JP5433445B2 - Magnetic resonance imaging system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus is an apparatus that images a subject using a magnetic resonance phenomenon. Specifically, the MRI apparatus applies a high frequency magnetic field to a subject placed in a static magnetic field, detects a magnetic resonance signal emitted from the subject by the high frequency magnetic field, and reconstructs an image.

  In imaging using such an MRI apparatus, for example, the imaging range and imaging position are determined by setting an ROI (Region Of Interest) on the image of the subject displayed on the display unit by the operator. When a plurality of imaging ranges or imaging positions are imaged, a plurality of ROIs may be set to overlap the subject image. In this case, for example, the MRI apparatus draws a plurality of ROIs superimposed on the image of the subject (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Furthermore, for example, the MRI apparatus changes the imaging range or imaging position by receiving an operation on the ROI drawn on the image from the operator. The operation with respect to the ROI here includes an operation for selecting an ROI, an operation for rotating, an operation for moving, an operation for changing the number of slices included in the ROI, an operation for changing a field of view (FOV), and the like.

  Here, when the MRI apparatus receives an operation from the operator for designating a position where a plurality of ROIs are drawn on the image, the MRI apparatus operates one of the plurality of ROIs according to a predetermined rule. Judge as target. For example, the MRI apparatus determines the ROI last set by the operator as the operation target.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a ROI determination method in a conventional MRI apparatus. The example shown in FIG. 13 shows a case where three ROIs 39s, 39p, and 39g are set on the image of the subject. For example, the ROI 39s is a scan ROI indicating an imaging area. The ROI 39p is a pre-saturation ROI indicating a position where a pre-saturation pulse is applied. The ROI 39g is a grid tag ROI indicating a position to which a pulse is applied in order to attach a lattice tag to an arbitrary position of the subject P.

  Here, for example, it is assumed that each ROI is set by the operator in the order of ROI 39s, ROI 39p, and ROI 39g. In this case, as shown in FIG. 13, the MRI apparatus draws each ROI in the order of ROI 39s, ROI 39p, and ROI 39g. For example, when the position 39a shown in FIG. 13 is designated by the operator, the MRI apparatus determines the ROI 39g last set by the operator, that is, the grid tag ROI as the operation target.

JP 2008-289862 A

  However, in the conventional ROI determination method described above, the operator may not be able to easily operate the ROI.

  For example, when the scan ROI, the presaturation ROI, and the grid tag ROI are respectively set as in the example shown in FIG. 13, the operator's interest level is generally for the scan ROI for determining the imaging region. Is the highest. Therefore, the scan ROI is most likely to be further manipulated once set. On the other hand, since the grid tag ROI is not for selecting a space, the operator is less interested than the scan ROI and the pre-saturation ROI. Therefore, the grid tag ROI is unlikely to be further operated once set. As described above, the possibility that the operation is performed on the ROI differs depending on the operator's interest in each ROI.

  However, in the conventional ROI determination method, the ROI to be operated is determined according to a predetermined rule. Therefore, for example, when the scan ROI is set after another ROI, if the operator specifies a position overlapping with another ROI when trying to operate the scan ROI, the other ROI is determined as an operation target. Will be. For this reason, in the conventional ROI determination method, the operator may not be able to efficiently operate the ROI.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides an MRI apparatus that allows an operator to easily operate an ROI by preferentially setting an ROI having a high degree of interest of the operator as an operation target. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention according to claim 1 is directed to the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for each type of ROI indicating an imaging range or imaging position set on an image of a subject. ROI priority information storage means for storing ROI priority information in which the priority order is determined in descending order of operation frequency, ROI drawing means for drawing the ROI on the image of the subject displayed on the display unit, and a plurality of on the image The ROI having the highest priority among the plurality of ROIs based on the ROI priority information stored by the ROI priority information storage means when an operation for designating the position where the ROI is drawn in an overlapping manner is received from the operator. ROI determination means for determining the operation target as an operation target, and operation execution means for performing an operation instructed by the operator on the ROI determined as the operation target And features.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily operate the ROI by preferentially setting the ROI having a high degree of interest of the operator as the operation target.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the MRI apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of the computer system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of ROI priority information stored in the ROI priority information storage unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram (1) illustrating an example of ROI drawing and operation target determination according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram (2) illustrating an example of ROI drawing and operation target determination according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram (3) illustrating an example of ROI drawing and operation target determination according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the ROI determination processing procedure performed by the MRI apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the configuration of the computer system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation unit priority information stored in the operation unit priority information storage unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of drawing of the operation unit and determination of an operation target according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of ROI priority information in a case where priority is set in the same type of ROI. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of ROI determination in the case where priority is set in the same type of ROI. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a ROI determination method in a conventional MRI apparatus.

  Embodiments of an MRI apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by the Example shown below.

  First, the overall configuration of the MRI apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the MRI apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, this MRI apparatus 100 includes a static magnetic field magnet 1, a gradient magnetic field coil 2, a gradient magnetic field power source 3, a bed 4, a bed control unit 5, a transmission RF coil 6, a transmission unit 7, a reception RF coil 8, A receiving unit 9, a sequence control unit 10, and a computer system 20 are provided.

  The static magnetic field magnet 1 is a magnet formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and generates a uniform static magnetic field in an internal space. As the static magnetic field magnet 1, for example, a permanent magnet, a superconducting magnet or the like is used.

  The gradient magnetic field coil 2 is a coil formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and is disposed inside the static magnetic field magnet 1. The gradient magnetic field coil 2 is formed by combining three coils corresponding to the X, Y, and Z axes orthogonal to each other, and these three coils are individually supplied with current from a gradient magnetic field power source 3 to be described later. In response, a gradient magnetic field whose magnetic field strength changes along the X, Y, and Z axes is generated. The Z-axis direction is the same direction as the static magnetic field. The gradient magnetic field power supply 3 supplies a current to the gradient magnetic field coil 2.

  Here, the gradient magnetic fields of the X, Y, and Z axes generated by the gradient magnetic field coil 2 correspond to, for example, the slice selection gradient magnetic field Gs, the phase encoding gradient magnetic field Ge, and the readout gradient magnetic field Gr, respectively. The slice selection gradient magnetic field Gs is used to arbitrarily determine an imaging section. The phase encoding gradient magnetic field Ge is used to change the phase of the magnetic resonance signal in accordance with the spatial position. The readout gradient magnetic field Gr is used for changing the frequency of the magnetic resonance signal in accordance with the spatial position.

  The couch 4 includes a couchtop 4a on which the subject P is placed. Under the control of a couch controller 5 described later, the couchtop 4a is placed in the cavity of the gradient magnetic field coil 2 with the subject P placed thereon. Insert into (imaging port). Usually, the bed 4 is installed such that the longitudinal direction is parallel to the central axis of the static magnetic field magnet 1. The couch controller 5 is a device that controls the couch 4 under the control of the controller 26, and drives the couch 4 to move the couchtop 4a in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction.

  The transmission RF coil 6 is arranged inside the gradient magnetic field coil 2 and receives a high frequency pulse from the transmission unit 7 to generate a high frequency magnetic field. The transmission unit 7 transmits a high-frequency pulse corresponding to the Larmor frequency to the transmission RF coil 6.

  The reception RF coil 8 is disposed inside the gradient coil 2 and receives a magnetic resonance signal radiated from the subject P due to the influence of the high-frequency magnetic field. When receiving the magnetic resonance signal, the reception RF coil 8 outputs the magnetic resonance signal to the receiving unit 9.

  The receiving unit 9 generates k-space data based on the magnetic resonance signal output from the receiving RF coil 8. Specifically, the receiving unit 9 generates k-space data by digitally converting the magnetic resonance signal output from the reception RF coil 8. The k-space data includes PE (Phase Encode) direction, RO (Read Out) direction, SE (Slice Encode) direction by the above-described slice selection gradient magnetic field Gs, phase encoding gradient magnetic field Ge, and readout gradient magnetic field Gr. Information on the spatial frequency of the direction is associated. When the k-space data is generated, the receiving unit 9 transmits the k-space data to the sequence control unit 10.

  The sequence controller 10 scans the subject P by driving the gradient magnetic field power source 3, the transmitter 7, and the receiver 9 based on the sequence information transmitted from the computer system 20. Here, the sequence information refers to the strength of the power supplied from the gradient magnetic field power supply 3 to the gradient magnetic field coil 2 and the timing of supplying the power, the strength of the RF signal transmitted from the transmitter 7 to the transmission RF coil 6 and the RF signal. Information defining the procedure for performing the scan, such as the timing at which the reception unit 9 detects the magnetic resonance signal.

  The sequence control unit 10 drives the gradient magnetic field power source 3, the transmission unit 7, and the reception unit 9 and scans the subject P. As a result, when the k-space data is transmitted from the reception unit 9, the sequence control unit 10 converts the k-space data. Transfer to the computer system 20.

  The computer system 20 performs overall control of the MRI apparatus 100. For example, the computer system 20 performs data collection, image reconstruction, and the like by driving the above-described units. The computer system 20 includes an interface unit 21, an image reconstruction unit 22, a storage unit 23, an input unit 24, a display unit 25, and a control unit 26.

  The interface unit 21 controls input / output of various signals exchanged with the sequence control unit 10. For example, the interface unit 21 transmits sequence information to the sequence control unit 10 and receives k-space data from the sequence control unit 10. Upon receiving the k-space data, the interface unit 21 stores each k-space data in the storage unit 23 for each subject P.

  The image reconstruction unit 22 performs post-processing, that is, reconstruction processing such as Fourier transform, on the k-space data stored in the storage unit 23, thereby obtaining spectrum data or images of desired nuclear spins in the subject P. Generate data.

  The storage unit 23 stores the k-space data received by the interface unit 21 and the spectrum data and image data generated by the image reconstruction unit 22 for each subject P.

  The input unit 24 receives various instructions and information input from the operator. As the input unit 24, a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball, a selection device such as a mode change switch, or an input device such as a keyboard can be used as appropriate.

  The display unit 25 displays various types of information such as spectrum data or image data under the control of the control unit 26. As the display unit 25, a display device such as a liquid crystal display can be used.

  The control unit 26 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like (not shown) and performs overall control of the MRI apparatus 100. Specifically, the control unit 26 generates sequence information based on the imaging conditions input from the operator via the input unit 24 and transmits the generated sequence information to the sequence control unit 10 to perform scanning. The image reconstruction is performed based on k-space data sent from the sequence control unit 10 as a result of scanning.

  The overall configuration of the MRI apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment has been described above. With this configuration, in the first embodiment, the computer system 20 sets priorities in descending order of operation frequency for each type of ROI indicating the imaging range or imaging position set on the image of the subject P. ROI priority information is stored. Further, the computer system 20 draws the ROI on the image of the subject P displayed on the display unit 25. In addition, when the computer system 20 receives an operation for designating a position where a plurality of ROIs are drawn on the image of the subject P from the operator, priority is given to the priority among the plurality of ROIs based on the ROI priority information. The ROI with the highest rank is determined as the operation target. Then, the computer system 20 performs an operation instructed by the operator on the ROI determined as the operation target.

  That is, in the first embodiment, when the operator specifies a position where a plurality of ROIs are drawn in an overlapping manner, the ROI that is most frequently operated by the operator is preferentially determined as the operation target. I try to do it. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the operator can easily operate the ROI by preferentially setting the ROI having a high degree of interest of the operator as the operation target.

  First, the configuration of the computer system 20 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of the computer system 20 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the computer system 20 includes the interface unit 21, the storage unit 23, and the control unit 26 described above.

  The storage unit 23 includes an imaging condition storage unit 23a and an ROI priority information storage unit 23b.

  The imaging condition storage unit 23a stores imaging conditions specified by the operator. The imaging conditions here include an imaging sequence and an imaging region. The imaging sequence is a type of imaging method such as grid tagging or MRS (Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy). The imaging part is a part to be imaged such as a head or a heart.

  Grid tagging is a kind of imaging method called tagging method. The tagging method is a method in which a selective excitation pulse for spatially modulating the magnetization in the imaging slice is applied to the subject, and an image to which a low signal indicator (tag) indicating a position in space is added is added. This is an imaging method to be generated. In grid tagging, a grid-like tag is used in such a tagging method.

  MRS is an imaging method for generating a spectral image indicating the magnitude of chemical shift for each voxel in the image of the subject P that has been imaged. In such MRS, an MRS grid ROI indicating the range of the data acquisition region and a scan ROI indicating the range of voxels for generating a spectrum image are set on the image of the subject P, respectively.

  The ROI priority information storage unit 23b stores ROI priority information in which priority is determined in descending order of operation frequency for each type of ROI indicating the imaging range or imaging position set on the image of the subject P. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of ROI priority information stored in the ROI priority information storage unit 23b.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the ROI priority information storage unit 23b stores ROI priority information in association with, for example, an imaging sequence and an imaging region.

  The “imaging sequence” is information indicating the type of imaging method. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, “Grid Tagging”, “MRS”, and the like are set in the imaging sequence. “Imaging part” is information indicating a part to be imaged. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, “heart”, “head”, and the like are set in the imaging region.

  “ROI priority information” is information in which information indicating the type of ROI is associated with the priority of the ROI. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, “1: Scan”, “2: Presat”, “3: Grid Tag”, and the like are set in the ROI priority information.

  In FIG. 3, “Scan” indicates a scan ROI indicating an imaging region. “Presat” indicates a presaturation ROI indicating a range in which a presaturation pulse is applied. “Grid Tag” indicates a grid tag ROI indicating a position to which a pulse is applied in order to attach a lattice tag to an arbitrary position of the subject P. “Freehand Tag” indicates a freehand tag ROI indicating a position where a pulse is applied to tag an arbitrary portion of the subject P. “Radial Tag” indicates a radial tag ROI indicating a position to which a pulse is applied in order to tag the subject P in a radial pattern. “MRS Glid” is an MRS grid ROI for setting the range of the data collection area in MRS.

  In FIG. 3, for example, “1: Scan” indicates that the priority of the scan ROI is the highest. For example, “2: Presat” indicates that the presaturation ROI has the second highest priority. For example, “3: Grid Tag” indicates that the priority of the grid tag ROI is the third highest.

  That is, in the example illustrated in FIG. 3, for example, when the imaging sequence is grid tagging and the imaging region is the heart, the scan ROI has the highest priority, the presaturation ROI has the second highest priority, It shows that the priority of the grid tag ROI is the lowest. Also, for example, when the imaging sequence is MRS and the imaging region is the head, the scan ROI has the highest priority, the MRS grid ROI has the second highest priority, and the presaturation ROI has the priority. Indicates the lowest.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 2, the control unit 26 includes the ROI priority information registration unit 26a, the imaging condition reception unit 26b, the ROI drawing unit 26c, the operation target ROI determination unit 26d, the ROI operation execution unit 26e, and the sequence information generation unit 26f. Have

  The ROI priority information registration unit 26a registers the ROI priority information in the ROI priority information storage unit 23b based on the priority order specified for each ROI by the operator. The ROI priority information registration unit 26a receives information indicating a plurality of types of ROIs and the priority order of each ROI together with the imaging sequence and the imaging region via the input unit 24. Then, the ROI priority information registration unit 26a generates ROI priority information based on the received information about each ROI, and registers the generated ROI priority information in the ROI priority information storage unit 23b in association with the imaging sequence and the imaging region. To do.

  The imaging condition reception unit 26b receives an input of imaging conditions from an operator via the input unit 24, and stores the received imaging conditions in the imaging condition storage unit 23a. The imaging condition receiving unit 26b receives information including an imaging sequence and an imaging region as an imaging condition, and stores the received information in the imaging condition storage unit 23a.

  The ROI drawing unit 26 c draws the ROI on the image of the subject P displayed on the display unit 25. The ROI drawing unit 26 c receives an operation for setting the ROI on the image of the subject P displayed on the display unit 25 from the operator via the input unit 24. Then, the ROI drawing unit 26c draws the ROI on the image of the subject P based on the accepted operation.

  The ROI drawing unit 26c may receive an operation for setting a plurality of ROIs from the operator. Further, each ROI may be set in an overlapping manner. Therefore, when drawing a plurality of ROIs in a superimposed manner, the ROI drawing unit 26c has the highest priority among the plurality of ROIs based on the ROI priority information corresponding to the imaging sequence and the imaging region designated by the operator. Draw high ROI on top.

  Here, drawing of a plurality of ROIs by the ROI drawing unit 26c will be described with an example for each imaging sequence and each imaging region. 4 to 6 are diagrams illustrating examples of ROI drawing and operation target determination according to the first embodiment. In the example described here, it is assumed that the ROI priority information shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the ROI priority information storage unit 23b.

  For example, assume that the imaging sequence is grid tagging and the imaging region is the heart. Then, it is assumed that three ROIs of the scan ROI, the presaturation ROI, and the grid tag ROI are set on the image of the subject P by the operator.

  Here, in the example shown in FIG. 3, when the imaging sequence is grid tagging and the imaging site is the heart, the scan ROI has the highest priority, the presaturation ROI has the second highest priority, The ROI priority information is set so that the priority order of the grid tag ROI is the lowest.

  Therefore, in this example, as shown in FIG. 4, the ROI drawing unit 26c draws the scan ROI 33s at the top, draws the presaturation ROI 33p second from the top, and places the grid tag ROI 33g at the bottom. Draw.

  For example, assume that the imaging sequence is grid tagging and the imaging region is the head. Then, it is assumed that five ROIs of a scan ROI, a presaturation ROI, a grid tag ROI, a radial tag ROI, and a freehand tag ROI are set on the image of the subject P by the operator.

  Here, in the example shown in FIG. 3, when the imaging sequence is grid tagging and the imaging region is the head, the priority of the scan ROI is the highest, and the priority of the freehand tag ROI is the second. The ROI priority information is set so that the priority of the radial tag ROI is the third highest, the priority of the pre-saturation ROI is the fourth highest, and the priority of the grid tag ROI is the lowest.

  Therefore, in this example, as shown in FIG. 5, the ROI drawing unit 26c draws the scan ROI 34s at the top, draws the freehand tag ROI 34h second from the top, and draws the radial tag ROI 34r from the top. Depict third. The ROI drawing unit 26c draws the pre-saturation ROI 34p fourth from the top, and draws the grid tag ROI 34g at the bottom.

  For example, assume that the imaging sequence is MRS and the imaging region is the head. Then, it is assumed that three ROIs of the scan ROI, the presaturation ROI, and the MRS grid ROI are set on the image of the subject P by the operator.

  Here, in the example shown in FIG. 3, when the imaging sequence is MRS and the imaging region is the head, the scanning ROI has the highest priority, the MRS grid ROI has the second highest priority, The ROI priority information is set so that the presaturation ROI has the lowest priority.

  Therefore, in this example, as shown in FIG. 6, the ROI drawing unit 26c draws the scan ROI 35s at the top, draws the MRS grid ROI 35m second from the top, and draws the presaturation ROI 35p from the top 3 Depict second.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 2, the operation target ROI determination unit 26 d receives an operation for designating an arbitrary position on the image of the subject P displayed on the display unit 25 from the operator via the input unit 24. Then, the operation target ROI determination unit 26d determines the ROI at the position specified by the operator as the operation target.

  When the operation target ROI determination unit 26d receives from the operator an operation for specifying a position where a plurality of ROIs are drawn on the image of the subject P, the operation target ROI determination unit 26d and the imaging sequence specified by the operator Based on the ROI priority information corresponding to the imaging region, the ROI having the highest priority among the plurality of ROIs is determined as the operation target.

  Here, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 again, the ROI determination by the operation target ROI determination unit 26d will be described with an example for each imaging sequence and each imaging region. In the example described here, it is assumed that the ROI priority information shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the ROI priority information storage unit 23b.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the imaging sequence is grid tagging and the imaging region is the heart. Then, it is assumed that three ROIs of the scan ROI 33s, the presaturation ROI 33p, and the grid tag ROI 33g are set on the image of the subject P by the operator. In this case, for example, three ROIs are drawn at the position 33a shown in FIG.

  Here, in the example shown in FIG. 3, when the imaging sequence is grid tagging and the imaging site is the heart, the scan ROI has the highest priority, the presaturation ROI has the second highest priority, The ROI priority information is set so that the priority order of the grid tag ROI is the lowest.

  Therefore, in this example, the operation target ROI determination unit 26d determines the scan ROI 33s having the highest priority as the operation target when the position 33a is designated by the operator, for example.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, it is assumed that the imaging sequence is grid tagging and the imaging region is the heart. Then, it is assumed that three ROIs of the scan ROI 34s, the presaturation ROI 34p, and the grid tag ROI 34g are set on the image of the subject P by the operator. In this case, for example, the scan ROI 34s, the radial tag ROI 34r, and the freehand tag ROI 34h are drawn at the position 34a shown in FIG. Further, for example, a pre-saturation ROI 34p, a radial tag ROI 34r, and a freehand tag ROI 34h are drawn in a position 34b shown in FIG.

  Here, in the example shown in FIG. 3, when the imaging sequence is grid tagging and the imaging region is the head, the priority of the scan ROI is the highest, and the priority of the freehand tag ROI is the second. The ROI priority information is set so that the priority of the radial tag ROI is the third highest, the priority of the pre-saturation ROI is the fourth highest, and the priority of the grid tag ROI is the lowest.

  Therefore, in this example, when the position 34a is designated by the operator, for example, the operation target ROI determination unit 26d scans with the highest priority among the scan ROI 34s, the radial tag ROI 34r, and the freehand tag ROI 34h. The ROI 34s is determined as an operation target. For example, when the position 34b is designated by the operator, the operation target ROI determination unit 26d sets the radial tag ROI 34r having the highest priority among the presaturation ROI 34p, the radial tag ROI 34r, and the freehand tag ROI 34h as an operation target. judge.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the imaging sequence is MRS and the imaging region is the head. Then, it is assumed that three ROIs of the scan ROI 35s, the presaturation ROI 35p, and the MRS grid ROI 35m are set on the image of the subject P by the operator. In this case, for example, the scan ROI 35s, the presaturation ROI 35p, and the MRS grid ROI 35m are drawn at the position 35a shown in FIG.

  Here, in the example shown in FIG. 3, when the imaging sequence is MRS and the imaging region is the head, the scanning ROI has the highest priority, the MRS grid ROI has the second highest priority, The ROI priority information is set so that the presaturation ROI has the lowest priority.

  Therefore, in this example, when the position 35a is designated by the operator, for example, the operation target ROI determination unit 26d has the highest scan ROI 35s among the scan ROI 35s, the presaturation ROI 35p, and the MRS grid ROI 35m. Is determined as an operation target.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 2, the ROI operation execution unit 26 e performs an operation instructed by the operator on the ROI determined as the operation target by the operation target ROI determination unit 26 d. For example, the ROI operation execution unit 26e performs an operation of selecting an ROI, an operation of rotating, an operation of moving, an operation of changing the number of slices, an operation of changing the FOV, and the like.

  The sequence information generation unit 26f generates the above-described sequence information based on the imaging conditions stored by the imaging condition storage unit 23a and the ROI information on which various operations are performed by the ROI operation execution unit 26e. Then, the sequence information generation unit 26 f transmits the generated sequence information to the sequence control unit 10 to cause the sequence control unit 10 to execute scanning.

  Next, a processing procedure for ROI determination by the MRI apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the ROI determination processing procedure performed by the MRI apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 7, in the first embodiment, when an instruction to start setting of imaging conditions is received from the operator (Yes in step S <b> 101), the imaging condition receiving unit 26 b selects an imaging sequence and an imaging region. Is received (step S102).

  Then, the imaging condition receiving unit 26b reads the ROI priority information corresponding to the selected imaging sequence and imaging region from the imaging condition storage unit 23a, and stores the read ROI priority information in the internal memory (step S103). Subsequently, the imaging condition receiving unit 26b reads the ROI setting positioning image (image of the subject P) designated by the operator from the storage unit 23, and causes the display unit 25 to display the read positioning image (step S104). ).

  Thereafter, when the ROI drawing unit 26c receives an operation for setting the ROI on the positioning image (Yes in step S105), when drawing a plurality of ROIs in a superimposed manner (step S106, Yes), the ROI drawing unit 26c is stored in the internal memory. Based on the ROI priority information, the ROI with the highest priority is drawn on the top (step S107). On the other hand, when a plurality of ROIs are not drawn overlappingly (No at Step S106), the ROI drawing unit 26c draws the ROI set by the operator on the positioning image (Step S108).

  Subsequently, when the operation target ROI determination unit 26d receives an operation for designating a position on the positioning image (step S109, Yes), when a plurality of ROIs are drawn at the designated position (step S110, Yes), based on the ROI priority information stored in the internal memory, the ROI with the highest priority is determined as the operation target (step S111). On the other hand, when a plurality of ROIs are not drawn at the specified position (step S110, No), the operation target ROI determination unit 26d determines the ROI at the specified position as the operation target (step S112).

  Thereafter, the ROI operation execution unit 26e performs an operation instructed by the operator on the ROI determined as the operation target by the operation target ROI determination unit 26d (step S113). The control unit 26 repeats the processing from step S105 to S113 until receiving an instruction from the operator to end the setting of the imaging condition (step S114, No). When an instruction to end the setting of the imaging condition is received (step S114, Yes), the processing related to the setting of the imaging condition is ended.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the ROI priority information storage unit 23b sets priorities in descending order of operation frequency for each type of ROI indicating the imaging range or imaging position set on the image of the subject P. ROI priority information is stored. The ROI drawing unit 26 c draws the ROI on the image of the subject P displayed on the display unit 25. Further, when the operation target ROI determination unit 26d receives an operation for designating a position where a plurality of ROIs are drawn on the image of the subject P from the operator, the ROI priority information storage unit 23b stores the operation target ROI determination unit 26d. Based on the ROI priority information, the ROI having the highest priority among the plurality of ROIs is determined as the operation target. Then, the ROI operation execution unit 26e performs an operation instructed by the operator on the ROI determined as the operation target. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the operator can easily operate the ROI by preferentially setting the ROI having a high degree of interest of the operator as the operation target. Thereby, the inspection can be made more efficient and the inspection time can be shortened.

  Further, in the first embodiment, when the ROI drawing unit 26c draws a plurality of ROIs in an overlapping manner, the priority order among the plurality of ROIs is based on the ROI priority information stored in the ROI priority information storage unit 23b. The ROI with the highest is drawn on the top. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the ROI with the highest interest level of the operator among the plurality of ROIs is displayed on the top, so that the operator can operate the ROI more easily.

  In the first embodiment, the ROI priority information storage unit 23b stores the ROI priority information in association with the imaging sequence. In addition, the ROI drawing unit 26c draws a plurality of ROIs based on the ROI priority information corresponding to the imaging sequence designated by the operator among the ROI priority information. Further, the operation target ROI determination unit 26d determines the ROI to be operated based on the ROI priority information corresponding to the imaging sequence designated by the operator in the ROI priority information. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, since the priority order of ROIs can be changed according to the imaging sequence, the operator can operate the ROIs more efficiently.

  In the first embodiment, the ROI priority information storage unit 23b further stores the ROI priority information in association with the imaging region. The ROI drawing unit 26c draws a plurality of ROIs based on the ROI priority information corresponding to the imaging region designated by the operator in the ROI priority information. Further, the operation target ROI determination unit 26d determines the ROI to be operated based on the ROI priority information corresponding to the imaging region specified by the operator in the ROI priority information. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, since the priority order of ROIs can be changed according to the imaging region, the operator can operate the ROIs more efficiently.

  In the first embodiment, the ROI priority information registration unit 26a registers the ROI priority information in the ROI priority information storage unit 23b based on the priority order specified for each ROI by the operator. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the operator can set the priority order of ROI according to his / her preference. Therefore, even when the ROI setting procedure is different for each operator, The ROI can be easily operated.

  In the first embodiment, the case has been described in which ROI drawing and determination of the ROI to be operated are performed based on the priority order set for each ROI. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, when an ROI is designated on an image, the MRI apparatus may have a function of rendering an operation unit for receiving an operation on the ROI. The operation unit referred to here is, for example, a movement operation unit for receiving an operation for moving the ROI, a rotation operation unit for receiving an operation for rotating the ROI, or an operation for changing the number of slices included in the ROI. The number of slices operation section. These operation units may be drawn overlapping each other depending on the shape of the ROI. In such a case, for example, the drawing of the operation unit and the determination of the operation unit to be operated may be further performed based on the priority order set for each operation unit.

  In the following, as a second embodiment, a case will be described in which the operation unit for accepting an operation on the ROI further performs drawing based on priority and determination of an operation target. The configuration of the MRI apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, and only the functions of the computer system are different. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a computer system according to the second embodiment will be described.

  First, the configuration of the computer system according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of the computer system 120 according to the second embodiment. Here, for convenience of explanation, devices that play the same roles as the devices shown in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the computer system 120 includes an interface unit 21, a storage unit 123, and a control unit 126 as in the first embodiment.

  The storage unit 123 includes an imaging condition storage unit 23a, an ROI priority information storage unit 23b, and an operation unit priority information storage unit 123c.

  The operation unit priority information storage unit 123c displays the operation unit priority information in which the priority order is determined in descending order of the operation frequency for each type of operation unit for accepting an operation on the ROI drawn on the image of the subject P. Is stored in association with. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation unit priority information stored in the operation unit priority information storage unit 123c.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, the operation unit priority information storage unit 123c stores operation unit priority information in association with the ROI.

  “ROI” is information indicating the type of ROI. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, “Scan”, “Presat”, “Freehand Tag”, etc. are set in the ROI.

  The “operation unit priority information” is information in which information indicating the type of the operation unit is associated with the priority of the operation unit. As illustrated in FIG. 9, for example, “1: slice number operation unit”, “2: rotation operation unit”, “3: movement operation unit”, and the like are set in the operation unit priority information.

  In FIG. 9, “movement operation unit” indicates an operation unit for receiving an operation of moving the ROI. The “rotation operation unit” indicates an operation unit for receiving an operation of rotating the ROI. The “slice number operation unit” indicates an operation unit for receiving an operation for changing the number of slices included in the ROI. The “size operation unit” indicates an operation unit for receiving an operation for changing the size of the ROI.

  In FIG. 9, for example, “1: Slice number operation unit” indicates that the priority of the slice number operation unit is the highest. Further, for example, “2: rotation operation unit” indicates that the priority of the rotation operation unit is the second highest. “3: Move operation unit” indicates that the priority of the move operation unit is the third highest.

  That is, in the example illustrated in FIG. 9, for example, when the type of ROI is a scan ROI, the priority of the slice number operation unit is the highest, the priority of the rotation operation unit is the second highest, Indicates the lowest priority. For example, when the type of ROI is pre-saturation ROI, the size operation unit has the highest priority, the rotation operation unit has the second highest priority, and the movement operation unit has the lowest priority. Show.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 8, the control unit 126 includes the ROI priority information registration unit 26a, the imaging condition reception unit 26b, the ROI drawing unit 26c, the operation target ROI determination unit 26d, the operation unit drawing unit 126g, and the operation target operation unit determination unit. 126h, an ROI operation execution unit 126e, and a sequence information generation unit 26f.

  When the operation unit drawing unit 126g receives an operation for designating a position where the ROI is drawn on the image of the subject P displayed on the display unit 25 from the operator, the operation unit drawing unit 126g receives an operation on the ROI. Draw. The operation unit drawing unit 126 g receives an operation for designating the ROI on the image of the subject P from the operator via the input unit 24. The operation unit drawing unit 126g draws an operation unit prepared in advance for operating the ROI designated by the operator at a predetermined position determined for each operation unit according to the shape of the ROI.

  Note that, depending on the shape of the ROI, the operation unit drawing unit 126g may be forced to draw a plurality of operation units. Therefore, when the operation unit drawing unit 126g draws a plurality of operation units in an overlapping manner, the operation unit drawing unit 126g has the highest priority among the plurality of operation units based on the operation unit priority information corresponding to the ROI specified by the operator. Draw a high control unit on top.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of drawing of the operation unit and determination of an operation target according to the second embodiment. In the example described here, it is assumed that the operation unit priority information illustrated in FIG. 9 is stored in the operation unit priority information storage unit 123c.

  For example, assume that the ROI designated by the operator is a scan ROI. In that case, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the operation unit drawing unit 126g draws the movement operation unit 36d, the rotation operation unit 36t, and the slice number operation unit 36c, respectively, at predetermined positions in the scan ROI.

  Here, in the example shown in FIG. 9, when the type of ROI is a scan ROI, the priority of the slice number operation unit is the highest, the priority of the rotation operation unit is the second highest, The operation unit priority information is set so that the priority is lowest.

  Therefore, in this example, as shown in FIG. 10, the operation unit drawing unit 126g draws the slice number operation unit 36c at the top, draws the rotation operation unit 36t second from the top, and performs the move operation. The part 36d is drawn at the bottom.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 8, the operation target operation unit determination unit 126 h receives an operation for designating an arbitrary position on the image of the subject P displayed on the display unit 25 from the operator via the input unit 24. . Then, the operation target operation unit determination unit 126h determines the operation unit at the position designated by the operator as the operation target.

  When the operation target operation unit determination unit 126h receives from the operator an operation for designating a position where a plurality of operation units are drawn on the image of the subject P, the operation unit priority information storage unit 123c. Based on the operation unit priority information stored in the above, the operation unit with the highest priority among the plurality of operation units is determined as the operation target.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 10 again, determination of the operation unit by the operation target operation unit determination unit 126h will be described with an example. In the example described here, the operation unit priority information illustrated in FIG. 9 is stored in the operation unit priority information storage unit 123c.

  For example, assume that the ROI designated by the operator is a scan ROI as shown in FIG. Then, it is assumed that the operator specifies a position where at least two of the movement operation unit 36d, the rotation operation unit 36t, and the slice number operation unit 36c are drawn in an overlapping manner.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, when the type of ROI is a scan ROI, the priority of the slice number operation unit is the highest, the priority of the rotation operation unit is the second highest, and the priority of the movement operation unit is The operation unit priority information is set to be the lowest.

  Therefore, in the case of this example, the operation target operation unit determination unit 126h has a higher priority than the movement operation unit 36d when, for example, a drawn position where the movement operation unit 36d and the rotation operation unit 36t are drawn is designated. Is determined as an operation target. Further, the operation target operation unit determination unit 126h, for example, when the rendered position where the movement operation unit 36d and the slice number operation unit 36c are overlapped is designated, the slice number operation unit having a higher priority than the movement operation unit 36d. 36c is determined as an operation target.

  The ROI operation execution unit 126e performs the operation received by the operation unit determined as the operation target by the operation target operation unit determination unit 126h on the ROI. For example, the ROI operation execution unit 26e moves the ROI based on the operation received by the movement operation unit. Further, for example, the ROI operation execution unit 26e rotates the ROI based on the operation received by the rotation operation unit.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the operation unit priority information storage unit 123c is prioritized in descending order of operation frequency for each type of operation unit for receiving an operation on the ROI drawn on the image of the subject P. Is stored in association with the type of ROI. In addition, when the operation unit drawing unit 126g receives an operation for designating a position where the ROI is drawn on the image of the subject P from the operator, the operation unit drawing unit 126g draws an operation unit for receiving an operation on the ROI. In addition, when the operation target operation unit determination unit 126h receives an operation for designating a position where a plurality of operation units are drawn on the image of the subject P from the operator, the operation unit priority information storage unit 123c Based on the stored operation unit priority information, an operation unit having the highest priority among the plurality of operation units is determined as an operation target. Then, the ROI operation execution unit 126e performs the operation received by the operation unit determined as the operation target on the ROI. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the operation unit that is most likely to be used by the operator is preferentially determined as the operation target, so that the operator can operate the ROI more efficiently. Become.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the priority order is set for each ROI has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when an ROI is set on the image of the subject P by the operator, a plurality of ROIs of the same type may be set. In that case, for example, the priority order may be set in the same type of ROI.

  In this case, for example, the ROI priority information storage unit 23b stores ROI priority information in which priority is further determined for each ROI of the same type. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of ROI priority information in a case where priority is set in the same type of ROI.

  As illustrated in FIG. 11, the ROI priority information storage unit 23b stores, for example, ROI priority information in which priorities are further set for two states for each ROI of the same type. In FIG. 11, “Selected” indicates a state selected by the operator. “Unselected” indicates a state where the operator has not selected. For example, when a plurality of ROIs are set on the image of the subject P by the operator, only the last set ROI is in a selected state, that is, a “Selected” state.

  In FIG. 11, “1: Selected” indicates that the priority of the ROI in the selected state is the highest. For example, “2: Unselected” indicates that the priority of the ROI in the selected state is the second highest.

  In this case, for example, when the operation target ROI determination unit 26d receives an operation for designating a position where a plurality of ROIs of the same type are drawn on the image of the subject P, from the operator, Based on the ROI priority information stored in the ROI priority information storage unit 23b, the ROI having the highest priority among the plurality of ROIs is determined as the operation target.

  Here, an example of the ROI determination by the operation target ROI determination unit 26d will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of ROI determination in the case where priority is set in the same type of ROI. In the example described here, it is assumed that the ROI priority information shown in FIG. 11 is stored in the ROI priority information storage unit 23b.

  For example, assume that the imaging sequence is grid tagging and the imaging region is the heart. Then, assume that the operator sets four ROIs of the scan ROIs 37s and 38s, the presaturation ROI 37p, and the grid tag ROI 37g on the image of the subject P. In this case, for example, two scan ROIs are drawn at the position 38a shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the ROIs are set in the order of the scan ROI 37s and the scan ROI 38s, and the scan ROI 38s is selected.

  Here, in the example shown in FIG. 11, when the imaging sequence is grid tagging and the imaging region is the heart, the scan ROI has a high priority in the selected state, and is not selected. ROI priority information is set so as to lower the priority. Therefore, in this example, the operation target ROI determination unit 26d determines the scan ROI 38s in the selected state as the operation target when the position 38a is designated by the operator, for example.

  In this way, the ROI priority information storage unit 23b stores ROI priority information in which priority is further determined for each ROI of the same type. Further, when the operation target ROI determination unit 26d receives an operation for designating a position where a plurality of ROIs of the same type are drawn on the image of the subject P from the operator, the ROI priority information storage unit 23b. Based on the ROI priority information stored in the above, the ROI having the highest priority among the plurality of ROIs is determined as the operation target. As a result, even when a plurality of ROIs of the same type are set, the operator can easily operate each ROI.

  Further, for example, the priority order of ROIs may be changed based on operator information such as an operator ID for identifying the operator. In this case, for example, the ROI priority information storage unit 23b stores the priority order information in further association with the operator information for identifying the operator. Further, the ROI drawing unit 26c draws a plurality of ROIs based on the priority order information corresponding to the operator information of the operator who performed the operation of designating the position on the image of the subject P among the ROI priority information. To do. In addition, the operation target ROI determination unit 26d determines the operation target based on the ROI priority information corresponding to the operator information of the operator who performed the operation of designating the position on the image of the subject P among the ROI priority information. The ROI to be determined is determined. This makes it possible to automatically switch the priority order of ROIs for each operator, so that each operator can operate the ROI more efficiently.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 MRI apparatus 20 Computer system 23 Storage part 23b ROI priority information storage part 26 Control part 26c ROI drawing part 26d Operation object ROI determination part 26e ROI operation implementation part

Claims (7)

ROI priority information storage means for storing ROI priority information in which priority is determined in descending order of operation frequency for each type of ROI indicating an imaging range or imaging position set on an image of a subject;
ROI drawing means for drawing the ROI on the image of the subject displayed on the display unit;
Based on the ROI priority information stored by the ROI priority information storage means, when an operation for designating a position where a plurality of ROIs are drawn on the image is drawn is received from the operator, ROI determination means for determining the ROI with the highest priority as an operation target;
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising: an operation performing unit that performs an operation instructed by an operator on the ROI determined as the operation target.   When the ROI drawing unit draws a plurality of ROIs, the ROI having the highest priority among the plurality of ROIs is highest based on the ROI priority information stored in the ROI priority information storage unit. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus draws an image. The ROI priority information storage means stores the ROI priority information in association with an imaging sequence,
The ROI drawing means draws the plurality of ROIs based on ROI priority information corresponding to an imaging sequence designated by an operator among the ROI priority information,
The ROI determination unit determines an ROI to be operated based on ROI priority information corresponding to an imaging sequence designated by an operator in the ROI priority information. Magnetic resonance imaging device. The ROI priority information storage means further stores the ROI priority information in association with an imaging region,
The ROI drawing means draws the plurality of ROIs based on the ROI priority information corresponding to the imaging region designated by the operator among the ROI priority information,
The ROI determination unit determines an ROI to be operated based on ROI priority information corresponding to an imaging region designated by an operator in the ROI priority information. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus described.   5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising priority information registration means for registering the ROI priority information in the ROI priority information storage means based on a priority order specified for each ROI by an operator. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to one. The ROI priority information storage means further stores the priority information in association with operator information for identifying an operator,
The ROI drawing means draws the plurality of ROIs based on priority information corresponding to operator information of an operator who has performed an operation of designating a position on the image among the ROI priority information,
The ROI determination means determines an ROI to be operated based on ROI priority information corresponding to operator information of an operator who has performed an operation of designating a position on the image among the ROI priority information. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Operation unit priority information storage that stores operation unit priority information in which priority is set in descending order of operation frequency for each type of operation unit for receiving an operation on the ROI drawn on the image in association with the type of the ROI. Means,
An operation unit drawing means for drawing an operation unit for receiving an operation on the ROI when an operation for designating a position where the ROI is drawn on the image is received from an operator;
When an operation for designating a position where a plurality of operation sections are drawn on the image is received from an operator, the plurality of operation sections is based on the operation section priority information stored by the operation section priority information storage unit. An operation unit determining unit that determines an operation unit having the highest priority among the operation units as an operation target;
The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation execution unit performs an operation received by the operation unit determined as the operation target on the ROI. .

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