Medical image diagnosis system

Abstract

Provided is a medical image diagnosis system in which a transport device, having a simple structure and deformed to a bed, can be moved to an image diagnosis device. The present invention includes: a transport device (50) that includes wheels (60), can transport a subject (5) in a seated state, can deform so that the seated subject (5) is face-up, and when deformed, is used as a bed for when the subject (5) is imaged; an MRI device (10) that is installed on a floor surface (18) and that includes a bed support part (16) inside a bore (14); and a slope base (20) that is disposed adjacent to the MRI device (10) and that includes a slope (20A) for moving the transport device (50) from the floor surface (18) to the height of the bed support part (16) of the MRI device (10).

Description

Medical imaging diagnostic systems

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical image diagnostic system, and more particularly to a technique for reducing the burden on subjects and imaging staff when making a diagnosis using an image diagnostic apparatus.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, medical image diagnostic systems have been known that include an imaging diagnostic device such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device or an X-ray computed tomography (CT) device, and a transport device that transports a subject to the imaging diagnostic device.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a transport device and a medical device that include a magnet (MRI device) and a transport device that transports a subject to the magnet.

[0004] The transport device in Patent Document 1 can be transported while the subject is seated, and can be transformed so that the seated subject can lie on their back.When transformed, it can be used as a table for medical equipment when photographing the subject.

[0005] According to Patent Document 1, after the subject is seated on the transport device, the transport device can simply be transformed into a medical device table, allowing the seated subject to lie face up, thereby reducing the burden on the subject and staff.

[0006] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-208207

[0007] However, in the medical image diagnostic system of Patent Document 1, when transporting a subject from a transport device to an image diagnostic device, it is necessary to extend the base of the transport device upward to transform the transport device into a medical device table (bed). As a result, according to Patent Document 1, there is a problem in that a transport device having a structure for extending and contracting the base in the vertical direction and a power source for the same is required, that is, a transport device with a complex structure.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a medical image diagnostic system that enables a transport device with a simple structure to be transformed into a bed and moved to an image diagnostic device.

[0009] The invention of a medical image diagnostic system according to a first aspect comprises a transport device having wheels, capable of transporting a subject in a seated position and capable of being transformed so that the seated subject can lie on their back, the transport device being used as a bed when imaging the subject when transformed; an imaging diagnostic device that is installed on the floor and has a bed support part within the examination space; and a sloped platform that is positioned adjacent to the imaging diagnostic device and has a slope for moving the transport device from the floor to the height of the bed support part of the imaging diagnostic device.

[0010] According to the first aspect of the invention, the transport device transformed into a bed can be moved from the floor to the bed support section by utilizing the slope of the ramp. In other words, by utilizing the ramp, radiography staff such as technicians can push the transport device horizontally to raise the subject to the height of the bed support section. This makes it possible to move the transport device transformed into a bed to an imaging diagnostic device even with a simple structure.

[0011] A medical image diagnostic system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the first aspect, and preferably comprises a pair of rail members arranged opposite each other across a slope platform for guiding a transport device from the floor surface via the slope platform to a bed support section, and a pair of guide rollers provided on the transport device and movable along the pair of rail members, and the transport device is moved toward the bed support section while being deformed by moving the wheels along the slope platform and moving the pair of guide rollers along the pair of rail members.

[0012] A medical image diagnostic system according to a third aspect of the present invention is the first aspect, wherein the sloped platform preferably has a flat horizontal surface midway along the slope.

[0013] A medical image diagnostic system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the medical image diagnostic system of any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the slope platform preferably has a rail portion for guiding the wheels from the floor surface toward the bed support portion.

[0014] In the medical image diagnostic system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the transport device preferably has a ratchet mechanism having a ratchet function that allows rotation of the wheels in one direction up the slope platform and restricts rotation in the other direction opposite to the one direction, that is, rotation in the other direction down the slope platform, and a switching operation unit that selectively switches the ratchet function between enabled and disabled.

[0015] A medical image diagnostic system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the fifth aspect, and preferably further comprises a drive mechanism that lifts the transport device from the floor surface to the height of the bed support section along a sloped platform.

[0016] A seventh aspect of the present invention relates to a medical image diagnostic system according to the sixth aspect, wherein the imaging diagnostic apparatus is a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, the drive mechanism has a motor, and the motor is preferably arranged at a distance from the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus at a position where it is not affected by the magnetic field of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus.

[0017] According to the present invention, even if the transport device has a simple structure, the transport device can be transformed into a bed and moved to an imaging diagnostic device.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an MRI apparatus installed in an examination room. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the MRI apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how the subject's body changes orientation relative to the MRI apparatus. FIG. 4 is an external view of a transport device. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state in which a subject is seated on the transport device. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the bar structure of the seat. FIG. 7 is a view showing the transport device transforming from a seated position to a bed position. FIG. 8 is a view showing the state just before head-first positioning. FIG. 9 is a view showing the transport device gradually transforming from a seated position to a bed position. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the transport device transformed into a bed position on an inclined plane. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing the transport device placed on a bed support. FIG. 12 is a side view of a sloped platform showing a first modified sloped platform. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sloped platform showing a second modified sloped platform. FIG. 14 is an explanatory view of a ratchet mechanism provided on the wheels of the transport device. Fig. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a drive mechanism that raises the transport device from the floor surface to the height of the bed support along a slope platform, and Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram that moves the transport device toward the bed support using a pair of rail members and a pair of guide rollers.

[0019] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the medical diagnostic system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an image diagnostic apparatus to which a medical diagnostic system according to the present invention is applied.

[0021] The imaging diagnostic apparatus shown in Fig. 1 is a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (MRI apparatus) 10, which is installed in an examination room 1 of an imaging diagnostic facility. The subject is moved (hereinafter also referred to as "transported") from a hospital room to the examination room 1, for example, in a wheelchair, and then, with the assistance of an imaging staff member, the subject is transferred from the wheelchair to a transport device 50 (see Fig. 4), which will be described later. The imaging staff member then manually pushes the transport device 50 to transport the subject toward the MRI apparatus 10. Note that the subject may also be transported to the examination room 1 in the transport device 50 in the hospital room without using a wheelchair.

[0022] The MRI apparatus 10 has a gantry 12. The gantry 12 has a bore 14, which is a cylindrical examination (imaging) space, and a bed support 16 is provided on the bottom side of the bore 14. The bed support 16 is provided at a predetermined height from the floor 18 of the examination room 1. In addition to the MRI apparatus 10, the medical image diagnostic system of this example also includes a sloped platform 20 arranged on the front side of the bore 14, and a transport device 50 (see FIG. 4).

[0023] In this example, an MRI device 10 is used as an example of an imaging diagnostic device, but this is not limited to this and may be, for example, an X-ray CT device, a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) device, a radiation therapy device, or a particle beam therapy device.

[0024] The slope platform 20 has an outer shape formed in the shape of a triangular prism, and its upper surface is provided with a slope 20A that slopes from the floor surface 18 toward the bed support portion 16 of the bore 14. As will be described in detail later, this slope 20A is used to move the transport device 50, which has been transformed into a bed, from the floor surface 18 to the bed support portion 16. The slope platform 20 is an example of a slope platform of the present invention.

[0025] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the MRI apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 also shows a transport device 50 transformed into a bed.

[0026] 2, an MRI magnet 10A and various other coils are disposed on a gantry 12. A subject 5 lies supine on a carrier 50 transformed into a bed, and the carrier 50, which is placed on a bed support 16, is moved within a bore 14, so that the examination region of the subject 5 is set to the center of the static magnetic field within the bore 14. An RF (Radio Frequency) coil 10B for receiving FID (Free Induction Decay) from the human body is disposed at the examination region of the subject 5. In this example, the abdomen of the subject 5 is the examination region, and the RF coil 10B is disposed at the abdomen.

[0027] Cameras 30A and 30B and microphones 32A and 32B are disposed above both ends of the bore 14. In Fig. 2, the camera 30A and microphone 32A are disposed above the left end of the bore 14, and the camera 30B and microphone 32B are disposed above the right end of the bore 14.

[0028] The two cameras 30A and 30B each capture an image of the subject 5 and output a video (image), and at least one of the two cameras 30A and 30B captures an image including the face area of ​​the subject 5.

[0029] The two microphones 32A and 32B each detect the sound emitted by the subject 5. The microphones 32A and 32B are preferably non-magnetic microphones that use piezoelectric ceramic, which is a non-magnetic material, in the sound receiving portion.

[0030] A projector 34 is detachably attached to one end of the transport device 50 (corresponding to the upper end of the backrest). This projector 34 projects an image onto a screen 36 arranged in the ceiling portion of the bore 14. The projector 34 functions as a display that displays information in a manner that can be seen by the subject 5 during an examination using the MRI apparatus 10, and the subject 5 can see the image projected on the screen 36 during the examination. It is also possible to use the ceiling portion of the bore 14 as a screen without providing the screen 36.

[0031] 2, reference numeral 38 denotes a vital information measuring device. This vital information measuring device 38 measures one or more of the heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, body temperature, electrocardiogram, and blood oxygen saturation level of the subject 5. The vital information measuring device 38 is not limited to being placed on the back of the subject 5.

[0032] Specific examples of vital information measuring devices 38 include an ECG (electrocardiogram) sensor that measures electrocardiogram and heart rate, an SpO2 sensor that measures blood oxygen saturation, a bellows that detects respiratory rate, an optical camera that can detect the facial expression, body temperature, etc. of the subject 5, an infrared camera, a thermograph that measures body temperature, an NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) signal (the signal itself acquired in an MRI examination), an MRI image (an image of the NMR signal), other sensors (pressure sensor, optical sensor, ultrasonic sensor, etc.), and combinations of these.

[0033] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing how the body of the subject 5 is turned relative to the MRI apparatus 10. As shown in FIG.

[0034] FIG. 3A shows the case where the subject 5 enters the bore 14 head first (head first), and FIG. 3B shows the case where the subject 5 enters the bore 14 feet first (foot first).

[0035] Head-first or feet-first is selected depending on the examination area of ​​the subject 5. In this example, cameras 30A and 30B and microphones 32A and 32B are arranged at both ends of the bore 14 so that the facial area of ​​the subject 5 can be photographed and the voice can be detected regardless of whether head-first or feet-first is selected.

[0036] In this example, there are two cameras 30A, 30B and two microphones 32A, 32B, but the number of cameras 30A, 30B and microphones 32A, 32B is not limited to two, and may be one, or three or more. Furthermore, the cameras 30A, 30B and microphones 32A, 32B do not necessarily need to be placed on the MRI apparatus 10, but may be placed near the MRI apparatus 10.

[0037] Next, the carrying device will be described. Fig. 4 is an external view of the carrying device 50. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the subject 5 is seated on the carrying device 50. The carrying device 50 is made of a non-magnetic material such as plastic, ceramics, aluminum, rubber, or cloth. The carrying device 50 is an example of a carrying device of the present invention.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the transport device 50 includes a wheel portion 52, a seat portion 54, a leg rest portion 56, a backrest portion 58, and the like.

[0039] The wheel unit 52 has four wheels 60 for moving the transport device 50. When the imaging staff pushes the transport device 50 by hand, the wheels 60 rotate, and the transport device 50 moves on the floor surface 18. In this way, the subject 5 can be transported using the transport device 50.

[0040] A seat 54 is provided above the wheel unit 52. The seat 54 has a seat portion 62 on which the subject 5 sits and a bar structure 64 that supports the seat portion 62. The seat 54 also has a footrest 56 that protrudes forward from the front of the seat 54, and a backrest 58 that protrudes upward from the rear of the seat 54. The backrest 58 also has a pair of armrest arms 59 (not shown in FIG. 5 ) that are foldably connected to a bar 73A (described later).

[0041] The subject 5 can sit on the transport device 50 in a comfortable position by sitting on the seat 54, leaning against the backrest 58, and placing his or her feet on the footrest 56. It is preferable that the seat 62 and the backrest 58 have soft cushions built in.

[0042] Here, the transport device 50 of this example is configured to be selectively switchable between a form in which the subject 5 can be transported in a seated position (see FIG. 5 ; hereinafter referred to as the seated position) and a form in which the transport device 50 is transformed so that the subject 5 lies on his / her back (see FIG. 3 ; hereinafter referred to as the bed position). When the transport device 50 is transformed into the bed position as shown in FIG. 3 , the transport device 50 is used as a bed when imaging the subject 5.

[0043] The structure (bar structure 64) that changes the configuration of the transport device 50 between the seating configuration and the bed configuration will be described below.

[0044] 6 is a schematic diagram for easily understanding the configuration of the bar structure 64. In explaining the configuration of the bar structure 64, in this example, an orthogonal coordinate system of three axes, X, Y, and Z, will be used.

[0045] The Z direction in Figure 6 indicates the up-down direction, with the Z(+) direction indicating the upper side and the Z(-) direction indicating the lower side. The X direction in the figure indicates the left-right direction perpendicular to the Z direction, with the X(+) direction indicating the right side and the X(-) direction indicating the left side. The Y direction in the figure indicates the direction perpendicular to both the Z direction and the X direction, with the Y(+) direction indicating the front side and the Y(-) direction indicating the rear side. Note that each of the above directions indicates the direction as seen by the subject 5 when the subject 5 is seated on the transport device 50.

[0046] As shown in Figure 6, the bar structure 64 includes four bars 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D arranged in the Z direction, four bars 68A, 68B, 68C, and 68D arranged in the X direction, and four bars 70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D arranged in the Y direction. Each of the four bars 66A, 66B, 66C, and 66D and the four bars 70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D has a ring portion 72 at both ends that functions as a bearing. For ease of explanation, the ring portion 72 is exaggerated in Figure 6.

[0047] The bars 66A and 70A are arranged such that the upper ring portion 72 of the bar 66A and the front ring portion 72 of the bar 70A overlap in the X direction, and the right end of the bar 68A is inserted into these ring portions 72. This connects the bars 66A and 70A to each other so that they can rotate freely around the bar 68A as a rotation axis. The right end of the bar 68A is provided with a disk-shaped stopper member 74 with a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the ring portion 72. This stopper member 74 prevents the bars 66A and 70A from falling off the bar 68A. While the diameter of the stopper member 74 is shown in FIG. 6 as being smaller than the inner diameter of the ring portion 72, its actual shape is as described above. Other bar connection configurations are described below.

[0048] Bar 66B and bar 70B are arranged such that the upper ring portion 72 of bar 66B and the front ring portion 72 of bar 70B overlap in the X direction, and the left end of bar 68A is inserted into these ring portions 72. This connects bars 66B and 70B so that they can rotate freely around bar 68A as the axis of rotation. A stopper member 74 is also provided at the left end of bar 68A, which prevents bars 66B and 70B from falling off bar 68A.

[0049] Bar 66A and bar 70C are arranged such that the lower ring portion 72 of bar 66A and the front ring portion 72 of bar 70C overlap in the X direction, and the right end of bar 68B is inserted into these ring portions 72. This connects bars 66A and 70C so that they can rotate freely around bar 68B as the axis of rotation. A stopper member 74 is also provided at the right end of bar 68B, which prevents bars 66A and 70C from falling off bar 68B.

[0050] Bar 66B and bar 70D are arranged such that the lower ring portion 72 of bar 66B and the front ring portion 72 of bar 70D overlap in the X direction, and the left end of bar 68B is inserted into these ring portions 72. This connects bar 66B and bar 70D so that they can rotate freely around bar 68B as the axis of rotation. A stopper member 74 is also provided at the left end of bar 68B, which prevents bar 66B and bar 70D from falling off bar 68B.

[0051] Bar 66C and bar 70A are arranged such that the upper ring portion 72 of bar 66C and the rear ring portion 72 of bar 70A overlap in the X direction, and the right end of bar 68C is inserted into these ring portions 72. This connects bars 66C and 70A so that they can rotate freely around bar 68C as the axis of rotation. A stopper member 74 is also provided at the right end of bar 68C, and this stopper member 74 prevents bars 66C and 70A from falling off bar 68C.

[0052] Bar 66D and bar 70B are arranged such that the upper ring portion 72 of bar 66D and the rear ring portion 72 of bar 70B overlap in the X direction, and the left end of bar 68C is inserted into these ring portions 72. This connects bars 66D and 70B so that they can rotate freely around bar 68C as the axis of rotation. A stopper member 74 is also provided at the left end of bar 68C, which prevents bars 66D and 70B from falling off bar 68C.

[0053] Bar 66C and bar 70C are arranged such that the lower ring portion 72 of bar 60C and the rear ring portion 72 of bar 70C overlap in the X direction, and the right end of bar 68D is inserted into these ring portions 72. This connects bars 66C and 70C so that they can rotate freely around bar 68D as the axis of rotation. A stopper member 74 is also provided at the right end of bar 68D, which prevents bars 66C and 70C from falling off bar 68D.

[0054] Bar 66D and bar 70D are arranged such that the lower ring portion 72 of bar 66D and the rear ring portion 72 of bar 70D overlap in the X direction, and the left end of bar 68D is inserted into these ring portions 72. This connects bar 66D and bar 70D so that they can rotate freely with bar 68D as the axis of rotation. A stopper member 74 is also provided at the left end of bar 68D, and this stopper member 74 prevents bar 66D and bar 70D from falling off bar 68D.

[0055] With the bar structure 64 configured as described above, the configuration can be transformed from a seated configuration (see FIG. 5) to a bed configuration (see FIG. 3) by rotating the four bars 66A to 66D and the four bars 70A to 70D around the bars 68A to 68D as rotation axes, thereby bringing the bars 68A and 68D closer to each other (moving the bars 68B and 68C away from each other).

[0056] Furthermore, the bed configuration (see FIG. 3) can be transformed into a seated configuration (see FIG. 5) by rotating the four bars 66A to 66D and the four bars 70A to 70D around the bars 68A to 68D as rotation axes, thereby moving the bars 68A and 68D away from each other (moving the bars 68B and 68C closer to each other).

[0057] 5, the bar structure 64 is provided with a foldable bracket 80 for holding the carrier device 50 in a seated position (the bracket 80 is omitted in FIG. 4). The bracket 80 has a pair of bars 84, 86 foldably connected via a hinge 82, and a locking portion (not shown) that restricts and releases the folding of the pair of bars 84, 86. An end of the bar 84 is fixed to the stopper member 74 of the bar 68A (see FIG. 6), and an end of the bar 86 is fixed to the stopper member 74 of the bar 68D (see FIG. 6).

[0058] With this bracket 80, when folding is restricted by the locking portion, the transport device 50 is maintained in a seating position, and when the restriction by the locking portion is released and the pair of bars 84, 86 become foldable via the hinge portion 82, the transport device 50 can be transformed into a bed position as shown in the schematic diagram of the transport device 50 in Figure 7. Such brackets 80 are preferably disposed on both the left and right sides of the bar structure 64. Note that the folding bracket 80 is a well-known structure, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0059] The seat 62 shown in FIG. 4 is fixed to the upper bars 68A, 68C, 70A, and 70B of the bar structure 64 (see FIG. 6). The four wheels 60 are rotatably mounted on the lower ends of four bars 67 (see FIG. 5), which extend downward from the rings 72 at the bottom of the bars 66A to 66D. The footrest 56 is composed of two bars 71A extending forward from the front rings 72 of the bars 70C and 70D, and a footrest seat 71B suspended between the two bars 71A. The backrest 58 is composed of two bars 73A extending upward from the rings 72 at the top of the bars 66C and 66D, and a backrest seat 73B suspended between the two bars 73A. The transport device 50 is thus configured.

[0060] The transport device 50 of this example transforms from a seated position to a bed position in order to transport the subject 5 into the bore 14 of the MRI apparatus 10. The subject 5 is then transported into the bore 14 of the MRI apparatus 10 using the transport device 50 and the sloped platform 20. Therefore, after transferring onto the transport device 50, the subject 5 can undergo an MRI examination in the MRI apparatus 10 without getting off the transport device 50. The flow of transporting the subject 5 into the bore 14 of the MRI apparatus 10 in the examination room 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11 .

[0061] FIG. 8 shows the state in which the subject 5 is seated on the transport device 50 in a seated position and is about to enter the bore 14 (see FIG. 2) head first (head first).

[0062] 8, the radiographing staff member 100 manually pushes the carrying device 50 to carry the subject 5 (carrying device 50) to the foot of the slope 20A of the slope platform 20. After that, the radiographing staff member 100 operates the locking portion of the bracket 80 of the bar structure 64 to release the restriction on the seated position, thereby enabling the subject 5 to transform into the bed position.

[0063] Next, as shown in Fig. 9, the radiographing staff member 100 moves the transporting device 50 along the slope 20A by pushing the transporting device 50 horizontally, gradually changing the configuration of the transporting device 50 from the seated configuration to the bed configuration. In this case, the transporting device 50 smoothly changes from the seated configuration to the bed configuration due to the pushing force and the weight of the subject 5.

[0064] Then, as shown in Fig. 10, the radiographing staff member 100 moves the carrying device 50, which has been transformed into a bed shape, along the slope 20A, and then places the carrying device 50 on the bed support part 16, as shown in Fig. 11. As a result, the subject 5 is carried into the bore 14 (see Fig. 3) while still on the carrying device 50. This completes the process of carrying the subject 5 into the bore 14 head-first.

[0065] After that, when the MRI examination is completed, the radiographing staff 100 carries the subject 5 out of the bore 14 by sequentially performing the operations shown in FIGS. 11 to 8 on the transport device 50 .

[0066] Therefore, according to the medical image diagnostic system of this example, a configuration is adopted in which the transport device 50, which has been transformed into a bed form, is moved from the floor surface 18 to the bed support part 16 using a sloped platform 20 having a slope 20A for moving the transport device 50, so that even if the transport device has a simple structure, the transport device 50, which has been transformed into a bed, can be moved to the image diagnostic device.

[0067] In this example, the flow for the head-first case has been described, but the flow is similar for the feet-first case. Briefly, the subject 5 seated on the transport device 50 is positioned facing the bore 14 of the MRI device 10. Next, the transport device 50 is moved along the slope 20A, gradually transforming its configuration from a seated configuration to a bed configuration. The transport device 50, now transformed into a bed configuration, is then placed on the bed support portion 16 of the bore 14. The subject 5 is then transported into the bore 14 while still resting on the transport device 50. The above is the flow for transporting the subject 5 into the bore 14 in a feet-first configuration.

[0068] Some modified examples will be described below.

[0069] Fig. 12 is a side view of a slope platform 120 showing a first modified example of the slope platform. The slope platform 120 shown in Fig. 12 has a flat horizontal surface 120B in the middle of the slope 120A. The slope platform 120 of this example has horizontal surfaces 120B in two locations, approximately in the center and at the top of the slope 120A, but is not limited to this form and may have one or three or more horizontal surfaces 120B. Note that the horizontal surface 120B is an example of a horizontal surface in the present invention.

[0070] By using the slope platform 120 having such a horizontal surface 120B, the burden on the radiographing staff when raising the transport device 50 to the final height (the height of the bed support part 16) can be reduced.

[0071] Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a slope platform 130 showing a second modified example of the slope platform. The slope platform 130 shown in Fig. 13 has rail sections 132 on an inclined surface 130A that guide the wheels 60 (see Fig. 4) from the floor surface 18 toward the bed support section 16. Note that, since the transport device 50 (see Fig. 4) of this example has a pair of front wheels (wheels) 60 and a pair of rear wheels (wheels) 60, a pair of rail sections 132 are also formed. Furthermore, these rail sections 132 are formed as grooves into which the wheels 60 fit. Note that the rail sections 132 are an example of the rail section of the present invention.

[0072] By using the slope base 130 having such rail portions 132, the transport device 50 can be stably raised to the final height. Also, a horizontal surface 120B as shown in FIG. 12 may be provided on the slope 130A of the slope base 130.

[0073] Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram of a ratchet mechanism 140 provided on the wheel 60 of the transport device 50. As shown in Figure 14, a gear 144, which is a component of the ratchet mechanism 140, is provided on the axle 142 of the wheel 60. This gear 144 rotates together with the axle 142 as the wheel 60 rotates.

[0074] Further, a pawl 146, which is a component of the ratchet mechanism 140, is provided near the gear 144. This pawl 146 is rotatably attached to the bar 67 (see FIG. 5 ) side of the transport device 50. The pawl 146 has a pawl 148 that can mesh with the gear 144. The pawl 146 also has a lever 150 that can be selectively switched between a position where the pawl 148 meshes with the gear 144 by rotating the pawl 146 forward in the direction of arrow A, and a position where the pawl 148 retracts from the gear 144 by rotating the pawl 146 backward in the direction of arrow B.

[0075] According to the ratchet mechanism 140 of this example, when the pawl 146 is rotated in the direction of arrow A by the lever 150 to engage the pawl 148 with the gear 144, the rotation of the wheel 60 in the direction of arrow C (counterclockwise in FIG. 14) is restricted, and the rotation in the direction of arrow D (clockwise in FIG. 14) is permitted. The ratchet mechanism 140 and the lever 150 are an example of the ratchet mechanism and the switching operation unit of the present invention.

[0076] An example of how the ratchet mechanism 140 is used will now be described.

[0077] 14 , when the direction in which the transport device 50 ascends along the slope 20A of the slope platform 20 is direction E, the lever 150 is operated in the direction of arrow A to engage the pawl 148 with the gear 144. This operation activates the ratchet function of the ratchet mechanism 140, and the wheel 60 is permitted to rotate in the direction of arrow D (one direction) going up the slope platform 20, but is restricted from rotating in the direction of arrow C (the other direction) going down the slope platform 20.

[0078] As a result, the wheels 60 rotate freely when the transporting device 50 ascends the slope 20A in the direction E, but the wheels 60 are automatically braked when the transporting device 50 descends the slope 20A in the direction F. Therefore, the transporting device 50 can be handled safely on the slope 20A.

[0079] When the transport device 50 is to be lowered from the bed support part 16 to the floor surface 18, the lever 150 is operated in the direction of arrow B to retract the claw 148 from the gear 144. This disables the ratchet function of the ratchet mechanism 140 and allows the wheels 60 to rotate in the direction of arrow C downward on the slope platform 20, so that the transport device 50 can be lowered from the bed support part 16 to the floor surface 18.

[0080] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a drive mechanism 160 that lifts the transport device 50 along the slope 20 from the floor surface 18 to the height of the bed support 16 .

[0081] 15, the drive mechanism 160 has a motor 162 and a reel 166 that is rotated by the power of the motor 162 and winds up a linear pulling member 164 such as a rope. One end of the pulling member 164 is fixed to the reel 166, and the other end of the pulling member 164 is detachably fixed to the seat 54 (see FIG. 4) of the transport device 50. The drive mechanism 160 is one example of the drive mechanism of the present invention.

[0082] According to the drive mechanism 160 of this example, when the reel 166 is rotated in the winding direction by the power of the motor 162, the transport device 50 is pulled (moved) toward the slope platform 20. As a result, the transport device 50 is pulled up from the floor surface 18 along the inclined surface 20A of the slope platform 20 to the height of the bed support part 16. In this way, by using the power of the motor 162, the burden on the camera staff can be reduced. Note that the camera staff supports the posture change operation of the transport device 50, which transforms from the seated position to the bed position while the transport device 50 is moving.

[0083] Furthermore, the motor 162 is preferably disposed at a position (e.g., at least one meter away from the MRI apparatus 10) away from the MRI apparatus 10 where it is not affected by the magnetic field of the MRI apparatus 10. This allows the driving mechanism 160 to stably pull the transport device 50 without being affected by the magnetic field.

[0084] FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing how the transport device 10 is moved toward the bed support portion 16 using a pair of rail members 170, 172 and a pair of guide rollers 174, 176.

[0085] As shown in Fig. 16, the MRI apparatus 10 of this example has a sloped base 20, a pair of rail members 170 and 172, and a pair of guide rollers 174 and 176. In Fig. 16, the rail member and guide rollers arranged on the near side of the page are indicated by the reference numerals 170 and 174, and the rail member and guide rollers arranged on the far side of the page are indicated by the reference numerals 172 and 176, respectively.

[0086] The pair of rail members 170, 172 are arranged opposite each other with the slope 20 in between. That is, the pair of rail members 170, 172 are arranged opposite each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the transport device 50 moving on the slope platform 20. The pair of rail members 170, 172 function as guide members for guiding the transport device 50 from the floor surface 16 to the bed support section 16 via the slope platform 20.

[0087] The rail member 170 (172) has a long rail body 178 and a plurality of legs 180 for standing the rail body 178 upright on the floor surface 18, and has an overall handrail-like configuration.

[0088] The rail body 178 is disposed along the direction of movement of the transport device 50 from the floor surface 16 via the slope platform 20 toward the bed support section 16. In order to smoothly move the transport device 50 from the floor surface 16 via the slope platform 20 to the bed support section 16, the rail body 178 is provided with a base end 178A set above the lowest end (base end) of the slope platform 20 and inclined downward from the base end 178A toward the tip 178B. The tip 178B is set near the base end of the bed support section 16.

[0089] The inclination direction and angle of the rail main body 178 are set by the height from the floor surface 16 to the bed support portion 16, the inclination angle of the slope 20A of the slope platform 20, and the mounting height position of the guide rollers 174, 176 relative to the transport device 50. Therefore, depending on the height, inclination angle, mounting height position, etc., the rail main body 178 may be provided so as to be inclined upward from the base end 178A to the tip end 178B, or may be provided horizontally from the base end 178A to the tip end 178B.

[0090] The guide rollers 174 (176) are provided on the transport device 50 and are movable while rotating along the pair of rail members 170, 172. The guide rollers 174 (176) are rotatably provided on the two bars 73A of the bar structure 64 (see FIG. 4), respectively.

[0091] The transport device 50 is moved toward the bed support portion 16 while being transformed from a seating position to a bed position by moving the wheels 60 along the slope platform 20 and by moving a pair of guide rollers 174, 176 along a pair of rail members 170, 172.

[0092] A push member 182 is also provided on the bar 73A. The push member 182 has a rod 184 and a grip 186. The base end of the rod 184 is swingably connected to the bar 73A, and the grip 186 is provided at the tip of the rod 184. The camera staff can move the transport device 50 by holding the grip 186 and pushing the transport device 50 (bar 73A) via the rod 184. In this case, the push member 182 swings relative to the bar 73A so as to maintain a horizontal position.

[0093] When the radiographer moves the transport device 50 using the push member 182, the pair of guide rollers 174, 176 moves along the pair of rail members 170, 172, and the transport device 50 moves along the slope 20A of the slope platform 20. In conjunction with these two movements, the transport device 50 moves toward the bed support part 16 while transforming from a seating position to a bed position.

[0094] In the MRI apparatus 10, by providing such a pair of rail members 170, 172 and a pair of guide rollers 174, 176, it becomes possible to smoothly move the transport device 50 toward the bed support part 16. In addition, the burden on the imaging staff can be reduced.

[0095] It is preferable that the slope platform 20 of this example also be provided with the horizontal surface 120B shown in Fig. 12 and the rail portion 132 shown in Fig. 13. It is also preferable that the transport device 50 of this example be provided with the ratchet mechanism 140 shown in Fig. 14. It is also preferable that the MRI apparatus 10 of this example be provided with the drive mechanism 160 shown in Fig. 15.

[0096] Although the embodiment of the medical image diagnostic system according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention may be improved or modified in several ways without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0097] 5...Subject 10...MRI device 14...Bore 16...Couch support part 18...Floor surface 20...Slope base 20A...Slope 50...Transport device 60...Wheel 80...Bracket 100...Radiating staff 120...Slope base 120A...Slope 120B...Horizontal surface 130...Slope base 130A...Slope 132...Rail part 140...Ratchet mechanism 160...Drive mechanism 162...Motor 164...Traction member 170...Rail member 172...Rail member 174 Guide roller 176 Guide roller

Claims

1. A medical image diagnostic system comprising: a transport device having wheels, capable of transporting a subject in a seated position and capable of being transformed so that the seated subject can lie on his / her back, the transport device being used as a bed for imaging the subject when transformed; an imaging diagnostic device that is installed on a floor surface and has a bed support section within an examination space; and a sloped platform that is positioned adjacent to the imaging diagnostic device and has a slope for moving the transport device from the floor surface to the height of the bed support section of the imaging diagnostic device.

2. The medical image diagnostic system of claim 1, comprising: a pair of rail members arranged opposite each other on either side of the slope platform for guiding the transport device from the floor surface to the bed support section via the slope platform; and a pair of guide rollers provided on the transport device and movable along the pair of rail members, wherein the transport device is moved towards the bed support section while being deformed by moving the wheels along the slope platform and moving the pair of guide rollers along the pair of rail members.

3. The medical image diagnostic system according to claim 1, wherein the slope base has a flat horizontal surface midway up the slope.

4. A medical image diagnostic system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the slope platform has a rail portion that guides the wheels from the floor surface toward the bed support portion.

5. The medical image diagnostic system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the transport device has: a ratchet mechanism having a ratchet function that allows rotation of the wheel in one direction up the slope platform and restricts rotation in the other direction opposite to the one direction, the one direction being used to go up the slope platform; and a switching operation unit that selectively switches the ratchet function between enabled and disabled.

6. The medical image diagnostic system according to claim 5, further comprising a drive mechanism for lifting said transport device along said slope platform from said floor surface to the height of said bed support section.

7. The medical image diagnostic system according to claim 6, wherein the imaging diagnostic device is a magnetic resonance imaging device, the drive mechanism has a motor, and the motor is positioned at a distance from the magnetic resonance imaging device so as not to be affected by the magnetic field of the magnetic resonance imaging device.

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