Patient positioning device and a magnetic resonance device with the patient positioning device

Abstract

A patient support device adapted to support a patient for a magnetic resonance examination, comprising: - a patient table with a support board for supporting the patient, - a local high-frequency coil arranged integrated into the patient table, wherein the local high-frequency coil is mounted below the bed board so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the patient table, and - a movement unit which is designed to transmit a movement to the local high-frequency coil, characterized in that the movement unit has a strand guide unit with at least one strand, wherein the at least one strand is connected to the local high-frequency coil for moving the local high-frequency coil.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a patient support device configured to support a patient for a magnetic resonance examination, wherein the patient support device comprises a patient table and a local radiofrequency coil integrated into the patient table. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a magnetic resonance device comprising the patient support device.

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

[0003] For a medical magnetic resonance examination on a patient, local radiofrequency coils are used to acquire magnetic resonance signals. These local radiofrequency coils are positioned and / or applied on or around the area of ​​the patient to be examined. The local radiofrequency coils can be adapted to the area of ​​the patient to be examined, such as a local head radiofrequency coil that can be arranged helmet-like around the patient's head, or a local knee radiofrequency coil that is adapted to the shape of a patient's knee, etc.

[0004] A local back radiofrequency coil is typically used for back examinations. Such local back radiofrequency coils can be integrated into the patient support surface of the patient table. During a back magnetic resonance examination, the patient lies with their back on the local back radiofrequency coil. Furthermore, the local back radiofrequency coil can also be positioned beneath a support surface and / or a bedboard of the patient table. The local back radiofrequency coil must be dimensioned such that coil elements of the back radiofrequency coil are always positioned within the field of view of the magnet unit for a back magnetic resonance examination of the patient.Another possibility is to limit the local back radiofrequency coil to a z-extension of the field of view and to make the local back radiofrequency coil movable relative to the patient table in order to position the local back radiofrequency coil in the field of view (FoV) of the magnet unit.

[0005] The present invention is based, in particular, on the object of enabling simple and cost-effective movement of a back radiofrequency coil within a patient table. This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

[0006] The invention relates to a patient support device designed to support a patient for a magnetic resonance examination. The patient support device comprises: - a patient table with a support board for supporting the patient, - a local high-frequency coil integrated into the patient table, the local high-frequency coil being mounted below the bed board so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the patient table, and - a movement unit designed to transmit a movement to the local high-frequency coil.

[0007] According to the invention, it is proposed that the movement unit has a strand guide unit with at least one strand, wherein the at least one strand is connected to the local high-frequency coil for moving the local high-frequency coil.

[0008] The magnetic resonance examination preferably comprises a medical and / or diagnostic magnetic resonance examination of the patient. The magnetic resonance examination is performed using a magnetic resonance device configured to acquire medical and / or diagnostic magnetic resonance image data.

[0009] The patient support device preferably comprises a base unit and the patient table, wherein the patient table is designed to be movable relative to the base unit in the longitudinal direction of the patient table. If the patient support device is designed as a stationary patient support device, the base unit is fixedly positioned and connected to the magnetic resonance device, in particular to a magnet unit of the magnetic resonance device, at least with regard to data exchange. In addition, the base unit can also be mechanically connected to the magnet unit. If, on the other hand, the patient support device is designed as a mobile patient support device, the base unit comprises a travel unit by means of which the patient support device can be moved. In particular, the patient support device can be moved, in particular displaced, relative to the magnetic resonance device in this way.

[0010] The base unit of the patient support device preferably has a horizontal adjustment unit, by means of which the patient table can be moved in a horizontal direction. In particular, the patient table is designed to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the patient table and can be retracted into a patient receiving area of ​​the magnetic resonance device for a magnetic resonance examination. The longitudinal direction of the patient table and thus the retraction direction of the patient table are designed parallel to a longitudinal extent of the patient receiving area. In addition, the base unit can also have a vertical adjustment unit, by means of which the patient table can be moved in the vertical direction, in particular lowered or raised.

[0011] The patient table is preferably designed with multiple shells and has an upper shell and a lower shell. In addition, the patient table has a support board for supporting the patient, wherein the upper shell of the patient table is designed as a support board. For this purpose, the support board has a support surface for supporting the patient. The local radio-frequency coil is preferably arranged between the upper shell, in particular the support board, and the lower shell, integrated into the patient table. For this purpose, the patient table, in particular the lower shell together with the upper shell of the patient table, preferably has a receiving unit in which the local radio-frequency coil is arranged and / or positioned. In particular, the local radio-frequency coil is integrated into the patient table in such a way that the local radio-frequency coil is not visible from above and is covered by the support board.

[0012] The local radio-frequency coil preferably comprises a local back radio-frequency coil. The local radio-frequency coil may also comprise additional local radio-frequency coils that a person skilled in the art deems appropriate.

[0013] The local high-frequency coil is also arranged and / or mounted so as to be movable within the patient table. In particular, the local high-frequency coil is arranged and / or mounted so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the patient table below the upper shell, in particular below the bed board. In particular, the local high-frequency coil is arranged and / or mounted on the lower shell of the patient table so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the patient table. For this purpose, a receiving unit of the patient table for receiving the local high-frequency coil is preferably designed to be larger in the longitudinal direction than the local high-frequency coil, such that movement of the local high-frequency coil within the receiving unit is possible. The local high-frequency coil has a length that corresponds to a length of the FoV in the z-direction of the magnet unit and / or in the longitudinal direction of the patient receiving area.

[0014] The patient table further comprises a movement unit configured to transmit a movement to the local high-frequency coil. A movement torque and / or a drive torque can be generated explicitly for a movement of the local high-frequency coil by another unit. However, the movement unit is preferably configured such that a movement of the local high-frequency coil is coupled to a movement of the patient table. In this way, a relative movement of the local high-frequency coil can be triggered upon a movement of the patient table.

[0015] For this purpose, the movement unit has the strand guide unit. The strand guide unit has at least one strand. The at least one strand can comprise a rope, a belt, a chain, a band and / or other elements that appear appropriate to a person skilled in the art. The at least one strand is designed to be closed, in particular as a closed loop and / or closed strand circuit, and preferably has no open end. The at least one strand is also connected to the local high-frequency coil for transmitting a movement to the local high-frequency coil. In particular, the at least one strand is arranged on the local high-frequency coil. Positioning the local high-frequency coil by means of the movement unit preferably only comprises a relative movement to the patient table.In particular, the movement unit, in particular the strand guide unit, is designed such that as soon as the local radio-frequency coil is positioned in the FoV when the patient table is moved into the patient receiving area of ​​the magnetic resonance device, the local radio-frequency coil maintains its position with respect to the FoV, even if the patient table is moved further in the direction of retraction of the patient table.

[0016] The invention has the advantage that a particularly simple transmission of movement to the local high-frequency coil can be achieved. In particular, by designing the movement unit as a strand guide unit, a particularly cost-effective transmission of movement to the local high-frequency coil can be achieved, with the positioning of the local high-frequency coil being coupled to a movement of the patient table. This also advantageously eliminates the need for a separate drive unit for generating a drive torque for moving the local high-frequency coil relative to the patient table.

[0017] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the patient table has a receiving unit which is designed to receive the local high-frequency coil. Preferably, the receiving unit is specially designed to receive the local high-frequency coil. The receiving unit is preferably arranged below the bed board. The receiving unit is preferably at least partially surrounded by the lower shell of the patient table and the upper shell of the patient table. It is encompassed by the substructure of the patient bed. In this way, a protected arrangement of the local high-frequency coil can be achieved. In addition, by arranging the local high-frequency coil in the receiving unit, lying comfort for the patient can be maintained during a movement, in particular a relative movement, of the local high-frequency coil with respect to the patient table.

[0018] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the receiving unit at least partially has a closed hollow body structure. The at least partially closed hollow body structure is preferably arranged between the upper shell, in particular the support board, and the lower shell of the patient table. The at least partially closed hollow body structure can have recesses for the passage of at least one strand and / or cables. The receiving unit is preferably surrounded in a cuboid shape by the patient table, in particular the support board and / or the lower shell of the patient table, thus forming the hollow body structure.

[0019] This advantageously provides a high level of stability for the patient table. Furthermore, a high standard of hygiene can be maintained for the patient table, as the hollow body structure and thus the housing of the support unit reduce the penetration of contaminants and / or liquids, in contrast to a support unit that is completely open at the bottom. Furthermore, the high stability and resilience of the patient table, which can withstand high mechanical loads, can be maintained. Furthermore, the hollow body structure in the patient table provides more options for designing the mechanical structure of the patient table.

[0020] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the receiving unit has a length that is at least twice the length of the local high-frequency coil. The length of the receiving unit preferably corresponds to three times the length of the local high-frequency coil. The length of the receiving unit preferably corresponds to four times the length of the local high-frequency coil. In particular, the length of the local high-frequency coil is aligned and / or formed parallel to the length of the receiving unit. The length of the receiving unit is aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction of the patient table. The length of the local high-frequency coil is thus also formed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the patient table. For example, the receiving unit is cuboid-shaped so that mobility of the local high-frequency coil in the longitudinal direction of the patient table can be ensured.This ensures advantageous movement of the local radiofrequency coil. In particular, this allows for precise positioning of the local radiofrequency coil within the field of view of the magnet unit, even if the patient table continues to move as it is retracted into the patient receiving area. Furthermore, a small local radiofrequency coil, in particular a small local back radiofrequency coil, which is essentially limited to the size of the field of view of the magnet unit, can be used in this way, thus providing a particularly cost-effective and component-saving local radiofrequency coil for magnetic resonance examinations.

[0021] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the at least one strand comprises a rope. The rope comprises, in particular, an element consisting of braided and / or twisted fibers and / or wires. The rope comprises an elongated, tensile-resistant, flexibly flexible, and / or torsionally flexible elastic element, which can preferably be used to absorb tensile forces. In this way, a particularly simple and cost-effective strand guide unit for moving the local radio-frequency coil can be provided. In particular, the strand can be formed from magnetic resonance-compatible materials, in particular from non-metallic, stiff plastic fibers, thus achieving a cost-effective implementation of the strand.

[0022] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the at least one strand is connected to the local high-frequency coil at the front and rear in the direction of movement of the local high-frequency coil. The direction of movement of the local high-frequency coil is preferably aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction of the patient table and / or to the length or longitudinal direction of the local high-frequency coil. In this way, advantageous movement of the local high-frequency coil relative to the patient table in both directions along the longitudinal direction of the patient table can be enabled particularly easily.

[0023] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the strand guide unit for guiding the at least one strand has four deflection pulleys, wherein two deflection pulleys are arranged at a head-end region of the patient table and two deflection pulleys are arranged at a foot-end region of the patient table within the patient table. The deflection pulleys are designed to deflect a guiding direction and / or pulling direction of the at least one strand, in particular of the at least one cable. The head-end end region of the patient table is preferably arranged in a front region of the patient table in the direction of retraction of the patient table into the patient receiving area. The foot-end end region of the patient table is preferably arranged in a rear region of the patient table in the direction of retraction of the patient table into the patient receiving area.Preferably, the local high-frequency coil is arranged between a first deflection pulley and a second deflection pulley. This enables a reliable transmission of movement to the local high-frequency coil by means of the strand guide unit. Furthermore, two strands can advantageously be arranged in this way, or even one strand with a double loop, thus providing a simple mechanism for positioning the local high-frequency coil.

[0024] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the four deflection rollers are arranged at least partially within the receiving unit. This advantageously enables good accessibility and / or reachability of the individual deflection rollers, for example, during servicing or when replacing a deflection roller. Alternatively, the individual deflection rollers can also be arranged in separate recesses outside the receiving area, so that the receiving unit is completely available for relative movement of the local radio-frequency coil with respect to the patient table.

[0025] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the at least one strand is guided at least partially outside the patient table, wherein the at least one strand is guided at least partially underneath the patient table. In particular, the at least one strand is guided on a side of the patient table facing away from the support surface for supporting the patient. In particular, the at least one strand is guided on an underside of the lower shell of the patient table. By at least partially guiding the at least one strand outside the patient table, advantageous interaction of the movement unit with one or more elements and / or units arranged outside the patient table can be enabled.

[0026] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the movement unit has a stop element that is arranged on a partial region of the at least one strand that is guided outside the patient table. Preferably, the stop element is firmly connected to the partial region of the at least one strand that is guided outside the patient table. In particular, the stop element is arranged at a defined position on the partial region of the strand that is guided outside the patient table. In a stop position, the stop element preferably interacts with a corresponding element, for example a stop element and / or a locking element, that is arranged on the magnetic resonance device, in particular on a magnet unit of the magnetic resonance device.In particular, the element corresponding to the stop element is arranged on a housing of the magnet unit surrounding the patient receiving area. By means of the stop element, in particular when the stop element is arranged in the stop position and interacts with the further element of the magnet unit, an advantageous transmission of the movement to the local radio-frequency coil can be enabled upon movement of the patient table, and thus a relative movement between the local radio-frequency coil and the patient table can be effected and / or generated. In particular, the stop element in the stop position ensures that when the patient table is moved within the patient receiving area of ​​the magnetic resonance device, the local radio-frequency coil maintains its position relative to the magnetic resonance device, in particular relative to the FoV within the patient receiving area, even if the patient table continues to move.

[0027] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the stop element is designed to transmit a movement to the local radio-frequency coil when the patient table moves in the retraction direction and when the patient table moves counter to the retraction direction. The retraction direction of the patient table corresponds to the direction in which the patient table is moved when moved into the patient receiving area. The patient table moves counter to the retraction direction, in particular when the patient table is moved out of the patient receiving area. This enables particularly simple positioning of the local radio-frequency coil within the field of view of the magnetic resonance device when the patient table moves in both directions.Furthermore, a particularly component-efficient and cost-effective patient support device can be provided, since positioning of the local radiofrequency coil in both directions is possible with just a single stop element. In particular, this ensures that during a magnetic resonance examination in which different examination positions are set, the local radiofrequency coil is always positioned within the FoV, both when the patient table is moved in the retraction direction and when the patient table is moved against the retraction direction.

[0028] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the patient table has two recesses on an underside of the patient table, which are designed to lead out the partial region of the at least one strand that is guided outside the patient table. The two recesses preferably each comprise an opening that connects the receiving unit to an area below the patient table. This allows for easy removal of the at least one strand from the patient table, in particular from the receiving unit of the patient table. The two recesses are preferably enclosed by the lower shell of the patient table.In addition, advantageous stability of the patient table can be provided because only the two recesses in the lower shell are free and / or open and the remaining lower shell is enclosed by a housing of the patient table and thus contributes to the stabilization of the patient table. In addition, a high standard of hygiene for the patient table can be maintained in this way, because the two recesses reduce the penetration of contaminants and / or liquids, in contrast to a receiving unit that is completely open at the bottom. Furthermore, a high level of stability and load-bearing capacity of the patient table can be maintained because the receiving unit comprises an essentially closed hollow body and can therefore withstand high mechanical loads. In addition, the hollow body structure in the patient table offers more options when designing the mechanical structure of the patient table.

[0029] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the patient table has a lower shell and a first recess is arranged at a foot-side end region of the lower shell and a second recess is arranged at a head-side end region of the lower shell, wherein a first deflection roller protrudes through the first recess and a second deflection roller protrudes through the second recess. The two deflection rollers, which enable the at least one strand, in particular the at least one cable, to be guided out of the patient table, enable loss-free guidance of the at least one strand, in particular the cable.

[0030] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the strand guide unit has two strands, each comprising a closed loop, wherein: - a first strand of the two strands comprises a closed loop together with the local radio frequency coil, - a second strand of the two strands comprises the partial area where the stop element is arranged, and - the strand guide unit has a coupling element for coupling the first strand to the second strand.

[0031] Preferably, two deflection rollers are provided for each of the two strands to guide the respective strand. In particular, one deflection roller at the head end and one deflection roller at the foot end are provided for each of the two strands to guide the respective strand.

[0032] Each of the two strands, in particular each of the two ropes, comprises a closed loop. In a closed loop, the respective strand, in particular the respective rope, has no end but is ring-shaped.

[0033] The coupling element is designed to couple the first strand to the second strand, so that any movement of the second strand is transmitted to the first strand. For this purpose, the coupling element is preferably rigidly connected to the first strand and the second strand. By coupling the first strand to the second strand by means of the coupling element, the first strand executes a movement opposite to that of the second strand.

[0034] This design enables a simple and cost-effective transmission of a movement from the stop element and thus from the second strand to the first strand and thus to the local high-frequency coil.

[0035] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that, in a starting position of the movement unit, the local high-frequency coil is arranged in a head-end region of the receiving unit and the coupling element is arranged in a foot-end region of the receiving unit. The starting position of the movement unit corresponds to a position of the local high-frequency coil which it has before the patient table is moved into the patient receiving area or at the beginning of a move into the patient receiving area. Thus, the patient table is also in a starting position before being moved into the patient receiving area. In this starting position, the stop element is preferably also arranged in a head-end region on the second strand.In this way, an advantageous positioning of the local radiofrequency coil in a FoV of the magnetic resonance device and / or relative to the patient table can be enabled in a structurally simple manner.

[0036] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the first strand for a relative movement of the local high-frequency coil with respect to the patient table has a direction of rotation that is opposite to a direction of rotation of the second strand. This ensures that, when the patient table moves, the local high-frequency coil and the stop element move in the same direction relative to the patient table as soon as the stop element interacts with the other element of the magnet unit.

[0037] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the strand guide unit has a single strand which comprises a closed double loop together with the local high-frequency coil, wherein: - the strand is guided in a first partial loop of the double loop from a first foot-side deflection pulley to a first head-side deflection pulley, wherein the local high-frequency coil is arranged between the first foot-side deflection pulley and the first head-side deflection pulley, - the strand is guided to a transition from the first partial loop to a second partial loop of the double loop from the first head-side deflection pulley to a second foot-side deflection pulley, - the strand in the second partial loop of the double loop is guided from the second foot-side deflection pulley to a second head-side deflection pulley, wherein the strand is guided between the second foot-side deflection pulley and the second head-side deflection pulley outside the patient table and the stop element is arranged in this partial area, and - the strand is guided to a transition from the second partial loop to the first partial loop of the double loop from the second head-side deflection roller to the first foot-side deflection roller.

[0038] The closed double loop preferably comprises the first partial loop and the second partial loop. The first partial loop and the second partial loop each comprise, in particular, an open loop, which only forms the closed double loop together with the other, in particular the first partial loop or the second partial loop.

[0039] This design enables a simple and cost-effective transmission of a movement from the stop element and thus from the second partial loop of the strand to the first partial loop of the strand and thus to the local high-frequency coil.

[0040] In an advantageous development of the patient support device according to the invention, it can be provided that the strand for a relative movement of the local high-frequency coil with respect to the patient table in the first partial loop of the double loop has a direction of rotation that is opposite to a direction of rotation of the strand in the second partial loop of the double loop. This ensures that, when the patient table moves, the local high-frequency coil and the stop element move in the same direction relative to the patient table as soon as the stop element interacts with the other element of the magnet unit.

[0041] Furthermore, the invention is based on a magnetic resonance apparatus having a magnet unit, a patient receiving area at least partially surrounded by the magnet unit, and a patient support device having a patient table, wherein the patient support device is designed according to the embodiments described above and wherein the patient table is designed to be retracted into the patient receiving area.

[0042] The magnetic resonance device preferably comprises a medical and / or diagnostic magnetic resonance device 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 a scanner unit designed as a magnet unit for acquiring the medical and / or diagnostic image data. The scanner unit, in particular 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 designed and / or configured to emit excitation pulses, in particular radio-frequency pulses.

[0043] 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.

[0044] The patient receiving area is designed and / or configured to accommodate the patient, in particular the area of ​​the patient to be examined, for a medical magnetic resonance examination. The patient receiving area preferably also includes the area available to the patient during the medical imaging examinations. For example, the patient receiving area is cylindrical and / or surrounded in a cylindrical manner by the magnet unit of the magnetic resonance device.

[0045] The 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 capture region of the magnetic resonance device within which the conditions for acquiring medical image data, for example, magnetic resonance image data, are present within the patient acquisition area. For example, the FoV comprises a homogeneous basic magnetic field of the magnetic resonance device. The isocenter of the magnetic resonance device preferably comprises the region 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 region within the magnetic resonance device.

[0046] For positioning the patient, in particular the area of ​​the patient to be examined, within the patient receiving area, the magnetic resonance apparatus comprises the patient support device. The patient support device is designed to support the patient during a magnetic resonance examination. The patient support device comprises a movable patient table, which is designed to be movable, in particular, within the patient receiving area. Preferably, the patient table is designed to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the patient receiving area within the patient receiving area.

[0047] The advantages of the magnetic resonance apparatus according to the invention essentially correspond to the advantages of the patient support apparatus according to the invention, which have been detailed above. Features, advantages, or alternative embodiments mentioned herein can also be applied to the other claimed subject matter, and vice versa.

[0048] In an advantageous development of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the magnet unit has a housing surrounding the patient receiving area and a stop element, wherein the stop element is designed to correspond to a stop element of the patient support device and is arranged on the housing surrounding the patient receiving area. Preferably, the stop element is arranged in a region of an insertion opening into the patient receiving area on the housing surrounding the patient receiving area or in proximity to the FoV of the magnet unit on the housing surrounding the patient receiving area. By means of the stop element, together with the stop element of the patient support device, an advantageous positioning of the local radio-frequency coil in the FoV of the magnet unit can be achieved.In particular, this movement of the patient table can be transferred to the local radiofrequency coil only by moving the patient table, and thus the local radiofrequency coil can be kept in the FoV, even if the patient table continues to move.

[0049] In an advantageous development of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that a position of the stop element in the longitudinal direction of the patient receiving area and a position of the stop element on the patient table are coordinated such that contact between the stop element and the stop element only occurs when the patient table has been retracted far enough into the patient receiving area that the local radio-frequency coil is positioned within the FoV. This allows a structurally simple maintenance of the position of the local radio-frequency coil relative to the FoV of the magnet unit, even if the patient table continues to move and / or assumes a new position within the patient receiving area.In a stop position of the stop element, in particular when the stop element interacts with the stop element, an advantageous transmission of a movement of the patient table to the local high-frequency coil can thus take place, so that a speed with which the patient table changes its position within the patient receiving area also corresponds to a value of a speed with which the local high-frequency coil changes its position with respect to the patient table.

[0050] In an advantageous development of the magnetic resonance device according to the invention, it can be provided that the stop element has a detachable fastening element that holds the stop element in the retraction direction and against the retraction direction. The stop element can comprise a retaining clamp, a locking element, and / or other elements that appear appropriate to a person skilled in the art. For example, the stop element can be designed such that, when the patient table is extended, a connection between the stop element and the stop element is released if a movement force is greater than a holding force and / or connecting force between the stop element and the stop element. This enables particularly simple positioning of the local radio-frequency coil within a field of view of the magnetic resonance device when the patient table is moved in both directions.In addition, a particularly component-efficient and cost-effective patient positioning device can be provided, since only a single stop element allows positioning of the local radiofrequency coil in both directions of movement of the patient table. In particular, this ensures that the local radiofrequency coil is always positioned within the FoV during a magnetic resonance examination in which different examination positions are set.

[0051] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described below and from the drawings.

[0052] They show: Fig. 1 a magnetic resonance device according to the invention with a patient support device in a schematic representation, Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of a patient table with a local high-frequency coil integrated into the patient table and a movement unit, Fig. 3 the patient table from Fig. 2 with the movement unit in a starting position, Fig. 4 the patient table Fig. 2 with the movement unit in a stop position, Fig. 5 shows a second embodiment of a patient table with a local high-frequency coil integrated into the patient table, Fig. 6 the patient table from Fig. 5 with the movement unit in a starting position and Fig. 7 the patient table from Fig. 5 with the movement unit in a stop position.

[0053] 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 coil 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 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. The magnet unit 11 also has a housing 17 surrounding the patient receiving area 15.

[0054] 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 18. The patient support device 18 has a base unit 19 and a patient table 20 movable relative to the base unit 18. The patient table 20 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 20 is mounted relative to the base unit 19 so as to be movable in the direction of a longitudinal extent of the patient receiving area 15 and / or in the z-direction.

[0055] The base magnet 12 of the magnet unit 11 is designed to generate a strong and, in particular, constant base magnetic field 21. The base magnet 12 can be designed, for example, as a superconducting base magnet 12 or as a permanent magnet. The gradient coil unit 13 of the magnet unit 11 is designed to generate magnetic field gradients that are used for spatial encoding during imaging. The gradient coil unit 13 is controlled by a gradient control unit 22 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 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 21 generated by the base magnet 12.The radio-frequency antenna unit 14 is controlled by a radio-frequency antenna control unit 23 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.

[0056] For acquiring magnetic resonance signals, the magnetic resonance device 10 has a local radio-frequency coil 24, which is integrated into the patient table 20. The local radio-frequency coil 24 is formed by a local back radio-frequency coil 24.

[0057] The magnetic resonance apparatus 10 has a system control unit 25 for controlling the base magnet 12, the gradient control unit 22, and the radio-frequency antenna control unit 23. The system control unit 25 centrally controls the magnetic resonance apparatus 10, such as performing a predetermined imaging gradient echo sequence. The system control unit 25 also includes an evaluation unit (not shown in detail) for evaluating medical image data acquired during the magnetic resonance examination.

[0058] Furthermore, the magnetic resonance device 10 comprises a user interface 26 connected to the system control unit 25. Control information such as imaging parameters and reconstructed magnetic resonance images can be displayed on a display unit 27, for example, on at least one monitor, of the user interface 26 for medical personnel. Furthermore, the user interface 26 has an input unit 28, by means of which information and / or parameters can be entered by medical personnel during a measurement process.

[0059] 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.

[0060] In the Fig. Figures 2 to 4 show a first embodiment of the patient support device 18, in particular the patient table 20 of the patient support device 18. The patient table 20 comprises an upper shell 29 and a lower shell 30, wherein the upper shell 29 is designed as a support board 31 of the patient table 20. The upper shell 29, in particular the support board 31, is designed to support the patient 16.

[0061] Furthermore, the patient table 20 has the local radio-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back radio-frequency coil 24, which is integrated into the patient table 20. The local radio-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back radio-frequency coil 24, is mounted within the patient table 20 so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction 32 of the patient table 20. The local radio-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back radio-frequency coil 24, is mounted so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction 32 of the patient table 20 below the bed board 31, in particular between the upper shell 29 and the lower shell 30 of the patient table 20.

[0062] For arranging and / or receiving the local high-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back high-frequency coil 24, the patient table 20 has a receiving unit 33. The receiving unit 33 is arranged between the upper shell 29, in particular the bed board 31, and the lower shell 30 of the patient table 20. The receiving unit 33 has a length 34 that corresponds to at least twice the length 35 of the local high-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back high-frequency coil 24. Preferably, the length 34 of the receiving unit 33 corresponds to three to four times the length 35 of the local high-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back high-frequency coil 24. The length 34 of the receiving unit 33 extends in the longitudinal direction 32 of the patient table 20. In addition, the length 35 of the local high-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back high-frequency coil 24, also extends in the longitudinal direction 32 of the patient table 20.

[0063] The receiving unit 33 also has an at least partially closed hollow body structure. At a head-side end region 36 of the receiving unit 33 and a foot-side end region 37 of the receiving unit 33, the receiving unit 33 each has a recess 38 for the passage of a strand 42, in particular a cable, as described further below.

[0064] For a movement of the local high-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back high-frequency coil 24, the patient table 20 has a movement unit 39 designed to transmit a movement to the local high-frequency coil 24. By means of the movement unit 39, a movement of the patient table 20 can be transmitted to the local high-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back high-frequency coil 24, so that a relative movement occurs between the local high-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back high-frequency coil 24, and the patient table 20.

[0065] The movement unit 39 has a strand guide unit 40 with at least one strand 41, 42, wherein the at least one strand 41, 42 is connected to the local high-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back high-frequency coil 24. In the present exemplary embodiment, the strand guide unit 40 has two strands 41, 42. Each of these two strands 41, 42 comprises a cable. Furthermore, each of these two strands 41, 42 comprises a closed loop. A first strand 41 forms the closed loop together with the local high-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back high-frequency coil 24. The cable is connected at the front and rear to the local high-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back high-frequency coil 24, in the longitudinal direction 32 of the patient table 20 and / or in the direction of movement 43 of the local high-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back high-frequency coil 24.The two strands 41, 42 are coupled to each other by means of a coupling element 44 of the strand guide unit 40, so that a movement of one of the two strands 41, 42 causes a movement of the other of the two strands 41, 42. The coupling element 44 is firmly connected to the first strand 41 and to the second strand 42.

[0066] The second strand 42 of the two strands 41, 42 is guided at least partially outside the patient table 20. The second strand 42 is guided at least partially below the patient table 20, in particular at least partially below the lower shell 30 of the patient table 20. To enable the second strand 42 to extend from the patient table 20, in particular from the lower shell 30, the patient table 20 has two recesses 38 on its underside, in particular on the lower shell 30. A first recess 38 of the two recesses 38 is arranged at the foot-side end region 37 of the lower shell 30 of the patient table 20. A second recess 38 of the two recesses 38 is arranged at a head-side end region 36 of the lower shell 30 of the patient table 20. Between the two recesses 38, a partial area 49 of the second strand 42 is guided below the patient table 20, in particular below the lower shell 30 of the patient table 20.

[0067] To guide the two strands 41, 42, the strand guide unit 40 has four deflection pulleys 46, 47. Two deflection pulleys 46, 47 of the four deflection pulleys 46, 47 are arranged at the head-end region 36 of the patient table 20. The two further deflection pulleys 46, 47 of the four deflection pulleys 46, 47 are arranged at the foot-end region 37 of the patient table 20. The four deflection pulleys 46, 47 are arranged within the patient table 20. In particular, the four deflection pulleys 46, 47 are arranged at least partially within the receiving unit 33.

[0068] Two of the four deflection pulleys 46, 47 are available for guiding the first strand 41, and the two further deflection pulleys 47 of the four deflection pulleys 46, 47 are available for guiding the second strand 42. To guide the first strand 41, a first deflection pulley 46 is provided at the head-end region 36 of the patient table 20, and a second deflection pulley 46 is provided at the foot-end region 37 of the patient table 20. To guide the second strand 42, a third deflection pulley 47 is provided at the head-end end region 36 of the patient table 20, and a fourth deflection pulley 47 is provided at the foot-end end region 37 of the patient table 20.

[0069] The two deflection rollers 47 for guiding the second strand 42 are arranged such that they protrude from the two recesses 38 of the lower shell 30 of the patient table 20.

[0070] The movement unit 39 further comprises a stop element 48 arranged on the second strand 42. The stop element 38 is arranged on the partial region 49 of the second strand 42 that extends outside the patient table 20. The stop element 48 is designed to interact with a stop element 50, which is arranged on the housing 17 surrounding the patient receiving area 15. The stop element 48 is fixedly arranged on the partial region 49 of the second strand 42 that extends outside the patient table 20.

[0071] The stop element 50 is designed to correspond to the stop element 48. The stop element 50 is preferably arranged in the longitudinal direction 32 of the patient table 20 and / or in the retraction direction of the patient table 20 just in front of the FoV 51 of the magnet unit 11 on the housing 17 surrounding the patient receiving area 15. A position of the stop element 50 in the longitudinal direction of the patient receiving area 15, which is aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction 32 of the patient table 20, and a position of the stop element 48 on the patient table 20 are coordinated with one another in such a way that contact between the stop element 50 and the stop element 48 only occurs when the patient table 20 has been retracted into the patient receiving area 15 far enough until the local radio-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back radio-frequency coil 24, is positioned in the FoV 51 of the magnet unit 11.

[0072] The stop element 50 can comprise a pure stop element 50. In the present exemplary embodiment, the stop element 50 also comprises a detachable fastening element (not shown in detail) that holds the stop element 48 in the retraction direction of the patient table 20 and against the retraction direction of the patient table 20. For example, the stop element 50 can comprise a locking element and / or a clamping element and / or other elements that appear appropriate to a person skilled in the art.

[0073] In a stop position of the stop element 48, it rests against the stop element 50 or is held by the stop element 50, so that upon further movement of the patient table 20, the stop element 48 maintains its position with respect to the magnet unit 11 and executes a relative movement with respect to the patient table 20. Due to the coupling of the two strands 41, 42 by means of the coupling element 44, in this stop position ( Fig. 4) the local high-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back high-frequency coil 24, also maintains its position relative to the magnet unit 11 and, when the patient table 20 moves, performs a relative movement relative to the patient table 20.

[0074] In Fig. 3, the movement unit 39 is shown in a starting position. In this starting position, the movement unit 39 is located before the patient table 20 is moved into the patient receiving area 15. In this starting position, the local radio-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back radio-frequency coil 24, is arranged in the head-end region 36 within the receiving unit 33. In addition, in this starting position, the coupling element 44 is arranged in the foot-end region 37 within the receiving unit 33. Furthermore, the stop element 48 is also arranged in the head-end region 36 of the patient table 20.

[0075] In this stop position of the stop element 48, the two strands 41, 42 execute a movement due to the coupling by means of the coupling element 44 when the patient table 20 is moved. The first strand 41, in particular the first cable arranged in a closed loop, executes a movement in a direction of rotation that is opposite to a direction of rotation of a movement of the second strand 42, in particular the second cable arranged in a closed loop. If the second strand 42, in particular the second cable arranged in a closed loop, executes a movement with a direction of rotation to the left, this leads to a movement with a direction of rotation to the right in the first strand 41, in particular the first cable arranged in a closed loop.

[0076] In the Fig. 5 to 7, an alternative embodiment of the patient table 20, in particular a movement unit 100 of the patient table 20, is shown. Essentially identical components, features, and functions are generally designated by the same reference numerals. The following description is essentially limited to the differences from the embodiment in the Fig. 2 to 4, whereby with regard to the same components, features and functions, reference is made to the description of the embodiment in the Fig. 2 to 4.

[0077] The patient table 20 in the Fig. 5 to 7 differs from the patient table 20 in the Fig. 2 to 4 in an embodiment of the movement unit 100. A design of further components of the patient table 20, for example the bed board 31, the lower shell 30, the local high-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back high-frequency coil 24, corresponds to the description of the Fig. 2 to 4, to which reference is hereby made.

[0078] The movement unit 100 has a strand guide unit 101 with only a single strand 102, which in the present embodiment comprises a cable. The strand 102, in particular the cable, is designed as a closed double loop 103 together with the local high-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back high-frequency coil 24. The double loop 103 comprises two partial loops 104, 105, wherein the strand 102, in particular the cable, is arranged crossed between the two partial loops 104, 105.

[0079] The strand guide unit 101 also has four deflection rollers 106, 107, which are identical in construction to the deflection rollers from the embodiment in the Fig. 2 to 4, so that reference is hereby made to their description.

[0080] The strand 102, in particular the rope, is guided in the first partial loop 104 of the double loop 103 from the first foot-side deflection pulley 106 to the first head-side deflection pulley 106, wherein the local high-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back high-frequency coil 24, is arranged between the first foot-side deflection pulley 106 and the first head-side deflection pulley 106. In a transition from the first partial loop 104 to the second partial loop 105 of the double loop 103, the strand 102, in particular the rope, is guided from the first head-side deflection pulley 106 to the second foot-side deflection pulley 107. In the second partial loop 105 of the double loop 103, the strand 102, in particular the rope, is guided from the second foot-side deflection pulley 107 to the second head-side deflection pulley 107, wherein a stop element 108 is arranged on the strand 102 between the second foot-side deflection pulley 107 and the second head-side deflection pulley 107.The second foot-side deflection pulley 107 and the second head-side deflection pulley 107 protrude from recesses 38 arranged on the underside of the patient table 20, in particular on the lower shell 30 of the patient table 20, so that the strand 102, in particular the cable, is guided outside the patient table 20, in particular beneath the lower shell 30 of the patient table 20, between the second foot-side deflection pulley 107 and the second head-side deflection pulley 107. Furthermore, the strand 102 is guided in a further transition from the second partial loop 105 to the first partial loop 104 of the double loop 103 from the second head-side deflection pulley 107 to the first foot-side deflection pulley 106.

[0081] For a relative movement of the local high-frequency coil 24, in particular the local back high-frequency coil 24, with respect to the patient table 20, the strand 102 in the first partial loop 104 executes a movement in a direction of rotation that is opposite to a direction of rotation of a movement of the strand 102 in the second partial loop 105.

[0082] The design and functioning of the stop element 108 is analogous to the description of the stop element 48 in the Fig. 2 to 4, to which reference is hereby made.

[0083] 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] Patient support device adapted to support a patient for a magnetic resonance examination, comprising: - a patient table with a support board for supporting the patient, - a local high-frequency coil which is integrated into the patient table, wherein the local high-frequency coil is mounted below the bed board so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the patient table, and - a movement unit designed to transmit a movement to the local high-frequency coil, characterized by that the movement unit has a strand guide unit with at least one strand, wherein the at least one strand is connected to the local high-frequency coil for moving the local high-frequency coil. [2] Patient support device according to claim 1, characterized bythat the patient table has a receiving unit which is designed to receive the local high-frequency coil. [3] Patient support device according to claim 2, characterized by that the receiving unit has an at least partially closed hollow body structure. [4] Patient support device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the recording unit has a length that is at least twice the length of the local radio frequency coil. [5] Patient support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one strand comprises a rope. [6] Patient support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one strand is connected to the local high-frequency coil at the front and rear in the direction of movement of the local high-frequency coil. [7] Patient support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the strand guide unit for guiding the at least one strand has four deflection rollers, wherein two deflection rollers are arranged at a head-side end region of the patient table and two deflection rollers are arranged at a foot-side end region of the patient table within the patient table. [8] Patient support device according to one of claims 2 to 4 and claim 7, characterized by that the four deflection rollers are arranged at least partially within the receiving unit. [9] Patient support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one strand is guided at least partially outside the patient table, wherein the at least one strand is guided at least partially below the patient table. [10] Patient support device according to claim 9, characterized bythat the movement unit has a stop element which is arranged on a partial region of the at least one strand which is guided outside the patient table. [11] Patient support device according to claim 10, characterized by that the stop element is designed to transmit a movement to the local high-frequency coil when the patient table moves in the retraction direction and when the patient table moves against the retraction direction. [12] Patient support device according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized by that the patient table has two recesses on an underside of the patient table, which are designed to carry out the partial region of the at least one strand which is guided outside the patient table. [13] Patient support device according to claim 12, characterized bythat the patient table has a lower shell and a first recess is arranged at a foot-side end region of the lower shell and a second recess is arranged at a head-side end region of the lower shell, wherein a first deflection roller protrudes through the first recess and a second deflection roller protrudes through the second recess. [14] Patient support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the strand guide unit has two strands, each comprising a closed loop, wherein: - a first strand of the two strands comprises a closed loop together with the local radio frequency coil, - a second strand of the two strands comprises the partial area where the stop element is arranged, and - the strand guide unit has a coupling element for coupling the first strand to the second strand. [15] Patient support device according to claim 14, characterized by that in a starting position of the movement unit, the local high-frequency coil is arranged in a head-side end region within the receiving unit and the coupling element is arranged in a foot-side end region within the receiving unit. [16] Patient support device according to one of claims 14 or 15, characterized by that the first strand for a relative movement of the local high-frequency coil with respect to the patient table has a direction of rotation which is opposite to a direction of rotation of the second strand. [17] Patient support device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the strand guide unit has a single strand comprising a closed double loop together with the local radio frequency coil, wherein: - the strand is guided in a first partial loop of the double loop from a first foot-side deflection pulley to a first head-side deflection pulley, wherein the local high-frequency coil is arranged between the first foot-side deflection pulley and the first head-side deflection pulley, - the strand is guided to a transition from the first partial loop to a second partial loop of the double loop from the first head-side deflection pulley to a second foot-side deflection pulley, - the strand in the second partial loop of the double loop is guided from the second foot-side deflection pulley to a second head-side deflection pulley, wherein the strand is guided between the second foot-side deflection pulley and the second head-side deflection pulley outside the patient table and the stop element is arranged in this partial area, and - the strand is guided to a transition from the second partial loop to the first partial loop of the double loop from the second head-side deflection pulley to the first foot-side deflection pulley. [18] Patient support device according to claim 17, characterized by that the strand for a relative movement of the local high-frequency coil with respect to the patient table in the first partial loop of the double loop has a direction of rotation which is opposite to a direction of rotation of the strand in the second partial loop of the double loop. [19] Magnetic resonance device with a magnet unit, a patient receiving area at least partially surrounded by the magnet unit and a patient support device with a patient table, wherein the patient support device is designed according to one of the preceding claims and wherein the patient table is designed to be moved into the patient receiving area. [20] Magnetic resonance apparatus according to claim 19, characterized by that the magnet unit has a housing surrounding the patient receiving area and a stop element, wherein the stop element is designed to correspond to a stop element of the patient support device and is arranged on the housing surrounding the patient receiving area. [21] Magnetic resonance apparatus according to claim 20, characterized by that a position of the stop element in the longitudinal direction of the patient receiving area and a position of the stop element on the patient table are coordinated with one another in such a way that contact of the stop element with the stop element only occurs when the patient table has been moved into the patient receiving area until the local high-frequency coil is positioned in the FoV. [22] Magnetic resonance apparatus according to one of claims 20 or 21, characterized bythat the stop element has a detachable fastening element which holds the stop element in the retraction direction and against the retraction direction.

Images