Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus

Abstract

To reduce cables disposed between a bed and a cradle.SOLUTION: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the embodiment includes a top plate where a reception coil for receiving a magnetic resonance signal is arranged, a top plate communication part, and a cradle communication part. The top plate communication part is arranged in the top plate and is configured to be movable in the top plate. The cradle communication part is arranged in a top plate insertion side end part of the cradle having a bore. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus communicates between the top plate communication part and the cradle communication part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

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 detect a magnetic resonance signal from a desired cross section, and performs imaging by reconstructing an image based on the detected magnetic resonance signal.

[0003] In such an MRI apparatus, as a means for detecting a magnetic resonance signal, a reception RF coil adjusted to a desired frequency determined according to a magnetic field intensity is used. Then, the magnetic resonance signal detected by the reception RF coil is input to a connection connector provided on the top plate of the bed on which the subject is placed, and then transmitted to a gantry by a cable disposed between the bed and the gantry, and then transferred from the gantry to a system that performs image reconstruction.

[0004] Here, in recent years, an MRI apparatus has been realized that can obtain a higher-quality image by arranging a reception RF coil composed of a plurality of reception element RF coils on a subject and performing imaging using the magnetic resonance signals simultaneously detected by each reception element RF coil. In such an MRI apparatus, the reception RF coil is connected to the system by a composite cable including a plurality of coaxial cables for transmitting the detected plurality of magnetic resonance signals. In addition, since a plurality of reception RF coils may be arranged on a subject and used simultaneously, a plurality of connection connectors for connecting the plurality of reception RF coils are provided on the top plate of the bed. As a result, a large number of composite cables are disposed between the bed and the gantry, which causes complexity, installation difficulty, and cost increase of the MRI apparatus.

[0005] Recently, there is also an MRI device having a detachable bed that enhances user convenience by separating the top plate and the bed from the gantry and making them movable. In such an MRI device, a large connector for connecting a plurality of cables between the bed and the gantry is provided. As a result, the weight of the movable bed increases, or a mechanism for assisting the connection between the bed and the gantry needs to be added, which are the factors of demerits.

[0006] For this reason, in MRI devices, it is required to reduce the cables arranged between the bed and the gantry.

[0007] In addition, in order to reduce such cables, wireless transmission of received signals, control vibrations, or power is expected, and many technical proposals have been made so far. Ideally, if the receiving RF coil has a wireless data transceiver function and a power receiving function, and data and power can be exchanged wirelessly with the system side, but at present, units that can realize such functions do not have sufficient performance.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] One of the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is to reduce the cables arranged between the bed and the gantry. 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 effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described later can also be positioned as other problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The MRI apparatus according to the embodiment includes a top plate where a receiving coil for receiving magnetic resonance signals is arranged, a top plate communication unit, and a gantry communication unit. The top plate communication unit is arranged inside the top plate and is configured to be movable inside the top plate. The gantry communication unit is arranged at the end of the gantry having a bore on the side where the top plate is inserted. The MRI apparatus performs communication between the top plate communication unit and the gantry communication unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 2C

Figure 3

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 4C

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the MRI apparatus according to the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the MRI apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the 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 reception RF coil 106, a top plate 115, a bed 113 on which the top plate 115 is placed, a bed control circuit 114, a transmission RF coil 104, a transmission circuit 105, a gantry 130 that includes the static magnetic field magnet 101, the gradient magnetic field coil 102, and the transmission RF coil 104, a power supply circuit 125, a sequence control circuit 112, 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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, assume that 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.

[0017] Here, the gradient magnetic fields of 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.

[0018] 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 112.

[0019] The bed 113 is a device provided with a top plate 115 on which the subject 126 is placed. The bed 113 inserts the top plate 115 on which the subject 126 is placed into the bore 131 of the gantry 130 under the control of the bed control circuit 114. Usually, the bed 113 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.

[0020] Here, the insertion of the top plate 115 into the bore 131 is carried out under the control of the bed control circuit 114, with the first top plate drive mechanism 122 on the bed 113 side and the second top plate drive mechanism 123 on the top plate 115 side operating in conjunction. Normally, the first top plate drive mechanism 122 and the second top plate drive mechanism 123 are connected by a belt or the like, and the top plate 115 having the top plate wheels 121 moves.

[0021] The bed control circuit 114 controls the bed 113. The bed control circuit 114 drives the bed 113 according to an operator's instruction via the input interface 118 and moves the top plate 115 in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction.

[0022] The transmission RF coil 104 is an RF (Radio Frequency) coil disposed inside the gradient magnetic field coil 102. The transmission RF coil 104 receives a high-frequency pulse (RF pulse) from the transmission circuit 105 and generates a transmission RF wave corresponding to a high-frequency magnetic field. The transmission 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.

[0023] 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 112. 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 having a resonance frequency specific to the target atomic nucleus in a 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, a 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 units, the transmission circuit 105 outputs a high-frequency pulse corresponding to the Larmor frequency to the transmission RF coil 104.

[0024] In this embodiment, the MRI apparatus 100 transmits the data received by the reception RF coil 106 to the sequence control circuit 112, or conversely, transmits the control signal output from the sequence control circuit 112 to the reception circuit 108, between the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 on the top plate 115 side and the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 disposed inside the bore 131 on the side close to the bed 113 of the gantry 130. Also, the MRI apparatus 100 transmits the power supplied from the power supply circuit 125 to the power module 109 between the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 on the top plate 115 side and the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 on the gantry 130 side. The power module 109 supplies power to the reception RF coil 106, the reception circuit 108, and the like. The unit movable space 124 is a space formed within the top plate 115, and the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is movably disposed within the space.

[0025] The reception RF coil 106 is disposed at the imaging region of the subject 126 placed on the top plate 115, and receives the MR signal radiated from the subject 126 by the high-frequency magnetic field. Specifically, after the reception RF coil 106 is disposed at the imaging region of the subject 126, it is moved to the imaging region within the bore 131 by the top plate 115, and receives the MR signal radiated from the subject 126 by the high-frequency magnetic field. Then, the reception RF coil 106 outputs the received MR signal to the reception circuit 108 via the reception RF coil connector 107 provided on the top plate 115.

[0026] Under the control of the sequence control circuit 112, the receiving circuit 108 generates magnetic resonance data (hereinafter referred to as MR data), which is digitized complex data, based on the MR signal output from the receiving RF coil 106. Specifically, the receiving circuit 108 performs various signal processes such as pre-amplification, intermediate frequency conversion, phase detection, low frequency amplification, and filtering on the MR signal output from the receiving RF coil 106, and then performs analog-to-digital (A / D) conversion on the data subjected to various signal processes. The receiving circuit 108 performs sampling on the A / D converted data. Thereby, the receiving circuit 108 generates MR data. The receiving circuit 108 outputs the generated MR data to the data transmission / reception and power receiving unit 110. Note that the MR data generated by the receiving circuit 108 is also called raw data.

[0027] The data transmission / reception and power receiving unit 110 transmits the MR data output from the receiving circuit 108 to the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111, or transmits the control signal from the sequence control circuit 112 received from the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 to the receiving circuit 108. Here, the control signal includes a clock signal required for A / D conversion. In addition, the data transmission / reception and power receiving unit 110 supplies the power transmitted from the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 to the power module 109.

[0028] The data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 transmits the MR data received from the data transmission / reception and power receiving unit 110 to the sequence control circuit 112, or transmits the control signal output from the sequence control circuit 112 to the data transmission / reception and power receiving unit 110. In addition, the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 transmits the power supplied from the power supply circuit 125 to the data transmission / reception and power receiving unit 110.

[0029] The sequence control circuit 112 controls the gradient magnetic field power supply 103, the transmission circuit 105, and the reception circuit 108 according to the pulse sequence information output from the processing circuit 119, and performs imaging on the subject 126. 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 108, 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.

[0030] The bus 120 is a transmission path for data transmission 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.

[0031] 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 electric signal processing circuit that receives an electric signal corresponding to an input operation from an external input device provided separately from the MRI apparatus 100 and outputs the received electric signal to various circuits may also be included in the example of the input interface 118.

[0032] The display 117 displays various types of information such as MR images 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.

[0033] The memory circuit 116 stores MR data arranged in k-space via a data arrangement function, image data generated by an image generation function, and the like. The memory circuit 116 stores various imaging protocols, imaging conditions including a plurality of imaging parameters defining the imaging protocol, and the like. 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.

[0034] The processing circuit 119 comprehensively controls the MRI apparatus 100. The processing circuit 119 is realized by, for example, a processor. The processing circuit 119 has a system control function, a data arrangement function, an image generation function, a reference value setting function, an error estimation function, a correction function, and a pulse calculation function. The various functions performed by the system control function, the data arrangement 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 storage circuit 116 in the form of programs executable by a computer. The processing circuit 119 reads out and executes the programs corresponding to these various functions from the storage circuit 116, thereby realizing the functions corresponding to the respective programs.

[0035] Specifically, the processing circuit 119 comprehensively controls the MRI apparatus 100 by the system control function. Specifically, the processing circuit 119 reads out the system control program stored in the storage circuit 116 and expands it in the memory, and controls each circuit of the MRI apparatus 100 according to the expanded system control program.

[0036] In FIG. 1, although these various functions are described as being realized by a single processing circuit 119, for example, the processing circuit 119 may be configured by combining a plurality of independent processors, and each processor may realize a function 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. Further, 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 out and execute the corresponding programs from the individual storage circuits.

[0037] In addition, the bed control circuit 114, the transmission circuit 105, the reception circuit 108, the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110, the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111, the sequence control circuit 112, etc. are similarly realized by a processing circuit such as a processor.

[0038] 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)).

[0039] The processor realizes various functions by reading and executing the program stored in the storage circuit 116. Instead of storing the program in the storage circuit 116, it may be configured to directly incorporate the program into the circuit of the processor. In this case, the processor realizes the function by reading and executing the program incorporated in the circuit.

[0040] Under such a configuration, the MRI apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to reduce the cables disposed between the bed 113 and the gantry 130.

[0041] Specifically, in the present embodiment, the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is disposed within the top plate 115 and configured to be movable within the top plate 115. Further, the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 is disposed at the end of the pedestal 130 having the bore 131 on the side where the top plate is inserted. Then, the MRI apparatus 100 communicates between the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 and the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111. Here, the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is an example of a top plate communication unit. Further, the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 is an example of a pedestal communication unit.

[0042] Also, in the present embodiment, the bed control circuit 114 inserts the top plate 115 into the bore 131. Then, until the MRI apparatus 100 is disposed at a communication position where the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 can communicate with the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111, the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is moved together with the top plate 115. After the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is disposed at the communication position, the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is stopped at the communication position regardless of the insertion position of the top plate 115. Here, the bed control circuit 114 is an example of a top plate insertion unit.

[0043] More specifically, in the present embodiment, the sequence control circuit 112 controls the position of the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 within the top plate 115 such that until the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is disposed at the communication position, the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is moved together with the top plate 115, and after the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is disposed at the communication position, the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is stopped at the communication position regardless of the insertion position of the top plate 115. Here, the sequence control circuit 112 is an example of a communication position control unit.

[0044] In this embodiment, the communication between the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 and the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 includes the transmission of MR data obtained by digitizing the MR signal received by the reception RF coil 106 and the transmission of power supplied to the reception RF coil 106. Here, the reception RF coil 106 is an example of a reception coil.

[0045] In this embodiment, the communication between the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 and the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 is performed wirelessly.

[0046] Hereinafter, the above configuration of the MRI apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0047] FIGS. 2A to 2C are diagrams showing an example of the configurations of the top plate 115 and the bed 113 in the MRI apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Specifically, FIGS. 2A to 2C show the operation of the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 when the top plate 115 moves in this embodiment.

[0048] For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is connected to the reception circuit 108 and the power module 109 by an optical fiber and a power cable 202. Then, the MR data output from the reception circuit 108 is transmitted to the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 via the optical fiber, and the power supplied from the power supply circuit 125 is transmitted to the power module 109 via the power cable.

[0049] The data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is connected to the data transmission / reception and power reception unit drive circuit 200 via the unit connection mechanism 201, and its movement within the unit movable space 124 is controlled by the data transmission / reception and power reception unit drive circuit 200. The top plate 115 is provided with top plate wheels 121, and is moved into the bore 131 by the first top plate drive mechanism 122 on the bed 113 side and the second top plate drive mechanism 123 on the top plate 115 side shown in FIG. 1.

[0050] First, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the top plate 115 starts to move into the bore 131, the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 moves together with the top plate 115 until it is arranged near the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 on the gantry 130 side while remaining within the unit movable space 124.

[0051] Then, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is arranged near the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 on the gantry 130 side, the data transmission / reception and power reception unit drive circuit 200 starts to control the position of the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 within the unit movable space 124 so that the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 stops near the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111.

[0052] Then, as shown in FIG. 2C, when the imaging part of the subject 126 is arranged in the imaging area of the gantry 130, the movement of the top plate 115 stops, and at the same time, the data transmission / reception and power reception unit drive circuit 200 stops controlling the position of the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110.

[0053] In this way, by arranging and stopping the position of the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 near the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 on the gantry 130 side, stable communication can be performed between the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 and the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111.

[0054] Here, the control of the position of the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 described above is performed by the sequence control circuit 112 controlling the data transmission / reception and power reception unit drive circuit 200. Then, between the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 and the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111, transmission of MR data from the reception circuit 108 to the sequence control circuit 112, transmission of a control signal from the sequence control circuit 112 to the reception circuit 108, and power transmission supplied from the power supply circuit 125 to the power module 109 are performed.

[0055] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 and the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 in the MRI apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0056] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 includes a data transmission / reception circuit 400 and a power reception circuit 404.

[0057] The data transmission / reception circuit 400 processes the MR data output from the reception circuit 108 into a form capable of wireless transmission, and transmits it to the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 via the transmission / reception antenna 401. Further, the data transmission / reception circuit 400 receives the control signal output from the sequence control circuit 112 from the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 via the transmission / reception antenna 401. Here, the control signal includes a clock source signal for A / D converting the MR signal in the reception circuit 108.

[0058] The power reception circuit 404 detects and rectifies the power signal received from the power transmission coil 406 of the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 via the power reception coil 405, extracts it as direct current (DC), and transmits it to the power module 109. Here, the power module 109 may include a DC-DC converter to generate the required types of voltages. Further, the power reception circuit 404 and the power module 109 may include a rechargeable battery for storing the received power.

[0059] Further, the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 includes a data transmission / reception circuit 403 and a power transmission circuit 407.

[0060] The data transmission / reception circuit 403 returns the signal of the MR data processed into a form capable of wireless transmission received from the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 via the transmission / reception antenna 402 to the MR data, and transmits it to the sequence control circuit 112. Further, the data transmission / reception circuit 403 transmits the control signal output from the sequence control circuit 112 to the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 via the transmission / reception antenna 402.

[0061] The power transmission circuit 407 modulates the power output from the power supply circuit 125 to an appropriate frequency and transmits it to the power receiving coil 405 of the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 via the power transmission coil 406. Here, the frequency during power transmission is usually several 100 Hz to several 10 kHz.

[0062] As described above, in the first embodiment, the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is disposed within the top plate 115 and configured to be movable within the top plate 115. Further, the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 is disposed at the end of the pedestal 130 having the bore 131 on the side where the top plate is inserted. Then, the MRI apparatus 100 communicates between the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 and the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111.

[0063] Also, in the first embodiment, the bed control circuit 114 inserts the top plate 115 into the bore 131. Then, until the MRI apparatus 100 is disposed at a communication position where the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 can communicate with the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111, the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is moved together with the top plate 115, and after the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is disposed at the communication position, the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is stopped at the communication position regardless of the insertion position of the top plate 115.

[0064] Also, in the first embodiment, the sequence control circuit 112 controls the position of the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 within the top plate 115 such that until the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is disposed at the communication position, the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is moved together with the top plate 115, and after the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is disposed at the communication position, the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is stopped at the communication position regardless of the insertion position of the top plate 115.

[0065] In the above-described example, the communication between the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 and the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 includes both the transmission of MR data obtained by digitizing the MR signal received by the reception RF coil 106 and the power transmission to the reception RF coil 106. However, it may include only one of them.

[0066] In the above-described example, the communication between the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 and the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 is performed wirelessly, but it may be performed wired.

[0067] For example, the transmission of MR data may be performed wirelessly between the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 and the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111, and the power transmission may be performed wired via a cable disposed between the bed 113 and the gantry 130.

[0068] Alternatively, the power transmission may be performed wirelessly between the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 and the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111, and the transmission of MR data may be performed wired via a cable disposed between the bed 113 and the gantry 130. In this case, for example, the transmission of MR data may be performed via an optical fiber.

[0069] According to such a configuration, by enabling communication between the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 movable within the top plate 115 and the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 provided on the gantry 130, the cable disposed between the bed 113 and the gantry 130 can be removed or reduced.

[0070] Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the cable disposed between the bed 113 and the gantry 130 can be reduced.

[0071] This can solve problems such as the complexity of the MRI apparatus, the difficulty of installation, and the increase in cost. Further, when applied to an MRI apparatus having a detachable bed, problems such as an increase in the weight of the bed and the need to add a mechanism for assisting the connection between the bed and the gantry can be solved.

[0072] Note that the MRI apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment described above can also be implemented with appropriate modifications to the configurations of the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 and the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111. Therefore, hereinafter, a modification example related to the first embodiment will be described as another embodiment. In the following embodiments, descriptions of the content overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted, and the description will focus on the points different from the first embodiment.

[0073] (Second Embodiment) For example, in the first embodiment described above, the sequence control circuit 112 controls the data transmission / reception and power reception unit drive circuit 200 to control the position of the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, a connection mechanism for connecting the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 and the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 may be provided to control the position of the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110. Hereinafter, an example in such a case will be described as the second embodiment.

[0074] FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams showing an example of the configurations of the top plate 115 and the bed 113 in the MRI apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment. Specifically, FIGS. 2A to 2C show the operations of the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 when the top plate 115 moves in the present embodiment.

[0075] For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, in the present embodiment, a first transceiver connection mechanism 300 is provided in the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 on the bed 113 side, and a second transceiver connection mechanism 301 is provided in the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 on the gantry 130 side. When the first transceiver connection mechanism 300 and the second transceiver connection mechanism 301 are connected to each other when the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is moved to a communication position where it can communicate with the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111, the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is stopped at the communication position regardless of the insertion position of the top plate 115. Here, the first transceiver connection mechanism 300 is an example of the first connection mechanism. Also, the second transceiver connection mechanism 301 is an example of the second connection mechanism.

[0076] First, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the top plate 115 starts to move into the bore 131, the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 moves together with the top plate 115 until it is disposed in the vicinity of the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 on the gantry 130 side while remaining within the unit movable space 124.

[0077] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is disposed in the vicinity of the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 on the gantry 130 side, the first transceiver connection mechanism 300 and the second transceiver connection mechanism 301 are connected to each other, thereby stopping the movement of the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110.

[0078] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the imaging region of the subject 126 is disposed in the imaging region of the gantry 130, the movement of the top plate 115 stops. The data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 and the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 remain stopped at the position where the first transceiver connection mechanism 300 and the second transceiver connection mechanism 301 are coupled in FIG. 4B.

[0079] In this way, by arranging and stopping the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 near the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 on the pedestal 130 side, stable communication can be performed between the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 and the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111.

[0080] As described above, in the second embodiment, when the first transceiver connection mechanism 300 provided in the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 on the bed 113 side and the second transceiver connection mechanism 301 provided in the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 on the pedestal 130 side are moved to a communication position where the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 can communicate with the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 and are connected to each other, the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 is stopped at the communication position regardless of the insertion position of the top plate 115.

[0081] According to such a configuration, the connection between the first transceiver connection mechanism 300 and the second transceiver connection mechanism 301 only needs to be a simple mechanical connection, and compared with the first embodiment, the position of the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 can be easily controlled.

[0082] In the first embodiment, the communication between the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 and the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 is performed wirelessly. However, in the second embodiment, it may be performed wired via the first transceiver connection mechanism 300 and the second transceiver connection mechanism 301.

[0083] For example, connectors may be provided at the connection parts of the first transceiver connection mechanism 300 and the second transceiver connection mechanism 301 respectively, and communication between the data transmission / reception and power reception unit 110 and the data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 111 may be performed via the connectors.

[0084] In this case, for example, the transmission of MR data may be performed wirelessly, and the power transmission may be performed wired via the first transceiver connection mechanism 300 and the second transceiver connection mechanism 301. Or, the transmission of MR data may be performed wirelessly, and the power transmission may be performed wired via the first transceiver connection mechanism 300 and the second transceiver connection mechanism 301.

[0085] (Other embodiments) In addition, 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 a part of it can be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in any unit according to various loads, usage situations, etc. Further, 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.

[0086] Also, among the processes described in the above-described embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being automatically performed can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be automatically performed by a known method. In addition, the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, information including various data and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified.

[0087] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, the cable disposed between the bed and the pedestal can be reduced.

[0088] Although several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example 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 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, as well as in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0089] 100 MRI apparatus 106 Receive RF coil 110 Data transmission / reception and power reception unit 111 Data transmission / reception and power transmission unit 112 Sequence control circuit 113 Bed 114 Bed control circuit 115 Top plate 130 Gantry 300 First transceiver connection mechanism 301 Second transceiver connection mechanism

Claims

1. A top plate on which a receiving coil for receiving a magnetic resonance signal is disposed; A top plate communication unit disposed within the top plate and configured to be movable within the top plate; A gantry communication unit disposed at the end of the gantry having a bore on the side where the top plate is inserted; Comprising: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that communicates between the top plate communication unit and the gantry communication unit.

2. Further comprising a top plate control unit that inserts the top plate into the bore, Until the top plate communication unit is disposed at a communication position where it can communicate with the gantry communication unit, the top plate communication unit is moved together with the top plate, and after the top plate communication unit is disposed at the communication position, the top plate communication unit is stopped at the communication position regardless of the insertion position of the top plate. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

3. Further comprising a communication position control unit that controls the position of the top plate communication unit within the top plate so that the top plate communication unit is moved until it is disposed at the communication position and is stopped at the communication position regardless of the insertion position of the top plate after the top plate communication unit is disposed at the communication position. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 2.

4. Further comprising a first coupling mechanism provided on the top plate communication unit and a second coupling mechanism provided on the gantry communication unit, When the top plate communication unit is moved to the communication position, the first coupling mechanism and the second coupling mechanism are coupled to each other to stop the top plate communication unit at the communication position regardless of the insertion position of the top plate. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 2.

5. The communication performed between the top plate communication unit and the gantry communication unit includes at least one of transmission of magnetic resonance data obtained by digitizing the magnetic resonance signal received by the receiving coil and power transmission to the receiving coil. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The communication between the top plate communication unit and the gantry communication unit is performed wirelessly. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The transmission of the magnetic resonance data is performed via an optical fiber. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 5. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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