Patent ID: 7257436
Filing Date: 2007-08-14
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for generating a synchronizing signal for applying radiation to a respiratory moving object, comprising: a moving state detector for detecting a respiration-induced moving state of the respiratory moving object and outputting a moving state signal representing the detected respiration-induced moving state; an output condition setting unit for setting an output condition for the synchronizing signal with respect to said moving state signal outputted from said moving state detector; a moving state signal determining unit for determining whether said moving state signal outputted from said moving state detector is in a predetermined relationship to said output condition or not; and a synchronizing signal generator for generating said synchronizing signal based on a result from said moving state signal determining unit, wherein said output condition setting unit enables said output condition for said synchronizing signal to be selectively set at one of a plurality of predefined output conditions, all of said predefined output conditions being made available for selection by said output condition setting unit, wherein, in at least one of said plurality of predefined output conditions, said synchronizing signal is generated and radiation is applied during continuous respiration and movement of said respiratory moving object, and wherein said plurality of output conditions include all of: an output condition for outputting said synchronizing signal for a predetermined number of seconds (ts), after a predetermined number of seconds (tc) has elapsed from a peak amplitude (max) of the respiration signal; an output condition for outputting said synchronizing signal for a predetermined number of seconds (ts), after a predetermined number of seconds (tc) has elapsed from an arbitrary amplitude (a) in the respiratory cycle; an output condition for outputting said synchronizing signal between two arbitrary amplitudes (a an output condition for outputting said synchronizing signal for a predetermined number of seconds (ts) after a forced stop in respiration at an arbitrary amplitude (a an output condition for outputting said synchronizing signal for a predetermined number of seconds (ts) after each of a plurality of arbitrary amplitudes (a