JP2007319342A - Medical image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the leakage of patient information included in a medical image as a character image and allow a perusal of only the medical image by masking the patient information at an output destination of the medical image. <P>SOLUTION: This medical image processor 2 arranges the medical image input from a modality 1 and creates an output format image based on an image output format selected by an operation section 22, extracts a patient information area from the created output format image, executes a masking process based on an inverse transform according to a cryptography key input only to the image in the patient information area and allows a communication section 29 to output it to a PC 3 via a communication network. Alternatively, it is output to an outboard recorder 26a via an outboard recorder I/F 26. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical image processing apparatus that extracts a patient information area from a medical image including a character image indicating patient information, and outputs the patient information area image by performing mask processing based on reversible transformation.

In an image generation apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a modality) such as a CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and an endoscope apparatus that images a patient and generates a medical image. In order to prevent the medical image from being mixed, a character image indicating patient information such as a patient ID and a patient name is added to the medical image and output. For example, in Patent Document 1, in a medical diagnostic image generation apparatus such as an X-ray or CT apparatus, image information including imaging related information such as a patient name and a patient ID is generated and transmitted to the processing apparatus. A medical image system that multi-formats image information transferred from a medical diagnostic image generation apparatus as necessary and outputs the multi-format image information to a laser imager is described.
JP 2004-321458 A

  By the way, in recent years, networking in hospitals has progressed, and medical images output from modalities have been transmitted to a doctor's interpretation diagnosis PC, imager, image server, and the like via a communication network. In addition, cases of regional cooperation type diagnosis are increasing year by year, and in this case, medical images generated in the modality are distributed to interpretation doctors of other hospitals via a communication network or an external recording device.

  However, transmission / reception of information via a communication network may be wiretapped by a third party in the middle, and distribution of information via an external recording device may cause information leakage due to loss of the external recording device There is. If the medical image to be distributed is encrypted and transmitted through a communication network, or if the medical image to be distributed is encrypted and recorded in an external recording device, the above risk is reduced, but the encrypted medical image When the patient information included in the medical image can be viewed by decoding the data of the patient, for example, when it is not necessary to reveal the patient information, such as when requesting only image diagnosis from an interpreting doctor at another hospital Patient information will also be disclosed. Even when the doctor in charge interprets, patient information is always displayed if the encrypted medical image is decrypted and displayed, so even the person who does not need to know the patient information during the interpretation will know the information. There is a possibility that it will be.

  An object of the present invention is to prevent leakage of patient information included as a character image in a medical image. Further, it is possible to display only the medical image with the patient information lying down at the output destination of the medical image.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1 is provided.
A mask processing means for extracting a patient information region in which the character image is located from a medical image including a character image indicating patient information, and performing mask processing only on the image of the patient information region;
Output means for outputting a medical image obtained by performing mask processing on the image of the patient information area;
It is characterized by having.

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1,
An input means for inputting key information is provided.
The mask processing means is characterized in that mask processing based on reversible transformation is performed on the image in the patient information area by a different algorithm according to key information input by the input means.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2,
The image of the patient information area masked by the mask processing means can be restored by performing inverse transformation based on the key information used for the mask processing.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The medical image processing apparatus is connected to an external device via a communication network,
The output unit outputs a medical image obtained by performing mask processing on the image of the patient information area to an external device via the communication network.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The medical image processing apparatus has an interface to which an external recording apparatus can be connected,
The output means outputs a medical image obtained by performing mask processing on the image of the patient information area to an external recording device via the interface.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the character image indicating the patient information included in the medical image is output to the outside in a masked state, the leakage of the patient information included as the character image in the medical image is prevented. It becomes possible. Further, since the mask process is performed only on the patient information area of the medical image, it is possible to browse only the medical image with the patient information lying down at the output destination of the medical image.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the patient information area of the medical image is subjected to mask processing based on reversible transformation with a different algorithm according to the input key information, so that the patient information is restored. However, it is possible to prevent a third party from easily specifying the mask processing algorithm.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the image in which the mask process is performed on the patient information area can be restored by performing an inverse transformation based on the key information used for the mask process, and thus has the key information. Only a specific person can restore and browse patient information included in the medical image.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a medical image is output to an external device connected via a communication network, the image data of the medical image is wiretapped by a third party while flowing on the communication network. It is possible to prevent a risk that patient information is leaked.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a risk that patient information is leaked due to the loss of the external recording device when the medical image is recorded and distributed to the external recording device.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a medical image system 100 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example.

First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a system configuration example of the medical image system 100.
As shown in FIG. 1, a medical image system 100 includes a medical image processing device 2 connected to a modality 1 and a PC (Personal Computer) 3 for medical image interpretation installed in a hospital. ) Or the like via a communication network N. In this embodiment, the communication network N is described as a LAN in a hospital. However, a configuration in which a public line, a dedicated line, the Internet, or the like is applied and the medical image processing apparatus 2 is connected to a PC 3 in an external hospital. Also good.

Hereinafter, each device constituting the medical image system 100 will be described.
The modality 1 is an apparatus that images a patient and generates a medical image, such as an X-ray imaging apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an endoscopic diagnostic apparatus, or an MRI apparatus. The modality 1 is provided with an operation unit such as a keyboard. When the photographer inputs patient information such as the patient ID, patient name, sex, and age of the patient to be imaged from the operation unit, the input is input. A character image corresponding to the patient information is generated, and is arranged and synthesized at a predetermined position of the taken medical image. Then, an image signal of a medical image including a character image of patient information is output to the medical image processing apparatus 2. The arrangement positions of the character images are, for example, statistically the subject areas O in the medical image such as the upper and lower ends of the medical image, such as the character image area R1 and the character image area R2 in the medical image shown in FIG. Are set in advance at positions where there is little overlap.

  The medical image processing apparatus 2 converts the medical image signal input from the modality 1 into image data in a predetermined format such as DICOM (Digital Image and Communications in Medicine) format, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format, and the like. Is subjected to mask processing based on reversible transformation with an algorithm corresponding to input key information (hereinafter referred to as encryption key), and the obtained image data is output to the PC 3.

FIG. 3 shows a functional configuration example of the medical image processing apparatus 2.
As shown in FIG. 3, the medical image processing apparatus 2 includes a CPU 21, an operation unit 22, a display unit 23, an image I / F unit 24, a card reader I / F 25, an external recording device I / F 26, a RAM 27, a storage unit 28, The communication unit 29 is provided, and each unit is connected by a bus 30.

  The CPU 21 reads out various programs such as a system program and a processing program stored in the storage unit 28 and expands them in the RAM 27. According to the expanded programs, the image output process shown in FIG. 4 and the patient information mask shown in FIG. Various processes including the process are executed.

  The operation unit 22 functions as input means, and includes key switches such as cursor keys and numeric keys, foot switches, and the like, and outputs operation signals of the key switches and foot switches to the CPU 21.

  The display unit 23 includes a monitor such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), for example, and displays various screens according to instructions of a display signal input from the CPU 21.

  The image I / F unit 24 is an interface circuit for capturing an input signal such as a video signal or a digital serial image signal output from the modality 1 into the medical image processing apparatus 2 and acquiring it as image data. (National Television Standards Committee) A video decoding circuit, an A / D conversion circuit, or an RS232C / RS422 I / F circuit. The CPU 21 forms image data of the medical image generated in the modality 1 in the RAM 27 by sequentially transferring the image data output in time series from the image I / F unit 24 to the RAM 27. Next, the CPU 21 performs conversion processing such as DICOM format conversion, pit map format conversion, and JPEG format conversion on the image data in the RAM 27 according to the request of the hospital system, and outputs the converted data to the RAM 27 again as a file of the above format. .

  The card reader I / F 25 is an interface for connecting to the card reader 25a and inputting / outputting data to / from the card reader 25a, and outputs data read by the card reader 25a to the CPU 21. In the present embodiment, the patient information recorded on the examination ticket is read using the examination ticket as an IC card and the card reader 25a as the IC card reader, but the examination ticket is constituted by another recording medium. Is connected to a card reader corresponding to the recording medium. For example, in the case of a magnetic card, a card reader capable of reading the magnetic card is connected.

  The external recording device I / F 26 can be connected to an external recording device 26a such as a CF (CompactFlash) card or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, and is an interface for inputting / outputting data to / from the external recording device 26a. . The external recording device 26a may be an MO (magneto-optic), a CD-R (Compact Disk Recordable), a smart media (registered trademark), or the like. In this case, the external recording device I / F 26 includes an external device. A drive that reads and writes data to and from the recording device 26a is also included.

  The RAM 27 forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs, input or output data, parameters, and the like that can be executed by the CPU 21 read from the storage unit 28 in various processes that are executed and controlled by the CPU 21.

The storage unit 28 includes an HDD (Hard Disc), a semiconductor nonvolatile memory, or the like.
The storage unit 28 stores various programs such as system programs executed by the CPU 21, image output processing programs, patient information mask processing programs, and parameters and data necessary for executing the programs. Yes.

  The storage unit 28 also stores an encryption key correspondence table 281 that indicates the correspondence between the encryption key and the algorithm (see FIG. 7) used in the patient information mask process shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the encryption key is composed of, for example, a combination of one or more alphabets and numbers (for example, A1B2...). In the encryption key correspondence table 281, as an example, each character of the alphabet (A to Z) has a pixel shift direction (for example, diagonally lower right, diagonally upper right,...) In patient information mask processing described later. Each number (1 to 9) is associated with the number of pixel shifts in mask processing described later. By referring to the encryption key correspondence table 281, an algorithm used in the mask process corresponding to the input encryption key is specified.

 Further, the storage unit 28 stores the positions of character image areas (patient information areas) indicating patient information included in the medical image input from the modality 1 (for example, the character image area R1 and the character image area R2 in FIG. 2). The position information shown is stored in advance. The position of the character image area in the medical image can be set and input from the operation unit 22. Furthermore, the storage unit 28 stores various format data for outputting one or more medical images of the same patient as one output format image.

The communication unit 29 is configured by a LAN interface or the like, and transmits / receives data to / from an external device such as the PC 3 connected to the communication network N.
The functional configuration of the medical image processing apparatus 2 has been described above.

  The PC 3 is a personal computer configured with a CPU, a RAM, a storage unit, an operation unit configured by a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, a display unit configured by an LCD, a CRT, and the like, and a communication interface for connecting to a communication network N. In accordance with a program stored in the storage unit, the image data of the medical image distributed from the medical image processing device 2 via the communication network N is displayed on the display unit for interpretation by the doctor. The PC 3 includes an external recording device I / F for inputting / outputting data to / from the external recording device 26a, and medical images recorded in the external recording device 26a connected via the external recording device I / F. Read the data and display it on the display. This PC 3 is a program for returning medical image data masked by the medical image processing apparatus 2 to an image before mask processing according to the input encryption key (specifying a mask processing algorithm corresponding to the encryption key). When a medical image to be processed is designated and an encryption key is input from the operation unit and execution of restoration processing is instructed, the encryption key correspondence table is referred to. Then, based on the input encryption key, the patient information area of the medical image data to be processed is subjected to the inverse transformation process of the mask process, and the restored medical image is displayed on the display unit.

Next, the operation will be described.
FIG. 4 shows image output processing executed by the CPU 21. This processing is realized by software processing in cooperation with the CPU 21 and the image output processing program stored in the storage unit 28, and when an operation for instructing image output is input via the operation unit 22. It is a process to be executed. An output unit is realized by executing the processing.

  First, an output destination designation screen (not shown) for selecting a medical image output destination (either an external PC 3 or an external recording device 26a) is displayed on the display unit 23. When the output destination of the medical image is designated by the operation (step S1), an output format selection screen (not shown) for selecting an image output format is displayed on the display unit 23, and a radiographer or doctor is displayed on the screen. When the image output format is selected by the user's operation of the operation unit 22 or the like, the format data of the selected image output format is read from the storage unit 28 to the RAM 27 (step S2). In the medical image processing apparatus 2, 1 to 12 medical images of the same patient input from the modality 1 can be reduced and arranged and output as one output format image to the PC 3 or the external recording device 26 a. . 5A and 5B show examples of output format images. FIG. 5A shows a format in which four medical images input from the modality 1 are arranged in four frames of two vertically and two horizontally to form one output format image. FIG. 5B shows a format in which two medical images input from the modality 1 are arranged in two frames of two vertically and one horizontally to form one output format image. Here, each medical image input from the modality 1 includes patient information at the positions of the character image region R1 and the character image region R2. In an output format image in which a plurality of medical images are arranged in a reduced size, the characters included in the character image regions R1 and R2 are difficult to see small. The patient information input by is displayed. As the information displayed in the character display area R3, the character information obtained by recognizing the characters in the character image areas R1 and R2 by the OCR process may be enlarged and displayed as it is by a separate program process.

  When the image output format is selected, a message such as “Please insert the examination ticket of the patient to be imaged into the card reader 25a” is displayed on the display unit 23, and the examination ticket is inserted into the card reader 25a according to the message. When the patient information is read and the read patient information is input via the card reader I / F 25 (step S3), a character image indicating the read patient information is generated, selected in step S1, and stored in the RAM 27. Is recorded at the position of the character display area R3 of the format data read out (step S4).

  Next, imaging of the patient is performed in the modality 1, and when a medical image signal is input from the modality 1 via the image I / F unit 24, the image is displayed at a timing according to the pressing operation of the foot switch of the operation unit 22 by the user. A medical image signal is taken in by the I / F unit 24, converted into image data of a predetermined format, and medical image data is acquired (step S5). Next, the acquired image data is reduced according to the number of frames in the image output format, and added to a predetermined position of the image output format read out to the RAM 27, thereby creating an output format image (step S6). ). Steps S5 to S6 are repeatedly executed until a shooting end instruction is input from the operation unit 22, and when a shooting end instruction is input (step S7; YES), a predetermined position (for example, an output format image) The patient information included in the character image areas R1 and R2 and the character display area R3 in FIG. 5 is subjected to mask processing (step S7).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the patient information masking process executed by the CPU 21. Hereinafter, patient information mask processing will be described with reference to FIG. By executing the processing, a mask processing unit is realized.

  First, based on the position information of the patient information area included in the medical image input from the modality 1 and the designated image output format stored in the storage unit 28, a character image indicating patient information in the output format image is displayed. Positioned patient information areas (for example, character image areas R1, R2, and character display area R3) are extracted, and images of patient information areas are cut out (step S101). Next, an encryption key input screen for accepting an input of an encryption key is displayed on the display unit 23. When an encryption key used for mask processing is input from the encryption key input screen by the operation unit 22 (step S102; YES), it is cut out. A mask process based on the reversible transformation is performed on the image of each patient information area that has been input using an algorithm corresponding to the input encryption key (step S103).

  The mask process based on the reversible transformation is a mask process that can return the image after the mask process to the original. For example, the original image is divided in predetermined pixel block units (for example, 3 pixels × 3 pixels), Processing to regularly replace pixels in a block is applicable (as a reference example "Mosaic processing and its application", Okayama University of Science, Department of Mathematical Information Science, Sawami Laboratory, Ikeda Nobuko, Maehara Naoki (See page 12). In this embodiment, the encryption key correspondence table 281 is referred to, and pixel replacement processing is performed with an algorithm corresponding to the input encryption key (previously associated with the encryption key).

For example, in the encryption key correspondence table 281, when the encryption key A1 is associated with an algorithm for shifting the pixels in the block one pixel at a time to the lower right, as shown in FIG. 7A, the encryption key A1. Is input, the pixel in the block is shifted diagonally to the lower right one pixel at a time. When the image subjected to the mask processing with the encryption key A1 is returned to the original image, the pixel in the block is restored by performing an inverse transformation that shifts one pixel in the reverse direction (here, diagonally left upward) ( Can be restored).
Also, for example, in the encryption key correspondence table 281, when the encryption key B 1 is associated with an algorithm for shifting the pixels in the block diagonally upward by one pixel as shown in FIG. When the key B1 is input, a process of shifting the pixels in the block diagonally rightward by one pixel is performed. When the image subjected to the mask process with the encryption key B1 is returned to the original image, the image can be restored by performing reverse conversion in which the pixels in the block are shifted by one pixel in the reverse direction (here, diagonally down to the left). Is possible.
Further, for example, in the encryption key correspondence table 281, when the encryption key A2 is associated with an algorithm for shifting the pixels in the block by two pixels diagonally downward to the right as shown in FIG. When the key A2 is input, a process of shifting the pixels in the block by two pixels downward diagonally to the right is performed. When returning the image masked with the encryption key A2 to the original image, the pixel in the block is restored by performing an inverse transformation that shifts two pixels in the reverse direction (here, diagonally left upward). Is possible.
Also, a plurality of encryption keys can be combined. For example, when the encryption key B1A2 is input, the pixels of each block are first rearranged by the algorithm shown in FIG. Further, mask processing is performed by rearranging the pixels of each block using the algorithm shown in FIG.

  After the mask processing, the processed image is synthesized at the position before the output format image is cut out (step S104). Then, the position information of the patient information area subjected to the mask process is added to the header area of the processed image data (step S105), and the output format image in which the patient information area is masked is associated with the encryption key. The image is stored in the image storage area of the storage unit 28 (step S106), and the process proceeds to step S9 in FIG.

  In step S9 of FIG. 4, it is determined whether the designated output destination is the PC 3 or the external recording device 26a, and when the designated output destination is determined to be the PC 3 (step S9; PC), The image data of the output format image with the patient information masked is output (transmitted) to the PC 3 via the communication network N by the communication unit 29 (step S10), and this process ends. When it is determined that the designated output destination is the external recording device 26a (step S9; external recording device), it is determined whether or not the external recording device 26a is connected via the external recording device I / F 26. If it is determined that it is connected (step S9; YES), the image data of the output format image with the patient information masked via the external recording device I / F 26 is output to the external recording device 26a and written (step). S12), this process ends.

  After transmitting the output format image with the patient information masked or saving it to an external recording device, the user who performed the image output processing operation, if necessary, asks the doctor who interprets the output format image. On the other hand, pass the encryption key. If the interpreting doctor does not need to know the patient information, the interpreting doctor cannot restore the patient information in the output format image unless the encryption key is passed to the interpreting doctor. It can be avoided.

In the PC 3, when image data is received from the medical image processing apparatus 2 via the communication network N, the received image data is stored in the storage unit. When the display of the received image data is instructed by a predetermined operation from the operation unit of the doctor who performs interpretation, the output format image is displayed on the display unit with the patient information area masked. When the encryption key used for masking the image data to be displayed is input from the operation unit and the restoration of the patient information area is instructed, it is added to the header area of the image data based on the input encryption key. The patient information area specified by the position information is subjected to an inverse masking process (here, a process of shifting pixels by the number of shifts indicated by the encryption key in the direction opposite to the pixel shift direction indicated by the encryption key). The output format image in which the image of the patient information area is restored is displayed on the display unit. The restored image data can only be displayed and is not saved in the storage unit.

  In addition, when the external recording device 26a in which a medical image is recorded is connected to the PC 3 and display of image data is instructed by a predetermined operation from the operation unit, the image data is read from the connected external recording device. The output format image in which the character image area is masked, that is, the patient information is masked, is displayed on the display unit. When the encryption key used for masking the image data to be displayed is input from the operation unit and the restoration of the patient information area is instructed, it is added to the header area of the image data based on the input encryption key. The patient information area specified by the position information is inversely converted by masking the patient information area (here, the pixels are shifted by the number of shifts indicated by the encryption key in the direction opposite to the pixel shift direction indicated by the encryption key. The output format image in which the image of the patient information area is restored is displayed on the display unit. The restored image data can only be displayed and is not saved in the storage unit.

  As described above, according to the medical image processing apparatus 2, a medical image input from the modality 1 is arranged based on the image output format selected by the operation unit 22, and an output format image is generated. A patient information area is extracted from the output format image, only the patient information area image is masked, and is output to the PC 3 by the communication unit 29 via the communication network. Alternatively, the data is output to the external recording device 26a via the external recording device I / F 26.

  Therefore, since the character image indicating the patient information included in the medical image is output to the outside in a masked state, there is a risk that the patient information is leaked by eavesdropping by a third party while the image data flows on the communication network. In addition, it is possible to prevent a risk that patient information is leaked due to loss of the external recording device. In addition, since the mask process is performed only on the patient information area included in the medical image, when it is not necessary to disclose the patient information, the medical image can be browsed with the patient information masked, and it is necessary to know the patient information. It is possible to prevent patient information from being disclosed to non-humans.

  Furthermore, mask processing based on reversible transformation is performed with a different algorithm according to the input encryption key, so that the third party can easily specify the mask processing algorithm while allowing the patient information to be restored. It becomes possible to make it impossible.

  Furthermore, since the image on which the patient information area has been masked can be restored by performing inverse transformation based on the encryption key used for the mask processing, only a specific person having the encryption key is included in the medical image. It is possible to restore and browse patient information.

  In addition, the description content in the said embodiment is a suitable example of the medical image system 100 which concerns on this invention, and is not limited to this.

  For example, although the medical image system 100 in the above embodiment has been described as a configuration in which the medical image processing apparatus 2 is connected to the communication network N, the present invention is not limited to this. FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of another medical image system to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 8, when the modality 1 is mobile for the examination by the home visit, the medical image processing apparatus 2 is not connected to the communication network N, but is connected to the mobile modality 1, and the modality 1 The medical image input from the computer is subjected to the above processing and recorded in the external recording device 26a. After the examination, the external recording device 26a is attached to the PC 3, and the medical image taken at the home visit is displayed on the PC 3, or the PC 3 Or output from a printer connected to the.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the medical image input from the modality 1 is formatted according to the selected image output format has been described as an example. The extraction of the area and the masking process of the patient information area may be performed and output to the outside via a communication network or via an external recording device.

  In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each apparatus constituting the medical image system 100 can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a medical image system 100 according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the medical image containing the character image of patient information. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the medical image processing apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating image output processing executed by a CPU 21. It is a figure which shows the example of an output format image. It is a flowchart which shows the mask process of the patient information performed by CPU21. It is a figure which shows an example of the algorithm of the mask process according to an encryption key. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of a medical image system.

Explanation of symbols

100 Medical Image System 1 Modality 2 Medical Image Processing Device 3 PC
N Communication network 21 CPU
22 Operation unit 23 Display unit 24 Image I / F unit 25 Card reader I / F
25a Card reader 26 External recording device I / F
26a External recording device 27 RAM
28 Storage unit 281 Encryption key correspondence table 29 Communication unit 30 Bus

Claims (5)

A mask processing means for extracting a patient information region in which the character image is located from a medical image including a character image indicating patient information, and performing mask processing only on the image of the patient information region;
Output means for outputting a medical image obtained by performing mask processing on the image of the patient information area;
A medical image processing apparatus comprising: An input means for inputting key information is provided.
2. The medical image according to claim 1, wherein the mask processing unit performs mask processing based on reversible transformation on an image in the patient information area with a different algorithm according to key information input by the input unit. Processing equipment.   The medical image according to claim 2, wherein the image of the patient information area masked by the mask processing means can be restored by performing inverse transformation based on the key information used for the mask processing. Image processing device. The medical image processing apparatus is connected to an external device via a communication network,
The said output means outputs the medical image by which the mask process was performed to the image of the said patient information area | region to an external device via the said communication network. Medical image processing apparatus. The medical image processing apparatus has an interface to which an external recording apparatus can be connected,
The said output means outputs the medical image by which the mask process was performed to the image of the said patient information area | region to an external recording device via the said interface. Medical image processing apparatus.

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