Medical information processing device and medical information processing method

Abstract

To provide a medical information processing device capable of setting an optimum parameter while reducing the labor of a user.SOLUTION: A medical information processing device 1 includes a reception unit 151 and an optimization unit 152. The reception unit receives a setting a user desires in relation to at least one of a plurality of parameters related to image capturing. The optimization unit sets the setting the user desires as a limiting condition or a target function and executes optimization processing using the target function to optimize the plurality of parameters.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings relate to a medical information processing apparatus and a medical information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] When imaging a subject, parameters related to imaging are input based on the examination order and the condition of the subject. For example, when imaging a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, multiple images are often obtained using multiple imaging sequences, and various parameters must be set. Because parameters are interrelated, if the interrelationships between parameters are complex, there is no guarantee that the parameter settings will be optimal. Also, the user interface is often inconsistent, and depending on the order in which parameters are set, it may not be possible to enter the same conditions as parameters set previously, requiring trial and error to find the optimal value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] WO2013-165888 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012-84541 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] One of the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is to be able to set optimal parameters while reducing the user's effort. However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings are not limited to the above problems. Problems corresponding to the effects of the configurations shown in the embodiments described below can also be positioned as other problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The medical image processing device according to this embodiment includes a receiving unit and an optimization unit. The receiving unit receives user-desired settings for one or more parameters among multiple parameters related to imaging. The optimization unit sets the user-desired settings as constraints or an objective function, and optimizes the multiple parameters by executing an optimization process using the objective function. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a medical image processing apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an MRI apparatus as an example of a medical image diagnostic apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first operation example of the medical image processing apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a method for designing constraint equations relating to parameters according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a second operation example of the medical image processing apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first display example regarding parameters in a pin state. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second display example relating to parameters in a pin state. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a third example of display relating to parameters in a pin state. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a recommendation list. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, a medical image processing apparatus and a medical image processing method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, parts with the same reference numerals perform similar operations, and redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

[0008] A medical image processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The medical information processing device 1 according to this embodiment includes a memory 11, an input interface 12, a communication interface 13, a display 14, and a processing circuit 15. The memory 11, the input interface 12, the communication interface 13, the display 14, and the processing circuit 15 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other, for example, via a bus.

[0009] The memory 11 is a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or integrated circuit storage device that stores various information. The memory 11 may also be a drive device that reads and writes various information from and to a portable storage medium such as a CD-ROM drive, a DVD drive, or a flash memory. The memory 11 does not necessarily have to be realized by a single storage device. For example, the memory 11 may be realized by multiple storage devices. The memory 11 may also be located in another computer connected to the medical information processing device 1 via a network.

[0010] The memory 11 stores a medical information processing program according to this embodiment, etc. Note that this program may be stored in advance in the memory 11. Alternatively, the program may be stored in a non-transitory storage medium, distributed, read from the non-transitory storage medium, and installed in the memory 11.

[0011] The input interface 12 accepts various input operations from a user, converts the accepted input operations into electrical signals, and outputs the electrical signals to the processing circuit 15. The input interface 12 according to this embodiment is connected to input devices such as a mouse, keyboard, trackball, switch, button, joystick, touchpad, and touch panel, the operation surface of which is touched to input instructions. The input devices connected to the input interface 12 may also be input devices provided in another computer connected via a network or the like.

[0012] The communication interface 13 performs data communication with a hospital information system, a radiology department information system, a medical image management system (PACS: Picture Archiving and Communication System), etc. The communication interface 13 performs data communication in accordance with, for example, a known standard that is set in advance. For example, communication in accordance with HL7 is performed with the hospital information system and the radiology department information system. Furthermore, for example, communication in accordance with DICOM is performed with the medical image management system.

[0013] The display 14 displays various information in accordance with instructions from the processing circuit 15. The display 14 may also display a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like for accepting various operations from the user. Any display may be used as appropriate, such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, an LED display, or a plasma display. The medical information processing device 1 may not include the display 14, and the GUI or the like may be displayed on an external display, or the GUI or the like may be displayed via a projector or the like.

[0014] The processing circuitry 15 is a processor that functions as the core of the medical information processing device 1. The processing circuitry 15 includes a reception function 151, an optimization function 152, a determination function 153, and a display control function 154.

[0015] The reception function 151 allows the processing circuit 15 to receive user-desired settings for one or more parameters among a plurality of parameters related to imaging. The processing circuit 15 uses the optimization function 152 to set the user's desired settings as constraint conditions or an objective function, and executes an optimization process using the objective function to optimize multiple parameters. The processing circuit 15 uses the determination function 153 to determine whether or not a solution exists in the optimization of the objective function in the optimization process. The display control function 154 allows the processing circuit 15 to control the display of the user interface, such as displaying parameters to which the user has given a desired setting on the user interface in a manner that distinguishes them from other parameters.

[0016] Each of the functions 151 to 154 is not limited to being realized by a single processing circuit. A processing circuit may be configured by combining multiple independent processors, and each processor may execute a program to realize each of the functions 151 to 154. Alternatively, each of the functions 151 to 154 may be stored as a program in the memory 11 or the like, and the processing circuit 15 may execute the program to realize the function corresponding to the program.

[0017] In the following, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device is assumed as a medical image diagnostic device that is the target of the optimization process of imaging-related parameters by the medical information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other medical image diagnostic devices that receive parameters related to imaging and perform imaging, such as an X-ray computed tomography (CT) device, a positron emission tomography (PET) device, a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) device, a PET / CT device, a PET / MRI device, a SPECT / CT device, a PET / MRI device, and an ultrasound diagnostic device, may also be used. For example, in the case of an X-ray CT device, imaging parameters include tube voltage, tube current, tube rotation speed, slice thickness, helical pitch, reconstruction function, etc. The medical information processing device 1 may perform optimization processing for these parameters.

[0018] An MRI apparatus, which is an example of a medical image diagnostic apparatus, will be described with reference to the conceptual diagram of FIG. 2, the MRI apparatus 2 includes a static magnetic field magnet 101, a gradient magnetic field coil 103, a gradient magnetic field power supply 105, a bed 107, a bed control circuit 109, a transmission circuit 113, a transmission coil 115, a reception coil 117, a reception circuit 119, a sequence control circuit 121, a bus 123, an interface 125, a display 127, a storage device 129, and a processing circuit 131. The MRI apparatus 2 may include a hollow cylindrical shim coil between the static magnetic field magnet 101 and the gradient magnetic field coil 103.

[0019] The medical information processing device 1 according to this embodiment may be included in a console, a workstation, or the like, or may be included in a medical image diagnostic device (MRI device 2). In the following, an example will be described in which the functions of the medical information processing device 1 are realized by the configuration of the MRI device 2, for example, the interface 125, the display 127, the storage device 129, and the processing circuit 131, but this is not limiting, and a device that realizes the medical information processing device 1 according to this embodiment may be connected to a general-purpose MRI device, and the processing of the medical information processing device 1 may be executed.

[0020] The static magnetic field magnet 101 is a magnet formed in a hollow, approximately cylindrical shape. The static magnetic field magnet 101 is not limited to an approximately cylindrical shape, and may be configured in an open shape. The static magnetic field magnet 101 generates a uniform static magnetic field in the internal space. In this embodiment, the static magnetic field magnet 101 is assumed to be a superconducting magnet using a superconducting coil.

[0021] The gradient magnetic field coil 103 is a coil formed in a hollow cylindrical shape. The gradient magnetic field coil 103 is placed 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. The Z-axis direction is the same as the direction of the static magnetic field. The Y-axis direction is the vertical direction, and the X-axis direction is the direction perpendicular to the Z and Y axes. The three coils in the gradient magnetic field coil 103 are individually supplied with current from a gradient magnetic field power supply 105, and generate gradient magnetic fields whose magnetic field strength changes along each of the X, Y, and Z axes.

[0022] The gradient magnetic fields of the X, Y, and Z axes generated by the gradient coil 103 form, for example, a frequency encoding gradient magnetic field (also called a readout gradient magnetic field), a phase encoding gradient magnetic field, and a slice selection gradient magnetic field. The frequency encoding gradient magnetic field is used to change the frequency of the MR signal depending on the spatial position. The phase encoding gradient magnetic field is used to change the phase of the MR signal depending on the spatial position. The slice selection gradient magnetic field is used to determine the imaging cross section.

[0023] The gradient magnetic field power supply 105 is a power supply device that supplies current to the gradient magnetic field coil 103 under the control of the sequence control circuit 121 .

[0024] The bed 107 is a device equipped with a tabletop 1071 on which the subject P is placed. Under the control of a bed control circuit 109, the bed 107 inserts the tabletop 1071 on which the subject P is placed into a bore 111. The bed 107 is installed in an examination room in which the MRI apparatus 2 is installed, for example, so that the longitudinal direction is parallel to the central axis of the static magnetic field magnet 101.

[0025] The bed control circuit 109 is a circuit that controls the bed 107, and drives the bed 107 in response to an instruction from the operator via the interface 125, thereby moving the tabletop 1071 in the longitudinal direction and the up-down direction.

[0026] The transmitting coil 115 is an RF coil arranged inside the gradient magnetic field coil 103. The transmitting coil 115 receives RF (Radio Frequency) pulses from the transmitting circuit 113 and generates a transmitting RF wave corresponding to a high frequency magnetic field. The transmitting coil 115 is, for example, a whole-body coil. The whole-body coil may be used as a transmitting / receiving coil. A cylindrical RF shield is installed between the whole-body coil and the gradient magnetic field coil 103 to magnetically separate these coils.

[0027] The transmission circuit 113 supplies an RF pulse corresponding to the Larmor frequency or the like to the transmission coil 115 under the control of the sequence control circuit 121 .

[0028] The receiving coil 117 is an RF coil arranged inside the gradient magnetic field coil 103. The receiving coil 117 receives MR signals emitted from the subject P by a high frequency magnetic field. The receiving coil 117 outputs the received MR signals to a receiving circuit 119. The receiving coil 117 is, for example, a coil array having one or more, typically a plurality of coil elements. The receiving coil 117 is, for example, a phased array coil.

[0029] The receiving circuit 119 generates a digital MR signal, which is digitized complex data, based on the MR signal output from the receiving coil 117 under the control of the sequence control circuit 121. Specifically, the receiving circuit 119 performs various signal processing on the MR signal output from the receiving coil 117, and then performs analog-to-digital (A / D) conversion on the data that has been subjected to various signal processing. The receiving circuit 119 samples the A / D converted data. As a result, the receiving circuit 119 generates a digital MR signal (hereinafter referred to as MR data). The receiving circuit 119 outputs the generated MR data to the sequence control circuit 121.

[0030] The sequence control circuit 121 controls the gradient magnetic field power supply 105, the transmission circuitry 113, the reception circuitry 119, etc. in accordance with the examination protocol output from the processing circuitry 131, and performs imaging of the subject P. The examination protocol has various pulse sequences (also called imaging sequences) according to the examination. The examination protocol defines the magnitude of the current supplied to the gradient magnetic field coil 103 by the gradient magnetic field power supply 105, the timing at which the gradient magnetic field power supply 105 supplies the current to the gradient magnetic field coil 103, the magnitude of the RF pulse supplied to the transmission coil 115 by the transmission circuitry 113, the timing at which the RF pulse is supplied to the transmission coil 115 by the transmission circuitry 113, the timing at which the MR signal is received by the reception coil 117, etc.

[0031] The bus 123 is a transmission path for transmitting data among the interface 125, the display 127, the storage device 129, and the processing circuit 131. Various biosignal measuring devices, external storage devices, various modalities, etc. may be appropriately connected to the bus 123 via a network, etc. For example, an electrocardiograph (not shown) is connected to the bus as a biosignal measuring device.

[0032] The interface 125 has circuits for receiving various instructions and information input from an operator. The interface 125 has circuits related to input devices such as a pointing device such as a mouse or a keyboard. Note that the circuits included in the interface 125 are not limited to circuits related to physical operating components such as a mouse and a keyboard. For example, the interface 125 may have an electrical signal processing circuit that receives an electrical signal corresponding to an input operation from an external input device provided separately from the MRI apparatus 2 and outputs the received electrical signal to various circuits.

[0033] The display 127 displays various magnetic resonance images (MR images) generated by the image generation function 1313, various information related to imaging and image processing, and the like, under the control of the system control function 1311 in the processing circuitry 131. The display 127 is, for example, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, an LED display, a plasma display, or any other display or monitor known in the art.

[0034] The storage device 129 stores MR data filled in the k-space via the image generation function 1313, image data generated by the image generation function 1313, etc. The storage device 129 stores various examination protocols, imaging conditions including a plurality of imaging parameters defining the examination protocols, etc. The storage device 129 stores programs corresponding to various functions executed by the processing circuitry 131. The storage device 129 is, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, a HDD, an SSD, an optical disk, etc. The storage device 129 may also be a drive or the like that reads and writes various information from and to a portable storage medium such as a CD-ROM drive, a DVD drive, or a flash memory.

[0035] The processing circuitry 131 has a processor, memories such as ROM and RAM, etc., which are not shown as hardware resources, and comprehensively controls the MRI apparatus 2. The processing circuitry 131 includes a system control function 1311, an image generation function 1313, a reception function 151, an optimization function 152, a determination function 153, and a display control function 154.

[0036] The various functions of the processing circuitry 131 are stored in the storage device 129 in the form of programs executable by a computer. The processing circuitry 131 is a processor that realizes the functions corresponding to the various programs by reading the programs corresponding to the various functions from the storage device 129 and executing them. In other words, the processing circuitry 131 in a state in which the programs have been read out has the multiple functions shown in the processing circuitry 15 in FIG. 1.

[0037] 2, it has been explained that these various functions are realized by a single processing circuit 131, but it is also possible to configure the processing circuit 131 by combining multiple independent processors, and have each processor execute a program to realize the function. In other words, it is possible that each of the above-mentioned functions is configured as a program and one processing circuit executes each program, or that a specific function is implemented in a dedicated, independent program execution circuit.

[0038] The term "processor" used in the above description refers to circuits such as a CPU, a GPU, 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)).

[0039] The processor realizes various functions by reading and executing programs stored in the storage device 129. Note that instead of storing the programs in the storage device 129, the programs may be configured to be directly embedded in the processor circuitry. In this case, the processor realizes its functions by reading and executing the programs embedded in the circuitry. Note that the bed control circuitry 109, transmission circuitry 113, reception circuitry 119, sequence control circuitry 121, etc. are also similarly configured by electronic circuits such as the processor.

[0040] The processing circuitry 131 controls the MRI apparatus 2 using a system control function 1311. Specifically, the processing circuitry 131 reads out a system control program stored in the storage device 129, loads it on the memory, and controls each circuit of the MRI apparatus 2 in accordance with the loaded system control program. For example, the processing circuitry 131 reads out an examination protocol from the storage device 129 using the system control function 1311 based on imaging conditions input by the operator via the interface 125. The processing circuitry 131 may also generate the examination protocol based on the imaging conditions. The processing circuitry 131 transmits the examination protocol to the sequence control circuit 121 and controls imaging of the subject P.

[0041] The processing circuitry 131 applies excitation pulses and applies gradient magnetic fields in accordance with an excitation pulse sequence using a system control function 1311. After executing the excitation pulse sequence using the system control function 1311, the processing circuitry 131 collects MR signals from the subject P in accordance with a data collection sequence, which is a pulse sequence for collecting various types of data, and generates MR data.

[0042] The processing circuitry 131 fills the MR data along the readout direction of the k-space according to the strength of the readout gradient magnetic field using the image generation function 1313. The processing circuitry 131 generates an MR image by performing a Fourier transform on the MR data filled in the k-space. For example, the processing circuitry 131 can generate an absolute magnitude image from complex MR data. The processing circuitry 131 can also generate a phase image using real and imaginary part data of the complex MR data. The processing circuitry 131 outputs MR images such as the absolute magnitude image and the phase image to the display 127 or the storage device 129.

[0043] Next, a first operation example of the medical image processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S301, the processing circuit 15 receives, via the reception function 151, a setting desired by the user from among a plurality of parameters related to imaging. The setting of one or more parameters input by the user may be a fixed value, or may specify a range of values, such as "5 to 20." The fixed value may specify a minimum or maximum value. Furthermore, the parameter input by the user may specify the minimum or maximum possible value among the conditions under which imaging can be performed in combination with other parameters, such as the minimum or maximum possible value. In this case, the specification may be made using the words "Min" and "Max."

[0044] In step S302, the processing circuit 15 fixes the parameter settings desired by the user that have been input by the user using the optimization function 152. Note that in this embodiment, "fixing the settings" means that the setting values are not automatically changed due to the influence of fluctuations in other parameters, and is also called a "pin state." The processing circuit 15 displays the pinned parameters in a manner that distinguishes them from other parameters using the display control function 154. A specific display method will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0045] In step S303, the processing circuit 15 uses the optimization function 152 to set the parameter settings fixed by the processing in step S302 as constraint conditions or objective functions. For example, if the parameter settings are fixed values, a constraint expression related to the parameter is set as a constraint condition. If the parameter settings are specified as the minimum or maximum possible values, an objective function related to the parameter is set. In step S304, the processing circuitry 15 executes optimization processing using the objective function by the optimization function 152. The optimization processing, for example, finds an optimal solution that minimizes the objective function when the parameter settings are the minimum possible values under constraint conditions that express time constraints of the imaging sequence in the MRI apparatus 2 using constraint equations, and finds an optimal solution that maximizes the objective function when the parameter settings are the maximum possible values. A specific example of the optimization processing will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

[0046] In step S305, the processing circuit 15 determines whether or not there is no solution in the optimization process of the objective function using the determination function 153. If there is no solution, the process proceeds to step S306, and if there is no solution, that is, if there is at least one solution, the process proceeds to step S307. In step S306, the processing circuitry 15 displays a message to the user via the display control function 154 indicating that the parameter settings desired by the user are not sufficient for imaging and that the parameter settings are not possible. For example, a message such as "Desired parameters cannot be set" may be displayed on the user interface. In step S307, since the parameter settings desired by the user are satisfied and the other parameter settings are also optimized, the processing circuitry 15 uses the display control function 154 to present the optimal solution from among the one or more solutions to the user. For example, a message such as "Desired value can be set" indicating that the settings desired by the user are possible may be displayed on the user interface, and other parameters determined by the optimization process may also be displayed. In other words, the optimal values for the settings of each of the multiple parameters required for imaging can be presented to the user.

[0047] By obtaining an optimal solution based on the parameter settings entered by the user through the above operations shown in the flowchart in Figure 3, it is possible to achieve global optimization of parameter setting values even when multiple parameters are intricately related to one another. Furthermore, when a global optimum is obtained, it is also possible to mathematically guarantee that it is an optimal solution.

[0048] Note that the example of FIG. 3 assumes that the optimization process is executed after the user inputs all desired parameters. However, the optimization function 152 may cause the processing circuit 15 to execute the above-described optimization process each time a parameter to be pinned is input. As a result of the optimization process for setting one pinned parameter, values or value ranges are set for other parameters under constraints, and other parameters whose values cannot be freely set, i.e., cannot be set to a pinned state, can be extracted. Therefore, if there are other parameters that cannot be set to a pinned state, the display control function 154 causes the processing circuit 15 to perform a process of graying out the other parameters, for example, to make them unavailable for input, thereby presenting the parameters that cannot be pinned to the user. Meanwhile, the user can easily determine whether the desired setting can be input for the parameters.

[0049] Next, a specific example of the optimization process in steps S303 and S304 will be described. In this embodiment, in addition to constraint equations representing constraint conditions related to the parameters of the imaging sequence, parameter setting values input by a user are set as constraint equations or objective functions, and an optimization process is performed by finding an optimal solution to the objective function under the constraint conditions using linear programming employing a predetermined algorithm. The algorithm employed may be any algorithm generally used in linear programming, such as the simplex method or the interior point method. For the sake of convenience, in this embodiment, a case where linear programming is used will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and methods used in other optimization problems, such as nonlinear programming such as quadratic programming, may also be applied.

[0050] For example, if the parameter setting value input by the user is a fixed value, it is treated as a constraint equation in linear programming. Specifically, if the user inputs "TE=50" as the setting for the parameter TE (echo time), it can be treated as a constraint equation as is. Also, if the parameter setting input by the user is specified as a "minimum value" or "maximum value," it is treated as an objective function in linear programming. Specifically, if the user inputs "TE=Min" as the setting for the parameter TE, the parameter TE becomes the target to be optimized, so an objective function related to the parameter TE is set, the objective function is minimized, and the optimal solution that minimizes the objective function is found. In this way, the minimum value of the parameter TE can be found.

[0051] Next, an example of a method for designing constraint equations relating to parameters will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows a pulse sequence diagram for spin echo imaging. From the top, the intensities of the RF pulse and echo signal, and the gradient magnetic field for slice selection (G SS ), phase encoding gradient magnetic field (G PE ) and readout gradient field (G RO ) and the timing of the magnetic field gradients.

[0052] The time from the center of the excitation RF pulse 41 (also referred to as the 90-degree pulse 41) to the center of the echo signal is TE. Furthermore, a refocusing period 43 between the 90-degree pulse 41 and the refocusing pulse 42 (also referred to as the 180-degree pulse 42) is TE / 2, and a refocusing period 44 between the 180-degree pulse 42 and the echo signal is TE / 2. Therefore, the constraint equation (1) can be designed as the minimum period required as TE in the spin echo imaging method, that is, as a time constraint.

[0053]

number

[0054] In actual imaging, in addition to the above definition of TE, a period α (α is an integer greater than or equal to 0) is required from the start of application of the excitation pulse to the center of the excitation pulse. When taking into account the start timing of application of such an excitation pulse, the period α can be added to the left side.

[0055] Furthermore, each of the refocusing period 43 and the refocusing period 44 cannot be shortened by more than the sum of half the application time 45 (also called RF interval 45) of the 90-degree pulse 41 and half the application time 46 (also called RF interval 46) of the 180-degree pulse 41. Therefore, the constraint equation of equation (2) can be designed.

[0056]

number

[0057]

number

[0058] (3) G on the left side of equation SS The application period 47 (90-degree pulse) includes a first period from the timing of the center of the 90-degree pulse 41 until (RF interval 45) / 2 has elapsed, and a reverse slice selection gradient magnetic field G ss This is the combined period of the first and second times during which the second voltage is applied. SS The application period 48 (180-degree pulse) is a slice selection gradient magnetic field G SS is the application time of G RO The application period 49 is a readout gradient magnetic field G RO is the application time.

[0059] In this way, optimization processing can be performed by designing multiple constraint equations for the spin echo imaging method based on, for example, time constraints, and finding an optimal solution that minimizes or maximizes the objective function for the parameters to be optimized while satisfying the constraint conditions based on the multiple constraint equations. When designing constraint equations, parameters that are inequality constraints that do not contain equality signs can be transformed into equality constraints by introducing slack variables or the like to create constraint equations.

[0060] Requirements such as the time from turning off the RF pulse to acquiring the signal, SAR (Specific Absorption Rate), dB / dt, and the state of the internal coil, i.e., requirements arising from the device (hardware), may also be designed as constraint equations. For example, when parameters for which a nonlinear solution is expected, such as the SAR and the state of the internal coil, are quadratic, linear programming may be applied by expressing them as linear equations using other variables, or nonlinear programming may be used. Parameters relating to the SAR, dB / dt, and the state of the internal coil are also parameters to be optimized by the optimization function 152 and may be set as objective functions.

[0061] Next, a second operation example of the medical information processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The above-mentioned setting desired by the user is assumed to be a specific value, but there are also cases where the user wants to know the settable value range rather than a specific value. Therefore, in the second operation example, it is assumed that the settable value range for a parameter is sought.

[0062] In step S501, the processing circuit 15 sets the parameters input by the user in step S301 as the objective function using the optimization function 152. Here, to obtain a settable range, the user does not need to set a fixed value, minimum value, or maximum value, but only needs to specify the type of parameter. In step S502, the optimization function 152 of the processing circuit 15 minimizes the objective function using an optimization technique.

[0063] In step S503, the processing circuit 15 determines whether or not there is no solution when the objective function is minimized using the determination function 153. If there is no solution, the process proceeds to step S306, where the user is notified that the parameter setting is an impossible combination. On the other hand, if there is no solution, that is, if there is one or more solutions, the process proceeds to step S504. In step S504, the optimization function 152 of the processing circuit 15 maximizes the objective function using an optimization technique. In step S505, the display control function 154 causes the processing circuit 15 to present a range of values whose lower limit is the optimum value (i.e., minimum value) found in step S502 and whose upper limit is the optimum value (i.e., maximum value) found in step S504.

[0064] In this way, by presenting the range of values that can be set for the parameters, the user can input the parameter values that can be used for imaging, reducing the effort of having to redo the settings and shortening the time from setting to imaging.

[0065] Next, a first display example of pinned parameters by the display control function 154 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 is a parameter list in which parameters 61, setting values 62, and pins 63 are associated with each other, and is displayed on a user interface by, for example, the display control function 154. The parameter list shown in FIG. 6 shows the parameters that were set to the pin state in step S302 and other parameters. In the following, an example in which the parameters are displayed in a table format is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this and the parameters may be displayed appropriately in accordance with the display mode of the user interface used in the MRI apparatus.

[0066] Here, the setting value 62 displays a value input by the user and a value input by default based on the past imaging history, etc. Parameter settings input by the user are displayed with a circle mark "○" in the pin 63 item. Specifically, the parameter 61 "TE (msec)", the setting value 62 "Min", and the pin 63 "○" are associated with each other. As shown in FIG. 6, by looking at the pin 63 item, it is possible to easily determine which parameter setting value is the value input by the user and which is the value the user desires (is particular about).

[0067] Next, a second display example relating to parameters in a pin state will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in Fig. 7, it is also possible to display marks in other items without providing an item for pin 63. For example, a pin mark 71 may be displayed in the field for setting value 62 input by the user. This allows the user to easily determine whether the value is what they want, similar to the case of Fig. 6.

[0068] 6 and 7, the font color and / or size of at least one of the parameter 61 and the setting value 62 may be changed, or the font may be highlighted, such as in bold or blinking. Also, a character string or symbol such as "(edited)" may be added to the column for the parameter 61 to indicate that the parameter has been set to a pinned state. In other words, any display mode may be used as long as it is possible to determine whether the setting value 62 of the parameter 61 is in a pinned state.

[0069] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when multiple types of parameters are displayed on the parameter setting screen on the user interface, parameters that have been pinned by user input may be displayed in a list in a separate window. Furthermore, when imaging is performed after the parameters have been optimized as described above and an MR image is reconstructed based on the collected MR signals, the processing circuitry 15 may, using the display control function 154, highlight the parameters that were in a pin state when displaying the imaging parameters on the display screen (preview screen, etc.) of the reconstructed MR image.

[0070] Next, a third display example relating to pinned parameters will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a parameter list displayed on the user interface, similar to Figs. 6 and 7. When an image is captured with an optimal value set for a parameter that is in a pin state, the display control function 154 of the processing circuit 15 may display that the parameter was in a pin state in the previous image capture when displaying the parameter list for the next image capture.

[0071] The upper part of FIG. 8 is a list of parameters from the previous imaging session, and by referring to the item for pin 63, it can be seen that the parameter "TE" and the parameter "Pre-Pulse" were in a pin state. Here, the user may be able to change the parameter setting value by clicking or otherwise unpinning the parameter on the user interface. Specifically, for example, if the user wants to unpin the parameter 61 "TE," he or she can click or touch the column for pin 63 of parameter 61 "TE" with the mouse. This allows the pin to be unpinned, as shown in the lower part of Figure 8. On the other hand, if the user wishes to set the parameter 61 "TR" to the pin state, the user clicks or touches the column 81 for the pin 63 of the parameter 61 "TR" with the mouse. This sets the value set in the previous image capture as the pin state. The processing circuit 15 may be able to switch the pin state on and off using the display control function 154.

[0072] In addition, the display control function 154 may cause the processing circuit 15 to refer to the parameters specified as the pin state, and after the optimization process for the parameters of the imaging sequence is performed, present a list of recommended setting values (hereinafter also referred to as a recommendation list) for parameters other than the parameters in the pin state.

[0073] An example of a recommendation list presentation will be described with reference to FIG. When a user inputs a desired setting for a parameter and executes an optimization process, optimal values for other parameters based on the optimal solution are also obtained. Here, the optimization function 152 allows the processing circuit 15 to generate multiple recommendation lists by fixing the optimal value of the parameter related to the user's desired setting while selecting a combination of suboptimal values that can be taken for the other parameters. The display control function 154 allows the processing circuit 15 to display the multiple recommendation lists based on priority.

[0074] Specifically, assume that an optimization process is executed to minimize the parameter TE as an objective function, using the parameter TR "500" representing the pin state as a constraint equation, and that an optimal solution for the parameter TE is obtained. For example, a recommendation list 91 including the minimum value "20" of the parameter TE and the optimal values of the other parameters is displayed first, and then a recommendation list 92 including a suboptimal value of the parameter TE, for example "25," and the optimal values of the other parameters is displayed next. The example of FIG. 9 assumes that multiple recommendation lists are displayed overlapping each other, and the next recommendation list can be displayed by clicking or flicking, but multiple recommendation lists may also be displayed in parallel. In addition, the priority of the display order may be, for example, a recommendation list showing a combination of parameters previously or most recently set by the user may be displayed preferentially, or a recommendation list that optimizes parameters that are most affected by the parameter in the pin state may be displayed preferentially.

[0075] According to the present embodiment described above, the settings of one or more parameters desired by the user are accepted, the settings are set as constraint conditions or an objective function, and an optimization process is performed using the objective function. This makes it possible to set optimal values in the interrelationships of multiple parameters while satisfying the conditions desired by the user. Therefore, optimal parameters can be set while reducing the user's effort.

[0076] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, optimal parameters can be set while reducing the user's effort.

[0077] In addition, each function according to the embodiments can be realized by installing a program for executing the corresponding process on a computer such as a workstation and expanding the program in memory. In this case, the program for causing a computer to execute the corresponding method can be stored and distributed on a storage medium such as a magnetic disk (such as a hard disk), an optical disk (such as a CD-ROM, DVD, or Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), or a semiconductor memory.

[0078] Although several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations of embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1 Medical information processing device 2 MRI machine 11. Memory 12 Input Interface 13 Communication Interface 14 Display 15 Processing circuit 41 Excitation RF pulse (90 degree pulse) 42 Refocusing pulse (180 degree pulse) 43,44 Refocus period 45,46 Application time 47,48 G SS Application period 49 G RO Application period 61 parameters 62 Setting value 63 pins 71 Pin Mark Column 81 91,92 Recommendation List 101 Static Magnetic Field Magnet 103 Gradient magnetic field coil 105 Gradient magnetic field power supply 107 Sleeper 109 Bed control circuit 111 Bore 113 Transmitting Circuit 115 Transmitting Coil 117 Receiving Coil 119 Receiving circuit 121 Sequence control circuit 123 Bus 125 Interface 127 Display 129 Storage device 151 Reception function 152 Optimization Function 153 Judgment Function 154 Display Control Function 1071 Top plate 1311 System Control Functions 1313 Image generation function

Claims

1. A method for imaging a magnetic resonance image, comprising: a reception unit that receives input of one or more imaging parameters from a user among a plurality of imaging parameters related to imaging conditions that need to be set when imaging a magnetic resonance image; an optimization unit that sets the settings of the one or more imaging parameters input by the user as a constraint condition or an objective function based on the interrelationships between the plurality of imaging parameters, and performs an optimization process using the objective function, thereby optimizing other imaging parameters without changing the settings of the one or more imaging parameters input by the user; A medical information processing device comprising:

2. 2. The medical information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the setting of the imaging parameters indicates specifying fixed values for the one or more imaging parameters, or setting at least one of a minimum possible value, a maximum possible value, and a range of possible values for the one or more imaging parameters.

3. 2. The medical information processing device according to claim 1, wherein when the receiving unit receives an input of a minimum value that can be taken for the one or more imaging parameters from the user, the optimization unit sets an optimal solution obtained by minimizing an objective function for the one or more imaging parameters as the minimum value that can be taken for the one or more imaging parameters.

4. 2. The medical information processing device according to claim 1, wherein, when the receiving unit receives from the user an input of a maximum value that can be taken for the one or more imaging parameters, the optimization unit sets an optimal solution obtained by maximizing an objective function for the one or more imaging parameters as the maximum value that can be taken for the one or more imaging parameters.

5. 2. The medical image processing device according to claim 1, wherein, when the receiving unit receives an input from the user regarding a range of values that can be taken by the one or more imaging parameters, the optimization unit sets a range having a lower limit that is an optimal solution obtained by minimizing an objective function for the one or more imaging parameters and an upper limit that is an optimal solution obtained by maximizing the objective function for the one or more imaging parameters as the range of values that can be taken by the one or more imaging parameters.

6. 6. The medical image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the optimization unit sets constraint conditions using conditions of imaging parameters required in an imaging sequence as constraint expressions, and performs optimization processing of the objective function using linear programming or nonlinear programming.

7. A method for imaging a magnetic resonance image, comprising: a reception unit that receives input of one or more imaging parameters from a user among a plurality of imaging parameters related to imaging conditions that need to be set when imaging a magnetic resonance image; a display control unit that displays the one or more imaging parameters related to the input from the user on a user interface in a manner that distinguishes them from other imaging parameters; an optimization unit that sets the settings of the one or more imaging parameters input by the user as a constraint condition or an objective function based on the interrelationships between the plurality of imaging parameters, and performs an optimization process using the objective function, thereby optimizing other imaging parameters without changing the settings of the one or more imaging parameters input by the user; A medical information processing device comprising:

8. The optimization unit executes the optimization process each time a first imaging parameter is input by the user, 8. The medical information processing device according to claim 7, wherein, when an input from the user is applicable to the first imaging parameter, the display control unit displays the second imaging parameter that is affected by a change in the first imaging parameter in a manner indicating that the setting from the user is not accepted.

9. The medical information processing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the display control unit displays recommended setting values for second imaging parameters other than the first imaging parameters when the input from the user is applicable to the first imaging parameters.

10. 10. The medical information processing device according to claim 8, wherein the display control unit displays a list in which imaging parameters and setting values are associated when imaging is performed with settings previously input by the user, and enables the setting values of the past imaging parameters to which the settings input by the user are given to be changed.

11. A method for detecting a magnetic resonance image by receiving input of one or more imaging parameters from a user among a plurality of imaging parameters related to imaging conditions that need to be set when capturing the magnetic resonance image; A medical information processing method, comprising: setting the settings of the one or more imaging parameters input by the user as a constraint condition or an objective function based on the interrelationships between the plurality of imaging parameters; and performing an optimization process using the objective function, thereby optimizing other imaging parameters without changing the settings of the one or more imaging parameters input by the user.

12. A method for detecting a magnetic resonance image by receiving input of one or more imaging parameters from a user among a plurality of imaging parameters related to imaging conditions that need to be set when capturing the magnetic resonance image; displaying the one or more imaging parameters related to the input from the user on a user interface in a manner distinguishable from other imaging parameters; A medical information processing method, comprising: setting the settings of the one or more imaging parameters input by the user as a constraint condition or an objective function based on the interrelationships between the plurality of imaging parameters; and performing an optimization process using the objective function, thereby optimizing other imaging parameters without changing the settings of the one or more imaging parameters input by the user.

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