JP2009125440A - Image diagnostic apparatus and image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for enabling a user to easily view a medical image by further emphasizing the medical image compared with the other regions in a screen. <P>SOLUTION: The template of an image display screen is stored, which is defined by an image display region for displaying the medical image and the other regions and where the area of the image display region occupies 50% or more of the whole image. When the image to be displayed in a display means is transferred to the image display screen, brightness is adjusted by reducing the brightness of the respective pixels of objects to be arranged in the other regions by a prescribed amount, and then, the objects with the brightness adjusted and the medical image are arranged in the template of the image display screen. Thus, the image display screen for displaying the medical image is generated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for displaying a medical image.

  In recent years, a technique for imaging the inside of a subject by an image diagnostic apparatus such as an X-ray CT apparatus, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus, or a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus has been highly developed. Diagnosis by medical images is indispensable in today's medical field.

  The diagnosis using the medical image is performed by displaying the medical image on an image display device including a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT display. This image display device is mounted on an image diagnostic device or an image viewer device, and is installed in an examination room or an interpretation room. In the examination room or the interpretation room, a doctor or engineer is a dark room for observing the image, and the color tone of the screen displaying the medical image is also dark in accordance with this work environment.

  Since the medical image is also an image based on white and black, such as a gray scale, the image display area displaying the medical image and other areas in the screen have similar colors. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to immediately identify where the attention area is arranged in the screen.

  Therefore, a technique for improving the recognition accuracy of character information that overlaps a medical image (see, for example, “Patent Document 1”) and an adjustment parameter that adjusts display gradation conversion characteristics of a display image are automatically adjusted to achieve stable high image quality. The technique (for example, refer to "patent document 2") of obtaining this image is proposed. However, the most important thing is the displayed medical image, and the problem is that this medical image is difficult to see in the same color as the other areas, but both technologies are medically related in relation to the other areas. It did not solve the problem of making images easier to see.

JP 2007-179196 A JP 2007-143982 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to make the medical image easier to see by enhancing the medical image compared to other regions in the screen. Is to provide.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention according to claim 1 displays various screens including an imaging unit that captures a medical image of a subject and an image display screen on which the medical image is arranged. Various templates including an image display screen template which is defined by a display means, an image display area for displaying the medical image, and other areas, and occupies 50% or more of the area of the image display area are stored. A template storage unit, including color arrangement information, arranged in common on the various screens, and on the image display screen, an object storage unit for storing objects arranged in the other areas, and an image taken by the photographing unit Based on the medical image, the object, and the template, one of the various screens is generated and displayed on the display means. A brightness that reduces the brightness of each pixel of the object by a predetermined amount from the brightness corresponding to the color arrangement information when the screen to be displayed on the display means is switched to the image display screen. By arranging the adjusting unit and the object whose brightness has been adjusted by the brightness adjusting unit in another area of the image display screen template, and arranging the medical image captured by the imaging unit in the image display area, Screen generating means for generating the image display screen.

  In order to solve the above problem, an image display device according to the present invention described in claim 4 includes a display unit that displays various screens including an image display screen that displays a medical image, and an image that displays the medical image. Template storage means for storing various templates including an image display screen template that is defined by a display area and other areas, and the area of the image display area occupies 50% or more of the whole, and includes color arrangement information, Based on the object storage means for storing objects arranged in the other areas on the image display screen, the medical image photographed by the photographing means, the object, and the template. Display control means for generating any of the various screens and causing the display means to display the display control means, and the display control means When the screen displayed on the display means is switched to the image display screen, the brightness is adjusted by the brightness adjustment means for reducing the brightness of each pixel of the object by a predetermined amount from the brightness corresponding to the color arrangement information, and the brightness adjustment means. Arranging the adjusted object in the other area of the image display screen template, and arranging the medical image in the image display area to generate the image display screen; and Features.

  According to the first or fourth aspect of the present invention, the screen for displaying the medical image is displayed in an area in which the medical image occupies 50% or more of the whole, and the medical image remains at the original brightness, but the other The area is displayed with the brightness reduced by a predetermined amount, so that the medical image is emphasized and the medical image is easy to see.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a medical image display technique according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image diagnostic apparatus which is one specific example of a medical image display technique according to the present embodiment.

  An image diagnostic apparatus is an apparatus that captures a medical image that is an image inside a subject. The diagnostic imaging apparatus includes a display device 1, an operation unit 3, and a photographing unit 8.

  This image diagnostic apparatus is, for example, an X-ray CT apparatus, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a magnetic resonance image diagnostic apparatus, a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus, or the like. In the X-ray CT apparatus, the imaging unit 8 exposes X-rays around the subject, captures a tomographic image of the subject from the X-rays transmitted through the subject, and displays the tomographic image on the display device 1. . In the X-ray diagnostic apparatus, the imaging unit 8 emits X-rays from one direction of the subject, images a plane transmission image of the subject from the X-rays transmitted through the subject, and displays the plane transmission image as a display device 1 is displayed. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus uses the imaging unit 8 to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves into the subject, capture a tomographic image in the subject, and display the tomographic image on the display device 1. The magnetic resonance diagnostic imaging apparatus uses the imaging unit 8 to excite nuclear spins of a subject tissue placed in a static magnetic field, and takes an image of the subject from the generated magnetic resonance signal (MR signal). The image is displayed on the display device 1. A nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus administers an agent labeled with a radioisotope (RI) to a subject, and captures an image in the subject by detecting gamma rays emitted from the radioisotope by the imaging unit 8. Then, this image is displayed on the display device 1.

  For example, the imaging unit 8 includes an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, and an image processing circuit that generates a medical image by processing a signal that reflects the ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic probe.

  The operation unit 3 is configured by a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, or a combination of these, and inputs an operation signal to the display device 1 or the imaging unit 8 when operated by an operator of the diagnostic imaging apparatus. The imaging unit 8 receives this operation signal and starts imaging the subject. Upon receiving this operation signal, the display device 1 switches to and displays each screen that displays a captured image of the subject, various information, or the result of the input operation.

  The display device 1 includes a template storage unit 4, a medical image storage unit 5, an object storage unit 6, a display control unit 7, and a display unit 2. The display unit 2 is a liquid crystal display or a CRT display. The medical image storage unit 5 is a so-called memory, is electrically connected to the imaging unit 8, and stores medical images generated by the imaging unit 8. The display control unit 7 displays various screens on the display unit 2.

  The display control unit 7 includes a screen creation unit 72. The screen creation unit 72 reads out various screen templates stored in the template storage unit 4, generates screens from the templates, and generates them. The displayed screen is output to the display unit 2. When displaying a medical image stored in the medical image storage unit 5, a screen is generated from the image display screen template 41 stored in the template storage unit 4.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an image display screen template 41 stored in the template storage unit 4.

  The image display screen template 41 is defined by an image display area 42 and other areas. Examples of the other areas include a patient information area 43, a past image icon area 44, an imaging condition / operation icon area 45, and an apparatus state display area 46.

  In the image display area 42, medical images stored in the medical image storage unit 5 are arranged. In the patient information area 43, a character string indicating patient information input using the operation unit 3 is arranged. In the past image icon area 44, images taken in the past are iconified and arranged. In the imaging condition and operation icon area 45, a character string indicating imaging conditions under which the imaging unit 8 captures a medical image is arranged, and an instruction for processing such as enlargement or reduction of the displayed medical image is given. An icon for switching to the previous screen is arranged. In the apparatus status display area 46, icons indicating the remaining HDD capacity, device connection status, and printer output status are arranged.

  The image display screen template 41 is laid out so that the area of the image display area 42 in which medical images are arranged occupies 50% or more of the entire image display screen. In other words, the layout is made such that the area of the image display area 42 ≥ other areas. This is because the image display area 42 of the medical image is emphasized so that the operator can easily see the medical image.

  Further, the display control unit 7 generates various screens by arranging various objects stored in the object storage unit 6 in the read template.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the object 61 stored in the object storage unit 6.

  The object storage unit 6 stores various objects 61 to be arranged on the template. The object 61 is, for example, an image obtained by converting an image captured in the past to call an image captured in the past, a medical image captured by the imaging unit 8, or a region of interest. For example, icons for operation buttons, character strings indicating patient information and imaging conditions, and background color images. The background color image only needs to include color arrangement information indicating the background color, and the size of the area or the like is not necessarily required and may not be recognized as an image. Each object 61 is image data in which pixel values RGB of each pixel are arranged as color arrangement information. Each object 61 is arranged in common on various screens including a screen for displaying a medical image. There is also an object 61 unique to each screen.

  The display control unit 7 further includes a brightness adjustment unit 71. When the brightness adjustment unit 71 generates an image display screen for displaying a medical image captured by the imaging unit 8, the object 61 displayed together with the medical image is changed to an object in which the brightness of each pixel is lowered by a predetermined amount from the original. To do. For example, the lightness adjustment unit 71 reduces the lightness from each pixel of the object 61 by 50%. The original brightness is the brightness corresponding to the color tone represented by the color scheme information of the object 61.

  Here, the screen creation unit 72 generates a display screen in which various objects 61 are arranged in a template of a screen to be displayed, and outputs the display screen to the display unit 2, thereby various screens including the image display screen. In addition to creating an image display screen for displaying a medical image, the screen is created using the color arrangement information of the object 61 as it is. On the other hand, when generating an image display screen for displaying a medical image captured by the imaging unit 8, the screen creation unit 72 uses the image display screen template 41 stored in the template storage unit 4 as a screen template, and The object 61 that has undergone lightness adjustment processing in the lightness adjustment unit 71 and the medical image read from the medical image storage unit 5 are arranged in the image display screen template 41 to generate an image display screen.

  That is, when generating a screen that does not display a medical image, when the object 61 is read, a process of arranging the read object 61 as it is on the template is performed. When generating the image display screen, after the object 61 is read out, the process of adjusting the brightness of the object 61 is performed, and then the processing of arranging the object 61 on the image display screen template 41 is performed.

  Hereinafter, the logic in which the brightness adjustment unit 71 reduces the brightness of the object 61 by 50% will be described. The brightness adjustment unit 71 converts the pixel of the object 61 from the RGB coordinate system to the HSB coordinate system which is a color coordinate system including the brightness, and calculates a value obtained by reducing B (brightness) by 50% in the HSB coordinate system. Then, the value reduced by 50% is inversely converted from the HSB coordinate system to the RGB coordinate system, and the obtained value is used as the pixel value of the RGB coordinate system of the pixel, whereby the pixel value RGB of each pixel of the object 61 is reduced to 50%. The pixel value RGB corresponding to the lowered brightness is converted. The HSB coordinate system is a color space composed of three components of hue, saturation, and brightness.

That is, assuming that the maximum value of each RGB component is max and the minimum value is min,
The saturation (S) component is S = (max−min) / max × 255 (1),
The brightness (B) component is B _(HSB) = max (2).
The hue (H) component is
If max is present in the G component of RGB and min is present in the B _(RGB) component of _RGB , then H = (max−R _(RGB) ) / (max−min) × 60 + 60 (3)
If min does not exist in the B _(RGB) component, H = (B _(RGB) −min) / (max−min) × 60 + 120 (4).
If max is present in the _{RGB (} B _{) (RGB)} component and min is present in the RGB R component, the hue (H) component is H = (max−G _(RGB) ) / (max−min) × 60 + 180 ... (5)
If min does not exist in the R component, H = (R _(RGB) −min) / (max−min) × 60 + 240 (6).
If max is present in the R component of RGB and min is present in the B _(RGB) component of _RGB , the hue (H) component is H = (G _(RGB) −min) / (max−min) × 60 ... (7)
If min does not exist in the B _(RGB) component, H = (max−B _(RGB) ) / (max−min) × 60 + 300 (8).

  The brightness adjustment unit 71 reads out the pixel value RGB of the pixels constituting the object 61, and calculates the hue (H from the RGB values according to any one of the above formulas (1), (2), and (3) to (8). ), Saturation (S), and brightness (B), and a value (max / 2) obtained by subtracting the calculated brightness (B) component value by 50% is obtained.

Then, when max / 2, which is a value subtracted to 50%, is set to max / 2 = B _(HSB) and min = B _(HSB) −S × B _(HSB) / 255,
R in the RGB coordinate system is
If H is H <60,
R _(RGB) = B _(HSB) , G _(RGB) = min + H × (B _(HSB) −min) / 60, B _(RGB) = min (9)
If H is 60 ≦ H <120,
R _(RGB) = B _(HSB) − (H−60) × (B _(HSB) −min) / 60, G _(RGB) = B _(HSB) , B _(RGB) = min (10) ,
If H is 120 ≦ H <180,
R _(RGB) = min, G _(RGB) = B _(HSB) , B _(RGB) = B _(HSB) + (H−120) × (B _(HSB) −min) / 60 (11) ,
If H is 180 ≦ H <240,
R _(RGB) = min, G _(RGB) = B _(HSB) − (H−180) × (B _(HSB) −min) / 60, B _(RGB) = B _(HSB) (12) ,
If H is 240 ≦ H <300,
R _(RGB) = B _(HSB) + (H−240) × (B _(HSB) −min) / 60, G _(RGB) = min, B _(RGB) = B _(HSB) (13) ,
If H is 300 ≦ H,
R _(RGB) = B _(HSB) , G _(RGB) = min, B _(RGB) = B _(HSB) − (H−300) × (B _(HSB) −min) / 60 (14) Become.

  When the brightness adjustment unit 71 obtains a value (max / 2) obtained by subtracting the calculated value of the brightness (B) component to 50%, the hue (H) component, according to any of the above formulas (9) to (14), RGB of the RGB coordinate system is calculated from each value of the saturation (S) component and the brightness (B) component subtracted to 50%, and set as the pixel value of the read pixel.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing such brightness adjustment processing of the brightness adjustment unit 71.

  First, the brightness adjustment unit 71 reads the object 61 for which the brightness adjustment is performed from the object storage unit 6 (S01). The brightness adjustment unit 71 sequentially reads out the objects 61 defined in each area of the image display screen template 41, and performs the following S02 to S09 for each.

  When the lightness adjustment target object 61 is read, the lightness adjustment unit 71 sets the parameter N to an initial value of 1 (S02). The parameter N is a value that identifies a pixel.

  Then, the brightness adjustment unit 71 reads out the pixel value of the Nth pixel constituting the read object 61 (S03). The pixel value is an RGB coordinate system and takes any value of 256 gradations corresponding to each of R, G, and B.

  When the pixel value in the RGB coordinate system is read from the Nth pixel, the brightness adjustment unit 71 calculates the brightness corresponding to the read pixel value (S04). That is, the brightness (B) including the hue (H) and the saturation (S) from the RGB component values of the RGB coordinate system by any one of the above formulas (1), (2), and (3) to (8). ) Is calculated. The brightness (B) is the maximum value among the RGB components. The brightness adjustment unit 71 compares the RGB components of the read pixel values of the RGB coordinate system, and sets the maximum value max as the brightness (B).

  When calculating the brightness (B) of the HSB coordinate system, the brightness adjustment unit 71 calculates a value obtained by reducing the brightness (B) by a predetermined ratio, in this embodiment, 50% (S05). The brightness adjustment unit 71 calculates max / 2 by multiplying the brightness (B), which is the maximum value max among the RGB components, by 0.5.

  Then, the brightness adjustment unit 71 sets the calculated max / 2 as the brightness (B), and RGB corresponding to the brightness (B) halved, the hue (H) calculated earlier, and the saturation (S). The pixel value of the coordinate system is calculated (S06). That is, the calculated hue (H) and saturation (S) are halved to any one of the above formulas (9) to (14) corresponding to the range including the calculated hue (H) value. The value of each component of RGB is calculated by substituting the value of brightness (B).

  When the lightness adjustment unit 71 calculates the pixel value of the RGB coordinate system in which the lightness (B) is halved, the lightness adjustment unit 71 changes the pixel value of the Nth pixel to the pixel value of the RGB coordinate system in which the lightness (B) is halved ( S07). Thereby, the brightness of the Nth pixel is halved.

  When the brightness adjustment of the Nth pixel is completed, the brightness adjustment unit 71 sets N = N + 1 (S08), and if N> max is not satisfied, that is, if the brightness adjustment has not been completed up to the last pixel (S09, No), the next S03 to S09 are repeated for the pixel, that is, the new Nth pixel, and adjustment to reduce the lightness by half is performed. On the other hand, if N> max (S09, Yes), the brightness adjustment for the read object 61 is terminated.

  Specific examples of screen switching of the diagnostic imaging apparatus having such a display device 1 are shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a transition diagram showing switching of the screen displayed on the display device 1 in the diagnostic imaging apparatus.

  In the diagnostic imaging apparatus, after being activated, the display device 1 reads a template for inputting patient information and an object 61 arranged in the template, and causes the display unit 2 to display a patient information input screen Sc1.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a patient information input screen Sc1 as the first screen.

  The patient information input screen Sc1 is a screen for inputting patient information, and no medical image is arranged. Therefore, when the display control unit 7 generates the patient information input screen Sc1, that is, in the generation of the first screen, in other words, the brightness represented by the pixel value set in the object 61 remains the same as the object 61. ,Deploy.

  At this time, the screen creation unit 72 reads a template corresponding to the patient information input screen Sc1 from the template storage unit 4. Then, the screen creation unit 72 reads the objects 61 from the object storage unit 6 without adjusting the brightness, and arranges these objects 61 in the template as they are.

  On the patient information input screen Sc1, an icon of an examination start button sb for starting an examination is displayed. When the operation unit 3 is used to move the cursor to the examination start button sb and the examination start button sb is pressed by clicking or the like, imaging of the subject by the imaging unit 8 is started, and the medical image thus captured is stored in the medical image storage unit 5. Is remembered.

  At the same time, the screen displayed on the display unit 2 is switched from the patient information input screen Sc1 to the in-examination screen Sc2, which is an image display screen. When the inspection start button sb is pressed, the display device 1 generates an in-inspection screen Sc2, which is an image display screen, and causes the display unit 2 to display the screen.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the display processing of the image display screen performed by the display device 1 when the patient information input screen Sc1 is switched to the in-examination screen Sc2, which is an image display screen.

  First, when the operation unit 3 is used to place the cursor on the examination start button sb and is pressed (S11), the screen creation unit 72 displays the entire image display area 42 that is a template of the in-examination screen Sc2 from the template storage unit 4. The image display screen template 41 occupying 50% or more is read out (S12).

  Further, the brightness adjustment unit 71 reads the object 61 to be arranged on the in-examination screen Sc2 from the object storage unit 6 (S13). Then, the brightness adjustment unit 71 performs the brightness adjustment process of S01 to S09, and changes the read object 61 to an object 61 having a brightness that is 50% lower than the original brightness (S14).

  The screen creation unit 72 reads the object 61 whose brightness has been adjusted by the brightness adjustment unit 71, and arranges it in other areas such as the patient information area 43 of the image display screen template 41 of the in-examination screen Sc2 (S15). Further, the screen creation unit 72 reads the medical image captured by the imaging unit 8 from the medical image storage unit 5 (S16), and reads the read medical image in the image display area 42 of the image display screen template 41 of the in-examination screen Sc2. Arrange (S17).

  When the medical image is arranged in the image display area 42 that occupies 50% or more of the original lightness and the object 61 whose lightness has been adjusted is placed in another area, the screen creation unit 72 displays the medical image and the object 61 as an image. The in-examination screen Sc2 generated by the arrangement on the display screen template 41 is displayed on the display unit 2 (S18).

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an in-examination screen Sc2, which is an image display screen switched from the patient information input screen Sc1.

  On the in-examination screen Sc2, the medical image is displayed with the original brightness in the image display area 42 occupying an area of 50% or more of the whole. Then, the object 61 is displayed in a region other than the image display region 42 of the in-examination screen Sc2 with a brightness reduced by 50% compared to the patient information input screen Sc1.

  As described above, in the diagnostic imaging apparatus having the display device 1, the medical image is displayed in an area that occupies 50% or more of the whole on the screen for displaying the medical image, and the medical image remains at the original brightness. However, the other areas are displayed with a lightness lowered by a predetermined amount, so that the medical image is emphasized and the medical image is easy to see.

  The in-examination screen Sc2 can be switched to the past examination display screen Sc3, and the past examination display screen Sc3 can be switched to the past examination list screen Sc4. When an operation button for instructing switching is pressed, the display device 1 generates a switching destination screen from a template corresponding to the switching destination screen. Past medical images are also displayed on the past examination display screen Sc3. Accordingly, when the display device 1 switches to the past examination display screen Sc3, the display device 1 reads a template in which the image display area 42 displaying the past medical image occupies 50% or more of the entire image, and adjusts the brightness of the object 61. Deploy.

  The display device 1 can be applied to an image display device such as an image viewer device that displays a medical image in addition to an image diagnostic device. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an image viewer device.

  The image viewer apparatus is obtained by realizing the display device 1 included in the image diagnostic apparatus by software processing of a workstation or a personal computer. This image viewer device is connected to an image server 100 that stores medical images via a network NW, and includes each component of the display device 1 and a search interface unit 11.

  When a search key for searching for a medical image is input using the operation unit 3, the search interface unit 11 transmits a command for requesting a list of medical images corresponding to the search key to the image server 100. When the list is received, it is displayed on the display unit 2. Further, when any one of the lists is selected using the operation unit 3, a command for requesting the selected medical image is transmitted to the image server 100. The image server 100 has a database of medical images, refers to this database, searches for a medical image corresponding to the search key, reads out the selected medical image, and transmits it to the image viewer device.

  When the medical image is received, the image viewer device displays the medical image using the image display screen template 41 in which the image display area 42 occupies 50% or more of the entire display device 1 according to each configuration of the display device 1. The object 61 displayed together with the medical image is arranged on the image display screen template 41 after the brightness is adjusted.

  Further, in this display device 1, the brightness of other areas other than the image display area 42 where the medical image is displayed is uniformly reduced by a predetermined ratio. However, the brightness of the other areas is originally dark. In this case, if the brightness is further reduced by, for example, 50%, the object 61 arranged in the other area may not be seen more than necessary. Therefore, in this display device 1, the brightness range of other regions may be defined, and the brightness may be dynamically adjusted within the width.

  FIG. 10 is a graph showing a mode in which the brightness is dynamically adjusted.

  The vertical axis is brightness, and the horizontal axis is the type of region. The maximum brightness when the pixel value of each pixel constituting the medical image displayed in the image display area 42 is converted to a value in the HSB coordinate system is α, the minimum brightness is β, and each pixel constituting the other area The maximum brightness when the pixel value of the pixel is converted to a value in the HSB coordinate system is γ, and the minimum brightness is δ.

  In this case, if the minimum brightness δ of the other area is equal to or less than the threshold value ε, the brightness adjustment unit 71 becomes difficult to see if the brightness of the pixel having the minimum brightness is 50% or less. The upper limit is half the maximum brightness of the medical image, that is, α / 2, the lower limit is the lowest brightness that other regions have, that is, δ, and the variance of the brightness that other regions have is in the range of α / 2 to δ. Adjust the brightness to scale down.

  That is, if the minimum brightness of the other region is equal to or less than the threshold δ, the brightness adjustment unit 71 calculates the adjusted brightness y from the brightness x of each pixel according to the following calculation formula (15). The pixel value of each pixel is changed so that the brightness is y.

  (Γ−x) / (γ−δ) = (α / 2−y) / (α / 2−δ) (15)

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the brightness adjustment process of the brightness adjustment unit 71 that dynamically adjusts the brightness.

  First, the brightness adjustment unit 71 determines whether each object 61 arranged in the image display screen template 41 has a pixel value corresponding to the brightness of the threshold value 2δ or less (S21). The brightness adjustment unit 71 reads out each of these objects 61 from the object storage unit 6 and obtains the brightness of the HSB coordinate system from each pixel value of the RGB coordinate system of each pixel constituting each object 61 using Expression (2). . Then, each lightness is compared with the threshold value ε.

  If there is no pixel value corresponding to the lightness below the threshold value ε (S21, No), it will not be difficult to see even if the lightness is uniformly reduced by 50%, so the processing of reducing the lightness of S01 to S09 by 50% is performed. By doing (S22), the brightness is adjusted and the process is terminated.

  If there is a pixel value corresponding to the lightness below the threshold ε (S21, Yes), the maximum lightness α is calculated from each pixel value of the medical image (S23). The brightness adjustment unit 71 reads a medical image to be displayed from the medical image storage unit 5, and obtains the brightness of the HSB coordinate system from each pixel value of the RGB coordinate system using Expression (2). And the brightness adjustment part 71 acquires the maximum brightness (alpha) among each brightness.

  Further, the brightness adjustment unit 71 calculates the minimum brightness δ in all the objects 61 from each pixel value of each object 61 (S24). The brightness adjustment unit 71 reads out each object 61 to be arranged on the image display screen template 41 from the object storage unit 6, and uses each pixel value in the RGB coordinate system of the read object 61 from the HSB coordinate system using Expression (2). Get lightness. Then, the lightness adjusting unit 71 acquires the minimum lightness δ among the lightnesses.

  Next, the object 61 whose brightness is to be adjusted is read from the object storage unit 6 (S25). The brightness adjustment unit 71 sequentially reads out the objects 61 defined in each area of the image display screen template 41, and performs the following S25 to S33 for each.

  When the lightness adjustment target object 61 is read, the lightness adjustment unit 71 sets the parameter N to an initial value of 1 (S26). When N = 1 is initialized, the brightness adjustment unit 71 reads the pixel value of the Nth pixel constituting the read object 61 (S27).

  When the pixel value in the RGB coordinate system is read from the Nth pixel, the brightness adjustment unit 71 calculates the brightness corresponding to the read pixel value (S28). That is, the hue, saturation, and lightness x in the HSB coordinate system are calculated from the RGB component values of the RGB coordinate system by any one of the above formulas (1), (2), and (3) to (8).

  When the lightness adjustment unit 71 calculates the lightness x of the HSB coordinate system, the upper limit is half of the maximum lightness α of the medical image, that is, α / 2, and the pixel 61 constituting the object 61 in which the lower limit is arranged is calculated using Equation (15). A value obtained by reducing the lightness dispersion by a predetermined ratio by scaling down the lightness dispersion to the range of the minimum lightness δ is calculated (S29).

  Then, the brightness adjustment unit 71 uses the calculated value y as the brightness, and calculates a pixel value of the RGB coordinate system corresponding to the brightness, the previously calculated hue, and saturation (S30). That is, the brightness value having the calculated hue, saturation, and value y is substituted into any one of the above formulas (9) to (14) corresponding to the range including the previously calculated hue value. , RGB component values are calculated.

  When the lightness adjustment unit 71 calculates the pixel value of the RGB coordinate system in which the lightness is reduced to the value y, the lightness adjustment unit 71 changes the pixel value of the Nth pixel to the calculated pixel value (S31).

  When the brightness adjustment of the Nth pixel is completed, the brightness adjustment unit 71 sets N = N + 1 (S32), and if N> max is not satisfied, that is, if the brightness adjustment is not completed up to the last pixel (S33, No), S27 to S33 are repeated for the pixel, that is, the new Nth pixel. On the other hand, if N> max (S33, Yes), the brightness adjustment for the read object 61 is terminated.

  As described above, by dynamically adjusting the brightness, it is possible to display a medical image with emphasis, and it is difficult to see the object 61 such as an icon or a character string arranged in other areas even after the brightness is adjusted. Can be prevented.

  In the display device 1 included in the image diagnostic apparatus and the image viewer apparatus according to the present embodiment, the image display screen template 41 for displaying a medical image is uniquely defined. However, a template corresponding to the image display screen is used. A template suitable for displaying a medical image, that is, a template having an area that occupies 50% or more of the whole may be selected from various stored templates without being uniquely set by association or the like. .

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the display device 1 that selects a template suitable for displaying a medical image.

  The display device 1 further includes a template selection unit 10 and a table management unit 9. The screen creation unit 72 does not directly access the template storage unit 4. The template selection unit 10 accesses the template storage unit 4, and the template selected by the template selection unit 10 is read into the screen creation unit 72.

  The template selection unit 10 selects a template in which one area occupies 50% or more of the entire area as a template for generating an image display screen. The template storage unit 4 stores a plurality of templates having various numbers of areas and the areas having various areas. Each template is identified by a template ID.

  The table management unit 9 records and manages the number of template areas identified by the template ID and the area of each area for each template ID. That is, a management table composed of this record is stored.

  The template selection unit 10 refers to the management table managed by the table management unit 9 and selects a template in which one area occupies 50% or more.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process of selecting a template for generating an image display screen by the template selection unit 10.

  First, when the cursor is pressed by using the operation unit 3 with the inspection start button sb, the template selection unit 10 reads the management table from the table management unit 9 (S41). And the template selection part 10 calculates the ratio with respect to the whole area of the image display area 42 for every record (S42). The template selection unit 10 calculates the total area by totaling the areas of each region recorded in a given record, searches for the largest area recorded in the record, and sets it as the image display region 42. The ratio of the largest area to the total area is calculated.

  If the ratio with respect to the whole area of the image display area 42 is calculated, the template selection part 10 will acquire the template ID of the record in which the calculated ratio became 50% or more (S43). When a plurality of template IDs are acquired, the template ID is narrowed down to one template ID according to other priorities such as the number of regions.

  When the template ID is acquired, the screen creation unit 72 reads the template identified by the acquired template ID as the image display screen template 41 from the template storage unit 4 (S44), and the image display screen generation process of S13 to S18. Is executed (S45).

  For other areas other than the image display area 42, it is only necessary to determine which information type is arranged in which area in consideration of the number of information types to be displayed and the priority thereof. For example, the manufacturer logo and the device name logo are arranged at the top of the screen, and the device information is arranged at the bottom.

  The display device 1 described above may be configured by a dedicated circuit or a so-called computer. In the case of a computer, a control program for causing the display device 1 to function is stored in an external storage device such as a hard disk, and is appropriately expanded in the RAM so that it can be decoded and executed by the CPU. When configured by a computer, the template storage unit 4, the object storage unit 6, and the table management unit 9 are configured mainly including an external storage device, and the display control unit 7, the template selection unit 10, and the search interface unit 11 include It mainly includes a processor and work memory.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image diagnostic apparatus which is one of the specific examples of the display technique of the medical image of this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows a X-ray image display screen template. It is a schematic diagram which shows an object. It is a flowchart which shows a brightness adjustment process. It is a transition diagram which shows switching of the screen which an image display apparatus displays in an image diagnostic apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows a patient information input screen. It is a flowchart which shows the display process of the image display screen which a display apparatus performs when it switches to the screen under examination which is an image display screen. It is a schematic diagram which shows the in-examination screen which is an image display screen. It is a block diagram which shows an image viewer apparatus. It is a graph which shows the aspect which adjusts the brightness dynamically. It is a flowchart which shows the lightness adjustment process which adjusts lightness dynamically. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image display apparatus which selects the template suitable for displaying a medical image. It is a flowchart which shows the process which selects the template for producing | generating an image display screen.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Display apparatus 2 Display part 3 Operation part 4 Template memory | storage part 41 Image display screen template 42 Image display area 43 Patient information area 44 Past image icon area 45 Imaging condition and operation icon area | region 46 Apparatus state display area 5 Medical image memory | storage part 6 Object Storage unit 61 Object 7 Display control unit 71 Brightness adjustment unit 72 Screen creation unit 8 Imaging unit 9 Table management unit 10 Template selection unit 11 Search interface unit 100 Image server NW network Sc1 Patient input screen Sc2 Screen during examination Sc3 Past examination table next screen Sc4 past examination list display screen

Claims (6)

Photographing means for photographing a medical image of a subject;
Display means for displaying various screens including an image display screen for arranging the medical images;
Template storage means for storing various templates including an image display screen template that is defined by an image display area for displaying the medical image and other areas, and the area of the image display area occupies 50% or more of the whole; ,
Object storage means including color arrangement information and arranged in common on the various screens, and storing objects arranged in the other areas on the image display screen;
Display control means for generating any one of the various screens based on the medical image photographed by the photographing means, the object, and the template, and displaying the screen on the display means;
With
The display control means includes
Brightness switching means for reducing the brightness of each pixel of the object by a predetermined amount from the brightness corresponding to the color arrangement information when switching the screen to be displayed on the display means to the image display screen;
The image display screen is obtained by arranging the object whose brightness has been adjusted by the brightness adjustment unit in another area of the image display screen template and arranging the medical image captured by the imaging unit in the image display area. Screen creation means for generating
Including,
An image diagnostic apparatus characterized by The brightness adjustment means includes
Range of brightness obtained by reducing the maximum brightness of the medical image by a predetermined percentage from the brightness corresponding to the color arrangement information, and the brightness of each pixel of the object arranged in the other area, and the minimum brightness of the object Lowering in,
The diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 1. The storage means
Stores various templates with different number of areas and area ratio of each area,
The display control means includes
Management means for storing a table for managing the number of areas of the various templates and the area ratio of each area;
Based on the table, a template selection means for selecting the template in which the area of the region serving as the placement position of the image display region is equal to or greater than the area of the entire region serving as the placement position of the other region;
Further including
Generating the image display screen based on the template selected by the template selection means;
The diagnostic imaging apparatus according to claim 1. Display means for displaying various screens including an image display screen for displaying medical images;
Template storage means for storing various templates including an image display screen template that is defined by an image display area for displaying the medical image and other areas, and the area of the image display area occupies 50% or more of the whole; ,
Object storage means including color arrangement information and arranged in common on the various screens, and storing objects arranged in the other areas on the image display screen;
Display control means for generating any one of the various screens based on the medical image photographed by the photographing means, the object, and the template, and displaying the screen on the display means;
With
The display control means includes
Brightness switching means for reducing the brightness of each pixel of the object by a predetermined amount from the brightness corresponding to the color arrangement information when switching the screen to be displayed on the display means to the image display screen;
Screen creation means for generating the image display screen by placing the object whose brightness has been adjusted by the brightness adjustment means in another area of the image display screen template and placing the medical image in the image display area When,
Including,
An image display device characterized by the above. The brightness adjustment means includes
Reducing the brightness of each pixel of the object arranged in the other region within a range between the brightness obtained by reducing the maximum brightness of the medical image by a predetermined ratio and the minimum brightness of the object;
The image display device according to claim 4. The storage means
Stores various templates with different number of areas and area ratio of each area,
The display control means includes
Management means for storing a table for managing the number of areas of the various templates and the area ratio of each area;
Based on the table, a template selection means for selecting the template in which the area of the region serving as the placement position of the image display region is equal to or greater than the area of the entire region serving as the placement position of the other region;
Further including
Generating the image display screen based on the template selected by the template selection means;
The image display device according to claim 4.