Device for radiological diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device for radiological diagnosis and treatment. The device for radiological diagnosis and treatment, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, comprises: a body unit; a gantry capable of rotating with respect to the body unit; a treatment table on which a subject is placed; a radiation unit mounted on the gantry and configured to irradiate the subject; an image detector disposed facing the radiation unit with the treatment table interposed therebetween and configured to detect the radiation emitted from the radiation unit; and a control device. The radiation unit includes a multi-leaf collimator for adjusting the distribution of a radiation beam by means of a plurality of shielding leaves. In addition, the control device obtains a CT image by controlling the multi-leaf collimator to emit radiation in a line and controlling the gantry such that the radiation unit rotates around the subject on the treatment table.

Description

Radiation diagnostic and therapeutic devices

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a radiation diagnostic and therapeutic device.

[0002] This disclosure is derived as a result of research conducted under the Startup Growth Technology Development (R&D) project funded by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and supported by the Korea Institute of Technology Information Promotion for SMEs [Project No. 2420005915, Project No. 00467307].

[0003] Radiological diagnostic devices for disease diagnosis and radiation therapy devices for disease treatment are widely used. Prior to radiation therapy, simulation and treatment planning processes are required, and these processes are performed based on CT or X-ray images from the diagnostic devices.

[0004] Radiation diagnostic devices for disease diagnosis and radiation simulation therapy and radiation therapy devices for actual treatment are provided separately, which can lead to various disadvantages.

[0005] For example, this may result in cost and spatial disadvantages. Since both diagnostic and radiation therapy devices emit radiation harmful to the human body, shielding facilities must be installed at their installation sites; however, if these devices are provided separately, such shielding must be installed in duplicate. This not only increases installation costs but also requires a large amount of space, making it difficult for small hospitals or veterinary clinics to operate both devices together.

[0006] As another example, it may be difficult to perform radiation therapy immediately following a diagnosis via radiography. If the diagnostic radiation device and the radiation therapy device are separated, one-stop medical care, where both radiography and treatment are performed on a single device, becomes fundamentally impossible.

[0007] To solve these problems, the applicant has developed a device capable of performing radiation imaging and treatment with a single device (see Patent Document 1).

[0008] Meanwhile, for accurate diagnosis and simulated treatment, three-dimensional image information must be obtained through CT scanning. Accordingly, the applicant has developed a device structured to perform radiation diagnosis and treatment with a single device, and furthermore, to acquire CT images.

[0009] [Prior Art Literature]

[0010] [Patent Literature]

[0011] Registered Patent Publication No. 10-2174488 (October 29, 2020)

[0012] The present disclosure aims to provide a device capable of performing both radiation diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, the present disclosure aims to provide a radiation diagnosis and treatment device capable of acquiring CT images.

[0013] Representative configurations of the present disclosure for achieving the above objectives are as follows.

[0014] A radiation diagnosis and treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a body unit, a gantry configured to be rotatable with respect to the body unit, a treatment table configured to place a target on, a radiation irradiation unit mounted on the gantry and configured to irradiate radiation onto the target, an image detector positioned opposite the radiation irradiation unit with the treatment table in between and configured to detect radiation irradiated from the radiation irradiation unit, and a control device. Herein, the radiation irradiation unit includes a multi-leaf collimator that controls the radiation dose distribution through a plurality of shielding lobes. Additionally, the control device is configured to acquire a CT image by controlling the multi-leaf collimator to irradiate radiation linearly and controlling the gantry so that the radiation irradiation unit rotates around the target on the treatment table.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of shielding lobes of a multi-leaf collimator may be configured to be rotatable about the direction of radiation irradiation as an axis.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of shielding lobes of a multi-leaf collimator may be arranged in a direction parallel to the rotational direction of the gantry.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the radiation irradiation unit may further include a single radiation source that generates radiation, a primary collimator that shields radiation generated from the radiation source and determines a beam dispersion angle, and a variable filter unit that controls the intensity of radiation from the primary collimator.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the variable filter unit includes a plurality of rotatable filters and may be configured so that different types of filters are selected during radiation diagnosis and radiation therapy.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control device includes a treatment planning system, and the treatment planning system may be configured to calculate the direction, shape, and dose of radiation for radiation irradiation to a target through image data acquired during radiation diagnosis.

[0020] In addition, the radiation diagnostic and therapeutic device according to the present disclosure may further include other additional configurations to the extent that it does not impair the technical concept of the present disclosure.

[0021] According to the present disclosure, both radiation diagnosis and treatment can be performed with a single device. Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, CT images for diagnosis and simulated treatment can be acquired with a single radiation diagnosis and treatment device.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a radiation diagnosis and treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of a radiation diagnostic and therapeutic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the internal structure of a radiation irradiation unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a primary collimator and a secondary collimator of a radiation diagnostic and therapeutic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a filter section of a radiation diagnosis and treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the jaw of a radiation diagnostic and therapeutic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a multi-leaf collimator of a radiation diagnostic and therapeutic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing the open state of a multi-leaf collimator of a radiation diagnostic and therapeutic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing the state in which a multi-leaf collimator for acquiring CT images according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is operated.

[0031] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating the process of acquiring a CT image of a radiation diagnostic and therapeutic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] [Explanation of the symbol]

[0033] 10: Shielding box

[0034] 100: Radiation diagnostic and therapeutic devices

[0035] 110: Body Unit 120: Gantry

[0036] 130: Treatment Table 140: Gantry Drive Unit

[0037] 150: Radiation irradiation unit 160: Image detector

[0038] 170: Beam Stopper

[0039] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them.

[0040] Expressions such as “comprising,” “comprising,” “having,” etc. as used in this specification should be understood as open-ended terms implying the possibility of including other embodiments unless otherwise stated in the phrase or sentence containing such expressions.

[0041] To clearly explain the present disclosure, descriptions of parts unrelated to the present disclosure have been omitted, and even if descriptions of specific components are omitted in the following description, this is not intended to imply that such components are not included in the corresponding embodiments.

[0042] Accordingly, the detailed description below is not intended to be limiting, and the scope of the disclosure should be understood to encompass the scope claimed by the claims and all equivalents thereof.

[0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a radiation diagnosis and treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the radiation diagnosis and treatment device includes a shielding box (10), and radiation diagnosis and radiation treatment can be performed inside the shielding box (10). The shielding box (10) may be made of a shieldable material such as lead glass. Additionally, a door (11) may be formed on at least one side of the shielding box (10) to allow a patient and a worker to enter and exit the interior. Meanwhile, a status indicator light (12) may be formed on at least one side of the shielding box (10). The status indicator light (12) performs the function of indicating the status of radiation diagnosis and radiation treatment inside.

[0044] A radiation diagnosis and treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be a device for radiation diagnosis and treatment of small pet animals such as dogs and cats. As described below, the radiation diagnosis and treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to enable radiation diagnosis and treatment through a single radiation source, and is manufactured in a compact size so that it can be shielded through a shielding box (10), so that it can be used even in animal hospitals where it is difficult to provide separate shielding facilities.

[0045] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a radiation diagnosis and treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 2, the radiation diagnostic and treatment device (100) includes a body unit (110), a gantry (120), a treatment table (130), a gantry driving unit (140), a radiation irradiation unit (150), an image detector (160), and a beam stopper (170).

[0047] The body unit (110) of the radiation diagnostic and treatment device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is, as the component name suggests, the body, that is, the frame, of the radiation diagnostic and treatment device (100). That is, the body unit (110) performs the function of the frame of the entire device and the function of a frame on which various driving parts are mounted.

[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a support plate may be formed at the bottom of the body unit (110). A plurality of wheels may be formed at the bottom of the support plate. A radiation diagnostic and treatment device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to be movable with the help of these wheels.

[0049] A gantry (120) of a radiation diagnostic and treatment device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is disposed on one side of a body unit (110) and may be coupled to the body unit (110) in a rotatable state. In one embodiment, the gantry (120) may be configured to be rotatable by being driven by a gantry drive unit (140). In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the gantry drive unit (140) is implemented as an electric motor that transmits rotational driving force to the gantry (120); however, the structure of the gantry drive unit (140) is not limited to this structure, and any driving method that enables rotation of the gantry (120) relative to the body unit (110) is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0050] The gantry (120) performs the function of a frame that serves as a base for mounting a radiation irradiation unit (150) that emits radiation to a target during radiation diagnosis or radiation therapy, an image detector (160) that detects radiation emitted from the gantry and penetrating the target, and a beam stopper (170) that prevents the radiation from advancing further. When the gantry (120) rotates according to the operation of the gantry drive unit (140), the radiation irradiation unit (150), image detector (160), and beam stopper (170) mounted on the gantry (120) also rotate. The rotation of the gantry (120) and the radiation irradiation unit (150), image detector (160), and beam stopper (170) mounted thereon is performed to irradiate radiation at an optimal position relative to the target.

[0051] A treatment table (130) of a radiation diagnosis and treatment device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure performs the function of allowing a target subject to radiation diagnosis or treatment to be positioned on one surface so that the target subject can be fixed during radiation diagnosis or treatment. In one embodiment, the treatment table (130) may be configured to be able to move into and out of the space between the radiation irradiation unit (150) and the image detector (160) described above. Referring to FIG. 2, the treatment table (130) may be configured to slide from a position far from the gantry (120) and move into the space between the radiation irradiation unit (150) and the image detector (160).

[0052] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one side of the treatment table (130) may be provided with a driving device that enables the treatment table (130) to move vertically upward or downward. By operating such a driving device, the treatment table (130) may be moved upward or downward. This vertical movement of the treatment table (130) is intended for setting the optimal position of the subject during radiation diagnosis or treatment.

[0053] Radiation diagnosis or treatment can be performed at an optimal position by rotating the gantry (120) and sliding and vertically moving the treatment table (130), and the driving control of all movable components can be performed by the control device described later.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a rotating table may be provided at the end of the treatment table (130). Such a rotating table is particularly advantageous when the subject is a small animal. When a small animal, such as a cat, a mouse, or a small dog, is positioned as the subject on the rotating table, it can be rotated at a specific angle even after the setting is performed. Rotation of the subject by the rotating table is advantageous for assuming an optimal position during diagnosis or treatment by radiation.

[0055] It is preferable that the subject placed on the treatment table (130) be fixed in position by an unillustrated fixation body. If the subject placed on the treatment table (130) is an animal rather than a human, the need for position fixation by a fixation body increases. Such a fixation body can be formed of a material that is flexible and deformable in response to the subject and does not interfere with radiation. Such a fixation body minimizes the movement of the subject and fixes the subject's position and posture during radiation diagnosis and treatment. More specifically, if the subject is an animal, a different type of fixation device must be used depending on physical characteristics different from those of a human. For example, since the animal is fixed while wearing an anesthetic mask, it is preferable that the structure of the fixation body be selected with this in mind.

[0056] A compensator (not shown) may be included in a radiation diagnostic and therapeutic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure as a component that makes the dose distribution more suitable for the diagnosis and treatment of a fixed object. Such a compensator may be attached to the aforementioned fixture or to the head of the therapeutic device. The compensator performs the function of weakening the intensity of radiation by interposing a thick material in the middle when radiation is radiated to the object. Depending on the shape of the compensator, the dose distribution radiated to the object can be implemented as desired.

[0057] A laser (not shown) for setting up an object may be included in a radiation diagnostic and treatment device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. This laser may be located in the main body of the radiation diagnostic and treatment device (100), and additionally may be installed on the wall of a shielding box as described above. For example, three lasers may be arranged, one on the top surface and one on the left and right sides, and each laser may be in the shape of a crosshair. Through this laser, when positioning an object on a treatment table (130), the laser may be matched with a mark marked on the object or fixture in three directions, thereby allowing the object to be positioned in an accurate position and orientation.

[0058] A real-time radiation dose measuring device (not shown) may be mounted on at least one side of a radiation diagnosis and treatment device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, a device capable of measuring and converting temperature and humidity into data may be additionally provided in addition to the radiation dose measuring device. By utilizing these devices, data on the dose accumulated over one month or one year can be obtained. In addition to the real-time dose measuring device described above, a device that triggers an automatic alarm and a measure to stop radiation irradiation when the dose exceeds a preset maximum value may also be optionally installed.

[0059] An image detector (160) of a radiation diagnostic and treatment device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure performs the function of detecting radiation that has penetrated an object when the radiation diagnostic and treatment device (100) is used for radiation diagnostic purposes, and transmitting the result to a control device. Software installed in the control device can visualize the signal of the image detector (160). In one embodiment, the image detector (160) is mounted at a position facing the radiation irradiation unit (150) with the treatment table (130) in between, so as to detect radiation that has penetrated the object irradiated from the radiation irradiation unit (150).

[0060] A beam stopper (170) of a radiation diagnostic and treatment device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure performs the function of preventing radiation from proceeding further. In one embodiment, the beam stopper (170) may be positioned at the bottom of an image detector (160), that is, on the opposite side of the radiation irradiation unit (150) relative to the image detector (160).

[0061] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the internal structure of a radiation irradiation unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 3, the radiation irradiation unit (150) may include a radiation source (151), a primary collimator (152), a filter unit (153), a secondary collimator (154), and a group (155).

[0063] A radiation source (151) of a radiation irradiation unit (150) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure performs the function of generating radiation necessary for radiation diagnosis or radiation therapy. According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the radiation irradiation unit (150) includes a single radiation source (151). That is, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is implemented so that both radiation diagnosis and radiation therapy are possible with a single radiation source (151).

[0064] A primary collimator (152) of a radiation irradiation unit (150) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure shields a portion of the outer edge of the radiation generated from a radiation source (151) and performs the function of determining the dispersion angle of a radiation beam irradiated to a filter unit (153) placed downstream of the radiation beam path.

[0065] A secondary collimator (154) of a radiation irradiation unit (150) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure performs the function of shielding a portion of the outer edge of the radiation that has passed through the filter unit (153) to limit the shape of the area where the radiation beam is irradiated.

[0066] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a primary collimator and a secondary collimator of a radiation diagnostic and therapeutic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4(a), a circular through-hole is formed at the center of the primary collimator (152) to determine the dispersion angle of the beam irradiated to the filter section (153). Additionally, referring to FIG. 4(b), a through-hole of a predetermined shape is formed at the center of the secondary collimator (154) to limit the irradiation area of ​​the radiation beam. In the illustrated embodiment, the through-hole of the secondary collimator (154) may be formed in a rectangular shape so that the radiation beam can be irradiated in a rectangular shape.

[0067] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a filter section of a radiation diagnostic and therapeutic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. A filter section (153) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure performs the function of controlling radiation intensity by allowing only a portion of the radiation that has passed through a primary collimator (152) to pass through. Referring to FIG. 5, the filter section (153) may be configured as a so-called variable filter in which the arrangement of a plurality of filters (1531, 1532, 1533) included therein can be changed for controlling radiation intensity as described above.

[0068] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the filter unit (153) may be configured to be rotatable. The filter unit (153) is equipped with a plurality of filters (1531, 1532, 1533), and any one of the plurality of filters (1531, 1532, 1533) may be selected by the rotation described above. The individual filters of the filter unit (153) can reduce the intensity of radiation entering the filter unit (153) to a predetermined intensity, and the target reduction value may be configured differently for each filter. For example, when the radiation diagnostic and treatment device (100) according to the present disclosure is used for radiation diagnostic purposes, a filter capable of converting the energy of radiation generated from a radiation source (151) into low energy suitable for diagnostic purposes is selected and used, and when the radiation diagnostic and treatment device (100) according to the present disclosure is used for radiation treatment purposes, a filter capable of converting the energy of radiation generated from a radiation source (151) into high energy suitable for diagnostic purposes rather than the energy suitable for diagnostic purposes described above may be selected and used.

[0069] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a jaw of a radiation diagnostic and therapeutic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The jaw (155) is configured to be movable in one direction to control the shape of a radiation beam, for example, to form a rectangular beam. Referring to FIG. 6, the jaw (155) may include a pair of shielding membranes (1551, 1552) and actuators (1553, 1554) for moving them in one direction.

[0070] Meanwhile, the radiation irradiation unit (150) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a multi-leaf collimator located at the end of the radiation irradiation direction.

[0071] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a multi-leaf collimator of a radiation diagnostic and therapeutic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an open state of a multi-leaf collimator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0072] A multi-leaf collimator (156) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is located at the end of a radiation irradiation unit (150) and performs the function of controlling the radiation dose distribution. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the multi-leaf collimator (156) may include a plurality of shielding lobes (1561, 1562) arranged facing each other. Each shielding lobe (1561, 1562) may move independently and may be controlled by a control device described later. Referring to FIG. 8 (a), when all shielding lobes (1561, 1562) are open, radiation can be irradiated to the target (S) in its entirety, thereby enabling general radiation diagnosis. On the other hand, referring to FIG. 8(b), each shielding leaf is opened only for the area corresponding to the affected part (W) of the subject (S), and the remaining part is shielded, thereby allowing radiation to be irradiated only to the affected part (W) of the subject (S) in a limited manner. Accordingly, high-energy radiation generated during radiation therapy can be prevented from being irradiated to areas other than the affected part (W). In this way, the shape of the area where radiation is irradiated can be determined through the control of the multi-leaf collimator (156), and through this, radiation diagnosis and radiation therapy can be performed.

[0073] As described above, a fixed primary irradiation area of ​​radiation is determined by a primary collimator (152) and a secondary collimator (154), the shape of the radiation beam can be controlled by a band (155), and the shape of the final radiation irradiation area can be determined by a multi-leaf collimator (156). A radiation diagnostic and therapeutic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can efficiently control the radiation irradiation range through this configuration and prevent radiation from being irradiated to unnecessary parts of the target body.

[0074] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a radiation diagnostic and treatment device (100) may be configured to acquire CT images using a multi-leaf collimator (156).

[0075] In order to acquire images of each layer constituting a CT image, linear radiation needs to be irradiated onto the object. To this end, a multi-leaf collimator (156) of a radiation diagnostic and treatment device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can be controlled by a control device to irradiate radiation linearly. Specifically, the control device can control one or more shielding leaves of the multi-leaf collimator (156) to be open and the remaining shielding leaves to be shielded.

[0076] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which a multi-leaf collimator is operated to acquire a CT image according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 9 (a), one pair of shielding lobes (1561, 1562) of the multi-leaf collimator (156) can be opened and the remaining shielding lobes can be shielded to form a linear open region (G).

[0077] Meanwhile, the multi-leaf collimator (156) can be configured to rotate horizontally, so that the shielding leaves (1561, 1562) can rotate about the direction of radiation irradiation as an axis. Accordingly, the direction of the linear open area (G) for the target (S) can be adjusted. FIG. 9 (b) shows the multi-leaf collimator (156) rotated so that the linear open area (G) is in the vertical direction for the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 (a).

[0078] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of acquiring a CT image of a radiation diagnostic and therapeutic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 10(a), the gantry (120) can be controlled so that the radiation irradiation unit (150) rotates around the object. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10(b), radiation is irradiated linearly onto the object (S) by passing through a linear open area (G) formed by a multi-leaf collimator (156), and a cross-sectional image of the object (S) can be acquired from the radiation detected by the image detector (160). In addition, a CT image of the object (S) can be acquired through the cross-sectional image acquired as above.

[0079] Thus, in a radiation diagnosis and treatment device (100) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a CT image can be acquired using a multi-leaf collimator (156), and at this time, by controlling the multi-leaf collimator (156) so that only specific parts of the object are exposed to radiation, the radiation exposure of the object can be minimized.

[0080] Meanwhile, the radiation irradiation unit (150) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an ion chamber (not shown). The ion chamber performs the function of monitoring the radiation dose that has passed through the filter unit (153) in real time. Feedback control of radiation irradiation is possible with such an ion chamber. In one embodiment, the monitoring result of the ion chamber may be connected to a control device.

[0081] The radiation diagnosis and treatment device (100) according to the present disclosure is used for both radiation diagnosis and radiation therapy purposes. Since the energy of radiation generated from a single radiation source is converted by the filter unit (153) as described above for each purpose, it is important to monitor whether the energy level conversion result is being carried out to a desired degree. The control device obtains the monitoring results of the ion chamber and checks in real time whether the radiation dose value meets the intended purpose. If the radiation dose is insufficient, it can control the filter unit (153) to irradiate radiation of a higher energy level. If the radiation dose value is excessive in light of the intended purpose, it can control the filter unit (153) to lower the energy level of the radiation or control the radiation source (151) to stop the emission of radiation.

[0082] In the above-described embodiment, the radiation irradiation unit (150) is mounted on the gantry (120) and is described as rotating together with the rotation of the gantry (120) by the gantry drive unit (140). However, as a variation of the present disclosure, at least some components of the radiation irradiation unit (150) may be implemented so as not to rotate. For example, among the radiation irradiation unit (150) of the present disclosure, such as the radiation source (151), may be positioned in a suitable place on the body unit (110) so as not to rotate. Radiation generated from the radiation source (151) may be transmitted to a primary collimator (152), a filter unit (153), a secondary collimator (154), a jaw (155), and a multi-leaf collimator (156), etc., as is known. It should be understood that embodiments in which more components constituting the radiation irradiation unit (150) are not placed on the rotating gantry (120) are also included in the scope of the present disclosure.

[0083] All components of the above-described radiation diagnostic and treatment device (100) can be controlled by a control device (not shown). The functions of the control device in terms of controlling the device are summarized as follows.

[0084] First, the control device can control the movement of all movable components. The control device can control the up-and-down movement and sliding movement of the treatment table (130) and the rotation of the gantry (120) so that radiation diagnosis or radiation therapy can be performed at an optimal position.

[0085] In addition, the control device receives information regarding the radiation dose value monitored in real time from the ion chamber and controls the filter unit (153), etc., so that radiation of a desired energy level can be delivered to the target, and if it is determined that there is a risk to the target when considering the energy level, the entire device or radiation generation configuration may be stopped urgently.

[0086] Additionally, the control device may include software that receives data detected from the image detector (160) and constructs an image that is easy for a medical professional planning treatment to interpret.

[0087] A radiation diagnosis and treatment device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to establish a treatment plan simultaneously with radiation diagnosis and to perform radiation treatment without delay based thereon. To this end, the control device may include a treatment planning system. By including the treatment planning system within the control device, the optimized direction, shape, and dose of radiation for radiation irradiation to a target can be calculated using image data acquired during radiation diagnosis. This information calculated by the treatment planning system can be used immediately in the radiation treatment process after undergoing a verification process by a medical professional. Treatment and image data transmitted to the control device can be shared or distributed in the form of big data via the Internet after undergoing appropriate encryption and / or anonymization means. Accumulated data regarding radiation treatment serves as valuable reference material for safer and more effective future treatments and may possess significant economic value in itself.

[0088] The primary feature of the radiation diagnosis and treatment device (100) according to the present disclosure is that it can perform both radiation diagnosis and radiation therapy, including CT image acquisition, and the secondary feature is that it can perform both radiation diagnosis and radiation therapy while using a single radiation source.

[0089] The basis upon which these features can be manifested may be provided by the characteristic radiation irradiation unit (150) of the present disclosure. There is a difference in the energy levels of radiation for radiation diagnosis and radiation therapy. The energy level for radiation diagnosis can be approximately 10 to 100 kV. The energy level for radiation therapy can be approximately 100 to 300 kV. Currently, generalized radiation diagnostic and radiation therapy devices use sources to generate radiation at energy levels suitable for their respective purposes. On the other hand, since the device according to the present disclosure must perform both radiation diagnosis and radiation therapy, it employs a radiation source (151) capable of generating radiation with an energy level suitable for radiation therapy. In addition, the energy of the radiation generated from the radiation source (151) is converted into energy suitable for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes by the filter unit (153) described above, and the shape of the radiation irradiation area is determined by the primary collimator (152), secondary collimator (154), jaw (155), and multi-leaf collimator (156) described above, so that radiation can be controlled to be irradiated only to the necessary parts and radiation can be prevented to be irradiated to unnecessary parts of the object. Furthermore, by controlling the multi-leaf collimator (156) and the gantry (120), radiation can be irradiated linearly to the object and rotated around the object to obtain a cross-sectional image of the object, thereby enabling not only general radiation diagnosis but also CT scanning.

[0090] Although the present disclosure has been described above with specific details such as specific components and limited embodiments, the embodiments are provided only to aid in a more comprehensive understanding of the present disclosure and are not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs can make various modifications and variations from this description.

[0091] Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and all things equivalent to or modified to the claims set forth below, as well as the claims described below, shall be considered to fall within the scope of the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. Body unit, A gantry configured to be rotatable with respect to the above body unit, A treatment table configured to allow a subject to be placed on it, A radiation irradiation unit mounted on the above-mentioned gantry and configured to irradiate a target object, An image detector positioned opposite the radiation irradiation unit with the treatment table in between, and configured to detect radiation irradiated from the radiation irradiation unit, and Includes a control device, The above radiation irradiation unit includes a multi-leaf collimator that controls the radiation dose distribution through a plurality of shielding lobes, and The above control device is configured to acquire a CT image by controlling the multi-leaf collimator to irradiate radiation linearly and controlling the gantry so that the radiation irradiation unit rotates around an object on the treatment table. Radiation diagnostic and therapeutic devices.

2. In Paragraph 1, A radiation diagnostic and therapeutic device in which a plurality of shielding lobes of the above-described multi-leaf collimator are configured to be rotatable about the direction of radiation irradiation as an axis.

3. In Paragraph 1, A radiation diagnostic and therapeutic device in which a plurality of shielding lobes of the above-described multi-leaf collimator are arranged in a direction parallel to the rotational direction of the above-described gantry.

4. In Paragraph 1, A radiation diagnosis and treatment device comprising: a radiation irradiation unit further comprising a single radiation source that generates radiation, a primary collimator that shields radiation generated from the radiation source and determines a beam dispersion angle, and a variable filter unit that controls the intensity of radiation from the primary collimator.

5. In Paragraph 4, A radiation diagnosis and treatment device comprising a variable filter unit including a plurality of rotatable filters, configured such that different types of filters are selected during radiation diagnosis and radiation treatment.

6. In Paragraph 1, The above control device includes a treatment planning system, and The above treatment planning system is a radiation diagnostic and treatment device that calculates the direction, shape, and dose of radiation for radiation irradiation to a target using image data acquired during radiation diagnosis.

Images