JPH06261885A - Magnetic resonance video device provided with medical treatment mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute a free medical treatment plan related to an irradiated position, and to safely and exactly execute the medical treatment by designating suitably a lesion part, based on a two-dimensional or three-dimensional positioning image obtained by the magnetic resonance video device. CONSTITUTION:A static magnetic field magnet 1 applies a uniform static magnetic field to a patient 4. A gradient magnetic field generating coil 2 is driven by a gradient coil power source 3 controlled by a system controller 10, and applies gradient magnetic fields Gx, Gy and Gz whose magnetic field intensity is varied, to the patient 4. Also, to the patient 4, a high frequency signal from an MRI transmitting/receiving system 19 is applied as a high frequency magnetic field through a multiple function probe 15 under the control by the system controller 10. By applying the static magnetic field, the gradient magnetic field and the high frequency magnetic field, a magnetic resonance signal related to an atomic nucleus of a proton is generated from the patient 4. The magnetic resonance signal of a nuclide is received by an RF radiating and receiving probe 8, amplified and detected by a receiving part 9, and sent to a data collecting part 11 under the control by the system controller 10.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a therapeutic function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an X-ray imaging apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "X-ray CT"), (hereinafter referred to as "PET") is used as a medical imaging apparatus capable of easily observing information inside the body in a non-invasive manner. , A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "MRI"), and the like. In particular, in recent years, it has become possible to obtain clear stereoscopic images by three-dimensionally processing data obtained by X-ray CT or MRI. Such information is used by doctors to make a detailed treatment plan before surgical treatment, and contributes greatly to medical treatment by diagnosing therapeutic effects.

For example, MRI can grasp histological changes as an image by utilizing the characteristics (magnetic field distribution, chemical shift, etc.) of water protons existing in the body, and in recent years, a temperature measuring method has been used. Is also proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-59
The diagnostic information can be obtained from various measurements such as morphology / function / metabolism / temperature distribution. In this MRI, a high frequency magnetic field of about 20 to 100 MHz is applied from a so-called high frequency probe (RF probe) to a subject placed in a static magnetic field, and then a predetermined gradient magnetic field is applied from a gradient coil. The magnetic resonance signals generated from the subject are collected to form an image.

On the other hand, in terms of treatment, a calculus crushing device for crushing calculi by irradiating strong ultrasonic waves from outside the body has been put into practical use for the treatment of calculi. As a powerful ultrasonic source, an underwater discharge method, an electromagnetic induction method, a micro-explosion method, a method using a piezo element, and the like are conceivable, and each has its advantages and disadvantages.

For example, the method using a piezo element has the disadvantage that the pressure of strong ultrasonic waves is small, but there is no small focal point or consumables, its intensity can be arbitrarily controlled, and the drive waveform applied to a plurality of piezo elements can be controlled. It has an excellent advantage that the focus position can be controlled by controlling the phase (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-145131, US Pat. No. 4,
526, 168). Further, the shape of the focus can be changed by controlling the phase of the drive waveform (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-42773).

[0006] Also, as one of the cancer (malignant neoplasm) treatment techniques, hyperthermia has attracted attention. This hyperthermia has a higher temperature sensitivity than that of normal tissue, and it kills when heated to 42.5 ° C or higher. The method of locally heating the tumor site is effective. Is. However, the thermotherapy method cannot be expected to have a therapeutic effect unless the affected area is kept at a constant temperature for a certain period of time. In addition, the living body has a physiological function of controlling the blood flow rate to maintain a normal body temperature when the temperature rises. Therefore, in order to maintain the state for a certain time and improve the therapeutic effect after reaching the heating / treatment temperature, it is necessary to perform heating and temperature measurement at the same time or alternately perform this operation to control the heating temperature. Yes, it was very annoying to treat.

Further, as a heating / heating method, a method using an electromagnetic wave such as a microwave has been preceded, but it is difficult to selectively heat a deep tumor due to the electrical characteristics of the living body, and the treatment result. Is a superficial example (within 5 cm in depth)
Limited to tumors.

Therefore, a method of utilizing physical energy by ultrasonic waves has been considered for the treatment of deep tumors. This utilizes the characteristics of focusing the ultrasonic beam and having a deep arrival depth. In order to utilize the physical energy of this ultrasonic wave, an ultrasonic transducer that combines multiple ultrasonic transducers with spherical ultrasonic radiation surfaces, or an annular transducer that has ring-shaped ultrasonic transducers arranged concentrically Those using an array ultrasonic transducer have been proposed. In particular, when an annular array ultrasonic transducer is used, there is an advantage that the depth of focus can be changed. A phased array capable of changing the focal position three-dimensionally has also been proposed (US Pat. No. 4,526,168).

Further, there has been proposed a treatment device in which the above-mentioned calculus crushing device and a heating / heating device are integrated (Japanese Patent Application No. 3-306106). In addition, a treatment method has also been reported in which the above-mentioned hyperthermia treatment method is advanced to heat the tumor portion to 80 ° C. or higher to burn off the tumor tissue. However, all of these require a large-scale device as an ultrasonic wave generation source, and combining with a medical imaging device capable of histologically diagnosing and monitoring the therapeutic effect is subject to various difficulties and is a realistic one. is not.

[0010]

As described above, conventionally, it is difficult to locally heat the deep part of the living body or measure the temperature of the heated peripheral part, and it is impossible to immediately diagnose the therapeutic effect. There was a point.

Further, it is difficult to use a combination of a calculus crushing device and MRI, or a heating treatment device and MRI for treatment and diagnosis, because the structure is very large and difficult. In particular, the ultrasonic transducer, which is an ultrasonic wave generation unit, and the RF probe, which is a high frequency magnetic field generation unit, are independent because the signals to be handled are different, and when performing treatment in a calculus breaking device or a heating treatment device, or in MRI. It was necessary to reset and re-adjust them each time a diagnosis was made, which was inconvenient because of the troublesome operation and alignment. In addition, there are problems such as burdening the patient.

Therefore, it is an object of the first invention to provide a heating treatment apparatus capable of performing local heating in a deep part of a living body and control of the heating temperature. In addition to this, in the first invention, a warming treatment apparatus having a high therapeutic effect is provided by providing a compensation function for the movement of the patient during treatment to perform accurate temperature measurement and feeding the information back to the heating control. It is also intended to be provided.

The second aspect of the invention is equipped with a multi-function probe having both the performance of an ultrasonic transducer and the performance of an RF probe for MRI, and has high therapeutic and diagnostic effects.
An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus equipped with a therapeutic function.

[0014]

In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention applies a predetermined high-frequency magnetic field and gradient magnetic field to an object placed in a static magnetic field to generate it from within the object. In the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus including a treatment mechanism that collects magnetic resonance signals to reconstruct a magnetic resonance image and performs treatment with acoustic energy using the magnetic resonance image, Uniform high frequency magnetic field application detection means for applying and detecting a high frequency magnetic field, means for forming image information and magnetic field distribution information based on the magnetic resonance signal detected by this means, and generation from a local region of the subject Local high-frequency magnetic field detecting means for detecting the high-frequency magnetic field, the means for forming local high-frequency magnetic field distribution information based on the magnetic resonance signal detected by this means, the image information and the magnetic field component A means for imaging information, a means for controlling the acoustic energy applying means for applying acoustic energy to the treatment target portion, and a portion other than the treatment target portion is designated as an overtemperature monitoring region based on the image information. The superheat monitoring area designating means and the temperature displacement distribution information forming means forming the temperature displacement distribution information of the subject based on the magnetic field distribution information, and the inside of the heating monitoring area based on the temperature displacement distribution information. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a treatment mechanism is configured to control the acoustic energy applying means when the temperature displacement is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

Further, a predetermined high frequency magnetic field and gradient magnetic field are applied to the subject placed in the static magnetic field, magnetic resonance signals generated from the subject are collected to reconstruct a magnetic resonance image, and In a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a treatment mechanism for performing treatment with acoustic energy using the magnetic resonance image, the treatment mechanism irradiates weak ultrasonic waves into the subject to configure an ultrasonic image, A first mode for receiving the reflected wave, a second mode for irradiating the subject with strong ultrasonic waves for crushing an object to be treated, a third mode for transmitting and receiving a high-frequency magnetic field, and each mode described above. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a treatment mechanism is constituted by the means for switching between.

The magnetic resonance image having a therapeutic mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the therapeutic mechanism has a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged, and a resonance circuit is formed by the inductance and conductance of the piezoelectric elements themselves. apparatus.

[0017]

In the present invention, a high frequency magnetic field (RF) is applied from one or more surface coils (SC) to focus on the affected area in the body. RF energy is absorbed by ecological tissues and converted into heat, which is consumed for deformation and destruction of tissues. This causes heat degeneration or destruction of the tumor cells and necrosis. However, the tumor shape of the affected area is usually irregular, and since it does not always exist in the center where the SC is placed, it is necessary to control the irradiation of RF energy so that the entire tumor can be treated. For this control, it is necessary to accurately grasp the tumor shape and the positional relationship with surrounding organs, and MRI is used for this purpose.

MRI utilizes the magnetic resonance phenomenon of protons, which are atomic nuclei of water existing in the body when placed in a static magnetic field. RF is used to cause a magnetic resonance phenomenon when capturing an image, and the transmission power of the system can be used when the affected area is heated. Further, since MRI can collect three-dimensional information including an affected part in a living body, an in-vivo image is reconstructed in two-dimensional or three-dimensional based on this information and used for creating a treatment plan. In MRI, since the position on the image can be determined and grasped by the gradient coil in the system, it is possible to always find where the heating RF is located on the image, and this information is displayed to the operator at the same time as the in-vivo image. The positioning can be performed accurately.

During treatment, it is known that a change in water temperature reflects a subtle change in the magnetic field distribution (chemical shift). If the displacement of the magnetic field before and after heating is mapped and the difference is imaged, The temperature change inside can be grasped. Therefore,
Since the temperature distribution inside the living body is usually uniform, the temperature distribution in the affected area after heating can be measured by referring to the temperature on the body surface before heating.

Further, by taking a T2-weighted image, the state of tissue degeneration due to heat can be confirmed (Ferenc, A. et al .: Diagnost.
ic Imaging, Sept., 1990.). Therefore, by observing the difference between the images before and after the treatment, it becomes possible to judge the biological action / treatment effect of the main treatment.

This allows a free treatment plan regarding the irradiation position. Further, it can be realized without significantly changing the transmission / reception system of the conventional MRI apparatus. Furthermore, by controlling the irradiation of RF energy so that the entire tumor can be treated, it is possible to efficiently heat the tumor and reduce the time required for treatment. Therefore, the burden on the patient can be reduced.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [First Invention] FIG. 1 is a view showing the arrangement of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a therapeutic function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1
In, the static magnetic field magnet 1 applies a uniform static magnetic field to the patient 4. The gradient magnetic field generating coil 2 is a system controller 1.
Power supply for gradient coil controlled by 0 (driving amplifier)
A gradient magnetic field Gx, Gy, which is driven by 3 and linearly changes the magnetic field strength in the orthogonal X and Y directions in the desired tomographic plane of interest to the patient 4 and in the Z direction perpendicular thereto.
Gz is applied. Under the control of the system controller 10, a high frequency signal from the MRI transmission / reception system 19 is applied to the patient 4 as a high frequency magnetic field via the multi-function probe 15.

By applying the static magnetic field, the gradient magnetic field and the high frequency magnetic field as described above, a magnetic resonance signal relating to the nucleus of the proton is generated from the patient 4. The magnetic resonance signal of the nuclide is RF
It is received by the irradiation / reception probe 8, amplified and detected by the receiving unit 9, and then sent to the data collecting unit 11 under the control of the system controller 10. Data collection unit 1
In 1, the magnetic resonance signal input via the receiving unit 9 is collected under the control of the system controller 10, and this is acquired by A /
The data is D-converted and sent to the calculation unit 12 as image reconstruction data. The arithmetic unit 12 is controlled by the console 13,
The image reconstruction processing including the Fourier transform is performed on the image reconstruction data input from the data collection unit 11. The arithmetic unit 12 also controls the system controller 10.
The image data obtained by the calculation unit 12 is sent to the image display 14 and the image is displayed. As the image display 14, for example, a CRT display is used.

The heating is performed by the RF irradiation / reception probe 8 and controlled by the system controller 10. Although the RF irradiation / reception probe 8 may be composed of a plurality of units, it is also controlled by the system controller 10.

Next, the procedure of local heating treatment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the procedure of local heating treatment by the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having the treatment function according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, there are roughly four treatment modes. The first mode is a "setting mode" that sets the initial state of the patient and the device, the second mode is a "heating condition setting mode" that optimizes heating, and the third mode is
The "warming increase mode" in which the temperature is raised to the designated heating temperature while compensating for the positional deviation, and the fourth mode is the "warming and keeping mode" in which the heating temperature is also maintained.

FIG. 2 will be described in more detail. A transmission probe 6 and an RF irradiation / reception probe 8 capable of uniformly generating a patient and a high frequency magnetic field in a wide range within a magnet.
Set (Step 1). In this case, a bird cage probe, a saddle type coil or the like is suitable as the transmission probe, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this. Setting mode (Step 2): The body surface temperature close to the affected area is measured and stored. Set the heating temperature. The rising displacement temperature is calculated from these values. By a known magnetic resonance imaging method, magnetic resonance signals of protons generated from the subject are collected and reconstructed by the transmission probe 6 and the RF irradiation / reception probe 8, respectively, and the former data is used as a position setting image. The latter data is used as an RF irradiation distribution image and is stored in the memory inside the calculation unit 12. The monitoring area is specified around the cancer tumor and the affected area to be treated. The area is designated for the position setting image including the affected area and the periphery of the affected area which have already been imaged. The designation method is generally known by using a marker pen on the image display 14. Thereafter, the cancer tumor designation and the image position information of the monitoring area are accumulated. After the magnetic field distribution of the entire subject is measured by the transmitting probe 6, it is stored as basic magnetic field distribution data. Next, initial heating is performed from the SC (Step 3). Optimal irradiation condition setting mode (Step 4): Measure the magnetic field distribution. The temperature displacement is calculated with reference to the basic magnetic field distribution data previously collected and stored. The RF intensity, irradiation time, and switching of the RF irradiation / reception probe 8 are controlled so that heating is efficiently concentrated around the affected area. Heating mode (Step 5): Repeat heating and temperature measurement. A map of temperature displacement distribution is created every time with reference to existing basic magnetic field distribution data. The temperature of the tumor site is calculated by referring to the body surface temperature that was initially measured and stored. At this time, if there is a large change in the magnetic field compared to the value of the previous (one time ago) magnetic field distribution data, it is determined that the patient has moved, and the calculation unit 1
(2) Positional deviation compensation is performed by rewriting the basic magnetic field distribution data of the internal memory as new basic magnetic field distribution data, and the temperature rise value is also compensated. Thereafter, heating is continued until the tumor site reaches a desired heating temperature.

Warming / warming mode (Step 6): After the heating temperature is reached, the above process is controlled so as to keep the heating temperature for a desired time. When the heating time is integrated and the set time is satisfied, the heating is finished.

When there are a plurality of treatment areas, the tumor is heated for each tumor by referring to the designation information of the affected area stored in the memory. By taking a known T2-weighted image before and after the treatment, it is possible to confirm the tissue degeneration condition due to heat, and by observing the difference between the images before and after the treatment, it becomes possible to judge the biological action and treatment effect of this treatment (Step 7). .

The RF coil used for heating in the above description of the embodiments may be any one capable of being irradiated with RF energy and locally heated. The magnetic field distribution measuring method may be a known method or another method.

Further, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus does not use a contrast agent at the time of imaging, and since there are few restrictions on the human body, it may be used in combination with radiation therapy or drug administration. [Second Invention] FIG. 1 shows a shock wave according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the structure of the magnetic resonance imaging device provided with the therapeutic function of an ultrasonic wave, a high frequency, etc. In FIG. 1, the static magnetic field magnet 1 applies a uniform static magnetic field to the patient 4. The gradient magnetic field generating coil 2 is driven by a gradient coil power supply (driving amplifier) 3 controlled by the system controller 10, and the X and Y orthogonal to the patient 4 in a desired tomographic plane of interest are driven.
Gradient magnetic fields Gx, Gy, and Gz whose magnetic field strength linearly changes in the direction and in the Z direction perpendicular thereto are applied. The patient 4 is further controlled by the system controller 10,
A high frequency signal from the MRI transmission / reception system 19 is applied as a high frequency magnetic field through the multi-function probe 15. By applying such a static magnetic field, a gradient magnetic field, and a high-frequency magnetic field, the patient 4 generates a magnetic resonance signal regarding proton nuclei. The magnetic resonance signals of the nuclide are the same as those of the multi-function probe 1.
5, the MRI transmission / reception system 19 amplifies and detects, and then the MR is controlled under the control of the system controller 10.
It is sent to the I data collection unit 21. MRI data collection unit 2
In 1, the magnetic resonance signals input via the high frequency transmitting / receiving unit 19 are collected under the control of the system controller 10,
This is A / D converted and sent to the calculation unit 12 as image reconstruction data. The arithmetic unit 12 is controlled by the console 13 and performs a series of image reconstruction processing including Fourier transform on the image reconstruction data input from the MRI data acquisition unit 21. Further, the arithmetic unit 12 is a system controller.
It also controls LA 10. The image data obtained by the calculation unit 12 is sent to the image display 14 and the image is displayed. As the image display 14, for example, a CRT display is used. The wide area imaging probe 20 is R
It is a probe dedicated to F and can generate a high-frequency magnetic field uniformly in a wide range. In the case of this embodiment, a bird cage type or a saddle type coil type is suitable, but it is not particularly limited to this.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of a multi-function probe according to this embodiment. In the figure, the multi-function probe 15 has a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in a spherical shell shape so as to form a concave surface, and an ultrasonic probe 41 for drawing an ultrasonic image of a tumor or the like is attached to the center thereof. ) And the patient 4 is set. This ultrasonic probe 41 is
It is configured to be able to slide and rotate in the front-rear direction. Under the control of the system controller 10,
An ultrasonic wave signal from the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving system 17 is transmitted to the multi-function probe 15, and an ultrasonic wave is generated / applied to the patient 4. The transmitted ultrasonic waves are propagated using water in the living body as a transmission medium. In the living body, an ultrasonic wave is reflected due to a difference in acoustic impedance of each tissue (muscle, fat, etc.) and is received by the ultrasonic probe as an echo signal. Ultrasonic transmission / reception system 1
After being amplified at 7, it is sent to the ultrasonic data collecting section 7. The ultrasonic data collecting unit 7 collects and images the echo signals input through the ultrasonic transmission / reception system 17 under the control of the system controller 10, and sends them to the arithmetic unit 12 as image data. . The arithmetic unit 12 is controlled by the console 13 and is sent to the image display 14 as needed to display an ultrasonic image in real time.

Here, it is also possible to use a phased array type piezo element as a shock wave / warming ultrasonic wave generation source to irradiate ultrasonic waves to an arbitrary part, and the ultrasonic wave transmission / reception system 17 is controlled by the system controller 10. Therefore, the focus position, sound field, and heating / heating area can be operated without moving the applicator. The focus position moving operation is described in detail in USP 4,526,168. That is, during treatment, a burst signal having a constant voltage is continuously output.

In addition, the calculation unit 12 obtains a focus, a sound field region and a diagnosis / treatment region at arbitrary positions, and the diagnosis / treatment mode information and the phased array are obtained on the ultrasonic wave or MR image obtained by the multi-function probe 15. Image display 1 by superimposing virtual focus, sound field area and diagnosis / treatment area in
Display on 4. At the time of heating / heating treatment, the heating area and the heating area can be approximately calculated from the fluid equation, the heat absorption coefficient of the living body, etc., such as the focus position and the shape. Image display 14
Alternatively, a three-dimensional image of the tumor in the patient's body may be synthetically displayed and displayed based on information from the ultrasonic image. These calculations are performed by the arithmetic unit 12.

When performing diagnosis or treatment, shock waves, ultrasonic waves, high frequencies, etc. are transmitted / received by the multi-function probe 15. Each transmission / reception is switched through the function control switching unit 18 and the system controller 10, Control from 12.

Here, the structure of the multi-function probe will be described in detail. In the figure, the multi-function probe 15 includes a plurality of piezoelectric element electrodes 42a to 42h, 43a to 43h,
44a to 44h are arranged in the shape of a spherical shell so as to form a concave surface, and when strong ultrasonic waves are generated, by applying a desired high voltage to both ends of this piezo element, it is possible to treat crushing and heating. Used. Note that this is performed by a known method. An ultrasonic probe is attached to the central portion 41 so that it can slide and rotate in the front-rear direction.

On the other hand, when it is used as an RF probe for collecting MR image data, the fact that the piezo electrodes are formed by plating with silver or the like is used and, for example, each of the piezo element electrodes 43a to 43h is used. By connecting an appropriate capacitor between the piezoelectric element electrodes and setting it so as to satisfy a desired resonance frequency condition, an RF probe capable of transmitting or receiving a high frequency magnetic field is obtained.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the multi-function probe at this time. FIG. 1A is an example of the circuit configuration of the surface coil. A resonance condition satisfying the condition of Expression 1 is set in a loop formed by the inductance L and the capacitors C ₁ and C ₂ .

F ₀ = 1 / LC · Equation 1 where C = C ₁ · C ₂ / (C ₁ + C ₂ ) f ₀ satisfies the resonance condition at the Larmor frequency depending on the magnetic field strength and the target nuclide. Select. C _M is a variable capacitor for matching, and C _T is a variable capacitor for tuning. For details, see (Alan R. Rath: Efficient Remote Transmission L
ine Probe Tuning, Magnetic Resonance In Medicine 1
3,370-377, 1990). The length l, C _M · C _T of the semi-rigid cable is required.

Next, FIG. 3B shows an example in which four piezoelectric electrodes are used. The inductances L _{1 to} L ₄ and the capacitors C _a , _b , _c and C ₁ , C ₂ are selected so as to satisfy the resonance condition. Further, if the values of the piezo electrode (for example, 301 to 308 in FIG. 2) and the capacitor to be selected are appropriately selected, another resonance loop can be formed, so that the distribution of the sensitivity region in the deep direction can be changed. It is possible to change the area to be imaged. At this time, performance as an RF probe is ensured by performing decoupling so that there is no coupling between adjacent piezo elements. Further, by changing the functional shape of the LC resonance circuit network in combination with a pin diode or the like, the irradiation position of high frequency or the sensitivity region can be changed.

Next, the procedure for treating stone diseases and cancer tumors by the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having the therapeutic and diagnostic function of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a treatment procedure using the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus including the treatment apparatus according to this embodiment. (1) Setting / initial diagnosis mode: Multi-function probe 15
An ultrasonic image is obtained by an ultrasonic probe attached to the center of the. This image is displayed on the image display 14,
From this image, the doctor determines in real time whether there is a stone or a cancer tumor. Positioning is difficult due to the fact that the stones in the affected area or the shape of the cancerous tumor are irregular, but ultrasonic images can linearly (quantitatively) identify the position and size of stones or tumors, and can be used in real time. You can diagnose with. In addition, when it is difficult to grasp with an ultrasonic image, etc., in a wide area imaging probe 16 capable of generating and detecting a uniform high frequency magnetic field for a subject, the subject including the affected part (including crushed stones after treatment) On the other hand, if MRI imaging is performed, it becomes possible to accurately grasp the stones, the shape of the tumor, the positional relationship with the surrounding organs, and the nature of the tumor tissue. Furthermore, both
Since the three-dimensional information including the affected part in the living body can be reconstructed in the two-dimensional or three-dimensional manner, the information can be displayed simultaneously with the in-vivo image and the positioning can be easily performed by the operator's operation on the screen or the keyboard. The designation method is generally known by using a marker pen on the image display 14. When a plurality of stones or cancer tumors are found, the affected area to be treated is designated, and the positional information and image data of the affected area are stored in the memory inside the arithmetic unit 12. Then, the multi-function probe 15 is set to the first treatment position. (2) Treatment mode: The multi-function probe 15 performs crushing treatment by shock waves and heating / heating treatment by ultrasonic waves or high-frequency magnetic fields according to the memory in the arithmetic unit 12 designated and stored as described above. In the case of crushing treatment, the intensity of the shock wave and the number of irradiations are controlled so that it can be performed efficiently. In addition, in the case of heating and heating treatment of cancer tumors, the intensity of the high frequency magnetic field and the irradiation time are controlled so that the treatment can be performed efficiently. Since irradiation of ultrasonic waves and high-frequency energy can be performed with a single probe, it is possible to save the work of moving the patient to the treatment or diagnosis device again and to prevent the displacement between the treatment position and the diagnosis position. Furthermore, by optimizing treatment conditions such as efficiently controlling the irradiation of ultrasonic waves and high-frequency energy to the treatment target site, the restraint time for the patient is shortened and the physical and mental burden is reduced. It For the doctor, it is possible to make a free treatment plan and use it for a wide range of treatments. (3) Diagnosis mode: After the treatment is completed, the same diagnosis as in the "setting / initial diagnosis mode" is performed. If the treatment (crushing, heating, heating) is not sufficient, repeat the "treatment mode". Since there are few restrictions on the human body, it may be used in combination with radiotherapy or drug administration.

[0041]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, by freely designating the affected area based on the two-dimensional or three-dimensional alignment image obtained by the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, it is possible to freely treat the irradiation position. Planning is possible, and safe and accurate treatment can be achieved. In addition, if the irradiation amount, time, position and timing are controlled so that the energy loss in the affected area is reduced, heating can be performed efficiently without wasting energy, the time required for treatment can be shortened, and the burden on the patient can be reduced. Can be reduced.

At first, since the distribution of the RF irradiation distribution region is clearly indicated by the local heating coil which is also used for heating and serves as a receiver, there is no erroneous operation of excessively heating other than the affected part.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the probe used for imaging the subject can also transmit and receive high-frequency waves, shock waves and ultrasonic waves from the multi-functional probe that is integrally configured. Therefore, it can be used for the treatment of stone disease caused by a shock wave, and the treatment of cancer tumor or the like in which ultrasonic waves or high frequencies are concentrated on the affected area to heat and heat the tumor. That is, it is possible to obtain a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus capable of both treatment and diagnosis, which has the functions of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a shock wave generation / treatment apparatus, a hyperthermia treatment apparatus, and the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a therapeutic function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a procedure of local heating treatment by a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a treatment function according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a therapeutic function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a multi-function probe according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a multi-function probe.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a treatment procedure by a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus including the treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Static magnetic field magnet 2 ... Gradient magnetic field generation coil 3 ... Gradient coil power supply 4 ... Patient 5 ... Bed 6 ... Transmission probe 7 ... Transmission unit 8 ... RF irradiation / reception probe 9 ... Reception unit 10 ... System controller La 11 ... Data collection unit 12 ... Calculation unit 13 ... Console 14 ... Image display 15 ... Multi-function probe 16 ... Ultrasonic data collection unit 17 ... Ultrasonic transmission / reception system 18 ... Function control switching unit 19 ... MRI Transmission / reception system 20 ... Wide-range imaging probe 21 ... MRI data acquisition unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A magnetic resonance image is reconstructed by applying a predetermined high frequency magnetic field and gradient magnetic field to a subject placed in a static magnetic field, collecting magnetic resonance signals generated from the inside of the subject, and reconstructing a magnetic resonance image. In a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a treatment mechanism for performing treatment with acoustic energy using the magnetic resonance image, applying a uniform high-frequency magnetic field to the subject,
Uniform high frequency magnetic field application detecting means for detecting, means for forming image information and magnetic field distribution information based on magnetic resonance signals detected by this means, and high frequency magnetic field generated from a local region of the subject. Local high-frequency magnetic field detection means, means for forming local high-frequency magnetic field distribution information based on magnetic resonance signals detected by this means, means for imaging the image information and magnetic field distribution information, and acoustic treatment for the treatment target portion. Based on the magnetic field distribution information, a means for controlling the acoustic energy applying means for applying energy, an overheat monitoring area designating means for designating an area other than the treatment target portion as an overtemperature monitoring area based on the image information, And a temperature displacement distribution information forming means for forming temperature displacement distribution information of the object, wherein the temperature monitoring information is stored in the heating monitoring area based on the temperature displacement distribution information. Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus degrees displacement with a therapeutic mechanism and controlling the acoustic energy applying means when a predetermined value or more. 2. A magnetic resonance image is reconstructed by applying predetermined high frequency magnetic field and gradient magnetic field to a subject placed in a static magnetic field, collecting magnetic resonance signals generated from the inside of the subject, and reconstructing a magnetic resonance image. In a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a treatment mechanism for performing treatment with acoustic energy using the magnetic resonance image, the treatment mechanism irradiates weak ultrasonic waves into the subject to configure an ultrasonic image, A first mode for receiving the reflected wave, a second mode for irradiating the subject with strong ultrasonic waves for crushing an object to be treated, a third mode for transmitting and receiving a high-frequency magnetic field, and each mode described above. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a treatment mechanism, which comprises: 3. The magnetic resonance image having a therapeutic mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the therapeutic mechanism has a plurality of piezo elements arranged, and a resonance circuit is formed by the inductance and conductance of the piezo elements themselves. apparatus.