JP2004113444A - Medical image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical image processor wherein a presently displayed window pattern can be changed to a window pattern proper to its use and a displayed image by a single operation. <P>SOLUTION: This medical image processor is provided with: an image processing means 21 for applying image processing to image data; a recording means 12 for recording a plurality of kinds of image arrangement information expressing image arrangement in the case of displaying one or more medical diagnostic images belonging to one of a plurality of hierarchies on the screen of a display part 17; an image arrangement selection means 19 to be used for selecting desired image arrangement by a single operation; an image arrangement means 22 which generates image data expressing one picture based on the image data image-processed by the image processing means so that the one or more medical diagnostic images may be arranged on the screen of the display part according to the image arrangement selected by using the image arrangement selection means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a medical image processing apparatus that displays medical diagnostic images by processing medical image data obtained by imaging for diagnostic purposes such as radiography, and more particularly, displays medical diagnostic images in a hierarchical manner. The present invention relates to a medical image processing apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, imaging methods using radiation (X-rays, α-rays, β-rays, γ-rays, electron beams, ultraviolet rays, etc.) have been used in various fields, and especially in the medical field, it is the most important for diagnosis. It is one of the means. Since the first X-ray photography was realized, the X-ray photography method has been improved many times, and at present, a method combining a fluorescent screen and an X-ray film has become mainstream. On the other hand, in recent years, various digitized devices such as X-ray CT, ultrasound, and MRI have been put into practical use as devices used for medical image diagnosis, such as diagnostic information processing systems in hospitals. Construction is going on. A lot of research for digitizing X-ray images has also been made, but a radiographic method using a stimulable phosphor has been established and attracts attention as a replacement for conventional X-ray photography.
[0003]
A stimulable phosphor (storable phosphor) is a part of its radiation energy that is stored when irradiated with radiation. After that, when it is irradiated with excitation light such as visible light, it emits light according to the stored energy. It has been known for a long time. A radiographic method using this is a method in which a radiographic image of a subject such as a human body is photographed and recorded on a sheet coated with a stimulable phosphor, and the stimulable phosphor sheet is scanned with excitation light such as laser light. Since emitted light is generated, image data is obtained by photoelectrically reading this light. After appropriately processing this image data, it can be output to a display such as a CRT or printed on a film by a laser printer or the like to display a radiation image as a visible image (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0004]
The image data obtained in this way is stored in a memory or hard disk of a medical image processing apparatus, and is managed by being grouped according to the concept of layering such as “patient”, “examination”, “series”, and “image”. Is done. Here, “examination” is a concept indicating a medical examination performed on a patient, and is a different medical examination if an imaging date, an imaging region and an imaging angle are different.
[0005]
The “series” is a concept indicating a group of images collected in a series of imaging using a CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Image) apparatus, or the like. . For example, in the case of a CT image, 10 to several hundred images are generated by one imaging, and these images are collectively referred to as a series. On the other hand, the concept of “series” does not exist when one image is generated by one imaging as in imaging using a CR (Computed Radiography) apparatus.
[0006]
Therefore, in the CT image and the MRI image, the “examination” hierarchy exists below the “patient” hierarchy, the “series” hierarchy below the “examination” hierarchy, and the “image” hierarchy below the “series” hierarchy. In the image, an “examination” hierarchy exists below the “patient” hierarchy, and an “image” hierarchy exists below the “examination” hierarchy.
[0007]
When a doctor refers to an image existing in the “image” hierarchy, images taken in the same examination are displayed side by side, or images taken by the same patient this time are compared with images taken in the past. . For this reason, windows for displaying images are also hierarchized. For example, there is an inspection window for collecting images in the same inspection, and there is an image window for displaying individual images.
[0008]
The medical image processing apparatus that displays medical diagnostic images in such hierarchical windows has a function of changing the layout (window pattern) of the windows for each hierarchy. When the operator wants to change the window pattern, the window pattern is changed by designating a window of a hierarchy to be changed and selecting a desired window pattern in the hierarchy with a button or a menu.
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-157580 A (first page, FIG. 1)
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in order to display a desired screen, a two-step operation of selecting a window and selecting a window pattern is necessary. Furthermore, when displaying a lower layer window, the window pattern must be changed for each layer. In actual operation, there are many types of window patterns to be used, and it is necessary to instruct to change the window pattern many times in order to obtain the same window pattern every time.
[0011]
Accordingly, in view of the above points, the present invention provides a medical image processing apparatus that can change a currently displayed window pattern to an appropriate window pattern for a use application or a display image by a single operation. For the purpose.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, a medical image processing apparatus according to the present invention performs image processing on image data obtained by reading a medical image recorded by imaging for diagnostic purposes using an image reading unit. Image processing means, and recording means for recording a plurality of types of image arrangement information representing an image arrangement when displaying one or a plurality of medical diagnostic images belonging to one of a plurality of hierarchies on the screen of the display unit; An image arrangement selection means and an image arrangement selection means used for selecting a desired image arrangement from a plurality of types of image arrangement information recorded in the recording means by a single operation. Based on the image data subjected to the image processing in the image processing means so that one or a plurality of medical diagnostic images are arranged on the screen of the display unit according to the image arrangement selected by using Comprising an image placement means for generating image data representing a screen.
[0013]
According to the present invention, by selecting a desired window pattern from a plurality of recorded window patterns, the currently displayed window pattern is changed to a window pattern appropriate for the intended use and display image. It can be changed with a single operation.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a medical image processing system including a medical image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, a recording sheet (stimulable phosphor sheet) used for radiography is a coating of a stimulable phosphor material, and records information on a subject when irradiated with radiation.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 1, this medical image processing system includes a medical image reading device 30 that photoelectrically reads information such as a radiographic image recorded on a recording sheet and generates image data, and a medical image reading device 30. The medical image processing apparatus 10 performs various processes by inputting image data, and these are connected via a network N1. Further, an external device 40 such as a server for storing image data or the like is connected via the network N1 as necessary.
[0016]
The medical image processing apparatus 10 records a memory 11 that stores image data, a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 20 that performs predetermined processing on the image data, and software (program) that causes the CPU 20 to perform processing. The recording medium includes a hard disk 12 as a recording medium and a disk control unit 13 that controls the hard disk 12. The memory 11, the disk control unit 13, and the CPU 20 are connected via a bus line BL. Here, in addition to the built-in hard disk, an external hard disk, flexible disk, MO, MT, RAM, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or the like can be used as the recording medium.
[0017]
Further, the medical image processing apparatus 10 includes a network interface 14 connected to the network N1, interfaces 15 and 16, and a display unit 17, a printer 18 and an input unit 19 connected to the CPU 20 via the interfaces 15 and 16. Contains.
[0018]
When image information is recorded on a recording sheet by radiography, first, information such as image information is read from the recording sheet by the medical image reading device 30 to generate image data, and the generated image data is the medical image processing device. 10 is input.
[0019]
Here, the operation of the medical image reading apparatus 30 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the recording sheet 300 on which the radiation image is recorded is set at a predetermined position of the image reading apparatus. The recording sheet 300 is conveyed in the Y-axis direction by a sheet conveying unit 302 driven by a motor 301. On the other hand, the beam 304 emitted from the laser light source 303 is reflected and deflected by the rotating polygon mirror 306 that is driven by the motor 305 and rotates at high speed in the direction of the arrow, and passes through the converging lens 307. Thereafter, the beam 304 changes its optical path by the mirror 308, enters the recording sheet 300, and scans in the X-axis direction.
[0020]
By this scanning, the excitation light 304 is irradiated onto the recording sheet 300, and the stimulated emission light 309 having a light amount corresponding to the accumulated radiographic image information is emitted from the irradiated portion. The stimulated emission light 309 is guided by a light guide 310 and is detected photoelectrically by a photomultiplier (photomultiplier tube) 311. The analog signal output from the photomultiplier 311 is amplified by the amplifier 31 and digitized by the A / D converter 32. The data output unit 33 sequentially outputs the digitized image data to the medical image processing apparatus 10 (FIG. 1) via the network N1.
[0021]
With reference to FIG. 1 again, a plurality of functional blocks constituted by the CPU 20 and software (program) will be described. These functional blocks include an image processing unit 21 that performs image processing such as gradation processing on image data, and one or more medical diagnostic images arranged on the screen of the display unit 17. An image arrangement unit 22 that generates image data representing one screen based on data subjected to image processing in the processing unit 21, and an output unit that outputs the image data to the display unit 17 or the printer 18 via the interface 16. 23.
[0022]
When the image data is transmitted from the medical image reading device 30 and sequentially stored in the memory 11 of the medical image processing device 10, the image processing unit 21 reads the image data from the memory 11, and converts the image data into the read image data. A gradation process is performed on the image. In addition to the gradation processing, the image processing unit 21 can perform various types of image processing based on information input using the input unit 19 such as a keyboard or a mouse. Here, the image data subjected to the image processing may be recorded on a recording medium such as the hard disk 12, or may be recorded on an external device 40 such as a server.
[0023]
The image arrangement unit 22 is image data representing one screen to be displayed on the display unit 17 based on image data output from the image processing unit 21 or image data recorded in the hard disk 12 or the external device 40. Is generated. Thereby, one medical diagnostic image is displayed on one screen, or a plurality of medical diagnostic images are combined and displayed on one screen. The screen displayed on the display unit 17 can be printed on a film or the like by the printer 18.
[0024]
Next, the image arrangement on the screen displayed on the display unit 17 will be described. FIG. 3 shows an example of a window displayed on the display unit.
As shown in FIG. 3, the display unit can display medical diagnostic images in windows belonging to a desired hierarchy among windows divided into a plurality of hierarchies. These medical diagnostic images do not overlap each other.
[0025]
For example, when a certain patient window is designated, as shown in FIG. 3A, images 1 to 2 in the examination window IW1 and images 3 to 6 in the examination window IW2 are lower layers of the patient window. Is displayed. Further, when a certain inspection window is designated in the CT image or MR image, as shown in FIG. 3B, the images 1 and 2 and the series window in the series window SW1, which is a lower hierarchy of the inspection window, are displayed. Images 3 to 6 in SW2 are displayed. On the other hand, since there is no series window in the CR device, when a certain inspection window is designated, images 1 to 4 in the inspection window are displayed as shown in FIG.
[0026]
Here, the screen shown in FIG. 3A is used, for example, to compare and diagnose the current examination (examination window IW1) and the past examination (examination window IW2). The screen shown in FIG. 3B is used for diagnosis using, for example, both a CT image (series window SW1) and an MRI image (series window SW2). Furthermore, the screen shown in FIG. 3C compares, for example, one image (image 1) in the current examination with three images (images 2 to 4) in past examinations with different shooting times. Therefore, it is used for diagnosing the progress of a disease state.
[0027]
In each window shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C, a plurality of images are displayed at the same time. By using means such as a scroll button, a plurality of consecutive images are displayed in order. You can also.
[0028]
As described above, there are situations in which a plurality of window patterns are selectively used depending on the intended use and the display image. Referring to FIG. 1 again, in the present embodiment, a plurality of window patterns are recorded on a recording means such as the hard disk 12. The operator can select a desired window pattern from a plurality of recorded window patterns by using the key of the input unit 19 or the like as an image arrangement selection means. When a new window pattern is selected, the image placement unit 22 changes the currently displayed window pattern to a new window pattern, and generates image data representing one screen. One or a plurality of medical diagnostic images are displayed on the screen of the display unit 17 in accordance with the new window pattern. In this way, it is possible to change the currently displayed window pattern to a desired window pattern with a single operation.
[0029]
Hereinafter, the window pattern changing method according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. In order to change the window pattern, for example, “current display”, “numerical value input”, and “list selection” are used.
[0030]
According to “current display”, any one of the keys of the input unit 19 is used as a lower layer arrangement selection unit, and the displayed window pattern is changed to a desired window pattern, and any of the keys of the input unit 19 is selected. Etc. are used as image arrangement information storage means, the currently displayed window pattern is recorded in the recording means, and then the operator selects the image arrangement selection means when the screen is displayed in another window pattern. By using and inputting specific information, the currently displayed window pattern is changed to a desired window pattern.
[0031]
According to “numerical value input”, a plurality of window patterns are recorded in the recording means in association with numerical values, and then the operator uses the image arrangement selection means when the screen is displayed in another window pattern. Then, by inputting a specific numerical value, the currently displayed window pattern is changed to a window pattern corresponding to the input numerical value.
[0032]
According to “list selection”, a plurality of window patterns recorded in the recording means are displayed in a list on the screen, and an operator selects a desired window pattern from the list so that the currently displayed window pattern is displayed. Change to the selected window pattern.
[0033]
Furthermore, “Numerical value input” or “List selection” may be combined with “Current display”. For example, when the operator drags the window boundary or the image boundary in the window pattern selected by “Numerical value input” or “List selection”, the window size is finely adjusted, and the window pattern is displayed as “current display”. It may be recorded for use.
[0034]
Here, when the window pattern is recorded, “naming” or “numbering” can be used. According to “name assignment”, a plurality of window patterns are assigned names and recorded. According to “numbering”, a number is assigned to each of a plurality of window patterns, or serial numbers are assigned and recorded.
[0035]
In the above, recording of the window pattern may be performed by the user, or may be performed in advance by the manufacturer at the shipping stage. Or you may enable it to change a window pattern for every user by identifying each user. This can prevent a window pattern recorded for a certain user from being tampered with by another user.
[0036]
Further, these recorded window patterns may be used only by the local computer, or by using a server or the like so as to be used between a plurality of computers having similar functions on the network. May be.
[0037]
When selecting a desired window pattern, “list selection” and “button press” can be used. According to “list selection”, a name or number of a desired window pattern is selected from a combo box or the like in which names or numbers assigned to a plurality of window patterns are listed. According to “button pressing”, a window pattern is selected by pressing a button displaying a name or number assigned to each of a plurality of window patterns.
[0038]
When the window pattern is selected, the medical image processing apparatus 10 arranges and displays one or a plurality of medical diagnostic images in the selected window pattern. Here, the image displayed in each window may be determined by an operator selecting a desired image in order from a plurality of captured images, or may be captured from a plurality of captured images. You may decide according to a serial number etc.
[0039]
As described above, a series of medical diagnostic images can be displayed with a simple operation. FIG. 4 shows an example of changing the window pattern in the present embodiment.
First, in order to display a medical diagnostic image of a patient taken in the current examination, the operator selects a window pattern for displaying four images of the patient in the current examination. In response to this, as shown in FIG. 4A, four images 1 to 4 taken in the current examination are displayed. As a result, the operator can compare the four images taken in the current examination.
[0040]
Next, in order to compare the image taken in the current examination with the image taken in the past examination, the operator took the two images taken in the current examination of the patient and the past examination. A window pattern for displaying two images is selected. In response to this, as shown in FIG. 4B, two images 1 and 2 photographed in the current examination and two images 5 and 6 photographed in the past examination are displayed. .
[0041]
Next, the operator takes one image taken in the current examination of the patient and the past examination in order to display a particularly large image among the images taken in the current examination and the past examination. A window pattern for displaying the single image thus selected is selected. In response to this, as shown in FIG. 4C, one image 1 taken in the current examination and one image 5 taken in the past examination are displayed.
[0042]
Next, the operator displays one image taken in the current examination of the patient and three images taken in the past three examinations in order to observe the progress of the medical condition. Select a window pattern. In response to this, as shown in FIG. 4D, one image 1 taken in the current examination and three images 5, 7 and 8 taken in the past three examinations are obtained. Is displayed.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the currently displayed window pattern can be changed to a window pattern suitable for the intended use and display image by a single operation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a medical image processing system including a medical image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the image reading apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a window displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of changing a window pattern in an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Medical image processing apparatus 11 Memory 12 Hard disk 13 Disk control part 14 Network interface 15, 16 Interface 17 Display part 18 Printer 19 Input part 20 CPU
21 Image processing unit 22 Image placement unit 23 Output unit 30 Medical image reading device 31 Amplifier 32 A / D converter 33 Data output unit 40 External device 300 Stimulable phosphor sheet 301, 305 Motor 302 Sheet conveying means 303 Laser light source 304 Beam (excitation light)
306 Rotating polygon mirror 307 Converging lens 308 Mirror 309 Stimulated emission light 310 Light guide 311 Photo multiplier (photomultiplier tube)
BL bus line N1 network

Claims (4)

Image processing means for performing image processing on image data obtained by reading a medical image recorded by imaging for diagnostic purposes using an image reading means;
Recording means for recording a plurality of types of image arrangement information representing an image arrangement when displaying one or a plurality of medical diagnostic images belonging to one of a plurality of layers on a screen of a display unit;
Image arrangement selection means used for selecting a desired image arrangement from a plurality of types of image arrangement information recorded in the recording means by a single operation;
The image data subjected to the image processing in the image processing means so that one or a plurality of medical diagnostic images are arranged on the screen of the display unit according to the image arrangement selected using the image arrangement selecting means. Based on image placement means for generating image data representing one screen,
A medical image processing apparatus comprising: The recording means further records a plurality of types of lower-layer arrangement information representing lower-layer arrangement in the selected hierarchy;
Lower hierarchy arrangement selecting means used for selecting a desired lower hierarchy arrangement from lower hierarchy arrangements represented by a plurality of types of lower hierarchy arrangement information recorded in the recording means;
2. The medical image according to claim 1, further comprising image arrangement information storage means for causing the recording means to further record image arrangement information configured based on the lower hierarchy arrangement selected using the lower hierarchy arrangement selecting means. Processing equipment. The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit further records a name or number for identifying image arrangement information. The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit records image arrangement information set for each user.

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