Control device and medical image diagnostic device

Abstract

To improve inspection efficiency by performing work for imaging preparation in a space other than a front of a rack device.SOLUTION: A control device of the present invention is a control device for controlling the movement of a bed equipped with a top plate on which a subject is placed, and includes a first movement control part and a second movement control part. The first movement control part moves the bed from a first space where preparations for imaging the subject are performed to a second space on a front of a rack device along a first route. The second movement control part moves the bed from the second space along a second route different from the first route after the imaging by the rack device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings relate to a control device and a medical image diagnostic device. [Background technology]

[0002] Examples of medical imaging diagnostic devices that require preparation before imaging a subject, for example, a patient, include MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) devices, nuclear medicine diagnostic devices, etc. For example, before starting imaging with an MRI device, a technician must place the patient on a bed in front of a gantry device, attach an RF (Radio Frequency) coil to the patient on the bed, connect a cable that transmits an MR signal from the RF coil to a specified port, set wireless synchronization, etc., and allow the MRI imaging to start.

[0003] However, when a technician works in front of the MRI machine's gantry, there is a risk that any magnetic object the technician is holding will be attracted to the gantry, since the gantry has a large magnet. Also, since the technician cannot prepare for the next patient's scan in front of the gantry until the previous patient has been removed from in front of the gantry, the time required for multiple scans is long, resulting in poor scan efficiency. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0366733 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] One of the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is to improve the efficiency of examinations by performing preparation work for imaging in a space other than in front of the gantry. However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings are not limited to the above problem. Problems corresponding to the effects of each configuration shown in each embodiment described below can also be positioned as other problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A control device according to an embodiment controls movement of a bed having a top plate on which a subject is placed, and includes a first movement control unit and a second movement control unit. The first movement control unit moves the bed from a first space where preparations for imaging of the subject are made to a second space in front of a gantry device along a first path. After imaging by the gantry device, the second movement control unit moves the bed from the second space along a second path different from the first path. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the console according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by a processing circuit of the console according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by a processing circuit of the console according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the arrangement of beds in a preparation room and an imaging room according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing movement of a bed in a preparation room and an imaging room according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the arrangement of beds in a preparation room and an imaging room according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing movement of a bed in a preparation room and an imaging room according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the arrangement of beds in a preparation room and an imaging room according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing movement of a bed in a preparation room and an imaging room according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the arrangement of beds in a preparation room and an imaging room according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the arrangement of beds in a preparation room and an imaging room according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing movement of a bed in a preparation room and an imaging room according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the arrangement of beds in a preparation room and an imaging room according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the arrangement of beds in a preparation room and an imaging room according to the third embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the arrangement of beds in a preparation room and an imaging room according to the third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the arrangement of beds in a preparation room and an imaging room according to the third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing movement control of a bed according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing movement control of a bed according to the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of a control device and a medical image diagnostic device will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0009] [First embodiment] 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 1 is an example of a medical image diagnostic apparatus. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 1 includes a gantry device 100, a control cabinet 300, a console 400, a bed 500, and an RF (Radio Frequency) coil 20.

[0010] The gantry 100 has a static magnetic field magnet 10, a gradient magnetic field coil 11, and a WB (Whole Body) coil 12. These components are housed in a cylindrical housing. The bed 500 has a bed body 50 and a tabletop 51.

[0011] The control cabinet 300 includes gradient magnetic field power supplies 31 (for the X axis 31x, for the Y axis 31y, and for the Z axis 31z), a coil selection circuit , an RF receiver 32, an RF transmitter 33, and a sequence controller .

[0012] The console 400 includes a processing circuit 40, a memory circuit 41, a display 42, and an input device 43. The console 400 functions as a host computer. The console 400 controls the movement of a bed 500 having a tabletop 51 on which a patient P rests. The console 400 is an example of a control device. The console 400 also controls the gantry device 100 to perform imaging of the patient P and generate medical images. The console 400 is an example of an image generation device. The patient P is an example of a subject.

[0013] The static magnetic field magnet 10 of the gantry 100 has a roughly cylindrical shape and generates a static magnetic field within a bore into which the patient P is transported. The bore refers to the space inside the cylinder of the gantry 100. The static magnetic field magnet 10 incorporates a superconducting coil, which is cooled to an extremely low temperature by liquid helium. In the excitation mode, the static magnetic field magnet 10 generates a static magnetic field by applying a current supplied from a static magnetic field power supply (not shown) to the superconducting coil. Thereafter, when the static magnetic field magnet 10 transitions to the persistent current mode, the static magnetic field power supply is disconnected from the static magnetic field magnet 10. Once transitioned to the persistent current mode, the static magnetic field magnet 10 continues to generate a large static magnetic field for a long period of time, for example, for more than one year.

[0014] The gradient magnetic field coil 11 also has a roughly cylindrical shape and is fixed inside the static magnetic field magnet 10. This gradient magnetic field coil 11 applies gradient magnetic fields to the patient P in the directions of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis by currents supplied from gradient magnetic field power supplies 31x, 31y, and 31z. The gradient magnetic field power supply 31 is a gradient magnetic field power supply that applies gradient magnetic field current to the gradient magnetic field coil 11, and has a capacitor bank therein for power supplementation.

[0015] The bed body 50 of the bed 500 can move the top board 51 in the vertical and horizontal directions. Before imaging, the patient P placed on the top board 51 is moved to a predetermined height. Thereafter, during imaging, the top board 51 is moved horizontally to move the patient P into the bore. The bed 500 is equipped with a movement mechanism, for example, wheels R. The bed 500 can move straight or turn by rotating the wheels R about their vertical and horizontal axes (i.e., rotating in an arc). In other words, the bed 500 can move from the front 71 of the gantry device 100 to another space, or from another space to the front 71 of the gantry device 100, as will be described later.

[0016] The bed 500 also includes position sensors (for example, two position sensors C1 and C2 spaced apart along the Z-axis direction). The position sensors C1 and C2 each acquire their own position information. The position information of the position sensors C1 and C2 is acquired using a global navigation satellite system profile (GNSS), a global positioning satellite system (GPS), a magnetic field sensor, an image sensor such as Kinect (registered trademark), or a combination thereof. When a multi-GNSS or GPS is used, the position sensors C1 and C2 receive signals transmitted by radio waves from multiple satellites and measure the transmission times, thereby acquiring the position information of the position sensors C1 and C2. When a magnetic field sensor is used, a magnetic field transmitter sequentially transmits three-axis magnetic fields, and the position sensors sequentially receive the magnetic fields, thereby acquiring the position information of the position sensors C1 and C2. When the position information of the position sensors C1 and C2 is acquired, not only the position of the bed 500 but also the orientation of the bed 500 can be acquired.

[0017] The WB coil 12, also called a whole-body coil, is fixed in a roughly cylindrical shape inside the gradient coil 11 so as to surround the patient P. The WB coil 12 transmits RF pulses transmitted from the RF transmitter 33 toward the patient P. It also receives magnetic resonance signals, i.e., MR (Magnetic Resonance) signals, emitted from the patient P due to excitation of hydrogen nuclei.

[0018] In addition to the WB coil 12, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 1 also includes an RF coil 20 as shown in FIG. 1. The RF coil 20 is placed close to the body surface of the patient P. The RF coil 20 includes a plurality of element coils. These element coils are arranged in an array inside the RF coil 20, and are therefore sometimes called a PAC (Phased Array Coil). There are several types of RF coils. For example, the RF coil 20 includes a body coil that is placed on the chest, abdomen, or legs of the patient P as shown in FIG. 1, and a spine coil that is placed on the back of the patient P.

[0019] The RF transmitter 33 generates an RF pulse based on an instruction from the sequence controller 34. The generated RF pulse is transmitted to the WB coil 12 or the RF coil 20 and applied to the patient P. The application of the RF pulse generates an MR signal from the patient P. The RF coil 20 or the WB coil 12 receives this MR signal.

[0020] The MR signals received by the RF coil 20, more specifically, the MR signals received by each element coil in the RF coil 20, are transmitted to the coil selection circuit 36 ​​via cables provided on the tabletop 51 and the bed body 50. The coil selection circuit 36 ​​selects the signal output from the RF coil 20 or the signal output from the WB coil 12 in accordance with a control signal output from the sequence controller 34 or the console 400.

[0021] The selected signal is output to the RF receiver 32. The RF receiver 32 converts the channel signal, i.e., the MR signal, from analog to digital (AD) and outputs it to a sequence controller 34. The digitalized MR signal is also called raw data. The AD conversion may be performed inside the RF coil 20 or in the coil selection circuit 36.

[0022] The sequence controller 34, under the control of the console 400, drives the gradient magnetic field power supply 31, the RF transmitter 33, and the RF receiver 32 to scan the patient P. When raw data is received from the RF receiver 32 by the scan, the sequence controller 34 transmits the raw data to the console 400.

[0023] The sequence controller 34 includes a processing circuit (not shown). This processing circuit is configured with hardware such as a processor that executes a predetermined program, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0024] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a console 400 according to the first embodiment. The console 400 includes a storage circuitry 41, an input device 43, a display 42, and a processing circuitry 40. The storage circuitry 41 is a storage medium including a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an external storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an optical disk device. The storage circuitry 41 stores various types of information and data, as well as various programs executed by a processor included in the processing circuitry 40.

[0025] The input device 43 includes various devices such as a mouse, keyboard, trackball, touch panel, etc., which are used by the operator to input various information and data. The display 42 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display panel, a plasma display panel, an organic EL panel, etc.

[0026] The processing circuit 40 is a circuit including, for example, a CPU or a dedicated or general-purpose processor. The processor executes various programs stored in the storage circuit 41 to realize various functions described below. The processing circuit 40 may be configured with hardware such as an FPGA or an ASIC. The various functions described below can also be realized by such hardware. The processing circuit 40 can also realize various functions by combining software processing by a processor and a program with hardware processing.

[0027] The processing circuitry 40 executes a computer program stored in the memory circuitry 41 or in the memory within the processing circuitry 40, thereby realizing a first movement control function 401, a second movement control function 402, and a shooting control function 403, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0028] The first movement control function 401 includes a function of moving the bed 500 from a first space where preparations for imaging of the patient P are made to a second space in front of the gantry device 100 along a first route. Specifically, when the first movement control function 401 receives a signal indicating completion of preparations for imaging of the patient P from the imaging control function 403, the first movement control function 401 moves the bed 500 from the first space where preparations for imaging of the patient P are made (e.g., the antechamber 611 shown in FIG. 6) to a second space (e.g., the front 71 of the gantry device 100 shown in FIG. 6) in the imaging room 7 along the first route (e.g., the preliminary route AR1 shown in FIG. 6).

[0029] The second movement control function 402 includes a function of moving the bed 500 from the second space along a second route different from the first route after imaging by the gantry device 100. Specifically, after imaging of the patient P by the gantry device 100, when the second movement control function 402 receives a signal indicating the end of imaging of the patient P from the imaging control function 403, the second movement control function 402 moves the bed 500 from the imaging room 7 to a third space (for example, the return room 62 shown in FIG. 5) along a second route (for example, a post-imaging route PR shown in FIG. 6) different from the preliminary route AR.

[0030] Here, the movement control functions 401, 402 move the bed 500 from the first space to the third space along the first route to the second route by sequentially acquiring position information of the bed 500. As described above, when the bed 500 acquires position information from the two position sensors C1, C2, it is possible to sequentially acquire not only the position of the bed 500 but also the orientation of the bed 500.

[0031] The imaging control function 403 includes a function of controlling the gantry 100 to perform imaging of the patient P when the bed 500 moves in front of the gantry 100 in the imaging room 7 and a cable transmitting an MR signal from the RF coil 20 is connected to a predetermined port. Specifically, the imaging control function 403 performs imaging by inserting the top board 51 on which the patient P is placed into the bore of the gantry 100, performing a scan, and, after the scan is completed, retracting the top board 51 on which the patient P is placed from the bore. When the bed 500 is in the first space and preparation for imaging of the patient P is completed, the imaging control function 403 transmits a signal indicating completion of imaging preparation for the patient P to the first movement control function 401. When the bed 500 is in the second space and imaging of the patient P is completed, the imaging control function 403 transmits a signal indicating completion of imaging of the patient P to the second movement control function 402.

[0032] The anterior rooms 611, 612 are an example of a first space. The front 71 is an example of a second space. The preliminary route AR is an example of a first route. The post-route PR is an example of a second route. When the imaging of the patient P is completed while the bed 500 is in the second space, the imaging control function 403 may transmit a signal indicating the completion of imaging of the patient P to the first movement control function 401.

[0033] 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing an example of processing by the processing circuit 40 of the console 400 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 shows processing by the photography control function 403 and the first movement control function 401. Fig. 4 shows processing by the photography control function 403 and the second movement control function 402.

[0034] 5 to 11 are diagrams showing the arrangement and movement of the bed 500 in the preparation room 6 and the imaging room 7 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the preparation room 6 includes front rooms 611 and 612, a return room 62, partitions 631 and 632, a shelf 64, and a display 65. The preparation room 6 and the imaging room 7 may be adjacent to each other and allow direct mutual entry and exit without a corridor, or may be connected via a corridor. The front rooms 611 and 612 are spaces where preparations for imaging of the patient P are made. An empty bed 500 is carried into the front rooms 611 and 612, the patient P is placed on the top board 51 of the bed 500, the RF coil 20 is attached to the patient P, and then the bed 500 is carried out to the imaging room 7. The return room 62 is a space where the patient P is unloaded. In the return room 62, the bed 500 on which the patient P is placed is carried in, and after the patient P is removed from the top panel 51 of the bed 500, the empty bed 500 is carried out to the front room 611 or 612. The front rooms 611 and 612 are an example of a first space. The return room 62 is an example of a third space.

[0035] The partitions 631 and 632 are facilities for separating the spaces of the antechambers 611 and 612 and the return room 62. The partitions 631 and 632 are, for example, screens or curtains. As shown in FIG. 5 , the partition 631 separates the antechamber 611 from the antechamber 612. The partition 632 separates the antechamber 612 from the return room 62. The shelf 64 is a shelf for storing items such as the RF coil 20 to be attached to various locations on the patient P depending on the body part to be imaged. The display 65 is a display device that displays the imaging results of the patient P for inspection by a technician. The first space may be the preparation room 6 itself, or may be the antechambers 611 and 612 in the preparation room 6 that are separated by the partition 631 as shown in FIG. 5 .

[0036] A gantry device 100 is installed in the radiography room 7. A bed 500 on which a patient P is placed is carried into the radiography room 7, and after radiography of the patient P is performed by the gantry device 100, the bed 500 is carried out to the return room 62. The second space is the space in front 71 of the gantry device 100 in the radiography room 7.

[0037] The above-mentioned explanation of the preparation room 6 and the radiography room 7 also applies to FIGS.

[0038] 5 to 11, a processing example of the processing circuit 40 of the console 400 (particularly, movement of the bed 500 from the preparation room 6 to the front 71) will be described according to Fig. 3. Here, an example in which the patient P1 is placed on the bed 500A and photographed will be described.

[0039] In step S1, the patient P1 immediately before imaging is placed on the bed 500A in the antechamber 611 in Fig. 5, the RF coil 20 placed on the shelf 64 is attached to the patient P1, and then a button (not shown) for notifying completion of imaging preparations installed in the antechamber 611 is pressed. This puts the bed 500A into a standby state for movement, and a signal notifying completion of imaging preparations for the antechamber 611 is transmitted to the imaging control function 403. Upon receiving the signal notifying completion of imaging preparations, the imaging control function 403 transmits a signal notifying completion of imaging preparations for the patient P1 to the first movement control function 401.

[0040] In step S2, the first movement control function 401 of the processing circuit 40 receives a signal from the imaging control function 403 indicating that imaging preparation is complete.

[0041] In step S3, the first movement control function 401 determines whether the front 71 of the gantry 100 in the imaging room 7 is vacant, for example, depending on whether a signal indicating the end of imaging has been received from the imaging control function 403. If the front 71 of the gantry 100 is vacant as shown in FIG. 5 (YES in step S3), the first movement control function 401 proceeds to step S7. If the front 71 of the gantry 100 is not vacant (NO in step S3), the first movement control function 401 repeats the determination in step S3 until the front 71 of the gantry 100 is vacant.

[0042] In step S4, when the imaging control function 403 detects the end of imaging of the previous patient P on the bed 500, it transmits a signal indicating the end of imaging of the patient P to the first movement control function 401 and the second movement control function 402.

[0043] In step S5, the first movement control function 401 receives a signal from the photography control function 403 indicating that photography has ended.

[0044] In step S6, the first movement control function 401 determines whether there is a bed 500 for which preparation for imaging has been completed in the antechamber 611 or 612, depending on whether a signal indicating completion of preparation for imaging has been received from the imaging control function 403. If there is a bed 500 for which preparation for imaging has been completed (YES in step S6), the first movement control function 401 proceeds to step S7. If there is no bed 500 for which preparation for imaging has been completed (NO in step S6), the first movement control function 401 repeats the determination in step S6 until there is a bed 500 for which preparation for imaging has been completed.

[0045] Note that either the processing of steps S1 to S3 or the processing of steps S4 to S6 is executed depending on whether the imaging control function 403 detects first the completion of imaging preparation for patient P1 or the completion of imaging for patient P. Initially, imaging is performed after preparation for imaging, so the completion of imaging preparation is detected first, and so the processing of steps S1 to S3 is executed.

[0046] In step S7, the first movement control function 401 moves the bed 500A on which the patient P1 is placed after preparation for imaging of the patient P1 has been completed from the antechamber 611 to the front 71 of the gantry device 100 in the imaging room 7, as shown in Figure 6.

[0047] In step S8, the first movement control function 401 determines whether or not the bed 500A has moved to the front 71 of the gantry 100 in the radiography room 7. If the bed 500A has moved to the front 71 of the gantry 100 as shown in FIG. 7 (YES in step S8), the first movement control function 401 proceeds to step S9. If the bed 500A has not moved to the front 71 of the gantry 100 (NO in step S8), the first movement control function 401 repeats the determination in step S8 until the bed 500A has moved to the front 71 of the gantry 100.

[0048] In step S9, the first movement control function 401 transmits a signal indicating the end of movement of the bed 500A to the front 71 of the gantry device 100 to the imaging control function 403.

[0049] In step S10, the imaging control function 403 receives a signal from the first movement control function 401 indicating completion of movement of the bed 500A to the front 71 of the gantry device 100. The imaging control function 403 also receives a signal from the technician indicating that the cable for transmitting the MR signal of the RF coil 20 has been connected to a predetermined port.

[0050] In step S11, the imaging control function 403 causes the control cabinet 300 to perform imaging of the patient P1 placed on the bed 500A that has finished moving to the front 71 of the gantry device 100, as shown in Fig. 7. Specifically, the imaging control function 403 performs imaging by inserting the tabletop 51 on which the patient P1 is placed into the bore of the gantry device 100, performing a scan, and then retracting the tabletop 51 on which the patient P1 is placed from the bore after the scan is completed.

[0051] In step S12, the imaging control function 403 determines whether imaging of the patient P1 has been completed. If imaging of the patient P1 has been completed (YES in step S12), the imaging control function 403 returns to step S4. If imaging of the patient P1 has not been completed (NO in step S12), the imaging control function 403 repeats the determination in step S12 until imaging of the patient P1 has been completed.

[0052] Next, a processing example (particularly, movement from the radiography room 7 to the preparation room 6) of the processing circuit 40 of the console 400 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Here, an example in which radiography of the patient P1 is completed and the patient P1 is removed from the bed 500A will be described.

[0053] In step S13, the second movement control function 402 receives a signal from the imaging control function 403 indicating that imaging of the patient P1 has ended.

[0054] In step S14, the second movement control function 402 moves the bed 500A on which the patient P1 is placed from the front 71 of the gantry device 100 in the radiography room 7 to the return room 62, as shown in FIG.

[0055] In step S15, the second movement control function 402 determines whether or not the movement of the bed 500A to the return room 62 has been completed. If the movement of the bed 500A has been completed (YES in step S15), the second movement control function 402 proceeds to step S16. At this time, the patient P1 is removed from the bed 500A, and the bed 500A becomes empty. If the movement of the bed 500A has not been completed (NO in step S15), the second movement control function 402 repeats the determination in step S15 until the movement of the bed 500A has been completed.

[0056] In step S16, the second movement control function 402 determines whether the front room 611 or 612 is vacant in Fig. 9. If the front room 611 or 612 is vacant (YES in step S16), the second movement control function 402 proceeds to step S17. If neither the front room 611 nor 612 is vacant (NO in step S16), the second movement control function 402 repeats the determination in step S16 until the front room 611 or 612 becomes vacant.

[0057] In step S17, as shown in FIG. 9, if the bed 500B is moved to the front 71 of the gantry device 100, the front room 612 is empty, so the second movement control function 402 moves the empty bed 500A from the return room 62 to the front room 612.

[0058] In step S18, the second movement control function 402 determines whether or not the movement of the bed 500A to the front room 612 has been completed. If the movement of the bed 500A has been completed (YES in step S18), the second movement control function 402 proceeds to step S19. If the movement of the bed 500A has not been completed (NO in step S18), the second movement control function 402 repeats the determination in step S18 until the movement of the bed 500A has been completed.

[0059] In step S19, the second movement control function 402 transmits a signal indicating the end of movement of the bed 500A to the antechamber 612 to the imaging control function 403.

[0060] In step S20, the imaging control function 403 receives a signal from the second movement control function 402 indicating completion of movement of the bed 500A to the front room 612. At this time, for example, by notifying the technician that the empty bed 500A has been moved to the front room 612, a new patient P4 is placed on the bed 500A and the RF coil 20 placed on the shelf 64 is attached to the patient P4, as shown in Fig. 11. Thereafter, a button (not shown) installed in the front room 612 for notifying completion of imaging preparation is pressed.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 8, while the second movement control function 402 is moving the bed 500A from the front 71 to the return room 62 in step S14 of FIG. 4, the first movement control function 401 may move a bed 500B, which is different from the bed 500A, from the antechamber 612 to the radiography room 7 in step S7 of FIG. 3. In FIG. 8, the post-path PR along which the bed 500A moves and the pre-path AR2 along which the bed 500B moves are arranged so as not to intersect. Note that the pre-path AR2 and the post-path PR may also be arranged so as to intersect. In this case, the first movement control function 401 and the second movement control function 402 control the timing at which the beds 500A and 500B pass through the intersection of the pre-path AR2 and the post-path PR so that the beds 500A and 500B do not come into contact with each other at the intersection. The bed 500A is an example of a first bed. The bed 500B is an example of the second bed.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 10, when the second movement control function 402 is moving the bed 500B from the front 71 to the return room 62 in step S14 of Fig. 4, the first movement control function 401 may move a bed 500C different from the bed 500B from the antechamber 611 to the front 71 in step S7 of Fig. 3. In Fig. 10, the post-path PR along which the bed 500B moves and the pre-path AR1 along which the bed 500C moves are arranged so as not to intersect. When the bed 500B has finished moving to the return room 62, the patient P2 is unloaded from the bed 500B. Then, as shown in Fig. 11, since the antechamber 611 is empty, the second movement control function 402 moves the empty bed 500B to the antechamber 611.

[0063] According to the first embodiment, while imaging of the previous patient P1 is in progress, it is not necessary to perform the imaging preparation process for the next patient P2 (from placing the patient on the tabletop 51 to allowing the start of imaging) in front of the gantry device 100. This prevents any magnetic material from being attracted to the gantry device 100, shortens the time required for imaging preparation for each patient P, and improves the efficiency of the examination.

[0064] Second Embodiment FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the bed 500 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the movement of the bed 500 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the first space corresponds to a plurality of antechambers 61. As shown in FIG. 13, after radiography by the gantry device 100, when the first movement control function 401 receives a signal indicating the end of radiography of the patient P0 from the radiography control function 403, the first movement control function 401 moves the bed 500A (prepared bed) that is in one of the antechambers 61 (antechamber 611) and is ready for radiography, to the front 71, which is the second space. After radiography by the gantry device 100, when the second movement control function 402 receives a signal indicating the end of radiography of the patient P0 from the radiography control function 403, the second movement control function 402 moves the bed 500C (radiography-completed bed) that is in the front 71 to an empty antechamber 611 among the antechambers 61. The preliminary route AR1 and the post-routes PR1 are different routes. The first movement control function 401 and the second movement control function 402 may control the movement of the beds 500A, 500C while avoiding collisions between the beds 500A, 500C by controlling the movement of the beds while successively acquiring position information of each of the beds 500A, 500C.

[0065] Third Embodiment 14 and 16 are diagrams showing the arrangement of the bed 500 according to the third embodiment. FIGS. 15 and 17 are diagrams showing the movement of the bed 500 according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the second space corresponds to a plurality of front faces 71A and 71B. As shown in FIG. 15, after radiography by the gantry device 101, when the first movement control function 401 receives a signal indicating the end of radiography of the patient PX (not shown) from the radiography control function 403, the first movement control function 401 moves the bed 500A (prepared bed) that is in the antechamber 611, which is the first space, and that has been prepared for radiography, from the antechamber 611 to an empty front face 71A among the plurality of front faces 71A and 71B, which are the second spaces. At this time, the bed 500A passes through the preliminary route AR11.

[0066] Thereafter, after radiography by the gantry device 102, when the first movement control function 401 receives a signal from the radiography control function 403 indicating that radiography of the patient PY (not shown) has been completed, it moves the bed 500B (prepared bed) that is in the antechamber 612, which is the first space, from the antechamber 612 to the front 71B, which is an empty space, of the fronts 71A and 71B, which are the multiple second spaces. At this time, the bed 500B passes through the preliminary route AR22.

[0067] 17, after radiography by the gantry device 101, when the second movement control function 402 receives a signal indicating that radiography of the patient P1 has been completed from the radiography control function 403, it moves the bed 500A (radiography-completed bed) located on either of the multiple front faces 71A and 71B to the third space, the return room 62. At this time, the bed 500A passes through the post-radiography route PR1.

[0068] After radiography by the gantry device 101, when the first movement control function 401 receives a signal indicating the end of radiography of the patient P1 from the radiography control function 403, it moves the bed 500A (prepared bed) that is in the front room 611, which is the first space, and that has been prepared for radiography, from the front room 611 to the vacant front 71A of the fronts 71A and 71B, which are the multiple second spaces. At this time, the bed 500A passes through the preliminary route AR11.

[0069] [Fourth embodiment] 18A and 18B are diagrams illustrating movement control of the bed 500 according to the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 18A, the first movement control function 401 moves the bed 500 from the antechamber 61, which is the first space, to the radiography room 7, which is the second space, along the preliminary route AR, which is the first route. After radiography by the gantry device 100, the second movement control function 402 receives a signal indicating the end of radiography of the patient P from the radiography control function 403, and then moves the bed 500 from the radiography room 7 along the post-route PR, which is the second route different from the first route. As described above, the bed 500A returns from the radiography room 7 along the post-route PR, which is different from the preliminary route AR, so that the next bed 500B can move to the radiography room 7 along the same preliminary route AR as the bed 500A.

[0070] In Fig. 18(B), the second movement control function 402 moves the bed 500 from the imaging room 7 along the post-imaging route PR to the return room 62, which is a third space different from the first space and the second space. After that, when the second movement control function 402 receives a signal indicating the end of imaging of the patient P from the imaging control function 403, it further moves the bed 500 from the return room 62 to the antechamber 61. The processing of the first movement control function 401 is the same as that described in Fig. 18(A).

[0071] In Fig. 18(C), the second movement control function 402 moves the bed 500 from the radiography room 7 to the front room 61 along the post-procedure route PR. The processing of the first movement control function 401 is the same as that described in Fig. 18(A).

[0072] The front room 61, which is the first space, and the photography room 7, which is the second space, may be on the same floor of the same building and adjacent to each other, or may be separated from each other. Also, the front room 61 and the photography room 7 may be on different floors of the same building, or may be in different buildings.

[0073] Fifth Embodiment FIG. 19 is a diagram showing movement control of the bed 500 according to the fifth embodiment.

[0074] 19(A), the first space corresponds to the multiple front chambers 611 and 612. The first path corresponds to the advance routes AR1 and AR2, the number of which is equal to or greater than the number (i.e., two) of the multiple front chambers 611 and 612. Note that the first space may correspond to one front chamber 61, and the first path may correspond to the multiple advance routes AR1 and AR2.

[0075] 19(B), the second space corresponds to one radiography room 7. The second route corresponds to a plurality of post-routes PR1 and PR2. Note that the second space may correspond to a plurality of radiography rooms 7, and the second route may be configured to correspond to a number of post-routes PR equal to or greater than the number of radiography rooms 7.

[0076] Sixth Embodiment In the above embodiment, the console 400 is provided in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 1, but the console 400 may remotely control the movement of a bed 500 having a tabletop 51 on which a patient P is placed while communicating with the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 1. The console 400 is an example of a control device. In other words, the console 400 may be provided in a system of a modality (medical image diagnostic apparatus), or may be remotely controlled from an external, independent location.

[0077] When the console 400 is an external control device, the first movement control function 401, upon receiving a signal from the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 1 indicating that preparations for imaging of the patient P are complete, moves the bed 500 from the antechamber 61 to the imaging room 7 by remote control. Furthermore, the second movement control function 402, upon receiving a signal from the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 1 indicating that imaging of the patient P is complete, moves the bed 500 from the imaging room 7 to the antechamber 61 by remote control.

[0078] It should be noted that medical image diagnostic devices include not only magnetic resonance imaging devices but also X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) devices, PET (Positron Emission Tomography) devices, and the like.

[0079] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, the efficiency of examination can be improved by performing preparations for imaging in a space other than in front of the gantry device.

[0080] The first movement control function 401 is an example of a first movement control unit, the second movement control function 402 is an example of a second movement control unit, and the photography control function 403 is an example of a photography control unit.

[0081] 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, substitutions, modifications, and combinations of embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1...Magnetic resonance imaging device 61, 611, 612... Front room 62...Return room 7, 7A, 7B...filming room 100, 101, 102... Mounting device 400...Console 401...First movement control function 402...Second movement control function 403...Shooting control function 500…Bed 51...Tabletop P, P0, P1, P2, P3, P4...Patient AR, AR1, AR2, AR11, AR22...Pre-route PR, PR1, PR2...Post-mortem pathway

Claims

1. A control device for controlling movement of a bed having a top plate on which a subject is placed, a first movement control unit that moves the bed from a first space where preparations for imaging the subject are made to a second space in front of the gantry device along a first path; a second movement control unit that moves the bed from the second space along a second path different from the first path after the imaging by the gantry device; A control device comprising:

2. the second movement control unit moves the bed from the second space to the first space along the second path; The control device according to claim 1 .

3. the second movement control unit moves the bed from the second space along the second path to a third space different from the first space and the second space, and then further moves the bed from the third space to the first space. The control device according to claim 1 .

4. When the first space corresponds to a plurality of first spaces, the first movement control unit moves a ready bed, which is a bed that has been prepared for the imaging and is located in any of the plurality of first spaces, to the second space after the imaging by the gantry device; the second movement control unit moves, after the imaging by the gantry device, an imaging-completed bed that is a bed in the second space from the second space to an empty first space among the plurality of first spaces. The control device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. When the second space corresponds to a plurality of second spaces, the first movement control unit moves, after the imaging by the gantry device, a ready bed that is in the first space and is ready for imaging, from the first space to an empty second space among the plurality of second spaces; the second movement control unit moves an imaging-completed bed, which is a bed on which imaging has been completed and is located in any of the plurality of second spaces, to the first space after imaging by the gantry device. The control device according to claim 2 or 3.

6. When the second movement control unit is moving the first bed from the second space, the first movement control unit moves a second bed different from the first bed from the first space to the second space. The control device according to claim 1 .

7. The first space corresponds to one first space, The first path corresponds to a plurality of first paths. The control device according to claim 1 .

8. the first space corresponds to a plurality of first spaces, The number of the first paths corresponds to a number of first paths equal to or greater than the number of the plurality of first spaces. The control device according to claim 2 or 3.

9. The second space corresponds to one second space, The second path corresponds to a plurality of second paths. The control device according to claim 1 .

10. the second space corresponds to a plurality of second spaces; The number of the second paths corresponds to a number equal to or greater than the number of the plurality of second spaces. The control device according to claim 1 .

11. A medical image diagnostic apparatus including a gantry device and an image generating device that controls the gantry device to perform imaging of a subject and generate a medical image, a first movement control unit that moves a bed from a first space where preparations for imaging the subject are made to a second space in front of the gantry device along a first path; an imaging control unit that controls the gantry device to perform imaging of the subject when the bed moves to the second space; a second movement control unit that moves the bed from the second space along a second path different from the first path after the imaging by the gantry device; A medical image diagnostic device comprising:

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