JPH03502658A - Interface device between MRI and other visual physical therapy - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] MFLI and other video physical therapies Technical field This invention is applicable to the field of diagnostic imaging therapy, especially MRI and various other diagnostic imaging physical therapy and The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for interfacing with a treatment device.

Background technology Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a modern and powerful non-invasive diagnostic tool. M RI is a combination of a strong static magnetic field and the location and interaction of atomic nuclei with unpaired electrons in the body. It is used in combination with radio frequency pulses that gather information about the Hydrogen has unpaired electrons Since it is the most widely used element with to reflect. Based on this information, the computer generates an anatomical image of the subject. be able to. For specialized studies, MRI may be used with computed tomography (OT). ) has significant advantages over

For example, MRI can be used to evaluate the posterior fossa (an anatomical location that is difficult to see with CT). It is the diagnostic tool of choice. MRI can also be used to detect very soft tissue tumors and It is superior to OT in delineating primary malignancy and malignancy. CT is applicable MRI scans the area in one plane, but MRI can image all the necessary planes and This makes it easy to create multidimensional maps of tumors.

These advantages of MRI make it attractive for radiation treatment planning. past For several years, OT has been used for this purpose. And the same place where the tumor was before revolutionized radiotherapy by obtaining more detailed information about E. Hart.

“The Role of the CT 5canner in RT Pl anning”54 (613), Radio therapy 20. 19 88). Furthermore, as suggested earlier, some anatomical studies have been Due to its suitability, MRI should potentially supplement OT in radiotherapy planning. There is. MRI also works in conjunction with CT to define tumor volume for many disease states. It is suggested that it is possible to hear (A, L’1chter and B, Fra ass, “Recent Advances in Radiotherap y　Treatment　Planning''.

Oncology, May 1988. p, 43).

To meet these expectations, MRI and other diagnostic imaging physical therapies1 such as OT and Accurately interfaces with electron emission tomography (PET) and MRI and other methods of transmitting tumor locations obtained from visual therapy to radiotherapy equipment. It is necessary to emit it. 1 Table for spatial and temporal magnetic field variations within the MRI magnetic field It is important to recognize that the image presented will be distorted to some degree in a non-uniform manner. Ru. These fluctuations are caused by many factors such as environmental temperature and external magnetic fields near the cathode ray tube. Depends on factors.

The image that appears on the observation screen (CRT) and finally on the film hard copy is the result of the manipulation of the system software by the aesthetic sense of the observer.

In addition, it is used as a reference point in determining tumor location and size in other visual physical therapies. Scaffolds often used in this field are not well visible on MRI. Therefore, MRI is a therapeutic tool. Tumors can be directly measured with the consistency and precision required for image setup. do not have.

Disclosure of invention The present invention combines MRI and other diagnostic images in a reproducible manner with physical therapy and radiation therapy. To provide an inexpensive and effective means of interfacing with devices. The present invention The interface problem with MFLI caused by the distorted and low visualization of child) system. For MRI, the system Lattice structure and imaging of contrasting material members visualized with RI using means for reproducibly positioning said grating structure relative to the body part to be use When the grating is properly placed, the image taken with MRI is the contrast agent of the grating. for both body parts and artificial vIJ (artifacts) caused by Contains data. The exact spatial relationships of the grid members are known and the sources of distortion are Since it affects the parts of , in the same way, such a lattice.

The bone skeleton acts as a reference in the same way that it acts as a reference in other Eirin substance therapies. act. Therefore, if a tumor is the target tissue to be imaged, the location of the tumor and Determination of the grid and size is done by reference to the known spatial relationships of the grid.

When subjects are studied using other visual physiotherapies, the grid system It can be used again by changing only the necessary contrast material. positioning hand Using the steps, the subject and the grating structure are aligned in the same way as when creating an MRI image. It will be done. Using the grid as a reference, MRI images and other visual physiotherapy created dead images can be easily and accurately compared. Therefore, contrast materials and by selecting means for accurately and uniformly positioning the grid and patient relative to each other. 1 The present invention uses MRI and other physical therapies 1 such as OT, PET and radiotherapy equipment. It functions to reproducibly interfere with the The localization (position confirmation) grid is Described in the following publications for use in OT, PET and MRI: S, G oerss, et al, A Computerized Tomogr apic5tereotactic Adaptation System, 10 Neurosurgery+375-379. 1982: P , C! , Hajek, et al, , LocalizationGr id for MR-guided Biopsy, 163(3) Rad iology 825-826, 1987: S, Miura, et al,, Anatomical Adjustments in Brain Pe5ition Emission Tomography Using CTImages, 12(2) Journal of Computer These gratings are difficult to use for varying As5isted degrees. Yes, manufacturing costs are high, repositioning for each scan cannot be performed accurately, or MRI and other various diagnostic physical therapies are not easy to communicate.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to combine MRI and other imaging devices as well as radiotherapy treatment devices. is to provide methods and apparatus used to interface .

Another object of the present invention is to interface MRI with other imaging devices as well as surgical techniques. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for performing face-to-face interfaces.

Yet another object of the invention is to meet the above objects in a simple and inexpensive manner. .

Novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention with respect to its construction and method of operation The preferred implementation of the invention =a, together with its further objects and advantages, is according to the embodiments. It will be further understood from the following drawings, which are shown as follows. However, it These drawings are for illustration and description only and are not intended to limit the invention. I especially want you to understand that.

Brief description of the drawing Figures 1A to 1D are perspective views of food lattice structures, and Figure 1A is a structure embedded in the side wall. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lattice structure with a portion of the sidewall cut away to expose the tube material.

Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of a lattice structure with removable walls, and Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of a lattice structure with removable walls. FIG. 3 is a corner perspective view showing the interconnecting tubing network embedded within the sidewall, and specifically showing the same showing an introduction and termination part that is open at one edge and can be capped; FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a corner of the lattice structure of FIG. 1D; Figure 5, which shows the use of the attached plug, shows the relationship between the patient bed and patient table of the imaging device. FIG.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a patient table with a lattice structure slidably attached thereto, respectively. Embodiments of FIGS. 7A and 7B respectively show a method for aligning the patient table and the subject. Perspective views, Figures 8A and 8B, showing the use of an anteroposterior and orthogonal laser for The figure shows a patient with metal fittings that can be slid freely placed on the gantry of the imaging device. Figure 8B is a perspective view showing the movement into the camera, and Figure 8B is a perspective view showing the movement into the camera. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the use of a computer algorithm; FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Although the present invention can be embodied in many different forms, the best mode of the invention is illustrated in the drawings. and described in detail below. However, this disclosure illustrative of the principles and intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments described Please understand that this is not the case.

The best form of the grating device has two basic components. Figure 1A is the first A lattice structure 11, which is a component, is shown. Best form lattice structure as shown is a rectangular structure with two open ends 12. The walls 13 of the lattice structure 11 are It is made from a semi-rigid, non-magnetic material such as xyglass. There is a non-magnetic material inside the wall 13. A tube 16 containing a contrast material is embedded therein. For MRI A preferred contrast material is gadolinium chloride. T1 and T2 load scale Optimal imaging with pin tod, echo and pulse dots is achieved by Filled with 500mM Gd-DPTA according to Ha4ek et al. was obtained using a 50 diameter tube. Other paramagnetic materials may also be used within the scope of our claims. It can be used as a substitute for DPTA. Radiopaque materials such as barium for CT Fees are preferred.

The tubes containing the contrast material are arranged at right angles to each other with regular spacing . Also, one of the tubes embedded in each side of the lattice structure forms a diagonal line 18. Arranged in

In a preferred embodiment, an interface between diagnostic physical therapy is used. Identical structures with tubes containing specific contrast materials for specific visual physiotherapy This is achieved by using a lattice structure. Therefore, for example Gd-DPTA One lattice structure with tubes containing The same structure with tubes used in CT and radiotherapy equipment is used in CT and radiotherapy equipment.

It is also possible to achieve the interface using the lattice structure shown in Figure 2. can. The walls 22 of the grid structure in this case can be removed and filled with another contrasting material. It can be replaced by a wall of the same construction with a tube having. Therefore, FdRI A set of lattice structure walls containing a specific contrast material, a contrast specific to PET. one set of walls containing the last material, and another set specific to CT and radiotherapy equipment. −・Can be equipped with a set of walls. The walls of such a lattice structure are ordinary frames made of non-magnetic material 23. held in place by frame means. An example of a suitable material is semi-rigid Nylon or plastic. Alternatively, the wall itself can hold the wall in place. Miter-joint style assembly eliminates the need for an external frame Such interlocking means may be provided at their edges.

The interface between MRl, OT and radiation therapy equipment is also paramagnetic and radiation This can be done using a grid structure with tubes containing impermeable material. − An example is a tube containing a solution containing both sufficient amounts of Gd-DPTA and barium sulfate. It is a lattice structure with

Others using separate lattice structures or removable lattice structure walls are contra It is a means of emptying and filling the tubes in the walls of the strike material. Figure 3 shows such fruit. An example is shown. The wall tube in this embodiment is an interconnecting network, the beginning and end portions (2 6, 27). These and any external openings can be easily plugged or screwed. A capping means such as a cap 24 is fitted. Therefore, the contrast To empty the tube network of material, remove the caps from the beginning and end of the tube and open the wall. Tilt to allow contrast material to drain. To remove the boy, tilt the wall up and Fill with the first section until liquid flows out the end. If a boy is caught, both ends Set up camp in the club.

The ability to empty and fill tubes with lattice structures is similar to that of PET using lattice structures. This is especially useful when interfacing. PET images depend on the emission of positrons. Exists. Positron emitter materials generally have short half-lives, so they should be prepared immediately before use. do.

FIG. 1D shows yet another embodiment of the lattice structure of the present invention. This implementation The lattice structure 11 is generally an assembly of hollow tubes 31 joined in a rectangular shape. A hollow tube is further provided as a diagonal line 32 that crosses the four sides of the rectangle. this The hollow tube of the embodiment is made of a non-magnetic material such as a rigid plastic and has a contrast is filled with a solution of material. As mentioned above, contrast materials are used Selected for specific video physical therapy. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. The corners of the grid structure of the illustrated embodiment may contain other desired types of contrast material. Empty the hollow tubes (31, 32) so that the solution containing the solution can be easily replaced when necessary. and a screw-in plug 33 for holding the baby.

Figures 1B and 1C show other suitable configurations of the lattice structure. to be understood In addition, the exact structure of the lattice structure is not important to the origin of the lattice structure. Similarly.

The invention may also be practiced by using contrast materials that are solid rather than liquid. be able to. for example.

Contrast material in a defined pattern within a matrix of non-magnetic material or embedded within solid rods or bars arranged to form a grid.

Although the exact structure of the lattice structure is not important.

As shown in FIG. 5, the grid structure 11 is placed around the body of the subject 29 to be photographed and is not large enough to fit within the gantry 27 of the diagnostic imaging machine 28 used. must not.

The second component of the grid system reproduces the grid system for the body part being imaged. This is a method that allows for accurate positioning. In the preferred embodiment, this is This is accomplished by using child placement means and crossed laser systems.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the grid placement means of the preferred embodiment The subject is photographed while being moved horizontally along the longitudinal direction of the patient table 41. The grating 11 is slidably attached so that it is placed at an appropriate location on the patient's This is a stand 41 for persons. On the top surface of the stand 41, scales are engraved on both sides of the grid.

The means for freely attaching the lattice structure to the stand 41 is a tongue and groove mechanism. , by roller and track mechanisms or other conventional means.

In the presently preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, one is comprised of an upper member 43 and a lower member 44. It will be. Although the upper member 43 is narrow enough to pass between the side walls of the lattice structure, wide enough to prevent lateral movement. At each end, as shown in Figure 6A, The upper member has sufficient space to accommodate the bottom wall 48 of the lattice structure. It is joined to the spacer 46 so as to be separated from the lower member. this space The bottom wall can be easily fitted in the front and back of the lattice, but the vertical of the lattice structure The movement should not be too large. The lattice structure is centered on the platform. Sufficient horizontal movement of the lattice structure to allow movement over the entire length of an average-sized subject. It is desirable to be able to do so.

By using the above structure, the horizontal movement of the lattice structure is controlled by the strength of the upper member and and stiffness. The upper member is designed so that the horizontal movement of the lattice structure is not obstructed. It is desirable to support the subject without causing any deformation. Therefore, the upper member The stronger and more rigid the support spacer 46, the larger the span between the supporting spacers 46.

Horizontal movement becomes large. Like the lattice structure 11, the stand 41 is not made of non-magnetic material. must not.

FIG. 5 shows the relationship of the table 41 of the imaging device 28 to the patient bed 30. In Figure 5 As shown, the length and width dimensions of the patient table 41 approximate the dimensions of the patient bed. , located above the patient bed. Patients for conventional MRI devices and conventional OCT devices The bed has a generally convex surface 36. A patient table as shown in Figure 5 shall be provided to the patient. Turning the generally convex surface of the bed into a flat surface.

To prevent the patient table from moving while positioned on the surface of the patient bed, Means are provided for the bottom surface of the patient table to match the concave surface 36 of the patient bed.

Commercially available patient tables are manufactured by Victoreen Corporation and Gene. Manufacturers like ral Electric Medical Systems It can be obtained from. The commercially available patient table receives the grid structure shown in FIG. within the scope of the present invention.

Figures 7A and 7B show how the subject can be reproducibly placed on the grating with the grating placement means. 3 shows a crossed laser device used for positioning. Figure 7A and As shown in FIG. 7B, the laser 51 in the front and back direction is aligned with the platform in the X and Z coordinates. Align the patient and the lateral laser 52 will move the patient and the table in Y and Z coordinates. Align. Intersecting laser devices are commercially available and can easily be used for the applications described in 22. Can be adapted. An example of a commercially available device is Gammex's “Patient Positioning” It is a "device".

In the method of use, the patient table 41 is attached to the patient bed of the imaging device 28 together with the grid structure. mounted on top. Next, the patient table is connected to the laser 51 in the anteroposterior direction and the laser 51 in the orthogonal direction. The lasers 52 are aligned by an intersecting laser device that utilizes lasers 52. In 3D space It is well known to use crossed laser techniques to align structures. Book Regarding the invention, an X , defines a point in Y and Z coordinates. The laser in the front and back direction is the imaging device table. 30, define the X and Z coordinates of the patient table, and the laser in the orthogonal direction Make adjustments in Y and Z coordinates. At the first laser intersection on the table for the patient by recording the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the imaging equipment table. The position of the stand 41 can be reproduced for each room or for each video device.

In the case of the subject 29 for imaging placed on the patient table 41, the body caster Standard body immobilization techniques such as molding or breximolding can be used. No. As shown in Figure 7B, the table and the and position the subject with respect to the required X, Y, and Z coordinates. Subject 29th place The positioning may be performed using marks (or tattoos) 44 on the subject or immobilization device. Therefore, it is achieved.

The grid structure 11 is placed on the side of the target area of the subject 29 to be photographed next. It is positioned so that In a preferred embodiment, once the position of the grid structure is Once positioned, it is indicated by a number of borders (sections) provided on both sides of the platform 41. be done. Record these numerous boundaries and then move the table to the lattice structure and the test object. Enter the gantry of the imaging device 28 to 27 with the person in charge, and locate the target area as shown in Figure 8A. and scan as shown in FIG. 8B.

When studying subjects with visual physiotherapy methods other than MRI, use appropriate contrast materials. Select and repeat the above method. For example, when studying a subject using CT, The grid structure and patient table are the same, but the contrast material contained within the tube is Mounted on the T patient bed. Barium or other radiopaque for CT Contrast material is used. The patient table uses the crossed laser device mentioned above. align; place the subject on the table; align the subject using a laser; The grid structure is then placed over the desired area using the numbered marking lines.

Define the region of interest with respect to the grid as studied by MRI using the method described above. . The pattern of the grid and the position of the subject relative to the grid are as in an MRI study. A direct comparison between two different physical therapy studies is possible since the CT studies are also identical. This can be done despite the distortions obtained with MRI.

As will be appreciated, the grating systems and methods described above are compatible with MRI, PET and D S A (Digital Subtraction Angiography ) can be used to interface with other video physical therapies, including Wear.

Grid systems and methods can more accurately track the progression of a disease state and It also provides a means of determining the effectiveness of treatment regimens for conditions. For example, a tumor can be treated with radiation therapy. If treated, MRI and OT constant scans of the abscess should be performed periodically to monitor treatment. Due to the distortion obtained with the 6M milling, which is desirable to restore, the location and size of the tumor It is difficult to assess minute changes in texture. The aforementioned lattice system and method is used to avoid the inherent distortions obtained with MRI. This system and method allows accurate positioning of the subject relative to the grid structure during repeated scanning, and monitor for minute changes in tumor size or location. be able to.

For radiotherapy, using the method and device of the present invention, by M1'LI Accurately converting the defined tumor into a CT image provides improved target volumetric measurements.

In the case of computer-enhanced dose imaging, it provides important electron density information. cannot be bypassed. In the case of radiation on the same plane, tai s+-SX , Y and Z coordinates, and a simple connect-the-dots method (Coine ct-1he-dot method) is used. This accuracy is similar to that of MRI and Instead of gadolinium chloride or barium sulfate, which are clearly visible on CT and CT scans, Easily checked with a treatment simulator or treatment machine using a lead lead array can do. The present invention is also applicable to MRI-guided needle biopsy and PET-guided biopsy. Wear.

The invention described herein can be used despite distortions caused by magnetic field fluctuations in MRI. Although it can be used.

It is also used as a correction means for such distortion. As mentioned above, fluctuations in the magnetic field are Distorting the image of the grid distorts the image of me in the same way. directly related to the known spatial relations of the grid. The related grating artifacts can therefore be used as an indicator of the degree of distortion present in a particular image. use Manipulating the image to bring the grid artifacts into proper relation to each other The distortion of the image of the subject is corrected at the same time. Such operations are well-known and normal This can be done by arithmetic calculations.

As shown in Figure 8B, the above method removes my distortion by necessary mathematical processing. What can be achieved by using computer algorithms that can. Thus, the computer algorithm means that the MRI software is incorporated to recognize the misalignment of grating artifacts 54 and manipulate the uncorrected image for classification. A corrected image is created by appropriately aligning the child artifacts.

L , 17e, 7g Department Squeeze＾−・−1・−＾−−+ Asthma PCT/115 89104922 2 International survey report

Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. regularly spaced members containing a contrasting material; and M, characterized in that it consists of means for securing regularly spaced members; A grid structure used to create images of body parts with RI and other imaging modalities. 2. A lattice structure according to claim 1, wherein said member comprises a hollow tube. 3. Further, emptying the hollow tube and filling the hollow tube with a contrast material. 3. A lattice structure according to claim 2, comprising means for: 4. The grid structure is rectangular and fits around the body part to be imaged. However, within the gantry of the MRI or other imaging means, 2. A lattice structure according to claim 1, wherein the lattice structure is small enough to fit. 5. The contrast material is Gd-DPTA or similar paramagnetic material and pallium. or a similar radiopaque material. Structure. 6. The paramagnetic material and the radiopaque material are The contrast material can be visualized with layer imaging and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging systems. 6. The lattice structure of claim 5, wherein the lattice structure is of sufficient quantity to 7. means for forming a grid of contrast material; and means for forming a grid of contrast material; artifacts created on images of body parts by MRI and other imaging modalities. reproducibly positioning the grating means relative to the body part such that creating an image of a body part with MEI and other imaging means, characterized in that it consists of lattice system used to 8. said grid means containing regularly spaced contrast material; Claim 1 comprising a lattice structure of members and said regularly spaced members. The lattice system according to item 7. 9. 9. The lattice system of claim 8, wherein said member comprises a hollow tube. 10. moreover. emptying the hollow tube and filling the hollow tube with a contrast material; 10. A lattice system as claimed in claim 9, further comprising means for controlling the grid. 11. The grid structure is rectangular and fits around the body part to be photographed. within the gantry of the MRI or other imaging means. 11. A grating system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the grating system is small enough to fit. 12. The contrast material may be Gd-DPTA or similar paramagnetic material and barium or a similar radiopaque material. Child system. 13. The paramagnetic material and the radiopaque material are The contrast material can also be visualized with tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging systems. 13. The lattice system of claim 12, wherein the lattice system is in an amount sufficient to 14. The positioning means includes cross-rays for reproducibly positioning the body part. and means for positioning said grid means around said body part. A lattice system according to scope 7. 15. The positioning means is a patient table; when the positioning means is slidably mounted on the patient table; said lattice means such that said lattice means is movable horizontally in the longitudinal direction of said patient table; means for slidably attaching the grid to the patient table; and adjusting the position of the grid means to the patient table. The rack according to claim 14, comprising means for determining along the longitudinal direction of the patient table. Child system. 16. means for forming a contrast material into a grid of a predetermined shape; said contrast material; Artifacts on images of body parts may be created by visual means on images of body parts. a means for reproducibly positioning the grating with respect to the body part; and causing said artifact to essentially conform to the predetermined shape of said grid, thereby characterized by comprising means for matching the image of the body part to the shape of the body part. , to compensate for the distortions that occur when images of body parts are provided by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging means. Correcting lattice system. 17. forming a grid structure of a predetermined shape from a contrasting material; Artifacts due to last material cannot be imaged in body parts by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging means. said lattice structure relative to said body part and imaging means as given above. reproducibly positioning the artifacts in the grating structure; an image of said body part by essentially conforming to a predetermined shape of said object; The image of the body part is nuclear magnetic, characterized in that it consists of matching the shape of the part. A method of correcting the distortions that occur when imparted by resonant imaging means. 18. Claim 17, wherein said matching means comprises a computer algorithm. Method described. 19. forming a grid of contrasting material; creating an artifact on said grid; the body part, such that the image of the body part produced by the MRI reproducibly positioning said grating for a minute; and artifacts may be present on the image of said body part made by other imaging means. positioning the grating in a reproducible position relative to the body part so that An image of a body part made with MRI and other imaging methods, characterized by A method of interfacing with an image of said body part made of steps. 20. regularly spaced members in which said grid contains a contrasting material; , a lattice structure and means for securing said regularly spaced members; 20. The method of claim 19, comprising: 21. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein said member comprises a hollow tube. 22. Further, emptying the hollow tube and filling the hollow tube with a contrast material. 22. The method of claim 21, comprising means for: 23. The grid structure is rectangular and fits around the body part to be photographed. within the gantry of the MRI or other imaging means. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the method is small enough to fit. 24. The contrast material may be Gd-DPTA or similar paramagnetic material and barium or similar radiopaque material. Method. 25. The paramagnetic material and the radiopaque material are The contrast material can also be visualized with tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging systems. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the amount is sufficient to 26. The positioning means includes an intersecting register for reproducibly positioning the body part. means for placing said grid structure around said body part; The method according to item 25. 27. The positioning means is a patient table; when the positioning means is slidably mounted on the patient table; said lattice means such that said lattice means is movable horizontally in the longitudinal direction of said patient table; means for slidably attaching the grid to the patient table; and adjusting the position of the grid means to the patient table. The method according to claim 26, comprising means for determining along the longitudinal direction of the patient table. Law.