JP2004121303A - Medical image processing method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical image processing method which enables improvements in the throughput by starting other image processing without awaiting the completion of one image processing. <P>SOLUTION: The medical image processing method includes the step (a) for obtaining the first image processing parameters for the first image data to determine the second image data by conducting the first image processing sequentially for the first image data, the step (b) for displaying the medical diagnostic images based on the second image data, the step (c) for determining the third image data by conducting the second image processing for the first image data in parallel with the first image processing and the step (d) for displaying or generating new medical diagnostic images by conducting the first image processing for the third image data using the first image processing parameters replacing the medical diagnostic images displayed based on the second image data after the completion of the first and second image processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a medical image processing method for displaying or outputting a medical diagnostic image by performing image processing on image data obtained by imaging for diagnostic purposes such as radiography, and medical use in which such a method is used. The present invention relates to an 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.
[0004]
Such a radiographic method has performance comparable to that of a conventional X-ray photography method in terms of imaging sensitivity and image quality. For example, compared with the conventional X-ray photography method, the exposure area is extremely wide, and the response of the photostimulated light to the exposure amount is almost proportional over the entire exposure area. For this reason, an image signal with an appropriate gradation can be obtained by capturing and normalizing a light emission area where an image exists, regardless of the radiation dose of the subject.
[0005]
In addition, by performing various appropriate image processing on the image signal thus obtained, it is possible to provide an image with good image quality even under various shooting conditions. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image display method and apparatus capable of performing gradation processing of image data and various types of image processing in accordance with a lookup table in which gradation processing conditions that are changed every predetermined period are stored. Is disclosed. Since the image data that has been subjected to image processing in this manner is digitized and stored, a large amount of data can be stored for a long period of time without degrading the image quality. Useful for development.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-158876 A (page 4, FIG. 1)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the image data processing is a type of processing (in the present application, referred to as “real time processing”) that is sequentially performed while receiving input image data, such as gradation processing, and an input image. The amount of input image data such as a type of processing (referred to as “interactive processing” in the present application) that is performed while an operator responds or gives instructions while receiving data, and noise removal processing or grid removal processing. There is a type of processing (referred to as “batch processing” in the present application) that is performed after a certain size has been reached.
[0008]
When these image processes of different types are performed on image data, the time required for these image processes is different. In particular, when batch processing such as grid removal is performed on image data, it is necessary to wait until image data of the entire screen is input. For this reason, since the start of real-time processing and interactive processing must be stopped until batch processing such as grid removal processing is completed after image data of the entire screen is input, there is a problem that throughput is reduced.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to improve throughput by starting another image processing without waiting for the completion of one image processing. An object of the present invention is to provide a medical image processing method and a medical image processing apparatus using the method.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, a medical image processing method according to a first aspect of the present invention sequentially receives first image data obtained by reading medical images recorded by imaging for diagnostic purposes, Step (a) for obtaining second image data by obtaining first image processing parameters and sequentially performing first image processing on the image data, and the second image obtained in step (a) In parallel with the step (b) of displaying a medical diagnostic image based on the data and the first image processing, the second image processing parameter is obtained for the first image data and the second image processing is performed. After the completion of the step (c) for obtaining the third image data by performing the first and second image processing, the first diagnostic image is displayed instead of the medical diagnostic image displayed based on the second image data. Image processing Comprising a step (d) displaying or create a new medical diagnostic image by first performing image processing on the third image data by using a parameter.
[0011]
The medical image processing method according to the second aspect of the present invention sequentially receives first image data obtained by reading a medical image recorded by imaging for diagnostic purposes together with image supplementary information. The step (a) of obtaining the first image processing parameter for the image data and sequentially performing the first image processing, and the second image for the first image data in parallel with the first image processing. A step (b) of obtaining a processing parameter and performing a second image processing; and a step of adding the first and second image processing parameters to the image supplementary information after the first and second image processings are completed (c) ).
[0012]
A medical image processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention sequentially receives first image data obtained by reading a medical image recorded by imaging for diagnostic purposes, and performs first processing on the first image data. First image processing means for sequentially obtaining the first image processing parameters by obtaining one image processing parameter, and second image processing parameters for the first image data in parallel with the first image processing. Second image processing means for performing second image processing and second image data calculated using the first image processing parameters after the first and second image processing are completed. Image data calculation means for replacing with the third image data calculated using the second image processing parameter; and image display means for displaying a medical diagnostic image based on the second image data or the third image data; It comprises.
[0013]
The medical image processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention sequentially receives first image data obtained by reading a medical image recorded by imaging for diagnostic purposes together with image supplementary information, First image processing means for sequentially obtaining the first image processing by obtaining the first image processing parameter for the image data, and second for the first image data in parallel with the first image processing. Second image processing means for obtaining the second image processing by obtaining the second image processing parameter, and after the first and second image processing are completed, the first and second image processing parameters are added to the image supplementary information Means.
[0014]
According to the present invention, since the second image processing is performed in parallel with the first image processing performed on the image data, another image processing is started without waiting for completion of one image processing. Can do. Thereby, the processing time can be shortened and the throughput can be improved.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to 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. The medical image processing system includes a medical image reading device 1 that photoelectrically reads information such as a radiographic image recorded on a recording sheet (stimulable phosphor sheet) and generates image data, and a medical image reading device 1. And a medical image processing apparatus 10 that performs various processing by inputting image data. The medical image reading apparatus 1 and the medical image processing apparatus 10 are connected via a network N1.
[0016]
The medical image processing apparatus 10 includes a processing unit 2 that processes input image data, an input unit 3 that is used to input commands and various information to the processing unit 2, a CRT that displays medical diagnostic images, and the like. Display unit 4 and a printer 5 for printing a medical diagnostic image on a film or the like. In addition, an external device 6 such as a hospital database server or a terminal device is connected to the system via a network N1 as necessary.
[0017]
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. Information such as a radiation image recorded on the recording sheet is photoelectrically read by the medical image reading apparatus 1 and converted into image data. Further, image supplementary information relating to this image data is also created. As the image supplementary information, for example, the name of the patient who is the subject, data such as the date of imaging, imaging conditions such as the imaging region and imaging direction, and an ID number for identifying the medical image reading apparatus that has read the image data To do. The image data is transmitted to the medical image processing apparatus 10 through the network N1 together with the image supplementary information.
[0018]
The processing unit 2 of the medical image processing apparatus 10 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) 20, a network interface 11, a memory 15, a hard disk 17, and a hard disk control unit 18 that controls the hard disk 17. ing. The CPU 20 is connected to each unit through a bus line BL including a system bus, an image bus, and the like, and is connected to the medical image reading apparatus 1 through a network interface 11 and a network N1.
[0019]
The hard disk 17 is a recording medium for recording software (program) and a database for causing the CPU 20 to perform an operation. 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.
[0020]
Further, the processing unit 2 is provided with interfaces 13 and 14. The input unit 3 is connected to the CPU 20 via the interface 13, and the display unit 4 and the printer 5 are connected to the CPU 20 via the interface 14.
[0021]
Next, the functional blocks 21 to 24 constituted by the CPU 20 and software (program), which are features of the present invention, will be described.
The first image processing unit 21 and the second image processing unit 22 perform different types of image processing on the image data received from the medical image reading apparatus 1.
The first image processing unit 21 performs real-time processing and / or interactive processing while sequentially receiving image data received from the medical image reading apparatus 1. As the real-time processing, for example, gradation processing is applicable, and as interactive processing, for example, density change that is operated by an operator while viewing a displayed image is applicable.
[0022]
The first image processing parameter (for example, gradation processing parameter) obtained by the image processing in the first image processing unit 21 is stored in the memory 15. In addition, the image data calculation unit 23 calculates image data using the first image processing parameter, and the calculated image data is output from the output unit 24 to the display unit 4, and the display unit 4 performs medical diagnosis. An image is displayed.
[0023]
In parallel with the image processing in the first image processing unit 21, the second image processing unit 22 receives the image data sent from the image reading device 1 and then performs batch processing in the background. The batch process performed in the second image processing unit 22 is a time-consuming process compared to the real-time process or interactive process performed in the first image processing unit 21. Examples of batch processing include noise removal processing of image data, grid removal processing, frequency conversion processing, and the like. In particular, in order to perform noise removal processing and grid removal processing, image data of the entire screen is necessary and cannot be performed in real time as in real time processing. Others that cannot be processed in real time due to complicated calculations and processing are included in batch processing.
[0024]
The second image processing parameter (for example, grid removal processing parameter) used in the image processing in the second image processing unit 22 and the image data subjected to the second image processing are stored in the memory 15. The image data calculation unit 23 calculates the image data subjected to the second image processing using the first image processing parameter after the first and second image processing is completed, The image data calculated using the image processing parameters is replaced with image data calculated using the first and second image processing parameters. The replaced image data is output from the output unit 24 to the display unit 4, and a medical diagnostic image is displayed on the display unit 4. The replaced image data is recorded on a recording medium such as the hard disk 17 together with the image supplementary information.
[0025]
Thus, before the completion of the first and second image processing, based on the image data calculated using the first image processing parameter obtained by the image processing in the first image processing unit 21. After the medical diagnostic image is displayed and the first and second image processing is completed, the first and second image processing parameters used in the image processing in the first and second image processing units 21 and 22 A medical diagnostic image is displayed based on the image data calculated using.
[0026]
With the replacement of the image data as described above or instead of the replacement of the image data, the image data calculation unit 23 stores the first and second image processing parameters in the image stored in the memory 15 or the hard disk 17 or the like. In addition to the incidental information, it may be output together with the image data.
[0027]
Next, a medical image processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a medical image processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In step S <b> 1, image data is generated by reading information such as a radiographic image recorded on a recording sheet using the medical image reading apparatus 1. In step S <b> 2, the medical image processing apparatus 10 receives image data from the medical image reading apparatus 1. The first image processing unit 21 performs real-time processing and / or interactive processing on the received image data to obtain a first image processing parameter. In step S3, the image data calculation unit 23 calculates image data using the first image processing parameter, and a medical diagnostic image is displayed on the display unit 4 based on the image data.
[0028]
In parallel with step S2, in step S4, the second image processing unit 22 performs batch processing on the image data in the background to obtain second image processing parameters and processed image data. In step S5, the image data calculation unit 23 calculates image data using the first image processing parameter, and replaces the image data calculated using the first image processing parameter with this image data. In step S <b> 6, a medical diagnostic image is displayed on the display unit 4 based on the replaced image data. Here, a medical diagnostic image may be printed on a film by outputting the image data to the printer 5. Further, the image data calculation unit 23 may add the first and second image processing parameters to the image supplementary information stored in the memory 15 or the hard disk 17 and output the image data together with the image data.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the second image processing is performed in parallel with the first image processing performed on the image data, another image processing is not performed without waiting for the completion of one image processing. Image processing can be started. Thereby, the processing time can be shortened and the throughput can be improved.
[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 flowchart showing a medical image processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Medical image reader 2 Processing part 3 Input part 4 Display part 5 Printer 6 External device 10 Medical image processing apparatus 11 Network interface 13, 14 Interface 15 Memory 17 Hard disk 18 Hard disk control part 20 CPU
21 First image processing unit 22 Second image processing unit 23 Image data operation unit 24 Output unit

Claims (6)

First image data obtained by reading medical images recorded by imaging for diagnostic purposes is sequentially received, and first image processing parameters are obtained for the first image data, and first image processing is sequentially performed. (A) obtaining second image data by applying;
Displaying a medical diagnostic image based on the second image data obtained in step (a);
In parallel with the first image processing, obtaining a second image processing parameter for the first image data and performing the second image processing to obtain the third image data (c);
After the first and second image processing is completed, the first image processing parameter is used to convert the first image data into the third image data instead of the medical diagnostic image displayed based on the second image data. (D) displaying or creating a new medical diagnostic image by performing the image processing of
A medical image processing method comprising: First image data obtained by reading a medical image recorded by imaging for diagnostic purposes is sequentially received together with image supplementary information, and a first image processing parameter is obtained for the first image data to obtain a first image processing parameter. Step (a) for sequentially performing image processing;
In parallel with the first image processing, obtaining a second image processing parameter for the first image data and performing the second image processing;
(C) adding the first and second image processing parameters to the image supplementary information after the first and second image processing is completed;
A medical image processing method comprising: First image data obtained by reading medical images recorded by imaging for diagnostic purposes is sequentially received, and first image processing parameters are obtained for the first image data, and first image processing is sequentially performed. First image processing means for applying;
In parallel with the first image processing, second image processing means for obtaining a second image processing parameter for the first image data and performing the second image processing;
After the first and second image processing is completed, the second image data calculated using the first image processing parameter is converted into a third image calculated using the first and second image processing parameter. Image data calculation means for replacing with image data;
Image display means for displaying a medical diagnostic image based on the second image data or the third image data;
A medical image processing apparatus comprising: First image data obtained by reading a medical image recorded by imaging for diagnostic purposes is sequentially received together with image supplementary information, and a first image processing parameter is obtained for the first image data to obtain a first image processing parameter. First image processing means for sequentially performing image processing;
In parallel with the first image processing, second image processing means for obtaining a second image processing parameter for the first image data and performing the second image processing;
Means for adding the first and second image processing parameters to the image supplementary information after the first and second image processing is completed;
A medical image processing apparatus comprising: The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a processing time in the second image processing is longer than a processing time in the first image processing. The first processing includes real-time processing sequentially performed while receiving image data,
The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second process includes a batch process performed after receiving a predetermined amount of image data.

Images