JP2013215221A - Image processing device, image processing method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically adjust at least obtained two images so that the images can be viewed in the same way, irrespective of the difference in the kind of a modality and in an imaging method.SOLUTION: A window processing condition deciding means (50) of an image processing device (14) refers to a gradation pattern table (46) storing gradation patterns of a predetermined part according to a modality and an imaging method, thereby searching a gradation pattern according to the predetermined part of at least the two input images which are different in modality and/or an imaging method. The means (50) decides window processing conditions for the two input images according to the searched gradation pattern. A window processing means (52) performs window processing for the two input images on the basis of the window processing conditions.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method for comparing and displaying at least two input images photographed with different modalities and / or photographed with different photographing methods, and to operate the image processing apparatus. Related to the program.

  In recent years, when performing an examination on the same person (for example, photographing an image of the same patient), photographing may be performed with different modalities, or even with the same modality, photographing may be performed with different photographing protocols (imaging methods). In this case, at least two images of the same person captured by different types of modalities and / or different imaging methods are compared and displayed on the display device (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-16480 A

  In this way, when two images shot with different types of modalities or two images shot with different shooting methods with the same modality are compared and displayed on a display device, it is an image of the same person but at first glance. It may look different. For this reason, for example, when it is desired to perform comparative observation of the same lesion site, a doctor needs to finely adjust the window width (WW) and window level (WL) of these images at the time of interpretation diagnosis. However, for the doctor, fine adjustment of WW and WL is a complicated operation.

  Further, even if two images are taken at different times, the CT value is meaningful as long as the two CT images are taken with the same CT apparatus. Is possible. However, for two images taken with other modalities (for example, an MRI apparatus), the numerical values of the two images may not be meaningful. Therefore, it becomes difficult to automatically adjust the two images to the same appearance. In such a case, the doctor is forced to perform complicated fine adjustment operations on the two images.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and automatically obtains the same appearance for at least two acquired images regardless of differences in the types of modality and the photographing method. An object is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program that can be adjusted.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes:
Image acquisition means for acquiring at least two input images shot by different modalities and / or shot by different shooting methods;
Designating means for designating a predetermined part commonly included in the two input images;
An alignment means for relatively aligning positions of predetermined portions of the two input images by adjusting at least one of the two input images;
A shading pattern table storing the shading pattern of the predetermined portion according to the modality and the imaging method;
Referring to the shading pattern table, a shading pattern corresponding to a predetermined part of the two input images is searched, and a window processing condition determination for determining a window processing condition for the two input images according to the searched shading pattern Means,
Window processing means for performing window processing on the two input images based on the determined window processing conditions;
Display means for comparing and displaying the two input images processed by the window processing means;
It is characterized by having.

The image processing method according to the present invention includes:
Acquiring at least two input images taken with different modalities and / or taken with different imaging methods;
A designation step for designating a predetermined part commonly included in the two input images;
An alignment step of relatively aligning positions of predetermined portions of the two input images by adjusting at least one of the two input images;
With reference to the shading pattern table storing the shading pattern of the predetermined part corresponding to the modality and the imaging method, the shading pattern corresponding to the predetermined part of the two input images is searched, and according to the searched shading pattern A window processing condition determining step for determining window processing conditions for the two input images;
A window processing step for performing window processing on the two input images based on the determined window processing conditions;
A display step for comparing and displaying the two input images processed in the window processing step;
It is characterized by having.

Further, a program according to the present invention provides a computer,
Image acquisition means for acquiring at least two input images shot by different modalities and / or shot by different shooting methods;
Designating means for designating a predetermined part commonly included in the two input images;
An alignment means for relatively aligning positions of predetermined portions of the two input images by adjusting at least one of the two input images;
A shading pattern table storing the shading pattern of the predetermined portion according to the modality and the imaging method;
Referring to the shading pattern table, a shading pattern corresponding to a predetermined part of the two input images is searched, and a window processing condition determination for determining a window processing condition for the two input images according to the searched shading pattern Means,
Window processing means for performing window processing on the two input images based on the determined window processing conditions;
It is made to function as a display means for comparing and displaying the two input images processed by the window processing means.

  As described above, in the present invention, with reference to the shading pattern table storing the shading pattern of the predetermined portion corresponding to the modality and the photographing method, the predetermined portion indicated by at least two input images having different types of modality and / or photographing methods. A shade pattern corresponding to the two shaded patterns is retrieved, and window processing conditions for the two input images corresponding to the retrieved shade pattern are determined.

  Therefore, if window processing is performed on the two input images according to the determined window processing conditions, and the two input images after window processing are compared and displayed on a display unit, regardless of the type of modality and the photographing method, The two input images can be displayed in the same way.

  As described above, since the two input images are automatically adjusted so that they look the same, a fine adjustment work for the two input images by the doctor is unnecessary, and the work load on the doctor is reduced. Can do. In addition, since the two input images are adjusted to the same appearance, it becomes easy to compare and visually recognize the difference in shape of a predetermined part that is common to the two input images. Interpretation diagnosis can be performed easily and efficiently.

  Here, it is preferable that the designating unit selects a predetermined site as the predetermined site, or selects a user-designated site as the predetermined site. If a predetermined part is selected as a predetermined part, two input images can be reliably and efficiently displayed on the display means. Further, if a part designated by the user (doctor) is selected as a predetermined part, two images desired by the doctor can be compared and displayed on the display means with the same appearance.

  Further, the window processing means adjusts the window level and the window width of one input image of the two input images, and also adjusts the window level and the window width of the other input image based on a predetermined condition. It is preferable to adjust. Thereby, the window processing for the two input images can be easily performed.

  According to the present invention, with reference to the shading pattern table storing the shading pattern of the predetermined part corresponding to the modality and the imaging method, the at least two input images having different types of modality and / or imaging methods are used. The shade pattern is searched, and window processing conditions for the two input images corresponding to the searched shade pattern are determined.

  Therefore, if window processing is performed on the two input images according to the determined window processing conditions, and the two input images after window processing are compared and displayed on a display unit, regardless of the type of modality and the photographing method, The two input images can be displayed in the same way.

  As described above, since the two input images are automatically adjusted so that they look the same, a fine adjustment work for the two input images by the doctor is unnecessary, and the work load on the doctor is reduced. Can do. In addition, since the two input images are adjusted to the same appearance, it becomes easy to compare and visually recognize the difference in shape of a predetermined part that is common to the two input images. Interpretation diagnosis can be performed easily and efficiently.

It is a schematic block diagram of a medical information system including an image interpretation workstation as an image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram of the image interpretation workstation of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement process of the image interpretation workstation of FIG. It is a list which shows a shading pattern table. It is explanatory drawing which shows CT image displayed on the display means. It is explanatory drawing which shows the MRI image displayed on the display means. It is explanatory drawing which shows the MRI image after the window process displayed on the display means. It is explanatory drawing which shows the case where a CT image and the MRI image after a window process are compared and displayed on the comparison image display means.

  Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings by giving preferred embodiments in relation to an image processing method and a program.

[Configuration of image processing apparatus]
As shown in FIG. 1, in the medical information system 10 to which the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is applied, the modality 12, the image interpretation workstation 14 as the image processing apparatus, the image, as in the medical information system of Patent Document 1. The server 16 and the image database 18 are connected via a network 22 so that they can communicate with each other. Each of these devices is controlled by a program installed from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a program installed after being downloaded from a server connected via a network such as the Internet.

  The modality 12 obtains an image indicating the part by photographing the part to be examined of the same person (same patient), adds the accompanying information such as examination information and patient information to the image, and outputs the image. As ancillary information, for example, an image ID for identifying individual images, a patient ID for identifying patients, an examination ID for identifying examinations, a unique ID (UID) assigned to each image, Examination date and time when the image was generated, type of modality used in the exam to obtain the image, patient information such as patient name, age, and sex, examination site (imaging site), imaging information (imaging) Protocol, imaging sequence, imaging technique, imaging conditions, use of contrast agent, etc.) Information such as a series number or collection number when a plurality of images are acquired in one examination can be included.

  Examples of such modalities 12 include a CT apparatus, an MRI apparatus, and a PET apparatus. In the present embodiment, the modality 12 may indicate two or more apparatuses among the CT apparatus, the MRI apparatus, and the PET apparatus, or may indicate only one apparatus. In addition, the images acquired by the modality 12 are at least two images acquired by different devices, or at least two images having different shooting methods even in the same device. For example, in the case of a CT apparatus, it is image data of a plurality of three-dimensional images representing a patient's examination target region, and is a collection of image data of tomographic images with a predetermined slice interval and slice thickness.

  The interpretation workstation 14 is a device used by a doctor who is a user to perform an interpretation diagnosis on the examination target part of the same patient included in the above-described at least two images and to create a result (interpretation report). Display means such as a display and operation means such as a keyboard and a mouse are provided. In this case, the image interpretation workstation 14 requests the image server 16 to transmit an image to be interpreted when the doctor performs an operation (instruction) for requesting viewing of the image to be interpreted, and the image server 16 interprets the image. Desired images (at least two images) are acquired. Then, the image interpretation workstation 14 executes window processing to be described later on at least two acquired images in response to a request from a doctor or automatically.

  Upon receiving an image registration request from the modality 12, the image server 16 arranges the image into a database format and registers it in the image database 18. As a result, the image data of the three-dimensional image and the accompanying information are registered in the image database 18. When the image server 16 receives a browsing request from the image interpretation workstation 14 via the network 22, the image server 16 searches the images registered in the image database 18 for the image and supplementary information that are subject to the browsing request. The searched image and the accompanying information are transmitted to the interpretation workstation 14.

  The image interpretation workstation 14 as an image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is a computer including display means such as a display and operation means such as a keyboard and a mouse, and each component shown in FIG. Can be operated.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the interpretation workstation 14 includes an image selection unit 30, an image information acquisition unit 32, an image display unit 34, a designation unit 36, a comparison image determination unit 38, a display unit 40, and a comparison image display unit 42. . The comparison image determination unit 38 includes a density pattern table 46, a positioning unit 48, a processing condition determination unit 50, and a processing unit 52.

  The image selection means 30 is an input tool such as a mouse, a keyboard, a pen touch tool, or a touch panel. In this case, a list of images registered in the image database 18 is displayed on the image display means 34 which is a display device such as a display.

  The image list is a list of information indicating each image registered in the image database 18 created by the image server 16 in response to a request from the image interpretation workstation 14, for example, a thumbnail display of each image. Or a list of information (file names, etc.) that characterizes each image. Therefore, the doctor can select at least two images to be subjected to interpretation diagnosis from the displayed list of images by operating the image selection means 30. In this case, at least two images to be subjected to interpretation diagnosis are, for example, an image acquired by the current imaging and an image acquired by the previous imaging for the same patient. By displaying on the screen of the comparative image display means 42, the doctor can perform interpretation diagnosis such as follow-up observation.

  The image information acquisition unit 32 acquires at least two images selected by the doctor and supplementary information of the two images from the image server 16 via the network 22. Accordingly, at least two acquired images (hereinafter also referred to as two input images) and incidental information are displayed on the image display unit 34.

  The designation unit 36 is an input tool similar to the image selection unit 30. In this case, the doctor designates a predetermined part that is included in common in the two input images displayed on the image display means 34.

  The comparison image determination means 38 is photographed by different modalities 12 and / or the same modality 12 when the two input images displayed on the image display means 34 are displayed on the comparison image display means 42 for comparison. Predetermined adjustment processing (window processing) is performed automatically on the two input images so that the two input images captured by different imaging methods look the same.

  The light and shade pattern table 46 of the comparison image determining means 38 stores light and shade patterns of a predetermined part corresponding to the modality and the imaging method. In this case, for example, the gray level pattern table 46 includes numerical values (for example, window level (WL) and window width (WW) when displaying predetermined portions in the input image on the screens of the display means 40 and the comparison image display means 42). WL / WW) is stored as a shading pattern.

  The alignment unit 48 relatively aligns the positions of predetermined portions of the two input images by adjusting the position of at least one of the two input images on the screen.

  The processing condition determining unit 50 refers to the density pattern table 46 and searches for the density pattern (WL / WW) corresponding to the predetermined part designated by the doctor with the designation means 36. Then, the processing condition determining means 50 determines window processing conditions (conditions for adjusting WL / WW) for two input images according to the searched WL / WW.

  The processing unit 52 adjusts the window width and window level of the two input images to the window width and window level based on the window processing condition determined by the processing condition determination unit 50 (executes window processing). The display means 40 is a display device similar to the image display means 34, and displays two input images after window processing.

  The comparison image display unit 42 is a display device similar to the image display unit 34 and the display unit 40, and compares and displays the two input images after the window processing by the processing unit 52.

  In the present embodiment, the image display unit 34, the display unit 40, and the comparative image display unit 42 may be the same display device (display) or different displays. The image selection means 30 and the designation means 36 may be the same input tool or different input tools.

[Operation of image processing apparatus]
The operation (image processing method) of the image interpretation workstation 14 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, in this description, it demonstrates with reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2 as needed.

  Here, description will be made assuming that the light and shade pattern table 46 stores the modality 12 shown in FIG. 4 and the window level and the window width (WL / WW) indicating the light and shade pattern predetermined for each part.

  FIG. 4 shows a window level and a window width (WL / WW) indicating the shading pattern created in advance and stored in the shading pattern table 46 according to the type of modality 12 owned by one medical institution and the imaging method. ) Shows the default value. In FIG. 4, MR (T1) indicates a T1-weighted image of the MRI apparatus, MR (T2) indicates a T2-weighted image of the MRI apparatus, and PET (SUV) indicates an SUV (standardized uptake value of the PET apparatus). ) Show the image.

  In step S1 (acquisition step) of FIG. 3, first, the image interpretation workstation 14 displays a list of images registered in the image database 18 on the image display means 34. In this case, the image interpretation workstation 14 requests the image server 16 to transmit a list of images through the network 22 automatically or in accordance with an acquisition request instruction by the operation of the doctor's image selection means 30. The image server 16 creates a list of images registered in the image database 18 in accordance with a transmission request from the interpretation workstation 14 and transmits the created list of images to the interpretation workstation 14 via the network 22. The image information acquisition unit 32 acquires a list of images and causes the image display unit 34 to display the list.

  Next, the doctor operates the image selection unit 30 to select two input images to be displayed on the comparison image display unit 42 from the list of images. Accordingly, the image interpretation workstation 14 requests the image server 16 to transmit two input images and supplementary information via the network 22. The image server 16 transmits the two input images requested to be transmitted from the image selection means 30 and the accompanying information to the image interpretation workstation 14 via the network 22. Thereby, the image information acquisition means 32 can acquire two input images and incidental information, and the image display means 34 can display the acquired two input images and incidental information.

  For example, the image display means 34 can separately display the CT image shown in FIG. 5 and the MR image shown in FIG. 6 on the screen. 5 and 6 illustrate a CT image and an MR image acquired by CT imaging and MR imaging for the same patient, respectively.

  In FIG. 5, a window 60 for displaying a CT image and a window 62 for displaying a histogram 80 of the CT image and the like are displayed on the screen of the image display means 34. The window 60 includes a display frame 64 that displays an axial image 72 of the head, a display frame 66 that displays a 3D image 74, a display frame 68 that displays a sagittal image 76, and a display frame 70 that displays a coronal image 78. Consists of

  In this case, the axial image 72 is displayed on the display frame 64 with WL = 40 and WW = 80. The window 62 also shows a pattern characteristic 82 indicating WL and WW for displaying the axial image 72 on the screen of the image display means 34 with respect to the histogram 80 indicating the CT value of the CT image. That is, in the histogram 80, CT value = 40 is set to WL, CT value = 0 to 80 is set to WW, and the region where the CT value is 0 or less is 256 gradations of the display (screen of the image display means 34). Is set to 0 (white), and the area of 80 or more is set to 256 (black). A range of white, black, and gray (CT value = 0 to 80) is displayed on the display bar 84 so as to be easily recognized by a doctor. The WW shown in the pattern characteristic 82 can be adjusted by the doctor operating the operation bar 86 with a mouse or the like.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 6, a window 90 for displaying the MR image and a window 92 for displaying the histogram 110 of the MR image are displayed on the screen of the image display means 34. The window 90 includes a display frame 94 that displays the axial image 102 of the head, a display frame 96 that displays the 3D image 108, a display frame 98 that displays the sagittal image 104, and a display frame 100 that displays the coronal image 106. Consists of

  In this case, the axial image 102 is displayed on the display frame 94 with WL = 546 and WW = 1049. The window 92 also shows a pattern characteristic 112 showing WL and WW for displaying the axial image 102 on the screen of the image display means 34 with respect to the histogram 110 showing the numerical value of the MR image. That is, in the histogram 110, the numerical value = 546 is set to WL, the numerical value = 21 to 1070 is set to WW, and the numerical value of 21 or less is 0 (white) of 256 gradations of the display (screen of the image display means 34). The area of 1070 or more is set to 256 (black). The range of white, black, and gray (numerical value = 21 to 1070) is displayed on the display bar 114 so as to be easily recognized by a doctor. The WW shown in the pattern characteristic 112 can be adjusted by the doctor operating the operation bar 116 with a mouse or the like.

  In the next step S2 (designation step), the doctor operates the designation means 36 to be included in common in the CT image (axial image 72) and MR image (axial image 102) displayed on the image display means 34. Designate a predetermined part. For example, the doctor designates the brain parenchyma as a predetermined part in the axial images 72 and 102.

  In the next step S3 (alignment step), the alignment means 48 adjusts the position on the screen of at least one input image of the axial images 72 and 102, and predetermined portions of the two axial images 72 and 102. The positions of are relatively aligned. For example, with respect to the axial images 72 and 102, the axial image 72 is displayed at substantially the center of the display frame 64, while the axial image 102 is displayed so as to protrude from the display frame 94. The display position of the axial image 102 is adjusted to match the display position of the axial image 72.

  In the next step S4 (window processing condition determining step), the processing condition determining means 50 refers to the light / dark pattern table 46 of FIG. 4, and the light / dark pattern (WL / WW) corresponding to the brain parenchyma designated by the doctor 36 by the specifying means 36. ) To determine window processing conditions for two images according to the searched shading pattern.

  For example, when determining the window processing conditions of the CT image (axial image 72), the processing condition determining means 50 refers to FIG. 4 and “60/350 corresponding to the head (brain parenchyma) and CT (HU)”. ”And the window processing condition of the axial image 72 is set based on the searched shading pattern. Further, when determining the window processing conditions of the MR image (axial image 102), the processing condition determining means 50 refers to FIG. 4 and “1000/2000” corresponding to the head (brain parenchyma) and MR (T1). Or “400/500” corresponding to the head (brain parenchyma) and MR (T2), and the window processing condition of the axial image 102 is set based on the searched shading pattern.

  In the next step S5 (window processing step), the processing means 52 adjusts WL and WW of the axial images 72 and 102 to WL and WW based on the window processing condition determined by the processing condition determination means 50.

  FIG. 7 illustrates an MR image displayed on the display unit 40 after processing by the processing condition determination unit 50. That is, the MR image of FIG. 7 is generated by adjusting the MR image of FIG. 6 so as to match the appearance of the CT image of FIG. 5 and displayed on the display means 40.

  In this case, in FIG. 7, as in FIG. 6, a window 120 for displaying the MR image and a window 122 for displaying the histogram 140 of the MR image are displayed on the screen of the image display means 34. The window 120 includes a display frame 124 that displays the axial image 132 after window processing, a display frame 126 that displays the 3D image 138, a display frame 128 that displays the sagittal image 134, and a display frame 130 that displays the coronal image 136. It consists of.

  In this case, the axial image 132 is displayed on the display frame 124 with WL = 1366 and WW = 2716 by the process of step S5. In the window 122, a histogram 140 and a pattern characteristic 142 are displayed. In the histogram 140, the numerical value = 1366 is set to WL, the numerical value = 7 to 2723 is set to WW, and the numerical values of 7 or less are set to 0 (white) of 256 gradations of the display (screen of the display means 40). , 2723 and above are set to 256 (black). The range of white, black, and gray (7 to 2723) is displayed on the display bar 144 so as to be easily recognized by a doctor. The WW shown in the pattern characteristic 142 can be adjusted by the doctor operating the operation bar 146 with a mouse or the like.

  In this way, in step S6 (display step) after the CT image and MR image are adjusted to the same appearance, the comparison image display means 42, as shown in FIG. 8, displays two axial images after the window processing. 72 and 132 are compared and displayed in a window 150 on the screen. In this case, the axial image 72 is displayed on the left display frame 152 and the axial image 132 is displayed on the right display frame 154. Thus, the doctor can easily perform an image interpretation diagnosis on the brain entity of the patient while comparing the two axial images 72 and 132 having the same appearance.

  In the above description, as an example, a case has been described in which a doctor designates a brain entity as a predetermined part, reads the shade pattern of the brain entity from the shade pattern table 46 according to this designation, and sets the window processing conditions.

  In the present embodiment, the description is not limited to this. For example, a blood vessel (coronary artery) may be designated as a predetermined portion, and the blood vessel shade pattern may be read from the shade pattern table 46 in accordance with this designation.

  Further, the setting of the window processing conditions and the window processing described above may be changed as follows (Example 1 and Example 2).

[Example 1]
When the processing unit 52 changes the WL and WW of one input image, the processing unit 52 may automatically change the WL and WW of the other input image. That is, the gray pattern is read from the gray pattern table 46 for only a predetermined part of one input image of the two input images, the window processing condition of one input image is set based on the read gray pattern, and the window processing condition The window processing of one input image is performed according to Next, based on the result of the window processing of one input image, the window processing of the other input image is performed.

  Specifically, when it is assumed that the histogram of a predetermined region of interest such as the brain parenchyma is a normal distribution, for example, the WW of the input image is set to 4SD with respect to the standard deviation SD of the normal distribution of the histogram of one input image. It is defined as (−2SD to + 2SD) minutes. Accordingly, after changing the WL and WW of one input image, the WL and WW of the other input image are changed so that the change amounts coincide with each other in the distributions of the two input images.

  Here, specific numerical values will be described.

  When one input image is a CT image of the brain parenchyma and the other image is an MR image of the brain parenchyma, referring to FIG. 4, the density pattern of the CT image is “60/350”, and the MR image The shading pattern is “1000/2000”. Therefore, first, these values are once applied to the CT image and the MR image.

  Next, a doctor performs fine correction with a mouse or the like to change the WL and WW of the CT image from “60/350” to “120/700”.

Next, for the other input image, WL and WW are automatically corrected based on the result of fine correction of the one input image. Specifically, the WL and WW of the MR image are determined as in the following equations (1) and (2).
WL = 1000 + (120-60) × 2000/350
≈ 1342.85 (1)
WW = 2000 × 700/350 = 4000 (2)

  In the case where the doctor continuously changes using a mouse or the like, it is desirable to change the WL value of another input image by the above calculation method using the previous WL / WW value.

[Example 2]
Analyzing the histogram of the region of interest specified by the doctor (such as the brain parenchyma and blood vessels) (the range of several tens of pixels from any point in the input image clicked with the mouse or the like), the two input images WL / WW May be matched.

  In this case, since the alignment between the two input images has already been made in advance before setting the window processing condition, if the doctor designates an arbitrary position in one input image, the same position in the other input image is set. I know the pixel. Therefore, a histogram of the attention area around it can be acquired. Therefore, the WL / WW of the other input image is changed so that the WL / WW on the normal distribution of the two input images tend to have the same tendency.

  Here, specific numerical values will be described.

  With respect to the histogram of the target site (near the predetermined site or the predetermined site itself) in the CT image, the center is 100 and the standard deviation SD is 50. On the other hand, regarding the MR image, the center of the histogram of the target part (near the predetermined part or the predetermined part itself) is set to 3000, and the standard deviation SD is set to 1000.

When WL = 120 and WW = 100 are applied to the target region in the CT image, WL and WW of the other MR image are calculated as in the following equations (3) and (4). Is desirable.
WL = 3000 + (120−100) × 1000/50 = 3400 (3)
WW = 1000 × 100/50 = 2000 (4)

[Effect of this embodiment]
As described above, in the present embodiment, at least two different types of modality 12 and / or imaging methods are referred to with reference to the shading pattern table 46 storing the shading pattern of a predetermined part corresponding to the modality 12 and the imaging method. A light / dark pattern (WL / WW) corresponding to a predetermined portion indicated by the input image is searched, and window processing conditions (WL / WW) for two input images corresponding to the searched light / dark pattern are determined.

  Accordingly, if window processing is performed on two input images in accordance with the determined window processing conditions, and the two input images after the window processing are compared and displayed on the comparison image display means 42, the type of modality 12 and the difference in photographing method are related. In addition, two input images can be displayed in the same way.

  As described above, since the two input images are automatically adjusted so as to have the same appearance, the fine adjustment work for the two input images by the doctor becomes unnecessary, and the work load on the doctor can be reduced. . Also, since the two input images are adjusted to have the same appearance, it becomes easy to compare and visually recognize the difference in the shape of a predetermined portion that exists in common in the two input images. Can be easily and efficiently performed.

  Moreover, since the designation | designated means 36 selects the site | part designated by the doctor as a predetermined site | part, it can compare-display the two images which the doctor desires on the comparison image display means 42 by the same appearance. In addition, when the image including the site | part compared and displayed by the comparison image display means 42 is decided beforehand, the designation | designated means 36 may select a predetermined site | part automatically as a predetermined site | part. Even in this case, the two input images can be reliably and efficiently compared and displayed on the comparison image display means 42.

  In addition, when the processing unit 52 adjusts the WL and WW of one of the two input images, the processing unit 52 may also adjust the WL and WW of the other input image based on the adjustment result. Thereby, the window processing for the two input images can be easily performed.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, Of course, it can change freely in the range which does not deviate from the main point of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Modality 14 ... Interpretation workstation 30 ... Image selection means 32 ... Image information acquisition means 34 ... Image display means 36 ... Designation means 38 ... Comparison image determination means 42 ... Comparison image display means 46 ... Shading pattern table 48 ... Positioning means 50: Processing condition determining means 52 ... Processing means 72, 102, 132 ... Axial images 80, 110, 140 ... Histograms 82, 112, 142 ... Pattern characteristics

Claims (6)

Image acquisition means for acquiring at least two input images shot by different modalities and / or shot by different shooting methods;
Designating means for designating a predetermined part commonly included in the two input images;
An alignment means for relatively aligning positions of predetermined portions of the two input images by adjusting at least one of the two input images;
A shading pattern table storing the shading pattern of the predetermined portion according to the modality and the imaging method;
Referring to the shading pattern table, a shading pattern corresponding to a predetermined part of the two input images is searched, and a window processing condition determination for determining a window processing condition for the two input images according to the searched shading pattern Means,
Window processing means for performing window processing on the two input images based on the determined window processing conditions;
Display means for comparing and displaying the two input images processed by the window processing means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.
The image processing apparatus characterized in that the specifying means selects a predetermined part as the predetermined part or selects a part specified by a user as the predetermined part. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
If the window level and the window width of one of the two input images are adjusted, the window processing unit also adjusts the window level and the window width of the other input image based on a predetermined condition. An image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The modality is an MRI apparatus, a CT apparatus, or a PET apparatus. Acquiring at least two input images taken with different modalities and / or taken with different imaging methods;
A designation step for designating a predetermined part commonly included in the two input images;
An alignment step of relatively aligning positions of predetermined portions of the two input images by adjusting at least one of the two input images;
With reference to the shading pattern table storing the shading pattern of the predetermined part corresponding to the modality and the imaging method, the shading pattern corresponding to the predetermined part of the two input images is searched, and according to the searched shading pattern A window processing condition determining step for determining window processing conditions for the two input images;
A window processing step for performing window processing on the two input images based on the determined window processing conditions;
A display step for comparing and displaying the two input images processed in the window processing step;
An image processing method comprising: Computer
Image acquisition means for acquiring at least two input images shot by different modalities and / or shot by different shooting methods;
Designating means for designating a predetermined part commonly included in the two input images;
An alignment means for relatively aligning positions of predetermined portions of the two input images by adjusting at least one of the two input images;
A shading pattern table storing the shading pattern of the predetermined portion according to the modality and the imaging method;
Referring to the shading pattern table, a shading pattern corresponding to a predetermined part of the two input images is searched, and a window processing condition determination for determining a window processing condition for the two input images according to the searched shading pattern Means,
Window processing means for performing window processing on the two input images based on the determined window processing conditions;
Display means for comparing and displaying the two input images processed by the window processing means;
A program characterized by making it function.

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