JP2003024319A - X-ray image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an X-ray image display device capable of eliminating overlooking of monitoring diagnosis utilizing a reduction image. SOLUTION: The device is provided with a magnetic disk 10 for storing original image data of an X-ray image obtained by an X-ray diagnostic device, an image reduction part 15 for reducing original image data read from the magnetic disk 10 to generate reduction image data, an image emphasizing processing part 15a for giving image emphasizing processing to the generated reduction image data, and an image display part 14 for displaying the reduction image given picture emphasizing processing.

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of generating reduced image data from original image data of a plurality of X-ray images photographed by an imaging modality such as an X-ray diagnostic apparatus. The present invention relates to an X-ray image display device which performs image processing on the reduced image data for use in diagnosis and displays the reduced image data. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, X images of the upper / lower digestive tract and the like have been taken.
Diagnosis of a line image is advanced in the following two stages.
In the first stage, a plurality of images (approximately 7 to 30) are photographed from various angles on an X-ray film, and all the photographed X-ray films are arranged in a shakasten or the like so that all of the photographed X-ray films can be viewed. The person confirms the presence of the affected part based on his / her anatomical knowledge, and grasps the position three-dimensionally. In the second stage, an X-ray film showing the affected part of interest is left on the Schaukasten, and the size and depth of the affected part are examined in detail to diagnose a disease state. In recent years, there has been a great demand for monitor diagnosis performed on a display monitor using a digitized X-ray image. In order to fulfill this demand, the X-ray images are reduced on the screens of a plurality of display monitors to display a plurality of X-ray images. At this time, it is necessary to appropriately adjust the plurality of units and the plurality of units. [0004] This is because displaying an original X-ray image on a display monitor in which the number of X-ray images coincides with the number of X-ray images causes an observer to have an excessively large viewing angle, and furthermore, an X-ray image display device. This is because the installation space in the system configuration becomes large and it is not realistic in terms of cost.
On the other hand, in the method of displaying all the reduced images on the screen of one display monitor, the display image is too small and the first image is displayed.
Not suitable for stage diagnosis. Therefore, in the display of a reduced image that is used in practice, the area ratio of the reduced image / the original image is 1/4 or 1/9.
A reduced size is considered reasonable. For example, if a reduced image is displayed on four display monitors, 16 or 36 images can be displayed, which is sufficient for displaying a plurality of X-ray images obtained in the first stage. The first-stage diagnosis is performed by the observer observing the displayed reduced image group. afterwards,
From the reduced image group, an image desired to be observed in more detail is selected, and an original image corresponding to the reduced image is displayed on a display monitor, thereby performing the second stage diagnosis. However, the reduced image has a smaller number of pixels than the original image, resulting in a reduced resolution, or a reduced display size, resulting in reduced visibility, which is characteristic of the reduced image. The problem had not been solved. If the presence of a lesion cannot be confirmed in the first stage, there is a concern that the lesion may be overlooked because the process does not proceed to the second stage. An object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray image display device capable of eliminating oversight in monitor diagnosis using a reduced image. The object of the present invention is to provide a means for storing original image data of an X-ray image obtained by an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, and to reduce the original image data read from the storage means. Means for generating reduced image data by performing the above-mentioned processing, means for performing image enhancement processing including gradation enhancement on the generated reduced image data, and means for displaying the reduced image subjected to the image enhancement processing. Is done. By displaying the reduced image subjected to the image enhancement process, the entire reduced image is displayed in an emphasized manner, and even in the case of a reduced image having a smaller number of pixels than the original image, a lesion in the image is displayed in an emphasized manner. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate oversight in monitor diagnosis using a reduced image. If the original image data has been subjected to an image enhancement process including tone enhancement, a parameter that is emphasized is adopted as a parameter of the image enhancement process of the reduced image rather than the parameter of the image enhancement process. You may make it so. Further, there is provided a means for switching and inputting the reduced image data displayed on the display means to the original image data corresponding thereto, wherein the display means comprises an original corresponding to the reduced image data displayed according to the switching display input. By displaying the image data, it is possible to confirm the presence of the diseased part and to examine the size and depth of the diseased part in detail from the diagnosis (diagnosis at the first stage) in which the position is grasped three-dimensionally to diagnose the disease state ( Second
The observer can make a smooth transition to the stage diagnosis). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an X-ray apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 1 as an example of an imaging modality equipped with an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment. The X-ray diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is an X-ray tube 1 for generating X-rays, a bed 2 for placing a patient, and an X-ray transmitted through a patient H placed on the bed 2. Image intensifier (hereinafter, referred to as II) 3 for converting into an image
An optical system 4 for correcting the converted optical image to an appropriate size and intensity, an iris / ND filter 5 for adjusting the amount of light, and an image obtained by photoelectrically converting the optical image output from the optical system 4. And a TV camera 6 for converting the signal into a signal. The X-ray tube 1 includes an X-ray controller 1a for controlling an X-ray exposure output by controlling a voltage value applied to the X-ray tube 1 and a control signal from a CPU described later. An X-ray controller 1b for controlling the timing of the voltage applied from the X-ray controller 1a to the X-ray tube 1 based on the X-ray controller 1a is connected. The X-ray diagnostic apparatus includes various controls based on photoelectric conversion in the TV camera 6, a TV camera control unit 7 for converting an image signal (analog) transmitted from the TV camera 6 into a digital image signal, An image processing device 8 that performs various image processing on this digital image signal as needed.
And The image processing device 8 includes an image processing unit 13 that performs various image processing on image data to be sent,
An image display unit 14 and a display monitor 9 for displaying the image data processed by the image processing unit 13, and a magnetic disk 10 for storing the image data processed by the image processing unit 13 as needed. ing. The image processing device 8 includes a central processing unit (CP)
U) 11 for controlling the entire apparatus. The image processing apparatus further includes an image collection unit 12, an image processing unit 13, an image display unit 14, an image reduction unit 15, and an image memory 16 connected to the CPU 11 via a data bus. A display monitor 9 is also connected to this data bus. The image collection unit 12 collects digital image signals output from the TV camera control unit 7 and outputs the digital image signals to the image processing unit 13 or, if necessary, the image memory 1
6 is directly output. Image processing unit 13
Includes, for example, an LUT, and performs real-time image processing such as contrast enhancement processing on the digital image signal collected by the image collection unit 12 as necessary. The output end of the image processing unit 13 is connected to an image display unit 14 and an image memory 16, respectively. The image reduction unit 15 and the image memory 16 are connected to each other, and the output terminal of the image memory 16 is connected to the image display unit 14. The image display unit 14 converts a digital image signal subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 13 or a digital image signal held in the image memory 16 into an analog image signal, and converts the analog image signal into a display monitor 9.
Output. The image reduction section 15 includes an image enhancement processing section 15a and a reduction processing section 15b. Based on a control signal from the CPU 11, the digital image signal held in the image memory 16 is subjected to image enhancement processing and reduction processing different from the original image. This image enhancement process emphasizes the signal in the reduced image, and enhances the outline by spatial frequency processing, contrast display gradation conversion processing, or Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-62373.
The dynamic range compression processing method in the computed radiography (CR) which emphasizes the contrast and the similar image processing described therein are effective. This is described in detail in the literature, Masaru Uchida et al .: Digital Radiation Imaging, Ohmsha, (1998), pp61-pp73, pp151-pp157. These processes are applied only to the reduced image, and are different from the processes for the original image. This is because when strong image enhancement processing is performed on the original image, image noise is also enhanced simultaneously with the image signal. In other words, erroneous detection is tolerated in the observation of the reduced image in order to avoid overlooking the signal, but the increase in noise must be minimized in the diagnosis of the original image in order to avoid erroneous diagnosis. The image after the image processing is subjected to image reduction processing by the reduction processing unit 15b. This reduction processing is performed, for example, by performing operations such as thinning out read addresses from the image memory 16 or averaging a plurality of pixel data to form one pixel data. The reduced digital image signal (hereinafter, referred to as a reduced image signal) is sent to the image memory 16 under the control of the CPU 11. The image memory 16 has a plurality of randomly accessible memories, and under the control of the CPU 11,
The reduced image sent from the image reducing unit 15 is stored in a storage area corresponding to a predetermined address of one memory. The image memory 16 has an external interface (I / F) having a function of improving input / output compatibility.
The external I / F circuit 17 is connected to the magnetic disk 10. On the other hand, a part of the output terminal of the CPU 11 is connected to the X-ray controller 1b via an I / F circuit 18 having a function of improving input / output compatibility. A console 19 is connected to the I / F circuit 18. The console 19 is provided with a keyboard and the like.
A control signal can be input to the PU 11. Next, using the X-ray diagnostic apparatus of this configuration, 1
An overall operation when a group of six reduced images is created and a diagnosis is performed using the reduced images will be described. First, with respect to a patient H placed on the bed 2,
The X-ray tube 1 transmits X-rays at an output value and timing based on the control from the CPU 11, the X-ray controller 1b, and the X-ray controller 1a.
A line is exposed. Then, the X-ray transmitted through the subject H is
I. I. 3, the optical system 4 and the iris / ND filter 5 convert the image into an optical image of a predetermined size. This optical image is converted into an image signal by the TV camera 6, and an X-ray fluoroscopic image is formed. And this X-ray fluoroscopic image is a TV
After being converted into digital X-ray image data by the camera control unit 7, the data is collected by the image collection unit 12 of the image processing device 8. The X-ray image data collected by the image collecting section 12 is subjected to image processing such as contrast enhancement processing by the image processing section 13 in real time, and then stored in a single image memory 16. And further external I / F17
Is sent to and stored on the magnetic disk 10. After the shooting, when the observer makes a diagnosis, enter the ID number,
The X-ray image is sent from the magnetic disk 10 via the external I / F circuit 17 to the image memory 16. The CPU 11 determines whether or not a reduced image already exists. If there is no reduced image, the CPU 11 performs image reduction processing. The CPU 11 sends an image data read command to the image memory 16. Based on this command, the X-ray image data stored in the image memory 16 is read out to the image reduction unit 15. Subsequently, the CPU 11 sends a reduction processing command to the image reduction unit 15. Based on this command, the image enhancement processing unit 15
a) performing the aforementioned image processing on the X-ray image data;
Subsequently, the reduction processing of the reduction processing unit 15b is performed on the X-ray image data. As a result, the X-ray image data is reduced, for example, so that the area ratio with respect to the original image becomes 1/4.
Then, the CPU 11 sends a command (reduced image data storage command) for storing the reduced image data (reduced image data) to the image reducing unit 15. Based on this instruction, the reduced image data is stored in a predetermined storage area of one image memory 16b different from the image memory 16a. Then, the data is sent to the magnetic disk 10 via the external I / F circuit 17 and stored. Thereafter, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the reduced image group data has been created, and performs the same processing on the sequentially transmitted X-ray image data. As a result, the generated reduced image group data is stored in the storage area of the image memory 16b. Thereafter, the CPU 11 sends a command for storing index image data. Based on this command, the reduced image group data stored in the image memory 16b is stored in the external I / F
The data is sent to the magnetic disk 10 via the circuit 17 and stored. That is, in the present embodiment, after the imaging of a plurality of X-ray image data is completed, index image data based on the plurality of image data is created at the time of the first diagnosis. When the diagnosis is performed by displaying the index image data stored in the magnetic disk 10,
The observer first inputs an ID number from the console 19. This ID number is sent to the CPU 11 via the I / F 18. At this time, the CPU 11 sends a display command (index image display command) corresponding to this ID number to the external I
/ F17 to the magnetic disk 10. Based on this display command, the index image data of the patient H corresponding to the ID number is read from the magnetic disk 10 and sent to the display monitor 9 via the external I / F circuit 17, the image memory 16, and the image display unit 14. Can be As a result, the index image of the designated patient H is displayed on the display monitor 9 (when there is no image to be viewed in this index image data, scroll the screen by specifying another index number. And display the next index image). On the other hand, while observing the index image displayed on the display monitor 9, the observer operates the keyboard or the like of the console 19 and wants to observe in detail (that is, observe the index image).
(I want to observe the original image) Specify the reduced image. On the other hand, CP
U11 sends an original image data read command to the magnetic disk 10 via the external I / F circuit 17. Based on this command, original image data corresponding to the reduced image is sequentially read from the magnetic disk 10 to the image memory 16. At this time, when the observer operates the keyboard or the like of the console 19 to specify the reduced image data to be observed in detail, the CPU 11 issues a command (for reading the original image data corresponding to the specified reduced image data). A command for displaying the designated original image (command for reading the designated original image) and a command for displaying the designated original image (command for displaying the designated original image)
Send to Based on this command, the original image data corresponding to the designated reduced image data is read from the image memory 16, sent to the display monitor 9 via the image display unit 14, and provided for display. As a result, the observer can display the original image desired to be observed. Observation can be performed without reading a useless image. As described in detail above, according to this embodiment,
At the first diagnosis of the plurality of X-ray images of the patient H, a plurality of reduced images are created based on the plurality of image data,
Since the index data can be created, if the observer wants to observe the reduced image, it is sufficient to access the magnetic disk 10 once. As a result,
Since the diagnosis time is shortened and it is not necessary to create a reduced image every time, the waiting time of the observer based on the time required until the image is displayed can be shortened, and the diagnosis efficiency can be improved. The timing of storing the index image data on the magnetic disk 10 in the present embodiment can be set in various patterns according to the use form of the index image by the observer. For example, it may be stored every time a patient under examination is switched. According to the present embodiment, when displaying a reduced image, image enhancement processing more than that applied to the original image is performed, so that even if the observer views the reduced image, it is possible to miss a necessary image signal. Absent. When a single reduced image to be observed in detail is designated, the original image data corresponding to the designated reduced image has not been subjected to excessive image processing.
Diagnosis is possible with an original image having less noise. As a result,
Compared to the case where diagnosis is performed using only the original original image, the diagnosis time can be greatly reduced, and the diagnosis efficiency can be improved. According to the present invention, there is an effect of providing an X-ray image display device capable of eliminating oversight in monitor diagnosis using a reduced image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an X-ray diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a display explanatory diagram when performing a diagnosis using a reduced image. [Description of Signs] 1 ... X-ray tube, 2 ... Bed, 3 ... Image intensifier (II), 4 ... Optical system, 5 ... Iris / ND filter, 6 ... TV camera, 7 ... TV camera Control unit, 8: image processing device, 9: display monitor, 10: magnetic disk, 1
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Central processing unit (CPU), 12 ... Image collection part, 13
... image processing unit, 14 ... image display unit, 15 ... image reduction unit,
15a: image enhancement processing unit, 15b: reduction processing unit, 16 ...
Image memory, 17 ... External interface circuit, 18 ...
Interface circuit, 19 ... Console

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/32 H04N 7/18 L 5C077 5/325 A61B 6/00 350M 7/18 H04N 1/40 101D ( 72) Inventor Takashi Ishiguro 1-1-1, Uchikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo F-term in Hitachi Medical Corporation 4C093 AA01 AA16 AA26 CA23 FD05 FF07 FF08 FF09 FF13 FF35 FG08 5B057 AA08 BA03 CA02 CA08 CA12 CA16 CB02CB CB12 CB16 CD06 CD07 CE02 CE03 CE11 5C024 AX12 CY14 CY41 DX04 5C054 AA06 CA02 CC04 CE02 CE16 EB05 ED11 FE18 GA01 GB04 HA12 5C076 AA16 AA19 AA22 5C077 LL19 MP07 PP03 PP20 PP23 SS07 TT10

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A means for storing original image data of an X-ray image obtained by an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, and reducing the reduced image data by reducing the original image data read from the storage means. An X-ray image, comprising: means for generating; means for performing image enhancement processing including tone enhancement on the generated reduced image data; and means for displaying the reduced image subjected to the image enhancement processing. Display device.