JP2007029487A - Medical image data processing apparatus and medical image data processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical image data processing apparatus and its method capable of promptly displaying serial images of the reconstructed images. <P>SOLUTION: An image data generating means 101 generates image data of three-dimensional reconstructed image based on two-dimensional images. A procedure memorizing means 102 memorizes a procedure for serial displaying of the reconstructed images shown in a plurality of moving directions of displaying. A controlling means 103 controls the image data generating means 101 so as to generate the image data for serial displaying of the reconstructed images according to the procedure memorized by the procedure memorizing means 102. A receiving means 104 receives an input by a user in the procedure memorized by the procedure memorizing means 102. An image data memorizing means 105 memorizes the image data generated by the image data generating means 101. A displaying means 106 serially displays the reconstructed images based on the image data memorized by the image data memorizing means 105, and serially displays the reconstructed images based on the image data generated by the image data generating means 101. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical image data processing apparatus and a medical image data processing method for three-dimensionally reconstructing various images based on a two-dimensional image.

  MPR (Multi Planer Reconstruction) image, which is a slice cross-section at an arbitrary position, based on a two-dimensional image captured by a medical examination apparatus using CT (Computed Tomography) or MR (Magnetic Resonance), or viewed from an arbitrary direction There is known a technique for displaying a reconstructed image such as a MIP (Maximum Intensity Projection) image that is a projected image of the maximum value or the minimum value at that time. As a result, the affected area can be observed from various angles, and such a reconstructed image is used as a useful diagnostic material in the medical field.

JP 2003-024300 A

  When creating an MPR image or MIP image, it is possible to specify setting parameters such as the start position and end position in the display direction, the number of divisions between them, the amount of movement between frames, and the rotation angle. In this case, a continuous image whose display direction changes in one direction according to the setting parameter is created.

  However, manually inputting the setting parameters at the time of diagnosis is complicated and takes time. In order to obtain an appropriate continuous image, the setting parameters are often readjusted, and manual adjustment and observation must be repeated for each diagnosis. In addition, since the continuous image creation process itself requires a large amount of computation and takes time, there is a problem that a necessary continuous image cannot be displayed quickly.

  Further, in observation, a plurality of different movements and rotations such as reciprocal movement, left-right rotation, and vertical rotation are often required. When creating such an image, it is necessary to repeat the operation of decomposing each movement and rotation and setting each movement with a setting parameter. In addition, an operation for storing necessary continuous images is also required.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a medical image data processing apparatus and a medical image data processing method capable of quickly displaying a continuous image of a reconstructed image.

The medical image data processing apparatus according to the present invention is a medical image data processing apparatus that three-dimensionally reconstructs various images based on a two-dimensional image. A generation unit, a procedure storage unit that stores a plurality of display moving directions in combination, a procedure storage unit that stores a procedure for continuous display of the reconstructed image, and a continuous display of the reconstructed image according to the procedure stored by the procedure storage unit Control means for controlling the image data generation means so as to generate image data for the purpose.
According to this medical image data processing apparatus, the procedure for continuously displaying the reconstructed image is stored, and the image data for continuously displaying the reconstructed image is generated according to the stored procedure. No complicated work is required. In addition, since a continuous display procedure in which a plurality of display moving directions are combined is stored, continuous display by a complicated procedure can be supported.
“Movement of display” is a concept including movement of the viewpoint of the visual field of the display and the direction of the visual field. The “movement direction” is not limited to the linear movement direction. For example, it is a concept including “rotation direction”.

You may provide the reception means which receives the input by the user of the said procedure memorize | stored in the said procedure memory | storage means.
In this case, the procedure can be customized by the user.

  The procedure storage means may store the procedure in association with a user.

  The procedure storage means may store the procedure in association with an inspection apparatus.

  The procedure storage means may store the procedure in association with the examination site.

You may provide the image data storage means which memorize | stores the said image data produced | generated by the said image data production | generation means.
In this case, since the generated image data is stored, the reconstructed image can be continuously displayed by accessing the image data at any time.

  You may provide the display means which displays continuously the said reconstruction image based on the said image data memorize | stored in the said image data storage means.

  You may provide the display means which displays the said reconstructed image continuously based on the said image data produced | generated by the said image data production | generation means.

  The display means may be capable of changing display methods such as display stop, restart, display speed change, and manual image feed.

The medical image data processing method of the present invention is a medical image data processing method for three-dimensionally reconstructing various images based on a two-dimensional image. And a step of generating image data for continuously displaying the reconstructed image according to the procedure based on a two-dimensional image.
According to this medical image data processing method, the procedure for continuously displaying the reconstructed image is stored, and the image data for continuously displaying the reconstructed image is generated according to the stored procedure. No complicated work is required. In addition, since a continuous display procedure in which a plurality of display moving directions are combined is stored, continuous display by a complicated procedure can be supported.
“Movement of display” is a concept including movement of the viewpoint of the visual field of the display and the direction of the visual field. The “movement direction” is not limited to the linear movement direction. For example, it is a concept including “rotation direction”.

You may provide the step which receives the input by the user of the said procedure memorize | stored.
In this case, the procedure can be customized by the user.

  In the step of storing the procedure, the procedure may be stored in association with the user.

  In the step of storing the procedure, the procedure may be stored in association with an inspection apparatus.

  In the step of storing the procedure, the procedure may be stored in association with the examination site.

A step of storing the generated image data may be provided.
In this case, since the generated image data is stored, the reconstructed image can be continuously displayed by accessing the image data at any time.

  The method may further comprise the step of continuously displaying the reconstructed image based on the image data stored in the step of storing the image data.

  The method may further comprise the step of continuously displaying the reconstructed image based on the image data generated by the step of generating the image data.

According to the medical image data processing apparatus of the present invention, the procedure for continuously displaying the reconstructed image is stored, and the image data for continuously displaying the reconstructed image is generated according to the stored procedure, so that the reconstructed image is displayed. There is no need for complicated work. In addition, since a continuous display procedure in which a plurality of display moving directions are combined is stored, continuous display by a complicated procedure can be supported.
According to the medical image data processing method of the present invention, the procedure for continuously displaying the reconstructed image is stored, and the image data for continuously displaying the reconstructed image is generated according to the stored procedure, so that the reconstructed image is displayed. There is no need for complicated work. In addition, since a continuous display procedure in which a plurality of display moving directions are combined is stored, continuous display by a complicated procedure can be supported.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram functionally showing a medical image data processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an image data generating unit 101 generates image data of a three-dimensional reconstructed image based on a two-dimensional image. The procedure storage unit 102 stores a procedure for continuous display of reconstructed images, which is a combination of a plurality of display moving directions. The control unit 103 controls the image data generation unit 101 to generate image data for continuously displaying the reconstructed image according to the procedure stored in the procedure storage unit 102.

  The accepting unit 104 accepts an input by a user of a procedure stored in the procedure storage unit 102.

  The image data storage unit 105 stores the image data generated by the image data generation unit 101.

  The display unit 106 continuously displays the reconstructed image based on the image data stored in the image data storage unit 105. The display unit 106 continuously displays the reconstructed image based on the image data generated by the image data generation unit 101.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a medical image data processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the medical image data processing apparatus of this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the medical image data processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes inspection apparatuses 11, 12,... That capture a two-dimensional image, and terminal apparatuses 21, 22,. And a server 3 that executes various processes on the image data, and an image data storage unit 4 that stores various image data. As shown in FIG. 2, inspection apparatuses 11, 12,..., Terminal apparatuses 21, 22,..., Server 3 and image data storage unit 4 are connected to each other via a communication bus 5.

  In the present embodiment, based on the two-dimensional images captured by the inspection apparatuses 11, 12,..., The server 3 performs image data of reconstructed images such as MPR (Multi Planer Reconstruction) images and MIP (Maximum Intensity Projection) images. Is generated.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a method for reconstructing image data based on two-dimensional image data (slice image data). As shown in FIG. 3, voxel data can be constructed by sequentially shifting slice positions and an MPR image in a slice section at an arbitrary position viewed from an arbitrary direction can be reconstructed. Similarly to the MPR image, the MIP image is reconstructed by projecting the maximum value or the minimum value when viewed from an arbitrary direction. This MIP image is used for observation of blood vessels, airways, and the like, for example.

  The image data of the two-dimensional image captured by the inspection apparatuses 11, 12,... Is sequentially stored in the image data storage unit 4. As will be described later, the image data of the reconstructed image generated by the server 3 is also stored in the image data storage unit 4.

  Steps S <b> 1 to S <b> 3 in FIG. 4 are flowcharts illustrating processing for receiving an input of a reconstructed image display procedure. This process is executed based on the control of the server 3.

  In step S1 of FIG. 4, an inspection target to which a specific display procedure is applied is specified based on an instruction to the terminal device, for example, the terminal device 21. The inspection target can be defined as, for example, the type of the user who refers to the inspection image, the requested department that requested the inspection, the clinical department that performs medical treatment, the type of the inspection apparatus, the inspection site, the communication protocol of the inspection apparatus, and the like. Here, a case where an inspection of a cerebral aneurysm based on MR angiography (MRA) data of the head is taken as an inspection object is illustrated.

  Next, in step S2, an input of setting parameters for determining the image display procedure is received. The setting parameter is a parameter that defines a procedure for continuously displaying the reconstructed image, which is a combination of a plurality of display moving directions. The continuous display procedure can be arbitrarily determined by setting parameters.

  When detecting a cerebral aneurysm from MR angiography (MRA) data of the head, a method of generating and observing a MIP image from a two-dimensional slice image of MRA data is used.

  FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are diagrams conceptually showing the visual field direction of display. Depending on the setting parameters, for example, (1) observation from the front is performed over 360 degrees in the rotation direction trajectory 61 in the horizontal plane centered on the Z axis, and then (2) the trajectory in the rotation direction centered on the X axis from the front. 62. Observe 90 degrees toward the bottom of the brain, then (3) observe 45 degrees left and right on the orbit 63 in the rotational direction around the Y axis from the bottom of the brain, and finally (4) You can set a display procedure such as Back.

  6 and 7 show examples of displaying MIP images in this case. 6 shows a continuous image along the trajectory 61, FIG. 7A shows a continuous image along the trajectory 62, and FIG. 7B shows a continuous image along the trajectory 63.

  Next, in step S3, the input setting parameter is stored in the storage unit 31 of the server 3 in association with the inspection target, and the process ends. Thereby, for example, the display procedure in the case of the cerebral aneurysm inspection of the head by MR angiography (MRA) is registered.

  Steps S11 to S13 in FIG. 4 are flowcharts showing processing for generating and storing a reconstructed image. This process is executed based on the control of the server 3.

  In step S <b> 11 of FIG. 4, the setting parameter registered in association with the inspection target is acquired from the storage unit 31. This setting parameter is input in step S2 and stored in the storage unit 31 in step S3. For example, when reconstructing a head cerebral aneurysm examination image by MR angiography (MRA), setting parameters corresponding to the display procedure (FIG. 5) are acquired.

  In step S12, the corresponding two-dimensional image data is acquired from the image data storage unit 4. Further, based on the acquired two-dimensional image data, image data of a series of reconstructed images is generated according to the acquired setting parameter (step S11). In step S13, the image data of the reconstructed image generated in step S12 is stored in the image data storage unit 4, and the process ends.

  For example, when reconstructing an image of a cerebral aneurysm examination of the head by MR angiography (MRA), setting parameters indicating a display procedure as shown in FIG. 5 are acquired (step S11), and FIG. Image data of a continuous image as shown in FIG. 7 is generated (step S12) and stored (step S13).

  Steps S21 to S22 in FIG. 4 are flowcharts showing processing for displaying a continuous image. This process is executed based on the control of a terminal device that accepts an instruction to display continuous images, for example, the terminal device 21.

  In step S21 of FIG. 4, image data of a corresponding series of reconstructed images is acquired from the image data storage unit 4. Next, in step S22, continuous image display is executed using the image data acquired from the image data storage unit 4. Thereby, for example, a continuous image according to a predetermined display procedure is displayed on the monitor screen of the terminal device 21.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a continuous image based on a reconstructed image is displayed according to a preset display procedure. For this reason, an appropriate continuous image can be viewed without requiring a complicated operation for display. In addition, since it is not necessary to perform arithmetic processing for generating image data of a continuous image at the time of display, the continuous image can be quickly displayed. Furthermore, since the image data of the continuous image is stored, the continuous image can be displayed quickly at any time.

  In addition, since the display procedure can be set for each inspection object, a continuous image can be displayed by a display procedure adapted to each inspection object. If a display procedure is set for each user, a continuous image according to the display procedure designated by the user can always be viewed. In addition, by setting a display procedure corresponding to the requested department, the medical department, or the communication protocol of the inspection apparatus, an appropriate continuous display corresponding to each inspection object is given.

  Further, in this display procedure, it is possible not only to continuously display the reconstructed images, but also to change display methods such as display stop, restart, display speed change, and manual image feed.

  For an inspection target for which setting parameters have already been set, image data of a continuous image based on a reconstructed image can be generated (step S12) and stored (step S13) at an arbitrary timing. For example, when image data of a two-dimensional image is acquired by inspection, image data of a continuous image may be generated and stored sequentially.

  In addition, while other images are displayed, continuous image data may be generated and stored in the background. For example, while displaying a slice image based on a two-dimensional image that is an original image acquired from an inspection apparatus, image data of a continuous image by a reconstructed image such as an MPR image or a MIP image is created and stored, and a slice is stored. A continuous image can also be displayed after the image display is completed.

  In the above embodiment, the reconstructed image is generated by the server 3, but the reconstructed image may be generated by the terminal device. Further, the setting parameters may be stored on the terminal device side.

  The scope of application of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The present invention can be widely applied to a medical image data processing apparatus and a medical image data processing method for reconstructing various images based on a two-dimensional image.

1 is a block diagram functionally showing a medical image data processing apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a medical image data processing apparatus according to an embodiment. The figure which shows the method of the reconstruction of the image data based on two-dimensional image data. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the medical image data processing apparatus of the present embodiment. The figure which shows notionally the visual field direction of a display. The figure which shows the example of a display of a MIP image. The figure which shows the example of a display of a MIP image.

Explanation of symbols

3 server (image data generation means, procedure storage means, control means)
4 Image data storage (image data storage means)
21 Terminal device (reception means, display means)
101 Image data generation means 102 Procedure storage means 103 Control means 104 Acceptance means 105 Image data storage means 106 Display means

Claims (17)

In a medical image data processing apparatus that three-dimensionally reconstructs various images based on a two-dimensional image,
Image data generating means for generating image data of a three-dimensional reconstructed image based on the two-dimensional image;
Procedure storage means for storing a procedure for continuous display of the reconstructed image, which is a combination of a plurality of display movement directions;
Control means for controlling the image data generation means to generate image data for continuously displaying the reconstructed image according to the procedure stored by the procedure storage means;
A medical image data processing apparatus comprising: The medical image data processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reception unit that receives an input by the user of the procedure stored in the procedure storage unit. The medical image data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the procedure storage unit stores the procedure in association with a user. The medical image data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the procedure storage unit stores the procedure in association with an examination apparatus. The medical image data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the procedure storage unit stores the procedure in association with an examination site. 6. The medical image data processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image data storage unit that stores the image data generated by the image data generation unit. The medical image data processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising display means for continuously displaying the reconstructed image based on the image data stored in the image data storage means. The medical image data processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for continuously displaying the reconstructed image based on the image data generated by the image data generation means. The medical image data processing apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the display means is capable of changing a display method such as display stop, restart, display speed change, and manual image feed. In a medical image data processing method for three-dimensional reconstruction of various images based on a two-dimensional image,
Storing a procedure for continuous display of the reconstructed image, which is formed by combining a plurality of display moving directions;
Generating image data for continuously displaying the reconstructed image according to the procedure based on a two-dimensional image;
A medical image data processing method comprising: The medical image data processing method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of receiving an input by a user of the stored procedure. The medical image data processing method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein in the step of storing the procedure, the procedure is stored in association with a user. The medical image data processing method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein in the step of storing the procedure, the procedure is stored in association with an examination apparatus. The medical image data processing method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein in the step of storing the procedure, the procedure is stored in association with an examination site. The medical image data processing method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, further comprising a step of storing the generated image data. The medical image data processing method according to claim 14, further comprising a step of continuously displaying the reconstructed image based on the image data stored in the step of storing the image data. The medical image data processing method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of continuously displaying the reconstructed image based on the image data generated by the step of generating the image data.