Motion detection unit and magnetic resonance apparatus

Abstract

The utility model relates to a motion detection unit used in combination with magnetic resonance equipment, and the unit comprises a PT generation unit which is provided with a PT control unit used for generating a PT control signal, a PT generator used for generating a pilot frequency sound based on the PT control signal, and a signal processing unit used for processing the pilot frequency sound based on the PT control signal. And connecting the PT control unit with the PT generator and constituting a PT connection cable for transmitting the PT control signal to the PT generator; a local coil unit designed to detect an MR signal and to detect a PT signal at least partially corresponding to a pilot tone modulated by the conductive volume; a sensor device which is designed to detect at least one motion signal; a trigger unit which is designed to output a trigger signal at least to the sensor device; a control unit configured to receive the PT signal and the motion signal; and a transmission unit which connects the sensor device to the control unit and the local coil unit to the control unit and is designed to transmit the movement signal and the PT signal to the control unit, the sensor device being designed to detect at least one movement signal taking into account the trigger signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a motion detection unit and a magnetic resonance device. Background Technology

[0002] In a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, the subject of examination, particularly the patient's body, is typically subjected to a relatively high main magnetic field, such as 1.5, 3, or 7 Tesla, by means of a main magnet. Additionally, gradient pulses are emitted by a gradient coil unit. Then, via a radio frequency (RF) antenna unit, high-frequency RF pulses, such as excitation pulses, are emitted by means of a suitable antenna device. This causes the nuclear spins of specific atoms, resonantly excited by the RF pulses, to tilt relative to the magnetic field lines of the main magnetic field with a defined flip-winkel angle. Upon nuclear spin relaxation, an RF signal, the so-called magnetic resonance (MR) signal, is emitted, which is received by means of a suitable RF antenna and then further processed. An MRI device typically includes an RF antenna unit constituting the transmission of RF pulses to the examination area. The RF antenna unit can also receive MR signals from the patient's occupancy area. To improve the signal-to-noise ratio, a local coil unit with an RF antenna is typically used to receive MR signals. This local coil unit is positioned close to the patient's body surface and is largely limited to receiving local MR signals from the examination area. Finally, the desired image data can be reconstructed from the raw data thus acquired.

[0003] Therefore, for a specific measurement, a specific magnetic resonance control sequence (MR control sequence), also known as a pulse sequence, should be transmitted. This MR control sequence consists of a series of radio frequency pulses, such as excitation pulses and refocusing pulses, and gradient pulses to be transmitted in a coordinated manner along different spatial directions on different gradient axes. Correspondingly, a readout window is set in time, with a preset time period during which the induced MR signal is detected.

[0004] To achieve higher quality image data, motion data is preferably recorded during measurement, describing the possible movements of the object being examined. Based on this motion data, for example, anticipated or retrospective motion corrections can be made. Furthermore, the motion data can be used to control, particularly synchronize, MR control sequences with patient movement.

[0005] To detect motion data, pilot tone (PT) techniques have been introduced in recent years, and are described, for example, in documents US20160245888 A1, US20170160364 A1, and US20180353139A1. Here, pilot tones, particularly signals, especially electromagnetic signals, are generated using a PT generator. Preferably, the pilot tones are transmitted toward the object being examined. The pilot tones are modulated and / or reflected and / or altered by the object being examined, particularly by the motion of the object, and especially based on the conductivity of the tissues included in the object. Such altered pilot tones are called PT signals. PT signals can be received by the radio frequency antenna of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, particularly radio frequency antenna elements and / or local coil elements.

[0006] Advantageously, the radio frequency antenna unit and / or local coil unit have a sufficiently large receiving bandwidth to simultaneously receive the MR signal and, preferably, the PT signal, which is not in the frequency range of the MR signal. The radio frequency antenna unit and / or local coil unit may include multiple receiving elements, particularly coil elements, each associated with a receiving channel.

[0007] The received PT signal can be represented as a matrix, whose elements, particularly its dimension, depict the time and / or the different receiving channels of the PT signal. The PT signal can contain information about different motion components, such as respiratory motion and cardiac motion. The PT sub-signals caused by the motion components can be mixed linearly in the PT signal; such mixing of PT sub-signals can be described, in particular, by a mixing matrix.

[0008] Besides PT technology, other motion detection methods for motion signals are known, utilizing other sensor devices, such as motion detection by means of MR navigators and / or cameras and / or Hall sensors, which are disclosed as sensor devices, for example, in US20170248665A1. Such sensor devices, as well as units for generating and receiving PT signals, can be referred to as motion detectors. PT signals and / or motion signals can be referred to as motion data. Utility Model Content

[0009] The objective of this invention is to provide a motion detection unit for generating particularly convincing motion data, especially with the aid of various motion detectors. This objective is achieved through the motion detection unit and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device according to this invention. Advantageous design solutions are described herein.

[0010] The motion detection unit according to the present invention is configured for use in conjunction with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device and includes a PT generation unit. The PT generation unit includes a PT control unit configured to generate a PT control signal. The PT generation unit includes a PT generator configured to generate a pilot tone based on the PT control signal. The PT generation unit includes a PT connection cable. The PT connection cable connects the PT control unit to the PT generator and is configured to transmit the PT control signal to the PT generator. Furthermore, the motion detection unit according to the present invention includes a local coil unit configured to detect an MR signal and a PT signal at least partially corresponding to a pilot tone modulated by a conductive volume. The motion detection unit according to the present invention includes a sensor device configured to detect at least one motion signal and a trigger unit configured to output a trigger signal at least to the sensor device. The motion detection unit according to the present invention includes a control unit configured to receive a PT signal and a motion signal. Furthermore, the motion detection unit according to the present invention includes a transmission unit connecting the sensor device to the control unit and the local coil unit to the control unit, wherein the transmission unit is configured to transmit the motion signal and the PT signal to the control unit. The sensor device is configured to detect at least one motion signal, taking into account a trigger signal.

[0011] A PT control unit is typically configured to output PT control signals, particularly to the PT connection cable. The PT control signals generated by the PT control unit typically include information about the time variation, duration, frequency, and / or intensity of the pilot tone to be generated by the PT generator.

[0012] A PT generator typically includes a conductor loop and / or coil, particularly an electrical conductor. A PT generator is typically configured to convert PT control signals into pilot tones. Pilot tones may include pulses, particularly electromagnetic pulses and / or electromagnetic signals, particularly pulses of a defined frequency. PT connection cables are preferably designed as electrically connected and / or HF-shielded and particularly conductive connections.

[0013] PT signals typically include pilot tones modulated by conductive volume, which are modulated, particularly by the subject being examined, especially the patient, and especially the patient's body volume and / or the patient's tissues. Movement of the subject can alter the PT signal, particularly the modulation function, which describes the modulation from the pilot to the PT signal. Therefore, movement of the subject can be qualitatively monitored, especially, by detecting and evaluating the PT signal.

[0014] MR signals typically have frequencies within a third frequency range. PT signals typically have frequencies within a second frequency range. The second and third frequency ranges are preferably non-overlapping.

[0015] The local coil unit preferably has a receiving bandwidth including a second frequency range and a third frequency range. Therefore, the local coil unit is configured for detecting MR signals and PT signals.

[0016] Trigger signals typically include pulses and / or timestamps and / or information about time. For example, a trigger signal may include a pulse having a frequency between 100 Hz and 1000 Hz. The trigger unit typically provides the trigger signal to a sensor device, which takes this into account when detecting at least one motion signal. The sensor device may be configured to detect the trigger signal. In particular, the sensor device is configured to detect the motion signal at the time indicated by the trigger signal. The sensor device preferably includes at least one motion detector for detecting at least one motion signal. The sensor device may include two motion detectors for detecting at least two motion signals, wherein the motion detectors may be designed differently and / or employ different methods for motion detection. Transmission of the motion signal and the PT signal to the control unit is particularly possible when the trigger signal is taken into account.

[0017] The control unit may include a trigger unit and a PT control unit. The control unit may be configured to evaluate PT signals and motion signals. The control unit may also be configured to control the trigger unit and / or sensor devices and / or the PT control unit.

[0018] The motion detection unit according to this invention enables the synchronous and controlled detection and evaluation of different motion data, including at least one motion signal and a PT signal, in response to a trigger signal. The PT signal is typically qualitative, allowing for quantification using other motion data, particularly quantitative motion signals. Similarly, it is feasible to correct for PT signal drift using at least one motion signal. The trigger signal enables the temporally coordinated detection of the PT signal and the motion signal. The PT signal can be detected continuously. The sensor device is typically configured to enable the detection of the motion signal at defined moments. The trigger signal specifies the moment and / or establishes a correlation between the detected motion signal and a timestamp provided by the trigger signal. Therefore, the control unit can, in particular, synchronize the PT signal and the motion signal. Thus, the motion detection unit according to this invention enables the use of different combinations of motion detectors, particularly a PT generation unit, and sensor devices, making it possible to generate particularly convincing motion data.

[0019] One embodiment of the motion detection unit proposes that a trigger unit is connected to a PT connection cable and configured to output a trigger signal to the PT connection cable. The connection between the trigger unit and the PT connection cable enables the transmission of the trigger signal to the PT generator. As long as the trigger signal has a frequency range that does not intersect with the PT control signal, the optional ground configuration of the PT connection cable particularly enables the transmission of the trigger signal independent of the PT control signal. This achieves particularly robust transmission of the trigger signal to the PT connection cable. Therefore, the trigger signal can be conducted at the location of the PT generator, depending on its position. If, for example, a sensor device is positioned closer to the PT generator than to the trigger unit, the trigger signal can be provided to both the sensor device and the PT generator according to the described embodiment.

[0020] One embodiment of the motion detection unit proposes that the motion detection unit includes a trigger cable unit that connects the PT connection cable to the sensor device and is configured to transmit a trigger signal to the sensor device. The trigger cable unit can be connected to the sensor device and / or the PT connection cable, for example, via a free PIN diode control line of the local coil unit and / or a new control line of the local coil unit. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the trigger signal sent by the trigger unit can be provided to the sensor device via the PT connection cable and the trigger cable unit. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the trigger signal sent by the trigger unit can be provided to the PT generator via the PT connection cable. This particularly enables the detection of motion signals by triggering and / or clock-controlled means by the sensor device. In particular, the motion signal can be associated with a timestamp corresponding to the trigger signal. Therefore, the sensor device can be well controlled and coordinated, especially synchronized, with the PT generation unit.

[0021] One embodiment of the motion detection unit proposes that the PT control unit is configured to generate a PT control signal considering a trigger signal and / or the local coil unit is configured to detect a PT signal considering a trigger signal. In particular, the PT generator can be configured to generate a pilot tone considering a trigger signal.

[0022] Therefore, the trigger signal can be used for clock-controlled recording and / or clock-controlled generation of the PT signal. This ensures that, in addition to the motion signal, the PT signal can also be associated with a timestamp. Preferably, the PT control unit and / or control unit are configured to consider, in addition to the trigger signal, the duration for generating the pilot tone and the duration for modulating the PT signal, such that the timestamp present through the trigger signal can be correspondingly adapted to and / or synchronized with the timestamp of the motion signal. This enables the synchronous detection of different motion data from different motion detectors.

[0023] One embodiment of the motion detection unit proposes that a trigger signal has a frequency in a first frequency range, a PT control signal has a frequency in a second frequency range, and an MR signal has a frequency in a third frequency range, wherein the first, second, and third frequency ranges are different from each other. The first, second, and third frequency ranges are preferably configured to be non-overlapping. This embodiment ensures that the PT control signal and the trigger signal can be transmitted, in particular, by means of the same electrical connection, especially by means of a PT connection cable. Furthermore, interference with the MR signal can be avoided when wirelessly transmitting the trigger signal. The frequency of the PT control signal is typically on the same order of magnitude as the frequency of the PT signal. Therefore, even if the local coil unit is designed such that its reception width includes at least the third and second frequency ranges, the MR signal can still be well distinguished from the PT signal, PT control signal, and trigger signal.

[0024] One embodiment of the motion detection unit proposes that a sensor device and / or PT generator are disposed at a local coil unit. The sensor device and / or PT generator are preferably integrated into the local coil unit. The PT connection cable unit and transmission unit can be integrated into the input line cable of the local coil unit and / or occupy different lines for connecting the PIN diodes present. This achieves a particularly compact structure for the motion detection unit. Furthermore, medical personnel are accustomed to locating and connecting the local coil unit before beginning a patient examination. A motion detection unit at least partially integrated therein, or an integrated motion detection unit, enables particularly accurate determination of the patient's movements.

[0025] One embodiment of the motion detection unit proposes that the sensor device includes a Hall sensor and the motion signal includes a Hall signal, and / or the sensor device includes an accelerometer and the motion signal includes an acceleration signal.

[0026] Hall sensors typically use the Hall effect to determine the strength of a magnetic field. When a Hall sensor is subjected to a magnetic field, the magnetic field induces a voltage in the Hall sensor via a magnetic resonance device. Motion of the Hall sensor causes a change in voltage, allowing the position of the Hall sensor and / or the motion to be extracted. Hall sensors can be configured as 3D Hall sensors. A 3D Hall sensor is typically configured such that the change in voltage caused by motion is correlated with the spatial direction of the corresponding motion. A 3D Hall sensor is typically configured to detect 3D Hall signals. Typically, quantitative motion data can be extracted from the 3D Hall signal.

[0027] Accelerometers can be configured to detect motion via their time derivatives. Accelerometers are preferably configured as 3D accelerometers, specifically for detecting acceleration in at least three spatial directions. Accelerometer signals typically include quantitative motion data. Therefore, motion signals in the form of acceleration signals are typically quantitative for motion. Such motion detectors enable the detection of quantitative motion signals, which, combined with PT signals, can detect patient motion with particular precision.

[0028] The sensor device preferably comprises two motion detectors, particularly a motion detector in the form of a Hall sensor and a motion detector in the form of an accelerometer. Such motion detectors are simple to use and cost-effective, making them a good and accurate complement to the PT signal.

[0029] One embodiment of the motion detection unit proposes that the transmission unit includes a computing unit configured to synchronize at least one motion signal and a PT signal, taking into account a trigger signal. The computing unit is preferably located at and / or integrated into a local coil unit. The computing unit may include a microcontroller. A trigger unit is preferably configured to output a trigger signal to the computing unit. The computing unit is preferably connected to the trigger unit. The computing unit may be configured to extract the trigger signal from at least one motion signal and / or PT signal. The transmission unit is preferably configured to synchronously transmit the PT signal and the motion signal to a control unit. This not only enables time-coordinated detection of the PT signal along with at least one motion signal but also achieves synchronous transmission to the control unit, allowing the control unit to evaluate at least one motion signal and the PT signal particularly effectively.

[0030] One embodiment of the motion detection unit proposes that the transmission unit includes a cable unit that connects the computing unit to the control unit. This embodiment reliably transmits at least one motion signal and a PT signal to the control unit.

[0031] One embodiment of the motion detection unit proposes that the cable unit includes optical cables, particularly optical waveguides. Transmission can be performed, for example, according to the SSI protocol. The cable unit can be configured as part of the connecting cables of a local coil unit, which can be reversibly connected to the patient support device by means of a plug-in device. Such a cable unit is particularly robust, especially when used in magnetic fields, for example, that may exist in the space of a magnetic resonance imaging device.

[0032] One embodiment of the motion detection unit proposes that a trigger unit includes a control unit, the trigger unit being configured to output a trigger signal to a cable unit, and a calculation unit being configured to provide the trigger signal to a sensor device. The cable unit is preferably configured to transmit the trigger signal to the calculation unit.

[0033] Therefore, the proposed embodiment proposes a transmission unit configured to transmit a trigger signal from the trigger unit to the sensor device. Furthermore, the transmission unit is configured to transmit at least one motion signal and a PT signal from the sensor device and the local coil unit to the control unit. For this purpose, the transmission unit may include multiple cables. In particular, the trigger signal may be optically configured, especially when the cable unit is configured as an optical cable. This achieves particularly accurate transmission of the trigger signal and a particularly compact structure for the motion detection unit.

[0034] One embodiment of the motion detection unit proposes that the transmission unit includes a first radio module and a radio receiving unit compatible with the first radio module, wherein the first radio module is configured to have W-LAN and / or Bluetooth functionality, and the radio receiving unit is connected to the control unit, particularly via a wired connection. According to this embodiment, the transmission of motion signals and / or PT signals to the control unit can be performed without a cable connection. The radio receiving unit is preferably capable of receiving data and / or signals and / or information transmitted by the first radio module. W-LAN and / or Bluetooth are feasible radio transmission methods operating within the space of an MRI machine, which in particular do not require specific licensing methods. This enables particularly flexible use of the motion detection unit, as it is especially unnecessary to route additional cables near the patient.

[0035] One embodiment of the motion detection unit proposes that the trigger unit includes a control unit, a radio receiving unit configured to transmit a trigger signal, and a first radio module configured to provide the trigger signal to a sensor device. According to this embodiment, the radio receiving unit functions as a transmitter, wherein the first radio module is configured to receive the trigger signal transmitted by the radio receiving unit and / or forward it to the sensor device. Therefore, this embodiment achieves wireless provision of the trigger signal from the trigger unit to the first radio module, thereby providing it to the vicinity of the sensor device. The first radio module is preferably located at and / or integrated within a local coil unit.

[0036] One embodiment of the motion detection unit proposes that the transmission unit includes a second radio module configured to convert the motion signal into a signal having a frequency within a third frequency range set for the MR signal and transmit it. The second radio module is preferably configured to convert the motion signal into a signal having a third frequency corresponding to the frequency of the MR signal and transmit it. The second radio module may include a computing unit, particularly a microcontroller. Therefore, the local coil unit, according to this embodiment, is configured to receive the MR signal, the PT signal, and the motion signal converted by the second radio module. The control unit is preferably configured to extract and evaluate the motion signal and the PT signal from the MR signal, respectively. This embodiment achieves comprehensive transmission to the control unit by comprehensively receiving all motion data and the MR signal using the local coil unit, without the need for an additional receiving unit.

[0037] One embodiment of the motion detection unit proposes that the transmission unit includes an infrared transmitting unit and an infrared receiving unit, wherein the infrared receiving unit is connected to the control unit, particularly via a wired connection.

[0038] The infrared transmitting unit is preferably configured to encode motion signals and / or PT signals into infrared light and transmit them. The infrared transmitting unit may include, for example, an infrared LED, which may be disposed on the surface of a local coil unit. The infrared receiving unit may be disposed on the side of the detector unit facing the patient receiving area. The infrared receiving unit may include a photodiode and optionally a computing unit for evaluating the data transmitted by the infrared transmitting unit, particularly the infrared light. The infrared receiving unit and / or control unit may also be configured to invert and convert the data transmitted by the infrared transmitting unit, particularly the infrared light, into motion data, particularly motion signals and PT signals. This achieves particularly cost-effective and easily adaptable feasibility for transmitting motion data.

[0039] Furthermore, this invention is based on a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, which includes a detection unit comprising a main magnet, a gradient coil unit, and a radio frequency antenna unit. Additionally, the MRI device according to this invention includes a motion detection unit according to this invention. The MRI device preferably includes a main control unit for manipulating the detector unit. The control unit of the motion detection unit according to this invention can be integrated into the main control unit. The main control unit is preferably configured to manipulate the detector unit and / or generate MR signals according to an MR control sequence. For this purpose, the MRI device can be configured to transmit control signals and / or receive and / or process control signals. The MRI device may have other control components, which are necessary and / or advantageous in conjunction with the motion detection unit. The implementation of the MRI device according to this invention is similar to the implementation of the motion detection unit according to this invention.

[0040] The advantages of the magnetic resonance device according to this invention essentially correspond to the advantages of the motion detection unit according to this invention described in detail above. The features, advantages, or alternative embodiments mentioned herein can also be applied to other claimed subjects, and vice versa. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Other advantages, features and details of this invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below and from the accompanying drawings.

[0042] The attached diagram shows:

[0043] Figure 1 The schematic diagram shows a motion detection unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 2 The schematic diagram shows a motion detection unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 3 The schematic diagram shows a motion detection unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 4 The schematic diagram shows a motion detection unit according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 5 The motion detection unit according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown in the schematic diagram.

[0048] Figure 6 The schematic diagram shows a motion detection unit according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 7 The schematic diagram shows the motion detection unit according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, and

[0050] Figure 8 The schematic diagram shows a magnetic resonance device according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0051] Figure 1 The schematic diagram shows a motion detection unit for use in combination with a magnetic resonance device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] The motion detection unit includes a PT generation unit 40. The PT generation unit 40 includes a PT control unit 41 configured to generate a PT control signal. The PT generation unit 40 includes a PT generator 42 configured to generate a pilot tone 46 based on the PT control signal. The PT generation unit 40 includes a PT connection cable 43 connecting the PT control unit 41 and the PT generator 42 and configured to transmit the PT control signal from the PT control unit 41 to the PT generator 42.

[0053] The motion detection unit includes a local coil unit 31 configured to detect MR signals and PT signals 47. The PT signal 47 corresponds to a pilot tone 46 modulated by a conductive volume, particularly by the patient 15. Furthermore, the motion detection unit includes a sensor device 61 configured to detect motion signals. The motion detection unit also includes a trigger unit 51 configured to output a trigger signal to the sensor device 61. The motion detection unit includes a control unit 24 configured to receive the PT signal and the motion signal. Additionally, the motion detection unit includes a transmission unit 71 connecting the sensor device 61 to the control unit 24 and connecting the local coil unit 31 to the control unit 24. The transmission unit 71 is configured to transmit the motion signal and the PT signal to the control unit 24. The sensor device 61 is configured to detect at least one motion signal, taking the trigger signal into account.

[0054] Figure 2 The schematic diagram illustrates a motion detection unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The difference between the second and first embodiments is that the sensor device 61 includes two sensors for detecting one motion signal each, i.e., it is generally configured to detect two motion signals. The sensor device 61 exemplarily includes a Hall sensor 62 configured to detect Hall signals as motion signals. Additionally, the sensor device 61 includes an accelerometer 63 configured to detect acceleration signals as motion signals. Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, regardless of the configuration of the sensor device 61, the trigger unit 51 is designed to be connected to the PT connection cable 43 and configured to output a trigger signal to the PT connection cable 43.

[0055] Figure 3The schematic diagram shows a motion detection unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The difference between the third embodiment and the second embodiment is that the third embodiment includes a trigger cable unit 52, which connects the PT connection cable 43 to the sensor device 61 and is configured to transmit a trigger signal to the sensor device 61. The sensor device 61 may optionally be configured as follows: Figure 2 The diagram shows a Hall sensor 62 and an acceleration sensor 63. Furthermore, the PT control unit 24 is configured to generate a PT control signal, taking into account a trigger signal. Similarly, the local coil unit 31 is configured to detect the PT signal, taking into account a trigger signal.

[0056] Figure 4 The schematic diagram illustrates a motion detection unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment, particularly in that the transmission unit 71 includes a calculation unit 72 configured to synchronize at least one motion signal and a PT signal, taking into account a trigger signal. Furthermore, the transmission unit 71 includes a cable unit 73 connecting the calculation unit 72 to the control unit 24. The cable unit 73 can be configured, for example, as an optical cable, particularly an optical waveguide. According to this embodiment, the control unit 24 includes a trigger unit 51. The trigger unit 51 is also configured to output a trigger signal to the cable unit 73. The calculation unit 72 is configured to provide the trigger signal to the sensor device 61.

[0057] Figure 5 The schematic diagram illustrates a motion detection unit according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment primarily in that the transmission unit 71 includes a first radio module 74 and a radio receiving unit 75 compatible with the first radio module 74, wherein the first radio module 74 is configured to have W-LAN and / or Bluetooth functionality, and the radio receiving unit 75 is connected to the control unit 24, particularly via a wired connection. Furthermore, a trigger unit 51 is included by the control unit 24, and the radio receiving unit 75 is configured to transmit a trigger signal. The first radio module 74 is configured to receive the trigger signal and provide it to the sensor device 61. The trigger unit 51 may optionally be connected to a PT connection cable 43.

[0058] Figure 6 The schematic diagram illustrates a motion detection unit according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The sixth embodiment differs from the first embodiment primarily in that the transmission unit 71 includes a second radio module 76 configured to convert motion signals into signals having a third frequency and transmit them. Therefore, the local coil unit 31 is configured to detect motion signals.

[0059] Figure 7 The motion detection unit according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention is shown in the schematic diagram. The difference between the seventh embodiment and the first embodiment is particularly that the transmission unit 71 includes an infrared transmitting unit 77 and an infrared receiving unit 78, wherein the infrared receiving unit 78 is connected to the control unit 24, particularly by wired connection.

[0060] Figure 8 A first view of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device 11 according to the present invention is shown in the schematic diagram. The MRI device 11 includes a detector unit 13 and has a cylindrical patient receiving area 14 for accommodating a patient 15, wherein the patient receiving area 14 is cylindrically surrounded by the detector unit 13 in the circumferential direction. The patient 15 can be pushed into the patient receiving area 14 by means of a patient support device 16 of the MRI device 11.

[0061] The detector unit 13 includes a main magnet 17 for generating a strong and particularly constant main magnetic field, especially within the patient accommodating area 14. Furthermore, the detector unit 13 has a gradient coil unit 19 for position encoding during imaging. The gradient coil unit 19 is controlled by a gradient control unit 28. Additionally, the magnet unit 13 has a radio frequency antenna unit 20 for transmitting HF pulses and a radio frequency antenna control unit 29 for exciting polarization. The radio frequency antenna unit 20, in the illustrated case, is configured as a body coil fixedly integrated into the magnetic resonance apparatus 11, the polarization occurring in the main magnetic field 18 generated by the main magnet 17. The radio frequency antenna unit 20 is controlled by the radio frequency antenna control unit 29 and incident high-frequency radio frequency pulses into the examination space substantially formed by the patient accommodating area 14. For receiving MR signals, the magnetic resonance apparatus 11 has a local coil unit 31, which is configured as an antenna unit for receiving radio frequency and / or MR signals and is positioned close to the examination area of ​​the patient 15, particularly close to the patient's body surface.

[0062] To control the main magnet 17, gradient control unit 28, and radio frequency antenna control unit 29, the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device 11 has a main control unit 12. The main control unit 12 centrally controls the MRI device 11, for example, the execution of MR control sequences. Furthermore, the main control unit 12 includes a reconstruction unit (not shown in detail) for reconstructing medical image data detected during an MRI examination. The MRI device 11 has a display unit 25. Control information, such as control parameters, and the reconstructed image data can be displayed to the user on the display unit 25, for example, on at least one monitor. Additionally, the MRI device 11 has an input unit 26 by means of which information and / or control parameters can be input by the user during the measurement process. The main control unit 12 may include the gradient control unit 28 and / or the radio frequency antenna control unit 29 and / or the display unit 25 and / or the input unit 26.

[0063] The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device 11 also includes a motion detection unit with a PT generation unit 40 according to the present invention, the PT generation unit 40 including a PT control unit 41, a PT generator 42, and a PT connection cable 43. Furthermore, the motion detection unit of the MRI device 11 according to the present invention includes a sensor device 61, a trigger unit 51, a control unit 24, and a transmission unit 71. According to the embodiment shown herein, the control unit 24 includes the PT control unit 41 and the trigger unit 51. In the illustrated embodiment, the control unit 24 is configured separately from and connected to the main control unit 12. Alternatively, the control unit 24 may be integrated into the main control unit 12. The main control unit 12 is preferably disposed outside the HF shielding space surrounding the detector unit 13. The control unit 24 may be disposed within the HF shielding space surrounding the detector unit 13. The sensor device 61 and the PT generator 42 are disposed at the local coil unit 31. The local coil unit 31 may also be included by and / or associated with the motion detection unit.

[0064] The illustrated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device 11 may, of course, include other components typically found in MRI devices 11. Furthermore, the general operation of the MRI device 11 is known to those skilled in the art, thus omitting a detailed description of other components.

[0065] Although the details of this utility model have been described and illustrated with reference to preferred embodiments, this utility model is not limited to the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived by those skilled in the art without departing from the protection scope of this utility model. Regardless of the grammatical gender of specific terms, persons with male or female gender identities are included.

Claims

1. A motion detection unit for use in conjunction with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, the motion detection unit comprising: -PT generation unit, the PT generation unit having: PT control unit, the PT control unit being configured to generate PT control signals, A PT generator, configured to generate pilot tones based on the PT control signal, and A PT connection cable connects the PT control unit to the PT generator and is configured to transmit the PT control signal to the PT generator. - A local coil unit, the local coil unit constituting a method for detecting MR signals and for detecting PT signals that at least partially correspond to pilot tones modulated by conductive volume. - A sensor device configured to detect at least one motion signal. The motion detection unit is characterized in that it further includes: - A trigger unit configured to output a trigger signal to at least the sensor device. - A control unit configured to receive the PT signal and the motion signal, and A transmission unit connects the sensor device to the control unit and the local coil unit to the control unit, and is configured to transmit the motion signal and the PT signal to the control unit. The sensor device is configured to detect the at least one motion signal in consideration of the trigger signal.

2. The motion detection unit according to claim 1, Its features are, The trigger unit is connected to the PT connection cable and is configured to output a trigger signal to the PT connection cable.

3. The motion detection unit according to claim 2, Its features are, The motion detection unit includes a trigger cable unit that connects the PT connection cable to the sensor device and is configured to transmit the trigger signal to the sensor device.

4. The motion detection unit according to any one of the preceding claims, Its features are, The PT control unit is configured to generate the PT control signal in consideration of the trigger signal, and / or the local coil unit is configured to detect the PT signal in consideration of the trigger signal.

5. The motion detection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Its features are, The trigger signal has a frequency in a first frequency range, the PT control signal has a frequency in a second frequency range, and the MR signal has a frequency in a third frequency range, wherein the first frequency range, the second frequency range, and the third frequency range are different from each other.

6. The motion detection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Its features are, The sensor device and / or the PT generator are located at the local coil unit.

7. The motion detection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Its features are, The sensor device includes a Hall sensor and the motion signal includes a Hall signal, and / or the sensor device includes an accelerometer and the motion signal includes an acceleration signal.

8. The motion detection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Its features are, The transmission unit includes a computing unit configured to synchronize the at least one motion signal and the PT signal, taking into account the trigger signal.

9. The motion detection unit according to claim 8, Its features are, The transmission unit includes a cable unit that connects the computing unit to the control unit.

10. The motion detection unit according to claim 9, Its features are, The cable unit includes optical cables.

11. The motion detection unit according to any one of claims 9 to 10, Its features are, The trigger unit is included in the control unit, the trigger unit is configured to output the trigger signal to the cable unit, and the computing unit is configured to provide the trigger signal to the sensor device.

12. The motion detection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Its features are, The transmission unit includes a first radio module and a radio receiving unit compatible with the first radio module, wherein the first radio module is configured to have W-LAN and / or Bluetooth functionality, and the radio receiving unit is connected to the control unit.

13. The motion detection unit according to claim 12, Its features are, The trigger unit is included by the control unit, the radio receiving unit is configured to transmit the trigger signal, and the first radio module is configured to provide the trigger signal to the sensor device.

14. The motion detection unit according to claim 12, Its features are, The transmission unit includes a second radio module configured to convert the motion signal into a signal having a frequency within a third frequency range set for MR signals and to transmit it.

15. The motion detection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Its features are, The transmission unit includes an infrared transmitting unit and an infrared receiving unit, wherein the infrared receiving unit is connected to the control unit.

16. The motion detection unit according to claim 10, Its features are, The cable unit includes an optical waveguide.

17. The motion detection unit according to claim 12, Its features are, The radio receiving unit is wired to the control unit.

18. The motion detection unit according to claim 15, Its features are, The infrared receiving unit is connected to the control unit.

19. A magnetic resonance imaging device, characterized in that, The magnetic resonance device includes: a detector unit having a main magnet, a gradient coil unit, and a radio frequency antenna unit; and a motion detection unit according to any one of the preceding claims.

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