Medical Imaging Systems

Abstract

To improve safety of modality operation by a plurality of users.SOLUTION: A medical image pickup system comprises a determination part and an allocation part. The determination part determines the progress of a workflow concerning image pickup of an analyte by a medical image pickup device. The allocation part allocates operation authority for the medical image pickup device to one of a plurality of user terminals on the basis of the progress determined by the determination part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The embodiments disclosed herein and in the drawings relate to a medical imaging system. Mu Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] A medical information processing system that provides a mechanism for preventing inadvertent updates of related information about medical images and for ensuring appropriate use of the related information is known. For example, the medical information processing system prohibits editing of related information about a medical image when the creator of the related information is different from the editor of the related information.

[0003] However, for example, when multiple people operate the same modality, while an image of a subject is being captured by that modality, information related to the image capture may be manipulated by a user who is not involved in the image capture. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-87187 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] One of the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is to improve the safety of modality operation by multiple users. However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings are not limited to the above problem. Problems corresponding to the effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described below can also be positioned as other problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A medical imaging system according to an embodiment includes a determining unit and an allocating unit. The determining unit determines progress of a workflow related to imaging of a subject by a medical imaging device. The allocating unit allocates operation authority for the medical imaging device to one of a plurality of user terminals based on the progress determined by the determining unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a medical imaging system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a medical imaging system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an examination room in which an imaging unit is installed according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an imaging workflow related to the MRI apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of an operation authority control process according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a medical imaging system according to a modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of a medical imaging system, an operation authority control method, and an operation authority control program will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, parts with the same reference numerals perform similar operations, and redundant descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0009] (Embodiment) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a medical imaging system 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the medical imaging system 1 includes at least one medical imaging device 3 and a group of user terminals 5 that can access the medical imaging device 3. The medical imaging device 3 has an imaging unit 31 that can image a subject P and a console device 33 related to control of the imaging unit 31. The medical imaging device 3 corresponds to various medical imaging diagnostic devices, such as an X-ray computed tomography device (hereinafter referred to as an X-ray CT (computed tomography) device), an X-ray diagnostic device, a magnetic resonance imaging device (hereinafter referred to as an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) device), a nuclear medicine diagnostic device, an ultrasound diagnostic device, etc.

[0010] The user terminal group 5 includes a plurality of user terminals (in FIG. 1, a first user terminal 51, a second user terminal 53, and a third user terminal 55) associated with a plurality of users (for example, engineers, a first engineer E1, a second engineer E2, and a third engineer E3 in FIG. 1) who have performed a login operation. The plurality of user terminals are realized, for example, as user interface terminals capable of communicating with the medical imaging apparatus 3. Specifically, the user terminals are realized, for example, as wireless hardware and / or wired terminals such as tablet terminals or smartphones carried by in-hospital workers such as doctors and engineers. As shown in FIG. 1, the first user terminal 51 is associated with the first engineer E1 and the subject P. The second user terminal 53 is associated with the second engineer E2, and the third user terminal 55 is associated with the third engineer E3. For the sake of concreteness, the following description will be made assuming that the user terminals are tablet terminals.

[0011] The first technician E1 can perform a predetermined operation on the medical imaging device 3 via the first user terminal 51, the second technician E2 via the second user terminal 53, and the third technician E3 via the third user terminal 55. The predetermined operation is checking and operating on images and patient information related to a subject other than the subject currently being imaged in the medical imaging device 3. The predetermined operation is, for example, checking the patient information of the subject other than the subject currently being imaged in the medical imaging device 3, reserving patient information related to the other subject and changing the patient information, checking MR images related to the other subject, post-processing (image processing, etc.) of medical images related to the other subject generated by the medical imaging device 3, transferring medical images related to the other subject from the medical imaging device 3 to a server device, etc.

[0012] When the operation authority is assigned to the first user terminal 51 by the assignment of the operation authority described later, for example, the first technician E1 can execute various operations related to the operation authority on the medical imaging apparatus 3 using the first user terminal 51. The various operations related to the operation authority include, for example, at least one of an operation on patient information related to the subject P being imaged by the medical imaging apparatus 3, an operation on patient information related to the subject P to be imaged by the medical imaging apparatus 3, an operation related to starting, pausing, and stopping imaging by the medical imaging apparatus 3, and an operation related to control of the bed in the medical imaging apparatus 3. Here, the patient information may include, for example, personal information related to the subject P, interview information, imaging conditions, images obtained by imaging the subject P, etc.

[0013] It is assumed that the process of allocating and releasing operation authority is executed in the medical imaging device 3 of the medical imaging system 1. For the sake of concreteness, the medical imaging device 3 will be described as an MRI device.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a medical imaging system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the medical imaging system 1 includes an MRI apparatus 4 and a group of user terminals 5 communicatively connected to the MRI apparatus 4 via a network. The MRI apparatus 4 includes an imaging unit 31 and a console device 33. The imaging unit 31 includes, for example, a gantry 100 and a bed 107. The imaging unit 31 is placed in an examination room.

[0015] The MRI apparatus 4 images the subject P by magnetic resonance imaging. The subject P corresponds to, for example, a patient undergoing an examination using the MRI apparatus 4. Magnetic resonance imaging is an imaging method in which the nuclear spins of the subject P placed in a static magnetic field are magnetically excited by RF (Radio Frequency) pulses at the Larmor frequency, and an image is generated from data of magnetic resonance signals (hereinafter referred to as MR (Magnetic Resonance) signals) generated in association with the excitation. For this reason, a strong magnetic field is generated from the MRI apparatus 4.

[0016] 3 is a diagram showing an example of an examination room R1 in which the imaging unit 31 is installed. The examination room R1 in which the imaging unit 31 is installed is a shielded room. The shielded room is realized to prevent external electromagnetic waves from entering the examination room R1 and to confine electromagnetic waves generated by the imaging unit 31 within the examination room R1 so as not to leak to the outside.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, a mounting table 510 on which a user terminal can be placed may be installed in the examination room R1. For the sake of specificity, the user terminal shown in FIG. 3 will be described below as a tablet terminal 200 corresponding to the first user terminal 51. The mounting table 510 corresponds to a predetermined location in the examination room R1 on which the tablet terminal 200 is placed. At this time, the first technician E1 may place the tablet terminal 200 on the mounting table 510. The mounting table 510 functions as, for example, a tablet holder. The tablet holder may be provided on the exterior of the gantry 100 on the side of the bed 107 or on the exterior of the bed 107. The mounting table (hereinafter referred to as the examination room holder) 510 is provided with a sensor such as a contact sensor that detects the placement of the tablet terminal 200. The contact sensor outputs the detection of the placement of the tablet terminal 200 on the examination room holder 510 to the console device 33. As a sensor for detecting that the tablet terminal 200 has been placed on the examination room holder 510, a known technology can be used as appropriate, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0018] A door D1 used for entering and exiting the examination room R1 is provided between the examination room R1 and a room (hereinafter referred to as a pre-examination room) R2 before the examination room R1. The subject P and the first technician E1 enter the examination room R1 through the door D1 via the pre-examination room R2. The door D1 also serves as an exit from the examination room R1. The first technician E1 is an example of a medical professional. In this embodiment, the first technician E1 may be another medical professional such as a doctor or nurse. The positional relationship between the examination room R1 and the pre-examination room R2 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3. A console device 33 connected to an imaging unit 31 is installed in the pre-examination room R2.

[0019] The pre-examination room R2 may be provided with a mounting table (hereinafter referred to as an "inner room holder") 511 on which the tablet terminal 200 can be placed. The inner room holder 511 is installed, for example, near the door D1 of the pre-examination room R2 as shown in FIG. 3. The inner room holder 511 corresponds to a predetermined location in the pre-examination room R2 where the tablet terminal 200 is placed. When entering the examination room R1 from the pre-examination room R2, a user such as a first technician E1 places the tablet terminal 200 on the inner room holder 511. The inner room holder 511 is provided with a sensor such as a contact sensor that detects the placement of the tablet terminal 200. The contact sensor outputs the detection of the placement of the tablet terminal 200 on the inner room holder 511 to the console device 33.

[0020] An authentication sensor 540 capable of recognizing the user and the subject P is provided on the wall surface of the pre-examination room R2, for example, near the door D1, which is one of the walls separating the examination room R1 and the pre-examination room R2. The authentication sensor 540 corresponds to various sensors used for, for example, face authentication, voice authentication, iris authentication, fingerprint authentication, etc. The authentication sensor 540 may be provided on the wall surface near the bed 107 or the gantry 100. The output from the authentication sensor 540 is output to the console device 33 via wireless communication or wired communication. As known technology can be used as the authentication sensor 540, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0021] An optical camera capable of capturing an image of the subject P placed on a top board 1071 of the bed 107 may be provided above the bed 107 and / or on the ceiling of the examination room R1. The optical camera may be provided near the bed 107 as long as it is located in a position where it can capture an image of the subject P placed on the top board 1071. An output from the optical camera is output to the console device 33 via wireless communication or wired communication.

[0022] The tablet terminal 200 includes, for example, a memory circuit, a processing circuit such as a CPU, a network interface, an input interface, a display, a camera, etc. The input interface of the tablet terminal 200 is, for example, a touch screen that integrates a display and a touchpad.

[0023] The tablet terminal 200 is used, for example, by a first technician E1 to interview the subject P before the subject P undergoes an examination using the MRI apparatus 4. Various information is input to the tablet terminal 200, for example, through interviews between the first technician E1 who operates the MRI apparatus 4 and the subject P who is to be examined using the MRI apparatus 4. The tablet terminal 200 has a wireless communication function and is communicably connected to a console device 33 of the MRI apparatus 4. The tablet terminal 200 may also be communicably connected to an information processing system within a medical institution, such as a hospital information system (HIS) or a radiology information system (RIS).

[0024] As shown in Fig. 2, the MRI apparatus 4 and the tablet terminal 200 (included in the user terminal group 5 in Fig. 2) are connected via a network. The network is, for example, an in-hospital LAN (Local Area Network). The network may also be connected to an HIS including an electronic medical record system, an RIS, or various server devices installed in the medical institution.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the MRI apparatus 4 includes a gantry 100, a bed 107, and a console device 33. The gantry 100 has an imaging system for imaging the subject P to be examined by the MRI apparatus 4. The exterior of the gantry 100 may be provided with an authentication sensor, an optical camera, an operation panel for moving the bed 107 or a tabletop 1071, and the like. Specifically, the gantry 100 includes a static magnetic field magnet 101, a static magnetic field power supply (not shown), a gradient magnetic field coil 103, a gradient magnetic field power supply 105, a bed control circuit 109 for controlling the bed 107, a transmitting coil 115, a transmitting circuit 113, a receiving circuit 119, and an imaging control circuit 121. The gantry 100 may also include a receiving coil 117.

[0026] 2 is merely an example. At least one of the static magnetic field power supply (not shown), the gradient magnetic field power supply 105, the bed control circuit 109, the transmission circuit 113, and the reception circuit 119 may not be mounted on the gantry 100 but may be placed in, for example, the examination room R1 or the pre-examination room R2. The MRI apparatus 4 does not include a subject P.

[0027] The static magnetic field magnet 101 is a magnet formed in a hollow, approximately cylindrical shape. The static magnetic field magnet 101 generates a substantially uniform static magnetic field in the internal space. For example, a superconducting magnet or the like is used as the static magnetic field magnet 101.

[0028] The gradient magnetic field coil 103 is a hollow, approximately cylindrical coil and is disposed on the inner surface of the cylindrical cooling vessel. The gradient magnetic field coil 103 receives current individually from a gradient magnetic field power supply 105 to generate gradient magnetic fields whose magnetic field strength varies along the mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes. The gradient magnetic fields of the X, Y, and Z axes generated by the gradient magnetic field coil 103 form, for example, a slice selection gradient magnetic field, a phase encoding gradient magnetic field, and a frequency encoding gradient magnetic field (also referred to as a readout gradient magnetic field). The slice selection gradient magnetic field is used to arbitrarily determine an imaging cross section. The phase encoding gradient magnetic field is used to change the phase of a magnetic resonance signal (hereinafter referred to as an MR (Magnetic Resonance) signal) according to a spatial position. The frequency encoding gradient magnetic field is used to change the frequency of the MR signal according to a spatial position.

[0029] 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 imaging control circuit 121 .

[0030] The bed 107 is a device including 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 (opening of the gantry 100) 111. The exterior of the bed 107 may be provided with an authentication sensor 540, an optical camera, an operation panel for moving the bed 107 or the tabletop 1071, and the like. At least one coil port 1072 is provided at each of the four corners of the tabletop 1071 and / or at an end of the tabletop 1071 in the short axis direction. A connection terminal of a local transmit / receive RF coil and / or a receive coil 117 corresponding to an imaging region of the subject P is connected to the coil port 1072. At this time, the bed 107 outputs to the console device 33 information on whether or not the connection terminal of the transmit / receive RF coil and / or the receive coil 117 is connected to the coil port 1072.

[0031] The bed control circuit 109 is a circuit that controls the bed 107. The bed control circuit 109 drives the bed 107 in response to instructions from the operator via the input interface 15, thereby moving the tabletop 1071 in the longitudinal direction, the up-down direction, and in some cases the left-right direction.

[0032] The transmission circuit 113 supplies radio frequency pulses modulated at the Larmor frequency to the transmission coil 115 under the control of the imaging control circuit 121. For example, the transmission circuit 113 includes an oscillator, a phase selection unit, a frequency conversion unit, an amplitude modulation unit, an RF amplifier, and the like. The oscillator generates an RF pulse at a resonance frequency specific to the target atomic nucleus in a static magnetic field. The phase selection unit selects the phase of the RF pulse generated by the oscillator. The frequency conversion unit converts the frequency of the RF pulse output from the phase selection unit. The amplitude modulation unit modulates the amplitude of the RF pulse output from the frequency conversion unit according to, for example, a sinc function. The RF amplifier amplifies the RF pulse output from the amplitude modulation unit and supplies it to the transmission coil 115.

[0033] The transmission coil 115 is an RF coil arranged inside the gradient magnetic field coil 103. In response to the output from the transmission circuit 113, the transmission coil 115 generates an RF pulse corresponding to a high frequency magnetic field.

[0034] The receive coil 117 is an RF coil disposed inside the gradient magnetic field coil 103. The receive coil 117 receives MR signals emitted from the subject P by the radio frequency magnetic field. The receive coil 117 outputs the received MR signals to a receiving circuit 119. The receive coil 117 is, for example, a coil array having one or more, typically multiple, coil elements. The receive coil 117 may be configured with a single coil element. Although the transmit coil 115 and the receive coil 117 are depicted as separate RF coils in FIG. 2, the transmit coil 115 and the receive coil 117 may be implemented as an integrated transmit / receive coil. The transmit / receive coil corresponds to the imaging region of the subject P and is, for example, a local transmit / receive RF coil such as a head coil. When a local transmit / receive RF coil is used for imaging, the transmit / receive RF coil or the receive coil 117 is connected to a coil port 1072 on a tabletop 1071 by a first technician E1.

[0035] The receiving circuit 119 generates digital MR signals (hereinafter referred to as MR data) based on the MR signals output from the receiving coil 117 under the control of the imaging control circuit 121. Specifically, the receiving circuit 119 performs various signal processing on the MR signals 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 to generate MR data. The receiving circuit 119 outputs the generated MR data to the imaging control circuit 121. For example, MR data is generated for each coil element and output to the imaging control circuit 121 together with a tag that identifies the coil element.

[0036] The imaging control circuit 121 controls the gradient magnetic field power supply 105, the transmission circuit 113, the reception circuit 119, etc. in accordance with the imaging protocol output from the processing circuit 19, and performs imaging of the subject P. The imaging protocol has a pulse sequence according to the type of examination. The imaging 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 and time width of the radio frequency pulse supplied to the transmission coil 115 by the transmission circuit 113, the timing at which the radio frequency pulse is supplied to the transmission coil 115 by the transmission circuit 113, the timing at which the MR signal is received by the reception coil 117, etc.

[0037] The imaging control circuit 121 drives the gradient magnetic field power supply 105, the transmission circuit 113, the reception circuit 119, etc. to image the subject P, and then receives MR data from the reception circuit 119, and transfers the received MR data to the console device 33, etc. The imaging control circuit 121 is realized by, for example, a processor.

[0038] In the above description, an example has been described in which the "processor" reads out and executes a program corresponding to each function from memory 13, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The term "processor" refers to a circuit such as a CPU, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), 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] If the processor is a CPU, for example, the processor realizes its functions by reading and executing a program stored in memory 13. On the other hand, if the processor is an ASIC, instead of storing a program in memory 13, the function is directly incorporated into the processor circuit as a logic circuit. Note that each processor in this embodiment is not limited to being configured as a single circuit, but may be configured as a single processor by combining multiple independent circuits to realize its functions. Also, although the description has been given assuming that a single storage circuit stores a program corresponding to each processing function, multiple storage circuits may be distributed and arranged, and the processing circuits may read corresponding programs from individual storage circuits.

[0040] The console device 33 performs overall control of the MRI apparatus 4, generates MR images, etc. As shown in FIG. 3, the console device 33 is installed in a pre-examination room R2, an operation room, etc. Note that the function of the processing circuitry 19 in the console device 33 that executes various processes may be installed as a computing device in a separate computing room. As shown in FIG. 2, the console device 33 includes a communication interface 11, a memory 13, an input interface 15, a display 17, and the processing circuitry 19.

[0041] The communication interface 11 performs data communication with, for example, the user terminal group 5, HIS, RIS, PACS, etc. The standard for communication between the communication interface 11 and the user terminal group 5, HIS, RIS, PACS, etc. may be any standard, for example, HL7 (Health Level 7), DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine), or both. The communication interface 11 corresponds to a communication unit.

[0042] The memory 13 stores various types of information received by the communication interface 11, k-space data arranged in k-space by the processing circuitry 19 described below, image data generated by the processing circuitry 19, etc. The memory 13 stores various functions realized by the processing circuitry 19, such as a system control function 191, a reconstruction function 193, a determination function 195, and an allocation function 197, in the form of programs executable by a computer.

[0043] The memory 13 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), an optical disk, etc. The memory 13 may also be realized by a drive device that reads and writes various information from and to a portable storage medium such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM drive, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) drive, or a flash memory. The memory 13 corresponds to a storage unit.

[0044] The input interface 15 accepts various instructions and information input from an operator. The input interface 15 may be realized by, for example, a trackball, switch buttons, a mouse, a keyboard, a touchpad that performs input operations by touching the operation surface, a touchscreen that integrates a display screen and a touchpad, a non-contact input circuit using an optical sensor, and a voice input circuit. The input interface 15 is connected to a processing circuit 19, and converts input operations received from the operator into electrical signals and outputs them to the processing circuit 19.

[0045] In this specification, the input interface 15 is not limited to an interface having physical operation parts such as a mouse and a keyboard. For example, an example of the input interface 15 also includes an electrical signal processing circuit that receives an electrical signal corresponding to an input operation from an external input device provided separately from the console device 33 and outputs this electrical signal to a control circuit. In this case, the input interface 15 is realized by a user terminal such as a tablet terminal 200.

[0046] Under the control of the processing circuitry 19, the display 17 displays various GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces), guidance screens for the first technician E1, magnetic resonance images generated by the processing circuitry 19, etc. The display 17 is, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display.

[0047] The processing circuitry 19 performs overall control of the MRI apparatus 4. More specifically, the processing circuitry 19 includes, for example, a system control function 191, a reconstruction function 193, a determination function 195, and an allocation function 197. The processing circuitry 19, which respectively realizes the system control function 191, the reconstruction function 193, the determination function 195, and the allocation function 197, corresponds to a system control unit, a reconstruction unit, a determination unit, and an allocation unit. Each function, such as the system control function 191, the reconstruction function 193, the determination function 195, and the allocation function 197, is stored in the memory 13 in the form of a computer-executable program. The processing circuitry 19 is a processor. For example, the processing circuitry 19 realizes a function corresponding to each program by reading and executing the program from the memory 13. In other words, after each program has been read, the processing circuitry 19 has each function, such as the system control function 191, the reconstruction function 193, the determination function 195, and the allocation function 197.

[0048] The processing circuitry 19 controls the MRI apparatus 4 using a system control function 191. Specifically, the system control function 191 reads out a system control program stored in the memory 13, expands it on the memory, and controls each circuit of the MRI apparatus 4 in accordance with the expanded system control program. For example, the system control function 191 reads out an imaging protocol from the memory 13 based on imaging conditions input by the operator via the input interface 15. The system control function 191 transmits the imaging protocol to the imaging control circuitry 121 and controls imaging of the subject P.

[0049] The processing circuitry 19 arranges the MR data generated by the receiving circuitry 119 in k-space using a reconstruction function 193. The reconstruction function 193 performs a Fourier transform on the MR data arranged in k-space to generate a magnetic resonance image. The reconstruction function 193 stores the generated magnetic resonance image in, for example, the memory 13.

[0050] The processing circuitry 19 determines the progress of a workflow related to imaging of the subject P by the MRI apparatus 4 (hereinafter referred to as the imaging workflow) using the determination function 195. Specifically, the determination function 195 determines the progress of the imaging workflow related to the assignment of operation authority based on outputs from various detectors such as the contact sensor and authentication sensor 540, the optical camera, etc. For example, the determination function 195 determines that the subject P has reached a stage before imaging (hereinafter referred to as the pre-imaging stage) as the progress related to the assignment of operation authority to the tablet terminal 200 based on outputs from various detectors such as the contact sensor and authentication sensor 540, the optical camera, etc. The progress in the allocation of operation authority corresponding to the pre-imaging stage includes, for example, at least one of the timing of guiding the subject P to the examination room R1 where the MRI apparatus 4 is installed (hereinafter referred to as the room guidance timing), the timing of placing the subject P on the top board 1071 of the bed 107 in the MRI apparatus 4 (hereinafter referred to as the placement timing), the timing of moving the top board 1071 to the opening 111 of the gantry 100 having the imaging system in the MRI apparatus 4 (hereinafter referred to as the movement timing), and the timing of setting imaging conditions for the imaging in the examination room R1 (hereinafter referred to as the setting timing). The room guidance timing, the placement timing, the movement timing, and the setting timing will be described in detail later.

[0051] The processing circuitry 19 determines the timing after imaging of the subject P as the progress of the imaging workflow using the determination function 195. For example, the determination function 195 determines that, in the progress of the imaging workflow, a stage after imaging of the subject P (hereinafter referred to as the post-imaging stage) has been reached as the progress of the imaging workflow for releasing the operation authority from the tablet terminal 200 to which the operation authority has been assigned. The post-imaging stage is, for example, the timing at which the subject P is guided from the examination room R1 where the MRI apparatus 4 is installed to the outside of the examination room R1 (hereinafter referred to as the out-room guidance timing).

[0052] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an imaging workflow related to the MRI device 4. The imaging workflow differs depending on the type of medical imaging device 3 in the medical imaging system 1. For example, if the medical imaging device 3 is an X-ray CT device, the "coil setting" shown in FIG. 4 is unnecessary. Guiding the patient to the examination room R1 in FIG. 4 includes room guidance timing (1). Guiding the patient to the bed 107 in FIG. 4 corresponds to placement timing (2). Moving the bed in FIG. 4 corresponds to movement timing (3). Setting the imaging conditions in FIG. 4 corresponds to setting timing (4). That is, in the imaging workflow shown in FIG. 4, the stage of guiding the patient to the examination room R1, the stage of guiding the patient to the bed 107, the stage of moving the bed, and the stage of setting the imaging conditions are included in the pre-imaging stage.

[0053] In the imaging workflow shown in Fig. 4, guiding the patient to the pre-examination room R2 includes timing (5) for guiding the patient outside the room. That is, guiding the patient to the pre-examination room R2 corresponds to the post-imaging stage in the imaging workflow shown in Fig. 4. Hereinafter, timing (1) for guiding the patient inside the room, timing (2) for placing the patient, timing (3) for moving the patient, timing (4) for setting the patient, and timing (5) for guiding the patient outside the room will be described.

[0054] (1) Indoor guidance timing The room guidance timing is at least one of the timing when a user terminal approaches within a predetermined distance from the examination room R1, the timing when a user terminal is placed at a predetermined location in front of the examination room R1, and the timing when a user or subject P operating a tablet terminal 200 is authenticated for entry into the examination room R1. The predetermined distance is, for example, a distance at which short-range communication is possible between the tablet terminal 200 as a user terminal and the console device 33, and corresponds to a distance of several meters from the console device 33, for example.

[0055] Specifically, the communication interface 11 receives patient reservation information (hereinafter referred to as patient reservation information) for imaging in the MRI apparatus 4 from the RIS. When the tablet terminal 200 approaches within a predetermined distance from the examination room R1, the communication interface 11 receives the interview result of the subject P from the tablet terminal 200. The processing circuitry 19 compares the patient information in the interview result with the patient reservation information using the determination function 195. If the patient information in the interview result matches the next imaging (the earliest examination at the current time) in the patient reservation information, the determination function 195 determines that the progress in the imaging workflow is at the pre-imaging stage.

[0056] Furthermore, when one tablet terminal 200 is placed in a predetermined position in the pre-examination room R2, the determination function 195 determines that the progress in the imaging workflow is a pre-imaging stage. Specifically, when the first technician E1 places the tablet terminal 200 in the pre-examination room holder 511 in the pre-examination room R2, the contact sensor detects the placement of the tablet terminal 200 in the pre-examination room holder 511 and outputs a signal related to the detection of the placement of the tablet terminal 200 (hereinafter referred to as a detection signal) to the processing circuitry 19. The processing circuitry 19, triggered by the reception of the detection signal, determines that the progress in the imaging workflow is a pre-imaging stage by the determination function 195.

[0057] Furthermore, when the first technician E1 or the subject P operating one tablet terminal 200 is authenticated for entry into the examination room R1, the determination function 195 determines the progress in the imaging workflow as a pre-imaging stage. Specifically, when at least one of the first technician E1 and the subject P is authenticated by the authentication sensor 540 in the pre-examination room R2, the authentication sensor 540 outputs a signal related to the authentication of at least one of the first technician E1 and the subject P (hereinafter referred to as an authentication signal) to the processing circuitry 19. The processing circuitry 19, using the determination function 195, determines the progress in the imaging workflow as a pre-imaging stage upon receiving the authentication signal.

[0058] (2) Timing of placement The placement timing is at least one of the following: a timing when one user terminal approaches within a first distance from the bed 107; a timing when one user terminal is placed at a predetermined location in the examination room R1; a timing when a first technician E1 or subject P operating the one user terminal is authenticated within a second distance from the bed 107 or the gantry 100; and a timing when the first technician E1 touches an operation panel related to movement of the bed 107 or the tabletop 1071. The first distance is, for example, a distance within the examination room R1 at which short-range communication is possible between the tablet terminal 200 and the gantry 100, and corresponds to, for example, a distance of several meters from the gantry 100. The second distance is, for example, a distance within the examination room R1 at which the first technician E1 or subject P can be authenticated by an authentication sensor provided on the gantry 100 and / or the bed 107, and corresponds to, for example, a distance of several tens of centimeters from the authentication sensor.

[0059] Specifically, when one tablet terminal 200 approaches within a first distance from the bed 107, the communication interface 11 receives the interview result of the subject P from the tablet terminal 200. The processing circuitry 19 compares the patient information in the interview result with the patient appointment information using the determination function 195. If the patient information in the interview result matches the next imaging (the earliest examination at the current time) in the patient appointment information, the determination function 195 determines the progress in the imaging workflow as the pre-imaging stage.

[0060] Furthermore, when one tablet terminal 200 is placed in a predetermined location in the examination room R1, the processing circuitry 19 determines the progress in the imaging workflow as a pre-imaging stage using the determination function 195. Specifically, when the tablet terminal 200 is placed on the examination room holder 510 in the examination room R1, the contact sensor detects the placement of the tablet terminal 200 on the examination room holder 510 and outputs a detection signal to the processing circuitry 19. In response to receiving the detection signal, the processing circuitry 19 determines the progress in the imaging workflow as a pre-imaging stage using the determination function 195.

[0061] Furthermore, when the first technician E1 or the subject P operating one tablet terminal 200 is authenticated within a second distance from the bed 107 or the gantry 100, the processing circuitry 19 determines the progress in the imaging workflow as a pre-imaging stage by the determination function 195. Specifically, when at least one of the first technician E1 and the subject P is authenticated by an authentication sensor provided on the bed 107 and / or the gantry 100, the authentication sensor outputs an authentication signal to the processing circuitry 19. Upon receiving the authentication signal, the determination function 195 determines the progress in the imaging workflow as a pre-imaging stage.

[0062] Furthermore, when the first technician E1 touches the operation panel related to the movement of the bed 107 or the tabletop 1071, the processing circuitry 19 determines the progress in the imaging workflow as a pre-imaging stage by the determination function 195. Specifically, when the first technician E1 touches the operation panel, a contact sensor provided on the operation panel detects the touch of the first technician E1 on the operation panel and outputs a detection signal to the processing circuitry 19. Upon receiving the detection signal, the determination function 195 determines the progress in the imaging workflow as a pre-imaging stage.

[0063] (3) Movement timing The movement timing is at least one of the timing when the first technician E1 inputs an operation for the top 1071 on an operation panel related to the movement of the top 1071, the timing when control for the movement of the top 1071 is input from one user terminal, and the timing when the subject P placed on the top 1071 is identified based on the output from the optical camera.

[0064] Specifically, when the first technician E1 inputs an operation for the top board 1071 on an operation panel related to the movement of the bed 107 or the top board 1071, the processing circuitry 19 determines the progress in the imaging workflow as a pre-imaging stage by the determination function 195. More specifically, when the first technician E1 inputs an operation for the top board 1071 on the operation panel, the operation panel detects the user's input on the operation panel and outputs a signal related to the detection of the input (hereinafter referred to as a panel input detection signal) to the processing circuitry 19. Upon receiving the panel input detection signal, the determination function 195 determines the progress in the imaging workflow as a pre-imaging stage.

[0065] Furthermore, when a movement control of the top 1071 is input from one tablet terminal 200, the processing circuitry 19 determines the progress in the imaging workflow as a pre-imaging stage using the determination function 195. Specifically, when a first technician E1 who has entered the examination room R1 inputs a movement control of the top 1071 via the tablet terminal 200 related to the first technician E1, the communication interface 11 receives a control signal related to the movement control of the top 1071 from the tablet terminal 200. The communication interface 11 outputs the received control signal to the processing circuitry 19. Upon receiving the control signal, the determination function 195 determines the progress in the imaging workflow as a pre-imaging stage.

[0066] The optical camera also outputs an image of the tabletop 1071 to the processing circuitry 19. The processing circuitry 19 uses a determination function 195 to identify the subject P placed on the tabletop 1071 based on the image output from the optical camera. Known image recognition technology can be used to identify the subject P, so a description thereof will be omitted. The determination function 195 uses the identification of the subject P in the output (image) from the optical camera as a trigger to determine the progress in the imaging workflow as a pre-imaging stage.

[0067] (4) Setting timing The setting timing is at least one of the timing when imaging conditions are set by one user terminal in the examination room R1, the timing when imaging conditions are set by one user terminal in a state where the subject P has been moved to the imaging center at the opening 111, and the timing when the first technician E1 leaves the examination room R1 in a state where the subject P has been moved to the imaging center. Note that the setting timing may also be the timing when the connection terminal of the receiving coil 117 is connected to the coil port 1072. The imaging center specifically corresponds to the magnetic field center at the opening 111.

[0068] Specifically, in response to input of imaging conditions by the tablet terminal 200 in the examination room R1, or input of imaging conditions by the tablet terminal 200 in a state where the subject P has been moved to the center of the magnetic field at the opening 111 (a state where the subject P has been set up for imaging), the communication interface 11 receives the input imaging conditions and outputs the received imaging conditions to the processing circuitry 19. The processing circuitry 19, using the determination function 195, determines the progress in the imaging workflow as a pre-imaging stage upon receiving the imaging conditions.

[0069] Furthermore, the processing circuitry 19 determines the progress of the imaging workflow as the pre-imaging stage when the first technician E1 leaves the examination room R1 in a state where the subject P has been moved to the center of the magnetic field (a state where the subject P has been set up for imaging), using the determination function 195. The fact that the user has left the examination room R1 can be detected by known techniques, such as detecting the opening and closing of the door D1, recognizing the first technician E1 using an optical camera installed in the pre-examination room R2, or detecting the distance from the gantry 100 to the tablet terminal 200, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0070] (5) Outdoor guidance timing The out-of-room guidance timing is at least one of the following: the timing when the top plate 1071 of the bed 107 in the MRI apparatus 4 moves away from the imaging center of the opening 111 of the gantry 100 having the imaging system in the MRI apparatus 4; the timing when the top plate 1071 moves down toward the floor of the examination room R1; the timing when the receive coil 117 is removed from the coil port 1072 in the top plate 1071; the timing when it is determined based on the output from the optical camera that the subject P has moved away from the top plate 1071; the timing when one user terminal reaches a third distance from the gantry 100 or the bed 107; and the timing when an end of imaging is input in one user terminal. The third distance is, for example, a distance at which short-range communication between the tablet terminal 200 and the console device 33 becomes impossible, e.g., a distance exceeding several meters.

[0071] Specifically, when at least one of moving the top 1071 from the center of the magnetic field and lowering the top 1071 toward the floor surface is performed by the bed control circuit 109, the processing circuitry 19 determines the progress in the imaging workflow as the post-imaging stage by the determination function 195. Furthermore, when the connection between the coil port 1072 and the connection terminal of the receive coil 117 is released, the determination function 195 determines the progress in the imaging workflow as the post-imaging stage.

[0072] Furthermore, the processing circuitry 19 determines the progress of the imaging workflow as a post-imaging stage using the determination function 195 when it is determined in the image output from the optical camera that the subject P has moved away from the tabletop 1071. The determination that the subject P has moved away from the tabletop 1071 in the image corresponds to, for example, an image recognition result that shows that a subject other than the tabletop 1071 and the subject P is between the tabletop 1071 and the subject P in the image. A known image recognition technology can be used for this determination, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0073] Furthermore, when one tablet terminal 200 reaches a third distance from the gantry 100 or the bed 107, the processing circuitry 19 determines the progress in the imaging workflow as the post-imaging stage by the determination function 195. For example, the determination function 195 determines the progress in the imaging workflow as the post-imaging stage when short-range communication between the tablet terminal 200 and the console device 33 is interrupted.

[0074] Furthermore, when the end of imaging of the subject P is input to the tablet terminal 200 for which the operation authority has been set, the processing circuitry 19 determines the progress of the imaging workflow as the post-imaging stage by the determination function 195. Setting the operation authority corresponds to, for example, lifting restrictions on various operations in the MRI apparatus 4.

[0075] The processing circuitry 19 assigns, via the assignment function 197, the operation authority for the MRI apparatus 4 to one of the multiple user terminals based on the progress determined by the determination function 195. Specifically, in response to a determination that the progress in the imaging workflow has reached the pre-imaging stage, the assignment function 197 sets the operation authority for the MRI apparatus 4 to one of the multiple user terminals that has been determined to have reached the pre-imaging stage. Furthermore, when the determination unit determines that the timing after imaging of the subject is the progress of the workflow, the assignment function 197 releases the operation authority assigned to one user terminal. That is, the assignment function 197 grants operation authority to a tablet terminal 200 that has been determined to be in the pre-imaging stage in the progress of the imaging workflow, and releases the operation authority granted to a tablet terminal 200 that has been determined to be in the post-imaging stage in the progress of the imaging workflow.

[0076] The process relating to the assignment and release of operation authority (hereinafter referred to as operation authority control process) executed by the medical imaging system 1 of this embodiment configured as above will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the operation authority control process according to this embodiment.

[0077] (Operation authority control processing) (Step S501) A first engineer E1 logs in to a tablet terminal 200 corresponding to a first user terminal 51. Logging in to the tablet terminal 200 is performed by an authentication sensor provided in the tablet terminal 200. For example, logging in is achieved by fingerprint authentication, face authentication, voice authentication, iris authentication, or the like. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the first user terminal 51 (tablet terminal 200), the subject P, and the first engineer E1 are associated with each other. The logged-in tablet terminal 200 can perform various operations according to instructions from the first engineer E1.

[0078] (Step S502) If the determination function 195 determines that the progress of the imaging workflow is the pre-imaging stage (Yes in step S502), the process of step S503 is executed. If the determination function 195 does not determine that the progress of the imaging workflow is the pre-imaging stage (No in step S502), this step is repeated. At this time, when the first engineer E1 inputs logout on the tablet terminal 200, the operation authority control process ends.

[0079] (Step S503) The processing circuitry 19 assigns operation authority for the MRI apparatus 4 to the tablet terminal 200 whose progress in the imaging workflow has been determined to be in the pre-imaging stage by the assignment function 197. In the tablet terminal 200 to which the operation authority has been assigned, restrictions on various operations related to the MRI apparatus 4 are lifted. At this time, the first technician E1 can perform various operations on the MRI apparatus 4 without restrictions via the tablet terminal 200.

[0080] (Step S504) Imaging of the subject P is performed in response to an instruction from the first technician E1 via the tablet terminal 200 or the console device 33. For example, in response to pressing a button to start imaging on the tablet terminal 200, the system control function 191 controls the imaging control circuit 121 to perform imaging of the subject P.

[0081] (Step S505) If the determination function 195 determines that the progress of the imaging workflow is the post-imaging stage (Yes in step S505), the process of step S506 is executed. If the determination function 195 does not determine that the progress of the imaging workflow is the post-imaging stage (No in step S505), the process of step S504 is repeated.

[0082] (Step S506) The processing circuitry 19 removes the operation authority from the tablet terminal 200 to which the operation authority has been set by the assignment function 197. As a result, the operation of the MRI apparatus 4 by the tablet terminal 200 is restricted.

[0083] (Step S507) If the first engineer E1 logs out from the tablet terminal 200 (Yes in step S507), the operation authority control process ends. If the first engineer E1 does not log out from the tablet terminal 200 (No in step S507), the process from step S502 onwards is repeated.

[0084] The medical imaging system 1 according to the embodiment described above determines the progress of an imaging workflow related to imaging of the subject P by the medical imaging device 3, and assigns operation authority for the medical imaging device 3 to one of the multiple user terminals based on the progress determined by the determination function 195. Furthermore, when the determination function 195 determines that the timing after imaging of the subject P is the progress of the imaging workflow, the medical imaging system 1 releases the operation authority assigned to one user terminal.

[0085] For these reasons, the medical imaging system 1 according to the embodiment can automatically assign and release operation authority, triggered by appropriate timing according to the imaging workflow. In other words, the medical imaging system 1 allows the user terminal to which operation authority is assigned to control the MRI apparatus 4 without any restrictions. Therefore, the medical imaging system 1 provides a function to limit operation of patient information during imaging to a specific first technician E1 or the tablet terminal 200 corresponding to the first user terminal 51, thereby preventing interference with operation of patient information (mainly imaging conditions) during imaging by technicians not involved in the imaging. For these reasons, the medical imaging system 1 limits operation of patient information, etc. during imaging to a specific technician or tablet terminal, thereby achieving safe operation.

[0086] (Variation) In this modification, the operation authority control process in the embodiment is executed by an operation authority control device provided between the medical imaging device 3 and the user terminal group 5. That is, the processing circuit in the operation authority control device has a determination function 195 and an allocation function 197 shown in Fig. 2. The operation authority control device is realized, for example, by a server device that executes the operation authority control process.

[0087] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a medical imaging system 2 according to this modification. As shown in FIG. 6, the medical imaging system 2 includes a medical imaging device 7, an operation authority control device 9, and a group of user terminals 5. The medical imaging device 7 in this modification corresponds to a normal modality that does not have a determination function 195 or an allocation function 197. The operation authority control device 9 includes a communication interface 91, a memory 93, and a processing circuit 95. The processing circuit 95 includes a determination function 951 and an allocation function 953. The communication interface 91, the memory 93, and the processing circuit 95 in this modification have various functions related to the operation authority control process. Therefore, a description of the determination function 951, the allocation function 953, the communication interface 91, and the memory 93 will be omitted. In addition, the processing procedures and effects of the operation authority control process in this modification are similar to those of the embodiment, and therefore will not be described.

[0088] (First application example) A first application example of the embodiment is to automatically set the operation authority of the medical imaging apparatus 3 to a user terminal related to a subject to be imaged after the subject P (hereinafter referred to as the next subject to be imaged) in response to the cancellation of the operation authority. For example, the processing circuitry 19 sets the operation authority to one user terminal related to the next subject to be imaged (hereinafter referred to as the next user terminal) by the allocation function 197 in response to the cancellation of the operation authority from one user terminal to which the operation authority has been set.

[0089] For the sake of specificity, the following description will be given assuming that the next user terminal is the second user terminal 53 associated with the second technician E2. Also, a case will be described in which, with respect to the tablet terminal 200 corresponding to the first user terminal 51 to which the operation authority has been assigned, the progress of the imaging workflow is determined to be the pre-imaging stage for the second user terminal 53 until the progress of the imaging workflow is determined to be the post-imaging stage for the tablet terminal 200. In these cases, the assignment function 197 assigns the operation authority to the second user terminal 53 in response to the release of the operation authority from the tablet terminal 200 (first user terminal 51). This allows the second technician to perform various operations on the MRI apparatus 4.

[0090] According to the medical imaging system 1 of this application example, in response to the release of the operation authority from one user terminal, the operation authority is assigned to one user terminal related to the subject to be imaged after the subject P. As a result, according to the medical imaging system 1 of this application example, the operation authority is assigned in response to the release of the operation authority, and therefore the throughput of examinations related to medical imaging can be improved.

[0091] (Second application example) In this application example, when a plurality of imaging conditions for a subject to be next imaged are input by a plurality of user terminals, the plurality of imaging conditions are stored, and when operation authority is granted to the next user terminal, an imaging condition selected from the plurality of imaging conditions is set as the imaging condition for the subject to be next imaged based on an instruction from the next user terminal. Hereinafter, the next user terminal in this application example will be described as a third user terminal 55.

[0092] When a plurality of imaging conditions related to a subject to be imaged after subject P are input from a plurality of user terminals, the memory 13 stores the plurality of imaging conditions in association with patient information of the subject to be imaged next. That is, when imaging conditions related to the same subject are input from a plurality of user terminals, the memory 13 stores the plurality of imaging conditions without overwriting the imaging conditions.

[0093] When the progress of the imaging workflow is determined to be the pre-imaging stage in the third user terminal 55 by the assignment function 197, the processing circuitry 19 assigns operation authority to the third user terminal 55. Based on an instruction from the third user terminal 55 by the third technician E3, the assignment function 197 assigns an imaging condition selected from the plurality of imaging conditions as an imaging condition for the next imaging subject.

[0094] According to the medical imaging system 1 of this application example, when multiple imaging conditions for the subject to be imaged after subject P are input from multiple user terminals, the multiple imaging conditions are stored, and when operation authority is assigned to one user terminal for the subject to be imaged after subject P, the imaging condition selected by the user from the multiple imaging conditions is assigned as the imaging condition for the subject to be imaged after subject P based on an instruction from the one user terminal for the subject to be imaged after subject P.

[0095] As a result, according to the medical imaging system 1 of this application example, a plurality of imaging conditions for the next subject to be imaged are temporarily stored in the memory 13 without being overwritten, so that a user for the next subject to be imaged can select and set an optimum imaging condition from the plurality of imaging conditions. Therefore, according to the medical imaging system 1 of this application example, it is possible to improve the throughput of imaging for the next subject to be imaged.

[0096] (Third application example) This application example is to automatically cancel the operation authority assigned by the assignment function 197 under predetermined conditions. That is, when the predetermined conditions are met, the console device 33 retrieves the operation authority from the tablet terminal 200 to which the operation authority has been assigned. For the sake of concreteness, the following description will be given assuming that the tablet terminal 200 to which the operation authority has been assigned is the first user terminal 51.

[0097] The specified condition is, for example, that no operation is input into the first user terminal 51 for a specified period of time (hereinafter referred to as the no-operation-input state), or that when the first engineer E1 is operating the first user terminal 51, a request to release the operating authority (hereinafter referred to as the authority release request) is sent from the console device 33 to the first user terminal 51, and the first user terminal 51 receives confirmation that the release of the operating authority has been approved by the first engineer E1 (hereinafter referred to as the authority release approval).

[0098] The no-operation-input state corresponds to, for example, a state in which communication between the first user terminal 51 and the MRI apparatus 4 has been interrupted for a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period of time is several minutes, for example, one minute. The authority release request is generated in response to an emergency event, such as a system error in the medical imaging apparatus 3 such as the MRI apparatus 4, a patient call by the subject P, or an emergency outpatient visit.

[0099] When an operation is input for a predetermined period of time at one user terminal for which operation authority has been set and an event related to the release of the operation authority occurs in the medical imaging device 3, the communication interface 11 transmits a request for the release of the operation authority to the one user terminal for which operation authority has been set. At this time, the first user terminal 51 displays the authority release request. When the first technician E1 inputs an authorization for the release of authority at the first user terminal 51, the first user terminal 51 transmits a signal related to the authorization for the release of authority (hereinafter referred to as an authorization signal) to the console device 33. The communication interface 11 outputs the authorization signal to the processing circuitry 19.

[0100] When no operation is input for a predetermined time in one of the user terminals (first user terminal 51) to which operation authority has been assigned by the assignment function 197, the processing circuit 19 releases the operation authority from the first user terminal 51 to which the operation authority has been assigned. The assignment function 197 releases the operation authority from the first user terminal 51 in response to receiving approval for the authority release request, i.e., receiving an approval signal from the first user terminal 51.

[0101] According to the medical imaging system 1 of this application example, if no operation is input from a user terminal to which operation authority has been assigned for a predetermined period of time, the operation authority is released from that user terminal. As a result, according to this medical imaging system 1, if a communication interruption occurs for a predetermined period of time between a user terminal to which operation authority has been assigned and the medical imaging device 3, the operation authority can be released from the user terminal to which operation authority has been assigned. Therefore, according to this medical imaging system 1, it is possible to prevent a user terminal to which operation authority has been assigned from being isolated.

[0102] Furthermore, according to the medical imaging system 1 of this application example, when an operation is input for a predetermined period of time at one user terminal to which operation authority has been assigned and an event related to the release of operation authority occurs at the medical imaging device 3, a request for release of operation authority is sent to the one user terminal to which operation authority has been assigned, and in response to receiving approval for the request, the operation authority is released from the one user terminal. As a result, according to the medical imaging system 1, when an emergency event occurs, the operation authority can be released from the user terminal to which operation authority has been assigned, and therefore, the emergency event can be handled, for example, at the console device 33.

[0103] As a result, the medical imaging system 1 according to this application example can improve the operability and safety of the medical imaging device 3.

[0104] When the technical ideas of the embodiments and the like are realized by an operation authority control method, the operation authority control method determines the progress of a workflow related to imaging of a subject P by a medical imaging device 3, assigns operation authority for the medical imaging device 3 to one of multiple user terminals based on the determined progress, and when the timing after imaging of the subject is determined as the progress of the workflow, releases the operation authority assigned to the one user terminal. The procedure and effects of the operation authority control process by the operation authority control method are similar to those of the embodiments and the like, so description thereof will be omitted.

[0105] When the technical ideas in the embodiments and the like are realized by an operation authority control program, the operation authority control program causes a computer to determine the progress of a workflow related to imaging of a subject P by a medical imaging device 3, and assigns operation authority for the medical imaging device 3 to one of a plurality of user terminals based on the determined progress. The procedure and effect of the operation authority control process in the operation authority control program are the same as those in the embodiments and the like, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0106] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, it is possible to improve the safety of modality operations by multiple users.

[0107] 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]

[0108] 1 Medical imaging system 2 Medical imaging system 3 Medical imaging equipment 4 MRI machine 5 User terminals 7 Medical imaging equipment 9. Operation authority control device 11 Communication Interface 13. Memory 15 Input Interface 17. Display 19 Processing circuit 31 Imaging unit 33 Console device 51 First user terminal 53 Second user terminal 55 Third User Terminal 91 Communication Interface 93 memory 95 Processing Circuit 100 Gantry 101 Static Magnetic Field Magnet 103 Gradient magnetic field coil 105 Gradient magnetic field power supply 107 Sleeper 109 Bed control circuit 111 Opening (bore) 113 Transmitting circuit 115 Transmitting Coil 117 Receiving Coil 119 Receiving circuit 121 Imaging control circuit 191 System Control Functions 193 Reconfiguration function 195 Judgment Function 197 Assignment Function 200 tablet devices 510 Mounting table (examination room holder) 511 Mounting stand (front room holder) 540 Authentication Sensor 951 Judgment Function 953 Assignment Function 1071 Top plate 1072 coil port

Claims

1. a determination unit that determines progress of a workflow related to imaging of a subject by a medical imaging apparatus; an allocation unit that allocates operation authority for the medical imaging device to one of a plurality of user terminals based on the progress determined by the determination unit; Equipped with The progress regarding the assignment of the operation authority is at least one of an indoor guidance timing of guiding the subject to an examination room in which the medical imaging device is installed, a placement timing of placing the subject on a tabletop of a bed in the medical imaging device, and a movement timing of moving the tabletop to an opening of a gantry having an imaging system in the medical imaging device. Medical imaging systems.

2. When the determination unit determines that the timing after imaging of the subject has occurred as a progress of the workflow, the allocation unit cancels the operation authority allocated to the one user terminal. The medical imaging system of claim 1 .

3. the indoor guidance timing is at least one of a timing when the one user terminal approaches within a predetermined distance from the examination room, a timing when the one user terminal is placed at a predetermined location in front of the examination room, and a timing when a user operating the one user terminal or the subject is authenticated for entry into the examination room.

3. A medical imaging system according to claim 1.

4. The placement timing is at least one of a timing when the one user terminal approaches within a first distance from the bed, a timing when the one user terminal is placed at a predetermined location in the examination room, a timing when a user operating the one user terminal or the subject is authenticated within a second distance from the bed or the gantry, and a timing when the user touches an operation panel related to movement of the bed or the tabletop.

4. A medical imaging system according to claim 1.

5. The movement timing is at least one of a timing when a user inputs an operation for the top board on an operation panel related to the movement of the top board, a timing when a movement control for the top board is input by the one user terminal, and a timing when the subject placed on the top board is identified based on an output from an optical camera.

5. A medical imaging system according to claim 1.

6. the timing after imaging of the subject as progress of the workflow is an out-of-room guidance timing for guiding the subject from an examination room in which the medical imaging device is installed to the outside of the examination room; The medical imaging system of claim 2 .

7. The outside-room guidance timing is at least one of the following: a timing when the top plate of a bed in the medical imaging device moves away from the imaging center of an opening of a gantry having an imaging system in the medical imaging device; a timing when the top plate moves down toward the floor of the examination room; if the medical imaging device is a magnetic resonance imaging device, a timing when a receiving coil is removed from a coil port in the top plate; a timing when it is determined that the subject has moved away from the top plate based on an output from an optical camera; a timing when the one user terminal reaches a third distance from the gantry or the bed; and a timing when an end of the imaging is input in the one user terminal.

7. The medical imaging system of claim 6.

8. the allocating unit allocates the operation authority to one user terminal related to a subject to be imaged next to the subject in response to the release of the operation authority from the one user terminal.

8. A medical imaging system according to claim 2, claim 6 or claim 7.

9. A determination unit that determines the progress of a workflow related to imaging of a subject by a medical imaging device; an allocation unit that allocates operation authority for the medical imaging device to one of a plurality of user terminals based on the progress determined by the determination unit; Equipped with when a plurality of imaging conditions for a subject to be imaged after the subject are input by the plurality of user terminals and the operation authority is assigned to one user terminal related to the subject to be imaged after the subject, the assignment unit assigns an imaging condition selected by a user from the plurality of imaging conditions as an imaging condition for the subject to be imaged after the subject, based on an instruction from the one user terminal related to the subject to be imaged after the subject; Medical imaging systems.

10. the allocation unit, when no operation is input for a predetermined time in the one of the user terminals to which the operation authority has been allocated, releases the operation authority from the one of the user terminals; 10. A medical imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. a communication unit that, when an operation is input for a predetermined time in the one user terminal to which the operation authority is assigned and an event related to the release of the operation authority occurs in the medical image imaging device, transmits a request for the release of the operation authority to the one user terminal to which the operation authority is assigned, the allocation unit, in response to receiving approval for the request, releases the operation authority from the one user terminal. A medical imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The operation related to the operation authority is at least one of an operation on patient information related to the subject being imaged by the medical imaging device, an operation on patient information related to the subject to be imaged by the medical imaging device, an operation related to start, interruption, and stop of imaging by the medical imaging device, and an operation related to control of a bed in the medical imaging device.

12. A medical imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The medical imaging system of claim 12 , wherein the patient information includes imaging conditions.

Images