JP2019017896A - Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for animals - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for animals capable of saving an operator's labor for calculating a lapse time from an anesthesia start time to a current time.SOLUTION: The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for animals includes: imaging means including a gradient magnetic field coil and a high-frequency coil and detecting a nuclear magnetic-resonance signal generated from an analyte; control means for controlling the imaging means; and a signal processing unit including a computer, display means, storage means and an input device. The signal processing unit includes: operation discrimination means for discriminating whether a user's operation relating to predetermined processing necessary for examination, is performed or not; and clocking control means that, when it is discriminated that the user's operation is performed, starts the clocking and causes the display means to sequentially display a lapse time from a start of the clocking to the current time point, as a lapse time from the anesthesia start time. The operation discrimination means discriminates whether or not a prescribed input operation as the user's operation is performed on an operation screen in registration processing of analyte information for specifying the analyte.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, and more particularly to an animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus.

  Conventionally, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (MRI apparatus) has no display function of anesthesia time (elapsed time from the start of anesthesia). This is because an anesthesia is not necessary for the examination when a human is an imaging target. On the other hand, in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for animals, an anesthetic gas is inhaled so that the subject animal does not move during imaging, and the animal is imaged in the state of general anesthesia. Further, the inspection time of the MRI apparatus may take 1 to 2 hours in a low magnetic field. On the other hand, the limit of anesthesia time is about 2 hours depending on the size of the animal. Therefore, the following problems can be considered with respect to anesthesia time in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for animals. That is, the longer the anesthesia time, the more dangerous the animal's life is due to long-term inhalation of anesthetic gas.

  Conventionally, a technique for displaying, for example, anesthesia time on a portable terminal used in an operating room as information necessary for managing a surgical schedule in a surgical schedule display system is disclosed (see Patent Document 1). .

Japanese Patent No. 4781085

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, anesthesia time means the time required from the time when the user clicks the mobile terminal at the start of surgery to the time when the user clicks after the operation is completed. It was. Therefore, the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time to the present time is not displayed every moment.

  In a veterinary hospital, an operator who operates a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for animals is generally a veterinarian in many cases. In particular, in a small animal hospital, for example, one veterinarian may manage anesthesia by going in and out of a shield room while operating a console of an animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. In such a case, the operator memorizes the time when the anesthesia is effective as an anesthesia start time, and calculates the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time every time an imaging is added during the examination. Must. Based on the elapsed time, the operator considers whether there is a problem with the above-described anesthesia time, and determines to extend the anesthesia time while paying attention to the condition of the animal. For this reason, there is a problem that the operator has to calculate the elapsed time from the start time of anesthesia for each examination.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that can save the operator from calculating the elapsed time from the start time of anesthesia to the present time. And

In order to solve the above-described problems, an animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that performs an imaging examination by installing an anesthetized animal as a subject, and includes a gradient magnetic field coil and An imaging unit that includes a high-frequency coil and detects a nuclear magnetic resonance signal generated from the subject; a control unit that controls the imaging unit; a signal processing unit that includes a calculator, a display unit, a storage unit, and an input device; The signal processing unit, and an operation determining means for determining whether or not a user operation related to a predetermined process necessary for the inspection has been performed, and start timing when determining that the user operation has been performed And a timing control means for sequentially displaying on the display means the time from the anesthesia start time or the remaining time until the time allowed as anesthesia time based on the time measured. And wherein the Rukoto.
In the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention, for example, the timing control unit sequentially displays the elapsed time from the start of timing to the present time on the display unit as the time from the anesthesia start time. May be.

According to such a configuration, the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus starts time measurement when a user operation related to a predetermined process necessary for the examination is performed, and displays elapsed time from the start of time measurement to the present time. Is displayed every moment. Here, it is desirable that the user operation necessary for the examination is an operation performed at a time within a few minutes from the actual anesthesia start time. Thereby, the operator can recognize the elapsed time displayed on the display means as the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time to the present time. Therefore, it is possible to save the operator from calculating the elapsed time from the start time of anesthesia to the present time.
Also, in the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention, for example, the signal processing unit sets the scheduled time for anesthesia termination input by the input device in the storage unit, and A time obtained by subtracting the elapsed time from the start of timing to the current time from the set scheduled end time for anesthesia may be sequentially displayed on the display means as the remaining time until the scheduled end time for anesthesia.

In the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the operation determination unit performs a predetermined input operation on the operation screen in the registration process of the subject information for specifying the subject as the user operation. It may be determined whether or not.
By doing in this way, the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus can display the time which can be regarded as the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time to the present time on the display means. In particular, this is effective when the sequence of MRI examinations is a procedure of performing subject information registration processing after anesthesia treatment.

Further, in the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the operation determination unit determines whether or not a predetermined input operation on an operation screen related to a predetermined step of the imaging process is performed as the user operation. You may make it do.
By doing in this way, the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus can display the time which can be regarded as the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time to the present time on the display means. In particular, it is effective when a series of MRI examinations is a procedure of performing anesthesia treatment after subject information registration processing.

In the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention, whether or not a predetermined input operation on the operation screen indicating that the operation determination unit has started anesthesia for the subject is performed as the user operation. You may make it discriminate | determine.
By doing in this way, the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus can display on the display means a time substantially coincident with the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time to the present time.

Further, in the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the signal processing unit measures the resistance of the high-frequency coil by passing a current from the control unit to the high-frequency coil through the measurement wiring, Whether or not an operation of electrically connecting the high-frequency coil is performed by the operator as the user operation, depending on whether the measured value of the resistance of the high-frequency coil is lower or higher than a predetermined value. You may make it discriminate | determine.
By doing in this way, the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus can display the time which can be regarded as the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time to the present time on the display means.

The animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention further includes a detection unit that detects that the table on which the subject and the high-frequency coil are placed is arranged in a gantry including the gradient magnetic field coil, The determining means may determine whether or not the operator has performed an operation of placing the table in the gantry as the user operation according to the output of the detecting means.
By doing in this way, the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus can display the time which can be regarded as the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time to the present time on the display means.

Further, in the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the signal processing unit sets the time limit input by the input device in the storage unit, and the time control unit starts measuring time from the start of time measurement. If the elapsed time until the time reaches the preset time limit, that fact may be displayed on the display means by visual emphasis display or voice display that can be perceived by the user.
By doing in this way, it can make it easy for a user (operator) to notice that the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time has passed the preset time limit.

  According to the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to save the labor of calculating the elapsed time from the start time of anesthesia stored by the operator to the present time. Moreover, the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time can be known from the elapsed time displayed on the display means.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the workflow of the MRI inspection by the operator in an animal hospital. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for animals which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the high frequency coil divided | segmented into the upper part and the lower part. It is a schematic diagram of the high frequency coil with which the upper part and the lower part were couple | bonded. It is a schematic diagram of the animal installed with the high frequency coil on the table. It is a schematic diagram of the animal installed in the gantry. It is an example of the monitor screen display of the subject (animal) information registration process in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for animals which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the monitor screen display in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for animals which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is another example of the workflow of the MRI inspection by the operator in an animal hospital. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for animals which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for animals which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the monitor screen display at the time limit setting in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for animals which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the countdown display until the anesthesia completion scheduled time in the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, an animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
[Configuration of magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for animals]
An animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. First, the function of each component of the animal magnetic resonance imaging 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as the MRI apparatus 1) will be described with reference to FIG.
The MRI apparatus 1 uses a nuclear magnetic resonance phenomenon (NMR phenomenon) to obtain a tomographic image of a subject P that is an animal. As shown in FIG. 1, the MRI apparatus 1 includes a static magnetic field generation system 2, a gradient magnetic field generation system 3, a transmission system 4, a reception system 5, a control unit (control means) 6, and a signal processing unit (signal). Processing means) 7. The MRI apparatus 1 installs an anesthetized animal and performs an examination by imaging. The subject P is a small animal such as a dog or a cat, for example, but is illustrated here as being a dog, for example.

  The static magnetic field generation system 2 applies a static magnetic field to the subject P placed on a table (not shown), and includes a static magnetic field generation unit 8. The static magnetic field generator 8 generates a strong and uniform static magnetic field on the subject P, and is composed of a magnet arranged in a space having a certain extent around the subject P. This magnet is, for example, a permanent magnet, a normal conducting magnet, or a superconducting magnet. Here, when the static magnetic field generation unit 8 is a normal or superconducting magnet, the static magnetic field generation system 2 includes a static magnetic field power source that supplies power to the static magnetic field generation unit 8.

  The gradient magnetic field generation system 3 applies a gradient magnetic field to the subject P, and includes a gradient magnetic field coil 10 and a gradient magnetic field power supply 11. The gradient magnetic field coil 10 is wound in three axis directions (frequency encoding direction, phase encoding direction, and slice direction) of X, Y, and Z, and each coil is connected to a gradient magnetic field power supply 11.

  The gradient magnetic field power supply 11 drives the gradient magnetic field coil 10 in accordance with a command from the control unit 6. As a result, the gradient magnetic field coil 10 applies gradient magnetic fields Gx, Gy, and Gz in the three axial directions of X, Y, and Z to the subject P. The gradient coil 10 uses gradient magnetic fields Gx, Gy, and Gz and applies a slice direction gradient magnetic field, a phase encode direction gradient magnetic field, and a frequency encode direction gradient magnetic field. The slice plane for the subject P can be set by applying the slice direction gradient magnetic field. Further, spatial position information can be given to the NMR signal by a gradient magnetic field in the frequency encoding direction and a gradient magnetic field in the phase encoding direction.

  The transmission system 4 irradiates a high-frequency pulse that causes nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to atomic nuclei constituting the biological tissue of the subject P, and includes a high-frequency generator 12, a modulator 13, and a high-frequency amplifier 14. And a transmission-side high-frequency coil 15a.

  The high frequency generator 12 generates a high frequency pulse. The modulator 13 modulates the high frequency pulse output from the high frequency generator 12 in accordance with a command from the control unit 6. The high frequency amplifier 14 amplifies the modulated high frequency pulse. The transmission-side high-frequency coil 15a is disposed close to the subject P, and irradiates the subject P with the amplified high-frequency pulse (electromagnetic wave).

  The receiving system 5 detects an NMR signal emitted by nuclear magnetic resonance in the biological tissue of the subject P, and includes a receiving-side high-frequency coil 15b, an amplifier 16, an A / D converter 17, and a detector. 18.

  The reception-side high-frequency coil 15b is disposed close to the subject P, and detects an NMR signal that is an electromagnetic wave in response from the subject P due to a high-frequency pulse that is an electromagnetic wave emitted from the transmission-side high-frequency coil 15a. You may make it share the transmission side high frequency coil 15a with the reception side high frequency coil 15b. Here, the reception-side high-frequency coil 15b is configured to be portable, while the transmission-side high-frequency coil 15a is embedded in the gantry of the apparatus. Further, hereinafter, when simply referred to as a high-frequency coil, this means the receiving-side high-frequency coil 15b.

  The high frequency coil can be configured in various forms so as to be easily attached to the subject P according to the shape of the subject P and the like. As an example, there are a cylindrical shape and a configuration in which a cylindrical shape of a cylinder divided into half circles is divided into halves so that they can be assembled and separated face up and down.

  The amplifier 16 amplifies the detected NMR signal. The A / D converter 17 converts the amplified NMR signal into a digital signal. The detector 18 is connected to the high-frequency generator 12 of the transmission system 4, performs quadrature phase detection on the digitally converted NMR signal, and obtains two series of collected data resampled at the timing according to the command from the control unit 6. . The two series of collected data signals are sent from the control unit 6 to the signal processing unit 7.

The gradient magnetic field coil 10 of the gradient magnetic field generation system 3, the transmission-side high-frequency coil 15 a of the transmission system 4, and the reception-side high-frequency coil 15 b of the reception system 5 are static generated by the static magnetic field generation unit 8 of the static magnetic field generation system 2. It is installed in the magnetic field space of the magnetic field and constitutes the imaging means 9 in the present invention.
The imaging means 9 generates a nuclear magnetic resonance signal (NMR signal) on the subject P under a predetermined imaging condition and detects a nuclear magnetic resonance signal generated from the subject P.

  The control unit 6 controls the imaging unit 9 and operates under the control of a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The controller 6 repeatedly applies a high frequency pulse and a gradient magnetic field in a predetermined pulse sequence, and collects NMR signals as measurement data. The control unit 6 sends various commands necessary for collecting tomographic image data of the subject P to the transmission system 4, the gradient magnetic field generation system 3, or the reception system 5, and generates a gradient magnetic field and a high frequency pulse in a predetermined pulse sequence. And an NMR signal is detected and a predetermined NMR signal is collected.

  The signal processing unit 7 includes a computer 19, a display (display unit) 20, a storage unit (storage unit) 21, an input device (input unit) 22, an operation determination unit (operation determination unit) 23, and a timing control unit. (Time keeping control means) 24. The computer 19 can be realized by a general computer, for example, and includes a CPU, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and an input / output interface. It is configured to include. The computer 19 reconstructs an image from the NMR signal detected by the receiving system 5 and displays it on the display 20.

The display 20 displays a tomographic image that is a reconstructed image, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal display. The reconstructed image is stored in the storage unit 21.
The storage unit 21 stores image data such as tomographic images and various data, and includes, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a general image memory, and the like. The storage unit 21 stores the reconstructed image and the input imaging condition in combination. This imaging condition is input by the input device 22.

  The input device 22 registers information and subject information necessary for control such as processing performed by the signal processing unit 7, imaging conditions, and setting of a section to be imaged. For example, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel, and condition setting And a display unit for displaying a GUI (Graphical User Interface) necessary for the display.

The operation determination unit 23 determines whether or not a user operation related to a predetermined process necessary for inspection has been performed. Here, the user operation related to the processing necessary for the inspection is executed at any one of the following stages in the series of MRI inspection flows. (1) A step of registering subject information such as which subject to be imaged, (2) a step of taking an MRI image used for diagnosis, (3) a step of taking an image for positioning, and (4) anesthesia treatment (5) A stage in which the subject is set up in the apparatus.
In the present embodiment, the operation determination unit 23 determines whether or not a predetermined input operation on the operation screen has been performed in the registration process of the subject information that identifies the subject P as the user operation.

When it is determined by the operation determination unit 23 that a user operation related to a predetermined process necessary for the examination has been performed, the time measurement control unit 24 starts time measurement, and based on the time measured, for example, from the anesthesia start time Are sequentially displayed on the display means. In the present embodiment, when it is determined that a predetermined input operation on the operation screen has been performed in the subject information registration process, the time measurement control unit 24 starts time measurement and starts time measurement until the present time. The elapsed time is displayed as the time from the start time of anesthesia. That is, the timing control unit 24 causes the display unit to count up and display the time from the anesthesia start time.
Here, the anesthesia start time refers to the time when anesthesia is effective. The anesthesia start time is the time when the anesthesia treatment is completed. That is, the anesthesia start time is not the time when the anesthesia apparatus is connected to the subject to perform anesthesia.
Actually, when an animal is exposed to anesthesia when anesthetizing an animal as a subject, for example, an anesthetic may be injected before the anesthetic (gas) is aspirated from the anesthesia apparatus. When using a general dog as an animal, guide and hold the animal, then start anesthesia treatment until the anesthesia begins to work, let the animal artificially breathe, and the anesthesia treatment seems to be complete Is assumed to be about 5 to 30 minutes. And after anesthesia treatment is completed, the anesthetic (gas) is continuously sucked during the examination.
The user operation related to the process necessary for the examination is desirably an operation performed at a time within a few minutes from the anesthesia start time. The input operation on the operation screen in the subject information registration process can be performed at a time within a few minutes from the anesthesia start time.

  Next, an example of a system configuration in which the MRI apparatus 1 having the above function is installed inside and outside the shield room will be described with reference to FIG. The MRI apparatus 1 mainly includes a gantry 30, a control unit 40 that controls the operation of the gantry 30, and a console 50.

  The gantry 30 generally corresponds to the static magnetic field generation system 2, the gradient magnetic field generation system 3, the transmission system 4, and the reception system 5 of FIG. 1, and is installed in a shield room. The gantry 30 has an opening 31, and the animal that is the subject P is placed in the opening 31 of the gantry 30 together with the high-frequency coil in an anesthetized state and is examined. Here, the high-frequency coil corresponds to the reception-side high-frequency coil 15b in FIG. 1, and the description thereof will be described later.

  The control unit 40 corresponds to the control unit 6 in FIG. 1 and is installed outside the shield room. The control unit 40 is connected to the gantry 30 via a filter box 60 installed in the shield room. The filter box 60 includes a noise filter, and is configured to be able to supply power from the control unit 40 side to the gradient magnetic field coil 10 (see FIG. 1) in the gantry 30 via the noise filter.

  The console 50 includes, for example, a computer 19, a display 20, and an input device 22 such as a mouse corresponding to the signal processing unit 7 in FIG. 1 and is installed outside the shield room. Here, the computer 19 includes an operation determination unit 23 and a time control unit 24. The console 50 is communicably connected to the control unit 40.

The shield room means a room provided with a radio wave shield that prevents the influence of external radio waves on the MRI apparatus. Further, the shield room may include a magnetic shield that prevents the influence of disturbance magnetic noise on the MRI apparatus.
An anesthesia apparatus is installed in the shield room. An anesthesia apparatus is an apparatus for general anesthesia of an animal which is a subject, and is for aspirating an anesthetic (gas) during an examination. When the test is complete and anesthesia is no longer needed, administration of the anesthetic is discontinued.

[MRI inspection workflow]
Next, an example of an MRI examination workflow by an operator in an animal hospital will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, referring to FIG. For example, in the shield room, the operator performs anesthesia treatment for the animal to be imaged (step S101).
Next, the operator installs the anesthetized animal together with the high frequency coil in the imaging region of the gantry of the MRI apparatus (step S102).
This operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5D. Here, it is assumed that the high-frequency coil 70 configured to be vertically divided is used.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the high-frequency coil 70 is configured to be fixed by a fastener 73 so that the lower portion 71 and the upper portion 72 are not separated. The high frequency coil 70 includes a cable 74 and a connector 75 for connection to a circuit such as the amplifier 16 (see FIG. 1) in the gantry 30 (see FIG. 2). In a state where the lower portion 71 and the upper portion 72 are fixed, the high frequency coil 70 is formed in a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 5B. That is, in this case, as shown in FIG. 5D, the high-frequency coil 70 has circular holes penetrating in the left-right direction (left-right direction in FIG. 5D). A plurality of high frequency coils 70 having different hole sizes are prepared, and the high frequency coils 70 can be selected according to the size of the subject P.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, the operator places the lower part 71 of the high-frequency coil 70 and the mat 90 on the table 80, and places the animal (subject P) subjected to anesthesia treatment on them. Then, the operator arranges the upper part 72 of the high-frequency coil 70 so as to cover the animal (the subject P), and fixes the upper part 72 and the lower part 71 with the fastener 73 of the high-frequency coil 70. At this time, the connector 75 is not connected to the gantry 30.

As an example, the table 80 includes a top plate and front, rear, left and right legs. Here, the left-right direction means the left-right direction in FIG. 5D, and the front-rear direction means the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 5D.
In the table 80, the length of the top plate in the left-right direction is larger than the length of the gantry 30 in the left-right direction. The length of the top plate in the front-rear direction is formed smaller than the length of the opening 31 in the front-rear direction. The height of the leg is set so that the height of the lower surface of the top plate is arranged higher than the height of the lower surface of the opening 31. Wheels 81 are attached to the lower ends of the legs.

  With the above configuration, the table 80 is movable in the front-rear direction. Then, by moving the table 80 arranged in front of the gantry 30 toward the rear, the center portion in the left-right direction of the top plate can be put into the opening 31 of the gantry 30 as shown in FIG. 5D. it can. Then, as shown in FIG. 5D, the operator places a table 80 on which the high-frequency coil 70 and an anesthetized animal (subject P) are installed in the gantry 30 of the MRI apparatus. The operator places the table 80 so that the animal (subject P) is positioned at the center of the magnetic field of the gantry 30, and connects the connector 75 to the connection connector 32 on the surface of the gantry 30. In this way, preparation for imaging is performed.

Returning to FIG. 3, the description of the workflow will be continued.
Next, the operator goes out of the shield room and registers the subject information of the animal to be examined on the monitor screen at the console of the MRI apparatus (step S103). Here, the subject information is, for example, an ID number, name, sex, date of birth, and the like. In this embodiment, the time from completion of anesthesia treatment to completion of subject (animal) information registration is within several minutes.

  Next, the operator selects an imaging condition on the console of the MRI apparatus, and performs the initial imaging of the animal that is the subject (step S104). Normally, first, a scout (SCOUT) image for positioning is captured. Here, the time required for capturing the scout image is, for example, about one minute.

Next, the operator selects an imaging condition on the console of the MRI apparatus, designates an imaging position on the scout image, and performs imaging of the animal that is the subject (step S105).
Imaging is not limited to once. Depending on the desired contrast (for example, T1-weighted image (axial section), T1-weighted image (sagittal section), T2-weighted image (axial section), T2-weighted image (sagittal section), FLAIR image (axial section), etc. Select multiple imaging conditions. Hereinafter, a T1 weighted image (T1 weighted image) is also denoted as T1W, a T2 weighted image (T2 weighted image) is denoted as T2W, and a FLAIR image (Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery) is also denoted as FLAIR.

Then, for a plurality of selected imaging conditions, imaging of a plurality of different contrast images, images of different cross sections, images of different parts, and the like are sequentially performed. These series of operations can be performed continuously without waiting time. Note that the time required to capture the T1-weighted image and the T2-weighted image is, for example, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Here, each time an image is taken, the operator confirms the elapsed time from the start time of anesthesia and considers both whether an image required for diagnosis has been acquired and whether there is no damage due to anesthesia of the animal. Then, it is determined whether or not to continue imaging. If it is determined that imaging is not continued, the inspection is terminated (step S106).

Next, the processing flow of the MRI apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the operator registers subject information such as the ID number, name, sex, date of birth, etc. of the animal to be the subject P in the console 50 of the MRI apparatus 1 (step S111).
For example, the MRI apparatus 1 displays the elapsed time from the start time on the monitor screen with the completion of registration of the subject information as the start time (step S112).

Next, the operator selects an imaging condition on the console 50 of the MRI apparatus 1 (step S113), specifies an imaging position on the scout image, and performs imaging (step S114). The imaging is not limited to one time, and a plurality of different contrast images, different cross-sectional images, different part images, and the like are taken. Note that when changing the imaging condition, the imaging condition is selected again (step S115: No).
In parallel with this imaging, for example, the MRI apparatus 1 displays the elapsed time from the start time on the monitor screen of the display 20, for example, and updates and displays it on the monitor screen as time elapses (step S116). The display of the elapsed time is continued until the inspection is finished.
Here, the operator determines whether or not all desired imaging has been completed, and if it is determined not to continue imaging, the inspection is terminated (step S117).

[Screen display example]
Next, an example of a monitor screen display of subject (animal) information registration processing in the MRI apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. For example, various screens and windows are displayed on the display 20, and the monitor screen is a screen on which an operator can perform an input operation, and is a home that is mainly monitored during inspection or preparation for inspection. It refers to a screen or a screen that displays at least a display area that displays information to be monitored, among full-screen displays. In the example shown in FIG. 6, an icon group mainly showing commands of large items is displayed in the area on the left side of the screen, and these icon groups can be always displayed. Further, in the area on the right side of the screen, for example, lower-level commands and detailed settings corresponding to commands indicated by predetermined icons are shown, and they can always be displayed in correspondence with the commands. In the center area of the screen, an MRI image, a user input screen, and the like are displayed in response to a command indicated by a predetermined icon.

Specifically, in this monitor screen display, when the operator clicks the “subject (animal) information registration” icon 201 arranged on the left side of the screen in FIG. 6, the subject (animal) information registration screen 202 is displayed. Is done. In this screen 202, for example, the operator inputs an animal ID, an animal name, a date of birth, sex, weight, species, and the like.
When the operator finishes inputting all necessary items, the operator clicks the “scan setting” icon 203 arranged at the bottom of this screen.

The subject (animal) information input by the operator is registered in the MRI apparatus 1 by the user operation of clicking on the icon 203, and the next step moves to scan (imaging) setting. Specifically, in the center area of the screen, the subject (animal) information registration screen 202 is closed and, for example, a predetermined window on the home screen is displayed. When the operator selects an imaging protocol in the screen area 204 arranged on the right side of the monitor screen display, detailed imaging conditions are displayed in the screen area 205 arranged on the right side of the screen.
Usually, a plurality of imaging protocols (SCOUT, T1W, T2W, FLAIR, TOF, etc.) displayed in the screen area 204 are selected, and the start button 206 is pressed to advance imaging.
Note that TOF refers to an MRA image (magnetic resonance blood vessel image) obtained by imaging blood flow in a blood vessel by a time of flight (TOF) method.

In the present embodiment, the icon 203 for transitioning to a screen for setting scan (imaging) also serves as a function for notifying completion of registration of subject (animal) information. That is, the operation determination unit 23 determines whether or not an operation for clicking the icon 203 for notifying completion of registration in the object information registration process has been performed. When the operation determination unit 23 determines that an operation of clicking the icon 203 has been performed, the time measurement control unit 24 starts time measurement and displays on the screen the elapsed time from the start of time measurement.
Specifically, in this monitor screen display, in the screen area 207 displaying “Elapsed time since the start of examination” arranged on the right side of the screen, the time when the completion of the registration of the subject (animal) information is started. As time passes, the current elapsed time is displayed and updated. At the start of counting, 0:00:00 is displayed. This means 0 hour 0 minute 0 second. The “elapsed time from the start of examination” in the monitor screen display means the elapsed time from the start time of anesthesia.

Next, the monitor screen display in the MRI apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, an example of the MRI image is displayed on the image display screen 212 in the center area of the screen, but the left and right displays thereof are the same as those in FIG. Here, as an example, the case where “1. SCOUT” and “2. T1W” imaging is completed and “3. T2W” imaging is being executed in the imaging protocol displayed in the screen area 204 will be described. To do.
In this case, the color of the character “3. T2W” displayed in the area surrounded by the frame indicated by the reference numeral 208 is changed to the color of other characters so that the progress status can be clearly understood. You may make it display.

  In this example, “9:16” is displayed in the screen area 209 displaying “imaging time”. This indicates that the imaging time of the imaging protocol of “T2W” is 9 minutes 16 seconds. In addition, “3:44” is displayed in the screen area 210 that displays “remaining imaging time”. This indicates that since the “T2W” protocol is being imaged, the time until the imaging of the “T2W” imaging protocol is completed is 3 minutes 44 seconds.

Further, “1:23:06” is displayed in the screen area 207 displaying “elapsed time since the start of inspection”. This represents that the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time is 1 hour 23 minutes 6 seconds. This “elapsed time from the start of the examination” is confirmed by an operator (often a veterinarian) and is used to determine whether to perform further imaging or to end the examination every time imaging is performed.
The elapsed time displayed on the screen area 207 of the monitor screen can be displayed with an error of minus several minutes compared to the elapsed time from the actual completion time of anesthesia treatment (anesthesia start time). This is a small value of several percent compared to the limit time (approximately 2 hours) of anesthesia time, and is an error that does not cause a problem in actual operation. This “elapsed time from the start of the examination” It can be used as a time display.

(Modification)
In the first embodiment, in the object information registration process, an operation of clicking the icon 203 for notifying the completion of registration is exemplified, and the elapsed time from the start time is displayed on the monitor screen with the completion of registration as the start time. Although described, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the start of the registration process performed by clicking the “subject (animal) information registration” icon 201 shown in FIG. 6 may be set as the start time, and the elapsed time from the start time may be displayed on the monitor screen. .
Further, on the operation screen in the subject information registration process, for example, the time when an actual input of a predetermined item such as an animal ID is made is set as the start time, and the elapsed time from the start time is displayed on the monitor screen. It may be.
On the operation screen in the object information registration process, for example, the time required for a series of input operations of clicking the icon 201 shown in FIG. 6, inputting the object information, and clicking the icon 203 is 2 minutes. Degree. Accordingly, the elapsed time displayed in the screen area 207 of the monitor screen in such a modification can also be used as the elapsed time from the completion time of the anesthetic treatment (anesthetic start time).

(Second Embodiment)
[Configuration of magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for animals]
In the second embodiment, the procedure of the MRI examination workflow by the operator is different from that of the first embodiment. The configuration of the MRI apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, although the functions of the operation determination unit 23 and the timing control unit 24 are different. The drawings and description are omitted.

In the present embodiment, the operation determination unit 23 determines whether or not a predetermined input operation on the operation screen related to a predetermined process in the imaging process has been performed as a user operation.
Here, it is assumed that the predetermined process in the imaging process is a process of capturing an image for positioning performed before capturing an image used for diagnosis.
In the present embodiment, the timing control unit 24 starts timing when it is determined that a predetermined input operation on the operation screen related to a predetermined process in the imaging process has been performed.
Here, the timing control unit 24 starts timing when it is determined that a predetermined input operation on the operation screen related to the step of taking an image for positioning is performed.

[MRI inspection workflow]
Next, an example of an MRI examination workflow by an operator in an animal hospital will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that description of procedures similar to those in FIGS. 3 and 4 is omitted as appropriate.
First, referring to FIG. First, the operator registers subject information of an animal as a subject on the monitor screen at the console of the MRI apparatus (step S121).
Next, for example, in the shield room, the operator performs anesthesia treatment on the animal to be imaged (step S122).
Next, the operator installs the anesthetized animal together with the high frequency coil in the imaging region of the gantry of the MRI apparatus (step S123).
Thereafter, Steps S124 to S126 performed after the operator leaves the shield room are the same as Steps S104 to S106 in FIG.

  Also in the present embodiment, it is assumed that anesthesia treatment performed after subject (animal) information registration and before imaging is started takes about 5 to 30 minutes. Therefore, in the procedure shown in FIG. 8, if the start time of the elapsed time displayed on the monitor screen is the completion time of registration of the subject information, the elapsed time to be displayed and the actual elapsed time from the anesthesia start time Since the difference between the maximum is about 30 minutes plus, there is a risk of hindering actual operation. On the other hand, in the procedure shown in FIG. 8, the time required from the completion of the anesthesia treatment to the start of the first imaging (scout image) is the time required to install the animal with the coil (within several minutes, about 5 minutes). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the start time of the elapsed time displayed on the monitor screen is set as the first image capture (scout image) start time.

Next, the flow of processing of the MRI apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the operator registers subject information such as the ID number, name, sex, date of birth, etc. of the animal to be the subject P in the console 50 of the MRI apparatus 1 (step S131). Thereafter, for example, in the shield room, the operator performs anesthesia treatment for the animal to be imaged (step S122: see FIG. 8). Then, after leaving the shield room, the operator selects the first imaging condition on the console 50 of the MRI apparatus 1 (step S132), and performs the first imaging (step S133). Normally, first, a scout image for positioning is captured.
The MRI apparatus 1 displays the elapsed time from the start time on the monitor screen with the start of the first imaging as the start time (step S134).

The imaging is not limited to one time, and a plurality of different contrast images, different cross-sectional images, different part images, and the like are taken. Therefore, when the imaging condition is changed (step S135: No), an operation for selecting the imaging condition (step S136) and an operation for specifying the imaging position on the scout image and performing imaging (step S137) are repeated.
In parallel with this imaging, for example, the MRI apparatus 1 displays the elapsed time from the start time on the monitor screen of the display 20, for example, and updates and displays it on the monitor screen with the passage of time (step S138). The display of the elapsed time is continued until the inspection is finished.
Here, the operator determines whether or not all desired imaging has been completed. If it is determined that the imaging is not continued, the inspection is terminated (step S139).

[Screen display example]
Next, an example of monitor screen display in the MRI apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. Note that description of the same functions as those described in the first embodiment is omitted.
In the present embodiment, the operation determination unit 23 determines, for example, whether or not an operation of clicking the start button 206 for the first time has been performed.
First, the operator selects “1. SCOUT” from the imaging protocol (SCOUT, T1W, T2W, FLAIR, TOF, etc.) displayed in the screen area 204 in this monitor display (step S132: see FIG. 9).
Next, when the operator performs an operation of clicking the start button 206, the MRI apparatus 1 starts SCOUT imaging (step S133: see FIG. 9).
Then, when the operator performs an operation of clicking the start button 206, the operation determination unit 23 determines that an operation of clicking the start button 206 is performed for the first time, for example. In this case, the time control unit 24 starts time measurement and displays the elapsed time from the start of time measurement to the current time in the screen area 207 for displaying “elapsed time from the start of inspection” (step S207). S134, S138: See FIG. 9).

Then, for example, after one minute, the SCOUT imaging is completed, so the next step is to set the imaging conditions. Specifically, the operator selects a protocol other than SCOUT (T1W, T2W, FLAIR, TOF, etc.) among the imaging protocols displayed in the screen area 204 in the monitor screen display (step S136: see FIG. 9). For example, when “2. T1W” is selected, the character “2. T1W” may be highlighted, for example, by changing the color of another character. Then, when the operator designates the imaging position on the SCOUT image and performs an operation of clicking the start button 206 that is the second time in total, the MRI apparatus 1 starts T1W imaging (step S137: FIG. 9). reference).
Then, for example, after 15 minutes, this T1W imaging is completed. Next, when the operator selects, for example, “3. T2W” (step S136: see FIG. 9), the character “3. T2W” is highlighted so as to be changed to the color of other characters. Also good. Then, when the operator designates the imaging position on the SCOUT image and clicks the start button 206 that is the third time in total, the MRI apparatus 1 starts T2W imaging (step S137: FIG. 9). reference).

  According to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the elapsed time displayed on the monitor screen is minus a few minutes (for example, 7 minutes) compared to the actual elapsed time from the anesthesia start time. Can be displayed with an error of. This is an error that does not cause a problem in actual operation, and this “elapsed time from the start of the examination” can be used as a display of the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time.

(Modification)
In the second embodiment, the operation of clicking the start button 206 for the first time in the SCOUT imaging process is exemplified, and it has been described that the start time of the first imaging is the start time and the elapsed time from the start time is displayed on the monitor screen. It is not limited to this.
For example, the start of imaging according to the first may be set as the start time. The start of imaging according to the first means the start of the second imaging, the third imaging, and the like.
Specifically, when the user clicks the start button 206 for the first time, for example, after about 1 minute, SCOUT imaging ends, and when the user clicks the start button 206 for the second time in total. Is assumed. At this time, the elapsed time displayed on the monitor screen can be displayed with an error of, for example, about minus 10 minutes as compared with the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time.
Similarly, it is assumed that an operation of clicking the start button 206 that is the third time in total is performed. At this time, the elapsed time displayed on the monitor screen can be displayed with an error of, for example, about minus 25 minutes as compared with the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time. That is, if the time required for the second imaging or the third imaging is acceptable, the start of imaging according to the first time may be set as the start time.

(Modification)
In addition, for example, the predetermined input operation on the operation screen related to the step of capturing an image for positioning (SCOUT capturing step) has been described as the operation of clicking the start button 206, but the step S132 (see FIG. 9). The start point may be triggered by the selection of the SCOUT imaging step in FIG. In this case, for example, the start time may be triggered by selecting “1. SCOUT” from the imaging protocol (SCOUT, T1W, T2W, FLAIR, TOF, etc.) displayed in the screen area 204 in the monitor display of FIG. Absent.

(Modification)
The display of “elapsed time from the start of the examination” on the monitor screen may be a time point at which it is considered that the anesthesia treatment is actually completed. In this case, a dedicated icon for instructing to start measuring the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time by clicking the icon on the console 50 of the MRI apparatus 1 may be provided. Therefore, in this modification, a dedicated icon indicating that the subject P has started anesthesia is provided on the monitor screen. In this case, the operation determination unit 23 determines whether or not a predetermined input operation on the operation screen indicating that anesthesia is started on the subject P is performed as a user operation.

  In this case, the workflow is as follows. First, the operator of the MRI apparatus 1 confirms that the anesthesia treatment is completed by inhaling an anesthetic (gas) to the animal to be imaged. Then, the operator goes out of the shield room and performs an operation of clicking a dedicated icon indicating that anesthesia is started on the subject P on the monitor screen on the console 50 of the MRI apparatus 1. Accordingly, the operation determination unit 23 determines that an operation of clicking on a dedicated icon indicating that the subject P has started anesthesia has been performed. Then, the time control unit 24 starts the time measurement, and displays a screen area 207 (see FIG. 6) for displaying the “elapsed time from the start of the inspection” on the monitor screen as the elapsed time from the start of the time measurement. ). Therefore, according to this modification, the MRI apparatus can display on the monitor screen a time that substantially matches the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time to the current time.

(Third embodiment)
The display start point of “elapsed time from start of examination” on the monitor screen may be a point in time when the subject P is set up in the MRI apparatus 1. Here, it demonstrates with reference to FIG. 5A-FIG. 5D. Here, as shown in FIG. 5D, the connector 75 of the cable 74 of the high frequency coil 70 installed together with the animal (subject P) subjected to anesthesia treatment in the opening 31 of the gantry 30 is attached to the surface of the gantry 30. The state connected to the connection connector 32 is referred to as setup.

  In the present embodiment, the signal processing unit 7 of the MRI apparatus 1 functions to measure the resistance of the high frequency coil 70 by passing current from the control means 6 to the high frequency coil 70 via the measurement wiring 25 (see FIG. 1). Have The signal processing unit 7 outputs a command for energizing the gantry 30 from the control unit 6 to the control unit 6. For example, the control unit 6 applies a predetermined voltage to the reception-side high-frequency coil 15b (high-frequency coil 70) disposed in the gantry 30, and measures the current with an ammeter. For example, the signal processing unit 7 receives the measured current value, and the calculator 19 of the signal processing unit 7 calculates the resistance value by dividing the predetermined voltage by the measured current value, and the operation determination unit 23. Notify

  Further, the operation determination unit 23 determines whether or not an operation for electrically connecting the high-frequency coil is performed as a user operation depending on whether the measured value of the resistance of the high-frequency coil 70 is lower or higher than a predetermined value. Is determined. Specifically, if the measured resistance value is a large value indicating an insulation state, it is determined that the resistance is not connected, while the measured resistance value is a small value indicating a conduction state. If it is, it is determined that it is in a connected state.

  If the high-frequency coil 70 configured to be vertically split is fixed by a fastener 73 and connected vertically, and the connector 75 of the high-frequency coil 70 is connected to the connection connector 32 of the gantry 30 (hereinafter simply referred to as If the high frequency coil is connected), a current flows through the high frequency coil 70, so that the electrical resistance of the high frequency coil 70 is a small value. On the other hand, if the high-frequency coil is not connected, almost no current flows through the high-frequency coil 70, so that the electrical resistance of the high-frequency coil 70 is a large value. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the subject P has been set up in the MRI apparatus 1 by measuring the resistance of the high-frequency coil 70.

Next, the processing flow of the MRI apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
First, according to a command from the signal processing unit 7, the control unit 6 passes a current through the high frequency coil 70 and measures the resistance of the high frequency coil 70 (step S311).
Next, the operation determination unit 23 determines whether or not the high frequency coil 70 is connected based on the measured value of the resistance of the high frequency coil 70 (step S312).
When the high frequency coil 70 is not connected (step S312: No), the operation determination unit 23 returns to step S311.
On the other hand, when the high-frequency coil 70 is in a connected state (step S312: Yes), the timekeeping control unit 24 starts from a point in time when it can be confirmed that the high-frequency coil 70 is in a connected state. Is displayed on the monitor screen (step S313).
Steps S314 to S318 below are the same as Steps S113 to S117 described above, and thus further description thereof is omitted.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the third embodiment, it has been described that the elapsed time is displayed with the time when the state in which the high-frequency coil 70 is connected can be confirmed as the start time, but within a range where the error from the actual elapsed time from the anesthesia start time is small. If there is, the start time of timing may be shifted back and forth. For example, the connector 75 of the cable 74 of the high-frequency coil 70 may be just before the connection connector 32 of the gantry 30 is connected. Therefore, in this embodiment, without measuring the resistance of the high frequency coil 70, the table 80 on which the high frequency coil 70 and the anesthetized animal (subject P) are placed is moved, and this table 80 is moved to the MRI apparatus 1. The time point when it was placed in the gantry 30 was set as the starting time point. Here, as shown in FIG. 5D, a state in which the animal (subject P) on the table 80 is positioned at the center of the magnetic field of the gantry 30 is called setup.

The MRI apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a detection unit that detects that the table 80 is disposed in the gantry 30. The detection means is disposed at a predetermined position near the opening 31 of the gantry, for example. As the detecting means, for example, a known non-contact type sensor such as a reflective or transmissive optical sensor can be used. Further, the detection means may be constituted by a contact type sensor. In this case, when the table 80 contacts the contact type sensor, it can be seen that the table 80 is disposed at a predetermined position in the vicinity of the opening 31 of the gantry. For example, the resistance between two contact detection sensors may be measured, and it may be determined whether or not the table 80 is arranged in the gantry 30 from information on a non-contact state or a contact state derived from the magnitude of the measurement value. Good.
When detecting that the table 80 is arranged in the gantry 30, the detection means transmits the detection result to the signal processing unit 7 through the control unit 6.

The operation determination unit 23 of the signal processing unit 7 determines whether or not the operator has performed an operation of placing the table 80 on the gantry 30 as a user operation in accordance with the output of the detection means.
And when the table 80 is arrange | positioned at the gantry 30, the time-control part 24 starts time-measurement, and displays the "elapsed time from the start of a test | inspection" for the elapsed time after starting time-measurement. It is displayed on the screen area 207 (see FIG. 6).

  According to the present embodiment, when the table 80 on which the subject P and the high-frequency coil 70 are placed is placed on the gantry 30, the elapsed time starts to be measured. No special user operation is required.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the technical idea. Of course, the present invention extends to these modifications and changes. It is.

For example, the signal processing unit 7 may set the time limit input by the input device 22 in the storage unit 21. At this time, when the elapsed time from the start of timing to the present time reaches a preset time limit, the timing control unit 24 visually recognizes that fact to the user (operator). You may make it display on a display means by emphasis display or audio | voice display.
Here, the time limit means a time allowable as an anesthetic time. As this time limit, the operator can set a desired value. As the visual highlighting display, for example, a blinking display can be cited. In this case, at the console of the MRI apparatus, the operator sets the time limit in the MRI apparatus 1 using the input device 22 such as a keyboard or a mouse on the time limit setting screen, for example, before imaging.

Here, the monitor screen display when the time limit is set in the MRI apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 11, description of the same display as in FIG. 7 is omitted as appropriate. In this monitor screen display, when the operator clicks the “time limit setting” icon 221 arranged on the right side of the screen, the time limit can be entered in the screen area 222 for inputting and displaying the time limit. For example, when the operator inputs 1:30:00 (1 hour, 30 minutes, 0 seconds) as an allowable time (time limit) as the anesthesia time and clicks the icon 221 again, the setting of the time limit is completed.
Then, when the elapsed time from the start of timing to the present time has elapsed, for example, 1 hour 30 minutes 0 seconds, the time measurement control unit 24 blinks the elapsed time displayed in the screen area 207 of the monitor screen. As a result, the operator can be made aware that the elapsed time has passed the allowable time (time limit) as the anesthetic time.

  Note that the method for setting the time limit is not limited to the method in which the operator clicks the “time limit setting” icon 221 shown in FIG. 11, and is not displayed on the monitor display screen as shown in FIG. A time limit may be set. For example, like the subject (animal) information registration screen 202 in FIG. 6, a time limit setting screen may be provided in the pre-setting screen.

The means for notifying the user (operator) that the elapsed time from the start of inspection has passed the time limit is not limited to blinking display. For example, the display color of the elapsed time and the background color of the elapsed time may be changed, or the size of a character that displays the elapsed time may be changed.
Further, the method of displaying that the elapsed time from the start of the examination has passed the time limit is not limited to visual display, but may be auditory display, that is, audio display. For example, a buzzer may be sounded or a voice announcement may be made.

  Further, the display means for displaying the elapsed time from the start of the examination is not limited to the display 20 for displaying the monitor screen. If the display means is connected to the signal processing unit 7 so as to be communicable, a display for displaying the monitor screen. 20 may be a different display device. The installation location of the display device may be the front or side surface of the gantry 30, the wall surface in the shield room, or the like. Furthermore, you may use together the several display means which displays the elapsed time from the test | inspection start.

  In addition, the timing control unit 24 has been described as having the display unit count up and display the time from the anesthesia start time, with the user operation relating to the predetermined processing necessary for the examination described above as the start time. You may make it display countdown from the anesthesia completion scheduled time. In this case, the signal processing unit 7 sets the scheduled anesthesia completion time input by the input device 22 in the storage unit 21. Then, the time measuring control unit 24 sequentially displays the time obtained by subtracting the elapsed time from the start of time measurement to the current time from the preset scheduled time for the end of anesthesia as the remaining time until the scheduled time for the end of anesthesia on the display means. Let The operator can set a desired value as the scheduled time for ending anesthesia. At the console of the MRI apparatus, the operator sets the scheduled anesthetic end time in the MRI apparatus 1 using the input device 22 such as a keyboard or a mouse on the anesthetized end time setting screen, for example, before imaging.

  When the countdown display using the subtraction timer and the display for notifying the user (operator) that the elapsed time from the start of the inspection has passed the limit time, the countdown display screen and the limit described above are used. It is provided separately from the time setting screen. An example of the countdown display in this case is shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, the description of the same display as in FIG. 11 is omitted as appropriate. In this monitor screen display, the screen area 223 displaying “remaining time until the end of anesthesia” arranged on the right side of the screen counts down the remaining time until the scheduled end time of the anesthesia, starting from the predetermined user operation described above. Continue to display and update. The “remaining time until the end of anesthesia” in the monitor screen display means the remaining time until the scheduled end time of anesthesia.

  Here, the time limit has the same meaning as the scheduled end time of anesthesia. In other words, when the time limit is entered in the screen area 222 by clicking the “limit time setting” icon 221, the scheduled time for anesthesia is automatically set, and the value is displayed in the screen area 223. Specifically, for example, when 13:00 is input as the time limit in the screen area 222 and the icon 221 is clicked, the time is also displayed in the screen area 223 as 1:30:00. The display of the screen area 223 in FIG. 7 corresponds to the screen display of the remaining time (42:02) when 47 minutes and 58 seconds have elapsed with the start of the user operation related to the predetermined processing necessary for the examination described above. doing.

  In addition, you may set the anesthesia completion scheduled time and the time limit independently. Specifically, when the scheduled end time of anesthesia is set longer than the above-mentioned time limit, the anesthesia scheduled end time is displayed by blinking before the countdown display becomes “0:00: 00” (for example, one minute before). You may make it alert | report to a user that it is approaching. Furthermore, the highlighting method when the time limit is exceeded is not limited to blinking display, for example, the display color of the elapsed time and the background color of the elapsed time are changed, or the size of the character displaying the elapsed time is changed. It may be an audible display, that is, an audio display.

1 MRI system (animal magnetic resonance imaging system)
2 Static magnetic field generation system 3 Gradient magnetic field generation system 4 Transmission system 5 Reception system 6 Control unit (control means)
7 Signal processing unit 8 Static magnetic field generation unit 9 Imaging unit 10 Gradient magnetic field coil 15a Transmission side high frequency coil 15b Reception side high frequency coil 19 Computer 20 Display (display unit)
21 Storage unit (storage means)
22 Input device (input means)
23 Operation discrimination unit (operation discrimination means)
24 Timekeeping control unit (time keeping control means)
25 Wiring for Measurement 30 Gantry 31 Opening 32 Connection Connector 40 Control Unit 50 Console 70 High Frequency Coil 80 Table

In order to solve the above-described problems, an animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that performs an imaging examination by installing an anesthetized animal as a subject, and includes a gradient magnetic field coil and An imaging unit that includes a high-frequency coil and detects a nuclear magnetic resonance signal generated from the subject; a control unit that controls the imaging unit; a signal processing unit that includes a calculator, a display unit, a storage unit, and an input device; The signal processing unit, and an operation determining means for determining whether or not a user operation related to a predetermined process necessary for the inspection has been performed, and start timing when determining that the user operation has been performed and, based on the time measured includes a timer control means for sequentially displaying on the display means the time remaining until the time that can be acceptable anesthesia time, and the signal processing unit, the input data The scheduled anesthesia completion time input by the chair is set in the storage means, and the timekeeping control means subtracts the elapsed time from the start of timing to the present time from the preset anesthesia completion time set in advance. time, it characterized thereby sequentially displayed on the display unit as the remaining time until the anesthesia scheduled end time.

According to this configuration, the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus starts timing when a user operation related to a predetermined process necessary for the examination is performed, and subtracts the elapsed time from the start of timing to the present time . The time is displayed momentarily on the display means. Here, it is desirable that the user operation necessary for the examination is an operation performed at a time within a few minutes from the actual anesthesia start time. Thus, the operator can between when that is displayed on the display means, it be recognized as the remaining time until the anesthesia scheduled end time. Therefore, Ru can save time and effort the operator to calculate the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time up to the present time.

The animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that performs an examination by imaging by installing an anesthetized animal as a subject, and includes a gradient magnetic field coil and a high-frequency coil. Imaging means for detecting a nuclear magnetic resonance signal generated from the subject;
A control unit that controls the imaging unit, a signal processing unit including a computer, a display unit, a storage unit, and an input device, and the signal processing unit is a user related to a predetermined process necessary for an inspection. Operation discriminating means for discriminating whether or not an operation has been performed, and when it is determined that the user operation has been performed, time measurement is started, and based on the time measured, the time from the anesthesia start time or anesthesia scheduled to end Timing control means for sequentially displaying the remaining time up to the time on the display means, and the operation determination means performs a predetermined operation on the operation screen in the registration process of object information for specifying the object as the user operation. It is characterized by determining whether or not the input operation has been performed.
By doing in this way, the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus can display the time which can be regarded as the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time to the present time on the display means. In particular, this is effective when the sequence of MRI examinations is a procedure of performing subject information registration processing after anesthesia treatment.

The animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that performs an examination by imaging by installing an anesthetized animal as a subject, and includes a gradient magnetic field coil and a high-frequency coil. An imaging unit for detecting a nuclear magnetic resonance signal generated from a subject; a control unit for controlling the imaging unit; a signal processing unit including a calculator, a display unit, a storage unit, and an input device; When the processing unit determines whether or not a user operation related to a predetermined process necessary for the inspection has been performed, and when it is determined that the user operation has been performed, the time is started and time is measured Based on the time of anesthesia, the time control means for sequentially displaying on the display means the remaining time until the anesthesia end time,
It said operation determination means, as the user operation, for a given step in the imaging process, and discriminates whether a predetermined input operation on the operation screen is performed.
By doing in this way, the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus can display the time which can be regarded as the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time to the present time on the display means. In particular, it is effective when a series of MRI examinations is a procedure of performing anesthesia treatment after subject information registration processing.

The animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that performs an examination by imaging by installing an anesthetized animal as a subject, and includes a gradient magnetic field coil and a high-frequency coil. An imaging unit for detecting a nuclear magnetic resonance signal generated from a subject; a control unit for controlling the imaging unit; a signal processing unit including a calculator, a display unit, a storage unit, and an input device; When the processing unit determines whether or not a user operation related to a predetermined process necessary for the inspection has been performed, and when it is determined that the user operation has been performed, the time is started and time is measured based on the time from anesthesia start time, or comprises a timing control means for sequentially displaying on the display means the time remaining until anesthesia scheduled end time, and the signal processing unit, the control The resistance of the high-frequency coil is measured by passing a current through the high-frequency coil from the stage through the measurement wiring, and the operation determining means determines whether the measured value of the resistance of the high-frequency coil is lower or higher than a predetermined value. Accordingly, it is characterized in that it is determined whether or not an operation of electrically connecting the high-frequency coil is performed by the operator as the user operation.
By doing in this way, the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus can display the time which can be regarded as the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time to the present time on the display means.

The animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that performs an examination by imaging by installing an anesthetized animal as a subject, and includes a gradient magnetic field coil and a high-frequency coil. Imaging means for detecting a nuclear magnetic resonance signal generated from a subject, control means for controlling the imaging means, a signal processing unit comprising a calculator, display means, storage means, and an input device, the subject and the subject Detecting means for detecting that a table on which a high-frequency coil is placed is arranged in a gantry provided with the gradient magnetic field coil, and the signal processing unit performs a user operation related to a predetermined process necessary for inspection And an operation determination means for determining whether or not the user operation has been performed. When it is determined that the user operation has been performed, time measurement is started, and anesthesia start time is determined based on the time measured. Et time, or comprises a timing control means for sequentially displaying on the display means the time remaining until anesthesia scheduled end time, and said operation determination means, in response to an output of said detecting means, as the user operation, the operation who is characterized in that it is determined whether or not the operation of placing the table into the gantry is performed.
By doing in this way, the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus can display the time which can be regarded as the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time to the present time on the display means.

Further, in the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention, for example, the timing control unit sequentially displays the elapsed time from the start of timing to the present time on the display unit as the time from the anesthesia start time. You may do it.
Further, the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention, in an aspect of displaying the remaining time until the scheduled end time of anesthesia, indicates that the operation determination means has started anesthesia for the subject as the user operation. It may be determined whether a predetermined input operation on the operation screen has been performed.
Further, in the animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the signal processing unit sets the time limit input by the input device in the storage unit, and the time control unit starts measuring time from the start of time measurement. If the elapsed time until the time reaches the preset time limit, that fact may be displayed on the display means by visual emphasis display or voice display that can be perceived by the user.
By doing in this way, it can make it easy for a user (operator) to notice that the elapsed time from the anesthesia start time has passed the preset time limit.

Claims (9)

An animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for performing an examination by imaging by installing an anesthetized animal as a subject,
Imaging means for detecting a nuclear magnetic resonance signal generated from the subject including a gradient magnetic field coil and a high frequency coil;
Control means for controlling the imaging means;
A computer, a display means, a storage means, and a signal processing unit comprising an input device,
The signal processing unit
Operation discriminating means for discriminating whether or not a user operation related to a predetermined process necessary for the inspection has been performed;
When it is determined that the user operation has been performed, time measurement is started, and based on the time measured, the time from the anesthesia start time or the remaining time until the scheduled end time of anesthesia is sequentially displayed on the display means. An animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising:   The animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the timekeeping control unit sequentially displays on the display unit the elapsed time from the start of timekeeping to the present time as the time from the anesthesia start time. The signal processing unit sets the scheduled time for completion of anesthesia input by the input device in the storage means,
The timekeeping control means sequentially sets the time obtained by subtracting the elapsed time from the start of timekeeping to the present time from the preset anesthesia end time as the remaining time until the anesthetic end time is sequentially displayed on the display means. The animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1 to be displayed.   The operation determining unit determines whether or not a predetermined input operation on an operation screen is performed in the object information registration process for specifying the object as the user operation. The animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims.   The said operation discrimination | determination means discriminate | determines whether predetermined | prescribed input operation on the operation screen regarding the predetermined | prescribed process of an imaging process was performed as said user operation. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for animals as described.   The operation determining means determines whether or not a predetermined input operation on an operation screen indicating that anesthesia is started on the subject has been performed as the user operation. The animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to Item. The signal processing unit measures the resistance of the high-frequency coil by passing a current from the control unit to the high-frequency coil through a measurement wiring.
The operation determining means determines whether or not an operation of electrically connecting the high-frequency coil is performed by the operator as the user operation depending on whether the measured value of the resistance of the high-frequency coil is lower or higher than a predetermined value. The animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: Detecting means for detecting that the table on which the subject and the high-frequency coil are placed is arranged in a gantry including the gradient coil;
4. The operation determination unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operation determination unit determines whether or not the operator has performed an operation of placing the table in the gantry as the user operation in accordance with an output of the detection unit. The animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1. The signal processing unit sets a time limit input by the input device in the storage unit,
When the elapsed time from the start of timing to the present time reaches the preset time limit, the timing control means notifies the user by visual highlighting or audio display that can be perceived by the user. The animal magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is displayed on a display means.