JPS6053135A - Nuclear magnetic resonance image pick-up apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention provides an image related to at least one of a specific nuclear density distribution and relaxation time distribution of an arbitrary cross section of an object using nuclear magnetic resonance (hereinafter referred to as NMRJ) phenomenon. The present invention relates to a bi-imaging device that obtains information and uses it for diagnosis.

[Technical background of the invention]

A so-called X-ray CT (X-ray combinator tomography device) that uses X-rays is a tomography device that uses a living body as a subject and obtains tomographic images non-invasively from the outside for medical diagnosis.
is widely known. In the case of X-ray CT, due to constraints on the arrangement and structure of the X-ray projection (optical) system and X-ray detector, one image (so-called "single slice") or two (specific It is possible to obtain only tomographic images of a certain type (limited to certain models).

On the other hand, by similarly applying CT (computer tomography) technology, NMR information is used as measurement information.
Diagnostic NMR equipment (r NMR-C) which is an imaging device
For example, in "Comparison of imaging methods in whole-body NMR imaging devices" (NMR Medicine Vol. 1.2)
．． As described in A1.1982), it is possible to obtain images by collecting data on multiple tomographic images (for example, about 5 to 15 images) at the same time (so-called "multi-slice"). Therefore, it is necessary to position the subject in accordance with this multi-slice imaging.

Positioning of a subject in X-ray CT or NMR-CT can be broadly classified into two methods: a method in which a positioning index is projected in the form of an optical image onto the body surface of the subject using an external projector;
Definitive image (X-ray CT has various names such as scanoscope, scanogram, and scoutbee. NMR
- In CT, coronal images, sagittal images, etc. correspond to this.

There are two methods, one is to use a computer etc. to calculate and control the bed feed width, etc. using In the case of photographing parts of the head and areas where it is relatively easy to determine the photographed part from the outside, the former method, that is, the method using an external floodlight, is preferred because it requires less time for positioning and can be carried out with a simple configuration. It is often used.

[Problems with background technology]

The basic configuration of external projectors conventionally used for positioning, including X-ray CT, is roughly as shown in FIG.

In Fig. 1, 1 is a lens, 2 is a slit plate made of a base plate for forming, for example, a ten-shaped slit-like transparent part, and 3 is a slit plate 2 that is rotated around the center position of the transparent part. 4 is a light source for projecting light; 5 is a potentiometer for detecting the rotation angle of the slit plate 2; Here, the reason why the slit plate 2 is rotated is when imaging is performed by tilting (1111), through (alue), etc., by relatively tilting and rotating the slice part (tomographic plane part) and the subject. This is for positioning.

However, since the projector shown in FIG. 1 is compatible with a single slice, it merely displays the center position of the slice portion using a cross pattern indicator or the like.

On the other hand, as mentioned above, NMR-CT is capable of multi-slicing, and various slices with different numbers of slices and slice intervals can be performed. In some cases, it is not easy to perform proper positioning.

In order to easily perform proper positioning in this advanced NMR-CT, it is thought that it is better to specifically indicate information such as the number of slices and slice intervals for each slice pattern. .

[Purpose of the invention]

It is an object of the present invention to provide an NMR imaging device that can project, as an optical image, a cross-over index according to a slice pattern based on various set imaging conditions, and that can perform positioning easily and appropriately. be.

5- [Summary of the Invention] The present invention provides a method for projecting slice patterns onto a subject through a slit member in which a plurality of types of light projection lines are formed according to the types of slice patterns that can be imaged. In addition to projecting the turn indicator, the slit member is driven and controlled by the light projection optical system according to the set photographing conditions to automatically select a light projection pattern that always matches the photographing conditions. It is a feature.

[Embodiments of the invention]

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a projector which is a main part of an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, 6 is a lens and 7 is a light source, which are almost the same as the lens 1 and light source 4 shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a slit member made of a shield plate having a polygonal cylindrical shape, for example, an octagonal cylindrical shape in this case, and a transparent part with a different light projection pattern is formed in each of the eight planar parts forming the cylindrical shape. ing. This slit member 8 is rotationally driven around the central axis of the cylinder (point 0 in the figure) 6, so that the planar portion located between the lens 6 and the light source 7 is selectively and selectively controlled. . FIG. 3 shows an example of a light projection pattern formed on each planar portion of the slit member 8, and shows a case where the number of slices is 11. In the figure, Ll, L2... are straight line parts corresponding to each slice position, LO is a straight line part that is orthogonal to each straight line part I, f-Lll and indicates the center position, and straight line parts L1 to L11 are The interval P corresponds to the slice interval (if the slices are densely arranged, the slice interval - the slice thickness). Furthermore, the slit member 8 was selected)J
? Axis line passing through the center of the turn (point C in Figure 3) (optical axis of the optical path connecting the light source 7 - the flat part of the slit member 8 - the lens 6)
The slicing section is rotationally driven relative to the slicing section, and controlled to correspond to tilting rotations of the slicing section, such as tilting and slicing. Alternatively, instead of rotating the slit member 8 alone, a part of the structure shown in FIG. 2 including the slit member 8 or the entire structure shown in FIG. 2 may be rotated.

The NM according to this embodiment is configured using such a projector.
FIG. 4 shows the system configuration of the main parts of the R-CT device.

In FIG. 4, only the parts of the NMR-CT system that are directly related to the present invention are shown, and 9 is a light projector similar to that shown in FIG. 2, 6 is a lens, 7 is a light source, 8 is a slit member. Reference numeral 10 denotes a slit position detection unit that detects the rotational position of the slit member 8 of the light projector 8 around 0, and determines which planar part of the slit member 8, that is, which light projection/9 turn is selected, based on the rotational position. Detect more. No. 1 is a pattern angle detector that detects the rotation angle of the light projection pattern around the optical axis (C). For example, it is configured using a potentiometer, etc., and is configured to detect tilt rotation of the light projection pattern corresponding to tilt, through, etc. Detect angle. Reference numeral 12 denotes a slit drive unit that rotationally drives the slit member 8, and rotates the slit member 8 to selectively drive the projection no. It performs both driving and driving. 1
3 is an Iv/D (analog-digital) converter that converts the detection output of the pattern angle detector 11 into a digital value;
Reference numeral 14 denotes a control console for system control operations such as selection of the number of slices, slice interval, and imaging area, and reference numeral 15 denotes a tilting table (not shown) on which a subject to be imaged is placed for imaging such as tilt and through. This is a bed operating console that can only be used for operations such as rotation.

Reference numeral 16 indicates an angle indicator that displays the angle of relative rotation between the slice section and the subject, such as tilt or through, and 17 indicates a gradient magnetic field power supply that determines and controls the slice section during signal collection. 18 is a controller controlled by a computer 19, and based on inputs from the control console 14, bed operation console 15, N force converter 13, and slit position detection section 10, the slit drive section 12, angle display 16, The gradient magnetic field power supply 17 is controlled.

Next, the operation in such a configuration will be explained.

When the control console 14 is operated to set the photographing conditions to a constant state, the controller 18 gives a control signal S2 to the slit drive unit 12 based on the signal S1 output from the control console 14, and the slit member 8 is set as necessary. Accordingly, the light projection pattern (number of slices, slice interval, etc.) corresponding to the photographing conditions is selected by rotating around O as an axis. At this time, whether or not the part of the light projection pattern to be selected is correctly inserted into the light projection path is determined by the controller 18 based on the detection signal S3 detected by the slit position detection section 10, and Selection control is properly performed. In addition, when the tilt rotation angle such as tilt and through is set by operating the bed operation console 15,
A corresponding signal S4 is given to the controller 18,
A bed driving device (not shown) is controlled by the controller 18, and the bed on which the subject is placed is tilted and rotated at an angle according to the setting conditions. At the same time, the controller 18
The slit drive section 1 is controlled by the control signal S2 given from the
2 is operated, and the slit member 8 is controlled to rotate with respect to the projection optical axis so that it has the tilt and rotation angle set above. During this control, the inclination of the slit member 8,
The rotation angle is detected by the turn angle detector 11, fed back to the controller 18 as a digital signal S4 via the embroidery converter 13, used to control the rotation of the slit member 80, and displayed as an angle via the controller 8. The tilt, through, etc. angles given to the device 16 are displayed. In addition, the imaging condition information given from the control console 14 and the inclination of the slice portion, such as non-tilt and through, are given from the bed operation console 15 (from the turn angle detector 11 via the A/D converter 13). In addition to the gradient magnetic field power supply 17 that determines the slice portion according to the angle information, other devices (not shown) are connected to the controller 18.
Data collection for actual imaging is performed under the control of

In this way, depending on the setting of the imaging conditions, the nine turns of light projection showing the slice pattern according to the imaging conditions will be automatically selected and projected onto the subject, making it easy to always perform proper positioning. I can do it. Also, tilt,
Even when the slice section is tilted or rotated with respect to the subject, such as through the subject, the light projection pattern is rotated in conjunction with the settings of the apparatus, so that positioning in such cases can be performed appropriately.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, but can be implemented with various modifications without changing the gist thereof.

For example, the 9 parts of the floodlight can be manually operated,
This part may be provided with some functions such as the control console 14 and the bed operation console 15, so that photographing conditions, modes, etc. can be set by operating the light projector 9 while looking at the light projection pattern.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a slit member 20 is used in which a plurality of e-turns of various types of light projecting from a slit-shaped light-transmitting part are arranged in the longitudinal direction on a band-shaped tip plate. The projector 22 may have a structure in which the pattern is selected by driving and controlling 20 in the longitudinal direction by the motor 21.

Further, the light projector may have a configuration in which a plurality of light projection patterns are arranged on the circumference of a disc-shaped tip plate, and pattern selection is performed by rotation control.

In addition, systems such as tilting and through-tilting of the slice section can be performed by purely electrically tilting the slice section by 11 degrees (possible by combining the #4 oblique magnetic field), without relying on mechanical means such as driving a bed. The present invention can be implemented in substantially the same manner as described above even when the structure itself is changed.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, it is possible to project a cross-turn index corresponding to a slice non-turn under various set photographing conditions as an optical image, and it is possible to easily and appropriately perform positioning during photographing. Todoroki can provide the best video equipment possible.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an example of a conventional floodlight;
The figure is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a light projector 13 in an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a light projection pattern in the same embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a system diagram in the same embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a projector in another embodiment of the present invention. 6...Lens, 7...Light source, 8...Slit member, 9...Light emitter, 10...Slit position detection unit, 1
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Pattern angle detector, 12... Slit drive part, 13... A/D converter, 14... Control console, 15... Bed operation console, 16... Angle indicator, 1
7... Gradient magnetic field power supply, 18... Controller, 19
···Computer. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue 14- GeTonkai RGO-53135 (5); Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] An image related to at least one of the density distribution and relaxation time distribution of a specific atomic nucleus in a planned tomographic plane of a nuclear object, obtained by producing a nuclear magnetic resonance phenomenon in the object and performing image reconstruction processing based on the induced nuclear magnetic resonance signals. In a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging system for obtaining information, a type of slice no-turn that can image a slit-shaped light projection pattern that projects a slice pattern corresponding to the number and position of tomographic planes to be imaged at once onto a subject. A plurality of types of slits and parts are formed according to 1. A nuclear magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising: a driving device that selects a light projection pattern inserted into a light projection optical system; and a control means that controls the driving device according to set imaging conditions.