JP2000288102A - Radiation irradiation method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: The present invention provides a radiation irradiation method and apparatus capable of improving the utilization efficiency of equipment and realizing low cost. A preparation room for setting a patient is provided.
1. A simulator room 12 for positioning a patient 15 and an irradiation room 13 for irradiating a particle beam are separately prepared, and the patient 1 is transported between the rooms along transport paths 16 and 17.
5 is moved while being placed on the bed 14 to execute radiation irradiation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for irradiating radiation used for treating particle beam cancer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, radiotherapy for irradiating radiation to a tumor such as cancer to treat the tumor has been known.
At present, a particle beam therapy method using a particle beam such as a heavy particle beam or a proton beam as the radiation has attracted attention.

In such particle beam therapy, it is important to appropriately and efficiently irradiate a tumor part such as a human body with a particle beam. Conventionally, this kind of particle beam or the like has been irradiated. As shown in FIG. 7, a patient 3 is placed on a bed 2 of an irradiation room 1 and a fixture is attached, setting such as rough installation using a laser pointer is performed, and then precise positioning of the patient is performed. Then, a method is known in which a series of radiation irradiations is terminated by irradiating the affected part with a particle beam. Then, according to such a radiation irradiation method, temporarily, as shown in FIG.
(A) As shown in (b) and (c), when the time required for the setting is 10 minutes, the time required for the positioning is 10 minutes, and the time required for the irradiation is 10 minutes, the particle beam treatment for one patient is performed for 30 minutes. Also needed.

[0004]

However, in such a radiation irradiation method, one patient 3 monopolizes the irradiation room 1 until the above-described series of operations is completed.
In the irradiation chamber 1 used here, a huge and expensive device called a rotating gantry is used to guide the particle beam in various directions. That is, the rotating gantry here has a cylindrical rotating body 4 as shown in FIG. 9, the bed 2 is arranged in the hollow portion of the rotating body 4, and the particle beam is Is provided rotatably with the rotating body 4, and the rotating body 4
With this rotation, the particle beam irradiation unit 5 can irradiate the particle beam onto the bed 2 from various directions.

However, monopolizing such a huge and expensive device for a long period of time for particle beam therapy of a single patient not only limits the number of patients that can be treated, but also significantly increases the efficiency of equipment utilization. There was a problem that it became worse and became economically disadvantageous.

Therefore, in order to increase the number of patients that can be treated,
It is conceivable to prepare a plurality of irradiation chambers 1, but in this case, the cost is further increased, and there is a problem that it becomes more economically disadvantageous.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a radiation irradiation method and apparatus capable of improving the utilization efficiency of equipment and realizing low cost.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A preparation room for patient setting, a simulator room for patient positioning, and an irradiation room for irradiating radiation are prepared, and the patient is moved in the order of the preparation room, the simulator room, and the irradiation room by carrying a bed, and radiation irradiation is performed. It is characterized by:

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of simulator rooms for patient setting and patient positioning and an irradiation room for irradiating radiation are prepared, and the patients in the plurality of simulator rooms are sequentially irradiated by bed transport. To perform radiation irradiation.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of sets of a preparation room for setting a patient, a simulator room for positioning a patient, and an irradiation room for irradiating radiation are prepared, and each set is prepared by carrying a bed. It is characterized in that the patient is moved in the order of the room, the simulator room, and the irradiation room, and the radiation irradiation in each set of irradiation rooms is executed so as not to overlap.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of simulator rooms for patient setting and patient positioning and a plurality of irradiation rooms for irradiating radiation, and for each set, the plurality of simulator rooms are bet-conveyed. Is sequentially moved to the irradiation room, and the radiation irradiation in each set of irradiation rooms is performed so as not to overlap.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radiation irradiation apparatus to which the method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects is applied.

As a result, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the patient is moved in the order of the preparation room, the simulator room, and the irradiation room by transporting the bed. Then, the patient whose positioning has been completed in the simulator room can be placed in the irradiation room and immediately irradiated with radiation.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the patients in the plurality of simulator rooms are sequentially moved to the irradiation room by transporting the bed. The patient whose positioning has been completed in the room can be placed in the irradiation room and irradiated immediately.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the preparation room, the simulator room, and the irradiation room are moved by the bed transport to the patient for each set, and the irradiations in the irradiation rooms of each set are not overlapped. After the irradiation is completed in one of the irradiation rooms, the irradiation can be performed in the other irradiation room.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, for each group, the patients in the plurality of simulator rooms are sequentially moved to the irradiation room by the bed transfer, and the irradiation in the irradiation rooms of each group is not overlapped. After the irradiation is completed in one of the irradiation rooms, the irradiation can be performed in the other irradiation room.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a first aspect is provided.
The same operation and effect as the invention described in any one of (1) to (4) can be expected.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a particle beam therapy apparatus to which a radiation irradiation method of the present invention is applied.

In this case, the preparation room 11 and the simulator room 1
2. Irradiation chambers 13 are prepared separately.
At 1, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the first patient 15 is placed on the bed 14, the fixture is attached, and settings such as rough installation using a laser pointer are performed. Next, the patient 15 is transported along the transport path 16 to the simulator room 12 while the patient 15 is placed on the bed 14, and the patient 15 is precisely positioned as shown in FIG.

At this time, in the preparation room 11 from which the first patient 15 has been carried out, the next patient 15 is placed on the bed 14 and the fixture is attached, as shown in FIG. Perform setting.

The first patient 15 that has been precisely positioned in the simulator room 12 is transported along the transport path 17 to the irradiation chamber 13 while being placed on the bed 14, as shown in FIG. Then, irradiation of the particle beam to the affected part is executed.

In the simulator room 12 where the first patient 15 has been carried out, as shown in FIG.
The patient 5 is carried along the transport path 16 with the bed 5 placed on the bed 14, and the patient 15 is precisely positioned. Further, in the preparation room 11 where the next patient 15 has been carried out, the next patient 15 is further placed on the bed 14 and the fixture is attached as shown in FIG. Do.

Thereafter, when the first patient 15 who has completed the irradiation is carried out of the irradiation chamber 13, the next patient 15 is conveyed to the irradiation chamber 13 along the conveyance path 17 while being placed on the bed 14. As shown in (c ′), irradiation of the affected part with the particle beam is performed, and in the simulator room 12 where the next patient 15 has been carried out, the next patient 15 is placed on the bed 14 while the next patient 15 is placed on the bed 14. (B ''), the patient 15 is precisely positioned as shown in the figure (b ''), and the next patient 15 is unloaded in the preparation room 11 as shown in the figure (a '''). Further, the next patient 15 is placed on the bed 14 and the fixture is attached, and settings such as rough installation using a laser pointer are performed.

Hereinafter, similar operations are repeatedly performed.

Accordingly, in this way, the preparation room 11 for setting the patient 15, the simulator room 12 for positioning the patient 15, and the irradiation room 13 for irradiating the particle beam are separated from each other and transported between the rooms. Road 16,
Since the patient 15 moves along the bed 17 while being placed on the bed 14, the patient 1 in the preparation room 11 is temporarily
Even if the time required for setting 5 is 10 minutes, the time required for positioning in the simulator room 12 is 10 minutes, and the irradiation time of the particle beam in the irradiation room 13 is 10 minutes, the irradiation room 13 always has an interval of 10 minutes. Each patient 15 can be irradiated with a particle beam.

Thus, by performing all of the setting, positioning, and irradiation of the patient in the same irradiation room in the past, the irradiation room is monopolized for 30 minutes for the particle treatment of one patient, compared with the conventional irradiation room. In the irradiation room 13, particle therapy can be performed on three times the number of patients 15. That is,
In one irradiation room 13, the particle beam therapy of the patient 15 can be realized three times as large as that of the conventional irradiation room 13. Therefore, in order to achieve the same utilization rate, what was conventionally required three rooms is reduced to one room. The utilization efficiency of the treatment equipment can be dramatically improved, and the economical advantage can be significantly improved. In addition, the irradiation room 13 can be completed in one room, as compared with the conventional case in which a plurality of irradiation rooms are prepared in order to increase the number of patients that can be treated, so that the cost can be reduced and the cost can be further reduced. it can.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In this case, the simulator room 12, which also serves as two preparatory rooms, and the irradiation room 13 consisting of one room
2 'is available. First, in the simulator room 12, as shown in FIG.
5 and the fixture is attached, setting such as rough installation using a laser pointer is performed, and then the patient 15 is precisely positioned as shown in FIG.

Then, the first patient in the simulator room 12 is transported along the transport path 17 to the irradiation chamber 13 while being placed on the bed 14, and as shown in FIG. Execute

On the other hand, in the simulator room 12 ', when the positioning of the first patient 15 is performed in the simulator room 12 as shown in FIG. The patient 15 is mounted thereon, and a fixture is attached, setting such as rough installation using a laser pointer is performed, and then the patient 15 is precisely positioned as shown in FIG.

When the irradiation of the particle beam to the first patient is completed, the transport path 1 is immediately placed on the bed 14.
It is transported to the irradiation chamber 13 along 7 ', and irradiation of the affected part with the particle beam is executed as shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, similar operations are repeatedly performed.

Accordingly, in this way, the work time required for the simulator rooms 12 and 12 'is 20 minutes each, but the work time in each simulator room 12 and 12' is shifted by 10 minutes and the irradiation room 13 To the patient 1
Since the irradiation of the particle beam to the patient 5 is performed, the irradiation room 13 can always perform the irradiation of the particle beam to each patient 15 at an interval of 10 minutes. By setting up, positioning, and irradiating the patient in the same irradiation room, the irradiation room 13 is three times as large as the one that occupies the irradiation room for 30 minutes for particle treatment of one patient. Particle therapy can be performed on the patient 15. In other words, in this case as well, the particle beam therapy of the patient 15 can be realized three times in the single irradiation room 13 as compared with the conventional case. Therefore, three rooms are conventionally required to achieve the same utilization rate. The efficiency of the treatment equipment can be dramatically improved,
It can be significantly economically advantageous. In addition, the irradiation room 13 can be completed in one room, as compared with the conventional case in which a plurality of irradiation rooms are prepared in order to increase the number of patients that can be treated, so that the cost can be reduced and the cost can be further reduced. it can.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In this case, two separate sets of the preparation room 11, the simulator room 12, and the irradiation room 13 are prepared, and the patient 15 is set in the preparation room 11 in each group.
The patient 15 is transported along the transport path 16 to the simulator room 12 while the patient
Then, the patient 15 is transported along the transport path 17 to the irradiation chamber 13 while the patient 15 is placed on the bed 14, and the affected part is irradiated with the particle beam.

In this case, it is impossible to irradiate the patient 15 with the particle beam in the same irradiation time in the two irradiation rooms 13. After irradiating the particle beam in the irradiation chamber 13,
The irradiation of the particle beam is performed in the other set of irradiation chambers 13. This means that, in the past, one particle beam irradiation was performed for 30 minutes per irradiation chamber, but one particle beam irradiation can be performed for each set in 20 minutes. Particle beam therapy can be realized for 1.5 times the number of patients per room. In other words, in order to achieve the same utilization efficiency, the irradiation room, which was conventionally required three rooms, can be reduced to two rooms, and the utilization efficiency of the treatment equipment can be increased, which is extremely economically advantageous. Can be.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In this case, two sets of simulator rooms 12, 12 'also serving as preparation rooms and an irradiation room 13 are prepared, and in each set of simulator rooms 12, 12', setting of the patient 15 and precise positioning are performed. After that, the patient 15 is transported along the transport paths 17 and 17 'to the irradiation chamber 13 while the patient 15 is placed on the bed 14, and irradiation of the particle beam to the affected part is performed.

Also in this case, since the irradiation of the particle beam to the patient 15 cannot be performed in the same irradiation time in the two irradiation chambers 13, the irradiation of one of the irradiation chambers of each set is not overlapped. After the irradiation of the particle beam is completed in the chamber 13, the irradiation of the particle beam is performed in the other set of irradiation chambers 13.
Conventionally, even in this case, one irradiation chamber is required for 30 minutes.
Although the particle beam irradiation was performed once, the particle beam irradiation can be performed once in 20 minutes for each group, and the number of particle beams per irradiation room is 1.5 times that of the conventional case. Treatment can be realized. Therefore, also in this case, in order to achieve the same utilization efficiency, the irradiation room, which was conventionally required three rooms, can be reduced to two rooms, and the utilization efficiency of the treatment equipment can be increased, which is extremely economically advantageous. it can.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, each room for patient setting, positioning, and radiation irradiation is prepared, and the patient is sequentially moved between these rooms while being placed on the bed. Each time irradiation is completed, the patient whose positioning has been completed can be placed in the irradiation room and irradiated immediately, so that all of the conventional settings, positioning, and irradiation of the patient in the same irradiation room can be performed. By doing, compared with what monopolized the irradiation room,
In one irradiation room, the irradiation of the patient can be performed several times as much as the conventional irradiation room, and the utilization efficiency of the treatment equipment can be remarkably increased, which is extremely economically advantageous. Further, in order to increase the number of patients that can be treated, the number of irradiation rooms can be reduced to a minimum without preparing a plurality of irradiation rooms, so that the cost can be reduced and the cost can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a time chart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view of a barrel explaining a conventional radiation irradiation method.

FIG. 8 is a time chart for explaining a conventional radiation irradiation method.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an irradiation room to which a conventional radiation irradiation method is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Preparation Room 12.12 'Simulator Room 13 Irradiation Room 14 Bed 15 Patient 16 Transport Path 17.17' Transport Path

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A preparation room for setting a patient, a simulator room for positioning a patient, and an irradiation room for irradiating radiation are prepared, and a patient is moved in the order of the preparation room, the simulator room, and the irradiation room by transporting a bed. A radiation irradiation method, comprising: performing radiation irradiation. 2. A plurality of simulator rooms for patient setting and patient positioning and an irradiation room for irradiating radiation are prepared, and patients in the plurality of simulator rooms are sequentially moved to the irradiation room by bet transportation to irradiate radiation. A radiation irradiation method, which is performed. 3. A plurality of sets of a preparation room for setting a patient, a simulator room for positioning a patient, and an irradiation room for irradiating a radiation are prepared.
A radiation irradiation method, wherein a patient is moved in the order of a simulator room and an irradiation room, and the irradiation in each set of irradiation rooms is performed so as not to overlap. 4. A plurality of simulator rooms for patient setting and patient positioning and a plurality of irradiation rooms for irradiating radiation are prepared, and for each set, the patients in the plurality of simulator rooms are irradiated in sequence by bed transfer. A radiation irradiating method, wherein the radiation irradiating method is carried out such that the radiation irradiating in each of the irradiation chambers is not overlapped while being moved to the room. 5. A radiation irradiation device to which the method according to claim 1 is applied.