JP2005327302A - Report generating system in network environment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a report generating/browsing system in which two-, three-, and four-dimensional images related to an image diagnosis report is interactively operated on a user's terminal device connected to a medium or low speed network, and related information is interactively obtained. <P>SOLUTION: A data processing device is disposed close to a PACS server that stores and transfers medical image data on a network. A parameter set for reproducing a reference image and obtaining related information is attached to an image diagnosis report created by an image diagnosing doctor. A user at a requesting department transmits the parameter set attached to the report to the data processing device when reading the report by a user's terminal. The data processing device obtains image data from the PACS server based on the parameter set, and transmits the processed image and the related information obtained from an HIS to the user's terminal. By this arrangement, interactive processing and display of the image related to the report, and reading of physiological test data, information on medical history, etc. are made possible on the user's terminal device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to a system for creating a medical image report and using medical image data in a network environment.

A medical image collected by a medical image diagnostic apparatus such as an X-ray apparatus or an X-ray CT apparatus in an image diagnostic department of a medical facility is subjected to image diagnosis called interpretation by an image diagnostician. The result of the image diagnosis is described in the image diagnosis report and sent to the requesting department.

Conventionally, an X-ray image taken by an X-ray apparatus is an X-ray film, and a medical image collected by a digitized medical image diagnostic apparatus such as an X-ray CT apparatus has been printed on the film and observed. Recently, in order to improve the storage and distribution of medical images, medical images are stored on a server as digital data, and are distributed to an image display device via a network as needed, and are observed. (PACS) has been introduced.

Conventionally, the result of interpretation performed by an image diagnostician is written by hand on a sheet of an image diagnosis report, and this is delivered to a request department. Instead of handwriting, it is also created using a word processor and printed on paper. In these cases, the image information that is the basis of the image diagnosis is transmitted from the image diagnosis doctor to the request department by a handwritten sketch called a schema written in the image diagnosis report.

Recently, it has begun to store a diagnostic imaging report created using a word processor or the like and send it to a requesting department using a hospital information system (hereinafter referred to as HIS). In this case, the diagnostic imaging report is stored as an electronic file such as a word processor and is sent to the terminal computer of the requesting department or sent by electronic mail. In these cases, in order to reduce the amount of data that passes through the network, the image data that is the basis for image diagnosis is the one that reduces the size of the image, reduces the density resolution of the image, and greatly reduces the number of images. Attached to diagnostic imaging report.

For example, in recent X-ray CT examinations, one examination may generate hundreds of image data with a pixel number of 512 × 512 and a depth of 16 bits. Even in this case, the image diagnosis report also contains 256 pixels. The size is about 1 to 2 images with × 256 and 8-bit depth.

In recent X-ray CT examinations or MRI examinations, a three-dimensional image is created and image diagnosis is started by observing the three-dimensional image. 3D images can be viewed from multiple perspectives by displaying the object in three dimensions and interactively changing the direction of the line of sight, so that not only diagnostic imaging doctors but also orthopedic surgeons in the request department Very useful information can be provided for the operation plan to be performed. However, since the amount of data passing through the network becomes enormous, it is difficult for the requesting department to reproduce and create a 3D image, and the image attached to the image report projects the 3D image at a certain angle. Only one or two two-dimensional images are attached, and a three-dimensional image useful for the requesting department is not utilized.

As described above, the reason why the image data that can be used in the requesting department is limited is that the network bandwidth from the image diagnosis department to the requesting department is narrow, and sufficient image data cannot be supplied to the requesting department. Generally, in hospitals, the number of request departments is large, and the number of computer devices for user terminals is enormous. For this reason, it is often difficult to construct a high-speed network in all user terminal computer devices.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conventional image diagnosis apparatus and image display apparatus of an image diagnosis department and a request department, and a network environment thereof. An X-ray CT apparatus 101, which is an example of an image diagnostic apparatus, collects X-ray CT data of a plurality of cross sections of a subject and reconstructs them to create image data of a plurality of cross sections. The PACS server 102 is an image storage communication system (PACS) server that stores image data collected and reconstructed by a plurality of image diagnostic apparatuses such as the X-ray CT apparatus 101 and transfers it to a user as necessary. . The image display workstations 121, 122,... Acquire image data stored in the X-ray CT apparatus 101 or the PACS server 102 via the network 111, and use the image data to perform two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and four-dimensional. An image processing workstation for creating a three-dimensional image. The network 111 is a large-capacity and high-speed network that transfers a large amount of image data from the X-ray CT apparatus 101 or the PACS server 102 to an image display workstation. An image diagnostician who performs image diagnosis uses image display workstations 121, 122,..., Acquires image data from the X-ray CT apparatus 101 or PACS server 102 via the network 111, and uses this data. Then, image processing and observation of a two-dimensional image and creation and observation of a three-dimensional image are performed.

Personal computers 131, 132,... Are report creation terminals used by an image diagnostician to create an image diagnosis report. An image diagnostician who performs image diagnosis uses image display workstations 121, 122,... To perform image processing and observation of two-dimensional images, creation and observation of three-dimensional images, and based on the findings obtained thereby. Create a diagnostic report on At this time, the image that is the basis of the findings of the diagnostic imaging report is attached to the diagnostic imaging report. As mentioned earlier, since the network bandwidth from the diagnostic department to the request department is narrow, one or two images with 256 × 256 pixels and 8-bit depth are attached to the diagnostic report. It is about. Even when a three-dimensional image is created and image diagnosis is performed, the image data that can be attached to the image report is such that one or two two-dimensional images obtained by projecting the three-dimensional image onto a certain surface are attached.

The hospital information system (HIS) server 141 accumulates the image diagnosis report and the image attached thereto, and distributes the image diagnosis report and the attached image to the requesting department that requested the image diagnosis. Since the HIS server 141 manages the data of all hospitals, the amount of data of image diagnosis reports and attached images stored therein is enormous. This is also a factor that limits the amount of image data attached to the diagnostic imaging report.

The network 151 is a network used for distributing the diagnostic imaging report stored in the hospital information system (HIS) server 141 and the image attached thereto to the computer devices 161, 162,... It is.

The user terminal computer devices 161, 162,... In the request department receive the image diagnosis reports stored in the HIS server 141 and the images attached thereto via the network 151. The user in the request department uses the user terminal computer devices 161, 162,... To browse the image diagnosis report and observe the image attached thereto.

The image attached to the image diagnosis report sent from the image diagnosis department to the request department is very limited as compared with the collected image data. The image diagnosis report includes only one or two images of 256 × 256 pixels and a depth of 8 bits. Even when a three-dimensional image is created and image diagnosis is performed, the image data that can be attached to the image report is such that one or two two-dimensional images obtained by projecting the three-dimensional image onto a certain surface are attached. In the requesting department, as in the diagnostic imaging department, there is a great demand for observing more two-dimensional images and freely manipulating the three-dimensional images to deepen understanding, but this is not realized at present.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention installs a high-speed data processing device in the network vicinity of the PACS server, and performs image processing of 2D image data and image processing for creating a 3D image by this data processing server. Do. The report creation system pastes a key image serving as a key for image diagnosis on the image diagnosis report, and adds an image processing parameter set to the key image so that the key image can be created. In the personal computer for user terminals connected to the network, the data processing server uses the image processing parameter set attached to the diagnostic imaging report to set the parameters necessary for the data processing server to create 2D and 3D images. specify. The data processing server reads the specified image data from the PACS server based on the specified image processing parameter, performs 2D, 3D, and 4D image processing on the image processing parameter based on the specified image processing parameter. The image data is sent to the personal computer for the user terminal. In the personal computer for user terminal, the image data sent from the data processing server is displayed together with the image diagnosis report to help understanding of the image diagnosis report. If necessary, the personal computer for the user terminal changes the image processing parameter and sends it to the data processing server. The data processing server performs image processing using the changed image processing parameter, and the result is sent to the user. Send to personal computer for terminal.

As described above, conventionally, the request department can only browse about one or two images attached to the image diagnosis report. However, in the present invention, the request department performs image diagnosis when browsing the image diagnosis report. Based on the image processing parameter set attached to the report, the image processing parameters are changed and sequentially transmitted to the data processing server. The data processing server sequentially receives the results of image data acquisition and image processing. By displaying, different images and results of different image processing can be referred interactively. Therefore, it becomes possible to deepen the understanding of the contents of the diagnostic imaging report.

Conventionally, the request department has few workstations that can perform 3D image processing, and the request department has few high-speed networks, so the image data used for 3D image processing is stored in the PACS server. 3D images are used in diagnostic imaging departments because it takes a long time to transfer from the network to the requesting department, and it is difficult for doctors of the requesting department because it requires specialized know-how to create 3D images. It has been rarely used in requested departments such as plastic surgery, which can be expected to have a great effect just by being used. The present invention can be expected to promote the application of three-dimensional images.

The user of the requesting department transmits the image processing parameter set attached to the image diagnosis report from the personal computer for the user terminal to the data processing server. For example, when viewing a three-dimensional image of X-ray CT image data, the image processing parameter set includes designation of X-ray CT data used for creating a three-dimensional image, a spatial region of an object, Specification of parameters such as a CT value range and projection processing parameters for displaying a three-dimensional image are included. Since the data processing server creates a three-dimensional image and transfers the result to the personal computer, the user of the requesting department displays the result image on the personal computer for the user terminal. When the image processing parameter is interactively changed while browsing this image on the personal computer for the user terminal and transmitted to the data processing server, the data processing server performs image processing according to the changed image processing parameter, and as a result Is transmitted to the user terminal, the user of the requesting department can use the personal computer to perform image processing as if the image processing workstation is at hand.

For example, the process of creating a 3D image performed by a radiologist can be included in the image processing parameter set, so the referring doctor of the requesting department reproduces the process of creating a 3D image performed by the radiologist. Compared to sending a scene of a 3D image created by a radiologist attached to the report and sending it to the referral doctor, the will of the radiologist and the referral doctor It can greatly improve communication and improve the understanding of the referring physician.

Conventionally, a user who performs 3D image processing of X-ray CT image data uses a 3D image processing workstation connected to an X-ray CT apparatus or a PACS server, and is used to create a 3D image. X-ray CT data to be transferred from an X-ray CT system or PACS server to a 3D image processing workstation, for specifying parameters such as the spatial region of the object and CT value range, and for displaying 3D images The projection processing parameters are designated, a three-dimensional image is created, and the result image is displayed. For this reason, it is necessary to install an expensive 3D image processing workstation at each location of the user who performs 3D image processing. In addition, a large amount of X-ray CT data used to create a 3D image is transferred from an X-ray CT apparatus or PACS server to a 3D image processing workstation. It is necessary to construct a high-speed and large-capacity network up to the place, and the network traffic is increased.

In the present invention, in addition to the key image that is a key for image diagnosis, the report creation system includes the related image examination and the past image examination used when the doctor performs image diagnosis, physiological examination, medical history information, etc. Information useful for requesting department users is pasted into the report as a key image and key information, and an image processing parameter set that makes it possible to acquire the key image is added to the key image of the report. It has a function to add an information acquisition parameter set that makes it possible to acquire information related to the key information of the report. Changed the image processing parameter set and information acquisition parameter set added to the key image and key information when the user browses the report to the request department user terminal or some of the parameters that compose it A function for transmitting an image processing parameter set and an information acquisition parameter set to a data processing server is provided. The data processing server acquires image data from the PACS server based on the received image processing parameter set, performs image processing on the image data, creates an image, and sends the image to the user terminal device; It has a function of acquiring data from the HIS based on the received information acquisition parameter set, adding a specified process to the data, and sending it to the user terminal device. As a result, the user terminal device can interactively display an image related to the key image pasted on the report and information related to the key information.

In the present invention, it is possible to acquire data and information such as image examinations by other modalities related to the image diagnosis, past image examinations, physiological examinations, medical history information, etc. in addition to the key images that are the keys for image diagnosis by the image diagnosis report Became. These data and information are collected with a great deal of effort when preparing the diagnostic imaging report. For example, in a hospital that does not have a complete image management system, each image data is acquired from each image storage system that manages, for example, CT examination, MR examination, and DSA examination. Acquired from the warehouse, acquired physiological examination data from the HIS, and interpreted the image examination, but the accumulation of these was scattered once the interpretation was completed. In the present invention, means for enabling later acquisition of information that the image diagnostician has determined to be important in the accumulation can be integrated into a single image diagnosis report. By browsing the image diagnosis report according to the present invention, not only the users in the request department but also other image diagnosis doctors and the image diagnosis doctor who created the image diagnosis report at any time receive important information about the patient. But it will be available immediately. In addition, in the case of an image examination of the patient that will be performed in the future, it is possible to collect past image examinations, physiological examinations, medical history information, etc. necessary for image interpretation using this diagnostic imaging report in a short time. It is very useful from the aspect of management and economics.

In the present invention, data and information such as an image examination by other modalities other than a key image that is a key for image diagnosis, a past image examination, a physiological examination, and medical history information are acquired by one image diagnosis report. It became possible. These data and information are collected with great effort when preparing an image diagnosis report. For example, in a hospital that does not have a complete image management system, each image data is acquired from each image storage system that manages, for example, CT examination, MR examination, and DSA examination. Acquired from the warehouse, acquired physiological examination data from the HIS, and interpreted the image examination. In the present invention, all the means and routes necessary for accessing these pieces of information are integrated into a single image diagnosis report. Even in hospitals that do not have a complete image management system, they manage important data from, for example, CT, MR, and DSA image data collected when preparing an image diagnosis report. By acquiring the information from each image storage system and accumulating it in the PACS server, it is possible to acquire the information determined by the image diagnostician later as a single image diagnosis report. By browsing the diagnostic imaging report according to the present invention, not only the users in the request department but also other diagnostic physicians and the diagnostic physician who created the diagnostic imaging report can always obtain important information about the patient. It becomes possible to do. In addition, when the patient performs an image examination again, this image diagnosis report can be used to quickly access information such as past image examinations, physiological examinations, and medical history information necessary for image interpretation. It is also very useful from the operational and economic viewpoints.

In the present invention, a low-speed network can be used as the requesting department network. In addition, it can be used not only as a dedicated image network but also as a network such as another hospital information system. In the diagnostic imaging department, it is necessary to install a high-speed network between the X-ray CT apparatus or the PACS server and the data processing server. However, the network between the data processing server and the personal computer may be low-speed.

Diagnostic imaging specialists and multiple users can share one 3D image processing. The specialist specifies the X-ray CT data used to create the 3D image, specifies the parameters such as the spatial region and CT value range of the object, and specifies the projection processing parameters for displaying the 3D image. The data processing server transfers the result of creating the 3D image to a plurality of personal computers, so that a plurality of users can share one 3D image processing. For example, the inquiry doctor in the request department can reproduce and observe the creation process of the three-dimensional image used by the radiologist for interpretation.

Equipment costs and installation area can be reduced. A high-speed data processing server and a plurality of personal computers can reduce the equipment cost compared to a plurality of three-dimensional image processing workstations. Also, the personal computer can occupy a smaller area than the workstation.

A PACS server, a high-speed data processing device installed near the network of the PACS server, an image display device that displays an image created by performing image processing on medical image data, and a doctor based on the displayed image A report creation device for creating the result of diagnostic imaging as a report, a HIS for storing the created report and sending it to the requesting department user, and a request department user terminal computer device used for viewing the report, In the information system comprising the function of the report creation device for adding an image processing parameter set for creating an image useful for understanding of the requesting department user to the report, and when the user views the report The function of the requesting department user terminal that sends the image processing parameter set added to the data processing server and the received image processing Acquires image data from the PACS server based on the parameter set, creates an image by processing this, and sends it to the user terminal. Uses the requested department to display the sent image. Even if a medium or low-speed network is used as a network for connecting the data processing server and the requesting department user terminal, the user terminal has a 2D, 3D, 4 Dimensional images can be displayed.

The requesting department user terminal has a function to change the image processing parameter set attached to the report and send it to the data processing server. The user terminal receives and displays the image processed by the data processing server. Therefore, even if a medium or low speed network is used as a network to connect the data processing server and the requesting department user terminal, it is possible to operate 2D, 3D, and 4D images related to reports on the user terminal. It has become possible to make the display virtually interactive.

A function that adds an identifier of an image processing parameter set for creating an image useful for understanding of the requesting department to the report and saves the image processing parameter set corresponding to the identifier of the image processing parameter in the PACS server to the report creation system, and a request A function for transmitting the image processing parameter identifier added to the report to the department user terminal to the data processing server, and the image processing parameter set corresponding to the received image processing parameter identifier to the PACS server The image data is acquired from the PACS server, image processing is added to the image data to create an image, and the image data is sent to the user terminal viewing the report.

The requesting department user terminal device acquires part or all of the image processing parameter set from the PACS server based on the identifier of the image processing parameter added to the report, changes it, and transmits it to the data processing server. It has a function and a function to receive and display the image processed by the data processing server, so that a medium / low speed network can be used as a network connecting the data processing server and the requesting department user terminal device. However, the operation and display of 2D, 3D, and 4D images related to the report can be performed virtually interactively on the user terminal device.

By integrating the PACS server and high-speed data processing device into a single structure, the image data storage function in the hospital and the image creation function are closely linked, thereby creating 2D, 3D, and 4D images. The speed of image data acquisition and the reduction of network load are realized.

Medical image data processing is executed by a high-speed data processing device, and only the generation and transmission of control signals and the reception and display of 2D, 3D and 4D images created by the data processing server are executed by the image display device This makes it possible to perform image diagnosis even when a personal computer having a low image processing capability is used as the image display device.

The image display device and a report creation system for creating a report on the result of image diagnosis performed based on the displayed image are integrated.

The data processing server compresses the image data when transmitting the created 2D, 3D and 4D images, and the user terminal computer device receives the 2D, 3D and 4D images. By performing restoration, even if a medium or low speed network is used as a network connecting the data processing server and the user terminal computer device, the operation of the 2D, 3D, or 4D image on the user terminal computer device is performed. The display response can be performed virtually interactively.

Image processing for creating an image by clicking the key image, where the key image pasted on the report is linked to the image processing parameter set for creating the image or the identifier of the image processing parameter set. A function of transmitting an identifier of a parameter set or an image processing parameter set to a data processing server is provided.

It has a function to display images and medical data sent from the data processing server on the report. In addition, it has a function for displaying images and medical data sent from the data processing server in a window separate from the report.

By clicking the key image pasted on the report, a user interface for changing the image processing parameters is displayed on the report screen. By operating this, the changed image processing parameters are processed. It has a function to send to the server.

The user interface for changing the image processing parameters by clicking the key image pasted on the report is displayed in a window separate from the report. By operating this, the changed image processing parameters are displayed. A function to transmit to the data processing server is provided.

A parameter set for creating a key image for an image examination in a diagnostic imaging report, a parameter set for creating a key image for an associated image examination, a parameter set for obtaining data for a related physiological examination, and medical history information A parameter set for acquisition was attached. The user terminal has a function of transmitting these parameter sets to the data processing server when browsing the diagnostic imaging report. The data processing server has a function of acquiring the corresponding image data, examination data, and medical history data from the PACS or HIS based on the received parameter set, processing, and transmitting the result to the user terminal. As a result, users of the requested department who received the distribution of diagnostic imaging reports can easily access these image data, examination data, and medical history data information without using a PACS or HIS terminal. It was.

Hereinafter, a system for creating a medical image report and using medical image data and medical information data in a network environment according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a network environment of an image diagnosis apparatus, an image display apparatus, and a report related system of the image diagnosis department and the request department according to the present invention. An X-ray CT apparatus 101, which is an example of an image diagnostic apparatus, collects X-ray CT data of a plurality of cross sections of a subject and reconstructs them to create image data of a plurality of cross sections. The PACS server 102 is a PACS server that stores image data collected and reconstructed by a plurality of image diagnostic apparatuses such as the X-ray CT apparatus 101 and transfers it to a user as necessary. The image display workstations 121, 122,... Acquire image data stored in the X-ray CT apparatus 101 or the PACS server 102 via the network 111, and use the image data to perform two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and four-dimensional. An image display workstation for creating a dimensional image. The network 111 is a large-capacity and high-speed network that transfers a large amount of image data from the X-ray CT apparatus 101 or the PACS server 102 to an image display workstation. An image diagnostician who performs image diagnosis uses the image display workstations 121, 122,... To acquire image data from the X-ray CT apparatus 101 or the PACS server 102 via the network 111, and uses this data. Image processing and observation of 2D images, and creation and observation of 3D and 4D images.

Personal computers 131, 132,... Are report creation terminals used by an image diagnostician to create an image diagnosis report. An image diagnostician who performs image diagnosis uses the image display workstations 121, 122,... To perform image processing and observation of two-dimensional images, creation and observation of three-dimensional / four-dimensional images, and findings obtained thereby. Based on the above, an image diagnosis report is created using the report creation terminals 131, 132,. At this time, an image processing parameter set used to create an image that is the basis of the findings of the diagnostic imaging report is attached to the diagnostic imaging report. This includes parameters for designating a key image selected from a large amount of image data, image processing parameters for displaying the key image in an optimal state, parameters for creating a three-dimensional image, and the like.

The HIS server 141 accumulates the image diagnosis report and the image processing parameter set attached thereto, and distributes the image diagnosis report and the image processing parameter set attached thereto to the requesting department that requested the image diagnosis. The network 151 is a network used to distribute the image diagnosis report stored in the HIS server 141 and the image processing parameter set attached thereto to the user terminal computer devices 161, 162,. .

The personal computer for user terminal 161, 162,... Of the request department receives the image diagnosis report stored in the HIS server 141 and the image processing parameter set attached thereto via the network 151. The user in the request department browses the image diagnosis report using the personal computers for user terminals 161, 162,... And transmits the image processing parameters attached thereto to the data processing server 103.

The data processing server 103 is a high-speed data processing apparatus installed in the vicinity of the network of the PACS server. The data processing server 103 performs image processing of 2D image data and image processing for creating 3D and 4D images. The data processing server reads the image data designated from the PACS server 102 based on the image processing parameters attached to the image diagnosis report transmitted from the personal computer for user terminal 161, 162,. Two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and four-dimensional image processing is performed based on the parameters, and the resulting image data is sent to the user terminal personal computers 161, 162,.

In the user terminal personal computers 161, 162,..., The image data sent from the data processing server 103 is displayed together with the image diagnosis report. If necessary, the personal computer for the user terminal changes the image processing parameter and sends it to the data processing server. The data processing server performs image processing with the changed image processing parameter, and the resulting image data. Is sent via the network 151 to the personal computer for the user terminal. This operation can be repeated.

In the present invention, two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and four-dimensional image processing that requires a large amount of image data is concentrated in a data processing server, and the resulting image is transmitted via a network 151 to personal computers 161, 162 for user terminals, , The traffic on the network 151 does not increase so much.

The image processing parameter set attached to the report includes the following parameters.
1) a parameter for designating a patient, 2) a parameter for designating image data, 3) a parameter for performing image processing, and 4) a parameter for displaying an image.

In the above description, the case where the image processing parameter set used to create the image that is the basis of the findings of the image diagnosis report is attached to the image diagnosis report has been described. An identifier of the image processing parameter set is attached to the report, and the image processing parameter set corresponding to this identifier is stored in the PACS server or the HIS server. In this case, an image processing parameter set identifier is attached to the diagnostic imaging report.

The HIS server 141 stores the image diagnosis report and the identifier of the image processing parameter set attached thereto, and sends the image diagnosis report and the identifier of the image processing parameter set attached thereto to the requesting department that requested the image diagnosis on the network 151. Distribute via

The personal computer for user terminal 161, 162,... Of the request department receives the image diagnosis report stored in the HIS server 141 and the identifier of the image processing parameter set attached thereto via the network 151. The user in the request department browses the image diagnosis report using the personal computer for the user terminal and transmits the image processing parameter set identifier attached thereto to the data processing server 103. The data processing server that has received the identifier of the image processing parameter set transmits this identifier to the PACS server 102 or the HIS server 141, and acquires the image processing parameter corresponding to this identifier from the PACS server or the HIS server.

The data processing server reads the image data designated based on the image processing parameter from the PACS server, performs two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and four-dimensional image processing on the image processing parameter based on the image processing parameter, and uses the resulting image data To the personal computer for the user terminal.

The personal computer for user terminal displays the image data sent from the data processing server together with the image diagnosis report. If necessary, the personal computer for the user terminal obtains, through the data processing server, the image processing parameters and the image display parameters from among the image processing parameters, and changes them to the data processing server. Send it. The data processing server performs image processing using the changed image processing parameters, and sends the result to the personal computer for the user terminal. This operation can be repeated. The changed parameters can be stored in the PACS server or the HIS server.

An image diagnostician who performs image diagnosis uses the image display workstations 121, 122,... To perform image processing and observation of two-dimensional images, creation and observation of three-dimensional / four-dimensional images, and findings obtained thereby. Based on the above, an image diagnosis report is created using the report creation terminals 131, 132,. At this time, the image diagnostician performs image interpretation by referring not only to the image examination that is the main body of the image diagnosis report but also to other image examinations. For example, when creating an image diagnostic report for an angiographic examination, comprehensive diagnosis is performed with reference to images of X-ray CT examination and MRI examination performed at the same time. Such information on the related image examination is important data for the doctor of the requesting department who views the image diagnosis report. In the present invention, not only the image examination that is the main body of the image diagnosis report but also a key image of another image inspection and an image processing parameter set that makes it possible to create an image by accessing the image inspection are provided. Can be attached. In the image diagnosis department, retrieval of related image examinations and distribution of examination data are normally performed by PACS, but PACS is not normally laid in the request department. By using the mechanism described so far, a parameter set that allows the image diagnostician to access and create images by accessing the image data of the related image examination that was used as a reference when creating the image diagnosis report The doctor of the requesting department attached to the diagnostic imaging report and viewing the diagnostic imaging report sends the parameter set of the desired related imaging examination described in the report to the data processing server. It is possible to view images.

An image diagnostician who performs image diagnosis performs image interpretation by referring not only to the data of the image examination that is the subject of the image diagnosis report but also the past image examination of the patient. For example, when creating an image diagnostic report for an angiographic examination, an image of an X-ray CT examination or an MRI examination performed in the past as well as an angiographic examination performed in the past is referred to. Such information on past image examinations may be important data for doctors of requesting departments who browse image diagnosis reports. In the present invention, not only an image inspection that is the main body of an image diagnosis report but also a key image of a past image inspection and an image processing parameter set that makes it possible to create an image by accessing the image inspection are provided. Can be attached. In the image diagnosis department, search of past image inspections and distribution of inspection data are normally performed by PACS, but PACS is not normally laid in the request department. By using the mechanism described so far, a parameter set that enables image diagnosticians to access and create image data from past image examinations used as a reference when creating an image diagnosis report Is attached to the diagnostic imaging report, and the requesting doctor who views the diagnostic imaging report transmits the parameter set of the desired past imaging examination described in the report to the data processing server. The inspection image can be browsed.

An image diagnostician who performs image diagnosis performs image interpretation with reference to examination data such as physiological examination data of the patient, medical history data of the patient, and the like as well as image examination data that is the subject of the imaging diagnosis report. Examination data such as physiological examination data and medical history data may also be important data for doctors of the requesting department who browse the image diagnosis report. In the present invention, not only the image examination that is the main body of the image diagnosis report but also an information acquisition parameter set that enables access to and display of examination data such as related physiological examination data and medical history data is included in the image diagnosis report. It is possible to attach. In hospitals, HIS is usually in charge of distribution of examination data such as physiological examination data and medical history data. However, in order to view desired data, it is necessary to perform a search using an HIS terminal. In the present invention, it is possible to acquire examination data such as physiological examination data and medical history data referred to by an image diagnostician who creates an image diagnosis report using the report preparation terminals 131, 132,. The information acquisition parameter set is attached to the diagnostic imaging report. A doctor in the department of utilization who browses the image diagnosis report using the user terminal transmits the information acquisition parameter set described in the report to the data processing server. The data processing server acquires test data such as physiological test data and medical history data from the HIS or the like according to the information acquisition parameter set, and transmits the acquired data to the user terminal browsing the image diagnosis report. This makes it possible to view desired test data such as physiological test data and medical history data.

In the present invention, in addition to the image examination that is the subject of the image diagnosis report, the report creation terminal includes related image examinations used by the image diagnostician, past image examinations, recent and past physiological examinations, medical history information, etc. Among them, information useful for requesting department users is pasted into the report as key images and key information, and the image processing parameter set and information acquisition that makes it possible to acquire their image examination, physiological examination, and medical history information A function to add a parameter set to the key information of the report is provided. In the requesting department user terminal, changes are made to the image processing parameter set and the information acquisition parameter set added to the key image and key information when the user views the report, or some of the parameters that make it up. The image processing parameter set and the information acquisition parameter set are transmitted to the data processing server. The data processing server acquires image data from the PACS server based on the received image processing parameter set, performs image processing on the image data, creates an image, and sends the image to the user terminal device; It has a function of acquiring data from the HIS based on the received information acquisition parameter set, adding a specified process to the data, and sending it to the user terminal device. This makes it possible to interactively display an image related to the key image pasted on the report and information related to the key information in the user terminal device.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which a PACS server and a data processing server are integrated. The PACS server + data processing server 104 is configured by integrating the PACS server 102 and the data processing server 103 in FIG. By integrating the PACS server and the data processing server, the image data storage function in the hospital and the image creation function are closely linked, thereby obtaining image data for creating 2D, 3D, and 4D images. Speeding up and reducing network load.

In the description so far, the image diagnosis department has described an example of performing image diagnosis using a high-performance image processing workstation. However, medical image data processing is executed by a high-speed data processing server, and control signal A personal computer with low image processing capability is used as the image display workstation by executing only the reception and display of the 2D, 3D, and 4D images created by the data processing server. Even now, it is possible to cut off images. Also, the image display workstations 121, 122... And the report creation terminals 131, 132.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of users conduct a conference using an image diagnosis report. Components having the same numbers as those in FIGS. 2 and 3 have the same functions as those in FIGS. The conference controller 181 is a controller of a telephone conference system or a video conference system used by a plurality of users participating in the conference. The diagnostic imaging report created by the report creation terminal includes the created diagnostic imaging doctor and address information that can be accessed by related parties such as doctors of the department requesting distribution of the diagnostic imaging report, and the diagnostic imaging doctor created Etc. can be attached with schedule information indicating the date and time when the conference can be attended. Physician of the requesting department who browses the diagnostic imaging report can know the names and schedules of the parties concerned by clicking, for example, an icon linked to the address information and schedule information of the diagnostic imaging report. It becomes possible to plan a conference. Once the schedule is decided, the conference leader will convene participants based on the address information of the diagnostic imaging report. Participants of the conference hold a conference using a teleconference system or a video conference system, and use a plurality of user terminal devices to store image test data, physiological test data, and medical history information related to the image diagnosis report. And proceed with the conference.

The user terminal device selects image examination data, physiological examination data, and medical history data attached to the image diagnosis report, and transmits a parameter set to the data processing server. The data processing server acquires and processes related data based on this parameter set, and transfers the result to a plurality of user terminals participating in the conference. A conference participant can view the data and send parameters changed as necessary to the data processing server, so that a plurality of users can proceed with the conference interactively. For example, by using the present invention, a diagnostic imaging specialist and a plurality of users can share one 3D image processing. The user terminal device uses the parameter set attached to the diagnostic imaging report to specify X-ray CT data used to create a three-dimensional image, and parameters such as the spatial region of the object and the CT value range. And projection processing parameters for 3D image display, the data processing server acquires related data and creates 3D images based on this parameter set, and creates the results of multiple user terminals By transferring to, a plurality of users can share the 3D image processing. In this example, a telephone conference system or a video conference system using the conference controller 181 is shown. However, the conference may be advanced by another method without using the conference controller 181.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a system for creating a medical image report and using medical image data according to the present invention. The image data created by the X-ray CT apparatus 101 is sent to the PACS server 102 and stored. An image diagnosis specialist uses the image processing workstation 121 to perform image processing of 2D images and creation of 3D and 4D images, and based on the obtained findings, uses a personal computer 131 for report generation. To create an imaging report. Image processing parameters used for image processing of 2D images and creation of 3D and 4D images are stored in the PACS server. In order to reproduce a key image that can support the understanding of the doctor in the requesting department, an image processing parameter of the key image is attached to the image diagnosis report. The created diagnostic imaging report and the image processing parameters attached thereto are stored in the HIS server 141 and sent to the user terminal personal computer 161 via the network.

The doctor in the request department browses the diagnostic imaging report sent using the personal computer for user terminal 161. When an image diagnosis report icon is clicked, an image processing parameter 171 for creating a key image is sent to the data processing server 103 via the network. The data processing server acquires necessary image data from the PACS server based on the sent image processing parameters. Two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and four-dimensional image processing is performed on the image data based on the image processing parameters, and the resulting image 172 is sent to the user terminal personal computer 161. The doctor in the request department observes this image on the personal computer for the user terminal, but can change the image processing parameter and transmit it again to the data processing server. The data processing server performs image processing based on the changed image processing parameter and sends the result to the personal computer for user terminal. This operation can be repeated interactively.

The data processing server compresses the image data when sending the created 2D, 3D, and 4D images, and the personal computer for the user terminal receives the 2D, 3D, and 4D when receiving the compressed image data By restoring the image data, 2D, 3D, and 4D images in the personal computer for user terminals can be used even if a medium or low speed network is used as a network to connect the data processing server and personal computer for user terminals. It is now possible to interactively display and respond to operations.

In another embodiment, the key image pasted on the report is linked to the image processing parameter set or image processing parameter set identifier for creating the image, and the image is displayed by clicking the key image. The image processing parameter set to be created or the identifier of the image processing parameter set is transmitted to the data processing server.

In another embodiment, a controller for interactively changing an image processing parameter and an area in which an image sent from a data processing server is displayed on an image diagnosis report displayed on a screen of a user terminal. It can be used without installing dedicated software.

In another embodiment, an image sent from the data processing server is displayed in a window separate from the report.

In another embodiment, a user interface for changing image processing parameters is displayed on the screen by clicking a thumbnail image pasted on the diagnostic imaging report, and the image changed by operating this user interface is displayed. A function for transmitting processing parameters to a data processing server is provided.

In another embodiment, a user interface for changing image processing parameters by clicking on a thumbnail image pasted on the report is displayed in a separate window from the report, and by manipulating it, A function for transmitting the changed image processing parameters to the data processing server is provided.

In the above embodiment, the X-ray CT apparatus and the X-ray CT image data obtained from the X-ray CT apparatus have been described as examples. However, medical image apparatuses such as MR apparatuses, nuclear medicine apparatuses, and ultrasonic apparatuses, and image data obtained therefrom The case is exactly the same. Further, the same function is performed when these medical image apparatuses and image data obtained from them are used at the same time.

The block diagram of the structure of the system for the report preparation of the conventional medical image. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system for creating a medical image report and using medical image data / medical information data in a network environment according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a system for creating a medical image report and using medical image data / medical information data in a network environment according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a system for creating a medical image report and using medical image data / medical information data in a network environment according to another embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a system for creating a medical image report and using medical image data / medical information data according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 X-ray CT apparatus 102 PACS server 103 Data processing server 104 PACS + data processing server 111 High-speed network 112 Medium / low-speed network 121 Image processing workstation 122 Image processing workstation 131 Report creation personal computer 132 Report creation personal computer 141 HIS server 151 Medium / low speed network 161 Personal computer for requesting department user terminal 162 Personal computer for requesting department user terminal 164 Personal computer for requesting department user terminal 164 Personal computer for requesting department user terminal 171 Data processing from user terminal Image processing parameter set / information acquisition parameter set 172 sent to the server Data processing server Information data 181 conference controller obtained the image processed image data is sent from the over to the user terminal

Claims (1)

  The user terminal device has a function of pasting a key image serving as a key for image diagnosis on a report and adding an image processing parameter set that enables creation of the key image to the key image. The image processing parameter set added to the image processing unit or some of the parameters constituting the image processing parameter set are transmitted to the data processing server. The data processing server is based on the image processing parameter set. Acquires image data from a PACS server, processes the image data to create an image, and sends the image to the user terminal device. Display key images and related images while performing 2D, 3D, and 4D image processing. Reporting system in a network environment which is characterized in.

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