JP2012249676A - Medical image diagnostic apparatus and image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical image diagnostic apparatus and an image processor capable of appropriately displaying a medical image.SOLUTION: The medical image diagnostic apparatus includes a generation part, a display part, a reception part, and an imaging part. The generation part generates a parallax image group with a prescribed number of parallaxes from medical image data having three-dimensional information. The display part displays the parallax image group with a prescribed number of parallaxes. The reception part receives the designation of a region of interest by an operator in the parallax image group to be displayed in the display part. The imaging part performs imaging with the region of interest as an imaging range by following the designation of the region of interest.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a medical image diagnostic apparatus and an image processing apparatus.

  Conventionally, imaging by a medical image diagnostic apparatus is performed according to a preset imaging plan. In the imaging plan, a region of interest (hereinafter referred to as ROI (Region Of Interest)) that is an imaging range is designated. In this case, the operator can view the positioning image displayed on the monitor of the console while viewing the positioning image. For example, in the case of an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) apparatus, positioning of three cross sections, that is, an axial cross-sectional image, a coronal cross-sectional image, and a sagittal cross-sectional image are performed as positioning images. The image is displayed on the monitor, and the operator designates the ROI while looking at the positioning image of the three cross sections.Technology for automating the designation of the ROI has also been developed, but the patient having a specific structure has been developed. In some cases, manual designation may still be necessary.

  Since the operator designates the ROI on the two-dimensionally displayed image, it is difficult to designate the ROI while grasping the three-dimensional structure of the imaging target. That is, it is difficult for the operator to specify the ROI while grasping the structure in the depth direction perpendicular to the display surface of the monitor, for example.

JP 05-269113 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a medical image diagnostic apparatus and an image processing apparatus that can appropriately display a medical image.

  The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment includes a generation unit, a display unit, a reception unit, and an imaging unit. The generation unit generates a parallax image group having a predetermined number of parallaxes from medical image data having three-dimensional information. The display unit displays the parallax image group having the predetermined number of parallaxes. The accepting unit accepts designation of a region of interest by an operator in the parallax image group displayed on the display unit. The imaging unit executes imaging with the region of interest as an imaging range in accordance with the specification of the region of interest.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the medical image diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the display unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the parallax image group generation processing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the control unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a display example of the positioning image according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining movement of the viewpoint position according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a processing procedure according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the MRI apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a display example of a positioning image according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a display example of a cross-section designation image according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a display example of a cross-section designation image according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a display example of a cross-section designation image according to a modification of the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a display example of a cross-section designation image according to a modification of the third embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the medical image diagnostic apparatus and the image processing apparatus will be described in detail.

(First embodiment)
A medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, an MRI apparatus, a SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) apparatus, and a PET (Positron Emission). computed tomography).

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes a gantry unit 100a and a computer system unit 100b. The gantry unit 100a includes various units used for imaging. For example, when the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 is an X-ray CT apparatus, the gantry unit 100a includes an X-ray tube, a detector, a rotating frame, a bed, and the like.

  On the other hand, the computer system unit 100b includes an input unit 101, a display unit 102, a communication unit 103, a storage unit 104, a control unit 105, and a rendering processing unit 106, as shown in FIG.

  The input unit 101 is a mouse, a keyboard, a trackball, or the like, and receives input of various operations on the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 from an operator. For example, the input unit 101 according to the first embodiment accepts an imaging plan input, an ROI designation input, an imaging instruction input, and the like.

  The display unit 102 displays various information. For example, the display unit 102 according to the first embodiment displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for receiving various operations from the operator, a positioning image for receiving the designation of ROI, and the like.

  Here, the display unit 102 according to the first embodiment is a stereoscopic display monitor that three-dimensionally displays an object in a stereoscopic manner. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the display unit 102 according to the first embodiment. The display unit 102 according to the first embodiment displays a parallax image group having a predetermined number of parallaxes to display the target object in a three-dimensional manner so as to be stereoscopically viewed. In the first embodiment, the “parallax image group” is a group of volume rendering images generated using a plurality of viewpoint positions as rendering conditions. The “number of parallaxes” is the number of parallax images used for three-dimensional display on the stereoscopic display monitor.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 102 has a flat display surface 200 (for example, a liquid crystal panel), and has a light beam controller on the front surface of the display surface 200. For example, the light beam controller is a vertical lenticular sheet 201 whose optical aperture extends in the vertical direction. In FIG. 2, the vertical lenticular sheet 201 is pasted so that the convex portion is on the front side, but the vertical lenticular sheet 201 may be pasted so as to face the display surface 200. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the display surface 200 of the display unit 102 has pixels 202 so that the aspect ratio is 3: 1 and the vertical direction is red (R), green (G), and blue (B). Is placed. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 2, pixels of each parallax image are arranged in each column 1 to 9. A pixel group 203, which is an aggregate of nine columns of pixels 202, is emitted as parallel light by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) backlight, and is further emitted in multiple directions by the vertical lenticular sheet 201. By emitting light from pixels in each column corresponding to each parallax image in multiple directions, different parallax images are incident on the right and left eyes of the observer observing the display unit 102. As a result, the observer Can stereoscopically view the object. In addition, when the pixel of the same image is arrange | positioned at each column of 1-9, a target object is displayed two-dimensionally.

  Note that the display unit 102 illustrated in FIG. 2 is merely an example. The display unit 102 is not limited to the horizontal stripe liquid crystal of “RRR..., GGG..., BBB. The display unit 102 is not limited to a vertical lens system in which the lenticular sheet is vertical, but may be an oblique lens system in which the lenticular sheet is diagonal.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the communication unit 103 is a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like, and performs communication with other devices. The storage unit 104 is a hard disk, a semiconductor memory element, or the like, and stores various information. Specifically, the storage unit 104 according to the first embodiment stores imaging data collected by imaging. In addition, the storage unit 104 according to the first embodiment stores volume data generated from imaging data, a parallax image group generated by rendering processing, and the like.

  The control unit 105 is an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit), an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100. Perform overall control.

  For example, the control unit 105 according to the first embodiment controls the display of the GUI and the positioning image on the display unit 102. For example, the control unit 105 controls imaging performed by controlling each unit included in the gantry unit 100a. For example, the control unit 105 controls rendering processing performed by the rendering processing unit 106. For example, the control unit 105 controls reading of various data from the storage unit 104 and storage in the storage unit 104. The control unit 105 will be described in detail later.

  The rendering processing unit 106 performs rendering processing on the image data. For example, the rendering processing unit 106 according to the first embodiment reads volume data from the storage unit 104 under the control of the control unit 105, performs volume rendering processing on the volume data, and generates a parallax image group. . In the first embodiment, the rendering process is the entire image process, and the volume rendering process generates a two-dimensional image reflecting three-dimensional information as a volume rendering image in the rendering process. It is a process to do.

  Here, the volume rendering processing by the rendering processing unit 106 is performed according to the rendering conditions. For example, the rendering condition is “parallel projection method” or “perspective projection method”. Further, for example, the rendering conditions are “reference viewpoint position” and “parallax angle (angle between line-of-sight directions)”. Such a rendering condition may be received from an operator via the input unit 101 or may be initially set. In any case, the rendering processing unit 106 receives a rendering condition from the control unit 105, and performs volume rendering processing on the volume data according to the rendering condition.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the parallax image group generation processing according to the first embodiment. For example, as shown in “9-parallax image generation method (1)” in FIG. 3, the rendering processing unit 106 accepts the parallel projection method as a rendering condition, and further, the reference viewpoint position (5) and the parallax angle “1”. ”Degree”. In such a case, the rendering processing unit 106 translates the viewpoint position from (1) to (9) so that the parallax angle is every “1 degree”, and the parallax angle is different by 1 degree by the parallel projection method. Nine parallax images are generated. When performing the parallel projection method, the rendering processing unit 106 sets a light source that emits parallel light rays from infinity along the line-of-sight direction.

  Alternatively, as illustrated in “9-parallax image generation method (2)” in FIG. 3, the rendering processing unit 106 accepts a perspective projection method as a rendering condition, and further, the reference viewpoint position (5) and the parallax angle “1”. ”Degree”. In such a case, the rendering processing unit 116 rotates and moves the viewpoint position from (1) to (9) so that the parallax angle is every “1 degree” around the center (center of gravity) of the volume data. Nine parallax images having different parallax angles by 1 degree are generated by the projection method. When the perspective projection method is performed, the rendering processing unit 116 sets a point light source and a surface light source that radiate light three-dimensionally around the line-of-sight direction at each viewpoint. Further, when the perspective projection method is performed, the viewpoints (1) to (9) may be translated depending on the rendering condition.

  Note that the rendering processing unit 106 irradiates light two-dimensionally radially around the line-of-sight direction with respect to the vertical direction of the displayed volume rendering image, and with respect to the horizontal direction of the displayed volume rendering image. May perform volume rendering processing using both the parallel projection method and the perspective projection method by setting a light source that emits parallel light rays from infinity along the line-of-sight direction.

  The nine parallax images generated in this way are a parallax image group. In the first embodiment, the nine parallax images are converted by the control unit 105 into intermediate images arranged in a predetermined format (for example, a lattice shape) and displayed on the display unit 102 as a stereoscopic display monitor.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the case where the projection method, the reference viewpoint position, and the parallax angle are received as the rendering conditions has been described, but similarly, the rendering processing unit 106 also receives other conditions as the rendering conditions. Generates a parallax image group while reflecting each rendering condition.

  The rendering processing unit 106 also has a function of generating an MPR (Multi Planer Reconstruction) image from volume data by performing a cross-section reconstruction method as well as volume rendering processing. The rendering processing unit 106 also has a function of generating a Curved MPR image.

  Now, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment displays a positioning image on the display unit 102 in a three-dimensional manner and accepts designation of an ROI on the positioning image displayed in a three-dimensional manner. Such a function is realized by the control unit 105 or the like.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the control unit 105 according to the first embodiment. The control unit 105 according to the first embodiment includes a parallax image group generation unit 105a, a display control unit 105b, a reception unit 105c, and an imaging unit 105d.

  The parallax image group generation unit 105 a controls the rendering processing unit 106 to generate a parallax image group for displaying the positioning image three-dimensionally. In the first embodiment, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 first collects positioning image volume data (for example, low-resolution volume data). Therefore, when the volume data for the positioning image is collected, the parallax image group generation unit 105a controls the rendering processing unit 106 so as to generate a parallax image group from the collected volume data. Then, the rendering processing unit 106 performs volume rendering processing using a plurality of viewpoint positions as rendering conditions, and generates a group of volume rendering images, that is, a parallax image group.

  For example, when the imaging target is the head, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 collects volume data for a positioning image with the center of the magnetic field as the center position. Thereby, volume data with less distortion can be collected, and the accuracy of the positioning image subjected to the parallax image group generation processing can be improved. The center position of the positioning image volume data is not limited to the magnetic field center, and may be a position shifted from the magnetic field center (off-center). In this case, distortion correction may be performed before the parallax image group generation processing.

  The display control unit 105 b controls display of the parallax image group on the display unit 102. For example, the display control unit 105b converts the parallax image group generated by the parallax image group generation unit 105a into an intermediate image having a predetermined format (for example, a lattice shape), and displays the intermediate image on the display unit 102 as a stereoscopic display monitor.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a display example of the positioning image according to the first embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the display control unit 105b displays the positioning image three-dimensionally on the display unit 102 as a stereoscopic display monitor. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of the display unit 102 observed obliquely from above for convenience of explanation. In FIG. 5, the three-dimensional effect of the positioning image is expressed as a feeling of popping forward from the display surface, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and is expressed as a feeling of depth in the depth direction from the display surface. Or a combination of a feeling of popping out and a feeling of depth. In order to make the three-dimensional structure of the object easy to see, the display control unit 105b may control the display so as to increase the transmittance of the surface of the object.

  The accepting unit 105 c accepts designation of ROI on the display surface of the display unit 102. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the reception unit 105 c receives the designation of the ROI (symbol “a”) on the three-dimensionally displayed positioning image. The parallax image group generation unit 105a also generates a parallax image group for the ROI received by the reception unit 105c, and the display control unit 105b displays the ROI three-dimensionally.

  For example, when there are ROIs that are automatically designated in advance or there are ROIs that are designated as initial values, the display control unit 105b also displays these ROIs three-dimensionally. The operator confirms the positioning image displayed three-dimensionally and the ROI displayed three-dimensionally, and changes the ROI designation when determining that it is necessary to change the ROI designation. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no need to change the designation of the ROI, the operator may input an imaging instruction so as to perform imaging with the designation of the ROI.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining movement of the viewpoint position according to the first embodiment. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, when the viewpoint position of the operator moves, the parallax images incident on the right eye and the left eye of the operator also change. As a result, the operator can observe an object having a three-dimensional structure three-dimensionally from different directions. In other words, for example, the operator can move around the 3D structure of the target object only by moving the face position a little, and can determine the position and orientation of the ROI while grasping the structure in the depth direction. It becomes possible to determine the size, etc.

  The imaging unit 105d executes imaging with the designated ROI as the imaging range. For example, when the designation of the ROI is received by the receiving unit 105c, the imaging unit 105d sets the imaging condition so that the ROI is set as the imaging range, and executes the main imaging according to the set imaging condition, so that the gantry unit 100a Control etc.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a processing procedure according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, in the first embodiment, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 first collects volume data for positioning images (step S101).

  Next, the parallax image group generation unit 105a controls the rendering processing unit 106, so that the rendering processing unit 106 performs volume rendering processing using a plurality of viewpoint positions as rendering conditions, and generates a parallax image group. (Step S102).

  Subsequently, the display control unit 105b converts the parallax image group generated by the parallax image group generation unit 105a into an intermediate image, and three-dimensionally displays the positioning image on the display unit 102 as a stereoscopic display monitor (step S103). .

  Then, the accepting unit 105c determines whether or not the designation of the ROI is accepted on the display surface of the display unit 102 (step S104). When the accepting unit 105c accepts it (Yes in step S104), the imaging unit 105d captures this ROI in the imaging range. (Step S105), and controls the gantry 100a and the like so as to execute the main imaging according to the set imaging condition (step S106).

(Effects of the first embodiment)
As described above, in the first embodiment, since the positioning image is displayed three-dimensionally and the designation of the ROI is received on the three-dimensionally displayed positioning image, the operator can select the object having the three-dimensional structure as 3 It becomes possible to observe in a two-dimensional manner, and it is possible to designate an ROI with a simple operation. That is, when an ROI is designated on a two-dimensionally displayed volume rendering image, the operator has to perform an operation for changing the viewpoint position, for example, in order to grasp the structure in the depth direction. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, when the operator wants to grasp the structure in the depth direction, for example, the operator only needs to move the position of the face.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, an MRI apparatus 110 is assumed as a medical image diagnostic apparatus.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the MRI apparatus 110 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 8, the computer system unit 110b has the same function as the computer system unit 100b described with reference to FIG. That is, the input unit 111 corresponds to the input unit 101, the display unit 112 corresponds to the display unit 102, the communication unit 113 corresponds to the communication unit 103, the storage unit 114 corresponds to the storage unit 104, and the control unit 115 Corresponding to the control unit 105, the rendering processing unit 116 corresponds to the rendering processing unit 106.

  The static magnetic field magnet 1 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and generates a uniform static magnetic field in an internal space. The static magnetic field magnet 1 is, for example, a permanent magnet or a superconducting magnet. The gradient coil 2 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and generates a gradient magnetic field in the internal space. Specifically, the gradient magnetic field coil 2 is arranged inside the static magnetic field magnet 1 and receives a current supplied from the gradient magnetic field power supply 3 to generate a gradient magnetic field. The gradient magnetic field power supply 3 supplies a current to the gradient magnetic field coil 2 in accordance with a control signal transmitted from the sequence control unit 10.

  The bed 4 includes a top plate 4a on which the subject P is placed, and the top plate 4a is inserted into the cavity of the gradient magnetic field coil 2 serving as an imaging port in a state where the subject P is placed. Usually, the bed 4 is installed such that the longitudinal direction is parallel to the central axis of the static magnetic field magnet 1. The couch controller 5 drives the couch 4 to move the couchtop 4a in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction.

  The transmission coil 6 generates a high frequency magnetic field. Specifically, the transmission coil 6 is arranged inside the gradient magnetic field coil 2 and receives a high frequency pulse (hereinafter referred to as RF (Radio Frequency) pulse) from the transmission unit 7 to generate a high frequency magnetic field. The transmission unit 7 transmits an RF pulse corresponding to the Larmor frequency to the transmission coil 6 in accordance with the control signal transmitted from the sequence control unit 10.

  The receiving coil 8 receives a magnetic resonance signal (hereinafter referred to as MR (Magnetic Resonance) signal). Specifically, the receiving coil 8 is disposed inside the gradient coil 2 and receives an MR signal radiated from the subject P due to the influence of the high-frequency magnetic field. The receiving coil 8 outputs the received MR signal to the receiving unit 9.

  The receiving unit 9 generates MR signal data based on the MR signal output from the receiving coil 8 in accordance with the control signal sent from the sequence control unit 10. Specifically, the receiving unit 9 generates MR signal data by digitally converting the MR signal output from the receiving coil 8, and sends the generated MR signal data to the computer system 110 b via the sequence control unit 10. Send. The receiving unit 9 may be provided on the gantry device side including the static magnetic field magnet 1 and the gradient magnetic field coil 2.

  The sequence control unit 10 controls the gradient magnetic field power supply 3, the transmission unit 7, and the reception unit 9. Specifically, the sequence control unit 10 transmits a control signal based on the pulse sequence execution data transmitted from the computer system 110b to the gradient magnetic field power supply 3, the transmission unit 7, and the reception unit 9.

  Here, main differences between the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 collects positioning image volume data (for example, low-resolution volume data) in advance for the purpose of three-dimensionally displaying a positioning image. On the other hand, the MRI apparatus 110 according to the second embodiment does not intentionally collect volume data for positioning images, but uses volume data collected in preliminary imaging performed prior to main imaging for positioning images. Use as volume data.

  For example, it is assumed that the MRI apparatus 110 according to the second embodiment performs imaging for cardiac examination. Here, in imaging for cardiac examination, “reference cross-sectional images” based on anatomical features of the heart are collected. In addition to the axial, coronal, and sagittal images, the reference cross-sectional image includes a vertical long-axis image, a horizontal long-axis image, a two-chamber long-axis (2 chamber) image, and a three-chamber long-axis (3 chamber). Images, four-chamber long-axis (4 chamber) images, left ventricular short-axis images, etc.

  For this reason, in imaging for cardiac examination by the MRI apparatus 110, a plurality of these “reference cross-sectional images” are collected. However, since the heart has a complicated structure, the MRI apparatus 110 collects, for example, a “reference cross-sectional image”, positions another “reference cross-sectional image” using the acquired “reference cross-sectional image”, In addition, imaging such as collecting the positioned “reference cross-sectional image” is repeated. For example, the MRI apparatus 110 first collects an axial cross-sectional image, and performs positioning of another “reference cross-sectional image” using the axial cross-sectional image. In addition, for example, the MRI apparatus 110 collects WH MRCA (Whole Heart MR Coronary Angiography) data having three-dimensional information, and uses the MPR image generated from the WH MRCA data to position the “reference cross-sectional image”. I do.

  Therefore, the MRI apparatus 110 according to the second embodiment diverts the volume data collected for positioning the “reference cross-sectional image” as volume data for the positioning image in imaging for cardiac examination. For example, the parallax image group generation unit 105a according to the second embodiment handles a plurality of axial cross-sectional images collected for positioning other “reference cross-sectional images” as volume data, and controls the rendering processing unit 116. By doing so, a parallax image group of the positioning image is generated. Further, for example, the parallax image group generation unit 105a according to the second embodiment handles the WH MRCA data collected for positioning of other “reference cross-sectional images” as volume data, and controls the rendering processing unit 116. Thus, a parallax image group of the positioning image is generated.

  The display control unit 105b according to the second embodiment converts the parallax image group generated by the parallax image group generation unit 105a into an intermediate image and displays the intermediate image on the display unit 112 as a stereoscopic display monitor. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a display example of a positioning image according to the second embodiment. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the display control unit 105 b displays the positioning image on the display unit 112 as a three-dimensional display monitor in a three-dimensional manner. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram of the display unit 112 observed from the front for convenience of explanation. In FIG. 9, the symbol b is ROI. In FIG. 9, the three-dimensional feeling of the positioning image is expressed as a feeling of protrusion in the front direction from the display surface, when expressed as a feeling of depth in the depth direction from the display surface, or May be expressed in combination.

(Effect of 2nd Embodiment)
As described above, in the second embodiment, since the parallax image group for positioning is generated from the volume data collected in the preliminary imaging performed prior to the main imaging, the volume data for the positioning image is intentionally collected. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently realize the three-dimensional display of the positioning image.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. A medical image diagnostic apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as the medical image diagnostic apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. However, in the third embodiment, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 300 does not display the positioning image for accepting the designation of the ROI three-dimensionally, but uses the slice designation image for accepting the designation of the slice to generate the MPR image. 3D display. In the following description, an example in which the medical image diagnostic apparatus 300 displays a cross-section designation image three-dimensionally will be described. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, for example, on PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) The present invention may be applied to other workstations and terminal devices. In this case, the workstation and the terminal device have the same functions as the computer system unit 300b of the medical image diagnostic apparatus 300.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the control unit 305 according to the third embodiment. The control unit 305 according to the third embodiment includes a parallax image group generation unit 305a, a display control unit 305b, a reception unit 305c, and an MPR image generation unit 305d. Note that the parallax image group generation unit 305a corresponds to the parallax image group generation unit 105a, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrams for explaining display examples of the cross-section designation image according to the third embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the display control unit 305b three-dimensionally displays the cross-section designation image on the display unit 302 as a stereoscopic display monitor. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 11 shows a conceptual diagram of the display unit 302 observed from the front, and FIG. 12 shows a conceptual diagram of the display unit 302 observed obliquely from above. In FIG. 12, the three-dimensional effect of the positioning image is expressed as a combination of a forward protrusion feeling from the display surface and a depth feeling from the display surface to the depth direction, but the embodiment is not limited to this. Alternatively, it may be expressed only with a feeling of popping out, or may be expressed only with a feeling of depth. As shown in FIG. 12, the three-dimensional display allows the operator to easily grasp the structure in the depth direction of the cross-section designation image.

  Then, the accepting unit 305c according to the third embodiment accepts designation of a cross section for generating a Curved MPR image on the cross section designating image three-dimensionally displayed on the display unit 302. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the reception unit 305 c receives a cross-section designation (symbol c) on a cross-section designation image displayed three-dimensionally. The MPR image generation unit 305d generates a Curved MPR image according to the designation of the cross section. Note that the MPR image generation unit 305d may display the generated Curved MPR image two-dimensionally on the display unit 302. In this case, as described in the first embodiment, in the display unit 302, pixels of the same image are arranged in the respective columns 1 to 9.

(Effect of the third embodiment)
As described above, in the third embodiment, the cross-section designation image is displayed three-dimensionally, and the designation of the cross-section is accepted on the cross-section designation image displayed in three dimensions, so that the operator has a three-dimensional structure. Can be observed three-dimensionally, and a cross section can be designated by a simple operation.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a display example of a cross-section designation image according to a modification of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, a Curved MPR image is assumed as an MPR image. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and the same applies to a normal MPR image as shown in FIG. it can. In FIG. 13, the symbol d designates the cross section.

(Other embodiments)
The embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

(Magnetic distortion)
For example, in imaging by an MRI apparatus, if there is a disturbance of a static magnetic field or a gradient magnetic field, it is displayed as image distortion. For this reason, normally, the MRI apparatus measures the distortion, corrects the distortion of the image, and then reconstructs the image. The MRI apparatus also reconstructs an image after correcting distortion of the positioning image. As a result, the positioning image for receiving the designation of the ROI is also the positioning image after the distortion correction.

  However, when the designation of ROI is accepted on the positioning image after distortion correction, there is a possibility that the designation of ROI is not appropriately performed. That is, although the operator has specified the ROI so that the imaging target is appropriately captured on the distortion-corrected positioning image, the imaging target is appropriately captured in the actually collected image. There may not be. This is because the position on the positioning image does not correctly correspond to the actual position because the positioning image is corrected for distortion.

  Therefore, for example, the MRI apparatus generates a parallax image group and controls the display so that the positioning image after distortion correction or the positioning image before distortion correction is observed according to the position of the operator's face. To do. In this case, for example, for some of the parallax image groups, the MRI apparatus generates a parallax image group for three-dimensionally displaying the positioning image after distortion correction, and the partial parallax image group For, a group of parallax images for three-dimensionally displaying a positioning image before distortion correction is generated.

  Then, the MRI apparatus coordinates the ROI designation between both positioning images by performing coordinate conversion. That is, when the ROI is designated on the positioning image after distortion correction, the MRI apparatus converts the designation of this ROI to the positioning image before distortion correction, and on the positioning image before distortion correction, The designation of ROI after coordinate conversion is displayed. By doing this, the operator can specify what ROI is specified on the positioning image before distortion correction while specifying the ROI on the positioning image after distortion correction. become.

(2 parallax, 6 parallax, etc.)
In the above-described embodiment, the case of 9 parallax images has been described as an example. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and an arbitrary number of parallaxes such as 2 parallaxes and 6 parallaxes is used. Can do.

(3D display monitor)
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the method of enabling stereoscopic viewing with the naked eye by using a light controller such as a lenticular lens as the stereoscopic display monitor has been described, but the embodiment is not limited to this, for example, Also, a shutter method or a polarized glasses method may be used.

  According to the medical image diagnostic apparatus and the image processing apparatus of at least one embodiment described above, a medical image can be appropriately displayed.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Medical image diagnostic apparatus 105 Control part 105a Parallax image group production | generation part 105b Display control part 105c Reception part 105d Imaging part

Claims (4)

A generating unit that generates a parallax image group having a predetermined number of parallaxes from medical image data having three-dimensional information;
A display unit for displaying the parallax image group having the predetermined number of parallaxes;
A reception unit that receives designation of a region of interest by an operator in the parallax image group displayed on the display unit;
A medical image diagnostic apparatus comprising: an imaging unit that performs imaging with the region of interest as an imaging range according to the specification of the region of interest. The generation unit generates the parallax image group from the medical image data collected in the preliminary imaging performed prior to the main imaging,
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit executes main imaging with the region of interest as an imaging range. A generating unit that generates a parallax image group having a predetermined number of parallaxes from medical image data having three-dimensional information;
A display unit for displaying the parallax image group having the predetermined number of parallaxes;
A receiving unit that receives designation of a cross section for generating an MPR (Multi Planer Reconstruction) image by an operator in the parallax image group displayed on the display unit;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an MPR image generation unit configured to generate the MPR image according to the designation of the cross section. The accepting unit accepts a designation of a cross section for generating a Curved MPR image,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the MPR image generation unit generates the Curved MPR image according to the designation of the cross section.

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