JP2012200407A - Pad and medical apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a comfortable temperature environment to a subject with a simple method.SOLUTION: This pad 5 is connected to an air supply device 6, and the air supply device 6 is operated. When the air supply device 6 is operated, a pump 61 supplies air to a heater 62. The heater 62 warms the air supplied from the pump 61. The air warmed by the heater 62 flows into an air pressure hose of the pad 5 through an air pressure hose 63 and is supplied into a pad part. Because the air supplied into the pad part moves inside the pad part while warming the pad part and the periphery thereof, the pad can warm the subject 11 lying down on the pad part.

Description

  The present invention relates to a pad disposed between a subject and a cradle, and a medical device.

  When imaging is performed using a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, imaging is performed in a magnet room. Generally, the magnet room is set to a lower temperature because of the necessity of cooling the magnet. Therefore, patients often feel cold when entering a magnet room. Since the patient must be in the magnet room during imaging, it is necessary to take measures to prevent the patient from feeling as cold as possible. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for improving the temperature environment in the bore of a magnet.

JP 2009-082331 A

  However, in the method of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to acquire a thermal environment factor that affects the thermal environment in the bore, and calculate thermal environment information that represents the thermal environment in the bore based on the acquired thermal environment factor. There is a problem that the method of temperature control becomes complicated. Therefore, it is desired to provide a comfortable temperature environment for the subject in a simpler manner.

A first aspect of the present invention is a pad disposed between the subject and the cradle when the subject is imaged using a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a cradle for supporting the subject. There,
The pad is configured to be able to adjust the temperature around the subject.

A second aspect of the present invention is a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a cradle for supporting a subject and a pad disposed between the subject and the cradle,
The pad is a medical device configured to be able to adjust the temperature around the subject.

  Since the temperature can be adjusted by the pad, the temperature environment of the subject can be easily improved.

It is the schematic of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus to which the pad of the 1st form of this invention is applied. 3 is a perspective view of a pad 5. FIG. FIG. 6 is a top view and a cross-sectional view of the pad 5. It is a figure which shows the MRI apparatus 100 before connecting the pad 5 to the air supply apparatus 6. FIG. It is a figure which shows the MRI apparatus 100 after connecting the pad 5 to the air supply apparatus 6. FIG. It is explanatory drawing when the air supply apparatus 6 is operated. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state when a subject 11 is lying on a pad 5. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in the middle of carrying a subject 12 into a bore 21. It is a figure which shows a mode when the head of the subject 12 reaches | attains the magnet center. It is a perspective view of the pad 5 in a 2nd form. It is the schematic of the MRI apparatus to which the pad of the 3rd form of this invention is applied. It is a perspective view of the pad 50 in a 3rd form.

  Hereinafter, although the form for inventing is demonstrated, this invention is not limited to the following forms.

(1) First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus to which a pad according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “MRI apparatus”, MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging) 100 includes a superconducting magnet 2, a table 3, and the like.
The table 3 has a cradle 3a. The cradle 3 a is connected to the traction device 4. The traction device 4 is configured to be able to move in the z direction and the −z direction. When the traction device 4 moves in the z direction, the traction device 4 pulls the cradle 3a, and the cradle 3a moves in the z direction. When the traction device 4 moves in the −z direction, the traction device 4 pushes out the cradle 3a, and the cradle 3a moves in the −z direction. Therefore, the cradle 3 a can be freely moved in the z direction and the −z direction by the traction device 4.

  A pad 5 is laid on the cradle 3 a, and the subject 11 lies on the pad 5. The pad 5 is configured so that warm air is supplied from an air supply device 6 to be described later, and thus has a function of warming the subject 11. This function will be described later.

  Further, the MRI apparatus 100 includes an air supply device 6 for supplying air to the pad 5. The air supply device 6 includes a pump 61, a heater 62, and a pneumatic hose 63.

The pump 61 supplies air to the heater 62.
The heater 62 warms the air supplied from the pump 61. The operator 12 can set the temperature at which the heater 62 warms the air using a temperature setting panel (not shown) provided on the heater 62. For example, when the operator 12 sets the temperature of the heater 62 to 23 degrees, the heater 62 warms the air supplied from the pump 61 to 23 degrees.

The pneumatic hose 63 is disposed so as to extend from the heater 62 to the connector 4 a of the traction device 4. In addition, the flexible guide 8 for enabling the pneumatic hose 63 to be guided to the traction device 4 is attached to the traction device 4. The flexible guide 8 is provided so as to extend from the traction device 4 to the inside of the magnet 2. The pneumatic hose 63 is disposed in the connector 4 a of the traction device 4 from the heater 62 through the flexible guide 8. The pad 5 is configured to be detachably connected to the air supply device 6 via the connector 4 a of the traction device 4.
Next, the configuration of the pad 5 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pad 5.
The pad 5 has a pad portion 51, a hose 52, and a connector 53.

  3A is a top view of the pad 5 shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is an AA cross-sectional view of FIG.

  The pad unit 51 is disposed between the subject 11 and the cradle 3 a when the subject 11 lies on the table 3. The inside of the pad portion 51 is hollow, and air whose temperature is adjusted by the air supply device 6 is supplied.

  A pneumatic hose 52 is attached to the front side surface 51 b of the pad portion 51. The pneumatic hose 52 is a hose for supplying the air whose temperature is adjusted by the air supply device 6 to the inside of the pad portion 51.

  A plurality of exhaust holes 51 d for exhausting the air supplied to the pad portion 51 to the outside of the pad portion 51 are formed on the surface 51 a of the pad portion 51. In the first embodiment, the plurality of exhaust holes 51d are arranged in a line along the rear end surface 51c of the pad portion 51. In FIG. 3A, only one exhaust hole is denoted by reference numeral “51d” from the viewpoint of easy viewing of the drawing.

A connector 53 is attached to the tip of the hose 52. The connector 53 is configured to be detachably attached to the connector 4a (see FIG. 1) of the traction device 4. By attaching the connector 53 to the connector 4 a of the traction device 4, the pad 5 can be connected to the air supply device 6.
The pad 5 is configured as described above.

  In the first embodiment, imaging can be performed in a temperature environment optimum for the subject 11 by using the pad 5. Hereinafter, a procedure for imaging the subject 11 will be described.

  First, before putting the subject 11 on the table 3, the pad 5 is connected to the air supply device 6 (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

  FIG. 4 is a view showing the MRI apparatus 100 before the pad 5 is connected to the air supply apparatus 6, and FIG. 5 is a view showing the MRI apparatus 100 after the pad 5 is connected to the air supply apparatus 6.

  The operator 12 prepares the pad 5 (see FIG. 4). And the pad part 51 of the pad 5 is installed in the cradle 3a. At this time, the operator 12 connects the connector 53 of the pad 5 to the connector 4 a of the traction device 4. By attaching the connector 53 of the pad 5 to the connector 4 a of the traction device 4, the pad 5 can be connected to the air supply device 6.

  The operator 12 operates the air supply device 6 after connecting the pad 5 to the air supply device 6 (see FIG. 6).

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram when the air supply device 6 is operated.
When the air supply device 6 is operated, the pump 61 supplies air to the heater 62. The heater 62 warms the air supplied from the pump 61. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the operator 12 sets the temperature of the heater 62 to 23 degrees. Therefore, the heater 62 warms the air from the pump 61 to 23 degrees. The air whose temperature is adjusted by the heater 62 flows into the pneumatic hose 52 of the pad 5 via the pneumatic hose 63 of the air supply device 6 and is supplied into the pad portion 51. The air supplied to the inside of the pad portion 51 moves inside the pad portion 51 while warming the pad portion 51 and its surroundings, and is discharged from the exhaust hole 51d. The temperature of the air supplied to the inside of the pad portion 51 decreases with time, but the air whose temperature has decreased is exhausted from the exhaust hole 51d, while fresh air just warmed by the heater 62 is discharged to the pad. 5 continues to be supplied inside. Therefore, it is possible to always supply the warmed air to the pad portion 51.

  The operator 12 lays the subject 11 on the pad 5 while warm air is supplied to the pad 5 (see FIG. 7).

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state when the subject 11 is lying on the pad 5.
The temperature of the magnet room is usually set to 20 degrees or less because of the necessity of cooling the magnet 2. Therefore, the subject 11 to be examined often feels chilly. However, in the first embodiment, the pad 5 is supplied with warm air. Therefore, even if the temperature of the magnet room is 20 degrees or less, the subject 11 lying on the pad 5 feels warm, so that it can be photographed in a comfortable temperature environment. The operator 12 asks the subject 11 whether the temperature is comfortable. If the operator 12 replies that the subject 11 is comfortable, the operator 12 transports the cradle 3 a to the bore 21. On the other hand, if the subject 11 desires to raise the temperature a little or requests that the temperature be lowered a little, the temperature of the heater 62 is adjusted. Therefore, since the temperature can be adjusted before the subject 11 is transported to the bore 21, a comfortable temperature environment for the subject 11 can be realized before imaging.

  Further, since air is supplied to the inside of the pad unit 51, when the subject 11 lies on the pad unit 51, the pad unit 51 is deformed according to the body shape of the subject 11. Therefore, the subject 12 can receive an image without feeling pain. Further, the leg of the subject 11 is supported by a leg support member 9. By placing the leg portion of the subject 11 on the leg support member 9, the burden on the leg portion can be reduced.

  When the operator 12 is satisfied that the subject 11 is at this temperature, the operator 12 installs the receiving coil. The state after the receiving coil is installed is shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, since the head of the subject 11 is imaged, the receiving coil 10 is installed on the head of the subject 11. The operator 12 connects the connector 10 a of the receiving coil 10 to the connector 4 b of the traction device 4. By connecting the connector 10a of the receiving coil 10 to the connector 4b of the traction device 4, the receiving coil 10 can be connected to a receiver (not shown).

  After installing the receiving coil 10, the operator 12 carries the subject 12 into the bore 21 so that the head of the subject 12 reaches the magnet center (see FIG. 8).

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the subject 12 is being carried into the bore 21.
The operator 12 operates an operation button (not shown) provided on the front surface of the magnet 2 to move the traction device 4 in the z direction. Since the cradle 3 a is connected to the traction device 4, when the traction device 4 moves in the z direction, the cradle 3 a moves in the z direction in conjunction with the traction device 4. Further, the flexible guide 8 is deformed with the movement of the traction device 4. However, in the first embodiment, the predetermined portion 8a of the flexible guide 8 is fixed so as not to move even if the traction device 4 moves. Therefore, when the traction device 4 moves in the z direction, the flexible guide 8 is deformed with the predetermined portion 8a as a base point. The magnet 2 is provided with a space 2a in which the flexible guide 8 can enter when the flexible guide 8 is deformed. Therefore, when the traction device 4 moves in the z direction, the deformed flexible guide 8 enters the space 2a. For this reason, even if the traction device 4 reaches just above the predetermined portion 8 a of the flexible guide 8, the flexible guide 8 can prevent the movement of the traction device 4 from being obstructed. Further, since the pneumatic hose 63 is accommodated in the flexible guide 8, the traction device 4 does not move around the pneumatic hose 63. Therefore, the pneumatic hose 63 can continue to supply warm air to the pad 5 while the traction device 4 is moving.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the head of the subject 12 has reached the magnet center.

  When the head of the subject 12 reaches the magnet center, the traction device 4 stops. Therefore, the cradle 3a is also stopped, and the head of the subject 12 can be positioned at the magnet center. In this way, the cradle 3a is moved. When the movement of the cradle 3a is completed, the subject 11 is imaged.

  In the first embodiment, since a warm temperature is supplied to the pad 5, the subject 11 can receive an image in a comfortable temperature environment. In the first embodiment, the air supply device 6 is configured to supply warmed air. However, the air supply device 6 may be configured to be able to supply cooled air. You may be comprised so that both of the cooled air can be supplied. Further, another gas other than air may be supplied to the pad.

  In the first embodiment, the pad is applied to the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. However, the present invention may be applied to another medical apparatus such as a CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus.

(2) Second Mode In the second mode, the configuration is the same as that of the first mode except for the pad. Therefore, in describing the second embodiment, the pad will be described.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the pad 5 in the second embodiment.
In the first embodiment, the exhaust hole 51d of the pad portion 51 is formed only on the rear end surface 51c side. However, in the second embodiment, the exhaust hole 51d is formed on the entire surface of the pad portion 51. By providing the exhaust hole 51d over the entire surface of the pad portion 51 in this way, warm air can be applied to the subject 11, so that even when the imaging time is increased, the skin stickiness felt by the subject 11 is reduced. Can do.

(3) Third Embodiment FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an MRI apparatus to which a pad according to a third embodiment of the present invention is applied.

The MRI apparatus 200 includes a superconducting magnet 2 and a table 3.
The table 3 has a cradle 3a. The cradle 3 a is connected to the traction device 4. The traction device 4 is configured to be able to move in the z direction and the −z direction. When the traction device 4 moves in the z direction, the traction device 4 pulls the cradle 3a, and the cradle 3a moves in the z direction. When the traction device 4 moves in the −z direction, the traction device 4 pushes out the cradle 3a, and the cradle 3a moves in the −z direction. Therefore, the cradle 3 a can be freely moved in the z direction and the −z direction by the traction device 4.

  A pad 50 is laid on the cradle 3 a, and the subject 11 is lying on the pad 50. The pad 50 has a function of warming the subject 11 in response to power supply from a power supply device 7 to be described later. This function will be described later.

  In addition, the MRI apparatus 200 includes a power supply device 7 for supplying power to the pad 50.

The power supply device 7 includes a power source 71 and a cable 72. The cable 72 is disposed so as to extend from the power source 71 to the connector 4 a of the traction device 4. The pulling device 4 is provided with a flexible guide 8 for guiding the cable 72 to the pulling device 4. The flexible guide 8 is provided so as to extend from the traction device 4 to the inside of the magnet 2. The cable 72 passes from the power source 71 through the flexible guide 8 and reaches the connector 4 a of the traction device 4. The pad 50 is connected to the power supply device 7 via the connector 4 a of the traction device 4.
Next, the configuration of the pad 50 will be described.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the pad 50 in the third embodiment.
The pad 50 includes a pad portion 151, a cable 152, and a connector 153.

  The pad portion 151 is disposed between the subject 11 and the cradle 3a when the subject 11 lies on the table 3. The pad portion 151 is made of a material that can disperse the pressure applied to the subject 11 when the subject 11 lies on the pad portion 151. In addition, a temperature adjustment member 151 a is embedded in the pad portion 151 for receiving temperature supply from the power supply device 7 and performing temperature adjustment. In FIG. 12, three temperature adjusting members 151a are shown, but it is sufficient that one or more temperature adjusting members are provided. For example, a metal plate can be used as the temperature adjusting member.

  A cable 152 for supplying power to the temperature adjustment member 151a is attached to the pad portion 151.

  A connector 153 is attached to the tip of the cable 152. The connector 153 is configured to be detachably attached to the connector 4a (see FIG. 11) of the traction device 4. By attaching the connector 153 to the connector 4 a of the traction device 4, the pad 50 can be connected to the power supply device 7.

  The pad 50 is configured as described above. In the third embodiment, when imaging the subject 11, the operator 12 connects the pad 50 to the power supply device 7 and then drives the power supply 71 to supply power to the pad 50. Therefore, since the temperature is adjusted by the temperature adjustment member 151a, the subject 11 can receive an image in a comfortable temperature environment.

2 Superconducting magnet 3 Table 3a Cradle 4 Traction device 4a Connector 5, 50 Pad 6 Air supply device 7 Power supply device 8 Flexible guide 11 Subject 51 Pad 51a Surface 51b Front side 51c Rear side 51d Exhaust hole 52 Pneumatic hose 53 Connector 61 Pump 62 Heater 63 Pneumatic hose 100 MRI system

Claims (27)

A pad disposed between the subject and the cradle when imaging the subject using a medical device having a cradle for supporting the subject,
A pad configured to be able to adjust the temperature around the subject.   The pad according to claim 1, wherein the pad is configured to be supplied with a temperature-controlled gas. The pad
The pad according to claim 2, further comprising an exhaust hole for exhausting the gas supplied to the pad to the outside. The pad has a pad portion to which a temperature-controlled gas is supplied,
The pad according to claim 3, wherein the exhaust hole is formed in the pad portion. The pad
The pad according to claim 4, wherein the pad is configured to be detachably connectable to a gas supply device that supplies a temperature-controlled gas. The pad
The pad according to claim 5, further comprising a connector for connecting to the gas supply device.   The pad according to claim 1, wherein the pad adjusts temperature by receiving power.   The pad according to claim 7, wherein the pad has a temperature adjusting member for adjusting temperature by receiving power. The pad
A pad portion having the temperature adjusting member;
A cable for supplying power to the temperature adjusting member;
The pad according to claim 8, comprising: The pad
The pad according to claim 9, wherein the pad is configured to be detachably connected to a power supply device that supplies power. The pad
The pad according to claim 10, further comprising a connector for connecting to the power supply device.   The pad according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the medical device is a magnetic resonance imaging device. A medical device having a cradle for supporting a subject, and a pad disposed between the subject and the cradle,
The pad is a medical device configured to be able to adjust the temperature around the subject.   The medical device according to claim 13, further comprising a gas supply device for supplying a temperature-controlled gas to the pad.   The medical device according to claim 14, wherein the pad is configured to be detachably connected to the gas supply device. The gas supply device includes:
A pump,
A temperature adjusting unit for adjusting the temperature of the gas supplied from the pump;
A hose for supplying the temperature-adjusted gas to the pad;
The medical device according to claim 15, comprising: A tow device for towing the cradle;
The medical device of claim 16, wherein the hose extends to the traction device. The traction device has a first connector connected to the hose;
The medical device according to claim 17, wherein the pad has a second connector removably attached to the first connector. A guide for guiding the hose to the traction device;
The medical device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the guide is deformed in accordance with movement of the traction device.   The medical device according to claim 13, wherein the pad adjusts temperature by receiving power.   The medical device according to claim 20, further comprising a power supply device for supplying power to the pad.   The medical device according to claim 21, wherein the pad is configured to be detachably connected to the power supply device. The power supply device
Power supply,
A cable for supplying power supplied from the power source to the pad;
The medical device according to claim 22, comprising: A tow device for towing the cradle;
24. The medical device of claim 23, wherein the cable extends to the traction device. The traction device has a first connector connected to the cable;
The medical device according to claim 24, wherein the pad has a second connector removably attached to the first connector. A guide for guiding the cable to the traction device;
The medical device according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the guide is deformed in accordance with movement of the traction device.   27. The medical device according to any one of claims 13 to 26, wherein the medical device is a magnetic resonance imaging device.

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