JP2005077366A - Generation control method of identifier and medical image generation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a generation control method for performing time correction with a standard time, and simultaneously generating a new identifier efficiently without overlapping a generated identifier, and a medical image generation system using the method. <P>SOLUTION: This medical image generation means stores a generated identifier when the identifier is generated. If there is some probability that overlapping of the identifier occurs by trace-back of an internal time by time correction, the stored identifier is read out and compared with a newly generated identifier, to thereby confirm probability of overlapping. If there is some probability of overlapping furthermore, simultaneous operation between time correction processing and identifier generation processing is controlled, to thereby avoid overlapped generation of the identifier. Since three kinds of control methods can be set selectively, the time correction and the identifier generation processing which are optimum to a using environment can be performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to time correction and generation of an identifier to which time information incidental to an electronic file is added, and more specifically, identifier generation control for generating an identifier while avoiding duplication of identifiers accompanying the time correction together with time correction. The present invention relates to a medical image generation apparatus including a method and an identifier generation control method.

  Conventionally, a method of generating time information as an identifier and attaching it to an electronic file is used, for example, for generating an image file of a digital camera. (For example, see Patent Document 1)

  Since the identifier to which the time information is added is generated based on the time information of the internal time incorporated in the apparatus when a predetermined process is performed, it can be uniquely determined.

  Until now, the time difference between the internal time used when generating the identifier and the standard time outside the apparatus has not been considered, and the consistency of the time between apparatuses has not been considered important.

  However, in recent years, there has been an increasing need for telecommunication connections in various devices, and synchronization with standard time and maintaining time consistency between devices has become an urgent issue.

Next, an identifier using time information in a medical image will be described.
The DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications: digital image and communication in medicine, hereinafter abbreviated as DICOM) standard is used as a standard for medical image communication.

  In a medical image generation apparatus compliant with the DICOM standard, an OSI (Open Systems Interconnection, hereinafter abbreviated as OSI) object registration management system is used at the time of generating a medical image, so that the manufacturing organization or installation facility of the medical image generation apparatus An identifier called a UID (Unique Identification, hereinafter abbreviated as UID) is added to the inspection, series, and image file for management.

  An example of this UID component is shown below.

  1.2.392.200036.9107.500.301.1.YYYYMMDD.HHMMSS.101

  Here, each item is as follows.

  (1) 1.2.392.: JISC (Japanese Industrial Standards Committee) Code indicating the member organizations of ISO

  (2) 200036 .: Code indicating JIRA (Japan Industries Association of Radiological Systems)

  (3) 9107 .: Code indicating the company granted by JIRA

  (4) 500 .: Modality Code number corresponding to each inspection method

  (5) 302.: Model name Model name of the medical imaging device

  (6) 1.: Serial number for each model (manufacturing number)

  (7) YYYYMMDD.HHMMSS.: Time information (year / month / day / hour / minute / second) of medical image data

  (8) 101: Unique number issued in the device

  Since the time information of the medical image data used in the above example is determined based on the internal time of the medical image generation apparatus, there is only one time information in the medical image generation apparatus.

  So far, a method for managing medical image files using a UID has been proposed. (For example, see Patent Document 2)

  However, in many cases, the medical image generation device keeps time based on the internally incorporated internal time, and time synchronization with the external standard time is not performed. The time information was not consistent, and the time information was not consistent.

  Now, the internal time used when generating the identifier is timed based on the vibration due to the piezoelectric inverse effect of the crystal resonator incorporated in the apparatus.

  However, the quartz resonator is easily affected by external factors such as ambient temperature and humidity, and in some cases, an error of several seconds per day may occur.

  For this reason, even when time is measured at the internal time in the device, accurate time measurement is not always possible, and the advance / delay of the time occurs every day, and the time is not corrected for a long time. In such a case, the time advance / delay may be further expanded due to the accumulation of errors.

  In addition, since the accuracy of the crystal unit built into each device is not uniform, and the place where it is installed varies, even if the time difference between each device matches the time and starts timing simultaneously, As long as the time is measured at a unique internal time without correction, an error may occur in the time between devices.

In order to solve the above-mentioned time consistency, a method for correcting the internal time by acquiring standard time information from a timekeeping server such as an NTP (Network Time Protocol, hereinafter referred to as NTP) server connected in an telecommunications manner is proposed. (For example, see Patent Document 3). By performing the method of Patent Document 3, each device can maintain time synchronization with the standard time and time consistency between the devices.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-136608 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-96731 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-85312

  However, when the above-described conventional time correction method is applied, when the internal time goes back by performing time correction, it is generated before the time correction when new identifier generation processing is performed because identifier generation management is not considered. There is a problem that the identifier may be duplicated.

  In the medical image generation apparatus, duplication of identifiers may cause a medical accident such as overwriting of a medical image or rewriting of personal information.

  Also, in a medical image generation device used in various environments such as being always busy, how to efficiently avoid duplication of identifiers and maintain time consistency between devices There is an urgent issue.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to perform a time correction with respect to the standard time, and at the same time, a generation control method for efficiently generating a new identifier without overlapping with a created identifier, and using the same. It is to provide a medical image generation system.

  In order to solve the above problem, the medical image generation apparatus according to claim 1 is configured so that, in the medical image generation apparatus that generates a medical image, external time information is transmitted from a time counting device that measures time via a communication line. Based on the external time information obtained by the time acquisition means, a correction means for correcting the time of the internal time, and an identifier based on the internal time corrected by the correction means Generating and adding the generated identifier to the medical image data, storage means for storing the identifier in the storage unit generated by the generation and adding means, and stored by the storage means, A reading means for reading out the identifier from the storage unit, a new identifier generated by the generating and adding means at the time correction by the correcting means, and a reading means. If there is a possibility that with the identifier read overlap, is characterized by and a control means for performing control so as to avoid duplication.

  The medical image generation apparatus according to claim 2 is the medical image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external time information obtained by the time acquisition unit is compared with the internal time, and the time difference is within a correction range as a result of the comparison. It further comprises correction range determination means for determining whether or not there is, and the correction means performs time correction when the determination by the correction range determination means is within the correction range.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the medical image generating apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the correction range determination unit can set an upper limit value and a lower limit value.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the medical image generating apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the control unit does not cause duplication based on the identifier read by the reading unit after the time is corrected by the correcting unit. The new identifier is generated and added by the generation / addition means after waiting until the time.

  The medical image generation apparatus according to claim 5 is the medical image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is read by the reading unit after the generation and addition unit generates and adds the new identifier. Based on the identifier, it waits until a time when no duplication occurs, and the time correction is performed by the correction means.

  The medical image generation apparatus according to claim 6 is the medical image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs a time when duplication does not occur based on the identifier read by the reading unit within the time difference. Then, after the time is corrected by the first correction means, the generation and addition means generates and adds the new identifier, and the second correction means corrects the time with respect to the remaining time difference. It is said.

  The medical image generation apparatus according to claim 7 is the medical image generation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first correction unit is duplicated based on the identifier read by the reading unit within the time difference. It is characterized in that time correction is performed at an optimal time.

  The medical image generation apparatus according to claim 8 is the medical image generation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second correction unit sets the remaining time difference at an optimal time after completion of the first correction unit and the generation addition unit. It is characterized by correcting the time.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, the control means can selectively set any one of the medical image generation apparatuses.

  The medical image generation apparatus according to claim 10 is the medical image generation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the plurality of medical image generation apparatuses connected via the communication line are common via the communication line. The external time information is acquired from the time measuring device.

  An identifier generation control method according to claim 11 is an identifier generation control method in which time information attached to an electronic file is added. External time information is obtained from a time counting device that measures time via a communication line. An acquisition time step, a correction step for correcting the time of the internal time based on the external time information obtained in the time acquisition step, and an identifier based on the internal time corrected by the correction step Generating and adding the identifier to the electronic file, a new identifier generated in the generation adding step at the time correction time in the time correction step, and the identifier generated in the past And a control step for performing control so as to avoid duplication when there is a possibility of overlapping.

  The identifier generation control method according to claim 12 is the method according to claim 11, wherein the external time information obtained in the time acquisition step is compared with the internal time, and as a result of the comparison, the time difference is within a correction range. A correction range determination step for determining whether or not the correction range is in the correction range, wherein the correction step performs time correction when the determination by the correction range determination step is within the correction range.

  The identifier generation control method described in claim 13 is characterized in that, in claim 12, the identifier generation control method enables setting of an upper limit value and a lower limit value of the correction range.

  The identifier generation control method according to claim 14 is the method according to claim 11, wherein the control step waits until a time when duplication does not occur after executing the correction step, and then executes the generation addition step. It is characterized by.

  The identifier generation control method according to claim 15, wherein the control step executes the correction step after the generation addition step.

  The identifier generation control method described in claim 16 is the identifier correction control method according to claim 11, wherein the control step performs a first correction at a time when the identifier and the new identifier do not overlap within the time difference. Steps are executed, and after the generation and addition step is executed, a second correction step is executed for the remaining time difference.

  The identifier generation control method described in claim 17 is the identifier generation control method according to claim 16, wherein the first correction step is performed at an optimal time in which the identifier and the new identifier do not overlap within the time difference. The time correction is performed.

  The identifier generation control method according to claim 18 is the identifier generation control method according to claim 16, wherein the second correction step is performed after the first correction step and the generation and addition step are completed, with the remaining time difference at an optimal time. It is characterized in that time correction is performed for.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an identifier generation control method according to any one of the fourteenth to sixteenth aspects, wherein any one of the control steps can be selectively set.

  According to the inventions of claim 1 and claim 11, by storing at least one generated identifier, the internal time at which a new identifier is generated even when the internal time goes back by time correction By comparing the time information of the stored identifiers, it is possible to check whether or not there is a possibility of duplication before generating a new identifier, so that it is possible to prevent duplication of identifiers.

  According to the inventions of claims 2 and 12, the time is corrected only when the time difference is within the correction range. By limiting the range in this way, it is possible to prevent the time from being corrected in the case of a slight time difference or on the contrary, if the time difference is excessive. If the time correction is performed when the time difference is small, the time correction processing is frequently performed, so it is difficult to say that the time correction is efficient. On the other hand, if it is enormous, it may be a device failure or a telecommunication line failure. For this reason, even if time correction is performed, a significant time difference may occur again, which may cause confusion in the generation of identifiers. Therefore, the countermeasure is performed by not performing time correction.

  According to the third and thirteenth aspects of the invention, the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the correction range can be set, so that the correction range setting suitable for the use environment can be performed.

  According to the invention of claim 4 and claim 14, when a new identifier is generated when the internal time is traced back by time correction, there is a possibility that it overlaps with a previously generated identifier. In order to avoid duplication, after correcting the time, it waits until the time when duplication does not occur based on the stored time information of the identifier, and generates and adds the identifier after the time has elapsed. By performing the control described above, it is possible to avoid the risk of duplicate identifiers associated with time correction.

  According to the fifth and fifteenth aspects of the present invention, when a new identifier is generated when the internal time goes back by time correction, there is a possibility that the identifier is duplicated with a previously generated identifier. In order to avoid duplication, after generating and adding identifiers, the process waits until a time when no duplication occurs based on the stored time information of the identifier, and after the time has elapsed, time correction of the internal time is performed. . By performing the control described above, it is possible to avoid the risk of duplicate identifiers associated with time correction.

  According to the inventions of claims 6 and 16, the identifier is generated and added after performing the first time correction at a time that does not match the time information of the identifier stored within the time difference range, Time correction is performed for the remaining time difference. By performing the control described above, it is possible to avoid the risk of duplicate identifiers associated with time correction.

  According to the seventh and seventeenth aspects of the invention, it is possible to perform efficient time correction by performing the first time correction on the optimal time that does not coincide with the generation time of the stored identifier. is there.

  According to the eighth and eighteenth aspects of the invention, the second time correction is executed at an optimal time, so that it is possible to perform an efficient time correction corresponding to the busy state of the apparatus.

  According to the ninth and nineteenth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to make a setting suitable for the use environment by selectively setting a control method for avoiding duplication.

  According to the invention of claim 10, since a plurality of medical image generation apparatuses can acquire the time from a common timekeeping apparatus, the external time information handled by each apparatus can be made common. It becomes possible to maintain time consistency.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In addition, although the case where this invention is applied to the medical image production | generation apparatus based on DICOM standard is demonstrated below, application of this invention is not limited to this.
First, the configuration will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a medical image system to which a medical image generation apparatus according to the present invention is applied. According to the figure, three medical image generation apparatuses 10, HIS (Hospital Information System; hereinafter referred to as HIS), RIS (Radiology Information System; hereinafter referred to as RIS) 11, and The medical image database 12, the standard timekeeping server 13, and a network N that connects these devices are configured.

  The medical image generation apparatus 10 includes a CT (Computed Tomography; hereinafter referred to as CT) apparatus, an MR (Magnetic Resonance; hereinafter referred to as MR) apparatus, and a CR (Computed Radiography) conforming to the DICOM standard. A computer radiographic image capturing device (hereinafter abbreviated as CR), which generates, stores, and transmits medical image data captured by a modality such as a device to the medical image database 12.

  The HIS / RIS 11 manages medical facility information and medical examination information, and imaging order information issued here reaches the medical image generation apparatus, and based on this, the imaging engineer images the patient.

  The medical image database 12 receives the medical image data generated by the medical image generation device, and stores and manages the medical image data.

  The standard time clock server 13 is a server that counts the standard time. Conventionally, a standard timekeeping server 13 such as an NTP server is rarely installed in a medical facility, and each device connected to the network N measures time based on a built-in internal clock. The consistency of time was not maintained. This is also the reason why the UID duplication problem associated with time correction does not surface as a real harm. All three medical image generation apparatuses acquire time information from the standard timekeeping server 13.

FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration of the medical image generation apparatus 10.
As shown in FIG. 2, the medical image generation apparatus includes a control unit 21, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, a storage unit 23, an input unit 24, a display unit 25, an I / F 26, and a communication control unit 27. The components are connected by a bus 28.

  The control unit 21 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit, hereinafter abbreviated as CPU) and the like. In addition to the system program stored in the storage unit 23, the time acquisition processing program (see FIG. 3) according to the present invention, the time correction processing A program (see FIG. 4), a UID generation processing program (see FIG. 5), a gradual correction processing program (see FIG. 6), and the like are developed in the RAM, and the processing operation is comprehensively controlled in cooperation with the program.

  The RAM 22 forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs executed by the control unit 21 and data related to these programs.

  The storage unit 23 is composed of a magnetic or optical storage medium or a semiconductor memory, and is processed by a time acquisition processing program, a time correction processing program, a UID generation processing program, a gradual correction processing program, and programs in addition to the system program. Store the data.

  The storage unit 23 includes a UID buffer 23a and an image buffer 23b. The UID buffer 23a stores the last UID generated by the UID generation process. If there is a possibility of duplication due to a new UID generation process, the UID stored by the control unit 21 is read out and compared with the generation time information of the UID. The image buffer 23b stores medical image data transmitted from the medical image photographing device. In the present embodiment, only the last generated UID is stored. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and all UIDs generated in one day may be stored, or all created UIDs are stored. It is good as well.

  The storage unit 23 may be configured to include a recording medium (not shown) in which various programs and various data are stored in advance. This recording medium is a non-volatile memory that is fixedly or detachably provided in the storage unit 23 and is composed of a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

  The input unit 24 includes a keyboard including numeric keys, character keys, and various function keys for inputting patient information and imaging information, and a touch panel configured integrally with a display unit, and corresponds to the operated keys. An operation signal is output to the control unit 21.

  The display unit 25 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display, hereinafter abbreviated as LCD), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube, hereinafter abbreviated as CRT), or the like (not shown). indicate.

  The I / F 26 is an interface connected to various medical image photographing apparatuses that photograph a patient as a subject, and the captured medical image data is input and output to the storage unit 23. At this time, management information for managing images in the medical image data header together with the medical image data by the control unit 21, for example, patient information such as patient name, patient ID, and sex, imaging region, imaging direction, imaging date, imaging The device, the photographing information such as the image data reading condition, the code of the medical department, the code of the medical doctor, etc., and the UID generated based on the internal time are input and stored in the storage unit 23.

  In this embodiment, the I / F 26 is provided for inputting medical image data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a medical image photographing apparatus is provided with communication means such as a modem and a terminal adapter. It is good also as connecting to a network and inputting image data via this network. Further, the image data recorded on the film may be read by inputting a scanner or the like, and may be stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory, hereinafter abbreviated as CD-ROM). The image data may be read and input.

  The communication control unit 27 includes a network interface, a modem, and the like, and transmits / receives information to / from an external device on the communication network. Here, reception of imaging order information from the HIS / RIS 11, transmission of medical image data to the medical image database 12, and acquisition of time information from the standard timekeeping server 13 are performed.

Next, the operation in the present embodiment will be described.
First, the time acquisition process executed by the control unit will be described with reference to the time synchronization setting screen example of FIG. 3 and the flowchart of FIG. First, when acquiring time, various parameters displayed on the time synchronization setting screen 30 as shown in FIG. 3 are set.

  On this screen, the connection destination server / IP address 31 is an item for acquiring time information via the communication control unit and specifying an address that can be reached by telecommunication, such as the domain name and IP address of the connection destination.

  The time synchronization frequency 32 is an item for designating a time interval for performing time acquisition. If the time acquisition is specified every 60 minutes as shown in FIG. 3, the time is acquired at 60-minute intervals.

  The time correction range 33 is an item for designating an upper limit value 33a and a lower limit value 33b for time correction when the control unit calculates a time difference between the time information acquired via the communication control unit and the internal time. Therefore, when the time difference exceeds the upper limit value 33a or when the time difference falls below the lower limit value 33b, time correction is not performed. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the upper limit value 33a is 3 minutes and the lower limit value 33b is 250 milliseconds, the time difference is 3 minutes or more, or the time difference is 250 milliseconds or less. Time correction is not performed. Since the time difference of the device can be considered to be about several seconds per day, when a time difference of minutes occurs, a device failure or a system abnormality is considered. For this reason, an upper limit value is set in minutes, and when a time difference exceeding that value occurs, an alarm indicating that effect is displayed on the display unit 24, thereby enabling rapid failure detection.

  The priority setting 34 is a setting item of a control unit that avoids duplication of a newly generated UID and a previously generated UID when the internal time goes back by performing time correction. Here, the two control means of the UID generation priority 34a and the time correction priority 34b can be selectively set. Further, when selecting the UID generation priority 34a, it is possible to selectively set whether or not to perform 34c for gradually adjusting the time.

  Since a plurality of UID generation control means can be selectively set, it is possible to deal with various medical environments. Detailed description of each control means will be given later.

Next, time correction processing of the medical image generation apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, the control unit 21 determines whether or not to acquire the time based on the time synchronization frequency setting value set in FIG. 3 (step S1), and if it does not correspond to the setting value, the loop returns to step S1 again. is there. On the other hand, when it corresponds to a set value, time information is acquired via the communication control part 27 (step S2).

  Next, a time difference between the time information and the internal time is calculated by the control unit 21, and it is determined whether or not to perform time correction based on the time correction range setting value set in FIG. 3 (step S3). If the time difference is outside the set range, the time is not corrected, and it is determined whether or not a UID generation process has occurred (step S4). If it is determined in step S4 that the UID generation process has occurred, the UID generation process is performed (step S200), and it is determined whether the time correction range exceeds or falls below the specified value (step S5). . If it is determined in step S4 that no UID generation process has occurred, the process immediately proceeds to step S5.

  If it is below the time correction range in step S5, the process proceeds to step S1 again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the upper limit value has been exceeded, a warning display indicating that time correction has not been performed is displayed on the display unit 25 because a medical image generation device failure or system abnormality is considered. (Step S6), the process proceeds to Step S1.

  If it is determined in step S3 that it is within the time correction range, it is determined whether or not a UID generation process has occurred (step S7), and as a result of the determination, no UID generation process has occurred. If so, time correction processing (step S100) is performed, and this processing ends.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination, if a UID generation process has occurred, there is a possibility of duplication with a UID created in the past by performing time correction. Therefore, the duplication avoiding means set in FIG. The process proceeds to determination (step S8).

  When the time correction priority is determined, the time correction process (step S100) and the UID generation process (step S200) are sequentially performed, and this process ends. If UID generation priority is determined, the process proceeds to determination of whether to perform gradual correction (step S9). Otherwise, UID generation processing (step S200) and time correction processing (step S100) are sequentially performed. This process ends. On the other hand, when performing gradual correction, after performing gradual time correction processing (step S300) and UID generation processing (step S200) in sequence, it is determined whether time correction has been completed (step S10). In the process of step S10, it is determined whether or not the time after the gradual time correction process (step S300) is within the time correction range setting value set in FIG. If it is determined in step S10 that the time is within the correction range, it is determined that the time correction has not been completed, the busy state is confirmed by the control unit 21, and the optimal time for performing the correction process again is calculated (step S11). After waiting until the calculated time (step S12), the process returns to step S7. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is out of the correction range, the time correction is completed and this processing is terminated.

Next, the time correction process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, the state of the correction lock flag is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not time correction can be performed (step S101). The correction lock flag can control the time correction process. When the correction lock flag is ON, the time correction process can be prohibited. In this case, a loop is returned to step S101. When the correction lock flag is OFF, the time correction process can be performed. In this case, the generation lock flag is turned ON so that the UID generation process is not executed (step S102).

  After step S102, the control unit 21 calculates the time difference between the standard time and the internal time acquired by the communication control unit 27 via the network, and whether the internal time is advanced or delayed compared with the standard time. Is determined (step S103). Here, when the internal time is delayed, duplication of UIDs accompanying the time correction does not occur, so the internal time is corrected immediately (step S104), and after the generation lock flag is released (step S105), this process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S103 that the internal time is advanced, the time information of the last generated UID is read from the storage unit (step S106), and it is determined whether or not correction is performed retroactively from the read time information. (Step S107). If it does not go back to the past from the time information of the read UID, the duplication of the UID does not occur, so the internal time is corrected immediately (step S108), the generation lock flag is released (step S109), and the process ends. To do. In the case of performing correction that goes back in the past from the time information read in step S107, if a new UID generation process occurs after the time correction, there is a possibility that it overlaps with a previously created UID. Therefore, after step S107, the internal time is corrected (step S110), and the process waits until the time of the read time information elapses (step S111). During this time, since the generation lock flag is in the ON state, even if another UID generation process occurs, the generation lock flag is not executed, so that there is no danger of duplicate generation of UIDs. After the elapse of time, the generation lock flag is released (step S112), and this process ends.

Next, the UID generation process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, the state of the generation lock flag is determined (step S201), and when the generation lock is ON, the process returns to step S201. If the generation lock is OFF, the correction lock flag for prohibiting the time correction process is set to ON (step S202). Next, the internal time is acquired (step S203), and then the UID is generated and the UID is added to the header of the medical image data based on the time information of the internal time (step S204). The control unit 21 stores the generated UID in the storage unit 23 (step S205). After step S205, the correction lock flag is released (step S206), and the process ends.

Next, the gradual time correction process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, the state of the correction lock flag is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not time correction can be performed (step S301). If the correction lock flag is ON, the generation lock flag is turned ON so that the UID generation process is not executed (step S302). After step S302, the control unit 21 calculates the time difference between the internal time and the time information of the standard time acquired by the communication control unit 27 via the network, and the internal time is advanced or delayed compared with the standard time. Is determined (step S303). If it is delayed, UID duplication due to time correction does not occur, so the internal time is corrected immediately (step S304), and after the generation lock flag is released (step S305), this process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S303 that the internal time is advanced, the time information of the last generated UID is read from the storage unit (step S306), and it is determined whether or not correction is performed retroactively from the read time information. This is performed (step S307). If it does not go back to the past from the read time information, duplication of UID does not occur, so the internal time is corrected immediately (step S308), the generation lock flag is released (step S309), and this process ends. When performing a correction that goes back in the past from the time information read in step S307, if a new UID generation process occurs after the time correction, there is a possibility of duplication with a previously created UID. An optimal time that does not overlap with the newly generated UID is calculated from the difference between the time information read out by the control unit 21 and the internal time (step S310), and time correction is performed at the calculated optimal time. (Step S311). After step S311, the generation lock flag is released (step S312), and this process ends.

  Next, an outline of the identifier generation control method will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4 and FIGS. 8, 9, and 10. FIG. First, the symbols common to FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 will be described.

  The standard time and internal time line segments indicate the passage of time, the left indicates the past, and the right indicates the future. The standard time line is the time at the standard timekeeping server, and the current time is indicated by ●, and the internal time is the time inside the medical image generation device, and the current time is also indicated by ● It is assumed that there is a time difference ΔT. The time at which the internal time is corrected by the correction process or the time that changes with the passage of time is indicated by a circle on the internal time line.

  The generation time of the last stored UID is indicated by Δ on the internal line, and the generation time of the UID stored until immediately before is indicated by Δ indicated by a dotted line.

  (A), (b), and (c) in the figure indicate that the process transitions in ascending order.

The time correction priority process will be described with reference to FIGS.
When the time correction priority is determined in step S9 of FIG. 4, the time correction process (step S100) and the UID generation process (step S200) are sequentially performed. First, when the time difference between the standard time and the internal time is ΔT, time correction of ΔT shown in FIG. 8A is performed by time correction processing (step S100) (step S110). Next, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), it waits until the generation time of the UID based on the last stored UID in the storage unit (step S111), and then proceeds to the UID generation process (step S200). After generating the UID and adding the UID to the medical image data header shown in FIG. 8C (step S204), the UID is stored in the storage unit (step S205), and this process ends. With the above processing, it is possible to perform time correction and generate UIDs while avoiding duplication of UIDs.

Next, the UID generation priority processing will be described with reference to FIGS.
If it is determined in step S8 in FIG. 4 that UID generation priority is given and gradual correction is not performed in step S9, UID generation processing (step S200) and time correction processing (step S100) are sequentially performed. When the time difference between the standard time and the internal time is ΔT, the UID generation process (step S200) immediately generates the UID and assigns the UID to the header portion of the medical image data as shown in FIG. 9A. (Step S204), the created UID is stored in the storage unit (Step S205). Thereafter, the process proceeds to the time correction process (step S100) shown in FIG. 9B, the time of the internal time is corrected (step S110), and based on the stored UID time information shown in FIG. 9C. When waiting for UID creation, that is, until ΔT elapses (step S111), the process ends. With the above processing, it is possible to perform time correction and generate UIDs while avoiding duplication of UIDs.

Next, the gradual time correction process will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 10.
If it is determined in step S8 in FIG. 4 that priority is given to the UID generation process and the gradual correction is performed in step S9, the gradual correction process (step S300) and the UID generation process (step S200) are sequentially performed. When the time difference between the standard time and the internal time is ΔT, first, a gradual correction process (step S300) compares the UID generation time with the internal time based on the stored UID, and does not overlap with the stored UID creation time. An optimal time difference ΔT1 is calculated, and a time correction process is performed for ΔT1 shown in FIG. 10A (step S311). Next, the process proceeds to a UID generation process (step S200), and the UID generation and the UID are given to the header portion of the medical image data shown in FIG. 10B (step S204). Thereafter, it is determined whether the time correction with respect to the standard time is completed. If it is not completed, the process returns to step S7 in FIG. 4, and as shown in FIG. 10C, the time correction process in step S100 or the gradual correction process (step S300) is performed again for the remaining time difference ΔT−ΔT1. The time is corrected with respect to the standard time. With the above processing, it is possible to perform time correction and generate UIDs while avoiding duplication of UIDs.

  Since the three types of UID generation control methods can be selectively set as described above, it is possible to perform optimal settings for various medical environments.

  For example, in an environment where the medical image generation apparatus is not in a relatively busy state, it may be easy to ensure time standby time, and efficient operation can be performed by selecting time correction priority as the UID generation control method. In addition, in the case where the UID generation process is to be prioritized over time correction in an environment that is not relatively busy as described above, UID generation priority can be selected as the UID generation control method. On the other hand, in an environment where it is difficult to ensure the time waiting time, such as when the vehicle is always busy, efficient time correction can be performed by selecting gradual correction processing as the UID generation control method.

1 is a schematic diagram of a medical image system. 1 is a block diagram of a medical image generation apparatus. The figure which shows a time synchronous setting screen. The flowchart which shows the whole time correction process. The flowchart which shows a time correction process. The flowchart which shows UID production | generation processing. The flowchart which shows a gradual correction process. The figure which shows a time correction priority process. The figure which shows UID generation | occurrence | production priority processing. The figure which shows a gradual time correction process.

Explanation of symbols

10 Medical Image Generator 11 HIS / RIS
12 Medical Image Database 13 Standard Timekeeping Server

Claims (19)

In a medical image generation apparatus that generates a medical image,
Time acquisition means for acquiring external time information from a time measuring device that measures time via a communication line;
Correction means for correcting the time of the internal time based on the external time information obtained by the time acquisition means;
Generating and adding means for generating an identifier based on the internal time corrected by the correcting means, and adding the generated identifier to the medical image data;
Storage means for storing the identifier generated by the generation and addition means in a storage unit;
Reading means for reading out the identifier stored in the storage means from the storage unit;
Control is performed to avoid duplication when there is a possibility that a new identifier generated by the generation and addition unit and the identifier read by the reading unit may overlap when the time is corrected by the correction unit. A medical image generating apparatus, comprising: Comparing the external time information obtained by the time acquisition means with the internal time, and further comprising a correction range determination means for determining whether the time difference is within the correction range as a result of the comparison,
The medical image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit performs time correction when the determination by the correction range determination unit is within the correction range.   The medical image generation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the correction range determination unit is capable of setting an upper limit value and a lower limit value.   The control means waits until a time when no duplication occurs based on the identifier read by the reading means after the correction of the time by the correction means, and the generation and addition means generates the new identifier. The medical image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein addition is performed. After the generation and addition of the new identifier is performed by the generation and addition means, the control means,
The medical image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction is performed by the correction unit while waiting until a time when no duplication occurs based on the identifier read by the reading unit. In the range of the time difference, the control means
Based on the identifier read by the reading means, after the time is corrected by the first correction means at a time when no duplication occurs, the generation and addition means generate and add the new identifier, and the remaining The medical image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time is corrected by a second correction unit with respect to the time difference.   The first correction unit performs time correction at an optimal time at which no duplication occurs based on the identifier read by the reading unit within the time difference range. The medical image generation apparatus described.   7. The medical image according to claim 6, wherein the second correction unit performs time correction on the remaining time difference at an optimal time after completion of the first correction unit and the generation and addition unit. Generator.   The medical image generation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein any one of the control units can be selectively set.   The plurality of medical image generation devices connected via the communication line acquire the external time information from the common time measuring device via the communication line. A medical image generation apparatus according to any one of the above. In the method for controlling the generation of an identifier added with time information attached to an electronic file,
A time acquisition step of acquiring external time information from a timekeeping device that measures time via a communication line;
A correction step for correcting the time of the internal time based on the external time information obtained in the time acquisition step;
A generating and adding step of generating an identifier based on the internal time corrected by the correcting step and adding the identifier to the electronic file;
When there is a possibility that the new identifier generated in the generation / addition step and the identifier generated in the past may overlap when the time is corrected by the time correction step, control is performed to avoid the overlap. An identifier generation control method comprising: a control step. The external time information obtained in the time acquisition step is compared with the internal time, and as a result of the comparison, a correction range determination step for determining whether or not the time difference is within the correction range is further provided,
12. The identifier generation control method according to claim 11, wherein the correction step performs time correction when the determination by the correction range determination step is within the correction range.   13. The identifier generation control method according to claim 12, wherein the identifier generation control method enables setting of an upper limit value and a lower limit value of the correction range.   12. The identifier generation control method according to claim 11, wherein, in the control step, after the correction step is executed, the generation adding step is executed after waiting until a time when no duplication occurs.   12. The identifier generation control method according to claim 11, wherein the control step executes the correction step after executing the generation and addition step. In the control step, within the time difference range,
The first correction step is executed at a time when the identifier and the new identifier do not overlap, and after the generation and addition step is executed, a second correction step is executed for the remaining time difference. The identifier generation control method according to claim 11.   17. The identifier generation according to claim 16, wherein the first correction step performs time correction at an optimal time in which the identifier and the new identifier do not overlap within the range of the time difference. Control method.   The identifier according to claim 16, wherein the second correction step performs time correction on the remaining time difference at an optimal time after completion of the first correction step and the generation and addition step. Generation control method.   17. The identifier generation control method according to claim 14, wherein one of the control steps can be selectively set.

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