JP5433738B2 - Image display device - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image display apparatus, and more particularly to an image display apparatus that enables generation and display of a wide range of image data based on MR signals collected while moving a subject in the body axis direction.

In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a nuclear spin in a subject tissue placed in a static magnetic field is excited by a high-frequency signal (RF pulse) having the Larmor frequency, and a magnetic resonance signal ( This is an imaging method for reconstructing image data from MR signals.

An MRI apparatus is an image diagnostic apparatus that generates image data based on MR signals detected from within a living body, and obtains a lot of diagnostic information such as biochemical information and functional diagnostic information as well as anatomical diagnostic information. Therefore, it has become indispensable in the field of diagnostic imaging today.

FIG. 12 schematically shows a gantry 120a of an MRI apparatus in which a coil unit for detecting an MR signal from the subject 150 is housed.
Around the imaging field 130a provided in the center of the imaging field 130a, the main magnet 11a and the gradient magnetic field coil 21a that form a static magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field with respect to the subject 150 arranged in the imaging field 130a, and the subject 150 On the other hand, a transmission coil 31a that irradiates an RF pulse and a reception coil 33a that detects an MR signal generated from the subject 150 when the RF pulse is irradiated are provided.

On the other hand, on the upper surface of a bed (not shown), the top 4a on which the subject 150 is placed has its longitudinal direction (
(Z-axis direction) is slidably attached, and the subject 150 is photographed together with the top 4a and the imaging field 130.
By moving to a, the imaging region is set in the vicinity of the receiving coil 33a. In this case, the imaging region of the subject 150 is determined by the length D of the receiving coil 33a with respect to the Z-axis direction.

In recent years, as an imaging method using an MRI apparatus, in order to generate continuous image data (wide range image data) in a wider area than the imaging area determined by the length D of the receiving coil 33a of the apparatus, the subject 150 A method of acquiring MR signals while moving the top plate 4a mounted thereon continuously or stepwise in the longitudinal direction, and reconstructing the MR signals to collect (generate and display) wide range image data. Proposed. (For example, Patent Document 1
reference). According to this method, when performing whole body imaging on a subject having a height of 150 cm using an MRI apparatus having an imaging field of 50 cm (D = 50 cm), the subject 150 is, for example,
A wide range of image data is observed by generating three pieces of image data at three imaging regions while moving each step by 50 cm stepwise with respect to the body axis direction, and displaying these image data in a composite or parallel display. .

JP 2001-95777 A

By the way, in normal MR imaging, a coronal section (vertical section viewed from the front of the subject), a sagittal section (vertical section viewed from the side of the subject), and an axial section (on the body axis of the subject) at one imaging site. A plurality of image sections such as a T1-weighted image, a T2-weighted image, and an MRA (MR angio) image, for example. A plurality of image data is collected at predetermined slice intervals. Hereinafter, the above-described photographing sections and image types are collectively referred to as photographing conditions, and a plurality of pieces of image data collected in time series at predetermined slice intervals under each photographing condition are referred to as series image data.
Furthermore, when performing wide-range imaging on the subject by the method described in Patent Document 1 described above, series image data is collected for each imaging condition described above at each of a plurality of imaging regions set in the body axis direction. Therefore, the number of image data collected for the subject is enormous, and it is extremely difficult to select and display desired image data in a short time.

In particular, when performing wide-range imaging, first, a plurality of imaging sections and series image data of image types are collected at the first imaging site, and then the second imaging site set by moving the subject in the body axis direction. In the third imaging region,..., Series image data is collected under each imaging condition by repeating the same procedure. Therefore, collection of series image data under the same imaging conditions becomes discontinuous with changes in the imaging region, and series images acquired under desired imaging conditions from a series of image data collected in time series. The selection of image data when displaying data corresponding to a plurality of imaging regions is an extremely complicated operation, and thus has a problem that diagnostic efficiency is remarkably lowered.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an image display apparatus according to an embodiment includes a desired shooting condition among a plurality of series image data stored in an image data storage unit and attached with additional information including a shooting condition. Thumbnail data generating means for generating the representative thumbnail data of the series image data to which each imaging region is added, display means for displaying a plurality of representative thumbnail display data corresponding to the representative thumbnail data for each imaging region, and A selection means for selecting desired representative thumbnail display data from among a plurality of representative thumbnail display data, and an output means for outputting series image data corresponding to the selected representative thumbnail display data are provided.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an MRI apparatus in a first embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the imaging | photography site | part and imaging | photography condition in the Example. The figure which shows the coronal cross section with respect to the test object of the Example, and a sagittal cross section. The functional block diagram of the display part with which the MRI apparatus of the Example is provided. The figure which shows the specific example of the thumbnail display data with respect to the coronal cross section of the Example. The figure which shows the specific example of the thumbnail display data with respect to the sagittal cross section of the Example. The figure which shows the specific example of the series display data in the Example. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for generating wide-range image data in the embodiment. The figure which shows typically the series image data collected in time series in the Example. The flowchart which shows the display procedure of the wide range image data in the Example. The functional block diagram of the image display apparatus in the 2nd Example of this invention. The figure which shows the relationship between the imaging | photography field of an MRI apparatus, and the imaging | photography area | region of a subject.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The MRI apparatus in the first embodiment of the present invention described below includes a static magnetic field, a gradient magnetic field, and an RF.
Series images under a plurality of imaging conditions at each of a plurality of imaging regions set by moving a subject placed on the top plate at a predetermined interval in the body axis direction with respect to the imaging field of the gantry in which a magnetic field is formed Data is generated, and the above-described imaging conditions and imaging site information are added to the series image data and temporarily stored.
Next, the series image data to which the desired imaging condition is added is extracted from the series image data at the plurality of imaging regions to which the desired imaging condition is added, and the representative thumbnail for the extracted series image data at the plurality of imaging regions Data is generated for each imaging region.
The plurality of representative thumbnail data obtained are displayed in correspondence with the imaging part indicated in the human body model of the subject, and further corresponding to the representative thumbnail data selected from the plurality of representative thumbnail data displayed. Display a list of series image data.

In the following description, a coronal section, a sagittal section, and an axial section are described as imaging sections, and a T1-weighted image, a T2-weighted image, and an MRA image are described as image types, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, instead of the above-mentioned T1 weighted image or T2 weighted image,
Alternatively, a proton density image may be used.

(Device configuration)
The configuration of the MRI apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. still,
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the MRI apparatus in the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a display unit provided in the MRI apparatus.

1 includes a static magnetic field generator 1 and a gradient magnetic field generator 2 that generate a magnetic field with respect to a subject 150, and transmission / reception that performs irradiation of RF pulses and reception of MR signals with respect to the subject 150. And a top plate moving mechanism unit 5 for moving the top plate 4 in the body axis direction of the subject 150.

Further, the MRI apparatus 500 receives the MR conditions received by the transmission / reception unit 3 and the incidental information acquisition unit 6 that acquires the imaging conditions input from the input unit 9 described later and the information of the imaging region in the body axis direction of the subject. Image data generation unit 7 for generating image data by reconfiguration processing, display unit 8 for displaying the generated image data, input of subject information, setting and selection of imaging conditions and imaging region of image data, various commands An input unit 9 for inputting signals and the like, and a control unit 10 for controlling the above-described units in the MRI apparatus 500 are provided.

The static magnetic field generator 1 includes a main magnet 11 composed of, for example, a normal conducting magnet or a superconducting magnet, and a static magnetic field power source 12 for supplying a current to the main magnet 11, and includes a gantry (not shown) (see FIG. 12). A strong static magnetic field is formed on the subject 150 placed in the imaging field. In addition, the above-mentioned main magnet 11 may be comprised with the permanent magnet.

On the other hand, the gradient magnetic field generator 2 supplies a pulse current to each of the gradient magnetic field coil 21 that forms a gradient magnetic field in the X axis direction, the Y axis direction, and the Z axis direction orthogonal to each other, and the gradient magnetic field coil 21. A gradient magnetic field power source 22 is provided.

The gradient magnetic field power source 22 encodes the imaging field in which the subject 150 is placed based on the sequence control signal supplied from the control unit 10. That is, the gradient magnetic field power source 22 controls the pulse current supplied to the gradient magnetic field coils 21 in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction based on the sequence control signal, thereby forming a gradient magnetic field in each direction. To do. At this time, X
The slice selection gradient magnetic field Gs, the phase encode gradient magnetic field Ge, and the readout (frequency encode) gradient magnetic field Gr are synthesized by combining the gradient magnetic fields in the axial direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction.
Are formed in a desired direction, and these gradient magnetic fields are superimposed on the static magnetic field formed by the main magnet 11 and applied to the subject 150.

Next, the transmission / reception unit 3 includes a transmission coil 31 and a transmission unit 32 that irradiate the subject 150 with RF pulses, and a reception coil 33 and a reception unit 34 that receive MR signals generated by the subject 150. ing. However, a transmission / reception coil having the function of the transmission coil 31 and the function of the reception coil 33 in one coil may be used.

The transmission unit 32 has a carrier wave having the same frequency as the magnetic resonance frequency (Larmor frequency) determined by the static magnetic field strength of the main magnet 11 based on a sequence control signal supplied from the sequence control unit 102 described later of the control unit 10. Then, an RF pulse current modulated with a predetermined selective excitation waveform is generated. The transmission coil 31 is driven by the RF pulse current supplied from the transmission unit 32 and irradiates the imaging part of the subject 150 with the RF pulse.

On the other hand, the receiving coil 33 is configured by, for example, a so-called array coil in which a plurality of (Nc) small-diameter coils are arranged in order to detect MR signals generated by the subject 150 with high sensitivity. The receiver 34 includes an Nc channel amplifier circuit, an intermediate frequency converter circuit, a detector circuit, an A / D converter, and a filtering circuit (not shown), amplifies a minute MR signal detected by the receiver coil 33, and A / D conversion is performed after signal processing such as intermediate frequency conversion, phase detection, and filtering. However, the amplifying circuit is connected to the MR detected by the receiving coil 33.
In order to amplify the signal with high S / N, it is usually provided in the vicinity of the receiving coil 33.
The main magnet 11, the gradient magnetic field coil 21, the transmission coil 31, and the reception coil 33 are
As already shown in FIG. 12, it is provided in the gantry of the MRI apparatus 500, and an imaging field is formed at the center of the gantry. That is, at the center of the gantry, the subject 150 together with the top 4
Is provided, and a reception coil 33 and a transmission coil 31 are provided around the field.
The gradient magnetic field coil 21 and the main magnet 11 are arranged concentrically with the Z axis as a common axis.

Next, the top plate 4 is slidably mounted in the Z-axis direction on the upper surface of a bed (not shown) installed in the vicinity of the gantry, and the subject 150 placed on the top plate 4 is moved in the body axis direction (Z-axis direction). ) To set the imaging region of the subject 150 to the imaging field. In this case, the movement of the top 4 is controlled so that the imaging region faces the receiving coil 33 provided in the vicinity of the imaging field.

On the other hand, the top plate moving mechanism unit 5 is attached to the above-described bed, for example, and generates a top plate movement drive signal based on a top plate movement trigger signal supplied from a top plate movement control unit 103 described later of the control unit 10. The top plate 4 is generated and moved at predetermined intervals in the Z-axis direction by this top plate moving drive signal.

Next, the incidental information acquisition unit 6 is input from the input unit 9 and is a main control unit 10 of the control unit 10 described later.
The imaging condition and imaging site information in MR imaging of the subject stored in the storage circuit 1 is acquired. FIG. 2 shows the imaging region and the types of imaging conditions acquired by the incidental information acquisition unit 6 as incidental information of series image data, and the head (L = 1) as the imaging region.
, Chest (L = 2), abdomen (L = 3) and legs (L = 4).

On the other hand, as described above, the photographing condition includes a photographing section and an image type. As a photographing section, a coronal section (M = 1), a sagittal section (M = 2), and an axial section (M = 3) are used. There are T1-weighted images (N = 1), T2-weighted images (N = 2), and MRA images (N = 3) as seeds.

FIG. 3 shows a coronal section and a sagittal section with respect to the subject 150. FIG.
(A) is Mc coronal cross section Cr-1 thru | or C set parallel to the upper surface of the top plate 4. FIG.
r-Mc and FIG. 3B show Ms sagittal sections Sg-1 to Sg-Ms set perpendicular to the upper surface of the top plate 4. FIG.

Returning to FIG. 1, the image data generation unit 7 includes an MR signal storage unit 71, a high-speed calculation unit 72, and an image data storage unit 73, and the MR signal storage unit 71 includes a reception unit 34 of the transmission / reception unit 3. Intermediate frequency conversion, phase detection, and A / D converted imaging conditions and N at each imaging region
The c channel MR signals are stored in sequence.

On the other hand, the high-speed calculation unit 72 performs image reconstruction processing by two-dimensional Fourier transform on the MR signal read from the MR signal storage unit 71 to generate image data. The supplementary information such as the imaging condition and imaging region of the supplied image data is added and stored in the image data storage unit 73. At this time, the same incidental information is added and stored in each of a plurality of pieces of image data (that is, series image data) generated in time series under the same imaging condition and imaging region.

Next, details of the display unit 8 will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. The display unit 8 shown in FIG. 4 displays desired imaging conditions and series image data or image data at the imaging site among various imaging conditions and series image data at the imaging site stored in the image data storage unit 73 described above. An image data extraction unit 81, a thumbnail data generation unit 82, a standard human body model data storage unit 83, a human body model generation unit 84;
A display data generation unit 85, a conversion circuit 86, and a monitor 87 are provided.

The image data extraction unit 81 is based on the selection information such as the subject information, the imaging conditions, and the imaging region supplied from the input unit 9 via the control unit 10, or the image data having the auxiliary information corresponding to the selection information or Series image data is selected (extracted) from the image data storage unit 73 of the image data generation unit 7.

On the other hand, the thumbnail data generation unit 82 generates representative thumbnail data for each imaging region using the series image data of each imaging region extracted by the image data extraction unit 81. in this case,
Generate thumbnail data for all of the series image data in a given imaging region,
From these thumbnail data, for example, the central thumbnail data may be selected as the representative thumbnail data, or the central image data is selected as the representative image data from the series image data in a predetermined imaging region, The representative thumbnail data may be generated using the representative image data.

Next, the standard human body model data storage unit 83 has a storage circuit in which standard human body model information is stored in advance. This human body model may be a photograph or a picture of the human body, or standard image data obtained by an image diagnostic apparatus such as an MRI apparatus or an X-ray CT apparatus. On the other hand, the human body model generation unit 84 corrects the data of the standard human body model described above based on the subject information input from the input unit 9, and generates a human body model suitable for the subject. For example, a suitable human body model is generated by expanding and contracting the length of the standard human body model based on the height of the subject.

Next, the display data generation unit 85 includes a thumbnail display data generation unit 851, a series display data generation unit 852, and a diagnostic display data generation unit 853.

The thumbnail display data generation unit 851 generates thumbnail display data using the representative thumbnail data in each imaging region supplied from the thumbnail data generation unit 82 and the human body model of the subject supplied from the human body model generation unit 84.

FIG. 5 shows a specific example of the thumbnail display data for the coronal section (CR). This thumbnail display data is, for example, an imaging condition display area Rc-1 in which an image type and an imaging section as imaging conditions are shown. And a human body model display area Rc− where the human body model S1 is displayed.
3 and the representative thumbnail display area Rc-2 in which the representative thumbnail data Pc-1 to Pc-4 of the coronal section at the imaging parts S2-1 to S2-4 set in the human body model S1 are displayed. .

The thumbnail display data for the sagittal section (SG) shown in FIG. 6 includes, for example, an imaging condition display area Rs-1 in which an image type and an imaging section are displayed, and a human body model display area Rs- in which a human body model S1 is displayed. 3 and imaging parts S2-1 to S set in the human body model S1
It is constituted by a representative thumbnail display area Rs-2 in which representative thumbnail data Ps-1 to Ps-4 of the sagittal section in 2-4 are displayed.

Next, the series display data generation unit 852 in FIG. 4 generates series display data for displaying a list of series image data corresponding to one or more representative thumbnail data selected in the above-described thumbnail display data.

A specific example of the series display data generated by the series display data generation unit 852 is shown in FIG. For example, a coronal section (CR) and a T1-weighted image are selected as imaging conditions. In the thumbnail display data (see FIG. 5) generated at this time, the head representative thumbnail data Pc-1 and the chest representative thumbnail data Pc- 2 and abdominal representative thumbnail data Pc-
When 3 is selected, the above-described image data extraction unit 81 extracts the series image data corresponding to each of the selected representative thumbnail data from the image data storage unit 73 of the image data generation unit 7 shown in FIG. To the series display data generation unit 852. Then, the series display data generation unit 852 that has received this series image data supplies the series image data C1-1 to C1-Mc in the coronal section of the head as shown in FIG. 7 and the series image in the coronal section of the chest. Series display data in which data C2-1 to C2-Mc and series image data C3-1 to C3-Mc in an abdominal coronal section are arranged is generated.

In this case, a wide range of series image data under desired imaging conditions can be generated by connecting the series image data at each imaging region arranged in the horizontal direction in the vertical direction. However, although FIG. 7 shows the case of Mc = 9 for the sake of simplicity, it is not limited to this.

On the other hand, the diagnostic display data generation unit 853 is based on the selection information from the input unit 9 when observing one or a plurality of image data constituting the series display data as necessary. The image data extraction unit 81 adds the subject information and the like to the image data extracted from the image data storage unit 73 to generate diagnostic display data.

Next, the conversion circuit 86 converts the above-described thumbnail display data, series display data, and diagnostic display data into a predetermined display format, and further performs a D / A conversion and a television format conversion to generate a video signal generated by CRT. Or it displays on the monitor 87 which consists of a liquid crystal panel. The thumbnail display data, the series display data, and the diagnostic display data generated by the display data generation unit 85 may be displayed independently on the monitor 87, but two or three display data are synthesized and displayed. It may be displayed.

Next, the input unit 9 is an interactive interface provided with various input devices such as switches, keyboards, and mice and a display panel on the console, and inputs subject information, sets and selects imaging conditions, and sets imaging regions. And selection, setting the movement interval of the top 4, setting the slice interval of each imaging section, setting the number of series image data, selecting display data, inputting various command signals, and the like.

The control unit 10 includes a main control unit 101, a sequence control unit 102, and a top board movement control unit 103. The main control unit 101 includes a CPU and a storage circuit (not shown), and an MRI apparatus 500.
It has a function to control and control. The storage circuit of the main control unit 101 stores input information, setting information, selection information, and the like input by the input unit 9. On the other hand, the main control unit 10
1 CPU generates pulse sequence information (for example, information on the magnitude, supply time, supply timing, etc. of the pulse current supplied to the gradient coil 21 and the transmission coil 31) based on the above-described information input from the input unit 9. To the sequence control unit 102.

The sequence control unit 102 generates a sequence control signal based on the pulse sequence information supplied from the main control unit 101, and controls the gradient magnetic field power supply 22 of the gradient magnetic field generation unit 2 and the transmission unit 32 of the transmission / reception unit 3.
The top plate movement control unit 103 generates a driving signal for the movement of the top plate 4 based on the pulse sequence information supplied from the main control unit 101 or the sequence control signal supplied from the sequence control unit 102 to move the top plate. It supplies to the mechanism part 5.
(Wide-range image data collection procedure)
Next, a procedure for generating a wide range of image data in the body axis direction of the subject will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The operator of the MRI apparatus 500 inputs subject information such as a subject name, subject ID, sex, height, weight, etc. in the input unit 9 (step S1 in FIG. 8). Set the image type and imaging location. Specifically, the coronal section (
CR), sagittal section (SG) and axial section (AX) and their order are set, and T1-weighted image, T2-weighted image and MRA image and their order are set as image types. Further, the head, chest, abdomen, and legs are set as imaging regions and their order (step S2 in FIG. 8).

Next, the operator inputs an instruction signal for moving the top board through the input unit 9. The top plate movement control unit 103 that has received the instruction signal via the main control unit 101 of the control unit 10 supplies a drive signal to the top plate moving mechanism unit 5 and the subject 150 placed on the top plate 4. The top plate 4 is moved so that the first imaging region (for example, the head) is positioned at the approximate center of the imaging field provided in the gantry of the MRI apparatus 500 (step S3 in FIG. 8).

When the above setting is completed, the operator selects a wide-area shooting mode with the input unit 9, and further inputs a shooting start command signal to start wide-area shooting (step S4 in FIG. 8). That is, based on the setting information in step S2 described above, first, the head (L = 1)
Imaging of the T1-weighted image (N = 1) in the coronal section (M = 1) is started.

For example, when collecting T1-weighted image data by the SE (spin echo) method, the gradient magnetic field power supply 22 of the gradient magnetic field generating unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 is supplied with a sequence control signal supplied from the sequence control unit 102 of the control unit 10. The pulse current to the gradient magnetic field coil 21 in the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction is controlled based on the
Slice selection gradient magnetic field Gs for setting -1 and MR obtained from this imaging slice plane
A phase encoding gradient magnetic field Ge for reading out the position of generation of the signal and readout (
Frequency encoding) Gradient magnetic field Gr is applied.

For example, when generating Na × Na image data, the application of the phase encoding gradient magnetic field Ge having Na kinds of magnetic field strengths is repeated Na times in the repetition period TR, and reading (frequency encoding) having a predetermined magnetic field strength is performed. ) Application of the gradient magnetic field Ge is repeated for a period T
Repeat with R.

On the other hand, the transmission unit 32 supplies an RF pulse current to the transmission coil 31 during application of the first slice selection gradient magnetic field Gs, and irradiates the imaging region of the subject 150 with the 90-degree RF pulse. 1 during the application of the second slice selective gradient magnetic field Gs after time TE / 2 from
The same part is irradiated with an 80 degree RF pulse. Next, the reception coil 33 and the reception unit 34 of the transmission / reception unit 3 are MR generated from the subject 150 after time TE / 2 from the irradiation of the 180-degree RF pulse.
The signal is received and temporarily stored in the MR signal storage unit 71 of the image data generation unit 7 (step S5 in FIG. 8).

The 90-degree RF pulse and the 180-degree RF pulse described above are RF waves for supplying the nuclear spin with energy necessary for rotating the nuclear spin of the subject tissue by 90 degrees and 180 degrees. Indicates the time from the irradiation of the 90-degree RF pulse until the MR signal is detected, and TR indicates the detection period of the MR signal.

On the other hand, T1 and T2 are the longitudinal relaxation time and the transverse relaxation time of the nuclear spin of the biological tissue. When collecting T1-weighted images, TR = T1 and TE << T2 are set. When collecting T2-weighted images, TR >> T1 and TE = T2 are set.

Then, if Na MR signals are acquired by updating the magnetic field strength of the phase encoding gradient magnetic field Ge Na times, the high-speed calculation unit 72 of the image data generation unit 7 has Na data points. The Na MR signals are two-dimensionally Fourier transformed to generate image data C1-1 of Na × Na pixels in the coronal section Cr-1 (step S6 in FIG. 8), and subject information and imaging are obtained in the obtained image data. Ancillary information such as conditions and imaging region is added to the image data storage unit 7
3 (step S7 in FIG. 8).

Next, the coronal section Cr-2 adjacent to the above-mentioned coronal section Cr-1 at a predetermined interval.
The image data C1-2 to C1-Mc are generated and stored in the same procedure with respect to Cr-Mc.

When the collection of the T1-weighted image in the coronal section (M = 1) of the head is completed, the main control unit 101 of the control unit 10 updates the photographed section to the sagittal section (M = 2) and displays the T1-weighted image. Further, a T1-weighted image on the axial section (M = 3) is collected (step S8 in FIG. 8).

When the collection of the T1-weighted image (N = 1) in each photographing section of the head (L = 1) is completed, the image type in each photographing section of the head is updated by the same procedure to update the T2-weighted image. (N = 2) and MRA images (N = 3) are collected (step S9 in FIG. 8). Further, the imaging region is updated to update the chest (L = 2), abdomen (L = 3), and leg ( A T1-weighted image, a T2-weighted image, and an MRA image are collected in each photographing section at L = 4) (step S10 in FIG. 8).
).

FIG. 9 schematically shows the series image data collected in time series by the above-described procedure, and the coronal cross section (CR) and the sagittal cross section (SG) of each imaging region are shown for ease of explanation. Only the T1-weighted image and the T2-weighted image are shown. That is, the series image data of T1 / CR, T1 / SG, T2 / CR, and T2 / SG in the head is sequentially collected. Similarly, T1 / CR is also applied to each imaging region of the chest, abdomen, and leg. CR, T1 / SG
, T2 / CR, T2 / SG series image data is collected.

(Wide-range image data display procedure)
Next, a procedure for displaying a wide range of image data in the body axis direction collected by the above method will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Prior to the display of the wide-range image data, the operator selects an imaging section (for example, a coronal section (CR)) and an image type (for example, a T1-weighted image) of the image data to be displayed in the input unit 9 (FIG. 10). Step S21). However, in this case, all the photographing sections and image types may be selected.

The display unit 8 that has received the selection information from the input unit 9 via the main control unit 101 of the control unit 10.
The image data extraction unit 81 extracts series image data of a plurality of imaging regions having supplementary information corresponding to the selected imaging section and image type from the image data storage unit 73 of the image data generation unit 7 to generate thumbnail data. It supplies to the part 82 (step S22 of FIG. 10).

Next, the thumbnail data generation unit 82 generates representative thumbnail data at each imaging region using the series image data supplied from the image data extraction unit 81, and supplies it to the thumbnail display data generation unit 851 of the display data generation unit 85. (Step S23 in FIG. 10).

On the other hand, the human body model generation unit 84 reads information on the standard human body model stored in the standard human body model data storage unit 83 in advance, and further adds it to the subject information input from the input unit 9 or the above-described series image data. Based on the subject information thus obtained, the data of the standard human body model is corrected to generate a human body model suitable for the subject. Then, the obtained human body model is supplied to the thumbnail display data generation unit 851 (step S24 in FIG. 10).

Then, the thumbnail display data generation unit 851 supplies the representative thumbnail data Pc-1 of the T1-weighted image in the coronal section of each imaging region supplied from the thumbnail data generation unit 82.
Through the human body model of the subject supplied from PC-4 and the human body model generation unit 84, thumbnail display data shown in FIG. 5 is generated. Then, the conversion circuit 86 converts the above-described thumbnail display data into a predetermined display format, and further displays the video signal generated by performing D / A conversion and television format conversion on the monitor 87 (step S25 in FIG. 10). ).
Next, the operator displays the representative thumbnail data Pc-1 to Pc displayed on the monitor 87.
-4 from the desired representative thumbnail data (for example, head representative thumbnail data Pc-
1. Select the imaging region of the series image data by selecting the representative thumbnail data Pc-2 of the chest and the representative thumbnail data Pc-3 of the abdomen using the input device of the input unit 9 (step S26 in FIG. 10). .

Then, the image data extraction unit 81 of the display unit 8 that has received this selection information via the main control unit 101 of the control unit 10 converts the series image data of T1-weighted images in the coronal sections of the head, chest, and abdomen into image data. The data is read from the storage unit 73 and supplied to the series display data generation unit 852.

On the other hand, the series display data generation unit 852 generates the series display data shown in FIG. 7 using the above-described series image data supplied from the image data extraction unit 81, and displays it on the monitor 87 via the conversion circuit 86 ( Step S27 in FIG.

Furthermore, when displaying desired image data included in the series image data of each imaging region displayed on the monitor 87 in an enlarged manner, the operator inputs desired image data from the series image data on the monitor to the input unit 9. The selection is performed using the input device (step S28 in FIG. 10), and the image data extraction unit 81 that has received the selection information reads the image data from the image data storage unit 73 and supplies the image data to the diagnostic display data generation unit 853. . Then, the diagnostic display data generation unit 853 generates diagnostic display data by adding incidental information such as subject information to the image data, and displays it on the monitor 87 via the conversion circuit 86 (step of FIG. 10). S29).

According to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, image data at a desired imaging condition or imaging region can be easily obtained based on the imaging region or imaging condition information added as supplementary information to each piece of image data. Can be selected.

In particular, when continuously displaying a wide range of series image data collected at a plurality of imaging sites in the body axis direction of the subject by moving the top plate on which the subject is placed, each series image data It is possible to efficiently select and display series image data of a plurality of imaging regions under desired imaging conditions based on information on imaging regions and imaging conditions added as supplementary information.

Further, when selecting the series image data at a desired imaging region, the selection operation is further facilitated because the series image data is selected using the representative thumbnail data of the series image data generated for each imaging region.

Furthermore, since the above-described representative thumbnail data is displayed corresponding to the imaging part indicated in the human body model of the subject, even if it is difficult to determine the imaging part from the representative thumbnail data, it is desired. It becomes possible to accurately select the representative thumbnail data for the imaging region.

For the above reasons, diagnostic accuracy and diagnostic efficiency are greatly improved, and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

In the first embodiment described above, the case has been described in which incidental information is added to all of the series image data generated by the image data generation unit 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first slice The incidental information may be added only to the image data obtained in the cross section.

Further, the case where the auxiliary information is added to the image data and stored is described, but the auxiliary information includes the case where the auxiliary information is stored in a storage circuit corresponding to each of the image data.

On the other hand, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the receiving coil 33 is fixedly disposed in the gantry together with the transmitting coil 31 has been described. However, the receiving coil 33 is disposed facing the imaging region of the subject 150 placed on the top 4. May be.

In an image display apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention described below, desired imaging conditions are added from series image data at a plurality of imaging regions stored together with incidental information such as subject information and imaging conditions. The series image data that is present is extracted. Next, representative thumbnail data for the series image data in the extracted plurality of imaging regions is generated for each imaging region,
These representative thumbnail data are displayed in correspondence with the imaging region indicated in the human body model of the subject. Then, a list of series image data corresponding to the representative thumbnail data selected from the plurality of representative thumbnail data displayed is displayed.
(Device configuration)
The overall configuration of the image display apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. However, in FIG. 11, units having the same functions as those of the MRI apparatus 500 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
That is, the image display apparatus 600 shown in FIG. 11 includes an image data storage unit 7x in which various series image data of the subject collected in a separately installed MRI apparatus is stored via a storage medium or a network, A display unit 8x for displaying display data generated based on the series image data selected from the above-described various series image data, input of subject information, setting and selection of imaging conditions and imaging parts of image data, various types An input unit 9x for inputting a command signal and the like, and a system control unit 10x for controlling each unit in the image display apparatus 600 are provided.

Each of the series image data stored in the image data storage unit 7x includes an imaging condition (for example, an imaging section and an image type) at the time of collection of the series image data, an imaging site, subject information, and the like. It is added as incidental information.

On the other hand, the display unit 8x has a function of selecting and displaying desired imaging conditions and series image data at the imaging site from among various imaging conditions and series image data at the imaging site stored in the image data storage unit 7x. Image data or series image data using the selection information as supplementary information based on selection information such as subject information, imaging conditions, and imaging site supplied from the input unit 9x via the system control unit 10x. An image data extraction unit 81 extracted from the data storage unit 7x, a thumbnail data generation unit 82 that generates representative thumbnail data for each imaging region using the series image data of each imaging region extracted by the image data extraction unit 81, and a standard Standard human body model data storage unit 8 in which information on typical human body models is stored in advance
3 and a human body model generation unit 84 that corrects the data of the standard human body model described above based on the subject information input from the input unit 9x and generates a human body model suitable for the subject.

Further, the display unit 8x includes a display data generation unit 85 that generates various display data based on the series image data extracted by the image data extraction unit 81 and the thumbnail data generated by the thumbnail data generation unit 82, and the display data. Convert to a predetermined display format, and
A conversion circuit 86 that generates a video signal by performing D / A conversion and television format conversion, and a monitor 87 that displays the obtained video signal are provided.

The display data generation unit 85 described above generates thumbnail display data using the representative thumbnail data at each imaging region supplied from the thumbnail data generation unit 82 and the human body model of the subject supplied from the human body model generation unit 84. A thumbnail display data generation unit 851 to generate, and a series display data generation unit 852 that generates series display data for displaying a list of series image data corresponding to one or more representative thumbnail data selected in the thumbnail display data. And a diagnostic display data generation unit 853 for generating diagnostic display data for selecting and enlarging and displaying one or a plurality of image data constituting the series display data as necessary. .

Note that the procedure for displaying wide-area image data by the above-described image display apparatus 600 is substantially the same as the procedure for displaying wide-area image data by the MRI apparatus 500 shown in FIG.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, a plurality of imaging regions in the body axis direction of the subject by moving the top plate on which the subject is placed as in the first embodiment. When continuously displaying a wide range of series image data collected at, series images of multiple imaging sites under the desired imaging conditions based on the imaging site and imaging condition information added as supplementary information to each of the series image data Data can be efficiently selected and displayed.

In addition, when selecting the series image data in the desired imaging region, the selection of the series image data is performed using the representative thumbnail data generated for each imaging region, and the selection operation is further facilitated. Since the data is displayed in correspondence with the imaging region indicated in the human body model of the subject, the representative thumbnail data for the desired imaging region even if it is difficult to determine the imaging region from the representative thumbnail data Can be selected accurately. For this reason, diagnostic accuracy and diagnostic efficiency are greatly improved, and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

Furthermore, since the image display apparatus 600 in this embodiment is configured independently of the MRI apparatus, it is suitable for a wide range suitable for any of image data collected by a plurality of MRI apparatuses or image data collected in the past. It can be displayed as image data.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and may be modified. For example, the series display data generation unit 852 of the display data generation unit 85 may generate series display data using the thumbnail data of the series image data generated by the thumbnail data generation unit 82 instead of the series image data.

Furthermore, instead of the series image data described above, series display data may be generated by arranging image data collected in a predetermined slice section of a plurality of imaging regions.

On the other hand, the thumbnail display data generation unit 851 may generate thumbnail display data using image data corresponding to the representative thumbnail data instead of the representative thumbnail data.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Static magnetic field generation part 11 Main magnet 12 Static magnetic field power supply 2 Gradient magnetic field generation part 21 Gradient magnetic field coil 22 Gradient magnetic field power supply 3 Transmission / reception part 31 Transmission coil 32 Transmission part 33 Reception coil 34 Reception part 4 Top plate 5 Top plate movement mechanism part 6 Accompanying information acquisition unit 7 Image data generation unit 71 MR signal storage unit 72 High-speed calculation unit 73, 7x Image data storage unit 8, 8x Display unit 81 Image data extraction unit 82 Thumbnail data generation unit 83 Standard human body model data storage unit 84 Human body model Generation unit 85 Display data generation unit 851 Thumbnail display data generation unit 852 Series display data generation unit 853 Diagnosis display data generation unit 86 Conversion circuit 87 Monitor 9, 9x Input unit 10 Control unit 10x System control unit 101 Main control unit 102 Sequence control Unit 103 Top plate movement control unit 500 MRI apparatus 600 Image display apparatus

Claims (1)

Representative thumbnail data of series image data to which desired imaging conditions are added is generated for each imaging region from a plurality of series image data to which additional information including imaging conditions is added and stored in the image data storage unit. Thumbnail data generation means;
Display means for displaying a plurality of representative thumbnail display data corresponding to the representative thumbnail data for each imaging region;
Selecting means for selecting desired representative thumbnail display data from the plurality of representative thumbnail display data;
An image display apparatus comprising: output means for outputting series image data corresponding to the selected representative thumbnail display data.

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