JP2000163561A - Image processing method and device and medical image device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the efficiency of operations on an interactive basis with an operator. SOLUTION: Images are processed and displayed corresponding to external setting conditions. At the time, a part 40 of the images is processed corresponding to the external setting conditions and the processed images are combined with the un-processed part of the images and displayed while changing the external setting conditions and the entire images are processed and displayed corresponding to the external setting conditions after the external setting conditions are established.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus, and a medical image apparatus, and more particularly, to an image processing method and apparatus for processing and displaying an image according to external setting conditions, and such an image processing apparatus. The present invention relates to a medical imaging device having:

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, X-ray CT (computed)
Tomography apparatus, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI:
magnetic resonance imagine
g) When a medical image is acquired by a medical imaging device such as a device, a region of interest (ROI) of the image is obtained.
For better observation, the operator must:
Window width of image display (window width)
Various image processing conditions, such as a window level, a window level, or a filtering coefficient of image data, are variously changed, and an optimum display image is obtained while reflecting the image processing conditions and observing the image.

[0003]

In the above-described medical imaging apparatus, image processing is performed one by one according to setting conditions input by an operator, and an image of a processing result is displayed on a display each time. Matrix size (matrix si
For an image having a large number of data such that ze) becomes, for example, 512 × 512 or more, it takes time until the processing is completed, and it becomes difficult to obtain an image reflecting a change in the setting conditions in real time. There was a point. Further, for this reason, there is a problem that the operation of the medical image apparatus by the operator is not smooth, and the work efficiency is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize an image processing method and apparatus and a medical image apparatus which can efficiently perform an interactive operation by an operator. is there.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method for processing and displaying an image in accordance with an external setting condition, wherein the external setting condition is being changed. Processes a part of the image according to the external setting condition and displays the processed image in combination with an unprocessed part of the image.After the external setting condition is determined, the entire image is processed according to the external setting condition. An image processing method characterized by processing and displaying.

(2) A second invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is an image processing apparatus for processing and displaying an image according to an external setting condition, wherein the external setting condition is changed while the external setting condition is being changed. Therefore, partial processing means for processing a part of the image, combination image generating means for generating an image combining the image processed by the partial processing means and an unprocessed part of the image, and the external Whole image generating means for generating an image obtained by processing the entire image in accordance with the setting condition, and displaying the image generated by the combination image generating means during the change of the external setting condition, and after confirming the external setting condition, A display unit for displaying an image generated by the whole image generation unit.

(3) According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medical image acquiring means for acquiring an image of a subject, an image processing means for processing the image according to an external setting condition, and A medical image apparatus having display means for displaying an image, wherein the image processing means is configured to process a part of the image in accordance with the external setting condition while changing the external setting condition; and Combination image generation means for generating an image combining the image processed by the processing means and the unprocessed portion of the image,
An entire image generating unit that generates an image obtained by processing the entire image according to the external setting condition after the external setting condition is determined, wherein the display unit is configured so that the combination image generating unit is configured to change the external setting condition. A medical image apparatus, wherein the generated image is displayed, and after the external setting condition is determined, the image generated by the overall image generating means is displayed.

(4) A fourth aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is the medical image apparatus according to (3), wherein the external setting condition is changed by moving a mouse. In the first to third aspects of the present invention, it is preferable that the part of the image divides the region of interest into two parts in order to confirm the effect of the change of the external setting condition by comparison.

(Operation) In the present invention, while the external setting condition is being changed, an image in which the external setting condition is reflected on only a part of the image is generated and displayed, thereby shortening the image processing time and responding to the condition change. Make images available in real time. In addition, a mouse is used to change the conditions to improve operability.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a medical imaging apparatus. This device is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the present apparatus shows an example of an embodiment relating to the apparatus of the present invention. An example of an embodiment of the method of the present invention is shown by the operation of the present apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present apparatus has a signal sampling unit 2. The signal collecting unit 2 collects a signal for generating a medical image from the subject 4. Signal sampling unit 2
Various types are used depending on the type of medical image device.

For example, in the X-ray CT apparatus, a gantry provided with an X-ray irradiation / detection system for scanning the subject 4 is used. In MRI equipment,
A magnet system that collects a signal from the subject 4 using magnetic resonance is used. In the ultrasonic imaging apparatus, an ultrasonic probe that transmits an ultrasonic wave into the subject 4 and receives an echo of the ultrasonic wave is used. Such a signal sampling unit 2
Can use existing ones. For other medical image devices, existing devices can be used depending on the type.

The signal sampling unit 2 is connected to the image generation unit 6,
A signal collected from the subject 4 is input to the image generator 6. The image generation unit 6 generates an image based on the signal input from the signal sampling unit 2. The signal sampling unit 2 and the image generation unit 6 are an example of an embodiment of a medical image acquisition unit according to the present invention.

The image generator 6 may be of various types depending on the type of medical image device. For example, X-ray CT
The apparatus uses an apparatus (computer, etc.) that reconstructs a tomographic image by back-projecting projection data of a plurality of views of the subject 4. In an MRI apparatus, an apparatus (computer or the like) for reconstructing an image by an inverse Fourier transform of a magnetic resonance signal is used. In an ultrasonic imaging apparatus, an apparatus that obtains a B-mode (mode) image or the like based on the intensity of an ultrasonic echo is used. Any of these image generation units 6 can use existing ones. For other medical image devices, existing devices can be used depending on the type.

An image processing unit 8 is connected to the image generation unit 6. The image processing unit 8 processes the image generated by the image generation unit 6 to create an image suitable for display.
The image processing unit 8 is an example of an embodiment of an image processing unit according to the present invention. It is also an example of an embodiment of the partial processing means. Also, the combination is an example of an embodiment of the image generation unit. Also, this is an example of an embodiment of a whole image generation unit. The image processing unit 8 is configured using, for example, a computer. The detailed configuration of the image processing unit 8 will be described later.

A display unit 10 is connected to the image processing unit 8,
The image output from the image processing unit 8 and other information are displayed. The display unit 10 is an example of an embodiment of a display unit in the present invention. The display unit 10 is, for example, a graphic display (graphic d).
display).

The above-described signal sampling unit 2, image generation unit 6, image processing unit 8, and display unit 10 are connected to a control unit 14. The control unit 14 is configured using, for example, a computer. The control section 14 supplies a control signal to each section to control its operation. In addition, a status notification signal and the like are input to the control unit 14 from each unit.

An operation unit 16 is connected to the control unit 14 so that various commands and information can be input by an operator. The operation unit 16 is an example of an embodiment of a line-of-sight setting unit according to the present invention. The operation unit 16 is, for example, a pointing device such as a keyboard (keyboard) or a mouse (mouse).
ice), and an operation console provided with other operation tools. The part including the image processing unit 8, the display unit 10, the control unit 14, and the operation unit 16 is an example of an embodiment of the image processing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image processing section 8. As shown in the figure, the image processing unit 8 has a CPU (cen).
(Tral processing unit) 802. The CPU 802 has a main memory 806, an external memory 808, and an interface (interfa) via a bus 804.
ce) 810, 812, 814 are connected. The main memory 806 includes, for example, a RAM (random acc
ess memory). The external memory 808 is, for example, an HDD (hard disk drive).
ve). Interface 810, 8
Reference numerals 12 and 814 denote interfaces for the control unit 14, the display unit 10, and the image generation unit 6, respectively.

The external memory 808 stores an image processing program (program) executed by the CPU 802 and various other programs. Further, it stores the image data input from the image generation unit 6 through the interface 814. Furthermore, data (condition data) for defining conditions for performing various processes on the image data is stored. The condition data can be set and changed from the operation unit 16 through the control unit 14 and the interface 810. The image stored in the external memory 808 is provided to the display unit 10 through the interface 812, and can be displayed as a visible image.

The operation of the apparatus will be described. The operation of the present device proceeds under the control of the control unit 14 based on a command given by the operator through the operation unit 16. FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of the operation of the present apparatus.

First, in step (302), the operator operates the search unit 16 to display a desired image on the call display unit 10. As a result, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. The figure is a schematic diagram of a screen showing a tomographic image of the brain.

Next, in step 304, the operator observes this image and determines whether or not it is necessary to change the image processing conditions. For example, when the density resolution of the image in the ROI is not sufficient to identify a lesion or the like, the window width or window level of the image processing may not be appropriate.
The image processing conditions, that is, the window width and the window level are changed. If the displayed image is satisfactory as it is, the following operation is not performed.

Next, in step 306, the center of the ROI is pointed out with a pointing device such as a mouse.
That is, a pointer represented by an arrow
To indicate the center of the ROI and use the mouse button (mouse b
press (button). In this way, in response to the indication centered on the ROI, in step 308, the image processing unit 8
(B), a predetermined section 40 including the center of the ROI is formed as shown by hatching.

The size of the section 40 is determined by performing the following image processing on the image data contained therein, for example, at most 1
It can be completed within 00 ms, preferably 30 ms. In such a section, the entire screen is, for example, 512x.
When configured with 512 matrices, 256 × 256
Matrix.

Next, in step 310, the operator changes the image processing conditions. Here, for example, if the window width and the window level are to be changed, for example, the window width is increased or decreased by moving the mouse left and right while holding down the mouse button, and the window level is increased or decreased by moving the mouse back and forth. . By using such a mouse, it is possible to change conditions with good operability.

In response to such a change in the window width and the window level, the image processing section 8 executes a step 31
In step 2, window processing is performed on the image data belonging to the section 40. Then, in step 314, the processed image is displayed in the section 40 on the screen.

Thus, the image of the section 40 becomes an image reflecting the change of the window width and the window level, for example, as shown in FIG. Since the image processing of the section 40 according to the condition change is performed in a time of, for example, about 30 ms, an image reflecting the change in the condition change in real time can be displayed.

While observing such an image, the operator
Continue adjusting the window width and window level until the image in section 40 is satisfactory. This is shown by the loop of steps 310 to 316 in the flowchart.
Since the result of the condition change is reflected on the image in real time, the adjustment operation can be performed efficiently. When the image in the section 40 is in a satisfactory state, the operator removes his / her finger from the mouse button. Thereby, the image processing conditions are determined.

In response to the determination of the window width and window level, in step 318, the image processing unit 8 performs window processing on the image data of the entire screen with the finally determined set values. It is displayed on the display unit 10. Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 4D, the entire screen is displayed with an appropriate window width and window level.

FIG. 5 shows another example of the formation of the section 40.
In the figure, a section 40 'is formed on one side of the center of the ROI indicated by the pointer. By doing so, the effect of the condition change on the ROI can be confirmed by comparison with the part where the condition is not changed, and it becomes easier to set an appropriate condition.

Although the change of the image processing condition has been described above with reference to the example of adjusting the window width and the window level, the image processing condition is not limited to only the window width and the window level. For example, a filter coefficient for filtering image data is used. , Adjustment of a zooming coefficient of an image, and adjustment of various other image processing conditions.

[0033]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize an image processing method and apparatus and a medical image apparatus which are efficient in interactive operation with an operator.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an image processing unit in the apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an image display by the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an image display by the device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Signal sampling unit 4 Subject 6 Image generation unit 8 Image processing unit 10 Display unit 14 Control unit 16 Operation unit

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 8, 1999 (1999.10.
8)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 4C093 AA22 AA26 CA15 CA18 CA36 FD05 FF13 FF28 FF30 FF35 FG05 FH04 4C096 AB36 AB39 AB45 DC16 DC28 DC30 DC33 DD09 DE04 5B050 AA02 BA03 CA07 FA02 FA09 FA11 5B057 AA08 BAA03 BA03 BA03

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image processing method for processing and displaying an image according to an external setting condition, wherein a part of the image is processed according to the external setting condition while the external setting condition is being changed. Is displayed in combination with an unprocessed portion of the image, and after the external setting condition is determined, the entire image is processed and displayed in accordance with the external setting condition. 2. An image processing apparatus for processing and displaying an image in accordance with an external setting condition, comprising: a partial processing unit configured to process a part of the image in accordance with the external setting condition while changing the external setting condition; Combination image generation means for generating an image in which the image processed by the partial processing means and an unprocessed part of the image are combined, and generation of an image obtained by processing the entire image according to the external setting condition after the external setting condition is determined Display means for displaying the image generated by the combination image generation means while the external setting condition is being changed, and displaying the image generated by the whole image generation means after the external setting condition is determined. An image processing apparatus comprising: 3. A medical image apparatus comprising: a medical image acquiring unit that acquires an image of a subject; an image processing unit that processes the image according to an external setting condition; and a display unit that displays the processed image. Wherein the image processing means comprises: a partial processing means for processing a part of the image in accordance with the external setting condition while changing the external setting condition; an image processed by the partial processing means and an unprocessed part of the image Combination image generation means for generating an image obtained by combining the following, and an overall image generation means for generating an image obtained by processing the entire image according to the external setting conditions after the external setting conditions are determined, wherein the display means comprises: While the external setting condition is being changed, the image generated by the combination image generating means is displayed, and after the external setting condition is determined, the entire image generating means is displayed. Generated image displays the medical image and wherein the. 4. The medical image apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the change of the external setting condition is performed by moving a mouse.