JP2012024204A - Medical image acquisition device, medical image management system, and medical image management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide technique for managing an image by attaching accurate incidental information by reliably performing an inspection with contents indicated in a work list.SOLUTION: A medical image acquisition device acquires a medical image by performing an inspection according to the work list, and transmits the image to an image management server. Before the transmission, access is performed to a work list server again, so as to acquire the latest work list. Then, consistency is discriminated between the latest work list and the work list for the performance of the inspection. When consistency is obtained, the acquired medical image is transmitted to the image management server together with incidental information. When consistency is not obtained, the effect of inconsistency is reported to an operator. Besides, when the consistency is not obtained, the incidental information may be transmitted to the image management server after being updated into the one generated based on the latest work list according to the indication of the operator.

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical image management technique under a medical image network. In particular, the present invention relates to a data matching technique between devices connected to a medical image network.

  An acquired image (medical image) obtained by connecting medical image acquisition apparatuses such as an ultrasonic examination apparatus, a CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) apparatus, and an X-ray apparatus via a network. ) Is centrally managed by an image management server connected to the network. In a medical image network, medical images are managed in a unified file format that complies with, for example, DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) standards. In this file format, incidental information including patient information for specifying a patient and examination information for specifying examination contents is also stored in a file in which each medical image is stored.

  In the medical image network, requests for examinations performed by these medical image acquisition apparatuses are also made from each terminal connected to the network. The examination request input from each terminal is managed by a work list server that manages the examination request as a work list for each medical image acquisition apparatus and for each patient. This work list includes patient information and examination information.

  The examination is performed according to the work list acquired by accessing the work list server from the medical image acquisition apparatus. When the examination ends, the medical image acquisition apparatus generates incidental information from the patient information and the examination information included in the work list, and transmits the medical image to the image management server.

  The work list in the work list server may be updated during the inspection, for example, when the inspection takes a long time or when an unexpected situation occurs. For example, in an emergency medical field, patient information such as a patient's name and age is unknown at the start of an examination, and the patient information in the work list may be updated during the examination. In order to cope with such a situation, there is a technique for maintaining the consistency between the work list managed by the work list server and the incidental information on the image management apparatus side (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a medical image is received from a medical image acquisition device, the device that manages the image accesses the work list server to acquire the work list, and there is a mismatch with the incidental information. To the operator.

  Also, in the IHE (Integrated Healthcare Enterprise) that defines guidelines for passing examination information between medical devices, it is prescribed that patient information should be consistent between the worklist server and the image management server after the examination is completed. (For example, refer nonpatent literature 1.).

JP 2004-290225 A

Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise, “IHE Radiologic Technology Framework Framework I Integration Profile”, Revision 9.0-Final text, June 27, June 27, 2008 ihe. net / Technical_Framework />

  However, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the IHE rules deal with changes in the work list on the work list server and image management server side after image transmission. Accordingly, it is possible to cope with a change in patient information in the work list. However, since the operator cannot grasp that the work list has been changed at the time of image transmission, the operator may not be able to respond when the inspection information is changed. For example, there is a case where an examination of a patient who has visited a plurality of departments is added after the start of the examination.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a technique for reliably executing inspection of contents instructed by a work list and managing images with accurate incidental information. .

  According to the present invention, after a medical image is acquired by performing an examination according to a work list using a medical image acquisition apparatus, and before being transmitted to the image management server, the work list server is accessed again to acquire the latest work list. Then, the consistency between the latest work list and the work list on which the examination has been performed is determined, and if it is consistent, the acquired medical image is transmitted to the image management server together with the accompanying information. Notify the operator. Further, if they do not match, the supplementary information may be updated to the one generated from the latest work list in accordance with an instruction from the operator and then transmitted to the image management server.

  Specifically, a transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives data to / from an external device, an image acquisition unit that acquires an image of a subject as a medical image, a notification unit that notifies an operator of information, the transmission / reception unit, and the image acquisition unit And a control means for controlling the operation of the notifying means, wherein the control means sends an inspection target from an external device connected to the medical image acquisition apparatus via the transmission / reception means. List acquisition means for acquiring a work list including object information for specifying an object and inspection information for specifying inspection contents; and determination means for determining consistency between two work lists acquired by the list acquisition means; A pre-inspection processing means for causing the list acquisition means to acquire the work list before starting the inspection, and holding the acquired work list as an execution work list; In accordance with the list, the image acquisition means is operated to acquire the medical image, and from the execution work list, the inspection execution means for generating supplementary information to be attached to the medical image, and the post-examination processing means for performing processing at the end And the post-examination processing unit causes the list acquisition unit to acquire the latest work list of the subject to be examined, and causes the determination unit to match the execution work list with the latest work list. When the determination means determines that there is consistency, the transmission / reception means transmits the medical image together with the auxiliary information to an external device, and when the determination means determines that there is no consistency, the notification The medical image acquisition apparatus is characterized in that the information is notified to the means that there is no consistency.

  In addition, a work list server that manages a work list that includes subject information that specifies a subject and examination information that specifies examination details, a medical image acquisition device that acquires an image of a subject, and the medical image acquisition device include: A medical image management system connected to an image management server for managing acquired images via a network, wherein the medical image acquisition device is the medical image acquisition device according to any one of claims 7 to 9. The list acquisition unit acquires the work list from the work list server, and the post-examination processing unit transmits the image acquired by the image acquisition unit together with the auxiliary information to the image management server. A medical image management system is provided.

  Further, a medical image management method for managing a medical image acquired by a medical image acquisition device, wherein an execution worklist acquisition step of acquiring a worklist of a subject to be examined from an external device and holding it as an execution worklist; According to an execution work list, the medical image of the subject is acquired, and an image acquisition step of generating incidental information to be attached to the medical image from the execution work list, and the latest of the subject to be examined from the external device The latest work list acquisition step of acquiring the work list, a determination step of determining consistency between the execution work list and the latest work list, and the acquisition information together with the incidental information when the determination result is consistent The medical image is sent to an external device, and if the result of the determination is inconsistent, there is no consistency And a post-processing step of notifying the operator, to provide a medical image management method comprising.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably execute the inspection of the content instructed in the work list, and manage the image with accurate incidental information.

It is a block diagram of the medical image management system of 1st embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the work list for every medical image acquisition apparatus of 1st embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the medical image acquisition device of the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of a display at the time of mismatching generation | occurrence | production of 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart of the test | inspection workflow of 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart of the post-inspection process of 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart of the modification of the test | inspection workflow of 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart of the modification of the test | inspection workflow of 1st embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of a display at the time of mismatching generation | occurrence | production of 2nd embodiment. It is a flowchart of the post-inspection process of the second embodiment. It is a flowchart of the modification of the post-inspection process of 2nd embodiment. It is a flowchart of the modification of the test | inspection workflow of 2nd embodiment.

<< First Embodiment >>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. Hereinafter, in all the drawings for explaining the embodiments of the present invention, those having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanation thereof is omitted.

  First, the medical image management system of this embodiment will be described. The medical image management system according to the present embodiment includes a medical image acquired by a medical image acquisition apparatus such as an ultrasonic examination apparatus, a CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus, or an X-ray imaging apparatus. It is a system to manage. For example, a part of the in-hospital network built in the hospital is configured. In the medical image management system of the present embodiment, the image format and the communication protocol between the devices are based on the DICOM standard. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a medical image management system 100 of the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the medical image management system 100 of this embodiment includes a communication network 110 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) installed in a facility such as a hospital, a work list server 120, and an image management server 130. And the medical image acquisition device 140, and the work list server 120, the image management server 130, and the medical image photographing device 140 are connected to the communication network 110. There is no limit to the number of worklist servers 120, image management servers 130, and medical imaging devices 140 connected. In addition, a terminal (not shown) and the like are connected to the communication network 110.

  The work list server 120 generates, holds, and manages a work list from an inspection order registered from a terminal connected to the communication network 110. The examination order is an examination request registered from the terminal of a doctor who performs medical care, the terminal of acceptance, or the like. The work list is an execution inspection list for each inspection device (medical image acquisition apparatus), and is created for each subject in this embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the work list 200 of each medical image acquisition apparatus includes information (patient information) 210 for specifying a patient and information (examination information) 220 for specifying examination contents. The patient information 210 includes information (patient ID) for specifying a subject (patient), a patient name, sex, age, and the like. Further, the examination information 220 includes an examination type, an examination technique, an examination site, a scheduled examination start date, and the like.

  The work list server 120 outputs the requested work list 200 to the requesting external device in response to a request (work list request) from the external device (in this embodiment, the medical image acquisition apparatus 140). The work list server 120 extracts the work list 200 of the request source external device (medical image acquisition apparatus 140) from the held work list 200, and sends it back to the request source. The work list 200 to be returned is the latest one at that time.

  The image management server 130 manages the images and data acquired by each medical image acquisition device 140. Hereinafter, in this specification, images and data acquired in one examination are collectively referred to as medical images. The medical images acquired by each medical image acquisition device 140 are converted according to the DICOM standard and transmitted to the image management server 130. Each medical image is attached with supplementary information including patient information as a subject of the medical image and examination information indicating examination contents.

  The medical image acquisition apparatus 140 acquires a medical image of a subject according to the contents of the work list 200, and is, for example, the above-described ultrasonic examination apparatus, MRI apparatus, CT apparatus, X-ray imaging apparatus, or the like. The medical image acquisition apparatus 140 according to the present embodiment transmits a work list request to the work list server 120 and acquires a medical image of a patient according to the received work list 200. Further, the acquired medical image is transmitted to the image management server 130. Furthermore, the medical image acquisition apparatus 140 according to the present embodiment performs a check that matches the latest work list 200 at that time before transmitting the medical image to the image management server 130, and adds the accompanying supplementary information. A function is provided to assist the operator in confirming whether or not there is an error.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the medical image acquisition apparatus 140 of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the medical image acquisition apparatus 140 of the present embodiment includes a control unit 310, an image acquisition unit 320, a transmission / reception unit 330, a display unit 340, an operation unit 350, a data storage unit 360, Is provided.

  The image acquisition unit 320 acquires a medical image according to an instruction from the control unit 310. For example, in the case of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, various signals are transmitted to a living body, and an organ and tissue configuration in the living body are acquired as an ultrasonic diagnostic image. The acquired medical image is stored in the data storage unit 360.

  The transmission / reception unit 330 is an interface with a network. Data is transmitted / received to / from other devices connected to the communication network 110 via the communication network 110 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 310. In this embodiment, data is transmitted to and received from the work list server 120 and the image management server 130.

  The display unit 340 displays the processing result in the medical image acquisition apparatus 140 and the stored or generated information to the operator. For example, it is composed of a display or the like.

  The operation unit 350 is an input interface for the operator, and includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel screen, and the like. The operator inputs various instructions to the medical image acquisition apparatus 140 via the operation unit 350.

  The control unit 310 controls the operation of each unit of the medical image acquisition apparatus 140 and executes an examination specified in the work list 200 group held by the work list server 120. The control unit 310 includes a list acquisition unit 311, a determination unit 312, a pre-inspection processing unit 313, an inspection execution unit 314, and a post-inspection processing unit 315.

  The list acquisition unit 311 acquires the work list 200 from the work list server 120. The work list 200 is acquired by transmitting a previously created work list request to the work list server 120 via the transmission / reception unit 330. In the present embodiment, the list acquisition unit 311 receives the work list request when the medical image acquisition apparatus 140 is connected to the communication network 110 or according to instructions from the pre-examination processing unit 313 and the post-examination processing unit 315. Generate and send. Note that the work list request is configured to request the work list 200 of all subjects to be continuously examined by the medical image acquisition apparatus 140 of the transmission source in the pre-examination processing described later. Further, the post-test processing is configured to request the work list 200 of all the subjects requested in the pre-test processing.

  The determination unit 312 determines the consistency between the two work lists 200. In this embodiment, the consistency between the work list 200 used for executing the examination and the work list 200 obtained immediately before the medical image obtained by the examination is transmitted to the image management server 130 is determined. The discrimination is performed by comparing the patient information and the examination information of both work lists 200 for each work list 200, that is, for each subject. Then, the result (with or without consistency) is output as a discrimination result.

  The pre-inspection processing unit 313 performs pre-inspection preparation processing (pre-inspection processing). The pre-inspection processing unit 313 starts pre-inspection processing upon receiving an instruction to start pre-inspection processing from the operator. In this embodiment, the work list 200 of the subject to be examined is acquired and stored in the data storage unit 360 as an execution work list. The execution work list is acquired by the list acquisition unit 311. When there are a plurality of subjects to be examined, a plurality of work lists 200 are acquired.

  The examination execution unit 314 executes the examination by operating the image acquisition unit 320 according to the execution work list and acquiring a medical image. Also, incidental information to be added to the acquired medical image is generated from the execution work list.

  The post-inspection processing unit 315 performs processing after inspection (post-inspection processing). The post-examination processing unit 315 receives an instruction to start post-examination processing from the operator, or is connected to the communication network 110 in a state where the medical image is stored in the data storage unit 360. Start processing. In the present embodiment, the latest work list (latest work list) 200 of the subject that has been examined is acquired, the consistency with the execution work list is determined, and processing according to the determination result is performed. The latest work list is acquired by the list acquisition unit 311.

  Further, the determination of consistency is performed by the determination unit 312. The post-examination processing unit 315 transmits the medical image acquired together with the auxiliary information to the image management server 130 when the determination result by the determination unit 312 means that both are consistent (consistency). . On the other hand, if the determination result means that at least one of the patient information and the examination information is inconsistent (no consistency), the post-examination processing unit 315 notifies that the work list 200 is changed. A display to be generated is generated and the operator is notified. Notification to the operator is performed by displaying the generated display on the display unit 340.

  FIG. 4 shows a display example 400 displayed at this time. As shown in the figure, the display includes a message indicating that there is a mismatch, and information (patient ID) that identifies a patient (subject) in which the mismatch has occurred. Moreover, you may comprise so that the information of the execution work list and the newest work list of the patient (subject) who had inconsistency may be further displayed. Further, it may be configured to notify which of the patient information and the examination information is inconsistent or a specific inconsistent portion.

  The data storage unit 360 holds data generated in the medical image acquisition device 140, acquired data, intermediate data, and the like. In this embodiment, the medical image acquired by the image acquisition unit 320, the work list 200 acquired via the transmission / reception unit 330, display generation data to be notified in the case of inconsistency, and the like are held.

  The medical image acquisition apparatus 140 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU, a memory, and a storage device, and each function of the control unit 310 is realized by the CPU loading a program previously provided in the storage device and executing the program. To do. Further, the data storage unit 360 is configured in a storage device.

  Next, an inspection workflow from the pre-inspection process to the post-inspection process in the medical image acquisition apparatus 140 of the present embodiment will be described. Here, as an example, a case where a mobile apparatus that performs an examination separately from the communication network 110 is used as the medical image acquisition apparatus 140 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flow of the entire processing of this embodiment.

  When the medical image is not stored in the data storage unit 360 and connected to the communication network 110 (N / W) (step S1100), the pre-examination processing unit 313 performs pre-examination processing (step S1101). Here, the list acquisition unit 311 is caused to transmit a work list request to the work list server 120 (step S1101a). In the present embodiment, the work list 200 of all subjects to be tested is requested while being disconnected from the communication network 110. When the work list 200 group transmitted in response to the request is received (step S1101b), the pre-inspection processing unit 313 stores the work list group 313 as an execution work list group in the data storage unit 360 (step S1101c).

  When the pre-examination process is completed, the operator disconnects the medical image acquisition apparatus 140 from the communication network 110. When detecting that the control unit 310 is disconnected from the communication network 110 (step S1102), the inspection execution unit 314 executes the inspection in a state disconnected from the communication network 110 (step S1103).

  In the examination, the operator moves the medical image acquisition apparatus 140 to a predetermined position and gives an instruction to start the examination. When an instruction to start examination is received (step S1103a), the examination execution unit 314 first controls the image acquisition unit 320 according to the execution work list held in the data storage unit 360 to acquire a medical image (step S1103b). Each time an image is acquired, incidental information is generated from the execution work list (step S1103c), and the medical image acquired together with the incidental information is stored in the data storage unit 360 (step S1103d). The examination execution unit 314 changes the direction of the subject, for example, the type and position of the probe if the apparatus is an ultrasonic examination apparatus, and performs the above steps S1103a to S1103d for each examination of each subject. (Step S1103e). Further, the examination execution unit 314 repeats the processing from step S1103a to step S1103e for each subject (step S1103f).

  When all examinations held in the data storage unit 360 as the execution work list are completed, the operator connects the medical image acquisition apparatus 140 to the communication network 110.

  When the medical image acquisition apparatus 140 is connected to the communication network 110 with the medical image stored in the data storage unit 360 (step S1104), the post-examination processing unit 315 performs post-examination processing (step S1105). The process ends. Here, the flow of post-inspection processing is shown in FIG.

  The post-inspection processing unit 315 first causes the list acquisition unit 311 to transmit a work list request to the work list server 120 (step S1201), and receives the work list 200 transmitted in response to the request (step S1202). What is requested at this time is the work list of all the subjects who requested the work list in the pre-examination process, and what is received is the latest work list at the time of the request (latest work list).

  Upon receiving the latest work list, the post-test processing unit 315 causes the determination unit 312 to determine the consistency between the latest work list and the execution work list held in the data storage unit 360 for each subject (step S1203). .

  If the determination result indicates that there is no inconsistency in any of the patient information and the examination information of the subject, the post-examination processing unit 315 obtains the medical image of the subject held in the data storage unit 360. It is transmitted to the image management server together with the accompanying information (step S1204). On the other hand, if the determination result indicates that there is no consistency in which at least one of the patient information and the examination information is inconsistent, the post-examination processing unit 315 sends the execution work list and the latest work list of the subject to the data storage unit 360. The inconsistent work list is held (step S1205). The post-examination processing unit 315 performs the processing from step S1203 to step S1205 for all the subjects (step S1206).

  When the processing is completed for all the subjects, the post-examination processing unit 315 uses the inconsistent work list stored in the data storage unit 360 to generate a display for notifying that there is a change in the work list and notifies the operator. (Step S1207).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, after the examination is completed, before the medical image is registered in the medical image management server 130, the contents of the latest work list are confirmed for each subject. If there is a discrepancy between the work list used at the time of execution and the latest work list, the operator is notified of it. The operator can see the notification and redo the examination if necessary.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to grasp the presence or absence of an additional examination for the subject before registering the medical image in the image management server 130. In particular, if the judgment result is inconsistent, it can be configured to notify the patient information or examination information of inconsistency or specific inconsistency location. It is possible to determine whether it can be dealt with just by updating or if it is necessary to conduct another inspection. Therefore, before registering a medical image in the image management server 130, the examination instructed by the work list can be reliably executed.

  Therefore, the instructed inspection can be surely executed, and medical images can be managed together with accurate incidental information. For this reason, the reliability of the entire medical image management system 100 is improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the inconsistent subjects are collectively notified after determining the consistency of the work list for all subjects. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in step S1205, notification may be made instead of saving. In this case, after the notification, the post-inspection processing unit 315 waits for an instruction for completion of confirmation from the operator, and proceeds to step S1206. Further, the process of step S1207 is not performed. The confirmation completion instruction is performed by, for example, providing a confirmation button (OK button) on the inconsistent work list notification screen and pressing the confirmation button.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the medical image acquisition apparatus 140 is disconnected from the communication network 110 and the inspection is performed is described as an example, but the embodiment of the inspection is not limited thereto. The present embodiment can be similarly applied to a case where an examination is performed with the medical image acquisition apparatus 140 connected to the communication network 110.

  However, when the inspection is performed in a connected state, the pre-inspection processing unit 313 receives an instruction to start the pre-inspection process from the operator, and starts the pre-inspection process. Further, the post-inspection processing unit 315 receives an instruction to start the post-inspection process from the operator, and starts the post-inspection process. Furthermore, the list acquisition unit 311 receives an instruction to start pre-inspection processing or an instruction to start post-inspection processing, and transmits a work list request.

  Further, when a plurality of subjects are continuously examined while being connected to the communication network 110, a post-examination process may be performed for each subject examination. In this case, every time the entire examination of one subject is completed, the post-examination processing unit 315 executes post-examination processing. FIG. 7 shows the flow of inspection workflow processing by the control unit 310 in this case.

  First, the pre-inspection processing unit 313 receives an instruction to start pre-inspection processing from the operator (step S1300), and performs pre-inspection processing (step S1301). The pre-inspection process is the same as the process shown in FIG. Then, the control unit 310 causes the examination execution unit 314 and the post-test processing unit 315 to perform the following process for each subject to be examined.

  When receiving an instruction to start an examination (step S1302), the examination execution unit 314 controls the image acquisition unit 320 according to the execution work list of the subject to acquire a medical image (step S1303). Then, incidental information is generated from the execution work list (step S1304), and is stored in the data storage unit 360 together with the acquired medical image (step S1305). The inspection execution unit 314 performs the processing from step S1302 to step S1305 to change the orientation of the subject, for example, the type and position of the probe in the case of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus, and register all of them in the execution work list. The inspection is performed (step S1306).

  When the processing of all examinations registered in the execution worklist is completed for the subject, the post-examination processing unit 315 causes the worklist acquisition unit 311 to transmit the worklist request for the subject to the worklist server 120 (step In step S1307, the latest work list is acquired (step S1308).

  Then, the determination unit 312 compares the execution work list with the latest work list to determine whether or not there is consistency between them (step S1309). When it is determined that there is consistency, the post-examination processing unit 315 transmits a medical image together with the accompanying information to the image management server 130 (step S1310). On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no consistency, the post-inspection processing unit 315 generates a display notifying of inconsistency, displays the display on the display unit 340, and notifies the operator (step S1311).

  The control unit 310 causes the examination execution unit 314 and the post-examination processing unit 315 to repeatedly execute the processing from step S1302 to step S1311 for all the subjects for which the execution worklist has been acquired in step S1301 (step S1312).

  The operator who has received the notification in step S1311, for example, interrupts this processing, replaces the latest work list with the execution list, and continues the insufficient inspection.

  With this configuration, the operator can grasp the presence / absence of an additional examination for each subject before the examination of the subject is finished. Therefore, for example, when there is an additional examination, the examination of the subject can be continued as it is. Therefore, in addition to the above effects, the test load on the subject is further reduced, the time required for the entire examination is reduced, and the throughput of the medical image acquisition apparatus is improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, a case where a work list of a plurality of subjects to be examined by the medical image acquisition apparatus 140 is acquired at a time in a predetermined period (for example, one day) and the tests are continuously executed. Although described as an example, it is not limited to this. For example, when an examination is performed while being connected to the communication network 110, a pre-test process, a test process, and a post-test process may be performed for each subject. The inspection workflow in this case is shown in FIG.

  Upon receiving an instruction to start pre-test processing (step S1400), the pre-test processing unit 313 performs pre-test processing on the subject to be tested (step S1401). Here, when the work list server 120 is requested to send a work list to the list acquisition unit 311 (step S1401a) and the return work list 200 is received (step S1401b), it is stored in the data storage unit 360 as an execution work list (step S1401b). S1401c).

  Then, upon receiving the inspection start instruction (Step S1403a), the inspection execution unit 314 executes the inspection (Step S1403). Here, for each examination registered in the execution work list, a medical image is acquired by the same method as in the above embodiment (step S1403b), incidental information is generated (step S1403c), and stored in the data storage unit 360. (Step S1403d). The processing from step S1403a to step S1403d is repeated for all inspections (step S1403e).

  When the processing is completed for all inspections, the post-inspection processing unit 315 performs post-inspection processing (step S1405). Here, first, the list acquisition unit 311 is caused to request the work list of the subject from the work list server 120 (step S1405a). Returning and receiving the latest work list (step S1405b), the determination unit 312 determines the consistency with the execution work list (step S1405c). Then, if they match, the post-examination processing unit 315 transmits the medical image stored in the data storage unit 360 to the image management server 130 together with the accompanying information (step S1405e). On the other hand, if they do not match, a display notifying that there is a mismatch is generated and notified to the operator (step S1405d).

  By configuring in this manner, the presence or absence of an additional test for each subject can be grasped before the end of the test for the subject, as in the above modification. Therefore, for example, when there is an additional examination, the examination of the subject can be continued as it is. Therefore, in addition to the above effects, the test load on the subject is further reduced, the time required for the entire examination is reduced, and the throughput of the medical image acquisition apparatus is improved. If the work list can be acquired in units of inspection, after completion of each inspection, the work list may be acquired to determine consistency and transmitted to the notification or the image management server 130 as described above.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is supported to avoid inconsistency between patient information and examination information in the work list server 120 and incidental information including patient information and examination information in the image management server 130. it can. Even if there is a change in the work list during the examination, the medical image acquisition device can be used without adding new hardware and within the examination workflow in accordance with the current DICOM standard and IHE guidelines. The operator can grasp the change of the work list. Therefore, the operator can take appropriate measures without any special burden.

<< Second Embodiment >>
Next, a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. In this embodiment, when there is a mismatch between the executed work list and the latest work list, not only is notified, but the information attached to the medical image is updated according to the instruction from the operator. Align with your worklist. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described focusing on the configuration different from the first embodiment.

  The configuration of the medical image management system 100 of this embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The functional configuration of the medical image acquisition apparatus 140 of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Further, the pre-inspection processing and the inspection by each unit of the control unit 310 of the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. In addition, the inspection by the inspection execution unit may be performed after being disconnected from the communication network 110 or may be performed in a connected state. However, the post-inspection processing by the post-inspection processing unit 315 and the determination processing by the determination unit 312 are different.

  The determination unit 312 of this embodiment determines the consistency between the latest work list and the execution work list for each examination specified by the examination information, that is, for each acquired medical image. Specifically, the consistency between the incidental information of each medical image and the patient information and examination information in the latest worklist is determined instead of the execution worklist itself. Here, for each supplementary information of the medical image, it is determined whether or not information matching the supplementary information exists in the latest work list. First, it is determined whether or not there is a match for the patient information of the supplementary information, and then the presence or absence of the corresponding examination information is searched for the examination information of the supplementary information. If the patient information matches and the examination information that matches the examination information is in the latest work list, it is determined that there is consistency. In other cases, it is determined that there is no consistency. Further, after the discrimination processing is completed for all the incidental information, if there is inspection information that does not match the inspection information of any incidental information in the latest work list, the inspection information is also determined as inconsistent data and output.

  Further, the post-inspection processing unit 315 of the present embodiment causes the list acquisition unit 311 to acquire the latest work list, and causes the determination unit 312 to determine the consistency between the execution work list and the latest work list for each inspection. Consistency is determined for all inspections included in both the execution work list and the latest work list. If the determination result is consistent, the medical image is transmitted to the image management server 130 together with the accompanying information as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, if there is no consistency, the operator is notified that there is an inconsistency along with information indicating which of the patient information and the examination information is inconsistent.

  Further, the post-examination processing unit 315 of the present embodiment transmits a medical image to the operator after replacing the supplementary information with the latest worklist information, transmits a medical image without replacing the supplementary information, and medical A display screen on which processing can be selected from the three options of not transmitting an image is generated and displayed. And according to selection by an operator, the selected process is performed. An example screen 410 displayed at this time is shown in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the screen example 410 replaces the data display unit 411, the first reception area 412 that receives an instruction to transmit a medical image after replacing the incidental information with the latest worklist information, and the incidental information. 2nd reception area 413 which receives the directions which transmit a medical image, and the 3rd reception area 414 which receives the directions which do not transmit a medical image. The data display unit 411 displays a message notifying that there is inconsistency and data in which inconsistency has occurred.

  In addition, the post-inspection processing unit 315 stores the inspection information that the determination unit 312 has determined as inconsistent data on the latest work list side in the data storage unit 360 as inconsistent data. This is inspection information that is registered in the latest work list and not registered in the execution work list, and is an inspection added during the inspection. If the post-examination processing unit 315 receives an instruction not to transmit a medical image via the third reception area 414, the post-examination processing unit 315 stores the incidental information of the medical image in the data storage unit 360 as inconsistent data, You may comprise so that it may show to an operator after completion | finish of the post-test process of all the test objects.

  Hereinafter, the flow of the post-inspection processing by the post-inspection processing unit 315 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a processing flow of post-inspection processing according to the present embodiment. The post-inspection processing of this embodiment is also started with the same trigger as the first embodiment.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the post-examination processing unit 315 causes the list acquisition unit 311 to transmit the work list request of the subject to be inspected to the work list server 120 (step S1501), and the latest work list ( The latest work list is received (step S1502).

  Then, the post-examination processing unit 315 causes the discrimination unit 312 to discriminate consistency between the latest work list and the execution work list (accompanying information) for each examination of each subject (step S1503), and processing according to the discrimination result. I do.

  If the determination result is consistent, the post-examination processing unit 315 transmits the medical image held in the data storage unit 360 to the image management server 130 together with the accompanying information as in the first embodiment (step S1504). .

  On the other hand, when the determination result is inconsistent, the post-examination processing unit 315 causes the display unit 340 to display the screen example 410 and inconsistent information regarding which of the patient information and the examination information is inconsistent with the operator. (Step S1505) and accepts selection from the operator (step S1506). The operator receives this notification and selects a subsequent process.

  When the instruction to update and send the incidental information with the latest worklist information is received (step S1507), the post-examination processing unit 315 recreates the incidental information using the latest worklist, and uses the created incidental information. The incidental information is updated (step S1508). In step S1504, the medical image stored in the data storage unit 360 is transmitted to the image management server 130 together with the supplementary information after the update.

  On the other hand, when an instruction to transmit without updating is received (step S1509), the post-examination processing unit 315 proceeds to step S1504, and the supplementary information and medical image stored in the data storage unit 360 are managed by the management server 130. Send to.

  If an instruction not to transmit is received, the post-inspection processing unit 315 proceeds to step S1503 and performs the next inspection process. The post-examination processing unit 315 repeats the processing from step S1503 to step S1509 for all examinations on the execution work list for one subject (step S1510).

  If there is examination information that does not match any examination information on the latest worklist side, the examination information is also stored as inconsistent data together with the patient information (step S1511). Further, the processing from step S1503 to step S1511 is repeated for all the subjects (step S1512).

  When the above processing is completed for all the subjects, the post-examination processing unit 315 displays the latest work list information stored in the data storage unit 360 as inconsistent data on the display unit 340, and the inconsistent data is displayed. The operator is notified of this (step S1513), and the process ends.

  The operator can take measures such as performing an inspection again by looking at the notified data.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of inconsistency before completing the examination and transmitting the acquired medical image to the image management server 130. If there is inconsistency, the operator notifies the operator of the content of the inconsistency, updates the incidental information in accordance with the operator's instruction, and transmits the medical image to the image management server 130.

  Therefore, for example, when the operator sees the contents of the mismatch and the mismatch is only the patient information, the operator can update the incidental information to the latest information and transmit it to the image management server 130. On the other hand, if there is a mismatch in the examination information, the transmission of the medical image can be canceled. Thereafter, the inspection can be performed again according to the latest inspection information.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects obtained in the first embodiment, the incident information further includes patient information and examination information in the work list server 120, and patient information and examination information in the image management server 130. Inconsistency with information can be avoided.

  In the above-described embodiment, the consistency between the execution work list and the latest work list is determined in units of inspection. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the consistency of patient information may be determined for each subject, updated in response to an update instruction, and then the consistency of examination information for the subject may be determined for each examination. The processing flow in this case is shown in FIG.

  When the latest work list is acquired as in the above embodiment (steps S1601 and 1602), the post-examination processing unit 315 causes the determination unit 312 to compare the execution work list with the latest work list for each subject. Information consistency is discriminated (step S1603). If the determination result is inconsistent, the post-examination processing unit 315 displays that fact on the display unit 340 and notifies the operator (step S1604). At this time, the post-inspection processing unit 315 also displays a button for accepting an instruction to update. The operator receives it and gives an instruction as to whether or not to update.

  When receiving an update instruction from the operator (steps S1605 and S1606), the post-examination processing unit 315 updates the patient information portion of the incidental information of all medical images of the subject held in the data storage unit 360. (Step S1607).

  Thereafter, the post-inspection processing unit 315 causes the determination unit 312 to determine the consistency of the inspection information for each inspection (step S1608). If the determination result is consistent, the medical image is transmitted to the image management server 130 (step S1609), and if not consistent, the process proceeds to step S1610.

  The post-examination processing unit 315 repeats the processing from step S1608 to step S1609 for all examinations in the execution work list for each subject (step S1610). When all the examination processes are completed, if there is examination information that does not match any examination information on the latest worklist side, the examination information is also stored as inconsistent data together with the patient information (step S1611).

  Then, the processing from step S1603 to step S1611 is repeated for the next subject. When these processes are completed for all the subjects (step S1612), the post-examination processing unit 315 notifies the operator by displaying the inconsistency data on the display unit 340 (step S1613), and ends the process. .

  With this configuration, in addition to the above-described effects of the present embodiment, the number of times patient information is determined is reduced, so that the processing speed can be increased.

  In addition, in this modification, when there is inconsistency in patient information, you may comprise so that it may update, without waiting for an operator's instruction | indication.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when there is inconsistent data, the execution work list may be updated with the inconsistent data, and the inspection may be continued until there is no inconsistent data. The flow of processing by the control unit 310 in this case is shown in FIG.

  When an instruction to start pre-inspection processing is received (step S1701), the pre-inspection processing unit 313 performs pre-inspection processing (step S1702) as in the above embodiment. Thereafter, the inspection execution unit 314 performs an inspection process as in the above embodiment (step S1703). When all inspections are completed, the post-inspection processing unit 315 performs the processing from step S1501 to step S1512 in the above embodiment (steps S1704 to S1715).

  Then, the control unit 310 determines whether there is inconsistent data (step S1716). If not, the process ends. On the other hand, if there is inconsistent data, the execution work list held in the data storage unit 320 is updated with the inconsistent data, and the process proceeds to step S1703.

  By configuring in this way, even if there is a mismatch between the latest work list and the execution work list at the time of image transmission, the inspection workflow is not executed again from the beginning. A re-inspection can be performed. Therefore, the burden on the operator can be reduced.

  Furthermore, as in the above modification, when the patient information is inconsistent, the incidental information is automatically updated with the patient information in the latest worklist, and when the examination information is inconsistent, it is stored as inconsistent data. As shown in FIG. 12, the processing may be repeated until there is no inconsistent data. With this configuration, the burden on the operator is further reduced.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if there is a change in the work list during the inspection, no new hardware is added, and the current DICOM standard or IHE guidelines are used. Within the inspection workflow, the operator of the medical image acquisition apparatus can grasp the change of the work list. Inconsistency between patient information and examination information in the work list server 120 and incidental information consisting of patient information and examination information in the image management server 130 can be avoided without complicated processing. In addition, a new burden on the operator can be suppressed as much as possible, and the inspection instructed in the work list can be executed accurately.

  In the present embodiment, after completion of the examination of all the subjects to be examined, it is configured to perform processing by determining the consistency between the execution work list and the latest work list for each examination of each subject. It is not limited to this. As in the first embodiment, for each subject, after completion of all examinations of the subject, the consistency between both work lists may be determined for each examination and processing may be performed. Alternatively, the processing may be performed by determining the consistency of both work lists at the end of each subject examination.

  Note that the list acquisition unit 311, the determination unit 312, the pre-examination processing unit 313, and the post-examination processing unit 315 are information processing devices independent of the medical image acquisition device 140, and the medical image acquisition device 140, the communication network 110, and the like. You may comprise on the information processing apparatus which can transmit / receive data.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100: Medical image management system, 110: Communication network, 120: Work list server, 130: Image management server, 140: Medical imaging device, 200: Work list, 210: Patient information, 220: Examination information, 310: Control part 311: List acquisition unit, 312: Discrimination unit, 313: Pre-inspection processing unit, 314: Inspection execution unit, 315: Post-inspection processing unit, 320: Image acquisition unit, 330: Transmission / reception unit, 340: Display unit, 350: Operation unit 360: Data storage unit 400: Message 410: Screen example 411: Message display unit 412: First reception area 413: Second reception area 414: Third reception area

Claims (12)

Transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external device, image acquisition means for acquiring an image of a subject as a medical image, notification means for notifying an operator of information, the transmission / reception means, the image acquisition means, and the notification means A medical image acquisition apparatus comprising: control means for controlling the operation of
The control means includes
A list acquisition unit for acquiring a work list including subject information for specifying a subject to be examined and examination information for specifying examination contents from an external device connected via the medical image obtaining apparatus and the transmission / reception unit;
Discriminating means for discriminating the consistency between the two work lists acquired by the list acquiring means;
Before the start of inspection, the list acquisition unit acquires the work list, and the pre-inspection processing unit holds the acquired work list as an execution work list,
In accordance with the execution work list, the image acquisition unit is operated to acquire the medical image, and from the execution work list, an inspection execution unit that generates auxiliary information to be attached to the medical image;
A post-inspection processing means for performing processing at the end of the inspection,
The post-inspection processing means includes
Causing the list acquisition means to acquire the latest work list of the subject to be examined;
Let the determination means determine the consistency between the execution work list and the latest work list;
When the determination means determines that there is consistency, the transmission / reception means transmits the medical image together with the auxiliary information to an external device,
The medical image acquisition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the determination unit determines that there is no consistency, the notification unit notifies the information that there is no consistency. The medical image acquisition apparatus according to claim 1,
A reception unit for receiving an instruction from the operator;
The determination means determines the consistency for each inspection information,
The post-examination processing unit receives an instruction from an operator via the reception unit when the determination unit determines that there is no consistency, and performs processing according to the received instruction. . The medical image acquisition apparatus according to claim 2,
The post-examination processing unit generates the new supplementary information from the latest work list and transmits the medical image together with the supplementary information when the determination unit determines that there is no consistency, and generates the supplementary information along with the supplementary information. A medical image acquisition apparatus characterized by performing a display for receiving an instruction to transmit an image and not transmitting the medical image, and receiving an instruction from the operator via the display. The medical image acquisition apparatus according to claim 1,
A reception unit for receiving an instruction from the operator;
The determination means determines whether or not there is a mismatch in the order of the subject information and the examination information for each of the subject information and the examination information,
The post-inspection processing means includes
When it is determined that the subject information is inconsistent, the operator receives a selection as to whether or not to update the incidental information with new incidental information generated from the latest work list,
When it is determined that the examination information is inconsistent, the examination information is notified to the operator as inconsistency data. The medical image acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The list acquisition unit acquires the work list when the medical image acquisition device is connected to the external device via the transmission / reception unit. The medical image acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The medical image acquisition apparatus, wherein the list acquisition unit acquires the work list according to an instruction from an operator. The medical image acquisition apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The medical image acquisition apparatus, wherein the transmission / reception means transmits / receives the data to / from the external device via a network. The medical image acquisition apparatus according to claim 7,
The medical image acquisition apparatus, wherein the network is a DICOM network. The medical image acquisition apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The medical image acquisition apparatus is an ultrasonic examination apparatus. A work list server that manages a work list that includes subject information that specifies a subject and examination information that specifies examination details, a medical image acquisition device that acquires an image of a subject, and the medical image acquisition device An image management server for managing images is a medical image management system connected via a network,
The medical image acquisition apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the medical image acquisition apparatus comprises:
The list acquisition means acquires the work list from the work list server,
The medical image management system, wherein the post-examination processing unit transmits the image acquired by the image acquisition unit together with the auxiliary information to the image management server. A medical image management method for managing medical images acquired by a medical image acquisition device,
An execution worklist acquisition step of acquiring a worklist of a subject to be examined from an external device and holding it as an execution worklist;
Acquiring a medical image of the subject according to the execution worklist, and generating an auxiliary information to be attached to the medical image from the execution worklist;
The latest work list acquisition step of acquiring the latest work list of the subject to be examined from the external device;
A determination step of determining consistency between the execution work list and the latest work list;
A post-processing step of transmitting the acquired medical image together with the auxiliary information to an external device when the determination result is consistent, and notifying the operator that there is no consistency when the determination result is not consistent When,
A medical image management method characterized by the above. The medical image management method according to claim 11,
In the post-processing step, when an update instruction is received from an operator in response to the notification, the supplementary information is generated from the latest work list, and the medical image is transmitted to the external device together with the supplementary information. A medical image management method as a feature.

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