WO2013046906A1

WO2013046906A1 - Inspection device

Info

Publication number: WO2013046906A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/069332
Authority: WO
Inventors: 篤二ノ宮; 横山　仁; 和幸柳瀬; 学柳本; 伸星野
Original assignee: 株式会社日立メディコ
Priority date: 2011-09-30
Filing date: 2012-07-30
Publication date: 2013-04-04
Also published as: JPWO2013046906A1; JP5663097B2

Abstract

The present invention mitigates a sensation of enclosure and a sensation of fear in a subject inserted into an inspection space, and increases the comfort of the subject in the inspection space. A design that imparts a visual effect on the subject is formed at the inspection space inner wall (140) of an inspection device having a tubular inspection space into which the subject is inserted. The design includes a plurality of elements (150) or objects, and of the spacing between the elements or the spacing between the objects, the spacing (W) in the circumferential direction and/or spacing (P) in the lengthwise direction of the inspection space changes from the side of subject insertion towards the far end. The elements, for example, are a geometric pattern such as dots and lines, and the objects are a design that mimics nature.

Description

Inspection device

The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus having an inspection space into which a subject such as a tunnel is inserted, such as an MRI apparatus, an X-ray CT apparatus, or a PET apparatus, and more particularly to an inspection apparatus that improves the comfort of the inspection space.

Image diagnostic apparatuses such as an MRI apparatus and an X-ray CT apparatus are widely used because of the characteristics of the inspection, the type in which the subject is inspected in a tunnel-like inspection space. The width and depth of the examination space vary depending on the examination apparatus. For example, in a horizontal magnetic field type MRI apparatus, the diameter of the uniform static magnetic field space is about 400 mm, and the typical examination space size is about 500 diameters. It is about 650 mm and the depth is about 1600 to 1800 mm. In order to reduce the leakage magnetic field, the longer the depth, the better. The CT apparatus has a shorter depth than the MRI apparatus, but in recent years, the depth tends to become longer as the X-ray detector becomes two-dimensional.

In the case of whole body imaging or craniothoracic imaging, it is necessary to insert the upper body including the head of the subject into the examination space, and there is a problem that the subject laid in the examination space feels a sense of obstruction or pressure . This problem is particularly acute in the case of claustrophobic patients, where there is a strong refusal to be inserted into a closed examination space, and in the worst case the examination itself becomes difficult.

In order to solve this problem, the shape of the inspection space has been devised so far as the performance of the device is not hindered, the width is increased as much as possible, the cross-sectional shape is elliptical, and the tunnel entrance is rounded to create a feeling of blockage. It has been proposed that the shape be relaxed (

Patent Documents

1, 2, etc.).

JP 2010-240039 A JP 2005-185387 A

Although it is possible to alleviate the feeling of blockage to some extent by physically increasing the size of the inspection space, the size of the inspection device has restrictions on the function of the device. For example, in the MRI apparatus, the size of the examination space is restricted by the bore diameter of a static magnetic field magnet that generates a static magnetic field, generally a superconducting magnet, and the thickness of a gradient magnetic field disposed inside thereof. In addition, the CT apparatus is limited by the X-ray irradiation range determined by the distance between the X-ray tube and the X-ray detector and the size of the X-ray detector, the thickness of the collimator, and the like.

Further, the conventional inspection apparatus is given a white or light pastel color for the sake of cleanliness and brightness, and the inspection space is also a single light color. Therefore, even if the size of the space is varied within the above-mentioned limitation range, an effect having a great difference in the feeling received by the subject is not obtained.
Therefore, the present invention alleviates the fear and blockage of the subject inserted in the examination space, and improves the comfort of the subject in the examination space.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by applying a visual design that makes a space feel in the inspection space of the inspection apparatus. In addition, the present invention alleviates the fear of the subject inserted into the closed space by applying a visual design that makes the depth of the examination space of the examination apparatus feel short.

That is, the inspection apparatus of the present invention is an inspection apparatus having a cylindrical inspection space into which a subject is inserted, and a design that gives a visual effect to the subject is formed on an inner wall facing the inspection space. The design includes a plurality of elements or objects, and the interval between the elements or the interval between the objects is the interval in the longitudinal direction of the inspection space and / or the interval in the circumferential direction. It changes from the insertion port side of the specimen toward the back side.
In this specification, regardless of the length of the examination space, the direction along the direction in which the subject is inserted is referred to as the longitudinal direction or the depth direction of the examination space.

The plurality of elements are, for example, geometric patterns such as dots and lines, and the object is a pattern imitating nature.
In the inspection apparatus of the present invention, preferably, the interval between elements or objects is widest in the circumferential direction on the insertion opening side of the inspection space, and narrows toward the back side (inside).

In the inspection apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, the distance between elements or objects is narrowest in the longitudinal direction (depth direction) of the inspection space on the insertion port side of the inspection apparatus, and widens toward the back.
The present invention can be applied to, for example, an MRI apparatus, a CT apparatus, and a PET apparatus.

According to the present invention, the inner wall facing the examination space of the examination apparatus is given a design that makes the examination space feel wider or feels shorter, so that the tension of the subject inserted into the examination space is increased. It can alleviate and reduce the feeling of pressure and blockage inside the examination space.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of one Embodiment of the test | inspection apparatus (MRI apparatus) to which this invention is applied. The front view of the inspection apparatus of FIG. The side view of the inspection apparatus of FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure inside the gantry of the inspection apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the design of the inner wall which comprises the inspection space by 1st embodiment of this invention, (a) is sectional drawing of inspection space, (b) is the figure which expand | deployed some inner walls (inner cover). FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the interval (pitch) of dots in the longitudinal direction of the inspection space in the first embodiment, and (a) to (c) show cases where the conditions of the subject are varied. It is a figure which shows the design of the inner wall which comprises the inspection space by 2nd embodiment of this invention, (a) is sectional drawing of inspection space, (b) is the figure which expand | deployed some inner walls (inner cover). It is a figure which shows the design of the inner wall which comprises the inspection space by 3rd embodiment of this invention, (a) is sectional drawing of inspection space, (b) is the figure which expand | deployed a part of inner wall (inner cover). Sectional drawing of the principal part of the inner wall of 4th embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the case where the inspection apparatus is an MRI apparatus will be described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to an inspection apparatus having a tunnel-like inspection space, for example, a CT apparatus or a PET apparatus.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing the entire MRI apparatus of this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a front view, and FIG. 3 is a side view. As illustrated, the MRI apparatus includes a gantry unit 100 and a bed unit 200.

The bed unit 200 includes a top plate unit 210 for laying the subject, a lifting mechanism 220 for raising and lowering the top plate unit 210, and a carriage 230, and traveling wheels 231 are attached to four corners of the carriage 230. It can move independently from the gandory unit 100. The bed part 200 is connected to the gantry part 100 by a connection part 300 formed at the end of the carriage 230 and the front surface of the gantry part 100. At the time of connection, the elevating mechanism 220 adjusts the height of the lower surface of the top plate portion 210 so as to be substantially the same as the height of the inspection space described later.

The gantry unit 100 includes a side cover 120, a front panel 110, a back panel (not shown), and a curved cover 130 that connects the side cover 120, the front panel 110, and the back panel. And an inner cover 140 for connecting an opening 111 formed substantially at the center of the front panel 110 and the back panel. The side cover 120 extends vertically upward from an end in contact with the floor surface, and bends in a semicircular shape at the center in the height direction to form the upper surface of the gantry unit 100.

Since the front panel 110 and the back panel have substantially the same shape, the shape of the front panel 110 will be described below as a representative. The shape of the outer periphery of the front panel 110 is similar to the shape of the end face of the side cover 120 viewed from the front side and is small in size, and a substantially circular opening 111 is formed at the center. The outer periphery of the front panel 110 is connected to the side cover 120 by a curved cover 130. When the gantry 100 is viewed from the side as shown in FIG. 3, the connecting portion 113 between the front panel 110 and the curved cover 130 is located on the outermost side, and the front panel 110 is recessed from the connecting portion 113 toward the opening 111. It has a shape. This concave shape widens the operator's work space.

The front panel 110 has a round 111 a (FIG. 2) formed around the opening 111 in a cross section parallel to the longitudinal direction of the inspection space, and is continuous with the inner cover 140. The inner cover 140 has a circular cylindrical shape with a circular or elliptical cross section, and a space surrounded by the cylinder is an examination space (bore) into which the subject is inserted. The end of the inspection space on the opening 111 side is called an insertion port or an entrance. A direction from the insertion port to the inside of the inspection space is called a depth direction or a longitudinal direction.

The mechanism inside the gantry unit constituted by the front panel 110 and the back panel, the side cover 120, the curved cover 130 and the inner cover 140 described above is the same as that of the conventional MRI apparatus. A schematic configuration of the MRI apparatus is shown in FIG.

This MRI apparatus includes, as elements housed in the gantry unit 100, a static magnetic field generating magnet 2 that forms a uniform magnetic field in an examination space such as a superconducting magnet, and a gradient that is disposed within the magnetic field formed by the static magnetic field generating magnet 2 A magnetic field coil 9, an RF transmission coil 14 a for irradiating the subject 1 with a high-frequency magnetic field, and an RF reception coil 14 b for receiving an NMR signal generated from the subject 1 are provided. The RF receiving coil 14b is normally disposed so as to be close to the examination site of the subject. The RF transmission coil 14a may also serve as the RF reception coil 14a.

The drive system for driving these coils and the signal processing system 7 are installed outside the gantry unit 100. Specifically, the RF transmission coil 14 a is connected to the transmission system 5 such as the high frequency oscillator 11, the modulator 12, and the high frequency amplifier 13. The gradient magnetic field coil 9 is composed of X, Y, and Z gradient magnetic field coils, and is connected to a gradient magnetic field power supply 10 respectively. The RF receiving coil 14b is connected to a receiving system 6 including an amplifier 15, a quadrature detector 16, an A / D converter 17, and the like. The operations of the transmission system 5, the gradient magnetic field generation system 3 and the reception system 6 are controlled by the sequencer 4 and perform irradiation with RF pulses and gradient magnetic field pulses and reception of NMR signals according to a predetermined pulse sequence determined by the imaging method. .

The signal processing system 7 includes a CPU 8 and an external storage device such as a display 20, an optical disk 19, and a magnetic disk 18. The CPU 8 controls the operation of the drive system described above through the sequencer 4 and receives the NMR received by the receiving system 6. The signal is processed, and the image and spectrum of the subject are reconstructed and displayed on the display 20. The display 20 displays an image and the like as a result of the signal processing system, and displays a control GUI. In addition to being placed outside the examination room, the display is also installed on the front cover of the gantry unit 100, and functions as a GUI for inputting and outputting images and information necessary for the operator to perform the examination.

The inspection apparatus of the present embodiment is characterized in that a design that gives a special visual effect is applied to the inner cover 140 of the gandory section 100. Hereinafter, each embodiment of the design will be described.

<First embodiment>
In the present embodiment, a plurality of dot-like patterns (hereinafter referred to as dots) are formed on the surface of the inner cover 140, and the distance between the dots in the circumferential direction and the distance in the longitudinal direction are set in the longitudinal direction (depth) of the inner cover. It is characteristic that it is changed along the direction.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a cross-sectional shape of the inspection space (inner cover 140) and an expanded view of the inner cover portion on the upper surface side of the inspection space. As shown in FIG. 5A, the cross-sectional shape of the inner cover 140 of this embodiment has a shape in which a part of an ellipse is flattened. The flat part 141 is a traveling surface on which the top plate 210 of the bed part 200 travels, and FIG. 5B is a developed view of the elliptical part 142 excluding the flat part 141. The subject (not shown) is usually inserted into the examination space covered with the inner cover 140 in a state where the subject is laid on his / her back on the top plate 210. Since the cross-sectional shape of the inner cover 140 is an ellipse, it can respond to various subjects having different physiques (different widths).

The average position of the viewpoint of the subject in the state of being laid on the top is indicated by E in FIG. The viewing angle θ of the human right and left is approximately 135 degrees, and the subject laid on his back on the top board 210 sees a range of approximately 135 degrees on the upper surface of the inner cover 140. As shown in FIG. 5B, two rows of dots 150 are drawn inside the upper surface at a position of 135 degrees from the viewpoint E. The shape of the dots is a quadrangle in the figure, but is not particularly limited, and can be an arbitrary shape such as a circle, a triangle, or a star. Further, the size of the dot is not particularly limited as long as it can be clearly recognized that the drawing is performed.

The two rows of dots 150 are arranged such that the interval W between the dots in the circumferential direction (left-right direction) is the widest at the entrance (opening side of the front panel) and narrows toward the back panel. In the eye of the subject inserted from the entrance, as the distance between the left and right dots decreases as the movement in the depth direction, an illusion of perspective occurs, as if the dots are far away, that is, upward. It feels like going. That is, although the physical distance from the viewpoint E to the inner cover upper surface does not change, the subject can be given an illusion that the inner cover upper surface becomes higher. Thereby, a feeling of obstruction | occlusion can be relieved.

The interval W between the left and right dots 150 may be changed within the range of the visual field, but in the present embodiment, it is close to the visual field angle θ near the entrance and approaches the distance between the left and right eyes near the center of the examination space. Designed to. The back panel side may be equally spaced from the center of the inspection space. Usually, the subject is inserted most deeply in the case of head examination, and in that case, the subject's head is positioned substantially near the center of the examination space. The change in the interval between the left and right dots may be linear, but in this embodiment, the distance from the entrance to the center in the depth direction of the examination space is changed along the parabola. By changing along the parabola, the degree of change increases as the distance from the entrance increases, and the degree of change decreases as the depth advances. Thereby, the illusion of perspective can be given most effectively at the time of insertion, and the sense of security of the subject can be enhanced.

In this embodiment, the distance (arrangement pitch) P in the depth direction of the pair of left and right dots 150 is narrow near the entrance and widens along the depth direction. With this dot arrangement, when the inspection space is viewed from the outside, the dot pitch P actually appears to be almost the same pitch even though it increases toward the inside. Gives a visual effect that looks shorter than it actually is. The method of changing the pitch P in order to make the arrangement pitch P in the depth direction of the dots look substantially the same is as follows: the eye height of the subject (the height in the vertical direction from the top), and the examination space from the eye position The number of dots arranged in a row in the depth direction is N, and the distance from the eye position to the entrance of the inspection space is 100. The distance from the Nth dot to the Nth dot is preferably 10% to 20%, and the distance from the (N-1) th dot to the Nth dot is preferably 25% or more, specifically 25% to 40%.

FIG. 6 shows the result of examining the dot arrangement pitch P (depth direction) for each inspection object (subject). 6 (a) to 6 (b), the right-side view is the same as FIG. 5 (a) in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the examination space, and the left-hand side view is in the longitudinal direction of the examination space. FIG. FIG. 6A shows that when the viewpoint E of the subject is at the same height as the center of the examination space and the distance from the viewpoint E to the entrance is 600 mm, the height of the viewpoint E of the subject is examined. When the distance from the center of the space is less than 800 mm and the distance from the viewpoint E to the entrance is 800 mm, (c) shows that the height of the viewpoint E of the subject is higher than the center height of the examination space, and the distance from the viewpoint E to the entrance is This is the case for 1000 mm. Here, the term “inlet” refers to the end of the cylindrical portion where the inner cover has a constant diameter on the subject insertion side. On the side sectional view of the inspection space shown in FIG. 6, the upper ends of the inspection space (cylinder) are connected by straight lines from the viewpoint E, and [dot number-1] is equiangularly spaced between these two straight lines. A straight line is drawn, and a point where the straight line and the cylinder intersect is defined as a dot position in the depth direction. As shown in FIG. 5, when a pair of dots are formed in the circumferential direction, the dots are arranged on both sides of the point where the straight line and the cylinder intersect. As described above, the interval W between the left and right dots varies depending on the position in the depth direction, that is, it becomes narrower as it goes inside.

In the example shown in FIG. 6A, the interval between the (N−1) th (here 10th) dot and the Nth (11th) dot is about the interval between the 1st dot and the 2nd dot. It is 6.7 times. In the example shown in FIG. 6B, the interval between the (N−1) th dot and the Nth dot is about 4.8 times the interval between the first dot and the second dot. In the example shown in FIG. 6C, the interval between the (N−1) th dot and the Nth dot is about four times the interval between the first dot and the second dot. As can be seen from these results, the shorter the distance from the viewpoint to the entrance, the greater the degree of change, thereby obtaining the effect of making the dot intervals appear the same. Therefore, in actual application, dots are arranged in consideration of the average height of the subject, or the subject position (viewpoint position) before being inserted into the examination space is determined according to the arrangement of the dots. It is preferable to make it.

When the positions of the dots in the depth direction are determined in this way, when the examination space is viewed from the viewpoint E of the subject before being inserted into the examination space, the dots appear to be arranged at substantially the same pitch, Looks shorter than the depth. As a result, the fear of the subject being inserted into a long examination space can be reduced.

As described above, in the inspection apparatus of the present embodiment, dots that provide a visual effect on the subject are arranged on the inner cover of the gantry section. One feature of dot arrangement is that at least a pair of dots are arranged in the left-right direction of the subject, and the interval between the left and right dots is reduced along the depth direction of the examination space. Thereby, when inserted into the examination space, it is possible to provide a visual effect that makes the examination space feel as if it expands upward. Another feature of the dot arrangement is that the interval (arrangement pitch) in the depth direction of the dots is increased along the depth direction. With this arrangement, it is possible to give a visual effect that the depth of the examination space is shorter than the actual depth to the subject laid on the bed unit 200 before entering the examination space.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the case where dots are arranged in two rows in the left-right direction is shown, but the number of dots is not limited to two, and may be three or more. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the sizes of the dots are all the same, but the sizes of the dots may be different, for example, larger at the entrance side of the inspection space and smaller toward the middle side.

In the first embodiment, the dot arrangement example having both of the above-described two features has been described. However, the present invention includes a case where only one of the features is provided. That is, the distance between the dots in the depth direction may be constant, and the distance between the pair of dots in the circumferential direction may be narrowed along the depth direction of the inspection space, or the distance between the pair of dots in the circumferential direction may be constant. The interval may be increased as it goes deeper. In any case, the visual effect by each feature can be obtained.

<Second embodiment>
In the present embodiment, a plurality of line-like patterns (hereinafter referred to as lines) are formed on the surface of the inner cover 140 along the circumference of the cylindrical portion constituting the inspection space. The thickness is changed along the longitudinal direction of the inner cover, and the color tone of the line is changed in the circumferential direction.

7A and 7B are views in which the cross-sectional shape of the inner cover 140 and the upper surface side portion are developed. Since FIG. 7A is the same as FIG. 5A, a description thereof will be omitted, and the line 160 shown in FIG. 7B will be described in detail. One of the features of the line 160 is that the brightness increases from both ends to the center shown in FIG. When the pattern shown in FIG. 7B is applied to the curved surface portion above the flat portion of the examination space, the change in the gradation of the subject laid down in the examination space becomes darker on both sides. It is visually recognized as a color change that fades, giving the subject a feeling that the upper side is spreading. As long as the color of the line is lighter than the background color (light color), blue, black, green, brown, and the like can be selected as appropriate, and a plurality of colors may be combined.

Another feature of the line 160 is that its width d becomes narrower in the depth direction of the examination space. When the object is moved in the examination space with the subject lying on his / her back, the line width d is gradually narrowed, whereby the interval W between dots is narrowed in the depth direction in the first embodiment. Similarly, an illusion of perspective occurs, the subject feels the illusion that the line goes far and rises, and the ceiling of the examination space is felt to be high. Thereby, a feeling of obstruction | occlusion can be relieved.

The range in which the width d of the line is changed may be from the entrance of the examination space to the deepest part where the head of the subject is arranged, that is, near the center of the examination space. From the center to the entrance of the back panel, the line width may be the same or may be changed with the same degree of change.

The method of changing the line width is not particularly limited, but the width of the narrowest line is about 50% to 75% of the width of the line closest to the entrance (first line). . In the example shown in FIG. 7, the line width is changed in accordance with a parabolic shape, that is, a quadratic function (a−bx ² , x is a distance from the entrance) with respect to the width of 30 mm of the first line, and is almost at the center of the examination space 22 mm (73.3% of the first line).

The inner cover of the present embodiment is also designed so that the line-to-line arrangement pitch P increases in the depth direction of the inspection space. Similar to the first embodiment, this gives a visual effect that makes the user feel the space shorter than the actual depth when viewed from the outside. That is, the arrangement pitch P is determined so that the distance between the lines looks almost the same when the subject laid on the bed is viewed from a position several tens of centimeters away from the entrance of the examination space. The method of changing the arrangement pitch P is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 6 for the dot arrangement pitch P of the first embodiment. However, since the line width d changes in this embodiment, the spacing between the lines is determined based on the end of the line width on the entrance side for all lines.

Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, when moving in the inspection space, the visual effect that makes the inspection space feel wide, and the depth of the inspection space is shorter than the actual depth before entering the inspection space. You can give the visual effect you feel.

In the present embodiment, the three features of giving circumferential gradation to the lines arranged in the depth direction, narrowing the line width d in the depth direction, and widening the line pitch in the depth direction are provided. Although the case where it has was demonstrated, the case where only one of these characteristics or only two arbitrary combinations is included is also included in this invention. That is, one or both of the line width and the pitch may be constant, and a circumferential gradation may be given. Although there is no gradation, the width of the line may be narrowed in the depth direction or the pitch of the line may be increased in the depth direction. There is no gradation, but both the width and pitch of the line are directed toward the depth direction. It may be changed. In any case, the visual effect by each feature can be obtained.

<Third embodiment>
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the case where a geometric pattern is applied to the inner cover 140 as a pattern that gives a visual effect to the subject has been described. However, a concrete pattern (object), for example, an empty ( Clouds, starry sky, sea (sand beaches, seabed, etc.), plants (trees and petals), and even animated characters for children can be provided. Similar effects can be obtained by arranging these patterns in an arrangement that gives an illusion of perspective as in the first and second embodiments.

An example of cloud arrangement is shown in FIG. FIG. 8A is a diagram showing the relationship between the cross section of the examination space and the viewpoint E of the subject, as in FIGS. 5A and 7A, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8 (b), the Gandory according to the present embodiment has an empty pattern in which clouds 170 are arranged on the surface of the inner cover 140. The sky part is based on blue, and the gradation is provided so that the upper surface facing the subject laid down in the examination space is dark and lighter toward both sides. This change in color is opposite to the change in the gradation of the line in the second embodiment, but in this embodiment, the color of the natural sky approaches lighter white as it approaches the ground. Thus, the effect of making the subject feel that the upper surface is high is obtained.

The basic concept of the arrangement of the clouds 170 is the same as that of the first embodiment, but in order to simulate the natural sky, clouds of different sizes are arranged at random to some extent, and the circumferential direction of the scattered clouds In addition, the clouds are arranged so that the gap is wide at the entrance and narrows along the depth direction of the examination space. Also, the clouds are decreasing in sharpness from the top to both sides. The subject that can be moved in the examination space with such a pattern feels open as if looking up at the sky, and has a feeling that the upper surface (sky) becomes higher as it moves in the depth direction. Remember, the feeling of obstruction is reduced. In addition, since the clarity of the clouds on both sides is low, the feeling of pressure in the regions on both sides of the field of view (the region that is blurred) is reduced.

In the present embodiment, the distance between the clouds in the depth direction is random, and the configuration for changing the arrangement pitch in the depth direction employed in the first embodiment and the second embodiment is not employed. Since the subject placed on the bed is provided with an empty pattern in the examination space, a sense of resistance can be reduced as compared with a case where the subject is inserted into an achromatic or light-colored examination space.

In the present embodiment, the background color is given a gradation simulating nature, the density of objects arranged in the background is changed in the depth direction, and the sharpness of the object is changed in the circumferential direction. Although the case where the feature is provided has been described, the case where only one of these features or only a combination of any two of them is provided is also included in the present invention, and in any case, the visual effect by each feature can be obtained.

As mentioned above, although the embodiment of the design given to the gantry surface of the inspection device of the present invention was explained, the technique for giving these designs is explained briefly next.

Generally, the gantry including the inner cover is made of a plastic material such as FRP. As a method for applying the above-mentioned pattern to such a material, printing using a known printing method on the surface of a plastic material, transfer using a transfer material, or paper or film having a pattern formed by printing or transfer, etc. A method of sticking or fixing to the outside of the cover can be employed. In particular, when a flexible plastic thin plate is detachably fixed, various thin plates with different patterns are prepared, and the age of the subject (children or adults), physique, etc. You may make it fix the thin plate provided with the design suitably selected according to the inner cover.

<Fourth embodiment>
In the first to third embodiments described above, the surface of the inner gantry 140, that is, the surface constituting the inspection space is given a planar (smooth) design. In this embodiment, an optical film is used. It is used. Generally, when an object is placed inside the focal point of a convex lens, it is well known that an enlarged image (virtual image) of the object can be seen farther than the object. This embodiment uses the physical phenomenon. For this reason, an optical film in which a number of very fine convex lenses are formed on the surface is used as the optical film. A pattern such as fine dots is formed on the surface of the inner cover, and the optical film on which this convex lens is formed is laminated in close contact therewith.

FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the optical film 180 and the pattern 190 formed on the inner cover. As shown in the drawing, a large number of dot-like patterns 190 are formed on the surface of the inner cover 140. The shape of the dot is arbitrary, but the size should be smaller than the width of the convex lens formed on the optical film. On the other hand, convex lenses 181 are formed on the surface of the optical film 180 in an arrangement substantially corresponding to the arrangement of the dots, and the thickness of the optical film is thinner than the distance from the surface of the formed convex lens to the focal point F. That is, the focal position is outside the optical film. The surface of the optical film 180 opposite to the surface on which the convex lens 181 is formed is fixed so as to be in close contact with the surface of the inner cover 140, that is, the surface on which the dot pattern 190 is formed. The fixing method may be sticking using an adhesive, or the end portion may be fixed so as to be in close contact.

When the dot 190 is viewed from the surface side of the inner cover 140 (inner wall side of the inspection space), the distance between the dot 190 and the center of the convex lens 181 is shorter than the focal length, so that the virtual image 195 is smaller than the actual position of the dot 190. It will appear at a position away from the convex lens 181. Since the pattern composed of the virtual image of the entire dot provided on the inner cover appears at a position farther than the inner cover, the examination space appears to greatly expand in the radial direction to the subject.

As an example, when the size of the convex lens is 0.1 mm (focal length 5 mm), the thickness of the optical film (the thickness of the portion where the convex lens is not formed) is 4 mm, and the dot size is 0.05 mm, the virtual image is It looks about 20 mm away from the position where the actual dots are formed. This means that the examination space appears to expand about 20 mm in the radial direction. The radius of the inspection space is reduced by about 4 mm corresponding to the thickness of the optical film, but this is sufficiently smaller than the distance that appears to be spread by the virtual image.

According to the present embodiment, by using an optical film that generates a virtual image at a position distant from the position of the actual pattern, the examination space can be shown greatly expanded, and the subject laid in the examination space The feeling of occlusion can be relieved.

As mentioned above, although each embodiment of the design provided in the gantry of the MRI apparatus of this invention was described, the shape and size shown by drawing and description are examples, and can be changed suitably. Further, these embodiments can be appropriately combined.

In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the example in which the cross section of the examination space is elliptical is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the same effect may be obtained even if it is circular or other shapes. Needless to say.

According to the present invention, on the surface of the inner cover that covers the examination space into which the subject is inserted, particularly the gantry, by applying a design having a visual effect that makes the examination space wide and a visual effect that makes the depth of the examination space short, It is possible to relieve the feeling of blockage and pressure on the subject to be examined. The present invention is particularly effective for an inspection apparatus having a tunnel-like (cylindrical) inspection space, but can also be applied to an open type inspection apparatus having a structure in which the inspection space is sandwiched between upper and lower or left and right surfaces. it can.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Gantry part, 110 ... Front panel, 120 ... Side cover, 130 ... Curved surface cover, 140 ... Inner cover (inspection space inner wall), 141 ... Flat part, 142 ... -Ellipse part, 150 ... dot, 160 ... line, 170 ... cloud pattern (object), 180 ... optical film, 181 ... convex lens, 190 ... dot, 200 ... -Bed part, 210 ... Top plate part, 220 ... Lifting mechanism, 230 ... Cart.

Claims

An inspection apparatus having an inspection space for inserting a subject,
The inner wall facing the examination space is formed with a design that gives a visual effect to the subject,
The design includes a plurality of elements or objects,
As the interval between the elements or the interval between the objects, the interval in the longitudinal direction and / or the interval in the circumferential direction of the examination space changes from the insertion port side to the back side of the subject. Inspection equipment.
The inspection apparatus according to claim 1,
The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the elements or the objects in the longitudinal direction in the inspection space is narrow on the insertion port side and wide on the back side.
The inspection apparatus according to claim 2,
The distance between the elements or objects in the longitudinal direction in the examination space gives a visual effect that looks almost the same distance according to perspective when viewed from a position away from the insertion opening of the examination space by a predetermined distance. Inspection device to do.
The inspection apparatus according to claim 1,
The plurality of elements constituting the design are at least two rows of dots arranged in the longitudinal direction of the inspection space, and the interval between the dot rows in the circumferential direction in the inspection space is on the insertion opening side of the inspection space. An inspection device that is wide and narrows toward the back.
The inspection apparatus according to claim 4,
The interval between the dot rows in the circumferential direction changes in a parabolic shape along the longitudinal direction of the inspection space.
The inspection apparatus according to claim 4,
The size of the dots changes from the insertion port side to the back side of the inspection space.
The inspection apparatus according to claim 1,
The plurality of elements constituting the design are lines drawn along the circumferential direction of the inspection space, and the width of the line is wide on the insertion opening side of the inspection space and narrows toward the back side. Characteristic inspection device.
The inspection device according to claim 7,
The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the line has a gradation portion in which color shade changes.
The inspection apparatus according to claim 1,
An object constituting the design is arranged in a background, and the background is provided with a gradation in which the gradation changes in the longitudinal direction and / or the circumferential direction of the inspection space.
An inspection apparatus having an inspection space for inserting a subject,
An optical member that gives a visual effect to the subject is provided on the inner wall facing the examination space,
The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical member includes an optical element that generates a virtual image of a pattern formed on the inner wall.
The inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The inspection apparatus is one of an MRI apparatus, a CT apparatus, and a PET apparatus.