JP2008000278A - Image reading request apparatus, method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately transmit the request content of image reading to a requested party in an image reading request apparatus, method and program for requesting the image reading of a medical image to an image-reading doctor. <P>SOLUTION: A request data compilation screen 61 displays an explanation image 64 along with the medical image 54, or an image reading object. The explanation image 64 illustrates what part of the medical image 54 the requester doctor wants the requested doctor to draw attention. The explanation image 64 is generated based on data of the medical image 54. The explanation image 64 is displayed on the explanation image display part 66. When specifying an optional position inside the explanation image 64 by a pointer 53, an attention mark 72 is applied to the specified position. The explanation image 64 is added to request data with the medical image 54 and transmitted to the requested party. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an interpretation request apparatus, method, and program for requesting an interpretation doctor to interpret a medical image.

  There is known an image interpretation requesting device that transmits image data of a medical image obtained by imaging a patient's living body such as an X-ray image and requests the image interpretation (image diagnosis) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This interpretation request apparatus has a function of transmitting request data including image data of a medical image to be interpreted to a request destination through a communication line. The doctor who has received the interpretation request performs interpretation and returns the interpretation result to the request source. Using such an interpretation request device, a doctor at a small local medical institution such as a clinic can easily receive a diagnosis of an interpretation doctor who specializes in interpretation.

In addition, in the interpretation request device of Patent Document 1, a requesting doctor interprets a living body as an explanatory image for explaining a target region that the requested interpretation doctor wants to pay attention to in the medical image. A function for adding a schema diagram schematically representing the internal structure to the request data is provided.
As the schematic diagram, a diagram representing a photographing part of a medical image is used. For example, if the imaging region of the medical image is the stomach, the stomach schematic diagram is selected, and if the imaging region is the chest, the chest schematic diagram is selected.

  In this schematic diagram, in order to indicate a target region in the medical image, a target mark such as an arrow or a surrounding mark is provided at a position corresponding to the target region. For example, when the requesting doctor wants the requesting doctor to focus on the cardia in the stomach, a focus mark is given to the position of the cardia. In this way, by using the schema diagram, the content of the request can be accurately communicated to the request destination as compared with the case where the description is made with text.

JP 2004-267403 A

  Naturally, the internal organs of the living body drawn in the schematic diagram are schematic, and do not faithfully reflect the shape of the internal organs of the patient displayed on the medical image. For this reason, there is a case where the intention of the requesting doctor is not transmitted to the requesting destination even if the schematic diagram is used as the explanatory image to indicate the target portion of the medical image.

  In addition, when a schema diagram is used as the explanation image, an appropriate schema diagram must be selected according to the imaging region of the medical image. The task of finding an appropriate schema diagram from a plurality of schema diagrams is a complicated task, and there is a demand for simplifying such labor.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image interpretation requesting apparatus, method, and program capable of more accurately and simply transmitting the contents of an image interpretation request.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image interpretation requesting apparatus of the present invention is the image interpretation requesting apparatus for requesting an interpretation by transmitting a medical image captured by a modality device and acquired as digital data through a communication line. An explanation image generation unit that generates an explanation image used to explain the contents of the request for interpretation, and performs processing on the explanation image, and the request source focuses on the request destination in the medical image A request mark including a medical image, and a target mark applying unit that applies a target mark indicating a target site to be requested to a specified position in the description image, and the description image provided with the target mark. And a data transmission unit that transmits the data to the request destination.

  A console including an operation screen on which an operation unit for performing an operation instruction for requesting an interpretation is arranged, and an input unit for inputting an operation command through the operation screen; It is preferable to provide an application position specifying unit that specifies an application position to be applied. The operation can be simplified by enabling the operation on the operation screen.

  It is preferable that the assigned position specifying unit is a pointer that specifies a part of the explanation image or the medical image displayed on the operation screen. The shape of the target mark is preferably selectable from a plurality of different types of figures.

  In addition, the assigned position designation unit is displayed so as to overlap the explanation image in the operation screen, and a division line that divides the explanation image into a plurality of areas, and an area designation that designates an area divided by the division lines The target mark may be provided by displaying the designated area so as to be distinguishable from other areas.

  When designating the target mark application position, it is preferable that the explanation image and the medical image are displayed side by side on the operation screen. According to this, it is possible to designate the position of the target mark while confirming the lesion site of the medical image to be interpreted.

  It is preferable that transmission position information for specifying a position in the medical image corresponding to the position of the mark of interest specified in the explanation image is added to the request data and transmitted. In this way, it is possible to use the assigned position information at the request destination, and it is also possible to display the target mark in an overlapping manner in the medical image.

  The operation screen is preferably provided with a comment input unit for inputting a comment to be transmitted to the request destination.

The interpretation request method of the present invention is an interpretation request method for requesting interpretation of a medical image captured by a modality device and acquired as digital data. An operation screen display step for displaying an operation screen for instructing an interpretation request on a monitor. An explanation image generation step for generating an explanation image used to explain the contents of the request based on the medical image, and the explanation image is displayed on the operation screen, and the request source is a request destination in the medical image. An application position receiving step for specifying an application position of a target mark indicating a target site to be focused on, and receiving the specified application position;
By applying a processing process to the explanation image, a notice mark assigning step for assigning the notice mark to a designated assignment position in the explanation image, and the explanation in which the notice mark is given together with the medical image The method includes a data transmission step of transmitting an image to a request destination through a communication line.

  An interpretation request program of the present invention is an interpretation request program for causing a computer to execute an interpretation request process for requesting interpretation of a medical image taken by a modality device and acquired as digital data. An operation screen display step for displaying on a monitor, an explanation image generation step for generating an explanation image used for explanation of the request contents based on the medical image, and an imaging part of the medical image representing the imaging part. The explanation image to be used is displayed on the operation screen, and the request source designates the position of the target mark that indicates the target region that the request destination wants to pay attention to in the medical image, and accepts the specified position to be applied A given position in the explanation image by performing a processing process on the explanation position and the giving position receiving step; Wherein the focus marking step that imparts interest mark, together with the medical image, the description image the focus mark is assigned, characterized in that it comprises a data transmitting step of transmitting the request destination through a communication line to.

  The present invention is used to explain the contents of a request for interpretation based on the medical image when a medical image photographed by a modality device and acquired as digital data is transmitted via a communication line to request the interpretation. A description image is generated, and a focus mark indicating a focus site that the request source wants the request destination to focus on in the medical image is assigned to a specified position in the description image. In addition, since the request data including the medical image is added and transmitted, it is possible to convey the contents of the interpretation request more accurately as compared with the conventional example using a schema as an explanation image.

  In addition, since the explanation image is automatically generated based on the medical image, there is no need to search for the explanation image, so that the operation is simple.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a network medical system in which a plurality of medical facilities and a data center 10 are connected via a communication network 11. The data center 10 provides medical records such as medical records acquired during diagnosis and diagnosis of patients who have been diagnosed to client terminals 15 and 16 installed in medical facilities such as a hospital 12, a clinic 13, and an image interpretation organization 14. A server computer 17 that provides services such as information storage, relay, and browsing is provided. The server computer 17 stores the uploaded medical information in the storage unit 18.

  The server computer 17 organizes and classifies medical information for each ID such as patient ID and medical facility ID, creates a database so that it can be searched with various search keys, and stores the medical information DB 19 thus constructed as a storage unit. 18. When the server computer 17 receives a request for data distribution or the like from the client terminals 15 and 16, the server computer 17 checks the access authority, searches the medical information DB, and retrieves the data and data list from the request source. Distribution to each client terminal 15, 16.

  In this way, medical information generated at each medical facility is collectively managed as electronic data by the data center 10, thereby reducing storage space for medical records and medical image films from the medical facility, and managing and retrieving medical information. By the data center 10, the efficiency of medical facility operations is improved. In addition, by sharing medical information of each medical facility via the data center 10, cooperation between the medical facilities is strengthened.

  The storage unit 18 stores an interpretation request program for transmitting request data for requesting interpretation of a medical image. The interpretation request program is downloaded from the data center 10 to the client terminal 15 and executed by the client terminal 15 as will be described later. By storing the interpretation request program executed by the client terminal 15 in the data center 10 in this way, the interpretation request program can be centrally managed by the data center 10 and maintenance such as program upgrade can be facilitated. be able to.

  Various types of modality devices 21 are installed in the hospital 12 and the clinic 13 together with the client terminal 15 to capture a patient and acquire a medical image as digital data. The modality device 21 is a known medical imaging apparatus such as an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a CR (Computed Radiography) apparatus, a CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) apparatus, or the like. The medical image acquired by the modality device 21 is taken into the client terminal 15.

  The client terminal 15 functions as an image interpretation request apparatus of the present invention by starting the image interpretation request program. The doctors at the hospital 12 and the clinic 13 use this client terminal 15 to request the interpretation organization 14 to interpret the medical image.

  The image data of the medical image to be interpreted is sent via the data center 10 to the interpretation organization 14 that is the interpretation request destination. When the request data including the medical image is uploaded from the client terminal 15 that is the interpretation request source, the data center 10 stores the request data in the medical information DB 19 and notifies the interpretation organization 14 that the interpretation request has been made. . This notification is performed by e-mail or the like, for example. In this e-mail, a URL storing the uploaded request data is described. Upon receiving this notification, the interpretation doctor of the interpretation organization 14 accesses the URL specified by the client terminal 16 and downloads the request data from the data center 10. After interpretation, the interpretation doctor returns the interpretation result to the requesting client terminal 15 via the data center 10.

  Interpretation institution 14 is a medical facility where an interpreting doctor works, and a large-scale hospital in the area where hospital 12 or clinic 13 exists plays a role. Of course, it may be a medical facility that specializes in interpretation.

  The client terminal 15 is a known personal computer or workstation, and includes a CPU 31, a memory 32, an HDD 33, a network I / F 34, and a console 36. These units are connected to each other via a bus 37. CPU31 controls each part of an apparatus centrally.

  The client terminal 15 has an interpretation request program 40 installed in the HDD 33. When the image interpretation request program 40 is activated, the CPU 31 functions as a processing unit that executes various processes of image interpretation requests, such as editing image interpretation request data and transmitting the request data to a request destination.

  As described above, the image interpretation request program 40 is uploaded to the storage unit 18 of the data center 10, and the client terminal 15 accesses the data center 10 through, for example, a dedicated Web browser and downloads the image interpretation request program 40. Install it.

  The console 36 includes a keyboard 41, a mouse 42, and a monitor 43. In addition to the operation screen, various data are displayed on the monitor 43. The mouse 42 and the keyboard 41 are input devices for inputting various data in addition to inputting operation commands to the CPU 31. The mouse 42 is a known pointing device that moves a pointer displayed on the operation screen and gives an operation instruction by a click operation. The image interpretation request program 40 has an operation screen on which various operation buttons and an operation unit such as a selection unit for selecting items are arranged, and adopts a GUI (graphical user interface) that can operate most operations with the mouse 42. is doing. An operator who operates the client terminal 15 inputs an operation instruction to the CPU 31 by operating the operation unit through the keyboard 41 and the mouse 42 while looking at the operation screen.

  The network I / F 34 is a communication interface for connecting to a LAN (local area network) such as a hospital or a clinic or the communication network 11. The client terminal 15 is connected to the modality device 21 via a LAN, and image data of a medical image captured by the modality device 21 is captured through the network I / F 34.

  In addition to the image interpretation request program 40, for example, a Web browser and e-mail software for accessing the data center 10 are installed in the HDD 33. Further, the HDD 33 stores image data captured from the modality device 21. The image data of a medical image is stored in a file format of DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications) standard, which is a standard related to medical digital images and communication, for example. The DICOM standard file has an area for storing supplementary information in addition to an area for storing image data (see FIG. 5). The supplementary information includes a patient name, patient ID, sex, It includes patient information such as age, imaging information such as the type of modality device to be imaged and the region to be imaged.

  When the CPU 31 activates the image interpretation request program 40, an operation screen of the image interpretation request program 40 is displayed on the monitor 43. For example, a function selection menu is provided on the initial screen, and this function selection menu includes an item of “interpretation request”.

  When the “interpretation request” item is selected, when there are a plurality of interpretation organizations 14 as request destinations, the request destination list is displayed, and a desired request destination is designated from the list. When the request destination is designated, a medical image selection screen for selecting a medical image to be subjected to an interpretation request from a plurality of medical images stored in the HDD 33 is displayed.

  FIG. 3 is an example of the medical image selection screen 51. On the medical image selection screen 51, a patient list display frame 52 showing a list of patients A, B, C, D,. The patient list display frame 52 is provided with a scroll bar. When the slider is moved by the pointer 53 of the mouse 42, the patient list is scrolled. The patient list is displayed with, for example, a patient name and a patient ID. When one patient is selected from the patient list, the medical image 54 of the patient is displayed in the medical image display frame 56.

  The medical image display frame 56 is provided with a tab 56a. When there are a plurality of medical images 54 for one patient, the medical image 54 to be displayed is switched by designating the tab 56a with the pointer 53. It can be displayed. In this example, there are two medical images 54, P1 and P2, and a tab 56a corresponding to each of them is displayed. The OK button 57 is a button for confirming the selected medical image 54, and the cancel button 58 is a button for canceling the interpretation request and returning to the initial screen. In the incidental information display field 55, patient information included in the incidental information of the medical image 54, the type of modality device used, the imaging date, and the like are displayed.

  When the selection of the medical image is completed, the operation screen displayed on the monitor 43 is changed to the request data editing screen 61 shown in FIG. The request data editing screen 61 is a screen for editing request data to be sent to the request destination. As shown in FIG. 5, the request data 62 includes explanation data 63 for explaining the request contents in addition to the medical image 54. The explanation data 63 is an image different from the medical image 54 and represents an imaging region of the medical image 54. The explanation image 64 is used to explain the request contents, and the text data 65 includes comments from the requesting doctor regarding the request contents. Consists of.

  The request data editing screen 61 is provided with an explanation image display unit 66, an editing palette 67, a main complaint selection unit 68, and a comment input field 69. In addition to these, similarly to the medical image selection screen 51, a medical image display frame 56, an accompanying information display field 55, an OK button 57, and a cancel button 58 are displayed on the request data editing screen 61.

  The explanation image display unit 66 displays an explanation image 64 for illustrating and explaining a region of interest that the requesting doctor wants the requested interpretation doctor to pay attention to in the medical image 54. The explanation image 64 is a duplicate image generated based on the data of the medical image 54. Since the explanation image 64 is an image used for explaining the contents of the request, it is not necessary to have a clear image quality like the medical image 54. Therefore, the explanation image 64 is generated by reducing the data size of the medical image 54. Since the explanation image 64 is included in the request data and transmitted to the request destination, reducing the data size does not increase the load at the time of request data transmission.

  The explanation image 64 is converted into a data format that can be processed when it is generated from the medical image 54. The explanatory image 64 is given a target mark 72 by image composition processing. Since the original medical image 54 is required to ensure its authenticity, it is difficult to apply a process such as directly adding the target mark 72 to the medical image 54. For this reason, by adding the attention mark 72 to the medical image 54 and another explanatory image 64, the region of interest is illustrated without directly processing the medical image 54.

  The edit palette 67 is provided with a plurality of icons 67a for selecting and specifying the shape of the target mark 72. Each icon 67a corresponds to a figure such as a circle, a cross, a straight line, or a curve. Further, the icon 67a includes an icon that designates the shape of the target mark 72 as a form that is painted with a brush. When the target mark 72 is added, first, the desired graphic icon 67a is selected from the editing palette 67 with the pointer 53 of the mouse 42, and then the pointer 53 is moved onto the explanation image 64. Then, the mouse 42 is clicked at an arbitrary position to specify a given position. Since the explanation image display unit 66 is displayed side by side with the medical image 54, the operator can specify the application position while observing the lesion site of the medical image 54.

  The CPU 31 accepts the designated application position, applies a processing process (such as an image composition process) to the data of the explanation image 64, and assigns the target mark 72 to the designated area. Thereby, the attention mark 72 of the selected figure is given to the explanation image 64, and the attention part of the medical image 54 is illustrated. In this example, a circle is selected as the figure of the target mark 72.

  In this way, by adding the attention mark 72 to the explanation image 64, it becomes possible to illustrate the region of interest of the medical image 54, and to interpret where the requesting doctor wants the user to pay attention to the medical image 54. Can tell the doctor accurately. Further, since the explanation image 64 is generated based on the medical image 54, it becomes an image that faithfully reflects the shape of the internal organs of the patient as compared with the conventional example using a schema diagram as the explanation image. 54 points of interest can be accurately pointed out. In addition, since the explanation image 64 is automatically generated based on the medical image 54, there is no need to search for an appropriate schema diagram according to the medical image 54 as in the past.

  When there are a plurality of medical images 54, for example, the explanation image 64 is generated for each medical image 54. The display of the explanation image 64 in the explanation image display unit 66 is switched in conjunction with the display switching of the medical image 54 in the medical image display frame 56. Then, the attention mark 72 can be given to each of the plurality of explanation images 64 by the above-described procedure. In this example, the description image 64 is generated for each medical image 54. However, the description image 64 may be generated for the selected medical image 54.

  The main complaint selection section 68 and the comment input field 69 are areas for inputting a message of a requesting doctor regarding the request contents. The main complaint selection unit 68 is configured to select a main complaint, which is a patient's main complaint against a doctor, from a list prepared in advance. As shown in FIG. 5, the main complaints include, for example, “crush pain”, “dull pain”, “congestion”, “fever”, “blood clot”, and the like are included in the main complaint list 76 as selection candidates. A triangle mark is provided at the end of the main complaint selection section 68, and when this is clicked with the pointer 53, the main complaint list 76 is displayed in a pop-up or pull-down format. The main complaint is selected from the main complaint list 76 and input.

  If there are too many selection candidates in the main complaint list 76, it is difficult to find a desired main complaint. Therefore, selection candidates in the main complaint list 76 are selected according to the content (imaging region) of the medical image 54, and those with low relevance are excluded and only those with high relevance are displayed. You may narrow down.

  As described above, the DICOM standard data file stores information such as the type of modality device and the imaging region as incidental information. The CPU 31 determines the imaging part of the medical image 54 based on the incidental information of the data of the medical image 54. Based on the determination result, main complaints highly relevant to the medical image 54 are extracted from all the explanation images 64 that are selection candidates, and only the extracted main complaints are listed in the main complaint list 76 as selection candidates. . The selection candidates in the main complaint list 76 are narrowed down to those highly relevant to the imaging region of the medical image 54, and those that are not highly relevant are excluded.

  The comment input column 69 is a column for inputting a description of the request content, and is input with the findings of the requesting doctor and the points to be confirmed by the interpretation doctor of the requesting destination. The requesting doctor inputs such text from the keyboard 41. Data input from the comment input field 69 and the main complaint selection unit 68 is added to the request data 62 as text data 65.

  When the OK button 57 is clicked, the editing of the request data 62 ends, and the operation screen changes to the confirmation screen 81 shown in FIG. On the confirmation screen 81, the request data 62 edited on the request data editing screen 61 is displayed. The explanatory image 64 is displayed with the attention mark 72 attached. The transmission button 82 confirms the request data 62 and instructs the start of data transmission processing. When the request data 62 is confirmed, the CPU 31 determines that each of the medical image 54, the explanation image 64, and the text data 65 is a set of request data 62 before data transmission is started. Is associated with each other by adding an identification tag or the like. In this way, the explanation image 64 is added to the request data 62 by the CPU 31.

  Similar to the client terminal 15, the client terminal 16 installed in the image interpretation organization 14 is composed of a personal computer and a workstation, and has a CPU, a memory, an HDD, a console, and a network I / F. Since the configuration is the same as that of the client terminal 15, only an outline of the function will be described with illustration omitted.

  The client terminal 16 has a Web browser and electronic mail software installed in its HDD, and the CPU accesses the data center 10 through these software. As described above, the client terminal 16 receives a notification that there has been an interpretation request from the data center 10 by electronic mail. Then, the request data 62 uploaded from the client terminal 15 is downloaded by accessing the URL described in the e-mail using a Web browser or FTP (File Transfer Protocol) software. The interpretation doctor performs interpretation based on the request data 62, creates a report of the interpretation result, and returns this report to the requester.

  The reply of the report is performed by uploading data to the data center 10 using FTP software, for example. When the data center 10 receives the reply report, the data center 10 notifies the requester by e-mail or the like. Upon receiving the notification, the client terminal 15 accesses the data center 10 to download and receive the report.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When requesting interpretation, the doctor who requested the hospital 12 or clinic 13 uses the client terminal 15 to access the data center 10 and start the interpretation request program 40. When “interpretation request” is selected from the function selection menu, a medical image selection screen 51 is displayed on the monitor 43, a patient is designated from the patient list display frame 52, and a medical image 54 to be interpreted is selected.

  When the medical image 54 is selected, the CPU 31 generates a description image 64 based on the data of the medical image 54. Then, the explanation image 64 is displayed on the explanation image display section 66. Here, the position of the target mark 72 is specified by specifying the shape of the target mark 72 and the position on the description image 64 with the pointer 53. The CPU 31 accepts this designation and assigns the attention mark 72 to the designated area. Thereafter, if necessary, the main complaint is selected by the main complaint selection unit 68 and a comment is input in the comment input field 69.

  When the OK button 57 is clicked after the editing is completed in this way, the CPU 31 performs image processing for synthesizing the target mark 72 at the designated position of the explanation image 64 and shifts to the confirmation screen 81. When the content is confirmed on the confirmation screen 81 and the transmission button 82 is clicked, a transmission start instruction is given. Upon receiving this, the CPU 31 executes association processing of the medical image 54, the explanation image 64, and the text data 65, and transmits a set of request data 62.

  As described above, the operation screen is provided with an operation unit for operating the selection operation of the explanation image 64 and the operation of specifying the position to which the target mark 72 is applied, and the editing operation can be specified by the mouse operation. Is unnecessary.

  The request data 62 is transmitted to the image interpretation organization 14 via the data center 10. The interpretation doctor performs interpretation based on the request data 62. Since the request data 62 includes an explanation image 64 that is generated based on the medical image 54 and is given the attention mark 72, the interpretation doctor can clearly see where the medical image 54 should be focused. Can accurately grasp the intentions.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the attention mark is given by one figure has been described. However, as in the attention mark 91 shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of attention marks can be given in one area. is there. The target mark 91 is obtained by surrounding the target part with a curve, hatching the inside with a straight line, and adding a cross-shaped mark to a particularly important part among them.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the description image display unit 66 is provided with a grid-like division line 93 that is displayed so as to be superimposed on the explanation image 64, and the explanation image 64 is divided into a plurality of grid-like areas by the division line 93. The position to which the target mark 94 is given may be designated by designating an arbitrary cell among them by the pointer 53. As indicated by hatching, the designated cell is displayed with its color changed so that it can be distinguished from other regions.

  In this example, the number of lane markings is 9 vertically and horizontally, and the explanation image is divided by 100 squares. However, the number can be changed as appropriate. The number of vertical and horizontal lines may not be the same, and may be different, for example, 10 vertical and 12 horizontal.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which an arbitrary position in the description image is specified and the position to which the target mark is given is described. However, as shown in FIG. It may be made possible to designate the application position of the target mark 72 in the explanation image 64. Since the explanation image 64 is generated by reducing it based on the data of the medical image 54, if the coordinates of an arbitrary position on the medical image 54 are known, the corresponding position on the explanation image 64 is specified. Is possible. The CPU 31 recognizes the position in the medical image 54 designated by the pointer 53, obtains the designated coordinates, and corresponds on the explanation image 64 based on the ratio of the sizes of the medical image 54 and the explanation image 64. Specify the coordinates of the position. Then, the attention mark 72 is given to the specified position.

  As described above, by directly designating the region of interest of the medical image 54 so that the application position in the explanation image 64 can be designated, a good operational feeling that is more intuitive and easy to understand can be obtained. It is very useful especially for those who are not very familiar with personal computers.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 12, along with the data of the explanation image 64, the position information 96 of the target mark may be included in the explanation data 63 and transmitted. The assigned position information 96 includes, for example, data representing the coordinate position of the target mark in the description image and data representing the ratio of the size of the description image to the medical image (for example, a reduction ratio). As described above, since the correlation is recognized between the explanation image and the medical image, if the coordinates of an arbitrary position in one image are known, the corresponding position in the other image can be specified. Therefore, if such assigned position information 96 is transmitted to the request destination, for example, when the medical image 54 is displayed on the monitor by the client terminal 16 of the request destination, the attention site on the medical image 54 is specified and the position is focused. It is also possible to display the mark in an overlapping manner. In this way, the site of interest in the medical image 54 can be pointed more directly, so that the content of the request can be accurately communicated.

  In the above-described embodiment, the description image is generated by performing reduction processing or the like on the medical image data that is the captured image. The contour line of the imaging region is further added to the description image. Alternatively, various image processing such as processing that makes undulations stand out may be performed.

  In the above embodiment, the request data is transmitted and the interpretation result report is returned via the data center. However, the data may be directly transmitted / received between the client terminals without passing through the data center. .

  In the above embodiment, each client terminal downloads and executes the interpretation request program stored in the storage unit of the data center. Of course, the interpretation request program is installed in each client terminal in advance. It may be left.

It is explanatory drawing of the network medical system for performing an interpretation request. It is a schematic block diagram of a client terminal. It is explanatory drawing of a medical image selection screen. It is explanatory drawing of a request data edit screen. It is a block diagram of request data. It is explanatory drawing of the chief complaint list. It is explanatory drawing of a confirmation screen. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of an image interpretation request. It is explanatory drawing of the example which provides multiple types of attention mark. It is explanatory drawing of the example which provides a notice mark using a lane marking. It is explanatory drawing of the example which designates the provision position in a medical image. It is explanatory drawing of provision position information.

Explanation of symbols

15, 16 Client terminal 17 Server computer 18 Storage unit 19 Medical information DB
31 CPU (description image generation unit, data addition unit, attention mark assignment unit)
36 Console 40 Interpretation request program 41 Keyboard 42 Mouse 43 Monitor 53 Pointer (giving position designation part)
54 Medical Image 61 Request Data Edit Screen 62 Request Data 63 Description Data 64 Description Image 65 Text Data 66 Description Image Display 67 Edit Palette 69 Comment Input Field 72, 91, 94 Mark of Interest

Claims (10)

In an image interpretation requesting device that requests medical interpretation by transmitting a medical image taken with a modality device and acquired as digital data through a communication line,
An explanation image generation unit that generates an explanation image used to explain the interpretation request content based on the medical image;
A process of processing the explanation image, and a request source giving a focus mark indicating a focus area that the request source wants the request destination to focus on in the medical image at a specified position in the description image A mark giving unit;
An image interpretation requesting apparatus comprising: a data transmission unit that adds the explanation image to which the attention mark is attached to request data including the medical image and transmits the request image to a request destination. A monitor that displays an operation screen on which an operation unit that issues an operation instruction for requesting the interpretation is arranged, and an input unit that inputs an operation command through the operation screen;
The image interpretation requesting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation screen includes an application position specifying unit that specifies an application position to which the mark of interest is applied.   The image interpretation requesting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the assigned position designation unit is a pointer that designates a part of the explanation image or the medical image displayed on the operation screen.   4. The image interpretation request apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the shape of the target mark can be selected from a plurality of different types of figures.   The assigned position designation unit is displayed so as to be superimposed on the explanation image in the operation screen, and a division line that divides the explanation image into a plurality of areas, and an area designation unit that designates an area divided by the division lines The image interpretation requesting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the target mark is provided by displaying the designated area so as to be distinguishable from other areas.   The image interpretation requesting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the position of the target mark is designated, the explanation image and the medical image are displayed side by side on the operation screen.   2. The position information for specifying a position in the medical image corresponding to the position of the target mark specified in the explanation image is added to the request data and transmitted. The interpretation request device described in any one of?   8. The image interpretation request apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a comment input unit for inputting a comment to be transmitted to the request destination is provided on the operation screen. In an interpretation request method for requesting an interpretation of a medical image taken with a modality device and acquired as digital data,
An operation screen display step for displaying on the monitor an operation screen for instructing an interpretation request operation;
An explanation image generation step for generating an explanation image used for explanation of the request content based on the medical image;
A grant position for displaying the explanation image on the operation screen, causing the request source to designate a focus mark grant position indicating a target region that the request destination wants to pay attention to in the medical image, and receiving the designated grant position A reception step;
A target mark applying step of applying the target mark to a specified application position in the description image by performing a processing on the description image;
An interpretation request method comprising: a data transmission step of transmitting, together with the medical image, the explanation image to which the attention mark is attached to a request destination through a communication line. In an interpretation request program that causes a computer to execute an interpretation request process for requesting an interpretation of a medical image taken by a modality device and acquired as digital data,
An operation screen display step for displaying on the monitor an operation screen for instructing an interpretation request operation;
An explanation image generation step for generating an explanation image used for explanation of the request content based on the medical image;
An explanatory image representing the imaging part of the medical image and displayed on the operation screen for explaining the request content, and a request mark of the target mark indicating a target part that the requester wants the requester to pay attention to in the medical image. A grant position receiving step for specifying a grant position and receiving the designated grant position;
A target mark applying step of applying the target mark to a specified application position in the description image by performing a processing on the description image;
An interpretation request program comprising: a data transmission step of transmitting the explanation image to which the attention mark is attached together with the medical image to a request destination through a communication line.

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