JP5931373B2 - Medical diagnostic imaging apparatus and magnetic resonance imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a medical image diagnostic apparatus and an image processing apparatus.

  Generally, a medical image diagnostic apparatus includes a console for an operator to operate, and the operator operates the medical image diagnostic apparatus by operating an operation screen displayed on the console. For example, in the case of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) apparatus), an operator edits an imaging condition on an imaging condition editing screen (hereinafter referred to as an editing screen) displayed on the console.

  Here, there are many cases where a plurality of operation screens corresponding to applications are displayed on the console. For example, in the case of an MRI apparatus, the imaging conditions include a large number of parameters. However, if an attempt is made to display the large number of parameters on one editing screen at a time, the visibility for the operator is reduced. For this reason, the conventional MRI apparatus classifies a large number of parameters into a plurality of editing screens and displays the editing screen to be edited in the foreground. In this case, for example, by selecting a tab attached to the editing screen, the operator sets the parameter value while switching the editing screen displayed on the forefront of the console.

  As described above, the medical image diagnostic apparatus displays the operation screen to be operated in the foreground and switches the foremost operation screen by the operation of the operator, thereby improving the operation efficiency. Not only the console provided in the medical image diagnostic apparatus, but also workstations and the like display the operation screen to be operated in the foreground and switch the front-most operation screen by the operator's operation, thereby improving the operation efficiency. We are trying to make it.

JP 2006-255189 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a medical image diagnostic apparatus and an image processing apparatus capable of appropriately displaying an operation screen.

The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment includes a display unit, a display control unit, and a reception unit. The display unit displays different images according to angles emitted from the display surface. The display control unit generates an image data group so that different editing screens are displayed according to the angle when there are a plurality of editing screens for editing imaging conditions, and the image data for the display unit is displayed. Control the display of groups. The receiving unit receives a parameter value setting instruction for a parameter included in the editing screen on the editing screen displayed on the display unit. When the receiving unit receives an instruction to set a parameter value for a parameter included in the first editing screen being displayed on the display unit, the display control unit receives another parameter that is affected by the setting of the parameter value. A second editing screen is specified, and the editing screen being displayed is replaced with the second editing screen in addition to the first editing screen being displayed, and the image data group is generated.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the medical image diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the display unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an editing screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a view for explaining display control of the edit screen according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the control unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a display control processing procedure according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view for explaining display control of an edit screen according to another embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a medical image diagnostic apparatus and an image processing apparatus will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the medical image diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the medical image diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment is an MRI apparatus 100.

  The static magnetic field magnet 1 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and generates a uniform static magnetic field in an internal space. The static magnetic field magnet 1 is, for example, a permanent magnet or a superconducting magnet. The gradient coil 2 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and generates a gradient magnetic field in the internal space. Specifically, the gradient magnetic field coil 2 is arranged inside the static magnetic field magnet 1 and receives a current supplied from the gradient magnetic field power supply 3 to generate a gradient magnetic field. The gradient magnetic field power supply 3 supplies a current to the gradient magnetic field coil 2 in accordance with a control signal transmitted from the sequence control unit 10.

  The bed 4 includes a top plate 4a on which the subject P is placed, and the top plate 4a is inserted into the cavity of the gradient magnetic field coil 2 serving as an imaging port in a state where the subject P is placed. Usually, the bed 4 is installed such that the longitudinal direction is parallel to the central axis of the static magnetic field magnet 1. The couch controller 5 drives the couch 4 to move the couchtop 4a in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction.

  The transmission coil 6 generates a high frequency magnetic field. Specifically, the transmission coil 6 is arranged inside the gradient magnetic field coil 2 and receives a high frequency pulse (hereinafter referred to as RF (Radio Frequency) pulse) from the transmission unit 7 to generate a high frequency magnetic field. The transmission unit 7 transmits an RF pulse corresponding to the Larmor frequency to the transmission coil 6 in accordance with the control signal transmitted from the sequence control unit 10.

  The receiving coil 8 receives a magnetic resonance signal (hereinafter referred to as MR (Magnetic Resonance) signal). Specifically, the receiving coil 8 is disposed inside the gradient coil 2 and receives an MR signal radiated from the subject P due to the influence of the high-frequency magnetic field. The receiving coil 8 outputs the received MR signal to the receiving unit 9.

  The receiving unit 9 generates MR signal data based on the MR signal output from the receiving coil 8 in accordance with the control signal sent from the sequence control unit 10. Specifically, the receiving unit 9 generates MR signal data by digitally converting the MR signal output from the receiving coil 8, and sends the generated MR signal data to the computer system 20 via the sequence control unit 10. Send. The receiving unit 9 may be provided on the gantry device side including the static magnetic field magnet 1 and the gradient magnetic field coil 2.

  The sequence control unit 10 controls the gradient magnetic field power supply 3, the transmission unit 7, and the reception unit 9. Specifically, the sequence control unit 10 transmits a control signal based on the pulse sequence execution data transmitted from the computer system 20 to the gradient magnetic field power source 3, the transmission unit 7, and the reception unit 9.

  The computer system 20 includes an interface unit 21, an image reconstruction unit 22, a storage unit 23, an input unit 24, a display unit 25, a control unit 26, and a viewpoint position detection unit 27. The interface unit 21 is connected to the sequence control unit 10 and controls input / output of data transmitted / received between the sequence control unit 10 and the computer system 20. The image reconstruction unit 22 reconstructs image data from the MR signal data transmitted from the sequence control unit 10 and stores the reconstructed image data in the storage unit 23.

  The storage unit 23 stores parameter values set as parameters included in the imaging conditions, image data stored by the image reconstruction unit 22, and other data used in the MRI apparatus 100. For example, the storage unit 23 is a semiconductor memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk, or the like.

  The input unit 24 receives various instructions for editing imaging conditions, imaging instructions, and the like from the operator. For example, the input unit 24 receives a parameter value setting instruction for a parameter included in the imaging condition. For example, the input unit 24 is a mouse, a keyboard, or the like. The display unit 25 displays an editing screen, an image, and the like. The display unit 25 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail later.

  The control unit 26 comprehensively controls the MRI apparatus 100 by controlling each unit described above. For example, when the editing of the imaging condition is received from the operator, the control unit 26 generates pulse sequence execution data based on the received imaging condition, and transmits the generated pulse sequence execution data to the sequence control unit 10. For example, the control unit 26 is an integrated circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or an electronic circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro processing unit (MPU).

  The viewpoint position detection unit 27 detects the viewpoint position of the operator who operates the MRI apparatus 100. The viewpoint position detection unit 27 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail later.

  Next, the display unit 25 provided in the MRI apparatus 100 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the display unit 25 according to the embodiment. The display unit 25 according to the embodiment displays different images depending on the angle emitted from the display surface. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 25 has a flat display surface 200 (for example, a liquid crystal panel), and has a light beam controller on the front surface of the display surface 200. For example, the light beam controller is a vertical lenticular sheet 201 whose optical aperture extends in the vertical direction. In FIG. 2, the vertical lenticular sheet 201 is pasted so that the convex portion is on the front side, but the vertical lenticular sheet 201 may be pasted so as to face the display surface 200. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the display surface 200 of the display unit 25 has pixels 202 so that the aspect ratio is 3: 1 and the vertical direction is red (R), green (G), and blue (B). Is placed. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, pixels of each image are arranged in each column of 1 to 9 so that different images are displayed according to the angle emitted from the display surface 200. A pixel group 203, which is an aggregate of nine columns of pixels 202, is emitted as parallel light by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) backlight, and is further emitted in multiple directions by the vertical lenticular sheet 201. As a result, the display unit 25 displays different images according to the angles emitted from the display surface 200. In addition, when the pixel of the same image is arrange | positioned at each column of 1-9, the display part 25 displays the same image in all the angles radiated | emitted from the display surface 200. FIG.

  Note that the display unit 25 illustrated in FIG. 2 is merely an example. The display unit 25 is not limited to the horizontal stripe liquid crystal of “RRR..., GGG..., BBB. The display unit 25 is not limited to a vertical lens system in which the lenticular sheet is vertical, but may be an oblique lens system in which the lenticular sheet is diagonal.

  Subsequently, display control of an edit screen according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an edit screen according to the embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining display control of the edit screen according to the embodiment.

  As described above, the conventional MRI apparatus classifies a large number of parameters into a plurality of editing screens and displays the editing screen to be edited in the foreground. In addition, the meaning of “display in the foreground (or display in the foreground)” used below is the meaning of “display as if displayed in the foreground”. This does not necessarily mean only a method for controlling the editing screen to be displayed in the foreground after superimposing a plurality of editing screens.

  For example, the conventional MRI apparatus, as shown in FIG. 3, displays a large number of parameters on the edit screen of the tab “Basic”, the edit screen of the tab “SAR (Specific Absorption Rate)”, and the edit screen of the tab “Advanced”. Classify. For example, the basic parameters included in the imaging conditions are classified on the editing screen of the tab “Basic”. Further, for example, in the editing screen of the tab “SAR”, parameters that can be changed in order to relax this when the imaging conditions are limited by the SAR are classified. Further, for example, other parameters are classified on the editing screen of the tab “Advanced”.

  For example, FIG. 3 shows a state where the edit screen of the tab “Basic” is displayed in the foreground. On the edit screen of the tab “Basic”, parameters such as “number of slices” and “slice thickness” are classified.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the MRI apparatus 100 according to the embodiment displays a different editing screen for each viewpoint position of the operator who observes the display unit 25. For example, in FIG. 4, for the operator who observes the display unit 25 from the diagonally left front, the editing screen of the tab “1” is displayed in the foreground, and for the operator who observes the display unit 25 from the diagonally right front, The edit screen for tab “2” is displayed in the foreground. In other words, the operator can observe both the editing screen of the tab “1” and the editing screen of the tab “2”, for example, by slightly moving the position of the face.

  FIG. 4 shows an example in which the editing screen is displayed in a part of the area on the display surface, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and the editing screen is displayed in the entire area on the display surface. The same can be applied to the case where it is.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the MRI apparatus 100 according to the embodiment includes a viewpoint position detection unit 27 that detects the viewpoint position of the operator observing the display unit 25, and the viewpoint detected by the viewpoint position detection unit 27. A setting instruction for a parameter is received based on the position. That is, since the MRI apparatus 100 according to the embodiment displays a plurality of editing screens simultaneously, it is difficult to determine which editing screen is the setting instruction when a setting instruction for a parameter is received. Therefore, the MRI apparatus 100 according to the embodiment detects the operator's viewpoint position, and identifies an edit screen (hereinafter, active tab) that receives a setting instruction based on the detected viewpoint position.

  The viewpoint position detection unit 27 can be realized by a known technique. For example, the viewpoint position detection unit 27 has a camera and performs shooting while changing the shooting range of the camera by driving a motor. In addition, the viewpoint position detection unit 27 performs face recognition pattern matching on the image captured by the camera, and specifies an image in which the operator's face is depicted. The viewpoint position detection unit 27 detects the viewpoint position based on the orientation of the camera with respect to the display surface of the display unit 25 when the specified image is captured.

  The edit screen display control described above is realized by the control unit 26 and the like. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the control unit 26 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 26 includes a parameter value receiving unit 26a and an edit screen display control unit 26b.

  The parameter value receiving unit 26a receives a parameter value setting instruction for the parameters included in the editing screen on the editing screen displayed on the display unit 25. Specifically, when the parameter value receiving unit 26a according to the embodiment receives a parameter value setting instruction on the editing screen, the parameter value receiving unit 26a stores the received parameter value in the storage unit 23 and edits that the setting instruction has been received. Notify the screen display control unit 26b.

  The edit screen display control unit 26b generates an image data group for displaying the edit screen so that a different edit screen is displayed for each viewpoint position of the operator, and controls display of the image data group on the display unit 25. To do. Specifically, when the parameter value setting instruction is received by the parameter value receiving unit 26a, the editing screen display control unit 26b according to the embodiment identifies an editing screen including other parameters that are affected by the parameter value setting. To do.

  Next, the editing screen display control unit 26b generates an image data group for displaying the editing screen so that at least the specified editing screen is displayed in addition to the editing screen being displayed. For example, the editing screen display control unit 26b generates image data for displaying the editing screen being displayed and image data for displaying the specified editing screen, and each editing screen displays the display surface of the display unit 25. The pixel arrangement of the image data corresponding to each editing screen is adjusted so that the image is displayed in accordance with the angle emitted from. For example, the editing screen display control unit 26b displays the editing screen being displayed in a column in which pixels radiated in a certain angle range are arranged among the 1 to 9 columns described with reference to FIG. The pixels of the image data are arranged, and the pixels of the image data for displaying the specified editing screen are arranged in a column in which the pixels emitted in a different angle range are arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the editing screen is displayed in a part of the area on the display surface, the other areas on the display surface display the same image at all angles emitted from the display surface. do it. In this case, as described above, for example, pixels of the same image are arranged in each of the columns 1 to 9 in the display unit 25.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a display control processing procedure according to the embodiment. In the following description, a certain angle range is expressed as “display area 1”, and another angle range is expressed as “display area 2”.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the edit screen display control unit 26b according to the embodiment displays the tab x in the “display area 1” and displays the tab y different from the tab x in the “display area 2”. It is displayed (step S101). For example, as an example, the edit screen display control unit 26b displays the tab “1” in the foreground in the “display area 1” and the tab “3” in the “display area 2”.

  Next, the edit screen display control unit 26b determines whether or not a parameter value setting instruction has been received by the parameter value receiving unit 26a (step S102). An active tab is specified based on the viewpoint position (step S103).

  That is, the edit screen display control unit 26b detects the viewpoint position, that is, the angle with respect to the display surface of the display unit 25 based on the viewpoint position detected by the viewpoint position detection unit 27, and is an active tab that is an editing screen that receives a setting instruction. Is identified. For example, the edit screen display control unit 26b specifies the tab “1” as the active tab when the detected viewpoint position is within the range of the angle corresponding to “display area 1”.

  Subsequently, the edit screen display control unit 26b calculates a parameter value (step S104). That is, in the case of the MRI apparatus 100, setting of a parameter value performed for a certain parameter may affect one or a plurality of other parameters. For this reason, the edit screen display control unit 26b calculates parameter values of other parameters that can be influenced by the setting instruction received in step S102.

  The edit screen display control unit 26b performs calculation processing using an existing algorithm. There are many parameters included in the imaging conditions, and the influence relationship between the parameters is complicated. The existing algorithm was previously generated as a calculation formula for calculating another parameter value when the parameter value of a certain parameter was changed for a parameter group previously specified as a parameter group that affects each other. is there. Since there are a large number of parameters, an existing algorithm generally includes a plurality of calculation formulas.

  If there is another parameter that is affected as a result of the calculation, the edit screen display control unit 26b specifies the edit screen to which the other parameter that is affected belongs (step S105). For example, the edit screen display control unit 26b specifies the tab “2” as the edit screen to which the other affected parameter belongs.

  Thereafter, the editing screen display control unit 26b displays the editing screen identified in step S105 in the display area displaying the inactive tab so that it is the forefront (step S106). For example, when the active tab is tab “1”, the inactive tab is tab “3”, and the display area for displaying tab “3” is “display area 2”. Therefore, the editing screen display control unit 26b displays the tab “2” specified in step S105 in the “display area 2”.

(Effect of embodiment)
As described above, since the MRI apparatus 100 according to the embodiment displays different editing screens according to the angles emitted from the display surface of the display unit 25, the editing screens can be appropriately displayed. For example, the operator can observe a plurality of editing screens only by moving the position of the face without performing an operation for switching the editing screens, and the operation efficiency can be improved.

  In addition, the MRI apparatus 100 according to the embodiment controls not only to display different editing screens according to angles but also to select and display an optimal editing screen according to editing contents. Specifically, the MRI apparatus 100 according to the embodiment specifies an edit screen including other parameters that are affected by the setting of a certain parameter value, and displays at least the specified edit screen in addition to the currently displayed edit screen. To be controlled.

  For example, when the MRI apparatus 100 receives a setting instruction to increase the parameter value of the parameter “number of slices” included in the edit screen of the tab “Basic”, the MRI apparatus 100 calculates the parameter value, and the affected parameter is displayed in the tab “SAR”. Specify that the parameter is included in the edit screen. Then, the MRI apparatus 100 generates an image data group for displaying the edit screen so that the edit screen of the tab “SAR” is displayed in addition to the edit screen of the tab “Basic”, and the generated image data Control the display of groups.

  For this reason, for example, the operator can confirm the parameter affected by the setting of a certain parameter value by simply moving the face position without performing an operation for switching the editing screen. , Operation efficiency can be improved.

  In addition, the MRI apparatus 100 according to the embodiment can specify an edit screen that receives a parameter value setting instruction based on the viewpoint position.

(Other embodiments)
Note that the embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the display control for selecting the optimum editing screen according to the editing content is performed, but this is not necessarily the essential control. For example, when the number of edit screens that can be displayed matches the number of all edit screens, all the edit screens may always be displayed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the viewpoint position detection unit detects the viewpoint position of the operator and identifies the active tab. However, the technique for identifying the active tab is not limited to this. For example, an arrow linked to a mouse operation may be displayed on the editing screen. In this case, the parameter value receiving unit 26a identifies the editing screen on the side where the arrow is displayed as the active tab. For example, when the operator operates the mouse and the arrow pops out of the editing screen, for example, the arrow is displayed on the editing screen that is displayed next to the editing screen that is displayed next to the editing screen. May be controlled to become an active tab.

  FIG. 7 is a view for explaining display control of an edit screen according to another embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, the case where the number of editable display screens is “2” has been described. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and for example, as shown in FIG. The same applies to the case where the number of “3” is “3”. The same applies to other numbers.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control is performed in the computer system 20 included in the MRI apparatus 100. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. The present invention may be applied to a computer system provided in another medical image diagnostic apparatus, for example, a workstation or a terminal device on a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System). In this case, the workstation and the terminal device have the same function as the control unit 26.

  In the above-described embodiment, the “editing screen” has been described. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, an image processing apparatus according to another embodiment includes a display unit, a display control unit, and a reception unit. Similar to the display unit 25, the display unit displays different images depending on the angle emitted from the display surface. When there are a plurality of “operation screens”, the display control unit generates an image data group so that different “operation screens” are displayed according to angles, and controls display of the image data group on the display unit. The reception unit receives an operation instruction on an “operation screen” displayed on the display unit. The “operation screen” here includes all screens displayed on the image processing apparatus, and is not limited to a screen that directly receives an operation instruction. For example, information that is referred to when operating the image processing apparatus is displayed. Includes screens. In this case, the image processing apparatus is not limited to an apparatus that processes medical images, and may be a general-purpose computer.

  According to the medical image diagnostic apparatus and the image processing apparatus of at least one embodiment described above, the operation screen can be appropriately displayed.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 MRI apparatus 26 Control part 26a Parameter value reception part 26b Edit screen display control part 27 Viewpoint position detection part

Claims (3)

A display unit that displays different images according to angles emitted from the display surface;
When there are a plurality of editing screens for editing imaging conditions, an image data group is generated so that different editing screens are displayed according to the angle, and display of the image data group on the display unit is controlled. A display control unit;
In the display unit on the displayed editing screen, and the receiving unit which receives a setting instruction of the parameter values for the parameters contained in the editing screen,
Equipped with a,
When the receiving unit receives an instruction to set a parameter value for a parameter included in the first editing screen being displayed on the display unit, the display control unit receives another parameter that is affected by the setting of the parameter value. A second editing screen is specified, and the editing screen being displayed is replaced with the second editing screen in addition to the first editing screen being displayed to generate the image data group.
Medical diagnostic imaging device. A detection unit for detecting a viewpoint position of an observer observing the display unit;
The reception unit identifies an edit screen that receives a parameter value setting instruction from among a plurality of editing screens displayed on the display unit based on the viewpoint position detected by the detection unit, and receives the received setting instruction. The medical image diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medical image diagnosis apparatus receives a setting instruction for a parameter included in the specified editing screen. A display unit that displays different images according to angles emitted from the display surface;
When there are a plurality of editing screens for editing imaging conditions, an image data group is generated so that different editing screens are displayed according to the angle, and display of the image data group on the display unit is controlled. A display control unit;
On the editing screen displayed on the display unit, a receiving unit that receives a parameter value setting instruction for a parameter included in the editing screen;
With
When the receiving unit receives an instruction to set a parameter value for a parameter included in the first editing screen being displayed on the display unit, the display control unit receives another parameter that is affected by the setting of the parameter value. A second editing screen is specified, and the editing screen being displayed is replaced with the second editing screen in addition to the first editing screen being displayed to generate the image data group.
Magnetic resonance imaging device .

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