JPH0464341A - Upper open type magnetic resonance imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a kinematic function as physical load to a person to be inspected while reducing a setting area by arranging a vertically mobile top board carrying the person to be inspected between solenoid coils on the right and left sides of a superconductive magnet device and a load mechanism provided on the top board to make the person inspected stretch. CONSTITUTION:Lift mechanisms 5 are provided each at both ends in a longitudinal direction of a top board 4 to move it upward or downward and the top board is moved upward or downward while being supported securely at an optional point. A load mechanism 6 is so placed at a position of letting a foot tin of a person P to be inspected contact it to make his feet stretch when he is laid on the top board 4. In other words, in the load mechanism 6, the person P to be inspected is laid on the top board 4 and stretches his feet. His left foot is set to a position of letting a plantar arc thereof press against a treading pedal and pushes the treading pedal 10, while the right foot is moved so as to be reduced with a crank shaft 8 and a connecting rod 9. Then, when the treading pedal 10 on the side of the right foot is pushed, the left foot is reduced, which allows the left and right foots to do stretching motions alternatively. This applies a physical load to the person to be inspected thereby enabling the detection of a difference between condition at rest and that under a load.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an open-top magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for obtaining magnetic resonance images of a subject under physical stress.

(Prior Art) As shown in FIG. 6, a conventional magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a top plate 22 on which a subject P is placed in a hollow part 21 of a superconducting magnet device 20 made of a thick-walled cylinder. The superconducting magnet device 20 is operated to cause a magnetic resonance image reduction in the body of the subject P, thereby obtaining a magnetic resonance image of the subject P.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the conventional magnetic resonance imaging apparatus described above, in order to analyze the cardiac function of a subject placed on the top plate 21, physical stress is placed on the subject. It was impossible to move the body inside the hollow space of the superconducting magnet device. Therefore, in order to make the inside of the hollow part wider to make it easier to move the body, the device must not only be larger and more expensive, but also the space where such a device can be installed must be larger. Furthermore, since the hollow portion is formed in a cave-like shape, there is a problem in that it is not comfortable to live in and causes anxiety to the subject.

The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to improve the living comfort of the examinee, provide exercise function as a physical load to the examinee, and reduce the installation area. The present invention aims to provide an open-top magnetic resonance imaging device that can be used for various purposes.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, an open-top magnetic resonance imaging apparatus of the present invention includes a superconducting magnet device whose top is open and has a substantially concave cross section, and this superconducting magnet. The device is equipped with a top plate that is placed between the left and right solenoid coils and is movable up and down on which the test subject is placed, and a load mechanism that is installed on the top plate and allows the test subject to perform bending and stretching movements. This is a characteristic feature.

(Function) The open-top magnetic resonance imaging system configured as described above has a top panel where the subject is placed, with the entire top panel open, making it comfortable to live in and allowing for peace of mind during examinations. In addition, an exercise device consisting of a link mechanism provided on the top plate allows physical stress to be applied during the examination, and it is also possible to perform cardiac function analysis.

(Example) An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an open-top magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, and numeral 1 in the figure is the main body. The main body 1 has an open upper part and a generally concave cross section, and has side parts l erected on the left and right sides.
A superconducting magnet device 2 made of a solenoid coil is built in the superconducting magnet device 2a, and is configured to generate a static magnetic field between the side surfaces 1a. Gradient magnetic field coils 3 for generating gradient magnetic fields are provided on mutually corresponding inner surfaces of the side surface portions 1a. At the center of the side surface 1a of the main body 1, there is provided a top plate 4 whose length is approximately equal to the length of the side surface 1a. The top plate 4 is a table on which the subject P is placed, and a vertical mechanism 5 for moving the top plate 4 up and down is provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction. This up-and-down mechanism 5 raises and lowers the top plate 4 in the vertical direction, and also fixes and supports the top plate 4 at an arbitrary angle. Further, when the subject P lies down on the top plate 4, a load mechanism 6 is provided in contact with the toes of the subject P, as shown in FIG. 2, for bending and stretching the legs. This loading mechanism 6 allows the subject P to obtain a magnetic resonance image using the superconducting magnet device 2 while performing bending and stretching movements of the legs.

3 and 4 are perspective views of the loading mechanism.

This load mechanism 6 is a link mechanism constituted by a main shaft 7, a crankshaft 8, and a connecting rod 9, and all constituent materials are made of nonmagnetic materials that are not magnetized. The main shaft 7 is composed of two support shafts, one for the right foot and one for the left foot, and a foot pedal 10 formed on each support shaft, and the main shaft 7 rotates to a position higher than the surface of the top plate. It is freely supported. Therefore, the foot pedal 10 is normally supported in a downwardly hanging state, and the outer end of the foot pedal 10 is provided with a support shaft that rotatably locks one end of the connecting rod 9. 11 is the provision. The connecting rods 9 rotatably locked to the support shaft 11 are rods having the same predetermined length, and the other ends are rotatably locked to the crankshaft 8. crankshaft 8
is rotatably supported at both ends by bearings or the like 12, and crank portions 13 that lock the connecting rod 9 are bent into a crank shape with a phase of 180° to each other.

The load mechanism 6 having such a configuration is aligned with the position where the arch of the foot comes into pressure contact with the foot pedal 10 when the subject P lies on the top plate and extends his/her legs (see Fig. 3). As shown in the figure, when you step on the foot pedal 10 with your left foot, the right foot moves to contract due to the crankshaft 8 and connecting rod 9 (then, when you step on the right foot pedal, the left foot contracts, and the right foot moves alternately). Perform bending and stretching exercises.

Figure 5 shows the exercise state of the subject P during this bending and stretching exercise.The subject performs moderate exercise while lying on the tabletop, placing a slight burden on the heart. Therefore, the difference between the diagnosis of this state and the diagnosis of the resting state can be easily compared.

In addition to the above-mentioned embodiment, a pulley may be attached to the above-mentioned bearing, a cooling fan may be provided near the subject, and a belt may be stretched between this ring and the pulley to respond to the movement of the pedal 10. It is also possible to prevent the subject from sweating by rotating the cooling fan.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the top-open type magnetic resonance imaging apparatus of the present invention includes a superconducting magnet device whose top is open and has a substantially concave cross section, and a superconducting magnet device provided between the left and right solenoid coils of this superconducting magnet device. It is characterized by having a top plate on which a subject is placed and which can move up and down, and a load mechanism installed on the top plate that causes the subject to perform bending and stretching movements, so that the subject's residence is This method has the advantages that it not only improves the physical strength of the patient, but also makes it possible to detect the difference between the time of permission and the time of stress by applying a physical load to the subject, and requires less space for installation.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 5 show an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an open-top magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a loading mechanism, and FIG. 3 is a main part of the loading mechanism. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the operating state of the loading mechanism, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the bending and stretching movement state of the subject, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. . 2...Superconducting magnet device, 4...Top plate, 6...Load mechanism.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A superconducting magnet device with an open top and a generally concave cross section, a top plate installed between the left and right solenoid coils of this superconducting magnet device and movable up and down on which a subject is placed; What is claimed is: 1. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus with an open top, comprising: a load mechanism for causing a subject to perform bending and stretching movements;