Magnetic resonance imaging device and program

Abstract

To properly control illumination in a hollow bore of a gantry.SOLUTION: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprises a gantry, a first illumination part, an identification part, and an illumination control part. The gantry has a hollow bore. The first illumination part illuminates the hollow bore. The identification part identifies a position of a predetermined part of an analyte in the hollow bore. The illumination control part controls an illuminating state of the first illumination part on the basis of the position of the predetermined part identified by the identification part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in the present specification and drawings relate to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and a program.

[0002] Conventionally, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a gantry having a hollow space formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the gantry also includes a light for illuminating the hollow space.

[0003] However, the lighting was not properly controlled. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-104401 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 appropriately control the lighting in the hollow of the frame. 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 magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a gantry, a camera, a first illumination unit, a determination unit, and an illumination control unit. The gantry has a hollow space. The camera is configured to capture an image of a subject inserted into the hollow space. First image data for monitoring the head of The first illumination unit illuminates the hollow space. The identification unit before record hollow Inside in , the subject's head The illumination control unit determines the position of the object. Subject's head Location and a region of the subject to be examined.Based on the above, the identification unit identified , in the hollow The aforementioned Subject's head The illuminance of the first lighting unit within the set range is decreased from the position do. When the part to be inspected is the head, the illumination control unit Within the hollow The aforementioned Subject's head The illuminance of the first lighting unit is increased within a set range from the position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a method for identifying the position of a subject inserted into a hollow space. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a lighting state of the first illumination unit before the subject is inserted into the hollow. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the lighting state of the first illumination unit after the subject is inserted into the hollow. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an illumination control process executed by the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the first illumination section and the second illumination section according to the first modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and a program according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, parts with the same reference numerals perform similar operations, and redundant description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0009] (First embodiment) 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 includes a static magnetic field magnet 101, a gantry 102, a static magnetic field power supply (not shown), a gradient magnetic field coil 103, a gradient magnetic field power supply 104, a bed 105, a bed control circuit 106, a whole-body RF (Radio Frequency) coil 107, a transmission circuit 108, a local RF coil 109, a reception circuit 110, a sequence control circuit 120, and a computer system 130.

[0010] 1 is merely an example. For example, the sequence control circuit 120 and the components in the computer system 130 may be integrated or separated as appropriate. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 may further include other components. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 does not include a subject P (e.g., a human body).

[0011] The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis shown in Fig. 1 constitute an apparatus coordinate system specific to the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100. For example, the Z-axis direction coincides with the axial direction of the cylinder of the gradient magnetic field coil 103 and is set along the magnetic flux of the static magnetic field generated by the static magnetic field magnet 101. The Z-axis direction is the same as the longitudinal direction of the bed 105 and also the same as the craniocaudal direction of the subject P placed on the bed 105. The X-axis direction is set along the horizontal direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. The Y-axis direction is set along the vertical direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction.

[0012] The static magnetic field magnet 101 is a magnet formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a hollow 1021, and generates a static magnetic field in the internal space. The static magnetic field magnet 101 is, for example, a superconducting magnet, and is excited by receiving a current from a static magnetic field power supply. The static magnetic field power supply supplies a current to the static magnetic field magnet 101. As another example, the static magnetic field magnet 101 may be a permanent magnet, in which case the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 does not need to include a static magnetic field power supply. Furthermore, the static magnetic field power supply may be provided separately from the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100.

[0013] The gantry 102 has a hollow 1021 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The gantry 102 also houses the static magnetic field magnet 101, the gradient magnetic field coil 103, and the whole-body RF coil 107. The hollow 1021 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and a subject P, such as a patient, is inserted into the hollow 1021. Specifically, the gantry 102 houses the whole-body RF coil 107, the gradient magnetic field coil 103 on the outer periphery of the whole-body RF coil 107, and the static magnetic field magnet 101 on the outer periphery of the gradient magnetic field coil 103.

[0014] In this embodiment, the term "circle" includes "ellipse." Furthermore, in this embodiment, the term "cylindrical shape" or "cylindrical form" is not limited to a shape in which the cross section perpendicular to the central axis of the cylinder is a perfect circle, but may also refer to a shape in which the cross section perpendicular to the central axis of the cylinder is an ellipse.

[0015] The gantry 102 also includes a gantry camera 1022 and a first illumination unit 1023. The gantry camera 1022 is a camera that captures an image of a hollow 1021 of the gantry 102. The gantry camera 1022 is used to capture an image of the subject P inserted in the hollow 1021. When the gantry camera 1022 captures an image of the hollow 1021, it transmits the captured image data to the computer system 130. For example, the image data captured by the gantry camera 1022 is used to monitor whether the subject P is moving his or her head when the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 is capturing an image of the subject P's head.

[0016] The first illumination unit 1023 is provided on the gantry 102. The first illumination unit 1023 is an illumination that illuminates a hollow 1021 into which the subject P is inserted. The first illumination unit 1023 is arranged in the hollow 1021 along the insertion direction of the subject P placed on the top board 1051. For example, the first illumination unit 1023 is LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) arranged along the insertion direction of the subject P. The first illumination unit 1023 is arranged above the eyes of the subject P inserted into the hollow 1021.

[0017] The gradient magnetic field coil 103 is a coil formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a hollow 1021, and is disposed inside the static magnetic field magnet 101. The gradient magnetic field coil 103 is formed by combining three coils corresponding to the mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes, and these three coils are individually supplied with current from a gradient magnetic field power supply 104 to generate a gradient magnetic field whose magnetic field strength changes along each of the X, Y, and Z axes. In addition, the gradient magnetic field power supply 104 supplies current to the gradient magnetic field coil 103 under the control of a sequence control circuit 120.

[0018] The bed 105 includes a top plate 1051 on which the subject P is placed, and is inserted into the imaging cavity with the subject P, such as a patient, placed on the top plate 1051 under the control of the bed control circuit 106. That is, the bed 105 inserts the top plate 1051 with the subject P placed thereon into the hollow 1021. Under the control of the computer system 130, the bed control circuit 106 drives the bed 105 to move the top plate 1051 in the longitudinal direction and the up-down direction.

[0019] The bed camera 1052 is a camera that captures an image of the subject P placed on the tabletop 1051. For example, the bed camera 1052 captures an image of the subject P before the subject P is inserted into the hollow 1021. When the bed camera 1052 captures an image of the subject P placed on the tabletop 1051, the bed camera 1052 transmits the captured image data to the computer system 130. For example, the image data captured by the bed camera 1052 is used to identify the posture of the subject P placed on the tabletop 1051. Specifically, the image data captured by the bed camera 1052 is used to identify the position of the head of the subject P on the tabletop 1051 and whether the subject P is placed facing back, right, or left. The bed camera 1052 is arranged, for example, on the ceiling of the imaging room. The location where the bed camera 1052 is arranged is not limited to the ceiling. In addition, image data captured by the gantry camera 1022 may be used to identify the position of the subject P's head and whether the subject P is lying on his back, facing right, or facing left.

[0020] The whole-body RF coil 107 is a whole-body type coil surrounding the entire body of the subject P. The whole-body RF coil 107 is arranged on the inner periphery side of the gradient magnetic field coil 103, applies an RF magnetic field to the subject P arranged in the imaging space, and receives magnetic resonance signals generated from the subject P due to the influence of the RF magnetic field. Specifically, the whole-body RF coil 107 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a hollow 1021, and applies an RF magnetic field to the subject P arranged in the imaging space located on the inner periphery side thereof based on an RF pulse signal supplied from the transmission circuitry 108. The whole-body RF coil 107 also receives magnetic resonance signals (MR signals) generated from the subject P due to the influence of the RF magnetic field, and outputs the received magnetic resonance signals to the reception circuitry 110.

[0021] The local RF coil 109 receives magnetic resonance signals generated from the subject P. Specifically, a local RF coil 109 is provided for each region of the subject P, and is placed near the surface of the region to be imaged when imaging the subject P. The local RF coil 109 receives magnetic resonance signals generated from the subject P due to the influence of the RF magnetic field applied by the whole-body RF coil 107, and outputs the received magnetic resonance signals to the receiving circuitry 110.

[0022] The local RF coil 109 may further have a function as a transmission coil that applies an RF magnetic field to the subject P. In that case, the local RF coil 109 is connected to the transmission circuitry 108, and applies an RF magnetic field to the subject P based on an RF pulse signal supplied from the transmission circuitry 108.

[0023] The transmission circuit 108 supplies RF pulses to the whole-body RF coil 107 under the control of the sequence control circuit 120 .

[0024] The receiving circuit 110 generates MR data by analog-to-digital (AD) converting the analog MR signals output from the whole-body RF coil 107 or the local RF coil 109. The receiving circuit 110 also transmits the generated MR data to the sequence control circuit 120. Note that the AD conversion may be performed within the whole-body RF coil 107 or the local RF coil 109. The receiving circuit 110 is also capable of performing any signal processing other than AD conversion.

[0025] The sequence control circuit 120 drives the gradient magnetic field power supply 104, the transmission circuitry 108, and the reception circuitry 110 based on sequence information transmitted from the computer system 130, thereby imaging the subject P.

[0026] Here, the sequence information is information that defines a procedure for performing imaging. The sequence information defines the strength of the current that the gradient magnetic field power supply 104 supplies to the gradient magnetic field coil 103 and the timing of supplying the current, the strength of the RF pulse that the transmission circuitry 108 supplies to the whole-body RF coil 107 and the timing of applying the RF pulse, the timing of detecting the MR signal by the reception circuitry 110, etc. The sequence information differs depending on the range of the region of the body of the subject P that is to be imaged.

[0027] The sequence control circuit 120 may be realized by a processor, or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

[0028] Furthermore, when the sequence control circuit 120 receives MR data from the receiving circuit 110 as a result of driving the gradient magnetic field power supply 104, the transmitting circuit 108, and the receiving circuit 110 to image the subject P, the sequence control circuit 120 transfers the received MR data to the computer system 130.

[0029] The computer system 130 performs overall control of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100, generates MR images, etc. As shown in FIG. 1, the computer system 130 includes an NW (network) interface 131, a memory circuitry 132, a processing circuitry 133, an input interface 134, and a display 135.

[0030] The NW interface 131 communicates with the sequence control circuit 120 and the bed control circuit 106. For example, the NW interface 131 transmits sequence information to the sequence control circuit 120. The NW interface 131 also receives MR data from the sequence control circuit 120.

[0031] The memory circuitry 132 stores the MR data received by the NW interface 131, k-space data arranged in k-space by the processing circuitry 133 described later, and image data generated by the processing circuitry 133. The memory circuitry 132 is, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, a hard disk, or an optical disk. The memory circuitry 132 may be provided outside the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100.

[0032] The input interface 134 accepts various instructions and information input from an operator. The input interface 134 may be realized, for example, by 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 is connected to the processing circuit 133 and converts input operations received from the operator into electrical signals and outputs them to the processing circuit 133. Note that, in this specification, the input interface is not limited to those having physical operating components such as a mouse and a keyboard. For example, an electrical signal processing circuit that receives electrical signals corresponding to input operations from an external input device provided separately from the computer system 130 and outputs these electrical signals to a control circuit is also included as an example of an input interface.

[0033] The display 135, under the control of the processing circuitry 133, displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for receiving input of imaging conditions, a magnetic resonance image generated by the processing circuitry 133, etc. The display 135 is, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The display 135 is an example of a display unit. The display 135 may be provided outside the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100.

[0034] The processing circuitry 133 performs overall control of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100. More specifically, the processing circuitry 133 includes, for example, an examination information acquisition function 1331, an image data acquisition function 1332, a transport amount acquisition function 1333, a position identification function 1334, a top control function 1335, and an illumination control function 1336.

[0035] Here, for example, each processing function of the processing circuitry 133, i.e., the examination information acquisition function 1331, the image data acquisition function 1332, the transport distance acquisition function 1333, the position identification function 1334, the top control function 1335, and the lighting control function 1336, is stored in the storage circuitry 132 in the form of a computer-executable program. The processing circuitry 133 is a processor. For example, the processing circuitry 133 realizes the function corresponding to each program by reading and executing the program from the storage circuitry 132. In other words, the processing circuitry 133 in a state in which each program has been read has each function shown in the processing circuitry 133 of FIG. 1. Note that, in FIG. 1, it has been described that the processing functions performed by the examination information acquisition function 1331, the image data acquisition function 1332, the transport distance acquisition function 1333, the position identification function 1334, the top control function 1335, and the lighting control function 1336 are realized by a single processor. However, the processing circuitry 133 may be configured by combining multiple independent processors, and each processor may realize the function by executing a program. Furthermore, although FIG. 1 illustrates a single memory circuit 132 storing a program corresponding to each processing function, multiple memory circuits may be distributed and arranged, and the processing circuit 133 may read out the corresponding program from each memory circuit.

[0036] The term "processor" used in the above description refers to a circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphical 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)). The processor realizes its functions by reading and executing a program stored in the memory circuit 132. Note that instead of storing a program in the memory circuit 132, the processor may be configured so that the program is directly embedded in its circuitry. In this case, the processor realizes its functions by reading and executing the program embedded in its circuitry.

[0037] The examination information acquisition function 1331 acquires examination information. The examination information is information indicating the contents of an examination performed on the subject P by the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100. The examination information includes information indicating the imaging region of the subject P. The examination information may also include information indicating the posture of the subject P on the tabletop 1051.

[0038] The image data acquisition function 1332 acquires image data of the subject P placed on the tabletop 1051 captured by the bed camera 1052 .

[0039] The transport distance acquisition function 1333 acquires the transport distance of the top 1051. For example, based on examination information indicating the examination region of the subject P, the transport distance acquisition function 1333 acquires the transport distance of the top 1051 until the examination region of the subject P reaches the center of the magnetic field. Alternatively, when the transport distance acquisition function 1333 receives an operation from a medical professional such as a technician to move the top 1051 on which the subject P is placed, the transport distance acquisition function 1333 acquires the transport distance of the top 1051 received by the operation. Note that the transport distance acquisition function 1333 may recognize the examination region from image data obtained by the bed camera 1052 and acquire the transport distance of the top 1051 for causing the recognized examination region to reach the center of the magnetic field.

[0040] The top board control function 1335 controls the transport of the top board 1051. More specifically, the top board control function 1335 inserts the top board 1051 into the hollow 1021. For example, the top board control function 1335 controls the transport of the top board 1051 based on the transport amount of the top board 1051 acquired by the transport amount acquisition function 1333.

[0041] The position specifying function 1334 specifies the position of a predetermined part of the subject P inserted into the hollow 1021. The position specifying function 1334 is an example of a specifying unit. The predetermined part is, for example, a set part that is a set part of the subject P. The set part is, for example, the eye of the subject P. Note that the set part is not limited to the eye, and may be the head, the space between the eyebrows, or another part. For example, the position specifying function 1334 specifies the position of the eye of the subject P within the hollow 1021.

[0042] More specifically, the position identification function 1334 identifies the position of the set part of the subject P inserted into the hollow 1021 based on at least one of the examination information indicating the part of the subject P to be examined and image data of the subject P placed on the top plate 1051.

[0043] For example, the position specifying function 1334 specifies the position of the set site of the subject P inserted into the hollow 1021 based on the transport amount of the top 1051 that transports the region to be examined, which is included in the examination information, to the center of the magnetic field, and the position of the set site of the subject P on the top 1051 specified by the image data. That is, the position specifying function 1334 specifies the position of the set site of the subject P inserted into the hollow 1021 based on the transport amount of the top 1051 acquired by the transport amount acquiring function 1333 and the position of the set site in the image data of the subject P photographed by the bed camera 1052 acquired by the image data acquiring function 1332.

[0044] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a method for identifying the position of the set site of the subject P inserted into the hollow 1021. The position identifying function 1334 detects the set site of the subject P from image data captured by the bed camera 1052 and acquired by the image data acquiring function 1332. That is, the position identifying function 1334 identifies the position of the eyes of the subject P on the tabletop 1051 before insertion into the hollow 1021 from the image data. The position identifying function 1334 then determines that the set site of the subject P inserted into the hollow 1021 is located at a position obtained by moving the set site detected from the image data acquired by the image data acquiring function 1332 in the insertion direction by the transport amount acquired by the transport amount acquiring function 1333. The position identifying function 1334 may identify the examination site indicated by the examination information from the image data captured by the bed camera 1052 and acquired by the image data acquiring function 1332, and identify the set site based on information indicating the distance between the set site and the examination site for each body type and the identified examination site. That is, the position specifying function 1334 may directly or indirectly detect the set part from the image data captured by the bed camera 1052 .

[0045] For example, if the position where the set portion is to be placed when the subject P is placed on the top board 1051 is specified, the position specifying function 1334 can specify the position of the set portion of the subject P inserted into the hollow 1021 without detecting the set portion from the image data acquired by the image data acquiring function 1332. For example, if a mark or message guiding the position where the head of the subject P is to be placed is written on the top board 1051, the subject P places his / her head at the specified position. In such a case, the position specifying function 1334 specifies the set portion of the subject P inserted into the hollow 1021 based on the transport amount acquired by the transport amount acquiring function 1333.

[0046] Here, the distance from the examination site of the subject P to the set site is predetermined based on the body type, such as the height of the subject P. For example, if the examination site is the chest and the set site is the eye, the distance from the chest to the eye is predetermined based on the body type, such as the height of the subject P. Information indicating the distance between the set site and the examination site for each body type is stored, for example, in the memory circuitry 132, and the position specifying function 1334 specifies the set site based on this information, examination information indicating the examination site, and information indicating the body type. The information indicating the body type may be acquired by the position specifying function 1334 using patient identification information included in the examination information, or may be included in the examination information. More specifically, the position specifying function 1334 specifies the position of the set site of the subject P inserted in the hollow 1021 based on the examination site (imaging position), the transport distance of the top board 1051, and the body type of the subject P. In other words, image data captured by the bed camera 1052 is not essential for specifying the position of the set site of the subject P inserted in the hollow 1021. Assuming that the position of the magnetic field center in the device is known and the examination region is sent to the magnetic field center, the position specifying function 1334 can specify the position of the set region of the subject P inserted into the hollow 1021 using information indicating the distance between the set region and the examination region without using the transport amount. Note that the position specifying function 1334 may specify the examination region indicated by the examination information from the image data captured by the bed camera 1052 acquired by the image data acquisition function 1332, and specify the set region based on the information indicating the distance between the set region and the examination region for each body type and the specified examination region.

[0047] Furthermore, when the examination site and the set site are substantially the same, the position of the examination site is the position of the set site, and therefore the position specifying function 1334 can specify the position of the set site of the subject P inserted into the hollow 1021 without using the transport distance. For example, when the examination site is the head and the set site is the eye, the position specifying function 1334 can determine that the eye is located where the head is. In this case as well, the position specifying function 1334 specifies the position of the set site of the subject P inserted into the hollow 1021 based on the examination information indicating the examination site of the subject P. Alternatively, the position specifying function 1334 determines that the examination site is the head when the bed 105 is connected to a head coil.

[0048] The illumination control function 1336 controls the illumination state of the first illumination unit 1023 based on the position of the set region of the subject P identified by the position identification function 1334. The illumination control function 1336 is an example of an illumination control unit.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the lighting state of the first illuminator 1023 before the subject P is inserted into the hollow 1021 (for example, until the examination region of the subject P is sent to the center of the magnetic field). Before the top board 1051 is inserted into the hollow 1021 of the gantry 102, the subject P is likely to feel fear if the hollow 1021 is dark. As shown in FIG. 3, the lighting control function 1336 turns on the first illuminator 1023 before the subject P is inserted into the hollow 1021. More specifically, the lighting control function 1336 lights up the first illuminator 1023 with higher illuminance as the subject P goes deeper into the hollow 1021. In this way, the lighting control function 1336 increases the illuminance of the first illuminator 1023 as the subject P goes deeper into the hollow 1021, thereby generating a savanna effect that alleviates the fear of entering the hollow 1021.

[0050] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the lighting state of the first illuminator 1023 after the subject P is inserted into the hollow 1021. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the illumination control function 1336 controls the illuminance of the first illuminator 1023 corresponding to the position of the set site of the subject P. The subject P may be draped with a blanket. In such a case, the first illuminator 1023 is positioned higher than the eye level of the subject P to prevent light from being blocked by the blanket. However, since the first illuminator 1023 is positioned higher than the eye level of the subject P, the subject P may find the illumination dazzling. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the illumination control function 1336 reduces the illuminance of the first illuminator 1023 within a set range from the position of the set site identified by the position identification function 1334. For example, the illumination control function 1336 reduces the illuminance of the first illuminator 1023 within the set range lower than the illuminance of the first illuminator 1023 outside the set range. In this way, the illumination control function 1336 prevents the subject P from feeling that the first illumination unit 1023 is too bright.

[0051] Here, the gantry camera 1022 captures an image of the subject P inserted in the hollow 1021. The gantry camera 1022 generates dark image data when the hollow 1021 is dark. Furthermore, when capturing an image of the head of the subject P using the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100, a medical professional such as a technician needs to check the condition of the subject P, such as whether the subject P is moving his or her head. However, the medical professional cannot check the condition of the subject P from dark image data. Therefore, when the region to be examined is the head, the illumination control function 1336 increases the illuminance of the first illumination unit 1023 within a set range from the position of the set region of the subject P. That is, when the region to be examined is the head, the illumination control function 1336 increases the illuminance of the first illumination unit 1023 within a set range from the head. In this way, the illumination control function 1336 brightens the area around the head of the subject P in the hollow 1021, thereby preventing the medical professional from being unable to check the condition of the subject P.

[0052] Next, various processes executed by the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 will be described.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an illumination control process executed by the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0054] The lighting control function 1336 lights up the first lighting unit 1023 with illuminance that increases as one goes deeper into the hollow 1021 (step S1).

[0055] The processing circuitry 133 of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 acquires various information used to identify the position of the set portion of the subject P in the hollow 1021 (step S2). More specifically, when the position identification function 1334 uses examination information indicating the examination portion of the subject P, the examination information acquisition function 1331 acquires the examination information. When image data obtained by capturing an image of the subject P placed on the top board 1051 is used, the image data acquisition function 1332 acquires the image data. When the transport distance of the top board 1051 is used, the transport distance acquisition function 1333 acquires the transport distance of the top board 1051. Furthermore, when information indicating the body type of the subject P is used, the processing circuitry 133 acquires the information indicating the body type.

[0056] The top board control function 1335 inserts the top board 1051 into the hollow 1021 (step S3).

[0057] The position specifying function 1334 specifies the position of the set part of the subject P in the hollow 1021 (step S4).

[0058] The illumination control function 1336 controls the illumination state of the first illumination unit 1023 based on the position of the set part (step S5).

[0059] With the above, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 ends the illumination control process.

[0060] As described above, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes the first illuminator 1023 that illuminates the hollow 1021 provided in the gantry 102. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 also identifies the position in the hollow 1021 of a predetermined part of the subject P inserted into the hollow 1021. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 then controls the illumination state of the first illuminator 1023 based on the position of the set part. For example, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 reduces the illuminance of the first illuminator 1023 within a set range from the position of the set part. This reduces the possibility that the subject P will feel dazzled by the first illuminator 1023. Therefore, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus 100 can appropriately control the illumination of the hollow 1021 of the gantry 102.

[0061] (Variation 1) 6 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the first illumination unit 1023 and the second illumination unit 1024 according to Modification 1. The gantry 102a includes, in a hollow 1021, the first illumination unit 1023 on the left side of a subject P placed face up on a tabletop 1051, and the second illumination unit 1024 on the right side of the subject P. The second illumination unit 1024 is a light that illuminates the hollow 1021 into which the subject P is inserted. The second illumination unit 1024 is arranged on the right side of the subject P inserted into the hollow 1021, along the insertion direction of the subject P. For example, the second illumination unit 1024 is an LED arranged along the insertion direction of the subject P.

[0062] Here, the subject P is not limited to lying on his / her back, but may also be facing to the right or left. The first illumination unit 1023 is disposed on the left side of the subject P, and therefore is located behind the subject P when the subject P is facing to the right. Therefore, the subject P is unlikely to feel dazzled even when the first illumination unit 1023 is turned on.

[0063] Similarly, the second illuminator 1024 is disposed on the right side of the subject P, and is therefore located behind the subject P when the subject P is facing to the side. Therefore, the subject P is unlikely to feel dazzled even when the second illuminator 1024 is turned on. Therefore, the illumination control function 1336 controls the illumination states of the first illuminator 1023 and the second illuminator 1024 based on the position of the set region on the subject P and the orientation of the subject P.

[0064] More specifically, the lighting control function 1336 determines, based on image data captured by the bed camera 1052, whether the subject P is lying on the tabletop 1051 facing to the right or to the left.

[0065] The lighting control function 1336 reduces the illuminance of the first lighting unit 1023 or the second lighting unit 1024 within a set range from the position of the set region of the subject P, based on the orientation of the subject P determined from the image data captured by the bed camera 1052. In addition, the lighting control function 1336 turns on the first lighting unit 1023 or the second lighting unit 1024 within a set range from the position of the set region of the subject P, based on the orientation of the subject P determined from the image data captured by the bed camera 1052.

[0066] That is, when the lighting control function 1336 determines that the subject P is facing left based on the image data captured by the bed camera 1052, it reduces the illuminance of the first illuminator 1023 within a set range from the position of the set region of the subject P, but turns on the second illuminator 1024 within a set range from the position of the set region of the subject P. Furthermore, when the lighting control function 1336 determines that the subject P is facing right based on the image data captured by the bed camera 1052, it reduces the illuminance of the second illuminator 1024 within a set range from the position of the set region of the subject P, but turns on the first illuminator 1023 within a set range from the position of the set region of the subject P.

[0067] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, it is possible to appropriately control the illumination of the hollow 1021 of the mounts 102, 102a.

[0068] 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]

[0069] 100 Magnetic resonance imaging device 102, 102a Mounting stand 1021 Hollow 1022 Mounted Camera 1023 First Lighting Section 1024 Second Lighting Section 105 berths 1051 Top plate 1052 Bed Camera 133 Processing Circuit 1331 Examination information acquisition function 1332 Image data acquisition function 1333 Transfer amount acquisition function 1334 Location function 1335 Top plate control function 1336 Lighting Control Function P Subject

Claims

1. a frame having a hollow; a camera that captures first image data for monitoring the head of the subject inserted into the hollow space; a first illumination unit that illuminates the hollow space; an identification unit that identifies the position of the subject's head within the hollow; an illumination control unit that reduces the illuminance of the first illumination unit within a set range from the position of the subject's head in the hollow space identified by the identification unit, based on the position of the subject's head identified by the identification unit and a region of the subject to be examined; Equipped with the illumination control unit increases the illuminance of the first illumination unit within a set range from a position of the head of the subject in the hollow when the part to be examined is the head. Magnetic resonance imaging device.

2. the first illumination unit is disposed along an insertion direction of the subject, the illumination control unit controls the illuminance of the first illumination unit in accordance with the position of the head of the subject.

2. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

3. the identifying unit identifies a position of the head of the subject inserted into the hollow space based on at least one of examination information indicating a region of the subject to be examined and second image data obtained by capturing an image of the subject placed on a tabletop.

3. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

4. the identifying unit identifies the position of the head of the subject inserted into the hollow space based on a transport amount of the top board for transporting the region of the examination target included in the examination information to the center of the magnetic field and the position of the head of the subject on the top board identified by the second image data.

4. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 3.

5. the illumination control unit turns on the first illumination unit before the subject is inserted into the hollow space.

5. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

6. a second illumination unit disposed along the insertion direction of the subject; the first illumination unit is disposed along an insertion direction of the subject, the illumination control unit controls illumination states of the first illumination unit and the second illumination unit based on a position of a head of the subject and an orientation of the subject.

6. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1.

7. a frame having a hollow; a camera that captures first image data for monitoring the head of the subject inserted into the hollow space; a computer of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus having a first illumination unit that illuminates the hollow, an identification unit that identifies the position of the subject's head in the hollow; an illumination control unit that reduces the illuminance of the first illumination unit within a set range from the position of the subject's head in the hollow space identified by the identification unit, based on the position of the subject's head identified by the identification unit and a region of the subject to be examined; and make it work, the illumination control unit increases the illuminance of the first illumination unit within a set range from a position of the head of the subject in the hollow when the part to be examined is the head. Program for.

Images