JP2004194869A - Image displaying system, terminal for displaying, and image server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a diagnostic reading efficiency of a tomogram obtained by scanning an object by CT or the like so that a storing cost of the tomogram data can be suppressed. <P>SOLUTION: This image displaying system is constituted wherein an image server which stores the tomogram data group with the thin slice thickness obtained by scanning the object and produces the tomogram data group with the thick slice thickness based on the tomogram data group with the thin slice thickness is connected to a terminal for displaying which displays the tomogram through a network. Also, the terminal for displaying is constructed to receive the thick tomogram data group from the image server, to display the tomogram of the thick tomogram data group, to receive the thin tomogram data corresponding to the currently displayed thick tomogram data group in the background, and to execute a changeover indication to change over the currently displayed thick tomogram to the display of the thin tomogram. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for displaying diagnostic medical tomographic images, and more particularly to a system comprising a device for storing and managing tomographic images and a display terminal connected to the device via a network for displaying tomographic images.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a system for observing an image taken with a modality such as an X-ray CT (Computerized Tomography) device, a CR (Computed Radiography) device, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) device, etc., the taken image is temporarily stored in an image server. In some cases, a display terminal for confirming an image taken by a doctor is installed at a location away from the image server so that the doctor can easily make a diagnosis.
[0003]
In this way, in a system in which a display terminal for a doctor confirming an image is installed at a location away from the image server, when imaging is performed with a thin slice thickness on the modality side, all images captured with a thin slice thickness are displayed. Either use the display to make a diagnosis, or display only a thick slice image with a small amount of data on the modality side and create a thin slice image on the modality side to make a diagnosis only when necessary The method was adopted.
[0004]
In addition, in order to make a diagnosis using an image photographed with such a modality, a tomographic image is first displayed with a thick slice to identify a lesion site, and a region including the lesion site is relatively thin. Some slice images display a tomographic image and perform detailed observation of a lesion site (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-85355
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the method of transmitting all thin slice images to the display terminal as described above, a doctor can perform a free operation by dynamically changing the slice thickness at the time of interpretation, but on the other hand, the diagnosis is performed only with the thick slice images. Downloading all slice screens for cases that can be performed, it took a long time to download. In addition, there is a case where it is required by law to store images that have been diagnosed by interpretation by such doctors, in which case storage costs for storing all slice images for a predetermined period of time are required. It was also expensive.
[0007]
On the other hand, in the method of transmitting only the slice image having a large slice thickness to the display terminal, it takes time at the time of interpretation because the doctor downloads the slice image having a small slice thickness again when the doctor wants to change the slice thickness for confirmation. In addition, if you do not download a slice image with a thin slice thickness and you want to convert the cross section using MPR (Multi Planner Reconstruction) etc., you need to ask the radiologist to perform the cross section conversion process and send the cross section converted image. There was a bad interpretation efficiency.
[0008]
In view of this problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a system for improving a doctor's interpretation efficiency and reducing storage costs.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The image display system according to the present invention includes an image storage unit that stores a thin tomographic image data group having a slice thickness equal to or less than a predetermined thickness obtained by scanning a subject, and a slice thickness that is several times greater than the predetermined thickness. An image server comprising image conversion means for creating a thick tomographic image data group based on the thin tomographic image data group, and
A display terminal connected to the image server via a network;
The display terminal is
Display means for receiving the thick tomographic image data group from the image server and displaying the tomographic image of the thick tomographic image data group;
A tomographic image storage means for receiving and storing a thin tomographic image data group for the received thick tomographic image data group from the image server after receiving at least a portion of the tomographic image data of the thick tomographic image data group;
When the tomographic image of the thick tomographic image data group is displayed on the display means, the tomographic image of the thin tomographic image data group corresponding to the displayed tomographic image is read out from the tomographic image storage means and displayed. And a display switching means for issuing a switching instruction.
[0010]
The display terminal according to the present invention includes an image storage unit that stores a thin tomographic image data group having a slice thickness equal to or less than a predetermined thickness obtained by scanning a subject, and a slice thickness that is several times greater than the predetermined thickness. A display terminal connected via a network to an image server comprising image conversion means for creating a thick tomographic image data group based on the thin tomographic image data group,
Display means for receiving the thick tomographic image data group from the image server and displaying the tomographic image of the thick tomographic image data group;
A tomographic image storage means for receiving and storing a thin tomographic image data group for the received thick tomographic image data group from the image server after receiving at least a portion of the tomographic image data of the thick tomographic image data group;
When the tomographic image of the thick tomographic image data group is displayed on the display means, the tomographic image of the thin tomographic image data group corresponding to the displayed tomographic image is read out from the tomographic image storage means and displayed. And a display switching means for issuing a switching instruction.
[0011]
The image server of the present invention is an image server connected via a network to a display terminal for displaying a tomographic image,
Image storage means for storing a tomographic image data group having a thin slice thickness equal to or less than a predetermined thickness obtained by scanning a subject;
Image conversion means for creating a thick tomographic image data group having a slice thickness several times or more of the predetermined thickness based on the thin tomographic image data group;
Transmitting means for transmitting the thick tomographic image data group to the display terminal;
After transmitting at least a part of the tomographic image data of the thick tomographic image data group to the display terminal, transmission of the tomographic image data of the thin tomographic image data group corresponding to the tomographic image of the transmitted thick tomographic image data group Receiving a request from the display terminal, and providing tomographic image transmission means for transmitting tomographic image data requested from the thin tomographic image data group stored in the image storage means to the display terminal. It is a feature.
[0012]
Here, “tomographic image data” is a modality such as MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), CT (Computerized Tomography), ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, radiation solid state detector, etc., and is an image obtained by photographing a subject with a predetermined slice thickness. In the data, the “tomographic image data group” is a series of tomographic image data for the same subject.
[0013]
The “thin tomographic image data group” is a series of tomographic image data obtained by scanning a subject with a predetermined slice thickness or less. The “thick tomographic image data group” is a thin tomographic image data group. A series of tomographic image data having a slice thickness of several times the slice thickness. For example, when the “thin tomographic image data group” is scanned with a slice thickness of about 1 mm, the “thick tomographic image data group” is scanned with a slice thickness of about 7 mm.
[0014]
“To create a thick tomographic image data group based on the thin tomographic image data group” means that several pieces of thin tomographic image data are obtained so that a thick tomographic cross section has a slice thickness several times larger than a thin slice thickness. Some are selected every time, and some thin tomographic image data combined (added) are used as thick tomographic image data.
[0015]
“After receiving at least a part of the tomographic image data of the thick tomographic image data group, the thin tomographic image data for the received thick tomographic image data group is received from the image server” means the received data of the thick tomographic image By receiving data of a thin slice image corresponding to a thin slice thickness, after receiving a part of data of a thick slice image, data of a thin tomographic image corresponding to the received portion may be received. Specifically, while a doctor or the like is checking a tomographic image with a thick slice thickness, the data of a thin slice thickness with a thin slice thickness is obtained in the background by checking the CPU idle time and network traffic (communication amount). You may make it receive.
[0016]
Further, the “switching instruction” is an instruction to switch display between a thick tomographic image and a thin tomographic image using an operation button of a display terminal, a pointing device, or the like.
[0017]
In addition, the display unit may create and display a tomographic image of a cross section in a desired direction using the thin tomographic image data group.
[0018]
That is, the “display unit” has a function of converting and displaying a cross section such as MPR (Multi-Planner Reconstruction), and displays an orthogonal cross section, a coronal cross section and the like using thin tomographic image data.
[0019]
Further, the display means notifies the image server of the displayed tomographic image data among the tomographic image data of the thin tomographic image data group,
The image server is preferably provided with long-term storage means for storing the notified tomographic image data for a long time.
[0020]
"The tomographic image data displayed among the tomographic image data of the thin tomographic image data group" can be regarded as an image used for diagnosis by a doctor, and the image data used for such diagnosis Needs to be stored for a long time in accordance with regulations, and the displayed thin tomographic image data is stored for a long time.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
The image display system of the present invention converts a thin slice thickness tomographic image obtained by scanning a subject into a thick slice thickness tomographic image, and first downloads and displays the data of the thick tomographic image on the display terminal. By receiving a thin tomographic image in the background in advance, the thin tomographic image can be immediately switched to a thin tomographic image as necessary, and the interpretation efficiency can be improved. In addition, since only the tomographic image having a thick slice is transmitted first, the download time before display is shortened.
[0022]
In addition, since a tomographic image of a cross section in a desired direction can be displayed from thin tomographic image data by providing a cross-sectional conversion display function or the like, diagnosis can be performed more accurately.
[0023]
Further, by notifying the image server of the displayed tomographic image data among the thin tomographic image data, only the tomographic image data used for the diagnosis can be stored for a long period of time, and the storage cost can be suppressed.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an image display system of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an image display system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, this image display system 1 includes an image server 3 connected to a medical image generation apparatus 2 such as a CT apparatus and an MRI apparatus, and a display terminal connected to the image server 3 via a network 4. 5 schematically.
[0025]
The image server 3 includes an image storage unit 31 for storing thin slice thickness tomographic image data 100 (hereinafter referred to as thin tomographic image data) obtained by scanning a subject, and a thick slice thickness tomographic image based on the thin tomographic image data 100. Image conversion means 32 for creating data 200 (hereinafter referred to as thick tomographic image data) is provided.
[0026]
The medical image generating apparatus 2 is connected to the image server 3, and the image storage unit 31 is thinly associated with a series of tomographic image data 100 obtained by scanning a subject with a thin slice thickness with the medical image generating apparatus 2. The tomographic image data group 101 is stored.
[0027]
The image conversion means 32 creates tomographic image data 200 having a thick slice from the thin tomographic image data group 101. Specifically, the thin tomographic image data 100 is selected every few sheets from the thin tomographic image data group 101 so as to have a predetermined thickness, and the thick tomographic image data 200 is obtained (FIG. 2A). Alternatively, a combination of several thin tomographic image data 100 may be used as the thick tomographic image data 200 (FIG. 2B). Further, the generated series of thick tomographic image data 200 is stored and managed in the temporary storage unit 33 as a thick tomographic image data group 201, for example.
[0028]
The display terminal 5 receives from the image server 3 the thick tomographic image receiving means 51 for receiving the thick tomographic image data 200 from the image server 3 and the thin tomographic image data 100 corresponding to the received thick tomographic image data 200. The thin tomographic image receiving means 52, the tomographic image storing means 53 for storing the received thin tomographic image data 100, the display means 54 for displaying the tomographic image, and switching from displaying the thick tomographic image to displaying the thin tomographic image. Display switching means 55 for giving an instruction.
[0029]
The thick tomographic image receiving unit 51 receives the thick tomographic image data 200 from the image server 3. The thin tomographic image receiving unit 52 receives the thin tomographic image data 200 received by the thick tomographic image receiving unit 51. The image data 100 is received and stored in the tomographic image storage means 53.
[0030]
Further, the thin tomographic image receiving means 52 is activated, for example, by looking at CPU idle time, network traffic (communication amount), etc., and after receiving the thick tomographic image data 200, the thin tomographic image data 100 corresponding thereto is obtained. Received and stored in the tomographic image storage means 53. For example, if “A” to “B” of the thick tomographic image data 200 as shown in FIG. 2B are received, “1” to “6” of the thin tomographic image data 100 are received. Alternatively, after receiving “C” of the thick tomographic image data 200 again, “7” to “9” of the thin tomographic image data 100 may be received. Alternatively, the thin tomographic image data 100 may be received after receiving all the thick tomographic image data 200 (thick tomographic image data group 201).
[0031]
Thereby, the thin tomographic image data 100 can be received in the background and stored in the tomographic image storage unit 53 while the doctor confirms the thick tomographic image on the display unit 54.
[0032]
The display means 54 has a function of displaying a tomographic image based on the thick tomographic image data 200 and the thin tomographic image data 100 received from the image server 3, and switches between a thick tomographic image and a thin tomographic image as necessary. It can be displayed. Furthermore, the display means 54 may be provided with an MPR function or the like so that a cross section in a predetermined direction can be displayed using the thin tomographic image data 100.
[0033]
The display switching means 55 issues a display switching instruction using a keyboard, operation buttons, a pointing device such as a mouse, and the display means 53 changes from displaying a thick tomographic image to the tomographic image storage means 53 in accordance with the instruction. Switching to display of a thin tomographic image using the thin tomographic image data 100 stored in advance is performed.
[0034]
Next, the flow of processing of the image display system 1 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
[0035]
First, the image server 3 stores the thin slice thickness tomographic image data group 101 scanned by the medical image generation apparatus 2 in the image storage unit 31 (S100). Therefore, a thick tomographic image data group 201 is created based on the thin tomographic image data group 101 by the image conversion means 32 (S101).
[0036]
In the display terminal 5, the thick tomographic image receiving unit 51 downloads the thick tomographic image data group 201 from the image server 3 (S102, S201), and displays the downloaded thick tomographic image data group 201 (S202). Further, the thin tomographic image receiving means 52 (thin tomographic image receiving process) 52 is activated in advance (S200), and the thin tomographic image receiving means 52 is displayed while the doctor displays and confirms the thick slice image (S202). The image server 3 is requested to transmit the thin tomographic image data 100, and the thin slice image data 100 is sequentially received from the image server 3 in the background and stored in the tomographic image storage means 53 (S103, S203).
[0037]
Therefore, when display switching is instructed by the display switching means 55 using a switching button or the like (S203), the thin tomographic image data 100 (or the thin tomographic image data group 101) stored in the tomographic image storage means 53 is used. A thin tomographic image is displayed (S204). At this time, since the thin tomographic image data 100 is stored in the tomographic image storage means 53 in advance, the thin tomographic image data 100 can be displayed immediately. If necessary, it is also possible to display an image obtained by cross-sectional conversion from thin tomographic image data 100 using the MPR function.
[0038]
If the thin tomographic image receiving means 52 is activated so that the thin tomographic image data 100 can be received before switching the display from the thick tomographic image to the thin tomographic image, such as before receiving the thick tomographic image data, when the power is turned on. Good.
[0039]
As described above in detail, after confirming with a thick tomographic image, it is possible to immediately switch to a tomographic image with a thin slice thickness only where necessary, thereby improving the interpretation efficiency.
[0040]
A second embodiment of the image display system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof is omitted, and different points will be described.
[0041]
The image display system 1a is generally configured by an image server 3a connected to a medical image generation apparatus 2 such as a CT apparatus or an MRI apparatus, and a display terminal 5a connected to the image server 3a via a network 4.
[0042]
The image server 3 includes an image storage unit 31 that stores thin tomographic image data 100 obtained by scanning a subject, an image conversion unit 32 that creates tomographic image data 200 having a thick slice based on the thin tomographic image data 100, and a display. A long-term storage means 34 for storing the thick tomographic image data group 200 and the thin tomographic image data 100 displayed on the terminal 5a for a long time. The long-term storage unit 34 may be a storage device such as a hard disk provided in the image server 3, but a server for long-term storage may be prepared and connected to the server.
[0043]
Further, the display terminal 5a receives from the image server 3 thick tomographic image receiving means 51 for receiving the thick tomographic image data 200 from the image server 3a and thin tomographic image data 100 corresponding to the received thick tomographic image data 200. A thin tomographic image receiving unit 52 for receiving, a tomographic image storing unit 53 for storing the received thin tomographic image data 100, and a display for displaying the tomographic image and notifying the image server 3 of the thin tomographic image data 100 used for display. Means 54a and display switching means 55 for giving a switching instruction to display a thin tomographic image from a thick tomographic image.
[0044]
The display unit 54 a includes a notification unit 541 that notifies the image server 3 of the thin tomographic image data 100 used for display. The notification unit 541 notifies the image server 3 of the displayed thin tomographic image data 100 and the thin tomographic image data 100 used to create an image obtained by converting the cross section using the MPR function.
[0045]
In the image server 3, the notified thin tomographic image data 100 is transferred from the image storage unit 31 to the long-term storage unit 34 and stored together with the corresponding thick tomographic image data group 201.
[0046]
Thereby, only tomographic image data used for diagnosis can be stored for a long period of time, and storage costs can be reduced.
[0047]
In the first and second embodiments, when the thin tomographic image data 100 is transmitted from the image server 3 to the display terminal 5, difference information with the thick tomographic image data 200 is created, and the thick tomographic image data 200 is generated. Only the difference information different from the above may be transmitted to the display terminal 5. As a result, the time required for downloading can be shortened.
[0048]
Further, the thin tomographic image data 100 stored in the long-term storage unit 34 may be stored as differential information with respect to the thick tomographic image data 200. Alternatively, instead of storing the thin tomographic image data 100 for a long period of time, the display terminal 5 transmits image data obtained by converting the cross section using the MPR function to the image server 3 to store the image data obtained by converting the cross section. It may be. As a result, the amount of data to be stored is reduced, and the storage cost can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an image display system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the correspondence between thick tomographic image data and thin tomographic image data. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the image display system. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of the image display system according to the second embodiment of the invention.
2 Medical image generation device 3 Image server 4 Network 5 Display terminal 31 Image storage means 32 Image conversion means 33 Temporary storage means 34 Long-term storage means 51 Thick tomographic image receiving means 52 Thin tomographic image receiving means 53 Tomographic image storage means 54 Display Means 55 Display switching means 100 Thin tomographic image data 101 Thin tomographic image data group 200 Thick tomographic image data 201 Thick tomographic image data group

Claims (6)

An image storage means for storing a thin tomographic image data group having a slice thickness equal to or smaller than a predetermined thickness obtained by scanning a subject, and a thick tomographic image data group having a slice thickness that is several times more than the predetermined thickness An image server comprising image conversion means for creating a thin tomographic image data group, and
A display terminal connected to the image server via a network;
The display terminal is
Display means for receiving the thick tomographic image data group from the image server and displaying the tomographic image of the thick tomographic image data group;
A tomographic image storage means for receiving and storing a thin tomographic image data group for the received thick tomographic image data group from the image server after receiving at least a portion of the tomographic image data of the thick tomographic image data group;
When the tomographic image of the thick tomographic image data group is displayed on the display means, the tomographic image of the thin tomographic image data group corresponding to the displayed tomographic image is read out from the tomographic image storage means and displayed. An image display system comprising display switching means for instructing switching. 2. The image display system according to claim 1, wherein the display means creates and displays a tomographic image of a cross section in a desired direction using the thin tomographic image data group. The display means notifies the image server of tomographic image data used for display among the tomographic image data of the thin tomographic image data group;
The image display system according to claim 1, wherein the image server includes a long-term storage unit that stores the notified tomographic image data for a long time. An image storage means for storing a thin tomographic image data group having a slice thickness equal to or smaller than a predetermined thickness obtained by scanning a subject, and a thick tomographic image data group having a slice thickness that is several times more than the predetermined thickness A display terminal connected via a network to an image server comprising image conversion means for creating a thin tomographic image data group;
Display means for receiving the thick tomographic image data group from the image server and displaying the tomographic image of the thick tomographic image data group;
A tomographic image storage means for receiving and storing a thin tomographic image data group for the received thick tomographic image data group from the image server after receiving at least a portion of the tomographic image data of the thick tomographic image data group;
When the tomographic image of the thick tomographic image data group is displayed on the display means, the tomographic image of the thin tomographic image data group corresponding to the displayed tomographic image is read out from the tomographic image storage means and displayed. A display terminal comprising display switching means for instructing switching. 5. The display terminal according to claim 4, wherein the display means creates and displays a tomographic image of a cross section in a desired direction using the thin tomographic image data group. An image server connected via a network to a display terminal for displaying a tomographic image,
Image storage means for storing a tomographic image data group having a thin slice thickness equal to or less than a predetermined thickness obtained by scanning a subject;
Image conversion means for creating a thick tomographic image data group having a slice thickness several times or more of the predetermined thickness based on the thin tomographic image data group;
Transmitting means for transmitting the thick tomographic image data group to the display terminal;
After transmitting at least a part of the tomographic image data of the thick tomographic image data group to the display terminal, transmission of the tomographic image data of the thin tomographic image data group corresponding to the tomographic image of the transmitted thick tomographic image data group Receiving a request from the display terminal, and providing tomographic image transmission means for transmitting tomographic image data requested from the thin tomographic image data group stored in the image storage means to the display terminal. Feature image server.

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