阅读说明：本技术 放射线治疗装置 (Radiation therapy device ) 是由 佐佐井健蔵 于 2020-09-15 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供一种放射线治疗装置,能够在适当的定时结束带电粒子束的射出,其具备：加速器,射出带电粒子束；时间测量部,测量加速器的带电粒子束的射出时间；第1控制部,根据由时间测量部测量的射出时间而控制加速器；及射出判定部,判定在第1控制部控制加速器的期间,加速器是否射出带电粒子束,时间测量部将通过射出判定部判定为加速器射出带电粒子束的时间与加速器的带电粒子束的射出时间相加,不将通过射出判定部判定为加速器未射出带电粒子束的时间与加速器的带电粒子束的射出时间相加。(The present invention provides a radiotherapy apparatus which can end the emission of charged particle beams at proper timing, and the radiotherapy apparatus comprises: an accelerator that emits a charged particle beam; a time measuring unit that measures the emission time of the charged particle beam from the accelerator; a 1 st control unit for controlling the accelerator according to the injection time measured by the time measuring unit; and an emission determination unit that determines whether or not the accelerator emits the charged particle beam while the 1 st control unit controls the accelerator, wherein the time measurement unit adds a time period during which the emission determination unit determines that the accelerator emits the charged particle beam to an emission time of the charged particle beam from the accelerator, and does not add a time period during which the emission determination unit determines that the accelerator does not emit the charged particle beam to an emission time of the charged particle beam from the accelerator.)

1. A radiotherapy apparatus is provided with:

an accelerator that emits a charged particle beam;

a time measuring unit that measures an emission time of the charged particle beam from the accelerator;

a 1 st control unit that controls the accelerator in accordance with the emission time measured by the time measuring unit; and

an emission determination unit that determines whether or not the accelerator emits the charged particle beam while the 1 st control unit controls the accelerator,

the time measuring unit adds the time determined by the emission determination unit that the accelerator emits the charged particle beam to the emission time of the charged particle beam from the accelerator, and does not add the time determined by the emission determination unit that the accelerator does not emit the charged particle beam to the emission time of the charged particle beam from the accelerator.

2. The radiotherapy apparatus according to claim 1,

the emission determination unit determines whether or not to emit the charged particle beam based on information indicating a generation state of the charged particle beam in the accelerator.

3. The radiotherapy apparatus according to claim 2,

the accelerator has a generation source that generates charged particles,

the emission determination unit determines whether or not the accelerator emits the charged particle beam based on information indicating a generation state of the charged particle beam in the generation source.

4. The radiotherapy apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,

the accelerator has a stopper which is provided on a rail through which the charged particle beam passes and controls the passage and shielding of the charged particle beam by opening and closing,

the emission determination unit determines whether or not the accelerator emits the charged particle beam based on information indicating an open state and a closed state of the stopper.

5. The radiotherapy apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4,

the accelerator has a signal source that outputs high frequency power,

the emission determination unit determines whether the accelerator emits the charged particle beam based on information indicating a state of the high-frequency power.

6. The radiotherapy apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising:

a plurality of charged particle beam measuring units that are provided in a beam path of the charged particle beam and measure a state of the charged particle beam; and

a plurality of No. 2 control units for controlling the accelerator based on the measurement results of the plurality of charged particle beam measuring units,

the 1 st control unit and the plurality of 2 nd control units each independently control the accelerator.

7. The radiotherapy apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the accelerator has an interlock that limits the ejection of the charged particle beam,

the time measuring unit continues to measure the emission time when the interlock does not restrict emission of the charged particle beam, and ends measurement of the emission time when the interlock restricts emission of the charged particle beam.

Technical Field

The present application claims priority based on japanese patent application No. 2019-168554, applied for 9/17/2019. The entire contents of this Japanese application are incorporated by reference into this specification.

The present invention relates to a radiotherapy apparatus.

Background

Conventionally, as an apparatus used in a therapy for killing cancer cells by irradiation with radiation, an apparatus described in patent document 1 is known. The neutron capture therapy device described in patent document 1 is used for a neutron capture therapy in which cancer cells are killed by irradiation with neutrons. The neutron capture therapy device is provided with: a 1 st current measuring section for measuring a current of the charged particle beam; a 2 nd current measuring unit for measuring the current of the charged particle beam on the downstream side of the 1 st current measuring unit; and a control unit for controlling the accelerator based on the measured current value. The neutron capture therapy apparatus measures a decrease in current value during the transportation of the charged particle beam by the 1 st current measuring unit and the 2 nd current measuring unit, and performs control in accordance with the decrease in current value.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2016-

In the neutron capture therapy apparatus described in patent document 1, in addition to the control mechanism of the accelerator based on the current value controlled by the control unit, a control mechanism of the accelerator based on a control system including a timer independent from the control unit may be considered. The control system including a timer controls the accelerator when, for example, the elapsed time from the start of measurement reaches a preset irradiation end time, and ends the radiation therapy. Therefore, when there is a temporary irradiation of the charged particle beam that does not follow the current treatment plan (for example, the emission is temporarily stopped), the control system including the timer may terminate the irradiation of the charged particle beam regardless of the treatment plan updated by the control unit.

Disclosure of Invention

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a radiotherapy apparatus capable of terminating the emission of charged particle beams at appropriate timing.

A radiotherapy apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes: an accelerator that emits a charged particle beam; a time measuring unit that measures the emission time of the charged particle beam from the accelerator; a 1 st control unit for controlling the accelerator according to the injection time measured by the time measuring unit; and an emission determination unit that determines whether or not the accelerator emits the charged particle beam while the 1 st control unit controls the accelerator, wherein the time measurement unit adds a time period in which the emission determination unit determines that the accelerator emits the charged particle beam to an emission time of the charged particle beam from the accelerator, and does not add a time period in which the emission determination unit determines that the accelerator does not emit the charged particle beam to an emission time of the charged particle beam from the accelerator.

The radiotherapy apparatus includes: a time measuring unit that adds the time determined by the emission determination unit that the accelerator emits the charged particle beam to the emission time of the charged particle beam; and a 1 st control unit for controlling the accelerator according to the injection time measured by the time measuring unit. According to this configuration, since the time for which it is determined that the accelerator does not emit the charged particle beam is not added to the emission time, the 1 st control unit can perform control according to the emission state of the charged particle beam. As described above, the radiotherapy apparatus can end the emission of the charged particle beam at an appropriate timing.

In one embodiment, the emission determination unit may determine whether or not to emit the charged particle beam based on information indicating a generation state of the charged particle beam in the accelerator. The time measurement unit can measure the emission time of the charged particle beam by the determination based on the information indicating the generation state of the charged particle beam in the emission determination unit. Thus, the radiotherapy apparatus can appropriately measure the emission time of the charged particle beam.

In one embodiment, the accelerator has a generation source that generates charged particles, and the emission determination unit may determine whether or not the accelerator emits the charged particle beam based on information indicating a generation state of the charged particle beam in the generation source. The time measurement unit can measure the emission time of the charged particle beam by the determination based on the information indicating the generation state of the charged particle beam in the generation source in the emission determination unit. Thus, the radiotherapy apparatus can appropriately measure the emission time of the charged particle beam in the accelerator.

In one embodiment, the accelerator has a stopper which is provided on a track through which the charged particle beam passes and which controls passage and shielding of the charged particle beam by opening and closing, and the emission determination unit may determine whether or not the accelerator emits the charged particle beam based on information indicating an open and closed state of the stopper. The time measuring unit can measure the emission time of the charged particle beam by the determination based on the information indicating the open and closed states of the stopper in the emission determining unit. Thus, the radiotherapy apparatus can appropriately measure the emission time of the charged particle beam in the accelerator based on the information indicating the open and closed states of the stopper in the accelerator.

In one embodiment, the accelerator has a signal source that outputs high-frequency power, and the emission determination unit may determine whether or not the accelerator emits the charged particle beam based on information indicating a state of the high-frequency power. The time measurement unit can measure the emission time of the charged particle beam by the determination based on the information indicating the state of the high-frequency power of the signal source in the emission determination unit. Thus, the radiotherapy apparatus can appropriately measure the emission time of the charged particle beam in the accelerator based on the information indicating the state of the high-frequency power of the signal source in the accelerator.

The apparatus includes a plurality of charged particle beam measurement units provided on a beam path of a charged particle beam to measure a state of the charged particle beam, and a plurality of 2 nd control units for controlling an accelerator based on measurement results of the plurality of charged particle beam measurement units, and the 1 st control unit and the plurality of 2 nd control units can control the accelerator independently of each other. In this case, the 1 st control unit and the plurality of 2 nd control units can control the accelerator based on the emission time in the time measuring unit and the measurement result in the plurality of signal measuring units. Since the 1 st control unit and the plurality of 2 nd control units are independent from each other, the radiotherapy apparatus can end the emission of the charged particle beam at an appropriate timing in accordance with a plurality of conditions.

In one embodiment, the accelerator has an interlock that restricts emission of the charged particle beam, and the time measuring unit may continue measurement of the emission time when the interlock does not restrict emission of the charged particle beam, and may end measurement of the emission time when the interlock restricts emission of the charged particle beam. When the interlock does not restrict the emission of the charged particle beam, even if the emission of the charged particle beam is stopped, it can be regarded as a temporary stop that can be automatically resumed, for example. Therefore, the time measuring unit can continue the measurement of the injection time and treat the temporary stop as a time not added to the injection time. On the other hand, when the emission of the charged particle beam is restricted by the interlock, it may take time to release the interlock. Therefore, when the emission of the charged particle beam is restricted by the interlock, the time measuring unit ends the measurement of the emission time. This can prevent the time measuring unit from unnecessarily performing long-time measurement.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a radiotherapy apparatus capable of terminating the emission of charged particle beams at an appropriate timing.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a neutron capture therapy system as an example of a radiation therapy apparatus according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a graph showing an emission state of a charged particle beam of the radiotherapy apparatus according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control of the radiotherapy apparatus according to the embodiment.

Description of the symbols

1-neutron capture therapy device, 2-accelerator, 3-beam path, 4-quadrupole electromagnet, 5-current monitor, 6-scanning electromagnet, 7-target, 8-deceleration component, 9-shield, 10-collimator, 11-gamma ray detection section, 21-vacuum box, 22-ion source device, 23-ion supply port, 24-acceleration electrode, 25-signal source, 26-block, 27-foil stripper, 27 a-stripper drive shaft, 27 b-foil, 27 c-foil drive section, 28-exit port, 29-interlock, 30-controller, 31,32, 33-electronic control unit, 40-exit determination section, 50-time measurement section, 60-1 st control section, 70, 71-2 nd control part, 100-patient, K, R-charged particle beam, M-neutron beam generation part, N-neutron beam, P-negative ion, T₀-time of ejection, T₁-a predetermined ejection time.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A radiotherapy apparatus is an apparatus used for cancer treatment or the like by radiotherapy. The radiotherapy apparatus is, for example, a charged particle beam therapy apparatus, a neutron capture therapy apparatus, or the like. The charged particle beam therapy device accelerates charged particles generated by the ion source device and emits the charged particles as a charged particle beam. The charged particle beam is obtained by accelerating particles having electric charges at a high speed, and examples thereof include a proton beam, a neutron beam, a heavy particle (heavy ion) beam, and an electron beam. The neutron capture therapy device generates a neutron beam by irradiating a target with a charged particle beam. The radiotherapy apparatus irradiates a tumor (irradiation target) in a patient with a charged particle beam or a neutron beam.

In the present embodiment, a neutron capture therapy apparatus as an example of a radiation therapy apparatus will be described. A Neutron Capture Therapy apparatus 1 as an example of a radiation Therapy apparatus shown in fig. 1 is an apparatus for performing cancer Therapy using Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). In the neutron capture therapy apparatus 1, for example, boron (b) is administered¹⁰B) The tumor of the patient (subject) 100 is irradiated with the neutron beam N. The patient 100 is disposed on a table 101.

The neutron capture therapy apparatus 1 includes an accelerator 2. The accelerator 2 is a device that accelerates charged particles such as negative ions to form a charged particle beam K and emits a charged particle beam R having a predetermined energy. In the present embodiment, a cyclotron is used as the accelerator 2. In addition, as the accelerator 2, other circular accelerators (e.g., synchrotrons), linear accelerators (e.g., linear accelerators), electrostatic accelerators, or the like may be used instead of the cyclotron. In the present embodiment, the charged particle beam K and the charged particle beam R may be composed of different charged particles or may be composed of the same charged particles. In the present embodiment, the charged particle beam K is a beam generated from the accelerated negative ions P, and the charged particle beam R is a proton beam generated by stripping electric charges from the negative ions P constituting the charged particle beam K. The accelerator 2 has a capability of generating a charged particle beam R having a beam radius of 40mm and 60kW (═ 30MeV × 2mA), for example.

Specifically, the accelerator 2 includes: a vacuum box 21 in which negative ions P are surrounded; an ion source device 22 (an example of a generation source) that generates negative ions P; and an ion supply port 23 for supplying negative ions from the ion source device 22 to the vacuum chamber 21. The accelerator 2 also includes: a pair of accelerating electrodes 24 disposed between a pair of magnetic poles (not shown); a signal source 25 for supplying high-frequency power to the accelerating electrode 24; and a stopper 26 for trapping the negative ions P. Further, the accelerator 2 includes: a foil stripper 27 for stripping electrons from the negative ions P; an injection port 28 for extracting protons whose trajectories have been changed by the foil stripper 27; and an interlock 29.

The vacuum box 21 is supplied with negative ions inside thereof, and emits accelerated negative ions. The vacuum box 21 is provided with an exhaust port (not shown) for vacuum exhaust. The exhaust port is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown). The inside of the vacuum box 21 is vacuumed by a vacuum pump. The vacuum box 21 is arranged such that a pair of magnetic poles (not shown) surrounded by an annular coil face each other. The pair of magnetic poles are each cylindrical in shape. A pair of magnetic poles face the disk surfaces. Magnetic flux is generated from one magnetic pole toward the other magnetic pole by supplying current to the coil surrounding the magnetic pole. That is, an electromagnet is formed by a pair of magnetic poles surrounded by an annular coil inside the vacuum chamber 21. The inside of the vacuum box 21 is in a cylindrical shape having a disk having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the disk surface of the pair of magnetic poles as an upper surface or a bottom surface.

The vacuum box 21 is provided with an ion supply port 23 for supplying negative ions P generated by the ion source device 22 into the vacuum box. The ion source device 22 generates negative ions P by performing arc discharge in a raw material such as hydrogen gas. The ion source device 22 may be disposed outside the accelerator 2 or may be disposed inside the accelerator 2. The negative ions P generated by the ion source device 22 are supplied so as to be introduced into the vacuum chamber 21 through the ion supply port 23.

The ion source apparatus 22 includes an ion source monitor (not shown). The ion source monitor immediately detects a signal such as a current value or a voltage value used for arc discharge. The ion source monitor is, for example, a current meter, a voltage meter, a flow meter, a faraday cup, or the like. The ion source monitor outputs the detection result to an ion source determination unit of an emission determination unit 40 (described later) as information indicating the generation state of the negative ions P in the ion source device 22 (an example of information indicating the generation state of the charged particle beam). In addition, such information is sometimes referred to as ion source information.

The negative ions P supplied into the vacuum chamber 21 are accelerated while being surrounded by the accelerating electrode 24 to which a high-frequency voltage is applied. The acceleration electrode 24 is connected to a signal source 25 that outputs high-frequency power. The acceleration electrode 24 is operated by high-frequency power supplied from a signal source 25 to accelerate the negative ions P. The negative ions P accelerated by the accelerating electrode 24 gradually increase energy. When the energy increases, the radius of rotation of the negative ions P becomes large, and a circular orbit as a spiral motion is drawn. At this time, the accelerated negative ions P form a charged particle beam K.

The signal source 25 includes a signal source monitor (not shown). The signal source monitor instantaneously detects a signal such as a high-frequency power, a current value of the high-frequency power, or a voltage value of the high-frequency power when the high-frequency power is output. The signal source monitor is for example a current meter, a voltage meter or a thermometer. The signal source monitor outputs the detection result to a signal source determination unit of the emission determination unit 40 described later as information indicating the state of the high-frequency power (an example of information indicating the generation state of the charged particle beam). Such information is sometimes referred to as high-frequency power information.

The stopper 26 is provided on a trajectory through which the charged particle beam K passes in the vacuum box 21, and controls the passage and shielding of the charged particle beam K by opening and closing. That is, when the stopper 26 opens the trajectory of the charged particle beam K, the stopper 26 passes the charged particle beam K. When the stopper 26 closes the trajectory of the charged particle beam K, the stopper 26 shields the charged particle beam K. The stop 26 is, for example, a faraday cup. When the stopper 26 closes the orbit of the charged particle beam K, the stopper 26 captures, for example, the negative ions P supplied into the vacuum box 21 through the ion supply port 23.

The chock 26 includes a chock monitor (not shown). The stop monitor instantaneously detects the opening and closing of the stop 26. The stop monitor, for example, acquires opening and closing signals that determine the opening and closing, respectively, of the stop 26. The stopper monitor acquires, for example, an open/close signal that indicates "close" when the stopper 26 passes the charged particle beam. The block monitor acquires, for example, an open/close signal that is "open" when the block 26 is in a state of shielding the charged particle beam. The stopper monitor outputs the opening and closing signals to the stopper determination unit of the emission determination unit 40 as information (an example of information indicating the generation state of the charged particle beam) indicating the opening and closing states of the stopper 26. In addition, such information is sometimes referred to as open and close information.

The foil separator 27 extracts electrons from the negative ions P constituting the charged particle beam K, and guides the protons to the ejection opening 28. The foil peeling unit 27 includes: a stripper drive shaft 27a extending in the radial direction of the accelerator 2; a foil 27b provided at the front end of the peeler drive shaft 27 a; and a foil drive section 27c for driving the stripper drive shaft 27a to advance and retreat in the radial direction of the pair of magnetic poles. The foil drive section 27c is provided with a high-precision motor and the like, and the stripper drive shaft 27a is driven by 10 by the drive control of the foil drive section 27c^-2mm～10^-1As a result of the advance and retreat of the unit of mm, the foil 27b can advance and retreat so as to cross the orbit of the negative ions P (charged particle beam K).

The foil 27b is made of, for example, a carbon film. When the foil 27b enters the orbit of the surrounding negative ions P (charged particle beam K) and comes into contact with the negative ions P, electrons are stripped from the negative ions P. The curvature of the orbit of the proton (accelerated particle) deprived of electrons and having a positive charge from a negative charge is inverted, and the orbit changes in a direction of flying out to the outside of the orbit. An ejection port 28 for taking out the proton from the vacuum box 21 is provided on the orbit of the reversed proton. That is, the vacuum box 21 is provided with an injection port 28 on the trajectory of the proton whose trajectory is changed by the foil separator 27. Therefore, the foil 27b takes electrons from the negative ions P, and as a result, protons are induced to the ejection port 28. As described above, the charged particle beam R formed of the induced protons is emitted from the accelerator 2 from the foil stripper 27 through the emission port 28. Further, the accelerator 2 further has a magnetic flux adjusting portion including an air-core coil that generates a magnetic flux around the foil 27 b.

The foil separator 27 measures the electron amount of electrons stripped from the negative ions P (an example of a charged particle beam measuring unit). The measured amount of electrons (i.e., charge, dose rate of irradiation) is detected in real time. The foil separator 27 outputs the detection result to a 2 nd control unit 70 described later. In addition, "dose rate" refers to a dose per unit time.

The interlock 29 controls the emission of the charged particle beam K, R by the accelerator 2. That is, the interlock 29 is not operated, and the accelerator 2 can emit the charged particle beam K and the charged particle beam R. The interlock 29 may be, for example, a hardware structure provided in the ion source apparatus 22, the signal source 25, or the stopper 26, or may be at least one of a hardware structure and a software structure provided in the accelerator 2. When the interlock 29 operates in accordance with an instruction from the system or an instruction from an operator or the like, the interlock 29 prohibits the accelerator 2 from emitting the charged particle beam K, R. When the interlock 29 is operated and the accelerator 2 is prohibited from emitting the charged particle beam K, R, the neutron capture therapy device 1 does not automatically recover. That is, when the interlock 29 prohibits the accelerator 2 from emitting the charged particle beam K, R, the neutron capture therapy device 1 does not perform the irradiation of the neutron beam N to the patient 100 as long as there is no intervention from the outside such as an operation by the operator. For example, interlock 29 is manually reset by an operator turning a reset key of interlock 29. When the interlock 29 prohibits the emission of the charged particle beam K, R, the interlock 29 outputs information that the automatic recovery cannot be performed to the emission determination unit 40.

The charged particle beam R emitted from the accelerator 2 is transported to the neutron beam generating unit M. The neutron beam generating unit M includes a beam path 3 and a target 7. The charged particle beam R emitted from the accelerator 2 travels through the beam path 3 toward the target 7 disposed at the end of the beam path 3. A plurality of quadrupole electromagnets 4, a current monitor 5 (an example of a charged particle beam measuring unit), and a scanning electromagnet 6 are provided along the beam path 3. The plurality of quadrupole electromagnets 4 perform beam axis adjustment of the charged particle beam R using, for example, electromagnets.

The current monitor 5 detects the current value (i.e., the charge and the irradiation dose rate) of the charged particle beam R irradiated to the target 7 on the fly (an example of a signal measuring unit). The Current monitor 5 is a non-destructive DCCT (DC Current Transformer) capable of measuring a Current without affecting the charged particle beam R. The current monitor 5 outputs the detection result to a 2 nd control unit 71 described later.

Specifically, in order to detect the current value of the charged particle beam R irradiated to the target 7 with good accuracy, the current monitor 5 is provided immediately before the scanning electromagnet 6 on the downstream side (downstream side of the charged particle beam R) of the quadrupole electromagnet 4 so as to eliminate the influence of the quadrupole electromagnet 4. That is, since the scanning electromagnet 6 performs scanning so as not to always irradiate the charged particle beam R at the same position with respect to the target 7, a large current monitor 5 is necessary when the current monitor 5 is disposed downstream of the scanning electromagnet 6. In contrast, the current monitor 5 can be miniaturized by disposing the current monitor 5 on the upstream side of the scanning electromagnet 6.

The scanning electromagnet 6 scans the charged particle beam R and controls irradiation of the target 7 with the charged particle beam R. The scanning electromagnet 6 controls the irradiation position of the charged particle beam R with respect to the target 7.

The neutron capture therapy apparatus 1 generates a neutron beam N by irradiating the target 7 with the charged particle beam R, and emits the neutron beam N toward the patient 100. The neutron capture therapy device 1 includes a target 7, a shield 9, a decelerating member 8, a collimator 10, and a gamma ray detection unit 11.

The neutron capture therapy apparatus 1 further includes a controller 30. The controller 30 is an electronic control Unit that comprehensively controls the neutron capture therapy device 1, and is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The controller 30 performs, for example, automatic recovery of the neutron capture therapy device 1.

The target 7 receives the irradiation of the charged particle beam R to generate a neutron beam N. The target 7 is made of beryllium (Be), lithium (Li), tantalum (Ta), or tungsten (W), for example, and has a disc shape with a diameter of 160 mm. The target 7 is not limited to a disc shape, and may have another shape. The target 7 is not limited to a solid state, and may be a liquid state.

The deceleration section 8 decelerates the energy of the neutron beam N generated by the target 7. The decelerating members 8 have a laminated structure composed of a 1 st decelerating member 8A that mainly decelerates high-speed neutrons contained in the neutron beam N and a 2 nd decelerating member 8B that mainly decelerates epithermal neutrons contained in the neutron beam N.

The shield 9 shields the generated neutron beam N and gamma rays and the like generated with the generation of the neutron beam N from being released to the outside. The shield 9 is provided so as to surround the decelerating member 8. The upper and lower portions of the shield 9 extend upstream of the charged particle beam R than the deceleration member 8, and a gamma ray detection unit 11 is provided in these extending portions.

The collimator 10 shapes the irradiation field of the neutron beam N and has an opening 10a through which the neutron beam N passes. The collimator 10 is, for example, a block-shaped member having an opening 10a in the center.

The gamma ray detection unit 11 detects a gamma ray generated from the neutron beam generation unit M by irradiation of the charged particle beam R on the fly. As the gamma ray detection unit 11, a scintillator, an ionization chamber, and other various gamma ray detection devices can be used. In the present embodiment, the gamma ray detection unit 11 is provided on the upstream side of the charged particle beam R from the deceleration member 8 around the target 7.

The gamma ray detection unit 11 is disposed inside the upper and lower portions of the shield 9 extending upstream of the charged particle beam R. The number of the gamma ray detection units 11 is not particularly limited, and may be one, or three or more. When three or more gamma ray detection units 11 are provided, they may be provided at predetermined intervals so as to surround the outer periphery of the target 7. The gamma ray detection unit 11 outputs the detection result of the gamma ray to the controller 30, for example. The gamma ray detection unit 11 may not be provided.

The beam path of the charged particle beam R in the present embodiment is from the point where the charged particle beam R is generated to the point where the patient 100 is irradiated. That is, the beam path of the charged particle beam R is set to the starting point of the foil separator 27 in the accelerator 2 and the end point of the patient 100. The beam path of the charged particle beam R is the inside of each of the accelerator 2, the beam path 3, the target 7, the deceleration member 8, and the collimator 10. The beam path of the charged particle beam R may be set to the target 7 as an end point.

The neutron capture therapy apparatus 1 includes an electronic control unit 31 that controls emission of the charged particle beam K from the accelerator 2. The electronic control unit 31 has, for example, the same configuration as the controller 30. The electronic control unit 31 includes an emission determination unit 40, a time measurement unit 50, and a 1 st control unit 60. The emission determination unit 40, the time measurement unit 50, and the 1 st control unit 60 may be provided in separate electronic control units, and may not be included in the 1 electronic control unit 31.

The emission determination unit 40 determines whether or not the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R. The emission determination unit 40 determines whether or not to emit the charged particle beam K, R based on information indicating the generation state of the charged particle beam K, R in the accelerator 2. The emission determination unit 40 has an ion source determination unit that determines whether or not the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R based on ion source information from an ion source monitor of the ion source apparatus 22. The emission determination unit 40 includes a signal source determination unit that determines whether or not the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R based on the high-frequency power information from the signal source monitor of the signal source 25. The emission determination unit 40 further includes a stopper determination unit that determines whether or not the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R based on the opening and closing information of the stopper monitor from the stopper 26.

When the determination is performed using the ion source information from the ion source monitor of the ion source apparatus 22, the ion source determination unit of the emission determination unit 40 compares an ion source threshold value, which is a preset threshold value, with the ion source information to determine whether or not the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R. The ion source threshold value is set to a current value, a voltage value, or the like in accordance with the unit of ion source information. When the ion source information is smaller than the ion source threshold, the ion source determination unit of the emission determination unit 40 determines that the electric power required for generating the negative ions P is not supplied to the ion source device 22 and the accelerator 2 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R at a predetermined output. That is, when the ion source information is smaller than the ion source threshold, the ion source determination unit of the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R. When the ion source information is equal to or greater than the ion source threshold, the ion source determination unit of the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R.

When the determination is performed using the high-frequency power information from the signal source monitor of the signal source 25, the signal source determination unit of the emission determination unit 40 compares the signal source threshold value, which is a preset threshold value, with the high-frequency power information to determine whether or not the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R. The signal source threshold value is set to a power, a current value, a voltage value, or the like in accordance with a unit of the high-frequency power information. When the high-frequency power information is smaller than the signal source threshold, the signal source determination unit of the emission determination unit 40 determines that the signal source 25 does not supply the necessary high-frequency power to the acceleration electrode 24 and the accelerator 2 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R with a predetermined output. That is, when the high-frequency power information is smaller than the signal source threshold, the signal source determination unit of the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R. When the high-frequency power information is equal to or greater than the signal source threshold, the signal source determination unit of the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R.

When the determination is made using the opening and closing information of the stopper monitor from the stopper 26, the stopper determination section of the emission determination section 40 determines whether or not the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R, based on the content of the opening and closing information. When the open/close signal as the open/close information is "on", the stopper determination section of the emission determination section 40 determines that the stopper 26 captures or shields the negative ions P and the accelerator 2 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R at a predetermined output. That is, when the open/close signal as the open/close information is "on", the stopper determination section of the emission determination section 40 determines that the accelerator 2 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R. When the open and close signal as the open and close information is "closed", the stopper determination section of the emission determination section 40 determines that the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R.

In the emission determination section 40, 1 or more of the determination based on the ion source information, the determination based on the high-frequency power information, and the determination based on the opening and closing information are performed. When it is determined that the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R in all the determinations, the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R. That is, when it is determined that the accelerator 2 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R in 1 or more of the plurality of determinations, the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R. The emission determination unit 40 transmits the determination result to the time measurement unit 50.

When it is determined that the charged particle beam K, R is not emitted by the determination, the emission determination unit 40 may determine that the accelerator 2 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R by the interlock 29 and may automatically return to the original state. The emission determination unit 40 may transmit the determination result to the time measurement unit 50. When it is determined that the charged particle beam K, R is not emitted by the above determination, the neutron capture therapy device 1 performs automatic recovery that is automatically recovered by the controller 30.

When the ion source determination unit of the emission determination unit 40 determines that the ion source information is smaller than the ion source threshold, the controller 30 performs, for example, automatic recovery in which the current value or the voltage value used for arc discharge in the ion source device 22 is increased to a predetermined value. When the signal source determination unit of the emission determination unit 40 determines that the high-frequency power information is smaller than the signal source threshold, the controller 30 performs, for example, automatic recovery in which the high-frequency power, the current value of the high-frequency power, or the voltage value of the high-frequency power in the signal source 25 is increased to a predetermined value. When it is determined by the stopper determination section of the ejection determination section 40 that the opening and closing signal in the opening and closing information is "on", the controller 30 performs, for example, automatic recovery that the cause of the operation of the stopper 26 is solved and the stopper 26 passes the negative ions P.

The time measuring unit 50 measures the emission time of the charged particle beam K, R of the accelerator 2. The emission time is a time under the condition that the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R. The emission time can be converted into the time for irradiating the patient 100 with the neutron beam N. The time measuring unit 50 adds the time determined by the emission determination unit 40 that the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R to the emission time of the charged particle beam K, R from the accelerator 2. The time measuring unit 50 does not add the time determined by the emission determination unit 40 that the accelerator 2 is not emitting the charged particle beam K, R to the emission time of the charged particle beam K, R from the accelerator 2. When the determination result of the emission determination unit 40 is not received, the time measurement unit 50 ends the measurement of the emission time.

When the emission of the charged particle beam K, R is not restricted by the interlock 29, the time measuring unit 50 continues to measure the emission time. When the interlock 29 restricts the emission of the charged particle beam K, R, the time measuring unit 50 ends the measurement of the emission time. The time measuring unit 50 may receive the signal related to the interlock 29 restricting the emission of the charged particle beam K, R directly or via the emission determination unit 40.

The case where the measurement unit 50 receives a signal related to the interlock 29 restricting the emission of the charged particle beam K, R through the emission determination unit 40 will be described. When the interlock 29 is operated, the injection determination unit 40 receives the information that the automatic recovery is not possible, and the injection determination unit 40 determines that the automatic recovery is not possible. That is, when the interlock 29 is operated, the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R due to the interlock 29.

Assume a case where 1 or more of the determination based on the ion source information, the determination based on the high-frequency power information, and the determination based on the on and off information are performed. Even when it is determined that the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R in all the determinations performed, the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R due to the interlock 29 and cannot automatically recover when the interlock 29 is operated. When the interlock 29 restricts the emission of the charged particle beam K, R, the time measuring unit 50 ends the measurement of the emission time.

When the emission determination unit 40 does not receive the information that the automatic recovery cannot be performed from the interlock 29, the emission determination unit 40 determines the emission state of the charged particle beam K, R of the accelerator 2 based on the 1 or more determinations. When the emission of the charged particle beam K, R is not restricted by the interlock 29, the time measuring unit 50 continues to measure the emission time.

The 1 st control unit 60 controls the accelerator 2 based on the injection time measured by the time measuring unit 50. The 1 st control unit 60 sets a predetermined emission time, which is a predetermined time for irradiating the neutron beam N, according to a treatment plan for the patient 100. When the emission time measured by the time measuring unit 50 reaches a predetermined emission time, the 1 st control unit 60 prohibits the emission of the charged particle beam K, R from the accelerator 2. The 1 st control unit 60 terminates the control of the accelerator 2 after the output of the charged particle beam K, R by the accelerator 2 is prohibited. That is, the 1 st control unit 60 continues the control of the accelerator 2 as long as the injection time measured by the time measuring unit 50 does not reach the predetermined injection time. The emission determination unit 40 determines whether or not the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R while the 1 st control unit 60 controls the accelerator 2.

The neutron capture therapy apparatus 1 includes a plurality of electronic control units 32 and 33 that control emission of the charged particle beam K, R from the accelerator 2. Each of the plurality of electronic control units 32,33 has, for example, the same structure as the electronic control unit 31. The electronic control unit 32 includes a 2 nd control unit 70 that controls emission of the charged particle beam K, R in the accelerator 2. The electronic control unit 33 includes a 2 nd control unit 71 that controls emission of the charged particle beam K, R in the accelerator 2. The 1 st control unit 60, the 2 nd control unit 70, and the 2 nd control unit 71 are, for example, independent electronic control units. The 1 st control unit 60, the 2 nd control unit 70, and the 2 nd control unit 71 each independently control the accelerator 2.

The 2 nd control section 70 controls the accelerator 2 according to the amount of electrons measured by the foil stripper 27. The 2 nd control unit 70 sets in advance a predetermined output that is a predetermined output when the neutron beam N is irradiated and an allowable error range that is an error range allowed for the predetermined output, according to a treatment plan for the patient 100. The 2 nd control section 70 calculates an electron conversion output as an output of the neutron beam N from the electron amount measured by the foil stripper 27.

When the electron conversion output falls within the allowable error range with respect to the predetermined output, the 2 nd control unit 70 maintains the emission of the charged particle beam K, R by the accelerator 2. When the electronic conversion output does not converge within the allowable error range with respect to the predetermined output, the 2 nd control portion 70 controls the accelerator 2 so that the electronic conversion output converges within the allowable error range with respect to the predetermined output. For example, when the electron conversion output is maintained for a predetermined time, the 2 nd control unit 70 prohibits the emission of the charged particle beam K, R from the accelerator 2. The 2 nd control unit 70 terminates the control of the accelerator 2 after the emission of the charged particle beam K, R by the accelerator 2 is prohibited.

The 2 nd control unit 71 controls the accelerator 2 based on the detection result measured by the current monitor 5. The 2 nd control unit 71 calculates a current conversion output as an output of the neutron beam N based on the detection result measured by the current monitor 5.

When the current conversion output falls within the allowable error range with respect to the predetermined output, the 2 nd control unit 71 maintains the emission of the charged particle beam K, R by the accelerator 2. When the current conversion output does not converge within the allowable error range with respect to the predetermined output, the 2 nd control portion 71 controls the accelerator 2 in such a manner that the current conversion output converges within the allowable error range with respect to the predetermined output. For example, when the current conversion output is maintained for a predetermined time, the 2 nd control unit 71 prohibits the emission of the charged particle beam K, R from the accelerator 2. The 2 nd control unit 71 terminates the control of the accelerator 2 after the emission of the charged particle beam K, R by the accelerator 2 is prohibited.

When the 2 nd control unit 70 or the 2 nd control unit 71 prohibits the emission of the charged particle beam K, R from the accelerator 2, the 1 st control unit 60 ends the determination in the emission determination unit 40, and ends the emission time T by the time measurement unit 50₀And ends the control of the accelerator 2.

Next, a method of measuring the emission time by the time measuring unit 50 will be described. As shown in fig. 2, the time measuring unit 50 measures the injection time. Fig. 2(a) shows a relationship between the emission state of the charged particle beam K, R in the accelerator 2 and time when the emission determination unit 40 continues to determine that the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R.

When the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R ("OK" in fig. 2), the time measurement unit 50 measures the emission time T₀And added. When the injection time T is measured by the time measuring part 50₀Reaching the predetermined injection time T₁At this time, the 1 st control unit 60 ends the emission of the charged particle beam K, R by the accelerator 2. The 1 st control unit 60 ends the control of the accelerator 2. Thereby, the emission determination unit 40 finishes the determination of whether or not the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R. The time measuring unit 50 does not receive the determination result of the injection determination unit 40, and thus ends the injection time T₀The measurement of (2). In addition, the injection time T is preset₁Set according to the treatment plan.

Fig. 2(b) shows a relationship between the emission state of the charged particle beam K, R in the accelerator 2 and the time when the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R and when the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R occur, respectively. FIG. 2(b) shows the injection time T up to the time measuring unit 50₀Reaching the predetermined injection time T₁Until now, only the determination is made by the injection determination unit 40The accelerator 2 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R n-1 times (n is an integer of 2 or more).

First, when the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R ("OK" in fig. 2), the time measurement unit 50 continues to measure the emission time T₀. When the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 is not emitting the charged particle beam K, R ("NG (auto recovery) in fig. 2"), the time measurement unit 50 temporarily suspends the emission time T₀The measurement of (2). When the emission determination unit 40 continues to determine that the accelerator 2 is not emitting the charged particle beam K, R ("NG (automatic recovery)" in fig. 2), the emission time T of the time measurement unit 50 is measured₀No change occurred. When the controller 30 automatically returns to the original state and the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R ("OK" in fig. 2), the time measurement unit 50 restarts the emission time T₀The measurement of (2).

The injection time T is measured by starting or restarting the measurement in the time measuring unit 50₀Is the p-th time (p is an integer of 1 to n), the time measuring unit 50 determines that the accelerator emits the charged particle beam for the measurement time t_p. The time measuring unit 50 measures all the measurement times (t)₁、t₂、……t_n-1、t_n) Adding up to measure the total injection time T₀. That is, the time measuring unit 50 does not determine the time and the emission time T during which the accelerator 2 continues to determine that the charged particle beam K, R is not emitted by the emission determination unit 40₀And (4) adding.

When the measured injection time reaches a predetermined injection time T₁At this time, the 1 st control unit 60 ends the emission of the charged particle beam K, R by the accelerator 2. The 1 st control unit 60 ends the control of the accelerator 2. Thereby, the emission determination unit 40 finishes the determination of whether or not the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R. The time measuring unit 50 does not receive the determination result of the injection determination unit 40, and thus ends the injection time T₀The measurement of (2). In addition, even if the time T2 from the start of measurement to the end of measurement of the time measuring unit 50 is longer than the predetermined injection time T₁The 1 st control unit 60 also does not end the control of the accelerator 2.

Fig. 2(c) shows a relationship between the emission state of the charged particle beam K, R in the accelerator 2 and the time when the interlock 29 is operated, in a case where the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R and a case where the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R occur, respectively. FIG. 2(c) shows the injection time T of the time measuring unit 50₀Reaching the predetermined injection time T₁Before the interlock 29 is operated, the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R for m-1(m is an integer equal to or greater than 2) times.

When the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R ("OK" in fig. 2), the time measurement unit 50 continues to measure the emission time T₀. When the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 is not emitting the charged particle beam K, R ("NG (automatic recovery possible) in fig. 2), the time measurement unit 50 temporarily suspends the emission time T₀The measurement of (2). When the emission determination unit 40 continues to determine that the accelerator 2 is not emitting the charged particle beam K, R ("NG (automatic recovery)" in fig. 2), the emission time T of the time measurement unit 50 is measured₀No change occurred. When the controller 30 automatically returns to the original state and the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R ("OK" in fig. 2), the time measurement unit 50 restarts the emission time T₀The measurement of (2).

When the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 has not emitted the charged particle beam K, R due to the interlock 29 and cannot automatically return to the original state ("NG (automatic return disabled)" in fig. 2), the time measurement unit 50 ends the emission time T₀The measurement of (2). The term "end of measurement" as used herein means that the injection time T is measured after the end of measurement₀And the control process itself by the electronic control unit 31 is performed. On the other hand, the "temporary injection stop time T₀The term "measurement" means that the injection time T is measured by continuing the measurement₀The control process of the electronic control unit 31 is performed to end only the measurement of the measurement time. At this time, when the automatic recovery is performed by the controller 30, the measurement of the measurement time is immediately restarted.

The time measuring unit 50 measures all the measurement times (t)₁、t₂、……t_m-1、t_m) Adding up to measure the total injection time T₀. When the measured injection time T₀Reaching the predetermined injection time T₁When this occurs, the 1 st control unit 60 ends the control of the accelerator 2. Even if the measured injection time does not reach the predetermined injection time T₁When the interlock 29 is operated, the 1 st control unit 60 also ends the control of the accelerator 2. Thereby, the emission determination unit 40 finishes the determination of whether or not the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R. The time measuring unit 50 does not receive the determination result of the injection determination unit 40, and thus ends the injection time T₀The measurement of (2). The time T from the start of measurement to the end of measurement with the time measuring unit 50₃Whether it is a predetermined injection time T₁Regardless of the above, the 1 st control unit 60 ends the control of the accelerator 2 at the time when the interlock 29 is operated.

Next, a control procedure of the neutron capture therapy device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 3. First, the controller 30 emits the charged particle beam K, R (step S110: emission start processing). Next, the emission determination unit 40 determines whether or not the emission of the charged particle beam K, R from the accelerator 2 is normal (step S120: emission determination processing). The emission determination unit 40 uses 1 or more of the determination based on the ion source information, the determination based on the high-frequency power information, and the determination based on the opening and closing information.

When it is determined that the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R in all of the determinations, the emission determination unit 40 determines that the emission of the charged particle beam K, R from the accelerator 2 is normal. That is, the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R. In this case, the time measuring unit 50 adds the injection times (step S130: addition processing). The time measuring unit 50 measures the time t_pAnd the injection time T₀And (4) adding.

When it is determined that the accelerator 2 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R in any 1 of the determinations, the emission determination unit 40 determines that the emission of the charged particle beam K, R from the accelerator 2 is not normal. That is, the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R. In this case, the emission determination unit 40 then determines whether or not the emission state of the charged particle beam K, R in the accelerator 2 cannot be automatically restored (step S150: restoration determination processing). When the emission determination unit 40 determines that the emission state of the charged particle beam K, R in the accelerator 2 is not automatically recoverable (can be automatically recovered), the emission determination unit 40, the time measurement unit 50, and the 1 st control unit 60 perform a series of processing again from the emission determination processing (S120). At this time, the controller 30 automatically restores the neutron capture therapy device 1.

When the emission determination unit 40 determines that the emission state of the charged particle beam K, R in the accelerator 2 cannot be automatically restored (cannot be automatically restored) by the interlock 29, the 1 st control unit 60 executes the automatic restoration disabling correspondence processing (step S160: automatic restoration disabling correspondence processing). The 1 st control unit 60 ends the control of the accelerator 2. The time measuring unit 50 finishes the injection time T₀The measurement of (2). When the neutron capture therapy apparatus 1 is restarted by an operation of the operator or the like, the controller 30 starts the emission start processing (S110).

When the addition processing is performed by the time measuring unit 50 (S130), the 1 st control unit 60 determines the added injection time T₀Whether the predetermined injection time T is reached₁(step S140: completion determination processing). When adding the injection time T₀Does not reach the preset injection time T₁In this case, the injection determination unit 40, the time measurement unit 50, and the 1 st control unit 60 perform the series of processes again from the injection determination process (S120). When adding the injection time T₀Reaching the predetermined injection time T₁At this time, the 1 st control unit 60 ends the emission of the charged particle beam K, R by the accelerator 2. The 1 st control unit 60 ends the control of the accelerator 2. This ends the control of the neutron capture therapy apparatus 1.

Next, the operation and effect of the neutron capture therapy device 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

The radiotherapy apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes: an accelerator 2 that emits a charged particle beam K, R; a time measuring unit 50 for measuring the emission of the charged particle beam K, R from the accelerator 2The time is out; a 1 st control part 60 for controlling the injection of the injection liquid according to the injection time T measured by the time measuring part 50₀And controls the accelerator 2; and an emission determination unit 40 that determines whether or not the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R while the 1 st control unit 60 is controlling the accelerator 2, wherein the time measurement unit 50 determines a time T at which the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R₀The emission time T of the charged particle beam K, R from the accelerator 2₀In addition, the time during which the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R is not added to the emission time of the charged particle beam K, R from the accelerator 2.

The neutron capture therapy apparatus 1 includes: the time measuring unit 50 determines the time at which the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R and the emission time T of the charged particle beam K, R by the emission determination unit 40₀Adding; and a 1 st control unit 60 for controlling the injection timing of the injection nozzle based on the injection timing T measured by the timing measuring unit 50₀And controls the accelerator 2. With this configuration, it is determined that the accelerator 2 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R for the time T₀In addition, the 1 st control unit can perform control according to the emission state of the charged particle beam K, R. This allows the neutron capture therapy apparatus 1 to stop the emission of the charged particle beam K, R at an appropriate timing.

In the neutron capture therapy, since the treatment time is longer than that of other radiation treatment methods, there is a possibility that a time when the output of the charged particle beam K, R or the neutron beam N does not follow the output based on the treatment plan is generated. That is, there is a time period during which the emission of the charged particle beam K, R is temporarily stopped during the elapse of a long treatment time. When a conventional control system including a timer is applied to a neutron capture therapy apparatus, the timer measures the time elapsed from the start of measurement, and therefore also measures the time not following the treatment plan. Therefore, even if the emission time of the charged particle beam K, R or the neutron beam N actually emitted at an appropriate output does not satisfy the required predetermined emission time T₁When the time elapsed from the start of measurement reaches the predetermined injection time T₁The injection may be terminated.

According to the time measurement unit 50 of the neutron capture therapy apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to measure the time for which the charged particle beam K, R set to a required output in accordance with the treatment plan is emitted. Therefore, the 1 st control unit 60 can terminate the emission of the charged particle beam K, R at an appropriate time in accordance with the treatment plan, based on the time measured by the time measuring unit 50. Thus, even in the neutron capture therapy in which the treatment time is longer than that in other radiation therapy methods, the charged particle beam K, R or the neutron beam N can be emitted for a time required to follow the treatment plan, and the emission can be terminated at the time required to follow the treatment plan.

In one embodiment, the emission determination unit 40 may determine whether or not to emit the charged particle beam K, R based on a signal related to generation of the charged particle beam K, R in the accelerator 2. The time measurement unit 50 can measure the emission time T of the charged particle beam K, R by determination based on a signal relating to generation of the charged particle beam K, R in the emission determination unit 40₀. Thus, the neutron capture therapy apparatus 1 can appropriately measure the emission time T of the charged particle beam K, R₀。

In one embodiment, the accelerator 2 includes an ion source device 22 that generates charged particles, and the emission determination unit 40 may determine whether or not the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R based on ion source information of the ion source device 22. The time measuring unit 50 can measure the emission time T of the charged particle beam K, R by the determination based on the ion source information of the ion source device 22 in the emission determination unit 40₀. Thus, the neutron capture therapy apparatus 1 can appropriately measure the emission time T of the charged particle beam K, R in the accelerator 2₀。

In one embodiment, the accelerator 2 has a stopper 26 that is provided on a track through which the charged particle beam K passes and that opens and closes to control the passage and shielding of the charged particle beam K, and the emission determination unit 40 can determine whether or not the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R based on the opening and closing of the stopper 26. The time measuring section 50 can measure the emission time of the charged particle beam K, R by the determination based on the opening and closing of the stopper 26 in the emission determination section 40. Thus, the neutron capture therapy device 1The emission time T of the charged particle beam K, R in the accelerator 2 can be appropriately measured according to the opening and closing of the stopper 26 in the accelerator 2₀。

In one embodiment, the accelerator 2 has a signal source 25 that outputs high-frequency power, and the emission determination unit 40 can determine whether or not the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R based on the high-frequency power. The time measurement unit 50 can measure the emission time T of the charged particle beam K, R by the determination by the high-frequency power of the signal source 25 in the emission determination unit 40₀. Thus, the neutron capture therapy apparatus 1 can appropriately measure the emission time T of the charged particle beam K, R in the accelerator 2 from the high-frequency power of the signal source 25 in the accelerator 2₀。

In one embodiment, the present invention includes: a beam path 3 for transporting a charged particle beam K, R emitted from the accelerator 2; a plurality of signal measurement units (a current monitor 5 and a foil stripper 27) which are provided in the beam path 3 and measure a signal of the charged particle beam K, R; and a plurality of 2 nd control units 70 and 71 for controlling the accelerator 2 based on the measurement results of the plurality of signal measuring units, wherein the 1 st control unit 60 and the plurality of 2 nd control units 70 and 71 can each control the accelerator 2 independently of each other. In this case, the 1 st control unit 60 and the plurality of 2 nd control units 70 and 71 can be based on the injection time T in the time measuring unit 50₀And a plurality of signal measurement units for controlling the accelerator 2. Since the 1 st control unit and the plurality of 2 nd control units are independent from each other, the neutron capture therapy apparatus 1 can end emission of the charged particle beam at an appropriate timing in accordance with a plurality of conditions.

In one embodiment, the accelerator 2 has an interlock 29 that restricts the emission of the charged particle beam K, R, and the 1 st control unit 60 may control the accelerator 2 when the interlock 29 does not restrict the emission of the charged particle beam K, R, and the 1 st control unit 60 may not control the accelerator 2 when the interlock 29 restricts the emission of the charged particle beam K, R. When the discharge of the charged particle beam K, R is restricted by the interlock 29, it may take time to release it. In the limitation by the interlock 29, the emission determination unit 40 does not determine whether or not the charged particle beam K, R is emitted, because the 1 st control unit 60 does not control the accelerator 2. Due to the fact thatHere, the time measuring unit 50 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R for the time T₀Is added. When there is no restriction by the interlock 29, the 1 st control part 60 performs the control based on the injection time T₀And (4) controlling. Therefore, the 1 st control unit 60 can suppress the beam trapping therapy from being stopped under the restriction by the interlock 29.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

When the emission determination unit 40 determines that the accelerator 2 is not emitting the charged particle beam K, R and cannot be automatically returned due to the interlock 29 ("NG (automatic return disabled)" in fig. 2), the time measurement unit 50 may not stop the emission time T₀The measurement of (2). In this case, the interlock 29 is released by an operation of the operator or the like, and when the interlock is restored, the time measuring unit 50 may restart the injection time T₀And for the injection time T before recovery₀Adding up the recovered injection time T again₀。

The time measuring unit 50 may measure, as the extended time, a time (in fig. 2, "NG (auto recovery enabled)" and "NG (auto recovery disabled)") during which the emission determination unit 40 continues to determine that the accelerator 2 does not emit the charged particle beam K, R. In this case, the time measuring unit 50 sequentially compares the measured extended time with the original predetermined injection time T₁Added and updated. The time measuring unit 50 may set the updated scheduled injection time T to the elapsed time from the start of measurement₁The time of (2) ends the measurement.

In the present embodiment, two types of control units are described as the 2 nd control units 70 and 71, but a configuration including 3 or more control units is also possible. The neutron capture therapy apparatus 1 can determine the emission state of the charged particle beam K, R by the accelerator 2 based on the dose of the charged particle beam K, R calculated by the current monitor 5, the dose of the gamma ray calculated by the gamma ray detection unit 11, and the dose of the neutron beam N. When the dose of the charged particle beam K, R, the dose of the gamma ray, and the dose of the neutron beam N are respectively smaller than the threshold values set for the dose of the charged particle beam K, R, the dose of the gamma ray, and the dose of the neutron beam N, the plurality of 2 nd control units may independently control the accelerator 2. In addition, the collimator 10 detects the dose of the neutron beam N using a scintillator, an optical fiber, a photodetector, or the like.

The 2 nd control portion 70 may transmit, to the time measuring portion 50, the timing at which the electronic converted output does not converge within the allowable error range with respect to the predetermined output and the timing at which the electronic converted output converges within the allowable error range with respect to the predetermined output. The 2 nd control unit 71 may transmit, to the time measuring unit 50, the timing at which the electronic conversion output converges within the allowable error range with respect to the predetermined output and the timing at which the electronic conversion output converges within the allowable error range with respect to the predetermined output. The time measuring unit 50 can perform the injection time T based on these timings₀The measurement of (2). For example, when it is determined that the charged particle beam K, R is emitted from the accelerator 2 in all the determinations by the emission determination unit 40 and the electron conversion output and the current conversion output are within the allowable error range with respect to the predetermined output in the 2 nd control units 70 and 71, the time measurement unit 50 performs the emission time T₀The measurement of (2).

In the neutron capture therapy apparatus 1, the accelerator 2 may be a linear accelerator. In this case, the accelerator 2 may have a DTL (Drift tube linac). The emission determination unit 40 may have a DTL determination unit that determines whether or not the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R based on energy information from a monitor of the DTL, in addition to the ion source determination unit and the signal source determination unit. The DTL determination unit compares a DTL threshold, which is a preset threshold, with the energy information obtained from the monitor to determine whether or not the accelerator 2 emits the charged particle beam K, R. The emission determination unit 40 performs 1 or more of the determination based on the ion source information, the determination based on the high-frequency power information, and the determination based on the energy information. As a monitor connected to the plurality of 2 nd control units and monitoring the emission state of the charged particle beam K, R, CT (Current Transformer, Current sensor), DCCT (alternating Current Transformer, ac Current sensor), or the like is used.

In the neutron capture therapy device 1, the accelerator 2 may be an electrostatic accelerator. In this case, it is preferable that,as a Monitor connected to the plurality of 2 nd controllers and monitoring the emission state of the charged particle beam K, R, DCCT, a nuclear Fission Monitor (fistion Monitor), and the like are used,³He proportional counter tube or H₂ ⁺A monitor, etc.

The radiotherapy apparatus may not be the neutron capture therapy apparatus 1. The radiotherapy apparatus may be a proton beam therapy apparatus. In the proton beam treatment apparatus, the accelerator 2 may be a synchrotron. The accelerator 2 includes an ion source device, a linear accelerator, a main ring, and the like. The emission determination unit 40 performs 1 or more determinations based on the operating state of the ion source apparatus, the operating state of the linear accelerator, the operating state of the main ring, whether or not the stopper in the accelerator 2 is retracted, and the like. The ionization chamber is used as a monitor connected to the plurality of 2 nd controllers to monitor the emission state of the charged particle beam K, R.

In the proton beam treatment apparatus, the accelerator 2 may be a cyclotron. The accelerator 2 has an ion source device, a signal source, a chopper, and the like. The emission determination unit 40 performs 1 or more determinations among the determinations based on the operating state of the ion source apparatus, the operating state of the linear accelerator, the operating state of the chopper, whether or not the stopper in the accelerator 2 is retracted, and the like. The ionization chamber is used as a monitor connected to the plurality of 2 nd controllers to monitor the emission state of the charged particle beam K, R.