Magnetic resonance apparatus having a guiding unit for guiding an examination

Abstract

The utility model relates to magnetic resonance equipment with a guiding unit for guiding an examination couch in a patient accommodating area, which is provided with a scanner unit, a magnetic resonance unit and a control unit, a patient accommodation area at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit; a patient support device, the patient support device comprising an examination couch for being moved into the patient receiving area; and the guide unit, characterized in that the guide unit has at least one guide rail, the guide rail being removably arranged in the patient receiving region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a magnetic resonance device, which comprises: a scanner unit; a patient accommodating area at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit; a patient supporting device, which comprises an examination bed for moving into the patient accommodating area; and a guiding unit, which is configured to guide the examination bed in the patient accommodating area. Background Art

[0002] For a magnetic resonance examination, a patient, in particular a region of the patient to be examined, is positioned in a patient accommodation area. Here, the patient is first positioned on an examination bed and moved into and / or positioned in the patient accommodation area by means of the examination bed. For this purpose, the magnetic resonance device has a guide unit, which is arranged in the patient accommodation area and is designed to guide the examination bed in the patient accommodation area. For this purpose, the guide unit has guide rails arranged laterally at the patient accommodation area.

[0003] However, the arrangement of the guide unit, in particular the guide rail, in the patient accommodation area makes the cleaning of the patient accommodation area together with the guide unit difficult and very complex. On the one hand, due to the length of the patient accommodation area, for example 1.50 meters and more, accessibility in the middle of the patient accommodation area is often difficult for cleaning personnel and / or medical operators. On the other hand, due to the guide rail in the patient accommodation area, the cleaning process is difficult. In particular, undesirable dirt that can hardly be removed during surface cleaning can adhere to the guide rail. This requires complex manual cleaning in the area of ​​the guide rail. Utility Model Content

[0004] The object on which the present invention is based is, in particular, to enable simple cleaning of the patient accommodation area and the guide unit for guiding the examination bed. The object is achieved by the features of the present invention. A preferred design is described below.

[0005] The utility model is based on a magnetic resonance device, which has: a scanner unit; a patient accommodation area at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit; a patient support device, the patient support device includes an examination bed for moving into the patient accommodation area; and a guide unit, the guide unit is configured to guide the examination bed in the patient accommodation area. According to the utility model, the guide unit has at least one guide rail, wherein the guide rail is removably arranged in the patient accommodation area.

[0006] The magnetic resonance device preferably comprises 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. In addition, the magnetic resonance device according to the present invention can also be integrated into a combined magnetic resonance PET system together with a PET device (positron emission tomography device).

[0007] The magnetic resonance device comprises a scanner unit. The scanner unit of the magnetic resonance device preferably comprises a detector unit, in particular a magnet unit, for detecting medical and / or diagnostic image data, in particular magnetic resonance image data. Here, the scanner unit, in particular the magnet unit, comprises a base magnet, a gradient coil unit and a radio frequency antenna unit. The radio frequency antenna unit is fixedly arranged in the scanner unit and is designed to transmit excitation pulses.

[0008] The basic magnet is designed to generate a uniform basic magnetic field with a defined magnetic field strength, for example, a magnetic field strength of 3 T or 1.5 T or 7 T, etc. In particular, the basic magnet is designed to generate a strong and constant basic magnetic field. The uniform basic magnetic field is preferably arranged and / or present in the patient accommodation area of ​​the magnetic resonance device. The gradient coil unit is designed to generate a magnetic field gradient, which is used for position encoding during imaging.

[0009] In order to perform a magnetic resonance examination, a patient, in particular a region of the patient to be examined, is positioned in a patient accommodation region of a magnetic resonance device. The patient accommodation region is at least partially surrounded by a scanner unit, for example cylindrically surrounded by the scanner unit. A field of view (FOV) and / or an isocenter of the magnetic resonance device are preferably arranged in the patient accommodation region. The FOV preferably includes a detection region of the magnetic resonance device, in which conditions exist for detecting medical image data, in particular magnetic resonance image data, in the patient accommodation region, such as a uniform basic magnetic field. The isocenter of the magnetic resonance device preferably includes a region and / or a point within the magnetic resonance device, which has optimal and / or ideal conditions for detecting medical image data, in particular magnetic resonance image data. In particular, the isocenter includes the most uniform magnetic field region in the magnetic resonance device, in particular in the patient accommodation region.

[0010] In order to position a patient, in particular a region of the patient to be examined, in a patient receiving area, a magnetic resonance device has a patient support device. The patient support device is designed to support and / or position a patient for performing a magnetic resonance examination on the patient. The patient support device preferably has a movable examination couch, which is designed to be movable in particular in the patient receiving area of ​​the magnetic resonance device, in particular in the longitudinal direction of the examination couch and / or the patient receiving area. In order to perform a magnetic resonance examination, the patient is first positioned on the examination couch of the patient support device, and then the examination couch is moved into the patient receiving area together with the patient until the region of the patient to be examined is positioned in the isocenter.

[0011] The guide unit, in particular at least one guide rail, is preferably arranged and / or fastened in the patient accommodation area. In particular, at least one guide rail is arranged and / or fastened in a lateral area and / or in a lateral wall and / or unit surrounding the patient accommodation area. The at least one guide rail has a length that corresponds to the length of the patient accommodation area, so that the at least one guide rail extends through the entire patient accommodation area. In order to guide the examination bed when moving into the patient accommodation area and / or moving out of the patient accommodation area, the at least one guide rail is arranged in a guiding position. At least one guide rail is hereby removably arranged in the patient accommodation area. Preferably, when the magnetic resonance device is not in use, the at least one guide rail can be removed from the patient accommodation area.

[0012] The invention has the following advantages: In particular for cleaning the patient receiving area, the at least one guide rail can be removed from the receiving area, so that the patient receiving area can be cleaned simply for cleaning personnel. Furthermore, if the at least one guide rail is outside the patient receiving area, the at least one guide rail can also be cleaned simply. In particular, good accessibility and / or reachability to the contaminated area of ​​the at least one guide rail can be ensured in this way for cleaning personnel and / or medical operating personnel.

[0013] In an advantageous development of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the guide unit has two guide rails which are removably arranged on opposite sides of the patient accommodation area. The two guide rails enable simple and safe guidance of the examination couch in the patient accommodation area.

[0014] In an advantageous development of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the scanner unit has a unit surrounding the patient receiving area, which has at least one support element for removably arranging the at least one guide rail. By means of the at least one support element, a simple arrangement of the at least one guide rail in the patient receiving area can be achieved. In addition, the at least one guide rail can be easily removed from the patient receiving area, for example for cleaning.

[0015] The unit surrounding the patient accommodation area may, for example, include a radio frequency antenna unit fixedly arranged in the scanner unit. In addition, the housing surrounding the patient accommodation area may also include a housing cover of the scanner unit that is separately formed from the radio frequency antenna unit. Preferably, the unit surrounding the patient accommodation area has two supporting elements, which form two guide rails for removably supporting and / or arranging the guide unit. The two supporting elements are preferably arranged at opposite side walls of the unit surrounding the patient accommodation area. The supporting elements may, for example, include guide grooves and / or supporting grooves arranged at the side walls of the unit surrounding the patient accommodation area in the longitudinal direction. Preferably, at least one supporting element has a length that corresponds to the length of the patient accommodation area and / or the length of the unit surrounding the patient accommodation area, so that at least one supporting element extends through the entire patient accommodation area. In addition, the guide groove and / or the supporting groove may include a dovetail-shaped or T-shaped cross section, etc., in order to achieve a loss-proof arrangement of at least one guide element.

[0016] In an advantageous improvement of the magnetic resonance device according to the present invention, it can be proposed that at least one supporting element has two end regions, wherein the two end regions are arranged at opposite ends of the at least one supporting element in the longitudinal direction, and wherein at the two end regions, the at least one supporting element is constructed in an open manner. Preferably, the first end of the at least one supporting element, and thus the first end region, is arranged at an introduction opening of the patient accommodation area and / or an opening on the front side of the patient accommodation area. Preferably, the second end of the at least one supporting element, and thus the second end region, is arranged at an outlet opening of the patient accommodation area and / or an opening on the rear side of the patient accommodation area. By the open construction of the two end regions of the at least one supporting element, the two end regions can be used to remove and / or lead out at least one guide rail. In addition, when the at least one guide rail is introduced and / or arranged in the at least one supporting element, this can also be done at the two end regions.

[0017] In an advantageous improvement of the magnetic resonance device according to the present invention, it can be proposed that at least one guide rail has at least two sub-rails, which are arranged one after another in the patient accommodation area. In order to be arranged in the patient accommodation area, at least two sub-rails can also be connected to each other. For example, at least two sub-rails can be connected to each other via a plug connection. In addition, at least two sub-rails can also be abutted against each other to be arranged in the patient accommodation area. In particular, at least two sub-rails are arranged in the patient accommodation area without gaps, in particular at at least one supporting element. Preferably, the length of the sub-rails is matched to the accommodation area of ​​a washing machine, for example, a hospital washing machine for washing medical utensils. The total length of at least one guide rail is preferably derived from the sum of the individual lengths of each sub-rail.

[0018] The above-mentioned design of the utility model has the following advantages: For example, the guide rail can be easily cleaned by means of a cleaning machine. In addition, the compactly designed partial rails can also be used by the user to easily introduce the guide rail into the patient receiving area, in particular the support element, for receiving the guide rail, and / or to easily remove the guide rail from the patient receiving area, in particular the support element.

[0019] In an advantageous improvement of the magnetic resonance device according to the utility model, it can be proposed that the guide unit has at least one fixing element, which fixes at least one guide rail in the guide position. At least one fixing element can, for example, include a locking element and / or a locking element, which is arranged at the end area of ​​the support element, so that when the guide rail is fully introduced into the support element, the locking element and / or the locking element fix the guide rail. In addition, at least one fixing element can also include other configurations that appear meaningful to those skilled in the art. The fixing element can also additionally include an unlocking element, such as an unlocking button, which should be manipulated to remove the guide rail. In the guide position, at least one guide rail is in a fully introduced position in the patient accommodation area, especially at the support element, for accommodating the guide element. In this way, it can be ensured that when the examination bed is moved in, the guide unit, especially at least one guide rail, is arranged in a safe and correct position, especially a non-sliding position. Along with this, the safe movement of the examination bed can be ensured, and the risk of accidents can also be minimized.

[0020] In an advantageous development of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the at least one fixing element is designed for locking and / or unlocking the at least one guide rail without tools. This allows a simple operation of the at least one fixing element. In addition, a high level of operating comfort can be provided to the user when introducing or removing the at least one guide rail.

[0021] In an advantageous improvement of the magnetic resonance device according to the present invention, it can be proposed that the guide unit includes at least one detection element, which is configured to detect the fixing information of at least one fixing element. The detection element can, for example, include a sensor and / or a micro switch and / or a camera and / or other detection elements that appear meaningful to a person skilled in the art. In addition, the detection element can also include a user interface of the magnetic resonance device, and the fixing information can be input by a user, especially a medical operator, via the user interface. The fixing information of at least one fixing element can include the following information: whether at least one fixing element is set in the correct position, especially in the guiding position. In this way, high safety can be achieved when at least one guide rail is introduced into the patient accommodation area, especially in the supporting element arranged in the patient accommodation area. In addition, in this way, it is also possible to advantageously prevent the examination bed from moving into the patient accommodation area, even if at least one guide rail is incorrectly positioned in the patient accommodation area.

[0022] In an advantageous improvement of the magnetic resonance device according to the present invention, it can be proposed that at least one detection element is arranged in the patient accommodation area and / or at the examination bed. For example, when arranged in the patient accommodation area, the detection unit can be arranged at the guide rail and / or the supporting element. In addition, the detection unit can also be arranged in the front area of ​​the examination bed and / or at the guide element of the examination bed corresponding to the at least one guide rail. The described design scheme for the arrangement in the patient accommodation area has the following advantages: during the introduction and / or arrangement of at least one guide rail in the patient accommodation area, especially at the supporting element of the patient accommodation area, the correct position and / or arrangement of the at least one guide rail can already be directly detected. When arranged at the examination bed, a simple data transmission to the user interface can be advantageously provided.

[0023] In an advantageous improvement scheme of the magnetic resonance device according to the utility model, it can be proposed that the magnetic resonance device has a user interface, which is arranged at the front side of the scanner unit, wherein the user interface is configured to output the detected fixed information. The user interface preferably includes an input unit, such as a button and / or a knob, etc. and an output unit, such as a display. In addition, the input unit and the output unit of the user interface can also be configured in one piece and / or in one piece, such as in a touch display in particular. Preferably, the magnetic resonance device has a data transmission unit for transmitting data between the user interface and the detection unit. Here, the detection unit can be directly connected to the user interface directly, or it can also be indirectly connected via other units of the magnetic resonance device. The design has the following advantages: the setting and / or positioning of at least one guide rail in the patient accommodation area can be directly notified to the user, especially the medical operator.

[0024] In an advantageous improvement of the magnetic resonance device according to the present invention, it can be proposed that the user interface is configured to detect confirmation information for the correct positioning of at least one guide rail. The confirmation information is input by a user, in particular a medical operator. In particular, the confirmation information is input by the user after at least one guide rail is arranged and / or introduced into the patient accommodation area, in particular at at least one supporting element in the patient accommodation area. With the aid of the confirmation input, the medical operator is preferably again informed of the correct arrangement and / or positioning of at least one guide rail, in particular in the guide position. In addition, the confirmation input can also be used to activate the examination bed, for example, the examination bed can only move in the patient accommodation area when the correct positioning of at least one guide rail is confirmed. In this way, a high level of safety can be provided for the movement of the examination bed in the patient accommodation area.

[0025] In an advantageous improvement of the magnetic resonance device according to the present invention, it can be proposed that the guide unit has a safety element, which is designed to block the movement of the examination bed into the patient accommodation area in the event of incorrect positioning and / or arrangement of at least one guide rail. Preferably, the safety element is connected to a detection element for this purpose in order to obtain position information. In addition, the safety element can be included by the detection element or formed in one piece and / or in one piece with the detection element. For example, the movement of the examination bed can be blocked in the described manner until at least one guide rail is arranged and / or positioned in the patient accommodation area, in particular in the correct position at at least one supporting element in the patient accommodation area. In this way, a high level of safety can be provided for the movement of the examination bed in the patient accommodation area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and with reference to the drawings.

[0027] The accompanying drawings show:

[0028] Figure 1 The schematic diagram shows a magnetic resonance device with a guide unit according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 a schematic front view showing a scanner unit and a patient accommodation area with a guide unit,

[0030] Figure 3 A perspective view showing a scanner unit and a patient accommodation area with a guide unit,

[0031] Figure 4 The guide unit is shown in a longitudinal section through the scanner unit, and

[0032] Figure 5 An alternative guide unit is shown in a longitudinal section through the scanner unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] exist Figure 1 Schematically shown in the figure is a magnetic resonance device 10. The magnetic resonance device 10 includes a scanner unit 11 formed by a magnet unit. In addition, the magnetic resonance device 10 has a patient accommodation area 12 for accommodating a patient 13. In the present embodiment, the patient accommodation area 12 is cylindrically configured and is cylindrically surrounded by the scanner unit 11, in particular the magnet unit, in the circumferential direction. However, in principle, different configurations of the patient accommodation area 12 are conceivable at any time. The patient 13 can be pushed and / or moved into the patient accommodation area 12 by means of a patient support device 14 of the magnetic resonance device 10. For this purpose, the patient support device 14 has an examination bed 15 designed to be movable in the patient accommodation area 12. In particular, the examination bed 15 is movably supported in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the patient accommodation area 12 and / or in the z direction.

[0034] Furthermore, the magnetic resonance device 10 has a guide unit 16, which is designed to guide the examination bed 15 in the patient accommodation area 12. The guide unit 16 has at least one guide rail 17 arranged in the patient accommodation area 12. In the present embodiment, the guide unit 16 has two guide rails 17 arranged in the patient accommodation area 12, wherein the guide rails 17 are arranged in the patient accommodation area 12. Figure 1 1 shows only one of the two guide rails 17. The two guide rails 17 are here removably arranged in the patient receiving area 12. For this purpose, the magnetic resonance device 10 has a unit 18 surrounding the patient receiving area 12, on which the two guide rails 17 are removably arranged. In the present exemplary embodiment, the unit 18 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 comprises a housing wall 20 which is formed integrally with a radio frequency antenna unit 19 of the magnetic resonance device 10. Furthermore, the unit 18 surrounding the patient receiving area 12 may also comprise a housing wall which is formed separately from the radio frequency antenna unit 18.

[0035] The scanner unit 11, in particular the magnet unit, comprises a superconducting basic magnet 21 for generating a strong and in particular constant basic magnetic field 22. Furthermore, the scanner unit 11, in particular the magnet unit, comprises a gradient coil unit 23 for generating magnetic field gradients, which are used for position encoding during imaging. The gradient coil unit 23 is controlled by means of a gradient control unit 24 of the magnetic resonance device 10. The scanner unit 11, in particular the magnet unit, further comprises a radio frequency antenna unit 19 for exciting polarizations occurring in the basic magnetic field 22 generated by the basic magnet 21. The radio frequency antenna unit 19 is controlled by a radio frequency antenna control unit 25 of the magnetic resonance device 10 and radiates a radio frequency magnetic resonance sequence into the patient accommodation area 12 of the magnetic resonance device 10.

[0036] The magnetic resonance system 10 has a system control unit 26 for controlling the base magnet 21, the gradient control unit 24 and for controlling the radio frequency antenna control unit 25. The system control unit 26 centrally controls the magnetic resonance system 10, for example controls the execution of a predetermined imaging gradient echo sequence. In addition, the system control unit 26 includes an evaluation unit (not shown in detail) for evaluating the medical image data acquired during the magnetic resonance examination.

[0037] In addition, the magnetic resonance device 10 includes a first user interface 27 arranged at the front side 28 of the scanner unit 11. The first user interface 27 has an input unit and an output unit. In the present embodiment, the input unit and the output unit are integrally and / or one-piece formed with each other, for example as a touch display. In addition, in an alternative design of the first user interface 27, the input unit and the output unit can also be formed separately from each other.

[0038] The magnetic resonance system 10 further comprises a second user interface 29, by means of which it is possible for a user, in particular a medical operator, to control and / or monitor the magnetic resonance examination. Control information, such as imaging parameters and reconstructed magnetic resonance images can be displayed for the medical operator on an output unit 30 of the second user interface 29, for example on at least one display. Furthermore, the second user interface 29 has an input unit 31, by means of which information and / or parameters can be input by the medical operator during the measurement.

[0039] The scanner unit 11 of the magnetic resonance device 10 is arranged in an examination room 32 together with the patient support device 14 and the first user interface 27. In contrast, the system control unit 26 is arranged in a control room 33 together with the second user interface 29. The control room 33 is designed separately from the examination room 32. In particular, the examination room 32 is shielded from the control room 33 with respect to radio frequency radiation. During the magnetic resonance examination, the patient 11 is located in the examination room 32, while the medical operator is located in the control room 33.

[0040] The magnetic resonance system 10 shown may of course include further components which are usually present in a magnetic resonance system 10. Otherwise, the general mode of operation of the magnetic resonance system 10 is known to a person skilled in the art, so that a detailed description of the further components is omitted.

[0041] exist Figures 2 to 4 The scanner unit 11 and thus the patient accommodation area 12 with the guide unit 16 are shown in detail in FIG. Figure 21 shows the scanner unit 11 from the front. The scanner unit 11 surrounds the patient accommodation area 12 in a cylindrical manner. Two guide rails 17 of a guide unit 16 are arranged in the patient accommodation area 12, which are arranged on opposite sides 34, 35 and / or wall areas of the patient accommodation area 12. In particular, the two guide rails 17 are arranged in the patient accommodation area 12 so as to be removable. Figure 3 2 shows a scanner unit 11 having a guide rail 17 which at least partially extends out of the patient receiving area 12 .

[0042] In order to arrange and / or accommodate the two guide rails 17, in particular to arrange and / or accommodate the two guide rails 17 in a removable manner, two support elements 36 ( Figures 2 to 4 ). The two support elements 36 are arranged at opposite sides 34, 35 of the unit 18 surrounding the patient accommodation area 12. The two support elements 36 include a respective support groove for arranging and / or accommodating a respective guide rail 17. In the present embodiment, the two support elements 36, in particular the two support grooves, respectively have a linear bearing and / or a linear guide with a dovetail-shaped recess. Similarly, the two guide rails 17 have dovetail-shaped support elements 37 corresponding to the two support elements 36, in particular the two dovetail-shaped support grooves. In an alternative design of the two support elements 36 arranged at the unit 18 surrounding the patient accommodation area 12, the support elements 36 can also have a T-shaped support groove and / or other support elements that appear meaningful to a person skilled in the art.

[0043] exist Figure 4 FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section of the scanner unit 11 and the patient accommodation area 12. Due to the longitudinal section, only one of the two guide rails 17 of the guide unit 16 is shown. Figure 4As can be seen in the figure, the guide rail 17 has two sub-rails 38, which are arranged one after another in the patient accommodation area 12. In particular, the two sub-rails 38 are arranged one after another on a support element 36 of a unit 18 surrounding the patient accommodation area 12. The two support elements 36, in particular two dovetail-shaped support grooves, each have two end regions 39, 40. Here, each of the two support elements 36, in particular each of the two dovetail-shaped support grooves, has a front end region 39 and a rear end region 40. The front end region 39 and the rear end region 40 are arranged at the ends of the corresponding support element 36, in particular the corresponding dovetail-shaped support groove, which are opposite in the longitudinal direction. At the two end regions 39, 50, the two support elements 36, in particular the two dovetail-shaped support grooves, are designed to be open, so that the guide rail 17 can be introduced or led out at the two end regions 39, 40. In particular, in this way, a first of the two sub-rails 38 can be introduced or led out at a front end region 39 and a second of the two sub-rails 38 can be introduced or led out at a rear end region 40 into the carrier element 36 .

[0044] Furthermore, the guide unit 16 has at least one fixing element 41 ( Figure 4 ). Preferably, the guide unit 16 has at least one fixing element 41 for each of the two guide rails 17. In the present embodiment, the guide unit 16 has a fixing element 41 for each sub-rail 38. Each fixing element 41 fixes the guide rail 17, in particular each sub-rail 38 of the guide rail 17, in a guide position at the support element 36. In particular, each fixing element 41 comprises, for example, a locking element and / or a locking element. In addition, the fixing element 41 may also comprise an unlocking element, such as an unlocking button, which can be manipulated for removing the guide rail 17. Each fixing element 38 is configured for locking and / or unlocking without tools.

[0045] In addition, the guide unit 16 has at least one detection element 42 configured to detect safety information of at least one fixing element 41. In the present embodiment, the guide unit 16 has a detection element 42 respectively for detecting the safety information of each fixing element 41, and the detection element 42 includes a sensor and / or a micro switch. The detection element 42 is arranged in the patient accommodation area 12, in particular in the area of ​​the fixing element 41. In an alternative design, the detection element 42 may also include a camera and / or other detection elements that appear meaningful to a person skilled in the art. In addition, the detection element 42 may also include a first user interface 27 of the magnetic resonance device 10, and the fixing information may be input by a user, in particular a medical operator, via the first user interface 27.

[0046] In addition, the security information detected by the detection element 42 is output via the first user interface 27 ( Figure 3 ), so that the safety information is visible to the medical operator during the introduction of the guide rail 17 into the patient receiving area 12, in particular into the support element 36. In addition, the medical operator can also input confirmation information for the correct positioning of the guide rail 17 in the patient receiving area 12, in particular at the support element 36, by means of the first user interface 27. In addition, the first user interface 27 can be connected to a control unit (not shown in detail) of the patient support device 14 in the manner described, so that the movement of the examination bed 15, in particular the movement of the examination bed 15 into the patient receiving area 12, can be activated only by input of the confirmation information.

[0047] In the present exemplary embodiment, the guide unit 16 has at least one safety element 43, which is designed to block the movement of the examination couch 15 into the patient accommodation area 12 in the event of an incorrect positioning and / or arrangement of at least one of the two guide rails 17. In the present exemplary embodiment, the respective detection element 42 is designed integrally and / or in one piece with the safety element 43. The movement of the examination couch 15 into the patient accommodation area 12 is only released by the safety element 43 if the detected safety information includes the correct positioning and / or arrangement of the two guide rails 17, in particular all the sub-rails 38, in the patient accommodation area 12, in particular at the support element 36.

[0048] exist Figure 5 An alternative embodiment of the guide unit 100 is shown in FIG. Components, features and functions that remain substantially the same are in principle numbered with the same reference numerals. The following description is substantially limited to the Figures 1 to 4 The differences between the embodiments in the examples are as follows, wherein reference is made to the Figures 1 to 4 Description of the embodiments in .

[0049] exist Figure 5 FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a scanner unit 11 and a patient accommodation area 12 of a magnetic resonance device 10. The magnetic resonance device 10 has a guide unit 100 with two guide rails 101, which are arranged on a unit 18 surrounding the patient accommodation area 12. Figure 5 Only one of the two guide rails 101 of the guide unit 100 is shown. The two guide rails 101 are removably arranged in the patient receiving area 12, in particular on the support element 38. Figures 2 to 4 The guide rails 17 in the exemplary embodiment differ as follows: The guide rails 101 in the exemplary embodiment are each designed as one piece. The two guide rails 101 extend in the longitudinal direction of the patient receiving area 12 substantially through the entire patient receiving area 12 .

[0050] The arrangement of the individual guide rails 101 in the patient receiving area 12 and the design and / or arrangement of the support elements 38 correspond to the previously mentioned Figures 2 to 4 implementation plan.

[0051] The guide unit 100 has at least one fixing element 104. In the present exemplary embodiment, the guide unit 100 has two fixing elements 104 for each guide rail 101. A first fixing element 104 of each guide rail 101 is arranged at an end region 39 of the front side of the support element 36. Furthermore, a second fixing element 104 of each guide rail 101 is arranged at an end region 40 of the rear side of the support element 36. By providing two fixing elements 104 for each guide rail 101, the guide rail 101 can be removed via the front side 28 of the scanner unit 11 or also via the rear side of the scanner unit 11. In an alternative embodiment of the guide unit 100, only a single fixing element 104 can also be provided on the support element 36 for each guide rail 101, for example only at the end region of the front side of the corresponding support element 36. The design and / or mode of operation of the fixing elements 104 also corresponds here to the referenced in this regard. Figures 2 to 4 implementation plan.

[0052] Furthermore, the guide unit 100 has at least one detection element 102 arranged on the examination bed 15. In the present exemplary embodiment, the guide unit 100 has a single detection element 102. In particular, the detection element 102 is arranged in the front region 103 of the examination bed 15. The detection element 102 can be connected to a single fixing element 41 for detecting safety information. Furthermore, the detection element 102 can also be connected to the first user interface 27 in order to output the detected safety information to the user. Furthermore, the guide unit 17 can also include a safety element 43, wherein the design and / or the mode of operation of the safety element 43 correspond to the one referred to in this regard. Figures 2 to 4 implementation plan.

[0053] Although the details of the present invention have been described in detail through 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 protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A magnetic resonance apparatus, comprising: a scanner unit; a patient accommodation area at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit; a patient support device, the patient support device comprising an examination couch for movement into the patient receiving area; and a guide unit, which is configured to guide the examination couch within the patient accommodation area, It is characterized in that the guide unit has at least one guide rail, wherein the guide rail is arranged in the patient receiving area so as to be removable.

2. The magnetic resonance device according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The guide unit has two guide rails which are arranged removably in the patient receiving area on opposite sides of the patient receiving area.

3. The magnetic resonance device according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The scanner unit has a unit surrounding the patient receiving area, which has at least one support element for removably arranging the at least one guide rail.

4. The magnetic resonance device according to claim 3, It is characterized in that The at least one supporting element has two end regions, wherein the two end regions are arranged at opposite ends of the at least one supporting element in a longitudinal direction, and wherein the at least one supporting element is designed to be open at the two end regions.

5. The magnetic resonance device according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The at least one guide rail has at least two partial rails which are arranged one behind the other in the patient receiving area.

6. The magnetic resonance device according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The guide unit has at least one fixing element which fixes the at least one guide rail in a guide position.

7. The magnetic resonance device according to claim 6, It is characterized in that The at least one fastening element is designed for tool-free locking and / or unlocking of the at least one guide rail.

8. The magnetic resonance apparatus according to claim 6, It is characterized in that The guiding unit includes at least one detection element configured to detect the fixing information of the at least one fixing element.

9. The magnetic resonance apparatus according to claim 6, It is characterized in that The at least one detection element is arranged in the patient receiving area and / or on the examination couch.

10. The magnetic resonance device according to claim 8, It is characterized in that A user interface is provided, which is arranged at the front side of the scanner unit, wherein the user interface is configured to output the detected fixed information.

11. The magnetic resonance device according to claim 10, It is characterized in that The user interface is designed to detect confirmation information for the correct positioning of the at least one guide rail.

12. The magnetic resonance device according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The guide unit has a safety element which is designed to block a movement of the examination couch into the patient receiving area in the event of an incorrect positioning and / or arrangement of the at least one guide rail.

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