JPH09248280A - Imager adapter and medical image network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imager adapter which can easily provide a communication function by being added to a medical image diagnostic device without a communication function to an imager. SOLUTION: An interface device 10a creates a format information data DF from a print format information inputted by an operator from a print control box 20a, and sends the information to the imager IMa via the DICOM network DN. A display medical image is obtained from a video signal input from a CT device Ca, a medical image identification information is extracted from the display medical image, and an image data HG with information added corresponding to the identification information is obtained from the CT device Ca via the DICOM network DN. A print information data DG is created from the display medical image and the added information and sent to the imager IMa via the DICOM network DN.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an imager adapter and a medical image network system, and more particularly, it does not have a network communication function with an imager for printing a medical image and its supplementary information on film or paper. The present invention relates to an imager adapter capable of easily adding the network communication function by being attached to a medical image diagnostic apparatus, and a medical image network system using the imager adapter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a medical image taken by a medical image diagnostic apparatus that does not have a network communication function with an imager (however, it has a network communication function with other medical image diagnostic apparatuses of the same type) is printed by the imager. If desired, the output function of the display-use medical image signal possessed by the medical image diagnostic apparatus is used. Examples are shown in FIG. 8 and FIG.

FIG. 8 shows a conventional example of a dedicated line connection type. The imager IM is provided with interface units 80a, 80b, 80c for each medical image diagnostic apparatus, and CT (C
omputed Tomography) device C, MRI (Magnetic Res)
onance imaging) device M, X-ray TV device T video signals (display medical image signals) VSa, VSb, VSc are input. La, Lb, and Lc are video signal lines. Further, remote control boxes 81a, 81b, 81c are installed near the CT apparatus C, the MRI apparatus M, and the X-ray TV apparatus T, and these remote control boxes 81a, 81b, 81 are installed.
The control signals CSa, CSb, CSc from c are input to the interface units 80a, 80b, 80c, respectively. By the above, CT device C, MRI device M, X-ray TV
The medical image for display on device T can be printed on film with the imager IM.

FIG. 9 shows a conventional example of a LAN connection type. Network interface devices 90a and 90b are provided for each medical image diagnostic device, and these are connected to the LAN network LN. Further, the video signals VSa and VSb of the CT device C and the MRI device M are input to these network interface devices 90a and 90b. La, Lb
Is a video signal line. Remote control boxes 91a and 91b are installed near the CT apparatus C and MRI apparatus M, respectively, and control signals CSa and CSb from the remote control boxes 91a and 91b are input to the network interface apparatuses 90a and 90b, respectively. LA
In the N network LN, a plurality of imagers IMa,
Connect IMb. As described above, the medical images for display by the CT apparatus C and the MRI apparatus M can be printed on the film by the imagers IMa and IMb.

[0005]

In the above conventional example, the display medical image obtained from the video signal can be printed on the film by the imager. However, there is a problem in that incidental information (patient information, imaging conditions, image ID, etc.) of the medical image cannot be sent to the imager.
There is a problem that information management such as classification and search of printed films using the incidental information cannot be performed efficiently. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an imager adapter that can easily add a network communication function with an imager by attaching it to a medical image diagnostic apparatus that does not have a network communication function with an imager, and a medical device using the imager adapter. An image network system is provided so that a medical image and its accompanying information can be easily transmitted to an imager even from a medical image diagnostic apparatus that does not have a network communication function with the imager.

[0006]

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides an imager adapter connected to a network to which a medical image diagnostic apparatus and an imager are connected, and an imager adapter connected to the medical image diagnostic apparatus. Means for a person to input print style information and print instruction information to the interface device, and format information data of a data format for an imager that conforms to the standard of the network is generated from the print style information and transmitted to the imager. Format information data transmitting means, identification information extracting means for extracting the identification information of the medical image corresponding to the print instruction information from the display medical image signal input from the medical image diagnostic apparatus, and the accessory information corresponding to the identification information. Is the information transmitted to the medical image diagnostic apparatus via the network? Acquiring incidental information acquisition means and acquiring a medical image corresponding to the print instruction information from the display medical image signal or acquiring a medical image corresponding to the identification information from the medical image diagnostic apparatus via the network. And a print information data transmitting unit that generates print information data in a data format for an imager that conforms to the network standard from the medical image and the supplementary information and transmits the print information data to the imager. The imager adapter is provided. In the above configuration, the imager is a device that outputs a medical image and incidental information on a medium such as film or paper, and can generally represent a medical image in multiple gradations. An example of such an imager is a laser imager that outputs a medical image on a film by scanning and exposing a laser beam on the film. Further, in the above configuration, the print instruction information is information for instructing the imager to print a specific medical image (for example, the image currently displayed on the CT device). Further, in the above configuration, the identification information is information that can be used to identify the medical image. For example, the image ID is 1: 1 with the medical image.
Since it corresponds to 1, it can be identification information. Also, patient I
The D, the examination number, etc. may correspond to the medical image in a one-to-one relationship, and thus may be identification information. Further, the combination of the patient ID and the examination number and the like has a 1: 1 correspondence with the medical image, and thus can be identification information. In the above configuration,
The incidental information is information incidental to the medical image, for example,
There are patient information, examination number, imaging conditions, image ID, etc.
The imager adapter according to the first aspect described above generates format information data in a data format for an imager that conforms to a network standard from the print style information input by the operator, and sends the format information data to the imager. Next, a medical image for display is acquired by utilizing the output function of the medical image signal for display, which is also possessed by the medical image diagnostic apparatus that does not have a network communication function with the imager. The display medical image includes identification information (image I) that can identify the medical image from others.
(D, patient ID, examination number, etc.) is included in the character pattern, it is extracted. Next, by using the network communication function with another medical image diagnostic apparatus of the same type that the medical image diagnostic apparatus that does not have the network communication function with the imager has, the supplementary information of the medical image corresponding to the identification information is obtained. Acquire (Medical image may be acquired at the same time). Next, print information data in a data format for an imager that conforms to the standard of the network is generated from the medical image and the supplementary information and transmitted to the imager. As described above, the imager can print the medical image on a medium such as film or paper. Further, since the supplementary information can be transmitted to the imager, it becomes possible to efficiently perform information management such as classification and search of printed media using the supplementary information. And this imager adapter
It can be easily attached to a medical image diagnostic apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the present invention, the standard of the network having the above-mentioned configuration is DICOM (Digital Imaging an
The imager adapter is characterized by the d d COmmunication for Medicine standard. As a result, even a medical image diagnostic apparatus having no network communication function with the imager can use the imager connected to the industry standard DICOM network.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a medical image diagnostic system, a medical image network system characterized in that the imager adapter and the imager according to the first or second aspect are connected via a network. provide. As a result, even a medical image diagnostic apparatus that does not have a network communication function with the imager can easily use one or a plurality of imagers connected to the network.

[0009]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this.

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a medical image network system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this medical image network system 100, the DICOM network DN includes CT devices Ca and Cb and an MRI device M.
c and the laser imagers IMa and IMb are connected. The CT devices Ca and Cb and the MRI device Mc are
It has a video signal output function and a network communication function with other similar medical image diagnostic apparatus. However, it does not have a network communication function with the laser imagers IMa and IMb.

The CT device Ca is equipped with an imager adapter 1
a is attached. This imager adapter 1a is
The interface device 10a and the print control box 20a connected to the interface device 10a are included. The interface device 10a is connected to the CT device Ca by a video signal line La and is connected to the DICOM network DN by a digital line. The print control box 20a is installed near the CT device Ca.

The CT device Cb includes an imager adapter 1
b is attached. This imager adapter 1b is
The interface device 10b includes a print control box 20b connected to the interface device 10b. The interface device 10b is connected to the CT device Cb by a video signal line Lb and is connected to the DICOM network DN by a digital line. The print control box 20b is installed near the CT device Cb or incorporated in the CT device Cb.

An imager adapter 1c is attached to the MRI apparatus Mc. This imager adapter 1c
Includes an interface device 10c and a print control box 20c connected to the interface device 10c. The interface device 10c is connected to the MRI device Mc by a video signal line Lc and also connected to the DIMOM network DN by a digital line. The print control box 20c is
Installed in the vicinity of the RI device Mc or the MRI device Mc
Incorporated in

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the details of the interface device 10a. Interface device 10a
Is an input / output control circuit 11, an A / D conversion circuit and a synchronization circuit 12, an image memory 13, and a computer 14.
And a network control circuit 15. The input / output control circuit 11 receives the print style information and the print instruction information CSa input by the operator in the print control box 20a, and transfers them to the computer 14. The A / D conversion circuit and the synchronization circuit 12 are connected to the CT device Ca.
The medical image for display is acquired from the video signal VSa input from the device and passed to the image memory 13. The image memory 13
Stores the display medical image. The computer 14 generates format information data DF of a data format for an imager that conforms to the DICOM network DN standard from the print style information, and sends it to the imager IMa or IMb via the network control circuit 15 and the DICOM network DN. Send.
Further, the identification information of the medical image corresponding to the print instruction information is extracted from the display medical image. Further, the image data HG including the incidental information corresponding to the identification information is acquired from the CT device Ca via the network control circuit 15 and the DICOM network DN. Further, from the medical image for display and the supplementary information, DI
The print information data DG in a data format for an imager that conforms to the COM network DN standard is generated and transmitted to the imager IMa or IMb via the network control circuit 15 and the DICOM network DN. The network control circuit 15 is a DICO
Controls communication with the M network DN.

The interface devices 10b and 10c
The configuration is similar to that of the interface device 10a.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation when a medical image picked up by the CT device Ca is printed by the imager IMa or IMb. In step S1, the operator operates the print control box 20a to input print style information that defines a format for printing a medical image with the imager IMa or IMb. The print style information includes information such as film size, the number of print frames, and image layout. At step U1, the interface device 10a receives the print style information at the input / output control circuit 11, and the computer 1
In 4, the format information data DF of the image format for the imager conforming to the DICOM standard is generated and transmitted to the imager IMa or IMb via the network control circuit 15 and the DICOM network DN. The procedure of DICOM Basic Print Service standard is used for this transmission. FIG. 4 conceptually shows the contents of the format information data DF. This is cut in six (25.4 cm long,
A total of 6 (2 × 3) on a film (20.3 cm in width)
One medical image print area G1 to G6 is set, and the received six medical images are set to the medical image print areas G1 to G6.
It is the content to be printed on. In step V1, the imager IMa or IMb sets the print format based on the format information data DF.

At step C1, the CT device Ca displays a display medical image. In step S2, the operator looks at the display medical image displayed on the CT device Ca,
If it is desired to print it, the print control box 20a is operated to input print instruction information. At step C2, the CT device Ca outputs the video signal VSa containing the display medical image.

In step U2, the interface device 10a acquires the display medical image from the video signal VSa by the A / D conversion circuit and the synchronization circuit 12, and stores it in the image memory 13. In step U3, the interface device 10a causes the computer 14 to extract the identification information from the display medical image. Since the area in which the character pattern serving as the identification information is displayed in the display medical image is determined, the character code of the identification information can be easily obtained by performing character recognition only in the area. As the identification information, the image ID of the medical image is most preferable, but the patient ID, the examination number, the device number, the imaging type number, etc. may be used.
In step U4, the interface device 10a sends the image data corresponding to the identification information via the network control circuit 15 and the DICOM network DN.
Request to the CT device Ca (search request and transfer request).
At Step C3, the CT apparatus Ca searches for image data corresponding to the identification information. In step C4, CT
The device Ca uses the image data HG found by the search,
It is transmitted to the interface device 10a via the DICOM network DN. FIG. 5 conceptually shows the content of the image data HG. The image data HG is composed of an incidental information section H in which incidental information such as a patient name, a patient identification number, and a photographing date is stored, and a medical image section G in which medical images are stored. The function of DICOM Query Service is used for the search request in the processing of steps U4, C3 and C4. For the transfer request, use the function of DICOM Retrieve Service.

In step U5, the computer 14 of the interface device 10a extracts the incidental information from the incidental information portion H of the image data HG, and as shown in FIG. 6, the incidental information d in a data format conforming to the DICOM standard.
H. Next, a data group dD necessary to support the DICOM BasicPrint Service standard is added. Next, the display medical image dG is added. Then, the generated print information data DG is transferred to the network control circuit 1
5 and the DICOM network DN to the imager IMa or IMb. In step V2, the imager IMa or IMb prints the medical image dG in the print information data DG on the medical image print area G1 of the film based on the print format. At the same time, the supplementary information dH is stored and stored. The above steps C1 to C4, S2, U2 to U5 and V2 are repeated for the number of print frames.

In step V4, the imager IMa or IMb performs information management such as classification and retrieval of printed films based on the supplementary information dH. Therefore, after this, the doctor selects D from the diagnostic report creating computer (not shown) connected to the DICOM network DN.
When accessing the imager IMa or IMb by the procedure based on the ICOM Query / Retrieve Service standard,
The medical image taken by the CT device Ca and its accompanying information can be transferred from the imager IMa or IMb. Therefore, it becomes possible to attach the medical image captured by the CT device Ca and its accompanying information to the image interpretation report.

The same applies to the case of printing a medical image obtained by the CT apparatus Cb or the MRI apparatus Mc by the imager IMa or IMb and the case of information management.

The above medical image network system 10
0, video signal output and DICOM Query / Retrieve
Service Class: It has the function of Service Class Provider, but DICOM Basic Print Service Class: Servi
CT device Ca, C that does not have the function of ce Class User
The imager adapters 1a, 1b, 1c can be simply attached to the b or MRI device Mc without making any major modifications.
DICOM Basic Print Service Class: Service Class U
DI function can be added, and medical images taken by CT devices Ca, Cb and MRI device Mc can be added to DICOM network D
The imagers IMa and IMb connected to N can print on the film. Further, since the incidental information of the medical image can be transmitted to the imagers IMa and IMb, it becomes possible to manage the information using the incidental information.

-Second Embodiment- FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a medical image network system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This medical image network system 200 is different from the medical image network system 100 according to the first embodiment in the following two.
Although the points are different, the other configurations are the same. (1) The interface devices 30a, 30b, 30c of the imager adapters 2a, 2b, 2c are the interface devices 10a, 10b, 10b according to the first embodiment, respectively.
10c has substantially the same function, but instead of incorporating the display medical image acquired from the video signal into the print information data and transmitting it to the imagers IMa and IMb, various information displayed in a character pattern in the display medical image is displayed. A character pattern representing equivalent information is created from the supplementary information, a medical image G included in the image data HG is acquired, and a composite image in which the created character pattern is superimposed on the medical image G is incorporated into the print information data to obtain the imager IMa. , IMb. (2) The print control units 40a, 40b, 40c of the imager adapters 2a, 2b, 2c are the print control boxes 20a, 20b, 2 according to the first embodiment, respectively.
It has the same function as 0c but is built in the CT devices Ca and Cb and the MRI device Mc. According to the medical image network system 200 according to the second embodiment, a high-quality image can be printed without deterioration in image quality because no video signal is passed. Moreover, similar to the medical image network system 100 of the first embodiment in which the display medical image is incorporated into the print information data and transmitted to the imagers IMa and IMb, the same image as the image displayed by each medical image diagnostic apparatus is displayed. Can be printed. Further, the print control units 40a, 40b, 40c
Since it is built into the CT devices Ca and Cb and the MRI device Mc, the occupied space can be saved.

-Third Embodiment- In the medical image network system according to the third embodiment of the present invention, in the processing of steps U2 to U4 of FIG. 3, the interface section 10a examines the medical image from the displayed medical image. If you can extract the number, DICOM
Using the standard Get or Move function, the image data HG is extracted from the CT device Ca. According to the medical image network system of the third embodiment, the DICOM Qu
ery / Retrieve Service Class: Service Class Provid
Image data can be retrieved from each diagnostic imaging device without using the er function.

[0025]

According to the imager adapter and the medical image network system of the present invention, even a medical image diagnostic apparatus having no network communication function with the imager,
It becomes possible to easily use one or a plurality of imagers connected to the network. In addition, it becomes possible to efficiently perform information management such as classification and search of printed media using the supplementary information.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a medical image network system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed configuration diagram of an imager adapter.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the medical image network system of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of format image data.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of image data.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of print information data.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a medical image network system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a connection between a medical image diagnostic apparatus and an imager by a dedicated line.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of connection between a medical image diagnostic apparatus and an imager via a LAN.

[Explanation of symbols]

100,200 Medical image network system 1a, 1b, 1c Imager adapter 10a, 10b, 10c Interface device 20a, 20b, 20c Print control box 30a, 30b, 30c Interface device 40a, 40b, 40c Print control unit DN DICOM network C, Ca , Cb CT device M, Mc MRI device IM, IMa, IMb imager

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An imager adapter that is connected to a network to which a medical image diagnostic apparatus and an imager are connected and is also connected to a medical image diagnostic apparatus, in which an operator sends print style information and print instruction information to the interface device. Operation means for inputting, format information data transmitting means for generating format information data in a data format for an imager suitable for the network standard from the print style information and transmitting the format information data to the imager, and input from the medical image diagnostic apparatus Identification information extracting means for extracting identification information of a medical image corresponding to the print instruction information from the displayed medical image signal, and additional information corresponding to the identification information is acquired from the medical image diagnostic apparatus via the network. Associated information acquisition means and the display doctor Medical image acquisition means for acquiring a medical image corresponding to the print instruction information from a medical image signal or for acquiring a medical image corresponding to the identification information from the medical image diagnostic apparatus via the network; An imager adapter, comprising: print information data transmitting means for generating print information data in a data format for an imager that conforms to the network standard from the supplementary information and transmitting the print information data to the imager. 2. The imager adapter according to claim 1, wherein the network standard is the DICOM standard. 3. A medical image network system comprising a medical image diagnostic apparatus, the imager adapter according to claim 1 or 2, and the imager connected via a network.