JP2009072366A - Medical image processor, medical image processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve efficiency of analyzing or referring to a medical image by a doctor when dividing the medical images of the same series into the groups of different series. <P>SOLUTION: When dividing the medical image data frame group of the same series received from a modality into the groups of the different series, an image inspection apparatus adds an additional range M1 to the initial division range A1 of a chest part specified by a user operation or the like and sets a composite division range B1. Also, similarly, an additional range M2 is added to the initial division range A2 of an abdominal part and a composite division range B2 is set. Then, the group of the medical image data frame groups corresponding to the composite division ranges B1 and B2 is generated and the series IDs of the medical image data frames of the respective groups are turned to different values. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical image processing apparatus, a medical image processing method, and a program.

  In the medical field, medical images taken of patients are digitized and handled. Specifically, digital image data (hereinafter referred to as “modality”) such as a CR (Computed Radiography) device, a CT (Computed Tomography) device, or an MR (Magnetic Resonance) device is used. (Referred to as “medical image data”). The generated medical image data is stored and managed by a system called PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System for medical application) (see Patent Document 1).

  The medical image data has a data format conforming to the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) standard, and includes image data of a medical image and accompanying information related to the image data. DICOM is a standard for communication and storage format of medical images, and intercompatibility between different medical devices is ensured by complying with this standard.

  Here, medical image data corresponding to one medical image is referred to as a medical image data frame. The incidental information includes patient information, examination information, and series information. Patient information is data set for each patient, such as the reception number, name, patient ID, and sex of the patient to be photographed. The examination information is data indicating examination conditions such as an examination ID for identifying an examination ordered by a doctor, an examination site, an imaging direction, and a body position.

  The series information is data including a series ID indicating a unit (series) of a series of medical images for each modality generated in one examination and a type of modality. For example, in a certain examination, it is assumed that 100 medical images of the chest are taken with a CT apparatus, and then 100 medical images of the abdomen are taken. In this case, the medical image data frame (100 frames) related to the medical image of the chest and the medical image data frame (100 frames) related to the medical image of the abdomen are in different series, and each series ID has a different value. For example, the series ID of the medical image data frame (100 frames) related to the medical image of the chest is “1”, and the series ID of the medical image data frame (100 frames) related to the medical image of the abdomen is “2”.

  By the way, in the medical field, in order to reduce the burden on the patient who is the subject of taking a medical image, there is an opportunity to take the whole body together without taking the medical image of the chest and the medical image of the abdomen separately. There are many. Specifically, in a single imaging operation with a CT apparatus, a series of a plurality of continuous images from the chest to the abdomen, from the upper part to the lower part of the human body, or from the abdomen to the chest, from the lower part to the upper part of the human body. Take medical images of.

Therefore, the medical image data frame regarding the medical image of the chest and the medical image data frame regarding the medical image of the abdomen are in the same series. In view of this, an operation for dividing the medical image data frames relating to the medical images of the abdomen and the chest into groups of different series is performed as appropriate after completion of imaging. Specifically, the position to be divided (division position) is determined and divided into a group of medical image data frames relating to medical images above the division position and a group of medical image data frames relating to medical images below.
JP 2002-132557 A

  However, if the division position is inappropriate, for example, if the lesion part has come close to the division position, the interpreting physician needs to refer to the two divided medical image data frames. The efficiency was bad.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. The purpose of the present invention is to interpret or refer to medical images by a doctor when medical images of the same series are divided into different series groups. Is to increase the efficiency.

In order to solve the above problem, a medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1 is provided.
A first setting means for setting one or a plurality of division ranges from a whole range of the series of slice images for a series of slice images continuously captured by the medical image generation device;
A new divided range is set by adding the range of one or a plurality of slice images continuous to the slice image located at the leading end and / or the trailing end of the divided range to the divided range set by the first setting unit. Second setting means to perform,
Is provided.

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1,
The medical image processing apparatus includes:
Operation means that allows the user to enter keys,
Further comprising
The first setting means sets a division range based on the operation signal input from the operation means.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2,
The medical image data frame includes image data of a slice image and incidental information related to the slice image,
The medical image processing apparatus includes:
Acquisition means for acquiring site specifying information for specifying a shooting site of a subject from each medical image data frame corresponding to a series of slice images taken continuously;
Further comprising
The first setting means sets a division range based on the part specifying information acquired by the acquisition means.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 3,
The first setting means sets the division range so as to correspond to each part based on the part specifying information acquired by the acquiring part.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 3 or 4,
The part specifying information is included in the incidental information.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 3 or 4,
The medical image processing apparatus includes:
Generating means for analyzing the image data and generating image signal distribution information;
Further comprising
The part specifying information is the image signal distribution information.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 3 or 4,
The medical image processing apparatus includes:
Generating means for analyzing the image data and generating a profile;
Further comprising
The part specifying information is the profile.

The medical image processing method according to claim 8 comprises:
A first setting step for setting one or a plurality of divided ranges from the entire range of the series of slice images for a series of slice images continuously captured by the medical image generation device;
A new divided range is set by adding the range of one or a plurality of slice images continuous to the slice image located at the leading end and / or the trailing end of the divided range to the divided range set in the first setting step. A second setting step;
Have

The program according to claim 9 is:
Computer
A first setting means for setting one or a plurality of divided ranges from a whole range of the series of slice images with respect to a series of slice images continuously photographed by the medical image generation device;
A new divided range is set by adding the range of one or a plurality of slice images continuous to the slice image located at the leading end and / or the trailing end of the divided range to the divided range set by the first setting unit. Second setting means,
To function as.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when the medical image of the same series is divided | segmented into the group of a different series, the efficiency of the interpretation or reference of a medical image by a doctor can be improved.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[System configuration of medical imaging system]
FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of the medical image system 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the medical image system 100 includes an RIS 10, a modality 20, an imaging device 30, and a PACS 40, and each device is connected via a communication network N so that data communication is possible. ing.

  The RIS 10 is configured by a computer having a control unit, a storage unit, an operation unit, a display unit, a communication unit, and the like, and performs information management such as medical appointment reservation, diagnosis result report, results management, and material inventory management in the radiology department. . The RIS 10 accepts registration of the inspection order by the operator. Then, based on the registered inspection order, inspection order information is generated and transmitted to the modality 20 and the image inspection device 30.

  The examination order information is data indicating the contents of the examination order for imaging and diagnosis, and includes patient information, examination information, and series information.

  The modality 20 is a medical image generation apparatus such as a CT apparatus or an MRI apparatus, and is based on the DICOM standard based on the data signal of the medical image obtained by imaging according to the operation of the imaging engineer and the examination order information received from the RIS 10. Medical image data that is digital data conforming to the above is generated. The modality 20 transmits the generated medical image data to the imaging device 30. In the present embodiment, the modality 20 will be described as a CT apparatus. The medical image here refers to all images generated by an imaging method specific to each modality. In the following description, a medical image generated by a modality such as a CT apparatus or an MRI apparatus capable of continuous tomography among medical images is particularly referred to as a slice image.

  FIG. 2 shows the data structure of one frame of medical image data (hereinafter referred to as “medical image data frame”). The medical image data frame is composed of image data corresponding to one medical image and accompanying information related to the medical image. The incidental information includes patient information, examination information, and series information.

  In one series, the modality 20 generates, for example, medical image data of several hundred slice images (a series of slice images taken continuously) of a patient (subject). In other words, the modality 20 generates several hundreds of medical image data frames in one series, and transmits these medical image data frames to the imaging device 30.

  The image inspection apparatus 30 is a medical image processing apparatus for confirming or changing medical image data. The image inspection device 30 receives medical image data from the modality 20. Also, inspection order information is received from the RIS 10.

  When the received medical image data needs to be corrected, the image detection device 30 changes the incidental information or the image data, and transmits the medical image data to the PACS 40. When the received medical image data does not need to be corrected, the image detection device 30 transmits the medical image data to the PACS 40 without changing the incidental information and the image data.

  A specific example of the processing performed by the image inspection device 30 is series division processing. The series division process will be described later.

  The imaging device 30 can be configured to determine whether or not the received medical image data needs to be modified and to change the accompanying information or the image data based on the examination order information received from the RIS 10 by setting. It has become.

  The PACS 40 is a medical image management apparatus that stores and manages medical image data. In the present embodiment, the PACS 40 will be described as one device. The PACS 40 receives the medical image data from the imaging device 30 and accumulates and stores the medical image data. These medical image data are transmitted to the client device in response to an acquisition request from a client device of the PACS 40 (not shown). Then, the client device displays a medical image and supplementary information based on the received medical image data.

[Functional structure of image inspection device]
FIG. 3 shows a functional configuration of the image inspection device 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the imaging device 30 includes a control unit 31, an operation unit 32, a display unit 33, a communication unit 34, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 35, a temporary memory 36, and the like. 37 is connected.

  The control unit 31 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The control unit 31 reads various processing programs stored in the ROM 35, develops them in a work area formed in the RAM, and comprehensively controls each unit of the imaging device 30 according to the program.

  The operation unit 32 includes a keyboard having cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, and the like, and a pointing device such as a mouse, and controls an instruction signal input by key operation or mouse operation on the keyboard. To 31.

  The display unit 33 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays an input instruction, data, and the like from the operation unit 32 in accordance with an instruction of a display signal input from the control unit 31.

  The communication unit 34 includes a LAN (Local Area Network) adapter, a router, a TA (Terminal Adapter), and the like, and transmits and receives data to and from external devices such as the RIS 10, the modality 20, and the PACS 40 connected via the communication network N. I do.

  The ROM 35 is configured by a nonvolatile semiconductor memory or the like, and stores various processing programs executed by the control unit 31, various data, and the like. These various programs are stored in the form of readable program codes, and the control unit 31 sequentially executes operations according to the program codes.

  The temporary memory 36 is a memory for temporarily storing the medical image data frame received from the modality 20.

  The control unit 31 temporarily stores the medical image data frame received from the modality 20 by the communication unit 34 in the temporary memory 36. In the present embodiment, several hundreds of medical image data frames corresponding to continuous slice images are transmitted from the modality 20 per series. The control unit 31 temporarily stores all the medical image data frames in the temporary memory 36.

  The control unit 31 reads the medical image data frame stored in the temporary memory 36 and performs series division processing or the like on the medical image data frame. Then, these medical image data frames are transmitted to the PACS 40.

[Series division processing]
Next, an outline of series division processing will be described. In the series division process, the control unit 31 sets the entire range of a plurality of consecutive slice images (a series of slice images captured continuously) of the patient received from the modality 20 by the control unit 31. This is a process of dividing into one or a plurality of predetermined ranges (hereinafter referred to as division ranges) and grouping for each medical image data frame corresponding to slice images in each division range. Grouping is performed by rewriting the series information of each medical image data frame. Note that the series information of each medical image data frame corresponding to a plurality of consecutive slice images of the patient received from the modality 20 has the same value.

  Here, consider a case where the entire range of a plurality of consecutive slice images composed of the chest and abdomen of a patient is divided into a divided range corresponding to the slice image of the chest and a divided range corresponding to the slice image of the abdomen. At this time, it is assumed that the series ID (series information) of the medical image data frame corresponding to the entire slice image range received from the modality 20 is 1.

  In this case, the control unit 31 changes the series ID of the medical image data frame corresponding to the division range of the chest slice image to 1 and the series ID of the medical image data frame corresponding to the division range of the abdominal slice image to 2. .

  As a result, a medical image data frame group (whole body series) corresponding to the entire range of a plurality of consecutive slice images consisting of a chest and an abdomen with a series ID of 1 is divided into a range of division of a slice image of the chest with a series ID of 1 Are divided into a medical image data frame group (abdominal series) corresponding to the division range of the abdominal slice image whose series ID is 2.

  Further, the control unit 31 sets an additional range in addition to the division range, and adds this additional range to the division range to form a new division range. Hereinafter, the division range before adding the addition range is referred to as an initial division range, and the new division range to which the addition range is added is referred to as a synthesis division range.

  With reference to FIG. 4, the series division processing considering the additional range performed by the control unit 31 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of the series division process considering the additional range. The whole-body slice image group SL1 includes medical image data frames corresponding to 1000 consecutive slice images of the patient received from the modality 20. The medical image data frames of the whole-body slice image group SL1 are arranged so as to correspond to slice images from the upper part to the lower part of the human body, such as from the chest to the abdomen. The series ID of the medical image data frame of the whole body slice image group SL1 is “1”.

  Here, the control unit 31 sets an initial division range corresponding to the chest (hereinafter referred to as initial division range A1) and an initial division range corresponding to the abdomen (hereinafter referred to as initial division range A2). Further, the control unit 31 sets an additional range of the chest (hereinafter referred to as an additional range M1) and an additional range of the abdomen (hereinafter referred to as an additional range M2). The initial division range A1 is the first to 500th slice images, and the initial division range A2 is the 501st to 1000th slice images. The additional range M1 is from the 501st sheet to the 550th sheet, and the additional range M2 is from the 451st sheet to the 500th sheet. That is, each of the additional ranges M1 and M2 is 50 slice images. Here, the direction from the first slice image to the 500th image (similarly, from the 501st sheet to the 1000th sheet) is referred to as a continuous direction.

  Next, the control unit 31 adds the additional range M1 to the initial divided range A1 to obtain a combined divided range B1. Further, an additional range M2 is added to the initial division range A2 to obtain a synthesis division range B2.

  That is, the control unit 31 includes, in the initial division range A1, a range (additional range M1) of slice images (501st to 550th) continuous to the slice image (500th) located at the tip of the initial division range A1. ) To obtain a composite division range B1.

  Similarly, the control unit 31 adds, to the initial division range A2, a range of slice images (451st to 500th) that are continuous to the slice image (501st) located at the rear end of the initial division range A2. The range M2) is added to obtain a composite division range B2.

  As a result, the synthesis division range B1 is from the first slice image to the 550th slice image, and the synthesis division range B2 is from the 451th slice image to the 1000th slice image.

  Next, the control part 31 produces | generates the replication of the medical image data frame corresponding to the slice image of synthetic | combination division | segmentation range B1, based on whole body slice image group SL1. Here, the series ID of these generated medical image data frames is “1”.

  Next, the control part 31 produces | generates the replication of the medical image data frame corresponding to the slice image of the synthetic | combination division | segmentation range B2, based on whole body slice image group SL1. Then, the series ID of the generated medical image data frame is changed to “2”.

  Through these processes, the medical image data frame (whole body series) of the whole body slice image group SL1 with the series ID of 1, the medical image data frame group (chest series) corresponding to the composite division range B1 with the series ID of 1, and the series That is, the image data is divided into medical image data frame groups (abdominal series) corresponding to the combined division range B2 with ID = 2.

  Thus, even when there is a lesion near the boundary between the initial division range A1 and the initial division range A2, such as the 490th sheet to the 510th sheet, the addition range M1 is added to the initial division range A1 and combined. By setting the division range B1, an interpreting doctor or the like can read a lesion by referring to a medical image data frame of the chest series. Similarly, by adding the additional range M2 to the initial division range A2 and setting the composite division range B2, an interpreting doctor or the like refers to a medical image data frame of the abdominal series and interprets a lesion or the like. It can be carried out.

  The control unit 31 sets an initial division range A1, an initial division range A2, an addition range M1, and an addition range M2 based on an operation signal from the operation unit 32 by a user operation.

  For example, the control unit 31 causes the display unit 33 to display continuous slice images from the upper part to the lower part of the human body based on the image data of each medical image data frame of the whole body slice image group SL1. Then, the user designates the initial division range A1 and the initial division range A2 by key input to the operation unit 32. Then, the control unit 31 sets the initial division range A1 and the initial division range A2 based on the operation signal from the operation unit 32.

  Further, the control unit 31 displays an input box for designating an additional range. Then, the user designates the number of slice images as an additional range by key input to the operation unit 32. Then, the control unit 31 sets the additional range M1 and the additional range M2 based on the operation signal from the operation unit 32. Here, the additional ranges M1 and M2 designated by the user may be common values or different values.

[Specific operation]
A specific operation of the series division process will be described with reference to FIG. First, the communication unit 34 receives a medical image data frame group of several hundred consecutive slice images including the subject's chest and abdomen from the modality 20 (step S1).

  Then, the control unit 31 sets an initial division range A1 corresponding to the chest and an initial division range A2 corresponding to the abdomen in several hundred slice images based on an operation signal from the operation unit 32 by a user operation (step) S2). Then, the control unit 31 sets an additional range M1 corresponding to the chest and an additional range M2 corresponding to the abdomen based on an operation signal from the operation unit 32 by a user operation (step S3).

  Then, the control unit 31 adds the additional range M1 corresponding to the chest to the initial division range A1 corresponding to the chest, and sets the composite division range B1 corresponding to the new chest (Step S4). Next, the control unit 31 adds the additional range M2 corresponding to the abdomen to the initial division range A2 corresponding to the abdomen, and sets the composite division range B2 corresponding to the new abdomen (step S5).

  Then, the control unit 31 copies the medical image data frame corresponding to the slice image in the combined division range B1 corresponding to the chest from the medical image data frame group received in step S1, and combines the series ID of 1. A copy of the medical image data frame corresponding to the slice image in the divided range B1 is generated (step S6).

  Further, the control unit 31 copies the medical image data frame corresponding to the slice image in the combined divided range B2 corresponding to the abdomen from the medical image data frame group received in step S1, and the slice image in the combined divided range B2 A copy of the medical image data frame corresponding to is generated. Then, the series ID of these medical image data frames is changed to 2 (step S7).

  Then, the control unit 31 transmits the generated medical image data frame in steps S6 and S7 to the PACS 40 via the communication unit 34 as a chest series and abdominal series (step S8).

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when dividing the medical image data frame group of the same series received from the modality 20 into different series groups, the initial division range of the chest designated by the user operation An additional range M1 is added to A1, and a composite division range B1 is set. Further, the additional range M2 is added to the abdomen initial division range A2 designated by the user operation, and the composite division range B2 is set.

  Therefore, even when there is a lesion in the vicinity of the boundary between the initial division range A1 and the initial division range A2, this lesion covers both the synthetic division range B1 and the synthetic division range B2. This lesion image will be included. Further, the image of the lesion is not interrupted on the way. Therefore, even if an interpreting doctor or the like refers to a medical image data frame of the same series, there is no problem in interpreting a lesion.

  In the modality 20, even when the whole body is photographed at one time, it is as if two parts near the boundary between the initial division range A1 and the initial division range A2 (specifically, the slice images of the 451st to 550th images) A group of slice images as if they were photographed in layers can be obtained, and the photographing efficiency is also increased.

[Modification in First Embodiment]
Next, a modification of the first embodiment is shown.

  The control unit 31 sets the series ID of the medical image data frame corresponding to the slice image in the initial division range A1 to 1, the series ID of the medical image data frame corresponding to the slice image in the additional range M1, and the slice in the initial division range A2. The series ID of the medical image data frame corresponding to the image is 3, and the series ID of the medical image data frame corresponding to the slice image in the additional range M2 is 4.

  Then, the control unit 31 generates association information that associates the series IDs “1” and “2” with the series IDs “3” and “4”.

  Then, the control unit 31 transmits each medical image data frame group having the series IDs “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4” and the association information to the PACS 40 via the communication unit 34. .

  Then, based on the association information, the PACS 40 generates a medical image data frame group corresponding to the slice image in the combined divided range B1 and a medical image data frame group corresponding to the slice image corresponding to the combined divided range B2. . In this way, the PACS 40 can cope with series division considering the additional range.

  Furthermore, the PACS 40 supports series division without considering the additional range by referring only to the medical image data frame group with the series ID “1” and the medical image data frame group with the series ID “3”. You can also.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In this description, parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows the data structure of a medical image data frame. The medical image data frame is composed of image data corresponding to one medical image and accompanying information related to the medical image. The incidental information includes patient information, examination information, series information, and slice position information. Here, the slice position information is slice position information obtained by continuous tomography using a CT apparatus, MR apparatus, or the like. In continuous tomography, the value of the slice position information corresponding to the slice image photographed on the first sheet is the reference position and is “0 cm”. In addition, the value of the slice position information captured after the second image is a distance from the imaging position (reference position) of the first medical image. For example, the value is “22 cm”.

[Series division processing]
Next, an outline of series division processing will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the initial division range A1 and the initial division range A2 are automatically set based on the slice position information without depending on the user operation.

  The control unit 31 sets an initial division range A1 and an initial division range A2 based on slice position information included in the medical image data frame.

  Specifically, the control unit 31 sequentially obtains slice position information from the medical image data frame corresponding to the slice image captured first to the medical image data frame corresponding to the last captured slice image. Read (acquire) and determine whether the read slice position information is greater than the set value or less than the set value. Here, the slice position information is part specifying information for specifying the imaging part of the patient. The set value is set in advance by a user operation or the like based on an empirical rule or the like.

  When the read slice position information is larger than the set value, the control unit 31 sets the initial division range from the slice image captured first to the slice image immediately preceding the slice image corresponding to the read slice position information. Let A1. Also, the initial divided range A2 is defined from the slice image corresponding to the read slice position information to the last slice image taken.

[Specific operation]
A specific operation of the setting process of the initial division range A1 and the initial division range A2 based on the slice position information will be described with reference to FIG. This setting process corresponds to step S2 in FIG. 5 in the first embodiment.

  First, the control unit 31 processes the first medical image data frame received from the modality 20 among the medical image data frame group of several hundred consecutive slice images including the chest and abdomen of the subject. (Step S101). These medical image data frames are arranged in the order corresponding to the slice images from the top to the bottom of the subject.

  Next, the control unit 31 reads slice position information of the medical image data frame to be processed (step S102). Then, the control unit 31 compares the value of the read slice position information with the set value (step S103). If the value of the slice position information is equal to or smaller than the set value as a result of the comparison (step S103; No), it is determined whether there is a medical image data frame to be processed next (step S104).

  As a result of the determination, if there is a next medical image data frame (step S104; Yes), the control unit 31 sets the next medical image data frame as a processing target (step S105), reads slice position information (step S102), continue processing.

  If the result of determination in step S104 is that there is no medical image data frame to be processed next (step S104; No), the processing ends without performing series division processing (step S107). Specifically, the control unit 31 does not perform the processing of steps S3 to S8 in FIG. 5 in the first embodiment, and receives several hundred slice images including the chest and abdomen of the subject received from the modality 20. Are transmitted as a whole body series to the PACS 40 via the communication unit 34.

  As a result of the comparison in step S103, when the value of the slice position information is larger than the set value (step S103; Yes), it is determined whether there is a medical image data frame immediately before the medical image data frame to be processed. Determination is made (step S106). As a result of the determination, if there is no previous medical image data frame (step S106; No), the process is terminated without performing the series division process (step S107).

  If the result of determination in step S106 is that there is a previous medical image data frame (step S106; Yes), the control unit 31 slices from the first medical image data frame to the previous medical image data frame. The image is set as an initial division range A1 of the chest (step S108). Then, the control unit 31 sets the slice image of the last medical image data frame from the medical image data frame to be processed as the initial division range A2 of the abdomen (step S109). Then, the process ends.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the imaging apparatus 30 determines the initial chest based on the slice position information of the medical image data frame received from the modality 20 and the predetermined set value. A division range A1 and an initial abdominal division range A2 are set.

  Therefore, the user can save the trouble of designating the initial division range A1 and the initial division range A2 of the chest by a user operation.

[Third embodiment]
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In this description, parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

[Series division processing]
First, an overview of series division processing will be described. The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the initial division range A1 and the initial division range A2 are automatically set based on the image signal distribution information without depending on the user operation.

  The control unit 31 performs image analysis of the image data of the medical image data frame, and sets the initial division range A1 and the initial division range A2 based on the image signal distribution information (histogram) of the image data.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the control unit 31 generates a histogram by performing histogram analysis, which is statistical analysis, on the image data of each medical image data frame. Here, one histogram corresponds to image data of one medical image data frame. The control part 31 specifies the site | part of image data based on this histogram. That is, the histogram of the image data becomes the part specifying information.

  In this histogram, the horizontal axis represents the image signal level (corresponding to density and radiation transmittance), and the vertical axis represents the frequency corresponding to the signal level. The ROM 35 also stores a histogram pattern (hereinafter referred to as a “boundary histogram pattern”) that serves as a boundary between the “chest” and the “abdomen”.

  The control unit 31 reads the boundary histogram pattern from the ROM 35. Then, the control unit 31 compares this boundary histogram pattern with a histogram pattern generated based on the image data of the medical image data frame.

  Here, the control unit 31 includes a histogram pattern generated based on the image data of the medical image data frame in the order of the medical image data frame corresponding to the slice image from the upper part to the lower part of the subject, and the boundary histogram pattern. Compare with.

  As a result of the comparison, when the generated histogram pattern matches the boundary histogram pattern, the control unit 31 starts from the slice image of the first medical image data frame to the slice image that is the basis of the generated histogram. Is the initial division range A1 of the chest. Further, the initial divided range A2 of the abdomen is defined from the slice image that is the basis of the generated histogram to the slice image of the last medical image data frame.

  Note that a known comparison method is adopted for the comparison of the histogram patterns, and the matching of the histogram patterns is not limited to perfect matching.

  With reference to FIG. 9, the series division processing in consideration of the additional range performed by the control unit 31 will be described in detail. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram of series division processing in consideration of the additional range. The whole-body slice image group SL1 includes medical image data frames corresponding to 1000 consecutive slice images of the patient received from the modality 20. The medical image data frames of the whole-body slice image group SL1 are arranged so as to correspond to slice images from the upper part to the lower part of the human body, such as from the chest to the abdomen. The series ID of the medical image data frame of the whole body slice image group SL1 is “1”.

  The control unit 31 sequentially compares the histogram pattern based on the image data of the slice image of the first medical image data frame with the boundary histogram pattern. Assume that the 500th histogram pattern and the boundary histogram pattern match.

  The control unit 31 sets the slice image that is the basis of the matched pattern histogram as the division reference slice image D1 (division position). Then, the initial division range A1 is defined from the slice image of the first medical image data frame to the division reference slice image D1. Further, the initial division range A2 is set from the division reference slice image D1 to the slice image of the last medical image data frame. The initial division range A1 is the first to 500th slice images, and the initial division range A2 is the 500th to 1000th slice images. The additional range M1 is from the 501st sheet to the 550th sheet, and the additional range M2 is from the 450th sheet to the 499th sheet. That is, each of the additional ranges M1 and M2 is 50 slice images.

  Next, the control unit 31 adds the additional range M1 to the initial divided range A1 to obtain a combined divided range B1. Further, an additional range M2 is added to the initial division range A2 to obtain a synthesis division range B2. That is, the composite division range B1 is from the first slice image to the 550th slice image, and the composite division range B2 is from the 450th slice image to the 1000th slice image.

  Next, the control part 31 produces | generates the replication of the medical image data frame corresponding to the slice image of synthetic | combination division | segmentation range B1, based on whole body slice image group SL1. Here, the series ID of these generated medical image data frames is “1”.

  Next, the control part 31 produces | generates the replication of the medical image data frame corresponding to the slice image of the synthetic | combination division | segmentation range B2, based on whole body slice image group SL1. Then, the series ID of the generated medical image data frame is changed to “2”.

  Through these processes, the medical image data frame (whole body series) of the whole body slice image group SL1 with the series ID of 1, the medical image data frame group (chest series) corresponding to the composite division range B1 with the series ID of 1, and the series That is, the image data is divided into medical image data frame groups (abdominal series) corresponding to the combined division range B2 with ID = 2.

[Specific operation]
A specific operation of the setting process of the initial division range A1 and the initial division range A2 based on the histogram will be described with reference to FIG. This setting process corresponds to step S2 in FIG. 5 in the first embodiment.

  First, the control unit 31 performs histogram analysis on each image data of a group of medical image data frames of several hundred slice images including the chest and abdomen of the subject received from the modality 20 to generate a histogram. (Step S201).

  Next, the control unit 31 reads a boundary histogram pattern from the ROM 35 (step S202). Then, the control unit 31 sets the first medical image data frame in the received medical image data frame group as a processing target (step S203). These medical image data frames are arranged in the order corresponding to the slice images from the top to the bottom of the subject.

  Next, the control unit 31 compares the histogram pattern generated based on the image data of the medical image data frame to be processed with the boundary histogram pattern (step S204). If the comparison result shows that the generated histogram pattern does not match the boundary histogram pattern (step S205; No), it is determined whether there is a medical image data frame to be processed next (step S206).

  As a result of the determination, if there is a next medical image data frame (step S206; Yes), the control unit 31 sets the next medical image data frame as a processing target (step S207) and compares histogram patterns (step S204). ),continue processing.

  If the result of determination in step S206 is that there is no medical image data frame to be processed next (step S206; No), the processing is terminated without performing series division processing (step S209). Specifically, the control unit 31 does not perform the processing of steps S3 to S8 in FIG. 5 in the first embodiment, and receives several hundred slice images including the chest and abdomen of the subject received from the modality 20. Are transmitted as a whole body series to the PACS 40 via the communication unit 34.

  As a result of the comparison in step S204, when the generated histogram pattern matches the boundary histogram pattern (step S205; Yes), the medical image data frame to be processed is the first or last medical image data. It is determined whether it is a frame (step S208). As a result of the determination, if it is the first or last (step S208; Yes), the process ends without performing the series division process (step S209).

  If the result of determination in step S208 is the first and not the last (step S208; No), the slice image from the first medical image data frame to the medical image data frame to be processed is the initial division range of the chest. A1 is set (step S210). Then, the slice image from the medical image data frame to be processed to the last medical image data frame is set as the initial division range A2 of the abdomen (step S211). Then, the process ends. Here, the slice image corresponding to the medical image data frame to be processed is the division reference slice image D1.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the image inspection device 30 performs histogram analysis on each image data of the medical image data frame group received from the modality 20 to generate a histogram. Then, based on the generated histogram and the boundary histogram pattern, an initial division range A1 for the chest and an initial division range A2 for the abdomen are set.

  Therefore, the user can save time and effort to specify the initial division range A1 of the chest and the initial division range A2 of the abdomen by the user operation.

  In the third embodiment, the histogram of the image data is used as the part specifying information, but the profile of the image data may be used as the part specifying information.

  Here, the profile represents the change in the pixel value on an arbitrary line segment of the image by taking the position on the line segment on the horizontal axis and the pixel value on the vertical axis.

  In this case, the control unit 31 generates a profile on a predetermined line segment based on the image data of each medical image data frame. Here, one profile corresponds to image data of one medical image data frame.

  Further, the ROM 35 stores a profile pattern (boundary profile pattern) on a predetermined line segment of the slice image serving as the boundary between the “chest” and the “abdomen”.

  The control unit 31 reads the boundary profile pattern from the ROM 35. Then, the control unit 31 compares the boundary profile pattern with a profile generated based on the image data of the medical image data frame.

[Modification 1]
The medical image system 100 in the first to third embodiments may be configured by adding the distribution server 50, and the PACS 40 may have the function of series division processing performed by the image inspection device 30.

  A specific example will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the medical image system 100 includes an RIS 10, a modality 20, an imaging device 30, a PACS 40, and a distribution server 50, and each device transmits data via a communication network N. It is connected so that it can communicate.

  The distribution server 50 is a device that distributes medical image data to an electronic medical chart terminal or the like having an electronic medical chart function (not shown). Upon receiving a medical image browsing request from an electronic medical record terminal or the like, the distribution server 50 transmits a medical image data acquisition request to the PACS 40. The PACS 40 transmits medical image data to the distribution server 50 in response to this acquisition request. The distribution server 50 distributes the acquired medical image data to an electronic medical record terminal or the like.

  When transmitting the medical image data to the distribution server 50, the PACS 40 adds the additional range M1 to the initial division range A1 of the chest designated by the user operation, and sets the composite division range B1. Further, the additional range M2 is added to the abdomen initial division range A2 designated by the user operation, and the composite division range B2 is set. Then, the whole body series is divided into a chest series corresponding to the composite division range B1 and an abdominal series corresponding to the composite division range B2. Then, each of these series (each medical image data frame group) is transmitted to the distribution server 50.

[Modification 2]
In the first to third embodiments, in the series division process, the imaging apparatus 30 uses two pieces of medical image data having different series information from a group (whole body series) of medical image data frames having the same series information. Although the frame is divided into groups (chest series and abdominal series), it may be divided into a plurality of groups of three or more having different series information. At that time, in an initial division range surrounded by both ends of another initial division range, an additional range may be added to both ends of the initial division range to generate a combined division range.

[Modification 3]
In the second embodiment, the imaging apparatus 30 performs the series division process based on the slice position information, and in the third embodiment based on the histogram or the profile. Series division processing may be performed.

  For example, the imaging device 30 first performs rough part prediction of the image data of the medical image data frame based on the slice position information, and then determines the part of the image data of the medical image data frame based on the histogram. The division position is determined by specifying, and series division is performed.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a medical image system. It is a data block diagram of a medical image data frame. It is a block diagram of an image inspection apparatus. It is a conceptual diagram of series division processing. It is a flowchart of a series division process. It is a data block diagram of a medical image data frame. It is a flowchart figure of the process which sets the initial division range corresponding to a chest and the initial division range corresponding to an abdomen. It is the conceptual diagram which showed the response | compatibility of a slice image and a histogram. It is a conceptual diagram of series division processing. It is a flowchart figure of the process which sets the initial division range corresponding to a chest and the initial division range corresponding to an abdomen. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a medical image system including a distribution server.

Explanation of symbols

10 RIS
20 modality 30 imaging device 31 control unit 32 operation unit 33 display unit 34 communication unit 35 ROM
36 Temporary memory 37 Bus 40 PACS
50 Distribution Server 100 Medical Image System A1 Initial Division Range A2 Initial Division Range B1 Composite Division Range B2 Composite Division Range D1 Division Reference Slice Image M1 Additional Range M2 Additional Range N Communication Network

Claims (9)

A first setting means for setting one or a plurality of division ranges from a whole range of the series of slice images for a series of slice images continuously captured by the medical image generation device;
A new divided range is set by adding the range of one or a plurality of slice images continuous to the slice image located at the leading end and / or the trailing end of the divided range to the divided range set by the first setting unit. Second setting means to perform,
A medical image processing apparatus comprising: The medical image processing apparatus includes:
Operation means that allows the user to enter keys,
Further comprising
The first setting means sets a division range based on an operation signal input from the operation means.
The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The medical image data frame includes image data of a slice image and incidental information related to the slice image,
The medical image processing apparatus includes:
Acquisition means for acquiring site specifying information for specifying a shooting site of a subject from each medical image data frame corresponding to a series of slice images taken continuously;
Further comprising
The first setting unit sets a division range based on the part specifying information acquired by the acquiring unit.
The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The first setting means sets the division range so as to correspond to each part based on the part specifying information acquired by the acquiring part.
The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 3. The part specifying information is included in the incidental information.
The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4. The medical image processing apparatus includes:
Generating means for analyzing the image data and generating image signal distribution information;
Further comprising
The part specifying information is the image signal distribution information.
The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4. The medical image processing apparatus includes:
Generating means for analyzing the image data and generating a profile;
Further comprising
The part specifying information is the profile.
The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4. A first setting step for setting one or a plurality of divided ranges from the entire range of the series of slice images for a series of slice images continuously captured by the medical image generation device;
A new divided range is set by adding the range of one or a plurality of slice images continuous to the slice image located at the leading end and / or the trailing end of the divided range to the divided range set in the first setting step. A second setting step;
A medical image processing method. Computer
A first setting means for setting one or a plurality of division ranges from a whole range of the series of slice images for a series of slice images continuously taken by the medical image generation device;
A new divided range is set by adding the range of one or a plurality of slice images continuous to the slice image located at the leading end and / or the trailing end of the divided range to the divided range set by the first setting unit. Second setting means,
Program to function as.

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