JP4718793B2 - MRI equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an MRI apparatus that performs tomographic imaging of a human body using a magnetic field resonance phenomenon.

  An MRI apparatus that performs tomography of a human body using a magnetic resonance phenomenon is known. This MRI apparatus has a higher contrast resolution than that of simple radiography, CT, and other radiological examinations, can arbitrarily obtain multi-directional multi-tomographic images, does not generate artifacts from bone and air, and is free from X-ray exposure. There are many advantages such as no. Therefore, this MRI apparatus is used for tomographic imaging of various examination sites such as the head, knee, spine, limb, and breast.

  When performing tomography using an MRI apparatus, a doctor or a medical technician (hereinafter referred to as “medical personnel”) lays the subject on a bed and attaches a receiving coil to the examination site of the subject. Then, points to be noted when photographing with respect to the subject will be described. Next, the bed is moved to set the examination site of the subject at a predetermined position on the apparatus main body. Then, a tomographic image of the examination part is formed by irradiating the examination part from the apparatus main body with a magnetic field and receiving a magnetic resonance signal generated from the examination part.

  By the way, there are many types of receiving coils depending on the examination site, and in order to perform good tomographic imaging, it is necessary to use a receiving coil suitable for the examination site. Furthermore, each receiving coil has a fixed mounting method. In order to perform good tomography, it is necessary to mount the receiving coil by a mounting method according to the receiving coil. In addition, points to be noted at the time of imaging differ depending on the examination site, and in order to perform good tomography, it is necessary to explain to the subject the correct caution points according to the examination site.

  As described above, the method of using the MRI apparatus is extremely complicated as compared with other medical apparatuses. Therefore, it has been difficult for medical personnel who are not used to handling the MRI apparatus to perform these operations quickly and accurately.

  Therefore, in the past, a manual was placed in the control room, and while receiving this manual, the receiving coil was attached and the subject was explained. However, going to the control room one by one and wearing the receiving coil or explaining to the subject after looking at the manual is very inefficient and a heavy burden on medical personnel.

Therefore, in recent years, a medical device with a monitor that displays information such as a handling method for medical personnel has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-16825 A

  However, the medical device monitor described in Patent Document 1 is intended for handling training, and even if this medical device is used, medical personnel themselves need to learn and learn the handling method. There was no change. Therefore, it has been still a burden for medical personnel to use the MRI apparatus.

The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide an MRI apparatus that can reduce the workload of medical personnel.

  In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the MRI apparatus of the present invention is configured as follows.

(1) A high frequency magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field are applied to a subject placed in a static magnetic field according to a predetermined pulse sequence, and a magnetic resonance signal generated from the subject is received by a receiving coil, and the reception is performed. In an MRI apparatus for generating a magnetic resonance image of the subject based on a signal, a gantry comprising a static magnetic field generating means for generating the static magnetic field, a gradient magnetic field generating means for generating the gradient magnetic field, and the input from a console First storage means for storing examination information of the subject, recognition means for recognizing the type of the receiving coil, second storage means for storing a mounting method on the subject for each type of receiving coil, A display unit provided on the gantry and displaying a mounting method of the receiving coil on the subject stored in the second storage unit based on a recognition result by the recognition unit; And the display means is inappropriate when the type of the reception coil recognized by the recognition means is not suitable for the examination information of the subject stored in the first storage means. It is characterized by displaying.
Further, a high frequency magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field are applied to a subject placed in a static magnetic field according to a predetermined pulse sequence, and a magnetic resonance signal generated from the subject is received by a receiving coil, and the received signal In the MRI apparatus for generating a magnetic resonance image of the subject based on the above, a gantry comprising the static magnetic field generating means for generating the static magnetic field, the gradient magnetic field generating means for generating the gradient magnetic field, and the subject input from a console Storage means for storing the test part of the sample, connection means for connecting the wiring of the reception coil, and when the reception coil is connected to the connection means, the reception coil is the reception coil for the test part whether by determining a recognition unit that recognizes a type of the receiving coil by said recognition means, said receiver coil connected to the connection means If it is determined not to be the receiver coil for serial examination region, characterized by comprising a display means for displaying said reception coil is inappropriate.

(2) A high-frequency magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field are applied to a subject placed in a static magnetic field in accordance with a predetermined pulse sequence that is executed in synchronization with the detection result by detecting the movement of the subject by the detection means. Then, in the MRI apparatus that receives the magnetic resonance signal generated from the subject by the receiving coil and generates the magnetic resonance image of the subject based on the received signal, the static magnetic field generating means for generating the static magnetic field A gantry comprising a gradient magnetic field generating means for generating the gradient magnetic field, a first storage means for storing examination information of the subject input from a console , a recognition means for recognizing the type of the detection means, and detection A second storage means for storing a mounting method of the means on the subject, and the second storage means provided on the gantry and based on the examination information of the subject stored in the first storage means. Display means for displaying a method of mounting the detection means on the subject stored in the storage means, and the display means is configured such that the type of the detection means recognized by the recognition means is the first When the inspection information of the subject stored in the storage means is not suitable, it is displayed that the detection means is inappropriate.

( 3 ) A high-frequency magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field are applied to a subject placed in a static magnetic field according to a predetermined pulse sequence, and a magnetic resonance signal generated from the subject is received by a receiving coil, and the reception is performed. In an MRI apparatus for generating a magnetic resonance image of the subject based on a signal, a gantry comprising a static magnetic field generating means for generating the static magnetic field, a gradient magnetic field generating means for generating the gradient magnetic field, and the input from a console First storage means for storing examination information of the subject, recognition means for recognizing the type of the mounted receiving coil, and first points for storing notes to be explained to the subject according to the examination information 2 storage means and the caution points stored in the second storage means based on the examination information of the subject provided on the gantry and stored in the first storage means Display means, and when the type of the receiving coil recognized by the recognizing means is not suitable for the examination information of the subject stored in the first storage means, the receiving coil It is characterized by displaying that is inappropriate.

( 4 ) In the MRI apparatus, first storage means for storing examination information of the subject input from the console , and examination means attached to the subject for tomographic imaging of the examination site of the subject; If the recognition means for recognizing the type of the inspection means and the type of the inspection means recognized by the recognition means are not suitable for the inspection information stored in the first storage means, the inspection means is And display means for displaying appropriateness.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the workload of medical personnel.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.

  FIG. 1 is an overall view of the MRI apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the MRI apparatus according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the MRI apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a gantry 10 installed in a shield room A and a console 20 installed in a control room B.

  The gantry 10 has a cylindrical magnetic field generator 11. This magnetic field generator 11 is provided so that its axis is substantially horizontal, and a static magnetic field generator 18 (static magnetic field generating means) for generating a static magnetic field and a gradient for generating a gradient magnetic field are provided inside. A magnetic field generator 19 (gradient magnetic field generating means). Thereby, a static magnetic field or a gradient magnetic field can be generated in the opening 11a. Hereinafter, the static magnetic field and the gradient magnetic field are referred to as a magnetic field.

  A bed 12 is provided in the opening 11 a of the magnetic field generator 11 so as to be movable along the axial line direction of the magnetic field generator 11. The bed 12 is provided with a driving device (not shown), and the head H of the subject P can be set in the opening 11 a by an instruction from the console 20.

  In the present embodiment, a receiving coil C is mounted in advance on the head H of the subject P that becomes the examination site. The receiving coil C receives a magnetic resonance signal generated from the subject P, and the magnetic resonance signal received by the receiving coil C is used when forming a tomographic image (magnetic resonance image) of the head H. Is done.

  In the present embodiment, the head H is used as the examination site, but the MRI apparatus can be used for tomography of various examination sites such as joints, feet, abdomen, and shoulders. Therefore, there are various types of receiving coils C corresponding to the examination site, and medical personnel must select and install the receiving coil C suitable for the examination site.

  A connection panel 14 for connecting the wiring 17 of the receiving coil C is provided at a predetermined position of the gantry 10. When the wiring 17 of the reception coil C is connected to the connection panel 14, the type of the reception coil C is automatically recognized by the recognition unit 21 a (recognition means) of the control device 21 provided in the console 20. ing.

  The magnetic resonance signal received by the receiving coil C is transmitted from the connection panel 14 to the image generating unit 21b (image forming means) of the control device 21, and various processes for generating a tomographic image of the head H are performed. Is called.

  A storage device 22 is connected to the control device 21. The storage device 22 includes a first storage unit 22a (first storage unit) and a second storage unit 22b (second storage unit), and inputs from the console 20 to the first storage unit 22a. Thus, the examination information of the subject P is stored, and the second storage unit 22b stores in advance the mounting method to the subject P for each type of the receiving coil C. The examination information includes the name of the subject P, age, weight, height, examination site, examination method, and photographic points to be explained to the subject P.

  A display monitor 16 (display means) is provided at a predetermined position of the gantry 10. The display monitor 16 displays a procedure for mounting the receiving coil C, a method for arranging the wiring 17 of the receiving coil C, and points to be taken for imaging to be explained to the subject P. Accordingly, the medical staff can wear the receiving coil C, arrange the wiring 17, and explain points of caution to the subject P while viewing the display monitor 16.

  Next, the operation when using the MRI apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

  When using the MRI apparatus having the above-described configuration, the examination information of the subject P is input from the console 20 in the control room B in advance. Note that this examination information may be input in a batch using an ID card or the like of the subject P.

  When the subject P is laid on the bed 12, the wiring 17 of the receiving coil C is first connected to the connection panel 14. When the wiring 17 of the receiving coil C is connected to the connection panel 14, the type of the receiving coil C is automatically recognized by the recognition unit 21a. Based on the recognition result, it is determined whether the receiving coil C connected to the connection panel 14 is suitable for the inspection information input in advance, and the determination result is displayed on the display monitor 16.

  For example, when a receiving coil C other than the head is connected to the connection panel 14 even though the examination site input from the console 20 is the head H, the receiving coil C is erroneously displayed on the display monitor 16. Is displayed. Thereby, the medical staff can use the receiving coil C suitable for the examination information of the subject P without making a mistake.

  When it is determined that the receiving coil C connected to the connection panel 14 is suitable for the examination information of the subject P, the connection panel is selected from various mounting procedures stored in the second storage unit 22b. 14 is selected and displayed on the display monitor 16. For example, when the head receiving coil C is connected, the procedure for mounting the head receiving coil C is displayed.

  The medical staff wears the receiving coil C on the head H according to the wearing procedure displayed on the display monitor 16. As a display method of the display monitor 16, a medical person may press a button provided on the display monitor 16 every time each mounting process is completed, and a description of the next mounting process may be displayed. When the time has elapsed, an explanation of the next mounting process may be automatically displayed.

  When the receiving coil C is attached to the head H, the medical staff presses a button provided on the display monitor 16. Thereby, the arrangement method of the wiring 17 of the receiving coil C is displayed on the display monitor 16. This arrangement method is in accordance with the inspection site inputted in advance. For example, when inspecting the head H, the arrangement method of the wiring 17 when the receiving coil C is mounted on the head H is displayed. .

  The medical staff arranges the wiring 17 of the receiving coil C according to the display on the display monitor 16. And if the wiring 17 of the receiving coil C is correctly arrange | positioned, a medical staff will push the button provided in the display monitor 16. FIG. As a result, the display monitor 16 displays caution points that should be explained to the subject P before imaging. This caution point is in accordance with the inspection site inputted in advance. For example, when an inspection of the head H is performed, a caution point necessary for receiving the inspection of the head H is displayed.

  The medical staff explains precautions for photographing on the subject P according to the display on the display monitor 16. Then, when the receiving coil C is mounted, the wiring 17 of the receiving coil C is disposed, and the points to be noted are finished, the medical staff moves to the control room B and operates the console 20 tomography of the head H. To start.

  In tomographic imaging of the head H, the bed 12 is moved in the axial direction of the subject P, and the head H of the subject P is moved into the opening 11a. Then, a magnetic field having a predetermined intensity is generated in the opening 11 a according to a predetermined pulse sequence in accordance with an instruction from the console 20, and this magnetic field is applied to the head H of the subject P.

  When a magnetic field is applied to the head H of the subject P, a magnetic resonance signal is generated from the head H. This magnetic resonance signal is received by the receiving coil C and transmitted from the connection panel 14 to the image generation unit 21 b of the control device 21 of the console 20. Various processes are performed in the image generation unit 21b, and a tomographic image of the head H is formed. This tomographic image is stored in a storage device (not shown) and used as a later diagnostic material.

  According to the MRI apparatus having the above-described configuration, the display monitor 16 is provided on the gantry 10 in the shield room A, and the installation procedure of the receiving coil C is displayed on the display monitor 16. Therefore, the medical staff can perform the mounting operation of the receiving coil C while looking at the display monitor 16.

  Further, the display monitor 16 displays the arrangement method of the wiring 17 of the receiving coil C. Therefore, medical personnel can perform the work of arranging the wiring 17 of the receiving coil C while looking at the display monitor 16.

  Further, a cautionary point to be explained to the subject P is displayed on the display monitor 16. Therefore, medical personnel can explain points of caution to the subject P while viewing the display on the display monitor 16.

  That is, if the MRI apparatus according to the present embodiment is used, it is possible to reduce the work burden on the medical staff when using the MRI apparatus as compared with the work while viewing the conventional manual, and it is always the optimum receiving coil. Using C, tomography can be performed with an optimal inspection method.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a side view of the MRI apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the motion of the heart S that is the examination site is detected, and tomography of the heart S is performed while synchronizing with this motion.

  Incidentally, the MRI apparatus is used for tomography of various examination sites. For this reason, there are many types of sensors 31 (detection means) for detecting the movement of the examination region, corresponding to the examination region, and there are various methods for mounting the sensor 31.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the mounting method for each type of sensor 31 is stored in advance in the second storage unit 22b. Then, based on the inspection information stored in the first storage unit 22a, the sensor 31 selects the one suitable for the inspection information from the mounting procedures of the sensor 31 stored in the second storage unit 22b, and displays the display monitor. 16 is displayed.

  In this way, as in the first embodiment, since the medical staff can perform the work of mounting the sensor 31 while looking at the display monitor 16, the work burden on the medical staff can be reduced.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a side view of an MRI apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, tomographic imaging of the arm E, which is the examination site, is performed while injecting a contrast medium into the subject P.

  Incidentally, the MRI apparatus is used for tomography of various examination sites. Therefore, there are many types of arrangement methods for the drip tube 41 for injecting the contrast agent, corresponding to the examination site. If the infusion tube 41 is arranged by an arrangement method that is not suitable for the examination site, the infusion tube 41 may come off the subject as the bed 12 moves.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the arrangement method of the infusion tube 41 that is optimal for the examination site is stored in advance in the second storage unit 22b. Then, based on the examination information stored in the first storage unit 22a, a method suitable for the examination information is selected from the arrangement methods of the drip tube 41 stored in the second storage unit 22b and displayed. It is displayed on the monitor 16.

  In this way, as in the first embodiment, since the medical staff can perform the placement operation of the drip tube 41 while looking at the display monitor 16, the work burden on the medical staff can be reduced.

  As described in the first to third embodiments, the MRI apparatus is used for tomography of various examination sites. For this reason, there are many types of receiving coil C, mounting method of receiving coil C, arranging method of wiring 17 of receiving coil C, mounting method of sensor 31, arranging method of infusion tube 41, and points to be noted on subject P. There are types. Therefore, arranging the display monitor 16 in the vicinity of the subject P and displaying the mounting method, arrangement method, cautions, etc. on the display monitor 16 reduces the work burden on medical personnel and allows rapid tomography. It can be said that it is extremely effective.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

1 is an overall view of an MRI apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The side view of the MRI apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. The side view of the MRI apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The side view of the MRI apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Stand, 11a ... Opening part, 12 ... Bed, 14 ... Connection panel, 16 ... Display monitor (display means), 18 ... Static magnetic field generator (static magnetic field generator), 19 ... Gradient magnetic field generator (static magnetic field generation) Means), 20 ... console, 21a ... recognition unit (recognition means), 21b ... image generation unit (image formation unit), 22a ... first storage unit (first storage unit), 22b ... second storage unit ( (Second storage means), 41 ... drip tube, 31 ... sensor (detection means), A ... shield room, B ... control room, C ... reception coil, P ... subject, H ... head (test site), S ... heart (test site).

Claims (6)

A high-frequency magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field are applied to a subject placed in a static magnetic field according to a predetermined pulse sequence, a magnetic resonance signal generated from the subject is received by a receiving coil, and based on the received signal In an MRI apparatus for generating a magnetic resonance image of the subject,
A gantry comprising a static magnetic field generating means for generating the static magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field generating means for generating the gradient magnetic field;
First storage means for storing examination information of the subject input from a console ;
Recognition means for recognizing the type of the receiving coil;
Second storage means for storing a mounting method on the subject for each type of receiving coil;
A display unit provided on the gantry and displaying a mounting method of the receiving coil on the subject stored in the second storage unit based on a recognition result by the recognition unit;
Comprising
The display means displays that the receiving coil is inappropriate when the type of the receiving coil recognized by the recognizing means is not suitable for the examination information of the subject stored in the first storage means. An MRI apparatus characterized by that. A high-frequency magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field are applied to a subject placed in a static magnetic field according to a predetermined pulse sequence, a magnetic resonance signal generated from the subject is received by a receiving coil, and based on the received signal In an MRI apparatus for generating a magnetic resonance image of the subject,
A gantry comprising a static magnetic field generating means for generating the static magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field generating means for generating the gradient magnetic field;
Storage means for storing the examination site of the subject input from a console ;
Connection means for connecting the wiring of the receiving coil;
Recognizing means for recognizing the type of the receiving coil by determining whether or not the receiving coil is a receiving coil for the examination site when the receiving coil is connected to the connecting means;
Display means for displaying that the receiving coil is inappropriate when the recognizing means determines that the receiving coil connected to the connecting means is not a receiving coil for the examination site;
An MRI apparatus characterized by comprising:   The MRI apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the connection unit is provided on the gantry. Applying a high-frequency magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field to a subject placed in a static magnetic field according to a predetermined pulse sequence executed in synchronization with the detection result by detecting the movement of the subject, In an MRI apparatus that receives a magnetic resonance signal generated from the subject by a receiving coil and generates a magnetic resonance image of the subject based on the received signal.
A gantry comprising a static magnetic field generating means for generating the static magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field generating means for generating the gradient magnetic field;
First storage means for storing examination information of the subject input from a console ;
A recognition means for recognizing the type of the detection means;
Second storage means for storing a mounting method of the detection means on the subject;
Based on the examination information of the subject provided on the gantry and stored in the first storage means, the method of mounting the detection means stored in the second storage means on the subject is displayed. Display means to
Comprising
The display means displays that the detection means is inappropriate when the type of detection means recognized by the recognition means is not suitable for the examination information of the subject stored in the first storage means. An MRI apparatus characterized by that. A high-frequency magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field are applied to a subject placed in a static magnetic field according to a predetermined pulse sequence, a magnetic resonance signal generated from the subject is received by a receiving coil, and based on the received signal In an MRI apparatus for generating a magnetic resonance image of the subject,
A gantry comprising a static magnetic field generating means for generating the static magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field generating means for generating the gradient magnetic field;
First storage means for storing examination information of the subject input from a console ;
Recognizing means for recognizing the type of the mounted receiving coil;
Second storage means for storing points of caution to be explained to the subject according to the examination information;
Display means for displaying the caution point stored in the second storage means based on the examination information of the subject provided on the gantry and stored in the first storage means;
Comprising
The display means displays that the receiving coil is inappropriate when the type of the receiving coil recognized by the recognizing means is not suitable for the examination information of the subject stored in the first storage means. An MRI apparatus characterized by that. Storage means for storing examination information of the subject input from the console ;
Inspection means attached to the subject for tomographic imaging of the examination site of the subject;
A recognition means for recognizing the type of the inspection means;
Display means for displaying that the inspection means is inappropriate when the type of the inspection means recognized by the recognition means is not suitable for the inspection information stored in the storage means;
An MRI apparatus comprising:

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