JP2013075005A - Controller for diagnostic imaging apparatus and diagnostic imaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control a diagnostic imaging apparatus at a location away from a controller to which an operation console and a gantry pertain.SOLUTION: A controller for a diagnostic imaging apparatus includes a gesture recognition means for recognizing a gesture of an operator and an execution means for executing control of the diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the recognized gesture. For instance, the gesture recognition means includes an optical photographing means 601 and an analysis means 602 for analyzing moving images photographed by the photographing means. The photographing means 601 photographs the operator inside an inspection room, and the analysis means 602 analyzes the photographed moving images and recognizes a pattern of the gesture of the operator. The execution means 603 executes the control made to correspond to the recognized pattern of the gesture.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for operating an image diagnostic apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image diagnostic apparatus such as an MR (Magnetic Resonance) apparatus or an X-ray CT apparatus, an operator uses a controller attached to an operation console or gantry to perform an image diagnostic apparatus. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1, FIG. 1, etc.).

JP 2010-005232 A

  However, the operator may want to operate the diagnostic imaging apparatus even at a place away from the operation console or the gantry depending on time and circumstances.

  For example, in a facility such as a hospital, a photographing engineer or doctor may want to change the position of a cradle or take a picture while attending a patient who is a subject. For example, in a biopsy under an MR guide (guide) or a biopsy under a CT guide, a doctor usually cannot touch the controller from a hygiene point of view, but is displayed on the monitor according to the operation. There are cases in which it is desired to switch the screen to be started or to start / stop shooting at a desired timing.

  Under such circumstances, there is a demand for a technique that can operate the diagnostic imaging apparatus even at a location away from the operation console or the gantry controller.

  The invention according to the first aspect includes gesture recognition means for recognizing an operator's gesture, and execution means for executing control of the image diagnostic apparatus in accordance with the gesture recognized by the gesture recognition means. A control device for an image diagnostic apparatus is provided.

  Here, “gesture” means a movement or gesture using a hand, foot or body, and includes a hand sign and a pantomime.

  The invention according to the second aspect provides the control for an image diagnostic apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the gesture recognition means includes an optical photographing means and an analysis means for analyzing a moving image photographed by the photographing means. Providing equipment.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, the diagnostic imaging apparatus includes the gantry in which the imaging target is conveyed, and the imaging unit is provided in the gantry. I will provide a.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the second aspect or the third aspect, the analyzing means identifies movement of a part having at least one of a specific color, a specific pattern, and a specific shape in the moving image. A control device for an image diagnostic apparatus according to the above aspect is provided.

  The fifth aspect of the invention is the image of the first aspect, wherein the gesture recognition means includes a motion sensor attached to an operator and a receiving means for receiving an output signal of the motion sensor. A diagnostic device control device is provided.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the execution means moves the table on which the imaging target is placed, sets the imaging conditions, sets the image reconstruction conditions, and displays a monitor provided in the examination room. And a control apparatus for an image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, which executes at least one control of start / stop of imaging.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image diagnostic apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the execution means executes control of start / stop of processing for sequentially updating display of images obtained by the photographing while repeatedly performing the photographing. A control device is provided.

  The invention according to an eighth aspect provides the control apparatus for an image diagnostic apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein the execution means executes control for adjusting a scan plane.

  The ninth aspect of the invention is the image diagnostic apparatus control device according to the seventh aspect, wherein the execution means executes control of a process of setting a landmark at a position designated by an operator with a hand or a finger. I will provide a.

  Here, the “landmark” means a reference position for determining an imaging region.

  The tenth aspect of the invention further includes voice recognition means for recognizing an operator's voice, and the execution means is configured to recognize the voice recognized by the voice recognition means and the gesture recognized by the gesture recognition means. According to the present invention, there is provided a diagnostic imaging apparatus control device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein a predetermined control is executed.

  An eleventh aspect of the invention includes the diagnostic imaging apparatus control device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, and an diagnostic imaging apparatus controlled by the diagnostic imaging apparatus control device. A diagnostic imaging system is provided.

  The invention according to a twelfth aspect provides the diagnostic imaging system according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the diagnostic imaging apparatus includes an MR gantry.

  The invention of the thirteenth aspect. The diagnostic imaging system according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the diagnostic imaging apparatus includes an X-ray CT gantry.

  According to the above aspect of the invention, it is possible to recognize an operator's gesture and control the diagnostic imaging apparatus according to the gesture, and operate the diagnostic imaging apparatus at a location away from the operation console or the gantry controller. be able to.

It is a block diagram of MR apparatus concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example which sets a landmark based on an operator's gesture. It is a figure which shows the example which moves a cradle based on an operator's gesture. It is a figure which shows the example which adjusts a scan plane based on an operator's gesture.

  Embodiments of the invention will be described below. However, this does not limit the invention.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows a configuration of an MR system (image diagnostic system) according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the MR system includes a gantry 100 that is a magnet system, a cradle 500 for a table, a gantry control unit 200, and an operation console 300. . The gantry 100 and the cradle 500 are installed in a photographing room that is magnetically shielded. The gantry control unit 200 is installed in a control room outside the imaging room. The operation console 300 is installed in an operation room outside the imaging room.

  The gantry 100 includes a main magnetic field coil unit 102, a gradient coil unit 106, and an RF coil unit 108. Each of these coil portions has a generally cylindrical shape and is arranged coaxially with each other. A subject 1 to be imaged is mounted on a cradle 500 in a generally cylindrical internal space (bore) of the gantry 100 and is carried in and out by a conveying means (not shown). The imaging region of the subject 1 is accommodated in the RF coil unit 108.

  The main magnetic field coil unit 102 forms a static magnetic field in the internal space of the gantry 100. The direction of the static magnetic field is generally parallel to the direction of the body axis of the subject 1. That is, a so-called horizontal magnetic field is formed. The main magnetic field coil unit 102 is configured using, for example, a superconducting coil. In addition, you may comprise using not only a superconductive coil but a normal conductive coil. Or you may form a static magnetic field using a permanent magnet, without using such a coil.

  The gantry control unit 200 includes a gradient driving unit 130, an RF driving unit 140, and a data collection unit 150.

  The operation console 300 includes a sequence control unit 160, a data processing unit 170, a display unit 180, and an operation unit 190.

  A gradient driving unit 130 is connected to the gradient coil unit 106. The gradient driver 130 gives a drive signal to the gradient coil unit 106 to generate a gradient magnetic field. The gradient drive unit 130 has three drive circuits (not shown) corresponding to the three gradient coils in the gradient coil unit 106.

  An RF driving unit 140 is connected to the RF coil unit 108. The RF driving unit 140 gives a driving signal to the RF coil unit 108 and transmits an RF pulse, thereby exciting a spin in the body of the subject 1.

  A data collection unit 150 is connected to the RF coil unit 108. The data collection unit 150 takes in the received signal received by the RF coil unit 108 by sampling and collects it as digital data. Note that the RF coil unit 108 may be installed separately for transmission and reception, or may be separately installed for transmission and reception. For example, when the imaging region is the head, a transmission / reception body coil and a reception head coil may be provided.

  A sequence control unit 160 is connected to the gradient drive unit 130, the RF drive unit 140, and the data collection unit 150. The sequence control unit 160 controls the gradient driving unit 130, the RF driving unit 140, and the data collection unit 150, respectively, and performs magnetic resonance signal collection.

  The sequence control unit 160 is configured using, for example, a computer. The sequence control unit 160 has a memory (not shown). The memory stores a program for the sequence control unit 160 and various data. The function of the sequence control unit 160 is realized by the computer executing a program stored in the memory.

  The output side of the data collection unit 150 is connected to the data processing unit 170. Data collected by the data collection unit 150 is input to the data processing unit 170.

  The data processing unit 170 is connected to the sequence control unit 160. The data processor 170 is above the sequence controller 160 and controls it. The function of the MR apparatus is realized by the data processing unit 170 executing a program stored in the memory.

  The data processing unit 170 reconstructs an image based on the data collected by the data collection unit 150.

  A display unit 180 and an operation unit 190 are connected to the data processing unit 170. The display unit 180 is configured by a graphic display or the like. The operation unit 190 includes a keyboard having a pointing device.

  The operation unit 190 is operated by the operator 700 and inputs various commands and information to the data processing unit 170. The operator 700 operates the MR apparatus interactively through the display unit 180 and the operation unit 190.

  The configuration relating to the remote operation technology of the MR apparatus and an embodiment of the remote operation will be described below.

  The MR system further includes an optical camera (camera) 601, an image analysis unit 602, and a control execution unit 603. In the MR system, the optical camera 601, the image analysis unit 602, and the control execution unit 603 constitute an MR device control device, and the parts other than these constitute an MR device. The control apparatus for MR apparatus is an example of the control apparatus for diagnostic imaging apparatus in the present invention.

  The optical camera 601 is installed on the top of the gantry 100. The image analysis unit 602 and the control execution unit 603 are functional blocks and are realized by causing the computer of the operation console 300 to execute a predetermined program.

  The optical camera 601 acquires a moving image in the photographing room, particularly a moving image around the cradle 500. The acquired moving image data is sent to the image analysis unit 602.

  The image analysis unit 602 analyzes the sent moving image and recognizes the gesture of the operator 700. In the image analysis unit 602, a plurality of gesture patterns are registered in advance, and the movement of the operator 700 obtained from the moving image is always collated with the registered patterns. When the movement of the operator 700 matches any of the registered patterns within a predetermined range, it is recognized that the operator 700 has performed the gesture of the pattern. The recognition result is sent to the control execution unit 603. In addition, the image analysis unit 602 recognizes where the specific part of the operator 700, for example, a palm or a fingertip, is in the space in the imaging room as necessary, and the position information is also sent to the control execution unit 603. send.

  The control execution unit 603 causes the data processing unit 170 to execute the determined control related to the MR apparatus according to the recognized gesture. The control execution unit 603 stores a corresponding control for each gesture pattern registered in the image analysis unit 602. The control execution unit 603 sends a signal and data to the data processing unit 170 to execute control associated with the recognized gesture pattern.

  Below, some examples of control of the MR apparatus by an operator's gesture are shown.

(First example)
As shown in FIG. 2, when the operator 700 performs a gesture indicating the position on the subject 1, which is the subject placed on the cradle 500 of the imaging table, with a finger or hand, the image analysis unit 602 Recognizing this gesture, the control execution unit 603 performs control to set a landmark (reference position at the time of photographing) at the instructed previous position.

(Second example)
As shown in FIG. 3, when the operator 700 performs a gesture of moving the palm along the horizontal movement direction of the cradle 500, the image analysis unit 602 recognizes this gesture, and the execution unit 603 responds to this gesture. As the control, the control of starting the movement of the cradle 500 in the direction in which the palm has moved is performed. Further, when the operator 700 performs a gesture of standing still with the palm extended toward the cradle 500, the image analysis unit 602 recognizes the gesture, and the execution unit 603 performs control corresponding to the gesture, Control to stop the horizontal movement of the cradle 500 is performed.

(Third example)
By registering gestures corresponding to the following control in advance, it can be applied to interventional MR (MR-guided biopsy) and the like.

(1) A series of control from pre-scan to processing (sometimes referred to as PREP) related to calibration of the MR apparatus.

(2) Control of start, stop, and pause of scan. Note that the scan here includes not only a single scan but also real-time imaging in which the display of images captured by repeated scans is sequentially updated.

(3) Control for adjusting the scan plane as described below during real-time imaging (see FIG. 4).
(3-1) Movement of scan plane in the same plane (3-2) Rotation of scan plane around X, Y and Z axes (3-3) Movement of scan plane in X, Y and Z axis directions (3-4) Enlargement / reduction of scan plane FOV (field of view)

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to recognize an operator's gesture and control the MR apparatus according to the gesture, and operate the MR apparatus at a location away from the operation console or the gantry controller. be able to.

  As a result, operations of the MR apparatus such as landmark setting, cradle in (in) / out (out), imaging start / stop, scan plane adjustment, and other operations can be performed in parallel. It becomes like this. For example, the cradle can be moved and photographed with the assistance of the subject, or a biopsy under the MR guide can be performed while performing fine adjustment of the scan plane as desired.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the optical camera for photographing the operator is installed in the gantry in advance, and it is not necessary to separately provide the optical camera in the photographing room, so that the installation of the system is easy. It is.

  The embodiment of the invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various changes and additions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  For example, to make it easy for the operator's gestures to be recognized, a specific color, pattern, or shape should be applied to at least a part of the operator's clothing or fittings, such as work clothes, gloves, or arm warmers. You may make it use.

  Further, as a means for recognizing a gesture, a motion sensor attached to the operator and a receiving means for receiving an output signal of the motion sensor may be used. For example, a unit with a built-in motion sensor is attached to one or both wrists of the operator, and the operator performs a gesture with the hand to which the unit is attached. The unit transmits the output signal from the motion sensor wirelessly. The receiving means receives the output signal and recognizes the operator's gesture.

  Further, for example, voice recognition means for recognizing the voice of the operator may be further provided, and predetermined control may be executed according to the combination of the recognized voice and the recognized gesture. In this case, it is possible to prepare as many types of control as the number of combinations of voice and gesture, and more complicated control becomes possible. For example, with a voice “cradle” and a gesture that moves the palm in the horizontal movement direction of the cradle, the movement of the cradle is controlled, and a voice “scan plane” and a gesture that moves the palm in the horizontal movement direction of the cradle Thus, it is possible to distinguish and execute different controls in which gestures corresponding to the senses are the same, such as controlling the movement of the scan plane in the Z-axis direction.

  As voice recognition means, for example, a microphone is attached to the operator, and the voice is transmitted wirelessly. The receiving means receives the signal and recognizes the voice.

  Note that the voice quality (voice print) of the accessible operator is registered in advance in the receiving means so that the voice of the subject or the like is not misrecognized, and reacts to the voice of unregistered voice quality. You may make it not.

  Further, for example, by changing the position and number of optical cameras, the MR apparatus can be remotely operated not only in the photographing room but also in any other location.

  Further, part or all of the diagnostic imaging apparatus control device may be built in the diagnostic imaging apparatus or may be separated.

  Moreover, the control technology using these gestures can be applied not only to the MR apparatus but also to other image diagnosis apparatuses such as an X-ray CT apparatus and an angio (contrast angiography) apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Subject 100 Gantry 102 Main magnetic field coil part 106 Gradient coil part 108 RF coil part 130 Gradient drive part 140 RF drive part 150 Data collection part 160 Sequence control part 170 Data processing part 180 Display part 190 Operation part 500 Cradle 601 Optical camera (Gesture recognition means)
602 Image analysis unit (gesture recognition means)
603 Control execution unit (execution means)
700 operators

Claims (13)

Gesture recognition means for recognizing an operator's gesture;
An image diagnostic apparatus control device comprising: execution means for executing control of the image diagnostic apparatus according to the gesture recognized by the gesture recognition means.   The control apparatus for an image diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gesture recognition means includes an optical photographing means and an analysis means for analyzing a moving image photographed by the photographing means. The diagnostic imaging apparatus includes a gantry through which an imaging target is conveyed,
The diagnostic imaging apparatus control device according to claim 2, wherein the imaging unit is provided in the gantry.   The control device for an image diagnosis apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the analysis unit identifies a movement of a part having at least one of a specific color, a specific pattern, and a specific shape in the moving image. .   The control apparatus for an image diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gesture recognition unit includes a motion sensor attached to an operator and a reception unit that receives an output signal of the motion sensor.   The execution means controls at least one of movement of a table on which an imaging target is placed, setting of imaging conditions, setting of image reconstruction conditions, display of a monitor provided in an examination room, and start / stop of imaging. The control apparatus for an image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is executed.   The control device for an image diagnosis apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the execution unit executes start / stop control of processing for sequentially updating display of an image obtained by the imaging while repeatedly performing imaging.   The diagnostic apparatus control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the execution unit executes control for adjusting a scan plane.   The control apparatus for an image diagnosis apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the execution unit executes control of processing for setting a landmark at a position designated by an operator with a hand or a finger. Voice recognition means for recognizing the voice of the operator,
The said execution means performs the control determined according to the combination of the audio | voice recognized by the said audio | voice recognition means, and the gesture recognized by the said gesture recognition means. The control apparatus for diagnostic imaging apparatuses described in 1.   An image diagnostic system comprising: the diagnostic imaging apparatus control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and an diagnostic imaging apparatus controlled by the diagnostic imaging apparatus control apparatus.   The diagnostic imaging system according to claim 11, wherein the diagnostic imaging apparatus includes an MR gantry.   The diagnostic imaging system according to claim 11, wherein the diagnostic imaging apparatus includes an X-ray CT gantry.

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