Parameter verification device, treatment plan verification device, treatment planning device, and radiotherapy system, as well as program and parameter verification method.

Abstract

To provide a parameter confirmation device, a treatment plan verification device, a treatment planning device, a radiation treatment system, a program, and a parameter confirmation method capable of reducing a burden on an operator and a patient in radiation treatment.SOLUTION: A parameter confirmation device includes a storage unit 341 for storing parameters by discriminating unchangeable parameters that cannot be changed, and changeable parameters that can be changed between parameters of a first treatment plan and parameters of a second treatment plan; and a comparison unit 342 for comparing any one of whether or not the unchangeable parameters coincide in the first treatment plan and the second treatment plan, and whether or not an amount of change of the changeable parameters is within a stipulated range determined beforehand of a plurality of parameters stored in the storage unit 341.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a parameter confirmation device, a treatment plan verification device, a treatment planning device, a radiation therapy system, a program, and a parameter confirmation method. [Background Art]

[0002] Non-Patent Document 1 describes a technique for guaranteeing and verifying that a large amount of electronic data in the entire process of radiation therapy, including a treatment planning process that is particularly prone to errors, is authentic as intended by a radiation oncologist, allows the radiation therapy system to operate as intended, and correctly completes dose administration to a patient. [Prior Art Documents] [Non-Patent Documents]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] Takeo Nakajima, 1. Notes on Radiation Therapy Planning Considered From Plan Checking, Journal of Japanese Society of Radiological Technology, 2022, Vol. 78, No. 4, pp. 401-411 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] In radiation therapy, after determining a prescription and treatment policy for each individual patient, a treatment plan is created, and radiation irradiation is performed over a plurality of days based on the treatment plan.

[0005] Here, since several days pass between the treatment planning stage and the actual irradiation day, the structure inside the body may change.

[0006] In adaptive radiotherapy (ART), a type of radiation therapy, treatment planning parameters are optimized according to acquired patient images. This allows the treatment plan to adapt to the patient's daily changes, resulting in less burdensome treatment. The modification or re-creation of the treatment plan may hereafter be referred to as replanning.

[0007] In adaptive therapy, specifically offline adaptive therapy (Offline-ART), patient images are reacquired, replanned, and the replanned treatment is evaluated between the planned irradiation days. In online adaptive therapy (Online-ART), patient images are acquired on the day while the patient is lying on the treatment table, and after determining whether replanning is necessary, the replanning is created and the plan is evaluated.

[0008] Regarding replanning, Non-Patent Document 1 describes the use of manual checklists and automated checks using the functions of treatment planning software to ensure consistency of parameters related to radiotherapy.

[0009] In radiation therapy, the operator confirms that the created treatment plan reflects the intended prescription and treatment strategy, that there are no deficiencies in the images used for the treatment plan, and that the parameters are within the constraints of the equipment before using the created treatment plan for treatment.

[0010] These checks can be performed by the operator by creating a checklist or similar document, as described in Non-Patent Document 1. Furthermore, image deficiencies and equipment limitations can be automatically checked using the functions of treatment planning software.

[0011] While common items in treatment plans can be automatically checked by software by pre-setting possible values, parameters related to prescriptions and treatment policies differ for each patient, making them unsuitable for automation with existing methods and requiring confirmation by the practitioner.

[0012] In conventional treatment planning, one treatment plan is created for each patient. However, in ART, multiple treatment plans are created, raising concerns that the increased number of treatment plan reviews will increase the burden on the operator.

[0013] The present invention aims to provide a parameter verification device, a treatment plan verification device, a treatment planning device, and a radiotherapy system, as well as a program and a parameter verification method, that can reduce the burden on the operator and the patient in radiotherapy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The present invention includes multiple means for solving the above problems, but to give one example, a parameter verification device that compares and verifies the parameters of a first treatment plan created using a first radiographic image of the target to be irradiated and the parameters of a second treatment plan created using a second radiographic image of the target to be irradiated after the creation of the first treatment plan but before the day of radiation irradiation, comprising: a storage unit that identifies and stores immutable parameters that must not change and changeable parameters that may change between the parameters of the first treatment plan and the parameters of the second treatment plan; and a comparison unit that compares at least one of the following from among a plurality of parameters stored in the storage unit: whether the immutable parameters match between the first treatment plan and the second treatment plan, and whether the amount of change of the changeable parameters is within a predetermined range. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, the burden on both the operator and the patient in radiation therapy can be reduced. Other issues, configurations, and effects will be clarified by the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This figure shows an overview of the configuration of the radiotherapy system according to the example. [Figure 2]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a parameter confirmation device in the radiation therapy system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of a parameter confirmation device in the radiation therapy system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of the configuration of a parameter confirmation device in the radiation therapy system according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of parameter confirmation results obtained by a parameter confirmation device in the radiation therapy system according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another example of a display screen of parameter confirmation results obtained by a parameter confirmation device in the radiation therapy system according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a workflow illustrating the processing flow of a parameter confirmation method according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Embodiments of the parameter confirmation device, treatment plan verification device, treatment planning device, radiation therapy system, program, and parameter confirmation method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 7. In the drawings used in the present specification, identical or corresponding components are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and repeated descriptions of these components may be omitted.

[0018] First, the overall configuration of a radiation therapy system including a parameter confirmation device will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the radiation therapy system.

[0019] The radiation therapy system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a radiation irradiation system 2 and a radiation therapy support system 3. The radiation therapy system 100 is interconnected with a radiation therapy information management system 1.

[0020] A radiation therapy information management system 1 manages treatment plan information and treatment result information received from a treatment planning system (not shown in the drawings) operated in hospitals and the like. This radiation therapy information management system 1 transmits the treatment plan information to a radiation irradiation system 2. Radiation therapy is normally performed divided into a plurality of sessions.

[0021] In the present embodiment, radiation therapy is performed divided over a plurality of treatment days. The treatment plan information is a set of patient information, device information required for treatment, dose information, and the like, and includes, for example, information such as the irradiation region, irradiation energy, irradiation angle, and number of irradiations of radiation to be irradiated to a patient A.

[0022] The radiation irradiation system 2 is a system that irradiates radiation based on treatment plan information from the radiation therapy information management system 1, and includes an irradiation device 21, a control device 22, and the like. The irradiation device 21 includes a treatment table 211 that supports a patient A, a radiation imaging device having a radiation generator 212 and a radiation detector 213 for imaging the patient A during treatment, and a therapeutic radiation irradiation device 214 having an irradiation nozzle 214A for irradiating the patient with therapeutic radiation.

[0023] The radiation irradiation system 2 of the present embodiment images the internal structure of the patient A fixed to the treatment table 211 using the radiation imaging device (the radiation generator 212 and the radiation detector 213) by an operation of an operator B. The treatment table 211 is moved with reference to the captured image to move the patient A to the planned position. Thereafter, therapeutic radiation is irradiated to the patient A from the irradiation nozzle 214A. A gantry 215 rotates the irradiation nozzle 214A around the patient, thereby adjusting the irradiation angle of the radiation from the irradiation nozzle 214A with respect to the patient A.

[0024] The radiation irradiated to the patient A is not particularly limited, may be a particle beam, or may be an electromagnetic wave such as an X-ray, and various types of radiation can be employed.

[0025] Here, before the start of treatment, when operator B inputs a command to create a treatment plan from the control panel, the treatment planning device 31, upon receiving the command, creates a treatment plan that includes the location of patient A and includes the irradiation of radiation. In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the treatment planning device 31, which constitutes the radiation therapy support system 3, creates the treatment plan, but another treatment planning device installed inside or outside the hospital may also receive the command and create the treatment plan.

[0026] This treatment plan may hereafter be referred to as the first treatment plan. The operator B (surgeon) who operates the treatment planning device 31 may be a physician performing radiation therapy, or a radiologic technologist, etc.

[0027] The treatment planning device 31 uses images of patient A taken by a radiographic imaging device or another imaging device at the hospital to understand the internal structure of the body and then creates a treatment plan, including the method of irradiating with therapeutic radiation. Using the created treatment plan, patient A is placed in the planned position and irradiated with radiation by the therapeutic radiation irradiation device 214, so that the planned dose is irradiated to the target of patient A, and the dose to surrounding organs is kept to the planned dose.

[0028] In the radiation therapy process, structural changes occur within the patient's body from the treatment planning stage to the final day of treatment, which spans multiple days.

[0029] In conventional treatment plans, where the initial treatment plan is used from the first day to the last day, structural changes are anticipated in advance. The plan is designed to irradiate a wider area than the target itself, so that even if structural changes occur, the desired dose will still be delivered to the target. This makes it possible to deliver the desired dose to the target even if irradiation is carried out according to the initial treatment plan until the last day of treatment.

[0030] On the other hand, if ART is performed by reassessing the structure of the patient's body and modifying or creating a new treatment plan accordingly, it becomes unnecessary to irradiate a wide area that anticipates structural changes, and the dose to surrounding organs can be further reduced.

[0031] ART includes Offline ART, which involves re-imaging and rescheduling patient images over several planned treatment days, and Online ART, which involves taking and rescheduling patient images on the day while the patient is lying on the treatment table.

[0032] This embodiment describes an example of online-ART, but it is not limited to treatment methods and may also be applied to offline-ART or other treatment methods.

[0033] In ART, it is desirable to quickly revise the treatment plan while patient A is lying on the treatment table 211. In this embodiment, we will explain using an example in which a second treatment plan is created by replanning using the radiotherapy support system 3 with images of patient A taken on the day by the radiography imaging device.

[0034] The second treatment plan is treatment plan information revised by the radiotherapy support system 3 using radiographic images of patient A acquired after the first treatment plan has been created and up to or during the day of treatment.

[0035] The radiographic images used to create the second treatment plan may be radiographic images of patient A taken up to the day on which radiation therapy is administered to patient A, or radiographic images of patient A placed on the treatment table 211 on the day of treatment.

[0036] The radiation therapy support system 3 includes a treatment planning device 31, a treatment plan verification device 32, a monitor 33, and the like.

[0037] The treatment planning device 31 replans based on the images of patient A on the day and the treatment plan created before the start of treatment, and creates a second treatment plan. Then, it transmits the second treatment plan to the treatment plan verification device 32. Operator B compares the second treatment plan transmitted to the treatment plan verification device 32 with the dose information of the first treatment plan created before the start of treatment, and selects the treatment plan to be used for treatment. In parallel with the replanning, treatment preparations such as moving the treatment table 211 and rotating the gantry 215 may be performed in the same way as in normal treatment.

[0038] In ART, the treatment plan and prescriptions are not changed between the initial and revised treatment plans, and therefore these are parameters that must not change (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "immutable parameters"). Also, in order to reduce treatment preparation work and time, some equipment settings such as gantry angle may not be changed between the initial and revised treatment plans, and may therefore be immutable parameters. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm that the values ​​of immutable parameters among the treatment plan parameters match between the initial plan and the second treatment plan.

[0039] Furthermore, parameters that can change without causing problems (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "variable parameters") include the radiation target itself and the dose distribution due to changes in the path within the body to the radiation target over time. However, such changes are not always acceptable, and there may be limits to the acceptable range. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm that the amount of change in variable parameters between the initial plan and the revised plan is within the acceptable range.

[0040] Figures 2 to 4 show an example of the configuration of the parameter verification device. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the treatment plan verification device 32, which verifies the dose distribution after replanning, is equipped with a parameter verification device 34 to support the verification of the treatment plan, such as the verification of parameters in the replanning.

[0041] The parameter verification device 34 does not necessarily have to be part of the treatment plan verification device 32, as shown in Figure 2. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the parameter verification device 34A may be provided by the treatment planning device 31A or the treatment planning system, or it may be an independent system connected to the treatment planning device 31 via a communication device 35B, as shown in Figure 4. It is not particularly limited.

[0042] The parameter verification device 34 is a device for comparing and verifying the parameters of the first treatment plan, which was created using the first radiographic image of the target to be irradiated, with the parameters of the second treatment plan, which was created using the second radiographic image of the target to be irradiated, which was taken after the first treatment plan was created but before the day of irradiation. As shown in Figure 2, it has a storage unit 341, a comparison unit 342, and a display unit 343. The parameter verification device 34A shown in Figure 3 and the parameter verification device 34B shown in Figure 4 have similar configurations, so details are omitted.

[0043] The memory unit 341 identifies and stores, between the parameters of the first treatment plan and the parameters of the second treatment plan, parameters that must not change and parameters that can change. For example, it stores the treatment plan-related files to be checked, the parameters to be checked, the method for checking the parameters, and the default values. The target treatment plan-related files are not particularly limited to files used to create treatment plans, and include treatment plan files that store radiation irradiation parameters, patient image files used for treatment planning, and organ contour information files on patient images. It also stores the check results from the comparison unit 342, which will be described later.

[0044] The non-variable parameters include at least one of the following: patient information, prescribed dose, dose constraints, treatment site, irradiation position, beam type, irradiation technique, and irradiation equipment settings including gantry angle. In contrast, the variable parameters include at least one of the following: CT value, contour shape, dose distribution, treatment beam spot information and control point information, and irradiation equipment settings including collimator position.

[0045] Furthermore, among the immutable parameters, irradiation equipment settings, including the gantry angle, are classified as variable parameters in treatment devices where the gantry is not exposed, such as X-ray therapy devices. Therefore, depending on the type of radiation used in treatment and the configuration of the irradiation system, immutable and variable parameters may differ and are not completely fixed.

[0046] These modifiable and immutable parameters may be fixed from the time of manufacture, or they may be changeable during subsequent operational phases. However, if they are modifiable, it is desirable to only allow changes from modifiable parameters to immutable parameters, and not to allow changes from immutable parameters to modifiable parameters.

[0047] Changes can be made by the operator or a service person from the system manufacturer, and it is desirable that they be made as needed based on the treatment policy of the person in charge of operation.

[0048] Based on the settings stored in the memory unit 341, the comparison unit 342 verifies, by comparing at least one of the following: whether the immutable parameters match between the first and second treatment plans, or whether the amount of change in the variable parameters from the first to the second treatment plan is within a predetermined range. Preferably, the comparison unit 342 is the entity that performs the comparison step or comparison process, which compares at least one of the following: whether the immutable parameters match between the first and second treatment plans, or whether the amount of change in the variable parameters is within a predetermined range.

[0049] The method for checking parameters is divided into two categories, depending on whether the parameter can change between the initial treatment plan and the revised plan, as will be explained in detail later by referring to Figure 7.

[0050] For immutable parameters, verification is performed by comparing them with the first treatment plan. For variable parameters, verification is performed by checking whether they are within the specified range or by comparing the parameters of the second treatment plan with the specified values. When verifying by comparison with set values, the acceptable values ​​are stored as set values. The default values ​​for parameters can be set as numbers or strings, depending on the type of parameter. Multiple default values ​​may be set, or a range of numbers may be set. In addition, even for immutable parameters, it may be possible to check whether the parameter is within the specified range.

[0051] The display unit 343 is the part that performs display control for displaying the comparison results output from the comparison unit 342, which are stored in the storage unit 341, on the monitor 33 or the like. The display method may be to display the results list as a table, or to display them in the form of a figure or graph. In the treatment planning device 31 or the treatment plan verification device 32, when displaying information related to the treatment plan on the monitor 33, the display area related to the confirmation result may be determined and displayed in the appropriate display area.

[0052] Next, we will explain display examples using Figures 5 and 6. Figures 5 and 6 show examples of display screens for parameter verification results by a parameter verification device.

[0053] The comparison unit 342 issues a mismatch warning to the display unit 343 when the non-changeable parameters do not match, and issues an out-of-specified-range warning to the display unit 343 when the amount of change in the changeable parameters is greater than the specified range. Upon receiving these mismatch warnings or out-of-specified-range warnings, the display unit 343 displays the mismatch warning on the display screen 330 of the monitor 33, or displays the out-of-specified-range warning on the display screen 330 of the monitor 33, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0054] As shown in Figure 5, the display screen 330 on the monitor 33 shows an unchangeable parameter information display area 331 that shows the "check result of whether or not the unchangeable parameter has changed" and a changeable parameter information display area 332 that shows the "check result of whether or not the amount of change of the changeable parameter is within the specified range".

[0055] The non-changeable parameter information display area 331 displays parameter names such as "Patient ID" and "Gantry Angle," alongside the parameter values ​​for the first treatment plan and the second treatment plan, allowing for comparison. Different values ​​can be highlighted or the text color changed to make them easier to understand.

[0056] The variable parameter information display area 332, like the non-variable parameter information display area 331, displays parameter names such as "control point" and "collimator position," along with a specified range (e.g., maximum and minimum values, or expected values) next to them, allowing users to confirm whether the amount of change is within the specified range. Similarly, if the amount of change is outside the specified range, it can be highlighted or the text color changed to make it easier to understand.

[0057] The display of comparison results is not limited to the form that displays only the comparison results, as shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 6, the display unit 343 can display mismatch warnings together with other information on the display screen 330A of the monitor 33, or it can display out-of-specified-range warnings together with other information on the display screen 330A of the monitor 33.

[0058] As shown in Figure 6, the display screen 330A shown on the monitor 33 displays the following areas: an irradiation target information display area 333A that displays information about the irradiation target such as the patient ID; a region of interest information display area 334A that displays information about important organs around the irradiation target; a various detailed information display area 335A that displays various information about the treatment plan and irradiation; an immutable parameter information display area 331A that displays the "check result of whether or not the immutable parameter has changed"; and a changeable parameter information display area 332A that displays the "check result of whether or not the amount of change in the changeable parameter is within the specified range".

[0059] Furthermore, when displaying this information together with other information, the non-changeable parameter information display area 331A and the changeable parameter information display area 332A may be combined into a single display area.

[0060] Furthermore, display screens 330 and 330A can show warning messages or pop-ups indicating that an immutable parameter has changed, or that the amount of change in a modifiable parameter is outside the specified range.

[0061] If a non-changeable parameter displayed in an area other than the parameter display area is changing, or if the amount of change for a changeable parameter is outside the specified value, the parameter can be highlighted or its text color changed to make it easier to understand.

[0062] The timing of displaying the verification results of the dose distribution and the parameter verification results on display screens 330 and 330A in these revised plans is such that the parameter verification results can be displayed while the dose distribution calculation is being processed in parallel, and then the dose distribution verification results can be displayed afterward. However, this is not limited to this, and the calculation of the dose distribution can be started simultaneously, or after the parameter verification results have been determined to be satisfactory.

[0063] Next, an example of the flow of the parameter verification device in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 7. Figure 7 is a workflow showing the processing flow of the parameter verification method.

[0064] First, once operator B confirms that patient A is secured on the treatment table 211, operator B inputs instructions to the input unit to execute the replanning procedure.

[0065] Upon receiving instructions from the input unit, the treatment planning device 31 acquires patient image information for the day from the control device 22. Based on the acquired patient images and the treatment plan (first treatment plan) created before the start of treatment, the treatment planning device 31 creates a second treatment plan (step S0).

[0066] Next, when the treatment plan verification device 32 obtains the second treatment plan created by the treatment planning device 31, the parameter verification device 34 reads the setting file for parameter verification stored in the memory unit 341 (step S1). The parameter verification device 34 reads the second treatment plan and obtains the values ​​of the parameters to be verified (step S2).

[0067] The comparison unit 342 checks whether the parameter obtained from the configuration file is an immutable parameter or an adjustable parameter (step S3).

[0068] If the parameter is determined to be immutable in step S3, the comparison unit 342 checks whether the parameter value matches between the first treatment plan and the second treatment plan (step S41). If the parameter values ​​match, the storage unit 341 stores the determination result (step S42). If they do not match, the storage unit 341 stores the determination result (step S43).

[0069] If the parameter is determined to be variable in step S3, the comparison unit 342 checks whether the parameter value is within the range of a specified value (step S51). If the parameter value is determined to be within the range of a specified value, the storage unit 341 stores the determination result (step S52). If it is determined to be outside the range of a specified value, the storage unit 341 stores the determination result (step S53). In addition to the determination result, the storage unit 341 may also store the parameter values ​​of the first treatment plan and the second treatment plan.

[0070] The comparison unit 342 of the parameter verification device 34 determines whether or not the verification of all target parameters has been completed (step S6). If it is determined that there are unverified parameters, the comparison unit 342 obtains the value of the next unverified parameter (step S7). If it is determined that the verification of all target parameters has been completed, the parameter verification is terminated (step S8).

[0071] The display unit 343 of the parameter verification device 34 displays the determination result of the target parameter on the monitor 33 (step S9).

[0072] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0073] The parameter verification device 34 of the above-described embodiment is a device that compares and verifies the parameters of a first treatment plan created using a first radiographic image of the target to be irradiated, and the parameters of a second treatment plan created using a second radiographic image of the target to be irradiated after the first treatment plan has been created but before the day of radiation irradiation. The device comprises a storage unit 341 that identifies and stores immutable parameters that must not change and variable parameters that may change between the parameters of the first treatment plan and the parameters of the second treatment plan, and a comparison unit 342 that compares at least one of the following from among a plurality of parameters stored in the storage unit 341: whether the immutable parameters match between the first treatment plan and the second treatment plan, and whether the amount of change in the variable parameters is within a predetermined range.

[0074] In radiation therapy, it is necessary to verify the soundness and validity of the treatment plan, such as whether it conforms to the treatment policy, from the time the treatment plan is created until it is delivered to the patient. This configuration automates the verification of the soundness and validity of the plan, thereby reducing the burden on both the operator and the patient.

[0075] Furthermore, in conventional radiation therapy, irradiation is not performed immediately after the treatment plan is created, allowing sufficient time to confirm the treatment plan. However, in Online-ART, the treatment plan is created while the patient is lying on the treatment table, so it is necessary to confirm the treatment plan quickly. If confirmation is delayed, the treatment time increases, and the burden on the patient increases as they have to maintain their position during treatment. However, with this configuration, the treatment time can be shortened, and the burden on the patient can be reduced.

[0076] Furthermore, with ART, the treatment plan is redesigned without changing the treatment site or objective. In addition, with Online-ART, the time required for repeated setup and equipment configuration can be reduced by redesigning without changing parameters related to setup and equipment settings from the initial plan. However, this requires confirmation that the parameters have not changed from the initial treatment plan, in addition to the confirmations made during general radiotherapy. With existing technologies, it was difficult to confirm the consistency between the aforementioned treatment plans, but this configuration makes it possible to confirm consistency, enabling Online-ART to be implemented without increasing the burden on the operator due to setup and equipment configuration.

[0077] Furthermore, the comparison unit 342 outputs the comparison results of immutable and mutable parameters, and the display unit 343 further includes a display unit 343 that displays the comparison results output from the comparison unit 342 on the monitor 33. As a result, the operator can see the results of the comparison at a glance, thus reducing their burden.

[0078] Furthermore, the comparison unit 342 issues a mismatch warning to the display unit 343 when the non-changeable parameters do not match, and an out-of-specified-range warning to the display unit 343 when the amount of change in the changeable parameters is greater than the specified range, allowing the operator to grasp the comparison results in a more easily understandable way.

[0079] Furthermore, the display unit 343 displays mismatch warnings together with other information on the display screen 330A of the monitor 33, and displays out-of-specified-range warnings together with other information on the display screen 330A of the monitor 33. By appropriately selecting the same display unit as the treatment plan information associated with the parameters and outputting the parameter confirmation results, the operator can confirm the validity of the treatment plan results and the soundness of the parameters at the same time, thereby shortening treatment time and enabling treatment with less burden on the operator.

[0080] <Other> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and applications are possible. The embodiments described above are explained in detail for the purpose of clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described.

[0081] The embodiments of the present invention may also be as follows.

[0082] (1) A parameter verification device for comparing and confirming the parameters of a first treatment plan created using a first radiographic image of the target to be irradiated, and the parameters of a second treatment plan created using a second radiographic image of the target to be irradiated after the creation of the first treatment plan but before the day of irradiation, comprising: a storage unit that identifies and stores immutable parameters that must not change and changeable parameters that may change between the parameters of the first treatment plan and the parameters of the second treatment plan; and a comparison unit that compares at least one of the following from among a plurality of parameters stored in the storage unit: whether the immutable parameters match between the first treatment plan and the second treatment plan, and whether the amount of change of the changeable parameters is within a predetermined range.

[0083] (2) In the parameter verification device described in (1), the comparison unit further comprises a display unit that outputs the comparison results of the immutable parameters and the changeable parameters, and displays the comparison results output from the comparison unit on a display device.

[0084] (3) In the parameter verification device described in (1) or (2), the comparison unit issues a mismatch warning to the display unit when the non-changeable parameters do not match.

[0085] (4) In the parameter verification device described in (3), the display unit displays the mismatch warning together with other information on the display screen of the display device.

[0086] (5) In the parameter verification device described in any of (2) to (4), the comparison unit issues an out-of-specified-range warning to the display unit when the amount of change of the changeable parameter is greater than the specified range.

[0087] (6)(5) In the parameter verification device described above, the display unit displays the out-of-specified-range warning together with other information on the display screen of the display device.

[0088] (7) In the parameter confirmation device described in any of (1) to (6), the non-changeable parameter includes at least one of the following: patient information, prescribed dose, dose constraint, treatment site, irradiation position, radiation type, irradiation technique, and irradiation equipment setting value including gantry angle.

[0089] (8) In the parameter verification device described in any of (1) to (7), the changeable parameter includes at least one of the following: CT value, contour shape, dose distribution, spot information and control point information of the treatment beam, and irradiation equipment setting values ​​including collimator position. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 1…Radiation Therapy Information Management System 2…Radiation irradiation system 3…Radiation therapy support system 21…Irradiation device 22...Control device 31,31A…Treatment planning device 32…Treatment plan verification device 33…Monitor 34, 34A, 34B... Parameter verification device 35B…Communication device 100…Radiation therapy system 211…Treatment table 212... Radiation Generator 213...Radiation detection device 214…therapeutic radiation irradiation device 214A... Irradiation nozzle 215...Gantry 330,330A…display screen 331,331A…Display area for non-changeable parameter information 332,332A… Display area for changeable parameter information 333A…Irradiation target information display area 334A… Area for displaying information on the region of interest 335A... Detailed information display area 341...Storage section 342...Comparison section 343...Display section

Claims

1. A parameter verification device that compares and verifies the parameters of a first treatment plan created using a first radiographic image of the target to be irradiated, and the parameters of a second treatment plan created using a second radiographic image of the target to be irradiated after the creation of the first treatment plan but before the day of irradiation. A storage unit that identifies and stores, between the parameters of the first treatment plan and the parameters of the second treatment plan, parameters that must not be changed and parameters that can be changed, The system includes a comparison unit that compares, among a plurality of parameters stored in the memory unit, whether the immutable parameter matches between the first treatment plan and the second treatment plan, and whether the amount of change in the changeable parameter is within a predetermined range, at least one of these two conditions. Parameter verification device.

2. In the parameter verification device according to claim 1, The comparison unit outputs the comparison results of the immutable parameters and the changeable parameters. The system further includes a display unit that displays the comparison results output from the comparison unit on a display device. Parameter verification device.

3. In the parameter verification device according to claim 2, The comparison unit issues a mismatch warning to the display unit if the non-changeable parameters do not match. Parameter verification device.

4. In the parameter verification device according to claim 3, The display unit displays the mismatch warning together with other information on the display screen of the display device. Parameter verification device.

5. In the parameter verification device according to claim 2, The comparison unit issues a warning to the display unit if the amount of change of the variable parameter is greater than the specified range. Parameter verification device.

6. In the parameter verification device according to claim 5, The display unit displays the out-of-specified-range warning together with other information on the display screen of the display device. Parameter verification device.

7. In the parameter verification device according to claim 1, The aforementioned immutable parameters include at least one of the following: patient information, prescribed dose, dose constraints, treatment site, irradiation position, radiation type, irradiation technique, and irradiation device settings including gantry angle. Parameter verification device.

8. In the parameter verification device according to claim 1, The variable parameters include at least one of the following: CT value, contour shape, dose distribution, spot information and control point information of the treatment beam, and irradiation equipment setting values ​​including collimator position. Parameter verification device.

9. A treatment plan verification device comprising a parameter verification device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A treatment planning device comprising a parameter confirmation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. A radiotherapy system comprising a parameter verification device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. A program for comparing and verifying the parameters of a first treatment plan created using first radiographic images of the target to be irradiated, and the parameters of a second treatment plan created using second radiographic images of the target to be irradiated after the creation of the first treatment plan but before the day of irradiation. An identification step to identify between the parameters of the first treatment plan and the parameters of the second treatment plan, which parameters must not be changed and which parameters may be changed; The parameter verification device is instructed to perform a comparison step that compares at least one of the following: whether the non-changeable parameter matches between the first treatment plan and the second treatment plan, or whether the amount of change in the changeable parameter is within a predetermined range. program.

13. A method for operating a parameter confirmation device, wherein the comparison unit of the parameter confirmation device compares and confirms the parameters of a first treatment plan created using a first radiographic image of the target to be irradiated, and the parameters of a second treatment plan created using a second radiographic image of the target to be irradiated after the creation of the first treatment plan but before the day of irradiation, The comparison step includes a comparison unit that compares at least one of the following: whether the immutable parameters that must not change between the parameters of the first treatment plan and the parameters of the second treatment plan are the same in the first treatment plan and the second treatment plan; or whether the amount of change in the variable parameters that may change between the parameters of the first treatment plan and the parameters of the second treatment plan is within a predetermined range. How to operate the parameter verification device.

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