JP6914108B2 - Medical device system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a machine room in which various power supplies and control devices are arranged in a medical device such as an X-ray CT device and a magnetic resonance imaging (hereinafter referred to as "MRI") device, and in particular, an air conditioner arranged in the machine room. Regarding reduction of power consumption by controlling.

A medical device is a device such as an X-ray CT device or an MRI device that images and treats the internal tissue of a subject.

The X-ray CT apparatus is obtained by rotating an X-ray source that irradiates the subject with X-rays and an X-ray detector that detects the X-ray dose transmitted through the subject as projection data around the subject. A tomographic image of a subject is reconstructed using projection data from a plurality of angles, and the reconstructed tomographic image is displayed. The image displayed by the X-ray CT device depicts the shape of the organ in the subject and is used for diagnostic imaging.

In addition, the MRI device measures the nuclear magnetic resonance (hereinafter referred to as "NMR") signal generated by the nuclear spins that make up the subject, especially the tissue of the human body, and measures the morphology and function of the head, abdomen, limbs, etc. It is a device that images three-dimensionally or three-dimensionally. In imaging, the NMR signal is frequency-encoded with different phase encoding depending on the gradient magnetic field, and is measured as time-series data. The measured NMR signal is reconstructed into an image by performing a two-dimensional or three-dimensional Fourier transform.

Various electric circuit units and control units are attached to medical devices such as the X-ray CT device and the MRI device. The medical device is arranged in a treatment room (or an imaging room) and is used for treatment such as imaging and treatment of a subject. On the other hand, various electric circuit units and control units are arranged in a machine room different from the treatment room and operation room. Then, it is common that power supply and various information are transmitted and received between the medical device arranged in the treatment room and various electric circuit units and control units arranged in the machine room by wire or wirelessly. Hereinafter, the entire configuration thereof is also referred to as a medical device system.

In the medical device system as described above, a power source that generates heat, an electric circuit unit such as a control circuit thereof and various amplifier circuits, a control unit (computer) that is sensitive to heat, and the like are arranged in the machine room. Furthermore, since all of these electric circuit units and control units are vulnerable to water, dew condensation should not occur. Therefore, generally, an air conditioner is installed in the machine room, and the operation is constantly controlled so that the temperature and humidity in the machine room are within a predetermined range, so that the power consumption of the air conditioner is high. Therefore, in order to reduce the power consumption of the entire medical device system including the medical device and the machine room, it is necessary to reduce the power consumption of the air conditioner arranged in the machine room.

To reduce the power consumption of this air conditioner, Patent Document 1 states that during imaging of a medical device, power consumption is reduced by stopping the power supply of a unit that does not contribute to imaging by the medical device such as lighting of a machine room or an air conditioner. It is disclosed to reduce the peak value.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-100240

However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the power supply of the air conditioner is simply stopped during imaging, the temperature and humidity of the machine room may exceed a predetermined range during imaging, which may affect the imaging. ..

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can reduce the power consumption of the air conditioner arranged in the machine room without affecting the treatment (or imaging) performed on the subject by the medical device. The purpose is to reduce.

In order to achieve the above object, the medical device system of the present invention is configured as follows. That is, the treatment unit is arranged in the treatment room, the electric circuit unit and the control unit are arranged in the machine room, and the operation unit is arranged in the operation room. Further, in order to arrange an air conditioner in the machine room, store the electric circuit unit and the control unit together in one or more units, and supply the air conditioner and each unit with the refrigerant from the air conditioner into the unit. Connect with the piping of. Then, the air conditioner supplies a refrigerant into the unit so as to maintain the temperature and / or humidity in the unit within a predetermined range.

Further, the air conditioning power reduction method in the medical device system is configured as follows. That is, the medical device system includes a sensor that is arranged in each unit and measures the temperature and / or humidity in the unit, and measures the temperature and / or humidity in each unit measured through the sensor. Based on this, the supply of the refrigerant into the unit is controlled so that the temperature and / or humidity in the unit is within a predetermined range.

According to the medical device system of the present invention and the air conditioning power reduction method thereof, the temperature and / or the temperature in the unit arranged in the machine room without affecting the treatment (or imaging) performed by the medical device on the subject. It is possible to reduce the power consumption of the air conditioner in the machine room while maintaining the humidity within a predetermined range.

Further, when the load of the unit arranged in the machine room is arranged in the treatment room, the power consumption of the air conditioner in the treatment room can be reduced.

The figure which shows the structure of the room in which each part of the medical apparatus system which concerns on this invention is arranged. The figure which shows the structure of the MRI system which consists of the MRI apparatus which is an example of a medical apparatus system. The figure which shows the structure of Example 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the structure of Example 2 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the processing flow of Example 2. The figure which shows the structure in the case of using the information from the sensor arranged in the unit in Example 3 of this invention. The figure which shows the structure in the case of using the output current of the gradient magnetic field power source and / and the output information of an RF amplifier in Example 3 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the processing flow of Example 3. An example of a table showing the relationship between the value of the imaging parameter and the temperature and / or humidity in the unit when the imaging parameter in Example 3 of the present invention is used.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described by taking an MRI system having an MRI device as a medical device as an example, but the medical device and the medical device system according to the present invention are not limited to the MRI device and the MRI system, and X-ray CT It can also be applied to medical devices having a machine room such as devices, X-ray imaging devices, PET devices, radiation therapy devices, particle beam therapy devices, and medical device systems including these.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In all the drawings for explaining the embodiment of the present invention, those having the same function are designated by the same reference numerals, and the repeated description thereof will be omitted.

First, the configuration of the room in which each part of the medical device system according to the present invention is arranged will be described with reference to FIG. The medical device system is composed of various electric circuit units, control units, and operation units associated with the treatment unit (or imaging unit) 101 of the medical device. The treatment unit 101 is arranged in the treatment room (or imaging room) 151 and is used for treatment such as imaging and treatment of a subject.

On the other hand, the operation unit 102 for the operator to operate the treatment unit 101 arranged in the treatment room 151 is arranged in the operation room 152 provided adjacent to the treatment room 151. The various electric circuit units and the control unit 103 are arranged in a machine room 153 different from the treatment room 151 and the operation room 152, and the machine room 153 is arranged in the vicinity of the treatment room 151 or adjacent to the treatment room 151. NS. Then, based on the control information from the operation unit 102 arranged in the operation room 152, the treatment unit 101 arranged in the treatment room 151 and various electric circuit units and the control unit 103 arranged in the machine room 153 are interlocked with each other. Power is supplied and various information is transmitted and received between them by wire or wirelessly.

Next, as an example of the medical device system, an MRI system including an MRI device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an embodiment of the MRI system according to the present invention.

This MRI apparatus uses an NMR phenomenon to obtain a tomographic image of subject 201. As shown in FIG. 2, this MRI apparatus includes a static magnetic field generating magnet 202, a gradient magnetic field coil 203, a gradient magnetic field power supply 209, and an RF transmission coil. 204 and RF transmitter 210, RF receiver coil 205 and RF receiver 206, controller 211, operation unit 102, and bed 213 that puts the top plate on which the subject 201 is mounted inside and out of the static magnetic field generating magnet 102. , Consists of.

Then, the static magnetic field generating magnet 202, the gradient magnetic field coil 203, the RF transmission coil 204, the RF reception coil 205, and the bed 213 are arranged in the treatment (imaging) chamber 101, and the gradient magnetic field power supply 209 and the RF transmitter are provided. The 210, the RF receiver 206, and the controller 211 are arranged in the machine room 103, and the operation unit 102 is arranged in the operation room 102. Further, the gradient magnetic field power supply 209, the RF transmission unit 210, the RF reception unit 206, the controller 211 and the like arranged in the machine room 153 are collectively stored in one to four units (housings). Each unit (housing) is a closed container covered with a metal outer cover, and its internal space is electromagnetically different from the space of the machine room 103 in terms of temperature and humidity.

The static magnetic field generating magnet 202 generates a uniform static magnetic field in the direction orthogonal to the body axis of the subject 201 in the case of the vertical magnetic field method, and in the direction of the body axis in the case of the horizontal magnetic field method. Permanent magnet type, normal conduction type or superconduction type static magnetic field generation sources are arranged around the. FIG. 2 shows an example of a static magnetic field generating magnet 202 as a superconducting static magnetic field generating source. Therefore, the static magnetic field generating magnet 202 is accompanied by a helium refrigerator 225 and a helium compressor 226 for maintaining the superconducting state.

The gradient magnetic field coil 203 is a coil wound in the three axes of X, Y, and Z, which is the real space coordinate system (resting coordinate system) of the MRI apparatus, and each gradient magnetic field coil drives the gradient magnetic field power supply. It is connected to the 209 and is supplied with current. Specifically, the gradient magnetic field power supply 209 of each gradient magnetic field coil is driven according to a command from the controller 211 described later, and supplies a current to each gradient magnetic field coil. As a result, gradient magnetic fields Gx, Gy, and Gz are generated in the three axial directions of X, Y, and Z.

The RF transmission coil 204 is a coil that irradiates the subject 201 with an RF pulse, and is connected to the RF transmission unit 210 to supply a high frequency pulse current. As a result, an NMR phenomenon is induced in the spins of the atoms constituting the biological tissue of the subject 201. Specifically, the RF transmitter 210 is driven according to a command from the controller 211 described later to amplitude-modulate the high-frequency pulse, and after the built-in RF amplifier amplifies the RF transmitter, the RF transmitter 210 is placed close to the subject 201. By supplying the coil 204, an RF pulse is applied to the subject 201.

The RF receiving coil 205 is a coil that receives an echo signal (NMR signal) emitted by the NMR phenomenon of the spins constituting the biological tissue of the subject 201, and the echo signal received by being connected to the RF receiving unit 206 is RF. It is sent to the receiver 206.

The RF receiving unit 206 performs detection processing of the echo signal received by the RF receiving coil 205. Specifically, the RF receiver 206 amplifies the received echo signal and divides it into two orthogonal signals by quadrature phase detection according to the instruction from the controller 211 described later, and each of them is a predetermined number (for example, 128). , 256, 512, etc.) Sampling, A / D conversion of each sampled signal, and conversion to digital quantity. Therefore, the echo signal is obtained as time-series digital data (hereinafter referred to as echo data) composed of a predetermined number of sampled data. Then, the RF receiving unit 206 performs various processing on the echo data and sends the processed echo data to the controller 211.

The controller 211 mainly transmits various commands for collecting echo data necessary for reconstructing the tomographic image of the subject 201 to the gradient magnetic field power supply 209, the RF transmitter 210, and the RF receiver 206. It is a control unit that controls these. Specifically, the controller 211 operates under the control of the operation unit 102, which will be described later, and controls the gradient magnetic field power supply 209, the RF transmission unit 210, and the RF reception unit 206 based on the control data of a predetermined pulse sequence. , Irradiating the subject 201 with an RF pulse, applying a gradient magnetic field pulse, and detecting an echo signal from the subject 201 are repeatedly executed, and the echo required for reconstructing the image of the imaging region of the subject 201. Control data collection. In the case of repetition, the amount of the phase-encoded gradient magnetic field applied in the case of two-dimensional imaging is changed, and the amount of the slice-encoded gradient magnetic field applied in the case of three-dimensional imaging is also changed. The number of phase encodings is usually selected to be 128, 256, 512, etc. per image, and the number of slice encodings is usually selected to be 16, 32, 64, etc. By these controls, the echo data from the RF receiving unit 206 is output to the operating unit 102.

The operation unit 102 controls the controller 211, various data processing, display and storage of processing results, and the like, and includes an arithmetic processing unit (CPU) 214 and a storage unit 215 such as an optical disk or a magnetic disk. And an input / output unit 218. Specifically, when the controller 211 is made to collect echo data by executing an imaging sequence and the echo data from the controller 211 is input, the arithmetic processing unit 214 re-images the echo data by signal processing or Fourier transform. Processing such as configuration is executed, and the image of the subject 201 as a result is displayed on the display unit described later and recorded in the storage unit 215.

The input / output unit 218 is a display unit that displays an image of the reconstructed subject 201, and a trackball, a mouse, a keyboard, or the like that inputs various control information of the MRI apparatus and control information of processing performed by the operation unit 102. It consists of an input unit. This input unit is arranged close to the display unit, and the operator interactively controls various processes of the MRI apparatus via the input unit while looking at the output unit.

Next, the configuration inside the machine room 153 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the gradient magnetic field power supply 209, the RF transmitter 210, the RF receiver 206, and the controller 211 are arranged in the machine room 153. The RF transmitter 210, the RF receiver 206, and the controller 211 are put together to form the control unit (housing) 301, and the gradient magnetic field power supply 209 constitutes the gradient magnetic field power supply unit (housing) 302 by itself. It should be noted that all of them may be put together into one unit (housing), or they may be further subdivided into three or more units (housings).

In the above configuration of the MRI system, each embodiment of reducing the power consumption of the air conditioner 232 arranged in the machine room 153 while maintaining at least the temperature and / or humidity in each unit within a predetermined range is described below. explain. In all the examples described below, when the subject 201 is not imaged (treated) during non-imaging (non-treatment), an unnecessary unit (for example, a gradient magnetic field) is used during such non-imaging. A low power consumption mode or power supply that consumes less power than during imaging (treatment) operation of the power supply unit 302) and the electrical circuit unit (for example, RF transmitter 210) that is not required during non-imaging because of the components arranged in the unit. Can be turned off. Alternatively, the low power consumption mode or the condition for turning off the power can be set when the temperature in the machine room 153 or the units 301 and 302 exceeds a predetermined threshold value (for example, 25 ° C.) during non-imaging (non-treatment). The low power consumption mode and the unit and the electric circuit unit whose power is turned off are put into the standby mode in which the imaging (treatment) operation can be performed again before the imaging (before the treatment). As a result, in addition to the effects obtained in each of the embodiments described below, the power consumption of the air conditioner 232 and the entire MRI system required for air conditioning in the units 301 and 302 can be further reduced. Further, when the load of the unit arranged in the machine room is arranged in the treatment room, the power consumption of the air conditioner in the treatment room can be reduced.

The first embodiment of the method for reducing the air conditioning power of the medical device system according to the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the air conditioner arranged in the machine room and each unit are connected by pipes, and the refrigerant is directly supplied from the air conditioner through the pipes into each unit. Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the air conditioner 232, the control unit 301, and the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 are arranged in the machine room 153. The air conditioner 232, the control unit 301, and the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 are provided by pipes 350, 351 and 352 for supplying the refrigerant (for example, air having a regulated temperature and / or humidity) from the air conditioner 232 to the units 301 and 302, respectively. It shall be a connected configuration. FIG. 3 shows a configuration in which one pipe 350 coming out of the air conditioner 232 is used as one, and the pipe 351 connected to the control unit 301 and the pipe 352 connected to the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 are branched in the middle. The 232 and the units 301 and 302 may be connected by independent pipes.

The air conditioner 232 sucks in the air inside or outside the machine room 153 and uses this as a refrigerant to adjust the temperature and / or humidity of the refrigerant to a preset value, and the adjusted refrigerant is united via pipes 350,351,352. Supply within 301,302. The temperature and / or humidity settings are set by the operator directly on the air conditioner 232 or via the operation unit 102 and the controller 211. In the units 301, 302, the refrigerant supplied through the units 301, 352 cools various electric circuits and control units stored in the units 301, 302, and the temperature and / or humidity in the units 301, 302 is maintained within a predetermined range. .. Then, the refrigerant that has flowed through the units 301 and 302 and has become hot is discharged to the outside of the units 301 and 302 from the discharge port 361 of the control unit 301 and the discharge port 362 of the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302, and the high temperature refrigerant is discharged to the inside or outside of the machine room 153. It is discharged. Preferably, the pipes 351 and 352 are connected to the bottoms of the units 301 and 302, respectively, and the discharge ports 361 and 362 are arranged on the upper parts of the units 301 and 302, respectively. With such a configuration, various electric circuit units and control units in the units 301 and 302 are cooled, and the high temperature refrigerant rises and is discharged from the discharge ports 361 and 362 to the outside of the units 301 and 302. The temperature and / or humidity in the units 301 and 302 can be maintained within a predetermined range by natural circulation that does not consume electric power without using the forced circulation means that consumes electric power.

The air conditioner 232 may be configured to circulate a refrigerant in the machine room 153 for air conditioning and maintain the temperature and / or humidity in the machine room 153 within a predetermined range. In this configuration, it is preferable to discharge the high-temperature refrigerant from the units 301 and 302 to the outside of the machine room 153 to reduce the power consumption required for air conditioning in the machine room 153. However, even if the high temperature refrigerant is discharged into the machine room 153, the air conditioning of the machine room 153 by the air conditioner 232 is effective in maintaining the temperature and / or humidity in the machine room 153 within a predetermined range. It becomes.

As described above, the configuration of the first embodiment is medical treatment including a treatment unit arranged in the treatment room, an electric circuit unit and a control unit arranged in the machine room, and an operation unit arranged in the operation room. In the equipment system, an air conditioner is arranged in the machine room, the electric circuit unit and the control unit are collectively housed in one or more units, and the air conditioner and each unit receive the refrigerant from the air conditioner. Connected by a pipe for supplying into the unit, the air conditioner supplies the refrigerant into the unit so as to keep the temperature and / or humidity in each unit within a predetermined range. According to such a configuration, the air conditioner directly air-conditions the inside of the unit, which is a space narrower than the machine room, and keeps their temperature and / or humidity within a predetermined range without affecting the treatment (imaging). Therefore, the power consumption of the air conditioner can be reduced as compared with the case where the temperature and / or humidity of the entire machine room including the inside of the unit is maintained within a predetermined range. Further, if the high temperature refrigerant from the unit is discharged to the outside of the machine room, the power consumption required for air conditioning in the machine room can be reduced.

Next, Example 2 of the method for reducing air conditioning power of the medical device system according to the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the controller 211 is based on the temperature and / or humidity information in the unit detected through the sensor, so that the temperature and / or humidity in the unit is within a predetermined range. Control the output of. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

As shown in FIG. 4, a sensor 401 for detecting the temperature and / or humidity in the unit 301 is arranged in the control unit 301, and the temperature and / or humidity in the unit 302 is detected in the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302. The sensor 402 is arranged, and the sensors 401 and 402 are connected to the controller 211.

In such a configuration, the controller 211 monitors (measures) the temperature and / or humidity in the control unit 301 at predetermined time intervals via the sensor 401, and monitors (measures) the temperature and / or humidity in the control unit 301 at predetermined time intervals (for example, the temperature is 25 ° C. to 40 ° C.). Humidity 50%). Similarly, the controller 211 monitors (measures) the temperature and / or humidity in the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 via the sensor 402 at predetermined time intervals, and monitors (measures) those predetermined ranges (for example, 25 ° C to 40 ° C, humidity 50). %) Compare. Then, when the temperature and / or humidity in any of the units deviates from the predetermined range, the controller 211 sets the air conditioner 232 so that the temperature and / or humidity in the unit 301 is within the predetermined range. Increase output. Preferably, the larger the difference between the measured temperature and / or humidity and their predetermined range, the larger the output amount of the air conditioner 232. On the other hand, when the temperature and / or humidity in both units 301 and 302 are both within a predetermined range, the controller 211 maintains or reduces the output of the air conditioner 232.

Next, the processing flow of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step S501, controller 211 checks whether the MRI machine is powered on or off. If it is On, the process proceeds to step S502, and if it is Off, the process ends.

In step S502, the controller 211 confirms whether or not it is in the standby mode for imaging the subject 201. If it is in the standby mode (Yes), the process proceeds to step S503, and if it is not in the standby mode (No), the process proceeds to S508.

In step S503, the controller 211 puts the unit or component in the low power consumption mode or the power off state into the standby mode in which the imaging operation is possible and the power consumption is higher than that in the low power consumption mode. If the standby mode or the imaging operation is already in progress, this step S503 is skipped.

In step S504, the controller 211 receives information on the temperature and / or humidity in the units 301 and 302 from the sensor 401 arranged in the control unit 301 and the sensor 402 arranged in the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 at predetermined time intervals. Get each.

In step S505, controller 211 compares the temperature and / or humidity in units 301, 302 with their predetermined range, and if it is within the predetermined range (Yes), proceeds to step S506, and if it is out of the predetermined range (No). If so, move to step S507.

At step S506, controller 211 reduces the output of air conditioner 232 and returns to step S501.

In step S507, controller 211 increases the output of air conditioner 232 and returns to step S501.

In step S508, when the subject is not imaged, the controller 211 is not required at the time of non-imaging, such as a unit that is unnecessary at the time of non-imaging, or an electric circuit unit arranged in the unit. Set the electric circuit section to low power consumption mode or power off. Then, the process returns to step S501.

If the power consumption mode of the unit / electric circuit unit is not changed in the above processing flow, steps S502, S503, and S508 may be omitted. The above is the outline of the processing flow of the second embodiment.

As described above, the configuration of the second embodiment includes sensors arranged in each unit to measure the temperature and / or humidity in the unit, and the control unit measures each unit via the sensors. Based on the temperature and / or humidity in the unit, the output of the air conditioner is adjusted so that the temperature and / or humidity in the unit is within a predetermined range, and the supply of the refrigerant into the unit is controlled. According to such a configuration, in addition to the effect described in the first embodiment, the temperature and / or humidity in the unit is detected via the sensor, and the detected temperature and / or humidity in the unit and its predetermined value are detected. Since the output of the air conditioner can be controlled according to the comparison result with the range, the temperature and / or humidity in the unit can be controlled more precisely, and the power consumption of the air conditioner can be further reduced.

Next, Example 3 of the method for reducing air conditioning power of the medical device system according to the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, a flow rate adjusting valve for adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the piping is provided for each unit in the piping connecting each unit arranged in the machine room and the air conditioner, and the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied for each unit. Is configured to be controllable. Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

As shown in FIG. 6, a flow rate adjusting valve 601 is provided in the pipe 351 connected to the control unit 301, and a flow rate adjusting valve 602 is provided in the pipe 352 connected to the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302. Then, the controller 211 adjusts the opening / closing level of the flow rate adjusting valves 601, 602 to control the flow rates of the refrigerant supplied to the units 301 and 302, respectively.

Specifically, in the controller 211, when the temperature and / or humidity in the units 301 and 302 approaches the upper limit value or the lower limit value of the predetermined range, or exceeds the upper limit value of the predetermined range / falls below the lower limit value. To increase the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the unit, loosen the flow rate adjusting valves 601, 602. Even if the flow rate adjustment valves 601, 602 are fully opened to maximize the refrigerant flow rate, if the temperature and / or humidity in the units 301, 302 exceeds the upper limit value or the lower limit value in the predetermined range, the controller 211 outputs the air conditioner 232. To increase the overall refrigerant flow rate. Then, when the temperature and / or humidity in the units 301, 302 is within the predetermined range, the controller 211 reduces the output of the air conditioner 232 to reduce the overall refrigerant flow rate, or throttles the flow rate adjusting valve to reduce the unit 301,302. Reduce the amount of refrigerant supplied to the controller. In this way, the controller 211 controls the open / close level of the flow rate adjusting valves 601, 602 and the output of the air conditioner 232 so that the temperature and / or humidity in the units 301 and 302 are both within the predetermined range. If the air conditioner 232 self-controls its own output so that the refrigerant pressure in the pipe 350 is always constant regardless of the opening / closing level of the flow rate adjusting valves 601, 602, the opening / closing level of the flow rate adjusting valve The amount of refrigerant supplied to the units 301 and 302 is controlled accordingly.

When controlling the open / close level of the flow rate adjusting valves 601, 602 and the output of the air conditioner 232 described above, the controller 211 can acquire various information from the outside and use it for the control. Hereinafter, an example of information used for control will be described.

1. 1. When using the information from the sensor arranged in the unit As shown in FIG. 6, as described in the second embodiment described above, the sensor 401 for measuring the temperature and / or humidity is arranged in the control unit 301. A sensor 402 for measuring temperature and / or humidity is placed in the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 to connect the sensor 401, 402 and the controller 211, and the controller 211 passes through the sensor 401, 402 to the temperature and / or in the unit 301, 302. Monitor (measure) each humidity. Then, the controller 211 adjusts the open / close level of the flow rate adjusting valves 601, 602 and / or the output of the air conditioner 232 so that the temperature and / or humidity in the units 301 and 302 are both within the predetermined range based on the measurement data. The configuration is such that the flow rates of the refrigerants supplied to 301 and 302 are controlled.

Specifically, the controller 211 monitors (measures) the temperature and / or humidity in the control unit 301 at predetermined time intervals via the sensor 401. Then, when the temperature and / or humidity in the control unit 301 exceeds the upper limit value of the predetermined range or falls below the lower limit value (that is, outside the predetermined range), the controller 211 is subjected to the following 1-1) and 2-. By performing either one or both of 1) at the same time, the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the control unit 301 is increased.

1-1) Loosen the flow rate adjustment valve 601 and increase the output of the air conditioner 232 so that the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the gradient magnetic field unit 302 does not change.

2-1) Increase the output of the air conditioner 232 and throttle the flow rate adjusting valve 602 so that the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 does not change.

On the other hand, when the temperature and / or humidity in the control unit 301 is within a predetermined range, the controller 211 performs either one or both of the following 3-1) and 4-1) at the same time, thereby performing the control unit 301. Reduce the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the controller.

3-1) Squeeze the flow rate adjustment valve 601 and reduce the output of the air conditioner 232 so that the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the gradient magnetic field unit 302 does not change.

4-1) Reduce the output of the air conditioner 232 and loosen the flow rate adjusting valve 602 so that the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 does not change.

Similarly, the controller 211 monitors (measures) the temperature and / or humidity in the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 via the sensor 602 at predetermined time intervals. Then, when the temperature and / or humidity in the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 exceeds the upper limit value of the predetermined range or falls below the lower limit value (that is, outside the predetermined range), the controller 211 is described as 1-2) below. By performing either one or both of 2-2) at the same time, the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 is increased.

1-2) Loosen the flow rate adjustment valve 602 and increase the output of the air conditioner 232 so that the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the control unit 301 does not change.

2-2) Increase the output of the air conditioner 232 and throttle the flow rate adjustment valve 601 so that the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the control unit 301 does not change.

On the other hand, when the temperature and / or humidity in the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 is within a predetermined range, the controller 211 tilts by performing either or both of the following 3-2) and 4-2) at the same time. Reduce the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the magnetic field power supply unit 302.

3-2) Squeeze the flow rate adjustment valve 602 and reduce the output of the air conditioner 232 so that the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the control unit 301 does not change.

4-2) Reduce the output of the air conditioner 232 and loosen the flow rate adjusting valve 601 so that the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the control unit 301 does not change.

2. Output current of gradient magnetic field power supply and / or output of RF amplifier Among the components of the MRI apparatus installed in the machine room 103, the calorific value of the gradient magnetic field power supply 209 and the RF amplifier in the RF transmitter is particularly large. The calorific value of the gradient magnetic field power supply 209 can be estimated based on the approximate power consumption of the gradient magnetic field power supply 209 obtained from the output current to the gradient magnetic field coil for each of the X, Y, and Z axes. The cooling capacity required for cooling the inside of the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 can be estimated based on the power consumption of the magnetic field power supply 209. Specifically, assuming that the gradient magnetic field coil drive current (A) for each of the X, Y, and Z axes is Ix, Iy, Iz, and the power consumption conversion coefficient is Ex, Ey, Ez, the power consumption of the gradient magnetic field power supply 203. P _GPA (W) is expressed by Eq. (1).

P _GPA = E _x・ I _x ² + E _y・ I _y ² + E _z・ I _z ²・ ・ ・ ・ ・ (1)
If the temperature and / or humidity in the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 is controlled based on the power consumption of the gradient magnetic field power supply 203 represented by the equation (1), the air conditioner 232 can be controlled more efficiently.

Similarly, if the output power of the RF amplifier (RF power applied to the RF coil) (W) is P _RF and the power consumption conversion coefficient is E _RF , the power consumption P RF _PA (W) of the RF amplifier is
P _RFPA = E _RF・ P _RF・ ・ ・ ・ ・ (2)
Therefore, if the temperature and / or humidity in the control unit 301 is controlled based on the equation (2), the air conditioner 232 can be controlled more efficiently.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the RF transmitter 210 stored in the control unit 301 is connected to the controller 211, and the controller 211 transfers the output power of the RF amplifier in the RF transmitter 210 that drives the RF transmitter coil 204. Monitor (measure). Similarly, the waveform control board 701 of the gradient magnetic field power supply 209 stored in the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 and the controller 211 are connected, and the controller 211 drives the gradient magnetic field coil 203 for each of the X, Y, and Z axes. Monitor (measure) the output current of the magnetic field power supply 209. Then, the controller 211 uses these measurement data to determine the power consumption of the gradient magnetic field power supply 203 represented by the equation (1) and the power consumption of the RF amplifier in the RF transmitter 210 represented by the equation (2). Ask for each.

Further, the controller 211 has a table or a relational expression showing the relationship between the power consumption of the RF amplifier in the RF transmitter 210 and the temperature in the control unit 301, and the power consumption of the gradient magnetic field power supply 209 and the inside of the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302. It is provided with a storage unit for storing a table or a relational expression showing the relation with the temperature of the above. These tables or relational expressions can be obtained by statistically processing a plurality of data acquired in advance through experiments, simulations, or the like.

Then, the controller 211 is based on the obtained power consumption information of the RF amplifier in the RF transmitter 210 and a table or relational expression representing the relationship between the power consumption of the RF transmitter 210 and the temperature in the control unit 301. Estimate the temperature and / or humidity inside the control unit 301. The control operation of the controller 211 after estimating the temperature and / or humidity in the control unit 301 in this way is described in the above-mentioned "1. When using the information from the sensors arranged in the unit", 1 Same as -1), 2-1), 3-1), and 4-1). The temperature and / or humidity in the control unit 301 may be estimated directly from the output power of the RF amplifier in the RF transmitter 210. In this case, a table or a relational expression representing the relationship between the output power of the RF amplifier in the RF transmitter 210 and the temperature in the control unit 301 is used.

Similarly, the controller 211 tilts based on the obtained power consumption information of the gradient magnetic field power supply 209 and a table or relational expression representing the relationship between the power consumption of the gradient magnetic field power supply 209 and the temperature in the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302. Estimate the temperature and / or humidity inside the magnetic field power supply unit 302. The control operation of the controller 211 after estimating the temperature and / or humidity in the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 in this way is described in the above-mentioned "1. When using the information from the sensors arranged in the unit". , 1-2), 2-2), 3-2), and 4-2). The temperature and / or humidity in the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 may be estimated directly from the output current of the gradient magnetic field power supply 209 that drives the gradient magnetic field coil 203 for each of the X, Y, and Z axes. In this case, a table or a relational expression representing the relationship between the output current of the gradient magnetic field power supply 209 and the temperature in the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 is used.

3. 3. Imaging parameters
In the MRI apparatus, many imaging parameters are set in advance, various control information is generated based on the set imaging parameters, and the operation of each part of the MRI apparatus is controlled by the generated control information to control the subject. Imaging is performed. Therefore, the calorific value of each part of the MRI apparatus depends on the set value of the imaging parameter, and therefore the temperature and / or humidity in the control unit 301 and the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 also depend on the set value of the imaging parameter. Will be done.

Therefore, the temperature and / or humidity in the units 301 and 302 can also be estimated from the set values of the imaging parameters. As described above, the imaging parameters that predominantly contribute to the estimation of the temperature and / or humidity in the units 301 and 302 include the age, weight, and height of the subject, the FOV and matrix size related to the image, the sequence species related to the imaging sequence, and TR. , TE, flip angle, etc.

Therefore, the controller 211 is provided with a storage unit that stores a table or a relational expression representing the relationship between the values of these imaging parameters and the temperature in the control unit 301 and the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302. These tables or relational expressions can be obtained by statistically processing a plurality of data acquired in advance through experiments, simulations, or the like.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a table showing the relationship between the value of the imaging parameter and the temperature inside the control unit 301 and the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 when there is no air conditioner.

Then, the controller 211 bases the temperature and / or humidity in the control unit 301 based on the set imaging parameter value and the table or relational expression representing the relationship between the imaging parameter value and the temperature in the control unit 301. To estimate. The control operation of the controller 211 after estimating the temperature and / or humidity in the control unit 301 in this way is described in the above-mentioned "1. When using the information from the sensors arranged in the unit", 1 Same as -1), 2-1), 3-1), 4-1), and 5-1).

Similarly, the controller 211 has a table or relational expression in the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 that represents the relationship between the set imaging parameter values and the temperature in the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302. Estimate temperature and / or humidity. The control operation of the controller 211 after estimating the temperature and / or humidity in the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 in this way is described in the above-mentioned "1. When using the information from the sensors arranged in the unit". , 1-2), 2-2), 3-2), 4-2), and 5-2).

Next, the processing flow of the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the processing steps having the same processing contents as the processing flow of the second embodiment described based on the flowchart of FIG. 5 will be omitted as the same step numbers.

In step S804-1, the controller 211 acquires any of the above 1, 2, and 3 information or such information.

In step S804-2, the controller 211 obtains the temperature and / or humidity in the control unit 301 and the gradient magnetic field power supply unit 302 based on the information acquired in step S804-1. The method for obtaining each information type is as described above.

In step S505, controller 211 compares the temperature and / or humidity in units 301, 302 with their predetermined range, and if it is within the predetermined range (Yes), proceeds to step S805, and if it is out of the predetermined range (No). If so, the process proceeds to step S806.

In step S805, controller 211 reduces the flow rate of refrigerant supplied to units 301 and / or 302. Specifically, the controller 211 performs any of the above-mentioned 3-1), 4-1), 3-2), and 4-2) processes.

In step S806, controller 211 increases the flow rate of refrigerant supplied to units 301 and / or 302. Specifically, the controller 211 performs any of the above-mentioned 1-1), 2-1), 1-2), and 2-2) processes.

The above is the outline of the processing flow of the third embodiment.

As described above, in the configuration of the third embodiment, a flow rate adjusting valve for adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant to the unit to which the pipe is connected is arranged in each of the pipes connected to each unit, and the control unit has a control unit. , The output of the air conditioner and the opening / closing level of the flow rate adjusting valve are adjusted so as to maintain the temperature and / or humidity in each unit within a predetermined range, and the supply of the refrigerant to each unit is controlled.

Preferably, the sensor is provided in each unit to measure the temperature and / or humidity in the unit, and the control unit is based on the temperature and / or humidity in each unit measured through the sensor. The output of the air conditioner and the opening / closing level of the flow rate adjusting valve are adjusted so that the temperature and / or humidity in the unit is within a predetermined range, and the supply of the refrigerant to each unit is controlled.

Also preferably, if the medical device system is an MRI device including an RF transmitter and RF transmitter coil with a built-in RF amplifier and a gradient magnetic field power supply and a gradient magnetic field coil, the gradient magnetic field power supply is one or more. Arranged in one of the units, the control unit determines the temperature and / or humidity in the unit in which the gradient magnetic field power supply is located, based on the drive current in which the gradient magnetic field power supply drives the gradient magnetic field coil. The output of the air conditioner and the open / close level of the flow rate adjusting valve are adjusted so as to be within the range, and the supply of the refrigerant into the unit in which the gradient magnetic field power supply is arranged is controlled.

For example, the control unit obtains the power consumption of the gradient magnetic field power supply based on the drive current in which the gradient magnetic field power supply drives the gradient magnetic field coil, and the unit in which the power consumption of the gradient magnetic field power supply and the gradient magnetic field power supply are arranged in advance. A table or relational expression representing the relationship with the temperature inside is stored, and the temperature and / or the temperature in the unit in which the gradient magnetic field power supply is arranged is based on the obtained power consumption of the gradient magnetic field power supply and the table or relational expression. The output of the air conditioner and the open / close level of the flow rate adjusting valve are adjusted so that the humidity is within a predetermined range, and the supply of the refrigerant into the unit in which the gradient magnetic field power supply is arranged is controlled.

Alternatively, the RF transmitter is located in one of one or more units, and the control unit is an RF transmitter based on the output power that the RF amplifier in the RF transmitter supplies to the RF transmit coil. Adjust the output of the air conditioner and the open / close level of the flow rate adjustment valve so that the temperature and / or humidity in the unit where the RF transmitter is placed is within the specified range, and the refrigerant into the unit where the RF transmitter is placed Control the supply.

For example, the control unit obtains the power consumption of the RF amplifier based on the output power supplied to the RF transmission coil by the RF amplifier in the RF transmission unit, and the power consumption of the RF amplifier and the RF transmission unit obtained in advance are arranged. A table or relational expression representing the relationship with the temperature in the unit is stored, and based on the obtained power consumption of the RF amplifier and the table or relational expression, the temperature and / / in the unit in which the RF transmitter is arranged are stored. Alternatively, the output of the air conditioner and the open / close level of the flow rate adjusting valve are adjusted so that the humidity is within a predetermined range, and the supply of the refrigerant into the unit in which the RF transmitter is arranged is controlled.

Further, preferably, the control unit stores a table or a relational expression representing the relationship between the value of the imaging parameter obtained in advance and the temperature in each unit, and sets the value of the imaging parameter and the table or the relational expression. Based on the above, the output of the air conditioner and the opening / closing level of the flow rate adjustment valve are adjusted so that the temperature and / or humidity in each unit is within a predetermined range, and the supply of the refrigerant into each unit is controlled. ..

According to the above configuration, in addition to the effects of Examples 1 and 2 described above, a flow rate adjusting valve is provided for each pipe connected to each unit, and the opening / closing level of the flow rate adjusting valve and / / Alternatively, since the output of the air conditioner can be adjusted to control the flow rate of the refrigerant to the unit, the internal temperature and / or humidity of each unit can be controlled more precisely, and the power consumption of the air conditioner can be further reduced.

101 ... Treatment unit (or imaging unit), 102 ... Operation unit, 103 ... Control unit, 151 ... Treatment room (or imaging room), 152 ... Operation room, 153 ... Machine room, 201 ... Subject, 202 ... Static magnetic field generation Magnet, 203… gradient magnetic field coil, 204… RF transmitter coil, 205… RF receiver coil, 206… RF receiver, 209… gradient magnetic field power supply, 210… RF transmitter, 211… controller, 213… bed, 214… arithmetic processing Unit, 215 ... Optical disk / magnetic disk, 218 ... Input / output unit, 232 ... Air conditioner, 301 ... Control unit, 302 ... Magnetostatic field power supply unit, 350,351,352 ... Piping, 361,362 ... Discharge port, 401,402 ... Sensor, 601,602 ... Flow control valve , 701 ... Waveform control board

Claims (6)

A medical device system including a treatment unit arranged in a treatment room, an electric circuit unit and a control unit arranged in a machine room, and an operation unit arranged in an operation room.
An air conditioner is arranged in the machine room.
The electric circuit unit and the control unit are housed together in one or more units.
The air conditioner and each of the units are connected by a pipe for supplying the refrigerant from the air conditioner into the unit.
The air conditioner supplies the refrigerant into the unit so as to maintain the temperature and / or humidity in the unit within a predetermined range.
A flow rate adjusting valve for adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant to the unit to which the pipe is connected is arranged in each of the pipes connected to each of the units.
The control unit adjusts the output of the air conditioner and the opening / closing level of the flow rate adjusting valve so as to maintain the temperature and / or humidity in each unit within a predetermined range, and the refrigerant to each unit. Control the supply of
The medical device system is an MRI device including a gradient magnetic field power supply and a gradient magnetic field coil.
The gradient magnetic field power source is arranged in any one of the one or more units.
The control unit is the air conditioner so that the temperature and / or humidity in the unit in which the gradient magnetic field power supply is arranged is within a predetermined range based on the drive current in which the gradient magnetic field power supply drives the gradient magnetic field coil. And the opening / closing level of the flow rate adjusting valve are adjusted to control the supply of the refrigerant into the unit in which the gradient magnetic field power supply is arranged.
The control unit obtains the power consumption of the gradient magnetic field power supply based on the drive current in which the gradient magnetic field power supply drives the gradient magnetic field coil, and the power consumption of the gradient magnetic field power supply and the gradient magnetic field power supply obtained in advance are combined with each other. A table or relational expression representing the relationship with the temperature in the arranged unit is stored, and the gradient magnetic field power supply is arranged based on the obtained power consumption of the gradient magnetic field power supply and the table or relational expression. By adjusting the output of the air conditioner and the opening / closing level of the flow rate adjusting valve so that the temperature and / or humidity in the unit is within a predetermined range, the refrigerant is placed in the unit in which the gradient magnetic field power supply is arranged. A medical device system characterized by controlling the supply. A medical device system including a treatment unit arranged in a treatment room, an electric circuit unit and a control unit arranged in a machine room, and an operation unit arranged in an operation room.
An air conditioner is arranged in the machine room.
The electric circuit unit and the control unit are housed together in one or more units.
The air conditioner and each of the units are connected by a pipe for supplying the refrigerant from the air conditioner into the unit.
The air conditioner supplies the refrigerant into the unit so as to maintain the temperature and / or humidity in the unit within a predetermined range.
A flow rate adjusting valve for adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant to the unit to which the pipe is connected is arranged in each of the pipes connected to each of the units.
The control unit adjusts the output of the air conditioner and the opening / closing level of the flow rate adjusting valve so as to maintain the temperature and / or humidity in each unit within a predetermined range, and the refrigerant to each unit. Control the supply of
The medical device system is an MRI device including an RF transmitter having a built-in RF amplifier and an RF transmitter carp.
The RF transmitter is arranged in any one of the one or more units.
Based on the output power supplied by the RF amplifier to the RF transmission coil, the control unit of the air conditioner so as to keep the temperature and / or humidity in the unit in which the RF transmission unit is arranged within a predetermined range. By adjusting the output and the open / close level of the flow rate adjusting valve, the supply of the refrigerant into the unit in which the RF transmitter is arranged is controlled.
The control unit obtains the power consumption of the RF amplifier based on the output power supplied by the RF amplifier to the RF transmission coil, and the power consumption of the RF amplifier and the RF transmission unit obtained in advance are arranged. A table or relational expression representing the relationship with the temperature in the unit is stored, and the temperature in the unit in which the RF transmitter is arranged is based on the obtained power consumption of the RF amplifier and the table or relational expression. And / or adjust the output of the air conditioner and the open / close level of the flow rate adjusting valve so that the humidity is within a predetermined range, and control the supply of the refrigerant into the unit in which the RF transmitter is arranged. A medical device system characterized by that. In the medical device system according to claim 1 or 2.
Each of the units is provided with a sensor that is arranged in the unit and measures the temperature and / or humidity in the unit.
The control unit adjusts the output of the air conditioner so that the temperature and / or humidity in the unit is within a predetermined range based on the temperature and / or humidity in each unit measured via the sensor. A medical device system characterized in that the supply of the refrigerant into the unit is controlled. In the medical device system according to claim 1 or 2.
Each of the units is provided with a sensor that is arranged in the unit and measures the temperature and / or humidity in the unit.
The control unit sets the output of the air conditioner and the output of the air conditioner so that the temperature and / or humidity in the unit is within a predetermined range based on the temperature and / or humidity in each unit measured via the sensor. A medical device system characterized in that the supply / closing level of a flow rate adjusting valve is adjusted to control the supply of the refrigerant to each of the units. In the medical device system according to claim 1 or 2.
The medical device system is an MRI device that images a subject based on a set imaging parameter value.
The control unit stores a table or a relational expression representing the relationship between the value of the imaging parameter obtained in advance and the temperature and / or humidity in each unit, and sets the value of the imaging parameter. Based on the table or the relational expression, the output of the air conditioner and the opening / closing level of the flow rate adjusting valve are adjusted so that the temperature and / or humidity in each unit is within a predetermined range, and each unit is adjusted. A medical device system characterized by controlling the supply of the refrigerant into the inside. In the medical device system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The control unit consumes less of the one or more units arranged in the machine room or the electric circuit unit housed in the unit, which is unnecessary at the time of non-treatment, or the electric circuit unit at the time of treatment. A medical device system characterized by setting a low power consumption mode of electric power.

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