Magnetic resonance imaging device and air-conditioning in bore control method

Abstract

To mitigate a discomfort of a subject during testing by an MRI device.SOLUTION: A magnetic resonance imaging device according to one embodiment includes an air-conditioning part, a monitoring part, an estimation part, and an air-conditioning control part. The air-conditioning part conditions the air in a bore of a rack device. The monitoring part observes a subject arranged in the bore. The estimation part estimates feeling information which is the information related to a feeling of the subject based on the monitoring information obtained by the monitoring part. The air-conditioning control part controls the air-conditioning part depending on the feeling information estimated by the estimation part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in the present specification and drawings relate to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus and an in-bore air conditioning control method. [Background technology]

[0002] An MRI device is an imaging device that excites the nuclear spins of a subject placed in a static magnetic field with radio frequency (RF) pulses at the Larmor frequency, performs a scan to collect magnetic resonance (MR) signals generated from the subject as a result of the excitation, and generates MR images based on the MR signals collected by the scan.

[0003] Examinations using an MRI system are performed by placing the subject in an imaging space (sometimes called a "bore") provided in a gantry. The heat source within the MRI system and the RF pulses irradiated to the subject can increase the temperature within the bore and the subject's body temperature, potentially causing discomfort to the subject. Furthermore, if the subject moves due to discomfort, the quality of the generated MR images may deteriorate. Therefore, a known method is to adjust the thermal environment within the bore using an air conditioning unit (e.g., a fan). The thermal environment refers to the environmental conditions that affect the subject's temperature-related sensations, such as hot or cold.

[0004] The thermal environment may be adjusted based on the predicted mean vote (PMV), an index of the thermal environment, or the temperature inside the bore measured by multiple temperature sensors.The thermal environment may also be adjusted by feedback control based on the temperature inside the bore or feedforward control based on the temperature estimated from the imaging conditions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-82331 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-5759 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-16077 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] One of the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is to reduce the discomfort felt by a subject during an examination using an MRI apparatus. 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 the configurations shown in the embodiments described below can also be positioned as other problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to one embodiment includes an air conditioning unit, a monitoring unit, an estimation unit, and an air conditioning control unit. The air conditioning unit conditions the air inside the bore of the gantry device. The monitoring unit observes a subject placed inside the bore. The estimation unit estimates emotion information, which is information relating to the subject's emotions, based on monitoring information acquired by the monitoring unit. The air conditioning control unit controls the air conditioning unit in accordance with the emotion information estimated by the estimation unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an MRI apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of air conditioning control within the bore of the MRI apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the MRI apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of air conditioning control within the bore of an MRI apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5]10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the MRI apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of air conditioning control within the bore of an MRI apparatus according to the third embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the MRI apparatus according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and an in-bore air-conditioning control method will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0010] (Overall configuration of MRI device) 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an MRI apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. The MRI apparatus 1 includes a gantry 100, a control cabinet 300, a console 400, and a bed 500. In the gantry 100 and the bed 500, the left-right direction of a subject (e.g., subject P) placed thereon is defined as the X-axis direction, the front-back direction (thickness direction) is defined as the Y-axis direction, and the head-to-foot direction is defined as the Z-axis direction.

[0011] The gantry 100 includes a static magnetic field magnet 10, a gradient magnetic field coil 11, a whole body (WB) coil 12, an air conditioning unit 14 (shown in FIG. 2), and a monitoring unit 15 (shown in FIG. 2). These components are housed in a cylindrical housing.

[0012] 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 subject P is carried. The bore refers to the examination space inside the cylinder of the static magnetic field magnet 10. The static magnetic field magnet 10 incorporates a superconducting coil, which is cooled to an extremely low temperature by liquid helium. 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 in the excitation mode. Thereafter, when the static magnetic field magnet 10 transitions to the persistent current mode, the static magnetic field power supply is disconnected. Once the static magnetic field magnet 10 transitions to the persistent current mode, it continues to generate a strong static magnetic field for a long period of time, for example, for more than one year. The static magnetic field magnet 10 may also be configured as a permanent magnet.

[0013] The gradient magnetic field coil 11 has a roughly cylindrical shape and is fixed inside the static magnetic field magnet 10. The gradient magnetic field coil 11 generates a gradient magnetic field when supplied with current from a gradient magnetic field power supply 31. Specifically, the gradient magnetic field coil 11 has three coils corresponding to the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis that are orthogonal to each other. The three coils of the gradient magnetic field coil 11 generate a gradient magnetic field whose magnetic field strength changes along each of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis.

[0014] The WB coil 12 has a roughly cylindrical shape and is fixed inside the gradient magnetic field coil 11 so as to surround the subject P. The WB coil 12 transmits RF pulses from the RF transmitter 32 to the subject P and receives MR signals emitted from the subject P due to excitation of hydrogen nuclei.

[0015] The MRI apparatus 1 may have a local coil 20 in addition to the WB coil 12. The local coil 20 is an RF coil disposed close to the subject P and receives MR signals emitted from the subject P at a position close to the subject P. The local coil 20 may transmit RF pulses transmitted from an RF transmitter 32 to the subject P. The local coil 20 is composed of, for example, multiple element coils. There are various types of local coils 20 depending on the imaging region of the subject, such as for the head, chest, spine, lower limbs, and whole body. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a local coil 20 for the chest.

[0016] The air conditioning unit 14 performs air conditioning (adjusting at least one of temperature, humidity, air volume, and air direction) within the bore under the control of the console 400. Specific air conditioning methods will be described later. The monitoring unit 15 observes the subject P placed within the bore under the control of the console 400. While FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which the monitoring unit 15 is a non-contact monitoring device 15A, as will be described later, the present invention is not limited to this case.

[0017] The control cabinet 300 has a gradient magnetic field power supply 31, an RF transmitter 32, an RF receiver 33, and a sequence controller 34. Under the control of the sequence controller 34, the gradient magnetic field power supply 31 supplies current to the gradient magnetic field coil 11, causing the gradient magnetic field coil 11 to generate gradient magnetic fields (also called "gradient magnetic fields") along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis.

[0018] The RF transmitter 32 generates RF pulses based on command signals from a sequence controller 34. The generated RF pulses are transmitted to the WB coil 12 or the local coil 20 and applied to the subject P. The RF receiver 33 detects MR signals received by the WB coil 12 or the local coil 20, converts the detected MR signals into analog-to-digital (AD) signals, and outputs the converted signals to the sequence controller 34. The digitized MR signals are called raw data.

[0019] The sequence controller 34, under the control of the console 400, drives the gradient magnetic field power supply 31, the RF transmitter 32, and the RF receiver 33 to perform a scan of the subject P. The sequence controller 34 receives raw data from the RF receiver 33 through the scan and transmits it to the console 400.

[0020] The sequence controller 34 includes a processing circuit (not shown), which 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).

[0021] The bed 500 has a bed body 50 and a top board 51. The subject P is placed on the top board 51. The bed body 50 holds the top board 51 so that the top board 51 can move in the vertical direction (i.e., the Y-axis direction) and horizontal direction (i.e., the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction). The bed body 50 moves the top board 51, on which the subject P is placed, to a predetermined height and then moves it into the bore. This positions the subject P in the bore.

[0022] The console 400 includes a processing circuit 41, a memory circuit 42, an input interface 43, and a display 45. The console 400 may also include a network interface 44.

[0023] The processing circuitry 41 is a circuit including, for example, a CPU or a dedicated or general-purpose processor. The processing circuitry 41 reads and executes a program stored in the storage circuitry 42 or directly incorporated in the processing circuitry 41, thereby controlling the operation of the sequence controller 34 and performing a scan in accordance with a pulse sequence to generate an MR image. The functions realized by the processing circuitry 41 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, and 6.

[0024] Furthermore, the processing circuit 41 may be configured by a single processing circuit or may be configured by a combination of multiple independent processing circuit elements. In the latter case, multiple storage circuits 42 may store programs corresponding to the functions of multiple processing circuit elements, respectively, or one storage circuit 42 may store programs corresponding to the functions of multiple processing circuit elements.

[0025] The memory circuitry 42 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), an optical disk device, etc. The memory circuitry 42 stores various information and data, as well as various programs executed by the processor of the processing circuitry 41.

[0026] The input interface 43 includes various input devices for the user to input various information and data, and an input circuit for processing signals from the input devices. The input devices include, for example, a trackball, a switch, a mouse, a keyboard, a touchpad, a touchscreen, a non-contact input device using an optical sensor, and a voice input device. When an input device is operated, the input circuit generates a signal corresponding to the operation and outputs it to the processing circuit 41.

[0027] The network interface 44 communicates with various devices connected to the network via wired or wireless means, and exchanges various types of information and data.

[0028] The display 45 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display panel, a plasma display panel, an organic EL panel, etc. The display 45 displays various information and data under the control of the processing circuit 41, and may also be a GUI (Graphical User Interface) that functions as an input device.

[0029] The processor of the processing circuitry 41 executes various programs stored in the storage circuitry 42, thereby realizing an estimation function 411, an air conditioning control function 412, a scan control function 413, an examination information acquisition function 414, and a reference information management function 415, as shown in Figures 2, 4, and 6, which will be described later. The following description will be given taking as an example a case where the functions 411 to 415 are realized by computer programs, but all or part of the functions 411 to 415 may be provided in the MRI apparatus 1 as functions of circuits such as ASICs.

[0030] With these configurations, the console 400 controls the entire MRI apparatus 1. Specifically, the scan control function 413 of the processing circuitry 41 receives instructions regarding imaging conditions and various other information through operations by a user such as a medical technician via the input interface 43. The scan control function 413 then causes the sequence controller 34 to execute a scan based on the input imaging conditions, and reconstructs an MR image based on the raw data received from the sequence controller 34. The scan control function 413 then causes the reconstructed MR image to be displayed on the display 45 and stored in the storage circuitry 42. Furthermore, the functions 411 to 415 of the processing circuitry 41 perform air conditioning control within the bore, control for interrupting a scan, and the like, as will be described later.

[0031] (Air conditioning and monitoring units) As described above, the MRI apparatus 1 according to the embodiment includes the gantry 100, the air conditioning unit 14, and the monitoring unit 15. The air conditioning unit 14, under the control of the console 400, adjusts the thermal environment (at least one of temperature, humidity, air volume, and air direction) within the bore of the gantry 100. The air conditioning unit 14 changes the thermal environment within the bore (at least one of temperature, humidity, air volume, and air direction). The air conditioning unit 14 does not adjust the thermal environment within the bore according to a target (set value), but adjusts the thermal environment within the bore according to emotional information of the subject P. For example, the air conditioning unit 14 is a fan that blows a predetermined amount of air into the bore in a predetermined direction. Alternatively, the air conditioning unit 14 may include an air conditioner that blows temperature- (and humidity-) adjusted air as an airflow, and a duct that guides the airflow into the bore.

[0032] During an examination using the MRI apparatus 1, the heat source inside the gantry device 100 and the RF pulses irradiated to the subject P may increase the temperature inside the bore and the body temperature of the subject P, causing discomfort to the subject P. In such cases, if the thermal environment inside the bore is improved by air conditioning using the air conditioning unit 14, the discomfort felt by the subject P will be alleviated.

[0033] Therefore, in order to reduce the discomfort felt by the subject P, air conditioning inside the bore may be performed so that the thermal environment inside the bore measured by a temperature sensor approaches a target (set value). In this case, air conditioning inside the bore is based on the estimated or measured temperature inside the bore, but is not based on emotional information, which is information related to the emotions of the subject P. "Emotions of the subject" refers to all emotions that vary from subject to subject, even in the same environment or situation.

[0034] Such air conditioning methods do not necessarily reflect the emotions of individual subjects. For example, even if the temperature inside the bore is set to 20 degrees, some subjects may feel it is "cold," some may feel it is "appropriate," and some may feel it is "hot." Therefore, simply conditioning the air based on the set temperature inside the bore does not necessarily alleviate the discomfort felt by all subjects. Therefore, the MRI device 1 acquires the subject's discomfort, such as "hot" or "cold," as emotional information and adjusts the air conditioning inside the bore according to that emotional information. This reduces the discomfort felt by subject P due to the thermal environment.

[0035] In this case, the emotional information of subject P includes emotional information caused by the thermal environment. Emotional information caused by the thermal environment includes sudden discomfort caused by the thermal environment, such as "suddenly hot" or "suddenly cold," and gradual discomfort caused by the thermal environment, such as "hot," "warm," "cool," or "cold." Furthermore, while the emotional information of subject P includes subject P's discomfort, it also includes pleasant sensations such as "comfortable" or "appropriate," which subject P does not feel uncomfortable about.

[0036] Furthermore, the MRI apparatus 1 conditions the air inside the bore in response to emotional information from the subject P, such as "hot" or "cold," or, instead of conditioning the air inside the bore in response to emotional information from the subject P, acquires emotional information about the subject P's discomfort, such as "pain," and suspends the scan in response to that emotional information. This makes it possible to reduce discomfort that is not caused by the thermal environment.

[0037] In this case, the emotional information of the subject P includes emotional information that is not caused by the thermal environment. The emotional information of the subject P may be emotional information caused by the examination using the MRI apparatus 1 but not caused by the thermal environment. For example, even if the noise level inside the bore is the same, some subjects may feel "painful" and others may not be bothered by it. Even if the spatial size inside the bore is the same, some subjects may feel "painful" and others may not be bothered by it. Even if the examination time is approximately the same, some subjects may feel "fatigued" and others may not be bothered by it.

[0038] The emotional information of the subject P may be emotional information that is not caused by the examination by the MRI apparatus 1, such as "pain," "want to go to the toilet," or "not feeling well." Emotional information that is not caused by the examination by the MRI apparatus 1 includes information on changes (worsening) in the physical condition or medical condition of the subject P, regardless of whether the subject P is conscious or not. The emotional information of the subject P is estimated based on monitoring information obtained by the monitoring unit 15 observing the subject P placed in the bore.

[0039] The monitoring unit 15 observes the subject P placed in the bore under the control of the console 400. The monitoring unit 15 acquires the observation results of the subject P (i.e., monitoring information). The monitoring information is information relating to at least one of the subject P's body temperature, electrocardiogram, respiration, pulse wave, facial expression, movement, sweating, voice, and brain activity. The monitoring information includes all information obtained by the monitoring unit 15 observing the subject P.

[0040] The monitoring unit 15 is, for example, at least one of an infrared camera, an optical camera, a microphone, an optical topography (registered trademark) device, a thermometer, a respiration sensor, an electrocardiograph, a pulse wave sensor, a deep body temperature measurement sequence, and fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging). As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, a first example of the monitoring unit 15 is a non-contact monitoring device 15A that monitors the subject P without contacting the subject P, and includes an infrared camera, an optical camera, and a microphone. A second example of the monitoring unit 15 is a contact monitoring device 15B that monitors the subject P by contacting the subject P, and includes an optical topography device, a thermometer, a respiration sensor, an electrocardiograph, and a pulse wave sensor. A third example of the monitoring unit 15 is a monitoring function 15C that monitors the subject P using a sequence controller 34, and includes a deep body temperature measurement sequence and fMRI.

[0041] The infrared camera measures the temperature of the body surface of the subject P. The infrared camera is installed, for example, on the wall inside the gantry device 100 or the MRI apparatus 1 so that the subject P inside the bore can be observed.

[0042] The optical camera observes the state of the subject P, such as facial expressions, movements, and sweating. The optical camera is installed, for example, on the gantry 100 or on a wall inside the MRI apparatus 1 so as to enable partial or complete observation of body parts such as the face, head, hands, feet, and body of the subject P inside the bore. The optical camera may be a TV camera, and can capture both still images and videos. The microphone is installed in a position where it can collect the voice of the subject P inside the bore, and collects the voice of the subject P.

[0043] The optical topography device uses near-infrared light to measure changes in cerebral blood flow and observe brain activity of the subject P. In the optical topography device, an optical topography headset is worn on the head of the subject P, and data on changes in cerebral blood flow is acquired. The subject P may be observed by the optical topography device continuously, or at a predetermined frequency or for a predetermined period of time.

[0044] The thermometer is placed in contact with the subject P to measure the subject's body temperature. The subject P's body temperature may be constantly monitored by an infrared camera or a thermometer, or may be monitored at a predetermined frequency or for a predetermined period of time. The thermometer may not be in contact with the subject P.

[0045] The respiratory sensor detects the subject's respiratory movement as a respiratory waveform that changes over time. The electrocardiograph detects the electrical activity of the subject's heart as an electrocardiogram waveform that changes over time. The pulse wave meter detects changes in the volume of blood vessels accompanying heartbeats as a pulse waveform that changes over time. A respiratory sensor, an electrocardiograph, and a pulse wave sensor that are permanently installed in the MRI apparatus 1 for respiratory gating processing and ECG (Electrocardiogram) gating processing may be used as the monitoring unit 15. The subject P may be constantly monitored by the respiratory sensor, electrocardiograph, and pulse wave sensor, or may be monitored at a predetermined frequency or for a predetermined period of time.

[0046] The deep body temperature measurement sequence is a method for measuring the temperature inside the subject P, such as the brain and internal organs, by having the sequence controller 34 execute a scan using a predetermined sequence in the MRI apparatus 1. The deep body temperature measurement sequence is executed at a predetermined frequency during the examination of the subject using the MRI apparatus 1. fMRI is a method for simultaneously observing morphological and functional changes in the brain of the subject P by having the sequence controller 34 execute a scan using a predetermined sequence in the MRI apparatus 1. fMRI is executed at a predetermined frequency during the examination of the subject P using the MRI apparatus 1.

[0047] Emotional information of the subject P is estimated based on the monitoring information acquired by the monitoring unit 15. That is, the emotional information of the subject P is estimated based on information regarding at least one of the body temperature, electrocardiogram, respiration, pulse wave, facial expression, movement, sweating, voice, and brain activity of the subject P. Note that the emotional information of the subject P may be estimated comprehensively based on multiple pieces of monitoring information.

[0048] For example, if conditions such as a rise in body temperature, sweating, a hot-looking facial expression, and heavy breathing are acquired as monitoring information, it is estimated that subject P feels "hot." If conditions such as a drop in body temperature, shivering, a cold-looking facial expression, and rapid breathing are acquired as monitoring information, it is estimated that subject P feels "cold." Furthermore, differences in the degree of subject P's emotional information, such as "suddenly hot," "hot," and "warm," may be estimated based on differences in the degree of conditions such as body temperature, sweating, shivering, facial expression, and breathing.

[0049] Emotional information of subject P may be estimated based on the difference between deep body temperature and body surface temperature. For example, if deep body temperature is about the same as normal but the body surface temperature is higher than normal or deep body temperature, it is estimated that subject P feels "hot." If deep body temperature is about the same as normal but lower than normal or deep body temperature, it is estimated that subject P feels "cold." If deep body temperature is higher than normal, it is estimated that subject P is more likely to feel "hot" in the body surface temperature. If deep body temperature is lower than normal, it is estimated that subject P is more likely to feel "cold" in the body surface temperature. Furthermore, if deep body temperature is significantly higher or lower than normal, it may be estimated that subject P feels "unwell."

[0050] Furthermore, emotional information of the subject P may be estimated based on the state of the subject P's facial expression. In this case, an emotion recognition algorithm based on machine learning such as deep learning is used. Furthermore, emotional information of the subject P may be estimated based on the state of brain activity of the subject P obtained by analyzing the activity of brain regions involved in processing specific emotions. In this way, control is performed to suspend the air conditioning and scanning within the bore based on the emotional information of the subject P estimated based on the monitoring information.

[0051] (First embodiment) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the in-bore air conditioning control of the MRI apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the processing circuitry 41 realizes an estimation function 411, an air conditioning control function 412, and a scan control function 413. The estimation function 411 determines at least one of the necessity of controlling the air conditioning unit 14 and of suspending the scan based on emotional information of the subject P. Suspending the scan includes temporarily suspending the scan and completely suspending (i.e., canceling) the scan. The air conditioning control function 412 controls the air conditioning unit 14 according to the emotional information of the subject P. The scan control function 413 controls the scan of the subject P performed by the gantry device 100. An example of the operation of the MRI apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3.

[0052] In step ST1, the monitoring unit 15 observes the subject P placed in the bore under the control of the console 400. During an examination using the MRI apparatus 1, the subject P is repeatedly observed by the monitoring unit 15. The subject P may be observed by the monitoring unit 15 at specific time intervals, such as one minute, or may be observed irregularly.

[0053] In step ST2, the monitoring unit 15 obtains monitoring information by observing the subject P.

[0054] In step ST3, the estimation function 411 estimates emotional information of the subject P, which is information related to the emotion of the subject P, based on the monitoring information acquired by the monitoring unit. Here, if the monitoring unit 15 is the monitoring devices 15A and 15B, the estimation function 411 estimates the emotional information of the subject P based on digital data such as image data sent wirelessly or via cable from the monitoring devices 15A and 15B. On the other hand, if the monitoring unit 15 is the monitoring function 15C, the estimation function 411 acquires the internal temperature or brain function change of the subject P based on the raw data sent from the sequence controller 34, and estimates the emotional information of the subject P based on the internal temperature or brain function change of the subject P.

[0055] In step ST4, the estimation function 411 determines whether or not the emotional information of the subject P indicates discomfort. If the emotional information of the subject P indicates no discomfort (NO in step ST4), the process ends. For example, in an examination using the MRI apparatus 1, if the subject P feels "comfortable," "appropriate," or "not bothered," no new control of the air conditioning unit 14 is performed, or the current control of the air conditioning unit 14 is maintained, and the scan for the examination continues. If the emotional information of the subject P indicates discomfort (YES in step ST4), the process proceeds to step ST5.

[0056] In step ST5, the estimation function 411 determines whether or not it is possible to alleviate the discomfort felt by the subject P by controlling the air conditioning unit 14. If the emotional information of the subject P is, for example, not caused by the examination by the MRI apparatus 1, such as a worsening of the subject P's physical condition or illness, or is discomfort caused by something other than the thermal environment, such as "pain," "fatigue," or "want to go to the toilet," it is determined that it is impossible to alleviate the discomfort felt by the subject P by controlling the air conditioning unit 14. If it is impossible to alleviate the discomfort felt by the subject P by controlling the air conditioning unit 14 (NO in step ST5), the process proceeds to step ST7.

[0057] In step ST7, the scan control function 413 performs control to completely suspend the scan. When the estimation function 411 determines that the scan should be suspended, the scan control function 413 controls the gantry device 100 to suspend the scan of the subject P. In this case, the scan control function 413 notifies the user that the scan will be completely suspended based on the emotional information of the subject P. This notification enables the user to quickly take various measures, such as removing the subject P from the MRI apparatus 1 or treating the subject P's physical condition or medical condition.

[0058] If the discomfort felt by the subject P can be alleviated by controlling the air conditioning unit 14 (YES in step ST5), the process proceeds to step ST6. In step ST6, the estimation function 411 determines whether or not it is necessary to temporarily suspend the scan to alleviate the discomfort felt by the subject P. For example, if the discomfort felt by the subject P is mild, such as "hot," "warm," "cool," or "cold," it is determined that it is not necessary to temporarily suspend the scan to alleviate the discomfort felt by the subject P. If it is not necessary to temporarily suspend the scan to alleviate the discomfort felt by the subject P (NO in step ST6), the process proceeds to step ST8.

[0059] In step ST8, the air conditioning control function 412 controls the air conditioning unit 14. At least one of the thermal environment indicators, namely, temperature, humidity, air volume, and air direction, is controlled in accordance with the emotional information of the subject P. For example, when the emotional information of the subject P is "hot," the air conditioning control function 412 controls the air so that the subject P feels cooler by increasing the air volume from the air conditioning unit 14, changing the air direction from the air conditioning unit 14 toward the body surface of the subject P (e.g., the face), or lowering the blown air temperature and humidity.

[0060] On the other hand, for example, when the emotional information of the subject P is "cold," the air conditioning control function 412 performs control to make the subject P feel warm by reducing the air volume from the air conditioning unit 14, directing the air from the air conditioning unit 14 away from the body surface (e.g., face) of the subject P, or increasing the temperature and humidity of the air being blown. The air conditioning control function 412 may also perform control to stop the air blowing from the air conditioning unit 14. In this way, the air conditioning control function 412 controls the air conditioning unit 14 in accordance with the emotional information of the subject P when the estimation function 411 determines that the air conditioning unit 14 should be controlled.

[0061] If the discomfort felt by the subject P can be alleviated by controlling the air conditioning unit 14 (YES in step ST6), the process proceeds to step ST9. For example, in the case of sudden discomfort due to the thermal environment, such as "suddenly getting hot" or "suddenly getting cold," it is difficult to alleviate the discomfort felt by the subject P by controlling the air conditioning unit 14 alone, and it is determined that it is necessary to control the air conditioning unit 14 and temporarily suspend the scan.

[0062] In step ST9, the scan control function 413 performs control to temporarily suspend the scan, and the air conditioning control function 412 controls the air conditioning unit 14. As shown in steps ST8 and ST9, even for emotional information relative to the thermal environment, processing differs depending on whether the change in emotional information is sudden or gradual. Furthermore, while controlling the air conditioning unit 14, the imaging conditions may be changed so that the scan is performed under imaging conditions that avoid pulse sequences that are likely to cause a rise in the body temperature of the subject P. During an examination using the MRI apparatus 1, the processing of steps ST1 to ST9 is repeated.

[0063] In this way, emotional information of the subject P is estimated based on monitoring information of the subject P that is repeatedly observed during an examination by the MRI apparatus 1. Then, based on the emotional information of the subject P, the estimation function 411 determines whether to (a) control the air conditioning unit 14 and temporarily suspend the scan, (b) control the air conditioning unit 14 and continue the scan, (c) completely suspend the scan, or (d) continue the scan without controlling the air conditioning unit 14.

[0064] According to the MRI apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, monitoring information is repeatedly acquired during an examination, and the air conditioning in the bore and the suspension of scanning are controlled in accordance with the emotional information of the subject P. By automatically and timely controlling the suspension of air conditioning and scanning in the bore in accordance with the emotional information of the subject P during the examination, the subject P can undergo an MRI examination more comfortably. For example, this prevents the subject P from continuing to feel uncomfortable due to a delay in the decision to suspend air conditioning and scanning in the bore caused by the user not understanding the emotional information of the subject P. Furthermore, the user does not need to make the decision to suspend air conditioning and scanning in the bore or take action based on that decision, thereby reducing the user's effort. Furthermore, by combining this with the control to temporarily suspend air conditioning and scanning in the bore, it is possible to minimize the extension of the examination time due to the temporary suspension of scanning while maintaining the emotional information of the subject P in comfort.

[0065] (Second embodiment) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the in-bore air conditioning control of the MRI apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the processing circuitry 41 further realizes an examination information acquisition function 414. An example of the operation of the MRI apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5. In the second embodiment, the processing of step ST11 is performed before step ST1.

[0066] In step ST11, the examination information acquisition function 414 acquires examination information of the subject P. The examination information is at least one of patient information of the subject P and information on the scanning environment.

[0067] The patient information of the subject P is information about the subject P collected from the patient who becomes the subject P during the course of medical treatment or examination, such as height, weight, metabolic rate, age, sex, medical history, etc. The information about the scanning environment is information about conditions that are factors that can affect the thermal environment, such as information about the imaging conditions, information about the examination room, and information about the MRI apparatus 1.

[0068] The information on imaging conditions is, for example, information on pulse sequences, imaging parameters, magnetic fields generated by the static magnetic field magnet 10 and gradient magnetic field coil 11, the interval (duty cycle) at which RF is applied, and SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) of the examination area, etc. The information on the examination room includes information on the temperature in the examination room where the MRI apparatus 1 is installed and in the bore of the MRI apparatus 1. The information on the MRI apparatus 1 includes information on the temperature of the inner wall of the bore of the gantry device 100 related to the heat radiated from the MRI apparatus 1.

[0069] In the second embodiment, the subject P placed in the bore is observed (step ST1), monitoring information is acquired (step ST2), and then the process of step ST12 is performed.

[0070] In step ST12, estimation function 411 estimates emotional information predicted based on the monitoring information and test information as emotional information of subject P. The predicted emotional information is emotional information that is in the future rather than the current emotional information, and is an emotion at the stage where there are signs that the emotional information of subject P will change.

[0071] The estimation function 411 may predict emotional information of the subject P through machine learning. For prediction through machine learning, for example, a prediction model is constructed that associates monitoring information of the subject P acquired during the examination with change data of the emotional information of the subject P in response to the monitoring information (e.g., "hot" or "cold"). In constructing the prediction model, change data of the emotional information of the subject P in response to the monitoring information may be generated based on a signal that the subject P gives to the user when the subject P feels uncomfortable. The signal is collected, for example, from a patient call device (not shown) that sounds an alarm when a button is pressed, voice, or gesture.

[0072] Furthermore, when constructing a prediction model, the test information of the subject P may be associated with data on changes in the emotional information of the subject P. For example, if a pulse sequence that is likely to cause a rise in the subject P's body temperature by scanning (e.g., echo planar imaging) is selected, it is predicted that the time until the subject P's condition changes to feel "hot" will be shorter than in the case of other pulse sequences. Furthermore, based on the age of the subject P, if the subject P is a young person or an elderly person, it may be predicted that the time until the subject P's condition changes to feel "hot" or "cold" will be shorter than in the case of a young person. In this way, a prediction model may be constructed based on test information that is likely to cause changes in the emotional information of the subject P.

[0073] The estimation function 411 estimates emotional information of the subject P predicted based on the current monitoring information through machine learning using the constructed prediction model. For example, if changes in condition such as a rise in body temperature, sweating, a hot-looking facial expression, and heavy breathing are acquired as monitoring information, it is predicted that the subject P is likely to feel "hot." If changes in condition such as a drop in body temperature, shivering, a cold-looking facial expression, and rapid breathing are acquired as monitoring information, it is predicted that the subject P is likely to feel "cold."

[0074] In the second embodiment, after step ST12, steps ST4 to ST9 are performed as in the first embodiment. Here, the determinations in steps ST4 to ST9 are made based on predicted emotion information. For example, in step ST8, if the subject P is likely to feel "hot," the air conditioning control function 412 increases the air volume of the air conditioning unit 14, decreases the air temperature, and controls the air conditioner 14 so as not to feel "hot." Furthermore, if the subject P is likely to feel "cold," the air conditioning control function 412 decreases the air volume of the air conditioning unit 14, increases the air temperature, and controls the air conditioner 14 so as not to feel "cold." In other words, control is performed to stop the air conditioning and scanning in the bore before the subject P begins to feel uncomfortable.

[0075] In step ST12, the estimation function 411 may estimate current emotional information as emotional information of the subject P based on the monitoring information and the examination information. The MRI apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment not only has the same effects as the first embodiment, but also uses examination information in addition to monitoring information in estimating emotional information of the subject P, thereby enabling more accurate estimation of emotional information of the subject P. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, emotional information of the subject P is estimated at a stage when there are signs that the emotional information of the subject P is changing, making it possible to control the air conditioning in the bore and suspend the scan before the subject P begins to feel uncomfortable, thereby further improving the comfort of the subject P during the MRI examination.

[0076] (Third embodiment) FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the in-bore air conditioning control of the MRI apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment. The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the processing circuitry 41 further implements a reference information management function 415. An example of the operation of the MRI apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7. In the third embodiment, the processing of step ST21 is performed after step ST11.

[0077] In step ST21, the reference information management function 415 acquires reference information that associates monitoring information previously acquired by the monitoring unit 15 with emotional information of the subject P corresponding to the previously acquired monitoring information. Since the reference information reflects individual differences between subjects and the effects of the test contents, it is desirable to acquire reference information of an observation state close to the current observation state. For example, reference information of a subject P who is the same as or similar to the current subject P or reference information of test contents that are the same as or similar to the current test contents. Note that if no appropriate reference information exists, the reference information does not need to be acquired. In the third embodiment, the process of step ST1 is performed after step ST21, and the process of step ST22 is performed after step ST2.

[0078] In step ST22, the estimation function 411 estimates either current emotional information or predicted emotional information as the emotional information of the subject P based on the monitoring information and reference information currently acquired by the monitoring unit 15. For example, if conditions such as elevated body temperature, sweating, a hot-looking expression, and heavy breathing are acquired as monitoring information, the information is compared with the reference information and it is estimated that the subject P is feeling "hot." Here, if appropriate reference information has not been acquired, the emotional information of the subject P may be estimated according to the first or second embodiment.

[0079] Furthermore, when the state of brain activity of subject P is acquired as monitoring information, it may be collated with reference information of the same subject as the current subject P or reference information of the same test content as the current test content, and it may be estimated that the emotion information is not caused by the test. In the third embodiment, the processes of steps ST4 to ST9 are performed after step ST22.

[0080] In the third embodiment, the process of step ST23 is performed after the air conditioning unit 14 is controlled and the scan is interrupted based on the emotional information of the subject P. In step ST23, the reference information management function 415 associates the monitoring information currently acquired by the monitoring unit 15 with the emotional information of the subject P corresponding to the currently acquired monitoring information, and stores the associated information as reference information in the storage unit. The reference information thus accumulated during the examination by the MRI apparatus 1 is acquired in step ST21, and is used to estimate the emotional information of the subject P in step ST22.

[0081] The MRI apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment has the same effects as the second embodiment. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the emotional information of the subject P is estimated by collating reference information that associates previously acquired monitoring information with emotional information of the subject P. Therefore, the emotional information of the subject P can be estimated with higher accuracy, and the comfort of the subject P during the MRI examination can be further improved.

[0082] According to the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and the method for controlling air conditioning in the bore according to at least one of the embodiments described above, it is possible to reduce the discomfort felt by the subject P during an examination using the MRI apparatus.

[0083] In the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to circuits such as a dedicated or general-purpose CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), programmable logic device (e.g., Simple Programmable Logic Device (SPLD), Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), and Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)).

[0084] If the processor is, for example, a CPU, the processor realizes various functions by reading and executing programs stored in a memory circuit. If the processor is, for example, an ASIC, instead of storing a program in a memory circuit, the functions corresponding to the program are directly incorporated into the processor's circuit as logic circuits. In this case, the processor realizes various functions through hardware processing that reads and executes the program incorporated in the circuit. Alternatively, the processor can realize various functions by combining software processing and hardware processing.

[0085] In addition, although the above embodiment shows an example in which a single processor of a processing circuit realizes each function, a processing circuit may be configured by combining multiple independent processors, and each processor may realize each function. Furthermore, when multiple processors are provided, a memory circuit for storing programs may be provided separately for each processor, or a single memory circuit may collectively store programs corresponding to the functions of all processors.

[0086] In addition, the estimation function 411, the air conditioning control function 412, the scan control function 413, the test information acquisition function 414, and the reference information management function 415 in the description of the embodiment are examples of an estimation unit, an air conditioning control unit, a scan control unit, a test information acquisition unit, and a reference information management unit, respectively.

[0087] Although several embodiments of the present invention 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, and modifications 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 the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1...Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device 14...Air conditioning section 15...Monitoring Department 15A...Non-contact monitoring device 15B...Contact monitoring device 15C...Monitoring function 41...Processing circuit 42…Memory circuit 411…Estimated Function 412...Air conditioning control function 413...Scan control function 414...Test information acquisition function 415…Reference information management function

Claims

1. an air conditioning unit that conditions the air inside the bore of the mounting device; a monitoring unit for observing a subject placed in the bore; an estimation unit that estimates emotion information, which is information regarding the emotion of the subject, based on the monitoring information acquired by the monitoring unit; an air conditioning control unit that controls the air conditioning unit in accordance with the emotion information estimated by the estimation unit; A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising:

2. The monitoring information is information regarding at least one of the subject's body temperature, electrocardiogram, respiration, pulse wave, facial expression, movement, sweating, voice, and brain activity.

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

3. the emotional information includes emotional information caused by the thermal environment of the subject and emotional information not caused by the thermal environment of the subject; 2. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

4. a scan control unit that controls a scan of the subject by the gantry device, the estimation unit determines whether or not it is necessary to control the air conditioning unit and to interrupt the scanning based on the emotion information; the air conditioning control unit controls the air conditioning unit in accordance with the emotion information when the estimation unit determines that control of the air conditioning unit is to be performed; and the scan control unit controls the gantry device to interrupt the scan when the estimation unit determines that the scan should be interrupted.

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

5. The estimation unit determines, based on the emotion information, to (a) control the air conditioning unit and temporarily suspend the scanning, (b) control the air conditioning unit and continue the scanning, (c) completely suspend the scanning, or (d) continue the scanning without controlling the air conditioning unit.

5. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 4.

6. further comprising an examination information acquisition unit that acquires examination information of the subject; the estimation unit estimates, as the emotion information, either current emotion information or predicted emotion information based on the monitoring information and the test information.

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

7. The examination information is at least one of patient information of the subject and information about a scanning environment.

7. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 6.

8. the estimation unit predicts the emotion information through machine learning.

7. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 6.

9. a reference information management unit that acquires reference information that associates monitoring information previously acquired by the monitoring unit with the emotion information corresponding to the previously acquired monitoring information, the estimation unit estimates, as the emotion information, either current emotion information or predicted emotion information based on the monitoring information currently acquired by the monitoring unit and the reference information; 2. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

10. the reference information management unit associates the monitoring information currently acquired by the monitoring unit with the emotion information corresponding to the currently acquired monitoring information and stores the associated information as the reference information in the storage unit.

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

11. Observing a subject positioned within a bore of a gantry device of a magnetic resonance imaging device; Estimating emotion information, which is information relating to the emotion of the subject, based on the acquired monitoring information; controlling air conditioning in the bore in accordance with the estimated emotion information; In-bore air conditioning control method.

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