Magnetic resonance apparatus having detachable arrangement of guide rail unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a magnetic resonance apparatus, comprising: a scanner unit; a patient receiving area at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit, wherein the scanner unit has a housing at least partially surrounding the patient receiving area; the invention relates to a magnetic resonance apparatus having a patient support device with a movable examination couch, the examination couch being designed to be displaceable into a patient receiving region, the magnetic resonance apparatus having at least two different guide rail units, the at least two different guide rail units having different guide heights for guiding the examination couch in the patient receiving region, and wherein at least two different guide rail units can be replaceably positioned at the housing.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance device having: a scanner unit; a patient accommodation area at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit, wherein the scanner unit has a housing at least partially surrounding the patient accommodation area; a patient support device with a movable examination table, wherein the examination table is configured to be movable into the patient accommodation area. Background Art

[0002] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons of either male or female identity are included.

[0003] Magnetic resonance devices typically have a patient accommodation area in which a patient is supported and / or positioned for an examination, in particular a magnetic resonance examination. Preferably, the patient, in particular the area of the patient to be examined, should be positioned in the isocenter of the magnetic resonance device in order to obtain ideal conditions for detecting magnetic resonance data. For this purpose, the patient is positioned on the examination table of the patient support device. For horizontal positioning and / or positioning in the z-direction of the magnetic resonance device, the examination table is moved and / or advanced in the z-direction within the patient accommodation area until the area of the patient to be examined is positioned in the isocenter.

[0004] In particular, in the case of a cylindrically configured patient accommodation area of a magnetic resonance device, the examination table has a unique position in the vertical direction within the patient accommodation area. The position in the vertical direction is determined by guide rails provided at the housing surrounding the patient accommodation area. This position enables substantially optimal positioning of an average patient within the patient accommodation area, in particular with respect to the isocenter in the vertical direction. However, for patients whose anatomical structure strongly differs from that of an average patient, the position in the vertical direction is a compromise in terms of positioning. In particular, in the case of young children and / or infants or severely obese patients, positioning in the isocenter in the vertical direction is very difficult or impossible because the position of the examination table is also configured to be non-displaceable and / or non-adjustable in the vertical direction. This results in the examination table always occupying the same position in the vertical direction, regardless of the patient's anatomical structure and / or the type of magnetic resonance examination.

[0005] In order to adjust the position of the patient in the vertical direction, it has hitherto been necessary to place the patient in the desired position with the aid of additional positioning aids, such as positioning pads. However, this positioning is time-consuming for medical personnel. However, only upward adjustment is possible here. Lowering of the examination table within the patient accommodation area is not possible. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object on which the present invention is based is in particular to enable a flexible positioning of the examination table within the patient accommodation area. This object is achieved by a magnetic resonance device. Advantageous design solutions are described in the following description.

[0007] The present invention is based on a magnetic resonance device, which has: a scanner unit; a patient accommodation area at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit, wherein the scanner unit has a housing at least partially surrounding the patient accommodation area; a patient support device with a movable examination table, wherein the examination table is configured to be movable into the patient accommodation area. According to the invention, the magnetic resonance device has at least two different guide rail units, wherein the at least two different guide rail units have different guide heights for guiding the examination table within the patient accommodation area, and wherein the at least two different guide rail units can be replaceably positioned at the housing.

[0008] The magnetic resonance device preferably includes a medical and / or diagnostic magnetic resonance device, which is designed and / or configured to detect medical and / or diagnostic image data of a patient, in particular medical and / or diagnostic magnetic resonance image data. For this purpose, the magnetic resonance device includes a scanner unit. The scanner unit of the magnetic resonance device preferably includes a magnet unit for detecting medical and / or diagnostic image data. Preferably, here the scanner unit, in particular the magnet unit, includes a basic magnet, a gradient coil unit and a radio frequency antenna unit. The radio frequency antenna unit is fixedly arranged within the scanner unit and is designed and / or configured to emit excitation pulses.

[0009] In addition, the magnetic resonance device has at least one local radio frequency coil, which is configured to receive magnetic resonance signals. For this purpose, the local radio frequency coil is arranged and / or positioned around the area of the patient to be examined. Preferably, each local radio frequency coil is specifically designed and / or configured for the examination area of the patient, such as a head radio frequency coil or a knee radio frequency coil, etc.

[0010] The basic magnet is configured to generate a uniform basic magnetic field having a defined magnetic field strength, such as a magnetic field strength of 3T or 1.5T, etc. In particular, the basic magnet is configured to generate a strong and constant basic magnetic field. The uniform basic magnetic field is preferably arranged and / or present within the patient accommodation area of the magnetic resonance device. The gradient coil unit is configured to generate a magnetic field gradient for position encoding during imaging.

[0011] The patient accommodation area is designed and / or configured to accommodate a patient, in particular the area of the patient to be examined, for a medical magnetic resonance examination. The patient accommodation area preferably includes the area available to the patient during the magnetic resonance examination. For this purpose, the patient accommodation area is, for example, cylindrically configured and / or surrounded cylindrically by the scanner unit of the magnetic resonance device, in particular the magnet unit. In particular, the scanner unit, in particular the magnet unit, includes a housing that at least partially surrounds the patient accommodation area. Here, preferably, the housing surrounds the patient accommodation area cylindrically. Here, the housing can be integrally formed with the radio frequency antenna unit of the magnet unit and includes the side of the radio frequency antenna unit facing the patient accommodation area.

[0012] In the patient accommodation area, the field of view (FOV) and / or isocenter of the magnetic resonance device are preferably provided. The FOV preferably includes the detection area of the magnetic resonance device, in which there are conditions for detecting medical image data, in particular magnetic resonance image data, in the patient accommodation area, such as a uniform basic magnetic field. The isocenter of the magnetic resonance device preferably includes the area and / or point within the magnetic resonance device that has optimal and / or ideal conditions for detecting medical image data. In particular, the isocenter includes the most uniform magnetic field area within the magnetic resonance device.

[0013] To position the patient, in particular the area of the patient to be examined, within the patient accommodation area, the magnetic resonance device has a patient support device. The patient support device is configured to support the patient. The patient support device preferably has a movable examination table, which is in particular movably configured within the patient accommodation area of the magnetic resonance device. Preferably, the examination table is movably configured within the patient accommodation area in the longitudinal direction of the patient accommodation area. In addition, the examination table is also movably configured in the vertical direction, where, before being moved into the patient accommodation area, the examination table is adjusted in the vertical direction to the height of the guide rail provided within the patient accommodation area.

[0014] To adjust the position of the examination table, the patient support device also has an adjustment unit. Here, the adjustment unit has a vertical adjustment unit for adjusting the vertical position and / or height of the examination table. In addition, the adjustment unit has a horizontal adjustment unit for adjusting the horizontal position of the examination table within the patient accommodation area, in particular in the longitudinal direction of the patient accommodation area.

[0015] For a magnetic resonance examination, first the patient is positioned on the examination table of the patient support device. Then the examination table together with the patient is adjusted to the height and / or vertical position of the guide rail. Thereafter, the examination table together with the patient is moved into the patient accommodation area, in particular in the longitudinal direction of the patient accommodation area, until the area of the patient to be examined is positioned within the isocenter.

[0016] The magnetic resonance device also has at least two different guide rail units. The guide rail units are configured to guide and / or support the examination table in the patient accommodation area, in particular to guide and / or support the examination table movably. At least two different guide rail units are different with respect to the guiding height and / or the vertical position of the examination table in the patient accommodation area. Preferably, at least two different guide rail units are configured identically with respect to fastening and / or arrangement at the housing, in particular releasable fastening and / or arrangement structure.

[0017] Each of the guide rail units has at least one guide rail for guiding the examination table. In addition, the guide rail unit can also have two or more guide rails, wherein the individual guide rails have different vertical positions. Preferably, the guide rail unit is arranged at the housing in the patient accommodation area such that the guide rail faces the patient accommodation area. And at the side of the guide rail unit facing the housing, the following fastening elements are arranged, which are arranged at the guide rail unit for positioning and / or arrangement on the housing, in particular releasable fastening to the housing. Here, the guide rail unit can respectively have at least two guide rails, which are positioned and / or arranged at different sides of the housing, in particular at opposite sides, when the guide rail unit is positioned at the housing. Alternatively, the guide rail unit can also be replaceably arranged only at one side of the housing such that the guide rail unit is used for guiding the examination table on both sides, and the two guide rail units have the same guiding height for guiding the examination table in the patient accommodation area.

[0018] Here, the replaceable positioning and / or replaceable arrangement of the guide rail unit at the housing includes positioning and / or arranging the corresponding guide rail unit at the housing according to the desired vertical position of the examination table. The guide rail unit that has already been arranged in the housing but does not have the desired vertical position for the examination table is previously removed from the housing and removed from the patient accommodation area. In particular, the guide rail unit can be removably arranged and / or fastened at the housing. Here, the guide unit can be arranged and fastened at the housing in the patient accommodation area according to the application situation, in particular the space requirement during magnetic resonance examination. Here, the space requirement during magnetic resonance examination can depend on the body type of the patient and / or the type of examination.

[0019] In addition, it is also conceivable that when using a self-supporting examination table, no guide rail unit is positioned at the housing in the patient accommodation area, so that there is more space for introducing the examination table together with the patient.

[0020] The present invention has the following advantages. The position of the examination table can be matched to the spatial requirements in the vertical direction during magnetic resonance examination. In particular, in the case of increased spatial requirements for magnetic resonance examination, a guide rail unit can be provided at the housing, which has a guide height smaller than the standard guide height of the examination table. Alternatively, in the magnetic resonance examination of, for example, infants and / or toddlers, a guide rail can also be provided at the housing, which has a guide height greater than the standard guide height of the examination table. This also enables the optimal positioning of the area to be examined of the patient to be examined in the isocenter of the magnetic resonance device in terms of height and / or vertical orientation. Along with this, high quality in the detected image data can also be achieved.

[0021] Furthermore, by providing the corresponding guide rail unit for magnetic resonance examination at the same magnetic resonance device, different patient support devices with different guiding characteristics in the patient accommodation area can also be used. In particular, examination tables with different widths can also be used for magnetic resonance examination here.

[0022] An additional advantage of the present invention is that the patient accommodation area can be simply and quickly cleaned by removing the guide rail unit.

[0023] In an advantageous refinement of the magnetic resonance device according to the present invention, it can be provided that the housing has at least one fastening element for the detachable arrangement of one of the guide rail units, wherein the guide rail units each have a fastening element that cooperates with the fastening element of the housing. The cooperating fastening elements are preferably configured such that when the cooperating fastening elements are connected, the corresponding guide rail unit is fastened and / or arranged, in particular detachably fastened and / or arranged, at the housing. Here, at least one fastening element of the guide rail unit can have a type of track, such as a T-shaped track or a dovetail track, which cooperates with a corresponding groove at the housing for fastening and / or arranging the guide rail unit. Alternatively, at least one fastening element can have a fastening bolt, such as a mushroom head bolt, which cooperates with a corresponding hole and / or void at the housing for fastening and / or arranging the guide rail unit. In addition, at least one fastening element can also include a quick tensioning mechanism.

[0024] The design of the present invention enables the simple and quick fastening and / or arrangement of the guide rail unit at the housing. In particular, different guide rail units can be simply and quickly replaced for magnetic resonance examination, which in particular have different guide heights for the examination table in the patient accommodation area.

[0025] In an advantageous refinement of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the housing has at least two fastening elements which are arranged on the housing at opposite sides of the patient receiving area enclosed by the housing. Here, preferably, at least one first fastening element is arranged on a first side of the housing and at least one second fastening element is arranged on a second side of the housing, in particular on the side of the housing opposite the first side of the housing. Here, the housing can also have more than one first fastening element and can also have more than one second fastening element. The at least two fastening elements are preferably configured identically. Here, the at least two fastening elements can form for arranging a single guide rail unit, by means of which the guide rail unit can be fastened on both sides, in particular on opposite sides, in the patient receiving area. Alternatively, two guide rail units can also be arranged, in particular detachably and / or replaceably, on the housing by means of at least two fastening elements on opposite sides. Here, the two opposite sides of the housing include the left and right sides of the housing for guiding the examination table in the patient receiving area on both sides.

[0026] In an advantageous refinement of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that at least one fastening element of the housing has a form-fitting element. Preferably, the guide rail unit also each has at least one fastening element configured as a form-fitting element, which is configured compatibly with the form-fitting element of the housing. In this way, a simple and reliable arrangement and / or fastening of the guide rail unit can be advantageously achieved.

[0027] In an advantageous refinement of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the form-fitting element includes a groove extending in the longitudinal extension of the patient receiving area. Here, the groove can be configured in a T-shape or also in a dovetail shape and / or have other shapes and / or cross-sections that are meaningful to a person skilled in the art. Here, the longitudinal extension of the patient receiving area is parallel to the direction of movement of the examination table into the patient receiving area. In addition, the longitudinal extension of the patient receiving area is parallel to the z-direction of the magnetic resonance device. Advantageously, the housing has two form-fitting elements configured as grooves, which are arranged on opposite and facing sides of the housing enclosing the patient receiving area. Thereby, a stable and reliable fastening of at least one guide rail unit along the entire housing of the patient receiving area can be advantageously achieved. In particular, in this way, an advantageous support and / or weight distribution can be achieved over the entire length of at least one fastening element, in particular the groove. Another advantage is that different guide rail units can be simply and in particular tool-free replaced at the housing.

[0028] In an advantageous refinement of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the housing comprises at least two fastening elements which are configured for fastening the guide rail unit. Preferably, the at least two fastening elements are arranged at the housing in succession in the longitudinal direction of the patient receiving region. Furthermore, the housing can also have more than two fastening elements for fastening and / or arranging the guide rail unit. The design of the invention has the advantage that a stable and reliable arrangement and / or fastening of the guide rail unit at the housing can be achieved, in particular a detachable and / or replaceable arrangement.

[0029] In an advantageous refinement of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the scanner unit comprises a radio frequency antenna unit, wherein at least two fastening elements are arranged at the housing outside the overlapping region of the housing and the radio frequency antenna unit. The radio frequency antenna unit is fixedly integrated in the scanner unit, in particular in the magnet unit. Preferably, the radio frequency antenna unit is arranged in the scanner unit, in particular in the magnet unit, between the gradient coil unit and the housing. The overlapping region of the radio frequency antenna unit and the housing surrounding the patient receiving region extends here in the longitudinal direction of the patient receiving region and / or in the z-direction of the scanner unit, in particular of the magnet unit. Here, the overlapping region comprises the region in which the radio frequency antenna unit and the housing have the same z-coordinate. Here, the arrangement of the at least two fastening elements outside the overlapping region comprises the arrangement of the at least two fastening elements in the region in which the radio frequency antenna unit does not have an extension in the z-direction. The design of the invention has the advantage that undesired damage to the radio frequency antenna unit and / or to the magnetic resonance examination can be prevented.

[0030] In an advantageous refinement of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the at least two fastening elements each comprise a hole and / or a recess and / or a pin. Preferably, the hole and / or the recess is arranged at the side of the housing facing the patient receiving region. The hole and / or the recess is configured for receiving the fastening element of the guide rail unit. The hole and / or the recess can also comprise a cavity which is at least partially covered by the housing side facing the patient receiving region, for example for receiving the mushroom head fastening element of the guide rail unit. Here, the pin can be configured in the shape of a bolt and / or a cylinder. Preferably, for arranging and / or fastening the guide rail unit, the pin is arranged at the side of the housing facing the patient receiving region. Furthermore, for arranging and / or fastening the guide rail unit, the pin can also be detachably arranged at the housing. The design of the invention has the advantage that a simple arrangement and / or fastening of the guide rail unit at the housing can be achieved. Furthermore, in particular, a rapid and time-saving fastening and / or arrangement of the guide rail unit at the housing can be achieved.

[0031] In an advantageous refinement of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the different guide rail units each have a coding, where the coding includes information about the guiding height of the respective guide rail unit. The different guide rail units preferably have different codings here.

[0032] The coding can preferably have a mechanical coding and / or an optoelectronic coding. The mechanical coding can include, for example, a plug-in connection device between the guide rail unit and the housing and / or a pressure switch and / or other mechanical codings that are meaningful to a person skilled in the art. Such a pressure switch can include a plurality of pressure points here, where different combinations of a plurality of pressure points can be activated depending on the type of guide rail unit. Here, the guide rail unit has, for example, a corresponding coded plug that can be inserted into a corresponding sensor socket, which is arranged, for example, at the housing. Preferably, when the guide rail unit is arranged and / or fastened at the housing, the corresponding mechanical coding is also activated and / or transmitted to the housing.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, the coding can also include an optoelectronic coding, such as a universal product code (barcode) and / or a bar code and / or a two-dimensional bar code. In addition, the optoelectronic coding can also include an RFID coding and / or a reflector and / or other optoelectronic codings that are meaningful to a person skilled in the art. Preferably, in the different guide rail units, the coding is always arranged at the same position at the guide rail unit, such that a simple and rapid detection of the coding can be achieved.

[0034] The design of the invention enables a simple and rapid detection of the guide rail units arranged at the housing. In particular, the design of the invention enables an automatic and / or autonomous detection of the guide rail units arranged at the housing. In this way, it is also possible to inform a examination table control unit that constitutes for controlling the movement of the examination table of the exact height and / or vertical position to which the examination table must be raised before it can be moved into the patient accommodation area.

[0035] In an advantageous refinement of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the magnetic resonance device has at least one detection element for detecting the coding of the guide rail unit. If the coding of the guide rail unit includes mechanical coding, the detection element preferably includes a mechanical detection element for detecting the mechanical coding, such as a plug with a defined plug-in pattern, etc. If the coding of the guide rail unit includes optoelectronic coding, the detection element preferably includes an optoelectronic sensor unit and / or a reading unit here. Here, the detection element for detecting the optoelectronic coding can be configured to detect the optoelectronic coding at the guide rail unit in a non-contact manner. Thereby, a simple and especially automatic and / or autonomous detection of the guide rail unit arranged at the housing can be achieved. In this way, the exact height and / or vertical position can also be notified to the examination table control unit configured to control the movement of the examination table, to which the examination table must be raised before it can be moved into the patient receiving area.

[0036] In an advantageous refinement of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that at least one detection element is included by the patient support device, in particular the examination table, and / or by the housing surrounding the patient receiving area. In this way, a particularly fast and direct detection of the guide rail unit arranged at the housing can be provided. If the patient support device, in particular the examination table, has at least one detection element, the detected data can be directly transmitted to the examination table control unit of the patient support device. In this way, a fast and direct adjustment of the height and / or vertical position of the examination table can be advantageously achieved.

[0037] In an advantageous refinement of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the magnetic resonance device has a calculation unit, wherein the calculation unit provides the vertical position to be adjusted of the examination table based on the coding detected by at least one detection element.

[0038] The computing unit is preferably included herein by the examination table control unit of the patient support device. Here, the computing unit includes at least one computing module and / or processor and is in particular configured to execute computer-readable instructions. In particular, the computing unit includes a storage unit, on which computer-readable information is stored, wherein the computing unit is configured to load the computer-readable information from the storage unit and execute the computer-readable information. Thus, the computing unit according to the invention is configured to provide the vertical position to be adjusted of the examination table according to the code detected by at least one detection element. Most of the components of the computing unit can be configured in the form of software components. In principle, however, especially when it comes to particularly fast calculations, the components can also be partially implemented in the form of software-supported hardware components, such as FPGAs, etc. Similarly, for example, when only receiving data from other software components, the required interface can be configured as a software interface. The interface can also be configured as an interface constructed in a hardware manner controlled by appropriate software. Of course, it is also conceivable that a plurality of the mentioned components are implemented in combination in the form of a single software component or a software-supported hardware component.

[0039] Here, the code detected by at least one detection element of the guide rail unit, in particular the position information of the guide rail unit coupled and / or associated with the detected code, is transmitted to the computing unit, for example, by means of a data transmission unit. The data transmission of the data transmission unit can be carried out wired or also without cables and / or wirelessly. According to the code, in particular according to the position information of the guide rail unit coupled and / or associated with the detected code, the computing unit can determine the height and / or vertical position of the guide rail of the guide rail unit and therefrom determine and provide the position of the examination table, in particular the vertical position. The position of the examination table is provided by the computing unit of the examination table control unit to the adjustment unit of the patient support device, in particular the vertical adjustment unit. The design of the present invention has the following advantages: providing a direct and rapid adjustment of the height and / or vertical position of the examination table.

[0040] In an advantageous refinement of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the magnetic resonance device has at least one additional unit, which is at least partially integrated into one of the guide rail units. Such an additional unit can for example include a lighting unit having at least one lighting element and / or light emitting element for illuminating the patient accommodation area. Preferably, the guide rail unit has an optical interface and / or an electronic interface here for transmitting optical signals and / or control signals to control the lighting unit integrated in the guide rail unit. Alternatively or additionally, the additional unit can also include a ventilation opening for air conveyance during magnetic resonance examination. Preferably, the guide rail unit has a ventilation channel and a ventilation interface here, wherein the ventilation interface is coupled to the ventilation channel of the ventilation unit surrounded by the magnet unit. Alternatively or additionally, the additional unit can also include at least one communication element of the patient communication unit. Such a communication element can for example include a patient microphone and / or a patient speaker. Preferably, the guide rail unit has a communication interface for this purpose. Alternatively or additionally, other additional units that are meaningful to those skilled in the art can be integrated into at least one guide rail unit.

[0041] The design of the present invention enables the advantageous and particularly space-saving integration of other units in the patient accommodation area. In particular, other units required, for example, for the safety and / or comfort of the patient during magnetic resonance examination can be arranged in a space-saving manner. Description of the Drawings

[0042] Other advantages, features and details of the present invention result from the embodiments described below and from the drawings.

[0043] The drawings show:

[0044] Figure 1 A magnetic resonance device according to the invention with a removable guide rail unit at the housing, shown schematically

[0045] Figure 2 A guide rail unit with a housing, shown in cross-section

[0046] Figure 3 A second embodiment of the detachable arrangement of the guide rail unit at the housing, shown in cross-section

[0047] Figure 4 Another embodiment of the detachable arrangement of the guide rail unit at the housing, shown in cross-section

[0048] Figure 5 A cross-section showing two different guide rail units at the housing

[0049] Figure 6 Another embodiment of the detachable arrangement of the guide rail unit at the housing, shown

[0050] Figure 7 Shows another embodiment of a detachable arrangement of a guide rail unit at a housing, wherein the guide rail unit has an encoding, and

[0051] Figure 8 Shows another embodiment of a detachable arrangement of a guide rail unit at a housing, wherein the guide rail unit includes an additional unit. Detailed Description

[0052] In Figure 1 a magnetic resonance device 10 is schematically shown. The magnetic resonance device 10 includes a scanner unit formed by a magnet unit 11, which scanner unit has a basic magnet 12, a gradient coil unit 13, and a radio frequency antenna unit 14. In addition, the magnetic resonance device 10 has a patient accommodation area 15 for accommodating a patient 16 for a magnetic resonance examination. In the present embodiment, the patient accommodation area 15 is configured cylindrically and is cylindrically surrounded by the magnet unit 11 in the circumferential direction. However, in principle, different configurations of the patient accommodation area 15 can be envisaged at any time. In addition, the scanner unit, in particular the magnet unit 11, has a housing 17 surrounding the patient accommodation area 15, wherein the housing 17 cylindrically surrounds the patient accommodation area 15. Here, the patient accommodation area 15 includes the area surrounded by the housing 17.

[0053] The basic magnet 12 of the magnet unit 11 is configured to generate a strong and in particular constant basic magnetic field 18. Here, the basic magnet 12 can for example be configured as a superconducting basic magnet 12 or can also be configured as a permanent magnet. The gradient coil unit 13 of the magnet unit 11 is configured to generate a magnetic field gradient, which magnetic field gradient is used for position encoding during imaging. The gradient coil unit 13 is controlled by a gradient control unit 19 of the magnetic resonance device 10. The radio frequency antenna unit 14 of the magnet unit 11 is configured to excite the polarization occurring in the basic magnetic field 18 generated by the basic magnet 12. The radio frequency antenna unit 14 is controlled by a radio frequency antenna control unit 20 of the magnetic resonance device 10 and injects a radio frequency magnetic resonance sequence into the accommodation area 15 of the magnetic resonance device 10.

[0054] In order to control the basic magnet 12, the gradient control unit 19, and in order to control the radio frequency antenna control unit 20, the magnetic resonance device 10 has a system control unit 21. The system control unit 21 centrally controls the magnetic resonance device 10, for example the execution of a pre-determined imaging gradient echo sequence. In addition, the system control unit 21 includes an evaluation unit, not shown in detail, for evaluating the medical image data detected during the magnetic resonance examination.

[0055] Furthermore, the magnetic resonance device 10 includes a user interface 22, which is connected to the system control unit 21. Control information, such as imaging parameters, and reconstructed magnetic resonance images can be shown to a medical operator on the display unit 23 of the user interface 22, for example, on at least one monitor. In addition, the user interface 22 has an input unit 23 by means of which information and / or parameters can be input by the medical operator during the measurement process.

[0056] The magnetic resonance device 10 shown may of course include other components that a magnetic resonance device 10 typically has. In addition, the normal operating mode of the magnetic resonance device 10 is known to those skilled in the art, so a detailed description of other components is omitted.

[0057] In order to position the patient 16, in particular the area to be examined of the patient 16, in the patient accommodation area 15, the magnetic resonance device 10 has a patient support device 25. The patient support device 25 has a base unit 26 and an examination couch 27 that is movable with respect to the base unit 26. The examination couch 27 is movably configured within the patient accommodation area 15 to position the object and / or the patient 16, in particular the area to be examined of the patient 16. In particular, the examination couch 27 is movably supported along the longitudinal direction of the patient accommodation area 15 and / or the z-direction here. At least one guide rail unit 28 of the magnetic resonance device 10 is provided within the patient accommodation area 15. In the present embodiment, the magnetic resonance device 10 has two guide rail units 28, which are provided at the housing 17 on opposite sides 29, 30 of the patient accommodation area 15. Each of the two guide rail units 29, 30 has at least one guide rail 31 on which the examination couch 27 is guided for movement along the longitudinal direction 32 of the patient accommodation area 15.

[0058] The magnetic resonance device 10 also has additional guide rail units 28, 300, 301, where only the guide rail unit 28 in the position provided at the housing 17 is visible in Figure 1 and Figure 2 . The guide rail units 28, 300, 301 are replaceably provided at the housing 17. In terms of the setting and / or fastening at the housing 17, in particular the replaceable and / or detachable setting and / or the replaceable and / or detachable fastening, the different guide rail units 28, 300, 301 are constructed identically. Here, the guide rail units 28, 300, 301 differ in the position of the guide rail 31 for guiding the examination couch 27 and thus in the guiding height 39 (see Figure 5 ).

[0059] To check the movement of the examination table 27, the patient support device 25 has an adjustment unit 33 and an examination table control unit 34. The adjustment unit 33 has a horizontal adjustment unit 35 and a vertical adjustment unit 36. The horizontal adjustment unit 35 is configured to adjust the position of the examination table 27 in the horizontal direction, in particular in the longitudinal direction 32 of the patient receiving area 25 and / or in the z-direction. The vertical adjustment unit 36 is configured to adjust the position and / or height in the vertical direction 37, in particular in the y-direction of the patient receiving area 25. The examination table control unit 34 is configured to control the adjustment unit 33 and for this purpose has the required software and hardware.

[0060] To flexibly adjust the height and / or vertical position of the examination table 27 within the patient receiving area 15, the housing 17 has at least one fastening element 38 for the detachable arrangement and / or fastening of the guide rail unit 28. In the present embodiment, two guide rail units 29 are arranged at opposite sides of the housing 17 within the patient receiving area 15 ( Figure 2 ), wherein the two guide rail units 28 are configured identically in terms of the guiding height 39 of the examination table 27. For this purpose, the housing 17 also has at least one fastening element for the arrangement and / or fastening of the two guide rail units 28 at each of the two opposite sides 29, 30.

[0061] In the present embodiment, the housing 17 has two fastening elements 38 for the arrangement and / or fastening of the guide rail unit 28, in particular the sole guide rail unit 28. Thus, in order to fasten the two guide rail units 28, the housing 17 has four fastening elements 38. In an alternative design, the housing 17 can also have more than two fastening elements 38 for the arrangement and / or fastening of the guide rail unit 28. Here, the four fastening elements 38 are each arranged at the housing 17 outside the overlapping region 40 of the housing 17 with the radio frequency antenna unit 14.

[0062] Each fastening element 38 has a form-fitting element (see Figure 2 ). Here, the form-fitting elements are configured identically. Each fastening element 38, in particular the form-fitting element, here respectively includes a removable pin and / or a cylindrical bolt, which are fastened at the housing 17 and project into the patient receiving area 15. Here, the fastening element 38, in particular the pin, is arranged at the housing 17 such that the fastening element extends away from the housing 17 in the vertical direction 37 and / or in the y-direction and projects into the patient receiving area 15 ( Figure 2 ).

[0063] In order to arrange and / or fasten two guide rail units 28 at the housing 17, the two guide rail units 28 each have two fastening elements 41. Here, the fastening elements 41 of the two guide rail units 28 are configured in cooperation with the fastening elements 38 of the housing 17 such that when the fastening elements 41 of the guide rail unit 28 are mechanically connected to the fastening elements 38 of the housing 17, a reliable arrangement and / or fastening of the guide rail unit 28 at the housing 17 takes place. In addition, the number of the fastening elements 41 of the guide rail unit 28 is configured in cooperation with the number of the fastening elements 38 of the housing 17. Here, the fastening elements 41 of the guide rail unit 28 are arranged at the side of the guide rail unit 28 facing the housing 17. And at least one guide rail 31 of the guide rail unit 28 is arranged at the side of the guide rail unit 28 facing the patient accommodation area 15.

[0064] Here, each fastening element 41 of the guide rail unit 28 includes a cutout which is configured to receive a pin and / or a cylindrical bolt of the housing 17. When fastening the guide rail unit 28 at the housing 17, here, the pin and / or the cylindrical structure of the housing 17 extends into the cutout of the guide rail unit 28. Here, the cutout may also have a region with a T-shaped cross section in which, for example, a mushroom-shaped pin of the housing 17 is fixed for a reliable arrangement and / or fastening of the guide rail unit 28.

[0065] In Figure 3 FIG. shows an alternative embodiment of a guide rail unit 100 of a magnetic resonance device 10 and a housing 101 surrounding the patient accommodation area 15. Basically identical components, features and functional principles are denoted by the same reference numerals in principle. The following description is basically limited to the differences from the embodiment in Figures 1 to 2 where reference is made to the description of the embodiment in Figure 1 and Figure 2 for the components, features and functions that remain the same.

[0066] In Figure 3 FIG. shows the housing 101 of the magnetic resonance device 10 surrounding the patient accommodation area 15. For a detachable arrangement and / or fastening of the guide rail unit 100, the housing 101 has at least one fastening element 102. In the present embodiment, the magnetic resonance device 10 has two guide rail units 100 which are arranged at opposite sides 29, 30 of the housing 101 surrounding the patient accommodation area 15. Here, the two guide rail units 100 are arranged and / or positioned at the housing 101 in a replaceable manner.

[0067] Here, for the detachable and / or replaceable fastening and / or arrangement of each guide rail unit 100, the housing 101 has two fastening elements 102. Each fastening element 102 is respectively formed by a form-fitting element, wherein in the present embodiment the form-fitting elements respectively have holes and / or voids. Here, the fastening elements 102, in particular the voids and / or holes, are respectively arranged at the housing 101 outside the overlapping region 40 of the housing 101 and the radio frequency antenna unit 14.

[0068] In addition, the two guide rail units 100 also respectively have fastening elements 103, which are configured compatibly with the fastening elements 102 of the housing 101. In the present embodiment, the fastening elements 103 of the guide rail unit 100 have pins and / or bolts. For example, the fastening element 103 of the guide rail unit 100 can include a bolt with a mushroom head, which engages into the holes and / or voids of the housing 101, so that a reliable fastening, in particular locking, of the guide rail unit 100 at the housing 101 can be achieved. In addition, the number of the fastening elements 103 of the guide rail unit 100 is configured in coordination with the number of the fastening elements 102 of the housing 101.

[0069] In Figure 4 FIG. shows an alternative embodiment of the guide rail unit 200 of the magnetic resonance device 10 and the housing 201 surrounding the patient receiving area 15. Basically identical components, features and functional principles are denoted by the same reference numerals in principle. The following description is basically limited to the differences from the embodiment in Figures 1 to 3 where reference is made to the description of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 3 for the components, features and functions that remain the same.

[0070] In Figure 4 FIG. shows the housing 201 of the magnetic resonance device 10 surrounding the patient receiving area 15. For the detachable arrangement and / or fastening of the guide rail unit 200, the housing 201 has a fastening element 202. In the present embodiment, the magnetic resonance device 10 has two guide rail units 200, which are arranged at opposite sides 29, 30 of the housing 201 surrounding the patient receiving area 15. Here, the two guide rail units 200 are detachably arranged and / or positioned at the housing 201.

[0071] Here, for the detachable fastening and / or arrangement of each guide rail unit 200, the housing 201 has a single fastening element 202. Each fastening element 202 is respectively formed by a form-fitting element and includes a groove 203 extending in the longitudinal direction 32 of the patient receiving area 15. In the present embodiment, the two grooves 203 are configured as T-shaped grooves. Alternatively, the two grooves 203 can also have dovetail grooves and / or other shapes that are meaningful to those skilled in the art.

[0072] As inFigure 4 As can be seen, the two guide rail units 100 also each have a fastening element 204 that cooperates with the fastening element 202 surrounded by the housing 201. In this embodiment, the two guide rail units 200 each have a T-shaped guide rail 205, and the guide rail 205 can be introduced into the T-shaped groove at the housing 201.

[0073] In Figure 5 A further alternative embodiment of the guide rail units 300, 301 of the magnetic resonance device 10 and the housing 302 surrounding the patient accommodation area 15 is shown. Components, features and functions that are basically the same are labeled with the same reference numerals in principle. The following description is basically limited to the differences from the embodiment in Figures 1 to 4 where reference is made to the description of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 4 for components, features and functions that remain the same.

[0074] In Figure 5 the housing 302 of the magnetic resonance device 10 surrounding the patient accommodation area 15 is shown. In this embodiment, two different guide rail units 300, 301 are exemplarily provided at the housing 302 in order to present different positioning possibilities with a plurality of guide rail units 300, 301. However, in order to move the examination couch 27 into the patient accommodation area 15 and / or position the examination couch 27 within the patient accommodation area 15, two structurally identical guide rail units 300, 301 are required, and the guide rail units 300, 301 are provided at opposite sides 29, 30 of the housing 302 surrounding the patient accommodation area 15.

[0075] Here, the two guide rail units 300, 301 are detachably provided and / or positioned at the housing 302. Here, the two different guide rail units 300, 301 are constructed identically with respect to fastening and / or being provided at the housing 302, in particular with respect to detachably and / or replaceably fastening and / or being provided at the housing 302. The two different guide rail units 300, 301 are constructed differently with respect to the arrangement of the guide rails 303, 307 within the patient accommodation area 15. Here, the differently constructed guide rail units 300, 301 have different guiding heights 304, 308 and / or different vertical positions for guiding the examination couch 27.

[0076] In order to detachably provide and / or detachably fasten the two guide rail units 300, 301 at the housing 302, in this embodiment, the two guide rail units 300, 301 each have two fastening elements 305 configured as cutouts, and the fastening elements 305 are configured to receive the fastening elements 306 of the housing 302 configured as fastening bolts, as is exemplarily shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2In an alternative design, the housing 302 may also have a fastening element 306 configured as a recess and / or a hole, and the guide rail units 300, 301 may have corresponding fastening elements 305 configured as pins and / or bolts, as shown in the example of Figure 3 In an alternative design, the housing 302 can also have a fastening element 306 configured as a groove, and the guide rail units 300, 301 have corresponding fastening elements 305 configured as rails, as shown in the example of Figure 4 Furthermore, other designs of the fastening elements 305 , 306 which appear to be sensible to a person skilled in the art are conceivable at any time.

[0077] exist Figure 6 1 shows an alternative embodiment of a rail unit 400 of a magnetic resonance device 10 and a housing 401 surrounding a patient accommodation area 15. Components, features and functions that remain essentially the same are in principle denoted by the same reference numerals. The following description is essentially limited to the same Figures 1 to 5 The differences between the embodiments in the examples are as follows, wherein reference is made to the Figures 1 to 5 Description of the embodiments in .

[0078] exist Figure 6 4 shows a housing 401 of a magnetic resonance device 10 that surrounds a patient accommodation area 15. In the present exemplary embodiment, the magnetic resonance device 10 has a single rail unit 400, which has two rails 402. The rail unit 400 is disposed and / or fastened to the housing 401 in a replaceable and / or detachable manner.

[0079] For the detachable and / or replaceable arrangement of the rail unit 400, the housing 401 has fastening elements 403. Here, at least one fastening element 403 is arranged on the bottom surface 404 of the housing 401 surrounding the patient receiving area 15. The fastening element 405 of the housing 405 is designed as a groove, wherein the fastening element 406 of the rail unit 400 that matches this is designed as a rail, as is particularly the case in Figure 4 In an alternative design, the fastening elements 405, 406 can also be configured as recesses and / or holes or as pins and / or bolts, as described in Figure 1 and Figure 2 in or Figure 3 As described in .

[0080] Furthermore, the guide rail unit 400 has a U-shaped cross-section, in which at least one fastening element 406 is provided in the central and / or intermediate region 407. The guide rail 402 is provided at a side region 408 that extends upwardly away from the central region 407. Here, the side regions 408 respectively abut against the opposite sides 29, 30 of the housing 401.

[0081] In Figure 7 a further alternative embodiment of the guide rail unit 500 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 and of the housing 501 enclosing the patient receiving region 15 is shown. Components, features and functional principles that are essentially the same are in principle denoted by the same reference numerals. The following description is essentially limited to the differences from the embodiment in Figures 1 to 6 where reference is made to the description of the embodiment in which the same components, features and functions are maintained. Figures 1 to 6

[0082] In Figure 7 a housing 501 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 enclosing the patient receiving region 15 is shown. Inside the patient receiving region 15, two guide rail units 500 are detachably arranged and / or fastened to the housing 501. The design of the guide rail unit 500 and the detachable and / or replaceable fastening and / or arrangement at the housing 501 correspond here to the embodiment for Figure 1 and Figure 2 reference being made to said embodiment. In an alternative design, the detachable and / or replaceable fastening and / or detachable arrangement of the guide rail unit 500 at the housing 501 can also be effected by means of slots and tracks and / or by means of cutouts and / or by means of other fastening elements that are meaningful to the person skilled in the art. In the present embodiment, the two guide rail units 500 each have a coding 502 that enables the detection of at least one guide rail unit 500 at the position arranged at the housing 501. Here, information about the vertical position and / or the guiding height 503 of the guide rail 504 of the guide rail unit 500 can be determined and / or detected by means of the coding 502. In order to detect the coding 502 of the guide rail unit 500, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 has at least one detection element 505. In the present embodiment, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 has two detection elements 505 that are arranged at the housing 501 enclosing the patient receiving region 15. Alternatively, the detection element 505 can also be arranged at the examination couch 27 of the patient support device 25.

[0083] ​In the present embodiment, the coding 502 includes an optoelectronic coding 502, in particular a bar code. Furthermore, the detection element 505 includes a corresponding sensor element and / or reading element for detecting the optoelectronic coding 502, in particular a bar code. In an alternative design of the coding 502, the coding 502 may also include a mechanical coding and the detection element 505 may include a mechanical detection element, such as a plug-in connection device and / or a pressure switch.

[0084] The information detected by the detection element 505 is transmitted via a data transmission unit not shown in detail to the examination table control unit 34. The examination table control unit 34 includes here a computing module and / or a computing unit having a processor, which processor provides the position to be adjusted of the examination table 27 based on the detected coding 502 and / or based on the information detected from the coding 502. Here, the position to be adjusted includes the following vertical position and / or height of the examination table 27, in which the examination table 27 must be placed in order to be able to move the examination table 27 into the patient receiving area 15 by means of the guide rail 504. The position to be adjusted of the examination table 27 is provided here by the examination table control unit 34 to the adjustment unit 33, in particular the vertical adjustment unit 36.

[0085] In Figure 8 an alternative embodiment of the guide rail unit 600 of the magnetic resonance device 10 and the housing 601 surrounding the patient receiving area 15 is shown. Substantially identical components, features and functional principles are labeled with the same reference numerals in principle. The following description is substantially limited to the differences from the embodiment in Figures 1 to 7 where reference is made to the description of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 7 for the identical components, features and functions.

[0086] In Figure 8 the housing 601 of the magnetic resonance device 10 surrounding the patient receiving area 15 is shown. Inside the patient receiving area 15, two guide rail units 600 are detachably arranged and / or fastened to the housing 601. The design of the guide rail unit 600 and the detachable and / or replaceable fastening and / or arrangement at the housing 601 correspond here to the embodiment for Figure 1 and Figure 2 to which reference is made here. In an alternative design, the detachable and / or replaceable fastening and / or detachable arrangement of the guide rail unit 500 at the housing 601 can also be carried out by means of grooves and tracks and / or by means of cutouts and / or by means of other fastening elements meaningful to the person skilled in the art.

[0087] In the guide rail unit 600 of the present embodiment, there is an additional unit 602, and the additional unit 602 is integrated into the guide rail unit 600. The additional unit 602 may include, for example, a lighting unit having at least one lighting element and / or light emitting element to illuminate the patient accommodation area 15. Alternatively or additionally, the additional unit 602 may also include a ventilation opening for delivering air within the patient accommodation area 15 during magnetic resonance examination. Alternatively or additionally, the additional unit 602 may also include at least one communication element of the patient communication unit. Preferably, the magnetic resonance device 10 has a corresponding interface (not shown in detail) between the guide rail unit 600 and the housing 601 to enable the functions of the additional unit 602 to be realized.

[0088] Although the details of the present invention have been described in detail through preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variants can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A magnetic resonance system, comprising: a scanner unit; a patient accommodation area at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit, wherein the scanner unit has a housing at least partially surrounding the patient accommodation area; a patient support device with a movable examination couch, wherein the examination couch is designed to be movable into the patient accommodation area, It is characterized in that At least two different rail units are provided, wherein the at least two different rail units have different guide heights for guiding the examination couch in the patient receiving area, and wherein the at least two different rail units can be positioned exchangeably on the housing.

2. The magnetic resonance device according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The housing has at least one fastening element for detachably arranging one of the guide rail units, wherein the guide rail units each have a fastening element that cooperates with a fastening element of the housing.

3. The magnetic resonance system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The housing has at least two fastening elements, which are arranged on the housing on opposite sides of the patient receiving area enclosed by the housing.

4. A magnetic resonance device according to any one of claims 2 or 3, It is characterized in that The at least one fastening element of the housing has a form-fitting element.

5. The magnetic resonance device according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The form-fit element comprises a groove which extends in the longitudinal extension of the patient receiving area.

6. The magnetic resonance system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The housing comprises at least two fastening elements, which are designed to fasten the guide rail unit.

7. The magnetic resonance device according to claim 6, It is characterized in that The scanner unit comprises a radio frequency antenna unit, wherein the at least two fastening elements are arranged at the housing outside an overlapping area of ​​the housing and the radio frequency antenna unit.

8. A magnetic resonance device according to any one of claims 6 or 7, It is characterized in that The at least two fastening elements each comprise a hole and / or a recess and / or a pin.

9. The magnetic resonance system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The different guide rail units each have a coding, wherein the coding includes information about the guide height of the respective guide rail unit.

10. The magnetic resonance device according to claim 9, It is characterized in that At least one detection element is provided for detecting the coding of the guide rail unit.

11. The magnetic resonance device according to claim 10, It is characterized in that The at least one detection element is comprised by the patient positioning device, in particular by the examination couch and / or by a housing which surrounds the patient receiving area.

12. The magnetic resonance system according to claim 9, It is characterized in that A computing unit is provided which provides the vertical position of the examination couch to be adjusted as a function of the code detected by the at least one detection element.

13. The magnetic resonance system according to claim 1, It is characterized in that At least one additional unit is provided, which is at least partially integrated into one of the guide rail units.

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