JP4571294B2 - Magnetic resonance imaging system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cradle driving device that drives a cradle for loading a subject into a bore of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, and a magnetic resonance imaging system using the cradle driving device. About.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There is a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that uses magnetic resonance to image a region to be examined of a subject.
In such a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, the test site of the subject is carried into the bore of the magnet system according to the following procedure, and the test site is imaged in the bore.
First, the cradle is positioned outside the bore of the magnet system, and the subject is placed on the cradle.
Subsequently, using the position of the light of the alignment light irradiated on the cradle as a mark, the subject moves his / her body so that the test site is at a predetermined position in accordance with the instructions of the operator or the operator.
Next, the cradle is carried into the bore of the magnet system.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described conventional magnetic resonance imaging apparatus has a problem that it is necessary for the subject to move the body so that the portion to be examined is in a predetermined position, and the burden on the subject is large.
In addition, there is a problem that it takes time until the test site becomes a predetermined position, and the test efficiency is poor.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide a cradle driving device and a magnetic resonance imaging system capable of reducing the burden on the subject at the time of examination and improving examination efficiency. .
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art and achieve the above-described object, the cradle driving apparatus according to the first invention performs the imaging in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that performs imaging using magnetic resonance. A cradle driving apparatus for carrying a cradle with a subject placed on a region, wherein a mark adding means for attaching a mark for positioning the imaging to the subject, and imaging a predetermined region including the mark An image pickup means, a position specifying means for specifying the position of the mark on the basis of the position of the image of the mark on the image obtained by the image pickup means, and a position of the cradle based on the position of the specified mark. Posture determining means for determining a posture; and drive means for driving the cradle to be in the determined posture.
[0006]
The operation of the cradle driving device of the first invention is as follows.
A mark for positioning the imaging is attached to the subject by the mark adding means.
And the predetermined area | region containing the said mark is imaged by the imaging means.
Next, the position specifying unit specifies the position of the mark based on the position of the mark image on the image obtained by the imaging unit.
Next, the posture determination unit determines the posture of the cradle based on the position of the specified mark.
Next, the cradle is driven by the driving means so as to be in the determined posture.
According to the first invention, the test site of the subject can be appropriately positioned in the area where imaging is performed in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus.
[0007]
According to the cradle driving apparatus of the first invention, the mark adding means irradiates light to mark the mark.
[0008]
A cradle driving apparatus according to a second aspect of the invention is a cradle driving apparatus that carries in a cradle on which a subject is placed in a region where imaging is performed in a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that performs imaging using magnetic resonance. Based on the position of the image of the landmark on the image obtained by the imaging means, the imaging means for imaging a predetermined area including the landmark attached to the subject to perform the positioning of the imaging, Position specifying means for specifying the position of the mark, attitude determining means for determining the attitude of the cradle based on the position of the specified mark, and drive means for driving the cradle to the determined attitude And have.
[0009]
The operation of the cradle driving apparatus of the second invention is as follows.
A predetermined region including a mark attached to the subject for imaging positioning is imaged by the imaging means.
Next, the position specifying unit specifies the position of the mark based on the position of the mark image on the image obtained by the imaging unit.
Next, the posture determination unit determines the posture of the cradle based on the position of the specified mark.
Next, the cradle is driven by the driving means so as to be in the determined posture.
[0010]
A cradle driving apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is a cradle driving apparatus that carries in a cradle on which a subject is placed in a region where imaging is performed in a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that performs imaging using magnetic resonance, Imaging means for imaging a predetermined region including the test site of the subject, display means for displaying the imaging result of the imaging means on a screen, operation means for specifying the test site on the screen, and the screen Based on the position specified above, position specifying means for specifying the position of the test site, posture determination means for determining the attitude of the cradle based on the position of the specified test site, Drive means for driving the cradle to the determined posture.
[0011]
The operation of the cradle driving device of the third invention is as follows.
A predetermined area including the test site of the subject is imaged by the imaging means, and a screen displaying the imaging result of the imaging means is displayed by the display means.
And a test site | part is pinpointed on the said screen using an operation means by a user.
Next, the position specifying unit specifies the position of the test site based on the position specified on the screen.
Next, the posture determination means determines the posture of the cradle based on the position of the specified test site.
Next, the cradle is driven by the driving means so as to be in the determined posture.
[0012]
In the cradle driving apparatus of the first to third inventions, preferably, the position specifying means specifies the coordinates of the test site in a predefined coordinate system.
[0013]
In the cradle driving apparatus according to the first to third inventions, preferably, the posture determining means is configured so that the region to be examined is in a region where imaging using the magnetic resonance in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is performed. The posture of the cradle is determined so as to be carried in the posture.
[0014]
In the cradle driving apparatus according to the first to third inventions, preferably, the driving means drives the cradle to the determined posture, and then moves the cradle to the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. It carries in to the area | region where imaging using a resonance is performed.
[0015]
In the cradle driving apparatus according to the first to third inventions, preferably, the driving means moves the cradle in a direction in which the cradle is carried in and a direction orthogonal to the carrying-in direction.
[0016]
In the cradle driving apparatus according to the first to third aspects of the invention, preferably, the driving means rotates the cradle around a predetermined axis.
[0017]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a magnetic resonance imaging system including: a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that performs imaging using magnetic resonance; and a cradle in which a subject is placed in a region in which the imaging is performed in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. A cradle driving device for carrying in the imaging, wherein the cradle driving device includes a mark adding means for attaching a mark for positioning the imaging to the subject, and a predetermined area including the mark Based on the position of the mark on the image obtained by the imaging means, the position specifying means for specifying the position of the mark, and the position of the specified mark, And a posture determining means for determining the posture of the cradle, and a driving means for driving the cradle so as to be in the determined posture.
[0018]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a magnetic resonance imaging system including a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that performs imaging using magnetic resonance, and a cradle in which a subject is placed in an area in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus where the imaging is performed. And a cradle driving device for carrying in the imaging device, wherein the cradle driving device includes an imaging means for imaging a predetermined area including a mark attached to the subject for positioning the imaging. A position specifying means for specifying the position of the mark based on the position of the image of the mark on the image obtained by the image pickup means; and a posture of the cradle is determined based on the position of the specified mark. Posture determining means for driving, and drive means for driving the cradle to be in the determined posture.
[0019]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a magnetic resonance imaging system including a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that performs imaging using magnetic resonance, and a cradle in which a subject is placed in an area in which the imaging is performed in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. A cradle driving device that carries in the cradle driving device, the cradle driving device having an imaging means for imaging a predetermined region including a test site of the subject, and an imaging result of the imaging means on a screen Display means for displaying on the screen, operation means for specifying the test site on the screen, position specifying means for specifying the position of the test site based on the position specified on the screen, and the specified And a posture determining means for determining the posture of the cradle based on the position of the test site, and a driving means for driving the cradle to be in the determined posture.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a magnetic resonance imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
First embodiment
1 is an external perspective view of a vertical magnetic field type MRI system 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the layout of the MRI system 400 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is shown in FIGS. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the MRI apparatus 202, the cradle drive device 203, and the operator console 114. FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the MRI system 400, an MRI apparatus 202 and a cradle driving device 203 are arranged in a scan room 111, and an operator console 114 operated by an operator 113 is arranged in an operation room 112. ing. The scan rule 111 and the operation room 112 are partitioned by a wall 352, and a door 350 and a window glass 351 are provided on the wall 352.
[0021]
Hereinafter, each component of the MRI system 400 will be described.
[MRI apparatus 202]
As shown in FIG. 3, the MRI apparatus 202 includes a magnet system 201, an RF drive unit 271, a gradient drive unit 272, a data collection unit 273, and a control unit 274.
As shown in FIG. 1, the magnet system 201 has a bore 250, and a cradle 153 on which a subject 99 is placed is carried into the bore 250 via a cushion 151 by a cradle driving device 203.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 3, the magnet system 201 includes a main magnetic field magnet unit 260, a gradient coil unit 261, and an RF coil unit 262 in the vicinity of the magnet Y direction center 60 in the bore 250.
Each of the main magnetic field magnet section 260, the gradient coil section 261, and the RF coil section 262 is composed of a pair of coils facing each other across a space in the bore 250 where the subject 99 is located at the time of examination. In addition, the coils constituting the main magnetic field magnet part 260, the gradient coil part 261, and the RF coil part 262 all have a substantially disk shape and are arranged sharing the central axis.
[0023]
The main magnetic field magnet unit 260 forms a static magnetic field in the bore 250. The direction of the static magnetic field is generally orthogonal to the body axis direction of the subject 99. That is, an orthogonal magnetic field is formed.
The main magnetic field magnet unit 260 is configured using, for example, a permanent magnet. In addition to the permanent magnet, the main magnetic field magnet unit 260 may be configured using a superconducting electromagnet, a normal conducting electromagnet, or the like.
[0024]
The gradient coil unit 261 generates a gradient magnetic field that gives a gradient to the strength of the static magnetic field formed by the main magnetic field magnet unit 260 so that the magnetic resonance signal received by the RF coil unit 262 has three-dimensional position information.
[0025]
The RF coil unit 262 forms a high-frequency magnetic field for exciting spins in the body of the subject 99 in the static magnetic field space formed by the main magnetic field magnet unit 260. Here, the formation of a high-frequency magnetic field is called transmission of an RF excitation signal. The RF coil unit 262 receives an electromagnetic wave generated by the excited spin as a magnetic resonance signal.
The RF coil unit 262 includes a transmission coil and a reception coil (not shown). As the transmission coil and the reception coil, either the same coil or a dedicated coil is used.
[0026]
The RF drive unit 271 applies a drive signal to the RF coil unit 262 to generate an RF excitation signal, thereby exciting the spin in the subject 99.
[0027]
The gradient drive unit 272 gives a drive signal to the gradient coil unit 261 to generate a gradient magnetic field. The gradient driving unit 272 includes three systems of driving circuits (not shown) corresponding to the three systems of gradient coils of the gradient coil unit 261.
[0028]
The data collection unit 273 captures the reception signal received by the RF coil unit 262, collects the received signal as view data, and outputs the collected view data to the data processing unit 195 of the operator console 114.
[0029]
The control unit 274 controls the RF drive unit 271, the gradient drive unit 272, and the data collection unit 273.
[0030]
[Cradle drive 203]
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cradle driving device 203 includes a laser 300, a laser control unit 301, a camera 302, a cradle X direction driving unit 303, a cradle Y direction driving unit 304, a cradle swing driving unit 305, and a processing unit 306.
Here, the correspondence between the components shown in FIG. 3 and the components of the first invention and the fourth invention is as follows, for example. That is, the laser 300 corresponds to the mark adding unit, the camera 302 corresponds to the imaging unit, the data processing unit 195 corresponds to the position characteristic unit, the processing unit 306 corresponds to the attitude determination unit, and the cradle X direction driving unit 303. The cradle Y direction driving unit 304 and the cradle swing driving unit 305 correspond to the driving means.
[0031]
The laser 300 is fixed to the case of the cradle driving device 203, the ceiling or the wall in the scan room 111, etc., and specifies the position of the region to be examined (portion for imaging) of the subject 99 placed on the cradle 153. A laser beam is irradiated to one or a plurality of points (points) for the purpose (mark of the present invention).
[0032]
The laser control unit 301 controls laser irradiation by the laser 300 based on the control from the processing unit 306.
For example, the laser control unit 301 can control the direction of the laser emitted from the laser 300.
[0033]
The camera 302 is fixed to the case of the cradle driving device 203, the ceiling or the wall in the scan room 111, etc., and images a predetermined region including the point irradiated with the laser beam on the subject 99, and the imaging result is displayed. The data is output to the processing unit 306.
Further, the camera 302 can change its imaging range, and information about the imaging range is provided to the data processing unit 195.
[0034]
The cradle X direction driving unit 303 moves the cradle 153 in the X direction based on the control from the processing unit 306.
The cradle Y direction driving unit 304 moves the cradle 153 in the Y direction (body axis direction) based on the control from the processing unit 306.
The cradle swing drive unit 305 rotates around the swing rotation shaft 50 shown in FIG. 4 based on the control from the processing unit 306.
In the scan room 111, an X, Y, Z coordinate system is defined as shown in FIG.
[0035]
The processing unit 306 outputs the imaging result from the camera 302 to the data processing unit 195 of the operator console 114.
In addition, the processing unit 306 controls the laser control unit 301 based on an instruction from the data processing unit 195.
Further, the processing unit 306 is configured so that, based on the X and Y coordinates of one or more points input from the data processing unit 195, the test site is positioned in the magnet X direction center 61 in the bore 250. The drive unit 303 and the cradle swing 305 are controlled.
[0036]
Further, the processing unit 306 moves the cradle 153 in the Y direction based on the X and Y coordinates of one or more points input from the data processing unit 195, and moves to the magnet Y direction center 60 in the bore 250. .
In addition, the processing unit 306, for example, based on information from an encoder that measures the position of the cradle 153 in the X direction and the Y direction and the rotation angle about the swing rotation axis 50, is defined in advance. The posture of the cradle 153 in the system is specified.
[0037]
[Operator console 114]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the operator console 114 includes an operation unit 190, an operation display unit 194, and a data processing unit 195.
[0038]
The operation unit 190 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse connected to a computer or the like, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the operator 113 to the data processing unit 195.
The operation display unit 194 displays a predetermined operation screen input from the data processing unit 195, an imaging result (imaging result) screen of the camera 302, and the like.
The data processing unit 195 performs processing of data input from the data collection unit 173 and a control instruction to the control unit 274 in response to an operation signal from the operation unit 190.
Further, the data processing unit 195 calculates the X and Y coordinates of the point in the X and Y coordinate system based on the position of the image of the point irradiated with the laser light projected on the imaging result input from the processing unit 306. calculate.
[0039]
Hereinafter, the operation of the MRI system 400 will be described.
5 and 6 are flowcharts for explaining an operation example of the MRI system 400. FIG.
The following operation is performed based on the processing and control of the data processing unit 195 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 190 by the operator 113.
[0040]
Step ST1:
The subject 99 is placed on a cradle 153 at a predetermined position outside the bore 250 of the MRI apparatus 202 via, for example, a cushion 151 and lies on its back or prone.
[0041]
Step ST2:
The laser control unit 301 is controlled by the processing unit 306, and the laser beam is irradiated from the laser 300 to one or a plurality of points on the subject 99 for defining the test site.
[0042]
Step ST3:
A predetermined area including the point irradiated with the laser light is imaged by the camera 302, and the imaging result is output to the data processing unit 195 of the operator console 114 via the processing unit 306.
[0043]
Step ST4:
Since the data processing unit 195 is provided with information indicating which range of the coordinate system X or Y corresponds to the imaging range of the camera 302, the laser beam displayed in the imaging result input in step ST3 X, Y coordinates of the point in the X, Y coordinate system are calculated based on the position of the image of the point irradiated with.
The calculated X and Y coordinates are output from the data processing unit 195 to the processing unit 306 of the cradle driving device 203.
[0044]
Step ST5:
In the processing unit 306, when the cradle 153 moves in the Y direction and is loaded into the bore 250 based on the X and Y coordinates of each point input in step ST4, the test site is located in the bore 250. The position of the cradle 153 in the X direction and the swing angle of the cradle 153 are determined so as to move as close as possible to the magnet X direction center 61.
[0045]
Step ST6:
Based on the determination in step ST5, the processing unit 306 controls the cradle swing drive unit 305 so that the cradle 153 has the determined swing angle.
Accordingly, the cradle 153 is rotated by the cradle swing drive unit 305 at a predetermined angle around the swing rotation shaft 50 shown in FIG.
[0046]
Step ST7:
Based on the determination in step ST5, the processing unit 306 controls the cradle X-direction driving unit 303 so that the cradle 153 is positioned in the determined X direction.
As a result, the cradle 153 moves in the X direction by the cradle X direction driving unit 303 so as to be in a predetermined X direction position.
[0047]
Step ST8:
Based on the determination in step ST5, the processing unit 306 controls the cradle Y direction driving unit 304 so that the test site is located at the magnet center in the Y direction.
As a result, the subject 99 is carried into the bore 250 of the magnet system 201 by the cradle Y direction driving unit 304, and the cradle 153 moves in the Y direction so that the subject site is located at the magnet Y direction center 60.
[0048]
Step ST9:
A static magnetic field by the main magnetic field magnet unit 260 is formed in a predetermined region including a point where the magnet Y direction center 60 and the magnet X direction center 61 intersect in the bore 250 of the magnet system 201.
Further, based on the control of the control unit 274, the RF coil unit 262 is driven by the RF drive unit 271 and the gradient coil unit 261 is driven by the gradient drive unit 272. As a result, a gradient magnetic field and a high-frequency magnetic field are formed in a predetermined region in the bore 150, and an electromagnetic wave generated by a spin excited at the test site of the subject 99 is taken out as a magnetic resonance signal, which is collected by the data collection unit 173. Then, it is output to the data processing unit 195 of the operator console 114 as inspection result data.
[0049]
In the data processing unit 195, data input from the data collection unit 273 is stored in the memory, and a data space is formed in the memory. The data space constitutes a two-dimensional Fourier space. The data processing unit 195 generates (reconstructs) an image of the test region of the subject 99 by performing two-dimensional inverse Fourier transform on the data in the two-dimensional Fourier space. This two-dimensional Fourier space is also called k-space.
[0050]
Step ST10:
When the data collection of the test site of the subject 99 is completed, the cradle 153 is moved in the Y direction by the cradle Y direction driving unit 304 of the cradle driving device 203, and the subject 99 is carried out of the bore 250 together with the cradle 153. The
[0051]
Hereinafter, an operation example of the cradle driving device 203 performed based on the operation example described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 will be described.
For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the light from the laser 300 is irradiated to the points A and B that define the test site of the subject 99, and the points A and B are shifted from the magnet X direction center 61. In this case, the cradle X direction driving unit 303 moves the cradle 153 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 7A, and the points A and B are positioned on the magnet X direction center 61 as shown in FIG. Then, the subject 99 is moved in the Y direction and carried into the bore 250.
[0052]
Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the light from the laser 300 is irradiated to the points A and B defining the test site of the subject 99, and the line connecting the points A and B is the X and Y planes. The cradle swing drive unit 305 causes the cradle 153 to rotate about the swing rotation shaft 50 and, if necessary, the cradle X direction drive unit 303. After the cradle 153 is moved in the X direction and the points A and B are positioned on the magnet X direction center 61 as shown in FIG. 7B, the subject 99 is moved in the Y direction and moved into the bore 250. Carry in.
[0053]
As described above, according to the MRI system 400, since the subject 99 can be moved in the X direction and rotated around the swing rotation axis 50 by the cradle driving device 203, the subject 99 has the subject site at the center in the magnet X direction. In order to adjust to 61, it is not necessary to move the body by itself, the burden on the subject 99 at the time of the examination can be reduced, and the examination efficiency can be increased.
[0054]
Second embodiment
9 is an external perspective view of the vertical magnetic field type MRI system 500 of the present embodiment, FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the MRI apparatus 202, the cradle driving device 503, and the operator console 514 shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the cradle drive device 503 shown in FIG. 9 and FIG.
9, 10, and 11, the constituent elements having the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 are the same as the constituent elements having the same reference numerals described in the first embodiment.
[0055]
The MRI system 500 is different from the MRI system 400 of the first embodiment in that the cradle driving device 503 does not use a laser and the processing of the data processing unit 595 of the operator console 514.
Here, the correspondence between the components shown in FIG. 10 and the components of the third and sixth inventions is as follows, for example. That is, the camera 302 corresponds to the imaging unit, the operation display unit 194 corresponds to the display unit, the operation unit 190 corresponds to the operation unit, the data processing unit 195 corresponds to the position characteristic unit, and the processing unit 306 is the posture. Corresponding to the determining means, the cradle X-direction driving unit 303, the cradle Y-direction driving unit 304, and the cradle swing driving unit 305 correspond to the driving means.
[0056]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the MRI system 500.
The following operation is performed based on the processing and control of the data processing unit 595 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 190 by the operator 113.
[0057]
Step ST21:
The subject 99 is placed on a cradle 153 at a predetermined position outside the bore 250 of the MRI apparatus 202 via, for example, a cushion 151 and lies on its back or prone.
[0058]
Step ST22:
The camera 302 images a predetermined region including the region to be examined of the subject 99, and the imaging result is output to the data processing unit 595 of the operator console 514 via the processing unit 306.
[0059]
Step ST23:
The imaging result input in step ST22 is output to the operation display unit 194 by the data processing unit 595. For example, a captured image of a predetermined region including the test site of the subject 99 as shown in FIG. 550 is displayed on the screen 551 of the operation display unit 194.
[0060]
Step ST24:
The operator 113 operates the operation unit 190 while viewing the captured image 550 on the screen 551, and designates the test site on the imaging screen 550 with points A and B, for example, as shown in FIG.
[0061]
Step ST25:
In the data processing unit 595, based on the position on the screen of the points A and B specified in step ST24 and the position in the X and Y coordinate system of the imaging region of the camera 302, the data in the X and Y coordinate system. The X and Y coordinates of the point are calculated.
The calculated X and Y coordinates are output from the data processing unit 595 to the processing unit 306 of the cradle driving device 503.
[0062]
When the process of step ST25 is finished, the processes of steps ST6 to ST10 shown in FIG. 6 described above in the first embodiment are sequentially performed.
[0063]
The MRI system 500 provides the same effects as the MRI system 400 described above.
[0064]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the vertical magnetic field type MRI system is exemplified as the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus of the present invention, but the cradle driving device 203 can be used as it is also in the horizontal magnetic field type MRI system.
[0065]
Further, in the first embodiment described above, a point defining the test site of the subject 99 is obtained by irradiating the light from the laser 300, and the X of the point is obtained based on the result of imaging the point with the camera 302. However, for example, a mark of a predetermined color may be attached to the subject 99 and used as a point.
[0066]
In the above-described embodiment, the cradle driving device 203 including both the cradle X-direction driving unit 303 and the cradle swing driving unit 305 is illustrated, but the present invention may include only one of them.
[0067]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cradle driving apparatus and a magnetic resonance imaging system capable of reducing the burden on the subject at the time of examination and improving examination efficiency.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a vertical magnetic field type MRI system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a layout of the MRI system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the MRI apparatus, the cradle driving apparatus, and the operator console shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the cradle driving device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the MRI system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the MRI system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of the cradle driving device in the MRI system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining another operation example of the cradle driving apparatus in the MRI system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of a vertical magnetic field type MRI system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the MRI apparatus, cradle driving apparatus, and operator console shown in FIG. 9;
11 is a diagram for explaining the cradle driving device shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the MRI system according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of specifying a test site in the MRI system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
99 ... Subject, 400, 500 ... MRI system, 101 ... Magnet system, 102 ... MRI apparatus, 111 ... Scan room, 112 ... Operation room, 113 ... Operator, 114, 514 ... Operator console, 250 ... Bore, 151 ... Cushion 153 ... Cradle 160 ... Main magnetic field magnet part 161 ... Gradient coil part 162 ... RF coil part 190 ... Operation part 194 ... Operation display part 195/595 ... Data processing part 203/503 ... Cradle Drive device, 300 ... laser, 301 ... laser control unit, 302 ... camera, 303 ... cradle X direction drive unit, 304 ... cradle Y direction drive unit, 305 ... cradle swing drive unit, 306 ... processing unit

Claims (6)

In a magnetic resonance imaging system having a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that performs imaging using magnetic resonance, and a cradle driving apparatus that carries a cradle on which a subject is placed into an imaging region in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus,
The cradle can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the loading direction to the imaging area while maintaining the height of the cradle before being loaded into the imaging area, and the cradle is loaded into the imaging area. And drive means movable in the direction of unloading from the imaging area;
Imaging means for imaging a predetermined region including the test site of the subject;
Display means for displaying an imaging result of the imaging means on a screen;
An operation means for specifying a test site on the screen;
Based on the position specified on the screen, position specifying means for specifying the position of the test site;
Posture determining means for determining the posture of the cradle based on the position of the specified test site;
The drive means is a magnetic resonance imaging system that drives the cradle to the determined posture. The magnetic resonance imaging system according to claim 1.
The position specifying means is a magnetic resonance imaging system for specifying the coordinates of the test site in a predetermined coordinate system. The magnetic resonance imaging system according to claim 1 or 2,
The posture determination means is a magnetic resonance imaging system for determining the posture of the cradle so that the test site is carried into an imaging region in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus in a predetermined posture. The magnetic resonance imaging system according to claim 3.
The posture determination means is a magnetic resonance imaging system that determines the posture of the cradle so that the region to be examined passes through a magnet center. In the magnetic resonance imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The drive means drives the cradle to the determined posture, and then carries the cradle into an imaging region in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. In the magnetic resonance imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The magnetic resonance imaging system, wherein the driving means is capable of rotating the cradle around a predetermined axis while maintaining the height of the cradle before carrying it into the imaging region.

Images