JP2005296552A - Medical image processing system in wide area network environment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform image processing such as superimposition and fusion by a user terminal unit connected by a wide area network such as the Internet and an intranet by using a plurality of medical image data stored in a plurality of medical image systems. <P>SOLUTION: Image data and an image processing parameter are designated in a data processor directly connected to a data storage device of the plurality of medical image systems or arranged in its vicinity from the user terminal unit connected by the network. The data processor transmits a result of the image processing to the user terminal unit by executing the designated image processing by acquiring designated image data. The user terminal unit displays the result by executing the image processing such as superimposition and fusion by using the result of the image processing received from a plurality of data processors, and can process an image by using its vicinal data processor without acquiring the image data stored in the data storage device of the plurality of medical image systems via the network. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system for using medical image data stored in a wide area network environment such as the Internet.

  Information related to medical image examination occupies an important position in information related to patient care. In general, medical image inspection is performed in an image diagnosis department by a medical image diagnosis apparatus such as an X-ray apparatus, an X-ray CT apparatus, a nuclear medicine diagnosis apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus, or an endoscopy apparatus. In many cases, medical images collected by an image diagnostic apparatus are subjected to image diagnosis called interpretation by an image diagnostician. The result of the image diagnosis is described in the image diagnosis report and sent to the requesting department.

  Conventionally, an X-ray image taken by an X-ray apparatus is observed on an X-ray film, and a medical image collected by a digitized medical image diagnostic apparatus such as an X-ray CT apparatus is also printed on the film and observed. However, recently, in order to improve the storage and distribution of medical images, medical images are stored as digital data on a server, distributed to an image display device via a network as needed, and the image display device is used. An image archiving communication system (PACS) for observing these medical image data has been introduced in many medical facilities.

  With the improvement in performance of diagnostic imaging apparatuses such as X-ray CT apparatuses, the amount of image data generated in a single examination is rapidly increasing. For this reason, medical image data collected by an image diagnostic apparatus is stored and stored in a PACS data storage apparatus, distributed to an image display apparatus via a network, and these medical image data are observed using the image display apparatus. It has become common to do.

  As a medical image diagnostic apparatus, positron emission tomography (PET) is recently attracting attention. A widely used test for PET is to inject a glucose-labeled drug with a positron nuclide from the vein and take it into the whole body. It is an image diagnostic apparatus that takes a picture with a PET apparatus and collects its behavior as a functional image. If you find the location where an abnormally large amount of glucose is accumulated, it can be determined that there are cancer cells, so it is effective for cancer testing. It is also effective for functional tests of the head such as epilepsy and tests for ischemic heart disease. However, due to the high cost of the device and the problem of isotope handling, it is often introduced into a specialized medical facility called a PET center rather than into a general hospital.

  For this reason, a patient who is admitted to a hospital where no PET apparatus is installed needs to undergo a PET examination when he / she needs to undergo a PET examination. At the PET Center, the patient who underwent examination is examined using a PET device, the obtained PET image data is interpreted, the interpretation result is described in the interpretation report, and the interpretation report and the key that is burned into the film etc. The image is sent to the attending physician at the hospital where the patient visits daily. The attending physician who is engaged in the daily medical care of the patient grasps the patient's condition from this interpretation report and the key image burned in the film, etc., and uses it for the medical care of the patient.

  Since not only PET apparatuses but also X-ray CT apparatuses and MR apparatuses are expensive and large-sized apparatuses, there are many medical facilities that do not have them. For this reason, patients who are admitted to a hospital where no X-ray CT apparatus or MR apparatus is installed need to undergo an X-ray CT examination or MR examination. Visit a large hospital or a medical facility called an imaging center, and receive X-ray CT and MR examinations. In large hospitals and imaging centers, examinations using X-ray CT equipment and MR equipment are performed on patients who have taken the examination, X-ray CT image data and MR image data obtained by the examination are interpreted, and the interpretation results are interpreted. Send the interpretation report and the key image burned into the film to the attending physician at the hospital where the patient is on a daily basis. The attending physician who is engaged in the daily medical care of the patient grasps the patient's condition from this interpretation report and the key image burned in the film, etc., and uses it for the medical care of the patient. In this way, medical facilities such as clinics for daily medical care of patients and medical facilities equipped with advanced diagnostic imaging devices such as PET devices, X-ray CT devices, and MR devices can cooperate with each other. It will become more and more common in the future.

  At the PET center and image center described above, image data collected by the PET device, X-ray CT device, and MR device is stored in a PACS data storage device, and these data are read from the data storage device as necessary. The image is displayed on an image processing workstation, subjected to various types of image processing such as 3D image processing, and the image is observed in detail for interpretation.

  However, since the interpretation report and key image sent from the PET Center or Imaging Center to the attending physician at the hospital where the patient routinely visits is a film in which paper documents and images are baked, the attending physician of the patient must It is generally impossible to directly observe PET image data, X-ray CT image data, and MR image data used by the image interpretation doctor at the image center.

  The patient's attending physician prepares an image processing workstation, obtains PET image data, X-ray CT image data, and MR image data from the PET center or image center via a wide-area network such as the Internet. Although it is possible to observe image data, the amount of PET image data, X-ray CT image data, and MR image data is large. For example, hundreds of X-ray CT image data collected in recent X-ray CT examinations are available. Since it often becomes a megabyte, it is not realistic to acquire it via a wide area network such as the Internet. In order to solve this problem, image data is recorded on a CD or DVD and mailed. However, there is a shortcoming of lack of immediacy.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention will be described. PET devices, X-ray CT devices, MR devices, etc. have come to be used effectively in daily medical care, and medical care based on PET examinations, X-ray CT examinations, and MR examinations has been carried out. There is an increasing need for these tests even in medical facilities that do not have medical facilities. For this purpose, specialized medical facilities such as a PET center equipped with a PET apparatus and an image center equipped with an X-ray CT apparatus and an MR apparatus are provided. Patients who are hospitalized or attending a medical facility that does not have a PET device, X-ray CT device, or MR device are required to receive a PET examination, X-ray CT examination, or MR examination. Visit a specialized medical facility such as a PET center or imaging center to undergo PET, X-ray CT, or MR. At the PET center or image center, the patient is examined using a PET device, an X-ray CT device, or an MR device, and the image interpretation doctor interprets the PET image data, X-ray CT image data, or MR image data obtained by the examination. The result of the interpretation is described in the interpretation report, and the interpretation report and the key image burned on the film are sent to the doctor in charge of the hospital on which the patient regularly visits. The attending physician who is engaged in the daily medical care of the patient grasps the patient's condition from this interpretation report and the key image burned in the film, etc., and uses it for the medical care of the patient.

  At the PET center and the image center, image data collected by the PET device, X-ray CT device, and MR device is stored in a PACS data storage device, and these data are read from the data storage device as necessary, and then processed by an image processing workstation. The image is displayed, subjected to various image processing such as three-dimensional image processing, and the image is observed in detail for interpretation. However, since the interpretation report and key image sent from the PET Center or Imaging Center to the attending physician at the hospital where the patient routinely visits is a film in which paper documents and images are baked, the attending physician of the patient must It is generally not possible to directly observe PET image data, X-ray CT image data, and MR image data used by an image interpretation doctor at the image center. The amount of data of PET image data, X-ray CT image data, and MR image data is large, and it is not realistic to acquire it via a wide area network such as the Internet. In order to solve this problem, image data is recorded on a CD or DVD and mailed. However, there is a shortcoming of lack of immediacy.

  The present invention employs the following means in order to solve this problem. A medical image system including a data storage device installed in a plurality of medical facilities and a data processing device directly connected to the data storage device or installed in the vicinity of the network; and a user terminal device installed in one or more medical facilities Connected to each other via a wide area network such as the Internet. The user terminal device simultaneously designates and processes the image data acquired from the data storage device to the data processing devices in the vicinity of the network of the data storage device of one or more medical image systems storing the desired image data. A function for specifying image processing parameters to be executed by the apparatus is provided. The data processing device acquires specified image data from the data storage device, executes image processing with the image processing parameters specified in the image data, and transmits image data as a result of the image processing to the user terminal device It was equipped. The user terminal device receives the image processed image data transmitted from the data processing device of one or more medical image systems, performs image processing such as image superimposition using these image processed image data, and A function of displaying an image as a result of image processing is provided. As a result, image diagnosis support work including mutual comparison between image data distributed and stored in multiple medical image systems can be performed without transferring all related image data via a wide area network. We realized an image processing system in a wide area network environment that can be executed by transferring only the image data.

  The data storage device has a function of storing medical image data collected by the image diagnostic device and a function of sending image data designated by the data processing device to the data processing device. The database has a function of managing data stored in the data storage device and a function of searching its own database based on an inquiry from the user terminal device and returning the result to the user terminal device. The data processing device has a function of acquiring image data designated by the user terminal device from the data storage device, a function of performing image processing on the image based on an image processing parameter designated by the user terminal device, and image processing. And a function of transmitting the image data that has been performed to the user terminal device. The medical image system has a user authentication function. The user terminal device is based on a function for inquiring about the image data stored in the data storage device of the medical image system to a plurality of medical image system databases on a wide area network, and the response to the inquiry from the database. Select one or more medical image systems on the wide area network, specify the image data to be acquired from the data storage device for the data processing device of the selected medical image system, and specify that image data And a function for instructing to perform image processing with the image processing parameters to be performed. A function of receiving image processed image data transmitted by the data processing device, performing image processing such as image superimposition using the image processed image data, and displaying an image of a result of the image processing; , Equipped with user authentication function. As a result, the user terminal device obtains image data obtained as a result of performing desired image processing on desired image data selected from medical image data distributed and stored in a plurality of medical image systems on a wide area network. Enables reception via a wide-area network, and transfers all relevant image data via a wide-area network for image diagnosis support work including inter-comparison between image data distributed and stored in multiple medical image systems. Instead, we realized an image processing system in a wide area network environment that can be implemented by transferring only the image data of the image processing result.

  A user terminal device that wishes to perform image processing using a plurality of medical image data stored in a data storage device of one or more medical image systems on a network transmits the image data to a wide area such as the Internet. Even if it is not acquired via a network or an intranet, image processing is performed while interactively operating from a single user terminal device using a data processing device of a medical image system that stores such image data. , Using multiple image data distributed and stored in one or more medical imaging systems, including inter-comparison between image data using multiple image processed image data received from one or more data processing devices Diagnostic imaging support work has been made possible without increasing network traffic.

  A user terminal device that wishes to perform image processing using a plurality of medical image data stored in a data storage device of one or more medical image systems on a network transmits the image data to a wide area such as the Internet. Even if it is not acquired via a network or an intranet, image processing is performed while interactively operating from a single user terminal device using a data processing device of a medical image system that stores such image data. , Distributed to one or more medical image systems by further performing image processing such as superposition processing and fusion processing on a plurality of image processed image data received from one or more data processing devices at a user terminal device Image diagnosis support services such as overlay processing and fusion processing of multiple stored image data Without increasing the over click traffic allowed.

  A user terminal device that wishes to perform image processing using multiple medical image data distributed and stored in multiple data storage devices of a medical image system on the network acquires those image data via the network. Even if it does not, image processing is performed using the data processing apparatus of the medical image system that stores the image data, and a plurality of image processed image data received from one or more data processing apparatuses are processed. From the results of image processing such as overlay processing and fusion processing performed on the user terminal device, the corrected image processing parameters are transmitted to the data processing device, and the data processing device performs image processing with the corrected image processing parameters. It is distributed and stored in one or more medical imaging systems by manually or automatically repeating the reception of results. Processing superimposition of a plurality of image data, an image diagnosis support operations, including such fusion process, without increasing network traffic and allow.

  A user terminal device that desires to perform image processing using a plurality of medical image data distributed and stored in one or more data storage devices of a medical image system on a network stores the image data. Results of various data processing performed on the user terminal device for a plurality of image-processed image data received from one or more data processing devices. The information obtained from the data processing device is transmitted to the relevant data processing device, the image processing parameters performed by the data processing device are changed at the judgment of the data processing device, and the result is received again, thereby repeating one or more medical treatments. Network diagnostic support services such as overlay processing and fusion processing of multiple image data distributed and stored in an image system Without increasing the Fick, it was possible.

  A user who wishes to perform image processing on a plurality of medical image data stored in a data storage device of one or more medical image systems on a network described in an image diagnosis report created by an image interpretation doctor The terminal device uses the data processing device of the medical image system that stores the image data described in the image diagnosis report, and performs image processing using the image processing parameters described in the image diagnosis report. A plurality of image data distributed and stored in one or more medical image systems, including mutual comparison between image data using a plurality of image processed image data received from one or more data processing devices. The used images can be referenced without increasing network traffic such as a wide area network.

  In the medical image processing system in the wide area network environment according to the present invention, for example, a PET center is provided with a data storage device and a database for storing image data collected by the PET device, and the data processing is directly connected to the data storage device or in the vicinity of the network. Install the medical imaging system with the device installed. The image center is equipped with a data storage device and database for storing image data collected by X-ray CT and MR devices, and a medical image system that is directly connected to the data storage device or a data processing device installed in the vicinity of the network. To do. On the other hand, user terminals are installed in medical facilities such as clinics that are in charge of daily medical care of patients and are connected to each other using a wide area network such as the Internet. At the discretion of the attending physician in charge of daily medical care for the patient, the patient undergoes a PET examination, an X-ray CT examination, and an MR examination at the PET center or imaging center. The PET center and diagnostic physician at the image center perform image interpretation of PET image data, X-ray CT image data, and MR image data, create an interpretation report, and reproduce key images and various image processing used for interpretation Along with the possible image processing parameters, it is sent by e-mail etc. to the attending physician at the medical facility in charge of daily medical care of the patient.

  The attending physician who receives the interpretation report reads the interpretation report using the user terminal device, and accesses the medical image system of the PET center and the imaging center that the patient has examined via a wide area network such as the Internet. By specifying the image data of the examination and sending the key image selected by the image interpretation doctor and the image processing parameters that can reproduce the various image processing used for the interpretation to the PET center or the data processing device of the image center Using the image data stored in the data storage device of the PET center or the image center, using the data processing device of the PET center or the image center, performing various image processing performed by the image interpretation doctor, Receive the processed image via a wide area network such as the Internet and display the image on the user terminal Rukoto can. In this case, the image data stored in the data storage device of the PET center or the image center is used to perform image processing using the data processing device of the PET center or the image center, and only the result is transmitted to a wide area such as the Internet. Since it is received via the network, the image data stored in the data storage device of the PET center or image center is received via a wide area network such as the Internet, and image processing is performed using an image processing workstation prepared by the attending physician. Network traffic can be greatly reduced compared with the case where

  At the discretion of the attending physician in charge of daily medical care for the patient, the patient undergoes a PET examination, an X-ray CT examination, and an MR examination at the PET center or imaging center. The attending physician can access the PET center and the image center via a wide area network such as the Internet using the user terminal device. The attending physician uses the user terminal device to access the PET image data of the patient stored in the PET center and the X-ray CT image data and MR image data of the patient stored in the image center. For PET image data, use the data processing device of the PET center medical image system, and for X-ray CT image data and MR image data, use the data processing device of the image center medical image system. Since image processing can be performed and image processing results can be received, overlay processing and fusion of PET image data stored at the PET center with X-ray CT image data and MR image data stored at the image center Image processing such as processing is performed interactively while changing parameters, and the result is displayed on the image table of one user terminal device. It is possible to display device.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a medical image processing system in a wide area network environment according to the present invention. Reference numeral 101 denotes a wide area network such as the Internet. Reference numerals 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 denote medical facilities, 202, 203, 204, and 205 denote PET centers, image centers, and basic hospitals, and 201 denotes a clinic. The medical facilities 201, 202, 203, 204, and 205 are connected to a wide area network 101 such as the Internet. Reference numeral 231 denotes a connection device that connects the wide area network and the network in the medical facility, and 232 denotes an intranet, that is, a network inside the medical facility. A data storage device 222 stores medical image data, a database 223, a data processing device 224, a high-speed network 225 connecting the data processing device and the data storage device, and a high-speed network 233 for image data. Reference numerals 241 and 242 are examples of diagnostic imaging apparatuses. 211 is an example of a personal computer for a user terminal device.

  In the medical facility 202, an X-ray CT apparatus 241, which is an example of an image diagnostic apparatus, collects X-ray projection data of a plurality of cross sections of a subject and performs image reconstruction processing on the X-ray projection data so Create data. The data storage device 222 is collected by a plurality of diagnostic imaging apparatuses such as the X-ray CT apparatus 241, stores the image data reconstructed, and transfers it to the user as necessary. The network 233 is a high-capacity and high-speed network that transfers a large amount of image data from the X-ray CT apparatus 241 to the data storage apparatus 222. The data processing device 224 acquires the image data stored in the data storage device 222 and performs image processing on the image data to create a two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and four-dimensional image. An image diagnostician who performs image diagnosis uses the personal computer 211 to designate medical image data and instruct image processing parameters to the data processing device 224. The data processing device 224 acquires the designated image data from the data storage device 222, performs image processing instructed on the image data to create an image, and transfers the created image to the personal computer 211. In this way, the image diagnostician can use the personal computer 211 to specify image data, create and observe a two-dimensional image using the image data, and create and observe a three-dimensional / four-dimensional image. it can.

  In FIG. 1, a case where an image diagnostician performs image diagnosis at a medical facility 202 will be described as an example. The same applies to the medical facility 203, the medical facility 204, and the medical facility 205. X-ray CT image data of the patient imaged by the X-ray CT apparatus 241 is stored in the data storage apparatus 222 via the network 233. An image diagnostician who performs image diagnosis is directly connected to the data storage device 222 storing the X-ray CT image data of the patient using the personal computer 211 for the user terminal device or installed in the vicinity of the network. Information that can identify the X-ray CT image data of the patient is transmitted to the data processing device 224. The data processing device 224 that has received the information related to the patient's X-ray CT image data acquires the designated X-ray CT image data from the data storage device 222 based on the information, and the image diagnostician transmits it from the personal computer 211. Image processing is performed based on an instruction regarding image processing, and image data as a processing result is transmitted to the personal computer 211. The personal computer 211 receives this image and displays it. The image diagnostician observes the image displayed on the personal computer 211, changes the image processing parameter if desired, and transmits the change to the data processing device 234 to change the image processing parameter interactively. However, an image processed with new image processing parameters can be displayed.

  As an example of image data and image processing, and an image obtained as a result of image processing, for example, in image processing to X-ray CT image data, as an example of two-dimensional image processing, to 16-bit X-ray CT image data Examples of window processing and the resulting 256-level grayscale image, and three-dimensional image processing include volume rendering processing to a plurality of 16-bit X-ray CT image data and the resulting RGB 256-level color image There is.

  An image diagnostician performs image processing and observation of a two-dimensional image, creation and observation of a three-dimensional image, and creates an image diagnosis report of an electronic medical record using the personal computer 211 based on the findings obtained thereby. At this time, the key image that is the basis of the findings of the diagnostic imaging report is attached to the diagnostic imaging report. In addition, a set of image processing parameters used to create an image that is the basis for the findings of the diagnostic imaging report is attached to the diagnostic imaging report. This includes a parameter for designating a key image selected from a large amount of image data, an image processing parameter for displaying the key image in an optimum state, a parameter for creating a three-dimensional image, and the like.

  The diagnostic imaging report created by the diagnostic physician is stored in the database 223, and when the client is in the same hospital, it is delivered to the client via the hospital network, or an offline medium such as an IC card. To be recorded and delivered. When the requester is another medical facility, the encrypted diagnostic report is delivered to a personal computer connected via a wide area network such as the Internet, or encrypted to an offline medium such as an IC card. Record and mail the diagnostic imaging report.

  A case where the request source facility is 201 in FIG. 1 will be described. The same applies to the medical facility 202, the medical facility 203, the medical facility 204, and the medical facility 205. The doctor in charge browses the diagnostic imaging report delivered using the personal computer 211. In order to access an image diagnosis report from this personal computer, it is necessary to be authenticated by an authentication system using an IC card or the like.

  When browsing the diagnostic imaging report using the personal computer 211 for the user terminal device, the attending physician at the requesting facility attaches to the diagnostic imaging report by clicking on the key image added to the diagnostic imaging report. The information regarding the image data and the set of image processing parameters are transmitted from the personal computer 211 to the data processing device 224 of the requested facility 202. The data processing device 224 that has received this acquires image data from the data storage device 222, performs image processing on this image data to create an image, encrypts this image, and uses this to use the request source facility 201. It transmits to personal computer 211 for person terminal devices. The personal computer for user terminal device 211 of the request source facility 201 receives the encrypted image, decodes it, and displays it. Further, by transmitting the changed image processing parameter to the data processing device 224 of the requested facility 202, it is possible to receive an image processed with the new image processing parameter while changing the image processing parameter interactively. Therefore, it becomes possible to deepen the understanding of the contents of the diagnostic imaging report.

  In the description so far, in FIG. 1, the primary doctor of the requesting facility 201 browses the image data of a patient who has undergone an X-ray CT examination at the medical facility 202, but the same patient is used using the same mechanism. Can browse the image data of the PET examination received at the medical facility 203 by using the user terminal device 211 of the requesting facility 201 at the same time. By issuing instructions to the medical image systems of the medical facility 202 and the medical facility 203 from the same user terminal device, the respective data processing devices 224 of the medical image system of the medical facility 202 and the medical facility 203 can be used simultaneously. Line CT image data and PET image data can be image-processed. Thus, each data processing device performs image processing related to PET image data received by the patient at the PET center and stored in the PET center and X-ray CT image data received by the patient at the image center and stored in the image center. It is possible to perform only the image data obtained as a result of the image processing at 224 and perform the overlay processing and fusion processing of the PET image and the X-ray CT image on the user terminal device 211.

  FIG. 2 is a data flow diagram illustrating the above description. The case where the request source facility is 201 in FIG. 2 will be described. The attending physician views the delivered image diagnosis report using the personal computer 211. In this case, the image data acquisition request 306 and the image processing parameter 311 based on the information about the image data attached to the image diagnosis report by clicking the key image added to the image diagnosis report are sent to the personal computer. 211 to the data processing device 224 of the requested facility 202 or 203. The data processing device 224 of the requested facility 202 or 203 that has received this transmits a data transfer request 307 to the data storage device 222. The data storage device 222 that has received the data transfer request 307 reads the image data 308 and transfers the image data 308 to the data processing device 224. The data processing device 224 performs image processing on the image data, encrypts the image data 311 as a result of the image processing, and transmits this to the user terminal device 211 of the request source facility 201. The personal computer for user terminal device 211 of the request source facility 201 receives this encrypted image 311 and decodes it to display it. Further, by transmitting the changed image processing parameter 310 to the data processing device 224 of the requested facility 202 or 203, the image data 311 obtained as a result of image processing using the new image processing parameter while changing the image processing parameter interactively is received. can do.

  Although the case where image data is acquired based on information about image data attached to an image diagnosis report has been explained, the attending physician at the requesting facility uses the information about the patient without the image diagnosis report. It is possible to access the required image data. In FIG. 2, the attending physician at the requesting facility 201 uses the user terminal device 211 to send an image data inquiry 302 to the databases 223 of a plurality of medical image systems 221 at a plurality of medical facilities on a wide area network. Do. For example, the patient A inquires about image data related to a PET examination, an X-ray CT examination, and an MR examination that were taken from January 1, 2004 to March 31, 2004. Whether the database 223 of the medical image system of the medical facility 202, 203, 204 that has received the image data inquiry 302 transmitted from the user terminal device 211 stores image data that matches the inquiry condition in the data storage device 222. And the search result is returned to the user terminal device 211 as an answer 303 to the inquiry. The user terminal device displays this answer, the attending physician selects the image data of the desired examination, and the data processing device in the vicinity of the data storage device 222 that stores the image data of the desired examination for the image data acquisition request 306 Send to. For example, the data storage device 222 of the medical image system 221 of the medical facility 202 stores the desired X-ray CT examination image data, and the PET storage image desired by the data storage device 222 of the medical image system 221 of the medical facility 203 When data is accumulated, the user terminal device 211 sends an X-ray CT examination image data acquisition request 306 to the data processing device 224 of the medical image system 221 of the medical facility 202 to the medical facility 203. An image data acquisition request 306 for the desired PET examination is transmitted to the data processing device 224 of the medical image system 221. The data processing device 224 of the medical image system 221 of the medical facility 202 transmits a designated X-ray CT examination image data transfer request 307 to the data storage device 222 to acquire the image data 308, and the user receives this data. Image processing is performed using the image processing parameter 310 instructed from the terminal device 211, and the processing result 311 is transmitted to the user terminal device 211. The data processing device 224 of the medical image system 221 of the medical facility 203 acquires the image data 308 by transmitting the designated PET examination image data transfer request 307 to the data storage device 222, and in response to this, the user terminal device Image processing is performed based on the image processing parameter 310 instructed from 211, and the processing result 311 is transmitted to the user terminal device 211.

  The attending physician of the request source facility 201 uses the user terminal device 211 to search a plurality of medical image system databases of a plurality of medical facilities on a wide area network, select image data of a desired examination, and select this image data. Use a data processing device that is directly connected to the data storage device that stores the image, or perform a desired image processing on this image data, and receive only the image resulting from the image processing via the wide area network To do. For example, when a three-dimensional image is created with 1000 pieces of X-ray CT image data in one examination, the image data used for the three-dimensional image processing is 500 MB, but in the present invention, the image data transferred via the wide area network is Since each processing instruction is about 500 kB, it is possible to receive processing results while interactively changing image processing parameters.

  Conventionally, the attending physician at the requesting facility 201 uses the user terminal device 211 to search a plurality of medical image system databases of a plurality of medical facilities on a wide area network, and selects image data of a desired examination. All the image data of this inspection is transferred from the data storage device storing the image data to the user terminal device via the wide area network. For example, when a three-dimensional image is created with 1000 pieces of X-ray CT image data in one examination, 500 MB of data is transferred via a wide area network, which is not realistic. In the present invention, two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and four-dimensional image processing that requires a large amount of image data is directly connected to a data storage device that stores the data or is concentrated in a data processing device in the vicinity of the network, Since the image resulting from the image processing is distributed to the personal computer for the user terminal at the requesting facility via the wide area network, the traffic of the wide area network does not increase so much.

  The requesting facility and the requesting facility are included even if they are the same medical facility. In this case, a network in a medical facility such as an intranet is used instead of a wide area network such as the Internet. In this case, the traffic in the medical facility network can be greatly reduced.

A user terminal device on a wide area network such as the Internet can transfer image data stored in data storage devices of a plurality of medical image systems on a wide area network to the user terminal device via the wide area network. It has become possible to display while interactively processing images using a data processing device directly connected to the data storage device or installed in the vicinity of the network. As a result, image diagnosis support work using image data distributed and stored in multiple medical image systems, including inter-comparison between image data, has become possible without increasing network traffic.

Desired image processing for multiple medical image data stored in data storage devices of multiple medical image systems on a wide area network using a data processing device that is directly connected to or installed in the vicinity of the data storage device By receiving image processed data via a wide area network, the image data distributed and stored in the data storage devices of multiple medical image systems can be displayed on a single image display device while interactively processing images. This makes it possible to perform image diagnosis support work including mutual comparison between image data without acquiring all related image data via a wide area network.

A user terminal device using a data processing device that is directly connected to or installed in the vicinity of a plurality of medical image data stored in a data storage device of a plurality of medical image systems on a wide area network Image processing data is received via the wide area network, and multiple received image processing data are further overlapped, fused, etc. It is possible to display image processing such as overlay processing and fusion processing of multiple image data that are distributed and stored on a single image display device while changing parameters interactively. It became possible without transferring over the network.

A user who wishes to perform image processing on a plurality of medical image data stored in a data storage device of one or more medical image systems on a network described in an image diagnosis report created by an image interpretation doctor The terminal device uses the data processing device of the medical image system that stores the image data described in the image diagnosis report, and performs image processing using the image processing parameters described in the image diagnosis report. A plurality of image data distributed and stored in one or more medical image systems, including mutual comparison between image data using a plurality of image processed image data received from one or more data processing devices. It is now possible to refer to used images without increasing network traffic such as wide area networks.

  Another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, one or more medical image systems installed in a plurality of medical facilities include a data storage device, a database, and a data processing device and a user terminal directly connected to the data storage device or installed in the vicinity of the network. A proxy device. The user terminal proxy device stores, in the medical image system data storage device, a database of a plurality of medical image systems on a wide area network based on an instruction from the user terminal device as a function of the user terminal device. A function for inquiring about the image data being sent, a function for sending an answer from the database to the inquiry to the user terminal device, and data storage of one or more medical image systems on the wide area network selected by the user terminal device A function that instructs the device to send image data specified by the user terminal device to the data processing device of the medical image system, and the user terminal device specifies the received image data to the data processing device. A function for instructing image processing with the processed image processing parameters and an image transmitted by the data processing device Receiving image data of Risumi, and a function of transmitting it to the user terminal device. The data storage device has a function of storing medical image data collected by the image diagnostic device and a function of sending image data designated by the user terminal device or the user terminal proxy device to the data processing device. The database searches its own database based on the function of managing the data stored in the data storage device and the inquiry from the user terminal device or user terminal proxy device, and the result is the user terminal device or user. And a function of responding to the terminal proxy device. A data processing device performs image processing on image data specified by a user terminal device or user terminal proxy device based on image processing parameters specified by the user terminal device or user terminal proxy device and an image. And a function of transmitting the processed image data to a user terminal device or a user terminal proxy device. The user terminal device has a function for inquiring about the image data stored in the medical image system data storage device directly or via the user terminal proxy device with respect to a plurality of medical image system databases on a wide area network. One or more medical image systems on the wide area network are selected based on the response from the database to the inquiry, and the image data to be specified for the data storage device of the selected medical image system is stored in the data processing device of the medical image system. Directly or via a user terminal proxy device that directs transmission via a user terminal proxy device and image processing specified by the image processing parameters specified in the received image data to the data processing device And the image processing processed image data sent by the data processing device. Received through contact or user terminal proxy device, and displaying it, it is provided with a user authentication function. As a result, the user terminal device performs image processing on the image data stored in the data storage device of the medical image system of a plurality of medical facilities by a data processing device installed in the vicinity of the network of the data storage device. The image processing result transmitted by the data processing device can be transmitted to the user terminal device directly or via the user terminal proxy device. The user terminal device receives the result of performing desired image processing on the medical image data distributed and stored in a plurality of medical image systems on the wide area network via the wide area network, so that the user terminal device Do not transfer all relevant image data over a wide area network for image diagnosis support work that uses image data distributed and stored in multiple medical image systems, including inter-comparison between image data that is distributed and stored Therefore, it is possible to implement by transferring only the image data of the image processing result.

  FIG. 3 is a data flow diagram illustrating another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the attending physician of the request source facility 201 uses the user terminal device 211 to request to inquire image data according to desired conditions in the databases 223 of a plurality of medical image systems 221 of a plurality of medical facilities on a wide area network. 301 is issued to the user terminal proxy device 225 of the specific medical image system 221 of the specific medical facility on the wide area network. For example, the patient A inquires about image data related to a PET examination, an X-ray CT examination, and an MR examination that were taken from January 1, 2004 to March 31, 2004. The user terminal proxy device 225 issues an image data inquiry 302 according to the conditions specified by the user terminal device 211 to the databases 223 of the plurality of medical image systems 221 of the plurality of medical facilities on the wide area network. Whether the database 223 of the medical image system of the medical facility 202, 203, 204 that has received the image data inquiry 302 transmitted from the user terminal proxy device 225 stores image data that matches the inquiry condition in the data storage device 222. Whether or not is searched, and the search result is returned to the user terminal proxy device 225 as an answer 303 to the inquiry. The user terminal proxy device 225 transmits an answer 304 that summarizes the answers to the user terminal device 211. The user terminal device displays this answer 304, the attending physician selects the image data of the desired examination, and issues an image data acquisition request 305 and an image processing parameter 309 to the user terminal proxy device 225. The user terminal proxy device 225 transmits the image acquisition request 306 and the image processing parameter 310 to the data processing device in the vicinity of the data storage device 222 that stores the image data of the specified examination. For example, the data storage device 222 of the medical image system 221 of the medical facility 202 stores the desired X-ray CT examination image data, and the PET storage image desired by the data storage device 222 of the medical image system 221 of the medical facility 203 When the data is stored, the user terminal proxy device 225 sends an X-ray CT examination image data acquisition request 306 to the data processing device 224 of the medical image system 221 of the medical facility 202 to the medical facility 203. An image data acquisition request 306 for the desired PET examination is transmitted to the data processing device 224 of the medical image system 221. The data processing device 224 of the medical image system 221 of the medical facility 202 transmits a designated X-ray CT examination image data transfer request 307 to the data storage device 222 to acquire the image data 308, and performs image processing on the image data 308. Image processing is performed using the parameter 310, and the processing result 311 is transmitted to the user terminal proxy device. The data processing device 224 of the medical image system 221 of the medical facility 203 transmits a transfer request 307 of the designated PET examination image data to the data storage device 222 to acquire the image data 308, and the image processing parameter 310 Is used to perform image processing, and the processing result 311 is transmitted to the user terminal proxy device. Upon receiving these processing results 311, the user terminal proxy device transmits the processing results 312 to the user terminal device 211. By providing the user terminal proxy device 225 to perform the work of the user terminal device 211, it is possible to reduce the addition of the user terminal device 211.

  A user terminal device that desires to perform image processing using a plurality of medical image data distributed and stored in one or more data storage devices of a medical image system on a network stores the image data. Image processing using a data processing apparatus of a medical image system, and various overlay processes performed by a user terminal device on a plurality of image processed image data received from one or more data processing apparatuses, Sending the corrected image processing parameters to the data processing device from the results of the image processing such as fusion processing, and manually or automatically repeating the reception of the result of the image processing by the data processing device with the corrected image processing parameters Allows multiple image data that are distributed and stored in one or more medical imaging systems to be overlaid and fused The image diagnosis support operations, including etc., without increasing network traffic and allow.

  A user terminal device that desires to perform image processing using a plurality of medical image data distributed and stored in one or more data storage devices of a medical image system on a network stores the image data. Results of various data processing performed on the user terminal device for a plurality of image-processed image data received from one or more data processing devices. The information obtained from the data processing device is transmitted to the relevant data processing device, the image processing parameters performed by the data processing device are changed at the judgment of the data processing device, and the result is received again, thereby repeating one or more medical treatments. Network diagnostic support services such as overlay processing and fusion processing of multiple image data distributed and stored in an image system Without increasing the Fick, it was possible.

A user who wishes to perform image processing on a plurality of medical image data stored in a data storage device of one or more medical image systems on a network described in an image diagnosis report created by an image interpretation doctor The terminal device uses the data processing device of the medical image system that stores the image data described in the image diagnosis report, and performs image processing using the image processing parameters described in the image diagnosis report. A plurality of image data distributed and stored in one or more medical image systems, including mutual comparison between image data using a plurality of image processed image data received from one or more data processing devices. The used images can be referenced without increasing network traffic such as a wide area network.

The block diagram which shows the medical image processing system in the wide area network environment of this invention. The data flow figure explaining the Example of this invention. The data flowchart explaining the other Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 Wide area network 201, 202, 203, 204, 205 such as the Internet Medical facility 211 User terminal device 212 Console 213 Display device 221 Medical image system 222 Data storage device 223 Database 224 Data processing device 225 High-speed network 231 Connection device 232 Medical facility Internal network 233 Image data networks 241 and 242 Image diagnostic apparatus 301 Image data inquiry 302 Image data inquiry 303 Response to image data inquiry 304 Response to image data inquiry 305 Image data acquisition request 306 Image data acquisition request 307 Image data transfer request 308 Image data 309 Image processing parameter 310 Image processing parameter 311 Image processed image data 312 Image processed image data 401 Database Search 402 data read and transfer 403 image processing 404 image processing and image display

Claims (8)

Multiple medical imaging systems installed in one or more medical facilities, including a data storage device and a data processing device directly connected to the data storage device or installed in the vicinity of the network, and installed in one or more medical facilities In a medical information system in which a user terminal device connected to each other is connected to each other by a wide area network such as the Internet or an intranet, the user terminal device is directly connected to a data storage device of a medical image system storing desired image data or It has the function to specify the image data acquired from the data storage device and the image processing parameters for the data processing device installed in the vicinity of the network, and the data processing device stores the specified image data as data Image processing parameters acquired from the device and specified for this image data It has a function of executing image processing and transmitting image data as a result of image processing to the user terminal device. The user terminal device receives image processed image data transmitted from two or more data processing devices. , By using these two or more image-processed image data to perform image processing such as image superposition and displaying the image as a result of the image processing, it is distributed and stored in multiple medical image systems Execute image diagnosis support work including mutual comparison between image data by transferring only the image data as a result of image processing without transferring all related image data via a wide area network or intranet. An image processing system in a wide area network environment. A medical imaging system equipped with a data storage device, a database, and a data processing device directly connected to the data storage device or in the vicinity of the network, installed in one or more medical facilities, and installed in one or more medical facilities In a medical information system in which connected user terminal devices are connected to each other by a wide area network such as the Internet or an intranet, the data storage device is designated by the data processing device and the function for storing the medical image data collected by the image diagnostic device The database has a function of sending image data to the data processing device, and the database searches its own database based on the function of managing the data stored in the data storage device and the inquiry from the user terminal device. With a function of answering the user terminal device, A function for acquiring image data designated by the user terminal device from the data storage device, a function for performing image processing on the image based on an image processing parameter designated by the user terminal device, and an image subjected to image processing A function of transmitting data to a user terminal device, the medical image system has a function of user authentication, and the user terminal device has a medical image for a database of a plurality of medical image systems on a network. A function for inquiring about image data stored in the data storage device of the system, and one or more medical image systems on the network are selected based on a response from the database to the inquiry, and data processing of the selected medical image system A function for instructing the device to acquire the specified image data from the data storage device, and the image data A function for instructing image processing to be performed with the image processing parameters specified in the data processor and image processed image data transmitted by the data processing device are received, and the image processed image data is used to perform image superposition, etc. A medical device that has a function to perform image processing and display an image of the result of the image processing, and a user authentication function, thereby distributing and accumulating in a plurality of medical image systems on a network in a user terminal device It is possible to receive image data as a result of performing desired image processing on desired image data selected from the image data via the network, and between image data distributed and stored in multiple medical image systems Image diagnosis support work including intercomparison of all the related image data over a wide area network such as the Internet or An image processing system in a wide area network environment that can be executed by transferring only the image data of the image processing result without transferring it via the Ranet. A medical imaging system equipped with a data storage device, a database, and a data processing device directly connected to the data storage device or in the vicinity of the network, installed in one or more medical facilities, and installed in one or more medical facilities Installed in one or more medical facilities, a medical image system comprising a data storage device, a database, a data processing device directly connected to the data storage device, or a data processing device installed in the vicinity of the network and a user terminal proxy device In a medical information system in which a user terminal device is connected to each other by a wide area network such as the Internet or an intranet, the data storage device stores the medical image data collected by the image diagnostic device and the image data specified by the data processing device Data to the data processing device, and data Based on the function for managing the data stored in the data storage device and the inquiry from the user terminal device or the user terminal proxy device, the database searches its own database, and the result is the user terminal device or user. A data processing device having a function of responding to the terminal proxy device, the data processing device acquiring the image data designated by the user terminal device or the user terminal proxy device from the data storage device, and a user terminal for the image A function of performing image processing based on image processing parameters designated by the device or the user terminal proxy device, and a function of transmitting the image data subjected to the image processing to the user terminal device or the user terminal proxy device, The user terminal proxy device performs the medical image on the database of a plurality of medical image systems on the network based on an instruction from the user terminal device. A function for inquiring about image data stored in the system data storage device, a function for sending an answer from the database to the inquiry to the user terminal device, and one or more on the network selected by the user terminal device A function for instructing the data processing device of the medical image system to acquire image data specified by the user terminal device from the data storage device, and image processing using the image processing parameters specified by the user terminal device for the image data And a function of receiving image processed image data transmitted by the data processing device and transmitting it to the user terminal device. The medical image system has a function of user authentication. The user terminal device is directly or user terminal substitute for a plurality of medical image system databases on the network. A function for inquiring about image data stored in the data storage device of the medical image system via a device, and one or more on the network based on a response to the inquiry directly from the database or via a user terminal proxy device A function for selecting a medical image system, instructing the data processing device of the selected medical image system to acquire specified image data from the data storage device directly or via a user terminal proxy device, and the image data A function for instructing to perform image processing with the image processing parameters specified in the above, and image processing processed image data transmitted from the data processing apparatus directly or via the user terminal proxy device, and this image processed image data A function to display images as a result of the image processing, A user authentication function is provided, whereby a user terminal device performs desired image processing for desired image data selected from medical image data distributed and stored in a plurality of medical image systems on a network. All the image data related to the diagnostic imaging support work including the mutual comparison between the image data distributed and stored in multiple medical image systems. An image processing system in a wide area network environment that can be executed by transferring only image data as a result of image processing without transferring it over a wide area network such as the Internet or an intranet. The user who desires to perform image processing using a plurality of medical image data stored in a data storage device of one or more medical image systems on a network according to claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3 Even if the terminal device does not acquire the image data via a wide area network such as the Internet or an intranet, the terminal device uses the data processing device of the medical image system that stores the image data, so that one user One or more medical image systems that perform image processing while interactively operating from a terminal device and include mutual comparison between image data using a plurality of image processed image data received from one or more data processing devices Enables diagnostic imaging support work using multiple image data distributed and stored without increasing network traffic The image processing system in a wide area networking environment, characterized in that it has. The user who desires to perform image processing using a plurality of medical image data stored in a data storage device of one or more medical image systems on a network according to claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3 Even if the terminal device does not acquire the image data via a wide area network such as the Internet or an intranet, the terminal device uses the data processing device of the medical image system that stores the image data, so that one user Image processing is performed while interactively operating from a terminal device, and image processing such as overlay processing and fusion processing is further performed on the user terminal device for a plurality of image processed image data received from one or more data processing devices. By performing the above process, a plurality of image data distributed and stored in one or more medical image systems are overlapped and fused. Tio down process the image diagnosis support operations such as, without increasing network traffic, an image processing system in a wide area networking environment, characterized in that made possible. Claims 1, 2 and 3 in which the user wishes to perform image processing using a plurality of medical image data distributed and stored in a data storage device of one or more medical image systems on a network. The person terminal device performs image processing using the data processing device of the medical image system that stores the image data, and performs processing on a plurality of image processed image data received from one or more data processing devices. From the results of image processing such as overlay processing and fusion processing performed on the user terminal device, the corrected image processing parameters are transmitted to the data processing device, and the data processing device performs image processing with the corrected image processing parameters. By manually or automatically repeating the reception of results, multiple images stored in one or more medical imaging systems are distributed. Overlay data processing, an image diagnosis support operations, including such fusion process, without increasing network traffic, an image processing system in a wide area networking environment, characterized in that made possible. Claims 1, 2 and 3 in which the user wishes to perform image processing using a plurality of medical image data distributed and stored in a data storage device of one or more medical image systems on a network. The person terminal device performs image processing using the data processing device of the medical image system that stores the image data, and performs processing on a plurality of image processed image data received from one or more data processing devices. Information obtained from the results of various data processing performed by the user terminal device is transmitted to the data processing device concerned, and the parameters of the image processing performed by the data processing device are changed at the judgment of the data processing device, and the result is By repeating the reception again, the overlay processing and fusion processing of a plurality of image data distributed and stored in one or more medical image systems is performed. The image diagnosis support operations such as, without increasing network traffic, an image processing system in a wide area networking environment, characterized in that made possible. A plurality of medical images stored in a data storage device of one or more medical image systems on a network described in an image diagnosis report created by an image interpretation doctor according to claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3 A user terminal device that wishes to perform image processing on the data uses the data processing device of the medical image system that stores the image data described in the image diagnosis report to generate an image diagnosis report. One or more medical applications that perform image processing using the described image processing parameters and include inter-comparison between image data using multiple image processed image data received from one or more data processing devices It is possible to refer to images using multiple image data distributed and stored in the image system without increasing network traffic. The image processing system in a frequency network environment.

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