JP2001283185A - Medical picture processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical picture processor having a user interface function for allowing an operator to easily confirm that a picture related with the information of organism and the identification information is correctly preserved so as to be made correspond to each other at the time of preserving the picture. SOLUTION: This medical picture processor is provided with a sensor part 4 for obtaining a picture related with the information of organism from an examinee, a medical picture display part 1 for displaying the obtained picture, a medical picture information inputting part 5 for inputting identification information for identifying the obtained picture, a data preserving part 6 for preserving the picture and the identification information, a medical picture information outputting part 2 for outputting the identification information, and a medical picture device processing part 3 for allowing the medical picture displaying part 1 to display the picture, and for allowing the medical picture information outputting part 2 to output the identification information at the time of preserving the picture and the identification information. Thus, it is possible to allow an operator to easily confirm that the identification information is correctly preserved, and to reduce any possibility leading to erroneous diagnosis.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a medical image processing apparatus for processing an ultrasonic image or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a medical image processing apparatus, for example, an apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-315119 has been known. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional medical image processing apparatus. The medical image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 17 is a doctor or an operator of the apparatus (hereinafter, simply referred to as an operator).
Scans a region of interest of the subject, displays a medical image related to biological information, a medical image processing unit 3 that controls each component of the medical image processing apparatus, and a subject (patient). A) a sensor unit 4 for acquiring a medical image relating to biological information, a medical image information input unit 5 for inputting identification information for identifying a medical image, and a data storage unit 6 for storing the medical image and its identification information. Have been.

In the conventional medical image processing apparatus having the above configuration, an operator scans a region of interest in a subject for diagnosis, and stores an obtained image in a data storage unit 6,
The medical image will be read out in the future and used for diagnosis and the like. The more medical examinations are performed, the more medical images are stored, the greater the number of medical images to be stored.Therefore, by assigning identification information for identifying medical images, for example, a patient name and a patient identification number to the medical images, Managing. When reading medical images, by performing a search based on the management information,
It is possible to redisplay a desired medical image from a large amount of medical image data.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional medical image processing apparatus, when a medical image is stored, only the image to be stored is displayed on the medical image display unit 1, and the medical Identification information for identifying an image, for example, a patient name or a patient identification number is not output. Therefore, it is difficult to confirm whether the medical image is stored with correct identification information such as the name or identification number of the corresponding patient.

[0005] If the operator confirms that the medical image is stored with correct identification information, the operator outputs identification information for identifying the medical image separately from the operation of storing the medical image, and performs confirmation. The operation is complicated because it is indispensable. In addition, when an image is stored with incorrect identification information, it is stored with identification information for identifying another medical image, so that a desired medical image cannot be read or another patient's image cannot be read. By being treated as a medical image, it may be treated as a case of a patient different from the patient who made the diagnosis, which may lead to erroneous diagnosis.

When searching for a medical image, if the user accidentally inputs a name or number and reads out the medical image without confirming the patient information, for example, the patient name or identification number, he / she wants to make a diagnosis. A medical image of a patient different from the patient is read out, which may lead to a misdiagnosis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the conventional example. When an image related to biological information is stored, it is operated so that the image and its identification information are correctly stored correspondingly. It is an object of the present invention to provide a medical image processing apparatus having a user interface function that can be easily confirmed by a user.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a medical image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an image acquiring unit for acquiring an image relating to biological information from a subject; Image display means for displaying an image, input means for inputting identification information for identifying the image acquired by the image acquisition means, information storage means for saving the image and its identification information, Information output means for outputting information, and processing means for displaying the image on the image display means and controlling the output of the information to the information output means, when storing the image and the identification information thereof, It is provided. With this configuration, when the image related to the biological information is stored, the image related to the biological information and the identification information are correctly stored by displaying the image on the image display unit and outputting the identification information to the information output unit. This can provide a user interface that can easily confirm the fact, and can reduce the possibility of misdiagnosis.

Further, the medical image processing apparatus of the present invention is further characterized by further comprising an output changing means for changing a method of outputting the identification information output by the information output means. With this configuration, by changing the method of outputting the identification information, it is possible to emphasize and output only information necessary and sufficient for identifying the medical image, and to save the medical image when saving the medical image. Confirmation of the identification information can be facilitated.

[0010] The medical image processing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of the information output means. With this configuration, by providing information output means to the operator side and the patient side, it is possible to easily confirm the identification information of the medical image not only for the operator but also for the patient who is undergoing diagnosis. it can.

Further, the medical image processing apparatus of the present invention further comprises a selecting means for selecting an image when reading out the image stored in the information storing means, wherein the processing means is selected by the selecting means. The identification information of the image is output to the information output means, and the image is displayed on the image display means. With this configuration, the identification information of the image selected by the selection unit is output to the information output unit and the image is displayed on the image display unit, so that it is easy to confirm that the operator has correctly read the desired medical image. Can be

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the medical image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a medical image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, a medical image processing apparatus according to the present invention scans a region of interest of a subject (patient) by a doctor or an operator of the apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as an operator), and obtains medical information related to the obtained biological information. A medical image display unit 1 for displaying an image, a medical image information output unit 2 for displaying identification information for identifying a medical image,
A medical image processing unit 3 for controlling each component of the medical image processing apparatus, a sensor unit 4 for acquiring an image (medical image) relating to the biological information of the subject, and a medical unit for inputting identification information for identifying the medical image It comprises an image information input unit 5 and a data storage unit 6 for storing medical images and their identification information.

Here, the medical image information output section 2 outputs identification information for identifying a medical image, for example, patient information, hospital information, diagnosis date and time, and the like. Examples of the output method include a method of outputting to a display, a method of notifying by voice, and a method of printing on a printer. When outputting to a display, it is preferable to make the medical image display unit 1 and the medical image information output unit 2 the same from the viewpoint of cost. The medical image information input unit 5 may be a method of directly taking in patient information from a magnetic card into the medical image processing unit 3 using a card reader in addition to the input from the keyboard. The data storage unit 6 may be a data storage device directly connected to the medical image processing unit 3 or a data server connected via a network.

Next, the operation of the medical image processing apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, once the diagnosis has started, the operator
As identification information corresponding to the acquired medical image, patient information such as a patient name and a patient identification number is input by the medical image information input unit 5 (step S100). Further, a desired image required for diagnosis is obtained by the sensor unit 4, and the image is displayed on the medical image display unit 1 under the control of the medical image processing unit 3, and a case is diagnosed (step S101). After the diagnosis, when the medical image is to be stored or while the medical image is being stored, the identification information input by the medical image information input unit 5 is the medical image information controlled by the medical image processing unit 3. It is output from the output unit 2 (steps S102 and S103).

FIG. 3 shows an example of identification information output from the medical image information output section 2. As described above, by confirming the identification information output from the medical image information output unit 2 by the operator, it is possible to check whether the identification information for identifying the medical image is correct. If the identification information is different, the identification information of the patient is input again from the medical image information input unit 5, and the identification information output from the medical image information output unit 2 is confirmed again (step S104 → S105).
→ S103). If it is confirmed that the identification information is correct, the medical image and the identification information are stored in the data storage unit 6, and the diagnosis ends (step S106).

Therefore, according to the first embodiment, when a medical image is stored, the medical image is displayed on the medical image display unit 1 and the medical image information output unit 2
Since the identification information is output, it is possible to provide a user interface that can easily confirm that the identification information is correctly stored.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a medical image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the same parts as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG. As a new configuration, a plurality of medical images stored in the data storage unit 6, an arbitrary medical image from the identification information thereof, and a medical image selection unit 7 used when reading the corresponding identification information are added. I have. The medical image selection unit 7 is configured with a control panel for the operator to select a medical image to be read from the data storage unit 6,
As the details of the function, operations such as inputting a condition for performing a search, performing key input for sequentially displaying a plurality of medical images, and turning a trackball can be considered.

Next, the operation of the medical image processing apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. At the time of a medical image reading operation, first, conditions for selecting a medical image are input from the medical image selecting unit 7 (step S110). For example, for a full search of medical images, a method of rotating a trackball to sequentially display medical images, a method of searching for medical images by conditions, cases, diagnosed times, patient names, and the like can be considered. On the basis of the condition input by the medical image selecting unit 7, the medical image processing unit 3 acquires identification information for identifying a medical image according to the request of the operator from the data stored in the data storing unit 6 ( (Steps S111 and S112), and outputs to the medical image information output unit 2 (step S113).

By outputting the identification information, the operator can confirm whether or not a desired medical image is read (step S114). If the medical image information output unit 2
If the identification information output to is different, the selection condition is again input from the medical image selection unit 7 and the search is performed again (step S114 → S110). If the medical image information is as desired, the corresponding medical image data is read from the data storage unit 6 and displayed on the medical image display unit 1 (steps S114 → S115).

Therefore, according to the above-described second embodiment, when the medical image stored in the data storage unit 6 is read, the medical image selection unit 7 for selecting the medical image is provided. Since the identification information of the selected image is output to the medical image information output unit 2 and the image is displayed on the medical image display unit 1 by the unit 3, the medical image desired by the operator is correctly read. That can be confirmed.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a medical image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 6, the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. As a new configuration, an output change input unit 8 that changes the way of outputting the identification information output by the medical image information output unit 2
Is added. The output change input unit 8 is for inputting identification information or layout change to be output. For example, when identification information for identifying a medical image includes a patient name, a patient's gender, a case, and a hospital name, By changing the display so that only the patient name is displayed, displaying the patient name in a large font, or blinking the display, the display change is input so that the operator can easily confirm only the necessary items.

Next, the operation of the medical image processing apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. First, the output change input unit 8 inputs an item to be changed in the display of the medical image information output unit 2 when the medical image is stored (step S120). The medical image processing unit 3 displays the medical image information output unit 2 using the sample data based on the input change request (step S1).
21).

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show modifications thereof. By changing the display as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the operator can save while confirming the patient name on the monitor. Disappears. FIG. 10 shows an example of output by a printer. By outputting the information to the printer, the list of information for identifying medical images such as patient names can be reviewed again after the diagnosis is completed. The above display change operation does not need to be performed for each diagnosis, and when the change is completed so that the operator can use it easily, the setting is recorded and the next diagnosis is displayed according to the setting. It is desirable from the viewpoint of shortening the diagnosis time.

If the user confirms the display of the sample data and wants to make another change, he or she inputs the change using the output change input unit 8 (steps S122 → S120). If there is no problem in the changed contents, the diagnosis is started (step S122 → S123).

Therefore, according to the third embodiment, the output change input section 8 for changing the way of outputting the identification information output by the medical image information output section 2 is provided.
By emphasizing and outputting only the information necessary and sufficient for identifying the medical image, it is possible to easily confirm the information for identifying the medical image when saving the medical image.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a medical image processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 11, the same parts as those of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. In the fourth embodiment, an output change input unit 8 according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is added to the configuration of the second embodiment shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the medical image processing apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 12, which is a control processing content when the output of the medical image processing section 3 is changed. I do. In the fourth embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment of the present invention, a medical image selecting unit 7 for selecting a medical image when reading a medical image stored in the data storage unit 6 is used. The medical image processing unit 3 outputs the identification information of the medical image selected from the medical image selecting unit 7 to the medical image information output unit 2 according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Can be displayed.

The change of the way of outputting the identification information based on the input of the output change input section 8 is performed as follows. First, in the output change input unit 8, the medical image information output unit 2
An item to be changed in the display at the time of reading the medical image is input (step S130). Based on the input change request, the medical image processing unit 3 displays on the medical image information output unit 2 using the sample data (step S13).
1).

Since the operator can read the medical image while checking only the information necessary for reading on the monitor, the operator does not read the medical image with the wrong information and does not make a misdiagnosis. Further, by outputting the information to the printer, the list of information for identifying medical images such as patient names can be reviewed again after the diagnosis is completed. The above display change operation does not need to be performed for each diagnosis. When the change is completed so that a doctor or an operator of the device can use the display easily, the setting is recorded, and the next diagnosis is displayed according to the setting. This is desirable also from the viewpoint of shortening the diagnosis time.

If the user confirms the display of the sample data and wants to make another change, he or she inputs the change using the output change input unit 8 (step S132 → S130). If there is no problem in the changed contents, the diagnosis is started (step S132 → S133).

Therefore, according to the above-described fourth embodiment, in addition to the effects of the second embodiment, an output change for changing the way of outputting the identification information output by the medical image information output unit 2 is provided. Since the input unit 8 is provided, by emphasizing and outputting only information necessary and sufficient for identifying a medical image, it is possible to easily confirm information for identifying the medical image when saving the medical image.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a medical image processing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 13, the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. In the fifth embodiment, a plurality of medical image information output units 2 are added to the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and a medical image information output unit 2A is provided to the operator. The medical image information output unit 2B is provided to the patient side so that not only the operator but also the patient under diagnosis can check the identification information of the medical image, for example, the patient name and the identification number of the patient. Like that.

Next, the operation of the medical image processing apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. First, when the diagnosis is started, the operator inputs patient information such as a patient name and a patient identification number through the medical image information input unit 5 as identification information (step S140). Further, a desired image required for diagnosis is acquired by the sensor unit 4, and the image is displayed on the medical image display unit 1 under the control of the medical image processing unit 3, and a case is diagnosed (step S141). After the diagnosis, when the medical image is to be stored or while the medical image is being stored, the identification information input by the medical image information input unit 5 is the medical image information controlled by the medical image processing unit 3. The data is output from the output units 2A and 2B (steps S142 and S143).

As described above, the identification information is output from the medical image information output units 2A and 2B, so that the identification information is provided not only to the operator but also to the patient and the like. For example, a check such as a patient name can be performed more reliably, and a check can be performed more reliably when information for identifying a medical image is incorrect.

If the identification information is not correct, the patient's identification information is input again from the medical image information input unit 5 and the identification information output from the medical image information output units 2A and 2B is confirmed again ( Step S144 → S14
5 → S143 → S144). If it is confirmed that the identification information is correct, the information for identifying the medical image and the medical image,
The medical image and its identification information are stored in the data storage unit 6 (step S146), and the diagnosis is terminated.

Therefore, according to the fifth embodiment described above, the medical image information output unit 2A is provided to the operator side,
Since the medical image information output unit 2B is provided to the patient side, not only the operator but also the patient who is undergoing diagnosis can check the identification information of the medical image, such as the patient name and the identification number of the patient. Can be.

(Sixth Embodiment) FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a medical image processing apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 15, the same parts as those in the second embodiment shown in FIG. In the sixth embodiment, a plurality of medical image information output units 2 are added to the configuration of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4 in the same manner as the fifth embodiment. The output unit 2A is provided to the operator side, and the medical image information output unit 2B is provided to the patient side so that not only the operator but also the patient under diagnosis can identify medical image identification information such as a patient name and a patient. You can check the identification number and so on.

Next, the operation of the medical image processing apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. At the time of a medical image reading operation, first, conditions for selecting a medical image are input from the medical image selecting unit 7 (step S150). For example, for a full search of medical images, a method of rotating a trackball to sequentially display medical images, a method of searching for medical images by conditions, cases, diagnosed times, patient names, and the like can be considered. On the basis of the condition input by the medical image selecting unit 7, the medical image processing unit 3 acquires identification information for identifying a medical image according to the request of the operator from the data stored in the data storing unit 6 ( (Steps S151 and S152), and outputs to the medical image information output units 2A and 2B (Step S153).

Here, it is confirmed whether or not a desired medical image is read out based on the identification information output to the medical image information output units 2A and 2B together with the patient as well as the operator. The selection information is input again from the selection unit 7 and searched again, and the identification information is confirmed (steps S154 → S150-S154). After confirming,
If it is the identification information of the medical image as desired, the data of the corresponding medical image is read from the data storage unit 6 and output to the medical image display unit 1 (step S154 → S155).

Therefore, according to the above-described sixth embodiment, in addition to the effects of the second embodiment, the medical image information output unit 2A is provided to the operator as in the fifth embodiment. Since the medical image information output unit 2B is provided to the patient, not only the operator but also the patient who is undergoing diagnosis checks the identification information of the medical image, such as the patient name and the identification number of the patient. can do.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the first to sixth embodiments, the present invention can be embodied without being limited to this, and the basic configuration of the first embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment. Various combinations of the configurations of the second to sixth embodiments can also be adopted.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, when an image relating to biological information is stored, the image is displayed on the image display means and the identification information is output on the information output means. It is easy to confirm that the image relating to the biological information and the identification information are correctly stored in correspondence with each other, and it is possible to reduce the possibility of misdiagnosis.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a medical image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the medical image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an output example of a medical image information output unit 2 in the medical image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a medical image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the medical image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a medical image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the medical image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a first modification of the display of the medical image output unit 3 (an example of a monitor) in the medical image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a second modification of the display of the medical image output unit 3 (an example of a monitor) in the medical image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a third modification of the display of the medical image output unit 3 (an example of a printer) according to the third embodiment of the medical image processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a medical image processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the medical image processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a medical image processing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the medical image processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a medical image processing apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the medical image processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a medical image processing apparatus in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Medical image display part (image display means) 2, 2A, 2B Medical image information output part (information output means) 3 Medical image device processing part (processing means) 4 Sensor part (image acquisition means) 5 Medical image information input part ( Input means) 6 Data storage section (information storage means) 7 Medical image selection section (selection means) 8 Output change input section (output change means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] An image acquisition unit configured to acquire an image related to biological information from a subject; an image display unit configured to display an image acquired by the image acquisition unit; and an image acquired by the image acquisition unit. Input means for inputting identification information for; information storage means for storing the image and its identification information; information output means for outputting the identification information; and A medical image processing apparatus comprising: an image display unit that displays an image; and a processing unit that controls to output identification information to the information output unit. 2. The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an output changing unit for changing a method of outputting the identification information output by the information output unit. 3. The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the information output units are provided. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit for selecting an image when reading the image stored in the information storage unit, wherein the processing unit outputs the identification information of the image selected by the selection unit to the information output. The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image is displayed on the image display unit while being output by a unit.