Bed device, medical image capturing system, and operation method of bed device

Abstract

To provide a bed device which can surely control the lock states of a travel part and a top plate, a medical image capturing system equipped with such a bed device, and an operation method of the bed device.SOLUTION: In a bed device according to one aspect of the present invention, since locking of a travel part and locking of a top plate are automatically (without the operation of a user) performed in conjunction with connection between the bed device and a medical image capturing device, the user does not need to perform the operation for locking of the travel part and locking of the top plate when connecting or disconnecting the devices. Also, this eliminates such concerns that the travel part is not locked due to forgotten operations, lock release of the top plate is not in time for the operation timing, or the like. Consequently, the lock states of the travel part and the top plate can be surely controlled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bed device connectable to a medical imaging device, a medical imaging system including the bed device, and a method for operating the bed device, and more particularly to a technique for controlling connection and locking of the bed device. [Background technology]

[0002] When taking medical images of a subject using a medical imaging device (or a medical image diagnostic device) such as a magnetic resonance imaging device (MRI device, MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or an X-ray CT device (CT: Computed Tomography), it is known to use a bed device that is detachable from the main body of the medical imaging device in order to reduce the effort required to move the subject when moving from the hospital room in which the subject is present to the examination room in which the medical imaging device is installed, or to limit the use of magnetic materials in the examination room (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a bed device that can be mechanically and electrically connected to the main body of the medical imaging device.

[0003] When using such a bed device, it is necessary to perform an operation to connect (dock) the bed device to a medical imaging device and an operation to release the connection, and also to perform an operation to lock and unlock the running part of the bed device. In Patent Document 1, a coupling pedal for mechanically connecting the bed device to the MRI device and a caster lock pedal for locking the casters provided on the running part of the bed device are provided, and when the caster lock pedal is operated, the casters are locked and the bed device and the MRI device are electrically connected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7197984 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] After connecting the bed apparatus to the main body of the medical image diagnostic apparatus, it is necessary to lock the casters of the bed apparatus so that the bed does not move and cause unintended damage when the subject moves, etc. However, when operating a pedal to lock the casters as in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the user will forget to operate it and the casters will not be locked.

[0006] In addition, some bed devices have a slidable top plate for moving a subject into the imaging space of a medical imaging device. When using such a bed device, the top plate needs to be locked during bed transportation before connecting to the medical imaging device so that the top plate does not move unintentionally, causing damage to the bed device or the subject to fall. On the other hand, after connecting to the medical imaging device, the lock needs to be released so that the top plate can slide. In order to perform such locking and unlocking, a method has been used in the past in which a lock pin mechanically pops out or retracts in conjunction with the start of the top plate's operation. However, with such a method, there is a possibility that the pin does not pop out or retract in time with the top plate's operation due to assembly errors or wear over time, resulting in the top plate being unable to operate.

[0007] As described above, the conventional techniques have not been able to reliably control the locked state of the running portion and the top plate.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a bed device that can reliably control the locking state of the running part and the tabletop, a medical imaging system equipped with such a bed device, and a method for operating the bed device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a bed device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a bed device comprising: a main body unit having a top plate on which a subject is placed, a running unit for running the main body unit, a connection connector unit for mechanically and electrically detachably connecting the main body unit to a medical imaging device configured separately from the main body unit, a connection operation member for accepting operations to instruct connection and release of the connection, a connection detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of a connection, and a control unit for controlling the locked state of the top plate and the runnable state of the running unit based on the detected presence or absence of a connection, wherein, in response to detection of a connection by the connection detection unit, the control unit locks the running unit to prevent the main body unit from running and unlocks the top plate to enable the top plate to slide, and in response to detection of release of the connection by the connection detection unit, the control unit unlocks the running unit to enable the main body unit to run and unlocks the top plate to prevent the top plate from sliding.

[0010] According to the first aspect, when the bed device is connected to the medical imaging device, the detection unit detects the connection, and the control unit locks the travel unit and unlocks the top plate to allow the top plate to slide, and when the connection between the bed device and the medical imaging device is released, the detection unit detects the release of the connection, and the control unit unlocks the travel unit to allow the bed device to run, and locks the top plate to prevent the top plate from sliding. That is, the locking of the travel unit and the top plate is performed automatically (without user operation) in conjunction with the connection between the bed device and the medical imaging device, so the user does not need to perform operations to lock the travel unit and the top plate when connecting and releasing the connection. In addition, there is no risk that the travel unit will not be locked due to forgetting to operate, or the top plate will not be unlocked in time for the operation timing. In this way, according to the first aspect, the locked state of the travel unit and the top plate can be reliably controlled.

[0011] The bed device according to the first aspect can be applied to, for example, an MRI device, but can also be applied to medical imaging devices (medical image diagnostic devices) such as X-ray CT devices and PET (Positron Emission Tomography) devices that use a movable bed.

[0012] The bed device according to the second aspect is the first aspect, in which the running unit is equipped with casters that can be locked electrically, and the control unit locks the casters electrically to prevent the main unit from moving, and unlocks the casters to allow the main unit to move. The second aspect specifies one aspect of the configuration of the running unit and the locking. In the second aspect, it is preferable that the control unit locks the wheels of the casters against both swiveling and rotation (rotation). It is also preferable that the control unit locks all of the wheels of the casters.

[0013] The bed device according to the third aspect is the first or second aspect, in which the running part has a stopper that can protrude from the main body part toward the running surface, and the control part locks the running part by protruding the stopper and abutting it against the running surface, and unlocks the running part by moving the stopper away from the running surface. The third aspect specifies another aspect of the configuration of the running part and the lock. In the third aspect, the stopper may be one or more.

[0014] A fourth aspect of the bed apparatus is the third aspect, in which the running unit includes a first solenoid coil, a first spring member that is compressed by energizing the first solenoid coil, and a stopper connected to the first spring member, and the control unit energizes the first solenoid coil to compress the first spring member and move the stopper away from the running surface, and stops the compression of the first spring member and causes the stopper to protrude and abut against the running surface by stopping the energization of the first solenoid coil. The fourth aspect specifies one aspect of the configuration of the stopper.

[0015] A bed device according to a fifth aspect is any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the main body comprises a second solenoid coil, a second spring member that is compressed by energizing the second solenoid coil, and a lock pin connected to the second spring member, and the control unit energizes the second solenoid coil to compress the second spring member and remove the lock pin from the tabletop, and stops energizing the second solenoid coil to stop compression of the second spring member and cause the lock pin to protrude and be inserted into the tabletop. The fifth aspect specifies one aspect of a configuration for locking the tabletop.

[0016] A bed device according to a sixth aspect is any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the main body comprises a third solenoid coil and a magnetic body arranged on the top board facing the third solenoid coil, and the control unit applies current to the third solenoid coil to attract the magnetic body to the third solenoid coil to make the top board unable to slide, and stops applying current to the third solenoid coil to release the attraction, making the top board slidable. The sixth aspect specifies another aspect of the configuration for locking the top board.

[0017] The bed apparatus according to a seventh aspect is any one of the first to sixth aspects, in which the connection operation member includes a connection pedal that accepts a connection operation and a disconnection pedal that accepts a disconnection operation. A user can perform a connection operation and a disconnection operation by operating these pedals (e.g., by stepping on them with a foot).

[0018] The bed apparatus according to an eighth aspect is any one of the first to seventh aspects, and further includes a panel that displays one or more of a connection status, a lock status of the running unit, and a lock status of the tabletop. According to the eighth aspect, a user can easily recognize the connection status and the lock status from the display.

[0019] In the bed apparatus of the ninth aspect, in the eighth aspect, the panel includes a lock operation member that receives a lock operation to instruct the locking of the traveling unit when the bed apparatus is not connected to a medical imaging device and an unlock operation to instruct the release of the locking caused by the locking operation, and the control unit locks the traveling unit in response to the lock operation and unlocks the traveling unit in response to the unlock operation. According to the ninth aspect, the user can operate the panel to lock and unlock the traveling unit as necessary when the bed apparatus is not connected to a medical imaging device (for example, during movement from a hospital room to an examination room).

[0020] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a medical imaging system according to a tenth aspect of the present invention includes a bed apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects and a medical imaging device. Since the medical imaging system according to the tenth aspect includes the bed apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the locked state of the traveling unit and the tabletop can be reliably controlled.

[0021] A medical imaging system according to an eleventh aspect is the tenth aspect, in which the medical imaging device includes any one of an MRI device, an X-ray CT device, and a PET device. The eleventh aspect specifically defines the aspect of the medical imaging device.

[0022] In order to achieve the above object, a method for operating a bed apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is a method for operating a bed apparatus comprising: a main body section having a top plate on which a subject is placed, a traveling section for traveling the main body section, a connector section for mechanically and electrically detachably connecting the main body section to a medical imaging device configured separately from the main body section, a connection operation member for receiving an operation for instructing connection and disconnection, a connection detection section for detecting the presence or absence of connection, and a control section for controlling the locked state of the top plate and the movable state of the traveling section based on the detected presence or absence of connection, in which the control section locks the traveling section to disable the main body section from traveling and unlocks the top plate to enable the top plate to slide in response to detection of connection by the connection detection section, and unlocks the traveling section to enable the main body section to travel and locks the top plate to disable the top plate to slide in response to detection of disconnection by the connection detection section. According to the twelfth aspect, the locked states of the traveling section and the top plate can be reliably controlled as in the first aspect. Effect of the Invention

[0023] As described above, according to the bed apparatus, medical imaging system, and operation method of the bed apparatus of the present invention, the locked state of the traveling section and the tabletop can be reliably controlled. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a medical imaging system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a medical imaging apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the main configuration of the bed apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram (1 / 2) showing the user's work and the system's operation. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram (2 / 2) showing the user's work and the system's operation. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the docking unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the pedal unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an operation panel. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the mechanical connection between the bed and the main body of the apparatus. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the top plate locking mechanism. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a top view showing how the top plate is locked / unlocked by the top plate locking mechanism. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view showing how the top plate is locked by the top plate locking mechanism. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of the configuration for locking the running unit. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a modified example of the tabletop locking mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the bed apparatus, medical imaging system, and operation method of the bed apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Note that in the attached drawings, some components may be omitted for convenience of explanation. Also, the attached drawings do not show the exact shapes and dimensions of the bed apparatus, medical imaging apparatus, and medical imaging system.

[0026] [First embodiment] [Overview of medical imaging systems] First, the configuration of a medical imaging system will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, a medical imaging system 10 according to the first embodiment includes a medical imaging device 100 and a bed device 300. Part (a) of Fig. 1 shows a state in which the medical imaging device 100 and the bed device 300 are separated, and part (b) of the same figure shows a state in which the medical imaging device 100 and the bed device 300 are connected.

[0027] The medical imaging device 100 and the device body 101 are devices for obtaining a tomographic image of the subject 110, and may have any configuration as long as they can obtain an image of the subject 110 placed on the bed device 300. For example, an MRI device (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) using the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) phenomenon, an X-ray CT device, or other devices may be used. FIG. 1 shows a tunnel bore type MRI device equipped with a cylindrical gantry as an example of the medical imaging device 100 and the device body 101. The device body 101 has a cylindrical tunnel with the axial direction horizontal, and generates a static magnetic field in the tunnel to create an imaging space. The device main body 101 is placed in an electromagnetically shielded room, and the gradient magnetic field power supply 132, sequencer 140, high-frequency oscillator 151, modulator 152, high-frequency amplifier 153, signal amplifier 162, quadrature phase detector 163, A / D converter 164, control unit 170, etc. (see Figure 2) are placed outside the electromagnetically shielded room and are electrically connected to the device main body 101 by cables.

[0028] 1, in the medical imaging system 10, the bed apparatus 300 on which the subject 110 rests can be connected and separated (disconnected) from the medical imaging device 100 for imaging the subject 110, and the bed apparatus 300 is provided with a pedal unit 400 for operating the connection of the bed apparatus 300. The detailed configuration of the bed apparatus 300, the connection structure between the bed apparatus 300 and the medical imaging device 100, and control of the locked state will be described in detail later.

[0029] [Configuration of medical imaging device] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the medical imaging device 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the medical imaging device 100 includes a static magnetic field generating source 120, a gradient magnetic field generating unit 130, a sequencer 140, a high-frequency irradiation unit 150, a signal detection unit 160, and a control unit 170.

[0030] The static magnetic field source 120 generates a uniform static magnetic field in a static magnetic field space accommodating the subject 110, in a direction perpendicular to the body axis of the subject 110 in the case of a vertical magnetic field type, or in the direction of the body axis of the subject 110 in the case of a horizontal magnetic field type. The static magnetic field source 120 of a permanent magnet type, normal conducting type, or superconducting type is arranged around the subject 110.

[0031] The gradient magnetic field generating unit 130 has a gradient magnetic field coil 131 which is superimposed on a static magnetic field space and generates gradient magnetic fields in three axial directions of X, Y, and Z which are the coordinate system (stationary coordinate system) of the medical image imaging device 100, and a gradient magnetic field power supply 132 which drives each gradient magnetic field coil 131. By driving the gradient magnetic field power supply 132 of each coil according to an instruction, i.e., control, from a sequencer 140 described later, gradient magnetic fields Gx, Gy, and Gz are generated in the three axial directions of X, Y, and Z. During imaging, a slice direction gradient magnetic field pulse (Gs) is applied in a direction perpendicular to the slice plane (imaging cross section) to set a slice plane for the subject 110, and a phase encoding direction gradient magnetic field pulse (Gp) and a frequency encoding direction gradient magnetic field pulse (Gf) are applied in the remaining two directions perpendicular to the slice plane and perpendicular to each other, to encode position information in each direction in an echo signal.

[0032] The sequencer 140 repeatedly applies radio frequency magnetic field pulses (RF pulses) and gradient magnetic field pulses in a certain predetermined pulse sequence. The sequencer 140 operates under the control of a central processing unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit) 171, and sends various commands, i.e., controls, required for data collection of tomographic images of the subject 110 to the gradient magnetic field generating unit 130, the radio frequency irradiation unit 150, and the signal detecting unit 160.

[0033] The radio-frequency irradiation unit 150 irradiates the subject 110 with an RF pulse in order to cause nuclear magnetic resonance in the nuclear spins of atoms constituting the biological tissue of the subject 110. The radio-frequency irradiation unit 150 includes a radio-frequency oscillator 151, a modulator 152, a radio-frequency amplifier 153, and an irradiation coil 154 which is a radio-frequency coil on the transmitting side. The RF pulse output from the radio-frequency oscillator 151 is amplitude-modulated by the modulator 152 at a timing according to a command from the sequencer 140, and the amplitude-modulated RF pulse is amplified by the radio-frequency amplifier 153 and then supplied to the irradiation coil 154 arranged close to the subject 110, whereby the subject 110 is irradiated with an electromagnetic wave.

[0034] The signal detection unit 160 detects an echo signal, which is an NMR signal emitted by nuclear magnetic resonance of atomic spins constituting the biological tissue of the subject 110. The signal detection unit 160 includes a receiving coil 161, which is a high-frequency coil on the receiving side, a signal amplifier 162, a quadrature phase detector 163, and an A / D converter 164 (analog / digital converter). An NMR signal of a response induced in the subject 110 by an electromagnetic wave irradiated from the irradiation coil 154 is detected by the receiving coil 161 arranged close to the subject 110, amplified by the signal amplifier 162, and then divided into two orthogonal systems of signals by the quadrature phase detector 163 at a timing according to a command from the sequencer 140, each of which is converted into a digital quantity by the A / D converter 164 and sent to the control unit 170.

[0035] The control unit 170 performs various data processing, and displays and stores the processing results. The control unit 170 includes a processor such as a CPU 171, a storage device such as an internal memory 172, an external storage device 180 such as an optical disk 181 or a magnetic disk 182, and an input / output unit 190. When the signal detection unit 160 receives a signal or data, the CPU 171 uses the internal memory 172 as a working area to execute processing such as signal processing and image reconstruction, and displays the resulting tomographic image of the subject 110 on the output device 200 and records it in the external storage device 180.

[0036] The input / output unit 190 inputs and outputs various control information of the medical imaging apparatus 100 and control information of the processing performed by the control unit 170, specifically, accepts input and displays imaging parameters of a pulse sequence, etc. The input / output unit 190 includes an input device 210 including a pointing device 211 such as a trackball, mouse, pad, or touch panel, and a keyboard 212, and an output device 200 including a display 201 such as a cathode-ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD), and a printer 202. The input device 210 may be disposed close to the output device 200, and interactive control may be performed, for example, by an operator instructing the medical imaging apparatus 100 to execute various processes through the pointing device 211 while looking at the display 201. Also, a touch panel that operates as the input device 210 may be disposed on the display surface of the display 201, and input operations may be performed by selecting or operating the display contents of the display 201.

[0037] The subject 110 is placed on a top board 310 of the bed device 300, and is accommodated in a static magnetic field space, which is an imaging space, by the bed moving device 220. The irradiation coil 154 and gradient magnetic field coil 131 on the transmitting side are installed in the static magnetic field space in which the subject 110 is accommodated, facing the subject 110 in the case of a vertical magnetic field type, or surrounding the subject 110 in the case of a horizontal magnetic field type. The receiving coil 161 on the receiving side is installed facing or surrounding the subject 110.

[0038] The nuclide currently being imaged by MRI devices, which is widely used in clinical practice, is hydrogen nuclei (protons), which are the main constituent of the subject 110. By imaging information on the spatial distribution of proton density and the spatial distribution of the relaxation time of the excited state, the morphology or function of the human head, abdomen, limbs, etc. can be imaged two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally.

[0039] [Couch system configuration] Next, the bed device 300 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the main components of the bed device 300. As shown in FIG. 3, the bed device 300 includes a top board 310 and a top board holder 311 on which the subject 110 is placed, a main body 340, and a cart 313 (running unit), and is configured separately from the above-mentioned medical imaging device 100. The main body 340 can move using electric casters 370 (running unit, casters) provided on the cart 313. The bed device 300 includes, for example, four electric casters 370, but the number of electric casters 370 may be different. In this embodiment, the electric casters 370 may be casters that can be locked electrically, and may be casters that do not include a motor and have only a function of locking electrically, or may be casters that include a motor and can move independently (in this case, the rotation of the motor can be locked electrically to prevent the casters from moving).

[0040] The top board 310 is held by a top board holder 311, and can be slid in the X direction in Fig. 3 by a bed moving device 220 in the medical imaging apparatus 100. The top board lifting mechanism 356 includes a pantograph arm and a hydraulic jack (not shown), and lifts and lowers the top board 310 and the top board holder 311 in the Z direction (vertical direction). The top board locking mechanism 360 locks the top board 310 to prevent it from sliding, or unlocks the top board 310 to allow it to slide.

[0041] The cart 313 is provided with a pedal unit 400 (connection operation member), and when a user of the bed apparatus 300 operates the pedal unit 400, a docking unit 320 (connector unit) on the bed apparatus 300 side and a docking unit 230 on the medical imaging apparatus 100 side are mechanically and electrically connected in a detachable manner. The processor 350 includes a connection detection unit 352 (connection detection unit) and a control unit 354 (control unit), and the connection detection unit 352 detects whether or not the docking unit 320 and the docking unit 230 are connected. Based on the detected presence or absence of connection, the control unit 354 controls the lock state of the tabletop 310 by the tabletop locking mechanism 360, and also controls the movable state of the electric casters 370 (running units).

[0042] The processor 350 is composed of various processors such as a CPU, an internal memory, etc. The bed apparatus 300 also includes a battery (not shown) that supplies power to each unit. This battery can be charged by the power supply of the medical imaging apparatus 100 while the bed apparatus 300 is connected to the medical imaging apparatus 100.

[0043] The operation panel 380 (panel), as described in detail below, can display one or more of the connection status, the lock status of the electric casters 370 (running parts, casters), and the lock status of the tabletop 310. The operation panel 380 also includes a lock operation member that receives a lock operation to instruct the electric casters 370 to be locked when the bed apparatus 300 is not connected to the medical imaging apparatus 100, and an unlock operation to instruct the unlocking of the electric casters 370 by the lock operation.

[0044] [User and system operations] The user's work steps in the medical imaging system 10 and the associated system operations will be described below with reference to Figures 4 and 5. In Figures 4 and 5, steps S100 to S170 indicate the user's work or operations, and steps S200 to S300 indicate the system operations.

[0045] [Connection between medical imaging device and bed device] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the bed apparatus 300 can be moved by a cart 313 (running unit) with electric casters 370, and the subject 110 is placed on the top board 310. Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the bed apparatus 300 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 101. The bed apparatus 300 separated from the apparatus main body 101 is moved to an antechamber or a hospital room of the subject 110 where the magnetism of the apparatus main body 101 does not reach, and the subject 110 is placed thereon. Then, with the subject 110 placed on the bed apparatus 300, the bed apparatus 300 is moved to a position where it can be docked with the gantry (apparatus main body 101) (step S100). The user presses the connection pedal 410 (step S110) to connect the bed apparatus 300 to the apparatus main body 101 (steps S200 to S230). When connecting, the electric casters 370 are locked and the table top 310 is unlocked (steps S200, S230). Control of the connection and locking states and the configuration for performing these controls will be described in detail later.

[0046] As shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 6, a docking unit 230 is provided on the front side of the device main body 101 as a connection means between the device main body 101 and the bed device 300, while a docking unit 320 is installed on the front end side (+X side) of the carriage 313 of the bed device 300, and a pedal unit 400 is installed on the rear end side (-X side). When a cover 315 of the bed device 300 is removed, the docking unit 320 and the pedal unit 400 appear (see Fig. 1). The docking unit 320 and the pedal unit 400 are connected by a wire 325 for mechanical connection and a wire 326 for electrical connection. An operation on the pedal unit 400 is transmitted to the docking unit 320 via the wire 325 and the wire 326, and the docking unit 320 is mechanically and electrically connected (docked, connected) to the docking unit 230 (see Figs. 1 and 6).

[0047] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the pedal unit. As shown in the figure, the pedal unit 400 includes two pedals, a connection pedal 410 and a connection release pedal 420. The lower ends of the connection pedal 410 and the connection release pedal 420 are usually hidden by the cover 315 shown in FIG. 1(b), and only the upper ends are exposed. The connection pedal 410 is a pedal for operating both the mechanical connection and the electrical connection between the device main body 101 and the bed device 300 in an orderly manner. The connection release pedal 420 is a pedal for operating the release of the mechanical connection and the electrical connection between the device main body 101 and the bed device 300. In addition to the above elements, the pedal unit 400 includes a lock plate, a lock bar, a release plate, etc. (not shown).

[0048] [Operation Panel] 8 is a diagram showing an operation panel 380 (panel) provided on the bed apparatus 300. The operation panel 380 is arranged, for example, on a handle portion provided on the rear (-X side) of the tabletop holding part 311, and includes buttons 382, ​​384, 388, 392, a lamp 386, and an indicator 390. The button 382 (lock operation member) is a button (switch) that accepts a lock operation and an unlock operation of the electric caster 370, and a user can operate the button 382 to lock or unlock the electric caster 370 at any place such as a hospital corridor (when the bed apparatus 300 is not connected to the medical image pickup apparatus 100). The button 382 includes a lamp 382A that indicates the lock state of each wheel of the electric caster 370, and the lamp 382A emits light in different states depending on the lock state of each wheel. The button 384 is a button that the user operates to lock or unlock the top 310, and lights up in different states depending on the lock state of the top. The lamp 386 is a lamp that indicates the connection state, and lights up when the bed device 300 approaches a position where it can be docked (connected) with the device main body 101, and lights up in a different state when docking is completed. The button 388 is a button that the user operates to insert the top 310 into the imaging space of the medical imaging device 100 and to pull it out from the imaging space. The insertion and pull-out are performed by the bed moving device 220. The lamp 386 is a lamp that indicates the remaining charge of a battery (not shown) mounted on the bed device 300, and lights up in different states depending on the remaining charge of the battery. The button 392 is composed of an UP button 392A and a DOWN button 392B, and the user can raise and lower the top 310 by operating these buttons.

[0049] [Connection between the bed and the device] The device main body 101 and the bed device 300 are mechanically connected by the hook 321 of the docking unit 320 being hooked onto the connecting bar 231 of the docking unit 230 (step S210). Specifically, as shown in Fig. 9, when the user depresses the connection pedal 410, the wire 325 is pulled, the rear side of the support part 329 descends from the protrusion 330, the hook 321 also descends downward, and the tip of the hook 321 is hooked onto the connecting bar 231 (shifting from the state shown in Fig. 9(a) to the state shown in Fig. 9(b); mechanical connection).

[0050] Furthermore, the electrical connector 322 of the docking unit 320 is fitted into the electrical connector 232 of the docking unit 230, thereby electrically connecting the device body 101 and the bed device 300 (step S220). Specifically, when the user further depresses the connection pedal 410, the wire 326 shown in FIG. 6 is pulled, the coupling tool rotates downwards on the axis, and the pin 233 enters the notch. This aligns the electrical connectors, and the electrical connectors are drawn together and connected (electrical connection). In this way, in the bed device 300 according to the first embodiment, mechanical and electrical connections can be made by operating the connection pedal 410.

[0051] [Connection operation: Locking electric casters and unlocking the tabletop] When the user depresses the connection pedal 410, the electric caster 370 is locked (step S200; locking of the running part) and the tabletop 310 is unlocked (step S230) in conjunction with the connection between the device body 101 and the bed device 300. The electric caster 370 can be locked, for example, by electrically engaging gears to stop the rotation of the electric caster 370, but it may also be locked by inserting a pin into the caster part to stop the rotation, as in the case of locking the tabletop 310 described later. In the medical imaging system 10 according to the first embodiment, the electric caster 370 (running part, caster) is electrically locked in conjunction with the connection in this way, so that the user will not forget to operate the lock pedal and the electric caster 370 will not be left unlocked.

[0052] [Lock the top board] 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the top board locking mechanism 360. As shown in FIG. 10, the top board locking mechanism 360 includes a solenoid coil 362 (second solenoid coil, electromagnetic coil), a spring 364 (second spring member) that is compressed by energizing the solenoid coil 362, and a lock pin 366 (lock pin) connected to the spring 364, and is disposed on the -X side (+Y side and -Y side) of the top board holding part 311 as shown in FIG. 11. In this way, it is preferable to provide the top board locking mechanism 360 at the rear (-X side) of the top board 310 so as not to enter the magnetic field of the medical imaging device 100. FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the top board locking mechanism 360 in the top board holding part 311.

[0053] When the device main body 101 and the bed device 300 are not connected, as shown in part (b) of Fig. 10, the power supply to the solenoid coil 362 is turned off, the compression of the spring 364 is stopped, and the lock pin 366 is in a protruding state. Part (b) of Fig. 11 and part (b) of Fig. 12 show a state in which the lock pin 366 protrudes and is inserted into the top board 310 (locked state of the top board 310).

[0054] When the connection detector 352 (processor 350) detects the connection between the device body 101 and the bed device 300, the controller 354 (processor 350) energizes the solenoid coil 362, which compresses the spring 364 as shown in part (a) of FIG. 10 to remove the lock pin 366 from the top plate 310. Part (a) of FIG. 11 and part (a) of FIG. 12 show a state in which the lock pin 366 is removed from the top plate 310 (unlocked state of the top plate 310). In this state, the top plate 310 can be slid by the bed moving device 220. In the medical imaging system 10 according to the first embodiment, the lock of the top plate 310 is released in conjunction with the connection in this way, so that the top plate 310 does not become unable to slide due to the lock being released too late. The controller 354 may first lock the electric casters 370 or unlock the top plate 310, or may perform both in parallel.

[0055] [Tabletop lift and slide] The user sets the coil on the subject (step S120), and operates the operation panel 380, or the input device 210 of the medical image imaging device 100 or an operation member (not shown) to instruct the lifting and sliding of the top 310 (step S130). In response to this instruction, the top lifting mechanism 356 lifts the top 310 and the top holder 311 to the height of the imaging space of the device main body 101 (step S240), and the bed moving device 220 slides the top 310 in the horizontal direction (+X direction in FIG. 3) relative to the top holder 311 (step S240). As a result, the subject 110 is inserted into the imaging space, and the imaging site of the subject 110 can be transported to the imaging position.

[0056] [Imaging] When the imaging region of subject 110 is transported to the imaging position, the user issues an instruction to perform imaging by operating input device 210 or the like (step S140), and imaging is performed in a predetermined sequence in response to this instruction (step S250).

[0057] [Sliding the tabletop] When imaging is completed, the user operates the operation panel 380, or the input device 210 of the medical image imaging apparatus 100 or an operation member (not shown) to instruct sliding of the top board 310 (step S150), and in response to this instruction, the bed moving device 220 slides the top board 310 in the -X direction and returns it to its original position (step S160). If the top board 310 was raised or lowered during connection, the top board lifting mechanism 356 returns the top board 310 to its original height.

[0058] [Disconnect] As the examiner (user) depresses the disconnection pedal 420 (release pedal) (step S160), a release plate, a lock bar, a lock plate, etc. (not shown) are operated, and the wire 326 is pulled. As a result, the pin 233 is pushed out from the notch of the connector, and the electrical connector 232 and the electrical connector 322 are released from the dock (step S270: release of electrical connection). Then, by further depressing the disconnection pedal 420 (step S160), the support part 329 is pushed forward and rides on the protrusion 330, and the hook 321 rises to its original position and is released from the connection bar 231 (step S280: release of mechanical connection, transition from the state shown in part (b) of FIG. 9 to the state shown in part (a) of the same figure). In this way, in the bed device 300, the electrical and mechanical connection can be released by operating the disconnection pedal 420, which is a single operating member.

[0059] [Actions upon disconnection] When the connection detection unit 352 (processor 350) detects the disconnection, the control unit 354 (processor 350) responds to this detection by unlocking the electric casters 370 (running units) (step S300) to enable the bed device 300 to move, and locking the tabletop 310 (step S290) to disable the tabletop 310 from sliding. The control unit 354 can unlock the electric casters 370, for example, by releasing the meshing of the gears described above. The control unit 354 can also lock the tabletop 310 by stopping the compression of the spring 364 by stopping the supply of electricity to the solenoid coil 362 described above, thereby causing the lock pin 366 to protrude and be inserted into the tabletop 310. The control unit 354 may first unlock the electric casters 370 or lock the tabletop 310, or may perform both in parallel. After the electric casters 370 have been unlocked and the tabletop 310 has been locked, the user removes the bed apparatus 300 from the gantry (apparatus body 101) and transports it (step S170).

[0060] [Advantages of the first embodiment] As described above, according to the medical imaging system 10 (medical imaging device 100, bed device 300) of the first embodiment, the locked state of the electric casters 370 and the locked state of the tabletop 310 are controlled in conjunction with the connection between the medical imaging device 100 and the bed device 300, so that the locked states of the electric casters 370 (running parts, casters) and the tabletop 310 can be reliably controlled.

[0061] [Variations] [Modification of the running part lock] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of the configuration for locking the running part. In the modified example shown in Fig. 13, the bed apparatus 300 includes a running part locking mechanism 372 similar to the above-mentioned tabletop locking mechanism 360. The running part locking mechanism 372 includes a solenoid coil 374 (first solenoid coil), a spring 376 (first spring member) that is compressed when current is applied to the solenoid coil 374, and a stopper 378 (stopper) that is connected to the spring 376 and can protrude from the main body 340 toward the running surface 900. An elastic member such as rubber may be provided on the tip of the stopper 378 (the side that contacts the running surface 900) to prevent slipping.

[0062] When the bed device 300 is not connected to the device main body 101 (medical imaging device 100), if the user issues an instruction to unlock the running part through the operation panel 380, the control unit 354 (processor 350) energizes the solenoid coil 374 to compress the spring 376 and move the stopper 378 away from the running surface 900 (running surface), thereby unlocking the running part and enabling the main body 340 (bed device 300) to run, as shown in part (a) of Fig. 13. When the bed device 300 is connected to the device main body 101, or when the bed device 300 is not connected to the device main body 101 but the user issues an instruction to lock the running part through the operation panel 380, the control unit 354 stops energizing the solenoid coil 374 to stop compression of the spring 376 and causes the stopper 378 to protrude and abut (contact) against the running surface, thereby locking the running part and disabling the main body 340 from running, as shown in part (b) of Fig. 13.

[0063] There may be one or more running part locking mechanisms 372. By increasing the number of running part locking mechanisms 372 and / or increasing the contact force, unintended running of the running part can be reliably prevented.

[0064] [Modification of the tabletop locking mechanism] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a modification of the tabletop locking mechanism (top view of the bed apparatus 300). In the modification shown in FIG. 14, in the bed apparatus 300, a solenoid coil 362A (third solenoid coil) is provided on the tabletop holding unit 311, and a magnetic body 362D (magnetic body) is arranged on the tabletop 310 at a position facing the solenoid coil 362A. When locking the tabletop 310, the control unit 354 (processor 350) applies electricity to the solenoid coil 362A to attract the magnetic body 362D by magnetic force, thereby locking the tabletop 310. When unlocking the tabletop 310, the control unit 354 stops applying electricity to the solenoid coil 362A to stop the attraction. With this configuration, there is no mechanical movement of the members, so that the effects of wear and assembly errors can be reduced. It is preferable that such a tabletop locking mechanism is provided at the rear (−X side) of the tabletop 310 to prevent it from entering the magnetic field of the medical imaging apparatus 100.

[0065] [others] In the bed device 300 of this embodiment, the hardware structure of the processor 350 (connection detection unit 352, control unit 354) that detects the connection and controls the lock state of the tabletop 310 and the running unit is, for example, various processors as shown below. The "various processors" include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is a general-purpose processor that executes software (programs) and functions as various processing units, a programmable logic device (PLD), which is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacture such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a dedicated electric circuit, which is a processor having a circuit configuration designed specifically to execute a specific process such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0066] The connection detection unit 352 and the control unit 354 may be configured with one of these various processors, or may be configured with two or more processors of the same or different types (for example, multiple FPGAs, or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Also, multiple processing units (the connection detection unit 352 and the control unit 354) may be configured with one processor. As an example of configuring multiple processing units with one processor, first, as represented by a computer such as a client or a server, there is a form in which one processor is configured with a combination of one or more CPUs and software, and this processor functions as multiple processing units. Second, as represented by a system on chip (SoC), there is a form in which a processor that realizes the functions of the entire system including multiple processing units with one IC (Integrated Circuit) chip is used. In this way, the various processing units can be configured using one or more of the above various processors as a hardware structure.

[0067] More specifically, the hardware structure of these various processors is an electric circuit that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements. When the various processors operate, they can refer to programs and data recorded in non-transient and tangible recording media such as ROM (Read Only Memory), and can use recording media such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or internal memory as a temporary working area during operation.

[0068] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 220...Bed moving device 230…Docking unit 300…Bedroom equipment 310…Tabletop 311…Tabletop holder 313…Trolley 320…Docking unit 340…Main body 350…processor 352…Connection detection unit 354...Control unit 356…Tabletop lifting mechanism 360…Tabletop lock mechanism 370…Electric casters 380…Operation panel 400…Pedal unit

Claims

1. a main body having a top plate on which a subject is placed; A running unit that runs the main body unit; a connector section for mechanically and electrically detachably connecting the main body section to a medical image pickup device configured separately from the main body section; a connection operation member that receives an operation to instruct the connection and release of the connection; a connection detection unit that detects the presence or absence of the connection; a control unit that controls a locked state of the tabletop and a movable state of the traveling unit based on the detected presence or absence of the connection; A bed apparatus comprising: The control unit is in response to detection of the connection by the connection detection unit, locking the traveling unit to disable the main body unit from traveling and unlocking the top plate to enable the top plate to slide; in response to detection of the release of the connection by the connection detection unit, unlocking the traveling unit to allow the main body unit to travel, and locking the top plate to prevent the top plate from sliding. Sleeping device.

2. The running part is provided with casters that can be locked electrically, The bed apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit electrically locks the casters to prevent the main body from moving, and releases the lock to allow the main body to move.

3. The bed device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the running unit is provided with a stopper that can protrude from the main body unit toward the running surface, and the control unit locks the running unit by protruding the stopper and abutting it against the running surface, and unlocks the running unit by moving the stopper away from the running surface.

4. the traveling portion includes a first solenoid coil, a first spring member that is compressed by energizing the first solenoid coil, and the stopper that is connected to the first spring member; the control unit energizes the first solenoid coil to compress the first spring member and move the stopper away from the traveling surface, and stops energizing the first solenoid coil to stop compression of the first spring member and cause the stopper to protrude and abut against the traveling surface. The sleeper apparatus according to claim 3.

5. the main body portion includes a second solenoid coil, a second spring member that is compressed when current is applied to the second solenoid coil, and a lock pin that is connected to the second spring member; The control unit energizes the second solenoid coil to compress the second spring member and remove the lock pin from the tabletop, and stops energizing the second solenoid coil to stop compression of the second spring member and cause the lock pin to protrude and be inserted into the tabletop. The bed apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

6. the main body portion includes a third solenoid coil and a magnetic body disposed on the top plate opposite the third solenoid coil; the control unit attracts the magnetic body to the third solenoid coil by energizing the third solenoid coil, thereby making the top plate unable to slide, and releases the attraction by stopping the energization of the third solenoid coil, thereby making the top plate slidable. The bed apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

7. 3. The bed apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection operation member comprises a connection pedal that receives an operation for the connection, and a connection release pedal that receives an operation for the release of the connection.

8. 3. The bed apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a panel that displays one or more of the connection state, the lock state of the travel section, and the lock state of the tabletop.

9. the panel includes a lock operation member that receives a lock operation for instructing to lock the traveling unit when the bed apparatus is not connected to the medical imaging apparatus, and an unlock operation for instructing to release the lock caused by the lock operation, The bed apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the control unit locks the traveling unit in response to the locking operation and unlocks the traveling unit in response to the unlocking operation.

10. A bed apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, the medical imaging device; A medical imaging system comprising:

11. The medical imaging system according to claim 10 , wherein the medical imaging device includes any one of an MRI device, an X-ray CT device, and a PET device.

12. A method for operating a bed device comprising: a main body section having a top plate on which a subject is placed; a travel section for traveling the main body section; a connector section for mechanically and electrically connecting the main body section to a medical imaging device configured separately from the main body section in a detachable manner; a connection operation member for receiving an operation for instructing the connection and the release of the connection; a connection detection section for detecting the presence or absence of the connection; and a control section for controlling a locked state of the top plate and a movable state of the travel section based on the detected presence or absence of the connection, The control unit is in response to detection of the connection by the connection detection unit, locking the traveling unit to disable the main body unit from traveling and unlocking the top plate to enable the top plate to slide; in response to detection of the release of the connection by the connection detection unit, unlocking the traveling unit to allow the main body unit to travel, and locking the top plate to prevent the top plate from sliding. A method for operating a sleeping device.

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