Indicating control device

Abstract

To improve user's convenience.SOLUTION: A display control device includes an acquisition unit and a display control unit. The acquisition unit acquires a first image captured by a first camera capable of capturing an image of a subject outside a bore and a second image captured by a second camera capable of capturing an image of a subject inside the bore. The display control unit controls a display unit to display the first image and the second image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings relate to a display control device.

Background Art

[0002] In a medical imaging device such as an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) device, it is desirable to automate the patient setting of a subject.

[0003] Here, for example, it is conceivable to install a camera on the ceiling in the imaging room, photograph the subject from above the subject, and acquire the information of the subject, which can be used for automating the patient setting.

[0004] In addition, after moving the subject to the imaging region, it is desirable to acquire not only the image from above the subject but also the image taken inside the bore.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems 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 improve the convenience for the user. However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings are not limited to the above problems. It is also possible to position the problems corresponding to the respective effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described later as other problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The display control device according to the embodiment includes an acquisition unit and a display control unit. The acquisition unit acquires a first image captured by a first camera capable of photographing a subject outside the bore and a second image captured by a second camera capable of photographing a subject inside the bore. The display control unit causes the display unit to display the first image and the second image.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the display control device will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration when the display control device 130 according to the embodiment is incorporated in the magnetic resonance imaging device 100. However, the embodiment is not limited to the case where the display control device 130 is incorporated in the magnetic resonance imaging device 100, and the display control device 130 may be configured independently of the magnetic resonance imaging device 100. Further, the display control device 130 may be incorporated in a device of a modality other than the magnetic resonance imaging device 100, such as an ultrasonic diagnostic device.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the magnetic resonance imaging device 100 includes a static magnetic field magnet 101, a static magnetic field power supply (not shown), a gradient magnetic field coil 103, a gradient magnetic field power supply 104, a bed 105, a bed control circuit 106, a transmission coil 107, a transmission circuit 108, a reception coil 109, a reception circuit 110, a sequence control circuit 120 (sequence control unit), a display control device 130, a first camera 140, a second camera 141, and a gantry panel 170. Note that the magnetic resonance imaging device 100 does not include a subject P (for example, a human body). Further, the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is merely an example. For example, each unit in the sequence control circuit 120 and the display control device 130 may be appropriately integrated or separated.

[0012] The static magnetic field magnet 101 is a magnet formed in a hollow substantially cylindrical shape, and generates a static magnetic field in the direction of its central axis (Z-axis) in the space inside the cylinder. The static magnetic field magnet 101 is, for example, a superconducting magnet or the like, and is excited by receiving a current supply from a static magnetic field power supply. The static magnetic field power supply supplies a current to the static magnetic field magnet 101. As another example, the static magnetic field magnet 101 may be a permanent magnet, and in this case, the magnetic resonance imaging device 100 may not include a static magnetic field power supply. Further, the static magnetic field power supply may be provided separately from the magnetic resonance imaging device 100.

[0013] The gradient magnetic field coil 103 is a coil formed in a hollow substantially cylindrical shape and is disposed inside the static magnetic field magnet 101. The gradient magnetic field coil 103 is formed by combining three coils corresponding to the X, Y, and Z axes that are orthogonal to each other. These three coils are individually supplied with current from the gradient magnetic field power supply 104 to generate a gradient magnetic field in which the magnetic field strength in the Z direction changes according to the distance from the center of each axis along the X, Y, and Z axes. The gradient magnetic fields along the X, Y, and Z axes generated by the gradient magnetic field coil 103 are, for example, the slice gradient magnetic field Gs, the phase encoding gradient magnetic field Ge, and the readout gradient magnetic field Gr. The gradient magnetic field power supply 104 supplies current to the gradient magnetic field coil 103.

[0014] The bed 105 includes a top plate 105a on which the subject P is placed. Under the control of the bed control circuit 106, the top plate 105a is inserted into the cavity (imaging opening) of the gradient magnetic field coil 103 with the subject P placed thereon. Usually, the bed 105 is installed such that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the central axis of the static magnetic field magnet 101. The bed control circuit 106 drives the bed 105 under the control of the display control device 130 to move the top plate 105a in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction.

[0015] The transmission coil 107 is disposed inside the gradient magnetic field coil 103 and generates a high-frequency magnetic field upon receiving an RF (Radio Frequency) pulse from the transmission circuit 108. The transmission circuit 108 supplies an RF pulse corresponding to the Larmor frequency determined by the type of the target atom and the magnetic field strength to the transmission coil 107.

[0016] The reception coil 109 is disposed inside the gradient magnetic field coil 103 and receives a magnetic resonance signal (hereinafter, referred to as "MR signal" as necessary) emitted from the subject P due to the influence of the high-frequency magnetic field. When the reception coil 109 receives the magnetic resonance signal, it outputs the received magnetic resonance signal to the reception circuit 110.

[0017] Note that the above-described transmission coil 107 and reception coil 109 are merely examples. It may be configured by combining one or more of a coil having only a transmission function, a coil having only a reception function, or a coil having both transmission and reception functions.

[0018] The reception circuit 110 detects the magnetic resonance signal output from the reception coil 109, and generates magnetic resonance data based on the detected magnetic resonance signal. Specifically, the reception circuit 110 generates magnetic resonance data by digitally converting the magnetic resonance signal output from the reception coil 109. Further, the reception circuit 110 transmits the generated magnetic resonance data to the sequence control circuit 120. Note that the reception circuit 110 may be provided on the gantry device side including the static magnetic field magnet 101, the gradient magnetic field coil 103, etc.

[0019] The sequence control circuit 120 performs imaging of the subject P by driving the gradient magnetic field power supply 104, the transmission circuit 108, and the reception circuit 110 based on the sequence information transmitted from the display control device 130. Here, the sequence information is information that defines the procedure for performing imaging. The sequence information defines the strength of the current supplied by the gradient magnetic field power supply 104 to the gradient magnetic field coil 103 and the timing of supplying the current, the strength of the RF pulse supplied by the transmission circuit 108 to the transmission coil 107 and the timing of applying the RF pulse, the timing at which the reception circuit 110 detects the magnetic resonance signal, etc. For example, the sequence control circuit 120 is an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit).

[0020] Furthermore, when the sequence control circuit 120 drives the gradient magnetic field power supply 104, the transmission circuit 108, and the reception circuit 110 to image the subject P and receives magnetic resonance data from the reception circuit 110, the sequence control circuit 120 transfers the received magnetic resonance data to the display control device 130.

[0021] The first camera 140 is a camera capable of photographing the subject P outside the bore, and is set, for example, on the ceiling of the imaging room. In this case, the first camera 140 photographs the subject P from above.

[0022] The second camera 141 is a camera capable of photographing the subject P inside the bore, and is installed, for example, on the side wall in the imaging room.

[0023] The gantry panel 170 is a display panel provided on the gantry, and is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, for example. The gantry panel includes, for example, an input device and a display, and has the same functions as the input device 134 and the display 135 in the display control device 130.

[0024] The display control device 130 controls the display of the obtained image and the like, and also performs the overall control of the magnetic resonance imaging device 100 and the generation of images. An example of the configuration of the display control device 130 is shown in FIG. 2. The display control device 130 includes a memory 132, an input device 134, a display 135, and a processing circuit 150. The processing circuit 150 includes an interface function 131, a control function 133, and a generation function 136.

[0025] Hereinafter, a case where the display control device 130 incorporated in the magnetic resonance imaging device 100 functions as a display control device will be described, but the embodiment is not limited to such a case. The display control device 130 may be configured independently of the magnetic resonance imaging device 100 as a single display control device. In such a case, the processing circuit 150 included in the display control device 130 may be configured without including functions for controlling the operation of the magnetic resonance imaging device 100, such as a generation function 150c and an interface function 150d.

[0026] In the embodiment, each processing function performed by the acquisition function 150a, the display control function 150b, the generation function 150c, and the interface function 150d is stored in the memory 132 in the form of a program executable by a computer. The processing circuit 150 is a processor that reads out a program from the memory 132 and executes it to realize the functions corresponding to the respective programs. In other words, the processing circuit 150 in the state of having read out each program will have each function shown in the processing circuit 150 of FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, although the processing functions performed by the acquisition function 150a, the display control function 150b, the generation function 150c, and the interface function 150d are described as being realized by a single processing circuit 150, it is also possible to configure the processing circuit 150 by combining a plurality of independent processors, and each processor realizes a function by executing a program. In other words, each of the above-described functions may be configured as a program, and even when one processing circuit 150 executes each program. As another example, a specific function may be implemented in a dedicated independent program execution circuit. In FIG. 2, the acquisition function 150a, the display control function 150b, the generation function 150c, and the interface function 150d are each an example of an acquisition unit, a display control unit, a generation unit, and a control unit. Further, the sequence control circuit 120 is an example of a sequence control unit. Further, the display 135 and the pedestal panel 170 are examples of a display unit. Details of the functions of the acquisition function 150a and the display control function 150b will be described later.

[0027] The term "processor" used in the above description means, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit), or a circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (e.g., a simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA)). The processor realizes its functions by reading and executing the programs stored in the memory 132.

[0028] Alternatively, instead of storing the program in the memory 132, it may be configured to directly incorporate the program into the circuit of the processor. In this case, the processor realizes its functions by reading and executing the program incorporated into the circuit. Note that the bed control circuit 106, the transmission circuit 108, the reception circuit 110, etc. are also similarly constituted by the above electronic circuits such as the processor.

[0029] The processing circuit 150 acquires various information of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 10 by the acquisition function 150a. As an example, the processing circuit 150 acquires, by the acquisition function 150a, from the sequence control circuit 120, information about the type of the pulse sequence executed by the sequence control circuit 120. Also, the processing circuit 150 acquires an image through the first camera 140 or the second camera 141 by the acquisition function 150a. Further, the processing circuit 150 acquires, by the acquisition function 150a, the position information of the top plate 105a from the bed control circuit 106.

[0030] The processing circuit 150 performs overall control of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 by the display control function 150b, and controls imaging, image generation, image display, etc. For example, the processing circuit 150 causes the display control function 150b to display a first image obtained by the first camera 140 and a second image obtained by the second camera 141 on the display 135. Further, the processing circuit 150 having the display control function 150b receives an input of imaging conditions (imaging parameters, etc.) on the GUI, and generates sequence information according to the received imaging conditions. Further, the processing circuit 150 having the display control function 150b transmits the generated sequence information to the sequence control circuit 120.

[0031] The processing circuit 150 generates an image by subjecting the k-space data obtained based on the magnetic resonance data obtained by the pulse sequence executed by the sequence control circuit 120 to reconstruction processing such as Fourier transform by the generation function 150c.

[0032] The processing circuit 150 transmits sequence information to the sequence control circuit 120 by the interface function 150d, and receives magnetic resonance data from the sequence control circuit 120. Further, when receiving the magnetic resonance data, the processing circuit 150 having the interface function 150d stores the received magnetic resonance data in the memory 132.

[0033] The memory 132 stores magnetic resonance data received by the processing circuit 150 having the interface function 150d, image data generated by the processing circuit 150 having the generation function 150c, etc. For example, the memory 132 is a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, etc.

[0034] The input device 134 receives various instructions and information inputs from the operator. The input device 134 is, for example, a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball, a selection device such as a mode switch, or an input device such as a keyboard. The display 135 displays, under the control of the processing circuit 150 having the display control function 150b, the first image obtained by the first camera 140, the second image obtained by the second camera 141, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for receiving input of imaging conditions, an image generated by the processing circuit 150 having the generation function 150c, and the like. The display 135 is, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display.

[0035] Subsequently, the background according to the embodiment will be described.

[0036] In a medical imaging diagnostic apparatus such as an MRI apparatus, it is desirable to automate the patient setting of a subject.

[0037] Here, for example, it is conceivable to install a camera on the ceiling in the imaging room, photograph the subject from above the subject, and use the information of the subject for patient setting.

[0038] On the other hand, after moving the subject to the imaging region, it is desirable to display not only the image from above the subject but also the image inside the bore.

[0039] In view of these backgrounds, in order to improve the convenience for the user, the display control device 130 according to the embodiment includes a processing circuit 150. The processing circuit 150 acquires, by the acquisition function 150a, the first image photographed by the first camera 140 capable of photographing the subject P outside the bore and the second image photographed by the second camera 141 capable of photographing the subject inside the bore. The processing circuit 150 causes the display control function 150b to display the first image and the second image on the display 135.

[0040] In the first embodiment, images of a plurality of cameras are simultaneously displayed on the gantry panel 170 and the console 135. Such a situation is shown in FIG. 3.

[0041] In FIG. 3, a first camera 140 capable of photographing a subject P outside the bore is installed on the ceiling, and a second camera 141 capable of photographing the subject P inside the bore is installed on the side wall. The subject P is placed on the top plate 105a of the hospital bed 105 and moves along the gantry rail 180. Here, the display control device 130 according to the first embodiment, by the display control function 150b of the processing circuit 150, displays the first image 20 taken by the first camera 140 capable of photographing the subject P outside the bore and the second image 21 taken by the second camera 141 capable of photographing the subject inside the bore simultaneously on the display 135 and the gantry panel 170. That is, the display control device 130 simultaneously displays images of a plurality of cameras on the gantry panel 170 and the display 135.

[0042] Note that the second camera 141 may photograph the subject P in real time. In such a case, the processing circuit 150 acquires the second image taken by the second camera 141 in real time by the acquisition function 150a. The processing circuit 150 causes the display control function 150b to display the first image 20 of the subject P on the gantry panel 170 and the display 135, and also causes the second image 21 taken in real time by the second camera 141 to be displayed on the gantry panel 170 and the display 135 in real time. Note that the first image 20 that the processing circuit 150 causes to be displayed on the gantry panel 170 or the display 135 by the display control function 150b may be a past image taken before the subject P enters the bore instead of an image taken in real time at that point.

[0043] As described above, in the first embodiment, images of a plurality of cameras are simultaneously displayed on the gantry panel 170 and the console 135. Thereby, an image for grasping the state of the patient can be effectively provided to the user, and the convenience of the user is improved. For example, the position of the subject P can be confirmed by cameras from a plurality of viewpoints, and the convenience of the user is improved.

[0044] (Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the case where images of a plurality of cameras are simultaneously displayed on the gantry panel 170 and the console 135 has been described. In contrast, in the second embodiment, images of a plurality of cameras are displayed in a switched manner. As a result, the position of the subject P can be confirmed by cameras viewing from a plurality of viewpoints as necessary, improving the convenience for the user.

[0045] In FIGS. 4 and 5, a first camera 140 capable of photographing the subject P outside the bore is installed on the ceiling, and a second camera 141 capable of photographing the subject P inside the bore is installed on the side wall. The subject P is placed on the top plate 105a of the hospital bed 105 and moves along the gantry rail 180. FIG. 4 shows the situation when the subject P is outside the bore, and FIG. 5 shows the situation when the subject P is inside the bore.

[0046] Here, in the second embodiment, the processing circuit 150 causes the display control function 150b to display on the display 135 and the gantry panel 170 while switching between the first image 20 and the second image 21.

[0047] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the subject P is outside the bore, since the subject P is not inserted into the bore and it is sufficient to use only the first camera 140, the processing circuit 150 causes the display control function 150b to display the first image 20 taken by the first camera 140 capable of photographing the subject P outside the bore on the display 136 and the gantry panel 170.

[0048] Subsequently, the processing circuit 150 causes the display control function 150b to switch the image to be displayed on the display 135 and the gantry panel 170 at the timing when the top plate 105a is inserted into the bore.

[0049] For example, when the second camera 141 detects the subject P, the processing circuit 150 switches, via the display control function 150b, the image to be displayed on the display 135 or the gantry panel 170 from the first image 20 to the second image 21. For example, the processing circuit 150 acquires, via the acquisition function 150b, the position of the top plate 105a through the bed control circuit 105, and based on the acquired position, the display control function 150b switches the image to be displayed on the display 135 or the gantry panel 170 from the first image 20 to the second image 21.

[0050] Also, for example, when the first camera 140 stops detecting the subject P, the processing circuit 150 may switch, via the display control function 150b, the image to be displayed on the display 136 or the gantry panel 170 from the first image 20 to the second image 21. As an example, the processing circuit 150 performs image recognition processing such as contour extraction on the first image 20 by a determination function (not shown), determines whether the subject P is included in the first image 20, and based on the determination result, when the first camera 140 stops detecting the subject P, switches the image to be displayed on the display 136 or the gantry panel 170 from the first image 20 to the second image 21.

[0051] As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, when the subject P is inside the bore, the processing circuit 150 displays, via the display control function 150b, the second image 21 captured by the second camera 141 capable of capturing the subject inside the bore on the display 135 and the gantry panel 170.

[0052] That is, in the second embodiment, the processing circuit 150 appropriately switches and displays, via the display control function 150b, the first camera 140 capable of photographing the subject P outside the bore and the second camera 141 capable of photographing the subject inside the bore. Thereby, the necessary camera can be displayed on the display unit according to the situation, and the state of the patient can be grasped more accurately, improving the convenience for the user.

[0053] (Third Embodiment) In the second embodiment, an example of switching the image to be displayed on the display unit according to whether the subject P is inside or outside the bore was described. In the third embodiment, the image to be displayed on the display unit is switched according to the body position of the subject P. For example, in the third embodiment, the processing circuit 150 switches the image to be displayed on the display 135 or the gantry panel 170 according to whether the subject P enters the bore headfirst or feetfirst by the display control function 150b.

[0054] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the subject P enters the bore headfirst, the information of the second image 21 obtained by the second camera 141 capable of photographing inside the bore becomes relatively important. Therefore, the processing circuit 150 causes the display control function 150b to display the second image 21 photographed by the second camera 141 capable of photographing inside the bore on the display 135 or the gantry panel 170.

[0055] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, when the subject P enters the bore feetfirst, for example, the photographing may be performed with the head of the subject P outside the bore. In this case, for the purpose of checking the expression of the subject P, etc., there may be a case where the information of the first image 20 obtained by the first camera 140 capable of photographing outside the bore is to be displayed. Therefore, in the case of feetfirst, the processing circuit 150 causes the display control function 150b to display the first image 20 photographed by the first camera 140 capable of photographing outside the bore on the display 135 or the gantry panel 170.

[0056] In such a case, as shown in FIG. 7, the processing circuit 150 may cause the display control function 150b to remove unnecessary portions unrelated to the subject P from the image photographed by the first camera 140 and display an image obtained by enlarging the necessary portions on the display 135 or the gantry panel as the first image 20.

[0057] Note that the processing circuit 150 may cause the display control function 150b to display the second image 21 obtained by the second camera 141 capable of photographing inside the bore on the display 135 or the pedestal panel 170 according to the user's request. As an example, when the processing circuit 150 receives a command to display the second image 21 by the user selecting a button displayed on the display unit with the input device 134 through the display control function 150b, the processing circuit 150 may display the second image 21 in addition to the first image 20 on the display 135 or the pedestal panel 170.

[0058] As described above, in the third embodiment, according to the position of the subject P, the processing circuit 150 switches the image to be displayed on the display 135 or the pedestal panel 170 by the control function 150b. As a result, an image corresponding to the type of photographing is automatically displayed, eliminating the need for the user's switching operation, improving the inspection throughput, and improving the user's convenience.

[0059] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, the user's convenience can be improved.

[0060] Although several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes, and combinations of the embodiments can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, as well as in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0061] 150 Processing circuit 150a Acquisition function 150b Display control function 150c Generation function 150d Interface function

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires a first image captured by a first camera capable of photographing a subject outside the bore and a second image captured by a second camera capable of photographing a subject inside the bore; A display control unit that causes the display unit to display the first image and the second image; Comprising: When the subject enters the bore headfirst, the display control unit causes the second image to be displayed on the display unit, and when the subject enters the bore feetfirst, the display control unit causes the first image to be displayed on the display unit. The display control unit determines whether the subject is included in the first image by contour extraction, and when the first camera stops detecting the subject, the display control unit switches the image to be displayed on the display unit from the first image to the second image. A display control device.

2. When the subject enters the bore feetfirst, the display control unit removes a portion of the first image that has no relation to the subject and enlarges a necessary portion, and causes the enlarged image to be displayed on the display unit. The display control device according to claim 1.

Images