Medical imaging apparatus, medical imaging support method, information processing apparatus, and program

Abstract

To provide a medical imaging apparatus, a medical imaging support method, an information processing apparatus, and a program capable of improving user convenience and imaging a medical image of a subject in an appropriate body position.SOLUTION: A medical imaging apparatus configured to capture a medical image of a subject, the medical imaging apparatus comprising: a sensor configured to acquire information used for identifying a body position of the subject; and a processor configured to cause a display device to display a registration screen for receiving registration of the body position of the subject, and receive an imaging start instruction for the subject whose body position is registered, when the body posture of a subject is identified based on information obtained from a sensor and a transition is made to an examination window screen including an image display area for displaying a medical image from a registration screen, a pop-up screen including a proposal for re-registration of the body posture is displayed on the examination window screen when the identified body posture and the registered body posture are different.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a medical imaging apparatus, a medical imaging support method, an information processing apparatus, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a radiation tomography apparatus that uses a depth sensor to recognize the body position of a subject, determines whether pre-set scan conditions such as the body position are appropriate, and notifies the user when the conditions are determined to be inappropriate.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a method for acquiring a depth image of a patient on a table of a medical imaging system via a depth camera, correcting the depth image based on histogram data from the depth image, and extracting the patient's three-dimensional structure from the corrected depth image. Patent Document 2 also describes a configuration for determining the patient's posture from the extracted three-dimensional structure, comparing it with a desired patient posture for implementing the scan protocol being used, and outputting a warning if there is a mismatch. "Patient" is synonymous with "subject," and "patient posture" is synonymous with "subject's body position." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-121364 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-121092 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In an examination using a medical imaging device, such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device, a user such as a technician opens a subject registration screen on the console's display device and pre-registers subject information, the examination area, the subject's position, the imaging protocol, and so on.

[0006] The user then places the subject on a bed in a shielded room and presses a start button to start imaging, thereby starting the examination. Before or after pressing the start button, the console screen transitions to the examination window screen. In other words, when an instruction to start imaging is given, the console screen has already transitioned to the examination window screen, so imaging should normally be performed and an image reconstructed from the data obtained by imaging should be output to the examination window screen.

[0007] However, for some reason, imaging may proceed with the subject in a position different from the pre-registered position (hereinafter referred to as the "registered position"). For example, imaging may be suddenly performed in a position different from the registered position due to a patient's request. It is also possible that the user may register an incorrect position when pre-registering the subject's position. Alternatively, it is also possible that the registered position is correct, but the subject is placed on the bed in a position different from the registered position. Proceeding with imaging in a position different from the registered position may result in the need to re-take the image.

[0008] In this regard, the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are configured to notify the user if it is determined that the body position is different from the registered body position, so it is expected that the user will notice the error, re-register the correct body position, and perform appropriate imaging.

[0009] On the other hand, in the conventional technology, to change the registered body position to the correct body position, it is necessary to return from the examination window screen to the subject registration screen and re-register the body position, which makes the re-registration operation cumbersome.Furthermore, Patent Documents 1 and 2 only provide a means for notifying a mismatch in body position, but do not disclose any specific means for resolving the mismatch.

[0010] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a medical imaging device, a medical imaging support method, an information processing device, and a program that can increase user convenience and capture medical images of a subject in an appropriate position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A medical imaging device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a medical imaging device that captures medical images of a subject, and includes a sensor that acquires information used to identify the subject's body position, and a processor. The processor displays a registration screen on a display device that accepts registration of the subject's body position, accepts an instruction to start imaging for the subject whose body position has been registered, identifies the subject's body position based on the information obtained from the sensor, and when the registration screen is transitioned to an examination window screen that includes an image display area in which medical images are displayed, if the identified body position differs from the registered body position, displays a pop-up screen on the examination window screen that includes a suggestion to re-register the body position.

[0012] According to the first aspect, when a body position different from a registered body position is identified while an examination window screen is displayed on a display device, a pop-up screen is displayed on the examination window screen. This pop-up screen includes a recommendation for a body position to be changed from the registered body position and re-registered, and the user can decide whether to accept the recommendation and re-register an appropriate body position with a simple operation.

[0013] A medical imaging device according to a second aspect may be configured such that, in the medical imaging device according to the first aspect, the sensor includes a camera, and the information used to identify the subject's posture includes an image captured by the camera.

[0014] The medical imaging device according to the third aspect may be configured as the medical imaging device according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a bed having a tabletop on which a subject is placed and moved, and a gantry having an imaging space into which the subject is inserted by moving the tabletop.

[0015] A medical imaging device according to a fourth aspect may be configured such that, in the medical imaging device according to the third aspect, the bed has a plurality of connectors to which receiving coils that receive signals emitted by the subject are connected, and the sensor detects at least one of the positions of the connectors to which the receiving coils are connected and the types of receiving coils.

[0016] A medical imaging apparatus according to a fifth aspect may be configured in the medical imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, such that the pop-up screen includes a part of the registration screen.

[0017] A medical imaging apparatus according to a sixth aspect may be configured such that, in the medical imaging apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the processor accepts re-registration of the subject's body position on a pop-up screen.

[0018] A medical imaging device according to a seventh aspect may be a medical imaging device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the registration screen is a screen that accepts registration of imaging conditions including the subject's posture and registration of subject information.

[0019] A medical imaging device according to an eighth aspect may be configured such that, in the medical imaging device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the registered body positions and suggested body positions for re-registration are displayed on the pop-up screen.

[0020] A medical imaging device according to a ninth aspect may be configured such that, in the medical imaging device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the processor displays suggested postures corresponding to the identified posture on a pop-up screen.

[0021] A medical imaging device according to a tenth aspect may be configured in the medical imaging device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, such that a button for instructing continuation of imaging is displayed on the pop-up screen.

[0022] A medical imaging device according to an eleventh aspect may be configured such that, in the medical imaging device according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the processor displays a pop-up screen within an image display area on the examination window screen.

[0023] A medical imaging device according to a twelfth aspect may be configured such that, in the medical imaging device according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, when the examination window screen is displayed, the processor displays information indicating that the subject's posture is being identified on the examination window screen for a period of time until the identification of the subject's posture is completed.

[0024] A medical imaging device according to a thirteenth aspect may be configured such that, in the medical imaging device according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, the processor pops up a screen containing information obtained from the sensor on the examination window screen when the subject's posture cannot be identified.

[0025] A medical imaging apparatus according to a fourteenth aspect may be configured in the medical imaging apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the information obtained from the sensor includes an image captured by a camera serving as the sensor.

[0026] A medical imaging device according to the 15th aspect may be configured such that, in the medical imaging device according to the 13th or 14th aspect, the information obtained from the sensor includes coil information including at least one of information indicating the type of receiving coil that receives the signal emitted by the subject and information indicating the position of the connector to which the receiving coil is connected.

[0027] A medical imaging device according to a 16th aspect may be configured such that, in the medical imaging device according to any one of the 13th to 15th aspects, a screen containing information obtained from the sensor displays registered body positions and body positions that are candidates for re-registration.

[0028] A medical imaging device according to a seventeenth aspect may be configured such that, in a medical imaging device according to any one of the thirteenth to sixteenth aspects, the screen including the information obtained from the sensor includes part of the registration screen.

[0029] A medical imaging support method according to an 18th aspect is a medical imaging support method executed by a processor, in which the processor displays on a display device a registration screen that accepts registration of a subject's body position, accepts an instruction to start imaging to capture medical images of the subject whose body position has been registered, identifies the subject's body position based on information obtained from a sensor, and transitions from the registration screen to an examination window screen that includes an image display area that displays medical images of the subject; and, if the identified body position differs from the registered body position, displays on the examination window screen a pop-up screen that includes a suggestion to re-register the body position.

[0030] The processor may automatically execute each operation according to the program, or may execute some or all of the operations in response to user instructions. The order of the operations may be changed as long as it is not technically inconsistent.

[0031] The medical imaging support method according to the eighteenth aspect can be configured to include the same specific aspects as the medical imaging apparatus according to any one of the second to eighteenth aspects.

[0032] An information processing device according to a 19th aspect is an information processing device including a processor, which displays on a display device a registration screen that accepts registration of a subject's body position, accepts an instruction to start imaging to capture medical images of the subject whose body position has been registered, identifies the subject's body position based on information obtained from a sensor, and when transitioning from the registration screen to an examination window screen that includes an image display area that displays medical images of the subject, if the identified body position differs from the registered body position, displays a pop-up screen on the examination window screen that includes a suggestion to re-register the body position.

[0033] The information processing device according to the nineteenth aspect may have a configuration including the same specific aspects as the medical imaging device according to any one of the second to eighteenth aspects.

[0034] A program according to a 20th aspect is a program that causes a computer to function as the information processing device according to the 19th aspect. A non-transitory, tangible computer-readable storage medium on which the program according to the 20th aspect is stored is also included in the present disclosure. The program according to the 20th aspect and the storage medium on which the program according to the 20th aspect is stored may have a configuration that includes the same specific aspects as the medical imaging device according to any one of the second to eighteenth aspects. [Effects of the Invention]

[0035] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve user convenience and capture medical images of a subject in an appropriate position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an exemplary MRI apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic internal configuration of the MRI apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of the arrangement position of the camera in the MRI apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device used in an MRI apparatus. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows an example of a subject registration screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an example of an inspection window screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the MRI apparatus. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an example of a pop-up screen that pops up on the inspection window screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an example screen showing an example of the display position of the pop-up screen on the examination window screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an example of a screen display including a camera image and coil information. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of a bed on which a subject is placed, on which a receiving coil, which is a Neuro Coil for the head and neck, is attached. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an information processing apparatus that implements the medical imaging support method according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted where appropriate.

[0038] [Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Equipment Overview] 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of an exemplary MRI apparatus 10. The MRI apparatus 10 includes a gantry 12, which is the main body of the imaging apparatus, and a bed 14. The gantry 12 has a cylindrical imaging space 18 called a bore. The gantry 12 is equipped with a static magnetic field generating magnet for generating a magnetic field in the imaging space 18, a gradient magnetic field coil, and various other coils.

[0039] The bed 14 includes a top plate 15 and legs 16 that support the top plate 15, and is disposed on the front side of the gantry 12. The top plate 15 can be moved into and out of the imaging space 18 by a drive mechanism (not shown) provided on the legs 16. The bed 14 may be configured to be fixed to the gantry 12, or may be a movable, dockable bed that can be attached to and detached from the gantry 12.

[0040] In the MRI apparatus 10, three apparatus axes are defined, which are three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate axes of a real space including an imaging space 18. The direction of each of the three apparatus axes is uniquely determined by the gantry 12 and the bed 14. In Fig. 1, the Z direction is the static magnetic field direction, the Y direction is the vertical direction, and the X direction is the direction perpendicular to the Y and Z directions.

[0041] 2 is a diagram showing a schematic internal configuration of the MRI apparatus 10. The MRI apparatus 10 includes a static magnetic field generating magnet 102, a gradient magnetic field coil 104, an RF (Radio Frequency) transmitting coil 106, a receiving coil 110, a receiver 112, a gradient magnetic field power supply 114, a high-frequency magnetic field generator 116, a sequencer 118, a control unit 120, and an operation unit 122. The MRI apparatus 10 also includes a camera 140 for identifying the body position of a subject 130.

[0042] The static magnetic field generating magnet 102 generates a uniform static magnetic field in the imaging space 18. The static magnetic field generating magnet 102 includes a static magnetic field generating source of a permanent magnet type, a resistive type, or a superconductive type. The gradient magnetic field coil 104 generates a gradient magnetic field in the imaging space 18. The gradient magnetic field coil 104 is composed of gradient magnetic field coils in the three axes of X, Y, and Z, which are a real space coordinate system (stationary coordinate system). Each gradient magnetic field coil is connected to a gradient magnetic field power supply 114 and is supplied with current. As a result, a gradient magnetic field is generated in the three axes of X, Y, and Z.

[0043] The subject 130 is placed on the top board 15 of the bed 14, and a receiving coil 110 corresponding to the examination region is attached to the subject 130. The top board 15 on which the subject 130 is placed is moved into the imaging space 18, so that the examination region of the subject 130 is positioned at the center of the static magnetic field within the imaging space 18.

[0044] The camera 140 is an example of a sensor that obtains information about the body position of the subject 130. The camera 140 is typically an optical camera that includes a photographing optical system including a lens and an imaging element that captures an optical image formed by the photographing optical system and converts it into an electrical signal. The imaging element is configured, for example, by a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) color image sensor. Note that the imaging element is not limited to a CMOS type, but may also be a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type image sensor. The camera 140 may also be configured to include an image processing circuit that processes the electrical signal obtained from the imaging element to create a digital image. The camera 140 photographs the subject 130 on the bed 14, and the body position of the subject 130 is identified based on the image acquired via the camera 140. Note that the image acquired via the camera 140 is referred to as a "camera image" in this specification. An infrared camera or a millimeter-wave camera may be used instead of or in combination with the camera 140.

[0045] The RF transmission coil 106 is a coil that irradiates RF pulses, which are high-frequency magnetic field pulses, to the subject 130. The RF transmission coil 106 is connected to a high-frequency magnetic field generator 116, and is supplied with a high-frequency pulse current from the high-frequency magnetic field generator 116.

[0046] The sequencer 118 sends commands to the high frequency magnetic field generator 116 and the gradient magnetic field power supply 114 according to an imaging pulse sequence, so that appropriately amplified signals are sent to the RF transmit coil 106 and the gradient magnetic field coil 104, respectively.

[0047] The radio frequency magnetic field generator 116 is driven in accordance with instructions from the sequencer 118 to amplitude-modulate radio frequency pulses and supply the amplified radio frequency pulse current to the RF transmitting coil 106. The RF transmitting coil 106 applies a pulsed radio frequency magnetic field (RF pulse) to the subject 130 in response to a signal from the radio frequency magnetic field generator 116. Preferably, the sequencer 118 sends an instruction to the receiving coil 110 in accordance with an imaging pulse sequence to turn off the receiving coil 110 during the period in which the RF pulse is applied.

[0048] Application of a high-frequency magnetic field induces a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) phenomenon in the spins of atoms constituting the biological tissue of the subject 130. The receive coil 110 is a multi-channel RF coil unit including multiple coil elements for receiving nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals generated in the subject 130. While FIG. 2 shows an example of a blanket-type receive coil 110 applied to imaging the chest and abdomen, different forms of receive coil 110 may be applied depending on the examination region. For example, receive coils for imaging various regions such as the head, spine, abdomen, legs, and arms can be used.

[0049] The NMR signal generated from the subject 130 is detected by the receiving coil 110, amplified by a preamplifier (not shown) in the receiving coil 110, and transmitted to the receiver 112. In the receiver 112, the amplified NMR signal is subjected to AD (analog-to-digital) conversion and necessary signal processing to generate data. The generated data is transmitted to the control unit 120. This data is also called a received signal or measurement data.

[0050] A receiving-side cable (not shown) that outputs an NMR signal received by the receiving coil 110 is connected to the receiving coil 110. Although not shown in FIG. 2, a receiving-side connector is connected to the end of this receiving-side cable. The receiving-side connector is connected to a bed-side connector provided on the bed 14. The bed-side connector is connected to a bed-side cable arranged inside the bed 14, and the bed-side cable is connected to the control unit 120. This allows the receiving coil 110 to be communicatively connected to the control unit 120 and the sequencer 118.

[0051] As examples of receiving cables, receiving connectors, and bed connectors not shown in FIG. 2, the receiving cable 150, receiving connector 152, and bed connectors 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D connected to the receiving coil 110A are shown in FIG. 11 described below.

[0052] The connection between the receiving coil 110 and the control unit 120 and the sequencer 118 is not limited to a wired connection such as a cable, but may also be a wireless connection. In this case, the receiving coil 110 or the bed 14 further includes at least an AD conversion module and a wireless communication module.

[0053] The sequencer 118 controls each component so that it operates at pre-programmed timing and intensity. A program that describes the timing and intensity of RF pulses, gradient magnetic fields, and signal reception is called a pulse sequence. Various pulse sequences are known depending on the purpose, but detailed descriptions of them will be omitted here.

[0054] The control unit 120 receives various command inputs from the operation unit 122 and controls each unit of the MRI apparatus 10 via the sequencer 118. Prior to the start of MRI imaging, the control unit 120 identifies the body position of the subject 130 based on a camera image captured by the camera 140, and compares the identified body position with pre-registered body positions to determine consistency. In addition to the camera image, the control unit 120 can also identify the body position of the subject 130 based on coil information such as the type of the receiving coil 110 and the position of the bed-side connector to which the receiving connector is connected. In this specification, the body position identified based on the camera image and / or coil information is referred to as the "identified body position."

[0055] If the registered body position and the identified body position match, MRI imaging is performed, and the control unit 120 performs processing such as inverse Fourier transforming the received signal in the spatial frequency domain received from the receiver 112 to convert it into an image in real space, thereby generating an MRI image. If the registered body position and the identified body position do not match, the control unit 120 displays a pop-up screen suggesting re-registration of the body position based on the identified body position. A detailed example of this pop-up display will be described later using Figures 7 to 9.

[0056] The operation unit 122 includes input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard, and a display device such as a liquid crystal display, etc. The operation unit 122 functions as a user interface (UI) that allows a user such as a technician to start, stop, or pause the MRI apparatus 10, select a pulse sequence, and input imaging conditions, processing conditions, etc.

[0057] The sequencer 118 and the control unit 120 can be configured using a computer. The processing functions of the sequencer 118 and the control unit 120 may also be realized by a computer system including a plurality of computers.

[0058] [About Camera 140] The camera 140 shown in Fig. 2 is placed in a position where it can capture an image of the subject 130 inserted into the imaging space 18. For example, the camera 140 is placed in a position where it can capture an image of the subject 130 obliquely from above the subject 130 in the bore, and obtains an image of a relatively wide range including the chest of the subject 130. It is desirable that the camera 140 be configured to be able to capture the entire body of the subject 130. It is desirable that a wide-angle lens or a fisheye lens be used for the imaging optical system of the camera 140.

[0059] Camera 140 may be configured to optically capture successive images at a frame rate equal to or greater than a predetermined frame rate. For example, camera 140 is preferably capable of capturing 30 or more images per second. Camera 140 may also be configured to capture still images.

[0060] Since the imaging space 18 of the gantry 12 is designed so that light such as indoor lighting from a shielded room does not easily penetrate, when using a camera 140 to photograph the inside of the bore, it is desirable to place an illumination device that irradiates light into the imaging space 18 in order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SN ratio) of the image from the camera 140.

[0061] Furthermore, the camera 140 has a structure that shields against electromagnetic noise so that the gantry 12 does not generate noise due to electromagnetic noise generated by the camera 140.

[0062] Furthermore, the camera 140 has a structure that shields these magnetic fields and radio frequencies so that it can function as a camera 140 even when it is subjected to the static magnetic field generated by the static magnetic field generating magnet 102, the gradient magnetic field that changes significantly over time applied by the gradient magnetic field coil 104, and the radio frequency magnetic field pulse (RF pulse) irradiated from the RF transmitting coil 106.

[0063] 2 shows an example in which camera 140 is attached to the entrance side of gantry 12 when subject 130 is inserted into the bore, but the location and number of cameras 140 are not limited to the example in FIG. 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a configuration may be adopted in which cameras 140 and 141 are arranged on the entrance side and the back side of the bore, respectively, or a configuration in which camera 141 is arranged only on the back side of the bore. By using multiple cameras to photograph subject 130 from multiple directions, it becomes possible to accurately identify the body position of subject 130.

[0064] As another example of camera placement, instead of or in combination with cameras 140, 141 that photograph the inside of the bore, a camera may be placed at a position that can photograph the outside of the bore. For example, a camera may be placed at the top of the front (surface facing the bed) of gantry 12 to photograph subject 130 before or while subject 130 is being moved into the bore. The camera may also be attached to the ceiling or wall of the shielded room.

[0065] [Example of hardware configuration of information processing device] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device 200 used in the MRI apparatus 10. The information processing device 200 may be a personal computer, a workstation, or a server computer. The computer may be a virtual machine. The information processing device 200 is applied to the console of the MRI apparatus 10 and can function as the control unit 120 and the operation unit 122 (see FIG. 2). The information processing device 200 may also function as the sequencer 118.

[0066] The information processing device 200 includes a processor 202 , a memory 204 which is a main storage device, a storage 206 which is an auxiliary storage device, an input / output interface 208 , and a bus 210 .

[0067] The processor 202 includes a central processing unit (CPU). The processor 202 may include a graphics processing unit (GPU). The processor 202 may also include one or more pieces of hardware such as a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a programmable logic device (PLD).

[0068] The processor 202 is connected to a memory 204 , a storage 206 , an input / output interface 208 , an input device 212 , and a display device 214 via a bus 210 .

[0069] The memory 204 includes a random access memory (RAM). The memory 204 may also include a read only memory (ROM). The storage 206 may be, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a combination of these. The storage 206 may also include an external storage device such as a removable medium.

[0070] The storage device including the memory 204 and the storage 206 stores programs, data, etc. that realize various functions of the MRI apparatus 10. The processor 202 realizes various functions by executing the programs stored in the memory 204. The processor 202 comprehensively controls each part of the information processing device 200 and various devices and units provided in the MRI apparatus 10, and performs various processes.

[0071] The input / output interface 208 includes a communication interface connectable to a telecommunications line such as a local area network, a connection interface connectable to an external device, etc. As a connection interface connectable to an external device, for example, a Universal Serial Bus, a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) (HDMI is a registered trademark), etc. can be applied.

[0072] The processor 202 communicates with various devices of the MRI apparatus 10 via an input / output interface 208, thereby transmitting and receiving necessary information.

[0073] The input device 212 is configured, for example, by a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, a numeric keypad, various switch buttons, etc. The input device 212 may also include a voice input device. The input device 212 may also be a touch panel type input device that is configured integrally with the display screen of the display device 214.

[0074] The display device 214 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic electro-luminescence (OEL) display, a projector, or an appropriate combination of these. The display device 214 displays various information such as camera images and coil information in addition to MRI images captured by the MRI apparatus 10. The display device 214 is used as part of a user interface when receiving input from the input device 212. The display device 214 is not limited to one, and a multi-display configuration having multiple display devices is also possible.

[0075] [Overview of MRI imaging procedure] A typical imaging procedure using the MRI apparatus 10 is roughly as follows.

[0076] [Step 1] A user such as a technician uses an input device 212 such as a mouse and keyboard to register information required for the examination, such as subject information, imaging region, posture of the subject 130, and imaging protocol, on a subject registration screen. The term "registration" includes the concept of "setting." The term "user" includes the concepts of terms such as technician, operator, and operator.

[0077] The subject information includes the subject's name, subject code, etc. The body position of the subject 130 includes the insertion direction of the subject 130 into the gantry 12 and the posture of the subject 130. The imaging protocol includes the type and order of imaging. Some or all of the information required for this examination may be manually input by the operator via the input device 212, or information stored in advance in a recording medium or the like may be read. Note that the automatically set or input parameters are ultimately checked by the operator, and manually set via the input device 212 as necessary.

[0078] [Step 2] The subject 130 is placed on the top board 15 of the bed 14, and the receiving coil 110 is attached to the subject 130. The user connects the receiving connector of the receiving cable connected to the receiving coil 110 to the bed connector on the top board 15. Note that the top board 15 is provided with multiple bed connectors, and the receiving connector is connected to the nearest bed connector depending on the type of receiving coil 110 used and the body position of the subject 130. The position of the bed connector to which the receiving connector can be connected is restricted by the combination of the type of receiving coil 110 and the body position of the subject 130.

[0079] [Step 3] After connecting the receiving coil 110 to the bed-side connector, the tabletop 15 is moved to the imaging space 18 using the gantry operation panel or foot switch (not shown), and the area to be examined of the subject 130 is moved to the center position of the static magnetic field of the gantry 12.

[0080] [Step 4] Then, the user presses the start button to instruct the start of imaging, and scanogram imaging is performed to obtain a positioning image. In scanogram imaging, multiple slices are imaged on one or more of the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes. The slice thickness in scanogram imaging may be set to a value greater than the slice thickness in actual imaging. When the instruction to start imaging is received, an examination window screen is displayed on the display device 214 of the operation unit 122.

[0081] [Step 5] After scanogram imaging is completed, an image for positioning is reconstructed and displayed on the display device 214.

[0082] [Step 6] The user sets the imaging position for the actual imaging based on the scanogram image. The MRI apparatus 10 automatically calculates the imaging position, including the slice position (cross-sectional position) to be measured in the actual imaging, from the scanogram image, and presents the recommended imaging position to the user. The user checks the presented slice position, etc., and manually adjusts the imaging position via the input device 212 of the operation unit 122 as needed. The user also sets the imaging parameters to be applied to the actual imaging. Some or all of the imaging parameters may be input by the user via the operation unit 122, or may be set or input automatically. The automatically set (automatically input) parameters are finally checked by the operator, and are manually set via the input device 212 of the operation unit 122 as needed.

[0083] [Step 7] The actual imaging is performed according to the imaging parameters and imaging positions set in this way.

[0084] [Step 8] After the actual imaging, an image is reconstructed and displayed on the display device 214.

[0085] [Step 9] For the displayed reconstructed image, the user sets a window value suitable for diagnosis using the input device 212, and obtains an image to be used for diagnosis.

[0086] [Step 10] When imaging is complete, the top board 15 is removed from the imaging space 18, and the subject 130 is removed from the gantry 12. Then, the subject 130 is removed from the bed 14, and the MRI examination is completed.

[0087] [Console display example 1: Example of subject registration screen] 5 is an example of a subject registration screen 400. The subject registration screen 400 is a screen that accepts registration of information related to the subject 130 and the examination content. The subject registration screen 400 includes a subject information area 401 for registering subject information, an examination region area 402 for registering an examination region, a body position registration area 403 for registering the body position of the subject 130, an examination condition area 404 for registering examination conditions, a protocol area 405 for registering an imaging protocol, and a button portion 406.

[0088] The subject information area 401 is an area where information for identifying the subject 130 and information about the attributes of the subject 130 are displayed. The examination region area 402 is an area where information about the examination region specified in the examination order is displayed. The body position of the subject 130 is broadly classified as head-first or feet-first, and each of the head-first and feet-first positions is further classified as supine position, prone position, right lateral position, or left lateral position.

[0089] The posture registration area 403 includes eight icons corresponding to these eight types of postures, and the posture of the subject 130 is registered by selecting the appropriate icon. The icon of the selected posture is displayed in a display mode that is visually distinguished from other unselected icons by a differentiated display such as a highlighted display. The posture of the subject 130 may be automatically set in association with the examination site or imaging protocol specified in the examination order, or the user may perform an operation to select a desired icon.

[0090] The inspection condition area 404 includes buttons for selecting whether the inspection is to be performed in the standard operation mode or in the first level management operation mode.

[0091] The protocol area 405 displays the imaging protocol corresponding to the examination instruction specified in the examination order.

[0092] The button section 406 includes, for example, a reservation button, a button for reserving and registering the next one, an examination window launch button 410, a cancel button, etc. The subject registration screen 400 is an example of a "registration screen" in this disclosure.

[0093] After registering the necessary information on the subject registration screen 400, the user presses the examination window activation button 410 to transition to the examination window screen. Note that expressions such as "push" or "press" regarding buttons on a GUI (Graphical User Interface) include the concept of an action of inputting a command corresponding to the button by an operation such as clicking, touching, selecting, or specifying.

[0094] [Console display example 2: Inspection window screen] 6 is an example of an examination window screen 500. The examination window screen 500 is a screen for executing a series of tasks defined in an imaging protocol. The examination window screen 500 includes a switch tab 501, a subject information area 502, a protocol area 503, a series list 504, a menu bar 505, a toolbar 506, a task execution screen 507, a start button 508, a stop button 509, and an imaging condition area 510.

[0095] The name of the subject is displayed in the label portion of the switch tab 501. In the subject information area 502, attribute information of the subject 130 registered in the subject information area 401 of the subject registration screen 400 is displayed.

[0096] The task-specific execution screen 507 includes an image display area 512 that displays an MRI image obtained by imaging. Before imaging begins, no MRI image to be displayed in the image display area 512 has been obtained, and therefore the image display area 512 may be blank and display no MRI image. By loading an MRI image obtained by imaging the subject 130, the MRI image is displayed in the image display area 512. The image display area 512 can display multiple images, such as images of different cross sections, side by side. The image display area 512 shown in FIG. 6 is an example of an area that loads and displays three cross-sectional images, namely, an axial cross-sectional image, a coronal cross-sectional image, and a sagittal cross-sectional image, which are positioning images acquired by scanogram imaging. The image display area 512 may automatically display the MRI image obtained by imaging.

[0097] [Method of transition from subject registration screen 400 to examination window screen 500] The present invention is not limited to the above, in which the examination window start button 410 in the subject registration screen 400 is pressed to transition to the examination window screen 500, and the start button 508 in the examination window screen 500 is pressed to input an instruction to start imaging.

[0098] A start button 508 may be provided on the subject registration screen 400, and when the start button 508 is pressed on the subject registration screen 400, the screen may transition to the examination window screen 500.

[0099] [Overview of medical imaging support method according to embodiment] When an instruction to start imaging is given, such as by pressing the start button 508, and the screen transitions to the examination window screen 500, the information processing device 200 identifies the actual body position of the subject 130 using a camera image, etc., and if a body position different from the body position of the subject 130 registered in advance is identified, it stops imaging and displays a pop-up message on the examination window screen 500 suggesting re-registration of the body position.

[0100] 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the MRI apparatus 10. In step S60, the user registers imaging conditions such as the body position of the subject 130 on the subject registration screen 400. That is, in step S60, the processor 202 displays the subject registration screen 400 on the display device 214 and accepts registration of imaging conditions including the body position of the subject.

[0101] After registering information required for the examination on the subject registration screen 400, in step S61, the user sets the subject 130 on the bed 14. That is, as described above, the subject 130 is set in a state where the region to be examined is positioned at the center position of the static magnetic field of the gantry 12.

[0102] Thereafter, in step S62, the processor 202 displays the examination window screen 500 on the display device 214 and receives an instruction to start imaging. The transition from the subject registration screen 400 to the examination window screen 500 may be performed in response to a user operation such as pressing the examination window start button 410, or may be performed automatically based on a signal from a sensor or the like that detects the opening or closing of the door of the shielded room.

[0103] The instruction to start imaging may be given by pressing the start button 508, or may be triggered by pressing a physical imaging start button on the console, pressing an imaging start button on the gantry monitor, pressing an imaging start button on the gantry operation panel, or closing the door of the shielded room.

[0104] In step S63, when the processor 202 receives an instruction to start imaging, for example, by pressing the start button 508, the process proceeds to step S64. The order of steps S60 to S64 can be reversed. For example, when the examination window start button 401 is pressed during registration in step S60, the examination window screen 500 in step S62 may be displayed immediately, and then step S61 may be performed. Alternatively, for example, the subject 130 may be placed on the bed 14 in step S61, and then registration may be performed in step S60. For example, in the case of an emergency patient, two technicians may simultaneously perform steps S60 and S61. Alternatively, for example, step S64 may be performed immediately after the subject 130 is placed on the bed 14 in step S61. Alternatively, for example, a start button may be provided on the subject registration screen 400, and an instruction to start imaging may be received on the subject registration screen 400. When the processor 202 receives an instruction to start imaging, the processor 202 may transition to the examination window screen 500.

[0105] In step S64, the processor 202 identifies the body position of the subject 130 from the camera image. For example, the processor 202 analyzes the camera image to identify whether the insertion direction of the subject 130 relative to the gantry 12 is head-first or feet-first, and whether the supine position of the subject 130 is supine, prone, left lateral, or right lateral.

[0106] Image recognition technology for identifying the body position of the subject 130 from camera images may, for example, employ a class classification algorithm, object detection algorithm, or region detection algorithm using machine learning. Alternatively, image recognition processing using pattern matching, or physical feature detection processing using optical flow calculation, or an appropriate combination of these, may be employed. Note that technology for calculating optical flow from camera images and selecting a region of interest may employ, for example, the technology described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-104170. By detecting at least one, and preferably multiple, body part regions of the subject 130, such as the head, chest, arms, and legs, from the camera images, the body position of the subject 130 can be identified from the distribution of the body part regions indicated by the detection results.

[0107] The body position identification process may use not only camera images but also coil information of the receiving coil 110 connected to the MRI apparatus 10. The coil information includes information on the type of receiving coil 110 and the position of the bed-side connector to which the receiving-side connector is connected.

[0108] The processor 202 may identify the body position of the subject 130 based on at least one of the camera image and the connector information. The processor 202 may also identify the body position of the subject 130 using both the camera image and the connector information.

[0109] In step S65, the processor 202 compares the registered body position with the identified body position and determines whether the registered body position matches the identified body position. If the registered body position matches the identified body position, the process proceeds to step S68, where imaging is started. This causes imaging to be performed according to the imaging protocol.

[0110] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S65 that the registered body position does not match the identified body position, the process proceeds to step S66.

[0111] In step S66, the processor 202 displays a pop-up screen suggesting re-registration of body posture (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The processor 202 displays, for example, a pop-up screen 600 as shown in FIG. 8 on the examination window screen 500, and prompts the user to re-register body posture on the pop-up screen 600. The term "screen" includes the concept of an image displayed on a display surface of a display device such as the display device 214. The term "screen" is not limited to a full screen that coincides with the entire physical area of ​​the display surface of the display device, but also includes the concept of a sub-screen or sub-window that is displayed in an area smaller than the full screen.

[0112] In step S67, the processor 202 accepts re-registration of the body position of the subject 130 from the pop-up screen 600. In step S67, if the user confirms the body position of the subject 130 and re-registers the body position, or if an instruction is given to continue imaging without changing the body position, the process proceeds to step S68, where imaging is started.

[0113] If the registered posture is correct and the posture of the subject 130 actually placed on the bed 14 is incorrect, the user stops imaging by, for example, pressing the stop button 509. In this case, the process returns to step S61, and the setting of the subject 130 in the imaging space 18 is redone.

[0114] After imaging is started in step S68, imaging is performed according to the imaging protocol, and when imaging is completed (step S69), the flowchart in FIG. 7 ends.

[0115] [Pop-up screen display example 1] 8 is an example of a pop-up screen 600 that pops up on the examination window screen 500. The pop-up screen 600 includes an action message 601, a currently registered body position 602, and a suggested body position 603, and prompts the user to confirm and re-register the body position of the subject 130.

[0116] The action message 601 is information that notifies the user that the registered body position and the identified body position do not match, and prompts the user to re-register the body position, and may be, for example, a message such as "A body position different from the registered body position has been detected. Please stop imaging and register the correct body position."

[0117] The pop-up screen 600 is configured to include a partial screen of the subject registration screen 400, and provides a GUI similar to the body position registration area 403 that is part of the subject registration screen 400. That is, like the body position registration area 403, the pop-up screen 600 displays icons corresponding to eight types of body position candidates, and the icon of the currently registered body position 602 is highlighted. Also, on the pop-up screen 600, the icon of the suggested body position 603 recommended from the identified body position is displayed in a differentiated manner so as to be visually distinguishable from the currently registered body position 602 and other icons other than the suggested body position 602.

[0118] The differentiated display may be achieved, for example, by highlighting the frame surrounding the icon, by flashing the icon, or by highlighting the icon by changing the background color to a different color from other icons. In this manner, it is preferable that the pop-up screen 600 presents all of the candidate body positions, and then displays the currently registered body position 602 in a first differentiated manner and the suggested body position 603 in a second differentiated manner different from the first differentiated manner. The suggested body position 603 is proposed as a recommended body position to be changed from the currently registered body position 602 and re-registered, and is an example of a "suggestion for re-registration" in the present disclosure.

[0119] The user can re-register a posture that matches the identified posture by selecting the icon of suggested posture 603. When the icon of suggested posture 603 is pressed, a pop-up screen (not shown) for confirmation may be displayed to accept an instruction to execute or cancel re-registration.

[0120] The pop-up screen 600 also includes a continue imaging button 604 for continuing imaging without changing the currently registered body position and without stopping imaging. The continue imaging button 604 is an example of a "button for instructing continuation of imaging" in the present disclosure.

[0121] Although not shown in FIG. 8, the pop-up screen 600 may display the camera image that is the basis for the proposal, or the coil information of the receiving coil 110 connected to the bed 14, or both of them.

[0122] [Example of the location where the pop-up is displayed on the inspection window screen] 9 is an example screen showing an example of the display position of the pop-up screen 600 on the examination window screen 500. The pop-up screen 600 is displayed as a pop-up within the image display area 512 on the examination window screen 500. The image display area 512 is an area located in the center of the examination window screen 500, and is blank (no image) before imaging, meaning that no MRI image is displayed.

[0123] By displaying the pop-up screen 600 in the image display area 512 where the MRI image is scheduled to be displayed after imaging, it is possible to propose and accept re-registration of the body position without hiding setting information such as subject information, protocol information, series information, imaging parameters, etc.

[0124] The image display area 512 is considered to be the screen portion that the user focuses on because the MRI image acquired by imaging is likely to be displayed therein. The image display area 512, which is the screen portion that the user focuses on in the examination window screen 500, is the area that the user focuses his or her attention on, and is therefore a preferable area for displaying the pop-up screen 600.

[0125] The pop-up screen 600 is not limited to being displayed as a single pop-up window, but may be displayed in multiple windows or separated into GUI components. For example, the action message 601 may be displayed in a window separate from the posture re-registration window, and GUI components such as the continue imaging button 604 may be placed outside the posture re-registration window.

[0126] [Pop-up screen display example 2] 8 and 9, an example has been described in which a pop-up screen 600, which is a sub-window smaller than the examination window screen 500, is displayed overlapping a portion of the examination window screen 500, but a pop-up may be displayed full-screen instead of such a pop-up screen 600. For example, the pop-up screen 600 as shown in Fig. 9 may be displayed full-screen, or another pop-up screen including part or all of the display content of the pop-up screen 600 may be displayed full-screen.

[0127] The subject registration screen 400 may be displayed full-screen as a pop-up screen. In this case, an action message 601 is displayed in the posture registration area 403 of the pop-up subject registration screen 400, as in the example of Fig. 8, and an icon of a suggested posture 603 and a currently registered posture 602 are displayed in a differentiated manner.

[0128] [Display indicating that body position is being identified based on camera images] When the screen transitions to the examination window screen 500, information indicating that identification based on the camera image is in progress, such as "detecting patient orientation," may be displayed on the examination window screen 500 until the identification of the subject's posture based on the camera image is completed.

[0129] [Example of when body position cannot be identified from camera images] If the body position of the subject 130 cannot be identified from the camera image, the camera image may be displayed as a pop-up on the examination window screen 500 instead of displaying the pop-up screen 600 including the suggested body position 603. In this case, it is preferable to display not only the camera image but also the coil information, if available.

[0130] Fig. 10 is a display example of a screen including a camera image and coil information. When the processor 202 is unable to identify the body position of the subject 130 based on the camera image, the processor 202 displays, for example, a pop-up screen 700 as shown in Fig. 10 on the examination window screen 500. The pop-up screen 700 is an example of a "screen including information obtained from the sensor" in the present disclosure.

[0131] This pop-up screen 700 includes an action message 701 , a camera image 702 , coil information 703 , a body position registration area 706 , and an OK button 707 .

[0132] The action message 701 is information that notifies the user that the patient's position could not be identified and prompts the user to confirm the position, and may be, for example, a message such as "The patient's position could not be identified. Please confirm or change the patient's position."

[0133] The display area for the camera image 702 may display live video captured by the camera 140. The display area for the coil information 703 may, for example, illustrate the position of a bed-side connector 704 to which the receiving-side connector of the receiving coil 110 is connected. The display area for the coil information 703 may also display a coil name 705 that indicates the type of receiving coil 110 being used.

[0134] As the coil information 703, both the information indicating the position of the bed-side connector 704 to which the receiving-side connector is connected and the coil name 705 may be displayed, or only one of them may be displayed.

[0135] The posture registration area 706 is a screen that provides a GUI similar to that of the posture registration area 403 on the subject registration screen 400, and highlights the icon of the currently registered posture. Icons of other postures are displayed as candidates for re-registration. The user can change the registered posture by selecting the icon of the desired posture from the posture registration area 706.

[0136] The OK button 707 is a button for closing this pop-up screen 700. The user may change the registered position and then press the OK button 707, or may press the OK button 707 without changing the registered position. When the OK button 707 is pressed, imaging begins.

[0137] [Example of a method for identifying body position based on coil information] [When using the Neuro Coil for head and neck] Fig. 11 is a schematic plan view of a bed 14 on which a subject 130 is placed, to which a receiving coil 110A, which is a Neuro Coil for the head and neck, is attached. The upward direction in Fig. 11 is the direction in which the bed moves when the subject 130 enters the bore of the gantry 12. A plurality of bed-side connectors 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D are provided on the tabletop 15. Fig. 11 shows an example in which the bed-side connectors 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D are arranged at the four corners of the tabletop 15, but the number and arrangement of the bed-side connectors are not limited to the form shown in Fig. 11. The bed-side connectors 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D are an example of "plurality of connectors" in the present disclosure.

[0138] The bed-side connectors 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D each have the same shape, and can be connected to the receiving connector 152 of the receiving coil 110. Fig. 11 shows the receiving coil 110A, which is a head and neck coil, connected to the bed-side connector 20A via the receiving cable 150 and the receiving connector 152.

[0139] The head and neck receive coil 110A is designed exclusively for the supine position and is fixed to a position on the bed 14 close to the gantry 12. The user can connect the receive-side connector 152 of the receive coil 110A to the bed-side connector 20A or the bed-side connector 20B on the tabletop 15.

[0140] When the receiving side connector 152 of the receiving coil 110A is connected to one of the bed side connectors 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D, the processor 202 acquires information indicating the type of the connected receiving coil 110A and the position of the connected bed side connector, and determines the body position of the subject 130 based on the acquired coil information.

[0141] The receive coil 110A connected to the bed 14 may be automatically recognized by a plug-and-play-like function, and the position of the connected bed-side connector 20A, 20B, 20C, or 20D may be identified. Also, for example, each of the bed-side connectors 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D may be connected to a connection detection circuit that detects the connection of the receiving connector 152, and the processor 202 may detect the position of the bed-side connector 20A, 20B, 20C, or 20D to which the receiving connector 152 is connected based on a signal from the connection detection circuit.

[0142] The processor 202 may acquire information indicating the type of the receiving coil 110A connected to the bed 14 through digital communication, or may acquire the information through barcode reading, electronic tag reading, image recognition, or the like. A circuit that generates a signal required to automatically recognize the receiving coil 110A connected to the bed 14, a connection detection circuit, an information reading device, and the like are examples of "sensors that acquire information used to identify the body position of the subject" in the present disclosure.

[0143] The term "sensor" is interpreted broadly, and the concept of "sensor" includes mechanisms that automatically recognize the connected receiving coil 110A and detect the bed-side connector 20A to which the receiving coil 110A is connected by transferring information between devices when the connector is connected.

[0144] The correspondence between the coil information and the body position of the subject 130 can be defined in advance using a table or the like based on the specifications of the receiving coil 110. A table defining such a correspondence is stored in the memory 204 or the like, and the processor 202 can identify the body position of the subject 130 from the acquired coil information by referring to the correspondence table.

[0145] According to the specifications of the Neuro Coil for the head and neck, when the receiving coil 110A is connected to the bed-side connector 20A as shown in Fig. 11, the body position of the subject 130 is identified as head-first and supine. Note that the receiving coil 110A can also be connected to the bed-side connector 20B, and when the receiving coil 110A is connected to the bed-side connector 20B, the body position is also identified as head-first and supine.

[0146] 11 shows a Neuro Coil as an example, but other types of the receiving coil 110 may include a Spine coil, a Torso coil, a Foot / Ankle coil, a Hand coil, a Shoulder coil, and a Breast coil. It may be difficult to uniquely identify the body position depending on the type of receiving coil 110. Therefore, a configuration in which the body position of the subject 130 is identified by using a camera image and coil information in combination is preferable.

[0147] [Functional configuration of information processing device 200] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an information processing apparatus 200 that implements the medical imaging support method according to the embodiment.

[0148] The information processing device 200 includes a subject registration screen generation unit 220, a registration information reception unit 224, an imaging condition registration unit 226, an imaging control unit 228, a camera image acquisition unit 230, a coil information acquisition unit 232, a body position identification unit 234, a consistency determination unit 236, an examination window generation unit 240, a pop-up generation unit 242, a re-registration reception unit 246, an image processing unit 250, and a display control unit 260.

[0149] The functions of each processing unit in the information processing device 200 may be realized by the processor 202 executing a program stored in the memory 204.

[0150] The subject registration screen generating unit 220 generates the subject registration screen 400. The subject registration screen generating unit 220 includes a body posture registration GUI module 222. The body posture registration GUI module 222 is a module that configures the GUI of the body posture registration area on the subject registration screen 400, and includes components that realize the display of icons corresponding to each of eight types of body postures.

[0151] The registration information accepting unit 224 accepts information to be pre-registered through the subject registration screen 400. A user can input necessary information by operating the input device 212. The registration information accepting unit 224 may also acquire some of the imaging conditions from an electronic medical record system, an ordering system, a radiology information system (RIS), or the like (not shown).

[0152] The imaging condition registration unit 226 includes a body position registration unit 227, and registers imaging conditions including the examination region, imaging protocol, subject body position, and various imaging parameters acquired via the registration information reception unit 224. The body position registration unit 227 registers body positions that have been registered in advance (registered body positions).

[0153] The examination window generation unit 240 generates an examination window screen 500. The camera image acquisition unit 230 acquires a camera image from the camera 140. The coil information acquisition unit 232 acquires coil information of the receive coil 110 connected to the bed 14.

[0154] The body posture identification unit 234 identifies the body posture of the subject 130 based on at least one of the camera image and the coil information. The body posture identification unit 234 includes an image recognition processing unit that analyzes the camera image to identify the body posture of the subject 130. For example, a machine learning algorithm can be applied to the image recognition technology for identifying the body posture of the subject 130 from the camera image. That is, the body posture identification unit 234 may be configured to include a trained model trained by machine learning to identify the body posture of the subject 130 from the camera image. The trained model may be, for example, a classification model configured using a convolutional neural network and performing body posture classification. The trained model is not limited to a classification model and may be, for example, a model that performs an object detection task or a region classification (semantic segmentation) task, and may recognize parts of the subject 130, such as the head, abdomen, arms, and legs, from the camera image to identify the body posture based on the body structure. Note that the trained model is essentially a program.

[0155] Furthermore, the body posture identification section 234 may calculate an optical flow indicating the movement of the subject 130 between frames based on the camera images, and identify the body posture of the subject 130 based on the calculation result of the optical flow.

[0156] The body posture identification unit 234 can also identify the body posture of the subject 130 from the coil information. The body posture identification unit 234 has a table that defines the correspondence between the type of receiving coil, the position of the bed-side connector to which the receiving-side connector is connected, and the subject's body posture, and can identify the body posture from the acquired coil information by referring to the table.

[0157] The consistency determination unit 236 compares the registered body positions registered in the body position registration unit 227 with the identified body positions identified by the body position identification unit 234 to determine consistency.

[0158] The pop-up generation unit 242 generates a pop-up screen 600 and a pop-up screen 700. When the consistency determination unit 236 determines that the registered body position and the identified body position do not match, the pop-up generation unit 242 outputs the pop-up screen 600 on the examination window screen 500. The pop-up generation unit 242 includes a re-registration proposal generation unit 243. The re-registration proposal generation unit 243 displays a body position corresponding to the identified body position identified by the body position identification unit 234 as a suggested body position on the pop-up screen 600. Furthermore, when the body position identification unit 234 cannot identify the body position of the subject 130, the pop-up generation unit 242 outputs the pop-up screen 700 on the examination window screen 500.

[0159] The re-registration receiving unit 246 receives re-registration of the body position of the subject 130 through the pop-up screen 600 or the pop-up screen 700. The user can operate the input device 212 to perform re-registration from the pop-up screen 600.

[0160] The imaging control unit 228 controls the MRI imaging in accordance with instructions from the input device 212. The imaging control unit 228 executes the MRI imaging based on the imaging conditions registered in the imaging condition registration unit 226.

[0161] The image processing unit 250 performs image reconstruction processing to generate an MRI image from the measurement data obtained by imaging the subject 130. The MRI image generated by the image processing unit 250 is read into the examination window generation unit 240 and output to the image display area 512.

[0162] The display control unit 260 generates data for display on the display device 214. Display data such as the subject registration screen 400 generated by the subject registration screen generating unit 220, the examination window screen 500 generated by the examination window generating unit 240, and the pop-up screen 600 or the pop-up screen 700 generated by the pop-up generating unit 242 is displayed on the display device 214 via the display control unit 260.

[0163] [About the processor] In this embodiment, each process is executed by a computer. The computer may execute these processes by a processor, a program, or a combination thereof. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a computer for specific applications, a system such as a workstation, or other hardware element capable of executing a program.

[0164] The processor may be configured with one or more pieces of hardware, and the type of hardware is not limited. For example, the processor may be configured with hardware such as a programmable logic device such as a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a dedicated circuit for executing specific processing such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a graphic processing unit (GPU), or a neural processing unit (NPU).

[0165] Furthermore, the processor has each unit or each means that executes various processes in this embodiment. Furthermore, the type of hardware may be a combination of different types of hardware. When multiple pieces of hardware are configured to execute one or more processes of a certain processor, the multiple pieces of hardware may exist in devices that are physically separate from each other, or may exist in the same device. Furthermore, in any of the embodiments, the order of each process performed by the processor is not limited to the order described above and may be changed as appropriate. The hardware is configured by an electric circuit or the like that combines circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0166] Furthermore, the present embodiment may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, microcode, or a combination thereof. Software, firmware, and microcode may be configured by a program. A program may also be, for example, a group of program modules, each function of which may be implemented by a processor configured to perform the respective function. The program may be program code or multiple code segments stored in one or more non-transitory computer-readable media (e.g., storage media or other storages). The program may be stored in multiple non-transitory computer-readable media that reside in physically separate devices. A program code or a code segment may represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program statements. A program code or a code segment may be connected to another code segment or a hardware circuit by sending or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents.

[0167] [Examples of application to programs and program products] The medical imaging support method according to the embodiment may be configured as a program or a program product that causes a processor or a computer including a processor to realize the functions of each step. The program product is a computer-readable medium that is a tangible, non-transitory information storage medium on which the program is recorded.

[0168] A program that causes a computer to realize some or all of the processing functions of the information processing device 200 can be recorded on a computer-readable medium such as an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, or other tangible non-transitory storage medium, and the program can be provided through this storage medium.

[0169] In addition, instead of providing the program by storing it on such a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium, it is also possible to provide the program signal as a download service using a telecommunications line such as the Internet.

[0170] Furthermore, some or all of the processing functions of the information processing device 200 may be realized by cloud computing, and may also be provided as SaaS (Software as a Service).

[0171] [Effects of the embodiment] The MRI apparatus 10 according to the embodiment provides the following effects.

[0172] (1) When transitioning from the subject registration screen 400 to the examination window screen 500, if a body position different from the registered body position is identified based on a camera image or the like, a pop-up screen 600 including a suggested body position 603 for re-registration is displayed on the examination window screen 500. This allows the user to determine whether the suggested body position 603 is appropriate and to easily re-register it from the pop-up screen 600.

[0173] (2) In the pop-up screen 600, the suggested posture 603 that reflects the identified posture is presented, so that the user can re-register an appropriate posture that matches the identified posture with a simple operation.

[0174] (3) It is possible to re-register the body position from the pop-up screen 600 on the examination window screen 500 without returning from the examination window screen 500 to the subject registration screen 400, which improves convenience.

[0175] (4) The pop-up screen 600 provides a GUI similar to that of the body posture registration area 403 of the subject registration screen 400, so the user can re-register the body posture in the same manner as on the subject registration screen 400, without any discomfort.

[0176] (5) The MRI apparatus 10 improves user convenience and enables the subject 130 to take an MRI image in an appropriate position.

[0177] [Variation 1] A stop button 509 for instructing the user to stop capturing images may be included in the pop-up screen 600. Also, a button similar to the OK button 707 may be included in the pop-up screen 600.

[0178] [Variation 2] The MRI apparatus 10 is an example of a medical imaging apparatus. The technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the tunnel-type MRI apparatus 10 having a cylindrical bore, but can also be applied to other medical imaging apparatuses, such as an open-type MRI apparatus having an open bore, a CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus, a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) apparatus, or an X-ray fluoroscopy apparatus. The medical images obtained by the medical imaging apparatus may be two-dimensional images or three-dimensional images.

[0179] [Variation 3] In the above embodiment, eight types of body positions are exemplified as candidates for the body position of the subject 130, but depending on the type of medical imaging device, the number of candidate body positions may be only a part of these. For example, there may be only two types of body positions, head-first and feet-first.

[0180] 〔others〕 The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0181] 10 MRI machine 12 Gantry 14 berths 15 Top plate 16 Legs 18 Imaging Space 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D Bed side connector 102 Static magnetic field generating magnet 104 Gradient magnetic field coil 106 RF transmit coil 110 receiving coil 110A receiving coil 112 Receiver 114 Gradient magnetic field power supply 116 High Frequency Magnetic Field Generator 118 Sequencer 120 control section 122 Operation section 130 subjects 140,141 cameras 150 Receiver Cable 152 receiving connector 200 Information processing device 202 processors 204 memory 206 Storage 208 Input / Output Interface 210 Bus 212 Input Device 214 Display device 220 Subject registration screen generation unit 222 Posture Registration GUI Module 224 Registration Information Reception Department 226 Imaging condition registration unit 227 Position Registration Department 228 Imaging control unit 230 Camera image acquisition unit 232 Coil information acquisition unit 234 Posture Identification Unit 236 Consistency judgment section 240 Inspection window generation unit 242 Pop-up Generator 243 Re-registration proposal generation unit 246 Re-registration Reception Department 250 Image Processing Unit 260 Display control unit 400 Subject registration screen 401 Patient Information Area 402 Examination Area 403 Position Registration Area 404 Inspection Condition Area 405 Protocol Area 406 Button part 410 Inspection window launch button 500 Inspection window screen 501 Switch Tab 502 Patient Information Area 503 Protocol Area 504 Series List 505 Menu Bar 506 Toolbar 507 Task execution screen 508 Start button 509 Stop button 510 Imaging Condition Area 512 image display area 600 pop-up screens 601 Action Message 602 Position 603 Suggested position 604 Continue shooting button 700 pop-up screens 701 Action Message 702 camera images 703 Coil Information 704 Bedside Connector 705 Coil Name 706 Position Registration Area 707 OK button S60~S69 MRI device operation steps

Claims

1. A medical imaging device that captures medical images of a subject, a sensor for acquiring information used to identify the body position of the subject; a processor; Equipped with The processor: displaying a registration screen for accepting registration of the subject's body position on a display device; receiving an instruction to start imaging of the subject whose posture has been registered; identifying a body position of the subject based on the information obtained from the sensor; When the registration screen is transitioned to an examination window screen including an image display area in which the medical image is displayed, if the identified body position differs from the registered body position, a pop-up screen including a suggestion to re-register the body position is displayed on the examination window screen. Medical imaging equipment.

2. the sensor includes a camera; The information used to identify the subject's posture includes an image captured by the camera. The medical imaging device of claim 1 .

3. a bed having a top plate on which the subject is placed and moved; a gantry having an imaging space into which the subject is inserted by moving the tabletop; Equipped with The medical imaging device of claim 1 .

4. the bed includes a plurality of connectors to which receiving coils for receiving signals emitted by the subject are connected; the sensor detects at least one of a position of the connector to which the receiving coil is connected and a type of the receiving coil. The medical imaging device of claim 3 .

5. The pop-up screen includes a part of the registration screen. The medical imaging device of claim 1 .

6. the processor accepts re-registration of the subject's body position on the pop-up screen; The medical imaging device of claim 1 .

7. The registration screen is a screen for accepting registration of imaging conditions including the body position of the subject and registration of subject information. The medical imaging device of claim 1 .

8. The registered body position and the suggested body position for re-registration are displayed on the pop-up screen. The medical imaging device of claim 1 .

9. The processor: displaying suggested body positions corresponding to the identified body positions on the pop-up screen; The medical imaging device of claim 1 .

10. A button for instructing the user to continue imaging is displayed on the pop-up screen. The medical imaging device of claim 1 .

11. The processor: displaying the pop-up screen within the image display area of ​​the examination window screen; The medical imaging device of claim 1 .

12. The processor: When the examination window screen is displayed, information indicating that the body position is being identified is displayed on the examination window screen until the identification of the body position of the subject is completed. The medical imaging device of claim 1 .

13. The processor: When the body position of the subject cannot be identified, a screen including the information obtained from the sensor is popped up and displayed on the examination window screen. The medical imaging device of claim 1 .

14. The information obtained from the sensor is Including an image taken by a camera as the sensor, The medical imaging device of claim 13.

15. The information obtained from the sensor is coil information including at least one of information indicating the type of receiving coil that receives the signal emitted by the subject and information indicating the position of a connector to which the receiving coil is connected; 15. Medical imaging device according to claim 13 or 14.

16. The screen containing the information obtained from the sensor includes: The registered body positions; Positions that are candidates for re-registration are displayed. The medical imaging device of claim 13.

17. The screen containing the information obtained from the sensor includes: Including a part of the registration screen, The medical imaging device of claim 13.

18. 1. A processor-implemented medical imaging assistance method, comprising: the processor: displaying a registration screen for accepting registration of the subject's body position on the display device; receiving an instruction to start imaging for capturing a medical image of the subject whose posture has been registered; identifying a body position of the subject based on information obtained from the sensor; When the registration screen is transitioned to an examination window screen including an image display area for displaying a medical image of the subject, if the identified body position differs from the registered body position, a pop-up screen including a suggestion to re-register the body position is displayed on the examination window screen. A method for assisting medical imaging.

19. An information processing device including a processor, The processor: displaying a registration screen for accepting registration of the subject's body position on the display device; receiving an instruction to start imaging for capturing a medical image of the subject whose posture has been registered; identifying a body position of the subject based on information obtained from the sensor; When the registration screen is transitioned to an examination window screen including an image display area for displaying a medical image of the subject, if the identified body position differs from the registered body position, a pop-up screen including a suggestion to re-register the body position is displayed on the examination window screen. Information processing device.

20. A program that causes a computer to function as the information processing device according to claim 19.

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