阅读说明：本技术 放射线治疗装置及放射线治疗装置的控制方法 (Radiation therapy device and control method for radiation therapy device ) 是由 本田泰三 藤泽达哉 中岛千博 岛仓智一 于 2019-10-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种放射线治疗装置及放射线治疗装置的控制方法,提高治疗的可靠性和使用便利性。放射线治疗装置(1)具有：治疗台(6),其使载置有治疗对象(Pt)的顶板(61)向预定的治疗场所(36)移动；拍摄装置(7),其从与顶板的移动方向不同的方向向预定的治疗场所移动,对治疗对象进行拍摄；以及照射装置(5),其设置于治疗台与拍摄装置之间,能够伸缩,向治疗对象照射放射线。照射装置在CT装置(7)向治疗场所移动时,向预定的退避位置(P1)移动。在向治疗对象照射放射线时,照射装置(5)移动至预定的照射位置(P3)。(The invention provides a radiation therapy device and a control method of the radiation therapy device, which can improve the reliability and the use convenience of the therapy. A radiotherapy apparatus (1) comprises: a treatment table (6) that moves a top plate (61) on which a treatment target (Pt) is placed to a predetermined treatment location (36); an imaging device (7) which moves from a direction different from the moving direction of the top plate to a predetermined treatment location and images a treatment object; and an irradiation device (5) which is provided between the treatment table and the imaging device, is capable of extending and contracting, and irradiates the treatment object with radiation. When the CT device (7) moves to a treatment location, the irradiation device moves to a predetermined retreat position (P1). When a radiation is irradiated to a treatment object, an irradiation device (5) is moved to a predetermined irradiation position (P3).)

1. A radiotherapy apparatus comprising:

a treatment table for moving a top plate on which a treatment target is placed to a predetermined treatment site;

an imaging device that moves from a direction different from the moving direction of the top plate to the predetermined treatment site and images the treatment target; and

an irradiation device which is provided between the treatment table and the imaging device, is extendable and retractable, and irradiates the treatment target with radiation,

the irradiation device retreats to a predetermined retreat position when the imaging device moves to the predetermined treatment site,

the irradiation device moves to a predetermined irradiation position when irradiating the treatment target with radiation.

2. The radiotherapy apparatus according to claim 1,

the predetermined treatment site is inside the imaging area of the imaging device.

3. The radiotherapy apparatus according to claim 1,

the irradiation device moves the nozzle section between the predetermined retreat position and the predetermined irradiation position by extending and contracting the nozzle section that irradiates the radiation.

4. The radiotherapy apparatus according to claim 3,

the nozzle portion includes: a bellows capable of being extended and retracted; and a monitoring and adjusting device of radiation provided at a front end of the bellows.

5. The radiotherapy apparatus according to claim 3,

the nozzle portion includes: a single tube that cannot be stretched; and a radiation monitoring and adjusting device provided separately on the leading end side of the single tube and movable between the predetermined retreat position and the predetermined irradiation position.

6. The radiotherapy apparatus according to claim 1,

the irradiation device moves to the retreat position at a predetermined angle.

7. The radiotherapy apparatus according to claim 6,

the predetermined angle is an angle at which the irradiation device is located above the photographing device.

8. The radiotherapy apparatus according to claim 1,

the particle beam therapy device further includes: a rotating gantry which is mounted with the irradiation device and rotates around the treatment object,

the treatment table is positioned outside the rotating rack and can enter and exit from the inlet of the rotating rack,

the shooting device is arranged to be positioned at the inner side in the rotating rack and can move.

9. The radiotherapy apparatus according to claim 1,

the particle beam therapy device further includes: a rotating gantry which is mounted with the irradiation device and rotates around the treatment object,

the shooting device is positioned outside the rotating rack and can enter and exit from the inlet of the rotating rack,

the treatment table is arranged to be located inside the rotating frame and to be movable.

10. The radiotherapy apparatus according to claim 1,

the particle beam therapy device further includes: a rotating gantry which is mounted with the irradiation device and rotates around the treatment object,

the rotating gantry has:

a rotating body;

a radiotherapy holder which is positioned inside the rotating body, rotates together with the rotating body, and forms the predetermined treatment site; and

and a stationary ring which is positioned inside the rotating body, rotates in the opposite direction of the rotating body, and forms a retreat position of the imaging device.

11. The radiotherapy apparatus according to claim 1,

the particle beam therapy device further includes: a half gantry which is installed with the irradiation device to rotate the irradiation device around the treatment object by an angle less than 360 degrees,

the shooting device is arranged to be positioned at the outer side of the rotation axis direction of the semi-portal frame and can enter and exit a preset treatment place in the semi-portal frame,

the treatment table can enter and exit the predetermined treatment place through an opening formed in the circumferential direction of the semi-portal frame.

12. A method of controlling a radiotherapy apparatus using a computer,

the radiotherapy apparatus includes:

a treatment table for moving a top plate on which a treatment target is placed to a predetermined treatment site;

an imaging device that moves from a direction different from the moving direction of the top plate to the predetermined treatment site and images the treatment target; and

an irradiation device which is provided between the treatment table and the imaging device, is extendable and retractable, and irradiates the treatment target with radiation,

the computer performs the following operations:

instructing the treatment table to move the top plate toward the predetermined treatment site,

instructing the irradiation device to retract in the light path,

instructing the imaging device to move from a predetermined standby location to the predetermined treatment location,

the diagnostic object is photographed by the photographing means,

acquiring image data of the diagnostic object from the imaging device,

instructing the photographing apparatus to move from the predetermined treatment site to the predetermined standby site,

instructing the irradiation device to move to the predetermined irradiation position,

instructing the irradiation device to irradiate the radiation from the irradiation device to the treatment target in accordance with a treatment plan created based on the image data.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a radiotherapy apparatus and a control method of the radiotherapy apparatus.

Background

The radiotherapy is a therapeutic method in which, for example, a diseased part is irradiated with gamma rays, X-rays, or particle beams to destroy cancer cells (patent document 1). Examples of the particle beam include a neutron beam, a proton (hydrogen) beam, a helium beam, and a carbon beam.

In recent years, in order to improve the reliability of radiation therapy and reduce the burden on a patient, adaptive therapy is required in which a treatment plan is corrected in accordance with changes in the size of a tumor and changes in the physical constitution of the patient. In adaptive therapy, for example, ct (computed tomogry) images are acquired before treatment, and a treatment plan is modified based on the acquired images. In this case, in order to realize the adaptive therapy, it is necessary to acquire a high-precision CT image at the isocenter where the treatment is performed.

In the case of capturing a CT image at the isocenter, it is necessary to avoid interference between an irradiation apparatus that irradiates radiation and the CT apparatus. In order to prevent the CT apparatus and the irradiation apparatus from interfering with each other during imaging, it is conceivable to dispose the irradiation apparatus outside the CT apparatus. In the case of particle beam therapy, if the distance between the irradiation apparatus and the isocenter is long, the distance through which the particle beam emitted from the evacuated irradiation apparatus passes in the air becomes long, and the beam size is enlarged due to scattering caused by the air, so that the quality and controllability of the dose distribution are deteriorated.

Therefore, the following techniques are proposed: one treatment table is shared by the CT apparatus and the radiation irradiation apparatus, and when imaging is performed by the CT apparatus, the arm of the radiation therapy apparatus is raised to prevent interference between the CT apparatus and the radiation therapy apparatus, and after the imaging is completed, treatment by radiation is performed (patent document 2).

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2017-12374

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open No. 2014-138671

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In the technique described in patent document 2, since the top plate of the bed device is provided so as to penetrate the CT device, the movement of the top plate is restricted. Therefore, in the conventional technique, the ease of use is reduced when the patient rides on and off the top board, and it is difficult to change the position or angle of the top board in accordance with the treatment plan.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a radiotherapy apparatus, a radiotherapy method, and a treatment plan creation method for a radiotherapy apparatus, which can improve reliability and usability of treatment.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above problems, a radiotherapy apparatus of the present invention includes: a treatment table for moving a top plate on which a treatment target is placed to a predetermined treatment site; an imaging device which moves from a direction different from the moving direction of the top plate to a predetermined treatment place and images a treatment object; and an irradiation device which is provided between the treatment table and the imaging device, is capable of extending and contracting, and irradiates the treatment object with radiation, wherein the irradiation device retreats to a predetermined retreat position when the imaging device moves to a predetermined treatment location, and moves to a predetermined irradiation position when the imaging device irradiates the treatment object with radiation.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, imaging and treatment can be performed without moving the treatment target on the top plate, and therefore, high-precision treatment can be performed. Further, according to the present invention, since the treatment table is provided so as to be movable to a predetermined treatment site, it is possible to improve the convenience of use when the treatment object is placed on the top board or lowered.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall outline of the particle beam therapy system.

Fig. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of the particle beam therapy system.

Fig. 3 is a schematic structural view of the rotating gantry.

Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the position of the irradiation nozzle at the time of CT imaging.

Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the position of the irradiation nozzle in the case of irradiating the particle beam while performing the moving body tracking.

Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the position of the irradiation nozzle in the case of irradiating a high-precision particle beam closest to the affected part.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the overall processing of the particle beam therapy system.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a process of controlling the position of the irradiation nozzle.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of the particle beam therapy system.

Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the position of the irradiation nozzle in the closest approach, according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view of the positional relationship between the CT apparatus and the irradiation nozzle as viewed from the front in the third embodiment.

Fig. 12 is an explanatory view showing positions of the rotating gantry, the CT apparatus, and the treatment table according to the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of a particle beam therapy system according to a fifth embodiment.

Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a positional relationship among the treatment table, the half gantry, and the CT apparatus.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a particle beam therapy system that irradiates a particle beam will be described as an example of a radiotherapy system. The present embodiment can be applied not only to a particle beam but also to an X-ray or an electron beam. In the following description, the particle beam is sometimes expressed as an ion beam or a beam. In the present embodiment, a CT apparatus is exemplified as an imaging apparatus, but the imaging apparatus is not limited to the CT apparatus, and the present embodiment can be applied to other imaging apparatuses such as an mri (magnetic Resonance imaging) apparatus and an X-ray imaging apparatus.

Fig. 1 shows an overall outline of a particle beam therapy system as a radiotherapy system. The detailed configuration will be described later with reference to fig. 2.

As shown in fig. 1, the particle beam therapy system 1 includes, for example: an irradiation device 5, a treatment table 6, and a CT device 7 as an "imaging device".

In the initial stage shown in fig. 1 (1), after the patient Pt is fixed to the top plate 61 of the treatment table 6 (S1), the top plate 61 is moved to the irradiation room 36 which is the "predetermined treatment site" (S2). Here, the "predetermined treatment site" is a site where the affected part of the patient Pt comes to at a position and a direction predetermined in the treatment plan, and is a site where the affected part of the patient Pt coincides with the isocenter IC. The irradiation chamber 36 is a space for performing particle beam therapy by irradiating a particle beam from the irradiation device 5.

In the preparation stage of CT imaging shown in fig. 1 (2), when the CT apparatus 7 moves, the distal end of the irradiation nozzle 53 of the irradiation apparatus 5 is retracted to the predetermined retracted position P1 (S3). After the irradiation nozzle 53 is moved to the retreat position P1, the CT device 7 is moved to the irradiation room 36 (S4). Further, as long as the contact between the irradiation nozzle 53 and the CT device 7 can be prevented, the movement of the irradiation nozzle 53 to the retracted position P1 and the movement of the CT device 7 may be performed simultaneously. In the case where the irradiation nozzle 53 is retracted to the retracted position before the initial stage shown in fig. 1 (1), the irradiation nozzle 53 may not be retracted in the CT scan preparation stage. The moved CT apparatus 7 is stationary at a position where the affected part of the patient Pt can be imaged, that is, at a position where the isocenter IC of the particle beam therapy system enters the imaging range of the CT apparatus 7.

At the CT imaging stage shown in fig. 1 (3), a cross-sectional image set in the vicinity of the isocenter IC of the affected area of the patient Pt is imaged by the CT apparatus 7, and image data is acquired (S5). Based on the acquired image data, a treatment plan is corrected or created as to which part is irradiated with the particle beam to what extent (S6).

In the treatment stage (irradiation stage) shown in fig. 1 (4), after the CT apparatus 7 is retracted from the irradiation room 36 to the original standby position (S7), the irradiation apparatus 5 extends the distal end of the irradiation nozzle 53 from the retracted position P1 to the irradiation position P3 (S8). Further, as long as the contact between the irradiation nozzle 53 and the CT device 7 can be prevented, the movement of the CT device 7 and the movement of the irradiation nozzle 53 to the irradiation position P3 may be performed simultaneously. Then, the irradiation device 5 irradiates the affected part of the patient Pt with a particle beam according to the prepared treatment plan (S9). In addition, although fig. 1 (4) shows a case where the tip of the irradiation nozzle 53 is closest to the isocenter IC, the present invention is not limited to this, and the tip of the irradiation nozzle 53 may be moved to the position of the particle beam while following the movement of the affected area, as described later in fig. 5.

According to the present embodiment configured as described above, the treatment table 6 can move the top board 61 toward the irradiation chamber 36, the CT device 7 can move the irradiation chamber 36 from the direction opposite to the moving direction of the top board 61, and the irradiation device 5 can extend and contract the irradiation nozzle 53 in accordance with the imaging time and the particle beam therapy time.

According to the present embodiment, the CT device 7 can easily approach the top panel 61, and can capture an image near the isocenter IC. That is, when imaging is performed by the CT apparatus 7, the distal end of the irradiation nozzle 53 is retracted to the retracted position P1, and therefore, the CT apparatus 7 approaches the top board 61 without interfering with the irradiation apparatus 5, and a sectional image near the isocenter IC can be imaged. When the top plate 61 is moved after the patient Pt is fixed to the top plate 61, the body tissue of the patient Pt moves due to the force applied by the acceleration or deceleration of the top plate 61. However, according to the present embodiment, the top plate 61 on which the patient Pt is placed does not need to be moved after entering the irradiation chamber 36, and the position thereof can be maintained from CT imaging to particle beam therapy.

In the present embodiment, high-quality diagnostic image data in the vicinity of the isocenter IC of the patient Pt in the same state as in the particle beam therapy can be obtained from the CT apparatus 7, and a therapy plan can be corrected or created from the high-quality diagnostic image data. By irradiating the particle beam based on the corrected or created treatment plan, the reliability of the particle beam treatment can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the irradiation nozzle 53 is extended and the distal end of the irradiation nozzle 53 is moved from the retreat position P1 to the irradiation position P3 during the particle beam therapy, so that the irradiation nozzle 53 can be brought close to the isocenter IC. Thus, in the present embodiment, the diameter of the particle beam irradiated from the irradiation device 5 toward the affected part (isocenter) can be reduced, and the quality of the dose distribution can be improved.

In the present embodiment, since the top plate 61 of the treatment table 6 is mechanically separated from the CT apparatus 7, the top plate 61 can be moved into and out of the irradiation chamber 36 or its angle can be changed without being restricted by the structure of the CT apparatus 7. Although fig. 1 shows the top plate 61 held horizontally, it may be at an angle other than horizontal.

Example 1

The first embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 2 to 9. Fig. 2 shows the overall structure of the particle beam therapy system 1. The particle beam therapy system 1 is disposed in a room not shown. The particle beam therapy system 1 includes, for example: a particle beam generating device 2, a rotating gantry 3, a beam delivery system 4, a treatment table 6, a CT device 7, and an information processing system 8.

The particle beam generating apparatus 2 is an apparatus that generates a particle beam as an example of a particle beam that is a kind of radiation. The particle beam generating apparatus 2 includes, for example: an ion source, not shown, a linear accelerator 20 and a synchrotron 21 as a pre-stage accelerator. In the present embodiment, a system using the pre-accelerator 20 and the synchrotron 21 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a cyclotron, a synchrocyclotron, or a particle beam accelerator using a superconducting magnet may be used. Examples of the particle beam include a proton beam (proton ion beam), a helium beam (helium ion beam), and a carbon beam (carbon ion beam). Either may be used.

The synchrotron accelerator 21 has, for example: an annular beam guide 22, an incident device 23, a plurality of deflection electromagnets 24, a plurality of quadrupole electromagnets 25, a high-frequency acceleration cavity 26, a high-frequency applying device 27 for emission, and a diaphragm electromagnet 28 for emission.

The beam guide 22 constitutes a circumferential trajectory of the particle beam. An injector 23 mounted on the beam guide 22 is connected to the linac 20 through a vacuum pipe. An ion source, not shown, is connected to the linac 20. The high-frequency application device 27 includes, for example: a high-frequency electrode for emission, a high-frequency power supply, and an on-off switch (all not shown). As shown in fig. 2, the deflection electromagnets 24, the quadrupole electromagnets 25, the high-frequency acceleration cavity 26, and the diaphragm electromagnet 28 are disposed along the beam guide 22.

The beam transport system can be roughly divided into a first beam transport system (high-energy beam transport system) 4 that transports the beam from the accelerator 2 to the rotating gantry 3, and a second beam transport system (gantry beam transport system) 30 that transports the beam within the rotating gantry 3 to the irradiation device 5.

The first beam transport system 4 has a beam path (beam guide) 41 connected to the diaphragm electromagnet 28 of the synchrotron accelerator 21. A plurality of quadrupole electromagnets 43, a deflection electromagnet 42, and a plurality of quadrupole electromagnets 43 are disposed along the beam path 41 from the synchrotron 21 toward the irradiation device 5.

The second beam delivery system 30 has a beam path (beam guide) 31. A plurality of deflection electromagnets 32 and a plurality of quadrupole electromagnets 33 are arranged along the beam path 31 from the synchrotron 21 toward the irradiation device 5.

The beam path 31 and the electromagnets 32 and 33 are attached to the rotating gantry 3. The beam path 31 is connected to the beam path 41 at a connection 44 between the first beam transport system 4 and the second beam transport system 30. The beam path 31 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the rotating gantry 3, and is not directly connected to the beam path 41 but connected thereto via the connecting portion 44.

The irradiation device 5 irradiates a particle beam from the extendable and retractable irradiation nozzle 53 toward an affected part of the patient Pt placed on the top plate 61 of the treatment table 6 based on the treatment plan. The irradiation device 5 includes, for example: a Y-direction scanning electromagnet (beam scanning device) 51, an X-direction scanning electromagnet 52, and an irradiation nozzle 53.

The Y-direction scanning electromagnet 51 deflects the particle beam in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the irradiation device 5 to scan the particle beam in the Y direction. The scanning electromagnet 52 in the X direction deflects the particle beam in its plane, and scans in the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction. As described later, a plurality of the X-direction scanning electromagnets 51 can be provided.

As described above, the irradiation nozzle 53 is provided on the distal end side of the irradiation device 5 so as to be extendable and retractable in the axial direction thereof. The irradiation nozzle 53 includes, for example: bellows 531, window 532, dose monitors 533, 534, beam position monitor 535, and ridge filter 536 (all see fig. 4). The window 532 is a boundary of vacuum and air. The beam guide 22, 31, 41 is kept in vacuum up to the window 532 of the irradiation device 5, and the particle beam is accelerated and transported in vacuum. The particle beam passing through the window 532 travels in the air.

The irradiation device 5 is mounted on the rotating gantry 3. The irradiation device 5 can move, for example, 360 ° around a rotation axis AX (see fig. 3) of the rotating gantry 3 by rotating the gantry 3. The irradiation device 5 is located at the end of the second beam transport system 30, faces the particle beam exit of the irradiation device 5, and the scanning electromagnets 51 and 52 and the tip part 530 are arranged along the central axis of the irradiation device 5. The front end portion 530 is a device for monitoring and adjusting a particle beam, such as dose monitors 533 and 534, a beam position monitor 535, a ridge filter 536, a range shifter (not shown), and a collimator (not shown).

The treatment table 6 is a device for holding the patient Pt at a predetermined position and angle, and includes a top plate 61 on which the patient Pt is placed and a moving mechanism 62. The moving mechanism 62 may be configured as, for example, a robot arm that moves the top plate 61 in a plurality of directions (for example, 6-axis direction), or may be configured as a mechanism that moves the top plate 61 horizontally on a rail.

The CT apparatus 7 is disposed so as to face the treatment table 6 through an irradiation space (irradiation chamber 36) of the irradiation apparatus 5. The CT device 7 is installed so as to be able to enter and exit the irradiation chamber 36 from the direction opposite to the direction in which the top plate 61 enters the irradiation chamber 36.

The information processing system 8 is a system for controlling the particle beam therapy system 1. The information processing system 8 includes, for example: a main controller 81, an irradiation control system 82, a treatment planning apparatus 83, a CT control system 84, a data storage unit 85, and an operation terminal 86. Here, the example in which the main controller 81, the irradiation control system 82, the treatment planning apparatus 83, the CT control system 84, the data storage unit 85, and the operation terminal 86 are each configured as one system or apparatus is shown, but instead, a plurality of systems or a plurality of apparatuses may be configured as one system or apparatus, or one system or one apparatus may be configured as a plurality of systems or a plurality of apparatuses, with functions being divided.

The main controller 81 is a computer that controls the overall operation of the particle beam therapy system 1, and includes computer resources such as a microprocessor 811, a memory 812, and an interface section 813, for example. In the figure, the microprocessor 811 is shown as "CPU" and the interface section 813 is shown as "IF". A predetermined computer program (not shown) for controlling the particle beam therapy system 1 is stored in the memory 812.

The microprocessor 811 reads out and executes a predetermined computer program from the memory 812, thereby controlling the particle beam therapy system 1. The interface unit 813 includes, for example, a communication interface circuit and an input/output interface circuit corresponding to one or more communication protocols.

The interface section 813 can connect the storage medium PM. The storage medium PM is configured, for example, as a flash memory, an optical disk, a memory card, a hard disk, or the like. A part or all of a predetermined computer program can be transferred from the storage medium PM to the memory 81 of the main controller 81 and stored therein. Conversely, a part or all of a predetermined computer program may be transferred from the memory 812 of the main controller 81 to the storage medium PM and stored therein.

The irradiation control system 82 is a computer that controls the whole of the irradiation of the particle beam by the particle beam therapy system 1. The computers 83, 84, and 86 described below, including the irradiation control system 82, have computer resources such as a microprocessor and a memory (none of which are shown) as in the case of the main controller 81.

The treatment planning device 83 is a computer that creates a plan for performing treatment by irradiation of a particle beam. The treatment planning device 83 creates a treatment plan based on the instruction of the physician and the image data obtained from the CT device 7.

The CT control system 84 is a computer that controls the operation of the CT apparatus 7. The image data (diagnostic image data) of the affected area captured by the CT apparatus 7 is stored in the data storage 85 via the CT control system 84.

The data storage 85 stores, for example, image data captured by the CT apparatus 7 and a treatment plan created by the treatment planning apparatus 83.

The operation terminal 86 is a computer used by a user such as a medical technician or a doctor. The user operates the particle beam therapy system 1 by using the operation terminal 86. The user can also acquire information of the particle beam therapy system 1 via the operation terminal 86 and confirm the information on the screen of the terminal 86.

A mechanical structure of the rotating gantry 3 will be described schematically with reference to fig. 3. The rotating gantry 3 has: a cylindrical rotating body 34, an annular radiotherapy holder 35 positioned inside the rotating body 34 and provided coaxially with the rotating body 34, and a cylindrical stationary ring 40 positioned inside the rotating body 34 and provided coaxially with the rotating body 34. The irradiation device 53 is fixed to the rotating body 34 and the radiation therapy gantry 35, and rotates around the isocenter IC together with the rotation of the rotating body 34 and the radiation gantry 35. Further, an example in which the rotating body 34, the radiotherapy holder 35, and the stationary ring 40 are formed in a cylindrical shape or an annular shape is described, but instead, the rotating body 34 or the like may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape or a truss structure.

The rotary body 34 is provided with an annular front ring on the front side thereof and an annular rear ring (neither shown) on the rear side thereof. The front ring is supported from below by a support means 37 provided on the floor 100 of the room. The rear ring is supported from the lower side by a support means 38 provided to the floor 100.

The supporting device 37 includes a pair of roller supporting members and a plurality of supporting rollers (neither shown). Each support roller is rotatably attached to each roller support member. The front ring is rotatably supported by the support rollers.

The supporting device 38 also includes a pair of roller supporting members and a plurality of supporting rollers (both not shown) in the same manner as the supporting device 37. Each support roller is rotatably attached to each roller support member. The rear ring is rotatably supported by the support rollers.

A rotation shaft of a rotation device that rotates the rotating frame 3 is coupled to a rotation shaft of one of the plurality of support rollers that support the rear ring via a reduction gear (none of which is shown). An angle detector (not shown) for measuring the rotation angle of the rotating frame 3 is coupled to the rotation shaft of one of the plurality of support rollers supporting the front ring.

The radiotherapy treatment holder 35 will be explained. Hereinafter, it may be simply referred to as a treatment holder 35. The treatment holder 35 is provided at the opening of the rotating body 34 and on the front ring side. The inside of the treatment holder 35 is formed in a shape in which the letter "D" is inclined by 90 degrees by a moving floor 352 horizontal to the floor 100 of the room 10 and an arc-shaped arc portion 353. A plate member connected in a crawler shape is disposed inside the treatment holder 35, and forms a horizontal moving floor 352 while rotating together with the rotating body 34 and the treatment holder 35. Both ends of the treatment holder 35 are open, and the front ring side is an entrance 361 through which the top plate 61 enters and exits the irradiation chamber 36.

The stationary ring 40 is disposed on the opposite side of the access opening 361 at both ends of the treatment holder 35. A horizontal floor portion 401 is formed inside the stationary ring 40. The opposite sides of the treatment holder 35 in both ends of the stationary ring 40 are sealed by the panel 351. The stationary ring 40 is rotated in the reverse direction of the rotating body 34 by a driving mechanism 39 provided to the rotating body 34. Thus, even if rotating body 34 rotates, horizontal floor portion 401 does not rotate with respect to room 10. As described later, the CT device 7 is movably provided on the horizontal floor portion 401.

The treatment holder 35 configured as described above protects the patient Pt on the top plate 61 from the movement path (rotation path) of the irradiation device 5 in the circumferential direction of the rotating gantry 3. The treatment holder 35 is provided with a movable floor 352 as a foot board so that a medical technician or the like can perform a medical action on the patient Pt. The treatment holder 35 provides a closed space with respect to the surroundings, which becomes an irradiation chamber 36. Further, the stationary ring 40 also provides a horizontal floor portion 401 that is stationary with respect to the room 10. The treatment holder 35 provides a closed space which becomes a retreat place for the CT apparatus 7 with respect to the surroundings.

The CT-device 7 is arranged to be located in the stationary ring 40. The CT apparatus 7 images the affected part by passing the patient Pt through the opening 72. The CT device 7 is moved in the treatment holder 35 by the moving mechanism 71. The CT device 7 may be movable parallel to the moving floor 352 or may be movable at a different angle from the moving floor 352. That is, the moving mechanism 71 may be configured to move the CT device 7 using a rail, and may be configured to tilt the CT device 7 with respect to the X axis. Further, the robot arm may be configured to have multiple axes. By configuring the CT device 7 to be inclined with respect to the X axis, the CT device 7 can be moved in accordance with the orientation of the top board 61. The moving mechanism 71 moves the top plate 61 so as not to contact the moving floor 352 above the moving floor 352 of the rotating gantry 3.

Fig. 4 is a structural diagram of the irradiation device 5 viewed from the front direction of the rotating gantry 3. Fig. 4 shows the position of the irradiation nozzle 53 when the CT apparatus 7 performs imaging.

On the beam path 500 of the irradiation device 5, in order from the top: a Y-direction scanning electromagnet 51, an X-direction first scanning electromagnet 52(1), an X-direction second scanning electromagnet 52(2), and an irradiation nozzle 53. The irradiation nozzle 53 includes: a bellows 531; a window 532 provided on the tip side of the bellows 531; a main dose monitor 533 provided below the window 532; a sub-dose monitor 534 provided on the lower side of the main dose monitor 533; a position monitor 535 disposed below the sub-dose monitor 534; and a ridge filter 536 disposed below the location monitor 535. An X-ray Detector (FPD) 55(1), 55(2) is provided at the tip of the irradiation nozzle 53.

The dose monitors 533, 534 measure the dose of the particle beam and send it to the radiation control system 82. The position monitor 535 measures the emission position of the particle beam and transmits the measured emission position to the irradiation control system 82.

The FPDs 55(1), 55(2) correspond to the X-ray irradiation devices 54(1), 54(2) disposed below the irradiation chamber 36. That is, the first FPD55(1) detects the X-rays irradiated from the first X-ray irradiation device 54(1) and sends the detected X-rays to the irradiation control system 82. The second FPD55(2) detects the X-rays irradiated from the second X-ray irradiation device 54(2), and sends the detected X-rays to the irradiation control system 82. The X-ray irradiation apparatuses 54(1), 54(2) and the FPDs 55(1), 55(2) enable tracking of the position of the affected part during radiation therapy. Unless otherwise specified, the X-ray irradiation apparatuses 54(1), 54(2) are referred to as X-ray irradiation apparatuses 54, and the FPDs 55(1), 55(2) are referred to as FPDs 55. In the imaging, the FPD55 is folded to the irradiation nozzle 53 side so as not to contact the CT apparatus 7. The FPD55 may not be folded and the irradiation nozzle 53 may be retracted to a position where the FPD55 does not contact the CT apparatus 7.

The bellows 531 expands and contracts in the Z direction in fig. 4. The amount of expansion and contraction of the bellows 531 is detected by a sensor, not shown, and sent to the irradiation control system 82. As shown in fig. 4, when the CT apparatus 7 performs imaging, the bellows 531 contracts to retract the distal end of the irradiation nozzle 53 to the retracted position P1. The tip of the irradiation nozzle 53 (the lower surface of the ridge filter 536) is separated from the isocenter IC by a distance L1. Thus, even when the CT device 7 moves the irradiation room 36 toward the lower side of the irradiation device 5, interference between the irradiation device 5 and the CT device 7 does not occur. When the CT apparatus 7 is large and the distance between the tip of the irradiation nozzle 53 and the isocenter IC is increased, the scanning electromagnets 51 and 52 and the electromagnet 32 positioned above the irradiation nozzle 53 may be moved up and down.

Fig. 5 shows the position of the irradiation nozzle 53 in the case where moving body tracking irradiation for irradiating the affected part of the patient Pt with the particle beam from the irradiation device 5 is performed while the movement of the internal body tissue of the patient Pt is tracked in real time by the X-ray irradiation device 54 and the FPD 55. In the case of moving body tracking irradiation, the FPD55 is lowered to a position facing the X-ray irradiation device 54 so that the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray irradiation device 54 can be detected.

From the state shown in fig. 4, the bellows 531 is extended downward by a length L2, whereby the leading end of the irradiation nozzle 53 reaches the moving body tracing irradiation position P2. At this time, the distance from the tip of the irradiation nozzle 53 to the isocenter IC is L2 (< L1). The distance L2 is set to a value close to the patient Pt but the irradiation nozzle 53 and the FPD55 do not contact the patient Pt.

Fig. 6 shows the position of the irradiation nozzle 53 in the case of irradiating a high-precision particle beam closest to the affected part.

For example, from the state shown in fig. 4, the bellows 531 is extended downward by a length L3, whereby the front end of the irradiation nozzle 53 reaches the closest irradiation position P3. At this time, the distance from the tip of the irradiation nozzle 53 to the isocenter IC is L3 (< L2).

At the closest irradiation position P3 in the present embodiment, the FPD55 is folded to the irradiation nozzle 53 side, and therefore, the moving body tracking by the X-ray is not performed. The irradiation nozzle 53 can be brought close to the patient Pt by the amount the FPD55 is folded. Further, by changing the mounting position of the FPD55, etc., it is possible to perform moving body tracking even when the FPD55 can receive X-rays from the X-ray irradiation apparatus 54.

The case where the tip of the irradiation nozzle 53 moves from the retreat position P1 to the moving body tracking irradiation position P2 or the closest irradiation position P3 has been described, but the tip of the irradiation nozzle 53 can move between positions P1, P2, P3. That is, the movement from the position P1 to the position P2, the movement from the position P1 to the position P3, the movement from the position P2 to the position P1, the movement from the position P2 to the position P3, the movement from the position P3 to the position P1, and the movement from the position P3 to the position P2 can be realized.

A method of controlling the particle beam therapy system 1 will be described with reference to fig. 7.

When the preparation start of the imaging by the CT apparatus 7 is instructed from the operation terminal 86 (S11), the main controller 81 confirms the position of the irradiation nozzle 53 via the irradiation control system 82 and determines whether or not the irradiation nozzle 53 is retracted to the retracted position P1 (S12).

When determining that the irradiation nozzle 53 is not retracted (no in S12), the main controller 81 stops the preparation for imaging by the CT apparatus 7 (S13) and instructs the irradiation apparatus 5 to retract the irradiation nozzle 53. The instruction is transmitted from the main controller 81 to the irradiation device 5 via the irradiation control system 82, for example. Thereby, the irradiation device 5 retracts the distal end of the irradiation nozzle 53 to the predetermined retracted position P1.

When the user instructs the start of the preparation for imaging of the CT apparatus 7 again from the operation terminal 86 (S11), the main controller 81 determines that the distal end of the irradiation nozzle 53 is retracted (S12: yes), and allows the CT apparatus 7 to move to the irradiation room 36 (S15). That is, the main controller 81 allows the CT control system 84 to perform the movement and imaging of the CT apparatus 7. Since the irradiation nozzle 53 is retracted, the CT device 7 does not contact the irradiation nozzle 53 even if the CT device 7 moves from the standby position to the irradiation room 36.

The CT apparatus 7 that has received the movement permission moves from the standby place on the back side of the treatment holder 35 to the irradiation room 36, images the patient Pt on the top plate 61, and transmits the imaged image data to the data storage 85 to be stored (S16). More specifically, the CT device 7 moves from a predetermined waiting position to a treatment position (a position corresponding to the isocenter IC and capable of imaging the affected part of the patient Pt) in the irradiation room 36 in accordance with an instruction from the CT control system 84. The CT apparatus 7 moves the patient Pt from the front end of the top board 61 through the opening 72 of the CT apparatus 7 to a position where the affected part can be imaged and stands still, in accordance with the angle of the top board 61. Then, the CT apparatus 7 takes an image of the vicinity of the isocenter IC and transmits the image data to the CT control system 84. The CT control system 84 stores the image data received from the CT device 7 in the data storage 85.

The main controller 81 confirms whether or not the imaging by the CT apparatus 7 is completed via the CT control system 84 (S17). After the main controller 81 confirms that the imaging by the CT apparatus 7 is completed (S17: yes), the treatment planning apparatus 83 creates a treatment plan based on the image data stored in the data storage 85 (S18). The creation of the treatment plan is performed according to manual instructions from the physician. The created treatment plan is transferred to the data storage unit 85 and stored therein. Instead of creating a treatment plan, a treatment plan created in advance may be corrected based on image data.

The main controller 81 instructs the CT device 7 to return to the standby position in accordance with the treatment start instruction input from the operation terminal 86 (S19). The main controller 81 instructs the irradiation nozzle 53 to extend to the irradiation position P2 or P3 simultaneously with or after the instruction to move the CT apparatus 7 (S20). This makes it possible to smoothly shift from CT imaging to treatment by beam irradiation without moving the patient Pt.

When the irradiation nozzle 53 reaches the irradiation position P2 or the irradiation position P3, the irradiation control system 82 irradiates a predetermined particle beam from the irradiation nozzle 53 to the isocenter IC according to the treatment plan (S21).

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a process of controlling expansion and contraction of the irradiation nozzle. When receiving an instruction to extend or contract the irradiation nozzle 53 from the main controller 81 (S31), the irradiation control system 82 determines whether the instruction is to extend or contract (S32). Here, the extension is to move the tip of the irradiation nozzle 53 toward the isocenter IC. The contraction is to move the tip of the irradiation nozzle 53 away from the isocenter IC.

When the extension of the irradiation nozzle 53 is instructed (S32: extension), the irradiation control system 82 extends the irradiation nozzle 53 (S33). The irradiation control system 82 determines whether the tip of the irradiation nozzle 53 reaches the stop position (S34), and extends the tip of the irradiation nozzle 53 until reaching the stop position (S34: no → S32: extension → S33). When determining that the distal end of the irradiation nozzle 53 has reached the stop position (yes in S34), the irradiation control system 82 stops the extension of the irradiation nozzle 53.

On the other hand, when the contraction of the irradiation nozzle 53 is instructed (S32: contraction), the irradiation control system 82 contracts the irradiation nozzle 53 (S36). The irradiation control system 82 determines whether the tip of the irradiation nozzle 53 reaches the stop position (S34), and retracts the tip of the irradiation nozzle 53 until the stop position is reached (S34: no → S32: retract → S36). When it is determined that the tip of the irradiation nozzle 53 has reached the stop position (yes in S34), the irradiation control system 82 stops the contraction of the irradiation nozzle 53 (S35).

Fig. 9 is a perspective view partially showing an application example of the particle beam therapy system 1. The particle beam therapy system 1 is installed in the room 10. The treatment table 6 is positioned in a space near the drawing, and the top plate 61 is moved into and out of the irradiation chamber 36 through the entrance 361.

The CT apparatus 7 is provided on the back side of the irradiation chamber 36 so as to be movable toward the irradiation chamber 36 (toward the irradiation-enabled region of the irradiation apparatus 5). In fig. 9, the CT apparatus 7 is located at a standby position and moves forward during imaging.

According to the present embodiment configured as described above, the treatment table 6 and the CT apparatus 7 can be moved from different directions to the irradiation chamber 36 formed inside the rotating gantry, and the irradiation nozzle 53 is retracted so as not to interfere with the CT apparatus 7 at the time of imaging, and extended so as to approach the isocenter IC at the time of treatment.

Therefore, the particle beam therapy system 1 of the present embodiment can smoothly switch between imaging by the CT device 7 and therapy by the irradiation device 5 without moving the patient Pt positioned at the isocenter IC. As a result, a highly reliable treatment plan can be created from the image data of the affected part closer to the state at the time of treatment, and the particle lines can be irradiated by the irradiation nozzle 53 closer to the affected part at the time of treatment. Therefore, the reliability of the particle beam therapy can be improved.

According to the particle beam therapy system 1 of the present embodiment, since there is no need for a therapy in which the patient Pt is moved from the imaging by the CT system 7 to the irradiation with the particle beam, it is possible to suppress positional deviation of the affected part during the therapy plan creation and the therapy. Therefore, the margin set within the irradiation range to the affected part can be reduced, and therefore, the influence on the normal tissue can be reduced.

According to the particle beam therapy system 1 of the present embodiment, since the CT device 7 can be housed in the back side of the irradiation room 36 and the CT image at the isocenter IC in the irradiation room 36 can be acquired, a high-quality treatment plan can be created. Further, since it is not necessary to separately provide a simulation room for creating a treatment plan, the room size can be reduced.

According to the particle beam therapy system 1 of the present embodiment, since the imaging and therapy of CT images can be switched relatively smoothly, the therapy plan can be optimized in a shorter time than before, and real-time adaptive therapy (adaptive radiotherapy) can be realized.

According to the particle beam therapy system 1 of the present embodiment, the top plate 61 of the therapy table 6 is mechanically separated from the CT device 7, and the top plate 61 can freely enter and exit the irradiation chamber 36 or can change its angle (posture) without being restricted by the structure of the CT device 7. Therefore, the degree of freedom of treatment is increased, and the convenience of use is improved.

Example 2

Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to fig. 10. In the following embodiments including the present embodiment, description will be made centering on differences from embodiment 1.

Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the irradiation nozzle 53A of the irradiation device 5A of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a single tube 531A is used instead of the bellows 531, and the front end 530 constituted by the monitors 533 to 536 is separated from the single tube 531A so as to be movable. The front end 530 may also be referred to as a separate monitor 530.

Fig. 10 shows a case where the irradiation nozzle 53A is located closest to the irradiation position P3. The separated distal end portion 530 can be moved to the retreat position P1, the moving body tracking irradiation position P2, and the closest irradiation position P3 described in example 1 by a distal end portion moving mechanism not shown.

The present example also achieves the same operational effects as example 1. Here, in the irradiation device 5A of the present embodiment, the single tube 531A is used, and the distal end portion 530 separated from the single tube 531A is moved, so that the particle beam emitted from the window portion 532 of the single tube 531A slightly spreads in the air. Further, the particle beam emitted into the air passes through the distal end portion, and is further expanded. However, since the distal end portion 530 approaches the affected area when the particle beam is irradiated, as in example 1, the spread of the beam at the affected area can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the single tube 531A that is not stretched is used instead of the stretchable bellows 531, and the distal end portion 530 is moved while being separated from the single tube 531A, so that the overall size of the irradiation device 5A can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the irradiation device 5A can be reduced. That is, the bellows 531 has an overall length several times the required expansion/contraction amount (stroke amount), and thus is more expensive than a single tube. In contrast, in the present embodiment, since the single tube 531A is used, the size of the irradiation device 5A and the size of the rotating gantry can be reduced, and the cost can also be reduced. Further, the single tube 531A has a simple structure as compared with the bellows 531, and can reduce the probability of failure and facilitate maintenance.

Example 3

Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to fig. 11. In the present embodiment, a description will be given of a direction in which the irradiation device 5 is made extensible (retractable).

Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a positional relationship between the CT apparatus 7 and the irradiation apparatus 5. The CT device 7 may not necessarily have a circular outer shape, but may have a non-circular shape such as a rectangular shape or an elliptical shape.

Although not shown, when the CT apparatus 7 has a substantially perfect circular outer shape, the length (also referred to as the advance/retreat amount or the stroke amount) of the irradiation nozzle 53 to be extended/contracted is almost constant to prevent interference regardless of where the irradiation device 5 is located on the outer peripheral side of the CT apparatus 7. That is, when 0 ° is set from the center of the CT apparatus 7 to the right above, the amount of expansion and contraction required to avoid interference between the irradiation nozzle 53 and the CT apparatus 7 is substantially the same at 0 °, 90 °, 180 °, 270 °, or almost all other angles between these 4 angles.

On the other hand, when the outer shape of the CT apparatus 7 is a non-circular shape, for example, as shown in fig. 11, when the outer shape is an oblong shape or a rectangular shape, the amount by which the irradiation nozzle 53 is extended or contracted varies depending on the rotation angle of the irradiation apparatus 5. The distance L4 from the isocenter IC to the outer periphery of the CT apparatus 7 in the case where the irradiation device 5 is located at 90 ° and 270 ° is longer than the distance L5 from the isocenter IC to the outer periphery of the CT apparatus 7 in the case where the irradiation device 5 is located at 0 ° and 180 °.

Here, the explanation is given by taking 4 angles of 0 °, 90 °, 180 °, and 270 ° as examples, but the irradiation nozzle 53 may be made to be expandable and contractible at any angle other than these angles, for example, in the range of 1 ° to 89 °, 91 ° to 179 °, 181 ° to 269 °, and 271 ° to 359 °.

As described above, when the length from the isocenter IC to the outer periphery of the CT device 7 differs depending on the angle of the irradiation device 5, the minimum required amount of expansion and contraction is also different in order to prevent the irradiation nozzle 53 from contacting the CT device 7.

The irradiation nozzle 53 may be configured to be extendable and retractable from a plurality of angles. In this case, since it is not necessary to move the irradiation nozzle 53 to the telescopic angle, the time required to switch between the particle beam therapy and the CT imaging can be shortened, and the throughput of the particle beam therapy system 1 can be increased. In this case, the amount of expansion and contraction is an amount of expansion and contraction (maximum amount of expansion and contraction) at which the CT apparatus 7 is not in contact regardless of the angle, and may be fixed. In addition, the amount of expansion and contraction for avoiding interference may be different depending on the angle of the irradiation device 5. When the amount of expansion and contraction is changed according to the angle, the mechanical structure and the control process (such as a correction process) become complicated, and the size of the rotating gantry also becomes large.

The irradiation nozzle 53 may be configured to be extended and contracted at an angle at which the amount of expansion and contraction is minimum (0 ° and 180 ° in the case of fig. 11). The size of the rotating frame and the complexity of the control process can be suppressed.

Further, if the irradiation device 5 is made extensible and contractible from an angle of 180 °, a gap for extending and contracting the irradiation nozzle 53 is generated in the movable floor 352, and therefore, the movement of the medical technician in the irradiation room 36 is restricted. The gap may be closed by a plate or the like, but in this case, the mechanical structure becomes complicated.

Therefore, the irradiation device 5 may be configured to extend and contract at an angle other than the angle (in the vicinity of 180 °, for example, in the range of 150 ° to 210 °) of the moving floor 352, from the viewpoint of not hindering the movement of the medical technician. The amount of expansion and contraction in this case may be fixed at the maximum amount of expansion and contraction as described above, or may be the minimum amount of expansion and contraction required for each angle of the irradiation nozzle 53.

The telescopic angle of the irradiation device 5 may be limited to 0 °. This can prevent interference with the CT apparatus 7 by the minimum amount of expansion and contraction. Further, since no gap is generated in the movable floor 352, the movement of the medical technician is not obstructed, and the convenience of use is good. Further, the mechanical structure and the control process can be suppressed from becoming complicated. However, since the irradiation nozzle 53 needs to be extended and contracted after the irradiation device 5 is positioned at an angle of 0 °, the throughput of the particle beam therapy system 1 is reduced.

In this way, it is sufficient to determine from which angle the irradiation nozzle 53 of the irradiation device 5 is to be extended or retracted, in consideration of the complexity of the mechanical structure, the complexity of the control process, the increase in size of the rotating gantry, the amount of treatment processing, the convenience of the medical technician, the manufacturing cost, and the like.

The present embodiment thus configured can be combined with any of embodiment 1 and embodiment 2. This embodiment can be further applied to the combined structure of embodiment 1 and embodiment 2.

Example 4

Embodiment 4 will be described with reference to fig. 12. In the present embodiment, the arrangement of the treatment table 6 and the CT apparatus 7 is reversed from that of embodiment 1.

Fig. 12 shows the arrangement relationship between the rotating gantry 3B, CT and the treatment table 6. The CT device 7 is disposed outside the irradiation chamber 36 of the rotating gantry 3B. When the CT device 7 allows movement to the irradiation chamber 36, it enters the irradiation chamber 36 from the outside of the irradiation chamber 36 by the movement mechanism 71. As described in embodiment 1, the moving mechanism may be configured not to contact the moving floor of the rotating frame 3B.

The treatment table 6 is disposed inside the treatment holder 35 on the back side of the irradiation chamber 36. The present embodiment configured as above also achieves the same operational effects as embodiment 1. This embodiment can be combined with any one of embodiments 1 to 3. The present embodiment can also be applied to any combination of embodiments 1 to 3.

Example 5

Embodiment 5 will be described with reference to fig. 13 and 14. In this embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a particle beam therapy system 1C using a so-called semi-floating gantry (hereinafter, semi-gantry) 3C as a rotating gantry will be described. The half gantry 3C moves the irradiation device 5 in the circumferential direction at an angle of less than 360 ° (for example, in a range of-45 degrees to 200 degrees). Fig. 13 is a perspective view partially showing an example of the particle beam therapy system 1C having the half gantry 3C. Similarly to the gantry 3 of embodiment 1, the inside of the half gantry 3C is formed into a crawler structure, and a moving floor 352B horizontal to the floor 100 is formed. Fig. 14 (1) is a plan view of the particle beam therapy system 1C, and shows a state in which the top plate 61 is positioned outside the irradiation chamber 36. Fig. 14 (2) is a side view of the particle beam therapy system 1C viewed from the direction of the arrow XV (2) in fig. 14 (1), and shows a state in which the top plate 61 is imaged by the CT device 7 in the irradiation chamber 36. In fig. 14 (2), the patient Pt is omitted.

For example, the half gantry 3C is formed in a substantially C-shape in cross section orthogonal to the rotation axis AX, and an opening parallel to the rotation axis is the entrance 362. The treatment table 6 allows the top plate 61 to enter the irradiation chamber 36 (a space in which the irradiation apparatus 5 can irradiate the particle beam) through the entrance 362, and stands still at a predetermined treatment position in the irradiation chamber 36.

When the top board 61 is positioned in the irradiation chamber 36 in the half gantry 3C, the CT device 7 waiting at the end in the longitudinal direction of the half gantry 3C moves to the irradiation chamber 36, and images the affected part of the isocenter IC.

The present embodiment configured as above also achieves the same operational effects as embodiment 1. This embodiment can be combined with any one of embodiments 1 to 3. The present embodiment can also be applied to any combination of embodiments 1 to 3.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make various additions, modifications, and the like within the scope of the present invention. The above-described embodiments are not limited to the configuration examples shown in the drawings. The structure and processing method of the embodiments can be appropriately modified within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention.

For example, although the explanation has been given of the example in which the irradiation nozzle 53 extends and contracts in 3 stages of the retreat position P1, the moving body tracking irradiation position P2, and the closest irradiation position P3, the irradiation nozzle 53 may be extendable and contracted in 2 stages of the retreat position P1 and the moving body tracking irradiation position P2, or the retreat position P1 and the closest irradiation position P3 instead. The irradiation nozzle 53 may be expandable and contractible in 4 stages or more. The irradiation nozzle 53 may be configured to be continuously and steplessly extended and contracted. The above description has been given by taking as an example a configuration in which the irradiation device 53 is fixed to the rotating gantry 3 and the half gantry 3C, but the irradiation device 53 may be fixed to the room 10 without using the rotating gantry 3 and the half gantry 3C.

Further, each component of the present invention may be arbitrarily selected, and an invention having a selected structure is also included in the present invention. The configurations described in the claims can be combined with each other in addition to the combinations explicitly described in the claims.

Description of the symbols

1. 1B, 1C: particle beam therapy device, 2: particle beam generating device, 3B, 3C: rotating frame, 4: beam delivery system, 5A: irradiation apparatus, 6: treatment table, 7: CT device, 8: information processing system, 35: radiotherapy holder, 36: irradiation chamber, 53A: the nozzle is irradiated.