the ion beam from the first beam transport system 4 to the second beam transport system 5A.

7). Operator irradiation operation determination processing (step 77)
The control circuit 33 determines the irradiation operation based on the irradiation start signal for the treatment room 2A. This determination is performed as follows, for example. That is, after completion of the common part electromagnet initialization and setting process, a signal indicating completion of irradiation preparation on the machine side is displayed on a display (not shown) of a console corresponding to the treatment room 2A. The doctor who sees the display operates an irradiation instruction switch (not shown) provided on the console to output an irradiation start signal. When the irradiation start signal is input, the control circuit 33 determines that the irradiation start operation has been performed on the treatment room 2A.

8). Irradiation process (step 78)
When it is determined that the irradiation start operation has been performed on the treatment room 2 </ b> A, the control circuit 33 outputs an extraction start signal to the accelerator controller 39. The accelerator controller 39 applies an ion beam that circulates a high-frequency signal from an extraction high-frequency application device (not shown) of the synchrotron 12 based on the extraction start signal, and causes the ion beam to be emitted from the synchrotron 12. The emitted ion beam is irradiated to the affected part of the patient from the irradiation device 15A through the switching electromagnet 6A and the second beam transport system 5A.

9. Irradiation completion determination process (step 79)
When the extraction stop signal is input from the accelerator controller 39, the control circuit 33 determines that the ion beam irradiation in the treatment room 2A has been completed. At this time, the control circuit 33 stores the second flag information.

10. Waiting course determination process (step 80)
When the irradiation in the treatment room 2A is completed, the control circuit 33 determines whether there is a standby course electromagnet group for which initialization and excitation current setting processing has been completed. Since the initialization of each electromagnet of the electromagnet group of the second beam transport system 5E corresponding to the treatment room 2E has been completed, the control circuit 33 determines that “the waiting course is present”. By this determination, information on “irradiation permission” is output to the accelerator control device 39 that executes step 85 of the B-side process. If there is no course electromagnet group in the standby state, this process is terminated.

<B side processing>
The B side process is also an operation parameter acquisition process (step 81), a course selection process (step 82), a switching state determination process (step 83), an initialization and excitation current setting process (step 84), and an irradiation permission determination process (step 85). ), Common part electromagnet initialization and excitation current setting processing (step 86), operator irradiation operation determination processing (step 87), irradiation processing (step 88), irradiation completion determination processing (step 89), standby course determination processing (step 90) ) Is performed. Since the processing content of each step of the B side processing is the same as that of each step of the A side processing, the description thereof is omitted.

  When the first flag information is generated in the A-side process, the control circuit 33 waits in the B-side process for the next treatment room 2E selected in parallel with the actual operation process in the A-side process for the treatment room 2A. Run the operation process. In the above A side processing and B side processing, until it is determined that “irradiation permission is present” in Steps 75 and 85, the processing for the course electromagnet group corresponding to the selected next treatment room (Steps 71 to 74, 81). Processes -84) are standby operation processes, and the processes after determining that the irradiation is permitted in steps 75 and 85 (processes in steps 77-80 and 87-90) are actual operation processes.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows the treatment room setting state based on the treatment room preparation completion signal, the output state of the standby matrix circuit 34 (actual operation side), the output state of the standby matrix circuit 34 (standby operation side), and the common part electromagnet group sequentially from the upper stage. , The operation state of the electromagnet power supply group A, and the operation state of the electromagnet power supply group B. In the figure, the mesh portion indicates initialization and excitation current setting processing, and the shaded portion indicates course selection processing for switching the load.

  It is assumed that the first arrival determination circuit 35 inputs the preparation completion signal 51 from the treatment room 2C at the time T1, from the treatment room 2A at the time T2, and from the treatment room 2E at the time T3 in the state where the treatment is performed first in one day. To do. In this case, the first arrival determination circuit 35 determines the order of treatment in the order of the treatment rooms 2C, 2A, and 2E according to the arrival order of the preparation completion signals 51, and waits for the treatment room number (treatment room information) in that order. Output to the matrix circuit 34. At time T1, neither of the electromagnet power supply groups A and B is used. The treatment room number of the treatment room 2 </ b> C is stored in the actual operation side area of the waiting queue circuit 34. For this reason, as described above, the course electromagnet group corresponding to the treatment room 2C that has been initially prepared is initialized and the excitation current setting process is performed by the electromagnet power supply group A. That is, the A-side process course selection process (step 72), the course electromagnet group initialization process, the current setting process (step 74), and the like are executed for each electromagnet of the course electromagnet group. The common operation electromagnet group initialization processing including 6C switching processing, excitation current setting processing (step 76), and actual operation processing such as ion beam irradiation (step 78) are executed.

  At the time T2 during the irradiation process in the treatment room 2C, the treatment room number of the treatment room 2A is stored in the standby side area of the standby matrix circuit 34. For the electromagnet group of the second beam transport system 2A corresponding to the treatment room 2A, the standby operation process in the B-side process using the electromagnet power supply group B, that is, the course selection process (step 82) and its electromagnet Group initialization, current setting processing (step 84), and the like are performed. When the irradiation process (step 78) of the treatment room 2C is completed at the time T4, the treatment room number of the treatment room 2A is shifted to the actual operation side area of the waiting queue circuit 34. Then, initialization and excitation current setting processing (step 86) including switching processing of the switching electromagnet 6A is performed on the common part electromagnet group which is used to guide the ion beam to the treatment room 2A. Is called. When this is completed, the process proceeds to the irradiation process (step 88) in the treatment room 2A.

  On the other hand, at the time T3 during the irradiation process of the treatment room 2C and the standby operation process of the treatment room 2A, the treatment room number of the treatment room 2E is input to the standby matrix circuit 34 by the input of the preparation completion signal from the treatment room 2E. . At this time, since the electromagnet power supply groups A and B are both in use, the standby operation process is not executed for the electromagnet group of the second beam transport system 5E corresponding to the treatment room 2E. When the irradiation process (step 78) of the treatment room 2C is completed at time T4, the treatment room number of the treatment room 2E is stored in the standby side area of the standby matrix circuit 34. Using the electromagnet power supply group A that has become free, the course selection process (step 72), which is a standby operation process, and the initial stage of the electromagnet group for the electromagnet group of the second beam transport system 2E corresponding to the treatment room 2E And excitation current setting processing (step 74) are performed.

  When the irradiation process (step 88) of the treatment room 2A is completed at the time T5, the treatment room number of the treatment room 2E is shifted to the actual operation side area of the waiting queue circuit 34. An initialization and excitation current setting process (step 86) including a switching process of the switching electromagnet 6E is performed on the common part electromagnet group in an empty state, which is used to guide the ion beam to the treatment room 2E. When this is completed, the process proceeds to the irradiation process (step 88) in the treatment room 2E. Thereafter, the B-side process and the A-side process using the electromagnet power supply groups B and A alternately are repeated in the order of the treatment rooms determined by the first arrival determination circuit 35.

  The operation of the conventional particle beam therapy system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows the treatment room setting state by the treatment room preparation completion signal, the output state of the first arrival determination circuit 35 (actual operation), the operation state of the common part electromagnet group, and the operation state of the electromagnet power source group A sequentially from the upper stage. Yes. In the conventional system, there is only one set of electromagnet power supply groups, and in FIG. In the figure, the mesh portion indicates initialization and excitation current setting processing, and the shaded portion indicates course selection processing for switching the load.

  Similarly to FIG. 5, it is assumed that the first arrival determination circuit 35 determines the order of treatment in the order of the treatment rooms 2C, 2A, and 2E in the state where treatment is performed first in a day. When the treatment room 2C is set in the waiting queue circuit 34 in a state where the electromagnetic power supply group A at the time point T1 is not used, initialization and excitation by the electromagnetic power supply A for the coarse electromagnet group corresponding to the treatment room 2C. A current setting process is performed. Further, initialization of the common part electromagnet group including switching processing of the switching electromagnet 6C and excitation current setting processing are performed almost simultaneously. When these processes are completed, the process proceeds to the irradiation process in the treatment room 2C.

  When the treatment room 2A is set at the time T2 during the irradiation process in the treatment room 2C, the electromagnet power supply group A and the common part electromagnet group are both in use, so that the initial setting for the course electromagnet group corresponding to the treatment room 2A Processing such as conversion is not executed. The same applies to the case where the treatment room 2E is set in the waiting queue circuit 34 at the time T3 during the irradiation process in the treatment room 2C. At the time T4, when the irradiation process in the treatment room 2A is completed, the electromagnet power supply group A and the common part electromagnet group are vacant, so the load switch group is switched to the course electromagnet group related to the treatment room 2A. The course selection process to connect is performed. In addition, initialization of the coarse electromagnet group and excitation current setting processing by the electromagnet power supply group A for irradiation in the treatment room 2A, and initialization of the common electromagnet group and excitation current setting processing including switching processing of the switching electromagnet 6A are performed. Do. When these processes are completed, the process proceeds to the irradiation process in the treatment room 2A. When the irradiation process of the treatment room 2A is completed at the time point T5, similarly, the course selection process for the course electromagnet group related to the treatment room 2E, and the initialization and the excitation current setting process by the electromagnet power supply group A for the course electromagnet group are performed. Do. Furthermore, initialization of the common part electromagnet group and excitation current setting processing (including switching processing of the switching electromagnet 6E) are performed. When these processes are completed, the process proceeds to the irradiation process of the treatment room 2E.

  As described above, in the conventional system, in the ion beam irradiation treatment in the treatment room 2A or 2E following the first treatment room 2C, the coarse electromagnet group related to the treatment room 2A or 2E is connected to the electromagnet power supply group A. The course selection process, the common part electromagnet group initialization process and the excitation current setting process (including the switching electromagnet switching process) need to be performed almost simultaneously, and the course selection process time for the course electromagnet group (load switcher group) ), The treatment time becomes longer and the treatment efficiency is lowered.

  On the other hand, this embodiment was selected during the actual operation (in parallel with the actual operation) of exciting the corresponding course electromagnet group by using the electromagnet power supply group A and transporting the ion beam to the treatment room 2C. The course selection process for connecting the course electromagnet group related to the next treatment room 2A to the electromagnet power supply group B in the standby state, the initialization of the latter course electromagnet group by the electromagnet power supply group B, and the excitation current setting process are set as standby operations in advance. It can be carried out. For this reason, the actual operation of transporting the ion beam to the treatment room 2A immediately after the completion of irradiation in the treatment room 2C becomes possible. The time for which one patient occupies the treatment room 2A (referred to as treatment time) is shortened, and the number of treatment persons per irradiation apparatus can be increased. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the treatment time can be shortened and the treatment efficiency can be improved.

  In addition, since the present embodiment uses two electromagnet power supply devices (two sets of electromagnet power groups A and B), the electromagnet power groups A and B can be shared by the five coarse electromagnet groups. The number of power supplies for the five course electromagnet groups can be significantly reduced. In the particle beam therapy system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-264781, one power source is installed for each quadrupole electromagnet and each steering electromagnet included in each course electromagnet group. It is only necessary to install each power source of the electromagnet power source groups A and B used in the above. For this reason, in this embodiment, especially each power source used for those 4 pole electromagnets and steering electromagnets decreased remarkably. Thereby, the particle beam therapy system can be simplified.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, after the course selection process is confirmed by the course selection state determination circuit 36, the initialization and excitation current setting process of each electromagnet included in the corresponding course electromagnet group is performed. Followed by subsequent irradiation. For this reason, irradiation of the ion beam in the selected treatment room can be performed reliably, and safety can be maintained.

  If one of the electromagnet power supply devices 42A and 42B fails, the other electromagnet power supply device functions as a backup. For this reason, although it is impossible to shorten the treatment time in the present embodiment, treatment can be continued in each treatment room as in the particle beam treatment system of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-264781. By generating the first flag information and the second flag information, the electromagnet power supply apparatus in the standby state can be reliably grasped, and the electromagnet power supply apparatus used during the standby operation process can be easily identified.

  In the above embodiment, the two electromagnet power supply devices 42A and 42B are provided for the five treatment rooms 2A to 2E. However, the number of electromagnet power supply devices may be three or more as long as the number is less than the number of treatment rooms. . In this case, the course selection process may be performed so that the power supply groups of all the electromagnet power supply devices are connected to the coarse electromagnet group in order, or a part of the electromagnet power supply device may be used exclusively for the backup power supply. In addition, when two electromagnet power supply devices 42A and 42B are used, the number of treatment rooms may be three or more. In short, if the number of electromagnet power supply devices is smaller than the number of treatment rooms, the effect produced in this embodiment can be obtained. Further, depending on the equipment configuration, one large treatment room may have a plurality of beam courses. In this case as well, the effect of the present embodiment can be obtained by defining, as a treatment room, an area that matches each beam course in the treatment room.

  The particle beam therapy system which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated using FIG.7 and FIG.8. In the present embodiment, a part of a plurality of treatment rooms is provided with a scanning type irradiation apparatus. 7, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and in FIG. 8, the same components as those shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 7, irradiation devices 15AC, 15AD, and 15AE arranged in the treatment rooms 2C, 2D, and 2E are scanning type irradiation devices, and irradiation devices 15A, 15B, and 16 arranged in the treatment rooms 2A, 2B, and 3 are For example, a double scatterer type irradiation device (a wobbler type irradiation device may be used). Each of the scanning irradiation devices 15AC, 15AD, and 15AE includes a pair of scanning electromagnets (scanning electromagnet group) for scanning a thin ion beam in the affected area. These scanning electromagnets are electromagnets unique to the treatment rooms 2C to 2E, and are included in each course electromagnet group. An example of scanning irradiation of an ion beam is described in Japanese Patent No. 3518270.

  The control device 40A includes a control unit 41A, electromagnet power supply devices 42A and 42B (electromagnet power supply groups A and B) and load switching devices 43A and 43B for the respective electromagnet groups of the second beam transport systems 5A to 5E, and an irradiation device 15AC. Scanning electromagnet power supply devices 47A and 47B (scanning electromagnet power supply groups A and B) and scanning load switching devices 48A and 48B for the scanning electromagnet groups provided in 15AD and 15AE, respectively. Each power source included in the scanning electromagnet power supply 47A is referred to as a scanning electromagnet power supply group A, and each power supply included in the scanning electromagnet power supply 47B is referred to as a scanning electromagnet power supply group B. The electromagnet power supply devices 47A and 47B are for exciting the scanning electromagnet groups of the irradiation devices 15AC, 15AD, and 15AE, and include power supply groups corresponding to the scanning electromagnet groups of the irradiation devices 15AC, 15AD, and 15AE, respectively. Yes.

  Each of the scanning load switching devices 48A and 48B is switched to one scanning electromagnet group selected from the irradiation devices 15AC, 15AD, and 15AE according to a switching command based on a course selection command (described later). It is for switching to connect. Each of the scanning load switching devices 48A and 48B includes a switching device group (including a matching switching device having an auxiliary relay and a contactor) corresponding to each scanning electromagnet group of the irradiation devices 15AC, 15AD, and 15AE. Hereinafter, the switch group of the scanning load switching device 48A is referred to as a scanning load switching device group A, and the switching device group of the scanning load switching device 48B is referred to as a scanning load switching device group B.

  As in the first embodiment, the first-arrival determination circuit 35 of the control unit 41A selects treatment rooms that perform treatment in the first-come-first-served order of the treatment room preparation completion signals 51 from the treatment rooms 2A to 2E, 3, and the first-come-first-served basis The treatment room number is output to the waiting queue circuit 34. When the treatment room is any one of the treatment rooms 2C, 2D, and 2E including the irradiation devices 15AC, 15AD, and 15AE, the control circuit 33A causes the irradiation device related to the treatment room in which the scanning scanning electromagnet power source group A or B is selected. The scanning load switch group A or B is switched so as to be connected to the scanning electromagnet group. For example, when the treatment room selected first is the treatment room 2C and the subsequent treatment room (the next treatment room selected) is the treatment room 2E, the scanning electromagnet power supply group A is applied to the treatment room 2C. The scanning load switch group A is switched so as to be connected to the 15AC scanning electromagnet group, and the scanning load switch group B is switched so as to connect the scanning electromagnet power supply group B to the scanning electromagnet group of the irradiation device 15AE related to the treatment room 2E. . In addition, the control circuit 33 performs the above-described A-side processing and confirms that the switching by the scanning load switch group A is completed, and then controls the scanning electromagnet power supply group A to scan the irradiation device 15AC. Initialization of each scanning magnet in the electromagnet group and excitation current setting processing (step 74) are performed. When the treatment in the treatment room 2C is being performed, the control circuit 33A performs the standby operation process in the B-side process described above and confirms that the switching by the scanning load switch group B has been completed, and then scans. The electromagnet power supply group B is controlled to perform initialization and excitation current setting processing (step 84) of each scanning electromagnet of the scanning electromagnet group included in the irradiation device 15AE. The initialization and excitation current setting processing (step 74) for each electromagnet of the course electromagnet group (excluding the scanning electromagnet group) related to the treatment room 2C is performed by the electromagnet power supply device 42A and the load switching device 43A. Done with. In the course electromagnet group (excluding the scanning electromagnet group) related to the treatment room 2E, initialization and excitation current setting processing (step 84) by standby operation processing for each electromagnet are also performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. This is performed using the switching device 43B. The control circuit 33A includes a switching process of the switching electromagnet 6E in order to guide the ion beam to the irradiation device 15AE in the treatment room 2E in the B-side process after the irradiation of the ion beam in the treatment room 2C is completed. Actual operation processing such as initialization of each corresponding electromagnet in the partial electromagnet group and excitation current setting processing (step 86) is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 41A includes a control circuit 33A, a first come first service (FCFS) circuit 35, a storage device 32A, a wait queue circuit 34, and a course selection state determination circuit 36A. In the drawing, as in FIG. 2, the solid line indicates the flow of the actual operation processing, and the broken line indicates the flow of the standby operation processing. In FIG. 8, for convenience of explanation, the load switching devices 43A and 43B and the scanning load switching devices 48A and 48B are representatively shown as one of the switch groups.

  The processing functions of the control circuit 33A, the storage device 32A, and the course selection state determination circuit 36A are such that the scanning electromagnet power supply groups A and B are irradiated by the scanning load switching devices 48A and 48B in accordance with a switching command based on a course selection command (described later). With the exception of switching to connect to one scanning electromagnet group selected from 15AC, 15AD, and 15AE, and then adding a function for performing initialization and excitation current setting processing of the scanning electromagnet group, The processing functions of the control circuit 33, the storage device 32, and the course selection state determination circuit 36 in the first embodiment are the same. Only differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

  That is, when one of the treatment rooms 2C to 2E is selected, the control circuit 33A performs the standby operation process and the actual operation process for the scanning electromagnet group. In the standby operation process, a course selection command and a current command are created based on the power supply group allocation information from the standby matrix circuit 34, and a switching command corresponding to the course selection command is output to the scanning load switching device 48A (or 48B). Then, the scanning load switch group A (or B) is switched. Further, after confirming that the switching of the scanning load switch group A (or B) has been completed based on the determination information of the course selection state determination circuit 36A, the operation parameters (excitations) related to the corresponding treatment room are stored from the storage device 32A. Current setting value) is read out to generate an excitation current command, and this excitation current command is output to the scanning electromagnet power supply 47A (or 47B). As a result, the scanning electromagnet group connected to the scanning electromagnet power supply group A (or B) is excited by the scanning load switch group A (or B), and initialization of these electromagnet groups and excitation current setting processing are performed.

  In the actual operation process in the A-side process (or B-side process), the common part electromagnet group (the electromagnet group of the first beam transport system 4 and the electromagnet group of the synchrotron 12) is initialized and the current setting process is performed. The irradiation process is performed after waiting for the irradiation start signal. In this irradiation process, an excitation current setting process for each pair of scanning electromagnets is performed to scan the ion beam in the affected area. Irradiation of the ion beam to the patient in the actual operation process is started after waiting for the determination result of the irradiation permission after the initialization of the coarse electromagnet group (including the scanning electromagnet group) and the excitation current setting process are completed.

  The course selection state determination circuit 36A determines whether or not the switching of the load switch groups A and B is completed based on the switching state signal from the load switching devices 43A and 43B, and the treatment rooms 2C to 2E are selected. If there is, the switching state signals from the scanning load switching devices 48A and 48B determine whether or not the switching of the scanning load switch groups A and B has been completed, and the determination result is output to the control circuit 33A. . The storage device 32A stores operation parameters for creating an excitation current command. The created excitation current command includes an excitation current command for the scanning electromagnet group.

  In the present embodiment configured as described above, as in the first embodiment, the course selection process for connecting the scanning electromagnet group to the power supply group in advance as standby operation can be performed, and accordingly, the treatment time is reduced accordingly. The treatment efficiency can be improved by shortening.

  Further, in order to obtain the same effect of shortening the treatment time, since two sets of scanning electromagnet power supply groups are sufficient as compared with the case where three sets of scanning electromagnet power supply groups are prepared corresponding to the number of scanning electromagnet groups, scanning is performed. The number of electromagnet power supplies can be reduced, and the configuration of the particle beam therapy system can be further simplified.

  Further, after confirming that the course selection processing is completed by the course selection state determination circuit 36A, initialization of each electromagnet of the course electromagnet group and the scanning electromagnet group and excitation current setting processing are performed. Thereafter, ion beam scanning irradiation is performed in the corresponding treatment room. For this reason, ion beam irradiation can be performed reliably in the intended treatment room, and safety can be maintained.

  In this embodiment, the electromagnet power supply devices 42A and 42B and the scanning electromagnet power supply devices 47A and 47B are provided for the five treatment rooms 2A to 2E. If the number is less than the number of treatment rooms, the number of these electromagnet power supply devices is provided. It is good also as three or more. In this case, the course selection process may be performed so that the power supply groups of all the electromagnet power supply devices are connected to the coarse electromagnet group in order, or a part of the electromagnet power supply device may be used exclusively for the backup power supply. In addition, when the electromagnet power supply devices 42A and 42B and the scanning electromagnet power supply devices 48A and 48B are used, the number of treatment rooms may be three or more. In short, the number of electromagnet power supply apparatuses is more than the number of treatment rooms. If there are few, the effect of this embodiment can be acquired. Further, depending on the equipment configuration, one large treatment room may have a plurality of beam courses. In this case as well, the effect of the present embodiment can be obtained by defining, as a treatment room, an area that matches each beam course in the treatment room.

1 is a conceptual diagram showing an overall schematic configuration of a particle beam therapy system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the detail of the processing function of the control part in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the detail of the production | generation function of the switching state signal of a load switching apparatus, and the determination processing function of a course selection state determination circuit. It is a flowchart which shows the processing function of a control circuit. It is a time chart explaining operation | movement of this embodiment system. It is a time chart explaining operation | movement of a conventional system. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the whole schematic structure of the particle beam therapy system by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the detail of the processing function of the control part in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Charged particle beam generator 2A-E, 3 Treatment room 4 1st beam transport system 5A-5E 2nd beam transport system 6A-6E Switching electromagnet 7A-7F, 8 Shutter 9, 13, 18, 19B-19G, 22A- 22E, 24A-24E Quadrupole electromagnet 10, 14, 17, 21A-21E, 23A-23E, 25A-25E, 26A-26E Bending electromagnet 11 Pre-stage accelerator 12 Synchrotron 15A-15E, 15AC, 15AD, 15AE, 16 Irradiation device 33 Control circuit 35 First arrival determination circuit 32, 32A Storage device 34 Standby matrix circuit 36 Course selection state determination circuit 37A-37E Course selection completion determination unit 38A-38E Continuity determination unit 40 Control device 41 Control unit 42A, 42B Electromagnet power supply devices 43A, 43B , 48A, 48B Load switching device 44A Contactor group 44A1-4 An Contactor 45A auxiliary relay group 45A1~45An auxiliary relays 47A, 47B scanning magnet power supply 61,62A, 62B, 62C, 62D, 62E beam path

Claims (16)

A charged particle beam generator for emitting a charged particle beam, a plurality of irradiation devices respectively installed in a plurality of treatment rooms, and the charged particle beam generator connected to the charged particle beam generator, and the charged particle beam generator to each of the irradiation devices A beam transport system for transporting the charged particle beam emitted from the first beam transport system connected to the charged particle beam generator and a branch from the first beam transport system. And a plurality of second beam transport systems connected to each of the irradiation devices, wherein each of the plurality of second beam transport systems includes an electromagnet group including a plurality of electromagnets. ,
At least two electromagnet power supplies each having a power supply group corresponding to the electromagnet group;
Provided for each of the electromagnet power supply devices, each having a switch group corresponding to the electromagnet group, and the power supply group of the electromagnet power supply device of the at least two electromagnet power supply devices is connected to the plurality of treatment rooms. A power group of another one of the at least two electromagnet power supply devices connected to the electromagnet group of the second beam transport system related to one selected treatment room A particle beam therapy system comprising: at least two load switching devices that switch to connect to the electromagnet group of the second beam transport system related to another selected one of the treatment rooms . A charged particle beam generator for emitting a charged particle beam, a plurality of irradiation devices respectively installed in a plurality of treatment rooms, and the charged particle beam generator connected to the charged particle beam generator, and the charged particle beam generator to each of the irradiation devices A beam transport system for transporting the charged particle beam emitted from the first beam transport system connected to the charged particle beam generator and a branch from the first beam transport system. In the particle beam therapy system having a plurality of second beam transport systems connected to each of the irradiation devices, each of the plurality of second beam transport systems including an electromagnet group including a plurality of electromagnets,
At least two electromagnet power supplies each having a power supply group corresponding to the electromagnet group;
Provided for each of the electromagnet power supply devices, each having a switch group corresponding to the electromagnet group, and supplying the corresponding power supply group of the electromagnet power supply device to one selected treatment room among the plurality of treatment rooms At least two load switching devices that switch to connect to the electromagnet group of the second beam transport system involved;
The power supply group of one of the at least two electromagnet power supplies is connected to one second beam transport system related to a first treatment room that performs irradiation of a charged particle beam among the plurality of treatment rooms. The power supply group of another one of the electromagnet power supply devices connected to the electromagnet group and the second beam transport system of the other second beam transport system related to the second treatment room that performs irradiation of the charged particle beam next to the first treatment room. The particle beam therapy system according to claim 1, further comprising first control means for controlling the at least two load switching devices to be connected to an electromagnet group.   The first control means switches the switch group included in one load switching device that connects the power supply group of the other one electromagnet power supply device to the electromagnet group of the other second beam transport system. The charged particle beam emitted from the charged particle beam generator is in a state of being guided to the one second beam transport system, and the charged particle beam is transferred to the other second beam transport system. The particle beam therapy system according to claim 2, which is performed when not guided.   Which of the at least two electromagnet power supplies is associated with the electromagnet group of the second beam transport system related to the treatment room corresponding to the irradiation preparation completion signal generated among the plurality of treatment rooms. The electromagnet power supply allocating means for deciding whether to allocate is further provided, and the first control means controls the at least two load switching devices based on a command from the electromagnet power allocating means. Particle beam therapy system. When the first control means controls the at least two load switching devices so as to connect the power supply group of the other one of the electromagnet power supply devices to the electromagnet group of the second beam transport system related to the second treatment room. , Further comprising a switching state determination means for determining whether the connection is completed for all the electromagnets of the electromagnet group,
The first control unit outputs a current command to the other one of the electromagnet power supply devices when the determination of the switching state determination unit is affirmed, and performs initialization of the electromagnet group and excitation current setting. The particle beam therapy system according to claim 2, wherein:   6. The particle beam therapy system according to claim 5, wherein the switching state determination unit further determines whether the electromagnet group is an electromagnet group related to a preselected treatment room.   When a power supply group of the one electromagnet power supply device is connected to the electromagnet group of the one second beam transport system, a charged particle beam guided to the one second beam transport system is transmitted from the charged particle beam generating means. When the power source group of the other one of the electromagnet power supply devices is connected to the electromagnet group of the other second beam transport system, the introduction of the charged particle beam to the one second beam transport system is stopped. 3. The particle beam therapy system according to claim 2, further comprising: a second control unit configured to emit a charged particle beam guided to the other second beam transport system from the charged particle beam generation unit after being performed.   The first control means, when connected to the electromagnet group of the other second beam transport system, until the introduction of the charged particle beam to the one second beam transport system is stopped. The particle beam therapy system according to claim 7, wherein the electromagnet group of the two-beam transport system is in a standby operation.   The particle beam therapy system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein there are three or more second beam transport systems and two electromagnet power supply devices. A charged particle beam generator for emitting a charged particle beam, a plurality of irradiation devices respectively installed in a plurality of treatment rooms, and the charged particle beam generator connected to the charged particle beam generator, and the charged particle beam generator to each of the irradiation devices A beam transport system for transporting the charged particle beam emitted from the first beam transport system connected to the charged particle beam generator and a branch from the first beam transport system. A plurality of second beam transport systems connected to each of the irradiation devices, and each of the plurality of second beam transport systems includes a coarse electromagnet group including a plurality of electromagnets, and the plurality of irradiation devices Is a particle beam therapy system including a plurality of scanning irradiation devices having a scanning electromagnet group,
Each of at least two first electromagnet power supplies having a power supply group corresponding to the course electromagnet group;
At least two first load switching devices provided for each of the first electromagnet power supply devices, each having a switch group corresponding to the coarse electromagnet group, and among the at least two first electromagnet power supply devices The power supply group of one first electromagnet power supply device is connected to the course electromagnet group of the second beam transport system related to one selected treatment room among the plurality of treatment rooms of the plurality of treatment rooms The power group of the other one of the at least two first electromagnet power supplies is connected to the second treatment room selected from the plurality of treatment rooms. A first load switching device for switching to connect to the electromagnet group of a beam transport system;
At least two second electromagnet power supplies each having a power supply group corresponding to the scanning electromagnet group;
At least two second load switching devices provided for each of the second electromagnet power supply devices, each having a switch group corresponding to the scanning electromagnet group, and among the at least two first electromagnet power supply devices A power supply group of one second electromagnet power supply device is connected to a scanning electromagnet group of one scanning irradiation device selected from the plurality of scanning irradiation devices, and among the at least two second electromagnet power supply devices A second load switching device for switching a power supply group of the other one second electromagnet power supply device to connect to a scanning electromagnet group of the other one scanning irradiation device selected from the plurality of scanning irradiation devices; A particle beam therapy system characterized by that.   Of the at least two first electromagnet power supply devices, the first electromagnet power supply power supply group is the first second related to the first treatment room that performs irradiation of a charged particle beam among the plurality of treatment rooms. Connected to the course electromagnet group of the beam transport system, the power source group of the other first electromagnet power supply device is connected to the second treatment room that performs irradiation of the charged particle beam next to the first treatment room. First scanning means for controlling the at least two first load switching devices to be connected to the coarse electromagnet group of the second beam transport system, and a scanning irradiation device into which a charged particle beam is introduced among the plurality of scanning irradiation devices. When the first scanning irradiation apparatus is used, the power supply group of one second electromagnet power supply apparatus among the at least two second electromagnet power supply apparatuses is replaced with the scanning electromagnet of the first scanning irradiation apparatus. When the scanning irradiation apparatus that introduces a charged particle beam after the first scanning irradiation apparatus is a second scanning irradiation apparatus, the second one of the at least two second electromagnet power supply apparatuses is connected. 11. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising second control means for controlling the at least two second load switching devices to connect a power supply group of the electromagnet power supply device to a scanning electromagnet group of the second scanning irradiation device. The described particle beam therapy system. A charged particle beam generator for emitting a charged particle beam, a plurality of irradiation devices respectively installed in a plurality of treatment rooms, and the charged particle beam generator connected to the charged particle beam generator, and the charged particle beam generator to each of the irradiation devices A beam transport system for transporting the charged particle beam emitted from the first beam transport system connected to the charged particle beam generator and a branch from the first beam transport system. A plurality of second beam transport systems connected to each of the irradiation devices, each of the plurality of second beam transport systems including an electromagnet group including a plurality of electromagnets ,
Furthermore, a beam course switching method for a particle beam therapy system , comprising: at least two electromagnet power supply devices having a power supply group corresponding to the electromagnet group; and at least two load switching devices provided for each of the two electromagnet power supply devices. In
Wherein at least two load switching devices, respectively, the power group of one electromagnet power supplies of the two electromagnets power supply even without least having a power group corresponding prior Symbol electromagnet group, among the plurality of treatment rooms, The charged particle beam is connected to one electromagnet group of the second beam transport system related to the first treatment room that performs irradiation of the charged particle beam, and the power source group of the other one electromagnet power supply device is charged particles next to the first treatment room. A beam course switching method comprising: connecting to another electromagnet group of the second beam transport system related to the second treatment room that performs beam irradiation. The particle beam therapy system further comprises first control means for controlling the at least two load switching devices,
When the first control means connects the power supply group of the other one of the electromagnet power supply devices to the electromagnet group of the second beam transport system related to the second treatment room, all the connections are included in the electromagnet group. When the determination is affirmative, when the determination is affirmative, a current command is output to the power supply group of the other one of the electromagnet power supply devices to initialize the electromagnet group and set the excitation current. The beam course switching method according to claim 12, wherein the beam course switching method is performed. When the first control unit connects the power supply group of the other one of the electromagnet power supply devices to the electromagnet group of the second beam transport system related to the second treatment room, the first electromagnet power supply is further selected. 14. The beam course switching method according to claim 13, wherein it is determined whether the group is an electromagnet group related to a room. The particle beam therapy system further includes second control means for controlling the charged particle beam generation means,
The second control unit is configured to transmit a charged particle beam guided to the one second beam transport system when a power source group of the one electromagnet power supply apparatus is connected to the electromagnet group of the one second beam transport system. When the power source group of the other one electromagnet power supply is connected to the electromagnet group of the other second beam transport system, the charged particle beam generating means emits the power to the one second beam transport system. 13. The beam course switching method according to claim 12, wherein after the introduction of the charged particle beam is stopped, a charged particle beam guided to the other second beam transport system is emitted from the charged particle beam generating means. The first control means, when connected to the electromagnet group of the other second beam transport system, until the introduction of the charged particle beam to the one second beam transport system is stopped. The beam course switching method according to claim 15, wherein the electromagnet group of the two-beam transport system is in a standby operation.

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