JP2006167096A - Medical monitoring device, medical monitor system using the same and luminance adjusting method of medical monitoring device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an art dividedly executing the adjustment/setting of luminance characteristics from the adjustment of the luminance characteristics of medical image data to reduce the total man-hours for adjusting and setting in a medical monitoring device for use in a system monitoring the medical images using a plurality of medical monitoring devices. <P>SOLUTION: This medical monitoring device is adjusted by being divided into two, a luminance characteristic peculiarly depending on each medical monitoring device and a luminance characteristic depending on the medical image data. This medical monitoring device is so constituted that a first adjusting means 5 adjusts its own peculiar luminance characteristic into a common predetermined luminance characteristic, a second adjusting means 7 acquires correction data for adjusting the luminance characteristic depending on the medical image data and correcting the luminance characteristic, and then the respective medical monitoring devices finishing the first adjustment share the correction data to monitor the image in a gradation sequence according to the image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical device for monitoring an image acquired by imaging a subject by a medical device such as an X-ray diagnostic device, an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography), an ultrasonic diagnostic device, or an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) device. The present invention relates to a monitor device, a medical monitor system including them in a network, and a luminance adjustment method thereof.

  Conventionally, display devices have inherent gradation characteristics (referred to as γ characteristics), and by changing the image signal input to the display device so as to correct the gradation characteristics of the display device, A desired gradation characteristic is obtained (Patent Document 1). In other words, desired gradation characteristics are obtained by combining the gradation characteristics on the display device side and the gradation characteristics on the image signal side.

  In general, in a medical system, as shown in FIG. 10, medical image data captured by a medical device a, a medical device b, or a medical device c such as an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, an X-ray CT, or an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is stored in a server d. In some cases, the doctor in charge reads out a desired image from the server d and displays it on any one of the medical monitor device e, the medical monitor device f, and the medical monitor device g for interpretation, inspection, or diagnosis. The medical monitor device referred to here is a concept including a computer and display means for configuring a screen.

  In the medical system as shown in FIG. 10, in order to prevent visual adverse effects on the diagnosis, each medical monitor device (hereinafter referred to as “e”, “f”, “g”, etc. is not described if it is not necessary to specify). 10, the medical monitor device is abbreviated as a monitor device.) Any medical monitor device can provide the same gradation image as long as it is the best and the same image. ,desired.

  Previously, brightness characteristics including gradation characteristics were adjusted in the same way as the conventional method described above. However, in the case of a medical system, adjustment and setting are also performed depending on the imaging device and the part of the image to be diagnosed. There was a need. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, (1) gradation setting in each medical monitor device, (2) medical device (hereinafter, when there is no need to specify, symbols such as a, b, and c are not described. ) Difference in gradation setting, (3) gradation setting due to difference in imaging means, (4) gradation setting due to difference in region, and (5) difference in imaging method (for example, a method according to imaging position). It is necessary to set the gradation. (2) to (5) are gradation settings based on differences in medical image data (signals).

  In particular, the adjustment of the gradation by the part (4) is performed not only for acquiring a high-quality image but for enhancing an image portion to be focused on for diagnosis. Done in units. For example, a part of the bone is used as this medical system (or as a hospital if the medical system is used in a hospital), in order to contribute to diagnosis by making the gradation emphasized in advance.

If the γ values indicating the gradations required for the respective adjustments in the above (1) to (5) are γ1, γ2, γ3, γ4, γ5, the total γ value is γ1 × γ2 × γ3 × γ4. × γ5
It becomes. The total γ value is adjusted so as to be absorbed by each medical monitor device.

JP 2004-96556 A

  In the above-described medical system, the number of steps for adjusting and setting the gradation becomes enormous because it appears by multiplying the γ coefficient of the gradation element of each medical monitor device, medical device, imaging device, part, imaging method, etc. .

  Also, for example, when a new medical monitor device is to be added or replaced, each medical monitor device itself has a different γ coefficient (γ1), and medical image data is stored in the medical monitor device. Since all the γ coefficients including the γ coefficient (the above-described γ2 × γ3 × γ4 × γ5: hereinafter referred to as gradation characteristics or luminance characteristics of medical image data in the present invention) are absorbed, for example, If an attempt is made to add a monitor or replace a monitor, gradation readjustment / setting becomes necessary.

  The present invention provides a technique capable of separately adjusting and adjusting the luminance characteristics and the luminance characteristics of medical image data in the medical monitoring apparatus used in a system for monitoring medical images using a plurality of medical monitoring apparatuses. The purpose is to reduce the overall adjustment man-hours.

  Also, it is configured so that the luminance characteristics of medical image data can be shared by each medical monitor device, and the purpose is to simplify the adjustment of the luminance characteristics and to unify the quality of the luminance characteristics of the medical image data. .

  Here, the luminance characteristic includes a gradation characteristic (gamma characteristic) representing light and shade, and the gradation characteristic is the same characteristic in the entire screen (all pixels) of the display means of the medical monitor device. This includes cases where the characteristics are different for each unit or pixel region.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, for example, a luminance characteristic depending on each medical monitor device used in a medical monitor system and a luminance characteristic depending on medical image data, that is, a medical device, an imaging unit, Adjustments were made in two parts: luminance characteristics depending on the part, imaging method, and the like. Then, each medical monitor device adjusts its own unique luminance characteristic to a common predetermined luminance characteristic (first adjustment), and the luminance characteristic depending on the medical image data is adjusted to one medical monitor among all the medical monitor devices. Correction data for correcting the luminance characteristics is obtained by adjusting with the apparatus (second adjustment), and thereafter, each medical monitor apparatus that has completed the first adjustment shares the correction data and creates an image based on the image data. The configuration can be monitored. The specific configuration is as follows.

The invention according to claim 1 is a medical monitor apparatus comprising user interface means including display means and operation means, and image processing means for receiving the medical image data and displaying the medical image with unique luminance characteristics. Because
First adjustment means for receiving the change instruction from the user interface means and causing the image processing means to change the specific brightness characteristic to a predetermined brightness characteristic;
The image processing unit receives the medical image data and corrects and changes the luminance characteristic when the medical image is displayed based on the predetermined luminance characteristic to a desired luminance characteristic by a correction instruction from the user interface unit. 2 adjustment means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the first adjustment unit causes the user interface unit to display the inherent luminance characteristic in a changeable manner. The second adjustment unit Enables the image processing means to receive the medical image data and display the medical image with the predetermined luminance characteristic, and at the same time, to make the luminance characteristic to be corrected and changed visible to the user interface means. It was set as the structure displayed.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the medical image data is attached with identification information in advance.
Correction data storage means for storing, as correction data, characteristics corresponding to the luminance changed by the second adjustment means in association with the identification information;
When the image processing means receives the medical image data, the image processing means reads the correction data of the correction data storage means corresponding to the identification information of the medical image data, and based on the correction data in addition to the predetermined luminance characteristic An image based on the medical image data is displayed with luminance characteristics.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided image processing means for sharing medical image data and displaying images based on the medical image data with unique luminance characteristics by user interface means each including display means. A medical monitoring system comprising a plurality of medical monitoring devices comprising:
One of the plurality of medical monitoring devices is
First adjustment means for receiving the change instruction from the user interface means and causing the image processing means to change the specific brightness characteristic to a predetermined brightness characteristic;
When the image processing unit receives the medical image data with identification information attached in advance and displays the medical image with the predetermined luminance characteristic, the luminance characteristic is obtained by a correction instruction from the user interface unit. A second adjusting means for changing the correction to
Correction data storage means for storing, as correction data, characteristics corresponding to the correction changed by the second adjustment means, in association with the identification information;
Each of the other medical monitoring devices
The correction data storage corresponding to the identification information of the received medical image data after adjusting to the same predetermined luminance characteristic by the first adjustment means, the first adjustment means and the correction data storage means The correction data of the means is read, and an image based on the medical image data is displayed with the luminance characteristic based on the correction data in addition to the predetermined luminance characteristic.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4, wherein each of the medical monitor devices is connected to a network, and each of the medical monitor devices includes a communication unit,
And a server that is connected to the network and stores the correction data so as to be readable from the medical monitor device. At least the correction data storage means of each of the other medical monitor devices receives The correction data read by designating the identification information of the image data to the server is stored.

Further, the invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of medical image data relating to the subject are acquired in addition to the plurality of medical monitor devices so as to be communicably connected to the network. Comprising a medical device, the plurality of medical devices send identification information to the obtained medical image data to the one medical monitor device,
The one medical monitor device acquires the correction data for the received medical image data, attaches the corresponding identification information to the server, and stores it in the server so that the other medical monitor device can correct the server. The configuration is such that data can be read out.

The invention according to claim 7 is a first adjustment step of adjusting a specific luminance characteristic in each of the plurality of medical monitor devices to a predetermined luminance characteristic by a change instruction from the user interface means;
Sending medical image data captured by the medical device to a specific medical monitor device among the medical monitor devices that have completed the first adjustment step;
The specific medical monitor device changes the luminance characteristic when the medical image data is received and the medical image is displayed based on the predetermined luminance characteristic to a desired luminance characteristic by a correction instruction from the user interface means. A second adjustment stage,
The specific medical monitor device stores in the correction data storage means the correction data corresponding to the received identification information of the medical image data, in the correction data storage means, for the characteristics that have been corrected and changed in the second adjustment stage. A data sending stage for sending the correction data to the plurality of medical monitor devices excluding a specific medical monitor device, and sending the medical image data to a server for storage;
When the plurality of medical monitor devices excluding the specific medical monitor device that has finished the first adjustment step acquires medical image data from the server, identification information of the medical image data from the acquired correction data And a monitor stage for displaying an image based on the medical image data based on luminance characteristics based on the correction data corresponding to.

  Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 8, in the invention according to claim 7, in the data sending stage, the correction data is attached to the medical image data and sent to the server, whereby the medical data is sent via the server. It was configured so that the monitoring device could be acquired.

According to each of the first, fourth, and seventh aspects of the present invention, the medical monitor device includes a first adjustment unit that changes the luminance characteristic unique to the predetermined luminance characteristic, and a first correction that corrects the luminance characteristic of the medical image data. Since it has two adjustment means of the two adjustment means, it is possible to separate and adjust its own luminance characteristic and the luminance characteristic of medical image data.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the screen for adjusting the luminance characteristic is displayed, the adjustment can be easily performed on the user interface.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the medical image data identification display is performed using the characteristic of the luminance adjusted by the second adjusting means, that is, the characteristic of the difference between the predetermined luminance characteristic and the desired luminance characteristic as correction data. For example, even if the medical monitor device is replaced, if the predetermined luminance characteristic is adjusted, the correction data corresponding to the identification information of the received medical image data is read to obtain the luminance characteristic. By correcting and displaying, it is possible to display with the same gradation quality as the medical monitor device before replacement.
According to each of the inventions of claims 4 and 7, each medical monitor device commonly corresponds to the identification display of medical image data by using the characteristics of the luminance adjusted by the second adjustment means as the correction data. Therefore, if each medical monitor device is adjusted to the common predetermined luminance characteristic (first adjustment), the correction data corresponding to the received medical image data identification information is read to correct the luminance characteristic. By displaying in this manner, it is possible to display with the same gradation quality as that of each medical monitor device.
In addition, when adding or changing a medical monitor device, each medical image data can be used as it is by changing the inherent luminance characteristic to a common predetermined luminance characteristic. Since the adjustment of the luminance characteristics of the medical image data may be performed with a single medical monitor device, the overall adjustment man-hour is reduced.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the correction data is stored in the server together with the medical image data so that the server can collectively manage the correction data.
According to the invention described in claim 6, medical image data from various medical devices is sent to one medical monitor device, where correction data of the medical image data is attached and stored in the server, Since it is used, the quality of luminance characteristics (gradation) is unified.
Further, according to the invention described in claim 8, since the image data and the correction data are always managed in pairs, the correspondence is assured.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a medical monitor system configured by a network and the flow of medical image data. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the imaging monitor apparatus h in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the monitor apparatuses j, k, and m in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen for performing brightness adjustment of the image inspection monitor device h. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a schematic procedure of luminance characteristics in the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image detection monitor device h of FIG. 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining the flow of luminance adjustment.

  In the drawings and in the following description, “medical image data” is referred to as “image data”, and “medical monitor device” is referred to as “imaging monitor device” or “monitor device”. FIG. 1 is a functional representation of the embodiment, and components having the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 10 have the same functions. 1 is a concept including a computer and display means for constituting a screen, but unlike the monitor device of FIG. 10, the function of brightness adjustment according to the present invention. It has.

[Flow of medical monitor system image data]
In FIG. 1, medical devices a, b, and c (hereinafter, reference numerals are omitted when individual medical devices are not specified), a server d, an imaging monitor device h, and monitor devices j, k, and m ( Hereinafter, in the case where individual monitor devices are not specified, reference numerals are omitted.) All are provided with communication means and connected to a network. All of the medical devices include an imaging unit, and first, the captured image data is sent to the image inspection monitor device h.

  The image data sent by the medical device is an image data communication standard DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicin, a standard document issued by the National Electric Manufacture of USA) created by DICOM Standard Committee. Therefore, it is transmitting. As shown in the image data from the network in FIG. 2 (A), the transmission mode is that the captured image data and accompanying information attached thereto are put in a tag (in DICOM, it corresponds to a private tag) and transmitted. To do. As the incidental information, as the part according to the present invention, information on the name of the image data (identification information), the setting of the medical device, the setting of the imaging means, the imaging method, and the name of the part of the imaged subject (identification information) There is.

  In the imaging monitor apparatus h, after performing luminance adjustment described later, an operator (or a doctor in charge) who can interpret images based on various types of captured image data determines whether the image monitoring monitor apparatus h has appropriate image data. Then, the passed image data is sent to the server d. The server d stores the image data in association with each other so as to be readable with the identification information of the image data. Each of the monitor devices j, k, and m is read by a doctor in charge when necessary, and is interpreted or diagnosed based on an image.

[Brightness characteristics adjustment procedure]
Prior to detailed description of the configuration (described later), a general procedure for adjusting luminance characteristics in the medical monitor system will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the luminance characteristics that depend on each of all the monitor devices and the luminance characteristics that depend on the image data (luminance characteristics that depend on the medical device, imaging means, part, imaging method, etc.) are divided into two. In the outline, the adjustment is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG.

Step S1: Before the start of the operation of the medical monitor system or at the time of system up, the brightness characteristic unique to each of the imaging monitor apparatus h and the monitor apparatus is adjusted to a predetermined brightness characteristic common to each monitor apparatus (first step) 1 adjustment).

Step S2: In the imaging monitor apparatus h that has completed the first adjustment, an image based on the image data is displayed, and the luminance characteristic depending on the image data is adjusted to a desired luminance characteristic, thereby obtaining a predetermined luminance characteristic. Then, the characteristic of correction correction to the desired luminance characteristic is acquired as correction data. The identification information of the image data and the correction data are stored correspondingly (second adjustment).
Step S3: The identification data of the image data targeted by the correction data is attached to the correction data acquired by the image monitoring monitor apparatus h, and is distributed and stored in each monitor apparatus. (Adjustment finished)

Step S4: When each monitor device acquires image data after the adjustment of the luminance characteristic, correction data corresponding to the identification information of the image data is read, and the luminance characteristic and the read correction data by the first adjustment are reflected. After image processing, an image based on the image data is displayed.

  Therefore, the adjustment of the luminance characteristic depending on the image data does not need to be performed by each monitor device, and the adjustment man-hour is reduced accordingly. Also, the luminance characteristics depending on the image data are adjusted by one monitor device and shared thereafter, so that the quality of the gradation characteristics can be unified and maintained. It is also easy to add or replace the monitor device.

[Configuration and operation of image detection monitor device h]
The image inspection monitor device h is for determining whether or not it is appropriate for diagnosing the image acquired as described above. In the present invention, the image monitoring monitor device h plays a role of adjusting luminance. In the present invention, the adjustment of the luminance characteristic is divided into two (first adjustment and second adjustment): a luminance characteristic depending on each of the imaging monitor device h and the monitoring device and a luminance characteristic depending on the image data. Means for making adjustments. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the imaging monitor apparatus will be described, and further, the first adjustment and the second adjustment will be described.

  In FIG. 2, the communication unit 1 mainly performs communication such as transmission / reception of image data and transmission of correction data stored in the correction data storage unit 6 to be described later on the network as shown in FIG.

  In the image processing means 2, the communication means 1 receives image data from the medical device via the network, converts it into a signal, generates and processes a video signal for image display, and sends it to the user interface means 3. The image processing means 2 has processing means for determining luminance characteristics. For example, it is possible to generate a video signal having luminance characteristics (gradation characteristics, γ coefficient) corresponding to the level (magnitude) of the video signal based on the input image data, and to change the gradation characteristics. Have the means. Simply put, it is possible to change the linearity of the amplitude of the input signal versus the amplitude of the output video signal (this is an example. For example, the video signal can be converted into a pulse width modulation signal. When handling, it becomes the linearity of the change of the pulse width.) Note that the image processing means 2 includes means for performing gradation characteristics in each of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), for example, when performing color. In the following description, explanation will be made with a single color of gray (including black and white).

  When a general personal computer (personal computer) is used as the image processing means 2, the image processing means 2 is shipped in the form of gradation characteristics that include the unique gradation characteristics of the display means 3 b as a whole. The change information adjusted at the time of shipment or thereafter is stored and held in a table in the inherent luminance characteristic changing means 4 of FIG. The intrinsic luminance characteristic changing means 4 may be in the image processing means 2 but is described outside for the sake of understanding.

  The “inherent luminance characteristic” described in the claims of the present invention includes the gradation characteristic of the display means 3b after shipment or the display means 3b, the image processing means 2 and the like, which do not depend on the input image data. If the tone characteristics are properly changed even after shipment, the changed tone characteristics are indicated. That is, the inherent luminance characteristic is a characteristic before being used as a system, and means a gradation characteristic at a stage before the first adjustment described later according to the present invention.

  The user interface unit 3 includes a display control unit 3a, a display unit 3b, and an operation unit 3c. The display control means 3a receives the output of the image processing means 2 and displays an image based on the image data in a predetermined format (format is stored in advance) together with a part of the accompanying information. The marker display format is held, the marker can be moved in accordance with the operation of the operation means 3c, and various data at the marker position can be read and changed.

  The first adjusting means 5 in FIG. 1 is a means for changing the inherent luminance characteristic depending on the above-described image-monitoring monitor device h, and each switch S1 to S1 in response to a first adjustment start instruction from the operating means 3c. S4 is activated by being set as shown in the first adjustment section of FIG.

  The first adjusting unit 5 stores in advance a format including a gray scale in FIG. 4A and a reference marker indicating the reference luminance as image luminance change screen information, and displays it on the display unit 3b when the adjustment is started. The luminance indicated by the position of the reference marker is a position for setting the same gradation characteristics for the image monitoring monitor device h and the monitor devices j, k, and m (the horizontal axis and the position in the gradation direction. Therefore, it is common to each monitor device. Further, a luminance marker indicating the current luminance position of the intrinsic luminance characteristic changing means 4 is displayed as shown in FIG. The operator can adjust the brightness marker position by matching the reference marker position with the operation means 3c.

  The first adjusting means 5 receives the moving amount of the luminance marker at the time of the adjustment, and causes the inherent luminance characteristic changing means 4 to change the change information corresponding to the moving amount as the gradation changing amount. The intrinsic luminance characteristic changing means 4 stores and holds the changed gradation characteristic. Therefore, at the next activation, the luminance marker that can be placed in FIG. 4A is displayed at the same position as the position of the reference marker. In the above description, the gray scale is displayed and adjusted, but the numerical value of the γ coefficient or both of them may be used. However, it is easier to visually recognize the gradation when there is a gray scale.

  The second adjusting unit 7 is a unit for adjusting the luminance characteristic depending on the image data. The second adjustment means 7 is activated by setting the switches S1 to S4 as shown in the second adjustment section of FIG. 2B in response to the first adjustment start instruction from the operation means 3c. . At this time, the first adjusting unit 5 stops and the image processing unit 2 processes the image based on the image data with the gradation characteristic of the fixed luminance characteristic changing unit 4 reflecting the result of the first adjustment, and the user It is displayed on the interface 3.

  The second adjusting means 7 reads the additional information of the tag of the image data from the communication means 1 and stores each information such as the image identification information, the setting of the medical device, the setting of the imaging means, the part of the imaged subject, the imaging method, etc. The gradation characteristics are set according to the setting of the medical device, the setting of the imaging means, the part of the imaged subject, the imaging method, and the like. There are two methods for setting the gradation characteristics: correcting the gradation characteristics of the entire image, setting the brightness to emphasize the part to be watched, and both.

  When correcting the gradation characteristics of the entire image, as a result, a gray scale as shown in FIG. 4A is displayed, and the current luminance marker before the second adjustment is displayed using the reference luminance based on the image data as the reference marker. The brightness marker position is adjusted to the reference marker position by the operation means 3c, and the movement amount of the brightness marker is stored in the correction data storage means 6 as a gradation correction amount.

  In order to correct for the cause of gradation, the correction amount of each gradation (in accordance with the settings of the medical device, the setting of the imaging means, the part of the subject imaged, the imaging method, etc.) The correction value of the γ coefficient may be stored as a correction table, and the gradation correction amount that matches the content of each information read from the received supplementary information is read from the correction table and corrected individually. (It can also be done automatically.) At that time, the second adjustment means 7 may output the gray scale of FIG. 4A for each correction based on each information, and each time it can be corrected on the screen of the display means 3b by the operation means 3c. You may make it correct | amend by multiplying according to the correction value of (gamma) coefficient for every information of a correction table. The correction table may be held as paper, and a correction amount (γ coefficient correction value) corresponding to each information may be input from the operation unit 3c.

  In the case of setting the luminance to emphasize the part to be watched, the second adjustment means stores a data format representing the distribution of pixel position versus luminance as an image luminance correction screen as shown in FIG. 4B, for example. In addition, the image brightness correction screen is displayed on the screen on which the medical image is displayed so that the brightness can be adjusted for each pixel. In FIG. 4B, when a marker is set at the gaze location of the medical image, the marker appears at a pixel position corresponding to the marker position at the gaze location on the image brightness setting screen (not necessarily required). Then, the brightness of each pixel can be adjusted by moving the marker on the image brightness correction screen up and down by the operation means 3c and clicking “setting”. The adjustment result is stored in the correction data storage unit 6 so as to be readable for each pixel. In addition, instead of the image brightness correction screen of FIG. 4B, a gray scale display of brightness at the marker position (pixel) as shown in FIG. 4C may be used. However, in this case, the luminance of other pixels is unknown. The luminance displayed on the image luminance correction screen is that displayed by the image processing unit 2 based on the correction data when it is stored in the correction data storage unit 6 for each correction. . In the above description, the luminance can be adjusted in units of pixels. However, the luminance can be adjusted for each range in which a plurality of pixels are gathered.

  That is, even during the adjustment, the image processing means 2 includes the gradation characteristic correction values for all the pixels and the luminance correction values for each part, which are stored in the correction data storage means 6, and further includes the inherent luminance characteristic changing means 4. Image data is processed and displayed on the user interface means 3 so as to obtain a γ coefficient including gradation characteristics. Therefore, the change after adjustment is made to appear immediately on the screen.

  Note that the correction data stored in the correction data storage unit 6 is the luminance characteristic adjusted by the second adjustment unit 7. In other words, the predetermined luminance characteristic after being adjusted by the first adjusting means 5 and the desired luminance characteristic when the second adjusting means 7 is corrected to a desired luminance characteristic including a luminance correction value for each part. And the difference characteristic. The correction data is stored in association with the identification information of the image data to be adjusted so as to be readable.

  That is, correction data is generated for each image data and stored in the correction data storage unit 6 correspondingly. The minimum unit of the image data at that time is image data corresponding to at least one screen (one scene). For example, when the brightness adjustment for each part is not included, correction data can be shared by a plurality of image data. However, when the brightness adjustment is different for each part, the image data (for each part showing the part ( Correction data is required for each screen.

  After the first adjustment and the second adjustment as described above, each of the switches S1 to S4 is shown in the image display section of FIG. 2B by the adjustment end signal or when the diagnosis of the image data is started. By setting as described above, the first adjusting means 5 and the second adjusting means 7 are separated. When acquiring and diagnosing image data, the image processing means 2 reads correction data corresponding to the identification information of the acquired image data from the correction data storage means 6, and the correction data and the intrinsic luminance characteristic changing means 4. An image based on the acquired image is displayed on the user interface means 3 with the gradation characteristic determined by the gradation characteristic (that is, desired luminance characteristic). And it is diagnosed or interpreted.

[Configuration and operation of monitoring devices j, k, m]

  FIG. 3A shows a functional configuration of the monitor device. FIG. 3B shows an operation mode of each of the switches S1, S3, and S4 having the configuration shown in FIG. In FIG. 3A and FIG. 2A, the same reference numerals denote substantially the same functions. The major difference between the configurations of these figures is that FIG. 3A does not have the second adjusting means 7 of FIG.

  The first adjustment for the inherent luminance characteristic of the monitor device in FIG. 3A is the same as that in the case of the image detection monitor device h. In the correction data storage unit 6 of FIG. 3A, the correction data stored by the second adjustment in the correction data storage unit 6 of the imaging monitor apparatus h is stored via the communication unit 1 and the network of FIG. And get it and memorize it. This completes the adjustment of the luminance characteristics in the monitor device.

  After the adjustment of the luminance characteristics, the switches S1, S3, and S4 in FIG. 3A are set to the mode shown in the image display section in FIG. Thereafter, the processing from image data acquisition to image display is the same as that of the image inspection monitor device h. That is, when the image processing unit 2 in FIG. 3A acquires the image data, the correction data corresponding to the identification information of the image data is read, and the luminance characteristic and the read correction data by the first adjustment are reflected. After image processing, an image based on the image data is displayed.

[Hardware Configuration of Image Inspection Monitor Device h and Monitor Device]
The hardware configuration of the image inspection monitor device h is shown in FIG. The system memory 400 in FIG. 6 includes software for operating the entire system, and software for causing the communication unit 1, the image processing unit 2, and the user interface 3 to function. The communication unit 1, the image processing unit 2 and the user interface 3 are mainly achieved by executing the CPU 200 and controlling the hardware unit of the communication unit and the image processing unit and the front panel 300.

  The application memory 600 stores first adjustment software and second adjustment software. When the CPU 200 executes the software, the first adjustment means 5, the second adjustment means 7, and the switches S1 to S1 are mainly used. S4 is achieved. The data memory 500 mainly constitutes the correction data memory 6 and the intrinsic luminance characteristic changing means 4.

  The hardware configuration of the monitor device is obtained by removing the first adjustment software from the application memory in the hardware configuration of the image monitoring monitor device h in FIG.

  With the above configuration, the brightness adjustment in the present embodiment is performed with respect to the inherent brightness characteristics on the image monitoring monitor device h and the monitor device side as shown in FIG. It can be divided into adjustment and adjustment of luminance characteristics depending on the image data shown in FIG. Therefore, since the adjustment result of FIG. 8 can be shared by each monitor device, it is not necessary to adjust the number of monitor devices, and the adjustment man-hours can be reduced and the luminance characteristics can be unified.

[Flow of correction data for medical monitor system]
The “flow of image data in the medical monitor system” is as described above, and the flow of correction data will be additionally described here. Note that a part of the flow of correction data has been described above, but will be described here.

  The correction data obtained by the second adjustment by the image inspection monitor device h can be used in other monitors as follows. (A) The image is directly transmitted from the image monitoring monitor device h to each monitor through a network. (B) After copying from the image monitoring monitor device h to a CD or various external memories, the external memory is attached to each monitor device or downloaded from the external memory to each monitor device. (C) The image monitoring monitor device h writes correction data as supplementary information for each image data, sends the image data with supplementary information to the server, and each monitor device can acquire correction data together with the image data from the server. To. (D) The image monitoring monitor device h sends the image data and the correction data corresponding thereto separately to the server and stores them in correspondence with each other, and each monitor device receives only the correction data from the server in advance. Is acquired first and stored.

  It should be taken into consideration when adopting any one of the above (a) to (c) that the transmission of image data has a very large transmission capacity, and therefore it is desired to transmit 7 at a time. The transmission time until transmission of image data is completed is delayed. Considering them, the correction data is transmitted separately from the transmission of the image data in the above (a) and (b), so the transmission of the correction data does not become a load of the transmission of the image data. In the case of (a), when new image data is obtained at any time, it is possible to respond quickly, which is advantageous. In (c) above, the correspondence between image data and correction data is certain, but the amount of correction data is a load of image data transmission, which affects transmission capacity and transmission time. In (d) above, the transmission of the image data and the transmission of the correction data can be performed at different times, so that they do not become loads on each other. Since the image data and the correction data are collectively managed, it is convenient. For example, when a new monitor is added, it is sufficient to receive only correction data from the server first.

  At the present time, (i) or (d) above is desirable, except when (c) is improved.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the medical monitor system comprised by the network, and the flow of image data. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the image detection monitor apparatus h in FIG. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the monitor apparatuses j, k, and m of FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen for performing the luminance adjustment of the image detection monitor apparatus h. It is a figure for demonstrating the schematic procedure of the brightness adjustment of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the image detection monitor apparatus of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the flow of luminance adjustment (1st adjustment). It is a figure for demonstrating the flow of luminance adjustment (2nd adjustment). It is a figure for demonstrating the adjustment of the conventional luminance characteristic. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the conventional medical monitor system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication means 2 Image processing means 3 User interface means 4 Intrinsic luminance characteristic change means 5 First adjustment means 6 Correction data storage means 7 Second adjustment means

Claims (8)

A medical monitor device comprising user interface means including display means and operation means, and image processing means for receiving medical image data and displaying the medical image with a unique luminance characteristic,
First adjustment means for receiving the change instruction from the user interface means and causing the image processing means to change the specific brightness characteristic to a predetermined brightness characteristic;
The image processing unit receives the medical image data and corrects and changes the luminance characteristic when the medical image is displayed based on the predetermined luminance characteristic to a desired luminance characteristic by a correction instruction from the user interface unit. A medical monitor device comprising: 2 adjusting means. The first adjustment unit causes the user interface unit to display the unique luminance characteristic in a changeable manner. The second adjustment unit receives the medical image data and receives the medical image data according to the predetermined luminance characteristic. The medical monitor apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the medical image is displayed, the luminance characteristic to be corrected and changed is displayed on the user interface unit so as to be visible at the same time. The medical image data is attached with identification information in advance,
Correction data storage means for storing, as correction data, characteristics corresponding to the luminance changed by the second adjustment means in association with the identification information;
When the image processing means receives the medical image data, the image processing means reads out the correction data corresponding to the identification information of the medical image data from the data storage means, adds to the predetermined luminance characteristic, and based on the correction data The medical monitor apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image based on the medical image data is displayed with luminance characteristics. A medical monitor system including a plurality of medical monitor devices having image processing means for sharing medical image data and displaying images based on the medical image data with unique luminance characteristics by user interface means each including display means. There,
One of the plurality of medical monitoring devices is
First adjustment means for receiving the change instruction from the user interface means and causing the image processing means to change the specific brightness characteristic to a predetermined brightness characteristic;
When the image processing unit receives the medical image data with identification information attached in advance and displays the medical image with the predetermined luminance characteristic, the luminance characteristic is obtained by a correction instruction from the user interface unit. A second adjusting means for changing the correction to
Correction data storage means for storing, as correction data, characteristics corresponding to the correction changed by the second adjustment means, in association with the identification information;
Each of the other medical monitoring devices
The first adjustment unit and the correction data storage unit have the correction data corresponding to the identification information of the received medical image data after the first adjustment unit has adjusted the same predetermined luminance characteristic. A medical monitor system which reads from the correction data storage means and displays an image based on the medical image data with a luminance characteristic based on the correction data in addition to the predetermined luminance characteristic. Each of the medical monitor devices is connected to a network, and each of the medical monitor devices includes a communication unit,
And a server that is connected to the network and stores the correction data so as to be readable from the medical monitor device. At least the medical data received by each medical monitor device is stored in the correction data storage means of each of the other medical monitor devices. 5. The medical monitor system according to claim 4, wherein correction data read by designating identification information of image data to the server is stored. In addition to the plurality of medical monitor devices, the medical network includes a plurality of medical devices that are communicably connected to acquire medical image data relating to a subject, and the plurality of medical devices include identification information in the acquired medical image data. Is sent to the one medical monitoring device,
The one medical monitor device acquires the correction data for the received medical image data, attaches the corresponding identification information to the server, and stores it in the server so that the other medical monitor device can correct the server. 6. The medical monitor system according to claim 5, wherein data can be read out. A first adjustment stage for adjusting a specific luminance characteristic in each of the plurality of medical monitor devices to a predetermined luminance characteristic by a change instruction from the user interface means;
Sending medical image data captured by the medical device to a specific medical monitor device among the medical monitor devices that have completed the first adjustment step;
The specific medical monitor device changes the luminance characteristic when the medical image data is received and the medical image is displayed based on the predetermined luminance characteristic to a desired luminance characteristic by a correction instruction from the user interface means. A second adjustment stage,
The specific medical monitor device stores in the correction data storage means the correction data corresponding to the received identification information of the medical image data, in the correction data storage means, for the characteristics that have been corrected and changed in the second adjustment stage. A data sending stage for sending the correction data to the plurality of medical monitor devices excluding a specific medical monitor device, and sending the medical image data to a server for storage;
When the plurality of medical monitor devices excluding the specific medical monitor device that has finished the first adjustment step acquires medical image data from the server, identification information of the medical image data from the acquired correction data And a monitor step for displaying an image based on the medical image data based on the luminance characteristics based on the correction data corresponding to the above. 8. The medical monitor according to claim 7, wherein in the data sending step, each medical monitor device can acquire the correction data by attaching the correction data to the medical image data and sending the correction data to the server. Device brightness adjustment method.