Treatment planning device and treatment planning method

Abstract

To alleviate stress for patients undergoing radiation therapy. [Solution] The treatment planning device according to the embodiment includes an acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the location of pain in the patient's body and the patient's biological information, and an output unit that outputs based on at least one of the location information and the biological information when capturing medical images used to formulate a treatment plan for performing radiation therapy on the patient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings relate to a treatment planning apparatus and a treatment planning method.

Background Art

[0002] In order to perform radiation therapy, usually, first, medical images are taken, and a treatment plan is formulated based on the medical images. Thereafter, depending on the case, radiation therapy may be performed dozens of times in some cases.

[0003] Specifically, when irradiated with radiation, normal tissues recover faster than tumors. By utilizing this difference in the recovery rate, damage can be inflicted on tumors for treatment. In order to perform radiation therapy utilizing this difference in the recovery rate, it is necessary to repeatedly perform radiation therapy while setting a time interval for waiting for the recovery of normal tissues.

[0004] Patients who are the targets of radiation therapy may have pain in their bodies due to the tumor being treated, or due to other diseases, injuries, side effects of treatment, etc. Receiving radiation therapy while having such pain can be stressful for patients, but usually, treatment of the tumor is prioritized, and while treating the pain symptomatically, radiation therapy is continued.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] One of the problems that the embodiments disclosed herein and in the drawings aim to solve is to alleviate the stress on patients undergoing radiation therapy. However, the problems that the embodiments disclosed herein and in the drawings aim to solve are 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]

[0007] The treatment planning device according to the embodiment includes an acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the location of pain in the patient's body and the patient's biological information, and an output unit that outputs based on at least one of the location information and the biological information when capturing medical images used to formulate a treatment plan for performing radiation therapy on the patient. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a radiotherapy system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a treatment planning device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an overview of the processing of the treatment planning device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the sequence of operations of the treatment planning device according to the first embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of the treatment planning device and treatment planning method will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0010] (First Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the radiotherapy system 1 shown in Figure 1 will be described as an example. The radiotherapy system 1 includes a medical imaging diagnostic device 10, a treatment planning device 20, and a radiotherapy device 30. The medical imaging diagnostic device 10, the treatment planning device 20, and the radiotherapy device 30 are interconnected via a network NW. Note that the configuration shown in Figure 1 is merely an example, and various devices and systems not shown can also be included in the radiotherapy system 1.

[0011] The medical imaging diagnostic device 10 is a device that acquires medical images used in formulating treatment plans. Hereinafter, medical images used in formulating treatment plans will also be referred to as treatment planning images. The type of medical imaging diagnostic device 10 is not limited, but examples include X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) devices, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) devices, PET (Positron Emission Tomography) devices, SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) devices, X-ray diagnostic devices, and ultrasound diagnostic devices.

[0012] Treatment planning images are typically three-dimensional images. Treatment planning images may also consist of multiple three-dimensional images collected over time. Such time-series three-dimensional images are also referred to as four-dimensional images.

[0013] The treatment planning device 20 is a device that formulates a treatment plan for performing radiotherapy using treatment planning images collected by the medical imaging diagnostic device 10. The treatment plan includes irradiation parameters such as the irradiation angle of the radiation to be delivered during radiotherapy, the dose for each irradiation angle, the shape of the irradiation field, and the number of irradiations. The treatment plan formulated by the treatment planning device 20 is transmitted to the radiotherapy device 30.

[0014] The radiotherapy device 30 performs radiotherapy according to the treatment plan. The specific configuration of the radiotherapy device 30 is not particularly limited. For example, the type of radiation used by the radiotherapy device 30 for radiotherapy may be any of the following: electron beams, X-rays, gamma rays, proton beams, or heavy ion beams. The type of radiation is just one example of the irradiation parameters.

[0015] Furthermore, the treatment planning device 20 acquires location information indicating the location of pain in the patient's body. The treatment planning device 20 also acquires the patient's biological information. Then, during the acquisition of treatment planning images, the treatment planning device 20 provides output based on the location information and biological information, thereby alleviating stress for the patient undergoing radiation therapy. Details of this will be described later.

[0016] The radiotherapy system 1 may further include a radiotherapy information system (not shown). The radiotherapy information system is a system for recording and managing various information related to radiotherapy. For example, the radiotherapy information system records and manages various information related to the progress of treatment for each patient, such as treatment plans, performance information (irradiation history), various reports, and records of the patient's condition. If a radiotherapy information system is provided, the treatment plan formulated by the treatment planning device 20 is transmitted to the radiotherapy device 30 via the radiotherapy information system.

[0017] The radiotherapy system 1 may further include a picture archiving and communication system (PACS), which is not shown. The picture archiving and communication system is a system for recording and managing multiple medical images, including images for treatment planning. If a picture archiving system is provided, the images for treatment planning collected by the medical imaging diagnostic device 10 are transmitted to the treatment planning device 20 via the picture archiving system.

[0018] Next, a configuration example of the treatment planning apparatus 20 will be described using FIG. 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the treatment planning apparatus 20 includes a communication interface 21, an input interface 22, a display 23, a memory 24, and a processing circuit 25.

[0019] The communication interface 21 controls the transmission and communication of various data transmitted and received between the treatment planning apparatus 20 and other devices and systems connected via the network NW. Specifically, the communication interface 21 is connected to the processing circuit 25, outputs data received from other devices and systems to the processing circuit 25, or transmits data output from the processing circuit 25 to other devices and systems. For example, the communication interface 21 is realized by a network card, a network adapter, a NIC (Network Interface Controller), or the like.

[0020] The input interface 22 receives various input operations from the user of the treatment planning device 20, converts the received input operations into electrical signals, and outputs them to the processing circuit 25. For example, the input interface 22 can be realized by a mouse, keyboard, trackball, switch, button, joystick, touch pad for performing input operations by touching the operation surface, touch screen integrating the display screen and the touch pad, non-contact input circuit using an optical sensor, voice input circuit, etc. Note that the input interface 22 may be composed of a tablet terminal or the like that can communicate wirelessly with the main body of the treatment planning device 20. Also, the input interface 22 may be a circuit that receives input operations from the user by motion capture. For example, the input interface 22 can receive the user's body movement, line of sight, etc. as input operations by processing signals acquired via a tracker or images collected about the user. Further, the input interface 22 is not limited to those equipped with physical operation components such as a mouse and keyboard. For example, a processing circuit for electrical signals that receives an electrical signal corresponding to an input operation from an external input device provided separately from the treatment planning device 20 and outputs this electrical signal to the processing circuit 25 is also included in the examples of the input interface 22.

[0021] The display 23 displays various information. For example, the display 23 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for receiving various instructions, settings, etc. from the user via the input interface 22. Also, the display 23 displays treatment planning images captured by the medical imaging diagnosis device 10, treatment plans formulated based on the treatment planning images, the exposure dose of the patient that occurs when radiotherapy is performed according to the treatment plan, etc. Further, as will be described later, the display 23 performs display based on position information and biological information. For example, the display 23 is a liquid crystal display or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display. The display 23 may be desktop type or may be composed of a tablet terminal or the like that can communicate wirelessly with the main body of the treatment planning device 20.

[0022] The treatment planning device 20 may also include a projector in place of or in addition to the display 23. The projector can project onto a screen, wall, floor, etc., under the control of the processing circuit 25. For example, the projector can also project onto any plane, object, space, etc., using projection mapping.

[0023] Memory 24 can be implemented using, for example, semiconductor memory elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or flash memory, a hard disk, or an optical disc. For example, it stores data received from the processing circuit 25, or reads stored data and transmits it to the processing circuit 25. Memory 24 may also be implemented using a group of servers (cloud) connected to the treatment planning device 20 via a network NW.

[0024] The processing circuit 25 includes an acquisition function 25a, a determination function 25b, and an output function 25c. The acquisition function 25a is an example of an acquisition unit. The determination function 25b is an example of a determination unit. The output function 25c is an example of an output unit.

[0025] For example, the processing circuit 25 functions as the acquisition function 25a by reading and executing a program corresponding to the acquisition function 25a from the memory 24. Similarly, the processing circuit 25 functions as the judgment function 25b and the output function 25c by reading and executing programs corresponding to the judgment function 25b and the output function 25c from the memory 24. Details of the acquisition function 25a, the judgment function 25b, and the output function 25c will be described later.

[0026] In the treatment planning device 20 shown in Figure 1, each processing function is stored in memory 24 in the form of a program that can be executed by a computer. The processing circuit 25 is a processor that realizes the function corresponding to each program by reading and executing the program from memory 24. In other words, the processing circuit 25, when a program has been read, has the function corresponding to the read program.

[0027] In Figure 1, the acquisition function 25a, the determination function 25b, and the output function 25c are described as being realized by a single processing circuit 25. However, the processing circuit 25 may be configured by combining multiple independent processors, and each processor may realize the functions by executing a program. Furthermore, each processing function of the processing circuit 25 may be realized by appropriately distributing or integrating them across one or more processing circuits.

[0028] Furthermore, the processing circuit 25 may also implement its functions by utilizing the processor of an external device connected via a network NW. For example, the processing circuit 25 reads and executes programs corresponding to each function from the memory 24, and also utilizes a group of servers (cloud) connected to the treatment planning device 20 via a network NW as computing resources to implement the functions shown in Figure 1.

[0029] In the above explanation, the term "processor" refers to circuits such as CPUs (Central Processing Units), GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), and Programmable Logic Devices (e.g., Simple Programmable Logic Devices (SPLDs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs)). A processor performs its functions by reading and executing programs stored in memory.

[0030] The above describes an example of the overall configuration of the radiotherapy system 1. Under this configuration, the processing circuit 25 of the treatment planning device 20 acquires at least one of positional information and biological information, and outputs based on at least one of these when acquiring images for treatment planning, thereby alleviating stress on the patient receiving radiotherapy. The processing performed by the processing circuit 25 will be described in detail below.

[0031] In the following explanation, when simply referred to as "imaging time," it includes not only the period during which the medical imaging diagnostic device 10 is acquiring images from the patient, but also the preparation period for image acquisition. For example, if the medical imaging diagnostic device 10 is an X-ray CT scanner, "imaging time" includes the period corresponding to the series of steps from placing the patient on the tabletop and adjusting their posture to performing X-ray irradiation on the patient and acquiring the X-ray CT image.

[0032] The acquisition function 25a acquires location information in advance, indicating the location of pain on the patient's body. While there are various causes of pain in a patient's body, one example is that it may be caused by the tumor being treated. Specifically, pain may occur due to tumor infiltration, tumor growth, metastasis, etc. Patients may also suffer from nerve damage during drug therapy, postoperative pain in the affected area, or back pain and pressure ulcers resulting from prolonged bed rest. Furthermore, patients may experience pain unrelated to the treated tumor due to other illnesses or injuries.

[0033] For example, during a medical interview, information is gathered about the location of the pain. The acquisition function 25a can then acquire location information indicating the location of the pain by receiving the results of the medical interview via the input interface 22. Alternatively, the results of the medical interview are registered in the radiation therapy information system, and the acquisition function 25a can acquire location information indicating the location of the pain by obtaining the results of the medical interview from the radiation therapy information system via the network NW.

[0034] Location information indicating the location of pain can be text, such as "abdomen" or "abdominal skin," or it can be a map. Hereafter, maps indicating the location of pain will also be referred to as pain maps. Pain maps are created, for example, by specifying a region on a diagram of the human body.

[0035] For example, a diagram of the human body is displayed on display 23, and the user specifies an area on the diagram based on the results of an interview about the location of pain. The diagram of the human body may be an image of the patient or a human body model showing the general shape of the human body. Furthermore, the patient image used as the diagram of the human body may be a medical image or an optical image taken with an optical camera.

[0036] When acquiring images for treatment planning, the patient is first positioned within the imaging area, and their posture is adjusted. At this point, the output function 25c assists in adjusting the patient's posture by outputting positional information indicating the location of pain.

[0037] Generally, by unifying the patient's posture during the acquisition of treatment planning images and during the execution of radiation therapy, more precise radiation can be delivered to the tumor. Therefore, the patient's posture during imaging is reproduced during the execution of radiation therapy. Furthermore, when radiation therapy is performed multiple times, fixation devices are used to fix the patient's posture in order to minimize errors in patient setup during each treatment. If imaging is performed in a stressful posture, radiation therapy will also be performed in a stressful posture. In contrast, output function 25c provides output based on positional information indicating the location of pain, and by enabling imaging to be performed in a less stressful posture, stress on the patient undergoing radiation therapy can be alleviated.

[0038] One type of posture that causes significant stress is when the painful area on the patient's body is in contact with the tabletop on which the patient is placed. Another type is when the painful area on the patient's body is in contact with a restraint device used to fix the patient's posture. Therefore, output function 25c suggests a body position in which the painful area does not come into contact with the tabletop or restraint device, based on the positional information indicating the painful area. For example, if there is pain in the "abdominal skin," output function 25c will suggest imaging in the supine position.

[0039] Because there are multiple painful areas, it is conceivable that the painful areas may come into contact with the tabletop or restraints regardless of the body position. In such cases, output function 25c can suggest adjusting the restraints or using cushioning material. Specifically, output function 25c can suggest adjusting the restraints to avoid contact with the painful areas, or applying cushioning material to the painful areas.

[0040] One specific example of adjusting a fixation device is to modify an existing device by removing the part that comes into contact with the painful area. Another example is to create a fixation device with a shape that does not come into contact with the painful area, such as by hollowing out a portion of it. For example, several body positions and knowledge based on past cases (body position, cushion insertion position, etc.) are pre-registered in memory 24, and the output function 25c can suggest the optimal body position and cushion position based on the pain map.

[0041] The output function 25c notifies the user of the various suggestions described above via the output device shown in Figure 3. The output device shown in Figure 3 is, for example, the display 23 of the treatment planning device 20. That is, the output function 25c can notify the user of the various suggestions described above by displaying them on the display 23.

[0042] To give another example, the output device shown in Figure 3 is a display 50 provided by a device other than the treatment planning device 20. Examples of displays 50 include the display provided by the medical imaging diagnostic device 10 and an image display terminal device (viewer). In this case, the output function 25c transmits the various proposed contents described above to the other device via the network NW and displays them on the display 50.

[0043] To give another example, the output device shown in Figure 3 may be an audio output device 60. In this case, the various suggestions mentioned above are notified to the user by being output as audio. The audio output device 60 may be a configuration provided by the treatment planning device 20, or it may be a configuration provided by another device different from the treatment planning device 20.

[0044] Furthermore, while the patient's posture is being adjusted, the acquisition function 25a acquires the patient's biological information. For example, the acquisition function 25a acquires the patient's biological information using the biological information collection device 40 shown in Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an overview of the processing of the treatment planning device 20 according to the first embodiment.

[0045] The biological information collection device 40 may be part of the treatment planning device 20, or it may be an external device separate from the treatment planning device 20. If the biological information collection device 40 is an external device, the acquisition function 25a can acquire the biological information collected by the biological information collection device 40 via a network NW. Specific examples of the biological information collection device 40 include blood pressure monitors, heart rate monitors, respiratory function measuring devices, electromyography sensors, sweat sensors, cortisol sensors, electrocardiograms, optical cameras, thermographic cameras, and pulse oximeters.

[0046] If the biometric information acquisition device 40 is a blood pressure monitor, the acquisition function 25a can acquire blood pressure and pulse rate as biometric information. If the biometric information acquisition device 40 is a heart rate monitor, the acquisition function 25a can acquire heart rate as biometric information. If the biometric information acquisition device 40 is a respiratory function measurement device, the acquisition function 25a can acquire information related to respiratory function, such as respiratory waveform, respiratory rate, rhythm, and depth, as biometric information. If the biometric information acquisition device 40 is an electromyography sensor, the acquisition function 25a can acquire information related to muscle tension and respiratory function as biometric information. If the biometric information acquisition device 40 is a sweat sensor, the acquisition function 25a can acquire the amount of sweat as biometric information. If the biometric information acquisition device 40 is a cortisol sensor, the acquisition function 25a can acquire cortisol concentration as biometric information. If the biometric information acquisition device 40 is an electrocardiogram, the acquisition function 25a can acquire heart rate and respiratory rate as biometric information. Furthermore, if the biological information collection device 40 is a thermographic camera, the acquisition function 25a can acquire body surface temperature as biological information. Also, if the biological information collection device 40 is a pulse oximeter, the acquisition function 25a can acquire respiratory rate as biological information.

[0047] Furthermore, if the biological information collection device 40 is an optical camera, the acquisition function 25a can acquire patient images of the patient as biological information. The optical camera may be a component of the medical image diagnostic device 10 or the treatment planning device 20, a wearable camera attached to the user, or a camera installed on the ceiling or wall of the examination room. Also, if the patient image is a moving image, the acquisition function 25a can acquire heart rate and respiratory rate as biological information by analyzing the patient image.

[0048] The acquisition function 25a may acquire multiple types of biological information from multiple biological information collection devices 40. Furthermore, the various biological information collection devices 40 described above can be integrated as appropriate. For example, a blood pressure monitor and a cortisol sensor may be implemented in a single wearable device, and this single device may be configured to measure blood pressure, pulse rate, cortisol concentration, etc.

[0049] The judgment function 25b determines the stress level based on the biometric information acquired by the acquisition function 25a. For example, if numerical data indicating biological functions, such as blood pressure or cortisol concentration, is acquired as biometric information, the judgment function 25b can determine the stress level by comparing the numerical data with a reference value. For example, the judgment function 25b sets the reference value used to determine the stress level based on biometric information collected from patients who are not experiencing any particular stress, or on statistical values ​​based on patient information such as age and gender.

[0050] For example, the judgment function 25b sets the cortisol concentration measured for a patient while they are at rest in a hospital bed as a reference value. Then, when acquiring images for treatment planning, the judgment function 25b compares the cortisol concentration collected by the vital signs collection device 40 with the reference value to determine the stress level. For example, the judgment function 25b sets a tolerance of "10%" and determines that the patient is in a stressed state when the cortisol concentration collected by the vital signs collection device 40 rises by "10% or more" above the reference value. In lieu of or in addition to comparing with the reference value, the judgment function 25b may also determine the stress level based on changes in vital signs. For example, the judgment function 25b determines that the patient is in a stressed state when multiple types of vital signs are on an upward trend.

[0051] When patient images are acquired as biometric information, the judgment function 25b can determine the stress level by analyzing the patient's facial expressions and body movements based on the patient images. For example, the judgment function 25b classifies the facial expressions obtained from the patient images according to predetermined categories, and if they are classified into negative categories such as "fear" or "sadness," it determines that the patient is in a stressed state. Alternatively, for example, the judgment function 25b evaluates the amount of body movement of the patient based on the patient images, and if the body movement is greater than the standard, it determines that the patient is in a stressed state. The analysis of facial expressions and body movements based on patient images may be implemented using any machine learning model.

[0052] As an example of determining stress levels, we have described an example where a two-stage evaluation is performed to determine whether or not a person is in a stressful state. However, it is also possible to perform evaluations with three or more stages. For example, the evaluation function 25b may determine stress levels in three stages: "low," "medium," and "high." Alternatively, the evaluation function 25b may determine stress levels in a continuous manner, such as by calculating a score that indicates the stress level.

[0053] The output function 25c outputs the stress level determination result. For example, the output function 25c notifies the user of the stress level determination result by displaying it on the display 23 of the treatment planning device 20, on the display 50 of another device, or by outputting it as audio via the audio output device 60.

[0054] The stress level determination result may be updated in real time. In this case, the acquisition function 25a acquires biological information sequentially. The determination function 25b determines the stress level sequentially each time the acquisition function 25a acquires biological information. The output function 25c outputs the stress level determination result sequentially each time the determination function 25b determines the stress level.

[0055] For example, a user who receives notification that a patient is in a stressed state can adjust the patient's posture while checking the stress level assessment results, which are updated in real time. At this time, the user may also communicate with the patient or refer to location information such as a pain map. After confirming that the patient is no longer in a stressed state, the user can then instruct the system to take images for treatment planning.

[0056] The decision of whether or not to perform the acquisition of images for treatment planning may be made semi-automatically by the medical imaging diagnostic device 10. For example, if the medical imaging diagnostic device 10 receives a command from the user to perform the acquisition of images for treatment planning, and the treatment planning device 20 has determined that the patient is in a stressed state, the medical imaging diagnostic device 10 will ask the user whether it is okay to proceed with the acquisition. For example, the medical imaging diagnostic device 10 will display or voice output the message, "The patient is experiencing stress, do you really want to proceed with the acquisition?" and will only proceed with the acquisition of images for treatment planning if the user answers "Yes".

[0057] While an example of determining stress levels based on biometric information has been described, the determination function 25b may also determine stress levels based on location information indicating the location of pain, in addition to biometric information. For example, the determination function 25b can determine whether the location of pain is in contact with the tabletop or fixing device based on the pain map and patient image, and if it is in contact, it can determine that the patient is in a stressed state.

[0058] Next, the flowchart in Figure 4 will be used to explain the sequence of operations of the treatment planning device 20. Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the sequence of operations of the treatment planning device according to the first embodiment.

[0059] Steps S11 and S14 correspond to the acquisition function 25a. Steps S13 and S15 correspond to the determination function 25b. Steps S12 and S16 correspond to the output function 25c. Steps S17, S18, S19, and S20 correspond to the medical imaging diagnostic device 10.

[0060] First, the processing circuit 25 acquires location information indicating the location of pain in the patient's body based on the results of the medical interview, etc. (step S11). For example, the processing circuit 25 acquires this location information before the acquisition of images for treatment planning begins and stores it in the memory 24.

[0061] When the acquisition of images for treatment planning begins, the patient is first positioned within the imaging area of ​​the medical imaging diagnostic device 10, and the patient's posture is adjusted. At this time, the processing circuit 25 outputs information based on the position information acquired in step S11 (step S12). For example, the processing circuit 25 suggests a body position in which the painful area does not come into contact with the tabletop or restraints, or suggests adjustments to the restraints or the use of cushioning materials. The user can then adjust the posture based on these suggestions to alleviate the patient's stress.

[0062] Next, the processing circuit 25 sets a reference value to be used for determining the stress level (step S13). The processing circuit 25 also acquires the patient's biological information (step S14) and determines the stress level by comparing the biological information with the reference value (step S15).

[0063] Next, the processing circuit 25 outputs the stress level determination result (step S16). For example, the processing circuit 25 displays the stress level determination result on the display 23 or outputs it as audio. Alternatively, for example, the processing circuit 25 transmits the stress level determination result to the medical image diagnostic device 10. At this point, the user can adjust the posture to alleviate the patient's stress, based on the determination result.

[0064] Next, the medical imaging diagnostic device 10 determines whether or not it has received an instruction from the user to perform imaging for treatment planning (step S17). If it has not received an instruction to perform imaging, it proceeds back to step S14. That is, the stress level is updated sequentially until an instruction to perform imaging is received in step S17.

[0065] If the medical imaging device 10 receives an instruction from the user to perform imaging for treatment planning (step S17 affirmative), it checks whether the patient is in a stressed state based on the stress level determination result received from the processing circuit 25 (step S18). If the patient is in a stressed state (step S18 affirmative), the medical imaging device 10 asks the user if it is okay to proceed with imaging (step S19). If the user does not want to proceed (step S19 negative), the process returns to step S14.

[0066] If the medical imaging device 10 receives an instruction from the user to perform imaging in step S19, or if it confirms in step S18 that the patient is not in a stressed state, the medical imaging device 10 performs imaging for treatment planning and terminates processing.

[0067] Note that the flowchart shown in Figure 3 is merely an example, and various modifications are possible. For example, the setting of the reference value shown in step S13 may be performed before steps S11 and S12, or it may be performed in parallel with them. Also, for example, if the stress level is determined by acquiring patient images as biological information and analyzing the patient's facial expressions and body movements, step S13 may be omitted.

[0068] Furthermore, the timing of the processing in step S12 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the processing circuit may perform the processing in step S12 simultaneously with step S16, or after step S16. For example, the processing circuit may output the stress level determination result and also suggest a body position in which the painful area does not come into contact with the tabletop or fixing device, or suggest adjustments to the fixing device or the use of cushioning material.

[0069] As described above, the acquisition function 25a in the first embodiment acquires positional information indicating the location of pain on the patient's body. The output function 25c outputs information based on the positional information when acquiring images for treatment planning. For example, the output function 25c suggests a body position in which the painful area does not come into contact with the tabletop or fixing device, or suggests adjustments to the fixing device or the use of cushioning material. By making such suggestions during imaging, the number of cases in which treatment planning images are taken in a stressful posture can be reduced, and furthermore, patient stress can be alleviated during radiation therapy, which is performed by reproducing the posture at the time of imaging.

[0070] As described above, the acquisition function 25a of the first embodiment acquires location information indicating the location of pain on the patient's body and the patient's biometric information. The determination function 25b determines the patient's stress level based on the biometric information, or based on both location information and biometric information. The output function 25c outputs the stress level determination result when acquiring images for treatment planning. This allows the medical imaging diagnostic device 10 to reconfirm whether it is appropriate to perform imaging while the patient is in a stressful state, and reduces the number of cases in which images for treatment planning are taken in a stressful posture. Furthermore, the user can use the stress level determination result as a reference to find a less stressful posture. Ultimately, this can alleviate patient stress even during radiation therapy, which is performed by reproducing the posture at the time of imaging.

[0071] In radiation therapy, treatment plans are typically formulated with the treatment of tumors and reduction of radiation exposure to organs at risk (OARs) as priorities. Thus, the above-described embodiment, which alleviates patient stress during radiation therapy, is not only meaningful in itself but also has the effect of making the treatment itself more efficient.

[0072] In other words, if images for treatment planning are taken in a stressful posture, and radiation therapy is received in that posture, it is conceivable that the patient may move during radiation therapy. In this case, radiation therapy may be interrupted and require to be repeated. Alternatively, if the patient moving during radiation therapy is overlooked, the treatment outcome may decrease. In contrast, the treatment planning device 20 reduces the number of cases in which the patient moves during radiation therapy by alleviating the patient's stress during radiation therapy, thereby making radiation therapy more efficient.

[0073] While we have described an example of determining a patient's stress level based on biological information and outputting the result, the process of determining the stress level can be omitted.

[0074] For example, the output function 25c may display the patient's biological information along with reference values ​​when acquiring images for treatment planning. For instance, the output function 25c may display the patient's cortisol concentration at the time of imaging in a way that allows comparison with the cortisol concentration measured for the patient while they were at rest in a hospital bed. This cortisol concentration may be displayed numerically or graphically. By referring to such a display, the user can estimate the patient's stress level and adjust their posture accordingly.

[0075] Furthermore, although we have described the system as one that performs both location-based and biometric-based output, it is also possible to perform only one of these. For example, in the flowchart shown in Figure 4, step S12 may be omitted, and only the output of the stress level determination result in step S16 may be performed. Conversely, step S16 may be omitted, and only the various suggestions in step S12 may be performed.

[0076] Each component of the apparatus according to the above embodiment is a functional concept and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the illustration. That is, the specific form of distribution and integration of each apparatus is not limited to that shown in the illustration, and all or part of it can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit according to various loads and usage conditions. Furthermore, each processing function performed by each apparatus can be implemented in whole or in any part by a CPU and a program that is analyzed and executed by the CPU, or by hardware using wired logic.

[0077] Furthermore, the treatment planning method described in the above-mentioned embodiments can be implemented by executing a pre-prepared program on a computer such as a personal computer or workstation. This program can be distributed via a network such as the Internet. Alternatively, this program can be recorded on a computer-readable non-transient recording medium such as a hard disk, flexible disk (FD), CD-ROM, MO, or DVD, and executed by reading it from the recording medium by a computer.

[0078] According to at least one embodiment described above, it is possible to alleviate stress for patients undergoing radiation therapy.

[0079] While several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations of embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0080] 1: Radiation therapy system 10: Medical imaging diagnostic equipment 20: Treatment planning device 21: Communication Interface 22: Input Interface 23: Display 24: Memory 25: Processing Circuit 25a: Acquisition function 25b: Judgment function 25c: Output function 30:Radiotherapy equipment 40: Biological Information Collection Device 50: Display 60: Audio output device

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating the location of pain on the patient's body and the patient's biological information, An output unit that outputs based on at least one of the positional information and the biological information when acquiring medical images used to formulate a treatment plan for performing radiation therapy on the patient. A treatment planning device equipped with the following features.

2. The system further includes a determination unit that determines the patient's stress level based on the aforementioned biological information. The treatment planning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs the stress level determination result when the medical image is being captured.

3. The acquisition unit acquires numerical data indicating biological function as biological information, The treatment planning device according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit determines the stress level by comparing the numerical data with a reference value.

4. The acquisition unit acquires patient images taken of the patient by an optical camera as the biological information. The treatment planning device according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit determines the stress level by analyzing at least one of the patient's facial expression and body movements based on the patient image.

5. The treatment planning apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the output unit transmits the stress level determination result to a medical image diagnostic apparatus that performs medical image acquisition.

6. The treatment planning device according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit determines the stress level based on the position information and the biological information.

7. The treatment planning device according to claim 1, wherein the location information is a pain map indicating the location of pain on the patient's body.

8. The treatment planning device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit, based on the position information, suggests a body position in which the painful area on the patient's body does not come into contact with the table on which the patient is placed or with a fixing device for fixing the patient's posture.

9. The treatment planning device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit proposes adjusting the fixation device so as not to come into contact with a painful area on the patient's body, based on the position information.

10. The treatment planning device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit proposes applying a cushioning material to the painful location on the patient's body based on the position information.

11. Location information indicating the location of pain on the patient's body and the patient's biometric information are acquired. When acquiring medical images used to formulate a treatment plan for performing radiation therapy on the aforementioned patient, output is made based on at least one of the positional information and the biological information. A treatment plan that includes the following.

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