JP2009247539A - Medical image system, image server and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce costs required for a storage medium and to shorten the time required for image retrieval in the management of DICOM images. <P>SOLUTION: The image server 30 preserves a DICOM image data object pertinent to a key image among a DICOM image data object group after diagnostic reading in a diagnostic reading terminal 50 in a high-speed device 38. Then, the DICOM image data objects other than the key image are preserved in a low-speed device 39. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical image system, an image server, and a program.

  In recent years, information has been digitized in many medical institutions. For example, an image generation apparatus (modality) such as a CR (Computed Radiography) apparatus, a CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus, or an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) apparatus attaches incidental information to image data of a medical image obtained by imaging. , DICOM image data conforming to the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) standard is generated.

  The image server also stores and manages DICOM image data generated in the modality. When there is a DICOM image data acquisition request from the interpretation terminal, the image server provides the DICOM image data stored and managed. Then, the image interpretation terminal displays a medical image (DICOM image) on the high-definition monitor based on the acquired DICOM image data. The interpretation terminal selects an important image (Key Object Selection Document) to be interpreted from the displayed DICOM images based on the user operation of the interpretation doctor.

As a technique for storing and managing DICOM image data, for example, in a medical image system having a modality, a medical image display device (interpretation terminal), a medical image storage device, and the like, DICOM image data generated by the modality is stored in the medical image storage device. Proposed to store for one year, store for another 10 years in another medical image storage device, and store DICOM image data in a portable storage medium after 10 years or when the storage capacity of the medical image storage device is insufficient (See Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-352216 A

  By the way, in recent years, with the improvement of the modality function, the increase in the number of generated medical images and the increase in the data size of the medical images are remarkable. Therefore, the storage capacity for storing DICOM image data is increased, and the cost for the storage medium is increased.

  In addition to the increase in the number of medical images generated, important images (key images) and DICOM images other than key images are stored and managed in the same storage medium. It took time to search for images.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the cost of a storage medium and reduce the time required for image search in managing DICOM images. It is to be.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 1
A medical image system in which an image server that manages DICOM images and an interpretation terminal that displays the DICOM images on a display unit and is used for interpretation work are connected via a communication network so that data communication is possible.
The interpretation terminal
Selecting means for selecting a key image from the DICOM images;
With
The image server
A plurality of storage means having different access speeds;
Control means for storing the key image in a storage means having a high access speed in the storage means, and storing a DICOM image other than the key image in a storage means having a low access speed in the storage means;
Is provided.

The invention described in claim 2
A medical image system in which an image server that manages DICOM images and an interpretation terminal that displays the DICOM images on a display unit and is used for interpretation work are connected via a communication network so that data communication is possible.
The interpretation terminal
Selecting means for selecting a key image from the DICOM images;
With
The image server
A plurality of storage means having different access speeds;
The key image and a DICOM image in the vicinity of the key image are stored in a storage unit having a high access speed in the storage unit, and other DICOM images are stored in a storage unit having a low access speed in the storage unit. Control means;
Is provided.

The invention according to claim 3
An image server for managing DICOM images,
A plurality of storage means having different access speeds;
A DICOM image selected from the DICOM images is used as a key image, the key image is stored in a storage unit having a high access speed in the storage unit, and a DICOM image other than the key image is stored in the storage unit. Control means for storing in a storage means having a low access speed;
Is provided.

The program according to claim 4 is:
A computer that manages DICOM images
A plurality of storage means having different access speeds;
A DICOM image selected from the DICOM images is used as a key image, the key image is stored in a storage unit having a high access speed in the storage unit, and a DICOM image other than the key image is stored in the storage unit. Control means for storing in a storage means having a low access speed;
To function as.

  According to the first, third, and fourth aspects of the invention, the control means of the image server stores the key image in the storage means with a high access speed, and stores the DICOM image other than the key image in the storage means with a low access speed. Remember me. Therefore, the cost for the storage medium can be reduced in the management of DICOM images. In addition, the time required for image search can be shortened.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control means of the image server stores the key image and the DICOM image in the vicinity of the key image in the storage means having a high access speed, and other DICOM images have a low access speed. It memorize | stores in a memory | storage means. Therefore, the cost for the storage medium can be reduced in the management of DICOM images. In addition, the time required for image search can be shortened. Furthermore, convenience in image reference is improved.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a medical image system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[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 a RIS (Radiological Information System) 10, a modality 20, an image server 30, a report management server 40, and an image interpretation terminal 50. The devices are connected via a communication network N so that data communication is possible. The image server 30 is connected to the high-speed device 38 and the low-speed device 39 so that data communication is possible.

  The RIS 10 performs information management such as medical appointment reservation, diagnosis result report, results management, and material inventory management in the radiology department. The RIS 10 transmits imaging order information generated in an electronic medical chart system (not shown) to the modality 20 and the image server 30.

  The modality 20 is an imaging device that images a patient according to the imaging order information received from the RIS 10 and generates image data of a medical image. Further, the modality 20 generates incidental information related to the image data based on the photographing order information. The modality 20 appends the supplementary information to the image data (hereinafter referred to as image actual data), generates DICOM image data conforming to the DICOM standard, and transmits the DICOM image data to the image server 30. As the modality 20, an imaging apparatus that captures various types of medical images such as a CR apparatus, a CT apparatus, and an MRI apparatus can be applied.

  FIG. 2 shows a data configuration diagram of DICOM image data generated by the modality 20. As described above, DICOM image data is composed of incidental information and actual image data. The incidental information includes patient information, examination information, series information, and image information.

  Patient information is information about a patient, such as patient ID, patient name, date of birth, and sex. The examination information is information relating to the examination such as the examination instance UID that identifies the examination, the examination date, the examination time, the reception number, and the doctor in charge. The series information is information regarding a series (unit) of a series of medical images for each modality generated in one examination, such as a series instance UID that identifies the series, a modality name, an examination part, and a series number. The image information is information related to a medical image such as an SOP instance UID that identifies an image and an image number.

  In addition, one or a plurality of examinations are associated with (related to) one patient. Therefore, there is a one-to-one relationship or a one-to-multiple relationship between patient information and examination information. In addition, one or a plurality of series is associated with (related to) one inspection. Therefore, there is a one-to-one relationship or a one-to-multiple relationship between the inspection information and the series information. In addition, one or more medical images are associated with (related to) one series. Therefore, there is a one-to-one relationship or a one-to-multiple relationship between the series information and the image information.

  Hereinafter, DICOM image data corresponding to one medical image is referred to as a DICOM image data object. For convenience of explanation, the DICOM image data object and the actual image data included in the DICOM image data object may be simply referred to as a DICOM image.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the image server 30 stores and manages DICOM image data and the like generated in the modality 20. Further, the image server 30 stores the interpreted DICOM image data in the high speed device 38 or the low speed device 39. When the image server 30 receives a DICOM image data acquisition request from the image interpretation terminal 50, the image server 30 transmits DICOM image data corresponding to the acquisition request to the image interpretation terminal 50.

  The high-speed device 38 is a storage medium such as a hard disk, and stores DICOM image data and the like. The access speed of the high speed device 38 from the image server 30 is higher than the access speed of the low speed device 39 described later.

  The low speed device 39 is a storage medium such as a DVD (Digital Video Disc) or a magnetic tape, and stores DICOM image data and the like. The access speed of the low speed device 39 from the image server 30 is lower than the access speed of the high speed device 38 described above.

  The report management server 40 stores and manages (stores and manages) the interpretation report created in the interpretation terminal 50.

  The interpretation terminal 50 is a terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer) that has a monitor that displays a medical image and is installed mainly for the purpose of the interpretation doctor creating an interpretation report of the medical image. The interpretation terminal 50 transmits a DICOM image data acquisition request to the image server 30 based on a user operation by the interpretation doctor, and acquires DICOM image data corresponding to the acquisition request. Then, a medical image is displayed on the monitor based on the DICOM image data. The interpretation terminal 50 selects an important image (hereinafter referred to as a key image) to be interpreted from medical images displayed on the monitor based on a user operation by the interpretation doctor. Then, the image interpretation terminal 50 creates an image interpretation report based on a user operation by the image interpretation doctor and transmits it to the report management server 40. Then, the report management server 40 stores the transmitted interpretation report.

  The image interpretation terminal 50 also generates key image specifying information that specifies a key image (specifies the selected DICOM image). Then, when the image interpretation terminal 50 transmits the created image interpretation report to the report management server 40, the image interpretation terminal 50 transmits an image interpretation completion notification, which is a notification that the image interpretation is completed, and the key image specifying information to the image server 30. The key image specifying information is the SOP instance UID of the image information included in the DICOM image data object corresponding to the selected key image.

[Functional configuration of image server]
FIG. 3 shows a functional configuration of the image server 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the image server 30 includes a control unit 31, an operation unit 32, a display unit 33, a communication unit 34, a storage unit 35, and an I / F unit 36, and each unit is connected by a bus 37. ing. The I / F unit 36 is connected to a high speed device 38 and a low speed device 39.

  The control unit 31 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and comprehensively controls the processing operation of each unit of the image server 30. Specifically, the CPU reads various processing programs stored in the storage unit 35 in accordance with an operation signal input from the operation unit 32 or an instruction signal received by the communication unit 34, and is formed in the RAM. The work area is expanded and various processes are performed in cooperation with 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. The operation unit 32 controls operation signals input by key operations or mouse operations on the keyboard. To 31.

  The display unit 33 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various screens based on display data 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. Data is exchanged with external devices such as the RIS 10, the modality 20, and the image interpretation terminal 50 connected via the communication network N. Send and receive.

  The storage unit 35 is composed of a hard disk or the like, and stores a control program, parameters and files necessary for executing the program. The storage unit 35 stores DICOM image data (one or more DICOM image data objects) generated by the modality 20.

  The storage unit 35 stores a database program for managing DICOM image data. In cooperation with the database program and the control unit 31, the DICOM image data stored in the storage unit 35, the DICOM image data stored in the high speed device 38, and the DICOM image data stored in the low speed device 39 are managed. To do. Here, for convenience of explanation, the storage unit 35, the high speed device 38, and the low speed device 39 may be collectively referred to as a DICOM storage area.

  FIG. 4 shows a storage management image diagram of DICOM image data stored and managed in the DICOM storage area. The DICOM image data object is stored and managed based on patient information, examination information, and series information included in the incidental information. According to FIG. 4, the DICOM storage area stores 1000 DICOM image data objects related to the series X of examination E performed on the patient A (DICOM image data objects d1 to d1000). The DICOM storage area stores key objects related to the series Y of examination E performed on the patient A.

  Here, the key object stored in the DICOM storage area will be described. When the control unit 31 receives the interpretation completion notification and the key image specifying information from the image interpretation terminal 50 via the communication unit 34, the control unit 31 generates a key object based on the key image specifying information. Specifically, the control unit 31 generates a key image series Y in addition to the series X related to the inspection E, and generates a key object associated with the series Y. The key object holds the SOP instance UID of the target image. The control unit 31 uses a conversion table or the like to link the DICOM image data object having the corresponding SOP instance UID and the key object (for example, using a pointer to indicate the address where the DICOM image data object is stored) ). Note that the number of key objects is not limited to one, and a plurality of key objects may exist. For example, in the interpretation terminal 50, when five key images are selected, the control unit 31 generates five key objects associated with the series Y. The above is the description of the key object.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the control unit 31 saves (stores) the key image (DICOM image data object pointed to by the key object) in the high-speed device 38. Further, the control unit 31 saves (stores) in the low-speed device 39 an interpreted DICOM image (interpreted DICOM image data object not indicated by the key object) other than the key image.

  FIG. 5 shows a storage area image diagram of the DICOM image data object stored in the DICOM storage area (the storage unit 35, the high speed device 38, and the low speed device 39). As shown in FIG. 5, the storage unit 35 stores a DICOM image data object before interpretation. The high-speed device 38 also stores the interpreted key image (DICOM image data object pointed to by the key object). Further, the low speed device 39 stores an interpreted DICOM image other than the key image (an interpreted DICOM image data object not indicated by the key object).

  When receiving the DICOM image data (DICOM image data object group) from the modality 20 via the communication unit 34, the control unit 31 stores the DICOM image data in the storage unit 35. Then, in response to the DICOM image data acquisition request from the interpretation terminal 50, the control unit 31 reads out the corresponding DICOM image data object from the storage unit 35 and transmits it to the interpretation terminal 50.

  Further, when receiving the interpretation completion notification and the key image specifying information from the interpretation terminal 50 via the communication unit 34, the control unit 31 generates a key object based on the key image specifying information and specifies the key image. . Further, the control unit 31 extracts a DICOM image data object group (one or a plurality of DICOM image data objects) corresponding to the examination that has been interpreted by the interpretation terminal 50 based on the interpretation completion notification, and reads out from the storage unit 35. . Then, the control unit 31 causes the high-speed device 38 to store the key image (DICOM image data object pointed to by the key object) among the extracted DICOM image data objects. Further, the control unit 31 causes the low-speed device 39 to store a DICOM image other than the key image (a DICOM image data object not indicated by the key object) among the extracted DICOM image data objects. Then, the control unit 31 deletes the extracted DICOM image data object group from the storage unit 35. In the example of FIG. 4, the DICOM image data object d301 is stored in the high speed device 38, and the DICOM image data objects d1 to d300 and d302 to d1000 are stored in the low speed device 39.

  When the control unit 31 receives a read DICOM image data acquisition request from the image interpretation terminal 50 or another terminal (not shown) via the communication unit 34, the control unit 31 receives the corresponding DICOM image data object from the high speed device 38 and the low speed device 39. Is read. Then, the control unit 31 transmits the DICOM image data object to the image interpretation terminal 50 and other terminals not shown. Specifically, when the interpretation-ready DICOM image data acquisition request is a request for acquiring a key image, the control unit 31 reads out the corresponding DICOM image data object from the high-speed device 38. In addition, when the interpretation-ready DICOM image data acquisition request is a request for acquiring a DICOM image other than the key image, the control unit 31 reads the corresponding DICOM image data object from the low-speed device 39. In addition, when the interpretation-ready DICOM image data acquisition request is a request for acquiring a DICOM image other than the key image and the key image, the control unit 31 obtains the corresponding DICOM image data object from the high-speed device 38 and the low-speed device 39. read out.

[Functional structure of interpretation terminal]
FIG. 6 shows a functional configuration of the image interpretation terminal 50. As shown in FIG. 6, the interpretation terminal 50 includes a control unit 51, an operation unit 52, a communication unit 53, a display unit 54, and a storage unit 55, and each unit is connected by a bus 56.

  The control unit 51 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and comprehensively controls processing operations of each unit of the image interpretation terminal 50. Specifically, the CPU reads various processing programs stored in the storage unit 55 in accordance with an operation signal input from the operation unit 52 or an instruction signal received by the communication unit 53, and is formed in the RAM. The work area is expanded and various processes are performed in cooperation with the program.

  The operation unit 52 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 operation signals input by keyboard operations or mouse operations. To 51.

  The communication unit 53 includes a LAN (Local Area Network) adapter, a router, a TA (Terminal Adapter), and the like, and transmits data to and from external devices such as the image server 30 and the report management server 40 connected via the communication network N. Send and receive.

  The display unit 54 includes a high-precision monitor such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various screens based on display data input from the control unit 51. Specifically, the display unit 54 displays an interpretation screen used for interpretation work, and displays a DICOM image received from the image server 30 on the interpretation screen.

  The storage unit 55 includes a hard disk or the like, and stores a control program, parameters and files necessary for executing the program, and the like. The storage unit 55 temporarily stores DICOM image data (one or a plurality of DICOM image data objects) to be interpreted.

  The control unit 51 generates a DICOM image data acquisition request based on a user operation by the image interpretation doctor. Then, the control unit 51 transmits the DICOM image data acquisition request to the image server 30 via the communication unit 53.

  When receiving the DICOM image data object group corresponding to the acquisition request from the image server 30 via the communication unit 53, the control unit 51 temporarily stores the received DICOM image data object group in the storage unit 55 (temporarily stores it). ). Then, the control unit 51 reads the DICOM image data object group temporarily stored in the storage unit 55 and displays the DICOM image on the display unit 54.

  Further, the control unit 51 generates key image specifying information that is information for specifying a key image and an interpretation completion notification that is a notification that the interpretation is completed, based on a user operation by the interpretation doctor. Then, the control unit 51 transmits the key image specifying information and the interpretation completion notification to the image server 30 via the communication unit 53.

[Specific operation of each device in medical imaging system]
Next, specific operations of each device executed in the medical image system 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the modality 20 images a patient and transmits the generated DICOM image data to the image server 30. And the image server 30 preserve | saves the DICOM image data transmitted from the modality 20 in the memory | storage part 35 (step S1). As described above, every time DICOM image data is transmitted from the modality 20, the image server 30 stores and accumulates the DICOM image data.

  The interpretation terminal 50 transmits a DICOM image data acquisition request to the image server 30 based on a user operation such as an interpretation doctor (step S2). The DICOM image data acquisition request includes data specifying information such as a patient name and an examination date.

  When receiving the DICOM image data acquisition request from the image interpretation terminal 50, the image server 30 transmits the corresponding DICOM image data to the image interpretation terminal 50 based on the data specifying information included in the DICOM image data acquisition request (step S3). Specifically, the image server 30 sets the value of the “examination date” of the data acquisition request among the examination information associated with the patient information having the value of “patient name” that matches the “patient name” of the data acquisition request. All the DICOM image data objects associated with the examination information having the value of “inspection date” that coincides with is transmitted. Hereinafter, according to the example of FIG. 4, the inspection corresponding to the data acquisition request is “inspection E”, and the number of corresponding DICOM image data objects is 1000.

  When receiving the DICOM image data (1000 DICOM image data objects in examination E) from the image server 30, the image interpretation terminal 50 receives 1000 medical images (DICOM images) on the monitor (display unit 54) based on the DICOM image data. ) Is displayed (step S4). The image interpretation terminal 50 displays 1000 medical images (DICOM images) by scrolling the screen or the like.

  The image interpretation terminal 50 selects one or a plurality of key images from 1000 medical images (DICOM images) displayed on the monitor based on a user operation by the image interpretation doctor (step S5). The interpretation doctor interprets the key image. Then, the image interpretation terminal 50 creates an image interpretation report based on a user operation by the image interpretation doctor, and stores the image interpretation report in the report management server 40 (step S6).

  Then, the image interpretation terminal 50 transmits an image interpretation completion notification, which is a notification that the image interpretation is completed, and key image specifying information, which is information for specifying the key image, to the image server 30 (step S7). Here, the key image specifying information is the SOP instance UID of the image information related to the DICOM image selected as the key image. The interpretation completion notification includes patient information and examination information corresponding to the examination that has been interpreted.

  When the image server 30 receives the interpretation completion notification and the key image identification information from the interpretation terminal 50, the image server 30 generates a key object based on the key image identification information (step S8). Specifically, the image server 30 generates a series Y for key images, and generates a key object associated with the series Y. Here, the image server 30 manages the DICOM image selected by the image interpretation terminal 50 as a key image by generating the key object.

  Then, the image server 30 extracts a DICOM image data object group (one or a plurality of DICOM image data objects) corresponding to the examination that has been interpreted by the interpretation terminal 50 based on the interpretation completion notification received from the interpretation terminal 50, Read from the storage unit 35. Specifically, the image server 30 reads the DICOM image data objects d1 to d1000.

  Then, the image server 30 saves the key image (DICOM image data object pointed to by the key object) among the extracted DICOM image data objects in the high speed device 38 (step S9). Further, the image server 30 stores the DICOM image other than the key image (DICOM image data object not pointed to by the key object) among the extracted DICOM image data objects in the low speed device 39 (step S10). Specifically, the image server 30 stores the DICOM image data object d301 in the high speed device 38 and the DICOM image data objects d1 to d300 and d302 to d1000 in the low speed device 39.

  Then, the image server 30 deletes the extracted DICOM image data object group from the storage unit 35. The process ends here.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the image server 30 stores the DICOM image data object corresponding to the key image in the DICOM image data object group after interpretation in the interpretation terminal 50 in the high-speed device 38. Then, the DICOM image data object other than the key image is stored in the low speed device 39.

  That is, an important DICOM image (key image) that is actually subject to interpretation and the other DICOM image after interpretation are stored in different storage media. The storage medium that stores the key image has a high access speed from the image server 30. Therefore, the image server 30 can search for key images that are repeatedly referred to in a short time. Further, the image server 30 can provide the key image to the terminal that displays the key image in a short time.

  Further, the image server 30 stores the DICOM image other than the key image in a storage medium (low speed device 39) that is lower in cost than a hard disk such as a DVD or a magnetic tape. Therefore, the cost for the storage medium can be reduced as compared with a configuration in which all DICOM images are stored in the hard disk. Further, it is possible to continue referring to DICOM images other than the key image. Then, a DICOM image other than the key image can be newly selected as a key image, and the storage location can be changed from the low speed device 39 to the high speed device 38.

[Modification]
After receiving the interpretation completion notification and the key image specifying information from the interpretation terminal 50, the control unit 31 of the image server 30 stores the key image in the high speed device 38 and the DICOM image other than the key image in the low speed device 39. However, the following configuration may be used.

  That is, when receiving the interpretation completion notification and key image specifying information from the interpretation terminal 50 via the communication unit 34, the control unit 31 generates a key object and specifies a key image based on the key image specifying information. . Further, the control unit 31 extracts a DICOM image data object group (one or a plurality of DICOM image data objects) corresponding to the examination that has been interpreted by the interpretation terminal 50 based on the interpretation completion notification, and reads out from the storage unit 35. . Then, the control unit 31 causes the high-speed device 38 to store the key image (DICOM image data object pointed to by the key object) and the DICOM image near the key image among the extracted DICOM image data objects. Further, the control unit 31 causes the low-speed device 39 to store a DICOM image other than the DICOM image stored in the high-speed device 38 among the extracted DICOM image objects. Then, the control unit 31 deletes the extracted DICOM image data object group from the storage unit 35.

  Here, the DICOM image near the key image refers to a DICOM image having a similar image number value. The image number is a number assigned in order from 1 to medical images generated (captured) in one examination. For example, since 1000 medical images are generated in the examination E, the image numbers are sequentially assigned to the respective medical images from 1 to 1000 (the imaging region is from the top (head) to the bottom (leg)). Will be allocated.

  In the example of FIG. 4, the image numbers corresponding to the DICOM image data objects d1 to d1000 are 1 to 1000, respectively, and the DICOM images near the key image are 10 images before and after the key image. Then, the DICOM image data object d301 and the nearby DICOM image data objects d291 to d300 and d302 to d311 are stored in the high speed device 38. The other DICOM image data objects d1 to d290 and d312 to d1000 are stored in the low speed device 39.

  As described above, according to the modification of the present embodiment, the image server 30 includes the DICOM image data object corresponding to the key image and the DICOM image near the key image in the DICOM image data object group after the interpretation at the interpretation terminal 50. Is stored in the high-speed device 38. Then, other DICOM image data objects are stored in the low speed device 39.

  Therefore, it is possible to search for a key image that is likely to be repeatedly referred to and a DICOM image near the key image in a short time. Further, the image server 30 can provide the key image and the DICOM image near the key image to the display terminal in a short time. Therefore, convenience in image reference is improved.

  The description in the present embodiment is an example of a medical image system according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this. The detailed configuration and detailed operation of each device constituting the system can be appropriately changed.

  In this embodiment, an example in which a hard disk is used as a computer-readable medium storing a program is disclosed, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As other computer-readable media, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory and a portable storage medium such as a CD-ROM can be applied. Also, a carrier wave can be applied as a medium for providing program data via a communication line.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a medical image system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a data block diagram of DICOM image data. It is a block diagram of an image server. It is a storage management image figure in an image server. It is a storage area image figure in an image server. It is a block diagram of an interpretation terminal. It is a ladder chart which shows the process performed in a medical image system.

Explanation of symbols

10 RIS
20 modality 30 image server 31 control unit 32 operation unit 33 display unit 34 communication unit 35 storage unit 36 I / F unit 37 bus 38 high speed device 39 low speed device 40 report management server 50 interpretation terminal 51 control unit 52 operation unit 53 communication unit 54 Display unit 55 Storage unit 56 Bus 100 Medical image system N Communication network

Claims (4)

A medical image system in which an image server that manages DICOM images and an interpretation terminal that displays the DICOM images on a display unit and is used for interpretation work are connected via a communication network so that data communication is possible.
The interpretation terminal
Selecting means for selecting a key image from the DICOM images;
With
The image server
A plurality of storage means having different access speeds;
Control means for storing the key image in a storage means having a high access speed in the storage means, and storing a DICOM image other than the key image in a storage means having a low access speed in the storage means;
A medical image system comprising: A medical image system in which an image server that manages DICOM images and an interpretation terminal that displays the DICOM images on a display unit and is used for interpretation work are connected via a communication network so that data communication is possible.
The interpretation terminal
Selecting means for selecting a key image from the DICOM images;
With
The image server
A plurality of storage means having different access speeds;
The key image and a DICOM image in the vicinity of the key image are stored in a storage unit having a high access speed in the storage unit, and other DICOM images are stored in a storage unit having a low access speed in the storage unit. Control means;
A medical image system comprising: An image server for managing DICOM images,
A plurality of storage means having different access speeds;
A DICOM image selected from the DICOM images is used as a key image, the key image is stored in a storage unit having a high access speed in the storage unit, and a DICOM image other than the key image is stored in the storage unit. Control means for storing in a storage means having a low access speed;
An image server comprising: A computer that manages DICOM images
A plurality of storage means having different access speeds;
A DICOM image selected from the DICOM images is used as a key image, the key image is stored in a storage unit having a high access speed in the storage unit, and a DICOM image other than the key image is stored in the storage unit. Control means for storing in a storage means having a low access speed;
Program to function as.

Images