JP2010284187A - Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an MRI apparatus which eliminates risks of cables getting caught between a magnetic field generating device and a table without impairing the external appearance of the cover of the apparatus and without making an operator carry out work to prevent the cable from being caught. <P>SOLUTION: The MRI apparatus includes a gantry comprising the magnetic field generating device which has a space that a patient enters and comprises a static magnetic field generating means constituted of a magnet and a gradient coil and an irradiation coil for applying electromagnetic waves to the patient and the cover for covering the constituting means, the table for sending the patient to an imaging space in the gantry, a receiving coil for receiving NMR signals generated from the patient, and a processing device for processing the received signals. One or a plurality of hooks housed in the cover are provided not to impair the external appearance of the cover. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an MRI apparatus), and more particularly to a technique for improving safety and operability when a patient moves to an imaging space of an MRI apparatus.

  The MRI apparatus measures signals emitted from a measurement target of nuclear spin density distribution and relaxation time distribution at a desired examination site in a patient using an NMR phenomenon, and displays an image as a tomographic image. Further, a table for sending a patient to be measured to this measurable area is provided.

  A magnetic field generator of a conventional MRI apparatus will be described. The magnetic field generator has a space for inserting a patient, and a cover is installed to cover the outer periphery of the magnetic field generator. This cover is necessary for safety aspects such as aesthetics and insulation. In addition, a table for sending the patient to a space that is a measurable region is installed next to the magnetic field generator. In addition, if necessary, Opecall, a device for notifying patients when they feel an abnormality to the outside operator, and sensors for taking images synchronized with the pulse and breathing, etc. are installed around the patient. is doing. These devices and sensors are connected to the front surface of the magnetic field generator by cables. For example, there is Patent Document 1 as a prior art in which a respiration detection means is arranged in an MRI apparatus.

JP 2006-158762 A

  However, in such a conventional MRI apparatus, when the table is moved in order to send a patient on the table to the space, if the above operation or sensor is required, these cables are dragged, so that the cable is connected to the magnetic field generator. There was a risk of being caught in the gap of the table or getting caught in the table moving part. In order to avoid this pinching and entanglement, it is necessary for the operator to simultaneously perform the table moving operation, the cable pinching prevention work, and the patient care. However, it was very difficult to perform these operations simultaneously. In addition, if a mechanism for holding the cable in the air is permanently installed, the mechanism protrudes from the cover, so that not only the appearance is impaired but also the holding mechanism may be damaged.

  Accordingly, the present invention addresses such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an MRI apparatus that can eliminate the danger of pinching without damaging the appearance of the apparatus and without the operator performing a cable pinching prevention work. And

  To achieve the above object, the present invention covers a static magnetic field generating means comprising a magnet having a space in which a patient can enter and a gradient magnetic field coil, a magnetic field generating apparatus having an irradiation coil for applying an electromagnetic wave to the patient, and the constituent means. In an MRI apparatus comprising a gantry constituted by a cover, a table for sending the patient to an imaging space in the gantry, a receiving coil for receiving an NMR signal emitted from the patient, and a processing device for processing the received signal There is provided an MRI apparatus comprising one or a plurality of hooks that can be accommodated in the cover so as not to impair the appearance of the cover.

  Further, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is provided in which the retractable hook is accommodated in the cover by a slide type cover provided on the cover.

  In addition, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is provided in which a force is applied to the sliding cover in a direction that is always closed by a spring, and a force against the spring force is required when the sliding cover is opened. .

  In addition, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is provided in which the slide type cover is opened and closed only by an operation force by an operator without using a spring force or the like by utilizing the weight of the cover.

  In addition, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is characterized in that the storable hook is buried in a recessed portion of the cover, and the hook surface when stored is a part of the appearance of the cover.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention has an effect of providing an MRI apparatus that can eliminate the danger of pinching without deteriorating the appearance of the apparatus and without an operator performing a cable pinching prevention work.

1 is an overview of an MRI apparatus that implements the present invention. Cross section of magnetic field generator. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating details of the slide type cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the detail of the slide type cover of Example 2 of this invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of a slide type cover according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing details of a slide type cover according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing details of a slide type cover according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 shows an overview of an MRI apparatus that implements the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the magnetic field generator.
In FIG. 1, the MRI apparatus of the present invention comprises a magnetic field generator 5, a receiver 6, a signal processor 7, and a table 8, and obtains a tomographic image of a patient's examination site using the NMR phenomenon. The magnetic field generator 5 may be a vertical type or a horizontal type. The magnetic field generator 5 has a space where a patient can enter, and a measurement space in which an NMR phenomenon can be used exists in the space.

  In FIG. 2, the magnetic field generator 5 is covered with a cover 3 at the outermost part. This cover 3 is installed for aesthetic and safety reasons. The receiving device receives a signal emitted from the patient by nuclear magnetic resonance. The table 8 is disposed at a position adjacent to the magnetic field generator, and is used for carrying a patient on the outside of the magnetic field generator, placing the receiver 6 on the measurement target unit, and transporting the measurement apparatus to the measurement space. The signal processing device 7 performs image reconstruction calculation using the signal detected by the receiving device 6.

  In addition, there is an operation call as a communication means when a patient wants an operator outside the room to interrupt measurement for some reason or for some reason while the MRI apparatus is operating. This opercall is connected to the magnetic field generator by a cable and is usually held by the patient's hand. Depending on the imaging method, it is necessary to measure the patient's pulse wave and respiration. These sensors are attached to a patient, and the measured signals are transmitted to a magnetic field generator and a signal processing device via a cable. In addition, depending on the patient, other tubes or cables may be attached to connect the patient to an object installed outside the magnetic field generator. These are not always used.

  Here, when the patient is wearing the above-mentioned opecall or sensor and the table is moved to the measurement space, cables may be caught in the gap between the table and the magnetic field generator.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the feature of the present invention is that the hook 1 that can be stored in the cover that covers the magnetic field generator is provided, and only in the case of a patient wearing the above-mentioned opecoll or sensor. The hook can be taken out. By passing the cable through the hook, the cable can be floated in the air, and can be prevented from being caught in the gap between the table and the magnetic field generator. Further, since the hook can be stored, it can be stored in the cover 3 when it is unnecessary, so that the appearance is not impaired. Moreover, since it does not protrude from the cover during storage, there is no risk of breakage.

  In the first embodiment of the retractable hook, a slide type cover 2 is provided as shown in FIG. When the hook is not used, it must always be closed to maintain the appearance. As this mechanism, a coil spring 2a arranged so that a force is generated in a direction in which the sliding cover is always closed is adopted.

  As a first arrangement of the coil spring 2a, when the sliding cover 2 is arranged so that the sliding direction is the axial direction of the coil spring, the coil length of the coil spring is L1 when no load is applied, and the sliding cover is closed. When the spring length in the closed state is L2, and the spring length in the state in which the cover is open is L3, they are arranged so that L1 ≧ L2> L3. However, in the first embodiment, the sliding cover is slid in the vertical direction.

  In the first embodiment, the sliding cover is slid in the vertical direction, but may be in the horizontal direction. FIG. 4 shows a case where the sliding direction of the sliding cover is the horizontal direction. However, FIG. 4 is a diagram viewed from the direction of the arrow α in A of FIG. FIG. 4 (a) shows an example when the hook is stored, and FIG. 4 (b) shows an example when the hook is used.

  In the first and second embodiments, the sliding direction of the sliding cover 2 is arranged so as to be the axial direction of the coil spring. However, as a second proposal of the arrangement of the coil spring 2a, the sliding direction of the sliding cover 2 and the axis of the coil spring are arranged. You may arrange | position so that may orthogonally cross. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the sliding direction of the sliding cover 2 is arranged so that the axis of the coil spring is orthogonal. However, FIG. 5 is a view seen from the direction of arrow β in FIG. 2, and uses a rotating spring. When the rotation direction angle θ of the spring tip in the unloaded state is θ1, the angle when the sliding cover is closed is θ2, and the angle when the slide cover is open is θ3, the arrangement is such that θ1 ≦ θ2 <θ3 Is done. However, the angle is positive in the direction in which the coil spring is compressed. The sliding cover is always operated so as to be closed by being arranged in such a relationship.

  In Example 1, the slide type cover was slid in the vertical direction, but a spring was used. In this embodiment, the sliding cover is slid in the vertical direction by its own weight. FIG. 6 (a) shows a state in which the sliding cover is closed, and FIG. 6 (b) shows an open state.

Embodiment 5 shown in FIG. 7 is an embodiment in which a hook-shaped recess is provided in the cover and the hook is accommodated in the recess. When the cover is stored, the hook surface exposed to the external appearance is a part of the cover. In order to become a part of this cover, it is desirable that the hook surface at the time of storage is composed of the same curved surface as the peripheral cover and is painted the same.

  1a hook, 1b storage hook, 2 slide cover, 2a storage slide cover, 2b slide slide cover, 3 cover, 3a cover hole, 3b cover dent, 4 cable, 5, magnetic field generator, 6 Receiver, 7 signal processor, 8 table

Claims (5)

  A gantry composed of a static magnetic field generating means comprising a magnet having a space in which a patient can enter and a gradient magnetic field coil, a magnetic field generating apparatus having an irradiation coil for applying electromagnetic waves to the patient, a cover covering the constituent means, and the patient In a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising a table to be fed into an imaging space in a gantry, a receiving coil for receiving NMR signals emitted from the patient, and a processing device for processing the received signals, the appearance of the cover is not impaired. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus further comprises one or a plurality of hooks that can be stored in the cover.   The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the retractable hook is accommodated in the cover by a slide type cover provided on the cover.   3. The magnetic resonance according to claim 1, wherein the sliding cover has a force acting in a direction in which the sliding cover is always closed by a spring, and a force against the spring force is required when the sliding cover is opened. Imaging device.   3. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slide type cover opens and closes only by an operation force by an operator without using a spring force or the like by utilizing the weight of the cover.   The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the retractable hook is embedded in a recessed portion of the cover, and the hook surface when stored is a part of the appearance of the cover.

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