Control device and control method for radiotherapy system

Abstract

To improve the operability of a radiotherapy system.SOLUTION: In a control device for a radiotherapy system including a storage part, a processing part and an interface having one or more display areas to shift treatment steps by a workflow form, the storage part stores correspondence information between an image to be displayed in the display areas and a prescribed step in making a shift to the prescribed step, the processing part executes image switching in the display areas on the basis of the correspondence information in making the shift to the prescribed step, the processing part can display images different from the images associated with the prescribed step in the display areas on the basis of a designation operation from an operator, and the interface includes a function for receiving the designation operation, and a function for receiving an operation to return to the images associated with the prescribed step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device and a control method for a radiation therapy system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a technology for controlling radiation therapy described in JP 2015-083068 A (Patent Document 1). This publication states that "a radiation therapy system 1 generally includes a radiation irradiation system 10, a treatment planning device 101, an image server 102, a three-dimensional tomographic imaging device 103, a positioning system 104, and the like. The radiation irradiation system 10 generally includes a radiation generation device 12 for generating radiation, a transport system 13 for transporting radiation generated by the radiation generation device 12 to the irradiation device 14, the irradiation device 14 including an irradiation head (irradiation nozzle) for emitting radiation and a gantry, a control unit 11 for controlling the radiation generation device 12, the transport system 13, the irradiation device 14, and the like, a bed 15 on which a patient is placed, a bed driving device 105, and the like." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-083068 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above conventional technology, there are a screen for the treatment planning device and a screen for the positioning system. In addition, a screen for displaying an image of the irradiation area acquired by an EPID (electronic portal imaging device) or an image of the state of an MLC (multileaf collimator) may be further provided. Since a radiation therapy system includes various devices, if each device has a display screen, there is a problem that the number of screens becomes too large and operability is reduced.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the operability of a radiation therapy system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one representative control device of a radiation therapy system of the present invention is a control device for a radiation therapy system having a memory unit, a processing unit, and an interface having one or more display areas, and in which treatment steps transition in a workflow format, wherein the memory unit stores correspondence information between an image to be displayed in the display area when transitioning to a specified step and the specified step, the processing unit switches the image in the display area based on the correspondence information when transitioning to a specified step, the processing unit is capable of displaying an image different from the image associated with the specified step in the display area based on a designation operation from an operator, and the interface has a function of accepting the designation operation and a function of accepting an operation to return to displaying the image associated with the specified step. Furthermore, one representative control method for a radiation therapy system of the present invention is a control method for a radiation therapy system in which treatment steps transition in a workflow format by a control device having a memory unit, a processing unit, and an interface having one or more display areas, wherein the memory unit stores correspondence information between an image to be displayed in the display area when transitioning to a predetermined step and the predetermined step, the processing unit switches the image in the display area based on the correspondence information when transitioning to a predetermined step, the processing unit displays an image in the display area different from the image associated with the predetermined step based on a first operation from an operator received by the interface, and the processing unit returns to displaying the image associated with the predetermined step based on a second operation from the operator received by the interface. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the operability of a radiation therapy system. Problems, configurations and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a screen display according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a control device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] 11 is a flowchart illustrating the processing operation of the control device. [Figure 4] Flowchart showing display control within a step [Diagram 5] Illustration of the display operation section screen DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. EXAMPLES

[0010] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a screen display according to an embodiment. The display operation unit 53 is, for example, a touch panel display, and is an example of an interface. The display operation unit 53 has a display area A1 and a display area A2. The display operation unit 53 displays patient information acquired from the database 10 in the display area A1. The patient information is the name of a person who is a subject of radiation therapy. In addition, the display operation unit 53 can acquire a treatment plan for the patient from the database 10 and display it in the display area A1. The status of the couch and the gantry can also be displayed in the display area A1.

[0011] The display operation unit 53 displays a flow operation image in the display area A2. In a radiation therapy system in which the treatment steps transition in a workflow format, the flow operation image indicates information required at each step and accepts operations to move to the next step. The flow operation image displays an image that is the basis for the operator to perform processing at each step, and for example, in the positioning step described below, a patient image acquired at the time of treatment planning and a patient image acquired immediately before treatment are displayed side by side. In this way, it is common for the image displayed as the basis to the operator to differ depending on each step. Also, the flow operation image may include multiple images, and provides the operator with an appropriate image for each step. Details will be described later, but the operator can sequentially proceed through steps such as retrieving and displaying patient information from database 10, obtaining images of the patient using image capture device 30 to confirm the patient's position, and irradiating radiation using radiation irradiation device 20 while controlling the MLC using MLC control device 40, all while mainly referring to the flow operation image.

[0012] Furthermore, the display operation unit 53 can switch the image displayed in the display area A2 to a confirmation image. The confirmation image is, for example, an image generated from the output of the radiation irradiation device 20, the image capturing device 30, or the MLC control device 40. The display operation unit 53 can accept an operation to return to the flow operation image after displaying the confirmation image based on the operator's designation.

[0013] In other words, the operator can proceed with the treatment steps using the flow operation image, and if necessary, can switch to the confirmation image of the desired device to check the status of the device, and then return to the flow operation image to proceed with the treatment steps.

[0014] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a control device 50 according to an embodiment. The control device 50 communicates with a database 10, a radiation irradiating device 20, an image capturing device 30, and an MLC control device 40. The database 10 stores patient information and a treatment plan. The radiation irradiating device 20 includes a couch and a gantry, and irradiates a predetermined part of a patient lying on the couch with radiation for treatment. The image capturing device 30 captures an image of the patient lying on the couch. The image capturing device 30 is a device capable of capturing an image of an affected part of a patient, such as a CT (Computed Tomograghy) device or an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) device. The MLC control device 40 controls each leaf of the MLC mounted on the radiation irradiating device 20, thereby changing the shape of the radiation irradiated by the radiation irradiating device 20 to match the shape of the part to be treated. The radiation irradiating device 20 and the image capturing device 30 are installed in a treatment room, and the radiation irradiating device 20 and the image capturing device 30 may be integrated.

[0015] The control device 50 is placed, for example, in an operation room adjacent to the treatment room, and is connected to an operation console 60 in the operation room. The operation console 60 has various buttons and the like, but may be operated using a touch panel. The control device 50 includes a processing unit 51, a storage unit 52, and a display operation unit 53. The processing unit 51 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage unit 52 is, for example, a storage device such as a hard disk drive. The display operation unit 53 is, for example, a touch panel display.

[0016] The storage unit 52 stores correspondence information indicating the correspondence between an image (flow operation image) to be displayed in the display area of ​​the display operation unit 53 when a transition is made to a predetermined step and the predetermined step. When a transition is made to a predetermined step, the processing unit 51 switches the image in the display area based on the corresponding information. Furthermore, the processing unit 51 can display an image (confirmation image) different from the image (flow operation image) associated with the current step in the display area based on a designation operation by the operator. In order to switch between displaying the flow operation image and displaying the confirmation image, the display operation unit 53 has a function of accepting a designation operation and a function of accepting an operation of returning to displaying the flow operation image associated with the current step.

[0017] The processing unit 51 generates a flow operation image to be displayed in the display area when a transition is made to a predetermined step from the output of a device that performs an operation related to the step based on the correspondence information. When one of a plurality of devices is designated by a designation operation, the processing unit 51 displays a confirmation image generated from the output of the designated device in the display area.

[0018] The display operation unit 53 has a first display area A1 and a second display area A2. The processing unit 51 uses the first display area A1 for constantly displaying a predetermined type of information, and uses the second display area A2 for displaying a flow operation image and a confirmation image. The predetermined type of information displayed in the display area A1 is information that is desirable to display at any step, such as patient information and the state of the gantry. The information displayed in the display area A2 is information related to the current step. The information related to the current step includes a flow operation image that is indicated by the corresponding information to correspond to the current step, and a confirmation image in which the operator has performed a specified operation in the current step. If some of the flow operation images or confirmation images require a larger area than other flow operation images or confirmation images, some of the information in display area A1 may be temporarily hidden and display area A2 may be enlarged accordingly. By enlarging the display area for the images displayed in response to the operator's request, the operator can check the displayed images in greater detail.

[0019] The display operation unit 53 provides multiple tab areas near the display area A2. Each tab area corresponds to multiple targets that can be specified by a specifying operation and a flow operation image, and the tab area realizes a function of accepting the specifying operation and a function of returning to the flow operation image. Therefore, the operator can easily switch the display contents of the display area A2 by selecting a tab. Conventionally, the operator had to shift his / her gaze to the display screen of each device each time, but as described above, it is possible to access the desired image (flow operation image or confirmation image) as needed by operating the same display area, improving operability when proceeding with the steps of treatment.

[0020] Fig. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation of the control device 50. The processing operation of Fig. 3 corresponds to the workflow of the treatment steps of radiation therapy, and transitions are made in order from step S101 to step S105. Step S101 is a treatment information acquisition step. In this step, the control device 50 acquires treatment information from the database 10. The treatment information includes patient information, a treatment plan, and the like.

[0021] Step S102 is a patient placement step. The operator places the patient on the couch in a predetermined position. After that, the operator moves from the treatment room to the operation room. The control device 50 locks the door of the treatment room, and the following steps are executed on the condition that the door is locked.

[0022] Step S103 is a positioning step. The control device 50 causes the image capturing device 30 to capture an image of the patient and compares it with an image captured in advance. The image may be included in the treatment information acquired in step S101, or may be acquired separately. The control device 50 adjusts the position of the couch and the position of the gantry based on the result of comparing the images.

[0023] Step S104 is a position matching step. The control device 50 again causes the image capturing device 30 to capture an image of the patient, compares it with the image captured beforehand, and checks whether the position has been adjusted properly. If further adjustment is necessary, the position of the couch or the gantry can be adjusted in the position matching step.

[0024] Step S105 is a radiation irradiation step. The control device 50 controls the MLC control device 40 to control each leaf of the MLC while causing the radiation irradiation device 20 to irradiate radiation. For example, the gantry is rotated to sequentially irradiate from different positions.

[0025] 4 is a flowchart showing display control within a step. When a certain step starts, the processing unit 51 of the control device 50 refers to the corresponding information in the storage unit 52 and generates a flow operation image corresponding to the current step (S201).

[0026] The processing unit 51 displays the generated flow operation image on the display operation unit 53 (S202). After that, the processing unit 51 determines whether the display operation unit 53 has received a designation operation for designating the target of the check image (S203).

[0027] If the designation operation is accepted (S203; Yes), the processing unit 51 generates a confirmation image corresponding to the designation operation (S204). The processing unit 51 displays the generated confirmation image on the display operation unit 53 (S205). After that, the processing unit 51 determines whether the display operation unit 53 has accepted an operation to return to the flow operation image (S206).

[0028] If the operation to return to the flow operation image has not been accepted (S206; No), the process proceeds to S207. If the operation to return to the flow operation image has been accepted (S206; Yes), the process returns to S201.

[0029] If the designation operation has not been accepted in S203 (S203; No), the processing unit 51 proceeds to S207. In S207, the processing unit 51 judges whether or not an operation to transition to the next step has been received. If an operation to transition to the next step has been received (S207; Yes), the processing unit 51 moves to generating a flow operation image corresponding to the next step. If an operation to transition to the next step has not been received (step S207; No), the processing unit 51 returns to S203.

[0030] 5 is an explanatory diagram of the screen of the display operation unit 53. The screen of the display operation unit 53 has display areas A11 to A15 as a display area A1. The screen of the display operation unit 53 also has a display area A2 and a tab area A5. Furthermore, the screen of the display operation unit 53 has a progress status display A4 that indicates the progress status of the step.

[0031] The display area A11 displays, for example, the patient's name, sex, age, etc. Display area A12 displays, for example, the status of the couch and the gantry. The display area A13 displays, for example, a treatment plan. The display area A14 displays, for example, the progress of radiation irradiation. Display area A15 displays, for example, the control status of a multi-leaf collimator.

[0032] Of the display areas A11 to A15, the display areas A11 to A12 always display the same content at every step. The display areas A13 to A15 display the same content at every step, but depending on the display content of the display area A2, the display areas A13 to A15 are temporarily hidden and the display area A2 is enlarged accordingly.

[0033] The progress status display A4 includes "Select Patient," "Pre Positioning," "Positioning," "Verification," and "Treatment." "Select Patient" corresponds to step S101 (treatment information acquisition step). "Pre-positioning" corresponds to step S102 (patient placement step). "Positioning" corresponds to step S103 (positioning step). "Verification" corresponds to step S104 (position matching step). "Treatment" corresponds to step S105 (radiation irradiation step). By making the display mode of the current step different from the others, the progress of the workflow can be shown.

[0034] Display area A2 is an area that displays flow operation images and confirmation screens. Near display area A2 is tab area A5. Tab area A5 includes tabs that display confirmation images such as a "Function" tab, an "EPID" tab, an "Imager" tab, and an "MLC" tab, as well as an "Abnormal" tab and an "Device Details" tab. Also, items displayed in tab area A2 may be deleted, added, or changed depending on the operator.

[0035] The "Function" tab corresponds to the flow operation image. When the operator operates this tab while the confirmation image is being displayed, the display area A2 returns to displaying the flow operation image. The "EPID" tab corresponds to an image acquired by an EPID provided in the radiation irradiation device 20. When the operator operates this tab, the display area A2 displays a confirmation image corresponding to the irradiation area acquired by the EPID. The "Imager" tab corresponds to an image acquired by the image capture device 30. When the operator operates this tab, the display area A2 displays a confirmation image, which is a patient image acquired by the image capture device 30. The "MLC" tab corresponds to the MLC control device 40. When the operator operates this tab, the display area A2 displays a confirmation image of the MLC control device 40 relating to the MLC opening.

[0036] The "Abnormality" tab is related to the notification of an abnormality that occurs in the radiation therapy system. When the operator operates this tab, the display area A2 displays details of the abnormality that occurred. Note that this tab may be automatically selected when an abnormality occurs. The "Device Details" tab relates to the system configuration of the radiotherapy system. When the operator operates this tab, the display area A2 displays the system configuration of the radiotherapy system and displays a screen for accepting input of changes to the configuration.

[0037] As described above, the disclosed control device 50 has a memory unit 52, a processing unit 51, and a display operation unit 53 which is an interface having one or more display areas, and is a control device for a radiation therapy system in which treatment steps transition in a workflow format, wherein the memory unit 52 stores correspondence information between an image to be displayed in the display area when a transition is made to a specified step and the specified step, the processing unit 51 switches the image in the display area based on the correspondence information when a transition is made to a specified step, the processing unit 51 is capable of displaying an image different from the image associated with the specified step in the display area based on a designation operation from an operator, and the interface has a function of accepting the designation operation and a function of accepting an operation to return to displaying the image associated with the specified step. This allows the operator to appropriately check the necessary information and proceed with the treatment steps, improving the operability of the radiation therapy system.

[0038] In addition, the disclosed control device 50 is connected to a plurality of devices related to the treatment, and the processing unit 51 generates an image to be displayed in the display area when transitioning to a specified step from the output of the plurality of devices performing operations related to that step, and when any one of the plurality of devices is designated by the designation operation, the processing unit 51 displays the image generated from the output of the designated device in the display area. As an example, the plurality of devices include a radiation irradiation device, an image capture device, a multi-leaf collimator control device, and a treatment planning device. This allows the operator to check the outputs of multiple devices related to the treatment in a single display area.

[0039] The interface also has a first display area and a second display area, and the processing unit uses the first display area for constant display of a predetermined type of information, and uses the second display area for displaying an image associated with the step and for displaying based on the specified operation. As an example, the interface displays at least one of patient information and information indicating a status of a gantry in the first display area. Therefore, the operator can check some information in common at any step. In addition, as an example, when performing display based on the designation operation, the processing unit can hide a part of the first display area and enlarge the second display area. By enlarging the display area for an image to be displayed in response to a request from an operator, the operator can check the displayed image in greater detail.

[0040] The interface is also characterized in that it has a plurality of tab areas, one of which has a function of accepting an operation to return to the display of an image associated with the specified step, and the other plurality of tabs each correspond to a plurality of devices that can be designated by the designation operation. This allows the operator to easily switch between screens by selecting a tab.

[0041] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications are included. For example, the above-mentioned embodiment is described in detail to easily explain the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to the embodiment having all the described configurations. Moreover, the present invention is not limited to the deletion of the configurations, and it is also possible to replace or add the configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1: radiation therapy system, 10: database, 20: radiation irradiation device, 30: imaging device, 40: MLC control device, 50: control device, 51: processing unit, 52: storage unit, 53: display operation unit, 60: operation console, A1, A2: display area

Claims

1. A control device for a radiotherapy system having a memory unit, a processing unit, and an interface having one or more display areas, wherein the steps of treatment transition in a workflow format, The storage unit stores information relating the image to be displayed in the display area when transitioning to a predetermined step to the predetermined step, The processing unit, upon transitioning to a predetermined step, switches the image in the display area based on the corresponding information. The processing unit can display an image in the display area that is different from the image associated with the predetermined step, based on an operation specified by the operator. The interface includes a function for accepting the specified operation and a function for accepting an operation to return on the same interface to the display of the image associated with the predetermined step. A control device for a radiation therapy system characterized by the following.

2. A control device for a radiotherapy system according to claim 1, It is connected to multiple devices related to the aforementioned treatment, The processing unit generates an image to be displayed in the display area when transitioning to a predetermined step from the output of the plurality of devices that perform operations related to that step. The control unit for a radiotherapy system is characterized in that, when one of the plurality of devices is specified by the specified operation, it displays an image generated from the output of the specified device in the display area.

3. A control device for a radiotherapy system according to claim 2, The control device for a radiotherapy system is characterized by including a plurality of devices, a radiation irradiation device, an image acquisition device, a multi-leaf collimator control device, and a treatment planning device.

4. A control device for a radiotherapy system according to claim 1, The interface has a first display area and a second display area. The control device for a radiotherapy system is characterized in that the processing unit uses the first display area for the continuous display of a predetermined type of information, and uses the second display area for the display of an image associated with a predetermined step and for display based on the specified operation.

5. A control device for a radiotherapy system according to claim 4, The interface is a control device for a radiotherapy system, characterized in that it displays at least one of patient information or information indicating the status of the gantry in the first display area.

6. A control device for a radiotherapy system according to claim 4, The control device for a radiotherapy system is characterized in that, when the processing unit performs a display based on the specified operation, it can hide a part of the first display area and enlarge the second display area.

7. A control device for a radiotherapy system according to claim 2, The interface has multiple tab areas, A control device for a radiotherapy system, characterized in that one of the multiple tab areas has a function to accept an operation to return to the display of an image associated with the predetermined step, and the other multiple tabs correspond to multiple devices that can be specified by the specified operation.

8. A control method for a radiotherapy system in which the steps of treatment transition in a workflow format, using a control device having a memory unit, a processing unit, and an interface having one or more display areas, The storage unit stores information relating the image to be displayed in the display area when transitioning to a predetermined step to the predetermined step, The processing unit, upon transitioning to a predetermined step, switches the image in the display area based on the corresponding information. The processing unit, based on a first operation from the operator received through the interface, displays an image in the display area that is different from the image associated with the predetermined step. The processing unit, based on a second operation from the operator received on the same interface as the first operation, returns to displaying the image associated with the predetermined step. A control method for a radiation therapy system characterized by the following.

Images