JP3846675B2 - Pneumoconiosis or lung function imaging device by in vivo magnetic measurement - Google Patents
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- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 title claims description 30
- 206010035653 pneumoconiosis Diseases 0.000 title claims description 23
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 title claims description 22
- 230000004199 lung function Effects 0.000 title claims description 22
- 238000001727 in vivo Methods 0.000 title description 2
- 210000004072 lung Anatomy 0.000 claims description 34
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 claims description 21
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000002123 temporal effect Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000005415 magnetization Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000003745 diagnosis Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000009325 pulmonary function Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000005389 magnetism Effects 0.000 description 7
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000006247 magnetic powder Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012216 screening Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000002247 constant time method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002405 diagnostic procedure Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012631 diagnostic technique Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000005265 lung cell Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011160 research Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005070 sampling Methods 0.000 description 1
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Description
【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この出願の発明は、塵肺または肺機能画像化方法とその装置に関するものである。さらに詳しくは、この出願の発明は、複数の磁気センサーを備えた測定器を用いて被験者の胸部の磁気分布を測定することにより、従来方法に比較して計測時間が短く、また、時系列変化をとらえることが可能となる塵肺画像化方法に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術とその課題】
粉塵の多い労働環境において、労働者に対する塵肺の定期的な検診は、雇用主の義務とされている。一般に、塵肺の検診にはＸ線が利用されているが、塵肺の性質上、長い期間粉塵が肺中に蓄積し肺組織に変化が生じるまで、検出が難しいことが問題となっていた。したがって、塵肺の早期発見が可能となる検査方法の開発が求められていた。
【０００３】
近年、電子機器の発達に伴い、生体内磁気測定による医療診断方法の開発が盛んになってきている。このような状況の中、外部から強磁場を肺内に蓄積した粉塵を磁化し、次いで外部からの磁場を除去し、粉塵が作る磁場を磁気センサーにより測定し、肺内に蓄積した粉塵の総量と分布を測定する肺磁界測定装置が発明された（特公平３−４２０９３）。しかし、この方法は、単一の磁気センサーを用いるため、計測時間が長く、かつ、粉塵の分布を捕らえるために非常に手間が掛かっていた。上記の発明がなされて以来、電子機器は更なる発展を遂げ、計測機器や磁気センサーは非常に高性能なものとなっており、これらの高性能な電子機器を応用することにより、上記の発明の弱点を克服できる可能性が出てきた。また、肺内の粉塵分布を直感的に理解するために画像処理技術の導入に対する期待や、さらには、粉塵分布の経時変化を簡便にとらえたいという要望も出てきている。
【０００４】
この出願の発明は、以上の通りの事情に鑑みてなされたものであり、高感度に、しかも計測時間が短く、かつ、粉塵の分布の時間的な変化をもとらえることができ、肺内に蓄積された粉塵だけでなく、超微粉化された微量の磁性粉を肺内に吸引された状態で肺細胞の活性度等の機能を観察することを可能とする、磁気分布測定による塵肺または肺機能画像化方法とその方法を提供することを課題としている。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
この出願の発明は、上記の課題を解決するものとして、磁場の発生とその停止とを自在とした外部磁場発生装置と、円筒状の基板に複数の磁気センサーを備えた測定器と、測定データを演算処理するコンピュータ演算装置と、演算処理されたデータを画像表示する表示装置とを有し、被験者の肺内の粉塵または肺内に吸引された磁性超微粉を前記外部磁場発生装置により磁化した後に、前記外部磁場発生装置による磁場を取り除き、次いで、前記測定器により外部より胸部の磁気分布を測定し、測定データをコンピュータ演算処理して画像表示することを特徴とする塵肺または肺機能画像化装置（請求項１）を提供する。
【０００６】
また、この出願の発明の塵肺または肺機能画像化装置においては、外部磁場発生装置を電磁石、永久磁石および超伝導磁石のうち少なくとも１種とすること（請求項２）を特徴とする。
【０００７】
また、測定器を回転および／または移動を可能とする駆動機構を備えていること（請求項３）を特徴とする。
【０００８】
また、被験者の回転および／または移動を可能とする駆動機構を設けていること（請求項４）を特徴とする。
【０００９】
さらに、磁気センサーが半導体磁気センサー、磁気抵抗（ＭＲ）素子、磁気インダクタンス（ＭＩ）素子、コイル、および、量子干渉素子のうちの少なくとも１種からなるものとすること（請求項５）をも特徴とする。
【００１０】
またさらに、空間磁気シールド機構を設けていること（請求項６）を特徴とする。
【００１１】
そして、測定器を構成する複数の磁気センサーが、それぞれ単独でＡ／Ｄ変換器に接続されていること（請求項７）をも特徴とする。
【００１２】
さらに、この出願の発明は、磁場の発生とその停止とを自在とした外部磁場発生装置と、円筒状の基板に複数の磁気センサーを備えた測定器と、測定データを演算処理するコンピュータ演算装置と、演算処理されたデータを画像表示する表示装置とを有し、被験者の肺内の粉塵または肺内に吸引された磁性超微粉を前記外部磁場発生装置により磁化した後に、前記外部磁場発生装置による磁場を取り除き、次いで、前記測定器により外部より胸部の磁気分布を測定し、測定データをコンピュータ演算処理して磁気分布の時間変化を画像表示することを特徴とする肺機能診断装置（請求項８）と、磁場の発生とその停止とを自在とした外部磁場発生装置と、円筒状の基板に複数の磁気センサーを備えた測定器と、測定データを演算処理するコンピュータ演算装置と、演算処理されたデータを画像表示する表示装置とを有し、被験者の肺内の粉塵または肺内に吸引された微量の磁性超微粉を前記外部磁場発生装置により磁化した後に、前記外部磁場発生装置による磁場を取り除き、次いで、前記測定器により外部より胸部の磁気分布を測定し、次いで、再び前記外部磁場発生装置により最初とは逆向きの磁場を発生させて磁化した後に、前記外部磁場発生装置による磁場を取り除き、測定器を用いて外部より胸部の残留磁気分布を測定し、それぞれの測定データをコンピュータ演算処理し、両者の残留磁気分布の時間変化を画像表示することを特徴とする肺機能診断装置（請求項９）をも提供する。
【００１３】
【発明実施の形態】
この出願の発明の塵肺または肺機能画像化方法は、はじめに外部磁場発生装置を用いて磁場を発生し、被験者の肺内に蓄積している粉塵を磁化するか、または、たとえば、粉塵が非磁性の場合等には、超微細な磁性粉の微少量を空気とともに肺内に吸引させ、この吸引された磁性粉を磁化する。外部磁場発生装置は、直流電流を流したコイル、永久磁石または超伝導磁石などであり、短時間で肺内に蓄積した粉塵を磁化するために、外部磁場発生装置は、ある程度強磁場を発生することが可能であることが望ましい。
【００１４】
次いで、外部磁場発生装置による磁場を取り除いた状態で、複数の磁気センサーからなる測定器を用いて被験者の胸部の磁気分布を測定する。複数の磁気センサーからなる測定器には、図１、図２、図３に例示するように、平面状、曲面状または円筒状の基板（１）に、各々間隙をおいて、たとえばｍ行ｎ列で複数の磁気センサー（２）が配置されているものとする（ｍ，ｎは整数）ことができる。測定の際、被験者は直立している状態、椅子に座っている状態、または、ベッドに横たわった状態とすることができる。複数の磁気センサーからなる測定器が、固定された状態にある被験者の胸部の周囲を回転したり、または、平行移動することにより、被験者の胸部の磁気分布を測定する。測定器を構成する磁気センサーの数が十分に多ければ、被験者の胸部全体を覆うように固定した状態で、被験者の胸部の磁気分布を測定してもよい。もしくは、被験者を固定するかわりに、測定器を固定し、被験者を回転また平行移動することにより、胸部の磁気分布を測定することも可能である。その際、被験者の回転また平行移動ために、被験者が直立している床、座っている椅子、横たわっているベッドなどが測定器に対して相対的に移動する。
【００１５】
測定器が被験者の胸部の周囲を回転する場合には、より詳細なデータを取得するために、スパイラル状の回転走査を行うことが好ましい。このようにして取得されたデータは、胸部の水平方向の断面画像や３次元画像として構成するのに有用である。
たとえば以上に例示した複数の磁気センサーを備えた測定器（３）を用いて被験者の胸部の磁気を計測する様子を例示したものが図４である。
【００１６】
また、この出願の発明において、測定器を構成する磁気センサーは、半導体磁気センサー、磁気抵抗（ＭＲ）素子、磁気インダクタンス（ＭＩ）素子、コイル、量子干渉素子の１種以上からなり、地磁気や外部ノイズを軽減するために、２つの磁気センサーを同じ位置に配置し測定値の差をとったり、複数回の測定値のスタッキングを行い平均値を測定値とすることが好ましい。地磁気や外部ノイズを軽減するために、磁気シールドルーム内にて測定を行うことも可能である。
【００１７】
また、ＳＮ比の改善のために、高い解像度での操作を行い、複数の磁気センサーによる同一の測定位置における重複データを加算することも好ましい。
また、測定器に接続される計測機器はデジタル機器が好ましく、サンプリング間隔は１秒以下とするのが好ましく、複数の磁気センサーは同じに、あるいはスキャンさせて測定することができる。そして、連続的な測定が可能である。計測機器を通じて離散化された測定値は、計測機器に接続されたコンピュータの記憶装置に格納され、コンピュータによりデータ処理がなされ、肺内に蓄積した粉塵の分布に関する画像化が行われる。
【００１８】
複数の磁気センサーの測定値は、マルチプレクサーにより順次選択され１台のＡ／Ｄ変換器によってデジタル信号に変換されてもよい。高速な測定のためには、それぞれの磁気センサーにＡ／Ｄ変換器が単独で接続されている事が好ましい。
【００１９】
コンピュータによる画像化の方法としては、表示装置に出力された人体の平面像において、磁気センサーの位置に割り当てられた点に測定データの値を割り振り、これらの値を線上のグラフ、濃淡画像、カラー画像または、等高線画像として表示する。図５は、肺の磁気分布を等高線画像として表示した例である。
【００２０】
また、隣接する磁気センサーによる測定値の空間差分の分布として画像化したり、ＣＴ法の原理を応用して画像化することにより、より正確な肺内に蓄積した粉塵の分布に関する画像化が行われる。
【００２１】
曲面状または円筒状の測定器を用いた場合には、肺内の粉塵の磁化を、任意の方向で行うことが可能となり、磁化によって発生する磁気の最大となる方向を曲面状または円筒状の測定器の回転走査により検出し、前後あるいは左右からの磁化を行い、それらのデータから人体断面方向の像が構築できる。
【００２２】
さらに、上記の塵肺または肺機能画像化方法およびその装置により得られたデータを用いて、被験者の肺機能の健全度を診断することも可能となる。
この出願の発明の肺機能診断方法においては、被験者の肺内に空気と共に微量の磁性超微粉を吸引させ、その後、外部磁場発生装置により磁場を発生させて磁性超微粉を一定の方向で磁化する。
【００２３】
肺内で磁化された磁性超微分は、時間の経過と共に肺内部の生体組織の活動によって移動する。このため、磁性超微粉から発生する磁気は、磁化直後は一定方向を向いているが、時間経過と共に様々な方向を向くことになる。
【００２４】
したがって、この出願の塵肺または肺機能画像化方法およびその装置により、肺内の磁気の時間変化をモニターすることにより、被験者の肺機能の健全度を診断することができる。
【００２５】
また、被験者の肺内に空気と共に微量の磁性超微粉を吸引した後に、外部磁場発生装置により磁場を発生させて磁性超微粉を一定の方向で磁化し、この時点で１回目の残留磁気の分布を測定し、さらに、再び外部磁場発生装置により最初とは逆向きの磁場を発生させて磁化した後に、測定器を用いて２回目の残留磁気分布測定を行うことによっても、被験者の肺機能の健全度を診断することができる。肺機能が健全であれば、１回目と２回目の残留磁気は逆向きとなるが、肺胞の活性が少ない不健全である場合には、残留磁気の反転は起こらない。
【００２６】
【発明の効果】
この出願の発明により、複数の磁気センサーを用いることにより、計測時間が短く、高感度で塵肺画像または肺機能画像を得ることが可能となり、しかも被験者に優しい医療診断技術が提供される。また、肺内の様子の時間変化をもとらえることが可能となり、基礎研究や新たな診断技術に寄与すると考えられる。さらに、Ｘ線やＭＲＩなどの従来技術では把握できなかった、肺機能の健全度を容易に診断することが可能となる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 この出願の発明における複数の磁気センサーからなる測定器で、平面状にｍ行ｎ列で磁気センサーが配置されているものの概略図である。
【図２】 この出願の発明における複数の磁気センサーからなる測定器で、曲面状にｍ行ｎ列で磁気センサーが配置されているものの概略図である。
【図３】 この出願の発明における複数の磁気センサーからなる測定器で、円筒状にｍ行ｎ列で磁気センサーが配置されているものの概略図である。
【図４】 この出願の発明の塵肺または肺機能画像化方法において、複数の磁気センサーを備えた測定器を用いて被験者の胸部の磁気を計測する様子を例示した概略図である。
【図５】 この出願の発明の塵肺または肺機能画像化方法において、肺の磁気分布を等高線画像として表示した例である。
【符号の説明】
１ 基板
２ 磁気センサー
３ 測定器[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention of this application relates to a pneumoconiosis or lung function imaging method and apparatus. More specifically, the invention of this application uses a measuring device equipped with a plurality of magnetic sensors to measure the magnetic distribution of the subject's chest, so that the measurement time is shorter than the conventional method and the time series changes. The present invention relates to a pneumoconiosis imaging method capable of capturing
[0002]
[Prior art and its problems]
In a dusty work environment, regular pneumoconiosis screening for workers is a duty of the employer. In general, X-rays are used for pneumoconiosis screening, but due to the nature of pneumoconiosis, it has been a problem that detection is difficult until dust accumulates in the lung for a long time and changes occur in the lung tissue. Accordingly, there has been a demand for the development of an inspection method that enables early detection of pneumoconiosis.
[0003]
In recent years, with the development of electronic devices, development of medical diagnostic methods based on in-vivo magnetic measurements has become active. In such a situation, magnetize the dust that has accumulated a strong magnetic field in the lung from the outside, then remove the magnetic field from the outside, measure the magnetic field created by the dust with a magnetic sensor, the total amount of dust accumulated in the lung And a lung magnetic field measuring device for measuring distribution was invented (Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-42093). However, since this method uses a single magnetic sensor, the measurement time is long, and it takes much time and effort to capture the dust distribution. Since the above invention was made, electronic devices have further developed, and measuring devices and magnetic sensors have very high performance. By applying these high performance electronic devices, the above-described invention has been achieved. The possibility of overcoming this weakness has emerged. In addition, in order to intuitively understand the dust distribution in the lung, expectations for the introduction of an image processing technique, and further a request to easily grasp the temporal change of the dust distribution have come out.
[0004]
The invention of this application has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, has high sensitivity, has a short measurement time, and can detect temporal changes in the distribution of dust. Pneumoconiosis or lungs by magnetic distribution measurement that enables observation of functions such as lung cell activity in a state in which not only accumulated dust but also a very small amount of finely divided magnetic powder is sucked into the lungs It is an object to provide a functional imaging method and the method.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the invention of this application is directed to an external magnetic field generator that can freely generate and stop a magnetic field, a measuring instrument that includes a plurality of magnetic sensors on a cylindrical substrate, and measurement data. And a display device that displays the processed data as an image, and magnetized dust in the subject's lungs or magnetic ultrafine powder attracted into the lungs by the external magnetic field generator later, the external magnetic field generating device removes the magnetic field due, then the measuring device by measuring the magnetic field distribution of the chest from the outside, pneumoconiosis or pulmonary function imaging, characterized by displaying the image measurement data by computer processing An apparatus (claim 1) is provided.
[0006]
The pneumoconiosis or lung function imaging device of the invention of this application is characterized in that the external magnetic field generator is at least one of an electromagnet, a permanent magnet, and a superconducting magnet (Claim 2).
[0007]
Further, the present invention is characterized in that a driving mechanism that enables rotation and / or movement of the measuring instrument is provided (claim 3).
[0008]
In addition, a drive mechanism that enables the subject to rotate and / or move is provided (claim 4).
[0009]
Furthermore, the magnetic sensor is made of at least one of a semiconductor magnetic sensor, a magnetoresistive (MR) element, a magnetic inductance (MI) element, a coil, and a quantum interference element (Claim 5). And
[0010]
Furthermore, a space magnetic shield mechanism is provided (claim 6).
[0011]
A plurality of magnetic sensors constituting the measuring device are each connected to the A / D converter independently (claim 7).
[0012]
Further, the invention of this application includes an external magnetic field generation device that can freely generate and stop a magnetic field, a measuring instrument that includes a plurality of magnetic sensors on a cylindrical substrate, and a computer arithmetic device that performs arithmetic processing on measurement data And a display device that displays the processed data as an image, and magnetizes the dust in the lungs of the subject or the magnetic ultrafine powder sucked into the lungs by the external magnetic field generator, and then the external magnetic field generator remove the magnetic field by, then the measuring device by measuring the magnetic field distribution of the chest from the outside, the measurement data lung function diagnosis apparatus characterized by an image displaying the time change of a computer processing to magnetic distribution (claim 8), an external magnetic field generator that can freely generate and stop a magnetic field, a measuring instrument that includes a plurality of magnetic sensors on a cylindrical substrate, and a computer that performs processing of measurement data. A computer and a display device for displaying the processed data as an image, and magnetizing dust in the subject's lungs or a minute amount of magnetic ultrafine powder sucked into the lungs by the external magnetic field generator, removing the magnetic field by the external magnetic field generating device, and then, after the measuring device by measuring the magnetic field distribution of the chest from the outside, then magnetized to generate a magnetic field of opposite first and by again the external magnetic field generating device, The magnetic field generated by the external magnetic field generator is removed, the residual magnetic distribution of the chest is measured from the outside using a measuring instrument, each measurement data is processed by a computer, and the temporal change of the residual magnetic distribution is displayed as an image. A pulmonary function diagnostic device (claim 9) is also provided.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The pneumoconiosis or lung function imaging method of the invention of this application first generates a magnetic field using an external magnetic field generator and magnetizes the dust accumulated in the subject's lung, or, for example, the dust is non-magnetic. In this case, a very small amount of ultrafine magnetic powder is attracted into the lung together with air, and the attracted magnetic powder is magnetized. The external magnetic field generator is a coil, a permanent magnet or a superconducting magnet through which a direct current is passed. In order to magnetize dust accumulated in the lung in a short time, the external magnetic field generator generates a strong magnetic field to some extent. It is desirable that it is possible.
[0014]
Next, with the magnetic field from the external magnetic field generator removed, the magnetic distribution of the subject's chest is measured using a measuring device comprising a plurality of magnetic sensors. As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the measuring device comprising a plurality of magnetic sensors includes, for example, m rows and n, with a space on each of a planar, curved or cylindrical substrate (1). It can be assumed that a plurality of magnetic sensors (2) are arranged in a row (m and n are integers). At the time of measurement, the subject can be in an upright state, sitting in a chair, or lying on a bed. A measuring device composed of a plurality of magnetic sensors measures the magnetic distribution of the subject's chest by rotating or translating around the subject's chest in a fixed state. If the number of magnetic sensors constituting the measuring device is sufficiently large, the magnetic distribution of the subject's chest may be measured in a state of being fixed so as to cover the entire subject's chest. Alternatively, instead of fixing the subject, the magnetic distribution of the chest can be measured by fixing the measuring instrument and rotating or translating the subject. At this time, the subject's upright floor, sitting chair, lying bed, etc. move relative to the measuring instrument in order to rotate or translate the subject.
[0015]
When the measuring instrument rotates around the subject's chest, it is preferable to perform spiral rotational scanning in order to obtain more detailed data. The data acquired in this way is useful for constructing a horizontal cross-sectional image or a three-dimensional image of the chest.
For example, FIG. 4 illustrates a state in which the magnetism of the subject's chest is measured using the measuring device (3) including the plurality of magnetic sensors exemplified above.
[0016]
In the invention of this application, the magnetic sensor that constitutes the measuring instrument is composed of one or more of a semiconductor magnetic sensor, a magnetoresistive (MR) element, a magnetic inductance (MI) element, a coil, and a quantum interference element. In order to reduce noise, it is preferable to arrange two magnetic sensors at the same position and take a difference between measurement values, or stack the measurement values a plurality of times and use the average value as the measurement value. In order to reduce geomagnetism and external noise, it is also possible to perform measurements in a magnetic shield room.
[0017]
In order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, it is also preferable to perform an operation at a high resolution and add overlapping data at the same measurement position by a plurality of magnetic sensors.
The measuring device connected to the measuring device is preferably a digital device, and the sampling interval is preferably 1 second or less, and the plurality of magnetic sensors can be measured in the same manner or by scanning. And continuous measurement is possible. The measurement values discretized through the measuring device are stored in a storage device of a computer connected to the measuring device, and data processing is performed by the computer, thereby imaging the distribution of dust accumulated in the lung.
[0018]
The measurement values of the plurality of magnetic sensors may be sequentially selected by a multiplexer and converted into a digital signal by a single A / D converter. For high-speed measurement, it is preferable that an A / D converter is independently connected to each magnetic sensor.
[0019]
As a method for imaging by a computer, in a planar image of a human body output to a display device, measurement data values are assigned to points assigned to the position of a magnetic sensor, and these values are assigned to a line graph, grayscale image, color Display as an image or contour image. FIG. 5 is an example in which the magnetic distribution of the lung is displayed as a contour image.
[0020]
In addition, by imaging as a spatial difference distribution of measured values by adjacent magnetic sensors or by applying the principle of CT method, more accurate imaging regarding the distribution of dust accumulated in the lung is performed. .
[0021]
When a curved or cylindrical measuring instrument is used, it is possible to magnetize dust in the lungs in any direction, and the direction of maximum magnetism generated by the magnetization is curved or cylindrical. It can be detected by rotational scanning of the measuring device, and magnetized from the front and back or from the left and right, and an image in the cross section of the human body can be constructed from these data.
[0022]
Furthermore, it is possible to diagnose the degree of soundness of the subject's lung function using the pneumoconiosis or lung function imaging method and data obtained by the apparatus.
In the lung function diagnosis method of the invention of this application, a small amount of magnetic ultrafine powder is attracted together with air into the lungs of a subject, and then a magnetic field is generated by an external magnetic field generator to magnetize the magnetic ultrafine powder in a certain direction. .
[0023]
The magnetic hyperdifferentiation magnetized in the lung moves with the passage of time due to the activity of living tissue inside the lung. For this reason, the magnetism generated from the magnetic ultrafine powder is directed in a certain direction immediately after magnetization, but is directed in various directions as time passes.
[0024]
Therefore, the pneumoconiosis or lung function imaging method and apparatus therefor of this application can diagnose the degree of soundness of the subject's lung function by monitoring temporal changes in magnetism in the lung.
[0025]
In addition, after attracting a small amount of magnetic ultrafine powder together with air into the subject's lungs, a magnetic field is generated by an external magnetic field generator to magnetize the magnetic ultrafine powder in a certain direction. In addition, after generating a magnetic field opposite to the initial direction by an external magnetic field generator and magnetizing it again, the residual magnetic distribution of the subject is also measured by using the measuring device for the second time. The degree of soundness can be diagnosed. If the pulmonary function is healthy, the first and second remanent magnetisms are reversed, but if the alveolar activity is low and unhealthy, reversal of the remanent magnetism does not occur.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
According to the invention of this application, by using a plurality of magnetic sensors, it is possible to obtain a pneumoconiosis image or a lung function image with a short measurement time and with high sensitivity, and furthermore, a medical diagnosis technique that is kind to a subject is provided. In addition, it is possible to capture temporal changes in the lungs, which will contribute to basic research and new diagnostic techniques. Furthermore, it becomes possible to easily diagnose the soundness of lung function, which could not be grasped by conventional techniques such as X-rays and MRI.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a measuring device comprising a plurality of magnetic sensors according to the invention of this application in which magnetic sensors are arranged in a plane with m rows and n columns.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a measuring device including a plurality of magnetic sensors according to the invention of the present application in which magnetic sensors are arranged in a curved surface in m rows and n columns.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a measuring device comprising a plurality of magnetic sensors according to the invention of this application in which magnetic sensors are arranged in a cylindrical shape with m rows and n columns.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view exemplifying how the magnetism of a subject's chest is measured using a measuring device including a plurality of magnetic sensors in the pneumoconiosis or lung function imaging method of the invention of this application.
FIG. 5 is an example in which the lung magnetic distribution is displayed as a contour image in the pneumoconiosis or lung function imaging method of the invention of this application .
[Explanation of symbols]
1
Claims (9)
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2000005809A JP3846675B2 (en) | 1999-06-29 | 2000-01-06 | Pneumoconiosis or lung function imaging device by in vivo magnetic measurement |
| PCT/JP2000/004276 WO2001000088A1 (en) | 1999-06-29 | 2000-06-29 | Method for imaging pneumoconiosis or pulmonary function by in-vivo magnetism measurement and apparatus therefor |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP18445299 | 1999-06-29 | ||
| JP11-184452 | 1999-06-29 | ||
| JP2000005809A JP3846675B2 (en) | 1999-06-29 | 2000-01-06 | Pneumoconiosis or lung function imaging device by in vivo magnetic measurement |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JP2001112730A JP2001112730A (en) | 2001-04-24 |
| JP3846675B2 true JP3846675B2 (en) | 2006-11-15 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2000005809A Expired - Lifetime JP3846675B2 (en) | 1999-06-29 | 2000-01-06 | Pneumoconiosis or lung function imaging device by in vivo magnetic measurement |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP3846675B2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2001000088A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109414212A (en) * | 2016-06-03 | 2019-03-01 | 国立大学法人东京医科齿科大学 | Biological magnetic measuring device |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1966633A2 (en) * | 2005-12-22 | 2008-09-10 | Philips Intellectual Property & Standards GmbH | Magnetic induction tomography system and method |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS60158835A (en) * | 1984-01-31 | 1985-08-20 | チエスト株式会社 | Lang magnetic field measuring method and apparatus |
| JP2705067B2 (en) * | 1987-06-12 | 1998-01-26 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Magnetic susceptibility distribution measurement device |
| JPH10328156A (en) * | 1997-05-30 | 1998-12-15 | Shimadzu Corp | Pneumoconiosis testing device |
| JP3140734B2 (en) * | 1998-06-04 | 2001-03-05 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Biological magnetic field map display |
-
2000
- 2000-01-06 JP JP2000005809A patent/JP3846675B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-06-29 WO PCT/JP2000/004276 patent/WO2001000088A1/en active Search and Examination
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN109414212A (en) * | 2016-06-03 | 2019-03-01 | 国立大学法人东京医科齿科大学 | Biological magnetic measuring device |
| EP3466333A4 (en) * | 2016-06-03 | 2020-03-04 | National University Corporation Tokyo Medical and Dental University | Biomagnetism measuring device |
| US11647928B2 (en) | 2016-06-03 | 2023-05-16 | National University Corporation Tokyo Medical And Dental University | Biomagnetism measuring device |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP2001112730A (en) | 2001-04-24 |
| WO2001000088A1 (en) | 2001-01-04 |
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