JP6151075B2 - Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, image processing apparatus, and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and an image processing program.

  Conventionally, as a method for supporting puncture in a biopsy, a method of displaying an ultrasonic image obtained by imaging a region to be examined by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus before or during the puncture is known. In recent years, a method of displaying an ultrasonic image in real time and displaying an image captured by an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus or a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus before puncturing is also known.

JP 2009-279079 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and an image processing program that can more appropriately support puncture in a biopsy.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus according to the embodiment includes a first display control unit, a specifying unit, and a second display control unit. The first display control means displays a medical image obtained by imaging the puncture target site of the subject on the display unit. Particular unit, from a plurality of puncturing paths stipulated by the and the puncture barbs adapter fixture of the puncture adapter largest puncture Togekei line dispersion of the luminance values of the medical image along the puncture route Is identified. Second display control unit displays information indicating a puncture Togekei path specified on the medical image.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an MRI apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an elastography image capturing method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reception RF coil according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the adapter fixture and the puncture adapter according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the computer system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed by the first display control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a puncture route displayed by the second display control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by the MRI apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the superimposed display of images performed by the first display control unit according to the modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by the MRI apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an MRI apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and an image processing program according to embodiments will be described in detail based on the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an MRI apparatus according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the MRI apparatus 100 includes a static magnetic field magnet 1, a gradient magnetic field coil 2, a gradient magnetic field power source 3, a bed 4, a bed control unit 5, a transmission RF coil 6, a transmission unit 7, a reception RF coil 8, and a reception. Unit 9, sequence control unit 10, and computer system 20.

  The static magnetic field magnet 1 is a magnet formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and generates a uniform static magnetic field in an internal space. For example, the static magnetic field magnet 1 is a permanent magnet or a superconducting magnet.

  The gradient magnetic field coil 2 is a coil formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and is disposed inside the static magnetic field magnet 1. The gradient magnetic field coil 2 is formed by combining three coils corresponding to the x, y, and z axes orthogonal to each other, and these three coils are individually supplied with current from the gradient magnetic field power supply 3 described later. In response to the supply, a gradient magnetic field is generated in which the magnetic field strength varies along the x, y, and z axes. The z-axis direction is the same direction as the static magnetic field. The gradient magnetic field power supply 3 supplies a current to the gradient magnetic field coil 2.

  Here, the gradient magnetic fields of the x, y, and z axes generated by the gradient magnetic field coil 2 correspond to, for example, the slice selection gradient magnetic field Gss, the phase encoding gradient magnetic field Gpe, and the readout gradient magnetic field Gro. The slice selection gradient magnetic field Gss is used to arbitrarily determine an imaging section. The phase encoding gradient magnetic field Gpe is used to change the phase of the magnetic resonance signal in accordance with the spatial position. The readout gradient magnetic field Gro is used to change the frequency of the magnetic resonance signal in accordance with the spatial position.

  The couch 4 includes a couchtop 4a on which the subject P is placed. Under the control of a couch controller 5 described later, the couchtop 4a is placed in the cavity of the gradient magnetic field coil 2 with the subject P placed thereon. Insert into (imaging port). Usually, the bed 4 is installed such that the longitudinal direction is parallel to the central axis of the static magnetic field magnet 1. The couch controller 5 is a device that controls the couch 4 under the control of the controller 26, and drives the couch 4 to move the table 4a in the longitudinal direction, the up-down direction, and the left-right direction.

  The transmission RF coil 6 is disposed inside the gradient magnetic field coil 2 and generates an RF (Radio Frequency) pulse (high frequency magnetic field pulse) by a high frequency pulse current supplied from the transmission unit 7. The transmitter 7 supplies a high-frequency pulse current corresponding to the Larmor frequency to the transmission RF coil 6.

  The reception RF coil 8 is disposed inside the gradient coil 2 and receives a magnetic resonance signal radiated from the subject P due to the influence of the RF pulse. The reception RF coil 8 outputs the received magnetic resonance signal to the reception unit 9. The receiving unit 9 converts the magnetic resonance signal output from the reception RF coil 8 into a digital signal, thereby generating magnetic resonance (MR) signal data. In addition, the reception unit 9 transmits the generated MR signal data to the sequence control unit 10.

  The sequence control unit 10 scans the subject P by driving the gradient magnetic field power source 3, the transmission unit 7, and the reception unit 9 based on the sequence execution data transmitted from the computer system 20. The sequence execution data here refers to the strength of the power supplied from the gradient magnetic field power supply 3 to the gradient magnetic field coil 2 and the timing of supplying the power, the strength of the RF signal transmitted from the transmitter 7 to the transmission RF coil 6 and the RF signal. This is information defining a pulse sequence indicating a procedure for performing a scan of the subject P, such as a transmission timing and a timing at which the receiving unit 9 detects a magnetic resonance signal. When the MR signal data is transmitted from the receiving unit 9 after driving the gradient magnetic field power source 3, the transmitting unit 7, and the receiving unit 9 based on the sequence execution data, the sequence control unit 10 calculates the MR signal data. Transfer to system 20.

  The computer system 20 performs overall control of the MRI apparatus 100. For example, the computer system 20 performs scanning of the subject P, image reconstruction, and the like by driving each unit included in the MRI apparatus 100. For example, the computer system 20 includes an interface unit 21, an image reconstruction unit 22, a storage unit 23, an input unit 24, a display unit 25, and a control unit 26.

  The interface unit 21 controls input / output of various signals exchanged with the sequence control unit 10. For example, the interface unit 21 transmits sequence execution data to the sequence control unit 10 and receives MR signal data from the sequence control unit 10. The interface unit 21 stores the received MR signal data in the storage unit 23 for each subject P.

  The interface unit 21 controls input / output of various information exchanged with other devices via the network 30. For example, the interface unit 21 receives various medical images from other image diagnosis apparatuses and image storage apparatuses connected via the network 30. The interface unit 21 stores the received medical image in the storage unit 23.

  The image reconstruction unit 22 performs post-processing, that is, reconstruction processing such as Fourier transform, on the MR signal data stored in the storage unit 23, thereby obtaining spectrum data or images of desired nuclear spins in the subject P. Generate data. Further, the image reconstruction unit 22 stores the generated spectrum data or image data in the storage unit 23 for each subject P.

  The storage unit 23 stores various data and various programs necessary for processing executed by the control unit 26 described later. For example, the storage unit 23 stores the MR signal data received by the interface unit 21 and the spectrum data and image data generated by the image reconstruction unit 22 for each subject P. For example, the storage unit 23 is a semiconductor memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk.

  The input unit 24 receives various instructions and information input from the operator. For example, the input unit 24 is a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball, a selection device such as a mode switch, or an input device such as a keyboard.

  The display unit 25 displays various types of information such as spectrum data or image data under the control of the control unit 26. For example, the display unit 25 is a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor or a CRT (Cathode-Ray Tube) monitor.

  The control unit 26 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and the like (not shown), and performs overall control of the MRI apparatus 100. For example, the control unit 26 generates various sequence execution data based on the imaging conditions input from the operator via the input unit 24 and transmits the generated sequence execution data to the sequence control unit 10 to perform scanning. Control. In addition, when MR signal data is sent from the sequence control unit 10 as a result of scanning, the control unit 26 controls the image reconstruction unit 22 to reconstruct an image based on the MR signal data.

  The configuration of the MRI apparatus 100 has been described above. Under such a configuration, the MRI apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has a function for supporting puncture in a biopsy.

  Conventionally, as a method for supporting puncture in a biopsy, a method of displaying an ultrasonic image obtained by imaging a region to be examined by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus before or during the puncture is known. In recent years, a method of displaying an ultrasonic image in real time and displaying an image captured by an X-ray CT apparatus or a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus before puncturing is also known.

  However, in such a conventional technique, there are cases where it is not always possible to support puncture appropriately. For example, in a liver biopsy, it is necessary to confirm not only liver fibrosis but also various findings such as inflammation, fat formation, iron deposition, etc. from the collected specimen, but liver lesions are heterogeneous, and appropriate specimens are not always available. It cannot be collected. Specifically, in the method of displaying an ultrasound image before the puncture is performed, the puncture is performed blindly after determining only the puncture site and angle using the ultrasound image. There may be a case where the puncture needle cannot be inserted at the planned position due to an error in the insertion angle. In addition, it cannot be confirmed whether a histologically appropriate specimen has been collected. In addition, even with a method of displaying an ultrasound image during puncturing, it is difficult to obtain information on liver fibrosis from an ultrasound image displayed in real time.

  Therefore, the MRI apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment identifies a puncture target path from a plurality of puncture paths defined by the puncture adapter based on a medical image obtained by imaging a puncture target site of a subject, and identifies the identified puncture Information indicating the target route is displayed on the medical image. As a result, the puncture practitioner can easily grasp the puncture route suitable for collecting the specimen from the puncture target site. Therefore, according to the MRI apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, puncture in a biopsy can be more appropriately supported.

  Hereinafter, the MRI apparatus 100 having such a function will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the puncture target site is the liver and an elastography image is used as a medical image for specifying the puncture target path.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an elastography image capturing method according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, a vibration generator 41 and a vibration device 42 are used to capture an elastography image. The vibration generator 41 generates air vibration and supplies the vibrating air to the vibration device 42. The vibration device 42 is attached to the chest of the subject P, and vibrates the chest wall of the subject P by the vibration of air supplied from the vibration generator 41. When the vibration device 42 vibrates the chest wall, the liver vibrates due to the vibration of the chest wall, and the vibration wave can pass through the liver. For example, the vibration generator 41 operates in synchronization with the timing at which the transmission RF coil 6 applies the RF pulse.

  When vibration is applied to a substance, the following relational expression (1) is established, where V is the propagation velocity of the wave passing through the substance, μ is the shear modulus (rigidity) of the substance, and ρ is the density of the substance.

V ² = μ / ρ (1)

Here, since the density ρ of the living body can be approximated to 1 g / cm ³ , if the wave propagation velocity V is obtained, the shear modulus μ of the substance can be obtained. Therefore, when the liver is vibrated at a known frequency from outside the body, the shear modulus μ can be obtained by measuring the wavelength of the vibration wave in the liver. Here, since the velocity of the wave is obtained by the product of the wavelength and the vibration frequency, the shear modulus μ can be obtained by measuring the wavelength of the vibration wave in the liver.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 26 obtains the shear elastic modulus μ by such a method, and generates an elastography image in which the obtained shear elastic modulus μ is mapped. Then, the control unit 26 stores the generated elastography image in the storage unit 23.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reception RF coil according to the first embodiment. The receiving RF coil 8 shown in FIG. 3 is an abdominal RF coil used when imaging the liver. In general, an abdominal RF coil is configured by arranging a plurality of coil elements side by side so that the entire abdomen can be imaged. In the present embodiment, an adapter fixture 50 for fixing the puncture adapter is attached to the reception RF coil 8. For example, the adapter fixture 50 is fitted and attached to an opening 8a formed at the center of each coil element included in the reception RF coil 8.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the adapter fixture and the puncture adapter according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the adapter fixture 50 has a plurality of adapter mounting portions 51 for positioning the puncture adapter 60. In the present embodiment, the adapter fixture 50 is formed in a grid shape, and has 48 adapter mounting portions 51 arranged in 8 rows × 6 rows. Each adapter mounting portion 51 is formed as a square hole that matches the shape of the puncture adapter 60. As shown in FIG. 4, puncture adapter 60 has a plurality of puncture needle insertion holes 61 for inserting puncture needle 70. In this embodiment, the puncture adapter 60 has nine puncture needle insertion holes 61 arranged in 3 rows × 3 rows.

  Here, in the adapter fixture 50 and the puncture adapter 60 shown in FIG. 4, the puncture adapter 60 having nine puncture needle insertion holes 61 is attached to each of the 48 adapter attachment portions 51 of the adapter fixture 50. Therefore, a total of 48 × 9 = 432 puncture paths are defined. Note that the number of adapter mounting portions 51 included in the adapter fixture 50 and the number of puncture needle insertion holes included in the puncture adapter 60 are not limited to those illustrated, and the size of the adapter fixture 50 and the size of the puncture adapter 60 are not limited. Depending on the situation, it may be determined appropriately. In addition, the shape of the adapter fixture 50 is not limited to a grid shape, and the adapter mounting portion 51 may be appropriately arranged so that a plurality of or a single puncture adapter 60 can be positioned.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the computer system according to the first embodiment. 5 shows the storage unit 23 and the control unit 26 among the units included in the computer system 20 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the storage unit 23 includes an image data storage unit 23a and a route information storage unit 23b. The control unit 26 includes a first display control unit 26a, a specifying unit 26b, and a second display control unit 26c.

  The image data storage unit 23a stores various image data. For example, the image data storage unit 23 a stores medical images acquired from other image diagnosis apparatuses and image storage apparatuses by the interface unit 21 and various images generated by the image reconstruction unit 22 and the control unit 26.

  The route information storage unit 23 b stores route information related to the puncture route defined by the adapter fixture 50 and the puncture adapter 60. For example, the route information storage unit 23b uses the position and direction of each puncture route defined when the adapter fixture 50 is attached to the subject for each combination of the adapter fixture 50 and the puncture adapter 60 as route information. Is stored. Here, the path information includes the shape and size of the adapter fixture 50 and the puncture adapter 60, the arrangement and number of adapter mounting portions 51 included in the adapter fixture 50, the arrangement of the puncture needle insertion holes 61 included in the puncture adapter 60, and the like. Set according to the number.

  For example, when the adapter fixture 50 and the puncture adapter 60 shown in FIG. 4 are used, 3 rows × 3 rows of puncture needle insertion holes 61 are arranged in 8 rows × 6 rows. Therefore, in this case, the route information storage unit 23b stores route information indicating that puncture routes of 24 rows × 18 rows are defined in parallel along a direction perpendicular to the lattice plane of the adapter fixture 50. To do. For example, when the puncture adapter 60 can guide the puncture needle at a plurality of different angles, information indicating all the puncture routes defined by the respective angles is set as the route information.

  The first display control unit 26 a displays a medical image obtained by imaging the puncture target site of the subject P on the display unit 25. In the present embodiment, the first display control unit 26 a reads an elastography image obtained by imaging the liver of the subject P from the image data storage unit 23 a and displays it on the display unit 25. In addition, the first display control unit 26a further displays a morphological image obtained by imaging the puncture target site of the subject P on the medical image. For example, the first display control unit 26a reads the morphological image of the liver of the subject P imaged by the MRI apparatus 100 from the image data storage unit 23a, and displays the read morphological image superimposed on the elastography image. The morphological images referred to here are, for example, T1-weighted images, diffusion images, and hepatocyte phase contrast images captured after about 20 minutes have passed since the contrast medium was injected into the subject P.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed by the first display control unit according to the first embodiment. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the first display control unit 26 a displays an image in which the morphological image captured by the MRI apparatus 100 and the elastography image are superimposed on the display unit 25. The image shown on the left side of FIG. 6 is an image in which a morphological image and an elastography image in which wavelengths are mapped are superimposed, and the image shown on the right side of FIG. 6 maps a morphological image and shear modulus. It is the image which superimposed the elastography image. As described above, the elastography image in which the shear modulus is mapped is obtained by the product of the wavelength and the frequency. That is, by multiplying the elastography image in which the wavelength is mapped by the frequency, an elastography image in which the shear modulus is mapped can be obtained.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the specifying unit 26 b is defined for the puncture target site by the puncture adapter when the puncture adapter is attached to the subject P based on the medical image obtained by imaging the puncture target site of the subject. At least one puncture target path is specified from the plurality of puncture paths. In the present embodiment, the specifying unit 26b specifies the puncture target path using a superimposed image of the morphological image and the elastography image displayed on the display unit 25 by the first display control unit 26a.

  Specifically, the specifying unit 26b statistically analyzes the distribution of luminance values in the medical image along each puncture path for each of a plurality of puncture paths defined by the puncture adapter, and obtains the statistical value obtained by the analysis. Based on the above, the puncture target route is specified. In the present embodiment, the specifying unit 26b calculates the variance of the luminance value as the statistical value, and specifies the puncture route having the largest variance as the puncture target route.

  In this case, the specifying unit 26b receives an input of the maximum length of the puncture needle used for puncture from the operator via the input unit 24. Then, the specifying unit 26b uses the puncture adapter 60 to define the maximum length of the accepted puncture needle and a superimposed image of the morphological image and the elastography image displayed on the display unit 25 by the first display control unit 26a. The variance of luminance values is calculated for each of a plurality of puncture paths.

  At this time, the specifying unit 26b first specifies the positional relationship between the adapter fixture 50 used for puncture and the superimposed image. Here, various known methods can be used as a method for specifying the positional relationship between the adapter fixture 50 and the superimposed image. For example, the method described in US Pat. No. 6,675,037 and the method described in US Pat. No. 6,904,305 can be used.

  In addition, the specifying unit 26b specifies the positional relationship between the adapter fixture 50 and the superimposed image, and then refers to the route information stored in the route information storage unit 23b, and uses the adapter fixture 50 and the puncture used for puncture. The positional relationship between all puncture paths defined by the adapter 60 and the superimposed image is specified.

  Thereafter, the specifying unit 26b uses the maximum length of the puncture needle received from the operator for all the puncture routes defined by the adapter fixture 50 and the puncture adapter 60 in the superimposed image of the morphological image and the elastography image. The variance of luminance values along each puncture path is calculated. At this time, for example, when the puncture adapter 60 can guide the puncture needle at a plurality of different angles, the variance is calculated for all the puncture paths defined by the respective angles.

  Then, the specifying unit 26b compares the calculated variance for each puncture route, and identifies the puncture route having the largest variance as the puncture target route. Here, an example has been described in which the specifying unit 26b specifies the puncture route with the greatest variance as the puncture target route, but conversely, the puncture route with the smallest variance may be specified as the puncture target route. . Further, the specifying unit 26b may use a statistical value other than the variance as a statistical value for specifying the puncture target route. For example, the specifying unit 26b may use the median as the statistical value.

  As described above, the specifying unit 26b can statistically analyze the luminance value along each puncture path by various methods. Here, for example, the specifying unit 26b receives the specification of the analysis method from the operator via the input unit 24, and statistically analyzes the luminance value along each puncture route by the analysis method specified by the operator. You may make it do.

  The second display control unit 26c displays information indicating the puncture target path specified by the specifying unit 26b on the medical image. Further, the second display control unit 26c displays information indicating the adapter mounting unit 51 corresponding to the puncture target path specified by the specifying unit 26b among the plurality of adapter mounting units 51 included in the adapter fixture 50. The second display control unit 26c further includes information indicating a puncture needle insertion hole corresponding to the puncture target path identified by the identification unit 26b among the plurality of puncture needle insertion holes 61 included in the puncture adapter 60. indicate.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a puncture route displayed by the second display control unit according to the first embodiment. Although FIG. 7 shows an example in which the puncture route is displayed on the 3D image, the puncture route may be displayed on the 2D image. Here, an example in which the adapter fixture 50 and the puncture adapter 60 shown in FIG. 4 are used will be described.

  For example, as shown on the left side of FIG. 7, the second display control unit 26 c refers to the path information stored in the path information storage unit 23 b and determines the arrangement of the adapter mounting unit 51 included in the adapter fixture 50. In addition, a grid-like graphic 81 of 8 columns × 6 columns is displayed on the superimposed image of the morphological image and the elastography image. For example, in the example shown on the left side of FIG. 7, eight columns in the grid-like graphic 81 are represented by “1” to “8”, and six columns are represented by “A” to “F”. In this case, the 48 adapter mounting portions 51 included in the adapter fixture 50 are “1-A”, “1-B”, “1-C”... “8-D”, “8-E”. , “8-F”.

  Then, for example, the second display control unit 26 c displays a bar-shaped graphic 82 indicating the puncture target path specified by the specifying unit 26 b at the position of the corresponding adapter mounting unit 51 in the lattice-shaped graphic 81. For example, the example shown on the left side of FIG. 7 shows a case where the puncture target path specified by the specifying unit 26b corresponds to the adapter mounting unit 51 of “8-A”.

  Further, for example, as shown on the right side of FIG. 7, the second display control unit 26c refers to the route information stored in the route information storage unit 23b, and inserts nine puncture needles included in the puncture adapter 60. In accordance with the arrangement of the holes 61, a bar-shaped graphic 83 indicating nine puncture paths defined by the puncture adapter 60 is displayed on an enlarged image of a portion including the puncture target path in the superimposed image. For example, as shown on the right side of FIG. 7, the second display control unit 26 c further displays a graphic 84 indicating the shape of the puncture adapter 60 on the enlarged image of a part of the superimposed image. A round graphic 85 indicating the position of the puncture needle insertion hole 61 is displayed on 84. For example, in the example shown on the right side of FIG. 7, regarding the 3 columns × 3 columns graphic 85 indicating the positions of the puncture needle insertion holes 61, one column is represented by “1” to “3” and the other column is represented by “ a ”to“ c ”. In this case, the positions of the puncture needle insertion holes 61 of the puncture adapter 60 are represented by “1-a”, “1-b”... “3-b”, “3-c”.

  For example, the second display control unit 26c distinguishes the bar-shaped graphic 84 indicating the puncture target path specified by the specifying unit 26b from the bar-shaped graphic 83 indicating the puncture path from other puncture paths. Change the display form so that it is possible. In the example shown on the right side of FIG. 7, the puncture target path graphic 84 is hatched. Further, the second display control unit 26c is a puncture needle corresponding to the puncture target path identified by the identification unit 26b in the graphic 85 of the puncture needle insertion hole 61 displayed on the graphic indicating the shape of the puncture adapter 60. The graphic 86 of the insertion hole 61 is also displayed by changing the display form so that it can be distinguished from the other puncture needle insertion holes 61. For example, the example shown on the right side of FIG. 7 shows a case where the puncture target path specified by the specifying unit 26b corresponds to the “2-b” puncture needle insertion hole.

  In this manner, the second display control unit 26c displays the graphic 82 indicating the adapter mounting unit 51 corresponding to the puncture target path specified by the specifying unit 26b, so that the puncture practitioner can use the adapter fixture 50. It is possible to easily grasp which adapter mounting part 51 should be mounted with the puncture adapter 60 among the plurality of adapter mounting parts 51 of the. Further, the second display control unit 26c displays the graphic 86 indicating the puncture needle insertion hole 61 corresponding to the puncture target path specified by the specifying unit 26b, so that the puncture adapter 60 can be used by the puncture practitioner. Of the plurality of puncture needle insertion holes 61, it is possible to easily grasp which puncture needle insertion hole 61 should be inserted with a puncture needle.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by the MRI apparatus according to the first embodiment. Here, it is assumed that an elastography image obtained by imaging the puncture target site of the subject P is captured in advance and stored in the image data storage unit 23a.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the MRI apparatus 100, when a start instruction is received from the operator (step S101, Yes), the following processing is executed. First, the control unit 26 controls each unit based on the imaging condition input by the operator, thereby imaging a morphological image obtained by imaging the puncture target site of the subject P as a reference image for puncturing ( Step S102).

  Subsequently, the first display control unit 26a acquires an elastography image obtained by imaging the puncture target site of the subject P from the image data storage unit 23a (step S103). Then, the first display control unit 26a reads the captured morphological image from the image data storage unit 23a, and displays a superimposed image obtained by superimposing the morphological image and the elastography image on the display unit 25 (step S104). .

  Subsequently, the specifying unit 26b receives an input of the maximum length of the puncture needle used for puncture from the operator (step S105). Thereafter, the specifying unit 26b calculates the variance of the luminance value for each of a plurality of puncture paths defined by the puncture adapter 60 using the received maximum length of the puncture needle and the elastography image (step S106). Then, the specifying unit 26b specifies the puncture route having the largest calculated variance as the puncture target route (step S107).

  Subsequently, the second display control unit 26c displays information indicating the puncture target route specified by the specifying unit 26b on the superimposed image (step S108). In addition, the second display control unit 26c further displays information indicating the adapter mounting unit and the puncture needle insertion hole 61 corresponding to the puncture target path (step S109).

  As described above, the MRI apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment specifies a puncture target path from a plurality of puncture paths defined by the puncture adapter based on a medical image obtained by imaging a puncture target site of a subject. Then, information indicating the specified puncture target path is displayed on the medical image. As a result, the puncture practitioner can easily grasp the puncture route suitable for collecting the specimen from the puncture target site. For example, when performing a liver biopsy, the puncture practitioner can perform a puncture after confirming the liver morphology and fibrosis area on the displayed image, so that an appropriate specimen can be reliably collected. be able to. As a result, the accuracy of diagnosis is improved. In addition, it is possible to reduce the number of regenerative examinations due to the collection of inappropriate specimens, thereby reducing the burden on the patient. Therefore, according to the MRI apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, puncture in a biopsy can be more appropriately supported.

  In the first embodiment described above, the specifying unit 26b calculates the variance of the luminance value for each of the plurality of puncture routes defined by the puncture adapter 60, and the puncture route having the largest calculated variance is used as the puncture target route. An example of specifying is described. On the other hand, for example, the specifying unit 26b may specify a puncture route designated by the operator as a puncture target route from among puncture routes whose variance is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

  In this case, the specifying unit 26b calculates a variance of luminance values for each of a plurality of puncture paths defined by the puncture adapter 60, detects a puncture path where the variance is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and detects the detected puncture The puncture route selected by the operator from the routes is specified as the puncture target route. For example, the specifying unit 26b displays information indicating a puncture route whose variance is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value on the display unit 25, and receives an operation for selecting one puncture route from the displayed information from the operator. The specifying unit 26b specifies the puncture route selected by the operator as the puncture target route.

  In the first embodiment described above, an example in which a superimposed image of a morphological image and an elastography image is used as a medical image for specifying a puncture target route has been described. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. Absent. For example, only an elastography image may be used. Alternatively, a Gd (gadolinium) contrast image or the like may be used instead of the elastography image. Furthermore, for example, a medical image generated by another medical image diagnostic apparatus may be used. For example, a liver contrast image or a liver contrast perfusion image generated by an X-ray CT apparatus may be used.

  Further, in the first embodiment described above, an example in which the puncture target site is the liver has been described, but the puncture target site may be another site. For example, when the puncture target site is a chest region, a medical image obtained by imaging the chest region of the subject P is used. In this case, for example, a T1-weighted fat suppression image, a T2-weighted fat suppression image, a Gd (gadolinium) contrast image, an elastography image, or the like is used as the medical image.

  In the above-described first embodiment, the example in which the first display control unit 26a superimposes the morphological image captured by the MRI apparatus 100 and the elastography image has been described. Not limited. For example, the first display control unit 26 a may superimpose a medical image acquired from another image diagnostic apparatus or image storage apparatus via the network 30 and an elastography image captured by the MRI apparatus 100.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the superimposed display of images performed by the first display control unit according to the modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 9 shows an example in which the CT image of the liver of the subject generated by the X-ray CT apparatus and the MR image of the liver of the same subject generated by the MRI apparatus are displayed in a superimposed manner.

  As shown in FIG. 9, for example, the first display control unit 26 a stores the CT image acquired from the X-ray CT apparatus via the network 30 and the MR image generated by the MRI apparatus 100, respectively, as image data storage. Read from the unit 23a. At this time, the first display control unit 26a reads the MR image for one slice obtained by imaging the liver for the MR image, and reads the CT images for the plurality of slices obtained by imaging the same liver for the CT image.

  Then, the first display control unit 26a divides each of the read CT image and MR image into left and right. For example, the first display control unit 26a detects a spinal canal in each image by region extraction processing or the like, and divides each image into right and left by a straight line passing through the detected spinal canal. Further, the first display control unit 26a extracts the outline of the liver parenchyma included in the left divided region (right side of the human body) of the MR image, and further converts the CT image for a plurality of slices into the left divided region. Extract the outline of the included liver parenchyma.

  Thereafter, the first display control unit 26a compares the shape of the liver parenchyma contour extracted from the MR image with the shape of the liver parenchyma contour extracted from each of the CT images for a plurality of slices one by one, and the MR image A CT image including a contour closest in shape to the contour extracted from is specified. At this time, for example, the first display control unit 26a performs pattern matching of the contour shape between the MR image and each CT image, thereby obtaining a CT image including a contour closest to the contour in the MR image. Identify. And the 1st display control part 26a superimposes each image, after aligning the specified CT image and MR image.

  Here, an example has been described in which an MR image for one slice and a CT image for a plurality of slices are used, but conversely, an MR image for a plurality of slices and a CT image for one slice may be used. Good. In that case, the first display control unit 26a compares the shape of the liver parenchyma contour extracted from the CT image with the shape of the liver parenchyma contour extracted from each of the MR images for a plurality of slices one by one. Then, an MR image including a contour closest to the contour extracted from the CT image is specified.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment described above, for each of a plurality of puncture paths defined by the puncture adapter, the distribution of luminance values in the medical image along each puncture path is statistically analyzed to identify the puncture target path. An example was explained. In contrast, in the second embodiment, an example will be described in which a puncture target path is specified based on a puncture path input to a medical image by an operator.

  In this case, the specifying unit 26b performs a puncture target path from a plurality of puncture paths defined by the puncture adapter based on the puncture path input by the operator with respect to the medical image displayed on the display unit 25. Is identified. Since the configuration of the MRI apparatus according to the second embodiment is basically the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, here, the processing performed by the MRI apparatus according to the second embodiment is performed. The flow will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by the MRI apparatus according to the second embodiment. Here, it is assumed that an elastography image obtained by imaging the puncture target site of the subject P is captured in advance and stored in the image data storage unit 23a. As shown in FIG. 10, in the MRI apparatus according to the second embodiment, when a start instruction is received from the operator (step S201, Yes), the following processing is executed.

  First, the control unit 26 controls each unit based on the imaging condition input by the operator, thereby imaging a morphological image obtained by imaging the puncture target site of the subject P as a reference image for puncturing ( Step S202). Then, the first display control unit 26a reads the captured morphological image from the image data storage unit 23a, and displays the read morphological image on the display unit 25 (step S203).

  Subsequently, the specifying unit 26b receives an input of the puncture route for the morphological image displayed on the display unit 25 from the operator via the input unit 24 (step S204). Then, the specifying unit 26b specifies the positional relationship between the adapter fixture 50 used for puncture and the morphological image, and then refers to the route information stored in the route information storage unit 23b to fix the adapter used for puncture. Among all the puncture routes defined by the tool 50 and the puncture adapter 60, the puncture route closest to the puncture route input by the operator is specified as the puncture target route (step S205).

  Subsequently, the second display control unit 26c displays information indicating the puncture target route specified by the specifying unit 26b on the morphological image (step S206). Further, the second display control unit 26c further displays information indicating the adapter mounting unit and the puncture needle insertion hole 61 corresponding to the puncture target path (step S207).

  As described above, the MRI apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment receives an input of a puncture route for a morphological image obtained by imaging a puncture target site of a subject from an operator, and uses a puncture adapter based on the accepted puncture route. A puncture target path is specified from a plurality of prescribed puncture paths, and information indicating the specified puncture target path is displayed on the form. Thereby, the puncture practitioner can easily grasp the puncture route suitable for collecting a sample from a desired position in the imaging target region. Therefore, according to the MRI apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, puncture in a biopsy can be more appropriately supported.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, an embodiment of an image processing apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the image processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment is connected to the MRI apparatus 100 and the X-ray CT apparatus 400 via a network 300. For example, the image processing apparatus 200 is placed in a different place from the imaging room in which the MRI apparatus 100 is installed and the imaging room in which the X-ray CT apparatus 400 is installed, and is used by an interpreting doctor or a diagnostician. The image processing apparatus 200 may be an image storage server that stores various medical images, a workstation that displays various medical images, or the like. Further, the image processing apparatus 200 may be connected to another image diagnostic apparatus or an image storage apparatus.

  The MRI apparatus 100 is an apparatus that collects magnetic resonance data from a subject using a magnetic resonance phenomenon and generates an image from the collected magnetic resonance data. Specifically, the MRI apparatus 100 generates MR images of the subject by various imaging methods based on the imaging conditions set by the operator. For example, the MRI apparatus 100 generates a morphological image such as a T1-weighted image of the liver, a diffusion image, and a hepatocyte phase contrast image, an elastography image, and the like.

  The X-ray CT apparatus 400 is an apparatus that generates an image based on projection data obtained by scanning a subject with X-rays. Specifically, the X-ray CT apparatus 400 generates a CT image of the subject by various imaging methods based on the imaging conditions set by the operator. For example, the X-ray CT apparatus 400 images a liver contrast image, a liver contrast perfusion image, and the like.

  The image processing apparatus 200 is an apparatus that processes various medical images. For example, the image processing apparatus 200 processes an MR image generated by the MRI apparatus 100 and a CT image generated by the X-ray CT apparatus 400. Specifically, the image processing apparatus 200 includes an image acquisition unit 210, an input unit 220, a display unit 230, a storage unit 240, and a control unit 250.

  The image acquisition unit 210 acquires various medical images via the network 300. For example, the image acquisition unit 210 acquires a morphological image or an elastography image obtained by imaging the subject's liver from the MRI apparatus 100. The image acquisition unit 210 acquires a liver contrast image obtained by imaging the liver of the subject, a liver contrast perfusion image, and the like from the X-ray CT apparatus 400. When the image acquisition unit 210 acquires various medical images, the image acquisition unit 210 stores the acquired medical images in an image data storage unit 241 described later.

  The input unit 220 receives various instructions and information input from the operator. For example, the input unit 220 is a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball, or an input device such as a keyboard.

  The display unit 230 displays various images referred to by the operator and a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for receiving various operations from the operator. For example, the display unit 230 is a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitor.

  The storage unit 240 stores various data processed by the image processing apparatus 200. For example, the storage unit 240 is a hard disk or a memory. Specifically, the storage unit 240 includes an image data storage unit 241 and a route information storage unit 242. The image data storage unit 241 stores data of various medical images acquired by the image acquisition unit 210. The route information storage unit 242 stores route information related to the puncture route defined by the adapter fixture and the puncture adapter.

  The control unit 250 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory, and controls the operation of the image processing apparatus 200 by executing various programs using these. Specifically, the control unit 250 includes a first display control unit 251, a specifying unit 252, and a second display control unit 253.

  The first display control unit 251 displays a medical image obtained by imaging the puncture target site of the subject on the display unit 230. For example, the first display control unit 251 reads an elastography image obtained by imaging the liver of the subject from the image data storage unit 241 and displays it on the display unit 230. In addition, the first display control unit 251 further displays a morphological image obtained by imaging the puncture target portion of the subject superimposed on the medical image. For example, the first display control unit 251 reads the morphological image of the liver of the subject imaged by the MRI apparatus 100 from the image data storage unit 241 and displays the read morphological image superimposed on the elastography image.

  Based on the medical image obtained by imaging the puncture target part of the subject, the specifying unit 252 includes a plurality of puncture paths defined for the puncture target part by the puncture adapter when the puncture adapter is attached to the subject P. At least one puncture target path is identified from the inside. Specifically, for each of a plurality of puncture paths defined by the puncture adapter, the specifying unit 252 statistically analyzes the distribution of luminance values in the medical image along each puncture path, and the statistical value obtained by the analysis Based on the above, the puncture target route is specified. For example, the specifying unit 252 calculates the variance of the luminance value as the statistical value, and specifies the puncture route having the largest variance as the puncture target route. For example, the specifying unit 252 uses a superimposed image of a morphological image and an elastography image captured by the MRI apparatus 100 as a medical image.

  The second display control unit 253 displays information indicating the puncture target route specified by the specifying unit 252 on the medical image. Further, the second display control unit 253 displays information indicating the adapter mounting unit corresponding to the puncture target path specified by the specifying unit 252 among the plurality of adapter mounting units included in the adapter fixture. In addition, the second display control unit 253 further displays information indicating the puncture needle insertion hole corresponding to the puncture target path specified by the specifying unit 252 among the plurality of puncture needle insertion holes of the puncture adapter. . For example, the second display control unit 253 includes information indicating an adapter mounting unit and information indicating a puncture needle insertion hole on a superimposed image obtained by superimposing a morphological image captured by the MRI apparatus 100 and an elastography image. Is displayed.

  Note that the first display control unit 251 according to this embodiment basically has the same function as the first display control unit 26a described in the first embodiment. Further, the specifying unit 252 according to this embodiment basically has the same function as the specifying unit 26b described in the first embodiment. In addition, the second display control unit 253 according to the present embodiment basically has the same function as the second display control unit 26c according to the first embodiment. Therefore, detailed description of the first display control unit 251, the specifying unit 252, and the second display control unit 253 is omitted here.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 200 according to the third embodiment selects a puncture target path from a plurality of puncture paths defined by the puncture adapter based on a medical image obtained by imaging a puncture target part of a subject. Information specifying the specified puncture target path is displayed on the medical image. As a result, the puncture practitioner can easily grasp the puncture route suitable for collecting the specimen from the puncture target site. Therefore, according to the image processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment, puncture in a biopsy can be more appropriately supported.

  Moreover, the function of the control unit described in each of the above-described embodiments can be realized by software. For example, the function of the control unit is realized by causing a computer to execute an image processing program that defines the processing procedure described as being performed by the control unit in the embodiment. This image processing program is stored in, for example, a hard disk or a semiconductor memory device, and is read and executed by a processor such as a CPU or MPU. The image processing program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), MO (Magnetic Optical disk), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and distributed. You can also.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, puncture in a biopsy can be more appropriately supported.

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

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 MRI apparatus 20 Computer system 26 Control part 26a 1st display control part 26b Specifying part 26c 2nd display control part

Claims (14)

A first display control unit for displaying a medical image obtained by imaging a puncture target site of a subject on a display unit;
From a plurality of puncturing path and puncture thorn adapter is stipulated by the the fixture of the puncture adapter, specifying that identifies the puncture Togekei line dispersion largest luminance value in the medical image along the puncture route And
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus characterized by comprising a second display control unit that displays information indicating the puncture Togekei path specified on the medical image. A first display control unit for displaying a medical image obtained by imaging a puncture target site of a subject on a display unit;
A puncture route in which the dispersion of luminance values in the medical image along the puncture route is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is detected from a plurality of puncture routes defined by the puncture adapter and the puncture adapter fixture . a specifying unit which identify the puncture route selected by the operator from the puncture route,
A second display control unit for displaying information indicating the specified puncture route on the medical image;
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising the. The second display control section, among the plurality of puncturing Haritoge entry apertures which the puncture adapter has, characterized in that further displays information indicating a puncture Haritoge entry apertures corresponding to puncture Togekei path the identified The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 . The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the medical image is an elastography image. The medical image is a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the medical image generated by another medical image diagnostic apparatus. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the medical image is a liver contrast perfusion image generated by an X-ray CT apparatus. The said 1st display control part superimposes on the said medical image, and further displays the form image which imaged the puncture object site | part of the said subject, It is any one of Claims 1-6 characterized by the above-mentioned. Magnetic resonance imaging device. The specific portion, based on the puncture route entered for the medical image by the operator, from the plurality of puncture route of claim 1-7, characterized in that identifying the puncture Togekei path The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to any one of the above. The fixture is to have a plurality of adapter mounting portion for positioning the puncture adapter,
The second display control section, among the plurality of the adapter mounting portion, according to claim 1-8, characterized by further displaying information indicating the adapter mounting portion corresponding to the puncture Togekei path the identified The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to any one of the above. Before SL solid Teigu A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that attached to the receiving coil for receiving magnetic resonance signals generated from the subject. An acquisition unit for acquiring a medical image obtained by imaging a puncture target site of a subject;
A first display control unit for displaying the medical image on a display unit;
From a plurality of puncturing path and puncture thorn adapter is stipulated by the the fixture of the puncture adapter, specifying that identifies the puncture Togekei line dispersion largest luminance value in the medical image along the puncture route And
The image processing apparatus characterized by comprising a second display control unit that displays information indicating the puncture Togekei path specified on the medical image. An acquisition unit for acquiring a medical image obtained by imaging a puncture target site of a subject;
A first display control unit for displaying the medical image on a display unit;
A puncture route in which the dispersion of luminance values in the medical image along the puncture route is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is detected from a plurality of puncture routes defined by the puncture adapter and the puncture adapter fixture. A specifying unit for specifying a puncture route selected by the operator from among the puncture routes;
A second display control unit for displaying information indicating the specified puncture route on the medical image;
An image processing apparatus comprising: A procedure for displaying a medical image obtained by imaging a puncture target site of a subject on a display unit;
From a plurality of puncturing path and puncture thorn adapter is stipulated by the the fixture of the puncture adapter, the procedure for identifying the puncture Togekei line dispersion largest luminance value in the medical image along the puncture route When,
The image processing program characterized by executing the procedure for displaying the information indicating the puncture Togekei path specified on the medical image to a computer. A procedure for displaying a medical image obtained by imaging a puncture target site of a subject on a display unit;
A puncture route in which the dispersion of luminance values in the medical image along the puncture route is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is detected from a plurality of puncture routes defined by the puncture adapter and the puncture adapter fixture. A procedure for identifying a puncture route selected by the operator from among the puncture routes;
A procedure for displaying information indicating the identified puncture route on the medical image;
An image processing program for causing a computer to execute.

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