CN219814117U - Mirror device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to a mirror device configured to steer a field of view of a patient in a patient tunnel of an imaging apparatus in the direction of an opening of the patient tunnel, comprising a mirror holder having a first mirror element, a guide element and a second mirror element, wherein the mirror holder can be positioned in a position of particular use relative to a head of the patient, and wherein the guide element is configured to variably position the second mirror element relative to the first mirror element, wherein the first mirror element is configured to deflect the field of view of the patient in the direction of an access opening of the imaging apparatus, and wherein a field of view of the patient defined by the first mirror element is expandable by positioning the second mirror element by means of the guide element. The utility model also relates to an imaging device having a mirror arrangement according to the utility model, which can be positioned in a particularly used position relative to the head of a patient in a patient tunnel of the imaging device and is configured to steer the field of view of the patient in the direction of the opening of the patient tunnel.

Description

Mirror device and image forming apparatus

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a mirror device which is designed to steer the field of view of a patient in a patient tunnel of an imaging apparatus in the direction of an opening of the patient tunnel.

Background

A magnetic resonance tomography scanner is an imaging device which orients the nuclear spins of an examination subject by means of a strong external magnetic field for imaging the examination subject and is excited by an alternating magnetic field to precess around the orientation. The precession of the spins or the return from this excited state to a state with lower energy in turn generates an alternating magnetic field, also called magnetic resonance signals, which are received via an antenna.

The signals are subjected to a position coding by means of gradient magnetic fields, which can then enable the received signals to be correlated with the volume elements. The received signals are then evaluated and a three-dimensional imaging view of the examination object is provided.

In order to excite precession of spins, an alternating magnetic field having a frequency corresponding to the larmor frequency at the corresponding static magnetic field strength and a very high field strength or power are required. In order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the received magnetic resonance signals, so-called local coils are often used, which are arranged directly at the patient. The local coil generally has an antenna in which a current is induced by means of an alternating magnetic field. The current may be amplified using a pre-amplifier and finally transmitted as a signal to the receiving electronic device in a wired manner.

In magnetic resonance tomography, images with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) are nowadays usually recorded by means of Local Coils (english: coils). The local coils are typically placed immediately above (front) or below (back) the patient. In the case of a magnetic resonance examination, the excited nuclei induce voltages in the antennas of the local coils, which voltages are then amplified with low-noise preamplifiers (LNA) and finally forwarded to the receiving electronics in a wired manner. So-called high-field facilities with magnetic field strengths of 1.5T to 12T and higher are used for recording high-resolution images. Positioning of the patient in the imaging device, but also using dedicated local coils to record images of the patient's head, sometimes severely limits the patient's field of view. Such dedicated head coils are therefore often equipped with a mirror which deflects the field of view of the patient in the patient tunnel towards the entrance opening of the magnetic resonance tomography scanner.

Regardless of the use of the head coil, the patient's field of view can already be significantly limited by positioning the patient in the patient tunnel of the imaging device. In this case, there are a plurality of different imaging devices having patient tunnels, in particular patient tunnels of different diameters, which limit the field of view of the patient to different extents or in different ways. For example, systems with diameters between 60cm and 70cm are widely used in magnetic resonance tomography. Here, a specific mirror device is required for each diameter, which deflects the field of view of the patient in the direction of the access opening.

The limited field of view of the patient in the patient tunnel may cause a negative patient experience and in particular for claustrophobia patients lead to an interruption of the imaging examination. In the case of using different imaging devices or imaging devices with different diameters of patient tunnels, different mirror arrangements adapted to the diameters of the patient tunnels are also required. Providing different mirror arrangements may be associated with high costs for an operator of the imaging apparatus. Furthermore, the person has to be familiar with handling a plurality of mirror devices, which in practice is time-consuming and may lead to problems when adapting to the patient.

Disclosure of Invention

The utility model is therefore based on the object of providing a mirror arrangement which improves the field of view of the patient and which can be adapted to the diameters of a plurality of imaging devices or patient tunnels.

According to the utility model, the object is achieved by the subject matter of the utility model. Advantageous embodiments and advantageous developments are the subject matter described below.

The mirror device according to the utility model is designed to steer the field of view of the patient in the patient tunnel of the imaging apparatus in the direction of the opening of the patient tunnel.

The imaging device may be any medical device constituting image data for detecting a body region of a patient. The imaging device is preferably configured for recording two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional image data, in particular time-dependent three-dimensional image data, of a body region of a patient. Examples of imaging devices are magnetic resonance tomography scanners, computer tomography scanners, single photon emission computer tomography scanners, positron emission tomography scanners, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the imaging device is configured as a magnetic resonance scanner.

The patient tunnel may be defined by an imaging region which is surrounded at the outer circumference by a body of the imaging device which is essentially configured as a hollow column. The imaging region preferably has an imaging volume, in particular an isocenter, in which the body region of the patient is positioned during the imaging examination. However, it is conceivable that the imaging region or the patient tunnel has a different geometry than the hollow column.

The patient tunnel preferably has at least one opening. For example, the opening may be configured as an access opening. The access opening may be configured to enable a patient to access an imaging volume of the imaging device. In a preferred embodiment, the imaging device has a patient support device and/or an examination couch, which are configured for positioning the patient in a specific use position for performing an imaging examination of the body region. However, the patient tunnel may likewise have a terminating opening, which is located, for example, at the opposite side of the imaging device from the access opening.

The field of view of the patient is preferably characterized by any region in the patient's surroundings that is optically perceived by the patient at a given moment. This may mean that photons emitted and/or reflected by the surface of the perceived area impinge on the photosensitive section of the patient's eye.

The mirror device includes a mirror holder having a first mirror element, a guide element, and a second mirror element.

The mirror holder may be any structure configured to hold the first mirror element and the second mirror element in a desired relative position with respect to the head of the patient. The mirror holder is preferably mechanically connected to the first mirror element and/or the second mirror element. The mirror holder can be connected to the first mirror element and/or the second mirror element, in particular, by means of a material-fitting connection, a force-fitting connection and/or a form-fitting connection.

The first mirror element is preferably connected to the mirror holder in a predetermined relative position with respect to the mirror holder. It is also conceivable, however, that the first mirror element can be positioned relative to the mirror holder by means of the guide element in a continuous manner or stepwise. The mirror element has at least one side configured to deflect or reflect photons in the light. The mirror element can be designed in particular for reflecting or diverting the line of sight of the patient onto the mirror element. The mirror element preferably has a substantially flat configuration. It is likewise conceivable, however, for the mirror element to have an arcuate or curved configuration.

The guide element is configured for variably positioning the second mirror element relative to the first mirror element. The guide element can be designed in particular for positioning or displacing the second mirror element parallel to the first mirror element in at least one spatial direction. The guide element can have any mechanism configured for positioning the second mirror element, but also the first mirror element, relative to the mirror holder.

The guide element can be configured in particular for positioning the second mirror element relative to the first mirror element. It is conceivable that the guide element has a rail system, a telescopic system, a linear guide or the like, by means of which the second mirror element can be positioned in a variable manner with respect to the first mirror element, but also the mirror holder. The guide element and/or the mirror holder can also have a locking element which is designed to fix or secure the second mirror element in a desired relative position with respect to the first mirror element or the mirror holder.

Preferably, the second mirror element can be positioned by means of a guiding element, so that the size of the total mirror surface provided by the first and second mirror element can be adjusted. For example, the guiding element may be configured to increase the total mirror when using an imaging device comprising a patient tunnel having a larger diameter, and to correspondingly decrease the total mirror when using an imaging device comprising a patient tunnel having a smaller diameter. The first mirror element and the second mirror element are preferably arranged at least partially in sequence in the field of view or line of sight of the patient.

The mirror holder can be positioned in a specific use position relative to the patient's head. For this purpose, the mirror holder can be mechanically connected to the head coil, the local coil and/or the patient support or the examination table of the imaging device. The mirror holder can be positioned together with the head coil in particular with respect to the head of the patient and/or can have a positioning unit which is designed to position the mirror holder with respect to the head of the patient, the head coil and/or the patient support device. Preferably, the mirror holder is positioned at the head of the patient in the position of the specific use. This may mean that the mirror holder abuts the patient's head in at least one spatial direction at the patient's head and/or limits movement of the patient's head in at least one spatial direction. It is also conceivable that the mirror holder intersects the line of sight of the patient when positioned at the head of the patient in particular use.

The first mirror element is configured for deflecting a field of view of the patient in the direction of an access opening of the imaging device, wherein a field of view of the patient defined by the first mirror element can be expanded by positioning the second mirror element by means of the guiding element.

When the mirror holder is positioned in particular in use at the head of the patient, the first mirror element and/or the second mirror element are preferably arranged at an angle to the transverse plane of the patient. The angle is in particular selected such that, when the line of sight of the patient is directed towards the first mirror element and/or the second mirror element, at least a part of the field of view of the patient is diverted to the entrance opening of the patient tunnel. It is also conceivable that the mirror holder has means configured for adjusting or changing the angle of the first mirror element and/or the second mirror element relative to the transverse plane of the patient.

By providing a mirror device according to the utility model with a first mirror element and a second mirror element, the total mirror surface can be adapted in an advantageous manner to the diameter of the patient tunnel. The field of view of the entrance opening of the patient to the patient tunnel can thus advantageously be adjusted or increased during the imaging examination in order to increase the comfort of the patient and/or to reduce the risk of interruption of the imaging examination by the patient.

Furthermore, the mirror device according to the present utility model can be used with a plurality of different imaging apparatuses. In this way, the investment costs for a plurality of conventional mirror arrangements for adapting to a predetermined diameter of a patient tunnel of different imaging devices can be advantageously reduced.

In one embodiment of the mirror device according to the utility model, the mirror holder has a third mirror element. The third mirror element may be identical in shape and/or material composition to the first mirror element and/or the second mirror element.

The third mirror element is arranged at an angle to the first mirror element and is configured for deflecting the field of view of the patient in a direction of a terminal opening opposite to the access opening of the imaging device. The third mirror element is preferably arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to the first mirror element at a transverse plane of the patient. This may mean that the third mirror element is positioned symmetrically with respect to the first mirror element along an imaginary plane of symmetry. The imaginary symmetry plane may be oriented substantially parallel to the transverse plane of the patient at the head of the patient. It is particularly conceivable that the imaginary symmetry plane is oriented at the patient's head substantially parallel to the intersection of the transverse plane and the sagittal plane. However, the imaginary symmetry plane may also be oriented at an angle of at most 10 °, at most 20 °, or at most 30 ° to the transverse plane at the head of the patient.

The angle between the first mirror element and the second mirror element is preferably less than 120 °, less than 90 ° or less than 75 °.

The terminating opening opposite the access opening may be an opening of the imaging device toward a region behind the imaging device. Such an area may in particular be an area which is not blocked by components of the imaging device, for example the patient support device or the examination couch.

It is contemplated that when the positioning mirror holder is specifically used, the first mirror element and the third mirror element are positioned at the patient's head such that the patient can selectively align the line of sight to either the first mirror element or the third mirror element. The patient's field of view may be deflected to the terminal opening or the access opening, respectively. The imaginary symmetry plane may here substantially coincide with a transverse direction of the patient, which transverse direction intersects the eye of the patient.

In one embodiment, the mirror holder has a mechanism configured for adjusting the angle between the first mirror element and the third mirror element.

By providing a third mirror element, the patient is enabled to view the entrance opening or the end opening of the imaging device in an advantageous manner during an imaging examination. Depending on the relative position of the patient's head with respect to the patient tunnel, the patient may align his line of sight with either the first mirror element or the third mirror element. In this way, the patient can deflect his field of view, in particular in the direction of the opening of the patient tunnel, which opening provides a better field of view to the region of the examination space of the imaging device.

In a further embodiment, the mirror device according to the utility model has a second guide element and a fourth mirror element. The second guide element may be constructed similarly to the guide element according to the above-described embodiment. The fourth mirror element may in particular be arranged at least partially behind the third mirror element in the direction of the line of sight of the patient.

The fourth mirror element is variably positionable relative to the third mirror element by means of the second guide element. The second guide element can be designed in particular for positioning or displacing the fourth mirror element parallel to the third mirror element in at least one spatial direction.

The field of view of the patient, which is defined by the third mirror element, can be extended by positioning the fourth mirror element by means of the second guiding element. Similar to the embodiments described above, the second guiding element may be configured for expanding or reducing the second total mirror surface defined by the third mirror element and the fourth mirror element by means of adjusting the position of the fourth mirror element.

By providing a fourth mirror element and a second guiding element, the second total mirror surface can also be adapted in an advantageous manner to different diameters of the patient tunnel.

According to one embodiment, at least one guide element of the mirror device according to the utility model has at least one locking element which is designed to fix the second mirror element and/or the fourth mirror element in a desired relative position with respect to the first mirror element and/or the third mirror element.

The locking element can likewise be designed to fix the guide element and/or the second guide element in a relative position with respect to the mirror device, in particular the first mirror element and/or the third mirror element. The locking element may have, for example, a screw mechanism, a clamping mechanism, a locking mechanism, a plug-in mechanism, etc. The locking element is preferably designed to form a positive and/or non-positive connection with the second and/or fourth mirror element in order to fix the second and/or fourth mirror element in the desired relative position with respect to the first and/or third mirror element.

It is conceivable that the second mirror element and/or the fourth mirror element can be fixed by means of a locking element such that the total mirror surface and/or the second total mirror surface has an approximately maximum surface for a given diameter of the patient tunnel.

The mirror device according to the utility model can have at least one first locking element which is designed to fix the second mirror element in a relative position to the first mirror element. It is also conceivable that the mirror device according to the utility model has at least one second locking element which is designed to fix the fourth mirror element in a relative position to the first mirror element.

By providing at least one locking element, the second mirror element and/or the fourth mirror element can be locked in a relative position with respect to the first mirror element and/or the second mirror element by means of the guide element and/or the second guide element depending on the diameter of the patient tunnel. Thus, the total mirror and/or the second total mirror can be increased or maximized in an advantageous manner in order to increase the field of view of the patient to the entrance opening and/or the end opening.

In a further embodiment of the mirror device according to the utility model, the mirror holder has a fifth mirror element which is arranged at an angle to the first mirror element and/or the second mirror element and is designed to deflect the field of view of the patient onto the first mirror element and/or the second mirror element.

The fifth mirror element can be oriented in particular at an angle to the first mirror element and/or the second mirror element. Preferably, the mirror holder is configured for holding the fifth mirror element at an angle to the first mirror element and/or the second mirror element such that the field of view of the patient is diverted from the fifth mirror element to the first mirror element and/or the second mirror element. The angle is in particular selected such that the field of view of the patient is deflected in the direction of the first mirror element and/or the second mirror element when the patient looks at the fifth mirror element. The patient's field of view can in turn be deflected by the first mirror element and/or the second mirror element onto the access opening such that the patient's field of view is deflected at least twice when looking at the fifth mirror element. For example, the angle between the fifth mirror element and the first mirror element may be less than 90 °, less than 80 °, less than 70 °, or less than 60 °. The angle between the fifth mirror element and the first mirror element is preferably greater than 20 °.

The fifth mirror element is preferably oriented such that the field of view of the patient when looking at the fifth mirror element substantially passes through a section of the head coil and/or a body part of the patient.

By providing the fifth element, the patient's field of view may be deflected multiple times when looking at the fifth element. The view of the patient can thereby be guided around structures in the patient tunnel, for example the convex section of the head coil and/or the abdominal region of the patient, so that the view of the patient to the access opening is advantageously improved. Furthermore, the selection of the field of view to the access opening or the end opening can be achieved or simplified in an advantageous manner for the patient by providing a fifth mirror element. An implementation of the mirror device that does not deflect the patient's field of view twice towards the opening may cause a restriction of the patient's field of view if it should be possible to achieve a field of view to both openings.

In a preferred embodiment of the mirror device according to the utility model, the mirror holder has a positioning unit, which is designed to variably position the mirror holder relative to the patient's head in at least one spatial direction.

The positioning unit may be configured as part of the mirror holder. The positioning unit is preferably configured for positioning a mirror holder having at least a first mirror element and a second mirror element relative to the head of the patient. The positioning unit may have any mechanism configured to adjust the position and/or orientation of the mirror holder relative to the patient's head. Adjusting the position and/or orientation of the mirror holder may comprise, for example, a transport of the mirror holder in at least one spatial direction and/or an orientation of the mirror holder in at least one rotational axis. The positioning unit is preferably configured for moving the mirror holder in a plurality of spatial directions and/or rotational axes.

In one embodiment, a positioning unit and an imaging device

Head coil and/or

Patient support apparatus

Mechanically connected and positionable with respect to the head coil and/or the patient support apparatus.

By providing a positioning unit mechanically connected to the patient support apparatus, the mirror holder can be used in an advantageous manner in a plurality of imaging apparatuses with corresponding patient support apparatuses. By providing a mirror holder which is connected to the head coil by means of a positioning unit, the field of view of the patient can also be deflected in an advantageous manner from the narrow space of the head coil in the direction of the opening of the imaging device.

The positioning unit may in particular have a guide mechanism which is designed to position the mirror holder relative to the head of the patient. Such a guide mechanism may be configured, for example, as a roller system, a rail system, a linear guide, a telescopic system, or the like. The positioning unit is preferably designed to position the mirror holder by means of the guide mechanism at least along the longitudinal axis of the patient support and/or the head coil. The guide means may also be configured to limit the movement of the mirror holder relative to the patient support device and/or the head coil to at least one predetermined spatial direction and/or movement path. However, it is also conceivable that the guiding mechanism limits the movement of the mirror holder relative to the patient support and/or the head coil to at least two or three predetermined spatial directions and/or movement trajectories.

In one embodiment, the positioning unit has a pivoting mechanism which is configured for pivoting or tilting the mirror holder relative to the longitudinal axis of the patient and/or the patient support device. For example, the positioning unit has a hinge or joint which is designed to adjust the angle between the mirror holder and the head coil and/or the patient support.

The position of the mirror holder can be adapted to the individualization preconditions of the patient by means of the positioning unit. Thereby, the field of view of the patient's opening to the imaging device may be advantageously improved or optimized.

In a further embodiment of the mirror device according to the utility model, at least one mirror element is embodied as a metal layer, which is connected in a material-fitting manner to the surface of the mirror holder.

It is conceivable that the surface of the mirror holder is coated with a metal layer. The surface coated with the metal layer can in particular be a first mirror element, a third mirror element and/or a fifth mirror element, which are preferably positioned in a predetermined position at the mirror holder. It is also conceivable, however, that the second mirror element and/or the fourth mirror element are substantially provided by a metal layer, for example, applied to the guide element and/or the second guide element. Preferably, the mirror holder and the guide element and the second guide element are made of a material that is not visible to the respective imaging device. The metal layer can be connected in a material-fitting manner to the surface of the mirror holder and to the surface of the at least one guide element. The material-fitting connection can be applied to the surface of the mirror holder and/or the at least one guide element, for example, by means of an adhesive, glue, but in particular also by means of a vapor deposition method, thermal spraying and/or by means of an electroplating process.

By coating the surface of the mirror holder and/or the surface of the guide element with a metal layer, a mirror holder having particularly low space requirements and/or particularly low weight can be provided in an advantageous manner.

In an alternative embodiment of the mirror holder according to the utility model, the at least one mirror element is configured as a glass sheet with a metal layer, wherein the at least one mirror element is mechanically connected to the mirror holder.

The first side of the at least one mirror element is preferably provided with a metal layer. Conversely, the second side of the at least one mirror element can have a glass sheet. The first side of the at least one mirror element may face in the direction of the patient when the mirror device is positioned in particular use. Correspondingly, the second side of the at least one mirror element may be directed away from the patient. The at least one mirror element with the glass pane is preferably mechanically connected to the mirror holder. The mechanical connection between the mirror holder and the at least one mirror element can comprise any material-fitting connection, form-fitting connection and/or force-fitting connection. It is also conceivable that at least one mirror element with a glass pane has a guide element and/or can be positioned relative to the mirror holder by means of the guide element.

By providing the mirror element with a glass sheet, the metal layer can be protected in an advantageous manner against damage when the mirror device is in use.

The imaging apparatus according to the present utility model includes the mirror device according to the above-described embodiment. The imaging device preferably has a patient tunnel in which at least one body region of the patient can be positioned for guiding through the imaging device. Such an imaging device can be embodied in particular as a magnetic resonance scanner, a computer tomography scanner, a single photon emission computer tomography scanner or a positron emission tomography scanner.

The mirror arrangement of the imaging device can be positioned in a position of particular use relative to the head of the patient in the patient tunnel of the imaging device and is configured for turning the field of view of the patient upwards in the direction of the opening of the patient tunnel.

The mirror arrangement can be mechanically connected to the head coil of the imaging device and/or to the patient support device. It is also conceivable for the mirror device to have a positioning unit, which is designed to adjust the position of the mirror device relative to the patient, the head coil and/or the patient support device in at least one spatial direction.

According to the above embodiments, the mirror device may have at least one third mirror element, fourth mirror element and/or fifth mirror element. The second mirror element and the fourth mirror element are preferably designed to adjust the field of view of the entrance opening and/or the end opening of the patient tunnel of the patient to the imaging device by means of adjusting the total mirror and/or the second total mirror. For this purpose, the mirror device can have a guide element, but can also have a second guide element, the guide element and the second guide element being designed to position the second mirror element and/or the fourth mirror element relative to the mirror holder.

The mirror arrangement is in particular designed to adapt the total mirror surface and/or the second total mirror surface to a plurality of different imaging devices and/or to the diameter of the patient tunnel, so that the field of view of the patient to the opening of the patient tunnel can be improved or optimized. The imaging device according to the utility model shares the advantages of the mirror arrangement according to the utility model.

Drawings

Further advantages and details emerge from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings. Shown in the schematic diagram:

figure 1 shows a schematic representation of one embodiment of an imaging device according to the utility model,

figure 2 shows an embodiment of a mirror device according to the utility model,

figure 3 shows an embodiment of a mirror device according to the utility model,

figure 4 shows an embodiment of a mirror device according to the utility model,

figure 5 shows an embodiment of a mirror device according to the utility model,

figure 6 shows an embodiment of a mirror device according to the utility model,

fig. 7 shows an embodiment of a mirror device according to the utility model.

Detailed Description

One possible embodiment of an imaging device 10 according to the present utility model is shown in fig. 1. Currently, the imaging apparatus 10 is implemented as a magnetic resonance tomography scanner 10. It is also conceivable that the imaging device 10 is embodied as a computer tomograph, a single photon emission computer tomograph, a positron emission tomograph or the like.

The magnetic resonance tomography scanner 10 comprises a magnet unit 11, which magnet unit 11 has, for example, a permanent magnet, an electromagnet or a superconducting main magnet 12 for generating a strong and particularly homogeneous basic magnetic field 13 (B0 magnetic field). Furthermore, the magnetic resonance scanner 10 comprises a patient receiving region 14 for receiving a patient 15. In the present exemplary embodiment, the patient receiving area 14 is formed as a cylindrical patient tunnel 29 and is surrounded in the circumferential direction by the magnet unit 11. In principle, however, a different embodiment of the patient receiving area 14 from the example described is also conceivable.

The patient 15 can be positioned in the patient receiving region 14 by means of a patient support device 16 of the magnetic resonance tomography scanner 10. For this purpose, the patient support device 16 has an examination couch 17 which is movably configured in the patient receiving region 14. The magnet unit 11 also has gradient coils 18 for generating gradient magnetic fields for position encoding during magnetic resonance measurement. The gradient coils 18 are operated by means of a gradient control unit 19 of the magnetic resonance tomography scanner 10. The magnet unit 11 may also comprise a radio frequency antenna, which in the present exemplary embodiment is designed as a body coil 20 which is fixedly integrated into the magnetic resonance scanner 10. The body coil 20 is designed to excite nuclei in the basic magnetic field 13 generated by the main magnet 12. The body coil 20 is operated by a radio frequency unit 21 of the magnetic resonance tomography scanner 10 and emits radio frequency signals into an examination space which is substantially formed by the patient receiving region 14 of the magnetic resonance tomography scanner 10. The body coil 20 may also be configured to receive magnetic resonance signals.

For controlling the main magnet 12, the gradient control unit 19 and the radio frequency unit 21, the magnetic resonance tomography scanner 10 has a control unit 22. The control unit 22 is configured for controlling the execution of sequences, such as imaging gradient echo sequences, TSE sequences or UTE sequences. Furthermore, the control unit 22 comprises an evaluation unit 28 for evaluating digitized magnetic resonance signals detected during the magnetic resonance measurement.

Furthermore, the magnetic resonance scanner 10 comprises a user interface 23, which user interface 23 has a signal connection to the control unit 22. The control information, for example imaging parameters and reconstructed magnetic resonance images, can be displayed for the user on a display unit 24 of the user interface 23, for example on at least one monitor. Furthermore, the user interface 23 has an input unit 25, by means of which input unit 25 parameters of the magnetic resonance measurement can be entered by a user.

Furthermore, the magnetic resonance scanner 10 has a head coil 26, which head coil 26 is positioned at the head of the patient 15 and transmits magnetic resonance signals of the head of the patient 15 to the magnetic resonance scanner 10. The head coil 26 preferably has electrical connection lines 27, which electrical connection lines 27 provide signal connections to the radio frequency unit 21 and the control unit 22. As with the body coil 20, the head coil 26 may also be configured for exciting nuclei and for receiving magnetic resonance signals. The transmitting unit of the head coil 26 is operated by the radio frequency unit 21 to emit radio frequency signals. The head coil 26 may at least partially circumferentially surround the head of the patient 15 along the longitudinal axis of the patient 15.

In this example, the magnetic resonance tomography scanner 10 has a mirror device 30. The mirror device 30 forms an entrance opening 41 and/or a termination opening 42 for deflecting the field of view of the patient 15 to the magnetic resonance scanner 10. It is conceivable that the mirror device 30 is mechanically connected to the head coil 26 in a predetermined relative position. However, the mirror device 30 preferably has a positioning unit 31, which positioning unit 31 enables adjustment of the relative position of the mirror device 30 with respect to the head coil 26, the head of the patient 15 and/or the examination table 17.

The illustrated magnetic resonance tomography scanner 10 may of course include other components typical of magnetic resonance tomography scanners. It is also conceivable for the magnetic resonance scanner 10 to have a C-shaped or asymmetrical configuration of the magnetic field generating components, rather than a cylindrical configuration.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment in which a mirror device 30 according to the utility model is positioned in an imaging apparatus having patient tunnels 29a and 29b of different sizes. For example, the patient tunnel 29a has a diameter of 60cm, while the patient tunnel 29b has a diameter of 70cm. In the example shown, the mirror device 30 is mechanically connected with the head coil 26.

The mirror device 30 currently has a first mirror element 51, which first mirror element 51 is preferably mechanically connected to the mirror holder 32 (see fig. 3) in a predetermined relative position. The second mirror element 52 (see fig. 5), which can be positioned relative to the first mirror element 51 by means of the guide element 33, can be deflected or moved in the direction of the wall of the patient tunnel 29a or 29b (indicated by the arrow R1). In the illustrated view, the second mirror element 52 is completely hidden behind the first mirror element 51 in the Z-direction due to the small diameter of the patient tunnel 29 b.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a mirror device 30 according to the utility model with a positioning unit 31 and a third mirror element 53. Currently, the mirror holder 32 is configured such that the third mirror element 53 and the first mirror element 52 and/or the second mirror element 52 are arranged at an angle to each other. The positioning unit 31 is currently mechanically connected to the head coil 26 in a predetermined position and has a linear guide 31a, by means of which linear guide 31a the mirror holder 32 can be positioned relative to the head coil 26 in the Z-direction. In the example shown, the head coil 26 has a recess which enables a line of sight of the patient 15 to the third mirror element 53 and/or the first mirror element 51 when the head of the patient 15 is positioned in particular in use in the head coil 26. The angle between the first mirror element 51 (not shown) and the third mirror element 53 can be adjusted by means of a hinge or articulation. The first mirror element 51 and the second mirror element 52 can be arranged here in a similar manner to the third mirror element 53 and the fourth mirror element 54 in fig. 5.

However, it is also conceivable that, as shown in fig. 4, the mirror device 30 has a guide element 33 with a curvature, which guide element 33 holds the fifth mirror element 55 in a predetermined relative position to the first mirror element 51. In this embodiment, the line of sight of the patient 15 may be deflected twice in order to enable the patient 15 to see the access opening 41. For example, the patient 15 may look from the head coil 26 in the direction of the fifth mirror element 55, wherein the line of sight is first deflected from the fifth mirror element 55 to the first mirror element 51 and/or the second mirror element 52 and from there in the direction of the access opening 41.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, the second mirror element 52 is mechanically connected to the guide element 33 and is positioned relative to the first mirror element 51 when the guide element 33 is deflected or moved in the direction of the wall of the patient tunnel 29. By deflection or displacement of the guide element 33, the total mirror surface formed by the first mirror element 51 and the second mirror element 52 can be adapted to the diameter of the patient tunnel 29. The angle of the fifth mirror element 55 to the first mirror element 51 and/or the second mirror element 52 can be kept constant here or can be adjusted by means of suitable means in order to adapt the use of the total mirror surface.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a mirror device 30 according to the utility model with a fourth mirror element 54. The fourth mirror element 54 can be positioned relative to the third mirror element 53 by means of a second guide element (not shown) in order to adjust the second total mirror surface. For this purpose, the second guide element can be embodied, for example, as a guide gap or a guide groove in the mirror holder 32.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a mirror device 30 according to the utility model with a locking element 56. The locking element 56 is designed to fix the fourth mirror element 54 in a desired relative position with respect to the third mirror element 53 or the mirror holder 32. In the present example, the locking element 56 is embodied as a screw which is designed to form a force-fitting connection with the fourth mirror element 54 in order to fix the fourth mirror element 54 in the desired position. It is conceivable that further mirror elements of the mirror device 30 can be fixed in the desired position in a similar manner by means of the locking element 56. The entire guide element 33 can be locked in a desired relative position with respect to the mirror holder 32 or the first mirror element 51, in particular, by means of a locking element 56 (see fig. 7). Preferably, the position of the second mirror element 52 can be continuously adjusted by means of the position of the guide element 33 relative to the first mirror element 51 in order to expand the total mirror surface.

The mirror elements 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55 (51 to 55) can, for example, have glass panes which have a reflective or specularly reflective metal layer on the side facing away from the patient 15 when the mirror device 30 is positioned in particular in use at the head of the patient 15. It is also conceivable, however, that at least one of the mirror elements 51 to 55 is made of an opaque material and has a corresponding metal layer on the side facing the patient 15. Furthermore, at least one of the mirror elements 51 to 55 can be embodied as a reflective and/or mirror-reflective metal layer, which is connected in a material-fitting manner to the surface of the mirror holder 32. Preferably, at least mirror elements 51, 53 and/or 55 are embodied in this way.

In the present illustration, the guide element 33 has an arcuate body which is mechanically connected to the second mirror element 52 and the fifth mirror element 55 and/or carries the second mirror element 52 and the fifth mirror element 55. Currently, the guide element 33 has a tab 33b, which tab 33b engages into a complementarily configured guide groove 33a in order to position the guide element 33 along a predetermined trajectory relative to the mirror holder 32. However, the guide element 33 can likewise have a locking element 33b, which locking element 33b engages into a complementarily configured guide element 33a having a locking mechanism in order to lock the guide element 33 into a predetermined relative position with respect to the mirror holder 32.

Fig. 7 schematically shows in which direction Z1, Z2 the field of view of a patient 15, in particular using a positioning in the head coil 26, can be deflected by means of a mirror device 30. The direction Z2 is provided by the second total mirror surface of the third mirror element 53 and also of the fourth mirror element 54. The direction Z2 is aligned with the end opening 42 of the imaging device 10 and the field of view of the patient 15 needs to be deflected at least once by means of the third mirror element 53. In the present example, the direction Z1 requires deflection of the field of view of the patient 15 at least twice by means of the mirror device 30. The mirror elements 51, 52 and 53 are preferably oriented relative to one another such that a protruding section of the head coil 26a, which is positioned above the positioning unit 31 in the Z-direction, is at least partially excluded from the field of view of the patient 15. Currently, the direction Z1 is oriented towards the direction of the access opening 41 of the imaging device 10 and enables the patient 15 to see the access opening 41.

While the utility model has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, the utility model is not limited to the examples disclosed and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the utility model.

Claims (10)

1. Mirror arrangement (30), which mirror arrangement (30) is configured for steering a field of view of a patient (15) in a patient tunnel (29) of an imaging device (10) in the direction of an opening of the patient tunnel (29), characterized in that the mirror arrangement (30) comprises a mirror holder (32), which mirror holder (32) has a first mirror element (51), a guide element (33) and a second mirror element (52), wherein the mirror holder (32) can be positioned in a particularly used position relative to the head of the patient (15), and wherein the guide element (33) is configured for variably positioning the second mirror element (52) relative to the first mirror element (51), wherein the first mirror element (51) is configured for deflecting the field of view of the patient (15) in the direction of an access opening (41) of the imaging device (10), and wherein a field of view of the patient (15) which is defined by the first mirror element (51) can be expanded by means of the guide element (33).

2. Mirror device (30) according to claim 1,

wherein the mirror holder (32) has a third mirror element (53), the third mirror element (53) being arranged at an angle to the first mirror element (51) and being configured for deflecting the field of view of the patient (15) in the direction of a terminal opening (42) opposite the access opening (41) of the imaging device (10).

3. Mirror device (30) according to claim 2, the mirror device (30) further having a second guiding element (33) and a fourth mirror element (54), wherein the fourth mirror element (54) is variably positionable with respect to the third mirror element (53) by means of the second guiding element (33), and wherein a field of view of the patient (15) defined by the third mirror element (53) is expandable by positioning the fourth mirror element (54) by means of the second guiding element (33).

4. A mirror device (30) according to claim 3,

wherein at least one guide element (33) has at least one locking element (56), the locking element (56) being designed to fix the second mirror element (52) and/or the fourth mirror element (54) in a desired relative position with respect to the first mirror element (51) and/or the third mirror element (53).

5. Mirror device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

wherein the mirror holder (32) has a fifth mirror element (55), the fifth mirror element (55) being arranged at an angle to the first mirror element (51) and/or the second mirror element (52) and being configured to deflect the field of view of the patient (15) onto the first mirror element (51) and/or the second mirror element (52).

6. Mirror device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

wherein the mirror holder (32) has a positioning unit (31), the positioning unit (31) being configured to variably position the mirror holder (32) relative to the head of the patient (15) in at least one spatial direction.

7. Mirror device (30) according to claim 6,

wherein the positioning unit (31) is connected to a head coil (26) and/or a head coil (26) of the imaging device (10)

Patient support apparatus (16)

Mechanically connected and positionable relative to the head coil (26) and/or the patient support apparatus (16).

8. Mirror device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

wherein at least one mirror element is formed as a metal layer, which is connected to the surface of the mirror holder (32) in a material-fitting manner.

9. Mirror device (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

wherein at least one mirror element is formed as a glass sheet with a metal layer, wherein the at least one mirror element is mechanically connected to the mirror holder (32).

10. Imaging apparatus (10), characterized in that the imaging apparatus (10) has a mirror arrangement (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the mirror arrangement (30) is positionable in a specific use position with respect to the head of a patient (15) in a patient tunnel (29) of the imaging apparatus (10) and is configured for diverting a field of view of the patient (15) towards the opening of the patient tunnel (29).