JP2010012027A - Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to shorten the time required for inspection by simplifying screen operations necessary for proceeding with inspection.
An operation receiving unit 86a receives an operation on the operation screen based on the position of a pointer moved on the operation screen prepared for each work procedure included in the workflow. In addition, when the screen display control unit 86b receives an operation on the patient information display area set on the operation screen, a pull-down menu that allows the operator to select a function executed by the operation screen is displayed near the pointer. To display.
[Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that captures an image of a subject in accordance with a workflow that defines a work procedure in an examination, and more particularly to a technique for simplifying the operation of an operation screen prepared for each work procedure.

  Conventionally, an examination using a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is progressed step by step according to a workflow that defines a work procedure in the examination. The work included in this workflow includes, for example, confirmation of examination reservation, registration of patient (subject) information, setting of imaging conditions, and implementation of imaging.

  Usually, in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, a dedicated operation screen is prepared for each work included in the workflow, and each operation screen has a GUI for executing various functions based on operations received from the operator. (Graphical User Interface) is provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The GUI here is, for example, a graphic such as a window, menu, icon, or button. By operating these graphics using a pointing device such as a mouse, the operator can execute various functions of the operation screen and proceed with the work.

JP 2003-210433 A JP 2003-190119 A

  However, in recent years, magnetic resonance imaging apparatuses have been provided with a display device having a large screen such as a wide monitor. This makes it possible to display a larger window than before and inevitably increases the moving distance of the mouse when operating the GUI. As a result, in the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, the time required for screen operation tends to increase and the time required for examination tends to increase.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, and can reduce the time required for inspection by simplifying the screen operation necessary for proceeding with the inspection. An object is to provide an imaging apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention according to claim 1 is a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for capturing an image of a subject according to a workflow in which a work procedure in an examination is defined. An operation accepting means for accepting an operation on the operation screen based on the position of the pointer moved on the operation screen prepared for each operation, and an operation on the object information display area set on the operation screen And screen display control means for displaying an operation menu in the vicinity of the pointer for allowing the operator to select a function to be executed on the operation screen when received by the receiving means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to shorten the time required for the inspection by simplifying the screen operation necessary for proceeding with the inspection.

  Exemplary embodiments of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus described here captures an image of a subject according to a workflow that defines a work procedure in an examination. Hereinafter, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus is referred to as “MRI apparatus”, and the nuclear magnetic resonance signal emitted from the patient is referred to as “NMR signal”.

  Initially, the structure of the MRI apparatus based on a present Example is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the MRI apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the MRI apparatus 100 includes a gantry unit 10, a gradient magnetic field power supply 20, a transmission unit 30, a reception unit 40, a sequence control unit 50, a bed unit 60, a bed control unit 70, and a computer system 80.

  The gantry 10 irradiates a patient P placed in a static magnetic field with a high-frequency magnetic field, and thereby detects an NMR signal emitted from the patient P. In particular, the gantry 10 includes a static magnetic field magnet 11, a gradient magnetic field coil 12, a transmission RF (Radio Frequency) coil 13, and a reception RF coil 14.

  The static magnetic field magnet 11 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and generates a uniform static magnetic field in the internal space. For example, a permanent magnet or a superconducting magnet is used as the static magnetic field magnet 11.

  The gradient coil 12 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and is disposed inside the static magnetic field magnet 11. The gradient coil 12 is formed by combining three coils corresponding to the X, Y, and Z axes orthogonal to each other. These three coils are individually supplied with electric current from the gradient magnetic field power supply 20 to generate a gradient magnetic field whose magnetic field intensity changes along the X, Y, and Z axes.

  The gradient magnetic fields of the X, Y, and Z axes generated by the gradient coil 12 correspond to, for example, the slice selection gradient magnetic field Gs, the phase encoding gradient magnetic field Ge, and the readout gradient magnetic field Gr, respectively. The slice selection gradient magnetic field Gs is used to arbitrarily determine an imaging section. The phase encoding gradient magnetic field Ge is used to change the phase of the NMR signal in accordance with the spatial position. The readout gradient magnetic field Gr is used for changing the frequency of the NMR signal in accordance with the spatial position.

  The transmission RF coil 13 is disposed inside the gradient magnetic field coil 12 and receives a high frequency pulse from the transmission unit 30 to generate a high frequency magnetic field. The reception RF coil 14 is disposed inside the gradient magnetic field coil 12 and receives an NMR signal emitted from the patient P due to the influence of the high-frequency magnetic field generated by the transmission RF coil 13.

  The gradient magnetic field power supply 20 supplies a current to the gradient magnetic field coil 12. The transmission unit 30 transmits a high-frequency pulse corresponding to the Larmor frequency to the transmission RF coil 13. The receiving unit 40 generates raw data by digitizing the NMR signal output from the receiving RF coil 14.

  The sequence controller 50 scans the patient P by driving the gradient magnetic field power source 20, the transmitter 30, and the receiver 40 based on the sequence information transmitted from the computer system 80. When the raw data is transmitted from the receiving unit 40 as a result of scanning the patient P, the sequence control unit 50 transfers the raw data to the computer system 80.

  The “sequence information” here means the strength of the power supplied from the gradient magnetic field power supply 20 to the gradient magnetic field coil 12 and the timing of supplying the power, and the high-frequency pulse transmitted from the transmitter 30 to the transmission RF coil 13. This is information defining a procedure for performing scanning, such as the intensity and timing at which a high-frequency pulse is transmitted, and the timing at which the receiving unit 40 detects an NMR signal.

  The bed part 60 includes a top plate 61 on which the patient P is placed. Under the control of the bed control unit 70, the bed 61 is placed in the cavity of the gradient magnetic field coil 12 with the patient P placed thereon (imaging). Insert into the mouth). Normally, the bed part 60 is installed so that the longitudinal direction is parallel to the central axis of the static magnetic field magnet 11. The bed control unit 70 drives the bed unit 60 to move the top board 61 in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction.

  The computer system 80 performs overall control of the MRI apparatus 100, data collection, image reconstruction, and the like. The computer system 80 particularly includes an interface unit 81, a data processing unit 82, a storage unit 83, an input unit 84, a display unit 85, and a control unit 86.

  The interface unit 81 controls input / output of various signals exchanged with the sequence control unit 50. For example, the interface unit 81 transmits sequence information to the sequence control unit 50 and receives raw data from the sequence control unit 50.

  Here, the raw data received by the interface unit 81 includes the slice selection gradient magnetic field Gs, the phase encoding gradient magnetic field Ge, and the readout gradient magnetic field Gr generated by the gradient magnetic field coil 12 in the SE (Slice Encode) direction, PE. The information is stored in the storage unit 83 as k-space data in which spatial frequency information in the (Phase Encode) direction and the RO (Read Out) direction is associated.

  The data processing unit 82 performs post-processing, that is, reconstruction such as Fourier transform, on the raw data stored as the k-space data by the storage unit 83, thereby obtaining spectrum data or images of desired nuclear spins in the patient P. Generate data.

  The storage unit 83 stores the raw data received by the interface unit 81 and the image data generated by the data processing unit 82 for each patient P.

  The input unit 84 receives various instructions and information input from the operator. As the input unit 84, a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball, a selection device such as a mode change switch, or an input device such as a keyboard is appropriately used.

  The display unit 85 displays various types of information such as spectrum data or image data under the control of the control unit 86. As the display unit 85, a display device such as a liquid crystal display is appropriately used.

  The control unit 86 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and the like, and performs overall control of the MRI apparatus 100. For example, the control unit 86 generates sequence information based on the imaging conditions input from the operator via the input unit 84, and transmits the generated sequence information to the sequence control unit 50 to execute the scan of the patient P. To do. The control unit 86 controls image reconstruction performed by the data processing unit 82.

  Here, examples of various operation screens displayed on the display unit 85 by the control unit 86 will be described with reference to FIGS. The operation screen described here is prepared for each work procedure included in the workflow, and includes various GUIs (for example, windows, menus, icons, buttons, etc.) associated with the functions of the operation screen. ing.

  Here, as an example of various operation screens, “examination reservation confirmation screen” for confirming the examination reservation status, “patient information registration screen” for registering patient information of the patient to be examined, "Examination information confirmation screen" for confirming patient information of patients, "Past examination confirmation screen" for confirming examination information of examinations conducted in the past, for setting imaging conditions and performing imaging Each “imaging execution screen” will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an examination reservation confirmation screen. As shown in the figure, this examination reservation confirmation screen has a patient list display area 1a for displaying a list of patient information of patients whose examinations are reserved, and attribute information (patient ID, name, A patient attribute display area 1b for displaying height, weight, sex, date of birth, etc.) and a screen switching tab 1c for switching the display to another operation screen.

  Here, the “Scheduled” tab included in the screen switching tab 1c is a tab for displaying an examination reservation confirmation screen, and the “Current” tab is a tab for displaying a patient information registration screen. The “Completed” tab is a tab for displaying an inspected information confirmation screen, and the “History” tab is a tab for displaying a past inspection confirmation screen.

  In addition, the examination reservation confirmation screen includes a patient information acquisition button 1d for acquiring patient information of a patient for whom an examination is reserved from an examination reservation system (for example, RIS (Radiology Information System)), patient information In addition to switching the display to the registration screen, there is a patient information display (Send to Current List) button 1e for displaying the patient information selected from the list in the patient list display area 1a on the patient information registration screen.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a patient information registration screen. As shown in the figure, this patient information registration screen has a patient list display area 2a for displaying a list of patient information of patients whose examinations are reserved, and a patient for inputting attribute information for each patient. It has an attribute input area 2b, a screen switching tab 2c for switching the display to another operation screen, and the like. Here, the role of each tab included in the screen switching tab 2c is the same as each tab included in the screen switching tab 1c of the examination reservation confirmation screen.

  The patient information registration screen is switched from the patient attribute registration button 2d for registering the attribute information input from the patient attribute input area 2b to the examination reservation confirmation screen and selected from the list in the patient list display area 2a. The reservation information display button 2e for displaying the patient information on the examination reservation confirmation screen, the display is switched to the imaging execution screen, and the patient information selected from the list in the patient list display area 2a is displayed on the imaging execution screen. An inspection start button 2f is also provided.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an inspected information confirmation screen. As shown in the figure, this examination information confirmation screen includes a patient list display area 3a for displaying a list of patient information of patients who have already been examined, and patient attribute display for displaying attribute information for each patient. The area 3b has a screen switching tab 3c for switching the display to another operation screen. Here, the role of each tab included in the screen switching tab 3c is the same as each tab included in the screen switching tab 1c of the examination reservation confirmation screen.

  Further, the examination information confirmation screen is switched to the patient information registration screen, and the patient information display button 3d for displaying the patient information selected from the list in the patient list display area 3a on the patient information registration screen, imaging is performed. In addition to switching the display to the screen, it also has an examination start button 3e for displaying patient information selected from the list in the patient list display area 3a on the imaging execution screen.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a past examination confirmation screen. As shown in the figure, this past examination confirmation screen has a patient list display area 4a for displaying a list listing patient information of patients examined in the past, and a patient attribute for displaying attribute information for each patient. It has a display area 4b, a screen switching tab 4c for switching the display to another operation screen, and the like. Here, the role of each tab included in the screen switching tab 4c is the same as each tab included in the screen switching tab 1c of the examination reservation confirmation screen.

  The past examination confirmation screen also has a patient information display button 4d for switching the display to the patient information registration screen and displaying the patient information selected from the list in the patient list display area 4a on the patient information registration screen.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the imaging execution screen. As shown in the figure, this imaging execution screen includes a positioning image 5a serving as a reference for setting a region of interest (an imaging target region), and a ROI (Region) indicating the region of interest set for the positioning image 5a. Of interest) 5b, an imaging type selection area 5d for selecting an imaging type, and the like. Information set in the ROI setting area 5c, the imaging type selection area 5d, and the like is an imaging condition when the MRI apparatus 100 executes imaging.

  The imaging execution screen switches the display to the imaging execution button 5e for causing the MRI apparatus 100 to perform imaging and the patient information registration screen, and displays the patient information of the patient to be imaged on the patient information registration screen. There is also an inspection interruption button 5f for the purpose.

  In each operation screen described above, the patient list display area 1a on the examination reservation confirmation screen, the patient list display area 2a on the patient information registration screen, the patient list display area 3a on the examination information confirmation screen, and the patient list on the past examination confirmation screen The display area 4a is generally referred to as a “patient information display area”.

  The overall configuration and various operation screens of the MRI apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment have been described above. With this configuration, in this embodiment, the control unit 86 described above performs an operation on the operation screen based on the position of the pointer moved on the operation screen prepared for each work procedure included in the workflow. Accept. Then, when an operation for the patient information display area set on the operation screen is accepted, the control unit 86 displays an operation menu that allows the operator to select a function executed by the operation screen near the pointer. Let With this configuration, the present embodiment simplifies the screen operation necessary for proceeding with the inspection, and enables the time required for the inspection to be shortened.

  Hereinafter, the screen control in the MRI apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with a focus on the description regarding the control unit 86 described above. Here, a description will be given of a case where a mouse having click buttons on the left and right, which are generally used, is used as the input unit 84 that receives an operation of moving the pointer on the operation screen. Here, a case will be described in which the operation menu displayed near the pointer is a pull-down menu (pull-down menu).

  First, the configuration of the storage unit 83 and the control unit 86 will be described. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating configurations of the storage unit 83 and the control unit 86.

  As shown in the figure, the storage unit 83 particularly includes a reservation / examination information storage unit 83a and a menu setting information storage unit 83b.

  The reservation / examination information storage unit 83a stores patient information including patient attributes and the like. This patient information is obtained from the examination reservation system when the patient information acquisition button 1d on the examination reservation confirmation screen is clicked, for example, and stored in the reservation / examination information storage unit 83a.

  The menu setting information storage unit 83b stores menu setting information in which the operation screen is associated with the function of the operation screen. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of menu setting information stored in the menu setting information storage unit 83b. As shown in the figure, for example, the menu setting information storage unit 83b has information for uniquely identifying the operation screen ("operation screen" shown in the figure) and information for uniquely identifying the function of the operation screen ( The “function” shown in FIG.

  In the figure, for example, “Scheduled” is an examination reservation confirmation screen, “Current” is a patient information registration screen, “Completed” is an examination information confirmation screen, “History” is a past examination confirmation screen, and “Acquire”. Indicates an imaging execution screen.

  In the example of FIG. 5, for example, “Scheduled” is associated with “Send to Current List” as information for identifying a function. Here, “Send to Current List” is a function associated with the patient information display button 1e on the examination reservation confirmation screen, that is, the display is switched to the patient information registration screen and selected from the list in the patient list display area 1a. It shows a function for displaying the obtained patient information on the patient information registration screen.

  Further, for example, “Current” is associated with “Exam Start” and “Schedule” as information for identifying a function. Here, “Exam Start” is a function associated with the examination start button 2f on the patient information registration screen, that is, the display is switched to the imaging execution screen, and the patient selected from the list in the patient list display area 2a is displayed. A function for displaying patient information on an imaging execution screen is shown. “Schedule” is a function associated with the reservation information display button 2e on the patient information registration screen, that is, the display is switched to the examination reservation confirmation screen, and the patient selected from the list in the patient list display area 2a is displayed. A function for displaying patient information on an examination reservation confirmation screen is shown.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the control unit 86 particularly includes an operation receiving unit 86 a and a screen display control unit 86 b.

  The operation accepting unit 86a accepts an operation on the operation screen based on the position of the pointer moved on the operation screen prepared for each work procedure. Specifically, when the operator operates the mouse to move the mouse pointer on the operation screen and the GUI on the operation screen is clicked, the operation receiving unit 86a is associated with the clicked GUI. The screen display control unit 86b is instructed to execute the function.

  The screen display control unit 86b controls display of various operation screens and execution of functions of the operation screens based on instructions from the operation reception unit 86a.

  Specifically, the screen display control unit 86b acquires and acquires patient information from the examination reservation system when an operation of clicking the patient information acquisition button 1d is accepted on the examination reservation confirmation screen illustrated in FIG. The stored patient information is stored in the reservation / examination information storage unit 83a.

  Similarly, when an operation for clicking the patient information display button 1e is accepted on the examination reservation confirmation screen, the screen display control unit 86b switches the display to the patient information registration screen and from the list in the patient list display area 1a. The selected patient information is read from the reservation / examination information storage unit 83a and displayed on the patient information registration screen.

  When the operation for clicking the patient attribute registration button 2d is accepted on the patient information registration screen shown in FIG. 3, the screen display control unit 86b displays the attribute information input from the patient attribute input area 2b as the patient information. And stored in the reservation / inspection information storage unit 83a.

  Similarly, when an operation for clicking the reservation information display button 2e is accepted on the patient information registration screen, the screen display control unit 86b switches the display to the examination reservation confirmation screen and from the list in the patient list display area 2a. The selected patient information is read from the reservation / examination information storage unit 83a and displayed on the examination reservation confirmation screen.

  Similarly, when an operation to click the examination start button 2f is accepted on the patient information registration screen, the screen display control unit 86b switches the display to the imaging execution screen and is selected from the list in the patient list display area 2a. The patient information is read from the reservation / examination information storage unit 83a and displayed on the imaging execution screen.

  The screen display control unit 86b switches the display to the patient information registration screen and displays the patient list when an operation of clicking the patient information display button 3d is accepted on the examined information confirmation screen shown in FIG. The patient information selected from the list in the area 3a is read from the reservation / examination information storage unit 83a and displayed on the patient information registration screen.

  Further, when an operation for clicking the examination start button 3e is accepted on the examination information confirmation screen, the screen display control unit 86b switches the display to the imaging execution screen and selects from the list in the patient list display area 3a. The read patient information is read from the reservation / examination information storage unit 83a and displayed on the imaging execution screen.

  In addition, when an operation for clicking the patient information display button 4d is accepted on the past examination confirmation screen shown in FIG. 5, the screen display control unit 86b switches the display to the patient information registration screen and displays the patient list display area. The patient information selected from the list 4a is read from the reservation / examination information storage unit 83a and displayed on the patient information registration screen.

  Further, when an operation for clicking the imaging execution button 5e is accepted on the imaging execution screen shown in FIG. 6, the screen display control unit 86b captures images set in the ROI setting area 5c, the imaging type selection area 5d, and the like. Based on the conditions, the above-described sequence information is generated, and the generated sequence information is transmitted to the sequence control unit 50 to cause the patient P to be scanned.

  Similarly, when the operation for clicking the examination interruption button 5f is accepted on the imaging execution screen, the screen display control unit 86b switches the display to the patient information registration screen and also displays the patient information of the patient who is the imaging target. Is read from the reservation / examination information storage unit 83a and displayed on the patient information registration screen.

  Furthermore, the screen display control part 86b makes an operator select the function performed by the said operation screen, when the operation with respect to the patient information display area set on the operation screen is received by the operation reception part 86a. Display the operation menu near the pointer. Then, when an operation for selecting one of the functions from the pull-down menu is accepted, the screen display control unit 86b executes the selected function.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the display of the operation menu. This figure shows a part of the patient list display area 2a in the patient information registration screen shown in FIG. Specifically, as shown in the figure, the screen display control unit 86b selects at least one patient information from a list included in the patient list display area 2a, and then selects an arbitrary one in the patient list display area 2a. When an operation of right-clicking the position (operation of pressing the click button on the right side of the mouse) is accepted, the menu setting information stored in the menu setting information storage unit 83b is referred to and the examination reservation confirmation screen is displayed. Information indicating the associated function is acquired.

  Based on the acquired information, the screen display control unit 86b generates a pull-down menu for causing the operator to select a function associated with the examination reservation confirmation screen, and displays the generated pull-down menu near the mouse pointer. To display. For example, as shown in the figure, the screen display control unit 86b generates and displays a pull-down menu 6 including “Exam Start” and “Schedule”.

  Here, when “Exam Start” is selected from the pull-down menu by the operator, the screen display control unit 86b switches the display to the imaging execution screen and also displays the patient information selected from the list in the patient list display area 2a. Is displayed on the imaging execution screen. When “Schedule” is selected by the operator, the screen display control unit 86b switches the display to the examination reservation confirmation screen and confirms the patient information selected from the list in the patient list display area 2a. Display on the screen. As described above, the pull-down menu includes, for example, a shortcut menu for switching the display to another operation screen.

  Note that the screen display control unit 86b includes the patient list display area 1a on the examination reservation confirmation screen shown in FIG. 2, the patient list display area 3a on the examination information confirmation screen shown in FIG. 4, and the past shown in FIG. Similarly, a pull-down menu is displayed near the mouse pointer when an arbitrary position in the patient list display area 4a on the examination confirmation screen and an arbitrary position on the imaging execution screen shown in FIG. 6 are right-clicked. Let

  Next, a screen control processing procedure in the MRI apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a screen control processing procedure in the MRI apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Here, a case where operations are performed on the examination reservation confirmation screen, the patient information registration screen, the examination completed information confirmation screen, and the past examination confirmation screen will be described, and these screens are collectively referred to as an operation screen.

  As shown in the figure, in the MRI apparatus 100, when the operation accepting unit 86a accepts an operation of right-clicking the mouse on the operation screen (step S101, Yes), the position where the screen display control unit 86b is right-clicked Is in the patient information display area.

  If the clicked position is in the patient information area (step S102, Yes), the screen display control unit 86b determines whether at least one patient information is selected from the list included in the patient information area. To check.

  If the patient information is selected (step S103, Yes), the screen display control unit 86b is located near the mouse pointer based on the menu setting information stored in the menu setting information storage unit 83b. A pull-down menu is displayed (step S104).

  When any function is selected from the pull-down menu by the operator (Yes in step S105), the screen display control unit 86b executes the selected function (step S106).

  As described above, in this embodiment, the operation receiving unit 86a receives an operation on the operation screen based on the position of the pointer moved on the operation screen prepared for each work procedure included in the workflow. In addition, when the screen display control unit 86b receives an operation on the patient information display area set on the operation screen, a pull-down menu that allows the operator to select a function executed by the operation screen is displayed near the pointer. To display.

  Thus, in this embodiment, it is possible to minimize the moving distance of the mouse when executing the function of the operation screen. Therefore, the operator can proceed with the work without looking for the button, and the stress felt by the operator is reduced. In addition, even when the number of usable functions increases, it is possible to avoid the risk that the operation flow becomes difficult to grasp.

  That is, in this embodiment, the screen operation necessary for proceeding with the inspection is simplified, and as a result, the time required for the inspection can be shortened.

  In this embodiment, the patient information area includes a list listing a plurality of patient information, and the screen display control unit 86b selects at least one patient information from the list included in the patient information area. In addition, when an operation for the patient information area is accepted, a pull-down menu is displayed. As a result, for example, it is possible to efficiently execute functions performed based on patient information, such as switching the display of the operation screen while taking over patient information.

  In the present embodiment, since the pull-down menu includes a shortcut menu for switching display to another operation screen, the display of the operation screen can be easily switched.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the mouse is used as the input unit 84 for moving the pointer on the operation screen has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other examples such as a trackball may be used. The same applies even when a pointing device is used.

  In this embodiment, the operation menu displayed near the pointer is described as a pull-down menu. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any other format can be used as long as it can be displayed near the pointer. The same can be applied to a menu of the form.

  As described above, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention is useful when imaging an image of a patient (subject) in accordance with a workflow that defines a work procedure in an examination, and is particularly prepared for each work procedure. This is suitable when it is required to shorten the time required for operation on the operation screen.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the MRI apparatus which concerns on a present Example. It is a figure which shows an example of an examination reservation confirmation screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a patient information registration screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the inspected information confirmation screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a past test | inspection confirmation screen. An example of an imaging execution screen is shown. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of a memory | storage part and a control part. It is a figure which shows an example of the menu setting information memorize | stored in a menu setting information storage part. It is a figure for demonstrating the display of an operation menu. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the screen control in the MRI apparatus which concerns on a present Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Base part 11 Static magnetic field magnet 12 Gradient magnetic field coil 13 Transmission RF coil 14 Reception RF coil 20 Gradient magnetic field power supply 30 Transmission part 40 Reception part 50 Sequence control part 60 Bed part 61 Top plate 70 Bed control part 80 Computer system 81 Interface Unit 82 data processing unit 83 storage unit 83a reservation / examination information storage unit 83b menu setting information storage unit 84 input unit 85 display unit 86 control unit 86a operation reception unit 86b screen display control unit 100 MRI apparatus (magnetic resonance imaging apparatus)

Claims (3)

A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that captures an image of a subject according to a workflow that defines a work procedure in an examination,
Operation accepting means for accepting an operation on the operation screen based on the position of the pointer moved on the operation screen prepared for each work procedure;
When an operation on the subject information display area set on the operation screen is received by the operation receiving means, an operation menu that allows the operator to select a function to be executed on the operation screen is displayed near the pointer. Screen display control means for displaying;
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising: The subject information area includes a list listing a plurality of subject information,
The screen display control means displays the operation menu when an operation on the subject information area is accepted after at least one piece of subject information is selected from a list included in the subject information area. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1.   The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation menu includes a shortcut menu for switching display to another operation screen.

Images