JP2018038807A - Medical image diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To present intuitively an influence that an edited imaging condition gives to imaging in editing of the imaging condition.SOLUTION: A medical image diagnostic apparatus comprises: a display part; and a change part. The display part displays an association chart indicating association among plural values which are set to the plural imaging parameters related to an imaging condition of a medical image, respectively. The change part updates the association chart according to a movement operation of a point corresponding to the value in the association chart, or according to a change operation of the imaging condition, and changes the imaging condition before the movement operation or before the change operation to an imaging condition in which the movement operation or the change operation is reflected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a medical image diagnostic apparatus.

  Conventionally, for example, when editing imaging conditions in a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, when changing imaging parameters, the setting range of other related imaging parameters is automatically calculated, and the other imaging parameters are stored within the calculated setting range. There is a function to adjust. The imaging conditions are edited as appropriate to optimize the imaging parameters.

JP 2005-501624 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-58294

  The purpose is to intuitively present to the operator the effect of the edited imaging condition on imaging when editing the imaging condition.

  The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a display unit and a changing unit. The display unit displays a relation diagram showing the relevance between a plurality of values respectively set in a plurality of imaging parameters related to imaging conditions for medical imaging. The changing unit updates the related diagram according to a movement operation of a point corresponding to the value in the related diagram or a change operation of the imaging condition, and the imaging before the moving operation or before the changing operation. The condition is changed to an imaging condition reflecting the moving operation or the changing operation.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of an operation according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the operation according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an edit screen and a related diagram displayed on the display according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a related diagram in which a fixing instruction is input with respect to the imaging parameter A according to a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an imaging index, an imaging index editing request, and an imaging parameter related to the imaging index according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of an operation according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation processing procedure according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an edit screen and a related diagram displayed on the display according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a related diagram in which a fixing instruction is input with respect to an imaging time that is an imaging index according to a modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an edit screen and a related diagram displayed on the display according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the adjustable range is superimposed on the radar chart when the radar chart is used as a related diagram regarding the first application example. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the adjustable range is superimposed on the bar graph when the bar graph is used as a related diagram regarding the first application example. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example when a tetrahedron is used as a related diagram regarding the third application example. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a medical image diagnostic apparatus regarding the fourth application example.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about the component which has a substantially the same structure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and duplication description shall be performed as needed.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The MRI apparatus 1 includes a bed 5, a top plate 7, a gantry 9, a static magnetic field power supply 12, a gradient magnetic field power supply 16, a transmitter 19, a receiver 21, a sequence controller 23, a control device 25, a storage device 27, an input interface device 29, A display device 31 and a processing device 33 are included.

  The bed 5 is installed so that the longitudinal direction is parallel to the central axis of the static magnetic field magnet 11. The bed drives the top board 7 under the control of the control device 25. The top plate 7 is moved in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction. The top plate 7 is inserted into a bore formed in the gantry 9 with the subject P placed thereon.

  The gantry 9 includes a static magnetic field magnet 11, a gradient magnetic field coil 15, and an RF coil 17. The static magnetic field magnet 11 is a superconducting magnet using a superconducting coil, and is configured in a cylindrical shape. The static magnetic field magnet 11 forms a static magnetic field in the imaging space by the current supplied from the static magnetic field power supply 12.

  The gradient magnetic field power supply 16 supplies a pulse current related to generation of the gradient magnetic field to the gradient magnetic field coil 15. The gradient coil 15 is provided inside the static magnetic field magnet 11 in the gantry 9. The gradient coil 15 has three sets of coils 15x, 15y, and 15z corresponding to the X, Y, and Z axes orthogonal to each other. These three coils generate a gradient magnetic field by supplying a current from the gradient magnetic field power supply 16. The Z-axis direction is, for example, the longitudinal direction of the bed 5. The Y-axis direction is a vertical direction, and the X-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis and the Y-axis.

  The transmitter 19 supplies a high-frequency pulse corresponding to the Larmor frequency for causing nuclear magnetic resonance to the RF coil 17. The RF coil 17 receives the supply of the high frequency pulse from the transmitter 19 and generates an RF pulse. The RF pulse excites the nuclei in the subject P. The RF coil 17 receives an MR signal generated when the nucleus in the subject P returns from the excited state. The receiver 21 performs various signal processing on the MR signal and then generates echo data. The receiver 21 outputs echo data to the sequence controller 23.

  The sequence controller 23 has a memory and a processor. The memory stores the preset read from the storage device 27. The preset is obtained by setting a plurality of imaging protocols having imaging conditions according to an imaging region and an imaging purpose in a desired order. The imaging condition is a combination of a plurality of imaging parameters. The imaging protocol is a unit of imaging defined by setting imaging parameters. The sequence controller 23 controls the gradient magnetic field power supply 16 and the transmitter 19 according to the imaging protocol. The sequence controller 23 transfers the echo data to the processing device 33. The control device 25 controls the overall operation of the MRI apparatus 1.

  The storage device 27 includes a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, and the like. The storage device 27 is an example of a storage unit. The storage device 27 stores a pulse sequence, a preset, an imaging protocol, an imaging parameter, and the like. The storage device 27 includes an operator instruction via the input interface device 29, MR images, various data received via the network, programs executed by various devices, and imaging parameters displayed on the display when editing imaging conditions. The edit screen etc. are memorized. The edit screen is a screen for inputting imaging parameter values.

  Imaging parameters include TR (repetition time), number of data acquisitions (number of times: NAQ), number of slices, matrix size, anti-aliasing, multi-coil parallel imaging rate, TI (inversion time: inversion). Time), Prepulse (number, Angle), segment number, Shot number, Prescan (RGN (reception gain), phase correction) contents, imaging parameters (asymmetric Fourier imaging: AFI) using complex conjugate symmetry, and TR repetition number (Coverage number), DWI axis number, Flip / Flop angle, TE (echo time), FOV (Field of View), Thic ness (slice thickness), Band width, (receiver coil), imaging region, time interval between echo trains in EPI or FASE pulse sequence (pulse ETS (echo train spacing)), B1 Shim Phase, MR data Fine filling (Fine Recon): Sampling Ratio, Filter, bed position, DWI intensity, sequence type (sequence type: RF type, GR Type, etc.), PE (phase encoding) ) Direction, resolution, number of coverage divisions, dB / dt, and the like. Note that anti-folding may be read as, for example, anti-folding coefficient. Note that the imaging parameters are not limited to the above description.

  The input interface device 29 captures various instructions, commands, information, selections, and settings from the operator into the MRI apparatus 1. The input interface device 29 is realized by a mouse, a keyboard, a microphone, and the like. The input interface device 29 is an example of an input unit. The input interface device 29 converts an input operation received from an operator into an electrical signal, and outputs the converted electrical signal to various devices. In the present specification, the input interface device 29 is not limited to a device having physical operation components such as a mouse and a keyboard. For example, electrical signal processing is performed such that an electrical signal corresponding to an input operation is received from an external input device provided separately from the MRI apparatus 1, and the received electrical signal is output to the control device 25 and the processing device 33. A circuit is also included in the example of the input interface device 29.

  The display device 31 displays various images, imaging parameter value editing screens, and the like under the control of the control device 25. The display device 31 is an example of a display unit.

  The processing device 33 includes a processor and a memory. The processing device 33 realizes functions corresponding to the program by executing various programs for executing each processing in the MRI apparatus 1. The processing device 33 executes data collection by reading the preset selected by the operator from the storage device 27 and outputting the preset to the sequence controller 23. The processing device 33 generates an MR image by performing two-dimensional or three-dimensional Fourier transform on the collected echo data or the like by the image generation function 331. The processing device 33 performs various image processing on the MR image. The image generation function 331 of the processing device 33 is an example of an image generation unit.

  The term “processor” used in the above description refers to, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (graphics processing unit), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (for example, Circuits such as a simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (Complex Programmable Logic Device: CPLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) Meaning.

  The processor implements various functions by reading and executing a program stored in the storage device 27. Instead of storing various programs in the storage device 27, the program may be directly incorporated into the processor circuit in the control device 25 or the processing device 33. In this case, the processor realizes the function by reading and executing the program incorporated in the circuit.

  The overall configuration of the MRI apparatus 1 according to this embodiment has been described above. Under such a configuration, the MRI apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a storage device 27 as a storage unit, a related diagram generation function 333 as a related diagram generation unit, and a display device 31 as a display unit. . The storage device 27 stores a plurality of imaging parameters in imaging conditions of magnetic resonance imaging and data indicating an influence relationship between the imaging parameters. The related diagram generation function 333 generates a related diagram that visually indicates the relationship between a plurality of values based on the plurality of values corresponding to the imaging parameters and the influence relationship. The display device 31 displays a related diagram. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the influence of the edited imaging condition on imaging can be intuitively presented to the operator at the time of editing the imaging condition. Hereinafter, the MRI apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  The storage device 27 according to the present embodiment stores a plurality of imaging parameters as imaging conditions for magnetic resonance imaging and data indicating an influence relationship between the plurality of imaging parameters. The data indicating the influence relationship is, for example, a correspondence table (Look Up Table) of the change amount of another imaging parameter with respect to the change amount of a certain imaging parameter. Note that the storage device 27 may store, as data indicating the influence relationship, a calculation formula for calculating the change amount of another imaging parameter with respect to the change amount of a certain imaging parameter, instead of the correspondence table. In addition, the data indicating the influence relationship includes a list indicating constraints (negative correlation, positive correlation, etc.) between a plurality of imaging parameters, and a weight indicating the extent to which the change amount of a certain imaging parameter affects other imaging parameters. It may be information having.

  The processing device 33 that implements the relationship diagram generation function 333 generates a relationship diagram that visually indicates the relationship between the plurality of values between the imaging parameters based on the plurality of values corresponding to the imaging parameters and the influence relationship. . The processing device 33 is an example of a related diagram generation unit. Graphs used as related diagrams are radar charts, bar graphs, and the like. Note that the type and number of imaging parameters displayed in the related diagram, the type of graph used as the related diagram, and the like can be appropriately selected by the operator.

  The input interface device 29 inputs an electrical signal corresponding to a point movement operation indicating the value of the imaging parameter in the related diagram (point movement input). The movement operation is an operation of moving the point along the increasing or decreasing direction of the imaging parameter in the related diagram. The input interface device 29 inputs the value of the imaging parameter on the editing screen. At this time, the input imaging parameter value is reflected in the related diagram by the processing device 33. That is, the position of the point in the related diagram is moved according to the value of the input imaging parameter.

  The processing device 33 that realizes the determination function 335 determines the value of the imaging parameter that is linked to the movement of the point in the related diagram, based on the change amount of the imaging parameter due to the movement of the point and the influence relationship. Further, the processing device 33 determines the value of the imaging parameter to be linked in the related diagram based on the imaging parameter value and the influence relationship input on the editing screen. The processing device 33 that implements the determination function 335 is an example of a determination unit.

  The processing device 33 that implements the changing function 337 captures the imaging condition before the moving operation in accordance with the moving operation of the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter, reflecting the change amount of the imaging parameter due to the movement of the point and the influence relationship. Change to conditions. At this time, the processing device 33 updates the related diagram by changing the relationship between the values of the plurality of imaging parameter values in the related diagram using the determined value. Further, the processing device 33 changes the imaging condition before the input operation to the imaging condition reflecting the change amount and the influence relationship of the imaging parameter after the input operation according to the input operation of the imaging parameter value. Thus, the input imaging parameter value is reflected in the related diagram. The processing device 33 that implements the change function 337 is an example of a change unit.

  The display device 31 displays a related diagram. Preferably, the display device 31 displays the related diagram together with the imaging parameter editing screen on the display. The display device 31 displays the updated related diagram in response to the movement operation. Hereinafter, for the sake of concrete explanation, the related diagram will be described as a radar chart. The number of axes in the radar chart corresponds to the total number of imaging parameters. Note that the display device 31 may display a plurality of radar charts according to the number of imaging parameters.

(Operation)
The operation according to the present embodiment is an operation for updating and displaying the radar chart in response to an operation for moving a point indicating the value of the imaging parameter on the radar chart or an input of the value of the imaging parameter on the editing screen. Hereinafter, a processing procedure according to the present embodiment will be described.

2 and 3 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the operation according to the present embodiment.
When editing the imaging conditions, an editing screen and a radar chart are displayed (step Sa1). On the radar chart, for example, imaging parameters included in a preset (or imaging protocol) selected by the operator are displayed. The edit screen and the radar chart may be displayed as different screens so that they can be switched.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the editing screen 20 and the radar chart 400 displayed on the display. A plurality of hatched portions on the editing screen in FIG. 4 are input areas for imaging parameter values on the editing screen. As shown in FIG. 4, the editing screen 20 displays supplementary information such as imaging content and imaging protocol name. In the radar chart 400, points indicating the values of the imaging parameters before editing corresponding to the imaging parameters A, B, C, D, and E are arranged at an equal distance from the center of the radar chart 400. The values of the imaging parameters before editing are the guidelines unique to the hospital where the MRI apparatus 1 is installed, the values recommended by the examination policy desired by the operator, the values recommended by the supplier of the MRI apparatus 1, the previous imaging This is the value of the result of editing the condition. The value of the imaging parameter before editing corresponds to a reference value when editing the imaging condition. The reference value is a representative value (average value, mode value, median value, etc.) of a plurality of the same imaging parameter values that are commonly included in a plurality of imaging protocols and a plurality of presets selected by the operator. There may be. For example, the dotted line base shown in FIG. 4 is a polygonal line connecting points indicating the reference values of the five imaging parameters in the radar chart 400, and corresponds to the relationship between the values of the five imaging parameters before editing.

  In the radar chart 400, the movement of the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter is input (step Sa2). Note that when at least two of the plurality of imaging parameters displayed on the radar chart 400 are set as targets for the moving operation, the points indicating the values of the set imaging parameters are moved together by the moving operation. An arrow 402 illustrated in FIG. 4 indicates a change amount of a point indicating the value of the imaging parameter B (amount of change of the imaging parameter) in the radar chart 400. The increase / decrease direction of the imaging parameter along the axis of the radar chart 400 can be set and changed as appropriate for each imaging parameter. For example, when the imaging parameter is TR, TR is preferably as short as possible from the viewpoint of improving throughput. For this reason, the direction away from the origin of the radar chart 400 is associated with the decreasing direction of TR.

  Subsequent to step Sa2, the value of the imaging parameter linked to the movement of the point in the radar chart 400 is determined based on the change amount of the imaging parameter and the influence relationship (step Sa3). Specifically, the value of the imaging parameter linked to the movement of the point is determined using the amount of change of the imaging parameter due to the movement of the point and the correspondence table. Note that the value of the imaging parameter linked to the movement of the point may be calculated using a change amount of the imaging parameter and a calculation formula.

  When the value of the imaging parameter is input on the editing screen (step Sa4), the imaging parameter value linked to the input of the value is determined in the radar chart 400 based on the imaging parameter related to the input value and the influence relationship. (Step Sa5). Specifically, the value of the imaging parameter linked to the input is determined using the imaging parameter change amount corresponding to the input value and the correspondence table. Note that the area in which the imaging parameter value is input is not limited to the editing screen, and is, for example, an area (pull-down, dialog box, etc.) displayed when the cursor is moved in the vicinity of the imaging parameter in the radar chart. May be.

  In the radar chart 400, the position of the point indicating the imaging parameter value is changed using the determined value, and the relevance between the imaging parameter values is also changed (step Sa6). In addition, on the editing screen, the value of the linked imaging parameter is changed to the determined value (step Sa7). With the change of the imaging parameter value, the editing screen 20 and the radar chart 400 are updated and displayed (step Sa8).

  An arrow 404 in FIG. 4 indicates the movement of the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter A among the plurality of imaging parameters linked to the movement of the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter B. As shown in FIG. 4, the points indicating the values of the imaging parameters A, C, D, and E in the radar chart 400 are linked to the movement of the points indicating the values of the imaging parameters B in association with the movements of the respective imaging parameters in the radar chart 400. Moved along the axis. For example, the solid broken line in the radar chart 400 indicates the relationship between the imaging parameter values changed in response to the movement of the point indicating the imaging parameter B value. As shown in FIG. 4, the relationship between the imaging parameter values before and after the movement of the point, that is, the balance of the plurality of imaging parameters is visualized in different display modes (for example, before editing: dotted line, after editing: solid line). Is shown on the display. The relationship between the imaging parameter values before and after the movement is distinguished by different line types, but may be distinguished by different display modes such as different hue and thickness.

  If the imaging parameter is not determined (No in step Sa9), the processes in steps Sa1 to Sa8 are repeated. When the imaging parameter is confirmed (Yes in step Sa9), the imaging condition before editing is changed to the imaging condition reflecting the value determined by the determination function 335 (step Sa10). Note that the imaging conditions that are commonly included in a plurality of imaging protocols (imaging groups) associated with each other using the pulse sequence, imaging purpose, imaging site, etc. are changed to imaging conditions that reflect the change amount and the influence relationship (batch Conversion). In addition, a plurality of imaging groups may be stored in advance, and the batch conversion may be executed on an imaging group arbitrarily selected by the operator.

  The imaging conditions changed in step Sa10 are stored in the storage device 27. Until the editing of the imaging conditions is completed, the processes in steps Sa1 to Sa10 are repeated (No in step Sa11). When the imaging condition is edited again (No in step Sa11), a normalization instruction for aligning the positions of a plurality of points on the radar chart 400 may be input. Specifically, the scale of each axis of the radar chart is changed in response to the input of the normalization instruction. Thereby, the positions of a plurality of points on the radar chart are aligned and displayed. In the related diagram in FIG. 4, points indicating the values of five imaging parameters are shown as an example, but the number of imaging parameters displayed in the related diagram is not limited to five. At this time, a solid line indicating the relationship between the imaging parameter values in the radar chart 400 is displayed as a regular polygon in accordance with the normalization instruction.

According to the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained.
According to the MRI apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of imaging parameters in imaging conditions of magnetic resonance imaging and data indicating an influence relationship between the imaging parameters are stored, and a plurality of values and influences corresponding to the imaging parameters are stored. Based on the relationship, a relationship diagram that visually indicates the relationship between the values is generated and displayed. Therefore, when editing the imaging conditions, it is possible to intuitively present the effect of the edited imaging conditions on imaging.

  For example, the position of the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter is changed together with the relationship between the values of the imaging parameter in accordance with the movement operation of the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter in the related diagram or the input of the value of the imaging parameter on the editing screen. Can be displayed in a related diagram, and the value of the imaging parameter on the editing screen can be changed and displayed. Further, according to the present MRI apparatus 1, it is possible to display a polygonal line corresponding to the base before the moving operation of the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter before and after editing of the imaging parameter. In addition, according to the MRI apparatus 1, it is possible to align the positions of a plurality of points indicating the imaging parameter values in the related diagram in accordance with the normalization instruction. Furthermore, according to the present MRI apparatus 1, in response to the confirmation of the value of the imaging parameter, the imaging conditions that are commonly included in the imaging group can be collectively changed in accordance with the determined value of the imaging parameter. .

  From the above, according to the MRI apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, in the editing of the imaging condition, the change in the value of the imaging parameter due to the restriction between the plurality of imaging parameters is displayed together with the relationship between the imaging parameter values and the base. It can be displayed visually in a related diagram, and a change in relevance between imaging parameter values relative to the base can be intuitively presented to the operator. That is, according to the present MRI apparatus 1, it is possible for the operator to easily grasp changes in other imaging parameters that are changed under the influence of the edited imaging parameters. For these reasons, it is possible to reduce the resetting of the imaging condition due to an unexpected change of the imaging parameter by the operator, and it is possible to improve the editing efficiency of the imaging condition and the throughput of the MRI examination.

(Modification)
This modification is configured to limit the movement of the interlocking points in the radar chart as compared to the first embodiment. Accordingly, the input interface device 29 inputs an instruction (limit instruction) for limiting the influence between the imaging parameters due to the movement of the point with respect to at least one of the plurality of imaging parameters displayed on the radar chart. The processing device 33 that implements the change function 337 changes the influence relationship according to a restriction instruction that restricts the influence between the imaging parameters due to the point movement operation. The processing device 33 that implements the determination function 335 determines the value of the linked imaging parameter based on the changed influence relationship and the imaging parameter change amount. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The movement limitation described above is, for example, movement relaxation and fixation. First, the relaxation of the influence between the imaging parameters due to the movement of the point will be described, and then the fixing of the point in the radar chart will be described.

(Reduction of influence between imaging parameters)
The input interface device 29 inputs a priority indicating the priority order of relaxation of movement as a restriction instruction. The smaller the priority, the smaller the influence between the imaging parameters. Note that the input interface device 29 may input a priority for the imaging parameter on the editing screen.

  The processing device 33 realizing the change function 337 changes the influence relationship according to the priority input as the restriction instruction. Specifically, the processing device 33 reduces the change amount of the imaging parameter specified by the restriction instruction in the correspondence table. That is, the processing device 33 reduces the degree of influence on the imaging parameter designated by the restriction instruction in the data indicating the influence relationship according to the priority. In addition, based on the priority and the influence relationship, the processing device 33 increases the change amount related to other imaging parameters for which the priority is not specified in order to reconcile the influence relationship according to the reduction in the change amount. .

  The processing device 33 that implements the determination function 335 determines the value of the imaging parameter that is linked to the movement based on the changed influence relationship and the amount of change of the imaging parameter due to the movement of the point.

  The display device 31 displays a marker indicating the priority at a point indicating the value of the imaging parameter for which the priority is specified in the radar chart. The marker indicating the priority is, for example, a predetermined graphic having a numerical value indicating the priority.

  The operation of the point related to the imaging parameter designated as the restriction instruction becomes slow in the interlocking with the movement operation or the change operation. In other words, the point relating to the imaging parameter for which the restriction instruction has been received is less likely to be affected by the moving operation or the changing operation, and thus the point on the radar chart is less likely to move. In addition, the movement operation for the imaging parameter for which the restriction instruction has been received is also suppressed, and the point relating to the imaging parameter for which the restriction instruction has been received becomes difficult to move on the radar chart. The restriction instruction is useful when it is desired to set restrictions on the linkage of the imaging parameters by the moving operation or the changing operation.

(Fixing imaging parameters)
The input interface device 29 inputs, as a restriction instruction, a fixing instruction for fixing a point indicating the value of the imaging parameter in the radar chart for at least one of the plurality of imaging parameters displayed on the radar chart. Note that the input interface device 29 may input a fixing instruction for the imaging parameter on the editing screen.

  The processing device 33 that implements the change function 337 changes the influence relationship according to the fixing instruction. Specifically, the processing device 33 sets the change amount of the imaging parameter designated by the restriction instruction in the correspondence table to zero. In other words, the processing device 33 sets the degree of influence on the imaging parameter designated by the fixed instruction in the data indicating the influence relationship to zero. In addition, the processing device 33 increases the amount of change related to other imaging parameters not specified by the fixing instruction in order to reconcile the influence relation based on the imaging parameters specified by the fixing instruction and the influence relation.

  Based on the changed influence relationship and the amount of change of the imaging parameter due to the movement of the point, the processing device 33 that realizes the determination function 335 obtains the values of the other linked imaging parameters excluding the imaging parameter specified by the fixed instruction. decide.

  The display device 31 displays a marker indicating fixation at a point indicating the value of the imaging parameter designated by the fixation instruction in the radar chart. The marker indicating fixation is, for example, a bowl-shaped figure.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a radar chart 500 in which a fixing instruction is input with respect to the imaging parameter A. At a point indicating the value of the imaging parameter A in FIG. 5, a marker 501 indicating fixation is displayed as an image having a bowl shape. As shown in FIG. 5, in the point movement 502 indicating the value of the imaging parameter B, the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter A remains fixed. Reference numeral 503 in the radar chart 500 indicates the position of the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter A in the case of the unfixed instruction in the point movement 502 indicating the value of the imaging parameter B and the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter A by the fixing instruction. The difference with the position is shown. Reference numeral 504 in the radar chart 500 indicates a moving amount of a point indicating the value of the imaging parameter C when the imaging parameter A is fixed.

  When the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter B in the radar chart 500 of FIG. 5 is moved beyond the position indicating the limit value of the imaging parameter (hereinafter referred to as the parameter limit position), the point is returned to the parameter limit position. It is. That is, the movement of the point indicating the value of the non-fixed imaging parameter is limited by the parameter limit position. When the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter B is moved beyond the parameter limit position, the marker 501 is displayed in a different display mode such as a laid-down saddle shape at a position deviated from the position specified by the fixing instruction. May be. At this time, the fixation of the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter A is released, and character information that warns that the fixation of the point is released, for example, a character string such as “Are you sure you want to release the fixation?” May be displayed.

According to the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained.
According to the MRI apparatus 1 according to the present modification, a restriction instruction for restricting the influence between the imaging parameters due to the movement of the points is input to the imaging parameters displayed in the related diagram, and the influence relation is changed according to the restriction instruction. Based on the changed influence relationship and the change amount of the imaging parameter, the value of the imaging parameter linked to the movement is determined. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, when editing the imaging condition when the influence between the imaging parameters is limited, the influence of the edited imaging condition on imaging can be intuitively presented to the operator. it can.

  For example, in the related diagram, the movement of the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter can be restricted. In addition, according to the present MRI apparatus 1, markers can be displayed for imaging parameters for which movement restriction is specified in the related diagram. For this reason, the operator can visually recognize the fluctuation state of the points indicating the values of other imaging parameters to which priority is not given, together with the relevance between the imaging parameter values.

  Further, according to the MRI apparatus 1, the position of the point can be fixed so that the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter does not move in the related diagram. Thus, the operator can intuitively visually recognize how the other imaging parameters fluctuate due to the fixation of the imaging parameters, together with the relationship between the imaging parameter values. For these reasons, according to the present MRI apparatus 1, it is possible to prevent the imaging parameter from being changed unexpectedly by the operator, to eliminate the need to reset the imaging condition, and to improve the imaging condition editing throughput.

(Second Embodiment)
Compared with the first embodiment, the present embodiment moves points indicating values of a plurality of imaging indices that are related to a plurality of imaging parameters and indicate an influence on magnetic resonance imaging in the related diagram, and the values of the imaging indices are compared with each other. It is configured to display together with the relevance. Accordingly, the processing device 33 that realizes the related diagram generation function 333 is based on a plurality of values and influence relationships corresponding to a plurality of imaging indexes that indicate an influence on magnetic resonance imaging in relation to imaging parameters. A relation diagram that visually shows the relation between values is generated. The display device 31 displays a related diagram. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The storage device 27 according to the present embodiment stores a plurality of imaging indices. Each of the plurality of imaging indices is an index indicating the degree of influence of imaging conditions on imaging. Note that the imaging index may be an index related to an artifact. At this time, the value of the imaging index is a value indicating the degree of artifact. The storage device 27 stores a conversion table indicating a conversion relationship between the value of the imaging parameter and the value of the imaging index. The storage device 27 may store a conversion formula indicating a conversion relationship between the value of the imaging parameter and the value of the imaging index instead of the conversion table.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an imaging parameter, an imaging index editing request, and an imaging parameter related to the imaging index. As shown in FIG. 6, each of the plurality of imaging indexes is related to another imaging index via the imaging parameters. The value of the imaging index is related to each other via the influence relationship between the plurality of imaging parameters and the conversion table.

  The processing device 33 that realizes the relationship diagram generation function 333 associates a plurality of values with each other based on a plurality of values corresponding to a plurality of imaging indices that indicate an influence on the magnetic resonance imaging in relation to the imaging parameter and an influence relationship. Generate a relationship diagram that visually shows gender. Note that the type and number of imaging indices displayed in the related diagram can be appropriately selected by the operator.

  The input interface device 29 inputs an electrical signal corresponding to a point moving operation indicating the value of the imaging index in the related diagram (point movement input). The movement operation is an operation of moving the point along the increasing direction or decreasing direction of the imaging index in the related diagram. The difference from the first embodiment is that the object indicated by the point in the related diagram is different.

  The processing device 33 that realizes the determination function 335 determines the value of the imaging index that is linked to the movement of the point in the related diagram based on the change amount and the influence relationship of the imaging parameter that accompanies the change of the value of the imaging index due to the movement of the point. decide.

  The processing device 33 that realizes the change function 337 changes the relationship between the values of the imaging indices in the related diagram using the determined imaging index value in accordance with the movement operation of the point indicating the imaging index value. To update the related diagram.

  The display device 31 displays a relational diagram that visually indicates the relevance of a plurality of values corresponding to a plurality of imaging indices that are related to the imaging parameters and have an influence on magnetic resonance imaging. Hereinafter, for the sake of concrete explanation, the related diagram will be described as a radar chart. The number of axes in the radar chart corresponds to the total number of imaging indices. Note that the display device 31 may display a plurality of radar charts according to the number of imaging indices.

(Operation)
The operation according to the present embodiment is an operation for updating and displaying the radar chart in response to an operation of moving a point indicating the value of the imaging index on the radar chart or an input of the imaging parameter value on the editing screen. Hereinafter, a processing procedure according to the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the operation according to the present embodiment.
For example, the imaging index selected by the operator is displayed on the radar chart displayed when editing the imaging conditions. Note that the imaging index may be newly created in accordance with a plurality of imaging parameters specified by the operator. At this time, the value of the new imaging index is determined using the values of the plurality of imaging parameters designated by the operator and the influence relationship. In addition, the conversion relationship between the value of the new imaging index and the value of the imaging parameter is newly created by, for example, an operator instruction or a predetermined learning function, and added to the conversion table. Instead of the conversion table, a conversion relationship between the value of the imaging parameter and the value of the imaging index is newly created by an operator instruction or a predetermined learning function, and is newly stored in the storage device 27 as a conversion formula. It may be stored.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the editing screen 20 and the radar chart 900 displayed on the display. Points indicating the value of the imaging index before editing corresponding to the imaging index (SNR, SAR, resolution, MR image distortion, imaging time) in the radar chart 900 are arranged at equal distances from the center of the radar chart 900. . The value of the imaging index before editing is a guideline unique to the hospital where the MRI apparatus 1 is installed, a value recommended by an examination policy desired by the operator, a value recommended by a supplier of the MRI apparatus 1, and the like. The value of the imaging index before editing corresponds to a reference value when editing imaging conditions. For example, the dotted line base shown in FIG. 9 is a broken line connecting points indicating the reference values of the five imaging indices in the radar chart 900, and corresponds to the relationship between the values of the five imaging indices before editing. Note that a reference image related to the reference value of the imaging index may be displayed on the display together with the editing screen 20 and the radar chart 900. The reference image corresponding to the reference value is stored in the storage device 27.

  In the radar chart 900, the movement of the point indicating the value of the imaging index is input (step Sb1). Note that when at least two of the plurality of imaging indices displayed on the radar chart 900 are set as targets for the moving operation, the points indicating the set imaging index values are moved together by the moving operation. An arrow 902 illustrated in FIG. 9 indicates a change amount of the point indicating the value of the imaging index: SNR (amount of change of the imaging index) in the radar chart 900. The increase / decrease direction of the imaging index along the axis of the radar chart 900 can be appropriately set and changed for each imaging index. For example, when the imaging index is SNR, the SNR is preferably as high as possible from the viewpoint of improving the image quality as shown in FIG. For this reason, the direction away from the origin of the radar chart 900 is associated with the increasing direction of the SNR.

  Subsequent to step Sb1, the value of the imaging index associated with the movement of the point in the radar chart 900 is determined based on the change amount of the imaging index and the influence relationship (step Sb2). Specifically, first, the amount of change of the imaging parameter linked to the movement of the point is determined using the amount of change of the value of the imaging index corresponding to the moved point and the conversion correspondence table. Next, similarly to the description in the first embodiment, the value of the imaging parameter that is affected is determined based on the change amount of the imaging parameter and the influence relationship. Subsequently, the value of the imaging index linked to the movement of the point in the radar chart 900 is determined using the determined imaging parameter value and the conversion correspondence table. Note that the value of the linked imaging index may be calculated using the imaging index change amount corresponding to the moved point, the conversion formula, and the calculation formula. In the radar chart 900 in FIG. 9, the imaging indices linked to the movement of the point indicating the SNR value are SAR, resolution, and imaging time with reference to FIG.

  As an example of determining the imaging index value, a case where the SNR value is increased by 5 (+5) will be described. For simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that the imaging parameters related to the SNR are TR and flip angle. At this time, the TR change amount and the flip angle change amount are determined using the SNR change amount (+5) and the conversion table. Next, the value of the imaging parameter affected by the change in TR is determined based on the change amount of TR and the influence relationship. In addition, the value of the imaging parameter that is affected by the flip angle change is determined based on the flip angle change amount and the influence relationship. Next, the value of the imaging index linked to the movement of the point indicating the SNR value is determined using the determined imaging parameter value and the conversion table. Note that the value of the imaging index linked to the movement of the point indicating the SNR value may be determined using the determined imaging parameter value and the conversion formula.

  When the value of the imaging parameter is input on the editing screen (step Sb3), the value of the imaging index that is linked to the input of the value in the radar chart 900 is determined based on the imaging parameter and the influence relationship regarding the input value. (Step Sb4). Specifically, first, the value of the imaging parameter affected by the input of the imaging parameter value is determined using the imaging parameter change amount corresponding to the input value and the correspondence table. Next, the value of the imaging index linked to the input of the imaging parameter value is determined in the radar chart 900 using the determined imaging parameter value and the conversion table.

  In the radar chart 900, the position of the point indicating the value of the imaging index is changed using the determined value of the imaging index, and the relationship between the values of the imaging index is also changed (step Sb5). In addition, the value of the imaging parameter on the editing screen is changed based on the determined imaging index value and the conversion table. With the change of the imaging index value and the imaging parameter value, the editing screen 20 and the radar chart 900 are updated and displayed (step Sb6). In FIG. 9, the imaging index called MR image distortion is irrelevant to the movement of the point indicating the value of the imaging index called SNR. For this reason, in the update of the radar chart 900, the point indicating the value of the distortion of the MR image does not change.

  In FIG. 9, reference numeral 904 denotes movement of the point indicating the value of the imaging time among a plurality of imaging indices linked to the movement of the point indicating the SNR value. As shown in FIG. 9, the points indicating the SAR, resolution, and imaging time values in the radar chart 900 are moved along the axis of the radar chart 900 in conjunction with the movement of the points indicating the SNR values. For example, a solid broken line in the radar chart 900 indicates the relationship between the imaging index values changed in response to the movement of the point indicating the SNR value. As shown in FIG. 9, the relationship between imaging index values before and after the movement of a point, that is, the balance of a plurality of imaging indices is visualized in different display modes (for example, before editing: dotted line, after editing: solid line). Appears on the display.

  A simulated image may be displayed together with the updated editing screen 20 and the radar chart 900 when the editing screen 20 and the radar chart 900 are updated. The simulated image is generated based on the imaging condition and the reference image regarding the changed imaging index in the process of step Sb6. The simulated image is an image in which an imaging result related to the imaging index in the updated radar chart 900 is simulated. For example, when the SNR value is larger than the reference value, the simulated image is an image with lower noise than the reference image. In addition, when the resolution value is larger than the reference value, the simulated image is a higher definition image than the reference image.

  If the imaging index and the imaging parameter are not determined (No in step Sb7), the processes in steps Sb1 to Sb6 are repeated. When the imaging index and the imaging parameter are determined (Yes in step Sb7), the imaging condition before editing is changed to the imaging condition reflecting the value determined by the determination function 335 (step Sb8). Until the editing of the imaging conditions is completed, the processes of steps Sb1 to Sb7 are repeated (No in step Sb9).

  When the imaging condition is edited again (No in step Sb9), a normalization instruction for aligning the positions of a plurality of points in the radar chart 900 may be input. Specifically, the scale of each axis of the radar chart is changed in response to the input of the normalization instruction. Thereby, a plurality of points in the radar chart are aligned and displayed. For example, in the radar chart 900, a solid line indicating the relationship between the imaging index values is displayed as a regular pentagon according to the normalization instruction.

  When the imaging condition is edited again (No in step Sb9), the simulated image generated according to the moving operation may be displayed as the reference image together with the updated editing screen 20 and the radar chart 900. Good. At this time, the generated simulated image is updated and stored as a new reference image.

According to the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained.
According to the MRI apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of imaging parameters in the imaging conditions of magnetic resonance imaging and data indicating the influence relationship between the imaging parameters are stored, and the influence on the magnetic resonance imaging in relation to the imaging parameters. Based on the plurality of values corresponding to the plurality of imaging indices indicating the influence and the influence relationship, a relation diagram visually showing the relationship between the plurality of values is generated and displayed. Therefore, when editing the imaging conditions, it is possible to intuitively present the effect of the edited imaging conditions on imaging.

  For example, the position of the point indicating the value of the imaging index is changed together with the relationship between the values of the imaging index in accordance with the movement operation of the point indicating the value of the imaging index in the related diagram or the input of the value of the imaging parameter on the editing screen. Can be displayed in a related diagram, and the value of the imaging parameter on the editing screen can be changed and displayed. Further, according to the present MRI apparatus 1, it is possible to display a polygonal line corresponding to the base before the moving operation of the point indicating the value of the imaging index before and after editing of the imaging index and imaging parameters. In addition, according to the present MRI apparatus 1, it is possible to align the positions of a plurality of points indicating the value of the imaging index in the related diagram according to the normalization instruction. Further, according to the MRI apparatus 1, a simulated image reflecting the value of the imaging index is generated in accordance with the movement operation of the point indicating the value of the imaging index in the related diagram or the input of the imaging parameter value on the editing screen. Thus, it can be displayed together with the related diagram and the editing screen. For example, if any imaging index is an index related to an artifact, and the value of this imaging index is a value indicating the degree of the artifact, the influence of the editing result on the other imaging index on the imaging index regarding the artifact is simulated. It can be presented intuitively to the operator via an image.

  From the above, according to the MRI apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, in the editing of the imaging conditions, the change in the value of the imaging index due to the restriction between the plurality of imaging parameters is displayed together with the relationship between the imaging index values and the base. It can be displayed visually in a related diagram, and the change in the relevance between the values of the imaging index with respect to the base can be intuitively presented to the operator. As a result, it is possible to solve the problem that it is difficult to understand the influence on the imaging due to the imaging conditions after editing the imaging parameters. For example, when the imaging parameter set for each hospital is not an appropriate imaging parameter depending on the subject, fine adjustment of the imaging parameter is necessary for each subject. The influence on the imaging can be intuitively presented to the operator, the resetting of the imaging conditions is unnecessary, and the editing efficiency of the imaging conditions and the throughput of the MRI examination can be improved.

(Modification)
Compared with the second embodiment, this modification is configured to limit the movement of linked points in the radar chart. Accordingly, the input interface device 29 inputs an instruction (limit instruction) for limiting the influence between the imaging indices due to the movement of the point to at least one of the plurality of imaging indices displayed in the related diagram. The processing device 33 that implements the change function 337 changes the influence relationship according to the restriction instruction. The processing device 33 that implements the determination function 335 determines the value of the linked imaging index based on the changed influence relationship and the imaging parameter change amount. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

  The movement limitation described above is, for example, relaxation and fixation of movement. First, the mitigation of the influence between the imaging indices due to the movement of the points will be described, and then the fixing of the points in the radar chart will be described.

(Reduction of influence between imaging indices)
The input interface device 29 inputs a priority indicating the priority order of relaxation of movement as a restriction instruction. The smaller the priority, the smaller the influence between the imaging indices.

  The processing device 33 that implements the determination function 335 determines the value of the imaging index that is linked to the movement, based on the change amount of the imaging parameter that accompanies the change of the value of the imaging index due to the movement of the point and the changed influence relationship. .

  The display device 31 displays a marker indicating the priority at a point indicating the value of the imaging index for which the priority is specified in the radar chart.

  The operation of the point related to the imaging index designated as the restriction instruction becomes slow in conjunction with the movement operation or the change operation. In other words, the point related to the imaging index that has received the restriction instruction is less likely to be affected by the movement operation or the change operation, and thus is less likely to move in the radar chart. In addition, the movement operation with respect to the imaging index that has received the restriction instruction is also suppressed, and the point related to the imaging index that has received the restriction instruction becomes difficult to move on the radar chart. The restriction instruction is useful when it is desired to set a restriction on the linkage of the imaging index by the moving operation or the changing operation.

(Fixed imaging index)
The input interface device 29 inputs, as a restriction instruction, a fixing instruction for fixing a point indicating the value of the imaging index on the radar chart for at least one of the plurality of imaging indices displayed on the radar chart.

  The processing device 33 that implements the determination function 335 performs other processing except for the imaging index specified by the fixed instruction based on the change amount of the imaging parameter accompanying the change of the imaging index value due to the movement of the point and the changed influence relationship. The value of the linked imaging index is determined.

  The display device 31 displays a marker indicating fixation at a point indicating the value of the imaging index designated by the fixation instruction in the radar chart.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the radar chart 100 in which a fixed instruction is input with respect to the imaging time. At the point indicating the value of the imaging time in FIG. 10, a marker 101 indicating fixation is displayed as a bowl-shaped image. As shown in FIG. 10, in the point movement 102 indicating the SNR value, the point indicating the imaging time value remains fixed. 103 in the radar chart 100 indicates a difference between the point position indicating the imaging time value in the case of an unfixed instruction and the position of the point indicating the imaging time value in the fixed instruction in the point movement 102 indicating the SNR value. Is shown. 104 in the radar chart 100 indicates the amount of movement of a point indicating the SAR value when the imaging time is fixed.

  In the radar chart 100 of FIG. 10, when the point indicating the SNR value is moved beyond the position indicating the limit value of the imaging index (hereinafter referred to as the index limit position), the point is returned to the index limit position. . That is, the movement of the point indicating the value of the non-fixed imaging index is limited by the index limit position. When the point indicating the SNR value is moved beyond the index limit position, the marker 101 is displayed in a different display mode such as a laid-down saddle shape at a position deviated from the position specified by the fixing instruction. Also good. At this time, the fixing of the point indicating the value of the imaging time may be released, and character information that warns that the fixing of the point indicating the value of the imaging index is released may be displayed.

According to the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained.
According to the MRI apparatus 1 according to the present modification, a restriction instruction for restricting the influence between the imaging parameters due to the movement of the points is input to the imaging index displayed in the related diagram, and the influence relation is changed according to the restriction instruction. Based on the changed influence relationship and the change amount of the imaging parameter accompanying the change of the imaging index, the value of the imaging index linked to the movement is determined. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the second embodiment, when editing the imaging conditions when the influence between the imaging indices is limited, it is possible to intuitively present to the operator the effect of the edited imaging conditions on the imaging. it can.

  For example, in the related diagram, the movement of the point indicating the value of the imaging index can be restricted. In addition, according to the present MRI apparatus 1, it is possible to display a marker for an imaging index for which movement restriction is specified in the related diagram. For this reason, the operator can visually recognize the fluctuation state of the points indicating the values of the other imaging indices to which the priority is not given together with the relevance between the imaging index values.

  In addition, according to the present MRI apparatus 1, in the related diagram, the position of the point can be fixed so that the point indicating the value of the imaging index does not move. Accordingly, the operator can intuitively visually recognize how the other imaging indices fluctuate due to the fixation of the imaging indices, together with the relevance between the imaging index values. For these reasons, according to the MRI apparatus 1, it is possible to prevent the imaging index from being changed unexpectedly by the operator, to eliminate the need to reset the imaging conditions, and to improve the imaging condition editing throughput.

(Third embodiment)
Compared with the first embodiment and the second embodiment, this embodiment relates to a plurality of points indicating a plurality of imaging index values indicating influence on magnetic resonance imaging in relation to a plurality of imaging parameters. The point indicating the value of the imaging parameter is moved and displayed together with the relationship between the imaging index and the imaging parameter value. Accordingly, the processing device 33 that implements the relationship diagram generation function 333 includes a plurality of imaging indexes that indicate an influence on the magnetic resonance imaging in relation to the imaging parameters, a plurality of values corresponding to the plurality of imaging parameters, and an influence relationship. Based on the above, a relation diagram that visually shows the relation between a plurality of values is generated. The display device 31 displays a related diagram. About another structure, it is the same as that of the structure of 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment.

  The input interface device 29 inputs an electric signal according to a point moving operation indicating the value of the imaging index in the related diagram and a parameter moving operation indicating the value of the imaging parameter.

  The display device 31 displays a relational diagram indicating the relevance of a plurality of values corresponding to a plurality of imaging indices and imaging parameters, which indicate the influence on the magnetic resonance imaging in relation to the imaging parameters. The display device 31 may display a reference image or a simulated image reflecting the imaging index value and the imaging parameter value in the related diagram, together with the related diagram. Hereinafter, for the sake of specific explanation, it is assumed that the graph used in the related diagram is a radar chart. The number of axes in the radar chart corresponds to, for example, the number of imaging parameters and the number of imaging indices selected by the operator.

(Operation)
The operation according to the present embodiment is a combination of the operations according to the first and second embodiments. That is, the processing procedure according to the operation of the present embodiment is a flowchart that combines the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 7, and 8. For this reason, the processing procedure of the operation according to the present embodiment is omitted.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the editing screen 20 and the radar chart 110 displayed on the display. Imaging indices in the radar chart 110 are resolution and imaging time, and imaging parameters are imaging parameters B, C, and E. Points indicating values before editing corresponding to resolution, imaging time, imaging parameters B, C, and E in the radar chart 110 are arranged at an equal distance from the center of the radar chart 110.

  An arrow 112 illustrated in FIG. 11 indicates a change amount of the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter B in the radar chart 110 (change amount of the imaging parameter B). Note that when at least two of the plurality of imaging indices and the plurality of imaging parameters displayed on the radar chart 110 are set as targets for the point movement operation, the point indicating the value of the set imaging index and the imaging The points indicating the parameter values are moved together by the moving operation. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 114 denotes movement of a point indicating the value of the imaging time among a plurality of imaging indices linked to movement of the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter B. As shown in FIG. 11, the points indicating the values of the imaging parameter C, the resolution, and the imaging parameter E in the radar chart 110 are linked with the movement of the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter B along the axis of the radar chart 110. Moved. For example, the solid broken line in the radar chart 110 indicates the relationship between the imaging parameter value changed in response to the movement of the point indicating the imaging parameter B value and the imaging parameter value. As shown in FIG. 11, before and after the movement of the point, the relationship between the value of the imaging index and the value of the imaging parameter, that is, the balance between the imaging index and the imaging parameter differs in different display modes (for example, before editing: dotted line, after editing) : Solid line) and displayed on the display.

According to the configuration described above, in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
According to the MRI apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of imaging parameters in the imaging conditions of magnetic resonance imaging and data indicating the influence relationship between the imaging parameters are stored, and the influence on the magnetic resonance imaging in relation to the imaging parameters. Based on a plurality of values corresponding to a plurality of imaging indices and a plurality of imaging parameters, and an influence relationship, a relation diagram visually showing the relevance between the plurality of values is generated and displayed. Therefore, when editing the imaging conditions, it is possible to intuitively present the effect of the edited imaging conditions on imaging.

  For example, in the related diagram, the relationship between the plurality of values corresponding to the imaging index and the imaging parameter is changed in accordance with the movement operation of the point indicating the plurality of values corresponding to the imaging index and the imaging parameter. Can be displayed. Thereby, according to the MRI apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, in the editing of the imaging condition under the restriction between the imaging parameters, the relationship between the plurality of values corresponding to the imaging index and the imaging parameter is calculated based on At the same time, it is displayed in a relation diagram, and the change in the relation can be intuitively presented to the operator.

(Modification)
Compared with the third embodiment, the present modified example is configured to limit the movement of points indicating values of imaging indices and imaging parameters that are linked in the radar chart. Along with this, the input interface device 29 inputs an instruction (limit instruction) for limiting the influence between the imaging parameters due to the movement of the points with respect to the imaging index and the imaging parameters displayed in the related diagram. The processing device 33 that implements the change function 337 changes the influence relationship according to the restriction instruction. The processing device 33 that implements the determination function 335 determines the linked imaging index and imaging parameter value based on the changed influence relationship and the imaging parameter change amount. Other configurations are the same as the configurations of the first to third embodiments. In addition, since the configuration and the content of the operation in this modification correspond to a combination of the modification of the first embodiment and the modification of the second embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  According to the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 1 described above, a plurality of imaging parameters in the imaging conditions of magnetic resonance imaging and data indicating the influence relationship between the imaging parameters are stored and given to the magnetic resonance imaging in relation to the imaging parameters. Based on a plurality of values corresponding to at least one of a plurality of imaging indices indicating influence and a plurality of imaging parameters, and an influence relationship, a relation diagram that visually indicates the relevance between the plurality of values is generated and displayed. By doing this, it is possible to intuitively present to the operator the effect of the edited imaging condition on imaging when editing the imaging condition.

(First application example)
In this application example, on the axis on the radar chart, the clinically recommended range of imaging parameter values (hereinafter referred to as an adjustable range) is displayed superimposed on the radar chart in a display mode such as shading. There is. In other words, the range excluding the adjustable range in the radar chart corresponds to a range of imaging parameter values that are not clinically recommended. For this reason, at the time of editing the imaging conditions, the value of the imaging parameter is limited to the adjustable range. For example, in the radar chart 400 in FIG. 4, the adjustable range is between the minimum value that the imaging parameter can take (the center of the radar chart) and the maximum value that the imaging parameter can take (the outermost vertex of the radar chart). Is displayed. The maximum value and the minimum value of the imaging parameters in the radar chart correspond to limit values for hardware such as a hard limit of dB / dt, for example. The hard limit may be associated with the maximum value and the minimum value in the adjustable range.

  As an application example, in the change of the imaging parameter value according to the moving operation or the changing operation, the changed imaging parameter value may be limited within the adjustable range. At this time, the movement of the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter in the radar chart is limited within the adjustable range. Instead of displaying the adjustable range, the range that the imaging parameter value can take may be limited within the adjustable range. Hereinafter, processing according to this application example will be described.

  The processing device 33 that realizes the determination function 335 uses each of the imaging parameters based on at least one of a sequence in MR imaging (medical imaging), an imaging purpose, an imaging region, and subject information, and an influence relationship between imaging parameters. Set the adjustable range at. The subject information is transmitted to the MRI apparatus 1 from a radiology information system (RIS) or the like via a network (not shown) together with the patient ID, for example. The subject information is, for example, various information regarding the height, weight, sex, body type, and implant of the subject P, and various contraindication information regarding the subject P. The various types of information on the implant include, for example, the position of the implant in the subject P, the type of implant (pacemaker, artificial tooth, clip, stent, artificial valve, cochlear implant, artificial joint, etc.), and implant material (metal type, silicon) Etc.). The contraindication information includes, for example, the progress of pregnancy, the presence / absence of metal fragments in the body, the presence / absence of permanent tattoos, and the presence / absence of various screws.

  The adjustable range may be stored in advance in the storage device 27 as a default according to the sequence, the imaging purpose, the imaging site, and the subject information. Further, the adjustable range may be changed and input as appropriate according to an operator instruction via the input interface device 29.

  The processing device 33 that implements the change function 337 superimposes the adjustable range on the radar chart and limits the value of the imaging parameter within the adjustable range in the change of the imaging parameter value according to the moving operation or the changing operation. Or at least one of them. Note that the processing device 33 may change the adjustable range using an influence relationship between the imaging parameters or the like according to a change in the value of the imaging parameter in accordance with the movement operation or the change operation. The change of the adjustable range is, for example, the width of the adjustable range on the axis of each imaging parameter in the radar chart. The change of the adjustable range will be described in an example described later.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the adjustable range is superimposed on the radar chart when the radar chart is used as the related diagram. The radar chart in FIG. 12 corresponds to the radar chart 400 in FIG. A plurality of shaded APLs in FIG. 12 indicate adjustable ranges corresponding to the imaging parameters A, B, C, D, and E, respectively.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the adjustable range is superimposed on the bar graph when the bar graph is used as the related diagram. The bar graph in FIG. 13 corresponds to the radar chart 400 in FIG. A line connecting the vertices of a plurality of bars in the bar graph shown in FIG. 13 corresponds to the relationship between the values of the five imaging parameters after editing. A plurality of shaded APLs in FIG. 13 indicate adjustable ranges corresponding to the imaging parameters A, B, C, D, and E, respectively. An arrow 402 illustrated in FIG. 13 indicates a change amount of the imaging parameter B in the bar graph. An arrow 404 in FIG. 13 indicates a change in the height of the bar indicating the value of the imaging parameter A among the plurality of imaging parameters linked to the change in the height of the bar indicating the value of the imaging parameter B. As shown in FIG. 13, the height of the bar indicating the values of the imaging parameters A, C, D, and E is changed in conjunction with the change in the height of the bar indicating the value of the imaging parameter B. The solid line in the bar graph shown in FIG. 13 indicates the relationship between the imaging parameter values changed in response to the change in the height of the bar indicating the imaging parameter B value. As shown in FIG. 13, the relationship between the imaging parameter values before and after the change in the height of the rod, that is, the balance of the plurality of imaging parameters is different in display mode (for example, before editing: dotted line, after editing: solid line). It is visualized and displayed on the display.

  Although the above description in this application example is an explanation using imaging parameters, this application example may be implemented for imaging indices, or may be implemented by mixing imaging parameters and imaging indices. . Since the adjustable range regarding the imaging index can be understood by replacing the imaging parameter in the above description with the imaging index, the description is omitted. Hereinafter, an example of a case where imaging parameters and imaging indices are mixed will be described.

  In the related diagram, when SAR is displayed as an imaging index and dB / dt and TR are displayed as imaging parameters, when the point indicating the value of SAR is lowered (decreasing SAR), the point indicating dB / dt does not change. The point indicating TR is moved to a position indicating a large value within the adjustable range.

  The change of the adjustable range will be described by taking as an example a case where the image quality is displayed as the imaging index and the double speed ratio is displayed as the imaging parameter on the radar chart as shown in FIG. At this time, the adjustable range as a default in the double speed rate is assumed to be 2 to 8 times. Further, in such a radar chart, when the point indicating the image quality value is moved toward the higher image quality by the moving operation, the adjustable range regarding the double speed rate is changed from 2 times to 4 times. That is, the adjustable range is changed in consideration of the property of the imaging parameter with respect to the imaging index, based on the influence relationship between the plurality of imaging parameters and the conversion table.

According to the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects described in the other embodiments.
According to the MRI apparatus 1 according to this application example, the adjustable range indicating the clinically recommended range regarding the imaging parameter value is superimposed on the related diagram, and the imaging parameter value corresponding to the moving operation or the changing operation is set. In the change, at least one of limiting the value of the imaging parameter within the adjustable range can be executed. Further, according to the MRI apparatus 1 according to this application example, the adjustable range indicating the clinically recommended range with respect to the value of the imaging index is superimposed on the related diagram, and the imaging index corresponding to the moving operation or the changing operation is displayed. It is possible to execute at least one of limiting the value of the imaging index within the adjustable range in changing the value. Thereby, according to the MRI apparatus 1 according to this application example, the imaging conditions can be edited within the clinically recommended adjustable range, so that the editing efficiency of the imaging conditions and the throughput of the MRI examination can be improved. it can.

(Second application example)
This application example stores, for example, a plurality of related diagrams corresponding to layers such as subject information, a sequence in MR imaging, an imaging region, an imaging protocol, and a preset, and the preset or imaging protocol selected by an operator's instruction is stored. Based on the plurality of related diagrams, the related diagram to be displayed is specified, and the specified related diagram is displayed on the display when the imaging condition is edited. The plurality of imaging parameters displayed in the stored relational diagram are a part of a large number of imaging parameters related to object information, a sequence in MR imaging, an imaging region, an imaging protocol, and a preset, and are set as defaults in advance. . In the related diagram, the imaging parameters in each layer can be preset by an operator or the like. In the related diagram, the imaging parameters in each layer can be set in any layer desired by the operator.

  The storage device 27 stores a plurality of related diagrams generated in advance by the related diagram generation function 333 in accordance with subject information, a sequence in MR imaging, an imaging region, an imaging protocol, and a preset. That is, each of the plurality of related diagrams is a representative related diagram generated for each subject, for each imaging protocol, for each imaging region, for each sequence, and for each preset before editing the imaging conditions.

  The processing device 33 specifies a related diagram to be displayed among a plurality of related diagrams by statistical processing such as maximum likelihood based on a preset or imaging protocol selected by an operator's instruction by the determination function 335. Note that the processing apparatus 33 may specify the related diagram using the examination information and the subject information transmitted from the RIS or the like to the MRI apparatus 1. For example, the processing device 33 specifies the selected preset or imaging protocol and the related diagram that most closely matches the subject information as the related diagram to be displayed when editing the imaging conditions. The processing device 33 displays the specified related diagram on the display.

  As a specific example of the related diagram, a case where an implant is performed on the subject P to be imaged will be described. Based on the information regarding the implant in the subject information, the processing device 33 identifies the related diagram regarding the implant corresponding to the selected preset or imaging protocol among the plurality of related diagrams stored in the storage device 27. The identified related figure is, for example, a radar chart in which the value of the imaging parameter is restricted for the implant. Although the above description in this application example is an explanation using imaging parameters, this application example may be implemented for imaging indices, or may be implemented by mixing imaging parameters and imaging indices. .

According to the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects described in the other embodiments.
The MRI apparatus 1 according to this application example stores a plurality of related diagrams set in accordance with an imaging region, sequence, object information, imaging protocol, and preset in medical imaging, and is selected by an instruction from an operator. Based on the preset or imaging protocol, a related diagram to be displayed can be identified from a plurality of related diagrams, and the identified related diagram can be displayed when editing imaging conditions. Thereby, according to the MRI apparatus 1 according to this application example, a plurality of related diagrams generated in advance according to the imaging region, sequence, object information, imaging protocol, and preset in medical imaging are prepared and prepared. From a plurality of related diagrams, a related diagram corresponding to the imaging protocol or preset selected by the operator and the subject information can be specified and displayed. According to this application example, based on the imaging protocol or preset selected by the operator, the optimum related diagram for editing the imaging conditions is identified and displayed from a plurality of representative related diagrams generated in advance. The editing efficiency of imaging conditions and the throughput of MRI inspection can be improved.

(Third application example)
This application example is to use a three-dimensional polygon such as a polyhedron as a related diagram. At this time, the imaging parameters and imaging indices are arranged at the vertices of a three-dimensional polygon. The polyhedron displayed on the display is appropriately rotated according to an instruction from the operator via the input interface device 29. Hereinafter, this application example will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example when a tetrahedron is used as a related diagram. The tetrahedron in FIG. 14 corresponds to the radar chart 400 excluding the imaging parameter E in FIG. A plurality of sides in the tetrahedron shown in FIG. 14 corresponds to the relationship between the four imaging parameter values after editing. An arrow 402 illustrated in FIG. 14 indicates a change amount of the imaging parameter B in the tetrahedron. An arrow 404 in FIG. 14 indicates the movement of the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter A among the plurality of imaging parameters linked to the change in the position of the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter B. As shown in FIG. 14, the points indicating the values of the imaging parameters A, C, and D are changed in conjunction with the movement of the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter B. The solid line in the tetrahedron shown in FIG. 14 indicates the relationship between the imaging parameter values changed in response to the movement of the point indicating the imaging parameter B value. As shown in FIG. 14, the relationship between imaging parameter values before and after the movement of a point, that is, the balance of a plurality of imaging parameters, is visualized in different display modes (for example, before editing: dotted line, after editing: solid line). Appears on the display.

  According to this application example, the increase in the imaging parameters and the increase in the imaging index displayed in the relation diagram can change the relationship between the multiple values between the imaging parameters and the relationship between the multiple values between the imaging indexes. When it is difficult for the operator to grasp, it is possible to intuitively present to the operator the effect of the edited imaging condition on imaging.

(Fourth application example)
The technical idea of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 1 is various modalities (medical image diagnostic apparatus) such as an X-ray computed tomography (CT) apparatus, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus. It is feasible. The medical image diagnostic apparatus has each component in a dashed-dotted line frame 50 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a medical image diagnostic apparatus. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 90 includes a control device 25 and an image collection device 80 in addition to the components in the dashed-dotted frame 50 illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, when the medical image diagnostic apparatus is an X-ray CT apparatus or a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus, the image acquisition apparatus 80 includes various components mounted on a gantry. When the medical image diagnostic apparatus is an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, the image acquisition apparatus 80 corresponds to an X-ray imaging system having an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector. Further, when the medical image diagnostic apparatus is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the image collection apparatus 80 corresponds to an ultrasonic imaging system having an ultrasonic probe or the like.

  The medical image diagnostic apparatus executes various processes described in the image generation function 331, the related diagram generation function 333, the determination function 335, and the change function 337 described above according to imaging conditions, imaging parameters, imaging indices, and the like specific to various modalities. Hereinafter, an X-ray CT apparatus will be described as an example of a medical image diagnostic apparatus.

  For example, the X-ray CT apparatus may perform cardiac imaging on the subject P by a helical scan based on segment reconstruction. In cardiac imaging using an X-ray CT apparatus, there is a technique for obtaining the best time resolution by obtaining a scan speed and a helical pitch suitable for the heart rate information of the subject P. The scan speed corresponds to, for example, the rotation speed of a rotating frame on which an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector are mounted. In this technique, imaging parameters relating to imaging conditions relating to cardiac imaging are a scan speed and a helical pitch. Further, the time resolution as an imaging index related to cardiac imaging is related to the scanning speed and the helical pitch. When editing imaging conditions, the scan speed, helical pitch, and time resolution associated with each other are displayed on the display so that they can be changed in conjunction with each other on the radar chart.

  Since the effect of this application example is the same as that of the first to third embodiments, the description thereof is omitted.

  According to the medical image diagnosis apparatuses such as the embodiments, modifications, and application examples described above, the influence of the edited imaging condition on imaging can be intuitively presented to the operator when editing the imaging conditions. .

  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 novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, 5 ... Bed, 7 ... Top plate, 9 ... Mount, 11 ... Static magnetic field magnet, 12 ... Static magnetic field power supply, 15 ... Gradient magnetic field coil, 16 ... Gradient magnetic field power supply, 17 ... RF coil, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 ... Transmitter, 20 ... Edit screen, 21 ... Receiver, 23 ... Sequence controller, 25 ... Control device, 27 ... Storage device, 29 ... Input interface device, 31 ... Display device, 33 ... Processing device, 80 ... Image collection 90, medical image diagnostic device, 331 ... image generation function, 333 ... related diagram generation function, 335 ... determination function, 337 ... change function.

Claims (21)

A display unit for displaying a relation diagram showing a relation between a plurality of values respectively set in a plurality of imaging parameters related to imaging conditions of medical imaging;
The related diagram is updated according to the movement operation of the point corresponding to the value in the related diagram or the change operation of the imaging condition, and the imaging condition before the moving operation or before the changing operation is updated. A changing unit for changing to an imaging condition reflecting the moving operation or the changing operation;
A medical image diagnostic apparatus comprising: A display unit for displaying a relation diagram showing a relation between a plurality of values respectively set to a plurality of imaging indices indicating a plurality of imaging parameters related to a plurality of imaging parameters related to imaging conditions of medical imaging;
The related diagram is updated according to a movement operation of a point corresponding to the value on the related diagram or a change operation of the imaging condition, and the imaging condition before the moving operation or before the changing operation A changing unit that changes the imaging operation reflecting the moving operation or the changing operation;
A medical image diagnostic apparatus comprising: A storage unit that stores the imaging parameters and data indicating an influence relationship between the imaging parameters;
A relation diagram generation unit that generates the relation chart based on the value and the influence relation;
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The display unit displays the related diagram together with the imaging parameter editing screen.
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A determination unit that determines a value of an imaging parameter linked to the movement operation or the change operation in the related diagram based on the change amount of the imaging parameter by the movement operation or the change operation and the influence relation; Equipped,
The changing unit updates the association diagram by changing the association using the determined value,
The display unit displays the updated relation diagram.
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3. The changing unit changes the influence relationship with respect to the imaging parameter displayed in the related diagram according to a restriction instruction that limits an influence between the imaging parameters by the moving operation,
The determination unit determines the value of the linked imaging parameter based on the changed influence relationship and the change amount.
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5. Based on the change amount of the imaging index by the movement operation or the change amount of the imaging parameter by the change operation and the influence relationship between the imaging parameters, in the related diagram, linked to the movement operation or the change operation. A determination unit that determines a value of the imaging index to be
The changing unit updates the association diagram by changing the association using the determined value,
The display unit displays the updated relation diagram.
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2. The changing unit changes the influence relationship with respect to the imaging index displayed in the related diagram according to a restriction instruction that limits an influence between the imaging indices due to the moving operation,
The determination unit determines a value of the linked imaging index based on the changed influence relationship and the change amount.
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7. The determining unit determines a new imaging index value using a plurality of imaging parameter values designated by an operator and the influence relationship;
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7 or 8. The changing unit changes an imaging condition commonly included in a plurality of imaging protocols associated using a pulse sequence, an imaging purpose, and an imaging site to an imaging condition that reflects the change amount and the influence relationship.
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 9. A relation diagram generating unit for generating the relation diagram according to at least one of selection of the imaging parameter to be displayed on the relation diagram and selection of a graph used as the relation diagram;
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. An input unit configured to set at least two of the imaging parameters in the related diagram as targets of the moving operation;
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 11. An input unit for inputting a normalization instruction for aligning points indicating the values of the imaging parameters in the related diagram;
In response to the normalization instruction, by changing a scale of the imaging parameter in the related diagram, a related diagram generation unit that aligns the position of the point indicating the value of the imaging parameter;
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A relation diagram generating unit for generating the relation diagram according to at least one of selection of the imaging index to be displayed on the relation diagram and selection of a graph used as the relation diagram;
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 2 and 7 to 9. An input unit that sets at least two of the imaging indices in the related diagram as targets of the moving operation;
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 2, 7 to 9, and 14. An input unit for inputting a normalization instruction for aligning points indicating the values of the imaging indices in the related diagram;
In response to the normalization instruction, by changing the scale of the imaging index in the related diagram, a related diagram generation unit that aligns the position of the point indicating the value of the imaging index;
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 2 and 7 to 9, further comprising: An image generation unit that generates a simulated image corresponding to the imaging condition in response to the moving operation;
The display unit displays the simulated image together with the related diagram;
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16. The imaging index has an index related to an artifact,
The value of the imaging index is a value indicating the degree of the artifact.
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 2, 7 to 9, and 14 to 16. The changing unit is
Superimposing an adjustable range indicating a clinically recommended range for the imaging parameter value on the related diagram, and changing the imaging parameter value in response to the moving operation or the changing operation, within the adjustable range Performing at least one of limiting the value to
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 11 to 13. The changing unit is
Superimposing an adjustable range indicating a clinically recommended range for the value of the imaging index on the related diagram, and within the adjustable range in changing the value of the imaging index in response to the moving operation or the changing operation Performing at least one of limiting the value to
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claim 2, claim 7 to 9, claim 14 to 16, and claim 18. According to an imaging part, sequence, subject information, imaging protocol, and a plurality of imaging protocols having the imaging conditions according to the imaging part and imaging purpose in a desired order in the medical imaging A storage unit for storing a plurality of the related diagrams generated by
Based on the preset or the imaging protocol selected by an operator's instruction, a determining unit that identifies a related diagram to be displayed from the plurality of related diagrams;
Further comprising
The display unit displays the identified related diagram.
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2, 11 to 13, and 19.