Medical image capturing device and control method thereof

Abstract

To provide a medical image capturing device that allows an examiner near a subject to easily designate the position of a displayed cross-sectional image, and to provide a control method thereof.SOLUTION: A medical image capturing device includes: a bed on which a subject is placed; a scan gantry part having a detection part for detecting a signal acquired from the subject; an image generation part for generating a medical image using a detection signal transmitted from the detection part; a display part for displaying the medical image; and a camera for imaging the subject on the bed. The medical image capturing device further includes: an imaging range calculation part for calculating an imaging range, which is a range that the subject is imaged, on the basis of a camera image obtained by the camera; a designated position acquisition part for acquiring a designated position, which is a position designated by the operation of an examiner near the subject; and a cross sectional image generation part for generating a cross sectional image displayed in a monitor viewed by the examiner on the basis of the imaging range and the designated position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical imaging device for imaging a medical image of a subject, and particularly relates to a technique for an operator beside the subject to specify the position of a cross-sectional image.

Background Art

[0002] A medical imaging device is a device that forms a tomographic image, which is a medical image used for diagnosis of a subject, by detecting signals obtained from the subject, such as X-rays transmitted through the subject or nuclear magnetic resonance signals generated from the subject, with a detector. For image diagnosis, it is preferable that a medical image at a position desired by an operator is quickly displayed.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses associating a coordinate system of a subject fixed by a fixing device with a coordinate system of a medical image captured by a medical imaging device using the external shape information of the subject, and displaying a specified point in one on the other. For example, a point specified by a mouse pointer on a medical image is displayed on the body surface of the subject by light irradiated from a light guide, or a point specified by a pointing device on the body surface or inside the subject is marked on the medical image.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, Patent Document 1 lacks consideration for the surgeon beside the subject to specify the position of the cross-sectional image. Although the surgeon beside the subject can check the subject's condition, the surgeon cannot operate the mouse pointer that operates on the operation unit. Also, a pointing device for specifying points on the subject's body surface or inside the body is not common.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a medical imaging apparatus and a control method thereof that enable a surgeon beside the subject to easily specify the position of the displayed cross-sectional image.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present invention is a medical imaging apparatus including a bed on which a subject is placed, a scan gantry unit having a detection unit that detects a signal obtained from the subject, an image generation unit that generates a medical image using a detection signal transmitted from the detection unit, a display unit that displays the medical image, and a camera that photographs the subject on the bed, further including an imaging range calculation unit that calculates an imaging range, which is a range in which the subject is imaged, based on a camera image obtained by the camera, a designated position acquisition unit that acquires a designated position, which is a position designated by the operation of a surgeon beside the subject, and a cross-sectional image generation unit that generates a cross-sectional image to be displayed on a monitor viewed by the surgeon based on the imaging range and the designated position.

[0008] The present invention also relates to a control method for a medical image imaging apparatus including a hospital bed on which a subject is placed, a scan gantry unit having a detection unit that detects signals obtained from the subject, an image generation unit that generates a medical image using the detection signals transmitted from the detection unit, a display unit that displays the medical image, and a camera that photographs the subject on the hospital bed. The control method includes an imaging range calculation step of calculating an imaging range, which is a range in which the subject is imaged, based on a camera image obtained by the camera, a designated position acquisition step of acquiring a designated position, which is a position designated by the operation of an operator beside the subject, and a cross-sectional image generation step of generating a cross-sectional image to be displayed on a monitor that the operator views, based on the imaging range and the designated position.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medical image imaging apparatus and a control method thereof in which an operator beside the subject can specify the position of a displayed cross-sectional image.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

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Figure 4

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Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of a medical imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A medical imaging apparatus is an apparatus that captures a medical image used for diagnosing a subject by detecting signals obtained from the subject, such as X-rays transmitted through the subject or nuclear magnetic resonance signals generated from the subject. Hereinafter, as an example of a medical imaging apparatus, an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus that captures a tomographic image of a subject by acquiring X-ray projection images of the subject at various projection angles will be described.

Examples

[0012] The overall configuration of the X-ray CT apparatus according to Example 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The X-ray CT apparatus includes a scan gantry unit 100, an operation unit 120, a camera 130, and a monitor 140. The scan gantry unit 100, the camera 130, and the monitor 140 are installed in an imaging room surrounded by a shielding material that shields X-rays, and the operation unit 120 is installed in an operation room outside the imaging room. The body axis direction of the subject 10 is defined as the Z-axis, the horizontal direction orthogonal to the Z-axis is defined as the X-axis, and the vertical direction orthogonal to the Z-axis is defined as the Y-axis.

[0013] The scan gantry unit 100 includes an X-ray source 101, a rotating plate 102, a collimator 103, an X-ray detector 106, a data collection unit 107, a bed 105, a rotating plate control unit 108, a bed control unit 109, an X-ray control unit 110, and a high voltage generation unit 111. The X-ray source 101 is an apparatus that irradiates X-rays to the subject 10 placed on the bed 105, and is, for example, an X-ray tube apparatus. The collimator 103 is an apparatus that limits the irradiation range of X-rays. The rotating plate 102 includes an opening 104 into which the subject 10 placed on the bed 105 enters, and mounts the X-ray source 101 and the X-ray detector 106, and rotates the X-ray source 101 and the X-ray detector 106 around the subject 10.

[0014] The X-ray detector 106 is disposed opposite to the X-ray source 101 and includes a plurality of detection elements that detect X-rays transmitted through the subject 10, and is a device that detects the spatial distribution of X-rays and functions as a detection unit that detects signals obtained from the subject 10. The detection elements of the X-ray detector 106 are two-dimensionally arranged in the rotation direction and the rotation axis direction of the rotating plate 102. The data collection unit 107 is a device that collects the spatial distribution of X-rays detected by the X-ray detector 106 as digital data.

[0015] The rotating plate control unit 108 is a device that controls the rotation and inclination of the rotating plate 102. The bed control unit 109 is a device that controls the up / down, front / back, left / right movement of the bed 105. The high voltage generation unit 111 is a device that generates the high voltage applied to the X-ray source 101. The X-ray control unit 110 is a device that controls the output of the high voltage generation unit 111. The rotating plate control unit 108, the bed control unit 109, and the X-ray control unit 110 are, for example, an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit) or the like.

[0016] The operation unit 120 includes an input unit 121, an image generation unit 122, a display unit 125, a storage unit 123, and a system control unit 124. The input unit 121 is a device used to input examination data such as the name of the subject 10, the examination date and time, and imaging conditions, and is, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, or a touch panel. The image generation unit 122 is a device that generates a tomographic image using digital data collected by the data collection unit 107, or generates a multi-sectional image using multiple tomographic images, and is, for example, an MPU or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The display unit 125 is a device that displays the tomographic images generated by the image generation unit 122, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display or a touch panel. The storage unit 123 is a device that stores digital data collected by the data collection unit 107, tomographic images generated by the image generation unit 122, programs executed by the system control unit 124, data used by the programs, etc., and is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The system control unit 124 is a device that controls each unit, such as the turntable control unit 108, the bed control unit 109, and the X-ray control unit 110, and is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0017] Based on the imaging conditions set via the input unit 121, the high voltage generation unit 111 generates a tube voltage, which is a high voltage applied to the X-ray source 101, and X-rays according to the imaging conditions are irradiated from the X-ray source 101 to the subject 10. The X-ray detector 106 detects the X-rays irradiated from the X-ray source 101 and transmitted through the subject 10 using a large number of detection elements, and acquires the spatial distribution of the transmitted X-rays. The rotating plate 102 is controlled by the rotating plate control unit 108 and rotates based on the imaging conditions, particularly the rotation speed, etc., input from the input unit 121. The bed 105 is controlled by the bed control unit 109 and moves relative to the rotating plate 102, thereby moving the imaging position specified for the subject 10 to the imaging field of view, which is the range within which transmitted X-rays are detected.

[0018] The irradiation of X-rays by the X-ray source 101 and the detection of X-rays by the X-ray detector 106 are repeated as the rotating plate 102 rotates, so that projection data, which is an X-ray projection image of the subject 10, is measured at various projection angles. The projection data is associated with a view representing each projection angle, a channel number, which is the detection element number of the X-ray detector 106, and a column number. The measured projection data is transmitted to the image generation unit 122. The image generation unit 122 generates a tomographic image by performing back-projection processing on a plurality of pieces of projection data. The generated tomographic image is displayed on the display unit 125 as a medical image or stored in the storage unit 123. Which of the generated plurality of medical images is to be displayed on the display unit 125 is specified by operating the input unit 121.

[0019] The camera 130 is a device that photographs the subject 10 placed on the bed 105 from above together with the bed 105, and is provided on the ceiling of the imaging room. The camera image taken by the camera 130 is used to calculate the position of the subject 10 with respect to the bed 105 and the scan gantry unit 100, or to calculate the position of the operator beside the subject 10. The camera image may be stored in the storage unit 123.

[0020] The monitor 140 is a device that displays tomographic images and multi-slice images, and is provided, for example, on the side of the bed 105 so that an operator beside the subject 10 can view the tomographic images and the like. Note that the monitor 140 may be a gantry monitor provided in the scan gantry unit 100 or a tablet terminal placed at the operator's hand.

[0021] The position of the operator 20 and the bed 105 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. Note that (A) in FIG. 2 is a view of the subject 10 placed on the bed 105 seen from the side, and (B) in FIG. 2 is a view of the subject 10 seen from above. The operator 20 is beside the subject 10 and at a position where the monitor 140 can be viewed in order to check the state of the subject 10 or perform a treatment on the subject 10.

[0022] The bed 105 has a top plate 105a, a grip 105b, and a base 105c. The top plate 105a is a plate on which the subject 10 rests, and slides on the base 105c in the body axis direction of the subject 10. By sliding the top plate 105a, the imaging position of the subject 10 can be moved to the imaging field of view of the scan gantry unit 100. The grip 105b is provided at the end of the top plate 105a in the Z-axis direction, and is used when manually sliding the top plate 105a. The base 105c is a platform placed on the floor of the imaging room, and moves up and down and also moves the top plate 105a left and right.

[0023] Although the surgeon 20 standing next to the subject 10 can check the medical image of the subject 10 by looking at the monitor 140, he or she cannot operate the input unit 121 of the operation unit 120 and therefore cannot specify the medical image displayed on the monitor 140. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the surgeon 20 standing next to the subject 10 can specify the medical image displayed on the monitor 140.

[0024] An example of the functional blocks of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. These functional blocks may be configured with dedicated hardware using an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or may be configured with software that runs on the system control unit 124. In the following description, a case where the functional blocks of the first embodiment are configured with software will be described.

[0025] In the first embodiment, an imaging area calculation unit 301, a designated position acquisition unit 302, and a cross-sectional image generation unit 303 are provided. Each unit will be described below.

[0026] The imaging range calculation unit 301 calculates an imaging range, which is a range in which the subject 10 is imaged, based on the camera image obtained by the camera 130. The camera image is a frame image in a moving image, and is a digitized image.

[0027] The designated position acquisition unit 302 acquires a designated position, which is a position designated by the operation of the operator 20 beside the subject 10. The designated position may be obtained based on the camera image.

[0028] Based on the imaging range calculated by the imaging range calculation unit 301 and the designated position acquired by the designated position acquisition unit 302, the cross-sectional image generation unit 303 generates a cross-sectional image to be displayed on the monitor 140.

[0029] Using FIG. 4, an example of the processing flow of Example 1 will be described step by step.

[0030] (S401) The subject 10 is placed on the hospital bed 105.

[0031] (S402) The camera 130 starts photographing the subject 10. The camera 130 also photographs the hospital bed 105 and the scan gantry unit 100 together with the subject 10. The camera image photographed by the camera 130 is transmitted to the system control unit 124 and used for calculating the position of the subject 10 with respect to the hospital bed 105 and the scan gantry unit 100. FIG. 5(A) illustrates a camera image used for calculating the distance D0 between the grip 105b of the hospital bed 105 and the scan gantry unit 100. That is, the distance D0 is the distance from the grip 105b to the center of the imaging field of view.

[0032] (S403) After the photographing by the camera 130 is started in S402, a tomographic image of the subject 10 is taken. During the taking of the tomographic image, the photographing by the camera 130 continues. FIG. 5(B) illustrates a camera image when the subject 10 reaches the imaging start position. FIG. 5(C) illustrates a camera image when the subject 10 reaches the imaging end position.

[0033] The imaging range calculation unit 301 calculates the imaging range based on the camera images illustrated in FIGS. 5(B) and 5(C). More specifically, from the camera image of FIG. 5(B), the imaging range calculation unit 301 calculates the distance Ds between the grip 105b and the scan gantry unit 100 when the subject 10 reaches the imaging start position. Also, from the camera image of FIG. 5(C), the imaging range calculation unit 301 calculates the distance De between the grip 105b and the scan gantry unit 100 when the subject 10 reaches the imaging end position. Since the distance Ds corresponds to the imaging start position and the distance De corresponds to the imaging end position, the imaging range, which is the range from the imaging start position to the imaging end position, is represented by the distance from the grip 105b.

[0034] (S404) The operator 20 designates the position of the cross-sectional image displayed on the monitor 140 by an operation. For example, the hand 500 of the operator 20 is used for the operation-based position designation. By using the hand 500 for the position designation, it is possible to dispense with adding a new device such as a pointing device. The hand 500 of the operator 20 is photographed by the camera 130 together with the hospital bed 105. FIG. 5(D) illustrates a camera image when the operator 20 designates a position.

[0035] The designated position acquisition unit 302 acquires the designated position, which is the position designated by the operator 20, based on the camera image illustrated in FIG. 5(D). More specifically, from the camera image of FIG. 5(D), the designated position acquisition unit 302 obtains the distance D1 between the hand 500 of the operator 20 and the grip 105b. Since the distance D1 corresponds to the position of the hand 500 of the operator 20, the designated position is represented by the distance from the grip 105b. Note that the designation of the position of the cross-sectional image displayed on the monitor 140 is not limited to being by the hand 500 of the operator 20.

[0036] With reference to FIG. 6, the acquisition of the specified position based on the line-of-sight position 601 of the operator 20 will be described. The line-of-sight position 601 of the operator 20 is detected by the glasses device 600 worn by the operator 20. The glasses device 600 detects the line-of-sight position 601 of the operator 20 and transmits the data of the line-of-sight position 601 to the specified position acquisition unit 302. The specified position acquisition unit 302 calculates the distance D1 between the line-of-sight position 601 and the grip 105b based on the line-of-sight position 601 transmitted from the glasses device 600 and the camera image. Since the distance D1 corresponds to the line-of-sight position 601 of the operator 20, the specified position is represented by the distance from the grip 105b. By acquiring the specified position based on the line-of-sight position 601, the operator 20 can do so without moving the hand 500.

[0037] (S405) The cross-sectional image generation unit 303 generates a cross-sectional image to be displayed on the monitor 140 based on the imaging range calculated in S403 and the specified position acquired in S404. For example, the cross-sectional image generation unit 303 selects the cross-sectional image closest to the specified position represented by the distance D1 from among a plurality of tomographic images captured in the imaging range represented by the distances Ds and De, and sets the selected tomographic image as the cross-sectional image to be displayed on the monitor 140. Alternatively, two cross-sectional images close to the specified position represented by the distance D1 are selected from among a plurality of tomographic images captured in the imaging range represented by the distances Ds and De, and the cross-sectional image generation unit 303 generates a cross-sectional image at the specified position by interpolation processing using the two tomographic images. The generated cross-sectional image is displayed on the monitor 140 and confirmed by the operator 20.

[0038] (S406) The operator 20 determines whether to re-specify the position of the cross-sectional image by checking the cross-sectional image displayed on the monitor 140. If the position of the cross-sectional image is not re-specified, the process flow ends. If the position is re-specified, the process returns to S404, and the operator 20 moves the position of the hand 500 and the line-of-sight position 601. When the operator 20 continues to move the position of the hand 500 and the line-of-sight position 601, cross-sectional images are generated and displayed as needed at S405, so that a plurality of cross-sectional images will be scrolled. Note that the scrolling of the plurality of cross-sectional images is not limited to the movement of the position of the hand 500 and the line-of-sight position 601, and may be executed by a foot controller provided at the operator 20's feet or a voice recognition device that recognizes the voice of the operator 20.

[0039] According to the process flow described with reference to FIG. 4, the operator 20 beside the subject 10 can specify the position of the cross-sectional image displayed on the monitor 140 installed in the imaging room. Further, after checking the cross-sectional image displayed on the monitor 140, the operator 20 can display a cross-sectional image at another position on the monitor 140.

Example

[0040] In Example 1, it was described that a cross-sectional image displayed on the monitor 140 is generated based on a specified position specified by the operator 20 beside the subject 10. When a plurality of tomographic images are captured, multi-cross-sectional images can be generated using those tomographic images. That is, multi-cross-sectional images such as a sagittal image parallel to the YZ plane, a coronal image parallel to the ZX plane, and an axial image parallel to the XY plane illustrated in FIG. 7 are generated from the plurality of tomographic images. In Example 2, the operation of the operator 20 beside the subject 10 for specifying the orientation and position of the cross-sectional image displayed on the monitor 140 will be described. Note that since some of the configurations and functions described in Example 1 can be applied to Example 2, descriptions of the same configurations and functions will be omitted.

[0041] With reference to FIG. 8, an example of the process flow of Example 2 will be described step by step. Note that the description of the same process as in Example 1 will be simplified.

[0042] (S801)~(S803) It is the same as S401~S403 in Example 1.

[0043] (S804) The operator 20 designates the orientation and position of the cross-sectional image displayed on the monitor 140 by an operation. For example, the hand 500 of the operator 20 is used for designating the orientation and position by the operation. By using the hand 500 for designating the orientation and position, it is possible to dispense with adding a new device such as a pointing device. The hand 500 of the operator 20 is photographed by the camera 130 together with the hospital bed 105.

[0044] Using FIG. 9, the case where a sagittal image is designated will be described. The operator 20 designates the sagittal image by moving the hand 500 bent so that the palm is parallel to the YZ plane above the subject 10, and designates the position of the sagittal image displayed on the monitor 140 by moving the hand 500 in the X-axis direction. Note that the YZ plane is a vertical plane parallel to the body axis direction of the subject 10. The position of the sagittal image is represented by, for example, the distance D2 between the center line extending in the longitudinal direction of the top plate 105a and the hand 500. The distance D2 is calculated by the designated position acquisition unit 302 based on the camera image.

[0045] Using FIG. 10, the case where a coronal image is designated will be described. The operator 20 designates the coronal image by moving the hand 500 with the palm parallel to the ZX plane above the subject 10, and designates the position of the coronal image displayed on the monitor 140 by moving the hand 500 in the Y-axis direction. Note that the ZX plane is a horizontal plane parallel to the body axis direction of the subject 10. The position of the coronal image is represented by, for example, the distance D3 between the upper surface of the top plate 105a and the hand 500. The distance D3 is calculated by the designated position acquisition unit 302 based on the depth data of the camera image. Note that for calculating the distance D3, a camera image photographed by a camera installed on the side of the subject 10 may be used.

[0046] The designation of the axial image is the same as in the first embodiment. That is, the operator 20 designates the axial image by moving the hand 500 with the palm parallel to the XY plane above the subject 10, and designates the position of the axial image displayed on the monitor 140 by moving the hand 500 in the Z-axis direction. The XY plane is a plane orthogonal to the body axis direction of the subject 10.

[0047] (S805) The cross-sectional image generation unit 303 generates a cross-sectional image to be displayed on the monitor 140 based on the imaging range calculated in S803 and the direction and position specified in S804. The cross-sectional image generation unit 303 determines from the camera image whether the palm is parallel to any of the XY plane, YZ plane, and ZX plane, and generates either a sagittal image, a coronal image, or an axial image according to the determination result. When a sagittal image is generated, the position of the cross-sectional image displayed on the monitor 140 is set based on the distance D2. Similarly, in the case of a coronal image, the position of the cross-sectional image displayed on the monitor 140 is set based on the distance D3, and in the case of an axial image, it is set based on the distance D1. The generated cross-sectional image is displayed on the monitor 140 and confirmed by the operator 20.

[0048] (S806) The operator 20 determines whether to re-specify the direction and position of the cross-sectional image by checking the cross-sectional image displayed on the monitor 140. If the direction and position of the cross-sectional image are not re-specified, the process flow ends. If the position is re-specified, the process returns to S804, and the operator 20 changes the direction and position of the hand 500.

[0049] According to the process flow described with reference to FIG. 8, the operator 20 beside the subject 10 can specify the direction and position of the cross-sectional image displayed on the monitor 140 installed in the imaging room. In addition, after checking the cross-sectional image displayed on the monitor 140, the operator 20 can display cross-sectional images with different directions and positions on the monitor 140.

[0050] The above describes multiple embodiments of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and components can be modified and embodied without departing from the gist of the invention. Also, a plurality of components disclosed in the above embodiments may be appropriately combined. Furthermore, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the above embodiments.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0051] 10: Subject, 20: Operator, 100: Scan Gantry Unit, 101: X-ray Source, 102: Rotating Plate, 103: Collimator, 104: Aperture, 105: Bed, 105a: Top Plate, 105b: Grip, 105c: Base, 106: X-ray Detector, 107: Data Acquisition Unit, 108: Rotating Plate Control Unit, 109: Bed Control Unit, 110: X-ray Control Unit, 111: High Voltage Generation Unit, 120: Operation Unit, 121: Input Unit, 122: Image Generation Unit, 123: Storage Unit, 124: System Control Unit, 125: Display Unit, 130: Camera, 140: Monitor, 301: Imaging Range Calculation Unit, 302: Designated Position Acquisition Unit, 303: Cross-sectional Image Generation Unit, 500: Hand, 600: Glasses Device, 601: Line-of-sight Position.

Claims

1. A medical image imaging apparatus comprising a bed on which a subject is placed, a scan gantry unit having a detection unit for detecting a signal obtained from the subject, an image generation unit for generating a medical image using a detection signal transmitted from the detection unit, a display unit for displaying the medical image, and a camera for photographing the subject on the bed, an imaging range calculation unit for calculating an imaging range which is a range in which the subject is imaged, based on a camera image obtained by the camera, a designated position acquisition unit for acquiring a designated position which is a position designated by the operation of an operator beside the subject, and further comprising a cross-sectional image generation unit for generating a cross-sectional image to be displayed on a monitor viewed by the operator, based on the imaging range and the designated position.

2. The medical image imaging apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the designated position acquisition unit acquires the designated position based on the position of the hand of the operator obtained from the camera image.

3. The medical image imaging apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional image generation unit generates the cross-sectional image based on the orientation of the hand of the operator obtained from the camera image.

4. The medical image imaging apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the cross-sectional image generation unit generates a sagittal image as the cross-sectional image when the orientation of the hand of the operator is parallel to a vertical plane parallel to the body axis direction of the subject.

5. The medical image imaging apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the cross-sectional image generation unit generates a coronal image as the cross-sectional image when the orientation of the hand of the operator is parallel to a horizontal plane parallel to the body axis direction of the subject.

6. The medical image imaging apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the cross-sectional image generation unit generates an axial image as the cross-sectional image when the orientation of the hand of the operator is parallel to a plane orthogonal to the body axis direction of the subject.

7. The medical image imaging apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the designated position acquisition unit acquires the designated position based on the line-of-sight position detected by a glasses device worn by the operator.

8. A control method for a medical image imaging apparatus including a bed on which a subject is placed, a scan gantry unit having a detection unit that detects a signal obtained from the subject, an image generation unit that generates a medical image using a detection signal transmitted from the detection unit, a display unit that displays the medical image, and a camera that photographs the subject on the bed, comprising: an imaging range calculation step of calculating an imaging range, which is a range in which the subject is imaged, based on a camera image obtained by the camera; a designated position acquisition step of acquiring a designated position, which is a position designated by an operation of an operator beside the subject; a cross-sectional image generation step of generating a cross-sectional image to be displayed on a monitor viewed by the operator based on the imaging range and the designated position, characterized in that the control method for the medical image imaging apparatus comprises the cross-sectional image generation step.

Images