JP4086635B2 - Image storage method, image storage device, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image storage method, an image storage device, a program, and a storage medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Medical images include medical X-ray images, CT scan images, MRI images, and the like. Conventional medical images were taken by a film / screen type photographing device.
[0003]
On the other hand, in response to the international standard DICOM (digital information and communication in medicine) regarding the digitization of medical images, in Japan, the Japan Radiation Equipment Industry Association (JIRA) established the MIPS (medical image processing system) standard. Digitization is in progress.
[0004]
Under such a background, an X-ray digital imaging apparatus that detects and generates a medical X-ray image as digital data has been developed. For example, a solid-state imaging device that has sensitivity to X-rays and outputs an analog signal corresponding to the detected X-ray intensity, and a flat sensor panel that obtains digital data by A / D converting the analog signal is used. There is an X-ray imaging apparatus. X-ray imaging devices are much smaller than conventional imaging devices, and are beginning to be actively used in various fields because they can reduce the exposure dose of patients.
[0005]
In an X-ray digital imaging apparatus, a medical image is generated not as a film but as digital data, and is stored and interpreted by an image storage and reference system called PACS. Medical images are not only obligated to be stored based on the Doctoral Law, but are also a proof method for conflicts related to medical errors, and loss prevention measures are important.
[0006]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-296986 has proposed an image processing control device that facilitates backup work.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional image processing control apparatus does not consider double or multiple backups. Medical images that are used for diagnosis and the like and those that prove that no information has been tampered with must be stored, and double or multiple backups are indispensable. However, the operation of backing up a large-capacity medical image in a double or multiple manner is complicated.
[0008]
The present invention was devised to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to facilitate double or multiple backup of medical images and other images.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image storage method according to the present invention includes: an image storage step for storing received image data in first and second storage media included in an image storage device; and image data stored in the second storage medium In the capacity determining step for determining whether or not the capacity is exceeded, and in the capacity determining step, when it is determined that the image data stored in the second storage medium has reached a predetermined capacity, the number of times to be backed up is reached. a transfer control step of transferring the image data stored in said second storage medium into the external storage unit to the number of times that transfers image data stored in said second storage medium in said transfer control step to said backup when it reaches the number of times the, a first deletion control step of deleting the image data stored in said second storage medium, said first storage medium When deleting image data from, if the image data has not been deleted from the second storage medium, it terminates the process, when deleting image data from said first storage medium, the image data If There have been deleted from the second storage medium has a second deletion control step of deleting the image data from said first storage medium. This facilitates backup of medical images and other double or multiple images.
[0020]
An image storage apparatus according to the present invention determines whether first and second storage media for storing received image data, and whether the image data stored in the second storage medium is equal to or greater than a predetermined capacity. When it is determined that the image data stored in the second storage medium has reached a predetermined capacity by the capacity determination unit and the capacity determination unit, the image is stored in the second storage medium until the number of times to be backed up is reached. a transfer control means for transferring image data in the external storage unit, if the number of times in the transfer control unit transferring the image data stored in the second storage medium has reached the number of times to be the backup, the first remove the image data stored in the second storage medium, when deleting image data from said first storage medium, the image data has not been deleted from the second storage medium If, as it terminates the process, from said first storage medium while deleting the image data, the case where the image data is deleted from the second storage medium, wherein the image data a first storage medium Delete control means for deleting from the. This facilitates backup of medical images and other double or multiple images.
[0021]
A computer-executable program according to the present invention includes program code for causing a computer to execute each step of the image storage method.
[0022]
The storage medium according to the present invention stores the computer-executable program.
[First Embodiment]
1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a medical image storage apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the medical image storage apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a medical picture of FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function of an image storage apparatus.
In FIG. 1, a medical image storage device 110 is connected to medical image generation devices 130, 140, 150 and a medical data server 160 via a local area network (LAN) 100. The medical image generation apparatuses 130 and 140 are, for example, CT scan apparatuses and MRI apparatuses, and the medical image generation apparatus 150 is, for example, an X-ray imaging apparatus.
The medical images generated by the medical image generation apparatuses 130, 140, and 150 are directly transmitted to the medical image storage apparatus 110 as medical image data, or once stored in the medical data server 160 and then transmitted to the medical image storage apparatus 110. Is done. The medical image data directly transmitted to the medical image storage device 110 is stored in the storage medium of the medical image storage device 110. The medical image storage device 110 includes a high-definition color liquid crystal monitor 120 and can display a medical image with high definition.
An external storage unit 170 such as a DVD drive is connected to the medical image storage device 110 via the LAN 100, and the medical image data once stored in the medical image storage device 110 is backed up to two or more DVD disks at appropriate times. The As a result, double or multiple backups are possible.
In FIG. 2, a medical image storage device 110 is connected to a bus 200 with a CPU 210, a RAM 220, a ROM 230, a communication interface 240, and an input means 260, and an output device such as a high-definition color liquid crystal monitor 120 or a printer 250 is an appropriate interface. It is connected to the bus 200 via. The input means includes a keyboard, a pointing device, a microphone, and the like.
The CPU 210 is used to control the entire medical image storage device 110 and the output device, and the control program is stored in the ROM 230. The communication interface 240 controls communication via the LAN 100, and appropriately transmits / receives medical image data and other data to / from the medical image generation apparatuses 130, 140, 150 and the medical data server 160.
In FIG. 3, the medical image storage apparatus 110 instructs the user interface means 300 (corresponding to the high-definition color liquid crystal monitor 120 and the input means 260 in FIG. 1) to receive, display, backup, etc. medical image data. The user interface unit 300 is connected to the image receiving unit 310, the deletion control unit 340, the transfer control unit 350, and the transfer number setting storage unit 360.
The image receiving unit 310 receives the medical image data generated by the medical image generation apparatuses 130, 140, and 150 via the LAN 100, and sequentially stores the received medical image data in the second storage medium 330 and the first storage medium 320. To do. The first storage medium 320 has a relatively large capacity (for example, 120 Gbytes) and can store a large amount of image data. On the other hand, the second storage medium 330 has a relatively small capacity (for example, 17 Gbytes) on the premise of a short-term storage until backup. That is, the image data stored in the first storage medium 320 can be used continuously for interpretation over a long period of time, and work interruption due to backup does not occur.
Deletion control means 340 is connected to the first storage medium 320 and the second storage medium 330, and the image data and the like stored in the first storage medium 320 and the second storage medium 330 can be deleted.
A transfer control unit 350 is connected to the first storage medium 330, and the transfer control unit 350 is connected to the external storage unit 170 via the LAN 100. The transfer number setting storage unit 360 is connected to the transfer control unit 350, and the current transfer number storage unit 370 is further connected to the transfer control unit 350.
The transfer number setting storage unit 360 stores the number of times to be backed up (referred to as a set backup number), for example, a double backup, a triple backup, and the like. The number of times (referred to as the actual number of backups) is stored. The transfer controller 350 compares the set number of backups with the actual number of backups, and reliably executes backup for the predetermined number of backups.
In the example of FIG. 3, double backup (the number of set backups is 2) is performed, and medical image data backups are stored on the two DVD disks DVD1 and DVD2. One DVD disk is used for operations such as image interpretation, and the other one is prohibited from normal use for storage.
A transfer capacity setting storage unit 380 is connected to the image receiving unit 310 and the transfer control unit 350, and a minimum data capacity to be transferred from the transfer control unit 350 to the external storage unit 170 is recorded in the transfer capacity setting storage unit 380. The The transfer capacity setting storage unit 380 acquires the minimum data capacity to be transferred from the medical image generation apparatuses 130 to 150. The backup may be performed every time the image data reaches the minimum data capacity, but the capacity of the second storage medium 330 may be provided to reduce the backup frequency.
If the minimum data capacity is 4 Gbytes and the second storage medium 330 is partitioned by 4 Gbyte area, the backup data for four times can be stored in the second storage medium. This can minimize backup frequency. For example, the backup is not executed until the inspection for one day is completed, and if the backup is performed at the end of the inspection, the inspection is not interrupted by the backup.
As described above, since the predetermined number of backups are automatically executed, the backup operation is easy. If the minimum data capacity is not set numerically but is set according to the content such as the data capacity of one examination, the medical image data to be referred to at the same time is not divided, and the medical image data reference can be made efficient.
4 is a flowchart showing processing of the image receiving unit 310 in the medical image storage device 110, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of the transfer control unit 350 in the medical image storage device, and FIG. 6 is deletion control in the medical image storage device. 10 is a flowchart showing processing of means 340.
In FIG. 4, the image receiving means 320 sequentially performs the following steps.
Step S401: The following processing is started with image reception as a trigger, and when no image is received, the processing ends.
Step S402: The received image is first stored in the second storage medium 330, and the process proceeds to step S403.
[0023]
Step S403: The received image is stored in the first storage medium 320, and the process proceeds to step S404.
[0024]
Step S404: The minimum unit of image backup is image data of one examination, and when the medical image generation apparatuses 130 to 150 transmit image data of one examination, the completion of one transmission is sent to the medical image storage apparatus 110. Notice. In step S404, it is determined whether a notification of completion for one time is received. If no notification is received, the process returns to step S410, and image reception is continued. When the notification is received, the process proceeds to step S405.
The data structure of medical data of the DICOM standard is as shown in FIG. 7, and one or a plurality of examination data (Ti1 to Tiu) correspond to one patient data (for example, patient Pi).
Step S405: Request the minimum transfer capacity from the medical image generation apparatus 130, 140, or 150 that is transmitting the image, and proceed to Step S406.
Step S406: It is determined whether or not the transfer capacity has been received. If the transfer capacity has been received, the process proceeds to step S407, and if not, the process returns to step S405.
Step S407: It is determined whether there is image data larger than the minimum transfer capacity in the second storage medium 330. If there is image data larger than the minimum transfer capacity, the process proceeds to Step S408. If there is no image data larger than the minimum transfer capacity, the process proceeds to step S409.
Step S408: A message indicating that there is image data to be backed up is displayed on the user interface 300.
Step S409: A reception completion message is transmitted to the medical image generation apparatus 130, 140, or 150.
In FIG. 5, the transfer control means 350 sequentially executes the following steps.
Step S501: When the DVD disk DVD1 or DVD2 is inserted in the external storage unit 170, the transfer control means 350 receives the notification of the insertion and the disk capacity M. Using this as a trigger, the following processing is executed.
Step S502: When the disk capacity M is smaller than the transfer capacity, the process proceeds to step S503. When the disk capacity M is greater than or equal to the transfer capacity, the process proceeds to step S504.
Step S503: The user interface means 300 displays a message that the capacity of the DVD disc is insufficient, and the processing is terminated as it is.
Step S504: It is determined whether the image in the second storage medium 330 has reached one inspection. If it has reached one inspection, the process proceeds to step S506, and if it has not reached one inspection, the process proceeds to step S505.
Step S505: A message indicating that there is no data for one examination is displayed by the user interface means 300, and the process is terminated as it is.
Step S506: It is determined whether or not the image data capacity in the second storage medium 330 is equal to or greater than the minimum transfer capacity. When the image data capacity is equal to or larger than the minimum transfer capacity, the process proceeds to step S508, and when the image data capacity is smaller than the minimum transfer capacity, the process proceeds to step S507.
Step S507: A message to the effect that the image capacity of the second storage medium is insufficient is displayed by the user interface means 300, and the process is terminated as it is.
Step S508: The image data is transferred to the DVD disc, and the process proceeds to Step S509.
Step S509: The current transfer count J is acquired, and the process proceeds to step S510.
Step S510: “1” is added to J, and the process proceeds to Step S511.
Step S511: The number of times k to be transferred is acquired, and the process proceeds to Step S512.
Step S512: It is determined whether J = k. When J = k, the process proceeds to step S513, and when J has not reached k, the process proceeds to step S515.
Step S513: J is reset to “0”, and the process proceeds to Step S514.
Step S514: The transferred image data is deleted from the second storage medium 330. The deletion process is executed by the deletion control means 340.
Step S515: The value of J is recorded in the transfer count setting storage means 360, and the process proceeds to step S515.
[0025]
Step S516: The DVD-RAM in which the backup of the medical image data is completed or the DVD-RAM when the backup is impossible is ejected, and the process is ended as it is.
In FIG. 6, the deletion control means 354 sequentially executes the following steps.
Step S601: It is determined whether or not the same image data as the image data to be deleted exists in the second storage medium 330. When it exists, it transfers to step S602, and when it does not exist, it transfers to step S603. Since the image data is first stored in the second storage medium 320, it can be confirmed that the image data has been backed up by not existing in the second storage medium 320.
Step S602: A message indicating that the backup has not been completed is displayed by the user interface means, and the process ends.
Step S603: The transferred image data is deleted from the first storage medium 330, and the process is terminated as it is.
Since the completion of the backup can be confirmed in step S601, there is no possibility that the image data is accidentally lost by deleting the image data in the first storage medium 320.
In FIG. 7, the medical image display apparatus 110 manages medical data based on the DICOM standard. The medical data consists of four layers of patient (examinee) data D1, examination data D2, series data D3, and medical image data D4. Each patient data (for example, patient Pi) corresponds to one or a plurality of examination data (Ti1 to Tiu), each examination data (for example, examination Tij) corresponds to one or a plurality of series data (Sij1 to Sijv), Each series data (for example, Sijk) corresponds to one or a plurality of medical image data (IMijk1 to IMijkw). Each inspection data includes a diagnosis result for each regular health checkup, and the interpretation result is included in the inspection data (Ti1 to Tiu). The series data includes the results of different tests such as chest and abdomen in one test. Each series data corresponds to one or more images.
[Medical image storage method]
One embodiment of the medical image storage method according to the present invention executes steps S401 to S409, steps S501 to S515, and steps S601 to S603 of FIGS.
[program]
A program for executing the embodiment of the medical image storage method on a computer includes program code for executing steps S401 to S409, steps S501 to S515, and steps S601 to S603 in FIGS.
[Storage medium]
The medical image storage method according to the present invention can be implemented by an apparatus other than the medical image storage apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3, for example, a general-purpose computer. In this case, a control program provided on a storage medium or the like is stored in the general-purpose computer. It may be set in an external storage device and executed by a CPU or the like according to an instruction from an operator or the like.
[Second Embodiment of Medical Image Interpreting Apparatus]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the medical image storage apparatus according to the present invention. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same part as 1st Embodiment (FIG. 2, FIG. 3), or an equivalent part, and description is abbreviate | omitted.
In FIG. 8, a medical image storage device 1110 is connected to medical image generation devices 1130 and 1140, medical data servers 1150 and 1160, and an external storage unit 1170 via communication means such as the Internet IN.
By connecting these devices via the communication means in this way, it is possible to display a medical image generated at a remote place and to store and manage medical data in another facility.
The medical data servers 1150 and 1160 can be used for various purposes, and medical data of individual patients can be individually stored, or medical data for the same patient can be stored separately. Relational databases are effective for the distributed maintenance and management of medical data.
Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to storing medical image data, and can be applied to any storage device, storage method, program, and storage medium that require double or multiple backup.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention facilitates double or multiple backup of images.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a medical image storage apparatus according to the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the medical image storage device of FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing functions of the medical image storage device of FIG. 1;
4 is a flowchart showing processing of an image receiving unit in the medical image storage apparatus of FIG. 3;
5 is a flowchart showing processing of transfer control means in the medical image storage apparatus of FIG. 3. FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing processing of a deletion control unit in the medical image storage apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a data structure of medical data.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a medical image storage device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1100, 180, 1110, 1120 Medical image storage device 120, 170, 300, 350 Monitor

Claims (5)

An image storage step of storing the received image data in first and second storage media of the image storage device;
A capacity determination step of determining whether or not the image data stored in the second storage medium is equal to or greater than a predetermined capacity;
If it is determined in the capacity determining step that the image data stored in the second storage medium has reached a predetermined capacity, the image data stored in the second storage medium until the number of times to be backed up is reached. A transfer control step for transferring the data to the external storage unit;
When the number of times the image data stored in the second storage medium is transferred in the transfer control step reaches the number of times to be backed up, the first image data stored in the second storage medium is deleted. A deletion control step;
When deleting the image data from the first storage medium, if the image data is not deleted from the second storage medium, the process is terminated as it is, and the image data is deleted from the first storage medium. when, if the image data is deleted from the second storage medium, image storage, characterized in that it comprises a second deletion control step of deleting the image data from said first storage medium, the Method.   The image storage method according to claim 1, wherein the image data is medical image data.   A computer-executable program having a program code for causing a computer to execute each step of the image storage method according to claim 1.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 3. First and second storage media for storing received image data;
Capacity determining means for determining whether or not the image data stored in the second storage medium is greater than or equal to a predetermined capacity;
When it is determined by the capacity determination means that the image data stored in the second storage medium has reached a predetermined capacity, the image data stored in the second storage medium until the number of times to be backed up is reached. Transfer control means for transferring to an external storage unit;
When the number of times the image data stored in the second storage medium is transferred in the transfer control means reaches the number of times to be backed up, the image data stored in the second storage medium is deleted,
When deleting the image data from the first storage medium, if the image data is not deleted from the second storage medium, the process is terminated as it is,
When deleting image data from said first storage medium, if the image data is deleted from the second storage medium, and a deletion control unit that deletes the image data from said first storage medium, An image storage device comprising:

Images