Beam data processing apparatus and particle beam therapy system

摘要

A beam data processing apparatus has a plurality of channel data conversion units that convert a plurality of analogue signals outputted from a position monitor into digital signals, a position size processing unit that calculates a beam position, based on voltage information items obtained through processing by the plurality of channel data conversion units, an abnormality determination processing unit that determines the beam position and generates a position abnormality signal, and an integrated control unit that controls the plurality of channel data conversion units in such a way that while a beam is stopped at an irradiation spot, digital signal conversion processing is implemented two or more times; the channel data conversion unit has a plurality of A/D converters, a demultiplexer that distributes analogue signals, and a multiplexer that switches respective digital signals processed by the A/D converters so as to output them to the position size processing unit.

主权项

1. A beam data processing apparatus that performs calculation processing of a state of a charged particle beam that has been accelerated by an accelerator and has been scanned by a scanning electromagnet in a particle beam therapy system for irradiating a diseased site, the beam data processing apparatus comprising:
a plurality of channel data conversion units that perform A/D conversion processing in which each of a plurality of analogue signals, outputted from a position monitor that detects the passing position of the charged particle beam within the position monitor, is converted into a digital signal; an integrated control unit that controls the plurality of channel data conversion units;
wherein each of the channel data conversion units includes (i) a plurality of A/D converters that sequentially operate while the charged particle beam remains stationary to irradiate an irradiation spot of the diseased site, as controlled by the integrated control unit, such that one A/D converter begins A/D conversion processing prior to another A/D converter completing A/D conversion processing, (ii) a demultiplexer that distributes the respective analogue signals to the A/D converters at different timings while the charged particle beam remains stationary, and (iii) a multiplexer that switches the respective digital signals processed by the A/D converters at different timings, andwherein said position monitor (i) is located at a downstream position with respect to said scanning electromagnet and (ii) includes a plurality of detection channels therein for detecting the passing position of the charged particle beam at the downstream location after having been scanned by said scanning electromagnet; a position size processing unit that receives the digital signals output from the multiplexer and calculates a beam position, which is the passing position of the charged particle beam within the position monitor, based on voltage information items obtained through processing by the plurality of channel data conversion units; and an abnormality determination processing unit (i) that determines whether or not the beam position within the position monitor is within a tolerance range, based on a desired position of the charged particle beam and a position allowable value, and (ii) that generates a position abnormality signal when determining that the beam position is not within the tolerance range.