KR20190101549A - Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and control method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and a control method therefor and, more specifically, to a technology for setting the boundary of a cartilage area included in a magnetic resonance image and generating layered segmentation images of a cartilage image. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprises: an image processing unit generating an image for a cartilage included in a subject; an input unit receiving a first start point for boundary setting of the cartilage image and a second start point for boundary setting of the cartilage image; and a control unit setting the boundary of the cartilage image on the basis of the first start point and the second start point, and transmitting a control signal for generating layered segmentation images of the cartilage image by segmenting, into a predetermined number of layers, a cartilage image area determined on the basis of the set boundary of the cartilage image. Thus, the boundary of the cartilage area included in the magnetic resonance image can be automatically set.

Description

Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and its control method {MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and a method of controlling the same, and more particularly, to a technique of setting a boundary of a cartilage region included in a magnetic resonance image and generating a segmented split image of the cartilage image.

In general, a medical imaging apparatus is an apparatus that provides an image by acquiring patient information. Medical imaging apparatuses include X-ray apparatus, ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, computed tomography apparatus, magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, and the like.

Among these, magnetic resonance imaging apparatuses occupy an important position in the field of diagnosis using medical imaging because imaging conditions are relatively free, and excellent contrast in soft tissue and various diagnostic information images are provided. For this reason, the diagnosis and treatment of diseases associated with articular cartilage such as osteoarthritis is a very important task, and the segmentation of articular cartilage also plays an important role in magnetic resonance imaging as a preliminary process of morphological analysis of cartilage structure. .

In general, cartilage, a soft tissue that protects bones at joints where several bones meet, serves to maintain joint stability. Cartilage is a tissue covering the ends of bones in the joints, which enables a variety of physical movements by acting as a resistance to external forces and lubrication between the bones. Histologically, articular cartilage is divided into three types (Superficial, Intermediate, Deep), and has different functions and histological composition.

Recently, as MRI technology is developed, researches on observing biochemical changes in cartilage tissue and searching for biomarkers have been conducted. Furthermore, these biochemical changes are analyzed by layer to grasp the invention and progression of cartilage disease. To identify cartilage disease, the pattern of stratified T2 values of cartilage can be different or T1 rho (ρ) values can be used, and as clinical needs of these stratified compartments increase, automatically The need is increasing.

The purpose of the present invention is to automatically set a boundary of a cartilage region included in a magnetic resonance image, and to automatically generate a segmented split image of the cartilage image.

Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment for achieving the above object,

An image processor for generating an image of cartilage included in an object, an input unit for receiving a first starting point for setting a boundary of the cartilage image, a second starting point for setting a boundary of the cartilage image, and the first starting point; A boundary of the cartilage image is set based on the second starting point, and the cartilage image region determined based on the set boundary of the cartilage image is divided into a predetermined number of layers to generate a layered division image of the cartilage image; It includes a control unit for transmitting a signal.

The controller may set the shortest distance from the first starting point to the cartilage image as a first reference line and set the shortest distance from the second starting point to the cartilage image as a second reference line.

The controller may set a first intersection point at which a boundary between the first reference line and the cartilage image intersects as a first inner boundary point, and set a first intersection point at which a boundary between the second reference line and the cartilage image intersects. Can be set as the second inner boundary point.

The control unit may extend the first reference line in a vector direction to set a second intersection point crossing the boundary of the cartilage image as a first outer boundary point, and extend the second reference line in a vector direction to extend the cartilage image. A second intersection point that intersects the boundary of may be set as the second outer boundary point.

The control unit may divide the distance between the first inner boundary point and the first outer boundary point by two, set a center line that divides the distance between the second inner boundary point and the second outer boundary point by two, and set the center line. May include being set along the center of the cartilage image.

The control unit may include setting at least one boundary point located at a predetermined distance from the center line and positioned at a boundary of the cartilage image.

The controller may include determining at least one splitting point that divides a distance between two boundary points positioned at a predetermined distance from the center line at a predetermined interval.

The control unit may include setting the boundary line of the cartilage image by connecting the at least one boundary point in the direction of the center line.

The controller may include dividing the cartilage image region into the predetermined number of layers by connecting the at least one split point in the direction of the center line.

The control unit may include setting at least one partition line for dividing the cartilage image region into a predetermined number of regions, and the at least one partition line is set in a direction perpendicular to the center line.

The image processor may include extracting a cartilage image from a magnetic resonance image (MR) of the object.

The image processor may match the magnetic resonance image of the object with a T2 map of the object, and the T2 map may include a map obtained by applying a T2 parameter to the cartilage image, the T2 parameter being changed according to a lesion of the cartilage of the object. It may include.

In addition, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus control method according to an embodiment for achieving the above object,

Generates an image of cartilage included in an object, receives a first starting point for setting the boundary of the cartilage image, receives a second starting point for setting the boundary of the cartilage image, and receives the first starting point and the second starting point. The boundary of the cartilage image is set based on a starting point, and the cartilage image region determined based on the set boundary of the cartilage image is divided into a predetermined number of layers to generate a layered division image of the cartilage image.

The setting of the boundary of the cartilage image may include setting a shortest distance from the first starting point to the cartilage image as a first reference line and setting a shortest distance from the second starting point to the cartilage image as a second reference line. It may further include doing.

The setting of the boundary of the cartilage image may include setting a first intersection point at which the boundary between the first reference line and the cartilage image intersects as a first inner boundary point and crossing the boundary between the second reference line and the cartilage image. The method may further include setting a first crossing point to be a second inner boundary point.

The setting of the boundary of the cartilage image may include extending the first reference line in a vector direction to set a second intersection point crossing the boundary of the cartilage image as a first outer boundary point, and setting the second reference line in a vector direction. The method may further include setting a second intersection point crossing the boundary of the cartilage image as a second outer boundary point.

The method further includes dividing a distance between the first inner boundary point and the first outer boundary point by two and setting a center line dividing the distance between the second inner boundary point and the second outer boundary point by two. May include being set along the center of the cartilage image.

The method may further include setting at least one boundary point positioned at a predetermined distance from the center line and positioned at a boundary of the cartilage image.

The generating of the layered split image of the cartilage image may further include determining at least one split point for dividing a distance between two boundary points positioned at a predetermined distance from the center line at a predetermined interval. .

The setting of the boundary of the cartilage image may include setting the boundary line of the cartilage image by connecting the at least one boundary point in the direction of the center line.

The generating of the layered split image of the cartilage image may further include dividing the cartilage image region into the predetermined number of layers by connecting the at least one splitting point in the direction of the center line.

The method may further include setting at least one partition line for dividing the cartilage image region into a predetermined number of regions, wherein the at least one partition line may be set in a direction perpendicular to the center line.

In addition, generating an image of cartilage included in the object may include extracting a cartilage image from a magnetic resonance image (MR) of the object.

The method may further include image matching a magnetic resonance image of the subject and a T2 map of the subject, wherein the T2 map includes a map of applying a T2 parameter to the cartilage image, the T2 parameter being changed according to a lesion occurring in the cartilage of the subject. can do.

By automatically setting the boundary of the cartilage region included in the magnetic resonance image, and automatically generating a segmented split image of the cartilage image, it is possible to quickly and accurately diagnose the cartilage disease and observe the prognosis of the disease.

1 is a schematic diagram of an MRI system.
2A to 2B are flowcharts illustrating a method of controlling a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment.
3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating extraction of cartilage images from magnetic resonance images according to an embodiment.
4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating image registration of a magnetic resonance image of an object and a T2 map of the object according to an exemplary embodiment.
5 illustrates receiving a starting point for setting a cartilage boundary from a user according to an exemplary embodiment.
6 illustrates generating a baseline for generating a split image for each floor according to an exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 7 illustrates receiving a starting point for setting a cartilage boundary from a user according to another exemplary embodiment.
8 illustrates generating a baseline for generating a split image for each floor according to another exemplary embodiment.
9 illustrates changing an input starting point according to an exemplary embodiment.
10 illustrates setting a centerline of a cartilage image according to an embodiment.
FIG. 11 illustrates setting at least one boundary point positioned at a boundary of a cartilage image, according to an exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 12 illustrates determining at least one split point for generating a segmented split image of a cartilage image, according to an exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 13 illustrates setting a boundary line of a cartilage image and a layered area of a cartilage image according to an embodiment.
14 is a diagram illustrating dividing a layered split image of cartilage into a predetermined number of regions according to at least one partition according to an exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 15 illustrates a layered split image of cartilage generated in a magnetic resonance image of a knee, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The present specification does not describe all elements of the embodiments, and overlaps between general contents or embodiments in the technical field to which the present invention belongs. The term 'part, module, member, block' used in the specification may be implemented in software or hardware, and a plurality of 'part, module, member, block' may be embodied as one component, It is also possible that one 'part, module, member, block' includes a plurality of components.

Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected" with another part, it includes not only directly connected but also indirectly connected, and indirect connection includes connecting through a wireless communication network. do.

In addition, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, which means that it may further include other components, except to exclude other components unless otherwise stated.

The terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one component from another component, and the component is not limited by the terms described above.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates an exception.

In each step, the identification code is used for convenience of explanation, and the identification code does not describe the order of each step, and each step may be performed differently from the stated order unless the context clearly indicates a specific order. have.

Hereinafter, the working principle and the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic diagram of an MRI system, and FIGS. 2A to 2B are flowcharts illustrating a method of controlling a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the MRI system 1 may include an operating unit 10, a controller 30, and a scanner 50. Here, the controller 30 may be independently implemented as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the controller 30 may be divided into a plurality of components and included in each component of the MRI system 1. Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail.

The scanner 50 may be embodied in a shape (eg, a bore shape) in which an object may be inserted, so that the internal space is empty. Static and gradient magnetic fields are formed in the internal space of the scanner 50, and the RF signal is irradiated.

The scanner 50 may include a static magnetic field forming unit 51, a gradient magnetic field forming unit 52, an RF coil unit 53, a transfer table 55, and a display unit 56. The static field forming unit 51 forms a static magnetic field for aligning the directions of the magnetic dipole moments of the atomic nuclei included in the object in the direction of the static field. The static field forming unit 51 may be implemented as a permanent magnet or a superconducting magnet using a cooling coil.

The gradient magnetic field forming unit 52 is connected to the control unit 30. Inclination is applied to the static magnetic field according to the control signal received from the controller 30 to form a gradient magnetic field. The gradient magnetic field forming unit 52 includes X, Y, and Z coils that form gradient magnetic fields in the X-, Y-, and Z-axis directions that are perpendicular to each other. Generates an inclination signal according to the position.

The RF coil unit 53 may be connected to the control unit 30 to irradiate the RF signal to the object according to the control signal received from the control unit 30, and receive the MR signal emitted from the object. The RF coil unit 53 may transmit the RF signal having the same frequency as the frequency of the precession toward the atomic nucleus during the precession to the subject, stop transmitting the RF signal, and receive the MR signal emitted from the subject.

The RF coil unit 53 is an RF transmitting coil for generating electromagnetic waves having a radio frequency corresponding to the type of atomic nucleus and an RF receiving coil for receiving electromagnetic waves radiated from the atomic nucleus, respectively, or one having a transmitting / receiving function together. May be implemented as an RF transmit / receive coil.

The RF transmitting coil may be implemented as a whole-volume coil that transmits an RF pulse to the entire object, and the RF receiving coil may also be implemented as a whole body coil that receives an MR signal excited throughout the object. The whole body coil is also called a body coil.

In addition, the RF receiving coil may be provided on an external device (hereinafter, referred to as a “coil device”) 300 that is independent of the scanner 50 and may be mounted on the object. The coil device 300 is connected to the scanner 50, the control unit 30, and the operating unit 10 through a signal transmission / reception unit such as a cable, and transmits data about an MR signal generated from an atomic nucleus to the image processing unit 11. . The coil device 300 may include, for example, a head coil, a spine coil, a torso coil, a knee coil, etc. according to a photographing part or a mounting part. It can be used as. Coil device 300 shown in Figure 1 is implemented as a knee coil.

The coil device 300 may perform both the functions of the RF transmitting coil and the RF receiving coil, or may perform only the function of the RF receiving coil.

The display unit 56 may be provided outside and / or inside the scanner 50. The display unit 56 may be controlled by the controller 30 to provide information related to medical image capturing to a user or an object.

In addition, the scanner 50 may be provided with an object monitoring information acquisition unit for obtaining and delivering monitoring information on the state of the object. For example, the object monitoring information acquisition unit (not shown) may include a camera (not shown) for photographing the movement and position of the object, a respiratory meter (not shown) for measuring breathing of the object, and an electrocardiogram for measuring the object. The monitoring information about the object may be obtained from the ECG measuring device (not shown) or the body temperature measuring device (not shown) for measuring the body temperature of the object and transferred to the controller 30. Accordingly, the controller 30 may control the operation of the scanner 50 by using the monitoring information about the object. Hereinafter, the controller 30 will be described.

The controller 30 may control the overall operation of the scanner 50.

The controller 30 may control a sequence of signals formed in the scanner 50. The controller 30 may control the gradient magnetic field forming unit 52 and the RF coil unit 53 according to a pulse sequence received from the operating unit 10 or a designed pulse sequence.

The pulse sequence includes all the information necessary for controlling the gradient magnetic field forming unit 52 and the RF coil unit 53, for example, the intensity of a pulse signal applied to the gradient magnetic field forming unit 52. , Application duration, application timing, and the like.

The controller 30 may include a waveform generator (not shown) for generating a gradient waveform, that is, a current pulse according to a pulse sequence, and a gradient amplifier (not shown) for amplifying the generated current pulse and transferring the gradient to the gradient magnetic field forming unit 52. By controlling, the gradient magnetic field formation of the gradient magnetic field forming unit 52 can be controlled.

The controller 30 may control the operation of the RF coil unit 53. For example, the controller 30 may supply an RF pulse of a resonance frequency to the RF coil unit 53 to irradiate an RF signal, and receive an MR signal received by the RF coil unit 53. At this time, the control unit 30 may control the operation of the switching unit (for example, the T / R switch) that can adjust the transmission and reception direction through the control signal, it may adjust the irradiation of the RF signal and the reception of the MR signal according to the operation mode. . This switching unit will be described in detail later.

The controller 30 may control the movement of the transfer table 55 in which the object is located. Before the photographing is performed, the controller 30 may move the transfer table 55 in advance in accordance with the photographing portion of the object.

The controller 30 may control the display 56. For example, the controller 30 may control on / off of the display 56 or a screen displayed through the display 56 through a control signal.

The controller 30 may control the coil device 300. For example, the controller 30 controls the operation of a switch (for example, an on / off switch) that can adjust the reception of the MR signal through a control signal to receive the MR signal of the coil device 300 according to the operation mode. Can be adjusted.

The controller 30 may include an algorithm for controlling the operation of components in the MRI system 1, a memory for storing data in a program form (not shown), and a processor for performing the above-described operations using data stored in the memory ( Not shown). In this case, the memory and the processor may be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be implemented in a single chip.

The operating unit 10 may control the overall operation of the MRI system 1. The operating unit 10 may include an image processor 11, an input unit 12, and an output unit 13.

The image processor 11 may store an MR signal received from the controller 30 using a memory, and generate an image of an object from the stored MR signal by applying an image reconstruction technique using a processor.

For example, the image processor 11 may fill digital data in a k-space (eg, also referred to as a Fourier space or a frequency space) of a memory, and when k-space data is completed, various image restoration techniques may be performed by a processor. May be applied (eg, by inverse Fourier transform of the k-spatial data) to restore the k-spatial data to the image.

In addition, various signal processings applied to the MR signal by the image processor 11 may be performed in parallel. For example, a plurality of MR signals received by the multi-channel RF coil may be signal-processed in parallel to restore an image. The image processor 11 may store the reconstructed image in a memory or the controller 30 may store the restored image in an external server through the communicator 60.

The input unit 12 may receive a control command regarding the overall operation of the MRI system 1 from the user. For example, the input unit 12 may receive object information, parameter information, scan conditions, information about a pulse sequence, and the like from a user. The input unit 12 may be implemented as a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a voice recognition unit, a gesture recognition unit, a touch screen, or the like. .

The output unit 13 may output an image generated by the image processor 11. In addition, the output unit 13 may output a user interface (UI) configured to allow a user to receive a control command regarding the MRI system 1. The output unit 13 may be implemented as a speaker, a printer, a display, or the like, and the display may include a display unit 56 provided at the outside and / or the inside of the scanner 50 described above. The embodiment described below is described as the output unit 13 is implemented as a display, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

Displays include cathode ray tubes (CRT), digital light processing (DLP) panels, plasma display penal, liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, electro luminescence (Electro Luminescence) EL) panels, electrophoretic display (EPD) panels, electrochromic display (ECD) panels, light emitting diode (LED) panels, or organic light emitting diode (OLED) panels, etc. It may be provided as, but is not limited thereto.

In FIG. 1, the operating unit 10 and the control unit 30 are illustrated as separate objects from each other, but as described above, may be included together in one device. In addition, processes performed by each of the operating unit 10 and the control unit 30 may be performed in another object. For example, the image processor 11 may convert the MR signal received from the controller 30 into a digital signal, or the controller 30 may directly convert the MR signal.

At least one component may be added or deleted to correspond to the performance of the components of the MRI system 1 shown in FIG. 1. In addition, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the mutual position of the components may be changed corresponding to the performance or structure of the apparatus.

Meanwhile, each component illustrated in FIG. 1 refers to hardware components such as software and / or a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Hereinafter, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 1 and a control method thereof according to an embodiment of the disclosed invention will be described based on the control flowcharts of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

In addition, the object described below will be described by using the "knee" as an example, and discloses a method for generating a split image for each layer (cartilage) of the soft tissue that protects the knee bone in the knee joint (knee joint) (cartilage) do.

3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating extraction of a cartilage image from a magnetic resonance image according to an embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating image registration of a magnetic resonance image of an object and a T2 map of an object according to an embodiment. to be.

Referring to FIG. 3, the image processor 11 may extract the cartilage image 500 from the magnetic resonance image 100 of the object based on the control of the controller 30 (1000).

That is, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 1 may acquire the magnetic resonance image 100 of the object, and the image processor 11 separates the portion corresponding to the cartilage from the obtained magnetic resonance image 100 by the knee cartilage. Cartilage image for the 500 can be extracted. Extracting an image of the cartilage portion from the magnetic resonance image of the object is a commonly used technique, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 4, the image processor 11 may match the magnetic resonance image 100 of the object with the T2 map 200 of the object based on the control of the controller 30 (1010).

When cartilage diseases such as osteoarthritis develop, the form or thickness of the cartilage is changed, and the chemical composition is changed according to the cartilage layer. In this case, a parameter value for changing a chemical component according to the degree of cartilage disease may be defined as a T2 value, and the presence or absence of cartilage disease or the degree of cartilage disease may be determined according to the pattern of T2 values of cartilage layers.

In addition to the T2 value, T1 rho (ρ) map can also be used to detect changes in the chemical composition of cartilage. That is, the prognosis of a disease such as osteoarthritis may be determined by using a T2 map or a T1 rho map of a subject to determine a disease of cartilage. Embodiments other than the T2 map and the T1 rho map may be present in the method of determining the disease of the cartilage, and there is no limitation in the method of determining the cartilage disease. An example of determining the degree of cartilage disease will be described.

In order to determine the presence or absence of a disease for each layer or section of cartilage by applying the T2 value to the cartilage image, the MR image 100 and the T2 map of the object should be image matched.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the image processor 11 may match the magnetic resonance image 100 of the object with the T2 map 200 with respect to the T2 parameter value, and the image of the cartilage in the T2 map matched image. By generating the segmented split image 400, the T2 value of each layer of cartilage may be determined.

The user may determine the disease of the cartilage by checking the layered T2 value of the cartilage displayed on the layered split image 400 of the cartilage.

In the case of the foregoing technique, since the user had to manually set the cartilage boundary and the cartilage layer in order to generate the cartilage layered split image, a lot of time was required and the accuracy was reduced. In addition, in the case of semi-automatic generation of layered segmented images of cartilage, the accuracy of setting cartilage boundaries and dividing layers is reduced. Therefore, in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and the method according to the disclosed embodiment, the boundary is automatically set for the cartilage image extracted from the magnetic resonance image, and the cartilage layer is automatically divided, thereby layering the cartilage. A segmented image can be obtained accurately.

FIG. 5 illustrates receiving a starting point for setting a cartilage boundary from a user according to an embodiment, and FIG. 6 illustrates generating a baseline for generating a split image according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 illustrates receiving a starting point for setting a cartilage boundary from a user according to another embodiment, and FIG. 8 illustrates generating a baseline for generating a segmented split image according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, a user may input a first starting point 101 for setting a boundary of the cartilage image 500 through the input unit 12 (1020). That is, the user may input the first starting point 101 by clicking or selecting an arbitrary position adjacent to the cartilage image 500 extracted from the magnetic resonance image 100 of the knee.

Referring to FIG. 6, the controller 30 may set the shortest distance from the input first starting point 101 to the cartilage image 500 as the first reference line 111 (1030) and the first reference line 111. The first intersecting point 102c where the boundary of the cartilage image 500 intersects may be set as the first inner boundary point 102 (1040).

That is, the controller 30 may select the shortest distance from the distance from the first starting point 101 to the cartilage image 500, generate the first reference line 111 on the selected shortest distance, and generate the first reference line and the cartilage image. The point at which 500 crosses may be set as the first inner boundary point 102.

Since the user wants to set the cartilage image 500 adjacent to the position where the first starting point 101 is input as the ROI, the controller 30 according to the user's intention, the cartilage image nearest to the first starting point 101. The boundary of 500 may be set as the first inner boundary point 102.

The controller 30 may extend the first reference line 111 in the vector direction to set the second intersection point 103c crossing the boundary of the cartilage image 500 as the first outer boundary point 103 (1050).

That is, the controller 30 extends the first reference line 111 connected from the first starting point 101 to the first inner boundary point 102 in the direction of the cartilage image 500 to be connected to the boundary point of the cartilage image 500. A straight line 112 may be generated, and a second intersection point 103c where the straight line intersects the boundary of the cartilage image 500 may be set as the first outer boundary point 103.

The controller 30 sets the first inner boundary point 102 and the first outer boundary point 103 based on the position of the first starting point 101 input by the user to the boundary for generating the segmented split image of cartilage. The corresponding straight line 112 can be set.

Referring to FIG. 7, the user may input a second starting point 121 for setting a boundary of the cartilage image 500 through the input unit 12 (1060). That is, the user may input the second starting point 121 by clicking or selecting an arbitrary position adjacent to the cartilage image 500 extracted from the magnetic resonance image 100 of the knee. The second starting point 121 may be input simultaneously with the first starting point 101 or may be sequentially input. In addition, the position where the second starting point 121 is input is not limited.

Referring to FIG. 8, the controller 30 may set the shortest distance from the input second starting point 121 to the cartilage image 500 as the second reference line 131 (1070) and the second reference line 131. The first intersecting point 122c where the boundary of the cartilage image 500 intersects may be set as the second inner boundary point 122 (S1080).

That is, the controller 30 may select the shortest distance from the distance from the second starting point 121 to the cartilage image 500, generate the second reference line 131 on the selected shortest distance, and generate the second reference line 131. The point where the cartilage image 500 intersects may be set as the second inner boundary point 122.

Since the user wants to set the cartilage image 500 adjacent to the position where the second starting point 121 is input as the ROI, the controller 30 according to the user's intention, the cartilage image nearest to the second starting point 121. The boundary of 500 may be set as the second inner boundary point 122.

The controller 30 may extend the second reference line 131 in the vector direction to set the second intersection point 123c crossing the boundary of the cartilage image 500 as the second outer boundary point 123 (1090).

That is, the controller 30 extends the second reference line 131 connected from the second starting point 121 to the second inner boundary point 122 in the direction of the cartilage image 500 to be connected to the boundary point of the cartilage image 500. A straight line 132 may be generated, and a second intersection point 123c where the straight line intersects the boundary of the cartilage image 500 may be set as the second outer boundary point 123.

The controller 30 sets the second inner boundary point 122 and the second outer boundary point 123 based on the position of the second starting point 121 input by the user to the boundary for generating the segmented split image of cartilage. The corresponding straight line 132 can be set.

9 illustrates changing an input starting point according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9, the user may change the position by clicking and dragging the first starting point 101 or the second starting point 121.

When the position of the first starting point 101 is changed, the control unit 30 controls the position of the first reference line 111 connected to the first starting point 101, the first inner boundary point 102 and the first outer boundary point 103. The position of is also changed.

That is, when the user changes the position of the first starting point 101, the controller 30 changes the position of the straight line 112 corresponding to the boundary for generating the layered segmented image of cartilage, thereby generating the segmented layered image of the cartilage. The cartilage imaging region can be changed.

Similarly, when the position of the second start point 121 is changed, the control unit 30 controls the position of the second reference line 131 connected to the second start point 121, the second inner boundary point 122, and the first outer boundary point ( The position of 123 is also changed.

That is, when the user changes the position of the second starting point 121, the controller 30 changes the position of the straight line 132 corresponding to the boundary for generating the layered segmented image of the cartilage, thereby generating the segmented layered image of the cartilage. The cartilage imaging region can be changed.

10 illustrates setting a centerline of a cartilage image according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 illustrates setting at least one boundary point positioned at a boundary of a cartilage image according to an embodiment, and FIG. 12 illustrates at least one splitting point for generating a layered split image of a cartilage image according to an embodiment. It is shown to determine.

Referring to FIG. 10, the controller 30 divides the distance between the first inner boundary point 102 and the first outer boundary point 2 by two, and between the second inner boundary point 122 and the second outer boundary point 123. The center line 140 may be set to divide the distance into two portions (1100).

The controller 30 may set the center line 140 along the center of the cartilage image 500 according to a predetermined criterion, and the distance from the center line 140 to the boundary of the cartilage image 500 may be the same.

That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the distance from the centerline 140 to the first crossing points 102c and 122c and the distance from the centerline 140 to the second crossing points 103c and 123c are the same.

Referring to FIG. 11, the controller 30 may set at least one boundary point positioned at a predetermined distance from the center line 140 and positioned at a boundary of the cartilage image 500 (1110).

The controller 30 may set at least one boundary point on the boundary line of the cartilage image 500 separated by a predetermined distance based on the center line 140, wherein the first inner boundary point 102 and the second inner boundary point 122 At least one boundary point 501-1, 501-2, 501-3, ??, 501-n may be set on the boundary line of the included cartilage image 500.

In addition, the controller 30 may include at least one boundary point 502-1, 502-2, and 502-3 on the boundary line of the cartilage image 500 including the first outer boundary point 103 and the second outer boundary point 123. , ??, 502-n) can be set.

The number of at least one boundary point is not limited, and the number may be changed as long as it is a boundary point constituting a boundary of the cartilage image 500 at a predetermined distance with respect to the center line 140.

Referring to FIG. 12, the controller 30 may determine at least one split point for dividing a distance between two boundary points positioned at a predetermined distance from the center line 140 at a predetermined interval (1120).

The controller 30 may determine at least one splitting point 104 or 105 for dividing the distance between the first inner boundary point 102 and the first outer boundary point 103 at a predetermined interval according to a predetermined criterion. Similarly, the controller 30 may determine at least one splitting point 124, 125 that divides the distance between the second inner boundary point 122 and the second outer boundary point 123 at predetermined intervals according to a predetermined criterion. have.

The controller 30 may include at least one boundary point 501-1, 501-2, and 501-3 located on the boundary line of the cartilage image 500 including the first inner boundary point 102 and the second inner boundary point 122. At least one boundary point 502-1, 502- located on the boundary line of the cartilage image 500 including the first and second outer boundary points 103 and 123. At least one dividing point 503-1, 503-2, ??, 503-n, 504-1, 504- dividing the distance between 2, 502-3, ??, 502-n at predetermined intervals 2. ??, 504-n) can be determined.

The controller 30 may determine the number of at least one split point included in the cartilage image 500 based on the number of layers of the cartilage image 500 set by the user. That is, when the number of floors set by the user to divide the cartilage image 500 is three, the controller 30 must divide the distance between two boundary points positioned at a predetermined distance from the center line 140 by three. You can set two split points between two boundary points.

FIG. 13 illustrates setting a boundary line of a cartilage image and a layered area of a cartilage image according to an embodiment, and FIG. 14 illustrates a predetermined number of layered split images of cartilage according to at least one partition according to an embodiment. It shows the division into regions. FIG. 15 illustrates a layered split image of cartilage generated in a magnetic resonance image of a knee, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 13, the controller 30 may set the boundary lines 141 and 142 of the cartilage image 500 by connecting at least one boundary point set in the manner described with reference to FIG. 11 in the direction of the center line 140 (1130). ).

That is, the controller 30 may be configured such that the control unit 30 has the first inner boundary point 102, the second inner boundary point 122, and at least one boundary point 501-1, 501-2, 501-3, ??, 501-n as the center line ( The boundary line 141 of the cartilage image 500 may be set by connecting in the direction of 140. Similarly, the controller 30 may control the first outer boundary point 103, the second outer boundary point 123, and the at least one boundary point 502-1, 502-2, 502-3, ??, 502-n as the center line ( The boundary line 142 of the cartilage image 500 may be set by connecting in the direction of 140.

In addition, the controller 30 connects the at least one split point set in the manner described with reference to FIG. 12 in the direction of the center line 140 to divide the area of the cartilage image 500 into a predetermined number of layers of the cartilage image 500. The split image for each floor may be generated (1140).

That is, the controller 30 connects at least one splitting point 503-1, 503-2, ??, 503-n in the direction of the center line 140 to divide the cartilage image 500 region into a first division. Line 143 may be generated. In addition, the controller 30 connects the at least one splitting point 504-1, 504-2, ??, 504-n in the direction of the center line 140 to divide the second cartilage image 500. Line 144 may be generated.

The controller 30 may divide the cartilage image 500 into three layers by generating the first dividing line 143 and the second dividing line 144. The number of layers predetermined for dividing the cartilage image 500 may vary according to a user's setting, and the number of generation of at least one split point and the dividing line may be changed according to the number of layers dividing the cartilage image 500. Can be.

Referring to FIG. 14, the controller 30 may set at least one partition line 151 and 152 that divides a region of the cartilage image 500 into a predetermined number of regions (1150).

As shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 30 sets at least one partition line 151, 152 in a direction perpendicular to the center line 140, the first dividing line 143, and the second dividing line 144. The image 500 region may be divided.

The number of compartments for the cartilage image 500 may vary according to a user's setting, and accordingly, the number of at least one partition line generated by the controller 30 may vary. In FIG. 14, the region of the cartilage image 500 is divided into three regions A, B, and C by the partition lines 151 and 152.

15, the controller 30 may automatically generate a layered split image of cartilage from a magnetic resonance image of an object (knee) through the above-described method.

That is, the controller 30 sets the dividing line for dividing the layers of the cartilage image 500 and the dividing line for dividing the compartments based on the number of layers and the number of sections of the cartilage image 500 preset by the user. The split image of each layer of the image 500 may be automatically generated.

The layered divided images of cartilage shown in FIG. 15 have three layers (L1, L2, L3) and three sections of cartilage (A, B, C). As described above with reference to FIG. 4, by generating a segmented layered image of cartilage with respect to an image in which a magnetic resonance image and a T2 map are matched, T2 parameters varying according to lesions occurring in cartilage may be confirmed layer by layer.

The controller 30 performs the above-described operation using an algorithm for controlling the operation of the components of the MRI system 1, a memory for storing data in a program form (not shown), and data stored in the memory. It may be implemented by a processor (not shown). In this case, the memory and the processor may be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be implemented in a single chip.

According to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and a control method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention, the boundary of the cartilage region included in the magnetic resonance image is automatically set, and the segmented image of the cartilage image is automatically generated, There is an effect that can quickly and accurately perform the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease.

On the other hand, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium for storing instructions executable by a computer. Instructions may be stored in the form of program code, and when executed by a processor, may generate a program module to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

Computer-readable recording media include all kinds of recording media having stored thereon instructions which can be read by a computer. For example, there may be a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flash memory, an optical data storage device, and the like.

As described above, the disclosed embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in a form different from the disclosed embodiments without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting.

1: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Device
11: image processing unit
12: input unit
30: control unit

Claims (24)

An image processor configured to generate an image of cartilage included in the object;
An input unit configured to receive a first starting point for setting the boundary of the cartilage image and a second starting point for setting the boundary of the cartilage image; And
The boundary of the cartilage image is set based on the first starting point and the second starting point, and the cartilage image region determined based on the set boundary of the cartilage image is divided into a predetermined number of layers and the layered division of the cartilage image is performed. And a control unit for transmitting a control signal for generating an image. The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
Set the shortest distance from the first starting point to the cartilage image as a first reference line,
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for setting the shortest distance from the second starting point to the cartilage image as a second reference line. The method of claim 2,
The control unit,
Setting a first intersection point at which the boundary between the first reference line and the cartilage image intersects as a first inner boundary point,
And a first intersection point at which the boundary between the second reference line and the cartilage image intersects as a second inner boundary point. The method of claim 3, wherein
The control unit,
Extend the first reference line in a vector direction to set a second intersection point that intersects the boundary of the cartilage image as a first outer boundary point;
And a second crossing point crossing the boundary of the cartilage image as a second outer boundary point by extending the second reference line in a vector direction. The method of claim 4, wherein
The control unit,
Setting a centerline dividing the distance between the first inner boundary point and the first outer boundary point by two and dividing the distance between the second inner boundary point and the second outer boundary point by two;
The center line is a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is set along the center of the cartilage image. The method of claim 5,
The control unit,
And at least one boundary point positioned at a predetermined distance from the center line and positioned at a boundary of the cartilage image. The method of claim 6,
The control unit,
And at least one split point for dividing a distance between two boundary points positioned at a predetermined distance from the center line at a predetermined interval. The method of claim 6,
The control unit,
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for setting the boundary line of the cartilage image by connecting the at least one boundary point in the direction of the center line. The method of claim 7, wherein
The control unit,
And at least one splitting point connected in the direction of the center line to divide the cartilage image area into the predetermined number of layers. The method of claim 5,
The control unit,
Setting at least one partition line for dividing the cartilage image region into a predetermined number of regions,
The at least one partition line is set in a direction perpendicular to the center line. The method of claim 1,
The image processor,
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for extracting cartilage image from the magnetic resonance image (MR) of the object. The method of claim 1,
The image processor,
Image matching the magnetic resonance image of the object and the T2 map of the object,
The T2 map may include a map in which a T2 parameter that varies according to a lesion occurring in cartilage of the object is applied to the cartilage image. Generating an image of cartilage included in the subject;
Receiving a first starting point for setting a boundary of the cartilage image;
Receiving a second starting point for setting a boundary of the cartilage image;
Setting a boundary of the cartilage image based on the first starting point and the second starting point;
The method according to claim 1, wherein the cartilage image region determined based on the boundary of the set cartilage image is divided into a predetermined number of layers to generate a segmented image of the cartilage image. The method of claim 13,
Setting the boundary of the cartilage image,
Setting a shortest distance from the first starting point to the cartilage image as a first reference line;
And setting the shortest distance from the second starting point to the cartilage image as a second reference line. The method of claim 14,
Setting the boundary of the cartilage image,
Setting a first intersection point at which a boundary between the first reference line and the cartilage image intersects as a first inner boundary point;
And setting a first intersection point at which a boundary between the second reference line and the cartilage image intersects as a second inner boundary point. The method of claim 15,
Setting the boundary of the cartilage image,
Extending the first reference line in a vector direction to set a second intersection point crossing the boundary of the cartilage image as a first outer boundary point;
And extending the second reference line in a vector direction to set a second intersection point that intersects the boundary of the cartilage image as a second outer boundary point. The method of claim 16,
And dividing the distance between the first inner boundary point and the first outer boundary point by two and dividing the distance between the second inner boundary point and the second outer boundary point by two;
And the center line is set along a center of the cartilage image. The method of claim 17,
And setting at least one boundary point located at a predetermined distance from the center line and positioned at a boundary of the cartilage image. The method of claim 18,
Generating the segmented split image of the cartilage image,
And determining at least one splitting point for dividing the distance between two boundary points located at a predetermined distance from the center line at a predetermined interval. The method of claim 18,
Setting the boundary of the cartilage image,
And connecting the at least one boundary point in the direction of the center line to establish a boundary line of the cartilage image. The method of claim 19,
Generating the segmented split image of the cartilage image,
And dividing the cartilage image region into the predetermined number of layers by connecting the at least one dividing point in the direction of the center line. The method of claim 17,
Setting at least one partition line for dividing the cartilage image region into a predetermined number of regions;
And the at least one partition line is set in a direction perpendicular to the center line. The method of claim 13,
Generating an image of cartilage included in the object,
And extracting a cartilage image from the magnetic resonance image (MR) of the object. The method of claim 13,
And image matching a magnetic resonance image of the object and a T2 map of the object.
The T2 map may include a map in which a T2 parameter that varies according to a lesion occurring in the cartilage of the object is applied to the cartilage image.

Images