JP2009061028A - Image processing apparatus and medical workstation equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus or the like which allows an operator to prepare a medical image efficiently with an easy operation. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus 10 comprises a memory section 18, an input section 11, a processing section 13 and an output section 14, and prepares a three-dimensional medical image of the inside of a patient's body in response to directions from an operator. The memory section 18 stores command candidates or the like which are likely to be used in steps necessary for completing a medical image while corresponding the command candidates to types of the medical images. The processing section 13 reads a command candidate from the memory means 18 in response to a desired type of a medical image selected by the operator and displays it on a display 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a medical workstation used to create a predetermined medical image (for example, a three-dimensional image) using an original image obtained by imaging a patient. In particular, the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a medical workstation that enable an operator to efficiently create a medical image with a simpler operation.

Medical fluoroscopic imaging devices include CT (Computed Tomography) scanners and MRI (Magnetic).
There are a Resonance Imaging (PET) apparatus, a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a CT angio apparatus, an MR angio apparatus, and the like. In recent years, a predetermined region of interest in a patient is three-dimensionalized using a plurality of cross-sectional images (original images) obtained from these fluoroscopic imaging apparatuses.
According to such a technique, a region of interest inside a patient that is difficult to understand only by a tomographic image can be visualized three-dimensionally, which is very useful for early detection of diseases.
JP 2003-190102 A

  By the way, in recent years, a medical workstation (comprising a computer and a display) for creating a medical image as described above has advanced in functionality, and a finer image can be obtained. On the other hand, the operation is complicated, and sufficient experience and familiarity are required to use it. Similar problems may occur not only when creating a three-dimensional image but also when creating a two-dimensional image.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and its purpose is used to create a predetermined medical image (for example, a three-dimensional image) using an original image obtained by imaging a patient. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and a medical workstation that allow an operator to efficiently create a medical image with a simpler operation.

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus of the present invention comprises:
A storage unit that stores data of an original image obtained by imaging a patient, and data of a command for image processing;
An input unit for receiving instructions from an operator;
A processing unit that recognizes the command selected by an operator and performs image processing corresponding to the command on the original image;
An output unit that displays an image subjected to image processing by the processing unit on a display;
An image processing apparatus for a medical workstation, comprising:
In the storage unit, the candidate data of the command and / or the candidate of the original image that may be used in the process until the completion of the medical image is stored in association with the type of the medical image. And
The processor is
Corresponding to the type of the medical image to be created, selected by the operator, the command candidate and / or original image candidate data is read from the storage unit, and the command candidate and / or the Alternatively, original image candidates are displayed on the display.

  According to such a configuration, it is necessary to create the medical image corresponding to the type of medical image to be created (for example, whether “blood vessel” or “intestine” is extracted). Only the correct commands are displayed on the display. Accordingly, since no extra commands or the like are displayed, the operator can efficiently create a medical image with a simple operation.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the processing unit may have a function of recognizing a keyword input by an operator via the input unit and performing a keyword search for data in the storage unit. Further, the processing unit may have a language recognition function for recognizing an operator's voice input via the input unit as a natural language.

The image processing apparatus of the present invention also has
The processing unit is
Recognize the type, order and number of commands actually used in the process until the completion of the medical image, and / or the type of the original image used, and store it in the storage means as statistical data Function
A function of preferentially displaying the command candidates and / or original image candidates that are frequently used on the display based on statistical data in the storage unit in the next work. .

  The medical workstation of the present invention includes the image processing apparatus of the present invention and a display.

  As described above, according to the present invention, only commands that may be used are displayed on the display according to the type of medical image that the operator wants to create. Medical images can be efficiently created with simple operations.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a medical workstation according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the medical workstation 1 according to the present embodiment includes an image processing apparatus 10 including a computer, and a display 30 connected to the image processing apparatus 10 for displaying a predetermined image. The display 30 can use what is generally marketed, for example.

  The image processing apparatus 10 includes a processing unit 13 that performs various data processing, and a storage unit 18 that includes a hard disk or the like. In addition, all have an external interface 12, an input unit 11, and an output unit 14 connected to the processing unit 13.

As an example, a CT apparatus 60 is connected to the external interface 12. In this case, the data of the cross-sectional image of the patient imaged by the CT apparatus 60 is taken into the image processing apparatus 10 via the interface 12 as an original image.
The image processing apparatus 10 may be connected to a predetermined network 70 in the medical facility via the external interface 12.

  The input unit 11 is a part that receives an instruction from an operator. As shown in FIG. 1, the external input means may be a microphone for inputting an operator's voice. Or a keyboard, a touch panel, a mouse, etc. which are not illustrated may be sufficient.

  The output unit 14 is a display driver, and causes the display 30 to display a medical image (details will be described later) being processed by the processing unit 13 and a command for image processing.

  As an example, a program for operating the image processing apparatus 10 is installed in the storage unit 18, and data of a plurality of commands for processing an image is stored. Examples of “commands” include commands for performing various types of mask processing, changing the shape of an arbitrary part, deleting unnecessary parts, and combining images.

  A plurality of original image data 53 captured by the CT apparatus 60 is temporarily stored in the storage unit 18. The “original image” basically refers to each cross-sectional image captured by the CT apparatus 60, but data (volume data) obtained by collecting a plurality of original images is also referred to as “original image” hereinafter. Express. The storage unit 18 also stores a data table 55 that stores command candidates that may be used in the process until a medical image is completed in association with the type of the medical image. This will be described later with reference to other drawings.

  The processing unit 13 displays a predetermined image or command on the display 30 in a manner as shown in FIG. In this example, a medical image 35 (a three-dimensional image of “blood vessels” is shown) being worked is displayed slightly below the center of the screen, and a plurality of icon-like commands 31, 32a, 32b, and 32c are displayed around the medical image 35 Is displayed. The original image (volume data) 33 is displayed at the upper left of the screen.

  The processing unit 13 recognizes predetermined commands 31 and 32 a to 32 c selected by the operator via the input unit 11. Then, image processing corresponding to the selected command is performed on the original image 3. The medical image 35 subjected to the image processing is displayed on the screen of the display 30 in real time.

  In the image processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the storage unit 18 may be used in the process from the start of work to the completion of the medical image so that the operator can perform a series of work more easily and efficiently. Command candidates and / or original image candidate data are stored. As a specific example, a data table 55 as shown in FIG. 2 is stored in the storage unit 18. In this table, there is a possibility of being used until the medical image is completed in association with the type of medical image to be created (parts to be extracted: “blood vessel”, “intestine”, “bone”, etc.) The original image candidate data 56 and the command candidate data 57 are stored. For example, when it is desired to create a three-dimensional image of “blood vessels”, an A-type original image is displayed on the screen, and commands A, B, and D that may be used are displayed on the screen. In this case, for example, the command S used only when creating an intestinal image is not displayed on the screen.

  A method of using the image processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below. An example of performing “keyword search” and an example of providing a “learning function” will be described later. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a series of steps until a medical image is completed.

  First, the operator selects the type of medical image to be created (in this example, a three-dimensional image of blood vessels) by using any external input means such as a mouse, keyboard, or voice input (step S1). This selection information is recognized by the processing unit 13 via the input unit 11. Based on the selection information, the processing unit 13 accesses the storage unit 18 to read data corresponding to the selection information (“blood vessel”) from the data table 55 and displays only necessary commands on the display 30 (step S2). . In this example, only commands A, B, and D are displayed on the display 30 (not shown).

  Next, the operator appropriately selects a command displayed on the screen and proceeds with various image processing (step S3). When the operator selects a command displayed on the screen, the processing unit 13 performs predetermined image processing. The medical image 35 subjected to the image processing is reflected on the screen in real time. The operator deletes unnecessary portions such as bones and organs using various commands by a conventionally known method, and finally extracts only blood vessels to complete a predetermined three-dimensional medical image (steps). S4).

  According to the configuration of the present embodiment described above, only the commands necessary for creating the medical image corresponding to the type of medical image to be created (“blood vessel” in the above example) are displayed on the screen. Thus, the operator can efficiently create a medical image with a simple operation. Note that when the processing unit 13 has a function of recognizing the voice of the operator, the operator can perform the operation more intuitively.

  Next, an example in which some additional functions are added to the above-described basic apparatus configuration will be described.

  The processing unit 13 may have a function of recognizing a keyword input by an operator via the input unit 11 and performing a keyword search for predetermined data in the storage unit 18 using the keyword as a search key.

The “keyword” is not particularly limited, but a name of a part in a patient body to be extracted, an image display format, or the like can be used. Examples of the “display format” include MPR (Multi Planer Reconstruction), MIP (Maximum Intensity).
Projection: maximum value projection image) and CPR (curved Multi Planer Reconstruction).

  Further, based on the result of the keyword search, for example, a display for supporting the work (for example, a message asking the operator what kind of image processing the user wants to perform next, or currently being performed) Display of candidates for the next work predicted from the work, etc.) may appear on the screen.

The processing unit 13 also stores the data of the type, order, and number of times of each command actually used in the process until the medical image 35 is completed, and / or the data of the type of the original image 33 used. You may have the function to memorize | store in the memory | storage part 18 as statistical data. From this statistical data, the usage frequency and tendency of each command can be known. When the operator performs the next work, the processing unit 13 preferentially displays the command candidates and the original image candidates that are frequently used on the display based on the statistical data (visually indicates that the use frequency is high). Display in a manner that can be recognized).
In this way, by analyzing the usage frequency from past work records and displaying a command or the like with a high usage frequency on the screen, the operation can be simplified and the work efficiency can be further improved. Note that the statistical data may include information on a preferred image style, a preferred coloring pattern, and the like.

  Although the present invention has been described with some examples, the image processing apparatus (computer) of the present invention and the medical workstation including the display are not limited to those for creating a three-dimensional image. It may be for creating a two-dimensional image.

  Further, when predetermined image processing necessary for completing a medical image is not performed, the processing unit 13 determines that and alerts the operator, for example, by displaying a warning on the screen. Such a configuration is also possible.

It is a figure which shows one form of the medical workstation of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data table for displaying a command candidate and an original image candidate. It is a flowchart which shows a series of processes until it completes a medical image.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Medical workstation 11 Input part 12 External interface 13 Processing part 30 Display 31, 32 Command 33 Original image 35 Medical image 53 Original image 55 Data table 60 CT apparatus 70 Network

Claims (9)

A storage unit that stores data of an original image obtained by imaging a patient, and data of a command for image processing;
An input unit for receiving instructions from an operator;
A processing unit that recognizes the command selected by an operator and performs image processing corresponding to the command on the original image;
An output unit that displays an image subjected to image processing by the processing unit on a display;
An image processing apparatus for a medical workstation, comprising:
In the storage unit, the candidate data of the command and / or the candidate of the original image that may be used in the process until the completion of the medical image is stored in association with the type of the medical image. And
The processor is
Corresponding to the type of the medical image to be created, selected by the operator, the command candidate and / or original image candidate data is read from the storage unit, and the command candidate and / or the Alternatively, an image processing apparatus for a medical workstation that displays original image candidates on a display. The processor is
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus has a function of recognizing a keyword input by an operator via the input unit and searching for data in the storage unit.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the keyword includes a part name to be extracted. The keywords include MPR (Multi Planer Reconstruction), MIP (Maximum
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, including Intensity Projection (maximum value projection image) and CPR (curved Multi Planer Reconstruction).   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit has a language recognition function for recognizing an operator's voice input via the input unit as a natural language. The processing unit is
Recognize the type, order and number of commands actually used in the process until the completion of the medical image, and / or the type of the original image used, and store it in the storage means as statistical data Function
A function of preferentially displaying the command candidates and / or original image candidates that are frequently used on the display based on statistical data in the storage unit during the next work;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the statistical data includes information on a favorite image style and a favorite coloring pattern. The original image is a plurality of cross-sectional images showing the inside of a patient's living body,
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the created medical image is a three-dimensional image showing an arbitrary part inside a patient's living body.   A medical workstation comprising: the image processing apparatus according to claim 1; and a display connected to the image processing apparatus and displaying the medical image.

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