Radiotherapy support apparatus, radiotherapy support method, and program

Abstract

To provide a radiotherapy support apparatus, radiotherapy support method, and program capable of assisting in placing a patient on a more appropriate position of a bed in a radiotherapy apparatus.SOLUTION: A radiotherapy support apparatus according to an embodiment includes an acquisition unit, a calculation unit, and an output control unit. The acquisition unit acquires a radiotherapy plan including a plurality of irradiation fields of the radiation, the position of a bed of the radiotherapy apparatus, and the position of a junction between the bed and an extension. The calculation unit calculates a maximum irradiation field by combining the plurality of irradiation fields included in the radiotherapy plan. The output control unit outputs the maximum irradiation field via an output interface in a manner visible to the user on the basis of the position of the bed and the position of the junction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings relate to a radiation therapy support apparatus, a radiation therapy support method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] A radiotherapy device is equipped with a bed for a patient to lie on. The bed top is typically made of carbon and has a uniform structure that absorbs little radiation, and the patient can be irradiated with a beam of radiation that passes through the top.

[0003] The tabletop of the bed can be fitted with a device called an extension to extend the tabletop. The joint between the tabletop and the extension has a complex shape, making it difficult to simulate radiation absorption, and manufacturers of radiation therapy equipment have issued warnings or even prohibited the joint from entering the radiation field. Therefore, it is required not to place the patient on the joint between the tabletop and the extension. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-114201 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is to assist in placing a patient in a more appropriate position on the bed of a radiation therapy device. However, the problem to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is not limited to the above problem. Problems corresponding to the effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described later can also be positioned as other problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A radiation therapy support device according to an embodiment includes an acquisition unit, a calculation unit, and an output control unit. The acquisition unit acquires a radiation therapy plan including a plurality of radiation irradiation fields, a position of a bed of a radiation therapy device, and a position of a joint between the bed and an extension. The calculation unit calculates a maximum irradiation field obtained by adding up the plurality of irradiation fields included in the radiation therapy plan. The output control unit outputs the maximum irradiation field through an output interface in a state where the maximum irradiation field can be visually recognized by a user based on the position of the bed and the position of the joint. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radiation therapy support system 1 according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a radiation therapy apparatus 300 according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an extension 311a according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radiation therapy support apparatus 400 according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of a series of processes of the radiation therapy support apparatus 400 according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating a setup field. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of projecting a setup field. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of projecting a setup field. [Figure 9] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining a method for adjusting the enlargement ratio of a setup field. [Figure 10] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining a method of projecting a joint avoidance assistance image using a camera system 420a. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, a radiation therapy support apparatus, a radiation therapy support method, and a program according to embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] [Radiation therapy support system configuration] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a radiation therapy support system 1 according to an embodiment. The radiation therapy support system 1 includes, for example, an image capturing device 100, a radiation therapy planning device 200, a radiation therapy device 300, and a radiation therapy support device 400.

[0010] These devices are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via a communication network NW. The communication network NW refers to any information and communication network that uses electrical communication technology. The communication network NW includes LANs (Local Area Networks), WANs (Wide Area Networks), the Internet, telephone communication lines, optical fiber communication networks, cable communication networks, satellite communication networks, and the like.

[0011] The imaging device 100 is a medical imaging diagnostic device that generates medical images used in radiation therapy planning (hereinafter referred to as radiation therapy planning images). The imaging device 100 has an imaging gantry, an imaging bed, and a console. The imaging gantry is equipped with a medical imaging mechanism, and performs medical imaging on a subject P placed on the imaging bed, and collects raw data related to the subject P. The subject P is typically a human being, but is not limited to this, and may be other animals such as a dog or a cat, or may be a plant. In the following, an example will be described assuming that the subject P is a human being.

[0012] The console of the imaging device 100 generates a radiation therapy planning image for the subject P based on the collected raw data. The imaging device 100 may be, for example, an X-ray computed tomography device, a cone beam CT device, a magnetic resonance imaging device, an ultrasound diagnostic device, or the like.

[0013] The radiation therapy planning device 200 is a computer including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory), a display, an input interface, and a communication interface.

[0014] The radiation therapy planning device 200 may directly receive the radiation therapy planning image from the imaging device 100, or may indirectly receive the radiation therapy planning image via an external system such as a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System). The radiation therapy planning device 200 uses the radiation therapy planning image to generate a plan for treating the subject P with radiation (hereinafter referred to as a radiation therapy plan). The radiation therapy plan includes a radiation therapy planning image and radiation therapy conditions. The radiation therapy conditions include various conditions such as the tumor position, the number of radiation irradiation directions, the radiation irradiation angle, the radiation intensity, the collimator aperture, and a wedge filter. The radiation therapy plan is transmitted to the radiation therapy device 300 and the radiation therapy support device 400.

[0015] The radiotherapy device 300 is a device that treats a subject P by irradiating the subject P with radiation. Radiation used in the treatment may be, but is not limited to, X-rays, gamma rays, alpha rays, beta rays, electron beams, proton beams, heavy particle beams, neutron beams, etc. In the following, an example will be described in which the radiation is X-rays.

[0016] 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a radiation therapy apparatus 300 according to an embodiment. As shown in the figure, the radiation therapy apparatus 300 includes a treatment stand (also called a gantry) 301, an irradiation head 302, an X-ray tube 303, an X-ray detector 304, a treatment bed 310, and a console 350.

[0017] The treatment gantry 301 supports the irradiation head 302 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis.

[0018] The irradiation head 302 is equipped with an acceleration tube that accelerates electrons generated by an electron gun or the like, and a metal target on which the electrons accelerated by the acceleration tube collide. X-rays, which are radiation, are generated when the electrons collide with the metal target. The irradiation head 302 irradiates radiation according to radiation therapy conditions included in the radiation therapy plan generated by the radiation therapy planning device 200. The point where the beam axis of the radiation from the irradiation head 302 intersects with the rotation axis is spatially immovable and is called an isocenter (Isocenter) IC. Furthermore, the irradiation head 302 is equipped with a light source for projecting an image.

[0019] The X-ray tube 303 generates X-rays by irradiating thermoelectrons from a cathode (filament) to an anode (target). The X-ray tube 303 includes a vacuum tube. For example, the X-ray tube 303 may be a rotating anode type X-ray tube that generates X-rays by irradiating a rotating anode with thermoelectrons.

[0020] The X-ray detector 304 detects the intensity of the X-rays generated by the X-ray tube 303 and incident on the subject P after passing through the subject P. The X-ray detector 304 generates an electric signal (which may be an optical signal or the like) according to the intensity of the detected X-rays, and outputs the electric signal. The X-ray tube 303 and the X-ray detector 304 may be used to capture a radiation therapy planning image, and may be shared with the image capturing device 100.

[0021] The treatment bed 310 has a treatment top 311 on which the subject P is placed, a support frame 312 that supports the treatment top 311, and a base 313 that freely moves the support frame 312. The treatment top 311 has a planar shape similar to the imaging top. The treatment gantry 301, the treatment bed 310, and the subject P are positioned so that the treatment site of the subject P coincides with the isocenter IC.

[0022] The treatment tabletop 311 can be fitted with an appliance called an extension 311a for extending the tabletop.

[0023] 3 is a diagram showing an example of an extension 311a according to an embodiment. As shown in the figure, the joint 311b between the treatment tabletop 311 and the extension 311a has a complex shape. This makes it difficult to simulate radiation absorption, and the manufacturer of the radiation therapy device 300 warns or prohibits the joint 311b from entering the irradiation field. In this embodiment, the treatment site of the subject P is supported not to overlap the joint 311b when viewed from above the treatment tabletop 311.

[0024] The radiation therapy support device 400 is a computer for supporting radiation therapy planning and radiation therapy, the details of which will be described with reference to FIG.

[0025] 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a radiation therapy support device 400 according to an embodiment. As illustrated, the radiation therapy support device 400 includes, for example, a communication interface 410, an output interface 420, an input interface 430, a memory (storage circuit) 440, and a processing circuit 450.

[0026] The communication interface 410 includes, for example, a network interface card (NIC) and a wireless communication module. The communication interface 410 communicates with an external device via a communication network NW. The external device is, for example, an image capturing device 100, a radiation therapy planning device 200, a radiation therapy device 300, etc.

[0027] The output interface 420 includes, for example, a camera system 420a including a projector and a measurement sensor, a display 420b, and a speaker 420c.

[0028] The camera system 420a is installed, for example, in a room in which the radiation therapy apparatus 300 is installed, that is, in a treatment room. The camera system 420a may typically be installed on the ceiling of the treatment room.

[0029] The projector of the camera system 420a projects an image (hereinafter referred to as a joint avoidance support image) for supporting the treatment site of the subject P not to overlap the joint 311b between the treatment top 311 and the extension 311a onto the treatment top 311, or onto the subject P lying on the treatment top 311. For example, a projection mapping technique may be used to project the joint avoidance support image.

[0030] The measurement sensor of the camera system 420a is, for example, an optical camera or an infrared sensor, and is used to match the projection position of the joint avoidance assistance image with the isocenter IC.

[0031] The display 420b, for example, displays a joint avoidance support image superimposed on an image of the treatment table 311 captured from above the treatment room, and displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that accepts various operations by an operator. The operator may be, for example, a medical professional such as a doctor, technician, or nurse, or the subject P. The display 420b is, for example, a liquid crystal display, a CRT, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, or the like.

[0032] The input interface 430 accepts various input operations by an operator and outputs an electrical signal indicating the content of the accepted input operation to the processing circuit 450. For example, the input interface 430 is realized by a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a drag ball, a switch, a button, a joystick, a foot pedal, a microphone, or the like. In this specification, the input interface 430 is not limited to an interface having physical operation parts such as a mouse and a keyboard. For example, an example of the input interface 430 also includes an electrical signal processing circuit that receives an electrical signal corresponding to an input operation from an external input device provided separately from the device and outputs the electrical signal to a control circuit.

[0033] The memory 440 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, or the like.

[0034] The processing circuit 450 includes, for example, an acquisition function 451, a calculation function 452, and an output control function 453. The processing circuit 450 realizes these functions by, for example, a hardware processor executing a program stored in the memory 440. The acquisition function 451 is an example of an "acquisition unit", the calculation function 452 is an example of a "calculation unit", and the output control function 453 is an example of an "output control unit".

[0035] The hardware processor means a circuit such as a CPU, a GPU, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (for example, a simple programmable logic device (SPLD) or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA)). Instead of storing the program in the memory 440, the program may be directly built into the circuit of the hardware processor. In this case, the hardware processor realizes the function by reading and executing the program built into the circuit. The above program may be stored in the memory 440 in advance, or may be stored in a non-transient storage medium such as a DVD or a CD-ROM, and may be installed from the non-transient storage medium to the memory 440 by mounting the non-transient storage medium in a drive device (not shown) of the radiation therapy support device 400. The hardware processor is not limited to being configured as a single circuit, and may be configured as one hardware processor by combining multiple independent circuits to realize each function. Furthermore, multiple components may be integrated into one hardware processor to realize each function.

[0036] [Processing flow of radiation therapy support device] An example of the processing of the radiation therapy support device 400 configured as above will be described below. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a series of processing of the radiation therapy support device 400 according to the embodiment.

[0037] First, the acquisition function 451 of the processing circuitry 450 acquires a radiation therapy plan (step S100).

[0038] For example, the acquiring function 451 may acquire a radiation therapy plan from the radiation therapy planning device 200 via the communication interface 10. In addition, when the radiation therapy device 300 has already received a radiation therapy plan from the radiation therapy planning device 200, the acquiring function 451 may acquire the radiation therapy plan from the radiation therapy device 300 via the communication interface 10. Furthermore, when the radiation therapy plan is stored in the memory 440, the acquiring function 451 may acquire the radiation therapy plan from the memory 440.

[0039] Furthermore, the acquisition function 451 acquires the position of the treatment couch 310 of the radiation therapy apparatus 300 and the position of the joint 311b between the treatment top board 311 and the extension 311a. These positions may be positions in the Long direction (Z direction).

[0040] For example, the acquisition function 451 may acquire the positions of the treatment couch 310 and the joint 311b from the radiation therapy apparatus 300 via the communication interface 10. Furthermore, when the positions of the treatment couch 310 and the joint 311b are stored in the memory 440, the acquisition function 451 may acquire the positions of the treatment couch 310 and the joint 311b from the memory 440.

[0041] Next, the calculation function 452 calculates a setup field based on the radiation therapy plan (step S102). The setup field is the maximum radiation field obtained by adding up a plurality of radiation fields included in the radiation therapy plan.

[0042] 6 is a diagram for explaining a method for calculating the setup field. As shown in the figure, in the radiation therapy plan, irradiation fields (1, 2, ..., n in the figure) that represent optimal regions to be irradiated with radiation are set for each irradiation position.

[0043] The calculation function 452 sums up all the irradiation fields based on the isocenter IC, and calculates the summed irradiation field (maximum irradiation field) as the setup field. Note that each line of the lateral axis (X axis) and the long axis (Z axis) passing through the isocenter IC may be displayed as a joint avoidance support image.

[0044] Returning to the description of the flowchart, the output control function 453 then projects the setup field as a joint avoidance assistance image (that is, an irradiation field of light rather than radiation) (step S104).

[0045] For example, the output control function 453 projects the setup field onto the treatment table 311 before the subject P is placed on the treatment table 311, and projects the setup field onto the subject P after the subject P is placed on the treatment table 311.

[0046] Next, a medical professional such as a doctor or the subject P adjusts the positions of the treatment bed 310 and the subject P based on the setup field, which is a joint avoidance support image (light irradiation field) (step S106). This ends the processing of this flowchart.

[0047] 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining a method of projecting a setup field that is a joint avoidance assistance image (light irradiation field).

[0048] 7 and 8, the output control function 453 projects the setup field toward the treatment table 311 using the irradiation head 302 including a light source. Specifically, the output control function 453 transmits data indicating the setup field to the radiotherapy device 300 via the communication interface 410. In response to this, the console 350 of the radiotherapy device 300 irradiates the setup field as a joint avoidance assistance image (light irradiation field) from the irradiation head 302 toward the treatment table 311. The irradiation head 302 including a light source is another example of an "output interface."

[0049] 7 and 8, the position (i.e., height) in the vertical direction (Y direction) of the treatment table 311 is set to the isocenter height. The isocenter height is a reference height assumed when a radiation therapy plan is made so that radiation is irradiated by aligning the treatment site with the isocenter IC.

[0050] In the example of Fig. 7, a part of the setup field (joint avoidance support image) overlaps with the joint 311b between the treatment top 311 and the extension 311a. The medical staff or the subject P adjusts the position of the treatment top 311 in the long direction (Z direction) so that the setup field (joint avoidance support image) does not overlap with the joint 311b. As a result, as shown in Fig. 8, the treatment top 311 is moved to a position where the setup field (joint avoidance support image) does not overlap with the joint 311b. As a result, the subject P can be placed on a position on the treatment bed 310 where the joint 311b is not included in the radiation irradiation field.

[0051] In addition, when projecting the setup field (joint avoidance assistance image) toward the treatment table 311, the output control function 453 may adjust the enlargement ratio (or reduction ratio) of the setup field according to the height of the treatment table 310.

[0052] 9 is a diagram for explaining a method for adjusting the magnification rate of the setup field. In the diagram, position Y1 in the vertical direction (Y direction) represents the isocenter height, and position Y2 represents the lowest possible height (hereinafter referred to as the minimum height) of the treatment bed 310. The minimum height Y2 is also the height at which the subject P can climb up and lie down on the treatment top board 311.

[0053] The setup field is the sum of all irradiation fields based on the isocenter IC, and therefore has an appropriate size when the height of the treatment couch 310 is the isocenter height Y1. When such a setup field based on the isocenter height Y1 is projected onto the treatment top 311 of the treatment couch 310 with a minimum height Y2, the setup field is enlarged and projected. As a result, even if the setup field does not overlap the joint 311b when the isocenter height is Y1, the setup field may overlap the joint 311b when the isocenter height is Y2.

[0054] Therefore, the output control function 453 adjusts the magnification ratio of the setup field projected onto the treatment bed 310 at the minimum height Y2 so that the size of the setup field (an example of the "first maximum irradiation field") projected onto the treatment bed 310 at the minimum height Y2 is the same as the size of the setup field (an example of the "second maximum irradiation field") projected onto the treatment bed 310 at the isocenter height Y1.

[0055] Specifically, the output control function 453 may determine the magnification ratio based on the ratio between the distance D1 from the irradiation head 302 to the isocenter height Y1 and the distance D2 from the irradiation head 302 to the minimum height Y2 under a setup condition in which the treatment gantry is at 0 degrees (ceiling side). For example, the magnification ratio may be D2 / D1. This allows a setup field of an appropriate size to be projected toward the treatment top board 311 even when the height of the treatment couch 310 is at the minimum height Y2.

[0056] Furthermore, the output control function 453 may project a joint avoidance assistance image toward the treatment table 311 using a camera system 420 a included in the output interface 420 in addition to or instead of the irradiation head 302 .

[0057] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method of projecting a joint avoidance support image using the camera system 420a. First, the calculation function 452 calculates the position of the isocenter IC (position in the long direction (Z direction)) where the setup field does not overlap the joint 311b. Next, the output control function 453 may project at least one of the isocenter IC included in the setup field or the lateral axis (X axis) and the long axis (Z axis) passing through the isocenter IC from the projector of the camera system 420a as a joint avoidance support image. In the illustrated example, the lateral axis (X axis) passing through the isocenter IC is projected. By performing such projection, the subject P can be placed at a position on the treatment bed 310 where the joint 311b does not enter the radiation irradiation field while checking the isocenter IC and the lateral axis (X axis) passing through the isocenter IC.

[0058] According to the embodiment described above, the processing circuitry 450 of the radiation therapy support device 400 acquires a radiation therapy plan including a plurality of radiation irradiation fields, the position of the treatment couch 310 of the radiation therapy device 300, and the position of the joint 311b between the treatment top board 311 and the extension 311a. The processing circuitry 450 calculates a setup field that combines the plurality of irradiation fields included in the radiation therapy plan. The processing circuitry 450 outputs the setup field based on the position of the treatment couch 310 and the position of the joint 311b using the irradiation head 302 including a light source and the camera system 420a. This allows the subject P to be placed at a more appropriate position on the treatment couch 310 of the radiation therapy device 300.

[0059] (Modification of the embodiment) In the following, a modified example of the above-mentioned embodiment will be described. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the processing circuit 450 of the radiation therapy support device 400 is described as having the acquisition function 451, the calculation function 452, and the output control function 453, but is not limited thereto.

[0060] Each component (each function) of the processing circuit 450 may be distributed and realized by a plurality of hardware. That is, a part or all of the functions of the processing circuit 450 may be realized by an external device capable of communicating with the radiation therapy support apparatus 400. The external device may be a workstation or a cloud server in addition to the above-mentioned image capturing apparatus 100, radiation therapy planning apparatus 200, and radiation therapy apparatus 300. For example, the console 350 of the radiation therapy apparatus 300 may have each function of the processing circuit 450. In this case, the radiation therapy apparatus 300 having the function of the processing circuit 450 of the radiation therapy support apparatus 400 is another example of the "radiation therapy support apparatus".

[0061] Although some embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1...radiation therapy support system, 100...image capture device, 200...radiation therapy planning device, 300...radiation therapy device, 301...treatment stand (gantry), 302...irradiation head, 303...X-ray tube, 304...X-ray detector, 310...treatment bed, 311...treatment top plate, 311a...extension, 311b...joint, 312...support frame, 313...base, 350...console, 400...radiation therapy support device, 410...communication interface, 420...output interface, 430...input interface, 440...memory, 450...processing circuit, 451...acquisition function, 452...calculation function, 453...output control function

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires a radiation therapy plan including a plurality of radiation fields, a position of a bed of a radiation therapy apparatus, and a position of a joint between the bed and an extension; A calculation unit that calculates a maximum irradiation field by adding up the plurality of irradiation fields included in the radiation therapy plan; an output control unit that outputs the maximum irradiation field through an output interface in a state where the maximum irradiation field can be visually recognized by a user based on a position of the bed and a position of the joint; A radiation therapy support device comprising:

2. The output interface includes an irradiation head of the radiation therapy apparatus or a projector installed in a treatment room; The output control unit projects the maximum irradiation field onto the bed using the irradiation head or the projector so as not to overlap the joint. The radiation therapy support device according to claim 1 .

3. The output control unit adjusts the expansion ratio of the maximum irradiation field according to the height of the bed. The radiation therapy support device according to claim 2.

4. the output control unit adjusts an expansion ratio of the first maximum irradiation field so that a size of a first maximum irradiation field projected onto the bed at a height specified by the user becomes equal to a size of a second maximum irradiation field projected onto the bed at a reference height assumed when the radiation therapy plan is planned so that the radiation is irradiated by aligning the treatment site with an isocenter; The radiation therapy support device according to claim 3.

5. The output interface includes at least a projector installed in a treatment room; The calculation unit calculates a position of an isocenter where the maximum irradiation field does not overlap the joint portion, The output control unit projects the isocenter onto the calculated position using the projector. The radiation therapy support device according to claim 1 .

6. A computer-assisted radiation therapy system, comprising: obtaining a radiation treatment plan including a plurality of radiation fields, a position of a radiation treatment device couch, and a position of a junction between the couch and an extension; Calculating a maximum radiation field by adding up the multiple radiation fields included in the radiation therapy plan; outputting the maximum irradiation field through an output interface in a state where the maximum irradiation field can be visually recognized by a user based on the position of the bed and the position of the joint; A radiation therapy support method comprising:

7. A program for causing a computer to execute the program, obtaining a radiation treatment plan including a plurality of radiation fields, a position of a radiation treatment device couch, and a position of a junction between the couch and an extension; Calculating a maximum radiation field by adding up the multiple radiation fields included in the radiation therapy plan; outputting the maximum irradiation field through an output interface in a state where the maximum irradiation field can be visually recognized by a user based on the position of the bed and the position of the joint; Programs including.

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