JPS60232139A - Nmr imaging apparatus - 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] [Field of Application of the Invention] The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and in particular, to an imaging apparatus that uses nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and in particular, it is possible to connect an object to be imaged by NMR to the outside without disturbing the extremely uniform distribution of a magnetic field. The present invention relates to an NMR imaging apparatus provided with suitable means for visually or aurally transmitting information between the two.

[Background of the invention]

NMR imaging equipment for the human body is particularly capable of producing a distribution image of hydrogen atom density on a tomographic plane of the human body, T1 time (longitudinal relaxation time).
The purpose is to obtain non-intrusive diagnostic information from distribution images and T2 one-hour (transverse relaxation time) distribution images (NMR imaging, published by Igaku Shoin Publishing, October 1, 1981). N
An MR imaging apparatus requires a magnetic field uniformity of 10<-4> to 10<-6> over the entire tomographic plane.

If non-uniform, complex corrections are required, which results in significantly longer imaging and image reconstruction times. Now, when using an NMR imaging device clinically,
During the imaging process, it is necessary to interact with the patient audibly and to monitor the patient visually, which can be accomplished using standard speakers, microphones, or a television camera or monitor.

These components, particularly the iron core and electronic components, have the disadvantage that the homogeneity of the magnetic field is significantly disturbed.

[Purpose of the invention]

An object of the present invention is to provide an NMR imaging apparatus equipped with a means for visually or audibly transmitting information between an object to be subjected to NMR imaging and the outside of the apparatus without disturbing the magnetic field homogeneity of the NMR imaging apparatus. It is about providing.

Disturbing the uniformity of the field must be avoided as much as possible. Therefore, in the present invention, a medium that does not reduce the magnetic field uniformity is used to visually communicate between the object to be NMR imaged and the outside.
Alternatively, in order to transmit information audibly, an optical imaging fiber or an acoustic pipe is connected from the outside into the NMR imaging apparatus to exchange visual or auditory data.

[Embodiments of the invention]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. N.M.
The R imaging apparatus 1 generally includes a main magnetic field coil that generates a strong, uniform, and uniform magnetic field, a gradient magnetic field coil, an RF coil, a power supply, a display and control device, a data acquisition and processing device, and the like. A total of four solenoid coils la, lb, 2a, and 2b, two large and two small, that generate a uniform magnetic field of 10-4 to 10-5 are arranged on a spherical surface. An object to be subjected to NMR imaging (human) 3 is placed on a non-magnetic bed 4, and the solenoid coil la is placed on a non-magnetic bed 4.

It is placed inside lb, 2a, 2b. In this way, an NMR image is taken. At this time, the NMR subject 3 can be monitored from the outside by an external transmitter/receiver 7 and an image display device 8 via a detector 5 that detects the NMR object 3 in the visible light range and an imaging fiber 6. Conversely, an image can be displayed on the detector 5 from the outside, and can also be used to illuminate the object 3 to be subjected to NMR imaging. The detector 5 and the imaging fiber 6 directly detect and transmit visible light, and can be constructed entirely of optical components made of non-magnetic material such as glass. Therefore, the object to be subjected to NMR imaging can be monitored externally without disturbing the uniform magnetic field. Here, the wavelength range of light does not need to be limited to the visible range, and may be, for example, the infrared range. The above was about the visible image of the object to be subjected to NMR imaging. Next, there are cases where it is necessary to have a voice conversation with the object to be subjected to NMR imaging and the outside. In this case as well, it is necessary to avoid disturbing the uniform magnetic field. As shown in FIG. 2, the sound is transmitted to a sound transmitter/receiver 11 through a sound collector (or wave sounder) 9 and an acoustic pipe 10 made of non-magnetic glass or plastic. The sound wave device 12 and the sound collector 13 allow an auditory dialogue with the object to be subjected to NMR imaging from the outside.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, an object to be subjected to NMR imaging can be visually and audibly monitored from the outside without disturbing the uniform magnetic field generated by the NMR imaging apparatus.

Further, necessary information can be sent to the object to be subjected to NMR imaging.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIGS. 1 and 2 each represent the imagen No. 10 of the present invention. 1b Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an imaging device using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), the magnetic field is transmitted between an object to be imaged for NMR disposed in a portion having a uniform magnetic field distribution and the outside of the device. An NMR imaging apparatus characterized by being provided with means for visually and aurally transmitting information using a medium that does not disturb uniformity. 2. Visually monitoring the NMR imaged object by transmitting a visible image of the NMR imaged object to an external image monitor using an image fiber having a large number of pixels in the visible light region as the medium. An NMR imaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: 3. The NMR imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an acoustic pipe is used as the medium to enable interaction with the NMR imaged object.