JP2007143719A - Medical apparatus and inspection protocol obtaining method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method by which a desired inspection protocol can be easily obtained out of inspection protocols registered in a database. <P>SOLUTION: The medical apparatus having a medical inspection device 1a and a medical managing device providing the inspection protocols including at least conditions for inspecting by the medical inspection device photographing a subject comprises a protocol database 17a which stores the plurality of inspection protocols along with and corresponding to their using result information or estimating information, a protocol searching means 13a searching the inspection protocols stored in the protocol database according to the searching request from the medical inspection device, and a first graph forming means 14a forming graphs from the using result information or the estimating information of the plurality of inspection protocols searched according to the searching request from the medical inspection device, so that the inspection protocols can be selected from the graphs by the medical inspection device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical apparatus and a test protocol acquisition method capable of providing a test protocol used in a medical test device.

  Conventionally, in the medical field, examination protocols including conditions for operating medical examination equipment (names vary depending on medical examination equipment manufacturers, users, etc. For example, there are also cases where it is called “imaging protocol”. There is an examination protocol providing system that allows users such as doctors and technicians to share and use over a network. This is a system in which a plurality of inspection protocols created by a user or inspection protocols provided by a vendor or the like are registered, and the registered inspection protocols can be downloaded and used for imaging.

  In the invention described in Patent Document 1, the user can register both an inspection protocol and a representative image captured using the inspection protocol in the inspection protocol providing system, and when the user downloads the inspection protocol. Is characterized by being able to display registered examination protocols and their images. Since the user can download the inspection protocol after confirming the image quality and the like from the image of the inspection protocol, it is possible to eliminate the failure when selecting the inspection protocol relating to the image quality. However, the inspection protocol selection method is not taken into consideration, and the user needs to search for a target inspection protocol from a list of all registered inspection protocols.

  The invention described in Patent Document 2 has a function of searching for inspection protocols with various keywords and narrowing down and rearranging the displayed inspection protocols. However, since the narrowed inspection protocols are displayed in a list, it is difficult to read the difference between the displayed inspection protocols, and it takes a lot of time to search for the target inspection protocol. Therefore, when the number of registered inspection protocols increases, it takes a lot of time to search for a desired inspection protocol from a list of search and search results, and a large number of search results are displayed in a list. There is a risk that an inspection protocol that does not match the purpose of use (finishing the inspection in a short time, capturing a high-quality image, etc.) may be downloaded by mistake.

JP 2003-52660 A JP 2004-154560 A

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables a user to easily obtain a desired inspection protocol from a plurality of inspection protocols registered in a database in which the inspection protocol is stored.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 includes a medical examination apparatus and a medical management apparatus that provides an examination protocol including at least a condition for examination by a medical examination apparatus that images a specimen. In the medical device
The medical management device includes:
A protocol database in which a plurality of the inspection protocols are stored in association with their purpose of use and usage information or evaluation information;
Protocol search means for searching for the test protocol stored in the protocol database in response to a search request from the medical testing device;
A first graph creating means for creating a graph based on the use result information or the evaluation information of the plurality of examination protocols searched according to a search request from the medical examination device;
And an examination protocol can be selected by the medical examination apparatus based on the graph.

The invention according to claim 10 is a medical device comprising a medical management device that provides a medical examination device and an examination protocol including at least a condition for examination by a medical examination device that images a subject.
The medical management device includes:
A protocol database in which a plurality of the inspection protocols are stored in association with their usage purpose and usage record information or evaluation information, and rewritten in response to a request for registration, correction, or deletion;
Graph storage means;
A graph is created based on the purpose of use of the plurality of inspection protocols and the usage record information or the evaluation information, stored in the graph storage means, and the graph stored in the graph storage means is updated in accordance with the rewriting A second graph creation means;
A protocol search means for receiving a search request based on the purpose of use of the examination protocol from the medical examination apparatus, retrieving a graph corresponding to the purpose of use from the graph storage means, and sending it to the medical examination apparatus;
And the examination protocol can be selected by the medical examination apparatus based on the graph.

Further, according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, a desired examination protocol is acquired from the medical examination apparatus side from a medical management apparatus that provides an examination protocol including at least a condition for examination by a medical examination apparatus that images a specimen. An inspection protocol acquisition method for
The medical management apparatus associates a plurality of the examination protocols with their purpose of use and usage results information or evaluation information, and saves them as a protocol database;
Receiving the purpose of use including the model of the medical testing device input from the medical testing device and the purpose of testing the sample;
Based on the protocol database, creating a graph in which the examination protocol corresponding to the purpose of use is distributed on coordinates based on the use record information or the evaluation information, and displaying on the medical examination device, a graph creation display step;
Selecting a desired test protocol from the distribution of the test protocol in the displayed graph;
And a protocol storing step of loading the selected desired examination protocol into a medical examination apparatus for performing the imaging based on the selected examination protocol.

  According to the present invention, a graph is created based on usage history information or evaluation information of a plurality of inspection protocols searched according to a user's request, and a desired inspection protocol is selected and acquired from the graph. It is possible. Therefore, the user can see the displayed graph, determine whether or not it is a desired inspection protocol, and select and acquire the inspection protocol on the screen on which the graph is displayed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  Each embodiment of the present invention can use, for example, an MRI apparatus as a medical examination apparatus. This MRI apparatus, for example, creates an image with a magnetic field, a high-frequency signal, and a computer. In general, a magnet unit, a high-frequency transmission / reception unit, a bed, a control / image processing unit, a console (to a network) And a control computer having a monitor and a keyboard. An RF coil, which is a component of a high-frequency transmission / reception unit, has a function of an antenna that applies a high-frequency magnetic field to a subject and then detects a weak resonance signal radiated from a human body. There are various types of RF coils depending on the examination site (for example, the head and neck), and coils of saddle type, solenoid type, surface coil type, bird cage type, etc. are used according to measurement conditions. The driving condition of the RF coil is a kind of imaging parameter.

  In addition to the MRI apparatus, medical examination apparatuses applicable to the present invention include an apparatus capable of imaging such as an X-ray CT apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a PET apparatus, an X-ray imaging apparatus, and a CR apparatus. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described as a medical examination device (hereinafter, simply referred to as “device”) as a representative of these.

  Note that the examination protocol (protocol) includes imaging parameters and procedures for imaging with a medical examination apparatus corresponding to at least the purpose of use (for example, information indicating the model of a medical examination apparatus to be used and an imaging region). It is a waste. Typically, it includes a shooting sequence, a shooting procedure, shooting parameters (items and values), and profile information for specifying them. As the profile information, protocol ID No. (Identification number), creation date, creator information, applicable device type, adaptive device type, protocol registration date, inspection target part, target inspection date, etc. , Image quality evaluation information of the captured image, dose indicating X-ray intensity, and past usage information such as the number of downloads in the past.

[Embodiment 1]
(Overall and configuration of each part)
Embodiment 1 of the present invention is a medical apparatus including a medical examination apparatus 1a and a center server 2a as a medical management apparatus that provides an examination protocol as components as shown in FIG.

  The medical examination apparatus 1a and the center server 2a are connected to each other via communication means 5a1 and 5a2 possessed by each, and a network 4a such as the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), and a WAN (Wide Area Network). Communication is enabled. If the network 4a is the Internet, it is preferable to use, for example, SSL (Secure Socket Layer Protocol) from the viewpoint of security. In addition, the communication means 5a1 and the communication means 5a2 in FIG. 1 have a line directly connecting the two apart from the network 4a, but this is shown to clearly indicate the source and destination of the information. Actually, it is transmitted via the network 4a. The same applies to FIG.

  The center server 2a (medical management apparatus) includes a protocol management unit 16a that performs registration and update (for example, update upon correction and deletion) of the examination protocol via the network 4a, and an examination that is registered and updated by the protocol management unit 16a. The database 17a for storing the protocol, the protocol search means 13a for searching the inspection protocol stored from the database 17a in response to the search request from the display control means 8a, and the inspection protocol searched by the protocol search means 13a are read out. A first graph creating unit 14a for creating a graph and a protocol reading unit 15a for reading the inspection protocol selected by the user who viewed the graph from the database 17a and transmitting it to the protocol storage unit 12a are configured.

As shown in FIG. 6, the database 17a (not shown but stored in the storage means) stores the above-described inspection protocol in a database so that it can be searched or selected. FIG. 6 is a table showing profile information for specifying conditions including the imaging sequence included in the inspection protocol for each item.

  The database 17a in FIG. 6 includes information indicating the purpose of use. In other words, the purpose of use includes at least the model of the medical test equipment that is the equipment that uses the test protocol, its type, and information that indicates what purpose the test protocol is inspected for which part of the patient (especially the model) And parts are necessary information). Further, the database 17a includes usage record information, evaluation information, and a protocol creator. The required examination time (h), the dose (Gr) indicating the intensity of X-rays, the use coil, and the number of downloads in FIG. 6 are use result information based on past implementation. The inspection time (h) or the like is obtained by inputting the inspection time when it was performed in the past when the protocol management means 16a registers the inspection protocol in the database 17a. The dose (Gr) indicates the amount of X-ray irradiation. For example, in the case of an MRI apparatus, the utilization coil has many RF coils, and thus indicates the type of coil used in the past. The number of downloads is such that each time an examination protocol is downloaded from the center server 2a to the medical examination apparatus 1a, a counter for counting the number of times is provided for each examination protocol and updated with the latest count value. Further, the image quality evaluation information of the captured image, which is evaluation information, is an evaluation value when, for example, the quality when the image captured in the past is visually recognized, particularly the fineness, is evaluated in five stages. The protocol ID No. 1 shown in FIG. In addition, an inspection protocol (not shown) extracted by the above is also stored.

  The protocol search means 13a searches the database 17a for an inspection protocol desired by the user. Each item according to the purpose of use of the inspection protocol search condition shown in FIG. 3 as an input screen by the user using the operation means 7a (for example, device type, inspection purpose, protocol creator, inspection target part, etc.), graph A desired condition is input to each item (for example, the X axis) of the creation condition. When the inspection protocol used in the past is displayed on the graph and compared with other inspection protocols, the protocol ID No. is displayed in the past use inspection protocol item (use protocol ID No.) shown in FIG. (See FIG. 6). this

  The input condition (search request according to the purpose of use) is transmitted from the display control means 8a to the protocol search means 13a via the network 4a and the communication means 5a1 and 5a2. The protocol search means 13a searches all inspection protocols corresponding to the conditions input by the user from the database 17a. Note that the inspection protocol retrieved from the database 17a may be either singular or plural.

  The first graph creating unit 14a includes profile information for specifying an imaging sequence included in the examination protocol searched by the protocol searching unit 13a, graph creating conditions designated by the user, and examination protocols used in the past. Protocol ID No. For example, the graphs shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are created based on the above. These graphs are based on the graph creation conditions input by the user. For example, the user can freely determine the coordinate axes within the range of the usage record information stored in the database 17a shown in FIG. it can. The display format of the graph is not limited to the XY two-dimensional coordinates.

  Further, the first graph creating means 14a receives the creator of the searched examination protocol from the database 17a as shown in FIG. 4, and the creator A (for example, the name of a university teacher) as shown in FIG. Alternatively, a graph that can identify the creator B (for example, the name of a device manufacturer) can be created. If it does so, it will also become possible to select an inspection protocol paying attention to creator A, for example.

  The created graph and the profile information included in the graph are sent to the display means 6a and displayed on the screen, for example. The created graph is used to facilitate the search of the inspection protocol by the user selecting a desired inspection protocol through the profile information based on the profile information displayed on the graph. is there. The first graph creating means 14a may be in the center server 2a (solid line in FIG. 1) or in the medical examination apparatus 1a (two-dot chain line in FIG. 1). This is because the purpose (creation of a graph) can be achieved if the display means 6a is connected.

  In the above, an example of creating a graph by inputting a graph creation condition as shown in FIG. 3 is shown, but the present invention does not have the graph creation condition of FIG. 3 (that is, not inputting the graph creation condition). ) If only the inspection protocol search condition (search item according to the purpose of use) is input, any combination of image quality evaluation, inspection time (h), number of downloads, and dose (Gr) indicating the amount of X-ray irradiation A graph composed of coordinates may be determined in advance and displayed. In addition, any one or a plurality of combinations thereof, for example, image quality evaluation vs. inspection time, image quality evaluation vs. number of downloads, and image quality evaluation vs. dose indicating X-ray dose can be selected by the operation means 7a. Anyway. The graph may be examination time versus X-ray dose. That is, you may enable it to select the graph according to the objective.

  The graph described above is automatically created by the user based on the usage record information or the evaluation information. Then, by browsing the graph, for example, it is easy to judge and select according to the selection purpose such as selecting the inspection protocol with priority on image quality or selecting the shortest inspection time with priority. . In addition, since the user can enter a desired graph creation condition and create a necessary graph, it is possible to create a graph according to the inspection protocol, so the number of inspection protocols is reduced. Display time, and the time required to search for the inspection protocol can be reduced. In addition, since the number of protocols to be displayed can be reduced, it is possible to reduce the risk of downloading due to a user's erroneous operation.

  The graph shown in FIG. 4 is a graph created by the first graph creating means 14a based on the collection of inspection protocols and the like stored in the database 17a shown in FIG. The collection of inspection protocols and the like includes imaging sequences included in the inspection protocols and profile information for specifying the imaging sequences.

  The graph shown in FIG. 4 shows all the inspection protocols related to the “pituitary gland examination” and the examination site “head” as well as the use protocol ID No. of the examination protocol used in the past. Based on the image quality evaluation information of the captured image and the inspection time, which are part of the profile information. This graph is created so that the vertical axis indicates the quality of the image (five-level evaluation), the horizontal axis indicates the required inspection time, and the distribution of the inspection protocol, and the user can easily perform the inspection protocol. For example, an auxiliary line calculated by the least square method is displayed in the figure, so it is possible to know the quality of the captured image for the same inspection purpose and the distribution tendency of the inspection time, and to obtain profile information. It is possible to facilitate visual selection. This facilitates acquisition of the inspection protocol desired by the user. Whether or not to display the aforementioned auxiliary line is determined by the user. If an auxiliary line is to be displayed, the type of the auxiliary line to be displayed is input in the graph creation condition item shown in FIG.

  The creator A and the creator B shown in FIG. 4 are persons who created each examination protocol (for example, a doctor, an engineer, and a manufacturer), and the examination protocol is displayed on this graph so that the creator can be identified. is doing. The used inspection protocol is a previously specified inspection protocol, and the ID No. of the inspection protocol used in the past. Use protocol ID No. In addition, it is displayed in the figure. For example, when the inspection protocol is searched, the usage protocol ID No. of the past usage inspection protocol shown in FIG. In the column of the inspection protocol ID No. that has been used in the past. , The examination protocol on the corresponding graph is indicated by a triangle mark. Each of these is a plot (here, the examination protocol displayed in the graph) and a marker (here, a mark that can be moved on the screen in accordance with the movement of the mouse, and is used to designate the examination protocol. ) Can be displayed in different colors and shapes.

  For example, in FIG. 4, creator A is represented by a round plot, creator B is represented by a square plot, and the usage inspection protocol is represented by a triangular plot. This is because the examination protocol can be selected by paying attention to the creator. In addition, when creating a graph showing the relationship between the image quality evaluation information of the captured image and the number of past downloads, the protocol with the larger number of past downloads is represented by a darker color plot, or the plot shape is triangular, round, etc. It is also possible to change to Further, when a plot is designated by a marker by the operation means 7a in any of the examination protocols on the coordinates in FIG. 4, a detailed description thereof and a sample image obtained by reducing the image of the photographed specimen can be displayed. The sample image is displayed together with the detailed description in order to make it easier for the user to select an inspection protocol. Furthermore, a desired inspection protocol can be selected by designating and clicking a marker on the plot using the operation means 7a. In addition, although the marker in a figure is an arrow type, this shape can be suitably changed into the shape, color, etc. which a user can understand easily.

  As in FIG. 4, the graph shown in FIG. 5 is stored as a collection of examination protocols in the database 17a shown in FIG. It is the graph created by the graph creation means 14a. As shown in FIG. 5, by displaying the auxiliary line in the figure, the user can easily select the inspection protocol. The auxiliary line in this case is different from the auxiliary line in FIG. 4. For example, the image quality evaluation information of the captured image is x, the inspection time (minutes) is y, and the value of the constant k when the relationship of xy = k is established. Each inverse proportional curve (auxiliary line in FIG. 5) when 20, 30, 40 is displayed. Whether or not to display the auxiliary line is determined by the user as in FIG. When the area sandwiched between the auxiliary lines in the graph is A rank, B rank, C rank, it depends on which area each inspection protocol is in, for example, an image taken for the same inspection purpose. It can be used as a standard for judging good or bad (image quality). Here, using the fact that the relationship between the aforementioned image quality and other elements (inspection time in FIG. 5) is generally inversely proportional, ranking is performed according to the degree (constant k) (see FIG. 5 is A rank, B rank, C rank), and this is used as a criterion for image quality.

  The creator A, the creator B, and the usage inspection protocol shown in the figure are the same as those described in FIG. In addition, the detailed description, the configuration of the sample image, and the inspection protocol selection method described later are the same as those in FIG. 4 and 5 are examples, and graphs such as image quality evaluation vs. download count, image quality evaluation vs. dose, etc. are also created by inputting the graph creation conditions shown in FIG. Can be configured.

  The protocol reading unit 15a receives a result (protocol ID No.) of selecting an inspection protocol desired by the user from the graphs (for example, FIGS. 4 and 5) created by the first graph creating unit 14a described above, and receives the database 17a. The selected inspection protocol is read out from. The read inspection protocol information is transmitted to the protocol storage means 12a and stored therein.

  The protocol reading means 15a communicates the read examination protocol, and the communication means 5a2 can communicate with the medical examination apparatus 1a shown in FIG. 1 if a plurality of medical examination apparatuses are communicably connected to the network 4a (not shown). It can also be sent to inspection equipment. When a request is made to the protocol retrieval means 13a from one of the medical examination devices, if it is requested in advance not only to the medical examination device but also to other similar examination devices, it is sent to the destination. Can be sent as.

  The protocol management means 16a controls an operation for registering (updating) the inspection protocol in the database 17a. The person who performs the registration (update) operation is mainly a user who has contracted with the administrator of the center server 2a (for example, the owner of each device), and permits connection to the protocol management means 16a described later. Can only be done by the When the user performs an operation of registration (update), the protocol management unit 16a registers (updates) the inspection protocol in the database 17a based on the operation signal. As shown in FIG. 1, the protocol management means 16a may be installed either in the center server 2a (the dashed line in FIG. 1) or outside (the solid line in FIG. 1) via the network 4a. This is because the purpose (inspection protocol registration and update) can be fulfilled if connected to the database 17a.

  Next, the medical examination device 1a will be described. The medical examination device 1a defines a display format of information for a user (for example, a doctor, an engineer), a user data (in this case, examination protocol) input method, and the like, and a user interface 3a for operating the driving of the medical examination device 1a. In accordance with the examination protocol stored in the protocol storage means 12a, the control means 11a for controlling the imaging means 10a, the imaging means 10a for performing the imaging, and the imaging information sent from the imaging means 10a are received to re-image the specimen. And an image forming unit 9a.

  As described above, the protocol storage unit 12a stores the inspection protocol read from the database 17a by the protocol reading unit 15a in response to the result of the user selecting the inspection protocol. Then, the protocol storage unit 12a transmits information on the selected inspection protocol to the control unit 11a.

  The control unit 11a receives information on the examination protocol selected by the user transmitted from the protocol storage unit 12a, and controls the imaging conditions of the specimen based on the information.

  The user interface 3a includes an operation unit 7a, a display control unit 8a that controls display of an image of the specimen transmitted from the image forming unit 9a based on an operation signal from the operation unit 7a, and the display control unit 8a. And display means 6a for displaying an image of the sample by the control signal.

  The operation means 7a includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. By operating them, information and the like are input to a computer included in the medical examination apparatus 1a, and a command for causing the user to perform a desired drive (examination), This is transmitted to the medical examination device 1a.

  The display control unit 8a transmits an operation signal (command) sent from the operation unit 7a by the user to each component via the operation unit 7a and the display unit 6a. The input screen as shown in FIG. 3 may be prepared and displayed in advance by the display control means 8a. The above-described markers and the like are also generated and processed by the display control means 8a.

  The display means 6a displays an image such as a liquid crystal monitor or a CRT monitor. Further, as described above, the display control means 8a displays the examination protocol search image, the graph, the sample image, and the like.

(Action / Effect)
With reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, a procedure by which a user (for example, a doctor or a technician) acquires a desired examination protocol using the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, a description will be given by taking as an example the case where the protocol management means 16a is installed outside the center server 2a and the first graph creation means 14a is installed in the center server 2b. In this case, the protocol management means 16a is constituted by an individual computer.

  First, an inspection protocol registration and update procedure will be described with reference to FIG.

  <Step S1> A user who wants to register (update) an inspection protocol accesses the center server 2a from the protocol management means 16a. At this time, the center server 2a requests, for example, a password in order to confirm whether or not the user can use the service by contract. When the user inputs a password, the center server 2a performs authentication, and the user is permitted to use the center server 2a.

  <Step S2> The center server 2a displays, for example, an inspection protocol registration and update screen on the protocol management means 16a.

  <Step S3> For example, when registering an inspection protocol, the information is input according to the display on the screen. The information to be input includes profile information stored in the database of FIG. 6 and the corresponding inspection protocol. After the input is completed and the input content is confirmed, the content is confirmed. Thereby, after the registration is completed, the registration screen is terminated. Even when updating, the basic input operation is the same.

  Next, a procedure for creating a graph using the inspection protocol profile information will be described with reference to FIGS. The procedure for creating this graph is not performed after the above-described inspection protocol registration and update procedures are completed, but the user selects either continuous or discontinuous of both procedures depending on the situation. Further, when there is no designation of the drawing, it is assumed that the description is made with reference to FIG.

  <Step S4> A user who intends to use the inspection protocol operates the operation means 7a and sends a search start instruction (control signal) from the display control means 8a to the protocol search means 13a. Also in this case, as in step S1, the center server 2a requests, for example, a password in order to confirm whether or not the user can use the contract.

  <Step S5> When the user inputs a password, the center server 2a performs authentication, and the user is permitted to use. When the protocol management means 16a is in the center server 2a and the same person registers and uses the examination protocol, it is sufficient to receive authentication once. What is necessary while the medical examination apparatus 8a is started up? There is no need to be certified again.

  <Step S6> When the use of the center server 2a is permitted, for example, an inspection protocol search screen 20 as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display means 6a.

  <Step S7> The user inputs information on a desired inspection protocol and graph creation conditions in accordance with the screen display as shown in FIG. If it is desired to compare the inspection protocol used in the past with other inspection protocols, the ID No. of the inspection protocol used in the past is used. Enter. Thereby, the first graph creating unit 14a transmits the profile information transmitted from the display control unit 8a, that is, the examination time, which is the above-described use result information, the dose indicating the X-ray intensity, the number of past downloads, and the evaluation information. A graph is created based on the image quality evaluation information of the captured image. The graph is displayed as a two-dimensional scatter diagram regarding the profile information of the inspection protocol, and shows the relationship between the above-described usage record information and the above-described evaluation information. The graph shown in FIG. 5 is an example of a graph created by the first graph creation unit 14a.

  <Step S8> The first graph creating unit 14a transmits the created graph (for example, the graphs shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) to the display control unit 8a.

  <Step S9> At the same time, the first graph creating unit 14a also transmits information on the examination protocol included in the created graph to the display control unit 8a. The display control unit 8a that has received the above-described graph and the inspection protocol information included in the graph receives the operation signal transmitted when the user presses the graph display button 21 shown in FIG. Control is performed so that the graph is displayed on the means 6a. Thereby, the graph is displayed on the display means 6a. When the above-mentioned graph, for example, the graph shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display means 6a, the user aligns the marker with the plot in the graph. The display control means 8a is provided with the inspection protocol ID No. of the inspection protocol combined with the marker. Is transmitted to the protocol reading means 15a. Thereby, the profile information of the inspection protocol read by the protocol reading means 15a from the database 17a and the captured image (sample image) can be displayed as a sub screen (see FIG. 8). When the marker is removed from the plot, the above-described profile information and sample image are not displayed on the screen.

  <Step S10> When the inspection protocol combined with the marker is clicked (operated by the operation means 7a), the inspection protocol is determined. When the inspection protocol is determined, the operation signal is transmitted to the display control unit 8a, and the control signal based on the operation signal is transmitted to the protocol reading unit 15a. As a result, the protocol search means 13b searches the database 17a for all the inspection protocols that match the content based on the information on the desired inspection protocol input according to the inspection protocol search screen 20 shown in FIG. The profile information is transmitted to the first graph creating means 14a.

  <Step S11> The protocol reading unit 15a reads the inspection protocol selected by the user and selected from the database 17a, and downloads the read inspection protocol to the protocol storage unit 12a.

  The test protocol downloaded to the protocol storage unit 12a is controlled by the control unit 11a using the test protocol, and the imaging unit 10a is imaged, and the sample is imaged by the image forming unit 9a. The device control unit 8a is operated by a keyboard or the like as the operation means 7a, and an image formed based on the device control section 8a is displayed on a monitor screen as the display means 6a, so that the user can view a captured image of the sample.

  Note that authentication information (for example, password) for authentication, the format of the protocol search screen in FIG. 3, and the like are stored in the center server 2a in advance (not shown). Further, these may be processed separately by the medical examination device 1a instead of the center server 2a.

[Embodiment 2]
(Overall and configuration of each part)
In the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, the medical device 1a (see FIG. 1) described in the first embodiment and the center server 2a (see FIG. 1) are integrally configured, and a medical examination is performed. The device 1b includes each component described in the first embodiment (for example, the protocol management unit 16a (see FIG. 1)). In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the network 4a (see FIG. 1) and the communication means 5a1 and 5a2 (see FIG. 1), which were the constituent elements of the first embodiment, are used as constituent elements in the second embodiment. It differs in that it is not included. The protocol management means 16b is configured to be included in the medical device apparatus 1b.

  Further, since the function of each component of the second embodiment (for example, the control unit 11b shown in FIG. 7) is the same as the function of each component of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here. Components having the same numerical part in the figure composed of a numerical part and an alphabetic part described in the specification have the same function unless otherwise described. For example, the medical examination apparatus 1a shown in FIG. 1 and the medical examination apparatus 1b shown in FIG. 7 have the same function. Note that the alphabetic part in the reference numerals differs depending on the embodiment, and a indicates that it is the component of the first embodiment, b indicates the component of the second embodiment, and c indicates the component of the third embodiment. . Hereinafter, the protocol management unit 16b (see FIG. 7), which is a component including functions different from those of the first embodiment, will be described.

  The protocol management means 16b shown in FIG. 7 has the same function as the protocol management means 16a shown in FIG. 1, and controls the operation of registering (updating) the inspection protocol in the database 17b. Each of the inspection protocol and its profile information may be input from the outside via the communication unit 5a2 as in the protocol management unit 1a (solid line) shown in FIG. 1 or may be input manually. Further, it may be downloaded from an external memory such as a CD-R.

  When the protocol management unit 16b registers (updates) the inspection protocol stored in the external memory or the like in the database 17b, the display control receives the operation signal (command) from the operation unit 7b shown in FIG. Means 8b sends a control signal. Then, the database 17b receiving it registers (updates) the inspection protocol stored in the aforementioned external memory or the like.

(Action / Effect)
With reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, a procedure for a user (for example, doctor, engineer) to obtain a desired examination protocol using the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that FIG. 11 includes those obtained by replacing the letter “a” of the reference numeral shown in FIG. 2 with “b”, which is the description of the center server 2 a in FIG. 2 as “medical examination equipment 1 b”. . That is, the function of the center server 2a in FIG. 1 is provided in the medical examination apparatus 1b in FIG. Further, Steps S40 to S50 in FIG. 11 correspond to Steps S1 to S11 in FIG. 2 and show similar operations. Therefore, the components other than the protocol management unit 16b described above have the same functions and the same operational effects, and thus the description thereof is omitted. However, Embodiment 2 makes it possible to provide a user with an inspection protocol more quickly by reducing processing time required for communication with the outside. Hereinafter, a procedure for registering and updating an inspection protocol, which involves the protocol management unit 16b, will be described with reference to steps S51 to S53 shown in FIG.

  <Step S51> For example, the user who wants to delete the examination protocol in order to organize the database 17b confirms that the graph shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display means 6b. The graph is provided with a “delete key” (not shown). First, the user selects a “delete key” using the operation means 7b. The selection signal is sent to the display control means 8b, and the display control means 8b receiving it sends a control signal to the protocol management means 16b.

  <Step S52> Upon receiving the control signal, the protocol management means 16b sends a switching signal for switching the graph (see FIG. 8) displayed on the display means 6b to the deletion graph of the inspection protocol to the control display section 8b. . Receiving it, the control display unit 8b sends a control signal to the display means 6b and is controlled so that the displayed graph is switched to the deleted graph of the inspection protocol.

  <Step S53> The user who wants to delete the examination protocol places a marker on the plot to be deleted displayed in the graph and clicks it. Upon receiving the operation signal (deletion command) from the operation means 7b, the display control means 8b sends a control signal to the protocol management means 16b, and the protocol management means 16b receiving it retrieves the inspection protocol from the database 17b and deletes it. To be controlled.

  As described above, the protocol management unit 16b can control the operation of registering, correcting, or deleting the examination protocol by the user (for example, doctor, engineer) by the control display unit 8b. The inspection protocol can be organized. This also makes it possible to easily acquire a desired inspection protocol without reducing the processing speed of the device.

[Embodiment 3]
(Overall and configuration of each part)
The third embodiment of the present invention is a medical apparatus including a medical examination apparatus 1c and a center server 2c (medical management apparatus) including a graph storage unit 18c as main components as shown in FIG.

  Since the third embodiment includes substantially the same components as those in the first embodiment, the different components will be described here. The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the graph storage unit 18c shown in FIG. 9 is included as a component. Further, since the second graph creating means 14c has a function different from that of the first graph creating means which is a constituent element of the first and second embodiments, it will be described. Other components are already described in each embodiment, and are omitted here. As in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the protocol management means 16c can be either inside the center server 2c (solid line in FIG. 9) or externally (dotted line in FIG. 9) via the network 4a. May be installed. Here, a case where it is in the center server 2c (solid line in FIG. 9) will be described as an example.

  In addition to the function of creating a graph using the inspection protocol described in the first and second embodiments, the second graph creating unit 14c registers (adds) profile information at that time by the protocol management unit 16c shown in FIG. The deleted inspection protocol is overwritten on a previously created and saved graph (for example, the graph shown in FIG. 8) or has a function of deleting from the graph. The graph is stored in a graph storage unit 18c, which will be described later, and the second graph creation unit 14c, from the graph group stored in the graph storage unit 18c, every time an inspection protocol is registered (added) in the database 17c, A graph corresponding to the registered (added) inspection protocol is searched, the graph is read out, the inspection protocol is overwritten on the graph, and stored again in the graph storage unit 18c. When deleting an inspection protocol, a graph corresponding to the inspection protocol is searched, the graph is read out, an inspection protocol is selected, deleted from the database 17c, and stored again in the graph storage unit 18c.

  For example, the graph storage unit 18c stores one or more graphs as shown in FIG. 8, for example, and has a function of storing the graph rewritten by overwriting or deleting the inspection protocol by the second graph creation unit 14c. It is. The graph shown in FIG. 8 described above is created so that the distribution of the inspection protocol is represented by the coordinates in which the vertical axis indicates whether the image quality is good or bad (5-level evaluation) and the horizontal axis indicates the required inspection time. In addition, the inspection protocol is classified and graphed for each profile information such as the inspection purpose and inspection site. That is, a plurality of graphs presuming the inspection protocol search conditions and the graph creation conditions shown in FIG. 3 are stored. The registered (added) inspection protocol is overwritten on the graph corresponding to the profile information by the second graph creating means 14c. When the inspection protocol is registered (added), a triangular plot is displayed as the registered (added) protocol as shown in FIG. When the graph is deleted from the graph, the selected inspection protocol is deleted from the database 17c. Further, when a search request for an inspection protocol is sent from the protocol search means 13c, a corresponding graph is sent to the display means 6c. Therefore, with the above configuration, the latest graph is stored in the graph storage unit 18c.

(Action / Effect)
With reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, a procedure for a user (for example, a doctor or an engineer) to obtain a desired examination protocol using the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. As in the second embodiment, FIG. 10 is obtained by replacing the letter “a” in FIG. 2 with “c”, and the constituent elements other than the second graph creating means 14 c and the graph storage means 18 c described above. Since the function and effect are the same, description is abbreviate | omitted. Hereinafter, a procedure for creating (adding) a graph using an inspection protocol, which involves the second graph creating unit 14c and the graph storage unit 18c, will be described with reference to FIGS. Unless otherwise specified, description will be made with reference to FIG.

  <Step S22> For example, when the user receives authentication from the center server 2c and finishes inputting on the registration screen of the inspection protocol, the inspection protocol and profile information are registered (added) to the database 17c by the protocol management means 16c shown in FIG. ) The database 17c transmits the registered (added) notification to the second graph creating means 14c shown in FIG. The second graph creating means 14c reads the graph corresponding to the profile information of the newly registered (added) inspection protocol from the graph storage means 18c shown in FIG. 9, and the inspection protocol registered (added) in the graph is read out. Overwrite. The overwritten graph is transmitted to the graph storage unit 18c and stored therein.

  If the inspection protocol is to be deleted, the deletion operation is performed in the same manner as in Step 51 to Step 53 shown in FIG. 11 as described in the second embodiment. However, the graph used here is selected by the user from the graph group stored in the graph storage means 18c shown in FIG.

  Further, the procedure from step S23 to step S25 shown in FIG. 10 is the same as the procedure from step 4 to step 6 shown in FIG. 2, and thus the description thereof will be omitted. Here, step 26 and subsequent steps will be described. Note that the inspection protocol search condition and the graph creation condition (see FIG. 3) in the inspection protocol display screen 20 displayed on the display means 6c in step S25 are obtained from the graph group stored in the graph storage means 18c shown in FIG. This is input to read out a desired graph. Further, as in the first and second embodiments, whether or not to display the auxiliary line is determined by the user.

  <Step S26> The inspection protocol desired by the user, which is input by the operation means 7c shown in FIG. 9 on the inspection protocol search screen 20 (see FIG. 3) displayed on the monitor screen which is the display means 6c shown in FIG. The display control means 8c shown in FIG. 9 transmits the search conditions to the protocol search means 13c shown in FIG.

  <Step S27> In response to the above-described search condition transmitted from the display control means 8c, the protocol search means 13c transmits the search condition to the graph storage means 18c shown in FIG. 9, and based on the transmitted search condition. Thus, the corresponding graph is searched from the plurality of graphs stored in the graph storage means 18c. If the corresponding graph can be found by the search, the graph is transmitted to the display control means 8c.

  <Step S28> At the same time, the graph storage unit 18c also transmits information on each examination protocol included in the graph to the display control unit 8c.

  <Step S29> The display control unit 8c transmits the inspection protocol included in the transmitted graph, for example, the graph shown in FIG. 8, to the display unit 6c, and displays the graph on the screen. The user who sees this graph selects a desired inspection protocol, and clicks a marker on a plot indicating the inspection protocol in the graph. By this operation, the inspection protocol is determined, and the protocol ID No. of the inspection protocol is determined. (Selection signal) is transmitted from the display control means 8c to the protocol reading means 15c shown in FIG.

  <Step S30> The protocol reading means 15c receives the protocol ID No. selected from the database 17c. The matching inspection protocol is retrieved from the database 17c and downloaded. The downloaded inspection protocol is stored in the protocol storage unit 12c shown in FIG.

  Using the test protocol stored in the protocol storage unit 12c, the user can take an image of the specimen.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, when an inspection protocol is registered (added) to a graph created in advance, it is overwritten for each registration (addition). The creation time can be shortened and the processing time associated therewith can also be reduced.

From the point of view of each invention described above as a method for obtaining an inspection protocol, the above embodiment is roughly divided into the following five stages. The first is a search from the purpose of use, and the next is a graphed search result. It is characterized in that it is determined in two steps, that is, a step of selecting a desired inspection protocol based on the actual use (hereinafter, since it is applied to any of the above-described embodiments, the reference is omitted).
(1) A storage stage in which the center server (medical management apparatus) associates a plurality of the examination protocols together with their use purpose and use result information or evaluation information and stores them as a protocol database.
(2) A reception stage for receiving the purpose of use including the purpose of inspecting the model and specimen of the medical inspection device input from the medical inspection device.
(3) A graph creation and display stage in which, based on the database, a graph in which an examination protocol corresponding to the purpose of use is distributed on coordinates based on usage record information or evaluation information is displayed on a medical examination device.
(4) A step in which a desired inspection protocol is selected from the distribution of inspection protocols in the displayed graph. In this case, the user looks at the displayed coordinate axes, for example, the image quality evaluation vs. inspection time, and selects an inspection protocol having a high image quality evaluation value even if the inspection time is long.
(5) A protocol storage step for loading the selected desired examination protocol into the medical examination equipment for imaging based on it.

  Each of the above embodiments is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the medical examination apparatus and medical management apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart figure showing operation | movement of the medical test | inspection apparatus and medical management apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the screen which inputs the conditions for searching the protocol of the medical examination device and medical management apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the sample of the graph produced by the graph production means of the medical examination device and medical management apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the sample of the graph produced by the graph production means of the medical examination device and medical management apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the test | inspection protocol preserve | saved at the database of the medical test | inspection apparatus and medical management apparatus of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the medical examination instrument containing the medical management apparatus of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the graph displayed when arranging the test | inspection protocol of the medical test equipment containing the medical management apparatus of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the medical examination apparatus and medical management apparatus of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart figure showing operation | movement of the medical test equipment and medical management apparatus of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart figure showing operation | movement of the medical examination apparatus and medical management apparatus of Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1a, 1b, 1c Medical examination equipment 2a, 2b, 2c Center server 3a, 3b, 3c User interface 4a, 4c Network 5a1, 5a2, 5c1, 5c2 Communication means 6a, 6b, 6c Display means 7a, 7b, 7c Operation means 8a , 8b, 8c Display control means 9a, 9b, 9c Image forming means 10a, 10b, 10c Imaging means 11a, 11b, 11c Control means 12a, 12b, 12c Protocol storage means 13a, 13b, 13c Protocol search means 14a, 14b First Graph creation means 14c Second graph creation means 15a, 15b, 15c Protocol reading means 16a, 16b, 16c Protocol management means 17a, 17b, 17c Database 18c Graph storage means 20 Inspection protocol search screen 21 Graph display button

Claims (12)

In a medical apparatus comprising a medical examination apparatus and a medical management apparatus that provides an examination protocol including at least a condition for examination by a medical examination apparatus for imaging a specimen,
The medical management device includes:
A protocol database in which a plurality of the inspection protocols are stored in association with their purpose of use and usage information or evaluation information;
Protocol search means for searching for the test protocol stored in the protocol database in response to a search request from the medical testing device;
A first graph creating means for creating a graph based on the use result information or the evaluation information of the plurality of examination protocols searched according to a search request from the medical examination device;
The medical device is characterized in that an examination protocol can be selected by the medical examination equipment based on the graph. The medical examination device and the medical management apparatus are connected to be communicable via a network,
When the medical management device is capable of displaying the graph created by the first graph creating means and selecting the examination protocol from the graph, sending it to the medical examination device, and selecting it by the medical examination device 2. The medical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selected examination protocol is read from the protocol database and transmitted to the medical examination apparatus. The medical examination device and the medical management apparatus are connected to be communicable via a network,
The medical examination apparatus includes the first graph creating unit instead of the medical management device, and displays the graph created by the first graph creating unit on its own display unit so that the examination protocol can be selected,
The medical management apparatus, when selected by the medical examination device, designates the selected examination protocol, reads out the protocol database, and transmits the protocol to the medical examination device. Medical device. The protocol database stores a plurality of the inspection protocols in association with their purpose of use, creator and usage record information or evaluation information,
The first graph creating means is a graph based on the usage record information or the evaluation information of a plurality of the examination protocols searched in response to a search request from the medical examination device, and the creator of the examination protocol is Create a identifiable graph,
The medical apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the examination protocol is made selectable based on the creator by the medical examination apparatus.   3. The medical management apparatus is connected to a plurality of the medical examination devices so as to be able to communicate with each other via the network, and transmits the selected examination protocol to all or a part of the plurality. 3. The medical device according to 3 or 4. The protocol search means receives a search request corresponding to the purpose of use, searches for an inspection protocol corresponding to the purpose of use,
The first graph creating means creates a graph in which the inspection protocol corresponding to the purpose of use is distributed on the coordinates of the result information or evaluation information of the inspection protocol,
The medical examination equipment is:
Photographing means for photographing the specimen;
A display unit and an operation unit, and the graph is displayed on the display unit, and the selected inspection protocol is selected by the operation unit from the inspection protocols distributed on the displayed graph. A user interface that requests the medical management apparatus for the desired protocol;
Protocol storage means for storing the desired protocol sent from the medical management apparatus in response to the request;
2. The medical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the imaging unit based on the desired examination protocol stored in the protocol storage unit.   The medical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medical examination device and the medical management apparatus are integrally configured.   The protocol database includes at least one of a required examination time, a dose indicating the intensity of X-rays, and the number of past downloads as the usage record information, and information indicating at least the image quality of the captured image as the evaluation information. The medical device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising:   The first graph creation means is a two-dimensional one in which one is information representing the image quality of the captured image, and the other is one of the examination time, the dose indicating the intensity of the X-ray, or the number of downloads. The medical apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a graph indicating the distribution of the examination protocol is created on the coordinates. In a medical apparatus provided with a medical management apparatus that provides a medical examination apparatus and an inspection protocol including at least a condition for inspecting by a medical inspection apparatus that images a subject,
The medical management device includes:
A protocol database in which a plurality of the inspection protocols are stored in association with their usage purpose and usage record information or evaluation information, and rewritten in response to a request for registration, correction, or deletion;
Graph storage means;
A graph is created based on the purpose of use of the plurality of inspection protocols and the usage record information or the evaluation information, stored in the graph storage means, and the graph stored in the graph storage means is updated in accordance with the rewriting A second graph creation means;
A protocol search means for receiving a search request based on the purpose of use of the examination protocol from the medical examination apparatus, retrieving a graph corresponding to the purpose of use from the graph storage means, and sending it to the medical examination apparatus;
The medical apparatus is characterized in that the examination protocol can be selected by the medical examination apparatus based on the graph. The second graph creating means creates a graph in which a plurality of inspection protocols are distributed on the coordinates indicated by the actual information or evaluation information of the inspection protocol for each purpose of use,
The medical examination equipment is:
Photographing means for photographing the specimen;
A display means and an operation means, wherein the graph searched by the protocol search means is displayed on the display means, and a desired inspection protocol is selected by the operation means from the inspection protocols distributed on the displayed graph A user interface that requests the medical management device for the selected desired protocol;
Protocol storage means for storing the desired protocol sent from the medical management apparatus in response to the request;
The medical apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a control unit that controls the imaging unit based on the desired examination protocol stored in the protocol storage unit. An inspection protocol acquisition method for acquiring a desired inspection protocol from the medical inspection apparatus side from a medical management apparatus that provides an inspection protocol including at least a condition for inspecting by a medical inspection apparatus that images a specimen,
The medical management apparatus associates a plurality of the examination protocols with their purpose of use and usage results information or evaluation information, and saves them as a protocol database;
Receiving the purpose of use including the model of the medical testing device input from the medical testing device and the purpose of testing the sample;
Based on the protocol database, creating a graph in which the examination protocol corresponding to the purpose of use is distributed on coordinates based on the use record information or the evaluation information, and displaying on the medical examination device, a graph creation display step;
Selecting a desired test protocol from the distribution of the test protocol in the displayed graph;
A protocol storage step of loading the selected desired examination protocol into a medical examination apparatus to perform the imaging based on the selected desired examination protocol.

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