JP6721465B2 - Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and maintenance system using the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and maintenance system using the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus Download PDF

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JP6721465B2
JP6721465B2 JP2016175305A JP2016175305A JP6721465B2 JP 6721465 B2 JP6721465 B2 JP 6721465B2 JP 2016175305 A JP2016175305 A JP 2016175305A JP 2016175305 A JP2016175305 A JP 2016175305A JP 6721465 B2 JP6721465 B2 JP 6721465B2
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千葉 知雄
知雄 千葉
光宏 有可
光宏 有可
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Description

本発明は、超電導磁石、磁気共鳴イメージング装置(以下、MRI装置という。)、MRI装置を用いたメンテナンスシステムとメンテナンス方法に係り、特に超電導磁石に備えられた配管に閉塞が生じたことを早期に検出する技術に関する。 The present invention relates to a superconducting magnet, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as an MRI apparatus), a maintenance system and a maintenance method using the MRI apparatus, and particularly to early occurrence of blockage in a pipe provided in the superconducting magnet. Regarding detection technology.

被検体を均一な磁場空間に配置して、その核磁気共鳴(以下、NMRと称する)信号から医学的診断を行うMRI装置は、従来のX線CT装置や核医学装置(RI装置)での検査と同じように医療機関で用いられる。特に、MRI装置を用いた検査は形態的な情報や、代謝などの機能的な情報を画像化する多様な検査であることから優れた病巣検出能力がある。 An MRI device that arranges a subject in a uniform magnetic field space and performs medical diagnosis from its nuclear magnetic resonance (hereinafter, referred to as NMR) signal is a conventional X-ray CT device or a nuclear medicine device (RI device). It is used in medical institutions like inspection. In particular, an examination using an MRI apparatus has excellent lesion detection ability because it is a variety of examinations that image morphological information and functional information such as metabolism.

このMRI装置において、優れた病巣検出能を有する画像を得るには、高い磁場強度とその偏差がPPMオーダーの均一な静磁場空間に被検体の検査部位を配置する必要があるが、静磁場発生磁石を超電導磁石で構成する場合、次のような問題があることが知られている。 In order to obtain an image with excellent lesion detection capability with this MRI device, it is necessary to place the examination site of the subject in a uniform static magnetic field space with high magnetic field strength and its deviation in the PPM order. It is known that the following problems occur when the magnet is composed of a superconducting magnet.

すなわち、特許文献1では、超電導磁石の配管の隙間から空気が流れ込み、その空気が固化し、閉塞が生じることが記載されており、特許文献1では特に、その閉塞の位置を検知することについての技術が開示されている。 That is, in Patent Document 1, it is described that air flows in from the gap of the pipe of the superconducting magnet, the air is solidified, and clogging occurs, and in Patent Document 1, particularly, about detecting the position of the clogging. The technology is disclosed.

具体的に、特許文献1では、配管に設けられた圧力センサーによる計測値が、所定の値より大きいか小さいかを比較し、その比較結果に基づいて、閉塞位置が、圧力センサーの位置より排気弁に近い部分で閉塞しているか、圧力センサーの位置より冷媒容器に近い位置で閉塞しているかを判定していた。 Specifically, in Patent Document 1, the measured value by the pressure sensor provided in the pipe is compared to determine whether it is larger or smaller than a predetermined value, and based on the comparison result, the closed position is exhausted from the position of the pressure sensor. It was determined whether it was closed at a portion near the valve or at a position closer to the refrigerant container than the pressure sensor.

特開2008-154677号公報Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-154677

しかしながら、特許文献1記載の技術は、配管閉塞が生じたことをなるべく早く、時間的に精度良く検出することに関しては配慮がされていなかった。 However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 does not consider the occurrence of pipe blockage as early as possible and with high accuracy in time.

従来は、配管に併設されたクライオクーラーの点検時に、配管内を目視にて確認したり、大気開放バルブを開けることによるガス流量の大小で確認する等をしていた。 Conventionally, when inspecting a cryocooler attached to a pipe, the inside of the pipe was visually checked, and the amount of gas flow was checked by opening the atmosphere release valve.

そこで、本発明の目的は、超電導磁石に備えられた配管に閉塞が生じたことを早期に精度良く検出することが可能な超電導磁石、MRI装置、MRI装置を用いたメンテナンスシステムとメンテナンス方法を提供することにある。 Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a maintenance system and a maintenance method using a superconducting magnet, an MRI apparatus, and an MRI apparatus capable of early and accurately detecting the occurrence of blockage in a pipe provided in the superconducting magnet. To do.

上記目的を達成するために、本発明によれば、所望の空間に静磁場を発生させるための超電導コイルと、前記超電導コイルを冷媒の液体ヘリウムとともに収容するコイル容器と、前記コイル容器を包囲し、且つ内部が真空に保持された真空容器と、前記コイル容器の上部に設けられた配管と、前記コイル容器内の圧力が、負圧にならないように前記コイル容器内の圧力を保つように、前記液体ヘリウムを気化させて調整するためのヒータ4及びその制御線と、前記配管の常温側に設けられた圧力計から構成される超電導磁石において、前記配管の前記コイル容器側に閉塞が生じたことを、前記圧力計により所定の時間計測した計測値の単位時間あたり変動率のばらつきに基づいて判別する判別部が備えられていることを特徴とする超電導磁石が提供される。 In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a superconducting coil for generating a static magnetic field in a desired space, a coil container for accommodating the superconducting coil together with liquid helium as a refrigerant, and surrounding the coil container. And, a vacuum container whose inside is kept vacuum, a pipe provided on the upper part of the coil container, and a pressure in the coil container, so as to keep the pressure in the coil container so as not to become a negative pressure, In a superconducting magnet composed of a heater 4 and its control line for vaporizing and adjusting the liquid helium, and a pressure gauge provided on the room temperature side of the pipe, blockage occurred on the coil container side of the pipe. A superconducting magnet is provided, which is provided with a discriminating unit for discriminating the above based on the variation of the fluctuation rate per unit time of the measurement value measured by the pressure gauge for a predetermined time.

本発明によれば、超電導磁石に備えられた配管に閉塞が生じたことを早期に検出することが可能な超電導磁石、MRI装置、MRI装置を用いたメンテナンスシステムとメンテナンス方法を提供することができる。 According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a superconducting magnet, an MRI apparatus, and a maintenance system and a maintenance method using the MRI apparatus, which are capable of early detection of a blockage in a pipe provided in the superconducting magnet. ..

本発明の実施例1に係る超電導磁石の断面構造Sectional structure of superconducting magnet according to Example 1 of the present invention 圧力値を差圧式で計測する場合の計測値の変動を示した図Diagram showing fluctuation of measured value when measuring pressure value by differential pressure method 圧力値の変動をヒストグラムにより表した図Diagram showing the fluctuation of pressure value with a histogram 本発明の実施例1に係る超電導磁石を用いたMRI装置のブロック図Block diagram of an MRI apparatus using a superconducting magnet according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention 本発明の実施例1に係る超電導磁石を用いたMRI装置の動作フローOperation flow of MRI apparatus using superconducting magnet according to Example 1 of the present invention 本発明の実施例2に係る超電導磁石の断面の構造Example 2 Cross-sectional structure of a superconducting magnet according to Example 2 of the present invention 本発明の実施例2における超電導磁石を用いたMRI装置の動作フローOperation flow of MRI apparatus using superconducting magnet in Example 2 of the present invention

以下、添付図面に従って本発明の超電導磁石、MRI装置、MRI装置を用いたメンテナンスシステムとメンテナンス方法の好ましい実施形態について下記に述べる。なお、発明の実施形態を説明するための全図において、同一機能を有するものは同一符号を付け、その繰り返しの説明は省略する。 Preferred embodiments of a superconducting magnet, an MRI apparatus, a maintenance system and a maintenance method using the MRI apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In all the drawings for explaining the embodiments of the invention, components having the same function are designated by the same reference numeral, and the repeated description thereof will be omitted.

まず、図1は、本発明の実施例1に係る超電導磁石100の断面の構造である。図1によれば、超電導磁石100は、超電導状態で電気を流すことにより、1.2T、1.5Tあるいは3T等の磁場を発生するための超電導コイル101と、該超電導コイル101を冷媒の液体ヘリウム102とともに収容するコイル容器103と、該コイル容器103を包囲し、且つ内部が真空に保持された真空容器104と、前記コイル容器103上部に設けられた冷凍機挿入孔に接続された冷凍機105と、コイル容器103の上部に設けられ、コイル容器103の低温側ヘリウム漕106とコイル容器常温側空間107を接続する配管(サービスポート)108と、配管108のコイル容器常温側空間107側に設けられた圧力計109から構成される。 First, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional structure of a superconducting magnet 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. According to FIG. 1, the superconducting magnet 100 is a superconducting coil 101 for generating a magnetic field of 1.2T, 1.5T, 3T or the like by flowing electricity in a superconducting state, and the superconducting coil 101 is a liquid helium 102 as a refrigerant. A coil container 103 to be housed together, a vacuum container 104 that surrounds the coil container 103 and is maintained in a vacuum, and a refrigerator 105 connected to a refrigerator insertion hole provided in the upper portion of the coil container 103. A pipe (service port) 108 provided on the coil container 103 and connecting the low temperature side helium bath 106 of the coil container 103 and the coil container normal temperature side space 107, and provided on the coil container normal temperature side space 107 side of the pipe 108. It consists of a pressure gauge 109.

更に、コイル容器103内部にはヒータ110が配置され、制御線111を介して外部の制御部12と接続されている。制御部12は、圧力計109により計測されるコイル容器103内の圧力が、負圧にならないように、ヒータ110を通電して液体ヘリウム102を気化させコイル容器103内の圧力を保つようになっている。 Further, a heater 110 is arranged inside the coil container 103, and is connected to an external control unit 12 via a control line 111. The control unit 12 keeps the pressure in the coil container 103 by energizing the heater 110 to vaporize the liquid helium 102 so that the pressure in the coil container 103 measured by the pressure gauge 109 does not become a negative pressure. ing.

その為、圧力計109が大気圧との差圧式により圧力を計測するものであるときは、通常の場合、圧力計109による計測値は負圧にならないようある一定値に制御されることになる。 Therefore, when the pressure gauge 109 measures the pressure by the differential pressure type with the atmospheric pressure, in the normal case, the measurement value by the pressure gauge 109 is controlled to a certain constant value so as not to be a negative pressure. ..

ところが、配管108内への空気の流入により配管108のコイル容器103側近傍(具体的には、配管内の輻射シールドが外から接着される位置よりコイル容器側深い場所:配管低温側112)で閉塞が生じると、コイル容器常温側空間107が低温側ヘリウム漕106から切り離され、圧力計109による計測値が低温側に取り付けたヒータ110を通電して液体ヘリウム102を気化させてもコイル容器内の圧力は変化しないことになる。 However, in the vicinity of the coil container 103 side of the pipe 108 due to the inflow of air into the pipe 108 (specifically, at a place deeper than the position where the radiation shield in the pipe is bonded from the outside to the coil container side: the pipe low temperature side 112). When the blockage occurs, the coil container room temperature side space 107 is separated from the low temperature side helium bath 106, and the measured value by the pressure gauge 109 energizes the heater 110 attached to the low temperature side to vaporize the liquid helium 102. Pressure will not change.

具体的には、圧力計109による計測値は、大気変動とともに変化し、一方、配管のコイル容器103側近傍での閉塞は完全な閉塞とはなっていないため、微小なリークがおこり、長時間で圧力計測値の初期状態(配管常温側空間107内の圧力と、低温側ヘリウム槽106の圧力がほぼ同一となる状態)へ移行する。 Specifically, the value measured by the pressure gauge 109 changes with atmospheric changes, while the blockage near the coil container 103 side of the pipe is not a complete block, a minute leak occurs, and a long time Then, the state shifts to the initial state of the pressure measurement value (the state in which the pressure in the space 107 on the pipe normal temperature side and the pressure in the low temperature side helium tank 106 become substantially the same).

具体的に、図2には、圧力を差圧式で計測する場合の計測値の変動を示した図であり、横軸は時間軸、縦軸は圧力値である。ただし、破線201は、配管108に閉塞がない場合の圧力値の変動であるのに対して、実線202は、配管108に閉塞がある場合の圧力値の変動である。これによれば、配管108に閉塞がない場合には、差圧式により圧力を計測する圧力計109の値がほぼ変わらない(破線201)のに対して、配管108に閉塞がある場合には、値が正負に変動している(実線202)ことが示されている。 Specifically, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the fluctuation of the measured value when the pressure is measured by the differential pressure type, in which the horizontal axis is the time axis and the vertical axis is the pressure value. However, the broken line 201 is the fluctuation of the pressure value when the pipe 108 is not blocked, while the solid line 202 is the fluctuation of the pressure value when the pipe 108 is blocked. According to this, when there is no blockage in the pipe 108, the value of the pressure gauge 109 for measuring the pressure by the differential pressure formula is almost unchanged (broken line 201), whereas when there is a blockage in the pipe 108, It is shown that the value fluctuates positively and negatively (solid line 202).

そして、この変動を圧力値の時間変化の度数分布であるヒストグラムにより表すと、図3のようになる。図3(a)は、配管108に閉塞がない場合の度数分布で、配管108に配置された差圧式の圧力計109の変動幅(時間変化率)にばらつきがないのに対して、図3(b)は、配管108に閉塞がある場合の度数分布で、配管108に配置された差圧式の圧力計109の変動幅(時間変化率)にばらつきがあることがわかる。 Then, when this variation is represented by a histogram which is a frequency distribution of the time variation of the pressure value, it becomes as shown in FIG. FIG. 3(a) is a frequency distribution when there is no blockage in the pipe 108, and there is no variation in the fluctuation width (time change rate) of the differential pressure type pressure gauge 109 arranged in the pipe 108. (b) is the frequency distribution when the pipe 108 is blocked, and it can be seen that the fluctuation range (rate of change over time) of the differential pressure type pressure gauge 109 arranged in the pipe 108 varies.

そこで、本発明の実施例1に係る超電導磁石100を用いたMRI装置では、圧力計109による計測値の変動幅(時間変化率)のばらつきを評価することにより配管108内が閉塞したことを検出する。 Therefore, in the MRI apparatus using the superconducting magnet 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is detected that the inside of the pipe 108 is blocked by evaluating the variation in the fluctuation range (time change rate) of the measurement value by the pressure gauge 109. To do.

図4は、本発明の実施例1に係る超電導磁石100を用いたMRI装置の一部のブロック図である。図4によれば、超電導磁石100に設けられた圧力計109は、例えば、MRI装置内のCPU等の制御装置に接続される。 FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a part of the MRI apparatus using the superconducting magnet 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. According to FIG. 4, the pressure gauge 109 provided in the superconducting magnet 100 is connected to a control device such as a CPU in the MRI apparatus, for example.

制御部12内には、圧力計109と接続され、圧力計109により計測した圧力値を取得する圧力取得部12-1と、圧力取得部12-1に接続され、圧力取得部12-1により取得した計測値データをある程度時間分集めたものから、単位時間当たりの計測値(差圧)の変動率を計算する変動率計算部12-2と、変動率計算部12-2に接続され、変動率計算部12-2により計算した変動率のばらつきの一つである標準偏差の値(σ)を計算する標準偏差計算部12-3と、標準偏差計算部12-3に接続され、標準偏差計算部12-3により計算した標準偏差の値が閾値以上であるかを判別する判別部12-4が配置されている。 In the control unit 12, connected to the pressure gauge 109, the pressure acquisition unit 12-1 for acquiring the pressure value measured by the pressure gauge 109, and the pressure acquisition unit 12-1, and the pressure acquisition unit 12-1. From the collected measured value data for a certain amount of time, connected to the fluctuation rate calculation unit 12-2 for calculating the fluctuation rate of the measurement value (differential pressure) per unit time, and the fluctuation rate calculation unit 12-2, Connected to the standard deviation calculation unit 12-3 and the standard deviation calculation unit 12-3, which calculates the value of standard deviation (σ), which is one of the fluctuations in the fluctuation ratio calculated by the fluctuation calculation unit 12-2, and is connected to the standard deviation calculation unit 12-3. A discriminating unit 12-4 for discriminating whether the value of the standard deviation calculated by the deviation calculating unit 12-3 is equal to or more than a threshold value is arranged.

次に図5は、本発明の実施例1に係る超電導磁石100を用いたMRI装置の動作フローを示す図である。図5の各ステップを順に説明する。 Next, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation flow of the MRI apparatus using the superconducting magnet 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Each step of FIG. 5 will be described in order.

(ステップS501)
本発明に係る超電導磁石100を用いたMRI装置又はそのメンテナンスシステム内に備えられた制御部12(例えば、CPU)内の圧力取得部12-1は、圧力計109により計測した圧力値を取得する。
(Step S501)
The pressure acquisition unit 12-1 in the control unit 12 (for example, CPU) provided in the MRI apparatus or the maintenance system thereof using the superconducting magnet 100 according to the present invention acquires the pressure value measured by the pressure gauge 109. ..

(ステップS502)
制御部12内の変動率計算部12-2は、圧力取得部12-1により取得した計測値データをある程度時間分集めたものから、規定値以上の計測値データを除外し、残ったデータから単位時間当たりの計測値(差圧)の変動率を計算する。ここで、規定値以上の計測値データを除外する理由は、超電導磁石100に停電や意図的な冷凍機運転停止が起こった場合、コイル容器内の圧力が大きくなるので、そのようなイベントを除外するためである。
(Step S502)
The fluctuation rate calculation unit 12-2 in the control unit 12 collects the measurement value data acquired by the pressure acquisition unit 12-1 for a certain period of time, excludes the measurement value data equal to or more than the specified value, and removes the remaining data. Calculate the fluctuation rate of the measured value (differential pressure) per unit time. Here, the reason for excluding the measured value data of the specified value or more is that when a power failure or an intentional stoppage of the refrigerator operation occurs in the superconducting magnet 100, the pressure in the coil container increases, so such an event is excluded. This is because

(ステップS503)
制御部12内の標準偏差計算部12-3は、変動率計算部12-2により計算した単位時間当たりの計測値(差圧)の変動率から、変動率の標準偏差を計算する。
(Step S503)
The standard deviation calculation unit 12-3 in the control unit 12 calculates the standard deviation of the fluctuation rate from the fluctuation rate of the measurement value (differential pressure) per unit time calculated by the fluctuation rate calculation unit 12-2.

(ステップS504)
制御部12内の判別部12-4は、標準偏差計算部12-3により計算した変動率の標準偏差σの値が、あらかじめ設定した閾値以上であるかを判別する。閾値より大きい場合は、超電導磁石100の配管108に閉塞があり、異常であり、閾値以下の場合、超電導磁石100の配管108に閉塞がなく、正常であると判断する。
(Step S504)
The discriminating unit 12-4 in the control unit 12 discriminates whether the value of the standard deviation σ of the fluctuation rate calculated by the standard deviation calculating unit 12-3 is equal to or larger than a preset threshold value. When it is larger than the threshold value, the pipe 108 of the superconducting magnet 100 is blocked and abnormal. When it is less than the threshold value, it is judged that the pipe 108 of the superconducting magnet 100 is not blocked and is normal.

上記、本発明の実施例1に係る超電導磁石100を用いたMRI装置によれば、配管108に配置された圧力計109の計測値の変動率の統計量を評価し、それに基づいて超電導磁石100の配管108に閉塞が生じたことを早期に精度良く検知できる利点があり、また、配管108内を一々目視等をする等の必要がないため閉塞の検知が便宜である利点もある。 According to the MRI apparatus using the superconducting magnet 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the statistic of the variation rate of the measurement value of the pressure gauge 109 arranged in the pipe 108 is evaluated, and the superconducting magnet 100 is based on the statistic. There is an advantage that the occurrence of blockage in the pipe 108 can be detected with high accuracy at an early stage, and there is also an advantage that it is convenient to detect the blockage because it is not necessary to visually check the inside of the pipe 108.

ただし、実施例1では、圧力計109として差圧式を用いたが、圧力計109として、絶対圧式を用いても良い。絶対圧式を用いた場合は、大気圧を計測する圧力計を設け、圧力計109と大気圧との差で差圧を計算し、ヒータ110の通電量が差圧で制御する事により上記実施例1と同じように閉塞を検知すれば良いことは言うまでもない。 However, although the differential pressure type is used as the pressure gauge 109 in the first embodiment, an absolute pressure type may be used as the pressure gauge 109. When the absolute pressure type is used, a pressure gauge for measuring the atmospheric pressure is provided, the differential pressure is calculated by the difference between the pressure gauge 109 and the atmospheric pressure, and the energization amount of the heater 110 is controlled by the differential pressure. Needless to say, the occlusion should be detected in the same way as in 1.

また、実施例1において、制御部12内には、変動率計算部12-2により計算した単位時間当たりの計測値(差圧)の変動率のばらつきを表す統計量として標準偏差σを用いたが、分散を用い、標準偏差計算部の代わりに分散計算部をばらつき計算部の一つとして備えても良いことは言うまでもない。 Further, in the first embodiment, in the control unit 12, the standard deviation σ was used as a statistic representing the variation in the variation rate of the measurement value (differential pressure) per unit time calculated by the variation rate calculation section 12-2. However, it goes without saying that variance may be used and a variance calculator may be provided as one of the variance calculators instead of the standard deviation calculator.

また、実施例1のステップS502において、超電導磁石100に停電や意図的な冷凍機運転停止等のイベントを除外するために、規定値以上の計測値データを除外したが、そのほかの方法によっても良いことは言うまでもない。例えば超電導磁石100に状態監視装置が設けられていてば、その記録により、停電や冷凍機停止期間を除外するようにしてもよいことは言うまでもない。 Further, in step S502 of the first embodiment, in order to exclude an event such as a power failure or intentional chiller operation stop in the superconducting magnet 100, measurement value data of a specified value or more is excluded, but other methods are also possible. Needless to say. For example, if the superconducting magnet 100 is provided with a state monitoring device, it goes without saying that the power failure and the refrigerator stop period may be excluded by recording the state monitoring device.

なお、実施例1における統計計算の具体的値としては、圧力計109として差圧式を用いた場合において、ステップS502におけるある程度の時間の圧力値のデータの蓄積とし1か月ぐらい、ステップS502における変動率の計算の単位時間として1時間、ステップS502における超電導磁石100の停電や意図的な冷凍機運転停止等のイベントを除外するための規定値として、平衡値+2kPa、ステップS503において標準偏差σを計算した場合のステップS504における閾値として、15kPa/日等の値を用いれば良いことがわかっている。 Incidentally, as a specific value of the statistical calculation in the first embodiment, in the case of using a differential pressure type as the pressure gauge 109, about one month as the accumulation of the data of the pressure value for a certain time in step S502, fluctuation in step S502 The unit time of the rate calculation is 1 hour, the equilibrium value +2kPa, and the standard deviation σ is calculated in step S503 as a specified value for excluding events such as a power failure of the superconducting magnet 100 in step S502 and an intentional shutdown of the refrigerator. It is known that a value such as 15 kPa/day may be used as the threshold value in step S504 in such a case.

また、超電導磁石100に停電や意図的な冷凍機運転停止等のイベントを除外するために、磁石制御装置の受電信号、磁石制御装置の受電信号、冷凍機からの運転停止信号等を用いれば良いと考えられる。 Further, in order to exclude an event such as a power failure or an intentional stoppage of the refrigerator in the superconducting magnet 100, a power reception signal of the magnet control device, a power reception signal of the magnet control device, an operation stop signal from the refrigerator, etc. may be used. it is conceivable that.

次に、本発明の実施例2を、図6、図7を用い説明する。ただし、実施例2は、超電導磁石200の制御部12がインターネットもしくは電話網に接続され、超電導磁石200の配管108に閉塞がある場合、そのことを遠隔のサービスマン601や監視センタ602に自動送信する送信手段を備えることを特徴とする。以下図6、図7を用いて説明する。 Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. However, in the second embodiment, when the control unit 12 of the superconducting magnet 200 is connected to the Internet or the telephone network and the pipe 108 of the superconducting magnet 200 is blocked, the fact is automatically transmitted to the remote serviceman 601 or the monitoring center 602. It is characterized by comprising a transmitting means for performing. This will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

図6は、本発明の実施例2に係る超電導磁石200の断面の構造である。本実施例では制御部12がインターネット又は電話網に接続され、インターネット又は電話網がサービスマン601又は超電導磁石100の監視センタ602に接続されている。 FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional structure of the superconducting magnet 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the control unit 12 is connected to the Internet or the telephone network, and the Internet or the telephone network is connected to the service person 601 or the monitoring center 602 of the superconducting magnet 100.

また、図7は本発明の実施例2における超電導磁石200を用いたMRI装置及びそのメンテナンスシステム、メンテナンス方法の動作フロー例である。図4のフローと、ステップS705、ステップS706のみが異なるため、異なるステップのみ説明する。 Further, FIG. 7 is an operation flow example of the MRI apparatus using the superconducting magnet 200 and its maintenance system and maintenance method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Since only the steps S705 and S706 are different from the flow of FIG. 4, only different steps will be described.

(ステップS705)
制御部12は、遠隔にいるサービスマン601に、超電導磁石200の配管108に閉塞が生じたという情報を電子メール等の手段により自動で送信する。
(Step S705)
The control unit 12 automatically sends information to the service person 601 at a remote place that the pipe 108 of the superconducting magnet 200 is blocked by means of electronic mail or the like.

(ステップS706)
超電導磁石200の配管108に閉塞が生じたという情報を受信したサービスマン601は、超電導磁石200のある現地へ派遣される。
(Step S706)
Upon receiving the information that the pipe 108 of the superconducting magnet 200 is blocked, the serviceman 601 is dispatched to the site where the superconducting magnet 200 is located.

本実施例によれば、遠隔にいるサービスマン601へ自動で送信するため、超電導磁石200の配管108に閉塞がおきたことの対策を早期に実施することができる利点がある。 According to the present embodiment, since the information is automatically transmitted to the service person 601 at a remote location, there is an advantage that it is possible to take an early countermeasure against the blockage of the pipe 108 of the superconducting magnet 200.

上記、実施例1及び実施例2では、圧力計109の計測値の統計量を計算するための制御部12が、超電導磁石(100、200)、それを用いたMRI装置に備えらえている場合を説明したが、本発明はこれに限られない。 In the above-mentioned Example 1 and Example 2, the control unit 12 for calculating the statistic of the measurement value of the pressure gauge 109, the superconducting magnet (100, 200), when provided in the MRI apparatus using it However, the present invention is not limited to this.

例えば、圧力計109が直接、インターネットや電話網を介して遠隔のサーバーに接続され、遠隔のサーバー内に圧力取得部12-1、変動率計算部12-2等に備えられ、外部のサーバーで閉塞が生じたことを判別するようにしてメンテナンスシステムが構成されていても良いことは言うまでもない。このとき、遠隔のサーバーは、MRI装置の配置されている場所と離れた場所に配置されていても良く、例えば別の国にあっても良いことは言うまでもない。 For example, the pressure gauge 109 is directly connected to a remote server via the Internet or a telephone network, and the remote server is equipped with a pressure acquisition unit 12-1, a fluctuation rate calculation unit 12-2, etc., and an external server. It goes without saying that the maintenance system may be configured so as to determine that the blockage has occurred. At this time, it goes without saying that the remote server may be arranged at a place distant from the place where the MRI apparatus is arranged, for example, may be in another country.

100 超電導磁石、101 超電導コイル、102 液体ヘリウム、103 コイル容器、104 真空容器、105 冷凍機、106 低温側ヘリウム漕、107 コイル容器拗音側空間、108 配管、109 圧力計、110 ヒータ、111 制御線、112 配管低温側、12 制御部 100 superconducting magnet, 101 superconducting coil, 102 liquid helium, 103 coil container, 104 vacuum container, 105 refrigerator, 106 low temperature side helium tank, 107 coil container sound side space, 108 piping, 109 pressure gauge, 110 heater, 111 control line , 112 piping low temperature side, 12 control section

Claims (6)

所望の空間に静磁場を発生させるための超電導コイルと、前記超電導コイルを冷媒の液体ヘリウムとともに収容するコイル容器と、前記コイル容器を包囲し、且つ内部が真空に保持された真空容器と、前記コイル容器の上部に設けられた配管と、前記コイル容器内の圧力が、負圧にならないように前記コイル容器内圧力を保つように、前記液体ヘリウムを気化させて調整するためのヒーター及びその制御線と、前記配管の常温側に設けられた圧力計から構成される超電導磁石と、
前記配管の前記コイル容器側に閉塞が生じたことを、前記圧力計により所定の時間計測した計測値の単位時間あたり変動率のばらつきに基づいて判別する判別部と、
前記圧力計に接続され、前記圧力計により計測した圧力値を取得する圧力取得部と、前記圧力取得部に接続され、前記圧力取得部により取得した計測値データの所望の時間のものについて、単位時間あたりの計測値の変動率を計算する変動率計算部と、前記変動率計算部に接続され、変動率計算部により計算した変動率の標準偏差を計算する標準偏差計算部とを備え、
前記判別部は、前記標準偏差計算部により計算した標準偏差の値を閾値と比較することにより前記閉塞が生じたかを判別することを特徴とする磁気共鳴イメージング装置。
A superconducting coil for generating a static magnetic field in a desired space, a coil container that accommodates the superconducting coil together with liquid helium as a refrigerant, a vacuum container that surrounds the coil container, and is held in a vacuum, and A pipe provided in the upper part of the coil container, a heater for vaporizing and adjusting the liquid helium and its control so as to keep the pressure in the coil container so that the pressure in the coil container does not become a negative pressure. A wire, and a superconducting magnet composed of a pressure gauge provided on the room temperature side of the pipe,
A determination unit that determines that blockage has occurred on the coil container side of the pipe based on the variation in the fluctuation rate per unit time of the measurement value measured for a predetermined time by the pressure gauge,
A pressure acquisition unit that is connected to the pressure gauge and acquires a pressure value measured by the pressure gauge, and is connected to the pressure acquisition unit and has a desired time of measurement value data acquired by the pressure acquisition unit, in units. A volatility calculation unit that calculates the volatility of the measured value per time, and a standard deviation calculation unit that is connected to the volatility calculation unit and that calculates the standard deviation of the volatility calculated by the volatility calculation unit,
The determination unit, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus characterized by determining whether the obstruction has occurred by comparing the value of the standard deviation calculated by the standard deviation calculating unit with a threshold value.
前記圧力計は、大気圧との差圧式により圧力を計測するものであり、前記判別部は、前記ばらつきが所定の閾値より大きいことに基づいて、前記閉塞が生じたことを判別することを特徴とする請求項1記載の磁気共鳴イメージング装置。 The pressure gauge measures pressure by a differential pressure formula with atmospheric pressure, and the determination unit determines that the blockage occurs based on the variation being larger than a predetermined threshold value. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1 . 前記変動率計算部は、前記計測値データから変動率を計算する際に、所定の規定値以上のものを除外することを特徴とする請求項1記載の磁気共鳴イメージング装置。 The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the variation rate calculation unit excludes a variation rate equal to or more than a predetermined specified value when calculating the variation rate from the measurement value data. 前記ばらつきは、前記変動率の標準偏差又は分散であることを特徴とする請求項1に記載の磁気共鳴イメージング装置。 The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the variation is a standard deviation or a variance of the variation rate. 前記判別部とインターネットもしくは電話網により接続され、遠隔にいるサービスマンに前記判別の結果を送信する送信手段を備えたことを特徴とする請求項1記載の磁気共鳴イメージング装置。 2. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit that is connected to the discrimination unit via the Internet or a telephone network and transmits the result of the discrimination to a remote serviceman. 前記圧力計がインターネットもしくは電話網により遠隔サーバーに接続され、前記遠隔サーバーに前記圧力計により計測した圧力値を取得する圧力取得部と、前記圧力取得部に接続され、前記圧力取得部により取得した所望の時間内に計測された計測値データから単位時間あたりの計測値の変動率を計算する変動率計算部と、前記変動率計算部に接続され、変動率計算部により計算した変動率のばらつきを計算するばらつき計算部と、前記ばらつき計算部により計算したばらつきに基づいて、前記配管の前記コイル容器側に閉塞が生じたことを判別する判別部を備えたことを特徴とする請求項1記載の磁気共鳴イメージング装置を用いたメンテナンスシステム。 The pressure gauge is connected to a remote server via the Internet or a telephone network, the remote server is connected to the pressure acquisition unit that acquires the pressure value measured by the pressure gauge, and is connected to the pressure acquisition unit, and is acquired by the pressure acquisition unit. A fluctuation rate calculation unit that calculates a fluctuation rate of measured values per unit time from measured value data measured within a desired time, and a fluctuation rate calculated by the fluctuation rate calculation unit connected to the fluctuation rate calculation unit 2. A variation calculation unit that calculates a difference, and a determination unit that determines that a blockage has occurred on the coil container side of the pipe based on the variation calculated by the variation calculation unit. Maintenance system using the magnetic resonance imaging device.
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