JP2004355481A - Medical image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical image processor capable of outputting image data obtained by image processing together with incidental information using an application language in receiving the incidental information using an other language together with medical image data and capable of outputting the image data obtained by image processing together with the incidental information using the other language in receiving the incidental information using the application language together with the medical image data. <P>SOLUTION: At the time of receiving an image file including image data and its incidental information and performing the image processing of the image data, the medical image processor extracts information described by the other language other than the application language from the incidental information, translates the extracted information into information of the application language, writes the translated information in the incidental information, and outputs the image file together with the incidental information translated into the application language. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a medical image processing apparatus, a medical network system, and a program for receiving an image file and performing image processing on image data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Radiation images are widely used for diagnosing diseases and the like. In order to obtain such radiation images, radiation transmitted through a subject from an imaging modality radiation irradiating unit of a CR (computed radiography) is converted into a plate-like stimulable phosphor. After the absorption, the stimulable phosphor is excited while being scanned with, for example, a laser beam, so that the radiation energy (radiation image information) accumulated by the stimulable phosphor due to the absorption is emitted as fluorescence. There is known a medical image generating apparatus configured to read a radiation image by photoelectrically converting the fluorescence to obtain a radiation image signal. The fluorescence generated from the stimulable phosphor plate by the scanning of the laser light is collected, photoelectrically converted by a photomultiplier, the electric signal is amplified, and image processing is performed based on a digital signal converted from the analog signal. Thus, a radiation image is read to generate medical image information (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).
[0003]
As described above, the medical image processing apparatus receives the medical image information and the supplementary information such as the inspection information of the image information from the medical image generating apparatus that reads and generates the medical image information after imaging, performs image processing, and performs image processing. Image information and supplementary information are transmitted to a viewer, a server, a printer, and the like.
[0004]
Conventionally, the same language, for example, Japanese is used for each piece of supplementary information such as examination information attached to medical image data processed as described above. Regarding such languages, for example, Patent Literature 2 below discloses a database in which medical diagnosis information or medical diagnosis information of a customer is compiled into a database, and medical treatment is performed in a language that can be understood by a physician in the country at the overseas travel destination of the customer based on the request of the customer. A medical diagnostic information providing apparatus that provides diagnostic information is described.
[0005]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-163,199 discloses that, when a document image received via a line by a facsimile apparatus is described in a language of a different country, the language is appropriately determined, and the document information translated according to the determination result. Is described.
[0006]
However, in the case of Patent Document 2 below, a normal document file that stores contents such as medical records can be processed, but a medical image file cannot be handled. In the case of Patent Document 3 below, a document image is output by an image processing device or the like of a facsimile apparatus, and therefore, medical image information cannot be handled.
[0007]
In recent years, with the development of means of transportation and the expansion of international exchange, the range of human activities has been expanding worldwide, and the number of cases where consultations and treatments are required at travel destinations and places of stay is increasing rapidly. When using an image of a medical image file that has been used at a travel destination / stay location, it is often difficult to use or to use supplementary information such as examination information of the medical image file.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-3444783
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2002-73820
[Patent Document 3]
Japanese Patent No. 3213197
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the related art, and provides a medical image processing apparatus capable of outputting image-processed image data together with auxiliary information in a language in use when receiving auxiliary information in another language together with medical image data. With the goal.
[0012]
It is another object of the present invention to provide a medical image processing apparatus capable of outputting image-processed image data together with supplementary information in another language when the supplementary information in the language used is received together with the medical image data.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a medical image processing apparatus according to the present invention is a medical image processing apparatus for receiving an image file including image data and its accompanying information and performing image processing on the image data, wherein the medical image processing apparatus is used from the accompanying information. Means for extracting information described in a language other than the language, means for translating the extracted information into a working language, means for writing the translated information in the incidental information, and means for translating into the working language Means for outputting the image file together with supplementary information.
[0014]
According to this medical image processing apparatus, when the supplementary information of the received image file includes information described in a language other than the language used, information in another language can be extracted and translated. The image data can be output together with the supplementary information of the language used.
[0015]
Another medical image processing apparatus according to the present invention is a medical image processing apparatus that receives an image file containing image data and its supplementary information and performs image processing on the image data, and translates the supplementary information from a used language to another language. Means for writing the translated information into the supplementary information, and means for outputting the image file together with the supplementary information translated into the other language.
[0016]
According to this medical image processing apparatus, when collateral information in the language used is received together with the medical image data, the collateral information can be translated from the language used to another language. And output is possible. In this case, by further providing means for designating the other language from a plurality of languages, a necessary language can be selected and translated.
[0017]
It is preferable that each of the medical image processing apparatuses further includes means for displaying a plurality of translated words or translated sentences of the translated information, and means for selecting from the plurality of translated words or translated sentences.
[0018]
Note that each of the medical image processing apparatuses may be configured to receive the image file from a plurality of medical image generating apparatuses. Further, the image file can be loaded from various storage media such as a hard disk and an optical disk.
[0019]
The medical network system according to the present invention includes the above-described medical image processing apparatus, a medical image generating apparatus that generates medical image data and transmits the generated medical image data to the medical image processing apparatus together with the accompanying information, and the medical image processing apparatus And a device for performing predetermined processing received from the processing device.
[0020]
According to this medical network system, when the medical image processing apparatus receives the supplementary information in another language together with the medical image data, it can extract and translate the information in another language. Together with the additional information described above. Further, when the supplementary information in the language used is received together with the medical image data, the supplementary information can be translated from the language used to another language. It can be output to the device.
[0021]
In the medical network system, the medical image processing apparatus can transmit and receive the image file including the supplementary information via the Internet, so that the medical image processing apparatus can transmit the translated medical image file of the supplementary information. Even if a medical image file of information is received, it can be translated into the language used.
[0022]
A program according to the present invention is a program for a computer provided in a medical image processing apparatus that receives an image file containing image data and its accompanying information and performs image processing on the image data. Extracting the information described in a language, translating the extracted information into a language of use, writing the translated information into the collateral information, and the collateral information translated into the language of use. Outputting the image file to the computer.
[0023]
According to this program, if the supplementary information of the image file received by the medical image processing apparatus includes information described in a language other than the language used, the information can be extracted and translated in another language. The processed image data can be output together with the supplementary information of the language used.
[0024]
Another program according to the present invention is a program for a computer provided in a medical image processing apparatus which receives an image file containing image data and its accompanying information and performs image processing on the image data, wherein the accompanying information is converted from a language used. Causing the computer to execute a step of translating into another language, a step of writing the translated information into the supplementary information, and a step of outputting the image file together with the supplementary information translated into the other language. And
[0025]
According to this program, when the medical image processing apparatus receives collateral information in the language of use together with medical image data, the collateral information can be translated from the language of use into another language. It can be output together with supplementary information. In this case, it is preferable to further execute a step of specifying the other language from a plurality of languages.
[0026]
It is preferable that, in each of the programs, a step of displaying the plurality of translated words or translated sentences and a step of selecting from the plurality of translated words or translated sentences are further executed.
[0027]
The language used and the other language may be, for example, Japanese, East Asian languages such as Chinese and Korean, or European languages such as English and German, and are not particularly limited.
[0028]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a medical network system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a medical network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029]
The medical network system of FIG. 1 scans a stimulable phosphor panel on which radiation image information of a subject (patient) is recorded with excitation light to emit light, and photoelectrically converts the light to obtain image information (CR). a medical image generating apparatus 1 for generating a medical image by an imaging modality of radiography, a medical image processing apparatus 2 for inputting an image file from the medical image generating apparatus 1, performing image processing and outputting image information, and a personal computer (Personal computer), a workstation, and the like, and includes an image display device (viewer) 3 for a radiologist to make a diagnosis by referring to the image.
[0030]
The medical network system shown in FIG. 1 includes a personal computer or a workstation for displaying an image, and refers to an image but does not perform a diagnosis. An image storage device (image server) 5 which comprises a workstation or the like and stores image files in an image database and can search and read images from the image display device 3 and the reference terminal 4; and the medical image generating device 1 or the medical image A plurality of printers 6 and 7 for outputting image data from the processing device 2 to a film made of a photosensitive material as a visible image. An RIS / HIS (order information management device) 8 for managing order information is connected to the medical network system in FIG.
[0031]
In the medical network system shown in FIG. 1, each of the devices 1 to 8 is connected online via a network 10, and can transmit and receive information to and from each other. The image storage device (image server) 5 stores a large number of image files in a relatively large-capacity storage medium such as a hard disk, an optical disk, or a magnetic tape, and can read out the image files as needed.
[0032]
Next, the following items A to H relating to the medical image processing apparatus 2 in FIG. 1 will be described in detail in order.
A. Device configuration B. Information C. File D. Input and display of main information Image confirmation procedure F. Output G. Formation of output image Utility function [0033]
A. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the medical image processing apparatus 2. As shown in FIG.
[0034]
a. The medical image processing device 2 shown in FIG. 2 includes a main control device 21 for controlling the operation of the entire radiographic image capturing system, a CRT display, a liquid crystal panel, and the like, and displays digital image data obtained by the medical image generating device 1 or the like. And an image display unit 22 which can be constituted by a personal computer, and includes an information input device such as an input keyboard and a mouse.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 2, the medical image processing apparatus 2 further includes a receiving unit 40 that receives an image file from the image generation apparatus 1 and the like, and information and image processing of the received image file and the like that is configured by a hard disk device or a RAM. A storage unit 41 for storing the subsequent image information; an image processing unit 42 for performing image processing on the image information in the image file; an output image forming unit 43 for forming an output image to be output to an external device; An image confirmation processing unit 45 for displaying a reduced image on the image display unit 22 for image confirmation of the image and the like. The main control unit 21 controls the parts 40 to 43 and 45, the display device 22, and the like.
[0036]
b. The functions of the medical image processing apparatus 2 are as follows, and each function is controlled by the main controller 21.
(1) The receiving unit 40 receives an image file from the medical image generating apparatus 1 or the like.
(2) The image file is temporarily stored in the storage unit 41.
(3) The image quality is confirmed with the reduced image created by the image confirmation processing unit 45.
(4) The image processing section 42 performs image processing.
(5) An output image is formed by the output image forming unit 43.
(6) The output image is transferred to external devices (output destinations) such as the image display device 3, the image server 5, and the printers 6 and 7 via the network 10.
[0037]
B. Information handled by the information medical image processing apparatus 2 can be classified into the following five types.
[0038]
a. Condition information This is condition information for receiving an image file and outputting it as a processed image file to an external device such as the image server 5, and includes the following.
(A) Image processing information Information on gradation processing and frequency processing in the image processing unit 42.
(B) Output device information Information about an external device such as the image server 5 that reproduces and outputs image data. The output region, the enlargement / reduction ratio, and the output format (multi-format, divided shooting format) are provided for each output device such as the image server 5. ), Overlay, gradation processing and frequency processing.
(C) Overlay information There is information on the presence / absence / position of overlay such as AP / PA / R / L / comment, cancellation mark (double line, x, etc.).
The position of the overlay on the image can be freely changed.
If the lead marker AP, PA, etc. is mistakenly photographed at the time of photographing, the erasure mark is overwritten on the lead marker portion on the image, and characters such as AP / PA are overlaid at any position. Errors can be clearly corrected.
(D) Information on special designation protection: After the image is output, the image file is stored until the protection is removed.
Hold (pending) information: Hold the transfer. Specify if you want to review the image later and then transfer it.
Priority (urgent) information: Designated when priority output is required, such as in emergency shooting. Registered at the head of the queue.
[0039]
b. Patient information Information about the patient.
(A) Patient ID information Patient ID number, name, gender, date of birth, etc. are included.
(B) Order information This is information for which a doctor requests imaging.
This includes information on the patient's condition, instructions on the date and time and method of the examination request, and the like.
[0040]
c. This is information on the result of execution information reception and image processing.
(A) Reception result The shooting date and time are included.
(B) Image processing result This is a calculation result of an image processing parameter, and image data is processed based on the result at the time of output.
(C) Part of system information, such as the system configuration at the time when the system information was captured, is included.
[0041]
d. System information (a) Information for managing and controlling the system of FIG.
(B) Configuration of the system in FIG. 1 (connected external device such as image server 5 and the like).
(C) Parameters and tables for controlling the equipment constituting the system of FIG.
(D) Setting information regarding the medical image generating apparatus 1 as an input apparatus. (E) Setting information regarding an output apparatus such as information on the printer 6 and HOST information.
[0042]
e. Image data (a) Image data received from the medical image generation device 1.
(B) Display reduced image data created from image data for image confirmation. (C) Image processing reduced image data for image processing of the display reduced image in the image confirmation processing unit 45.
(D) Output image data that has been subjected to gradation processing, frequency processing, and the like.
[0043]
C. Files handled by the file medical image processing apparatus 2 are stored in the storage unit 41 and can be classified into the following seven types.
[0044]
a. The condition file condition key is a key in which image processing conditions and output conditions for an image file are set in advance. There is a condition file corresponding to each condition key. The condition file includes the above condition information. Imaging site (lung field, abdomen, head, etc.), imaging position (standing, lying down, etc.), imaging direction (front, side, etc.), patient characteristics (gender, age, physique, etc.), disease name, technician to use And the like, and corresponding names and shooting information are set in advance. Then, main controller 21 sets a condition file group for each of the plurality of classifications, sets a plurality of condition files for each of the set condition file groups, and stores the same in storage unit 41. Select one of the most suitable conditions when receiving an image.
[0045]
b. After receiving the image header file, an image header file is created. The image header includes a reservation file (that is, imaging information and patient information) for the imaging, and imaging execution information. When the user refers to or changes the imaging information, patient information, and imaging execution information, the user refers to the image header file.
[0046]
c. The reduced image file is image data obtained by reducing image data to a certain fraction.
(A) Reduced image data for display This reduced image for display is used for the data displayed on the image display section 22 of FIG.
(B) Reduced image data for image processing This is reduced image data for calculating parameters for performing image processing. The reduction ratio is determined so that one pixel after reduction has the same length designated in advance. Thereby, the difference in the read pixel size can be corrected with the reduced image. The calculation of the image processing parameters is performed on the reduced image for image processing, and the image data is not used.
[0047]
d. Image File (a) The image file includes image accompanying information (image header) and image data.
(B) The image header is composed of condition information, patient information, and implementation information.
The user refers to the condition information, the patient information, and the implementation information, and refers to the image header when making changes.
[0048]
e. Output image file This is a file of output image data that has been subjected to specified processing among frequency processing, gradation processing, overlay, rotation, and scaling.
[0049]
f. System file A file of the above system information.
[0050]
D. Input and display of main information
a. Received image information display Displays the received image as a thumbnail.
[0052]
b. Output information display (1) Specify output size, orientation, trimming position, output position, enlargement / reduction method, etc. Register in the condition file in advance.
{Circle around (2)} When the condition key is selected, the output area and the output image area are determined based on the conditions specified in advance, and are displayed on the screen of the image display unit 22. The size of the output area display area on the screen of the image display unit 22 is defined as the maximum output area for output. The output area and the output image area are graphically displayed in the output area display area. This makes it possible to select and confirm an appropriate output area and output image area for each device.
[0053]
c. Overlay information (1) Specify whether or not to overlay “AP”, “PA”, “R”, “L”, comment, scale, etc., and specify where to overlay. Register in the condition file in advance.
(2) The output image is displayed in the output area display area of the screen of the image display unit 22, and the overlay information is graphically displayed there.
(3) An appropriate overlay can be selected and its position can be specified.
{Circle around (4)} It can be confirmed that there is no hidden portion hidden by the overlay. If the overlay causes inconvenience in diagnosis, it can be moved.
[0054]
d. Online information input / output from RIS (1) An order from a doctor is input. Convert the entered order to the format of this system and save it in the reservation file. The imaging part and the imaging method are converted by the corresponding imaging condition key.
(2) Convert the image header file to the RIS side format and output.
[0055]
e. Image list Image files can be displayed as a list.
[0056]
E. FIG. Image confirmation procedure a. Operation of System at the Time of Image Confirmation (1) An image file is received from the medical image generation device 1 and stored in the storage unit 41.
(2) The image file stored in the storage medium of the storage unit 41 is reduced by the image confirmation processing unit 45 at a reduction ratio specified in advance.
(3) The reduced images are sequentially displayed on the screen of the image display unit 22.
(4) After the reception and display are completed, the digital image information is subjected to image processing by a method designated in advance by the shooting condition key, and is displayed again on the image display unit 22. The reduced image is used to determine the parameters of the image processing.
(5) The image which is sequentially displayed on the image display unit 22 and after the display is completed, is subjected to the gradation processing again to be displayed.
(6) When the operator views the received image displayed on the image display unit 22 and determines that the received image is a normal image, the operator inputs a key for confirming the end of reception from the character information input device, and the image confirmation ends.
(7) When it is desired to change the patient information, the image processing method, the output method, etc., new information can be input from the character information input device.
(8) When the image confirmation key is pressed, the image confirmation of the image is completed and the next image is automatically displayed.
(9) If there is a problem with the image, the image processing can be changed. As a suspension, detailed image processing changes can be made later.
(10) When the image confirmation key is input, the image confirmation ends, and the following processing is performed.
(1) The image file is stored in the storage unit 41 as a confirmed image file.
{Circle around (2)} The image for which image confirmation has been completed is registered in a queue for output to an external device.
(3) The next received image file is displayed, and the image can be confirmed.
(11) When the hold key is input, the image confirmation ends.
[0057]
F. Output (1) Output is performed asynchronously with reception and image confirmation.
(2) Queues are created and managed for each external device, and the queues operate independently of each other and do not affect each other. Therefore, the output is performed asynchronously for each device.
{Circle around (3)} The queue of the external device in which the image is registered is stored as a queue registration table in the storage unit 41, and is updated and managed for each registration and deletion in the queue.
{Circle around (4)} The images registered in the queue are output to the external device in the order of registration, and the images whose output has been completed are deleted from the queue.
(5) When executing the output, the image file stored in the storage unit 41 is specified from the number registered in the queue.
(6) An output image is formed under the conditions stored in the image file. The image header is converted into a format determined for each output device and transferred together with the image data.
[0058]
G. FIG. Formation of output image
a. The output image is formed by the output image forming unit 43 mainly by the following processing.
(1) Image data is read from the storage unit 41 to the image memory.
(2) Perform frequency processing.
(3) Equalization processing (4) Perform gradation processing (5) Perform image rotation (6) Perform mirror inversion (7) Perform enlargement / reduction (8) Perform overlay
b. In (2) to (8), whether or not to execute can be designated by condition information for each output device.
[0061]
c. It is possible to specify that the image data that has been subjected to the processes specified in (2) to (8) be saved as a processed image data file. Eliminates reprocessing of the common processing portion of the output image to each output device.
[0062]
d. For example, if the scaling ratio of the output image to each output device is different, if the processed image is stored up to (6), if it is transferred to another device, the processed image is read up to (6), By performing processing and transferring only in (7) and (8), the time in (2) to (6) can be reduced.
[0063]
e. Execute (5) and (6) simultaneously with any of (2), (3) and (4). Memory access is reduced, and processing time can be reduced.
[0064]
H. Utility function [0065]
a. It has several functions as a utility for the user.
Utility functions are restricted by general user, manager, and manufacturer by password. In particular, changing information about an image requires a manager password for security.
[0066]
b. Image File Operation (1) An image file list is displayed, and information on stored images is displayed on the image display unit 22 in the order of reception.
{Circle around (2)} When a desired image is selected from the list, patient information, condition information, and an image are displayed in the same form as the image confirmation screen.
(3) Patient information, image processing method, output method, etc. can be changed.
{Circle over (4)} The image for which “hold” was designated at the time of shooting is released again by reconfirming the image here.
(5) The output order can be changed whether or not to output to each external device.
[0067]
c. 1. Photographing record and irradiation record (1) Statistical processing of photographing information and patient information is performed and provided to the user as photographing record and irradiation record.
{Circle over (2)} The number of radiographs for each radiographed part in the designated period, a list of radiographing conditions per day, etc. can be output.
[0068]
d. Customize screen and operability can be customized for each user.
[0069]
Next, translation processing in the medical image processing apparatus 2 of FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration for executing a translation process in the medical image processing apparatus 2 of FIGS.
[0070]
As shown in FIG. 3, the medical image processing apparatus 2 of FIG. 2 includes a detecting unit 23 that extracts and detects character information to be translated from a medical image file, and a translating unit 24 that translates the detected character information to a translation engine. And a selection unit 25 for selecting another language to be translated from a plurality of languages. The main control device 21 in FIG. 2 controls the detection unit 23, the translation unit 24, and the selection unit 25.
[0071]
When translating from another language to Japanese, the detecting unit 23 detects character information in another language other than Japanese to be translated, and the translating unit 24 converts the detected character information in another language into Japanese by a translation engine. Translate.
[0072]
When translating from Japanese to another language, the detecting unit 23 detects character information in Japanese to be translated, and the translating unit 24 selects and specifies the detected Japanese character information in the selecting unit 25. Have a translation engine translate into another language other than Japanese.
[0073]
When there are a plurality of candidates for the translated word / translation of the character information translated by the translating unit 24, the main control device 21 of FIG. 2 causes the image display unit 22 to display the plurality of translated words / translations, and the user It can be specified by selecting the translation / translation.
[0074]
The translated character information is written in the supplementary information, and the supplementary information is output to the image display device 3 or the image storage device (image server) 5 in FIG. 1 together with the image data subjected to the image processing. Further, the image data subjected to the image processing and the translated supplementary information can be appropriately stored in a recording medium such as an optical disk or a magneto-optical disk in the medical image processing apparatus 2 and stored separately.
[0075]
Next, when the medical image processing apparatus 2 of FIGS. 1 to 3 receives an image file having supplementary information in a language other than Japanese, the first operation in which the supplementary information is translated into Japanese This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0076]
The medical image processing apparatus 2 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 receives image data from the image generation apparatus 1 and image files including supplementary information such as patient / examination information of the image data (S01). The predetermined image processing is started (S02). On the other hand, it is determined whether or not to perform the translation of the supplementary information (S03). When performing the translation, it is detected whether or not the supplementary information includes character information in another language (S04), and the translation into Japanese is performed. When the character information to be detected is detected, it is translated by the translation engine (S05). At this time, if there are a plurality of translated words and the like (S06), the screen is displayed and the user selects an appropriate translated word and the like (S07).
[0077]
Next, the character information translated as described above is written in the supplementary information (S08). The image processing is continued, and when it is completed (S09), the collateral information translated along with the image-processed image data is output to the image storage device 5 or the like in FIG. 1 as a new medical image file (S10).
[0078]
When there are a plurality of possible translated words / translations in step S06, the translation unit 24 may be provided with an optimal sentence / optimal word automatic determination function, and may automatically determine and select.
[0079]
Next, when the medical image processing apparatus 2 of FIGS. 1 to 3 receives an image file having supplementary information in Japanese, a second operation for translating the supplementary information into another language is shown in the flowchart of FIG. This will be described with reference to FIG.
[0080]
The medical image processing apparatus 2 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 receives image data from the image generation apparatus 1 and an image file including supplementary information such as patient / examination information of the image data (S11). The predetermined image processing is started (S12). On the other hand, it is determined whether or not the additional information needs to be translated (S13). If the additional information needs to be translated, it is detected whether or not the additional information has character information to be translated (S14). When the Japanese character information to be detected is detected, a plurality of translatable languages are displayed on the image display unit 22, and the user specifies which language is to be translated on the screen (S15). The translation is performed by the translation engine (S16). At this time, when there are a plurality of translated words and the like (S17), the screen is displayed and the user selects an appropriate translated word and the like (S18).
[0081]
Next, the character information translated as described above is written in the supplementary information (S19). The image processing is continued, and upon completion (S20), the collateral information translated along with the image-processed image data is output as a new medical image file to the image storage device 5 or the like in FIG. 1 (S21).
[0082]
When there are a plurality of possible translated words / translations in step S17, the translation unit 24 may be provided with an optimal sentence / optimal word automatic determination function, and may automatically determine and select.
[0083]
As an example of the use of the medical network system of FIG. 1, the medical network system of FIG. 1 is configured to be communicable via the Internet. The information can be automatically translated into Japanese, and the doctor can perform the examination while referring to the medical image from China and the supplementary information in Japanese.
[0084]
For example, when transferring a medical image file from Japan to the United States via the Internet, Japanese collateral information can be automatically translated into English, and medical image data must be sent to the United States together with English collateral information. Can be.
[0085]
Further, for example, when a patient is examined in Japan and is hospitalized in the United States several years later due to disease recurrence, the medical image file used for the examination is transferred from Japan by FTP or the like, and an optical disk such as a CD-R is used. It can read medical image data stored at a local medical facility and automatically convert incidental information such as past medical records into English.
[0086]
Further, as a translation example of a medical history, a disease name, an examination method, and the like, a lot of character information for assisting medical treatment is described in a DICOM format medical image file, which can be used. For example, there is the following example.
[0087]
・ Skull softening (Japanese) ← → craniomalasia (English)
・ Contrast agent (Japanese) ← → Contrast Agent (English)
[0088]
As a means for extracting and detecting character information of another language to be translated by the detection unit in FIG. 3, for example, a language can be determined using a DICOM character set (0008, 0005).
Example: ISO_IR 13, Japanese ISO_IR 127, Arabic ISO_IR 166, English if there is no Thai tag
For example, if it is displayed as Latin characters, prepare a dictionary for each Latin language such as French, use statistics, linguistics, and other techniques to select words to be determined, and then select the selected words. It can be the most likely word.
[0090]
As described above, according to the medical network system and the medical image processing apparatus of the present embodiment, even if a medical image file of additional information in another language is received, the medical image file is converted into additional information in a language such as Japanese, Output / save as a new medical image file becomes possible. Also, it is possible to translate the supplementary information of the image file from a used language such as Japanese into another necessary language and output / save it as a new medical image file.
[0091]
In addition, with the progress of internationalization, the expansion of networks, and the spread of digital medical equipment, the possibility of easily reusing medical image data inspected in foreign countries can be realized, and medical image files of collateral information in other languages can be realized. Reuse of past diagnosis contents, medical history, disease names, etc. is facilitated.
[0092]
Each operation of the medical image processing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment described above is controlled by the main control device 21 in FIG. 2 according to a program stored in a storage device such as the storage unit 41, and necessary information processing is executed.
[0093]
As described above, the present invention has been described with the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications can be made within the technical idea of the present invention. For example, as a medical image generating device, in addition to a CR device configured to read a radiation image from a stimulable phosphor panel on which radiation image information of a patient is recorded, a radiation image capturing device using an X-ray flat panel detector, Medical image generation devices such as CT (Computed Tomography: Computed Tomography), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging), DR (Digital Radiography: Digital Radiography), and US (Ultrasound: Ultrasound Diagnostic Device) It is needless to say that the plurality of medical image generating apparatuses are connected to the medical network system according to the present invention, and the medical image files are transmitted from the plurality of medical image generating apparatuses. Kill.
[0094]
Also, in FIGS. 4 and 5, translation between Japanese and another language is taken as an example, but translation between a language other than Japanese and another language other than Japanese may be used. Of course.
[0095]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medical image processing apparatus capable of outputting image-processed image data together with the supplementary information in the language used when the supplementary information in another language is received together with the medical image data. Further, it is possible to provide a medical image processing apparatus capable of outputting image-processed image data together with auxiliary information in another language when the auxiliary information in the language used is received together with the medical image data.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a medical network system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the medical image processing apparatus 2 of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of the medical image processing apparatus 2 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a first operation of the medical image processing apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a second operation of the medical image processing apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Medical image generation apparatus 2 ... Medical image processing apparatus 10 ... Network 21 ... Main control apparatus 22 ... Image display unit 23 ... Detection unit 24 ... Translation unit 25 ... Selection section

Claims (10)

A medical image processing apparatus that receives an image file containing image data and its accompanying information and performs image processing on the image data,
Means for extracting information described in a language other than the language used from the incidental information,
Means for translating the extracted information into a working language;
Means for writing the translated information in the incidental information;
Means for outputting the image file together with the supplementary information translated into the language used, a medical image processing apparatus. A medical image processing apparatus that receives an image file containing image data and its accompanying information and performs image processing on the image data,
Means for translating the supplementary information from the working language to another language,
Means for writing the translated information in the incidental information;
Means for outputting the image file together with the supplementary information translated into the other language. 3. The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a unit that specifies the other language from a plurality of languages. The medical device according to claim 1, 2, or 3, further comprising: means for displaying a plurality of translated words or translated sentences of the translated information; and means for selecting from the plurality of translated words or translated sentences. Image processing device. The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1, a medical image generation apparatus configured to generate medical image data and transmit the generated medical image data to the medical image processing apparatus together with supplementary information, and the image processed image file. And a device for performing predetermined processing received from the medical image processing apparatus. The medical network system according to claim 5, wherein the medical image processing apparatus can transmit and receive an image file including the supplementary information via the Internet. A program for a computer provided in a medical image processing apparatus that receives an image file including image data and its accompanying information and performs image processing on the image data,
Extracting information described in a language other than the language used from the incidental information;
Translating the extracted information into a working language;
Writing the translated information in the incidental information;
Outputting the image file together with the supplementary information translated into the language used by the computer. A program for a computer provided in a medical image processing apparatus that receives an image file including image data and its accompanying information and performs image processing on the image data,
Translating the supplementary information from the language used to another language;
Writing the translated information in the incidental information;
Outputting the image file together with the supplementary information translated into the other language. 9. The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising the step of specifying the other language from a plurality of languages. The program according to claim 7, further comprising the steps of: displaying a plurality of translated words or translated sentences of the translated information; and selecting from the plurality of translated words or translated sentences.

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