KR101872226B1 - Calibration unit, apparatus for radiotherapy and calibration method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention is a radiotherapy apparatus including a body part including a face and an opposite face opposite to the face, the body part being mountable to a gantry of the radiotherapy apparatus; The reference data of the body surface of the subject measured through the external imaging device and the reference distance from the gantry to the body surface with respect to the plurality of points on the basis of the reference image are generated A reference data generating unit; A data storage unit for storing the reference data for the subject in advance; Wherein the contour image of the body surface of the body at the same position as the reference image is obtained on the basis of the outline image, A distance measuring unit for measuring an actual distance; A data generating unit that generates measurement data using the actual distance and the contour image of the body surface provided from the distance measuring unit; And comparing the measurement data with the reference data, generating determination information by determining whether the measurement data is included in a first error range set in advance with respect to the reference data, and determining, based on the determination information, And a control unit for providing the attitude information corresponding to the determination information to the outside to correct the position or controlling the position of the radiation treatment apparatus to correct the position of the radiation treatment apparatus do.

Description

[0001] CALIBRATION UNIT, APPARATUS FOR RADIOTHERAPY AND CALIBRATION METHOD THEREOF [0002]

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a calibration unit, a radiation therapy apparatus, and a calibration method of the radiation therapy apparatus.

Radiation therapy is one of the three major methods of cancer treatment, along with surgery and chemotherapy, as a method of clinical medicine to treat patients with radiation with a very short wavelength and high energy. It treats malignant tumors, mainly cancer, but also benign tumors and some benign diseases. Radiotherapy can be divided into external radiation therapy and proximal therapy according to the location of the radiation.

External radiotherapy can be divided into the treatment of photon beam therapy, electron beam therapy, particle beam therapy such as neutron treatment and proton therapy depending on the type of radiation used as a treatment method for irradiating the radiation using various equipments from outside the body. On the other hand, the brachytherapy is a method of irradiating the radiation on a limited area by positioning the radiation generating device or isotope on the inside of the body or on the surface. Depending on the space or method to be inserted, intracavitary treatment, in-vivo treatment, .

On the other hand, when performing the radiation treatment, successful radiation treatment can be performed only by concentrating the high dose on the target site while minimizing the damage caused by the radiation in the normal organs. Proton therapy, which has recently been introduced and spread, is highly effective in intensively investigating high doses in tumors and minimizing normal tissue doses by treating them with the physical properties of Bragg peak. However, in proton therapy, the air gap, which is the distance between the treatment device and the patient's surface due to the physical characteristics of the proton, is sensitive to changes in the profile of the patient's surface, resulting in distortion of the planned dose distribution, . In particular, an increase in the air gap not only changes the dose absorbed by the proton beam but also increases the scattering effect of the proton particles in the air, thereby increasing the penumbra of the treatment beam. It can have a huge impact on the grades and can increase the risk of radiation accidents.

In order to solve these problems, embodiments of the present invention measure stereoscopic distance information from the treatment apparatus to the body surface before the actual radiotherapy based on the reference distance information from the result of the radiotherapy plan to the surface of the patient body, A radiotherapy apparatus and a radiation therapy apparatus capable of performing radiotherapy and effective quality control by quantitatively analyzing the distance to a patient's body surface.

An embodiment of the present invention is a radiotherapy apparatus including a body part including a face and an opposite face opposite to the face, the body part being mountable to a gantry of the radiotherapy apparatus; The reference data of the body surface of the subject measured through the external imaging device and the reference distance from the gantry to the body surface with respect to the plurality of points on the basis of the reference image are generated A reference data generating unit; A data storage unit for storing the reference data for the subject in advance; Wherein the contour image of the body surface of the body at the same position as the reference image is obtained on the basis of the outline image, A distance measuring unit for measuring an actual distance; A data generating unit that generates measurement data using the actual distance and the contour image of the body surface provided from the distance measuring unit; And comparing the measurement data with the reference data, generating determination information by determining whether the measurement data is included in a first error range set in advance with respect to the reference data, and determining, based on the determination information, And a control unit for providing the attitude information corresponding to the determination information to the outside to correct the position or controlling the position of the radiation treatment apparatus to correct the position of the radiation treatment apparatus do.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness data from the one surface of the body portion to the other surface is stored in the data storage unit in advance, and the controller reflects the thickness data to compare the measurement data with the reference data .

In one embodiment of the present invention, the body may include an opening passing through the other surface from the one surface at the center.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the distance measuring unit may include a depth camera.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the controller compares the measurement data and the reference data with respect to each of the plurality of points, and calculates a ratio of a point outside the first error range to the reference data Is included in the second error range set in advance, and generates the determination information.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit corrects the posture of the subject according to the determination information or corrects the position of the radiotherapy apparatus, , The reference data may be corrected to the measurement data and stored in the data storage unit.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, A gantry coupled to one side of the main body and configured to be rotatable in at least one direction with respect to the main body; A radiation irradiation head disposed at one side of the gantry and irradiating the radiation toward the subject; A reference image of the body surface of the subject measured through an external imaging apparatus and a reference distance from the radiation irradiation head to the body surface with respect to a plurality of points with reference to the reference image, A reference data generating unit for generating a reference data; The measurement data is generated by using an outline image of the body surface of the subject and an actual distance between the radiation irradiation head and the surface of the body mounted on one side of the radiation irradiation head and comparing the measurement data with the reference data And a calibration unit for calibrating the position of the radiation irradiation head or the gantry or for providing attitude information for correcting the attitude of the subject.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the calibration unit includes: a body portion including a face and an opposite face to the face, the body portion being mountable to a gantry of the radiotherapy apparatus; A data storage unit for storing the reference data for the subject in advance; Wherein the contour image of the body surface of the body at the same position as the reference image is obtained on the basis of the outline image, A distance measuring unit for measuring an actual distance; A data generating unit that generates measurement data using the actual distance and the contour image of the body surface provided from the distance measuring unit; And comparing the measurement data with the reference data, generating determination information by determining whether the measurement data is included in a first error range set in advance with respect to the reference data, and determining, based on the determination information, And a controller for controlling the position of the radiation therapy apparatus so as to correct the position of the radiation therapy apparatus by providing attitude information corresponding to the determination information to the outside so as to correct the posture.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the body portion may include an opening passing through the other surface from the one surface to the center to allow the radiation to pass therethrough.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the distance measuring unit may include a depth camera.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness data from the one surface of the body portion to the other surface is stored in the data storage unit in advance, and the controller reflects the thickness data to compare the measurement data with the reference data .

In one embodiment of the present invention, the controller compares the measurement data and the reference data with respect to each of the plurality of points, and calculates a ratio of a point outside the first error range to the reference data Is included in the second error range set in advance, and generates the determination information.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit corrects the posture of the subject according to the determination information or corrects the position of the radiotherapy apparatus, , The reference data may be corrected to the measurement data and stored in the data storage unit.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the display unit may display the measurement data and the determination information externally.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the irradiation head has a coupling surface connected to one side of the gantry, and a nozzle unit arranged to face the coupling surface and adjust the distance between the irradiation surface irradiating the radiation and the coupling surface, And the calibration unit may be mounted on the irradiation surface of the nozzle unit.

An embodiment of the present invention is a method of calibrating a radiation therapy apparatus using a calibration unit including at least one distance measurement unit disposed on one surface of a body part, the method comprising the steps of: Storing a reference image of a surface and reference data generated using a reference distance from the radiation emitting head to the body surface to a plurality of points with reference to the reference image; Mounting the calibration unit on the radiotherapy apparatus through the other surface opposite to the one surface of the body portion; Wherein the distance measurement unit measures an outline image of a body surface of the subject at the same position as the reference image and calculates an actual image of the body surface from one surface of the body part to the plurality of points with reference to the outline image Measuring a distance; Generating measurement data using the actual distance and the contour image of the body surface provided from the distance measuring unit; Comparing the measurement data with the reference data; And correcting the posture of the subject or calibrating the position of the radiation treatment apparatus according to the degree of error when the measurement data exceeds a first error range previously set for the reference data, A method of calibrating a treatment device is provided.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of calibrating the position of the subject or the position of the radiation therapy apparatus according to the degree of error may include comparing the measurement data and the reference data with respect to each of the plurality of points And determining whether a ratio of a point outside the first error range to the reference data is included in a second error range set in advance and correcting the posture of the subject, The position can be corrected.

In one embodiment of the present invention, after the posture of the subject is corrected or the position of the radiotherapy apparatus is corrected, the ratio of the point out of the first error range to the reference data is pre- And correcting the reference data with the measurement data and storing the corrected reference data in the data storage unit when the measured error data is outside the set second error range.

Other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the following drawings, claims, and detailed description of the invention.

The radiation therapy apparatus and its calibration method according to embodiments of the present invention can accurately measure and correct the distance to the region of interest where the radiation dose is concentratedly irradiated through the calibration unit, thereby enabling accurate radiation therapy.

1 is a view showing a radiation therapy apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual view schematically showing a radiation head of the radiation therapy apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG.
Figures 3a and 3b are enlarged views of the calibration unit of Figure 2;
4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a process of generating measurement data in a calibration unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an image illustrating a process of comparing measurement data and reference data in a control unit to derive determination information.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a calibration method of a radiation therapy apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is capable of various modifications and various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. The effects and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, but may be implemented in various forms.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like or corresponding components throughout the drawings, and a duplicate description thereof will be omitted .

In the following embodiments, the terms first, second, and the like are used for the purpose of distinguishing one element from another element, not the limitative meaning.

In the following examples, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In the following embodiments, terms such as inclusive or possessive are intended to mean that a feature, or element, described in the specification is present, and does not preclude the possibility that one or more other features or elements may be added.

In the following embodiments, when a part of a film, an area, a component or the like is on or on another part, not only the case where the part is directly on the other part but also another film, area, And the like.

In the drawings, components may be exaggerated or reduced in size for convenience of explanation. For example, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of explanation, and thus the present invention is not necessarily limited to those shown in the drawings.

If certain embodiments are otherwise feasible, the particular process sequence may be performed differently from the sequence described. For example, two processes that are described in succession may be performed substantially concurrently, and may be performed in the reverse order of the order described.

In the following embodiments, when a film, an area, a component, or the like is referred to as being connected, not only the case where the film, the region, and the components are directly connected but also the case where other films, regions, And indirectly connected. For example, in the present specification, when a film, an area, a component, and the like are electrically connected, not only a case where a film, an area, a component, etc. are directly electrically connected but also another film, And indirectly connected electrically.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a radiation treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a conceptual view schematically showing a radiation irradiation head of the radiation treatment apparatus of FIG. 1, As shown in FIG.

1, 2 and 3A, a radiation therapy apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 110, a gantry 120, a radiation irradiation head 130, an image acquisition unit 140 A bed part 150, and a calibration unit 160. [ This will be described in more detail as follows.

Radiation therapy is a treatment for treating cancer by intensively irradiating high doses of radiation to the tumor. Successful radiotherapy requires treatment techniques to concentrate the radiation into the tumor while minimizing disruption of the surrounding normal organs, precise radiation therapy, and a variety of imaging or dose detection devices.

In recent years, the spread of high - precision radiation therapy devices has spread, and high - dose studies using high - dose therapy techniques have become commonplace. These high - dose studies have improved the tumor removal efficiency, but the risk of potential radiation accidents due to erosion is also increasing. In order to prevent such accidents, the quality assurance of the treatment device has been prescribed by law.

On the other hand, in order to accurately irradiate a tumor using a radiation therapy apparatus, the distance between the irradiation head and the body surface of the patient must be progressed according to a predetermined treatment plan. At this time, some radiotherapy devices were equipped with tape measure at the end of the treatment device to measure the distance. Since this conventional method is a quality control based on the subjective judgment of the examiner, it is not only time consuming but also inaccurate, and effective radiation therapy is difficult.

In order to solve such problems, a radiation therapy apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a calibration unit 160 mounted on the front surface of a radiation irradiation head 130, And the distance map data from the radiation irradiation head 130 to the body surface to generate measurement data, and compares the reference data and the measurement data for the previously planned treatment and corrects the measured data. Will be described in more detail.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the main body 110 forms a base of the radiation therapy apparatus 100 and serves as a reference for rotation of the gantry 120, the irradiation head 130, and the image acquisition unit 140.

The gantry 120 is coupled to one side of the main body 110 and is formed to be rotatable in at least one direction with respect to the main body 110. At this time, the image acquisition unit 140 formed to face the irradiation head 130 of the gantry 120 may be rotated together with the gantry 120. That is, the gantry 120, the irradiation head 130, and the image acquiring unit 140 are formed so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow A (or vice versa) in Fig.

2, on one side of the gantry 120, a radiation irradiation head 130 for irradiating radiation is formed. Here, the radiation irradiation head 130 may emit X-ray, gamma ray, high energy electron, high energy proton or other high energy particle beam.

Further, the irradiation head 130 may include any one of an x-ray generator, a radioisotope source, or a linear accelerator. Alternatively, the irradiation head 130 may receive and discharge the high energy particle beam generated by accelerating the particle accelerator installed outside the radiotherapy apparatus. Alternatively, the irradiation head 130 may be implemented as a multi-leaf collimator (MLC). With the use of the multi-collimator, the irradiation head 130 can perform beam forming internally, thereby enabling more efficient transmission of radiation energy. The irradiation head 130 includes a nozzle unit 131 connected to one side of the gantry 120 and adapted to control the distance between the irradiation surface and the coupling surface facing the coupling surface to irradiate the radiation . When the measurement data exceeds the error range with respect to the reference data by the calibration unit 160 to be described later, the radiation therapy apparatus 100 may adjust the nozzle unit 131 according to the degree of error. The radiation irradiation head 130 may further include a compensator block 133 provided between the nozzle unit 131 and the calibration unit 160 to compensate for the distance to the body surface of the patient .

The unit mounting guide 135 may protrude in the direction in which the radiation is irradiated from the radiation emitting head 130 and the calibration unit 160 may be coupled to the unit mounting guide 135. [ Although the description and the drawings have been made on the assumption that the calibration unit 160 is mounted on the radiation irradiation head 130 using the unit mounting guide 135, the calibration unit 160 can be mounted on the radiation irradiation head 130 It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to various coupling means.

The image acquiring unit 140 is a kind of image sensor or a detector sensor that detects radiation and converts the radiation into an electrical signal to acquire an image. An electronic portal imaging device (EPID) may be used as an example of the image acquisition unit 140. [ In detail, EPID technology is a technology for detecting radiation transmitted through a patient and converting it into an electrical signal to acquire an image or a dose distribution in order to confirm the position of the affected part in the case of radiation therapy using high energy radiation. That is, the image acquisition unit 140 may acquire a radiation image or obtain a dose distribution.

The image acquiring unit 140 may be mounted on any one of the main body 110, the gantry 120, and the irradiation head 130, or may be mounted on the bed unit 150 independently Or may be installed using a separate support.

The bed part 150 can be configured to be able to lie down on the patient and to move in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction with respect to the radiation irradiated from the radiation irradiation head 130.

3A, the calibration unit 160 includes a body unit 161, a reference data generation unit 162, a distance measurement unit 164, a data generation unit 166, a data storage unit 167, and a control unit 168 ).

The body portion 161 includes a first surface 161A and a second surface 161B opposed to the first surface 161A and may be mounted on the gantry 120. [ As one embodiment, may be formed in the form of a plate that can be coupled to the unit mounting guide 135 and mounted to the gantry 120. However, the present invention is not limited to the shape of the body portion 161, and any shape that can be coupled to the unit mounting guide 135 is possible.

The reference data generation unit 162 generates a reference data of the patient's body surface of the test subject measured through the external imaging device and the reference image of the patient from the gantry 120 to the body surface The reference data can be generated using the reference distance. Here, the external imaging apparatus may be an imaging means for imaging the contour of the body surface P1 of the inspected object P used in the radiation treatment planning to acquire an image. In one embodiment, the external imaging device (not shown) may be computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The data storage unit 167 may store the reference data for the inspected object P in advance. The thickness data t1 from one surface 161A to the other surface 161B of the body part 161 may be stored in advance in the data storage unit 167 and may be provided to the controller 168. [

The distance measuring unit 164 is disposed on one surface 161A of the body portion 161 and can measure the distance from one surface 161A of the body portion 161 to the body surface P1 with respect to a plurality of points At this time, the distance measuring unit 164 obtains an outline image of the body surface P1 of the subject P at the same position as the reference image, 161 can be measured from the one surface 161A to the body surface P1. The distance measuring unit 164 may include one or more depth cameras. If a depth camera is included, the two-dimensional distance data may be measured. On the other hand, since the number of the depth cameras 1641 that are theoretically required to generate the three-dimensional distance data including the depth is two or two, the relative three-dimensional position is grasped, You can include at least three depth cameras (1641) to figure out. Four depth cameras 1641 are shown for improved accuracy.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the calibration unit 160 according to another embodiment of the present invention may have an opening 165 passing through the body portion 161. The calibration unit 160 according to one embodiment of the present invention proceeds with the measurement while mounted on the radiation irradiation head 130 and should be detached from the radiation irradiation head 130 when the radiation treatment is started. Alternatively, the calibration unit 160 according to another embodiment includes an opening 165 extending from one side 161A of the body portion 161 to the other side 161B, through which the radiation passes . This allows the calibration unit 160 according to another embodiment to acquire measurement data from the body surface of the subject even during radiation therapy and perform calibration, thereby enabling more accurate radiation therapy.

The data generating unit 166 may generate measurement data using the outline image of the body surface P provided from the distance measuring unit 164 and the actual distance.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a process of generating measurement data in the calibration unit 160 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of comparing measurement data and reference data by the control unit 168, This is an image showing the process of derivation.

4, the data generation unit 166 generates the data of the outline image A1 obtained by the distance measurement unit 164 and the actual distance measured from the body part 161 to the body surface P1 with respect to a plurality of points (A2) can be synthesized to synthesize the measurement data (A3). At this time, the measured actual distance A2 may be three-dimensional distance map data including three-dimensional depth information as shown in the figure. For example, the distance measuring unit 164 generates an outline image A1 by photographing an outline of a body surface of a breast cancer patient so as to include a region of interest of a breast cancer patient. Based on the outline image, Dimensional distance map data A2 to the three-dimensional distance map data A2. The data generating unit 166 may synthesize the outline image A1 and the three-dimensional distance map data A2 to generate the measurement data A3 including the depth data in the body outline image.

The control unit 168 may compare the measurement data with the reference data and generate determination information by determining whether the measurement data is included in the first error range set in advance with respect to the reference data. Here, the first error range may be a difference between the reference data and the measured data, and may range, for example, from about 2 mm to about 5 mm. In the process of comparing the measurement data with the reference data with respect to the body surface of the body P, a difference between the measurement data and the reference data may occur due to the motion of the inspected body P, such as breathing. Such breathing-like movements do not correspond to errors in the region of interest of the actual body surface, so that a difference due to movement such as breathing can be excluded from the comparison process by setting a first error range. The control unit 168 can externally provide attitude information corresponding to the determination information to correct the attitude of the subject P according to the determination information. In another embodiment, the control unit 168 may control the position of the radiotherapy apparatus 100 to calibrate the position of the radiotherapy apparatus 100 according to the determination information. At this time, the control unit 168 does not necessarily have to be arranged in the calibration unit 160. The control unit 168 is disposed outside the calibration unit 160 and may perform a process of receiving measurement data obtained from the calibration unit 160 and comparing the measurement data with reference data.

Referring to FIG. 5, a difference between the measurement data and the reference data is shown in a two-dimensional graph, wherein (a) represents measurement data, (b) represents reference data, Represents a gamma factor value. The control unit 168 can provide the examiner with judgment information for determining whether to perform the radiation therapy or the radiation therapy through the quantitative comparison analysis of the measurement data and the reference data. As shown in (c) of FIG. 5, when measurement data is included in the first error range set beforehand with respect to the reference data, it is displayed in blue, and when it exceeds the set first error range, it can be displayed in red. The first error range may be arbitrarily changed depending on the purpose of radiation therapy, the radiation treatment environment, the characteristics of the subject, and the like.

The control unit 168 controls the nozzle unit 131 of the irradiation head 130 to calibrate the position or to adjust the position of the bed unit 150 or the nozzle unit 150 when the measured data exceeds the first error range preset for the reference data. The gantry 120 may be controlled to correct the position. In addition, the control unit 168 may provide the attitude information corresponding to the judgment information to the outside so as to calibrate the attitude of the patient P as the patient.

The calibration unit 160 may further include a communication unit (not shown) for transmitting measurement data to an external control unit 168. [ The communication unit can communicate with the control unit 168 via wired or wireless communication.

The control unit 168 may compare the measured data with the reference data by reflecting the thickness data t1 stored in the data storage unit 167. [ The calibration unit 160 is mounted on the irradiation surface of the nozzle unit 131 to which the radiation is irradiated. The body part contour measurement unit 163 and the distance measurement unit 164 of the calibration unit 160 are mounted on one surface As shown in FIG. In this case, the radiation dose to be irradiated on the surface of the actual body should take into consideration the distance between the irradiation surface of the nozzle unit 131 irradiated with the radiation and the body surface of the inspected object P. The calibration unit 160 has a body part 161 ) At a shortened distance. Therefore, the control unit 168 can accurately measure the radiation therapy by comparing the measured data with the reference data by reflecting the thickness data t1 of the body unit 161. [

Further, the control unit 168 can compare the measurement data and the reference data with respect to each of a plurality of points. At this time, it is determined whether the ratio of the point out of the first error range of the plurality of points to the reference data is within a second error range set in advance, and the attitude of the subject P is corrected, As shown in FIG. Specifically, when the ratio of the stiffnesses out of the first error range among the plurality of points is larger than the second error range set in advance, the posture of the subject P is corrected or the position of the radiation therapy apparatus 100 is corrected . At this time, the body surface of the subject P is divided into regions, the posture of the subject P is corrected when the error ratio in the region of interest is larger than the second error range, As shown in FIG. The degree of error in the region of interest to be treated substantially can be considered more important than the degree of error in the region of the region of interest.

On the other hand, after the posture of the subject P is corrected or the position of the radiotherapy apparatus 100 is corrected, the control unit 168 determines whether or not the ratio of the point out of the first error range 2 error range, the reference data can be corrected to measurement data and stored in the data storage unit. Specifically, the region of interest can be a target site with the tumor of the subject, and the size of the tumor in the region of interest becomes smaller as the radiation treatment proceeds. When the difference between the reference data and the reference data is large due to the small size of the tumor, the difference between the reference data and the measurement data is large. Therefore, even if the radiation therapy apparatus is calibrated or the posture of the test object is corrected, It may not be able to reduce it. Therefore, when the ratio of the point at which the measured data out of the first error range with respect to the reference data is larger than a preset ratio among the plurality of points is corrected, the control unit 168 corrects the reference data to the measurement data, ). ≪ / RTI > In other words, the new measurement data functions as the reference data.

Meanwhile, the radiation therapy apparatus 100 may further include a display unit (not shown) for externally displaying measurement data and determination information. When the control unit 168 determines that the measurement data is within the first error range set in advance with respect to the reference data, the radiation treatment apparatus 100 may display it externally so that the examiner can proceed with the radiation treatment. When the control unit 168 determines that the measurement data exceeds the first error range previously set for the reference data, the radiation therapy apparatus 100 displays the radiation image data to the outside so that the inspector can calibrate the posture of the subject P .

FIG. 6 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a calibration method of the radiation therapy apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, in a method of calibrating a radiation therapy apparatus using a calibration unit including at least one distance measuring unit disposed on one surface of a body, reference data about a body surface of the body of a subject is stored in a data storage unit 167 (S10). The reference data includes a reference image of a body surface P1 of a subject P measured through an external imaging apparatus and a reference image from a radiation irradiation head to a plurality of points on the basis of the reference image, Can be generated using the distance.

The calibration unit can be mounted on the radiation treatment apparatus 100 through the other surface 161B opposite to the one surface 161A of the body portion 161. [ In the case where the calibration unit is not separately separated and is disposed on the irradiation surface of the irradiation head or the nozzle unit, the next step can be carried out directly in the mounted state. Thereafter, the distance measuring unit 164 measures the outline of the body surface of the subject to generate an outline image (S21). Next, the actual distance from the one surface 161A of the body portion 161 to the body surface is measured at a plurality of points by the distance measuring unit 164 (S23). At this time, the distance measuring unit 164 may be a depth camera, and may generate three-dimensional distance map data including depth data.

Next, the data generation unit 166 synthesizes the contour image of the body surface and the three-dimensional distance map data to generate measurement data (S30). The control unit 168 compares the measurement data with the previously stored reference data (S40), and determines whether the measured data exceeds a first error range previously set for the reference data (S51). At this time, if the measurement data is included in the first error range, the calibration unit 160 can be detached from the radiation irradiation head 130 or proceed to the radiation treatment in the mounted state (S60).

If the measurement data exceeds the first error range previously set for the reference data, the radiation therapy apparatus 100 is calibrated or the posture of the test subject P is corrected according to the error level, and then the above- So that pre-planned radiotherapy can be performed correctly. At this time, the control unit 168 can compare the measurement data with the reference data for each of the plurality of points. It is possible to compare whether the ratio of the point at which the measured data exceeds the first error range previously set for the reference data, out of the plurality of points, exceeds a predetermined second error range (S51). When the ratio of the points exceeding the first error range exceeds the second error range set in advance, the radiation therapy apparatus 100 can be calibrated or the posture of the subject P can be corrected according to the error level ( S53). At this time, even if the posture of the subject P is calibrated or the radiation therapy apparatus 100 is calibrated, the ratio of the point at which the measurement data exceeds a first error range set in advance with respect to the reference data, If it exceeds the set second error range, the reference data may be corrected to measurement data and stored in the data storage unit 167 (S55). In another embodiment, when the ratio of the point exceeding the first error range set in advance is smaller than the predetermined first ratio, the control unit 168 proceeds to the radiation treatment without the position correction of the posture correction or the radiation therapy apparatus, The reference data may be corrected to measurement data and stored in the data storage unit 167. [ When the ratio of the points exceeding the first error range set in advance is included in the first ratio and the second ratio, the controller 168 corrects the posture of the patient or controls the position of the radiation therapy apparatus can do.

As described above, the radiation therapy apparatus and its correction method according to an embodiment of the present invention can accurately measure and correct the position to the region of interest where the radiation dose is concentratedly irradiated through the calibration unit, . This makes it possible to contribute to the improvement of the therapeutic result in the treatment of the site where the body surface is the therapeutic volume or the change of the body surface contour, and the radiation accident can be prevented in advance. In addition, the radiation therapy apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is very useful for proton therapy, enables high-precision radiation therapy, and can predict a radiation dose change with respect to an error. In addition, the radiation therapy apparatus can effectively detect a change in the contour of the patient's body surface during the treatment period, and can effectively manage the degree of the radiation therapy apparatus.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the true scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical idea of the appended claims.

100: radiation treatment apparatus 110:
120: gantry 130: radiation irradiation head
131: nozzle unit 135: unit mounting guide
140: image acquiring unit 150:
160: calibration unit 161:
161A: One side 161B:
164: distance measuring unit 165: opening
166: Data generation unit 167: Data storage unit
168: Control section 1641: Depth camera

Claims (18)

A body portion including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the body portion being mountable to a gantry of the radiation therapy apparatus;
A method of controlling a gantry using a reference distance between a reference image of a body surface of a subject measured through an external imaging apparatus and a reference distance from a radiation irradiation head of the gantry to a plurality of points based on the reference image, A reference data generation unit for generating reference data;
A data storage unit for storing the reference data for the subject in advance;
Wherein the contour image of the body surface of the body at the same position as the reference image is obtained on the basis of the outline image, A distance measuring unit for measuring an actual distance;
A data generating unit that generates measurement data using the actual distance and the contour image of the body surface provided from the distance measuring unit; And
And compares the measurement data with the reference data to generate determination information by determining whether the measurement data is included in a first error range set in advance with respect to the reference data, And a control unit for controlling the position of the radiation treatment apparatus to correct the position of the radiation treatment apparatus by providing attitude information corresponding to the determination information to the outside. The method according to claim 1,
The thickness data from the one surface to the other surface of the body portion is stored in advance in the data storage portion,
Wherein the control unit reflects the thickness data and compares the measurement data with the reference data. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the body portion includes an opening through the other surface from the one surface to the center. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the distance measuring unit includes a depth camera. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the control unit compares the measurement data and the reference data with respect to each of the plurality of points and determines whether a ratio of a point out of the plurality of points to the first error range is greater than a predetermined second error range And generates the judgment information by judging whether or not it is included. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the controller corrects the posture of the subject according to the determination information or corrects the position of the radiotherapy apparatus so that the ratio of the points out of the first error range to the reference data is preset And corrects the reference data to the measurement data and stores the corrected reference data in the data storage unit when the second error range is out of the second error range. A body portion;
A gantry coupled to one side of the main body and configured to be rotatable in at least one direction with respect to the main body;
A radiation irradiation head disposed at one side of the gantry and irradiating the radiation toward the subject;
A reference image of the body surface of the subject measured through an external imaging apparatus and a reference distance from the radiation irradiation head to the body surface with respect to a plurality of points with reference to the reference image, A reference data generating unit for generating a reference data;
The measurement data is generated by using an outline image of the body surface of the subject and an actual distance between the radiation irradiation head and the surface of the body mounted on one side of the radiation irradiation head and comparing the measurement data with the reference data And a calibration unit for calibrating a position of the irradiation head or the gantry, or for providing attitude information for calibrating a posture of the subject. 8. The method of claim 7,
The calibration unit includes:
A body portion including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the body portion being mountable to a gantry of the radiation therapy apparatus;
A data storage unit for storing the reference data for the subject in advance;
Wherein the contour image of the body surface of the body at the same position as the reference image is obtained on the basis of the outline image, A distance measuring unit for measuring an actual distance;
A data generating unit that generates measurement data using the actual distance and the contour image of the body surface provided from the distance measuring unit; And
And compares the measurement data with the reference data to generate determination information by determining whether the measurement data is included in a first error range set in advance with respect to the reference data, And to control the position of the radiation treatment apparatus to correct the position of the radiation treatment apparatus. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the body portion includes an opening passing through the other surface from the one side to the center to allow the radiation to pass therethrough. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the distance measuring unit includes a depth camera. 9. The method of claim 8,
The thickness data from the one surface to the other surface of the body portion is stored in advance in the data storage portion,
Wherein the control unit reflects the thickness data and compares the measurement data with the reference data. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the control unit compares the measurement data and the reference data with respect to each of the plurality of points and determines whether a ratio of a point out of the plurality of points to the first error range is greater than a predetermined second error range And generates the determination information by determining whether the information is included. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the controller corrects the posture of the subject according to the determination information or corrects the position of the radiotherapy apparatus so that the ratio of the points out of the first error range to the reference data is preset And corrects the reference data with the measurement data when the measurement data is out of the second error range, and stores the corrected measurement data in the data storage unit. 9. The method of claim 8,
And a display unit for externally displaying the measurement data and the determination information. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the irradiation head has a coupling surface connected to one side of the gantry and a nozzle unit facing the coupling surface and adjusting a distance between the irradiation surface irradiating the radiation and the coupling surface,
And the calibration unit is mounted on the irradiation surface of the nozzle unit. A calibration method of a radiation therapy apparatus using a calibration unit including at least one distance measuring unit disposed on one surface of a body part,
A reference image of the body surface of the subject measured through an external imaging device and a reference value generated by using a reference distance from the radiation irradiation head to the body surface to a plurality of points with reference to the reference image, Storing data;
Mounting the calibration unit on the radiotherapy apparatus through the other surface opposite to the one surface of the body portion;
Wherein the distance measurement unit measures an outline image of a body surface of the subject at the same position as the reference image and calculates an actual image of the body surface from one surface of the body part to the plurality of points with reference to the outline image Measuring a distance;
Generating measurement data using the actual distance and the contour image of the body surface provided from the distance measuring unit;
Comparing the measurement data with the reference data; And
Correcting the position of the subject or correcting the position of the radiation treatment apparatus according to the degree of error when the measurement data exceeds a first error range previously set for the reference data, Method of calibrating the device. 17. The method of claim 16,
Wherein the step of calibrating the position of the subject or correcting the position of the radiotherapy apparatus according to the degree of error comprises the steps of comparing the measurement data and the reference data with respect to each of the plurality of points, Wherein the position of the radiation treatment apparatus is corrected by determining whether a ratio of a point out of the first error range is included in a second error range set in advance and correcting the position of the subject or correcting the position of the radiation treatment apparatus Calibration method. 18. The method of claim 17,
If the ratio of the point outside the first error range to the reference data is out of a predetermined second error range after correcting the posture of the test object or correcting the position of the radiation treatment apparatus, And correcting and storing the reference data with the measurement data.

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