Magnetic resonance apparatus with patient communication unit

Abstract

The utility model relates to magnetic resonance equipment. The magnetic resonance equipment is provided with a magnet unit; a patient receiving area at least partially surrounded by the magnet unit, the patient receiving area being designed to receive a patient during a magnetic resonance examination; and a patient communication unit, characterized in that the patient communication unit comprises a patient communication element, said patient communication element comprising a transmitting unit for wireless data transmission of communication data.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to a kind of magnetic resonance equipment, the magnetic resonance equipment has: magnet unit;It is at least partially surrounded by magnet unit Patient receiving area, the patient receiving area constitutes for receiving patient, to carry out magnetic resonance examination;And patient communication unit.

[0002] Regardless of the grammatical gender of certain terms, including people with male, female or other identities. BACKGROUND

[0003] In magnetic resonance examination, patient is in the patient receiving area of magnetic resonance equipment. The magnetic resonance equipment is arranged in examination room. Conversely, medical operator who manages magnetic resonance examination is in control room, which is constituted separately from examination room. In order to communicate during magnetic resonance examination, the magnetic resonance equipment has patient communication unit. For example, it is known that patient communication element constituted as alarm ball and / or patient call ball is provided for patient, by means of which the patient can inform medical operator whether he is in emergency during magnetic resonance examination, in which magnetic resonance examination must be stopped, for example.

[0004] Here, it is common that alarm ball and / or patient call ball are connected with air hose, wherein information of patient, such as manipulation of button, is transmitted by means of air hose. However, such hose has high potential danger during magnetic resonance examination. For example, the hose can be clamped between examination bed and magnet unit when examination bed moves. Such accident causes high time loss and high work flow consumption of medical operator. SUMMARY

[0005] The purpose based on by the utility model is especially to reduce potential danger when communicating. The purpose is realized by the features of independent claims. Advantageous design solutions are described in dependent claims.

[0006] The utility model is based on a kind of magnetic resonance equipment, the magnetic resonance equipment has: magnet unit;It is at least partially surrounded by magnet unit Patient receiving area, the patient receiving area constitutes for receiving patient during magnetic resonance examination;And patient communication unit. According to the utility model, patient communication unit includes patient communication element, and the patient communication element includes the sending unit for the wireless data transmission of communication data.

[0007] The magnetic resonance device preferably comprises a medical and / or diagnostic magnetic resonance device which is designed and / or configured for detecting medical and / or diagnostic image data, in particular medical and / or diagnostic magnetic resonance image data, of a patient and / or subject. Furthermore, the magnetic resonance device according to the application can also be integrated together with a PET device (positron emission tomography device) into a combined magnetic resonance PET system.

[0008] The magnetic resonance device preferably comprises a magnet unit for detecting medical and / or diagnostic image data. Here, the magnet unit comprises a main magnet, a gradient coil unit and a radio frequency antenna unit. The radio frequency antenna unit is here firmly arranged and / or mounted within the magnet unit. The magnet unit here encloses a patient receiving region of the magnetic resonance device. The patient receiving region is preferably cylindrically configured and configured for receiving a patient, in particular a region of the patient to be examined, for a magnetic resonance examination.

[0009] The main magnet is configured for generating a homogeneous main magnetic field with a defined magnetic field strength, for example with a magnetic field strength of 0.55 T or 1.5 T or 3 T or 7 T, etc. The main magnet is in particular configured for generating a strong, constant and homogeneous main magnetic field. The gradient system is configured for generating magnetic field gradients for position encoding during imaging. The radio frequency antenna unit is configured for emitting radio frequency pulses and / or excitation pulses for generating magnetic resonance signals.

[0010] For a magnetic resonance examination, a patient, in particular a region of the patient to be examined, is positioned within a patient receiving region of the magnetic resonance device. Within the patient receiving region there is preferably arranged a field of view (FOV) and / or an isocenter of the magnetic resonance device. The FOV preferably comprises a detection region of the magnetic resonance device within which there are conditions, for example a homogeneous main magnetic field, for detecting medical image data, in particular magnetic resonance image data, within the patient receiving region. The isocenter of the magnetic resonance device preferably comprises a region and / or point within the magnetic resonance device which has optimal and / or ideal conditions for detecting medical image data, in particular magnetic resonance image data. The isocenter in particular comprises the most homogeneous magnetic field region within the magnetic resonance device.

[0011] For communication during a magnetic resonance examination, the magnetic resonance device has a patient communication unit. The patient communication unit has a patient communication element and a user communication element. During the magnetic resonance examination, the patient communication element is arranged in an examination room together with a patient, the magnetic resonance device being arranged in the examination room. In particular, the patient communication element is arranged within a patient accommodation area together with the patient. In contrast, the user communication element is arranged in a control room, in which a user, in particular a medical operator, is located during the magnetic resonance examination. The control room is separated from the examination room here. In particular, the examination room is shielded from the control room with respect to radio frequency radiation and / or with respect to electromagnetic radiation.

[0012] The patient communication unit can be designed here for communication and / or for exchanging by means of visual communication information and / or communication data. Alternatively or additionally, the patient communication unit can also be designed for communication and / or for exchanging by means of acoustic communication information and / or communication data. Furthermore, the patient communication element can also comprise a patient call button and / or an alarm button, wherein, by pressing a button, corresponding information is output at the user communication element.

[0013] Furthermore, the patient communication element has a transmission unit, which is designed for wireless data transmission, in particular to the user communication element, of communication data. The wireless data transmission can take place here via a radio connection, for example a Bluetooth connection, and / or by emitting radio frequency signals and / or by emitting pilot tone signals and / or other wireless data transmission methods which appear sensible to the person skilled in the art.

[0014] The utility model has the advantages that: during a magnetic resonance examination, reliable transmission of communication signals between a patient and a medical operator can be achieved. This can reduce potential hazards during patient communication and thereby increase patient safety. For example, this can prevent an unintended pinching of a transmission hose. Furthermore, this can also enable a particularly time-saving preparation of a patient for a magnetic resonance examination, since time-consuming positioning of a transmission hose for patient communication can be dispensed with.

[0015] In an advantageous refinement of the magnetic resonance device according to the utility model, it can be provided that the patient communication element comprises a patient call button and / or an alarm button. The patient call button and / or the alarm button preferably comprises at least one button, which can be actuated by the patient during the magnetic resonance examination when the patient is unwell and / or in an emergency situation. On actuation of the button of the patient call button and / or the alarm button, the medical operator is provided with corresponding output information at the user communication element. This can enable a particularly reliable and fail-safe design of the important patient communication element, so that a high level of safety for the patient can be achieved.

[0016] It can be provided in an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance apparatus according to the application that the transmitting unit comprises an antenna element for emitting a radio frequency signal and / or a pilot tone signal.

[0017] If the transmitting unit has an antenna element for emitting a radio frequency signal as a communication signal, the magnetic resonance apparatus can have a radio frequency antenna with a belonging receiving electronics for detecting communication data. Here, preferably, the radio frequency antenna is integrated together with the belonging receiving electronics into a radio frequency receiving system for receiving magnetic resonance data, wherein the radio frequency receiving system comprises at least one receiving channel for detecting the communication signal of the patient communication unit. This achieves a particularly simple, in particular compact and component-saving construction of the patient communication unit, since a signal detection system of the magnetic resonance apparatus, which is present here already, for example a signal detection system for detecting magnetic resonance signals, can be used for the signal transmission of the communication signal.

[0018] If the transmitting unit has an antenna element for emitting a pilot tone signal as a communication signal, a receiving antenna and / or receiving electronics for detecting the pilot tone signal can be integrated into a receiving antenna and / or receiving electronics for detecting magnetic resonance signals. Here, too, a particularly simple, in particular compact and component-saving construction of the patient communication unit can be provided, since a signal detection system of the magnetic resonance apparatus, which is present here already, for example a signal detection system for detecting magnetic resonance signals, can be used for the signal transmission of the communication signal.

[0019] It can be provided in an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance apparatus according to the application that the patient communication element comprises an energy storage unit. The energy storage unit preferably comprises a rechargeable energy storage element, such as in particular a battery or a super capacitor, for example a GoldCap, for storing electrical energy for the operation of the patient communication element. Thereby, the patient communication element can be ready at any time for patient communication during a magnetic resonance examination.

[0020] It can be provided in an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance apparatus according to the application that the energy storage unit constitutes a means for harvesting energy in the gradient field and / or HF field (radio frequency field) of the magnetic resonance apparatus. Preferably, the energy storage unit for this has an energy harvesting unit, which constitutes a means for generating energy, in particular electrical energy or magnetic energy, from the gradient field and / or HF field, in particular from a magnetic resonance excitation pulse, for charging the energy storage element. In particular, the charging of the energy storage element can here advantageously be carried out during a magnetic resonance examination by means of the energy harvesting unit. Thereby, the patient communication element can be ready at any time for patient communication during a magnetic resonance examination.

[0021] It can be provided in an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance apparatus according to the application that the patient communication unit comprises a holding station with a support element, wherein the holding station constitutes a holding and / or support of the patient communication element during non-use. The holding station can also be provided in the examination room in order to make the patient communication element available at any time to the medical operator during preparation of the patient. The holding station can be provided here at a wall of the examination room and / or at other positions within the examination room which are apparent to the person skilled in the art. The support element constitutes a receptacle for the patient communication element. The support element can have a support bracket and / or a suspension device and / or a locking element and / or a storage space, etc. here. Non-use of the patient communication element includes in particular time periods in which no magnetic resonance examination is being carried out. During a magnetic resonance examination, the patient communication element is in an operating mode and detects and transmits inputs by the patient. In contrast, during non-use, the patient communication element is in a rest state in which detection of inputs is deactivated. The patient communication element can thus be supported and / or held in such a way that it is always available to the medical operator. Furthermore, the patient communication element has a defined holding position, so that it can advantageously be protected from damage.

[0022] It can be provided in an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance apparatus according to the application that the holding station has at least one electrically conductive contact element and the patient communication element has at least two electrically conductive contact elements which are compatible with the holding station, wherein the patient communication element can be positioned in the holding station such that the at least one electrically conductive contact element of the holding station makes electrically conductive contact with the at least two electrically conductive contact elements of the patient communication element. The design according to the application has the advantage that it is possible in a simple manner and method to detect that the patient communication element is arranged in the holding station. In particular, even in the event of no detection of contact between the patient communication element and the holding station, corresponding output information can be generated and output to the medical operator.

[0023] It can be provided in an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance apparatus according to the application that the at least one electrically conductive contact element of the holding unit and the at least two electrically conductive contact elements of the patient communication element constitute, in the event of electrical contact, a charging of the energy storage unit. The patient communication element, in particular with a fully charged energy storage unit, can thus be provided in a ready-to-use manner at all times. In particular, it is possible in this way to reduce and / or prevent malfunctions of the patient communication element during a magnetic resonance examination due to an empty energy storage element.

[0024] It can be provided in an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance apparatus according to the application that the patient communication element has a control electronics. The control electronics preferably comprises a processor and / or a microcontroller. Furthermore, the control electronics comprises a software and / or a computer program which constitutes a control of the patient communication element when the software and / or the computer program is executed by the processor and / or the microcontroller. Furthermore, the control electronics can also comprise a storage unit in which the software and / or the computer program is stored. Furthermore, other parameters, in particular operating parameters, and / or other data for the operation of the patient communication element can also be stored in the storage unit. In this way, the patient communication element can be used self-sufficiently, without having to rely on other units.

[0025] It can be provided in an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance apparatus according to the application that the patient communication unit has a transmitting element for communicating with the magnetic resonance apparatus. The transmitting element can be formed separately from the transmitting unit for the patient communication. However, it is particularly advantageous if the transmitting element is included by the transmitting unit for the patient communication, so that components and installation space can be saved further and a particularly compact patient communication element can be provided. The transmitting element can here perform the communication with the magnetic resonance apparatus by means of the same transmission technology as is used for the patient communication. Preferably, the magnetic resonance apparatus has a receiving element, such as an antenna, and a control unit, so that the communication with the control unit is achieved via the receiving element. For example, the status of the patient communication element can thus be communicated to the magnetic resonance apparatus, in particular to the control unit.

[0026] It can be provided in an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance apparatus according to the application that the control electronics constitutes a control for transmitting an information signal to the magnetic resonance apparatus by means of the transmitting element when the patient communication element is removed from the holding station. Preferably, the magnetic resonance apparatus has a control unit to which the information signal of the patient communication element is transmitted. The information signal here comprises an encoded information signal which signals to the magnetic resonance apparatus, in particular to the control unit, that the patient communication element is in an activated operating mode and is ready for a magnetic resonance examination. Here, the removal of the patient communication element from the holding station and / or the removal is determined by the control electronics by means of the electrically conductive contact element, for example in that the electrical contact between the holding station and the patient communication element is interrupted.

[0027] It can be provided in an advantageous further development of the magnetic resonance apparatus according to the application that the control electronics are designed to transmit an information signal to the magnetic resonance apparatus by means of the transmission element upon contact of the patient communication element with the holding station. Preferably, the information signal of the patient communication element is transmitted to a control unit of the magnetic resonance apparatus here. The information signal comprises an encoded information signal here which signals to the magnetic resonance apparatus, in particular to the control unit, that the patient communication element is positioned and / or arranged back at the holding station. Here, the contact of the patient communication element with the holding station is determined by means of the electrically conductive contact element by the control electronics, for example in that an electrical contact is produced and / or established between the holding station and the patient communication element.

[0028] In particular, the information signal which shows that the patient communication element is in contact with the holding station is different here from the information signal which shows that the patient communication element is removed and / or taken off the holding station.

[0029] It can be provided in an advantageous further development of the magnetic resonance apparatus according to the application that the control electronics are designed to transmit an alarm signal to the magnetic resonance apparatus by means of the transmission element only if the patient communication element is not positioned and / or arranged at the holding station after the end of the magnetic resonance examination. The end of the magnetic resonance examination is determined, for example, by the examination bed being moved out of the patient accommodation area. Preferably, the alarm signal of the patient communication element is transmitted to a control unit of the magnetic resonance apparatus here. The alarm signal comprises an encoded alarm signal which signals to the magnetic resonance apparatus, in particular to the control unit, that the patient communication element is not positioned and / or arranged at the location provided for holding, in particular at the holding station. Furthermore, the alarm signal can additionally comprise a request to the medical operator to deposit the patient communication element at the holding station.

[0030] The design has the advantage that the patient communication element is always positioned and / or arranged in the holding station when not in use. In particular, the user, in particular the medical operator, can be made aware by means of the alarm signal that the patient communication element is positioned and / or arranged in the holding station. Furthermore, the user can also be made aware of a false positioning of the patient communication element at the holding station even if the electrical contact between the holding station and the patient communication element is not realized, by means of the alarm signal. Furthermore, it can be ensured in this way that the patient communication element is always ready for use during the magnetic resonance examination, for example with a fully charged energy storage element, and by means of which a malfunction of the patient communication element during the magnetic resonance examination due to an insufficient energy supply can also be advantageously prevented.

[0031] It can be provided in an advantageous refinement of the magnetic resonance apparatus according to the utility model that the magnetic resonance apparatus has a user interface, wherein the alarm signal is output to a user, in particular a medical operator, by means of the user interface. The user interface preferably has output elements, in particular acoustic and / or visual output elements, by means of which the alarm signal is output to the user. Preferably, the user interface, in particular the output elements, is arranged in the examination room, for example directly at the front side of the magnet unit, so that the user, in particular the medical operator, can be directly alerted in the subsequent preparation of the magnetic resonance examination. The subsequent preparation of the magnetic resonance examination comprises, for example, tidying up and / or cleaning all additional units and / or the examination bed, and carrying out the subsequent preparation of the magnetic resonance examination in the examination room.

[0032] It can be provided in an advantageous refinement of the magnetic resonance apparatus according to the utility model that the control electronics are configured to transmit the alarm signal by means of the transmission element after a predetermined time interval after the end of the magnetic resonance examination. The predetermined time interval can comprise a few seconds, for example 10 s, or also up to one minute. In this way, the user can be reminded of the correct positioning of the patient communication element at the holding station at one point in time, which can advantageously be added to the user's workflow. Furthermore, it is also possible for the time interval to be able to be determined by the user himself, so that it can be added to the user's workflow in an optimum manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] Further advantages, features and details of the utility model are derived from the embodiments described below and from the drawings.

[0034] The drawings show:

[0035] Figure 1 A magnetic resonance apparatus according to the utility model with a patient communication unit is shown in a schematic view,

[0036] Figure 2 A holding station for the patient communication element and the patient communication unit is shown,

[0037] Figure 3 The patient communication element is shown when an information signal is emitted on removal from the holding station, and

[0038] Figure 4 The patient communication element is shown when an information signal is emitted on positioning in the holding station. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] In Figure 1A magnetic resonance device 10 is shown schematically. The magnetic resonance device 10 comprises a magnet unit 11 having a basic magnet 12, a gradient coil unit 13 and a radio frequency antenna unit 14. Furthermore, the magnetic resonance device 10 has a patient accommodation region 15 for accommodating a patient 16 for a magnetic resonance examination. In the present embodiment, the patient accommodation region 15 is cylindrically configured and cylindrically surrounded in a circumferential direction by the magnet unit 11. However, a different configuration of the patient accommodation region 15 is conceivable in principle at any time.

[0040] For positioning the patient 16, in particular a region of the patient 16 to be examined, within the patient accommodation region 15, the magnetic resonance device 10 has a patient support device 17. The patient support device 17 has a base unit 18 and an examination table 19 which is movable with respect to the base unit 18. The examination table 19 is movably configured within the patient accommodation region 15 for positioning the patient 16, in particular a region of the patient 16 to be examined. In particular, the examination table 19 is movably supported in a longitudinal extension direction and / or z-direction of the patient accommodation region 15.

[0041] The basic magnet 12 of the magnet unit 11 is configured for generating a strong and in particular constant basic magnetic field 20. Herein, the basic magnet 12 can be configured for example as a superconducting basic magnet 12 or as a permanent magnet. The gradient coil unit 13 of the magnet unit 11 is configured for generating magnetic field gradients for position encoding during imaging. The gradient coil unit 13 is controlled by means of a gradient control unit 21 of the magnetic resonance device 10. The radio frequency antenna unit 14 of the magnet unit 11 is configured for exciting polarization occurring in the basic magnetic field 20 generated by the basic magnet 12. The radio frequency antenna unit 14 is controlled by a radio frequency antenna control unit 22 of the magnetic resonance device 10 and injects a high-frequency magnetic resonance sequence into the patient accommodation region 15 of the magnetic resonance device 10. Furthermore, the magnetic resonance device 10 has a local radio frequency coil 45 which is configured for receiving magnetic resonance signals. The local radio frequency coil 45 is provided here around a region of the patient 16 to be examined. Herein, the local radio frequency coil 45 is adapted to the region of the patient 16 to be examined, such as a local head radio frequency coil or a local knee radio frequency coil, etc. In the present embodiment, the local radio frequency coil 45 is configured as a local chest radio frequency coil which is provided around a chest region of the patient 16.

[0042] For controlling the basic magnet 12, the gradient control unit 21 and for controlling the radio frequency antenna control unit 22, the magnetic resonance device 10 has a system control unit 23. The system control unit 23 centrally controls the magnetic resonance device 10, for example to execute a predetermined imaging gradient echo sequence. Furthermore, the system control unit 23 comprises an evaluation unit, not shown in detail, for evaluating medical image data detected during a magnetic resonance examination.

[0043] Furthermore, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 comprises a first user interface 24 which is connected with the system control unit 23. Control information, for example imaging parameters, as well as reconstructed magnetic resonance images can be shown for a medical operator on a display unit 25 of the first user interface 24, for example on at least one monitor. Furthermore, the first user interface 24 has an input unit 26 by means of which information and / or parameters can be entered by the medical operator during the measurement procedure.

[0044] Furthermore, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 has a second user interface 27 which is arranged at the magnet unit 11. In particular, the second user interface 27 is arranged at a front side 28 of the magnet unit 11. The second user interface 27 has output elements 29, in particular visual output elements 29, like displays. Furthermore, the second user interface 27 can also comprise further output elements 29 and / or can also comprise input elements.

[0045] The magnet unit 11 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 is arranged together with the patient support device 17 in an examination room 30. Therefore, the second user interface 27 is also arranged in the examination room 30. In contrast, the system control unit 23 together with the first user interface 24 is arranged in a control room 31. The control room 31 is constituted separately from the examination room 30. In particular, the examination room 30 is shielded with respect to radio frequency radiation from the control room 31. During a magnetic resonance examination, the patient 16 is in the examination room 30, in contrast, the medical operator is in the control room 31.

[0046] For communication between the patient 16 and the medical operator during a magnetic resonance examination, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 has a patient communication unit 32. The patient communication unit 32 has a patient communication element 33 and a user communication element 34. During a magnetic resonance examination, the patient communication element 33 is arranged together with the patient 16 in the examination room 30. Here, the patient communication element 33 is arranged together with the patient 16 in the patient accommodation area 15. The patient communication element 33 is constituted as a patient call button and / or an alarm button. In contrast, the user communication element 34 is arranged in the control room 31.

[0047] In Figure 2The patient communication element 33 is shown in detail. The patient communication element 33 has a knob-like and / or balloon-like actuating element 44, which the patient 16 can press in an emergency. Furthermore, the patient communication element 33 has a transmitting unit 35, an energy storage unit 36 and control electronics 37. The transmitting unit 35 here constitutes a wireless data transmission for communication data, in particular patient communication data. The transmitting unit 35 for this has not shown antenna elements, which constitute a radio frequency signal and / or pilot tone signal. The communication data, in particular patient communication data, is then detected by receiving electronics, which have been designed for detecting magnetic resonance data, and passed on to the user communication element 34.

[0048] The energy storage unit 36 has not shown energy storage elements, which constitute a storage for electrical energy for operating the patient communication element 33. In the present embodiment, the energy storage elements are charged by means of an electrical contact to the electrical grid.

[0049] In an alternative design, the energy storage unit 36 can also constitute an energy harvesting in the gradient field and / or HF field (radio frequency field) of the magnetic resonance device 10. For this, the energy storage unit 36 can also comprise an energy harvesting unit.

[0050] The control electronics 37 of the patient communication element 33 constitute a control of the patient communication element 33. The control electronics 37 for this have a processor and / or microcontroller and corresponding software.

[0051] Furthermore, the patient communication unit 32 comprises a holding station 38, which constitutes a holding and / or support of the patient communication element 33 during non-use. Here, the holding station 38 comprises a support element 39, which constitutes a receiving of the patient communication element 33. In the present embodiment, the support element 39 comprises holding means, which are compatible with not shown holding elements of the patient communication element 33, for releasably fastening and / or arranging the patient communication element 33 at the holding station 38.

[0052] Furthermore, the holding station 38 has an electrically conductive contact element 40. Furthermore, the patient communication element 33 also has two electrically conductive contact elements 42, 43, wherein the two electrically conductive contact elements 42, 43 of the patient communication element 33 are compatible with the electrically conductive contact element 40 of the holding station 38. The two electrically conductive contact elements 42, 43 of the patient communication element 33 and the electrically conductive contact element 40 of the holding station 38 are here arranged at the patient communication element 33 and at the holding station 38, such that the electrically conductive contact element 40 of the holding station 38 makes an electrically conductive contact with the two electrically conductive contact elements 42, 43 of the patient communication element 33 when the patient communication element 33 is received and / or positioned in the holding station 38.

[0053] Furthermore, the electrically conductive contact element 40 of the holding station 38 and the two electrically conductive contact elements 42, 43 of the patient communication element 33 are configured in such a way that the energy storage element is charged upon electrical contact between the holding station 38 and the patient communication element 33.

[0054] Furthermore, the patient communication element 33 has a transmitting element which is configured for communication with the magnetic resonance device 10. In the present embodiment, the transmitting element is comprised by the transmitting unit 35. In an alternative design, the transmitting element can also be configured separately from the transmitting unit 35. Preferably, the communication with the magnetic resonance device 10 takes place in the same transmission technology as is used in the patient communication.

[0055] The control electronics 37 of the patient communication element 33 is here configured in such a way that upon removal of the patient communication element 33 from the holding station 38, an information signal is transmitted to the magnetic resonance device 10. Figure 3 Here, the information signal is transmitted to the system control unit 23 of the magnetic resonance device 10 by means of the transmitting element. The information signal here comprises an encoded information signal.

[0056] The control electronics 37 of the patient communication element 33 is likewise configured for transmitting an information signal to the magnetic resonance device 10 by means of the transmitting element upon contact of the patient communication element 33 with the holding station 28. Figure 4 The information signal here likewise comprises an encoded information signal, wherein the signalization and / or the information signal comprising the contact of the patient communication element 33 with the holding station 38 is configured differently from the information signal comprising the removal and / or the taking away of the patient communication element 33 from the holding station 38.

[0057] Furthermore, the control electronics 37 is configured for transmitting an alarm signal to the magnetic resonance device 10 by means of the transmitting element if the patient communication element 33 is not positioned and / or held at the holding station 38 after the end of a magnetic resonance examination in which the patient communication element 33 has been used, after the end of the magnetic resonance examination. Here, however, the alarm signal is transmitted by means of the transmitting element only after a predetermined time interval after the end of the magnetic resonance examination.

[0058] The alarm signal is outputted here from the second user interface 27 to the medical operator.

[0059] For the magnetic resonance examination, the patient communication element 33 is taken out of the holding station 38 by the medical operator before the examination bed 19 is moved in together with the patient 16 and is handed over to the patient 16. Here, the electrical contact between the patient communication element 33 and the holding station 38 is interrupted and the patient communication element 33 transmits a corresponding encoded information signal to the magnetic resonance device 10. Subsequently, the examination bed 19 is moved in together with the patient 16 into the patient accommodation region 15 and the magnetic resonance examination is started.

[0060] After the end of the magnetic resonance examination, the examination bed 19 is moved out of the patient accommodation region 15 together with the patient 16. Subsequently, the patient 16 hands over the patient communication element 33 to the medical operator. If the patient communication element 33 is stored and / or supported on the storage station 38 by the medical operator within a defined time interval, an electrical contact is established between the patient communication element 33 and the storage station 38. Due to the electrical contact between the patient communication element 33 and the storage station 38, a corresponding coded information signal is transmitted by the patient communication element 33 to the magnetic resonance apparatus 10.

[0061] In contrast, if the patient communication element 33 is not connected or stored at the storage station 38 within a defined time interval, a corresponding alarm signal is transmitted by the patient communication element 33 to the magnetic resonance apparatus 10. The alarm signal is output to the medical operator via the second user interface 27 and requires the medical operator to connect the patient communication element 33 to the storage station 38 or to support and / or position it in the storage station 38.

[0062] The illustrated magnetic resonance apparatus 10 can of course comprise further components which are generally present in a magnetic resonance apparatus 10. Furthermore, the general mode of operation of a magnetic resonance apparatus 10 is known to the person skilled in the art, such that a detailed description of further components is dispensed with.

[0063] Although the details of the application have been specified and described in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the application is not restricted to the disclosed examples and other variants can be derived therefrom by the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the application.

Claims

1. A magnetic resonance apparatus having a magnet unit, a patient receiving region which is at least partially enclosed by the magnet unit, which patient receiving region is designed for receiving a patient during a magnetic resonance examination, and a patient communication unit, the patient communication unit comprising a patient communication element, which patient communication element comprises a sending unit for wireless data transmission of communication data. characterized in that 2. The magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 1, the patient communication element comprising a patient call button and / or an alarm button.

3. The magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, the sending unit comprising an antenna element for emitting radio frequency signals and / or pilot tone signals. characterized in that 4. The magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, the patient communication element comprising an energy storage unit.

5. The magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 4, the energy storage unit being designed for taking up energy in the gradient field and / or HF field of the magnetic resonance apparatus. characterized in that 6. The magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 4, the patient communication unit comprising a holding station with a support element, wherein the holding station is designed for holding and / or supporting the patient communication element during non-use.

7. The magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 6, the holding station having at least one electrically conductive contact element and the patient communication element having at least two electrically conductive contact elements which are compatible with the holding station, wherein the patient communication element can be positioned in the holding station in such a way that the at least one electrically conductive contact element of the holding station makes electrically conductive contact with the at least two electrically conductive contact elements of the patient communication element. characterized in that 8. The magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 7, the at least one electrically conductive contact element of the holding station and the at least two electrically conductive contact elements being designed for charging the energy storage unit in the event of an electrical contact.

9. The magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 6, the patient communication element having control electronics. characterized in that 10. The magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 9, the patient communication unit having a sending element for communicating with the magnetic resonance apparatus.

11. The magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 10, the control electronics being designed for sending an information signal to the magnetic resonance apparatus by means of the sending element when the patient communication element is removed from the holding station. characterized in that 12. The magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 10, the control electronics being designed for sending an information signal to the magnetic resonance apparatus by means of the sending element when the patient communication element is in contact with the holding station.

13. The magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 10, the control electronics being designed for sending an alarm signal to the magnetic resonance apparatus by means of the sending element as soon as the patient communication element is not positioned and / or not held in the holding station after the end of a magnetic resonance examination. characterized in that 14. The magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in claim 13, a user interface being provided, wherein the alarm signal is output to a user by means of the user interface. ​ characterized in that ​ ​ characterized in that ​ ​ characterized in that ​ ​ characterized in that ​ ​ characterized in that ​ ​ characterized in that ​ ​ characterized in that ​ 15. The magnetic resonance apparatus as claimed in any of claims 13 to 14, characterized in that the control electronics is configured to transmit the alarm signal by means of the transmission element after a predetermined time interval after the end of the magnetic resonance measurement.

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