JPH1057344A - Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To carry out an examination and a cure at the same time by enabling a doctor, etc., to be positioned at the both sides of the examination table, by forming a measuring space between an examination table and below a ceiling part, by connecting the examination table and the ceiling part with a column formed at the both ends of the table and by widely opening the front side space between the right and the left column. SOLUTION: An examining object is sent to an examination table 40 by moving a ceiling board 12 of a bed 10. The upper side of the examination table 40 and the lower side of the ceiling part 70 are opposing, and an oblique magnetic field coil, an irradiation coil, a receiving coil, a magnetic pole are mounted inside of the examination table 40 and the ceiling part 70. The examination table 40 has a bed connecting part 42 connecting to the bed 10 and the outer periphery 46 of the examination table 40 between the right and left column 62, 64 and the both side of the bed connecting part 42 is made to be curved surface of approximately round shape. And also the examination table 40 and the ceiling part 70 are connected with the right column 62 and the left column 64, and the right and left column 62 and 64 are separated each other towards the right and left side from the examination table 40 to make a wide space between the outer periphery of the examination table 40 and the examination table 40 of the outer periphery of the column 62 and the left column 64.

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 (hereinafter, referred to as "MRI apparatus"), and more particularly, to consideration of a subject, which is the basis of ease of use, and a doctor who gives medical treatment to the subject. This is an MRI apparatus in which the operability of a technician or the like (hereinafter referred to as a doctor or the like) performing an inspection operation is improved.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An MRI apparatus utilizes a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) phenomenon to obtain a tomographic image of an inspection part of a subject and to provide a diagnosis. In such an MRI apparatus, it is necessary to generate a strong magnetic field and place the inspection unit of the subject in the magnetic field in order to cause an NMR phenomenon at the inspection site of the subject.

A conventional MRI apparatus generally forms a tunnel-like hole in a strong magnetic field and puts a subject into the hole. As this tunnel type MRI apparatus, JP-A-6-78893, US Pat.
USP. Des 283729, USP. Des300
No. 849, USP. Des325632, USP. D
es347063. The tunnel-type MRI apparatus easily generates a strong magnetic field, but has a problem that it is difficult to perform an inspection because the subject must be placed in a narrow hole. FIG. 4 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-78893 shows a state in which a casing is provided. In this device, a hole for inserting a subject is widened in the left-right direction. Difficulty of inspection after putting in the hole has not been solved. An MRI apparatus in which one side surface of a measurement space is opened as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-26052 is an example that does not use a tunnel space. However, in this MRI apparatus, one side of the measurement space is open, but the other side is a wall. For this reason, when this device is inserted into the measurement space during the test, the device causes the test subject to feel pressure and anxiety, and it is often difficult to correctly test a person with claustrophobia. Was. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-146530, USP. De
An MRI apparatus in which the ceiling and the examination table are supported by four columns to open between the columns as described in S313073.

[0004]

The above-mentioned MRI apparatus, in which the ceiling and the examination table are supported by four columns, prevents the patient from having claustrophobic reactions due to the opening in four directions. However, no consideration is given to treatment of patients under examination. On the other hand, there is an increasing demand that doctors and the like want to perform treatment at the same time during the examination, and especially when the subject is an emergency patient, it is necessary to perform other treatments at the same time as the examination. In this case, it is necessary for a doctor or the like to approach the subject from both left and right sides. However, this is not possible with a conventional MRI apparatus.

[0005]

According to the MRI apparatus of the present invention, a measurement space is formed by the upper surface of the examination table and the lower surface of the ceiling, and columns are provided on the side surfaces of the measurement space, that is, on both side surfaces of the examination table. With a configuration that connects the inspection table and the ceiling with a support,
Regarding this measurement space, at least the space between the left and right columns on the front side was opened.

With the above configuration, doctors and the like can be located on both the left and right sides of the examination table, and treatment with the subject and treatment using a treatment instrument can be performed simultaneously with the examination if necessary.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the MRI apparatus viewed from substantially the front. The subject is placed on the bed 10 and sent to the examination table 40. An inspection is performed on the inspection table 40 using a known method using a magnetic resonance phenomenon, and the inspection result is displayed as an image on a display unit of a central operating device (not shown).

The bed 10 is composed of a bed body 14, a top plate 12 placed thereon, and feet 18 of the bed. The bed body 14 is made of a soft material on both sides,
For example, a bed side part 16 made of urethane foam, sponge, rubber or the like (hereinafter referred to as a soft material) is provided,
When the examinee climbs the bed 10 or when a doctor or the like works,
Injuries are prevented or the patient is placed on the stitcher 20 to soften the impact of the collision when the stitcher 20 is laid on the bed 10. After the subject is placed on the bed, the top plate 12 is moved forward, backward, left, and right by operating the left and right operation units 72 and 74 and the rear operation unit 76 shown in FIGS. It moves and sends the subject to the inspection table 40 accurately. The bed feet 18 have a small cross-sectional area with respect to the bed body 14 and are located at the center, and are retracted, that is, recessed with respect to the bed body 14. For this reason, a sufficient space for the feet of the doctor or the like to move can be secured for the movement of the doctor or the like, and the inspection work becomes easy.

The upper surface of the inspection table 40 and the lower surface of the ceiling 70 are opposed to each other, and the inspection table 40 and the ceiling 70 are arranged facing each other, and a gradient magnetic field coil, an irradiation coil, a reception coil, and a magnetic pole are provided therein. Have been. The inspection table 40 has a bed connection part 42 connected to the bed 10 at the center, and outer peripheral surfaces 46 and 48 of the inspection table 40 between both sides of the bed connection part 42 and the left and right columns 62 and 64 are located at the center of the inspection table. It has a substantially circular shape with its center at 41. This makes it possible for a doctor or the like to move the subject from both the right side surface 46 and the left side surface 48 as needed.
It is possible to bring in necessary therapeutic instruments such as an oxygen mask and a drip instrument from 6, 48. In addition, the inspection table 40 has a circular shape as a basic shape, but the bed connecting portion 42 accurately connects the circular inspection table and the bed 10 and places a burden on the inspected person when the inspected person moves. To reduce
Bed sides are straight.

An oblique cut portion 52 is provided around the upper portion of the inspection table 40. The cut portion 52 is made of a soft material. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a doctor or the like or the subject from being injured at the edge of the examination table 40, and the doctor or the like can easily approach the subject. In addition, the lower part of the examination table 40 is provided with a recessed shape, that is, a dent 54, to secure a space for the feet of a doctor or the like for an examination during the examination of the subject or for providing treatment to the subject,
Facilitate movements such as movement for work.

The ceiling part 70 has a substantially circular shape on the front part and both sides, so that the degree of opening of the measurement space is high.
The feeling of oppression given to the subject can be reduced. In addition, since it is largely open, the above-mentioned work of a doctor or the like is easy. The periphery of the lower surface of the ceiling portion 70 is cut obliquely and provided with a cut portion 82 made of a soft material so that a doctor or the like does not get injured even if the doctor hits the head during work.

The inspection table 40 and the ceiling 70 are connected by a right column 62 and a left column 64 provided on both the left and right sides. In these columns, the inspection table 40 and the ceiling 70 are respectively provided inside the inspection table 40 and the ceiling 70 (not shown). A magnetic circuit connecting the magnetic poles is configured. The left and right columns 62, 6 are formed so that a space is formed between the outer periphery of the inspection table 40 and the inspection table 40 on the outer periphery of the left and right columns 62, 64.
4 is left and right apart from the inspection table 40,
2 and 64, and between the outer circumference of the measurement space sandwiched between the inspection table 40 and the ceiling 70, and
6 and 68 are generated, and side tables 76 and 78 are provided at the bottom of the space, so that the examinee can feel a sense of openness and, when treating the examinee, can secure a place where a treatment instrument is placed. Also, the work of a doctor or the like becomes easy. Lighting equipment 61, 63 can be attached to the inside of the left and right columns 62, 64 of these spaces 66 and 68 or to the side tables 76, 78, and the space inside is lightened to soften the oppressive feeling of the subject. In addition, the work of a doctor or the like becomes easy, and erroneous work can be prevented. On the outer periphery of the ceiling 70, the right operation unit 72 between the front surface in the direction of the bed 10 and the right column 62, the left operation unit 74 between the front surface and the left column 64, and the rear unit shown in FIG. A rear operation unit 75 is provided. Thus, even when a doctor or the like is on the right side, left side, or rear side of the examination table 40, the bed 1 is operated by the operation unit at each position.
It is possible to perform operations such as moving operation of “0” and starting and stopping the inspection.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inspection table 40 and the ceiling 7
The space created by the space 0 is also wide open at the rear, and this space is created by widening the space between the left and right columns 62 and 64. That is, since the outer periphery of the rear portion of the inspection table 40 and the ceiling portion 70 is concave 71, 73 from the outside toward the inside, the distance from the rear to the center of the inspection table 40 is shortened, and the distance from the rear toward the measurement space is reduced. Work becomes easier.

A center light marker 92 for emitting a light beam which serves as a reference for a positional relationship on the outer peripheral front surface of the lower surface of the ceiling portion 70, the left and right columns 6
Side light markers 94 and 96 are attached to 2, 64, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a doctor or the like sitting on a chair and performing inspection work. The head is almost an examination table 40 from doctors etc.
The height L1 of the upper surface of the inspection table 40 is changed from 600 mm to 7 so as to enter the measurement space formed between the upper surface of the inspection table and the lower surface of the ceiling 70.
The value is between 50 mm. The height of the lower surface of the ceiling 70 is 1285 mm.
50 mm is desirable. In order to increase the resolution of the image as the inspection result, it is better that the distance from the inspection table 40 is small.
mm. The height of the measurement space formed by the inspection table upper surface and the ceiling lower surface is set to a value between 400 mm and 435 mm. The reason is the width that the subject can lie on the examination table 40 and move both hands. When the width is widened, it is easy to move, but the inspection accuracy is reduced.

Since the cut portions 52 and 82 are provided on the outer periphery of the inspection table 40 and the ceiling 70, respectively, it is possible to prevent injuries by hitting these outer peripheral angles. Further, since the recess 54 is provided at the foot, the toe of the foot does not hit. FIG. 5 is a view in which a doctor or the like is standing and working from the side.
Is obliquely cut so that the inside of the inspection table 40 can be seen well, thereby facilitating the work. This notch may be cut diagonally over the entire periphery of the outer periphery as shown on the left side 82, and may be rounded on the right side over the entire periphery as shown in another embodiment. FIG.
At the inclination angle 300, a range of 40 degrees to 75 degrees is preferable. When rounding, a radius of 50 mm to 80 mm is desirable.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which a doctor or the like stands on the side of the examination table 40. The center of the inspection table 40 is the center of the measurement space, and it is desirable that the inspection unit of the subject be located at the center 41. In this state, the doctor or the like can be completely positioned on both the left and right sides, and can perform various operations efficiently. The light markers 92, 94 and 96 accurately indicate the reference position 141 of the bed and the reference position 41 of the measurement space by light. If the subject is positioned at the reference position 141 of the bed and then automatically moved, it should be approximately at the reference position of the measurement space. However, if the subject moves by himself, there is a gap. In this case, the doctor or the like needs to re-align with the reference position in the measurement space. However, since the light markers 92, 94, and 96 can indicate up to the center position of the measurement space, the position of the subject can be easily and easily corrected. Can be done accurately.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a work range when a doctor or the like stands on the side of the examination table 40. The height of the inspection table 40 is 10
In the case of 00 mm, the work can be performed within the range of the work line 202, that is, within a range of 600 mm from the doctor or the like. In the embodiment of the present invention, the height of the inspection table 40 ranges from 600 mm to 750 mm, so that the working range is widened. In the above embodiment, the hand can be reached further in the depth direction than the center of the inspection table 40, and can cope with various operations.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which a doctor or the like is standing and working behind the examination table 40. The height of the inspection table 40 is 1
In the case of 000 mm, as in FIG. 7, the work range is the work line 206, that is, the range of 600 mm from the doctor or the like. On the other hand, if the inspection table 40 is set to about 800 mm,
8, ie, expanded to a range of 1000 mm. In this embodiment, as described with reference to FIG.
Since the value within the range of 50 mm is taken, the work line 20
8, that is, work from a doctor or the like to a range of 1000 mm is possible. As shown in FIG. 8, the rear has a convex shape inward, so that the working range is further expanded.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show another embodiment. The front portion of the inspection table 40 is connected to the bed 10. Inspection table 40
Left and right columns 62 and 64 are provided behind both sides of the inspection table 40 and the ceiling 70 by these left and right columns 62 and 64. A magnetic pole, a gradient magnetic field coil, an irradiation coil, and a receiving coil are respectively built in portions where the inspection table 40 and the ceiling 70 face each other. The respective magnetic poles are connected to the right and left columns 6
They are electromagnetically connected via a magnetic circuit formed inside the second and the second. Both sides of the examination table 40 are open, so that a doctor or the like can perform examination work on the subject and perform treatment as necessary, as in the previous embodiment. Further, the distance from the periphery of both sides of the inspection table 40 to the center of the inspection table 40 is 750 mm.
mm to 750 mm is desirable. Within this range, it is accessible from the left, right, front and back, making it easier to perform treatment.

The back is also open, so that doctors and the like can work and perform necessary treatments from the back. In order to widen the rear opening width, the width of the left and right columns 62, 64, that is, the width from the outer periphery to the outer periphery is set to a value of 1010 mm. The ceiling 70 has a thin front surface. This is not only to make the front surface light, but also to make the magnetic pole thinner on the front side in order to make the magnetic distribution of the magnetic pole close to a uniform value.

FIG. 11 shows details of the operation unit. The LED display unit 110 displays a positional shift between the inspection table 40 and the bed 10, that is, a left-right shift or a height shift, by a numeral. The operation key 102 is a key for operating the bed 10, the LEFT key and the RIGHT key are keys for moving left and right, and the indications 127 and 129 are turned on to indicate the moving direction. In addition, when the center 41 of the inspection table and the center of the bed 10 match, a display 12 is displayed.
7 lights up.

When the UP or DOWN key of the key 102 is operated, the height relationship between the LED display inspection table 124 and the bed 125 is displayed on the displays 131 and 130. Display 13
0 is displayed when the height of the inspection table 40 and the height of the bed 10 are substantially equal. On the other hand, the display 131 indicates that the bed 10 is below the inspection table 40 or is in a mode of moving downward.

A key 103 is a key for instructing an emergency inspection stop, and a key 104 is an operation key for turning on / off the light markers 92, 94, 96 and canceling the reference position display set. A key 105 is a key for turning on and off the lighting devices 61 and 63. The key 106 is a key for controlling the bed 10, and performs a work of sending a subject to the examination table 40 and taking the person out of the examination table 40. A key 107 is an automatic control key for entering and leaving the subject. The key 108 is an operation key for completing, starting, and the like of the magnetic resonance operation. Operation keys 104 and light-on / off control keys 105 relating to the positioning of the subject are arranged from a certain order of the key arrangement, here, the bed operation keys 102, 106, and 107.
, And a magnetic resonance operation and scan key 108 are further arranged. To control the position of the bed 10, the relative positional relationship between the inspection table 40 on the left side and the bed 10 is displayed by numeral 120 and operated to display the next content.
27, 129, 131, etc.
Operation contents can be confirmed, and malfunction can be prevented.

As still another embodiment of the present invention, the right and left columns 62 and 64 may be shifted forward, that is, toward the bed 10 with respect to the center of the inspection table 40, instead of being shifted rearward. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, when the debed 11 enters the inspection table 40, the feeling of oppression may increase slightly, but once the debed 11 enters, the range of the visual field increases and the degree of oppression during the inspection decreases. I do. Also, when the subject needs medical treatment at the same time, the back is wide open during the test, so the necessary instruments can be approached to the test table 40 from both sides and the back, making the work easier and more efficient. I do.

[0026]

According to the above configuration, doctors and the like can be located on both the left and right sides of the examination table, and the examination can be performed efficiently.
It is possible to cope with the subject and to treat the patient using the treatment device at the same time as the test.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an MRI apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from a substantially front side.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an MRI apparatus main body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an MRI apparatus main body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a doctor or the like sitting on a chair and performing an inspection operation.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing an examination operation from the side of the MRI apparatus by a doctor or the like;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an examination operation from the side of the MRI apparatus by a doctor or the like;

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an inspection work range of a doctor or the like from the side of the MRI apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an inspection work range of a doctor or the like from behind the MRI apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an operation unit of the MRI apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 bed 12 top board 40 inspection table 41 center of inspection table 52, 72 cut section 61, 63 lighting device 62, 64 column 70 ceiling section 72, 74, 76 operation section 92, 94, 96 light marker 102, 106, 107 bed Operation keys 110 LED display section 202, 204, 206, 208 Work line

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Atsushi Ninomiya 1-280 Higashi Koikekubo, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo Inside the Hitachi, Ltd.Design Research Institute (72) Inventor Junji Katayama 1-280 Higashi Koikekubo, Kokubunji-shi, Tokyo Hitachi, Ltd. Within the Design Laboratory (72) Inventor Shigeru Sato 1-1-1 Uchikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan Inside Hitachi Medical Corporation (72) Inventor Tsuneo Maeda 1-11-1 Uchikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Ltd. Within Hitachi Medical

Claims (1)

[Claims] An inspection table having one magnetic pole for generating a magnetic field therein, a ceiling having another magnetic pole for generating a magnetic field therein, the one magnetic pole and the other magnetic pole are provided. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a magnetic circuit to connect, and a pair of columns arranged symmetrically with respect to the inspection table and the ceiling, wherein the inspection table is
A first plane formed on an upper surface thereof, a side surface formed perpendicular to the first plane, and a bed connection formed at a front portion of the inspection table so as to protrude forward from the pair of columns. The ceiling has a second plane disposed on the lower surface thereof facing the first plane, and a side surface formed perpendicularly to the second plane. A first space formed between the first plane and the second plane and directly below the second plane, and the pair of columns are provided on the inspection table. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having an appearance connected by a side surface and a side surface of the ceiling portion.