Biomagnetic measurement device, biomagnetic measurement processing device, and control method for biomagnetic measurement device

Abstract

To reduce a burden on a subject when acquiring a positional relation between a measurement site and a magnetic sensor in a biomagnetism measuring apparatus.SOLUTION: A biomagnetism measuring apparatus includes: a signal detection unit including a plurality of magnetic sensors; an optical image acquisition unit for acquiring an optical image of a region including the signal detection unit; a recording unit for holding positional information indicating a mutual positional relation between the plurality of magnetic sensors and position specification information used for specifying positions of the plurality of magnetic sensors in the optical image; a biomagnetism measuring processing apparatus for processing magnetic data acquired by the signal detection unit and generating a superimposition image by superimposing sensor marks at the positions of the plurality of magnetic sensors in the optical image on the basis of the position information and the position specification information held by the recording unit; and a display unit for displaying the superimposition image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a biomagnetic measurement device, a biomagnetic measurement processing device, and a method for controlling a biomagnetic measurement device. [Background technology]

[0002] Various methods have been disclosed for displaying the positional relationship between a measurement site and a magnetic sensor in a biomagnetic measurement device, and these methods are used to superimpose a morphological image on the distribution of nerve activity or muscle activity calculated from the measured biomagnetic field (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). Also, by attaching a coil that generates a magnetic field around the measurement site, the positional relationship between the measurement site and the magnetic sensor can be associated (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] However, for example, if the positional relationship between an image of the measurement site and the magnetic sensor is inaccurate, it is impossible to accurately match the calculated distribution of nerve or muscle activity with the actual positional relationship of the nerves or muscles. In this case, there is a risk that nerve or muscle activity cannot be properly evaluated. Furthermore, for example, by placing a marker coil in the magnetic field measurement area and acquiring an X-ray image during magnetic measurement, it is possible to determine the positional relationship between the measurement site and the magnetic sensor. However, acquiring an X-ray image requires irradiating the measurement site with X-rays, which places a burden on the subject. Attaching a coil around the measurement site also places a burden on the subject.

[0004] The present invention aims to reduce the burden on a subject when obtaining the positional relationship between a measurement site and a magnetic sensor in a biomagnetic measurement device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, a biomagnetic measurement device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a signal detection unit including a plurality of magnetic sensors;a marker coil disposed at a position corresponding to the signal detection unit; and an optical image acquisition unit for acquiring an optical image of an area including the plurality of magnetic sensors. Sensor Location information, The signal is obtained from the magnetic data of the magnetic field generated from the marker coil detected by the signal detection unit and the optical image including the marker coil. In the optical image Marker position information indicating the position of the marker coil; and relative position information indicating the relative position of the reference magnetic sensor with respect to the position of the marker coil. a recording unit for storing the The aforementioned Recorded in the record section using the sensor position information, the marker position information, and the relative position information, adding the relative position information to the marker position information to determine the position of the reference magnetic sensor in the optical image, and further adding the sensor position information to the result of the addition to determine the positions of the other magnetic sensors in the optical image; In the optical image , asked A superimposed image is generated by superimposing sensor marks at the positions of the plurality of magnetic sensors. At the same time, the signal detection unit processes the magnetic data acquired. The apparatus is characterized by comprising a biomagnetic measurement processing device and a display unit that displays the superimposed image. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, in a biomagnetic measurement device, it is possible to reduce the burden on a subject when acquiring the positional relationship between a measurement site and a magnetic sensor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a biomagnetic measurement apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a magnetic sensor array included in the signal detection unit of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a method for superimposing a sensor mark indicating the position of a magnetic sensor on an optical image. [Figure 4] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an optical image and a superimposed image displayed on the display unit of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a biomagnetic measurement apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the biomagnetic measurement device of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the data processing device of FIGS. 1 and 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted.

[0009] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a biomagnetic measurement device according to the first embodiment. The biomagnetic measurement device 100 shown in Fig. 1 includes a signal detection unit 110, an optical image acquisition unit 120, a data processing device 130, and a display unit 140. The data processing device 130 includes a calculation unit 131, a control unit 132, and a recording unit 133. The data processing device 130 is an example of a biomagnetic measurement processing device.

[0010] For example, the biomagnetic measurement device 100 is a magnetomyeograph (MMG), a magnetospinograph (MSG), a magnetoencephalograph (MEG), a magnetocardiograph (MCG), or the like.

[0011] The signal detection unit 110 has a magnetic sensor array including a plurality of magnetic sensors (not shown). The magnetic sensor array will be described in FIG. 2 and subsequent figures. The signal detection unit 110 detects magnetic fields generated by muscle activity or nerve activity of the subject, and outputs magnetic data indicating the detected magnetic fields to the data processing device 130. The biomagnetic measurement device 100 may also have a stimulation device that electrically stimulates the nerves or muscles of the subject via electrodes attached to the body surface (skin) of the subject.

[0012] The optical image acquisition unit 120 is fixed to the biomagnetic measurement device 100 with an imaging unit (not shown) facing the signal detection unit 110. This allows the optical image acquisition unit 120 to repeatedly acquire optical images of the same subject area including the signal detection unit 110 at the same angle of view. In other words, the pixel positions of the image of the signal detection unit 110 included in the optical images acquired by the optical image acquisition unit 120 are always the same.

[0013] The optical image acquiring unit 120 acquires an optical image by photographing the measurement site of the subject placed on the signal detecting unit 110 together with the signal detecting unit 110. For example, the optical image acquiring unit 120 acquires optical images at a predetermined frame rate and sequentially transfers optical image data (frame data) representing the acquired optical images to the data processing device 130 in real time.

[0014] The data processing device 130 is, for example, a computer device such as a server, and controls the overall operation of the biomagnetic measurement device 100 by executing a control program using a processor such as a built-in CPU (Central Processing Unit). For example, the calculation unit 131 and the control unit 132 are realized by a control program executed by the CPU. Note that the calculation unit 131 and the control unit 132 may be realized by hardware such as an FPGA, or may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

[0015] The calculation unit 131 processes magnetic data indicating the biomagnetic field detected by the signal detection unit 110 and reconstructs current components at multiple calculation points arranged in a matrix at predetermined intervals or at specified positions. For example, the calculation unit 131 uses the reconstructed current components to calculate current components on nerve axons or muscle fibers, which are the measurement site. The reconstructed current components and the current components at the measurement site may be superimposed on an optical image of the measurement site and displayed on the display unit 140.

[0016] 3, the calculation unit 131 generates a superimposed image in which sensor marks are superimposed at the positions of the multiple magnetic sensors in the optical image, based on the optical image acquired by the optical image acquisition unit 120 and the position information of the magnetic sensors and the like stored in the recording unit 133. The generated superimposed image is displayed on the display unit 140.

[0017] The control unit 132 controls the signal detection unit 110 to start or stop the magnetic field detection operation. The control unit 132 controls the optical image acquisition unit 120 to start or stop the acquisition of optical images. The control unit 132 also controls the display unit 140 to display optical images, superimposed images, distribution maps of nerve activity or muscle activity, etc. on the display unit 140. The control unit 132 also displays current waveforms indicating nerve activity or muscle activity, etc. on the display unit 140. The control unit also controls the recording unit 133 to record magnetic data, optical images, superimposed images, etc. in the recording unit 133, and acquires various parameters, etc. used by the calculation unit 131 from the recording unit 133.

[0018] The recording unit 133 includes at least one of a semiconductor memory such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), and a solid state drive (SSD).

[0019] The display unit 140 has a display screen such as a liquid crystal display, etc. Based on the control of the control unit 132, the display unit 140 displays the optical image acquired by the optical image acquisition unit 120, the superimposed image generated by the calculation unit 131, or a plurality of calculation points calculated by the calculation unit 131, current components on nerve axons or muscle fibers, etc.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a magnetic sensor array included in the signal detection unit 110 of Fig. 1. The magnetic sensor array SARY shown in Fig. 2 is arranged on the tip side of a protrusion 210 protruding from a cryogenic container 200. For example, the cryogenic container 200 is installed in a magnetically shielded room that shields magnetism.

[0021] The magnetic sensor array SARY has, for example, a plurality of rod-shaped magnetic sensors MS arranged in a staggered pattern when viewed from above, with their tips pointing upward. Note that the number and arrangement of the magnetic sensors MS included in the magnetic sensor array SARY are not limited to the example shown in Fig. 2. For example, the magnetic sensors MS are SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) sensors.

[0022] Each magnetic sensor MS measures the magnetic field generated by the subject based on instructions from the control unit 132 in Fig. 1 and outputs the measured magnetic field as a voltage signal (magnetic field signal indicating the magnetic field) to the data processing device 130. Although not particularly limited, each magnetic sensor MS is, for example, a three-axis sensor having an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis, and is capable of measuring the magnetic field signal as a three-dimensional vector quantity. Note that each magnetic sensor MS may be a two-axis sensor having two axes (e.g., X-axis and Y-axis) capable of measuring the magnetic field signal as a two-dimensional vector quantity, or may be a one-axis sensor having only one axis (e.g., Z-axis).

[0023] 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method for superimposing a sensor mark indicating the position of the magnetic sensor MS on an optical image. First, before the superimposed image is generated, a marker MK is placed on the protrusion 210 at a position facing the tip of each magnetic sensor MS of the magnetic sensor array SARY.

[0024] For example, the marker MK has a rectangular shape, and the size of the marker MK is 200 mm wide and 150 mm high. The size of the marker MK is stored in advance in the recording unit 133 as marker size information. In addition, a coil that generates a magnetic field when a current is passed through it is attached to a predetermined position of the marker MK. For example, the relative coordinates of the marker MK are (0, 0) at the bottom left corner of the marker MK and (200, 150) at the top right corner of the marker MK. The calculation unit 131 can acquire position information of the marker MK in the optical image IMG based on magnetic data detected from the magnetic field generated by the coil of the marker MK.

[0025] 3, for simplicity of explanation, the optical image IMG includes an image of an area 960 mm wide and 600 mm high on a surface along the rectangular plane of the marker MK. The coordinates of the lower left corner of the optical image IMG are set to (0, 0), and the coordinates of the upper right corner of the optical image IMG are set to (960, 600). The calculation unit 131 then calculates the coordinates (start point X, start point Y) of the lower left corner of the marker MK in the optical image IMG to be, for example, (500, 100). The calculation unit 131 records the calculated coordinates (500, 100) of the lower left corner of the marker MK in the recording unit 133 as marker coordinate information in the optical image IMG, together with the width 200 and height 150 indicating the size of the marker MK.

[0026] For example, relative coordinates (X, Y) are assigned to each magnetic sensor MS, with the XY coordinates of the magnetic sensor MS00 located at the bottom left of the sensor array SARY shown in Fig. 3 being (0, 0). The relative coordinates (X, Y) of each magnetic sensor MS are stored in advance in the recording unit 133 as sensor position information. The sensor position information is an example of position information that indicates the relative positional relationships between multiple magnetic sensors MS.

[0027] For example, the magnetic sensors MS are assigned identification information MXxy (MX00, MX01, ..., MS90, MS91, ..., MS100, MS101, ..., MS103). The symbol x in the identification information MSxy indicates the row number of the magnetic sensors MS aligned in the X direction of the sensor array SARY, and the symbol y in the identification information MSxy indicates the arrangement order, from left to right, of each row of the magnetic sensors MS aligned in the X direction.

[0028] The calculation unit 131 detects the relative position of the sensor array SARY with respect to the marker MK based on the optical image IMG including the image of the marker MK acquired by the optical image acquisition unit 120 and magnetic data of the magnetic field generated from the coil of the marker MK detected by the signal detection unit 110. For example, the calculation unit 131 records the relative position of the magnetic sensor MS00 with respect to the position of the lower left corner of the marker MK (relative coordinates = (0, 0)) as sensor relative position information in the recording unit 133. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the sensor relative position information is (X, Y) = (37, 10).

[0029] The calculation unit 131 then calculates the coordinates of each magnetic sensor MS in the optical image IMG based on the marker coordinate information and the sensor relative position information. The marker coordinate information and the sensor relative position information are examples of position identification information used to identify the positions of multiple magnetic sensors MS in the optical image IMG. The marker coordinate information and the sensor relative position information may be recorded in the recording unit 133 as text data.

[0030] As illustrated in the explanatory diagram in brackets at the bottom right of FIG. 3, the calculation unit 131 adds the sensor relative position information (X, Y) of the magnetic sensor MS00 (37, 10) to the bottom left coordinates (start point X, start point Y) of the marker MK (500, 100). Then, the calculation unit 131 sets the result of the addition (537, 110) as the coordinate of the magnetic sensor MS00 in the optical image IMG. The calculation unit 131 also adds the sensor position information of the other magnetic sensors MS to the coordinate of the magnetic sensor MS00 to calculate the coordinate of the other magnetic sensors MS in the optical image IMG. The calculation unit 131 may record the calculated coordinates of each magnetic sensor MS in the optical image IMG in the recording unit 133.

[0031] The calculation unit 131 generates a superimposed image OIMG (FIG. 4) by superimposing sensor marks on the positions of the multiple magnetic sensors MS in the optical image IMG based on the coordinates of each magnetic sensor MS in the optical image IMG. For example, the sensor marks indicating the positions of each magnetic sensor MS in the optical image IMG are circles, but they may also be figures of other shapes. Image data indicating the superimposed image OIMG generated by the calculation unit 131 is transferred to the display unit 140 via the control unit 132 and displayed on the display unit 140.

[0032] Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the optical image IMG1 and the superimposed image OIMG displayed on the display unit 140 of Fig. 1. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the optical image IMG1 is displayed on the left side of the display screen of the display unit 140, and the superimposed image OIMG is displayed on the right side of the display screen. That is, the optical image IMG1 and the superimposed image OIMG are displayed side by side on the display screen of the display unit 140. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the optical image IMG1 and the superimposed image OIMG also include an image of the right hand, which is the measurement site of the subject.

[0033] The angle of view of optical image IMG1 and the photographing position of the subject are the same as those of image IMG shown in Fig. 3. Superimposed image OIMG includes an image obtained by cutting out an area including all magnetic sensors MS of magnetic sensor array 140 from optical image IMG1, and an image of sensor marks SM indicating the positions of each magnetic sensor MS calculated by calculation unit 131 using the method described in Fig. 3.

[0034] Superimposed image OIMG does not use X-ray images of the subject's measurement area, which reduces the burden on the subject, such as having to irradiate the X-rays and keep the measurement area still during X-ray irradiation. In addition, there is no burden on the subject, such as having to attach a marker coil directly to the subject.

[0035] The superimposed image OIMG shown in Fig. 4 makes it possible to accurately grasp the positional relationship between the measurement site of the subject and each magnetic sensor MS. As a result, the calculation unit 131 can reconstruct the current component at the specified position based on the specification of the estimated position of the muscle included in the measurement site in the superimposed image OIMG, and can display it as a distribution map on the display unit 140. Note that the specification of the estimated position of the muscle included in the measurement site in the superimposed image OIMG may be received from the operator of the biomagnetic measurement device 100 via the operation unit 150 shown in Fig. 5, for example.

[0036] Furthermore, the calculation unit 131 generates current waveforms that indicate the time changes of current components at multiple locations on the reconstructed muscle pathway, and can display the generated current waveforms on the display unit 140 via the control unit 132. It also becomes possible to easily superimpose the distribution map of muscle activity on the measurement site of the subject.

[0037] For example, when the measurement site included in the optical image IMG is the lumbar region or the neck, the calculation unit 131 can reconstruct the current component at the specified position based on the designation of the estimated position of the nerve pathway, and can display it as a distribution map on the display unit 140. Furthermore, the calculation unit 131 can generate current waveforms at multiple positions on the reconstructed nerve pathway and display them on the display unit 140. Also, when the measurement site included in the optical image IMG is the head or the chest, the calculation unit 131 can reconstruct the current component at the specified position based on the designation of the estimated position of the brain or the heart, and can display it as a distribution map or current waveform on the display unit 140.

[0038] As described above, in this embodiment, the positional relationship between the measurement site and the magnetic sensor MS can be accurately obtained by capturing an optical image of the measurement site of the subject. Therefore, compared to when the measurement site is X-rayed or when a coil is directly attached to the measurement site, the burden on the subject when obtaining the positional relationship between the measurement site and the magnetic sensor can be reduced.

[0039] The calculation unit 131 displays the optical image IMG1 including the measurement site of the subject and the area of ​​the sensor array SARY and the superimposed image OIMG on the display unit 140 via the control unit 132. This allows an evaluator such as a doctor to appropriately evaluate nerve function or muscle function while grasping the conditions around the measurement site and the area around the sensor array SARY.

[0040] (Second embodiment) Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a biomagnetic measurement device according to the second embodiment. Elements similar to those in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. A biomagnetic measurement device 101 according to this embodiment has the same configuration and functions as the biomagnetic measurement device 100 shown in Fig. 1, except that an operation unit 150 is added to the biomagnetic measurement device 100 shown in Fig. 1.

[0041] The operation unit 150 receives instructions from outside the biomagnetic measurement device 101 and notifies the control unit 132 of the received instructions. For example, the operation unit 150 is connected to an input interface such as a keyboard and a mouse (not shown). The operation unit 150 receives, for example, a start instruction to start the detection of a magnetic field by the signal detection unit 110.

[0042] The operation unit 150 may accept an operation on an input window displayed on the display unit 140. For example, the input window may be provided with a start button, an input unit for inputting the duration of magnetic field detection, a stop button for stopping magnetic field detection, or the like.

[0043] The operation unit 150 may receive a stop instruction to stop the detection of the magnetic field by the signal detection unit 110. The operation unit 150 may also receive various instructions for evaluating muscle function or nerve function, such as receiving a designation of an estimated position of a muscle or nerve pathway included in a measurement region in the superimposed image OIMG (FIG. 3). The control unit 132 controls the operations of the signal detection unit 110 and the optical image acquisition unit 120 based on a notification from the operation unit 150.

[0044] Fig. 6 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the biomagnetic measurement device 101 of Fig. 5. The operation shown in Fig. 6 is realized by the data processing device 130 of the biomagnetic measurement device 101 executing a control program that controls the operation of the optical image acquisition unit 120 and the signal detection unit 110. In other words, Fig. 6 is an example of a control method for the data processing device 130.

[0045] The control unit 132 of the data processing device 130 generates, for example, a pulse-like trigger signal TRG1 based on the operation unit 150 receiving an instruction to start detecting a magnetic field by the signal detection unit 110. The trigger signal TRG1 is output to the optical image acquisition unit 120 as a transfer stop instruction to stop transferring optical image data, and is output to the signal detection unit 110 as a detection start instruction to start detecting a magnetic field.

[0046] Based on the transfer stop instruction, the optical image acquisition unit 120 stops the transfer of the optical image data being transferred to the data processing device 130 at time T1. When stopping the transfer of the optical image data, the optical image acquisition unit 120 stops the acquisition (i.e., photographing) of the optical image.

[0047] During the period in which the optical image acquisition unit 120 repeatedly acquires optical images before time T1, the control unit 132 sequentially outputs the optical image data transferred from the optical image acquisition unit 120 as frame data to the display unit 140. As a result, the display unit 140 displays optical images (i.e., moving images) updated at each frame rate.

[0048] Furthermore, the control unit 132 may record the last optical image data transferred from the optical image acquisition unit 120 corresponding to the last frame before the transfer of the optical image data is stopped by the transfer stop instruction (i.e., at the start of magnetic field detection) in the recording unit 133. This makes it possible to display the optical image when the signal detection unit 110 starts detecting the magnetic field on the display unit 140, for example, after the magnetic field detection operation is completed.

[0049] Therefore, an evaluator evaluating nerve function or muscle function can check, for example, the state when magnetic field detection starts after the magnetic field detection operation is completed, which allows the evaluator to determine whether the current waveform generated based on the current components calculated by the calculation unit 131 correctly represents muscle activity.

[0050] The signal detection unit 110 starts detecting the magnetic field at time T1 based on the detection start instruction. Note that the detection of the magnetic field by the signal detection unit 110 may be started not simultaneously with the stop of the transfer of optical image data by the optical image acquisition unit 120, but after a predetermined time has elapsed since the transfer of optical image data has stopped. In this case, the control unit 132 may output a trigger signal TRG1 to the optical image acquisition unit 120, and then output another trigger signal TRG1 to the signal detection unit 110.

[0051] The control unit 132 may record the magnetic data transferred from the signal detection unit 110 in the recording unit 133. This allows the magnetic data stored in the recording unit 133 to be displayed on the display unit 140 after the magnetic field is detected by the signal detection unit 110, allowing the evaluator to analyze the magnetic data displayed on the display unit 140.

[0052] Furthermore, since the current component can be reconstructed by the calculation unit 131 using the magnetic data stored in the recording unit 133, the current component or a current waveform showing the time change of the current component can be displayed on the display unit 140 after the magnetic field is detected by the signal detection unit 110. As a result, after the magnetic field is detected by the signal detection unit 110, the evaluator can analyze the current component or current waveform displayed on the display unit 140.

[0053] The control unit 132 generates a pulsed trigger signal TRG2 after a time T has elapsed since the generation of the trigger signal TRG1. The trigger signal TRG2 has a pulsed waveform, and is output to the optical image acquisition unit 120 as a transfer start instruction to start transferring optical image data, and is output to the signal detection unit 110 as a detection stop instruction to stop detecting the magnetic field.

[0054] The signal detection unit 110 stops detecting the magnetic field at time T2 based on the detection stop instruction. The optical image acquisition unit 120 starts transferring optical image data to the data processing device 130 at time T2 based on the transfer start instruction. When starting to transfer the optical image data, the optical image acquisition unit 120 starts acquiring (i.e., photographing) an optical image.

[0055] The optical image acquiring unit 120 may start transferring optical image data not simultaneously with the stop of magnetic field detection by the signal detecting unit 110, but after a predetermined time has elapsed since the stop of magnetic field detection by the signal detecting unit 110. In this case, the control unit 132 may output a trigger signal TRG2 to the signal detecting unit 110, and then output another trigger signal TRG2 to the optical image acquiring unit 120.

[0056] As shown in Figure 6, by stopping the transfer of the optical image from the optical image acquisition unit 120 to the data processing device 130 while the signal detection unit 110 is detecting the magnetic field, it is possible to prevent noise caused by electromagnetic waves generated during the transfer of magnetic data from being mixed into the magnetic data.

[0057] As described above, this embodiment can also achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment. For example, the positional relationship between the measurement site of the subject and the magnetic sensor MS can be accurately obtained based on an optical image of the measurement site, and the burden on the subject when obtaining the positional relationship between the measurement site and the magnetic sensor can be reduced.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the transfer of the optical image from the optical image acquisition unit 120 to the data processing device 130 is stopped while the signal detection unit 110 is detecting the magnetic field. This makes it possible to prevent noise caused by electromagnetic waves generated during the transfer of magnetic data from being mixed into the magnetic data.

[0059] By recording the optical image at the start of magnetic field detection by the signal detection unit 110 in the recording unit 133, the evaluator can check, for example, the state at the start of magnetic field detection after the completion of the magnetic field detection operation. As a result, the evaluator can determine whether the current waveform generated based on the current components calculated by the calculation unit 131 correctly represents muscle activity.

[0060] Furthermore, by recording the magnetic data transferred from the signal detection unit 110 in the recording unit 133, the magnetic data can be displayed on the display unit 140 after the magnetic field is detected by the signal detection unit 110. Furthermore, a current component reconstructed using the magnetic data or a current waveform showing a time change in the current component can be displayed on the display unit 140. This allows the evaluator to analyze the magnetic data displayed on the display unit 140, and to analyze the current component or current waveform displayed on the display unit 140.

[0061] Furthermore, by recording the magnetic data transferred from the signal detection unit 110 in the recording unit 133, the magnetic data held in the recording unit 133 can be displayed on the display unit 140 after the signal detection unit 110 detects the magnetic field. Furthermore, the calculation unit 131 can reconstruct the current component using the magnetic data held in the recording unit 133, and the current component or a current waveform showing the change in the current component over time can be displayed on the display unit 140. This allows the evaluator to analyze the magnetic data displayed on the display unit 140. Furthermore, the calculation unit 131 can reconstruct the current component using the magnetic data held in the recording unit 133. As a result, the current component or a current waveform showing the change in the current component over time can be displayed on the display unit 140 after the signal detection unit 110 detects the magnetic field.

[0062] 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the data processing device 130 shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. The data processing device 130 has a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, and an external storage device 14. The data processing device 130 also has an input interface unit 15, an output interface unit 16, an input / output interface unit 17, and a communication interface unit 18. For example, the CPU 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13, the external storage device 14, the input interface unit 15, the output interface unit 16, the input / output interface unit 17, and the communication interface unit 18 are connected to one another via a bus BUS.

[0063] The CPU 11 executes various programs such as an OS (Operating System) and applications, and controls the overall operation of the data processing device 130. The CPU 11 also executes a control program to implement a control method for the data processing device 130 that functions as a biomagnetic measurement processing device. The CPU 11 is an example of a computer that executes a control program.

[0064] The ROM 12 holds various programs including a control program executed by the CPU 11, various parameters, etc. The RAM 13 stores various programs executed by the CPU 11, data used by the programs, etc. The external storage device 14 is an HDD, SSD, etc., and stores various programs deployed in the RAM 13.

[0065] An input device 20 that receives input from an operator or the like who operates the data processing device 130 is connected to the input interface unit 15. For example, the input device 20 is a mouse, a keyboard, a tablet, or the like. An output device 30 that outputs various images, text, figures, and the like generated by the data processing device 130 is connected to the output interface unit 16. For example, the output device 30 is a display unit 140 (FIG. 1) that displays images, etc. generated by various programs executed by the CPU 11, a printer, or the like.

[0066] A recording medium 40 such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory is connected to the input / output interface unit 17. For example, the recording medium 40 may store various programs such as a control program executed by the CPU 11. In this case, the various programs are transferred from the recording medium 40 to the external storage device 14 via the input / output interface unit 17 and expanded in the RAM 13. The recording medium 40 may be a CD-ROM, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc: registered trademark), or the like, and in this case, the input / output interface unit 17 has an interface corresponding to the recording medium 40 to be connected. The communication interface unit 18 connects the data processing device 130 to a network or the like.

[0067] Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown in the above embodiments. These requirements can be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined depending on the application form. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 14 External storage device 15 Input interface section 16 Output interface section 17 Input / Output Interface Section 18 Communication interface section 20 Input Devices 30 Output Devices 40 Recording Media 100, 101 Biomagnetic measurement device 110 Signal detection unit 120 Optical image acquisition unit 130 Data Processing Device 131 Arithmetic section 132 Control Unit 133 Recording Department 140 Display section 200 cryogenic vessel 210 Protrusion IMG Optical Image MS magnetic sensor OIMG superimposed image SARY sensor array TRG1, TRG2 trigger signals [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0069] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2-095337 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-054788 [Non-patent literature]

[0070] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Magnetospinography visualizes electrophysiological activity in the cervical spinal cord" Scientific Reports 7, Article number: 2192 (2017) [Non-Patent Document 2] Sasaki, Toru, et al. "Visualization of electrophysiological activity at the carpal tunnel area using magnetoneurography." Clinical Neurophysiology 131.4 (2020): 951-957.

Claims

1. a signal detection unit including a plurality of magnetic sensors; a marker coil disposed at a position corresponding to the signal detection unit; an optical image acquisition unit that acquires an optical image of an area including the marker coil; a recording unit that stores sensor position information indicating the relative positional relationship between the plurality of magnetic sensors, marker position information indicating the position of the marker coil within the optical image obtained from magnetic data of the magnetic field generated from the marker coil detected by the signal detection unit and the optical image including the marker coil, and relative position information indicating the relative position of a reference magnetic sensor with respect to the position of the marker coil; a biomagnetic measurement processing device that uses the sensor position information, the marker position information, and the relative position information stored in the recording unit to add the relative position information to the marker position information to determine the position of a reference magnetic sensor in the optical image, and further adds the sensor position information to the addition result to determine the positions of other magnetic sensors in the optical image, and generates a superimposed image by superimposing sensor marks on the determined positions of the plurality of magnetic sensors in the optical image, and processes the magnetic data acquired by the signal detection unit; a display unit that displays the superimposed image; A biomagnetic measurement device comprising:

2. The biomagnetic measurement device according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit displays the optical image acquired by the optical image acquisition unit and the superimposed image.

3. It has an operation unit that receives instructions from the outside, the biomagnetic measurement processing device has a control unit that controls operations of the optical image acquisition unit and the signal detection unit based on an instruction received by the operation unit, The control unit causes the optical image acquisition unit to stop transferring the optical image data and the signal detection unit to start detecting magnetism based on a detection start instruction received by the operation unit during transfer of the optical image data from the optical image acquisition unit.

3. The biomagnetic measurement device according to claim 1, wherein:

4. The control unit causes the signal detection unit to stop detecting magnetism after a predetermined time has elapsed since the signal detection unit started detecting magnetism, or based on a detection stop instruction received by the operation unit, and causes the optical image acquisition unit to start transferring optical image data.

4. The biomagnetic measurement device according to claim 3, wherein:

5. the optical image acquisition unit repeatedly acquires optical image data; The control unit records the optical image data that is last transferred from the optical image acquisition unit in the recording unit based on the detection start instruction received by the operation unit.

5. The biomagnetic measurement device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein:

6. The control unit starts recording the magnetic data detected by the signal detection unit in the recording unit based on the detection start instruction received by the operation unit.

6. The biomagnetic measurement device according to claim 3, wherein:

7. A biomagnetic measurement processing device that processes magnetic data acquired by a signal detection unit including a plurality of magnetic sensors, and processes an optical image acquired by an optical image acquisition unit of an area including a marker coil arranged at a position corresponding to the signal detection unit, using sensor position information indicating the relative positional relationship between the plurality of magnetic sensors stored in a recording unit, marker position information indicating the position of the marker coil in the optical image obtained from magnetic data of the magnetic field generated from the marker coil detected by the signal detection unit and the optical image including the marker coil, and relative position information indicating the relative position of a reference magnetic sensor with respect to the position of the marker coil, to obtain the position of the reference magnetic sensor in the optical image by adding the relative position information to the marker position information, and further obtain positions of the other magnetic sensors in the optical image by adding the sensor position information to the addition result, and generating a superimposed image by superimposing sensor marks on the obtained positions of the plurality of magnetic sensors in the optical image; displaying the superimposed image on a display unit; A biomagnetic measurement processing device characterized by the above.

8. a signal detection unit including a plurality of magnetic sensors; a marker coil disposed at a position corresponding to the signal detection unit; an optical image acquisition unit that acquires an optical image of an area including the marker coil; a recording unit that stores sensor position information indicating a relative positional relationship between the plurality of magnetic sensors; marker position information indicating a position of the marker coil in the optical image obtained from magnetic data of a magnetic field generated from the marker coil detected by the signal detection unit and the optical image including the marker coil; and relative position information indicating a relative position of the reference magnetic sensor with respect to the position of the marker coil; a biomagnetic measurement processing device that processes magnetic data acquired by the signal detection unit; and a display unit, The biomagnetic measurement processing device includes: using the sensor position information, the marker position information, and the relative position information stored in the recording unit, adding the relative position information to the marker position information to determine the position of the reference magnetic sensor in the optical image, and further adding the sensor position information to the result of the addition to determine the positions of the other magnetic sensors in the optical image, and generating a superimposed image by superimposing sensor marks on the determined positions of the plurality of magnetic sensors in the optical image; displaying the superimposed image on the display unit; A method for controlling a biomagnetic measurement device, comprising:

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