JP2013101654A - Medical image diagnosis support device and medical image diagnostic device including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical image diagnosis support device or the like capable of automatically generating suitable message information from an introduction source to an introduction destination from a medical view point or the like.SOLUTION: A medical image diagnostic device or the medical image diagnosis support device includes: selection means for selecting at least one an image and a report related to a patient; generation means for generating message information which is to be utilized when an institution of the instruction source introduces the patient to an institution of the introduction destination and includes additional information, on the basis of at least one of the image and the report that is selected; and preservation means for preserving the generated message information in a portable medium.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image inspection support system, and more particularly, to a medical image diagnosis support apparatus used when data is exchanged between a plurality of apparatuses, and a medical image diagnosis apparatus including the apparatus.

  In recent years, specialized fields of medical practice have been subdivided. For example, in the image diagnosis, each of the examination order creation of the patient, acquisition of the diagnostic image based on the created order, interpretation of the acquired diagnostic image and report creation, explanation of the diagnosis result and treatment policy based on the report result, etc. Divided into work. Each work is handled by each specialist (a doctor in charge or an engineer in charge), and medical actions such as diagnosis for a patient are achieved by all these works. Each expert performs each work by referring to past diagnosis information and the like as appropriate based on information created by other experts in the previous work.

  In such a medical image diagnosis process, the medical institution used by the patient may be changed. In such a case, the introduction source organization records predetermined information on the portable medium, and the introduction destination organization takes over the diagnosis based on the information recorded on the media.

  However, the conventional method has the following problems. That is, even if a patient is introduced with an image, the referral destination cannot inspect an image that can be compared with the image because the inspection apparatus is different or the format is different. Also, when there are a large number of images, depending on the type of media, all of the key images cannot be saved and passed. In addition, when a medical image or the like, which is personal information, is put in the medium, a security problem related to information leakage also occurs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when a referral medical institution introduces another medical institution to a patient, suitable sending information from the referral source to the referral destination is obtained from a medical standpoint. Medical image diagnosis that can be automatically generated, and from the viewpoint of network environment capability and security related to information leakage, etc., whether or not various types of information are provided from the referral source to the referral destination, the provision method, and the content of the information to be sent It is an object of the present invention to provide a support apparatus and a medical image diagnostic apparatus including the apparatus.

  The medical image diagnosis apparatus or medical image diagnosis support apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a selection unit that selects at least one of an image and a report related to a patient, and an introductory organization based on at least one of the selected image and report Generating means for generating the sending information including the attached information, which is information used when introducing the patient to the referral destination, and storing means for storing the generated sending information in a portable medium; It comprises.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a referral medical institution introduces another medical institution to a patient, it is possible to automatically generate suitable reporting information from the referral source to the referral destination from a medical standpoint. Equipped with a medical image diagnosis support device capable of determining whether or not various information is provided from the referrer to the referee, the content of the information to be sent, and the device from the viewpoint of security regarding environmental capability and information leakage A medical image diagnostic apparatus can be realized.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a medical image diagnosis support system 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a doctor terminal, an image reference device, a medical image diagnostic device (X-ray CT device, MRI device), and the like connected to a hospital network. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the shared object. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the concept of the human body reference coordinates of the shared object. FIG. 6 shows the flow of the sending information generation process executed when a patient receives an introduction from the current hospital (referral source) to another hospital (referral destination) as an example when performing hospital cooperation. It is a sequence diagram. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the sending information generation process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a communication environment information table showing the line speed and security level for each referral destination in three stages: L (low level), M (medium level), and H (high level). FIG. 9 is a report table showing whether or not network transmission is possible for each relationship between the line speed and the security level. FIG. 10 is an image table showing whether or not network transmission is possible for each relationship between the line speed and the security level. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the sending information determination process in the case of external media priority. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the sending information determination process in the case of network priority.

  Hereinafter, first to third embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be given only when necessary.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a medical image diagnosis support system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the medical image diagnosis support system 1 includes an image server 2, a report server 3, a shared object server 4, and a medical image diagnosis support device 10.

  The image server 2 manages images generated by various medical image diagnostic apparatuses, images generated by post-processing by the image reference apparatus 7, and the like using series IDs, patient IDs, dedicated management IDs, and the like. A series is used to manage various types of information according to time (when it was generated), space (where it was generated), and clinical characteristics of the information (what clinical significance it has). It is a concept. Therefore, for example, in a certain examination using an X-ray CT apparatus, a plurality of CT images acquired by one scan becomes information belonging to the same series. The series ID is an identification number assigned to various information belonging to the same series.

  In addition, the image server 2 stores an image address table indicating a correspondence relationship between address information (for example, IP address) indicating where various images are stored on the network and a dedicated management ID. Yes. When the image server 2 receives a request for address information of a predetermined image from the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10, the image server 2 acquires address information of the corresponding image based on the dedicated management ID of the image and the image address table, and In response, the image is transmitted to the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10.

  The report server 3 manages reports created by an image reference device, a report creation terminal, and the like using a series ID, a patient ID, a dedicated management ID, and the like.

  In addition, the report server 3 stores a report address table indicating a correspondence relationship between address information indicating where each report is stored on the network and a dedicated management ID. When the report server 3 receives a request for address information of a predetermined report from the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10, the report server 3 acquires the address information of the corresponding report based on the dedicated management ID of the report and the report address table, and is necessary. In response, the image is transmitted to the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10.

  The shared object server 4 uses a shared object, which is information for effectively using information (for example, a positioning image, a shooting position, a shooting range, a shooting condition, an image generation condition, etc.) used in the past medical practice. Manage and save by patient ID, series ID, dedicated management ID, etc. The contents of the shared object will be described later in detail.

  Further, the shared object server 4 stores a shared object address table indicating the correspondence between address information indicating where each shared object is stored on the network and a dedicated management ID. When the shared object server 4 receives a request for address information of a predetermined shared object from the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10, the shared object server 4 obtains the corresponding shared object address information based on the dedicated management ID of the shared object and the shared object address table. It is acquired and transmitted to the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10 as necessary.

  When introducing a patient to another medical institution, the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10 generates information effective for diagnosis of the patient at a referral destination hospital as information to be sent to an external medium (magnetic disk (floppy (registered trademark)). A disk, a hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), a portable medium such as a semiconductor memory). The medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10 may be provided with a dedicated single device. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a doctor terminal, an image reference apparatus, and a medical image diagnosis connected to a hospital network, PACS, RIS, etc. It may be configured to be incorporated in any of an apparatus (X-ray CT apparatus, MRI apparatus), PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) server, and RIS (Radiology Information System) server.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11, a report information generation unit 13, a display unit 15, an operation unit 17, an external media drive 19, a storage device 21, and a transmission / reception unit 23. .

  The control unit 11 comprehensively controls the static or dynamic operation of the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10. Moreover, the control part 11 implement | achieves a report information generation function etc. by expand | deploying the exclusive program memorize | stored in the memory | storage device 21 on the memory which is not shown in figure.

  The offer information generation unit 13 implements a process according to the offer information generation function described later (a report information generation process) under the control of the control unit 11.

  The display unit 15 displays, in a predetermined form, an interactive screen or the like for instructing whether to give priority to the configuration of the sending information or which of the media or the network is prioritized in the sending information generation process.

  The operation unit 17 includes a keyboard, various switches, a mouse, and the like, and is a device that can input instructions from an operator. Selection of the content to be included in the sending information is performed using the operation unit 17.

  The external media drive 19 records predetermined information such as sending information on the inserted external media.

  The storage device 21 stores a dedicated program for realizing a sending information generation function and the like.

  The transmission / reception unit 23 transmits / receives image data, patient information, and the like to / from other apparatuses via the network N. In particular, the transmission / reception unit 23 receives image data, a report, and a shared object from the image server 2, the report server 3, and the shared object 4 via the network N, respectively.

(Sending information generation function)
Next, the sending information generation function of the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10 will be described. The information to be sent is information that is effective in diagnosis of the patient introduced to other medical institutions, includes at least a shared object, and includes an image and a report of the patient as necessary. Which information (content) is included in the report sending information is determined based on the judgment of the operator or the judgment of the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10 of the medical institution that is the introduction source. Hereinafter, each piece of information that can be a component of the sending information will be described.

[image]
The image included in the sending information is an image determined to be preferably provided to the introduction destination by the introduction source, or an image that the introduction destination requests the introduction source to provide. As a typical example, the key image (which may be plural) based on the diagnosis, the key image, a plurality of images belonging to a certain range before and after the key image, and all images of the same series including the key image (All images in the series), all images (inspection images) acquired in a certain examination, all images (patient images) acquired in the current or past examinations of the patient, and the like.

[Report]
The report included in the sending information is a report that is determined to be preferably provided to the introduction destination by the introduction source, or a report that the introduction destination requests the introduction source to provide. This report may be linked or attached with a key image or the like as necessary. The present embodiment is not limited by whether or not a key image is linked or attached.

Shared object
A shared object refers to image information and ancillary characters (characters) in order to effectively use information (for example, positioning images, shooting positions, shooting ranges, shooting conditions, image generation conditions, etc.) used in the past medical practice. (Or numerical value) information. This shared object is generated as an information entity (for example, a file) separated from normal image data, and is stored and managed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the shared object. As shown in the figure, the shared object includes image information and incidental information. Hereinafter, each of the image information and the accompanying information constituting the shared object will be described.

[Image information]
The image information included in the shared object is one or a plurality of positioning images (for example, a scanogram used in an X-ray CT apparatus, a scout image used in an MRI apparatus) indicating an imaging range. Here, the imaging range is a physical range that is the target of signal detection based on the energy supplied by the medical image diagnostic apparatus using X-rays, high frequency, or the like, and the detector supplies the energy. For example, in the case of the X-ray CT apparatus 1, it is a range (scan range) in the body axis direction in which X-rays actually generated by an X-ray tube are irradiated and detected by a detector. The photographing range is clearly indicated by a dotted line or the like on a positioning image generally obtained by photographing a whole body image before photographing.

[Attached information]
The incidental information included in the shared object can be roughly classified into five types: object specific information, human body coordinate information, shooting conditions, image generation conditions, and key image information. Hereinafter, each information will be described.

[Attached information 1: Object specific information]
The object specific information is information for distinguishing the object from other objects or indicating the relationship between the object and other objects. The object identifier (object UID) and the parent object identifier (parent object UID) ), Related series identifier (related series UID), and related series identifier (related series UID).

  The object UID is information for distinguishing the object from other objects, and is issued in a system that does not overlap when the shared object is generated by the object generation unit of each device. The parent object UID is information for specifying an object (parent object) referred to when the object is generated. The related series UID is information for specifying a series using the same conditions as the shared object (for example, shooting conditions, positioning images, etc.). There may be a plurality of relationship series UIDs in the object unique information due to their nature. At this time, it is preferable that incidental information (series date and time, series number, series description, and contrast type) of the series is also associated with the series UID. With such a configuration, it is possible to acquire information that the operator identifies without searching for an image of an actual image group only by referring to the shared object. The series UID is an identifier for specifying a series in which shooting conditions and the like are indicated by the shared object.

  Note that the data specified by each UID is linked, and therefore, by accessing the link destination data based on each UID, it is possible to quickly follow the inspection process of the derivation of the image group. It becomes possible.

[Supplementary information 2: Human body coordinate information]
The human body coordinate information is different from the coordinate system (generally, the coordinates of each device based on the absolute couch position or relative couch position) of the image group acquired by scanning. This is information on the coordinates (human body reference coordinates). The human body reference coordinates are automatically generated in a device that creates a shared object.

  FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the concept of human body reference coordinates. In FIG. 5 (a), it is assumed that a tomographic position at a distance L from a reference point (for example, OM line, pelvis, groovy (fovea), etc.) O1 in the previous human body coordinate system is an imaging tomographic position. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 5B, a coordinate calibration amount (Δx) that is a deviation between the reference point O1 and the reference O2 of the current coordinate system (anatomically the same position as the reference point O1). , Δy, Δz) and the distance L from the reference point, the same position as the previous imaging tomography can be specified. Therefore, with this human body coordinate information, it is possible to anatomically match the positions that need to be reproduced in the next examination or interpretation, such as the photographing range and the key image coordinates of the key image information.

  In addition, the positional information which comprises this human body coordinate information is not bound to the said example. For example, when performing calibration including magnification and rotation in addition to the coordinate system calibration amount (Δx, Δy, Δz), the magnification factor α and the rotation angle (β, θ) or a single reference point Instead, a positional deviation amount (Δx2, Δy2, Δz2) from another reference point may be further included in the human body coordinate information.

  Also, the coordinate reference point has a combination of the name of the anatomical structure and the positioning image coordinate system (the upper left of the image data is (0, 0)) as information different from the calibration amount described above. Also good. This anatomical reference point has image display means such as a modality or PACS image reference device, and can be added by a function of acquiring and storing position information designated by the operator. When this is used, an anatomical reference point can be drawn and drawn on the positioning image of the previous examination. The operator can specify the same anatomical structure in the current positioning image while looking at this, so that the inspection apparatus can easily recognize the deviation from the previous coordinate system = the coordinate system calibration amount. Become.

  As the anatomical reference point, it is preferable to select a portion where there is little change in position due to physiological body movement such as breathing and pulsation. Specific examples include the center of the lower edge of the twelfth thoracic vertebral body, the iliac spines, the iliac crest, the lower pubic joint, the lower edge of the tracheal bifurcation. Here, the name is stored for the human to determine the structure. However, when a technique for automatically identifying the internal organ from the image is used, it may be an identifier of the structure that can be identified by a computer. Such technology is being researched and disclosed by the “Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Specified Domains Project, Intelligent Diagnosis Support for Multidimensional Medical Images (http://www.future-cad.org/fcad/index_j.htm)”.

[Attachment Information 3: Shooting Conditions]
The imaging conditions are physical conditions necessary for collecting physical data from which an image is generated from a patient by an imaging operation. The content of this condition depends on the type of modality. For example, the imaging conditions of the X-ray CT apparatus include the scan start position and range (couch movement), the KV / mA of the X-ray tube, and the couch movement in one rotation with respect to the total width of the obtained image slice (beam pitch). ). However, the contents of the photographing conditions are not limited to this example. For example, subject insertion direction at the time of examination (information on whether the device enters from the foot or head), presence / absence of contrast medium administration, dosage, type of drug, patient's position (diagnosis sleeping direction, posture), etc. May be included. Furthermore, recently there is a function that automatically controls KV / mA so that the image quality is constant to reduce exposure. In such a case, the image noise (SD value) that is the control amount is included in the shooting conditions. It is good.

  For example, in the case of an MRI apparatus, the imaging range, patient insertion direction and posture, magnetic field strength, pulse sequence, detection coil type, detection coil installation location, electrocardiogram synchronization, presence / absence of respiratory synchronization, presence / absence of bed ventilation, imaging Parameters such as the central body part and the mounting position can be included in the imaging conditions.

[Attachment Information 4: Image Generation Conditions]
Image generation conditions are parameters for reconstructing an image from physical data obtained by shooting. For example, reconstruction range, time phase, image position, direction, thickness, FOV (magnification ratio), reconstruction Filter processing parameters such as functions. The image generation conditions also include conditions used in image processing such as volume rendering and MPR processing executed in various medical image diagnostic apparatuses and image reference apparatuses. For example, in the case of MPR processing, reference coordinates, normal vectors, slice thicknesses, ranges, and the like correspond.

  The range of the reconstruction condition may be defined by attaching a positioning image indicating the reconstruction range. In such a case, a plurality of positioning images indicating a plurality of reconstruction ranges are stored in one shared object.

[Supplementary information 5: Key image information]
The key image information is information relating to the position and direction of the key image, image processing, and the like attached at the stage of interpretation and image diagnosis by the component on the PACS side. The shared object generation unit of each device performs a timing at which a specific image is displayed as a key image displayed on the PACS image reference device, an operation for pasting to a report, an operation for associating with report text (hyperlink), etc. At that timing, the corresponding image is recognized as a key image. The image reference device searches for and identifies a series of shared objects including the recognized image. Information such as the identifier of the image, for example, SOPInstanceUID of the DICOM standard, z-axis coordinate position, direction at the time of observation, magnification, and WW / WL is held as key image information. Further, when the MPR is created, the position and direction of the MPR image serving as the key image and the generation conditions may be used as in the image generation conditions.

  By holding the above supplementary information, an image that can be compared with the previous image can be properly captured without omission at the start of inspection interpretation.

(Operation)
Next, the operation of the medical image diagnosis support system 1 will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows the flow of the sending information generation process executed when a patient receives an introduction from the current hospital (referral source) to another hospital (referral destination) as an example when performing hospital cooperation. It is a sequence diagram. As shown in the figure, when a doctor or the like inputs a key image or report acquisition request for a patient who is a referee to another medical institution, the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10 responds to the request. Then, a corresponding data acquisition request is transmitted to the image server 2 or the shared object server 4 (step S1). This acquisition request is executed using the patient information of the patient, the corresponding image data, or the UID (Unique ID) of the report. The image server 2 or the report server 3 executes search and reading in response to the request, and transmits corresponding data to the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10 via the network N (step S2).

  The medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10 acquires image data and the like from the image server 2 and displays them on the display unit 15 (step S3). An operator such as a doctor determines information to be included in the sending information while observing the displayed image data or the like, and selects these. The sending information generation unit 13 receives selection of information to be included in the sending information from the operator via the operation unit 17 (step S4). For example, when selecting a report, only desired information in the report may be selected. Here, it is assumed that a predetermined plurality of key images and a report corresponding to the key images are selected as contents to be included in the sending information.

  Next, the report information generation unit 13 of the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10 automatically transmits a shared object acquisition request having the same series ID as the selected key image or report to the shared object server 4 (step S5). . The shared object server 4 searches and reads out in response to the request, and transmits the corresponding shared object to the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10 via the network N (step S6).

  The report sending information generation unit 13 generates report sending information using the shared object acquired from the shared object server 4 and the key image and report selected in step S4 (step S7). The generated sending information is automatically saved in the external media in the external media drive 19 (step S8).

  Note that the shared object included in the sending information may be configured such that certain information is thinned out as necessary. In addition, the sending information generated in step S7 may further include information that is useful for the diagnosis of the introduction destination and other than the key image, the report, and the shared object (hereinafter referred to as “attached information”). It may be. As an example of the attached information, the hospital information of the referral source, the patient information (the patient ID at the referral source, and the patient ID at the referral destination if known), and the contents of the shared object are displayed. Examples of the program or display style information (HTML / style sheet) and converters for displaying shared objects with other software, such as the amount of exposure of the patient over a certain period of time. When including the attached information in the sending information, the sending information generating unit 13 initializes, for example, information that is previously stored in the storage device 21 as the attached information in the sending information generation processing in step S7. It is acquired according to the manual setting, and the sending information including this is generated.

  The external media in which the sending information is stored is provided to the referral medical institution by the patient himself or by a predetermined means such as mailing. Key images, shared objects, etc. included in the sending information stored in the external media are used at the referral medical institution, for example, for setting imaging conditions in the current examination, determining the key image position, comparing with the current examination results, etc. Used (step S9).

  According to the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  According to this medical image diagnosis support apparatus, by selecting at least one of an image and a report to be provided to the referral destination, a shared object having the same series ID as the image or report is automatically acquired and includes these Generates sending information and automatically saves it to external media. Therefore, in the referral source organization, for example, only by selecting an image or the like judged to be valid by the referral doctor or the like, it is possible to easily and quickly generate the sending information including the shared object corresponding to the image or the like. . In the referral organization, in the diagnosis based on the medical information at the referral source, for example, image acquisition using a medical image diagnostic apparatus, the imaging conditions and the like can be handled quickly and easily with the past examination at the referral source. Can be set as follows. As a result, it is possible to reduce the work load at the referral source and the referral destination, and to realize a high-quality medical service by cooperation between the referral source and the referral destination.

  In addition to the key image, the report, and the shared object, the sending information can include a program for displaying the exposure amount, the shared object, and the like as necessary. Therefore, various information can be transmitted from the referral source to the referral destination, and the information provided by the referral source can be used even when the referral destination system does not support, for example, a shared object. Yes, you can check the history of past shooting.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The medical image diagnosis support apparatus according to the present embodiment does not store image data or the like in an external medium, but as address information for accessing image data or the like to be provided to a referee via a network. It saves automatically.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the sending information generation process according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, in steps S11 to S14, the same processes as in steps S1 to S4 shown in FIG. 6 are executed.

  Next, the sending information generation unit 13 of the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10 uses the ID for specifying the key image selected as the content to be included in the sending information, and the series ID of the selected key image to generate an image. Access various servers (that is, the selected key image, report information, and shared object having the same series ID as the key image) to the various servers of the server 2, the report server 3, and the shared object server 4 via the network. An address information acquisition request is transmitted (step S15).

  Next, each server of the image server 2, the report server 3, and the shared object server 4 reads the address information of various information with reference to the address information table in response to the request from the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10, and the network Is transmitted to the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10 (step S16).

  Next, the medical image diagnosis support apparatus 10 acquires address information related to a key image, a shared object, and the like from each server, and generates report information using the acquired address information (step S17). The generated sending information is automatically stored in the external medium in the external media drive 19 (step S18).

  The sending information generated in step S17 can include attached information. In addition to the information examples listed in the first embodiment, the attached information includes, for example, information necessary for accessing various servers such as the image server 2 (such as connection methods (methods such as ISDN, ADSL, etc. (Number, password), AE title and port information), and other information (for example, hospital address, administrator's mail address, etc.) that are preferably included in the sending information may be included. When including the attached information in the sending information, the sending information generating unit 13 automatically acquires the corresponding information among the information stored in advance in the storage device 21 in the sending information generation process in step S17. , Generate the sending information including this.

  The external media in which the sending information is stored is provided to the referral medical institution by the patient himself or by a predetermined means such as mailing. The doctor terminal of the referral medical institution acquires various information via the network using each address information included in the sending information stored in the external medium (step S19). The acquired key image, shared object, and the like can be used, for example, for setting of imaging conditions in the current examination, determination of the key image position, comparison with the current examination result, and the like in the introduction medical institution.

  According to the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  That is, according to the medical image diagnosis support apparatus, by selecting an image or the like to be provided to the referral destination, address information of the selected image or the like, and an address of a shared object or the like having the same series ID as the image or the like Information is automatically acquired, and sending information including these is generated and automatically stored in an external medium. Therefore, in the introduction source organization, it is possible to easily and quickly generate offer information including information for accessing images and shared objects that are effective in the diagnosis of the introduction destination. In addition, in the referral destination organization, it is possible to access images and shared objects that are effective in diagnosis through the network using the address information included in the sending information. Therefore, for example, even when the capacity of the external medium is not sufficient, or even when diagnostic information itself such as an image is not stored in the external medium in order to prevent information leakage, the same effect as that of the first embodiment is obtained. be able to.

(Third embodiment)
For example, in the first embodiment, if there is no capacity for storing all content data such as key image data and shared objects in the external medium, a part of the data is introduced to the introduction destination via the network as necessary. It is desirable that it can be provided. Also in this case or in the case of the second embodiment, from the viewpoint of security related to information leakage and the ability of the network environment of the introduction destination (mainly the line speed), the introduction destination is introduced from the introduction source via the network. It is preferable to limit the type of data from which data is acquired.

  Therefore, the medical image diagnosis support system according to the present embodiment automatically determines the contents to be included in the information to be sent, the presence / absence of provision of various contents to the referral destination, and the provision method according to the security level of the referral destination and the line speed. To do.

  The configuration of the medical image diagnosis support system 10 according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. Only components having different functions will be described below.

  The control unit 11 reads a dedicated program stored in the storage device 21 and develops it on a memory (not shown), thereby realizing a sending information determination function to be described later.

  The offer information generation unit 13 executes a process according to the offer information determination function (a report information determination process) based on the contents input from the operation unit 17 and various tables stored in the storage device 21. The contents of this process will be described in detail later.

  The storage device 21 stores a dedicated program for executing the sending information determination process and various tables referred to in the sending information determination process.

  8 to 10 are diagrams showing various tables stored in the storage device 21 and referred to in the sending information determination process.

  That is, the table shown in FIG. 8 is a communication environment information table in which the line speed and the security level for each referral destination are shown in three stages: L (low level), M (medium level), and H (high level). The sending information generator 13 refers to this table to determine the line speed and security level of the introduction destination.

  The table shown in FIG. 9 is a report table indicating whether or not network transmission is possible for each relationship between the line speed and the security level when a report is transmitted from the introduction source to the introduction destination via the network. By referring to this table, the offer transmission information generation unit 13 determines whether or not transmission using a network is possible based on the relationship between the line speed and the security level for a report desired to be included in the offer transmission information.

  The table shown in FIG. 10 is an image table indicating whether or not network transmission is possible for each relationship between the line speed and the security level when a key image is transmitted from an introduction source to an introduction destination via a network. The offer information generation unit 13 refers to this table to determine whether or not transmission using the network is possible for the key image desired to be included in the offer information from the relationship between the line speed and the security level.

(Reporting information decision function)
Next, the sending information determining function provided in the medical image diagnosis support system 10 will be described. This function automatically determines the content to be included in the sending information according to the security level and line speed of the introducing site, and the content of the sending information (or the introducing site) prioritizes the provision of the sending information by external media. It depends on whether or not priority is given to provision by network communication. The offer information determination function corresponding to various forms such as external media priority and network communication priority will be described below.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the sending information determination process in the case of external media priority. As shown in the figure, first, media priority selection, introduction destination organization input, and selection of contents to be included in the sending information are executed (steps S21 and S22). That is, key images and reports to be included in the sending information are selected by the procedure shown in steps S1 to S4 in FIG. In addition, selection of the key image etc. which are included in sending information can be performed according to the process of step S11-step S14 of FIG. 7, for example. In order to make the following description more specific, it is assumed that a plurality of key images and reports corresponding thereto are selected in step S12. Furthermore, media priority selection or the like is generally performed via the operation unit 17, but is not limited thereto, and may be automatically performed, for example, by initial setting.

  Next, the sending information generation unit 13 acquires the data size regarding each of the shared image having the same series ID as the key image, the report, and the key image selected in step S22 (step S23). It is determined whether or not the content can be stored in an external medium (step S24). When it is determined that all the contents can be stored in the external medium, the sending information generating unit 13 acquires the data of the corresponding contents from, for example, the image server 2, the shared object server 4 and the like, and the sending information including them. Is generated and stored in an external medium (step S25).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that all contents cannot be stored in the external medium, the sending information generation unit 13 restricts the contents selected in step S22 (that is, content data) to the operator. (Reduction in size) is prompted (step S26). In response to this, for example, when the content is reduced such that the ten key images selected in step S22 are reduced to five, the processes in steps S22 to S26 are repeatedly executed.

  Next, when the operator does not limit the content, the sending information generation unit 13 sets the content to be stored in the external media and the external media based on the preset priority order and the data size of each content. The content is determined not to be saved (step S27). Here, it is assumed that it is determined that only the shared object is stored in the external medium.

  The report sending information generation unit 13 acquires the line speed and security level related to the introduction destination organization (step S28). The line speed and the security level relating to the introduction destination organization are acquired by referring to a table stored in the storage device 21 based on the introduction destination information input in step S22. The offer sending information generation unit 13 determines whether or not the content not stored in the external medium can be provided via the network based on the acquired line speed and security level related to the introduction destination organization (step S29).

  When it is determined that at least one of the image data and the report can be provided via the network, the sending information generation unit 13 uses the address information for accessing the content determined to be provided via the network. And the shared object which has the same series ID as the content selected in step S22 is acquired, and the sending information is generated using these and stored in the external medium (step S30). In addition, when it is determined that the image data and the report cannot be provided on the network, the sending information generation unit 13 acquires only the shared object, generates the sending information using these, stores them in the external medium, The offer generation process is terminated (step S30 ′).

  In step S29 or S30, for example, as described in the first embodiment, the shared object with the same series ID as the content selected in step S22 is used as it is or in a predetermined item. It is preferably acquired automatically in a thinned form.

According to the media-prioritized sending information determination process described above, for example, when the introduction destination is the institution A and all the selected contents cannot be stored in the external medium, the line speed and security level of the institution A are acquired. Based on these, it is determined whether or not provision is possible via the network. As shown in FIG.
Since the line speed and security level of the institution A are both “M”, it is determined that the selected report can be provided via the network, while the selected key image is determined not to be provided via the network. Is done. Accordingly, the sending information including the shared object itself and the address information of the report is stored in the external medium.

  Next, the sending information determination process in the case of network priority will be described.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the sending information determination process in the case of network priority. As shown in the figure, first, media priority selection, referral agency,
Selection of content to be included in the sending information is executed (steps S31 and S32). Here, for the sake of concrete explanation, it is assumed that a key image and a report are selected as contents to be included in the sending information.

  Next, the sending information generation unit 13 refers to the table stored in the storage device 21 based on the introduction destination information input in step S32, and acquires the line speed and security level related to the introduction destination organization (step S31). S33). The report sending information generation unit 13 determines whether or not the key image selected in step S32, the report, and the shared object having the same series ID can be transmitted via the network based on the acquired line speed and security level. If it is determined that transmission is possible, the sending information including the addresses of all contents is generated and stored in the external medium (steps S34 and S35).

  Next, when it is determined that transmission is impossible, the sending information generation unit 13 acquires the data sizes of all contents (step S36), and determines whether these can be stored in an external medium. (Step S37). When it is determined that it can be stored in the external medium, the sending information generation unit 13 acquires corresponding content data from, for example, the image server 2, the shared object server 4, and the like, and generates sending information including them. At the same time, it is stored in an external medium (step S38). On the other hand, if it is determined that the information cannot be stored in the external medium, the sending information generator 13 prompts the content selected in step S32 to be reduced (step S39). When the operator performs content reduction, the processing from step S36 to step S38 is repeatedly executed.

  On the other hand, when the operator does not limit the content, the sending information generation unit 13 selects the selected image and the data based on the preset priority, the data size of each content, the capacity of the external media, and the like. It is determined whether or not any of the reports is stored in an external medium (step S40). When it is determined that either the selected image or report is to be stored in the external medium, the sending information generation unit 13 sends the selected information and the report and one of the shared objects or the attached information. And stored in an external medium (step S41). On the other hand, when it is determined that neither the selected image nor the report is stored in the external medium, the sending information generation unit 13 generates sending information including only the shared object or the shared object and the attached information, The data is stored in the medium, and the processing for generating the sending information is finished (step S42).

  According to the above-mentioned network priority report sending information determination process, for example, when the introduction destination is the institution A, the line speed and the security level of the institution A are both “M” as shown in FIG. It is determined that the selected report can be provided via the network, while it is determined that the selected key image cannot be provided via the network. Accordingly, in the external media, the sending information including the shared object, the address information of the report, or the sending information including the key image is automatically stored according to the capacity of the external media.

  According to the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  In other words, according to the medical image diagnosis support apparatus, the content of the content to be included in the information to be sent, the presence / absence of provision of various contents to the referral destination, and the provision according to the security level, line speed, external media capacity, etc. Automatically determine the method. Therefore, it is possible to determine an optimum providing method even when, for example, a large amount of images or the like are included in the sending information while ensuring the safety regarding information leakage. As a result, it is possible to reduce the work load at the referral source and the referral destination at the time of taking over the patient, and to realize a high-quality medical service by cooperation between the referral source and the referral destination.

  Further, according to the medical image diagnosis support apparatus, it is possible to arbitrarily select the media priority mode or the network priority mode, and it is possible to optimally determine the content of the sending information and the providing method thereof in each selected mode. . Therefore, the referral source or the referral destination can provide the sending information in a desired form, and a high-quality medical service can be realized by cooperation between the referral source and the referral destination.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Specific examples of modifications are as follows.

  (1) Each function according to the present embodiment can also be realized by installing a program for executing the processing in a computer such as a workstation and developing the program on a memory. At this time, a program capable of causing the computer to execute the technique is stored in a recording medium such as a magnetic disk (floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), or a semiconductor memory. It can also be distributed.

  (2) In 1st Embodiment, the structure which produces | generates the sending information containing the selected key image, a report, and the shared object corresponding to these was shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the sending information including only the shared object corresponding to the selected key image or the like may be generated. In such a case, the sending information including only the shared object may be generated in step S7 according to the processing flow shown in FIG. Also in the second embodiment, for example, the sending information including the address information of the shared object corresponding to the selected key image or the like may be generated. In such a case, according to the processing flow shown in FIG. 7, for example, only the address information of the shared object is acquired in step S15, and the sending information including this is generated in step S17.

  (3) In the third embodiment, the contents to be included in the information to be sent and the method for providing them are determined from the viewpoints of both security and line speed related to information leakage at the referral organization. However, without being limited to this, the determination may be performed from the viewpoint of only one of the security and the line speed regarding information leakage of the introduction destination organization. Even in such a case, according to the flow of the process shown in FIG. 11 (or FIG. 12), in step S28 (or step S34), the determination on the basis of the security or the line speed related to the information leakage of the referral organization is performed. That's fine.

  (4) In each of the above embodiments, in order to designate a key image or the like desired to be included in the sending information, an example is given in which these pieces of information are once displayed on the display unit 15. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a predetermined key image or the like included in the sending information may be automatically selected by an initial setting or a manual operation that does not assume display.

  In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the case where the referral medical institution introduces another medical institution to the patient, the medical image diagnosis support apparatus and the apparatus capable of generating suitable information from security and medical viewpoints are provided. A medical image diagnostic apparatus can be realized.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Medical image diagnosis support system, 2 ... Image server, 3 ... Report server 3 ... Shared object server, 10 ... Medical image diagnosis support apparatus, 11 ... Control part, 13 ... Report information generation part, 15 ... Display part, 17 ... Operation unit, 19 ... external media drive, 21 ... storage device, 23 ... transmission / reception unit

Claims (12)

A selection means for selecting at least one of an image and a report about the patient;
Generating means for generating sending information including auxiliary information, which is information used when the referral institution introduces the patient to the referral destination based on at least one of the selected image and report; ,
Storage means for storing the generated sending information in portable media;
A medical image diagnostic apparatus or a medical image diagnostic support apparatus.   The generating means is necessary for accessing information for identifying the referral source organization, the patient identifying information in the referral source organization, the patient identifying information in the referral destination organization, and a predetermined server. The medical image diagnosis apparatus or medical image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sending information is generated so as to include at least one of the received information as the attached information.   The said production | generation means produces | generates the said sending information so that the information which specifies the manager of the said sending information or the information for contacting the said manager may be included as said attached information. A medical image diagnosis apparatus or a medical image diagnosis support apparatus.   The generation unit is for the introduction destination terminal to acquire the shared object, which is information for indicating the characteristic regarding the medical practice from which the selected image or report is acquired, or the shared object via the network. The medical image diagnosis apparatus or medical image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sending information including information is generated.   The generation means includes a program for displaying the content of the shared object, style information for displaying the shared object, information for displaying the shared object with predetermined software, such as the amount of exposure of the patient over a certain period of time. The medical image diagnosis apparatus or medical image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sending information is generated so that at least one of them is included as the attached information.   The generating means is information for managing at least one of the selected image and report, and the shared object or the shared object is determined based on series information that specifies time, space, and clinical characteristics of the information. 6. The medical image diagnosis apparatus or medical image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the offer information including information to be acquired by the introduction destination terminal is generated via a network.   The generation means includes the offer information including information for the terminal of the introduction destination to acquire at least one of the selected image and report or at least one of the selected image and report via a network. The medical image diagnosis apparatus or medical image diagnosis support apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the medical image diagnosis apparatus or the medical image diagnosis support apparatus is generated. When the image is selected by the selection unit, the image processing apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines whether to include the selected image in the sending information based on the communication environment information of the introduction destination.
When the determination unit determines that the selected image is to be included in the sending information, the generation unit causes the introduction destination terminal to transmit the selected image or the selected image via a network. Generating said sending information including information for obtaining;
The medical image diagnosis apparatus or medical image diagnosis support apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6. If the report is selected by the selection means, further comprising a determination means for determining whether to include the selected report in the offer information based on the communication environment information of the introduction destination,
When the determination unit determines that the selected report includes the selected report in the offer information, the introduction destination terminal transmits the selected report or the selected report via the network. Generating said sending information including information for obtaining;
The medical image diagnosis apparatus or medical image diagnosis support apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6.   The medical image diagnosis apparatus or medical image diagnosis support according to claim 9, wherein the communication environment information of the introduction destination includes at least one of the network speed of the introduction destination and safety related to information leakage of the introduction destination. apparatus. When the image is selected by the selection unit, it is determined whether to store the image on the portable medium based on the data size of the portable medium and the selected image. A determination means,
The generation unit stores the selected image in the portable medium when the determination unit determines that the selected image can be stored in the portable medium, and the determination unit selects the selected image. If it is determined that the stored image cannot be stored in the portable medium, generating the sending information including information for the introduction destination terminal to acquire the selected image via a network;
The medical image diagnosis apparatus or medical image diagnosis support apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6. When the report is selected by the selection means, it is determined whether to save the report on the portable medium based on the capacity of the portable medium and the data size of the selected report. A determination means,
When the determination unit determines that the selected report can be stored on the portable medium, the generation unit stores the selected report on the portable medium, and the determination unit is selected. Generating the report information including information for the introduction destination terminal to acquire the selected report via the network, if it is determined that the report cannot be stored in the portable medium,
The medical image diagnosis apparatus or medical image diagnosis support apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

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