Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus

Abstract

To facilitate the installation of a receiver coil on a subject.SOLUTION: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a receiver coil that receives a magnetic resonance signal, and a top plate that a subject is placed on and that moves the subject to an imaging region. The top plate has a space to stow the receiver coil in one or more portions of: widthwise side portions of the top plate; lengthwise end portions of the top plate; and a bottom portion of the top plate. The receiver coil is configured to be used by being pulled out and / or pushed out from the one or more portions of the top plate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings relate to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus applies a gradient magnetic field and a high-frequency magnetic field of a magnetic resonance frequency to a subject in a static magnetic field to perform imaging of a desired cross section.

[0003] When imaging a subject's body part using such an MRI apparatus, for example, a spine receiving coil for receiving signals from the back of the subject is placed on a top plate that moves the subject into the imaging area. After the subject lies down on it, a body part receiving coil is further placed on the subject to perform imaging.

[0004] Here, generally, the spine receiving coil is always placed on the top plate, but the body part receiving coil is placed in a storage location such as a shelf and is carried from the storage location to the top plate where the subject lies and placed on the subject. Further, when the imaging range is wide, two or more body part receiving coils may be used. Therefore, carrying the receiving coil and installing it on the subject every time imaging is performed is a very cumbersome task.

[0005] For these reasons, in an MRI apparatus, it is required to make it easy to install the receiving coil on the subject.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] One of the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is to enable the easy installation of the receiving coil on the subject. However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings are not limited to the above problems. The problems corresponding to the respective effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described later can also be positioned as other problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The MRI apparatus according to the embodiment includes a receiving coil that receives a magnetic resonance signal, and a top plate on which a subject is placed and that moves the subject into an imaging region. The top plate has a space for accommodating the receiving coil in any one or a plurality of portions of a side portion in the width direction of the top plate, an end portion in the length direction of the top plate, and a lower portion of the top plate. The receiving coil is configured to be pulled out and / or pushed out from the one or more portions of the top plate and used.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 9B

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the MRI apparatus according to the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an MRI apparatus according to a first embodiment.

[0012] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, an MRI apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a static magnetic field magnet 101, a gradient magnetic field coil 102, a gradient magnetic field power supply 103, a bed 111, a bed control circuit 112, a transmission RF coil 104, a transmission circuit 105, a first body part receiving RF coil 106, a second body part receiving RF coil 107, a spine receiving RF coil 108, a receiving circuit 109, a sequence control circuit 110, a bus 120, an input interface 118, a display 117, a memory circuit 116, and a processing circuit 119. Note that the MRI apparatus 100 may have a hollow cylindrical shim coil between the static magnetic field magnet 101 and the gradient magnetic field coil 102.

[0013] The static magnetic field magnet 101 is a magnet formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and generates a uniform static magnetic field (B0) in the internal space. As this static magnetic field magnet 101, for example, a superconducting magnet or the like is used. Note that a shim coil (not shown) may be formed in a hollow cylindrical shape inside the static magnetic field magnet 101. The shim coil is connected to a shim coil power supply (not shown) and equalizes the static magnetic field generated by the static magnetic field magnet 101 with the power supplied from the shim coil power supply.

[0014] The gradient magnetic field coil 102 is a coil formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and is disposed inside the static magnetic field magnet 101. The gradient magnetic field coil 102 is formed by combining three coils corresponding to the X, Y, and Z axes that are orthogonal to each other. Assume that the Z-axis direction is the same as the direction of the static magnetic field. Also, the Y-axis direction is the vertical direction, and the X-axis direction is the direction perpendicular to the Z-axis and the Y-axis. The three coils in the gradient magnetic field coil 102 are individually supplied with current from the gradient magnetic field power supply 103 to generate a gradient magnetic field in which the magnetic field strength changes along the X, Y, and Z axes.

[0015] Here, the gradient magnetic fields in the X, Y, and Z axes generated by the gradient magnetic field coil 102 respectively correspond to, for example, the gradient magnetic field for frequency encoding (also referred to as the readout gradient magnetic field), the gradient magnetic field for phase encoding, and the gradient magnetic field for slice selection. The gradient magnetic field for frequency encoding is used to change the frequency of the MR signal according to the spatial position. The gradient magnetic field for phase encoding is used to change the phase of the magnetic resonance (MR) signal according to the spatial position. The gradient magnetic field for slice selection is used to arbitrarily determine the imaging section.

[0016] The gradient magnetic field power supply 103 is a power supply device that supplies current to the gradient magnetic field coil 102 under the control of the sequence control circuit 110.

[0017] The bed 111 is a device equipped with a top plate 115 on which the subject 114 is placed. The bed 111 inserts the top plate 115 on which the subject 114 is placed into the bore 113 under the control of the bed control circuit 112. Thereby, the top plate 115 moves the subject 114 into the imaging region within the bore 113. Usually, the bed 111 is installed in the examination room where the MRI apparatus 100 is installed so that the longitudinal direction is parallel to the central axis of the static magnetic field magnet 101.

[0018] The bed control circuit 112 controls the bed 111. The bed control circuit 112 drives the bed 111 according to an instruction from an operator via the input interface 118, and moves the top plate 115 in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction.

[0019] The transmit RF coil 104 is an RF (Radio Frequency) coil arranged inside the gradient magnetic field coil 102. The transmit RF coil 104 receives a high-frequency pulse (RF pulse) from the transmit circuit 105 and generates a transmit RF wave corresponding to a high-frequency magnetic field. The transmit RF coil 104 is, for example, a whole body (WB) coil. Note that the WB coil may be used as a transmit-receive RF coil.

[0020] The transmission circuit 105 supplies a high-frequency pulse modulated at the Larmor frequency to the transmission RF coil 104 under the control of the sequence control circuit 110. Specifically, the transmission circuit 105 includes an oscillation unit, a phase selection unit, a frequency conversion unit, an amplitude modulation unit, a high-frequency power amplification unit, and the like. The oscillation unit generates a high-frequency signal at the resonance frequency specific to the target atomic nucleus in the static magnetic field. The phase selection unit selects the phase of the high-frequency signal. The frequency conversion unit converts the frequency of the high-frequency signal output from the phase selection unit. The amplitude modulation unit modulates the amplitude of the high-frequency signal output from the frequency conversion unit according to, for example, the sinc function. The high-frequency power amplification unit amplifies the high-frequency signal output from the amplitude modulation unit. As a result of the operations of these respective units, the transmission circuit 105 outputs a high-frequency pulse corresponding to the Larmor frequency to the transmission RF coil 104.

[0021] In the present embodiment, an example in which three types of reception RF coils, namely, the first body part reception RF coil 106, the second body part reception RF coil 107, and the spine reception RF coil 108, are used is shown. The first body part reception RF coil 106 and the second body part reception RF coil 107 are arranged on the subject 114. The spine reception RF coil 108 is arranged on the top plate 115 on the back side of the subject 114. After these reception RF coils are arranged on the subject 114, they are moved to the imaging region in the bore 113 by the top plate 115 and receive the MR signal radiated from the subject 114 by the high-frequency magnetic field. The first body part reception RF coil 106 and the second body part reception RF coil 107 mainly receive the MR echo signal from the body part of the subject 114. The spine reception RF coil 108 mainly receives the MR echo signal from the back of the subject 114. Then, these reception RF coils output the received MR signal to the reception circuit 109. These reception RF coils are typically coil arrays having a plurality of coil elements, and signals from effective coil elements surrounding the imaging site are automatically or manually selected.

[0022] Further, while the reception RF coil is being used for imaging, it is controlled by the sequence control circuit 110 to be in an OFF state when a high-frequency pulse is being generated by the transmission RF coil 104, and in an ON state where reception is possible at other times.

[0023] The reception circuit 109 generates magnetic resonance data (hereinafter referred to as MR data), which is digitized complex data, based on the MR signals output from each reception RF coil under the control of the sequence control circuit 110. Specifically, the reception circuit 109 performs various signal processes such as pre-amplification, intermediate frequency conversion, phase detection, low-frequency amplification, and filtering on the MR signals output from each reception RF coil, and then performs analog-to-digital (A / D) conversion on the data on which the various signal processes have been performed. The reception circuit 109 performs sampling on the A / D converted data. Thereby, the reception circuit 109 generates MR data. The reception circuit 109 outputs the generated MR data to the sequence control circuit 110. Note that the MR data generated by the reception circuit 109 is also called raw data.

[0024] The sequence control circuit 110 controls the gradient magnetic field power supply 103, the transmission circuit 105, and the reception circuit 109 according to the pulse sequence information output from the processing circuit 119 to perform imaging on the subject 114. The pulse sequence information defines the magnitude and time width of the current supplied to the gradient magnetic field coil 102 by the gradient magnetic field power supply 103, the timing at which the current is supplied to the gradient magnetic field coil 102 by the gradient magnetic field power supply 103, the magnitude of the RF pulse supplied to the transmission RF coil 104 by the transmission circuit 105, the timing at which the RF pulse is supplied to the transmission RF coil 104 by the transmission circuit 105, the timing at which the MR signal is received by the reception circuit 109, and the like. The magnitude of the current supplied to the gradient magnetic field coil 102 by the gradient magnetic field power supply 103 corresponds to the waveform of the gradient magnetic field according to the pulse sequence.

[0025] Bus 120 is a transmission path through which data is transmitted between the input interface 118, the display 117, the memory circuit 116, and the processing circuit 119. Various biological signal measuring devices, external storage devices, etc. may be appropriately connected to the bus 120 via a network or the like.

[0026] The input interface 118 receives various instructions and information inputs from the operator. The input interface 118 is, for example, a circuit related to an input device such as a pointing device like a mouse or a keyboard. Note that the input interface 118 is not limited to a circuit related to physical operation components such as a mouse and a keyboard. For example, an electrical signal processing circuit that receives an electrical signal corresponding to an input operation from an external input device provided separately from the MRI apparatus 100 and outputs the received electrical signal to various circuits may also be included in the examples of the input interface 118.

[0027] The display 117 displays various types of information such as an MR image reconstructed by an image generation function under the control of the processing circuit 119. The display 117 is, for example, a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display, a plasma display, or any other display or monitor known in the art.

[0028] The memory circuit 116 stores MR data arrayed in k-space via a data array function, image data generated by an image generation function, and the like. The memory circuit 116 stores imaging conditions including various imaging protocols and a plurality of imaging parameters that define the imaging protocol. The memory circuit 116 stores programs corresponding to various functions executed by the processing circuit 119. The memory circuit 116 is, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, an optical disk, or the like. Further, the memory circuit 116 may be a drive device or the like that reads and writes various information to and from a portable storage medium such as a CD (Compact Disk)-ROM (Read Only Memory) drive, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) drive, a flash memory, or the like.

[0029] The processing circuit 119 controls the MRI apparatus 100 in an overall manner. The processing circuit 119 is realized by, for example, a processor. The processing circuit 119 has a system control function, a data array function, an image generation function, a reference value setting function, an error estimation function, a correction function, and a pulse calculation function. Various functions performed by the system control function, the data array function, the image generation function, the reference value setting function, the error estimation function, the correction function, and the pulse calculation function are stored in the memory circuit 116 in the form of programs executable by a computer. The processing circuit 119 reads out programs corresponding to these various functions from the memory circuit 116 and executes them, thereby realizing the functions corresponding to the respective programs.

[0030] Specifically, the processing circuit 119 controls the MRI apparatus 100 in an overall manner by the system control function. For example, the processing circuit 119 reads out a system control program stored in the memory circuit 116 and expands it in a memory, and controls each circuit of the MRI apparatus 100 according to the expanded system control program.

[0031] In FIG. 1, although each of these various functions has been described as being realized by a single processing circuit 119, for example, it is also acceptable to configure the processing circuit 119 by combining a plurality of independent processors, and each processor realizes the functions by executing a program. In other words, each of the functions described above may be configured as a program, and it may be the case where one processing circuit executes each program, or it may be the case where a specific function is implemented in a dedicated independent program execution circuit. Also, in FIG. 1, an example in which a single storage circuit 116 stores programs corresponding to each function has been described, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of storage circuits may be distributed and arranged, and the processing circuit 119 may be configured to read and execute a corresponding program from an individual storage circuit.

[0032] Also, the bed control circuit 112, the transmission circuit 105, the reception circuit 109, the sequence control circuit 110, etc. are similarly configured by a processing circuit such as a processor, for example.

[0033] Here, the term "processor" used in the above description means, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (for example, a simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA)).

[0034] The processor realizes various functions by reading and executing the program stored in the memory circuit 116. Instead of storing the program in the memory circuit 116, it may be configured to directly incorporate the program into the circuit of the processor. In this case, the processor realizes functions by reading and executing the program incorporated into the circuit.

[0035] Under such a configuration, the MRI apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to easily install the body receiving RF coil on the subject 114.

[0036] Specifically, in the present embodiment, the top plate 115 of the bed 111 has a space for accommodating the body receiving RF coil at the side portion (hereinafter referred to as the "side portion") and the lower portion in the width direction of the top plate 115. And the body receiving RF coil is configured to be pulled out from the side portion and the lower portion of the top plate 115 for use. Here, the body receiving RF coil is an example of a receiving coil.

[0037] Also, in the present embodiment, the top plate 115 has a top plate skeleton that supports the load of the top plate 115 and is movable to the imaging region. And the top plate skeleton has an upper surface on which the subject 114 is placed, and forms a space for accommodating the body receiving RF coil at the side portion and the lower portion of the top plate 115.

[0038] Also, in the present embodiment, the body receiving RF coil is configured to be pulled out and / or pushed out from at least one side portion of the top plate 115 and arranged on the subject 114.

[0039] Also, in the present embodiment, the space of the top plate 115 accommodates a plurality of body receiving RF coils arranged side by side in the moving direction of the top plate 115.

[0040] Hereinafter, the above configuration of the MRI apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state when the top plate 115 and an example of the body-receiving RF coil are stored according to the first embodiment.

[0042] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the top plate 115 includes a top plate skeleton 203 provided with a plurality of top plate wheels 205, and a top plate lower cover 301 that covers the side and lower portions of the top plate skeleton 203. The top plate skeleton 203 supports the load of the top plate 115 and is configured to be movable into the imaging region in the bore 113. Further, the top plate skeleton 203 forms a space for accommodating the body-receiving RF coil at the side and lower portions of the top plate 115, and the top plate lower cover 301 is disposed so as to cover the space. The spine-receiving RF coil 108 is disposed on the upper surface of the top plate skeleton 203, and the subject 114 lies thereon. The top plate wheels 205 move on the rail 300 in the bore 113 when the top plate 115 moves in the bore 113.

[0043] For example, the body-receiving RF coil (the first body-receiving RF coil 106 and the second body-receiving RF coil 107) includes two receiving RF coil portions 201a and 201b, and a coil holding member 204. Here, one end of each of the two receiving RF coil portions 201a and 201b is connected by the coil holding member 204 at the center of the top plate 115. When the body-receiving RF coil is not in use, it is accommodated in the space formed at the lower and side portions of the top plate 115 by the top plate skeleton 203 within the top plate lower cover 301. Here, the receiving RF coil portion is an example of the receiving coil portion.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a top view showing a state when the top plate 115 and an example of the body-receiving RF coil are stored according to the first embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 3 shows an example in which, from the state shown in FIG. 2, excluding the subject 114, three body-receiving RF coils are arranged side by side in the body axis direction of the subject 114. Here, the body axis direction of the subject 114 coincides with the moving direction of the top plate 115.

[0045] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the first body part receiving RF coil has two receiving RF coil parts 220a and 220b. Also, the second body part receiving RF coil has two receiving RF coil parts 221a and 221b. Further, the third body part receiving RF coil has two receiving RF coil parts 222a and 222b. Also, on the upper surface of the top plate skeleton 203, a spinal receiving RF coil 108 and a head receiving RF coil 700 are also arranged. The spinal receiving RF coil 108 is composed of a plurality of coil elements 230.

[0046] For example, the receiving RF coil parts 220a and 220b of the first body part receiving RF coil are respectively accommodated in the space within the top plate lower cover 301 through coil long holes 241a and 241b provided on the upper surface of the top plate lower cover 301. Similarly, the receiving RF coil parts 221a and 221b of the second body part receiving RF coil are also respectively accommodated in the space within the top plate lower cover 301 through coil long holes 242a and 242b provided on the upper surface of the top plate lower cover 301. Similarly, the receiving RF coil parts 222a and 222b of the third body part receiving RF coil are also respectively accommodated in the space within the top plate lower cover 301 through coil long holes 243a and 243b provided on the upper surface of the top plate lower cover 301.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state when the coil of the top plate 115 and the body part receiving RF coil according to the first embodiment is pulled out and / or pushed out. Specifically, FIG. 4 shows a state in which the body part receiving RF coil is pulled out and / or pushed out from the state shown in FIG. 2 and arranged on the subject 114.

[0048] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the body part receiving RF coils (the first body part receiving RF coil 106, the second body part receiving RF coil 107) are pulled out from the side part of the top plate 115 and / or pushed out and arranged on the subject 114 when used for imaging. At this time, the body part receiving RF coil is configured such that the two receiving RF coil parts 201a and 201b can be connected on the subject 114 as the coil holding member 204 extends.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a top view showing a state when the coil is pulled out and / or pushed out in an example of the top plate 115 and the body part receiving RF coil according to the first embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 5 shows a state in which three body part receiving RF coils arranged side by side in the body axis direction of the subject 114 are pulled out and / or pushed out from the state shown in FIG. 3.

[0050] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the first body part receiving RF coil, the second body part receiving RF coil, and the third body part receiving RF coil are each composed of a plurality of coil elements 231.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state when the coil is pulled out and / or pushed out in an example of the top plate 115 and the body part receiving RF coil according to the first embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 6 shows a state in which the spinal receiving RF coil 108 and the head receiving RF coil 700 disposed on the upper surface of the top plate skeleton 203 are removed from the state shown in FIG. 5, and a perspective view of the lower part of the top plate 115 is shown.

[0052] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the top plate skeleton 203 has a plurality of top plate support portions 302a-h. Each of the top plate support portions 302a-h is provided with a top plate wheel 205, and has a role of supporting the load of the top plate 115 and moving the top plate 115 to the imaging region.

[0053] Also, for example, each of the top plate support portions 302a-h has a columnar or wall-like structure and supports the upper surface of the top plate skeleton 203 on which the subject 114 is placed.

[0054] Here, for example, the top plate framework 203 includes a plurality of top plate support portions arranged on one side portion of the top plate 115, a plurality of top plate support portions arranged on the other side portion of the top plate 115, and a plurality of top plate support portions arranged in the central portion in the width direction of the top plate 115 over substantially the entire longitudinal direction of the top plate 115. And the number of the top plate support portions arranged in the central portion in the width direction of the top plate 115 is configured to be larger than the number of the top plate support portions arranged on one side portion of the top plate 115 and the number of the top plate support portions arranged on the other side portion of the top plate 115.

[0055] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the top plate framework 203 includes two top plate support portions 302a and 302e arranged on one side portion of the top plate 115, and two top plate support portions 302b and 302f arranged on the other side portion of the top plate 115. Here, the top plate support portions 302a and 302e are respectively arranged outside the range where the reception RF coil portions 220a of the first body reception RF coil, the reception RF coil portions 221a of the second body reception RF coil, and the reception RF coil portions 222a of the third body reception RF coil are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the top plate 115 on one side portion of the top plate 115. Also, the top plate support portions 302b and 302f are respectively arranged outside the space where the reception RF coil portions 220b of the first body reception RF coil, the reception RF coil portions 221b of the second body reception RF coil, and the reception RF coil portions 222b of the third body reception RF coil are accommodated along the longitudinal direction of the top plate 115 on the other side portion of the top plate 115. Further, the top plate framework 203 includes four top plate support portions 302c, 302d, 302g, and 302h arranged at the center in the width direction of the top plate 115. Here, the top plate support portions 302c, 302d, 302g, and 302h are arranged at intervals from each other in a row over substantially the entire longitudinal direction of the top plate 115.

[0056] Generally, in the bed of an MRI apparatus, a top plate support portion is often provided along the side portions in the width direction of the top plate. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since a space for accommodating the body receiving RF coil is provided in the side portion of the top plate 115, the range where the top plate support portion can be provided is limited in the side portion of the top plate 115, and it is conceivable that the strength for supporting the load of the subject 114 or the like decreases. In contrast, according to the above configuration, a larger number of top plate support portions than the number of top plate support portions arranged on each side portion of the top plate 115 are provided over substantially the entire length direction of the top plate 115 at the central portion in the width direction of the top plate 115, so that even when a space for accommodating the body receiving RF coil is provided in the side portion of the top plate 115, the strength capable of withstanding the load of the subject 114 or the like can be ensured.

[0057] For example, the receiving RF coil portions 220a and 220b of the first body receiving RF coil are connected by a coil holding member 204a disposed between two top plate support portions 302c and 302d arranged in the moving direction of the top plate 115 among the plurality of top plate support portions 302a - h. Similarly, the receiving RF coil portions 221a and 221b of the second body receiving RF coil are also connected by a coil holding member 204b disposed between two top plate support portions 302d and 302g arranged in the moving direction of the top plate 115. Similarly, the receiving RF coil portions 222a and 222b of the third body receiving RF coil are also connected by a coil holding member 204c disposed between two top plate support portions 302g and 302h arranged in the moving direction of the top plate 115.

[0058] Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the receiving RF coil portions 220a and 220b of the first body receiving RF coil, the receiving RF coil portions 221a and 221b of the second body receiving RF coil, and the receiving RF coil portions 222a and 222b of the third body receiving RF coil each have signal output portions 500a - f. The signal output portions 500a - f are disposed in the top plate lower cover 301 and are each connected to the receiving circuit 109 via cables 501a - f disposed in the top plate lower cover 301.

[0059] Here, when receiving the MR signal of the cross-section of the body part, usually, the spine receiving RF coil 108 and the body part receiving RF coil are used. In that case, for the body part receiving RF coil, only the body part receiving RF coil signal receiving portion 250 necessary for receiving the MR signal is pulled out and / or pushed out, and since the body part receiving RF coil signal non-receiving portion 251 in the region where the spine receiving RF coil 108 is placed on the upper side does not need to receive the MR signal, during the imaging of the body part, the coil elements 231 included in the body part receiving RF coil signal non-receiving portion 251 are turned off.

[0060] Here, which coil element 231 is to be turned off is determined, for example, by checking the degree of pulling out and / or pushing out of each body part receiving RF coil by an image from an external camera or the like when each body part receiving RF coil is pulled out and / or pushed out and placed on the subject 114. Alternatively, since the output impedance changes greatly by electrical coupling between the coil elements 231 included in the body part receiving RF coil signal non-receiving portion 251 and the coil elements 230 included in the spine receiving RF coil 108, it may be determined by detecting this output impedance. Alternatively, it may be determined by measuring the degree of extension of the coil holding member 204 for each body part receiving RF coil.

[0061] As described above, in the present embodiment, the top plate 115 has spaces for accommodating the body part receiving RF coils on both side portions in the width direction of the top plate 115. Further, the body part receiving RF coil has two receiving RF coil portions 201a and 201b. And the receiving RF coil portion 201a is configured to be pulled out and / or pushed out from one side portion in the width direction of the top plate 115 and placed on the subject 114, and the receiving RF coil portion 201b is configured to be pulled out and / or pushed out from the other side portion in the width direction of the top plate 115 and placed on the subject 114.

[0062] In addition, in the present embodiment, the receiving RF coil units 201a and 201b are configured such that their respective ends can be connected above the subject 114.

[0063] Here, various methods can be considered as a method for connecting the receiving RF coil unit 201a and the receiving RF coil unit 201b. Further, when the receiving RF coil unit 201a and the receiving RF coil unit 201b are connected, it is desirable to perform decoupling between coil elements that will be directly adjacent to each other among the plurality of coil elements 231 included in each receiving RF coil unit. Note that decoupling means suppressing the generation of induced current in one coil element caused by the other coil element in adjacent coil elements.

[0064] Specifically, the receiving RF coil unit 201a includes a first coil element disposed near an end portion connected to the receiving RF coil unit 201b. Further, the receiving RF coil unit 201b includes a second coil element disposed near an end portion connected to the receiving RF coil unit 201a.

[0065] And at least one of the receiving RF coil unit 201a and the receiving RF coil unit 201b has a decoupling structure that performs decoupling between the first coil element and the second coil element when the end portion of the receiving RF coil unit 201a and the end portion of the receiving RF coil unit 201b are connected.

[0066] In addition, at least one of the receiving RF coil unit 201a and the receiving RF coil unit 201b has a positioning structure that positions the connection position of the end portion of each receiving RF coil unit at a position where decoupling by the above-described decoupling structure is possible.

[0067] FIGS. 7A to 7C are diagrams showing examples of a connection method of a receiving RF coil unit included in a body part receiving RF coil according to the first embodiment and a decoupling method between coil elements.

[0068] For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the receiving RF coil unit 201a includes a plurality of coil elements 231a disposed near an end portion connected to the receiving RF coil unit 201b. Further, the receiving RF coil unit 201b includes a plurality of coil elements 231b disposed near an end portion connected to the receiving RF coil unit 201a.

[0069] Here, in the example shown in FIG. 7A, the plurality of coil elements 231a included in the receiving RF coil unit 201a and the plurality of coil elements 231b included in the receiving RF coil unit 201b are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other side by side in the width direction of the top plate 115 when the end portion of the receiving RF coil unit 201a and the end portion of the receiving RF coil unit 201b are connected.

[0070] In this case, for example, at least one of the receiving RF coil unit 201a and the receiving RF coil unit 201b has a structure in which a part of the coil element 231a and a part of the coil element 231b overlap when the end portion of the receiving RF coil unit 201a and the end portion of the receiving RF coil unit 201b are connected, as a decoupling structure.

[0071] For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the receiving RF coil unit 201a and the receiving RF coil unit 201b are configured to connect their respective end portions in an overlapping manner, the coil elements 231a and 231b are arranged such that a part of each of them is included in a range where the receiving RF coil unit 201a and the receiving RF coil unit 201b overlap.

[0072] Alternatively, for example, the coil element 231a may be formed to have a portion protruding from the end of the receiving RF coil unit 201a, and when the end of the receiving RF coil unit 201a and the end of the receiving RF coil unit 201b are connected, the protruding portion may be configured to overlap a part of the coil element 231b. Similarly, the coil element 231b may be formed to have a portion protruding from the end of the receiving RF coil unit 201b, and when the end of the receiving RF coil unit 201a and the end of the receiving RF coil unit 201b are connected, the protruding portion may be configured to overlap a part of the coil element 231a.

[0073] Further, for example, at least one of the receiving RF coil unit 201a and the receiving RF coil unit 201b has a non-magnetic fixture attached to the end of at least one of them as a positioning structure.

[0074] For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the receiving RF coil unit 201a has a hook side 261a of a surface fastener such as a magic tape (registered trademark) or VELCRO (registered trademark) as a non-magnetic fixture, and the receiving RF coil unit 201b has a loop side 261b of the surface fastener as a non-magnetic fixture.

[0075] Alternatively, for example, the receiving RF coil unit 201a may have a convex side of a plastic button (snap button) as a non-magnetic fixture, and the receiving RF coil unit 201b may have a concave side of the plastic button as a non-magnetic fixture.

[0076] Alternatively, for example, either one of the receiving RF coil unit 201a and the receiving RF coil unit 201b may have a fixture that can be coupled to the other receiving RF coil unit itself, such as a plastic hook.

[0077] Furthermore, for example, one or both of the receiving RF coil unit 201a and the receiving RF coil unit 201b may have a marker indicating the connection position of the end of each receiving RF coil unit where decoupling by the above decoupling structure is possible.

[0078] Also, as another example, for instance, at least one of the reception RF coil unit 201a and the reception RF coil unit 201b may have a decoupling circuit disposed between the coil element 231a and the coil element 231b when the end of the reception RF coil unit 201a and the end of the reception RF coil unit 201b are connected, as a decoupling structure.

[0079] For example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the reception RF coil unit 201a shown in FIG. 7A further has a decoupling circuit 271. Here, the decoupling circuit 271 is attached to the reception RF coil unit 201a so as to be disposed between the coil element 231a and the coil element 231b that are obliquely disposed with respect to the width direction of the top plate 115 when the end of the reception RF coil unit 201a and the end of the reception RF coil unit 201b are connected.

[0080] Note that, for example, the decoupling circuit 271 may be attached to the reception RF coil unit 201b, or may be dispersedly attached to both the reception RF coil unit 201a and the reception RF coil unit 201b.

[0081] According to the above configuration, for the coil elements adjacent to each other in the width direction of the top plate 115 when the end of the reception RF coil unit 201a and the end of the reception RF coil unit 201b are connected, between the plurality of coil elements 231a included in the reception RF coil unit 201a and the plurality of coil elements 231a included in the reception RF coil unit 201b, decoupling is performed by overlapping a part of the coil elements, and for the coil elements obliquely disposed with respect to the width direction of the top plate 115, decoupling is performed by the decoupling circuit. Therefore, comprehensive decoupling can be performed between each coil element.

[0082] In the example shown in FIG. 7B, the receiving RF coil unit 201a and the receiving RF coil unit 201b have both a structure in which a part of adjacent coil elements overlap and a decoupling circuit disposed between the adjacent coil elements. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the receiving RF coil unit 201a and the receiving RF coil unit 201b may have only either a structure in which a part of adjacent coil elements overlap or a decoupling circuit disposed between the adjacent coil elements as a decoupling structure.

[0083] As another example, for instance, a plurality of coil elements 231a included in the receiving RF coil unit 201a and a plurality of coil elements 231a included in the receiving RF coil unit 201b may be arranged such that one coil element included in one receiving RF coil unit overlaps with a part of two coil elements included in the other receiving RF coil unit.

[0084] For example, as shown in FIG. 7C, a plurality of coil elements 231a included in the receiving RF coil unit 201a and a plurality of coil elements 231a included in the receiving RF coil unit 201b are arranged such that their positions are shifted from each other by a distance equal to half the length of one coil element in the longitudinal direction of the top plate 115.

[0085] According to the above configuration, when the ends of the receiving RF coil unit 201a and the receiving RF coil unit 201b are connected, all of the adjacent coil elements partially overlap between the plurality of coil elements 231a included in the receiving RF coil unit 201a and the plurality of coil elements 231a included in the receiving RF coil unit 201b, and decoupling can be performed more efficiently without using a decoupling circuit.

[0086] FIGS. 8A to 8C are diagrams showing examples of the coil holding member 204 included in the body part receiving RF coil according to the first embodiment.

[0087] For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the coil holding member 204 is realized by connecting between two receiving RF coil parts 201a and 201b of the body receiving RF coil with a stretchable member 601 including a stretchable material such as rubber.

[0088] Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 8B, the coil holding member 204 may be realized by connecting between two receiving RF coil parts 201a and 201b of the body receiving RF coil with a winding mechanism 602.

[0089] Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 8C, the coil holding member 204 is composed of two coil holding members. One coil holding member connects the receiving RF coil part 201a of the body receiving RF coil and the top plate support part 302, and the other coil holding member connects the receiving RF coil part 201b of the body receiving RF coil and the top plate support part 302, and it may be realized in this way.

[0090] As described above, in the first embodiment, the top plate 115 of the bed 111 has a space for accommodating the body receiving RF coil at the side part and the lower part of the top plate 115. And the body receiving RF coil is configured to be pulled out and / or pushed out from the side part and the lower part of the top plate 115 and used.

[0091] According to such a configuration, the body receiving RF coil arranged on the subject 114 when imaging the body can be accommodated in the side part and the lower part of the top plate 115, and can be pulled out and / or pushed out and arranged when necessary.

[0092] Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the installation of the body receiving RF coil on the subject 114 can be easily performed.

[0093] Further, in the first embodiment, the top plate 115 has a top plate skeleton 203 that supports the load of the top plate 115 and is movable to the imaging region. The top plate skeleton 203 has an upper surface on which the subject 114 is placed, and forms a space for accommodating the body-receiving RF coil at the side and lower portions of the top plate 115.

[0094] According to such a configuration, even when a space for accommodating the body-receiving RF coil is provided in the top plate 115, it is possible to ensure the strength to withstand the load including the subject 114.

[0095] Note that the MRI apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment described above can also be implemented by appropriately modifying the configurations of the top plate 115 and the body-receiving RF coil. Therefore, hereinafter, a modification example related to the first embodiment will be described as another embodiment. In the following embodiments, descriptions of the contents overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted, and the description will focus on the points different from the first embodiment.

[0096] (Second Embodiment) For example, as the body-receiving RF coil, a retractable receiving RF coil may be used. Hereinafter, an example of such a case will be described as the second embodiment.

[0097] FIGS. 9A and 9B are cross-sectional views showing an example of the top plate 115 and the body-receiving RF coil according to the second embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 9A shows a state when the coil is housed in an example of the top plate 115 and the body-receiving RF coil according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 9B shows a state when the coil is pulled out and / or pushed out in an example of the top plate 115 and the body-receiving RF coil according to the second embodiment.

[0098] For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, in the present embodiment, the body-receiving RF coil is a retractable receiving RF coil and is composed of two receiving RF coil portions 701a and 701b. As the body-receiving RF coil according to the present embodiment, for example, a retractable receiving RF coil as disclosed in Patent Document 4 can be used.

[0099] Here, one end of each of the two receiving RF coil units 701a and 701b is connected to the top plate skeleton 203. When the body receiving RF coil is not used, it is housed in a space formed on the side of the top plate 115 by the top plate skeleton 203 within the top plate lower cover 301.

[0100] And, for example, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the body receiving RF coil is used for imaging, it is pulled out from the side of the top plate 115 and / or pushed out and disposed on the subject 114. At this time, the body receiving RF coil is configured such that each of the two receiving RF coil units 701a and 701b can be connected on the subject 114 by extending.

[0101] That is, in the present embodiment, the top plate 115 of the bed 111 has a space for housing the body receiving RF coil on the side of the top plate 115. Specifically, the top plate skeleton 203 forms a space for housing the body receiving RF coil on the side of the top plate 115. And the body receiving RF coil is configured to be pulled out from the side of the top plate 115 and / or pushed out for use.

[0102] Note that FIGS. 9A and 9B show an example in which spaces are formed on the side and the lower part of the top plate 115 by the top plate skeleton 203, similar to the first embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, a space may not be formed at the lower part of the top plate 115.

[0103] As described above, in the second embodiment, the body receiving RF coil is configured to be stretchable.

[0104] According to such a configuration, in the top plate 115, the space for housing the body receiving RF coil can be reduced, and a stronger strength can be ensured.

[0105] (Other embodiments) In the above-described second embodiment, an example in which a retractable receiving RF coil is used as the body receiving RF coil has been described, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, a retractable receiving RF coil may be used as the body receiving RF coil.

[0106] For example, the body receiving RF coil is a flexible retractable receiving RF coil, and is composed of two flexible receiving RF coil portions 701a and 701b.

[0107] Here, one end of each of the two receiving RF coil portions 701a and 701b is connected to a winding mechanism disposed in a space formed on the side portion of the top plate 115 by the top plate skeleton 203 within the lower cover 301 of the top plate. When the body receiving RF coil is not used, it is wound by the winding mechanism and accommodated in the space on the side portion of the top plate 115.

[0108] And when the body receiving RF coil is used for imaging, it is pulled out from the side portion of the top plate 115 and / or pushed out and disposed on the subject 114. At this time, the body receiving RF coil is configured such that the two receiving RF coil portions 701a and 701b can be connected on the subject 114 by being pulled out from and / or pushed out of the winding mechanism.

[0109] According to such a configuration, similar to the second embodiment, in the top plate 115, the space for accommodating the body receiving RF coil can be reduced, and a stronger strength can be ensured.

[0110] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the top plate 115 of the bed 111 has a space for accommodating a body-receiving RF coil at the side and lower portions in the width direction of the top plate 115. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the top plate 115 of the bed 111 may have a space for accommodating a receiving coil at the end in the length direction of the top plate 115 in addition to or instead of the side portions in the width direction of the top plate 115. Here, the receiving coil is, for example, a head-receiving RF coil that mainly receives an MR signal from the head of the subject, a leg-receiving RF coil that mainly receives an MR signal from the legs of the subject, or the like. In this case, the receiving coil is configured to be pulled out from and / or pushed out from at least one side portion in the longitudinal direction of the top plate 115 and disposed on the subject 114.

[0111] Generally, many head-receiving RF coils are heavier than receiving coils for other parts, and the labor involved in carrying and installing them on the subject is large. Therefore, as in the above configuration, by accommodating the head-receiving RF coil in the space provided at the end in the length direction of the top plate 115 so that it can be pulled out and / or pushed out when necessary, the installation of the head-receiving RF coil on the subject 114 can be easily performed.

[0112] Also, spaces may not be provided at the side portions in the width direction and the end portions in the length direction of the top plate 115, and a space may be provided only at the lower portion of the top plate 115. In this case, the receiving coil is configured to be pulled out from and / or pushed out from the lower portion of the top plate 115 and disposed on the subject 114 through the outside of the side portion or the end portion of the top plate 115.

[0113] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the top plate 115 has spaces for accommodating body-receiving RF coils at both side portions in the width direction of the top plate 115, the body-receiving RF coil has two receiving RF coil portions 201a and 201b, and each receiving RF coil portion is configured to be pulled out from and / or pushed out from one and the other side portions in the width direction of the top plate 115 and disposed on the subject 114. However, the embodiment is not limited to this.

[0114] For example, the top plate 115 may have a space for accommodating the receiving coil on one side in the width direction of the top plate 115, and the receiving coil may be configured to be pulled out and / or pushed out from one side in the width direction of the top plate 115 and connected and fixed to the other side in the width direction of the top plate 115.

[0115] Alternatively, the top plate 115 may have a space for accommodating the receiving coil at one end in the length direction of the top plate 115, and the receiving coil may be configured to be pulled out and / or pushed out from one end in the length direction of the top plate 115 and connected and fixed to the other end in the length direction of the top plate 115.

[0116] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the receiving coil is pulled out and / or pushed out from the top plate 115 and arranged on the subject 114. However, the pulling out and pushing out of the receiving coil may be performed by an operator who installs the receiving coil by gripping and moving a part of the receiving coil, or may be performed using a pulling-out mechanism or a pushing-out mechanism provided on the top plate 115.

[0117] For example, as an example of a pulling-out mechanism for pulling out the receiving coil, the top plate 115 includes a rotating portion provided at a side portion in the width direction of the top plate 115 or an end portion in the length direction of the top plate 115, a rotation driving portion for rotating the rotating portion in one direction or the reverse direction, and a pulling-out control portion. The rotating portion is realized by a roller or the like, and by rotating in one direction while in contact with the receiving coil, the receiving coil is moved from the space inside the top plate 115 to the outside of the top plate 115. Further, the rotating portion rotates in the reverse direction while in contact with the receiving coil, thereby moving the receiving coil from the outside of the top plate 115 to the space inside the top plate 115. The pulling-out control portion receives an instruction to pull out the receiving coil from the operator via an operation portion such as a button, and in response to the instruction, controls the rotation driving portion to rotate the rotating portion in one direction, thereby pulling out the receiving coil accommodated in the space inside the top plate 115 to the outside of the top plate 115. Further, the pulling-out control portion receives an instruction to accommodate the receiving coil from the operator via an operation portion such as a button, and in response to the instruction, controls the rotation driving portion to rotate the rotating portion in the reverse direction, thereby accommodating the receiving coil pulled out to the outside of the top plate 115 in the space inside the top plate 115.

[0118] Also, for example, as an example of a pushing-out mechanism for pushing out the receiving coil, the top plate 115 includes a biasing portion provided inside the top plate 115, a holding portion, and a pushing-out control portion. The biasing portion is realized by a spring or the like, and biases the receiving coil accommodated in the space inside the top plate 115 in the direction of moving to the outside of the top plate 115. The holding portion holds the receiving coil in the space inside the top plate 115 against the biasing force of the biasing portion. The pushing-out control portion receives an instruction to push out the receiving coil from the operator via an operation portion such as a button, and in response to the instruction, releases the holding of the receiving coil by the holding portion, thereby pushing out the receiving coil accommodated in the space inside the top plate 115 to the outside of the top plate 115.

[0119] Also, in the above-described embodiments, each component of each illustrated device is a functional concept and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as illustrated. That is, the specific form of the distribution or integration of each device is not limited to that illustrated, and all or part of it can be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in any unit according to various loads, usage situations, etc. Furthermore, each processing function performed by each device can be realized in whole or in any part by a CPU and a program analyzed and executed by the CPU, or can be realized as hardware by wired logic.

[0120] Also, among the respective processes described in the above-described embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being automatically performed can be manually performed, or all or part of the processes described as being manually performed can be automatically performed by a known method. In addition, regarding the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, and information including various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings, they can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified.

[0121] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, it becomes possible to easily install the receiving coil on the subject.

[0122] Although several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes, and combinations of the embodiments can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

[0123] Regarding the above embodiments, the following additional remarks are disclosed as one aspect and selective features of the invention. (Additional Remark 1) A receiving coil that receives a magnetic resonance signal, A top plate on which a subject is placed and which moves the subject into an imaging region, and comprises the top plate has a space for accommodating the receiving coil in any one or a plurality of portions of a side portion in the width direction of the top plate, an end portion in the length direction of the top plate, and a lower portion of the top plate, the receiving coil is configured to be pulled out from and / or pushed out from the one or more portions of the top plate and used, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. (Appendix 2) the top plate has a top plate skeleton that supports the load of the top plate and is movable into the imaging region, the top plate skeleton has an upper surface on which the subject is placed, and may form the space in the one or more portions of the top plate. (Appendix 3) the top plate skeleton has a top plate support portion that supports the upper surface, the top plate support portion may have a columnar or wall-like structure. (Appendix 4) the receiving coil may be a body receiving coil that receives a magnetic resonance signal from the body of the subject. (Appendix 5) the receiving coil may be a head receiving coil that receives a magnetic resonance signal from the head of the subject. (Appendix 6) the receiving coil may be configured to be pulled out from and / or pushed out from at least one side portion in the width direction of the top plate or at least one end portion in the length direction of the top plate and disposed on the subject. (Appendix 7) the space may accommodate a plurality of receiving coils arranged side by side in the moving direction of the top plate. (Appendix 8) separate from the receiving coil accommodated in the space, a spinal receiving coil for receiving a magnetic resonance signal from the back of the subject may be further provided. (Appendix 9) the top plate has spaces for accommodating the receiving coils on both side portions in the width direction of the top plate, The receiving coil has a first receiving coil part and a second receiving coil part, the first receiving coil part is configured to be drawn out and / or pushed out from one side part in the width direction of the top plate and arranged above the subject, and the second receiving coil part may be configured to be drawn out and / or pushed out from the other side part in the width direction of the top plate and arranged above the subject. (Appendix 10) The first receiving coil part and the second receiving coil part may be configured such that their respective ends can be connected above the subject. (Appendix 11) The first receiving coil part includes a first coil element arranged near an end connected to the second receiving coil part. The second receiving coil part includes a second coil element arranged near an end connected to the first receiving coil part. At least one of the first receiving coil part and the second receiving coil part may have a decoupling structure for performing decoupling between the first coil element and the second coil element when the ends of the first receiving coil part and the second receiving coil part are connected. (Appendix 12) At least one of the first receiving coil part and the second receiving coil part may have, as the decoupling structure, a structure in which a part of the first coil element and a part of the second coil element overlap when the ends of the first receiving coil part and the second receiving coil part are connected, and / or a decoupling circuit arranged between the first coil element and the second coil element when the ends of the first receiving coil part and the second receiving coil part are connected. (Appendix 13) At least one of the first receiving coil part and the second receiving coil part may have a positioning structure for positioning the connection position of the ends of each receiving coil part at a position where decoupling by the decoupling structure is possible. (Appendix 14) At least one of the first receiving coil unit and the second receiving coil unit may have, as the positioning structure, a non-magnetic fixture attached to at least one end thereof. (Appendix 15) The top plate has a space for accommodating the receiving coil on one side portion in the width direction or one end portion in the length direction of the top plate. The receiving coil may be configured to be drawn out and / or pushed out from one side portion in the width direction or one end portion in the length direction of the top plate and connected and fixed to the other side portion in the width direction or the other end portion in the length direction of the top plate.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0124] 100 MRI apparatus 106 First body part receiving RF coil 107 Second body part receiving RF coil 108 Spinal receiving RF coil 115 Top plate 203 Top plate skeleton 201a, 201b, 220a, 220b, 221a, 221b, 222a, 222b, 701a, 701b Receiving RF coil unit 231, 231a, 231b Coil element 271 Decoupling circuit 302, 302a - h Top plate support part

Claims

1. A receiving coil for receiving a magnetic resonance signal; a tabletop on which a subject is placed and which moves the subject to an imaging area; Equipped with the tabletop has a space for accommodating the receiving coil in one or more of a side portion in a width direction of the tabletop, an end portion in a length direction of the tabletop, and a lower portion of the tabletop; The receiving coil is configured to be pulled out and / or pushed out from the one or more portions of the tabletop for use. Magnetic resonance imaging device.

2. the tabletop has a tabletop framework that supports a load of the tabletop and is movable to the imaging area; The tabletop framework has an upper surface on which the subject is placed, and forms the space in the one or more portions of the tabletop.

2. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The top plate framework has a top plate support portion that supports the upper surface, The top plate support portion has a columnar or wall-shaped structure.

3. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The receiving coil is a body receiving coil for receiving a magnetic resonance signal from a body of the subject.

4. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1,

5. The receiving coil is a head receiving coil for receiving a magnetic resonance signal from the head of the subject.

4. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1,

6. The receiving coil is configured to be pulled out and / or pushed out from at least one side in the width direction of the tabletop or at least one end in the length direction of the tabletop and placed on the subject.

4. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1,

7. The space accommodates a plurality of receiving coils arranged in a direction of movement of the tabletop.

4. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1,

8. A spinal receiving coil for receiving a magnetic resonance signal from a back of the subject is further provided in addition to the receiving coil accommodated in the space.

4. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1,

9. the tabletop has spaces on both sides in a width direction of the tabletop for accommodating the receiving coils, The receive coil has a first receive coil section and a second receive coil section, the first receive coil section being configured to be pulled out and / or pushed out from one side in the width direction of the top plate and placed on the subject, and the second receive coil section being configured to be pulled out and / or pushed out from the other side in the width direction of the top plate and placed on the subject.

4. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1,

10. The first receive coil section and the second receive coil section are configured so that their respective ends can be connected to each other on the subject.

10. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 9.

11. the first receive coil section includes a first coil element disposed near an end connected to the second receive coil section; the second receive coil section includes a second coil element disposed near an end connected to the first receive coil section; At least one of the first receive coil section and the second receive coil section has a decoupling structure that performs decoupling between the first coil element and the second coil element when an end of the first receive coil section and an end of the second receive coil section are connected.

11. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 10.

12. At least one of the first receive coil section and the second receive coil section has, as the decoupling structure, a structure in which a part of the first coil element and a part of the second coil element overlap when an end of the first receive coil section and an end of the second receive coil section are connected, and / or a decoupling circuit disposed between the first coil element and the second coil element when an end of the first receive coil section and an end of the second receive coil section are connected.

12. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 11.

13. At least one of the first receive coil section and the second receive coil section has a positioning structure that positions a connection position of an end of each receive coil section at a position where decoupling by the decoupling structure is possible.

12. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 11.

14. At least one of the first receive coil section and the second receive coil section has a non-magnetic fixture attached to at least one end of the first receive coil section as the positioning structure.

14. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 13.

15. the tabletop has a space for accommodating the receiving coil at one side in a width direction of the tabletop or at one end in a length direction of the tabletop, The receiving coil is configured to be pulled out and / or pushed out from one side portion of the tabletop in the width direction or one end portion of the tabletop in the length direction, and to be connected and fixed to the other side portion of the tabletop in the width direction or the other end portion of the tabletop in the length direction.

4. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1,

Images