JP2005034498A - Inspection information processing unit and medical image imaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inspection information processing unit and a medical image imaging system in which data inputting mistakes such as forgetting engineer's name and the change of engineer who performs radiography can be reduced, when the radiography is performed. <P>SOLUTION: The inspection information processing unit comprises an input unit 31 which is used for inputting data of the engineer who performs radiography, a screen creating part 41c for creating a plurality of screens containing at least the engineer data based on the data inputted from the input unit 31, and a display part 32 for displaying the plurality of screens created by the screen creation part 41c. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention provides medical image capturing for displaying or outputting a medical diagnostic image by performing medical image capturing such as radiography on a subject and processing image data obtained by such medical image capturing. About the system. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an examination information processing apparatus used for processing examination information in such a medical imaging system.

  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 has become one of the means. Since the first X-ray photography was realized, many improvements have been made to the X-ray photography, and at present, a method combining a fluorescent screen and an X-ray film has become the 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.

  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 radiography method using this is to record a radiographic image of a human body (subject) on a sheet coated with a stimulable phosphor, and scan the stimulable phosphor sheet with excitation light such as laser light. Then, since stimulated emission light is generated, image data is obtained by photoelectrically reading this light. Furthermore, after appropriately processing this image data using a medical image processing apparatus, it can be displayed on a display such as a CRT or printed on a film by a laser printer or the like, and a radiation image can be output as a visible image. .

  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, no matter what radiation dose the subject is photographed, it is possible to capture the emission region where the image exists and normalize it into a digital signal without excess or deficiency. Further, by combining the signal obtained in this way with an appropriate image processing method, it is possible to provide a steady and high-quality image even under various shooting conditions. Furthermore, since the digitized image information is obtained directly, not only can a large amount of data be stored for a long period of time without causing image deterioration, but also development into a medical diagnosis information system is possible. Become.

  By the way, in medical diagnosis using a radiographic image, the name of an engineer who takes a radiographic image is one of important information. This is because, when a radiographic image is captured, imaging conditions such as adjustment of exposure energy are set by an engineer, and therefore the quality of the radiographic image is often determined by the engineer's judgment and skill level. Patent Document 1 discloses an X-ray imaging apparatus that can automatically set imaging conditions according to the body shape of a subject. By using such a system, it becomes possible to reduce variations in the quality of the radiation image due to the skill level of the engineer to some extent. However, even if such a system is used, it is necessary to perform quality assurance (QA) to inspect the image quality after taking a radiographic image, such as whether or not the image can be used for medical diagnosis. Since there is, information on who has taken the radiation image is still necessary. In particular, in recent radiography systems, QA is often performed by a person different from an engineer who actually performed radiography. The QA result is also used for evaluation of the photographing level. For this reason, it is necessary to accurately associate the radiation image with the name of the engineer who has taken the radiation image.

However, conventionally, there has been no photographing system that always displays the engineer name during photographing or QA. For this reason, even if an engineer name is input to the imaging system when starting an inspection, the engineer name is not displayed during the inspection, so it is not possible to check which engineer is currently in charge. If the engineer name is not input when starting the inspection, the engineer name input in the previous inspection is erroneously registered as the current inspection engineer. Further, even if the engineer in charge is changed during the inspection, the engineer name cannot be confirmed during the inspection, and therefore the user often forgets to change the engineer name. For this reason, in the conventional radiographic imaging system, the engineer name of the engineer who actually performed imaging and the obtained radiographic image often do not correspond.
JP 2002-10996 A

  In view of the above points, the present invention provides an examination information processing apparatus capable of reducing mistakes such as forgetting to input or changing the name of an engineer performing imaging when performing medical imaging such as radiography, and An object of the present invention is to provide a medical image photographing system including such an inspection information processing apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems, an inspection information processing apparatus according to the present invention is based on input means used when inputting engineer information regarding an engineer who performs imaging for diagnostic purposes, and engineer information input using the input means. And a screen creating means for creating a plurality of screens each displaying at least an engineer name, and a display means for displaying the plurality of screens created by the screen creating means.

  A medical image photographing system according to the present invention includes a medical image photographing device that irradiates a subject with radiation and captures a radiographic image, and a medical image reading device that reads a radiographic image photographed by the medical image photographing device. , Input means used when inputting engineer information related to a radiographing engineer, and screen creation means for creating a plurality of screens each including at least engineer information based on the engineer information input using the input means And an inspection information processing apparatus having display means for displaying a plurality of screens created by the screen creation means.

  According to the present invention, the name of an engineer who performs medical image capturing is always displayed on the screen of the examination information processing apparatus, so that an operator who handles the apparatus can check the engineer name at any time and if necessary. You can correct the engineer's name. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent mistakes such as forgetting to input or changing the engineer name.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a medical image photographing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, this radiographic imaging system is a medical imaging apparatus 10 that records a radiographic image on a recording sheet (stimulable phosphor sheet) 1 by irradiating a subject with radiation and performing imaging. A medical image reading device 20 that photoelectrically reads information such as a radiographic image recorded on the recording sheet 1 to generate image data, and processes and displays various types of information related to the examination, and a medical image reading device 20 includes an examination information processing apparatus 30 that inputs image data from 20 and displays a medical diagnostic image.

  The medical image photographing apparatus 10 includes a photographing position raising / lowering mechanism 11 that raises and lowers the photographing position of the subject by moving the position of the recording sheet 1 up and down, a photographing stand 12 that determines the position of the subject's legs, A radiation generation unit 13 for irradiating the examiner, an imaging control unit 14 for controlling the radiation generation unit 13 and the like in accordance with given imaging conditions, and an input unit 15 used for inputting various commands and imaging conditions. Including. The shooting control unit 14 is connected to the network N1, and can set shooting conditions via the network N1.

  The recording sheet 1 used for radiography is coated with a stimulable phosphor material. The radiographic image information is accumulated and recorded on the recording sheet 1 by performing radiography of the subject under predetermined imaging conditions using the recording sheet 1. After photographing, the recording sheet 1 is set at a predetermined position of the medical image reading device 20.

  In the medical image reading apparatus 20, the light beam emitted from the laser light source 21 scans the surface of the recording sheet 1 through the optical scanning unit 22. By this scanning, a light beam is irradiated onto the recording sheet 1, and an amount of stimulated emission light corresponding to the radiation image information accumulated and recorded is generated from the portion irradiated with the light beam. The stimulated emission light is photoelectrically detected by a photomultiplier (photomultiplier tube) 23, output as an analog signal, amplified by an amplifier 24, and digitized by an A / D converter 25. The image data generated in this way is input to the inspection information processing apparatus 30 via the network N1.

  The examination information processing apparatus 30 includes an input unit 31 that is used to input various commands for operating the medical image capturing system and information about the examination, and a display unit 32 that displays information about the examination and medical diagnostic images. The printer 33 for printing medical diagnostic images on a film or the like, and the processing unit 40 are included. The processing unit 40 performs processing of input image data, management of information related to examinations such as information related to patients (patient information) and information related to engineers (engineer information). In addition, an external device 50 such as a hospital database server, an ID card reader, or a terminal device may be connected to the system as necessary.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the inspection information processing apparatus shown in FIG. The processing unit 40 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) 41, a memory 42 for temporarily storing input image data and image supplementary information, a hard disk 43 as a recording medium, a hard disk control unit 44, and an interface 45. And a network interface 46. These are connected to each other via a bus line.

  The CPU 41 is connected to an input unit 31 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a display unit 32 such as a CRT display, and a printer 33 via an interface 45, and the medical image photographing apparatus 10 via a network interface 46 and a network N1. And a medical image reading device 20. The hard disk 43 stores software (program) for causing the CPU 41 to perform an operation. In addition to the built-in hard disk 43, an external hard disk, flexible disk, MO, MT, RAM, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or the like can be used as the recording medium.

  Next, functional blocks 41a to 41d configured by the CPU 41 and software (program) will be described. The image processing unit 41 a performs image processing such as normalization, gradation processing, and logical reading processing on the image data input from the medical image reading device 20. The incidental information management unit 41b manages patient information and engineer information input using the input unit 31 as image incidental information of image data representing a radiation image. That is, the incidental information management unit 41b displays the input patient information and engineer information on the display unit 32 in association with the radiation image, or stores them in the memory 42 or the hard disk 43 in association with the image data representing the radiation image. Or let them record. The screen creation unit 41c represents a screen to be displayed on the display unit 32 based on image data subjected to image processing in the image processing unit 41a, patient information or engineer information managed by the incidental information management unit 41b, and the like. Generate image data. The output unit 41 d outputs the generated image data to the display unit 32 or the printer 33 via the interface 45. Thereby, a radiographic image, engineer information, etc. are displayed on the display part 32 by a predetermined layout, or printed on a film etc.

  In this embodiment, each of the image processing unit 41a, the incidental information management unit 41b, the screen creation unit 41c, and the output unit 41d shown in FIG. 2 is configured by a CPU and software. However, a digital circuit or an analog circuit is used. You may comprise.

  An operation of the medical image photographing system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the medical image capturing apparatus according to the present embodiment and the operator who operates the medical image capturing apparatus. 4 to 7 show screens displayed on the display unit 32 of the inspection information processing apparatus 30 shown in FIG.

  In step S11, the operator activates the medical image photographing system shown in FIG. In response to this, the examination information processing apparatus 30 is activated in step S21 in the medical image photographing system. Next, in step S22, the inspection information processing apparatus 30 displays the login screen 100 shown in FIG. 4 on the display unit 32 (see FIG. 1). In step S <b> 12, the operator logs in by inputting the user name and password in the user name input field 101 and the password input field 102 of the login screen 100.

  In step S23, the examination information processing apparatus displays a patient information setting screen 110 as shown in FIG. The patient information setting screen has status 111 such as “examination acceptance”, “waiting for examination”, “waiting for output”, examination number, patient ID number, patient name, requested department, sex, date of birth, pregnancy status, etc. When inputting necessary information in the patient information setting field 112 for inputting patient information including the name, the engineer information setting field 113 for inputting the name (engineer name) of the engineer performing the examination, and these setting fields A soft keyboard 114 to be used, an “examination reservation” button 115 and an “inspection site designation” button 116 which are used when changing the screen are included. Here, in the engineer information setting field 113 immediately after login, the user name input when logging in is displayed.

  In step S <b> 13, the operator inputs patient information and engineer information using the soft keyboard 114 while viewing the patient information setting screen 110. At this time, if the name displayed on the engineer information setting unit 113 is different from the name of the engineer who actually performs the inspection, the operator inputs the name of the engineer who actually performs the inspection. When the operator finishes inputting necessary information, the operator presses the examination site designation button 116. Thereby, the examination information processing apparatus registers the input patient information and engineer information as image supplementary information in step S24. Next, in step S25, the examination information processing apparatus displays an imaging part setting screen 120 for designating a part to be subjected to radiography for examination as shown in FIG. 6 on the screen of the display unit 32.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the imaging region setting screen 120 includes a patient information display field 121 in which a part of patient information set on the patient information setting screen 110 is displayed, a group selection button 122, a menu selection button 123, , A menu display field 124 and a menu deletion button 125 are included. The group selection button 122 is used to select a general imaging region (imaging group) such as “examination—head and neck”, “examination—pelvis”. In addition, the menu selection button 123 selects a specific imaging target region (for example, “cranium”, “sinus sinus”, “Turkish saliva”) included in the selected imaging group, thereby selecting an imaging menu. Used to register. In the menu display field 124, the shooting menu selected using the menu selection button 123 is displayed. By pressing the menu selection button 123 a plurality of times, it is possible to register a plurality of shooting menus. In this case, the shooting menus are displayed in the menu display column in the order selected. At that time, the same menu can be selected a plurality of times. Further, by pressing the menu deletion button 125, the menu once displayed in the menu display field 124 can be deleted.

The imaging region setting screen 120 includes an engineer name display field 126, an “examination cancellation” button 127, an “examination reservation” button 128, and an “examination start” button 129.
The engineer name display field 126 displays the engineer name set on the patient information setting screen 110. In addition, an “inspection cancellation” button 127, an “inspection reservation” button 128, and an “inspection start” button 129 are used when the screen is changed in order to proceed to the next step.

  In step S14, the operator looks at the engineer name display field 126 on the imaging region setting screen 120 and confirms whether or not the displayed engineer name matches the engineer name actually performing the examination. At this time, if the two do not match, the operator displays the patient information setting screen 110 shown in FIG. 5 on the display unit 32 again, and corrects the technician name (step S13). If they match, an imaging region for examination is set in step S15. That is, the operator uses the group selection button 122 to select, for example, “examination-head and neck”, and uses the menu selection button 123 to select “Turkish bowl” from a plurality of imaging regions displayed in response thereto. ”Is selected. As a result, the shooting menu is displayed in the menu display field 124.

  When the operator presses the examination start button 129, the examination information processing apparatus registers an imaging region in step S26. In step S27, the inspection information processing apparatus displays the inspection screen 130 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the examination screen 130 includes a patient information display field 131 for displaying patient information, an image display field 132 for displaying a radiographic image, and a menu display field 133 for displaying an imaging menu corresponding to the radiographic image. , A display format selection button 134 for selecting a display format of the radiation image, an engineer name display field 135, a “QA” button 136, and an “imaging / QA end” button 137 are included.

  In the medical imaging system shown in FIG. 1, when radiographic imaging starts, radiographic imaging is performed in the medical imaging apparatus 10 under the management of an engineer according to a set imaging menu (see FIG. 6). A radiation image is recorded on the recording sheet 1. By reading the recording sheet 1 using the medical image reading device 20, image data representing a radiation image is input to the examination information processing device 30.

  Referring to FIG. 3 again, in step S28, the examination information processing apparatus performs image processing on the image data input from the medical image reading apparatus, and displays the patient information and the technician name on the examination screen 130. A radiation image is displayed on the screen (see FIG. 7). At that time, when the operator appropriately presses the display format selection button 134, the examination information processing apparatus displays a radiation image in a predetermined layout.

  When performing QA, the operator presses the QA button 137 on the inspection screen shown in FIG. 7 in step S16. Thereby, the input of the image data from the medical image reading apparatus 20 is temporarily stopped. The operator visually inspects and evaluates already displayed radiographic images. Based on the results of the inspection and evaluation, the operator may correct or change the imaging conditions in the medical image capturing apparatus 10 or the image processing conditions in the image processing unit 41a (see FIG. 2) of the inspection information processing apparatus. . In response to this, in step S29, the inspection information processing apparatus records the QA result and corrects or changes the imaging condition and the image processing condition. When ending QA or restarting radiographic image capturing or image data input, the operator presses an “imaging / QA end” button 136.

  Thus, according to the present invention, the engineer name is always displayed on the screen at the time of inputting information for radiographic imaging, radiographic imaging, or QA. Therefore, the engineer name can be confirmed at any time, and when the engineer name different from the engineer who is actually inspecting is displayed, the engineer name can be corrected at any time. Accordingly, since it is possible to prevent mistakes such as not inputting the engineer name or forgetting to change it, the correct engineer name can be attached as incidental information to the image data representing the radiation image.

  In the present embodiment, the engineer name is changed by simply inputting the engineer name in the engineer information setting field 113 of the patient information setting screen 110 shown in FIG. 5, but access restriction by a password may be performed. For example, when changing the engineer name, a dialog requesting the password of the displayed engineer or the password of the person who has the authority to change the engineer name such as the system manager may be displayed. . Thereby, an unauthorized change of an engineer name etc. can be prevented.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, it is desirable that the field for inputting or displaying the engineer name is arranged at a substantially fixed position across these screens. By arranging the engine at the fixed position, the operator can habitually confirm the engineer's name, so that it is possible to reduce omissions in inputting or changing the engineer's name.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the medical image imaging system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the test | inspection information processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the medical image imaging device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and an operator. It is a figure showing the login screen displayed on the display part shown in FIG. It is a figure showing the patient information setting screen displayed on the display part shown in FIG. It is a figure showing the imaging | photography site | part setting screen displayed on the display part shown in FIG. It is a figure showing the test | inspection screen displayed on the display part shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Recording sheet (stimulable phosphor sheet)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Medical imaging device 11 Imaging position raising / lowering mechanism 12 Imaging stand 13 Radiation generation part 14 Imaging control part 15 Input part 20 Medical image reader 21 Laser light source 22 Optical scanning part 23 Photomultiplier (photomultiplier tube)
24 Amplifier 25 A / D Converter 30 Inspection Information Processing Device 31 Input Unit 32 Display Unit 33 Printer 40 Processing Unit 41 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
41a Image processing unit 41b Attached information management unit 41c Screen creation unit 41d Output unit 42 Memory 43 Hard disk 44 Disk control unit 45 Interface 46 Network interface 50 External device

Claims (8)

Input means used to input engineer information regarding an engineer performing imaging for diagnostic purposes;
Screen creation means for creating a plurality of screens each displaying at least an engineer name based on engineer information input using the input means;
Display means for displaying a plurality of screens created by the screen creation means;
An inspection information processing apparatus comprising:   The examination information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the screen creation unit creates the plurality of screens so that an engineer name is arranged at a predetermined position in each of the plurality of screens.   The plurality of screens include at least a screen for inputting patient information and engineer information, a screen for setting an imaging region, and a screen for displaying captured radiographic images. Inspection information processing equipment.   A radiographic image obtained on the basis of image data obtained by reading a radiographic image obtained by irradiating a subject with radiation on the screen on which the radiographic image is displayed using a medical image reading apparatus The examination information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a screen for displaying the image and a screen for inspecting the image quality of the displayed radiation image. A medical imaging device that irradiates a subject with radiation and captures a radiation image;
A medical image reading device for reading a radiographic image captured by the medical image capturing device;
Screen for creating a plurality of screens each displaying at least an engineer name based on the input means used to input engineer information related to the radiographer engineer and the engineer information input using the input means An inspection information processing apparatus having a creating means and a display means for displaying a plurality of screens created by the screen creating means;
A medical image photographing system comprising:   The medical image photographing system according to claim 5, wherein the screen creation unit creates the plurality of screens so that an engineer name is arranged at a predetermined position in each of the plurality of screens.   The plurality of screens include at least a screen for inputting patient information and technician information, a screen for setting an imaging region, and a screen for displaying a captured radiographic image. Medical imaging system.   A radiographic image obtained on the basis of image data obtained by reading a radiographic image obtained by irradiating a subject with radiation on the screen on which the radiographic image is displayed using a medical image reading apparatus The medical image photographing system according to claim 7, further comprising: a screen for displaying the image and a screen for inspecting the image quality of the displayed radiation image.

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