JP2008029694A - Image processor and medical diagnostic apparatus with image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor removing an obstacle entering in a visibility secured area between a view point and the observation object, guidingly displaying the removed obstacle, and allowing a user to easily observe the observation object while clarifying the positional relationship between the observation object and the removed obstacle and to provide a medical diagnostic apparatus mounted with the image processor. <P>SOLUTION: This image processor is provided with an obstacle determination means 2b setting an area V securing the visibility from the view point P to the observation object X and determining an area included in the visibility secured area V as the obstacle B, a guide means (ca) creating a guide indicating the area determined as the obstacle B by the obstacle determination means 2b and displaying it, and an image generation means 2d non-showing the obstacle B based on the information from the obstacle determination means 2b, composing it by superimposing the guide image from the guide means 2c on the area of the obstacle B which is not shown, and generating the image in the visibility secured area V. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that performs image processing of medical images and a medical diagnostic apparatus that includes the image processing apparatus.

  Image processing apparatuses used in the field of medical images in recent years include X-ray diagnostic apparatuses, CT (Computed Tomography) apparatuses, ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatuses, gamma cameras, and PET (Positron-Emission). It is used in combination with medical diagnostic equipment such as Tomography (positron emission tomography), and has been introduced into many medical institutions.

  The 3D image processing method in this image processing apparatus will be briefly described. First, the viewpoint that is the user's position in the 3D volume space in which the volume data generated from the tomographic images collected by the medical diagnostic apparatus is arranged. And an observation direction with respect to the volume space from the viewpoint. The user can view the three-dimensional volume data as a two-dimensional image on the two-dimensional projection plane by extending the ray from the set viewpoint to the volume data to be observed and performing a predetermined rendering process. .

  As an application of the above-described image processing, there is a flythrough method. This is a method by which the user can give the impression that the user is moving in the virtual environment by moving the light source together with the movement of the viewpoint and the observation direction.

  Examination and diagnosis are performed using such image processing. For example, when the observation target is in a positional relationship superimposed with another tissue, blood vessel, or the like, that is, when viewed from the position of the provided viewpoint, When an observation target is present behind a tissue or blood vessel, it cannot be observed at a desired distance interval and posture, and it is difficult to display a necessary image.

As described above, a portion that is present in front of the observation target and has a trouble in observation or a portion that is not the observation target (hereinafter referred to as “obstacle”) is subjected to clipping processing so as to be completely hidden, or A method of adjusting the transparency to remove the obstacle from the field of view has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). Furthermore, when the observation target is a tubular tissue such as the intestine, there is a method of observing the inside of the tube by expanding the tissue and deforming it into a flat surface.
JP 2001-84409 A

  However, in the method proposed in Patent Document 1, an obstacle may remain as an opaque display. To completely eliminate such a display, the transparency of the obstacle must be set in detail. It takes time and effort.

  In addition, the method of completely hiding the obstacle and the method of expanding the tissue are convenient for observing only the observation target, but the positional relationship between the observation target and the surrounding tissue is unclear. In other words, the image is distorted and the image is distorted.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to remove an obstacle that enters between the viewpoint and the observation target and enters the view securing area, and displays the removed obstacle as a guide display. Accordingly, an image processing apparatus capable of easily observing the observation target while clarifying the positional relationship between the observation target and the removed obstacle, and a medical diagnostic apparatus equipped with the image processing apparatus are provided.

  The feature according to the embodiment of the present invention is that, in the image processing apparatus, an obstacle determination unit that sets an area for securing a field of view from a viewpoint to an observation target and determines an area included in the field of view securing area as an obstacle. Guide means for generating and displaying a guide representing the area determined as an obstacle by the obstacle determination means, and hiding the obstacle based on the information from the obstacle determination means, Image generating means for generating an image in the view securing area by combining the image of the guide from the guide means and combining the area with the image.

  According to the present invention, the obstacle between the viewpoint and the observation target and entering the visibility securing area is removed, and the removed obstacle is guided to display the positional relationship between the observation target and the removed obstacle. It is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of easily observing an observation target while clarifying and a medical diagnostic apparatus equipped with the image processing apparatus.

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

(First embodiment)
In the medical diagnostic apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1b, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1c, and an input / output interface 1d are connected via a bus 1e. . Input / output interface 1d is connected to input means 1f, display means 1g, communication control means 1h, storage means 1i, removable disk 1j, and drive unit control means 1k. This drive part control means 1k controls the drive of each drive part of the medical diagnostic apparatus 1 based on the instruction | indication from CPU1a. In the following description, the medical diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present invention uses the above-described X-ray diagnostic apparatus, CT apparatus, ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus, gamma camera, PET, etc. All medical diagnostic apparatuses that can be displayed as original images (4D images) are included.

  The CPU 1a reads out and executes a boot program for starting up the medical diagnostic apparatus 1 from the ROM 1b based on an input signal from the input unit 1f, and reads out various operating systems stored in the storage unit 1i. Further, the CPU 1a controls various devices based on an input signal from an external device not shown in FIG. 1 via the input means 1f or the input / output interface 1d, or is stored in the RAM 1c, the storage means 1i, or the like. This is a processing device that reads out the loaded program and data, loads them into the RAM 1c, and realizes a series of processes such as image processing and data calculation or processing based on the program commands read from the RAM 1c.

  The input unit 1f is configured by an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse through which the user of the medical diagnostic apparatus 1 inputs various operations, creates an input signal based on the user's operation, and transmits the input signal to the CPU 1a via the bus 1e. Is done. The medical diagnostic apparatus 1 is provided with a dedicated operation panel as well as a keyboard and the like, and an operation screen can be operated through an input device on the operation panel. Furthermore, the examination results acquired in the medical diagnostic apparatus 1 and various information necessary for image processing are also input via the input unit 1f and transmitted to the CPU 1a and the storage unit 1i. The display unit 1g is a liquid crystal display, for example, and is a unit that receives an output signal from the CPU 1a via the bus 1e and displays various processing results such as image processing performed by the CPU 1a.

  The communication control unit 1h is a unit such as a LAN card or a modem, and is a unit that enables the medical diagnostic apparatus 1 to be connected to a communication network such as the Internet or a LAN. Data transmitted / received to / from the communication network via the communication control unit 1h is transmitted / received to / from the CPU 1a via the input / output interface 1d and the bus 1e as an input signal or an output signal.

  The storage means 1i is composed of a semiconductor or a magnetic disk, and stores programs and data executed by the CPU 1a. The removable disk 1h is an optical disk or a flexible disk, and signals read / written by the disk drive are transmitted / received to / from the CPU 1a via the input / output interface 1d and the bus 1e.

  The storage unit 1i of the medical diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention stores programs and data such as an image processing program that processes image information acquired by the medical diagnostic apparatus 1 and displays it to the user. The Further, the image processing means 2 is mounted on the medical diagnostic apparatus 1 by reading an image processing program or the like into the CPU 1a of the medical diagnostic apparatus 1 and executing it.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing means 2 includes a receiving means 2a, an obstacle determining means 2b, a guide means 2c, an image generating means 2d, and a transmitting means 2e.

  The receiving unit 2a receives an input signal and image information from the user input from the input unit 1f of the medical diagnostic apparatus 1. For example, among the information received by the receiving unit 2a, the setting conditions of the view securing area and the image information are transmitted to the obstacle determining unit 2b, and information specifying the guide type is transmitted to the guide unit 2c.

  The obstacle determination unit 2b sets the field-of-view securing area according to the conditions input by the user via the input unit 1f. Here, as described above, the “obstacle” refers to a part that is present between the viewpoint and the observation target and that obstructs the observation of the observation target or a part that is not the observation target.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a line of sight L as shown by a solid arrow extends from the viewpoint P to the observation target X. And the visual field F can be considered around the observation object X. The field of view F is generally considered to have an infinite extent, but in FIG. 3, for the sake of convenience, it is indicated by a solid line extending from the viewpoint P in all directions. A field-of-view securing region V is provided between the viewpoint P and the observation target X, and is indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. The visual field securing area V is an area provided for determining a volume entering the area V as an obstacle. In the first embodiment, the volume that has entered the visibility securing area V is automatically determined to be an obstacle. The width of the view securing area V can be determined by the depth D, the viewing angle A, and the shape C as shown in FIG. The shape C is rectangular in FIG. 4, but can be arbitrarily determined, for example, a shape when the observation target is cut with a scalpel. Note that, depending on how the user uses the medical image, the field-of-view securing area V may not be set, and the presence or absence of the setting is arbitrary.

  If the image information transmitted to the obstacle determination means 2b includes a volume that is within the set field-of-view securing area V, the obstacle determination means 2b calculates the range and determines that it is an obstacle. That is, the volume in the display state has coordinates that can be expressed by specific numerical values such as luminance values and CT values. Further, the coordinates of the view securing area V can be grasped when the view securing area V is determined as described above. Therefore, if a position (value of (x, y, z)) in the view securing area V is designated, it can be confirmed whether or not there is a volume displayed at that position. Then, it is indicated that the volume determined to be an obstacle is a volume that is not displayed to the user by a guide display described later.

  Information specifying the type of guide display from the receiving means 2a is sent to the guide means 2c. In the guide unit 2c, there are provided a guide generation unit 2ca having a plurality of types of guide display display modes and a guide display unit 2cb for instructing the guide generation unit 2ca to generate a guide display.

  The display mode of the guide display recorded in the guide generating means 2ca is, for example, “mesh display” for displaying the obstacle in a shaded state, or “contour display” for displaying the contour of the obstacle, non-display “Caution display” that there is an obstructed obstacle, “different image emphasis display” that highlights and displays the obstructed obstacle in another image, and the like are conceivable. Further, the “caution display” can be displayed together with other display modes.

  The guide display unit 2cb issues an instruction to generate a guide display to the guide generation unit 2ca based on an instruction from the obstacle determination unit 2b to guide the area corresponding to the obstacle. Then, the generated guide display is transmitted to the image generating means 2d.

  The image generation means 2d hides the area based on the instruction from the obstacle determination means 2b to hide the area corresponding to the obstacle, and displays the guide displayed from the guide display means 2cb. The image is synthesized according to the area of the obstacle that is not displayed. The image composition method (rendering mode) includes a plurality of displays such as PVR (Perspective Volume Rendaering) and MPR (Multi Planar Reconstruction) in addition to the fly-through method described above. The method is made selectable. The synthesized image is sent to the display means 1g via the transmission means 2e and displayed.

  Next, the image generation procedure will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6 and the schematic diagrams of FIGS. 7 to 14 showing how the viewpoint moves toward the observation object in the tubular tissue. .

  First, based on the signal from the input means 1f, it is determined whether or not the visual field securing function is turned on by the obstacle determination means 2b (ST1). Since whether or not to provide the view securing area V is arbitrary, if the view securing function is not turned on (N in ST1), image display is immediately started and image processing is performed (ST2).

  On the other hand, when the visibility ensuring function is turned on, the above-described rendering mode is designated to the image generating means 2d via the input means 1f (ST3). In addition, the guide generation unit 2ca is designated in what manner guide display is performed (ST4). Image processing is subsequently performed according to the rendering mode and guide display specified here. Next, the width of the visibility ensuring area V is set (ST5). This is performed by designating three elements of depth D, viewing angle A, and shape C in accordance with the position and size of the observation target.

  When the view securing area V is set, image display starts, and image processing is started according to the above-described designation and setting (ST6). As described above, the obstacle determination means 2b checks whether or not a volume has entered the visual field securing area V as the image processing proceeds (ST7). When the volume does not enter the view securing area V, the image processing proceeds as it is, but when the volume enters, that part is determined as an obstacle B (ST8).

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a screen displayed on the display unit 1g when the line of sight is viewed from the viewpoint P toward the observation target X. The outermost square frame is the frame S of the screen, and the field of view F appears to be an arc shape in the frame S of the screen. In the field of view F, there is an inverted convex tissue T1 on the front side from the upper side to the lower side, and a mountain-like tissue T2 is present in the back thereof. The top portion of the tissue T2 is a tissue to be observed, but in FIG. 7, the reverse convex portion that is the top of the tissue T1 on the near side overlaps the top of the tissue T2 and cannot be seen. The rectangle surrounding the region where the tissue T1 and the tissue T2 overlap is the visibility securing region V, and the region of the reverse convex portion which is the top of the tissue T1 that hides the top of the tissue T2 to be observed is the obstacle B. That will be true.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the inside of a tubular tissue cut in the longitudinal direction. The line of sight L is stretched so as to see the observation target X from the viewpoint P. However, since the tissue T1 exists between the viewpoint P and the observation target X, the observation target X cannot be seen because of being disturbed by the tissue T1. Therefore, in FIG. 8, the line of sight L from the viewpoint P to the tissue T1 is represented by a solid line, and the depth and the observation target X are not represented from the viewpoint P and are represented by the dotted line. Further, the portion of the tissue T1 that is in the view securing region V (shown by hatching in FIG. 8) is the obstacle B region.

  When the obstacle determination means 2b determines that the volume that has entered the view securing area V is the obstacle B, the area of the obstacle B is determined (ST9). When the area of the obstacle B is determined, the obstacle determination means 2b instructs the image generation means 2d to hide the corresponding area (ST10) (refer to the flowchart of FIG. 6 below). FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram showing this state, and an area that is in the view securing area V and is the tissue T1 is not displayed. Since the obstacle B is not displayed, there is no volume blocking with the observation target X in the tissue T2, and the observation target X is visible.

  Further, the obstacle determination means 2b instructs the guide display means 2cb to perform display for guiding the area of the obstacle B (ST11). Upon receiving this instruction, the guide display means 2cb instructs the guide generation means 2ca to generate a guide display for the corresponding area (ST12), and guides the corresponding area in accordance with this instruction and the guide display specified in step 4. Create (ST13). In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the selected guide display is “contour display”.

  The guide generation means 2ca generates a guide display indicating the contour of the obstacle B, and transmits the generated guide display to the guide display means 2cb (ST14). The schematic diagram shown in FIG. 9B is a guide display showing the outline of the obstacle B generated by the guide generating means 2ca. Only the outline B1 of the obstacle B is shown inside the view securing area V. The guide display means 2cb that has received the generated guide display further transmits it to the image generation means 2d (ST15).

  In the image generation means 2d, the guide display sent from the guide display means 2cb is combined with the area of the obstacle B that is not displayed (ST16). FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a combined state. Since the obstacle B is displayed only by the outline B1, the observation target X in the tissue T2 can be seen. FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the inside of a tubular tissue cut in the longitudinal direction as in FIG. In the state where the guide display is synthesized, the obstacle B is not displayed and only its outline B1 is displayed (in FIG. 11, the region is represented by a dotted line). Pierced. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, it becomes easier to observe the observation target X by erasing the outline of the view securing area V. Then, the composite image of the corresponding area is displayed on the display means 1g (ST17).

  As a method of displaying the composite image, in addition to displaying only the composite image, for example, as shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display means 1g. In FIG. 13, the contour of the obstacle B that is not displayed is displayed on the left side of the screen, and the positional relationship among the viewpoint P, the view securing area V, and the observation target X is shown on the right side of the screen. By simultaneously displaying the non-displayed area together with the positional relationship in this way, the non-displayed obstacle B is emphasized, and the user-friendliness is improved. In addition, a plurality of guide displays can be displayed in combination. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the display indicating the positional relationship is displayed small, the display of the obstacle B that is not displayed is enlarged, and “ It is also possible to display a combination of “notice display”.

  When the composite image is displayed on the display means 1g, it is next determined whether or not to end the image display (ST18). If not finished, it is determined again whether or not a volume has entered the view securing area V, and the above-described image composition procedure (ST7 to ST17) is repeated. In addition, even when the image is displayed without using the view securing function or when the view securing area V is changed even if the view securing function is used, the image from step 1 again is used. The synthesis procedure will be repeated.

  By doing this, the obstacle that is between the viewpoint and the observation object and entered the visibility securing area is removed, and the removed obstacle is displayed as a guide so that the positional relationship between the observation object and the removed obstacle is displayed. It is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of easily observing an observation target while clarifying the above, and a medical diagnostic apparatus equipped with the image processing apparatus.

  Heretofore, a case has been described in which the volume that has entered the visual field securing area V is automatically determined as an obstacle B and displayed as a guide, but the volume that has entered the visual field securing area V as the viewpoint P moves. Of course, it is possible to manually designate the obstacle B as an obstacle and display it as a guide.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the same components as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same components is omitted because it is duplicated.

  In the first embodiment, the volume that falls within the view securing area V is automatically determined as an obstacle by the movement of the viewpoint P by the obstacle determination means 2b and is set as a non-display target. This embodiment is different in that the volume that has entered the visual field securing area V with the viewpoint P fixed is manually hidden. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a non-display procedure in the first embodiment for comparison with the second embodiment, in which a tubular tissue is cut in the longitudinal direction and the inside thereof is viewed. It demonstrates using the schematic diagram which shows.

  That is, FIG. 15A shows a case where the observation target X inside from the viewpoint P outside the tubular tissue is viewed, and the line of sight L extends from the viewpoint P toward the observation target X. However, since the observation target X inside the tubular structure cannot be seen directly because of being blocked by the tubular tissue, the line of sight L is indicated by a solid line and a dotted line with the outer skin of the tubular tissue as a boundary.

  FIG. 15B shows that the volume N1 that has entered the field-of-view securing area V is not displayed while the viewpoint P is fixed. FIG. 15C shows a case where the viewpoint P further moves in the direction of the line of sight L. Again, the volume that has entered the view securing area V is not displayed. As described above, in the first embodiment, the volume that has entered the visual field securing area V as the viewpoint P moves is automatically hidden.

  On the other hand, in the second embodiment, by manually specifying the volume that has entered the view securing area V without moving the position of the viewpoint P as an obstacle and extending the depth D of the view securing area V, Can be specified (hidden) in consideration of volume continuity. That is, in FIG. 16C (FIGS. 16A and 16B are the same as FIGS. 15A and 15B), the position of the viewpoint P is shown in FIGS. The position of the viewpoint P) is not changed. In this state, the depth D of the visibility ensuring area V is extended. For example, the extension range can be determined based on the click-down time of a mouse or the like used for designating an obstacle, or designation of ROI (Region Of Interest). Accordingly, in FIG. 16C, not only the portion N1 not displayed in FIG. 16B but also the region of the portion N2 where the volume is continuous can be set as the non-display target.

  By doing this, by removing the obstacle that is between the viewpoint and the observation target and entering the visibility securing area and displaying the removed obstacle as a guide, the positional relationship between the observation target and the removed obstacle is determined. To provide an image processing apparatus capable of observing the observation target X at an optimum position and orientation without changing the distance between the viewpoint P and the observation target X while clarifying, and a medical diagnostic apparatus equipped with the image processing apparatus. it can.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, the same components as those described in the first or second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same components is duplicated. Omitted.

  In the third embodiment, the depth D of the visual field securing region V is automatically adjusted so that the visual field securing region V does not include the observation target X even when the viewpoint P approaches the observation target X and the distance between them decreases. It is characterized by being.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 17, when the position of the observation target X can be specified in advance, for example, when the obstacle B is partially hiding the observation target X (the observation target X is captured in the field of view F). The distance Y1 of the line of sight L from the viewpoint P to the observation target X can be calculated from the mutual coordinates. Similarly, the distance Y2 from the viewpoint P to the point where the line of sight L intersects the plane defined by the depth D of the field-of-view securing area V can also be obtained. Therefore, by maintaining the ratio (Y2 / Y1) of these distances in the obstacle determination means 2b, even if the viewpoint P approaches the observation target X and the distance Y1 between them decreases, the view securing region from the viewpoint P The distance Y2 to V is automatically adjusted.

  By doing in this way, it is possible to always prevent the view securing area V from including the observation target X regardless of the distance between the viewpoint P and the observation target X. Image processing that makes it possible to easily observe the observation target while clarifying the positional relationship between the observation target and the removed obstacle by removing the obstacle entering the secured area and displaying the removed obstacle as a guide. An apparatus and a medical diagnostic apparatus equipped with the image processing apparatus can be provided.

  In the third embodiment, the case where the position of the observation target X is specified in advance is described as an example. However, the observation target X is specified as needed as the viewpoint P moves. Also good. As a method for specifying the observation target X, for example, a point at which the curvature calculation result of the target object surface is maximized is regarded as a vertex of the polyp, and this point is set as the observation target X, or a mouse click depressing time. And a method in which a range is spatially specified around a specified point and this range is set as an observation target X.

  In the third embodiment, the distance Y2 from the viewpoint P is obtained by using the visual field securing area V. Instead of the visual field securing area V, for example, a virtual position designation plane is used. It may be provided between the viewpoint P and the observation target X and used to measure the distance Y2.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine the component covering different embodiment suitably.

It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the medical diagnostic apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the image processing means in embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a viewpoint, a visual field, an observation object, and a visual field ensuring area | region. It is explanatory drawing which shows a visual field ensuring area | region. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the image processing in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the image processing in embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the screen displayed on a display means when seeing a gaze toward an observation object from a viewpoint. It is the schematic diagram which cut | disconnected the tubular structure | tissue in the longitudinal direction and looked at the inside. It is a schematic diagram which shows the screen displayed on a display means when seeing a gaze toward an observation object from a viewpoint. It is a schematic diagram which shows the screen displayed on a display means when seeing a gaze toward an observation object from a viewpoint. It is the schematic diagram which cut | disconnected the tubular structure | tissue in the longitudinal direction and looked at the inside. It is a schematic diagram which shows the screen displayed on a display means when seeing a gaze toward an observation object from a viewpoint. It is a schematic diagram showing the example of a screen displayed on the display means. It is a schematic diagram showing the example of a screen displayed on the display means. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the guide display in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the guide display in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship of the viewpoint, visual field, observation object, and visual field ensuring area | region in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Medical diagnostic apparatus 2 Image processing means 2a Reception means 2b Obstacle determination means 2c Guide means 2ca Guide generation means 2cb Guide display means 2d Image generation means 2e Transmission means

Claims (6)

An obstacle determining means for setting an area for securing a field of view from a viewpoint to an observation target, and determining an area included in the field of view securing area as an obstacle;
Guide means for generating and displaying a guide representing an area determined as an obstacle by the obstacle determination means;
Based on the information from the obstacle determining means, the obstacle is hidden, and the image of the guide area from the guide means is combined with the area of the obstacle that has been hidden, and the image in the visibility securing area is combined. Image generating means for generating
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of types of guide displays representing the area of the obstacle generated by the guide unit are provided.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the guide displays can be displayed simultaneously.   4. The obstacle determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the obstacle determination unit determines an obstacle by changing a depth which is a setting element of the visibility securing area in consideration of an obstacle thickness. 5. Image processing apparatus.   The obstacle determination means does not include the observation target in the visibility securing area provided between the viewpoint and the identified observation target even when the viewpoint approaches the identified observation target. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a distance from the viewpoint to the view securing area is automatically adjusted. A medical diagnostic apparatus comprising the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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