Device and method for detecting position of region to be inspected

Abstract

The present invention is based on a medical imaging device comprising: a lying table on which an object can be positioned for a medical imaging examination; a first detection device configured to detect a position of a region to be inspected of the object; a projection device which is designed to project and / or display a feedback mark at the detected position of the region to be inspected; a linear axis unit including a driving unit for moving the projection apparatus; and a second detection device which is designed to detect position data of the medical operator during the preparation of the medical imaging examination of the object, wherein the projection device tracks the position of the medical operator in the longitudinal direction of the lying table at the linear axis unit during the preparation of the object on the basis of the detected position data of the second detection device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a medical imaging device, comprising: a bed on which an object can be positioned for a medical imaging examination and which can be moved into a receiving area of ​​the medical imaging device; a first detection device, which is configured to detect the position of a region to be examined of the object; a projection device, which is configured to project and / or display a feedback mark at the detected position of the region to be examined; and a linear axis unit, which comprises a drive unit for moving at least the marking device, wherein the linear axis unit is arranged above the bed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bed. In addition, the invention comprises a method for detecting the position of a region to be examined of an object for a medical imaging examination by means of the first detection device.

[0002] Includes persons having either male or female identities, regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term. Background Art

[0003] In order to perform a medical imaging examination, in particular a magnetic resonance examination, it is necessary to correctly position the patient, in particular the area to be examined of the patient, in the isocenter of the medical imaging device. Here, for example, the area to be examined of the patient is marked with a laser beam arranged at the front side of the magnetic resonance device. To this end, the table on which the patient is positioned for the magnetic resonance examination must be moved in the z direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the table until the area to be examined of the patient coincides with the laser mark. After marking the area to be examined, the table is then automatically moved together with the patient into the accommodating area of ​​the magnetic resonance device, wherein in this case the area to be examined or the marked area of ​​the patient is positioned in the isocenter. However, such positioning is very difficult for inexperienced and / or unskilled users, so that positioning requires a high time consumption and / or may also cause incorrect positioning.

[0004] A device for detecting and marking an area to be examined of a patient is known from DE 10 2021 202 978 A1, wherein the device is arranged on the ceiling above a bed. In this case, the area to be examined is marked by the user with the aid of a marking object and detected by a detection device. Subsequently, a feedback mark is projected at the detected position with the aid of a projection device. If the position of the feedback mark coincides with the position of the marking object, the displacement of the bed to the isocenter is determined based on the position. However, the method has the disadvantage that the projection device is only allowed to track the corresponding position after the marking object is detected. The tracking may take several seconds, which leads to low user acceptance. Summary of the invention

[0005] The invention is based in particular on the object of enabling simple and rapid marking of an area to be examined. This object is achieved by a medical imaging device according to the invention, a method according to the invention and a computer program product according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments are described below.

[0006] The present invention is based on a medical imaging device, which comprises:

[0007] a table on which a subject can be positioned for a medical imaging examination and which can be moved into a receiving area of ​​the medical imaging device,

[0008] a first detection device configured to detect the position of a region of an object to be examined for a medical imaging examination;

[0009] - a projection device configured to project and / or display a feedback mark at the detected position of the area to be inspected;

[0010] A linear axis unit comprising a drive unit for moving the projection device, wherein the linear axis unit is arranged above the couch parallel to the longitudinal direction of the couch.

[0011] According to the present invention, the medical imaging device has a second detection device, which is configured to detect position data of a medical operator during preparation of an object for a medical imaging examination, wherein the projection device tracks the position of the medical operator relative to the longitudinal direction of the bed at the linear axis unit during preparation of the object based on the detected position data of the second detection device.

[0012] The medical imaging device can include a computed tomography device (CT device), a PET device (positron emission tomography device), a magnetic resonance device or a combination of a plurality of medical imaging devices, for example a magnetic resonance-PET device or a CT-PET device.

[0013] The medical imaging device is preferably designed and / or configured for recording medical and / or diagnostic image data of a patient and / or an object.

[0014] The medical imaging device preferably comprises a scanner unit for detecting medical and / or diagnostic image data. Here, the scanner unit surrounds a receiving area of ​​the medical imaging device. The receiving area is preferably cylindrical and is configured to receive a patient and / or an object, in particular a region of the patient and / or the object to be examined, for performing a medical imaging examination.

[0015] The object to be examined preferably comprises a patient. With the aid of a medical imaging examination, in particular clinical and / or diagnostic questions about the patient should be clarified. In addition, the object can also comprise phantoms for, for example, regulating measurements and / or other objects that appear meaningful to those skilled in the art.

[0016] In order to perform a medical imaging examination, an object, in particular a patient, in particular an area of ​​the object, in particular a patient to be examined, is positioned within a receiving area of ​​a medical imaging device. A field of view (FOV) and / or an isocenter of the medical imaging device is preferably provided within the receiving area. The FOV preferably includes a detection area of ​​the medical imaging device, within which conditions exist for detecting medical image data within the receiving area, for example, when the medical imaging device is configured as a magnetic resonance device, a uniform basic magnetic field exists. The isocenter of the medical imaging device preferably includes an area and / or point within the magnetic resonance device, which has optimal and / or ideal conditions for detecting medical image data. For example, when the medical imaging device is configured as a magnetic resonance device, the isocenter includes the most uniform magnetic field area within the magnetic resonance device.

[0017] In order to move and / or position an object and / or a patient, in particular a region of the object and / or the patient to be examined, into the receiving area, the medical imaging device comprises a patient support device. The patient support device has a bed, wherein the bed is designed to be movable relative to the scanner unit. Preferably, the bed is designed to be movable in the receiving area in the longitudinal direction of the bed and / or in the longitudinal direction of the receiving area in order to position the patient in an examination position in the receiving area.

[0018] The first detection device is configured to detect the position of an area to be examined of an object, in particular a patient, for an upcoming medical imaging examination. The first detection device can include a camera, such as a 2D camera or a 3D camera. In addition, the first detection device can also include more than one camera, such as a camera array. If the first detection device includes a camera, the camera can be arranged, for example, at the ceiling of an examination room in which a medical imaging device is provided. The first detection device is particularly arranged in a front area in front of the front side of the scanner unit. The front area is located in front of the scanner unit in a manner adjacent to the front side. In addition, the detection device can include other units and / or sensors for detecting the area to be examined, which can be arranged, for example, at the couch.

[0019] In order to detect the area to be examined, a marking element is preferably positioned by the user on the area to be examined of the object and / or patient, wherein the marking element is recognized by the first detection device as the area to be examined and its position is detected. The marking element can, for example, include a finger of a medical operator or also a handheld object, such as a marking stick.

[0020] The projection device preferably comprises a video projector and / or a laser marking unit, which is configured to project and / or display a feedback mark at a position of the area to be inspected detected by the first detection device. With the aid of the feedback mark, the user obtains feedback on whether the area to be inspected of the object and / or patient has been correctly detected.

[0021] The linear axis unit preferably comprises a drive unit and a track, wherein at least the projection device is automatically positioned and / or moved on the track by means of the drive unit. The linear axis unit is preferably arranged on the ceiling of the examination room together with the projection device. In particular, the linear axis unit is arranged on the ceiling of the examination room so that a table arranged in a front area in front of the front side of the scanner unit during preparation is located in the projection field of the projection device. In particular, the linear axis unit is also arranged in the front area in front of the scanner unit together with the projection device. In addition, the linear axis unit comprises a calculation unit, wherein the calculation unit determines the position of the projection device along the track based on the detected position data of the first detection device. By means of the drive unit, a driving torque for the movement of the projection device on the track is preferably generated. The track is preferably oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction of the table.

[0022] A detailed description of the first detection device, the projection device and the linear axis unit is disclosed in DE 10 2021 202 978 A1, to which reference is hereby made.

[0023] The second detection device is designed to detect position data of a medical operator during the preparation of the object for an upcoming medical imaging examination. The preparation of the object here includes positioning the object, for example a patient, on a couch. In addition, the preparation of the object can also include: arranging additional units at the object, for example positioning a support cushion at the object and / or positioning a local magnetic resonance coil, which is arranged around the area to be examined of the object, in particular a patient; and / or arranging a unit for detecting physiological signals, such as an EKG unit or the like. Preferably, the detection of the position data of the medical operator is carried out continuously during the entire preparation of the object, in particular a patient, until the preparation of the object for the upcoming medical imaging examination is completed.

[0024] Preferably, position information of the medical operator is determined based on the detected position data. Preferably, the position information of the medical operator includes position information about the z direction of the scanner unit and / or the longitudinal direction of the table.

[0025] The position of the projection device is determined based on the detected position data, in particular based on the position information of the medical operator about the longitudinal direction of the bed. Subsequently, the projection device is moved and / or driven to the position, in particular by means of a linear axis unit. In particular, the projection device is moved and / or driven in the longitudinal direction of the bed parallel to the z-direction by means of a linear axis unit in this case. The position to which the projection device is driven and / or at which it is tracked substantially corresponds to the position detected by the second detection device as the position of the medical operator. The position of the projection device to which it is moved can deviate from the detected position of the medical operator by up to ±10 cm. The position of the projection device to which it is moved can deviate from the detected position of the medical operator by up to ±20 cm. The position of the projection device to which it is moved can deviate from the detected position of the medical operator by up to ±30 cm.

[0026] Furthermore, it is also possible that, in addition to the projection device, the first detection device tracks the position of the medical operator in the z direction at the linear axis unit during the preparation of the object based on the detected position data of the second detection device. As an alternative to the tracking by the first detection device, the first detection device can also be arranged fixedly on the ceiling of the examination room, for example, if it is designed as a high-resolution camera, such as a 3D camera.

[0027] In this way, the projection device can always be arranged near the medical operator in the longitudinal direction of the bed, so that when placing the marking element to confirm and / or detect the area to be examined of the object, especially the patient, the projection device has only a short movement path or is already arranged at the position of the area to be examined in the longitudinal direction of the bed. As a result, the projection device can reach and / or move to the position where the feedback mark should be projected particularly quickly and in a time-saving manner. By this, the medical operator can also obtain the feedback mark in a particularly short time. This especially enables simple and fast marking of the area to be examined, so that the workflow of the medical operator is not delayed by long waiting times. In this way, inadvertent interruptions of the detection of the area to be examined caused by the medical operator taking the marking element away from the area to be examined can also be reduced and / or prevented.

[0028] In addition, it is possible to select whether the first detection device must be switched on to detect and / or detect the marking element based on the position data of the medical operator continuously detected by means of the second detection device. Resources such as CPU time and / or energy consumption can thus be saved. Another advantage is that the first detection device does not require dedicated and / or cost-intensive EMC measures (measures for electromagnetic compatibility), such as a dedicated shielding housing in the case of a medical imaging device in the form of a magnetic resonance device, because the first detection device is switched off during the critical magnetic resonance measurement time.

[0029] In an advantageous development of the medical imaging device according to the invention, it can be provided that the medical imaging device is designed as a magnetic resonance device. In particular, in the case of magnetic resonance examinations that require a longer time, precise positioning is particularly important. This also makes it possible to reduce the patient's stay time in the receiving area to the measurement time, so that measurement repetitions due to incorrect positioning can be prevented.

[0030] The magnetic resonance device preferably comprises a scanner unit configured as a magnet unit, which is used to detect medical and / or diagnostic image data. In this case, the magnet unit comprises a basic magnet, a gradient coil unit and a radio frequency antenna unit. The radio frequency antenna unit is fixedly arranged in the magnet unit in this case. The magnet unit surrounds the accommodation area of ​​the magnetic resonance device. The accommodation area is preferably cylindrically configured and is configured to accommodate patients and / or objects, in particular the area to be examined of the patient and / or object, for performing a magnetic resonance examination.

[0031] The basic magnet is configured to generate a uniform basic magnetic field with a defined magnetic field strength, for example, a magnetic field strength of 0.55 T or 1.5 T or 3 T or 7 T, etc. In particular, the basic magnet is configured to generate a strong, constant and uniform basic magnetic field. The gradient system is configured to generate a magnetic field gradient, which is used for position encoding during imaging. The radio frequency antenna unit is configured to emit radio frequency pulses and / or excitation pulses for generating magnetic resonance signals.

[0032] In an advantageous improvement of the medical imaging device according to the present invention, it can be proposed that the second detection device includes a sensor unit for detecting the position data of the medical operator, wherein the sensor unit has a field of view surrounding the area next to the bed. The sensor unit can include a camera and / or a thermal image camera and / or other sensor units that appear meaningful to a person skilled in the art. During the preparation of the object, especially the patient for the upcoming medical imaging examination, the bed is located in the front area in front of the front side of the scanner unit. The area next to the bed preferably includes a stay area for the medical operator, and the medical operator stays in the stay area to prepare the object, especially the patient for the medical imaging examination. In this way, it is advantageously possible to achieve simple and direct detection of the position data of the medical operator during the preparation of the object, especially the patient for the medical imaging examination. In addition, it is possible to provide detection of the position data of the medical operator that is independent of the detection of the area to be examined.

[0033] In an advantageous improvement of the medical imaging device according to the present invention, it can be proposed that the sensor unit includes at least one thermal image sensor. Preferably, the sensor unit includes a thermal image sensor array having two or more thermal image sensors. Each thermal image sensor preferably includes an infrared sensor, which is configured to detect thermal radiation, in particular infrared radiation. By using a thermal image sensor, a reliable and robust identification of a medical operator can be provided to detect the position data of the medical operator. In addition, the sensor unit for detecting the position data of the medical operator can be configured particularly advantageously. Detecting the position data of the medical operator by means of a camera, for example a camera of a first detection device, requires complex image reconstruction and analysis to identify the medical operator, which is significantly easier with the help of a thermal image sensor. In particular, this can save energy and / or computing performance and / or detection time.

[0034] In an advantageous development of the medical imaging device according to the invention, it can be provided that the second detection device comprises a field of view manipulation unit, which is designed to conceal an area of ​​the bed from the field of view of the sensor unit. In this case, the field of view manipulation unit can comprise a shading object and / or a mirror system having at least one mirror, which redirects and / or limits the field of view of the sensor unit so that the area of ​​the bed is not surrounded by the field of view of the sensor unit. In this way, the thermal radiation of a patient located on the bed can be concealed in a simple manner during the detection of the position data of the medical operator. In particular, in this way, a one-to-one and direct association of the detected thermal radiation with the medical operator can be achieved when evaluating the position data detected by means of the second detection device, and errors can be reduced and / or eliminated during the evaluation.

[0035] In an advantageous improvement of the medical imaging device according to the present invention, it can be proposed that the field of view manipulation unit is configured to separate and / or deflect the field of view of the sensor unit into two sub-fields of view. Preferably, each sub-field of view covers an area next to the couch, wherein the two sub-fields of view are arranged at different areas next to the couch. Here, the first sub-field of view can cover the area to the right of the couch, and the second sub-field of view can cover the area to the left of the couch, wherein the middle area, in particular the area of ​​the couch, is excluded from the field of view of the sensor unit. In this way, the patient positioned on the couch can be eliminated from the field of view of the sensor unit in a structurally simple manner. In addition, it is advantageous that each of the two sub-fields of view can be configured to be large enough to determine the position of a medical operator. In particular, in this way, two areas next to the couch can be detected by means of a single sensor unit to determine the position of the medical operator.

[0036] In an advantageous improvement of the medical imaging device according to the present invention, it can be proposed that the field of view manipulation unit includes a mirror system with two detection paths, wherein each detection path has at least one mirror for redirecting a sub-field of view. Preferably, the sub-field of view is deflected from the sensor unit to at least one mirror and from at least one mirror to an area next to the couch. Particularly advantageously, the mirror system has two mirrors for each detection path, wherein the sub-field of view is deflected from the sensor unit to the first mirror, from the first mirror to the second mirror and from the second mirror to an area next to the couch. In this way, the area of ​​the couch can be particularly easily excluded from the field of view of the sensor unit. Another advantage of the design is that detecting the two sub-fields of view by means of the mirror system is significantly more advantageous than equipping the second detection device with two thermal image sensors to divide the field of view into two sub-fields of view.

[0037] In an advantageous improvement of the medical imaging device according to the present invention, it can be proposed that the second detection device has an evaluation unit, which is configured to evaluate the detected position data. The evaluation unit preferably includes a microcontroller. In addition, the evaluation unit includes software, which is configured to evaluate the position data detected by means of a sensor unit, especially at least one thermal image sensor. Preferably, when evaluating the position data detected by means of the sensor unit, the evaluation unit, especially the microcontroller, obtains and / or determines the position information of the medical operator in the z direction and / or with respect to the longitudinal direction of the bed. In this way, a direct and simple evaluation can be provided for determining the position of the medical operator and / or determining the position information of the medical operator. In particular, the position data detected by means of the sensor unit can be evaluated independently of determining and / or specifying the area to be examined.

[0038] In an advantageous improvement of the medical imaging device according to the invention, it can be provided that the second detection device comprises a shielding housing. The shielding housing preferably comprises an EMC (Elektromagnetische The invention also provides an EMC-safe shielding housing, which shields electromagnetic radiation from the second detection device and / or shields electromagnetic radiation from a scanner unit, in particular a magnet unit of a magnetic resonance device. This can advantageously prevent undesired interactions between the second detection device and the scanner unit, in particular the magnet unit. In particular, interference-free operation of the second detection device and the scanner unit, in particular the magnet unit, can be ensured.

[0039] In an advantageous development of the medical imaging device according to the invention, it can be provided that the second detection device has an optical data transmission unit for transmitting the position information of the medical operator to the medical imaging device and / or the linear axis unit. The optical data transmission unit preferably has at least one optical waveguide for data transmission. In addition, the second detection device, in particular the evaluation unit of the second detection device, has a corresponding optical data interface in this case. By means of the optical data transmission unit, in particular the data transmission by at least one optical waveguide, undesirable interferences of the medical imaging, for example undesirable artifacts in the medical image data, can be prevented.

[0040] Furthermore, the present invention is based on a method for detecting a position of a region to be examined of an object for a medical imaging examination by means of a first detection device, the method comprising the following method steps:

[0041] - preparing the object on a table which can be moved into the receiving area of ​​the medical imaging device, wherein the object is prepared manually by a medical operator,

[0042] - detecting position data of the medical operator during positioning of the object by means of a second detection device,

[0043] - having the projection device track the position of the medical operator in the longitudinal direction of the couch, wherein the tracking is performed based on the position information of the medical operator ascertained from the detected position data,

[0044] - repeating the method steps of positioning the object, detecting the position data of the medical operator and repeating the method step of tracking by the projection device until the region of the object to be examined is determined by means of the manual positioning of the marking element,

[0045] - detecting the position of the marking element by means of a first detection device, and

[0046] - Projecting and / or displaying feedback markings at the detected locations of the area to be inspected of the object by means of a projection device.

[0047] A detailed description of the detection of the position of the marking element and the projection and / or display of the feedback marking is disclosed in DE 10 2021 202 978 A1, to which reference is made in this regard.

[0048] In this case, the projection device is tracked by means of a linear axis unit of the medical imaging device.

[0049] The projection and / or display of the feedback marking also includes here the positioning of the projection device at the location of the marking element with respect to the longitudinal direction of the couch.

[0050] In this way, the projection device can always be arranged near the medical operator in the longitudinal direction of the bed, so that when placing the marking element to determine and / or detect the area to be examined of the object, especially the patient, the projection device only has a short movement path or is already arranged at the position of the area to be examined in the longitudinal direction of the bed. As a result, the projection device can reach and / or move to the position where the feedback mark is to be projected particularly quickly and in a time-saving manner. By this, the medical operator can also obtain the feedback mark particularly quickly. This makes it possible in particular to simply and quickly mark the area to be examined, so that the workflow of the medical operator is not delayed by long waiting times. In this way, inadvertent interruptions of the detection of the area to be examined caused by the medical operator taking the marking element away from the area to be examined can also be reduced and / or prevented.

[0051] In addition, it is possible to select whether the first detection device must be switched on to detect and / or detect the marking element based on the position data of the medical operator continuously detected by means of the second detection device. Resources such as CPU time and / or energy consumption can thus be saved. Another advantage is that the first detection device does not require special and / or cost-intensive EMC measures (measures for electromagnetic compatibility), for example, in the case where the medical imaging device is configured as a magnetic resonance device, no special shielding housing is required, because the first detection device is switched off during the critical magnetic resonance measurement time.

[0052] The advantages of the method according to the invention for detecting the position of the area to be examined of an object by means of a first detection device for performing a medical imaging examination correspond substantially to the advantages of the medical imaging device according to the invention described in detail above. Here, the mentioned features, advantages or alternative embodiments can also be transferred to other claimed subjects, and vice versa.

[0053] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that, in order to detect the position data of the medical operator, the area of ​​the bed is concealed in the field of view of the second detection device. In this way, the thermal radiation to the patient located on the bed can be concealed in a simple manner during the detection of the position data of the medical operator. Furthermore, if the second detection device comprises a thermal image sensor, when evaluating the position data detected by means of the second detection device, a one-to-one and direct association of the detected thermal radiation with the medical operator can be achieved, and errors in the evaluation can be reduced and / or eliminated.

[0054] In an advantageous improvement of the method according to the present invention, it can be proposed that in order to detect the position data of the medical operator, the field of view of the second detection device is separated and / or deflected. The second detection device has a field of view manipulation unit for this purpose, which separates and / or deflects the field of view. Preferably, the second detection device, in particular the field of view manipulation unit, has a mirror system, which is configured to separate and / or deflect the field of view into two sub-fields of view. Preferably, each sub-field of view covers an area next to the couch. Here, the first sub-field of view can cover the area on the right side of the couch, and the second sub-field of view can cover the area on the left side of the couch, wherein the middle area, in particular the area of ​​the couch, is excluded from the field of view of the sensor unit. In this way, the patient positioned on the couch can be concealed and / or eliminated from the field of view of the sensor unit in a structurally simple manner. In addition, each of the two sub-fields of view can be advantageously configured to be large enough to determine the position of the medical operator. In particular, in this way, two areas next to the couch can be detected by means of a single sensor unit to determine the position of the medical operator and detect the position data of the medical operator.

[0055] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the detected position data are evaluated by means of a second detection device and the determined position information of the medical operator is transmitted to the linear axis unit by means of an optical data transmission unit for positioning the projection device. Preferably, the second detection device in this case has an evaluation unit, for example a microcontroller. The evaluation unit, in particular the microcontroller, can include a corresponding optical data interface for data transmission. The optical data transmission unit preferably includes at least one optical waveguide for data transmission to the linear axis unit and / or the medical imaging device. In this way, a direct evaluation of the detected position data can be achieved. In addition, by means of data transmission by means of an optical waveguide, undesirable interferences in medical imaging, such as undesirable artifacts in the medical image data, can be prevented.

[0056] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the examination position of the table is calculated as a function of the position of the detected region to be examined of the object. In this case, the calculation of the examination position of the table is performed by means of a computing unit and / or a control unit of the medical imaging device. The examination position here comprises the following position of the table with respect to the scanner unit: the region to be examined of the object, in particular the patient, is arranged in the isocenter of the medical imaging device. This makes it possible to position the region to be examined in the isocenter of the medical imaging device in a simple and time-saving manner. In particular, this can advantageously assist a medical operator in positioning a patient in the medical imaging device and can simplify the positioning workflow for inexperienced users.

[0057] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the bed can be automatically moved into the examination position to detect medical imaging data of the region to be examined of the subject. In this case, a simple and time-saving positioning of the region to be examined in the isocenter of the medical imaging device can also be achieved. Preferably, the patient support device has a corresponding level adjustment unit and a position control unit for positioning the bed in the examination position.

[0058] Furthermore, the invention is based on a computer program product, which includes a program and can be directly loaded into a memory of a programmable control unit, and which has program means so that when the program is run in the control unit, a method for detecting the position of a region to be examined of an object by means of a first detection device for a medical imaging examination is executed. In this case, the computer program may require program means, such as program libraries and auxiliary functions, in order to implement the corresponding implementation of the method. In this case, the computer program can include: software with source code that still has to be compiled and linked or only has to be interpreted; or executable software code that only has to be loaded into the corresponding computing unit for execution.

[0059] The computer program product according to the present invention can be directly loaded into the memory of a programmable computing unit and has a program code mechanism so that when the computer program product is run in the computing unit, the method according to the present invention is executed. The computer program product can be a computer program or include a computer program. It is thus possible to quickly, identically repeatably and robustly execute the method according to the present invention. The computer program product is configured so that it can execute the method steps according to the present invention by means of a computing unit. The computing unit must have prerequisites, such as a corresponding working memory, a corresponding graphics card or a corresponding logic unit, so that the corresponding method steps can be efficiently executed. The computer program product is stored, for example, on a computer-readable medium or saved on a network or server, from which the computer program product can be loaded into a processor of a local computing unit, which is directly connected to a medical imaging device or can be formed as a part. In addition, the control information of the computer program product can be stored on an electronically readable data carrier. The control information of the electronically readable data carrier can be designed so that the control information executes the method according to the present invention when the data carrier is used in the computing unit. Therefore, the computer program product can also be an electronically readable data carrier. Examples of electronically readable data carriers are DVDs, magnetic tapes, hard disks or USB sticks on which electronically readable control information, in particular software (see above) is stored. If the control information (software) is read from the data carrier and stored in a control device and / or a computing unit, all embodiments of the method according to the invention described above can be carried out. The invention can therefore also be based on the computer-readable medium and / or the electronically readable data carrier. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the exemplary embodiments described below and with reference to the drawings.

[0061] The accompanying drawings show:

[0062] Figure 1 The schematic diagram shows a medical imaging system according to the invention designed as a magnetic resonance system.

[0063] Figure 2 A second detection device of the magnetic resonance device is shown, and

[0064] Figure 3 A method according to the invention is shown for detecting a position of a region of an object to be examined for a medical imaging examination by means of a first detection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] exist Figure 1Schematically shows a medical imaging device 56. In the present embodiment, the medical imaging device 56 is formed by a magnetic resonance device 11, wherein the present invention is explained by way of example based on a magnetic resonance device. However, the present invention is not limited to the medical imaging device 56 as a design of the magnetic resonance device 11, and other designs of the medical imaging device 56 are also conceivable at any time.

[0066] The magnetic resonance device 10 comprises a scanner unit designed as a magnet unit 11, which has a base magnet 12, a gradient coil unit 13 and a radio frequency antenna unit 14. In addition, the medical imaging device 56, in particular the magnetic resonance device 10, has a receiving area 15 for receiving an object and / or a patient 16 for performing a magnetic resonance examination. In the present embodiment, the receiving area 15 is cylindrically designed and is cylindrically surrounded by the magnet unit 11 in the circumferential direction. However, in principle, different designs of the receiving area 15 are conceivable at any time.

[0067] In order to position an object and / or a patient 16, in particular a region of the patient 16 to be examined, in the receiving area 15, the medical imaging device 56, in particular the magnetic resonance device 10, has a patient support device 17. The patient support device 17 has a base unit 18 and a table 19 that is movable relative to the base unit 18. The table 19 is designed to movably position an object and / or a patient 16, in particular a region of the patient 16 to be examined, in the receiving area 15. In particular, the table 19 is movably supported in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the receiving area 15 and / or in the z direction.

[0068] The basic magnet 12 of the magnet unit 11 is designed to generate a strong and especially constant basic magnetic field 20. Here, the basic magnet 12 can be designed as a superconducting basic magnet 12 or as a permanent magnet, for example. The gradient coil unit 13 of the magnet unit 11 is designed to generate a magnetic field gradient for position encoding during imaging. The gradient coil unit 13 is controlled by means of a gradient control unit 21 of the magnetic resonance device 10. The radio frequency antenna unit 14 of the magnet unit 11 is designed to excite the polarization occurring in the basic magnetic field 20 generated by the basic magnet 12. The radio frequency antenna unit 14 is controlled by a radio frequency antenna control unit 22 of the magnetic resonance device 10 and emits a radio frequency magnetic resonance sequence into the receiving area 15 of the magnetic resonance device 10.

[0069] The magnetic resonance system 10 has a system control unit 23 for controlling the base magnet 12, the gradient control unit 21 and for controlling the radio frequency antenna control unit 22. The system control unit 23 centrally controls the magnetic resonance system 10, for example, executes a predetermined imaging gradient echo sequence. In addition, the system control unit 23 includes an evaluation unit (not shown in detail) to evaluate the medical image data detected during the magnetic resonance examination.

[0070] Furthermore, the medical imaging device 56, in particular the magnetic resonance device 10, comprises a user interface 24, which is connected to the system control unit 23. Control information, such as imaging parameters, and reconstructed magnetic resonance images can be displayed on a display unit 25 of the user interface 24, such as on at least one monitor, for a medical operator 33. Furthermore, the user interface 24 has an input unit 26, by means of which information and / or parameters can be input by the medical operator 33 during the measurement process.

[0071] In order to position the patient 16, the medical imaging device 56, in particular the magnetic resonance device 10, has a first detection device 27, a projection device 28 and a linear axis unit 29. The first detection device 27 is configured to detect the position of the area to be examined of the object and / or patient 16 for magnetic resonance examination. For this purpose, the first detection device 27 preferably has a camera, in particular a 2D camera and / or a 3D camera. In the present embodiment, the first detection device 27 is arranged at the ceiling 30 of the examination room in which the magnet unit 11 is arranged. Here, the first detection device 27 is arranged in the front area 31 in front of the front side 32 of the magnet unit 11, so as to detect the patient 16 and / or the couch 19 before they are moved into the accommodation area 15.

[0072] To detect the area to be examined, the medical operator 33 preferably positions a marking element 34 at the area to be examined, which marking element 34 is recognized and detected by the first detection device 27. The marking element 34 can include, for example, a finger of the medical operator 33 or a handheld object, such as a marking stick.

[0073] The projection device 28 preferably comprises a video projector and / or a laser marking unit, which is configured to project and / or display a feedback mark at the position detected by the first detection device 27. The feedback mark is provided for a user, in particular a medical operator 33, in order to check the position of the area to be examined detected by the first detection device 27.

[0074] The linear axis unit 29 is preferably arranged on the ceiling 30 of the examination room. In particular, the linear axis unit 29 is arranged on the ceiling 30 of the examination room in such a way that the table 19 arranged in the front region 31 in front of the front side 32 of the magnet unit 11 during preparation is located in the projection field of the projection device 28. In particular, the linear axis unit 29 is also arranged together with the projection device 28 in the front region 31 in front of the front side 32 of the magnet unit 11. The linear axis unit 29 preferably comprises a drive unit (not shown in detail) and a rail 35, wherein the projection device 28 is automatically positioned and / or moved on the rail 35 by means of the drive unit. In this case, the linear axis unit 29 can also comprise a calculation unit, which determines the position of the projection device 28 along the rail 35 to project feedback markings based on the detected position data of the first detection device 27. The rail 35 is preferably oriented in this case parallel to the longitudinal direction 36 of the table 19.

[0075] Furthermore, the medical imaging device 56, in particular the magnetic resonance device 10, has a second detection device 37, which is designed to detect position data of a medical operator 33 during the preparation of an object, in particular a patient 16, for a magnetic resonance examination. The detected position data are used to track the position of the medical operator 33 in the longitudinal direction 36 of the bed 19 during the preparation of the object and / or the patient 16 by the projection device 28 on the linear axis unit 29. Based on the detected position data, in particular based on the ascertained position in the longitudinal direction 36 of the bed 19, the position of the projection device 28 is determined and the projection device 28 is moved and / or driven to the position, in particular by means of the linear axis unit 29. The position to which the projection device 28 is driven and / or tracks substantially corresponds to the position that has been detected as the position of the medical operator 33 by the second detection device 37. The position into which the projection device 28 is moved can deviate from the detected position of the medical operator 33 by up to ±10 cm. The position into which the projection device 28 is moved can deviate from the detected position of the medical operator 33 by up to ±20 cm. The position into which the projection device 28 is moved can deviate from the detected position of the medical operator 33 by up to ±30 cm.

[0076] The second detection device 37 is arranged at the ceiling 30 of the examination room. In addition, the second detection device 37 has a shielding shell 38, in which a sensor unit 39 for detecting position data of the medical operator 33 is arranged. The shielding shell 38 preferably includes an EMV-sealed shielding shell that shields electromagnetic radiation from the second detection device 37.

[0077] In order to detect the position of the medical operator 33, the second detection device 37 has a sensor unit 39. In the present embodiment, the sensor unit 39 has at least one thermal image sensor 40. Preferably, the sensor unit 39 comprises a thermal image sensor array having two or more thermal image sensors 40. Each thermal image sensor 40 preferably comprises an infrared sensor, which is configured to detect thermal radiation, in particular infrared radiation. In an alternative design of the second detection device 37, the second detection device can also include a camera and / or other sensor units 39 that appear meaningful to a person skilled in the art.

[0078] The sensor unit 39 has a field of view 41, which includes areas 42, 43 next to the table 19 on which the object, in particular the patient 16, is positioned. In addition, the second detection device 37 has a field of view manipulation unit 44, which is designed to hide and / or eliminate areas of the table 19 from the field of view 41 of the sensor unit 39, such as in Figure 2 . In this case, the field of view manipulation unit 44 is designed to split and / or deflect the field of view 41 of the sensor unit 39 into two sub-fields of view 45, 46. Preferably, the first sub-field of view 45 includes a region 42 to the right of the patient support device 17, in particular a lying table 19 of the patient support device 17. Furthermore, the second sub-field of view 46 includes a region 43 to the left of the patient support device 17, in particular a lying table 19 of the patient support device 17.

[0079] In order to separate and / or deflect the field of view 41 of the sensor unit 39, the field of view manipulation unit 44 has a mirror system 47 with two detection paths 48, 49, wherein each detection path 48, 49 comprises at least one mirror 50, 51 for deflecting the subfields of view 45, 46. In the present exemplary embodiment, each detection path 48, 49 of the mirror system 47 has two mirrors 50, 51 for deflecting the subfields of view 45, 46. In this case, the subfields of view 45, 46 of the sensor unit 39 are deflected onto the first mirror 50, from the first mirror 50 onto the second mirror 51, and from the second mirror 51 onto the area 42, 43 next to the table 19, in particular to the left or right of the table 19. Preferably, the two mirrors 50, 51 of the detection paths 48, 49 are arranged such that the table 19 is arranged outside the subfields of view 45, 46, but the area 42, 43 next to the table 19 is completely detected.

[0080] Furthermore, the second detection device 37 has an evaluation unit 52 which is designed to evaluate the detected position data ( Figure 1). The evaluation unit 52 preferably comprises a computing unit, in particular a microcontroller, which is designed to evaluate the detected position data of the medical operator 33. In addition, the evaluation unit 52 comprises software, which is designed to evaluate the position data of the medical operator 33 detected by means of the sensor unit 39. Preferably, when evaluating the position data detected by means of the sensor unit 39, the position of the medical operator 33 with respect to the z direction and / or the longitudinal direction 36 of the bed 19 is determined and / or determined.

[0081] For data transmission of the position of the medical operator 33, the second detection device 37 has an optical data transmission unit 53. In the present exemplary embodiment, data transmission from the second detection device 37 to the linear axis unit 29 is performed by means of the optical data transmission unit 53. In an alternative embodiment, data transmission to the magnet unit 11 of the magnetic resonance device 10 and / or the system control unit 23 can also be realized by means of the optical data transmission unit 53. For data transmission, the optical data transmission unit 53 has at least one optical waveguide 54, which connects the second detection device 37 to the linear axis unit 29. Preferably, the second detection device 37, in particular the evaluation unit 52 of the second detection device 37, has a corresponding optical data interface in this case.

[0082] The medical imaging device 56, in particular the magnetic resonance device 10 shown, can of course include other components that are usually present in a medical imaging device 10, in particular the magnetic resonance device 10. In addition, the general working method of the medical imaging device 56, in particular the magnetic resonance device 10, is known to those skilled in the art, so that other components will not be described in detail.

[0083] exist Figure 3 1 shows a method for detecting the position of a region to be examined of an object, in particular a patient 16, by means of a first detection device 27 for a medical imaging examination, in particular a magnetic resonance examination. In order to control the method, the medical imaging device, in particular a magnetic resonance device 10, has a computing unit 55, which controls the individual method steps of the method for detecting the position of a region to be examined of an object, in particular a patient 16. The computing unit 55 is included in this case by the system control unit 23. For this purpose, the computing unit 55 has control software and / or a computer program, which is stored in a memory of the computing unit 55. When the control software and / or the computer program is executed by a processor of the computing unit 55, the individual method steps are controlled accordingly.

[0084] In a first method step 100, the object is prepared on a bed 19 of a patient support device 17. For this purpose, the bed 19 is located in a basic position in front of a receiving area 15 of the magnetic resonance device 10. The first method step 100, in particular the preparation of the object and / or patient 16, is performed manually by a medical operator 33.

[0085] In a second method step 101, position data of the medical operator 33 are detected by means of a second detection device 37. The detection of the position data of the medical operator 33 takes place during the manual preparation of the object, in particular the patient 16, on the couch 19. When the position data of the medical operator 33 are detected by means of the second detection device 37, areas of the couch 19 are hidden and / or eliminated in the field of view 41 of the second detection device 37, in particular a sensor unit 39 having a plurality of thermal image sensors 40. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As has already been described in the embodiment of the present invention, for this purpose the field of view 41 of the second detection device 37, in particular the sensor unit 39, is divided and / or deflected. In particular, in this case the field of view 41 of the sensor unit 39 is divided into two detection paths 48, 49 by means of the field of view manipulation unit 53, wherein the two detection paths 48, 49 detect areas 42, 43 to the left and right of the couch 19 and thus detect possible locations of the medical operator 33, and eliminate the couch 19 from the field of view 41. In particular, the field of view 41 of the sensor unit 39 is divided into two sub-fields of view 45, 46.

[0086] In a further third method step 102, the projection device 28 tracks the position of the medical operator 33 in the longitudinal direction 36 of the table 19. The tracking is carried out based on the position information of the medical operator 33 ascertained from the detected position data. The detected position data are evaluated by means of the evaluation unit 52 of the second detection device 37, in particular a microcontroller, and the position of the medical operator 33 with respect to the longitudinal direction 36 of the table 19 is determined. Subsequently, in the third method step 102, the ascertained position information of the medical operator 33 is transmitted to the linear axis unit 29, in particular by means of the optical data transmission unit 53 of the second detection device 37. Subsequently, the projection device 28 tracks the ascertained position of the medical operator 33 by means of the linear axis unit 29, in particular in the longitudinal direction 36 of the table 19.

[0087] Simultaneously with the method steps 100, 101, 102, in a further method step 103, the area of ​​the bed 19 is continuously detected by means of the first detection device 27 in order to detect possible marking elements 34. The marking element 34 can here include a finger of the medical operator 33 or also a handheld object, such as a marking stick. For this purpose, the first detection device 27 also has corresponding software and / or a computer program in order to recognize the marking element 34 in the detected image data, in particular the camera data. The positioning of the marking element 34 is carried out manually by the medical operator 33, wherein the marking element 34 is positioned at the area to be examined of the object, in particular the patient 16.

[0088] In a further method step 104, it is determined whether the marking element 34 has been detected and identified by the first detection device 27. If the marking element 34 has not been detected and identified by the first detection device 27, the method steps 100, 101, 102 are repeated until the region to be examined of the object, in particular the patient 16, is determined by means of the positioning of the marking element 34.

[0089] Once the marking element 34 has been detected and identified by the first detection device 27, in a further method step 105 the position of the marking element 34 is detected by means of the first detection device 27. Furthermore, in method step 105 the position information of the marking element 34 is transmitted from the first detection device 27 to the linear axis unit 29.

[0090] In a further method step 106, firstly, the projection device 28 is moved by means of the linear axis unit 29 in the longitudinal direction 36 of the table 19 to the position of the marking element 34. In this case, the projection device 28 is moved from the last set position, in particular the position of the medical operator 33 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the examination table 16, to the position of the marking element 34. Subsequently, a feedback marking is projected and / or displayed by means of the projection device 28 at the detected position of the region to be examined.

[0091] In a further optional method step 107, an examination position of a table 19 for an upcoming medical imaging examination, in particular a magnetic resonance examination, is calculated based on the detected position of the region to be examined of the object, in particular the patient 16. Subsequently, in a further optional method step 108, the table 19 is moved together with the object, in particular the patient 16, into the examination position to detect medical imaging data, in particular magnetic resonance data, of the region to be examined. In the examination position, the region to be examined of the object, in particular the patient 16, is located within the receiving area 15 of the medical imaging device 56, in particular the magnetic resonance device 10, in particular within the isocenter. Subsequently, in a further optional method step 109, a medical imaging examination, in particular a magnetic resonance examination, of the region to be examined of the object, in particular the patient 16, is performed.

[0092] Although the details of the present invention have been illustrated and described in detail through the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A medical imaging device, comprising: a table on which a subject can be positioned for a medical imaging examination and which can be moved into a receiving area of ​​the medical imaging device; - a first detection device, which is configured to detect the position of a region of the object to be examined for a medical imaging examination; - a projection device configured to project and / or display feedback markings at detected locations of the area to be inspected; a linear axis unit comprising a drive unit for moving the projection device, wherein the linear axis unit is arranged above the couch parallel to the longitudinal direction of the couch, It is characterized in that a second detection device is provided, which is configured to detect position data of a medical operator during preparation of the object for the medical imaging examination, wherein the projection device tracks the position of the medical operator with respect to the longitudinal direction of the lying table at the linear axis unit during preparation of the object based on the position data detected by the second detection device.

2. The medical imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that Equipped with magnetic resonance imaging equipment.

3. A medical imaging device according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The second detection device comprises a sensor unit for detecting position data of the medical operator, wherein the sensor unit has a field of view encompassing an area next to the couch.

4. The medical imaging device according to claim 3, It is characterized in that The sensor unit includes at least one thermal imaging sensor.

5. The medical imaging device according to any one of claims 3 or 4, It is characterized in that The second detection device comprises a field of view manipulation unit, which is configured to hide a region of the lying surface from the field of view of the sensor unit.

6. The medical imaging device according to claim 5, It is characterized in that The field of view manipulation unit is designed to split and / or deflect the field of view of the sensor unit into two partial fields of view.

7. The medical imaging device according to any one of claims 5 or 6, It is characterized in that The field of view manipulation unit comprises a mirror system with two detection paths, wherein each detection path has at least one mirror for deflecting a sub-field of view.

8. A medical imaging device according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The second detection device has an evaluation unit which is designed to evaluate the detected position data.

9. The medical imaging device according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The second detection device includes a shielding shell.

10. The medical imaging device according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The second detection device has an optical data transmission unit in order to transmit position information of the medical operator to the medical imaging device and / or the linear axis unit.

11. A method for detecting a position of a region to be examined of an object by means of a first detection device for performing a medical imaging examination, the method comprising the following method steps: - preparing the object on a table which can be moved into the receiving area of ​​the medical imaging device, wherein the object is prepared manually by a medical operator, - detecting position data of the medical operator during the preparation of the object by means of a second detection device, - having a projection device track the position of the medical operator in the longitudinal direction of the couch, wherein the tracking is performed based on position information of the medical operator determined from the detected position data, - repeating the method steps of positioning the object, detecting the position data of the medical operator and repeating the method step of tracking by the projection device until the region of the object to be examined is determined by means of manual positioning of the marking element, - detecting the position of the marking element by means of the first detection device, and - Projecting and / or displaying a feedback mark at the detected position of the area to be inspected by means of a projection device.

12. The method according to claim 11, It is characterized in that In order to detect position data of the medical operator, a region of the bed is hidden from the field of view of the second detection device.

13. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 12, It is characterized in that In order to detect the position data of the medical operator, the field of view of the second detection device is split and / or deflected.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, It is characterized in that The detected position data are evaluated by means of the second detection device and the ascertained position information of the medical operator is transmitted to a linear-axis unit by means of an optical data transmission unit in order to position the projection device.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, It is characterized in that The examination position of the table is calculated from the detected position of the region of the object to be examined.

16. The method according to claim 15, It is characterized in that The table is automatically moved into the examination position in order to acquire medical imaging data of the region of the subject to be examined.

17. A computer program product, which includes a program and can be directly loaded into the memory of a programmable control unit, and has a program mechanism so that when the program is run in the control unit, a method for detecting the position of an area to be examined of an object by means of a first detection device for performing a medical imaging examination according to any one of claims 11 to 16 is executed.

Images