Particle beam therapy system and support member for particle beam therapy

Abstract

The invention provides a particle beam therapy system capable of accurately irradiating a particle beam and a support member for particle beam therapy. A particle beam therapy system is provided with a placement unit on which a patient irradiated with a particle beam is placed. Therefore, the irradiation port can irradiate the particle beam on the treatment part of the patient placed on the placing part. In this case, the particle beam therapy system irradiates a particle beam from the irradiation port to the patient in a state in which the patient placed on the placement section is fixed in a lateral position. When the patient is in the side-lying position, interference between the collimator and the vicinity of the shoulder can be suppressed, and thus the distance between the emission port and the treatment site can be reduced. Thus, the patient is in a side-lying position according to the position of the treatment site of the patient, and the treatment site can be arranged at the position close to the emission port of the irradiation port. In addition, the position of the patient lying on the side is fixed in a state that the treatment part is arranged at a position close to the ejection port, so that the movement of the treatment part in the treatment process can be inhibited.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-196030 filed on November 17, 2023. The entire content of the Japanese application is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a particle beam therapy system and a support member for particle beam therapy. Background Art

[0003] There is known a technique of treating a patient by irradiating a particle beam (for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, as a neutron capture therapy for irradiating neutron rays to kill cancer cells, a boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT: Boron Neutron Capture Therapy) using a boron compound is described. In the boron neutron capture therapy, neutron rays are irradiated to boron previously incorporated into cancer cells, and cancer cells are selectively destroyed by the scattering of heavy charged particles generated thereby.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, treatment is performed by fixing a patient to a treatment bed and arranging the patient in this state in front of the irradiation port of neutron rays.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-83351

[0006] Here, when treating by irradiating a particle beam, depending on the position of the affected area, it is sometimes preferable to place the patient in a lateral decubitus position. However, the lateral decubitus position is a posture that places a large burden on the patient, so it is difficult to maintain the posture, and there is a problem that it is difficult to accurately irradiate the particle beam to the affected area. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a particle beam therapy system and a support member for particle beam therapy that can accurately irradiate a particle beam.

[0008] The particle beam therapy system according to the present invention includes: a placement unit for placing a patient irradiated with a particle beam; and an irradiation unit for irradiating a particle beam to the patient placed on the placement unit, and irradiating a particle beam from the irradiation unit to the patient in a state where the patient placed on the placement unit is fixed in a lateral decubitus position.

[0009] The particle beam therapy system according to the present invention includes a placement unit for placing a patient irradiated with a particle beam. Therefore, the irradiation unit can irradiate a particle beam to the treatment site of the patient placed on the placement unit. In this regard, the particle beam therapy system irradiates a particle beam from the irradiation unit to the patient in a state where the patient placed on the placement unit is fixed in the lateral position. By making the patient assume the lateral position according to the position of the treatment site of the patient, the treatment site can be arranged at a position close to the irradiation unit. Moreover, since the posture of the patient in the lateral position is fixed in a state where the treatment site is arranged at a position close to the irradiation unit, movement of the treatment site during the treatment can be suppressed. As a result, the particle beam can be accurately irradiated, and thus the treatment can be reliably performed.

[0010] The particle beam therapy system may further include a support member that can support the patient placed on the placement unit from at least one side with respect to the torso. By using the support member, it is possible to easily fix the patient in the lateral position. And by supporting the patient from at least one side with respect to the torso, movement of the patient can be suppressed, and it is easy to maintain a comfortable posture for the patient.

[0011] The support member may support the patient placed on the placement unit from both sides with respect to the torso. In this way, by supporting the patient from both sides with respect to the torso, movement of the patient can be suppressed, and it is easy to maintain a comfortable posture for the patient.

[0012] The support member may have a belt-like member that can be wound around the patient. By using the belt-like member, the patient can be fixed according to the build and posture of the patient.

[0013] The support member may have a fulcrum that holds one end of the belt-like member, and the fulcrum is arranged at a position higher than the placement unit. For example, when the fulcrums at both ends of the belt-like member are arranged at positions lower than the placement unit, the belt-like member will apply a supporting force that pushes the patient toward the placement unit side. In contrast, when the fulcrum is arranged at a position higher than the placement unit, a supporting force in a direction other than pushing toward the placement unit can be applied. As a result, it is easy to apply a supporting force that supports the patient from both sides with respect to the torso of the patient.

[0014] In the support member, by winding the belt-like member around the torso of the patient placed on the placement unit, a supporting force can be applied to the torso from below and from both sides in the horizontal direction. At this time, by using the belt-like member to apply supporting forces from multiple directions according to the build and posture of the patient, movement of the patient can be suppressed, and it is easy to maintain a comfortable posture for the patient.

[0015] The support member may have a first member and a second member that support the patient placed on the placement unit from both sides with respect to the torso. By using the support member unitized by the first member and the second member, it is possible to easily position and fix the patient.

[0016] The particle beam therapy system may further include a cushion member, which is disposed in the space between the patient in the lateral position and the placement portion. Thus, the space between the patient's arm and shoulder, and the trunk and the placement portion in the lateral position can be filled with the cushion member. Therefore, even when one arm and shoulder of the patient are disposed on the lower side due to the lateral position, the movement of the patient can be suppressed, and a comfortable posture for the patient can be easily maintained.

[0017] The particle beam therapy system may include a neutron capture therapy device. In the case of a neutron capture therapy device, high-dose irradiation is required, so it is very necessary to bring the treatment site of the patient close to the irradiation portion. Therefore, compared with proton beam therapy, etc., it is likely to be a posture that places a greater burden on the patient, such as the lateral position. Moreover, since the irradiation time is long, the time for imposing a burden on the patient becomes long. Therefore, by adopting the structure of the present invention for the neutron capture therapy device, the burden on the patient can be suppressed, and neutron rays can be accurately irradiated.

[0018] The support member for particle beam therapy according to the present invention supports a patient irradiated with a particle beam, and can fix the patient placed on the placement portion in a lateral position.

[0019] The support member for particle beam therapy according to the present invention can fix the patient placed on the placement portion in a lateral position. Therefore, according to the position of the treatment site of the patient, the patient is made to be in the lateral position using the support member, so that the treatment site can be disposed at a position close to the irradiation portion. Moreover, in the state where the treatment site is disposed at a position close to the irradiation portion, the state of maintaining the lateral position of the patient fixed by the support member can be maintained, so that the movement of the treatment site during the treatment can be suppressed. Thus, the particle beam can be accurately irradiated, and the treatment can be reliably performed.

[0020] According to the present invention, there is provided a particle beam therapy system and a support member for particle beam therapy that can accurately irradiate a particle beam. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a particle beam therapy system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 In (a), it is a schematic top view of the treatment couch, Figure 2 In (b), it is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line IIb-IIb shown in (a). Figure 2 of the treatment couch in the state where the patient is placed.

[0023] Figure 3 is a schematic top view of the treatment couch in the state where the patient is placed.

[0024] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a treatment table on which a patient is placed.

[0025] Figure 5 is a schematic side view of a treatment table on which a patient is placed.

[0026] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the radiation outlet and the treatment site.

[0027] Figure 7 is a view showing a support member of the particle beam therapy system according to the modification example.

[0028] Figure 8 is a view showing a support member of the particle beam therapy system according to the modification example.

[0029] Figure 9 is a view showing a support member of the particle beam therapy system according to the modification example.

[0030] Figure 10 is a view showing a support member of the particle beam therapy system according to the modification example.

[0031] In the figure: 1 - neutron capture therapy device, 50 - patient, 60 - placement part, 80 - support member, 81 - cushion member, 83 - belt member, 182 - backrest member (first member), 183 - belt member (second member), 106 - irradiation port (irradiation part). Detailed Embodiment

[0032] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a particle beam therapy system 150 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The particle beam therapy system 150 is a system for treating a patient using a particle beam. The particle beam therapy system 150 includes a neutron capture therapy device 1. The neutron capture therapy device 1 is a device for treating cancer using boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT: Boron Neutron Capture Therapy). The neutron capture therapy device 1 includes a treatment unit 102, a treatment table 100 (placement part), and a moving mechanism 110.

[0034] The treatment unit 102 has an irradiation port 106 (irradiation unit) that irradiates the patient 50 with neutron rays N. The treatment unit 102 is composed of a structure or the like that arranges the irradiation port 106 or the moving mechanism 110. The treatment unit 102 is provided in the treatment room 101. The irradiation port 106 is provided on the vertical wall portion of the treatment room 101. The neutron rays N are emitted horizontally from the irradiation port 106. The irradiation port 106 includes a collimator 20 and a peripheral wall 115 of the irradiation unit described later. The moving mechanism 110 is a mechanism that can move the treatment table 100 on which the patient 50 is placed in the treatment unit 102. The moving mechanism 110 is provided at a position in front of the irradiation port 106 in the treatment room 101.

[0035] In the treatment unit 102, for example, the tumor of the patient 50 injected with boron ( 10 B) is irradiated with neutron rays N. The irradiation port 106 irradiates the neutron rays N (particle beam) to the patient 50 placed on the placement portion 60 of the treatment table 100 (refer to Figure 3 ).

[0036] The neutron capture therapy device 1 includes an accelerator 2. The accelerator 2 accelerates particles and emits a particle beam R. For example, as the accelerator 2, a cyclotron, a linear accelerator, etc. can be adopted.

[0037] The particle beam R emitted from the accelerator 2 passes through a transmission path 9 called a beam duct that maintains a vacuum inside and through which the beam can pass, and then is transmitted to the target arrangement portion 30. The target arrangement portion 30 is a portion where the target 10 is arranged, and has a mechanism for holding the target 10 in the posture during irradiation. The target arrangement portion 30 arranges the target 10 at a position opposed to the end portion (beam exit) of the transmission path 9. The particle beam R emitted from the accelerator 2 travels through the transmission path 9 toward the target 10 arranged at the end portion of the transmission path 9. A plurality of electromagnets 4 (quadrupole electromagnets, etc.) and a scanning electromagnet 6 are provided along the transmission path 9. The plurality of electromagnets 4 are used, for example, to adjust the beam axis of the particle beam R with the electromagnets.

[0038] The scanning electromagnet 6 scans the particle beam R and controls the irradiation of the particle beam R to the target 10. The scanning electromagnet 6 controls the irradiation position of the particle beam R to the target 10.

[0039] The neutron capture therapy device 1 generates neutron rays N by irradiating the target 10 with the particle beam R, and thus emits the neutron rays N to the patient 50. The neutron capture therapy device 1 includes a target 10, a shielding body 8, a deceleration member 39, and a collimator 20.

[0040] The target 10 is irradiated with the particle beam R to generate a neutron beam N. The target 10 is a solid-shaped component formed of a material that generates a neutron beam N by irradiating the particle beam R. Specifically, the target 10 is formed of, for example, beryllium (Be), lithium (Li), tantalum (Ta), and tungsten (W), and is, for example, in a solid disk-shaped shape with a diameter of 160 mm. In addition, the target 10 is not limited to a disk-shaped shape, and may also be in other shapes.

[0041] The deceleration member 39 decelerates (reduces the energy of) the neutron line N generated by the target 10. The deceleration member 39 may have a laminated structure formed of a layer 39A that mainly decelerates fast neutrons contained in the neutron line N and a layer 39B that mainly decelerates epithermal neutrons contained in the neutron line N.

[0042] The shield 8 shields the generated neutron beam N and the gamma rays generated with the generation of the neutron beam N to prevent them from being released to the outside. The shield 8 is set to surround the deceleration member 39. The upper and lower parts of the shield 8 extend further upstream of the particle beam R than the deceleration member 39.

[0043] The collimator 20 shapes the irradiation area of ​​the neutron beam N and has an irradiation port 20a for the neutron beam N to pass through. The collimator 20 is, for example, a block-shaped component having the irradiation port 20a in the center. The collimator 20 is mounted on the wall of the part where the neutron beam N is irradiated into the treatment room 101 (i.e., the irradiation part peripheral wall 115).

[0044] The moving mechanism 110 is a so-called six-axis mechanism that moves the treatment bed 100 carrying the patient 50 in six-axis directions. The moving mechanism 110 enables horizontal movement and rotational movement of the treatment bed 100. In this embodiment, the moving mechanism 110 supports the patient 50 placed on the treatment bed 100 and moves the patient 50 together with the treatment bed 100.

[0045] Next, refer to Figures 2 to 5 , the detailed structure of the treatment bed 100 is described. Figure 2 (a) is a schematic top view of the treatment bed 100. Figure 2 (b) is along Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view taken along line Ⅱb-Ⅱb shown in (a). Figure 3 This is a schematic top view showing the treatment bed 100 with the patient 50 placed thereon. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a treatment bed 100 with a patient 50 placed thereon. Figure 5 This is a schematic side view showing the treatment bed 100 with the patient 50 placed thereon.

[0046] If Figure 2As shown, the treatment table 100 includes a placement part 60 and a support part 61. The placement part 60 is a component for placing the patient 50. The placement part 60 is a rectangular plate-shaped component. The placement part 60 has edge parts 60a, 60b on the long side and edge parts 60c, 60d on the short side. The placement part 60 has an upper surface 60e that serves as the placement surface for placing the patient 50 (refer to Figure 3 )

[0047] As Figure 2 shown in (a) therein, the placement part 60 has an arm passage part 62 through which the arm 51 of the placed patient 50 passes (also refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 ). The arm passage part 62 is formed by a notch or a through hole that penetrates the placement part 60 in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the arm passage part 62 is formed by a notch part that extends from the edge part 60a on the long side toward the edge part 60b on the long side. The arm passage part 62 is formed at a position close to the edge part 60c on the short side. As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, the patient 50 placed in the lateral position on the upper surface 60e of the placement part 60 can pass the arm 51 on the side of the placement part 60 through the arm passage part 62 and extend it downward.

[0048] As Figure 2 shown in (b) therein, the support part 61 supports the arm 51 that has passed through the arm passage part 62 (refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 ). The support part 61 has a bottom wall part 63 parallel to the placement part 60 at a position separated downward from the arm passage part 62. And, the support part 61 has a side wall part 64 that extends upward from the edge part of the bottom wall part 63. As Figure 4 shown, the patient 50 extends the upper arm 51a downward from the arm passage part 62 and bends the elbow to place the forearm 51b on the bottom wall part 63. And, the periphery of the forearm 51b placed on the bottom wall part 63 is surrounded by the side wall part 64 and is protected.

[0049] The support part 61 has a maintaining structure 70 for maintaining the relative positional relationship with the placement part 60. Here, maintaining the relative positional relationship not only refers to the state where the relative position of the support part 61 with respect to the placement part 60 is completely fixed, but also allows some changes in the relative position of the support part 61 with respect to the placement part 60 within the range where the functional positional relationship of the support part 61 for supporting the arm 51 can be maintained. And, the maintaining structure 70 not only refers to the actions of the support part 61 and the placement part 60 being completely synchronized, but also allows some deviations in the actions of the two.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the holding structure 70 is constituted by a connecting portion 71 of the supporting portion 61 with respect to the placing portion 60. The connecting portion 71 connects the upper end portion of the side wall portion 64 and the lower surface 60f of the placing portion 60. Thereby, the supporting portion 61 is fixed to the placing portion 60. Therefore, if the placing portion 60 moves, the supporting portion 61 also moves synchronously with this movement. And, the relative position of the supporting portion 61 with respect to the placing portion 60 is completely fixed. In addition, the holding structure 70 may adopt a structure other than the connecting portion 71 with respect to the placing portion 60. For example, the supporting portion 61 and the placing portion 60 may be separately provided, and the supporting portion 61 may be provided on a cart that can move on the ground. At this time, the connecting portion 71 is disposed below the arm passing portion 62 of the placing portion 60.

[0051] Next, with reference to Figures 3 to 5 , the state of the patient 50 on the treatment couch 100 will be described. The particle beam treatment system 150 irradiates the patient with neutron rays N from the irradiation port 106 in a state where the patient 50 placed on the placing portion 60 is fixed in the lateral position. The fixation here means that during the treatment process, the patient 50 can maintain the lateral position state without relying on his own strength to maintain the posture. The fixing force is not particularly limited, but it is preferably that the patient 50 can maintain the lateral position posture even when a force of about 10 N to 50 N acts. The treatment couch 100 includes a supporting member 80 for supporting the patient 50 and a cushion member 81.

[0052] Here, the lateral position state of the patient 50 will be described. The lateral position is a state where the patient 50 lies horizontally with one of the left and right arms facing downward. An imaginary reference line SL1 extending in the longitudinal direction is set for the trunk 52 of the patient 50. And, an imaginary reference line SL2 orthogonal to the reference line SL1 and extending in the direction extending toward the left and right shoulders is set. The angle of the reference line SL2 with respect to the upper surface 60e of the placing portion 60 when the patient 50 is viewed from the longitudinal direction ( Figure 4 the direction shown) is set as the angle θ. The lateral position not only refers to the case where the angle θ is 90°, but also belongs to the lateral position as long as the angle θ is in the range of 30° to 90° (it can also be used by changing the right and left directions). In addition, even when the patient 50 twists the body, as long as the angle θ near the shoulders is within the above range, it also belongs to the lateral position.

[0053] In the present embodiment, the patient 50 is arranged in a posture where the reference line SL1 is substantially orthogonal to the irradiation direction of the neutron rays N and extends in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the treatment couch 100 is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the placing portion 60 is substantially orthogonal to the irradiation direction of the neutron rays N and extends in the horizontal direction. And, the patient 50 is arranged such that the front side of the patient 50 faces the irradiation portion peripheral wall 115. Here, the head and neck vicinity of the patient 50 are arranged in the front side of the irradiation port 106.

[0054] The support member 80 is a member for supporting the patient 50 placed on the placement portion 60. In the present embodiment, the support member 80 includes a backrest member 82 and a belt member 83. The backrest member 82 is a member that stands upright upward from the upper surface 60e of the placement portion 60. The backrest member 82 extends along the length direction of the placement portion 60. The backrest member 82 supports the back of the torso 52 of the patient 50 using the support surface 82a. The support surface 82a may be made of a material having cushioning properties. As Figure 4 shown, when the angle θ of the reference line SL2 of the patient 50 with respect to the placement portion 60 is 90°, the angle of the backrest member 82 with respect to the placement portion 60 becomes 90°. Thereby, the backrest member 82 can support the lateral lying position of the patient 50 in a state of being in contact with the back of the patient 50. In addition, when the angle θ of the patient 50 is inclined with respect to the placement portion 60, the angle of the backrest member 82 with respect to the placement portion 60 is inclined with respect to the placement portion 60 in the same manner as the angle θ of the patient 50 (refer to Figure 4 the dashed line).

[0055] The belt member 83 is a member that can be wound around the patient 50. The belt member 83 is a long strip member having a predetermined width and extending in the length direction. And, the belt member 83 can be freely deformed at each part. The belt member 83 is made of a fiber material or a resin material. As the belt member 83, a belt can be used. In Figure 3 and Figure 5 , in order to show the state of the patient, the belt member 83 is shown by a dashed line. In the present embodiment, the belt member 83 has a width dimension that can cover substantially the entire torso 52 of the patient 50. In addition, in the present embodiment, one belt member 83 having a wide width is used, but a plurality of belt members 83 having a width narrower than this belt member 83 may also be used.

[0056] As Figure 4 shown, the belt member 83 is fixed near the edge portion 60a, and after passing around the upper end of the patient 50 and the backrest member 82, it is fixed near the edge portion 60b. The belt member 83 passes around the edge portions 60a, 60b to the lower surface 60f side. The support member 80 has fulcrums 84a, 84b for holding the ends of the belt member 83 at the position of the lower surface 60f. In the present embodiment, the fulcrums 84a, 84b are arranged at a position lower than the upper surface 60e of the placement portion 60. Thereby, the belt member 83 has a mountain shape, and supports the patient 50 with the support force F2 that pushes the patient 50 downward onto the placement portion 60. And, the backrest member 82 gives the support force F1 to the torso 52 of the patient 50 in a direction perpendicular to the support surface 82a.

[0057] The cushion member 81 is a member existing in the space between the patient 50 in the lateral lying position and the placement portion 60. The cushion member 81 is disposed at a position corresponding to the torso 52 of the patient 50 above the upper surface 60e of the placement portion 60. When the patient 50 assumes a lateral lying position on the placement portion 60, one shoulder and the arm 51 will face downward. The cushion member 81 fills the space formed between the shoulder and the arm 51 and the torso 52. The cushion member 81 may be made of a material having cushioning properties.

[0058] Next, Figure 3 and Figure 4 will be used to describe the steps when treating the patient 50 using the treatment bed 100. As Figure 3 and Figure 4 show, first, the patient 50 is placed in a lateral lying position on the upper surface 60e of the placement portion 60 of the treatment bed 100. The patient 50 places the torso 52 on the cushion member 81 on the placement portion 60. Also, the back of the patient 50 leans against the backrest member 82. The patient 50 extends the lower arm 51 downward through the arm passage portion 62 of the placement portion 60. And bends the elbow and places the forearm 51b on the bottom wall portion 63 of the support portion 61. Next, an intravenous drip 73 is inserted into the forearm 51b supported by the support portion 61. The tube 74 of the intravenous drip 73 is led out from the arm passage portion 62. The treatment bed 100 fixes the patient 50 in the state where the intravenous drip 73 is inserted using the belt-like member 83.

[0059] In this way, since the patient 50 is fixed by the support member 80 in the lateral lying position, the head and the vicinity of the neck of the patient 50 can be disposed in front of the collimator 20 of the irradiation port 106, and this posture can be maintained. The neutron capture therapy device 1 emits neutron rays N from the collimator 20, thereby irradiating the affected area of the patient 50 in the laterally fixed state with neutron rays N.

[0060] Next, the effects of the particle beam therapy system 150 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0061] For example, in a proton beam therapy device, since it is possible to turn a charged particle beam, it is easy to set up a mechanism that uses the gantry to move the irradiation port. Therefore, for a patient lying supine on a treatment bed, the irradiation port can be positioned by the gantry at a location aligned with the treatment site. On the other hand, in the case of the neutron capture therapy device 1, since it is not possible to turn the neutron beam N, it is difficult to set up a moving mechanism like a gantry. Therefore, a structure in which the neutron beam N is emitted horizontally from the collimator 20 of the irradiation port 106 is sometimes adopted. In a device that emits the neutron beam N horizontally from the irradiation port 106 in this way, when irradiating the neutron beam N to a treatment site near the collarbone of the patient 50, oblique irradiation can be considered in view of the burden on the patient 50. When irradiating the neck, the irradiation direction is changed according to the location of the affected area in the neck. In this case, even if the burden on the patient 50 is not considered, there are sometimes cases where oblique irradiation is better. However, in the case of the neutron capture therapy device 1, since it is high-dose irradiation, if oblique irradiation is performed, there may be a situation of insufficient dose. The case where the treatment site is closest to the exit of the neutron beam N is when the neutron beam N is irradiated from the front side of the patient 50 (90° with respect to the reference line SL1 of the torso 52). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the patient 50 is placed on the placement unit 60 such that the reference line SL1 is substantially orthogonal to the irradiation direction of the neutron beam N (refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 ).

[0062] Here, with reference to Figure 6 , the distance between the treatment site 55 of the patient 50 and the exit 20b of the collimator 20 will be described. Figure 6 In (a) of Figure 6 , a top view and a side view showing the state when the patient 50 is placed on the placement unit 60 in a lateral position are shown. Figure 6 In (b) of

[0063] , a top view and a side view showing the state when the patient 50 is placed supine on the placement unit 60 are shown. As shown in (b) of Figure 6 , when the treatment site 55 is near the collarbone, even if an attempt is made to bring the exit 20b closer to the treatment site 55, since the collimator 20 interferes with the vicinity of the shoulder of the patient 50, the distance L1 between the exit 20b and the treatment site 55 becomes large. This problem is particularly likely to occur when irradiating the neutron beam N to a part smaller than the torso 52, such as the collarbone, neck, or chin, from a direction intersecting the reference line SL1 of the patient 50.For such a problem, the particle beam therapy system 150 according to this embodiment includes a placement unit 60 for placing the patient 50 irradiated with the particle beam. Therefore, the irradiation port 106 can irradiate the treatment site 55 of the patient 50 placed on the placement unit 60 with the particle beam. In this regard, the particle beam therapy system 150 irradiates the patient 50 with the particle beam from the irradiation port 106 while the patient 50 placed on the placement unit 60 is fixed in the lateral position. For example, as shown in (a) of Figure 6 if the patient 50 is in the lateral position, interference between the collimator 20 and the vicinity of the shoulder can be suppressed, and thus the distance L1 between the exit port 20b and the treatment site 55 can be reduced. In this way, by positioning the patient 50 in the lateral position according to the position of the treatment site 55 of the patient 50, the treatment site 55 can be arranged at a position close to the exit port 20b of the irradiation port 106. Moreover, since the lateral position posture of the patient is fixed while the treatment site 55 is arranged at a position close to the exit port 20b, movement of the treatment site 55 during the treatment can be suppressed. Thereby, the particle beam can be accurately irradiated, and the treatment can be reliably performed.

[0064] The particle beam therapy system 150 may further include a support member 80 that can support the patient 50 placed on the placement unit 60 from at least one side with respect to the torso 52. By using the support member 80, it is possible to easily fix the patient 50 in the lateral position. And by supporting the patient 50 from at least one side with respect to the torso 52, movement of the patient 50 can be suppressed, and it is easy to maintain a comfortable posture for the patient.

[0065] The support member 80 may have a belt-like member 83 that can be wound around the patient 50. By using the belt-like member 83, the patient 50 can be fixed according to the physique and posture of the patient 50.

[0066] The particle beam therapy system 150 may further include a cushion member 81 that exists in the space between the patient 50 in the lateral position and the placement unit 60. Thereby, the space between the arm and shoulder of the patient 50 in the lateral position, the torso 52 and the placement unit 60 can be filled with the cushion member 81. Therefore, even when one arm and shoulder of the patient 50 are arranged on the lower side due to the lateral position, movement of the patient 50 can be suppressed, and it is easy to maintain a comfortable posture for the patient 50.

[0067] The particle beam therapy system 150 may include a neutron capture therapy device 1. In the case of the neutron capture therapy device 1, high-dose irradiation is required, so it is very necessary to bring the treatment site 55 of the patient 50 close to the exit 20b of the irradiation port 106. Therefore, compared with proton beam therapy, etc., it is easy to adopt a posture such as the lateral position that is more burdensome for the patient 50. Moreover, since the irradiation time is long, the time for imposing a burden on the patient 50 becomes longer. Therefore, by adopting the structure of the present embodiment for the neutron capture therapy device 1, the burden on the patient 50 can be suppressed, and the neutron beam N can be accurately irradiated.

[0068] The particle beam therapy support member 80 according to the present embodiment supports the patient 50 irradiated with the particle beam, and can fix the patient 50 placed on the placement portion 60 in a lateral position state.

[0069] The support member 80 for particle beam therapy according to the present embodiment can fix the patient 50 placed on the placement portion 60 in a lateral position state. Therefore, according to the position of the treatment site 55 of the patient 50, the patient 50 is made to be in a lateral position using the support member 80, so that the treatment site 55 can be arranged at a position close to the exit 20b. Moreover, in a state where the treatment site 55 is arranged at a position close to the exit 20b, the state of the lateral position posture of the patient 50 fixed by the support member 80 can be maintained, so that the movement of the treatment site 55 during the treatment can be suppressed. Thereby, the particle beam can be accurately irradiated, and the treatment can be reliably performed.

[0070] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0071] For example, a support unit 120 as shown in Figure 7 may be adopted. The support unit 120 is unitized by a backrest member 182 (first member), a belt member 183 (second member), and a cushion member 181. The belt member 183 is attached to the backrest member 182. The support unit 120 sets the angles between the backrest member 182 and the belt member 183 and the cushion member 181 according to the angle θ of the patient 50 with respect to the placement portion 60 (refer to Figure 4 ). Figure 7 FIG. (a) is a perspective view of the support unit 120 in which the backrest member 182 is set to 90° with respect to the placement portion 60. Figure 7 FIG. (b) is a perspective view of the support unit 120 in which the backrest member 182 is set to 60° with respect to the placement portion 60. Figure 7 FIG. (c) is a perspective view of the support unit 120 in which the backrest member 182 is set to 45° with respect to the placement portion 60.

[0072] In the support unit 120, the backrest member 182 and the belt member 183 can be adjusted in angle relative to the cushion member 181 (i.e., the placement portion 60). That is, the angles of the backrest member 182 and the belt member 183 can be switched according to the angle θ of the patient 50 relative to the placement portion 60. Alternatively, the angles of the backrest member 182 and the belt member 183 relative to the cushion member 181 (i.e., the placement portion 60) can also be fixed and non-adjustable. In this case, it is only necessary to prepare a plurality of support units 120 according to the angle θ of the patient 50 relative to the placement portion 60.

[0073] Reference Figure 8 , the structure of the support unit 120 will be described in detail. Figure 8 is a view when observing the support unit 120 in the longitudinal direction. As Figure 8 shown, one end of the cushion member 181 is connected to the lower end of the backrest member 182 via a connecting portion 185. In the case where the angle of the backrest member 182 can be adjusted, a hinge mechanism is provided on the connecting portion 185, and the hinge mechanism supports the backrest member 182 to be rotatable relative to the cushion member 181 and locked at a desired angle.

[0074] One end of the belt member 183 is held on the lower end side of the backrest member 182, and the other end is held on the upper end side of the backrest member 182. One end of the belt member 183 is wound around from the lower end side of the backrest member 182 to the rear side and held at the fulcrum 184b. The other end of the belt member 183 is wound around from the upper end side of the backrest member 182 to the rear side and held at the fulcrum 184a. Both the fulcrums 184a and 184b are arranged at positions higher than the placement portion 60.

[0075] The support member 80 of the support unit 120 can support the patient 50 placed on the placement portion 60 from both sides relative to the torso 52. As Figure 8 shown, the belt member 183 is wound around the torso 52 of the patient 50 placed on the cushion member 181 in the lateral lying position (refer to Figure 7 (a) in). Since the belt member 183 is held at the fulcrums 184a and 184b on the upper end side and the lower end side of the backrest member 182, by tightening the belt member 183, a support force F3 pushing the patient 50 toward the backrest member 182 is applied to the patient 50. As its repulsive force, a support force F1 is applied to the patient 50 from the backrest member 182. In this way, by supporting the patient 50 from both sides relative to the torso 52, the movement of the patient 50 is suppressed, and it is easy to maintain a comfortable posture for the patient 50.

[0076] In addition, the state of being supported from both sides relative to the torso 52 means a state in which the support member 80 can apply support forces to the torso 52 of the patient 50 from at least two directions, and these support forces act in opposite directions to each other across the torso 52. The support forces applied from the two directions act in a direction orthogonal to the length direction of the placement portion 60 and extending along the upper surface of the placement portion 60. For example, in Figure 4 In the example of, the support force F2 of the belt member 83 is directed downward and does not act in the opposite direction to the support force F1 of the backrest member 82, so it does not belong to the state of being supported from both sides relative to the torso 52.

[0077] As described above, in Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the example shown, the support member 80 has a fulcrum 184a that holds one end of the belt member 83, and the fulcrum 184a is arranged at a position higher than the placement portion 60. For example, when the fulcrums at both ends of the belt member 83 are arranged at positions lower than the placement portion (for example, refer to Figure 4 ), the belt member 83 will apply a support force that pushes the patient toward the placement portion side. In contrast, when the fulcrum 184a is arranged at a position higher than the placement portion 60, a support force in a direction other than pushing toward the placement portion 60 can be applied. Thus, it is easy to apply support forces that support the patient from both sides relative to the torso 52 of the patient 50.

[0078] The support member 80 has a backrest member 182 (first member) and a belt member 183 (second member) that support the patient 50 placed on the placement portion 60 from both sides relative to the torso 52. By using the support member 80 unitized by the backrest member 182 (first member) and the belt member 183 (second member), it is possible to easily position and fix the patient 50.

[0079] It is also possible to adopt the structures shown in Figure 9 and Figure 10 In the example shown in Figure 9 , one end of the belt member 83 is held at the fulcrum 84b on the upper end side of the backrest member 82. As shown in (a) in Figure 9 , the belt member 83 is wound around the upper end of the backrest member 82 from the fulcrum 84b and pulled downward to be arranged on the placement portion 60. In this state, the patient 50 is placed on the belt member 83 arranged on the placement portion 60.

[0080] Next, as shown in Figure 9As shown in (b) of the figure, the belt-like member 83 is wound around the torso 52 of the patient 50, and the other end of the belt-like member is pulled around the upper end of the backrest member 82 toward the lower surface side of the placement portion 60. Then, while applying tension to fasten the patient 50, the other end of the belt-like member 83 is held at the fulcrum 84a on the lower surface of the placement portion 60. At this time, the belt-like member 83 is wound in such a manner that it bypasses the lower side of the torso 52 after bypassing one side of the torso 52 in the horizontal direction and then bypasses the other side of the torso 52 in the horizontal direction. Thus, support forces F4 and F5 in opposite directions to each other are applied to the torso 52 of the patient 50 from both sides in the horizontal direction, and a support force F6 is applied from the lower side upward. In addition, in Figure 9 In order to facilitate understanding of the state of the belt-like member 83, a gap is provided between the belt-like member 83 and other members and the patient 50. However, in reality, the belt-like member 83 is in contact with other members and the patient 50 without a gap. As will be described later Figure 10 is the same.

[0081] As Figure 10 shown, the patient 50 can also be suspended using the belt-like member 83. Column members 131 and 132 are provided on both sides of the backrest member 82 of the placement portion 60, and a wire rope 133 is provided between the upper ends of the column members 131 and 132. A fulcrum 134 for holding both end portions of the belt-like member 83 is provided on the wire rope 133. In a state where the belt-like member 83 is wound around the torso 52 of the patient 50, the belt-like member 83 and the patient 50 are suspended at the fulcrum 134. At this time, due to the action of gravity, the torso 52 of the patient 50 is fastened by the belt-like member 83. Thus, support forces F4 and F5 in opposite directions to each other are applied to the torso 52 of the patient 50 from both sides in the horizontal direction, and a support force F6 is applied from the lower side upward.

[0082] As described above, in Figure 9 and Figure 10 In the support member 80 shown, by winding the belt-like member 83 around the torso 52 of the patient 50 placed on the placement portion 60, support forces can be applied to the torso 52 from the lower side and from both sides in the horizontal direction. At this time, by applying support forces from multiple directions using the belt-like member 83 according to the physique and posture of the patient 50, the movement of the patient 50 can be suppressed, and it is easy to maintain a comfortable posture for the patient. In addition, in Figure 4 In the example shown, a support force F2 that pushes the patient 50 toward the placement portion 60 is applied, so a burden may be imposed on the shoulders or the like of the patient 50. In contrast, in Figure 9 and Figure 10 a support force F6 is applied from the lower side upward, so the burden on the shoulders or the like of the patient 50 can be reduced. And, in Figure 4In the example shown, a large gap SP is likely to form between the torso of the patient 50 and the belt-like member 83, which may cause a decrease in the fixing force. In contrast, in Figure 9 and Figure 10 (and also Figure 8 ) examples, the formation of such a gap SP can be suppressed, and thus a decrease in the fixing force can be suppressed.

[0083] In Figure 9 and Figure 10 the examples shown, the support member 80 has fulcrums 84b and 134 that hold one end of the belt-like member 83, and the fulcrums 84b and 134 are arranged at positions higher than the placement portion 60. When the fulcrums 84b and 134 are arranged at positions higher than the placement portion 60, a support force can be imparted in a direction other than pushing against the placement portion 60 as in Figure 4 . Thus, it is easy to impart a support force for supporting the patient from both sides with respect to the torso 52 of the patient 50.

[0084] In the above-described embodiments and modification examples, the support member of the neutron capture therapy device has been exemplified. However, the treatment device included in the particle beam therapy system is not particularly limited, and the present invention can be widely applied to treatment devices that use particle beams such as proton beam therapy devices, baryon beam devices, and X-ray devices.

Claims

1. A particle beam therapy system, characterized in that: have: a placing portion for placing a patient irradiated with a particle beam; and an irradiation unit for irradiating the patient placed on the placement unit with the particle beam, The particle beam is irradiated from the irradiation unit onto the patient while the patient placed on the placement unit is fixed in a side-lying position.

2. The particle beam therapy system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A support member capable of supporting the patient placed on the placing portion from at least one side relative to the trunk of the patient is further provided.

3. The particle beam therapy system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The support member can support the patient placed on the placing portion from both sides relative to the trunk.

4. The particle beam therapy system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The support member has a belt-like member that can be wrapped around the patient.

5. The particle beam therapy system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The supporting member has a fulcrum for holding one end of the belt-shaped member. The fulcrum is arranged at a higher position than the placement portion.

6. The particle beam therapy system according to claim 4, characterized in that: In the supporting member, by wrapping the belt-shaped member around the trunk of the patient placed on the placing portion, a supporting force is applied to the trunk from the lower side and from both sides in the horizontal direction.

7. The particle beam therapy system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The support member includes a first member and a second member that support the patient placed on the placement portion from both sides relative to the trunk.

8. The particle beam therapy system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A cushion member is further provided, the cushion member being present in a space between the patient in the side-lying position and the placing portion.

9. The particle beam therapy system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Equipped with neutron capture therapy device.

10. A support member for particle beam therapy, which supports a patient to be irradiated with a particle beam, wherein: The patient placed on the placement portion can be fixed in a side-lying position.

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