JP6085800B2 - Loader - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a loading device for loading a brachytherapy source into a needle insertion device.

  One of the treatment methods for oral cancer is brachytherapy. Brachytherapy is a treatment in which a brachytherapy is inserted around a tumor, such as the tongue or cheek, and radiation is applied from the inside. Compared to conventional surgical therapy, it preserves the function and morphology of the organs and reduces the burden on the patient's body.

  One of the brachytherapy methods is a permanent insertion method in which Au particles, which are low dose rate brachytherapy, are semi-permanently embedded. In the permanent insertion method, the doctor inserts the brachytherapy source using a special needle (hereinafter referred to as “the insertion device”).

  Conventionally, when performing brachytherapy using a permanent puncture method, a doctor manually loads the brachytherapy source into the puncture device. For this reason, doctors were exposed during the preparatory stage of surgery. In addition, a number of insertion devices (usually about 10) that are already loaded with a brachytherapy source were prepared, and the operation was performed by placing them there. For this reason, it was also exposed by the brachytherapy source loaded in the insertion device placed by the side. Because of this exposure, there is a limit to the number of treatments each doctor can handle. And it has become a drag on the spread of brachytherapy. Specifically, the annual number of cases is only about 150 to 200 in Japan. If brachytherapy is widespread, many patients who suffer from oral cancer may be saved.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a condition, The objective is to provide the loader which reduces the exposure amount of the medical worker at the time of brachytherapy.

  In order to solve the above problems, a loader according to an aspect of the present invention is a loader for loading a brachytherapy source into a puncture device used for puncturing a brachytherapy source in brachytherapy. The radiation source is sent to the present loader via a transfer tube in accordance with external pressure, and the insertion device has an insertion port for loading the brachytherapy source. This loader has an inlet connected to the transfer pipe, an outlet facing the insertion port, and a communication hole that connects the inlet and the outlet, and a small wire source fed into the inlet passes through the inside of the loading device. A loading portion provided with a communication hole formed so as to be led to the insertion port.

  According to this aspect, the small wire source sent to the loader via the transfer tube is loaded into the insertion port of the insertion device.

  Note that any combination of the above-described constituent elements, and those obtained by replacing the constituent elements and expressions of the present invention with each other among methods, apparatuses, systems, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the exposure amount of the medical worker at the time of brachytherapy can be reduced.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the brachytherapy source loading system which concerns on embodiment. FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views showing the loader in a state where the insertion device is set. It is sectional drawing of the loader of FIG. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the operation when a small beam source is loaded. It is a figure which shows the consideration result about the exposure dose reduction effect at the time of an operation. It is sectional drawing of the loader which concerns on the modification of embodiment. FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are explanatory views for explaining the operation when a small beam source is loaded.

  Hereinafter, the same or equivalent components and members shown in the respective drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions thereof are omitted as appropriate. In addition, the dimensions of the members in each drawing are appropriately enlarged or reduced for easy understanding. Also, in the drawings, some of the members that are not important for describing the embodiment are omitted.

The outline of the embodiment is as follows.
A brachytherapy source loading system according to an embodiment includes a brachytherapy storage container in which a brachytherapy source is stored, and a loader in which a puncture device is set. The brachytherapy source is sent from the brachytherapy container to the loader via a low friction tube through which compressed air flows. The loader is provided with an inlet connected to the low friction tube, an outlet facing the insertion port, and a communication hole communicating the inlet and the outlet. The brachytherapy source sent to the loader falls through the communication hole and into the insertion port of the insertion device. That is, the brachytherapy source is automatically loaded into the inserter. For this reason, the exposure amount of the doctor at the time of preparation for surgery is reduced. Moreover, since the brachytherapy source can be loaded relatively easily, it is not necessary to prepare a puncture device loaded with the brachytherapy source. At the time of surgery, it can be loaded every time it is inserted. For this reason, the exposure amount of the doctor at the time of an operation is reduced.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a brachytherapy source loading system 1 according to an embodiment. The brachytherapy source loading system 1 includes a loader 10, a brachytherapy container 12, a valve 14, a compressor 16, a low friction tube 18, and a control terminal 20.

  The small beam source storage container 12 stores a small beam source 102a, a small beam source 102b, a small beam source 102c,..., A small beam source 102d (hereinafter collectively referred to as “small beam source 102”). The brachytherapy container 12 is made of lead. Therefore, the radiation from the brachytherapy source 102 stored in the brachytherapy container 12 can be shielded, and the exposure amount of the medical staff can be reduced. In addition, you may form with other materials which can shield a radiation, such as tungsten, for example. The brachytherapy container 12 is placed in a separate room from the operating room, that is, the room in which the loader 10 is placed. Note that the brachytherapy container 12 may be placed in the same room as the insertion device 100. In this case, for example, the loader 10 and the brachytherapy container 12 may be partitioned by a shielding plate capable of shielding radiation. The brachytherapy source 102 stored in the brachytherapy container 12 is an Au radiation source and has a cylindrical shape with a diameter of approximately 0.8 mm and a length of approximately 2.5 mm. The braid sources 102 are stored in a line as shown in FIG. For example, if a known automatic aligner is used, the small beam source 102 can be easily stored in parallel in a line.

  The low friction tube 18 functions as a transfer path for the small wire source 102. Here, the low friction tube 18 is a Teflon (registered trademark) tube having an inner diameter of 1.0 mm. Since the inner diameter of the low friction tube 18 is not too large compared to the diameter of the small wire source 102, the pressure of the air flowing in the low friction tube 18 is likely to be applied to the small wire source 102. Therefore, the small wire source 102 can be moved even with a relatively small air pressure. Through the low friction tube 18, the brachytherapy source 102 is sent from the brachytherapy container 12 to the loader 10.

  The compressor 16 sends compressed air into the low friction tube 18. The wire source 102 moves in the low friction tube 18 by the pressure of the air. The supply / stop of compressed air can be controlled by opening and closing the valve 14.

  The control terminal 20 is an information processing terminal operated by a doctor. The control terminal 20 is a desktop computer. Of course, it may be a notebook computer, a tablet terminal or the like. The control terminal 20 is connected to the valve 14 via a network (not shown). The doctor operates the control terminal 20 to control opening and closing of the valve 14.

  The loader 10 accommodates the puncture device 100 therein, and loads the puncture source 102 sent from the phantom source storage container 12 into the puncture device 100. The loader 10 includes a support portion 22 that supports the insertion device 100 and a load portion 24 that overlaps the support portion 22 like a lid. The detailed configuration of the loader 10 will be described later with reference to FIGS. Both the support portion 22 and the loading portion 24 are made of lead. Therefore, the radiation from the brachytherapy source 102 loaded in the puncture device 100 can be shielded, and the exposure amount of the doctor can be reduced. Similar to the brachytherapy container 12, it may be formed of other materials capable of shielding radiation.

  FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views showing the loader 10 in a state where the insertion device 100 is set. FIG. 2A shows a state where the loading unit 24 is detached, and FIG. 2B shows a state where the loading unit 24 is set. As is clear from FIGS. 2A and 2B, the loading unit 24 is configured to be detachable from the support unit 22. Note that “detachable” includes a case where the support portion 22 and the loading portion 24 are fixed by a hinge and can be opened and closed.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the loader 10. FIG. 3 shows a state where the insertion device 100 is set. Specifically, the insertion device 100 is placed on the support portion 22 with the insertion port 104 facing upward, and is sandwiched between the support portion 22 and the loading portion 24.

  The loading unit 24 includes an inlet 26 connected to the low friction tube 18, an outlet 28 that faces the insertion port 104 of the set insertion device 100, and a communication hole 30 that connects the inlet 26 and the outlet 28. The small wire source 102 fed into the communication hole 30 falls to the outlet 28 side by the pressure from the low friction tube 18 and is loaded into the insertion port 104 of the insertion device 100. In other words, the communication hole 30 is formed such that the small wire source 102 is guided to the insertion port 104 through the inside thereof.

  A concave portion and / or a convex portion corresponding to the insertion device 100 is formed on the lower surface 34 of the loading portion 24. When the loading unit 24 is set in the insertion device 100 according to the recess and / or the projection, the outlet 28 of the communication hole 30 and the insertion port 104 of the insertion device 100 face each other as shown in FIG. Here, a concave portion and / or a convex portion corresponding to the insertion device 100 are also formed on the upper surface 36 of the support portion 22. Of course, a recessed part and / or a convex part may be formed only in either one.

  Further, the loader 10 is provided with a hole 38 for allowing air from the compressor 16 fed from the low friction tube 18 to escape. Specifically, the hole 38 is formed vertically above the outlet 28 and communicates the communication hole 30 with the outside air.

  The operation of the above configuration will be described. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are explanatory views for explaining the operation when a small beam source is loaded. As shown in FIG. 4A, first, the gel 32 is attached to the tip of the insertion device 100. As a result, even after the small wire source 102 is loaded into the needle device 100 and the needle device 100 taken out from the loader 10 is tilted, the small wire source 102 is less likely to fall from the needle device 100. The doctor sets the insertion device 100 with the gel 32 on the loader 10.

  Next, the control terminal 20 is operated to open the valve 14, and compressed air is sent from the compressor 16 to the low friction tube 18. As a result, the brachytherapy source 102 moves from the brachytherapy container 12 placed in another room through the low friction tube 18. The small wire source 102 passes through the communication hole 30 and is loaded into the insertion port 104 of the insertion device 100 as shown in FIG.

  In this way, the brachytherapy source 102 is loaded into the puncture device 100. The doctor inserts the brachytherapy source 102 into the patient using the puncture device 100 loaded with the brachytherapy source 102. The operations of FIGS. 4A and 4B are repeated for the number of brachytherapy sources to be inserted, and brachytherapy is performed.

  According to the brachytherapy source loading system 1 according to the present embodiment, the brachytherapy source 102 is automatically loaded into the insertion device 100. For this reason, the exposure amount at the time of surgery preparation can be reduced. Moreover, since the brachytherapy source can be loaded relatively easily, it is not necessary to prepare the insertion device 100 in which the brachytherapy source 102 is already loaded. What is necessary is just to load into the insertion device 100 at the time of an operation. Therefore, the exposure dose at the time of surgery is reduced.

  This inventor considered the radiation dose reduction effect at the time of operation by using the brachytherapy system 1. 5A and 5B show the results. FIG. 5A is a conceptual diagram showing an exposure dose during surgery in the conventional brachytherapy, and FIG. 5B is a brachytherapy using the brachytherapy system 1 of the present embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the exposure amount at the time of an operation. Here, the case where 10 brachytherapy sources are inserted into a patient was considered.

  In conventional brachytherapy, a puncture device 100 loaded with a brachytherapy source 102 is prepared in advance. Therefore, at the start of surgery, ten piercing devices 100 are prepared beside the doctor. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the exposure is performed from the ten insertion devices 100. As the operation proceeds, the number of puncture devices 100 loaded with the brachytherapy source 102 is reduced to zero at the end of the operation. On the other hand, the brachytherapy source 102 inserted into the patient is zero at the start of the operation, and increases as the operation proceeds. At the end of the surgery, 10 brachytherapy sources are inserted. From this, it can be seen that the conventional brachytherapy is exposed from a total of 110 brachytherapy sources.

  In contrast, in the brachytherapy using the brachytherapy system 1, the puncture device 100 loaded with the brachytherapy source 102 is prepared when the puncture is performed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the exposure is performed only from one piercer 100 throughout the operation. At the end of the surgery, it will naturally be zero as before. On the other hand, the exposure dose from the brachytherapy source 102 inserted into the patient is the same as in the prior art. From this, it can be seen that in the present embodiment, exposure is made from a total of 65 small wire sources.

  From this consideration result, it can be seen that the dose of about 40% can be reduced only during the operation. In addition, when the brachytherapy source loading system 1 is used, it is not necessary to manually load the puncture device 100 with the brachytherapy source 102, so that the exposure dose during preparation for surgery can be reduced. Furthermore, if the small beam source 102 is automatically stored in the small beam source storage container 12 by a known automatic aligner, the exposure amount at this time can be reduced. As described above, when the brachytherapy system 1 is used, the exposure amount at the time of preparation for surgery can be reduced in addition to that at the time of surgery. That is, the exposure amount over the entire operation can be reduced.

  Heretofore, the brazing beam source loading device according to the embodiment has been described. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

(Modification 1)
FIG. 6 shows a loader according to a modification of the embodiment. FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. In this modification, the insertion device 100 is accommodated up to the tip by the support portion 22 and the loading portion 24. That is, the tip of the insertion device 100 is in a closed state. Therefore, the air from the compressor 16 sent through the low friction tube 18 and the communication hole 30 does not easily flow into the tip of the insertion device 100. Therefore, the gel 32 attached to the tip of the insertion device 100 is difficult to blow off.

  In the present modification, the loading unit 24 includes a guide unit 40 that projects into the insertion port 104 of the insertion device 100. The guide portion 40 is provided between the guide portion 40 and the side surface 104a on the distal end side of the insertion port 104 at a position where the small beam source 102 is not loaded. As an example, the guide portion 40 is provided so as to contact the side surface 104 a of the insertion port 104. Moreover, the guide part 40 has a side surface 40 a that is inclined to the opposite side of the tip of the insertion device 100. When the brachytherapy source 102 loaded by the loader leans against the side surface 104a of the insertion port 104, it is difficult to guide the brachytherapy source 102 to the insertion device 100, and this can be suppressed. In addition, it can suppress that the small wire source 102 will be in the state applied from the side surface 104a of the insertion port 104 only with the guide part 40 irrespective of the inclination direction of the side surface 40a.

  In the present modification, the loading unit 24 includes a stopper 42 and a sensor 44. The stopper 42 is configured to be movable forward and backward in the communication hole 30. The stopper 42 that has entered the communication hole 30 prevents the small wire source 102 from dropping into the insertion port 104. That is, the small wire source 102 falls on the stopper 42. FIG. 6 shows a state where the stopper 42 is retracted from the communication hole 30. The sensor 44 is connected to the control terminal 20 (not shown in FIG. 6) via a network. When the sensor 44 detects that the small beam source 102 has been sent, the sensor 44 notifies the control terminal 20 accordingly.

  The operation of the modification 1 including the stopper 42 and the sensor 44 is confirmed. FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are explanatory diagrams for explaining the operation when the small beam source is loaded. As shown in FIG. 7A, first, the gel 32 is attached to the tip of the insertion device 100, and the insertion device 100 with the gel 32 is set in the loader.

  Next, the control terminal 20 is operated to open the valve 14, and compressed air is sent from the compressor 16 to the low friction tube 18. As a result, the brachytherapy source 102 moves from the brachytherapy container 12 placed in another room through the low friction tube 18. The small wire source 102 passes through the communication hole 30 and falls onto the stopper 42 as shown in FIG. The sensor 44 detects that the small beam source 102 has arrived and notifies the control terminal 20. Upon receiving the notification, the control terminal 20 closes the valve 14 and stops the supply of compressed air from the compressor 16.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7C, the stopper 42 is slid to drop the braid source 102 onto the insertion device 100. That is, the small wire source 102 is loaded into the puncture device 100. In this way, the brachytherapy source 102 is loaded into the puncture device 100.

(Modification 2)
In the embodiment, the case where the loader 10 includes the support unit 22 and the loading unit 24 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the loader 10 may be configured with only the loading unit 24. The manufacturing cost of the loader 10 can be reduced. In this case, the loading unit 24 is put on the insertion device 100 placed on the table.

(Modification 3)
In the embodiment, the case where the small beam source 102 is an Au beam source has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the small beam source 102 may be a cobalt source or an iridium source.

(Modification 4)
In the embodiment, the case where the loading device 10 and the insertion device 100 are separate from each other has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the loading device 10 and the insertion device 100 may be integrally formed. That is, the loader 10 may have the function of the insertion device 100. In this case, since the radiation from the brachytherapy source 102 is shielded by the loader 10, the dose of the doctor is reduced.

(Modification 5)
In the embodiment, the case where air is fed into the low friction tube 18 from the compressor 16 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the compressor 16, a cylinder filled with carbon dioxide gas or other compressed gas may be connected to the low friction tube 18 and the gas may be fed into the low friction tube 18. In addition, the gas sent into the loader 10 goes out of the loader 10 through the hole 38 as in the case of air.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Line source loading system, 10 loader, 12 Line source storage container, 14 Valve, 16 Compressor, 18 Low friction tube, 20 Control terminal, 22 Support part, 24 Loading part, 30 Communication hole, 100 Insertion machine, 102 Brachysource.

Claims (4)

A loader for loading a brachytherapy source into a penetrator used to puncture the brachytherapy in brachytherapy;
The brachytherapy source is sent to the loader via the transfer pipe according to the external pressure,
The inserter has an insertion slot for loading a brachytherapy source;
This loader
An inlet connected to the transfer pipe, an outlet facing the insertion port, and a communication hole that connects the inlet and the outlet, and a small wire source fed to the inlet passes through the inside of the communication line. A loading portion provided with a communication hole formed so as to be guided to the insertion port ;
A support part capable of placing the insertion device with the insertion port facing upward ,
The loading unit is configured to be detachable from the support unit so as to sandwich the insertion device between the loading unit and the support unit.
The insertion device is accommodated up to its tip by the support portion and the loading portion . The loading portion has a concave portion and / or a convex portion corresponding to the insertion device,
The loading portion is configured such that the insertion port and the outlet face each other when the loading portion is set in the insertion device in accordance with the concave portion and / or the convex portion. Item 2. The loader according to Item 1. Wherein the loading unit, loading device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the hole for releasing gas fed from the transfer pipe is provided. The loading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the loading unit includes a guide unit that projects into the insertion port when the insertion device is set in the loading device.

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