JP2000300591A - Method and device for controlling thermotherapy and method and device for displaying heat distribution - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automate heating control by generating an isotherm on the basis of a temperature distribution image of a prescribed site subjected to magnetic resonance imaging and changing the amount of heat supplied when the isotherm touches a treatment boundary set in a tomogram in controlling a heat treatment device that supplies treatment heat to a prescribed site of a patient. SOLUTION: Output data from a magnetic resonance imaging section 300 through an A/D conversion section 22 are input to a heating control section 506 to generate a tomogram on the basis of full-view gradient encoder data. On the basis of a temperature distribution image of a prescribed site obtained by magnetic resonance imaging, an isotherm of 60 to 65 deg.C for example is obtained and the isotherm is superimposed on the tomogram and displayed on a separate screen of a display section 508 and then on the display section 508. When a treatment isotherm as a small circle surrounding the center of a treatment range is inside a temperature monitoring line, initial heating is performed by a heating section 504. However, when the circule of the isotherm expands and touches the temperature monitoring line, the heating section 504 is controlled so as to reduce a heating output.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heat treatment control method and apparatus, a heat treatment apparatus, and a temperature distribution display method and apparatus, and more particularly, to heat treatment for supplying heat for treatment to a predetermined portion of a body to be treated. The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a device, a heat treatment device having such a control device, and a method and a device for displaying a temperature distribution during a heat treatment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hyperthermia treatment (thermotherapy: th
is performed. LITT (Laser-induced In
terstitial Thermotherapy)
There is. In LITT, a catheter (c
laser from the tip of the endoscope or endoscope
er) Therapeutic heating is performed by irradiating light.
The amount of heat per unit time is adjusted by the laser power,
The total heating amount is adjusted by the irradiation time.

[0003] In order to observe the temperature of an affected part during heating and its spread, it is known to use a temperature distribution image obtained from an image taken by a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus.
e, CP, et al. , Journal of Mag
nettic Resonance Imaging,
8: 114-120 (1998).

[0004] In brief, a tomographic image of a treatment target including an affected part being heated is taken by a magnetic resonance apparatus, and a phase change from an image before heating is obtained for each pixel of the obtained image, and a distribution of the phase change is obtained. Generate an image.

[0005] Phase change Δφ of magnetic resonance signal and temperature change Δ
The relationship of T is given by the following equation.

[0006]

(Equation 1)

Here, δ: temperature coefficient (approximately −0.01 ppm / ° C.) γ: magnetic rotation ratio Bo: magnetic field intensity TE: echo time The distribution image of the phase change is represented by the temperature change distribution according to the equation (1). Is shown. The distribution image of the temperature change is displayed as a color image in which a different color is assigned to each temperature, overlaid on the tomographic image of the treatment site. The practitioner observes such a displayed image to grasp the degree of temperature rise and the range of the effective treatment temperature (60 to 65 ° C.).

[0008] In magnetic resonance imaging, a pulse sequence (pulse sequence) capable of imaging with high time resolution is used.
ce) as FLASH (fast low-ang
lesson) is used. When the magnetic field strength is 0.2
When imaging with a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a low magnetic field of about T,
SNR (signal to noise rate)
o) A pulse sequence for obtaining a good image
S-FLASH (echo-shifted FLAS
H) is described in Chung, YC, et.
al. , Journal of Magnetic R
Esonance Imaging, 9: 138-14
5 (1999).

[0009]

In the thermal treatment as described above, a laser beam having a predetermined output is irradiated for a predetermined time, during which the practitioner heats the affected part as planned based on the displayed image. Monitor whether or not. In this case, if the range of effective treatment temperature exceeds the planned treatment range, it is necessary to reduce or stop the laser output to prevent damage to normal tissue, but there is no equipment to do this automatically Therefore, there was a problem that the practitioner had to perform it manually.

As another method of hyperthermia, an RF (radio frequency) attached to the tip of a catheter or endoscope is used.
quency wave irradiator or microwave (m
There is a method of heating with an irradiator (micro wave), and a method of heating by irradiating convergent ultrasonic waves from outside the body. However, these methods have the same problem as LITT.

In contrast to the heat treatment, cryotherapy (cryotherapy: c) in which harmful tissue is necrotic by cooling.
ryotherapy). This is a treatment with negative heat, which can be called a heat treatment in a broad sense, but also has the same problem as described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide a control method and apparatus for automatically adjusting the amount of heat applied to a treatment site in accordance with a treatment plan, and such a method. The object is to realize a heat treatment device having a control device. It is another object of the present invention to realize a method and an apparatus for effectively displaying a temperature distribution during heat treatment. In the present invention, the term heat treatment includes the concept of both heat treatment and cryotherapy.

[0013]

Means for Solving the Problems (1) According to a first aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a method of controlling a heat treatment apparatus for supplying heat for treatment to a predetermined site of a body to be treated. Generate a isotherm of a predetermined temperature based on a temperature distribution image related to the site that has been magnetic resonance imaged, and set a treatment boundary line in a tomographic image that includes the region that has been magnetically imaged,
A heat treatment control method, wherein the amount of heat supplied by the heat treatment device is changed when the isotherm conflicts with the treatment boundary line.

(2) The invention according to a second aspect for solving the above-mentioned problem is a control device for controlling a heat treatment device for supplying heat for treatment to a predetermined portion of a treatment target, wherein the control device is a magnetic treatment device. Isothermal line generating means for generating a predetermined temperature isotherm based on a temperature distribution image relating to the region imaged by resonance, and treatment boundary line setting for setting a treatment boundary line in a tomographic image including the region imaged by magnetic resonance Means, detecting means for detecting that the isotherm has touched the treatment boundary line, and heat amount adjusting means for changing the amount of heat supplied by the heat treatment apparatus based on an output signal of the detecting means. A heat treatment control device characterized by the following.

(3) The invention according to a third aspect for solving the above-mentioned problems comprises a display means for displaying the isotherm and the treatment boundary line in a tomographic image including the part taken by the magnetic resonance imaging. The thermal treatment control device according to (2), wherein

(4) The invention according to a fourth aspect which solves the above-mentioned problem is a heat treatment apparatus for supplying heat for treatment to a predetermined portion of a subject to be treated, wherein (2) or (3) A heat treatment apparatus characterized by comprising the heat treatment control apparatus according to (1).

(5) According to a fifth aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem, an isotherm of a predetermined temperature is generated based on a temperature distribution image relating to an imaging region, and a temperature boundary is included in a tomographic image including the imaging region. A method for displaying a temperature distribution, comprising setting a line and notifying when the isotherm touches the temperature boundary line.

(6) The invention according to a sixth aspect for solving the above-mentioned problems is directed to an isotherm generating means for generating an isotherm of a predetermined temperature based on a temperature distribution image relating to an imaging site, and a tomographic image including the imaging site. A temperature distribution display device comprising: a temperature boundary line setting unit that sets a temperature boundary line in an image; and a notifying unit that notifies the temperature boundary line when the temperature line touches the temperature boundary line.

(7) Another aspect of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problem is a heat treatment method for supplying heat for treatment to a predetermined portion of a treatment target, and relates to the portion subjected to magnetic resonance imaging. A isotherm of a predetermined temperature is generated based on the temperature distribution image, a treatment boundary line is set in a tomographic image including the part obtained by the magnetic resonance imaging, and the heat is applied when the isotherm touches the treatment boundary line. A heat treatment method characterized by changing the amount of heat supplied by the treatment device.

In any one of the above (1) to (4) and (7), it is preferable to provide a plurality of the treatment boundary lines in that the amount of heat is changed in multiple stages. Further, in the above (5) or (6), it is preferable to provide a plurality of the temperature boundary lines in that the notification is performed in multiple stages.

(Action) In the present invention, the amount of heat supplied by the heat treatment apparatus is changed when the isotherm of a predetermined temperature comes into contact with the treatment boundary line with the progress of heating. Also, when the isotherm touches the temperature boundary line, it is notified.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the heat treatment apparatus. This device is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the present apparatus shows an example of an embodiment relating to the apparatus of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present apparatus has a magnetic resonance imaging section 300 and a heat treatment section 500. First, the magnetic resonance imaging section 300 will be described. Magnetic resonance imaging unit 30
At 0, the static magnetic field generator 2 forms a uniform static magnetic field in its internal space. The static magnetic field generation unit 2 includes a pair of magnetic generators (not shown) using, for example, permanent magnets, which face each other up and down with an interval therebetween, and form a static magnetic field (vertical magnetic field) in the opposing space. are doing. The magnetic generator is not limited to a permanent magnet, but may be a suitable magnetic generator such as a superconducting electromagnet or a normal conducting electromagnet.

In the internal space of the static magnetic field generating section 2, gradient coil sections 4 and 4 'and transmitting coil sections 6 and 6' are provided. The treatment target 8 is mounted on the imaging table 10 and carried into the space where the transmission coil units 6 and 6 ′ face each other. The body axis of the subject 8 is orthogonal to the direction of the static magnetic field. A receiving coil unit 120 is attached to the imaging table 10 so as to surround the imaging site of the treatment target 8. A heating element 502 for heat treatment is inserted into a treatment site in the body of the subject 8. The heating element 502 will be described later.

The gradient driving sections 16 are provided in the gradient coil sections 4 and 4 '.
Is connected. The gradient driving unit 16 includes a gradient coil unit 4,
A drive signal is applied to 4 'to generate a gradient magnetic field. The generated gradient magnetic field is a slice (slic)
e) Gradient magnetic field, readout (read out: read o)
out) Gradient field and phase encode
There are three types of gradient magnetic fields.

A transmitting section 18 is connected to the transmitting coil sections 6 and 6 '. The transmitting unit 18 supplies a driving signal to the transmitting coil units 6 and 6 ′ to generate an RF magnetic field, and thereby excites spins of hydrogen atoms in the body of the treatment target 8. The receiving coil unit 120 receives a magnetic resonance signal generated by excited spins in the treatment target 8.

The receiving coil section 120 is connected to the input side of the receiving section 20. The receiving unit 20 inputs a received signal from the receiving coil unit 120. The output side of the receiving unit 20 is analog-to-digital (analog to digital).
It is connected to the input side of the converter 22. The analog-to-digital converter is hereinafter referred to as an ADC. The ADC 22 converts an output signal of the receiving unit 20 into a digital signal.

The output side of the ADC 22 is a computer (co
mputer) 24. Computer 2
Numeral 4 inputs a digital signal from the ADC 22 and stores the digital signal in a memory (not shown). A data space is formed in the memory. The data space constitutes a two-dimensional Fourier space. The computer 24 converts these two-dimensional Fourier space data into two
An image of the treatment target 8 is reconstructed by performing a dimensional inverse Fourier transform.

The computer 24 is connected to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 is connected to the gradient driving unit 16, the transmission unit 18, the reception unit 20, and the ADC 22. Control unit 3
0 is a gradient drive unit 16, a transmission unit 18, a reception unit 20, and an ADC based on a command given from the computer 24.
22 are controlled to execute magnetic resonance imaging.

A display unit 32 and an operation unit 34 are connected to the computer 24. The display unit 32 is a computer
4 to display the reconstructed image and various information. The operation unit 34 is operated by an operator and inputs various commands, information, and the like to the computer 24.

The operation of the magnetic resonance imaging section 300 will be described.
Imaging is performed under the control of the control unit 30. As one specific example of magnetic resonance imaging, a case where imaging by ES-FLASH is performed will be described. For imaging by ES-FLASH, for example, a pulse sequence as shown in FIG. 2 is used.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a pulse sequence when collecting magnetic resonance signals (gradient echo signals) for one view. By repeating such a pulse sequence, for example, a gradient echo signal of 256 views is collected. In addition, ES-FLA
It goes without saying that magnetic resonance imaging may be performed not only by SH but also by another appropriate technique such as FLASH.

As shown in FIG. 2A, RF excitation is repeatedly performed with a pulse TR at a period TR (repetition time) by an α ° pulse. The period TR is about 20 ms. The RF excitation is performed by the transmission coil units 6 and 6 ′ driven by the transmission unit 18. At this time, a slice gradient magnetic field Gs is applied as shown in FIG. The application of the slice gradient magnetic field Gs is performed by the gradient coil units 4 and 4 ′ driven by the gradient driving unit 16. Thereby, the spin of the slice including the treatment target site (affected part) in the body of the subject 8 is excited (selective excitation).

Next, as shown in (c), a readout gradient magnetic field Gr is applied, and the spinout for readout is dephased. The application of the readout gradient magnetic field Gr is also performed by the gradient coil units 4 and 4 ′ driven by the gradient driving unit 16. in the meantime,
As shown in (d), a phase encoding gradient magnetic field Gp is applied, and phase encoding of spin is performed. The application of the phase encoding gradient magnetic field Gp is also performed by the gradient coil units 4 and 4 ′ driven by the gradient driving unit 16.

During the phase encoding period, spin rephasing is performed by the slice gradient magnetic field Gs as shown in FIG. Immediately after the rephasing gradient, a dephasing gradient as shown by hatching is added to dephase the phase of the rephased spin.

This dephase gradient is for preventing RF-excited spins from generating a gradient echo during the TR period, and is a crusher.
Also called r). Therefore, no gradient echo is generated even when the readout gradient magnetic field Gr is applied as shown in FIG.

At the end of the TR period, a re-phase is performed by adding a slice gradient Gs as indicated by oblique lines to cancel the crusher, and a read-out gradient magnetic field Gr and a phase encode gradient G for phase rewind.
Add p. A similar pulse sequence is repeated in the next TR period.

When such a pulse sequence is repeated, the gradient echo signal MR of the spin excited by RF for each period TR occurs during the next TR period as shown in (e). This makes the effective TEeff
(Effective echo time) can be made longer than TR. In other words, it is possible to perform magnetic resonance imaging with good time resolution with TR shorter than TE.

The gradient echo signal MR is received by the receiving coil section 120. The received signal is received by the receiver 2.
0 and input to the computer 24 via the ADC 22. The computer 24 stores the input signal in a memory as measurement data. As a result, one view of gradient echo data is collected in the memory.

The above operation is repeated over, for example, 256 TR. Each time the operation is repeated, the phase encoding gradient magnetic field Gp is changed, and different phase encoding is performed each time. The computer 24 collects the 2
Image reconstruction is performed based on the gradient echo data of 56 views, and a tomographic image of the treatment target 8 is generated. The generated image is displayed on the display unit 32. Such magnetic resonance imaging is performed continuously during the heat treatment described below.

Next, the heat treatment section 500 will be described.
The heat treatment section 500 has a heating element 502 inserted into the body of the treatment subject 8. As the heating element 502, for example, a laser beam irradiator is used, and thermal treatment by so-called LITT is performed. The heating element 502 is not limited to a laser beam irradiator, but may be an RF irradiator, a microwave irradiator, or the like. The heating element 502 is attached to the end of an endoscope, a catheter, or a puncture needle, for example, and inserted into the subject 8.

The heating element 502 is connected to the heating section 504. The heating unit 504 supplies electric power for heating to the heating element 502. The heating control section 506 is connected to the heating section 504. The heating control unit 506 provides a control signal to the heating unit 504 to control the operation.

The heating control section 506 is an example of an embodiment of the heat treatment control device of the present invention. The configuration of the present control device shows an example of an embodiment of the device of the present invention. An example of an embodiment of the method of the present invention is shown by the operation of the control device. As the heating control unit 506, for example, EWS (engineering work)
station) or the like is used.

The heating control unit 506 includes, for example, a CPU (central processing) as shown in FIG.
unit) 562. The CPU 562 is connected with a main memory 564, a hard disk device 566, a data input interface 568, a heating unit interface 570, a display unit interface 572, and an operation unit interface 574. Hereinafter, the main memory is called MM and the hard disk device is called HD.

The HD 566 stores a program (program) and data for the CPU 562.
The CPU 562 loads it into the MM 564 (load).
And run. The data input interface 568 is an interface related to data input from the ADC 22 of the magnetic resonance imaging unit 300. Heating section interface 57
Reference numeral 0 denotes an interface related to a control signal output to the heating unit 504. The display unit interface 572 is an interface for a display unit described later. The operation unit interface 574 is an interface for an operation unit described later.

The display 508 and the operation unit 510 are connected to the heating control unit 506. The display unit 508 is, for example, a graphic display.
play) or the like. The operation unit 510 is configured using, for example, a keyboard (keyboard) input device. Mouse (mic)
e) and a pointing device such as a track ball.
e) is attached. The practitioner interacts with the heating control unit 506 through the display unit 508 and the operation unit 510.
To perform heat treatment.

The heating control unit 506 includes the magnetic resonance imaging unit 3
From 00, the output data of the ADC 22 is input. That is, the gradient echo data collected by the magnetic resonance imaging unit 300 is also input to the heating control unit 506. CPU
Reference numeral 562 stores gradient echo data of all views in the HD 564 as in the computer 24 in the magnetic resonance imaging unit 300, and performs image reconstruction, that is, generation of a tomographic image, based on the data.

The CPU 562 also generates a temperature distribution image based on a phase change in each pixel (pixel) of the tomographic image. The phase change for generating the temperature distribution image is, as described in the above-mentioned document, an arc tangent (ratio of the ratio of the complex pixel data of the image captured before heating to the complex pixel data of the image captured during heating). arctan
gent). The CPU 562 superimposes the temperature distribution image as a color image on the tomographic image and displays the color image on the display unit 508.

The CPU 562 further obtains an isotherm at a temperature of 60 to 65 ° C. from the temperature distribution image, and superimposes it on the tomographic image and displays it on another screen of the display unit 508. In addition, temperature 6
0 to 65 ° C is the effective temperature of the heat treatment, that is, the temperature at which the cancer tissue is necrotic. The 60-65 ° C. isotherm indicates the range of effective treatment temperature at the treatment site. Less than,
The 60-65 ° C isotherm is called the therapeutic isotherm. The therapeutic isotherm is an example of an embodiment of the isotherm in the present invention.
The CPU 562 is an example of an embodiment of an isotherm generation unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the present apparatus from the viewpoint of heat treatment control. Hereinafter, the heat treatment by the present apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. Prior to the start of the heat treatment, the practitioner
A tomographic image including the affected part is displayed on the display unit 508, and a treatment plan is made using the image. That is, for example, the treatment boundary line 702 is set on a tomographic image 700 as shown in FIG. The treatment boundary 702 is stored in the HD 566. Heat is supplied from the heating element 502 to the center of the range surrounded by the treatment boundary line 702, that is, the center of the treatment range.

The treatment boundary line 702 is an example of the embodiment of the treatment boundary line in the present invention. It is also an example of an embodiment of a temperature boundary in the present invention. Treatment boundary line 7
02 is set by, for example, tracing the outline of a cancer tissue or the like to be treated with the pumping device of the operation unit 510.
e) is performed.

Display unit 508, operation unit 510, and CPU
The portion 562 is an example of the embodiment of the temperature distribution display device of the present invention. Moreover, it is an example of the embodiment of the treatment boundary line setting means in the present invention. Display unit 508
Is an example of an embodiment of the display means in the present invention.

Display unit 508, operation unit 510, and CPU
The portion 562 is an example of the embodiment of the temperature distribution display device of the present invention. It is also an example of an embodiment of a temperature boundary setting unit in the present invention. Display 5
08 is an example of an embodiment of the notification means in the present invention.

A temperature monitor line 704 is set inside the treatment boundary line 702 by drawing, and another temperature monitor line 706 is set inside the temperature monitor line 704. Temperature monitoring lines 704 and 706 are also H
D566. The temperature monitoring lines 704 and 706 are
It is an example of embodiment of treatment boundary in this invention.
The number of temperature monitoring lines is not limited to two, and may be an appropriate number.

The distance from the heating center is closest to the temperature monitoring line 706, and the next is the temperature monitoring line 704.
02 is the farthest. The temperature monitoring lines 706 and 704 and the treatment boundary line 702 are first-stage, second-stage, and third-stage temperature monitoring lines, respectively. Hereinafter, the treatment boundary line 702 is also referred to as a temperature monitoring line 702.

The CPU 562 controls the temperature monitoring line 70
The presence or absence of the above treatment isotherm with respect to 6,704,702 is detected, and the following heating control is performed. CPU5
Reference numeral 62 denotes an example of an embodiment of the detecting means in the present invention. Moreover, it is an example of the embodiment of the calorie control means in the present invention.

The operation of the heating control unit 506 will be described. FIG.
9 shows the progress of the heat treatment displayed on the display unit 508 in order. FIG. 6 shows the condition shortly after the start of heating, in which the treatment isotherm 708 is represented as a small loop surrounding the center of the treatment range, and only the vicinity of the heating element 502 has reached the treatment temperature. Show. In this state, since the treatment isotherm 708 is inside the first-stage temperature monitoring line 706, the CPU 562 causes the heating unit 504 to continue heating with an initial heating output, for example, 20 W. Thereby, quick heating with a relatively large output can be performed.

As the heating progresses, the loop of the therapeutic isotherm 708 expands, and eventually comes into contact with the first-stage temperature monitoring line 706 as shown in FIG. At this time, the CPU 56
2 detects this, and changes the heating output of the heating unit 504 to, for example, 15 W. As a result, the heating is switched to the heating with a slightly lower heat than the initial heating output, and the spread speed of the therapeutic heat spread range is reduced. When the treatment isotherm 708 collides with the temperature monitoring line 706 in the first stage, the display color of the temperature monitoring line 706 changes to call attention of the practitioner. Also, the notification may be made by an appropriate sound or message. The same applies hereinafter.

When the heating proceeds further and the treatment isotherm 708 comes into contact with the second-stage temperature monitoring line 704 as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 562 reduces the heating output of the heating unit 504 to, for example, 5 W. As a result, the heating is switched to heating with a weaker amount of heat, and the spreading speed of the therapeutic heat spread range is further reduced. When the treatment isotherm 708 collides with the second-stage temperature monitoring line 704, the display color of the temperature monitoring line 704 changes to call attention of the practitioner.

Thereafter, when the therapeutic heat spread range is expanded to a certain extent, the equilibrium state of the heating amount and the heat radiation amount is reached and the therapeutic isotherm 7
08 stops expanding. In this state, heating is continued until the total amount of heating reaches a preset value.

In the meantime, if the spread of the treatment heat is further expanded for any reason, the treatment isotherm 708 may be in a state of conflict with the third-stage temperature monitoring line 702. Upon detecting such a state, the CPU 562 controls the heating unit 504 to reduce the heating output to zero. This prevents the treatment heat from spreading beyond the preset treatment range and prevents damage to normal tissue. Further, when the treatment isotherm 708 collides with the temperature monitoring line 702 in the third stage, the temperature monitoring line 7
The display color of 04 changes to warn the practitioner.

In this way, heat treatment according to a predetermined treatment plan is automatically performed under the control of the CPU 562. Therefore, the involvement of the practitioner other than the formulation of the treatment plan is not required, and labor of the practitioner can be saved.
Moreover, the heat treatment can be performed accurately and safely. During this time, the practitioner monitors the temperature distribution image displayed on another screen to grasp the temperature state of the treatment unit.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing another example of the heat treatment apparatus. This device is another example of the embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the present apparatus shows an example of an embodiment relating to the apparatus of the present invention. Heating control unit 5 in this device
06 is an example of an embodiment of the heat treatment control device of the present invention. The configuration of the present control device shows an example of an embodiment of the device of the present invention. An example of an embodiment of the method of the present invention is shown by the operation of the control device.

In FIG. 10, the same parts as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. This device has a plurality of heating elements 521 to 525 inserted into the treatment subject 8. Although an example in which the number of heating elements is 5 is shown, the invention is not limited thereto. In correspondence with the plurality of heating elements 521 to 525,
A plurality of heating units 541 to 545 are provided. These heating units 541 to 545 are individually controlled by a heating control unit 506.

The operation of the heating control unit 506 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, a substantially elliptical treatment boundary line 702 is set according to the shape of the treatment site. Within the treatment boundary 702, five heating elements 521-5
5 includes five heat supply points 521 ′ to 525 ′. With the start of the heating, the loop of the therapeutic isotherms 781 to 785 is gradually expanded around each heat supply point, and the change stops at the equilibrium point of the heating and the heat release.

Here, the treatment isotherm 781
When any one of .about.785 comes into contact with the treatment boundary line 702, the CPU 562 sets the output of the heating unit 54i for heating the heating element 52i corresponding to the contacted treatment isotherm 78i to 0, and spreads the treatment heat to the normal tissue. To prevent. In this way, it is possible to perform the heat treatment suitable for the treatment section having the elliptical shape. In the process leading to this, the treatment boundary line 702
Of course, the heating output may be adjusted in multiple stages as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 using an appropriate temperature monitoring line set in accordance with FIG.

Although the above description has been given of the example in which the heat treatment is performed by the heating element inserted into the body of the treatment target, the heat treatment is not limited thereto. For example, the heat treatment in which the affected part is heated from outside the body by means of focused ultrasound or the like. Also in the system, the present invention can provide the same effect. The heat treatment may be a cryotherapy or the like.

[0068]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, a control method and apparatus for automatically adjusting the amount of heat applied to a treatment site in accordance with a treatment plan, and a heat control apparatus having such a control apparatus A treatment device can be realized.
Further, it is possible to realize a method and an apparatus for effectively displaying a temperature distribution during heat treatment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a pulse sequence of magnetic resonance imaging by the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a heating control unit in the apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an image displayed by a display device in the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an image displayed by a display device in the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an image displayed by a display device in the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an image displayed by a display device in the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an image displayed by a display device in the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a schematic diagram showing a part of an image displayed by a display device in the device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 300 magnetic resonance imaging section 500 heat treatment section 502 heating element 504 heating section 506 heating control section 508 display section 510 operation section 700 tomographic image 702 treatment boundary line 704-706 temperature monitoring line 708 isotherm line

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 4C082 RA02 RA03 RE58 RJ07 RL02 RL13 RL24 RL30 4C096 AA01 AA18 AB38 AD02 AD06 BA06 DD20 EA06 4C099 AA01 CA13 EA20 JA11 JA13 NA20 PA01 PA10

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A method for controlling a heat treatment apparatus for supplying heat for treatment to a predetermined site of a body to be treated, wherein a predetermined temperature isotherm is generated based on a temperature distribution image of the site taken by magnetic resonance imaging. A treatment boundary line is set in a tomographic image including the region taken by the magnetic resonance imaging, and the amount of heat supplied by the heat treatment device is changed when the isotherm conflicts with the treatment boundary line, Heat treatment control method. 2. A control device for controlling a heat treatment apparatus for supplying heat for treatment to a predetermined portion of a body to be treated, wherein the control device has a predetermined temperature based on a temperature distribution image of the portion taken by magnetic resonance. An isotherm generating means for generating an isotherm, a treatment boundary setting means for setting a treatment boundary in a tomographic image including the part obtained by the magnetic resonance imaging, and that the isotherm conflicts with the treatment boundary. A heat treatment control device, comprising: detection means for detecting; and heat quantity adjustment means for changing the heat quantity supplied by the heat treatment apparatus based on an output signal of the detection means. 3. The heat treatment control apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising display means for displaying the isotherm and the treatment boundary line in a tomographic image including the region taken by the magnetic resonance imaging. . 4. A heat treatment apparatus for supplying heat for treatment to a predetermined part of a body to be treated, wherein the heat treatment control apparatus according to claim 2 or 3 is provided. Heat treatment device. 5. A method for generating an isotherm of a predetermined temperature based on a temperature distribution image relating to an imaging region, setting a temperature boundary line in a tomographic image including the imaging region, and wherein the isotherm is in contact with the temperature boundary line. A temperature distribution display method for notifying the user when the temperature distribution has occurred. 6. An isotherm generating means for generating an isotherm of a predetermined temperature based on a temperature distribution image relating to an imaging part, a temperature boundary setting means for setting a temperature boundary in a tomographic image including the imaging part, And a notifying means for notifying when the isothermal line touches the temperature boundary line.