Data processing device, data processing method, and magnetic resonance imaging device

Abstract

To provide a data processing device and a data processing method capable of easily executing correction of a detection result of a heart resting time phase when executing detection of a heart resting time phase, and to provide a magnetic resonance imaging device equipped with the data processing device.SOLUTION: A data processing device includes: a reconstruction part 31 for reconstructing a plurality of heart images 22 along a time series on the basis of a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal acquired by a magnetic resonance imaging device (MRI device 10); a time phase detection part 32 for detecting one or more heart resting time phases on the basis of the plurality of images 22 reconstructed by the reconstruction part 31; a display control part 33 for causing a display part 18 to display the heart resting time phases; an operation part 20 for receiving input of a correction operation for the heart resting time phases; and a time phase correction part 34 for correcting the heart resting time phases on the basis of the correction operation input to the operation part 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a data processing device and a data processing method for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, and to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus equipped with this data processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] A magnetic resonance imaging device (also called a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device) magnetically excites the atomic nuclear spins of a subject placed in a static magnetic field with an RF (Radio Frequency) pulse at the Larmor frequency, and reconstructs an image from the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal generated by this excitation. When used for cardiac examinations, this magnetic resonance imaging device performs ECG-synchronized imaging, which acquires the NMR signal of the heart in synchronization with the electrocardiogram waveform, thereby obtaining an image of the heart with fewer artifacts due to pulsation.

[0003] The magnetic resonance imaging device described in Patent Document 1 executes a pre-scan (acquisition of MR signals) for two heartbeats in synchronization with an electrocardiogram waveform, and detects the resting phases of end diastole and end systole of one heartbeat (start and end phases of the cardiac rest period) based on the NMR signals obtained in this pre-scan.The magnetic resonance imaging device described in Patent Document 1 then sets the imaging phase (delay time from the R wave of the electrocardiogram waveform, etc.) for the actual imaging of the cardiac MRI based on the detection result of the resting phase in the pre-scan and on a user's previous settings. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Pat. No. 1,119,176 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, there are cases where the cardiac rest phase detected in the pre-scan of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus described in the above Patent Document 1 differs from the actual cardiac rest phase. In this case, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus described in Patent Document 1 cannot easily correct (adjust) the cardiac rest phase detected in the pre-scan.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a data processing device and a data processing method that, when detection of a cardiac rest phase is performed, can easily correct the detection result of the cardiac rest phase, and a magnetic resonance imaging device equipped with this data processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A data processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a data processing device for a magnetic resonance imaging device that acquires cardiac nuclear magnetic resonance signals over a period of one heartbeat or more in synchronization with an electrocardiogram waveform, and includes a reconstruction unit that reconstructs a plurality of cardiac images in a time series based on the nuclear magnetic resonance signals acquired by the magnetic resonance imaging device, a phase detection unit that detects one or more cardiac rest phases based on the plurality of images reconstructed by the reconstruction unit, a display control unit that displays the cardiac rest phases on a display unit, an operation unit that accepts input of a correction operation for the cardiac rest phase, and a phase correction unit that corrects the cardiac rest phase based on the correction operation input to the operation unit.

[0008] According to this data processing device, the user can easily correct (adjust) the cardiac resting phase based on the cardiac resting phase displayed on the display unit.

[0009] A data processing device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the first aspect, and includes a parameter setting unit that sets scan parameters of a magnetic resonance imaging device based on a cardiac rest phase, and when a correction operation is input to the operation unit, the parameter setting unit sets the scan parameters based on the cardiac rest phase corrected by the phase correction unit. This makes it possible to set the scan parameters based on the cardiac rest phase corrected by the correction operation.

[0010] In the data processing device according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the operation unit can receive an input of a re-correction operation of the cardiac rest phase corrected by the correction operation, the phase correction unit re-corrects the cardiac rest phase based on the re-correction operation when the re-correction operation is input to the operation unit, and the parameter setting unit sets scan parameters based on the cardiac rest phase re-corrected by the phase correction unit when the re-correction operation is input to the operation unit. Thereby, even after the scan parameters are set, the cardiac rest phase can be re-corrected and reflected in the scan parameters.

[0011] A data processing device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the data processing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which the phase detection unit detects a first cardiac rest phase indicating a cardiac rest phase in end systole and a second cardiac rest phase indicating a cardiac rest phase in end diastole, the display control unit causes the display unit to distinguishably display the first cardiac rest phase and the second cardiac rest phase, the operation unit receives inputs of a correction operation for the first cardiac rest phase and a correction operation for the second cardiac rest phase, and the phase correction unit corrects the first cardiac rest phase when the correction operation for the first cardiac rest phase is input to the operation unit and corrects the second cardiac rest phase when the correction operation for the second cardiac rest phase is input to the operation unit. This allows the user to easily correct the first cardiac rest phase in end systole and the second cardiac rest phase in end diastole.

[0012] A data processing device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the fourth aspect, and includes a parameter setting unit that sets scan parameters of a magnetic resonance imaging device based on a cardiac rest phase, the operation unit can accept input of a phase selection operation to select one of a first cardiac rest phase and a second cardiac rest phase, and when the phase selection operation is input to the operation unit, the parameter setting unit sets the scan parameters based on the one selected by the phase selection operation. This makes it possible to set the scan parameters based on one of the first cardiac rest phase and the second cardiac rest phase.

[0013] A data processing device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the data processing device of the fourth aspect, further comprising a parameter setting unit that sets scan parameters of a magnetic resonance imaging device based on a cardiac rest phase, the parameter setting unit selecting either the first cardiac rest phase or the second cardiac rest phase in accordance with predetermined recommended conditions and setting scan parameters based on the selected one, thereby making it possible to set scan parameters based on the first cardiac rest phase or the second cardiac rest phase that is recommended by the recommended conditions.

[0014] A seventh aspect of the present invention provides a data processing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display the cardiac resting phase in accordance with the time axis.

[0015] In the data processing device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect, the display control unit causes the display unit to display a time phase display area including a cardiac rest phase and a time axis, and an image display area for selectively displaying any one of the multiple images reconstructed by the reconstruction unit, and the operation unit is capable of receiving an input of a time designation operation for designating an arbitrary time on the time axis, and when the time designation operation is input to the operation unit, the display control unit causes an image corresponding to the time designated by the time designation operation among the multiple images reconstructed by the reconstruction unit to be displayed in the image display area. This allows the display unit to display an image corresponding to the cardiac rest phase detected by the time phase detection unit, so that the user can determine whether the cardiac rest phase detected by the detection unit is different from the actual cardiac rest phase.

[0016] A data processing device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the seventh or eighth aspect, in which the display control unit causes the display unit to display a time phase display area including a cardiac still phase and a time axis, and an image display area for selectively displaying one of a plurality of images reconstructed by the reconstruction unit, and the operation unit is capable of receiving an input of an image selection operation for selecting an image to be displayed in the image display area, and when the image selection operation is input to the operation unit, the display control unit causes the image selected by the image selection operation to be displayed in the image display area, and causes the time phase corresponding to the image selected by the image selection operation to be displayed on the time axis within the time phase display area. This allows the time phase corresponding to the image of the cardiac still period selected by the image selection operation to be displayed on the time axis, allowing the user to grasp the actual cardiac still phase.

[0017] A data processing device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the data processing device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, comprising: a standard value determination unit that determines a standard value of a cardiac rest phase corresponding to a heart rate based on a heart rate obtained from an electrocardiogram waveform; and an accuracy calculation unit that calculates an accuracy of the cardiac rest phase detected by the phase detection unit based on the standard value determined by the standard value determination unit, and a display control unit that causes the accuracy calculation unit to display a calculation result of the accuracy calculation unit on the display unit. This allows a user to easily grasp the accuracy of the cardiac rest phase even if the user is inexperienced.

[0018] An eleventh aspect of the present invention is the data processing device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the reconstruction unit reconstructs a plurality of images at regular time intervals.

[0019] A data processing device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is any of the first to eleventh aspects, in which a phase detection unit calculates a representative value of image signal values ​​for each of a plurality of images reconstructed by a reconstruction unit, and detects a cardiac still phase based on the representative value for each image in a time series.

[0020] A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention includes a measurement control unit that acquires cardiac nuclear magnetic resonance signals for a period of one or more heartbeats in synchronization with an electrocardiogram waveform, and a data processing device according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects.

[0021] A data processing method according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is a data processing method for a magnetic resonance imaging device that acquires cardiac nuclear magnetic resonance signals over a period of one heartbeat or more in synchronization with an electrocardiogram waveform, the data processing method comprising: a reconstruction step of reconstructing a plurality of cardiac images in a time series based on the nuclear magnetic resonance signals acquired by the magnetic resonance imaging device; a phase detection step of detecting one or more cardiac rest phases based on the plurality of images reconstructed in the reconstruction step; a display control step of displaying the cardiac rest phases on a display unit; an input receiving step of receiving an input for a correction operation of the cardiac rest phase; and a phase correction step of correcting the cardiac rest phase based on the correction operation received in the input receiving step. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, when detection of a cardiac rest phase is performed, the detection result of the cardiac rest phase can be easily corrected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an MRI apparatus (magnetic resonance imaging apparatus). [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a control device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a signal value detection process performed by a time phase detection unit; FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the time phase (horizontal axis) of each image in a time-series image group over one heartbeat of the heart and the signal value (vertical axis) of each image. [Diagram 5] 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a stationary phase detection process performed by a phase detection unit; FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a phase setting UI screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a phase setting UI screen after a correction operation. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of scan parameters. [Figure 9]This is a flowchart showing the data processing method of the MRI apparatus according to the first embodiment, particularly the flow of setting scan parameters. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart showing the flow of the re - correction operation of the first cardiac rest phase and the second cardiac rest phase after setting the scan parameters. [Figure 11] This is a functional block diagram of the control device of the MRI apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the phase setting UI screen according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a flowchart showing the data processing method of the MRI apparatus according to the second embodiment, particularly the flow of setting scan parameters.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] [First Embodiment] [Overall Configuration of the MRI Apparatus] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an MRI apparatus 10 (magnetic resonance imaging apparatus). As shown in FIG. 1, the MRI apparatus 10, when combined with an electrocardiograph 9, performs a cardiac MRI examination, that is, generates an image 22 of the heart. In this embodiment, as the image 22 of the heart, a short - axis cross - sectional image that can observe the left ventricle of the heart in a sliced - out shape is generated, but a long - axis cross - sectional image that can observe the entire left ventricle of the heart or both atria and both ventricles may also be generated.

[0025] The electrocardiograph 9 is connected to electrodes (not shown) attached to the subject, continuously measures the electrocardiogram waveform EC of the subject's heart, and continuously outputs it to the control device 16 of the MRI apparatus 10.

[0026] The MRI apparatus 10 includes a bed 12, a measurement unit 14, a control device 16, a display unit 18, and an operation unit 20.

[0027] The bed 12 is provided with a tabletop 12a on which a subject (patient) undergoing a cardiac MRI examination can be placed. The tabletop 12a can be moved by a drive device (not shown) in the vertical direction, in a direction (forward direction) entering the imaging space 14a of the measurement unit 14, and in a direction (backward direction) exiting the imaging space 14a.

[0028] The measurement unit 14 includes a static magnetic field generating magnet, a gradient magnetic field coil, a transmission coil, and a reception coil, which are not shown. The static magnetic field generating magnet generates a static magnetic field in the imaging space 14a. The gradient magnetic field coil applies a magnetic field gradient to the static magnetic field generated by the static magnetic field generating magnet. The transmission coil generates a high-frequency magnetic field for the measurement region (heart) of the subject. The reception coil receives an NMR signal generated from the measurement region of the subject. Since the detailed configuration of each part of the measurement unit 14 is a known technique, a detailed description is omitted here. In a cardiac MRI examination, the measurement unit 14 applies a high-frequency magnetic field to the subject's heart under the control of a control unit 16 described later, acquires an NMR signal generated from the heart by the application of the high-frequency magnetic field, and outputs it to the control unit 16.

[0029] The control device 16 is connected to the electrocardiograph 9, the measurement unit 14, the display unit 18, and the operation unit 20. The control device 16 controls the measurement unit 14 based on the electrocardiogram waveform EC input from the electrocardiograph 9, and executes MRI imaging (electrocardiogram-synchronized imaging) to acquire an NMR signal of the heart in a state synchronized with the electrocardiogram waveform EC. The control device 16 also functions as a data processing device of the present invention, and executes reconstruction of an image 22 of the heart based on the NMR signal acquired from the measurement unit 14, detection of the cardiac rest phase, display of the cardiac rest phase and acceptance of a correction operation, and setting of scan parameters of the MRI device 10.

[0030] Under the control of the control device 16, the display unit 18 displays an operation setting screen for MRI imaging, an image 22 (diagnostic image) reconstructed by the control device 16, and a phase setting UI screen 40 which is a UI (User Interface) screen. The phase setting UI screen 40, which will be described in detail later, is a screen used for correcting the cardiac resting phase and setting scan parameters of the MRI apparatus 10, and includes the image 22 and the detection results of the cardiac resting phase (see FIG. 6).

[0031] The operation unit 20 is composed of, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The operation unit 20 accepts input of various operations by a user (examiner) of the MRI apparatus 10. The various operations include an operation to start MRI imaging, as well as various operations on a phase setting UI screen 40 (correction operation, re-correction operation, phase selection operation, time designation operation, and image selection operation), which will be described later in detail. The operation to start MRI imaging also includes an operation to start cine imaging of the heart, which is executed before setting scan parameters 28 (see FIG. 2) described later, and an operation to start main imaging in accordance with the cardiac stillness period, which is executed based on the scan parameters 28.

[0032] <Control device functions> Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of the control device 16 of the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the functions of the control device 16 are realized by using various processors. The various processors include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a programmable logic device (e.g., simple programmable logic devices (SPLD), complex programmable logic devices (CPLD), and field programmable gate arrays (FPGA)). The various functions of the control device 16 may be realized by one processor, or may be realized by multiple processors of the same type or different types.

[0033] In addition to the electrocardiograph 9, the measuring unit 14, the display unit 18, and the operation unit 20, a storage unit 24 is connected to the control device 16.

[0034] The storage unit 24 is provided with a signal storage unit 25 and an image storage unit 26 in addition to a control program (not shown) of the MRI apparatus 10. The signal storage unit 25 stores the NMR signals acquired by the control device 16 from the measurement unit 14 in association with the subject's unique identification information [ID (Identification)], etc. The image storage unit 26 stores a plurality of images 22 reconstructed by the control device 16 in association with the subject's ID, etc.

[0035] The storage unit 24 also stores scan parameters 28 (imaging parameters, also referred to as MR parameters) of the MRI device 10 in association with the ID of the subject, etc. The scan parameters 28 are setting values ​​(imaging conditions) for MRI imaging by the MRI device 10, and are determined for each part of the subject. The scan parameters 28 in this embodiment are setting values ​​corresponding to MRI imaging of the heart, and include, for example, information indicating a cardiac quiescent phase (the elapsed time from the R wave of the electrocardiogram waveform EC to the cardiac quiescent period). Based on the scan parameters 28, the MRI device 10 performs MRI imaging (main imaging) in accordance with at least one of the cardiac quiescent periods of the end diastole and end systole of the beating heart.

[0036] The control device 16 functions as a measurement control unit 30, a reconstruction unit 31, a time phase detection unit 32, a display control unit 33, a time phase correction unit 34 and a parameter setting unit 35 by executing a control program (not shown) stored in the memory unit 24.

[0037] The measurement control unit 30 operates when an operation to start MRI imaging (cine imaging, main imaging) is input to the operation unit 20. This measurement control unit 30 controls the measurement unit 14 based on the electrocardiogram waveform EC of the subject input from the electrocardiograph 9, and executes MRI imaging to acquire a nuclear magnetic resonance signal (NMR signal) of the heart for one or more heartbeats in synchronization with the electrocardiogram waveform EC. In the MRI imaging of this embodiment, the measurement control unit 30 acquires an MRI signal for a period of multiple heartbeats.

[0038] The measurement control unit 30 executes known retrospective cine imaging when an operation to start cine imaging is input to the operation unit 20. In retrospective cine imaging, an electrocardiogram waveform EC is stored in the signal storage unit 25 together with an NMR signal, and a reconstruction unit 31 described below rearranges the NMR signals in post-processing to reconstruct an image 22. Note that, instead of executing retrospective cine imaging, the measurement control unit 30 may execute known prospective cine imaging in which an NMR signal is acquired in synchronization with an R wave of the electrocardiogram waveform EC.

[0039] In addition, when an operation to start the actual imaging is input to the operation unit 20, the measurement control unit 30 controls the measurement unit 14 based on the subject's electrocardiogram waveform EC and the scan parameters 28 in the memory unit 24, and performs acquisition of an NMR signal that is synchronized with the subject's cardiac quiescence period.

[0040] The reconstruction unit 31 reconstructs the image 22 by a known method based on the NMR signals stored in the signal storage unit 25. Specifically, when retrospective cine imaging is performed by the measurement control unit 30, the reconstruction unit 31 reconstructs a plurality of images 22 in a time series spanning one heartbeat at regular time intervals (including approximately regular time intervals) based on the NMR signals for multiple heartbeats and the electrocardiogram waveform EC. Note that the time intervals of the images 22 can be adjusted as appropriate.

[0041] For example, in this embodiment, the reconstruction unit 31 reconstructs images 22 at regular time intervals obtained by dividing one heartbeat (about 1000 ms) into 30 parts based on NMR signals acquired over a period of 10 heartbeats (see FIG. 4). Each image 22 (hereinafter referred to as a time-series image group) reconstructed by the reconstruction unit 31 has a known time phase (time elapsed from the R wave of the electrocardiogram waveform EC), and is used to detect the cardiac resting phase by the time-phase detection unit 32, which will be described later. Each image 22 in the time-series image group is also used as a diagnostic image for diagnosis. The reconstruction unit 31 then stores the time-series image group in the image storage unit 26 in association with the ID of the subject, etc.

[0042] Furthermore, when the main imaging is performed by the measurement control unit 30, the reconstruction unit 31 reconstructs the image 22 based on the NMR signals acquired in accordance with the subject's cardiac quiescence period, and stores this image 22 in the image storage unit 26 in association with the subject's ID, etc. Furthermore, the reconstruction unit 31 can reconstruct the image 22 by selecting an NMR signal corresponding to the cardiac quiescence period from the NMR signals already acquired by retrospective cine imaging.

[0043] The phase detector 32 detects one or more cardiac rest phases based on the time series images stored in the image storage unit 26. Here, the cardiac rest phase includes the time elapsed from the R wave to the start of the cardiac rest period (start phase) and the time elapsed from the R wave to the end of the cardiac rest period (end phase). As shown in FIG. 4 described later, the phase detector 32 detects a first cardiac rest phase P1 indicating a cardiac rest phase at the end of the cardiac systole and a second cardiac rest phase P2 indicating a cardiac rest phase at the end of the cardiac diastole as the cardiac rest phases. Specifically, the phase detector 32 executes a signal value detection process for detecting a signal value from each image 22 of the time series images, and a rest phase detection process for detecting the first cardiac rest phase P1 and the second cardiac rest phase P2 based on the detection result of the signal value detection process.

[0044] Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of signal value detection processing by the time phase detection unit 32. Fig. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the time phase (horizontal axis) of each image 22 in a time-series image group spanning one heartbeat of the heart and the signal value (vertical axis) of each image 22. Note that the signal value of each image 22 in Fig. 4 is normalized based on the signal value of the first image 22 (immediately after the R wave).

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, the time phase detection unit 32 executes a signal detection process to detect a signal value for each image 22 of the time series image group stored in the image storage unit 26. For example, the time phase detection unit 32 calculates an average value of pixel signal values ​​of pixels on two axes (horizontal axis A1 and vertical axis A2) passing through the center (center of the observation field of view) of the image 22 for each image 22, and detects this average value as a signal value (representative value) of the image 22. The signal value of the image 22 increases as the area occupied by blood in the image 22 increases, and decreases as the area occupied by blood decreases. Therefore, the signal value of the image 22 increases during the diastole of the heart and decreases during the systole of the heart. Note that the method of detecting the signal value of each image 22 is not limited to the above-mentioned method, and various known methods can be used.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 4, the time phase detection unit 32 executes signal detection processing for each image 22, thereby obtaining the relationship between the time phase of the image 22 at regular time intervals spanning one heartbeat and the signal value for each image 22.

[0047] Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of still phase detection processing by the phase detection unit 32. Reference numeral 5A in Fig. 5 is the graph shown in Fig. 4, and reference numeral 5B in Fig. 5 is a diagram in which the first cardiac still phase P1 and the second cardiac still phase P2 are superimposed on the electrocardiogram waveform EC.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5, the phase detection unit 32 executes a resting phase detection process to detect a first cardiac resting phase P1 (first start phase P1a and first end phase P1b) and a second cardiac resting phase P2 (second start phase P2a and second end phase P2b) based on the relationship between the phase of the image 22 at regular time intervals over one heartbeat and the signal value for each image 22.

[0049] For example, the phase detection unit 32 detects a first range in which the signal value decreases over time and then the change over time of the signal value decreases, and a second range in which the signal value increases over time and then the change over time of the signal value decreases, using a known data analysis method. Then, the phase detection unit 32 determines a part of the first range as the first cardiac rest phase P1, and determines a part of the second range as the second cardiac rest phase P2. Note that the method of determining the first cardiac rest phase P1 and the second cardiac rest phase P2 is not particularly limited. Furthermore, the detection result of the phase detection unit 32 may be stored in the storage unit 24 in association with the ID of the subject, etc.

[0050] In addition, instead of detecting both the first cardiac rest phase P1 and the second cardiac rest phase P2, the phase detection unit 32 may detect only one of the first cardiac rest phase P1 and the second cardiac rest phase P2 in accordance with a predetermined setting condition.

[0051] <Time phase setting UI screen> Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a phase setting UI screen 40 of the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6 and already-described Fig. 2, the display control unit 33 generates a phase setting UI screen 40 based on the detection result of the first cardiac resting phase P1 and the second cardiac resting phase P2 by the phase detection unit 32 and the time-series images stored in the image storage unit 26, and displays the generated UI screen 40 on the display unit 18. The phase setting UI screen 40 includes an image display area 40A and a phase display area 40B.

[0052] In the image display area 40A, any one of the multiple images 22 constituting the time-series image group is selectively displayed. In addition, the image display area 40A includes a time phase display area 42 and an image selection icon 43.

[0053] The phase display area 42 displays the phase (cardiac phase) of the image 22 displayed in the image display area 40A.

[0054] The image selection icon 43 is used for an image selection operation in which the user selects an image 22 to be displayed in the image display area 40A from among a plurality of images 22 constituting a time-series image group. The image selection operation is, for example, a designation operation (such as a mouse click operation) for designating the image selection icon 43 with the cursor 41, and is input by the user to the operation unit 20. Note that a plurality of images 22 may be displayed in the image display area 40A, and the display mode of the image 22 selected in the image selection operation may be made different from that of the other images 22.

[0055] The time phase display area 40B includes a detection result field 44. In this detection result field 44, the electrocardiogram waveform EC and the first cardiac still phase P1 and the second cardiac still phase P2 detected by the time phase detection unit 32 are displayed along a common time axis T (ms). In addition, the detection result field 44 displays a time indicator 45 indicating the time (phase) on the time axis T corresponding to the image 22 being displayed in the image display area 40A. The time indicator 45 is composed of, for example, a slider bar and numerical values, but the display form is not particularly limited.

[0056] The time indicator 45 indicates the time (phase) on the time axis T corresponding to the image 22 being displayed in the image display area 40A, and is also used for a time designation operation in which the user designates an arbitrary time on the time axis T. The time designation operation is, for example, a moving operation (drag operation, etc.) in which the slider bar is moved to an arbitrary time on the time axis T by the cursor 41, and is input to the operation unit 20 by the user.

[0057] The phase display area 40B also includes a first start phase display field 46, a first end phase display field 47, a second start phase display field 48, a second end phase display field 49, a first selection field 50, a second selection field 51, and a setting icon 52, etc.

[0058] The first start phase P1a is displayed in the first start phase display field 46, and the first end phase P1b is displayed in the first end phase display field 47. The second start phase P2a is displayed in the second start phase display field 48, and the second end phase P2b is displayed in the second end phase display field 49. The phases displayed in the first start phase display field 46, the first end phase display field 47, the second start phase display field 48, and the second end phase display field 49 can be modified by a modification operation (see FIG. 7 described later). This modification operation is, for example, a numerical input operation in which the user inputs a new phase into the phase display field to be modified, and is input by the user to the operation unit 20.

[0059] The first selection field 50 is used for a phase selection operation for selecting the setting of the scan parameters 28 based on the first cardiac rest phase P1. The second selection field 51 is used for a phase selection operation for setting the scan parameters 28 based on the second cardiac rest phase P2. These phase selection operations are, for example, a designation operation (such as a mouse click operation) in which the user designates the first selection field 50 and the second selection field 51 with the cursor 41, and are input to the operation unit 20 by the user. Note that FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which the setting of the scan parameters 28 is executed based only on the second cardiac rest phase P2.

[0060] By performing a phase selection operation for only one of the first selection field 50 and the second selection field 51, it is possible to select either the first cardiac rest phase P1 or the second cardiac rest phase P2 for setting the scan parameters 28.

[0061] The setting icon 52 is used for a scan parameter setting operation for determining the first cardiac still phase P1 and the second cardiac still phase P2 and for executing setting of the scan parameters 28 by the parameter setting unit 35 described later. The scan parameter setting operation is, for example, a designation operation (such as a mouse click operation) for designating the setting icon 52, and is input to the operation unit 20 by the user.

[0062] (Image selection operation) When an image selection operation for the image selection icon 43 is input to the operation unit 20, the display control unit 33 acquires the image 22 selected by the image selection operation from the time-series images stored in the image storage unit 26, and displays it in the image display area 40A. In addition, the display control unit 33 displays the time phase of the image 22 selected by the image selection operation in the time phase display area 42.

[0063] Furthermore, the display control unit 33 changes the display of the time indicator 45 in accordance with the time phase of the image 22 selected in the image selection operation. Specifically, the display control unit 33 changes the display position on the time axis T of the slider bar of the time indicator 45 and the numerical value of the time indicator 45 in accordance with the time phase of the image 22 selected in the image selection operation. As a result, the time (time phase) of the image 22 selected in the image selection operation is displayed on the time axis T of the detection result field 44.

[0064] (Timed operation) When a time designation operation for the time indicator 45 (slider bar) is input to the operation unit 20, the display control unit 33 acquires an image 22 corresponding to the time (phase) indicated by the time indicator 45 after the time designation operation from the time-series images stored in the image storage unit 26, and displays the image in the image display area 40A. The display control unit 33 also displays the time (phase) indicated by the time indicator 45 after the time designation operation in the phase display area 42. This makes it possible to display an image 22 corresponding to any time designated by the time designation operation in the image display area 40A.

[0065] (corrective operation) By the above-mentioned time designation operation, the images 22 corresponding to the first start phase P1a, the first end phase P1b, the second start phase P2a, and the second end phase P2b detected by the phase detection unit 32 can be selectively displayed in the image display area 40A. This allows the user to determine whether or not the "first start phase P1a and the first end phase P1b detected by the phase detection unit 32" are different from the "actual first start phase P1a and the first end phase P1b" based on the images 22 corresponding to the first start phase P1a and the first end phase P1b. Similarly, the user can determine whether or not the "second start phase P2a and the second end phase P2b detected by the phase detection unit 32" are different from the "actual second start phase P2a and the second end phase P2b" based on the images 22 corresponding to the second start phase P2a and the second end phase P2b.

[0066] 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the phase setting UI screen 40 after the correction operation. As shown in FIG. 7, when the first start phase P1a detected by the phase detection unit 32 is different from the actual first start phase P1a, the user selects an image 22 suitable for the actual first start phase P1a by switching the images 22 to be displayed in the image display area 40A by the above-mentioned image selection operation. This makes it possible to show the user the phase corresponding to this image 22, that is, the actual first start phase P1a (here, 350 ms), by the time indicator 45. As a result, the user can easily grasp the actual first start phase P1a.

[0067] For example, when a correction operation for the first start phase display field 46 (first start phase P1a) is input to the operation unit 20, the phase correction unit 34 (see FIG. 2) corrects the first start phase P1a detected by the phase detection unit 32 to the actual first start phase P1a based on the correction operation. Also, in response to the correction by the phase correction unit 34, the display control unit 33 corrects the first start phase P1a displayed in the first start phase display field 46.

[0068] In addition, even if the first end phase P1b, the second start phase P2a, and the second end phase P2b detected by the phase detection unit 32 differ from the actual phases, the user can grasp the actual first end phase P1b, the second start phase P2a, and the second end phase P2b, respectively, and perform correction operations in a similar manner.

[0069] (Phase selection operation) When a time phase selection operation for either the first selection column 50 or the second selection column 51 is input to the operation unit 20, the display control unit 33 changes the display mode of the one column, for example, by displaying a check mark. In addition, when a time phase selection operation for both the first selection column 50 and the second selection column 51 is input to the operation unit 20, the display control unit 33 changes the display mode of both columns.

[0070] (Scan parameter setting operation) The parameter setting unit 35 (see FIG. 2) operates when a scan parameter setting operation for the setting icon 52 is input to the operation unit 20, that is, when the first cardiac rest phase P1 and the second cardiac rest phase P2 are confirmed. The parameter setting unit 35 sets the scan parameters 28 based on the setting state of the phase setting UI screen 40, and stores the scan parameters 28 in the storage unit 24.

[0071] Reference numerals 8A to 8C in Fig. 8 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of the scan parameters 28. Note that Fig. 8 shows only the setting items ("Delay Mode", "Cardiac Phase", and "Delay [ms]") related to the start conditions of MRI imaging among various setting items (imaging conditions) of the scan parameters 28, and does not show other setting items.

[0072] The "Delay Mode" of the scan parameters 28 is set to "AUTO" when the parameter setting unit 35 automatically sets the scan parameters 28, and is set to "Manual" when the user manually sets the parameters.

[0073] The "Cardiac Phase" of scan parameter 28 is set to "end systole" when MRI imaging is performed in accordance with the end systole cardiac quiescent period, to "end diastole" when MRI imaging is performed in accordance with the end diastolic cardiac quiescent period, and to "end systole / end diastole" when MRI imaging is performed in accordance with both end systole and end diastolic cardiac quiescent periods.

[0074] In the "Delay [ms]" of the scan parameters 28, a delay time of the start of MRI imaging based on the R wave, that is, at least one of the first start phase P1a and the second start phase P2a, is set.

[0075] As shown by reference symbol 8A in FIG. 8, when only the first selection field 50 is selected in the phase selection operation, the parameter setting unit 35 sets the "Delay Mode" of the scan parameters 28 to "AUTO" and sets the "Cardiac Phase" to "end systole." In addition, the parameter setting unit 35 sets the first start phase P1a (350.0 ms in this case) in the first start phase display field 46 as "Delay [ms]." As a result, when the first start phase P1a has not been modified, it is set as "Delay [ms]," and when the first start phase P1a has been modified, the first start phase P1a after the modification is set as "Delay [ms]."

[0076] As shown by reference symbol 8B in FIG. 8, when only the second selection field 51 is selected in the phase selection operation, the parameter setting unit 35 sets the "Delay Mode" of the scan parameters 28 to "AUTO" and sets the "Cardiac Phase" to "diastole." Furthermore, the parameter setting unit 35 sets the second start phase P2a (here, 600.0 ms) in the second start phase display field 48 as "Delay [ms]." As a result, when the second start phase P2a has not been modified, it is set as it is as "Delay [ms]," and when the second start phase P2a has been modified, the second start phase P2a after the modification is set as "Delay [ms]."

[0077] 8, when both the first selection field 50 and the second selection field 51 are selected in the phase selection operation, the parameter setting unit 35 sets the "Delay Mode" of the scan parameters 28 to "AUTO" and sets the "Cardiac Phase" to "end systole / end diastole." In addition, the parameter setting unit 35 sets the first start phase P1a in the first start phase display field 46 and the second start phase P2a in the second start phase display field 48 as "Delay [ms]."

[0078] Although not shown in the figure, the parameter setting unit 35 also sets the MRI imaging end time in the scan parameter 28 based on the first end phase P1b inputted in the first end phase display field 47 of the phase setting UI screen 40 and the second end phase P2b inputted in the second end phase display field 49.

[0079] Furthermore, the parameter setting unit 35 may select either the first cardiac rest phase P1 or the second cardiac rest phase P2 based on a predetermined recommended condition, regardless of the phase selection operation by the user, and set the scan parameters 28 based on the selected one. The recommended condition may be determined, for example, based on a facility policy or based on the subject's heart rate detected by the electrocardiograph 9. Information on the recommended condition is stored in advance in the storage unit 24 or the like. The setting contents of the recommended condition can be changed by operating the operation unit 20.

[0080] (Re-correction operation) The scan parameters 28 can be modified even after the parameter setting unit 35 sets them. In this case, the display control unit 33 causes the display unit 18 to redisplay the phase setting UI screen 40 in response to an input of a display operation of the phase setting UI screen 40 to the operation unit 20. This allows the user to input a re-correction operation to the operation unit 20 similar to the correction operation performed before the scan parameters 28 are set, whereby the phase correction unit 34 re-corrects the first start phase P1a, the first end phase P1b, the second start phase P2a, and the second end phase P2b. In response to this re-correction, the display control unit 33 updates the display of the first start phase display field 46, the first end phase display field 47, the second start phase display field 48, and the second end phase display field 49. Note that the re-correction operation of the first start phase P1a, the first end phase P1b, the second start phase P2a, and the second end phase P2b can be performed multiple times.

[0081] Even if no correction operation has been performed before setting the scan parameters 28, it is possible to perform at least one correction operation on the first start phase P1a, the first end phase P1b, the second start phase P2a, and the second end phase P2b initially detected by the phase detection unit 32. In this case as well, the correction by the phase correction unit 34 and the display update by the display control unit 33 are performed.

[0082] When a scan parameter setting operation for the phase setting UI screen 40 (setting icon 52) redisplayed on the display unit 18 is inputted via the operation unit 20, the parameter setting unit 35 re-sets (modifies) the scan parameters 28 stored in the memory unit 24 based on the setting state of the phase setting UI screen 40 after modification by the phase modification unit 34.

[0083] [Operation of the first embodiment] 9 is a flowchart showing the data processing method of the MRI apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, particularly the flow of scan parameter setting. As shown in FIG. 9, when a user inputs an operation to start MRI imaging (cine imaging) to the operation unit 20 (step S1A), the control device 16 functions as a measurement control unit 30, a reconstruction unit 31, a time phase detection unit 32, a display control unit 33, a time phase correction unit 34, and a parameter setting unit 35.

[0084] First, the measurement control unit 30 controls the measurement unit 14 based on the electrocardiogram waveform EC of the subject input from the electrocardiograph 9 to perform retrospective cine imaging (electrocardiogram synchronized imaging) of the heart over a period of multiple heartbeats (step S1B). As a result, the NMR signal acquired by the measurement unit 14 and the electrocardiogram waveform EC of the electrocardiograph 9 are stored in the signal storage unit 25. Since data (NMR signal, electrocardiogram waveform EC) are acquired over a period of multiple heartbeats in this manner, unlike the conventional technology in which the data acquisition period is only for one heartbeat, the heartbeat fluctuation during the data acquisition period is averaged, and the time phase shift due to the heartbeat fluctuation during the examination can be reduced.

[0085] When the retrospective cine imaging is completed, the reconstruction unit 31 reconstructs a time series image 22 spanning one heartbeat at a fixed time interval based on the NMR signals for multiple heartbeats and the electrocardiogram waveform EC stored in the signal storage unit 25 (step S2B, which corresponds to the reconstruction step of the present invention). Then, the images 22 of multiple time phases reconstructed by the reconstruction unit 31 at fixed time intervals are stored in the image storage unit 26 as a time series image group. Each image 22 can be used as a diagnostic image. In this case, there is no need to perform MRI imaging again, so the examination time is not extended.

[0086] Next, the phase detector 32 executes a signal value detection process to detect a signal value (representative value) for each image 22 based on the time series images stored in the image storage unit 26, as shown in Fig. 3 (step S3B). Then, the phase detector 32 executes a resting phase detection process to detect a first cardiac resting phase P1 and a second cardiac resting phase P2 based on the relationship between the phase and the signal value of the image 22 at each fixed time interval over one heartbeat, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 (step S4B). Note that steps S3B and S4B correspond to the phase detection step of the present invention.

[0087] When the still phase detection process is completed, the display control unit 33 generates the phase setting UI screen 40 shown in Fig. 6 based on the detection result of the phase detection unit 32 and the time-series images stored in the image storage unit 26, and displays it on the display unit 18 (step S5B, which corresponds to a display control step of the present invention). As a result, the first cardiac still phase P1 (first start phase P1a and first end phase P1b) and the second cardiac still phase P2 (second start phase P2a and second end phase P2b) are displayed on the display unit 18 in a distinguishable manner.

[0088] When the phase setting UI screen 40 is displayed on the display unit 18 (YES in step S2A), the user determines whether the first cardiac resting phase P1 and the second cardiac resting phase P2 in the phase setting UI screen 40 are different from the actual first cardiac resting phase P1 and second cardiac resting phase P2.

[0089] For example, the user inputs the above-mentioned time designation operation to the operation unit 20 to display in the image display area 40A the image 22 corresponding to the first start phase P1a detected by the phase detection unit 32. This enables the user to determine whether or not the first start phase P1a detected by the phase detection unit 32 is different from the actual first start phase P1a, based on the image 22 displayed in the image display area 40A, that is, to determine whether or not a correction operation for the first start phase P1a is necessary (step S3A).

[0090] When the user determines that a correction operation for the first start phase P1a is necessary (YES in step S3A), for example, the user inputs the above-mentioned image selection operation into the operation unit 20 to select an image 22 suitable for the actual first start phase P1a while switching the images 22 to be displayed in the image display area 40A. This causes the display control unit 33 to adjust the position and value of the slider bar of the time indicator 45 based on the time (phase) corresponding to the image 22 selected by the user. This allows the user to grasp the actual first start phase P1a.

[0091] After grasping the actual first start phase P1a, the user inputs a correction operation for the first start phase P1a to the operation unit 20 (step S4A, which corresponds to an input receiving step of the present invention). As a result, the phase correction unit 34 corrects the first start phase P1a detected by the phase detection unit 32 to the actual first start phase P1a, and the display control unit 33 corrects the display of the first start phase display field 46 in response to this correction (step S6B). Note that step S6B corresponds to a phase correction step of the present invention.

[0092] In this manner, in the present embodiment, the image display area 40A and the phase display area 40B are displayed side by side in the phase setting UI screen 40, so that the user can perform the above-mentioned time specification operation and image selection operation while referring to both of them. As a result, the user can intuitively determine whether or not a correction operation for the first start phase P1a is necessary and grasp the actual first start phase P1a, so that the user can easily correct the first start phase P1a.

[0093] Similarly, the user determines whether or not correction operations are required for the remaining first end phase P1b, second start phase P2a, and second end phase P2b, and if correction operations are required, determines the actual phases and performs the correction operations.

[0094] When all necessary correction operations have been completed, or when correction operations are not required (NO in step S3A), the user inputs the above-mentioned phase selection operation to the operation unit 20 (step S5A). As a result, at least one of the first cardiac rest phase P1 and the second cardiac rest phase P2 is selected for setting the scan parameters 28. The phase selection operation (step S5A) may be performed before the correction operation (step S4A). Also, as described above, when recommended conditions for the first cardiac rest phase P1 and the second cardiac rest phase P2 are set in advance, the phase selection operation by the user can be omitted.

[0095] Next, the user inputs a scan parameter setting operation to the operation unit 20 (step S6A). This determines the first cardiac rest phase P1 and the second cardiac rest phase P2. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the parameter setting unit 35 sets the scan parameters 28 based on at least one of the first cardiac rest phase P1 and the second cardiac rest phase P2 according to the selection result of the phase selection operation or the recommended conditions, and stores the scan parameters 28 in the storage unit 24 (step S7B).

[0096] FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the flow of the re-correction operation of the first cardiac rest phase P1 and the second cardiac rest phase P2 after the scan parameters 28 are set.

[0097] 10, when the condition of the subject changes or when the scan parameters 28 need to be readjusted after MRI imaging (main imaging), the user inputs a display operation of the phase setting UI screen 40 to the operation unit 20 (step S10A). In response to this display operation, the display control unit 33 causes the display unit 18 to redisplay the phase setting UI screen 40 (step S10B).

[0098] After the phase setting UI screen 40 is displayed on the display unit 18 (YES in step S11A), if the first start phase P1a needs to be re-corrected, for example, the user inputs the above-mentioned time designation operation or image selection operation to the operation unit 20 while referring to both the image display area 40A and the phase display area 40B to determine an appropriate first start phase P1a. Next, the user inputs a re-correction operation for the first start phase P1a to the operation unit 20 (step S12A). As a result, the phase correction unit 34 re-corrects the first start phase P1a based on the re-correction operation, and the display control unit 33 corrects the display of the first start phase display field 46 (step S11B). As a result, the previously determined first start phase P1a is re-corrected to an appropriate first start phase P1a.

[0099] Similarly, for the remaining first end phase P1b, second start phase P2a, and second end phase P2b, if a re-correction operation is required, the user grasps an appropriate phase and executes the re-correction operation. Also, the user inputs a phase selection operation to the operation unit 20 as necessary.

[0100] Then, when the user inputs a scan parameter setting operation to the operation unit 20 (step S13A), the first cardiac rest phase P1 and the second cardiac rest phase P2 are determined again. Then, the parameter setting unit 35 resets the scan parameters 28 stored in the storage unit 24 (step S12B).

[0101] As described above, in the MRI apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, the phase setting UI screen 40 is displayed on the display unit 18, and a correction operation (re-correction operation) of the first cardiac rest phase P1 and the second cardiac rest phase P2 can be performed on the phase setting UI screen 40, so that the user can easily correct (adjust) the first cardiac rest phase P1 and the second cardiac rest phase P2. As a result, the scan parameters 28 are set with higher accuracy than before, and a good image 22 can be obtained in the MRI imaging (main imaging).

[0102] Furthermore, the reconstruction unit 31 can select an NMR signal corresponding to the cardiac rest period from the NMR signals already acquired by retrospective cine imaging based on the first cardiac rest phase P1 and the second cardiac rest phase P2 after the correction operation, and reconstruct the diagnostic image 22. This eliminates the need to perform MRI imaging again, and therefore does not extend the examination time.

[0103] [Second embodiment] 11 is a functional block diagram of the control device 16 of the MRI apparatus 10 of the second embodiment. The MRI apparatus 10 of the second embodiment displays the accuracy of the first cardiac rest phase P1 (first start phase P1a and first end phase P1b) and the second cardiac rest phase P2 (second start phase P2a and second end phase P2b) in the phase setting UI screen 40.

[0104] 11, the MRI apparatus 10 of the second embodiment has basically the same configuration as the MRI apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, except that the control device 16 functions as a standard value determination unit 36 ​​and an accuracy calculation unit 37. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same components as those of the MRI apparatus 10 of the first embodiment in terms of function or configuration, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0105] The standard value determining unit 36 ​​detects the heart rate of the subject based on the electrocardiogram waveform EC of the subject obtained from the electrocardiograph 9, and determines standard values ​​of the first and second cardiac rest phases P1 and P2 corresponding to the heart rate based on the detection result of the heart rate. For example, the standard value determining unit 36 ​​previously acquires correspondence information indicating the relationship between the heart rate and the standard values ​​of the first and second cardiac rest phases P1 and P2. Thus, the standard value determining unit 36 ​​determines the standard values ​​of the first and second cardiac rest phases P1 and P2 by referring to the correspondence information based on the detection result of the heart rate of the subject.

[0106] The accuracy calculation unit 37 calculates the accuracy of the first cardiac rest phase P1 and the second cardiac rest phase P2 detected by the phase detection unit 32 based on the standard values ​​of the first cardiac rest phase P1 and the second cardiac rest phase P2 determined by the standard value determination unit 36.

[0107] For example, the accuracy calculation unit 37 calculates a higher accuracy as the difference (deviation) between the standard value of the first cardiac rest phase P1 determined by the standard value determination unit 36 ​​and the first cardiac rest phase P1 detected by the phase detection unit 32 becomes smaller, and conversely, calculates a lower accuracy as this difference becomes larger. Similarly, the accuracy calculation unit 37 calculates a higher accuracy as the difference between the standard value of the second cardiac rest phase P2 determined by the standard value determination unit 36 ​​and the second cardiac rest phase P2 detected by the phase detection unit 32 becomes smaller, and conversely, calculates a lower accuracy as this difference becomes larger.

[0108] The method of calculating the accuracy of the first and second cardiac rest phases P1 and P2 is not limited to the above-mentioned method. For example, the accuracy of the first and second cardiac rest phases P1 and P2 detected by the phase detection unit 32 may be calculated using a trained model generated using a known machine learning algorithm (multiple regression model, etc.). This trained model receives the subject's heart rate (electrocardiogram waveform EC) and the detection result of the phase detection unit 32 as inputs as explanatory variables, and outputs the accuracy of the first and second cardiac rest phases P1 and P2 as objective variables. As a result, the accuracy calculation unit 37 can calculate the accuracy of the first and second cardiac rest phases P1 and P2 by inputting the subject's heart rate and the detection result of the phase detection unit 32 into the trained model.

[0109] In addition, the accuracy of the first start phase P1a and the accuracy of the first end phase P1b of the first cardiac rest phase P1 may be calculated separately, and the accuracy of the second start phase P2a and the accuracy of the second end phase P2b of the second cardiac rest phase P2 may be calculated separately.

[0110] Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a phase setting UI screen 40 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 12, the display control unit 33 according to the second embodiment generates a phase setting UI screen 40 based on the detection result of the phase detection unit 32, the time-series images stored in the image storage unit 26, and the calculation result of the accuracy calculation unit 37, and causes the display unit 18 to display the generated UI screen.

[0111] The phase setting UI screen 40 of the second embodiment is basically the same as the phase setting UI screen 40 of the first embodiment, except that it includes a first accuracy display area 60 and a second accuracy display area 61 generated by the display control unit 33 based on the calculation result of the accuracy calculation unit 37. The first accuracy display area 60 indicates the accuracy of the first cardiac resting phase P1. The second accuracy display area 61 indicates the accuracy of the second cardiac resting phase P2.

[0112] Fig. 13 is a flow chart showing the data processing method of the MRI apparatus 10 of the second embodiment, particularly the flow of scan parameter setting. Note that the process of step S1A and the process of steps S1B to S4B in Fig. 13 are the same as those in the first embodiment described in Fig. 9, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0113] 13, when the phase detection unit 32 completes detection of the first and second cardiac rest phases P1 and P2 (step S4B), the standard value determination unit 36 ​​determines standard values ​​of the first and second cardiac rest phases P1 and P2 corresponding to the subject's heart rate based on the heart rate obtained from the electrocardiogram waveform EC of the electrocardiograph 9 (step S4B-1). Next, the accuracy calculation unit 37 calculates the accuracy of the first and second cardiac rest phases P1 and P2 detected by the phase detection unit 32 based on the standard values ​​of the first and second cardiac rest phases P1 and P2 (step S4B-2).

[0114] Then, the display control unit 33 generates the phase setting UI screen 40 shown in Fig. 12 based on the detection result of the phase detection unit 32, the time-series images stored in the image storage unit 26, and the calculation result of the accuracy calculation unit 37, and displays it on the display unit 18 (step S5B). Note that the process after step S5B is the same as that of the first embodiment described in Fig. 9, so a detailed description will be omitted here.

[0115] As described above, in the MRI apparatus 10 of the second embodiment, the accuracy of the first cardiac rest phase P1 and the second cardiac rest phase P2 is calculated and displayed on the display unit 18, so that even if the user has little experience, the user can easily grasp the accuracy of the first cardiac rest phase P1 and the second cardiac rest phase P2. As a result, when the accuracy of at least one of the first cardiac rest phase P1 and the second cardiac rest phase P2 is low (for example, when it is less than a predetermined threshold), the user can be prompted to re-detect the first cardiac rest phase P1 and the second cardiac rest phase P2 (steps S1A, S1B to S4B).

[0116] [others] In each of the above embodiments, the phase setting UI screen 40 includes the image display area 40A and the phase display area 40B, but the phase setting UI screen 40 may be configured only with the phase display area 40B. In this case, it is preferable to display the image 22 on the display unit 18 separately from the phase setting UI screen 40. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 9. Electrocardiograph 10...MRI device 14…Measuring section 16...Control device 18...Display section 20...Operation unit 22...Image 24...Storage section 28…Scan parameters 30...Measurement control section 31…Reconstruction part 32...Time phase detection section 33...Display control unit 34…Time phase correction section 35...Parameter setting section 36...Standard value determination section 37…Accuracy calculation section 40…Time phase setting UI screen

Claims

1. A data processing device for a magnetic resonance imaging device that acquires cardiac nuclear magnetic resonance signals for a period of one heartbeat or more in synchronization with an electrocardiogram waveform, comprising: a reconstruction unit that reconstructs a plurality of images of the heart along a time series based on the nuclear magnetic resonance signals acquired by the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus; a phase detection unit that detects one or more cardiac still phases based on the plurality of images reconstructed by the reconstruction unit; a display control unit that causes a display unit to display the cardiac resting phase; an operation unit that receives an input of a correction operation for the asystole phase; a phase correction unit that corrects the cardiac still phase based on the correction operation input to the operation unit; A data processing device comprising:

2. a parameter setting unit that sets scan parameters of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus based on the cardiac resting phase, 2. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the correction operation is input to the operation unit, the parameter setting unit sets the scan parameters based on the cardiac resting phase corrected by the phase correction unit.

3. The operation unit is capable of receiving an input of a re-correction operation of the asystole phase corrected by the correction operation, The phase correction unit, when the re-correction operation is input to the operation unit, re-corrects the asystole phase based on the re-correction operation; 3. The data processing device according to claim 2, wherein, when the re-correction operation is input to the operation unit, the parameter setting unit sets the scan parameters based on the cardiac resting phase re-corrected by the phase correction unit.

4. the phase detection unit detects a first cardiac rest phase indicating the cardiac rest phase at an end systole of the heart and a second cardiac rest phase indicating the cardiac rest phase at an end diastole of the heart; the display control unit causes the display unit to distinguishably display the first cardiac rest phase and the second cardiac rest phase; the operation unit accepts an input of the correction operation for the first cardiac rest phase and the correction operation for the second cardiac rest phase; 2. The data processing device according to claim 1, wherein the phase correction unit corrects the first cardiac resting phase when the correction operation for the first cardiac resting phase is input to the operation unit, and corrects the second cardiac resting phase when the correction operation for the second cardiac resting phase is input to the operation unit.

5. a parameter setting unit that sets scan parameters of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus based on the cardiac resting phase, the operation unit is capable of accepting an input of a phase selection operation for selecting one of the first cardiac rest phase and the second cardiac rest phase, 5. The data processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, when the phase selection operation is input to the operation unit, the parameter setting unit sets the scan parameters based on the one selected by the phase selection operation.

6. a parameter setting unit that sets scan parameters of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus based on the cardiac resting phase, 5. The data processing device according to claim 4, wherein the parameter setting unit selects one of the first cardiac rest phase and the second cardiac rest phase in accordance with a predetermined recommended condition, and sets the scan parameters based on the one of the selected one.

7. The data processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit controls the display unit to display the resting phase in accordance with a time axis.

8. the display control unit causes the display unit to display a phase display area including the cardiac still phase and the time axis, and an image display area for selectively displaying any one of the plurality of images reconstructed by the reconstruction unit; the operation unit is capable of accepting input of a time designation operation for designating an arbitrary time on the time axis, 8. The data processing device according to claim 7, wherein, when the time designation operation is input to the operation unit, the display control unit causes an image corresponding to the time designated by the time designation operation, among the multiple images reconstructed by the reconstruction unit, to be displayed in the image display area.

9. the display control unit causes the display unit to display a phase display area including the cardiac still phase and the time axis, and an image display area for selectively displaying any one of the plurality of images reconstructed by the reconstruction unit; the operation unit is capable of accepting input of an image selection operation for selecting the image to be displayed in the image display area, 8. The data processing device according to claim 7, wherein, when the image selection operation is input to the operation unit, the display control unit causes the image selected by the image selection operation to be displayed in the image display area, and causes a time phase corresponding to the image selected by the image selection operation to be displayed on the time axis in the time phase display area.

10. a standard value determination unit that determines a standard value of the asystole phase corresponding to the heart rate based on the heart rate obtained from the electrocardiogram waveform; an accuracy calculation unit that calculates an accuracy of the cardiac resting phase detected by the phase detection unit based on the standard value determined by the standard value determination unit; Equipped with The data processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display a calculation result of the accuracy calculation unit.

11. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the reconstruction unit reconstructs a plurality of the images at regular time intervals.

12. 2. The data processing device according to claim 1, wherein the phase detection unit calculates a representative value of signal values ​​of each of the plurality of images reconstructed by the reconstruction unit, and detects the cardiac rest phase based on the representative value for each of the images along the time series.

13. a measurement control unit that acquires a cardiac nuclear magnetic resonance signal for a period of one heartbeat or more in synchronization with an electrocardiogram waveform; A data processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12; A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising:

14. 1. A data processing method for a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that acquires cardiac nuclear magnetic resonance signals for a period of one or more heartbeats in synchronization with an electrocardiogram waveform, comprising: a reconstruction step of reconstructing a plurality of images of the heart along a time series based on the nuclear magnetic resonance signals acquired by the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus; a phase detection step of detecting one or more cardiac resting phases based on the plurality of images reconstructed in the reconstruction step; a display control step of displaying the cardiac resting phase on a display unit; an input receiving step of receiving an input of a correction operation for the asystole phase; a phase correcting step of correcting the asystole phase based on the correction operation received in the input receiving step; A data processing method comprising the steps of:

Images