JP2009271707A - Image data communication apparatus and image data communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image data communication apparatus and a communication system configured to transmit image data required by a communication partner, by confirming specification information for every communication partner. <P>SOLUTION: The image data communication apparatus 1 comprises: an image data managing unit 12 for managing image data: a transmission data managing unit for keeping and managing standard data including communication destination identification information, service kind information, and the tag information and the transmission data generation method information needed to generate transmission data correspondingly to the pieces of information; a specification information acquisition unit 16 for acquiring specification information that a communication partner needs; a specification identifying unit 15 for extracting the communication partner's specification information from the specification information acquisition unit; a transmission data generating unit for comparing the specification information extracted with the tag information included in the standard data, and generating transmission data control information if the same tag information exists; and an image data transmission unit for processing the image data according to the transmission data control information, and transmitting the image data to the communication partner. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image data communication apparatus and an image data communication system for communicating medical image data in various medical image diagnosis apparatuses and medical image management apparatuses connected to communication means such as a network, and more particularly to an appropriate communication partner. Image data can be communicated.

 Generally, in medical institutions, medical image diagnostic apparatuses such as an X-ray CT apparatus (X-ray computer tomography apparatus), an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an X-ray imaging apparatus, and an MRI apparatus (magnetic resonance imaging apparatus) are used. In addition, HIS (Hospital Information System) that manages information in medical institutions, RIS (Radiology Information System) that manages information in radiology, or image file communication storage systems such as PACS (Picture Archiving Communication System) Information transmission is being brought online by construction.

 In such a medical institution, for example, medical image data is transmitted from a medical image diagnostic apparatus to a PACS workstation, and the medical image is displayed / processed on the workstation. Communication between the medical image diagnostic apparatus and the workstation is performed via a network, and generally communication on the network is performed based on the DICOM standard (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine).

 If there are multiple workstations connected to the network, each workstation supports supported image display methods (still image display, video display, multi-frame display, etc.) and image processing methods (2D / 3). If the dimensional / four-dimensional processing, measurement processing, CAD (Computer Aided Diagnosis, etc.) are different, the data required by each workstation is naturally different.

 Therefore, if there is an information gap between the medical image data transmitted from the transmission side to the reception side and the medical image data required by the reception side, proper data processing cannot be performed on the reception side (for example, a workstation). In addition, display processing may not be possible.

  Patent Document 1 describes a service detection method implemented by a communication partner. In the example described in Patent Document 1, a communication request relating to a predetermined service is comprehensively transmitted to a partner device based on a predetermined medical protocol, and the service implemented by the partner device is determined from the reaction of the partner device. It is described that the information about the service implemented by the partner device is obtained without detecting the specification of the partner device.

However, there may be an information gap between the sending device and the receiving system, causing problems in actually displaying and processing medical images even if image data communication is successful. there is a possibility.
JP 2002-259242 A

 In a conventional image data communication system, there may be an information gap between the transmission side and the reception side of medical image data, and even if image data communication is successful, the medical image is actually displayed or processed. Could cause problems.

 The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an image data communication apparatus and a communication system that can check specification information for each communication partner and transmit image data required by the communication partner. For the purpose.

  The present invention according to claim 1 is an image data communication apparatus that is configured in a medical device connectable to a network and that communicates image data with another medical device connected to the network. An image data management unit that manages image data including information, communication destination identification information that identifies a communication partner, service type information that identifies a service type, and transmission data that corresponds to the communication destination identification information Transmission data management unit for storing and managing standard data including tag information and transmission data creation method information, and specification information acquisition for acquiring specification information necessary for the communication partner to process image data from the communication partner A specification identifying unit that inputs the communication destination identification information, specifies a communication partner, and extracts the specification information of the corresponding communication partner from the specification information acquisition unit, and the extraction A transmission data generation unit that compares the tag information included in the specification information and the standard data, and generates transmission data control information for the designated communication partner using the standard data when the same tag information exists. And an image data transmission unit that processes the image data of the image data management unit based on the transmission data control information and transmits the image data to the communication partner.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image for communicating image data between a plurality of medical devices via the network, comprising a medical device connected to a network and a center unit connected to the network. In the data communication system, the center unit includes communication destination identification information for identifying a communication partner, service type information for identifying a service type, and tag information necessary for creating transmission data corresponding to the communication destination identification information And a transmission data management unit that stores and manages standard data including transmission data creation method information, and a specification information acquisition unit that acquires specification information required when the communication partner processes image data from the communication partner; An information response unit that designates a medical device as a communication partner upon request and extracts the specification information of the corresponding communication partner from the specification information acquisition unit; Transmission data for comparing the extracted specification information with the tag information included in the standard data and generating transmission data control information for the designated communication partner using the standard data when the same tag information exists The medical device includes an image data management unit that manages image data including supplementary information, inputs device information and service type information of the communication partner, specifies a communication partner, and the center. An information requesting unit that transmits a request for the transmission data control information to the information response unit, and a transmission received when the information requesting unit receives the transmission data control information via the information response unit. An image data transmission unit that processes image data of the image data management unit based on data control information and transmits the image data to the communication partner. And butterflies.

  According to the present invention, data required by a communication partner can be transmitted, and image data processing and image display can be performed without hindrance.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram showing a medical system equipped with an image data communication apparatus of the present invention. The image data communication apparatus of the present invention is configured in a medical image diagnostic apparatus, a PACS (PACS: Picture Archiving and Communication System) workstation, or the like.

 FIG. 1 shows a plurality of medical devices, for example, medical image diagnostic apparatuses such as an X-ray CT apparatus 100 and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200, and medical apparatuses such as PACS workstations 300 and 400 (hereinafter simply referred to as workstations 300 and 400). The case where the image management apparatus is connected via the network 10 is illustrated. These medical devices are equipped with the image data communication apparatus 1 of the present invention, and medical image data is transmitted and received via the image data communication apparatus 1.

 For example, the network 10 includes a 10BASE-T / 100BASE-TX / 1000BASE-T network based on the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard and a LAN based on a network standard such as TCP / IP. And it is a form to connect to the LAN. Each of the medical image diagnostic apparatuses (100, 200) and the medical image management apparatus (300, 400) performs communication based on the DICOM standard (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) on the network 10.

 For example, in FIG. 1, the X-ray CT apparatus 100 transmits a medical image as an inspection result to the workstations 300 and 400. Similarly, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 may transmit a medical image as a test result to the workstations 300 and 400.

 FIG. 2 shows a basic data structure of image data according to the DICOM standard. In FIG. 2, the image data is configured as a set (series) of data elements. Each of the data elements 1-1, 1-2,... 1-n is a tag, a data type (VR: Value Representation), a data length (Value Length), image data or data (Value Field) of incidental information. Composed. Tag information (Tag) is further divided into Group and Element. Group represents the type (category) of data, and Element is a number for uniquely identifying data within the same group. FIG. 3 shows an example of data type (category).

 The VR is for storing information indicating the data type, and may be omitted depending on the transfer condition of the image data, but has a fixed length. FIG. 4 shows an example of the data type (VR).

 The data length (Value Length) is a fixed length, and stores the length of data stored in the Value Field. The Value Field is an area for storing data itself corresponding to a tag (Tag). What data elements are included as image data is basically determined by the service type (SOP Class UID) defined in the DICOM standard (SOP Class is an abbreviation of Service Object Pair Class).

 An example of the service type is shown in FIG. For example, the SOP Class UID of CT Image Storage is represented by 1.2.840.10008.5.1.4.1.1.2.1.

 Further, the tag information: Tag (hereinafter referred to as tag) is determined for each service type. Types include 1, 2, and 3. Type 1 requires tags and data. Type 2 requires at least tags. Type 3 can omit both tags and data. For Type 1 and Type 2, when the conditions are met, a modifier “Conditional” in which both the tag and data must be set can be added. That is, 1C and 2C.

 In FIG. 1, for example, an image display method (still image display, moving image display, multi-frame display, etc.) supported by the workstation 300 and the workstation 400, an image processing method (2D / 3D / 4D processing, measurement) Different processing, CAD: Computer Aided Diagnosis, etc.) require different data for each workstation.

 In addition, the DICOM standard is regularly reviewed, and existing tags may be abolished or new tags registered, and private tags unique to the manufacturer may be used in addition to published tags. Therefore, a difference (information gap) may occur between data and a tag required between a transmission-side apparatus (for example, the X-ray CT apparatus 100) and a reception-side apparatus (for example, the workstation 300). is there.

 In other words, what kind of tag is transmitted in accordance with the DICOM standard is determined in advance, but the transmission of data is not necessarily guaranteed for type 2 and type 3 tags, and medical image diagnosis is performed. Depends on the device. Accordingly, even if the image data communication processing based on the DICOM standard is normally completed from the medical image diagnostic apparatuses 100 and 200 to the workstations 300 and 400, an image is actually displayed on the workstations 300 and 400 side. When image processing is performed, there is a possibility of causing a problem that normal display and processing cannot be performed.

 The image data communication apparatus of the present invention addresses such a problem, and transmits image data after confirming whether or not necessary data (tag and data) is included for each communication partner. is there. It also provides a mechanism that allows data (tags) to be sent appropriately.

 FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the image data communication apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image data communication apparatus 1 is mounted on a medical device such as a medical image diagnostic apparatus (100, 200) or a medical image management apparatus (300, 400). In FIG. 6, an X-ray CT that is a medical image diagnostic apparatus. An example will be described in which the image data communication apparatus 1 is mounted on the apparatus 100 and medical image data is transmitted to the workstation 300 which is a medical image management apparatus.

 In FIG. 6, the image data communication apparatus 1 is configured in the X-ray CT apparatus 100, and includes an image data transmission unit 11, an image data management unit 12, a transmission data generation management unit 13, an information creation unit 14, A specification identification unit 15 and a specification information acquisition unit 16 are included.

 The image data management unit 12 includes a database 21, the transmission data generation management unit 13 is connected to a database 22, and the specification information acquisition unit 16 includes a database 23.

 The database 21 stores image data (including incidental information) acquired by the X-ray CT apparatus 20. The database 22 includes communication destination identification information for identifying a communication partner (workstations 300 and 400 in this example), service type information for identifying a service exchanged with the communication partner, and data to be transmitted. Transmission data creation method information that defines a generation method for generation, transmission data control information that specifies data to be actually transmitted in association with communication destination identification information, and the like are stored.

 Further, the database 23 stores specification information acquired in advance from a communication partner (workstation 300, 400, etc.). The specification information designates data actually used by the communication partner, in other words, what data the workstation 300 (WS1) and workstation 400 (WS2) that are the communication partner wants. The data processing specifications for each communication partner (for WS1 and for WS2) are stored.

 The image data management unit 12 manages image data and incidental information stored in the database 21. The transmission data generation management unit 13 has a function of managing communication destination identification information, service type information, transmission data creation method information, and transmission data control information stored in the database 22. The database 22 stores transmission data creation method information and transmission data control information as standard data.

 The specification identifying unit 15 identifies the data processing specification of the communication partner, and extracts the data processing specification of the corresponding communication partner from the database 23 by designating the communication partner.

 The information creation unit 14 compares the data processing specifications read from the database 23 with the standard data (transmission data creation method information) fetched from the database 22 via the transmission data generation management unit 13 and calculates a difference. If there is an information gap between the data processing specification requested by the communication partner based on the calculation result and the standard data stored in the database 22, the information creation unit 14 adds the data. And so on (details will be described later).

 The transmission data generation management unit 13 determines a transmission data creation method, and sends transmission data creation method information and transmission data control information to the image data transmission unit 11. The image data transmission unit 11 includes a conversion / transmission module, reads image data managed by the image data management unit 12 from the database 21 based on the transmission data control information, converts the data to generate transmission data, and transmits the transmission data to the communication partner. To do.

 The transmission data control information from the transmission data generation management unit 13 is control information used when creating transmission data for the communication partner, and will be described in detail later. The transmission data generation management unit 13 has a function as a transmission data management unit that stores and manages standard data stored in the database 22 and a function as a transmission data generation unit that generates transmission data control information.

 FIG. 7 illustrates a basic hardware configuration of the image data communication apparatus 1 mounted on the medical image diagnostic apparatuses 100 and 200 and the medical image management apparatuses 300 and 400.

 In FIG. 7, an image data communication apparatus 1 includes a computer main body 2 such as a personal computer, an input device 3 such as a keyboard and a mouse connected to the computer main body 2, an output device 4 such as a printer, a display device 5, and a magnetic disk device. An external storage device 6 such as a memory, an internal storage device 7 such as a memory, and a network interface 8 that controls connection to the network 10.

 The image data transmission unit 11, the image data management unit 12, the transmission data generation management unit 13, the information creation unit 14, the specification identification unit 15, and the specification information acquisition unit 16 in FIG. 6 are included in the computer main body 2 in FIG. The databases 21, 22, and 23 in FIG. 6 correspond to the external storage device 6 or the internal storage device 7 in FIG.

 Note that the computer main body 2 performs image data processing and transfer processing, and in the case of the X-ray CT apparatus 100, there is a separate mechanism portion such as an imaging unit including an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector. . Further, although communication of image data is performed through the network interface 8, for convenience, the network interface is not shown in FIG.

 Next, the operation of the image data communication apparatus 1 of the present invention will be described. First, the basic operation of the image data transmission processing by the image data transmission unit 11, the image data management unit 12, and the transmission data generation management unit 13 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

 In FIG. 8, S1 is an image data transmission start step. In the next step S2, communication destination identification information (Station Application Entity Title), service type information (SOP Class), communication method (Transfer Syntax shown in FIG. 9) using the input device 3 and the display device 5 shown in FIG. ) And target image identification information (Image-ID and Image-UID) are input, and the image data transmission unit 11 receives the input data.

 Subsequently, in step S3, the image data transmission unit 11 sends communication destination identification information (Station Application Entity Title) from the transmission data control information table (described later in FIG. 10) of the database 22 to the transmission data generation management unit 13. ) And service type information (SOP Class).

 FIG. 10 shows the structure of the transmission data control information table of the database 22. The transmission data control information table includes “communication destination identification information” for identifying a communication partner, “SOP Class identification number” indicating a data type to be created, and a data tag for uniquely identifying the same communication partner. “Transmission data identification number”, “DICOM TAG” indicating the data tag, “Transmission data creation method identification number” for identifying a record in the transmission data creation method information table (described later in FIG. 11), and this record It consists of “update date and time” that represents the update date and time.

 Taking the top record in FIG. 10 as an example, the communication destination identification information is “0001”, the data type to be created is “1.2.840.100008.5.1.4.1.1.2”, and it is a CT image. When the CT image is transmitted, the transmission data identification number is “1”, the data tag is “0008,0020”, and the specific data creation method is a record in the transmission data creation method information table (FIG. 11). It is specified as “11” and indicates that the update date of this record is “2007-11-10”.

 In step S3, the transmission data identification numbers (1, 2, 3) are sorted using the communication destination identification information (eg, “0001”) and the service type information (eg, “1.2.840.100008.5.1.4.1.1.2”) as search keys. Ascending order, and a list consisting of a set of data tag and transmission data creation method identification number is acquired.

 FIG. 11 shows the table structure of the transmission data creation method information table in the database 22. The transmission data creation method information table is prepared for each service type information (SOP Class). For example, an identification number for uniquely identifying a data creation method, data for identifying a data element in DICOM data Tag, data tag attribute name, data tag data type (VR: see FIG. 4), number of data that can be stored in data element pointed to by data tag (VM: Value Multiplicity), data element pointed to by data tag The data length that can be stored in the data element, the data length type (fixed length, maximum length, variable length) that can be stored in the data element pointed to by the data tag, the data tag type, the formula for creating the data, and the record update date Consists of

 There are two types of data tags: a tag defined in the DICOM standard and a private tag uniquely defined by a vendor based on the DICOM standard. There are three types of data tags: Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. Type 1 requires tags and data, Type 2 requires at least tags, and Type 3 allows both tags and data to be omitted. It is.

 For Type 1 and Type 2, when the conditions are met, a modifier “Conditional” in which both the tag and data must be set can be added. That is, 1C, 2C and so on.

 In FIG. 11, the identification number “11” is a data tag “0x0008, 0020”, the attribute name of the data tag is “Study Date”, the data type is “DA”, and represents the date type. There is only “1” value, and the maximum data length is “8 bytes”. The data length is “FIX”, so the length is fixed. The type is “2”, so even if there is no data, at least A tag must be set, and in order to create transmission data, an operation of “= Study_Table.Study_Date” is executed, indicating that the update date of this record is “2007-11-10”.

 When the “data tag” and “transmission data creation method identification number” are acquired in step S3 of FIG. 8, the data tag and transmission data creation method that must be created for each communication partner and service type are determined. Then, the acquisition process of “data tag” and “transmission data creation method identification number” is performed until data creation methods corresponding to all data tags (0008,0020 to 0008,0050) are determined in order from the smallest data tag. to continue.

 In step S5, a “data creation formula” corresponding to the data tag to be processed is acquired based on the “transmission data creation method identification number”, and the image identification information (Image-ID and Image-UID) to be transmitted is obtained. A search instruction is given to the image data management unit 12 as a search key.

 The database 21 includes, for example, a patient information table, an examination information table, a series information table, an image information table, and an apparatus information table shown in FIG. 12, and the image data management unit 12 manages examination image data by associating each table. is doing.

 Therefore, assuming that the patient information table, examination information table, series information table, image information table, and device information table shown in FIGS. 13 to 17 are included, image identification information (Image-ID and Image-UID) to be transmitted is included. The necessary data can be acquired by executing a search (SQL) using the above as a search condition. However, the apparatus information table of FIG. 17 may exist independently. An example of SQL is shown below.

SQL: Select Study_Table.Study_Date FROM Image_Table, Series_Table, Study_Table, Patient_Table WHERE Image_Table.Instance Number = Image_Number and Image_Table.Series_Number = Series_Table.Series_Number and Series_Table.Study_ID = Study_Table.Study_ID and Study_Table.Study_ID = Patient_Table.Patient_ID;
Association between tables is realized by having duplicate columns (information) that can uniquely identify the records of each table, and by providing multiple pieces of identification information, more flexible association can be realized. it can.

 In step S5, data type conversion and padding are performed as necessary, and the data and data size are held. The padding process is to make the data length even by padding characters when the data length is odd, so that the data tag can be arranged in ascending order by conforming to the basic rules of the DICOM standard. is there.

 When all the data tag processes are completed in step S4, the process proceeds to step S6, and the image data transmission unit 11 performs a shaping process (described later) of image data to be transmitted, and a system (for example, a workstation) corresponding to the communication destination identification information 300), the completed data is transmitted according to the communication protocol defined in the DICOM standard, and the process ends in step S7.

 In order to create data, the “data creation arithmetic expression” in the record of the transmission data creation method information table corresponding to the data tag is executed. Some data tags set a fixed value, but this can also be described as an operation.

 The shaping process in step S6 means that when actual DICOM data is created, for example, a value is converted according to the data type, VR is removed according to the communication scheme (Transfer Syntax), or the image data is compressed. Finally, the size of each data group is calculated and set. The value conversion according to the data type refers to converting the data type of the data stored in the image data management unit 12 into data defined by the DICOM standard.

Next, the operation of the image data communication apparatus 1 according to the present invention including the information creation unit 14, the specification identification unit 15, and the specification information acquisition unit 16 will be described.
In general, when communication according to the DICOM standard is performed, data to be transmitted by designating a communication service type information (SOP Class illustrated in FIG. 5), a communication method (Transfer Syntax shown in FIG. 9), and a communication partner. The content of changes. The image data communication apparatus 1 according to the present invention has a feature that data contents (data elements) can be changed for each communication partner.

 For example, depending on the communication partner, there may be a request that the private tag is removed and sent in order to shorten the transmission time of the image data, or a request that the personal information or privacy information in the image data is removed and sent. May occur. In addition, there may be a request that the data tag that has been retired (not recommended for use) in the DICOM standard is transmitted without being deleted.

 Therefore, in the present invention, in order to be able to answer such a special request of the communication partner, the communication partner uses the transmission data creation method information table and the transmission data control information table corresponding to the communication destination identification information. Optimal image data is created and transmitted every time.

 The specification identification unit 15 inputs communication destination identification information (Station Application Entity Title), service type information (SOP Class), and specification identification information using the input device 3 and the display device 5 shown in FIG. is there. As a result, the communication partner is specified, and the data processing specifications required by the communication partner are fetched from the database 23 into the information creating unit 14.

 The data processing specification describes a data tag that is referenced when a communication partner system (workstation 300, 400, etc.) displays or processes image data, such as XML format or CSV format. Stored in a text file. Of course, other file formats may be used, and a method of acquiring a URL or the like online via the network 10 may be used. The specification identification information input to the specification identification unit 15 refers to a file name including path information for a file, URL information for specifying the file on the network, and the like.

 FIG. 18 shows an example of an input screen in the specification identifying unit 15. When the specification identification unit 15 is activated, as shown in FIG. 18, the currently held communication destination identification information (AE title in the screen example), service type information (service type in the screen example), and specification identification information (screen) In the example, the data processing specification) and the update date of each record are displayed.

 When a specific line is selected with a cursor or the like on the screen, the “select” button is enabled, and when the “select” button is clicked, a file selection screen is displayed. FIG. 19 shows an example of the file selection screen. If no row is selected on the screen of FIG. 18, the “select” button changes to the Disable state.

 When a specific row is selected on the screen of FIG. 18, the “setting creation” button is enabled, and when the “setting creation” button is clicked, the information creation unit 14 starts processing. If no row is selected on the screen, the “create setting” button changes to a disabled state.

 To add a new record, add it to an empty line and click the “Update” button. When one page (8 lines) is exceeded on the screen, a scroll bar is automatically displayed and a blank line is displayed.

 Hereinafter, operations of the specification identifying unit 15 and the information creating unit 14 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

 Step S11 is a process start step in the specification identifying unit 15, and the input device 3 in FIG. 7 is operated to display an input screen as shown in FIG. The next step S12 is an information input step. By selecting one of the lines on the input screen of FIG. 18, communication destination information information (AE title), service type information (service type), and specification identification Information has been entered.

 In step S13, the specification information (data processing specification) specified by the specification identification information is read from the database 23, and a list of data tags required by the communication partner is extracted from the specification information.

 In the next step S14, the information creation unit 14 controls the transmission data generation management unit 13 to record all records registered in the transmission data creation method information table (FIG. 11) corresponding to the service type information (SOP Class). Are read from the database 22.

 In step S15, the record of the read transmission data creation method information table is compared with the data processing specification extracted from the database 23. If it exists in the transmission data creation method information table, does not exist in the database 23, and the data tag type is any of type 1, 2, or 2C, the data tag is set to the communication partner. It adds to the data processing specification of the database 23 as a data tag.

 That is, when the data processing specification requested by the communication partner does not include a data tag, it is added and optimized in step S15. As a result, it is possible to prevent a data tag that is said to be essential in the DICOM standard from being lost, and to detect an input error.

 In step S16, if there is a data tag that does not exist in the transmission data creation method information table and exists in the data processing specification of the database 23, information for displaying a warning is generated and whether to continue the process is determined. Display a confirmation screen. In other words, a warning is issued assuming that a data tag different from the standard data exists in the data processing specification. If interruption is selected here, the process is interrupted. If continuation is selected, the data tag is deleted and the process proceeds to the next process.

 Next, in step S17, a record whose communication destination identification information matches the service type information (SOP Class identification number) is acquired from the records registered in the transmission data control information table (FIG. 10) of the database 22. .

 In step S18, the data tag extracted from the specification information in the database 23 is compared with the data tag registered in the transmission data creation method information table (FIG. 11). As a result of the comparison, if the same one exists, the communication destination identification information, service type information (SOP Class identification number) in FIG. 10, and the maximum value of the transmission data identification number in the read transmission data control information table Is set as the transmission data creation method identification number, the number obtained by incrementing the current index number, the data tag, and the identification number of the record in the transmission data creation method information table. That is, transmission data control information is generated.

 Finally, in step S19, the order of the set records is changed using the data tag as a sort key, the transmission data identification numbers are renumbered from 1 in order, and these records are transmitted to the transmission data generation management unit 13. Register with. Of course, registration / update processing may be performed for each record, and only the transmission data identification number may be updated. Thereafter, the transmission data generation management unit 13 and the image data transmission unit 11 transmit the image data to the communication partner.

 By performing such processing, it is possible to create and transmit data composed of data tags that are optimal for the communication partner. In addition, it is possible to detect a shortage of necessary data tags in advance, and it is possible to minimize the time taken to solve the problem.

  Next, an image data communication apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating an image data communication apparatus according to the second embodiment.

 In FIG. 21, the image data communication apparatus 1 is configured in, for example, an X-ray CT apparatus 100, and includes an image data transmission unit 11, an image data management unit 12, a transmission data generation management unit 13, and an information creation unit 14. And the point which has the specification identification part 15 and the specification information acquisition part 16 is the same as FIG.

 In FIG. 21, the information creation unit 14 is further expanded and an information search unit 16 is added. The information search unit 16 searches the transmission data creation method database 24 connected to the network 10.

 The operation of the image data communication apparatus 1 in FIG. 21 is almost the same as that in the flowchart in FIG. 20, but the processing in step S16 is different.

 That is, in the second embodiment, as a result of comparing the record of the transmission data creation method information table read from the database 22 and the data tag extracted from the database 23 in step S16, the data tag is stored in the transmission data creation method information table. If it does not exist and exists in the database 23, the information search unit 16 is called to search the database 24 for transmission data creation method information corresponding to the data tag.

 When the information search unit 16 finds transmission data creation method information that matches the condition, it adds it to the transmission data creation method information in the database 22. If it is not found in the database 24, a confirmation screen as to whether or not to continue this process is displayed. If interruption is selected, the process is interrupted. If continue is selected, the data tag is displayed. Delete and proceed to the next process.

 The information search unit 16 searches the transmission data creation method database 24 based on the data tag. The transmission data creation method database 24 basically has the same information as one record in the transmission data creation method information table of FIG. Save the contents in a file format such as XML format or CSV format, and add a data tag name to the file name. As a result, it is possible to easily search and to easily register in the transmission data creation method information table of the database 22.

 At this time, since the identification number of the transmission data creation method information table in the database 22 needs to be unique, the maximum value of the identification number of the existing record is examined, and the value obtained by adding 1 to the maximum value is used as the identification number. It is good to give. Further, a database having the same structure as the transmission data creation method information table may be prepared in the relational database. Further, the transmission data creation method database 24 may be configured so that a search directory can be designated from the outside. For example, it may be possible to search from a disk such as a USB memory or offline media.

 As described above, in the second embodiment, when there is a data tag that does not exist in the transmission data creation method information table of the database 22, it can be searched from the external database 24.

  Next, an image data communication apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating an image data communication apparatus according to the third embodiment.

 In FIG. 22, the image data communication apparatus 1 is configured in, for example, an X-ray CT apparatus 100, and includes an image data transmission unit 11, an image data management unit 12, a transmission data generation management unit 13, and an information creation unit 14. And the point which has the specification identification part 15 and the specification information acquisition part 16 is the same as FIG.

 In FIG. 22, the information creation unit 14 is further expanded, an information inquiry unit 18 is added, and an information response unit 19 connected to the network 10 is further provided. Information is transmitted between the information inquiry unit 18 and the information response unit 19. It is intended to exchange. A database 25 is connected to the information reply unit 19.

 The operation of the image data communication apparatus 1 in FIG. 22 is almost the same as that in the flowchart in FIG. 20, but the processing in step S16 is different.

 That is, in the third embodiment, as a result of comparing the record of the transmission data creation method information table read from the database 22 and the data tag extracted from the data processing specification database 23 in step S16, the data tag is the transmission data creation method. If it does not exist in the information table but exists in the data processing specification database 23, the information inquiry unit 18 is called to make an inquiry to the information response unit 19.

 Upon receiving the inquiry, the information reply unit 19 searches the database 25 for transmission data creation method information corresponding to the data tag. When there is transmission data creation method information that matches the conditions in the database 25, the information reply unit 19 reads from the database 25 and transmits it to the information inquiry unit 18. The information inquiry unit 18 sends the received transmission data creation method information to the information creation unit 14.

 Then, the information creation unit 14 adds the received transmission data creation method information to the database 22. If it is not found in the database 25, a confirmation screen as to whether or not to continue this process is displayed. If the interruption is selected, the process is interrupted. If the process is selected, the data tag is displayed. Delete and proceed to the next process.

 The information inquiry unit 18 and the information response unit 19 can be connected via the network 10. For example, SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), RPC (Remote A communication protocol such as Procedure Call) can be used.

 The basic processing flow between the information inquiry unit 18 and the information response unit 19 is performed in the following steps S31 to S33.

 Step 31: The information inquiry unit 18 specifies an address (for example, IP address or URL) on the network where the information answering unit 19 is operating, and converts the data tag into a data format determined by the communication protocol. The information is sent to the information reply unit 19 in accordance with the communication protocol.

 Step 32: The information reply unit 19 searches the database 25 based on the data tag that is the received data. In the database 25, the content of one record of the transmission data creation method information table of FIG. 11 is basically stored in a file format such as XML format or CSV format, and a data tag name is given to the file name. As a result, it is possible to easily search and to easily register in the transmission data creation method information table of the database 22.

 Further, a database having the same structure as the transmission data creation method information table may be prepared in the relational database. Further, the information answering unit 19 may be configured to specify a plurality of search directories from the outside. For example, it may be possible to search from a disk such as a USB memory or offline media. Then, the information reply unit 19 returns a search result (for example, XML data) to the information inquiry unit 18.

 Step 33: The information inquiry unit 18 analyzes the received data (XML) to determine whether there is a corresponding record or not, and when the record exists based on the determination result Is registered in the transmission data creation method information table of the database 22 via the information creation unit 14.

 At this time, since the identification number of the transmission data creation method information table needs to be unique, the maximum value of the identification number of the existing record is checked, and a value obtained by adding 1 to the maximum value is assigned as the identification number.

 As described above, in the third embodiment, when there is a data tag that does not exist in the transmission data creation method information table of the database 22, the information query unit 18 and the information response unit 19 are used to search from the external database 25. be able to.

  Next, an image data communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing an image data communication system of the present invention.

 In FIG. 23, the image data communication system includes a first block configured in a medical image diagnostic apparatus or a medical image management apparatus (for example, in the X-ray CT apparatus 100) and a second block configured in the center system 500. The first block 101 and the second block 102 can be connected via the network 10.

 The first block 101 includes an image data transmission unit 11, an image data management unit 12, a transmission data generation management unit 131, and an information request unit 31, and the database 21 is connected to the image data management unit 12. A database 221 is connected to the transmission data generation management unit 131.

 The second block 102 includes a transmission data generation management unit 132, an information generation unit 14, and an information response unit 32. A database 222 is connected to the transmission data generation management unit 132, and the information generation unit 14 has specifications. An information acquisition unit 16 is connected.

 That is, in the image data communication system of FIG. 23, the transmission data generation management unit 13 of FIG. 6 is arranged in the first block 101 and the second block 102 as transmission data generation management units 131 and 132, respectively. 14 and the specification information acquisition unit 16 are arranged in the second block 102, and information is exchanged via the information request unit 31 and the information response unit 32 arranged between the first block 101 and the second block 102. Is to do.

 Except for the exchange of information between the information request unit 31 and the information response unit 32, there is no significant difference in operation from the circuit of FIG. In other words, the information request unit 31 includes communication destination identification information (device information: method, version, etc.) for identifying a communication partner device and service type information for identifying a service exchanged with the communication partner. Send to.

 The information response unit 32 receives the communication destination identification information and the service type information, controls the information creation unit 14, and sends to the transmission data generation management unit 132 the transmission data control information that matches those conditions. Instructs the search whether or not it exists. The specification information in the database 23 of the specification information acquisition unit 16 is searched.

 If the tag exists in both databases as a result of the search, the information response unit 32 returns the corresponding transmission data control information to the information request unit 31. If it does not exist in the database 23, the information creation unit 14 adds the transmission data control information existing in the database 222 to the database 23 and returns it to the information request unit 31.

 When the information request unit 31 further receives a transmission data control information reply from the information response unit 32, the information request unit 31 sends the transmission data control information to the transmission data generation management unit 131 and registers the received transmission data control information in the database 221.

 The image data transmission unit 11 generates and transmits image data for each communication partner based on transmission data control information and transmission data creation method information from the transmission data generation management unit 131.

 As described above, in the image data communication system of the present invention, the transmission data generation management unit 132 and the information creation unit 14 are configured in the center system 500, so that the medical image diagnostic apparatus (X-ray CT apparatus 100 or the like) or the medical image management apparatus is configured. The configuration of the workstation 300 or the like can be simplified. Further, the center system 500 can be put into service.

  As described above, according to the image data communication apparatus and the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, data required by the communication partner can be transmitted, and image data processing and image display can be performed without any trouble. Can do.

  In the above description, communication of image data between the X-ray CT apparatus 100 and the workstation 300 has been mainly described. However, other medical image diagnostic apparatuses (for example, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200) and medical image management apparatuses are described. The present invention can also be applied when image data is communicated with (for example, the workstations 300 and 400).

  The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above description, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

1 is a network configuration diagram showing a medical system to which an image data communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. Explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the image data in DICOM standard. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of Group which comprises the data element of FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data type (VR) constituting the data element of FIG. 2. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the service classification in DICOM specification. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an image data communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image data communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining image transmission processing of the image data communication apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the communication system (Transfer Syntax) in DICOM specification. Explanatory drawing which shows the transmission data control information table in one Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the transmission data creation method information table in one Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the database structure in an image data management part. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the patient information table of FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the test | inspection information table of FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the series information table of FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the image information table of FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the apparatus information table of FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the setting screen of the specification identification part in one Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the file selection screen of the specification identification part in one Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart explaining the flow of the creation process of the transmission data control information in one Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the image data communication apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the image data communication apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram showing an image data communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image data communication apparatus 2 ... Computer main body 3 ... Input apparatus 4 ... Output apparatus 5 ... Display apparatus 6 ... External storage apparatus 7 ... Internal storage apparatus 8 ... Network interface 10 ... Network 11 ... Image data transmission part 12 ... Image data management Section 13 ... Transmission data generation management section 14 ... Information creation section 15 ... Specification identification section 16 ... Specification information acquisition section 17 ... Information retrieval section 18 ... Information inquiry section 19 ... Information response sections 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 221 , 222 ... Database 31 ... Information request unit 32 ... Information response unit 100 ... X-ray CT apparatus (medical image diagnostic apparatus)
200 ... Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (medical image diagnostic apparatus)
300, 400 ... PACS workstation (medical image management device)
500 ... Center system

Claims (10)

An image data communication device configured in a medical device connectable to a network and performing image data communication with another medical device connected to the network,
An image data management unit for managing image data including incidental information;
Communication destination identification information for identifying a communication partner, service type information for identifying a service type, and standard data including tag information and transmission data creation method information necessary for creating transmission data corresponding to the communication destination identification information A transmission data management unit for storing and managing;
Specification information acquisition unit for acquiring specification information necessary for the communication partner to process image data from the communication partner;
A specification identifying unit that inputs the communication destination identification information, specifies a communication partner, and extracts the specification information of the corresponding communication partner from the specification information acquisition unit;
Transmission data for comparing the extracted specification information with the tag information included in the standard data and generating transmission data control information for the designated communication partner using the standard data when the same tag information exists A generator,
An image data communication apparatus comprising: an image data transmission unit that processes image data of the image data management unit based on the transmission data control information and transmits the image data to the communication partner.   2. The image data communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data is configured as a set of a plurality of data elements, and the data elements include the tag information whose type is determined by the service type.   The image data communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission data control information includes at least communication destination identification information, service type information, tag information, and information for identifying a transmission data creation method as a set.   Further, the extracted specification information is compared with the standard data, and when the extracted specification information does not include information corresponding to the tag information and the tag data exists in the standard data, the tag information Is added to the extracted specification information to be optimized, and when tag information not included in the standard data is present in the extracted specification information, an information creation unit that generates information for warning is provided. The image data communication apparatus according to claim 1. The information creation unit further includes an information search unit,
The information search unit is accessible to a first database storing transmission data creation method information,
The information creation unit compares the extracted specification information with the record of the transmission data creation method information table included in the standard data, and the tag information does not exist in the transmission data creation method information table and the extracted If it exists in the specification information, the information search unit is instructed to search the first database,
When the information search unit finds transmission data creation method information that matches the tag information present in the specification information, the information creation unit stores the found transmission data creation method information in the transmission data creation method information table. 5. The image data communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image data communication apparatus is added. The information creation unit further includes an information inquiry unit,
The information inquiry unit can communicate with the information answering unit via the network, and the information answering unit is connected to a second database storing transmission data creation method information,
The information creation unit compares the extracted specification information with the record of the transmission data creation method information table read from the standard data, and the tag information does not exist in the transmission data creation method information table and is extracted. If present in the specification information, call the information inquiry unit, instruct the information answer unit to search the second database,
When the information answering unit finds transmission data creation method information that matches the tag information present in the specification information, the information inquiry unit transmits the found transmission data creation method information to the information creation unit,
5. The image data communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information creation unit adds the received transmission data creation method information to a transmission data creation method information table for the standard data. A medical device connected to a network and a center unit connected to the network, an image data communication system for communicating image data between a plurality of medical devices via the network,
The center portion is
Standard data including communication destination identification information for identifying a communication partner, service type information for identifying a service type, and tag information and transmission data creation method information necessary for creating transmission data corresponding to the communication destination identification information. A transmission data management unit for storing and managing;
Specification information acquisition unit for acquiring specification information necessary for the communication partner to process image data from the communication partner;
An information response unit that specifies a medical device as a communication partner in response to a request and extracts the specification information of the corresponding communication partner from the specification information acquisition unit;
Transmission data for comparing the extracted specification information with the tag information included in the standard data and generating transmission data control information for the designated communication partner using the standard data when the same tag information exists A generator,
The medical device is:
An image data management unit for managing image data including incidental information;
An information request unit that inputs device information and service type information of the communication partner, designates the communication partner, and transmits a request for the transmission data control information to the information response unit of the center unit;
When the information request unit receives the transmission data control information via the information response unit, it processes the image data of the image data management unit based on the received transmission data control information, and An image data communication system comprising: an image data transmission unit configured to transmit image data.   8. The image data communication system according to claim 7, wherein the image data is configured as a set of a plurality of data elements, and the data elements include the tag information whose type is determined by the service type.   8. The image data communication system according to claim 7, wherein the transmission data control information includes at least communication destination identification information, service type information, tag information, and information for identifying a transmission data creation method as a set. Furthermore, the center part is
The extracted specification information is compared with the standard data, and if the extracted specification information does not include information corresponding to the tag information and the tag information exists in the standard data, the tag information is In addition to the extracted specification information, it is optimized, and when tag information that is not included in the standard data is present in the extracted specification information, an information creation unit that generates warning information is provided. The image data communication system according to claim 7.

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