JP2012135428A - Ultrasonic diagnostic system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a mistake between the right and left when diagnosing the mammae using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.SOLUTION: According to a small diagnostic system 1, a CPU 31 of a control device 3 displays, as a reference in an ultrasonic imaging by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2a, a mamma image generated by a CR apparatus 2b on a reference image display column 352a of an ultrasonic diagnostic screen 352, and further displays, on the mamma image, information indicating the differentiation between the right and left included in collateral information of the displayed mamma image. Alternatively, when an ultrasonic image is acquired from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2a, the ultrasonic diagnostic system causes a temporary storage unit 331 or an image DB 40 of a server 4 to store the image data of the acquired ultrasonic image associated with the collateral information (including at least patient information and the information indicating the differentiation between the right and left of the mammae) of the mamma image displayed on the reference image display column 352a.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic system.

  Conventionally, it has been proposed to use an X-ray imaging apparatus in combination with another apparatus such as an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus or an endoscope.

  For example, Patent Document 1 describes an apparatus that uses an X-ray apparatus to check the position of the distal end of an endoscope and simultaneously displays an endoscopic image and an X-ray image on one display.

  For example, Patent Document 2 describes a technique of reading and displaying the movement position of an ultrasonic probe in a blood vessel from an X-ray image signal.

  Further, for example, Patent Literature 3 describes an image diagnostic system that displays a tomographic image acquired from an ultrasonic imaging apparatus and past image information of another image diagnostic apparatus side by side.

JP-A-5-285087 JP-A-5-64638 JP 2009-22626 A

  By the way, as described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 3, when performing an accurate diagnosis of a breast with an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus on an area that seems to be a tumor shadow while referring to an X-ray photographed breast image, the left breast image There is a risk of making a diagnosis by applying a probe to the right breast while referring to.

  When X-ray imaging of the breast is performed, a lead marker for indicating whether the captured breast image is for the right breast or the left breast is captured together with the subject. Therefore, by referring to the display of the lead marker on the breast image, the doctor can recognize to some extent whether the diagnosis target is right or left. However, rarely, the lead marker placed at the time of photographing may be wrong. Also, the display of the lead marker may be difficult to see due to image rotation processing or the like.

  In addition, when storing an ultrasound diagnostic image (hereinafter referred to as an ultrasound image) acquired by an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, as a diagnostic evidence or for informed consent, an X-ray photographed breast image and Similarly, information indicating which of the left and right images is required to be associated with the ultrasonic image. However, if this association is performed manually, there is a possibility that the right and left will be mixed at this point.

  Not only in the breast, but also in the case where an ultrasonic diagnosis is performed using two parts on the human body as a subject, there is a possibility that the two parts may be mistaken.

  An object of the present invention is to reduce the number of input work steps by a doctor when diagnosing a part of a human body using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and to reduce confusion between parts and the like.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1
Ultrasound having ultrasonic diagnostic image acquisition means for obtaining ultrasonic diagnostic images by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to a subject, and storage means for storing ultrasonic diagnostic images acquired by the ultrasonic diagnostic image acquisition means In the ultrasound diagnostic system,
Display means for capturing a reference image having auxiliary information and displaying the reference image and the auxiliary information in parallel with the ultrasonic diagnostic image;
Control means for storing the content of the auxiliary information included in the reference image in association with the ultrasonic diagnostic image as auxiliary information of the ultrasonic diagnostic image when the ultrasonic diagnostic image is stored in the storage means;
It is characterized by having.

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1,
The accompanying information is a body mark.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2,
The subject is two parts in a human body, and the supplementary information is information indicating which part of the subject is two.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 3,
The subject is a breast, and the supplementary information indicates left and right distinction of the breast.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 2 or 3,
Based on the supplementary information of the reference image displayed on the display unit, the control unit uses a voice output unit to determine which of the two parts of the human body is the displayed reference image. It is characterized by outputting sound.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 4 or 5,
In the display area of the reference image in the display means, either the left or right selected CC image and MLO image of the breast can be displayed simultaneously.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The display unit includes a main display unit and a sub display unit, and each of the main display unit and the sub display unit displays the ultrasonic diagnostic image, the reference image, and the auxiliary information. And

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to reduce the mix-up of the site | part when diagnosing the site | part of a human body using an ultrasonic diagnosing device.

It is a figure showing the whole small-scale diagnostic system composition in an embodiment of the invention. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning in the medical facility of each apparatus at the time of applying the small-scale diagnosis system of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the control apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement in the small scale diagnostic system of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement in the small scale diagnostic system of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a viewer screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen for ultrasonic diagnosis before an ultrasonic image display. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen for ultrasonic diagnosis by which the ultrasonic image was displayed. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen layout of the screen for ultrasonic diagnosis.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a small-scale diagnosis system in a small-scale mammary gland specialized medical facility will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  The small-scale diagnostic system 1 is an ultrasonic diagnostic system applied to a small-scale facility such as a medical practitioner or a clinic. As shown in FIG. 1, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2a and a CR apparatus 2b as an image generation apparatus 2, The control device 3 includes a server 4 and a reception computer (hereinafter referred to as “receiver computer”) 5. Each device is a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) via a switching hub (not shown), for example. (Hereinafter simply referred to as “network”) 6.

  In general, DICOM (Digital Image and Communications in Medicine) standard is used as a communication method in a hospital, and DICOM MWM (Modality Worklist Management) or DICOM MPPS (DICOM MPPS) is used for communication between devices connected to a LAN. Modality Performed Procedure Step) is used. Note that the communication method applicable to this embodiment is not limited to this.

In a small-scale facility such as a medical practitioner or a clinic, each device is arranged as shown in FIG.
That is, when entering the entrance 10, there are a reception 11 and a waiting room 12 for receiving a patient. The reception staff is assigned to the reception desk 11, and the person in charge gives a reception number tag printed with a reception number (serial number in today's reception order) for distinguishing individual patients in the order of reception for the patients who come to the hospital. To do. In addition, the reception 11 is provided with a receipt computer 5 that performs insurance score calculation, accounting calculation, and the like. The window manager listens to the patient's name, and inputs the correspondence between the receipt number and the patient's name in the receipt computer 5. Further, the contact person performs the work of inputting necessary information regarding accounting and receipt (accounting calculation and insurance point claim calculation) to the receipt computer 5 based on the medical record information after the examination of the patient.

  Next to the waiting room 12, there is provided an examination room 13 where a doctor examines and diagnoses a patient across a door or the like. For example, on the examination desk (not shown) in the examination room 13, an image for storing image data of the photographed image and a control device 3 for a doctor to display a photographed image of the patient and perform image diagnosis. A server 4 having a DB (Data Base) 40 is arranged. In the examination room 13, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2a is installed.

  Further, an X-ray imaging room 15 for performing X-ray imaging is provided on the opposite side of the examination room 13 across the corridor 14. In the X-ray imaging room 15, a CR device 2 b including an imaging device 22 and a reading device 23 is disposed. An examination room 16 is provided next to the X-ray imaging room 15.

Hereinafter, the small-scale diagnosis system 1 will be described in detail.
First, the configuration of each device will be described.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2a is an ultrasonic diagnostic image acquisition unit that acquires an ultrasonic image, and an ultrasonic probe that outputs ultrasonic waves and a sound wave (echo signal) that is connected to the ultrasonic probe and received by the ultrasonic probe. ) To an image data of a captured image of the internal tissue (none of which is shown). The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2a sends an ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic probe into the body, receives the sound wave (echo signal) reflected by the body tissue again by the ultrasonic probe, and uses the electronic device to capture a captured image corresponding to the echo signal. It is designed to generate.

  The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 a is connected to a conversion device 20 that is a conversion means (converter) that performs conversion from an analog signal to a digital signal. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 a is connected to the network 6 via the conversion device 20. It is connected to the. Thus, even if data in a format that does not conform to the standards (for example, communication protocol) of other external devices connected to the network 6 is output from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2a, the conversion is performed as appropriate. Thus, data can be transmitted / received to / from an external device connected to the network 6.

The CR device 2b is a device that captures a breast image with X-rays, and includes an imaging device 22 and a reading device 23.
The imaging device 22 constituting the CR device 2b has a radiation source (not shown), and irradiates the breast, which is a subject, with radiation to capture a breast image. There is a radiation image conversion medium (not shown) in which a radiation image conversion plate including a stimulable phosphor sheet that accumulates radiation energy, for example, is incorporated in an irradiation region of radiation irradiated from the radiation source at the time of imaging. The stimulable phosphor of the stimulable phosphor sheet in which the radiation dose according to the radiation transmittance distribution of the subject with respect to the radiation dose irradiated from the radiation source is disposed in the radiation image conversion medium The radiation image information is recorded in this stimulable phosphor layer.

The reading device 23 irradiates the stimulable phosphor sheet of the radiation image conversion medium in which the radiation image information of the breast that is the subject is recorded, thereby photoelectrically converting the stimulated light emitted from the sheet, The obtained image signal is A / D converted to generate image data of a breast image.
The photographing device 22 and the reading device 23 of the CR device 2b may be integrated or separate.

  The control device 3 is a workstation that is installed in, for example, the examination room 13 and displays image data transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic device 2a or the CR device 2b to make a diagnosis by a doctor, and is a general PC (Personal A monitor (display unit) used for a computer may be provided with a higher definition monitor. Further, the control device 3 stores the supplementary information in the temporary storage unit 331 or the server 4 in association with the image data transmitted from the ultrasound diagnostic device 2a or the CR device 2b.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the control device 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 3 includes a CPU 31, a RAM 32, a storage unit 33, an input unit 34, a display unit 35, a communication unit 36, a sub display unit 37, an audio output unit 38, and the like. Are connected by a bus 39.

  The CPU 31 reads out various programs such as system programs and processing programs stored in the storage unit 33 and expands them in the RAM 32, and starts the processing on the control device 3 side shown in FIGS. 4A to 4B according to the expanded programs. Various processes to be executed are executed.

  The RAM 32 forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs, input or output data, parameters, and the like that can be executed by the CPU 31 read from the storage unit 33 in various processes that are executed and controlled by the CPU 31. For example, the RAM 32 forms a patient information area that temporarily stores a patient information list received from the receptacle 5.

The storage unit 33 includes an HDD (Hard Disc), a semiconductor nonvolatile memory, or the like.
The storage unit 33 stores a system program executed by the CPU 31 and various programs, and image processing parameters for performing image processing on a breast image photographed by the CR device 2b (a gradation curve used for gradation processing). A look-up table defining the frequency, the frequency processing enhancement level, etc.), voice data for guidance to the user, and the like.

The storage unit 33 also includes a temporary storage unit 331 that temporarily stores the image data transmitted from the image generation device 2 and incidental information such as patient information in association with each other.
The image data transmitted from the image generation device 2 is first stored in the temporary storage unit 331, and is transmitted to the server 4 collectively after the daily medical treatment is completed (or every predetermined number of days). Then, it may be stored in the image DB 40 or may be transmitted directly to the image server 4 and stored.

  The input unit 34 includes a keyboard having cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, and the like, and a pointing device such as a mouse, and includes a key pressing signal pressed by the keyboard and an operation signal by the mouse. Is output to the CPU 31 as an input signal.

  The display unit 35 includes a monitor such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), for example, and displays various screens according to instructions of a display signal input from the CPU 31.

  The communication unit 36 includes a network interface or the like, and transmits / receives data to / from an external device connected to the network 6 via a switching hub.

  The sub display unit 37 is a monitor such as a CRT or LCD. The sub display unit 37 is provided so that the display screen is directed to the patient to be diagnosed in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2a, and displays various screens according to instructions of a display signal input from the CPU 31.

  The audio output unit 38 includes an audio conversion unit, an amplifier, a speaker, and the like, converts audio data into an audio signal, and outputs the audio signal.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the server 4 includes a storage unit including a CPU, a RAM, an HDD, and the like, a communication unit (none of which is shown) that controls communication with each device connected to the network 6, and the like. Computer. The server 4 includes an image DB 40, and corresponds to the image data instructed to be written from the control device 3 via the communication unit and the accompanying information by software processing in cooperation with the CPU and the program stored in the storage unit. At the same time, it is stored in the image DB 40, and in response to a request from the control device 3, the image DB 40 is searched to read out image data and its accompanying information in response to the request and transmit them to the control device 3.

  The receipt computer 5 includes a storage unit including a CPU, a RAM, an HDD, an input unit including a keyboard and a mouse, a display unit including a CRT and an LCD, and communication with each device connected to the network 6. This is a computer device that includes a communication unit (none of which is shown) or the like for controlling the patient, and performs reception registration, accounting calculation, insurance score calculation, etc. of the patient who came to the hospital. When the display unit 5 is instructed to display the reception input screen from the input unit, the reception unit 5 displays a reception input screen (not shown) on the display unit by software processing in cooperation with the CPU and the program stored in the storage unit. When the reception information (reception number + patient information) is input by the input unit via the reception input screen, the patient information list of the received patient is created (updated) and stored in the storage unit. It transmits to the control apparatus 3 by a communication part according to a patient list transmission request.

(Operation of small-scale diagnostic system 1)
Next, the operation of the small-scale diagnosis system 1 will be described.
4A to 4B are flowcharts showing the flow of processing executed between devices of the small-scale diagnosis system 1. The processing on the control device 3 side shown in FIGS. 4A to 4B is executed in cooperation with the CPU 31 and the program stored in the storage unit 33.

  First, a list of patient information is read from the RAM 32, and a patient information list screen is displayed on the display unit 35 (step S1). When the patient information of the patient to be diagnosed is designated from the patient information list screen by the input unit 34 (step S2), the designated patient viewer screen 351 is displayed on the display unit 35 (step S3).

FIG. 5 shows an example of the viewer screen 351.
As shown in FIG. 5, the viewer screen 351 includes a patient display field 71, a list screen button 72, an image display field 73, various tool buttons 74, an ultrasonic button 75, a diagnosis end button 76, and the like.

The patient display column 71 displays the patient ID and patient name of the patient specified as the diagnosis target. This patient display field 71 allows the doctor to visually recognize which patient's viewer screen 351 is currently displayed.
The list screen button 72 is a button for inputting an instruction to return to the patient information list screen.
The image display field 73 is an area for displaying a breast image taken by the CR device 2b. Note that FIG. 5 shows a case where a breast image is displayed in the image display field 73. However, when the viewer screen 351 is displayed in step S3, the image is not displayed because shooting has not yet been performed. Not.
The various tool buttons 74 are buttons for executing various functions for easily displaying a breast image displayed in the image display field 73. As the tool button 74, for example, various image processing buttons for performing image processing such as density contrast adjustment processing, black-and-white reversal processing, and enlargement / reduction processing on the displayed breast image, and the shape of the annotation to be superimposed on the lesion are selected. There are buttons for that.
The ultrasonic button 75 is a button for instructing to shift to diagnosis by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2a.
The diagnosis end button 76 is a button for inputting an instruction to close the viewer screen 351 and return to the patient information list screen.

When a patient is designated, a radiographer who performs mammography, such as a doctor or a radiographer, moves with the patient to the X-ray imaging room 15 and operates the CR apparatus 2b to perform imaging.
At the time of mammography, one breast is not taken continuously because of the pain caused by pressure. That is, when imaging four breasts in the left and right vertical direction (CC) and the oblique direction (MLO), for example, the imaging order is (1) MLO-L → (2) CC-R → (3) CC. -L → (4) MLO-R (or (1) MLO-R → (2) CC-L → (3) CC-R → (4) MLO-L) in a predetermined order. Take pictures alternately left and right. In the present embodiment, shooting is performed in the order of (1) MLO-L → (2) CC-R → (3) CC-L → (4) MLO-R.
In the CR device 2b, imaging is performed according to the operation of the imaging operator, and image data of a breast image is generated (step S4). And it transmits to the control apparatus 3 via the network 6 (step S5).
When the imaging is completed, the imaging operator moves to the examination room 13 with the patient.

  In the control device 3, when a breast image is received from the CR device 2b by the communication unit 36, the received breast image includes the patient information, the imaging direction (MLO or CC) specified in step S2 and the left / right distinction (L , R), incidental information including the image reception date and time is associated and stored in the temporary storage unit 331 or the image DB 40 of the server 4 (step S6). For example, additional information such as patient information, imaging direction, left / right distinction (namely, subject region), image reception date / time, and the like is written in the breast image header information. As the imaging direction and the left / right distinction, MLO-L, CC-R, CC-L, and MLO-R are stored in association with each other in the order of reception.

  Next, a chest wall alignment image for comparative interpretation is created (step S7). The chest wall alignment image is an image in which one of the left and right breast images is rotated and the chest walls are aligned and arranged so that a doctor can easily perform comparative interpretation of the left and right breasts.

The created chest image for comparison interpretation is displayed in the image display field 73 of the viewer screen 351 of the display unit 35 (step S8). FIG. 5 shows a viewer screen 351 on which a chest wall alignment image is displayed.
Here, the doctor observes the image for matching the chest wall for comparative interpretation displayed on the display unit 35, and diagnoses whether or not there is a region that is an abnormal shadow (lesion). If an area that is not an obvious abnormal shadow (obvious lesion) but is likely to be an abnormal shadow (suspicious area) is found, the doctor presses the ultrasonic button 75 using the input unit 34, and An instruction to shift to ultrasonic diagnosis (acquisition of ultrasonic images) is given in order to perform a detailed inspection of the region.

If the ultrasonic button 75 is not pressed by the input unit 34 (step S9; NO) and the diagnosis end button 76 is pressed (step S20; YES), this process ends.
In addition, when there is only a clear abnormal shadow region, in general, ultrasonic diagnosis (capturing an ultrasonic image) is often not performed.
On the other hand, when the ultrasonic button 75 is pressed and an instruction to shift to ultrasonic diagnosis is given (step S9; YES), an ultrasonic diagnostic screen 352 is displayed on the display unit 35 and the sub display unit 37 (step S10). ).
FIGS. 6A and 6B show an example of the ultrasonic diagnostic screen 352. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the ultrasound diagnostic screen 352 includes a reference image display field 352a, an ultrasound image display field 352b, a reference image selection field 352c obtained by X-ray imaging or the like. An acquisition button 352d, a diagnosis end button 352e, and the like are provided.

The reference image display field 352a is an area for displaying an X-ray breast image referred to when performing ultrasonic diagnosis. In the present embodiment, the chest wall alignment image created in step S7 is displayed by default. The image displayed in the reference image display field 352a can be changed by the reference image selection field 352c.
The ultrasonic image display column 352b is a column for displaying an ultrasonic image transmitted from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2a via the conversion device 20.
The reference image selection field 352c is a field for selecting a reference image (in this case, a breast image taken by the CR device 2b) to be displayed in the reference image display field 352a. In the reference image selection field 352c, for example, a list of imaging dates and the like of past images captured for the patient specified in step S2 is displayed, and a breast image to be displayed as a reference image in the reference image display field 352a is selected. be able to. The selected breast image is read from the image DB 40 or the temporary storage unit 331 of the server 4 and displayed in the reference image display field 352a.
The capture button 352d is a button for instructing capture (save) of a frame image of the ultrasound image displayed in the ultrasound image display field 352b.
The diagnosis end button 352e is a button for inputting an instruction to close the ultrasound diagnosis screen 352 and return to the patient information list screen.

  In addition to the display unit 35, the ultrasound diagnostic screen 352 is also displayed on the sub display unit 37 arranged at a position that is easy for the patient to see. Since the ultrasound diagnosis screen 352 displays the left and right distinction of the breast to be diagnosed as will be described later, the doctor correctly diagnoses the breast on the same side as the displayed left and right distinction. The patient can monitor whether or not. And it is preferable because it is possible to point out from the patient when there is an error.

  Here, on the ultrasonic diagnostic screen 352, if the diagnosis target (left or right distinction) in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2a is not input by the input unit 34, acquisition of an ultrasonic image from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2a is performed. It is supposed not to start. In order to reduce the left-right mix by the doctor, the diagnosis is started after the doctor is made aware of which one to diagnose by inputting which of the left and right is to be diagnosed. . Therefore, for example, a message such as “Please input L if the diagnosis target is left and R if it is right” pops up on the ultrasonic diagnosis screen 352, or the sound is output by the sound output unit 38. It is preferable to provide guidance for operations to be performed by a doctor.

  When the L or R distinction is input by the input unit 34 (step S11), the other image of the chest wall fitting image (when R (left) is input, R (right) image, when R is input) Is deleted from the reference image display field 352a (step S12). As a result, as shown in FIG. 6B, only the reference image to be diagnosed is displayed. Specifically, when the other image is erased when the chest wall alignment image is displayed by temporarily combining the left and right breast images, the other breast image is erased from the screen, and one chest wall alignment image is displayed. Is displayed, the area corresponding to the other image is blackened. This is to prevent the other reference image from being referred to while the doctor makes a diagnosis. The reference image displayed in the reference image display field 352a is preferably a life size when the screen size of the display unit 35 is sufficiently large.

Next, based on the incidental information of the displayed reference image, information AM (for example, annotation or the like) indicating the distinction between L and R is overlaid on the reference image with large characters that are easy to visually recognize (step S13). ). Further, based on the incidental information of the displayed reference image, a message such as “The diagnosis target is L” is output by the voice output unit 38 (step S14).
Through steps S13 and S14, the doctor can be made aware of which of the left and right eyes is the diagnosis target from both eyes and ears. In addition, it is preferable that the same display (including voice notification) is made on the patient sub-display unit 37.

When the ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 a is operated, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 a sequentially generates ultrasonic images (frame images) based on the sound waves received by the ultrasonic probe, and passes through the conversion apparatus 20. Is transmitted to the control device 3 (step S15).
In the control device 3, when each frame image (each ultrasound image) is received by the communication unit 36, each ultrasound image received in the ultrasound image display field 352 b of the display unit 35 and the sub display unit 37 is sequentially displayed. The display is switched (step S16).
FIG. 7 shows an example of an ultrasonic diagnostic screen 352 on which an ultrasonic image is displayed in step S16. As shown in FIG. 7, in step S <b> 16, a body mark BM indicating right / left distinction or the like is displayed on the ultrasound image based on the accompanying information of the displayed reference image. A probe mark PM is displayed on the body mark BM, and the operator can recognize which section the image shows.

  When the capture button 352d is pressed by the input unit 34 (step S17; YES), the frame image of the ultrasonic image displayed at the timing of the pressing is the reference image displayed in the reference image display field 352a. The associated information is stored in the temporary storage unit 331 or the server 4 (step S18), and the process proceeds to step S19. For example, contents such as patient information and left / right distinction included in the supplementary information of the reference image are written as supplementary information in the header information of the stored ultrasound image. Here, as described above, the left and right distinction between the patient and the breast to be diagnosed by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2a should be the same as those in the reference image. Therefore, when the image data of the ultrasound image is stored, the patient information included in the supplementary information of the reference image and the left / right distinction of the breast are automatically associated with the ultrasound image, thereby reducing the operation by the doctor. It is possible to save the trouble of inputting incidental information such as patient information and right / left distinction. In addition, it is possible to prevent erroneous incidental information from being associated with a doctor due to misunderstanding or input error.

  In step S19, it is determined whether or not the input unit 34 has instructed the end of diagnosis. If it is determined that the end of diagnosis has not been instructed (step S19; NO), the process returns to step S15. If it is determined that the end of diagnosis is instructed by the input unit 34 (step S19; YES), this process ends.

  Note that the ultrasonic diagnostic screen 352 may have different screen layouts when R is input as a diagnosis target by the doctor and when L is input. For example, when L is selected, the screen layout is as shown in FIG. 8A, and when R is selected, as shown in FIG. 8B, when L is selected, the reference image display field 352a and the ultrasonic wave are displayed. A screen layout in which the arrangement of the image display field 352b is reversed is used. Thus, by setting different screen layouts when L is input as a diagnostic target and when R is input, doctors and patients can be more aware of whether the current diagnostic target is left or right. It becomes possible. In addition, it is good also as a structure which can set from the input part 34 the screen layout when L is selected and when R is selected for every doctor.

  As described above, according to the small-scale diagnosis system 1, the CPU 31 of the control device 3 uses the breast image generated by the CR device 2b for reference during diagnosis using the ultrasound image by the ultrasound diagnostic device 2a. The information is displayed on the reference image display field 352a of the ultrasound diagnostic screen 352, and information indicating the left / right distinction included in the supplementary information of the displayed breast image is displayed on the breast image. When the sonic image is acquired, the image data of the acquired ultrasonic image corresponds to the incidental information of the breast image displayed in the reference image display field 352a (including at least patient information and information indicating the left / right distinction of the breast). In addition, it is stored in the temporary storage unit 331 or the image DB 40 of the server 4.

  Therefore, it becomes possible for the doctor to recognize which breast is currently being diagnosed. In addition, since the incidental information of the breast image that is referred to at the time of diagnosis using the ultrasound image is automatically appended to the acquired ultrasound image, it is not necessary for the human to manually associate the incidental information with the ultrasound image. It is possible to reduce mistakes that lead to a mistake in the left and right.

  When the left and right breast chest wall alignment images for comparative interpretation are displayed in the reference image display field 352a, the CPU 31 causes the imaging operator to select whether the diagnosis target is left or right, and the selected one Only the breast image is displayed in the reference image display field 352a. Further, based on the supplementary information of the breast image displayed in the reference image display field 352a, the voice output unit 38 outputs a voice indicating whether the breast image to be diagnosed is left or right. Accordingly, it is possible to make the photographer aware of the diagnosis target from both visual and auditory perspectives and to recognize whether the diagnosis target is left or right. Further, since the patient can also know the object to be diagnosed, it can be confirmed whether there is an error in the doctor's probe operation. As a result, it is possible to reduce the left / right mix-up.

  In addition, by providing a sub-display unit 37 for displaying an ultrasound diagnostic screen at a position facing the patient as a subject, it is possible to monitor whether the doctor is taking images without mistakes between the left and right breasts. It becomes possible to point out to the doctor.

  In addition, the description in this Embodiment mentioned above is a suitable example of Embodiment based on this invention, and is not limited to this.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the small-scale diagnosis system including the CR device 2b as an apparatus for performing radiation imaging has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is good also as a structure provided with the imaging device which image | photographs using FPD (Flat Panel Detector).

  In the reference image display field 352a, if the left and right breast images are the same, it is possible to display a plurality of breast images at the time of diagnosis using an ultrasound image. For example, the CC image and MLO image of the breast on the diagnosis target side may be simultaneously displayed in the reference image display field 352a.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although it demonstrated as a doctor performing imaging | photography with the ultrasonic diagnosing device 2a, it is good also as imaging | photography engineer performing.

  In the above description, an example in which a hard disk, a semiconductor nonvolatile memory, or the like is used as a computer-readable medium of the program according to the present invention is disclosed, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As another computer-readable medium, a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM can be applied. Further, a carrier wave is also applied as a medium for providing program data according to the present invention via a communication line.

In the above description, the doctor confirms the reference image. However, instead of observing the reference image such as the X-ray image by the doctor, the reference image such as the X-ray image is subjected to CAD processing and is clearly displayed. It is also possible to extract not only abnormal shadow areas but only suspicious abnormal shadow candidate areas and display annotations. Further, when there is a suspicious abnormal shadow candidate region, the flow may be automatically shifted to ultrasonic diagnosis (acquisition of an ultrasonic image) in order to perform a precise inspection of the region.
The abnormal shadow candidate extraction threshold value of the CAD algorithm is set in two stages, and only the region located between the two threshold values is extracted, so that an abnormal shadow candidate region in which TP or FP is doubtful can be extracted.

  In the above embodiment, the case where an ultrasound diagnostic image of a breast is acquired and stored has been described as an example. However, the present invention has two parts on the human body, for example, left and right hands, legs, kidneys, and the like. The present invention can also be applied to the case where an ultrasonic diagnosis is performed with the subject as a subject.

  In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each device constituting the small-scale diagnosis system 1 can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Small-scale diagnostic system 2 Image generation apparatus 2a Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2b CR apparatus 3 Control apparatus 31 CPU
32 RAM
33 Storage Unit 331 Temporary Storage Unit 34 Input Unit 35 Display Unit 36 Communication Unit 37 Sub Display Unit 38 Audio Output Unit 39 Bus

Claims (7)

Ultrasound having ultrasonic diagnostic image acquisition means for obtaining ultrasonic diagnostic images by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to a subject, and storage means for storing ultrasonic diagnostic images acquired by the ultrasonic diagnostic image acquisition means In the ultrasound diagnostic system,
Display means for capturing a reference image having auxiliary information and displaying the reference image and the auxiliary information in parallel with the ultrasonic diagnostic image;
Control means for storing the content of the auxiliary information included in the reference image in association with the ultrasonic diagnostic image as auxiliary information of the ultrasonic diagnostic image when the ultrasonic diagnostic image is stored in the storage means;
An ultrasonic diagnostic system comprising:   The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 1, wherein the incidental information is a body mark.   The ultrasonic diagnosis according to claim 1, wherein the subject has two parts on a human body, and the supplementary information is information indicating which part of the subject is two. system.   The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 3, wherein the subject is a breast, and the incidental information indicates a left / right distinction of the breast.   Based on the supplementary information of the reference image displayed on the display unit, the control unit uses a voice output unit to determine which of the two parts of the human body is the displayed reference image. The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a voice is output.   6. The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to claim 4, wherein either the left or right selected CC image and MLO image of the breast can be displayed simultaneously in the display area of the reference image in the display unit.   The display unit includes a main display unit and a sub display unit, and each of the main display unit and the sub display unit displays the ultrasonic diagnostic image, the reference image, and the auxiliary information. The ultrasonic diagnostic system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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