JP2010134540A - Remote image reading system and remote image reading method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote image reading system allowing efficient image reading work by acquiring environment of an image reading terminal. <P>SOLUTION: This remote image reading system includes: a plurality of image reading terminals; and an image reading center connected to medial institutions via a communication line. The image reading center includes: a first database receiving image reading requests from the plurality of medical institutions, and managing request contents and image data; a second database receiving and managing image reading request information and terminal information transmitted from the plurality of image reading terminals; a distribution part selecting the image reading terminal based on the received terminal information and image reading request information, transmitting information about an image reading candidate, and transmitting the image data when accepting image reading in the image reading terminal of a transmission destination; a third database managing information of image reading results from the image reading terminal; and a request management part for presenting the information of the image reading results to the medical institution. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote interpretation system capable of transmitting a medical image created by a medical institution such as a hospital to a remote interpretation specialist (interpretation terminal) using a communication line and receiving a result of interpretation by the specialist. It relates to a remote interpretation method.

  In general, in an organization such as a hospital, a medical image obtained by imaging with an image diagnostic apparatus such as an X-ray CT apparatus or an MRI apparatus is read and diagnosed. In addition, when an image interpretation specialist such as a CT image or an MRI image is lacking, a medical image is transmitted to the image interpretation specialist via the image interpretation center to request an interpretation.

  The Interpretation Center is connected to multiple interpretation terminals and multiple medical institutions (hospitals, etc.) via a communication line. When a medical institution requests an interpretation of a medical image, an appropriate specialist (interpretation terminal) is assigned. The decision is made and an interpretation request is sent out.

  By the way, in such a remote interpretation system, when an interpretation request is made, the current status (availability) of each interpretation doctor, the specialized field, the performance of the interpretation terminal, etc. are fully understood, and the interpretation request is sent out accurately. There is a need. If this scheduling is not successful, the request concentrates on a specific interpreting doctor, or the interpretation cannot be performed, and the request is made again, resulting in poor efficiency.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a remote interpretation system that automatically assigns doctors for interpretation. In this example, a schedule transmitted from a plurality of doctors is managed on the center side, and an interpretation doctor is automatically assigned based on the schedule information.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a remote interpretation system that selects an appropriate interpretation doctor in accordance with examination contents. In this example, various kinds of information (for example, specialized fields and the current state) sent from the interpretation doctor are managed by the interpretation center, and the interpretation doctor is selected based on the information sent from the interpretation doctor.

  However, in such an interpretation system, the interpretation doctor must notify the center of the situation at any time, increasing the burden. Further, the center side only grasps a part of the situation where the interpreting doctor is placed, and there is a possibility that a schedule shift occurs between the center side and the interpreting doctor. Particularly in the case of an urgent request, if the situation where the interpretation doctor is placed and the situation assumed on the center side do not match, the doctor may need to be re-selected or re-requested, which may cause a delay in the interpretation process.

In addition, in the conventional interpretation system, the interpretation environment is not taken into consideration, and if the network environment and the performance of the interpretation terminal are different, depending on the examination contents, the interpretation may become impossible or the work may be concentrated on a specific doctor. In addition, even if the interpretation work cannot be done during the scheduled time, even if the interpretation time can be taken later, or if another doctor happens to have time to substitute, the conventional interpretation system can respond flexibly. There is a problem that can not be.
JP 2002-329190 A JP 2006-268075 A

  In the conventional interpretation system, the interpretation doctor must notify the center of the situation at any time, and the burden increases, and there is a possibility that a schedule shift occurs between the center side and the interpretation doctor. In particular, at the time of an urgent request, if the situation where the interpreting doctor is placed and the situation assumed on the center side do not match, reselection or re-requesting of the doctor is required, which may cause a delay in the interpretation process. In addition, since the interpretation environment is not taken into consideration, depending on the examination contents, interpretation may become impossible or work may be concentrated on a specific doctor.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is capable of grasping the specifications of a terminal used by an interpreting doctor and the state of a network, and reducing the burden on the doctor and leveling the work load. It is an object to provide a system and a remote interpretation method.

  The present invention according to claim 1 is a remote interpretation system including an interpretation center that can be connected to a plurality of interpretation terminals and medical institutions via a communication line, and the interpretation center includes interpretation requests from the plurality of medical institutions. A first database for managing request information including request contents and image data to be interpreted, and a second database for receiving and managing terminal information and interpretation request information transmitted from the plurality of interpretation terminals; Distribution that selects an interpretation terminal based on the received terminal information and interpretation request information, transmits interpretation candidate information to the selected interpretation terminal, and transmits image data when the interpretation terminal accepts the interpretation , A third database that receives and manages information on the result of interpretation from the interpretation terminal, and information on the result of interpretation stored in the third database. Characterized in that the request management unit for presenting, equipped to.

  Further, the remote interpretation method of the present invention according to claim 7 has an interpretation center connectable to a plurality of interpretation terminals and medical institutions via a communication line, and the interpretation center is an interpretation from the plurality of medical institutions. Receives a request, manages request information including the contents of the interpretation request and image data to be interpreted, receives and manages terminal information and interpretation request information from the plurality of interpretation terminals, and receives the received terminal information and interpretation request information The image interpretation terminal is selected based on the information, the image interpretation candidate information is transmitted to the selected image interpretation terminal, and the image data is distributed to the image interpretation terminal when the image interpretation terminal accepts the image interpretation. The information of the interpretation result is received and can be presented to the requested medical institution.

  According to the present invention, it is not necessary to input the schedule of the interpretation doctor, the burden on the office staff and the doctor can be reduced, and the remote interpretation work in accordance with the situation of the interpretation doctor can be performed.

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

 FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a remote interpretation system of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an interpretation center, and the interpretation center 100 is connected to a plurality of interpretation terminals 201, 202, and medical institutions 301, 302, via a communication line (network) 101. In the following description, the interpretation terminals 201, 202,... May be collectively referred to as the interpretation terminal 200. Further, the medical institutions 301, 302,... May be collectively referred to as a medical institution 300.

 The image interpretation center 100 includes a data input / output unit 11 that transmits / receives information to / from the image interpretation terminal 200 and a data input / output unit 12 that transmits / receives information to / from the medical institution 300. First, second, and third databases are provided. The first database is a requested inspection database (D / B) 13, the second database is a connection management database (D / B) 14, and the third database is an interpretation result database (DB) 15. is there.

 Between the connection management database 14 and the data input / output unit 11, a terminal connection management unit 16, a request search / distribution unit 17, and an inspection information distribution unit 18 are provided. An interpretation management unit 19 is provided between the request inspection database 13 and the data input / output unit 11, and a request management unit 20 is provided between the request inspection database 13 and the data input / output unit 12. The request inspection database 13 is also connected to the request search / distribution unit 17 and the inspection information distribution unit 18, and the interpretation result database (DB) 15 is connected to the interpretation management unit 19 and the request management unit 20.

 The requested examination database 13 stores information such as image data for interpretation received from the medical institution 300 and requested examination contents. The connection management database 14 stores terminal information (terminal identification code, specification, doctor code, etc.), interpretation request information, and the like from the interpretation terminal 200 connected via the communication line (network 101). The interpretation result database 15 stores interpretation results (interpretation reports and the like) interpreted by the interpretation terminal 200.

 The terminal connection management unit 16 manages the interpretation terminals 20 connected to the interpretation center 100 and measures communication throughput (described later) based on the terminal information from the interpretation terminals 200. Further, the request retrieval / distribution unit 17 determines which interpretation terminal (interpretation doctor) is to make an interpretation request when an interpretation request is received from the medical institution 30, and sends request information to the determined interpretation terminal 200. To deliver.

 The examination information distribution unit 18 is an image file communication storage unit such as PACS (Picture Archiving Communication System), and distributes medical image data to the corresponding interpretation terminal 20 after the interpretation terminal is determined. The request search / distribution unit 17 and the inspection information distribution unit 18 constitute a distribution unit of the image interpretation center 100.

 The interpretation management unit 19 includes a report system and the like, manages interpretation results (interpretation reports and the like) from the interpretation terminal 200 for each medical institution requested, and stores the interpretation results in the database 15. The request management unit 20 accepts a request from the medical institution 30 and allows the interpretation result to be presented to the medical institution 300 that requested it.

 Next, the exchange of information between the interpretation center 100 and the interpretation terminal 200 (here, the interpretation terminal 201) will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. The interpretation terminal 201 has a computer main body 21, an operation unit 22, and a display unit 23, and can communicate with the interpretation center 100 via the network 101.

 In FIG. 2, in step S <b> 1, an activation notification is transmitted from the interpretation terminal 201 to the interpretation center 100. As the activation notice, terminal information such as a terminal identification code, specification information, and a doctor code is transmitted. The terminal identification code is a MAC address or the like for identifying the interpretation terminal 201, and the specification information is information indicating the specifications of the interpretation terminal 201 (monitor size, workstation type computer, electronic notebook type computer, etc.). It is. The doctor code is a code of an interpreting doctor who operates the interpretation terminal 201. Based on the doctor code, a doctor's specialized field and the like can be grasped.

 FIG. 3 shows an example of a screen when the image interpretation terminal 201 is activated. In FIG. 3, when the image interpretation terminal 201 is connected to the image interpretation center 100, a message indicating the connection is made, and a doctor code input screen is displayed. This activation screen is automatically activated when the terminal is activated or when the user logs in in order to confirm the interpretation environment (specs, etc.) at the interpretation center 100 or to notify the urgent request from the interpretation center 100.

  Note that it is not always necessary to display the start-up screen. The terminal information (MAC address, etc.) of the interpretation terminal 201 is associated with the interpretation doctor on the interpretation center 100 side, or the login information of the interpretation terminal 201 and the interpretation doctor are If they are associated, it is not necessary to input a doctor code or the like. The display of the startup screen can be omitted. When the interpretation terminal 201 is a portable information terminal such as a PDA, it may be connected to the interpretation center 100 via a VPN (Virtual Private Network) or the like.

 When receiving the activation notification, the interpretation center 100 measures the communication throughput in step S 2 and transmits the measurement information to the interpretation terminal 201. The communication throughput information is information indicating the processing speed on the network 101 and the processing capability per unit time of the interpretation terminal 201, and sends the communication throughput information measured by the interpretation center 100 to the interpretation terminal 201.

 In step S3, the received communication throughput information and the terminal identification code are transmitted from the interpretation terminal 201 to the interpretation center 100. Further, the interpretation request information is transmitted from the interpretation terminal 201 at a time when the interpretation doctor can interpret in step S4. The interpretation request information is a signal for requesting an interpretation list. When requesting an interpretation list, a terminal identification code, request contents, and communication throughput information are transmitted together.

  When making a request for an interpretation list, for example, it is possible to instruct the request contents such as hospital name, department requested, request contents, examination type, examination purpose, image type, number of images, data amount, presence / absence of past examination, It can be selected from the condition setting screen displayed on the display screen of the interpretation terminal 201. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, a list request screen may be displayed by presetting a desired examination type and condition in advance from a specialized field of an interpretation doctor. If the startup screen of FIG. 3 is not displayed, it is desirable to prepare application software for displaying the screen of FIG.

 When there is a request for an interpretation list from the interpretation terminal 201, the interpretation center 100 searches for an uninterpreted inspection request that matches the requested content (condition) in step S5, and selects a candidate that can be interpreted for each interpretation terminal. At this time, the interpretation center 100 side narrows down interpretation candidates that can be processed by the interpretation terminal 201 based on the measurement result of the communication throughput and the terminal information. In addition, a candidate may be determined by ignoring a part of the request contents at the judgment of the center side. Further, depending on the operation, an examination list that is not provided to each interpretation terminal 200 may be requested by narrowing down the center side.

 When the interpretation candidate is determined, the interpretation center 100 transmits the interpretation candidate information to the interpretation terminal 201 in step S6. When the image interpretation terminal 201 receives information on image interpretation candidates, for example, an image interpretation candidate list screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. The interpretation candidate list screen displays several items, such as interpretation, requested hospital, and request details. To reflect the situation on the center side at any time, for candidates that have already started interpretation on other terminals, It is displayed with an identification mark such as “Start”, and is displayed separately from uninterpreted candidates. Alternatively, candidates whose interpretation has already started are deleted from the list.

 When a desired interpretation candidate is selected from the list of FIG. 5 with a mouse or the like and the “examination selection” button is operated, in step S7, the interpretation candidate and interpretation selected from the interpretation terminal 201 to the interpretation center 100 are displayed. You will be notified of your acceptance. Upon receiving this notification, the image interpretation center 100 extracts the image data of the corresponding image interpretation candidate from the requested examination database 13 and transmits it to the image interpretation terminal 201 in step S8. In this case, the image interpretation center 100 transmits the image data by adjusting the image compression rate or the like in accordance with the image interpretation environment (spec or the like).

  In an environment where the situation cannot be updated in real time, there is a possibility that another interpreting doctor has already selected when the “examination selection” button is operated. Therefore, when the “examination selection” button is operated after a predetermined time has elapsed, a message indicating that another examination can be accepted at that stage may be transmitted to the image interpretation center 100 together.

 In step S9, the interpretation terminal 201 interprets the image data, and transmits the interpretation result to the interpretation center 100 in step S10. In this way, the interpretation center 100 transmits the received interpretation result to the requested medical institution 300. Alternatively, the interpretation result may be received by accessing the interpretation center 100 from the medical institution 300. The request management unit 20 has a function for presenting information on interpretation results to the medical institution 300.

  Thus, the interpretation terminal 200 makes an interpretation list request at a time when the interpretation terminal 200 can interpret the image, and the center side can transmit image data in a timely manner in response to the request from the interpretation terminal 200. For this reason, it is not necessary to manage the interpretation doctor's schedule on the center 100 side, and labor and time saving such as schedule input can be omitted. In addition, remote interpretation work according to the situation of the interpreting doctor can be performed, the work can be avoided from being concentrated on a specific doctor, and the remote interpretation work can be performed efficiently.

  Further, the center side returns a list of interpretation candidates in consideration of communication throughput, and adjusts the compression size of the image according to the interpretation environment (specs etc.) of the interpretation terminal 200 and transmits the image data. The physician can easily select an available examination from the list.

  Next, a second embodiment of the remote interpretation system of the present invention will be described. This embodiment deals with a case where there is an urgent interpretation request.

 Hereinafter, the exchange of information between the image interpretation center 100 and the image interpretation terminal 200 (in this case, the image interpretation terminals 201 and 202) in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

 In FIG. 6, in step S <b> 11, an activation notification is transmitted from the interpretation terminal 201 to the interpretation center 100. As the activation notification, terminal information such as a terminal identification code, specification information, and a doctor code is transmitted. When receiving the activation notification, interpretation center 100 transmits communication throughput measurement information to interpretation terminal 201 in step S12. In step S13, the measurement result of the communication throughput and the terminal identification code are transmitted from the interpretation terminal 201 to the interpretation center 100.

 Further, the same communication is performed between the image interpretation terminal 202 and the image interpretation center 100. In step S14, an activation notification is transmitted from the image interpretation terminal 202 to the image interpretation center 100. When receiving the activation notification, the interpretation center 100 transmits communication throughput measurement information to the interpretation terminal 202 in step S15. In step S16, the measurement result of the communication throughput and the terminal identification code are transmitted from the interpretation terminal 202 to the interpretation center 100.

  In this state, the interpretation terminal 201 and the interpretation terminal 202 are in a standby state. Here, when there is an urgent examination request from the medical institution 300, in step S17, the interpretation terminals 200 that can be interpreted are narrowed down in consideration of the contents of the request and the measurement result of communication throughput, and request candidates are selected.

 In steps S18 and S19, interpretation information for interpretation is sent to the selected interpretation terminal 200 (for example, interpretation terminals 201 and 202). When performing interpretation consultation, request contents are sent at the same time. When the interpretation terminals 201 and 202 receive interpretation consultation information, for example, an interpretation candidate list screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed.

  In addition to the message “There was a request from the center”, some items such as interpretation, request time, requested hospital, and request contents are displayed on the interpretation candidate list screen. In order to reflect the situation on the center side as needed, candidates that have already started interpretation on other terminals are displayed with an identification mark such as “start”, and are displayed separately from uninterpreted candidates. Alternatively, candidates whose interpretation has already started are deleted from the list.

  When receiving an urgent request, the image interpretation center 100 causes the image interpretation terminal 200 to display the screen of FIG. The screen of FIG. 7 is simultaneously displayed with the same request content on a plurality of interpretation terminals 200 that are determined to be requestable on the center side. It should be noted that even if the screen is not displayed, the service for waiting for a request needs to be running, but an email in which an application activation URL or the like is embedded or a message by messenger software may be displayed. When the image interpretation terminal 200 is displaying the screens of FIGS. 4 and 5, an interrupt request is made by rewriting the screen of FIG.

  Assuming that the interpretation terminal 202 of the interpretation terminals 20 that has received the interpretation consultation can be interpreted, for example, the interpretation terminal 202 can select a desired request item (uninterpreted interpretation candidate) from the list of FIG. Select with, and operate the “Select Exam” button. Thereby, in step S20, the interpretation terminal 202 notifies the interpretation center 100 of the selected interpretation candidate and a reply indicating that the interpretation has been accepted. Upon receiving this notification, the image interpretation center 100 transmits the image data of the corresponding image interpretation candidate to the image interpretation terminal 202 in step S21. In addition, after selecting the “examination selection” button, the screen may be shifted to an examination information (image etc.) screen or a report creation screen.

 The interpretation terminal 202 interprets in step S22, and transmits the interpretation result to the interpretation center 100 in step S23. In this way, the interpretation center 100 transmits the received interpretation result to the requested medical institution 300. Alternatively, the interpretation result may be received by accessing the interpretation center 100 from the medical institution 300.

 On the other hand, when the interpretation terminal 200 (for example, 201) that has received the consultation information for interpretation is not capable of immediate interpretation because of no interpretation time, for example, either “not possible for now” or “temporary” in FIG. 7 is selected. “Unreasonable for the time being” means a situation in which the interpretation time cannot be taken at the present time and the interpretation cannot be performed for the time being, and “temporary” means that the interpretation can be performed after a while. When these “probably impossible” and “temporary” buttons are operated, information indicating the current state of the interpretation terminal 201 is transmitted to the interpretation center 100.

 For example, if all of the requested interpreting doctors cannot receive an urgent request, it is necessary to request again, but when requesting again, based on the received response (type of “reasonably impossible” or “temporary”) It is possible to judge the current situation and consult again on the interpretation terminal 200 having a high possibility of interpretation.

 In this way, when there is an urgent interpretation request, the interpretation center 100 narrows down the terminals 200 that can be interpreted, performs interpretation of the corresponding interpretation terminal 200, and if there is an interpretation terminal 200 that can interpret the image, there is an image there. Data can be sent to request interpretation. Even when an urgent request cannot be received, it is possible to consult with the interpretation terminal 200 having a high possibility of interpretation.

  As described above, in the remote interpretation system of the present invention, it is not necessary to input the schedule of the doctor in charge of interpretation, and it is possible to reduce the burden of clerical work and doctors on the interpretation center side. Further, the interpretation efficiency and interpretation amount of the entire system can be improved.

  The medical information management system 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.

The system block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the medical information management system of this invention. The sequence diagram explaining the exchange of the information between the interpretation center and interpretation terminal in the embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the starting screen of the interpretation terminal in the embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the interpretation list request | requirement screen of the interpretation terminal in the embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the interpretation candidate list screen of the interpretation terminal in the embodiment. The sequence diagram explaining the exchange of the information between the image interpretation center and image interpretation terminal in other embodiment of the medical information management system of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the interpretation candidate list screen of the interpretation terminal in other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Interpretation center 11, 12 ... Data input / output part 13 ... Request inspection database 14 ... Connection management database 15 ... Interpretation result database 16 ... Terminal connection management part 17 ... Request inspection / distribution part 18 ... Inspection information distribution part 19 ... Interpretation management Unit 20: Request management unit 101 ... Network 201, 202 ... Interpretation terminals 301, 302 ... Medical institutions

Claims (10)

A remote interpretation system including an interpretation center connectable to a plurality of interpretation terminals and medical institutions via a communication line, wherein the interpretation center includes:
A first database that receives interpretation requests from the plurality of medical institutions and manages request information including request contents and image data to be interpreted;
A second database for receiving and managing terminal information and interpretation request information transmitted from the plurality of interpretation terminals;
Distribution that selects an interpretation terminal based on the received terminal information and interpretation request information, transmits interpretation candidate information to the selected interpretation terminal, and transmits image data when the interpretation terminal accepts the interpretation And
A third database for receiving and managing information on interpretation results from the interpretation terminal;
A request management unit for presenting information on the result of interpretation stored in the third database to the medical institution;
A remote interpretation system characterized by comprising:   The remote interpretation system according to claim 1, wherein the interpretation terminal transmits the terminal information including its own terminal identification code and specification information to the interpretation center at a time when interpretation is possible.   The image interpretation center measures the communication throughput information of the image interpretation terminal when receiving the terminal information, determines the image interpretation environment of the image interpretation terminal that requested the image interpretation based on the communication throughput information and the terminal information, 3. The remote interpretation system according to claim 2, wherein a list of interpretation candidates is transmitted to an interpretation terminal determined to be capable of interpretation.   The image interpretation terminal selects a request item for performing image interpretation from the list of image interpretation candidates, and the distribution unit of the image interpretation center extracts image data relating to the selected request item from the second database and performs the image interpretation. The remote interpretation system according to claim 3, wherein the remote interpretation system is transmitted to a terminal.   The interpretation center, when there is an urgent interpretation request from the medical institution, designates a plurality of interpretation terminals based on the terminal information, transmits interpretation information for interpretation, and has received an interpretation acceptance reply. The remote interpretation system according to claim 1, wherein image data to be interpreted is transmitted to a terminal.   6. The remote interpretation system according to claim 5, wherein the interpretation terminal that has received the interpretation information of the interpretation notifies the interpretation center of the current state of the terminal when the interpretation cannot be accepted. An interpretation center that can be connected to a plurality of interpretation terminals and medical institutions via a communication line,
Receiving interpretation requests from the plurality of medical institutions;
Managing request information including the contents of the interpretation request and image data to be interpreted;
Receiving and managing terminal information and interpretation request information from the plurality of interpretation terminals;
Select an interpretation terminal based on the received terminal information and interpretation request information, and send information on interpretation candidates to the selected interpretation terminal.
When the image interpretation terminal of the transmission destination accepts the image interpretation, the image data is distributed to the image interpretation terminal,
A remote interpretation method characterized in that information on an interpretation result from the interpretation terminal can be received and presented to the requested medical institution. The image interpretation terminal transmits the terminal information including its own terminal identification code and specification information to the image interpretation center at an interpretable time,
The image interpretation center measures the communication throughput information of the image interpretation terminal when receiving the terminal information, determines the image interpretation environment of the image interpretation terminal that requested the image interpretation based on the communication throughput information and the terminal information, 8. The remote interpretation method according to claim 7, wherein the interpretation candidate list is transmitted to an interpretation terminal that is determined to be capable of interpretation. The interpretation terminal selects a request item for performing interpretation from the interpretation candidate list,
The remote interpretation method according to claim 8, wherein the interpretation center transmits image data relating to the selected request item to the interpretation terminal. The image interpretation center, when there is an urgent image interpretation request from the medical institution, designates a plurality of image interpretation terminals based on the terminal information, and transmits image examination consultation information.
8. The image interpretation terminal that transmits image data to be interpreted to an interpretation terminal that has received an interpretation acceptance reply, and the interpretation terminal that cannot accept the interpretation notifies the interpretation center of the current status of the terminal itself. The remote interpretation method described.

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