Inspection system and imaging inspection system

Abstract

An inspection system (1) having an object transport unit (7) for transporting objects to be inspected into an inspection area is to be simplified. For this purpose, a touch screen (12) is used which forms a function for controlling an inspection unit, such as an MRT system, and / or for visualizing the state of the inspection unit. The touch screen (12) has a virtual operating element (13) which can be manually placed in a moving, offset or target position. The object transport unit (7) is moved toward or away from the inspection area. The utility model further relates to an imaging inspection system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to an inspection system, which has: an inspection unit with an inspection area; an object transport unit, by means of which an object to be inspected can be transported into the inspection area and / or transported out of the inspection area; and a touch screen, which is used to control the functions of the inspection unit and / or to visualize the status of the inspection unit. In addition, the utility model relates to a corresponding method for operating the inspection system. Background Art

[0002] Devices for magnetic resonance tomography, MRT, are imaging devices that use a strong external magnetic field to orient the nuclear spins of the object to be examined and excite them to precess about the corresponding orientation by applying RF excitation pulses. The transition or precession of the spins from the excited state to a state with lower energy generates an alternating electromagnetic field as a response, which can be detected as MR signals via a receiving antenna.

[0003] By means of the gradient magnetic fields, a spatial encoding can be impressed on the signal, which subsequently allows the acquired signal to be associated with a volume element of the examination object. The received signal can then be evaluated, for example, in order to provide an image view of the examination object.

[0004] In magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) systems, it is necessary to position the anatomical structures to be displayed in the middle of the magnet in order to ensure a sufficiently good image quality. The reasons for this are, for example, that the homogeneity of the magnetic field and the linearity of the gradient system and the emitted radiofrequency field are beneficial for imaging in this region.

[0005] The definition of the anatomical region is typically done manually by the user, which is then moved to the so-called ISO center of the magnet for the generation of image data. The operation of the examination table on which the patient is placed is possible in particular with the aid of a rotating wheel. The rotating wheel is very disadvantageous in terms of cleanability. In addition, the rotating wheel increases the operating costs of the system. In addition, the rotating wheel usually also needs to break through the magnet cover of the MRT system.

[0006] In principle, both human patients and animal patients can be examined with the aid of MRT systems. Rather, MRT systems can also be used to examine inanimate objects, such as turbine impellers, etc. Such examination objects are also referred to hereinafter as objects. Utility Model Content

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a control system which has advantageous operating elements for controlling an object transport unit in terms of hygiene and costs.

[0008] According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by an inspection system and an imaging inspection system. Advantageous improvements of the present invention are apparent from the following description.

[0009] Therefore, according to the utility model, an inspection system with an inspection unit is provided, and the inspection unit has an inspection area. The inspection system is usually configured to inspect an object. For example, the object can be a human patient, or it can also be a technical object. The form of the inspection can be arbitrary. For example, optical or acoustic radiation can be used for non-contact inspection. The inspection system has a special inspection unit for this purpose, and the inspection unit has its own inspection area. The object to be inspected must be placed in the inspection area of ​​the inspection unit in order to achieve the best possible inspection.

[0010] For this purpose, the examination system has an object transport unit, by means of which the object to be examined can be transported into and / or out of the examination area. The object transport unit can, for example, have a conveyor belt with a receptacle for the object. If the object is a patient, the object transport unit can have an examination bed, by means of which the patient can be transported in a defined manner into the examination area. It is usually also possible to transport the patient out of the examination area again by means of the object transport unit or by means of the examination bed.

[0011] In addition, the inspection system has a touch screen, which can also be referred to as a touch screen or touch panel. The touch screen is configured to control the functions of the inspection unit and / or to visualize the status of the inspection unit. The touch screen is an interface for manually controlling the inspection unit when necessary. For example, a certain function of the inspection unit can be activated or deactivated by means of the touch screen. For this purpose, for example, a suitable virtual operating element on the touch screen should be touched. For example, the lighting element of the inspection unit can be turned on and off by means of the touch screen. If necessary, comfort functions, such as ventilation in an MRT system, can also be turned on and off by means of the touch screen. The touch screen can be used additionally or alternatively for visualization of one or more states of the inspection unit. For example, a fault notification of the inspection unit or the EKG data of the patient can be optically displayed on the touch screen. For example, the position of the local coil can also be graphically displayed on the touch screen, or the workflow can be manually controlled by means of the touch screen and its current state can be shown.

[0012] According to the utility model, the touch screen has a virtual operating element that can be manually placed in a motion, offset or target position. Therefore, a virtual operating element is displayed on the touch screen, and the virtual operating element can be moved, for example, with an index finger. The movement can result in a (respectively preset) specific motion, a specific target position or a specific offset. The screen itself or a connected sensor device can record one or more parameters of the motion, target position or offset. Therefore, for example, the speed of the motion of the virtual operating element or the amplitude of the offset, or the actual position, i.e., the target position, can be recorded. Alternatively, it is also possible to only record the target position to which the virtual operating element is moved, without having to know the starting position and the target position as in the offset.

[0013] Furthermore, in the inspection system according to the present invention, the object transport unit can be moved toward or away from the inspection area according to the movement, offset or target position of the virtual operating element. This means that at least a part of the object transport unit is moved into or out of the inspection area corresponding to the operation of the virtual operating element. In the case of an inspection bed as the object transport unit, the real bed moves into the inspection area, but the foot or drive of the entire inspection bed does not move into the inspection area. Similarly, for example, a receiving portion that accommodates a technical object to be inspected is moved into the inspection area by means of a conveyor belt or a linear motor. In the described case, not the entire transport unit including the conveyor belt or the linear motor, but at most one section thereof, moves into the inspection area.

[0014] It is thereby advantageously possible to manually control the object transport unit by means of a touch screen. Thus, no additional control elements, such as a rotary wheel, are required in addition to the touch screen in order to at least partially move the object transport unit into the inspection area. As a result, additional operating elements, such as a rotary wheel, can be omitted, thereby reducing the production costs of the inspection system. It can be considered particularly advantageous if the touch screen is used not only for the status display or control of the inspection unit, but also for the control of the object transport unit (possibly the inspection table).

[0015] In one embodiment, it is proposed that the virtual operating element is configured as a graphic element that can only be linearly offset from the initial position. Starting from the initial position, the linear offset can be performed in one direction and, if necessary, in the opposite direction. For example, the operating element can therefore be implemented as a virtual sliding adjuster. Here, the virtual operating element can be moved or offset on the touch screen, for example, by means of a finger. If necessary, a maximum offset in one direction or two directions is proposed, wherein the maximum offset is preferably also identifiably marked on the touch screen. However, "only linear" can also mean that multiple linear motion feasibility in different directions are connected to each other. For example, a linear sub-segment can be oriented vertically, and the subsequent second sub-segment can be oriented horizontally. Therefore, with the help of the virtual operating element, the examination bed of the MRT system can first be moved upward to the moving-in position, and then horizontally moved to the MRT patient tunnel. If the virtual operating element is linearly moved out from the initial position only in one direction, the two movements with a movement direction that differs by 90 degrees can also be automatically performed by the object transport unit or the examination bed. In the case, the removal of the virtual operating element just means, for example, that the examination bed is automatically lifted until the moving-in position and continues to move horizontally in the direction of the MRT patient tunnel. A deflection of the virtual operating element from the starting position in the opposite direction can then mean, for example, that the couch is moved out of the MRT patient tunnel and, if necessary, is automatically moved further downward into a comfortable exit position.

[0016] In an alternative embodiment, the virtual operating element is configured as a graphic element that is only rotatably offset from the starting position. This rotatably offset or rotatable operating element simulates a known wheel graphically and with respect to the operating system. For this purpose, a virtual wheel can be displayed on the touch screen. For example, this virtual wheel can be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise with a finger. Here, a maximum rotation can also be set in each direction. The rotational offset of the virtual wheel is evaluated or converted into a motion command in the corresponding direction by the control mechanism of the inspection system or the object transport unit. Here, a motion pattern similar to that in the case of linear movement of the operating element can also be achieved. In particular, the rotation of the virtual wheel can also cause the object transport unit or the inspection bed to automatically perform two coupled movements in sequence, such as an upward partial movement and a left or right partial movement.

[0017] In another embodiment, it is proposed that the speed of the object transport unit depends on the amount of the offset of the virtual operating element. This means, for example, that when the virtual operating unit is offset further from the initial position, the speed of the object transport unit increases. In other words, the greater the offset, the greater the speed of the object transport unit. This applies not only to linear offsets, but also to rotational offsets. For example, the speed can be linearly related to the amount of offset. However, if necessary, there can also be another functional relationship between the offset and the speed, such as a square relationship or an exponential relationship. Preferably, by correspondingly offsetting the virtual operating element in one direction or in another opposite direction, forward movement and backward movement of the object transport unit with different speeds can be achieved.

[0018] In addition, an embodiment can be proposed, in which the virtual operating element automatically returns to the initial position from the offset when the virtual operating element is no longer touched manually. This means that when the virtual operating element is no longer "held" manually, the virtual operating element moves back to the initial position similar to that by a return spring. This has the advantage that the virtual operating element, for example, only moves when the virtual operating element is also intentionally offset. The resetting of the virtual operating element can be performed in a jumpy manner or with a gentle transition, wherein the speed of the object transport unit is gradually reduced to zero. In this way, for example, it can be automatically achieved that the examination bed of the MRT system stops when the operator no longer touches the touch screen or the virtual operating element.

[0019] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the touch screen is arranged directly on the inspection unit. For example, in an MRT system, the touch screen can be arranged in the insertion area of ​​the tube, that is, arranged at the housing of the magnet system. Here, the touch screen can be connected to the inspection unit detachably or inseparable. The inseparable connection has the advantage that the touch screen can always be touched at a fixed position. In contrast, a detachable connection to the inspection unit can provide the advantage that the object transport unit can be remotely controlled via the touch screen. For this purpose, the touch screen is preferably connected to the inspection unit or the object transport unit via a wireless data connection. For example, a corresponding Bluetooth or WLAN connection is suitable for this.

[0020] The examination system can advantageously be an imaging examination system. In this case, the imaging examination system has an examination system according to the above-described type, wherein the examination unit is designed to acquire images from an object to be examined in an examination region. The imaging examination system is, for example, an MRT system, a CT system (computed tomography), an angiography system, etc. It is then possible to move the object to be examined into the examination region using virtual operating elements on the touch screen, wherein no additional rotary wheel is required in addition to the touch screen.

[0021] According to the utility model, the above object is also achieved by a method for operating an inspection system of the above type, wherein a virtual operating element of a touch screen is manually placed in a movement, a target position or an offset, and the object transport unit moves toward or away from the inspection area according to the movement, the target position or the offset of the virtual operating element. The manual operation of the virtual operating element on the touch screen can be performed, for example, by means of an operator's finger. Alternatively, the manual operation can also be performed, for example, by means of a pen or other auxiliary element.

[0022] The advantages and implementation variants mentioned above in conjunction with the inspection system also apply to the method according to the present invention in a meaningful manner. Accordingly, the functional features of the inspection system can be regarded as corresponding method features.

[0023] For application cases or application scenarios which may result from the method and are not explicitly described here, provision may be made for an error message to be issued according to the method and / or for a request to input user feedback and / or for setting standard settings and / or a predetermined initial state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing an inspection system according to the utility model;

[0026] Figure 2 A touch screen with virtual operating elements is shown;

[0027] Figure 3 shows the manual deflection of the virtual operating element, and

[0028] Figure 4 A flow chart showing an exemplary method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The embodiments described in more detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings are preferred implementations of the present utility model.

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic diagram shows an exemplary embodiment of a (MRT) system 1 according to the invention.

[0031] The MRT system 1 comprises a magnet unit with a field magnet 3, which generates a static magnetic field for the orientation of the nuclear spins of an object 8, such as a patient, in an imaging region. The imaging region or the examination region is characterized by an extremely uniform static magnetic field, wherein the uniformity relates in particular to the magnetic field strength or its amplitude. The imaging region is located in a patient tunnel 2, which extends through the magnet unit in a longitudinal direction Z. The field magnet 3 can be, for example, a superconducting magnet, which can generate a magnetic field with a magnetic flux density of up to 3 T or more. However, for smaller field strengths, electromagnets or permanent magnets with normal conductive coils can also be used. The object transport unit, which is configured as an examination table 7, has an examination bed 11 that can be moved into the patient tunnel 2 so as to transport the part of the patient (object) to be examined into the examination region in the patient tunnel 2.

[0032] The examination system or MRT system 1 has a touch screen 12 (touch screen or touch panel), for example, on the cover of the magnet unit, for example, at the entrance to the patient tunnel. The touch screen 12 is designed to display status data of the examination system. Correspondingly, it can be visualized, for example, whether the lighting device or ventilation device in the patient tunnel 2 is turned on. In addition, data important for the examination can be displayed on the touch screen 12. The touch screen 12 can receive such data, for example, from the control and computing system 9. In addition, the touch screen 12 can also display workflow data when necessary, which the touch screen 12 also receives from the control and computing system 9. Preferably, there is a bidirectional data connection with the control and computing system 9, so that control commands for the examination system can be manually input by means of the touch screen 12.

[0033] In addition, the touch screen 12 has a data connection with the object transport unit, which is implemented here as an examination table 7. The data connection can be wired or wireless. Via the connection, it is possible to control the movement of the object receiving part of the examination table 7 (here the examination bed 11) by means of the touch screen. This results in a dual function of the touch screen, namely the function of the examination unit and the object transport unit.

[0034] Furthermore, the magnet unit comprises a gradient coil arrangement 5 having a plurality of gradient coils, which are used to superimpose gradient fields, i.e., position-dependent magnetic fields, on the static magnetic field in three spatial directions for spatial differentiation of scanned image regions in the imaging region. The gradient coils of the gradient coil arrangement 5 can be designed, for example, as coils made of normally conducting metal wires, which can, for example, generate mutually orthogonal fields or field gradients in the imaging region.

[0035] The magnet unit comprises a transmission coil arrangement, which may, for example, comprise a body coil 4 as a transmission antenna, which is configured to radiate radio frequency signals into an imaging region. Therefore, the body coil 4 may be understood as an HF transmission coil arrangement of the MRT system 1, or as a part of an HF transmission coil arrangement. In some embodiments, the body coil 4 may also be used to receive resonant MR signals emitted from the object 8. In this case, the body coil 4 may also be regarded as a part of a signal detection device of the MRT system 1. Optionally, the signal detection device comprises a local coil 6, which may be arranged in the immediate vicinity of the object 8, for example, at the object 8 or in the examination table 7. The local coil 6 may be used as a receiving coil or a receiving antenna as an alternative or in addition to the body coil 4.

[0036] The MRT system 1 also comprises a control and computing system 9. The control and computing system 9 may comprise a transmit-receive control unit 10 connected to the body coil 4, the gradient coil arrangement 5 and / or the local coil 6. Based on the detected MR signals, the transmit-receive control unit 10, which may comprise an analog-to-digital converter, ADC (English: “analog-to-digital converter”), may generate corresponding MR data, in particular in k-space. The transmit-receive control unit 10 is also connected to the body coil 4 as necessary and controls the body coil 4 to generate RF pulses, such as excitation pulses and / or refocusing pulses. In addition, the transmit-receive control unit 10 of the control and computing system 9 may also be connected to the gradient coil arrangement 5 and control the gradient coil arrangement 5 in order to switch slice selection gradients, gradients for frequency and / or phase encoding and / or readout gradients.

[0037] The control and computing system 9 can evaluate the MR data and, for example, undertake image reconstruction or parts thereof or other computing tasks necessary during the imaging process. The digital signal processing device can be part of the transmit-receive control unit 10 and thus also part of the examination system, here the MRT system 1 .

[0038] It should be pointed out that the described structure of the control and computing system 9 is only a non-limiting example. The different tasks and functions required can also be distributed differently and / or on different control units and / or other computing units.

[0039] The MRT system 1 is particularly capable of carrying out the method according to the invention for operating an inspection system.

[0040] As already indicated above, it is important to transport the area of ​​the object or patient to be examined into the location-limited examination area of ​​the examination system. In this context, the definition of the anatomical area is typically done manually by the user, which is then moved into the so-called ISO center (examination area) of the magnet for the generation of image data. This means, for example, that the patient is more or less pushed into the patient tunnel 2.

[0041] In an example not required here, the operation of the examination table 7 for moving its examination bed 11 is carried out by means of a rotating wheel. However, such a rotating wheel is very disadvantageous for reasons of cleanability. In addition, the rotating wheel causes increased manufacturing and operating costs of the system. By omitting the rotating wheel, the hygiene aspect and the cost aspect can be optimized.

[0042] In order to solve the problem, the above-mentioned touch screen can be provided as an operating interface. Thereby, for example, in an MRT system, the examination bed can be moved with the aid of the touch screen. This means that, in addition to various other non-bed-related functions, the touch screen provides the feasibility of sending the examination bed 11, for example, to a specific predefined target position. The bed movement in the described manner is also called "target table move". In contrast, the above-mentioned rotating wheel also provides the feasibility of moving the examination bed 11, as long as the rotating wheel is offset in one direction or the other until the desired final position is reached. The described type of bed movement is also called "continuous table move". According to the utility model, the bed movement is also achieved with the aid of a touch screen.

[0043] Due to their free programmability, the touchscreen offers the possibility of integrating further touch-sensitive operating surfaces or switches or virtual operating elements. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , a virtual operating element 13 similar to a slide adjuster can be implemented on the touch screen 12. An arrow 14 on the touch screen 12 can indicate in which direction the virtual operating element 13 can be moved. In this example, the virtual operating element 13 should preferably be able to move upward or downward. However, this does not exclude that the virtual operating element 13 can also be moved to the left and right, for example, when the examination bed can also be moved in the X direction, that is, horizontally transverse to the longitudinal direction of the patient tunnel 2.

[0044] Figure 3 1 shows how the virtual operating element 13 can be moved manually. To this end, for example, the finger 15 touches the virtual operating element 13 on the touch screen 12 and, for example, Figure 3As shown in the figure, the virtual operating element 13 is guided downwards while the touch screen 12 is continuously touched. This can trigger a control command so that the examination bed 11 moves out of the patient tunnel 2. Conversely, the upward movement of the virtual operating element 13 can generate the following command: move the examination bed 11 into the patient tunnel 2. The virtual operating element 13 can thus be moved out of the initial position 16, thereby triggering a so-called continuous table movement. Optionally, when the virtual operating element 13 is no longer touched, the manually controlled movement can be interrupted. In this case, the examination table 7 also no longer receives the corresponding movement command.

[0045] In one refinement, it can be provided that the movement speed of the object transport unit or the examination bed 11 can be changed by deflecting the virtual operating element 13. For example, if the virtual operating element 13 is pulled far downward, the examination bed is correspondingly moved out of the patient tunnel, for example, at a high speed. In contrast, if the virtual operating element 13 is only pulled slightly downward from the initial position 16, the speed during the movement out can be correspondingly lower. The same applies to a corresponding upward deflection or deflection amplitude.

[0046] In certain MRT systems, it is proposed that when moving into the patient tunnel 2, the examination bed first moves upward (Y direction) to a predefined moving-in height, and then moves horizontally (Z direction) into the patient tunnel 2. This can be programmed in the examination table 7 as a coherent total movement. Accordingly, this combined YZ movement can also be triggered by a single offset of the virtual operating element 13 from the initial position 16, for example, upward. This means that the operator keeps the virtual operating element 13 unchanged above the initial position 16, and the examination bed 11 is first lifted in the Y direction, and when the moving-in height is reached, the examination bed 11 automatically moves further in the Z direction into the patient tunnel 2. However, alternatively, such a combined movement can also be achieved, for example, by guiding the virtual operating element 13 upward and then to the right in a combined manner. Here, the virtual operating element 13 can jump back to the initial position 16 at the end of the first movement in the Y direction, but this is not mandatory.

[0047] The possibility of controlling the continuous table movement-bed movement by means of the touch screen 12 makes it possible to dispense with the rotary wheel. This results in numerous advantages. On the one hand, cost savings can be achieved, since the rotary knob itself, including the required infrastructure such as cables, bus connection and voltage supply, is not required. For example, in the case of systems with up to three rotary knobs for different operating positions, correspondingly high amounts can be saved.

[0048] Another major advantage is that in MRT systems, the magnet cover can be greatly simplified, since no lead-throughs for the knob are required. Costs can also be saved by simplifying the design of the magnet cover.

[0049] Another advantage is that, owing to saving one or more knobs, production time can be saved.In addition, advantages are also obtained in terms of hygiene, because knobs are obviously more difficult to clean than flat surfaces.

[0050] Furthermore, the control that can be realized via the touch screen also enables the possibility of initiating continuous table movement-bed movements by the remote system. The deflection of the virtual operating element is then actually simulated by the remote system in order to generate corresponding control commands.

[0051] There is also the possibility that the touch screen is an extended display of an operating computer arranged in a preparation room of the examination system. In this case, the object transport unit or the examination table can be controlled directly from the operating computer or via the touch screen.

[0052] Figure 4 The flowchart shows a schematic method flow of an embodiment of the method according to the present invention. In a first step S1 , a virtual operating element on the touch screen is touched, for example, by means of a finger. The touch screen registers such a touch.

[0053] In the following step S2, the virtual operating element is moved to a selected position. Here, the operator pulls the virtual operating element to a desired position.

[0054] In step S3, the object transport unit is moved in accordance with the deflection position. This means that it is automatically detected in which direction the virtual operating element is deflected from the initial position. If necessary, the distance between the deflection position and the initial position is also determined in addition in order to control the speed of the object transport unit accordingly. The direction of transport of the object transport unit can also be controlled by means of the direction of the deflection on the touch screen.

[0055] At the end of the desired movement, the operator releases the virtual operating element on the touch screen according to step S4. This means that the operator no longer touches the virtual operating element and removes his finger from the screen.

[0056] According to step S4 , the release of the virtual operating element is registered by the touch screen, and the virtual operating element is subsequently optionally returned to an initial position according to step S5 .

[0057] Simultaneously with the release according to step S4 or due to the return of the operating element to the initial position according to step S5, the movement of the object transport unit is terminated, corresponding to step S6. The termination can take place suddenly with the release of the virtual operating unit or by a continuous reduction in speed.

Claims

1. An inspection system (1), the inspection system (1) comprising - an inspection unit (2, 3, 4, 5, 6), the inspection unit (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) having an inspection area, an object transport unit (7), by means of which an object (8) to be inspected can be transported into the inspection area and / or out of the inspection area, and a touch screen (12), which is designed to control the functions of the checking unit (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) and / or to visualize the status of the checking unit (2, 3, 4, 5, 6), It is characterized in that the touch screen (12) has a virtual operating element (13) which can be manually moved to a movement, offset or target position, and The object transport unit (7) can be moved toward or away from the examination region as a function of the movement, deflection or target position of the virtual operating element (13).

2. The inspection system according to claim 1, The virtual operating element (13) is designed as a graphical element which can only be displaced linearly from a starting position (16).

3. The inspection system according to claim 1, The virtual operating element (13) is designed as a graphical element which can only be displaced rotationally from an initial position (16).

4. The inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The speed of the object transport unit (7) depends on the amount of the deflection of the virtual operating element (13).

5. The inspection system according to claim 2 or 3, When the virtual operating element (13) is no longer touched manually, the virtual operating element (13) automatically returns to the initial position (16) from the offset.

6. The inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The touch screen (12) is directly arranged on the inspection unit (2, 3, 4, 5, 6).

7. An imaging inspection system, It is characterized in that The imaging inspection system has an inspection system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inspection unit (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) is designed to acquire an image from the object (8) to be inspected in the inspection area.

8. The imaging inspection system according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The imaging examination system is designed as an MRT system.

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