Particle beam therapy system and mobile bed device driving method

Abstract

To provide a drive technology for a moving bed apparatus of a particle beam therapy system, which can appropriately form a floor spanning between a rotary gantry and a building floor, and can appropriately store the floor.SOLUTION: A particle beam therapy system 1 includes: a rotary gantry 5 which supports an irradiation port 13 for irradiating a patient 8 with a particle beam 7 and changes an angle of the irradiation port 13 by rotating; a building floor 25 provided with a treatment table 17 on which the patient 8 is placed; and a moving floor apparatus 26 spanning between the rotary gantry 5 and the building floor 25. The moving floor apparatus 26 includes a plurality of floor plates 31 which slides from one of the rotary gantry 5 and the building floor 25 to the other, and when a floor surface is formed of the plurality of floor plates 31, the plurality of floor plates 31 is arranged side by side along a horizontal direction, and when the plurality of floor plates 31 is housed, at least one floor plate 31 is arranged in a standing state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a driving technique for a moving bed device of a particle beam therapy system.

Background Art

[0002] The rotating gantry of a particle beam therapy system rotates so that the irradiation port can be at any angle. As a result, the particle beam is irradiated onto the patient from an optimal direction. As an example of its configuration, there is one having a cylindrical gantry main body trunk and a moving bed. Here, the moving bed is provided to maintain a flat floor surface regardless of the rotation of the gantry main body trunk. As driving methods for the moving bed, there are a door opening / closing type and a sliding type. Further, as another example, there is a type in which a moving bed divided into multiple sheets is arranged side by side along the inner peripheral surface of the gantry main body trunk, and the rotation of these moving beds is controlled while being synchronized with the rotation of the gantry main body trunk.

[0003] In the case of the door opening / closing type moving bed, when the rotation speed of the gantry main body trunk is increased, the speed at which the moving bed is folded must also be increased, resulting in complicated control. On the other hand, for the sliding type moving bed, a large number of moving beds and their driving mechanisms must be installed within the limited space of the gantry main body trunk. In addition, there is also a type that stores the moving bed below the treatment table, but the moving bed must be stored so as to avoid the columns of the treatment table. Furthermore, in the case of arranging multiple moving beds on the inner peripheral surface of the gantry main body trunk, it is necessary to synchronize the multiple moving beds, resulting in complicated control.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a driving technology for a mobile floor device of a particle beam therapy system that can appropriately form a floor that spans between a rotating gantry and the building floor, and appropriately store the floor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A particle beam therapy system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a rotating gantry that supports an irradiation port for irradiating a patient with particle beams and changes the angle of the irradiation port by rotating; a building floor on which a treatment table for placing the patient is provided; and a movable floor device that spans between the rotating gantry and the building floor, wherein the movable floor device consists of a plurality of floor plates that slide from one of the rotating gantry and the building floor toward the other. And, a plurality of horizontal guide frames are stretched between the rotating gantry and the building floor and extend horizontally, The system is equipped with a configuration in which, when forming a floor surface with multiple floorboards, the multiple floorboards are arranged horizontally, and when housing multiple floorboards, at least one floorboard is arranged in an upright position. Furthermore, when the multiple floor slabs move along the guide rails provided on the horizontal guide frame and the multiple floor slabs form a floor surface, the horizontal guide frame protrudes from one of the rotating gantry and the building floor toward the other, and when the multiple floor slabs are accommodated, the horizontal guide frame retracts into at least one of the rotating gantry and the building floor. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to embodiments of the present invention, a driving technology for a mobile floor device of a particle beam therapy system is provided that can appropriately form a floor spanning between a rotating gantry and the building floor, and appropriately store the floor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A plan view showing the overall configuration of the particle beam therapy system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Side view showing the rotating gantry. [Figure 3] Front view showing the rotating gantry corresponding to section III-III in Figure 2. [Figure 4] A front view showing the rotating gantry in a rotated state. [Figure 5]A plan view showing the movable floor device when the horizontal guide frame is extended. [Figure 6] A plan view showing a movable floor device for arranging multiple floorboards. [Figure 7] A side view showing a movable floor device in which multiple floorboards are arranged to form a floor surface. [Figure 8] A side view showing a movable floor device with multiple floorboards housed inside. [Figure 9] A side view showing the horizontal guide frame retracted towards the rotating gantry. [Figure 10] A side view showing the horizontal guide frame retracted towards the building floor. [Figure 11] A side view showing the state in which the floor surface is formed by the movable floor device of the second embodiment. [Figure 12] A side view showing the movable floor device of the second embodiment in a housed state. [Figure 13] A side view showing the state in which the floor surface is formed by the movable floor device of the third embodiment. [Figure 14] A side view showing the movable floor device of the third embodiment in a housed state. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (First Embodiment) The following describes in detail embodiments of the particle beam therapy system and the mobile bed device driving method with reference to the drawings. First, the first embodiment will be described using Figures 1 to 10. In Figures 2 and 5 to 10, the left side of the paper will be considered the front side (forward side) of the rotating gantry, and the right side of the paper will be considered the rear side (back side) of the rotating gantry. In the drawings, in a Cartesian coordinate system, the axial direction of the rotating gantry is defined as the Z direction, the vertical direction (up and down direction) perpendicular to this is defined as the Y direction, and the horizontal direction perpendicular to these is defined as the X direction. The direction of rotation around the axis along the outer surface of the rotating gantry is sometimes referred to as the circumferential direction.

[0010] Reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1 represents the particle beam therapy system of the present embodiment. This particle beam therapy system 1 irradiates a lesion tissue (cancer) of a patient as a subject with a particle beam (therapeutic radiation) such as a carbon ion to perform treatment.

[0011] The radiation therapy technology using the particle beam therapy system 1 is also referred to as a heavy particle beam cancer therapy technology. This technology can pinpoint a cancer lesion (affected part) with carbon ions, damage the cancer lesion, and minimize damage to normal cells. Note that a particle beam is defined as something heavier than an electron among radiations, and includes a proton beam, a heavy particle beam, etc. Among these, a heavy particle beam is defined as something heavier than a helium atom.

[0012] In cancer treatment using a heavy particle beam, compared with conventional cancer treatment using X-rays, gamma rays, and proton beams, it has a higher ability to kill cancer lesions, a lower radiation dose on the surface of the patient's body, and a characteristic that the radiation dose peaks at the cancer lesion. Therefore, the number of irradiations and side effects can be reduced, and the treatment period can be made shorter.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the particle beam therapy system 1 includes a beam generator 2, a circular accelerator 3, a beam transport line 4, and a rotating gantry 5.

[0014] The beam generator 2 has an ion source for carbon ions, which are charged particles, and generates a particle beam 7 (FIG. 2) with these carbon ions. The circular accelerator 3 forms a ring shape in plan view and accelerates the particle beam 7 generated by the beam generator 2. The beam transport line 4 transports the particle beam 7 accelerated by the circular accelerator 3 to the rotating gantry 5. A patient 8 (FIG. 2) to be irradiated with the particle beam 7 is arranged on the rotating gantry 5.

[0015] In this particle beam therapy system 1, first, a particle beam 7 of carbon ions generated in the beam generator 2 is injected from the beam generator 2 into the circular accelerator 3. This particle beam 7 is accelerated to about 70% of the speed of light while orbiting the circular accelerator 3 about one million times. Then, this particle beam 7 is guided to the rotating gantry 5 via the beam transport line 4.

[0016] The beam generator 2, circular accelerator 3, and beam transport line 4 are equipped with a vacuum duct 6 (beam pipe) whose interior is kept under vacuum. The particle beam 7 travels through the inside of this vacuum duct 6. The vacuum duct 6 of the beam generator 2, circular accelerator 3, and beam transport line 4 work together to form a transport path that guides the particle beam 7 to the rotating gantry 5. In other words, the vacuum duct 6 is a sealed, continuous space with a sufficient degree of vacuum to allow the particle beam 7 to pass through.

[0017] As shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 2, the rotating gantry 5 is a cylindrical device. This rotating gantry 5 is installed so that its cylindrical axis (horizontal axis 9) is oriented horizontally. The rotating gantry 5 is rotatable around this horizontal axis 9.

[0018] The rotating gantry 5 is supported by the building structure 10 of the treatment facility where the particle beam therapy system 1 is installed. For example, end rings 11 are fixed to the front and rear of the main body 19 of the rotating gantry 5. Below these end rings 11, a rotary drive unit 12 is provided, which supports the end rings 11 in a rotatable state and is equipped with a drive motor. This rotary drive unit 12 is supported by the building structure 10. The driving force of the rotary drive unit 12 is supplied to the rotating gantry 5 via the end rings 11, causing the rotating gantry 5 to rotate around the horizontal axis 9.

[0019] The rotating gantry 5 is equipped with a vacuum duct 6 extending from the beam transport line 4 (Figure 1). The vacuum duct 6 is first guided into the interior of the rotating gantry 5 from the rear side along its horizontal axis 9. Then, the vacuum duct 6 extends outward from the outer surface of the rotating gantry 5, and then extends again inward from the rotating gantry 5. The tip of this vacuum duct 6 extends to a position close to the patient 8.

[0020] Although not specifically shown in the diagram, a predetermined rotation mechanism is provided in the vacuum duct 6 along the horizontal axis 9 of the rotating gantry 5. The portion of the vacuum duct 6 outside of this rotation mechanism is stationary, while the portion inside of this mechanism rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating gantry 5.

[0021] Furthermore, the rotating gantry 5 is equipped with an irradiation port 13 for directing the particle beam 7 towards the patient 8, and a transport unit 14 for transporting the particle beam 7 to the irradiation port 13. In other words, the irradiation port 13 and the transport unit 14 are supported by the rotating gantry 5.

[0022] Furthermore, the transport unit 14 is equipped with superconducting magnets 15 that generate a magnetic field that forms a path for transporting the particle beam 7. These superconducting magnets 15 are, for example, deflecting electromagnets that change the direction of travel of the particle beam 7 along the vacuum duct 6, or quadrupole electromagnets that control the focusing and divergence of the particle beam 7.

[0023] The irradiation port 13 is located at the tip of the vacuum duct 6 and irradiates the patient 8 with the particle beam 7 guided by the transport unit 14. This irradiation port 13 is fixed to the inner surface of the rotating gantry 5. The particle beam 7 is irradiated from the irradiation port 13 in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal axis 9.

[0024] A treatment space 16 for particle beam therapy is provided inside the rotating gantry 5. The patient 8 is placed on a treatment table 17 located in this treatment space 16. This treatment table 17 can be moved with the patient 8 on it. By moving the treatment table 17, the patient 8 can be moved to the irradiation position of the particle beam 7 and positioned accordingly. Therefore, the particle beam 7 can be irradiated to the appropriate area, such as the lesion tissue of the patient 8.

[0025] The patient 8 is positioned at the horizontal axis 9, and by rotating the rotating gantry 5, the irradiation port 13 can be rotated around the stationary patient 8. For example, the irradiation port 13 can be rotated 180 degrees clockwise (right) or counterclockwise (left) in a rear view, around the patient 8 (horizontal axis 9). Then, the particle beam 7 can be irradiated from any direction around the patient 8. In other words, the rotating gantry 5 is a device that can change the direction of irradiation of the particle beam 7 guided by the beam transport line 4 to the patient 8. Therefore, the burden on the patient 8 can be reduced while irradiating the affected area with higher precision from the appropriate direction.

[0026] As particle beam 7 passes through patient 8's body, it loses kinetic energy and its speed decreases. At the same time, it encounters resistance that is approximately inversely proportional to the square of its speed, and once it reaches a certain speed, it comes to a sudden stop. This stopping point of particle beam 7 is called the Bragg peak, and high energy is delivered to the affected area. By aligning this Bragg peak with the location of the lesion tissue in patient 8, the particle beam therapy system 1 can destroy only the lesion tissue while minimizing damage to normal tissue.

[0027] The treatment space 16 located inside the rotating gantry 5 is formed to be integrated with the treatment room 18 located on the front side of the rotating gantry 5. The treatment table 17 is supported by the building's structure 10. In other words, even if the rotating gantry 5 and irradiation port 13 are rotated, the position of the treatment table 17 does not change.

[0028] An inner wall portion 20 serving as a decorative panel is provided inside the rotating gantry 5. This inner wall portion 20 is disc-shaped, and its periphery is supported by a support rail 21 that extends around the entire inner circumference of the rotating gantry 5. This inner wall portion 20 is supported by the support rail 21 so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction.

[0029] On the inner wall portion 20, a stationary frame 22 is provided on the side facing the treatment space 16. This stationary frame 22 is fixed to the inner wall portion 20. This stationary frame 22 is also supported by a separate support rail 21 that is provided around the entire circumference of the inner surface of the rotating gantry 5, and is rotatably supported in the circumferential direction by the support rail 21. This stationary frame 22 is provided for arranging a predetermined member inside the rotating gantry 5.

[0030] A reverse-rotating synchronous motor 23 is connected to the central part of the inner wall 20, opposite to the treatment space 16. This reverse-rotating synchronous motor 23 is fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the rotating gantry 5 via a support rod 24. When the rotating gantry 5 rotates, the reverse-rotating synchronous motor 23 is driven, and the resulting driving force causes the inner wall 20 to rotate in the opposite direction to the rotation of the rotating gantry 5.

[0031] For example, when the rotating gantry 5 rotates clockwise in a front view, the inner wall section 20 is rotated counterclockwise. At this time, the rotation speed of the rotating gantry 5 and the rotation speed of the inner wall section 20 are controlled to be the same. In other words, the inner wall section 20 appears to remain stationary even when the rotating gantry 5 is rotating. Also, the stationary frame 22 fixed to the inner wall section 20 appears to remain stationary.

[0032] In addition to the configuration of the rotating gantry 5, the particle beam therapy system 1 further comprises a building floor 25, a moving bed device 26, a stationary bed 27, a platform drive device 28, and a control device 29.

[0033] The control device 29 controls the rotating gantry 5, the mobile floor device 26, and the platform drive device 28. This control device 29 is a computer that has hardware resources such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and HDD, and the CPU executes various programs so that software-based information processing is realized using the hardware resources. Furthermore, the mobile floor device drive method of this embodiment is realized by having the computer execute various programs.

[0034] Furthermore, each component of the control device 29 does not necessarily have to be installed in a single computer. For example, one control device 29 may be implemented using multiple computers connected to each other via a network.

[0035] The building floor 25 is the floor on the building side and is the floor of the stationary treatment room 18. A treatment table 17 on which the patient 8 is placed is provided on this building floor 25. The treatment table 17 is movable from the treatment room 18 to the interior of the rotating gantry 5.

[0036] The table drive unit 28 drives the treatment table 17. This table drive unit 28 is located below the building floor 25. A support column 30 extending from this table drive unit 28 penetrates the building floor 25, and the treatment table 17 is supported by this support column 30.

[0037] The stationary floor 27 is supported by the stationary frame 22 inside the rotating gantry 5. Even when the rotating gantry 5 rotates, the stationary floor 27 remains stationary.

[0038] The movable floor device 26 is installed between the stationary floor 27 of the rotating gantry 5 and the building floor 25. This movable floor device 26 comprises a plurality of floor plates 31 that slide from one of the stationary floor 27 and the building floor 25 to the other. The plurality of floor plates 31 are connected to each other by hinges 32.

[0039] A floor surface (scaffolding) is formed by multiple floor plates 31 of the mobile floor device 26. This floor surface is installed so as to be almost flush with the building floor 25 and the stationary floor 27. When preparing for treatment, the technician can walk on the floor surface made up of these multiple floor plates 31. Also, if the treatment table 17 makes an emergency stop during treatment, the patient 8 may walk on this floor surface.

[0040] Furthermore, when the movable floor device 26 forms a floor surface with multiple floor plates 31, it arranges the multiple floor plates 31 horizontally, and when it accommodates the multiple floor plates 31, it arranges the floor plates 31 in an upright position. For example, the multiple floor plates 31 slide downward below the building floor 25.

[0041] The state in which the floorboard 31 is upright means that the widest surface of the floorboard 31 is vertical, or that the floorboard 31 is arranged in a wall-like configuration. Furthermore, even if the floorboard 31 is slightly tilted, this is still considered the state in which the floorboard 31 is upright.

[0042] The movable floor device 26 includes a plurality of horizontal guide frames 33 and a plurality of vertical guide frames 34 for sliding a plurality of floor plates 31.

[0043] The horizontal guide frame 33 (Figure 7) is a member that spans between the stationary floor 27 of the rotating gantry 5 and the building floor 25, and extends horizontally. The front end of the horizontal guide frame 33 is bent downward so that it can be connected to the vertical guide frame 34. The horizontal guide frame 33 also has guide rails 35 that guide multiple floor plates 31 horizontally. These guide rails 35 extend along the horizontal guide frame 33 and are fixed to the horizontal guide frame 33. The front end of the guide rails 35 is also bent downward.

[0044] Furthermore, an auxiliary plate 37 (Figures 7 to 8) is provided at the rear edge of the building floor 25. This auxiliary plate 37 covers the upper surface of the bent portion of the horizontal guide frame 33. The presence of the auxiliary plate 37 ensures that the floor surface formed by the horizontal guide frame 33 and the floor plate 31 is almost flush with the building floor 25, preventing people walking on this floor surface from tripping over the bent portion of the horizontal guide frame 33. The auxiliary plate 37 can swing upward by a predetermined opening and closing mechanism (Figures 9 to 10).

[0045] The vertical guide frame 34 (Figure 8) is installed below the building floor 25, accommodates multiple floorboards 31, and is a member that extends vertically. The vertical guide frame 34 also has guide rails 36 that guide the multiple floorboards 31 vertically. These guide rails 36 extend along the vertical guide frame 34 and are fixed to the vertical guide frame 34. Note that even if the vertical guide frame 34 is slightly tilted, it is still considered to extend vertically.

[0046] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the multiple floor plates 31 move along guide rails 35 and 36 provided on the horizontal guide frame 33 and the vertical guide frame 34, respectively. Each floor plate 31 is equipped with three wheels 38 that clamp onto the guide rails 35 and 36. In this way, the floor plates 31 can be stably supported by at least three wheels 38 while moving along the guide rails 35 and 36.

[0047] The movable floor device 26 further includes a drive device 39 for moving multiple floor plates 31 along guide rails 35, 36 which are arranged in an L-shape in a side view by horizontal guide frames 33 and vertical guide frames 34. This drive device 39 is installed on at least one of the connected multiple floor plates 31. The drive device 39 is, for example, a drive motor that rotates each of the wheels 38 of the floor plate 31. In this way, it is not necessary to install devices for moving the multiple floor plates 31 inside the rotating gantry 5 or below the building floor 25, and space can be secured to efficiently accommodate the multiple floor plates 31. The connected multiple floor plates 31 move along the horizontal guide frames 33 and vertical guide frames 34 by the driving force of the drive device 39.

[0048] As shown in Figure 6, multiple floorboards 31 are arranged horizontally to form a row 40. For example, in a row 40, multiple floorboards 31 are connected to each other by hinges 32 along the direction of sliding movement. Here, horizontal guide frames 33 are provided between the multiple rows 40. In addition, vertical guide frames 34 (Figure 3) are provided corresponding to each horizontal guide frame 33. Each floorboard 31 in a row 40 is supported on both sides by the horizontal guide frame 33 and the vertical guide frame 34.

[0049] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when a floor surface is formed with multiple floor slabs 31, the horizontal guide frame 33 protrudes from one of the stationary floor 27 and the building floor 25 toward the other. In this way, the horizontal guide frame 33 can span the multiple floor slabs 31 between the stationary floor 27 and the building floor 25 of the rotating gantry 5. Furthermore, when the floor slabs 31 are retracted, the horizontal guide frame 33 does not get in the way when changing the angle of the irradiation port 13 (Figure 4).

[0050] As shown in Figures 9 to 10, when accommodating multiple floor slabs 31, the horizontal guide frame 33 retracts into the stationary floor 27 and the building floor 25. At this point, the multiple floor slabs 31 supported by the retracted horizontal guide frame 33 are accommodated in the vertical guide frame 34. In this way, the vertical guide frame 34 serves as an accommodation section that compactly houses the multiple floor slabs 31.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, of the multiple horizontal guide frames 33, the central horizontal guide frame 33 closest to the treatment table 17 (Figure 2) in a plan view retracts towards the stationary floor 27 of the rotating gantry 5, while the horizontal guide frames 33 furthest from the treatment table 17 in a plan view retract towards the building floor 25. This prevents the retracting horizontal guide frames 33 from interfering with the table drive device 28 or support column 30 located in the area below the treatment table 17.

[0052] As shown in Figure 9, the movable floor device 26 further comprises an electric motor 41, a drive roller 42, and a driven roller 43.

[0053] For example, inside the rotating gantry 5, below the stationary floor 27, there are multiple driven rollers 43 that are rotatably supported relative to the stationary frame 22. Furthermore, a drive roller 42 is provided in front of the driven rollers 43, also rotatably supported relative to the stationary frame 22. In addition, an electric motor 41 is provided to rotate the drive roller 42. By rotating the drive roller 42, the horizontal guide frame 33 moves along the driven rollers 43. For example, the horizontal guide frame 33 may retract towards the stationary floor 27 or protrude from the stationary floor 27.

[0054] As shown in Figure 10, the movable floor device 26 includes a projection device 44 located below the building floor 25 that causes the horizontal guide frame 33 to project toward the rotating gantry 5. This projection device 44 has a piston (not shown) inside and is connected to the horizontal guide frame 33 by a piston rod 45. The piston is driven by hydraulics or the like. In this way, the horizontal guide frame 33 can be moved by the linear motion of the piston. For example, the horizontal guide frame 33 can be retracted toward the building floor 25 or projected from the building floor 25.

[0055] The time when all horizontal guide frames 33 are retracted is, for example, when no treatment is being performed, such as when performing maintenance on the rotating gantry 5. When this maintenance is performed, the treatment table 17 is also retracted towards the treatment room 18.

[0056] As shown in Figure 3, during treatment, that is, when patient 8 is in the treatment space 16, all horizontal guide frames 33 are normally extended and spanned between the stationary floor 27 and the building floor 25. Below the treatment table 17 where patient 8 is located, a floor surface is formed by multiple floorboards 31.

[0057] As shown in Figure 4, the angle of the irradiation port 13 can be changed by rotating the rotating gantry 5. When the irradiation port 13 is at an angle that interferes with the horizontal guide frame 33, at least one of the multiple horizontal guide frames 33 that interferes with the irradiation port 13 retracts to at least one of the stationary floor 27 and the building floor 25. The multiple floor plates 31 supported by the retracted horizontal guide frame 33 are housed in the corresponding vertical guide frame 34 (Figures 9 to 10).

[0058] In the example shown in Figure 4, of the six horizontal guide frames 33, the two on the right are retracted. This ensures that when the rotating gantry 5 rotates and the angle of the irradiation port 13 changes, space is available for the irradiation port 13 to pass through.

[0059] As shown in Figure 3, when the rotating gantry 5 rotates in the reverse direction and the irradiation port 13 returns to an angle that does not interfere with the horizontal guide frame 33, the retracted horizontal guide frame 33 protrudes again and is spanned between the stationary floor 27 and the building floor 25 (Figure 7). In this way, a floor can be appropriately formed between the stationary floor 27 and the building floor 25, and the floor can be appropriately stored.

[0060] (Second Embodiment) Next, the second embodiment will be described using Figures 11 to 12. Note that components identical to those shown in the previously described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted. In Figures 11 to 12, the left side of the paper will be considered the front side, and the right side will be considered the rear side.

[0061] As shown in Figure 11, the movable floor device 50 of the second embodiment comprises a plurality of floor plates 51, a drive device 52, a plurality of horizontal guide frames 53, and a plurality of protruding devices 54.

[0062] Protruding devices 54 are provided below the building floor 25 on the treatment room 18 side and below the stationary floor 27 on the rotating gantry 5 side. Horizontal guide frames 53 extend from these protruding devices 54 so as to be retractable.

[0063] Multiple floorboards 51 are fixed to the building floor 25 via drive equipment 52 located at the rear end of the building floor 25. These floorboards 51 are connected to each other by hinges 55. Here, the front end of the frontmost floorboard 51 is connected to the drive equipment 52 by the hinge 55. Each hinge 55 is equipped with a drive motor. Each hinge 55 is driven by power supplied from the drive equipment 52. This driving force causes the floorboards 51 to swing around the hinge 55. For example, the multiple floorboards 51 can protrude from a position below the building floor 25 or retract to a position below the building floor 25.

[0064] In the example shown in Figure 11, two horizontal guide frames 53 are provided, extending from the front and rear directions. One horizontal guide frame 53 extends from a protruding device 54 located below the building floor 25 toward the stationary floor 27. The other horizontal guide frame 53 extends from a protruding device 54 located below the stationary floor 27 toward the building floor 25. The ends of the two horizontal guide frames 53 are in contact with each other, and these horizontal guide frames 53 form a section that supports multiple floorboards 51. The multiple floorboards 51 are then arranged horizontally along the upper surface of these horizontal guide frames 53.

[0065] As shown in Figure 12, when accommodating multiple floorboards 51, each of the two front and rear horizontal guide frames 53 retracts to a position below the building floor 25 and the stationary floor 27. Then, the hinge portion 55 of the floorboards 51 is driven, and the multiple floorboards 51 are accommodated to a position below the building floor 25. At this time, each floorboard 51 is positioned upright. In this way, multiple floorboards 51 can be compactly accommodating.

[0066] In this second embodiment, the configuration of the vertical guide frame 34 (Figure 2) of the first embodiment described above is omitted, so it is not necessary to provide a large vertical space below the building floor 25 to accommodate the floorboard 51.

[0067] (Third embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described using Figures 13 to 14. Note that components identical to those shown in the previously described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted. In Figures 13 to 14, the left side of the paper will be considered the front side, and the right side will be considered the rear side.

[0068] As shown in Figure 13, the movable floor device 60 of the third embodiment comprises a plurality of floor plates 61 and a drive device 62.

[0069] For example, two floorboards 61 are fixed to the stationary floor 27 via a drive device 62 provided at the front end of the stationary floor 27. These floorboards 61 are connected to each other by hinges 63. Here, the rear end of the rear floorboard 61 is connected to the drive device 62 by a hinge 63. Each hinge 63 is equipped with a drive motor. Each hinge 63 is driven by power supplied from the drive device 62. This driving force causes the floorboards 61 to swing around the hinge 63. For example, these floorboards 61 may protrude from above the stationary floor 27 or retract to above the stationary floor 27. A support piece 64 is provided at the rear end of the building floor 25 to support the front floorboard 61.

[0070] As shown in Figure 14, in the third embodiment, two floorboards 61 are housed above the stationary floor 27. When these floorboards 61 are housed, each floorboard 61 is swung and positioned in an upright position.

[0071] In this third embodiment, since it is not necessary to provide a space for housing the floorboard 61 below the building floor 25 and the stationary floor 27, other equipment can be placed below the building floor 25 and the stationary floor 27.

[0072] Although particle beam therapy systems and mobile bed device driving methods have been described based on the first to third embodiments, configurations applied in any one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, and configurations applied in each embodiment may be combined.

[0073] The control device 29 of the aforementioned embodiment comprises a control device that highly integrates processors such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), CPU (Central Processing Unit), and a dedicated chip; storage devices such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory); external storage devices such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid State Drive); a display device such as a display; input devices such as a mouse and keyboard; and a communication interface. This control device 29 can be realized with a hardware configuration using a normal computer.

[0074] The program executed by the control device 29 in the above-described embodiment is provided pre-installed in ROM or the like. Additionally or alternatively, this program is provided as an installable or executable file stored on a computer-readable non-temporary storage medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, memory card, DVD, or flexible disk (FD).

[0075] Furthermore, the program executed by this control device 29 may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided for download via the network. Alternatively, this control device 29 can be configured by combining separate modules, each independently performing its respective function, which are interconnected via a network or dedicated line.

[0076] In the embodiments described above, a facility that performs heavy ion beam cancer therapy is given as an example, but the embodiments described above can also be applied to other facilities. For example, the embodiments described above may be applied to a facility that performs proton beam cancer therapy.

[0077] In the above-described embodiment, the vertical guide frame 34 is provided below the building floor 25, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the vertical guide frame 34 may be provided below the stationary floor 27 inside the rotating gantry 5.

[0078] In the above-described embodiment, three wheels 38 are provided on one floorboard 31, but other configurations are also possible. For example, two wheels 38 may be provided on one floorboard 31, or four or more wheels 38 may be provided.

[0079] In the above-described embodiment, all floorboards 31, 51, and 61 are in an upright position when the vehicle is stored, but other configurations are also possible. For example, one floorboard 31, 51, or 61 may be in an upright position when the vehicle is stored, while the other floorboards 31 may not be in an upright position.

[0080] In the above-described embodiment, the horizontal guide frames 33 and 53 are retracted into both the stationary floor 27 and the building floor 25, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the horizontal guide frames 33 and 53 may be retracted into either the stationary floor 27 or the building floor 25.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, the electric motor 41, the drive roller 42, and the driven roller 43 are located below the stationary floor 27 of the rotating gantry 5, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the electric motor 41, the drive roller 42, and the driven roller 43 may be located below the building floor 25.

[0082] In the above-described embodiment, the protruding device 44 is provided below the building floor 25, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the protruding device 44 may be provided only below the stationary floor 27. In this configuration, the horizontal guide frame 33 may protrude toward the treatment room 18 due to the protruding device 44.

[0083] According to at least one embodiment described above, when forming a floor surface with multiple floorboards 31, the multiple floorboards 31 are arranged in a horizontal direction, and when storing the multiple floorboards 31, at least one floorboard 31 is placed in an upright position, thereby appropriately forming a floor that spans between the rotating gantry 5 and the building floor 25, and appropriately storing the floor.

[0084] While several embodiments of the present invention 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 carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments or their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1...Particle beam therapy system, 2...Beam generator, 3...Circular accelerator, 4...Beam transport line, 5...Rotating gantry, 6...Vacuum duct, 7...Particle beam, 8...Patient, 9...Horizontal axis, 10...Structure, 11...End ring, 12...Rotating drive unit, 13...Irradiation port, 14...Transport unit, 15...Superconducting magnet, 16...Treatment space, 17...Treatment table, 18...Treatment room, 19...Main body, 20...Inner wall section, 21...Support rail, 22...Standing frame, 23...Reverse rotation synchronous motor, 24...Support rod, 25...Building floor, 26...Moving floor device, 27...Standing floor, 28...Platform drive 29...Moving device, 30...Control device, 31...Support column, 32...Hinge section, 33...Horizontal guide frame, 34...Vertical guide frame, 35,36...Guide rail, 37...Auxiliary plate, 38...Wheel, 39...Drive equipment, 40...Row, 41...Electric motor, 42...Drive roller, 43...Driven roller, 44...Protruding equipment, 45...Piston rod, 50...Movable floor device, 51...Floor plate, 52...Drive equipment, 53...Horizontal guide frame, 54...Protruding equipment, 55...Hinge section, 60...Movable floor device, 61...Floor plate, 62...Drive equipment, 63...Hinge section, 64...Support piece.

Claims

1. A rotating gantry that supports an irradiation port for irradiating a patient with a particle beam and changes the angle of the irradiation port by rotating, A building floor on which a treatment table for placing the aforementioned patient is provided, A movable floor device is provided between the rotating gantry and the building floor, It is equipped with, The movable floor device comprises a plurality of floor plates that slide from one of the rotating gantry and the building floor toward the other, and a plurality of horizontal guide frames that span between the rotating gantry and the building floor and extend horizontally. When forming a floor surface with multiple floor boards, the multiple floor boards are arranged in a horizontal line, When accommodating multiple floorboards, at least one floorboard is positioned in an upright position. Multiple floor plates move along guide rails provided on the horizontal guide frame, When forming a floor surface with multiple floorboards, the horizontal guide frame protrudes from one of the rotating gantry and the building floor toward the other. When accommodating multiple floor slabs, the horizontal guide frame retracts into at least one of the rotating gantry and the building floor. Particle beam therapy system.

2. When the irradiation port is at an angle that interferes with the horizontal guide frame, at least one of the multiple horizontal guide frames that interferes with the irradiation port retracts to at least one of the rotating gantry and the building floor. The particle beam therapy system according to claim 1.

3. The movable floor device is provided on at least one of the rotating gantry and the building floor, accommodates a plurality of floor slabs, and comprises a plurality of vertical guide frames extending in the vertical direction. Multiple floor plates move along the guide rails provided on the horizontal guide frame and the vertical guide frame, The multiple floor plates supported by the retractable horizontal guide frame are housed in the vertical guide frame. A particle beam therapy system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The movable floor device includes a drive mechanism that moves a plurality of floor plates along the guide rail, which is arranged in an L-shape in a side view by the horizontal guide frame and the vertical guide frame. The particle beam therapy system according to claim 3.

5. Each of the floor plates is equipped with at least three wheels that clamp one of the guide rails. A particle beam therapy system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

6. The movable floor device includes a projection device provided on one of the rotating gantry and the building floor, which causes the horizontal guide frame to project toward the other. A particle beam therapy system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

7. Multiple floorboards are arranged horizontally to form a row, and the horizontal guide frame is provided between the multiple rows. Of the multiple horizontal guide frames, the central horizontal guide frame closest to the treatment table in a plan view retracts toward the rotating gantry, and the horizontal guide frames on the sides furthest from the treatment table retract toward the building floor. A particle beam therapy system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

8. A rotating gantry that supports an irradiation port for irradiating a patient with a particle beam and changes the angle of the irradiation port by rotating, A building floor on which a treatment table for placing the aforementioned patient is provided, A movable floor device is provided between the rotating gantry and the building floor, This method is performed using a particle beam therapy system equipped with the following features: The movable floor device comprises a plurality of floor plates that slide from one of the rotating gantry and the building floor toward the other, and a plurality of horizontal guide frames that span between the rotating gantry and the building floor and extend horizontally. When forming a floor surface with multiple floor boards, the multiple floor boards are arranged in a horizontal line, When accommodating multiple floorboards, at least one floorboard is positioned in an upright position. Multiple floor plates move along guide rails provided on the horizontal guide frame, When forming a floor surface with multiple floorboards, the horizontal guide frame protrudes from one of the rotating gantry and the building floor toward the other. When accommodating multiple floor slabs, the horizontal guide frame retracts into at least one of the rotating gantry and the building floor. A method for driving a movable floor device.

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