JP2009247540A - Image server and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the convenience of diagnostic reading work by a diagnostic reading doctor. <P>SOLUTION: When receiving DICOM image data from a modality, the image server 30 tentatively preserves the received DICOM image data in a storage part as preservation object DICOM image data. Then, an inspection in the past under the same condition as the inspection in which the preservation object DICOM image data are generated is retrieved and the key image of the inspection in the past is specified. Then, the image server 30 compares incidental information of the specified key image with each incidental information of each preservation object DICOM image data object respectively, and selects the object corresponding to the specified key image from the respective preservation object DICOM image data objects. Then, the image server 30 preserves the selected preservation object DICOM image data object in an ultra high-speed device 39 and preserves the preservation object DICOM image data objects other than that in a normal device 38. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to 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. These medical images include a medical image that is highly likely to be referred to by an interpretation doctor and a low medical image. For example, when observing the course of a lesion, there is a high possibility that a medical image centered on the lesion is referred to, and a low possibility that a medical image of a part away from the lesion is referred to.

  However, these medical images are stored and managed in the same storage medium. For this reason, when a medical image that is highly likely to be referred to is displayed at the time of image interpretation work, it takes time to search and acquire the medical image, which is inconvenient.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to improve the convenience of interpretation work by an interpreting doctor.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 1
An image server for managing DICOM images,
A plurality of storage means having different access speeds;
A key image in a past examination under the same conditions as the examination that has generated one or more DICOM images to be newly managed is identified from one or more DICOM images that have already been managed,
The incidental information attached to the identified key image and the incidental information newly attached to each DICOM image to be managed are respectively compared, and the identified information is selected from one or more DICOM images to be newly managed. Select the DICOM image corresponding to the key image,
Control that causes the selected DICOM image to be stored in a storage means with a high access speed among the storage means, and a DICOM image to be newly managed other than that is stored in a storage means with a low access speed among the storage means. Means,
Is provided.

The invention described in claim 2
An image server for managing DICOM images,
A plurality of storage means having different access speeds;
A key image in a past examination under the same conditions as the examination that has generated one or more DICOM images to be newly managed is identified from one or more DICOM images that have already been managed,
The incidental information attached to the identified key image and the incidental information newly attached to each DICOM image to be managed are respectively compared, and the identified information is selected from one or more DICOM images to be newly managed. Select the DICOM image corresponding to the key image,
The selected DICOM image and a nearby DICOM image are stored in a storage means having a high access speed among the storage means, and other DICOM images to be newly managed are stored in the storage means with an access speed of the access speed. Control means for storing in a low storage means;
Is provided.

The program according to claim 3 is:
A computer that manages DICOM images
A plurality of storage means having different access speeds;
A key image in a past examination under the same conditions as the examination that has generated one or more DICOM images to be newly managed is identified from one or more DICOM images that have already been managed,
The incidental information attached to the identified key image and the incidental information newly attached to each DICOM image to be managed are respectively compared, and the identified information is selected from one or more DICOM images to be newly managed. Select the DICOM image corresponding to the key image,
Control that causes the selected DICOM image to be stored in a storage means with a high access speed among the storage means, and a DICOM image to be newly managed other than that is stored in a storage means with a low access speed among the storage means. means,
To function as.

  According to the first and third aspects of the present invention, the control unit of the image server has already managed the key image in the past examination under the same condition as the examination in which one or more DICOM images to be newly managed are generated. Are identified from the DICOM images, and the incidental information incidental to the identified key image is compared with the incidental information incidental to each new DICOM image to be managed, respectively, and becomes a new management object A DICOM image corresponding to the specified key image is selected from one or a plurality of DICOM images, the selected DICOM image is stored in a storage means with a high access speed, and other DICOM images to be newly managed Are stored in a storage means having a low access speed. Therefore, it is possible to access a DICOM image that is highly likely to be referred to by an interpretation doctor at the time of interpretation work at high speed. Therefore, the convenience of interpretation work by the interpretation doctor can be improved.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control unit of the image server has already become a management target for the key image in the past inspection under the same condition as the inspection that has generated one or more DICOM images to be newly managed. 1 or the newly added management target by comparing the additional information attached to the identified key image with the additional information attached to each DICOM image to be managed. A DICOM image corresponding to the specified key image is selected from a plurality of DICOM images, the selected DICOM image and a nearby DICOM image are stored in a storage device with high access speed, and other newly managed The target DICOM image is stored in a storage means having a low access speed. Therefore, at the time of interpretation work, it is possible to access a DICOM image that is highly likely to be referred to by an interpretation doctor and a DICOM image in the vicinity thereof at high speed. Therefore, the convenience of interpretation work by the interpretation doctor can be 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 normal device 38 and the ultrahigh-speed device 39 so that data communication is possible. The image interpretation terminal 50 and the ultra high speed device 39 are connected to each other via a dedicated line M (for example, fiber channel) so that high speed 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. Specifically, when receiving the DICOM image data from the modality 20, the image server 30 stores the received DICOM image data in the normal device 38 or the ultra high speed device 39. Further, when the image server 30 receives a DICOM image data acquisition request from the interpretation terminal 50, the image server 30 transmits DICOM image data corresponding to the acquisition request to the interpretation terminal 50.

  The ultra-high speed device 39 is a storage medium such as a silicon disk, and stores DICOM image data and the like. The ultra high speed device 39 has a higher access speed from the image server 30 than the access speed of the normal device 38 described later. The super-high-speed device 39 is connected to the image interpretation terminal 50 through a dedicated line M, and performs high-speed communication with the image interpretation terminal 50. The DICOM image data stored in the ultra high speed device 39 is transmitted to the image interpretation terminal 50 via the dedicated line M.

  The normal device 38 is a storage medium such as a hard disk, and stores DICOM image data and the like. The normal device 38 has a lower access speed from the image server 30 than the access speed of the ultra-high speed device 39 described above. Further, since the normal device 38 is not connected to the image interpretation terminal 50 through the dedicated line M, the access speed from the image interpretation terminal 50 is lower than the access speed of the ultrahigh-speed device 39 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 normal device 38 and an ultra high 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 temporarily 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 normal device 38 and the DICOM image data stored in the ultra high speed device 39 are managed. Here, for convenience of explanation, the storage unit 35, the normal device 38, and the ultra-high 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, when receiving the DICOM image data from the modality 20, the control unit 31 temporarily stores the received DICOM image data in the storage unit 35 as the storage target DICOM image data. Then, the control unit 31 reads out the storage target DICOM image data object corresponding to the key image in the past inspection under the same conditions as the inspection that generated the storage target DICOM image data from the storage unit 35 and stores it in the ultrahigh speed device 39 (storage) ) In addition, the control unit 31 reads other storage target DICOM image data objects from the storage unit 35 and stores (stores) them in the normal device 38.

  In addition, when the interpretation terminal 50 interprets a DICOM image data object stored in the ultra high speed device 39, the control unit 31 transfers the DICOM image data object from the ultra high speed device 39 to the normal device 38. Move. Specifically, the control unit 31 reads the DICOM image data object from the ultrahigh speed device 39 and stores the DICOM image data object in the normal device 38. Then, the DICOM image data object stored in the ultra high speed device 39 is deleted.

  FIG. 5 shows a storage area image diagram of DICOM image data objects stored in the normal device 38 and the ultrahigh-speed device 39. As shown in FIG. 5, the super-high-speed device 39 stores only the DICOM image data object before interpretation corresponding to the key image of the past examination under the same condition. The normal device 38 stores all other DICOM image data objects. That is, the DICOM image data managed by the image server 30 is accumulated and stored in the normal device 38.

  When observing the progress of a lesion, there is a high possibility that a DICOM image data object before interpretation corresponding to a key image of a past examination under the same condition is referred to in interpretation work by an interpretation doctor.

[Processes executed in the medical imaging system from the generation to storage of DICOM image data]
Next, a specific operation of each apparatus executed in the medical image system 100 from generation to storage of DICOM image data will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the modality 20 images a patient and generates DICOM image data (step S1). Here, it is assumed that the modality 20 has taken 1000 medical images in this examination (referred to as examination G). That is, the modality 20 has generated 1000 DICOM image data objects in the examination G.

  The modality 20 transmits the generated DICOM image data (1000 DICOM image data objects) to the image server 30 (step S2).

  When receiving the DICOM image data from the modality 20, the image server 30 temporarily stores the received DICOM image data (1000 DICOM image data objects) in the storage unit 35 as the storage target DICOM image data (step S3).

  Then, the image server 30 searches for a past examination under the same condition as the examination that generated the storage target DICOM image data (step S4). The past examination under the same condition means, for example, a past examination in which “modality name”, “station name”, “examination part”, “examination direction”, “examination posture”, “procedure”, “patient ID”, and combinations thereof are equal. . Items other than these items may be added to the same condition.

  Specifically, the image server 30 extracts items “modality name”, “station name”, “examination site”, “examination direction”, “examination position”, “procedure”, “patient ID”, and the like from the incidental information of the DICOM image data to be saved. . Then, the image server 30 inquires whether there is a corresponding examination in the database program stored in the storage unit 35 based on the extracted item group.

  Here, the item “modality name” is a type of modality, and takes values such as CR, CT, MR, and the like. The item “station name” is a device name, and takes a different value for each device generation or manufacturer. Further, the item “examination part” is an examination part, and takes the values of the left, right, front, and back of the head, chest, and the like. The item “inspection direction” is a direction in which the image is taken, and takes values such as the front and side surfaces. The item “inspection position” is a photographed position, and takes values such as standing and lying. Note that the items extracted from the incidental information of the DICOM image data to be stored by the image server 30 can be changed as appropriate according to the types of items to be regarded as past examinations under the same conditions.

  In the search in step S4, when there is no past examination with the same condition (step S5; NO), the image server 30 reads all the storage target DICOM image data objects from the storage unit 35 (1000 DICOM image data objects in examination G). Are stored in the normal device 38 (step S11). Then, the image server 30 deletes the storage target DICOM image data temporarily stored in the storage unit 35.

  On the other hand, when there is a past examination under the same condition (step S5; YES), the image server 30 specifies a key image in the past examination based on the key object in the past examination under the same condition (step S6). Specifically, if a past examination under the same condition as the examination G is an examination E (see FIG. 4), the image server 30 has a key object associated with the series Y associated with the examination E associated with the patient A (see FIG. 4). Based on the above, the DICOM image data object d301 (see FIG. 4) is specified.

  Then, the image server 30 extracts the image number included in the image information included in the incidental information of the key image (DICOM image data object indicated by the key object) in the past examination (step S7).

  Then, the image server 30 selects the image number extracted from the storage target DICOM image data object group (1000 storage target DICOM image data objects generated in the examination G) temporarily stored in the storage unit 35. A storage target DICOM image data object having the same image number is selected (step S8). Specifically, the image server 30 compares and selects the extracted image number value and the image number value included in the supplementary information of each storage target DICOM image data object.

  Here, 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 G, image numbers 1 to 1000 are sequentially assigned to the respective medical images. When 1000 slice images of a patient are taken from the top to the bottom (from head to leg), the image number of the top medical image is 1, and the image number of the bottom medical image is 1000. It becomes.

  Then, the image server 30 reads out the storage target DICOM image data object selected in step S8 from the storage unit 35 and stores it in the ultrahigh speed device 39 (step S9). Further, the image server 30 reads other storage target DICOM image data objects from the storage unit 35 and stores them in the normal device 38 (step S10). Then, the image server 30 deletes the storage target DICOM image data temporarily stored in the storage unit 35.

[Processes executed by the medical image system during interpretation]
Next, specific operations of each device executed in the medical image system 100 at the time of interpretation will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, 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 S101). The DICOM image data acquisition request includes data specifying information such as a patient name and an examination date.

  When the image server 30 receives the DICOM image data acquisition request from the image interpretation terminal 50, the image server 30 sends the corresponding DICOM image data object from the ultrahigh speed device 39 to the image interpretation terminal 50 based on the data specifying information included in the DICOM image data acquisition request. Transmission is performed via the dedicated line M (step S102).

  Further, the image server 30 reads out the corresponding DICOM image data object from the normal device 38 based on the data specifying information included in the DICOM image data acquisition request, and transmits it to the image interpretation terminal 50 via the communication network N (step). S103).

  For example, it is assumed that the DICOM image data acquisition request transmitted in step S101 is a request for acquiring the DICOM image data generated in the examination G. In other words, the inspection specified by the data specifying information is the inspection G. Then, the image server 30 transmits the DICOM image data object stored in the ultrahigh speed device 39 to the interpretation terminal 50 via the dedicated line M in step S9 of FIG. Further, the image server 30 reads the DICOM image data object stored in the normal device 38 and transmits it to the image interpretation terminal 50 via the communication network N in step S10 of FIG.

  Then, when the image interpretation terminal 50 starts to receive DICOM image data (1000 DICOM image data objects in the examination G) from the image server 30, based on the received DICOM image data object, a medical image (DICOM image) is displayed on the monitor. It is displayed (step S104). When the DICOM image data (1000 DICOM image data objects in examination G) is received from the image server 30, 1000 medical images are displayed on the monitor. The image interpretation terminal 50 displays 1000 medical images (DICOM images) by scrolling the screen or the like.

  In this way, the interpretation terminal 50 receives the DICOM image stored in the ultrahigh-speed device 39 via the dedicated line M. Therefore, the DICOM image that is highly likely to be referred to in the interpretation work by the interpreting doctor is converted to the DICOM image. It can be displayed on the monitor in a short time after transmitting the data acquisition request.

  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 interpreting physician (step S105). 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 S106).

  Then, the image interpretation terminal 50 transmits an image interpretation completion notification, which is a notification that the image interpretation has been completed, and key image identification information, which is information for identifying a key image, to the image server 30 (step S107). 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 S108). Specifically, the image server 30 generates a series for key images and generates a key object associated with the generated series. 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 moves the DICOM image data object stored in the ultra high speed device 39 to the normal device 38 (step S109). The process ends here.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when receiving the DICOM image data from the modality 20, the image server 30 temporarily stores the received DICOM image data in the storage unit 35 as the storage target DICOM image data. Then, the image server 30 searches for the past examination under the same condition as the examination that generated the storage target DICOM image data, and specifies the key image of the past examination. Then, the image server 30 compares the supplementary information of the identified key image with the supplementary information of each storage target DICOM image data object, and selects the identified key image from each storage target DICOM image data object. Select the object corresponding to. Then, the image server 30 stores the selected storage target DICOM image data object in the ultra high speed device 39 (storage means having a high access speed). In addition, other storage target DICOM image data objects are stored in the normal device 38 (storage means having a low access speed).

  Therefore, a DICOM image that is highly likely to be referred to in an interpretation work by an interpreting doctor can be provided to a terminal (for example, the interpretation terminal 50) that displays the DICOM image via the dedicated line M in a short time. Therefore, the convenience of interpretation work by the interpretation doctor can be improved.

[Modification 1]
In the present embodiment, the radiogram interpretation terminal 50 and the ultrahigh-speed device 39 are connected via the dedicated line M so that high-speed data communication is possible. However, the following system configuration may be used.

  In other words, the ultrahigh speed device 39 is incorporated in the radiogram interpretation terminal 50 without connecting the radiogram interpretation terminal 50 and the ultrahigh speed device 39 via the dedicated line M.

  With such a system configuration, the interpretation terminal 50 does not need to perform data communication with an external device when reading a DICOM image data object before interpretation corresponding to a key image. Therefore, the same effect as this embodiment can be obtained.

  Further, it is not necessary to incorporate the ultrahigh-speed device 39 into the image interpretation terminal 50 and to connect the image interpretation terminal 50 and the ultrahigh-speed device 39 with the dedicated line M.

  In this case, the DICOM image data object before interpretation corresponding to the key image stored in the ultrahigh speed device 39 is transmitted to the interpretation terminal 50 via the communication network N. However, since the access speed from the image server 30 of the super-high-speed device 39 is higher than the access speed from the image server 30 of the normal device 38, the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

[Modification 2]
In the present embodiment, the image server 30 stores the storage target DICOM image data object selected in step S8 in FIG. 6 in the ultra-high speed device 39, and stores other storage target DICOM image data objects in the normal device 38. However, the following configuration may be adopted.

  That is, the image server 30 stores the storage target DICOM image data object selected in step S8 in FIG. 6 and the storage target DICOM image data object near the selected storage target DICOM image data object in the ultra high speed device 39. In addition, the image server 30 stores a storage target DICOM image data object other than the storage target DICOM image data object stored in the ultrahigh-speed device 39 in the normal device 38.

  Here, the storage target DICOM image data object in the vicinity of the storage target DICOM image data object indicates a storage target DICOM image data object having a similar image number value. For example, it indicates a storage target DICOM image data object having an image number whose absolute value of the difference from the image number value of the selected storage target DICOM image data object is 10 or less.

  As described above, according to the second modification of the present embodiment, when receiving the DICOM image data from the modality 20, the image server 30 temporarily stores the received DICOM image data in the storage unit 35 as the storage target DICOM image data. Then, the image server 30 searches for the past examination under the same condition as the examination that generated the storage target DICOM image data, and specifies the key image of the past examination. Then, the image server 30 compares the supplementary information of the identified key image with the supplementary information of each storage target DICOM image data object, and selects the identified key image from each storage target DICOM image data object. Select the object corresponding to. Then, the image server 30 stores the selected storage target DICOM image data object and the storage target DICOM image data object in the vicinity thereof in the ultra high speed device 39 (storage means having a high access speed). In addition, other storage target DICOM image data objects are stored in the normal device 38 (storage means having a low access speed).

  Therefore, a DICOM image that is highly likely to be referred to in an interpretation work by an interpreting doctor and a DICOM image in the vicinity thereof are displayed on a terminal (for example, the interpretation terminal 50) that displays the DICOM image via the dedicated line M in a short time. Can be offered at. Therefore, the convenience of interpretation work by the interpretation doctor can be 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 ladder chart which shows the process performed with a medical image system regarding key object generation. It is a ladder chart which shows the process performed with a medical image system regarding DICOM image data preservation | save.

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 normal device 39 ultra high speed device 40 report management server 50 interpretation terminal 100 medical image system M dedicated line N communication network

Claims (3)

An image server for managing DICOM images,
A plurality of storage means having different access speeds;
A key image in a past examination under the same conditions as the examination that has generated one or more DICOM images to be newly managed is identified from one or more DICOM images that have already been managed,
The incidental information attached to the identified key image and the incidental information newly attached to each DICOM image to be managed are respectively compared, and the identified information is selected from one or more DICOM images to be newly managed. Select the DICOM image corresponding to the key image,
Control that causes the selected DICOM image to be stored in a storage means with a high access speed among the storage means, and a DICOM image to be newly managed other than that is stored in a storage means with a low access speed among the storage means. Means,
An image server comprising: An image server for managing DICOM images,
A plurality of storage means having different access speeds;
A key image in a past examination under the same conditions as the examination that has generated one or more DICOM images to be newly managed is identified from one or more DICOM images that have already been managed,
The incidental information attached to the identified key image and the incidental information newly attached to each DICOM image to be managed are respectively compared, and the identified information is selected from one or more DICOM images to be newly managed. Select the DICOM image corresponding to the key image,
The selected DICOM image and a nearby DICOM image are stored in a storage means having a high access speed among the storage means, and other DICOM images to be newly managed are stored in the storage means with an access speed of the access speed. Control means for storing in a low storage means;
An image server comprising: A computer that manages DICOM images
A plurality of storage means having different access speeds;
A key image in a past examination under the same conditions as the examination that has generated one or more DICOM images to be newly managed is identified from one or more DICOM images that have already been managed,
The incidental information attached to the identified key image and the incidental information newly attached to each DICOM image to be managed are respectively compared, and the identified information is selected from one or more DICOM images to be newly managed. Select the DICOM image corresponding to the key image,
Control that causes the selected DICOM image to be stored in a storage means with a high access speed among the storage means, and a DICOM image to be newly managed other than that is stored in a storage means with a low access speed among the storage means. means,
Program to function as.

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