Imaging device and imaging method

US 20130162248A1

(19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. N0.: US 2013/0162248 A1 HAISHI et al. (54)

(43) Pub. Date:

IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING METHOD

(52)

Jun. 27, 2013

US. Cl. CPC .............. .. G01R 33/54 (2013.01); G01R 33/28

(71) Applicant: MRTECHNOLOGY, INC.,

(201301)

TSukuba'Sh1(JP)

USPC ......................................... .. 324/307; 324/322

(72) Inventors: Tomoyuki HAISHI, Tsukuba-shi (JP); Seitaro HASHIMOTO, Tsukuba-shi

(JP); Katsumi KOSE, KashiWa-shi (JP)

(57)

ABSTRACT

(73) Assignee: MRTECHNOLOGY,INC., Tsukuba'shi (JP) (21)

Appl NO _ 13/712 108

(22)

Filed:

'

"

The imaging device includes an imaging unit producing images, and a control unit controlling the imaging unit. The

’

imaging device further comprises: a reference clock unit gen

Dec_ 12, 2012

erating a reference clock; and a signal input/output unit pro vided between the imaging unit and the control unit and

Related US, Application Data

inputting and outputting signals in synchronization With the reference clock generated by the reference clock unit. The control unit comprises: generating means generating a plu rality of control signals; transmitting means transmitting the plural control signals; receiving means receiving measure

(63) Continuation of application No. PCT/J P201 1/ 072079, ?led on Sep. 27, 2011.

Publication Classi?cation

ment signals; and extraction means extracting the measure

(51)

Int, Cl, G01R 33/54

ment signal When the reception times of the measurement signals received by the receiving means agrees With the

(2006.01) (2006.01)

G01R 33/28

extraction timing generated by the generating means.

GENERALEPURPOSE PERSONAL COMPUTER

202'»

MPU

%

206~

"(2

GPU

g

203/» HDD/SSD

_l

;

9 212

2

DIGITAL I/O (a? 1ST COMMUNICATION

H

204“ MEMORY ‘

‘T’

V’

CONTROL BUFFER

BOARD 232

£_ —‘

DIGITAL l/O {

3

216

COMMUNICATION IF

,

BUFFER

MEASUREMENT sIGNAL

234

i

CIRCUIT

100

a

230

I

242 INPUT/OUTPUT IF

2ND COMMUNICATION M236

REFERENCE CLOCK

BOARD

210

(

SIGNAL

0

102~ DIGITAL RECEIvER/ EXTERNAL sYNGI-IRONIzATION

214

(I

CLOCK CIRCUIT 8

TRANSMITTER

104m

200

Q

XYZ GRADIENT MAGNETIC FIELD POWER sOURCE

240

‘-_.'

AND GRADIENT COIL

218

E

sTATIO MAGNETIC FIELD MAGNET “#106

E

MAGNET TEMPERATURE sTABILIzER "P108

|——:F— 220 &

% % 8

LOW NOISE RF sIGNAL AMPLIFIER“ 110 RF POWER AMPLIFIER w112 RF COIL w114

252,\,C0MMUN|GAT1ON IF 250w

COMPUTER

BED FOR MEASUREMENT OBJECT w116

122

ELECTRIC INJECTOR

~O118

OTHER DEvICEs

~O120

MRI DEvIOE

(CONTROLLED DEVICE)

Patent Application Publication

Jun. 27, 2013 Sheet 3 0f 11

US 2013/0162248 A1

[PULSE SEQUENCE FILE]

HG. 3

NmgVER PULSE SEQUENCE

DESCRIPTION

1ST ROW 2ND ROW 3RD ROW 4TH ROW 5TH ROW 6TH ROW TTH RM 8TH ROW 9TH ROW 10TH ROW 11TH ROW

NUMBER OF ACCUMULATIONS RECEIVER SAMPLING RATE [USEC] NUMBER OF RECEIVER SAMPLING POINTS NUMBER OF PHASE ENCODE 0 NUMBER OF PHASE ENCODE I NUMBER OF PHASE ENCODE 2 STEP SIZE OF PHASE ENCODE 0 STEP SIZE OF PHASE ENCODE 1 STEP SIZE OF PHASE ENCODE 2 NUMBER OF DUMMY PULSES REPETITION TIME TR [MSEC] TRANSMIT SECOND RF PULSE 0,040 USEC LATER FROM MEASUREMENT START

:NX 1 :DW5 :NR2048 :N01 :N1 128 :N216 :800 :8164 :S264 :DU10 :TR 100

12TH ROW 000099400 RF 0002

RENEW AND OUTPUT GRADIENT MAGNETIC FIELD GY AXIS 13TH ROW 000101600 “8000485 CONTROL SIGNAL 10,100 USEC FROM MEASUREMENT START OUTPUT 6E40 TO GRADIENT MAGNETIC FIELD GX AxIS CONTROL

14TH ROW 000102200 GX 6E4°

SIGNAL 10,220 MSEC LATER FROM MEASUREMENT START RENEW AND OUTPUT GRADIENT MAGNETIC FIELD GZ AxIS

15TH ROW 090102600 ‘318000466 10,260 LISEC LATER FROM MEASUREMENT START OUTPUT 8000 TO GRADIENT MAGNETIC FIELD 02 MS CONTROL

16TH ROW 000120320 62 8°00

SIGNAL 12,032 LISEC LATER FROM MEASUREMENT START OUTPUT 0000 TO GRADIENT MAGNETIC FIELD GY AxIS CONTROL

17TH ROW 000128260 GYBUOO

SIGNAL 12,020 ILSEC LATER FROM MEASUREMENT START OUTPUT 88D4 TO GRADIENT MAGNETIC FIELD GX AxIS CONTROL

18TH ROW 000133800 GX 88514

SIGNAL 10,300 USEC LATER FROM MEASUREMENT START START OF RECEIPT BY AID CONVERSION OF RECEIVED

19TH ROW 0°014380°AD 0000

SIGNALS 14,880 USEC LATER FROM MEASUREMENT START

20TH ROW 000302400 ex 3000

SIGNAL 30,240 LLSEC LATER FROM MEASUREMENT START

OUTPUT 8000 TO GRADIENT MAGNETIC FIELD Gx AxIS CONTROL

Patent Application Publication

Jun. 27, 2013 Sheet 4 0f 11

US 2013/0162248 A1

FIG. 4 [CONTROL SIGNAL (TRANSMIT DATA)] DATA

TIME FROM START OF

NUMBER CONTROL SIGNAL 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51

0000000 {11sec} 0000001 [1.1560] 0000002 [p.566] 0000003 [p580] 0000004 [psec] 0000005 [uses] 0000006 {psec} 0000007 [psec] 0000008 [056C] 0000009 [psec] 00000010 [p860] 00000011 [psec] 00000012 [psec] 00000013 [p.860] 00000014 [p596] 00000015 [p.580] 00000016 [11sec] 00000017 [11sec] 00000018 [psec] 00000019 [psec] 00000020 [p.360] 00000021 [p596] 00000022 [p.sec] 00000023 [psec] 00000024 [psec] 00000025 [uses] 00000026 [used 00000027 [psec] 00000028 [psec] 00000029 [p586] 00000030 [p560] 00000031 [0586]

00000032 [uses] 00000033 [11sec] 00000034 [uses] 00000035 [p580] 00000036 [psec] 00000037 [psec] 00000038 {psec} 00000039 [psec] 00000040 [psec] 00000041 [p560] 00000042 [psec] 00000043 [11sec] 00000044 [uses] 00000045 [psec] 00000046 [psec] 00000047 {psecl 00000045 [0566] 00000049 [0596] 00000050 [1.560] 00000051 [p565]

*1 -

CONTROL SIGNAL (TRANSMIT DATA) 4E1800000000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000‘0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,000000000000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000‘0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,000000000000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,00000000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000

4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18}0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,00000000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,00000000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E1B,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E180000100000000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,00001000000000000000000000000

4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000:0000,0000 4E1800000000.0000,0000,0000.0000,0000 4E18000000000000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18000000000000,0000.0000,0000,0000 4E1B,0000,0000,000010000.0000,0000,0000 4E18.0000,0000,0000.0000,0000,0000,0000 4E1B,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E180000000010000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18000000000000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E180000130000000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18000000000000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E180000,00000000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000:0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E1800000000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E1800000000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E1B,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000‘0000.0000 4E1B,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,00000000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000‘0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000

Patent Application Publication

Jun. 27, 2013 Sheet 5 0f 11

US 2013/0162248 A1

F|G_ 5 [CONTROL SIGNAL (TRANSMIT DATA)] DATA

TIME FROM START OF CONTROL SIGNAL

NUMBER CONTROL SIGNAL 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6 6

000000010666] 00000010666] 0000002 [14661:] U0000O3[p3e0] 00000040666; 0000005lpsec] 0000006 [1.1560] 00000071061661 00000060666] 0000006 [0666]

(TRANSMIT DATA) 4E16000000000000,0000000000000000 4E16,00006000,0000,00o0,0000,0000,000o 4E18,0000,DO0U,00OU,OOOU‘OOOQOOOQOOOO 4E16,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E1S‘OOOD,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E18,00DD,OOD0,0000,0000,0000,0000,000U 4E16,00000000,0000,0000,000000000000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,00U0,0000,0000,0000 4E16,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000,0000 4E16,0000,0000,0000,000o,0000,0000,0000

14660 0001486Dhl58?] 14661 00014661 [0566] 14662 00014662 [11566]

4E16,0000,0000,0000,06D4,0000,0000,0000 4E16,0000,0000,oooo,06D4,0000,000o,0000 4E16,0000,0000,0000,06D4.0000.0000,0000

14863 14664 14865 14666 14667 14666 14666

4E16,0000.0000,0000,06D4,0000,0000,0000 4E18,000010000,D00O,08D4,000D,0O0U,0000 4E16,0000,0000,0000,0604,0o00,0000,0000 4E1600000000,0000,06D4,0000,0000,0000 4E16,0000,0000,0000,06D4,0000,0000,0000 4E16.0000.0000,0000,06D4,0000,0000,0000 4E16,0000,00000000,0604,0000,0000,0000

14670 14671 14672 14873 14674 14675 14676 14677 14676 14676 14660 14661 14662 14883 14664 14665 14666 14667

14666 14666

14660 14661 14662 14893 14664 14895

14666 14667 14898 14666 14900

00014863 [0566] 00014664 [14sec] 00014665 [0566] 00014666 [11690] 00014667 [0660] 00014666 [11660] 00014666 [05661 00014670 [11660] 00014671106661 00014672 [11660] 00014676 [p.556] 00014674 [05661 0D014875B1SEC] 00014676 [0666] 00014677 [06601 00014676 [11660] 00014676106661 00014660 {pSECl OOU14881[pSeC] 00014662 [11566] 00014883 [11sec] 00014664 [0660] 00014885 [p.580] 00014666 {11sec} 00014667 [11sec] 00014666106661 00014666 [11sec] COU14890B1S8C] 00014661 [14660] 00014662 [05661 00014666 [p.886] 00014664 [14560] 00014895 [14sec] 00014666 [41sec] 00014667 [0666] 00014666 [0566] 00014666 10666] UOD149OUB4S6C]

4E18,00%,00003000,08D4,0D00,0D00,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,08D4,0000,0000,0000 4E1600000000,0000,06D4,0000.0000,0000 4E18,00D0,D000,0000,08D4,0000,0000,0000 4E16,0000,0000,0000,06D4,0000,0000,0000 4E1600000000,0000,06D4.0o00,0000,0000 4E18,0000,U000,0000,08D4,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,0000,08D4,0000,00B0,0000 4E16,00000000,0000,06D4,0000,0000,0000 4E18,0000,0000,00U0,08D4,0000,0000,0000 4E16000000000000,0604000000000000

4E18,0000,0000,00U0,08D4,0000,0DO0,DDO0 4E16,0000,0000,0000,06D4,00000000,0000 4E18,0[100,D000,0000:O8D4,00D0,D000,0000 4E18,0000.[JOOODOOODBDLOOU0,000D,O0O0 4E18,0000,0000,0000,08D4,0000,0000,0000 4151600000000,0000,0604000000000000 4516,00000000,0000,0604000000000000 4E16,00000000,0000,06D4,0000,0000,0000 4E16,00000000,0000,06D4,0000,0000,0000

4E16.0000,0000,0000,06D4,0000,0000,0000 4E160000,0000,0000,06D4,000000000000 4E1600000000,0000,06D4.0000,0000,0000 4E18‘0000,0000,D000,08D4,0000,000D,U000 4E18,0000,000U,D000.08D4,0UU0,0000,GOOU 4E16,0000,0000,0000,06D4,0000,0o00,0000

4E18,0000:OOU0,000D‘08D4,0U003000,0000 4E18,0000:0000,0000,0BD4,000000000000 4E18,00D0.0000,0000,08D4,000000009000 4E16,0000,0000,0000,06D4,0000,000o,0000 4E16,0000000000000604,0000,0000,0000

Patent Application Publication

Jun. 27, 2013 Sheet 6 0f 11

US 2013/0162248 A1

FIG. 6 [EXTRACTION START TIMETABLE] ROW NUMBER EXTRACTION START TIME [pSEC] 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH 5TH 6TH 7TH 8TH

ROW ROW ROW ROW ROW ROW ROW ROW

14880 114880 214880 314880 414880 514880 614880 714880

9TH ROW

10TH 11TH 12TH 13TH 14TH 15TH 16TH 17TH 18TH 19TH

ROW ROW ROW ROW ROW ROW ROW ROW ROW ROW

20TH ROW

21TH 22TH 23TH 24TH 25TH

'

ROW ROW ROW ROW ROW

814880

914880 1014880 1114880 1214880 1314880 1414880 1514880 1614880 1714880 1814880 '

1914880

2014880 2114880 2214880 2314880 2414880

Patent Application Publication

FIG. 7

Jun. 27, 2013 Sheet 7 0f 11

US 2013/0162248 A1

[MEASUREMENT SIGNAL (RECEIVED DATA)] DATA

TIME FROM START

NUMBER OF MEASUREMENT

SIGNAL RECEPTION

MEASUREMENT SIGNAL

(RECEIVED DATA)

0 0000000 [ILSECI

B1 E7,0000,—54,-26,0,1 0000,0000

1

0000001 [p.866]

B1 E7,0000,-54:21,0,2,0000,0000

2 3 4 5 6 7 3 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 25 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47

0000002 [p.566] 0000003 [p556] 0000004 [11580] 0000005 [pSEC] 0000006 [1.1560] 0000007 [1,1580] 0000008 [ILSECI 0000009 [115E131 00000010 [psec] 00000011 [056C] 00000012 [11586] 00000013 [p.860] 00000014 [0586] 00000015 [11sec] 00000016 [0886} 00000017 [p886] 00000018 [086C] 00000019 [0860] 00000020 [0880] 00000021 [p580] 00000022 [059C] 00000023 [056C] 00000024 [056C] 00000025 [psec] 00000026 [p.560] 00000027 [p560] 00000028 [0866] 00000029 [0886] 00000030 [p.580] 00000031 {uses} 00000032 [0550] 00000033 [115901 00000034 [055C] 00000035 [058C] 00000036 [p.sec] 00000037 [psec] 00000038 [p566] 00000039 [psec] 00000040 [056C] 00000041 [0560] 00000042 LLLSGC] 00000043 [p.586] 00000044 [0566] 00000045 [p560] 00000046 [p.560] 00000047 [p566]

B1 E7,0000,—54,-16,0,3,0000,0000 B1 510000752711 ,0,4,0000,0000 B1E7,0000750770500000000 B1 E7,00007—49,*6,0,6,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000,-43,-4,0,7,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000,-33,*6,0,B,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000731 :—7,0,9,0000,0000 B1 1510000523711 ,0,1 0,0000,0000 B1E7,0000,-13.-14,0,110000,0000 B1 E7,0000,-2,-21 ,0,12,0000,0000 B1 E7‘0000,10‘-26,0,13,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000,24,-33,0,14,0000,0000 B1E7,0000,37,~40,0,15,0000,0000 B1 E70000535410,16,0000,0000 B1 ET,0000,65,-52,0,1700000000 B1 E7,0000,79,-57I0,1000000000 B1 ET,0000,91,—01I0,19,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000,99,—6402000000000 B1E7,0000,108,-54,0,21,0000,0000 B1 ET,0000,113,-62,0,22,0000,0000 B1E7,0000,115,-6102300000000 B1 E7,0000,116,-57,0,24,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000,113,'52,0,25,0000,0000 B1E7,000U,110,—47,0,26,0000,U000 B1 E7,0000,103,-40,0,27,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000,94,“33,0,28,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000,84,-25,0,29,0000,0000 511571000012713,0,30,00000000 B1 ET,0000,60,-11 ,0,31,0000,0000 B1E7,000o,48,-6,0,32,000o,o0u0 B1 E7,0000,36,0,0,330000,0000 B1ET,0000,25,1,0,34,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000,15,3,0,35,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000,S‘3,0,36,0000,0000 BI E7,000u,u,1,o,37,0000,u0oo B1E7,0D00,*4,~4,0,38,0000,0U00 B1 E7,0000,-7,~7,0,39,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000,—11714,040,00000000 B1 E7,0000,'11,-21,0,41 00000000 B1 ET,0000,-1172004200000000 B1 E7,0000,—11733,043,00000000 B1 E7,0000,-11,‘40,0,44,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000,-11 ,-47,0,45,0000,0000 B1E7,0000,—1175004600000000 B1E7,0000,—11,—54,0,4T,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000,-11,-5510,4B,0000,0000

4s 49 50 51

ODO0DO48[psec] 00000049 [11360] 00000050 [056C] 00000051 [0580]

B1E71O0U0,-13,—57,0,49,0000,0000 B1E7,0000,~14,'55,0,50,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000.~18,“52,0,510000,0000 B1E7‘00001-2174705200000000

Patent Application Publication

FIG. 8

Jun. 27, 2013 Sheet 8 0f 11

US 2013/0162248 A1

[RECEIVED DATA] TIME FROM START

0000 SIGNAL OF RECEPTION 140000000006“ 0 000000010500]

B1E7,0000,—54‘—26,0,13000,0000

1 2 0 4

0000001 [0000] 0000002 [0000] 0000000 [0000] 00000040000]

B1E7,00D0,—54,'21,0,2,D000,000D B1 E7,0000,-54,-10,0,00000,0000 B1E7,0000,-52,-11,0,4,0000,0000 B1E7,00U0,—50;7,U,5,000UODOU

0 0 7 0 9

00000050000] 000000010000} 00000070451001 0000000100001 0000009100001

B1E7,0000,—49,—6,D,6,UG00,000U B1E7,0000,—43,—4,0,7,0000,0000 0150000900500000000000 B1E7,0000,—31‘—7,0,9,0000,0000 B1E7,0000,-20,-11,0.10,0000,0000

00014000010001 00014001015001 00014002 [0000] 00014000010001 00014004010001 00014005 [0.000] 00014000 [0000] 00014007 [0000]

B1E7,0000,—0‘-000,140010000,0000 B1E7,0000,-7,-40,0,14002,0000,0000 B1E7,0000,—7,-52‘0,14863,0000,0000 B1E7,0000,-0,-02,0,14004,0000,0000 B1E7,0000-7;-70,0,1400500000000 B1E7,0000,~7.-01,0,14000,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000‘—6.—88,0,148S7,0000,0000 B1E7,0000,-4-00,0.1400000000000

14000 00014000 [0500]

01E7.0000,-2,-97,0,1400000000000

14000 14070 14071 14072

00014009010400] 00014070010001 00014071 [00001 00014072 [01sec]

14070 14074 14075 14070 14077 14070 14079 14000

00014070 [0500] 00014074 [0500] 00014075 [psec] 00014070 [11sec] 00014077100001 00014070 {0000] 00014070 [14000] 00014000 [0000]

14000 00014000010001 14000 00014000015001

B1E7,0000,0,—98,[J)14870,000D,000O B1 E7,0000,0,-07,0,14071 0000,0000 B1E7,0000,0,-05,0,14072,0000,0000 B1E7,0000,10,-00,0,14070,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000,1 0,-05,0,14074,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000,1 7,-70,0,14075,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000,20,-71 ,0,14070,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000,24,-04,0,1407700000000 B1E7,0000,27,-07,0,14070,0000,0000 B1E7,0000,29,-52,0,140700000,0000 B1E7,0000,02,-47,0,1400000000000 B1E7,0000,34;42,0,14881,00D0,0000 B1E7,00DO,34,—40,0,14882,0000,0000 B1E7,0000,02,-00,0,1400000000000 B1E71000O,30,—38,O,14884,0000,0000 B1ET,O000,29,—40,0,14885,0000,0000 B1E7.0000,25,-42,0,1400000000000 B1E710000,20,—45,O11488100003000 B1ET‘DOOUJ7,—5U,O,14888,U000,0000 01E7,0000,12,-05,0,14000,0000,0000 B1E7,0000,0,-50,0,14000,0000,0000 01E7,000o,1,-04,0,14001,0000,0000 B1E7,0000,—2.—69,U,14892,000U,O00U B1E7,0000,~0,-70,0,1400000000000 B1E7,0000,—7,—74,0,14004,0000,0000 B1E7,0D00,—7,—74,0,14895,0000,00D0 B1E7,0000,-7,-74,0,14000,0000,0000 B1E7,D000,-6r73,0,14897,0000,0000 01E7,0000,-2,-09,01400000000000 B1E7,0000,3,—64,0,14899,0000,0000 B1E7;0000,8,*59,0,14900,U000,000D

00014900 [0000]

B1E7,0000,15,—52,0,149010000,0000

14000 14001 14002 14000 14004 14005 14000 14007

14001 00014001015001 14002 00014002 [0000] 14000 00014000 [1.1000]

14004 00014004105001 14000 00014005100001 14000 14007 14000 14000 14000 14091 14002 14000 14004 14000 14000 14007

14900

00014000[00e01 00014007100001 00014000 {0000] 00014009 [0000] 00014000 [05001 00014001004001 00014002 [0000] 00014000100001 00014094 [0000] 00014000010001 00014006 [14000] 00014007010001

Patent Application Publication

FIG. 9

Jun. 27, 2013 Sheet 9 0f 11

US 2013/0162248 A1

[MEASUREMENT DATA] MEASUREMENT SIGNAL TIME FORM MEASUREMENT START (RECEIVED DATA)

00014880 [11sec] 00014885 [p360] 00014890 [14sec] 00014895 [uses] 0001490001866] 00014905 [psec]

00014910 [0860] 00014915 [0580] 00014920 [psec] 00014925 [p860]

00114880 [uses] 00114885 [psecl 00114890 [psec] 00114895 [p560] 00114900 [uses] 00114905 [uses] 00114910 [p560] 00114915 [11sec] 00114920 [psec] 00114925 [ilsec]

B1 E7,0000,34,~42,0,14881 ,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000,25,-42,0,1488800000000 B1 E7,0000,1,—64,0,14891,0000,0000 B1 E7,0000,-7,—74,0,1489600000000 B1 E7,0000,15,-52,0,14901,0000,0000 B1E7,0000,58,-14,0,14906,0000,0000 B1E7,0000,94,15,0,149110000,0000 B1E7,0000,106,29,0,14916,0000,0000 B1E7,0000,94,37,0,149210000,0000 B1E7,0000‘60,37,0,1492600000000

B1E7,0000,5,—1114934500000000 B1E7‘0000,-28,-35,1,4935000000000 B1E7,0000,—59,—62,1,493550000‘0000 B1E7,0000,—68,—66,1,4936000000000 B1 E7,0000,~55,~28,1 ,49365,0000,0000 B1E7,0000r50,32,1,49370,0000,0000 B1E7,0000,—64,72,1,49375,0000,0000 B1E7,0000,—80,75,1,49380,0000,0000 B1E7,0000,—83,57,1,49385,0000,0000

B1E7,0000,—78,5114939000000000

Patent Application Publication

(

Jun. 27, 2013 Sheet 10 0f 11

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MEASUREMENT

US 2013/0162248 A1

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Patent Application Publication

11FIG.

Jun. 27, 2013 Sheet 11 0f 11

US 2013/0162248 A1

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IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING METHOD CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001]

This application is a continuation application of

International Application No. PCT/JP20ll/072079 ?led on

Sep. 27, 2011. The content of the prior application is herein

incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to an imaging device and an imaging method, more speci?cally, an imaging device and an imaging method using the nuclear magnetic resonance

imaging, Which images in vivo information by using the nuclear magnetic resonance phenomenon. BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Recently, the MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) device using the MRI, Which images in vivo information by

using the NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) phenomenon, is noted.

[0004]

In the conventional MRI device, the pulse generator

corresponding to a clock of the MRI measurement must gen

erate stable and accurate pulses at high speed and, for this, special-purpose hardWare such as a DSP (Digital Signal Pro cessor), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or oth ers, has been used (refer to Patent Reference 1 and 2). PRIOR ART REFERENCES

Patent References

[0005]

Patent Reference 1: Japanese Patent Application

Unexamined Publication No. 09-173316

[0006]

Patent Reference 2: Japanese Patent Application

Unexamined Publication No. 10-213557

Jun. 27, 2013

erating a reference clock; and a signal input/output unit pro vided betWeen the imaging unit and the control unit and

inputting and outputting signals in synchronization With the reference clock generated by the reference clock unit, the control unit comprising: generating means generating a plu rality of control signals for controlling the imaging unit and generating an extraction timing of extracting measurement signals from the imaging unit; transmitting means transmit

ting the plural control signals generated by the generating means to the imaging unit via the signal input/output unit in synchroniZation With the reference clock; receiving means receiving measurement signals from the imaging unit via the

signal input/ output unit in synchroniZation With the reference clock and counting reception times of the measurement sig nals; and extraction means extracting the measurement signal When the reception times of the measurement signals received by the receiving means agrees With the extraction timing generated by the generating means. [0011] In the imaging device described above, it is possible that the generating means generates the plural control signals for controlling the imaging unit, based on a 1st pulse sequence for controlling the imaging unit, and extracts the measurement signal from the imaging unit, based on a 2nd

pulse sequence for extracting the measurement signals from the imaging unit. [0012] In the imaging device described above, it is possible that the reference clock includes a ?rst reference clock, and a second reference clock Which is different from the ?rst refer ence clock in the frequency, the transmitting means transmits

the plural control means to the imaging unit in synchroniZa tion With the ?rst reference clock, and the receiving means receives the measurement signals in synchroniZation With the second reference clock.

[0013] In the imaging device described above, it is possible that the imaging unit is an MRI unit producing images by the nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, and the frequency of the reference clock is in the range of 0.1-2.0 MHZ.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention [0007]

Such conventional MRI device has a problem that

the pulse generator, Which is special hardWare, is not readily replaceable, and the capacity of the MRI device cannot meet

requirements of the pulse sequences Which advance day by

day. [0008] It has been tried to provide the pulse generator by a general-purpose personal computer, but the OS mounted on

the general-purpose personal computer, speci?cally, the multi-task OS such as WindoWs (registered trademark) by

Microsoft Corporation irregularly executes interruptions, Which has made it dif?cult for the MRI device to generate

stable and accurate RF pulses and gradient magnetic ?eld

pulses. [0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device and an imaging method Which can produce images by generating pulses of stable and accurate time reso

lution Without using special-purpose hardWare. Means for Solving the Problem [0010] The imaging device according to one aspect of the present invention is the imaging device including an imaging unit producing images, and a control unit controlling the imaging unit, further comprising: a reference clock unit gen

[0014]

In the imaging device described above, it is possible

that the imaging device further comprises an external syn chroniZation clock unit generating an external synchroniZa tion clock, the control unit further comprising an external

synchroniZation means controlling signal input/ output by the signal input/output unit in synchroniZation With the external

synchroniZation clock generated by the external synchroni Zation clock unit. [0015] The measuring device described according to one

aspect of the present invention is the measuring device includ ing a measuring unit for measurement, and a control unit

controlling the measuring unit, further comprising: a refer ence clock unit generating a reference clock; and a signal

input/output unit provided betWeen the measuring unit and the control unit and inputting and outputting signals in syn chroniZation With the reference clock generated by the refer ence clock unit, the control unit comprising: generating means generating a plurality of control signals for controlling the measuring unit and generating an extraction timing of extracting measurement signals from the measuring unit; transmitting means transmitting the plural control signals generated by the generating means via the signal input/output unit in synchronization With the reference clock; receiving means measurement signals from the measuring unit via the

signal input/ output unit in synchroniZation With the reference clock and counting a reception numbers of the measurement signals; and extraction means extracting the measurement

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received by the receiving means agrees With the extraction

agrees With the extraction timing generated by the generating means, Whereby images can be produced by generating

timing generated by the generating means.

pulses of stable and accurate time resolution Without using

[0016]

special-purpose hardWare.

signal When the reception number of the measurement signals The imaging method according to one aspect to the

present invention is the imaging method of producing images by an imaging unit comprising: generating a plurality of control signals for controlling the imaging unit; generating an extraction timing of extracting measurement signals from the imaging unit; transmitting the plural control signals to the imaging unit via a signal input/output unit in synchronization With a reference clock; receiving the measurement signals

from the imaging unit via the signal input/ output unit in synchronization With the reference clock; counting a recep tion number of the measurement signals from the start of the

measurement; and extracting the measurement signal When the reception number of the measurement signals agrees With

the extracting timing. [0017]

In the imaging device described above, it is possible

that the reference clock includes a ?rst reference clock, and a second reference clock Which is different form the ?rst refer

ence clock in the frequency, the plural control signals are transmitted to the imaging unit in synchronization With the ?rst reference clock, and the measurement signals are received in synchronization With the second reference clock.

[0018] In the imaging device described above, it is possible that the imaging unit is an MRI unit Which produces images by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, and the frequency of

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the imaging system according to one embodiment of the present invention, Which shoWs the constitution of the imaging system. [0022] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the imaging

system according to the embodiment of the present invention, Which shoWs the operation of the imaging system. [0023]

FIG. 3 is a vieW of a pulse sequence ?le of the

imaging system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [0024] FIG. 4 is a vieW of control signals of the imaging

system according to the embodiment of the present invention

(Part 1). [0025] FIG. 5 is a vieW of control signals of the imaging system according to the embodiment of the present invention

(Part 2). [0026]

FIG. 6 is a vieW of an extraction start timetable of the

imaging system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [0027] FIG. 7 is a vieW of measurement signals of the

imaging system according to the embodiment of the present

the reference clock is in the range of 0.1-2.0 MHz.

invention (Part 1).

[0019] The measuring method according to one aspect of the present invention is the measuring method of measuring by a measuring unit comprising: generating a plurality of

imaging system according to the embodiment of the present

[0028]

FIG. 8 is a vieW of measurement signals of the

invention (Part 2).

control signals for controlling the measuring unit; generating

[0029]

an extraction timing of extracting measurement signals from

system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a vieW of measurement data of the imaging

the measuring unit; transmitting the plural control signals to

[0030]

the measuring unit via a signal input/output unit in synchro

of the imaging system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

nization With a reference clock; receiving the measurement

FIG. 10 is a How chart of the measurement operation

signals form the measuring unit via the signal input/output

[0031]

unit in synchronization With the reference clock; counting a reception number of the measurement signals from the start of the measurement; and extracting the measurement signal When the reception number of the measurement signals

imaging system according to the embodiment of the present

FIG. 11 is a vieW of the measurement result of the

invention. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

agrees With the extracting timing. One Embodiment EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0020] As described above, according to the present inven tion, the imaging device includes an imaging unit producing images, and a control unit controlling the imaging unit, fur ther comprises: a reference clock unit generating a reference

clock; and a signal input/output unit provided betWeen the imaging unit and the control unit and inputting and outputting signals in synchronization With the reference clock generated by the reference clock unit, the control unit comprising: gen erating means generating a plurality of control signals for controlling the imaging unit and generating an extraction timing of extracting measurement signals from the imaging unit; transmitting means transmitting the plural control sig nals generated by the generating means to the imaging unit via the signal input/output unit in synchronization With the reference clock; receiving means receiving measurement sig nals from the imaging unit via the signal input/ output unit in synchronization With the reference clock and counting recep

[0032]

The imaging system according to one embodiment

of the present invention Will be described With reference to the

draWings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the imaging system according to the present embodiment, Which shoWs the con stitution of the imaging system. FIG. 2 is a functional block

diagram of the imaging system according to the present embodiment, Which shoWs the operation of the imaging sys tem.

[0033] (Imaging System) [0034] As shoWn in FIG. 1, the imaging system according to the present embodiment comprises an MRI (Magnetic

Resonance Imaging) device 100 using the nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a device to be controlled, and a

general-purpose personal computer 200 as a control device for controlling the device to be controlled. [0035] The MRI device 100 comprises: a digital receiver/

transmitter 102 Which transmits and receives digital signals, analog transmitted RF pulses and analog received signals; an

tion times of the measurement signals; and extraction means

XYZ gradient magnetic ?eld poWer source and a gradient coil

extracting the measurement signal When the reception times of the measurement signals received by the receiving means

XYZ gradient magnetic ?eld; a static magnetic ?eld magnet

104 Which includes a poWer source and a coil for applying

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106 Which applies a static magnetic ?eld; a magnet tempera ture stabilizer 108 Which stabilizes the magnet temperature; an LoW noize RF signal ampli?er 110 Which ampli?es RF micro signals; an RF poWer ampli?er 112 Which ampli?es RF power; an RF coil 114 Which receives and transmits RF sig nals; a bed for measurement object 116 Which carries an object-to-be-imaged to a prescribed position; an electric injector 118 Which injects a contrast medium in synchroniza tion With pulse sequences; and other devices 120 such as other

imaging modalities, devices Which operate in the magnetic resonance imaging, etc.

[0036] The digital receiver/transmitter 102 has the function ofA/D converting MRI signals inputted via the LoW noize RF signal ampli?er 110, and the A/ D converted signals are sequentially transmitted to a second communication buffer 236 in synchronization With a reference clock of 0. 1 -2.0 MHz from a reference clock circuit 230. [0037] The MRI device 100 further comprises a communi cation interface 122 for the connection to other devices via

USE, LAN, etc. [0038] The general-purpose personal computer 200 com prises an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) Which is the main CPU; a memory 204 Which is a buffer memory for tempo

rarily storing programs and data necessary for the MPU 20 to

make processing; a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) 206 Which makes graphic processing; and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive)/SSD (Solid State Drive) memory 208 Which stores programs and data. The MPU 202, the memory 204, the GPU 206 and the HDD/SSD memory 208 are mutually connected by a signal bus line 210. [0039] The CPU 206 comprises a computation core spe cialized for scienti?c computation to assist the computation processing of the MPU 202 and make computation process ing of a measurement soft module having the priority of using

the GPU 206 to thereby improve the operational stability of the general-purpose personal computer 220 as a Whole.

[0040] In the general-purpose personal computer 200, Win doWs (registered trademark) by Microsoft Corporation, for example, is mounted. The multi-task OS, such as WindoWs

(registered trademark), irregularly executes interruption pro

cessing.

Jun. 27, 2013

102. In a case, hoWever, that NMR center frequency is loWer than 2 MHz, the reference clock and the NMR frequency are sometimes the same.

[0045] The frequency of the reference clock of the present embodiment is preferably above 0.01 MHz including 0.01 MHz, more preferably, in the range of 0.1-2.0 MHz, and further more preferably, 1.0 MHz.

[0046] The reference click is preferably 1-100 MHz for the RF pulse and 0.01-1 MHz for the gradient magnetic ?eld pulse, and differs for the respective purposes. [0047] From the vieW point of generating an idealistic pulse, it is preferable to increase the time-resolution ability, i.e., to realize 100 MHz Which is the maximum frequency. HoWever, When the frequency of the reference clock is higher, the processing quantity of the received/transmitted data is enormous. In a case that the pulse generation is simpli?ed to the max, the MRI Will be possible even With the reference

clock of 0.01 MHz, but the pulse resolution ability becomes too loW.

[0048] Then, the reference clock of 1 MHz Which satis?es the requirement as the RF pulse and the requirement as the

gradient magnetic ?eld pulse is preferable. [0049] From the vieW point of the data processing quantity and the processing quality of the measurement signals, the reference clock is preferable in the range from 0.1 to 2.0 MHz. In this vieWpoint as Well, the reference clock of 1 MHz described above is in this range and preferable.

[0050] There is a possibility that oWing to the development of the computer technology, the desirable reference clock Will be raised to about 10 MHz in the near future.

[0051] In the general-purpose personal computer 200, separate from the usual input/output interface 212, a general purpose digital I/O board 232 is provided. The general-pur pose digital I/O board 232 is connected to the signal bus line 210.

[0052] Into and from the general-purpose digital I/O board 232, control signals for controlling the MRI device 100, mea surement signals from the MRI device 100, etc. are inputted and outputted in synchronization With the reference clock. [0053] The digital I/O board 232 operates in synchroniza tion With the reference clock and, When interruption process

[0041] In the general-purpose personal computer 200, an input/output interface 212 for connecting input and output

ing takes place in WindoWs (registered trademark) mounted in the general-purpose personal computer 200, is alWays sta bly operative Without generating time delays and jitters in the

devices, and a communication interface 214 for the connec

inputted/outputted signals.

tion With other devices by USB, LAN, etc. are further mounted. The input/output interface 212 and the communi cation interface 214 are connected to the signal bus line 210. [0042] To the input/output interface 210, a monitor 216, a key board 218 and a mouse 220 are connected. An operator

operates the general-purpose personal computer 200 With the monitor 216, the key board 218 and the mouse 220. [0043] The reference clock circuit 230 generates reference clocks Which contain a reference for the synchronous control of the MRI device 100. The reference clock circuit 230 gen erates a reference clock of a constant period With TCXO

(Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator) or others. For example, a reference clock of 0.01 -100 MHz is generated. [0044] The reference clock may not take the NMR (Nuclear

Magnetic Resonance) frequency into consideration. The NMR center frequency is generated and oscillated With the same TCXO that generates the reference clock. The NMR

center frequency is used in the digital receiver/transmitter

[0054] A ?rst communication buffer 234 temporarily stores the transmitted data of the control signals transmitted from the digital I/O board 232 and received data of the measure ment signals received by the digital I/O board 232. [0055] A second communication buffer 236 temporarily stores the transmitted data of the control signals transmitted from the ?rst communication buffer 234 and the received data of the measurement signals received by the ?rst communica tion buffer 234. [0056] The second communication buffer 236 is connected to the digital receiver/transmitter 1 02, the XYZ gradient mag netic ?eld poWer source and the gradient coil 104, and receives and transmits signals from and to the digital receiver/ transmitter 102, and transmits control signals to the XYZ gradient magnetic poWer source and the gradient coil 104. [0057] The reference clock from the reference clock circuit 230 is supplied to the digital I/O board 121, the ?rst commu nication buffer 234, the second communication buffer 236

US 2013/0162248 A1

and the digital receiver/transmitter 102 to operate them in synchronization With the reference clock. [0058] An external synchronization clock circuit 240 receives analog inputs, as of heart rates, respirations, the poWer source clock, etc., and digitally generates a relatively

Jun. 27, 2013

synchronization With the ?rst reference clock, and When mea surement signals are received from the MRI device 100, the measurement signals are received in synchronization With the second reference clock.

loW external synchronization clock, for example, the external

[0071] (Operation of the Imaging System) [0072] Next, the operation of the imaging system according

synchronization clock of 0.1-60 Hz.

to the present embodiment Will be described With reference to

[0059] Such interruption processing has the priority over the repetition time TR of the pulse sequence shoWn in the 1 1-th roW in FIG. 3. By using this function, the repetition time

the functional diagram of FIG. 2.

TR can be reneWed Without changing the pulse sequence ?le 300. Simply, the same clock as the repetition time TR desig nated by the pulse sequence in the 1 1-th roW in FIG. 3 may be

inputted.

[0073] In the imaging system according to the present embodiment, images are produced by the MRI device 100, based on a measurement program. To execute the measure

ment program, a pulse sequence ?le 300 of pulse sequences described in the text format is prepared.

external synchronization clock of 05-10 Hz is generated,

[0074] As shoWn in FIG. 3, the pulse sequence ?le 300 is formed of a plurality of pulse sequences described in the text format.

based on inputs from an electrocardiographic monitor, a heart rate meter using infrared radiation.

[0075] At the top of the pulse sequence ?le 300, pulse sequences for the initial setting for imaging by the MRI

[0061]

device 100 are arranged.

[0060]

For the heart rates of often a mouse or a man, an

For the respiration of often a mouse or a man, an

external synchronization clock of 0.1-5 Hz is generated, based on the inputs from a pressure sensor using a balloon or

others. [0062] For the poWer source clock, an external synchroni zation clock of 50 Hz or 60 Hz is generated, based on the inputs from a circuit Which digitizes a source AC frequency.

[0063] However, it is also possible that said clock isjudged real time, and an irregular external synchronization clock may be generated. For example, a clock may be generated for 8 heart rate signals inputted after a one-second blank from the start of respiration.

[0076]

For example, they are the pulse sequences in the 1st

roW to the 11th roWs of FIG. 3.

[0077]

The 1st roW pulse sequence (:NX 1) stipulates a

number of accumulations.

[0078] The 2nd roW pulse sequence (:DW 5) stipulates a receiver sampling rate (microsecond). [0079] The 3rd roW pulse sequence (:NR 2048) stipulates a number of receiver sampling points. [0080] The 4th roW pulse sequence (:N0 1) stipulates a number of a phase encode 0.

[0064] In the general-purpose personal computer 200,

[0081]

separate from the usual input/ output interface 210, a general purpose digital I/O board 242 is further provided. The gen eral-purpose digital I/O board 242 is connected to the signal

number of a phase encode 1.

bus line 210.

[0083] The 7th roW pulse sequence (:S0 0) stipulates a step size of the phase encode 0. [0084] The 8th roW pulse sequence (: S1 64) stipulates a step size of the phase encode 1. [0085] The 9th roW pulse sequence (: S2 64) stipulates a step size of the phase encode 2. [0086] The 10th roW pulse sequence (:DU 10) stipulates a

[0065] The general-purpose digital I/O board 242 controls the input/output of the signals by the digital I/O board 232 in synchronization With the external synchronization clock. For example, in synchronization With the external synchroniza tion clock corresponding to heart rate signal of a man-to-be detected, measurement signals from the MRI device 100 are

inputted and outputted into and from the general-purpose digital I/O board 242. [0066] In the imaging system according to the present

embodiment, another general-purpose personal computer 250 is further provided. The general-purpose personal com puter 250 is connected to the MRI device 100 and the general purpose personal computer 200 via a communication inter

face 252 by USB, LAN, etc. [0067] The general-purpose personal computer 250 makes processing of, e.g., reconstructing an image, based on mea surement data, etc.

[0068]

In the present embodiment described above, the ref

erence clock circuit 23 0 generates one reference clock, and, in

synchronization With the reference clock, signals are inputted and outputted into and from the digital I/O board 232, but this

[0082]

The 5th roW pulse sequence (:N1 128) stipulates a The 6th roW pulse sequence (:N2 16) stipulates a

number of a phase encode 2.

number of dummy pulses. [0087]

The 11th roW pulse sequence (:TR 100) stipulates a

repetition time TR [mille second]. [0088]

Pulse sequences of the imaging are arranged, fol

loWing the pulse sequences of the initial setting. For example, they are the pulse sequences in the 12th roW and the roW

folloWing the 12th roW, of FIG. 3.

[0089] The 12th roW pulse sequence (00009400 RF 0002) stipulates the transmission of the second RF pulse 9,940 microseconds later from the measurement start.

[0090] The 13th roW pulse sequence (00010600 GY 8000