Reception coil unit and medical image diagnosis system

Abstract

To provide a reception coil unit and a medical image diagnosis system capable of reducing a burden on imaging staff.SOLUTION: A reception coil unit includes: a reception coil 52 of which one end side of a table 32, on which a subject 100 is placed, is attached to one side portion among both side portions of the table, that has one sheet 54 accommodating a plurality of sub coil channels 56, and that has a member 62 to be locked provided on a surface of the sheet 54; and a fixing member 70 that is attached to the other side portion of the table 32, that has a locking member 72 locked to the member 62 to be locked, and that fixes the reception coil to be length-adjustable by adjusting a locking position of the member 62 to be locked with respect to the locking member 72.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a receiving coil unit and a medical imaging diagnosis system, and particularly to a technique for reducing the burden on imaging staff involved in a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] When imaging a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) apparatus), the subject is placed in the bore of the gantry together with the table of the bed apparatus. At that time, the subject is placed on the top plate of the table, and a receiving coil such as an RF (Radio Frequency) coil is attached to the imaging region (for example, the abdomen).

[0003] In this case, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of separately using a fixing belt to fix the receiving coil to the subject. According to Patent Document 1, two working steps are required: an operation of attaching the receiving coil to the imaging region and an operation of fixing the receiving coil to the table together with the subject using the fixing belt.

[0004] On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which the two working steps described above are realized in one working step by integrating the receiving coil and the fixing belt by a connector connection.

[0005] In recent years, in order to save the trouble of the imaging staff selecting a receiving coil having a size corresponding to the physique and imaging region of the subject from among a plurality of receiving coils, a sheet-shaped receiving coil having a large area and being deformable may be used.

[0006] Patent Document 3 discloses, as one form thereof, a foldable receiving coil like a screen excellent in storability and portability.

[0007] Further, Patent Document 4 discloses, as another form, a blanket-shaped receiving coil fixed to both left and right side portions of the top plate by fasteners.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] In Patent Document 1, since the receiving coil and the fixing belt are originally separate, there is a problem that the above two working fixings are required to fix the receiving coil and the subject to the top plate. That is, there is a problem that the burden on the imaging staff increases.

[0010] On the other hand, Patent Document 2 has a configuration in which two receiving coil units arranged on both left and right sides of the table are overlapped and worn by the subject, so there may be cases where it cannot be applied depending on the physique of the subject.

[0011] In addition, Patent Document 3 does not disclose a configuration for fixing the receiving coil to the table, and Patent Document 4 only discloses a configuration in which a blanket-shaped coil of a predetermined size is fixed to the table using left and right fasteners. That is, a configuration for reducing the burden on the imaging staff is not disclosed.

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a receiving coil unit and a medical image diagnosis system capable of reducing the burden on the imaging staff.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0013] The invention of the receiving coil unit according to the first aspect is a receiving coil having one end attached to one side portion of both side portions of a table on which a subject is placed, the receiving coil having one sheet accommodating a plurality of sub-coil channels, and a locked member provided on the surface of the sheet, and a fixing member attached to the other side portion of the table opposite to one side portion, the fixing member having a locking member that locks to the locked member, and fixing the receiving coil in a length-adjustable manner by adjusting the locking position of the locked member with respect to the locking member.

[0014] According to the invention of the receiving coil unit according to the first aspect, in one working step of locking the locked member of the receiving coil to the locking member of the fixing member, the subject can be fixed to the table, so that the burden on the imaging staff can be reduced. Further, since the length of the receiving coil can be adjusted by changing the locking position of the locked member with respect to the locking member, it is applicable regardless of the physique of the subject.

[0015] The receiving coil unit according to the second aspect of the present invention is preferably such that, in the first aspect, the locked member and the locking member are surface fasteners.

[0016] The receiving coil unit according to the third aspect of the present invention is preferably such that, in the second aspect, the locked member is provided on the surface opposite to the surface on the subject side among the two surfaces of the front and back of the sheet.

[0017] The receiving coil unit according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is preferably such that, in any one of the first to third aspects, the fixing member has a relief hole for allowing the excess length portion of the receiving coil after length adjustment to escape outside the table.

[0018] The receiving coil unit according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is preferably such that, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the receiving coil is foldable.

[0019] The receiving coil unit according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, preferably such that the receiving coil has a scale indicating the length of the sheet, and the fixing member has an indicator indicating the scale corresponding to the locking position of the locked member with respect to the locking member among the scales.

[0020] The medical imaging diagnosis system according to the seventh aspect of the present invention includes a receiving coil unit according to any one of the first to sixth aspects and a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus.

[0021] The medical imaging diagnosis system according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is, in the seventh aspect, preferably such that the receiving coil has a scale indicating the length of the sheet, the fixing member has an indicator indicating the scale corresponding to the locking position of the locked member with respect to the locking member among the scales, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus has reading means for reading the scale indicated by the indicator, and selection means for selecting a sub-coil channel to be driven from among a plurality of sub-coil channels corresponding to the scale read by the reading means.

[0022] The medical imaging diagnosis system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is, in the seventh aspect, preferably such that the receiving coil has a scale indicating the length of the sheet, the fixing member has an indicator indicating the scale corresponding to the locking position of the locked member with respect to the locking member among the scales, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus has input means for inputting the scale indicated by the indicator, and selection means for selecting a sub-coil channel to be driven from among a plurality of sub-coil channels corresponding to the scale input to the input means.

Advantages of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the burden on the imaging staff.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the receiving coil unit and the medical image diagnostic system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of a medical image diagnostic system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the medical image diagnostic system 10 of the embodiment includes a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an MRI apparatus) 20 and a receiving coil unit 50. Note that the MRI apparatus 20 and the receiving coil unit 50 are examples of the magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus and the receiving coil unit of the present invention.

[0028] The MRI device 20 is installed in the examination room of an imaging diagnosis facility. In the examination room, the subject is placed on the top plate 34 of the table 32 of the bed device 30, and then is conveyed toward the gantry 22 of the MRI device 20 by the movement operation of the table 32.

[0029] The MRI device 20 has a gantry 22. The gantry 22 has a bore 24 which is an imaging space on a cylinder, and the table 32 moves into this bore 24.

[0030] [Internal Configuration of MRI Device] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the MRI device 20.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the MRI device 20 of this example includes a static magnetic field generating magnet 102, a gradient magnetic field coil 104, an RF (Radio Frequency) coil (hereinafter referred to as a transmission coil) 106, and a reception coil 52.

[0032] The static magnetic field generating magnet 102 generates a uniform static magnetic field in the bore 14 where the subject 100 is placed. The gradient magnetic field coil 104 generates a gradient magnetic field in the bore 14. The transmission coil 106 generates a high-frequency magnetic field for generating a nuclear magnetic resonance signal (NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) signal) (hereinafter referred to as an NMR signal) in the atomic nuclei that make up the tissues of the subject 100. The reception coil 52 detects the NMR signal generated from the subject 100.

[0033] The subject 100 placed on the top plate 34 of the table 32 has the examination site of the subject 100 positioned at the center of the static magnetic field of the bore 24 by moving the table 32 into the bore 24.

[0034] The sequencer 108 sends commands to the high-frequency magnetic field generator 110 and the gradient magnetic field power supply 112 according to an imaging sequence (pulse sequence), and generates a high-frequency magnetic field and a gradient magnetic field respectively.

[0035] The generated high-frequency magnetic field is applied to the subject 100 as a pulsed high-frequency magnetic field (RF pulse) through the transmission coil 106. The NMR signal generated from the subject 100 is received by the reception coil 52 and detected by the receiver 114.

[0036] The gradient magnetic field coil 104 is composed of gradient magnetic field coils in three directions of X, Y, and Z, and generates gradient magnetic fields respectively according to signals from the gradient magnetic field power supply 112.

[0037] The nuclear magnetic resonance frequency (detection reference frequency f0) used as a reference for detection in the receiver 114 is set by the sequencer 108. The sequencer 108 controls so that each part operates at a preset timing and intensity. Among the programs, those that particularly describe the timing and intensity of RF pulses, gradient magnetic fields, and signal reception are called pulse sequences.

[0038] Although various pulse sequences are known according to the purpose, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

[0039] The control unit 116 controls the operation of the MRI apparatus 20 via the sequencer 108, receives the signal detected by the receiver 114, and performs various signal processes such as image reconstruction. The receiver 114 quadrature-phase detects the echo signal (NMR signal), which is an analog wave, according to the set detection reference frequency f0, converts it into low data, and then transmits it to the control unit 116. This low data is also called an echo signal or measurement data.

[0040] The control unit 116 receives various instruction inputs from the operation unit 118 and comprehensively controls each part of the MRI apparatus 20. The control unit 116 also performs processes such as inverse Fourier transform of the echo signal in the spatial frequency domain received via the sequencer 108 to convert it into an image in the real space, and generates an MRI image.

[0041] The control unit 116 is implemented by a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer or a microcomputer. The control unit 116 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an input / output interface, etc.

[0042] In the control unit 116, various programs such as control programs stored in the ROM are expanded into the RAM, and the programs expanded in the RAM are executed by the CPU. Thereby, the functions of each part of the MRI apparatus 20 are realized, and various arithmetic processes and control processes are executed via the input / output interface.

[0043] Also, the control unit 116 receives video input from the cameras 120A and 120B described later, or instruction input from the operation unit 118, and performs control to drive only the sub-coil channels necessary for imaging among the plurality of sub-coil channels constituting the reception coil 52. This will be described later.

[0044] The operation unit 118 includes a mouse, a keyboard, etc., and functions as a part of a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that uses a display operation window of a display (not shown) to receive input from the imaging staff. Note that the operation unit 118 may be a touch panel type operation unit, or may be a tablet type device in which the display function of images and menus and the touch panel input function are integrated.

[0045] That is, the operation unit 118 functions as a GUI for the imaging staff to input the startup, stop (including temporary stop) of the MRI apparatus 20, the selection of a pulse sequence, imaging conditions, processing conditions, etc. Note that the input from the imaging staff includes an input for designating only the sub-coil channels necessary for imaging among the plurality of sub-coil channels as described later.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, the cameras 120A and 120B are arranged at both ends of the upper part of the bore 24. The cameras 120A and 120B respectively photograph the subject 100 or the like and output the video to the control unit 116.

[0047] At least one of the cameras 120A and 120B photographs a video including the face region of the subject 100. Further, at least the other of the cameras 120A and 120B photographs a video including the receiving coil unit 50.

[0048] The videos captured by the cameras 120A and 120B are input to the control unit 116 and used as information for selecting only the sub-coil channels necessary for imaging among a plurality of sub-coil channels as described later.

[0049] [Receiving Coil Unit] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part configuration of the receiving coil 52 that constitutes the receiving coil unit 50.

[0050] The receiving coil 52 in this example has one sheet 54 that covers a wide imaging range as shown in FIG. 1. A plurality of sub-coil channels 56 are arranged inside this sheet 54.

[0051] The receiving coil 52 has flexibility as a whole and is configured to be thin and lightweight. By using this receiving coil 52, imaging of various examination sites is possible regardless of the physique of the subject 100. Note that the receiving coil 52 is an example of the receiving coil of the present invention.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 3, the receiving coil 52 has a plurality of sub-coil channels 56. These sub-coil channels 56 function as antennas for receiving NMR signals.

[0053] The sub-coil channel 56 is, for example, ring-shaped with a diameter of about 10 cm to 15 cm, and is two-dimensionally arranged inside the sheet 54 of the receiving coil 52. Note that the receiving coil 52 in this example is multi-channeled and has 30 sub-coil channels 56.

[0054] A decoupling circuit 58 is provided for each sub-coil channel 56. A voltage-driven field effect transistor (FET) is provided for each decoupling circuit 58. The FET of each decoupling circuit 58 is ON / OFF controlled by a driving voltage supplied from a decoupling power supply 60.

[0055] Each sub-coil channel 56 is an antenna that receives an NMR signal generated from the biological tissue of the subject 100 and is adjusted to resonate at a specific frequency. The specific frequency is determined by the atomic nucleus (usually the hydrogen nucleus) of the biological tissue to be observed and the magnetic field strength.

[0056] Here, the transmission coil 106 shown in FIG. 2 applies an RF pulse to the subject 100 to generate an NMR signal in the atomic nuclei that make up the biological tissue of the subject 100.

[0057] However, if the sub-coil channel 56 is in a resonant state (FET is ON) during the period when the RF pulse is applied, the highly sensitive sub-coil channel 56 may receive an excessive RF magnetic field, and there is a risk of damaging the peripheral circuit related to the sub-coil channel 56.

[0058] Therefore, the decoupling power supply 60 switches the sub-coil channel 56 to a detuned state (a non-resonant state: FET is OFF) at least during the period when the RF pulse is transmitted from the transmission coil 106. Also, the decoupling power supply 60 switches the sub-coil channel 56 to a resonant state in order to receive the NMR signal generated from the biological tissue of the subject 100 after the transmission of the RF pulse.

[0059] Further, based on the sub-coil channel designation command sent from the control unit 116, the decoupling power supply 60 switches only the sub-coil channel 56 designated by the sub-coil channel designation command among the plurality of sub-coil channels 56, that is, the sub-coil channel 56 necessary for imaging, to the resonant state.

[0060] That is, the decoupling power supply 60 controls the FET of the decoupling circuit 58 of the sub-coil channel 56 necessary for imaging to be ON, and controls the FET of the decoupling circuit 58 of the sub-coil channel 56 unnecessary for imaging to be OFF.

[0061] Therefore, in the receiving coil 52 of this example, only the sub-coil channel 56 necessary for imaging is in the resonant state, and the sub-coil channel 56 unnecessary for imaging is in the detuned state.

[0062] Thereby, it is possible to solve the problem that unnecessary signals are mixed in from the sub-coil channel 56 existing outside the FOV (Field of view: imaging field of view), resulting in image quality degradation such as folding artifacts. In the decoupling circuit of FIG. 3, ON / OFF switching by voltage control of the FET is shown as an example, but the ON / OFF control can also be implemented using switching by current control of a PIN diode or switching by voltage control of a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) device.

[0063] IVA in FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the subject 100A with a large build is fixed to the table 32 by the receiving coil unit 50. Further, IVB in FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the subject 100B with a small build is fixed to the table 32 by the receiving coil unit 50.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 4, the receiving coil unit 50 of this example is mounted on the table 32 of the bed device 30 and used. The receiving coil unit 50 includes a receiving coil 52 and a fixing member 70. The fixing member 70 is an example of the fixing member of the present invention.

[0065] One end side of the receiving coil 52 is attached to the right side portion of the left and right (LR) both side portions of the table 32. The receiving coil 52 has one sheet 54 that houses a plurality of sub-coil channels 56 as described above. The sheet 54 is configured in a rectangular shape in a top view.

[0066] A locked member 62 is provided on the surface 54A of the sheet 54 (the surface opposite to the surface on the subject 100 side). The locked member 62 constitutes one side member of the hook-and-loop fastener and is a member that is densely looped and raised. The locked member 62 is provided over the entire area in the left-right (LR) direction of the sheet 54 except for the edge portion of the upper surface 54A of the sheet 54.

[0067] The fixing member 70 is attached to the left side portion of the table 32. The fixing member 70 has a locking member 72 that locks to the locked member 62. The fixing member 70 can fix the receiving coil 52 so that its length can be adjusted in the left-right (LR) direction by adjusting the locking position of the locked member 62 with respect to the locking member 72.

[0068] The locking member 72 constitutes the other side member of the hook-and-loop fastener and is a member that is raised in a hook shape. The locking member 72 and the locked member 62 can be attached by simply pressing against each other, and can be freely attached and detached.

[0069] The fixing member 70 of this example is configured in a rectangular frame shape, and has a relief hole 74 for allowing the receiving coil 52, which is the excess length portion after length adjustment, to escape outward from the left side portion of the table 32, as shown in IVB of FIG. 4.

[0070] Here, the excess length portion of the receiving coil 52 is inserted through the escape hole 74 from the back side (table 32 side) of the fixing member 70 and released to the left side from the front side of the fixing member 70.

[0071] For this reason, the locking member 72 is provided on the back side of the upper side portion 70A of the fixing member 70 in order to lock with the locked member 62. The upper side portion 70A is a side portion along the HF direction orthogonal to the LR direction (the length direction of the receiving coil 52). Thereby, locking can be performed in a state where the excess length portion of the receiving coil 52 is released from the escape hole 74, and the length of the receiving coil 52 can be easily adjusted.

[0072] On the other hand, when a fixing member not provided with the escape hole 74 is used, in the subject 100B with a small build, the excess length portion of the receiving coil 52 may be folded toward the inside of the table 32.

[0073] In this folded portion, since the sub-coil channels 56 overlap each other (including the sub-coil channel 56 under ON control and the sub-coil channel 56 under OFF control), the performance may be affected.

[0074] On the contrary, in the receiving coil unit 50 of the embodiment, since the escape hole 74 is provided in the fixing member 70 so that the excess length portion of the receiving coil 52 is released to the outside of the table 32, the above-mentioned overlap problem is solved and the performance can be ensured.

[0075] Note that the locked member 62 and the locking member 72 are examples of the locked member and the locking member of the present invention. Also, the hook-and-loop fastener is an example of the hook-and-loop fastener of the present invention. As the hook-and-loop fastener, it is known by trade names such as Velcro (registered trademark), Velcro (registered trademark), and Quicklon (registered trademark). Also, the escape hole 74 is an example of the escape hole of the present invention.

[0076] According to the receiving coil unit 50 of the embodiment in this way, one end side of a receiving coil 52 is attached to the back side (right side portion) of the table 32 with the subject 100 sandwiched therebetween. As a pre-use form of the receiving coil 52, it may be in a form suspended on the right side of the table 32, or may be in a form placed on the top plate 34. Conventionally, it was common for the receiving coil to be placed in a receiving coil storage area and carried to the table by the imaging staff during use. However, by permanently installing it on the table as described above, the trouble of carrying the receiving coil 52 from the receiving coil storage area to the table 32 can be omitted. Therefore, according to the receiving coil unit 50 of the embodiment, it is possible to reduce the burden on the imaging staff.

[0077] Also, according to the receiving coil 52 of the embodiment, by providing the locking member 62 on one side of the hook-and-loop fastener on the receiving coil 52, a member in which the receiving coil 52 and the fixing belt are substantially integrated is formed. During use, the receiving coil 52 is placed on the subject 100 and the other end side is fixed to the fixing member 70 using a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0078] By adopting such a configuration, regardless of the physique of the subject 100, the receiving coil 52 can be uniformly placed on the imaging part (for example, the abdomen) of the subject 100. And the subject 100 can be fixed to the table 32 only by locking the receiving coil 52 and the fixing member 70 using a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0079] That is, in Patent Document 1, the work process of fixing the receiving coil to the subject, which required a two-step work process, can be carried out in a one-step work process of simply locking the locking member 62 on the receiving coil 52 side to the locking member 72 on the fixing member 70 side, and the number of work steps of the imaging staff can be reduced.

[0080] Therefore, according to the receiving coil unit 50 of the embodiment, it is possible to reduce the burden on the imaging staff. Further, since the length of the receiving coil 52 can be adjusted by changing the locking position of the locked member 62 with respect to the locking member 72, it is applicable regardless of the physique of the examinees 100A and 100B.

[0081] On the other hand, the MRI apparatus 20 of this example has means for automatically selecting the sub-coil channel 56 necessary for imaging from among a plurality of sub-coil channels according to the relative position in the left-right (LR) direction between the fixed member 70 (locking member 72) and the receiving coil 52 (locked member 62).

[0082] Thereby, it is possible to omit the labor of selecting the sub-coil channel 56 corresponding to the physique of the examinee 100 and the imaging region from among the plurality of sub-coil channels 56. Thus, it is possible to reduce the burden on the imaging staff.

[0083] Hereinafter, some automatic selection means (first to second automatic selection means) for automatically selecting the sub-coil channel 56 necessary for imaging will be described.

[0084] 〔First automatic selection means〕 FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a main part of the receiving coil unit 50 including the receiving coil 52 provided with the scale 64 and the fixed member 70 provided with the indicator 76.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 5, the receiving coil 52 has a scale (numeral) 64 indicating the length of the sheet 54 in the left-right (LR) direction. The scale 64 is provided on the surface 54A of the sheet 54.

[0086] The fixed member 70 has an indicator 76. The indicator 76 is provided on the upper side portion 70A. This indicator 76 indicates the scale corresponding to the locking position of the locked member 62 with respect to the locking member 72 among the scales 64.

[0087] That is, the index 76 indicates a scale corresponding to the physique of the subject 100. In FIG. 5, for convenience of explanation, the index 76 indicates the scale 64A among the scales 64.

[0088] When the receiving coil 52 is placed on a subject 100A with a large physique (see FIG. 4IVA), the index 76 indicates the scale 64A (including the vicinity thereof). Conversely, when the receiving coil 52 is placed on a subject 100B with a small physique (see FIG. 4IVB), the index 76 indicates the scale 64B (including the vicinity thereof).

[0089] In this way, the physique of the subject 100 is determined by the scale indicated by the index 76, and based on the physique, the sub-coil channels 56 necessary for imaging are automatically selected from among the plurality of sub-coil channels 56. That is, only the sub-coil channels 56 necessary for imaging are controlled to be ON, and the sub-coil channels 56 unnecessary for imaging are controlled to be OFF.

[0090] The scale indicated by the index 76 is photographed by the camera 120A or the camera 120B shown in FIG. 2. The video photographed by the camera 120A or the camera 120B is input as a video signal to the control unit 116 in FIG. 2.

[0091] The control unit 116 selects the sub-coil channels 56 necessary for imaging according to the correspondence table between the input video (corresponding to the read scale) and the sub-coil channels 56 to be controlled to be ON. The above correspondence table is stored in advance in the ROM of the control unit 116. At the time of imaging, only the selected sub-coil channels 56 are controlled to be ON. Note that the camera 120A or the camera 120B is an example of the reading means of the present invention. Also, the control unit 116 is an example of the selection means of the present invention.

[0092] In FIG. 6VIA, when the index 76 indicates the scale 64A (including the vicinity thereof), the sub-coil channels 56 selected by the control unit 116 are shown by solid lines. In this case, all (30) sub-coil channels 56 are controlled to be ON.

[0093] In FIG. 6, when the index 76 indicates the scale 64B (including the vicinity thereof), the sub-coil channel 56 selected by the control unit 116 is indicated by a solid line, and the non-selected sub-coil channel 56 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0094] In this case, 20 sub-coil channels 56 arranged from the R side to the L side are controlled to be ON, and 10 sub-coil channels 56 arranged on the L side are controlled to be OFF. The 10 sub-coil channels 56 to be controlled to be OFF correspond to the sub-coil channels 56 arranged in the extra-length portion of the receiving coil 52.

[0095] In this way, the first automatic selection means can automatically select the sub-coil channels 56 necessary for imaging from the video images captured by the camera 120A or the camera 120B.

[0096] Thereby, the labor of selecting the sub-coil channels 56 corresponding to the physique of the subject 100 and the imaging region can be omitted. As a result, the burden on the imaging staff can be reduced.

[0097] In addition, it is possible to solve the problem that unnecessary signals are mixed in from the sub-coil channels 56 existing outside the FOV (Field of view: imaging field of view), resulting in image quality degradation such as fold-back artifacts.

[0098] 〔Second Automatic Selection Means〕 The imaging staff visually reads the scale indicated by the index 76, and inputs the scale (number) from a remote operation device (for example, a liquid crystal touch panel; not shown) provided on the gantry 22 or the operation unit 118.

[0099] The control unit 116 selects the sub-coil channel 56 necessary for imaging according to the correspondence table between its scale (number) and the sub-coil channel 56 to be controlled ON. Then, during imaging, only the selected sub-coil channel 56 is controlled ON. Note that the operation unit 118 is an example of the input means of the present invention. Also, the control unit 116 is an example of the selection means of the present invention.

[0100] The second automatic selection means can obtain the same effect as the first automatic selection means.

[0101] By simplifying the degree of freedom of the relative position of the receiving coil 52 and the fixing member 70 into one-dimensional information in the left-right direction like the first and second automatic selection means, it is possible to suppress misdetection when automatically detecting the position of the receiving coil 52. Thereby, the selection accuracy of the sub-coil channel 56 corresponding to the physique and imaging site of the subject 100 is improved.

[0102] Hereinafter, several modification examples (first to second modification examples) of the present invention will be described.

[0103] 〔First Modification Example〕 FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the main part of the receiving coil unit 50A of the first modification example.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 7, in the fixing member 70 of the receiving coil unit 50A, the upper side portion 70A of the fixing member 70 is separated into two at intervals in the HF direction.

[0105] Locking members 72 are respectively provided on the back sides of two places, the H-side portion 70B and the F-side portion 70C, which constitute the upper side portion 70A, and the locked member 62 on the receiving coil 52 side is locked to these locking members 72. Thereby, the subject 100 can be fixed to the table 32 with sufficient strength.

[0106] In addition, the H-side side portion 70B and the F-side side portion 70C are separated with a space therebetween in the HF direction, and the scale 64 of the receiving coil 52 is exposed in the empty space therebetween, so that the visibility of the scale 64 is improved. Note that the indicator 76 is provided at the H-side end of the F-side side portion 70C.

[0107] In addition, since the upper side portion 70A is separated into the H-side side portion 70B and the F-side side portion 70C, the area of the locked member 62 provided on the receiving coil 52 can be reduced.

[0108] 〔Second Modification Example〕 FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the receiving coil unit 50B of the second modification example. In FIG. 8, only the receiving coil 52 is shown, and the fixing member 70 is not shown.

[0109] In the second modification example, a foldable receiving coil is used as the receiving coil 52. Specifically, a plurality of plate-like bodies 66 that can be stacked are provided at intervals in the length direction of the receiving coil 52. The plate-like body 66 is configured in a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0110] The receiving coil 52 configured as shown in FIG. 8 can be folded like a folding screen. By folding the receiving coil 52 like a folding screen, the storability is improved, and it can be stored in a space-saving manner beside the back side (R side) of the table.

[0111] In addition, by folding and storing the receiving coil 52 in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 8, the vertical height from the upper surface of the table 32 becomes higher than that in the case of a simple sheet-like receiving coil. Therefore, access to the receiving coil 52 from the front side (L side) of the table with the subject 100 sandwiched therebetween becomes easier.

[0112] Since the receiving coil 52 has a fixed form using a surface fastener, a locked member 62 is provided on the surface 54A (the surface opposite to the surface on the subject 100 side) in a state where the screen-shaped receiving coil 52 is opened. In FIG. 8, the locked member 62 is provided on the entire surface 54A of the receiving coil 52, but the locked member 62 may be provided in a part of the region on the fixed member 70 (not shown) side.

[0113] As described above, the surface fastener includes a locking member 72 on the convex surface (hook) side and a locked member 62 on the concave surface (loop) side. The surface in a state where the screen-shaped receiving coil 52 is opened touches the imaging staff and the skin of the subject 100 frequently. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the locked member 62 with less skin irritation on the surface of the receiving coil 52.

[0114] 〔Third Modification Example〕 IXA in FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a subject 100A with a large build is fixed to the table 32 by the receiving coil unit 50C of the third modification example. Further, IXB in FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a subject 100B with a small build is fixed to the table 32 by the receiving coil unit 50C.

[0115] Here, the difference in configuration between the receiving coil unit 50 shown in FIG. 4 and the receiving coil unit 50C shown in FIG. 9 will be described.

[0116] First, the fixed member 70 of the receiving coil unit 50 has a relief hole 74, whereas the fixed member 80 of the receiving coil unit 50C does not have a relief hole 74.

[0117] The receiving coil unit 50 has a locked member 62 provided on the front surface side of the sheet 54 and a locking member 72 provided on the back surface side of the fixed member 70, whereas the receiving coil unit 50C has a locked member 62 provided on the back surface side of the sheet 54 and a locking member 72 provided on the front surface side of the fixed member 80.

[0118] Moreover, the length of the fixing member 80 in the LR direction is made shorter than the length of the fixing member 70 in the LR direction so that the fixing member 80 overlaps the subjects 100A and 100B as little as possible.

[0119] According to the receiving coil unit 50C having such a configuration, after covering the imaging regions of the subjects 100A and 100B with the receiving coil 52 uniformly, the subjects 100A and 100B can be fixed to the table 32 only by locking the receiving coil 52 and the fixing member 80 using surface fasteners (the locked member 62 and the locking member 72).

[0120] Further, even when using the fixing member 80 having no relief hole 74, by providing the locked member 62 on the back side of the sheet 54 and providing the locking member 72 on the front side of the fixing member 80, the excess length portion of the receiving coil 50 can be released outside the table 32. Thereby, the above-described overlap problem is solved and the performance can be ensured.

[0121] Note that, since the receiving coil unit 50 is configured such that the receiving coil is passed through the relief hole 74 from the back side of the fixing member 70, the fixing member 70 is difficult to enter between the subject 100 and the receiving coil unit 50. For this reason, there is an advantage that the adhesion of the receiving coil 52 to the subject 100 is improved.

[0122] In the embodiment, the sub-coil channels 56 necessary for imaging and the sub-coil channels 56 unnecessary for imaging are selected in advance, and the respective sub-coil channels 56 are controlled to be ON / OFF for imaging, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0123] For example, at the time of imaging, all the sub-coil channels 56 may be turned ON, and at the time of image generation, only the data to be used may be selected from all the data obtained from all the sub-coil channels 56 for image generation.

[0124] In addition, as an example of the length adjustment means of the receiving coil 52, an example using a hook-and-loop fastener has been described in this example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, any means capable of adjusting the length in the left-right direction according to the physique of the subject 100 may be used, and fixing means other than the hook-and-loop fastener may be used.

[0125] For example, a non-metallic slide belt type receiving coil unit having a buckle (fixing member) capable of continuously adjusting and fixing the length of the receiving coil 52 may be used. Even with this receiving coil unit, the length in the left-right direction can be adjusted according to the physique of the subject 100.

[0126] FIG. 10 shows a form in which the receiving coil unit 50 is slidably provided in the HF direction with respect to the table 32.

[0127] According to FIG. 10, sliders 132 are provided on the fixing member 70 and the receiving coil 52, respectively, and these sliders 132 are slidably connected to HF-direction rails 134, 134 provided on the left and right side portions of the table 32, respectively.

[0128] Therefore, by sliding the fixing member 70 and the receiving coil 52 along the rails 134, 134 to change the position, it is possible to easily perform the HF-direction position adjustment required due to differences in the physique of the subject 100 or changes in the imaging site.

[0129] Here, in FIG. 11 XIA, a form in which the receiving coil 50 is located at the chest of the subject 100 is shown, and in FIG. 11 XIB, a form in which the receiving coil 50 is located at the leg of the subject 100 is shown. Thus, by providing the fixing member 70 and the receiving coil 52 so as to be slidable in the HF direction, it becomes easy to adjust the position in the HF direction accompanying a change in the imaging site.

[0130] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, by providing a connecting member 136 that connects the fixing member 70 and the receiving coil 52 inside the table 32, the positions of the fixing member 70 and the receiving coil 52 in the HF direction can be moved simultaneously. That is, it becomes easy to adjust the position of the receiving coil 52 on the back side of the table by simply moving the fixing member 70 while the imaging staff stands on the front side of the table (the side of the fixing member 70).

[0131] As described above, the embodiments of the receiving coil unit and the medical image diagnostic system according to the present invention have been described. However, the present invention may be subject to some improvements or modifications without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0132] 10 Medical image diagnostic system 20 MRI apparatus 30 Bed apparatus 32 Table 34 Top plate 50 Receiving coil unit 50A Receiving coil unit 50B Receiving coil unit 50C Receiving coil unit 52 Receiving coil 54 Sheet 56 Sub-coil channel 62 Locked member 64 Scale 70 Fixing member 72 Locking member 74 Relief hole 76 Indicator 80 Fixing member 116 Control unit 118 Operation unit 120A Camera 120B Camera

Claims

1. a receiving coil having one end attached to one of both sides of a table on which a subject is placed, the receiving coil having a sheet accommodating a plurality of sub-coil channels and a locking member provided on a surface of the sheet; a fixing member attached to the other side of the table opposite to the one side, the fixing member having a locking member that locks onto the locked member, and the receiving coil is fixed in a length-adjustable manner by adjusting a locking position of the locked member relative to the locking member; A receiving coil unit comprising:

2. The locked member and the locking member are hook-and-loop fasteners.

2. The receive coil unit according to claim 1.

3. The engaged member is provided on one of the two surfaces of the sheet, the surface opposite to the surface on the subject side. The receive coil unit according to claim 2 .

4. The fixing member has an escape hole for allowing an excess portion of the receiving coil after the length adjustment to escape to the outside of the table. The receiving coil unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The receiving coil is foldable. The receiving coil unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. the receiving coil has a scale indicating the length of the sheet; the fixing member has an index indicating a scale corresponding to a locking position of the locked member relative to the locking member among the scales; The receiving coil unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. A receiving coil unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A magnetic resonance imaging device; Equipped with Medical imaging diagnostic system.

8. the receiving coil has a scale indicating the length of the sheet; the fixing member has an index indicating a scale corresponding to a locking position of the locked member relative to the locking member, The magnetic resonance imaging device A reading means for reading the scale indicated by the index; a selection means for selecting a sub-coil channel to be driven from among the plurality of sub-coil channels corresponding to the scale read by the reading means; having The medical image diagnostic system according to claim 7.

9. the receiving coil has a scale indicating the length of the sheet; the fixing member has an index indicating a scale corresponding to a locking position of the locked member relative to the locking member, The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes: an input means for inputting the scale indicated by the indicator; a selection means for selecting a sub-coil channel to be driven from among the plurality of sub-coil channels corresponding to the scale input to the input means; having The medical image diagnostic system according to claim 7.

Images