JP5586251B2 - Magnetic resonance imaging system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus.

  A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) apparatus) magnetically excites a nuclear spin of a subject placed in a static magnetic field with a high-frequency signal of its Larmor frequency, and generates magnetism accompanying the excitation. An image is reconstructed from the resonance signal. Here, the MRI apparatus acquires tomographic images of a body axis section (Axial Slice), a coronal section (Coronal Slice), and a sagittal section (Sagittal Slice) by applying a gradient magnetic field.

  For this reason, in the imaging by the MRI apparatus, it is common to match the magnetic field center serving as a reference when applying the gradient magnetic field and the imaging center serving as the center of the imaging region prior to imaging. For example, the MRI apparatus includes a projector at the opening of the gantry, and the operator sets the position in the body axis direction so that the imaging part of the subject placed on the bed comes to the position of the irradiation light irradiated from the projector. Next, the bed is moved so that the determined imaging region is positioned at the center of the magnetic field (Patent Document 1, etc.).

  Here, although it is common to image in a state where the magnetic field center coincides with the imaging center, the imaging center is shifted in the direction of the coordinate axes (X axis, Y axis, and Z axis) based on the MRI apparatus. There is a case. For example, when imaging a local area such as a shoulder or chest, the imaging center may be shifted in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction. Further, along with the enlargement of the bore diameter in the gantry or the reduction of the imaging region due to the increase in the magnetic field, the imaging center may be shifted in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction depending on the physique of the subject, for example. For example, when the chest and abdomen are imaged twice under the same imaging conditions, the imaging center may be shifted in the Z-axis direction.

  In the case of shifting the imaging center in this way, before the imaging, an operator operating the MRI apparatus sets the “shift distance from the magnetic field center” indicating how much the imaging center is shifted from the magnetic field center in each axial direction. Is set as the set value (hereinafter referred to as the imaging center position (Scan Offset)). FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a conventional setting screen. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the operator performs imaging using a GUI (Graphical User Interface) on which an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis, and a plus (+) symbol and a minus (−) symbol are displayed. Set the center position.

JP 2005-124855 A

  However, in the above prior art, only the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis, plus (+) symbol, and minus (−) symbol are displayed on the setting screen. The direction of the image could not be easily grasped, and it was difficult to set the imaging center position.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus capable of facilitating the setting of the imaging center position for the operator.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention displays the setting value on a setting screen displayed on the display unit of the computer system and accepting the setting value of the imaging center based on the distance from the center of the magnetic field . Display means for displaying information indicating a direction of deviation from the magnetic field center together with a schematic diagram of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus so that a relative positional relationship between the direction and the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is clarified, and the set value And receiving means for receiving the setting.

According to the present invention, it is possible for the operator to easily set the imaging center position.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the MRI apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the computer system 20 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the setting screen according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a setting screen according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the setting screen according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the setting screen according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a setting screen according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of the other setting screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of the other setting screen. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of the other setting screen. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example of the other setting screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a conventional setting screen.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the MRI apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail. In addition, this invention is not limited by the following examples.

[Configuration of MRI Apparatus According to Embodiment 1]
The configuration of the MRI apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the MRI apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the MRI apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment particularly includes a static magnetic field magnet 1, a gradient magnetic field coil 2, a gradient magnetic field power supply 3, a bed 4, a bed control unit 5, and a transmission coil. 6, a transmission unit 7, a reception coil 8, a reception unit 9, a sequence control unit 10, and a computer system 20.

  The static magnetic field magnet 1 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and generates a uniform static magnetic field in an internal space. The static magnetic field magnet 1 is, for example, a permanent magnet or a superconducting magnet. The gradient coil 2 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and generates a gradient magnetic field in the internal space. Specifically, the gradient magnetic field coil 2 is disposed inside the static magnetic field magnet 1 and receives a current supplied from the gradient magnetic field power supply 3 to generate gradient magnetic fields in the slice direction, the phase encoding direction, and the frequency encoding direction. . The gradient magnetic field power supply 3 supplies current to the gradient magnetic field coil 2 in accordance with the pulse sequence execution data sent from the sequence control unit 10.

  The bed 4 includes a top plate 4a on which the subject P is placed, and the top plate 4a is inserted into the cavity (imaging port) of the gradient magnetic field coil 2 with the subject P placed thereon. 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 drives the couch 4 to move the couchtop 4a in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction.

  The transmission coil 6 generates a high frequency magnetic field. Specifically, the transmission coil 6 is arranged inside the gradient magnetic field coil 2 and receives a supply of 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 coil 6 in accordance with the pulse sequence execution data transmitted from the sequence control unit 10.

  The receiving coil 8 receives the MRI echo signal. Specifically, the receiving coil 8 is arranged inside the gradient magnetic field coil 2 and receives an MRI echo signal radiated from the subject P due to the influence of the high-frequency magnetic field. The receiving coil 8 outputs the received MRI echo signal to the receiving unit 9. For example, the receiving coil 8 is a receiving coil for the head, a receiving coil for the spine, a receiving coil for the abdomen, or the like.

  The receiving unit 9 generates MRI echo signal data based on the MRI echo signal output from the receiving coil 8 in accordance with the pulse sequence execution data sent from the sequence control unit 10. Specifically, the receiving unit 9 generates MRI echo signal data by digitally converting the MRI echo signal output from the receiving coil 8, and the generated MRI echo signal data through the sequence control unit 10 is a computer system. 20 to send.

  The sequence control unit 10 controls the gradient magnetic field power supply 3, the transmission unit 7, and the reception unit 9. Specifically, the sequence control unit 10 transmits the pulse sequence execution data transmitted from the computer system 20 to the gradient magnetic field power source 3, the transmission unit 7, and the reception unit 9.

  In particular, 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 is connected to the sequence control unit 10 and controls input / output of data transmitted / received between the sequence control unit 10 and the computer system 20. The image reconstruction unit 22 reconstructs image data from the MRI echo signal data transmitted from the sequence control unit 10 and stores the reconstructed image data in the storage unit 23.

  The storage unit 23 stores image data stored by the image reconstruction unit 22 and other data used in the MRI apparatus 100. For example, the storage unit 23 is a semiconductor memory device such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), or a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, or the like.

  The input unit 24 receives the setting of the imaging center position from the operator. For example, the input unit 24 is a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball, a selection device such as a mode switch, or an input device such as a keyboard. The display unit 25 displays image data, an imaging center position setting screen, and the like. For example, the display unit 25 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display.

  The control unit 26 comprehensively controls the MRI apparatus 100 by controlling the above-described units. For example, the control unit 26 is an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit).

[Configuration of Computer System 20 in Embodiment 1]
Incidentally, the MRI apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment uses information indicating the direction of the setting value as the setting screen for the imaging center position, and the MRI apparatus 100 so that the relative positional relationship between the direction and the MRI apparatus 100 becomes clear. It is displayed with the schematic diagram. Such a function of the MRI apparatus 100 is realized mainly in the computer system 20 in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following, the computer system 20 in the first embodiment will be described in detail.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the computer system 20 according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the storage unit 23 according to the first embodiment includes an imaging center position information storage unit 23a. The imaging center position information storage unit 23a stores a setting value received by an imaging center position setting reception unit 26b described later. In addition, the control unit 26 in the first embodiment particularly includes a setting screen display unit 26a, an imaging center position setting reception unit 26b, and a collection control unit 26c.

  The setting screen display unit 26 a displays a setting screen for the imaging center position on the display unit 25. Specifically, the setting screen display unit 26 a is a schematic diagram of the MRI apparatus 100 that indicates the direction of the setting value received as the imaging center position so that the relative positional relationship between the direction and the MRI apparatus 100 becomes clear. The setting screen shown with is displayed. Details of the setting screen will be described later.

  The imaging center position setting receiving unit 26b receives a setting value of the imaging center position. Specifically, the imaging center position setting reception unit 26b receives a setting value of the imaging center position from the operator via the input unit 24, and stores the received setting value in the imaging center position information storage unit 23a.

  The collection control unit 26 c acquires the setting value of the imaging center position from the imaging center position information storage unit 23 a during imaging, and notifies the sequence control unit 10 of the acquired setting value via the interface unit 21.

[Setting screen in the first embodiment]
Next, an imaging center position setting screen according to the first embodiment will be described. 3 to 6 are diagrams for explaining an example of the setting screen according to the first embodiment. 3 to 6, an outer frame having a curved corner indicates a single window displayed on the screen of the display unit 25. For example, the MRI apparatus 100 simultaneously displays the window illustrated in FIG. 3 and the window illustrated in FIG. 4 on the screen of the display unit 25. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the window illustrated in FIG. 3 and the window illustrated in FIG. 4 are each displayed in full screen on the screen of the display unit 25 and can be switched by the operator. There may be.

  The setting screen display unit 26a according to the first embodiment displays a list of imaging for selecting an imaging to be set for the imaging center position on the display unit 25 before displaying the imaging center position setting screen. Accepts selection of imaging to be set. For example, the setting screen display unit 26a displays a list of imaging illustrated in FIG. 3 and accepts selection of imaging. In FIG. 3, it is shown that an imaging whose imaging serial number is “1000” and whose imaging identification information is “FE_slt” is selected as an imaging for which the imaging center position is set.

  Next, the setting screen display unit 26 a according to the first embodiment displays a setting screen for the imaging center position on the display unit 25. For example, the setting screen display unit 26a displays a setting screen as illustrated in FIG. First, an arrow icon (symbol a) indicating six directions is displayed on the setting screen as information indicating the direction of the setting value. Each arrow icon (symbol a) is displayed together with a plus (+) symbol (symbol b) or a minus (−) symbol (symbol c) for indicating a relationship between the positive and negative values of the set value. The direction of the set value is a direction on the coordinate axis with the MRI apparatus 100 as a reference. For this reason, the setting screen includes one coordinate axis (reference symbols d1 to d1) in combination with an arrow icon (reference symbol a) indicating the positive direction of the set value and an arrow icon (reference symbol a) indicating the negative direction of the set value. d3) is displayed in association with each other.

  In addition, on the setting screen, a gantry (symbol e) and a bed (symbol f) are displayed as a schematic diagram of the MRI apparatus 100 so that the relative positional relationship between the direction of the setting value and the MRI apparatus 100 is clear. Is done. For example, the coordinate axis indicated by the symbol d1 is a coordinate axis corresponding to the X axis among the coordinate axes based on the MRI apparatus 100, and is short in the left-right direction of the gantry (symbol e) on the setting screen. (It is also the direction). For this reason, the operator sets the set value on the coordinate axis indicated by the symbol d1, and the set value is set at a position shifted in the left-right direction of the gantry (symbol e) from the magnetic field center. To figure out. In the setting screen, the left direction of the gantry (symbol e) is the positive direction of the set value, and the right direction is the negative direction of the set value. For this reason, the operator sets the positive set value on the coordinate axis indicated by the reference sign d1, and the set value is set at a position shifted to the left of the gantry (reference sign e) from the magnetic field center. It is understood that setting a negative set value is setting the set value at a position shifted from the center of the magnetic field to the right of the gantry (symbol e).

  Similarly, for example, the coordinate axis indicated by the symbol d2 is a coordinate axis corresponding to the Y axis among the coordinate axes based on the MRI apparatus 100, and on the setting screen, the vertical direction of the gantry (symbol e) (the bed (symbol f)) (It is also the vertical direction). For this reason, the operator sets the set value on the coordinate axis indicated by the symbol d2, and the set value is set at a position shifted in the vertical direction of the gantry (symbol e) from the center of the magnetic field. To figure out. In the setting screen, it is expressed that the upper direction of the gantry (symbol e) is the positive direction of the set value and the lower direction is the negative direction of the set value. For this reason, the operator sets the positive set value on the coordinate axis indicated by the reference sign d2, and the set value is set at a position shifted upward from the magnetic field center (reference sign e). It is understood that setting the negative set value is setting the set value at a position shifted downward from the center of the magnetic field to the gantry (symbol e).

  Similarly, for example, the coordinate axis indicated by the symbol d3 is a coordinate axis corresponding to the Z axis among the coordinate axes based on the MRI apparatus 100, and is also the body axis direction (the longitudinal direction of the bed (symbol f)) on the setting screen. ). For this reason, the operator understands that setting the set value on the coordinate axis indicated by reference sign d3 is setting the set value at a position shifted in the body axis direction from the center of the magnetic field. In the setting screen, the direction toward the back is a positive direction of the set value, and the direction toward the front is a negative direction of the set value. For this reason, the operator sets the positive set value on the coordinate axis indicated by the reference sign d3 because the set value is set at a position shifted in the direction from the center of the magnetic field toward the back. It is understood that the setting value is set at a position shifted from the center of the magnetic field toward the front.

  Further, on the setting screen in the first embodiment, schematic diagrams denoted by reference signs g to i are further displayed as a schematic diagram in which the relative positional relationship between the direction of the setting value and the MRI apparatus 100 becomes clear. Symbol g is a schematic diagram assuming that the combination of the gantry and the couch is observed from the couch side, and two arrows indicate directions on the coordinate axis (X axis) indicated by the symbol d1. The symbol h is a schematic diagram assuming that the bed is observed from the side, and the two arrows indicate directions on the coordinate axis (Y axis) indicated by the symbol d2. Symbol i is a schematic diagram assuming a combination of the gantry and the bed viewed from the side of the bed, and two arrows indicate directions on the coordinate axis (Z axis) indicated by the symbol d3.

  The setting screen in the first embodiment displays an input frame (symbol j) for directly accepting an input of a numerical value as a set value, a slide bar (symbol k), and the like. The operator can input a numerical value into the input frame indicated by the symbol j by using the keyboard, or can move the slide bar indicated by the symbol k by dragging and dropping with the mouse, or by the symbol a. The setting value can also be input by clicking on the arrow icon indicated by. If the operator sets a setting value by any one of the methods, the setting value is reflected in the input frame indicated by the symbol j and the slide bar indicated by the symbol k. In addition, the input of the setting value in this invention is not restricted to this, You may replace with another input.

  Next, the setting screen display unit 26a according to the first embodiment indicates a direction so that when the setting value setting is received by the imaging center position setting receiving unit 26b, the direction corresponding to the received setting value becomes clear. Highlight information. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the setting screen display unit 26a highlights an arrow icon (in FIG. 5, it is indicated by shading for convenience of explanation). That is, for example, as can be seen from the input frame, in the stage illustrated in FIG. 5, “0.5 (positive set value)”, “0” for each of the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. .3 (positive setting value) ”and“ 0.7 (positive setting value) ”are set. Therefore, the setting screen display unit 26a has an arrow icon on the plus (+) symbol side on the coordinate axis indicated by the symbol d1, an arrow icon on the plus (+) symbol side on the coordinate axis indicated by the symbol d2, and a symbol d3. The arrow icon on the plus (+) symbol side is highlighted on the indicated coordinate axis.

  For this reason, according to the setting screen illustrated in FIG. 5, the operator determines the relative positional relationship between the coordinate axis to which the setting value is input and the positive / negative information of the setting value with respect to the MRI apparatus 100. Grasp with. As a result, for example, the operator can grasp at a glance whether the imaging center position set by himself / herself is deviated from the magnetic field center (intersection of three dotted lines of reference signs d1, d2, and d3). It becomes possible. Note that the setting screen display unit 26a may further display information such as in which direction the subject's head is on the bed, as information in the setting screen, or display the information on the display unit 25 separately. May be.

  Next, the setting screen display unit 26a according to the first embodiment is configured such that when the setting value setting is received by the imaging center position setting receiving unit 26b and is currently set, the coordinate axis that is currently set is clarified. To highlight. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the setting screen display unit 26 a highlights the coordinate axis indicated by the symbol d <b> 1 (in FIG. 6, it is indicated by a black solid line for convenience of explanation). That is, for example, as can be seen from the slider bar (symbol k), at the stage illustrated in FIG. 6, the X axis direction is currently being set (the setting value being set is “3.2 (positive setting) Value))). For this reason, the setting screen display unit 26a highlights the coordinate axis indicated by the symbol d1. The setting screen display unit 26a also highlights the arrow icon on the plus (+) sign side on the coordinate axis indicated by the symbol d1, and also highlights the slider bar (symbol k) corresponding to the X-axis direction. To do.

[Processing Procedure in Example 1]
Subsequently, a processing procedure in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the first embodiment. In FIG. 7, only the processing procedure related to the setting screen for the imaging center position will be described.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, first, the setting screen display unit 26a displays a list of imaging on the display unit 25, and determines whether or not selection of imaging to be set has been accepted (step S1). If not received (No at step S1), the setting screen display unit 26a returns to the process of determining whether or not the selection of imaging has been received.

  On the other hand, when it is received (Yes at Step S1), the setting screen display unit 26a displays a setting screen for the imaging center position on the display unit 25 (Step S2). Then, the imaging center position setting receiving unit 26b determines whether or not the setting of the imaging center position has been received (step S3). If not received (No at Step S3), the imaging center position setting receiving unit 26b returns to the process of determining whether or not the setting of the imaging center position has been received.

  On the other hand, if accepted (Yes at step S3), the imaging center position setting acceptance unit 26b stores the accepted setting value in the imaging center position information storage unit 23a (step S4).

[Effect of Example 1]
As described above, according to the first embodiment, information indicating the direction of the setting value that the setting screen display unit 26a accepts as the imaging center position indicates the relative positional relationship between the direction and the MRI apparatus 100. In this way, it is displayed together with a schematic diagram of the MRI apparatus 100. In addition, the imaging center position setting receiving unit 26b receives a setting value setting. For this reason, according to the first embodiment, it is possible for the operator to easily set the imaging center position.

  That is, the setting and confirmation of the imaging center position is visually facilitated. As a result, it becomes easy to visually reduce setting mistakes, setting time is reduced, and as a result, inspection time is shortened.

  In addition, according to the embodiment, the setting screen display unit 26a indicates a direction so that when the setting value setting is received by the imaging center position setting receiving unit 26b, the direction corresponding to the received setting value becomes clear. Highlight information. In addition, the setting screen display unit 26a displays information indicating the direction together with the coordinate axes, and when the setting value setting is received by the imaging center position setting receiving unit 26b and is currently being set, the currently set coordinate axis is clear. Highlight the coordinate axes so that For this reason, according to the first embodiment, the setting and confirmation of the imaging center position is further facilitated visually.

  In the first embodiment, an example of a schematic diagram of the MRI apparatus 100 is shown. However, the setting screen in the present invention is not limited to this. Hereinafter, Example 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a setting screen according to the second embodiment. The setting screen display unit 26a according to the second embodiment displays a setting screen as illustrated in FIG. As can be seen by comparing the example of the setting screen described with reference to FIG. 4 and the example of the setting screen illustrated in FIG. 8, the orientations of the gantry (symbol e) and the bed (symbol f) are the settings in the first embodiment. Different from the screen. Note that the reference numerals used in FIG. 8 correspond to the reference numerals used in FIG.

  For example, the MRI apparatus 100 includes both a schematic diagram illustrated in FIG. 4 (hereinafter, a schematic diagram facing right) and a schematic diagram illustrated in FIG. 8 (hereinafter, a schematic diagram facing left) as a schematic diagram of the MRI apparatus 100 in advance. For example, when the MRI apparatus 100 is delivered, the selection by the user is accepted, and the selected schematic diagram is displayed on the setting screen. For example, if the user selects a schematic diagram according to the arrangement of the MRI apparatus 100, that is, where the operator (operating room or the like) is arranged with respect to the MRI apparatus 100, the setting screen displays the operator Thus, a schematic diagram having the same orientation as that observed is displayed, and the setting screen can be obtained for the operator to more easily grasp the direction of the setting value.

  Note that the MRI apparatus 100 does not necessarily need to store both a right-facing schematic diagram and a left-facing schematic diagram in advance. For example, when the arrangement of the MRI apparatus 100 is determined before delivery of the MRI apparatus 100, the MRI apparatus 100 stores only the schematic diagram corresponding to the determined arrangement, and the stored schematic diagram is set on the setting screen. It may be displayed on.

[Effect of Example 2]
As described above, according to the second embodiment, the setting screen display unit 26a is a schematic diagram of the MRI apparatus 100, and is a schematic diagram observed from any one direction among schematic diagrams observed from a plurality of directions. The selection is accepted and the selected schematic diagram is displayed. For this reason, for example, a schematic diagram having the same orientation as that observed by the operator is displayed on the setting screen, which makes it easier for the operator to understand the direction of the setting value. It becomes a setting screen that can be.

  The MRI apparatus 100 may further display simulated information of tomographic images. Hereinafter, Example 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a setting screen according to the third embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the setting screen display unit 26 a according to the third embodiment further displays simulated information of tomographic images acquired by the MRI apparatus 100 in addition to the setting screens described in the first and second embodiments. . When the setting value setting is received by the imaging center position setting receiving unit 26b, the setting screen display unit 26a predicts a change that occurs on the tomographic image due to the received setting value. Then, the setting screen display unit 26a generates simulated information reflecting the predicted change, and displays the generated simulated information in place of the already displayed simulated information.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, the tomographic image simulation information is, for example, simulation information of a sagittal section, a coronal section, and a body axis section in order from the top. As the simulated information, for example, a past image of the subject itself may be used, or a sample image unrelated to the subject may be used. In FIG. 9, coordinate axes are also displayed together with the tomographic image simulation information. Moreover, the direction of the arrow on the coordinate axis indicates positive or negative. FIG. 9A is a setting screen before setting values are set by the operator, and FIG. 9B is a setting screen in which setting values are being set.

  In addition, although the example which displays a coordinate axis was shown in FIG. 9, it is not restricted to this, A coordinate axis may not be sufficient. Further, when there are coordinate axes, in FIG. 9, there are X, Y, and Z notations, but they may be omitted. Further, when there are coordinate axes, a schematic diagram of a combination of a gantry and a bed may be used instead of the notation of X, Y, and Z. That is, for example, on the setting screen on the left side of FIG. 9, a schematic diagram assuming a combination of a gantry and a bed from the side of the bed, a schematic diagram assuming a bed viewed from the side, and a combination of the gantry and the bed Three schematic diagrams (icons) of a schematic diagram assuming a case in which is observed from the side of the bed are arranged in order. These schematic views respectively show directions on the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis. Therefore, these schematic diagrams may be displayed in place of the notations “X”, “Y”, and “Z” in FIG. 9.

  In FIG. 9, when displaying the coordinate axes, the plus (+) direction and the minus (−) direction are clearly shown by using arrows, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of arrows, a plus (+) symbol and a minus (−) symbol may be displayed, or these symbols may be displayed together with an arrow. In this case, it is desirable to display the positional relationship in correspondence with the plus (+) direction and the minus (−) direction on the setting screen on the left side.

  In the setting screen display unit 26a in the third embodiment, when the setting value setting is received by the imaging center position setting receiving unit 26b and is currently being set as in the first embodiment, the currently set coordinate axis becomes clear. So that the coordinate axes are highlighted. For example, as can be seen from the slider bar (symbol k), at the stage illustrated in FIG. 9B, the X-axis direction is currently being set (the setting value being set is “3.2 (correct Set value))). For this reason, the setting screen display unit 26a highlights the coordinate axis indicated by the symbol d1 (in FIG. 9B, it is indicated by a black solid line for convenience of explanation). Similarly to the first embodiment, the setting screen display unit 26a also highlights the arrow icon on the plus (+) sign side on the coordinate axis indicated by the symbol d1, and also displays a slider bar (reference symbol k) corresponding to the X-axis direction. ) Is also highlighted.

  In the third embodiment, the setting screen display unit 26a predicts a change that occurs on the tomographic image by the received setting value when the setting value setting is received by the imaging center position setting receiving unit 26b. For example, when “3.2 (positive set value)” is received in the X-axis direction, the setting screen display unit 26a predicts changes that occur in the coronal section and the body axis section in the tomographic image.

  Then, the setting screen display unit 26a generates simulated information reflecting the predicted change, and displays the generated simulated information in place of the already displayed simulated information. For example, as can be seen by comparing (A) and (B) of FIG. 9, the setting screen display unit 26a generates simulated information of the coronal section and the body axis section reflecting the predicted change, and has already been displayed. Instead of the simulated information (the coronal section and body axis section shown in FIG. 9A), the generated simulated information (the coronal section and body axis section shown in FIG. 9B) is displayed.

  In the third embodiment, as an example of displaying the sagittal cross section, the coronal cross section, and the body axis cross section as simulated information of the cross-sectional image, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, Any one of the cross-sectional images may be selected and displayed. For example, only simulated information of the cross-sectional image in which a significant change occurs may be displayed.

[Effect of Example 3]
As described above, according to the third embodiment, the setting screen display unit 26a further displays tomographic image simulation information acquired by the MRI apparatus 100, and setting value setting is received by the imaging center position setting receiving unit 26b. If it is, a change occurring on the tomographic image is predicted according to the accepted set value, simulated information reflecting the predicted change is generated, and the generated simulated information is displayed in place of the already displayed simulated information. For this reason, according to the third embodiment, the operator can simulate in advance the change that occurs on the tomographic image due to the settings that he / she has made, so that setting errors can be effectively reduced. It becomes possible.

  In addition, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms other than the above embodiments.

  10 to 12 are diagrams for explaining an example of the other setting screen. For example, the setting screen displayed by the setting screen display unit 26a may be a setting screen as illustrated in FIG. The setting screen illustrated in FIG. 10 is substantially the same as the upper half of the setting screen illustrated in FIG. 4 except that the set setting values are displayed near, for example, positive and negative symbols.

  Further, for example, the setting screen displayed by the setting screen display unit 26a may be a setting screen as illustrated in FIG. The setting screen illustrated in FIG. 11 is substantially the same as the lower half of the setting screen illustrated in FIG. 4, except that positive and negative symbols are displayed near each of the arrows shown in the three schematic diagrams. Is different.

  Further, for example, the setting screen displayed by the setting screen display unit 26a may be a setting screen as illustrated in FIG. The setting screen illustrated in FIG. 12 is substantially the same as the lower left of the setting screen illustrated in FIG. 4, except that positive and negative symbols are displayed near each of the arrows shown in the three schematic diagrams. Different. Note that the arrows shown in FIG. 12 may be highlighted so that the direction corresponding to the set value is clear. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 12, “3.2 (positive setting value)” is set in the X-axis direction. Thus, for example, an arrow (left arrow) corresponding to the plus (+) direction may be highlighted on the top schematic diagram of the three schematic diagrams.

  In addition to the above, the setting screen in the present invention displays information indicating the direction of the setting value received as the imaging center position together with a schematic diagram of the MRI apparatus so that the relative positional relationship between the direction and the MRI apparatus becomes clear. It can be arbitrarily changed as long as it is displayed, and is not limited to the above example.

  For example, whether the schematic diagram is the schematic diagram illustrated by the symbols e and f in FIG. 4 or the schematic diagram illustrated by the symbols g to i in FIG. 4, the schematic diagram illustrated by the symbols e and f in FIG. It may be a combination of these, whether it is a schematic diagram or another. The information indicating the direction of the set value is not limited to the “arrow icon”. For example, the direction may be indicated only by a plus sign and a minus sign. In the above embodiment, highlight display has been described as an example of highlight display. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the display may be changed in color or blinked.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 MRI apparatus 20 Computer system 21 Interface part 22 Image reconstruction part 23 Memory | storage part 23a Imaging center position information storage part 24 Input part 25 Display part 26 Control part 26a Setting screen display part 26b Imaging center position setting reception part 26c Collection control part

Claims (5)

On the setting screen that is displayed on the display unit of the computer system and accepts the setting value of the imaging center based on the distance of deviation from the magnetic field center , information indicating the direction of deviation of the setting value from the magnetic field center and magnetic resonance imaging Display means for displaying together with a schematic diagram of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus so that the relative positional relationship with the apparatus becomes clear;
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive the setting value.   The display means further highlights the information indicating the direction so that the direction corresponding to the accepted setting value becomes clear when the setting value is accepted by the accepting means. 2. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to 1. The direction of the set value is a direction on a coordinate axis with respect to the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus,
The display means displays information indicating the direction together with the coordinate axes, and when the setting means is accepted by the accepting means and is currently being set, the coordinate axes are set so that the currently set coordinate axes are clear. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The display means accepts selection of a schematic diagram observed from any one direction among schematic diagrams observed from a plurality of directions as a schematic diagram of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, and displays the selected schematic diagram The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The display means further displays simulated information of the tomogram acquired by the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, and when a setting value setting is accepted by the accepting means, changes that occur on the tomographic image due to the accepted setting value are displayed. The magnetic information according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein simulated information reflecting the predicted change is generated, and the generated simulated information is displayed in place of the already displayed simulated information. Resonance imaging device.

Images