JP2010284423A - Medical image diagnostic device and medical image photographing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical image diagnostic device, identifying a pattern of an examination wear to determine which language a patient can understand so that in examination, instruction can be given in a language which the patient can understand. <P>SOLUTION: This medical image diagnostic device includes: a photographing part for collecting a tomographic image of the patient; an examination control part for controlling the photographing part to perform examination for the patient; a language discriminating part for identifying the pattern of the examination wear which the patient puts on to discriminate the language understood by the patient; and a guide part for giving instruction to the patient in the discriminated language according to the progress of examination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical image diagnostic apparatus such as an X-ray CT apparatus (computed tomography apparatus) or an MRI apparatus (magnetic resonance imaging apparatus). In particular, an instruction at the time of examination is given to a patient by voice or the like. The present invention relates to a medical image diagnostic apparatus and a medical image photographing method.

  Conventionally, an X-ray CT apparatus, an MRI apparatus, or the like is used as a medical image diagnostic apparatus. For example, an X-ray CT apparatus irradiates a patient with X-rays, collects projection data by detecting X-rays transmitted through the patient with an X-ray detector, and acquires a tomographic image of the patient by reconstruction. be able to. In such a medical diagnostic imaging device, a voice guide determined according to the progress of the examination is generated for the patient under examination, for example, “Please hold your breath and stop”, “Do not move”, “ Please make it easy. ”

  On the other hand, in recent years, internationalization has progressed also in Japan, and foreigners whose native language is various languages have come to stay for a long time. Along with this, in medical institutions, an increasing number of foreigners undergo examinations by medical image diagnostic apparatuses. Therefore, medical institutions need to support various languages. However, the voices generated by domestic medical image diagnostic apparatuses are often in Japanese only, and are expected to be difficult for foreigners to understand. For this reason, there are problems such that the patient cannot follow the instructions of the voice guide and repeats the examination, or the examination may be prolonged, and unnecessary X-rays are exposed.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a medical image diagnostic apparatus having a voice selection device. In this example, storage means for storing voice information in a plurality of languages, language selection means for selecting a desired language from a plurality of languages, and reading out voice information corresponding to the selected language from the storage means. The sound output means for outputting the sound is provided.

  However, in order to generate speech in a language suitable for the patient, it is necessary to examine in advance what language the patient can understand and to switch the generated language for each examination, which complicates the operation. There is a problem that. In particular, when many patients come one after another in group examinations, the labor of inspection technicians increases, and there is room for further improvement in terms of examination efficiency.

JP 2000-342563 A

  Conventionally, in medical image diagnostic apparatuses that generate voice guidance, the generated voice is often only in the native language (Japanese if Japanese), and it is expected that it is difficult for foreigners to understand. In addition, even in a medical image diagnostic apparatus having a voice selection device, it is necessary to examine in advance what language a patient can understand and to switch the language to be generated for each examination, which complicates the operation. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and determines the language that can be understood by the patient by identifying the pattern (color or mark) of the examination clothes, and the speech or text in the language that the patient can understand at the time of the examination. It is an object to provide a medical image diagnostic apparatus and a medical image photographing method that can be used and guided.

  The medical image diagnostic apparatus of the present invention according to claim 1, an imaging unit that collects a tomographic image of a patient, an inspection control unit that controls the imaging unit to execute the examination of the patient, and an inspection worn by the patient A language discriminating unit for discriminating a pattern of wear and discriminating a language understandable by the patient; and a guide unit for instructing the patient by the discriminated language according to the progress of the examination. Features.

  The medical image photographing method of the present invention according to claim 6 stores guide information including voice data and text data ordered in accordance with the progress of examination in a database for each of a plurality of languages, and a pattern of examination clothes worn by a patient. Identifying the language that the patient can understand, controlling the imaging unit that collects the tomographic image of the patient, and performing the examination of the patient in a preset order, according to the progress of the examination, Voice data and text data in the determined language are sequentially read from the database, and output to a speaker and a display to guide the patient.

  According to the present invention, since an examination engineer does not need to communicate with patients with different languages or manually perform language switching operations, the examination engineer can concentrate on the examination and can improve examination efficiency.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a medical image diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the guide part in the embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the inspection clothes used in the embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the inspection clothes used in the embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows the further another example of the inspection clothing used in the embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display image in the embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the language table of the database in the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the inspection process in the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a medical image diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, an example in which an X-ray CT apparatus (computer tomography apparatus) 100 is used as a medical image diagnostic apparatus will be described.

  The X-ray CT apparatus 100 includes a gantry 10 and a computer system 20. The gantry 10 collects projection data related to the patient P, and includes a rotating frame 11, an X-ray tube 12, an X-ray detector 13, a data collection unit 14, a non-contact type data transmission device 15, a slip ring 16, and a gantry. A drive unit 17 is included. The X-ray tube 12, the X-ray detector 13, and the data collection unit 14 constitute an imaging unit that collects a tomographic image of a patient.

  The rotating frame 11 is a ring that is driven to rotate, and is mounted with an X-ray tube 12 and an X-ray detector 13. The central portion of the rotating frame 11 is open, and the patient P placed on the top plate 19 of the bed 18 (FIG. 2) is inserted into the opening. The X-ray tube 12 is a vacuum tube that generates X-rays. Electric power (tube current and tube voltage) necessary for X-ray exposure is supplied to the X-ray tube 12 from a high voltage generator 28 (described later). It is supplied via a slip ring 16. The X-ray tube 12 exposes X-rays to the patient P placed in the effective visual field region FOV by accelerating electrons by the supplied high voltage and colliding with the target.

  The X-ray detector 13 detects X-rays transmitted through the patient P, and is attached to the rotating frame 11 so as to face the X-ray tube 12. The X-ray detector 13 is, for example, a multi-slice type detector, and a plurality of detection elements configured by combining a scintillator and a photodiode are two-dimensionally arranged.

  The data acquisition unit 14 is called DAS (Data Acquisition System), converts a signal output from the X-ray detector 13 for each channel into a voltage signal, amplifies it, and further converts it into a digital signal. This digital data is sent to the computer system 20 via the non-contact type data transmission device 15. The gantry driving unit 17 drives the rotary frame 11 to rotate. By this rotation driving, the X-ray tube 12 and the X-ray detector 13 are rotated in a spiral manner around the body axis of the patient P while facing each other.

  The computer system 20 includes a bus line 201, and includes a preprocessing unit 21, a system control unit 22, a storage unit 23, a reconstruction processing unit 24, an image processing unit 25, a display unit 26, an operation unit 27, a high voltage generation unit 28, A display / speaker control unit 29 is provided. The preprocessing unit 21 receives the raw data from the data collection unit 14 via the non-contact data transmission device 15 and performs sensitivity correction and X-ray intensity correction. The system control unit 22 is connected to the bus line 201, performs overall control of the X-ray CT apparatus 100, and performs scan processing, signal processing, image generation processing, image display processing, and the like.

  The raw data subjected to various corrections by the preprocessing unit 21 is called projection data and is temporarily stored in the storage unit 23 via the bus line 201. The reconstruction processing unit 24 is equipped with a plurality of kinds of reconstruction methods, and reconstructs image data by the reconstruction method selected by the operator.

  The image processing unit 25 performs image processing for display such as window conversion and RGB processing on the reconstructed image data generated by the reconstruction processing unit 24, and outputs the image processing to the display unit 26. Further, the image processing unit 25 generates a tomographic image of an arbitrary cross section, a projection image from an arbitrary direction, a three-dimensional image, and the like based on an instruction from the operator, and outputs the generated image to the display unit 26. In addition to the raw data, the storage unit 23 stores image data such as reconstructed tomographic image data.

  The display unit 26 displays a CT image such as a computer tomographic image input from the image processing unit 25. The operation unit 27 includes a keyboard, various switches, a mouse, and the like, and is operated by an operator (operator) to input various scan conditions and the like. At the time of inspection, instructions for voice guidance are given. The high voltage generator 28 supplies power necessary for X-ray exposure to the X-ray tube 12 via the slip ring 16.

  The X-ray CT apparatus 100 communicates with other apparatuses such as an RIS (Radiology Information System) server and PACS (not shown) via a network, and transmits image data and patient data to the PACS via the network. Information etc. can also be saved.

  Furthermore, the system control unit 22 determines the feed amount, feed speed, X-ray tube 12 and X-ray tube 12 in the body axis direction of the high voltage generation unit 28, the gantry drive unit 17 and the top plate 19 based on the input scanning conditions. The rotational speed, rotational pitch, and X-ray exposure timing of the line detector 13 are controlled, and an X-ray cone beam or X-ray fan beam is exposed from multiple directions to a desired imaging region of the patient. Data collection (scanning) processing of the line CT image is performed.

  In the present invention, for example, the gantry 11 is provided with the guide portion 30 (FIG. 2) including the display 101 and the speaker 102. The guide unit 30 gives various instructions to the patient under examination in accordance with the progress of the examination, and generates a voice guide determined from the speaker 102. For example, “please breathe and stop”, “ Do not move "," Please make it easy ", etc. instructions automatically. Information necessary for the inspection is displayed on the display 101.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the guide unit 30 used in one embodiment of the present invention. The guide unit includes a display 101, a speaker 102, and a camera 103 that captures an image of the patient P placed on the bed 19, and further includes a database 31, an examination control unit 32, a display processing unit 33, and audio output. A unit 34 and an image recognition unit 35 are provided.

  The display processing unit 33 and the audio output unit 34 constitute a display / speaker control unit 29. The database 31, the inspection control unit 32, the display processing unit 33, the audio output unit 34, and the image recognition unit 35 are connected to the bus line 301. A display unit 26 is connected to the bus line 301.

  The display 101 is disposed at or near the gantry 10. Specifically, the housing surface of the gantry 10 does not become an X-ray obstacle, and is inclined to a place that can be seen from the patient P inserted into the opening, typically in a mortar shape around the opening. A liquid crystal panel or the like is disposed in the portion. Alternatively, the display 101 may be held from the gantry 10 via a free articulated arm (not shown). Similarly, the speaker 102 is arranged at or near the gantry 10. Typically, it is arranged in a portion inclined like a mortar around the opening. The display processing unit 33 controls display on the display 101, and the audio output unit 34 controls audio output from the speaker 102.

  The database 31 holds guide information including voice data in a plurality of languages and text data matching the voice data in a language table (described later in FIG. 7). It also holds text for laboratory technicians. The inspection control unit 32 is for executing an inspection in a predetermined sequence according to a program registered in advance, and controls the inspection procedure according to the inspection contents.

  The camera 103 captures an image of the patient P and is attached at a position where the patient P can be captured. The video imaged by the camera 103 is sent to the image recognition unit 35. The image recognition unit 35 discriminates a language that the patient can understand by identifying the pattern (color or mark) of the examination clothes worn by the patient. Therefore, the camera 103 and the image recognition unit 35 constitute a language determination unit.

  When the language that can be understood by the patient is determined by the image recognition unit 35, the determination result is sent to the test control unit 32, and the test control unit 32 accesses the database 31, and voice data and text data in the designated language. Are supplied to the audio output unit 34 and the text data of the corresponding language is supplied to the display processing unit 33. Further, text data in a language that can be understood by an operator (operator) such as an inspection engineer is read and supplied to the display unit 26. The display unit 26 is provided in a room different from the examination room in which the X-ray CT apparatus 100 is placed, and constitutes a part of the computer system 20.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of examination clothes worn by a patient. The inspection clothes 41 in FIG. 3 (a) are, for example, for Japanese people and have a white background. 3B is for a patient who can understand English, for example, and one thick mark (line) 421 is drawn on a white background. 3C is for a patient who can understand German, for example, and two thick lines 431 are drawn on a white background. 3D is for a patient who can understand French, for example, and three thick lines 441 are drawn on a white background. Alternatively, a plurality of test clothes of different colors may be provided, and the language that the patient can understand may be identified by color, such as white for Japanese, blue for Chinese, and red for Korean. Of course, a plurality of languages may be specified by a combination of both colors and marks.

  In this way, by preparing in advance in the dressing room different inspection patterns composed of marks and colors for each language, the patient can select and wear the inspection clothes corresponding to the language that he can understand. . For example, in the changing room, shelves by language such as “English”, “German”, “French”, “Chinese”, etc. are prepared, and language-specific examination clothes are put in them, so that the language that the patient can understand most It is recommended that you select the check-in clothes. Alternatively, examination clothes in which languages such as “English”, “German”, “French”, “Chinese”, etc. are sewn may be prepared and the patient himself / herself may select the examination clothes.

  In this way, the image recognition unit 35 recognizes the pattern of the test clothes, for example, the color and the mark (no line, one line, two lines, three lines, etc.) and determines the language that the patient can understand. Note that the check-in mark is not limited to a line but may be a circle, square, triangle, or the like, and the language may be specified by changing the number of marks. It is better to make a large mark on the inspection clothes.

  4 and 5 are diagrams showing other examples of inspection clothes. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the overall colors of the inspection clothes 45 and 46 are changed so that men and women can be identified. Also in this example, the language can be specified by the number of marks 451 and 461 (lines). FIG. 5 is a diagram in which the entire colors of the inspection clothes 47 and 48 are unified, and as shown in (a) and (b), the colors of the marks 471 and 481 (lines) are changed so that the language can be specified. is there. Another language may be specified by changing the number of marks 471 and 481. Furthermore, as another example, the size of the examination clothes may be determined to determine whether the patient is a child or an adult, and if the child is a child, the voice may be output with a gentle voice.

  Hereinafter, the inspection process after determining the language will be described. The patient P wears the examination clothes selected by himself / herself before the examination and lies on the bed 18. The camera 103 is set at a position such that the entire patient P lying on the bed 18 enters the image. When the inspection engineer notifies the inspection control unit 32 that the inspection has started, the inspection control unit 32 detects the image recognition unit 35. Requires language recognition.

  The camera 103 captures an image of the patient P, and the image recognition unit 35 recognizes the pattern (color, mark, etc.) of the examination clothes photographed by the camera 103 and transmits a language understandable by the patient P to the examination control unit 32. . Thereafter, the inspection control unit 32 reads out audio data of the corresponding language from the database 31 based on the received language information, and supplies it to the audio output unit 34. In addition, the inspection control unit 32 reads text data matching the voice data from the database 31 and supplies it to the display processing unit 33. In this way, voice that can be understood by the patient P is output from the speaker 102, and text data is displayed on the display 101. If the patient is a hearing-impaired person, the examination can be proceeded without difficulty by displaying text data that can be understood by the patient P on the display 101.

  In addition, since the operator (inspection engineer, etc.) may not understand the speech language emitted from the speaker 102, the inspection control unit 32 reads the operator text from the database 31 at the same timing as the sound generation from the speaker 102. Display on the display unit 26 for a certain period of time.

  In the database 31, guide information for patients ordered according to the progress of examinations is stored as voice data and text data, and is stored corresponding to a plurality of languages. In other words, voice data and text for multiple inspection stages are stored according to the progress of inspection and scanning, and these data are read out according to the progress of the inspection. For example, `` Please take a breath and stop '' , "Please do not move", "Please make it easy", etc. sound is output sequentially. Information other than instructions to the patient, for example, voice data such as music having a relaxing effect, is stored in the database 31, and is read out and output in a relaxation period after the end of breath holding or a pause period between scans. You may make it do.

  In addition to text data, data such as still images or moving images is stored in the database in association with audio data, and the inspection control unit 32 can generate text or image data that matches the audio reproduced and output from the speaker 102. Is displayed on the display 101. Therefore, an instruction to the patient is displayed on the display 101 in a language that matches the output voice. In addition, data suitable for the age and sex of the patient may be prepared as image data, and images for women and children may be displayed.

  Further, the image data may include data that displays a message indicating the progress of the scan, the progress of the inspection, and the like. For example, data such as time to start breath holding, remaining time to end breath holding, instruction to end breath holding, time to start scanning, current status during scanning, remaining time to end scanning, etc. It is good to display according to the progress of scanning and inspection. Thereby, even when the voice instruction is missed or it is difficult to understand with the voice, the instruction can be visually recognized and the current progress can be visually recognized sequentially.

  FIG. 6 shows a screen during breath holding as a display example of the display 101. The screen of the display 101 is divided into, for example, a display area A intended for an operator (such as a laboratory technician), a display area B intended for a patient, and an area C intended for both the patient and the operator. Can do. In the display area A, a heart rate, an electrocardiogram waveform and the like are displayed.

  In the display area B, for example, when starting a breath holding test, a plurality of related images B-1, B-2, B-3 such as “Please hold your breath” are displayed in accordance with the sound output. In addition, in the video of B-4, for example, a video corresponding to a breath holding instruction for an infant is displayed. In the display area C, patient information, imaging technician information, hospital guidance information, and advertisement information are displayed.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the language table in the database 31. The language table includes a speech ID and languages 1 to n, and the language 1 to language n fields include speech data and text data. The voice IDs are ordered from S1 to Sn according to the progress of the examination, and guide information for the patient is stored as voice data and text data for each ID, and stored for each of a plurality of languages. An operator text is stored for each voice ID.

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the patient P can know the action to be taken by the patient P at various timings during the examination by voice and text (or image) in a predetermined language. In addition, since the remaining time of breath holding, the time until the next scan, and the scheduled remaining time of the examination can be displayed, the anxiety that the patient has can be removed.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of the inspection described above. In FIG. 8, step S <b> 0 is a test start step, and in step S <b> 1, the patient P is laid on the bed 18. When the examination is started in step S2, an image of the patient is taken by the camera 103 in step S3. In step S4, the color or mark of the examination clothes worn by the patient P is identified by the image recognition unit 35, and a language understandable by the patient P is notified to the examination control unit 32.

  In step S5, the language is switched, and the voice data and text data (or image data) of the corresponding language are read from the database 31, and in step S6, the inspection is sequentially performed according to the inspection program. At this time, in step S7, it is determined whether or not voice guidance is necessary. If voice guidance is necessary, the process proceeds to step S8 and step S9.

  In step S8, audio in a predetermined language is output from the speaker 102. In step S9, text or an image in the corresponding language is displayed on the display 101. The display unit 26 displays text for the operator. These audio outputs and displays are sequentially switched in accordance with the progress of the inspection, and are performed until it is determined in step S10 that all inspections have been completed. When all the inspections are completed, the process ends in step S11.

  In the present invention, examination clothes are used as a language switching key. However, the image recognition unit 35 can be used by the patient to roughly recognize the color components of the screen on which the examination clothes are displayed, or roughly recognize the marks. Since it is possible to know a language that can be understood, it is possible to switch between languages with inexpensive and labor-saving technology.

  In addition, a method of recognizing by putting a barcode around the patient's arm or putting a tag that generates radio waves such as RFID on the examination clothes can be considered, but in this case, it is necessary to align and read the barcode part. The recognizable range is limited. In addition, when RFID or the like is used, there is a possibility that tomography using X-rays or magnetism is affected or cannot be recognized. On the other hand, in the present invention, the patient's best word is identified by identifying the color and mark of the examination clothes, so there is a risk of affecting the tomography or interfering with the operation of the sensor for image diagnosis. Absent.

  In addition, laboratory technicians can concentrate on examinations because they do not need to interact with patients with different languages or perform manual language switching operations. Can be increased.

  In the above description, the X-ray CT apparatus has been described as an example, but it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to other medical image diagnostic apparatuses such as an MRI apparatus. Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... X-ray CT apparatus 10 ... Base 11 ... Rotating frame 12 ... X-ray tube 13 ... X-ray detector 14 ... Data collection part 15 ... Data transmission apparatus 16 ... Slip ring 17 ... Base drive part 18 ... Bed 19 ... Heaven Board 20 ... Computer system 21 ... Preprocessing unit 22 ... System control unit 23 ... Storage unit 24 ... Reconstruction processing unit 25 ... Image processing unit 26 ... Display unit 27 ... Operation unit 28 ... High voltage generation unit 29 ... Display / speaker control Unit 30 ... Guide unit 31 ... Database 32 ... Inspection control unit 33 ... Display processing unit 34 ... Audio output unit 35 ... Image recognition unit 101 ... Display 102 ... Speaker 103 ... Camera

Claims (7)

An imaging unit that collects tomographic images of the patient;
An examination control unit that controls the imaging unit to perform the examination of the patient;
A language discriminating unit for identifying a test wear pattern worn by the patient and discriminating a language understandable by the patient;
A guide unit that gives instructions to the patient in the determined language according to the progress of the examination;
A medical image diagnostic apparatus comprising:   The test wear is provided with a pattern represented by at least one of a different color and mark for each of a plurality of languages, and the language discriminating unit discriminates the pattern and discriminates a language understandable by the patient. The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1. The language discriminating unit;
An image identification unit for identifying a pattern of examination clothes worn by the patient photographed by the camera and identifying a language understandable by the patient;
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The guide unit is a database that stores voice data and text data ordered according to the progress of the examination for each of a plurality of languages;
A speaker for generating sound based on the sound data;
A display capable of displaying an image including the text data,
The medical image diagnosis according to claim 1, wherein voice data and text data in a language understandable by the patient are sequentially read from the database and output to the speaker and the display as the examination progresses. apparatus.   The guide unit stores operator text data in a language understandable by an operator who operates the photographing unit in the database, and the operator text data is obtained from the database as the examination progresses. The medical image diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medical image diagnosis apparatus sequentially reads out and displays on the display unit. Stores guide information including voice data and text data ordered according to the progress of the examination in a database for each of a plurality of languages.
Identify the pattern of the test wear worn by the patient to determine the language that the patient can understand,
Control the imaging unit for collecting tomographic images of the patient and execute the examination of the patient in a preset order,
In accordance with the progress of the examination, the medical image photographing method characterized by sequentially reading out the voice data and text data of the determined language from the database and outputting them to a speaker and a display to guide the patient. Storing text data for an operator in a language understandable by an operator who operates the photographing unit in the database;
The medical image photographing method according to claim 6, wherein the operator text data is sequentially read from the data baker and displayed on a display unit in accordance with the progress of the examination.

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