JP2014210052A - Medical image diagnostic apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical image diagnostic apparatus and a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus which can operate properly according to a country or region where they are installed.SOLUTION: A medical image diagnostic apparatus comprises an acquisition unit, an identification unit, and an operation control unit. The acquisition unit acquires information indicative of a current position. The identification unit identifies, on the basis of the acquired information, a country or region where the medical image diagnostic apparatus is installed. The operation control unit controls the operation according to the identified country or region.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a medical diagnostic imaging apparatus and a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus.

  The medical image diagnosis apparatus has different laws and regulations to be observed depending on the country or region in which it is installed. That is, even in the same medical image diagnostic apparatus, the function for which approval is obtained may differ depending on the country or region, and the usable function may differ depending on the country or region. For this reason, there is a possibility that a function for which approval has not been acquired operates due to some setting mistake or the like.

JP 2001-216422 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a medical diagnostic imaging apparatus and a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that can operate appropriately according to the country of installation or the installation area.

  The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment includes an acquisition unit, an identification unit, and an operation control unit. The acquisition unit acquires information indicating the current location. The identification unit identifies the country or region where the medical image diagnostic apparatus is installed based on the acquired information. The operation control unit controls the operation according to the identified country or the identified area.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the MRI apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining different functions that can be used depending on the country or region. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining acquisition of current location information in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining function determination in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining acquisition of current location information in the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining acquisition of current location information in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining acquisition of current location information in the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the third embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) apparatus”) will be described as an example of a medical image diagnostic apparatus. The embodiment described below can be applied to both a stationary MRI apparatus and an in-vehicle MRI apparatus.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the MRI apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the MRI apparatus 100 includes a static magnetic field magnet 101, a static magnetic field power supply 102, a gradient magnetic field coil 103, a gradient magnetic field power supply 104, a bed 105, a bed control unit 106, and a transmission coil 107. , A transmission unit 108, a reception coil 109, a reception unit 110, a sequence control unit 120, and a computer 130. The MRI apparatus 100 does not include the subject P (for example, a human body). Moreover, the structure shown in FIG. 1 is only an example. For example, the sequence control unit 120 and each unit in the computer 130 may be configured to be appropriately integrated or separated.

  The static magnetic field magnet 101 is a magnet formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and generates a static magnetic field in an internal space. The static magnetic field magnet 101 is, for example, a superconducting magnet or the like, and is excited by receiving a current supplied from the static magnetic field power source 102. The static magnetic field power supply 102 supplies a current to the static magnetic field magnet 101. The static magnetic field magnet 101 may be a permanent magnet. In this case, the MRI apparatus 100 may not include the static magnetic field power source 102. In addition, the static magnetic field power source 102 may be provided separately from the MRI apparatus 100.

  The gradient magnetic field coil 103 is a coil formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and is disposed inside the static magnetic field magnet 101. The gradient coil 103 is formed by combining three coils corresponding to the X, Y, and Z axes orthogonal to each other, and these three coils individually supply current from the gradient magnetic field power supply 104. In response, a gradient magnetic field is generated in which the magnetic field strength varies along the X, Y, and Z axes. The gradient magnetic fields of the X, Y, and Z axes generated by the gradient coil 103 are, for example, a slice gradient magnetic field Gs, a phase encoding gradient magnetic field Ge, and a readout gradient magnetic field Gr. The gradient magnetic field power supply 104 supplies a current to the gradient magnetic field coil 103.

  The bed 105 includes a top plate 105a on which the subject P is placed. Under the control of the bed control unit 106, the bed 105a is placed inside the cavity of the gradient magnetic field coil 103 with the subject P placed thereon. Insert into. Usually, the bed 105 is installed so that the longitudinal direction is parallel to the central axis of the static magnetic field magnet 101. The couch controller 106 drives the couch 105 under the control of the computer 130 to move the couchtop 105a in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction.

  The transmission coil 107 is disposed inside the gradient magnetic field coil 103 and receives a supply of an RF (Radio Frequency) pulse from the transmission unit 108 to generate a high-frequency magnetic field. The transmission unit 108 supplies an RF pulse corresponding to a Larmor frequency determined by the type of target atom and the magnetic field strength to the transmission coil 107.

  The reception coil 109 is disposed inside the gradient magnetic field coil 103 and receives a magnetic resonance signal (hereinafter referred to as “MR signal” as appropriate) emitted from the subject P due to the influence of the high-frequency magnetic field. When receiving coil MR, receiving coil 109 outputs the received MR signal to receiving section 110.

  Note that the transmission coil 107 and the reception coil 109 described above are merely examples. What is necessary is just to comprise by combining the RF coil provided only with the transmission function, the RF coil provided only with the reception function, or the RF coil provided with the transmission / reception function.

  The receiving unit 110 detects the MR signal output from the receiving coil 109, and generates MR data based on the detected MR signal. Specifically, the receiving unit 110 generates MR data by digitally converting the MR signal output from the receiving coil 109. In addition, the reception unit 110 transmits the generated MR data to the sequence control unit 120. The receiving unit 110 may be provided on the gantry side including the static magnetic field magnet 101, the gradient magnetic field coil 103, and the like.

  The sequence control unit 120 performs imaging of the subject P by driving the gradient magnetic field power source 104, the transmission unit 108, and the reception unit 110 based on the sequence information transmitted from the computer 130. Here, the sequence information is information defining a procedure for performing imaging. The sequence information includes the strength of the current supplied from the gradient magnetic field power source 104 to the gradient magnetic field coil 103 and the timing of supplying the current, the strength of the RF pulse supplied from the transmission unit 108 to the transmission coil 107, the timing of applying the RF pulse, and reception. The timing at which the unit 110 detects the MR signal is defined.

  For example, the sequence control unit 120 is an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or an electronic circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processing unit (MPU).

  The computer 130 performs overall control of the MRI apparatus 100, image generation, and the like. The computer 130 includes an interface unit 131, a storage unit 132, a control unit 133, an input unit 134, a display unit 135, and an image generation unit 136.

  The interface unit 131 transmits sequence information to the sequence control unit 120 and receives MR data from the sequence control unit 120. Further, when receiving the MR data, the interface unit 131 stores the received MR data in the storage unit 132. The MR data stored in the storage unit 132 is arranged in the k space by the control unit 133. As a result, the storage unit 132 stores k-space data.

  The storage unit 132 stores MR data received by the interface unit 131, k-space data arranged in the k-space by the control unit 133, image data generated by the image generation unit 136, and the like. For example, the storage unit 132 is a RAM (Random Access Memory), a semiconductor memory device such as a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, or the like.

  The control unit 133 performs overall control of the MRI apparatus 100. Specifically, the control unit 133 generates sequence information based on imaging conditions input from the operator via the input unit 134, and controls the imaging by transmitting the generated sequence information to the sequence control unit 120. To do. The control unit 133 also controls image generation performed based on the MR data, and controls display on the display unit 135. Further, the control unit 133 reads the MR data generated by the receiving unit 110 from the storage unit 132 and arranges it in the k space. For example, the control unit 133 is an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA, or an electronic circuit such as a CPU or MPU.

  The input unit 134 receives various instructions and information input from the operator. The input unit 134 is an input device such as a mouse, a trackball, or a keyboard. The display unit 135 displays various types of information such as image data under the control of the control unit 133. The display unit 135 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display.

  The image generation unit 136 reads k-space data arranged in the k-space by the control unit 133 from the storage unit 132, and generates an image by performing reconstruction processing such as two-dimensional Fourier transform on the read k-space data. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the first embodiment, the computer 130 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit 137. The GPS unit 137 will be described in detail later.

  Even in the same MRI apparatus 100, the function for which the marketing approval is obtained may differ depending on the country or region, and the usable function may differ depending on the country or region. For example, in the United States of America, the government agency FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approves the MRI apparatus 100. This approval is performed in units of the model of the MRI apparatus 100, the version of software installed in the MRI apparatus 100, the RF coil, and the like. As a result of the approval, usable functions are limited on the MRI apparatus 100 side.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining different usable functions depending on the country or region. In FIG. 2, for example, in the EU (European Union) which is a region, the function “cardiography imaging (heart imaging using a contrast agent)”, function “positioning support”, and function “head coil” can be used. Indicates that there is. Further, for example, in the country, China (People's Republic of China), the function “cardiography imaging”, the function “positioning support” cannot be used, and the function “head coil” can be used. Also, for example, in the United States of America (USA), the function “cardiography”, the function “head coil” cannot be used, and the function “positioning support” can be used. Indicates that there is.

  Note that the country and region illustrated in FIG. 2 and the usable functions are merely examples. Specific countries, regions, regional divisions, usable functions, etc. will be changed according to the actual situation. Further, the classification of usable functions illustrated in FIG. 2 is merely an example. For example, approval / non-approval is divided according to the amount of contrast agent, approval / non-approval is divided according to the number of elements incorporated in the RF coil, and these are also changed according to the actual situation.

  Therefore, in the first embodiment, a GPS is mounted on the MRI apparatus 100, and the country and region in which the MRI apparatus 100 is installed is automatically identified by the GPS, and a function that can be used according to the identified country and area. Is automatically determined and the operation of each function is controlled.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining acquisition of current location information in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the computer 130 in the first embodiment includes a GPS unit 137. GPS is a system for measuring a position on the earth, and is realized by a plurality of GPS satellites and a plurality of ground control stations. The GPS unit 137 receives a signal from the GPS satellite and obtains the current position.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 133 in the first embodiment includes a current location identification unit 133a and a functional operation control unit 133b.

  The current location identifying unit 133a receives the current location information from the GPS unit 137, and identifies the country or region that is the current location based on the received location information. For example, the current location identification unit 133a stores a range of GPS position information in advance in association with a table for each country or region appropriately classified in relation to legal approval. Further, when receiving the GPS location information from the GPS unit 137, the current location identification unit 133a refers to the table using this location information and identifies the country or region where the MRI apparatus 100 is currently installed. Then, the current location identification unit 133a stores information on the identified current location in the storage unit 132.

  The function operation control unit 133b reads the current location information stored in the storage unit 132 by the current location identification unit 133a, and obtains the approval based on the read current location information, that is, the usable function and the A function of approval, that is, a function that cannot be used is determined.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the function determination in the first embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the function / operation control unit 133b determines whether each function appropriately classified in relation to the approval of the regulations is approved (“O”) or not approved (“×”). Is stored in advance in association with a table. Note that the table shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example.

  In addition, when the function operation control unit 133b reads the current location information from the storage unit 132, the function operation control unit 133b refers to the table of FIG. 4 using the current location information, and can use or cannot use the function in the corresponding country or region. The right function. Then, the functional operation control unit 133b controls the operation of each function provided in the MRI apparatus 100 according to the availability of each function.

  5 to 7 are flowcharts showing a processing procedure in the first embodiment. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the current location identification unit 133 a performs a process of identifying the current location when the MRI apparatus 100 is activated. In the case of the in-hospital installation type MRI apparatus 100, when the in-hospital type MRI apparatus 100 is installed, the MRI apparatus 100 is first turned on at the time of installation at the destination, and the MRI apparatus 100 is turned on. Is activated (step S101).

  In response to this activation, the GPS unit 137 receives a signal from a GPS satellite and obtains the current location, and the current location identification unit 133a identifies the country or region that is the current location based on this location information (step S102). ). Then, the current location identification unit 133a stores information on the identified current location in the storage unit 132 (step S103).

  In the first embodiment, the example of performing the process of identifying the current location when the MRI apparatus 100 is activated has been described. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the GPS unit 137 and the current location identifying unit 133a may be a method that frequently repeats acquisition of position information and identification of the current location, and constantly updates the current location information. The timing for acquiring the position information and the timing for identifying the current location can be changed as appropriate according to the operation status.

  Next, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the functional operation control unit 133 b does not perform the timing when the imaging condition is set or when the RF coil is connected to the MRI apparatus 100. Restrict the operation of the approval function.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the function operation control unit 133b has selected a function (for example, a predetermined imaging sequence) whose availability can be changed depending on whether approval has been acquired or not approved on the imaging condition setting screen. It is determined whether or not (step S201). If it is determined that the corresponding function has been selected (step S201, Yes), the functional operation control unit 133b refers to the table of FIG. 4 using the current location information stored in the storage unit 132 (step S202).

  Then, the function operation control unit 133b determines whether or not the function selected in step S201 is an unapproved function in the country or region where the MRI apparatus 100 is currently installed (step S203). When it is determined that the function is an unapproved function (step S203, Yes), the functional operation control unit 133b does not accept the selection operation in step S201, for example, on the setting screen, “This function is set because it is unapproved. Notification information such as “cannot be performed” is displayed to prompt the operator to change the setting (step S204).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the function is not an unapproved function, that is, when it is determined that the function has been approved (step S203, No), the functional operation control unit 133b accepts the selection operation in step S201, and Is set as the imaging condition (step S205), and the process ends.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the functional operation control unit 133b determines whether or not an RF coil that can be used is changed depending on whether approval has been acquired or not approved (step S301). . If it is determined that the corresponding RF coil is connected (step S301, Yes), the functional operation control unit 133b refers to the table of FIG. 4 using information on the current location stored in the storage unit 132 (step S302). .

  Then, the functional operation control unit 133b determines whether the RF coil connected in step S301 is an unapproved function in the country or region where the MRI apparatus 100 is currently installed (step S303). If it is determined that the function is an unapproved function (step S303, Yes), the functional operation control unit 133b does not recognize the RF coil connected in step S301 on the MRI apparatus 100 side, for example, and displays the display unit of the computer 130. Notification information such as “This RF coil cannot be connected because it has not been approved” is displayed in 135 to alert the operator (step S304).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the function is not an unapproved function, that is, when it is determined that the function has been approved (step S303, No), the functional operation control unit 133b operates the RF coil connected in step S301 normally. (Step S305), and the process is terminated.

  In FIGS. 6 and 7 described above, the method of limiting the operation of the unapproved function at the timing when the imaging condition is set and when the RF coil is connected to the MRI apparatus 100 has been described. The form is not limited to this. For example, the functional operation control unit 133b refers to the table of FIG. 4 at the timing when the current location is identified by the current location identifying unit 133a, and for example, an unapproved function is selected so that an unapproved function is not selected on the imaging condition setting screen. The function may be controlled to be “non-display”.

  In addition, the specific processing procedure and contents described above can be changed as appropriate.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to appropriately limit the operation of functions that have not obtained approval. That is, according to the first embodiment, since the present location is automatically identified and the operation of each function is controlled according to the automatically identified current location, it is possible to reduce the effort for the installer to set the current location. In addition, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the current location is set up intentionally or accidentally.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the method of automatically identifying the current location by GPS has been described. However, the method for automatically identifying the current location is not limited to this. In the second embodiment, a method for automatic identification by an IP (Internet Protocol) address will be described. The MRI apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except for the configuration related to acquisition of current location information. Further, the GPS method in the first embodiment and the IP address method in the second embodiment can be used in combination.

  8-10 is a figure for demonstrating acquisition of the present location information in 2nd Embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the computer 130 in the second embodiment includes an IP address acquisition unit 138. The IP address is identification information given to each device for identifying a device that transmits and receives a packet in the network, and is a numerical value of 32 bits for IPv4 and 128 bits for IPv6. This IP address has a distinction between a global IP address and a private IP address. However, since the private IP address is used in a private network, the IP address used as the current location information below is a global IP address. Since the global IP address is uniquely assigned to the country or region, it is possible to identify the country or region from this global IP address.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, the IP address acquisition unit 138 acquires an IP address from a server or network device existing at the current location. Then, the current location identification unit 133a identifies the country or region that is the current location based on the IP address received from the IP address acquisition unit 138. The IP address acquisition unit 138 stores a range of IP addresses in advance in association with a table for each country or region appropriately classified in relation to legal approval, and uses this table to store the country or region. Identify.

  FIG. 9 shows an example in which the IP address acquisition unit 138 acquires a global IP address from a server existing at the current location. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the IP address acquisition unit 138 of the MRI apparatus 100 connected to the in-hospital LAN (Local Area Network) 2 is a so-called DMZ (demilitarized zone) inside the firewall (FW (Fire Wall)) 20. The global IP address is acquired from various servers installed in. Examples of the various servers include a DNS (Domain Name System) server 30 and a Web server 40.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the IP address acquisition unit 138 may acquire a global IP address from the router 10 which is a network device connected to the network 1 of an Internet provider (ISP (Internet Service Provider)). FIG. 10 shows an example in which the IP address acquisition unit 138 of the in-vehicle MRI apparatus 100 acquires a global IP address from the in-vehicle router 50.

  Note that the configurations shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are merely examples. When a global IP address can be acquired from another server, network device, or the like, the IP address acquisition unit 138 may acquire the global IP address and use it as current location information. Further, for example, the function of the router shown in FIG. 10 may be incorporated in the MRI apparatus 100 itself.

(Third embodiment)
Subsequently, a third embodiment will be described. In the first and second embodiments described above, the method of restricting the operation of the function that has not obtained approval according to the automatically identified current location has been described, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. In the third embodiment, a method of adding DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) tag information or checking the incident status of tag information according to the automatically identified current location will be described.

  FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are functional block diagrams showing the configuration in the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, for example, it is assumed that an MRI apparatus 100 and a medical image storage apparatus 200 of PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems) are communicably connected by a hospital LAN 3. Further, it is assumed that the MRI apparatus 100 converts image data acquired by imaging into a DICOM format and stores it in the storage unit 132. The medical image storage apparatus 200 receives and stores DICOM format image data from a medical image diagnostic apparatus such as the MRI apparatus 100, and provides image data in response to a browsing request from a viewer, a workstation, or the like.

  Here, the MRI apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment has a basic configuration as the MRI apparatus 100 and includes the GPS unit 137 and the IP address acquisition unit 138 described in the first or second embodiment. And at least one of the present location identification unit 133a. In addition, the MRI apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment further includes each unit described later in the computer 130.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the computer 130 according to the third embodiment includes a DICOM format conversion unit 136a in the image generation unit 136, and further includes a tag-attached unit 136b. The DICOM format conversion unit 136 a converts the image data generated in the original format by the image generation unit 136 into the DICOM format and stores the converted data in the storage unit 132. For this conversion, in the third embodiment, the tag-attached portion 136b controls the attachment of the tag information based on the current location information identified by the current location identifying portion 133a (not shown). That is, when the tag-attached unit 136b generates DICOM-format image data from the original-format image data, the tag-attached unit 136b appends tag information according to a standard corresponding to the country or region where the MRI apparatus 100 is installed.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the computer 130 in the third embodiment includes a tag attached confirmation unit 139. Each time the MRI apparatus 100 transmits the DICOM format image data stored in the storage unit 132 to the medical image storage apparatus 200, the tag attachment confirmation unit 139 moves to the country or region where the MRI apparatus 100 is installed. Check if tag information conforming to the standard is attached. Compared with the tag-attached portion 136b, this is a post-mortem check mechanism.

  13 and 14 are flowcharts showing a processing procedure in the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the tag-attached part 136b determines whether or not to convert the image data into the DICOM format (step S401). If it is determined to convert to the DICOM format (step S401, Yes), the tag-attached unit 136b refers to the tag list of the corresponding country and the corresponding region using the information on the current location stored in the storage unit 132 ( Step S402). Here, the tag list is a list in which tag information that must be attached is defined for each country or region.

  Then, the tag attachment unit 136b attaches tag information that must be attached in the corresponding country or region, and generates DICOM format image data (step S403).

  Further, the tag attached confirmation unit 139 determines whether or not DICOM format image data is transmitted (step S501). If it is determined that the DICOM format image data is transmitted (step S501, Yes), the tagged supplementary confirmation unit 139 uses the current location information stored in the storage unit 132 to determine the corresponding country and the corresponding region. The tag list is referred to (step S502).

  Then, the tag attachment confirmation unit 139 determines whether or not tag information that must be attached in the corresponding country or region is attached (step S503). If it is determined that the tag information is not attached (step S503, No), the tag attachment confirmation unit 139, for example, notification information such as “Tag information OO is not attached” is displayed on the display unit 135 of the computer 130. Is displayed to alert the operator (step S504). Note that the tag attachment confirmation unit 139 may notify the tag attachment unit 136b and automatically attach necessary tag information. When the tag list referred to by the tag-attached part 136b and the tag list referred to by the tag-attached confirmation part 139 are prepared separately, the tag-attached confirmation part 139 uses the tag referred to by the tag-attached part 136b. You may be prompted to modify the list.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the tag information is attached (Yes at step S503), the tag attachment confirmation unit 139 notifies a communication control unit (not shown) to transmit the DICOM format image data as it is (step S505).

  It should be noted that the specific processing procedure and the contents described above can be changed as appropriate.

  In the third embodiment, the example in which the computer 130 includes both the tag-attached portion 136b and the tag-attached confirmation unit 139 has been described. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and either one is provided. Just do it. In the above-described example, a method of performing different control depending on whether or not necessary tag information is attached has been described, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. Tag information incidental may be classified into 3 to 4 stages from essential to optional. For this reason, you may change the control content suitably so that different control may be performed according to this step. The third embodiment can be similarly applied not only to a medical image diagnostic apparatus but also to an image processing apparatus such as a PACS workstation.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, tag information can be appropriately attached.

(Other embodiments)
The embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

  In the above-described embodiment, the MRI apparatus 100 has been described as an example of the medical image diagnostic apparatus, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The present invention can be similarly applied to other medical image diagnostic apparatuses such as an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) apparatus.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a GPS or an IP address is used as a method for identifying the current location has been described. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. You may use the present location information by systems other than GPS, and identification information other than an IP address (for example, domain name etc.).

  In the above-described embodiment, the method of controlling whether or not the current location can be used automatically is described for each function after automatically identifying the current location. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. Absent. For example, when the software installed in the MRI apparatus 100 is prepared for each country or region, the MRI apparatus 100 automatically identifies the current location, and then restarts with the software of the corresponding country or region. It may be run on other software.

  In addition, each process of the above-described embodiment can be executed as a program. In this case, part or all of the instructions shown in the processing procedure of the above-described embodiment are described in the program. Then, the computer 130 reads the program from the storage medium storing the program and executes it. Then, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  According to the medical image diagnostic apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging apparatus of at least one embodiment described above, it can operate appropriately according to the country of installation or the area of installation.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

100 MRI apparatus 133 Control unit 133a Current location identification unit 133b Functional operation control unit 137 GPS unit

Claims (7)

An acquisition unit for acquiring information indicating the current location;
An identification unit for identifying the country or region where the medical image diagnostic apparatus is installed based on the acquired information;
A medical image diagnostic apparatus comprising: an operation control unit that controls an operation according to an identified country or an identified area.   The operation control unit restricts the operation according to the identified country or the identified region so that a function that is not approved in accordance with the laws of the country or the laws of the region does not operate. The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1.   When generating image data in DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) format, the operation control unit is attached with tag information of a standard corresponding to the identified country or the identified region. The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein generation of image data is controlled.   The operation control unit checks whether tag data of a standard conforming to the identified country or the identified region is attached when the DICOM format image data is transmitted to the medical image storage device. The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The acquisition unit acquires a signal from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite as information indicating the current location, or acquires a global IP (Internet Protocol) address from a server or network device existing in the current location. The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. An acquisition unit for acquiring information indicating the current location;
An identification unit for identifying the country or region in which the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is installed based on the acquired information;
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising: an operation control unit that controls an operation according to an identified country or an identified area.   The magnetic resonance according to claim 6, wherein the operation control unit limits at least one of use of an unapproved imaging sequence and use of an unapproved RF (Radio Frequency) coil. Imaging device.

Images