JP2008200071A - Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently select image data in a desired series out of image data in a plurality of series collected by MRI imaging. <P>SOLUTION: In an image display device, when the image data in the desired series is selected out of the image data in the plurality of series collected by MRI imaging to a subject by using a user interface, a search condition setting part 721 of the image display device 7 sets search conditions from an imaging method of the MRI imaging and imaging parameters, and a series search part 73 searches a plurality of series including the desired series out of the entire series which is collected from the subject and is stored in an image data storage part 71 based on the search conditions. Then, a series selecting part 723 selects the image data in the desired series or the series by the user interface on which a list of thumbnails of the plurality of searched series is displayed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an MRI apparatus and an image display apparatus, and more particularly to an MRI apparatus and an image display apparatus that select and display image data in a desired series from among a plurality of series displayed image data.

  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) excites nuclear spins in living tissue placed in a static magnetic field with RF (radio frequency) pulses having the Larmor frequency, and generates magnetic resonance signals (MR signals) generated by the excitation. ) Based on the image diagnosis method for reconstructing MRI image data (hereinafter referred to as image data). An MRI apparatus is an image diagnostic apparatus using MR signals generated from within a subject, and can obtain a lot of diagnostic information such as biochemical information and functional diagnostic information as well as anatomical diagnostic information. It is indispensable in the field of diagnostic imaging.

  In such an MRI apparatus, for example, imaging parameters such as repetition time (TR), echo time (TE), inversion time (TI), flip angle (FA), spin echo (SE) method, field echo (FE) method, etc. Image data in image types such as a T1-weighted image, a T2-weighted image, a proton density weighted image, and a diffusion weighted image having a specific contrast with respect to the same diagnosis target region of the same subject. Doctors (hereinafter referred to as operators) perform MRI diagnosis on the subject by observing image data of these image types. Furthermore, in order to perform follow-up on the diagnosis target region of the subject, a method of comparing and displaying past image data collected by the same imaging parameter and imaging method and image data of the day is also performed.

  In such an MRI diagnosis, a desired imaging method is selected from image data groups (hereinafter referred to as series) of the image type that are collected spatially or temporally continuously according to a predetermined imaging method and imaging parameters. When selecting a series collected by imaging parameters and selecting one or more image data belonging to this series and displaying them, thumbnails (reduced images) of a plurality of image data belonging to each series are displayed in series units. The image data belonging to the desired series has been selected using the series list display user interface displayed as a list.

That is, the series list display user interface displays a list of series names of all the series collected from the subject and thumbnails of a plurality of image data belonging to these series, and a desired series in the series list display user interface. The image data is selected (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-110185 A

  In MRI imaging, in addition to the imaging methods that enable the collection of T1-weighted images, T2-weighted images, proton density-weighted images, and diffusion-weighted images as described above, imaging methods for more image types have been developed. Various imaging parameters are set for each imaging method. When thumbnails based on the image data collected from the subject are displayed in series in the above-described series list display user interface, thumbnails of all series are displayed in a limited display area of the series list display user interface. Since simultaneous display is impossible, the operator has to display the thumbnails of the desired series by scrolling through the thumbnails of the series displayed in the list. For this reason, selection of a plurality of series for the purpose of comparative observation performed on the series list display user interface or selection of image data based on thumbnails of these series has been an extremely complicated task.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and its purpose is to select image data in a desired series from image data in a plurality of series using a series list display user interface. It is an object to provide an MRI apparatus and an image display apparatus capable of easily selecting image data in a short time.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image display apparatus according to the present invention according to claim 1 selects a desired series on a series list display user interface in which image information in a plurality of series is displayed as a list, and images in this series are displayed. In the image display device for displaying data, image data storage means for storing image data in the plurality of series collected from the subject and information on imaging conditions applied to the collection of the image data in association with each other, and an image Search condition setting means for setting search conditions based on various imaging conditions of the diagnostic apparatus, series search means for searching a series of image data stored in the image data storage means based on the search conditions, and search Select the desired series or image data in this series from the series. A series selection means is characterized by comprising display means for displaying the image data in the desired series selected.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image display apparatus for selecting a desired series on a series list display user interface displaying a list of image information of a plurality of series and displaying image data in the series. In the apparatus, image data storage means for storing image data in the plurality of series collected from the subject and information on imaging conditions applied to the collection of the image data in association with each other, and a search condition for the image diagnostic apparatus or Search condition storage means in which search conditions for the subject are stored in advance, series search means for searching a series of image data stored in the image data storage means based on the search conditions, and the searched series From the desired series or image data in this series. A series selection means for-option, is characterized by comprising a display means for displaying the image data in the desired series selected.

  On the other hand, the MRI apparatus of the present invention according to claim 11 is an MRI apparatus that selects and displays image data in a desired series from image data in a plurality of series collected by MRI imaging under different imaging conditions. The image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is used to select and display image data in the desired series.

  According to the present invention, when selecting image data in a desired series from image data in a plurality of series using a series list display user interface, it is possible to easily select these image data in a short time. . For this reason, the diagnostic efficiency in the MRI diagnosis is improved and the burden on the operator is reduced.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In an embodiment of the present invention described below, when selecting image data in a desired series from among a plurality of series of image data collected by MRI imaging of a subject using a series list display user interface, A search condition is set based on an imaging method and imaging parameters of MRI imaging (collectively referred to as imaging conditions), and then a plurality of series including a desired series among all series collected from the subject. The series is searched based on the search condition. Then, a desired series or desired image data in this series is selected in a series list display user interface in which a plurality of searched series are displayed as a list.

(Device configuration)
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the MRI apparatus in this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an image display apparatus provided in the MRI apparatus.

  The MRI apparatus 100 includes a static magnetic field generation unit 1 and a gradient magnetic field generation unit 2 that generate a magnetic field with respect to a subject 150, a transmission / reception unit 3 that performs irradiation of RF pulses and reception of MR signals, and reconstruction processing of MR signals. An image data generation unit 4 for generating image data, a top plate 5 on which the subject 150 is placed, an input unit 6 for selecting an image type and an imaging method, setting imaging parameters, and the like; Search for one or a few series from image data groups (series) of many image types generated by the image data generation unit 4 according to the imaging method and imaging parameters using search conditions based on the imaging method and imaging parameters. Further, an image display device that selects and displays one or a plurality of image data in a desired series from the searched series, and each of the above-described units. And a control unit 8 for Batch controlled.

  The static magnetic field generation unit 1 includes a main magnet 11 composed of a normal conducting magnet or a superconducting magnet, and a static magnetic field power source 12 for supplying current to the main magnet 11, and is disposed in an imaging field in the center of the gantry (not shown). A strong static magnetic field is formed on the subject 150. The main magnet 11 may be constituted by a permanent magnet.

  On the other hand, the gradient magnetic field generator 2 includes a gradient magnetic field coil 21 that forms a gradient magnetic field in the body axis direction (y direction shown in FIG. 1) and the x and z directions orthogonal to the body axis direction, and a gradient magnetic field. A gradient magnetic field power supply 22 for supplying a pulse current to each of the coils 21 is provided.

  The gradient magnetic field coil 21 and the gradient magnetic field power supply 22 add position information to the magnetic field of the imaging field where the subject 150 is placed based on the sequence control signal supplied from the control unit 8. That is, the gradient magnetic field power source 22 controls the pulse current supplied to the gradient magnetic field coils 21 in the x direction, the y direction, and the z direction based on the sequence control signal, thereby forming a gradient magnetic field in each direction. The gradient magnetic fields in the x, y, and z directions are combined to form a slice selection gradient magnetic field Gs, a phase encode gradient magnetic field Ge, and a read (frequency encode) gradient magnetic field Gr that are orthogonal to each other. The gradient magnetic field is applied to the subject 150 while being superimposed on the static magnetic field formed by the main magnet 11.

  Next, the transmission / reception unit 3 includes a transmission coil 31 and a transmission unit 32 that irradiate the subject 150 with RF pulses, and a reception coil 33 and a reception unit 34 that receive MR signals generated by the subject 150. ing. However, a transmission / reception coil having the function of the transmission coil 31 and the function of the reception coil 33 in one coil may be used.

  The transmission unit 32 has a carrier wave having the same frequency as the magnetic resonance frequency (Larmor frequency) determined by the static magnetic field strength of the main magnet 11 based on a sequence control signal supplied from a sequence control unit 82 (to be described later) of the control unit 8. Then, an RF pulse current modulated with a predetermined selective excitation waveform is generated. The transmission coil 31 is driven by the RF pulse current supplied from the transmission unit 32 and irradiates the imaging target region of the subject 150 with the RF pulse.

  On the other hand, the receiving coil 33 is constituted by a so-called array coil in which a plurality (N) of small-diameter coil elements are arranged in order to detect MR signals generated by the subject 150 with high sensitivity. The receiving unit 34 includes an N-channel intermediate frequency conversion circuit, a phase detection circuit, a low frequency amplification circuit, a filtering circuit, and an A / D converter (not shown), which are detected by the coil elements of the reception coil 33. Signal processing such as intermediate frequency conversion, phase detection, amplification, filtering, and A / D conversion is performed on the MR signal.

  The main magnet 11, the gradient magnetic field coil 21, the transmission coil 31, and the reception coil 33 are provided inside a gantry (frame) (not shown) of the MRI apparatus 100, and an imaging field is formed at the center of the gantry. That is, an imaging field in which the subject 150 is inserted together with the top plate 5 is formed at the center of the gantry, and the reception coil 33, the transmission coil 31, the gradient magnetic field coil 21, and the main magnet 11 are disposed around the imaging field. 150 body axes (y-axis) are arranged concentrically with a coaxial axis.

  On the other hand, the image data generation unit 4 includes an MR signal storage unit 41 and a reconstruction processing unit 42 and is subjected to signal processing such as intermediate frequency conversion, phase detection, A / D conversion and the like in the reception unit 34 of the transmission / reception unit 3. The MR signals are sequentially stored in the MR signal storage unit 41 to form a two-dimensional MR signal in the k space. On the other hand, the reconstruction processing unit 42 reads the MR signal stored in the MR signal storage unit 41, performs two-dimensional Fourier transform on the MR signal based on the sequence control signal supplied from the control unit 8, and outputs image data in real space. Is generated.

  The MR signal stored in the MR signal storage unit 41 is added with information on the image type, imaging method, and imaging parameters previously selected or set by the input unit 6 when the MR signal is collected. Yes. Specific examples of image types, imaging methods, and imaging parameters will be described later.

  Next, the top plate 5 is slidably attached in the y-axis direction on the upper surface of a bed (not shown) installed in the vicinity of the gantry. Then, the top plate moving mechanism unit (not shown) moves the subject 150 placed on the top plate 5 together with the top plate 5 based on the top plate movement control signal supplied from the control unit 8 (that is, the subject 150). Is moved in the direction of the body axis) to place the imaging target portion at a predetermined position in the imaging field.

  The input unit 6 forms an interactive interface by connecting to the image display device 7 via the control unit 8. The console has various input devices such as a switch, a keyboard, and a mouse, and a display panel. The image type selection unit 61 selects an image type of image data, and an imaging method for collecting MR signals (for example, a sequence type). ) And an imaging parameter setting unit 63 for setting imaging parameters for each of the imaging methods. Furthermore, input of subject information, input of a top movement instruction signal, various commands Signal input or the like is performed using the above-described input device or display panel.

  It should be noted that a T1 weighted (T1W) image, a T2 weighted (T2W) image, a proton density weighted (PDW) image, a diffusion weighted image (DIW) image, and the like as image types, an SE (Spin Echo) method as an imaging method, Selection of FE (Field Echo) method, 3D EF (FE3D) method, FSE (Fast Spin Echo) method, FASE (Fast Asymmetric Spin Echo) method, EPI (Echo Planar Imaging) method, IR (Inversion Recovery) method, Furthermore, repetition time (TR: Repetition Time), echo time (TE: Echo Time), inversion time (TI: Inversion time), flip angle (FA), slice number (NS), slice as imaging parameters Settings such as a width (ST), an imaging region (FOV: Field of View), an image matrix size (MTX), a pixel size, a data collection band, and an image SNR are set in the image type selection unit 61 of the input unit 6, and an imaging method This is performed by the selection unit 62 and the imaging parameter setting unit 63.

  Next, the image display device 7 will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the image display device 7 selects one or a small number of series from among image data groups (series) in many image types generated by the image data generation unit 4 according to a predetermined imaging method and imaging parameters. It has a function of searching using a search condition based on an imaging method and imaging parameters, and further selecting and displaying one or a plurality of image data in a desired series from the searched series.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image display device 7. The image display device 7 converts the image type into image data in a plurality of series generated by the reconstruction processing unit 42 of the image data generation unit 4. , An image data storage unit 71 to which additional information such as an imaging method and imaging parameters is added and saved, and search condition setting for selecting and selecting search conditions, selecting a series or thumbnail, and inputting various instruction signals A series search that searches for one or a few of the series stored in the selection unit 72 and the image data storage unit 71 based on the search condition set or selected in the search condition setting / selection unit 72 And a thumbnail generation unit 74 that generates thumbnails of the image data stored in the image data storage unit 71.

  Furthermore, the image display device 7 includes a UI (user interface) format data storage unit 75 in which format data of various user interfaces is stored in advance, and a user interface generation unit 76 that generates various user interfaces based on the format data. A display unit 77 for displaying a user interface generated by the user interface generation unit 76, an image data group in a desired series selected by the search condition setting / selection unit 72, image data corresponding to a desired thumbnail, and the like; A search condition storage unit 78 that stores the search conditions set in the search condition setting / selection unit 72 together with the identification information, and an input / output that controls input / output of instruction signals and the like for each of the units included in the image display device 7 Equipped with control unit 79 To have.

  Similar to the input unit 6, the search condition setting / selection unit 72 has various input devices such as switches, keyboards, and mice on the console and a display panel, and is connected to the display unit 77 via the input / output control unit 79. Has interactive input function by connection.

  The search condition setting / selection unit 72 includes a search condition setting unit 721 that sets a search condition based on an imaging method and imaging parameters, and a search condition selection unit that selects a desired search condition from previously stored search conditions. 722, a series selection unit 723 for selecting a desired series or a desired thumbnail in this series from a plurality of searched series, and a search condition setting method selection unit for selecting a search condition setting method used for series search 724, and further includes an instruction signal input unit 725 for inputting an instruction signal for displaying the series list data, the presence / absence of series search, starting the series search, storing the search conditions set by the search condition setting unit 721, and the like. Yes.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the user interface generation unit 76 generates a series list display UI that generates a series list display user interface in which thumbnails of image data or text data of imaging methods and imaging parameters are displayed as a list in series units. Unit 761, search condition setting UI generation unit 762 for generating a search condition setting user interface used for setting a search condition based on an imaging method and imaging parameters, and a search condition used for series search from various search conditions stored in advance A search condition selection user interface for generating a search condition selection user interface for selecting the search condition selection UI generation unit 763 and a search condition storage user interface for storing the search conditions set by the search condition setting unit 721 of the search condition setting / selection unit 72 Search to generate The matter storage UI generating unit 764, a storage circuit (not shown) for temporarily storing data of various user interface units described above was produced.

  Specific examples of the series list display user interface, search condition setting user interface, search condition selection user interface, and search condition storage user interface generated by each unit of the user interface generation unit 76 will be described later.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the control unit 8 includes a main control unit 81, a sequence control unit 82, and a top plate movement control unit (not shown). The main control unit 81 includes a CPU and a storage circuit (not shown) and has a function of controlling the MRI apparatus 100 in an integrated manner. The storage circuit of the main control unit 81 stores information such as subject information input / set / selected by the input unit 6, image type, imaging method, imaging parameters, and the like. On the other hand, the CPU of the main control unit 81 collects MR signals and generates image data for the diagnosis target region of the subject 150 based on various information stored in the storage circuit. In particular, when collecting MR signals, the CPU supplies sequence information of various imaging methods set in advance to the sequence control unit 82.

  On the other hand, the sequence control unit 82 includes a CPU and a storage circuit (not shown), temporarily stores the sequence information supplied from the main control unit 81 in the storage circuit, and then generates a sequence control signal based on the sequence information. The magnitude, supply time, supply timing, etc. of the pulse current supplied to the gradient magnetic field coil 21 and the transmission coil 31 are controlled. The top plate movement control unit generates a control signal based on a top plate movement instruction signal supplied from the input unit 6 via the main control unit 81 and supplies the control signal to a not-shown top plate movement mechanism unit.

(Image data generation procedure)
Next, a procedure for generating image data by the MRI apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Prior to MRI imaging of the subject 150, the operator of the MRI apparatus 100 places a receiving coil 33 having two-dimensionally arranged coil elements at a predetermined position on the top 5, and the receiving coil 33 is connected to the subject 150. The subject 150 is placed on the top 5 so as to be positioned in the vicinity of the imaging region. Next, a top board movement instruction signal is input at the input unit 6 and the top board 5 is moved in the body axis direction (y direction) so that the diagnosis target portion of the subject 150 is positioned in the imaging field at the center of the gantry ( Step S1) in FIG.

  When the position setting of the subject is completed, the operator inputs subject information, selects an image type, selects an imaging method, sets imaging parameters, and the like on the input unit 6, and inputs these input information and selections. Information and setting information are preserve | saved at the memory | storage circuit with which the main control part 81 of the control part 8 was equipped (step S2 of FIG. 4).

  Next, the operator inputs an MRI imaging start command signal at the input unit 6, and this command signal is supplied to the main control unit 81 of the control unit 8, for example, for T1-weighted image data by the SE method. Generation is started (step S3 in FIG. 4).

  When collecting T1-weighted image data by the SE method, the gradient magnetic field power supply 22 of the gradient magnetic field generation unit 2 is based on the sequence control signal supplied from the sequence control unit 82 of the control unit 8 in the x direction, y direction, and z direction. A pulse current to the gradient magnetic field coil 21 is output, and the generation position of the slice selection gradient magnetic field Gs for setting the imaging section at the diagnosis target portion of the subject 150 and the MR signal obtained from the imaging section is encoded. A phase encoding gradient magnetic field Ge and a readout (frequency encoding) gradient magnetic field Gr are applied.

  For example, when generating diagnostic image data having Na × Na pixels, the application of the phase encoding gradient magnetic field Ge having Na types of magnetic field intensities is repeated Na times with a repetition time TR, and reading with a predetermined magnetic field intensity is performed. (Frequency encoding) The application of the gradient magnetic field Ge is repeated Na times with a repetition time TR.

  On the other hand, the transmission unit 32 of the transmission / reception unit 3 supplies a pulse current to the transmission coil 31 of the RF coil unit 3 during the application of the first slice selection gradient magnetic field Gs and applies a 90-degree RF pulse to the imaging region of the subject 150. In contrast, during the application of the second slice selective gradient magnetic field Gs after the time TE / 2 from each of these irradiations, Na irradiation is performed Na times at the repetition time TR. Irradiate once.

  The receiving coil 33 of the transmitting / receiving unit 3 receives the MR signal generated from the subject 150 after time TE / 2 from the irradiation of the 180-degree RF pulse, and supplies the MR signal to the receiving unit 34. The receiving unit 34 receives an intermediate frequency for this MR signal. Processing such as conversion, phase detection, amplification, filtering, A / D conversion is performed. Then, the MR signal subjected to the above-described processing is stored in the MR signal storage unit 41 of the image data generation unit 4. That is, the MR signal group composed of Na MR signals is stored in the MR signal storage unit 41 (step S4 in FIG. 4).

  The 90-degree RF pulse and the 180-degree RF pulse described above are RF waves for supplying the nuclear spin with energy necessary for rotating the nuclear spin of the subject tissue by 90 degrees and 180 degrees, and the time TE is , The time from the irradiation of the 90-degree RF pulse until the MR signal is detected, and TR is the sequence repetition time (that is, the MR signal detection period).

  When the acquisition of the MR signal group for the diagnosis target region is completed, the reconstruction processing unit 42 of the image data generation unit 4 performs Na-MR signals each having Na data points by two-dimensional Fourier transform and Na T1-weighted image data having pixels of × Na is generated, and the obtained T1-weighted image data is displayed on the image data display unit 772 of the display unit 77 provided in the image display device 7 and also includes an imaging method and imaging parameters. Is stored in the image data storage unit 71 of the image display device 7 as additional information (step S5 in FIG. 4).

  When the collection of the image data group (series) using the T1-weighted image as the image type and the storage in the image data storage unit 71 are completed, for example, the image in the image type such as the T2-weighted image, proton density weighted image, diffusion weighted image, A data group (series) is collected based on an imaging method and imaging parameters suitable for collecting these image types, and the obtained image data group is obtained by using the above-described imaging method and imaging parameters as additional information. (Steps S4 to S5 in FIG. 4).

  That is, the image data storage unit 71 of the image display device 7 collects these image data groups as image data groups whose image types are T1-weighted images, T2-weighted images, proton density weighted images, diffusion weighted images, and so on. Are stored together with information on the imaging method and imaging parameters applied.

(Image data display procedure)
Next, a display procedure of image data by the image display device 7 provided in the MRI apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the storage of the image data group (series) in the plurality of image types collected from the subject is completed by the above-described image data generation procedure, the operator of the MRI apparatus 100 displays the series list display in the thumbnail display format. A series search instruction signal based on a search condition based on the instruction signal, the imaging method, and the imaging parameters is input in the instruction signal input unit 725 of the search condition setting / selection unit 72 (step S11 in FIG. 5).

  At this time, if the instruction signal for series list display is not input by the instruction signal input unit 725, the series list display in the image display device 7 is terminated. On the other hand, when an instruction signal for series list display and series search is input, the search condition is determined based on a method for selecting a search condition for series search from a plurality of search conditions stored in advance or an imaging method and imaging parameters. One of the newly set methods is selected by the search condition setting method selection unit 724 provided in the search condition setting / selection unit 72 (step S12 in FIG. 5).

  When a new setting method for the search condition is selected based on the imaging method and imaging parameters, the input / output control unit 79 that has received the selection signal transmits a series of thumbnail formats to the user interface generation unit 76. An instruction signal for generating a list display user interface is supplied, and an instruction signal for generating a thumbnail is supplied to the thumbnail generation unit 74.

  Upon receiving the thumbnail generation instruction signal, the thumbnail generation unit 74 reads out the image data groups in all series of the subject stored in the image data storage unit 71, and generates thumbnails of these image data groups in series units. . On the other hand, the user interface generation unit 76 that has received the generation instruction signal for the series list display user interface generates format data corresponding to the series list display user interface from various format data stored in the UI format data storage unit 75 in advance. Read out, add the thumbnails of all the series supplied from the thumbnail generation unit 74 to the format data in units of series, and generate a series list display user interface. Then, the obtained series list display user interface is displayed on the user interface display unit 771 of the display unit 77.

  FIG. 6 shows a specific example of the series list display user interface in the thumbnail display format displayed on the user interface display unit 771 at this time, and the series / series set in the central area of the series list display user interface A1. In the thumbnail display field A2, series names (T1W, T2W) corresponding to various image types collected from the subject (for example, T1-weighted image, T2-weighted image, proton density-weighted image, diffusion weighted image,...). , PDW, DIW,...) A21 and a plurality of thumbnails A22 generated by the thumbnail generator 74 based on the image data groups of these series are displayed in a list.

  At this time, in the series / thumbnail display column A2 of the series list display user interface A1 displayed on the user interface display unit 771, image data groups of all series collected from the subject and stored in the image data storage unit 71 are displayed. Although it is desirable that the corresponding thumbnails are listed in series units, it is usually impossible to display the series names and thumbnails of all the series in the limited display area of the series / thumbnail display field A2. For this reason, a vertical scroll bar A23 and a horizontal scroll bar A24 for selecting and displaying a desired series name and thumbnail are provided, for example, at the right end and lower end of the series / thumbnail display field A2.

  On the other hand, in the upper area of the series list display user interface A1, a “search condition selection” used to select a desired search condition from a plurality of search conditions stored in advance in the series search using the search condition. A column A3, a “search condition setting” column A4 used when a search condition is newly set, and a “close” column A5 used when closing the series list display user interface A1 are provided.

  A “search condition setting” column A4 provided in the series list display user interface A1 for newly setting a search condition used for the series search based on the imaging method and imaging parameters is provided in the search condition setting / selecting unit 72. When selected (clicked) by the input device, the user interface generation unit 76 that has received this selection signal via the input / output control unit 79 selects from various format data stored in advance in the UI format data storage unit 75. The format data corresponding to the search condition setting user interface is read, and the search condition setting user interface generated using this format data is displayed on the user interface display section 771 of the display section 77.

  FIG. 7 shows a specific example of the search condition setting user interface displayed on the user interface display unit 771 at this time. In the right area of the search condition setting display user interface B1, an imaging method and various imaging parameters are displayed. In the imaging parameter designation field B2 for designating, the application / non-application judgment field B3 for determining whether or not to apply the imaging method and imaging parameters designated in the imaging parameter designation field B2 to the search condition, and Range designation field B4 for designating the numerical range of the imaging parameter determined to be applied, and the left area is searched for a plurality of imaging methods and imaging parameters determined to be applied in the application / non-application determination field B3. A search mode selection field B5 for selecting a mode is provided.

  Furthermore, at the lower end portion of the search condition setting display user interface B1, a “search condition storage” field B7 for instructing the storage of the set search conditions, for instructing the execution of the series search based on the set search conditions. A “close” column B9 used for closing the “search execution” column B8 and the search condition setting display user interface B1 is provided.

  In the imaging parameter designation field B2, for example, “sequence type” as an imaging method, “TR” (repetition time), “TE” (echo time), “NS” (number of slices), “FOV” as imaging parameters. (Imaging area), “MTX” (image matrix size), “ST” (slice thickness), etc. are displayed in a list. In the imaging parameter designation field B2, for example, when “TR” whose numerical value is to be set is designated by the input device of the search condition setting / selection unit 72, the central area of the search condition setting user interface B1 includes An application / non-application determination column B3 for determining whether or not to apply “TR” to the search condition for series search is displayed. When “apply” is selected by the input device in the application / non-application determination column B3, a range specification column B4 for specifying the range of “TR” is displayed. In the range specification column B4, “TR” The lower limit value “1000 (msec)” and the upper limit value “2000 (msec)” are designated.

  Next, by selecting one of “AND search”, “OR search”, “NOT search”, and the like displayed in the search mode selection field B5 provided in the left area of the search condition setting display user interface B1, A search mode for a plurality of imaging methods and imaging parameters determined to be applied in the application / non-application determination field B3 is set. For example, when “AND search” is selected in the search mode selection field B5, search conditions in which all the imaging methods and imaging parameters determined to be applied by the application / non-application determination unit B3 are valid are set.

  On the other hand, in the imaging parameter selection column B2, for example, when the sequence type of the imaging method for which the method is to be set is specified, and when this sequence type is determined to be applied in the application / non-application determination column B3, the search condition setting is performed. In the central area of the user interface B1, a sequence type selection field B6 is displayed instead of the range designation field B4 as shown in FIG. Then, one or more suitable from a plurality of sequence types (for example, “SE” method, “FE” method, “FE3D” method, “IR” method...) Shown in the sequence type selection field B6. The sequence type to be reflected in the search condition is selected by selecting one of the Siemens types and selecting either “OR” or “NOT”.

  Next, in the same manner as described above, the operator performs one of “AND search”, “OR search”, “NOT search”, etc. displayed in the search mode selection field B5 in the left area of the search condition setting user interface B1. By selecting, search modes for a plurality of imaging methods and imaging parameters determined to be applied in the application / non-application determination column B3 are set (step S13 in FIG. 5).

  When the setting of the imaging method and imaging parameters to be applied to the search conditions for the series search according to the above procedure is completed, the “search execution” field B8 provided in the lower stage of the search condition setting user interface B1 is set as a search condition setting / selection unit. Select using 72 input devices.

  On the other hand, in the selection of the search condition setting method shown in step S12 of FIG. 5, a method for selecting a desired search condition is selected from a plurality of search conditions stored in advance, and a series search is performed based on this search condition. In this case, the operator selects the “search condition selection” column A3 provided at the upper end of the series list display user interface A1 in the thumbnail display format shown in FIG. Upon receiving this selection signal, the user interface generation unit 76 reads out predetermined format data from the UI format data storage unit 75, and further reads out a plurality of search conditions stored in advance in the search condition storage unit 78 to generate the search conditions. The selected user interface is displayed on the user interface display section 771 of the display section 77 as a pull-down menu in the “search condition selection” column A3.

  FIG. 9 shows a specific example of the search condition selection user interface. The search condition selection user interface C1 includes search condition identification information (for example, “search condition A” to “search condition A” stored in advance). F ”) and“ No search ”) are displayed in a list, the search condition list display field C2 is displayed, the“ search execution ”field C3 for instructing series search according to the selected search condition, and the search condition selection user interface C1 are closed. A “close” column C4 is provided. Then, the operator selects one or more desired search condition identification information from the plurality of search condition identification information displayed in a list on the search condition selection user interface C1, and then selects the “search execution” column C3. As a result, the series search based on the search condition of the selected search condition identification information is started (step S14 in FIG. 5).

  Then, it is generated by the selection of the “search execution” column B8 provided in the search condition setting user interface B1 of FIG. 7 or FIG. 8 or the selection of the “search execution” column C3 provided in the search condition selection user interface C1 of FIG. The series search unit 73 that has received the selection signal performs a series search based on the selected or newly set search condition (step S15 in FIG. 5).

  On the other hand, the thumbnail generation unit 74 generates thumbnails of image data in one or more searched series and supplies the thumbnails to the user interface generation unit 76. Then, the user interface generation unit 76 displays a series list display user interface by a thumbnail display method that displays a list of the series names searched by the series search unit 73 and the thumbnails of the series generated by the thumbnail generation unit 74. Generated and displayed on the user interface display unit 771 of the display unit 77 (step S16 in FIG. 5).

  If the series search instruction signal is not input from the instruction signal input unit 725 of the search condition setting / selection unit 72 in step S11 described above, the thumbnails in which the series names and thumbnails of all series are displayed in a list in step 16 are displayed. A user interface display unit 771 displays a series list display user interface in a display format.

  On the other hand, if the search conditions set in step S13 are found to be inappropriate by observing the series list display user interface displayed on the user interface display section 771, the operator can display the series list display user interface shown in FIG. By selecting the “search condition setting” field A4 in A1 again, steps S11 to S16 in FIG. 4 are repeated (steps S11 to S16 in FIG. 5).

  When the series list display is completed by the above procedure, the operator selects a desired series name or thumbnail from a plurality of series (that is, series name and thumbnail) displayed on the series list display user interface A1. (Step S17 in FIG. 5). At this time, the input / output control unit 79 stores a large number of the subject 150 in which the image data storage unit 71 stores one or a plurality of image data corresponding to the image data group or thumbnail corresponding to the selected series name. Are extracted from the image data and displayed on the image data display unit 772 of the display unit 77 (step S18 in FIG. 5). When the MRI diagnosis by observing the displayed image data is completed, the operator inputs an instruction signal for displaying the search condition setting user interface B1 in the search condition setting / selection unit 72, and this instruction The input / output control unit 79 that has received the signal displays the data of the search condition setting user interface B1 once stored in a storage circuit (not shown) of the user interface generation unit 76 on the user interface display unit 771 of the display unit 77 again.

  Next, the operator selects the “search condition storage” column B7 of the search condition setting user interface B1, whereby the search condition set in step S13 is stored in the search condition storage unit 78 together with its identification information. The In this case, the user interface generation unit 76 that has received the selection signal based on the selection in the “search condition storage” column B 7 reads the format data of the search condition storage user interface from the UI format data storage unit 75 and displays the user interface on the display unit 77. This is displayed on the part 771.

  FIG. 10 shows a specific example of the search condition storage user interface. The search condition storage user interface D1 includes search condition identification information (search condition name) newly stored in the search condition storage unit 78. Search condition name input field D2 for inputting "SAVE" field D3 for instructing to store the search condition together with the search condition name, and "CLOSE" field used when closing the search condition storage user interface D1 D4 is provided. Then, the operator inputs the identification information (for example, “search condition G”) of the search condition to be stored in the search condition name input field D2 and then selects the “save” field D3, whereby the search condition name “search” is selected. The “condition G” and the search condition G are stored in the search condition storage unit 78 (step S19 in FIG. 5).

  When a desired search condition is selected and used from the plurality of search conditions stored in the search condition storage unit 78 in step S14 of FIG. 5, a plurality of search conditions including the search condition of the search condition G described above are used. One or more search conditions are selected from the search condition selection user interface C1 shown in FIG.

  The search condition need not be saved after the display of the image data in step S18. For example, the search condition may be saved immediately after the search condition is set in step S13.

(Modification)
Next, a modified example of the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the above-described embodiment, the case has been described in which the search condition in the series search is set using the thumbnail display format series list display user interface. However, in the present modification, the search condition is set in the text display format series list display. The case of using the user interface will be described.

  That is, when a new method for setting search conditions based on the imaging method and imaging parameters is selected in step S12 of FIG. 5, from the search condition setting method selection unit 724 provided in the search condition setting / selection unit 72. The input / output control unit 79 that has received the supplied selection signal supplies an instruction signal to the user interface generation unit 76 for generating a series list display user interface in a text display format.

  On the other hand, the user interface generation unit 76 that has received the instruction signal from the input / output control unit 79 corresponds to a text display format series list display user interface from various format data stored in advance in the UI format data storage unit 75. The read format data is read out, and further, the imaging method and imaging parameters attached to the image data of the subject stored in the image data storage unit 71 are read out. Then, the supplementary information is added to the format data in series units to generate a series list display user interface in a text display format and display it on the user interface display section 771 of the display section 77.

  FIG. 11 shows a specific example of a series list display user interface in the text display format displayed on the user interface display section 771 at this time. In the series / text display field a2 of the series list display user interface a1, , A series in which series names (T1W, T2W, PDW, DIW,...) Corresponding to image types (for example, T1-weighted images, T2-weighted images, proton density weighted images, diffusion weighted images,...) Are displayed. A name display field a21, an imaging parameter designation field a22 used for designating an imaging method and imaging parameters, a text data display field a23 for displaying the imaging method and imaging parameters used for collecting image data of the image type as text data, The above series name and text data are displayed vertically and horizontally. Vertical scroll bars a24 and horizontal scroll bars a25 to crawl is provided.

  At this time, the series / text display field a2 of the series list display user interface a1 displayed on the user interface display unit 771 corresponds to all the image data collected from the subject and stored in the image data storage unit 71. Text data of imaging methods and imaging parameters are displayed as a list in series. Similarly to the above-described embodiment, since it is impossible to display the series names and text data of all the series in the limited display area of the series / text display field a2, the desired series name and the text are displayed. A vertical scroll bar a24 and a horizontal scroll bar a25 for selecting and displaying data are provided at the right end and the lower end of the series / text display field a2.

  When setting the search condition, for example, in the imaging parameter designation field a22 of the series list display user interface a1, for example, “TR” whose numerical value is to be set is selected by the input device of the search condition setting / selection unit 72 ( The user interface generation unit 76 that has received this selection signal via the input / output control unit 79 outputs the format data corresponding to the search condition setting user interface stored in the UI format data storage unit 75 in advance. Further, the “TR” value attached to all the image data of the subject stored in the image data storage unit 71 is read out. Then, a pull-down menu type search condition setting user interface generated by adding the value of “TR” to the format data is displayed on the user interface display unit 771 of the display unit 77.

  FIG. 12 shows a specific example of the search condition setting user interface b1 displayed on the user interface display unit 771 at this time. Below the “TR” designated in the imaging parameter designation field a22, There are “TR” values used to collect image data for each series of subjects, “all” that allows any TR value, and “options” for newly setting a desired numerical range. It is formed as a pull-down menu b2. A vertical scroll bar b3 for scrolling up and down the pull-down menu b2 is provided at the right end of the pull-down menu b2.

  When “option” is selected in the pull-down menu b2, the user interface generation unit 76 that has received the selection signal generates an option setting user interface c1 shown in FIG. It is displayed on the user interface display section 771. Then, the range of the TR value is designated by inputting the lower limit value and the upper limit value in the range designation field c2 of the option setting user interface c1.

  On the other hand, in the imaging parameter designation field a22 of the series list display user interface a1, for example, when “sequence type” for which a method or the like is to be set is selected, the sequence type as shown in FIG. A search condition setting user interface bx1 in a pull-down menu format is displayed on the user interface display section 771.

  That is, in FIG. 14, an imaging method (for example, FE, FSE, SE, FE3D, etc.) used for collecting image data for the subject is displayed below the “sequence type” designated in the imaging parameter designation field a22. “All” that allows all TR values, and “Option” for newly setting a desired imaging method are formed as a pull-down menu bx2.

  When “option” is selected in the pull-down menu bx2, the user interface generation unit 76 that has received the selection signal generates an option setting user interface cx1 shown in FIG. 15 and a user interface display unit 771 of the display unit 77. To display. The operator selects one or a plurality of imaging methods from the imaging methods such as SE, FE, FE3D, IR, etc. displayed in the sequence type selection field cx2 of the option setting user interface cx1, and these The search condition for the sequence type is set by selecting “OR” or “NOT” of the imaging method (step S13 in FIG. 5).

  When the setting of the search condition is completed by the above-described procedure, a search start instruction signal is input by the search condition setting / selection unit 72, and the series search unit 73 that has received this instruction signal satisfies the set search condition. Based on this, a series search is executed (step S15 in FIG. 5). Next, the user interface generation unit 76 displays a series list display user interface in a text format in which text data indicating the series name, imaging method, and imaging parameters of the series searched by the series search unit 73 is displayed in a format similar to FIG. Is displayed on the user interface display unit 771 of the display unit 77 (step S16 in FIG. 5).

  Next, the operator selects a desired series from a plurality of series displayed on the series list display user interface (step S17 in FIG. 5). At this time, the input / output control unit 79 extracts the image data group of the selected series from many series of image data groups stored in the image data storage unit 71, and displays the image data display unit of the display unit 77. 772 (step S18 in FIG. 5). When the MRI diagnosis for the subject using the desired image data is completed, the search condition is stored in step S19 in FIG. 5. This storage method is the same as in the above-described embodiment. Detailed description is omitted.

  According to the present embodiment and the modifications described above, when selecting image data in a desired series from image data in a plurality of series using a series list display user interface, the image is collected by MRI imaging of the subject. A plurality of series including a desired series among all the series that have been searched are searched according to a search condition based on an imaging method and imaging parameters of MRI imaging, and the series is displayed in the series list display user interface. Since a desired series and image data belonging to this series are selected, selection of these image data can be performed easily and in a short time.

  In particular, according to the above-described embodiment, the thumbnails of each series are displayed in series on the series list display user interface. Therefore, the image data group in the desired series or the desired image data belonging to this series can be efficiently stored. You can choose.

  Further, according to the above-described modification, the imaging method and imaging parameters are displayed as text data on the series list display interface, so that a desired series can be accurately selected. For the above reasons, according to the present embodiment and its modification, the diagnostic efficiency in the MRI diagnosis is improved and the burden on the operator is reduced.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention and its modification were described, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned Example and its modification, You may deform | transform and implement. For example, in the above-described embodiments and modifications thereof, the image display device 7 included in the MRI apparatus 100 has been described. The image display device 7 is an independent display that displays stored image data as necessary. And may be connected to other units of the MRI apparatus 100 via a network or the like. Furthermore, it may be connected not only to the MRI apparatus 100 but also to an image diagnostic apparatus and an image data server including other MRI apparatuses. By configuring such an independent image display device 7, the same selection is performed on, for example, CT image data, X-ray image data, ultrasonic image data, etc. collected from various image diagnostic devices. Is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the display device 7 is provided as a part of the MRI apparatus 100, the search condition setting unit 721, the search condition selection unit 722, and the search condition setting / selection unit 72 of FIG. The series selection unit 723, the search condition setting method selection unit 724, and the instruction signal input unit 725 may be provided in the input unit 6.

  On the other hand, in the above-described embodiments and modifications thereof, a series of spatially or temporally continuous image data collected by image types such as a T1-weighted image, a T2-weighted image, a proton density-weighted image, and a diffusion-weighted image is defined as a series. However, it is not limited to this. Further, the image type, imaging method, and imaging parameters are not limited to those described above.

  Furthermore, the newly set search condition need not be saved after the image data display in step S18 of FIG. 5, but may be performed immediately after the search condition is set in step S13, for example.

  In the above-described embodiment and its modification, the case where a desired series or image data is selected from the series searched based on the search condition and displayed on the display unit 77 has been described. A series and image data for performing image processing, image storage, or image transfer may be selected from a number of collected series by a similar procedure.

  Further, in the image data storage unit 71 of the above-described embodiment and its modification, the image data group of each image type is stored together with information on the imaging method and imaging parameters applied to the collection of these image data groups. However, these data may be stored in different storage units as long as they are associated with each other.

  Further, the case where the thumbnail generation unit 74 generates thumbnails for the image data group stored in the image data storage unit 71 has been described. However, the image data generation unit 4 generates these image data simultaneously with the generation of the image data group. A thumbnail for the data group may be generated.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an MRI apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. The functional block diagram of the image display apparatus with which the MRI apparatus of the Example is provided. The functional block diagram of the user interface production | generation part with which the image display apparatus of the Example is provided. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for generating image data in the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a display procedure of image data in the embodiment. The figure which shows the series list display user interface of the thumbnail display format in the Example. The figure which shows the search condition setting user interface in the Example. The figure which shows the other search condition setting user interface in the Example. The figure which shows the search condition selection user interface in the Example. The figure which shows the other search condition preservation | save user interface in the Example. The figure which shows the series list display user interface of the text display format in the modification of the Example. The figure which shows the search condition setting user interface in the modification. The figure which shows the option setting user interface in the modification. The figure which shows the other search condition setting user interface in the modification. The figure which shows the other option setting user interface in the modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Static magnetic field generation part 11 ... Main magnet 12 ... Static magnetic field power supply 2 ... Gradient magnetic field generation part 21 ... Gradient magnetic field coil 22 ... Gradient magnetic field power supply 3 ... Transmission / reception part 31 ... Transmission coil 32 ... Transmission part 33 ... Reception coil 34 ... Reception Unit 4 ... Image data generation unit 41 ... MR signal storage unit 42 ... Reconstruction processing unit 5 ... Top panel 6 ... Input unit 61 ... Image type selection unit 62 ... Imaging method selection unit 63 ... Imaging parameter setting unit 7 ... Image display device 71 ... Image data storage unit 72 ... Search condition setting / selection unit 721 ... Search condition setting unit 722 ... Search condition selection unit 723 ... Series selection unit 724 ... Search condition setting method selection unit 725 ... Instruction signal input unit 73 ... Series search unit 74 ... Thumbnail generation unit 75 ... UI format data storage unit 76 ... User interface generation unit 761 ... Series list display UI generation unit 762 ... Search condition setting UI generation unit 7 3 ... Search condition selection UI generation unit 764 ... Search condition storage UI generation unit 77 ... Display unit 771 ... User interface display unit 772 ... Image data display unit 78 ... Search condition storage unit 79 ... Input / output control unit 8 ... Control unit 81 ... Main controller 82 ... Sequence controller 100 ... MRI apparatus

Claims (11)

In an image display device that selects a desired series in a series list display user interface in which image information in a plurality of series is displayed as a list, and displays image data in this series,
Image data storage means for storing image data in the plurality of series collected from the subject and information on imaging conditions applied to collection of the image data in association with each other;
Search condition setting means for setting a search condition based on various imaging conditions of the diagnostic imaging apparatus;
Series search means for searching a series of image data stored in the image data storage means based on the search conditions;
Series selection means for selecting the desired series or image data in this series from the searched series,
An image display device comprising: display means for displaying image data in the selected desired series. In an image display device that selects a desired series in a series list display user interface in which image information in a plurality of series is displayed as a list, and displays image data in this series,
Image data storage means for storing image data in the plurality of series collected from the subject and information on imaging conditions applied to collection of the image data in association with each other;
Search condition storage means in which search conditions for the diagnostic imaging apparatus or search conditions for the subject are stored in advance,
Series search means for searching a series of image data stored in the image data storage means based on the search conditions;
Series selection means for selecting the desired series or image data in this series from the searched series,
An image display device comprising: display means for displaying image data in the selected desired series.   The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging condition is at least one of an imaging method and imaging parameters applied to collection of image data in the plurality of series.   The series search means searches for a series having an imaging condition corresponding to the imaging condition of the search condition based on information on the imaging condition attached to the image data stored in the image data storage means. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image display device is characterized by the following.   Thumbnail generation means and user interface generation means, wherein the thumbnail generation means generates thumbnails for the series of image data stored in the image data storage means and searched by the series search means, and the user interface generation means The image display apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a series list display user interface displaying a list of thumbnails of the series searched by the series search means is generated.   2. A user interface generation unit, wherein the user interface generation unit generates a series list display user interface in which text data of imaging conditions in a series searched by the series search unit is displayed as a list. The image display device according to claim 2.   UI format data storage means for storing format data of a user interface, wherein the user interface generation means displays a series list display user interface in which thumbnails of series searched by the series search means are displayed as the UI format data storage means. The image display device according to claim 5, wherein the image display device is generated based on the format data stored in advance.   2. The search condition setting unit according to claim 1, wherein the search condition is set by applying any one of “AND search”, “OR search”, and “NOT search” to the various imaging conditions. Image display device.   The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search condition setting unit specifies a range for the imaging condition whose numerical value is to be set.   2. The search condition setting means, when setting a plurality of items for one imaging condition, specifies either an “OR” condition or a “NOT” condition for these items. The diagnostic imaging apparatus described. In an MRI apparatus that selects and displays image data in a desired series from image data in a plurality of series collected by MRI imaging under different imaging conditions,
11. An MRI apparatus, wherein the image display apparatus according to claim 1 is used to select and display image data in the desired series.

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