阅读说明：本技术 定位检查床的方法、磁共振设备、程序产品和数据载体 (Method for positioning an examination table, magnetic resonance apparatus, program product and data carrier ) 是由 马里奥·策勒 多米尼克·保罗 于 2020-08-26 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及定位检查床的方法、磁共振设备、程序产品和数据载体。提出了一种用于在用于磁共振检查的磁共振设备的患者容纳区域中定位检查床的方法,其中,所述方法包括以下方法步骤：开始将检查床移入到患者容纳区域中,在将检查床移入到患者容纳区域中期间,借助于至少一个传感器单元,在至少一个传感器单元的检测区域内部检测监控数据,在检查对象的选定区域和/或检查床的选定区域方面评估监控数据,以及根据在监控数据中检测检查对象的选定区域和/或检查床的选定区域,在患者容纳区域之内定位检查床。(The invention relates to a method of positioning an examination table, a magnetic resonance apparatus, a program product and a data carrier. A method for positioning an examination table in a patient receiving region of a magnetic resonance apparatus for a magnetic resonance examination is proposed, wherein the method comprises the following method steps: the method comprises the steps of starting to move the examination table into the patient accommodation area, during the movement of the examination table into the patient accommodation area, detecting monitoring data within a detection area of the at least one sensor unit by means of the at least one sensor unit, evaluating the monitoring data with respect to the selected area of the examination object and/or the selected area of the examination table, and positioning the examination table within the patient accommodation area in dependence on the detection of the selected area of the examination object and/or the selected area of the examination table in the monitoring data.)

1. A method for positioning an examination table in a patient accommodation region of a magnetic resonance apparatus for a magnetic resonance examination, wherein the method comprises the following method steps:

-initiating the movement of the table into the patient accommodation region,

detecting monitoring data within a detection region of at least one sensor unit by means of the at least one sensor unit during the movement of the table into the patient accommodation region,

-evaluating said monitoring data in respect of a selected region of the examination object and/or a selected region of the examination couch, and

-positioning the table within the patient accommodation area in dependence of the detection of the selected region of the examination object and/or the selected region of the table in the monitoring data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

characterized in that the method steps of positioning the examination bed comprise: the movement of the examination table is stopped as soon as a selected region of the examination object and/or a selected region of the examination table is first detected in the monitoring data.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that two or more sensor units are provided for detecting monitoring data, wherein in the method step of positioning the examination bed the movement of the examination bed is stopped when a selected region of the examination object and/or a selected region of the examination bed is detected in the monitoring data of at least 50% of the sensor units of the two or more sensor units.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the method steps of positioning the examination bed comprise: after the first detection of the selected region of the examination subject and/or the selected region of the examination couch in the monitoring data, the examination couch is moved further towards the predetermined position of the examination couch within the patient accommodation region, wherein during the further movement of the examination couch, the monitoring data is also detected by means of the at least one sensor unit.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

characterized in that the monitoring data detected during the continued movement of the examination table are evaluated in terms of quality: whether the monitoring data detected during the continued movement of the selected region of the examination object and/or the selected region of the examination bed is of a better quality than the quality of the monitoring data when the selected region of the examination object and/or the selected region of the examination bed is detected for the first time.

6. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 5,

characterized in that a location in the monitoring data having a better quality is determined as a new examination location if the quality of the monitoring data detected during the continued movement is better than the quality of the monitoring data detected when the selected region of the examination object and/or the selected region of the examination bed is detected for the first time.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the examination table performs a search movement as soon as the detection of the selected region of the examination object and/or the selected region of the examination table by means of the at least one sensor unit is interrupted during the duration of the magnetic resonance examination, and monitoring data are detected by means of the at least one sensor unit during the search movement of the examination table.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

characterized in that the search movement of the examination couch comprises: the maximum movement of the examination bed is +/-10 cm.

9. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 8,

characterized in that during the execution of the search movement of the examination bed, the method steps of evaluating the monitoring data in respect of the selected region of the examination object and/or the selected region of the examination bed and the method steps of locating the examination bed are executed anew.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the monitoring data comprises camera data and/or data of a breathing sensor and/or data of a pilot tone sensor.

11. A magnetic resonance apparatus having: scanner unit, a patient receiving region at least partially enclosed by the scanner unit, a table movable within the patient receiving region, at least one sensor unit, and a computing unit, wherein the magnetic resonance apparatus is designed to carry out a method for positioning the table in a patient receiving region for a magnetic resonance examination according to one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The magnetic resonance apparatus as set forth in claim 11,

characterized in that the at least one sensor unit has a detection area, wherein the detection area comprises a preset detection area within the patient accommodation area.

13. The magnetic resonance apparatus according to one of claims 11 to 12,

characterized in that the at least one sensor unit comprises a camera and/or a respiration sensor and/or a pilot tone sensor.

14. A computer program product comprising a program and being directly loadable into a memory of a programmable computing unit, having program means for performing the method for positioning a couch in a patient accommodation region of a magnetic resonance apparatus for magnetic resonance examination of any one of claims 1 to 10 when said program is executed in the computing unit.

15. An electronically readable data carrier having electronically readable control information stored thereon, which control information is designed such that, when the data carrier is used in a computing unit, it carries out a method for positioning a bed in a patient accommodation region of a magnetic resonance apparatus for magnetic resonance examination according to one of claims 1 to 10.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for positioning a table in a patient receiving region of a magnetic resonance apparatus for a magnetic resonance examination. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a magnetic resonance apparatus which is designed to carry out the method according to the invention for positioning a table in a patient receiving region of a magnetic resonance examination. The invention is based, furthermore, on a computer program product which is designed to carry out the method according to the invention for positioning a table in a patient receiving region of a magnetic resonance examination, and on an electronically readable data carrier having a corresponding computer program.

Background

For the specific function of magnetic resonance examination of a patient, it is necessary to position the patient precisely within the patient accommodation region, in particular within the Field of view (FOV) and/or isocenter of the magnetic resonance apparatus. An example of such a function is a motion correction, in particular a camera-based motion correction, of a region of a patient to be examined. For this purpose, the region of the patient to be examined and/or the movable body region must be located not only in the FOV and/or isocenter of the magnetic resonance system, but also in the examination region of the sensor unit, in particular of the camera. During a magnetic resonance examination of a patient, for example by means of a camera, movement data of the patient, in particular of a region of the patient to be examined, are detected by means of a sensor unit and used and/or taken into account for a movement correction.

However, the region to be examined and/or the movable region of the patient is usually at least partially covered by the additional unit. This may result in that only a limited viewing angle for the region to be examined and/or the movable region of the patient is possible and thus no movement data can be detected by means of the sensor unit, in particular the camera. Furthermore, it is also possible that, as a result of the movement of the patient, the region to be examined is no longer arranged within the detection region of the sensor unit for detecting movement data.

Disclosure of Invention

The object on which the invention is based is in particular to make it possible to arrange and/or position a region to be examined and/or a movable region of a patient in an examination region of a sensor unit during the duration of a magnetic resonance examination of the patient. The object is achieved by the features of the embodiments. Advantageous embodiments are described in the examples which follow.

The invention is based on a method for positioning a table in a patient receiving region of a magnetic resonance system of a magnetic resonance examination, wherein the method comprises the following method steps:

-initiating the movement of the table into the patient accommodation region,

during the movement of the table into the patient accommodation region, monitoring data within the detection region of the at least one sensor unit are detected by means of the at least one sensor unit,

evaluating the monitoring data in respect of a selected region of the examination object and/or a selected region of the examination table, and

-positioning the table within the patient accommodation area in dependence on the detection of the selected region of the examination object and/or the selected region of the table in the monitoring data.

A magnetic resonance apparatus typically comprises a scanner unit with a basic magnet. The basic magnet is designed to generate a strong, homogeneous and constant basic magnetic field, wherein the basic magnet is designed such that the strong, homogeneous and constant basic magnetic field is applied in a patient accommodation region of the magnetic resonance apparatus, in particular in a field of view (FOV). Furthermore, the scanner unit preferably comprises a gradient coil unit. The gradient coil units are designed and/or designed to generate magnetic field gradients for spatial encoding within a patient accommodation region, in particular within a FOV, during magnetic resonance imaging. Furthermore, the scanner unit preferably comprises a high-frequency antenna unit, wherein the high-frequency unit is fixedly integrated within the scanner unit. By means of the high-frequency antenna unit, high-frequency magnetic resonance sequences can advantageously be generated during a magnetic resonance examination and transmitted and/or radiated into a patient accommodation region, in particular into a FOV, for excitation.

The magnetic resonance apparatus further comprises a patient receiving region which is at least partially enclosed by the scanner unit. The patient receiving region may be cylindrically enclosed by the scanner unit, for example. The patient receiving region is designed and/or designed to receive a patient and/or a region of the patient to be examined during a magnetic resonance examination. The patient accommodation region preferably comprises the FOV and/or isocenter of the magnetic resonance apparatus. The FOV preferably comprises an examination region of the magnetic resonance apparatus within which magnetic resonance data are detected. The isocenter of the magnetic resonance apparatus preferably comprises the following regions and/or points within the magnetic resonance apparatus: the region and/or point has optimal and/or optimal conditions for a magnetic resonance examination. The isocenter comprises in particular the most homogeneous region within the magnetic resonance apparatus. The isocenter is preferably located within the patient receiving area.

Within the patient receiving area, a patient support device is typically movably disposed. In particular, a table of the patient support device is movably arranged in the z-direction of the scanner unit and/or in the longitudinal extension of the patient receiving area. The patient is positioned on an examination couch for a magnetic resonance examination. By means of a patient support device, in particular a movable examination table, a patient, in particular a region of the patient to be examined, can be introduced and/or moved into a patient receiving region for a magnetic resonance examination and/or positioned within the patient receiving region for a magnetic resonance examination.

At the beginning of the method according to the invention, the movement of the table into the patient accommodation region is started. In this case, the patient is preferably already positioned on the table for the upcoming magnetic resonance examination. Furthermore, all accessory units, such as, for example, local radio-frequency antenna units and/or marking elements and/or positioning elements, which are required for an upcoming magnetic resonance examination of the patient, are also already positioned here at the patient and/or at the examination table. Initiating the movement of the table into the patient accommodation region preferably comprises: the table is initially moved into the patient receiving region in the z-direction of the scanner unit and/or in the longitudinal extension direction of the patient receiving region. The start of the movement of the table into the examination room can be initiated manually by the user, for example by means of a user interface of the patient support and/or of the magnetic resonance apparatus, which user interface comprises an activation button. Preferably, the movement of the examination table, for example the speed of the examination table, is automatically and/or autonomously controlled by the computing unit and/or the evaluation unit.

In this case, the target position can be preset for the movement of the table into the patient accommodation region. Such a target position can be, for example, the position of an examination subject, in particular of a region of a patient to be examined, within the FOV and/or within the isocenter of the magnetic resonance system and/or of the patient accommodation region. Preferably, the detection region and/or the field of view of the at least one sensor unit is also at least partially directed towards the isocenter and/or the FOV of the patient receiving region and/or the magnetic resonance apparatus.

At least one sensor unit is preferably arranged within the patient accommodation region. The magnetic resonance apparatus particularly advantageously has a plurality of sensor units, so that redundant detection of the monitoring data and/or detection of the monitoring data from different detection directions can be achieved. All sensor units of the magnetic resonance system are arranged within the patient accommodation region for detecting the monitoring data. The at least one sensor unit preferably comprises a camera, in particular a 3D camera and/or an HD camera. The magnetic resonance system may comprise, for example, four cameras, in particular four 3D cameras and/or four HD cameras. Furthermore, the at least one sensor unit may also comprise: a pilot tone sensor, which is designed and/or embodied to detect a monitoring signal formed from an EKG signal and/or a respiration signal and/or a movement signal; and/or a respiration sensor for detecting a monitoring signal formed by the respiration signal.

The monitoring data comprises data detected by means of at least one sensor unit. The monitoring data may for example comprise camera data. The detection of the monitoring data is preferably carried out during the entire transfer process of the table into the patient accommodation region. Furthermore, it may also be provided that the monitoring data are detected at least partially also during the magnetic resonance examination of the patient. The detection of the monitoring data is preferably carried out automatically by means of at least one sensor unit, wherein the detection of the monitoring data is controlled, in particular automatically and/or autonomously, by the computing unit and/or the evaluation unit.

The evaluation of the monitoring data is preferably carried out by means of an evaluation unit and/or a calculation unit. For this purpose, the detected monitoring data are transmitted from the at least one sensor unit to the evaluation unit and/or the calculation unit by means of a data transmission unit. The data transmission unit may have a data transmission cable for transmitting and/or exchanging data. Furthermore, the data transmission unit may be designed for wireless data transmission and/or wireless data exchange.

The evaluation unit according to the invention and/or the computing unit according to the invention comprise at least one computing module and/or a processor, wherein the evaluation unit and/or the computing unit is designed to carry out the method according to the invention. The evaluation unit and/or the computation unit are thus designed, in particular, to execute computer-readable instructions in order to carry out the method according to the invention. The evaluation unit and/or the computation unit in particular comprise a memory unit, wherein computer-readable information is stored on the memory unit, wherein the evaluation unit and/or the computation unit is designed to load the computer-readable information from the memory unit and to execute the computer-readable information in order to carry out the method according to the invention. The evaluation unit according to the invention and/or the computation unit according to the invention are thus designed to carry out a method for monitoring a patient during a medical imaging examination, in particular a magnetic resonance examination.

The components of the evaluation unit and/or the computation unit can be formed largely in the form of software components. In principle, however, the components can also be implemented in part, in particular when particularly fast calculations are involved, in the form of hardware components supported by software, for example FPGAs or the like. Likewise, the required interfaces can be configured as software interfaces, for example, when only data reception from other software components is involved. However, the interface can also be designed as a hardware-based interface, which is controlled by suitable software. Of course, it is also conceivable to implement several of the components mentioned in combination in the form of a single software component or software-supported hardware components.

Furthermore, the evaluation of the detected monitoring data can be based in particular on machine learning methods, also referred to as deep learning methods, which are based on artificial neural networks. An artificial neural network (KNN, english "artificial neural network-ANN") is in particular a network of artificial neurons simulated in a computer program. Here, artificial neural networks are typically based on the networking of a plurality of artificial neurons. Here, the artificial neurons are typically arranged on different layers (layers). An artificial neural network typically includes an input layer and an output layer (output layer), the neuron outputs of which are visible as the only neurons in the artificial neural network. A layer located between the input layer and the output layer is typically called a hidden layer. Typically, the architecture and/or topology of the artificial neural network is first initialized and then trained in a training phase for a particular task or for multiple tasks in the training phase. Training an artificial neural network here typically comprises: the weight of a connection between two artificial neurons of an artificial neural network is changed. Training the artificial neural network may also include: developing new connections between artificial neurons, deleting existing connections between artificial neurons, adjusting thresholds of artificial neurons, and/or adding or deleting artificial neurons.

The artificial neural network has been suitably trained in advance to evaluate the detected monitoring data, among other things. In particular, a training image data set is used for training the artificial neural network, in which training image data set the selected region of the examination subject and/or the selected region of the examination table are associated, for example, when evaluating the monitoring data with respect to the selected region of the examination subject and/or the selected region of the examination table in the monitoring data. In this case, the medical training data set is typically already obtained by a training person and/or a training patient different from the patient.

The selected region of the examination object, in particular of the patient, preferably comprises the region of the patient to be examined. Furthermore, the selected region can also comprise a region of motion of the patient, which is arranged in particular directly next to the region to be examined. The selected area of the patient may also be marked for detection by means of at least one sensor unit. For example, a selected region of the patient can be provided with a marking element, wherein the marking element can have a characteristic pattern for identifying the selected region in the monitoring data. The selected regions of the examination table preferably include the following regions of the examination table: the region of the patient to be examined is in particular positioned and/or supported on said region.

The positioning of the table within the patient accommodation region is preferably carried out automatically or autonomously, wherein the positioning of the table, in particular the automatic and/or autonomous positioning of the table, is controlled by the evaluation unit and/or the calculation unit. Preferably, the positioning of the examination table comprises: the movement, in particular the moving-in movement, of the examination table is stopped so that the examination table occupies a fixed position for the upcoming magnetic resonance examination.

By means of the embodiment according to the invention, during the duration of the magnetic resonance examination of the patient, it is advantageously possible to arrange and/or position the region to be examined and/or the region of motion of the patient in the examination region of the sensor unit. Furthermore, the at least one sensor unit can be kept in view of the region to be examined and/or the region of motion of the patient during the magnetic resonance examination. This can be achieved in particular in that, for example, a motion correction, in particular a camera-based motion correction, can be carried out in the detected magnetic resonance image data during the magnetic resonance examination.

Advantageously, for a motion correction of the magnetic resonance image data detected during the magnetic resonance examination, in particular a camera-based motion correction, monitoring data are also detected by means of at least one sensor unit, wherein the motion correction can be performed in the magnetic resonance image data depending on the detected monitoring data. In addition, this advantageously also eliminates the need for complex, in particular time-consuming, manual positioning of the examination table in the optimal monitoring position.

In an advantageous further development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the method step of positioning the examination table comprises: the movement of the examination table is stopped as soon as a selected region of the examination object and/or a selected region of the examination table is first detected in the monitoring data. By detecting a selected region of the examination subject, in particular of the patient, and/or of the examination table for the first time, the following positions of the examination table within the patient accommodation region can advantageously be determined: in this position, a selected region of the examination subject, in particular of the patient, and/or a selected region of the examination table is arranged within the detection region of the at least one sensor unit. By stopping the movement of the table, in particular stopping the introduction movement and/or the insertion movement of the table, a selected region of the examination subject, in particular of the patient, and/or of the table can advantageously be positioned and/or arranged within the detection region of the at least one sensor unit. In this case, the movement of the examination table, in particular the introduction movement and/or the insertion movement of the examination table, is preferably stopped as soon as the examination object, in particular a selected region of the patient and/or a selected region of the examination table, has moved into the examination region of the at least one sensor unit. The movement of the examination table is preferably stopped automatically and/or autonomously by means of the evaluation unit and/or the calculation unit.

In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that two or more sensor units are provided for detecting the monitoring data, wherein in the method step of positioning the table, the movement of the table is stopped if a selected region of the examination subject and/or a selected region of the patient is detected in the monitoring data of at least 50% of the sensor units of the at least two or more sensor units. This advantageously makes it possible to detect a selected region of the examination subject, in particular of the patient, and/or of the examination table in a redundant manner. In this way, in particular, a reliable detection of a selected region of the examination subject and/or of the examination couch during the magnetic resonance examination can also be provided, for example for a motion correction of the detected magnetic resonance image data, in particular a camera-based motion correction.

In an advantageous further development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the method step of positioning the examination table comprises: after the first detection of the selected region of the examination subject and/or the selected region of the examination table in the monitoring data, the examination table is moved further toward the predetermined position of the examination table within the patient accommodation region, wherein during the further movement of the examination table the monitoring data are also detected by means of the at least one sensor unit. Here, the preset position of the table may comprise a preset examination position at which the table may be positioned during the duration of the magnetic resonance examination. The preset position, in particular the preset examination position, can be preset and/or determined, for example, depending on the region of the patient to be examined and/or depending on accessory units arranged around the region of the patient to be examined. In this case, the position of the selected region of the examination subject, in particular of the patient, and/or of the selected region of the examination table may differ from the preset position of the examination table, which is detected for the first time in the monitoring data. Here, the continuous movement of the examination table may include: the examination table is moved in the introduction direction and/or the insertion direction of the examination table. Further, the continuing movement of the examination couch may also include: the table is moved in a removal direction of the table, in particular counter to the insertion direction and/or the removal direction. By means of the embodiment of the invention, the following positions of the examination table can be advantageously detected: in this position, a better quality of the monitoring data of the examination object, in particular of a selected region of the patient and/or of a selected region of the examination table, is present in the examination data. In addition, the following positions of the examination table can also be detected in this way: in this position, there is a more favorable field of view of the selected region of the examination object, in particular of the patient, and/or of the selected region of the examination couch, of the at least one sensor unit than the first detection of the selected region of the examination object, in particular of the patient, and/or of the selected region of the examination couch. Thus, it is also possible to reliably process the monitoring data and the functions associated therewith during the magnetic resonance examination.

In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the monitoring data detected during the further movement of the examination table are evaluated with respect to quality: whether the monitoring data detected during the continued movement of the selected region of the examination object and/or the selected region of the examination bed is of a better quality than the quality of the monitoring data when the selected region of the examination object and/or the selected region of the examination bed is first detected. Monitoring the quality of the data may include: the image quality and/or the resolution of the monitoring data and/or the number of sensor units that detect a selected region of the examination object, in particular of the patient, and/or of the examination table, and/or the detected fraction of the selected region of the examination object, in particular of the patient, and/or the detected fraction of the selected region of the examination table, etc. Better quality of the monitoring data may include, for example: better image quality, in particular higher resolution, in the detected monitoring data. Furthermore, better quality of the monitoring data may also include: a larger number of sensor units for detecting a selected region of the examination object, in particular of the patient, to be examined, and/or of the examination table. Furthermore, better quality of the monitoring data may also include: a larger detected fraction of the selected region of the examination object, in particular of the region of the patient to be examined, and/or a detected fraction of the selected region of the examination table, etc. In this way, it is advantageously possible to detect an optimized position of the monitoring data during the magnetic resonance examination for further processing of the monitoring data and/or for further processing of the magnetic resonance image data on the basis of the monitoring data.

In an advantageous further development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that, if the quality of the monitoring data detected during the further movement is better than the quality of the monitoring data detected when the selected region of the examination subject and/or the selected region of the examination table are first detected, the location in the monitoring data with the better quality is determined as the new examination location. The new examination position preferably comprises the following positions of the examination table within the patient accommodation region: during a magnetic resonance examination, the examination table is positioned at the location. This advantageously makes it possible to detect an optimum position of the monitoring data for further processing of the monitoring data and/or for further processing of the magnetic resonance image data on the basis of the monitoring data.

In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the examination table carries out a search movement as soon as the detection of the selected region of the examination subject and/or of the selected region of the examination table by means of the at least one sensor unit is interrupted during the duration of the magnetic resonance examination, and that monitoring data are detected by means of the at least one sensor unit during the search movement of the examination table. The interruption of the detection of the selected region of the examination object and/or of the selected region of the examination table by means of the at least one sensor unit can be caused, for example, by a movement of the examination object, in particular of the patient, such that the selected region of the examination object, in particular of the patient, is outside the detection region of the at least one sensor unit and/or the selected region of the examination object, in particular of the patient, is covered by a further unit. Particularly advantageously, the search movement of the examination table comprises: the couch is moved a maximum of ± 10cm relative to the examination position and/or relative to the current position of the couch. In this way, a selected region of the examination object, in particular of the patient to be examined, and/or of the examination table can advantageously be positioned again within the detection region of the at least one sensor unit. Furthermore, such a configuration of the invention enables the functions related to the monitoring data, such as, for example, camera-based motion correction of the region to be examined of the patient, to be carried out continuously during the magnetic resonance examination.

In this case, it can also be provided that before the start of the scanning movement of the examination table is triggered, information is first output to a user, in particular a medical operator, by means of a user interface of the magnetic resonance apparatus. Furthermore, it is possible that such a search movement of the examination table can only be initiated by a confirmation input by the user, in particular by a medical operator. The search motion of the examination table can also be adapted to the current state of the magnetic resonance measurement. In this case, the search movement can be carried out, for example, after the end of the current magnetic resonance measurement, so that the table and/or the region of the patient to be examined are again positioned correctly within the patient receiving region for the subsequent magnetic resonance measurement. Furthermore, the scout movement of the table can also be associated with an interruption of the current magnetic resonance measurement, wherein after the table has been repositioned within the patient accommodation region, the current magnetic resonance measurement can be recorded again and/or can also be restarted.

In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that during the execution of the scanning movement of the examination table, the method steps of evaluating the monitoring data with respect to the selected region of the examination subject and/or the selected region of the examination table and the method steps of positioning the examination table are executed anew. In this case, it is also advantageously possible to reposition a selected region of the examination subject, in particular a region of the patient to be examined and/or a selected region of the examination table, within the detection region of the at least one sensor unit. Furthermore, such a configuration of the invention enables the functions related to the monitoring data, such as, for example, camera-based motion correction of the region to be examined of the patient, to be carried out continuously during the magnetic resonance examination.

In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that the monitoring data comprise camera data and/or data of the breathing sensor and/or data of the pilot tone sensor. In this way, it is possible to advantageously position the examination object, in particular the patient, in view of respiratory and/or cardiac movements of the patient and/or undesired movements of the region to be examined.

Furthermore, the invention is based on a magnetic resonance system having: a scanner unit, a patient receiving region at least partially enclosed by the scanner unit, a table movable within the patient receiving region, at least one sensor unit, and a computing unit, wherein the magnetic resonance system is designed to implement a method for positioning the table in the patient receiving region for a magnetic resonance examination.

With a magnetic resonance apparatus of this type, it is advantageously possible to arrange and/or position the region to be examined and/or the movable region of the patient in the examination region of the sensor unit during the duration of the magnetic resonance examination of the patient. Furthermore, during the magnetic resonance examination, the at least one sensor unit can be kept in view of the region of the patient to be examined and/or of the movable region. This can be achieved in particular in that, for example, a motion correction, in particular a camera-based motion correction, can be carried out in the detected magnetic resonance image data during the magnetic resonance examination. Advantageously, for a motion correction of the detected magnetic resonance image data, in particular a camera-based motion correction, monitoring data are also detected during the magnetic resonance examination by means of at least one sensor unit, wherein the motion correction can be performed in the magnetic resonance image data depending on the detected monitoring data. Furthermore, it is also advantageously possible to dispense with: the examination table is positioned in the optimal monitoring position manually and cost-effectively, in particular in a time-consuming manner.

The advantages of the magnetic resonance apparatus according to the invention substantially correspond to the advantages of the method according to the invention for positioning a table in a patient receiving region for a magnetic resonance examination, which have been described in detail above. Features, advantages, or alternative embodiments described herein may be equally applied to other claimed subject matter, and vice versa.

In an advantageous further development of the magnetic resonance apparatus according to the invention, it can be provided that at least one sensor unit has a detection region, wherein the detection region comprises a predetermined detection region within the patient accommodation region. It is particularly advantageous if the predetermined examination region is directed toward the isocenter and/or FOV of the patient receiving region and/or of the magnetic resonance system, so that a movement of the region to be examined can be advantageously detected during the magnetic resonance examination.

In an advantageous further development of the magnetic resonance apparatus according to the invention, it can be provided that the at least one sensor unit comprises a camera and/or a respiration sensor and/or a pilot tone sensor. Preferably, the cameras comprise 3D cameras and/or HD cameras for detecting 3D surveillance data and/or for detecting HD surveillance data. The respiratory movement of the patient can advantageously be detected by means of a respiratory sensor. By means of the pilot tone sensor, respiratory and/or cardiac movements of the patient can advantageously be detected. The pilot tone sensor can be used to detect a monitoring signal, wherein the monitoring signal is independent of the magnetic resonance signal and/or the excitation signal and/or the monitoring signal is outside the magnetic resonance signal and/or the excitation signal. Here, the pilot tone signal may be phase modulated and/or amplitude modulated.

Furthermore, the invention is based on a computer program product which comprises a program and which can be loaded directly into a memory of a programmable computing unit, which computer program product has a program means for carrying out the method for positioning a table in a patient accommodation region of a magnetic resonance apparatus for a magnetic resonance examination when the program is run in the computing unit. In this case, the computer program may require a program mechanism, for example a library and auxiliary functions, in order to implement the corresponding specific embodiments of the method. Here, the computer program may include: software with source code that must also be compiled and bound or only interpreted; or for executing executable software code that is only yet to be loaded into the corresponding computing unit.

The computer program product according to the invention can be loaded directly into the memory of a programmable computing unit and/or control unit and has program code means for implementing the method according to the invention when the computer program product is executed in the computing unit and/or control unit. The computer program product may be or comprise a computer program. The method according to the invention can thus be implemented quickly, identically reproducibly and robustly. The computer program product is configured such that it can carry out the method steps according to the invention by means of the computing unit and/or the control unit. In this case, the computing unit and/or the control unit must each have prerequisites, such as, for example, a corresponding working memory, a corresponding graphics card or a corresponding logic unit, so that the corresponding method steps can be executed efficiently. The computer program product is stored, for example, on a computer-readable medium or on a network or a server, from where it can be loaded into a processor of a local computing unit and/or control unit, which processor can be connected directly to the magnetic resonance apparatus or can be formed as a part. Furthermore, the control information of the computer program product can be stored on an electronically readable data carrier. The control information of the electronically readable data carrier can be designed such that it executes the method according to the invention when the data carrier is used in the computing unit and/or the control unit. The computer program product may therefore also be an electronically readable data carrier. Examples of electronically readable data carriers are DVDs, magnetic tapes, hard disks or USB memory sticks, on which electronically readable control information, in particular software (see above), is stored. All embodiments according to the invention of the method described above can be carried out when the control information (software) is read from the data carrier and stored in the control device and/or the computing unit and/or the control unit. The invention can therefore also be based on the computer-readable medium and/or the electronically readable data carrier.

The invention is also based on a computer-readable data carrier, which contains a program that is provided to carry out a method for positioning a table in a patient receiving region of a magnetic resonance apparatus for a magnetic resonance examination.

Drawings

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the exemplary embodiments described below and from the figures.

The figures show:

fig. 1 shows a magnetic resonance system according to the invention in a schematic representation, and

fig. 2 shows a method according to the invention for positioning a table in a patient receiving region of a magnetic resonance apparatus for a magnetic resonance examination.

Detailed Description

A magnetic resonance apparatus 10 is schematically shown in fig. 1. The magnetic resonance apparatus 10 comprises a scanner unit 11 formed by a magnet unit. Furthermore, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 has a patient receiving region 12 for receiving a patient 13. In the present exemplary embodiment, the patient receiving region 12 is formed cylindrically and is surrounded cylindrically in the circumferential direction by the scanner unit 11, in particular by the magnet unit. In principle, however, different configurations of the patient receiving region 12 can be considered at any time.

The patient 13 can be pushed and/or moved into the patient receiving region 12 by means of the patient support 14 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10. For this purpose, the patient support device 14 has a table 15 which is movably configured within the patient receiving region 12. In this case, the table 15 is mounted in particular so as to be movable in the direction of the longitudinal extent 16 and/or in the longitudinal direction of the patient receiving area 12 and/or in the z direction of the patient receiving area 12. For controlling the examination table 15, in particular for controlling the movement of the examination table 15, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 has a computing unit 17. For this purpose, the computing unit 17 has the necessary control software and/or control programs, which are stored in a memory, not shown in detail, of the computing unit 17.

The scanner unit 11, in particular the magnet unit, comprises a superconducting basic magnet 18 for generating a strong and in particular constant basic magnetic field 19. Furthermore, the scanner unit 11, in particular the magnet unit, has a gradient coil unit 20 for generating magnetic field gradients for spatial encoding during imaging. The gradient coil unit 20 is controlled by means of a gradient control unit 21 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10. The scanner unit 11, in particular the magnet unit, also comprises a high-frequency antenna unit 22 for exciting a polarization occurring in the basic magnetic field 19 generated by the basic magnet 18. The high-frequency antenna unit 22 is controlled by a high-frequency antenna control unit 23 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 and emits high-frequency magnetic resonance sequences into the patient receiving region 12 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10.

For controlling the basic magnet 18, the gradient control unit 21 and for controlling the high-frequency antenna control unit 23, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 has a system control unit 24. The system control unit 24 centrally controls the magnetic resonance apparatus, such as for example the execution of a predetermined imaging gradient echo sequence. For this purpose, the system control unit 24 comprises control software and/or control programs stored in a memory unit, not shown in detail, of the system control unit 24. The control software and/or control programs are executed by means of a processor, not shown in detail, of the system control unit 24. Furthermore, the system control unit 24 comprises an evaluation unit, not shown in detail, for evaluating medical image data detected during the magnetic resonance examination.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the computation unit 17 for controlling the patient support device 14, in particular for controlling the movement of the examination table 15, is formed separately from the system control unit 24. Data exchange takes place between the calculation unit 17 and the system control unit 24 via a data transmission unit. Furthermore, the computation unit 17 for controlling the patient support device 14, in particular for controlling the movement of the table 15, can also be integrated into the system control unit 24.

Furthermore, the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 comprises a user interface 25, which is connected to the system control unit 24. The control information, such as for example the imaging parameters, and the reconstructed magnetic resonance image may be displayed for the medical operator on a display unit 26 of the user interface 25, for example on at least one monitor. Furthermore, the user interface 25 has an input unit 27, by means of which information and/or parameters can be input by a medical operator during the measurement process.

The magnetic resonance system 10 also comprises at least one sensor unit 28 for detecting the monitoring data. In the present exemplary embodiment, the magnetic resonance system 10 comprises four sensor units 28. The individual sensor units 28 are each formed by a camera, in particular a 3D camera and/or an HD camera. Furthermore, individual sensor units 28, in particular individual cameras, are arranged within the patient accommodation region 12. However, the arrangement of the sensor units 28, in particular of the camera, is not limited to the patient receiving region 12 of the magnetic resonance system 10, but rather the individual sensor units 18 can also be arranged outside the patient receiving region.

The individual sensor units 28, in particular the individual cameras, each have a detection region 29 which is directed toward the FOV and/or isocenter of the patient receiving region 12 and/or of the magnetic resonance system 10. In this case, the respective sensor unit 28, in particular the respective detection region 29 of the respective camera, comprises a predetermined detection region 29. The monitoring data, including the camera data, are detected by means of the individual sensor units 28, in particular by means of the individual cameras.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the magnetic resonance system 10 may also have more than four sensor units 28 or less than four sensor units 28. Furthermore, the individual sensor units 28 may also comprise respiration sensors and/or pilot tone sensors and/or other sensors deemed suitable by the person skilled in the art. In this case, the monitoring data can also be detected by means of a respiration sensor and/or by means of a pilot tone sensor.

Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of a method according to the invention for positioning a table 15 in a patient receiving region 12 of a magnetic resonance apparatus 10 for a magnetic resonance examination. The method for positioning the table 15 in the patient receiving region 12 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 is carried out by means of a computing unit 17 for controlling the patient support apparatus 14, in particular for controlling the movement of the table 15. The individual method steps of the method are performed automatically and/or autonomously by means of the computing unit 17. For this purpose, the computing unit 17 has software and/or computer programs, in particular control software and/or control programs for controlling the movement of the examination table 15, which are stored in a memory unit, not shown in detail, of the computing unit 17. Furthermore, the memory unit can also be provided outside the computation unit 17 and can be included by the magnetic resonance apparatus 10. Furthermore, the memory unit may also comprise a memory unit that is external to the magnetic resonance apparatus 10, such as, for example, a separate data carrier. In order to carry out the method for positioning the table 15 in the patient accommodation region 12 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10, software and/or a computer program is executed by a processor of the computing unit 17.

Before starting the method according to the present invention for positioning the table 15 in the patient accommodation region 12 of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10, the patient 13 is preferably already positioned on the table 15 for an upcoming magnetic resonance examination. Furthermore, all accessory units required for the upcoming magnetic resonance examination, such as, for example, local high-frequency antenna units and/or positioning pads and/or support pads, and/or communication elements, such as, for example, headphones, are also already positioned here at the examination table 15 and/or at the patient 13.

In a first method step 100 of the method according to the invention for positioning a patient table 15 in a patient receiving region 12 of a magnetic resonance apparatus 10, a movement of the patient table 15 into the patient receiving region 12 is started. Preferably, the beginning of the movement of the table 15 into the patient accommodation region 12 is initiated by a user, in particular a medical operator, by: for example by a user, in particular a medical operator, pressing a start button. The start button can be arranged directly on the examination table 15. Furthermore, the start button may also be provided on a touch display, not shown in detail, which is provided at the scanner unit 11. The movement of the table 15 into the patient accommodation region 12 is then initiated automatically and/or autonomously by means of the computing unit 17. The speed and/or the movement path of the table 15 can be set by the computing unit 17, for example. In this case, the table 15 is moved into the patient receiving region 12 in the z-direction of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 and/or in the direction of the longitudinal extent 16 of the patient receiving region 12.

Simultaneously with the start of the movement of the table 15 into the patient accommodation region 12, in a second method step 101, the monitoring data are detected by means of the at least one sensor unit 28 within the detection region 29 of the at least one sensor unit 28. In a second method step 101, monitoring data, which are configured as camera data, are detected, in particular by means of four cameras.

In a third method step 102, the monitoring data are evaluated, wherein the monitoring data are evaluated with respect to a selected region of the examination subject, in particular of the patient 13, and/or with respect to a selected region of the examination table 15. The selected region of the patient 13 preferably comprises a region of the patient 13 to be examined. The evaluation of the monitoring data takes place by means of the computing unit 17, in particular automatically and/or autonomously by means of the computing unit 17.

In a following fourth method step 103, the table 15 is positioned as a function of the detection of a selected region of the examination subject, in particular of the region of the patient 13 to be examined and/or of the table 15, in the monitoring data. Here, the positioning table 15 includes: the movement of the examination table 15 is stopped, wherein the stopping of the movement of the examination table 15 is controlled by the calculation unit 17, in particular automatically and/or autonomously by the calculation unit 17. As soon as a selected region of the examination subject, in particular of the patient 13 to be examined, and/or a selected region of the examination table 15 is first detected in the monitoring data, the movement of the examination table 15 is stopped. In the present exemplary embodiment, the movement of the table 15 is only stopped when a selected region of the examination subject, in particular a region to be examined of the patient 13, and/or a selected region of the table 15 is detected in the monitoring data of at least 50% of the two or more sensor units 28. The movement of the table 15 is stopped, in particular, when a selected region of the examination object, in particular of the patient 13, and/or a selected region of the table 15 is detected in the monitoring data of at least two of the four cameras.

Alternatively to the immediate stopping of the movement of the table 15 when the selected region of the examination subject, in particular the region of the patient 13 to be examined and/or the selected region of the table 15, is first detected, it can also be provided in a fourth method step 103 of positioning that the table 15 is moved further toward the preset position within the patient receiving region 12. In this case, after the first detection of the selected region of the examination subject, in particular of the region to be examined of the patient 13, and/or of the selected region of the examination table 15, the examination table 15 is moved further into the predetermined position within the patient receiving region 12, wherein during the further movement of the examination table 15 the monitoring data are also detected by means of at least one sensor unit 28, in particular by means of four cameras. The monitoring data detected during the further movement of the table 15 into the preset position within the patient accommodation region 12 are evaluated qualitatively by the computing unit 17, in particular automatically and/or autonomously by the computing unit 17. In this case, the quality of the monitoring data detected during the further movement of the selected region of the examination subject, in particular of the region to be examined of the patient 13, and/or of the selected region of the examination table 15 is determined and/or ascertained by the computing unit 17, in particular automatically and/or autonomously. Furthermore, the quality of the monitoring data detected during the further movement is automatically and/or autonomously compared with the quality of the monitoring data detected when a selected region of the examination subject, in particular of the patient 13 to be examined and/or of the examination table 15, is first detected by means of the computing unit 17, and: whether the monitoring data detected during the continued movement of the selected region of the examination object, in particular of the patient 13, and/or of the selected region of the table 15, are of better quality than the quality of the monitoring data when the selected region of the examination object, in particular of the patient 13, and/or of the selected region of the table 15, is first detected.

Monitoring the quality of the data may include: the resolution and/or the image quality of the monitoring data and/or the number of sensor units 28 that detect a selected region of the examination object, in particular a region of the patient 13 to be examined, and/or a selected region of the patient 15 and/or the fraction of the detected selected region of the examination object, in particular of the patient 13 to be examined, and/or the fraction of the detected selected region of the examination table 15, etc. Better quality of the monitoring data may include, for example: better image quality, in particular higher resolution, in the detected monitoring data. Furthermore, a better quality of the monitoring data may also include a higher number of sensor units 28 detecting a selected region of the examination object, in particular a region of the patient 13 to be examined, and/or a selected region of the examination table 15. Furthermore, a better quality of the monitoring data can also include a larger detected portion of the selected region of the examination subject, in particular of the region of the patient 13 to be examined, and/or a detected portion of the selected region of the examination table 15, etc.

If the quality of the monitoring data detected during the further movement is better than the quality of the monitoring data detected when the selected region of the examination subject, in particular the region to be examined of the patient 13, and/or the selected region of the examination table 15, is detected for the first time, the following positions are determined, in particular automatically and/or autonomously, as new examination positions by the calculation unit 17: in said position, a better quality of the monitoring data detected during the continued movement is detected. If the quality of the monitoring data detected during the further movement is the same as or worse than the quality of the monitoring data detected when the selected region of the examination object, in particular the region to be examined of the patient 13, and/or the selected region of the examination table 15 is first detected, the previously set examination position and/or the preset examination position is maintained.

After the fourth method step 103 of positioning the table 15 in the patient accommodation region 12 is carried out, in a fifth method step 104, the monitoring data are also detected by means of the at least one sensor unit 28, in particular by means of four cameras. The test here was: a selected region of the examination subject, in particular of the patient 13, and/or a selected region of the examination table 15 is/are also located within a detection region 29 of the at least one sensor unit 28, in particular within the detection regions 29 of the four cameras, and is/are also detected by the at least one sensor unit 28. In the present case, it is checked automatically and/or autonomously by the computing unit 17: whether a selected region of the examination subject, in particular of the patient 17, and/or a selected region of the examination table 15 is detected in the monitoring data of at least 50% of the four cameras, in particular of two of the four cameras.

If the check in the fifth method step yields: if a selected region of the examination object, in particular of the patient 13, and/or of the patient table 15, is detected in the monitoring data of two or more of the four cameras, the previously set examination position and/or the preset examination position is maintained and the monitoring data of the selected region of the examination object, in particular of the patient 13, and/or of the selected region of the patient table 15 is also detected by means of the cameras.

However, if the test yields: during the duration of the magnetic resonance examination of the patient 15, a selected region of the examination object, in particular of the patient 13, and/or of the examination table 15 is detected in the monitoring data of less than two of the four cameras, then in a sixth method step 105 a search option is activated at least partially automatically and/or autonomously by the calculation unit 17. It can be provided that the output information to the user, in particular the medical operator, is first generated by the computing unit 17 and is output to the user, in particular the medical operator, by means of the display unit 26 of the user interface 25. It is furthermore possible that such a search movement of the examination table 15 can only be started automatically and/or autonomously by the computing unit 17 after a confirmation input by the user, in particular by a medical operator. In particular, the search option is activated by the computing unit 17 as soon as the detection of the selected region of the examination object, in particular of the region of the patient 13 to be examined and/or of the selected region of the examination table 15 by at least three of the four cameras is interrupted during the duration of the magnetic resonance examination of the patient 13.

Here, the search option includes a search movement and repositioning of the examination couch 15. The scanning movement of the examination table 15 is controlled automatically and/or autonomously by the computing unit 17. The search motion of the examination couch 15 includes: the table 15 moves by a maximum of ± 10cm in the z-direction of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 and/or over the longitudinal extent 16 of the patient receiving region 12. In this case, during the execution of the scanning movement of the examination table 15, the third method step 102 of evaluating the monitoring data with respect to the selected region of the examination subject and/or the selected region of the examination table 15 and the fourth method step 103 of positioning the examination table 15 are executed anew.

The search movement of the table 15 and the repositioning of the table 15 within the patient accommodation region 12 can also be adapted to the current state of the magnetic resonance measurement and/or the magnetic resonance examination. In this case, for example, after the end of the current magnetic resonance measurement, a scanning movement of the table 15 and/or a repositioning of the table 15 within the patient accommodation region 12 can be carried out, so that the table 15 and/or the region of the patient 13 to be examined is again correctly positioned within the patient accommodation region 12 for the subsequent magnetic resonance measurement. Furthermore, the scout movement of the table 15 can also be linked to an interruption of the current magnetic resonance measurement, wherein after the table 15 has been repositioned within the patient accommodation region 12, the current magnetic resonance measurement can be recorded again and/or can also be restarted.

The illustrated magnetic resonance system 10 may of course comprise further components which are typical of the magnetic resonance system 10. Furthermore, the general manner of operation of the magnetic resonance apparatus 10 is known to the person skilled in the art, so that a detailed description of the other components is dispensed with.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variants can be derived therefrom by the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.