KR101574537B1 - Method and device for controlling function of magnetic resonance imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for performing a function of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus are provided. The method includes the steps of projecting an image including a function list that can be controlled by a testee on a hollow inner wall of a gantry in which a magnetic field is formed; Sensing a motion input of the testee with respect to an image; Selecting at least one function from a list of functions included in the image based on the detected motion input; And performing at least one function selected from the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for performing a function of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus,

The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and a method of performing a function of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that perform a predetermined function based on an input of a test subject in a gantry hollow.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a medical diagnostic imaging device that shows the internal cross-section of the human body. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a main magnet used for applying a strong magnetic field to a human body, a gradient coil used to impart position information of the magnetic field by applying an oblique magnetic field, an electromagnetic coil And a high frequency coil (RF coil) for receiving the magnetic resonance signal. The main magnet and the coil for such magnetic resonance imaging are accommodated in the gantry, and the gantry has a cylindrical structure having a bore, so that the examinee is placed in the hollow.

However, in the magnetic resonance imaging, since the cavity of the MRI apparatus in which the subject is placed is a space having a narrow and airtight feeling, the subject is bored due to the long-time shooting, and the possibility of occurrence of the motion is high. When there is a large amount of movement of the examinee, there is a concern that the image quality of the captured image may deteriorate. Therefore, it is necessary to provide contents to solve the boredom of the examinee during the shooting time. To this end, a virtualization system for providing image information to a testee during magnetic resonance imaging has been proposed. As a part of such a virtualization system, a method has been proposed in which a subject wears a spectacle displaying an image, or an image displayed outside the gantry is viewed through a mirror in the hollow to provide image information to the subject. However, in the case of the eyeglass type, there is an inconvenience of the examinee due to the hermeticity of the glasses in which the image is displayed, and the image quality through the mirror may deteriorate.

On the other hand, the screen output in the gantry of the MRI apparatus and the patient's reaction input thereto are not used in a general case. When there is a specific purpose such as fMRI, an input device using a simple keyboard or a button is provided.

US 2010-0238362 A1 (Brian Hughes) 2010.09.23 US 2005-0273000 A1 (William Dinehart Jace) 2005.12.08

There is provided a method of performing a function of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that displays an image in a hollow of a gantry and performs a predetermined function based on a motion input of the examinee with respect to the displayed image.

A method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of projecting an image including a function list that can be controlled by a testee on a hollow inner wall of a gantry in which a magnetic field is formed; Sensing a motion input of a testee with respect to an image; Selecting at least one function from a list of functions included in the image based on the detected motion input; And performing at least one selected function.

The function list according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include at least one of an emergency notification function, an illumination control function, a temperature control function, a pan intensity change function, and a content playback function.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the step of projecting is a step of projecting a magnetic resonance image (MR image) to the subject, time information, photographing information, a dialog window for communicating with an external device, an Internet browser, And projecting an image including at least one image.

The projecting step according to an embodiment of the present invention may include projecting an image further including predefined motion input information corresponding to each function included in the function list.

The sensing step according to an embodiment of the present invention may include sensing a predefined motion using an image sensor existing outside the gantry.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the detecting step may include detecting a motion input of the examinee based on at least one of a position, a movement direction, a movement speed, and a motion type of a subject's hands or a finger.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sensing step comprises the steps of: acquiring data regarding the eye movement of the examinee; And sensing the motion input of the examinee based on the data on eye movements.

The step of acquiring data on the eye movement according to an embodiment of the present invention includes acquiring at least one of eye gaze position information, eye movement speed information, eye movement direction information, and eye blinking information can do.

Obtaining data on eye movements in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes obtaining an eye image of a subject reflected by a reflector using an image sensor; And analyzing the eye image.

The step of performing at least one selected function according to an embodiment of the present invention may include adjusting at least one of the illuminance and the temperature inside the gantry based on the subject's motion input.

The step of performing at least one selected function according to an embodiment of the present invention may include outputting a notification signal based on a motion input of the testee.

The notification signal according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least one of a video signal, an audio signal, and a vibration signal.

The method according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include projecting an identification image to at least one function selected from the function list.

The method according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include the step of superimposing and projecting a pointer image corresponding to a motion input on an image.

A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an image projecting unit that projects an image including a function list that can be controlled by a testee on a hollow inner wall of a gantry in which a magnetic field is formed; A motion sensing unit for sensing a motion input of a testee with respect to an image; And a controller for selecting at least one function among the function lists included in the image based on the detected motion input and performing at least one selected function.

The image projecting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least one of a magnetic resonance image (MR image) for the examinee, time information, photographing information, a dialog window for communicating with an external device, an Internet browser, You can project one more.

The image projection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention may further project predetermined motion input information corresponding to each function included in the function list.

The motion detection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention can detect the motion input of the examinee based on at least one of the position, motion direction, motion speed, and motion type of the examinee's hand or finger.

The motion sensing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention can acquire data on the eye movement of the examinee and can sense the motion input of the examinee based on the data on the eye movement.

The motion sensing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention can acquire at least one of eye gaze position information, eye movement speed information, eye movement direction information, and eye blinking information.

A motion sensing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention can acquire an eye image of a subject reflected by a reflector and analyze an eye image using an image sensor.

The control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention can adjust at least one of the illuminance and the temperature inside the gantry based on the motion input of the testee.

The control unit according to the embodiment of the present invention can output a notification signal based on the motion input of the subject.

The image projection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention may further project an identification image to at least one function selected from the function list.

The image projection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention can project a pointer image corresponding to a motion input by superimposing the pointer image on the image.

A recording medium on which a program for causing the computer to execute the methods according to an embodiment of the present invention can be provided.

1 shows a schematic configuration of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram of an intra-hollow input / output device of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a block diagram of an MRI controller of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a wear-out module of an image projecting part of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a block diagram of an image projection unit of a MRI apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 shows an example of a constant voltage control circuit of a light source driving unit in an image projection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates operation of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates operation of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a view for explaining curved surface distortion and skew distortion of a projected image according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 shows a schematic configuration of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 shows a configuration for projecting an image using a reflector according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 illustrates a configuration for projecting an image using an optical fiber cable according to an embodiment of the present invention.
13 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing a function of a MRI apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a view showing an example of a function list and a selection screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
15 is a diagram for explaining a motion input sensing operation of the MRI apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
16 is a diagram for explaining motion recognition in the hand region according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining functional control of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an eyeball operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
18 is an exemplary view of an image projected on a hollow inner wall of a gantry according to an embodiment of the present invention.
19 is an exemplary view of an image projected on a hollow inner wall of a gantry according to an embodiment of the present invention.
20 is an exemplary view of an image projected on a hollow inner wall of a gantry according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.

Brief Description of the Drawings The advantages and features of the present invention, and how to accomplish them, will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art. Is provided to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

The terms used in this specification will be briefly described and the present invention will be described in detail.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Also, in certain cases, there may be a term selected arbitrarily by the applicant, in which case the meaning thereof will be described in detail in the description of the corresponding invention. Therefore, the term used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term, not on the name of a simple term, but on the entire contents of the present invention.

When an element is referred to as "including" an element throughout the specification, it is to be understood that the element may include other elements as well, without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Also, as used herein, the term "part " refers to a hardware component such as software, FPGA or ASIC, and" part " However, 'minus' is not limited to software or hardware. The " part " may be configured to reside on an addressable storage medium and may be configured to play back one or more processors. Thus, by way of example, and not limitation, "part (s) " refers to components such as software components, object oriented software components, class components and task components, and processes, Subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays and variables. The functions provided in the components and "parts " may be combined into a smaller number of components and" parts " or further separated into additional components and "parts ".

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In order to clearly explain the present invention in the drawings, parts not related to the description are omitted.

As used herein, the term "user" may be a doctor, a nurse, a clinical pathologist, a medical imaging specialist, or the like, and may be a technician repairing a medical device.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an intra-hollow input / output apparatus of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 .

1 and 2, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes a self-generating unit (not shown) for magnetic resonance imaging in the gantry 110, an MRI And a control unit 180. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 as described above allows the user to operate the MRI control unit 180 through the console 190 provided outside and displays the generated magnetic resonance image. The magnetism generating portion accommodated in the gantry 110 includes a main magnet used for applying a strong magnetic field to a human body, a gradient coil used to apply position information of the magnetic field by applying an oblique magnetic field, And a high frequency coil (RF coil) used to apply electromagnetic waves to the human body and receive magnetic resonance signals. Self-generating units for such magnetic resonance imaging are well known in the art and do not limit the embodiments of the present invention.

The gantry 110 has a cylindrical structure with a bore so that the table 120 on which the examinee is placed is inserted into the hollow. Here, the cylindrical structure means not only a cylindrical shape over the entire hollow of the gantry 110 but also a partially cylindrical case. Reference numeral 110a denotes a hollow inner wall 110a of the gantry 110. [ As will be described later, the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 functions as a screen for the image projecting unit 160. [

The table 120 includes a moving table 121 that can be automatically moved into the hollow of the gantry 110 in a state where the examinee is lying on the table, a support table 122 for movably supporting the moving table 121, And a table control unit 125 which is controlled by the MRI control unit 180 and drives the movement 126 of the movement table 121. [

A motion detecting unit 175 for detecting a motion input of a subject to be imaged on the image and a detachable module 160 for detachably attaching the image projecting unit 160. [ and an MRI control unit 180 for controlling the image projection unit 160, the motion sensing unit 175 and the attach / detachment module 150 form a hollow intra-input / output device.

The attachment / detachment module 150 is provided on the moving table 121 to allow the image projection unit 160 to be detachably attached thereto. The coupling part of the attachment / detachment module 150 with the beam profile vector 160 may be a connector or a docking method known in the art.

The attachment / detachment module 150 can be disposed adjacent to the side where the subject's head lying on the side for photographing is located. The subject's head position can be reversed depending on the purpose of photographing. The attachment and detachment module 150 includes a first attachment and detachment module 150-1 and a second attachment and detachment module 150-2 which are disposed at positions adjacent to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the movement table 121 so as to correspond to the lying direction of the examinee ). The first attachment / detachment module 150-1 and the second attachment and detachment module 150-2 may have the same components. In the following description, the detachable module 150 may refer to any one of the first detachable module 150-1 and the second detachable module 150-2. Each of the first attaching / detaching / attaching module 150-1 and the second attaching / detaching / attaching module 150-2 not only detachably attaches the image projecting unit 160, Image signals and control signals supplied from the MRI control unit 180 provided outside the gantry 110 to the image projection unit 160. [ Furthermore, each of the first attachment / detachment module 150-1 and the second attachment / detachment module 150-2 includes a detachment sensor 153 (see FIG. 4) for detecting whether the image projection unit 160 is attached, 180 (hereinafter, detachment / attachment information) as to whether the image projection unit 160 is attached or not.

The image projecting unit 160 is a device for projecting images. The image projecting unit 160 can be selectively attached (i.e., docked) to any one of the first attachment / detachment module 150-1 and the second attachment / detachment module 150-2. When the moving table 121 is inserted into the hollow of the gantry 110 in a state where the image projecting unit 160 is attached to any one of the first detachable module 150-1 and the second detachable module 150-2 , The image projection unit 160 projects the light beam of the image on the inner wall 110a forming the hollow. In other words, the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 functions as a screen for the image projecting unit 160. An area of the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 to which an image is projected by the image projecting unit 160 is referred to as an image projection area 115. [

The motion detecting unit 175 is a device for detecting the motion input of the examinee. The motion sensing unit 175 may sense a predetermined motion using an image sensor existing outside the gantry 110. [ The image sensor may be a camera that captures a part of the subject's body, or other known sensor. In addition, the camera may be a 3D depth camera. An area where the motion of the examinee is sensed by the motion sensing unit 175 is referred to as a motion sensing area 117. The motion detection area 117 may be located in the same area as the image projection area 115 and may be located in an area separate from the image projection area 115. [

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the MRI control unit 180. FIG. 2 and 3, the MRI control unit 180 includes a control signal for controlling the attach / detachment module 150, the image projection unit 160, and the motion sensing unit 175, which constitute a hollow intra- And a projection signal processing unit 185 for processing a video signal supplied to the image projection unit 160. The projection signal processing unit 185 may be part of a signal processing unit that controls various units of the MRI apparatus 100 and processes magnetic resonance images. The video signal processed by the projection signal processing unit 185 may be for various contents that can alleviate the tension of the subject during the shooting time and give useful information. Such contents may include, for example, contents such as moving pictures, photographs, photographing state information (photographing time information, photographing guide information, photographing site information), and information for fMRI.

The MRI controller 180 may further include a video switch 181 and a power switch 182. The video switch 181 connects the transmission line of the video signal and the control signal (video & control) from the first detachable module 150-1 and the second detachable module 150-2 to the image projection unit 160, It is possible to switch to the module side to which the module is attached. A power switch 182 connects the supply line of the projector power to the first detachable module 150-1 and the second detachable module 150-2 through a module to which the image projection unit 160 is attached . ≪ / RTI > The central processing unit (CPU) 186 provided in the signal processor 185 controls the video switch control signal and the power switch control signal according to the detachment / The operation of the video switch 181 and the power switch 182 can be controlled. For example, when the image projection unit 160 is attached to the first detachable module 150-1, the first detachable module 150-1 can transmit the first detachment information to the MRI control unit 180. [ Also, when the image projection unit 160 is attached to the second detachable module 150-2, the second detachable module 150-2 can transmit the second detachment information to the MRI controller 180. [

4 shows a block diagram of the attachment / detachment module 150. FIG. The detachable module 150 shown in FIG. 4 may be any one of the first detachable module 150-1 and the second detachable module 150-2.

2 and 4, the detachable module 150 includes a data connector 151 and a power connector 152 for transmitting video and control signals (video & control). The attachment / detachment module 150 may further include a detachment sensor 153. The detachable sensor 153 senses whether the image projection unit 160 is attached and transmits detachable information to the MRI control unit 180 so that the image projection unit 160 can detect the presence or absence of the first detachable module 150-1 and / So that the MRI control unit 180 can know which of the second attachment / detachment modules 150-2 is attached. It is possible to detect a change in the signal that the data connector 151 or the power connector 152 is fed back in place of the detachment sensor 153 so that the image projection unit 160 can detect the change in the signal that is fed back to the first detachable module 150-1 and the second detachable It is possible to detect which one of the modules 150-2 is attached. As described above, the MRI control unit 180 controls only one of the first attachment / detachment module 150-1 and the second attachment / detachment module 150-2 in accordance with the information on whether the image projection unit 160 is attached or not Video signal / control signal and power supply.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the motion sensing unit 175 may be attached to the detachable module 150. The detachment sensor 153 senses whether the motion sensor 175 is attached and transmits detachment information to the MRI controller 180 so that the motion sensor 175 detects the presence of the first detachable module 150-1 and the second detachable module 175. [ So that the MRI controller 180 can recognize whether the MRI controller 150 has been attached to the MRI controller 150-2. The motion detector 175 detects a change in the signal fed back from the data connector 151 or the power connector 152 in place of the detachment sensor 153 so that the first detachable module 150-1 and the second detachable It is possible to detect which one of the modules 150-2 is attached. The MRI control unit 180 controls the first and second detachable modules 150-1 and 150-2 so that only one of the first detachable module 150-1 and the second detachable module 150-2 receives a control signal and power .

Fig. 5 shows a block diagram of the image projection unit 160. Fig. 2 and 5, the image projecting unit 160 includes a video data receiver 161, an operation processing unit (CPU) 162, a beam projection controller 165, A light source driver 166, a light source 167, an image panel 169, a projection lens 170, an illumination lens 170, ) ≪ / RTI > The video signal input terminal 161 receives the video signal transmitted from the MRI control unit 180 and transmits the video signal to the beam projection control unit 165. The transmitted video signal is converted into a video signal for beam projection in the beam projection control unit 165, and is transmitted to the video panel 169. As the image panel 169, for example, a known image panel such as a transmissive LCD panel or a reflective DMD panel may be used. Further, the beam projection control unit 165 transmits the light source driving signal corresponding to the image signal for beam projection to the light source driving unit 166. The image projection unit 160 may be provided with an operation processing unit 162 for controlling the image signal input terminal 161 or the light source driving unit 166 according to a control signal input thereto and a series of control data stored in the memory 163. [ In addition, a power converter 164 for converting power into a size suitable for various units of the image projecting unit 160 may be incorporated in the image projecting unit 160. The image panel 169 can display an image according to a video signal for beam projection. For example, when the light source 167 is driven according to the transmitted light source driving signal, the light beam illuminated on the image panel 169 through the illumination lens 171 is transmitted or reflected by the image panel 169, 169, and is projected through the projection lens 170. The projection lens 170 is a projection lens. The projection lens 170 controls the focus manually or automatically so that a light beam of the projected image is formed on the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110. [

The image projecting unit 160 may further include an illuminance sensor 168 for sensing the illuminance of the hollow interior of the gantry 110. In this case, the illuminance information of the hollow interior sensed by the illuminance sensor 168 is transmitted to the light source driver so as to control the brightness when the light source 167 is driven. In addition, the brightness may vary depending on the hollow depth of the gantry 110. Accordingly, the brightness of the light source 167 may be controlled so as to match the hollow of the depth corresponding to the depth into which the moving table 121 enters the gantry 110. That is, as the position of the image formed on the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 moves, the amount of light of the image projected by the image projecting unit 160 is varied so that the brightness of the projected image can be maintained constant .

Since heat is generated in the light source 167 or the like during the driving of the image projection unit 160, the heat generated in the image projection unit 160 can act sensitively to the subject. Accordingly, the image projecting unit 160 is disposed at a predetermined distance from the subject's head. In addition, the image projecting unit 160 may be provided with a radiation member (not shown). As such a heat dissipating member, a well-known structure such as a heat sink and a heat dissipating fan can be employed. When an electromagnetic motor is used for driving the heat-dissipating fan, electromagnetic shielding may be required in view of the high magnetic field in the hollow of the gantry 110. [

The projection image has various resolutions and screen sizes. The beam projection controller 165 can perform a scaling signal process for converting the input image signal into a format to be projected (for example, resolution, screen size, etc.) have. When an image to be projected is selected by a user's operation in the console (190 in FIG. 1), the MRI control unit 180 can transmit a video output change request to the image projection unit 160 so as to match the image output to the image processing to be projected have. The beam projection control unit 165 may operate according to the video output change request. It goes without saying that such a scaler may be provided on the MRI controller 180 side.

Since the image projecting section 160 is inserted together with the moving table 121 in the hollow of the gantry 110, the image projecting section 160 can have electromagnetic field shielding so as not to be affected by the magnetic field and electric field in the hollow of the gantry 110.

In addition, the image projecting unit 160 may constitute a circuit so as to minimize the influence of a high magnetic field in the hollow of the gantry 110.

6 shows a schematic configuration of the constant voltage control circuit in the light source driver 166 which is a part of the circuit block of the image projection unit 160. As shown in Fig. 6, among the various functions of the light source driver 166, the power source for the light source 167 supplies a light source 167, which changes rapidly in order to make the brightness of the light source 167 constant during operation of the image projector 160 It is required to supply a constant voltage power to the current. The light source driving unit 166 uses an adjustable regulator 1661 that does not use an inductor. The variable regulator 1661 converts the input power source into a predetermined constant voltage and outputs it. Since the variable regulator 1661 does not use an inductor, it is not greatly affected by a strong magnetic field in the hollow of the gantry 110. [ However, the switching time of the variable regulator 1661 itself is delayed due to the characteristics of the components, and the output of the constant voltage power supply may be unstable when a sudden current is generated. The light source driver 166 further includes a constant voltage controller 1662 and a current sensor 1663. The constant voltage controller 1662 may include a fast switching element made up of FET, TR, and the like. The current sensor 1663 senses the current supplied to the light source 167 and informs the constant voltage controller 1662 of information on the magnitude of the supplied current. The constant voltage controller 1662 causes the constant voltage power source to be stably supplied to the light source 167 by the high speed control of the switching element based on the information of the current magnitude sensed by the current sensor 1663, So that a light beam of constant brightness for projection can be emitted.

7A to 7C show the operation of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 of this embodiment.

Figs. 7A and 7B show the operation of moving the hollow interior of the gantry 110 (126) while the subject is lying on the moving table 121. Fig. Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the MRI imaging is performed while the examinee is lying on the moving table 121. Therefore, before the MRI image capturing is started, the image projecting unit 160 is mounted on the side adjacent to the subject's head among the first attachment / detachment module 150-1 and the second attachment / detachment module 150-2. 7A and 7B illustratively show a case where the first detachable module 150-1 is adjacent to the subject's head.

When the MRI image capturing is started, the moving table 121 enters the hollow interior of the gantry 110. The image projecting unit 160 is activated when the moving table 121 enters the hollow interior of the gantry 110 to project the image onto the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110. [ The time at which the image projecting unit 160 starts projecting the image may be a time point at which the head of the examinee enters the hollow of the gantry 110, or immediately before or immediately after the head of the examinee enters the hollow of the gantry 110. Alternatively, the time at which the image projecting unit 160 starts projecting the image may be set to a time point at which the movement table 121 enters the hollow of the gantry 110 regardless of the subject's head position.

The image projecting unit 160 projects an image on the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 located on the side facing the examinee's line of sight. The image projecting unit 160 may project an image onto the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 located above the examinee's head when the examinee's eye line is requested to be fixed in an upward direction during image capturing.

Meanwhile, since the image projecting unit 160 is disposed adjacent to the head of the examinee, the image of the image projecting unit 160 can be projected in a state in which the viewing angle of the examinee is assured. As the image projecting unit 160 is installed on the moving table 121, the image projected by the image projecting unit 160 is moved 127 together with the movement 126 of the moving table 121 . Accordingly, since the image is also moved along with the movement of the movement table 121 while the examinee is taking the image, the examinee can see the image as it is without moving his or her eyes.

The projected image may be, for example, content such as a moving image, a photograph, photographing state information (photographing time information, photographing guide information, photographing site information), information for fMRI, and the like. For example, when the MRI imaging is started, rough imaging guidance information may be displayed. In addition, the shooting end time may be displayed in real time. In addition, in order to alleviate the tension of the examinee, an image having a content irrelevant to photographing may be displayed.

The direction of the head of the examinee may be reversed with respect to the longitudinal direction of the moving table 120 depending on the photographing purpose. Referring to Fig. 7C, the direction in which the head of the examinee heads is opposite to the direction shown in Figs. 7A and 7B. When the position of the subject is changed in this manner, the second detachable module 150-2 adjacent to the head of the examinee whose position is detached from the image-projecting part 160 attached to the first detachable module 150-1, The projection unit 160 is attached. 7A and 7B, since the subject's head is positioned adjacent to the first attachment / detachment module 150-1, the image projection unit 160 is moved in a state of being attached to the first attachment / detachment module 150-1 do. 7C, since the subject's head is positioned adjacent to the second detachable module 150-2, the image projecting unit 160 operates while being attached to the second detachable module 150-2. 7A and 7B) and the second arrangement (in the case of FIG. 7C) at the time when the image projection unit 160 starts the image projection. The first arrangement is such that the head of the examinee faces the entry direction of the gantry 110 of the moving table 121 into the hollow. The second arrangement is such that the legs of the examinee are directed to the entry direction of the gantry 110 of the moving table 121 into the hollow. That is, in the first arrangement, the projection of the image is started on the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 at the time when the head of the examinee enters the hollow of the gantry 110. In the second arrangement, The projection of the image onto the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 may be started at the time of entering the hollow. Of course, the starting point of the image projection may be changed by selection of at least one of the user and the subject.

When the user selects an appropriate content through the console 190, information of the selected content may be transmitted to the image projecting unit 160 through the MRI control unit 180 and the attach / detachment module 150. The arithmetic processing unit 162 receiving the image output request in the image projecting unit 160 can control each unit of the image projecting unit 160 to project an image. If the selected content does not match the resolution and screen size appropriate for the video output, the MRI control unit 180 transmits a control command requesting the video output change to the image projection unit 160, The projection control unit 165 may perform down / up scaling according to the resolution and screen size appropriate for the video output in response to the video output change request. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can select the content based on the motion input of the subject sensed by the motion sensing unit 175. [ Information of the selected content may be transmitted to the image projecting unit 160 through the MRI control unit 180 and the attach / detachment module 150. The arithmetic processing unit 162 receiving the image output request in the image projecting unit 160 can control each unit of the image projecting unit 160 to project an image.

The conventional magnetic resonance imaging apparatus has suffered from the boredom of the examinee due to the long-time photographing and the inconvenience of the examinee due to the narrow space in which the examinee is placed. In addition, due to such boredom and inconvenience, the image quality of the photographed image is degraded due to the patient's motion generated during the imaging. As described above, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 of the present embodiment can display various contents to the examinee by displaying images in a beam project manner in an open space inside the hollow, so that the boredom or discomfort Thereby reducing the motion of the patient and preventing deterioration of the image quality of the photographed image.

8 shows the operation of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 'of this embodiment.

The direction of lying on the subject movement table 120 may vary depending on the purpose of image capturing. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, there may be a case where the subject is laid sideways for the purpose of image capturing. The attaching / detaching module 150 'in which the image projecting unit 160 is mounted rotates the rotating unit so that the image projecting direction of the image projecting unit 160 is parallel to the eye direction of the examinee (C) toward the same lateral direction. The image projection direction of the image projection unit 160 may be changed by manual operation of the user or automatically.

The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 'may further include a position tracking sensor for detecting a position where the subject lies down or a direction in which the subject's gaze is directed. The position-tracking sensor may be a camera for photographing the face of the examinee, or other known sensor. The position tracking sensor may be included in the motion sensing unit 175. For example, when the position tracking sensor is a camera, the photographed face image of the photographed subject is sent to the MRI control unit 180, and the projection signal processing unit 185 of the MRI control unit 180 reads the photographed face image of the photographed subject, Eye position of the eye. The method of detecting the eye position in such a facial photograph is a well-known technique, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The MRI control unit 180 automatically drives the rotation part of the attaching / detaching module 150 'corresponding to the detected eye position of the examinee so that the image projecting direction of the image projecting unit 160 rotates (C). In one embodiment of the present invention, the rotation unit provided in the detachable module 150 'is an example of the projection direction switching unit for switching the projection direction of the image projection unit 160. As another example, such a projection direction switching unit may be provided in the image projection unit 160 itself. For example, the projection lens 170 may be mounted on the gantry 110 of the image projection unit 160 so that the direction of the projection lens 170 can be changed.

9A is a view for explaining curved surface distortion of a projected image in the MRI apparatus 100. FIG. 9B is a view for explaining the skew distortion of a projected image in the MRI apparatus 100. FIG. to be.

The inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 is a curved surface whose cross section is cylindrical. Therefore, the image projected on the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 generates curved surface distortion due to the curved shape of the inner wall 110a. The beam projection control unit (165 in FIG. 5) first generates the first-order first-order distortion that cancels the curved surface distortion due to the curved surface shape of the inner wall 110a in the image signal processing process, Can be removed.

The beam projection control unit 165 of FIG. 5 converts the image signal transmitted from the MRI control unit 180 into a video signal for beam projection, and outputs a distortion generated by projecting the image to the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 And perform a function of a correction processing unit for performing preliminary correction for canceling the correction.

9 (b), the light beam B projected from one side can be projected obliquely with respect to the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110, when viewed from the longitudinal section of the gantry 110. FIG. The image projecting unit 160 may project the light beam B toward the upper side of the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 while the image projecting unit 160 is spaced from the head of the examinee by a predetermined distance, It may be required to project the projection 110 obliquely with respect to the inner wall 110a. Such skew projection may cause skew distortion. Accordingly, the beam projection control unit 165 additionally generates the preceding second-order distortion that cancels the skew distortion generated as a result of being obliquely projected on the inner wall 110a in the image signal processing process, and thus the distortion of the image formed on the curved inner wall 110a It is also possible to perform the function of the correction processing unit.

When the image projection direction of the image projecting unit 160 moves along the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 as the examinee's gaze direction changes, the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110, The curved surface distortion of the image projected on the inner wall 110a is generated. Further, when the image projection direction of the image projection unit 160 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the gantry 110, the amount of distortion of skew distortion may vary. In this manner, when the image projection direction of the image projection unit 160 is changed, the beam projection control unit 165 can change the amount of distortion of the first order and second order distortion corresponding thereto.

In this embodiment, the curved surface distortion due to the curved shape of the inner wall 110a or the skew distortion generated as the projection is performed obliquely on the inner wall 110a is corrected by the signal processing method in the beam projection control unit 165 However, the present invention is not limited thereto. A correction processing unit for removing curved surface distortion or skew distortion may be provided in the MRI control unit 180. [ In addition to optical signal processing, optical methods may be used to eliminate such distortions.

Although the above embodiments are described by taking the case where the detachable modules 150 and 150 'include both the first detachable module 150-1 and the second detachable module 150-2, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the detachable modules 150 and 150 'may be provided with only one of the first detachable module 150-1 and the second detachable module 150-2. Or the attachment / detachment modules 150 and 150 'may be provided at three or more positions on the moving table 121. Further, the image projecting unit 160 may be fixedly disposed on the moving table 121 without the detachable modules 150 and 150 '.

In the above-described embodiment, the hollow of the gantry 110 has a cylindrical structure. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the hollow of the gantry 110 may have an elliptical shape, or may have other shapes.

10 illustrates a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 "according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 10, the hollow of the gantry 111 of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100" 111a and a part of the planar inner wall 111b. The planar inner wall 111b may be located above the hollow of the gantry 111. [ The planar inner wall 111b may be formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the hollow of the gantry 111. [

The image projection unit 160 can project an image on the inner wall 112 of the plane. The image projected by the image projecting unit 160 is displayed on the moving table 121 in a state where the patient is positioned on the moving table 121 You can see it right on the bed. When an image is projected on the inner wall 112 of the planar surface, curved surface distortion is not generated in the projected image unlike the above-described embodiment, so correction for curved surface distortion can be omitted.

In the present embodiment, the inner wall 111b is located above the hollow of the gantry 111. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the planar inner wall 111b may be located on the side of the hollow of the gantry 111.

Furthermore, although the present embodiment has been described by exemplifying the case where only one planar inner wall 111b is provided, it is not limited thereto. That is, the hollow of the gantry 111 may be formed of a combination of a plurality of planar inner walls and curved inner walls, or may consist of a plurality of planar inner walls. For example, the hollow inner walls of the gantry 111 are all formed of planar inner walls, and may have a polygonal cross-section.

FIG. 11 shows a configuration for projecting an image using a reflector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

11A, according to the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 200 of the present embodiment, only the reflector 270 is disposed on the moving table 121 that can be moved into the hollow of the gantry 110, (260) is located outside the hollow of the gantry (110). At least a portion of the support 122 extends outwardly into the hollow of the gantry 110. The image projecting unit 260 may be installed on the hollow outside portion of the gantry 110 of the support table 122. While the MRI image is being taken, the moving table 121 enters the hollow of the gantry 110 while being supported by the supporting table 122, and the supporting table 122 is fixed, so that the reflector 270 placed on the moving table 121 ) Enters the hollow of the gantry 110, while the image projection portion 260 remains outside the hollow of the gantry 110.

The present embodiment is substantially similar to the above embodiment except that the reflector 270 is disposed on the moving table 121 and the image projecting portion 260 is positioned outside the hollow of the gantry 110 same.

The image projecting unit 260 can project a light beam of a parallel light flux having an infinite focus. In another case, the image projecting unit 260 may project a converging light flux or a light beam of a diverging light flux. The reflector 270 (e.g., a mirror) may have an aspheric reflective surface that reflects a light beam projected from the image projecting unit 260 and enlarges the light beam to a wide angle. In another case, the reflector 270 may have a flat reflective surface that reflects the light beam projected from the image projecting unit 260 as it is.

Since the image projecting unit 260 is provided outside the hollow of the gantry 110 unlike the embodiment described above, it is relatively free to influence the magnetic field and the electric field in the hollow of the gantry 110. [ Thus, the image projection unit 260 need not have strict electromagnetic field shielding, so the design can be more free. For example, in the above-described embodiment, as the image projecting unit 160 is positioned in the hollow of the gantry 110, as described with reference to FIG. 6, the circuit design of the light source driver 166 is separately prepared However, this embodiment reduces the burden of such a circuit design.

FIG. 11 (b) shows an in-hollow image projection of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 200 using the reflector 270 according to the present embodiment. 11 (b), the image projecting unit 260 projects a light beam B containing the image, and the reflector 270 reflects the projected light beam B to the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 .

When the examinee lays down on the moving table 121 for MRI imaging, before the MRI imaging is started, the image projecting unit 260 moves the first detachable module 250-1 and the second detachable module 250-2, Which is adjacent to the head of the examinee. Likewise, the reflector 270 is mounted on the side adjacent to the subject's head among the first reflector attachment / detachment device 271 and the second reflector attachment / detachment device 272. 11A exemplarily shows a case where the first detachable attachment module 250-1 and the first detachable attachable / detachable device 271 are adjacent to the subject's head.

When the MRI image capturing is started, the moving table 121 enters the hollow interior of the gantry 110. Since the reflector 270 is disposed on the moving table 121, the reflector 270 enters the hollow of the gantry 110 along with the movement of the moving table 121. Since the image projecting unit 260 is installed on the supporting table 122, the moving table 121 is still positioned outside the hollow of the gantry 110, even if the moving table 121 enters the hollow interior of the gantry 110.

The image projecting unit 260 starts projecting the image immediately before or immediately after the head of the examinee enters the hollow of the gantry 110. [ Or the time when the image projecting unit 260 starts projecting the image may be set to a time point when the movement table 121 enters the hollow interior of the gantry 110 regardless of the subject's head position.

Since the reflector 270 is disposed on the moving table 121, an image formed on the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 is reflected by the reflector 270 as the moving table 121 moves. On the other hand, the image projecting unit 260 can project the light beam B of the parallel light flux having infinite focus. Even if the distance between the reflector 270 and the image projecting unit 260 varies according to the movement 128 of the moving table 121 when the image projecting unit 260 projects the parallel light beam B, The focal point of the image formed on the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 by the reflector 270 can be maintained as it is regardless of the movement 126 of the gantry 110. [

FIG. 12 shows a schematic configuration of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 300 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

12A, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment includes a projection lens unit 370 disposed on a moving table 121 that can be moved into the hollow of a gantry 110, 360 are disposed on the hollow outside of the gantry 110. The image unit 360 and the projection lens unit 370 are connected by an optical fiber cable 375. The optical fiber cable 370 is flexible so that even if the distance between the image unit 360 and the projection lens unit 370 is changed in accordance with the movement of the movable table 121, The light source 370 may be optically connected. The image unit 360, the optical fiber cable 375, and the projection lens unit 370 are examples of known optical fiber projectors.

As shown in FIG. 12 (a), the image unit 360 can be installed on a support table 122 for movably supporting the movement table 121. The direction in which the examinee is laid down can be reversed so that the projection lens unit 370 can be detachably attached to the position where the head of the examinee at both ends of the moving table 121 is placed, Unit attaching / detaching devices 371 and 372 may be provided. The first and second video unit attach / detach modules 350-1 and 350-2 can be detachably attached to both ends of the support table 122. An image unit 360 for generating an image outside the hollow of the gantry 110, detachable modules 350-1 and 350-2 for the first and second image units to which the image unit 360 is detachably attached, The projection lens unit 370 and the MRI control unit 380, which project the light beam generated by the light source 360 onto the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110, form a hollow intra-input / output device.

12 (b) shows a schematic configuration of an optical fiber projector in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 300 of this embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12 (b), when the examinee lays on the movement table 121 for MRI imaging, before the MRI image capturing starts, the image unit 360 is moved to the first attachment / detachment module 350-1, 2 detachable module 350-2 adjacent to the head of the examinee. Likewise, the projection lens unit 370 is mounted on the side adjacent to the subject's head among the first and second projection lens unit attaching / detaching devices 371 and 372. 12B exemplarily shows a case where the first detachable attachment module 350-1 and the first detachment attachment device 371 for a projection lens unit are adjacent to the subject's head.

When the MRI image capturing is started, the moving table 121 enters the hollow interior of the gantry 110. Since the projection lens unit 370 is disposed on the moving table 121, the projection lens unit 370 enters the hollow interior of the gantry 110 along with the movement of the moving table 121. Since the image unit 360 is installed on the supporting table 122, the moving table 121 is still located outside the hollow of the gantry 110, even if the moving table 121 enters the hollow interior of the gantry 110.

The image unit 360 starts to project an image at the moment when the head of the examinee enters the hollow of the gantry 110 or immediately before or immediately after the head of the examinee enters the hollow of the gantry 110. [ Or the time at which the image unit 360 starts projecting the image may be set to a time point at which the movement table 121 enters the hollow interior of the gantry 110 regardless of the subject's head position.

The image unit 360 generates an image and sends a light beam containing the image through the optical fiber cable 375 to the projection lens unit 370. The optical fiber cable 375 includes a plurality of optical fibers 365a and a plurality of optical fibers 365a are installed in the same arrangement at the emitting end of the image unit 360 and the incident end of the projection lens unit 370. [ Accordingly, the plurality of optical fibers 365a of the optical fiber cable 375 transmit the optical beam of the image formed by the image unit 360 to the projection lens unit 370 while the image is held. The light beam B of the image transmitted to the projection lens unit 370 is projected onto the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 via the projection lenses 371. [ Since the projection lens unit 370 is disposed on the moving table 121, an image projected from the projection lens unit 370 to the inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 is also moved as the moving table 121 moves .

The present embodiment can employ the optical fiber projector method to place the image unit 360 on the hollow outside of the gantry 110 so that the image unit 360 can detect the influence of the magnetic field and electric field in the hollow of the gantry 110 It is relatively free. In addition, since the projection lens unit 370 itself is made of optical parts that are not affected by the electromagnetic field, the hollow I / O device according to the present embodiment does not need strict electromagnetic field shielding, so that the design can be more free.

13 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing a function of a MRI apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In step 1310, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can project an image including a function list that can be controlled by the testee on the hollow inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 in which the magnetic field is formed.

The function list according to an embodiment of the present invention may include information about at least one function that can be controlled by a testee among the functions provided in the MRI apparatus 100. [ For example, the function list may include at least one of an emergency notification function, an illuminance control function, a temperature control function, a pan intensity change function, and a content reproduction function, but is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the function list may be composed of an identification image (e.g., an icon) representing each function, or may be composed of text representing each function.

The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may project predefined motion input information corresponding to each function included in the function list on the hollow inner wall of the gantry 110. [ At this time, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can display predefined motion input information in a part of the projected image. When the motion of the examinee is detected, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 magnifies and projects the motion input information displayed in some areas, thereby allowing the examinee to easily confirm the motion input information. The examinee can view the motion input information and take a motion corresponding to the function to be performed. This will be described later in more detail with reference to FIG.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 includes a magnetic resonance imaging (hereinafter, referred to as 'MR image'), time information, imaging information, a dialog window for communicating with an external device, , At least one of the test subject's terminal screen and the moving image content may be projected onto the hollow inner wall of the gantry 110. [

For example, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can project an image showing the MR image of a subject being photographed in real time on the hollow inner wall of the gantry 110. The MR image may be displayed as a thumbnail image in the form of a still image composed of a plurality of slides, or may be displayed in a moving image format.

Further, in one embodiment of the present invention, the time information may include at least one of a current time, a time at which shooting was started, and a remaining shooting time.

The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 may also project an image including photographing information onto a hollow inner wall of the gantry 110. [ For example, the photographing information may include at least one of protocol information, the purpose of the scan, the scan time, the remaining time, the noise level, the representative image, the contrast agent input information, The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can automatically display the information about the protocol on the hollow inner wall of the gantry 110 during imaging of the examinee even if the examinee does not select to view the protocol information.

The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 may also project an image including a dialog window for communicating with an external device onto the hollow inner wall of the gantry 110. [ For example, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can project an image including a question for fMRI examination on the hollow inner wall of the gantry 110. [ As another example, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 may display motion input information on the hollow inner wall of the gantry 110 to inform an emergency of the examinee during imaging.

In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the MRI apparatus 100 may project an image including the Internet browser onto the hollow inner wall of the gantry 110. [ For example, when the computer is connected to the external console 190, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 projects an image including the Internet browser on the hollow inner wall of the gantry 110, and based on the subject's motion input, Lt; / RTI > The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can receive computer screen information according to the result of the control command and display it on the hollow inner wall of the gantry 110.

The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 may also project an image including a terminal screen onto the hollow inner wall of the gantry 110. [ For example, when the testee's terminal is connected to an external console 190, the MRI apparatus 100 receives the terminal screen information and displays the terminal screen on the inner wall of the gantry 110. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can transmit a control command to the terminal based on the motion input of the examinee and can receive the terminal screen information according to the result of the control command and display it on the hollow inner wall of the gantry 110 have. Thus, the examinee can use his / her terminal inside the gantry 110.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the moving picture contents may be contents irrelevant to the picture taking, and the moving picture contents list may be stored in advance according to the taste of the examinee. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 displays the moving image content on the hollow inner wall of the gantry 110 to alleviate the tension of the examinee and to eliminate the boredom of the examinee due to the long photographing time.

In one embodiment of the invention, the image may be composed of at least one frame. Also, when the image is composed of a plurality of frames, the image may be composed of at least one main frame. The main frame can be defined as a frame occupying the widest area of the frame projected on the hollow inner wall of the gantry 110. The sub-frame may be defined as a frame excluding the main frame among the frames projected on the hollow inner wall of the gantry 110. For example, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 displays a function list in a first area that is a main frame, displays moving picture content in a second area that is a subframe, and displays time information in a third area that is a subframe can do.

In step 1320, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can sense the subject's motion input to the projected image.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can detect a predefined motion using an image sensor that is external to the gantry 110. The image sensor may be a camera for photographing the subject, or other known sensor. An example of an image sensor is a 3D Depth camera. 3D Depth camera is a camera that recognizes a 3D shape using depth information of a subject.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the image sensor may be attached to the detachable module 150. When the image projection unit 160 and the motion sensing unit 175 are constituted by a single module, they may be integrally formed.

The image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention can detect a motion input of an examinee by photographing a part of the body of the examinee. For example, the image sensor can detect the movement of the examinee's hand or finger.

The hand region of the subject sensed by the image sensor may be an area overlapped with the region on the projected image. As another example, the subject's hand region sensed by the image sensor may be located in a different area than the projected image. The hand area of the examinee sensed by the image sensor can be determined according to the scanned part and protocol of the examinee. For example, when the scan region is the head, the hand region of the examinee sensed by the image sensor may be a movement region in a state where the examinee extends his / her hand downward. When the scan region is a leg, the hand region of the examinee sensed by the image sensor may be a movement region in a state where the examinee extends his / her hand up.

The image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention can detect a motion input of a testee based on at least one of a position, a movement direction, a movement speed, and a movement type of a subject's hand or finger.

For example, the apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may receive a virtual touch input of a testee using an image sensor. The virtual touch input may refer to a touch gesture of the examinee with respect to an image projected on the hollow inner wall of the gantry 110. The touch gesture may include, but is not limited to, a tap, a double tap, a touch and hold, a drag, a touch and drag flick, a panning, a swipe,

The "tap" indicates an operation in which the user immediately touches the screen using a finger or a touch tool (e.g., an electronic pen) and immediately lifts it from the screen without moving.

"Touch & hold" represents an operation for the user to touch the screen using a finger or a touch tool (e.g., an electronic pen) and then maintain the touch input for a critical time (e.g., 2 seconds) or more. That is, the time difference between the touch-in point and the touch-out point is equal to or greater than a threshold time (for example, 2 seconds). In order to allow the user to recognize whether the touch input is a tap or a touch & hold, the feedback signal may be provided visually, audibly or tactually when the touch input is maintained for a predetermined time or more. The threshold time may vary depending on the implementation.

"Double tap" indicates an operation in which the user touches the screen twice with a finger or a stylus.

"Drag" means an operation of moving a finger or a touch tool to another position in the screen while the user holds the touch after touching the finger or the touch tool on the screen. The object is moved due to the drag operation or a panning operation to be described later is performed.

"Panning" indicates a case where a user performs a drag operation without selecting an object. Since panning does not select a specific object, the object is not moved within the page, but the page itself moves within the screen, or the group of objects moves within the page.

A "flick" represents an operation in which a user drags a finger or touch tool to a critical velocity (e.g., 100 pixel / s) or more. It is possible to distinguish the drag (or panning) from the flick based on whether the moving speed of the finger or the touch tool is equal to or greater than a critical speed (for example, 100 pixel / s).

"Drag & drop" means an operation in which a user drags an object to a predetermined position on the screen using a finger or a touch tool, and then releases the object.

A " pinch " represents an operation in which a user moves two fingers in different directions while touching the screen. It is a gesture for pinch opening or pinch closing of an object or a page, and a magnification value or a reduction value is determined according to the distance between two fingers.

A " swipe " is an operation of moving a certain distance in the horizontal or vertical direction while touching an object on the screen with a finger or a touch tool. Motion in the diagonal direction may not be recognized as a swipe event.

The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can recognize a virtual touch input such as tapping or touching and holding a specific item by a subject using an image sensor.

The apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may detect a motion input of a testee based on a kind of motion of a hand (hereinafter, referred to as a "hand gesture").

A hand gesture corresponding to each function included in the function list may be predefined. When the examinee takes a predefined specific hand gesture (e.g., finger waving, finger bending and spreading) gestures, the MRI apparatus 100 can detect a specific hand gesture using the image sensor. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can analyze the detected specific hand gesture and detect the function corresponding to the specific hand gesture destination.

The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may project a pointer image corresponding to a hand movement of a testee by superimposing the pointer image on the image. This will be described later in more detail with reference to FIG.

The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can detect a motion input of a subject by taking an eye movement of the subject using the image sensor.

For example, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can acquire data on eye movements of the examinee by photographing the eyes of the examinee by the image sensor. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can sense the motion input of the testee based on the data on the eye movement obtained by the image sensor. The data regarding the eye movement may be at least one of eye gaze position information, eye movement speed information, eye movement direction information, and eye blinking information, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

In addition, the image sensor may acquire an eye image of a subject reflected from a reflector (e.g., a mirror) to recognize the eye movement of the examinee.

According to one embodiment, a motion input by an eye action corresponding to each of the functions included in the function list can be defined. When the examinee takes a predefined specific eye movement (for example, blinking twice, taking an upper gaze, etc.), the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can sense a specific eye movement of the examinee through the image sensor. The MRI apparatus 100 can analyze a specific eye movement of the sensed subject. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may project the pointer image corresponding to the eye movement of the examinee on the image.

In step 1330, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can select at least one function from the function list included in the image based on the subject's motion input.

The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can select a function corresponding to a virtual touch input of a testee. For example, when the examinee double-tapes the area where the temperature control function is displayed with the finger, the MRI apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention can select the temperature control function from the function list.

According to the motion input according to the hand gesture recognition according to the embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can detect the function corresponding to the gesture of the examinee and select the detected function. For example, when the examinee performs an operation of swinging his or her hand in a left-right direction, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention recognizes that a dialogue with the outside is requested for communication , A dialog request notification sound may be output. . ≪ / RTI >

The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can select a function corresponding to a motion input by eye movement of a subject. For example, when the examinee blinks after gazing for a predetermined period of time in a region where the temperature control function is displayed, the MRI apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention performs a temperature control function You can choose.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the examinee can make a motion input to communicate with the outside. For example, an action that makes a hand an 'O' shape indicates an affirmation to a question, and a motion that shakes the hand side to side may be defined as denying a question. In addition, when the user is not in the middle of a question, the action of shaking the hand to the left or right may be defined as requesting a dialog with the outside for communication.

In step 1340, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 may perform at least one function selected based on the subject's motion input.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can adjust at least one of the illuminance and the temperature inside the gantry 110 based on the subject's motion input. Illuminance control can be adjusted by adjusting the intensity of the gantry 110 internal illumination. The temperature adjustment can be adjusted by changing the internal fan strength of the gantry 110.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can output a notification signal based on the motion input of the subject. The notification signal may include at least one of a video signal, an audio signal, and a vibration signal. For example, when an emergency situation such as difficulty breathing occurs in the examinee, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can select a notification function based on the motion input of the examinee. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 may output a warning or notification image to the console 190 or output a specific sound.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can select any one of a plurality of frames included in an image based on a motion input of a testee. In this case, the size of the selected frame can be expanded to become the main frame.

For example, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can project an MR image being photographed in a first region, which is a main frame, and project a second region moving image content, which is a subframe. When the subject takes a motion input (for example, touching the second area) to select the second area, the size of the second area is enlarged, the size of the first area is reduced, And the first area may be a sub-frame.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can project an identification image to at least one selected function. For example, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 may project a border image, a selection symbol (for example, a star display) for emphasizing an icon corresponding to a selected function, It is possible to largely change and project it.

As another example, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can display information on the selected function. For example, when the examinee selects the temperature control function inside the gantry 110, the MRI apparatus 100 displays motion information for controlling the current temperature and temperature control function (e.g., Touch) can be projected.

14 is a view showing an example of a function list and a selection screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

14A, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can select an emergency notification function 1410, an illumination control function 1420, a temperature control function 1430, and a fan strength change function 1450 An image including the icons may be projected onto the hollow inner wall of the gantry 110. [

Referring to FIG. 14 (b), the MRI apparatus 100 may sense a motion input of a subject who selects at least one of the functions 1410, 1420, 1430, and 1440 displayed on the image. For example, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can sense the subject's motion input selecting the temperature control function 1430. [

At this time, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can enlarge the size of the icon indicating the temperature control function 1430 selected by the examinee, and project the icon 1450 of the enlarged size. Therefore, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 allows the examinee to intuitively confirm the function selected by the examinee.

Referring to Fig. 14C, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can project an image including function information corresponding to the icon selected based on the motion input of the subject. For example, when the temperature control function 1430 is selected, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can detect the temperature change corresponding to the motion input information 1460 and 1470 defined for executing the temperature control function and the subject's motion input The image 1480 can be projected. For example, when the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 senses a motion input 1460 for raising the temperature of the examinee, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 performs a function of raising the temperature inside the gantry 110, It is possible to project an image 1480 indicating the temperature change inside the gantry 110 according to the execution result.

15 is a diagram for explaining a motion input sensing operation of the MRI apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the image projecting unit 160 can project the image 115 on the inner wall in the head direction of the examinee. For example, when the scan region is the lower half of the examinee, the image 115 can be projected on the inner wall of the head of the examinee in order to prevent interference with shooting due to the movement of the examinee.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the hand region 117 of the examinee sensed by the motion sensing unit 175 may be an area overlapped with an area on the projected image 115. Since the image projecting area 115 and the motion sensing area 117 are overlapped, the examinee can perform a virtual touch input on the projected image just as the touch input is performed on the touch screen with a finger.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the motion sensing unit 175 may sense hand movements of the examinee and generate position information on the hand position of the examinee corresponding to the projected image 115. The examinee can select a function to be controlled by positioning the hand on the icon representing the function projected on the image and taking a predefined motion input (for example, tapping operation). The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can project a pointer image corresponding to hand movements of a subject to be superimposed on the image.

16 is a diagram for explaining motion recognition in the hand region according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the image projecting unit 160 can project the image 115 on the inner wall in the head direction of the examinee. For example, when the scan region is the head region of the examinee, a hand region in a state in which the examinee extends downward to the arm may be the motion detection region 117 in order to prevent interference with shooting due to the subject's movement. Accordingly, the hand region 117 of the examinee, which is sensed by the motion sensing unit 175, is located in a different region from the region on the projected image 115.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the motion sensing unit 175 may sense hand movements of the examinee and generate position information on the hand position of the examinee corresponding to the projected image 115. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can project a pointer image corresponding to hand movements of a subject to be superimposed on the image. The examinee can select the function to be controlled by placing the pointer image superimposed on the image on the icon representing the function and taking a predefined motion (for example, tapping).

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining functional control of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an eyeball operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 17 (a), the motion sensing unit 175 can acquire data on eye movements of the examinee by photographing the eyes of the examinee. The motion sensing unit 175 may acquire an eye image of the examinee reflected by the reflector 1710 to recognize the eye movement of the examinee. In one embodiment, the reflector 1710 may have an aspherical reflective surface that magnifies the reflected image at a predetermined ratio. In another embodiment, the reflector 1710 may have a flat reflective surface that reflects the image as is.

The motion sensing unit 175 can sense the motion input of the examinee based on the data on the acquired eye movement. The data regarding the eye movement may be at least one of eye gaze position information, eye movement speed information, eye movement direction information, and eye blinking information.

Referring to FIG. 17B, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can select at least one function among the function lists included in the image based on the sensed motion input. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a function list contained in an image corresponding to a gazing position can be selected based on the gaze position information of the eye of the examinee. For example, when the examinee strikes the right side for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds), the MRI apparatus 100 can select the information located on the right side. As another example, the MRI apparatus 100 can select the information located on the right side when the examinee looks to the right and blinks the eye a predetermined number of times (for example, twice).

In addition, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can display an identification of a selected item. For example, when the item on the right side is selected, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can highlight the border of the item on the right side.

 18 is an exemplary view of an image projected onto the hollow inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 18, the projected image may be composed of three frames. In the first frame 1810, the current time and the remaining photographing time may be displayed. In the second frame 1820, a magnetic resonance image (MR image) for the subject can be displayed. In the third frame 1830, a moving picture content list may be displayed.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a subject can select a moving picture content to be reproduced with respect to a displayed moving picture list by motion input. For example, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can perform a scroll function for a moving image content list by an operation of moving a hand up and down as a subject rotates his or her fingers. In addition, when the subject puts the pointer image on the video content to be reproduced and then stretches and stretches the fist, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can select and reproduce the video content in which the pointer image is located.

19 is an exemplary view of an image projected onto the hollow inner wall 110a of the gantry 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 19, the projected image may be composed of four frames. In the first frame 1810, the current time and the remaining photographing time may be displayed. In the second frame 1820, a magnetic resonance image (MR image) for the subject can be displayed. In the third frame 1830, a moving picture content list may be displayed. The fourth frame 1910 may be displayed with a list of functions performed according to each motion input.

In the fourth frame 1910, a figure indicating a gesture for motion input and a character describing a function performed in accordance with the gesture may be included. In one embodiment, the gesture for motion input may be displayed as a moving picture.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 detects movement of a subject in the motion detection region 117, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 expands and displays the fourth frame 1910 can do. When the examinee takes any one of the gestures displayed in the fourth frame 1910, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can display a picture or a moving picture representing the corresponding gesture displayed on the image.

20 is an exemplary view of an image projected on a hollow inner wall 110a of a gantry 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 20, the image projecting unit 160 may project the illuminance adjusting function information 2010 and the temperature adjusting function information 2020. FIG.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can perform the function of adjusting the illuminance inside the gantry 110 by sensing the movement of the examinee's hand to the left and right. The illuminance in the gantry 110 can be increased when the state of the subject's hands being moved to the right is maintained for a predetermined time or more. The illuminance in the gantry 110 may be lowered when the state where the examinee moves the hand to the left is maintained for a predetermined time or more. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the increase in illumination after reaching the maximum brightness can be recycled from the minimum brightness, and the decrease in illumination after reaching the minimum brightness can be recycled from the maximum brightness.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can perform a function of controlling the temperature inside the gantry 110 by sensing the movement of the subject's hands up and down. The temperature of the gantry 110 may be increased when the state of the examinee's hands is moved upward for a predetermined time or more. The temperature in the gantry 110 may be lowered when the examinee's hands are moved downward for a predetermined time or more. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature increase after reaching the maximum temperature can be cycled back from the minimum temperature, and the temperature decrease after reaching the minimum temperature can be cycled back from the maximum brightness.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 21, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus may include a gantry 110, a signal transmission / reception unit 30, a monitoring unit 40, an MRI control unit 180, and an operating unit 60.

The gantry 110 blocks electromagnetic waves generated by the main magnet 22, the gradient coil 24, the RF coil 26, and the like from being radiated to the outside. A static magnetic field and an oblique magnetic field are formed in the bore of the gantry 110 and an RF signal is radiated toward the object 10.

The main magnet 22, the gradient coil 24, and the RF coil 26 may be disposed along a predetermined direction of the gantry 110. The predetermined direction may include a coaxial cylindrical direction or the like. The object 10 can be placed on a table 28 insertable into the cylinder along the horizontal axis of the cylinder.

The main magnet 22 generates a static magnetic field or a static magnetic field for aligning the magnetic dipole moment of the nuclei included in the object 10 in a predetermined direction. As the magnetic field generated by the main magnet is strong and uniform, a relatively precise and accurate MR image of the object 10 can be obtained.

The gradient coil 24 includes X, Y, and Z coils that generate a gradient magnetic field in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions orthogonal to each other. The gradient coil 24 can provide position information of each part of the object 10 by inducing resonance frequencies differently for each part of the object 10.

The RF coil 26 can irradiate the RF signal to the patient and receive the MR signal emitted from the patient. Specifically, the RF coil 26 transmits an RF signal of the same frequency as that of the car wash motion to the nucleus carrying the car wash motion to the patient, stops the transmission of the RF signal, and receives the MR signal emitted from the patient .

For example, the RF coil 26 generates an electromagnetic wave signal having a radio frequency corresponding to the kind of the atomic nucleus, for example, an RF signal, to convert a certain atomic nucleus from a low energy state to a high energy state, 10). When an electromagnetic wave signal generated by the RF coil 26 is applied to an atomic nucleus, the atomic nucleus can be transited from a low energy state to a high energy state. Thereafter, when the electromagnetic wave generated by the RF coil 26 disappears, the atomic nucleus to which the electromagnetic wave has been applied can emit electromagnetic waves having a Lamor frequency while transiting from a high energy state to a low energy state. In other words, when the application of the electromagnetic wave signal to the atomic nucleus is interrupted, the energy level from the high energy to the low energy is generated in the atomic nucleus where the electromagnetic wave is applied, and the electromagnetic wave having the Lamor frequency can be emitted. The RF coil 26 can receive an electromagnetic wave signal radiated from the nuclei inside the object 10.

The RF coil 26 may be implemented as a single RF transmitting / receiving coil having both a function of generating an electromagnetic wave having a radio frequency corresponding to the type of the atomic nucleus and a function of receiving electromagnetic waves radiated from the atomic nucleus. It may also be implemented as a receiving RF coil having a function of generating an electromagnetic wave having a radio frequency corresponding to the type of an atomic nucleus and a receiving RF coil having a function of receiving electromagnetic waves radiated from the atomic nucleus.

Further, the RF coil 26 may be fixed to the gantry 110 and may be removable. The removable RF coil 26 may include an RF coil for a portion of the object including a head RF coil, a thorax RF coil, a bridge RF coil, a neck RF coil, a shoulder RF coil, a wrist RF coil, and an ankle RF coil. have.

Also, the RF coil 26 can communicate with an external device by wire and / or wireless, and can perform dual tune communication according to a communication frequency band.

The RF coil 26 may include a birdcage coil, a surface coil, and a transverse electromagnetic coil (TEM coil) according to the structure of the coil.

In addition, the RF coil 26 may include a transmission-only coil, a reception-only coil, and a transmission / reception-use coil according to an RF signal transmitting / receiving method.

In addition, the RF coil 26 may include RF coils of various channels such as 16 channels, 32 channels, 72 channels, and 144 channels.

The gantry 110 may further include a display 29 located outside the gantry 110 and a display (not shown) located inside the gantry 110. It is possible to provide predetermined information to a user or an object through a display located inside and outside the gantry 110. [

The signal transmitting and receiving unit 30 controls the inclined magnetic field formed in the gantry 110, that is, the hollow, according to a predetermined MR sequence, and can control transmission and reception of the RF signal and the MR signal.

The signal transmitting and receiving unit 30 may include a gradient magnetic field amplifier 32, a transmitting and receiving switch 34, an RF transmitting unit 36, and an RF receiving unit 38.

The gradient magnetic field amplifier 32 drives the gradient coil 24 included in the gantry 110 and supplies a pulse signal for generating the gradient magnetic field to the gradient coil 24 under the control of the gradient magnetic field control unit 54. [ . By controlling the pulse signals supplied from the oblique magnetic field amplifier 32 to the gradient coil 24, gradient magnetic fields in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions can be synthesized.

The RF transmitter 36 and the RF receiver 38 can drive the RF coil 26. The RF transmitting unit 36 supplies RF pulses of the Ramore frequency to the RF coil 26 and the RF receiving unit 38 can receive the MR signals received by the RF coil 26.

The transmission / reception switch 34 can adjust the transmission / reception direction of the RF signal and the MR signal. For example, an RF signal may be irradiated to the object 10 through the RF coil 26 during a transmission mode, and an MR signal from the object 10 may be received via the RF coil 26 during a reception mode . The transmission / reception switch 34 can be controlled by a control signal from the RF control unit 56. [

The monitoring unit 40 may monitor or control devices mounted on the gantry 110 or the gantry 110. The monitoring unit 40 may include a system monitoring unit 42, an object monitoring unit 44, a table control unit 46, and a display control unit 48.

The system monitoring unit 42 monitors the state of the static magnetic field, the state of the gradient magnetic field, the state of the RF signal, the state of the RF coil, the state of the table, the state of the device for measuring the body information of the object, You can monitor and control the state of the compressor.

The object monitoring unit 44 monitors the state of the object 10. Specifically, the object monitoring unit 44 includes a camera for observing the movement or position of the object 10, a respiration measuring unit for measuring respiration of the object 10, an ECG measuring unit for measuring the electrocardiogram of the object 10, Or a body temperature measuring device for measuring the body temperature of the object 10. [ The object monitoring unit 44 may include a motion sensing unit 175 for sensing a motion input of the object 10. The motion sensing unit 175 may include an image sensor (e.g., a camera), and a reflector for sensing eye movement.

The motion detecting unit 175 can detect the motion input of the examinee based on at least one of the position, motion direction, motion speed, and motion type of the examinee's hand or finger. The motion sensing unit 175 may acquire data on the eye movement of the examinee and may sense the motion input of the examinee based on the data on the eye movement. The motion sensing unit 175 may acquire at least one of gazing position information of the eyeball, moving velocity information of the eyeball, moving direction information of the eyeball, and blinking information of the eyes. The motion sensing unit 175 may acquire an eye image of a subject reflected by the reflector using the image sensor, and analyze the eye image.

The table control unit 46 controls the movement of the table 28 on which the object 10 is located. The table control unit 46 may control the movement of the table 28 in accordance with the sequence control of the sequence control unit 50. [ For example, in moving imaging of a subject, the table control unit 46 may move the table 28 continuously or intermittently according to the sequence control by the sequence control unit 50, , The object can be photographed with an FOV larger than the field of view (FOV) of the gantry 110. The table control unit 46 may include a detachable module 150 provided on the table 28 for detachably attaching the image projection unit 160. [

The display control unit 48 controls the displays located on the outside and inside of the gantry 110. Specifically, the display control unit 48 can control on / off of a display located outside and inside the gantry 110, a screen to be output to the display, and the like. When the speaker is located inside or outside the gantry 110, the display control unit 48 may control on / off of the speaker, sound to be output through the speaker, and the like. The display control unit 48 may include an image projection unit 160 that projects an image on the hollow inner wall 110a of the gantry 110. [

The image projecting unit 160 can project an image including a function list that can be controlled by the examinee onto the hollow inner wall 110a of the gantry 110. [ The image projecting unit 160 may project an image including the predefined motion input information corresponding to each of the functions included in the function list on the hollow inner wall 110a of the gantry 110. [ The image projecting unit 160 gantry at least one of a magnetic resonance image (MR image) for the examinee, time information, photographing information, a dialog window for communicating with an external device, an Internet browser, a terminal screen of the examinee, 110 to the hollow inner wall 110a. The image projecting unit 160 may project the predefined motion input information corresponding to each of the functions included in the function list to the hollow inner wall 110a of the gantry 110. [ The image projecting unit 160 may further project the identification image to at least one function selected from the function list. The image projecting unit 160 can project the pointer image corresponding to the motion input by superimposing the pointer image on the image.

The MRI control unit 180 can adjust at least one of the illuminance and the temperature inside the gantry 110 based on the subject's motion input. The MRI control unit 180 may output a notification signal based on the motion input of the subject.

The MRI controller 180 includes a sequence controller 52 for controlling a sequence of signals formed in the gantry 110 and a gantry controller 58 for controlling the gantry 110 and the devices mounted on the gantry 110 .

The sequence control section 52 includes an inclination magnetic field control section 54 for controlling the gradient magnetic field amplifier 32 and an RF control section 56 for controlling the RF transmission section 36, the RF reception section 38 and the transmission / reception switch 34 . The sequence control unit 52 can control the gradient magnetic field amplifier 32, the RF transmission unit 36, the RF reception unit 38 and the transmission / reception switch 34 in accordance with the pulse sequence received from the operating unit 60. [ Here, the pulse sequence includes all information necessary for controlling the oblique magnetic field amplifier 32, the RF transmitter 36, the RF receiver 38, and the transmitter / receiver switch 34. For example, Information on the intensity of the pulse signal applied to the coil 24, the application time, the application timing, and the like.

The operating unit 60 can instruct the MRI control unit 180 to pulse sequence information and control the operation of the entire MRI apparatus.

The operating unit 60 may include an image processing unit 62 that processes the MR signal received from the RF receiving unit 38, an output unit 64, and an input unit 66.

The image processing unit 62 can process the MR signal received from the RF receiving unit 38 to generate MR image data for the object 10.

The image processing unit 62 applies various signal processing such as amplification, frequency conversion, phase detection, low frequency amplification, filtering, and the like to the MR signal received by the RF receiving unit 38.

The image processing unit 62 arranges digital data in a k space (for example, a Fourier space or a frequency space) of a memory and performs two-dimensional or three-dimensional Fourier transform on the data, Data can be reconstructed.

Also, the image processing unit 62 can perform synthesis processing of the image data (data), difference processing, and the like, if necessary. The combining process may include addition processing for pixels, maximum projection (MIP) processing, and the like. Further, the image processing unit 62 can store not only the image data to be reconstructed but also the image data on which the combining process and the difference calculating process have been performed in a memory (not shown) or an external server.

In addition, various signal processes applied to the MR signal by the image processing unit 62 may be performed in parallel. For example, a plurality of MR signals may be reconstructed into image data by applying signal processing to a plurality of MR signals received by the multi-channel RF coil in parallel.

The output unit 64 can output the image data or the reconstructed image data generated by the image processing unit 62 to the user. The output unit 64 may output information necessary for a user to operate the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, such as a user interface (UI), user information, or object information. The output unit 64 may include a speaker, a printer, a CRT display, an LCD display, a PDP display, an OLED display, an FED display, an LED display, a VFD display, a DLP display, a PFD display, And may include a variety of output devices within the scope of what is known to those skilled in the art.

The user can input object information, parameter information, scan conditions, pulse sequence, information on image synthesis and calculation of difference, etc., by using the input unit 66. [ The input unit 66 may include a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a voice recognition unit, a gesture recognition unit, a touch screen, and the like, and may include various input devices within a range obvious to those skilled in the art.

21 shows the signal transmission / reception unit 30, the monitoring unit 40, the MRI control unit 180, and the operating unit 60 as separate objects, the signal transmission / reception unit 30, the monitoring unit 40, the MRI Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the functions performed by the control unit 180 and the operating unit 60, respectively, may be performed in different objects. For example, the image processor 62 described above converts the MR signal received by the RF receiver 38 into a digital signal, but the RF receiver 38 or the RF coil 26 directly converts the MR signal received by the RF receiver 38 into a digital signal. .

The gantry 110, the RF coil 26, the signal transmission / reception unit 30, the monitoring unit 40, the MRI control unit 180 and the operating unit 60 may be connected to each other wirelessly or by wire, And a device (not shown) for synchronizing clocks with each other. Communication between the gantry 110, the RF coil 26, the signal transmitting and receiving unit 30, the monitoring unit 40, the MRI control unit 180, and the operating unit 60 is performed at a high speed such as LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) A digital interface, an asynchronous serial communication such as a universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART), a hypo-synchronous serial communication, or a CAN (Controller Area Network) can be used. Various communication methods can be used.

Fig. 22 is a diagram showing the configuration of the communication unit 70. Fig. The communication unit 70 may be connected to at least one of the gantry 110, the signal transmission / reception unit 30, the monitoring unit 40, the system control unit 50, and the operating unit 60 shown in FIG.

The communication unit 70 can exchange data with other medical devices in a hospital server or a hospital connected through a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System), and can transmit and receive data in a digital image and communication (DICOM) Medicine) standards.

22, the communication unit 70 is connected to the network 80 by wire or wireless, and communicates with an external server 92, an external medical device 94, or an external portable device 96 Can be performed.

Specifically, the communication unit 70 can transmit and receive data related to diagnosis of a target object via the network 80, and can transmit and receive a medical image captured by another medical device 94 such as CT, MRI, and X-ray . Further, the communication unit 70 may receive the diagnosis history of the patient, the treatment schedule, and the like from the server 92 and utilize it for diagnosis of the target object. The communication unit 70 may perform data communication with not only the server 92 in the hospital or the medical device 94 but also the portable device 96 such as a doctor, a customer's mobile phone, a PDA, or a notebook computer.

In addition, the communication unit 70 may transmit the abnormality of the MRI system or the medical image quality information to the user via the network 80, and may receive the feedback from the user.

The communication unit 70 may include one or more components that enable communication with an external device and may include, for example, a short range communication module 72, a wired communication module 74 and a wireless communication module 76 have.

The short-range communication module 72 refers to a module for performing short-range communication with a device located within a predetermined distance. The local area communication technology according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless LAN, a Wi-Fi, a Bluetooth, a zigbee, a Wi-Fi Direct, an ultra wideband (UWB) IrDA, Infrared Data Association), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), NFC (Near Field Communication), and the like.

The wired communication module 74 is a module for performing communication using an electrical signal or an optical signal. The wired communication technology may include a wired communication technology using a pair cable, a coaxial cable, an optical fiber cable, or the like , As well as wired communication technology that is readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

The wireless communication module 76 transmits and receives a wireless signal to at least one of a base station, an external device, and a server on the mobile communication network. Here, the wireless signal may include various types of data depending on a voice call signal, a video call signal, or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention can be embodied in a general-purpose digital computer that can be embodied as a program that can be executed by a computer and operates the program using a computer-readable recording medium.

The computer readable recording medium may be a magnetic storage medium such as a ROM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, etc., an optical reading medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD and a carrier wave such as the Internet Lt; / RTI > transmission).

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, It belongs to the scope of right.

100, 200, 300: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Device 110: Gantry
110a: inner wall of gantry 120: table
121: moving table 122:
125: table control unit 140: position tracking sensor
150, 150 ', 250, 350: detachable attachment module 1502:
1505: cradle 1508: drive motor 153: detachment sensor 154: motor drive
160, 260: image projecting unit 163: illuminance sensor
166: Light source driver 16601: Variable regulator
16602: Constant voltage controller 16603: Current sensor
167: light source 168: illuminance sensor
169: Image panel 180, 280, 380: MRI controller
190: console 271, 272: detachable device for reflector
360: image unit 370: projection lens unit

Claims (26)

A method of performing a function of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus,
Projecting an image including a function list that can be controlled by a testee on a hollow inner wall of a gantry in which a magnetic field is formed;
Detecting a predefined motion input of the testee with respect to the image using an image sensor existing outside the gantry;
Selecting at least one function from the list of functions included in the image based on the detected motion input; And
And performing the selected at least one function. 2. The method according to claim 1,
An emergency notification function, a light control function, a temperature control function, a fan strength change function, and a content reproduction function. 2. The method of claim 1,
Projecting an image further comprising at least one of a magnetic resonance image (MR image) of the subject, time information, photographing information, a dialog window for communicating with an external device, an Internet browser, a terminal screen of the examinee, ≪ / RTI > 2. The method of claim 1,
Projecting an image further comprising predefined motion input information corresponding to each of the functions contained in the function list. delete 2. The method of claim 1,
Detecting a motion input of the examinee based on at least one of a position, a movement direction, a movement speed, and a motion type of the examinee's hand or finger. 2. The method of claim 1,
Obtaining data on the eye movement of the testee; And
And sensing motion input of the subject based on the data relating to the eye movement. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein acquiring data on eye movement comprises:
Acquiring at least one of gaze position information of the eye, moving velocity information of the eyeball, moving direction information of the eyeball, and blinking information of the eyes. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein acquiring data on eye movement comprises:
Obtaining an eye image of the subject reflected by the reflector using an image sensor; And
And analyzing the eye image. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein performing at least one selected function further comprises:
And adjusting at least one of an illuminance and a temperature inside the gantry based on the subject's motion input. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein performing at least one selected function further comprises:
And outputting a notification signal based on the motion input of the testee. 12. The method according to claim 11,
A video signal, an audio signal, and a vibration signal. The method of claim 1,
And projecting an identification image to the selected at least one function from the list of functions. The method of claim 1,
Further comprising the step of superimposing and projecting a pointer image corresponding to said motion input on said image. A device for controlling a function of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus,
An image projecting part for projecting an image including a function list which can be controlled by a testee on a hollow inner wall of a gantry in which a magnetic field is formed;
A motion sensing unit for sensing a predefined motion input of the examinee on the image using an image sensor existing outside the gantry;
And a controller for selecting at least one function from the function list included in the image based on the detected motion input and performing at least one selected function. 16. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 15,
And further projects at least one of a magnetic resonance image (MR image) of the examinee, time information, photographing information, a dialog window for communicating with an external device, an Internet browser, a terminal screen of the examinee, and a moving image content. 16. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 15,
And further projects predefined motion input information corresponding to each of the functions included in the function list. 16. The apparatus of claim 15,
And detects a motion input of the examinee based on at least one of a position, a motion direction, a motion speed, and a motion type of the examinee's hand or finger. 16. The apparatus of claim 15,
Acquiring data on the eye movement of the subject,
And detects motion input of the examinee based on the data on the eye movement. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the motion sensing unit comprises:
Acquiring at least one of eye gaze position information, ocular movement velocity information, ocular movement direction information, and eye blink information. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the motion sensing unit comprises:
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that acquires an eye image of the subject to be examined reflected by a reflector using the image sensor and analyzes the eye image. 16. The apparatus of claim 15,
And adjusts at least one of an illuminance and a temperature inside the gantry based on the motion input of the examinee. 16. The apparatus of claim 15,
And outputs a notification signal based on the motion input of the subject. 16. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 15,
And further projects an identification image to the selected at least one function from the list of functions. 16. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 15,
And a pointer image corresponding to the motion input is superimposed on the image and projected. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for implementing the method of any one of claims 1 to 4 and 6 to 14 is recorded.

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