JP2001243453A - Medical electronic image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical electronic image processing system which can shorten the transfer time by extracting image data of a medical electronic image. SOLUTION: The medical electronic image processing system has an area CCD 30a which inputs digitized image data including ophthalmic images, an arithmetic control circuit 41 which processes and transfers the image data from the area CCD 30a, an image processing circuit 46 which processes the image data transferred from the arithmetic control circuit 41, and a monitor television 31 which outputs an image from the image processing circuit 4. The arithmetic control circuit 41 is provided so that only specific data in the image data can be extracted and transferred.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a medical electronic image processing system for transferring image data of a medical electronic image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an ophthalmologic apparatus such as a fundus camera, a slit lamp, and a corneal endothelial cell photographing apparatus, an area C is used.
An ophthalmological image is electronically photographed using a solid-state imaging device such as a CD, and the image data from the area CCD is transferred to a recording device such as a still video device, a floppy (registered trademark) disk device, or an optical disk device by an arithmetic control circuit. There has been proposed a system in which the transferred image data is recorded on a recording medium such as a still video disk, a floppy disk, and an optical disk.

[0003] A fundus camera of this ophthalmologic apparatus photographs an ophthalmologic image such as a fundus blood vessel image by fluorescence photographing and a fundus image by color photographing, and a slit lamp photographs a medical electronic image such as a cross-sectional image of the fundus, and photographs corneal endothelial cells. The apparatus captures an anterior eye image, a corneal endothelial cell image, and the like of the subject's eye, and electronically records each ophthalmologic image.

[0004]

With the digitization of such ophthalmic images, when recording images on a recording medium such as an optical disk or a hard disk, a fundus blood vessel image by fluorescence imaging, a fundus image by color imaging, It is also conceivable to simultaneously record ophthalmological images having different photographing patterns such as an eye image, a corneal endothelial cell image, and a fundus cross-sectional image.

In this case, the photographing data is simultaneously imprinted and recorded on the ophthalmologic image. However, the type of the ophthalmologic image is not recorded on the recording medium together with the ophthalmologic image. The examiner must find the target ophthalmological image while checking the image with the eyes.

Since it takes time to read such an image and display it on a monitor television, there is a problem that it takes a considerable time to search for a target ophthalmic image.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a medical electronic image processing system capable of shortening the transfer of a medical electronic image.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided an image input means for inputting digitized image data including a medical electronic image, and an image from the image input means. Image data transfer means for processing and transferring data, image processing means for performing image processing on the image data transferred from the image data transfer means,
In a medical electronic image processing system having an image output unit that outputs an image from the image processing unit, the image data transfer unit is configured to extract and transfer only designated data from the image data. The system is characterized by:

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the medical electronic image processing system according to the first aspect, the image data transfer means uses a part of the medical electronic image designated by the transfer range designation means as designated data. It is characterized by being provided so as to be transferable to the output means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input unit for inputting digitized image data including a fundus blood vessel image obtained by fluorescence imaging, and a fundus from the image input unit. Image data transfer means for processing and transferring blood vessel image data, image processing means for performing image processing on the fundus blood vessel image data transferred from the image data transfer means, and image output for outputting an image from the image processing means In the medical electronic image processing system having the means, the image data transfer means is a medical electronic image processing system provided so as to be able to extract and transfer only data of a portion having a light amount of a predetermined level or more of a fundus blood vessel image obtained by fluorescence imaging. It is characterized by the following.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the medical electronic image processing system according to the third aspect, the data is
It is characterized by comprising light amount data and address data of each light amount data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided image input means for inputting digitized image data including a medical electronic image, and image data from the image input means. Image processing means for performing image processing on the image, image display means for displaying an image from the image processing means, range designating means for designating a specific portion in the image data as a cutout range, and a large number of medical electronic images and Recording means for recording the imaging condition information, a frame memory for constructing a medical electronic image, and an arithmetic control circuit for cutting out a portion of a predetermined range designated by the range designating means and recording the extracted portion together with the imaging condition information in the recording means. The arithmetic and control circuit causes a plurality of pieces of image data recorded in the recording means to be selected under predetermined conditions for each predetermined number of frames, and one frame is selected. Is constructed in the frame memory, and the constructed image for one frame is displayed on the image display means. When one of the plurality of images displayed on the image display means is selected, the selected image is selected. A medical electronic image processing system that causes the display means to display all image data including the image data.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the medical electronic image processing system according to the fifth aspect, the range designating means determines a portion where the amount of reflected light of the medical electronic image is larger than another portion with the amount of light around the portion. It is an arithmetic control circuit that cuts out by designating from the difference.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the medical electronic image processing system according to the sixth aspect, a range in which the amount of reflected light of the medical electronic image is larger than other portions is a nipple.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the medical electronic image processing system according to the fifth aspect, the arithmetic control circuit displays a grid line used for specifying the cutout range on the image display means. The image in the selected cell is cut out by superimposing and displaying the image on the medical electronic image and selecting one of the cells displayed on the image display means by means for selecting one of the cells.

[0016]

FIG. 1 shows an optical system of a fundus camera (photographing apparatus). In this FIG.
1 is the illumination optical system of the fundus camera, 2 is the observation of the fundus camera
An imaging optical system 3 is an eye to be inspected. [Illumination Optical System] The illumination optical system 1 has an observation illumination optical system and a photographing illumination optical system.

The photographing illumination optical system includes a xenon lamp 6, a condenser lens 7, a small-diameter light-shielding plate 8, a ring-shaped diaphragm 9, a small-diameter light-shielding plate 10, a relay lens 11, and a reflection mirror 1.
2, relay lens 13, black spot plate 14, relay lens 1
5, optical components such as a perforated mirror 16 and an objective lens 17 are provided in this order. Then, the photographing illumination light from the xenon lamp 6 is projected onto the fundus oculi Ef of the eye 3 through optical components from the condenser lens 7 to the objective lens 17.
In addition, between the xenon lamp 6 and the condenser lens 7, an exciter filter E1 for visible fluorescence and E2 for infrared fluorescence are provided so as to be insertable and removable.

The observation illumination optical system has optical components from a halogen lamp 4 as a light source for observation, a condenser lens 5, a condenser lens 7 to an objective lens 17. The observation illumination light from the halogen lamp 4 is projected onto the fundus oculi Ef via optical components from the condenser lens 7 to the objective lens 17.

The small-diameter light shielding plate 8 is conjugate to the cornea 25, the ring slit 9 is conjugate to the pupil 28, the small-diameter light shielding plate 10 is conjugate to the rear surface 26a of the crystalline lens 26, and the black spot plate 14
Is a mirror 16 having a perforated hole that reflects light on the surface of the objective lens 17.
Is a light-shielding material for not passing through the hole 16a. [Observation / Shooting Optical System] The observation / shooting optical system 2 includes an objective lens 17, a focusing lens 19, and an imaging lens 2 facing the eye 3 to be inspected.
0, mirror 21, field lens 2 conjugate with fundus Ef
2, a reflection mirror 23, a relay lens 24, and the like. Moreover, between the perforated mirror 16 and the focusing lens 19,
A barrier filter B1 for visible fluorescence and a barrier filter B2 for infrared fluorescence are provided so as to be insertable and removable.

The fundus image of the eye 3 due to the light reflected from the fundus Ef is reflected by the optical components from the objective lens 17 to the imaging lens 20, the mirror 21, the field lens 22 conjugate to the fundus Ef, and the reflection mirror 23. , Relay lens 24,
Area CCD3 of TV camera 30 via mask 36
0a (image input means, imaging means). As shown in FIG. 5A, the mask 36 has a circular hole 36a positioned at the center and a notch mark 36b positioned at the periphery of the circular hole 36a.

An image signal from the area CCD 30a is normally supplied to an arithmetic control circuit 41 of a camera control circuit 40, which will be described later.
It is input to a monitor television 31 (image display means) as an image output means via a contact a of a changeover switch 41a and a D / A converter 41b, and a fundus image is projected on the monitor television 31 in real time (see FIG. 2). . Note that a monitor television of a type incorporating a circuit corresponding to the changeover switch 41a and the D / A converter 41b is used as the monitor television 3.
It can be used instead of 1. [Fixation target optical system] The fixation target optical system A includes an imaging lens 20.
Half mirror 32, which is removably disposed between the mirror 21 and the mirror 21, has a small hole 33a as a fixation target, and has a fundus Ef.
Fixation target mask 33 and small hole 33 arranged conjugate with
A light source 34 for a fixation target such as a light-emitting diode disposed to face a. The mask 33 and the fixation target light source 34 are mounted on a fixation target drive device 35 such as an XY table (not shown) that is electrically driven and controlled by a pulse motor or the like. Whether the device is the left eye or the right eye is detected by the left and right eye detection means 35 'of the position of the device,
As shown in FIG. 2, the nipple 71 and the macula 72 are positioned at the center O of the screen.
Is moved so as to be located at a position substantially equidistant from. [Camera Control Circuit 40] The camera control circuit 40 has an arithmetic control circuit 41 as image data transfer means as shown in FIG. The arithmetic control circuit 41 includes a shooting switch 42
Signal, a photographing condition information signal from a photographing condition input device 43 such as a keyboard, and a photographing position signal from a photographing position input device (photographing range designating means) 44 such as a mouse, a keyboard, or a light pen. It has become.
Note that the photographing switch 42 is operated by a single-step pressing (half-pressing) operation.
Turn ON to output control signal and double-press (full press)
A device that outputs a shooting start signal by operation is used.

Further, the arithmetic and control circuit 41 observes and photographs from the left and right positions of a frame memory 45, an image processing circuit 46 as image processing means, a focusing lens drive motor 47 ', and a camera body having the above-mentioned optical system. Left and right eye detecting means 35 ′ for detecting left and right distinction of the eye to be inspected, a light emission control circuit 49
Is connected.

Further, the arithmetic control circuit 41 includes mirror driving means 51 such as a solenoid for inserting and removing the half mirror 32 with respect to the photographing optical path, a mode setting switch 52 in the observation / photographing mode, a memory 53 such as a RAM, and a ROM. Memory 5 etc.
4, an information recording / reproducing device 55 (image input means) such as an optical disk device or a floppy disk device is connected, and the area CCD 30a and the monitor television 3
1 is connected.

In addition, the arithmetic and control circuit 41 records the fundus image (medical electronic image) photographed by the area CCD 30a as the image pickup means on a recording medium such as an optical disk or a floppy disk via the information recording / reproducing device 55. The medical electronic image is displayed on a screen 31A (display screen) of the monitor television 31 (electronic image display device).

Next, the data transfer function of the arithmetic control circuit 41 in photographing, recording, reproducing, etc. will be described. (1) New photographing / recording and its reproduction When the power supply (not shown) of the [observation] device is turned on, the arithmetic control circuit 41 turns on the halogen lamp 4. In this state,
An alignment operation and a focusing operation are performed on the fundus oculi Ef of the subject's eye, and when this work is completed, the illumination light from the halogen lamp 4 is projected onto the fundus oculi Ef of the subject's eye 3 via the illumination optical system 1 and reflected.

The left and right eye detecting means 35 'outputs a signal for discriminating whether the currently observed fundus is left or right, and the arithmetic and control circuit 41 outputs the left and right discrimination data from the discrimination signal. It is stored in the memory 53.

On the other hand, the reflected light from the fundus oculi Ef of the eye 3 is
From the objective lens 17 of the observation / photographing optical system 2 to the imaging lens 2
0, an optical component, a mirror 21, a mask 36 conjugated with the fundus oculi Ef, a field lens 22, a reflection mirror 23,
It is guided to the area CCD 30a (imaging means) of the television camera 30 via the relay lens 24 and the like.

As a result, an image (fundus image) 37 of the fundus oculi Ef is formed on the area CCD 30a as shown in FIG. This fundus image 37 corresponds to the circular hole 3 of the mask 36 shown in FIG.
It has a circular portion 37a corresponding to 6a and a portion 37b corresponding to the notch mark 36b. And area CCD3
A margin portion 3 by the mask 36 is provided around the fundus image 37 of 0a.
8 results.

When the signal for identifying the left and right eyes is input from the left and right eye detection means 35 ', the arithmetic and control circuit 41, when constructing the image data of the first one frame,
The entire area CCD 30a is scanned to read one frame of image data including the fundus oculi image 37 and the margin portion 38, and the image data is stored in the frame memory 45.

At this time, the arithmetic and control circuit 41 determines that the area CC
The address data of each pixel of D30a and the light amount data, or the address data of the boundary line 39 between the fundus image 37 and the margin portion 38 is calculated from the light amount difference from the data of the frame memory 45, and the address data of this boundary line 39 is calculated as described above. The data is stored in the memory 53 in correspondence with the identification data of the left and right eyes. By obtaining the boundary line 39 in this manner, it is determined that the range in which the ophthalmic image to be transferred, that is, the fundus image data exists, is inside the boundary line 39.

The operation for obtaining the boundary line 39 is performed only once at the time of capturing the first image at the time of observation, and the data of the boundary line 39 is used for the transfer of the image from then on. It should be noted that the data of the boundary line 39 is recorded in advance in information recording /
An optical disk, a floppy disk,
Recorded on a recording medium such as a still video disc,
This data can be used.

Then, the arithmetic control circuit 41 sets the margin 36
Is transferred from the frame memory 45 to the image processing circuit 46, and the fundus image 37 is displayed on the monitor television 31 via the image processing circuit 46.

Thereafter, the arithmetic control circuit 41 sets the area CC
The image data of D30a is read and the frame memory 45 is read.
And an image for one frame is constructed in the frame memory 45. Then, the arithmetic and control circuit 41 transfers only the fundus image data in the frame memory 45, that is, only the fundus image data (ophthalmologic image data) within the boundary line 39 to the image processing circuit 46, and converts the fundus image 37 as shown in FIG. The image is displayed on the monitor television 31 via the image processing circuit 46.

If the address data of the boundary line 39 of the image photographed by the mask 36 is known, this data is stored in advance in a ROM or the like so that the image reading of the first frame can be performed. , Only the fundus image 37 may be used. In this case, since the notch of the mask 36 differs between the left and right eyes, the data of the boundary line 39 corresponding to the left and right eyes is stored in the ROM.
Is stored in advance in association with the identification signal from the left and right eye detection means 35 '.

At the time of such observation, the changeover switch 41a
Is on the contact a side. And the area CCD 30a
Is input to the D / A converter 41b via the arithmetic control circuit 41 and the changeover switch 41a, is converted into an analog signal, and is then input to the monitor television 31. Thus, the fundus image is displayed on the monitor television 31 in real time. [Visible color photographing] After such observation, the changeover switch 41a is switched to the contact b side, and various filters (not shown) are arranged in each optical system, and then the xenon lamp 6 is controlled to emit light. Is guided to the fundus oculi Ef via the illumination optical system 1 and
The reflected light from Ef is observed via the observation / photographing optical system 2 in area C.
By guiding to the CD 30a, fundus photography is performed.

The digital image signal from the area CCD 30a is input to the monitor television 31 via the control circuit 41 and the changeover switch 41a, and the digital fundus image is displayed on the monitor television 31. At the time of this fundus photographing, the image is transferred only to the fundus image within the boundary line 39 in the same manner as described above.

At the time of photographing the fundus, photographing data 110 is photographed in the portion covered by the mask, ie, the margin 38, and this photographing data 110 is also an image similar to the ophthalmological image within the boundary line 39. You may make it transfer by processing. [Fluorescence imaging] In addition, during visible fluorescence imaging of the fundus oculi Ef, while fluorescein for visible fluorescence is intravenously injected into the patient, the changeover switch 41a is switched to the contact b side after the above-described observation, and the exciter filter E1 for xenon is applied for visible fluorescence. While being inserted into the optical path between the lamp 6 and the condenser lens 7,
And the barrier filter B1 are inserted into the optical path between the perforated mirror 16 and the focusing lens 19.

Next, when the xenon lamp 6 is controlled to emit light, visible excitation light having a wavelength for exciting fluorescein of the photographing light from the xenon lamp 6 is guided to the fundus Ef via the illumination optical system 1 and the exciter filter E1. And the fundus Ef
To illuminate.

The visible excitation light is absorbed by fluorescein in the blood vessel of the fundus oculi Ef to excite fluorescein. As a result, visible fluorescence is emitted from the fluorescein, and this visible fluorescence is transmitted through the observation / photographing optical system 2 to the area CCD.
Guided to 30a. Thereby, the area CCD 30a
3 (a) to 3 (c), an image of a fundus blood vessel is formed as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, (a) is a fundus blood vessel image relatively early from the start of fluorescence imaging, and shows a state where the time has elapsed since the start of fluorescence imaging as shown in (b) and (c). Moreover,
The inside indicated by the line 71 ′ in FIG. 3A is the portion of the nipple 71, which is darker than the periphery of the line 71 ′ in image. In FIG. 3B, the fluorescent agent from the capillary reaches the nipple 71 and emits fluorescence.
Is relatively brighter than its surroundings. Further, FIG.
In (c), the amount of the fluorescent agent that reaches the nipple 71 is larger than the fundus blood vessel image 100, and the amount of fluorescence of the nipple 71 is larger than the amount of fluorescence of the portion inside the nipple 71 of the fundus blood vessel image 100. Has become.

In FIG. 3, (a1) shows the amount of fluorescence near the nipple along line AA in (a), and (b1) shows the amount of fluorescence near the nipple along line BB in (b). (C1) indicates the amount of fluorescence in the vicinity of the nipple along the line CC of (c), (b2) indicates the amount of fluorescence of the neovascular part 100a in (b), and (c2) ) Is (c)
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the amount of fluorescence from a water bubble section around a laser coagulation section in FIG. In the figure, 100a indicates a bleeding part from a new blood vessel in the fundus. Also, the nipple 71, the fundus blood vessel image 38, and the water bubble portion 1 in (a) to (c)
02, symbol V attached to bleeding part 100a from new blood vessel
1 to V11 are V1 to V11 of (a1) to (c1), (b2), (c2), etc.
2 shows a portion corresponding to.

Also, at the time of visible fluorescence photographing of the blood vessels of the fundus oculi, the digital image signal of the area CCD 30a is transmitted to the control circuit 4
1, input to the monitor television 31 via the changeover switch 41a, and the visible fluorescent image 37 'is projected on the monitor television 31 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 2B, reference numeral 100 denotes a fundus blood vessel image of a visible fluorescent image.

When the fundus blood vessels are photographed, the area CCD 30
The transfer of the image from a becomes only the fundus blood vessel image 100 within the boundary line 39 as described above. In addition, since the address of the boundary line 39 is known, only the inside of the boundary line 39 is scanned when transferring the image data, and the area CCD 30a is scanned.
The address data and the light amount of the pixel having the light amount equal to or higher than the predetermined level L1 are transferred to the arithmetic and control circuit 41. Then, the arithmetic and control circuit 41 causes the frame memory 45 to construct a fundus blood vessel image 100 based on visible fluorescence based on the transferred data, and causes the monitor television 31 to display the fundus blood vessel image 100.

Here, in this transfer, the area CC
The value of the address data of the pixel whose light amount is equal to or higher than the predetermined level L1 among the pixels of D30a is set to “1”, and is transferred to the arithmetic and control circuit 41, and the value of the portion below the predetermined level L1 is set to “0”. Alternatively, the fluorescence image of the fundus may be image-processed simply as “0” and “1” signals. In FIG. 3, the slice level is the level L including the fluorescence from the nipple 71.
Although set to 1, it may be set to a level L2 that does not include the fluorescence from the nipple 71.

Similarly, at the time of infrared fluorescence imaging of the fundus oculi Ef, ICG (indocyanine green) for infrared fluorescence is intravenously injected into the patient, and after the above-described observation, the changeover switch 41a is switched to the contact b side, and the infrared ray is irradiated. Exciter filter for fluorescence
E2 is inserted into the optical path between the xenon lamp 6 and the condenser lens 7, and the barrier filter B2 is inserted into the optical path between the perforated mirror 16 and the focusing lens 19.

Next, when the xenon lamp 6 is controlled to emit light, infrared excitation light having a wavelength that excites ICG in the photographing light from the xenon lamp 6 is transmitted to the fundus oculi Ef via the illumination optical system 1 and the exciter filter E1. Guided to illuminate the fundus Ef.

The infrared excitation light is applied to the ICG in the blood vessel of the fundus oculi Ef.
To excite ICG. As a result, infrared fluorescent light is emitted from the ICG, and the infrared fluorescent light is guided to the area CCD 30a via the observation / photographing optical system 2. As a result, a fundus blood vessel image is formed by infrared fluorescence on the area CCD 30a, and infrared fluorescence imaging of the fundus blood vessel is performed.

At this time, the digital image signal of the area CCD 30a is input to the monitor television 31 via the control circuit 41 and the changeover switch 41a, and an infrared fluorescent image is displayed on the monitor television 31.

When the fundus blood vessels are photographed, the area CCD 30
The transfer of the image from a becomes only the fundus blood vessel image of the infrared fluorescent image within the boundary line 39 as described above. Moreover, the boundary line 39
Since this address is known, only the inside of the boundary line 39 is scanned when transferring this image data, and the area CCD is scanned.
The address data and the light amount of the pixel having the light amount equal to or higher than the predetermined level L1 (slice level) among the pixels 30a are transferred to the arithmetic and control circuit 41. Then, the arithmetic control circuit 41 causes the frame memory 45 to construct a fundus blood vessel image by infrared fluorescence based on the transferred data, and causes the monitor television 31 to display the fundus blood vessel image.

Here, during the infrared fluorescence photographing by the ICG, when transferring the fundus blood vessel image, the area CCD 30a is used.
The value of the address data of the pixel of which the light amount is equal to or higher than the predetermined level L1 is set to “1”, and the pixel is transferred to the arithmetic and control circuit 41. The fluorescence image of the fundus may be image-processed simply as “0” and “1” signals.

The width and shape of the fluorescence image of the ophthalmological image data at the time of the fluorescence imaging, that is, the fluorescence image including the bleeding part and the water bubble part from the fundus blood vessel part and the new blood vessel image, are different from each other. That is,
The fundus blood vessel image is elongated and continuous, the fundus bleeding part image is spread as a block of a fixed width or a fixed diameter, and the blister around the laser coagulation part of the fundus retina has a ring shape of a substantially constant diameter. ing. Therefore, by performing image processing as signals of “0” and “1” in this manner, a diseased part such as a bleeding part from a new blood vessel or a part where laser coagulation of the fundus retina is performed by the arithmetic control circuit 41 is automatically performed. Recording and reproduction can be performed by the detection and judgment.

Actually, the fluorescence from the fundus blood vessel has a fluorescence luminance (light quantity) level that differs depending on the thickness of the blood vessel, so that the state after a certain elapsed time is shown in FIG. 3 (b-1). Looks like In FIG. 3 (b-1), P1 indicates the fluorescent luminance from a relatively thick fundus blood vessel, P2 indicates the fluorescent luminance from a medium-sized fundus blood vessel, and P3 indicates the fluorescent luminance from a capillary blood vessel. Show. In this way, since the fluorescent brightness is actually different from P1 to P3 depending on the thickness of the fundus blood vessel, the set slice level is set to L1, L2, L3 (L3>L2> L1), and the fundus blood vessel having the brightness P1 to P3 is slice level. L1
Depending on whether the image extends above or below L3, only the image of the thick fundus blood vessel, only the image of the medium fundus blood vessel, or only the image of the capillary blood vessel is selectively extracted and displayed. Diagnosis of a diseased part of a blood vessel can be facilitated. Note that such image extraction and determination are performed by the arithmetic control circuit 4.
1 is performed.

In particular, even in the latter part of the fluorescence imaging, a portion where the fluorescence luminance is higher than the other portions is considered to be a bleeding portion, and can be used for determining the presence or absence of fundus bleeding. [Recording / Reproduction] In the visible color fundus image data photographed in this way, only the data relating to the fundus image 37 within the boundary line 39 is recorded on the optical disc via the information recording / reproducing device 55.
It is recorded on a recording medium such as a floppy disk, a still video disk or the like in accordance with the identification data.

On the other hand, as for the data of the fundus blood vessel image obtained by the fluorescence photographing, only the address data and the light amount data of the pixels of the area CCD 30a having the light amount equal to or higher than the predetermined level are transferred to the information recording / reproducing device 55 and recorded. Recorded on the medium.

Therefore, the information recording / recording as the image input means
Also when reproducing the ophthalmologic image from the recording medium using the reproducing device 55, only the data relating to the fundus image or the fundus blood vessel image is read from the recording medium. (2) Reconstruction of fundus images from recording media containing ophthalmic images of multiple types of photographing patterns Fundus blood vessel images by fluorescence imaging, fundus images by color imaging,
When reproducing a target ophthalmic image, such as a color fundus image or a fundus blood vessel image using fluorescence, from a recording medium on which an ophthalmic image having a different imaging pattern such as an anterior eye image, a corneal endothelial cell image, and a fundus cross-sectional image is simultaneously recorded. First, the arithmetic control circuit 41 selectively extracts a fundus image or a fundus blood vessel image from an ophthalmologic image of another photographing pattern.

Focusing on the fact that an ophthalmologic image such as a fundus image or a fundus blood vessel image is taken using the circular hole 36a of the mask 36 as shown in FIG. It is only necessary to judge whether or not there are only two images, that is, a circular fundus image portion having brightness and a marginal portion having no brightness surrounding the fundus image portion.

In the anterior segment image of the subject's eye, as shown in FIG. 6, the brightness of the portion of the eye 120 changes as shown by B1 in (b), and the portion 121 around the eye changes to some extent as shown by C1. , There are many bright parts in the entire screen. In addition, since the image data of the corneal endothelial cell image does not have the circular boundary as described above, and a linear boundary is formed by the mask, the fundus image or the anterior eye image and the corneal image are determined by determining the boundary. Endothelial cell images can be distinguished. Further, since a cross-sectional image near the fundus oculi by a slit lamp has no luminance as a whole and only a few linear luminance parts, other ophthalmologic images may be used depending on the overall luminance. Can be distinguished.

Such a change in the light amount level of the ophthalmic image having a different photographing pattern results in a light amount change pattern substantially similar to each pattern. Therefore, this light amount change pattern is stored in a memory or recorded as a light amount level change reference value of the image. It is recorded on a medium in advance, and is used when selecting an ophthalmologic image.

Therefore, the arithmetic and control circuit 41 compares the read data of the ophthalmic image with the light amount change pattern, that is, the light amount level change reference value, to determine which pattern is similar, that is, the fundus image or the fundus blood vessel image. In this case, a fundus image such as a fundus image or a fundus blood vessel image and an anterior ocular segment image are determined based on whether or not there is the boundary line 39 as described above, and a fundus image such as a fundus image or a fundus blood vessel image is determined. Extracted from ophthalmological images.

The fundus image extracted in this manner includes old image data including a blank portion and an ophthalmologic image. Moreover, the old image data and the shooting condition information corresponding to each image data may be recorded in a large number on a recording medium such as an optical disk, a floppy disk, and a still video disk.
As the imaging condition information, for example, the patient ID number, name, age, gender, distinction between left and right eyes, imaging light amount, type of filter at the time of imaging, and the like can be considered.

In many old image data recorded on such a recording medium, the mask shapes and sizes of many left ophthalmic images or the mask shapes and sizes of many right ophthalmic images are the same. It is thought that it is. This is because it is considered that the image is taken using the same fundus camera.

Therefore, when reproducing the old image data recorded on such a recording medium, the boundary line between the margin formed by the mask used for the image data and the fundus oculi image is left and right. Is made to be obtained only by the arithmetic and control circuit 41.

In this case, first, the operation of the information recording / reproducing device 55 as an image input means is controlled by the arithmetic and control circuit 41, and the old image data recorded on the recording medium is read by the information recording / reproducing device 55 and the frame is read. Input to memory 45.

At this time, the arithmetic control circuit 41 calculates the address data of the boundary line 39 between the fundus image 37 and the margin 38 from the data in the frame memory 45 from the data in the frame memory 45 in the same manner as described above, based on the difference in light amount. Notch mark 36
The left and right eyes are distinguished from the portion corresponding to b, and the address data of the boundary line 39 is stored in the memory 53 together with the left and right eye identification data.

By determining the boundary line 39 in this way, it is determined that the range in which the ophthalmic image to be transferred, that is, the fundus image data exists, is inside the boundary line 39. The operation for obtaining the boundary line 39 is only performed once for the left and right eyes when the first old image data is first taken into the frame memory 45 as described above.

Then, the arithmetic control circuit 41 sets the margin 36
Is transferred from the frame memory 45 to the image processing circuit 46, and the fundus image 37 is displayed on the monitor television 31 via the image processing circuit 46.

When transferring the image data of the left and right eyes, based on the address data of the boundary line 39 obtained as described above, only the data within the boundary line 39 is transferred to the monitor television 31. <Reproduction / Transfer of Fluorescence Photographing Data from a Recording Medium in Which Ophthalmic Images of a Plurality of Photographing Patterns are Recorded> The above-mentioned old image data includes photographing data of a fundus blood vessel image using visible fluorescence or infrared fluorescence. Whether or not this is fluorescence imaging data can be determined from the type of filter in the imaging condition information.

Accordingly, the operation of the information recording / reproducing device 55 as the image input means is controlled by the arithmetic and control circuit 41, and the old image data recorded on the recording medium is read by the information recording / reproducing device 55 and stored in the frame memory. Is input, the arithmetic and control circuit 41 determines whether or not it is fluorescence imaging based on the type of filter in the imaging condition information.

On the other hand, there are cases where such photographing condition information is not recorded. Therefore, as described above, when the ophthalmic image such as the fundus blood vessel image by the fluorescence imaging and the fundus image by the color imaging is selectively extracted from the ophthalmologic image of another imaging pattern by the arithmetic and control circuit 41, the ophthalmologic image within the boundary line 39 is extracted. The blood vessel image of the fundus by fluorescence imaging is distinguished from the fundus image of the color based on whether or not the difference in luminance is large in the entire image.

The change in the light amount level of the ophthalmological image is different between the color fundus image and the fundus blood vessel image obtained by fluorescence imaging. That is, in the fundus blood vessel image obtained by the fluorescence imaging, as shown in FIG. 3, the blood vessel image portion has a high brightness and the portion other than the blood vessel has almost low brightness, and a large change in the brightness is detected finely. Such a large change in luminance is not detected finely.

When such a light amount change pattern, that is, a large change in luminance is small, the fact that the image is a fundus blood vessel image due to fluorescence is stored in a memory as a light amount level change reference value of the image.
Alternatively, it is recorded in a recording medium in advance, and is used when extracting and selecting a fundus blood vessel image by fluorescence imaging.

Accordingly, the arithmetic and control circuit 41 compares the read ophthalmological image data with the light amount change pattern, that is, the light amount level change reference value, to determine which pattern is similar, that is, the fundus image or the fundus blood vessel image. In this case, a fundus image such as a fundus image or a fundus blood vessel image and an anterior ocular segment image are determined based on whether or not there is the boundary line 39 as described above, and a fundus image such as a fundus image or a fundus blood vessel image is determined. After the extraction from the ophthalmological image, if the luminance change of the data of the extracted ophthalmic image is large and fine, it is selectively extracted as a fundus blood vessel image by fluorescence.

In this manner, even when the arithmetic and control circuit 41 determines that the photographing is performed by the fluorescent light, the arithmetic and control circuit 41 performs the same processing as described above from the data in the frame memory 45 to the fundus image 37.
The address data of the boundary 39 between the image and the margin 38 is obtained from the light amount difference by calculation, and the calculation control circuit 441
The left and right eyes are distinguished from the portion corresponding to the notch mark 36b of the mask 36, and the address data of the boundary line 39 is stored in the memory 53 together with the left and right eye identification data.
Note that the operation of obtaining the boundary line 39 is only performed once for the left and right eyes when the first old image data is loaded into the frame memory 45 as described above.

On the other hand, the arithmetic control circuit 41 obtains the address data and the light intensity at which the light intensity of the data within the boundary line 39 thus obtained is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. That is, the address data and the light amount of a portion where the fluorescence emitted from the fundus blood vessel exists or a portion where the fluorescence is emitted due to the leak from the fundus blood vessel are obtained.

The data of the boundary line 39 or the address data and the light amount of the blood vessel image of the fundus oculi due to the fluorescence thus obtained are recorded on a new recording medium by the information recording / reproducing device 55 and used for data retrieval. Will be done. <Second Embodiment> In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which all data of the fundus oculi image within the boundary line 39 is transferred and recorded / reproduced. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, a part of the fundus image (a lesion part or the like) may be designated, and only this part may be transferred to record / reproduce. Here, as a method of designating a part of the fundus image, the fundus image is divided into four parts, selection menus such as upper left, lower left, upper right and lower right are displayed on the monitor television 31, and one of these is displayed on the keyboard. May be selected by a transfer range designating means such as a cursor key or a mouse, or an arbitrary range may be designated by a mouse.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a system including the control circuit 40 having the above configuration is referred to as a host computer system 60.
A plurality of terminal devices 63 are connected to the host computer system 60 via a telephone line 64, and a plurality of terminal devices 65 are connected to the host computer system 60 via the input / output circuit 61 and the cable 62. The fundus image stored in the host computer system 60 is transferred to each terminal device 63 or 6
5 to perform a search operation, or a host computer system 6
At 0, a fundus image can be recorded from the terminal device 63 or 65. In this case, as described above, by transferring only the portion of the fundus image or only a portion of the fundus image, the time for searching and recording can be sufficiently reduced.

Incidentally, in the case of using in this manner,
For example, the host computer system 60 is installed in a computer room or the like of a general hospital, the terminal device 63 is installed in each examination room of the general hospital, the room of the doctor in charge, or the like.
It is conceivable that 5 is installed and used in a local hospital or the like. <Third Embodiment> FIGS. 8 to 11 show a third embodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, only specific portions such as the nipple and the macula are extracted (cut out) from each image data, and images of these specific portions are simultaneously displayed on the monitor television 31 as shown in FIG. Let the monitor TV 3
A target image is searched for from a large number of images projected on the screen 1 and can be displayed or transmitted.

In this case, a mode selection menu such as “1. search 2. display 3. transfer” is displayed on the monitor television 31. a. When the “search” mode is selected by a mouse or a keyboard, the arithmetic and control circuit 41 reads the first one of the fundus images recorded on the recording medium by the information recording / reproducing device 55. To be displayed on the monitor TV 31. (Specification of cutout range by grid line) At this time, a grid line 80 for cutout is superimposed on the fundus image 37 as shown in FIG.
In this “search” mode, the arithmetic and control circuit 41 displays a “square moving image cutout” mode selection menu.

Further, a mode selection menu in the "search" mode is displayed on the monitor TV 31, and the "search" mode is selected.
By selecting the “square line movement” mode in the mode with a keyboard or a mouse, the grid line 80 can be moved with respect to the fundus image 37 by a mouse or a cursor key of the keyboard, which is one of the photographing position input devices 44. To be provided. Then, in this mode, the nipple 71 as a cutout portion
Is moved so that is within one cell formed by the cell lines 80.

In this state, the clipping range designation mode is designated by the mode selection menu, and the cursor mark 81 is projected on the screen of the monitor television 31 as shown in FIG.
The cursor mark 81 is moved to one of the portions surrounded by the grid line 80, for example, the square where the nipple 71 is located, using a mouse or a cursor key of a keyboard, which is one of the photographing position input devices 44.

Next, when an image cutout of the mode selection menu is selected by using a mouse or a cursor key of a keyboard or the like, the inside of the cell with the cursor mark 81 is cut out by the arithmetic control circuit 41, and the cutout image of the nipple is cut out. The data is stored in the information recording / reproducing device 5 by the arithmetic control
5 is temporarily stored in a hard disk or the like.

Such image extraction can be performed for images having the same photographing position and photographing angle of view. In addition, vertical and horizontal addresses may be assigned to a vertical and horizontal matrix, that is, a grid line area, and a transfer range may be designated by vertical and horizontal addresses.

Therefore, when the fundus image is photographed and recorded, the data of the photographing position and the photographing angle of view are recorded in advance in the recording medium together with the fundus image data as the photographing condition information, so that the above-described cut-out portion can be specified only once. Thereafter, the nipple can be cut out from the fundus image with the same shooting position and the same shooting angle of view.

The cut-out image data of the nipple is sequentially and temporarily stored on the hard disk by the arithmetic and control circuit 41. This storage can be performed for a specified range or for all data.

When the "display" mode of the mode selection menu is selected, the arithmetic and control circuit 41 transfers the image data of the nipple temporarily stored in the hard disk to the frame memory 45 for each predetermined number, and The images of the nipples a1, a2, a3,... Shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B are simultaneously displayed on the monitor television 31. Display.

When the “transfer” mode of the mode selection menu is selected, the arithmetic control circuit 41 displays a plurality of transfer destinations on the monitor TV 31. When one of the transfer destinations is selected, the arithmetic control circuit 41 temporarily stores the transfer destination on the hard disk. The stored image data of the nipple is transferred to the selected transfer destination. (Specification of cut-out range by mouse or keyboard cursor key) In addition, the specification of the cut-out range of the image in the "search" mode can be performed only by using the mouse or keyboard cursor key without using the grid line 81.

At this time, in the "search" mode, the arithmetic control circuit 4
1 displays a “range specified image cutout” mode selection menu.

Further, a mode selection menu in the “search” mode is displayed on the monitor television 31, and the “search”
Select the "Range designation" mode in the mode with the keyboard or mouse. Thereby, first, the arithmetic control circuit 31 causes the cursor mark 81 and the frame 82 to be displayed on the screen of the monitor television 31 as shown in FIG. This frame 82
Can be freely changed in size at an arbitrary position by operating a mouse or a keyboard, for example.

In this state, the frame 82 of the screen of the monitor television 31 is moved by a mouse or a cursor key of a keyboard which is one of the photographing position input devices 44, and the nipple 7 is moved.
1 is designated by a frame 82.

After this designation, the operation control circuit 41 cuts out the nipple 71 in the fundus image data (ophthalmologic image data) within the above-described boundary line 39 by selecting image cutout from the mode selection menu.

The cut-out image data of the nipple is temporarily stored on the hard disk or the like of the information recording / reproducing device 55 by the arithmetic control circuit 41.

Such image cutting can be performed for images having the same photographing position and photographing angle of view.

Therefore, also in this case, when the fundus image is photographed and recorded, the data of the photographing position and the photographing angle of view are recorded in advance as the photographing condition information on the recording medium together with the fundus image data.
The nipple can be cut out from the fundus image with the same shooting position and the same shooting angle of view after only one designation of the above-described cutout portion.

The cut-out image data of the nipple is temporarily stored in the hard disk by the arithmetic and control circuit 41 sequentially. This storage can be performed for a specified range or for all data.

When "display" is selected from the mode selection menu, the arithmetic and control circuit 41 stores the image data of the nipple temporarily stored in the hard disk in the frame memory 45.
The image is transferred to the monitor TV 31 every predetermined number, and this image is transferred to the monitor TV 31. The monitor TV 31 displays images of the nipples a1 and a2 as shown in FIGS. a
2, a3... Are displayed simultaneously.

When the "transfer" mode of the mode selection menu is selected, the arithmetic control circuit 41 displays a plurality of transfer destinations on the monitor television 31. When one of the transfer destinations is selected, the arithmetic control circuit 41 temporarily stores the transfer destination on the hard disk. The stored image data of the nipple is transferred to the selected transfer destination.

FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b) show different sizes of the display frame 90 displayed by clipping, and the size of the display frame is switched by using a photographing position input device (a photographing range designation device). (Means) 44 using a mouse, a keyboard, a light pen or the like. At this time, the magnification change is displayed by displaying the magnification change in the mode selection menu and selecting the target magnification with a photographing position input device (photographing range designating means) 44 such as a mouse, a keyboard or a light pen.
When switching the display frame, the display magnification can be changed without changing the display content in the display frame, or the display range in the display frame can be changed while maintaining the same display magnification. In addition, this cutting can be performed on the macula 72, and can be performed on other portions. b. Clipping when images with different shooting positions and different angles of view are included When cutting out specific parts such as the nipple and macula when images with different shooting positions and different angles of view are included, as described above, the grid line 80 and the mouse , A range is designated by a keyboard or the like, and all images are cut out based on this range designation as described above, and all cut out images a1, a2, a3,...
May be displayed on the multiple monitor television 31 as shown in FIG.

When the cutout is a nipple, if the light amount level of the cutout portion is equal to or less than a predetermined level according to the photographing magnification, the arithmetic and control circuit 41 determines that the nipple is not a nipple, so that the cutout is not performed. Good. Similarly, in the case where the cutout is a macula portion, if the light amount level of the cutout portion is equal to or higher than a predetermined level according to the photographing magnification, the arithmetic control circuit 41 may determine that the cutout portion is not a macula portion and may not cut out the cutout portion. c. Cut-out display of the nipple by the difference in light amount Since the nipple 71 in the fundus image has a larger reflected light amount than other portions, the nipple can be cut out by this difference in light amount.

That is, when the "search" mode of the mode selection menu is selected, the arithmetic and control circuit 41 controls the operation of the information recording / reproducing device 55 to read the fundus image of the recording medium into the frame memory 45, and the frame memory 45 The light amount of the fundus image constructed in the above manner is sequentially detected for each address.

The arithmetic control circuit 41 calculates a change in the light amount level from the detected light amount, and the portions a1 and a2 where the change in the light amount on the low level side shown in FIGS.
Are calculated from this portion, and positions b1 and b2 having a constant width in the left and right are obtained according to the photographing magnification.

Next, the arithmetic control circuit 41 determines the size of the image clipping frame from the positions b1 and b2 obtained in this way, cuts out the image including the nipple 71 and its surroundings, and records the information. It is temporarily stored on a hard disk or the like of the playback device 55.

The cut-out image data of the nipple is temporarily stored in the hard disk by the arithmetic and control circuit 41 sequentially. This storage can be performed for a specified range or for all data.

When "display" is selected in the mode selection menu, the arithmetic and control circuit 41 stores the image data of the nipple temporarily stored in the hard disk in the frame memory 45.
The image is transferred to the monitor TV 31 every predetermined number, and this image is transferred to the monitor TV 31 to display a number of images of the nipple as shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b). Display at the same time.

In the case of image processing, it is also possible to transfer only pixel data of a predetermined light amount by checking the light amount of each pixel.

When the "transfer" mode of the mode selection menu is selected, the arithmetic control circuit 41 displays a plurality of transfer destinations on the monitor television 31. When one of the transfer destinations is selected, the arithmetic control circuit 41 temporarily stores the transfer destination on the hard disk. The stored image data of the nipple is transferred to the selected transfer destination.

At this time, the ID number of each image is displayed on each image at the same time. As a result of the search, the ID number is designated by a transfer range designating means such as a mouse or a keyboard, so that a detailed image (all pixel data is Image is transferred to the monitor television 31 for display and diagnosis.

[0108]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, the transfer of image data of a medical electronic image can be shortened.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an optical system of a fundus camera used in a medical electronic image processing system according to the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are enlarged explanatory views of the monitor television shown in FIG.

FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (c) are explanatory diagrams schematically showing changes over time in a fundus blood vessel during fluorescence imaging; FIGS. 3 (a1) to 3 (c1) are explanatory diagrams of fluorescence luminance from a fundus blood vessel; -1) is an explanatory diagram when the slice level with respect to the actual fluorescence luminance from the fundus blood vessel is increased, (b)
2) is an explanatory diagram of the fluorescent luminance from the new blood vessel, and (c2) is an explanatory diagram of the fluorescent luminance from the water bubble generated around the laser coagulated portion after laser coagulation of the retina.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a control circuit of the fundus camera shown in FIG.

5A is an explanatory diagram of the mask shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing an image forming state of a fundus image on the area CCD shown in FIG.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams showing the relationship between an anterior segment image of an eye to be examined and luminance.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of use using the medical electronic image processing system shown in FIGS. 1 to 5;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a third embodiment of a medical electronic image projected on a monitor television by the ophthalmic processing system of the present invention.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the image cutout of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the image clipping of FIG. 8;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams showing still another example of the image clipping of FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Illumination optical system 2 ... Observation / photographing optical system 3 ... Eye to be examined 30 ... Television camera 30 30a ... Area CCD (image input means, imaging means) 36 ... Mask 36a ..Circular hole 36b Notch mark 40 Camera control circuit 41 Operation control circuit (image data transfer means) 31 Monitor TV (image output means, image display means) 43 photographing Condition input device 44: shooting position input device (shooting range designating means) 46: image processing circuit (image processing means) 54: memory 55: information recording / reproducing device (image input means)

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. Image input means for inputting digitized image data including a medical electronic image, image data transfer means for processing and transferring image data from said image input means, and said image data transfer means In a medical electronic image processing system comprising: an image processing unit that performs image processing on the image data transferred from the image processing unit; and an image output unit that outputs an image from the image processing unit. A medical electronic image processing system provided so that only designated data can be extracted and transferred. 2. The medical electronic image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image data transfer means is provided so as to be able to transfer a part of the medical electronic image specified by the transfer range specifying means to the image output means as specified data. system. 3. An image input means for inputting digitized image data including a fundus blood vessel image obtained by fluorescence imaging.
Image data transfer means for processing and transferring fundus blood vessel image data from the image input means, image processing means for performing image processing on the fundus blood vessel image data transferred from the image data transfer means, and In the medical electronic image processing system having an image output unit that outputs the image of the above, the image data transfer unit is provided so as to be able to extract and transfer only data of a portion of a fundus blood vessel image obtained by fluorescence imaging with a light amount equal to or higher than a predetermined level. A medical electronic image processing system, characterized in that: 4. The medical electronic image processing system according to claim 3, wherein said data comprises light amount data and address data of each light amount data. 5. An image input unit for inputting digitized image data including a medical electronic image, an image processing unit for performing image processing on image data from the image input unit, and an image from the image processing unit. Image display means for displaying, range designating means for designating a specific portion in the image data as a cutout range, recording means for recording a large number of medical electronic images and imaging condition information, and frames for constructing medical electronic images A memory, and an arithmetic control circuit that cuts out a portion of a predetermined range designated by the range designating unit and records the cut-out portion together with shooting condition information in the recording unit; The image data of a predetermined condition in the image data is selected for each predetermined number of images, and an image for one frame is constructed in the frame memory. When one of the plurality of images displayed on the image display unit is selected while displaying one frame of the image on the image display unit, all the image data including the selected image data is displayed on the display unit. A medical electronic image processing system characterized by displaying. 6. The arithmetic control circuit according to claim 5, wherein said range designating means is an arithmetic control circuit for designating and cutting out a portion of the medical electronic image in which the reflected light amount is larger than the other portions based on a difference from the surrounding light amount. The electronic medical image processing system according to claim 1. 7. A nipple in a range where the amount of reflected light of the medical electronic image is larger than other portions.
3. The medical electronic image processing system according to 1. 8. The arithmetic and control circuit displays a grid line used for specifying the cut-out range so as to overlap a medical electronic image displayed on the image display means, and displays a grid line displayed on the image display means. 6. The medical electronic image processing system according to claim 5, wherein an image in the selected cell is cut out by selecting one of the following.