JP2011136132A - Medical image diagnostic apparatus and image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a burden of a doctor who refers to a medical image recorded during an operation to diagnose the image. <P>SOLUTION: A volume data generating part 361 generates volume data from three-dimensional projected data in an affected site of a patient P receiving the operation. A posture-acquisition part 362a and a position/angle acquisition part 362b obtain from an input device 31 and an encoder 22 position information of the patient P during the operation when the volume data is recorded. On the basis of the position information during the operation, an image-generating-parameter calculating part 362c calculates an image-generating parameter for generating an MPR image which is the same or close to the same as a CT image before the operation. An MPR generating part 362d generates the MPR image from the volume data by using the image generating parameter. A system control part 38 controls the generated MPR image to be displayed on a monitor of a display device 32 as the CT image during the operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical image diagnostic apparatus and an image processing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, medical images obtained by imaging a patient during surgery are acquired by a medical image diagnostic apparatus such as an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) apparatus, or an X-ray diagnostic apparatus in a brain surgery region or an orthopedic region. Thus, intraoperative image support that supports image diagnosis by doctors during surgery has been attracting attention. Doctors can judge the effect of treatment by comparing and interpreting medical images during surgery acquired with intraoperative image support and medical images of patients acquired before surgery, organs, blood vessels, etc. It is possible to correct the treatment policy during surgery after confirming the location information of the tumor and the remaining tumor cells.

  Here, in an actual operation, the patient takes various postures such as a supine position, a recumbent position, and a prone position so that a doctor who performs the operation can easily access the affected part. Also, particularly in brain surgery, surgery is usually performed with the back of the operating table on which the patient is placed tilted so that the head is higher than the heart in order to suppress bleeding from the affected area during surgery. It is.

  However, imaging of a patient during surgery by a medical image diagnostic apparatus is usually performed after the patient is placed in a horizontal position by transferring the patient from the operating table to a standard bed. For this reason, in order to perform intraoperative image support, the patient is transferred to a standard bed for imaging during the operation, and further, the patient is transferred to the operating table so as to be in the postoperative position after imaging. This is a heavy burden for both the doctor and the patient performing the operation. Further, by transferring to the standard bed, the state and shape of the affected area during the operation change due to, for example, a brain shift.

  In view of this, a medical image photographing system has been developed that enables photographing of medical images while maintaining a setup during surgery such as an operating table, a patient's posture, and peripheral devices (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a medical imaging system, for example, by increasing the aperture diameter of the gantry that collects projection data, it is possible to capture an X-ray CT image while maintaining the setup during surgery. In such a medical image photographing system, for example, an Ω arm for performing intraoperative photographing is attached in addition to a C arm for performing preoperative photographing. X-ray images can be taken.

JP 2009-28160 A

  By the way, in the conventional technique described above, since a medical image is taken while maintaining the posture during the operation, the cross-sectional direction of the medical image during the operation displayed on the monitor is the same as the target of the comparative interpretation. This does not necessarily match the cross-sectional direction of the medical image. That is, in the pre-surgical radiography, since the pre-surgical radiography is usually performed on a patient placed in a horizontal position on the bed, the medical image is maintained while maintaining the post-surgical position by the conventional technique described above. When imaging is performed, the cross-sectional directions of the medical images taken before and during the operation do not always match, and the shape of the affected area depicted in the displayed image also differs.

  Therefore, the above-described conventional technique has a problem that it may not always be possible to reduce the burden on a doctor who performs image diagnosis with reference to a medical image taken during surgery.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and can reduce the burden on a doctor who performs image diagnosis with reference to a medical image taken during surgery. It is an object of the present invention to provide a medical image diagnostic apparatus and an image processing apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention according to claim 1 includes a three-dimensional medical image generation unit that images a subject during surgery and generates a three-dimensional medical image; In-surgery position information acquisition means for acquiring position information during operation of the subject at the time when the three-dimensional medical image generated by the medical image generation means is captured, and the acquired position information acquisition means during operation. Image generation parameter calculation for calculating an image generation parameter for generating from the three-dimensional medical image a cross section that is the same as or close to the two-dimensional medical image of the subject imaged before the operation based on the intra-operative position information Means for generating a cross-sectional image from the three-dimensional medical image by using the image generation parameter calculated by the image generation parameter calculation unit; Characterized by comprising a display control means for controlling to display at generated the sectional images a predetermined display unit by the tomographic image generating means.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the position information acquiring means for acquiring the position information of the subject at the time when the three-dimensional medical image of the subject under operation is photographed, and the position information acquiring means. Based on the position information, image generation parameter calculation for calculating an image generation parameter for generating a cross section that is the same as or close to the same as the two-dimensional medical image of the subject imaged before surgery from the three-dimensional medical image Means, a cross-sectional image generating means for generating a cross-sectional image from the three-dimensional medical image using the image generation parameter calculated by the image generation parameter calculating means, and the cross-sectional image generated by the cross-sectional image generating means Display control means for controlling to display the image on a predetermined display unit.

  According to the invention of claim 1 or 7, it is possible to reduce a burden on a doctor who performs an image diagnosis with reference to a medical image taken during an operation.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the X-ray CT apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the gantry device of the X-ray CT apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the image generation unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram (1) for explaining processing by the image processing unit. FIG. 5 is a diagram (2) for explaining the processing by the image processing unit. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a sensor attached to a skull pin. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the X-ray CT apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the image generation unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the position storage unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the image generation unit according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the landmark extraction unit. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the X-ray CT apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an image generation unit according to the fourth embodiment.

  Exemplary embodiments of a medical image diagnostic apparatus and an image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, a case where the present invention is applied to an X-ray CT apparatus which is a medical image diagnostic apparatus will be described as an example.

  First, the structure of the X-ray CT apparatus in a present Example is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the X-ray CT apparatus according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray CT apparatus in this embodiment includes a gantry device 10, an operating table 20, a head frame 21, an encoder 22, and a console device 30, and an image database 40. Connected.

  Here, the X-ray CT apparatus according to the present embodiment takes an image of the patient P during surgery while maintaining the setup during surgery, generates an X-ray CT image (intraoperative CT image), and displays the generated intraoperative CT image. X-ray CT apparatus for surgery. In addition, the X-ray CT apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an intra-operative CT image, an X-ray CT image (pre-operative CT image) and an intra-operative CT image generated by imaging a patient before surgery with a normal X-ray CT apparatus. Is displayed. In the following, a case where an intraoperative CT image is taken during neurosurgery for the head of the patient P will be described.

  The image database 40 is a database such as a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) database, which is a system for managing various medical image data, and an electronic medical record system for managing an electronic medical record with attached medical images. Specifically, the image database 40 stores a preoperative CT image of the patient P taken by a normal X-ray CT apparatus. The preoperative CT image is a two-dimensional cross-sectional image.

  The gantry device 10 has a cavity serving as an imaging port into which the patient P is inserted, and is an apparatus that collects projection data by irradiating the patient P with X-rays. , X-ray detector 13, data collection unit 14, rotating frame 15, and gantry driving unit 16.

  The high voltage generator 11 is a device that supplies a high voltage to the X-ray tube 12, and the X-ray tube 12 is a vacuum tube that generates X-rays by the high voltage supplied from the high voltage generator 11. The X-ray detector 13 is a detector that detects X-ray intensity distribution data of X-rays transmitted through the patient P.

  The data acquisition unit 14 is a DAS (data acquisition system) that generates projection data using the X-ray intensity distribution data detected by the X-ray detector 13 and collects projection data for each X-ray irradiation direction. The projection data is transmitted to the console device 30 described later.

  The rotating frame 15 is an annular frame that rotates continuously at high speed, and supports the X-ray tube 12 and the X-ray detector 13 so as to face each other with the patient P interposed therebetween.

  The gantry drive unit 16 is a drive device that rotates the rotary frame 15 to rotate the X-ray tube 12 and the X-ray detector 13 on a circular orbit around the patient P. Further, the gantry driving unit 16 performs a helical scan that scans the patient P in a spiral shape by rotating the rotating frame 15 while moving the gantry device 10 along a moving rail described later. Thereby, the data collection unit 14 collects three-dimensional projection data in the affected part of the patient P.

  In the present embodiment, the case where three-dimensional projection data in the affected area of the patient P is collected by helical scanning will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and X-ray intensity distribution data is detected over a wide range. By using a two-dimensional array detector (surface detector) that can be used as the X-ray detector 13, three-dimensional projection data in the affected area of the patient P may be collected by a conventional scan. Specifically, the X-ray detector 13 as a surface detector has an X-ray detection element array arranged in the channel direction (Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1) in the body axis direction of the subject P ( For example, the detection element rows are arranged in 320 rows along the Z-axis direction shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the operating table 20 is a three-fold bed used in brain surgery or the like, and has various functions such as a supine position, a recumbent position, and a prone position so that an operating doctor can easily access the affected area. A patient P in a posture is fixed and placed. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the backrest portion of the operating table 20 is inclined so that a doctor who performs the operation can easily access the affected part and the head of the patient P is higher than the heart.

  The head frame 21 is a jig for fixing the head attached to the operating table 20 and has a skull pin for fixing the head of the patient P. That is, the head of the patient P placed on the operating table 20 is opened, and the skull is fixed by the skull pin.

  The encoder 22 detects the backrest angle of the operating table 20, the position of the head frame 21, and the like from the backrest portion of the operating table 20 and sensors attached to the head frame 21. For example, the position where the sensor is attached to the head frame 21 includes an arm for connecting the head frame 21 to the operating table 20 as shown in FIG. The encoder 22 will be described in detail later.

  Here, the gantry 10 of the X-ray CT apparatus in the present embodiment will be described again with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the gantry device of the X-ray CT apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the gantry device 10 is fixed to a gantry device moving table, and the gantry device moving table moves by a moving rail. In other words, the gantry driving unit 16 moves the gantry device moving table along the moving rail, so that the gantry device 10 can be photographed to the affected part (head) of the patient P placed on the operating table 20. The gantry device 10 is moved along the body axis direction of the patient P during the execution of the helical scan.

  Here, during the operation, various jigs such as a brain spatula are fixed to the operating table 20 and the head frame 21, and therefore the volume around the head of the patient P including the head frame 21 exceeds 50 cm. Become. Therefore, the opening diameter of the photographing port of the gantry device 10 is 80 cm or more, whereas the opening diameter of the photographing port of the normal gantry device is about 70 cm.

  That is, the X-ray CT apparatus according to the present embodiment can image the patient P during an extracerebral operation fixed by the head frame 21 as it is during the operation by setting the gantry device 10 to have a large diameter. It is like that.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the console device 30 is a device that accepts an operation of the X-ray CT apparatus by the operator and generates an X-ray CT image (intraoperative CT image) from the projection data collected by the gantry device 10. And includes an input device 31, a display device 32, a scan control unit 33, a preprocessing unit 34, a projection data storage unit 35, an image generation unit 36, an image storage unit 37, and a system control unit 38. .

  The input device 31 includes a mouse, a keyboard, a microphone, and the like, and is used for an operator to input various setting information for operating the X-ray CT apparatus.

  The display device 32 has a monitor or the like, and displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for receiving various setting information from the operator via the input device 31, an image stored in the image storage unit 37 described later, and the like.

  The scan control unit 33 controls the operations of the high voltage generation unit 11, the data collection unit 14, and the gantry driving unit 16 under the control of the system control unit 38, which will be described later. This is a device for controlling the process of collecting projection data (three-dimensional projection data in this embodiment).

  The preprocessing unit 34 is a processing unit that performs preprocessing such as sensitivity correction on the projection data collected by the data collection unit 14, and the projection data storage unit 35 stores the projection data preprocessed by the preprocessing unit 34. It is a memory | storage part to memorize | store.

  The image generation unit 36 generates an X-ray CT image from preprocessed projection data stored in the projection data storage unit 35 or performs image processing on the generated X-ray CT image under the control of a system control unit 38 to be described later. Is a processing unit.

  Specifically, the image generation unit 36 generates a three-dimensional X-ray CT image (hereinafter referred to as volume data) by performing a back projection process on the preprocessed three-dimensional projection data. Further, the image generation unit 36 generates an MPR (Multi Plane Reformat) image by performing image processing on the volume data. The image generator 36 will be described in detail later.

  The image storage unit 37 is a storage unit that stores various images generated by the image generation unit 36.

  The system control unit 38 performs overall control of the X-ray CT apparatus by controlling the operations of the gantry device 10, the couch device 20, and the console device 30. Specifically, the system control unit 38 collects projection data from the gantry device 10 by controlling the scan control unit 33 based on various setting information received from the operator via the input device 31. Further, the system control unit 38 controls the image processing in the console device 30 by controlling the preprocessing unit 34 and the image generation unit 36. Further, the system control unit 38 performs control so that various images stored in the image storage unit 37 are displayed on the monitor of the display device 32. Further, the system control unit 38 controls the preoperative CT image of the patient P stored in the image database to be displayed on the monitor of the display device 32. In addition, the system control unit 38 transfers information on the angle and position detected by the encoder 20 to the image generation unit 36.

  Here, the X-ray CT apparatus in the present embodiment refers to an X-ray CT image (intraoperative CT image) taken during surgery by processing of the encoder 20 and the image generation unit 36 described in detail below. The main feature is that it is possible to reduce the burden on the doctor who performs the image diagnosis.

  Hereinafter, this main feature will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the image generation unit in the first embodiment, FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the processing by the image processing unit, and FIG. 6 shows a skull pin. It is a figure for demonstrating the sensor attached.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the image generation unit 36 according to the first embodiment includes a volume data generation unit 361 and an image processing unit 362.

  The volume data generation unit 361 generates volume data by performing a back projection process on the preprocessed three-dimensional projection data, and stores the generated volume data in the image storage unit 37.

  The image processing unit 362 is a processing unit that generates an MPR image as an intraoperative CT image from the volume data generated by the volume data generation unit 361. The body position acquisition unit 362a, the position / angle acquisition unit 362b, and image generation parameter calculation Unit 362c and MPR generation unit 362d.

  Here, since the preoperative CT image is obtained by imaging the head of the patient P placed on a horizontal bed by a normal X-ray CT apparatus, as shown in FIG. The head of the patient P fixed to the head has an axial cross section sliced at regular intervals along the body axis direction.

  However, in imaging during neurosurgery, as shown in FIG. 4B, the head of the patient P is tilted at an inclination angle “θ (theta)”, for example. The time slice plane is different from the slice plane of the preoperative CT image. That is, when an MPR image is generated from the volume data generated by imaging the patient P during the brain surgery using the intraoperative imaging slice plane, the generated MPR image becomes a slice plane different from the preoperative CT image. End up.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4B, the image processing unit 362 adjusts the display slice plane using information such as the inclination angle “θ (theta)”, so that the preoperative CT image and An MPR image having substantially the same cross section is generated from the volume data generated by the volume data generation unit 361.

  In order to perform such processing, first, the image processing unit 362 acquires the intra-operative position information of the patient P at the time when the volume data is imaged by the body position acquisition unit 362a and the position / angle acquisition unit 362b illustrated in FIG. .

  Specifically, the body position acquisition unit 362a acquires information on the body position of the patient P during the operation from the operator of the X-ray CT apparatus via the input device 31. For example, the doctor uses the input device 31 to input information indicating that the posture of the patient P is “the supine position”. Thereby, the body position acquisition unit 362a acquires “patient P: supine position” via the system control unit 38. Note that the doctor uses the input device 31 as “30 degrees to the right” indicating that the head of the patient P during the operation is tilted to 30 degrees to the right, for example, as information indicating the posture of the patient P in more detail. May be used. As a result, the body position acquisition unit 362a acquires “patient P: supine position, 30 degrees to the right” via the system control unit 38, as shown in FIG.

  Further, the position / angle acquisition unit 362b receives the position of the operating table 20 and the head frame 21 during the operation from the encoder 20 connected to the operating table 20 and the sensor attached to the head frame 21 described with reference to FIG. Get the angle. For example, the position / angle acquisition unit 362b acquires the inclination angle (θ) of the backrest detected by the encoder 22 from an angle sensor attached to the backrest portion of the operating table 20, as shown in FIG. The coordinates at the spatial position of the head frame 21 detected by the encoder 22 are acquired from the position sensor attached to the frame 21.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the image generation parameter calculation unit 362 c performs the operation of the patient P during the operation of the patient P acquired by the position acquisition unit 362 a and the operation table 20 and the head frame 21 acquired by the position / angle acquisition unit 362 b. The position and angle at are received as intra-operative position information.

  Then, the image generation parameter calculation unit 362c calculates image generation parameters for generating, from the volume data, an MPR image that is the same as or close to the preoperative CT image, based on the received intra-operative position information.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the image generation parameter calculation unit 362c sets the orientation and interval of the image generation coordinate plane used when generating the MPR image as the image generation parameter. For example, the image generation parameter calculation unit 362c generates an MPR image from the posture of the patient P during the operation, the inclination angle (θ) of the backrest of the operating table 20, and the coordinates at the spatial position of the head frame 21. Sets the orientation (tilt) of the image generation coordinate plane. Further, the image generation parameter calculation unit 362c generates an MPR image from “slice interval information of the preoperative CT image” stored as the incidental information of the preoperative CT image of the patient P in the image database 40. Sets the interval between generated coordinate planes.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the image generation parameter calculation unit 362c sets a rotation angle for making the direction of the affected part of the patient P depicted in the MPR image coincide with the preoperative CT image as the image generation parameter. To do. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the image generation parameter calculation unit 362c sets the rotation angle “30 degrees left” using “right 30 degrees” from the posture information of “patient P: supine position, right 30 degrees”. To do.

  Note that the image generation parameter calculation unit 362c, for example, inserts the patient P into the gantry device 10 when the preoperative CT image is imaged and the direction in which the patient P is inserted into the gantry device and the volume data is imaged. When it is acquired from the supplementary information of the preoperative CT image or from the operator via the input device 31 that the direction is reversed, the rotation angle is “left-right reverse”.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the MPR generation unit 362d generates an MPR image from the volume data using the image generation parameter calculated by the image generation parameter calculation unit 362c, and uses the generated MPR image as an intraoperative CT image of the patient P. Stored in the image storage unit 37.

  That is, the MPR generation unit 362d uses the “image generation coordinate plane direction” and the “image generation coordinate plane interval” to perform volume data operation on a slice plane substantially the same as the slice plane of the preoperative CT image. A plurality of MPR images sliced at the same interval as the slice interval of the previous CT image are generated. Then, the MPR generation unit 362d corrects the directions of the plurality of MPR images using the “rotation angle”.

  The system control unit 38 controls to read the intraoperative CT image of the patient P from the image storage unit 37 and display it on the monitor of the display device 32. Specifically, the system control unit 38 corresponds to the slice plane corresponding to the preoperative CT image of the patient P read from the image database 40 and the MPR image stored as the intraoperative CT image of the patient P in the image storage unit 37. Is controlled to display in parallel or superimposed.

  Note that the position where the sensor connected to the encoder 22 is attached is not limited to the backrest portion of the operating table 20 or the arm for connecting the head frame 21 to the operating table 20 as described above. For example, the position where the sensor connected to the encoder 22 is attached may be a position where the position and angle of the skull pin of the head frame 21 can be detected.

  Here, the head frame 21 is known to be a three-point fixed head frame (see FIG. 6A) and a four-point fixed head frame (see FIG. 6B) depending on the number of skull pins. It has been. For example, in a three-point fixed head frame, as shown in FIG. 6A, the skull of the patient P is fixed at an approximate position by three skull pins, and then the two skull pins are rotated by a rotating screw. By being finely adjusted, the skull of the patient P is fixed according to the surgical procedure. Further, in the four-point fixed head frame, as shown in FIG. 6B, there are a plurality of skull pin insertion locations. For example, after the skull of the patient P is fixed at an approximate position by two skull pins. Further, after finely adjusting the head position of the patient P, the skull of the patient P is fixed according to the surgical procedure by fixing with the other two skull pins.

  Therefore, when a three-point fixed head frame 21 is used, as shown in FIG. 6A, an angle sensor is attached to a rotary screw for rotating two skull pins, and the remaining one skull pin is attached. By attaching the position sensor to the fixed position, the encoder 22 can detect information on the position where the head of the patient P is fixed.

  When a four-point fixed head frame 21 is used, as shown in FIG. 6B, the encoder 22 is fixed to the position sensor on each skull pin, so that the head of the patient P is fixed to the encoder 22. The position information can be detected.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6, by attaching a sensor capable of detecting the position and angle of the skull pin in the head frame 21, the image generation parameter calculation unit 362c is input from the operator and the angle sensor attached to the operating table 20. More accurate image generation parameters can be calculated based on the information on the body position (for example, the supine position).

  Subsequently, a processing flow of the X-ray CT apparatus in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the X-ray CT apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the X-ray CT apparatus according to the first embodiment receives an intraoperative CT image imaging start request from the operator (Yes in step S101), the volume data generation unit 361 collects the gantry device 10, Volume data is generated from the three-dimensional projection data preprocessed by the preprocessing unit 34 (step S102).

  Then, the body position acquisition unit 362a and the position / angle acquisition unit 362b acquire the intra-operative position information of the patient P at the time when the volume data was imaged (step S103). Specifically, the posture acquisition unit 362a acquires information on the posture of the patient P during the operation from the operator via the input device 31, and the position / angle acquisition unit 362b is attached to the operating table 20 and the head frame 21. The position and angle of the operating table 20 and the head frame 21 during the operation are acquired from the encoder 20 connected to the sensor.

  After that, the image generation parameter calculation unit 362c calculates an image generation parameter for generating an MPR image that is the same as or close to the preoperative CT image of the patient P from the volume data based on the intra-operative position information (step) S104).

  Subsequently, the MPR generation unit 362d generates an MPR image from the volume data using the image generation parameter calculated by the image generation parameter calculation unit 362c (step S105).

  Then, the system control unit 38 controls to display the generated MPR image on the monitor of the display device 32 as an intraoperative CT image (step S106), and ends the process. Specifically, the system control unit 38 displays the preoperative CT image of the patient P read from the image database 40 and the MPR image generated as the intraoperative CT image of the patient P in parallel on the corresponding slice plane. Or superimpose display.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the volume data generation unit 361 generates volume data from the three-dimensional projection data in the affected part of the patient P during surgery. The body position acquisition unit 362a acquires information on the body posture of the patient P during the operation from the operator via the input device 31, and the position / angle acquisition unit 362b is connected to the operating table 20 and the sensors attached to the head frame 21. The position and angle of the operating table 20 and the head frame 21 during the operation are acquired from the encoder 20. The image generation parameter calculation unit 362c uses the information acquired by the body position acquisition unit 362a and the position / angle acquisition unit 362b as intra-operative position information of the patient P, and based on the intra-operative position information, Image generation parameters for generating identical or nearly identical MPR images from volume data are calculated.

  Then, the MPR generation unit 362d generates an MPR image from the volume data using the image generation parameter calculated by the image generation parameter calculation unit 362c, and the system control unit 38 converts the image generated MPR image into the intraoperative CT. It controls so that it may display on the monitor of the display apparatus 32 as an image.

  Therefore, according to the first embodiment, an intraoperative CT image in the almost same slice direction as that of a preoperative CT image can be displayed. As described above, an X-ray CT image (intraoperative CT image) taken during an operation is displayed. ), It is possible to reduce the burden on the doctor who performs the image diagnosis.

  In the first embodiment, the image generation parameter calculation unit 362c sets a rotation angle for making the direction of the affected part of the patient P depicted in the MPR image coincide with the preoperative CT image as the image generation parameter. Therefore, the main feature is that the direction of the displayed intraoperative CT image can coincide with the direction of the preoperative CT image, and the burden on the doctor who performs the image diagnosis can be further reduced.

  In the second embodiment, a case where position information during operation is acquired by a method different from the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the image generation unit in the second embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the position storage unit.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, the image generation unit 36 according to the second embodiment replaces the body position acquisition unit 362 a and the position / angle acquisition unit 362 b as compared with the image generation unit 36 according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 3. Is different in that it has a position storage unit 362e. Hereinafter, this will be mainly described.

  Here, the standard cranial fixation position of the skull pin used for fixing the head in neurosurgery is determined in advance for each surgical method in the use facility. That is, the standard skull fixing position of the skull pin can be used as position information during surgery.

  Therefore, the position storage unit 362e stores the skull pin skull fixing position of the head frame 21 for each surgical procedure. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the position storage unit 362 e stores “technique: 1” and “skull pin position: P1” in association with each other.

  Then, when generating an intraoperative CT image (MPR image), if an operator currently designated is designated via the input device 31, the image generation parameter calculation unit 362 c will designate the designated technique. Is acquired from the position storage unit 362e as intra-operative position information, and the “image generation coordinate plane orientation” and “rotation angle” of the image generation parameters are calculated. Note that the image generation parameter calculation unit 362c calculates the interval between the image generation coordinate planes in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  The processing flow by the X-ray CT apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as the processing by the X-ray CT apparatus according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. Except for the process using 362e, the description is omitted because it is the same.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the skull pin position for each surgical procedure is stored, and the skull pin position corresponding to the surgical procedure input by the operator is acquired as the intra-operative positional information to calculate the image generation parameter. The installation of the sensor and the encoder 20 can be dispensed with, and an intraoperative CT image in substantially the same slice direction as that of the preoperative CT image can be easily generated.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the image generation parameter is calculated using only the skull pin position associated with the surgical technique as the position information during surgery has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the position storage unit The image generation parameter may be calculated using the skull pin position acquired from 362e and the skull pin position and angle acquired by the encoder 22 via the sensor described with reference to FIG.

  In the third embodiment, a case where the image generation parameter calculated by the image generation parameter calculation unit 362c is corrected will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the image generation unit in the third embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the landmark extraction unit.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the image generation unit 36 according to the second embodiment includes a landmark extraction unit 362 f and an image generation parameter correction unit 362 g as compared with the image generation unit 36 according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 3. Furthermore, it has a different point. Hereinafter, these will be mainly described.

  In the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the position information during surgery is acquired by the body position acquisition unit 362a and the position / angle acquisition unit 362b, and the image generation parameters are calculated from the position information during surgery by the image generation parameter calculation unit 362c. Is done.

  In the third embodiment, the landmark extraction unit 362f extracts a landmark derived from the living tissue of the patient P depicted by the volume data generated by the volume data generation unit 361.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the landmark extraction unit 362f extracts only the region (skull region) where the skull is depicted from the volume data, and in the extracted skull region, the area at the apex of the nasal bone and the ear hole The center of gravity, the area center of gravity in the orbit, the intersection of the skull sutures, etc. are extracted as landmarks.

  Returning to FIG. 10, the image generation parameter correction unit 362g corrects the image generation parameter calculated by the image generation parameter calculation unit 362c based on the position information in the volume data of the landmark extracted by the landmark extraction unit 362f. To do.

  Then, the MPR generation unit 362d generates an MPR image from the volume data using the image generation parameter corrected by the image generation parameter correction unit 362g.

  Note that if the number of landmarks extracted by the landmark extraction unit 362f is three or more, the image generation parameter correction unit 362g can execute the image generation parameter correction processing with high accuracy.

  Further, as described above, the landmarks extracted by the landmark extraction unit 362f are not limited to those derived from the biological tissue of the patient P, and artificial markers other than the biological tissue are extracted as landmarks. It may be the case. For example, examples of the artificial marker include a radiopaque marker applied to the skull of the patient P, the above-described skull pin, and the like.

  Further, the image generation parameter correction process using landmarks can be applied even when the skull pin position described in the second embodiment is used as intra-operative position information.

  Subsequently, a processing flow of the X-ray CT apparatus in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the X-ray CT apparatus according to the third embodiment.

  Note that the processing in steps S201 to S204 shown in FIG. 12 is the same as the processing in steps S101 to S104 described with reference to FIG.

  After the process of step S204, the landmark extraction unit 362f extracts a landmark derived from the biological tissue or artificial marker of the patient P depicted by the volume data (step S205).

  Then, the image generation parameter correction unit 362g corrects the image generation parameter calculated in step S204 based on the position information in the volume data of the landmark extracted by the landmark extraction unit 362f (step S206).

  Subsequently, the MPR generation unit 362d generates an MPR image from the volume data using the image generation parameter corrected by the image generation parameter correction unit 362g (step S207).

  Then, the system control unit 38 controls to display the generated MPR image on the monitor of the display device 32 as an intraoperative CT image (step S208), and ends the process.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, since the image generation parameters are corrected using the landmark position information, the preoperative CT image and the slice direction are more identical than those in the first and second embodiments. An intraoperative CT image close to the direction can be displayed, and the burden on the doctor performing the image diagnosis can be further reduced.

  In the fourth embodiment, a case where an MPR image is generated using only landmarks extracted by the landmark extraction unit 362f will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an image generation unit according to the fourth embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 13, the image processing unit 362 of the image generation unit 36 according to the fourth embodiment includes a landmark extraction unit 362f, an image generation parameter calculation unit 362c, and an MPR generation unit 362d.

  And the landmark extraction part 362f in Example 4 extracts the landmark derived from the biological tissue or artificial marker of the patient P drawn by volume data similarly to Example 3.

  Further, the landmark extraction unit 362f acquires position information in the volume data of the extracted landmark as position information during surgery.

  Then, the image generation parameter calculation unit 362c according to the fourth embodiment calculates image generation parameters based on the intra-operative position information (landmark position information) acquired by the landmark extraction unit 362f.

  Note that the flow of processing by the X-ray CT apparatus in the fourth embodiment is the same as that in the processing by the X-ray CT apparatus of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. Since the processing is the same except for the processing using the unit 362f, the description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, since the image generation parameters are calculated using the position information of the landmark as the position information during the operation, the installation of the sensor and the encoder 20 can be made unnecessary, and almost the same as the preoperative CT image. Intraoperative CT images in the same slice direction can be easily generated.

  In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the case where the present invention is applied to an X-ray CT apparatus that captures a three-dimensional X-ray CT image while maintaining a setup during surgery has been described. However, the present invention provides an MRI apparatus that captures a three-dimensional MRI image while maintaining the setup during surgery, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus that captures a three-dimensional X-ray image while maintaining the setup during surgery, and the like. The present invention can also be applied to other medical image diagnostic apparatuses.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the case where an intraoperative MPR image is generated in the medical image diagnostic apparatus has been described. However, the present invention may be a case where the image processing apparatus having the function of the image processing unit 361 generates an intraoperative MPR image from intraoperative volume data stored in the image database 40.

  Further, the present invention can be applied not only to intraoperative image support in neurosurgery but also to intraoperative image support in orthopedic surgery or the like if position information of the patient P can be acquired during operation.

  As described above, the medical image diagnostic apparatus and the image processing apparatus according to the present invention are useful when performing intraoperative image support, and in particular, by a doctor who performs image diagnosis with reference to medical images taken during surgery. Suitable for reducing the burden.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Mount apparatus 11 High voltage generation part 12 X-ray tube 13 X-ray detector 14 Data collection part 15 Rotating frame 16 Mount drive part 20 Operating table 21 Head frame 22 Encoder 30 Console apparatus 31 Input apparatus 32 Display apparatus 33 Scan control part 34 Pre-processing unit 35 Projection data storage unit 36 Image generation unit 361 Volume data generation unit 362 Image processing unit 362a Position acquisition unit 362b Position / angle acquisition unit 362c Image generation parameter calculation unit 362d MPR generation unit 37 Image storage unit 38 System control unit 40 Image database

Claims (7)

3D medical image generation means for imaging a subject during surgery and generating a 3D medical image;
Intra-operative position information acquisition means for acquiring intra-operative position information of the subject at the time when the three-dimensional medical image generated by the three-dimensional medical image generation means is captured;
Based on the intra-operative position information acquired by the intra-operative position information acquisition unit, a cross section that is the same as or close to the same as the two-dimensional medical image of the subject imaged before the operation is generated from the three-dimensional medical image. Image generation parameter calculation means for calculating image generation parameters for
Using the image generation parameter calculated by the image generation parameter calculation means, a cross-sectional image generation means for generating a cross-sectional image from the three-dimensional medical image;
Display control means for controlling the cross-sectional image generated by the cross-sectional image generating means to be displayed on a predetermined display unit;
A medical image diagnostic apparatus comprising: The image generation parameter calculation means includes, as the image generation parameter, a first parameter for setting an image generation coordinate plane used when generating the cross-sectional image, and the subject imaged by the cross-sectional image And calculating a second parameter for setting a rotation angle for matching the direction of the affected area with the two-dimensional medical image,
The cross-sectional image generation means uses the first parameter calculated by the image generation parameter calculation means to determine the direction of the image generated from the three-dimensional medical image by the image generation parameter calculation means. The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional image is generated after correction using two parameters. Body position information acquisition means for acquiring body position information, which is information on the body position during surgery of the subject, via a predetermined input unit;
An operating table for fixing and placing the subject, and / or a sensor for detecting position information of a fixture for fixing the affected part of the subject;
Further comprising
The intra-operative position information acquisition means acquires the positional information acquired by the posture information acquisition means and the positional information of the operating table and / or the fixture detected by the sensor as the intra-operative position information. The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medical image diagnostic apparatus is a medical image diagnostic apparatus. A skull fixing position storage means for storing the skull fixing position of the skull pin included in the head fixing tool used in brain surgery for each surgical method;
The intra-operative position information acquisition means acquires the skull fixed position of the skull pin corresponding to the surgical method designated by the operator from the skull fixed position storage means, and the acquired skull pin's skull fixed position is the intra-operative position information. The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medical image diagnostic apparatus is acquired as Feature points derived from the biological tissue of the subject depicted in the three-dimensional medical image generated by the three-dimensional medical image generation means, and / or the feature points generated by the three-dimensional medical image generation means A feature point extracting means for extracting a feature point derived from an index other than the biological tissue of the subject depicted in a three-dimensional medical image;
Image generation parameter correction means for correcting the image generation parameter calculated by the image generation parameter calculation means based on position information of the feature points extracted by the feature point extraction means;
Further comprising
The cross-sectional image generation unit generates the cross-sectional image from the three-dimensional medical image using the image generation parameter corrected by the image generation parameter correction unit. The medical image diagnostic apparatus described in 1.   The position information acquisition unit includes a feature point derived from the biological tissue of the subject and / or the three-dimensional medical image depicted in the three-dimensional medical image generated by the three-dimensional medical image generation unit. A feature point derived from an index other than the biological tissue of the subject depicted in the three-dimensional medical image generated by the generation unit is extracted, and position information of the extracted feature point is used as the intra-operative position information. The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medical image diagnostic apparatus is acquired. Position information acquisition means for acquiring position information of the subject at the time when a three-dimensional medical image of the subject under surgery is captured;
Image generation for generating, from the three-dimensional medical image, a cross section that is the same as or close to the two-dimensional medical image of the subject imaged before surgery based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means Image generation parameter calculation means for calculating parameters;
Using the image generation parameter calculated by the image generation parameter calculation means, a cross-sectional image generation means for generating a cross-sectional image from the three-dimensional medical image;
Display control means for controlling the cross-sectional image generated by the cross-sectional image generating means to be displayed on a predetermined display unit;
An image processing apparatus comprising:

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