Magnetic resonance device with a monitoring user interface and a patient interface

Abstract

The invention relates to a magnetic resonance device comprising a scanner unit, a patient acquisition area at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit, a monitoring user interface by means of which a user monitors and / or controls a magnetic resonance examination, a patient interface arranged within the scanner unit, and a data transmission unit configured for transmitting data between the patient interface and the monitoring user interface, wherein the data transmission unit comprises at least one cable unit, wherein within the scanner unit the at least one cable unit comprises optical fibers.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance device comprising a scanner unit, a patient acquisition area at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit, a monitoring user interface by means of which a user monitors and / or controls a magnetic resonance examination, a patient interface arranged within the scanner unit, and a data transmission unit configured for transmitting data between the patient interface and the monitoring user interface.

[0002] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identities are included.

[0003] During a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, the patient is positioned in the patient reception area of ​​a scanner unit within a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine. The scanner unit is located within an examination room, which is shielded from external radiofrequency radiation. The medical personnel operating the MRI scan, such as a physician, are located in a control room separate from the examination room. Therefore, communication between the patient and the medical personnel during an MRI scan is very limited.Since magnetic resonance examinations can take a considerable amount of time, for example 20 minutes to an hour, an exchange of information between the patient and the medical staff and / or between the patient's environment and the medical staff is useful and desirable.

[0004] In existing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices, for example, information exchange between the patient and medical personnel during an MRI scan occurs via a patient call button. A patient call button has a pressure area that the patient can press in an emergency or if feeling unwell. A signal triggered by pressing the button is transmitted via an air hose connected to the patient call button to a user interface located within the control room for output to the medical personnel.However, such an air hose has the disadvantage that when the patient table is moved, for example when the patient table is moved into the patient admission area or when the patient table is moved out of the patient admission area, damage, such as crushing and / or pinching, of the air hose can occur.

[0005] Another method for information exchange between the patient and medical personnel during a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination is known, for example, from US 2017 O 127 053 A1. In this method, information is displayed on a screen mounted on a wall of the examination room and projected onto a screen within the patient's field of view using a mirror. However, the size of the projected information varies depending on the distance between the mirror and the screen. Furthermore, this arrangement restricts the patient's available space within the examination area, potentially causing anxiety during the MRI.

[0006] The present invention is based in particular on the objective of providing a space-saving and robust technology for information exchange between the patient or the patient's environment and medical operating personnel. This objective is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0007] The invention relates to a magnetic resonance device comprising a scanner unit, a patient acquisition area at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit, a monitoring user interface by means of which a user monitors and / or controls a magnetic resonance examination, a patient interface arranged within the scanner unit, and a data transmission unit configured for transmitting data between the patient interface and the monitoring user interface. It is proposed that the data transmission unit comprise at least one cable unit, wherein, within the scanner unit, the at least one cable unit comprises optical fibers.

[0008] The magnetic resonance device preferably comprises a medical and / or diagnostic magnetic resonance device designed and / or configured for acquiring medical and / or diagnostic image data, in particular medical and / or diagnostic magnetic resonance image data, of a patient. The magnetic resonance device further comprises the scanner unit. The scanner unit preferably comprises a magnet unit for acquiring the medical and / or diagnostic image data. Advantageously, the scanner unit, in particular the magnet unit, comprises a base magnet, a gradient coil unit, and a high-frequency antenna unit. The high-frequency antenna unit is fixedly arranged within the scanner unit and designed and / or configured for emitting an excitation pulse.

[0009] The base magnet is designed to generate a homogeneous base magnetic field with a defined magnetic field strength, such as 3 T or 1.5 T, etc. In particular, the base magnet is designed to generate a strong and constant base magnetic field. The homogeneous base magnetic field is preferably located and / or present within the patient acquisition area of ​​the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device. The gradient coil unit is designed to generate magnetic field gradients used for spatial encoding during imaging.

[0010] The patient reception area is designed and / or configured for receiving the patient, in particular the area of ​​the patient to be examined, for a medical magnetic resonance examination. The patient reception area preferably comprises the area available to the patient during a magnetic resonance examination. For example, the patient reception area is cylindrical in shape and / or cylindrically surrounded by the scanner unit, in particular the magnet unit, of the magnetic resonance device.

[0011] Within the patient acquisition area, a field of view (FoV) and an isocenter of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device are preferably arranged. The FoV preferably comprises a detection area of ​​the MRI device within which the conditions for acquiring medical image data, in particular MRI image data, are present within the patient acquisition area, such as a homogeneous background magnetic field. The isocenter of the MRI device preferably comprises the area and / or point within the MRI device that exhibits the optimal and / or ideal conditions for acquiring medical image data. In particular, the isocenter comprises the most homogeneous magnetic field region within the MRI device.

[0012] During the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, information is exchanged between the medical staff and the patient via the monitoring user interface. The patient remains within the patient reception area, which is the examination room containing the MRI scanner. The medical staff, on the other hand, monitor and control the MRI scan from the examination room, which is shielded from radiofrequency radiation.

[0013] The data transmission unit allows visual information to be transferred from the monitoring user interface to the patient interface and displayed visually for the patient. For this purpose, the patient interface can also include an output unit, particularly a visual output unit. Furthermore, patient information can be captured via the patient interface and transferred to the monitoring user interface, where it can be displayed for the user. For this purpose, the patient interface can also include a capture unit, such as a sensor unit and / or a camera unit, for capturing patient information.

[0014] The monitoring user interface can also include an input unit by which a user can enter information for the patient. Such an input unit can include a microphone and / or a keyboard and / or a computer mouse. The monitoring user interface can also include a processing unit that automatically determines information for output to the patient interface, for example, based on an examination context. Furthermore, the monitoring user interface preferably includes an output unit configured to output patient information acquired via the patient interface. For example, the output unit can include a visual output device, such as a display.The monitoring user interface can also include a control unit for controlling data transmission between the monitoring user interface and the patient interface.

[0015] The data transmission unit is designed to transmit data between the monitoring user interface and the patient interface. Preferably, the data transmission is bidirectional between the monitoring user interface and the patient interface. For this purpose, the data transmission unit has at least one cable unit that includes optical fibers within the scanner unit. Preferably, the data transmission unit has several cable units that include optical fibers within the scanner unit. This ensures that information exchange between the patient interface and the monitoring user interface within the scanner unit occurs exclusively via optical fibers.

[0016] Outside the scanner unit and also outside the examination room, the optical fiber cable unit can comprise various cables. Furthermore, the data transmission unit can also include other data transmission elements outside the scanner unit and / or outside the examination room that would appear useful to a person skilled in the art.

[0017] The invention advantageously enables interference-free information exchange between a patient and medical personnel during a magnetic resonance examination. In particular, it prevents both interference with data transmission by the magnetic unit and interference with the magnetic resonance examination by the data transmission unit and / or the patient interface. Furthermore, cost-effective data exchange within the scanner unit is possible via optical fibers between the monitoring user interface and the patient interface.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, the patient interface may comprise at least two distinct interface units, and the data transmission unit may comprise at least two cable units with optical fibers, each of the at least two interface units being connected to the monitoring user interface via one of the at least two cable units for data transmission. The at least two distinct interface units of the patient interface may include units and / or means that provide and / or output information to the patient, such as an output unit. An output unit may, for example, comprise a display, a projection unit, or a unit for outputting and / or emitting light, etc.Furthermore, the at least two different interface units can also include units and / or means that acquire information from the patient and / or the patient's environment, such as an input unit and / or a acquisition unit. An input unit is preferably configured for the patient to input information, such as a microphone, a button, and / or a push button, etc. A acquisition unit is preferably configured for the automatic acquisition of information during the magnetic resonance examination, such as a camera system, motion sensors, and / or temperature sensors, etc.

[0019] This embodiment of the invention enables a simple method of data transmission between an area within the scanner unit, in particular the patient acquisition area, and an area outside the scanner unit, in particular the control room, for different applications and / or purposes. Furthermore, a simple separation of different data to be transmitted, such as sensor data and / or camera data and / or information to the patient, can be achieved. Additionally, a simple separation between incoming and outgoing data can be achieved using the at least two cable units.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, the data transmission unit may include at least one signal converter unit configured to convert optical signals into electronic signals and / or electronic signals into optical signals. The signal converter unit may comprise optical elements such as optical lenses and / or an optical lens system and / or prisms and / or other elements that may appear useful to a person skilled in the art. The at least one signal converter unit may be configured to couple data and / or signals into the optical fibers of the cable units and / or to couple data and / or signals out of the optical fibers of the cable units. A separate signal converter unit may be provided for different data and / or cable units.This allows for advantageous data exchange between units with different data inputs.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, the data transmission unit may include a common signal converter unit for converting optical signals into electronic signals and electronic signals into optical signals for at least two cable units of the data transmission unit. This allows for a particularly compact and component-saving design of the data transmission unit. In particular, a uniform infrastructure can be used for the data transmission of different data between the patient interface and the monitoring user interface, thus advantageously saving components and costs.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, the patient interface may include an interface unit comprising a camera system for patient monitoring with two or more camera units, wherein a cable unit of the data transmission unit is associated with the camera system. Each of the two or more camera units comprises at least one camera. The individual camera units, in particular the individual cameras, are arranged within the patient acquisition area of ​​the scanner unit. Preferably, the individual camera units, in particular the individual cameras, are arranged on an enclosure surrounding the patient acquisition area. The individual camera units, in particular the individual cameras, can also be integrated into the enclosure surrounding the patient acquisition area, so that a surface planar with the patient acquisition area is present.The cable unit of the data transmission unit assigned to the camera system is connected to the camera system and can only be designed for the transmission of camera data from the camera system.

[0023] This embodiment of the invention enables the patient to be captured from different positions during a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. A larger overall image can be obtained, preferably composed of camera data from two or more camera units. This allows for advantageous monitoring of the patient during the MRI scan by the medical personnel, thereby increasing patient safety. In particular, a critical situation and / or patient discomfort can be detected by the medical personnel during the MRI scan, and countermeasures can be initiated.A critical situation for the patient during a magnetic resonance examination could, for example, be unwanted contact between the patient and an enclosure surrounding the patient acquisition area, or contact between the arms and / or hands and other body parts, etc. A further advantage of this design is that the cable unit allows for simple data transmission within the scanner unit and also effectively prevents interference with the magnetic resonance examination caused by the data transmission.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, the two or more camera units can be arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the patient acquisition area. The longitudinal direction of the patient acquisition area is aligned parallel to the direction in which the patient table moves into the patient acquisition area and / or parallel to a magnetic flux density of the background magnetic field. This configuration also enables the patient to be captured during a magnetic resonance examination from different positions, particularly from different positions in the longitudinal direction of the patient acquisition area. In this way, a larger overall image of the patient, preferably composed of camera data from the two or more camera units, can be determined, thus providing advantageous patient monitoring.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, the camera system may comprise at least three camera units, wherein two adjacent camera units are arranged at a substantially equal longitudinal distance from one another in the patient imaging area. A substantially equal longitudinal distance between two adjacent camera units is understood here to mean, in particular, that the distance between any two adjacent camera units has a maximum deviation of ±10 cm with respect to the distance between any two further adjacent camera units. Preferably, the distance between two adjacent camera units has a maximum deviation of ±5 cm, and particularly advantageously, a maximum deviation of ±3 cm with respect to the distance between any two further adjacent camera units.Preferably, the camera system comprises four camera units, with two adjacent camera units arranged at substantially equal longitudinal distances from each other. In this way, the individual camera units are distributed longitudinally within the patient's field of view, so that an overall image of the patient within the field of view can advantageously be created from the image data of the individual camera units. This allows medical personnel to monitor the patient during a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination, thereby increasing patient safety. In particular, medical personnel can detect a critical situation and / or patient discomfort during the MRI examination and initiate countermeasures.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, each of the two or more camera units may comprise a 3D camera or at least two 2D cameras. The 3D camera may, for example, be a depth camera or a time-of-flight (TOF) camera, etc. The at least two 2D cameras preferably comprise an RGB camera and / or an infrared camera and / or other 2D cameras that would be considered useful by those skilled in the art. This advantageously allows 3D image data to be provided for patient monitoring, enabling medical personnel supervising the magnetic resonance examination to recognize the patient's facial expressions during the examination and thus also the patient's emotional state. The 3D image data can be acquired directly using the 3D camera or derived from the 2D image data.

[0027] Preferably, the individual cameras, in particular the 3D cameras or the 2D cameras, are arranged in a shielded housing within the scanner unit, in particular within the patient recording area, so that unwanted interaction between the cameras and the scanner unit can be advantageously prevented.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, the at least two 2D cameras of each camera unit can be arranged circumferentially distributed around the patient recording area on an enclosure surrounding the patient recording area, wherein the at least two 2D cameras of each camera unit have the same position longitudinally around the patient recording area. The circumferential direction runs and / or extends parallel to a circular base of the cylindrical enclosure of the patient recording area around the cylindrical patient recording area on the enclosure.Preferably, each of the two or more camera units has a defined position in the longitudinal direction of the patient recording area on the housing surrounding the patient recording area, with the individual 2D cameras of the respective camera unit also having this defined position in the longitudinal direction of the patient recording area. In this way, a three-dimensional image of the patient can be created at each position of a camera unit, the three-dimensional image of the patient being formed from the individual 2D images of the at least two 2D cameras of the respective camera unit. Preferably, three-dimensional images can be calculated using the intercept theorem. In particular, this allows for a particularly cost-effective acquisition of monitoring data of the patient and / or the patient recording area using the 2D cameras.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, each of the two or more camera units may comprise three 2D cameras, wherein the three 2D cameras of each camera unit are arranged circumferentially around the patient recording area on an enclosure surrounding the patient recording area and are positioned identically in the longitudinal direction of the patient recording area. In this way, a 2D image can be acquired from different directions, and a 3D image can be derived from the different 2D images of a single camera unit. This enables complete capture of the patient within the patient recording area, so that even critical patient situations, such as unwanted contact of the patient with an enclosure surrounding the patient recording area or contact of the arms and / or hands with other body parts, etc., can be detected.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance imaging device according to the invention, the first 2D camera can be arranged centrally at the top of the housing surrounding the patient imaging area, and a second 2D camera and a third 2D camera are each arranged on opposite sides of the housing surrounding the patient imaging area. The first 2D camera is positioned essentially at the highest point of the patient imaging area on the housing surrounding the patient imaging area. During a magnetic resonance examination, the two sides where the second and third 2D cameras are arranged are positioned laterally to a patient located within the patient imaging area.By arranging the second and third 2D cameras on opposite sides of the enclosure surrounding the patient recording area, the patient can be captured from both sides by a 2D camera.

[0031] In particular, this embodiment of the invention allows for the complete capture of an area of ​​the patient located within the patient acquisition zone. This enables, for example, live tracking of the patient by medical personnel at the monitoring user interface. Furthermore, compliance with SAR limits can be continuously monitored. The camera data can also be used to monitor patient movement during the magnetic resonance examination, verify the patient's position, and / or detect the presence of a local high-frequency coil, etc.

[0032] In an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, the second and third 2D cameras can be positioned at the same height on the housing surrounding the patient imaging area and arranged at a substantially maximum distance from each other on the housing surrounding the patient imaging area. In particular, the second and third 2D cameras are arranged at the same height relative to a support surface for the patient's storage and / or positioning. Preferably, the second and third 2D cameras are arranged on the housing surrounding the patient imaging area such that they are each located laterally next to the patient at approximately half the height of the patient imaging area.This means that the second 2D camera and the third 2D camera are arranged in a horizontal direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the patient recording area, in the widest area of ​​the patient recording area, so that the second 2D camera and the third 2D camera are arranged with a maximum distance between each other at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the patient recording area on the housing surrounding the patient recording area.

[0033] This also allows for the complete capture of the patient's entire area within the patient acquisition zone. This enables, for example, live patient tracking for medical personnel at the monitoring user interface. Furthermore, compliance with SAR limits can be continuously monitored. The camera data can also be used to monitor patient movement during the MRI scan, verify the patient's position, and / or detect the presence of a local high-frequency coil, etc.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the magnetic resonance device has a computing unit, wherein the computing unit is configured to: - to determine a three-dimensional image from two-dimensional images of the 2D cameras of a camera unit, and / or - to determine a three-dimensional overall image and / or a patient model from three-dimensional images from at least two camera units.

[0035] The processing unit is located outside the scanner unit. Preferably, the processing unit is also located outside the examination room. The processing unit can preferably be located within the control room. The processing unit can be integrated into the monitoring user interface, which prepares the captured camera data for output to the monitoring user interface.

[0036] The computing unit comprises at least one arithmetic module and / or a processor. Specifically, the computing unit is designed to execute computer-readable instructions. It may also include a storage unit, on which computer-readable information is stored. The computing unit is designed to load this computer-readable information from the storage unit and execute it. The components of the computing unit can be predominantly implemented as software components. However, these components can also be partially implemented as software-supported hardware components, such as FPGAs or similar devices, particularly when extremely fast calculations are required.Similarly, the necessary interfaces, for example, when it is only a matter of transferring data from other software components, can be implemented as software interfaces. However, they can also be implemented as hardware-based interfaces controlled by suitable software. Of course, it is also conceivable that several of the aforementioned components are combined into a single software component or a software-supported hardware component.

[0037] Preferably, the computing unit for determining three-dimensional images includes an algorithm that comprises, for example, a RANSAC algorithm (RANdom SAmple Consensus algorithm) and / or an ICP algorithm (Iterative Closest Point algorithm).

[0038] This allows 3D image data of the patient to be provided during the magnetic resonance examination, enabling, for example, live position tracking of the patient for medical personnel at the monitoring user interface. Furthermore, it also allows monitoring of whether the patient correctly follows instructions given during the magnetic resonance examination.

[0039] In an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, the individual 3D cameras or the 2D cameras of the respective camera unit can be configured to have a fixed field of view, with the fields of view of directly adjacent camera units at least partially overlapping. Preferably, the fields of view of the individual cameras, in particular the individual 3D cameras or the individual 2D cameras, are of the same size. In this way, an entire area within the patient imaging area can be advantageously captured without interruption by the camera system. A further advantage of this embodiment is that complete position monitoring of the patient within the patient imaging area is possible.

[0040] In an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, the patient interface may comprise an interface unit with at least one illumination element, wherein a cable unit of the data transmission unit is associated with the at least one illumination element. The at least one illumination element is preferably configured to illuminate the patient acquisition area during a magnetic resonance examination. For this purpose, the at least one illumination element is configured as a passive illumination element, designed exclusively for emitting light, with coupling and / or transmission of light signals to the at least one passive illumination element taking place via the cable unit with the optical fibers. The at least one illumination element, in particular the at least one passive illumination element, is arranged on the housing surrounding the patient acquisition area.

[0041] The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, in particular a lighting unit of the MRI device, can also include at least one further lighting element. This at least one further lighting element preferably comprises an active lighting element, in particular a light-generating lighting element. Such light-generating lighting elements, however, are arranged outside the patient acquisition area and / or outside the scanner unit. Light signals are transmitted to the patient acquisition area via the cable unit, in particular the optical fibers, and this area is illuminated by the passive lighting elements. The cable unit of the data transmission unit associated with the lighting unit can be designed exclusively for transmitting light signals from the lighting unit.

[0042] This embodiment of the invention has the advantage that the patient recording area can be illuminated particularly easily. Furthermore, it also facilitates patient monitoring, especially by means of the camera system, since illuminating the patient recording area makes it particularly easy to recognize the patient's contours and / or emotions and / or facial expressions in the camera data.

[0043] The lighting unit is preferably controlled by a control unit of the monitoring user interface, allowing medical personnel to control the lighting and / or illumination of the patient admission area from the control room via the monitoring user interface. In particular, the illumination of the patient admission area can also be adjusted to the patient's emotional state and / or specific situations in the examination workflow.

[0044] In an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, the patient interface may include an interface unit with a visual output unit for displaying information to the patient, wherein a cable unit of the data transmission unit is associated with the visual output unit. The cable unit of the data transmission unit associated with the visual output unit may be configured exclusively for transmitting output data from the visual output unit. The visual output unit preferably comprises a visual output element that is arranged within the patient acquisition area during a magnetic resonance examination. The visual output element may be arranged on the housing surrounding the patient acquisition area.Alternatively, the patient table can include a bracket at the head end, on which the visual output element can be mounted. This allows the visual output element to move with the patient as the table and thus the patient moves, ensuring it remains within the patient's field of vision. The visual output element can include a display. It can also be a passive display, thus advantageously preventing interaction with the scanner unit during the magnetic resonance examination. In a further embodiment, the visual output element can also include a projection surface. The visual output element allows medical personnel to transmit information and / or instructions to the patient during the magnetic resonance examination.

[0045] In an advantageous embodiment of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, the visual output unit may comprise a projection unit with a projection surface and an optical projection element. The projection surface may be a mirror or a defined projection area, such as the housing surrounding the patient acquisition area, etc. The optical projection element may, for example, comprise a lens and / or a lens system and / or a prism, etc. In this way, the introduction of information, in particular the overlaying of information, into the patient acquisition area during the magnetic resonance examination can be achieved by means of purely optical data transmission. Consequently, unwanted interaction with the magnetic unit can also be advantageously prevented.

[0046] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiment described below and from the drawings.

[0047] They show: Fig. 1 a magnetic resonance device according to the invention with a monitoring user interface and a patient interface in a schematic representation, Fig. 2 a patient acquisition area of ​​the magnetic resonance device with a first interface unit of the patient interface, Fig. 3 the patient admission area with the first interface unit in a sectional view, and Fig. 4 the patient acquisition area of ​​the magnetic resonance device with a second interface unit of the patient interface.

[0048] In the Fig. Figure 1 schematically depicts a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device 10. The MRI device 10 comprises a scanner unit designed as a magnetic unit 11. The scanner unit, in particular the magnetic unit 11, includes a base magnet 12, a gradient coil unit 13, and a high-frequency antenna unit 14. The MRI device 10 also has a patient acquisition area 15 for acquiring a patient 16 for a magnetic resonance examination. In the present embodiment, the patient acquisition area 15 is cylindrical and is surrounded in a cylindrical shape by the magnetic unit 11 in one circumferential direction. However, a different configuration of the patient acquisition area 15 is conceivable. The scanner unit, in particular the magnetic unit 11, also has an enclosure 17 surrounding the patient acquisition area 15, in particular a cylindrical enclosure 17.

[0049] For positioning the patient 16, in particular a region of the patient 16 to be examined, within the patient acquisition area 15, the magnetic resonance imaging device 10 has a patient positioning device 18. The patient positioning device 18 has a base unit 19 and a patient table 20 that is movable relative to the base unit 19. The patient table 20 is designed to be movable within the patient acquisition area 15 for positioning the patient 16, in particular the region of the patient 16 to be examined. In particular, the patient table 20 is mounted to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the patient acquisition area 15 and / or in the z-direction.

[0050] The base magnet 12 of the magnet unit 11 is configured to generate a strong and, in particular, constant base magnetic field 21. The base magnet 12 can be, for example, a superconducting base magnet 12 or a permanent magnet. The gradient coil unit 13 of the magnet unit 11 is configured to generate magnetic field gradients used for spatial encoding during imaging. The gradient coil unit 13 is controlled by a gradient control unit 22 of the magnetic resonance device 10. The high-frequency antenna unit 14 of the magnet unit 11 is configured to excite a polarization that arises in the base magnetic field 21 generated by the base magnet 12.The high-frequency antenna unit 14 is controlled by a high-frequency antenna control unit 23 of the magnetic resonance device 10 and transmits high-frequency magnetic resonance sequences into the patient acquisition area 15 of the magnetic resonance device 10.

[0051] The magnetic resonance device 10 includes a system control unit 24 for controlling the base magnet 12, the gradient control unit 22, and the high-frequency antenna control unit 23. The system control unit 24 centrally controls the magnetic resonance device 10, for example, by performing a predetermined imaging gradient echo sequence. The system control unit 24 also includes an evaluation unit (not shown) for evaluating medical image data acquired during the magnetic resonance examination.

[0052] Furthermore, the magnetic resonance device 10 includes a user interface 25, which is connected to the system control unit 24. Control information, such as imaging parameters, as well as reconstructed magnetic resonance images, can be displayed on a display unit 26, for example, on at least one monitor and / or a display, of the user interface 25 for medical personnel. The user interface 25 also includes an input unit 27, by means of which information and / or parameters can be entered by medical personnel during a measurement procedure.

[0053] The scanner unit of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device 10 is located together with the patient positioning device 15 within an examination room 28. The system control unit 24, on the other hand, is located together with the user interface within a control room 29. The control room 29 is separate from the examination room 28. In particular, the examination room 28 is shielded from radiofrequency radiation from the control room 29. During a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination, the patient 16 is located within the examination room 28, while the medical personnel are located within the control room 29 to monitor and control the MRI examination.

[0054] For information exchange between the medical operating personnel and the patient 16 during the magnetic resonance examination, the magnetic resonance device 10 has a monitoring user interface 30 and a patient interface 31. The monitoring user interface 30 is located within the control room 29. The monitoring user interface 30 is designed for monitoring and / or controlling the patient 16 during the magnetic resonance examination. For this purpose, the monitoring user interface 30 has an input unit 32 and an output unit 33. The input unit 32 has at least one input element, preferably several input elements, such as a microphone and / or a keyboard and / or a computer mouse, etc. The output unit 33 has at least one output element, such as a monitor.

[0055] Patient interface 31, on the other hand, is located within examination room 28. Patient interface 31 is located within patient admission area 15.

[0056] For data transmission between the monitoring user interface 30 and the patient interface 31, the magnetic resonance device 10 has a data transmission unit 34. The data transmission unit 34 has at least one cable unit 35, 36, 37, wherein the at least one cable unit 35, 36, 37 within the scanner unit, in particular the magnet unit 11, comprises optical fibers 38 for data transmission between the monitoring user interface 30 and the patient interface 31. Data transmission between the monitoring user interface 30 and the patient interface 31 within the magnet unit 11 takes place exclusively via optical fibers 38 in order to avoid unwanted interaction with the magnet unit 11.

[0057] The patient interface 31 has at least two interface units 39, 40, 41, and the data transmission unit 34 also comprises at least two cable units 35, 36, 37, each with optical fibers 38. In the present embodiment, the patient interface 31 comprises three different interface units 39, 40, 41, and the data transmission unit comprises three cable units 35, 36, 37, each with optical fibers 38. Each of the three interface units 39, 40, 41 is connected to one of the three cable units 35, 36, 37 for data transmission to the monitoring user interface 30.

[0058] The data transmission unit 34 also includes a signal converter unit 42, which is configured to convert optical signals into electronic signals and / or electronic signals into optical signals. In the present embodiment, the data transmission unit 34 has a single signal converter unit 42 for all cable units 35, 37 of the data transmission unit 34, provided that signal conversion is required for the data and / or signals to be transmitted. Alternatively, the data transmission unit can have a separate signal converter unit 42 for each of the cable units 35, 37.

[0059] A first interface unit 39 of the patient interface 30 is in the Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 is shown in more detail. The first interface unit 39 comprises a camera system 43 for patient monitoring, wherein the first interface unit 39 is connected to the camera system 43 via a first cable unit 35 of the data transmission unit 34 for data transmission from the patient interface 31, in particular the camera system 43, to the monitoring user interface 30. The camera system 43 comprises two or more camera units 44, 45, 46, 47. In the present embodiment, the camera system 43 comprises four camera units 44, 45, 46, 47. The four camera units 44, 45, 46, 47 are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction 48 of the patient recording area 15. Two adjacent camera units 44, 45, 46, 47 are arranged at a substantially equal distance n from each other in the longitudinal direction 48 of the patient recording area 25.The second camera unit 45 is arranged at a distance n from the first camera unit 44. The third camera unit 46 is arranged at a distance n from the second camera unit 45 and at a distance of 2n from the first camera unit 44. The fourth camera unit 47 is arranged at a distance n from the third camera unit 46, at a distance of 2n from the second camera unit 45, and at a distance of 3n from the first camera unit 44. Fig. 2).

[0060] The four camera units 44, 45, 46, 47 are essentially identical in construction. Each of the four camera units 44, 45, 46, 47 has at least two 2D cameras 49, 50, 51; in the present embodiment, each has three 2D cameras 49, 50, 51. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) Alternatively, each of the four camera units 44, 45, 46, 47 can also include a 3D camera unit.

[0061] Each of the four camera units 44, 45, 46, 47 has a defined position in the longitudinal direction 48 of the patient recording area 25. Therefore, all 2D cameras 49, 50, 51 of each camera unit 44, 45, 46, 47 have the defined position of the respective camera unit 44, 45, 46, 47 in the longitudinal direction 48 of the patient recording area 15 ( Fig. 2) The three 2D cameras 49, 50, 51, each belonging to a camera unit 44, 45, 46, 47, are also arranged in a circumferential direction 52 around the patient recording area 15 within the enclosure 17 surrounding the patient recording area 15 ( Fig. 3). In Fig. Figure 3 shows the circumferential arrangement of the individual 2D cameras 49, 50, 51, using the first camera unit 44 as an example. The arrangement of the individual 2D cameras 49, 50, 51 for the further camera units 45, 46, 47 is analogous to that of the first camera unit 44. In the present embodiment, the housing 17 surrounding the patient acquisition area 15 has recesses 53 in which one 2D camera 49, 50, 52 (one of the four camera units 44, 45, 46, 47) is arranged. Alternatively, the individual 2D cameras 49, 50, 51 can also be arranged on an inner wall of the housing 17 surrounding the patient acquisition area 15.

[0062] The arrangement of the individual 2D cameras 49, 50, 51 relative to each other is the same for each of the four camera units 44, 45, 46, 47. A first 2D camera 49 of the individual camera units 44, 45, 46, 47 is arranged centrally at the top of the housing 17 surrounding the patient acquisition area 15. A second 2D camera 50 and a third 2D camera 51 of the individual camera units 44, 45, 46, 47 are each arranged on a side section 54, 55 of the housing 17 surrounding the patient acquisition area 15. The second 2D camera 50 is arranged on a first side section 54, and the third 2D camera 51 is arranged on a second side section 55 opposite the first side section 54 of the housing 17 surrounding the patient acquisition area 15. The second 2D camera 50 and the third 2D camera 51 are also arranged on the opposite side areas 54, 55 at the same height 56, in particular at the same height with respect to a storage surface of the patient table 20.Furthermore, the two 2D cameras 50, 51, in particular the second 2D camera 50 and the third 2D camera 51, are arranged at a substantially maximum distance from each other on the housing 17 surrounding the patient acquisition area 15. The two 2D cameras 50, 51, in particular the second 2D camera 50 and the third 2D camera 51, are arranged at approximately half the height 56 ​​of the patient acquisition area 15 on the housing 17 surrounding the patient acquisition area 15. Fig. 3).

[0063] The individual cameras, in particular the individual 2D cameras 49, 50, 51 of the four camera units 44, 45, 46, 47, have a fixed position and / or a fixed field of view 57. Preferably, all 2D cameras 49, 50, 51 of the four camera units 44, 45, 46, 47 have an equally sized field of view 57, wherein the fields of view of directly adjacent 2D cameras 49, 50, 51 partially overlap ( Fig. 2 and Fig. 3).

[0064] The magnetic resonance device 10 also has a computing unit 58 which determines a 3D image from individual images, in particular from the two-dimensional individual images, of the individual 2D cameras 49, 50, 51 of each camera unit 44, 45, 46, 47 ( Fig. 1) Furthermore, the processing unit 58 is configured to create a composite image of the area of ​​the patient 16 located within the patient acquisition area 15 from the individual images, in particular the individual 3D images, of the individual camera units 44, 45, 46, 47 and / or from the 2D images of the individual 2D cameras 49, 50, 51. The processing unit 58 is also configured to create a patient model based on the information acquired by the individual 2D cameras 49, 50, 51. For this purpose, the processing unit includes the necessary image reconstruction software. Preferably, the processing unit 58 includes an algorithm for generating three-dimensional images, which, for example, comprises a RANSAC algorithm and / or an ICP algorithm. The processing unit 58 is arranged outside the scanner unit, in particular the magnet unit 11. The processing unit 58 can be located within the control room 29.

[0065] The 3D images and / or patient models generated by the processing unit 58 are forwarded to the monitoring user interface 30 and displayed there to the medical operator at the output unit 33 of the monitoring user interface 30. This provides the medical operator with live tracking of the patient 16 during the magnetic resonance examination. In particular, unauthorized positions of the patient 16, such as looping of the arms, can be detected by the medical operator during the magnetic resonance examination, and countermeasures can be initiated if necessary.

[0066] A second interface unit 40 of the patient interface 31 comprises at least one lighting element 59, wherein the second interface unit 40, in particular the at least one lighting element 59, is connected to a second cable unit 36 ​​of the data transmission unit 34 ( Fig. 1) In the present embodiment, the second patient interface 40 has two lighting elements 59. In an alternative embodiment, the second interface unit 40 can also comprise only a single lighting element 59 or more than two lighting elements 59.

[0067] The two lighting elements 59 are each designed as passive lighting elements 59, which are only designed to emit light. In the present embodiment, the passive lighting elements 59 are arranged on the enclosure 17 surrounding the patient admission area 15. Specifically, the passive lighting elements 59 are arranged on an inner wall of the enclosure 17 surrounding the patient admission area 15. In the present embodiment, the passive lighting elements 59 are arranged in an area next to the patient table 20 within the patient admission area 15. Fig. 1 and Fig. 3) to prevent glare for the patient 16. A passive lighting element 59 of the second interface unit 40 is arranged on both sides of the patient table 30 ( Fig. 3) In an alternative embodiment, the passive lighting elements 59 can also be arranged at other positions on the enclosure 17 surrounding the patient admission area.

[0068] The magnetic resonance device 10 also has a further illumination element 61, which includes an active illumination element 61 ( Fig. 1) The active lighting element 61 comprises a light-generating lighting element 61, which is arranged outside the patient reception area 15. Light is transmitted between the active, in particular the light-generating, lighting element 61 and the passive, in particular the light-emitting, lighting element 59 by means of the optical fibers 38 of the second cable unit 36.

[0069] The lighting elements 59, 61 are preferably controlled by means of a control unit of the monitoring user interface 30 (not shown in detail), so that the medical operating personnel can control the lighting and / or illumination of the patient admission area 15 from the control room 29 using the monitoring user interface 30.

[0070] A third interface unit 41 of the patient interface 31 comprises a visual output unit 62, wherein the third interface unit 41, in particular the visual output unit 62, is connected to a third cable unit 37 of the data transmission unit 34 ( Fig. 4) The visual output unit 62 is designed to output information to patient 16. For the sake of clarity, in Fig.Figure 4 of the patient acquisition area 15 is shown only with the third interface unit 41 of the patient interface 31, although the patient interface 31 comprises the three interface units 39, 40, 41. The visual output unit 62 comprises a projection unit 63 with a projection surface 64 and an optical projection element 65. In the present embodiment, the projection surface 64 comprises a mirror which is arranged on the housing 17 surrounding the patient acquisition area 15. The projection surface 64, in particular the mirror, is arranged centrally at the top of the housing 17 surrounding the patient acquisition area 15, so that the projection surface 64, in particular the mirror, is located within the patient's field of vision 16 during the magnetic resonance examination.

[0071] The optical projection element 65 preferably comprises a lens and / or a lens system and / or a prism. The optical projection element 65 couples to the optical fibers 38 of the third cable unit 37, whereby output information is transmitted to the patient 16 via the optical fibers 38 of the third cable unit 37 into the optical projection element 65 and from there is projected onto the projection surface 64.

[0072] The information provided to patient 16 can be supplied by the medical staff to, for example, inform or prepare patient 16 for a specific examination procedure. Furthermore, the medical staff can use this information to reassure patient 16 during the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. The information may include, for example, the remaining examination time. It may also include instructions for patient 16, such as breathing instructions for specific examination steps or positioning instructions to, for example, prevent contact between patient 16 and the enclosure 17 surrounding the patient reception area 15.

[0073] The illustrated magnetic resonance device 10 can, of course, include further components that magnetic resonance devices 10 usually have. A general operating principle of a magnetic resonance device 10 is also known to those skilled in the art, so a detailed description of the further components is omitted.

[0074] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived by the person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of protection of the invention. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2017 0 127 053 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Magnetic resonance device comprising a scanner unit, a patient acquisition area at least partially surrounded by the scanner unit, a monitoring user interface by means of which a user monitors and / or controls a magnetic resonance examination, a patient interface located within the scanner unit, and a data transmission unit configured to transmit data between the patient interface and the monitoring user interface, characterized by that the data transmission unit comprises at least one cable unit, wherein within the scanner unit the at least one cable unit comprises optical fibers. [2] Magnetic resonance device according to claim 1, characterized bythat the patient interface comprises at least two different interface units and the data transmission unit comprises at least two cable units with optical fibers, each of the at least two interface units being connected to the monitoring user interface via one of the at least two cable units for data transmission. [3] Magnetic resonance device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the data transmission unit has at least one signal converter unit designed to convert optical signals into electronic signals and / or electronic signals into optical signals. [4] Magnetic resonance device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the data transmission unit has a common signal converter unit for converting optical signals into electronic signals and electronic signals into optical signals for at least two cable units of the data transmission unit. [5] Magnetic resonance device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the patient interface has an interface unit comprising a camera system for patient monitoring with two or more camera units, wherein a cable unit of the data transmission unit is associated with the camera system. [6] Magnetic resonance device according to claim 5, characterized by that the two or more camera units are arranged at intervals between each other in the longitudinal direction of the patient recording area. [7] Magnetic resonance device according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized bythat the camera system comprises at least three camera units, wherein two adjacent camera units are arranged at a substantially equal distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the patient recording area. [8] Magnetic resonance device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized by that each of the two or more camera units includes one 3D camera or at least two 2D cameras. [9] Magnetic resonance device according to claim 8, characterized by , that the at least two 2D cameras of each camera unit are arranged in a circumferential direction around the patient recording area on an enclosure surrounding the patient recording area, wherein the at least two 2D cameras of each camera unit have the same position in the longitudinal direction of the patient recording area. [10] Magnetic resonance device according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterized bythat each of the two or more camera units comprises three 2D cameras, wherein the three 2D cameras of each camera unit are arranged in a circumferential direction around the patient recording area on an enclosure surrounding the patient recording area and have the same position in the longitudinal direction of the patient recording area. [11] Magnetic resonance device according to claim 10, characterized by , that a first 2D camera is arranged centrally at the top of the enclosure surrounding the patient recording area, and a second 2D camera and a third 2D camera are each arranged on a side area of ​​the enclosure surrounding the patient recording area, wherein the second 2D camera and the third 2D camera are arranged on opposite side areas. [12] Magnetic resonance device according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized bythat the second 2D camera and the third 2D camera are positioned at the same height on the enclosure surrounding the patient recording area and are arranged at a substantially maximum distance from each other on the enclosure surrounding the patient recording area. [13] Magnetic resonance device according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized by a computing unit, wherein the computing unit is designed to: - to determine a three-dimensional image from two-dimensional images of the 2D cameras of a camera unit, and / or - to determine a three-dimensional overall image and / or a patient model from three-dimensional images from at least two camera units. [14] Magnetic resonance device according to any one of claims 8 to 13 characterized bythat the individual 3D cameras or the 2D cameras of the respective camera unit comprise a fixed field of view, whereby the fields of view of directly adjacent camera units overlap at least partially. [15] Magnetic resonance device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the patient interface comprises an interface unit with at least one lighting element, wherein a cable unit of the data transmission unit is assigned to the at least one lighting element. [16] Magnetic resonance device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the patient interface has an interface unit with a visual output unit for the output of information to the patient, wherein a cable unit of the data transmission unit is associated with the visual output unit. [17] Magnetic resonance device according to claim 16, characterized by, that the visual output unit comprises a projection unit with a projection surface and an optical projection element.

Images