Magnetic resonance device with a lighting unit

Abstract

Magnetic resonance device with a magnetic unit comprising a high-frequency antenna unit and a gradient unit, a patient acquisition area at least partially surrounded by the magnetic unit, and a lighting unit configured to illuminate the patient acquisition area, wherein the lighting unit comprises a light emission unit, an electronic unit, and a cooling unit, characterized in that the light emission unit is arranged within the patient acquisition area and the electronic unit, together with the cooling unit, is arranged outside an area covered by the high-frequency antenna unit and / or outside an area covered by the gradient unit.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance apparatus comprising a magnet unit having a radio-frequency antenna unit and a gradient coil unit, a patient receiving area at least partially surrounded by the magnet unit, and an illumination unit configured to illuminate the patient receiving area, wherein the illumination unit comprises a light emitting unit, an electronics unit, and a cooling unit.

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

[0003] Magnetic resonance imaging examinations on a patient can take a very long time, for example, up to an hour or more. During this time, the patient is located in the patient admission area of ​​the magnetic resonance imaging device and must lie as still as possible. To make the patient's stay in the patient admission area as comfortable as possible, it is important to illuminate the patient admission area during the magnetic resonance imaging examination.

[0004] During a magnetic resonance examination, gradient fields are switched and radiofrequency pulses are radiated within the patient receiving area. However, this can lead to undesirable interactions between the illumination unit, particularly electronic components of the illumination unit, and a magnet unit, particularly a radiofrequency antenna unit and / or a gradient unit of the magnet unit, of the magnetic resonance device. Such interaction can both impair the magnetic resonance examination and lead to damage to the electronic components.

[0005] For example, particular care must be taken to prevent unwanted interaction between the illumination unit and the radio-frequency antenna unit and / or the gradient unit of the magnetic resonance device. For example, illumination units for illuminating the patient imaging area are known to date, which provide for adaptation, in particular a geometric adaptation, of the radio-frequency antenna unit to prevent unwanted interaction. Furthermore, it is known to adapt the electronic components of the illumination unit to an application within a patient imaging area of ​​a magnetic resonance device.

[0006] The present invention is based, in particular, on the object of providing a magnetic resonance device with an illumination unit in which undesired interaction with the magnet unit is prevented. This object is achieved by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

[0007] The invention is based on a magnetic resonance device comprising a magnet unit having a radio-frequency antenna unit and a gradient unit, a patient receiving area at least partially surrounded by the magnet unit, and an illumination unit configured to illuminate the patient receiving area. The illumination unit comprises a light-emitting unit, an electronics unit, and a cooling unit. According to the invention, the light-emitting unit is arranged within the patient receiving area, and the electronics unit, together with the cooling unit, is arranged outside an area covered by the radio-frequency antenna unit and / or outside an area covered by the gradient unit.

[0008] 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, in particular medical and / or diagnostic magnetic resonance image data, of a patient. For this purpose, the magnetic resonance device comprises the magnet unit for acquiring the medical and / or diagnostic image data. The magnet unit preferably comprises a base magnet, a gradient unit, and a radio-frequency antenna unit. The radio-frequency antenna unit is fixedly arranged within the magnet unit and is designed and / or configured to emit excitation pulses, in particular radio-frequency pulses.

[0009] The base magnet is designed to generate a homogeneous base magnetic field with a defined magnetic field strength, such as a magnetic field strength of 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 arranged and / or located within the patient receiving area of ​​the magnetic resonance device. The gradient unit is designed to generate magnetic field gradients that are used for spatial encoding during imaging.

[0010] The patient receiving area is designed and / or configured to receive the patient, in particular the area of ​​the patient to be examined, for a medical magnetic resonance examination. The patient receiving area preferably comprises the area available to the patient during a magnetic resonance examination. For example, the patient receiving area is cylindrical and / or surrounded in a cylindrical manner by the magnet unit of the magnetic resonance device. The magnet unit preferably comprises a housing that at least partially surrounds the patient receiving area. The housing preferably surrounds the patient receiving area in a cylindrical shape. The housing can be formed integrally with the radio-frequency antenna unit of the magnet unit and comprise a side of the radio-frequency antenna unit facing the patient receiving area.In addition, the housing can also be designed separately from the high-frequency antenna unit.

[0011] The radio-frequency antenna unit is preferably cylindrical. Thus, the area covered by the radio-frequency antenna unit extends into the cylindrical area surrounded by the radio-frequency antenna unit. Furthermore, the gradient unit is also preferably cylindrical. Thus, the area covered by the gradient unit extends into the cylindrical area surrounded by the gradient unit.

[0012] 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 the conditions for acquiring medical image data, in particular magnetic resonance image data, are present within the patient acquisition area, such as a homogeneous basic magnetic field. The isocenter of the magnetic resonance device preferably comprises the area and / or point within the magnetic resonance device that has the optimal and / or ideal conditions for acquiring medical image data. In particular, the isocenter comprises the most homogeneous magnetic field area within the magnetic resonance device.

[0013] For positioning the patient, in particular the area of ​​the patient to be examined, within the patient receiving area, the magnetic resonance device comprises the patient support device. The patient support device is designed to support the patient. The patient support device preferably comprises a movable patient table, which is designed to be movable, in particular, within the patient receiving area of ​​the magnetic resonance device. Preferably, the patient table is designed to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the patient receiving area within the patient receiving area.

[0014] For illuminating the patient receiving area, particularly during a magnetic resonance examination on a patient, the magnetic resonance device comprises the illumination unit. The illumination unit comprises the light emitting unit, which is arranged within the patient receiving area and is configured to emit light. The light emitting unit extends along the longitudinal extent of the patient receiving area within the patient receiving area. In particular, the light emitting unit is arranged at a lateral edge region of the patient receiving area on the housing surrounding the patient receiving area.Preferably, the light emitting unit is arranged within the patient receiving area in such a way that the light emitting unit is arranged next to the patient table during a magnetic resonance examination, in particular when the patient table is located within the patient receiving area, and thus does not restrict the space available to the patient.

[0015] The lighting unit also includes the electronics unit and the cooling unit, wherein the electronics unit and the cooling unit are arranged outside a region covered by the radio-frequency antenna unit and / or outside a region covered by the gradient unit. In particular, the electronics unit and the cooling unit are arranged on a front side and / or a rear side of the lighting unit. The cooling unit is designed, in particular, to cool the electronics unit.

[0016] The invention has the advantage that unwanted interaction of the electronics unit and the cooling unit with the magnetic unit, in particular the high-frequency antenna unit and / or the gradient unit, is prevented. In particular, the electronics unit and the cooling unit are arranged outside the sphere of influence of the high-frequency antenna unit and / or the gradient unit. In this way, wear on parts and / or components of the electronics unit and / or the cooling unit can be advantageously reduced, thus saving costs for servicing and / or maintenance.

[0017] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the lighting unit comprises at least one cover unit which is arranged on a side of the light emitting unit facing in the longitudinal direction of the patient receiving area, wherein the at least one cover unit is arranged outside the area covered by the radio-frequency antenna unit and / or outside the area covered by the gradient unit and the electronics unit and / or the cooling unit are arranged on the at least one cover unit.

[0018] The longitudinal direction of the patient receiving area extends through the patient receiving area in the direction of travel of the patient table. The longitudinal direction of the patient receiving area is preferably parallel to a constant basic magnetic field of a base magnet of the magnet unit. The side of the light emitting unit facing in the longitudinal direction of the patient receiving area is preferably located on a front or rear side of the magnet unit and / or the patient receiving area.

[0019] The cover unit is designed to protect the light-emitting unit. Preferably, the cover unit is designed to cover a light coupling point of the light-emitting unit, at which light is coupled into the light-emitting unit. Arranging the electronics unit and / or the cooling unit on the cover unit enables a particularly compact design of the lighting unit, wherein the electronics unit and / or the cooling unit is arranged outside the area covered by the radio-frequency antenna unit and / or the gradient unit. In particular, this makes it possible to dispense with an additional fastening structure for fastening and / or arranging the electronics unit and / or the cooling unit, and to use an already required unit, in particular the cover unit.In addition, wear of components of the cooling unit and / or the electronics unit can also be reduced by reducing and / or preventing interaction with the radio frequency antenna unit and / or the gradient unit.

[0020] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the electronics unit is arranged within a region, wherein this region is surrounded by the cover unit and at least one side of the light-emitting unit. This can provide a particularly protected area for arranging the electronics unit. In particular, the electronics unit can be advantageously protected from contamination and / or damage.

[0021] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the cooling unit comprises a plurality of cooling elements arranged on a side of the cover unit facing away from the light-emitting unit. In particular, the electronics unit and the cooling unit are arranged on different sides of the cover unit. The plurality of cooling elements preferably comprise two or more cooling elements. The cooling unit preferably has at least 10 cooling elements. The cooling unit preferably has at least 20 cooling elements. The cooling unit preferably has at least 25 cooling elements. The cooling unit preferably has at least 30 cooling elements. The cooling unit preferably has at least 35 cooling elements.This enables advantageous dissipation of heat from the lighting unit, in particular the electronics unit, and thus also advantageous protection of the electronics unit, in particular individual components and / or parts of the electronics unit, from overheating.

[0022] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the plurality of cooling elements each have a shape, wherein the shape of the cooling elements is compatible with a gradient field generated by the gradient unit and / or with radio-frequency pulses (RF pulses) emitted by the radio-frequency antenna unit. Preferably, the shape of the individual cooling elements is designed such that undesired interaction with the gradient field generated by the gradient unit and / or a stray field of the gradient field and / or with radio-frequency pulses emitted by the radio-frequency antenna unit can be advantageously reduced and / or prevented.By optimizing the shape and / or geometry of the individual cooling elements and optimizing the arrangement of the individual cooling elements with respect to the gradient field and / or with respect to the gradient unit and / or the radio-frequency antenna unit, couplings that can cause vibrations can be advantageously prevented.

[0023] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the plurality of cooling elements each comprise a cooling rod, wherein the plurality of cooling rods extend outwards in the longitudinal direction of the patient receiving area on the side of the cover unit facing away from the light emission unit. This enables a particularly space-saving arrangement of several cooling elements on the cover unit and thus simultaneously effective cooling of the electronics unit. In particular, the individual cooling rods can be arranged in a structurally simple manner in the longitudinal direction of the patient receiving area on the cover unit, so that undesired interaction with the gradient field generated by the gradient unit and / or a stray field of the gradient field can be advantageously reduced and / or prevented. The plurality of cooling rods can be arranged next to one another on the cover unit in columns and / or rows.

[0024] In an advantageous development of the invention, the electronic unit can be provided with a circuit board with a light-generating unit. Thus, the light-generating unit is located outside an area covered by the radio-frequency antenna unit, so that interaction between the light-generating unit and the radio-frequency antenna unit can be advantageously prevented.

[0025] The light-generating unit preferably comprises at least one light-generating element. The at least one light-generating element can be formed from any light-generating elements considered appropriate by a person skilled in the art. However, it is particularly advantageous for the at least one light-generating element to comprise an LED, so that a particularly space-saving and cost-effective lighting unit can be provided. The lighting unit, in particular the light-generating unit, can comprise more than one light-generating element, in particular more than one LED, preferably a plurality of LEDs. The at least one LED can comprise a power LED, which generates in particular white light. Alternatively or additionally, the light-generating unit can also comprise an array of LEDs, such as an array of RGBW LEDs.

[0026] In an advantageous development of the invention, the light-generating unit can be configured to generate light in at least two different colors. The light-generating unit can comprise different light-generating elements that generate and emit light in different colors. This embodiment of the invention has the advantage that the patient reception area can be illuminated in different colors. For example, an illumination color can be selected depending on the examination situation and / or the patient's mood and / or other criteria deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art.

[0027] In an advantageous development of the invention, the electronics unit can be provided with a linear current source. The linear current source comprises an essentially non-active component. The linear current source comprises a current source connected in parallel with an internal resistor. This advantageously prevents unwanted interaction between the current source and the high-frequency antenna unit, in particular between the current source and high-frequency signals emitted by the high-frequency antenna unit, thus ensuring trouble-free operation of the lighting unit. Furthermore, wear on components can also be reduced.

[0028] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the light-emitting unit comprises a light-conducting element having a length that substantially corresponds to the length of the light-emitting unit. In this way, uniform illumination and / or lighting of the entire patient receiving area can advantageously be achieved. The length of the light-conducting element is preferably aligned parallel to a longitudinal extent of the patient receiving area. In addition to the light-conducting element, the light-emitting unit preferably has a substantially light-transparent housing, which is preferably 80% light-transmitting. This light-transparent housing is preferably designed as a diffuser.

[0029] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the light-guiding element comprises a light guide rod, wherein the light guide rod has a plurality of imperfections, wherein the plurality of imperfections are designed to emit light. The light guide rod preferably comprises a light-guiding material, such as in particular a translucent and / or transparent plastic. For example, the light guide rod can be formed from an acrylic glass and / or a PMMA material (polymethyl methacrylate material). The plurality of imperfections are preferably arranged on the surface of the light guide rod. The imperfections can each comprise an opening and / or a recess on the surface of the light guide rod. The plurality of imperfections can be applied to the light guide rod, in particular to the surface of the light guide rod, for example, by a screen printing process or a laser printing process.In addition, other methods for implementing the defects in or on the light guide rod that appear appropriate to a person skilled in the art are conceivable at any time. This allows illumination of the patient receiving area to be provided in a structurally simple manner. Furthermore, the lens effect of the light-conducting material can optimize the amount of light emitted and / or emitted at the defects.

[0030] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the plurality of imperfections are configured to emit light in the direction of the patient receiving area. At the plurality of imperfections, the light coupled into the light guide rod is refracted in a different manner than on the surface of the light guide rod not affected by imperfections, so that, together with a lens effect of the light guide rod, light can emerge and / or be decoupled from the light guide rod.

[0031] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that a distance between two adjacent defects in the light guide rod and / or a size of the defects depends on a distance of the defects from a position of light coupling into the light guide rod. Preferably, a distance between two adjacent defects decreases the further the defects are from the position of light coupling. Alternatively or additionally, a size of the defects can increase the further the defects are from the position of light coupling. A light intensity within the light guide rod decreases with the distance from the position of light coupling. This decrease in light intensity is caused in particular by radiation and / or coupling out of light at the defects.The position of the light coupling into the light guide rod includes in particular the position of the coupling of the light guide rod to the electronics unit, in particular to the light-generating unit of the electronics unit.

[0032] This embodiment of the invention ensures that a uniform light emission is provided over all disturbance points and thus also a uniform illumination of the patient reception area is achieved.

[0033] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the plurality of defects are arranged in the circumferential direction of the light guide rod on a side of the light guide rod facing away from the patient receiving area. The circumferential direction of the light guide rod runs around the light guide rod in a plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the light guide rod. Due to the lens effect of the light guide rod, for example, a light guide rod made of acrylic glass and / or a transparent plastic such as PMMA, a uniform lighting effect can be achieved on the side of the light guide rod facing the patient receiving area.

[0034] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the plurality of defects each comprise a shape of a ring segment that covers a maximum range of 150°, preferably a maximum range of 120°, and particularly advantageously a maximum range of 90°, of the circumferential direction of the light guide rod. By reducing the defects to ring segments that cover a maximum range of 150°, preferably a maximum range of 120°, and particularly advantageously a maximum range of 90° in the circumferential direction of the light guide rod, a particularly effective illumination can be achieved, particularly together with the lens effect of the light guide rod. In particular, the lens effect can achieve a uniform light distribution and / or a uniform light intensity distribution of an emitted light along the light guide rod.

[0035] Preferably, the plurality of defects, in particular the individual ring segments, have a width in the millimeter range. For example, the ring segments can have a width of 2 mm.

[0036] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the circuit board has at least one spacer element that defines a minimum distance between the at least one light-generating element and the light-conducting element of the light-emitting unit. The minimum distance is preferably designed such that damage to the at least one light-generating element, in particular the at least one LED, and / or the light-conducting element, in particular the light guide rod, is advantageously prevented when light is coupled into the light guide rod. Furthermore, the minimum distance is designed such that the light generated by the at least one light-generating element, in particular the at least one LED, is fully coupled into the light-conducting element, in particular the light guide rod.The spacer element can comprise a raised positioning ring which is arranged around the at least one light-generating element, in particular around the at least one LED, on the circuit board.

[0037] In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the lighting unit has at least one at least partially elastic positioning element that defines a constant distance between the at least one light-generating element and the light-conducting element of the light-emitting unit. The at least one positioning element can, for example, comprise an elastic element and / or a resilient element and / or a resiliently mounted element. Preferably, the at least one positioning element is arranged between a housing of the cover unit and a rear side of the circuit board, in particular a side of the circuit board facing away from the at least one light-generating element.This allows the circuit board to be pressed against the light-conducting element, in particular the light guide rod, so that optical losses during the coupling of light into the light guide rod due to an undesirable gap between the light-conducting element and the light guide rod can be advantageously prevented. Furthermore, the light generated by the at least one light-generating element, in particular the at least one LED, can be coupled as completely as possible into the light-conducting element, in particular the light guide rod.

[0038] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the embodiment described below and from the drawings.

[0039] They show: Fig. 1 a magnetic resonance device according to the invention with an illumination unit, Fig. 2 a cross-section through a patient receiving area of ​​the magnetic resonance device, Fig. 3 a longitudinal section through the patient reception area with the lighting unit, Fig. 4 the lighting unit with a light emitting unit and a cover unit, Fig. 5 the cover unit with an electronics unit and a cooling unit, and Fig. 6 the cover unit with a light-conducting element of the light emitting unit.

[0040] In the Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a magnetic resonance apparatus 10. The magnetic resonance apparatus 10 comprises a magnet unit 11 with a base magnet 12, a gradient unit 13, and a radio-frequency antenna unit 14. Furthermore, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 has a patient receiving area 15 for receiving a patient 16 for a magnetic resonance examination. In the present exemplary embodiment, the patient receiving area 15 is cylindrical and is surrounded in a circumferential direction by the magnet unit 11. In principle, however, a different design of the patient receiving area 15 is conceivable at any time.

[0041] For positioning the patient 16, in particular a region of the patient 16 to be examined, within the patient receiving area 15, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 has a patient support device 17. The patient support device 17 has a base unit 18 and a patient table 19 movable relative to the base unit 18. The patient table 19 is designed to be movable within the patient receiving area 15 for positioning the patient 16, in particular the region of the patient 16 to be examined. In particular, the patient table 19 is mounted so as to be movable in the direction of a longitudinal extent of the patient receiving area 15 and / or in the z-direction.

[0042] For illuminating the patient receiving area 15, in particular during a magnetic resonance examination, the magnetic resonance device 10 has two illumination units 20. The two illumination units 20 each have a light emitting unit 21 arranged within the patient receiving area 15. The two light emitting units 21 are arranged on opposite surfaces 22 of a housing 23 surrounding the patient receiving area 15 ( Fig. 2). In particular, the two light-emitting units 21 are arranged on a surface of the housing 23 surrounding the patient receiving area 15, facing the patient receiving area 15. An area 24 for arranging the patient table 19 is arranged between the two light-emitting units 21.

[0043] The base magnet 12 of the magnet unit 11 is designed to generate a strong and, in particular, constant base magnetic field 25. The base magnet 12 can be designed, for example, as a superconducting base magnet 12 or as a permanent magnet. The gradient unit 13 of the magnet unit 11 is designed to generate magnetic field gradients that are used for spatial encoding during imaging. For this purpose, the gradient unit 13 has gradient coils that are controlled by a gradient control unit 26 of the magnetic resonance device 10. The radio-frequency antenna unit 14 of the magnet unit 11 is designed to excite a polarization that arises in the base magnetic field 25 generated by the base magnet 12.The radio-frequency antenna unit 14 is controlled by a radio-frequency antenna control unit 27 of the magnetic resonance device 10 and radiates radio-frequency magnetic resonance sequences into the patient receiving area 15 of the magnetic resonance device 10.

[0044] The magnetic resonance apparatus 10 has a system control unit 28 for controlling the base magnet 12, the gradient control unit 26, and the radio-frequency antenna control unit 27. The system control unit 28 centrally controls the magnetic resonance apparatus 10, such as performing a predetermined imaging gradient echo sequence. The system control unit 28 also includes an evaluation unit (not shown in detail) for evaluating medical image data acquired during the magnetic resonance examination.

[0045] Furthermore, the magnetic resonance device 10 comprises a user interface 29 connected to the system control unit 28. Control information such as imaging parameters and reconstructed magnetic resonance images can be displayed on a display unit 30, for example, on at least one monitor, of the user interface 29 for medical personnel. Furthermore, the user interface 29 has an input unit 31, by means of which information and / or parameters can be entered by medical personnel during a measurement process.

[0046] 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.

[0047] In the Fig. 3 to 6, the two lighting units 20 are shown in more detail. The two lighting units 20 are of identical construction, so that in the following, especially in the Fig. 3 to 6, a mode of operation is described using a lighting unit 20.

[0048] In addition to the light emitting unit 21, the lighting unit 20 comprises at least one electronic unit 32 and at least one cooling unit 33. In the present embodiment, the lighting unit 20 comprises two electronic units 32 and two cooling units 33 ( Fig. 3). Each electronic unit 32 and each cooling unit 33 are arranged at an end region 34 of the light-emitting unit 21, which end region points in the longitudinal direction of the light-emitting unit. The two cooling units 33 are identical in terms of function and construction, with the two cooling units 33 being mirror-symmetrical to one another. Furthermore, the two electronic units 32 are also identical in terms of function and construction, with the two electronic units 32 being mirror-symmetrical to one another.

[0049] The light emitting unit 21 is arranged within the patient receiving area 15. In particular, the light emitting unit 21 extends in the longitudinal direction 35 of the patient receiving area 15 through the patient receiving area 15. The electronic units 32 and the cooling units 33, however, are arranged outside an area 36, ​​37 covered by the radio-frequency antenna unit 14 and / or outside an area covered by the gradient unit 13 (see Fig. 1). In particular, the electronic units 32 are arranged outside the area 36 covered by the high-frequency antenna unit 14. In particular, the cooling units 33 are arranged outside the area 37 covered by the gradient unit 13. The electronic units 32 and the cooling units 22 are arranged on a front side and a rear side of the magnet unit 11.

[0050] The light emitting unit 21 has a light-conducting element 38 and a light-transparent housing 39 ( Fig. 3). The light-guiding element 38 has a length corresponding to the length of the light-emitting unit 21. The light-guiding element 38 is designed as a light guide rod. The light guide rod comprises a light-transparent plastic, for example, made of PMMA. The light guide rod has a plurality of imperfections 40, wherein the plurality of imperfections 40 are designed for light emission from the light guide rod within the patient receiving area 15. The plurality of imperfections 40 are in Fig. 3. The plurality of defects 40 each comprise a ring segment shape on a surface of the light guide rod. The ring segments cover a maximum range of 150° in the circumferential direction of the light guide rod, preferably a maximum range of 120°, and particularly advantageously a maximum range of 90°. In the present embodiment, the individual ring segments each cover a range of between 75° and 90° in the circumferential direction.

[0051] The light guide rod is arranged within the patient receiving area 15 such that the defects 40 are located on a side of the light guide rod facing away from the patient receiving area 15. However, due to a lens effect of the light guide rod, the area facing the patient receiving area 15, in particular an area opposite the defects 40 in the circumferential direction of the light guide rod, appears illuminated.

[0052] The distance between two adjacent defects 40 of the light guide rod and / or the size of the defects 40 depends on the distance between the defects 40 and a position of light coupling into the light guide rod. The distance between two adjacent defects 40 decreases the further the defects 40 are from the position of light coupling into the light guide rod. The further the individual defects 40, in particular the ring segments, are from the position of light coupling, the greater the defect density per unit length of the light guide rod. Light coupling occurs on a side of the light guide rod adjacent to the electronics unit 32.

[0053] Alternatively or additionally, the size of the defects 40 can also increase the further the defects 40 are from the position of the light coupling. In the present embodiment, the individual defects 40, in particular the individual ring segments, have a width of approximately 2 mm.

[0054] The lighting unit 20 further comprises at least one cover unit 43. In the present embodiment, the lighting unit 20 comprises two cover units 43 ( Fig. 3 to 6). The two cover units 43 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the light emitting unit 21 on longitudinally facing sides of the light emitting unit 21, wherein the two cover units 43 are arranged on opposite sides of the light emitting unit 21 ( Fig. 3). The longitudinal direction of the light emitting unit 21 is aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction 35 of the patient receiving area 15. Due to the arrangement on the longitudinally facing sides of the light emitting unit 21, the two cover units 43 are arranged outside the area 36, ​​37 covered by the radio-frequency antenna unit 14 and / or outside the area 36, ​​37 covered by the gradient unit 13. One of the two cooling units 33 and one of the two electronic units 32 is arranged on each of these cover units 43. The electronic units 32 are arranged within an area 44, wherein this area 44 is surrounded by the respective cover unit 43 and at least one side of the light emitting unit 21, in particular the longitudinally facing side of the light emitting unit 21 ( Fig. 3).

[0055] The cooling units 33, however, are arranged on a side of the cover units 43 facing away from the light emitting unit 21 ( Fig. 3 to 6). The cooling units 33 each have a plurality of cooling elements 45, which are each arranged on the side of the cover unit 43 facing away from the light. The individual cooling elements 45 each have a shape that is compatible with a gradient field generated by the gradient unit 13 and / or with radio-frequency pulses emitted by the radio-frequency antenna unit 14. In the present exemplary embodiment, the individual cooling elements 45 each have a cooling rod. The individual cooling rods extend outward from the cover unit 43 in the longitudinal direction 35 of the patient receiving area 15 on the side of the cover unit 43 facing away from the light-emitting unit 21.

[0056] The electronic units 32 each have a circuit board 46 on which a light-generating unit 47 is arranged Fig. 5. The light-generating units 47 each comprise at least one LED 48. In the present embodiment, each circuit board 46 has an array of LEDs 48, such as an array of RGBW LEDs. This array of LEDs 48 is configured to generate light in at least two different colors.

[0057] Furthermore, each of the electronic units 32 has a linear current source 49, so that an undesired interaction with the high-frequency antenna unit 14 is advantageously prevented ( Fig. 3).

[0058] Furthermore, each of the circuit boards 46 has a spacer element 50. The spacer element 50 is arranged in an area of ​​the LEDs 48 on the circuit board 46 and defines a minimum distance between the LEDs 48 and the light-conducting element 38, in particular the light guide rod, of the light-emitting unit 21. In the present exemplary embodiment, the spacer element 50 comprises an annular elevation arranged around the LEDs 50. The annular elevation has a diameter that corresponds to a diameter of the light-conducting element 38, in particular the light guide rod, so that the light guide rod can be positioned precisely on the spacer element 50.

[0059] Furthermore, each of the electronic units 32 has a positioning element 51 that defines a maximum distance between the light-generating elements, in particular the LEDs 48, and the light-conducting element 38, in particular the light guide rod, of the light-emitting unit 21. The positioning element 51 can comprise a spring element and / or an elastic element that presses the circuit board 46 against the light-conducting element 38, in particular the light guide rod, of the light-emitting unit 21. Preferably, the positioning element 51 is arranged between the circuit board 46 and a side of the cover unit 43 facing the light-emitting unit 21. The positioning element 51 is in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 indicated by dashed lines.

[0060] 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] Magnetic resonance device with a magnet unit having a radio-frequency antenna unit and a gradient unit, a patient receiving area at least partially surrounded by the magnet unit and a lighting unit designed to illuminate the patient receiving area, wherein the lighting unit has a light emitting unit, an electronics unit and a cooling unit, characterized by that the light emitting unit is arranged within the patient receiving area and the electronics unit together with the cooling unit is arranged outside an area covered by the radio-frequency antenna unit and / or outside an area covered by the gradient unit. [2] Magnetic resonance apparatus according to claim 1, characterized bythat the lighting unit comprises at least one cover unit which is arranged on a side of the light emitting unit facing in the longitudinal direction of the patient receiving area, wherein the at least one cover unit is arranged outside the area covered by the radio-frequency antenna unit and / or gradient unit, and the electronics unit and / or the cooling unit are arranged on the at least one cover unit. [3] Magnetic resonance device according to claim 2, characterized by that the electronics unit is arranged within an area, which area is surrounded by the cover unit and at least one side of the light emitting unit. [4] Magnetic resonance apparatus according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized by that the cooling unit comprises a plurality of cooling elements which are arranged on a side of the cover unit facing away from the light emitting unit. [5] Magnetic resonance device according to claim 4, characterized by that the plurality of cooling elements each have a shape, wherein the shape of the cooling elements is compatible with a gradient field generated by the gradient unit and / or with radio-frequency pulses emitted by the radio-frequency antenna unit. [6] Magnetic resonance apparatus according to claim 5, characterized by that the plurality of cooling elements each comprise a cooling rod, wherein the plurality of cooling rods extend outwards in the longitudinal direction of the patient receiving area on the side of the cover unit facing away from the light emitting unit. [7] Magnetic resonance device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the electronic unit has a circuit board with a light-generating unit. [8] Magnetic resonance apparatus according to claim 7, characterized by that the light-generating unit comprises at least one LED. [9] Magnetic resonance apparatus according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized by that the light-generating unit is designed to generate light in at least two different colors. [10] Magnetic resonance device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the electronics unit has a linear current source. [11] Magnetic resonance device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the light emitting unit comprises a light-conducting element having a length that substantially corresponds to a length of the light emitting unit. [12] Magnetic resonance apparatus according to claim 11, characterized by that the light-guiding element comprises a light guide rod, wherein the light guide rod has a plurality of imperfections, wherein the plurality of imperfections are formed to emit light. [13] Magnetic resonance apparatus according to claim 12, characterized bythat the plurality of defects are designed to emit light in the direction of the patient receiving area. [14] Magnetic resonance apparatus according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized by that a distance between two adjacent defects in the light guide rod and / or a size of the defects depends on a distance of the defect to a position of light coupling into the light guide rod. [15] Magnetic resonance apparatus according to claim 14, characterized by that a distance between two adjacent defects decreases and / or a size of the defects increases the further the defects are away from the position of the light coupling into the light guide rod. [16] Magnetic resonance apparatus according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized by that the plurality of defects are arranged in the circumferential direction of the light guide rod on a side facing away from the patient receiving area. [17] Magnetic resonance apparatus according to one of claims 7 to 9 and one of claims 11 to 16, characterized by that the plurality of defects each comprise a shape of a ring segment that covers a maximum area of ​​150°, preferably a maximum area of ​​120° and particularly advantageously a maximum area of ​​90° of the circumferential direction of the light guide rod. [18] Magnetic resonance apparatus according to one of claims 7 to 9 and one of claims 11 to 17, characterized by that the circuit board has at least one spacer element which defines a minimum distance between the at least one light-generating element and the light-conducting element of the light-emitting unit. [19] Magnetic resonance device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the lighting unit has at least one at least partially elastic positioning element which defines a constant distance between the at least one light-generating element and the light-conducting element of the light-emitting unit.

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