Patent Description:
In cancer treatment, a particle beam therapy that irradiates an affected area with particle beams such as proton beams and carbon ion beams has been attracting attention in recent years. In <FIG>, a general particle beam therapy apparatus <NUM> is schematically illustrated. In the particle beam therapy apparatus <NUM>, an affected area is irradiated with a particle beam <NUM> based on particles, which are accelerated by an accelerator until the particles have the required energy, from an irradiation nozzle <NUM>.

In order to irradiate the affected area with the particle beam <NUM> while avoiding normal tissue, the particle beam therapy apparatus <NUM> includes a mechanism for irradiating the affected area with the particle beam <NUM> from various directions. That is, the particle beam therapy apparatus <NUM> includes the irradiation nozzle <NUM> that is moved in an arc shape by a rotating gantry <NUM>, and a treatment table <NUM> whose a position and posture are adjustable. By an action of the rotating gantry <NUM> and an action of the treatment table <NUM> on which the patient is placed, the affected area is irradiated with the particle beam <NUM> from various directions.

<CIT> (PTL <NUM>) describes a technique for determining irradiation conditions in radiation therapy as a technique related to the present invention. PTL <NUM> describes conditions relating to a radiation beam that prescribes the irradiation intensity and irradiation direction as the irradiation conditions.

<CIT> describes an apparatus for creating a radiation treatment plan for execution by a radiation treatment machine, includes: a waypoint module configured to obtain imaging waypoint data representing imaging waypoints, the imaging waypoints at least partially defining one or more positions for obtaining images of a patient during a treatment session; a treatment trajectory module configured to obtain treatment data at least partially defining a beam-on direction; a treatment plan generator configured to create the radiation treatment plan based at least in part on the imaging waypoint data and the treatment data.

<CIT> describes a method which includes determining a set of candidate beam directions. The radiation therapy method further includes selecting a sub-set of non-coplanar beam directions of interest from the set of candidate beam directions based on a fluence optimization using a beam angle selection algorithm. The radiation therapy method further includes determining a set of delivery options based on a beam trajectory algorithm, wherein the delivery options at least include a non-coplanar trajectory during radiation treatment delivery. The radiation therapy method further includes optimizing the delivery options to generate a VMAT radiation plan with non-coplanar beam trajectories. The optimizing of the delivery options includes optimizing at least one machine parameter.

<CIT> describes a radiation treatment plan that includes a plurality of treatment fields of multiple treatment modalities, such as IMRT modality and dynamic treatment path modality (e.g., VMAT and conformal arc therapy), an optimized spatial point sequence may be determined that optimizes the total treatment time, which includes both the beam-on time (i.e., during the delivery of radiation dose) and the beam-off time (i.e., during transitions between consecutive treatment fields).

In the treatment using the particle beam therapy apparatus, data called treatment planning is created in advance. The treatment planning defines a plurality of prescribed conditions for the irradiation nozzle and treatment table. Each prescribed condition defines, for example, the position or posture of the irradiation nozzle and the treatment table. In one type of treatment, the plurality of prescribed conditions are sequentially applied to the irradiation nozzle and the treatment table one by one. With this configuration, the irradiation nozzle and the treatment table are sequentially set to positions and postures determined by each prescribed condition. Each time one prescribed condition is applied to the irradiation nozzle and the treatment table, medical treatment such as irradiation of the affected area with the particle beam is performed.

In general, in the treatment planning, the order in which the plurality of prescribed conditions are applied to the irradiation nozzle and the treatment table is not defined. For that reason, an operator empirically determines an application order of the plurality of prescribed conditions while referring to the treatment planning. In the technical field of particle beam therapy, it is desired to reduce a burden on such an operator.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the burden on the operator of the particle beam therapy apparatus.

According to the present invention, the burden on the operator of the particle beam therapy apparatus is reduced.

A particle beam therapy apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to each drawing. The same items illustrated in a plurality of drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a duplicate explanation thereof is avoided.

In <FIG>, a particle beam therapy apparatus <NUM> according to a first embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated. In <FIG>, an upward direction is defined as a z-axis positive direction when viewed from an operator. A direction in which a region surrounded by a rotating gantry <NUM> extends from the back side to the front side is defined as a y-axis positive direction. Furthermore, an x-axis is defined as a coordinate axis perpendicular to the z-axis and the y-axis.

The particle beam therapy apparatus <NUM> is an apparatus that irradiates an affected area with a particle beam of a heavy particle such as a proton and a carbon ion. The particle beam therapy apparatus <NUM> includes an accelerator <NUM>, a beam transport device <NUM>, the rotating gantry <NUM>, an irradiation nozzle <NUM>, a treatment table <NUM>, a control device <NUM>, an operation device <NUM>, and a display device <NUM>.

The particle beam therapy apparatus <NUM> generates the particle beam by the accelerator <NUM>, the beam transport device <NUM>, and the irradiation nozzle <NUM>. The accelerator <NUM> may be provided in a room separate from a treatment room. The accelerator <NUM> may be an accelerator such as a synchrotron type accelerator or a cyclotron type accelerator. The accelerator <NUM> accelerates a particle until the particles have required energy. The beam transport device <NUM> guides the particle beam obtained by the accelerator <NUM> to the irradiation nozzle <NUM>. The irradiation nozzle <NUM> irradiates the particle beam guided by the beam transport device <NUM>.

The rotating gantry <NUM> moves the irradiation nozzle <NUM> over an arc-shaped section extending from the bottom to the top. With this configuration, a rotation angle position of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> is freely adjustable. The rotation angle position is defined as an angle indicating the direction viewed from a reference point located at a position surrounded by the rotating gantry <NUM>. By adjusting the rotation angle position of the irradiation nozzle <NUM>, the direction of the particle beam irradiated from the irradiation nozzle <NUM> is adjusted. Here, an example of the reference point is an isocenter or a rotation center of the rotating gantry. Ideally, the center of rotation of the rotating gantry and the mechanical isocenter are located approximately at the same position.

A patient is placed on the treatment table <NUM>. The treatment table <NUM> is freely adjustable in position represented by xyz-coordinates. Furthermore, the treatment table <NUM> is freely adjustable in posture represented by a pitch angle, roll angle, and yaw angle. The yaw angle is defined as an angle around the z-axis of a leading axis that indicates the direction in which the patient's head is directed. The pitch angle is defined as an elevation angle of the leading axis with respect to the xy-plane. The roll angle is defined as a rotation angle around the leading axis. In the figure, a robot arm type treatment table is described as an example, but a treatment table including an x-axis drive mechanism, a y-axis drive mechanism, a z-axis drive mechanism, and a rotation mechanism that translate the top plate of the treatment table on each of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis may be used.

When treating a patient, the treatment table <NUM> is moved to a position surrounded by an arc-shaped section in which the irradiation nozzle <NUM> moves. By the action of the rotating gantry <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM>, the rotation angle position of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the position and posture of the treatment table <NUM> are adjusted. With this configuration, the affected area can be irradiated with the particle beam from various directions.

The operation device <NUM> outputs operation information for controlling the particle beam therapy apparatus <NUM> to the control device <NUM> in response to an operation by the operator. The control device <NUM> controls actions of the accelerator <NUM>, the beam transport device <NUM>, the rotating gantry <NUM>, and the treatment table <NUM>. The display device <NUM> displays an image according to the action of the control device <NUM>. The operation device <NUM> may be configured with a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, buttons, levers, and the like. The display device <NUM> may be a display device. The operation device <NUM> may be a touch panel incorporated in the display device <NUM>.

In <FIG>, a specific configuration of the particle beam therapy apparatus <NUM> is illustrated. The accelerator <NUM>, the beam transport device <NUM>, the rotating gantry <NUM>, the treatment table <NUM>, the operation device <NUM>, and the display device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are connected to the control device <NUM>. A treatment information management device <NUM> and a memory <NUM> are further connected to the control device <NUM>. The treatment information management device <NUM> is connected to a treatment planning device <NUM>, which is an external device.

The control device <NUM> includes a position and posture setter <NUM>, a treatment planning input and output device <NUM>, a movement path determiner <NUM>, an evaluation value determiner <NUM>, an order determiner <NUM>, and a display and operation processor <NUM>. The position and posture setter <NUM> includes a treatment table driver <NUM> and a gantry driver <NUM>. The treatment table driver <NUM> includes a drive circuit <NUM> as an electric circuit for driving an actuator of the treatment table <NUM>. The gantry driver <NUM> includes a drive circuit <NUM> as an electric circuit for driving the actuator of the rotating gantry <NUM>.

Specific actions of components (position and posture setter <NUM>, treatment planning input and output device <NUM>, movement path determiner <NUM>, evaluation value determiner <NUM>, order determiner <NUM>, and display and operation processor <NUM>) included in the control device <NUM> will be described later.

Some or all of the plurality of components included in the control device <NUM> may be configured by a processor except for the drive circuits <NUM> and <NUM>. The processor realizes each component by executing a program. This program may be stored in the memory <NUM> which serves as a storage medium. For the memory <NUM>, for example, a storage device such as a hard disk, a USB memory, or an SD card is used. The memory <NUM> may be a storage on a communication line such as the Internet. One component included in the control device <NUM> may be configured with a plurality of processors that perform distributed processing.

Some or all of the plurality of components included in the control device <NUM> may be configured by an external computer except for the drive circuits <NUM> and <NUM>. The external computer may be one which is directly connected to the control device <NUM> or connected to a communication line such as the Internet. One component included in the control device <NUM> may be configured with a plurality of external computers that perform distributed processing. Furthermore, some or all of the plurality of components included in the control device <NUM> may be individually configured by an electronic circuit as hardware.

For the treatment planning device <NUM>, for example, an external computer connected to the treatment information management device <NUM> is used. The treatment information management device <NUM> may be connected to the treatment planning device <NUM> via a communication line such as the Internet.

The treatment planning device <NUM> transmits initial treatment planning TP0 to the treatment information management device <NUM> in advance. The initial treatment planning TP0 is initial information for the particle beam therapy apparatus <NUM> to perform a treatment action. The treatment information management device <NUM> stores the initial treatment planning TP0.

In the initial treatment planning TP0, a plurality of prescribed conditions that are applied to the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> when performing one type of treatment are defined. Each prescribed condition in this embodiment determines the rotation angle position of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the position and posture of the treatment table <NUM>. In the following description, the rotation angle position of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the position and posture of the treatment table <NUM> are referred to as "positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM>".

The prescribed conditions include a prescribed condition for setup and a prescribed condition for irradiation process. The setup is a step performed before irradiation of the particle beam. In the setup, for example, an X-ray image or a CT image around the affected area is captured. Then, based on the image obtained by image-capturing, the position of the patient is adjusted so that the position of the affected area during treatment and the isocenter match. By the prescribed condition for setup, the rotation angle position of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the position and posture of the treatment table <NUM> when aligning the affected area are determined.

The irradiation process is a process of irradiating the affected area with the particle beam. In general, in one type of treatment, the affected area is irradiated with the particle beams from a plurality of different directions, and irradiation is performed a plurality of times from one direction. For that reason, in the initial treatment planning TP0, prescribed conditions are defined at every plural irradiation. The rotation angle position of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the position and posture of the treatment table <NUM> during the irradiation process are determined by the prescribed condition for irradiation process.

In <FIG>, an example of the prescribed conditions defined by the initial treatment planning TP0 is illustrated. The symbols "Stp1" to "Stp4" indicated in a "prescribed condition" field are symbols for distinguishing four prescribed conditions for setup. The symbols "Tx1" to "Tx4" indicated in the "prescribed condition" field are symbols for distinguishing four prescribed conditions for irradiation process. The numbers "<NUM>" to "<NUM>" in the field in which the symbol "#" is described indicate the order in which the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> is adapted to the respective prescribed conditions.

In <FIG>, an example in which the rotation angle positions of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> are the same and the positions and postures of the treatment table <NUM> are the same for prescribed conditions Stpi and Txi (i is an integer of <NUM> to <NUM>) is illustrated. Items corresponding to the prescribed conditions Stpi and Txi are indicated in a common field arranged horizontally.

In a "rotating gantry" field, the rotation angle position of the rotating gantry <NUM> is determined according to each prescribed condition. The rotation angle position of the rotating gantry <NUM> represents the rotation angle position of the irradiation nozzle <NUM>. By prescribed conditions Stp1 and Tx1, the rotation angle position of the rotating gantry <NUM> is set to <NUM>°. By prescribed conditions Stp2 and Tx2, the rotation angle position of the rotating gantry <NUM> is set to <NUM>°. By prescribed conditions Stp3 and Tx3, the rotation angle position of the rotating gantry <NUM> is set to <NUM>°. By prescribed conditions Stp4 and Tx4, the rotation angle position of the rotating gantry <NUM> is set to <NUM>°.

In a "treatment table" field, the posture of the treatment table <NUM> is determined according to each prescribed condition. Each prescribed condition actually determines the position and posture of the treatment table <NUM>. In <FIG>, for simplicity of notation, only the yaw angle is illustrated as one geometric quantity representing the posture. When the yaw angle of the treatment table <NUM> is defined with the position of the affected area as the origin, a direction of arrival of the particle beam viewed from the affected area is represented by the rotation angle position of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the yaw angle of the treatment table <NUM>. In this case, each prescribed condition illustrated in <FIG> can determine the irradiation direction of the particle beam to the affected area.

In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the yaw angle of the treatment table <NUM> is set to <NUM>° by the prescribed conditions Stp1 and Tx1. The yaw angle of the treatment table <NUM> is set to <NUM>° by the prescribed conditions Stp2 and Tx2. The yaw angle of the treatment table <NUM> is set to <NUM>° by the prescribed conditions Stp3 and Tx3. The yaw angle of the treatment table <NUM> is set to <NUM>° by the prescribed conditions Stp4 and Tx4.

In <FIG>, five prescribed conditions obtained by adding a start condition Start to the four prescribed conditions illustrated in <FIG> are conceptually illustrated. In the start condition Start, the rotation angle position of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the position and posture of the treatment table <NUM> when the patient gets on and off the treatment table <NUM> are defined. The double-headed arrow straight line connecting the prescribed conditions indicates that the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> can be transitioned between the prescribed conditions illustrated on both sides of the double-headed arrow straight line. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, it is assumed that the patient gets on and off under the same conditions. The conditions for the patient to get on and off the treatment table <NUM> may be different.

The process for a plurality of prescribed conditions as illustrated in <FIG> is described with reference to <FIG>. The treatment planning input and output device <NUM> reads the initial treatment planning TP0 from the treatment information management device <NUM>. The treatment planning input and output device <NUM> extracts information representing a plurality of prescribed conditions required for treatment from the initial treatment planning TP0.

The movement path determiner <NUM> determines the movement path of the treatment table <NUM> when adapting the position and posture of the treatment table <NUM> from one prescribed condition to another for any combination of selecting two from a plurality of prescribed conditions. That is, the movement path determiner <NUM> determines the movement path of the treatment table <NUM> between the plurality of prescribed conditions. Similarly, the movement path determiner <NUM> determines the movement path of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> between the plurality of prescribed conditions. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the movement path determiner <NUM> determines the movement paths of the treatment table <NUM> and the irradiation nozzle <NUM> between the five prescribed conditions.

The movement path determiner <NUM> reads information related to a three-dimensional shape of the particle beam therapy apparatus <NUM> and information related to a size of the patient from the memory <NUM>. The movement path determiner <NUM> determines the movement paths of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> so that the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the patient do not come into contact with each other, for example. The movement path determiner <NUM> may determine the movement paths of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> so that the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> do not come into contact with each other. The movement path determiner <NUM> may determine a movement path so that a part other than the treatment table <NUM> of the particle beam therapy apparatus <NUM> and the patient or the parts of the particle beam therapy apparatus <NUM> do not collide with each other. The movement path determiner <NUM> determines the movement paths of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> so that the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the patient do not come into contact with each other and the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> do not come into contact with each other.

The movement of the treatment table <NUM> according to the movement path may be accompanied by motion in which the position of the treatment table <NUM> is constant and only the posture thereof changes. In this case, information representing the movement path also includes a geometric quantity (posture before change and posture after change) representing a change in the posture of the treatment table <NUM> when the position of the treatment table <NUM> is constant.

In one type of treatment, the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> sequentially transitions according to each of the plurality of prescribed conditions. In the transition of the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM>, the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> move according to the movement path determined by the movement path determiner <NUM>. The evaluation value determiner <NUM> obtains an evaluation value when one type of treatment is performed. The evaluation value is a value indicating a motion state of at least one of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> when one type of treatment is performed.

The evaluation value includes, for example, the movement time of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> when one type of treatment is performed. When the movement time of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> is different, the longer of the movement time of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> may be defined as the movement time of both the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM>. The movement time may include the time required for setup and irradiation process. The evaluation value may be work [J] given to the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> when one type of treatment is performed.

The evaluation value may be a value indicating a motion load given to the treatment table <NUM> when one type of treatment is performed. The motion load given to the treatment table <NUM> includes, for example, a movement distance and the movement time of the treatment table <NUM> when one type of treatment is performed. The motion load given to the treatment table <NUM> may be kinetic energy [J] given to the treatment table <NUM> when one type of treatment is performed, or a time-integrated value (momentum) [kg·m/s] of the force given to the treatment table <NUM>.

For one type of treatment, there are a plurality of types of candidates for the order in which the plurality of prescribed conditions are applied to the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM>. That is, for one type of treatment, there are a plurality of types of candidate orders that are candidates for the order in which the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> is sequentially adapted to a plurality of prescribed conditions.

The evaluation value determiner <NUM> obtains an evaluation value for each of the plurality of types of candidate orders. The order determiner <NUM> selects one of the plurality of types of candidate orders based on the evaluation value obtained for each of the plurality of types of candidate orders. The order determiner <NUM> determines one candidate order selected from the plurality of types of candidate orders as a setting order when actually performing one type of treatment.

When the evaluation value is a value indicating the movement time and movement distance of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM>, or the work given to the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM>, the order determiner <NUM> may select the one having the smallest evaluation value among the plurality of candidate orders as the setting order. The order determiner <NUM> may randomly select one of the plurality of candidate orders whose evaluation value is less than a predetermined threshold value as the setting order.

Similarly, when the evaluation value indicates the motion load of the treatment table <NUM>, the order determiner <NUM> may select the one having the smallest evaluation value among the plurality of candidate orders as the setting order. In this case as well, the order determiner <NUM> may randomly select one of the plurality of candidate orders whose evaluation value is less than the predetermined threshold value as the setting order.

In <FIG>, the setting order in which the movement time as the evaluation value is minimized is conceptually illustrated. The order in which the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> (positional posture of control target) transitions is indicated by solid arrows as the setting order. In this setting order, firstly, the positional posture of the control target transitions from the positional posture adapted to the start condition Start to the positional posture adapted to the prescribed conditions Stp1 and Tx1. Secondly, the positional posture of the control target transitions from the positional posture adapted to the prescribed conditions Stp1 and Tx1 to the positional posture adapted to the prescribed conditions Stp2 and Tx2.

Thirdly, the positional posture of the control target transitions from the positional posture adapted to the prescribed conditions Stp2 and Tx2 to the positional posture adapted to the prescribed conditions Stp4 and Tx4. Fourthly, the positional posture of the control target transitions from the positional posture adapted to the prescribed conditions Stp4 and Tx4 to the positional posture adapted to the prescribed conditions Stp3 and Tx3. Fifthly, the positional posture of the control target transitions from the positional posture adapted to the prescribed conditions Stp3 and Tx3 to the positional posture adapted to the start condition Start.

The display and operation processor <NUM> displays each prescribed condition on the display device <NUM> in the setting order determined by the order determiner <NUM>. In <FIG>, an example of an image displayed on the display device <NUM> is illustrated. On a display screen <NUM>, a setting order display unit <NUM> and an evaluation value display unit <NUM> are illustrated. On the setting order display unit <NUM>, the contents of each prescribed condition are illustrated according to the setting order illustrated in <FIG>.

The numerical values "<NUM>" to "<NUM>" in the field in which a symbol "#" is described indicate ranking of the prescribed conditions illustrated on the right side thereof. In this example, the ranking of the prescribed conditions Stp1 and Tx1 is the first, and the ranking of the prescribed conditions Stp2 and Tx2 is the second. The ranking of the prescribed conditions Stp4 and Tx4 is the third, and the ranking of the prescribed conditions Stp3 and Tx3 is the fourth.

Under the prescribed conditions Stpi and Txi (i is an integer of <NUM> to <NUM>) indicated in the "prescribed condition" field, the rotation angle positions of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> are the same, and the positions and postures of the treatment table <NUM> are the same. In the field of "rotating gantry", the rotation angle positions of the rotating gantry <NUM> corresponding to the prescribed conditions Stpi and Txi are indicated. In the "treatment table" field, the yaw angles corresponding to the prescribed conditions Stpi and Txi are indicated.

In <FIG>, the yaw angle is indicated as a representative value as one geometric quantity representing the posture in order to simplify the display. Regarding the treatment table <NUM>, in addition to the yaw angle, an angle representing another posture may be indicated, or a position thereof may be indicated.

The specific numerical values of the rotation angle positions of the rotating gantry <NUM> associated with the respective prescribed conditions Stpi and Txi are the same as those in <FIG>. The specific numerical values of the yaw angles of the treatment table <NUM> associated with the respective prescribed conditions Stpi and Txi are also the same as those in <FIG>. On the evaluation value display unit <NUM>, the movement time obtained for the set order being displayed is illustrated as an evaluation value.

In this way, on the display screen <NUM>, the prescribed conditions are illustrated in an array according to the setting order. On the display screen <NUM>, the setting order of each prescribed condition is indicated by a numerical value. That is, the display screen <NUM> illustrates information indicating the setting order of each prescribed condition.

The display and operation processor <NUM> displays an image corresponding to the operation performed in the operation device <NUM> on the display device <NUM>. In <FIG>, an operation for changing the setting order illustrated in the setting order display unit <NUM> is illustrated. As illustrated in the upper side of <FIG>, a region where the symbol of the prescribed condition, the rotation angle position of the rotating gantry <NUM>, and the yaw angle of the treatment table <NUM> are displayed is moved by dragging and dropping with a cursor. When dragging the region, an edit button <NUM> is pressed down by the cursor. When dropping the region, the edit button <NUM> is released from the cursor.

On the upper side of <FIG>, the display screen <NUM> in which the region where the symbol of the prescribed condition, the rotation angle position of the rotating gantry <NUM>, and the yaw angle of the treatment table <NUM> are indicated is moving is illustrated. On the lower side of <FIG>, the display screen <NUM> after the movement of this region is illustrated. By this display action, the order in which the prescribed conditions are displayed is rearranged. On the evaluation value display unit <NUM> on the upper side of <FIG>, the movement time before rearranging the setting order is illustrated. On the evaluation value display unit <NUM> on the lower side of <FIG>, the movement time after rearranging the setting order is illustrated.

The rearrangement of the display order is performed by the operation device <NUM>, the evaluation value determiner <NUM>, a setting order changer <NUM>, the display and operation processor <NUM>, and the treatment planning input and output device <NUM>. The setting order changer <NUM> recognizes the operation performed by the operation device <NUM> based on operation information read from the operation device <NUM>. The setting order changer <NUM> determines a new setting order according to the rearrangement of the display order of the prescribed conditions. The evaluation value determiner <NUM> obtains an evaluation value for the new setting order. The display and operation processor <NUM> displays the evaluation value obtained for the new setting order on the display device <NUM>.

The treatment planning input and output device <NUM> generates a treatment planning TP indicating a finally determined setting order, and transmits the treatment planning TP to the treatment information management device <NUM>. The treatment information management device <NUM> stores the treatment planning TP.

In this way, in the process of changing the setting order, the setting order is displayed on the display screen <NUM>, and the setting order changer <NUM> changes the setting order according to the operation information read from the operation device <NUM> and newly determines the setting order.

In <FIG>, a flowchart illustrating the flow of treatment preparation is illustrated. The process illustrated in this flowchart is executed by the control device <NUM>. When the control device <NUM> includes a processor, each component configured inside the control device <NUM> executes the process illustrated in the flowchart of <FIG> by executing a program.

The treatment planning input and output device <NUM> reads the initial treatment planning TP0 from the treatment information management device <NUM> (S101). The treatment planning input and output device <NUM> extracts information indicating a plurality of prescribed conditions applied to one type of treatment from the initial treatment planning TP0.

The movement path determiner <NUM> determines the movement paths of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> when the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> is adapted from one prescribed condition to another condition (S102). The movement path determiner <NUM> determines the movement paths between the plurality of prescribed conditions.

The evaluation value determiner <NUM> obtains an evaluation value for each of the plurality of types of candidate orders (S103). As described above, the candidate order is a candidate for the order in which the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> is sequentially adapted to the plurality of prescribed conditions.

The order determiner <NUM> selects one of the plurality of types of candidate orders based on the evaluation value obtained for each of the plurality of types of candidate orders. The order determiner <NUM> determines one selected candidate order as a setting order (S104). As described above, the setting order is the order in which the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> is adapted to each of the plurality of prescribed conditions in the actual treatment.

The display and operation processor <NUM> displays each prescribed condition on the display device <NUM> in the setting order determined by the order determiner <NUM> (S105). While each prescribed condition is displayed, the display and operation processor <NUM> determines whether or not a display end operation for ending the display of each prescribed condition has been performed in the operation device <NUM> (S106).

When it is determined that the display end operation is performed, the display and operation processor <NUM> causes the treatment planning input and output device <NUM> to execute the process of step S110. The treatment planning input and output device <NUM> generates a treatment planning TP indicating a finally determined setting order (S110), and transmits the treatment planning TP to the treatment information management device <NUM>. The treatment information management device <NUM> stores the treatment planning TP. The treatment information management device <NUM> stores the finally determined setting order by storing the treatment planning TP.

When it is determined that the display end operation is not performed, the display and operation processor <NUM> determines whether or not the operation device <NUM> has performed the operation of rearranging the display order of the prescribed conditions (S107).

When it is determined that the display and operation processor <NUM> has not performed the operation of rearranging the display order of the prescribed conditions, the display and operation processor <NUM> returns to step S105 and continuously displays each prescribed condition on the display device <NUM> (S105). When it is determined that the display and operation processor <NUM> has performed the operation of rearranging the display order of the prescribed conditions, the display and operation processor <NUM> rearranges the display order and displays the prescribed conditions on the display device <NUM> (S108).

The setting order changer <NUM> determines a new setting order according to the rearrangement of the display order of the prescribed conditions (S109). The treatment planning input and output device <NUM> generates a treatment planning TP indicating a finally determined setting order (S110), and transmits the treatment planning TP to the treatment information management device <NUM>. The treatment information management device <NUM> stores the treatment planning TP.

Generally, treatment with the particle beam is divided and carried out in a plurality of days. In the treatment on the second and subsequent days, the treatment planning TP is read from the treatment information management device <NUM> into the control device <NUM>. In the treatment on the second and subsequent days, the setting order is defined by the treatment planning TP, and thus the setting order does not necessarily need to be changed. However, depending on the situation such as the need to change the irradiation direction of the particle beam to the affected area, the same process as the process for the initial treatment planning TP0 may be executed by the control device <NUM>.

While the process illustrated in the flowchart of <FIG> is executed, the operator operates the operation device <NUM> to perform treatment of the affected area. First, the patient is laid down on the treatment table <NUM>. The operator operates the operation device <NUM> to display the setting order of the plurality of prescribed conditions applied to one type of treatment on the display device <NUM>.

That is, the display and operation processor <NUM> displays the setting order of the plurality of prescribed conditions applied to one type of treatment on the display device <NUM> in response to the operation to the operation device <NUM>. The operator refers to the display device <NUM> and inputs condition designation information for designating the prescribed condition to the operation device <NUM> for each setup or each irradiation process according to the setting order displayed on the display device <NUM>.

In response to this, the operation device <NUM> reads the condition designation information. Each time the condition designation information that designates one prescribed condition is read, the position and posture setter <NUM> adapts the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> to the prescribed conditions designated in the condition designation information.

When the rotation angle position of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> is made to be adapted to each prescribed condition, the gantry driver <NUM> changes the rotation angle position of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> from the previous prescribed condition to the next prescribed condition according to the movement path determined by the movement path determiner <NUM>. When the position and posture of the treatment table <NUM> are adapted to each prescribed condition, the treatment table driver <NUM> changes the position and posture of the table <NUM> from the previous prescribed condition to the next prescribed condition according to the movement path determined by the movement path determiner <NUM>.

The setup is performed when the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> is adapted to the prescribed conditions for setup. Then, the irradiation process is performed when the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> is adapted to the prescribed conditions for the irradiation process. The operator sequentially inputs the condition designation information into the operation device <NUM> according to the setting order from a first prescribed condition to a last prescribed condition. The position and posture setter <NUM> adapts the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> to each prescribed condition according to the condition designation information sequentially read by the operation device <NUM>.

In this way, instead of the operator checking the setting order according to the display of the display device <NUM> and the operator inputting the condition designation information in order according to the setting order, the control device <NUM> may recognize the setting order by itself and execute the process according to the recognition. In this case, the position and posture setter <NUM> adapts the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> to the prescribed conditions according to the setting order each time a trigger operation is performed by the operation device <NUM>. The trigger operation is an operation for making the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> transition.

In <FIG>, a flowchart of the treatment action executed by the control device <NUM> is illustrated. The process illustrated in this flowchart is executed by the operation device <NUM>, the display and operation processor <NUM>, and the position and posture setter <NUM>.

The display and operation processor <NUM> determines whether or not the trigger operation has been performed by the operation device <NUM> (S201). The position and posture setter <NUM> repeats the determination in step S201 while the trigger operation is not performed by the operation device <NUM>. On the other hand, when it is determined that the trigger operation is performed by the operation device <NUM>, the position and posture setter <NUM> adapts the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> to the prescribed condition according to the setting order (S202).

That is, when the trigger operation is the first time, the position and posture setter <NUM> adapts the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> to the prescribed condition in which the ranking in the setting order is the first. When the trigger operation is the second time, the position and posture setter <NUM> adapts positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> to the prescribed condition in which the ranking in the setting order is the second. When the trigger operation is the N-th time, the position and posture setter <NUM> adapts the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> to the prescribed condition in which the ranking in the setting order is the N-th. However, N is an integer of <NUM> or more.

After step S202 is executed, the position and posture setter <NUM> determines whether or not the prescribed condition in which the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> is adapted is the last prescribed condition (S203). When it is determined that the prescribed condition is not the last prescribed condition, the position and posture setter <NUM> returns to the process of step S201. When it is determined that the prescribed condition is the last prescribed condition, the position and posture setter <NUM> ends the process.

By the process of steps S201 to S203, the position and posture setter <NUM> makes the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> transition from the first prescribed condition to the last prescribed condition while adapting the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> to each prescribed condition.

In the description above, the embodiment in which the rotation angle position of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the position and posture of the treatment table <NUM> are freely adjustable has been described. In this way, in addition to the configuration in which the positions and postures of both the irradiation nozzle and the treatment table are freely adjustable, a configuration in which the position and posture of only one of the irradiation nozzle and the treatment table are freely adjustable may be used. Only the position or posture of one of the irradiation nozzle and the treatment table may be freely adjustable, and the position and posture of the other may be freely adjustable.

In this way, in the particle beam therapy apparatus, the relationship between the relative positions and postures of the irradiation nozzle and the treatment table is freely adjustable. In the following description, the relationship between the relative positions and postures of the irradiation nozzle and the treatment table is referred to as "relative position and posture". The relative position and posture is represented, for example, by the position and posture of one of the irradiation nozzle and the treatment table in a coordinate system fixed to the other thereof.

The relative position and posture of the irradiation nozzle and the treatment table can be adjusted by changing the position and posture of one of the irradiation nozzle and the treatment table and the position and posture of the other thereof. When one of the irradiation nozzle and the treatment table is fixed, the relative position and posture can be adjusted by changing the position and posture of the other of the irradiation nozzle and the treatment table. When the position or posture of one of the irradiation nozzle and the treatment table is fixed, the relative position and posture can be adjusted by changing the posture or position of one of the irradiation nozzle and the treatment table and the position and posture of the other thereof.

In <FIG>, a particle beam therapy apparatus <NUM> according to a second embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated. The same components as those illustrated in <FIG> are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the particle beam therapy apparatus <NUM>, the irradiation nozzle <NUM> is fixed to a wall <NUM>. On the other hand, the position and posture of the treatment table <NUM> are freely adjustable. The irradiation nozzle <NUM> irradiates the particle beam in the lateral direction when viewed from the operator.

When treating a patient, the treatment table <NUM> is moved to a position which is irradiated with radiation from the irradiation nozzle <NUM>. After that, the posture of the treatment table <NUM> is adjusted, and the affected area is irradiated with particle beams from various directions. The control device <NUM> is a device in which the gantry driver <NUM> is removed from the control device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

As described above, the particle beam therapy apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention includes the irradiation nozzle <NUM> for irradiating the particle beam, the treatment table <NUM> on which the patient is placed, and the control device <NUM> or <NUM> that controls the actions of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM>. Each component included in the control device <NUM> or <NUM> acts as follows. The position and posture setter <NUM> moves a movable body that is at least one of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> which are capable of motion, and sets the relative position and posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM>.

The movement path determiner <NUM> determines the movement path of the movable body when the positional posture of the movable body is adapted from one condition among a plurality of prescribed conditions to another condition. The positional posture of the movable body is defined as at least one of the position and posture of the movable body. The movement path determiner <NUM> may determine the movement path of the movable body between the plurality of prescribed conditions. The information indicating the movement path may include a geometric quantity representing a change in posture of the treatment table <NUM> when the position of the treatment table <NUM> is constant. Depending on the embodiment, the information indicating the movement path may include a geometric quantity representing a change in posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> when the position of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> is constant.

The evaluation value determiner <NUM> obtains an evaluation value when the positional posture of the movable body is adapted to each of the plurality of prescribed conditions. This evaluation value represents the motion state of the movable body when the movable body is moved according to the movement path and one type of treatment is performed. The order determiner <NUM> determines the setting order for adapting the positional posture of the movable body to each of the plurality of prescribed conditions based on the evaluation value.

In one type of treatment, the position and posture setter <NUM> moves the movable body according to the movement path determined by the movement path determiner <NUM> and adapts the positional posture of the movable body from one condition among the plurality of prescribed conditions condition to another condition.

The particle beam therapy apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention uses a control method established by the following matters (i) to (vi). The control device <NUM> or <NUM> may execute a control program that executes this control method.

According to the particle beam therapy apparatus according to this embodiment, the setting order for the positional posture of the movable body is determined based on the evaluation value. Accordingly, the operator does not need to empirically determine the setting order while referring to the treatment planning. With this configuration, the burden on the operator is reduced.

According to the particle beam therapy apparatus according to this embodiment, the information indicating the setting order and the evaluation value are displayed on the display device <NUM>. Accordingly, a validity of the determined setting order is indicated by the evaluation value.

When the evaluation value is the movement time of the movable body in one type of treatment, the following effects can be obtained. That is, physical stress or mental stress given to the patient is reduced by determining the setting order so that the evaluation value becomes an appropriate value (for example, the minimum value). Furthermore, the time required for treatment is reduced.

When the evaluation value is the work given to the moving body in one type of treatment, the following effects can be obtained. That is, electric energy consumed by the particle beam therapy apparatus is reduced by determining the setting order so that the evaluation value becomes an appropriate value (for example, the minimum value).

When the evaluation value is a motion load given to the treatment table <NUM> in one type of treatment, the following effects can be obtained. That is, physical stress or mental stress given to the patient is reduced by determining the setting order so that the evaluation value becomes an appropriate value (for example, the minimum value).

By the configuration in which the evaluation value is displayed on the display device <NUM> together with the setting order and the setting order is changed by the operation on the operation device <NUM>, the following effects can be obtained. That is, the setting order can be determined based not only on the evaluation value but also on the operation of the operator. When the setting order is regularly determined by the evaluation value, it may be difficult to perform an action for checking the action or an appropriate action according to the treatment situation. According to this embodiment, the action of the movable body according to an irregular situation can be performed by the operation of the operator.

The movement path of the movable body is required so that the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the patient do not come into contact with each other, or the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> do not come into contact with each other. Alternatively, the movement path of the movable body is required so that the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the patient do not come into contact with each other and the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table do not come into contact with each other. With this configuration, safety during treatment is ensured.

The application embodiments for the embodiments described above are described below. Each application embodiment is an application of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the prescribed condition determines the rotation angle position of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the position and posture of the treatment table <NUM>. By using the prescribed conditions for determining the position and posture of the treatment table <NUM>, a similar application embodiment is established for the second embodiment.

In <FIG>, an example of the prescribed conditions defined by the initial treatment planning TP0 is illustrated. In this example, by the initial treatment planning TP0, one prescribed condition Stp1 for setup and three prescribed conditions Tx1 to Tx3 for the irradiation process are defined. Unlike the example illustrated in <FIG>, the prescribed condition Stp1 and the prescribed conditions Tx1 to Tx3 individually determine the rotation angle position of the irradiation nozzle <NUM>. The prescribed condition Stp1 and the prescribed conditions Tx1 to Tx3 individually determine the position and posture of the treatment table <NUM>.

For the rotating gantry <NUM>, the rotation angle position thereof is determined by each prescribed condition. For the treatment table <NUM>, the position and posture thereof are determined by each prescribed condition. For simplicity of notation, in <FIG>, only the yaw angle is illustrated as one quantity representing the posture thereof.

By the prescribed condition Stp1, an angle of <NUM>° is set to the rotation angle position of the rotating gantry <NUM>. By the prescribed condition Tx1, the rotation angle position of the rotating gantry <NUM> is set to <NUM>°. By the prescribed condition Tx2, the rotation angle position of the rotating gantry <NUM> is set to <NUM>°. By the prescribed condition Tx3, the rotation angle position of the rotating gantry <NUM> is set to <NUM>°.

By the prescribed condition Stp1, the yaw angle of the treatment table <NUM> is set to <NUM>°. By the prescribed condition Tx1, the yaw angle of the treatment table <NUM> is set to <NUM>°. By the prescribed condition Tx2, the yaw angle of the treatment table <NUM> is set to <NUM>°. By the prescribed condition Tx3, the yaw angle of the treatment table <NUM> is set to <NUM>°.

In <FIG>, the setting order in which the movement time as the evaluation value is minimized is conceptually illustrated. The order in which the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> transitions is indicated by solid arrows. In this setting order, the positional posture of the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> transitions in the order of the start condition Start, the prescribed condition Stp1, the prescribed condition Tx3, the prescribed condition Tx1, the prescribed condition Tx2, and the prescribed condition Start.

In <FIG>, an example of an image illustrated on the display device <NUM> is illustrated. The same items as those illustrated in <FIG> are denoted by the same reference numerals. The setting order display unit <NUM> includes a field indicating designated ranking in addition to the fields for displaying the prescribed condition, the rotation angle position of the rotating gantry <NUM>, and the yaw angle of the treatment table <NUM>.

The specific numerical values of the rotation angle positions of the rotating gantry <NUM> associated with the respective prescribed conditions Stpi and Txi are the same as those in <FIG>. The specific numerical values of the yaw angles of the treatment table <NUM> associated with the respective prescribed conditions Stpi and Txi are the same as those in <FIG>.

On the display screen <NUM>, the prescribed conditions are illustrated in the setting order determined first. The ranking of the prescribed condition Stp1 is the first, and the ranking of the prescribed condition Tx3 is the second. The ranking of the prescribed condition Tx1 is the third, and the ranking of the prescribed condition Tx2 is the fourth.

On this display screen <NUM>, an operation of changing the setting order by the operator is performed. In the field for entering the designated ranking, a numerical value indicating the ranking to be occupied by the prescribed condition associated with the field in the changed setting order is input.

The display screen <NUM> includes a recalculation button <NUM>. As illustrated in the upper side of <FIG>, the designated ranking is input in the field of designated ranking by the operation of the operator. In the example shown on the upper side of <FIG>, <FIG> is input as the designated ranking for the prescribed condition Stp1, and <NUM> is input as the designated ranking for the prescribed condition Tx1.

When the recalculation button <NUM> is pressed by the cursor based on the operation of the operator after the designated ranking is input, a new setting order is determined. The new setting order is determined based on the evaluation value under a constraint condition that the ranking of the prescribed condition Stp1 is fixed to the first and the ranking of the prescribed condition Tx1 is fixed to the second. That is, among the plurality of candidate orders, the new setting order is selected from the one in which the ranking of the prescribed condition Stp1 is the first and the ranking of the specified prescribed Tx1 is the second surface. This selection is made based on the evaluation value corresponding to the candidate order.

On the display screen <NUM> illustrated on the lower side of <FIG>, the prescribed conditions are illustrated in the new setting order after the change. The ranking of the prescribed condition Stp1 is the first, and the ranking of the prescribed condition Tx1 is the second. The ranking of the prescribed condition Tx3 is the third, and the ranking of the prescribed condition Tx2 is the fourth. The movement time is illustrated on the evaluation value display unit <NUM> as the evaluation value for the new setting order.

The process of changing the setting order based on the designated ranking is executed by the operation device <NUM>, the display and operation processor <NUM>, the setting order changer <NUM>, the display device <NUM>, and the treatment planning input and output device <NUM>. The display and operation processor <NUM> recognizes the operation performed by the operation device <NUM>. The display and operation processor <NUM> displays the image illustrated in <FIG> on the display device <NUM> in response to the operation performed to the operation device <NUM>. When the designated ranking is input on the display screen <NUM> by the operation on the operation device <NUM> and the recalculation button <NUM> is pressed, the display and operation processor <NUM> reads the designated ranking.

The setting order changer <NUM> changes the setting order according to the designated ranking being read. That is, the setting order changer <NUM> selects the one in which the prescribed condition (constraint prescribed condition), in which the ranking is designated, occupies the designated ranking among the plurality of candidate orders as the new setting order. The setting order changer <NUM> selects the new setting order based on the evaluation value corresponding to the candidate order.

As illustrated on the lower side of <FIG>, the display and operation processor <NUM> displays the prescribed conditions on the display device <NUM> in the new setting order after the change. The display and operation processor <NUM> further displays the evaluation value obtained for the new setting order after the change on the display device <NUM>.

In this way, when there is a constraint prescribed condition among the plurality of prescribed conditions, the setting order changer <NUM> determines the setting order as follows. That is, the setting order changer <NUM> determines the one, in which the ranking of the constraint prescribed condition is the designated ranking, among the plurality of types of orders for adapting the positional posture to each of the plurality of prescribed conditions, as the new setting order.

Here, an example in which the designated ranking as a constraint condition is input by the operator is indicated. As another example, the designated ranking may be predetermined for a specific prescribed condition. For example, regarding the prescribed conditions for setup, the designated ranking may be set as the first.

According to this application embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. That is, it may be necessary to designate ranking of the prescribed conditions in an action for checking the action and the like. Depending on the treatment situation, it is desirable to rank the specific prescribed condition higher. According to this application embodiment, the irradiation nozzle <NUM> and the treatment table <NUM> can act according to an irregular situation by designating ranking of specific prescribed conditions.

An application embodiment in which a course of treatment can be referenced by the operator is described below. In <FIG>, an image displayed on the display device <NUM> is illustrated. The same items as those illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Generally, treatment with the particle beam therapy apparatus is divided and carried out in a plurality of days. On the display screen <NUM>, tab parts <NUM> corresponding to the number of days that the treatment has been performed so far and the number of days that the treatment will be performed from now on are displayed.

In <FIG>, the display screen <NUM> when the treatment for two days has already been performed and the treatment for the third day is performed is illustrated. Each treatment planning TP generated according to the treatment so far is stored in the treatment information management device <NUM>. When the treatment is started, the control device <NUM> reads the treatment planning TP generated by the treatment so far from the treatment information management device <NUM>. The operator operates the tab part <NUM> as necessary to display the setting order in the treatment performed in the past on the display device <NUM>.

The process of displaying the display screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> on the display device <NUM> is executed by the operation device <NUM>, the treatment planning input and output device <NUM>, the display and operation processor <NUM>, and the display device <NUM>. The display and operation processor <NUM> recognizes the operation performed by the operation device <NUM>. When an operation of clicking the tab part <NUM> displayed on the display device <NUM> with the cursor is performed in the operation device <NUM>, the treatment planning input and output device <NUM> reads the treatment planning TP corresponding to the clicked tab part <NUM> from the treatment information management device <NUM>. The display and operation processor <NUM> displays the treatment planning TP read by the treatment planning input and output device <NUM> on the display device <NUM>.

According to this embodiment, the setting order in the treatment performed in the past is indicated to the operator. With this configuration, a judgment material when determining the setting order in the next treatment is indicated to the operator.

Claim 1:
A particle beam therapy apparatus (<NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
an irradiation nozzle (<NUM>, <NUM>) that irradiates a particle beam;
a treatment table (<NUM>, <NUM>) on which a patient is placed; and
a control device (<NUM>) that moves a movable body and sets a relative position and posture of the irradiation nozzle (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the treatment table (<NUM>, <NUM>), the movable body being at least one of the irradiation nozzle (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the treatment table (<NUM>, <NUM>) that is capable of motion, and
a display device (<NUM>) for displaying information, wherein
the control device (<NUM>)
determines a movement path of the movable body when adapting the positional posture of the movable body from one condition among a plurality of prescribed conditions to another condition,
obtains an evaluation value for a case of adapting the positional posture of the movable to each of a plurality of prescribed conditions, the evaluation value representing a motion state of the moving body when one type of treatment is performed by moving the moving body according to the movement path,
determines a setting order for adapting the positional posture of the movable body to each of the plurality of prescribed conditions based on the evaluation value, and
adapts the positional posture of the movable body from one condition among the plurality of prescribed conditions to another condition by moving the movable body according to the movement path, the particle beam therapy apparatus (<NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM>) characterized in that the display device (<NUM>) is configured to display information indicating the setting order, and in that
the control device (<NUM>) is configured to change the setting order according to read operation information while information indicating the setting order is displayed.