Magnetic resonance imaging device and display method for presenting scan information and body motion information to user

Abstract

To present a relation between scans and body motion in an easily understandable manner to a user, for scan tasks for imaging a plurality of cross-sectional images related to mutual imaging positions.SOLUTION: A magnetic resonance imaging device, when performing imaging including scan tasks of a plurality of cross sections, associates a progress of a scan with body motion information including a magnitude and occurrence time of the body motion collected by a body motion processing unit, and displays the body motion information in association with the progress of the scan in at least one display area on a display screen of a display device that has a display area set to display at least one of a plurality of scan tasks, images obtained by each scan, and the body motion information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging diagnostic apparatus such as a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an MRI apparatus), and more particularly to a user interface (UI) technology for presenting information on ongoing scans and information on the body movements of a subject occurring during the scan. [Background technology]

[0002] In imaging using diagnostic imaging devices such as MRI systems, subject movement during imaging can significantly degrade image quality, making motion processing an important issue. For this reason, a technology known as motion correction technology is widely used, which monitors the subject's motion during imaging and uses the motion information obtained to correct the images obtained. Motion monitoring involves installing a surveillance camera or an optical detector, such as an infrared detector, near the diagnostic imaging device or within the imaging space. Images or signals obtained from these devices are used to detect changes in the subject's position over time, which the diagnostic imaging device then incorporates as motion information. The data acquired during imaging can then be corrected or discarded and remeasured, resulting in images with the effects of motion suppressed.

[0003] However, because the correction of measurement data using the above-mentioned body motion information, i.e., body motion correction, is performed as an internal process of the imaging diagnostic device, doctors and technicians (hereinafter collectively referred to as users) involved in the imaging cannot know in real time at what point during imaging body motion that significantly affects image quality has occurred. To address this problem, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses displaying a marker indicating the presence of subject motion exceeding a predetermined threshold on a list of scans (pulse sequences) included in a protocol or on a scanned image. Patent Document 2 also discloses a monitoring device that tracks the subject's motion during a scan, and describes displaying a graph of the subject's displacement along with the image obtained by the scan, and displaying indicators on the graph to indicate the start and end of the scan (e.g., claim 6, Figure 2, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-198958 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2017 / 102860 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventional body movement display methods link scan information and body movement information for display, making it possible to grasp which scans have body movement, but for example, the technology described in Patent Document 1 only indicates whether or not body movement of a predetermined threshold or greater has occurred, making it impossible to grasp whether a body movement is influential for multiple scans that are related to each other. The technology described in Patent Document 2 also displays body movement in a graph, making it possible to grasp the magnitude of body movement during a scan, but similar problems exist.

[0006] In addition, MRI typically acquires multiple cross-sectional images of the same imaging area, such as axial (axial), sagittal (sagittal), and coronal (cortical) views, and diagnosis is performed by referencing these images. In such cases, if body motion occurs during scanning of any of the cross sections, artifacts and misalignment may occur, potentially hindering diagnosis. This problem also applies when acquiring multiple cross-sectional images to determine the position of the actual imaging cross section or to adjust the scan parameters (e.g., field of view, number of slices) for the actual imaging. For example, when determining the position of another cross section based on one cross-sectional image, if body motion occurs during acquisition of the original cross-sectional image, the next cross section determined based on the cross-sectional image that experienced the body motion may be misaligned, potentially preventing the next cross section from being properly identified. As described above, conventional technology only proposes linking and displaying information about body movement for each independent scan, but does not provide a display that allows the user to see at a glance which images, when they are related to each other, have body movement.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a means for presenting the relationship between scans and body movements in a form that is easy for the user to understand, for a scan task in which a plurality of cross-sectional images that are related to each other in imaging positions are acquired. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, when executing consecutive scan tasks that capture multiple cross sections, the present invention links the progress of each scan task (time element) with the body movement information (time element and spatial element) acquired during that time, and presents the linked information in real time in relation to the progress of the scan tasks, thereby enabling the user to quickly determine the appropriateness of the consecutive scan tasks and take action based on that determination.

[0009] That is, the MRI apparatus of the present invention comprises a processor including an imaging unit that executes multiple scan tasks, each of which involves imaging different cross sections, and that collects nuclear magnetic resonance signals generated from the subject for each scan, an image generation unit that generates an image for each scan using the nuclear magnetic resonance signals, a body motion processing unit that collects and processes body motion information related to the body motion of the subject, and a display control unit that displays the images and body motion information on a display device. The processor associates the progress of the scan with the body motion information collected by the body motion processing unit, which includes the magnitude and occurrence time of the body motion, and the display control unit sets a display area on the display device to display at least one of the multiple scan tasks, the images obtained in each scan, and the body motion information, and causes the body motion information to be displayed in association with the progress of the scan in the at least one display area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, when a plurality of scan tasks are executed consecutively, the progress of each scan and the subject's body movement during that time can be provided to a user in a form that can be easily understood at a glance. This allows the user to grasp body movements occurring during the execution of a plurality of scans at a glance. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent inappropriate determination of imaging positions and scan parameter settings, and to perform actual imaging based on appropriately set imaging positions and scan parameters. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] Diagram showing the overall outline of an MRI device [Figure 2] FIG. 1 shows an example of the arrangement of a body movement detection means in an MRI apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 shows an example of body movement information [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of the operation of an MRI device. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a display area on a display screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of displaying body movement information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 shows examples of marks representing body movement information. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of displaying body movement information in the scan information display area. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of displaying body movement information according to the second embodiment, where (A) shows a case where there is one type of body movement information, and (B) shows a case where there are two types of body movement information. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a display example of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display means according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of display screens in the third embodiment, showing display examples when there is no problematic body movement and when there is body movement. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] First, an overview of an MRI apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, an MRI apparatus is broadly composed of an imaging unit 10 and a processor 20 that performs various controls and calculations. The main elements that make up the imaging unit 10 are housed in a gantry that provides the examination space. As shown in Fig. 2, the gantry 100 is installed in an examination room that is shielded from electromagnetic waves, and the processor 20 and a console 200 that acts as a user interface are installed in an operation room separate from the examination room.

[0013] The imaging unit 10 generates nuclear magnetic resonance in the nuclei (usually protons) of atoms constituting the tissue of the subject, and collects nuclear magnetic resonance signals (NMR signals) generated from the subject. Hereinafter, nuclear magnetic resonance signals are also simply referred to as signals or echo signals.

[0014] The imaging unit 10 has a configuration similar to that of a known MRI apparatus, and includes a static magnetic field magnet 101 that generates a uniform magnetic field (static magnetic field) in an examination space in which a subject 50 is placed, a gradient magnetic field coil 102 that applies a gradient magnetic field to the static magnetic field, an RF transmission coil 103 that applies a radio frequency magnetic field that excites the nuclei of atoms that constitute the subject's tissue, and an RF reception coil 104 that receives an NMR signal generated by the subject. The gradient magnetic field coil 102, the RF transmission coil 103, and the RF reception coil 104 are connected to a gradient magnetic field power supply 105, a transmitter 106, and a receiver 107, respectively. The operations of the gradient magnetic field power supply 105, the transmitter 106, and the receiver 107 are controlled by a sequencer 108. The sequencer 108 determines a pulse sequence for each scan using a set pulse sequence type and imaging conditions such as imaging parameters, and controls each component of the imaging unit 10 to operate in accordance with the determined pulse sequence and collect echo signals (k-space data) required for image reconstruction. The functions and operations of each unit when the imaging unit 10 acquires k-space data are the same as those of a general MRI apparatus, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0015] The static magnetic field magnet 101, gradient magnetic field coil 102, and RF transmitting coil 103 are housed in the gantry, and the subject 50 has an RF receiving coil 104 attached to the area to be examined and is positioned in the examination space within the gantry while lying on a bed device 40.

[0016] The processor 20 controls imaging via the sequencer 108 and also functions as a control unit that controls the operation of the entire apparatus, and functions as a calculation unit that reconstructs an image of the subject using echo signals collected by the imaging unit 10 and performs calculations such as correction on k-space data before reconstruction or on the reconstructed image. In addition to the functions of the control unit and calculation unit described above, the processor 20 of this embodiment has a function of collecting and processing body movement information occurring in the subject 50 during an examination, such as the magnitude and duration of the body movement, and presenting the body movement information to the user by linking it to the scan (imaging) in progress.

[0017] To realize the above functions, the processor 20 includes an imaging control unit 210 that controls imaging via the sequencer 108, an image generation unit 220 that reconstructs an image of the subject using the k-space data collected by the imaging unit 10, a body movement processing unit 230 that collects body movement information from a means for detecting body movement occurring in the subject 50 during the examination and performs various processes related to the body movement, and a display control unit 250 that controls a display device or the like to present images and body movement information to the user.

[0018] If the MRI apparatus is equipped with a surveillance camera or other optical detection means for detecting the subject's movements, the body movement processing unit 230 inputs the subject's movements acquired by these detection means and collects body movement information such as the location where the body movement is occurring, the magnitude of the body movement, the change in displacement over time, and the duration of the movement. This allows for obtaining information about the body movement, such as that shown in FIG. 3. It should be noted that a known method for obtaining body movement information from surveillance camera footage involves analyzing each frame of the footage using optical flow or the like to obtain displacements and motion vectors of characteristic points of the subject or the coil attached to the subject included in the footage. This well-known method is also used in this embodiment to collect body movement information.

[0019] Additionally, separate from an external body motion detection device such as the monitoring camera 80, the imaging unit 10 can collect navigator data that detects the displacement of the subject, and use the navigator data to collect body motion information. The navigator is a set of NMR signals (navigator echoes) generated from the subject, separate from the signals used to generate an image of the subject. The body motion processing unit 230 analyzes the time-series changes in the navigator echoes to collect body motion information of the subject. Pulse sequences that generate navigator echoes and methods for collecting body motion information using navigator echoes are well known (e.g., JP 2021-183031 A, etc.), and well-known methods can also be employed in this embodiment. While a detailed description is omitted, for example, a method can be employed in which a region including the diaphragm is selectively excited, and the displacement of the diaphragm is obtained from an image reconstructed from navigator data collected from that region, thereby obtaining periodic motion.

[0020] The display control unit 250 associates the body movement information collected by the body movement processing unit 230 with the progress of the scan and displays it on the display device. If the display screen is divided into multiple display areas depending on the display items, the display control unit 250 displays the information in one of these areas.

[0021] The functions of the imaging control unit 210 and the image generation unit 220 are similar to those of imaging control and image generation in a general MRI apparatus, but when body motion information is acquired from navigator data as described above, the imaging control unit 210 adds a sequence for acquiring navigator echoes to control the imaging unit 10. Depending on the body motion information collected by the body motion processing unit 230, the imaging control unit 210 may control the imaging unit 10 to perform remeasurement, or may perform processing such as body motion correction on the k-space data collected by the image generation unit 220 or the image reconstructed from it.

[0022] The functions of the processor 20 described above can be realized by one or more computers equipped with a CPU and memory. However, some of the functions realized by the processor 20 may be realized by a programmable IC such as an ASIC or FPGA.

[0023] The MRI apparatus is further connected to, as auxiliary devices, a display device 30 for displaying images generated by the image generation unit 220, body movement information collected or processed by the body movement processing unit 230, and a GUI for the user to set conditions and input commands to the apparatus, as well as other output devices (not shown), and a storage device (external storage device 60, etc.) for storing images, body movement information, etc. The display device 30 can be installed in one or more locations, such as a console 200 for the user to operate the apparatus or in front of the gantry 100. In the example shown in FIG. 2, display devices 30 are installed in two or more locations, on the gantry side and the console side, so that images and body movement information can be checked from both the examination room and the operation room.

[0024] The MRI apparatus also has monitoring cameras 80 installed at one or more locations near the gantry to monitor the subject 50. Images from the monitoring cameras 80 are sent to a body motion processor 230. As described above, the body motion processor 230 collects body motion information by analyzing the images for each frame. In the example shown in Figure 2, two monitoring cameras 80 are installed at both ends of the gantry so as to look into the examination room, enabling comprehensive detection of the subject's movements within the examination room.

[0025] The operation of the MRI apparatus having the above-mentioned configuration will be described below, with the flow of operation shown in FIG. First, under the control of the imaging control unit 210, imaging is started in accordance with a preset examination protocol (S1).

[0026] Typically, an MRI examination is performed according to an examination protocol that predetermines the type of imaging (scan task) to be performed by the imaging unit 10, the imaging conditions for each scan, the order in which the scans are performed, etc. The scan tasks included in the protocol vary depending on the imaging site and the imaging purpose, but may include, for example, scanogram imaging (multiple cross-sectional imaging) for determining the imaging position, actual imaging of one or more cross-sections, such as T1-weighted imaging, FLAIR (especially in the case of imaging of the brain), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), T2*-weighted imaging, or other imaging.

[0027] The examination protocol may be set in advance as a default depending on the purpose of the examination, or may be set or changed by the user via the display control unit 250. For example, a list of scan tasks included in the examination protocol set on the display device 30 and their respective imaging conditions may be displayed, and changes made by the user may be accepted.

[0028] When the processor 20 reads an examination protocol consisting of a plurality of scan tasks designated by the user, the imaging control unit 210 starts imaging in accordance with the examination protocol.

[0029] When the examination starts according to the set examination protocol, the display control unit 250 acquires time information on the progress of the scan from the imaging control unit 210, and displays the progress status of each scan included in the examination protocol on the display device 30 (S2). For example, in a display area displaying a list of scan tasks, the scan task being executed may be displayed in an identifiable manner, for example, by changing the brightness or display color, and the progress status of the scan task may be indicated by time.

[0030] 5 shows an example of a display screen. In this example, display screen 500 is provided with a scan information display area (first area) 510 showing a list of scan tasks and their progress, an area (second area) 520 showing images obtained by the scan, an area 530 showing scan parameters (imaging parameters), and an area 540 showing a GUI such as buttons for inputting user commands such as starting and ending imaging. In first area 510, other displays can be provided to make it possible to identify scan tasks included in the protocol and scans currently in progress, for example, by displaying the currently in progress scan in the list of scan tasks in a different color or brightness from other scans, or by indicating it with a frame or arrow.

[0031] As each scan progresses, when data (k-space data) that can be used to reconstruct an image is collected in each scan, the image generation unit 220 reconstructs an image using the k-space data (S3). The display control unit 250 displays the reconstructed image in the image display area 520 of the display device 30.

[0032] Meanwhile, the body movement processor 230 collects body movement information from the detection information from the monitoring camera 80 or the navigator data (S4). The primary body movement information obtained by the body movement processor 230 from the body movement detection means is the displacement of a specific position, such as the subject's examination site, along the time axis, as shown in FIG. 3. The body movement processor 230 processes this primary information, compares it with a preset displacement threshold, and determines whether or not a body movement that affects imaging has occurred (S5), obtaining the time and duration of the body movement that affects imaging as secondary information. When body movement information for multiple locations (multiple feature points) is acquired using video from the monitoring camera 80, information on the location of the body movement may be included. Furthermore, by using the body movement information collected from the navigator data and the body movement information collected from the camera video, or by setting two or more thresholds for the displacement range, it is possible to distinguish between movements with relatively small fluctuations, such as breathing, and other sudden body movements. The body movement processor 230 passes at least one of the acquired primary information and the secondary information obtained by analyzing it to the display controller 250.

[0033] The display control unit 250 associates the time information included in the body movement information with the time information of the scan progress, and displays the information in at least one of the image display area 520 and the scan information display area 510 of the display device 30 so that the relationship between the scan and the body movement can be understood (S6, S7). The body movement information associated with the scan progress can be displayed in the following manner: (A) displaying the time of body movement occurrence and the magnitude of body movement as text information; (B) displaying a graph of the displacement of body movement; (C) displaying a mark indicating the occurrence of body movement; or a combination of these. Specific display modes will be described in the embodiments below.

[0034] The image generating unit 220 performs necessary motion correction based on the relationship between the motion scan and the motion, or the imaging control unit 210 controls to perform remeasurement for scans that are significantly affected by motion (S8).

[0035] According to the MRI apparatus of this embodiment, when multiple scans are performed consecutively, the progress of each scan is linked to the body motion during the scan and is presented to the user in an easy-to-understand manner, allowing the user to take appropriate measures to eliminate the effects of the body motion. Furthermore, in the case of scanogram imaging in which multiple slices are sequentially imaged, the influence of body motion occurring during the scan of one slice on the position determination of the next slice or on the imaging of that slice by a different scan can be reduced, thereby preventing positional deviation of the scans performed on each slice.

[0036] A specific manner in which the display control unit 250 associates and presents the body movement and the scan progress will be described below.

[0037] <Embodiment 1> In this embodiment, the scan capturing multiple cross sections is the actual scan. For example, the description will be given of a case where three cross sections, AX, SAG, and COR, are captured using the same scan type. However, the scans may be different cross sections, or the number of cross sections may be fewer. Positioning scans may also be performed instead of actual scans. Furthermore, in this embodiment, while the positioning scans of these three different cross sections are in progress, the body motion processor 230 collects body motion information in real time and displays it in the image display area that displays the images obtained from each scan. It should be noted that, as an example, the body motion processor 230 collects body motion information using images from the monitoring camera 80.

[0038] An example of a display screen of this embodiment is shown in Fig. 6. In this embodiment, the display screen of the display device 30 is also provided with a scan information display area 510, an image display area 520, and a scan parameter display area 530, similar to Fig. 5.

[0039] 6, this example shows a case where a body movement affecting an image is detected during SAG imaging, and a mark 550A indicating the occurrence of body movement is shown in the image display area 520 that displays the image obtained by SAG imaging. The mark 550A has a shape that resembles the imaging region, in this case a part of the human body including the head, and for example, a different mark for each examination region can be stored in advance in the memory or storage device within the processor 20 and can be read and displayed by the display control unit 250.

[0040] When the body movement processing unit 230 acquires information that body movement has occurred near the imaging site as body movement information, it displays a mark 550A in the background portion of the image display area that displays the image obtained from the scan being performed at the time the body movement occurred, which does not overlap with the image of the subject, and notifies the user that the image obtained from the scan has been affected by body movement, for example, that there is a high possibility that a positional shift has occurred as a result.

[0041] The mark indicating the occurrence of body movement may be changed depending on the magnitude of the body movement. For example, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 7, line-shaped marks 551 whose number increases depending on the magnitude of the body movement may be added to the outside of a mark 550 that resembles a human body. FIG. 6 shows a state in which these marks 551 are displayed. This allows the user to estimate the magnitude of the effect of the body movement on the image and take appropriate measures. For example, if the body movement is large, remeasurement is performed and the imaging cross section is determined using an image obtained when there is no body movement.

[0042] 7, a linear mark 552 may be added to the area of ​​the mark 550 indicating the occurrence of body movement where the body movement is occurring, so that the area where the movement is occurring can be identified. For example, when the area to be imaged is the brain, even small movements of the head have a large effect on the image, but movements of the arms or fingers have a small effect on the image, so the user can determine whether or not the image obtained from a scan in which body movement occurred can be used as is to determine the imaging cross section, depending on the area where body movement is occurring.

[0043] Instead of or in addition to the marks, more detailed body movement information, such as the time of body movement occurrence, duration, magnitude of body movement (classified into "large," "medium," "small," etc. based on a threshold), and the location of the body movement, may be displayed in text 560 in the background of the image display area. While only text may be displayed, using it in combination with marks allows the user to grasp the occurrence of body movement at a glance and respond quickly.

[0044] Furthermore, a mark 550B similar to the mark 550A displayed in the image display area may be displayed for the corresponding scan displayed in the scan information display area 510. FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of only the scan information display area 510. In this example, a column showing the scan time of the scan list and a column showing body motion information are provided, and mark 550B is displayed for the scan in which body motion was detected. By displaying this in the scan information display area, the occurrence of body motion can be notified even before the reconstructed image is displayed, i.e., even during k-space data acquisition, allowing the user to respond more quickly.

[0045] According to this embodiment, when imaging multiple slices, body movement information linked to the progress of the scans of different slices can be provided to the user in real time. This allows the user to grasp information about which slices are experiencing body movement during imaging. Furthermore, when imaging multiple slices is positioning imaging, diagnosis using these images can be performed more quickly, reducing the possibility of an inappropriate diagnosis and the need for reimaging.

[0046] The display screen may also have an area 570 for displaying the body movement information obtained as primary information, and this area may also display the body movement information in association with the progress of the scan. This display format will be described in the following embodiment.

[0047] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by attaching body movement information to the display area of ​​the image, it is possible to grasp at a glance whether body movement has occurred in the currently acquired image without referring to other display information, etc., and the user can respond quickly. In particular, by indicating the presence or absence of body movement and its magnitude (degree) with a mark, the occurrence of body movement can be grasped intuitively and easily. While the present embodiment has been described above using an example in which three cross sections are captured in one scan, it is common for the multiple scans included in the actual imaging to capture the same or multiple cross sections, and for each cross-sectional image to be referenced for diagnosis. In such cases, if body movement occurs in any of the reference images, the image may not be usable as reference information, or even if it is used, the accuracy may be reduced. This embodiment can also be applied to scans that require a relationship between the images, thereby making it possible to identify images with low reliability and suppressing a decrease in diagnostic accuracy.

[0048] <Embodiment 2> (Example of display on body movement graph) In this embodiment, the progress of a scan linked to the body movement information is displayed on a graph showing the body movement information.

[0049] The display device that displays the graph showing the body movement information is not particularly limited, but generally, in an MRI examination or the like, a dedicated display device may be provided to display vital information such as an electrocardiogram waveform, pulse rate, and respiratory rate of the subject during the examination. The body movement information graph that is the subject of this embodiment can be displayed on such a dedicated display device, but it may also be displayed together with scan information and images on at least one of the console 200 of the MRI apparatus or the display device 30 installed on the outer surface of the gantry. For example, the body movement information graph is displayed in a display area 570 enclosed by a dotted line in FIG. 6.

[0050] 9(A) and (B) show examples of body movement graphs that associate body movement information with scan progress. In Fig. 9, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the magnitude of displacement.

[0051] In FIG. 9, for example, graph 580 displays the displacement of one or more predetermined positions (feature points) obtained by analyzing video from surveillance camera 80. (A) shows the displacement of one position, and (B) shows graphs 580-1 and 580-2 of the displacement of two positions. Note that instead of or in addition to displaying the graphs of the displacement of two positions, body movement information obtained by different detection means may be displayed. For example, body movement information obtained from surveillance camera 80 and body movement information acquired by navigator echo may be included in a single display. By displaying information from the surveillance camera and information from the navigator echo together, it is possible to distinguish and grasp, for example, periodic movements detected by navigator echo and sudden movements obtained from the surveillance camera. If a dedicated display device is used to monitor body movement and the progress of the scan, it is possible to display body movement information from multiple positions and multiple detection means.

[0052] In this embodiment, time information on the progress of the scan received from the imaging control unit 210 is displayed superimposed on the graph 580 of the body movement information.

[0053] In the example shown in FIG. 9, when a scan begins, a band 590 corresponding to the scan is displayed overlaid on the graph with a predetermined transparency. Each scan and its associated body motion information can be enlarged, as shown in FIG. 10, allowing detailed body motion information to be confirmed, such as the point in the scan where body motion affecting the scan occurs. When displaying scan progress using a band, the width of the band 590 may be configured to extend as each scan progresses and to end when the scan is completed. When the next scan begins, the band is displayed in the same way from the start point, and the band width continues to extend until the scan is completed. The color or brightness of the band may be different for completed scans and scans in progress.

[0054] By checking the graph, the user can immediately understand whether or not body movement is occurring during the scan currently in progress.

[0055] According to this embodiment, by displaying the progress of the scan superimposed on body movement information obtained from a surveillance camera that monitors the body movement of the subject or from navigator data, it becomes easy to understand which scan caused the body movement and at what point in the scan the body movement occurred. Furthermore, this embodiment displays multiple pieces of body movement information, such as body movement information from different body parts or body movement information obtained from different body movement detection means, in a single display area, making it easy to understand whether any body movement that is problematic for the examination part is occurring.

[0056] <Embodiment 3> (Presentation to Subject) The present embodiment is characterized in that it is configured so that the subject under examination can check the display contents that link the body movement information and the scan progress. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, a display unit 31 may be installed in the examination space inside the gantry at a position where the subject 50 can see the progress of the scan and his / her body movements during the examination.

[0057] 11, an optical image display means 32 such as a projector is installed at the end of the bed device 40 located outside the gantry 100, and an image is projected from this image display means onto the ceiling surface (display unit 31) of the gantry 100. Alternatively, an image projected by a projector from outside the gantry may be reflected by a mirror and projected onto a reflector placed near the head of the subject.

[0058] FIG. 12 shows an example of a display displayed on the display unit 31. This example is a display example when, as shown in FIG. 2, monitoring cameras 80 are provided at both ends of the opening of the gantry 100, and displays vital information 811, such as heart rate information and respiration information, scan information 812, and body movement information 813, along with images 801 and 802 from the two monitoring cameras 80. This display is realized by the display control unit 250 receiving vital information, such as an electrocardiograph or a balloon that detects respiratory movement, directly from the electrocardiograph or via the body movement processing unit 230, and by the body movement processing unit 230 controlling the display device (here, the image display means 32) to display this information together with the images 801 and 802 acquired from the monitoring cameras. The diagram (B) on the right side of FIG. 12 shows a state where there is no significant body movement. However, if the subject moves, text information "PATIENT MOVING" 814 notifying that there has been body movement is displayed along with a mark 815 indicating body movement (a mark indicating body movement outside a mark resembling a human body).

[0059] From this display, the subject 50 undergoing the examination can check his / her own condition, including any bodily movements during the examination, which enables him / her to actively participate in the examination, such as by suppressing bodily movements, or to promptly inform the examiner of any abnormalities during the examination.

[0060] By adopting the display modes of the first and second embodiments described above, the display device 30 can also display substantially the same content as that displayed to the subject 50, so that the technician or doctor can check it.

[0061] According to this embodiment, the progress of the scan and body movement information can be presented in association with each other in a manner that is visible to the subject 50, which motivates the subject 50 to actively cooperate with the examination and also reduces the subject's anxiety.

[0062] As described above, according to the present invention, the interface between the MRI apparatus and users, including technicians, doctors, subjects, etc., is improved, allowing each user to proceed with the examination while checking the status of the examination, including the subject's body movements, thereby improving the quality of the examination.

[0063] Furthermore, according to the present invention, particularly when imaging multiple cross sections that are related to each other, it is possible to grasp in real time which cross section and when problematic body movement occurred in the scan, and to minimize the influence of the results of a scan in which body movement occurred on scans of other cross sections, thereby reducing the need to rescan and the number of scans that need to be rescanned, and as a result, eliminating unnecessary extensions of examination time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10: Imaging unit, 20: Processor, 30: Display device, 40: Bed device, 70: External storage device, 80: Surveillance camera, 100: Gantry, 200: Console, 210: Imaging control unit, 220: Image generation unit, 230: Body movement processing unit, 250: Display control unit.

Claims

1. an imaging unit that executes a plurality of scan tasks including imaging of different cross sections and collects nuclear magnetic resonance signals generated from the subject for each scan; a processor including an image generating unit that generates an image of each scan using a nuclear magnetic resonance signal, a body movement processing unit that collects and processes body movement information related to the body movement of the subject, and a display control unit that displays the image and the body movement information on a display device; the processor associates the progress of the scan with body movement information collected by the body movement processing unit, the body movement information including the magnitude and occurrence time of the body movement; The display control unit sets a display area on the display device to display at least one of the plurality of scan tasks, the images obtained from each scan, and body movement information, and displays the body movement information in association with the progress of the scan in the at least one display area.

2. 2. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, the plurality of scan tasks include a plurality of scans each imaging a different cross section of a subject; The magnetic resonance imaging device is characterized in that, when body movement occurs during execution of the multiple scans, the display control unit adds display information to the display area of ​​images of different cross sections acquired sequentially in the scans, indicating that the scan is of a cross section in which body movement occurred.

3. 3. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 2, The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is characterized in that the different sections include at least two sections of an AX section, a COR section, and a SAG section.

4. 4. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

10. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, wherein the plurality of scan tasks include a plurality of positioning scans for imaging different cross sections of a subject, respectively.

5. 2. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, The display of the body movement information associated with the progress of the scan is text information describing the body movement information, The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is characterized in that the display control unit causes the text information to be displayed in the at least one display area.

6. 2. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, The display of the body movement information associated with the progress of the scan is an icon image indicating the body movement, The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is characterized in that the display control unit changes the form of the icon image depending on the magnitude of body movement.

7. 2. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, the display control unit displays the body movement information as a graph in a display area displaying the body movement information, with the vertical axis representing the magnitude of the body movement and the horizontal axis representing time, and displays the range in which each scan is progressing superimposed on the graph.

8. 8. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 7, The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is characterized in that the display control unit displays an enlarged range of the graph in which the plurality of scan tasks are progressing.

9. 2. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, the display devices include a first display device and a second display device located at different positions; The display control unit causes the first display device to display images and scan information, causes the second display device to display body movement information, and causes the first display device to display an image or scan information display area and the second display device to display body movement information associated with the progress of the scan, respectively.

10. 10. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 9, The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is characterized in that the second display device is arranged in an examination space in which the subject is placed and is visible from the subject.

11. 10. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, the body movement information includes a plurality of pieces of body movement information that differ in any of the type of body movement, the location where the body movement occurs, or the means for acquiring the body movement information; The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is characterized in that the display control unit displays a plurality of pieces of body movement information in parallel or in superimposed fashion.

12. 12. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 11, A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus characterized in that the plurality of pieces of body movement information include body movement information acquired from a body movement detection device provided in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and body movement information acquired from navigator echoes collected by the imaging unit.

13. 12. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 11, 10. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, wherein the plurality of pieces of body movement information include periodic movements of the subject and irregular body movements of the subject.

14. 1. A method for presenting scan information and body motion information to a user during magnetic resonance imaging including multiple scan tasks, comprising: displaying, on a display device, a screen including a first display area for displaying the plurality of scan tasks and a second display area for displaying images acquired by imaging of each scan task; a display method for displaying the scan progress in association with the body movement information of the subject that occurs during the scan, in at least one of the first display area and the second display area, by linking each scan task with the body movement of the subject that occurs during the scan.

15. 15. The display method according to claim 14, the plurality of scan tasks include a plurality of positioning scans imaging different cross sections of a subject; a display method characterized in that, when body movement occurs during execution of the plurality of positioning scans, display information indicating that the scan is of a cross section in which body movement occurred is added to the first display area or the second display area.

16. 15. The display method according to claim 14, the body movement information includes a plurality of pieces of body movement information that differ in any of the type of body movement, the location where the body movement occurs, or the means for acquiring the body movement information; A display method characterized by displaying the plurality of pieces of body movement information in parallel or superimposed fashion.

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