Radiation measurer support device, radiation measurement device, and radiation measurement method

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a radiation measurer support device (30) is provided with: a cylindrical housing (31) that has a cylindrical shape and accommodates a phantom (40) and a radiation measurer (41) therein; a base (32) that rotatably supports the cylindrical housing (31) in the circumferential direction with the cylindrical axis facing the horizontal direction, and fixes the cylindrical housing (31) at an arbitrary rotational angle in the circumferential direction; and angle display units (38, 39) for displaying the rotation angle. Thus, in the particle beam therapy system (1) in which the position of the irradiation port (13) changes, the work of arranging the radiation measurer (41) according to the position of the irradiation port (13) can be easily performed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to radiation measurement technology. Background Art

[0002] In a particle beam therapy system with a rotating gantry, the irradiation port rotates around the patient, and irradiates the particle beam (radiation) from any direction according to the patient's treatment site. In such a particle beam therapy system, before the treatment begins, in order to confirm the quality of the particle beam, such as the energy, beam size, accuracy of the irradiation position, and dose distribution, it is necessary to perform radiation measurement corresponding to the position of the irradiation port.

[0003] Conventionally, there is a known technique of fixing a phantom and a radiation measuring device to an irradiation port with an attachment to measure the particle beam (radiation) emitted from the irradiation port. However, the operation of fixing the phantom and the radiation measuring device to the irradiation port is laborious.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-137106 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a radiation measuring technology that can easily perform the operation of setting a radiation measuring device according to the position of an irradiation port in a particle beam therapy system in which the position of an irradiation port is changed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 This is a side view showing a rotating gantry of the particle beam therapy system.

[0010] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 The II-II section corresponds to the main view of the rotating platform.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a front view of the rotating stand showing how the position of the irradiation port changes as it rotates.

[0012] Figure 4 It is a front view showing the radiation measuring instrument support device according to the first embodiment.

[0013] Figure 5 It is a side view showing the radiation measuring instrument support device according to the first embodiment.

[0014] Figure 6 It is a bottom view showing the radiation measuring instrument support device according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 7 It is a perspective view showing a frame unit.

[0016] Figure 8 It is a cross-sectional view showing the radiation measuring device support device when the rotation angle is 0 degrees.

[0017] Fig. 9 It is a cross-sectional view showing the radiation measuring device support device when the rotation angle is 90 degrees.

[0018] Fig.10 It is a cross-sectional view showing the radiation measuring device support device when the rotation angle is 135 degrees.

[0019] Fig.11 It is a cross-sectional view showing the radiation measuring device support device when the rotation angle is 180 degrees.

[0020] Fig.12 It is a cross-sectional view showing a radiation measuring instrument support device according to a second embodiment.

[0021] Fig.13 It is a cross-sectional view showing a radiation measuring instrument support device according to a third embodiment.

[0022] Fig.14 It is a cross-sectional view showing a radiation measuring instrument support device according to a fourth embodiment.

[0023] Fig.15 It is a cross-sectional view showing a radiation measuring instrument support device according to a fifth embodiment.

[0024] Fig.16 It is a block diagram showing a radiation measuring instrument supporting device according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The radiation measuring device support device of the embodiment of the present invention comprises: a cylindrical shell that accommodates a phantom and a radiation measuring device inside and has a cylindrical shape; a base that supports the cylindrical shell rotatably in the circumferential direction in a state where the cylindrical axis is facing the horizontal direction, and fixes the cylindrical shell at an arbitrary rotation angle in the circumferential direction; and an angle display unit that displays the rotation angle.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a radiation measuring technique that can easily perform the operation of setting a radiation measuring instrument according to the position of an irradiation port in a particle beam therapy system in which the position of an irradiation port is changed.

[0027] (First Embodiment)

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of a radiation measuring device support device, a radiation measuring device, and a radiation measuring method will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 11 A first embodiment will be described.

[0029] Figure 1 Reference numeral 1 denotes a particle beam therapy system. The particle beam therapy system 1 includes a rotating gantry 5. The particle beam therapy system 1 irradiates a particle beam 7 (therapeutic radiation) such as carbon ions transported through a vacuum duct 6 onto a lesion tissue (cancer) of a patient 8 as a subject for treatment.

[0030] The radiation therapy technology using the particle beam therapy system 1 is also called heavy particle beam cancer therapy technology. In this technology, carbon ions are accurately aimed at and shot at cancer lesions (affected parts), causing damage to cancer lesions while minimizing damage to normal cells. In addition, particle beam 7 is defined as radiation heavier than electrons among radiation, including proton beams, heavy particle beams, etc. Among them, heavy particle beams are defined as radiation heavier than helium atoms.

[0031] In cancer treatment using heavy particle beams, compared with conventional cancer treatment using X-rays, gamma rays, and proton beams, the ability to kill cancer lesions is stronger, and the radiation dose is weak on the surface of the patient 8's body and peaks at the cancer lesions. Therefore, the number of irradiations and side effects can be reduced, and the treatment period can be further shortened.

[0032] The particle beam therapy system 1 includes a beam generator (not shown), a circular accelerator (not shown), and a beam transport line (not shown).

[0033] The beam generator has an ion source of carbon ions as charged particles, and generates a particle beam 7 from the carbon ions. The circular accelerator is annular in plan view, and accelerates the particle beam 7 generated by the beam generator. The beam transport line transports the particle beam 7 accelerated by the circular accelerator to the rotating gantry 5. A patient 8 to be irradiated with the particle beam 7 is placed on the rotating gantry 5.

[0034] In the particle beam therapy system 1, first, a particle beam 7 of carbon ions generated by a beam generator is incident from the beam generator to a circular accelerator. The particle beam 7 is accelerated to about 70% of the speed of light while rotating about a million times around the circular accelerator. Then, the particle beam 7 is guided to the rotating gantry 5 via a beam transport line.

[0035] The beam generator, the circular accelerator, and the beam transport line are provided with a vacuum duct 6 (beam tube) whose interior is evacuated. The particle beam 7 travels inside the vacuum duct 6. The vacuum duct 6 provided by the beam generator, the circular accelerator, and the beam transport line is integrated to form a transport path for guiding the particle beam 7 to the rotating gantry 5. That is, the vacuum duct 6 is a closed continuous space with a vacuum degree sufficient for the particle beam 7 to pass through.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown in the cross-sectional view of , the rotating frame 5 is a cylindrical device. The rotating frame 5 is set so that the axis (horizontal axis 9) of the cylinder is oriented in the horizontal direction. The rotating frame 5 can rotate around the horizontal axis 9.

[0037] The rotating gantry 5 is supported by a frame (Japanese: trunk) 10 constituting a treatment facility in which the particle beam therapy system 1 is installed. For example, end rings 11 are fixed to the front and rear of the main body 19 of the rotating gantry 5. A rotation drive unit 12 is provided below the end rings 11. The rotation drive unit 12 supports the end rings 11 in a rotatable state and has a drive motor. The rotation drive units 12 are supported by the frame 10. The driving force of the rotation drive unit 12 is applied to the rotating gantry 5 via the end rings 11, so that the rotating gantry 5 rotates around the horizontal axis 9.

[0038] The rotating gantry 5 is provided with a vacuum duct 6 extending from the beam transport line. The vacuum duct 6 is first guided from the rear side of the rotating gantry 5 to the inside along the horizontal axis 9 thereof. Then, the vacuum duct 6 temporarily extends toward the outside of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating gantry 5, and then extends toward the inside of the rotating gantry 5 again. The front end of the vacuum duct 6 extends to a position close to the patient 8.

[0039] Although not particularly shown, a predetermined rotating mechanism is provided in the vacuum duct 6 along the horizontal axis 9 of the rotating frame 5. The portion of the vacuum duct 6 outside the rotating mechanism is stationary, and the portion inside the rotating mechanism rotates together with the rotation of the rotating frame 5.

[0040] The rotating gantry 5 is provided with an irradiation port 13 for irradiating the particle beam 7 toward the patient 8 and a transport unit 14 for transporting the particle beam 7 to the irradiation port 13 . That is, the irradiation port 13 and the transport unit 14 are supported by the rotating gantry 5 .

[0041] The transport unit 14 includes superconducting electromagnets 15 that generate a magnetic field forming a path for transporting the particle beam 7. The superconducting electromagnets 15 are, for example, deflection electromagnets that change the traveling direction of the particle beam 7 along the vacuum pipe 6 or quadrupole electromagnets that control the convergence and divergence of the particle beam 7.

[0042] The irradiation port 13 is provided at the front end of the vacuum duct 6, and irradiates the particle beam 7 guided by the conveying unit 14 toward the patient 8. The irradiation port 13 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the rotating gantry 5. The particle beam 7 is irradiated from the irradiation port 13 in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal axis 9.

[0043] A treatment space 16 for performing particle beam therapy is provided inside the rotating gantry 5. The patient 8 is placed on a treatment table 17 provided in the treatment space 16. The treatment table 17 can move while the patient 8 is placed thereon. By moving the treatment table 17, the patient 8 can be moved to the irradiation position of the particle beam 7 and aligned. Therefore, the particle beam 7 can be irradiated to an appropriate part of the patient 8, such as a lesion tissue.

[0044] The patient 8 is arranged at the position of the horizontal axis 9, and by rotating the rotating gantry 5, the irradiation port 13 can be rotated around the stationary patient 8. For example, the irradiation port 13 can be rotated 180 degrees clockwise (right turn) or counterclockwise (left turn) around the patient 8 (horizontal axis 9) in the front view. Figures 2 to 3 ). In addition, the particle beam 7 can be irradiated from any direction around the patient 8. That is, the rotating gantry 5 is a device that can change the irradiation direction of the particle beam 7 guided by the beam transport line to the patient 8. Therefore, the particle beam 7 can be irradiated to the affected part from an appropriate direction with higher accuracy while reducing the burden on the patient 8.

[0045] When the particle beam 7 passes through the body of the patient 8, it loses kinetic energy and its speed decreases. It is also subjected to resistance that is roughly inversely proportional to the square of the speed, and stops suddenly when it drops to a certain speed. The stopping point of the particle beam 7 is called the Bragg peak, which imparts high energy to the affected part. The particle beam therapy system 1 can suppress damage to normal tissues and kill only the lesion tissues by aligning the Bragg peak with the position of the lesion tissue of the patient 8.

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, a virtual point is set in the treatment space 16 as the position where the particle beam 7 is most concentrated. This virtual point is called an isocenter 28. When performing treatment, the affected part of the patient 8 is placed at the isocenter 28. The isocenter 28 is set, for example, at the position of the horizontal axis 9 of the rotating gantry 5. Even if the rotating gantry 5 rotates, the position of the isocenter 28 does not change.

[0047] The treatment space 16 provided inside the rotating gantry 5 is formed integrally with the treatment room 18 located on the front side of the rotating gantry 5. The floor, ceiling and walls of the treatment room 18 are formed by a building-side structure 25 supported by the frame 10 of the building. In addition, the treatment table 17 is supported by the building-side structure 25. That is, even if the rotating gantry 5 and the irradiation port 13 rotate, the position of the treatment table 17 does not change.

[0048] An inner wall portion 20 as a decorative plate is provided inside the rotating frame 5. The inner wall portion 20 is disc-shaped, and its periphery is supported by a support rail 21 provided over the entire circumference of the inner peripheral surface of the rotating frame 5. The inner wall portion 20 is supported by the support rail 21 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction.

[0049] In the inner wall portion 20, a reversing synchronous motor 23 is connected to the central portion on the opposite side to the treatment space 16. The reversing synchronous motor 23 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the rotating gantry 5 via a support rod 24. When the rotating gantry 5 rotates, the reversing synchronous motor 23 is driven, and the inner wall portion 20 rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the rotating gantry 5 by the driving force.

[0050] For example, when the rotating frame 5 rotates rightward in front view, the inner wall portion 20 rotates leftward. At this time, the rotating frame 5 is controlled to have the same rotation speed as the inner wall portion 20. That is, even if the rotating frame 5 rotates, the inner wall portion 20 is stationary in appearance.

[0051] In the inner wall portion 20, a track rail 22 is fixed on the side facing the treatment space 16. In addition, in the building side structure 25, a track rail 22 is also fixed on the side facing the treatment space 16. Even if the rotating gantry 5 and the irradiation port 13 rotate, the positions of these track rails 22 do not change. A plurality of movable floors (Japanese: mobile beds) 26 are retained between these track rails 22. Each movable floor 26 is a rectangular plate-shaped component. Each movable floor 26 is arranged along the inner circumference of the rotating gantry 5, and each of the two ends is retained on the track rail 22.

[0052] like Figures 2 to 3 As shown, the floor, walls and ceiling of the treatment space 16 are formed by a plurality of movable floors 26. When the rotating gantry 5 and the irradiation port 13 rotate, the movable floors 26 move together with the irradiation port 13. Moreover, no matter where the irradiation port 13 moves, the floor, walls and ceiling of the treatment space 16 are maintained by the movable floors 26.

[0053] The portion of the movable floor 26 that corresponds to the floor is provided to be flush with the floor of the treatment room 18. When preparing for treatment, the patient 8 and the technician can walk on the floor surface formed by the movable floor 26. Since the movable floor 26 always forms the floor, wall and ceiling of the treatment space 16, the inner peripheral surface of the rotating gantry 5 is hidden and cannot be seen by the patient 8.

[0054] Next, the radiation measuring device support device 30 of the first embodiment is described. In the particle beam therapy system 1, before the start of treatment, in order to confirm the quality of the particle beam 7 such as the energy, beam size, accuracy of the irradiation position, and dose distribution, radiation measurement corresponding to the position of the irradiation port 13 is performed. For example, the irradiation port 13 is rotated clockwise (right turn) or counterclockwise (left turn) by a predetermined angle when viewed from the front, and radiation measurement is performed at each position. In order to perform such radiation measurement, the radiation measuring device support device 30 is used.

[0055] The radiation measuring device support device 30 is installed on the upper surface of the treatment table 17 or the gantry 29. The radiation measuring device support device 30 has a size and weight that can be carried by about two operators. For example, the total weight of the radiation measuring device support device 30 is designed to be within 30 kg.

[0056] The radiation measuring device in the first embodiment is composed of at least a radiation measuring device support device 30 , a water equivalent phantom 40 , and a radiation measuring device 41 .

[0057] like Figures 4 to 5 As shown, the radiation measuring instrument support device 30 of the first embodiment includes a cylindrical housing 31 and a base 32 .

[0058] The cylindrical shell 31 is cylindrical. An incident window 33 for incident radiation (particle beam 7) is opened on a part of the cylindrical circumference (front) of the cylindrical shell 31. In addition, a radiation measuring device 41 ( Fig. 9 ) is provided. In addition, a plurality of reference lines 35 are drawn on the surface of the cylindrical shell 31. The cylindrical shell 31 is supported on the base 32 in a state where its cylindrical axis is oriented in the horizontal direction.

[0059] The base 32 supports the cylindrical housing 31 rotatably in the circumferential direction and fixes the cylindrical housing 31 at any rotation angle in the circumferential direction. A circular portion 36 ( Fig. 9 ), the circular portion 36 is embedded in the cylindrical shell 31 from above, and is bent along a portion of the circumference of the cylindrical shell 31. In this way, the cylindrical shell 31 can be supported in a rotatable state. In addition, a portion of the base 32 is cut away, and it is in a U-shape when viewed from above ( Figure 6 ). In addition, the operator cylinder can rotate the housing 31 manually and fix it at any rotation angle.

[0060] The base 32 can be arranged on the upper surface of the treatment table 17 or the stand 29 ( Figures 2 to 3). Adjusters 37 are provided at the four corners of the bottom surface of the base 32. In addition, the adjusters 37 only need to be provided at at least three locations on the bottom surface of the base 32. The height can be finely adjusted by these adjusters 37. In this way, the base 32 can be stably placed on the upper surface of the treatment table 17 or the stand 29.

[0061] The gantry 29 is installed on the floor portion of the movable floor 26 in a state where the treatment table 17 is retracted from the treatment space 16. The gantry 29 enables the radiation measuring instrument support device 30 to be installed at an arbitrary height position.

[0062] In addition, the radiation measuring device support device 30 is provided with an angle display unit that displays the rotation angle of the cylindrical housing 31. The angle display unit of the first embodiment is composed of a scale 38 provided on the periphery of the cylindrical bottom surface (side surface) of the cylindrical housing 31, and a reading unit 39 provided on the base 32 and serving as a reference when reading the scale 38. In this way, the operator can confirm the rotation angle of the cylindrical housing 31 through the scale 38. For example, the scale 38 is provided in 0.5 degree increments. Its accuracy is within ±0.5 degree.

[0063] The reading portion 39 is, for example, an arrow or a triangular mark. The number of the scale 38 located at the position of the reading portion 39 is the rotation angle of the cylindrical housing 31.

[0064] The cylindrical shell 31 contains a water equivalent phantom 40 and a radiation measuring device 41 ( Fig. 9 ).

[0065] The radiation measuring device 41 of the first embodiment is composed of a two-dimensional detector in which a plurality of detection elements are arranged two-dimensionally to form a plate shape. In this way, it is possible to measure radiation in a two-dimensionally extended range.

[0066] In the first embodiment, a water equivalent phantom 40 in the form of a solid plate is used as a phantom ( Figure 7 The water equivalent phantom 40 is formed of, for example, acrylic resin. A plurality of water equivalent phantoms 40 are stacked, and these water equivalent phantoms 40 are arranged in parallel with the radiation measuring device 41 and housed inside the cylindrical housing 31 .

[0067] The thickness of each water-equivalent phantom 40 may be the same or different. For example, water-equivalent phantoms 40 of various thicknesses may be used. These water-equivalent phantoms 40 are combined to form a phantom of target thickness as a whole. For example, the total thickness of a plurality of water-equivalent phantoms 40 can be adjusted within a range of 2 mm to 300 mm. In addition, the water-equivalent phantoms 40 are overlapped in a manner that no gap is generated between each other.

[0068] A holding portion 44 for holding a plurality of water equivalent phantoms 40 and radiation measuring devices 41 is formed inside the cylindrical housing 31. By adjusting the number of water equivalent phantoms 40, the total thickness thereof can be adjusted, and the transmittance of radiation (particle beam 7) can be adjusted arbitrarily. That is, radiation can be measured under any predetermined measurement conditions.

[0069] Furthermore, a groove 43 extending from the holding portion 44 toward the incident window 33 is formed inside the cylindrical housing 31 . The cable 42 extending from the radiation measuring device 41 is led out to the outside of the cylindrical housing 31 along the groove 43 .

[0070] like Figure 7 As shown, the radiation measuring instrument support device 30 of the first embodiment includes a frame unit 50 for attaching and detaching the water equivalent phantom 40 and the radiation measuring instrument 41 in an integrated state with respect to the cylindrical housing 31. In this way, the water equivalent phantom 40 and the radiation measuring instrument 41 can be attached and detached with respect to the cylindrical housing 31 in a simple manner.

[0071] The frame unit 50 is formed by combining a plurality of frames into a rectangular parallelepiped shape. For example, the water equivalent phantom 40 and the radiation measuring device 41 are inserted into the frame unit 50 from above.

[0072] The radiation measuring device support device 30 ( Figures 2 to 3 ) is used to place the radiation measuring device 41 on the horizontal axis 9 ( Figure 1 ) is aligned with the horizontal axis 9 of the rotating frame 5. For example, the cylindrical axis of the cylindrical housing 31 is arranged at a position that is aligned with the horizontal axis 9 of the rotating frame 5. Furthermore, by rotating the cylindrical housing 31, the radiation measuring device 41 can be directed to any direction while maintaining the state in which the radiation measuring device 41 is aligned with the horizontal axis 9. In addition, the radiation measuring device 41 does not necessarily have to be arranged at a position that is aligned with the horizontal axis 9 of the rotating frame 5, and can also be arranged slightly offset with respect to the incident direction of the particle beam 7.

[0073] like Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , the frame unit 50 is inserted into the holding portion 44 of the cylindrical housing 31. For example, the cylindrical housing 31 is formed by connecting the main body 45 and the cover 46 via the hinge 47. When the cover 46 is swung to open the main body 45, the holding portion 44 is exposed. The operator inserts the frame unit 50 into the holding portion 44 and closes the cover 46 again, thereby accommodating the water equivalent phantom 40 and the radiation measuring device 41 inside the cylindrical housing 31.

[0074] The water equivalent phantom 40 and the radiation measuring device 41 are located near the incident window 33 side (radiation incident direction side) in the frame unit 50. For example, when the side facing the incident window 33 is regarded as the front side of the radiation measuring device 41, a space is provided on the rear side of the radiation measuring device 41. In addition, the gap between the rear surface of the water equivalent phantom 40 on the rearmost side and the front surface of the radiation measuring device 41 is 1 mm or less.

[0075] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the operator can check the position of the radiation measuring device 41 inside the cylindrical housing 31 through the slit 34 opened in the cylindrical bottom surface (side surface). In this way, the position of the radiation measuring device 41 can be aligned with the isocenter 28 ( Figure 1 )alignment.

[0076] For example, when performing radiation measurement, the operator peers through the slit 34 to confirm the position of the radiation measuring device 41. Then, the operator adjusts the position of the treatment table 17 or the gantry 29, adjusts the orientation of the base 32, and adjusts the rotation angle of the cylindrical housing 31 so that the position of the radiation measuring device 41 seen from the slit 34 coincides with the isocenter 28 ( Figure 1 ) position.

[0077] When performing this alignment, visible light laser is irradiated in the treatment space 16. For example, laser is irradiated from three-dimensional directions (one vertical direction and two horizontal directions). The position where these lasers intersect is represented as the isocenter 28. The operator aligns the radiation measuring device 41 with the position of the isocenter 28 represented by the laser. In addition, a level meter can also be used to confirm the horizontal state of the radiation measuring device support device 30.

[0078] In addition, the operator can also adjust the position of the treatment table 17 or the gantry 29, adjust the orientation of the base 32, and adjust the rotation angle of the cylindrical shell 31 so that the multiple reference lines 35 drawn on the surface of the cylindrical shell 31 are consistent with the irradiation position of the laser.

[0079] For example, when the irradiation port 13 is located directly above the isocenter 28, that is, when the irradiation port 13 is located at a position of 0 degrees, Figure 8 As shown, the operator rotates the cylindrical housing 31 so that the incident window 33 is located directly above, that is, the rotation angle is 0. Then, the radiation (particle beam 7) is measured at this rotation angle.

[0080] In addition, when the rotating frame 5 rotates and the irradiation port 13 is located at a position of 90 degrees, as shown in FIG. Fig. 9As shown, the operator rotates the cylindrical housing 31 to a rotation angle of 90 degrees. Then, the radiation (particle beam 7) is measured at this rotation angle. In addition, when the rotating gantry 5 rotates and the irradiation port 13 is located at a position of 270 degrees, the base 32 is changed in the horizontal direction by 180 degrees in a state where the rotation angle of the cylindrical housing 31 is 90 degrees. Then, the incident window 33 faces the irradiation port 13.

[0081] In addition, when the rotating frame 5 rotates and the irradiation port 13 is located at a position of 135 degrees, as shown in FIG. Fig.10 As shown, the operator rotates the cylindrical housing 31 to a rotation angle of 135 degrees. Since the base 32 is in a U-shape when viewed from above, even at this rotation angle, the incident window 33 faces the irradiation port 13. Then, the radiation (particle beam 7) is measured at this rotation angle.

[0082] In addition, when the rotating frame 5 rotates and the irradiation port 13 is located at a position of 180 degrees, as shown in FIG. Fig.11 As shown, the operator rotates the cylindrical housing 31 to a rotation angle of 180 degrees. Since the base 32 is in a U-shape when viewed from above and is open directly below, even at this rotation angle, the incident window 33 faces the irradiation port 13. Then, the radiation (particle beam 7) is measured at this rotation angle.

[0083] In the radiation measuring method of the first embodiment, first, the operator rotates the rotating gantry 5 to move the irradiation port 13 to any position to be measured. Next, the operator sets the radiation measuring device support device 30 inside the rotating gantry 5 of the particle beam therapy system 1. Next, the operator rotates the cylindrical shell 31 in coordination with the rotation of the rotating gantry 5 to adjust the orientation of the radiation measuring device 41. Then, the radiation (particle beam 7) emitted from the irradiation port 13 of the rotating gantry 5 is measured by the radiation measuring device 41. In addition, these steps are at least part of the radiation measuring method, and other steps may also be included in the radiation measuring method.

[0084] (Second Embodiment)

[0085] Next, use Fig.12 The second embodiment will be described. Note that the same components as those shown in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0086] In the radiometer support device 30A (radiometer) of the second embodiment, when the side facing the incident window 33 in the cylindrical housing 31 is the front side of the radiometer 41, water equivalent phantoms 40 are provided on both the front side and the rear side of the radiometer 41. In this way, not only the radiation (particle beam 7) incident on the radiometer 41 from the front can be evaluated, but also the contribution of the radiation incident on the radiometer 41 from the rear, that is, the contribution of the backscatter, can be evaluated.

[0087] (Third Embodiment)

[0088] Next, use Fig.13 The third embodiment will be described. Note that the same components as those shown in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0089] In the radiation measuring device support device 30B (radiation measuring device) of the third embodiment, liquid water is used as a phantom. Here, the radiation measuring device support device 30B is provided with a container 51 that is arranged in parallel with the radiation measuring device 41 and contains water. For example, in the frame unit 50, containers 51 filled with water are provided on the front side and the back side of the radiation measuring device 41, respectively. In this way, since water is used as the phantom, the phantom can be constructed at a low cost. In addition, the container 51 filled with water may be provided only on the front side of the radiation measuring device 41.

[0090] (Fourth Embodiment)

[0091] Next, use Fig.14 The fourth embodiment will be described. Note that the same components as those shown in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0092] The radiation measuring device support device 30C (radiation measuring device) of the fourth embodiment includes an ion chamber 52 instead of the radiation measuring device 41 composed of the two-dimensional detector described above. The ion chamber 52 is a device having a chamber (not shown) filled with gas and an electrode (not shown) for detecting ionization of the gas. In this way, a device for measuring radiation can be constructed at a low cost. In addition, the ion chamber 52 is fixed to the water equivalent phantom 40 at a predetermined position inside the frame unit 50 by a predetermined clamp (not shown).

[0093] (Fifth Embodiment)

[0094] Next, use Figure 15 to Figure 16 The fifth embodiment will be described. Note that the same components as those shown in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0095] like Fig.15 As shown, a radiation measuring device support device 30D (radiation measuring device) according to the fifth embodiment includes an angle detection sensor 53 , a driving unit 54 , and a control computer 55 .

[0096] The angle detection sensor 53 is provided on the base 32, and detects the rotation angle of the cylindrical housing 31. In addition, the driving unit 54 includes a roller in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical housing 31 and a motor for rotating the roller. The driving unit 54 is controlled by a control computer 55. In this way, the cylindrical housing 31 can be automatically rotated to adjust the direction of the radiation measuring device 41.

[0097] The control computer 55 is composed of a computer having hardware resources such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and a SSD (Solid State Drive). The CPU executes various programs, thereby using hardware resources to realize software-based information processing.

[0098] like Fig.16 As shown in FIG. 5 , the control computer 55 includes at least a processing circuit 56, a storage unit 57, and a display 58. The control computer 55 may include configurations other than these configurations.

[0099] The processing circuit 56 is, for example, a circuit having a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated or general-purpose processor. The processor implements various functions by executing various programs stored in the storage unit 57. In addition, the processing circuit 56 may also be composed of hardware such as FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Various functions can also be implemented by these hardware. In addition, the processing circuit 56 may also implement various functions by combining software processing based on a processor and a program with hardware processing.

[0100] In addition, various information required when performing the radiation measurement method is stored in the storage unit 57 of the control computer 55. In addition, the display 58 outputs predetermined information. The display 58 displays the rotation angle of the cylindrical housing 31.

[0101] The display 58 may be separate from the computer main body or may be integrated therewith. Additionally or alternatively, the control computer 55 may control an image displayed on a display 58 provided in another computer connected via a network.

[0102] The angle display unit of the fifth embodiment is composed of an angle detection sensor 53 and a display 58 of a control computer 55. The control computer 55 obtains the rotation angle of the cylindrical housing 31 based on the signal output by the angle detection sensor 53. Then, the control computer 55 controls to display the rotation angle on the display 58. In this way, the operator can confirm the rotation angle of the cylindrical housing 31 through the display 58.

[0103] In addition, the control computer 55 may obtain the rotation angle of the cylindrical housing 31 based on the control signal of the drive unit 54 without using the angle detection sensor 53 .

[0104] Furthermore, the control computer 55 may control the drive unit 54 to rotate the cylindrical housing 31 based on the rotation angle of the cylindrical housing 31 obtained by the angle detection sensor 53 so that the cylindrical housing 31 reaches a preset target rotation angle.

[0105] The control computer 55 has a control device, a storage device, an output device, an input device and a communication interface. Here, the control device includes a highly integrated processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a dedicated chip. Storage devices include ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. Output devices include display panels, head-mounted displays, projectors, printers, etc. Input devices include a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, etc. The control computer 55 can be implemented by utilizing the hardware structure of a conventional computer.

[0106] In addition, the program executed by the control computer 55 is provided in advance in a ROM or the like. Additionally or alternatively, the program is provided as a file in an installable form or an executable form stored in a computer-readable non-temporary storage medium. The storage medium includes a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a memory card, a DVD, a floppy disk (FD), etc.

[0107] In addition, the program executed by the control computer 55 may be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading the network. In addition, the control computer 55 may be composed of individual modules that independently perform the functions of the components connected to each other through a network or a dedicated line.

[0108] The present invention has been described based on the first to fifth embodiments, but a configuration applied to any one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, and configurations applied to the respective embodiments may be combined.

[0109] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, by providing a base 32 that supports the cylindrical shell 31 rotatably in the circumferential direction with the cylindrical axis facing the horizontal direction and fixes the cylindrical shell 31 at an arbitrary rotation angle in the circumferential direction, in the particle beam therapy system 1 in which the position of the irradiation port 13 changes, the operation of setting the radiation measuring device 41 according to the position of the irradiation port 13 can be easily performed.

[0110] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, changes, and combinations can be made without departing from the scope of the subject matter of the invention. These embodiments or their variations are included in the scope and subject matter of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents. In addition, the expression in the singular is not necessarily intended to be limited to only one, and the expression in the singular may also be multiple.

Claims

1. A radiation measuring device support device, comprising: The cylindrical shell contains the phantom and the radiation measuring device and has a cylindrical shape; a base that supports the cylindrical shell rotatably in the circumferential direction with the cylindrical axis facing the horizontal direction, and fixes the cylindrical shell at an arbitrary rotation angle in the circumferential direction; and The angle display unit displays the rotation angle.

2. The radiation measuring device support device according to claim 1, wherein: The radiometer support device includes a frame unit for attaching and detaching the phantom and the radiometer to and from the cylindrical housing in an integrated state.

3. The radiation measuring device support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: An incident window for incident radiation is provided at a portion of the cylindrical circumference of the cylindrical shell. A holding portion for holding the phantom and the radiation measuring device is formed inside the cylindrical shell. When the side facing the incident window is defined as the front side of the radiation measuring device, the phantom is provided on both the front side and the rear side of the radiation measuring device.

4. The radiation measuring device support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: A slit is opened in a part of the cylindrical bottom surface of the cylindrical housing, and the slit is used to confirm the position of the radiation measuring device from the outside.

5. The radiation measuring device support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The angle display unit comprises: a scale, arranged on the periphery of the cylindrical bottom surface of the cylindrical shell; and The reading unit is provided on the base and serves as a reference when reading the scale.

6. The radiation measuring device support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The angle display unit comprises: a sensor to detect the rotation angle; and The display of the computer displays the rotation angle based on the signal output by the sensor.

7. The radiation measuring device support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The radiation measuring device support device comprises: a driving unit for rotating the cylindrical housing; and A computer controls the driving unit.

8. The radiation measuring device support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The phantom is a solid water equivalent phantom. A plurality of the water-equivalent phantoms in a plate shape are stacked, and a holding portion for holding the water-equivalent phantoms and the radiation measuring device in parallel is formed inside the cylindrical casing.

9. The radiation measuring device support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The phantom is water, The radiation measuring instrument support device includes a container which is arranged in parallel with the radiation measuring instrument and contains the water.

10. The radiation measuring device support device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The base can be disposed on an upper surface of a stand, and adjusters are provided at least at three locations on a bottom surface of the base.

11. A radiation measuring device comprising: The radiation measuring device support device according to claim 1 or 2; and The radiation measuring device is composed of a two-dimensional detector in which a plurality of detection elements are two-dimensionally arranged in a plate shape.

12. A radiation measuring device comprising: The radiation measuring device support device according to claim 1 or 2; and The radiation measuring device is composed of an ion chamber having a chamber filled with gas and an electrode for detecting ionization of the gas.

13. A radiation measuring method, which is performed using the radiation measuring device support device according to claim 1 or 2, The radiation measuring device support device is installed inside the rotating gantry of the particle beam therapy system. In coordination with the rotation of the rotating frame, the cylindrical shell is rotated to adjust the direction of the radiation measuring device. The radiation measuring device measures the radiation emitted from the irradiation port of the rotating gantry.

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