Neutron capture therapy system and indicator for neutron capture therapy

Abstract

The utility model relates to a neutron capture therapy system and an indicator for neutron capture therapy, which can accurately position an irradiated body irradiated with neutron rays. A neutron capture therapy system (100) is provided with a light irradiation unit (31) that irradiates a patient (50) placed on a placement unit (51) with light for positioning. Therefore, the light irradiation unit (31) irradiates the patient (50) with light, whereby the patient (50) of the placement unit (51) can be accurately positioned. The neutron capture therapy system (100) is provided with a suppression member (33) that suppresses an external force from acting on the light irradiation unit (31). Therefore, the suppression member (33) can suppress the light irradiation unit (31) from shifting due to an external force.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a neutron capture therapy system and an indicator for neutron capture therapy. Background Art

[0002] As a neutron capture therapy for killing cancer cells by irradiating neutron beams, boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) using boron compounds is known (e.g., Patent Document 1). In BNCT, boron pre-doped into cancer cells is irradiated with neutron beams, and the cancer cells are selectively destroyed by the scattering of heavy charged particles generated thereby.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-146119

[0004] Here, in the neutron capture therapy system, in order to align the patient to be irradiated with neutron beams, a positioning indicator is sometimes used. Such an indicator is arranged around the treatment table, so sometimes the position of the light for the patient is shifted due to the contact of the staff with the indicator. In this case, there is a problem of reduced treatment efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a neutron capture therapy system and a neutron capture therapy indicator that can accurately position an irradiated object irradiated with neutron rays.

[0006] The neutron capture therapy system of the present invention comprises a neutron irradiation unit for irradiating a subject with neutron rays, a placement unit for placing the subject on the placement unit, a light irradiation unit for irradiating the subject placed on the placement unit with light for positioning, and a suppressing member for suppressing external force from acting on the light irradiation unit.

[0007] The neutron capture therapy system involved in the utility model is provided with a light irradiation unit for irradiating a light for positioning to an irradiated body placed on a placement unit. Therefore, by irradiating the irradiated body with light by the light irradiation unit, the irradiated body on the placement unit can be accurately positioned. Here, the neutron capture therapy system is provided with a suppression component for suppressing the external force acting on the light irradiation unit. Therefore, the suppression component can suppress the light irradiation unit from being deviated due to the external force. Thus, the irradiated body irradiated with neutron rays can be accurately positioned.

[0008] The suppression component may include a supporting component that supports the light irradiation part and a protective component that suppresses the external force from acting on the supporting component and the light irradiation part when an external force is applied. The light irradiation part is provided with a component that is supported by the supporting component and is different from the supporting component as a protective component. Therefore, the protective component bears the external force instead of the supporting component, thereby suppressing the influence of the external force that causes the positional displacement of the light irradiation part.

[0009] The protective member may surround the light irradiation part and the support member at a position separated from the light irradiation part and the support member. In this case, even if the protective member is subjected to external force, the influence of the external force on the support member and the light irradiation part can be suppressed.

[0010] The protective member includes a first protective member surrounding a portion of the light irradiation portion and a second protective member surrounding at least a portion of the light irradiation portion that is not surrounded by the first protective member. The range of the light irradiation portion surrounded by the first protective member is larger than the range of the light irradiation portion surrounded by the second protective member, and the first protective member is disposed at a position closer to the mounting portion than the second protective member. The protective member includes a first protective member that protects the front side of the light irradiated from the light irradiation portion to the irradiated body, and a light-transmitting member that is disposed on the first protective member and transmits the light irradiated from the light irradiation portion to the irradiated body.

[0011] The neutron capture therapy indicator according to the present invention comprises a light irradiation unit for irradiating a body irradiated with neutron rays with light for positioning, and a suppressing member for suppressing external force from acting on the light irradiation unit.

[0012] The indicator for neutron capture therapy involved in the utility model is provided with a light irradiation part for irradiating light for positioning to an irradiated body irradiated with neutron rays. Therefore, by irradiating light to the irradiated body by the light irradiation part, the irradiated body can be accurately positioned. Here, the indicator for neutron capture therapy is provided with a suppression component for suppressing external force from acting on the light irradiation part. Therefore, the suppression component can suppress the light irradiation part from being deviated by external force. Thus, the irradiated body irradiated with neutron rays can be accurately positioned.

[0013] Effect of utility model

[0014] According to the utility model, a neutron capture therapy system and a neutron capture therapy indicator capable of accurately positioning an irradiated body irradiated with neutron rays are provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing a neutron capture therapy system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing a positioning system.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an indicator for neutron capture therapy.

[0018] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing an indicator for neutron capture therapy according to a comparative example.

[0019] Figure 5It is a diagram showing an indicator for neutron capture therapy according to a comparative example.

[0020] Explanation of symbols

[0021] 31 - light irradiation unit, 33 - suppression member, 34 - columnar member, 36 - protection member, 51 - mounting unit, 100 - neutron capture therapy system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing a neutron capture therapy system 100 and a neutron capture therapy indicator 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The neutron capture therapy system 100 is a device that uses neutron beams generated by a neutron beam generator 1 as particle beams for treatment. The neutron beam generator 1 is used as a neutron capture therapy system for cancer treatment using boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). First, refer to Figure 1 The structure of the neutron capture therapy system 100 will be described. The neutron capture therapy system 100 is used to treat, for example, 10 B) The tumor of patient 50 was irradiated with neutron beam N.

[0024] The neutron capture therapy system 100 includes an accelerator 2. The accelerator 2 accelerates particles and emits a particle beam R. For example, a cyclotron, a linear accelerator, or the like can be used as the accelerator 2.

[0025] The particle beam R emitted from the accelerator 2 is transmitted to the target 10 through the transmission path 9 in which the vacuum is maintained and the beam can pass. The particle beam R emitted from the accelerator 2 travels toward the target 10 through the transmission path 9. A plurality of electromagnets 4 (quadrupole electromagnets, etc.) and scanning electromagnets 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.

[0026] The scanning electromagnet 6 scans the particle beam R and controls irradiation of the target 10 with the particle beam R. The scanning electromagnet 6 controls the irradiation position of the particle beam R with respect to the target 10 .

[0027] The neutron beam generator 1 generates neutron beam N by irradiating the target 10 with the particle beam R, and emits the neutron beam N toward the patient 50. The patient 50 is placed on a placement unit 51 on which the patient 50 is placed. The neutron beam generator 1 includes the target 10, the shield 8, the deceleration member 39, and the collimator 20.

[0028] The target 10 is irradiated with the particle beam R to generate a neutron beam N. The target 10 is a solid-shaped member formed of a material that generates a neutron beam N when irradiated with 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, a disk-shaped solid shape with a diameter of 160 mm. In addition, the target 10 is not limited to a disk shape, and may be other shapes.

[0029] The deceleration member 39 decelerates (reduces the energy of) the neutron beam N generated by the target 10. The deceleration member 39 may have a laminated structure including a layer 39A that mainly decelerates fast neutrons included in the neutron beam N and a layer 39B that mainly decelerates epithermal neutrons included in the neutron beam N.

[0030] 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 provided to surround the deceleration member 39. The upper and lower parts of the shield 8 extend upstream of the particle beam R from the deceleration member 39.

[0031] The collimator 20 shapes the radiation field of the neutron beam N and has an irradiation port 20 a through which the neutron beam N passes. The collimator 20 is, for example, a block-shaped member having the irradiation port 20 a at the center.

[0032] Next, refer to Figure 2 The positioning system 200 included in the neutron capture therapy system 100 will be described. The positioning system 200 is a system for positioning the patient 50 placed on the placement unit 51 . Figure 2 The positioning system 200 shown has three neutron capture therapy indicators 30 for irradiating light LT to the patient 50 from three directions. The neutron capture therapy indicators 30 are arranged on the side opposite to the collimator 20 and in the left-right direction relative to the collimator 20. In addition, an indicator 35 for irradiating light LT to the patient 50 from the ceiling is arranged. The positioning system 200 positions the patient 50 before treatment, and fixes the patient 50 after the positioning is completed. The neutron capture therapy indicator 30 irradiates light LT toward the patient 50 at a position at a predetermined height (about 1.5 m) from the ground F. However, the position and number of indicators are not particularly limited and can be changed appropriately.

[0033] Next, refer to Figure 3 The detailed structure of the neutron capture therapy indicator 30 will be described. Figure 3As shown, the neutron capture therapy indicator 30 includes a light irradiation unit 31, a base member 32, and a suppressing member 33. The light irradiation unit 31 irradiates the patient 50 irradiated with the neutron beam N with light LT for positioning. As the light irradiation unit 31, for example, a laser pointer or the like can be used. The base member 32 is a member placed on the ground F and supports the suppressing member 33.

[0034] The suppression member 33 suppresses external force from acting on the light irradiation unit 31. As the external force, an external force acting due to contact between the staff and the neutron capture therapy indicator 30 in the treatment room can be cited. The suppression member 33 includes a columnar member (support member) 34 and a protective member 36. The columnar member 34 is a member that supports the light irradiation unit 31. The columnar member 34 supports the light irradiation unit 31 at a position at a predetermined height from the ground F. The lower end of the columnar member 34 is supported by the base member 32.

[0035] When an external force is applied, the protective member 36 suppresses the external force from acting on the columnar member 34 and the light irradiation portion 31. Specifically, the protective member 36 surrounds the light irradiation portion 31 and the columnar member 34 at a position separated from the light irradiation portion 31 and the columnar member 34. The protective member 36 ensures a distance such that the impact is not transmitted to the light irradiation portion 31 and the columnar member 34 when an external force is applied. The lower end of the protective member 36 is supported by the base member 32. Figure 3 As shown in (b), the light irradiation part 31 and the columnar part 34 are surrounded by a protective part 36. The protective part 36 includes a cover part 37 for protecting the back side of the light irradiation part 31 and a cover part 38 for protecting the surface and side of the light irradiation part 31. The protective part 36 can be composed of, for example, a frame body, a fence, etc. having a flat wall. In addition, in the protective part 36, the front side of the light irradiation part 31 has a structure through which the light LT can pass. A light-transmitting part can be arranged on the front side of the light irradiation part 31, or an opening can be formed.

[0036] Next, the effects of the neutron capture therapy system 100 and the neutron capture therapy indicator 30 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0037] Figure 4 2 is a diagram showing a neutron capture therapy indicator 230 according to a comparative example. In the comparative example, a light irradiation unit 31 is provided on a cover member 37 of a protective member 36. In the comparative example, when a worker contacts the protective member 36, an external force acts on the protective member 36. At this time, the protective member 36 may be tilted by the external force. Since the light irradiation unit 31 is provided on the protective member 36, the optical axis of the light irradiation unit 31 may be offset as the protective member 36 tilts.

[0038] The light LT irradiated from the light irradiation unit 31 becomes a positioning reference for the patient 50, and therefore requires the accuracy of the pointer. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the light irradiation unit 31 is separated from the patient 50 by a certain distance (e.g., 2 m). In contrast, the light irradiation unit 31 is arranged at a predetermined height position (e.g., 1.5 m). In the comparative example, if the protective member 36 is tilted due to contact between the worker and the protective member 36, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown in (b), the optical axis of the light LT of the light irradiation unit 31 is tilted. At this time, even if the tilt is slight, since the patient 50 is located at a certain distance from the light irradiation unit 31, the position offset H of the light LT at the patient 50 becomes larger. For example, when the distance between the light irradiation unit 31 and the patient 50 is 2m, if the tilt is 1mrad, the position offset H becomes 2mm. As for the position offset as the positioning reference, this offset is large, which makes it impossible to accurately position the patient 50.

[0039] In contrast, the neutron capture therapy system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a light irradiation unit 31 that irradiates the patient 50 placed on the placement unit 51 with light for positioning. Therefore, by irradiating the patient 50 with light through the light irradiation unit 31, the patient 50 placed on the placement unit 51 can be accurately positioned. Here, the neutron capture therapy system 100 includes a suppression member 33 that suppresses the external force from acting on the light irradiation unit 31. Therefore, the suppression member 33 can suppress the light irradiation unit 31 from being displaced by the external force. As described above, the patient 50 irradiated with the neutron beam N can be accurately positioned.

[0040] The suppression member 33 may include a columnar member 34 supporting the light irradiation unit 31 and a protective member 36 for suppressing the external force from acting on the columnar member 34 and the light irradiation unit 31 when an external force is applied. The light irradiation unit 31 is provided with the protective member 36 as a member supported by the columnar member 34 and different from the columnar member 34. Therefore, the protective member 36 receives the external force instead of the columnar member 34, thereby suppressing the influence of the external force that causes the position of the light irradiation unit 31 to shift.

[0041] The protective member 36 can surround the light irradiation section 31 and the columnar member 34 at a position separated from the light irradiation section 31 and the columnar member 34. At this time, even if the protective member 36 is subjected to an external force, the influence of the external force on the columnar member 34 and the light irradiation section 31 can be suppressed. For example, suppose that the protective member 36 is tilted due to contact between the worker and the protective member 36. At this time, the columnar member 34 is separated from the protective member 36, so the columnar member 34 and the light irradiation section 31 are not affected by the external force. Therefore, the columnar member 34 and the light irradiation section 31 will not be tilted, so the optical axis of the light irradiation section 31 will not be offset. Therefore, even if an external force acts on the protective member 36, the decrease in positioning accuracy can be suppressed.

[0042] The neutron capture therapy indicator 30 according to the present embodiment includes a light irradiation unit 31 that irradiates a patient 50 irradiated with neutron rays N with light for positioning, and a suppressing member 33 that suppresses an external force from acting on the light irradiation unit 31 .

[0043] The neutron capture therapy indicator 30 according to the present embodiment includes a light irradiation unit 31 that irradiates light for positioning the patient 50 irradiated with the neutron beam N. Therefore, by irradiating the patient 50 with light through the light irradiation unit 31, the patient 50 can be accurately positioned. Here, the neutron capture therapy indicator 30 includes a suppression member 33 that suppresses external force from acting on the light irradiation unit 31. Therefore, the suppression member 33 can suppress the light irradiation unit 31 from being displaced by the external force. Thus, the patient 50 irradiated with the neutron beam N can be accurately positioned.

[0044] In this embodiment, if Figure 2 , Figure 3 (a) and Figure 3 As shown in (b), since the protective member 36 is surrounded by a plurality of cover members, installation of the protective member becomes easy. The protective member 36 includes a cover member 38 that surrounds a portion of the periphery of the light irradiation portion 31 and a cover member 37 that surrounds at least a portion of the periphery of the light irradiation portion that is not surrounded by the first protective member. The cover member 38 that protects the surface and side surfaces of the light irradiation portion 31 surrounds a larger range than the cover member 37 that protects the back side of the light irradiation portion 31, and the cover member 38 is disposed at a position closer to the mounting portion 51 than the cover member 37. The cover member that is closer to the mounting portion 51 where the staff works becomes larger, thereby making it easier to install the protective member 36 and strengthening the protection against external forces that may act on the light irradiation portion when the staff is working.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0046] The shape, arrangement, etc. of each component of the neutron capture therapy indicator can be appropriately changed within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0047] The columnar component 34 can be any supporting component as long as it has the function of supporting the light irradiation unit 31. In the above embodiment, the columnar component 34 is a columnar component extending upward from the ground F, but the columnar component 34 can be a columnar component extending downward from the ceiling. In addition, the cross-section of the columnar component 34 can have any shape such as a circle, a square, or a rectangle. In addition, instead of the columnar component 34 extending upward from the ground F, it can be fixed at any position of the wall surrounding the treatment room, and the light irradiation unit 31 can be provided on the supporting component protruding from the wall.

Claims

1. A neutron capture therapy system comprising: A neutron ray irradiation unit irradiates neutron rays to an irradiated object; A placing portion for placing the irradiated object; a light irradiation unit configured to irradiate the irradiated object placed on the placement unit with light for positioning; and a suppressing member for suppressing external force from acting on the light irradiation portion, The suppression component has: a supporting member that supports the light irradiation portion; and The protection member suppresses the external force from acting on the support member and the light irradiation unit when the external force is applied.

2. The neutron capture therapy system according to claim 1, wherein: The protection member surrounds the light irradiation portion and the support member at a position separated from the light irradiation portion and the support member.

3. The neutron capture therapy system according to claim 2, wherein: The protective member includes a first protective member surrounding a portion of the periphery of the light irradiation unit and a second protective member surrounding at least a portion of the periphery of the light irradiation unit that is not surrounded by the first protective member.

4. The neutron capture therapy system according to claim 3, wherein: The first protective member surrounds the light irradiation section in a larger range than the second protective member surrounds the light irradiation section, and the first protective member is provided at a position closer to the placement section than the second protective member.

5. The neutron capture therapy system according to claim 2, wherein: The protective member includes a first protective member that protects a front side of the irradiated object from light irradiated from the light irradiating section, and a light-transmitting member that is provided on the first protective member and transmits the light irradiated from the light irradiating section to the irradiated object.

6. A neutron capture therapy indicator, comprising: a light irradiation unit that irradiates a light for positioning onto an irradiated object irradiated with neutron rays; and a suppressing member for suppressing external force from acting on the light irradiation portion, The suppression component has: a supporting member that supports the light irradiation portion; and The protection member suppresses the external force from acting on the support member and the light irradiation unit when the external force is applied.

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