JP7262923B2 - MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREOF, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a medical image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program for assisting a user in determining a therapeutic instrument that fits a patient's tubular structure.

In recent years, endovascular treatment using a stent graft (stent graft insertion) has been popular as a treatment method for vascular lesions. As for the types of lesions, it is widely used to treat stenosis or aneurysms of coronary arteries, carotid arteries, and the like, including abdominal great vessels. Treatment with stent grafts allows physicians to perform minimally invasive treatments with minimal skin incisions. Therefore, it can be said that stent-graft treatment has great advantages for patients from the viewpoint of preservation of brain and renal function and treatment cost.

In such a stent-graft insertion procedure, it is necessary for the doctor to pre-determine the type and size of the stent-graft before the operation. In Patent Document 1, using X-ray image data captured using an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, calculation is performed in consideration of the length and curvature of the blood vessel from the start point to the end point of the planned indwelling site of the stent graft, and is given to the user. It is disclosed to present.

JP 2014-100297 A

However, with the mechanism of Patent Document 1, the user has to decide the size of the stent graft that the doctor uses in the surgery, depending on the length and diameter of the patient's blood vessel. Also, there is a risk that the user may mistakenly select the wrong stent graft size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to assist a user in determining a therapeutic instrument that is compatible with a patient's tubular structure.

The present invention comprises storage means for storing parameter conditions corresponding to the size of a therapeutic instrument for treating a site, acquisition means for acquiring a medical image including the site, and the medical image acquired by the acquisition means. A size of the therapeutic device that can be adapted to the part is specified based on a measuring means for measuring a parameter of the part, a condition of the parameter stored in the storage means, and the parameter measured by the measuring means. It is characterized by comprising a specifying means for

The present invention can assist a user in determining a therapeutic device that fits a patient's tubular structure.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a medical image processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the detailed flow of processing in this embodiment. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a detailed processing flow of processing for measuring the length of a tubular structure in this embodiment. (a) It is a schematic diagram for explaining identification of an extraction region of the thoracic aorta. (b) A schematic diagram showing a center point S determined from the core line of the thoracic aorta. (a) It is a schematic diagram for explaining how a straight line connecting a point S and a core line specifies a point where it contacts the outer wall of the thoracic aorta. (b) A function F1 (curve) obtained by plotting the distance between the point S and the outer wall of the thoracic aorta. (a) It is a figure which shows the function F2 obtained by carrying out primary differentiation of the function F1. (b) is a diagram showing how the values of the function F1 are replaced with respect to the region specified by the function F2. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a curve W′ generated by plotting positions on a vector connecting a center point S and a core line on a diagram of the thoracic aorta and separated from the center point S by a function F2. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a detailed processing flow of diameter measurement processing for a tubular structure according to the present embodiment. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a data table of a type table 900; FIG. 10 is a data table showing an example of a straight table 1000, a tapered table 1010, and a branched table 1020; It is a screen example which shows an example of the screen 1100. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a medical image processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment; FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Stents and stent grafts used in surgery for lesions in tubular structures can be either straight (the diameter at the start and end of the tubular structure is approximately the same) or tapered (the starting point of the tubular structure is There are several types, such as a branched type (a branched structure is included in the tubular structure). Furthermore, each type has a plurality of model numbers with different lengths and thicknesses (corresponding to sizes) in order to correspond to the lengths and thicknesses of tubular structures of patients. Doctors usually select a model number indicating the type and size of stents and stent grafts to be applied to a patient based on the length and thickness of the tubular structure measured on the medical image and the type of tubular structure to be applied. , is specified, and there is a problem that it takes time and effort.

In this embodiment, based on the structure of the target site (blood vessel, which is a tubular structure), an appropriate therapeutic device, that is, the type of stent graft is determined. based on the appropriate stent graft size. Both the length and thickness included in the size are not necessarily essential configurations, and either one of them can be applied. The stent-graft is merely an example, and the present invention may be applied to a stent or to a therapeutic device other than a stent/stent-graft. A blood vessel is an example of a tubular structure, and other tubular structures of the human body such as the trachea and the intestinal tract are also included in the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a medical image processing apparatus 100 (also referred to as an information processing apparatus) of this embodiment. The medical image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment obtains (reads) volume data (medical three-dimensional image data) generated based on image data captured by a medical image diagnostic apparatus such as a CT apparatus to obtain an image. processing. The process of generating medical three-dimensional image data may be performed by the medical image processing apparatus 100, or may be processed in advance by another processing apparatus.

The CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204 .

The ROM 202 or external memory 211 (corresponding to storage means) stores a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) that is a control program for the CPU 201, an operating system program (OS), and functions executed by the medical image processing apparatus 100. Various programs and the like, which are described later and are necessary for realizing the above, are stored. A RAM 203 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 201 .

The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading programs and the like necessary for execution of processing into the RAM 203 and executing the programs.

An input controller (input C) 205 controls input from an input device 209 such as a keyboard or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown).

A video controller (VC) 206 controls display on a display such as display 210 . The type of display is assumed to be a CRT or a liquid crystal display, but is not limited to these.

A memory controller (MC) 207 is an adapter for a hard disk (HD) or flexible disk (FD) or a PCMCIA card slot for storing boot programs, browser software, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, various data, and the like. It controls access to an external memory 211 such as a card-type memory connected via .

A communication I/F controller (communication I/FC) 208 connects and communicates with an external device such as a storage device that stores images acquired by a medical image diagnostic apparatus such as a CT apparatus via a network. Executes communication control processing in the network. For example, Internet communication using TCP/IP is possible.

The CPU 201 enables display on the display 210 by, for example, rasterizing an outline font to a display information area in the RAM 203 .

The CPU 201 also allows the user to issue instructions using a mouse cursor (not shown) on the display 210 .

Various programs and the like used by the medical image processing apparatus 100 of the present invention to execute various processes to be described later are recorded in the external memory 211 and are executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. is.

Furthermore, the definition files and various information tables used by the program according to the present invention are stored in the external memory 211 .

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the medical image processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment.

The medical image processing apparatus 100 includes a storage control unit 301, an acquisition unit 302, a measurement unit 303, an identification unit 304, a notification unit 305, and a determination unit 306 as functional configurations. The storage control unit 301 is a functional unit that stores parameter conditions corresponding to the size of a therapeutic instrument for treating a site. An acquisition unit 302 is a functional unit that acquires a medical image including a region. The measuring unit 303 is a functional unit that measures the parameters of the part of the acquired medical image. The identification unit 304 is a functional unit that identifies the size of the therapeutic device that is compatible with the site. A notification unit 305 is a functional unit that notifies the specified size of the therapeutic instrument. A determination unit 306 is a functional unit that determines the type of part.

This completes the description of the functional configuration of the medical image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. Note that the functional configuration of the medical image processing apparatus 100 can be changed as appropriate according to the application and purpose.

Next, a detailed flow of processing in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In S101, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 performs a process of measuring the length of the tubular structure (corresponding to a parameter) (corresponding to measuring means). A detailed processing flow of the processing for measuring the length of the tubular structure will be described using the flowchart of FIG. Note that the process of measuring the length of the tubular structure shown in FIG. 3 is an example, and the length of the core line of the range R may be obtained, etc., and is not limited to this.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of medical image processing performed by the medical image processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is realized by reading and executing a stored control program by the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 . Here, a case where an aortic aneurysm 37 occurs in the arch of the thoracic aorta as shown in FIG. 4 will be described as an example. Hereinafter, referring to the drawings, the length of the greater curvature or lesser curvature of a tubular structure is obtained using three-dimensional medical image data generated from volume data (multiple slice image data) captured by a CT device. How to do this is explained in detail. A CT image captured by the CT apparatus used in this embodiment is an image including the thoracic aorta region captured by a patient (subject) lying on a bed. In this embodiment, a method for calculating the distance of the greater curvature of the thoracic aorta (tubular structure) will be used to specify the length of the stent to be placed in the thoracic aorta. However, the object to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to blood vessels such as the thoracic aorta, but may be the abdominal aorta, or tubular structures such as bronchi, large intestine, and small intestine. Further, the length of the tubular structure determined by the present invention will be described as a method of obtaining the length of the blood vessel used when performing stent graft insertion in this embodiment, but the purpose of use is limited to this. Needless to say, it may be used in a method of acquiring the length of a blood vessel that is necessary when performing artificial blood vessel replacement, for example.

When a stent graft is inserted into the thoracic aorta, since the thoracic aorta is bent or tortuous, the length of the greater curvature 33 is required rather than determining the length of the stent graft based on the core wire. there is The arch of the thoracic aorta has three branches, the brachiocephalic artery 34 , the left common carotid artery 35 and the left subclavian artery 36 . When a stent graft is inserted into the abdominal aorta, the length of the core wire is required, including the bifurcation of the aorta into the iliac aorta.

In S201 of FIG. 3, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 first acquires CT image data acquired by a medical image diagnostic apparatus such as a CT apparatus from an external storage means (not shown) (corresponding to an acquisition means). . Then, medical three-dimensional image data, which is image data containing three-dimensional information generated based on this, is generated and prepared. Alternatively, pre-generated and stored medical three-dimensional image data is acquired from external storage means (not shown).

In S202, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 receives from the user an area specification of a range R for which the length in the medical three-dimensional image data is to be extracted. As an acceptance method, a method of accepting area specification by dragging a mouse on an image displayed on a display or the like can be used. Note that a method of automatically extracting an area may be used without receiving an instruction from the user.

In S203, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 identifies the core line in the range R (specified region) received in S202 based on the medical three-dimensional image data (core line identifying means). Specifically, the core line 31 is specified by thinning a predetermined region of the medical three-dimensional image data. FIG. 4A shows how core lines 31 are specified based on a pair of positions 30 selected by a user's mouse dragging or other region specifying operation.

In S204, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 obtains the position coordinates of the center point 32 (center position) by calculating the average coordinates from the plurality of points forming the core line 31 (center position specifying means). FIG. 4(b) shows the position of the central point 32 which is based on a plurality of points forming the core wire 31. FIG.

In S205, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 aligns the straight line connecting the center point 32 with the points forming the core line 31 of the range R and the greater curvature portion 33 of the thoracic aorta (the greater curvature portion of the thoracic aorta) in the three-dimensional medical image data. The inner wall of the core line) is acquired for each of a plurality of points that make up the core line. In other words, in the direction from the center position specified by the point group forming the core line toward the core line, the straight line connecting the center point 32 located outside the core line and the points forming the core line 31 in the range R and the medical image. The position of the portion in contact with the inner wall of the blood vessel (tubular structure) in the three-dimensional data is obtained for each point forming the core line. FIG. 5A shows a straight line 41 extending from the center point 32. FIG. Thereby, the curve W that becomes the large curvature portion 33 can be obtained.

In S206, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 determines whether or not the tubular structure whose length is to be calculated has a branched structure. Whether or not there is a branched structure may be determined by a user's designation. It may be determined that there is a branched structure when it can be identified by That is, in the blood vessel region, it is determined whether or not the branch points of the core line have been extracted.

In the case of the thoracic aorta, three branches of the brachiocephalic artery 34, the left common carotid artery 35, and the left subclavian artery 36 correspond to the branch points in the greater curvature. A branch corresponds to a branch point.

If it is determined in S206 that there is no branched structure, the process proceeds to S213, in which the length of the tubular structure corresponding to the specified range R is calculated from the positional coordinates of the point group forming the curve W, and the process is started. finish.

By calculating the length of the tubular structure in this way, even if the tubular structure is traveling three-dimensionally, the length of the necessary portion (large or small curvature) can be reliably determined. can be obtained with high efficiency. In addition, by designating a region in this way and automatically extracting the length using the three-dimensional image data, it is possible to manually measure the length based on the two-dimensional image data. It is also possible to prevent variations that occur every time.

In S207, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 determines the position of the branch structure determined to exist in S206. Based on this determination, information can be generated to identify the type of stent graft that is applicable to the range R specified by the user. For example, in the case of the abdominal aorta, a bifurcated stent graft is used, so it is necessary to present the bifurcated stent graft to the user. On the other hand, in the case of the aorta arch, since a straight or tapered stent graft is used, it is necessary to present the straight or tapered stent graft to the user. Whether straight or tapered is determined according to the diameter of the aorta at the start and end points of the specified range. The type of stent graft is an example for explanation and is not limited to this.

If it is determined in S207 that there is a branched structure in the abdomen, in S212 the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 determines the position of the branched structure. In this embodiment, the aorta arch and the abdominal aorta will be described as examples. If the position with the branch structure is determined to be the arch aorta, the process proceeds to S208, and if determined to be the abdominal aorta, the process proceeds to S212. The method of determining the position of the branch structure is, for example, based on the information of the examination site included in the DICOM incidental information, when the position of the branch structure can be specified as the chest, it is determined as the aorta arch, and the branch If the structure can be located in the abdomen, it can be determined to be the iliac aorta. Note that this determination method is not limited to this, and a user's instruction may be received, or another method may be used to specify the position of the branch structure. For example, when there are three peaks in the function F1 appearing below, it may be determined to be the aorta arch.

In S212, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 sets the flag 902 corresponding to the branch type flag. As shown in FIG. 9, stent graft types 901 such as branch type, straight type, and tapered type are stored, and there is a type table 900 in which flags 902 corresponding to the types 901 are stored. In S212, as shown in FIG. 9, a flag 902 corresponding to the type 901 of "branch type" is set.

In S213, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 calculates the distance (length) of the core line specified in S203.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S207 that there is a branch structure in the aorta arch, the process proceeds to S208 to remove the influence of the branch structure.

In this embodiment, the distance from the center point S in the range R to the position in contact with the tubular structure is from the position (1) of the range R to the position (2) of the range R with the angle θ horizontal axis at the center point S. The range (section P) determined based on the peaks (inflection points of the function F1) at both ends of the function F2 obtained by first-order differentiation of the plotted curve F1 (hereinafter also referred to as the function F1) is We describe an example of identifying these areas as present and excluding these effects. The method for identifying the region where the branched structure exists is not limited to the method shown in this embodiment, and the value of the function F2 is a predetermined value or more (left side of the leftmost peak) or less than a predetermined value (rightmost peak). Right part) may be defined as a region in which a branched structure exists. Furthermore, the range based on the peak position of the function F1 may be set as the region where the branched structure exists. Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which distance conversion processing is performed on three peaks collectively will be described, but distance conversion processing may be performed by specifying each peak.

First, in S208, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 calculates the distance from the center point S in the range R to the position in contact with the tubular structure as the angle θ at the center point S from the position (1) of the range R as the horizontal axis of the range. Plot R up to position (2) to create function F1. An example of the created function F1 (42) is shown in FIG. 5(b). The peak 44 of the function F1 is due to the influence of the brachiocephalic artery 34, the peak 45 is due to the influence of the left common carotid artery 35, and the peak 46 is due to the influence of the left subclavian artery 36. It can be seen from 5(a).

In S209, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 identifies the section P to be corrected in S210 based on the peak of the function F2(51) obtained by first differentiating the function F1(42). FIG. 6A is a diagram for explaining how the interval P is specified based on the function F2 (51) obtained by differentiating the function F1 (42). In this embodiment, a position 54 which is a predetermined amount (1) away from the peak 52 of the function F2 which indicates the left inflection point of the leftmost peak of the function F1 (42), and a right inflection point of the rightmost peak A range defined by a position 55 that is away from the peak 53 of the function F2 that indicates the predetermined amount (2) side is specified as the section P.

Next, in S210, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 performs processing for replacing the value of the function F1 in the interval P. FIG. As the replacement value, the value of the function F1 at the position 54 and the value at the position 55 may be averaged together as an average value, or as shown in FIG. It may be replaced with a value that varies continuously over the value of the function F1 at position 55. FIG.

Next, in S211, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 sets the position coordinates of each point in the section P of the curve W with the center point S as the origin, and the values substituted in S210 with the center point S and the core line. are changed (corrected) to the position coordinates specified as the distance of the vector connecting . Here, the curve specified by the points of the post-change position coordinates is referred to as curve W'. FIG. 7 shows the curve W' thus identified on the thoracic aorta.

In S214, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 calculates the length of the tubular structure corresponding to the designated range R from the position coordinates of the point group forming the curve W, and ends the process.

As described above, when a branched structure exists, the tubular structure is corrected so that the influence of the branched structure can be excluded, and the length of the desired portion of the tubular structure is calculated based on the corrected position coordinates. calculate. As a result, even in a tubular structure such as the thoracic aorta, which runs three-dimensionally and has a branch structure in the middle, the length of the necessary portion (major or lesser curvature) can be adjusted. can be reliably obtained (see FIG. 8). In addition, by designating a region in this way and automatically extracting the length using the three-dimensional image data, it is possible to manually measure the length based on the two-dimensional image data. It is also possible to prevent variations that occur every time.

Although medical three-dimensional image data generated from volume data captured by a CT apparatus has been described as an example, volume data generated by other modalities such as an MRI apparatus as well as a CT apparatus is used. Medical three-dimensional image data may also be used.

This completes the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. Returning to the description of FIG.

In S102, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 performs a process of measuring the diameter (corresponding to a parameter) of the tubular structure (corresponding to measuring means). The processing for measuring the diameter of the tubular structure will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the detailed flow of processing for measuring the diameter of a tubular structure.

In S801, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 identifies the contour of the starting point (position 30 in FIG. 4A) and the contour of the ending point (position 30 in FIG. 4A) of the range R. . Specifically, based on medical three-dimensional image data, an orthogonal plane orthogonal to the core line of the tubular structure is extracted, and the position where the CT value on the core line is halved when viewed from the core line is determined on the extracted orthogonal plane. By specifying in each orientation, the outline of the tubular structure is specified for the start point and the end point, respectively.

In S802, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 calculates the distances connecting the core line of the tubular structure and each position of the contour for each of the start point and the end point. The distances of line segments connecting the core line and each coordinate of the contour specified in S801 are obtained.

In S803, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 calculates the average value of the distances calculated in S802, and based on the average value, the diameter assuming that the tubular structure is a perfect circle is set as the starting point. Find each end point. Although the diameter is obtained in this embodiment, the radius may be obtained. Note that if there is a branched structure, three diameters are required.

Note that the method of measuring the diameter of the tubular structure shown in S901 to S903 is not limited to the above. There are methods.

In S904, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 obtains the difference in diameter between the start point and the end point obtained in S903. If three diameters are required due to the presence of a branched structure, then the difference between the maximum and minimum values can be determined.

In S905, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 determines whether the difference obtained in S904 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. A predetermined value is, for example, 4 millimeters. If it is determined that the difference is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the process proceeds to S906; otherwise, the process proceeds to S907.

In S906, the type 901 of the type table 900 of FIG. 9 sets the flag 902 of "taper type".

In S906, the type 901 of the type table 900 in FIG. 9 sets the flag 902 indicating "straight type".

This completes the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. Returning to the description of FIG.

In S103, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 determines the type of stent graft suitable for the range R specified in S202 (corresponding to determination means). By referring to the type table 900 in FIG. 9, the type 901 for which the flag 902 is set is identified. If the type 901 with the flag 902 set is "branch type", the process proceeds to step S104. If the type 901 flagged 902 is the "straight type", the process proceeds to step S105. If the type 901 flagged 902 is the "tapered type", the process proceeds to step S106.

The shape of the range R (presence or absence of molecular structure, shape, etc.) determines the shape of the stent graft required for surgery. can be specified.

In S104, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 refers to the branch type table 1020 (FIG. 10). The branch type table 1020 (corresponding to parameter conditions) is a data table relating to types of stent-grafts that are compatible with tubular structures containing branch structures, and stores data that stores parameter conditions for each size of the stent-graft. is a table. The branch type table 1020 is a condition table in which length conditions 1001 and diameter conditions 1002 form a matrix as shown in FIG. The diameter condition 1002 includes a central side 1003 and a terminal side 1004 condition, and the central side 1003 is a condition that is applied to the larger one of the diameters at the start point and the end point. A terminal side 1004 is a condition that is applied to the smaller diameter of the diameters at the start point and the end point.

In S105, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 refers to the straight table 1000 (FIG. 10). The straight table 1000 (corresponding to the condition of the parameter) is data on a type of stent graft that does not include a branch structure and is compatible when the diameters of the start and end points of the tubular structure in which the stent graft is placed are approximately the same. It is a table and a data table that stores parameter conditions for each size of the stent graft. The straight type table 1000 is a condition table in which a length condition 1001 and a diameter condition 1002 form a matrix as shown in FIG.

In S106, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 refers to the tapered table 1010 (FIG. 10). The tapered table 1010 (corresponding to the condition of the parameter) is a data table for a type of stent graft that does not include a branch structure and is compatible when the diameters of the start and end points of the tubular structure in which the stent graft is placed are not substantially the same. , which is a data table that stores parameter conditions for each stent graft size.

In S107, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 extracts one of the branched table 1020, the straight table 1000, and the tapered table 1010 referred to in any of S104 to S106 and the tubular structure measured in S101. Based on the length of the object and the diameter of the tubular structure measured in S102, a process of specifying an appropriate size among the stent graft sizes stored in each table is performed (corresponding to specifying means). In the following description, the size is replaced with the model number for the sake of convenience in order to simplify the description of the size. As an embodiment, the model number is notified to the user, but the size (length, thickness) of the stent graft itself may of course be presented to the user.

A specific description will be given.

<In case of straight type table 1000>
In the case of the straight table 1000, it is determined which of the length conditions 1001 the length of the tubular structure measured in S101 satisfies. For example, if the length measured in S101 is "120", the length condition 1001 that satisfies the straight table 1000 in FIG. 10 corresponds to "101 to 150". Therefore, the model number that satisfies the length condition 1001 is one of "B", "E", "H", and "J". Next, it is determined which of the diameter conditions 1002 the diameter of the tubular structure measured in S102 satisfies. For example, if the diameter measured in S102 is "23", the diameter condition 1002 that satisfies the straight table 1000 in FIG. 10 corresponds to "22-24". Therefore, the stent graft model number that satisfies the length condition 1001 of "101-150" and the diameter condition 1002 of "22-24" can be identified as "E".

Each table in FIG. 10 shows the conditions for values obtained by rounding up all decimal places for the length and diameter.

<In the case of tapered table 1010>
In the case of the tapered table 1010, it is determined which of the length conditions 1001 the length of the tubular structure measured in S101 satisfies. For example, if the length measured in S101 is "110", the length condition 1001 that satisfies the straight table 1000 in FIG. 10 corresponds to "~150". Therefore, the model number that satisfies the length condition 1001 is one of "M", "P", "S", and "V". Next, it is determined which of the diameter conditions 1002 the diameter of the tubular structure measured in S102 satisfies. For example, if the multiple diameters measured in S102 are "22" and "27", it is determined which of the conditions on the central side 1003 in FIG. 10 the larger value "27" of the multiple diameters satisfies. do. In the case of FIG. 10, "27" corresponds to "27-28" on the central side 1003. In FIG. Therefore, the model number that satisfies the length condition 1001 and satisfies the central side 1003 can be identified as "S". Next, the condition of the terminal side 1004 is specified for the smaller value "22" among the plurality of diameters. "22" satisfies the conditions of "21-22". Therefore, the model number that satisfies the length condition 1001 and satisfies the terminal side 1004 can be identified as "P". In the present embodiment, "P" and "S" are specified as model numbers, but "S", which has a larger diameter condition among "P" and "S", may be specified as the model number. .

Each table in FIG. 10 shows the conditions for values obtained by rounding up all decimal places for the length and diameter.

<For the branch type table 1020>
In the case of the branch type table 1020, it is determined which of the length conditions 1001 the length of the tubular structure measured in S101 satisfies. For example, if the length measured in S101 is "147", the length condition 1001 that satisfies the conditions in the branch type table 1020 of FIG. 10 corresponds to "146 to 166". Therefore, the model number that satisfies the length condition 1001 is one of "AA", "AD", "AG", and "AJ". Next, it is determined which of the diameter conditions 1002 the diameter of the tubular structure measured in S102 satisfies. For example, if the plurality of diameters measured in S102 are "21", "22", and "29", for the larger value "29" among the plurality of diameters, which condition among the central side 1003 in FIG. determine whether it satisfies In the case of FIG. 10, "29" corresponds to "29-32" on the central side 1003. In FIG. Therefore, the model number that satisfies the length condition 1001 and satisfies the center side 1003 can be identified as "AG". Next, the condition of the terminal side 1004 is specified for the smaller value "21" among the plurality of diameters. "21" can be identified by satisfying the conditions of "21 to 24". Therefore, the model number that satisfies the length condition 1001 and the terminal side 1004 can be identified as "AG". In this embodiment, "AG" is specified as the model number, but if different model numbers are specified for the central side 1003 and the distal side 1004, a plurality of model numbers may be specified, or the diameter condition is larger. Either model number may be specified.

Each table in FIG. 10 shows the conditions for values obtained by rounding up all decimal places for the length and diameter.

This completes the detailed description of the process of identifying the appropriate stent-graft size. Note that the various tables shown in FIG. 10 are examples for explaining the embodiment, and the present invention is not limited to this. As a result, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the doctor to specify the appropriate stent-graft size for the range R, and to reduce the possibility of specifying the wrong size of the stent-graft.

In S108, the CPU 201 of the medical image processing apparatus 100 notifies the user of the size (model number) of the stent graft specified in S107 by displaying it on the display 210 (corresponding to notification means). For example, it is the screen 1100 shown in FIG. A notification 1102 and a stent image 1101 are displayed on the screen 1100 . Although the model number is used as an example of the size presentation method, it is of course possible to notify the size itself. In this way, the user can specify the size of the stent graft that can be adapted to the patient simply by checking this notification 1102, thereby reducing the time and effort required. Note that the method of notification is not limited to display, and voice notification may be used, or information indicating the size and model number of the stent graft may be output as a separate file such as a CSV file.

Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to assist the user in determining a therapeutic device that fits the patient's tubular structure.

The present invention can also be embodied as, for example, a system, device, method, program, storage medium, etc. Specifically, it may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or It may be applied to an apparatus consisting of one device.

It should be noted that the present invention includes those that directly or remotely supply a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus. The present invention also includes a case where the information processing device of the system or apparatus reads out and executes the supplied program code.

Therefore, the program code itself installed in the information processing device in order to implement the functional processing of the present invention in the information processing device also implements the present invention. That is, the present invention also includes the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

Recording media for supplying programs include, for example, flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, MOs, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs. There are also magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, and DVDs (DVD-ROM, DVD-R).

Another method of supplying the program is to connect to a home page on the Internet using a browser on the client computer. It can also be supplied by downloading the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function from the home page to a recording medium such as a hard disk.

It is also possible to divide the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and download each file from a different home page. In other words, the present invention also includes a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download program files for realizing the functional processing of the present invention in an information processing apparatus.

In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let Then, by using the downloaded key information, the encrypted program can be executed and installed in the information processing apparatus.

Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the information processing apparatus executing the read program. In addition, based on the instructions of the program, the OS or the like running on the information processing apparatus performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

Further, the program read from the recording medium is written into a memory included in a function expansion board inserted into the information processing device or a function expansion unit connected to the information processing device. After that, based on the instruction of the program, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing also realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

It should be noted that the above-described embodiments merely show specific examples for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed to be limited by these. That is, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features.

31 core line 32 center point 33 greater curvature of thoracic aorta 34 brachiocephalic artery 35 left common carotid artery 36 left subclavian artery

Claims (6)

storage means for storing parameter conditions corresponding to sizes of stent grafts for treating blood vessels for each type of stent graft applicable to the blood vessels;
acquisition means for acquiring a CT image including the blood vessel;
measuring means for measuring the length and diameter of the blood vessel as parameters of the blood vessel in the CT image acquired by the acquisition means;
determination means for determining, based on the parameters measured by the measurement means, whether the stent graft type applicable to the blood vessel is any one of a bifurcated type, a straight type, and a tapered type;
The stent graft adaptable to the blood vessel based on the parameter conditions stored in the storage means corresponding to the stent graft type determined by the determination means and the parameters measured by the measurement means. a specifying means for specifying the size of the medical image processing apparatus. The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying the size of said stent graft specified by said specifying means. 3. The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said parameter is the length of said blood vessel. The medical image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the parameter is the diameter of the blood vessel. A control method for a medical image processing apparatus comprising storage means for storing parameter conditions corresponding to the size of a stent graft for treating a blood vessel for each type of stent graft applicable to the blood vessel,
an acquisition step of acquiring a CT image including the blood vessel;
a measurement step of measuring the length and diameter of the blood vessel as parameters of the blood vessel in the CT image acquired in the acquisition step;
a determination step of determining, based on the parameters measured in the measurement step , whether the stent graft type applicable to the blood vessel is any one of a bifurcated type, a straight type, and a tapered type;
The stent graft adaptable to the blood vessel based on the parameter conditions stored in the storage means corresponding to the stent graft type determined in the determining step and the parameters measured in the measuring step. A control method for a medical image processing apparatus, comprising: a specifying step of specifying the size of . A program executable by a medical image processing apparatus comprising storage means for storing parameter conditions corresponding to the size of a stent graft for treating a blood vessel for each type of stent graft applicable to the blood vessel,
the medical image processing device,
acquisition means for acquiring a CT image including the blood vessel;
measuring means for measuring the length and diameter of the blood vessel as parameters of the blood vessel in the CT image acquired by the acquisition means;
determination means for determining, based on the parameters measured by the measurement means, whether the stent graft type applicable to the blood vessel is any one of a bifurcated type, a straight type, and a tapered type;
The stent graft adaptable to the blood vessel based on the parameter conditions stored in the storage means corresponding to the stent graft type determined by the determination means and the parameters measured by the measurement means. A program characterized by functioning as a specifying means for specifying the size of

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