JP2007244624A - Mri apparatus and image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently select and display a series of image data of a plurality of photographing portions under a desired photographing condition. <P>SOLUTION: A subject is moved in the body axial direction with respect to the photographing field of a MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) apparatus so as to generate the series of image data of the plurality of photographing parts. Attachment information such as the photographing condition is added to the series of image data. An image data extracting part 81 extracts the series of image data of the photographing parts with the desired photographing condition added thereto. A thumbnail data generating part 82 generates representative thumbnail data of the extracted series of image data by each photographing part. A thumbnail display data generating part 851 generates thumbnail display data which are obtained by allowing the representative thumbnail data to correspond to the photographing parts in the human body model of the subject. A series of display data generating part 852 generates the series of display data for displaying the series of image data by list, which correspond to the representative thumbnail data selected in the thumbnail display data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,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 can generate and display a wide range of image data based on MR signals collected while moving a subject in the body axis direction. .

  In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a nuclear spin in a subject tissue placed in a static magnetic field is excited by a high-frequency signal (RF pulse) having the Larmor frequency, and a magnetic resonance signal ( This is an imaging method for reconstructing image data from MR signals.

  An MRI apparatus is an image diagnostic apparatus that generates image data based on MR signals detected from within a living body, and obtains a lot of diagnostic information such as biochemical information and functional diagnostic information as well as anatomical diagnostic information. Therefore, it has become indispensable in the field of diagnostic imaging today.

  FIG. 12 schematically shows a gantry (a gantry) 120a of an MRI apparatus in which a coil unit for detecting an MR signal from the subject 150 is housed, and an imaging provided at the center of the gantry 120a. Around the field 130a, a main magnet 11a and a gradient magnetic field coil 21a that form a static magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field for the subject 150 arranged in the imaging field 130a, and a transmission for irradiating the subject 150 with RF pulses A coil 31a and a receiving coil 33a for detecting an MR signal generated from the subject 150 due to the irradiation of the RF pulse are provided.

  On the other hand, a top plate 4a on which a subject 150 is placed is slidably attached in the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) on the upper surface of a bed (not shown), and the subject 150 is moved together with the top plate 4a to the imaging field 130a. As a result, the imaging region is set in the vicinity of the receiving coil 33a. In this case, the imaging region of the subject 150 is determined by the length D of the receiving coil 33a with respect to the Z-axis direction.

In recent years, as an imaging method using an MRI apparatus, in order to generate continuous image data (wide range image data) in a wider area than the imaging area determined by the length D of the receiving coil 33a of the apparatus, the subject 150 A method of acquiring MR signals while moving the top plate 4a mounted thereon continuously or stepwise in the longitudinal direction, and reconstructing the MR signals to collect (generate and display) wide range image data. Proposed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). According to this method, when performing whole body imaging on a subject having a height of 150 cm using an MRI apparatus having a 50 cm imaging field (D = 50 cm), the subject 150 is stepped in the body axis direction, for example. A wide range of image data is observed by generating three pieces of image data at three imaging regions while moving the image by 50 cm each and displaying these image data in combination or in parallel.
JP 2001-95777 A

  By the way, in normal MR imaging, a coronal section (vertical section viewed from the front of the subject), a sagittal section (vertical section viewed from the side of the subject), and an axial section (on the body axis of the subject) in one imaging region A plurality of image sections such as a T1-weighted image, a T2-weighted image, and an MRA (MR angio) image, for example. A plurality of image data is collected at predetermined slice intervals. Hereinafter, the above-described photographing sections and image types are collectively referred to as photographing conditions, and a plurality of pieces of image data collected in time series at predetermined slice intervals under each photographing condition are referred to as series image data.

  Furthermore, when performing wide-range imaging on the subject by the method described in Patent Document 1 described above, series image data is collected for each imaging condition described above at each of a plurality of imaging regions set in the body axis direction. Therefore, the number of image data collected for the subject is enormous, and it is extremely difficult to select and display desired image data in a short time.

  In particular, when performing wide-range imaging, first, a plurality of imaging sections and series image data of image types are collected at the first imaging site, and then the second imaging site set by moving the subject in the body axis direction. In the third imaging region,..., Series image data is collected under each imaging condition by repeating the same procedure. Therefore, collection of series image data under the same imaging conditions becomes discontinuous with changes in the imaging region, and series images acquired under desired imaging conditions from a series of image data collected in time series. The selection of image data when displaying data corresponding to a plurality of imaging regions is an extremely complicated operation, and thus has a problem that diagnostic efficiency is remarkably lowered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is collected at a plurality of imaging regions in the body axis direction of the subject by moving a top plate on which the subject is placed. When a wide range of series image data is displayed side by side, the series image data of a plurality of imaging regions under a desired imaging condition can be efficiently obtained based on the imaging region and imaging condition information added as supplementary information to each of the series image data. An object of the present invention is to provide an MRI apparatus and an image display apparatus that can be selected and displayed.

  In order to solve the above problems, an MRI apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an imaging condition setting unit that sets a plurality of imaging conditions for MR imaging, and an imaging region of a subject arranged in an imaging field. Magnetic field generating means for applying a static magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field based on imaging conditions, a top plate on which the subject is placed, and a top plate for moving the top plate and setting the imaging part of the subject as the imaging field A moving means; a transmitting / receiving means for irradiating the imaging part to which the static magnetic field and the gradient magnetic field are applied based on the imaging conditions and receiving an MR signal generated from the imaging part; Image data generating means for generating image data based on the image data, storage means for adding the imaging conditions and information of the imaging region to the image data and storing the image data, and a desired one of the image data Is characterized by comprising a display means for information of the shooting conditions and displays the extracted image data is added.

  On the other hand, an image display device of the present invention according to claim 9 includes image data storage means for storing image data generated at one or a plurality of imaging regions of a subject and to which information on imaging conditions is added, and a desired It is characterized by comprising a photographing condition selecting means for selecting a photographing condition and a display means for extracting and displaying the image data to which the information of the desired photographing condition is added from the image data.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image display apparatus according to the present invention for storing series image data generated for a plurality of adjacent slice sections in an imaging region of a subject and to which imaging condition and imaging region information is added. Image data storage means, shooting condition selection means for selecting desired shooting conditions, and information on shooting conditions selected by the shooting condition selection means from the series image data stored in the image data storage means are added. Image data extracting means for extracting series image data at one or a plurality of imaging regions, thumbnail data generating means for generating representative thumbnail data for each imaging region based on series image data at the imaging regions, and the subject A human body model generating means for generating a human body model, and the representative support at the imaging part indicated by the human body model. Thumbnail display data generation means for generating thumbnail display data in association with the thumbnail data, and series display data generation for generating series display data by arranging the series image data corresponding to the representative thumbnail data selected in the thumbnail display data And a monitor for displaying the thumbnail display data or the series display data.

  According to the present invention, when displaying a wide range of series image data collected at a plurality of imaging regions in the body axis direction of the subject by moving the top plate on which the subject is placed, the series image data It is possible to efficiently select and display the series image data of a plurality of imaging regions under desired imaging conditions based on the imaging region and imaging condition information added as supplementary information to each of the above. For this reason, the diagnostic efficiency is greatly improved, and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

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

  The MRI apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention to be described below has a subject placed on a top plate in a body axis direction with respect to a gantry imaging field in which a static magnetic field, a gradient magnetic field, and an RF magnetic field are formed. Series image data under a plurality of imaging conditions is generated at each of a plurality of imaging sites set by moving at intervals, and the above-described imaging conditions and imaging site information are added to the series image data and temporarily stored.

  Next, the series image data to which the desired imaging condition is added is extracted from the series image data at the plurality of imaging regions to which the desired imaging condition is added, and the representative thumbnail for the extracted series image data at the plurality of imaging regions Data is generated for each imaging region. The plurality of representative thumbnail data obtained are displayed in correspondence with the imaging part indicated in the human body model of the subject, and further corresponding to the representative thumbnail data selected from the plurality of representative thumbnail data displayed. Display a list of series image data.

  In the following description, a coronal section, a sagittal section, and an axial section are described as imaging sections, and a T1-weighted image, a T2-weighted image, and an MRA image are described as image types, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a proton density image may be used instead of or in addition to the above-described T1 weighted image and T2 weighted image.

(Device configuration)
The configuration of the MRI apparatus in the 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 the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a display unit provided in the MRI apparatus.

  1 includes a static magnetic field generator 1 and a gradient magnetic field generator 2 that generate a magnetic field with respect to a subject 150, and transmission / reception that performs irradiation of RF pulses and reception of MR signals with respect to the subject 150. And a top plate moving mechanism unit 5 for moving the top plate 4 in the body axis direction of the subject 150.

  Further, the MRI apparatus 500 receives the MR conditions received by the transmission / reception unit 3 and the incidental information acquisition unit 6 that acquires the imaging conditions input from the input unit 9 described later and the information of the imaging region in the body axis direction of the subject. Image data generation unit 7 for generating image data by reconfiguration processing, display unit 8 for displaying the generated image data, input of subject information, setting and selection of imaging conditions and imaging region of image data, various commands An input unit 9 for inputting signals and the like, and a control unit 10 for controlling the above-described units in the MRI apparatus 500 are provided.

  The static magnetic field generator 1 includes a main magnet 11 composed of, for example, a normal conducting magnet or a superconducting magnet, and a static magnetic field power source 12 for supplying a current to the main magnet 11, and includes a gantry (not shown) (see FIG. 12). A strong static magnetic field is formed on the subject 150 placed in the imaging field. In addition, the above-mentioned main magnet 11 may be comprised with the permanent magnet.

  On the other hand, the gradient magnetic field generator 2 supplies a pulse current to each of the gradient magnetic field coil 21 that forms a gradient magnetic field in the X axis direction, the Y axis direction, and the Z axis direction orthogonal to each other, and the gradient magnetic field coil 21. A gradient magnetic field power source 22 is provided.

  The gradient magnetic field power source 22 encodes the imaging field in which the subject 150 is placed based on the sequence control signal supplied from the control unit 10. That is, the gradient magnetic field power source 22 controls the pulse current supplied to the gradient magnetic field coils 21 in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction based on the sequence control signal, thereby forming a gradient magnetic field in each direction. To do. At this time, the gradient magnetic fields in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are combined to form a slice selection gradient magnetic field Gs, a phase encode gradient magnetic field Ge, and a readout (frequency encode) gradient magnetic field Gr that are orthogonal to each other. These gradient magnetic fields are superimposed on the static magnetic field formed by the main magnet 11 and applied to the subject 150.

  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 the sequence control unit 102 described later of the control unit 10. 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 part of the subject 150 with the RF pulse.

  On the other hand, the receiving coil 33 is configured by, for example, a so-called array coil in which a plurality of (Nc) small-diameter coils are arranged in order to detect MR signals generated by the subject 150 with high sensitivity. The receiver 34 includes an Nc channel amplifier circuit, an intermediate frequency converter circuit, a detector circuit, an A / D converter, and a filtering circuit (not shown), amplifies a minute MR signal detected by the receiver coil 33, and A / D conversion is performed after signal processing such as intermediate frequency conversion, phase detection, and filtering. However, the amplifying circuit is usually provided in the vicinity of the receiving coil 33 in order to amplify the MR signal detected by the receiving coil 33 with high S / N.

  The main magnet 11, the gradient magnetic field coil 21, the transmission coil 31, and the reception coil 33 are already provided in the gantry of the MRI apparatus 500 as shown in FIG. 12, 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 4 is provided 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 Z-axis around the imaging field. Are arranged concentrically with the axis as the axis.

  Next, the top plate 4 is slidably mounted in the Z-axis direction on the upper surface of a bed (not shown) installed in the vicinity of the gantry, and the subject 150 placed on the top plate 4 is moved in the body axis direction (Z-axis direction). ) To set the imaging region of the subject 150 to the imaging field. In this case, the movement of the top 4 is controlled so that the imaging region faces the receiving coil 33 provided in the vicinity of the imaging field.

  On the other hand, the top plate moving mechanism unit 5 is attached to the above-described bed, for example, and generates a top plate movement drive signal based on a top plate movement trigger signal supplied from a top plate movement control unit 103 described later of the control unit 10. The top plate 4 is generated and moved at predetermined intervals in the Z-axis direction by this top plate moving drive signal.

  Next, the incidental information acquisition unit 6 acquires information on imaging conditions and imaging regions in MR imaging of the subject, which is input from the input unit 9 and stored in a storage circuit in the main control unit 101 of the control unit 10 described later. To do. FIG. 2 shows the types of imaging regions and imaging conditions acquired by the incidental information acquisition unit 6 as incidental information of series image data. The imaging region includes a head (L = 1) and a chest (L = 2). Abdomen (L = 3) and legs (L = 4).

  On the other hand, as described above, the photographing condition includes a photographing section and an image type. As a photographing section, a coronal section (M = 1), a sagittal section (M = 2), and an axial section (M = 3) are used. There are T1-weighted images (N = 1), T2-weighted images (N = 2), and MRA images (N = 3) as seeds.

  FIG. 3 shows a coronal section and a sagittal section with respect to the subject 150. FIG. 3A shows Mc coronal sections Cr-1 to Cr set parallel to the top surface of the top plate 4. FIG. -Mc and FIG. 3B show Ms sagittal sections Sg-1 to Sg-Ms set perpendicular to the top surface of the top plate 4. FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the image data generation unit 7 includes an MR signal storage unit 71, a high-speed calculation unit 72, and an image data storage unit 73, and the MR signal storage unit 71 includes a reception unit 34 of the transmission / reception unit 3. Each imaging condition subjected to intermediate frequency conversion, phase detection, and further A / D conversion and Nc channel MR signals at each imaging region are sequentially stored.

  On the other hand, the high-speed calculation unit 72 performs image reconstruction processing by two-dimensional Fourier transform on the MR signal read from the MR signal storage unit 71 to generate image data. The supplementary information such as the imaging condition and imaging region of the supplied image data is added and stored in the image data storage unit 73. At this time, the same incidental information is added and stored in each of a plurality of pieces of image data (that is, series image data) generated in time series under the same imaging condition and imaging region.

  Next, details of the display unit 8 will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. The display unit 8 shown in FIG. 4 displays desired imaging conditions and series image data or image data at the imaging site among various imaging conditions and series image data at the imaging site stored in the image data storage unit 73 described above. The image data extraction unit 81, the thumbnail data generation unit 82, the standard human body model data storage unit 83, the human body model generation unit 84, the display data generation unit 85, and the conversion circuit 86. And a monitor 87.

  The image data extraction unit 81 is based on the selection information such as the subject information, the imaging conditions, and the imaging region supplied from the input unit 9 via the control unit 10, or the image data having the auxiliary information corresponding to the selection information or Series image data is selected (extracted) from the image data storage unit 73 of the image data generation unit 7.

  On the other hand, the thumbnail data generation unit 82 generates representative thumbnail data for each imaging region using the series image data of each imaging region extracted by the image data extraction unit 81. In this case, thumbnail data may be generated for all of the series image data at a predetermined imaging region, and for example, the thumbnail data at the central portion may be selected as representative thumbnail data from these thumbnail data. The central image data may be selected as the representative image data from the series image data at the imaging region, and the representative thumbnail data may be generated using the representative image data.

  Next, the standard human body model data storage unit 83 has a storage circuit in which standard human body model information is stored in advance. This human body model may be a photograph or a picture of the human body, or standard image data obtained by an image diagnostic apparatus such as an MRI apparatus or an X-ray CT apparatus. On the other hand, the human body model generation unit 84 corrects the data of the standard human body model described above based on the subject information input from the input unit 9, and generates a human body model suitable for the subject. For example, a suitable human body model is generated by expanding and contracting the length of the standard human body model based on the height of the subject.

  Next, the display data generation unit 85 includes a thumbnail display data generation unit 851, a series display data generation unit 852, and a diagnostic display data generation unit 853.

  The thumbnail display data generation unit 851 generates thumbnail display data using the representative thumbnail data in each imaging region supplied from the thumbnail data generation unit 82 and the human body model of the subject supplied from the human body model generation unit 84.

  FIG. 5 shows a specific example of the thumbnail display data for the coronal section (CR). This thumbnail display data is, for example, an imaging condition display area Rc-1 in which an image type and an imaging section as imaging conditions are shown. The human body model display area Rc-3 where the human body model S1 is displayed, and the representative thumbnail data Pc-1 to Pc-4 of the coronal section at the imaging parts S2-1 to S2-4 set in the human body model S1. It is constituted by a representative thumbnail display area Rc-2 to be displayed.

  The thumbnail display data for the sagittal section (SG) shown in FIG. 6 includes, for example, an imaging condition display area Rs-1 in which an image type and an imaging section are displayed, and a human body model display area Rs- in which a human body model S1 is displayed. 3 and the representative thumbnail display area Rs-2 in which the representative thumbnail data Ps-1 to Ps-4 of the sagittal section in the imaging parts S2-1 to S2-4 set in the human body model S1 are displayed. .

  Next, the series display data generation unit 852 in FIG. 4 generates series display data for displaying a list of series image data corresponding to one or more representative thumbnail data selected in the above-described thumbnail display data.

  A specific example of the series display data generated by the series display data generation unit 852 is shown in FIG. For example, a coronal section (CR) and a T1-weighted image are selected as imaging conditions. In the thumbnail display data (see FIG. 5) generated at this time, the head representative thumbnail data Pc-1 and the chest representative thumbnail data Pc- 2 and the abdomen representative thumbnail data Pc-3 are selected, the image data extraction unit 81 described above converts the series image data corresponding to each of the selected representative thumbnail data into the image data generation unit 7 shown in FIG. Are extracted from the image data storage unit 73 and supplied to the series display data generation unit 852. Then, the series display data generation unit 852 that has received this series image data supplies the series image data C1-1 to C1-Mc in the coronal section of the head as shown in FIG. 7 and the series image in the coronal section of the chest. Series display data in which data C2-1 to C2-Mc and series image data C3-1 to C3-Mc in an abdominal coronal section are arranged is generated.

  In this case, a wide range of series image data under desired imaging conditions can be generated by connecting the series image data at each imaging region arranged in the horizontal direction in the vertical direction. However, although FIG. 7 shows the case of Mc = 9 for the sake of simplicity, it is not limited to this.

  On the other hand, the diagnostic display data generation unit 853 is based on the selection information from the input unit 9 when observing one or a plurality of image data constituting the series display data as necessary. The image data extraction unit 81 adds the subject information and the like to the image data extracted from the image data storage unit 73 to generate diagnostic display data.

  Next, the conversion circuit 86 converts the above-described thumbnail display data, series display data, and diagnostic display data into a predetermined display format, and further performs a D / A conversion and a television format conversion to generate a video signal generated by CRT. Or it displays on the monitor 87 which consists of a liquid crystal panel. The thumbnail display data, the series display data, and the diagnostic display data generated by the display data generation unit 85 may be displayed independently on the monitor 87, but two or three display data are synthesized and displayed. It may be displayed.

  Next, the input unit 9 is an interactive interface provided with various input devices such as switches, keyboards, and mice and a display panel on the console, and inputs subject information, sets and selects imaging conditions, and sets imaging regions. And selection, setting the movement interval of the top 4, setting the slice interval of each imaging section, setting the number of series image data, selecting display data, inputting various command signals, and the like.

  The control unit 10 includes a main control unit 101, a sequence control unit 102, and a top board movement control unit 103. The main control unit 101 includes a CPU and a storage circuit (not shown) and has a function of controlling the MRI apparatus 500 in an integrated manner. The storage circuit of the main control unit 101 stores input information, setting information, selection information, and the like input by the input unit 9. On the other hand, the CPU of the main control unit 101 uses the pulse sequence information (for example, the magnitude of the pulse current supplied to the gradient magnetic field coil 21 and the transmission coil 31, the supply time, the supply timing, etc.) based on the information input from the input unit 9. Information) is generated and supplied to the sequence control unit 102.

  The sequence control unit 102 generates a sequence control signal based on the pulse sequence information supplied from the main control unit 101, and controls the gradient magnetic field power supply 22 of the gradient magnetic field generation unit 2 and the transmission unit 32 of the transmission / reception unit 3.

  The top plate movement control unit 103 generates a driving signal for the movement of the top plate 4 based on the pulse sequence information supplied from the main control unit 101 or the sequence control signal supplied from the sequence control unit 102 to move the top plate. It supplies to the mechanism part 5.

(Wide-range image data collection procedure)
Next, a procedure for generating a wide range of image data in the body axis direction of the subject will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The operator of the MRI apparatus 500 inputs subject information such as a subject name, subject ID, sex, height, weight, etc. in the input unit 9 (step S1 in FIG. 8). Set the image type and imaging location. Specifically, coronal section (CR), sagittal section (SG) and axial section (AX) and their order are set as photographing sections, and T1-weighted image, T2-weighted image and MRA image and their order are set as image types. To do. Further, the head, chest, abdomen, and legs are set as imaging regions and their order (step S2 in FIG. 8).

  Next, the operator inputs an instruction signal for moving the top board through the input unit 9. The top plate movement control unit 103 that has received the instruction signal via the main control unit 101 of the control unit 10 supplies a drive signal to the top plate moving mechanism unit 5 and the subject 150 placed on the top plate 4. The top plate 4 is moved so that the first imaging region (for example, the head) is positioned at the approximate center of the imaging field provided in the gantry of the MRI apparatus 500 (step S3 in FIG. 8).

  When the above setting is completed, the operator selects a wide-area shooting mode with the input unit 9, and further inputs a shooting start command signal to start wide-area shooting (step S4 in FIG. 8). That is, based on the setting information in step S2 described above, first, photographing of the T1-weighted image (N = 1) in the coronal section (M = 1) of the head (L = 1) is started.

  For example, when collecting T1-weighted image data by the SE (spin echo) method, the gradient magnetic field power supply 22 of the gradient magnetic field generating unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 is supplied with a sequence control signal supplied from the sequence control unit 102 of the control unit 10. The slice selection gradient magnetic field Gs for controlling the pulse current to the gradient magnetic field coil 21 in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction based on A phase encoding gradient magnetic field Ge and a read (frequency encoding) gradient magnetic field Gr for encoding the generation position are applied to the MR signal obtained from the imaging slice plane.

  For example, when generating Na × Na image data, the application of the phase encoding gradient magnetic field Ge having Na kinds of magnetic field strengths is repeated Na times in the repetition period TR, and reading (frequency encoding) having a predetermined magnetic field strength is performed. ) The application of the gradient magnetic field Ge is repeated in the repetition period TR.

  On the other hand, the transmission unit 32 supplies an RF pulse current to the transmission coil 31 during application of the first slice selection gradient magnetic field Gs, and irradiates the imaging region of the subject 150 with the 90-degree RF pulse. During the application of the second slice selective gradient magnetic field Gs after time TE / 2, a 180-degree RF pulse is irradiated to the same part. Next, the reception coil 33 and the reception unit 34 of the transmission / reception unit 3 receive MR signals generated from the subject 150 after time TE / 2 from the irradiation of the 180-degree RF pulse, and store them in the MR signal storage unit 71 of the image data generation unit 7. Once saved (step S5 in FIG. 8).

  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. Indicates the time from the irradiation of the 90-degree RF pulse until the MR signal is detected, and TR indicates the detection period of the MR signal.

  On the other hand, T1 and T2 are the longitudinal relaxation time and the transverse relaxation time of the nuclear spin of the biological tissue. When collecting T1-weighted images, TR = T1 and TE << T2 are set. When collecting T2-weighted images, TR >> T1 and TE = T2 are set.

  Then, if Na MR signals are acquired by updating the magnetic field strength of the phase encoding gradient magnetic field Ge Na times, the high-speed calculation unit 72 of the image data generation unit 7 has Na data points. The Na MR signals are two-dimensionally Fourier transformed to generate image data C1-1 of Na × Na pixels in the coronal section Cr-1 (step S6 in FIG. 8), and subject information and imaging are obtained in the obtained image data. Accompanying information such as conditions and imaging region is added and stored in the image data storage unit 73 (step S7 in FIG. 8).

  Next, the image data C1-2 to C1-Mc are generated and stored by the same procedure for the coronal sections Cr-2 to Cr-Mc adjacent to the coronal section Cr-1 at a predetermined interval.

  When the collection of the T1-weighted image in the coronal section (M = 1) of the head is completed, the main control unit 101 of the control unit 10 updates the photographed section to the sagittal section (M = 2) and displays the T1-weighted image. Further, a T1-weighted image on the axial section (M = 3) is collected (step S8 in FIG. 8).

  When the collection of the T1-weighted image (N = 1) in each photographing section of the head (L = 1) is completed, the image type in each photographing section of the head is updated by the same procedure to update the T2-weighted image. (N = 2) and MRA images (N = 3) are collected (step S9 in FIG. 8). Further, the imaging region is updated to update the chest (L = 2), abdomen (L = 3), and leg ( The T1-weighted image, the T2-weighted image, and the MRA image in each photographing section at L = 4) are collected (step S10 in FIG. 8).

  FIG. 9 schematically shows the series image data collected in time series by the above-described procedure, and the coronal cross section (CR) and the sagittal cross section (SG) of each imaging region are shown for ease of explanation. Only the T1-weighted image and the T2-weighted image are shown. That is, the series image data of T1 / CR, T1 / SG, T2 / CR, and T2 / SG in the head is sequentially collected. Similarly, T1 / CR is also applied to each imaging region of the chest, abdomen, and leg. Each series image data of CR, T1 / SG, T2 / CR, and T2 / SG is collected.

(Wide-range image data display procedure)
Next, a procedure for displaying a wide range of image data in the body axis direction collected by the above method will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Prior to the display of the wide-range image data, the operator selects an imaging section (for example, a coronal section (CR)) and an image type (for example, a T1-weighted image) of the image data to be displayed in the input unit 9 (FIG. 10). Step S21). However, in this case, all the photographing sections and image types may be selected.

  The image data extraction unit 81 of the display unit 8 that has received the above selection information from the input unit 9 via the main control unit 101 of the control unit 10 has a plurality of auxiliary information corresponding to the selected imaging section and image type. The series image data of the imaging part is extracted from the image data storage unit 73 of the image data generation unit 7 and supplied to the thumbnail data generation unit 82 (step S22 in FIG. 10).

  Next, the thumbnail data generation unit 82 generates representative thumbnail data at each imaging region using the series image data supplied from the image data extraction unit 81, and supplies it to the thumbnail display data generation unit 851 of the display data generation unit 85. (Step S23 in FIG. 10).

  On the other hand, the human body model generation unit 84 reads information on the standard human body model stored in the standard human body model data storage unit 83 in advance, and further adds it to the subject information input from the input unit 9 or the above-described series image data. Based on the subject information thus obtained, the data of the standard human body model is corrected to generate a human body model suitable for the subject. Then, the obtained human body model is supplied to the thumbnail display data generation unit 851 (step S24 in FIG. 10).

  The thumbnail display data generation unit 851 is supplied from the representative thumbnail data Pc-1 to PC-4 of the T1-weighted image and the human body model generation unit 84 in the coronal section of each imaging region supplied from the thumbnail data generation unit 82. Thumbnail display data shown in FIG. 5 is generated using the human body model of the subject. Then, the conversion circuit 86 converts the above-described thumbnail display data into a predetermined display format, and further displays the video signal generated by performing D / A conversion and television format conversion on the monitor 87 (step S25 in FIG. 10). ).

  Next, the operator selects desired representative thumbnail data (for example, representative thumbnail data Pc-1 for the head, representative thumbnail data Pc- for the chest) from the representative thumbnail data Pc-1 to Pc-4 displayed on the monitor 87. 2 and abdominal representative thumbnail data Pc-3) are selected using the input device of the input unit 9 to select an imaging region of the series image data (step S26 in FIG. 10).

  Then, the image data extraction unit 81 of the display unit 8 that has received this selection information via the main control unit 101 of the control unit 10 converts the series image data of T1-weighted images in the coronal sections of the head, chest, and abdomen into image data. The data is read from the storage unit 73 and supplied to the series display data generation unit 852.

  On the other hand, the series display data generation unit 852 generates the series display data shown in FIG. 7 using the above-described series image data supplied from the image data extraction unit 81, and displays it on the monitor 87 via the conversion circuit 86 ( Step S27 in FIG.

  Furthermore, when displaying desired image data included in the series image data of each imaging region displayed on the monitor 87 in an enlarged manner, the operator inputs desired image data from the series image data on the monitor to the input unit 9. The selection is performed using the input device (step S28 in FIG. 10), and the image data extraction unit 81 that has received the selection information reads the image data from the image data storage unit 73 and supplies the image data to the diagnostic display data generation unit 853. . Then, the diagnostic display data generation unit 853 generates diagnostic display data by adding incidental information such as subject information to the image data, and displays it on the monitor 87 via the conversion circuit 86 (step of FIG. 10). S29).

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, image data at a desired imaging condition or imaging region can be easily obtained based on the imaging region or imaging condition information added as supplementary information to each piece of image data. Can be selected.

  In particular, when continuously displaying a wide range of series image data collected at a plurality of imaging sites in the body axis direction of the subject by moving the top plate on which the subject is placed, each series image data It is possible to efficiently select and display series image data of a plurality of imaging regions under desired imaging conditions based on information on imaging regions and imaging conditions added as supplementary information.

  Further, when selecting the series image data at a desired imaging region, the selection operation is further facilitated because the series image data is selected using the representative thumbnail data of the series image data generated for each imaging region.

  Furthermore, since the above-described representative thumbnail data is displayed corresponding to the imaging part indicated in the human body model of the subject, even if it is difficult to determine the imaging part from the representative thumbnail data, it is desired. It becomes possible to accurately select the representative thumbnail data for the imaging region.

  For the above reasons, diagnostic accuracy and diagnostic efficiency are greatly improved, and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

  In the first embodiment described above, the case has been described in which incidental information is added to all of the series image data generated by the image data generation unit 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first slice The incidental information may be added only to the image data obtained in the cross section.

  Further, the case where the auxiliary information is added to the image data and stored is described, but the auxiliary information includes the case where the auxiliary information is stored in a storage circuit corresponding to each of the image data.

  On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the receiving coil 33 is fixedly disposed in the gantry together with the transmitting coil 31 has been described. However, the receiving coil 33 is disposed facing the imaging region of the subject 150 placed on the top 4. May be.

  In an image display apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention described below, desired imaging conditions are added from series image data at a plurality of imaging regions stored together with incidental information such as subject information and imaging conditions. The series image data that is present is extracted. Next, representative thumbnail data for the series image data in the plurality of extracted imaging regions is generated for each imaging region, and these representative thumbnail data are displayed in correspondence with the imaging regions indicated in the human body model of the subject. Then, a list of series image data corresponding to the representative thumbnail data selected from the plurality of representative thumbnail data displayed is displayed.

(Device configuration)
The overall configuration of the image display apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. However, in FIG. 11, units having the same functions as those of the MRI apparatus 500 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  That is, the image display apparatus 600 shown in FIG. 11 includes an image data storage unit 7x in which various series image data of the subject collected in a separately installed MRI apparatus is stored via a storage medium or a network, A display unit 8x for displaying display data generated based on the series image data selected from the above-described various series image data, input of subject information, setting and selection of imaging conditions and imaging parts of image data, various types An input unit 9x for inputting a command signal and the like, and a system control unit 10x for controlling each unit in the image display apparatus 600 are provided.

  Each of the series image data stored in the image data storage unit 7x includes an imaging condition (for example, an imaging section and an image type) at the time of collection of the series image data, an imaging site, subject information, and the like. It is added as incidental information.

  On the other hand, the display unit 8x has a function of selecting and displaying desired imaging conditions and series image data at the imaging site from among various imaging conditions and series image data at the imaging site stored in the image data storage unit 7x. Image data or series image data using the selection information as supplementary information based on selection information such as subject information, imaging conditions, and imaging site supplied from the input unit 9x via the system control unit 10x. An image data extraction unit 81 extracted from the data storage unit 7x, a thumbnail data generation unit 82 that generates representative thumbnail data for each imaging region using the series image data of each imaging region extracted by the image data extraction unit 81, and a standard Standard human body model data storage unit 83 in which information on a typical human body model is stored in advance and an input unit 9x. And a human body model generating unit 84 for generating a human body model adapted to corrected the object data of the standard human body model described above on the basis of the object information.

  Further, the display unit 8x includes a display data generation unit 85 that generates various display data based on the series image data extracted by the image data extraction unit 81 and the thumbnail data generated by the thumbnail data generation unit 82, and the display data. A conversion circuit 86 for converting to a predetermined display format, further performing D / A conversion and television format conversion to generate a video signal, and a monitor 87 for displaying the obtained video signal are provided.

  The display data generation unit 85 described above generates thumbnail display data using the representative thumbnail data at each imaging region supplied from the thumbnail data generation unit 82 and the human body model of the subject supplied from the human body model generation unit 84. A thumbnail display data generation unit 851 to generate, and a series display data generation unit 852 that generates series display data for displaying a list of series image data corresponding to one or more representative thumbnail data selected in the thumbnail display data. And a diagnostic display data generation unit 853 for generating diagnostic display data for selecting and enlarging and displaying one or a plurality of image data constituting the series display data as necessary. .

  Note that the procedure for displaying wide-area image data by the above-described image display apparatus 600 is substantially the same as the procedure for displaying wide-area image data by the MRI apparatus 500 shown in FIG.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, a plurality of imaging regions in the body axis direction of the subject by moving the top plate on which the subject is placed as in the first embodiment. When continuously displaying a wide range of series image data collected at, series images of multiple imaging sites under the desired imaging conditions based on the imaging site and imaging condition information added as supplementary information to each of the series image data Data can be efficiently selected and displayed.

  In addition, when selecting the series image data in the desired imaging region, the selection of the series image data is performed using the representative thumbnail data generated for each imaging region, and the selection operation is further facilitated. Since the data is displayed in correspondence with the imaging region indicated in the human body model of the subject, the representative thumbnail data for the desired imaging region even if it is difficult to determine the imaging region from the representative thumbnail data Can be selected accurately. For this reason, diagnostic accuracy and diagnostic efficiency are greatly improved, and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

  Furthermore, since the image display apparatus 600 in this embodiment is configured independently of the MRI apparatus, it is suitable for a wide range suitable for any of image data collected by a plurality of MRI apparatuses or image data collected in the past. It can be displayed as image data.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be modified. For example, the series display data generation unit 852 of the display data generation unit 85 may generate series display data using the thumbnail data of the series image data generated by the thumbnail data generation unit 82 instead of the series image data.

  Furthermore, instead of the series image data described above, series display data may be generated by arranging image data collected in a predetermined slice section of a plurality of imaging regions.

  On the other hand, the thumbnail display data generation unit 851 may generate thumbnail display data using image data corresponding to the representative thumbnail data instead of the representative thumbnail data.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an MRI apparatus in a first embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the imaging | photography site | part and imaging | photography condition in the Example. The figure which shows the coronal cross section with respect to the test object of the Example, and a sagittal cross section. The functional block diagram of the display part with which the MRI apparatus of the Example is provided. The figure which shows the specific example of the thumbnail display data with respect to the coronal cross section of the Example. The figure which shows the specific example of the thumbnail display data with respect to the sagittal cross section of the Example. The figure which shows the specific example of the series display data in the Example. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for generating wide-range image data in the embodiment. The figure which shows typically the series image data collected in time series in the Example. The flowchart which shows the display procedure of the wide range image data in the Example. The functional block diagram of the image display apparatus in the 2nd Example of this invention. The figure which shows the relationship between the imaging field of an MRI apparatus, and the imaging | photography area | region of a subject.

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 ... top plate 5 ... top plate moving mechanism unit 6 ... incidental information acquisition unit 7 ... image data generation unit 71 ... MR signal storage unit 72 ... high speed calculation unit 73, 7x ... image data storage unit 8, 8x ... display unit 81 ... image data extraction part 82 ... thumbnail data generation part 83 ... standard human body model data storage part 84 ... human body model generation part 85 ... display data generation part 851 ... thumbnail display data generation part 852 ... series display data generation part 853 ... diagnostic display Data generation unit 86 ... Conversion circuit 87 ... Monitor 9, 9x ... Input unit 10 ... Control unit 10x ... System control unit 101 ... Main control unit 102 ... Sequence control unit 103 ... Top plate movement Control section 500 ... MRI apparatus 600 ... image display device

Claims (13)

Photographing condition setting means for setting a plurality of photographing conditions for MR photographing;
Magnetic field generating means for applying a static magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field to the imaging part of the subject arranged in the imaging field based on the imaging conditions;
A top plate on which the subject is placed;
A top plate moving means for moving the top plate and setting the imaging region of the subject in the imaging field;
Transmitting / receiving means for irradiating the imaging part to which the static magnetic field and the gradient magnetic field are applied with an RF pulse based on the imaging condition and receiving an MR signal generated from the imaging part;
Image data generating means for generating image data based on the MR signal;
Image data storage means for adding the imaging conditions and information of the imaging region to the image data and storing the image data;
An MRI apparatus comprising display means for extracting and displaying image data to which information on desired imaging conditions is added from the image data.   The MRI apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging condition setting unit sets at least one of an imaging section and an image type in MR imaging.   The MRI apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an imaging region setting unit, wherein the imaging region setting unit sets a plurality of imaging regions in the body axis direction of the subject.   The image capturing condition selecting means is provided, and the display means includes one or a plurality of information on the image capturing conditions selected by the image capturing condition selecting means from the image data stored in the image data storage means. 2. The MRI apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image data at an imaging region is extracted and displayed.   The MRI apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data generation unit generates image data of a plurality of slice slices adjacent to the imaging region as series image data. The display means extracts series image data at one or a plurality of imaging parts to which information on imaging conditions selected by the imaging condition selection means is added from the series image data stored in the image data storage means. Image data extraction means for
Thumbnail data generating means for generating representative thumbnail data for each imaging region based on the series image data in the imaging region;
A human body model generating means for generating a human body model of the subject;
Thumbnail display data generating means for generating thumbnail display data by associating the representative thumbnail data with the imaging part indicated in the human body model;
Series display data generating means for generating series display data by arranging series image data corresponding to the representative thumbnail data selected in the thumbnail display data;
6. The MRI apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a monitor for displaying the thumbnail display data or the series display data.   Subject information input means and standard human body model data storage means, wherein the human body model generation means is inputted with data of a standard human body model stored in advance in the standard human body model data storage means from the subject information input means. The MRI apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the human body model of the subject is generated by correcting based on the subject information.   8. The MRI apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the standard human body model is any one of a photograph of a human body and a picture, or image data collected by an image diagnostic apparatus. Image data storage means for storing image data generated at one or a plurality of imaging regions of a subject and attached with information on imaging conditions;
Shooting condition selection means for selecting desired shooting conditions;
An image display device comprising: display means for extracting and displaying image data to which information on the desired photographing condition is added from the image data. Image data storage means for storing series image data generated with respect to a plurality of adjacent slice sections in the imaging region of the subject, to which imaging conditions and information on the imaging region are added;
Shooting condition selection means for selecting desired shooting conditions;
Image data extraction means for extracting series image data at one or a plurality of imaging regions to which information on imaging conditions selected by the imaging condition selection means is added from the series image data stored in the image data storage means When,
Thumbnail data generating means for generating representative thumbnail data for each imaging region based on the series image data in the imaging region;
A human body model generating means for generating a human body model of the subject;
Thumbnail display data generating means for generating thumbnail display data by associating the representative thumbnail data with the imaging part indicated in the human body model;
Series display data generating means for generating series display data by arranging series image data corresponding to the representative thumbnail data selected in the thumbnail display data;
An image display device comprising a monitor for displaying the thumbnail display data or the series display data.   Subject information input means and standard human body model data storage means, wherein the human body model generation means is inputted with data of a standard human body model stored in advance in the standard human body model data storage means from the subject information input means. The image display apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the human body model of the subject is generated by correction based on the subject information.   12. The image display apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the standard human body model is any one of a photograph of a human body, a picture, and image data collected by an image diagnostic apparatus.   The image display apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the imaging condition selection unit selects at least one of an imaging section and an image type in MR imaging.

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