JP2003135452A - Image display device and method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To browse a plurality of organ images coexisting in tomographic images of a human body simultaneously and excellently. SOLUTION: By setting a processing part B corresponding to an input operation in the displayed tomographic image D of the human body and performing different image processings inside and outside the processing part B, a plurality of the organ images coexisting in the tomographic image D of the human body are browsed simultaneously and excellently.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a CT scanner and an M
The present invention relates to an image display device and method for displaying an image of a tomographic image acquired from an RI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) system or the like, and a computer program for the image display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, so-called CT scanners, MRI systems and the like are used at medical sites, and with such a device, a large number of continuous tomographic images of a human body can be taken as series data. And
Various image display devices have been developed for displaying a tomographic image of the series data thus captured, but a general image display device is realized, for example, by installing dedicated application software in a personal computer. Has been done.

In such an image display device, a large number of continuous tomographic images stored as series data can be switched and displayed on the display in order, so that a large number of images taken in order from the crown to the toes of one subject. It is possible to browse the tomographic images in sequence.

Further, when the tomographic image taken from the human body is browsed by the image display device as described above, it is common to adjust the parameters so that the organ of interest can be displayed well. For example, in a tomographic image of a human body captured by a CT scanner, a parameter of CT value is set for each pixel, and when displaying a tomographic image captured by a CT scanner in black and white, WW (Window Wide) and WL ( Window Lev
el) is a parameter.

The CT value corresponds to the black and white density of a tomographic image,
It is "+1000" for human bones, "0" for water, "-1000" for air, "+50" for liver, "-100" for fat, and the degree and the degree of living tissue are different. The CT value range of the tomographic image is about "-1000 to +4000".

However, when such a tomographic image is displayed as an image, even if all CT values are displayed as an image, the gradation range of the organ of interest is narrow and good observation is not possible, so it corresponds to the CT value of the organ of interest. It is a common practice to adjust WW and WL. In WW, the range of CT values for black and white display is set as data, and in WL, the central value of CT values for black and white display is set as data.

For example, if "WW = 300, WL = 0" is set, only the portion of the tomographic image D having a CT value of "-150 to +150" is displayed in gradation, so the CT value is "+50". Liver and “-
This makes it possible to observe 100 "fat etc. well.

[0008]

However, when the tomographic image has two areas of interest and their CT values are significantly different, adjusting the CT value appropriately to one causes the other to be displayed well. I can't.

For example, as described above, "WW = 300, WL
= 0 ”, the CT value of the tomographic image D is“ -150 to +1 ”
Only the 50 ”part is displayed in gradation, so the CT value is“ +5 ”.
Liver of 0 ”and fat of“ -100 ”are displayed well, but bones with CT value of“ +1000 ”are not displayed well. In such a case, pay attention while adjusting the CT value repeatedly. The two parts will be observed alternately, but this makes the operation complicated and the workability is not good, and the two parts of interest cannot be observed at the same time.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and even when a plurality of portions which are difficult to display in an excellent image at a time are mixed in a tomographic image, the plurality of portions are simultaneously processed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image display device and method capable of displaying an image on a computer, and a computer program for the image display device.

[0011]

A first image display device of the present invention comprises an image storage means, an image display means, a display switching means,
The image storage unit includes a part input unit and an image processing unit, and the image storage unit stores series data including a large number of continuous tomographic images captured from a human body. Since the image display means displays the tomographic image of the stored series data as an image, the display switching means sequentially switches the tomographic images of the series data displayed as an image in response to the input operation. However, when a processing part for image processing different from the entire tomographic image displayed as an image is input to the part input means, image processing is performed on the processed processing part that is different from the entire tomographic image. Is executed, the tomographic images switched and displayed for the series data are image-processed at the processing site where the input operation is performed.

A second image display device of the present invention comprises an image storage means, an overall designation means, an image display means, a display switching means, a site input means, a processing designation means, an image processing means, and a CT scanner. The image storage means stores series data composed of a large number of continuous tomographic images captured by the human body and having CT values set for each pixel. When a range of CT values to be image-displayed with respect to the entire tomographic image is input to the overall designating means, the image display means displays the entire tomographic image as an image corresponding to the CT-value range thus input. Therefore, the display switching means sequentially switches the tomographic images of the series data displayed as images in accordance with the input operation. However, when the processing site is input to the image-displayed tomographic image by the site inputting means and the range of CT values to be image-displayed for the input operated processing site is input to the processing designating means, this input is performed. Operated C
The image processing means performs image processing on the display image of the processing region corresponding to the range of the T value, so that the range of the CT value displayed in the image is different between the entire tomographic image switched and displayed in the series data and the processing region. .

According to another aspect of the present invention, the part input means includes (a) an input operation of a center position and an outer edge position of a circular processing part, and (b) an end position of a diameter of the circular processing part. Input operation, (c) input operation of a pair of diagonal positions of a rectangular processing part, (d) input operation of a plurality of corner positions of a deformed processing part,
By accepting at least one of the above, processing parts of various shapes can be easily input and operated.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the position of the processing region subjected to image processing of the tomographic image is changed by changing the position of the processing region by the region moving means in response to an input operation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the size of the processing region subjected to the image processing of the tomographic image is changed by the region expanding / contracting unit changing the size of the processing region in response to an input operation.

As another aspect of the present invention, the selection designation of a plurality of types of image processing executed by the image processing means is input to the processing designation means, so that the image processing for which the selection designation is input is operated. Executed on the image.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of processing parts for image-processing a tomographic image are input to the part inputting means, and the selection designation of the image processing is processed for each of the plurality of input operated processing parts. Image processing selected and designated for each of the plurality of processing sites to be input-operated by the image processing means performing the image processing that is input-operated to the designating means and selected and designated for each of the plurality of processing-sites that have been input-operated. Is performed on the tomographic image.

The various means referred to in the present invention may be formed so as to realize their functions. For example, dedicated hardware for exerting a predetermined function or a predetermined function is given by a computer program. Image display device,
The predetermined functions realized in the image display device by the computer program, a combination thereof, and the like are allowed. Further, the various means referred to in the present invention do not have to be independent entities, and some means are part of other means, and some means overlap with some other means. What you are doing is also acceptable.

The image display device according to the present invention may be any hardware capable of reading a computer program data and executing a corresponding processing operation such as image display. For example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) is mainly used. As a ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Ran
DOM Access Memory) and the hardware to which various devices such as display units are connected.

In the present invention, it is possible to cause the image display device to execute various operations corresponding to the computer program.
Allowing the image display device to control the operation of various devices is also allowed. For example, storing various data in the image display device means that the CPU stores various data in an information storage medium such as a RAM fixed to the image display device.
The FD (Flexibl) that is exchangeably loaded in the image display device
The CPU uses FDD for information storage media such as e Disc-cartridge).
Storing various data with (FD Drive) is allowed.

Further, the row direction in the present invention may be one linear direction in which an image is displayed, and the column direction is one linear direction in which an image is displayed and orthogonal to the row direction. good. For example, when the display screen of the display device is parallel to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, the row direction is the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and the other is the column direction.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Image display device 3 of the present embodiment
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, 00 is formed as a part of the tomographic inspection system 400, and is online connected to a separate CT scanner 401.

The CT scanner 401 includes an image pickup mechanism 411 which is an image pickup means and a communication unit 412 which is an image supply means, and the human body of a subject (not shown) whose image pickup mechanism 411 is a subject. A large number of continuous tomographic images are captured. A large number of tomographic images taken continuously from one subject are accumulated as series data,
A series ID (Identity) is individually assigned and data is transmitted from the communication unit 412 to the image display device 300.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image display device 300 of the present embodiment has a CPU 301 as the main hardware of a computer, and the CPU 301 includes a ROM 303 and a RAM 3 via a bus line 302.
04, HDD 305 (Hard Disc Drive) 305, FD30
FDD307 and CD (Compact
Disc) -ROM 308 in which a ROM 308 is replaceably loaded, a control unit 310, a display unit 311, an I / F (Interface) unit 31
2, etc. hardware is connected.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 310 and the display unit 311 are formed as independent devices, and the main unit 313 is a separate body.
Is wired to. This main unit 313 has a C
PU301 etc. are built-in, FDD307 and CD
The drive 309 and the drive 309 are incorporated while being exposed to the front.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 310 is provided with a seesaw switch 202 which is swingable in the front-rear direction in a substantially central portion of a unit body 201, and operation parts are provided in the front left, rear, left and right on the rear left side. An arranged cross switch 203 is provided. An enter key 204 is provided on the right side of the cross switch 203, and a keyboard 205 is built in the rear center of the unit main body 201 so as to be retractable.

In the image display device 300 of this embodiment, the ROM
303, RAM 304, HDD 305, interchangeable FD
Hardware such as 306 and a replaceable CD-ROM 308 corresponds to an information storage medium, and at least one of these stores computer programs and resources for the CPU 301 as software. Such software is pre-installed in the image display device 300, and when the image display device 300 is activated, the CPU 3
The data is read at 01.

As described above, when the CPU 301 reads the appropriate computer program data and executes various processes, the image display device 300 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the image storage means 101 and the image copying means 102. , Image storage means 103, image display means 104, display switching means 105, site input means 106, image processing means 107, process designation means 108, site moving means 109, site expanding / reducing means 110, and the like as various functions. It is equipped with

The image storage means 101 is a CPU corresponding to a computer program stored in the RAM 304.
Reference numeral 301 corresponds to a predetermined storage area of the HDD 305 for accumulating the received data of the I / F unit 312, and a large number of series data input online from the CT scanner 410 are accumulated.

The image copying means 102 corresponds to a function of the CPU 301 copying the storage data of the HDD 305 to a predetermined storage area of the RAM 304 in response to the above-mentioned computer program and input data of the control unit 310, and performs an input operation. Correspondingly, a plurality of a plurality of series data of the image storage means 101 are input to the image storage means 103.

The image storage means 103 is a RAM 304 which the CPU 301 recognizes in accordance with a computer program.
Corresponding to the predetermined storage area of the image copying means 102.
A plurality of series data input from the image storage means 101 by an input operation to is temporarily stored.

More specifically, as described above, the series data is composed of a large number of tomographic images whose absolute coordinates are individually set, as shown in FIG. 7, and each series ID is individually assigned. When such series data is captured by the subject by the CT scanner 410 and transmitted online to the image display device 300, the image display device 300 compresses the received series data and outputs H for each series ID.
It is stored in the DD 305.

When an operator (not shown) performs a predetermined operation on the control unit 310 in the state in which a large number of series data are thus accumulated, the series of a large number of series data accumulated in the display unit 311 is displayed. A list of IDs is displayed. Therefore, when the operator selects a desired series ID by a predetermined operation of the control unit 310, the series data of the series ID is HD.
It is read from D305, expanded, and temporarily stored in the work area of the RAM304.

In the image display means 104, the CPU 301 is R
Stored data of AM304 in display unit 311
The image storage means 10 corresponds to the function of displaying and outputting to
The tomographic image of the series data stored in 3 is displayed as an image. The display switching unit 105 corresponds to the function of the CPU 301 recognizing the input data of the control unit 310 to control the image display of the display unit 311 and the like, and displays the tomographic image of the series data displayed on the image display unit 104. It switches sequentially according to the input operation.

More specifically, when the operator selects the desired series data as described above, the first tomographic image D is displayed on the display unit 103 as shown in FIG. 1 (a). It In this state, the operator operates the seesaw switch 202 of the control unit 310.
7 is swung forward, the tomographic images D of the series data displayed on the display unit 310 are sequentially switched forward as shown in FIG. 7, and the seesaw switch 202 is swung backward. Then, the display of the tomographic image D is switched to the rear.

The part input means 106 corresponds to the function of the CPU 301 to recognize the input data of the control unit 310, and the processing part for image-processing the tomographic image D displayed by the image display means 104 is operated. The image processing means 107 corresponds to the function of the CPU 301 to execute predetermined data processing on the display data of the display unit 311 and the like, and image-processes the processing portion on which the input operation of the tomographic image D displayed by the image display means 104 is performed. To do.

More specifically, the control unit 3
When the partial processing mode is input using the keyboard 205 of the keyboard 10 or the like, the setting pointer P is displayed on the tomographic image D, as shown in FIG. When the cross switch 203 is operated in the front / rear / left / right direction in this state, the setting pointer P is moved up / down / left / right, and when the enter key 204 is operated, as shown in FIG.
The center position C of the image processing is set at the position of.

In this state, when the cross switch 203 is input and the setting pointer P is moved and the enter key 204 is input and operated, an image is displayed at the position of the setting pointer P as shown in FIG. The outer edge position G of the process is set as data. Then, as shown in FIG. 7D, a circular processing region B corresponding to the data-set center position C and outer edge position G is generated, and only the inside of the processing region B is specified in the tomographic image D. Image processing is executed.

The following corresponds to the function of the CPU 301 to execute predetermined data processing in response to the input data of the control unit 310, and the processing designation means 108 selects a plurality of types of image processing executed by the image processing means 107. The designation is input. More specifically, when the processing site B is set as data in the tomographic image D as described above, for example,
Although the image processing designated last time is executed, when a predetermined operation is executed by the keyboard 205 of the control unit 310, the image processing executed by the processing part B is changed.

For example, as described above, the CT scanner 410
The CT value of each tomographic image of the human body is set for each pixel, and when the tomographic image D is displayed in black and white, the range of CT values to be displayed in black and white is set as data.
And WL for setting the central value of CT value to be displayed in black and white
There is a parameter.

Therefore, in the case where the processing region B is set in the tomographic image D as described above, if WW and WL are individually set in the entire tomographic image D and the processing region B, the individual data is set. CT corresponding to the set WW and WL
The entire tomographic image D and the processing region B are displayed as an image in the display range of values.

The part moving means 109 changes the position of the processing part B in response to the input operation, and the part expanding / contracting means 110 changes the position.
The size of the processing part B is changed according to the input operation. More specifically, when the cross switch 203 is input to the front, rear, left, and right in a state in which the processing portion B is displayed as an image on the tomographic image D as described above, the processing portion B is corresponding to this input operation.
The position of is moved up, down, left and right. Further, when the cross switch 203 is operated back and forth after the enlargement / reduction mode is set by a predetermined operation of the keyboard 205 in the state where the processing portion B is displayed on the tomographic image D, the processing portion corresponding to the input operation is processed. The size of B is scaled.

The various means of the image display apparatus 300 as described above are, if necessary, the HDD 305 and the I / F unit 312.
CPU30, which is realized by utilizing hardware such as the CPU, is the hardware corresponding to a computer program stored in an information storage medium such as the RAM 304.
It is realized by the function of 1.

Such a computer program stores, for example, series data received online by the I / F unit 312 from the CT scanner 410 in the HDD 305, and controls one of the many series data stored in the control unit 310. Processing for temporarily storing the tomographic image D of the series data temporarily stored in the work area of the RAM 304 in response to the input operation of, and processing for displaying the tomographic image D of the temporarily stored series data on the display unit 311. A process of switching the display corresponding to the input operation of the control unit 310, and a processing region B on the tomographic image D corresponding to the input operation.
Data setting processing, image processing of the processing part B for which the data setting is performed, processing of changing this image processing in response to an input operation, processing of moving the position of the processing portion B in response to an input operation, The software is stored in an information storage medium such as the RAM 304 as software for causing the CPU 301 or the like to perform processing operations such as processing for expanding or reducing the size of the processing part B in response to an input operation.

The tomographic inspection method in the tomographic inspection system 400 of the present embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration will be described below in order. First, when a tomographic image is captured by the CT scanner 410 at each of a number of consecutive positions from the human body of the subject, the plurality of tomographic images are transmitted online as series data to the image display device 300 together with individual series IDs.

When the image display device 300 receives the series data online from the CT scanner 410 as shown in FIG. 8 (step S1), the series data is compressed and stored in the HDD 305 for each series ID.
(Step S2). When an operator inputs an operation to start viewing series data in the control unit 310 to the image display device 300 in which a large number of series data has been accumulated (step S3), the display unit 3
A list of series IDs of a large number of accumulated series data is displayed in 11 (step S4).

Therefore, the operator is required to operate the control unit 3
When the desired series ID is selected by the predetermined operation of 10 (step S5), the series data of the series ID becomes H.
It is read from the DD 305, expanded, and temporarily stored in the work area of the RAM 304 (step S7).

When the series data is selected in this manner, the first tomographic image D is initially displayed with the previously designated WW and WL (step S8). In this state, when the seesaw switch 202 of the control unit 310 is rocked in the front-back direction (step S9), the tomographic image D of the series data displayed on the display unit 310 is moved in the front-back direction as shown in FIG. Since the display is switched (step S10), the worker can sequentially browse a large number of tomographic images D of the subject.

Also, in this way, the display unit 3
When a predetermined operation is performed with the keyboard 205 of the control unit 310 in a state where the tomographic image D is displayed on the image 10 (steps S11 and S13), WW and WL of the entire image are changed (step S12, In S14), the worker can improve the display state of a specific organ in the tomographic image D and closely observe it.

However, as described above, the whole W of the tomographic image D is
When W and WL are set, when one wants to observe two organs at the same time, only one may be displayed well. In such a case, in the image display device 300 of the present embodiment, when the operator performs a predetermined operation on the keyboard 205 of the control unit 310 (step S15), the partial processing mode is set as shown in FIG.

Then, as shown in FIG. 1A, the set pointer P is displayed on the tomographic image D (step S
16) In this state, when the cross switch 203 is operated to move forward, backward, leftward, and rightward (step S17), the setting pointer P is moved vertically and horizontally (step S18).

Therefore, when the operator moves the setting pointer P to the center position of the processing portion to be image-processed and then operates the enter key 204 (step S19),
As shown in (b), the center position C of the image processing is set at the position of the setting pointer P (step S20).

Next, after the operator moves the setting pointer P to the outside of the processing portion to be image-processed with the cross switch 203 (steps S21 and S22), the enter key 2 is pressed.
When 04 is input (step S23), the outer edge position G of the image processing is set at the position of the setting pointer P (step S24), as shown in FIG.

Then, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 1D, the processed portion B corresponding to the data-set central position C and outer edge position G is generated (step S25), and the processed portion B is processed. Predetermined image processing is performed on the tomographic image D only on the inner side (step S26). The image processing of the processing portion B is executed as an image display by WW and WL independent of the entire image, and initially the image processing is executed with the previous setting.

However, with the processing part B set as described above, the keyboard 2 of the control unit 310 is
When a predetermined operation is executed in 05 (steps S27, S2
9), WW and WL of the processing part B are changed (steps S28 and S30). Therefore, even when the appropriate WW and WL are significantly different between the entire tomographic image D and the specific organ, the operator sets the desired WW and WL to the entire tomographic image D and the processing site B. It can be set individually and both can be observed well at the same time.

Moreover, the display of the tomographic image D can be switched in the front-back direction even in such a state (steps S8 to S8).
10) Since the positions of organs of the human body are substantially constant in continuous tomographic images D, it is preferable to observe the entire image and a specific organ of the treatment site B while switching the display of a large number of continuous tomographic images D. You can

Further, when the operator inputs the cross switch 203 forward, backward, leftward or rightward (step S30), the processing portion B
Moves up, down, left and right (step S31), for example,
Even if the position of the organ of interest moves by switching the display of the continuous tomographic images D, the processing site B can be made to follow this and the observation of the desired organ can be favorably continued.

Further, when the operator operates the keyboard 205 for a predetermined time and then inputs the cross switch 203 back and forth (step S33), the processing region B is expanded or contracted (step S34). For example, continuous tomographic images D Even if the size of the organ of interest changes by switching the display of, the size of the treatment site B can be made to correspond to this and the observation of the desired organ can be favorably continued.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are allowed without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the tomographic image D of the human body is CT
Although the image pickup by the scanner 410 is illustrated,
It is also possible to take an image with an RI system (not shown).

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the CT value display range is made different as the image processing of the entire tomographic image D and the processing region B, but other image processing can be executed. Further, in the above embodiment, the display range of the CT value of the tomographic image D and the processing region B to be image-displayed is WL.
Although setting data with WW and WW has been exemplified, for example,
It is also possible to set data for the display range of the CT value with the maximum value and the minimum value.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, one processing site B is set in the tomographic image D and the image processing is executed. However, for example, a plurality of processing sites B is set in one tomographic image D. It is also possible to execute individual image processing for each. In that case, it is preferable to select and set a plurality of types of image processing prepared in advance for each of a plurality of processing parts B.
It is allowed to set W and WL separately.

Further, as described above, when data is set for a plurality of processing sites B in one tomographic image D, as shown in the upper left of FIG. 11, a plurality of processing sites B are partially overlapped and one of them is prioritized. Alternatively, as shown in the lower left of the figure, it is possible to dispose the small-diameter processing portion B inside the large-diameter processing portion B.

In the above embodiment, the data processing of the circular processing region B is set in the tomographic image D corresponding to the input operation of the center position C and the outer edge position G. It is also possible to set the data of the circular processing region B corresponding to the operation. Further, as shown in the upper right part of the figure, it is also possible to set the data of the rectangular processing region B ′ corresponding to the input operation of the pair of diagonal positions T. It is also possible to set the data of the processing portion B ″ of a different shape corresponding to the input operation of the corner position K.

Since many human internal organs have a cross-sectional shape similar to a circular shape, if the tomographic image D is image-processed at the circular processing site B, the human internal organ can be observed well by simple data processing. It is possible to Further, since the image processing by the computer system is generally executed based on the rectangular range, if the tomographic image D is image-processed at the rectangular processing region B ′, the data processing can be further simplified.

Naturally, there are many human body internal organs having different cross-sectional shapes. Therefore, if the tomographic image D is image-processed by the irregular processing part B ″, data processing is complicated but only specific organs of the human body are obtained. Can be observed well.
That is, since the above-mentioned three methods have advantages and disadvantages with respect to each other, it is preferable to select an optimal one in consideration of various conditions when implementing the apparatus.

Further, it is possible to switch and set the above-mentioned three methods, and it is also possible to mix a plurality of types of processing parts B to B ″ having different shapes in one tomographic image D. Moreover, in the above-mentioned form, individual WW and WL
Although the image processing of the processing region B of the tomographic image D has been exemplified in correspondence with the data setting of 1 and 2, various types of image processing can be applied.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, one tomographic image D of one series data is displayed on the display unit 311 as an example, but as an applied operation, tomographic images D of a plurality of series data may be displayed in parallel. it can. For example, when a plurality of series data with different use of a contrast agent or the like is imaged from one subject, a tomographic image D in which the absolute coordinates of the plurality of series data of the subject match is displayed in parallel in the left-right direction. However, it is preferable to switch and display the plurality of tomographic images D in synchronization with each other.

In the above embodiment, the CPU 3 corresponds to the computer program stored in the RAM 304 or the like.
It has been illustrated that various means are logically realized as various functions of the image display device 300 by the operation of 01. However, each of such various means can be formed as unique hardware, and a part of the means can be stored as software in the RAM 304 or the like and a part can be formed as hardware.

[0069]

According to the image display method of the image display device of the present invention, when the processing portion for image processing of the tomographic image which is switched and displayed is input, the processing portion where the input operation of the tomographic image to be image-displayed is performed. By performing the image processing, it is possible to perform the image processing on the processing portion to which the tomographic images switched and displayed in the series data are input-operated, so that, for example, a plurality of target portions having significantly different CT values may be mixed in the tomographic images. Even in such a case, the plurality of attention parts can be displayed in good condition at the same time and viewed.

As another aspect of the present invention, (a) an input operation of the center position and the outer edge position of the circular processing region, (b)
At least one of an input operation of both end positions of the diameter of the circular processing site, (c) an input operation of a pair of diagonal positions of the rectangular processing site, and (d) an input operation of a plurality of corner positions of the irregular processing site. By accepting one of these, it is possible to easily perform an input operation on the processed parts of various shapes and observe the internal organs of the human body well by simple data processing.

Further, by changing the position of the processing region in response to the input operation, even if the position of the organ image is displaced due to display switching of the tomographic image, the position of the processing region is made to follow the organ image. You can do something like that.

Further, by changing the size of the processed part in response to the input operation, even if the size of the organ image is displaced by the display switching of the tomographic image, the size of the processed part is made to correspond to the organ image. You can do something like that.

By inputting selection designations of a plurality of types of image processing, desired image processing can be performed on a desired processing region of the tomographic image.

Further, a plurality of processing parts for image-processing the tomographic image are input and operated, and selection designation of image processing is input and input for each of the plurality of input-operated processing parts. By executing the selected and designated image processing on the tomographic image, it is possible to execute the desired image processing for each of a plurality of desired processing regions on the tomographic image.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing a display image of an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a tomographic inspection system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a physical structure of the image display device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an image display device.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an appearance of a control unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a logical structure of a tomographic inspection system.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a data structure of series data.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the first half of the image display method by the image display device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an intermediate part.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the latter half part.

FIG. 11 is a schematic front view showing a display image in various modifications of the image display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

103 image storage means 104 image display means 105 display switching means 106 site input means 107 image processing means 108 Processing designation means 109 site moving means 110 Site expansion / contraction means 300 image display device

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image storage means for storing series data composed of a large number of continuous tomographic images taken from a human body, an image display means for displaying a tomographic image of the stored series data, and an image. Display switching means for sequentially switching the displayed tomographic images of the series data in response to an input operation, and site input means for receiving an input operation of a processing site of image processing different from the entire tomographic image displayed as an image. An image display device, comprising: an image processing unit that performs image processing that is different from the entire tomographic image on the input processing site. 2. An image storage unit for storing series data composed of a large number of continuous tomographic images imaged from a human body by a CT (Computed Tomography) scanner and having a CT value set for each pixel, and the tomographic unit. Overall designating means for receiving an input operation of the CT value display range with respect to the entire image, and image display of the entire tomographic image corresponding to the CT value display range input to the overall designating means. Image display means, display switching means for sequentially switching the tomographic images of the series data displayed as images corresponding to the input operation, and site input means for accepting the input operation of the processing site to the image displayed tomographic images A processing designation means for accepting an input operation of the CT value display range with respect to the input processed portion, and an input operation made by the processing designation means. An image display device comprising: an image processing unit that performs image processing on a display image of the processing region corresponding to the display range of the CT value. 3. The part inputting means comprises: (a) an input operation of a center position and an outer edge position of the circular processing part; (b) an input operation of both end positions of a diameter of the circular processing part; (c) Input operation of a pair of diagonal positions of the rectangular processing part, (d) input operation of a plurality of corner positions of the deformed processing part,
The image display device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the above items is received. 4. The image display device according to claim 1, further comprising site moving means for changing a position of the processing site in response to an input operation. 5. The image display device according to claim 1, further comprising site expansion / contraction means for changing the size of the processing site in response to an input operation. 6. The image processing means further comprises processing specifying means for accepting an input operation of selecting and specifying a plurality of types of image processing executed by the image processing means, and the image processing means carries out the selected and specified image processing for the tomographic image. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image display device is executed on an image processing portion. 7. The site input means inputs and operates a plurality of process parts for image-processing the tomographic image, and the process designating means selects and designates the image processing for each of the input-processed plurality of process parts. The image display device according to claim 6, wherein the image processing means executes the image processing selected and designated for each of the plurality of input-processed processing sites on the tomographic image. 8. The image display method of the image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image storage step stores series data composed of a large number of continuous tomographic images taken from a human body. And an image display step of displaying a tomographic image of the stored series data as an image, a display switching step of sequentially switching the tomographic image of the series data displayed as an image corresponding to an input operation, and an image display A site input step of accepting an input operation of a processing site of image processing different from that of the entire tomographic image, and an image processing step of performing image processing different from the entire tomographic image on the input-processed processing site. Image display method provided. 9. A computer program for the image display device according to claim 1, wherein the computer program stores a plurality of series data consisting of a large number of continuous tomographic images taken from a human body. An image storage process, an image display process for displaying a tomographic image of the stored series data as an image, a display switching process for sequentially switching the tomographic image of the series data displayed as an image according to an input operation, Site input processing for accepting an input operation of a processing site of image processing different from the entire displayed tomographic image, and image processing processing for performing image processing different from the entire tomographic image on the input operated processing site And a computer program for causing the image display device to execute.