JP5998089B2 - Particle beam irradiation system and its operation method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a particle beam irradiation system suitable for particle beam therapy using charged particle beams (ion beams) such as protons and heavy ions.

  As radiotherapy for cancer, particle beam therapy is known in which an ion beam of protons or heavy ions is irradiated to a cancerous part of a patient to treat it. As an ion beam irradiation method, there is a scanning irradiation method as disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1.

  Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2 and Non-Patent Document 2 describe control methods for realizing a beam energy change control required in a scanning irradiation method in a short time when a synchrotron is used as an ion beam generator. As disclosed, there is a multi-stage extraction control operation that realizes irradiation of an ion beam of a plurality of energies within one operation cycle with an ion synchrotron.

Japanese Patent No. 4873563 JP 2011-124149 A

Review of Scientific Instruments Vol. 64, No. 8 (August 1993), pages 2084-2090 (REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS VOLUME 64 NUMBER 8 (AUGUST 1993) P2074-2093) Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A624 (September 2010), pages 33-38 (Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A624 (2010) 33-38)

  In the scanning irradiation method, the irradiation control to the irradiation field (hereinafter referred to as a layer) in the depth direction of the affected part is realized by controlling the energy of the ion beam to be irradiated. For this reason, in order to improve the dose rate when the scanning irradiation method is applied, it is necessary to change the energy of the ion beam supplied from the ion beam generator in a short time. In the scanning irradiation method, since it is necessary to control the beam energy to be irradiated according to the size of the affected part, it is necessary to control the combination of the energy of the irradiated beam for each patient to be irradiated or for each affected part to be irradiated.

  When a synchrotron is used as the ion beam generator, a series of operations such as incidence, acceleration, extraction, and deceleration are controlled as one operation cycle. When the ion beam energy change control is repeatedly performed as in the scanning irradiation method, the synchrotron needs to be renewed in its operation cycle. As a countermeasure against this, multi-stage emission operation in which a beam of a plurality of energies is emitted within one operation cycle as shown in Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2 is shown. As shown in Non-Patent Document 2, prepare operation control data that combines all the energy ranges that can be irradiated with the synchrotron, and extend the flat top only with the energy to irradiate the beam. By radiating, it is possible to irradiate the affected area with all energy beams irradiated by one operation control. Furthermore, since all energy beams can be irradiated with one operation control, the synchrotron can always irradiate with the same operation control data, and the operation control of the synchrotron in the particle beam irradiation system is simplified. is there.

  However, in order to effectively realize the operation control shown in Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2, all the energy irradiated to the affected part in one operation cycle with respect to the accumulated beam charge amount of the synchrotron A sufficient amount of charge is required for irradiation. For example, if the accumulated beam charge necessary for treatment irradiation cannot be obtained for some reason during synchrotron acceleration control, or if the charge amount necessary for irradiation of the next layer is insufficient, On the way, the amount of accumulated beam charge in the synchrotron is exhausted. When the accumulated beam charge amount in the synchrotron is depleted, it is necessary to shift from the emission control to the deceleration control and update the operation cycle of the synchrotron. In order to ensure the continuity of the set value when the operation control data that combines all the energy ranges that can be irradiated with the synchrotron as shown in Non-Patent Document 2 is applied as the operation control data of the synchrotron. It is not possible to quickly transition from the emission energy at the time of beam irradiation interruption to deceleration control. That is, it is necessary to update the energy change control data during the period from the emission energy to the deceleration control. This update of the energy change control data is a control that does not involve beam irradiation, and one of the factors for reducing the dose rate is the time required for transition from the extracted energy to the deceleration control.

  In addition, when the beam irradiation is interrupted within the operation cycle due to the above cause and the beam irradiation of all energy is not completed, it is necessary to update the operation cycle of the synchrotron when resuming the beam irradiation. . Even when the operation cycle of the synchrotron is updated, it is not possible to quickly transition from the incident energy to the target energy for restarting irradiation. That is, after the target energy is updated and deceleration control is performed as described above, it is necessary to transition to acceleration control again and update the energy change control data from the incident energy to the target energy at the time of irradiation resumption. This energy change control data update is also a control without beam irradiation that only updates the energy that has already been irradiated. The time required for this control is one of the factors that lower the dose rate. Can be mentioned.

  Similarly, when an abnormality occurs in the equipment constituting the particle beam therapy system or when an abnormality occurs in the state of the irradiation beam, such as the size and position of the irradiation beam, there is a problem that it is not possible to quickly shift from the emitted energy to the deceleration control. there were.

  In Patent Document 2, regarding a coil current excited in a magnetic field coil of an accelerator, a magnetic field reference generating unit that outputs magnetic flux density information according to elapsed time, and a current reference conversion for obtaining a coil current that generates a magnetic field according to magnetic flux density information An accelerator control device is shown. The magnetic flux density information output from the magnetic field reference generation unit is output in combination of four types of patterns (initial increase pattern, decrease pattern, increase pattern, end pattern), so that multiple energy beams can be generated within one operation cycle. A control method for realizing emission is shown. According to Patent Document 2, it is possible to combine four types of magnetic flux density patterns and emit an ion beam with a plurality of energies within one operation cycle. Based on this function, the irradiation energy necessary for forming a predetermined SOBP can be selected. On the other hand, since the initial acceleration energy and the energy for starting deceleration control cannot be changed, Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document As in 2, when the ion beam irradiation is terminated halfway, such as when the ion beam irradiation is interrupted, the energy change control data is updated during the period from the exit energy at the end of the irradiation to the deceleration control (beam irradiation). In other words, it is necessary to update the energy change control data during the period from the incident energy to the target energy for restarting irradiation (control without beam irradiation). For this reason, the problem that the transition from the emission energy at the end of the irradiation to the deceleration control cannot be performed promptly or the beam energy cannot be promptly switched from the incident energy to the target energy for restarting the irradiation is not solved.

  It is an object of the present invention to reduce the energy change control without beam irradiation as much as possible and improve the operation efficiency of the synchrotron when the ion beam irradiation is terminated midway in the multistage emission control operation of the synchrotron. It is to provide a system and a method for operating the system.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the operation control data of the devices constituting the synchrotron, the energy range of the ion beam to be emitted from the synchrotron, and the energy in the energy range to be emitted from the synchrotron. A plurality of operation pattern data generated corresponding to each of a plurality of energy ranges divided so as to be equal to or less than a predetermined number of energy less than the number , and at least one of the plurality of operation pattern data is one initial Acceleration control data, a plurality of emission control data, at least one energy change control data connecting between the plurality of emission control data, and at least one deceleration control data, and based on the plurality of operation pattern data To control the devices constituting the synchrotron.

  As a result, even if the beam irradiation is finished (interrupted) during beam irradiation, it is possible to promptly shift to deceleration control, and when beam irradiation is resumed, the target energy for restarting irradiation is promptly transitioned. can do. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the energy change control without beam irradiation and to increase the operation efficiency of the synchrotron.

  Here, as a method of dividing the energy range, the energy range of the ion beam may be divided so that the divided energy ranges do not overlap each other, or the energy range of the ion beam so that the divided energy ranges overlap each other. May be divided. In the former case, since the number of operation pattern data corresponding to the energy range after division is reduced, the amount of data stored in the memory can be reduced. In the latter case, the number of operation pattern data corresponding to the energy range after the division increases, but when changing the beam irradiation, the energy change control without the beam irradiation can be greatly reduced. In particular, the energy range of the ion beam is divided so that the initial acceleration control data corresponding to all the energy of the ion beam to be emitted from the synchrotron is included, and a plurality of operation pattern data is obtained based on the energy range after the division. When configured, energy change control without beam irradiation at the time of resuming irradiation becomes unnecessary. In addition, when the operation pattern data includes a plurality of emission control data, it is preferable to include a plurality of deceleration control data corresponding to the plurality of emission control data in the operation pattern data. Transition to deceleration control can be made directly, and energy change control during transition to deceleration control becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the operation efficiency of the synchrotron can be further enhanced by appropriately combining these controls.

  The present invention also has various features described in the embodiments. For example, the operation pattern data is stored in the power supply control device of the equipment that constitutes the ion synchrotron. The power supply control device is provided with table data for grasping the energy range of the extraction control data included in each operation pattern data stored in the power supply control device, and these power supply control devices include the equipment of the ion synchrotron. A control timing signal for managing the control timing is input, and switching control of operation pattern data and control data corresponding to beam acceleration and deceleration control in the synchrotron is performed based on the control timing signal.

  The control timing signal is output from the timing system. The timing system stores timing data that enables output synchronized with the operation control data. The timing system includes an extraction permission command that permits irradiation of the ion beam to the patient, an energy change command that is output based on irradiation progress information of the ion beam irradiated to the patient, and particles that are output from the interlock system. A deceleration control command that is output based on the state of the devices constituting the radiation therapy apparatus and an irradiation completion command that indicates completion of irradiation are input, and the timing system outputs a corresponding control timing signal based on these commands. .

  The power supply control device selects operation control data for the device based on the input control timing signal, and updates the operation control data.

  In addition, the energy change control data configured by the control timing signal indicating the energy change input to the power supply control device and the emission energy controlled before the input of the control timing signal indicating the energy change and the continuous control command value. By selecting and performing update control, energy change control in a short time is realized.

  In addition, when a deceleration control command is output from the interlock system even when an abnormality occurs in the equipment constituting the particle beam therapy system, the timing system and the power supply control device update the currently updated control data. Then, the deceleration control data corresponding to the reached energy after the completion of the update control is selected, and the transition is made to the deceleration control.

  In addition, the timing system and the power supply control device, when not all the energy emission control is completed, record the next target energy and then shift to the deceleration control. After the deceleration control ends, the timing system and the power supply control device By selecting the timing data and operation pattern data that the stored target energy appears at the earliest stage after the initial acceleration control from among the multiple timing data and operation pattern data stored in the operation cycle, Can be updated in a short time.

  According to the present invention, in the multistage emission control operation of the synchrotron, when the ion beam irradiation is terminated halfway, the energy change control without the beam irradiation is reduced, and the operation efficiency of the synchrotron can be improved. .

It is a figure which shows the structure of the particle beam irradiation system in the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the scanning irradiation apparatus in the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the operation control data in Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the driving | running pattern data in Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the driving | running pattern data in Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the driving | running pattern data in Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data transmission flow between the control apparatuses in the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the irradiation preparation flow in the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the control data corresponding to the energy irradiation order of each operation pattern data which comprises the operation control data in Example 1 of this invention, and each energy. It is a figure which shows the operation control flow in the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the selection flow of the driving | running pattern data in the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of an operation | movement using the operation control data in Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of an operation | movement using the operation control data in Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of an operation | movement using the operation control data in Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the operation control data in Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the driving | running pattern data in Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the driving | running pattern data in Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the driving | running pattern data in Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of an operation | movement using the operation control data in Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of an operation | movement using the operation control data in Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the control data corresponding to the energy irradiation order of each operation pattern data which comprises the operation control data in Example 2 of this invention, and each energy. It is a figure which shows the conventional driving | operation sequence.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a particle beam irradiation system which is a preferred embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the particle beam irradiation system 1 of the present embodiment includes an ion beam generator 11, a beam transport device 14, and an irradiation field forming device (charged particle beam irradiation device, hereinafter referred to as an irradiation device) 30. The beam transport device 14 communicates the ion beam generator 11 and the irradiation device 30 disposed in the treatment room.

  The ion beam generator 11 includes an ion source (not shown), a pre-accelerator 12 and a synchrotron 13. The ion source is connected to the front stage accelerator 12, and the front stage accelerator 12 is connected to the synchrotron 13. The front-stage accelerator 12 accelerates the ion beam 10 generated by the ion source to energy that can be incident on the synchrotron 13. The ion beam 10 a accelerated by the front stage accelerator 12 is incident on the synchrotron 13.

  The synchrotron 13 is a high-frequency accelerator (acceleration cavity) 17 that accelerates to a target energy by applying a high-frequency voltage to the ion beam 10b that circulates along the orbit, and the betatron oscillation amplitude of the circulating ion beam. An emission high-frequency electrode 20a to be increased and an emission deflector 20b for taking out the ion beam from the orbit are provided.

  The beam 10 b incident on the synchrotron 13 is accelerated to a desired energy by being given energy by an acceleration high-frequency voltage applied to the high-frequency acceleration cavity 17. At this time, the magnetic field strength of the deflecting electromagnet 18 and the quadrupole electromagnet 19 and the acceleration cavity are increased in accordance with the increase of the orbital energy of the ion beam 10b so that the orbit of the ion beam 10b orbiting around the synchrotron 13 is constant. The frequency of the high frequency voltage applied to 17 is increased.

  The ion beam 10b accelerated to a desired energy is controlled so that the orbiting beam 10b can be emitted by controlling the excitation amount of the quadrupole electromagnet 19 and the hexapole electromagnet (not shown) by the extraction condition setting control (the stability of the orbiting beam). The limit condition is established. After the exit condition setting control is completed, an exit high-frequency voltage is applied to the exit high-frequency electrode 20a to increase the betatron oscillation amplitude of the beam 10b that circulates in the synchrotron 13. Due to the increase of the betatron oscillation amplitude, the circulating beam 10 b exceeding the stability limit condition is emitted from the synchrotron 13 to the beam transport device 14 and transported to the irradiation device 30. The beam emission control from the synchrotron 13 can be realized at high speed by ON / OFF control of the high frequency voltage applied to the high frequency electrode 20a for emission.

  After the beam emission control from the synchrotron 13 is finished, the stability limit of the circular beam 10b formed when the emission conditions are set by controlling the excitation amounts of the quadrupole electromagnet 19 and the hexapole electromagnet (not shown) by the emission condition release control. Cancel the condition.

  After the exit condition release control is completed, the ion beam 10b that circulates in the synchrotron 13 is decelerated by lowering the magnetic field strength of the deflection electromagnet 18 and the quadrupole electromagnet 19 and the frequency of the high-frequency voltage applied to the acceleration cavity 17. Transition to the next operation cycle.

  The irradiation device 30 controls the ion beam 10c guided by the beam transport device 14 in accordance with the depth from the body surface of the patient 36 and the shape of the affected part, and applies it to the affected part 37 of the patient 36 on the treatment bed. Irradiate. As an irradiation method, there is a scanning irradiation method (page 2086 of Non-Patent Document 1, FIG. 45), and the irradiation apparatus 30 is based on the scanning irradiation method. The scanning irradiation method directly irradiates the affected part 37 with the ion beam 10d, so that the use efficiency of the ion beam 10d is high, and the ion beam 10d conforming to the affected part shape can be irradiated as compared with the conventional scatterer irradiation method.

  The adjustment of the beam range in the depth direction of the affected area realizes irradiation to a desired affected area by changing the energy of the ion beam. In particular, in the scanning irradiation method, the ion beam 10b that circulates in the synchrotron 13 is adjusted and then emitted to adjust the range of the ion beam to the depth of the affected part 36. Multiple energy change controls are required. Further, there are a spot scanning irradiation method, a raster scanning irradiation method, and the like as a beam irradiation method in the plane direction of the affected part. Spot scanning irradiation method divides the irradiation plane of the affected area into dose management areas called spots, stops scanning for each spot, irradiates the beam until reaching the set irradiation dose, then stops the beam, Move to the irradiation spot position. Thus, the spot scanning irradiation method is an irradiation method in which the irradiation start position is updated for each spot. In the raster scanning irradiation method, a dose management region is set in the same manner as the spot scanning irradiation method, but the beam is irradiated while scanning the scanning path without stopping the beam scanning for each spot. Therefore, the uniformity of the irradiation dose is improved by lowering the irradiation dose per time and performing repaint irradiation that repeatedly irradiates a plurality of times. Thus, the raster scanning irradiation method is an irradiation method in which the irradiation start position is updated for each scanning path. In the spot scanning method, as in the raster scanning method, the irradiation dose given by one irradiation to one spot position is set low and the final irradiation dose is reached by scanning the irradiation plane a plurality of times. You may control as follows.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the irradiation device 30. The irradiation device 30 has scanning electromagnets 32a and 32b, and scans the beam with the scanning electromagnets 32a and 32b in accordance with the shape of the affected part on the affected part plane. The irradiation device 30 has a dose monitor 31 and a beam shape monitor (not shown) for measuring the irradiation dose of the beam 10d irradiated to the patient, and sequentially confirms the dose intensity and the beam shape of the beam 10d irradiated with these. To do. The beam 10 d scanned by the scanning electromagnets 32 a and 32 b forms an irradiation field in accordance with the affected part shape 37 of the patient 36 by the collimator 34.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the particle beam irradiation system 1 of this embodiment includes a control system 100 (control device). The control system 100 includes an accelerator control device 40 that controls the ion beam generator 11 and the beam transport device 14, an overall control device 41 that controls the entire particle beam irradiation system 1, and a treatment that plans beam irradiation conditions for a patient. Irradiation to the planning device 43, the storage device 42 for storing the information planned by the treatment planning device 43, the control information of the synchrotron 13 as the ion beam generating device and the beam transport device 14, the equipment constituting the irradiation device 30 and the affected part 37 An irradiation control device 44 that controls the irradiation dose of the ion beam 10d, a timing system 50 that realizes synchronous control of the devices constituting the synchrotron 13, and an interface independent of the overall control device 41 to ensure the safety of the patient 36. The power to control the power supply 46 of each device constituting the lock system 60 and the synchrotron 13 And a control unit 45. The storage device 42 may be provided in the overall control device 41 as a part of the overall control device 41.

  The power source 46 is a generic term for the power sources of a plurality of devices that constitute the synchrotron 13. FIG. 1 shows a power source 46B for the deflection electromagnet 18, a power source 46Q for the quadrupole electromagnet 19 and a power source 46F for the high-frequency accelerating cavity 17 as power sources for the plurality of devices. It is shown. Similarly, the power supply control device 45 is a generic name of a plurality of power supply control devices corresponding to the power supplies of a plurality of devices. FIG. 1 shows a control device 45B of the power supply 46B, a control device 45Q of the power supply 46Q, and a control device 45F of the power supply 46F. It is shown.

  An operation sequence of the conventional synchrotron 13 is shown in FIG. The synchrotron 13 performs a series of controls of acceleration / extraction / deceleration in one operation cycle. Before and after the extraction control, extraction condition setting control necessary for emitting the ion beam in the synchrotron, such as extraction condition setting and extraction condition cancellation, and extraction condition cancellation control after completion of the extraction control are necessary.

  In conventional operation control of the synchrotron 13, control data adapted to a series of controls is prepared as pattern data in the memory of the power supply control device 45, and the power supply control device 45 controls the control timing of the devices constituting the synchrotron 13. The control data is updated based on the timing signal 51 output from the timing system 50 that manages the control.

  As shown in FIG. 13, since the synchrotron 13 controls from acceleration to deceleration in one operation cycle, in order to change the energy of the emitted ion beam 10c, the deceleration control is performed after the extraction control is completed. After the transition and deceleration of the remaining beam, the operation cycle is updated. By changing the operation cycle and accelerating the ion beam 10b again, change control to the desired energy is realized. For this reason, in the conventional operation control of the synchrotron 13, the energy change time of the ion beam 10b takes almost the same time as one operation cycle, so that the treatment time becomes longer and the dose rate is improved. It was a challenge.

  Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Non-Patent Document 2 describe a multistage extraction control operation of an ion synchrotron that realizes extraction of an ion beam having a plurality of energies within one operation cycle. By such multi-stage emission control operation, it is possible to reduce the energy change time in the scanning irradiation method. However, when the ion beam irradiation is terminated halfway, the energy change control data is updated (control without beam irradiation) from the exit energy at the time of the middle of irradiation to the deceleration control, or the irradiation is resumed from the incident energy. It is necessary to update the energy change control data (control without beam irradiation) while reaching the target energy. For this reason, there is a problem that it is not possible to promptly shift from the exit energy at the end of the irradiation to deceleration control, or when the beam irradiation is resumed, the target energy for restarting irradiation cannot be reached quickly from the incident energy.

  The structure of the operation control data at the time of the multistage emission operation and the operation sequence using the operation control data, which are the features of this embodiment, will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 9C.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram showing the configuration of the operation control data 7 of the equipment constituting the synchrotron 13, and shows the exciting current of the deflection electromagnet 18 as a representative example of the equipment control data. In this embodiment, the energy number of a beam irradiated for treatment of a certain patient is 10 energy (Ea to Ej), and the maximum energy number that the synchrotron 13 can emit within one operation cycle is 4 energy. Is assumed. The number of energies of the irradiated beam is determined based on the treatment plan, and the number of energies that can be emitted within one operation cycle is determined based on the performance of the synchrotron. In this embodiment, the operation pattern data is shown in which the beam is sequentially irradiated from the low energy to the high energy. However, the same effect can be obtained even when the beam is sequentially irradiated from the high energy to the low energy.

  In FIG. 3A, the operation control data of the devices constituting the synchrotron 13 is indicated by the reference numeral 7 as a whole. The operation control data 7 is composed of a plurality of operation pattern data generated corresponding to each of a plurality of energy ranges obtained by dividing the energy range of the ion beam to be emitted from the synchrotron 13. In the present embodiment, the energy range (Ea to Ej) of the ion beam to be emitted from the synchrotron 13 is configured with 4 energies or less that the synchrotron 13 can emit within one operation cycle, and the energy ranges overlap each other. It is divided into three energy ranges (Ea to Ed), (Ee to Eh), and (Ei, Ej) that are not performed, and the operation control data 7 is constituted by the operation pattern data 70ad, 70eh, and 70ij corresponding to each energy range.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the driving pattern data 70ad includes initial acceleration control data 701a, a plurality of emission control data 702a to 702d, and a plurality of deceleration control data 706a to 706a to 702d corresponding to each of the plurality of emission control data 702a to 702d. 706d and a plurality of energy change control data 705ab, 705bc, and 705cd connecting each of the plurality of emission control data 702a to 702d. Here, the emission control data includes emission condition setting data 703a to 703d and emission condition release data 704a to 704d. Each control data constituting the operation pattern data 70ad is composed of time series data. For example, the control data of the deflecting electromagnet 18 includes time series data of excitation current and voltage (not shown) set in the deflecting electromagnet power supply 45B necessary for generating a predetermined deflection magnetic field strength.

  The operation pattern data 70eh and 70ij shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D are similarly configured. That is, the driving pattern data 70eh includes initial acceleration control data 701e, a plurality of emission control data 702e to 702h, a plurality of deceleration control data 706e to 706h corresponding to each of the plurality of emission control data 702e to 702h, and a plurality of A plurality of energy change control data 705 ef, 705 fg, and 705 gh connecting the emission control data 702 e to 702 h are included. The emission control data includes emission condition setting data 703e to 703h and emission condition release data 704e to 704h, respectively. The driving pattern data 70ij includes initial acceleration control data 701i, a plurality of emission control data 702i to 702j, a plurality of deceleration control data 706i to 706j corresponding to each of the plurality of emission control data 702i to 702j, and a plurality of emission controls. One energy change control data 705ij connecting the data 702i to 702j is included. The emission control data includes emission condition setting data 703i to 703j and emission condition release data 704i to 704j, respectively.

  In the following description, for simplification of description, unless otherwise required, the operation pattern data is 70, the initial acceleration control data is 701, the extraction control data is 702, the change control data is 705, and the deceleration control data is This will be described as “706”.

  In the present embodiment, all of the three operation pattern data 70ad, 70eh, 70ij can be subjected to multi-stage emission control by a plurality of emission control data 702, and a plurality of deceleration control data 706 corresponding to the plurality of emission control data 702. In order to achieve the object of the present invention to reduce the control without beam irradiation as much as possible when the ion beam irradiation is terminated in the middle of the conventional technique, at least one operation is performed. The pattern data may be configured so that multistage emission control can be performed using a plurality of emission control data 702, and only one deceleration control data 706 corresponding to the emission control data 702 at the final stage may be provided. In this case, at least one of the plurality of operation pattern data 70 is one initial acceleration control data 701, a plurality of emission control data 702, and at least one energy change control for connecting the plurality of emission control data 702. Data 705 and at least one deceleration control data 706 are included.

  The driving pattern data 70 is associated with the timing signal 51 output from the timing system 50. The timing signal 51 of this embodiment includes an acceleration control start timing signal 511, an extraction condition setting timing signal 512, an extraction control standby timing signal 513, an extraction condition release timing signal 514, an energy change control timing signal 515, and a deceleration control start timing signal 516. , A deceleration control end timing signal 517.

  3B to 3D, when the timing signal 51 (511 to 517) is input to the power supply control device 45, the power supply control device 45 receives the control data 701 to 706 associated with the timing signal 51 (511 to 517). The data update is started from the start value of the time-series data constituting the selected control data 701 to 706.

  Update control of the operation pattern data 70ad in response to the input of the timing signal 51 (511 to 517) will be described with reference to FIG. 3B. By inputting the acceleration control timing signal 511, the beam is accelerated by updating the initial acceleration control data 701a from the incident energy (Einj) to the first-stage emission energy (Ea). In response to the input of the emission control timing signal 512, the emission condition setting data 703a is updated. The update of the extraction condition setting data 703a is stopped by inputting the extraction control standby timing signal 513, and the beam extraction control is performed by applying the high frequency voltage for extraction. The irradiation controller 44 sequentially measures the irradiation dose 311 during the extraction control, outputs a dose expiration signal 442 based on the measurement result, stops the application of the extraction high-frequency voltage, and ends the emission control. Thereafter, the update of the emission condition release data 704a is started by the input of the emission condition release timing signal 514. The irradiation controller 44 outputs an energy change timing signal 515 according to the accumulated beam charge amount at the end of the extraction control and the presence / absence of the next irradiation energy, and makes a transition to the energy change control (from the emission condition release data 704a Whether to change to the change control data 705ab) or to output the deceleration control timing signal 516 to determine whether to change to deceleration control (from the emission condition release data 704a to the deceleration control data 706a). The start value and the end value of the time series data constituting each control data 701 to 706 are set to the same value so that the control data before and after the transition can be connected continuously. For example, the end value of the emission condition release data 704, the start value of the energy change control data 705 that transitions to the next irradiation energy (in FIG. 3B, the end value of 704a and the start value of 705ab), and the emission condition release data 704 The end value and the start value of deceleration control data that decelerates to the incident energy (in FIG. 3B, the end value of 704a and the start value of 706a) are set to the same value. Thus, by updating the control data 701 to 706 based on the input of the timing signal 51, the update control of the operation pattern data 70 can be easily realized.

  Although the description is omitted, the same applies to the update control of the operation pattern data 70eh and 70ij in response to the input of the timing signal 51 (511 to 517) in FIGS. 3C and 3D.

  An irradiation preparation flow when the multistage emission operation is performed using the operation control data 7 of the devices constituting the synchrotron shown in FIG. 3A will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 together. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control device that realizes the multistage emission operation, which is a feature of the present embodiment, and information transmission (data transmission flow) between the devices. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an irradiation preparation flow before starting the multistage emission operation.

  First, the treatment planning device 43 registers treatment plan information 431 including irradiation conditions necessary for treatment of the patient in the storage device 42 (800). The overall control device 41 reads the irradiation condition 421 from the storage device 42 based on the irradiation condition setting information (801).

  The overall control device 41 selects the energy necessary for irradiation, the irradiation order of each irradiation energy, the target irradiation dose, and control data from the storage device 42 from the irradiation conditions (802). The storage device 42 includes initial acceleration control data 701, extraction control data 702, extraction condition setting data 703, extraction condition release data 704, energy change control data 705, and deceleration control data 706 shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D. Control data that enables beam extraction of all energy corresponding to all assumed irradiation conditions of the patient is stored as module data, and the overall control device 41 controls the control data (operation pattern based on the irradiation conditions 421). Data 70ad, 70eh, 70ij (including control data and timing signals) are selected and read.

  The overall control device 41 transmits energy information necessary for irradiation, an irradiation order, and timing signal data 411a corresponding to this energy to the timing system 50 (803).

  The timing system 50 stores the energy information necessary for irradiation, the irradiation order, and the timing signal data 411a corresponding to the energy transmitted from the overall control apparatus 41 in the memory (804).

  Similarly, the overall control device 41 transmits energy information necessary for irradiation, the irradiation order, and control data corresponding to this energy to the accelerator control device 40 as control data 411b (805a), and to the irradiation control device 44. Then, energy information necessary for irradiation, the irradiation order, and control data corresponding to this energy are transmitted as control data 411c (805b). Among these, the control data 411c transmitted to the irradiation control device 44 includes the target irradiation dose of each irradiation energy.

  The accelerator control device 40 transmits the energy information necessary for irradiation, the irradiation order, and the control data of each device as control data 401 to the power supply control devices 45 of the devices constituting the synchrotron 13 and the beam transport device 14. (806) The power supply controller 45 stores the energy information necessary for irradiation, the irradiation order, and the control data of each device in the memory (807).

  The irradiation controller 44 stores the irradiation order of each irradiation energy and the target irradiation dose in the memory (808).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing energy information, irradiation order, and control data necessary for irradiation stored in the memory of the power supply control device 45. As shown in FIG. 6, in the power supply control device 45, the operation pattern data 70 shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D is prepared for each operation pattern data as table data of each energy information, irradiation order, and control data. The

  Next, an irradiation flow when the multistage emission operation is performed using the operation control data 7 of the devices constituting the synchrotron 13 shown in FIG. 3A will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an operation control flow at the time of the multistage emission operation.

  When an irradiation start command (not shown) is input from the user to the overall control device 41, operation control of the synchrotron 13 is started. The overall control device 41 outputs a control start command 412 indicating the start of the operation cycle of the synchrotron 13 to the timing system 50, the accelerator control device 40, and the irradiation control device 44. The timing system 50, the accelerator controller 40, and the irradiation controller 44 set target energy based on the control start command 412. Based on the set target energy, the timing system 50 sets target energy information of a beam to be emitted, and the accelerator control device 40 sets the target energy in the power supply control device 45. The irradiation controller 44 sets a target dose value for each dose management region of the energy from the target energy (809). The power supply controller 45 selects and sets operation pattern data that can reach the target energy earliest from the operation pattern data 70ad, 70eh, and 70ij shown in FIG. 6 according to the flow of FIG. 8 described later (809a). .

  The timing system 50 outputs an acceleration control start timing signal 511 based on the control start command 412, and the power supply control device 45 starts updating the initial acceleration control data 701 in the set operation pattern data (810). When the initial acceleration control is completed, the acceleration control device 40 checks the reached energy after the completion of acceleration (811), and determines whether the reached energy confirmed after the completion of the acceleration matches the target energy (812). The determination in step 812 is that the energy reached at the end of the initial acceleration control and the target energy may differ depending on the selected operation pattern data. Therefore, the energy change control described later is executed or the beam transition control is continued as it is. It needs to be done to determine whether.

  The accelerator control device 40 outputs an energy determination signal 402 indicating the determination result of step 812 to the interlock system 60. The interlock system 60 outputs an energy change command 611 to the timing system 50 and the timing system 50 outputs an energy change control timing signal 515 to the power supply controller 45 when the arrival energy after the acceleration and the emitted energy do not match. Then, the power supply controller 45 updates the energy change control pattern data 705 (824). On the other hand, when the arrival energy after the acceleration is equal to the emission energy, the interlock system 60 outputs the emission control command 614 to the timing system 50, and the timing system 50 outputs the emission condition setting timing signal 512 to the power supply controller 45. Then, the power supply control device 45 starts updating the emission condition setting data 703 (813).

  The timing system 50 outputs the extraction control standby timing signal 513 in accordance with the completion of the update of the extraction condition setting data 703, and the power supply control device 45 ends the update of the extraction condition setting data 703 and holds the final update value. The interlock system 60 controls irradiation based on status information 452 such as the soundness and energy confirmation information of the equipment output from the power supply control device 45 and the measured value 151 of the accumulated beam amount in the accumulated beam amount detection means 15 in the synchrotron 13. It is determined whether or not the beam emission control is possible based on the emission control permission signal 441 output from the apparatus 44 (814).

  If the determination result in step 814 is abnormal (NG), the interlock system 60 outputs a deceleration control command 613 to the timing system 50, and the timing system 50 sends a deceleration control start timing signal to the power supply controller 45. 516 is output, and the power supply controller 45 updates the deceleration control data 706 (822).

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step 814 is normal (OK), the interlock system 60 outputs an emission permission command 615 to the accelerator control device 40, and the accelerator control device 40 supplies a high-frequency electrode (not shown). Beam emission control is carried out by applying a high frequency voltage for emission (815).

  During beam extraction control, the dose monitor 31 installed in the irradiation device 30 sequentially measures the dose 311 of the irradiation beam, and the irradiation control device 44 calculates the integrated dose in each dose management region. At this time, the irradiation control device 44 compares the target dose of the energy in the dose management region with the integrated dose, and determines whether or not the integrated dose has reached the target dose (hereinafter, the integrated dose has expired) (816). ).

  If the accumulated dose in the dose management region has not expired, the accumulated beam charge 151 in the synchrotron is measured by the accumulated beam amount detection means 15, and the irradiation controller 44 has a sufficient accumulated beam amount to continue the beam irradiation. It is determined whether there is any (818). If the accumulated beam amount in the synchrotron 13 is sufficient for irradiation control, beam extraction control is continued (return to step 815). On the other hand, when the amount of accumulated beam in the synchrotron 13 is depleted, the irradiation control device 44 outputs a deceleration control request 444 to the interlock system 60, and the interlock system 60 performs deceleration control to the timing system 50. The command 613 is output, the timing system 50 outputs a deceleration control start timing signal 516 to the power supply control device 45, and the power supply control device 45 updates the deceleration control data 706 (822).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 816 that the accumulated dose in the dose management region has expired, the irradiation control device 44 determines whether irradiation has been completed in the irradiation region of the energy, that is, all dose management regions with the energy. (817).

  If irradiation to all dose management areas with the energy is not completed, the irradiation position is set in the beam irradiation area where irradiation with the scanning electromagnet 32 has not yet been completed, that is, the dose management area where irradiation has not been completed. Update (841). Thereafter, as in the case where the dose in step 816 has not expired, the irradiation controller 44 determines whether there is a sufficient accumulated beam amount for continuing the beam irradiation (818), and the accumulated beam amount in the synchrotron 13 is determined as the beam amount. If the amount is sufficient to continue irradiation, beam irradiation is performed. When the amount of accumulated beam in the synchrotron 13 is depleted, the irradiation controller 44 outputs a deceleration control request 444 to the interlock system 60. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 817 that irradiation of all dose management regions with the energy has been completed, the irradiation controller 44 outputs an irradiation completion signal 445 to the interlock system 60, and the interlock system 60 The irradiation completion command 612 is output to the timing system 50, the timing system 50 outputs the emission condition release timing signal 514 to the power supply control device 45, and the power supply control device 45 starts updating the emission condition release data 704. (819).

  After the update control of the emission condition release data 704 is completed in step 819, the irradiation control device 44 determines whether or not the next irradiation energy data exists (820). When there is the next irradiation energy, the accumulated beam charge amount 151 in the synchrotron is measured by the accumulated beam amount detection means 15, and the irradiation controller 44 has a sufficient accumulated beam amount for beam irradiation with the next irradiation energy. If it is determined (840) that the accumulated beam amount in the synchrotron 13 is sufficient for beam irradiation with the next irradiation energy, the irradiation controller 44 sets the target energy data as the next irradiation energy data. (821). If it is determined in step 820 that the next target energy does not exist, or if it is determined in step 840 that the accumulated beam amount in the synchrotron 13 has been exhausted, the irradiation controller 44 decelerates the interlock system 60. A control request 444 is output, the interlock system 60 outputs a deceleration control command 613 to the timing system 50, and outputs a deceleration control start timing signal 516 from the timing system 50 to the power supply control device 45. 45 updates the deceleration control data 706 (822). In addition, when the irradiation area for managing the dose is finely specified as in the spot scanning irradiation method (the required dose per irradiation area is small), the accumulated beam amount is sequentially determined as shown in step 818. Therefore, the accumulated beam amount determination processing described in step 840 can be omitted. On the other hand, when performing irradiation in a layer with a uniform continuous beam, such as raster scanning irradiation, beam depletion occurs during irradiation to facilitate ensuring the uniformity of the irradiation dose and increase the dose rate. It is desirable to control so that it does not occur. Therefore, the target energy data is updated after determining in step 840 whether there is an accumulated beam amount necessary for the next irradiation energy beam irradiation. After the target energy data is updated in step 821, it is confirmed whether or not the emission control data corresponding to the next irradiation energy is included in the currently used operation pattern data 70 (826). When the emission control data corresponding to the next irradiation energy is included in the currently used operation pattern data 70, the irradiation control device 44 updates the target energy data with the next irradiation energy data (821), The irradiation controller 44 outputs an energy change request 443 to the interlock system 60. The interlock system 60 outputs an energy change command 611 to the timing system 50, the timing system 50 outputs an energy change control timing signal 515 to the power supply control device 45, and the power supply control device 45 outputs the energy change control timing. Based on the signal 515, the energy change control pattern data 705 is updated (824), and the beam irradiation control is continued (return to step 811).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 826 that the emission control data corresponding to the irradiation energy is not included next in the currently used operation pattern data, the irradiation control device 44 performs deceleration control on the interlock system 60. The interlock system 60 outputs a deceleration control command 613 to the timing system 50, the timing system 50 outputs a deceleration control start timing signal 516 to the power supply control device 45, and the power supply control device 45. Updates the deceleration control data 706 corresponding to the current emission control data (822).

  The timing system 50 outputs a deceleration control end timing signal 517 when the deceleration control data 706 is updated. Based on the input of the deceleration control end timing signal 517, the interlock system 60 confirms whether the irradiation with all the energy is completed after the deceleration control is completed, or whether the determination result in step 814 is abnormal (NG). (823). When the irradiation of all energy is completed, or when the determination result in step 814 is abnormal (NG), the operation cycle is terminated.

  On the other hand, when irradiation of all the energy has not been completed (823), the operation cycle is started again and the operation cycle is started again.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a selection flow of operation pattern data 70 which is the details of step 809a in FIG. As described above, the energy information and the irradiation order transmitted from the overall control device 41 in the irradiation preparation before the start of the multi-stage emission operation are divided into the emission patterns as shown in FIG. Data 70 is stored in the memory of the power supply controller 45. When selecting the operation pattern data 70, the power supply control device 45 initializes n indicating the target energy stage in the operation pattern data with the maximum energy number (4 in this embodiment) of the operation pattern data, and starts the operation pattern data ( The search is started from pattern 1) (901). It is determined whether the target energy is included in the search target (m-th) operation pattern data (pattern m) (902). If the target energy is included, it is determined whether the target energy level in the pattern m retrieved from the stored level n is smaller (903). If the determined result is small, n is updated at that stage (904), and the pattern m is stored (905). When the search is completed up to the last operation pattern data (pattern N), the process ends (906, 907). By using such a selection flow, it is possible to select the operation pattern data in which the emission control data corresponding to the target energy appears most quickly.

  An example of operation when the operation of the synchrotron 13 is controlled using the operation change control data 7 shown in FIG. 3A will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A to 9C. 9A to 9C show changes in the excitation current value of the deflection electromagnet as representative control data. In general, since the excitation current value of the deflecting electromagnet and the beam energy are approximately proportional to each other, FIGS. 9A to 9C can also be read as changes in the beam energy during the multistage emission operation.

  FIG. 9A shows an operation example when beam depletion does not occur during the operation cycle by the operation pattern data 70ad, 70eh, 70ij constituting the operation control data 7 shown in FIG. 3A.

  The power supply control device 45 selects and sets the operation pattern data ad that can reach the first target energy Ea earliest among the operation pattern data 70ad, 70eh, and 70ij shown in FIG. 6 according to the flow of FIG. When the acceleration control timing signal 511 is input from the timing system 50, the power supply controller 45 selects the initial acceleration data 701a in the operation pattern data ad and starts the excitation current data update control. When the initial acceleration control is completed, an extraction condition setting timing signal 512 is input from the timing system 50 to the power supply controller 45. The power supply controller 45 starts updating the emission condition setting data 703a corresponding to the first-stage emission energy Ea. Thereafter, when the extraction control standby timing signal 513 is input, the power supply control device 45 holds the final update value and performs the extraction control. When the emission control is completed, the emission condition release timing signal 514 is input from the timing system 50 to the power supply control device 45, and the power supply control device 45 starts updating the emission condition release data 704a.

  The amount of accumulated beam in the synchrotron is measured at the end of the emission condition release control. The timing system 50 outputs the energy change control timing signal 515 after confirming that the accumulated beam amount satisfies the beam emission amount of the next energy. The power supply controller 45 selects the energy change control pattern data 705ab that connects the current emission energy Ea and the next emission energy Eb, and starts updating the control data. Thereafter, the above-described emission condition setting control, emission control, emission condition release control, and energy change control are repeated until the emission control of the last energy Ed is completed.

  After the update control of the emission condition cancellation data 704d of the last energy Ed is completed, the timing system 50 outputs a deceleration control start timing signal 516. In response to the input of the deceleration control timing signal 516, the power supply control device 45 selects the deceleration control data 706d corresponding to the immediately preceding emission condition release data 704d, and starts updating the deceleration control data. In the deceleration control of the present embodiment, since the beam is controlled to be emitted from the lower energy to the higher energy (Ea <Eb <Ec <Ed), initialization excitation is performed up to the maximum energy (Einit) in the deceleration control. doing.

  When the deceleration control is completed, it is confirmed whether the extraction control of all energy is completed. Since the extraction control of all energy has not been completed, the operation cycle is started with the target energy updated to Ee. As described above, the power supply control device 45 selects and sets the operation pattern data eh that can reach the target energy Ee earliest.

  In response to the input of the acceleration control timing signal 511, the power supply control device 45 starts updating the initial acceleration control data 701e in the operation pattern data 70eh. After the initial acceleration control is completed, the achieved energy is compared with the target energy. Since the reached energy of the initial acceleration control data 701e is Ee and coincides with the target energy Ee, the same control as the extraction control and deceleration control described above is performed thereafter. After the emission control of the energy (Ee, Ef, Eg, Eh) of the operation pattern data 70eh is completed, since the emission control of all the energy is not completed, the operation cycle starts with the target energy updated to Ei. . Similarly to the above, the power supply control device 45 selects the operation pattern data 70ij in which the emission control data corresponding to the target energy Ei appears earliest. Thereafter, the same control as the initial acceleration control, the extraction control, and the deceleration control described above is performed. After the emission control of the energy (Ei, Ej) of the operation pattern data 70ij is completed, since the emission control of all the energy is completed, the timing system 50 outputs the deceleration control end timing signal 517 and ends the operation cycle of the synchrotron. .

  Next, the operation example of FIG. 9B will be described. FIG. 9B shows an operation example when the accumulated ion beam is exhausted after the ion beam is emitted with the energy Eb in the first operation cycle (during the update of the operation pattern data 70ad). Since depletion of the stored ion beam was detected after irradiation, transition to deceleration control data 706b corresponding to energy Eb was performed, the operation cycle was updated after deceleration control was performed, and beam extraction was resumed from energy Ec in the second operation cycle. An example of operation is shown. Since the control is the same as that in the operation example of FIG. 9A until the emission control with the second energy Eb in FIG. 9B is completed, the subsequent control will be described here.

  The accumulated beam amount in the synchrotron is measured at the end of the emission control of the second energy Eb. If it is determined that the measurement result cannot satisfy the next beam emission amount due to beam depletion or the like, the timing system 50 outputs a deceleration control start timing signal 516. Based on the input of the deceleration control start timing signal 516, the power supply control device 45 starts update control of the deceleration control data 706b that can be continuously connected to the immediately preceding emission condition release data 704b.

  In accordance with the input of the deceleration control end timing signal 517, it is confirmed whether the extraction control of all energy is completed. Since the extraction control of all energy has not been completed, the operation cycle is started with the target energy updated to Ec. Similarly to the above, the power supply control device 45 selects the operation pattern data 70ad in which the emission control data corresponding to the target energy Ec appears earliest. In response to the input of the acceleration control timing signal 511, the power supply control device 45 starts updating the initial acceleration control data 701a in the operation pattern data 70ad. After the initial acceleration control is completed, the achieved energy is compared with the target energy. At this time, since the reached energy of the initial acceleration control data 701a is Ea and the target energy is Ec, the energy change control timing signal 515 is output. The power supply controller 45 updates the energy change data 705ab based on the energy change control timing signal 515, and performs energy change control. After the energy change control is completed, the achieved energy and the target energy are compared again. Since the reached energy after the energy change control is Eb and the target energy is Ec, the energy change control timing signal 515 is continuously output, and the energy change control pattern data 705bc is updated. By repeating such control, the reached energy is accelerated to the same Ei as the target energy. Thereafter, the same control as the emission control and deceleration control described above is performed.

  FIG. 9C shows an operation example when the accumulated ion beam is exhausted after the ion beam is emitted with the energy Ef in the second operation cycle (during the update of the operation pattern data 70eh). Since depletion of the stored ion beam was detected after irradiation, the transition was made to deceleration control data 706f corresponding to energy Ef, the operation cycle was updated after executing deceleration control, and beam irradiation was resumed from energy Eg in the third operation cycle. An example of operation is shown.

  By performing the operation control as in the present embodiment, even if the beam irradiation is interrupted at any energy, it is possible to directly shift to the deceleration control without performing the energy change control, and when restarting the operation cycle The number of updates of the energy change control data for reaching the target energy of the next beam irradiation (number of times of energy change control) can be suppressed to less than the maximum number of energy included in the divided operation pattern data. For this reason, the energy change control without beam irradiation can be reduced, the operation efficiency of the synchrotron 13 can be increased, and the dose rate can be improved.

  In addition, when an abnormality occurs in the equipment that constitutes the particle beam therapy system, or when an abnormality occurs in the state of the irradiation beam, such as the size and position of the irradiation beam, a prompt (direct) ) Can transition.

  In addition, although the driving pattern data 70 of the present embodiment is configured to include the deceleration control data corresponding to each of all the emission control data in the driving pattern data so that the emission control at any energy can be directly shifted to the deceleration control. Alternatively, only the deceleration control data corresponding to the energy output control in the final stage may be included. Even in this case, the operation pattern data 70 is generated by dividing the energy range (10 types of energy) of the ion beam emitted from the synchrotron 13, and as a result, the beam irradiation is terminated halfway and the deceleration control is performed. Since the number of energy change controls to be performed before the transition can be suppressed to less than the maximum energy number included in the operation pattern data, the energy change control without the beam irradiation is reduced and the operation efficiency of the synchrotron 13 is reduced as compared with the prior art. Can be improved.

  A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 10A to 12. This embodiment has the same device configuration as that of the first embodiment, but differs from the first embodiment in the method of dividing the energy range of the ion beam to be emitted from the synchrotron 13. That is, in the present embodiment, when the energy range is divided, the energy ranges of the ion beam are divided so that the energy ranges after the division overlap each other to form a plurality of operation pattern data 70 and are emitted from the synchrotron 13. A plurality of operation pattern data 70 are configured so as to include initial acceleration control data corresponding to all the energy of the ion beam to be generated. In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the number of beams irradiated for treatment of a patient is 10 energies (Ea to Ej), and the synchrotron 13 emits within one operation cycle. It is assumed that the maximum possible energy number is 4 energies.

  In FIG. 10A, the operation control data 7A of the present embodiment prepares 10 types of initial acceleration control data corresponding to 10 types of energy (Ea to Ej), and 4 types of emitted energy for each of these initial acceleration control data. Each band is divided into 10 operation pattern data (70ad, 70be, 70cf, 70dg, 70eh, 70fi, 70gj, 70hj, 70ij, 70j) that are irradiated with energy increased by energy change control. As a result, the ten operation pattern data are configured such that the emission energy bands overlap while shifting by one energy. In addition, regarding the operation pattern data 70hj, 70ij, 70j of the initial acceleration energy Eh to Ej in which the energy range is less than 4, the number of stages of multistage emission control is less than 4.

  Details of each operation pattern data 70 are as shown in FIGS. 10B to 10D, respectively. 10B to 10D, the operation pattern data 70ad, 70eh, and 70ij are the same as the operation pattern data 70ad, 70eh, and 70ij of the first embodiment. The other operation pattern data is configured in substantially the same manner as the operation pattern data 70ad, 70eh, and 70ij except that the energy level of the emitted ion beam is different. The relationship between the operation pattern data 70 and the timing signal 51 is the same as that described in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 12 shows ten operation pattern data 70ad, 70be, 70cf, 70dg, 70eh, 70fi, 70gj, 70hj, 70ij, 70j (energy information necessary for irradiation, irradiation sequence and control) stored in the memory of the power supply controller 45. FIG. As in the first embodiment, the operation pattern data is prepared as table data.

  11A and 11B show an operation example when the operation of the synchrotron 13 is controlled using the operation control data 7A shown in FIG. 10A. FIG. 11A shows a change in the excitation current value of the deflection electromagnet when the ion beam of 10 kinds of energy (Ea to Ej) is controlled to be emitted in three operation cycles, and FIG. 11B shows the first operation cycle. After the ion beam with two types of energy (Ea, Eb) is emitted, the accumulated ion beam is depleted, so the transition to the deceleration control is performed and the operation cycle is updated, and the third type energy (Ec) is updated in the second operation cycle. The change of the excitation current value of the deflection electromagnet when the ion beam is emitted is shown.

  The operation after the operation cycle update in the operation example shown in FIG. 11A will be described.

  After the emission control of the last energy Ed of the operation pattern data 70ad is completed, the operation cycle starts with the target energy updated to Ee. The power supply control device 45 selects the operation pattern data 70eh in which the emission control data corresponding to the target energy Ee appears earliest from the operation pattern data shown in FIG. 12 according to the flow of FIG. In response to the input of the acceleration control timing signal 511, the power supply control device 45 starts updating the initial acceleration control data 701e in the operation pattern data 70eh. After the initial acceleration control is completed, the achieved energy is compared with the target energy. Since the reached energy of the initial acceleration control data 701e coincides with Ee, thereafter, the same control as the extraction control and the deceleration control described above is performed. After the emission control of the energy (Ee, Ef, Eg, Eh) of the operation pattern data 70eh is completed, since the emission control of all the energy is not completed, the operation cycle starts with the target energy updated to Ei. . Similarly to the above, the power supply control device 45 selects the operation pattern data 70ij in which the emission control data corresponding to the target energy Ei appears earliest. Thereafter, the same control as the initial acceleration control, the extraction control, and the deceleration control described above is performed.

  Next, the operation example shown in FIG. 11B (when the operation cycle is updated during the multistage emission operation) will be described. Here, an operation after the second type of energy (Eb) emission control is completed will be described.

  The accumulated beam amount in the synchrotron is measured when the second type of energy Eb emission control is completed. Since it is determined from this measurement result that the next beam emission amount cannot be satisfied due to beam depletion or the like, the timing system 50 outputs a deceleration control start timing signal 516. Based on the input of the deceleration control start timing signal 516, the power supply control device 45 starts updating the deceleration control data 706b that can be continuously connected to the immediately preceding extraction condition release data 704b.

  In accordance with the input of the deceleration control end timing signal 517, it is confirmed whether the extraction control of all energy is completed. Since the extraction control of all energy has not been completed, the operation cycle is started with the target energy updated to Ec. Similarly to the above, the power supply control device 45 selects the operation pattern data 70cf in which the emission control data corresponding to the target energy Ec appears earliest. In response to the input of the acceleration control timing signal 511, the power supply control device 45 starts updating the initial acceleration control data 701c in the operation pattern 70 data cf. Thereafter, the same control as the emission control and the deceleration control is performed in the same manner as described above.

  By performing the operation control as in the present embodiment, even if the beam irradiation is interrupted at any energy, it is possible to directly shift to the deceleration control without performing the energy change control, and when restarting the operation cycle The target energy of the next beam irradiation can be reached only by performing the initial acceleration control. For this reason, the energy change control without beam irradiation is eliminated, and the operation efficiency of the synchrotron 13 can be further increased.

  In the present embodiment, the operation control data 7A is composed of the same number of operation pattern data as the number of beams to be irradiated. Therefore, when the number of beams to be irradiated increases, the operation control data 7A is supplied to the power supply controller 45 together with the operation pattern data. The memory capacity to be prepared also increases. In the particle beam therapy system, the particle beam energy adjustment of the particles is realized by adjusting the current value of each device constituting the synchrotron. Therefore, in order to realize the operation control of the particle beam therapy system based on a plurality of operation pattern data, it is necessary to individually adjust the setting values of each apparatus for each of the plurality of operation pattern data, and the adjustment time It also takes. Therefore, if it is not practical to prepare the same number of operation pattern data as the number of beams to irradiate, the energy that can be reached by the initial acceleration among the energy of the beams to be irradiated is set at two or three intervals, Or you may reduce the number of driving | running pattern data by suppressing the energy band which overlaps between driving | running pattern data to 1 energy or 2 energy.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Particle beam irradiation system 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d Beam 11 Ion beam generator 12 Pre-stage accelerator 13 Synchrotron 14 Beam transport device 15 Accumulated beam amount detection means 151 Accumulated beam amount measurement data 16 High frequency electrode 17 High frequency acceleration cavity 18 Deflection Electromagnet 19 Quadrupole electromagnet 30 Irradiation device 31 Dose monitor 311 Dose measurement data 32a and 32b Scanning magnet 34 Collimator 36 Patient 37 Affected part 40 Accelerator control device 41 Overall control device 411 Control data 412 Equipment information data 42 Storage device 421 Irradiation information data 43 Treatment plan Device 431 Treatment plan information 44 Irradiation control device 441 Extraction control permission signal 442 Dose expiration signal 443 Energy change request signal 444 Deceleration control request signal 445 Irradiation completion signal 45 Power control device 451 Power control command value 45 Status information 46 Power supply 50 Timing system 51 Timing signal 511 Acceleration control start timing signal 512 Extraction condition setting timing signal 513 Extraction control standby timing signal 514 Extraction condition release timing signal 515 Energy change control timing signal 516 Deceleration control start timing signal 517 Deceleration control end Timing signal 60 Interlock system 611 Energy change command 612 Irradiation completion command 613 Deceleration control command 614 Emission control command 615 Emission permission command 7 Operation control data 70 Operation pattern data 701 Initial acceleration control data 702 Emission control data 703 Emission condition setting data 704 Emission Condition release data 705 Energy change control data 706 Deceleration control data

Claims (12)

A synchrotron that accelerates and emits an ion beam;
In a particle beam irradiation system including an irradiation device for irradiating the ion beam emitted from the synchrotron,
The operation control data of the equipment constituting the synchrotron, the energy range of the ion beam to be emitted from the synchrotron, a predetermined energy number less than the energy number of the energy range to be emitted from the synchrotron A plurality of operation pattern data generated corresponding to each of the plurality of energy ranges divided so that at least one of the plurality of operation pattern data includes one initial acceleration control data and a plurality of emission controls. Data, at least one energy change control data for connecting the plurality of emission control data, and at least one deceleration control data, and the synchrotron is configured based on the plurality of operation pattern data Grains characterized by having a control device for controlling Line illumination system. The particle beam irradiation system according to claim 1,
The control device includes:
A particle beam irradiation system, wherein the energy range of the ion beam is divided so that the energy ranges after the division do not overlap each other, and the plurality of operation pattern data are configured based on the energy range after the division. The particle beam irradiation system according to claim 1,
The control device includes:
A particle beam irradiation system, wherein the energy range of the ion beam is divided so that the divided energy ranges overlap each other, and the plurality of operation pattern data are configured based on the divided energy ranges. In the particle beam irradiation system according to claim 3,
The control device includes:
The energy range of the ion beam is divided so that initial acceleration control data corresponding to all the energy of the ion beam emitted from the synchrotron is included, and the plurality of operation pattern data is configured based on the energy range after the division A particle beam irradiation system characterized by that. In the particle beam irradiation system according to claims 1 to 4,
The predetermined energy number is
The particle beam irradiation system, wherein the synchrotron has a maximum energy number that can be emitted in one operation cycle . The particle beam irradiation system according to claim 1,
The control device includes:
A plurality of control timing signals for managing the control timings of the devices constituting the synchrotron are generated, the plurality of operation pattern data are switched based on these control timing signals, and each of the plurality of operation pattern data is configured. A particle beam irradiation system characterized by switching control data. The particle beam irradiation system according to claim 1,
The control device includes:
Transition to deceleration control without updating all the emission control data included in the operation pattern data during the operation control of the devices constituting the synchrotron based on one of the plurality of operation pattern data, Returning to the start, when starting the initial acceleration control again, the particle is characterized by selecting the operation pattern data in which the extraction control data corresponding to the energy of the non-updated extraction control data appears earliest and making a transition to the initial acceleration control X-ray irradiation system. The particle beam irradiation system according to claim 1,
The control device includes:
When the operation pattern data includes the plurality of emission control data, the operation pattern data includes a plurality of deceleration control data corresponding to the plurality of emission control data,
When transitioning to deceleration control without updating all the emission control data included in the operation pattern data during the operation control of the equipment constituting the synchrotron based on the operation pattern data including the plurality of emission control data, A particle beam irradiation system characterized in that after the extraction control data that is currently updated is updated, deceleration control data corresponding to the extraction control data is selected, and transition is made to deceleration control. A synchrotron that accelerates and emits an ion beam;
An operation method of a particle beam irradiation system comprising an irradiation device for irradiating the ion beam emitted from the synchrotron,
The operation control data of the equipment constituting the synchrotron, the energy range of the ion beam to be emitted from the synchrotron, a predetermined energy number less than the energy number of the energy range to be emitted from the synchrotron A plurality of operation pattern data corresponding to each of a plurality of energy ranges divided so that at least one of the plurality of operation pattern data is one initial acceleration control data, a plurality of emission control data, The apparatus includes at least one energy change control data for connecting the plurality of emission control data and at least one deceleration control data, and controls the devices constituting the synchrotron based on the plurality of operation pattern data. Operation of a particle beam irradiation system characterized by Law. An operation method of the particle beam irradiation system according to claim 9,
A method of operating a particle beam irradiation system, wherein the energy range of the ion beam is divided so that the energy ranges after the division do not overlap each other, and the plurality of operation pattern data are configured based on the energy range after the division . An operation method of the particle beam irradiation system according to claim 9,
A particle beam irradiation system, wherein the energy range of the ion beam is divided so that the divided energy ranges overlap, and the plurality of operation pattern data are configured based on the energy ranges after the division. An operation method of the particle beam irradiation system according to claim 11,
The energy range of the ion beam is divided so that initial acceleration control data corresponding to all the energy of the ion beam to be emitted from the synchrotron is included, and the plurality of operation pattern data is based on the energy range after the division. The operation method of the particle beam irradiation system characterized by comprising.

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