JP2008253551A - Image reading report search apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading report search apparatus capable of easily providing necessary information and shortening a search time. <P>SOLUTION: This image reading report search apparatus 9 is provided with: a storage section 9d for storing sets of minimum semantic units, or report information, each formed by structuring and transforming a created image reading report by minimum semantic units formed of a combination of words; a means for structuring an image reading report in process of creation by the minimum semantic units and transforming it into a set of minimum semantic units; and a means for comparing the set of the minimum semantic units of the transformed image reading report in process of creation with sets of the minimum semantic units of the created image reading reports stored in the storage section 9d, and searching a created image reading report similar to the image reading report in process of creation from the storage section 9d. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an interpretation report search apparatus for searching an interpretation report for a medical image.

  The medical image storage and transfer system (PACS) is constructed by connecting, for example, a medical image photographing apparatus, a medical image server apparatus, an interpretation report creation support apparatus, an interpretation report server apparatus, and a viewer apparatus via a network such as a LAN. . Examples of the medical imaging apparatus include an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, an X-ray CT apparatus (X-ray tomography apparatus), an MRI apparatus (magnetic resonance imaging apparatus), an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus. .

  Usually, a medical image captured by a medical image capturing apparatus is sent to and stored in a medical image server apparatus via a network. The interpreting doctor who has received the interpretation request displays the medical image to be interpreted stored in the medical image server device on the display device, and creates an interpretation report for the medical image using the interpretation report creation support device. The completed interpretation report that has been created is sent to the interpretation report server apparatus and stored as text data.

Here, the interpretation report creation support apparatus is an apparatus that supports creation of an interpretation report for a medical image of a subject such as a patient, and is used by a creator such as an interpretation doctor who creates the interpretation report (for example, patent literature). 1). As this interpretation report creation support device, an interpretation report that functions as an interpretation report search device that searches past interpretation reports (past reports) stored in the interpretation report server device for past reports similar to the interpretation report currently being created. A creation support device has also been proposed. At this time, a word to be searched, a diagnosis name (disease name) or the like is input, and a past report is searched based on the word or diagnosis name.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-20350

  However, since the interpretation report data is stored as text data, when searching by word, the hit rate is poor, it is difficult to extract the necessary information, and the search time also increases. . Even when searching by diagnosis name or the like, the interpretation reports to be searched are enormous, so that it is difficult to extract necessary information, and the search time becomes long.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an interpretation report search apparatus that can easily obtain necessary information and that can reduce the search time.

  A feature according to the embodiment of the present invention is that the interpretation report search device stores a set of minimum semantic units, which are report information in which the created interpretation report is structured and converted by the minimum semantic unit including a combination of words. Storage unit, means to structure the interpretation report being created with minimum semantic units and convert it to a set of minimum semantic units, converted set of minimum semantic units of the interpretation report being created, and stored in the storage unit And a means for comparing a set of minimum semantic units of the created interpretation report and searching for a created interpretation report similar to the interpretation report being created from the storage unit.

  According to the present invention, necessary information can be easily obtained, and the search time can be shortened.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a medical image storage and transfer system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an X-ray CT apparatus (X-ray tomography apparatus) as a medical image capturing apparatus that captures a medical image from a subject such as a patient. ) 2 and MRI apparatus (magnetic resonance imaging apparatus) 3, medical image server apparatus 4 for storing medical images, interpretation report server apparatus 5 for storing interpretation reports for medical images, and images such as medical images and interpretation reports. Medical examination viewer device 6 to be displayed, image interpretation viewer device 7 to display an image such as a medical image, image interpretation report creation support device 8 that assists in creating an image interpretation report for a medical image, and past image interpretation for reference An interpretation report search device 9 that searches for reports (past reports) is configured. These devices 2 to 9 are connected via a network 10 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

  Each of the X-ray CT apparatus 2 and the MRI apparatus 3 is a modality for capturing a medical image of a part of a subject. Each of these X-ray CT apparatus 2 and MRI apparatus 3 transmits the image data of the captured medical image to the medical image server apparatus 4.

  The medical image server apparatus 4 appropriately stores the image data transmitted from the X-ray CT apparatus 2 and the MRI apparatus 3 and incidental information attached to the image data, and further the viewer according to the request of the viewer apparatuses 6 and 7. Image data is provided to the devices 6 and 7. The medical image server apparatus 4 has functions such as temporal difference, integration (Fusion), cross-section conversion (MPR), 3D display conversion, and incidental information management for medical images. Further, when storing the image data, the medical image server device 4 transmits the incidental information attached to the image data to the interpretation report server device 5.

  Here, the incidental information includes patient information, examination information, and the like. Examples of patient information include patient ID, patient name, sex, age, medication history, family history, medical history, and preference calendar. Examples of the examination information include examination names (examination types) such as CT and MR, examination sites, examination dates, doctors in charge, blood examination information, electrocardiogram information, and pathological examination information.

  The interpretation report server device 5 receives the supplementary information from the medical image server device 4 and reads the interpretation report before the creation (before input) including the supplementary information (interpretation report in which the findings input field and the diagnosis input field are blank). The report number is stored in association with the report number, and an interpretation report before creation is provided to the interpretation report creation support apparatus 8 in response to a request from the interpretation report creation support apparatus 8. The interpretation report server device 5 appropriately stores the created (input completed) interpretation report created by the interpretation doctor, and further creates the interpretation report created in the viewer device 6 in response to a request from the viewer device 6. provide.

  The viewer device 6 is a device that displays images such as medical images stored in the medical image server device 4 and created interpretation reports stored in the interpretation report server device 5. The viewer device 6 is installed, for example, in an examination room in a hospital, and provides medical images and interpretation reports to a doctor in charge of a patient. Thereby, the doctor in charge can view the medical image and the interpretation report.

  The viewer device 7 is a device that displays an image such as a medical image stored in the medical image server device 4. The viewer device 7 is installed in an interpretation room in a hospital, for example, and provides a medical image to a creator such as an interpretation doctor who creates an interpretation report. Thereby, the creator can browse the medical image to be interpreted.

  The interpretation report creation support device 8 is a device that supports creation work for the interpretation report before creation stored in the interpretation report server device 5. This interpretation report creation support device 8 is installed side by side with the viewer device 7 in, for example, an interpretation room in a hospital, and supports creation work when the creator creates an interpretation report.

  Such an interpretation report creation support apparatus 8 includes an input unit that receives an input operation from a creator (user) and a report display unit (none of which is shown) that displays an interpretation report. The input unit is an operation unit that is input and operated by a creator such as an interpretation doctor, and is used when an interpretation report is created by the creator. As this input unit, for example, an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard is used. The report display unit is a display device that displays an interpretation report such as an interpretation report for creation and a past report for reference. For example, a liquid crystal display or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display is used as the report display unit.

  Here, the creator creates an interpretation report for the medical image to be interpreted using the interpretation report creation support device 8 while browsing the medical image displayed on the viewer device 7. The completed created interpretation report is transmitted to the interpretation report server device 5 and the interpretation report search device 9. An interpretation report being created (during input) is also transmitted to the interpretation report search device 9 in response to an input operation of the creator on the input unit, for example, pressing of a search key.

  The interpretation report search device 9 is similar to the received interpretation report that has been received from a plurality of created interpretation reports (past reports) stored in the interpretation report server device 5 in response to the reception of the interpretation report being created. The past report is searched, and the interpretation report creation support device 8 is notified of the past report found (found). In response to this, the interpretation report creation support device 8 acquires a hit past report from the interpretation report server device 5 and displays the past report on the report display unit. Thereby, a creator such as an interpretation doctor inputs a sentence such as an observation into the interpretation report while referring to the past report displayed on the report display unit, and completes the interpretation report being created.

  Next, the interpretation report search device 9 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the interpretation report search device 9 includes a control unit 9a such as a microprocessor that controls each unit, a storage unit 9b such as a ROM, RAM, and flash memory that stores various programs and data, and an external device. And a communication unit 9c that performs communication via the network 10, and a storage unit 9d having various databases. These parts 9a to 9d are electrically connected by a bus 9e.

  The control unit 9a controls each unit based on various programs and data stored in the storage unit 9b. Further, the control unit 9a executes a series of data processing for performing calculation or processing of various data based on various programs.

  The control unit 9a includes a structured processing unit 11 for structuring the created interpretation report (past report) and the interpretation report being created, and ancillary information for comparing the incidental information of the interpretation report being created with the incidental information of the past report. The information comparison processing unit 12 and the similarity calculation processing unit 13 for calculating the similarity between the interpretation report being created and the past report are provided.

  The storage unit 9b is a memory that stores various programs such as a startup program executed by the control unit 9a, and further functions as a work area for the control unit 9a. The activation program is read and executed by the control unit 9a when the interpretation report search device 9 is activated.

  The communication unit 9c is a communication interface that performs communication with an external device via a network 10 such as a LAN. Examples of the external device include an interpretation report server device 5 and an interpretation report creation support device 8.

  The storage unit 9d includes a structuring dictionary database 21 that defines structuring rules used for structuring by the structuring processing unit 11, and an incidental information storage database 22 that stores incidental information of created interpretation reports as incidental information of past reports. , And a structured past report storage database 23 for storing the created interpretation report structured by the structured processing unit 11 as a past report. For example, a storage device such as a hard disk drive is used as the storage unit 9d.

  The structuring processing unit 11 refers to the structuring dictionary database 21, and structurizes the received interpretation report that has been created in a minimum semantic unit using a text mining technique, and converts it into a set of minimum semantic units. In other words, the set of minimum semantic units is report information obtained by converting a created interpretation report into a structure with the minimum semantic units. Further, the structuring processing unit 11 performs text mining on the received interpretation report that is being created in the same manner as described above, structuring the interpretation report that is being created with the smallest semantic unit, and converting it into a set of minimum semantic units. To do. That is, the set of minimum semantic units is report information obtained by structuring and converting the interpretation report being created in the minimum semantic unit.

  Here, the minimum semantic unit is composed of a combination of a plurality of words. As this minimum semantic unit, for example, there are two types, that is, a minimum semantic unit for finding description regarding findings and a minimum semantic unit for diagnosis. The minimum semantic unit of the finding description is composed of a combination of the finding name, the part name, and the word of definiteness (minimum semantic unit of finding description = “finding name, part name, deterministic degree”). The minimum semantic unit of the diagnostic description is composed of a combination of a diagnosis name, a part name, and a word of determinism (minimum semantic unit of diagnosis description = “diagnosis name, part name, determinism”). In addition, as a finding name, a shadow, accumulation, compression, etc. are mentioned, for example. Examples of the diagnosis name include disease names such as cancer and cancer metastasis. Examples of the site name include the left lung, the right lung, the heart, and the liver.

  For example, when the finding name is “shadow”, the part name is “left lung”, and the definiteness is “yes” (“shadow, left lung is”), the smallest semantic unit of the finding description Means “the shadow is in the left lung”. In addition, when the finding name is “accumulation”, the part name is “bone”, and the definiteness is “yes” (“accumulation, bone, is”), the smallest semantic unit of the finding description is It means “the accumulation is in the bone”. In addition, when the diagnosis name is “cancer”, the site name is “left lung”, and the definiteness is “yes” (“cancer, left lung, is”), the minimum semantic unit of the diagnosis description Means "cancer is in the left lung". Furthermore, when the diagnosis name is “cancer metastasis”, the site name is “right lung”, and the degree of definiteness is “no”, the minimum semantic unit of the diagnosis description is “cancer metastasis in the right lung”. Means no.

  Based on such minimum semantic units, the created interpretation report and the interpretation report being created are structured by the structuring processing unit 11 and converted into a set of minimum semantic units. In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, a set of minimum semantic units of the created interpretation report is sequentially stored in the structured past report storage database 23 as a past report in association with the report ID.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the past report with the report ID “0001” is converted into a set of minimum semantic units such as “finding A, part A, certain” + “diagnosis A, part A, certain”. Has been. The past report with the report ID “0002” is converted into a set of minimum semantic units such as “finding B, part B, some” + “finding C, part C, some” + “diagnosis B, part B, none” Has been. The past report with the report ID “0003” is converted into a set of minimum semantic units such as “finding D, part A, none” + “diagnosis C, part A, none”.

  The accompanying information comparison processing unit 12 extracts and narrows down past reports similar to the interpretation report being created from the structured past report storage database 23 based on the accompanying information attached to the interpretation report being created. More specifically, the supplementary information comparison processing unit 12 compares the supplementary information of the interpretation report being created with the supplementary information stored in the supplementary information storage database 22, and supplements the interpretation report being created from the supplementary information storage database 22. The incidental information related to the information is selected, and the past report corresponding to the selected incidental information is extracted from the structured past report storage database 23.

  The similarity calculation processing unit 13 compares the set of minimum semantic units of the interpretation report being created with the set of minimum semantic units of the past report stored in the structured past report storage database 23, and stores the structured past report. A past report similar to the interpretation report being created is searched from the database 23, that is, a past report having a high degree of similarity is searched. More specifically, the similarity calculation processing unit 13 calculates the set of minimum semantic units of the interpretation report being created and the structured past from the combination of words in the minimum semantic unit, the combination of the minimum semantic units, the order of the minimum semantic units, and the like. The set of minimum semantic units of past reports stored in the report storage database 23 is compared, the similarity between the interpretation report being created and the past report is calculated, and the report ID of the past report having a high degree of similarity is acquired. When narrowing down is performed by the supplementary information comparison processing unit 12, the set of minimum semantic units of the narrowed past report is compared with the set of minimum semantic units of the interpretation report being created, and the narrowed past report is compared. Are calculated, and the report ID of a past report having a high similarity is obtained.

  Next, an interpretation report search operation of the above-described interpretation report search apparatus 9 will be described. The control unit 9a of the interpretation report search device 9 executes an interpretation report search process.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 9a determines whether or not the interpretation report being created has been received (step S1), and waits for the reception of the interpretation report being created (NO in step S1). The interpretation report being created is transmitted from the interpretation report creation support apparatus 8 via the network 10. For example, when a creator such as an interpretation doctor wants to refer to a past report similar to an interpretation report being created in the middle of creating an interpretation report, the input unit of the interpretation report creation support apparatus 8 is input and operated. The interpretation report being created is sent.

  Normally, when creating an interpretation report, the creator inputs the input unit of the interpretation report creation support apparatus 8 and selects a report ID from a report ID list or the like. In response to this, the interpretation report creation support apparatus 8 acquires an interpretation report before creation corresponding to the selected report ID from the interpretation report server apparatus 5 and displays the interpretation report on the report display unit. In addition, the image interpretation viewer device 7 acquires image data corresponding to the selected report ID from the medical image server device 4 and displays the medical image. Thereafter, the creator creates an interpretation report by operating the input unit of the interpretation report creation support apparatus 8 while browsing the medical image to be interpreted. At this time, when the creator wants to refer to a past report similar to the interpretation report being created, the creator performs an input operation on the input unit of the interpretation report creation support apparatus 8 and presses a search key, for example. In response to this, the interpretation report creation support apparatus 8 transmits the interpretation report being created to the interpretation report search apparatus 9.

  If it is determined that the interpretation report being created has been received (YES in step S1), the interpretation report being created is structured by the structuring processing unit 11 and converted into a set of minimum semantic units (step S2). At this time, the control unit 9a refers to the structuring dictionary database 21 by the structuring processing unit 11, structures the received interpretation report being created with the minimum semantic unit by text mining technology, and converts it into a set of minimum semantic units. To do.

  Next, the control unit 9a determines whether or not the narrow-down key is pressed (Step S3). This narrow-down key is provided in the input unit of the interpretation report creation support apparatus 8. When the narrow-down key is pressed, a notification signal notifying that is added to the interpretation report being created and transmitted from the interpretation report creation support device 8 to the interpretation report search device 9. The interpretation report search device 9 receives the notification signal and detects that the narrow-down key is pressed.

  If it is determined that the narrow-down key has been pressed (YES in step S3), the incidental information comparison processing unit 12 obtains incidental information related to incidental information associated with the interpretation report being created from the incidental information storage database 22. The past report corresponding to the selected supplementary information is extracted from the structured past report storage database 23 (step S4). On the other hand, if it is determined that the narrow-down key has not been pressed (NO in step S3), the process proceeds as it is.

  Next, the control unit 9a compares the interpretation report being created and the past report in the smallest semantic unit, and calculates the similarity between the interpretation report being created and the past report (step S5). When narrowing down is performed in step S4, the similarity calculation processing unit 13 determines the interpretation report being created from the combination of words in the smallest semantic unit, the combination of the smallest semantic unit, the order of the smallest semantic unit, and the like. The set of minimum semantic units is compared with the set of minimum semantic units of narrowed past reports, and the similarity between the interpretation report being created and the narrowed past reports is calculated. On the other hand, if no narrowing-down has been performed, the similarity calculation processing unit 13 causes the minimum meaning of the interpretation report being created from the combination of words in the minimum semantic unit, the combination of minimum semantic units, the order of minimum semantic units, and the like. The unit set is compared with the set of minimum semantic units of the past report stored in the structured past report storage database 23, and the similarity between the interpretation report being created and the past report is calculated.

  Thereafter, the control unit 9a lists a predetermined number of past reports in descending order of similarity, transmits the list R to the interpretation report creation support apparatus 8 (step S6), and ends the process. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, a list R indicating a predetermined number (for example, five) of past reports is generated in descending order of similarity. The interpretation report creation support apparatus 8 receives the list R and displays it on the report display unit. Thereby, the list R is displayed on the report display unit of the interpretation report creation support apparatus 8. When the creator selects a desired past report from the list R, the past report is acquired from the interpretation report server device 5 and displayed on the report display unit. The creator acquires necessary information while referring to the past report displayed on the report display unit, and completes the interpretation report being created.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the interpretation report being created is structured by the minimum semantic unit and converted into a set of minimum semantic units, and the converted minimum interpretation unit of the interpretation report being created is converted. The set is compared with the set of minimum semantic units of the past report (prepared interpretation report) stored in the structured past report storage database 23, and is similar to the interpretation report being created from the structured past report storage database 23. By searching for past reports, it is possible to refer to and cite similar past reports easily and quickly, so that necessary information can be easily obtained and search time can be shortened. In addition, since it is possible to easily and quickly extract similar past reports, it is possible to easily collect data for a case study meeting or the like.

  In addition, the created interpretation report is structured with minimum semantic units, converted into a set of minimum semantic units, and the set of converted minimum interpretation units of the interpretation report is registered in the structured past report storage database 23. Thus, a set of minimum semantic units of the completed interpretation report that has been completed can be sequentially stored in the structured past report storage database 23.

  Further, based on the incidental information attached to the interpretation report being created, a past report similar to the interpretation report being created is searched and narrowed down from the structured past report storage database 23, and a set of minimum semantic units of the narrowed past report is refined. Is compared with the set of minimum semantic units of the interpretation report being created, and the past reports similar to the interpretation report being created are searched from the narrowed past reports. Since it decreases, the search time can be further shortened.

  The minimum semantic unit is composed of a combination of a finding name, a part name, and a word of determinism, or a combination of a diagnosis name, a part name, and a word of determinism. Since it is possible to structure the created interpretation report accurately and quickly, it is possible to accurately convert the interpretation report that is being created and created into a set of minimum semantic units, and the conversion time for conversion is reduced. It can be shortened.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the interpretation report search device 9 is provided independently. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the interpretation report search device 9 is incorporated in the interpretation report creation support device 8 and applied. Also good.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the minimum semantic unit of the finding description is composed of a combination of the finding name, the site name, and the word of determinism, and the minimum semantic unit of the diagnostic description is the diagnostic name, the site name, and Although it is configured by a combination of words with a certainty factor, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, another word may be added to three words, and the number of words only needs to be plural.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the narrowing-down process is performed based on the supplementary information in step S4. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, free input that is information that the creator has freely input a word or the like A narrowing process may be performed based on the information.

  Finally, in the above-described embodiment, the narrowing-down process is performed in step S4. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may make it perform the narrowing-down process which further narrows down the required past report from the past report.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medical image storage and transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the interpretation report search apparatus with which the medical image storage transfer system shown in FIG. 1 is provided. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structured past report table stored in the structured past report preservation | save database with which the image interpretation report search apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is provided. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the interpretation report search operation | movement which the interpretation report search apparatus shown in FIG. 2 performs. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the list | wrist formed according to the interpretation report search operation | movement shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

9 Interpretation report search device 9d Storage unit

Claims (5)

A storage unit for storing a set of minimum semantic units, which is report information in which the created interpretation report is structured and converted by the minimum semantic units including combinations of words;
Means for structuring an interpretation report being created with the minimum semantic unit and converting it into the set of minimum semantic units;
The converted set of minimum semantic units of the interpretation report being created and the set of minimum semantic units of the created interpretation report stored in the storage unit are compared, and Means for searching for the created interpretation report similar to the interpretation report;
An image interpretation report retrieval apparatus comprising: Means for structuring the created interpretation report in the minimum semantic unit and converting it into the set of minimum semantic units;
Means for registering the set of minimum semantic units of the created interpretation report that has been converted into the storage unit;
The image interpretation report search apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The searching means searches the created interpretation report similar to the created interpretation report from the storage unit based on incidental information attached to the created interpretation report, narrows down, and narrows down the creation Compares the set of minimum semantic units of the completed interpretation report with the set of minimum semantic units of the created interpretation report that has been converted, and is similar to the interpretation report being created from the narrowed-down created interpretation report The interpretation report search apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the created interpretation report is searched.   4. The interpretation report search apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the minimum semantic unit is composed of a combination of a finding name, a part name, and a word of determinism.   4. The interpretation report search device according to claim 1, wherein the minimum semantic unit is composed of a combination of a diagnosis name, a part name, and a word of determinism.

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