JP2004362370A - Medical image diagnostic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically prevent messed schedules at a hospital side caused by patients who forget their examination dates, confusion and unfavorable situations at a patient side as well as the hospital side. <P>SOLUTION: A medical image diagnostic device comprises: a recording device 26 storing schedule data including examination dates and names of patients, and patient data including names of patients and data for contact addresses of patients; and a CPU 19 for retrieving a coming examination schedule at the point of retrieving time by determining that the retrieving time comes up, by signals sent from a clock device 25, for making a message forming device 27 prepare confirmation messages of the examination schedules by giving extracted data with the retrieval to the message forming device 27, and for automatically sending the message to e-mail addresses of respective patients via a communication device 29. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a medical image diagnostic device such as an X-ray CT device (CT scanner), an MR imaging device, or an ultrasonic diagnostic device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a hospital, when performing an examination on a patient using a medical image diagnostic apparatus such as an X-ray CT apparatus, an MR imaging apparatus, or an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the examination may be performed only once. Sometimes it takes. The examination date and time is determined in advance so that the schedule on the doctor or hospital side matches the schedule on the patient. Doctors and hospital personnel must inform patients of the date and time of the examination. Usually, they are only given verbally or mailed or handed a document indicating the date and time of the examination. The patient adjusts his schedule and goes to the hospital on the date and time of the examination to be examined.
[0003]
On the day of the examination, the patient who receives the examination loses not only the time for the examination but also a lot of time for reception, consultation, accounting, and the like. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust an individual's schedule for work and housework and to carry out inspections. If you forget the examination date or remember it just before, the schedule may not go well and you may have to change it to another date and time. This is not good for the patient or for hospital personnel.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, conventionally, since the examination date is notified orally or in writing, there is a problem that the possibility of schedule change is high. In other words, there is a high probability that a mere verbal notification will inadvertently forget. Also, when giving notice in writing, if the document is lost or kept out of sight, the inspection date may be similarly forgotten.
[0005]
In view of the above, the present invention has been improved to automatically prevent a situation in which a patient forgets an examination date, which leads to a disorderly schedule, and confusion and disadvantages occur not only on the hospital side but also on the patient side. It is an object of the present invention to provide a medical image diagnostic apparatus.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the medical image diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention,
Medical image information acquisition means;
Means for entering patient information including patient contact information and examination schedule information including examination date and time;
Means for holding the input patient information and examination schedule information,
A clock means for indicating the passage of date and time;
Communication means;
At a set date and time, a search for the approaching examination date is retrieved from the examination schedule information, the contact information of the patient scheduled for the examination is extracted from the patient information, a message is generated, and the message is generated through the communication means. And a schedule management means for sending to the user.
[0007]
The medical image diagnostic apparatus is provided with medical image information acquisition means, which is also referred to as a main body of the medical image diagnostic apparatus such as an X-ray CT apparatus, an MR imaging apparatus, or an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and also provides a contact information for a patient. Means for inputting examination schedule information including patient information and examination date and time, means for holding the input patient information and examination schedule information, timing means for indicating the passage of date and time, and communication means. Further, at a set date and time, a search is performed for the approaching examination date from the examination schedule information, the contact information of the patient scheduled to be examined is extracted from the patient information, a message is generated, and the message is transmitted through the communication. Schedule management means for sending to the patient through the means. The generated message is a content notifying the schedule of the examination, and is sent to the contact information of the patient by e-mail or FAX as text information or by telephone as voice information. Since the schedule management means performs a search at the set date and time to extract the approaching examination schedule and automatically communicates the above-mentioned contact to the patient, the burden on doctors and hospital staff does not increase.
[0008]
Here, the input means of the patient information and the schedule information is an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard. As a means for holding such information, a recording device such as a hard disk or a memory can be used. The communication means includes a telephone / fax modem, a network adapter, and the like. Although dedicated hardware can be used as the schedule management means, it can be realized by computer software. Generation of characters to be sent by e-mail or facsimile, generation of a voice message to be sent by telephone, and the like can be realized by hardware or by computer software. The clocking means can also use the clock function built into the computer. The schedule management means allows the image monitor device to have a function of displaying a patient information input screen (or input window) or an examination schedule information input screen (or input window), and a user interface of the screen (window). Alternatively, such information may be input. Medical image information acquisition means such as an X-ray CT apparatus include a computer for control, a recording device such as a hard disk, a memory, an image monitor device for displaying medical images, and input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard. Since such hardware resources are usually provided, the introduction of schedule management software operating on the computer using these hardware resources can minimize the addition of new hardware resources.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an X-ray CT apparatus (CT scanner). In FIG. 1, a gantry 11 rotatably holds a rotating frame 12, on which an X-ray tube 13, an X-ray detector 14, and a data acquisition device 15 are mounted. The X-ray detector 14 is a multi-channel detector in which a large number (for example, 800) of detector elements are arranged in an arc shape, and is arranged to face the X-ray tube 13. Each channel of the X-ray detector 14 is connected to a data acquisition device 15.
[0010]
The rotary frame 12 is rotationally driven by a rotary drive mechanism 16 including a motor and a belt pulley mechanism as shown by the arrow. The rotation drive mechanism 16 is controlled by a CPU (computer) 19. The subject (patient) 10 is placed in the central cavity of the rotating frame 12, and the X-ray tube 13, the X-ray detector 14, and the like rotate with the rotating frame 12 around the subject 10. Then, the rotation angle of the rotating frame 12 is detected by the angle detector 17. Therefore, when the rotating frame 12 is rotated, an angle detection signal is sequentially generated, for example, every 1 ° from the angle detector 17 and sent to the data collection device 15 to be used as a trigger signal for the data collection.
[0011]
That is, when the rotating frame 12 is rotated while irradiating the subject 10 with X-rays from the X-ray tube 13, data distribution of a large number of channels is obtained for each X-ray irradiation direction at every 1 °. Such data for each angle is collected by the data collection device 15, and when data is collected in an angle range of 360 ° (or 180 °), the data is sent to the image reconstruction device 18 and controlled by the CPU 19. Image reconstruction calculation processing is performed by an algorithm such as the back projection method under, and the obtained image (CT image) is displayed by the image monitor device 21. The CPU 19 includes, in addition to the image monitor device 21, input devices such as a mouse 22 and a keyboard 23, and a memory 24 and a timer device 25. The CPU 19 stores collected data or reconstructed image data. A recording device 26 such as a hard disk is connected (the clock device 25 often uses a clock function built in the CPU 19).
[0012]
The above configuration is the configuration of the main body of a normal X-ray CT apparatus. In the present invention, a message generation device 27, a voice synthesis device 28, and a communication device 29 are added, and the operation on the CPU 19 is performed. Schedule management software is installed. The communication device 29 includes, for example, a telephone / fax modem connected to a telephone line, a network adapter connected to a communication network, and the like. When the patient information input screen (or input window) of the schedule management software is called, a screen (window) as shown in FIG. Therefore, a doctor or technician at the hospital operates the mouse 22 and the keyboard 23 while looking at this screen, and in addition to the patient's name, ID, gender, date of birth, a contact telephone number and an e-mail address (or (FAX number). The phone number can be registered as a mobile phone number.
[0013]
When performing an examination using this X-ray CT apparatus, a doctor or a technician or the like inquires about the circumstances and schedule of the patient in advance, and then decides the examination date and time. When the examination date and time is determined, the schedule of the examination date and time is communicated verbally, and notes and the like are communicated. At the same time, the doctor or technician inputs and registers the examination schedule information using the keyboard 23 and the mouse 22. The information to be registered includes examination date and time, examination schedule data such as examination contents, patient data, and the like. The patient data is input by calling the patient information input screen (FIG. 2) as described above. These input and registered patient data and examination schedule data are stored in the recording device 26 or the memory 24.
[0014]
This schedule management software has a search and notification function, is resident in the CPU 19, and always operates in the background. When the setting screen for the search is called, a screen (window) as shown in FIG. 3 appears on the image monitor device 21, and the search start time and the extraction condition can be set. As the search start time, for example, "every day" or "12:00", or "Monday" or "10:00" can be set. Further, the extraction condition can be set such that the inspection date is “within 5 days”, “within 10 to 20 days” from the search time, or a specific inspection date, for example, “May 10”.
[0015]
The CPU 19 determines that the set search start time has come, using a signal from the clock device 25, starts an operation of searching for the schedule data stored in the recording device 26 or the like, and sets the operation as the extraction condition. The inspection schedule of the condition is extracted. In this way, the data of the inspection schedule whose inspection date is approaching is extracted. These schedule data include examination date and time, examination contents, patient ID (or patient name), and the like, and are taken into the CPU 19. From the patient ID (patient name) included in each of the scheduled data, the patient data stored in the recording device 26 is read. Since the patient data includes the patient name and the contact telephone number as described above, information such as the name and contact telephone number of the patient approaching the examination date is taken into the CPU 19.
[0016]
Therefore, the message generation device 27 uses the data such as the examination date and time, examination contents, patient name, and contact telephone number captured by the CPU 19 to read, for example, “This is a hospital. Is approaching. The examination is from the month, day, day of the week, hour, and minute, and the examination content is the CT examination. Please come in time for the appointment. " This message is basically generated as character information, transmitted as an e-mail over the network via the communication device 29, and delivered to the e-mail address of the patient. If the e-mail address is not registered, the message of the above character is synthesized into voice data by the voice synthesizer 28, and the communication device 29 (in this case, a telephone modem) calls the registered contact telephone number. Is performed, and is played as an automatic voice message having the above contents. If there is an e-mail address, both e-mail and telephone voice message may be sent. If a FAX number is registered, a text message may be sent as a FAX message.
[0017]
In this way, the patient is notified when the test date is approaching, so that the patient can be reminded of the test date even if he / she has forgotten the test date, and can make necessary preparations such as adjusting personal schedules. it can. If the patient arrives at the hospital on time, the scheduled test will be performed smoothly, eliminating the inconvenience of having those patients experience unnecessary stress, such as having other patients around them wait unnecessarily. When hospitals such as doctors and technicians who perform examinations are scheduled to examine a large number of patients, the examinations can be smoothly and sequentially performed according to a schedule, and the examination efficiency can be improved. Doctors and technicians only need to register at the time when the examination date and time are determined. After that, the X-ray CT device or other device automatically detects that the examination date is approaching and automatically notifies the relevant patient. A message confirming this is sent, so the burden does not increase. Further, since computer resources provided in the X-ray CT apparatus or the like can be used as they are, addition of hardware and the like can be suppressed to a minimum.
[0018]
Although the example in which the present invention is applied to the X-ray CT apparatus has been described above, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to other medical image diagnostic apparatuses such as an MR imaging apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In addition, the specific configuration and the like can be variously changed. For example, although the message generation device 27 and the speech synthesis device 28 are described in terms of hardware, they can be realized by software.
[0019]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the medical image diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, an examination schedule management function is provided, and when an examination date is approaching, notification of the confirmation to the corresponding patient by an e-mail or an automatic voice message on the telephone is provided. Is performed, so that patients can be prevented from forgetting the test schedule, and doctors, technicians, and hospitals who need to perform tests on many patients can work smoothly and improve test efficiency. Can be improved. In addition, the provision of such a function in the medical image diagnostic apparatus can be performed with minimal addition of hardware, so that there is no problem in terms of cost. Further, the labor and burden on doctors and technicians do not increase.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a patient information input screen.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a search setting screen.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Subject 11 Gantry 12 Rotating frame 13 X-ray tube 14 Multi-channel X-ray detector 15 Data collection device 16 Rotation drive mechanism 17 Angle detector 18 Image reconstruction device 19 CPU (computer)
21 image monitor 22 mouse 23 keyboard 24 memory 25 timer 26 recorder 27 message generator 28 voice synthesizer 29 communication device

Claims (1)

Medical image information acquisition means;
Means for entering patient information including patient contact information and examination schedule information including examination date and time;
Means for holding the input patient information and examination schedule information,
A clock means for indicating the passage of date and time;
Communication means;
At a set date and time, a search for the approaching examination date is retrieved from the examination schedule information, the contact information of the patient scheduled for the examination is extracted from the patient information, a message is generated, and the message is generated through the communication means. A medical image diagnostic apparatus comprising:

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