Procedure for providing a schedule for a magnetic resonance examination

Abstract

A method for providing a schedule for a magnetic resonance examination, wherein the schedule comprises n protocols with n≥1, comprising the following steps: - Selecting an investigation strategy that includes a number n metaprotocols and a temporal sequence of the n metaprotocols, where each of the n metaprotocols comprises a protocol category with several different variants of a protocol of that protocol category, - Selecting a variant of a protocol from one protocol category of an i-th metaprotocol, where 1≤i≤n, - Repeat the step of selecting the variant of a protocol of a protocol category of an i-th metaprotocol until i=n, ​​and - Providing the schedule for the magnetic resonance examination, including the n protocols, where a selection logic is available that executes a selection of a variant of the protocol of a protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol, wherein the i-th metaprotocol comprises a first variant of a protocol of the one protocol category, wherein the first variant of the protocol of the one protocol category is stored in a database, and the selection logic generates and / or creates a second variant of the protocol of the one protocol category from the first variant of the protocol of the one protocol category by means of a defined rule.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for providing a flow chart of a magnetic resonance examination. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a magnetic resonance apparatus having a scanner unit and a computing unit, wherein the computing unit is designed and / or configured to execute the method for providing a flow chart of a magnetic resonance examination. Furthermore, the invention is based on a computer program product comprising a program and being directly loadable into a memory of a computing unit, with program means for executing a method for providing a flow chart of a magnetic resonance examination when the program is executed in the control unit.

[0002] To perform a magnetic resonance examination on a patient, a user, particularly a medical operator, must first select an examination strategy and a sequence plan. An examination strategy and / or a sequence plan can comprise multiple protocols and their sequences. Until now, it has been common practice to provide all possible sequence plans with possible combinations of protocols and / or different variants of protocols as saved sequence plans, so that a predefined sequence plan is available for each examination strategy.

[0003] The different variants of a protocol can differ with regard to a hardware property, for example, a hardware property of the hardware available for the magnetic resonance examination. Furthermore, the different variants of a protocol can also differ with regard to the availability of licenses. A license, for example, regulates whether a protocol may be executed with certain properties or without these properties. For example, a license can apply to a sequence feature or the entire protocol or even the entire schedule. Furthermore, the different variants of a protocol can also differ with regard to sequence properties. For example, whether 2D image data or 3D image data should be acquired.

[0004] The multitude of different hardware features and the multitude of possible licenses result in an enormous number of available combinations, all of which are stored in a storage unit and / or a database. The individual variants of a schedule are stored in a directory tree and can be selected by the user. This complexity, however, makes it difficult for the user to select the optimal schedule for a magnetic resonance examination.

[0005] DE 10 2005 055 657 A1 describes a method for operating a medical diagnostic device designed to answer medical questions.

[0006] The present invention is based, in particular, on the object of providing a simple and rapid selection of the best possible schedule for a magnetic resonance examination. This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

[0007] The invention is based on a method for providing a schedule of a magnetic resonance examination, wherein the schedule comprises n protocols with n≥1, with the following steps: - Selecting an investigation strategy comprising a number of n metaprotocols and a temporal sequence of the n metaprotocols, wherein each of the n metaprotocols comprises a protocol category with several different variants of a protocol of the one protocol category, - Selecting a variant of a protocol of one protocol category of an i-th metaprotocol, where 1≤i≤n, - Repeating the step of selecting the variant of a protocol of the one protocol category of an i-th metaprotocol until i=n, ​​and - Providing the schedule of the magnetic resonance examination including the n protocols.

[0008] A magnetic resonance examination on a patient, in particular on an area of ​​the patient to be examined, is intended to clarify a clinical and / or medical question. In this case, a flow chart for a magnetic resonance examination describes, in particular, a workflow, wherein the flow chart and / or workflow preferably defines a sequence of the individual protocols and / or metaprotocols when performing the magnetic resonance examination. By means of the flow chart and / or workflow, in particular, a procedure for the upcoming and / or planned magnetic resonance examination can be defined, or by selecting an examination strategy, the flow chart and / or workflow for the upcoming and / or planned magnetic resonance examination and / or for the clinical and / or medical question is defined.For example, by defining the examination strategy, a contrast to be measured can be specified in the protocols, such as a T1 contrast and / or a T2 contrast and / or a diffusion, etc. In addition, by defining the examination strategy, an orientation to be measured can also be specified, such as a sagittal orientation and / or a coronal orientation and / or a transverse orientation and / or a tilted orientation, etc.

[0009] Furthermore, by selecting the examination strategy, it can be determined whether the upcoming and / or planned magnetic resonance examination should include a 2D measurement or a 3D measurement, or a measurement that is insensitive to patient movement, etc. When selecting the examination strategy, the user can also have the option of entering such information together with the selection of the examination strategy. Furthermore, further properties of the magnetic resonance examination can be specified within the workflow, such as whether a fast measurement and / or a measurement with a high resolution and / or a measurement that is robust and / or insensitive to patient movement, etc.For a magnetic resonance examination, the schedule and / or workflow is executed with the selected protocols to obtain medical image data to answer clinical and / or medical questions.

[0010] A protocol comprises a set of values ​​required to describe a specific characteristic of a sequence. Typical values ​​can include an echo time (TE), a repetition time (TR), a field of view, a matrix size, a number of slices, a fat saturation method, an acceleration method, a local radio-frequency antenna unit, etc. Such values ​​of a protocol are often highly dependent on the hardware available on site and / or the design of the magnetic resonance device, such as the gradient strength of the magnetic resonance device and / or the number of acquisition channels, etc. A protocol thus describes a very specific way of acquiring an image using a very specific design of a magnetic resonance device. In particular, a contrast and / or a geometry and a measurement duration are tailored to the clinical question of the upcoming magnetic resonance examination.

[0011] A sequence for a magnetic resonance examination comprises, in particular, a logical sequence of radiofrequency pulses (RF pulses), gradient pulses, and acquisition periods for controlling data acquisition for magnetic resonance data acquisition. The sequence defines the basic magnetic resonance mechanisms used in magnetic resonance data acquisition, such as a gradient echo or spin echo, a steady-state magnetization, preparation pulses, etc. Typical and well-known sequences include a spin echo sequence (SE sequence), a turbo spin echo sequence (TSE sequence), an echo planar imaging (EPI), etc. However, a sequence does not specify the complete temporal characteristics of all RF pulses, gradient pulses, and acquisition periods, but only their interaction. In principle, the parameterization of a sequence can be adjusted, for example, by a user and / or medical personnel.In particular, the timing of the sequence and / or the resolution of the sequence can be adapted to the clinical and / or medical question.

[0012] A metaprotocol comprises a protocol category intended to clarify a clinical question. A metaprotocol preferably has a single protocol category. For example, a protocol category can include a transverse T1 measurement for a knee or other protocol categories. The metaprotocol further comprises several different variants of a protocol of one protocol category. The protocol categories of the different metaprotocols are preferably different from one another. The different variants of the protocol of one protocol category can differ, for example, with regard to the hardware properties of the hardware available for the magnetic resonance examination.Furthermore, the different variants of the protocol of one protocol category can differ with regard to license-related properties, for example, whether a step covered by a license may be executed or not. Furthermore, the metaprotocol can also include variants of a protocol of one protocol category that can be derived from an existing variant of a protocol of one protocol category of the metaprotocol using a rule. A selection of a variant of a protocol of one protocol category of a first metaprotocol is preferably independent of a selection of a variant of a protocol of one protocol category of a second metaprotocol.

[0013] The individual variants of a protocol of one protocol category are preferably stored in a storage unit and / or a database. The storage unit and / or the database can be included in the magnetic resonance device performing the magnetic resonance examination. Furthermore, it is also conceivable for the database and / or the storage unit to be configured externally to the magnetic resonance device. In this case, the database and / or the storage unit can also be stored in a cloud. Preferably, the magnetic resonance device, in particular a computing unit of the magnetic resonance device, can access the database and / or the storage unit via a data connection.

[0014] The examination strategy preferably comprises a number of n metaprotocols required to clarify the clinical and / or medical question for the upcoming magnetic resonance examination. In addition to the number of n metaprotocols, the examination strategy also includes a chronological sequence of the individual metaprotocols of the n metaprotocols relative to one another. This also determines the order in which the individual protocols are executed. The examination strategy is preferably selected by a user, in particular a medical operator. The examination strategy is preferably selected by the user, in particular the medical operator, at an input unit of the magnetic resonance device.By defining the examination strategy, the number of metaprotocols and their order are also determined, in particular automatically and / or independently by means of a computing unit of the magnetic resonance device.

[0015] The selection of a variant of a protocol of one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol preferably occurs automatically or independently by means of the computing unit. The variant of a protocol of one protocol category is selected from the several different variants of the protocol of one protocol category for each metaprotocol of the n metaprotocols by means of the computing unit. The computing unit preferably uses provided and / or stored information. The information can be information on the hardware properties of the hardware available on site for the magnetic resonance examination. The information can also include license information. Furthermore, the information can also include information entered by a user, for example whether a user wants to use a 2D measurement or a 3D measurement to clarify the clinical and / or medical question.The step of selecting a variant of a protocol from one protocol category is repeated for each metaprotocol encompassed by the selected examination strategy until a variant of a protocol has been selected for all n metaprotocols and n selected protocols are available for performing the magnetic resonance examination. This starts with i=1, i.e., with a first metaprotocol. With each repetition, i is incremented by 1 until i=n, ​​and thus a selected variant of a protocol has been determined and / or is available for all n metaprotocols.

[0016] The provision of the magnetic resonance examination schedule is also performed by the computing unit of the magnetic resonance device; in particular, the provision occurs automatically and / or independently by the computing unit. In this case, it can also be provided that the provided magnetic resonance examination schedule with the n protocols is presented to the user via a user interface, in particular a display unit with a display and / or monitor. The provided magnetic resonance examination schedule with the n protocols is thus available for executing the magnetic resonance examination.

[0017] The method according to the invention for providing a schedule for a magnetic resonance examination is preferably controlled and / or executed by the computing unit. Individual steps of the method according to the invention can be performed directly by the computing unit. Furthermore, individual steps of the method according to the invention can also be performed only by other units, but controlled by the computing unit.

[0018] The computing unit comprises at least one computing module and / or a processor, wherein the computing unit is designed to carry out the method for providing a flow chart of a magnetic resonance examination. In particular, the computing unit is designed to execute computer-readable instructions in order to carry out the method according to the invention for providing a flow chart of a magnetic resonance examination. In particular, the computing unit comprises a memory unit, wherein computer-readable information is stored on the memory unit, wherein the computing unit is designed to load the computer-readable information from the memory unit and to execute the computer-readable information in order to carry out a method according to the invention for providing a flow chart of a magnetic resonance examination.In this way, the computing unit according to the invention is designed to carry out a method for providing a flow chart of a magnetic resonance examination.

[0019] The components of the computing unit can predominantly be implemented as software components. In principle, however, these components can also be partially implemented as software-supported hardware components, such as FPGAs or the like, particularly when particularly fast calculations are required. Likewise, the required interfaces, for example when only transferring data from other software components, can be implemented as software interfaces. However, they can also be implemented as hardware interfaces controlled by suitable software. Of course, it is also conceivable for several of the aforementioned components to be implemented together in the form of a single software component or software-supported hardware component.

[0020] The embodiment of the invention has the advantage that a selection of the best possible schedule for a magnetic resonance examination can be provided particularly easily and quickly. In particular, the invention allows the selection of the best possible schedule for a magnetic resonance examination to be provided automatically and / or independently by means of the computing unit. In particular, this also makes it possible to reduce the complexity of selecting and / or providing a magnetic resonance examination, since a protocol selection is made individually for each metaprotocol that is independent of the other metaprotocols, in particular a protocol selection of the other metaprotocols. This also makes protocol selection easier for inexperienced operating personnel.In addition, the storage space available for provision can also be reduced, since the invention no longer stores all possible combinations of protocol variants for a magnetic resonance examination in a preconfigured manner.

[0021] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that a selection logic is available which executes a selection of a variant of the protocol of one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol. The selection logic is preferably comprised by the computing unit. The selection logic can comprise software and / or computer programs which are executed by the computing unit to select a variant of a protocol of one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol. The selection of a variant of the protocol of one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol is preferably carried out and / or performed by the selection logic as a function of information, in particular selection information.The selection information may include information relating to a hardware property of available hardware and / or information relating to a license property and / or further selection information.

[0022] The selection logic can also include a machine learning method, also called a deep learning method, which is based on an artificial neural network. An artificial neural network (ANN) is, in particular, a network of artificial neurons simulated in a computer program. The artificial neural network is typically based on a network of several artificial neurons. The artificial neurons are typically arranged in different layers. The artificial neural network usually comprises an input layer and an output layer, whose neuron output is the only one of the artificial neural network that is visible. Layers lying between the input layer and the output layer are typically referred to as hidden layers.Typically, an architecture and / or topology of an artificial neural network is first initiated and then trained in a training phase for a specific task or for multiple tasks in a training phase. Training the artificial neural network typically involves changing the weight of a connection between two artificial neurons of the artificial neural network. Training the artificial neural network can also involve developing new connections between artificial neurons, deleting existing connections between artificial neurons, adjusting thresholds of the artificial neurons, and / or adding or deleting artificial neurons. In particular, the artificial neural network has already been trained in advance to be suitable for selecting a variant of the protocol of one protocol category of the i-th meta-protocol.

[0023] In this way, a particularly rapid selection of a variant of a protocol from one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol can be performed and made available to a user, in particular a medical operator. This also advantageously prevents a time-consuming, particularly manual, search for a corresponding combination of protocols from a protocol tree.

[0024] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the selection logic selects a variant of the protocol of the one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol depending on a hardware property of available hardware for carrying out the magnetic resonance examination. The hardware property can, for example, comprise an available configuration of the magnetic resonance device. In particular, the hardware property can comprise a strength of a basic magnetic field and / or a maximum strength of a gradient field and / or a number of coil channels and / or available local radio-frequency antenna units, in particular local coils, etc. In this way, a selection of the best possible schedule for a magnetic resonance examination can be carried out particularly easily and quickly depending on the hardware orthe magnetic resonance device available on site.

[0025] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the hardware property is detected by means of the selection logic before a variant of the protocol of one protocol category of an i-th metaprotocol is selected. The hardware property is preferably stored and / or saved in a database and / or a storage unit and is queried and / or retrieved, in particular automatically queried and / or retrieved, by the selection logic before a variant of a protocol of one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol is selected. Furthermore, it can also be the case that the hardware property is detected by means of a query. Such a query can, for example, be carried out at regular intervals, such as in particular quarterly or semi-annually, etc.This design enables the hardware property of an available hardware to be quickly available for an automatic and / or autonomous selection of a variant of a protocol of one protocol category of an i-th metaprotocol.

[0026] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the selection logic selects a variant of the protocol of the one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol depending on license information. The license information preferably comprises information as to whether at least one defined step may be executed when executing the variant of the protocol of the one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol. In particular, the license information comprises information regarding a right of use for executing at least one defined step of the variants of the protocol of the one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol. In this way, a selection of the best possible schedule for a magnetic resonance examination can be provided particularly easily and quickly using the license properties available on site.

[0027] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the license information is acquired by means of the selection logic before a variant of the protocol of one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol is selected. The license information is preferably stored and / or deposited in a database and / or a storage unit and is queried and / or retrieved by the selection logic before a variant of a protocol of one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol is selected. Furthermore, it can also be the case that the license information is acquired by means of a query. Such a query can, for example, be carried out at regular intervals, such as in particular monthly, etc. This embodiment enables the license information to be quickly available for an automatic and / or independent selection of a variant of a protocol of one protocol category of an i-th metaprotocol.

[0028] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the i-th metaprotocol comprises two or more different variants of a protocol of the one protocol category, wherein the two or more different variants of the protocol of the one protocol category are stored in a database. The database can be arranged within the computing unit, which preferably comprises the selection logic, and / or can be comprised by the computing unit. Furthermore, it is also conceivable for the database to be designed separately from the computing unit but to be comprised by the magnetic resonance apparatus. Furthermore, the database can also be designed externally to the magnetic resonance apparatus. For example, the database can be arranged in a cloud. In this case, the computing unit, in particular the selection logic, can access the database via a data interface and / or a data connection.

[0029] This embodiment of the invention enables rapid access to the two or more different variants of a protocol of the one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol for automatic and / or self-selecting of a variant of a protocol of the one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol by the computing unit, in particular the selection logic.

[0030] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the two or more different variants of the protocol of the one protocol category of the i-metaprotocol differ with regard to a sequence parameter and / or a sequence property, wherein the selection logic selects a variant of the protocol of the i-th metaprotocol of the one protocol category depending on the sequence parameter and / or the sequence property. The sequence parameter and / or the sequence property can, for example, include whether the variant of the protocol comprises a 2D sequence or a 3D sequence. Furthermore, a further configuration of the sequence parameters and / or the sequence property is possible at any time. The sequence property and / or the sequence parameter can, for example, already be determined when selecting the examination strategy.In this way, the selection logic can quickly and automatically select and provide a corresponding variant of a protocol of one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol, thus preventing a time-consuming, in particular manual, selection of a corresponding combination of protocols from a protocol tree.

[0031] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that at least one of the n metaprotocols comprises a minimal variant of a protocol of the one protocol category, wherein the minimal variant of the protocol of the one protocol category is available for selecting a variant of the protocol of the one protocol category. Preferably, each metaprotocol of the n metaprotocols comprises a minimal variant of a protocol of the respective protocol category. The minimal variant of a protocol of the one protocol category preferably comprises a variant of a protocol that has minimal requirements for existing and / or available hardware and / or minimal requirements for existing licenses, such as, for example, no existing licenses.In particular, the minimal variant of a protocol of one protocol category comprises a variant of a protocol that is executable on any scanner unit of a magnetic resonance device, regardless of existing and / or available license properties and / or hardware properties, in particular regardless of the hardware present and / or available on site. This allows an executable variant of a protocol of one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol to always be available, wherein the variant of the protocol is executable regardless of license properties and / or hardware properties.

[0032] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that at least one of the n metaprotocols comprises a maximum variant of a protocol of the one protocol category, wherein the maximum variant of the protocol of the one protocol category is available for selecting a variant of the protocol. Preferably, each metaprotocol of the n metaprotocols comprises a maximum variant of a protocol of the respective protocol category. The maximum variant of a protocol of the one protocol category preferably comprises a "best variant" and / or an "ideal variant" of a protocol of the one protocol category. In particular, the maximum variant of a protocol of the one protocol category comprises a variant of a protocol that is based on the maximum available hardware components and / or the maximum possible license properties.The maximum variant of a protocol of a protocol category thus comprises the variant of a protocol that provides the most ideal image data for clarifying the clinical and / or medical question when executing the variant of the protocol. If all license requirements are met and the maximum available hardware components are present, the selection logic automatically selects the maximum variant of a protocol of a protocol category when selecting a variant of a protocol for the i-th metaprotocol.

[0033] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the i-th metaprotocol comprises a first variant of a protocol of one protocol category, wherein the first variant of the protocol of one protocol category is stored in a database, and the selection logic generates and / or creates a second variant of the protocol of one protocol category using a defined rule from the first variant of the protocol of one protocol category. Preferably, the second variant of a protocol of one protocol category for the i-th metaprotocol is generated and / or created automatically and / or independently using the selection logic.Preferably, the generation and / or creation of a second variant of a protocol of one protocol category takes place from the first variant of a protocol of one protocol category if no variant of a protocol of one protocol category is stored for a corresponding hardware property and / or software property.

[0034] This allows only a limited number of variants of a protocol of a particular protocol category to be stored and / or stored in the database for a metaprotocol, thus saving storage space. Furthermore, dynamic adaptation of the i-th metaprotocol to changing hardware and / or license properties can be advantageously achieved.

[0035] The defined rule preferably comprises a specified rule which, based on an existing variant of a protocol of one protocol category, generates a further variant of the protocol of one protocol category. For example, the first variant of the protocol of one protocol category can have a licensed step Y and / or a licensed feature Y. The defined rule specifies that a new variant of the protocol of one protocol category is to be generated from the existing variant of the protocol of one protocol category by omitting the licensed step Y and / or the licensed feature Y. In addition, the defined rule can comprise further changes to the existing variant of the protocol of one protocol category, for example if the licensed step Y and / or the licensed feature Y is omitted and a parameter and / or a value Z is changed.For example, the first variant of a protocol in one protocol category may include a TSE T1 protocol with an SMS license (Simultaneous Multi-Slice License). The defined rule for generating and / or creating a second protocol in one protocol category may include omitting the SMS license and additionally reducing the number of slices by 30%.

[0036] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that at least one new variant of a protocol of one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol is created and / or generated by means of the selection logic, and this new variant of the protocol of one protocol category is stored in a database. In this way, a dynamic adaptation of the i-th metaprotocol to changes in the hardware and / or license changes and / or software changes can be advantageously achieved.

[0037] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the selection of a variant of a protocol of one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol is independent of the selection of a variant of a protocol of one protocol category of an (i+1)-th metaprotocol. This enables a particularly flexible design of a schedule for a magnetic resonance examination. For example, in the event of a license change that affects only one or a few metaprotocols, only these metaprotocols can be adapted. This has the additional advantage that not all possible combinations of protocols, where the combinations include a protocol affected by the license change, have to be adapted and saved again.

[0038] Furthermore, the invention is based on a magnetic resonance examination with a scanner unit and a computing unit, wherein the computing unit comprises a selection logic and is designed to carry out a method for providing a flow plan of a magnetic resonance examination comprising n protocols.

[0039] The magnetic resonance device preferably comprises a medical and / or diagnostic magnetic resonance device that is designed and / or configured to acquire medical and / or diagnostic image data. The scanner unit of the magnetic resonance device preferably comprises a detector unit, in particular a magnet unit, for acquiring medical and / or diagnostic image data. The scanner unit, in particular the magnet unit, preferably comprises a base magnet, a gradient coil unit, and a radio-frequency antenna unit.

[0040] The scanner unit of the magnetic resonance device at least partially surrounds a patient acquisition area of ​​the magnetic resonance device. For example, the patient acquisition area can be cylindrical and / or surrounded by the scanner unit in a cylindrical manner. A field of view (FOV) and / or an isocenter of the magnetic resonance device is preferably arranged within the patient acquisition area. The FOV preferably comprises a detection area of ​​the magnetic resonance device, within which ideal conditions exist for acquiring medical image data within the patient acquisition area.

[0041] The isocenter of the magnetic resonance device preferably comprises the region and / or point within the magnetic resonance device that has the most optimal and / or ideal conditions for acquiring medical image data. For example, the isocenter comprises the most homogeneous magnetic field region within the magnetic resonance device. For a magnetic resonance examination, the patient, in particular the region of the patient to be examined, is arranged and / or positioned within the patient acquisition area. For this purpose, the patient is first positioned on the patient table. The patient table, together with the patient positioned on the patient table, is then moved into the patient acquisition area until the region of the patient to be examined is arranged in the FOV and / or in the isocenter of the magnetic resonance device, in particular of the scanner unit.

[0042] Such a magnetic resonance device has the advantage that a selection of the best possible sequence plan for a magnetic resonance examination can be provided particularly easily and quickly. In particular, the invention allows the selection of the best possible sequence plan for a magnetic resonance examination to be provided automatically and / or independently by means of the computing unit. In particular, this also reduces the complexity of selecting and / or providing a magnetic resonance examination by making a protocol selection for each metaprotocol individually, which is independent of the other metaprotocols, in particular a protocol selection of the other metaprotocols. This also simplifies protocol selection for inexperienced operating personnel.In addition, the storage space available for provision can also be reduced, since the invention no longer stores all possible combinations of protocol variants for a magnetic resonance examination in a preconfigured manner.

[0043] The advantages of the magnetic resonance apparatus according to the invention essentially correspond to the advantages of the method according to the invention for providing a schedule for a magnetic resonance examination comprising n protocols, which are detailed in advance. Features, advantages, or alternative embodiments mentioned herein can also be applied to the other claimed subject matter, and vice versa.

[0044] Furthermore, the invention is based on a computer program product which comprises a program and is directly loadable into a memory of a programmable computing unit, with program means for executing a method for providing a flowchart of a magnetic resonance examination comprising n protocols when the program is executed in the computing unit. The computer program may require program means, e.g., libraries and auxiliary functions, to implement the corresponding embodiments of the method. The computer program may comprise software with source code that still needs to be compiled and linked or that only needs to be interpreted, or executable software code that only needs to be loaded into a corresponding computing unit for execution.

[0045] The computer program product according to the invention can be loaded directly into a memory of a programmable processing unit and has program code means for executing a method according to the invention for providing a flowchart of a magnetic resonance examination comprising n protocols when the computer program product is executed in the processing unit. The computer program product can be a computer program or comprise a computer program. As a result, the method according to the invention can be executed quickly, identically repeatably, and robustly. The computer program product is configured such that it can execute the method steps according to the invention by means of the processing unit. The processing unit must have the respective prerequisites, such as a corresponding main memory, a corresponding graphics card, or a corresponding logic unit, so that the respective method steps can be executed efficiently.The computer program product is stored, for example, on a computer-readable medium or on a network or server, from where it can be loaded into the processor of a local computing unit, which can be directly connected to the magnetic resonance device or formed as part of it. Furthermore, control information of the computer program product can be stored on an electronically readable data carrier. The control information of the electronically readable data carrier can be configured such that, when the data carrier is used in a computing unit, it executes a method according to the invention. Thus, the computer program product can also represent the electronically readable data carrier. Examples of electronically readable data carriers are a DVD, a magnetic tape, a hard disk, or a USB stick on which electronically readable control information, in particular software (see above), is stored.If this control information (software) is read from the data carrier and stored in a controller and / or processing unit, all embodiments of the methods described above can be carried out. Thus, the invention can also be based on said computer-readable medium and / or said electronically readable data carrier.

[0046] Furthermore, the invention is based on a computer-readable data carrier which comprises a program which is intended to carry out a method for providing a flow chart of a magnetic resonance examination comprising n protocols.

[0047] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the embodiment described below and from the drawings.

[0048] They show: Fig. 1 a magnetic resonance device according to the invention in a schematic representation, Fig. 2 shows a method according to the invention for providing a schedule of a magnetic resonance examination, Fig. 3 View of a metaprotocol with several different variants of a protocol and Fig. 4 a flow chart of a magnetic resonance imaging examination with multiple protocols.

[0049] In the Fig. 1 schematically shows a magnetic resonance apparatus 10. The magnetic resonance apparatus 10 comprises a scanner unit 11 formed by a magnet unit. In addition, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 has a patient receiving area 12 for receiving a patient 13. The patient receiving area 12 in the present exemplary embodiment is cylindrical and is surrounded in a circumferential direction by the scanner unit 11, in particular by the magnet unit. In principle, however, a different design of the patient receiving area 12 is conceivable at any time. The patient 13 can be pushed and / or moved into the patient receiving area 12 by means of a patient support device 14 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10. For this purpose, the patient support device 14 has a patient table 15 designed to be movable within the patient receiving area 12.In particular, the patient table 15 is mounted so as to be movable in the direction of a longitudinal extension of the patient receiving area 12 and / or in the z-direction.

[0050] The scanner unit 11, in particular the magnet unit, comprises a superconducting base magnet 16 for generating a strong and in particular constant base magnetic field 17. Furthermore, the scanner unit 11, in particular the magnet unit, has a gradient coil unit 18 for generating magnetic field gradients used for spatial encoding during imaging. The gradient coil unit 18 is controlled by a gradient control unit 19 of the magnetic resonance device 10. The scanner unit 11, in particular the magnet unit, further comprises a radio-frequency antenna unit 20 for exciting a polarization that arises in the base magnetic field 17 generated by the base magnet 16.The radio-frequency antenna unit 20 is controlled by a radio-frequency antenna control unit 21 of the magnetic resonance device 10 and radiates radio-frequency magnetic resonance sequences into the patient receiving area 12 of the magnetic resonance device 10.

[0051] The magnetic resonance apparatus 10 has a system control unit 22 for controlling the base magnet 16, the gradient control unit 19, and the radio-frequency antenna control unit 21. The system control unit 22 centrally controls the magnetic resonance apparatus, such as performing a predetermined imaging gradient echo sequence. The system control unit 22 also includes an evaluation unit (not shown in detail) for evaluating medical image data acquired during the magnetic resonance examination.

[0052] Furthermore, the magnetic resonance device 10 comprises a user interface 23 connected to the system control unit 22. Control information such as imaging parameters and reconstructed magnetic resonance images can be displayed on a display unit 24, for example, on at least one monitor, of the user interface 23 for medical personnel. Furthermore, the user interface 23 has an input unit 25, by means of which information and / or parameters can be entered by the medical personnel during a measurement process.

[0053] The illustrated magnetic resonance apparatus 10 may, of course, include additional components that magnetic resonance apparatuses 10 typically include. The general functioning of a magnetic resonance apparatus 10 is also known to those skilled in the art, so a detailed description of the additional components is omitted.

[0054] In Fig. 2 shows a method according to the invention for providing a schedule of a magnetic resonance examination. The schedule of the magnetic resonance examination comprises n protocols, where n≥1. The method for providing a schedule of a magnetic resonance examination is controlled by a computing unit 26 of the magnetic resonance device 10, which comprises corresponding software and / or computer programs for this purpose. In the present exemplary embodiment, the computing unit 26 is comprised by the system control unit 22 and / or integrated within the system control unit 22. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the computing unit 26 can also be configured separately from the system control unit 22.

[0055] When the corresponding software and / or the corresponding computer programs are executed by a processor of the computing unit 26, the method for providing a schedule for a magnetic resonance examination is controlled. The software and / or computer programs can be stored in a memory unit (not shown in detail) of the computing unit 26 or in a memory unit external to the computing unit 26, wherein the computing unit 26 can access the external memory unit via a data connection.

[0056] In a first method step 100, an examination strategy is selected. The examination strategy preferably comprises a number of n metaprotocols MP that are required to clarify the clinical and / or medical question for the upcoming magnetic resonance examination. In addition to the number of n metaprotocols MP, the examination strategy also comprises a chronological sequence of the n metaprotocols MP relative to one another. The examination strategy is preferably selected by a user, in particular by medical personnel. The examination strategy is preferably selected by the user at the input unit 25 of the user interface 23. For this purpose, the user interface 23, in particular the input unit 25, is controlled by the computing unit 26.By selecting and / or determining the examination strategy, the computing unit 26 determines the number of n metaprotocols MP and the order of the n metaprotocols MP relative to one another. In particular, the computing unit 26 of the magnetic resonance device automatically and / or independently determines the number of n metaprotocols MP and their order relative to one another.

[0057] Each metaprotocol MP of the n metaprotocols MP comprises a protocol category with several different variants of a protocol P of one protocol category. For example, a protocol category can include a transverse T1 measurement for a knee or other protocol categories, see Fig. 3. Preferably, each of the n metaprotocols MP has a single protocol category. The different variants of the protocol P of the single protocol category of a metaprotocol MP can differ, for example, with regard to hardware properties of a hardware available for the magnetic resonance examination. Furthermore, the different variants of the protocol P of the single protocol category of a metaprotocol MP can differ with regard to license-related properties, for example whether a step covered by a license may be carried out or not. Furthermore, the different variants of the protocol P of the single protocol category of a metaprotocol MP can differ with regard to a sequence parameter and / or a sequence property. The sequence parameter and / or the sequence property can include, for example, whether the variant of the protocol P comprises a 2D sequence or a 3D sequence.

[0058] At least one i-th metaprotocol MPi, where 1≤i≤n, comprises two or more different variants of a protocol P of the respective protocol category. Preferably, each metaprotocol MP of the n metaprotocols MP has two or more different variants of a protocol P of the respective protocol category. The individual variants of a protocol P of the one protocol category for each metaprotocol MP of the n metaprotocols MP are preferably stored and / or stored in a storage unit and / or a database. The storage unit and / or the database can be included in the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 performing the magnetic resonance examination. Furthermore, it is also conceivable for the database and / or the storage unit to be configured externally to the magnetic resonance apparatus 10. In this case, it is also possible for the database and / or the storage unit to be stored in a cloud.Preferably, the magnetic resonance device 10, in particular a computing unit 26 of the magnetic resonance device 10, can access the database and / or the storage unit by means of a data connection.

[0059] At least one metaprotocol MP of the n metaprotocols MP comprises a minimal variant of a protocol P(min) of one protocol category. The minimal variant of the protocol P(min) of one protocol category is available for selecting a variant of the protocol P(min) of one protocol category. Preferably, each metaprotocol MP of the n metaprotocols MP comprises a minimal variant of a protocol P(min) of one protocol category. The minimal variant of a protocol P(min) of one protocol category preferably comprises a variant of a protocol P(min) that comprises minimal requirements for existing and / or available hardware and / or minimal requirements for existing licenses for executing the variant of the protocol P(min) of one protocol category.In particular, the minimal variant of a protocol P(min) of the one protocol category comprises a variant of a protocol P(min) that can be executed on any scanner unit of a magnetic resonance device 10, regardless of existing and / or available license properties and / or hardware properties.

[0060] At least one metaprotocol MP of the n metaprotocols MP comprises a maximum variant of a protocol P(max) of one protocol category. The maximum variant of the protocol P(max) of one protocol category is available for selecting a variant of the protocol P(max) of one protocol category. Preferably, each metaprotocol MP of the n metaprotocols MP comprises a maximum variant of a protocol P of one protocol category. The maximum variant of a protocol P(max) of one protocol category preferably comprises a “best variant” and / or an “ideal variant” of a protocol P(max). In particular, the maximum variant of a protocol P(max) of one protocol category comprises a variant of a protocol P(max) that is based on the maximum available hardware components and / or the maximum possible license properties for executing the variant of the protocol P(max) of one protocol category.The maximum variant of a protocol P(max) of a protocol category thus includes that variant of a protocol P(max) that provides the most ideal image data for clarifying the clinical and / or medical question when performing the magnetic resonance examination.

[0061] In a further, second method step 101, a variant of a protocol P of the one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol MPi is selected. The selection of a variant of a protocol P of the one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol MPi is performed by means of a selection logic of the computing unit 26. The selection logic can comprise software and / or computer programs executed by the computing unit 26 to select a variant of a protocol P of the one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol MPi.

[0062] The selection logic can select a variant of the protocol P of the one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol MPi depending on a hardware property of the available hardware, in particular depending on a configuration of the magnetic resonance device 10 available on site, for performing the magnetic resonance examination. The hardware property is acquired by the selection logic before selecting a variant of the protocol P of the one protocol category of an i-th metaprotocol MPi. In this case, information regarding the hardware property is preferably stored in the storage unit and / or database and is retrieved by the selection logic. Furthermore, it is also possible for the information regarding the hardware property to be acquired by means of a separate query. Such a query can, for example, be carried out at regular intervals, such as quarterly or semi-annually, etc., by means of the user interface 23, controlled by the computing unit 26.

[0063] Alternatively or additionally, the selection logic can select a variant of the protocol P of the one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol MPi depending on license information. The license information preferably comprises information as to whether at least one defined step may be executed when executing the variant of the protocol P of the one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol MPi. In particular, the license information comprises information on a right of use for executing at least one defined step of the variants of the protocol P of the one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol MPi. The license information is acquired by the selection logic before selecting a variant of the protocol P of the one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol MPi.The license information can be retrieved by the selection logic from a database and / or a storage unit in which the license information is stored and / or filed. Furthermore, the license information can also be acquired via a query. Such a query can be performed, for example, at regular intervals, such as monthly, etc., via the user interface 23, controlled by the computing unit 26.

[0064] Furthermore, the two or more different variants of the protocol P of the one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol MPi can differ with respect to a sequence parameter and / or a sequence property. In this second method step 101, the selection logic can select a variant of the protocol P of the one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol MPi depending on the sequence parameter and / or the sequence property.

[0065] Furthermore, in this second method step 101, at least one i-th metaprotocol MPi may also comprise a first variant of a protocol P of one protocol category, wherein this first variant of the protocol P of one protocol category is stored in the database and / or the storage unit. The selection logic may be configured to create and / or generate a second variant of the protocol P of one protocol category from the first variant of the protocol P of one protocol category using a defined rule.

[0066] Preferably, the selection logic for each metaprotocol MP of the n metaprotocols MP comprises one or more defined rules that create and / or generate a further variant of a protocol P of one protocol category from already existing variants of protocols P of one protocol category. For example, the first variant of the protocol P of one protocol category can have a licensed step Y and / or a licensed feature Y. The defined rule specifies that a new variant of the protocol P of one protocol category is to be created from the existing variant of the protocol P of one protocol category by omitting the licensed step Y and / or the licensed feature Y.In addition, the defined rule can comprise further changes to the existing variant of the protocol P of one protocol category, such as if licensed step Y and / or licensed feature Y is omitted and a parameter and / or a value Z is changed. For example, the first variant of a protocol P of one protocol category can comprise a TSE T1 protocol with an SMS license (Simultaneous Multi Slice License). The defined rule for generating and / or creating a second protocol P of one protocol category can comprise omitting the SMS license and additionally reducing a number of layers by 30%. A second variant of a protocol P of one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol MPi, generated and / or created in the second method step 101 by means of the selection logic, can be stored in the storage unit and / or in the database.

[0067] In this second procedural step, the selection logic selects the maximum variant of a protocol P(max) of one protocol category when selecting a variant of a protocol P for the i-th metaprotocol MPi, provided that all licensing requirements for the selected examination strategy are met and the maximum number of hardware components available for the magnetic resonance examination are available. If not all requirements are met, a further variant of a protocol P of one protocol category is selected by the selection logic when selecting a variant of a protocol P for the i-th metaprotocol MPi. In this case, the selection logic selects a corresponding variant of a protocol P of one protocol category for the i-th metaprotocol MPi depending on the available hardware components and / or depending on the available licenses and / or depending on the set sequence properties.

[0068] In Fig. Figure 3 illustrates this using an examination strategy for a transverse T1 magnetic resonance examination of a knee, where a 3D measurement is desired. The maximum variant of the P(max) protocol includes a SPACE sequence with the licensed Compressed Sensing (CS) feature and high resolution. To implement the maximum variant, a magnetic resonance device 10 with a high number of coil channels and / or a maximum number of coil channels of a local radio-frequency antenna unit must be available.

[0069] If, however, no CS license is available, but a high and / or maximum number of coil channels of a local high-frequency antenna unit is still available, further options are available. If a 3D measurement is still desired, the selection logic can select a variant of the P(SPACE_A) protocol, which uses a SPACE sequence without CS but with high resolution. If, however, a 2D measurement is desired and the acquisition of the license information shows that an SMS license (Simultaneous Multi Slice License) is available, the selection logic can select a variant of the P(TSE_SMS_A) protocol, a TSE sequence with SMS and high resolution.If, however, a 2D measurement is desired and the acquisition of the license information shows that no SMS license (Simultaneous Multi Slice License) is available, the selection logic can select a variant of the protocol P(TSE_A) with a TSE sequence and high resolution.

[0070] The variants of the protocols P(max), P(TSE_A), P(SPACE_A), P(TSE_SMS_A) are stored and / or saved in the database and / or the storage unit and can be retrieved directly by the selection logic for executing a magnetic resonance examination in the second method step 101. Furthermore, further variants of protocols P can be derived and generated from the stored variants of the protocol P(TSE_A), P(SPACE_A), P(TSE_SMS_A) using defined rules. Using the example of the Fig. 3, the selection logic can generate a new variant of the protocol P(SPACE_A) from the protocol P(SPACE_A), in which a system or a magnetic resonance device 10 with few recording channels is present and thus only a low resolution can be achieved. The selection logic can generate a new variant of the protocol P(TSE_SMS_A) from the protocol P(TSE_SMS), in which a system or a magnetic resonance device 10 with few recording channels is present and thus only a low resolution can be achieved. The selection logic can generate a new variant of the protocol P(TSE) from the protocol P(TSE_A), in which a system or a magnetic resonance device 10 with few recording channels is present and thus only a low resolution can be achieved.The protocol variant P(TSE) also includes the minimum variant of the protocol P(min), which can be executed on any system and / or magnetic resonance device 10, regardless of hardware configurations and / or license properties.

[0071] The second method step 101 is repeated by the selection logic until a variant of a protocol P of one protocol category has been selected for all n metaprotocols MP. In particular, the selection of a variant of a protocol P of one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol MPi is independent of the selection of a variant of a protocol P of one protocol category of an (i+1)-th metaprotocol MP(i+1).

[0072] In a further, third method step 102, the schedule of the magnetic resonance examination is provided, comprising the n protocols P1...Pn. Fig.4 shows a provided flowchart of the magnetic resonance examination. In the present exemplary embodiment, the flowchart comprises the metaprotocols MP1, MP2, ... MPn, each with a selected variant of a protocol P1, P2, ... Pn. The individual metaprotocols MP1, MP2, ... MPn or the individual protocols P1, P2, ... Pn are shown sequentially with respect to a time axis t, with the time axis t determining the order of the individual metaprotocols MP1, MP2, ... MPn or the individual protocols P1, P2, ... Pn.

[0073] The provision is initially performed by the computing unit 26. Furthermore, it can also be provided that the provided schedule of the magnetic resonance examination is also output to the user via the display unit 24 of the user interface 23. Such output via the display unit 24 is controlled by the computing unit 26.

[0074] In a further, fourth, but optional, method step 103, the provided magnetic resonance examination is executed. Here, the individually selected protocols P1...Pn are executed sequentially, and image data is acquired using the scanner unit.

[0075] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

[1] Method for providing a schedule of a magnetic resonance examination, wherein the schedule comprises n protocols with n≥1, with the following steps: - Selecting an investigation strategy comprising a number of n metaprotocols and a temporal sequence of the n metaprotocols, wherein each of the n metaprotocols comprises a protocol category with several different variants of a protocol of the one protocol category, - Selecting a variant of a protocol of one protocol category of an i-th metaprotocol, where 1≤i≤n, - Repeating the step of selecting the variant of a protocol of the one protocol category of an i-th metaprotocol until i=n, and - Providing the schedule of the magnetic resonance examination including the n protocols, where a selection logic is available that performs a selection of a variant of the protocol of one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol, wherein the i-th metaprotocol comprises a first variant of a protocol of the one protocol category, wherein the first variant of the protocol of the one protocol category is stored in a database, and the selection logic generates and / or creates a second variant of the protocol of the one protocol category by means of a defined rule from the first variant of the protocol of the one protocol category. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by that the selection logic selects a variant of the protocol of the one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol depending on a hardware property of an available hardware for performing the magnetic resonance examination. [3] Method according to claim 2, characterized bythat before selecting a variant of the protocol of one protocol category of an i-th metaprotocol, the hardware property is captured by means of the selection logic. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the selection logic selects a variant of the protocol of one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol depending on license information. [5] Method according to claim 4, characterized by that before selecting a variant of the protocol of one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol, the license information is captured by means of the selection logic. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the i-th metaprotocol comprises two or more different variants of a protocol of one protocol category, wherein the two or more different variants of the protocol of one protocol category are stored in a database. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the two or more different variants of the protocol of the one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol are different with respect to a sequence parameter and / or a sequence property, wherein the selection logic selects a variant of the protocol of the one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol depending on the sequence parameter and / or the sequence property. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one of the n metaprotocols comprises a minimal variant of a protocol of the one protocol category, wherein the minimal variant of the protocol of the one protocol category is available for a selection of a variant of the protocol of the one protocol category. [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat at least one of the n metaprotocols comprises a maximum variant of a protocol of the one protocol category, wherein the maximum variant of the protocol of the one protocol category is available for a selection of a variant of the protocol. [10] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one new variant of a protocol of the one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol is created and / or generated by means of the selection logic and this new variant of the protocol of the one protocol category is stored in a database. [11] Method according to one of claims 1 to 5 and 7, characterized by that the selection of a variant of a protocol of one protocol category of the i-th metaprotocol is independent of a selection of a variant of a protocol of one protocol category of an (i+1)-th metaprotocol. [12] Magnetic resonance apparatus with a scanner unit and a computing unit, wherein the computing unit comprises a selection logic and is designed to carry out a method for providing a schedule of a magnetic resonance examination comprising n protocols according to one of claims 1 to 11. [13] Computer program product comprising a program and being directly loadable into a memory of a programmable computing unit, with program means for executing a method for providing a schedule of a magnetic resonance examination comprising n protocols according to one of claims 1 to 11 when the program is executed in the computing unit. [14] Electronically readable data carrier with electronically readable control information stored thereon, which is designed such that, when the data carrier is used in a control unit, it carries out the method for providing a schedule of a magnetic resonance examination comprising n protocols according to one of claims 1 to 11.

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