JP2010075549A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical image processor, etc., for visualizing relation between the inner cavity of a luminal organ and a focus part invading the external side of the organ, and displaying the relation in an easily observable form. <P>SOLUTION: Visualization processing corresponding to respective intrinsic conditions is performed with respect to the internal region looking in on the wall surface of the luminal organ and an external region including the wall surface. Especially, in the external region including the wall surface of the luminal organ, the condition is set so that the wall surface is made translucent in accordance with a fixed thickness, and the visualization processing corresponding to the condition is performed. Thus, the visualization is attained in the focus part with invasion from the wall surface to the external side, the state of a related organ, and the wall surface state of the luminal organ itself, etc. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical image processing apparatus that provides diagnostic information to a user by creating and displaying a three-dimensional image of an organ using volume data of an original image obtained from a medical image diagnostic apparatus. It is used for a device that can visualize and display the lumen, wall surface, and the outside of a luminal organ.

  Image processing apparatuses used in the medical image field in recent years are used in combination with medical imaging equipment such as an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an X-ray computed tomography apparatus (X-ray CT apparatus), and a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (MRI apparatus). Widely used in many hospitals and inspection institutions. The three-dimensional image provided by this image processing apparatus is a gastrointestinal tract cavity imaging performed when examining the cause of digestive tract tumors, plaque formation, stenosis, etc. It is used effectively.

  In particular, image display in various forms is possible due to recent advances in computer technology. A typical example is a fly-through method. In this method, the volume of the original image acquired by an X-ray CT device or MRI device is used to look into the lumen of a luminal organ (such as the bronchus or intestinal tract) with an endoscope scope. A simple image is displayed. By using a conventional image processing device, the volume rendering transparency can be set to an appropriate value to reconstruct the state of the wall (eg, the inner wall of a bronchus, blood vessel, intestinal tract, etc.) seen from the lumen of the organ. Can be displayed.

  However, the conventional image processing apparatus has the following problems, for example.

  That is, the fly-through image provided by the conventional image processing apparatus can obtain only the same level of information as the image that can be viewed with the endoscope scope, and the doctor wants to know about diagnosis and treatment. To determine the extent of the lesion (for example, lung cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer, etc.) from the wall of the organ to the outside in order to grasp the scope of information (for example, the operation method using an endoscope) It is not possible to provide information that can be grasped such as infiltration.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and visualizes the relationship between the lumen, the wall surface of a luminal organ, and a lesion portion invading the lumen, and displays the relationship in an easily observable form. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of performing the above.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following measures.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided storage means for storing volume data relating to a luminal organ, a first condition for imaging a first region including a lumen of the luminal organ, Determining means for determining a second condition for imaging the second region including the wall surface of the luminal organ and the outside thereof, and images according to the second condition. An image processing apparatus comprising: an image generation unit that executes an image processing, and generates an image including the second area; and a display unit that displays an image created by the image generation unit. is there.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data acquisition means for acquiring volume data relating to a luminal organ of a subject, a first condition for imaging a first region including a lumen of the luminal organ, Determining means for determining a second condition for imaging a second region including a wall surface of the luminal organ and the outside thereof, the second condition being different from the first condition; And an image generation unit that generates an image including the second region and a display unit that displays an image created by the image generation unit. This is a medical image diagnostic apparatus.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an image processing apparatus that can visualize the relationship between a lumen, a wall surface of a luminal organ, and a lesion part invading the lumen, and display the relationship in an easily observable form is realized. can do.

  Hereinafter, first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be given only when necessary.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image processing apparatus 1 includes an operation unit 10, a display unit 12, a transmission / reception unit 14, a control unit 16, a storage unit 18, and a 3D image rendering unit 20.

  The operation unit 10 is an input device having a mouse, a keyboard, and the like for inputting settings such as various display conditions used in image processing.

  The display unit 12 displays a medical image, an interactive screen for inputting various settings, and the like.

  The transmission / reception unit 14 transmits / receives images acquired by various medical image diagnosis apparatuses to / from other apparatuses via the network N.

  The control unit 16 comprehensively controls the operation of the medical image processing apparatus. In particular, the control unit 16 expands the dedicated program stored in the storage unit 18 on a memory (not shown), and configures and operates the three-dimensional image rendering unit 20 in accordance with the expanded program, so that the luminal organ wall surface and the outside thereof The function for visualizing the relationship between the lesions infiltrating into the body (hereinafter referred to as “visualization function of the luminal organ lesion etc.”) is realized. The visualization function of this luminal organ lesion will be described in detail later.

  The storage unit 18 stores volume data acquired by various medical image diagnostic apparatuses and a dedicated program for realizing a visualization function of a luminal organ lesion or the like.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows volume data (CT volume data) collected by the X-ray CT apparatus. As shown in the figure, CT volume data is generated by stacking two-dimensional images (CT original images) collected by an X-ray CT apparatus and interpolating as necessary. The storage unit 18 stores such volume data together with incidental information including a patient ID, examination type, and the like.

  The three-dimensional image rendering unit 20 includes a normal volume rendering process (imaging process of a region including the lumen of a luminal organ) and a volume rendering process (luminal organ lesion part) for visualizing a luminal organ lesion part. And an organ display condition setting unit 200, a wall surface display condition setting unit 201, and an image creation unit 202.

  The organ display condition setting unit 200 sets an organ display condition used in normal volume rendering processing. Here, the organ display conditions are a viewpoint position for visualizing a region including a lumen of a hollow organ, a gaze direction vector, a light source position, opacity (transparency), FOV, a color table, etc. It includes at least one of various parameters. Hereinafter, each parameter will be described.

[Viewpoint position, gaze direction vector, light source position]
The viewpoint position, the line-of-sight direction vector, and the light source position set in the volume data space. These are set depending on whether the projection transformation in volume rendering is perspective projection or parallel projection.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction vector set in the visualization of the region including the lumen. That is, an arbitrary point on the volume data space is set as a viewpoint position of the perspective projection image (for example, an arbitrary point in the blood vessel) by initial setting or manual operation from the operation unit 10, and A line-of-sight direction (for example, the longitudinal direction of the blood vessel) indicating the observation direction is set. In particular, in the case of manual operation, it is preferable that the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction can be designated by the operation from the operation unit 10 on the parallel projection image shown in FIG. For example, a perspective projection image as shown in FIG. 3B can be obtained by volume rendering processing according to this setting.

[Opacity or transparency]
The opacity (or transparency) is assigned according to each pixel value (for example, CT value) on the original image in the volume data space.

  FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of a transparency setting mode. When setting opacity in volume rendering, transparency is set to a value of 0 or less and opacity is set to a value of 1 or more. The setting of opacity using this graph is an example. Therefore, the opacity setting form is not limited to this example. For example, the shape of a straight line or a curve indicating opacity is not limited as long as it defines the correspondence between each pixel value and opacity. There may be.

[Color table]
This is a color at the time of rendering a volume rendering image assigned to each pixel value on the original image, and is usually represented by 32 bits of RGBα. However, the color table may be anything as long as it defines the correspondence with each pixel value. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, it is also possible to define a color table using an opacity setting graph. In the figure, pixel values of 56 or less are defined to correspond to skin color, pixel values of 250 or more to white, and pixel values corresponding to between 56 and 250 are defined to correspond to orange. In addition, for this color information, there is a case where a gradation is added to the color due to a difference in pixel value.

[FOV]
This is a parameter for designating how much area is drawn in the direction of the line-of-sight vector viewed from the viewpoint position, and is designated by an angle, for example.

  FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the FOV set in the case of perspective projection. That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the FOV is set at an angle θ on the parallel projection image, a cylindrical region (or conical region or the like) of θ is set in the line-of-sight direction with respect to the viewpoint position. The rendering process is executed on the volume data existing in the image, and a perspective projection image as shown in FIG. 6B can be obtained.

  The image creating unit 202 executes volume rendering processing by parallel projection or perspective projection according to the organ display condition set by the organ display condition setting unit 200 or the wall surface display condition set by the wall surface display condition setting unit 201.

  The wall surface display condition setting unit 201 sets a wall surface display condition used in the wall surface and the volume rendering process in the wall surface. Here, the wall surface display conditions include various parameters such as a viewpoint position for visualizing the wall surface and the outside thereof, a line-of-sight vector, a light source position, opacity or transparency, FOV, color table, and luminal organ wall thickness. Including at least one of them. Hereinafter, parameters having different settings from the organ display conditions will be described.

[Opacity or transparency]
Unlike the opacity or the like set as the organ display condition, it is set separately for the wall surface of the luminal organ. The opacity (or transparency) of the wall surface display condition is set so that the wall surface of the luminal organ is translucent. The setting mode is the same as in the case of the organ display condition.

[Thickness of luminal organ wall]
This is the thickness of the wall surface of the luminal organ used in the imaging process related to the luminal organ lesion. Two modes, a manual mode and an automatic mode, can be used for setting the thickness of the luminal organ wall surface.

  The manual mode is an operation mode in which a desired thickness is set by an input from the operation unit 10 using a GUI displayed on the display unit 12. In the automatic mode, the wall thickness is automatically set by a predetermined program. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, a profile of the CT value on the original image as shown in FIG. 7B on a vertical vector in the wall thickness direction extending outward from the inner wall surface (inner boundary surface). The thickness of the wall surface is automatically set by taking the point where the gray value (pixel value) changes extremely (the point where the change is greater than or equal to the threshold value) as the boundary surface between the outer wall surface and the outer space. .

[Color table]
The first mode and the second mode can be used to set the color table used in the imaging process related to the luminal organ lesion or the like.

  In the first mode, the color set to the pixel value corresponding to the wall surface of the luminal organ in the color table set as the organ display condition and the wall surface of the luminal organ in the imaging process regarding the luminal organ lesion or the like. It is a style that makes the assigned color the same. On the other hand, in the second mode, the color set to the pixel value corresponding to the wall surface of the luminal organ in the color table set as the organ display condition, and the imaging of the luminal organ in the imaging process regarding the luminal organ lesion, etc. It is a style that makes the color assigned to the wall different.

(Visualization of luminal organ lesions, etc.)
Next, an imaging process related to a luminal organ lesion part and the like executed in the three-dimensional image rendering unit 20 will be described. This processing makes it possible to determine the extent to which the lesion has infiltrated by visualizing the inside and outside of the organ wall by performing volume rendering from the normal to the outside of the organ wall. Information. In the following description, as shown in FIG. 8, a case where a luminal organ to be imaged is a blood vessel and this is imaged by perspective projection is taken as an example.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed in the visualization of a luminal organ lesion or the like. As shown in the figure, first, volume data is read from the storage unit 18, and organ display conditions and wall surface display conditions are set (step S1). Here, in order to explain a typical example, it is assumed that the viewpoint position is set in the blood vessel and the line-of-sight direction vector is set in the longitudinal direction of the blood vessel. Further, as described above, input of each parameter constituting each condition may be automatic or manual.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the image generation unit 202 extends each ray from the viewpoint along the line-of-sight direction, and performs normal volume rendering until the point becomes opaque according to the conditions set by the organ display condition setting unit 201. Is executed (step S2). Further, the image generation unit 202 specifies the pixels constituting the wall surface based on the opacity assigned to each pixel in the volume rendering, and detects the wall surface (step S3). The detection of the wall surface has, for example, a CT value with a transparency value set to 1.0, or the light is attenuated and no further light reaches an object in the back, and an object in the back This can be realized by specifying a position (pixel) that cannot be seen.

  Next, the image generation unit 202 calculates the density gradient at the contact point of each ray with the inner wall surface (step S4). Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the image generation unit 202 calculates a vector perpendicular to the inner wall surface at each contact point based on the gradient, and sets this vector as the thickness direction of the wall surface at each contact point (step S5). The boundary of the outer wall surface is set based on the thickness direction and the thickness set as the wall surface display condition (step S6). Here, the boundary of the outer wall surface set is assumed to be located outside by a predetermined distance from the wall surface specified in step S2, for example, as shown in FIG.

  Next, the image generation unit 202 executes a volume rendering process regarding the wall surface and the inside thereof (step S7). At this time, the rendering in the wall surface follows the following conditions in addition to the wall surface display condition.

-The inside of the wall shall be transparent, and if there is a point on the ray within the thickness of the wall, no light attenuation will occur. Thereby, only the boundary part of a wall surface is drawn clearly as a boundary surface.

・ Assuming that the wall surface is filled with a uniform material, the light attenuates to a certain degree while the ray is moving through the wall surface.

・ Traces on the ray and stops at the point where the light attenuates and becomes opaque in places other than the wall.

-If a point on the ray exists in a place other than the inside of the wall surface, the pixel value is calculated and processed by a normal volume rendering method.

  Next, a projection image is generated by writing the shadow value of the volume rendering image obtained in step S7 on the image as a pixel value on the projection plane (a pixel value on the result image) (step S8).

  Note that the rendering processing of steps S1 to S8 is executed for all the pixels existing on the projection plane.

  Through the series of processes described above, a perspective projection image in which only the wall surface of the luminal organ as shown in FIG. 12 is translucent is generated and displayed on the display unit 12. By observing this perspective projection image, an observer such as a doctor can visually recognize polyps, other lesions, other organs, and the like located from the inner side to the outer side of the wall surface of the luminal organ, for example, in a blue translucent manner.

  According to the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  According to this image processing apparatus, the visualization process according to the specific conditions is executed on the inner area looking into the wall surface of the luminal organ and the outer area including the wall surface. In particular, for the outer region including the wall surface of the luminal organ, by setting the conditions so that the wall surface becomes translucent according to a certain thickness and performing the visualization process according to this, the lesion part infiltrating from the wall surface to the outside, The state of the related organ, the wall surface state of the luminal organ itself, etc. can be visualized. As a result, it is possible to provide useful information when performing treatment of a lesion, examination of a surgical procedure, diagnosis, and the like, and it is possible to contribute to improvement of the quality of medical practice.

(Second Embodiment)
An image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment simultaneously displays an MPR three-section image together with an image obtained by volume rendering processing on the outer wall surface of a luminal organ. The MPR three-section image is specified based on the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction used in the volume rendering process outside the organ lumen or the lumen organ wall surface.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the image processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image processing apparatus 1 further includes an MPR image rendering unit 22 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. The MPR image rendering unit 22 includes a position information input unit 220, an orthogonal three-level surface position determination unit 221, and an MPR image creation unit 222.

  The position information input unit 220 inputs the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction set on the parallel projection image generated for organ visualization, for example, from the 3D image rendering unit 20. The viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction set on this parallel projection image are the viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction used in the visualization of the outside of the wall surface of the luminal organ. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction set at an arbitrary position on the parallel projection image may be input by manual setting or the like.

  The orthogonal three-level surface position determination unit 221 determines the positions of three orthogonal cross sections based on the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction input by the position information input unit 220. For example, the orthogonal three-level surface position determination unit 221 determines the first cross section including the viewpoint position and orthogonal to the line-of-sight direction, and the second and third cross sections orthogonal to the first cross section including the viewpoint position. As a result, the positions of three orthogonal cross sections for generating the MPR image are determined.

  The MPR image creation unit 222 creates MPR images related to the determined three orthogonal cross sections. The created MPR image is displayed on the display unit 12 in a predetermined form.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the volume rendering process and the MPR image rendering process related to the outside of the luminal organ lumen and the like executed by the image processing apparatus 1.

  First, as shown in the figure, image data is read (step Sa) and image generation relating to a hollow organ including visualization of the outside of the wall surface is executed (step Sb). Next, an MPR image relating to three orthogonal cross sections determined based on the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction set on the parallel projection image is generated (step Sc). That is, the orthogonal three-section position determining unit 221 includes a first section that includes the viewpoint position set on the parallel projection image and that is orthogonal to the line-of-sight direction, a second section that is orthogonal to the first section that includes the viewpoint position, and A third cross section is determined. The MPR image creation unit 222 uses the image data read in step Sa to generate an MPR image related to the determined three orthogonal cross sections.

  Next, the display unit 12 displays an image relating to the luminal organ and an MPR image relating to the orthogonal three cross sections in a predetermined form in accordance with the control from the control unit 16 (step Sd).

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display form of an image relating to a hollow organ and an MPR image relating to three orthogonal cross sections. As shown in the figure, a perspective projection image Ia and a parallel projection image Ib, which are images relating to a hollow organ, and an MPR image relating to three orthogonal cross sections are displayed side by side. This MPR image corresponds to three cross sections determined based on the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction set on the parallel projection image. In addition, the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction are superimposed and displayed as markers on the parallel projection image Ib.

  According to the configuration described above, in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment, it is possible to generate and display an orthogonal MPR three-section image based on the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction set on the parallel projection image. . Therefore, the observer can easily observe a plurality of images while matching the positions by comparing the displayed perspective projection images Ia, parallel projection images Ib, and MPR images. As a result, it is possible to provide useful information when performing treatment of a lesion, examination of a surgical procedure, diagnosis, and the like, and it is possible to contribute to improvement of the quality of medical practice.

(Third embodiment)
In the first and second embodiments described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, an example is shown in which a lesion area is imaged in the same translucent color (for example, blue translucent) as the surrounding organ wall. . On the other hand, in the third embodiment, the lesion area intersects with the portion protruding to the organ lumen side (lumen lesion portion) and the inner wall surface of the luminal organ when it is estimated that the lesion does not exist. It is classified into three parts, that is, a part (crossed lesion part) and a lesion part (intramural lesion part) protruding outward from the inner wall surface of the organ (that is, inside the organ wall), and these are displayed so that they can be distinguished. In addition, quantitative information such as the size of each part and the size of the lesion area is calculated and presented.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. When compared with FIG. 1, the point that the quantitative analysis unit 203 is further provided and the function of the image generation unit 202 are mainly different. In the case where the MPR image is displayed together with the image obtained by the volume rendering process outside the wall surface of the luminal organ, the MPR image rendering unit 22 of FIG. 13 is further provided in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. Become.

  The image generation unit 202 extracts (classifies) the lumen lesion part, the crossing lesion part, and the intramural lesion part, and assigns a different color to each, thereby generating a perspective projection image in which each part can be identified. That is, for example, the image generation unit 202 extracts the inner wall surface of the luminal organ when it is estimated that no lesion exists based on the wall surface specified in step S3 of FIG. In addition, the image generation unit 202 extracts a lesion area by using a predetermined threshold process for the volume data. Further, the image generation unit 202 uses the extracted luminal organ inner wall surface and the lesion area to convert each voxel into a lumen lesion portion, a crossed lesion portion, an intramural lesion portion, and an organ wall surface portion (where no lesion exists). Classify into: The image generation unit 202 executes the volume rendering process related to the wall surface and its interior using the volume data classified into each part, and assigns a different color to each part, so that each projection is displayed by color. Generate an image.

  The quantitative analysis unit 203 calculates quantitative information such as the size of each of the extracted luminal lesion portion, crossed lesion portion, intramural lesion portion, and the size of the lesion region. That is, based on the number of voxels included in each portion classified on the volume data and the volume of one voxel, the quantitative analysis unit 203 determines the lumen lesion portion, the cross lesion portion, the intramural lesion portion, and the lesion region. Each size (volume) is calculated. Moreover, the surface area, diameter, etc. are also computable as needed.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of the imaging process executed in the 3D image rendering unit 20. The processing from step S11 to step S16 shown in the figure is substantially the same as the processing from step S11 to step S16 shown in FIG.

  The image generation unit 202 extracts the inner wall surface of the luminal organ when it is estimated that no lesion exists based on the wall surface specified in step S3. (Step S17). That is, for example, when the wall surface W (dotted line portion) as shown in FIG. 18 is detected in step S3, the image generation unit 202 approximates the wall surface W so that the curvature is within a predetermined range, for example. In this way, or by approximating the wall surface W using voxels having a value within a predetermined range, the inner wall surface W ′ (solid line portion) of the luminal organ is extracted. In addition, the image generation unit 202 extracts a lesion area by performing a predetermined threshold process (step S18).

  The image generation unit 202 classifies the volume data into a lumen lesion portion, a cross lesion portion, an intramural lesion portion, and an organ wall surface portion based on the extracted luminal organ inner wall surface and lesion area (step S19). In addition, the quantitative analysis unit 203 performs a quantitative analysis for calculating the sizes of the extracted luminal lesion part, crossed lesion part, intramural lesion part, and lesion (step S20).

  The image generation unit 202 executes the volume rendering process related to the above-described wall surface and its interior using the volume data classified into each part (step S21), and assigns a different color to each classified part. Generates a projection image identifiable by color (step S22). The generated projection image is displayed in a predetermined form together with quantitative information of the lumen lesion part, the crossing lesion part, and the intramural lesion part, for example (step S23).

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a color-by-color display of the lumen lesion part, the crossing lesion part, and the intramural lesion part. In addition, since the figure shows an example in which the viewpoint and the line-of-sight direction are set as shown in FIG. 6, each part is in the order in front of the viewpoint (that is, lumen lesion part, crossed lesion part, wall interior (In order of lesion). Note that FIG. 20 shows an example of a projected image when the crossed lesion portion is larger than the example of FIG. 19, and FIG. 21 shows an example when the crossed lesion portion does not exist.

  According to the configuration described above, in addition to the effects described above, the following effects can be realized. That is, the user can visually recognize the positional relationship and the size of the lumen lesion part, the crossing lesion part, and the intramural lesion part based on the color and quantitative information assigned to each. As a result, useful information can be provided in the treatment of lesions, examination of surgical procedures, and the like, which can contribute to improving the quality of medical practice.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Specific examples of modifications are as follows.

  (1) Each function according to the present embodiment can also be realized by installing a program for executing the processing in a computer such as a workstation and developing the program on a memory. At this time, a program capable of causing the computer to execute the technique is stored in a recording medium such as a magnetic disk (floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), or a semiconductor memory. It can also be distributed.

  (2) In each of the above embodiments, a dedicated switch may be provided so that the visualization process for the outer region including the wall surface of the luminal organ can be executed at an arbitrary timing. According to such a configuration, for example, after visualizing the target wall surface itself, the transparency (or opacity) is set to a predetermined value by the transparency setting function, thereby visualizing the outer region including the wall surface of the luminal organ. It is also possible to perform processing. Thereby, comparative observation of a wall surface and its outer region can be performed, and useful medical information that has not been available in the past can be provided.

  In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a medical image processing apparatus and a medical image diagnosis that can visualize the relationship between a lumen organ lumen and a lesion part infiltrating the lumen organ and display it in an easily observable form. An apparatus can be realized.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 schematically shows volume data (CT volume data) collected by the X-ray CT apparatus. FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction vector set in the case of perspective projection. FIG. 4 is a graph showing an example of a transparency setting mode. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an opacity setting graph. FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the FOV set in the case of perspective projection. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the boundary setting of the outer wall surface in the visualization related to a luminal organ lesion or the like. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a form of volume rendering. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed in the visualization of a luminal organ lesion or the like. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the boundary setting of the outer wall surface in the visualization related to a luminal organ lesion or the like. FIG. 11 is a diagram for setting the boundary of the outer wall surface in the wall surface detection. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image obtained by imaging processing regarding a luminal organ lesion or the like. FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of volume rendering processing and MPR image rendering processing related to the outside of the lumen organ lumen and the like. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display form of an image relating to a hollow organ and an MPR image relating to three orthogonal cross sections. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of the imaging process executed in the 3D image rendering unit 20. FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the process of estimating the rough shape of the inner wall surface of the luminal organ. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a color-by-color display of the lumen lesion part, the crossing lesion part, and the intramural lesion part. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a projected image when the crossed lesion portion is larger than the example of FIG. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example in the case where there is no crossing lesion portion.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing apparatus, 10 ... Operation part, 12 ... Display part, 14 ... Transmission / reception part, 16 ... Control part, 18 ... Memory | storage part, 20 ... Three-dimensional image rendering part, 22 ... MPR image rendering part, 200 ... Organ display Condition setting unit 201 ... Wall surface display condition setting unit 202 ... Image creation unit 203 ... Quantitative analysis unit 220 ... Position information input unit 221 ... Orthogonal three-level surface position determination unit 222 ... MPR image creation unit

Claims (13)

Storage means for storing volume data relating to the luminal organ;
A first condition for imaging the first region including the lumen of the hollow organ and a condition different from the first condition, the second condition including a wall surface of the hollow organ and the outside thereof Determining means for respectively determining a second condition for imaging of the area of
Image generating means for executing an imaging process according to the second condition and generating an image including the second area;
Display means for displaying an image created by the image generation means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: The determining means determines transparency or opacity as the second condition so that the wall of the luminal organ is translucent,
The image generating means generates an image including the second region whose wall surface is translucent according to the second condition;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The determining means determines the thickness of the wall surface of the luminal organ as the second condition based on a change in pixel value along a direction perpendicular to the inner wall surface of the luminal organ. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines the thickness of the wall surface of the luminal organ set by an operator as the second condition. The first color mode in which the same color is assigned to the wall surface of the luminal organ in the imaging of the first region and the wall surface of the lumen organ in the imaging of the second region, or the second color mode in which different colors are assigned. Further comprising a selection means for selecting
5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines the selected color mode as the second condition. 6. The image generation means generates an MPR image of the luminal organ using the volume data,
The display means simultaneously displays the image relating to the two areas and the MPR image;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus. The image generating means includes
Determining at least one cross section based on a viewpoint position and a line-of-sight direction used in imaging of the first region or the second region;
Generating an image corresponding to the determined at least one cross section as the MPR image;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 6.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the display unit displays the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction as a marker on an image including the first region. Further comprising designation means for designating the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction on the image including the first region;
The image means generates the MPR image based on the designated viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus. And further comprising selection means for selecting the imaging process according to the first condition and the imaging process according to the second condition,
The image generation means generates an image by executing a visualization process according to the condition selected by the selection means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The image generating means includes
Based on each voxel value of the volume data, extract the lesion area and the inner wall surface of the luminal organ when it is estimated that there is no lesion,
Based on the extracted lesion area and the inner wall surface of the extracted luminal organ, a first lesion portion protruding toward the luminal organ lumen, a second lesion portion intersecting the organ inner wall surface, and the organ Extract the third lesion that protrudes outward from the inner wall,
Generating an image including the second region in which different colors are assigned to the first lesion portion, the second lesion portion, and the third lesion portion;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus.   And further comprising a quantitative analysis means for calculating a size of at least one of the first lesion portion, the second lesion portion, and the third lesion portion based on each voxel value of the volume data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11. Data acquisition means for acquiring volume data relating to the luminal organ of the subject;
A first condition for imaging the first region including the lumen of the luminal organ and a condition different from the first condition, the second condition including a wall surface of the luminal organ and the outside thereof Determining means for determining a second condition for imaging the area of
Image generating means for executing an imaging process according to the second condition and generating an image including the second area;
Display means for displaying an image created by the image generation means;
An image diagnostic apparatus comprising:

Images