JP2008000176A - Medical image diagnostic apparatus and parameter setting method in medical image diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a medical image diagnostic apparatus which carries out work of setting measurement condition parameters quickly over a short period of time. <P>SOLUTION: When a user performs setting of parameters of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus (Step 3a), a determination is made on where a set value is located relative to a recommended value (Step 3b). Then, the user determines whether he/she sets the parameter again when the set value is within a threshold value of the recommended value (Step 3c), and if the user decides to enter, the user returns to the Step 3b. If the user decides not to set the parameters again, the setting of the measurement parameters is completed (Step 3g). If the parameters set exceed a certain definite range from the threshold value of the recommended value in the determination of the recommended value, a parameter setting mode notifies the user accordingly by changing a font color, a background color of the font, or a color of character box (Step 3d). If the recommended value can be enlarged for parameters other than the set parameters, the mode displays accordingly (Step 3e) and changes the threshold value of the recommended value in accordance with the conditions in setting the other parameters (Step 3f). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical image diagnostic apparatus and a parameter setting method in the medical image diagnostic apparatus.

  In a medical image diagnostic apparatus such as a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (MRI apparatus), an operator needs to set parameters for measurement conditions. Since this measurement parameter must be within the setting range, when the operator sets a parameter outside the setting range, the apparatus notifies the operator that the parameter is outside the setting range.

  The parameter setting is not related to the medical image diagnostic apparatus, but there is a technique described in Patent Document 1. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, whether or not a numerical value of an input parameter can be input or not is determined based on whether the background color of the display screen, background luminance, Wen Yu color, Wen Yu luminance, frame color, frame luminance, This is a technique for notifying an operator using background blink, sentence bridge, frame blink, background pattern, character underline, character strikethrough, frame line type, frame line thickness, and the like.

JP-A-5-274103

  When an operator sets measurement parameters of a medical image diagnostic apparatus such as an MRI apparatus, the number of parameters to be set is so large that the numerical limit of the measurement parameters cannot be grasped in advance.

  For this reason, in the prior art, when a parameter that cannot be input, a parameter that exceeds the numerical limit, etc. is set, the device notifies that, but it notifies that the value is impossible after setting the parameter. Therefore, it is necessary to input a new parameter value, and it is impossible to determine whether the re-input value is within the numerical limit.

  Therefore, in the prior art, measurement parameters cannot be set smoothly, and this has been a factor in prolonging the diagnosis time.

  An object of the present invention is to realize a medical image diagnostic apparatus and parameter setting method capable of quickly and quickly performing measurement condition parameter setting work.

  The medical image diagnostic apparatus of the present invention displays the measurement condition parameter input from the measurement condition parameter input unit of the subject by the display unit, and is determined from the measurement condition parameter input from the input unit and a plurality of measurement condition parameters. A difference from each measured parameter recommended range limit value is calculated by the alarm control means, and an alarm whose level changes according to the calculated difference is output.

  Further, the measurement parameter setting method for the subject of the medical image diagnostic apparatus of the present invention displays the measurement condition parameter to be set for the subject input from the parameter input means, the measurement condition parameter, and a plurality of measurement condition parameters The difference from each measurement parameter recommended range limit value determined from is calculated, and an alarm that changes the level according to the calculated difference is output.

  It is possible to realize a medical image diagnostic apparatus and a parameter setting method capable of quickly performing measurement condition parameter setting work in a short time, and obtain the best image.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on an attached screen.
FIG. 1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of an MRI apparatus to which the present invention is applied. This MRI apparatus obtains a tomographic image of a subject using a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) phenomenon, and includes a parameter setting device 1, an MR control unit 2, and a gantry 3.

  The parameter setting device 1 includes a CPU 1a, a display 1b, a mouse 1c (graphic movement means), and a keyboard 1d. When the user (operator) views the screen displayed on the display 1b and inputs parameters using the mouse 1c and the keyboard 1d, the CPU 1a (alarm control means) checks the measurement condition parameters set by the user.

  Then, the CPU 1 a transmits measurement condition parameters to the MR control unit 2, generates a sequence in the MR control unit 2, and generates a static magnetic field, a gradient magnetic field, and a high-frequency magnetic field from the gantry 3. Although not shown, an audio generator whose operation is controlled by the CPU 1a is provided.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display screen example of the display 1b in the present invention. When changing the parameter, the user arbitrarily inputs to the input setting item section displayed on the display 1b to change the parameter setting. When changing a parameter by inputting a numerical value, the numerical value is directly input on the parameter setting area 4 by numerical value, or input is performed by incrementing or decrementing at a certain interval with a mouse.

  In addition, parameters are input using the parameter input auxiliary graphic from the mouse 1c on the parameter setting area 5 by graphic.

  FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the recommended value determination display method for the measurement parameter setting value by the numerical value of the MRI apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, when the user sets the parameters of the MRI apparatus (step 3a), it is determined in what range the set value is located from the recommended value (step 3b).

  If the determination in step 3b is within the threshold value of the recommended value, the user determines whether to set the parameter again (step 3c). If the parameter is input, the process returns to step 3b to perform the recommended value determination again. If the setting is not performed again in step 3c, the measurement parameter setting is completed (step 3g).

  When the recommended value determination in step 3b exceeds a certain range from the recommended value range threshold, the user is notified by changing the sentence color, the background color, and the character frame color (step 3d).

  If the recommended value can be expanded with settings other than the parameters set by the user, the user is notified by displaying the fact on the screen (step 3e), and the user sets other parameters. The parameter recommendation threshold is changed according to the conditions (step 3f). If the parameter is not changed, the user determines whether to set the parameter again (step 3g).

  In step 3e, when the recommended value can be enlarged, the caution display and other parameters to be changed are displayed in a free area such as a pop-up screen or the screen shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing how the parameter value is positioned within the recommended value in the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4A, regarding the user notification outside the recommended value due to the change of the background color, the parameter 4a-1 is set when the parameter is set within the recommended value, and is outside the certain range from the recommended value. The numerical value is 4b-1, and the case where the range exceeds the recommended value is the numerical value 4c-1. As the numerical values 4a-1 → 4b-1 → 4c-1 are obtained, the background color of the numerical values in the frame in which the numerical values are described is changed.

  In FIG. 4B, when the parameter is set within the recommended value, the value is 4a-2, when the recommended value is outside a certain range, the value is 4b-2, and the range is out of the recommended value. The numerical value is 4c-2. The numerical color in the frame is changed as numerical value 4a-2 → 4b-2 → 4c-2.

  In FIG. 4C, when the parameter is set within the recommended value, the value is 4a-3, when the recommended value is outside a certain range, the value is 4b-3, and further, the range is out of the recommended value. The numerical value is 4c-3. As the numerical value 4a-3 → 4b-3 → 4c-3, the color of the frame itself describing the numerical value is changed.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is indicated by the display color that the numerical value of the set parameter is not the recommended value, and the display color is changed from the recommended value as the distance from the position scale is increased. Since it changes, not only the input parameter is out of the recommended value but also how far it is from the recommended value, it is possible to easily determine the re-input value.

  As a result, the measurement condition parameter setting operation can be performed quickly and in a short time.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of a recommended value determination display method for measurement parameter set values by moving a figure of the MRI apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, when the user sets the parameters of the MRI apparatus (step 5a), it is determined what range the set value is located from the limit value (limit value approximation) (step 5b).

  If the limit value is not exceeded in step 5b, the user again determines whether or not to set the parameter (step 5c). If the parameter is input, the process returns to step 5b to perform the recommended value determination again. When the setting is not performed again in step 5c, the parameter setting is completed (step 5g).

  In step 5b, if it is within a certain range from the limit value, the user is notified by changing the figure color (step 5d). If the limit value setting can be changed with a setting other than the parameter set by the user, the fact is displayed on the screen to notify the user (step 5e), and the user sets another parameter. The parameter setting limit value is expanded according to the conditions of the case (step 5f). If the parameter is not changed, the user determines whether to set the parameter again (step 5g).

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram regarding the display of limit values (broken lines) at the time of figure rotation of the MRI apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, when the parameter is not approximated to the limit value (6a, 6b), the display color is constant. Then, the graphic color is changed when approaching a certain range within the limit value (6c). Further, when the limit value is approached (6d), the figure color is further changed.

  FIG. 7 is a display explanatory diagram regarding limit value display when a figure is moved by the MRI apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the case where the parameter is not approximated to the limit value is displayed in a certain color in the state (7a, 7b). The graphic color is changed when the limit value is approached within a certain range (7c). When the limit value is approached (7d), the figure color is further changed.

  FIG. 8 is a display explanatory diagram regarding limit value notification when the graphic of the MRI apparatus in the second embodiment is changed. In FIG. 8, when the parameter is set to a value not close to the limit value (8a (solid line), 8b), it is displayed in a certain color. The graphic color is changed when the limit value is approached within a certain range (8c). When the limit value is further approached (8d), the figure color is further changed.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as the graphic approaches the set limit, the display color changes, so that it is possible to grasp how much the input parameter has reached the limit value. This makes it easy to determine the re-input value.

  As a result, the measurement condition parameter setting operation can be performed quickly and in a short time.

  FIG. 9 is an operation flowchart of the recommended value determination display method for the measurement parameter setting value based on the movement amount of the figure of the MRI apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, when the user sets the parameters of the MRI apparatus (step 9a), it is determined what range the set value is located from the limit value (limit value approximation) (step 9b).

  If the limit value is not exceeded in step 9b, the user again determines whether or not to set the parameter (step 9c), and if it is input, the process returns to step 9b to perform the recommended value determination again. If the setting is not performed again in step 9c, the parameter setting is completed (step 9g).

  In step 9b, when the value is within a certain range from the limit value, the amount of movement of the figure with the mouse is changed to be smaller than that outside the certain range (the movement amount of the figure with respect to the movement amount of the mouse is reduced). To notify the user (step 9d). If the limit value can be changed with a setting other than the parameter set by the user, the fact is displayed on the screen to notify the user (step 9e), and when the user sets another parameter. The parameter setting limit value is changed according to the conditions (step 9f). If the parameter is not changed, the user determines whether to set the parameter again (step 9g).

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram regarding the approach of the limit value (broken line) when rotating the figure of the MRI apparatus in the third embodiment. In FIG. 10, when the parameter is set outside the certain range from the limit value (10a, 10b), the parameter approaches the certain range from the limit value with respect to the movement amount of the figure with respect to the movement amount of the mouse. (10c) The movement amount of the figure with respect to the movement amount of the mouse is reduced.

  When the limit value is further approached (10d), the movement amount of the figure with respect to the movement amount of the mouse is further reduced.

  FIG. 11 is a display explanatory diagram regarding the limit value display when the figure is moved by the MRI apparatus in the third embodiment. In FIG. 11, when the parameter is set outside the certain range from the limit value (11a, 11b), the parameter approaches the certain range from the limit value with respect to the movement amount of the figure with respect to the movement amount of the mouse. The movement amount of the figure with respect to the movement amount of the mouse in (11c) is reduced.

  Further, when the limit value is approached (11d), the movement amount of the figure is reduced with respect to the movement amount of the mouse.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for reducing the movement amount as it approaches the limit value when changing the figure of the MRI apparatus in the third embodiment. In FIG. 12, when the parameter is set to a value not close to the limit value (12a, 12b), the figure movement amount relative to the mouse movement amount is close to a certain range from the limit value (12c). ) Reduce the amount of movement of the figure. If the limit value range is approached (12d), the movement amount of the figure is further reduced.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, as the figure approaches the set limit, the amount of movement of the figure with respect to the amount of movement of the mouse changes, so how close the input parameter is to the limit value. Whether the re-input value can be easily determined.

  As a result, the measurement condition parameter setting operation can be performed quickly and in a short time.

  FIG. 13 is an operation flowchart of a recommended value determination display method for measurement parameter setting values of the MRI apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 13, when the user sets parameters (step 13a), it is determined in what range the set value is located from the recommended value (step 13b).

  In step 13b, when the value is within a certain threshold from the recommended value, the user again determines whether or not to set the parameter (step 13c). When inputting, the process returns to step 13b and the recommended value determination is performed again. Do. When the setting is not performed again, the measurement parameter setting is completed (step 13g).

  In step 13b, when it is outside the recommended value range threshold, the user is notified by voice. If the recommended value can be expanded with settings other than the parameters set by the user, the user is notified by displaying that fact on the screen (step 13e). Then, the recommended parameter threshold is changed according to the condition when the user sets other parameters (step 13f). If the parameter is not changed, the user determines whether to set the parameter again (step 13g).

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for notifying by voice that the recommended value has been deviated by voice in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 14, when the parameter is set within the recommended value (14a), no sound is generated. If the recommended value falls outside a certain range (14b), a notification is made by voice. Further, when the range exceeds the recommended value, notification is performed with a sound in which a sound generation interval is shortened or a loud sound or a frequency is changed (14c).

  As described above, also in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  FIG. 15 is an operation flowchart of the recommended value determination display method for the measurement parameter setting value based on the movement amount of the figure of the MRI apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 15, when the user sets a parameter (step 15a), it is determined in what range the set value is located from the limit value (limit value approximation) (step 15b).

  If the limit value is not exceeded in step 15b, the user again determines whether or not to set the parameter (step 15c). If the parameter is input, the process returns to step 15b and the recommended value is determined again. When the setting is not performed again in step 15c, the parameter setting is completed (step 15g).

  In step 15b, when it is within a certain range from the limit value, the user is notified by voice (step 15d). Also, if the limit value can be changed with a setting other than the parameter set by the user, the fact is displayed on the screen to notify the user (step 15e), and when the user sets another parameter The parameter setting limit value is changed according to the conditions (step 5f). If the parameter is not changed, the user determines whether to set the parameter again (step 15g).

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram regarding approach of a limit value (broken line) at the time of figure rotation in the MRI apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 16, when the parameter is set outside the certain range from the limit value (16a, 16b), when approaching within the certain range from the limit value (16c), notification is performed by voice. Further, when the limit value range is approached (16d), notification is given to a sound whose sound generation interval is shortened or whose sound or frequency is changed.

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram regarding limit value approach due to sound generation when a figure moves in an MRI apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 17, when the parameter is set outside the certain range from the limit value (17a, 17b), the voice is not notified, but when approaching the certain value from the limit value (17c), it is notified by voice. To do. Further, when the limit value range is approached (17d), notification is given to a sound whose sound generation interval is shortened or whose sound or frequency is changed.

  FIG. 18 is a display explanatory diagram regarding limit value notification at the time of graphic movement of the MRI apparatus in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 18, when the parameter is set to a value that is not close to the limit value (18a, 18b), the voice is not notified. However, when the parameter is close to a certain range within the limit value (18c), the voice is notified. Notice. When the limit value range is further approached (18d), notification is given to a sound whose sound generation interval is shortened or whose sound or frequency is changed.

  As described above, also in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  The above-described example is an example in which the present invention is applied to an MRI apparatus. However, the present invention can be applied not only to an MRI apparatus but also to other medical image diagnostic apparatuses such as a CT apparatus.

1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of an MRI apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the example of a display screen in this invention. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the recommended value determination display method of the measurement parameter setting value by the numerical value of the MRI apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a display explanatory diagram showing how much a parameter value is positioned within a recommended value in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the recommended value determination display method of the measurement parameter setting value by the figure movement of the MRI apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing regarding the limit value display at the time of figure rotation of the MRI apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is display explanatory drawing regarding the limit value display at the time of figure movement of the MRI apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is display explanatory drawing regarding the limit value notification at the time of the figure change of the MRI apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the recommended value determination display method of the measurement parameter setting value by the movement amount of the figure of the MRI apparatus in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing regarding the limit value approach at the time of figure rotation of the MRI apparatus in 3rd Embodiment. It is a display explanatory drawing regarding the limit value display at the time of the figure movement of the MRI apparatus in 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of making movement amount small as it approaches the limit value at the time of the figure change of the MRI apparatus in 3rd Embodiment. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the recommended value determination display method of the measurement parameter setting value of the MRI apparatus in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which notifies with audio | voice that it remove | deviated from the recommended value with the audio | voice in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the recommended value determination display method of the measurement parameter setting value by the movement amount of the figure of the MRI apparatus in the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing regarding the limit value (broken line) approach at the time of figure rotation in the MRI apparatus in the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing regarding the limit value approach by the audio | voice generation | occurrence | production at the time of the figure movement of the MRI apparatus in the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is display explanatory drawing regarding the limit value notification at the time of figure movement of the MRI apparatus in the 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Parameter setting device 1a CPU
1b display 1c mouse 1d keyboard 2 MR control unit 3 gantry 4 numerical parameter setting area 5 graphic parameter setting area

Claims (8)

In a medical image diagnostic apparatus,
Means for inputting measurement condition parameters of the subject;
Display means for displaying the measurement condition parameters input from the input means;
Calculate the difference between the measurement condition parameter input from the above input means and each measurement parameter recommended range limit value determined from multiple measurement condition parameters, and output an alarm that changes the level according to the calculated difference Alarm control means,
A medical image diagnostic apparatus comprising:   2. The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the alarm control means displays parameters by the display means when the input measurement parameter is within the recommended measurement parameter range and when it is outside the recommended range. A medical image diagnostic apparatus characterized by changing a display color of a frame surrounding a color or a parameter or a display color in a frame surrounding a parameter.   2. The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sound generation unit, wherein the alarm control unit indicates, when the input measurement parameter is out of the recommended measurement parameter range, by the sound generation unit. A medical image diagnostic apparatus characterized by generating a sound and changing the sound in accordance with a difference from the recommended range limit value.   2. The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement condition parameter is displayed based on a position of a graphic displayed by the display means, and the alarm control means is configured to detect the position of the graphic and each measurement parameter recommended range limit. A medical image diagnostic apparatus characterized by changing the display color of the graphic depending on whether the distance to the position of the value is within a certain value or exceeding the certain value.   2. The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement condition parameter is displayed by a position of a graphic displayed by the display means, the input means includes a graphic moving means, and the alarm control means is the graphic. The figure moving operation amount by the figure moving means is changed depending on whether the distance between the position of the measurement parameter and the recommended range limit value position is within a certain value or exceeds a certain value. Medical diagnostic imaging device.   The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sound generation unit, wherein the measurement condition parameter is displayed according to a position of a graphic displayed by the display unit, and the alarm control unit includes the position of the graphic and the When the distance from the position of each measurement parameter recommended range limit value exceeds a certain value, the sound generating means generates a sound indicating that and changes the sound according to the difference from the recommended range limit value. A medical image diagnostic apparatus characterized by that.   The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the medical image diagnosis is a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. In the measurement parameter setting method of the subject of the medical image diagnostic apparatus,
Displays the measurement condition parameters to be set for the subject, input from the parameter input means,
Calculate the difference between the above measurement condition parameter and each measurement parameter recommended range limit value determined from multiple measurement condition parameters, and set the measurement parameter to output an alarm that changes the level according to the calculated difference Method.

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