JP2014094293A - Image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image display device enabling a user to efficiently observe an image in association with a plurality of dimensions.SOLUTION: An image display device includes: a memory unit 14 storing a plurality of image data on an image-capturing area of a subject in association with parameter values of an image-capturing parameter set when the image-capturing area is captured; a display unit 15 displaying the image data stored by the memory unit 14; an input acceptance unit 17a accepting input of the parameter values of the image-capturing parameters; and an image display control unit 17b reading the image data corresponding to the parameter values from the memory unit 14 and displaying the read image data on the display unit 15, when the input of the parameter values is accepted by the input acceptance part 17a.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display apparatus that displays an image of a predetermined dimension based on image data obtained by imaging by an image diagnostic apparatus, and in particular, an image display capable of efficiently observing an image by associating a plurality of dimensions. Relates to the device.

  Conventionally, when displaying three-dimensional volume data in an image diagnostic apparatus such as an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) apparatus or an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus, a transverse cross-sectional image, a sagittal cross-sectional image, There is a method of displaying a coronal cross-sectional image in association with each positional relationship (for example, see Patent Document 1). A technique for reconstructing multi-sectional images such as these cross-sectional images, sagittal cross-sectional images, and coronal cross-sectional images is called MPR (Multi Planar Reconstruction).

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of an MPR screen in a conventional diagnostic imaging apparatus. FIG. 17 shows an MPR screen on which an image of a head having three-dimensional data is displayed, with a coronal cross-sectional image in frame A at the upper left, a cross-sectional image in frame B at the lower left, and an upper right image. Sagittal cross-sectional images are output to the frame C, respectively.

  In this MPR screen, the lines ROI (Region Of Interest) displayed horizontally or vertically in the frames A, B and C represent the slice positions of the cross-sections output to other frames, respectively. By moving the line ROI of any frame, the cross-sectional image output to another frame can be changed according to the position of the moved ROI.

  In this MPR screen, the operator can reconstruct and display the cross-sectional image corresponding to the position on the frame D by arranging the ROI at any position in the frames A, B and C, When there is a large amount of three-dimensional image data obtained by an X-ray CT apparatus, an MRI apparatus, or the like, an arbitrary cross-sectional image can be easily displayed.

JP-A-10-124649

  Incidentally, an image diagnostic apparatus such as an MRI apparatus or an X-ray CT apparatus can collect a plurality of spatial two-dimensional or spatial three-dimensional images having different imaging times. For example, in the MRI apparatus, there are other dimensions such as time and chemical shift in addition to the three dimensions of the space depending on the data collection method, and image data for each time and image for each chemical shift for the same position. Data exists.

  However, the above-described conventional method cannot display a three-dimensional image in association with another dimension. Therefore, for example, when trying to display images of the same position at different times, it is necessary to select the corresponding image again or input the time as a numerical value, which is difficult to perform intuitive and simple operation. there were.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems of the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image display apparatus capable of efficiently observing an image by associating a plurality of dimensions.

  An image display apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of image data related to an imaging region of a subject in association with parameter values of imaging parameters set when imaging the imaging region, and the storage unit Corresponding to the parameter value when the input of the parameter value is received by the input receiving unit and the input receiving unit that receives the input of the parameter value of the imaging parameter. An image display control unit that reads image data to be read from the storage unit and causes the display unit to display the read image data.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that image observation can be performed efficiently by associating a plurality of dimensions.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an MRI apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the image browsing screen displayed by the input reception part. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the control part in a computer system. It is a figure for demonstrating the mutual relationship and data flow of each part which the MRI apparatus which concerns on the present Example 2 has. It is a figure which shows an example of the image browsing screen in the case of displaying a cine MR image and a left ventricular volume curve. It is a figure which shows an example of the image browsing screen in the case of displaying a dynamic MR image and a dynamic curve. It is a figure which shows an example of the image browsing screen in the case of displaying a flow velocity image and a flow velocity curve. It is a figure for demonstrating the mutual relationship and data flow of each part which the MRI apparatus which concerns on the present Example 3 has. It is a figure which shows an example of the image browsing screen in the case of displaying a chemical shift image and spectrum information. It is a figure for demonstrating selection of the image data based on the information of chemical shift. It is a figure for demonstrating the mutual relationship and data flow of each part which the MRI apparatus which concerns on the present Example 4 has. It is a figure which shows an example of the image browsing screen in the case of displaying two or more dimensions other than space. It is a figure for demonstrating the mutual relationship and the data flow of each part which the MRI apparatus which concerns on the present Example 5 has. It is a figure which shows an example of the image browsing screen in the case of displaying the some image which changed the imaging parameter. It is a figure which shows an example of the image browsing screen in the case of displaying the information regarding the cardiac time phase and cardiac wall thickness in the cine MR image of the heart. It is a figure which shows the image browsing screen in the case of displaying the three-dimensional image by which the maximum value was projected. It is a figure which shows an example of the MPR screen in the conventional image diagnostic apparatus.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image display apparatus and a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to an MRI apparatus will be described.

  First, the configuration of the MRI apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the MRI apparatus 50 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the MRI apparatus 50 includes a static magnetic field magnet 1, a gradient magnetic field coil 2, a gradient magnetic field power source 3, a bed 4, a bed control unit 5, a transmission RF coil 6, a transmission unit 7, a reception RF coil 8, A receiving unit 9 and a computer system 10 are provided.

  The static magnetic field magnet 1 is a magnet formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and generates a uniform static magnetic field in an internal space. As the static magnetic field magnet 1, for example, a permanent magnet, a superconducting magnet or the like is used.

  The gradient magnetic field coil 2 is a coil formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and is disposed inside the static magnetic field magnet 1. The gradient magnetic field coil 2 is formed by combining three coils corresponding to X, Y, and Z axes orthogonal to each other, and these three coils individually supply current from a gradient magnetic field power source 3 to be described later. In response, a gradient magnetic field whose magnetic field strength changes along the X, Y, and Z axes is generated. The Z-axis direction is the same direction as the static magnetic field, for example.

  Here, the gradient magnetic fields of the X, Y, and Z axes generated by the gradient magnetic field coil 2 correspond to, for example, the slice selection gradient magnetic field Gs, the phase encoding gradient magnetic field Ge, and the readout gradient magnetic field Gr, respectively. . The slice selection gradient magnetic field Gs is used to arbitrarily determine an imaging section. The phase encoding gradient magnetic field Ge is used to change the phase of the magnetic resonance signal in accordance with the spatial position. The readout gradient magnetic field Gr is used for changing the frequency of the magnetic resonance signal in accordance with the spatial position.

  The gradient magnetic field power supply 3 is a device that supplies current to the gradient magnetic field coil 2. The couch 4 is a device including a couchtop 4a on which the subject P is placed, and the couchtop 4a is tilted in a state where the subject P is placed under the control of a couch controller 5 described later. The magnetic field coil 2 is inserted into the cavity (imaging port). Usually, the bed 4 is installed such that the longitudinal direction is parallel to the central axis of the static magnetic field magnet 1.

  The couch controller 5 is a device that controls the couch 4 and drives the couch 4 to move the top 4a in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction. The transmission RF coil 6 is a coil disposed inside the gradient magnetic field coil 2 and receives a high frequency pulse from the transmission unit 7 to generate a high frequency magnetic field.

  The transmission unit 7 is a device that includes an oscillation unit, a phase selection unit, a frequency conversion unit, an amplitude modulation unit, a high-frequency power amplification unit, and the like. The oscillation unit generates a high-frequency signal having a resonance frequency unique to the target nucleus in the static magnetic field. The phase selection unit selects the phase of the high-frequency signal. The frequency conversion unit converts the frequency of the high-frequency signal output from the phase selection unit. The amplitude modulation unit modulates the amplitude of the high-frequency signal output from the frequency conversion unit according to, for example, a sinc function. The high frequency power amplification unit amplifies the high frequency signal output from the amplitude modulation unit. As a result of the operation of each of these units, the transmission unit 7 transmits a high-frequency pulse corresponding to the Larmor frequency to the transmission RF coil 6.

  The reception RF coil 8 is a coil disposed inside the gradient magnetic field coil 2 and receives a magnetic resonance signal radiated from the subject P due to the influence of the high-frequency magnetic field. The output signal received by the reception RF coil 8 is input to the reception unit 9. The receiving unit 9 is a device that generates magnetic resonance signal data based on an output signal from the receiving RF coil 8.

  The computer system 10 is a device that performs overall control of the MRI apparatus 50, data collection, image reconstruction, and the like, and includes an interface unit 11, a data collection unit 12, a data processing unit 13, a storage unit 14, a display unit 15, and an input unit. 16 and a control unit 17.

  The interface unit 11 is a processing unit that inputs and outputs signals exchanged between these connected units and the computer system 10. The interface unit 11 is connected to the gradient magnetic field power source 3, the bed control unit 5, the transmission unit 7, the reception RF coil 8, the reception unit 9, and the like.

  The data collection unit 12 is a processing unit that collects digital signals output from the reception unit 9 via the interface unit 11. The data collection unit 12 stores the collected digital signal, that is, magnetic resonance signal data in the storage unit 14.

  The data processing unit 13 performs post-processing, that is, reconstruction such as Fourier transform, on the magnetic resonance signal data stored in the storage unit 14, and spectrum data or an image of a desired nuclear spin in the subject P. A processing unit that generates data.

  The storage unit 14 is a storage unit that stores various data. The storage unit 14 stores, for example, magnetic resonance signal data collected by the data collection unit 12, spectrum data and image data (such as three-dimensional volume data) generated by the data processing unit 13, for each patient. Here, the storage unit 14 stores image data in association with a plurality of dimensions such as, for example, spatial three dimensions and time.

  The display unit 15 is a device that displays various information such as spectrum data or image data under the control of the control unit 17. As the display unit 15, a display device such as a liquid crystal display can be used.

  The input unit 16 is a device that receives various commands and information input from the operator. As the input unit 16, a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball, a selection device such as a mode change switch, or an input device such as a keyboard can be used as appropriate.

  The control unit 17 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like (not shown), and is a processing unit that comprehensively controls the MRI apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment. For example, the control unit 17 displays a user interface for accepting various inputs on the display unit 15, accepts an instruction from the operator, and displays an image generated by the data processing unit 13 on the display unit 15. Or As a processing unit related to such input reception and image display, the control unit 17 includes an input reception unit 17a and an image display control unit 17b.

  The input receiving unit 17a is a processing unit that displays an image of a predetermined dimension on the display unit 25 and receives input information related to another dimension different from the predetermined dimension. Specifically, when receiving an image data display instruction from the operator via the input unit 16, the input receiving unit 17 a displays an image of a predetermined dimension and inputs input information regarding other dimensions from the operator. An image browsing screen for reception is output to the display unit 15.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image browsing screen displayed by the input receiving unit 17a. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the image browsing screen 100 includes an image display area for displaying a spatial three-dimensional image and a user interface area for receiving input information related to a cardiac time phase.

  Here, in the image display area, for example, a spatial three-dimensional cardiac cine MRI image obtained by electrocardiographic synchronization imaging (or pulse wave synchronization imaging) is displayed ("cardiac multi-section cine image" shown in FIG. 2). ). Specifically, in this image display area, a cine image of a coronal section image is displayed on the upper left, a cine image of a transverse section image on the lower left, and a cine image of a sagittal section image on the upper right. The image data that is the basis of these cine images is collected at each cardiac phase of the cardiac cycle. In addition to the displayed image, a plurality of image data with different cardiac phases are stored in the storage unit 14. ing.

  On the other hand, in the user interface area, for example, information in which spatial information and time information are associated is displayed. Specifically, the user interface area includes a cardiac radio wave figure (or a pulse waveform) actually captured from the subject P, or a cardiac radio wave figure 101 which is a simulated figure representing one cardiac cycle, a cardiac time phase. A scale 102 indicating the time, a slider (slide bar) 103 for designating a cardiac time phase that the operator wants to observe, an input box 104 for directly inputting the time (msec) indicating the time phase by the operator, and continuous display of images A continuous display panel 105 or the like for operating is displayed.

  The electrocardiogram 101 may display an average RR interval (900 msec in this case) of the subject P, or a representative electrocardiogram waveform of the subject P actually collected during imaging. May be displayed.

  When the input receiving unit 17a receives input information regarding another dimension, the image display control unit 17b reads the image data corresponding to the other dimension from the image data stored in the storage unit 14, and reads the image data. A processing unit that displays an image of a predetermined dimension based on the obtained image data.

  Specifically, when the input receiving unit 17a receives input information related to another dimension, the image display control unit 17b controls the data processing unit 13 to read image data corresponding to the other dimension, Various types of images are generated by performing post-processing such as MPR and cardiac function analysis on the read image data, and the generated images are displayed on the display unit 15.

  For example, when the image browsing screen 100 shown in FIG. 2 is used, the image display control unit 17b is designated when a time phase is designated by an operation on the slider 103 or a numerical value input to the input box 104. Image data corresponding to the time phase is read from the storage unit 14, and based on the read image data, a cine image of a coronal slice image, a transverse slice image and a sagittal slice image is generated and displayed in the image display area. At this time, the image display control unit 17 b displays the black dot and the numerical value within the square shown on the electrocardiogram 101 in conjunction with the time set by the slider 103.

  Next, a processing procedure of the control unit 17 in the computer system 10 described above will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the control unit 17 in the computer system 10. Here, a case where the image browsing screen 100 shown in FIG. 2 is used will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the control unit 17 of the computer system 10, when the input receiving unit 17a receives an image display instruction from the operator via the input unit 16 (step S101, Yes), a predetermined time (for example, A cross-sectional image, a sagittal cross-sectional image, and a coronal cross-sectional image of the first R-wave time, etc. are displayed in the image display area of the image browsing screen 100 displayed on the display unit 15 (step S102).

  Subsequently, when a time phase is designated by the operator via the user interface area of the image browsing screen 100 (step S103, Yes), the image display control unit 17b stores image data corresponding to the designated time phase. Read from the unit 14 (step S104), generate a cross-sectional image, a sagittal cross-sectional image, and a coronal cross-sectional image based on the read image data, and display the generated images in the image display area of the image browsing screen 100 ( Step S105).

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the storage unit 14 stores image data in association with a plurality of dimensions such as three-dimensional space and time. The input receiving unit 17a displays a predetermined dimensional image such as a spatial three-dimensional cardiac cine image and receives input information related to other dimensions such as a cardiac time phase. When the image display control unit 17b receives input information related to another dimension by the input receiving unit 17a, the image data corresponding to the other dimension is selected from the image data stored in the storage unit 14. Since an image of a predetermined dimension such as a spatial three-dimensional cine image is displayed based on the read image data and the read image data, it is possible to efficiently perform image observation by associating a plurality of dimensions.

  Normally, when imaging the heart using an MRI apparatus, a method is used in which data is collected over a plurality of heartbeats and image data is reconstructed for each cardiac phase from the collected data. For example, there is a method in which k-space is divided into a plurality of regions called segments, and data for one segment is collected for each heartbeat to reconstruct an image (also called a segmented FFE (Fast Field Echo) method). In this method, a plurality of phase encoded data are included in one segment of data.

  In the first embodiment, as described above, even when an image reconstructed from data collected over a plurality of heartbeats is displayed, the control unit 17 generates an electrocardiogram waveform (or pulse waveform) for one heartbeat. Display with image. Therefore, the operator can efficiently observe images at each time phase within one heartbeat.

  By the way, in the above embodiment, the case where the MRI apparatus 50 displays an image by associating the three-dimensional space with the cardiac time phase has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and in addition to the cardiac time phase. Can also be applied for various dimensions with respect to time. Therefore, in the following, as a second embodiment, a case where a spatial three-dimensional image is displayed in association with other dimensions related to time will be described.

  Note that the MRI apparatus according to the second embodiment basically has the same configuration as the MRI apparatus 50 shown in FIG. The mutual relationship between the units and the data flow of the MRI apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described in detail, and an example of an image browsing screen displayed by the control unit 17 (input reception unit 17a) will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the interrelationships and data flows of the units included in the MRI apparatus according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic resonance signal data collected by the imaging pulse sequence is transferred from the data collection unit 12 and stored as time domain data 14 a in the storage unit 14.

  This time domain data 14a is generally a three-dimensional structure of a lead-out (“lead” shown in FIG. 4), a phase encoding (“encoding” shown in FIG. 4), and a slice. When there is data obtained at different times such as dynamic imaging, a four-dimensional structure including a time dimension is obtained.

  Here, for example, when electrocardiographic synchronization imaging, peripheral blood flow synchronization imaging, respiratory synchronization imaging, and the like are performed, the storage unit 14 stores the time domain data 14a and the biological information being imaged as the electrocardiogram data 14b. Remembered.

  For data having time axis information, for example, time information such as t1 to tn shown in FIG. 4 is assigned to each data group. In addition, for example, when data including chemical shift information is collected, these data are data having chemical shift dimensions not shown in FIG.

  When the data processing unit 13 performs two-dimensional or three-dimensional Fourier transform on these data according to the data dimension, the image data 14c is reconstructed, and the reconstructed image data 14c is stored in the storage unit. Stored in 14 separate areas. Usually, the reconstructed image data 14c is three-dimensional data. When time-axis information is included, time information such as I1 to In shown in FIG. It becomes the structure of.

  For example, when the image browsing screen 100 shown in FIG. 2 is used, the control unit 17 is stored in the storage unit 14 when the cardiac phase, that is, the time from the R wave is designated by the operator. One image data 14c to which time information corresponding to the specified time is given is selected from the n image data groups I1 to In of the image data 14c. The control unit 17 controls the data processing unit 13 to perform cross-sectional conversion (MPR) on the selected image data, and MPR image data (coronal cross-sectional image, cross-sectional image, and sagittal cross-sectional image) obtained thereby. ) 14d is output to the display unit 15.

  The image data 14c described above may be further post-processed by the data processing unit 13 in order to obtain information necessary for diagnosis in addition to being directly displayed on the display unit 15 as an MPR image. Such processing is generally called cardiac function analysis. For example, when there is spatial three-dimensional image data obtained by electrocardiographic synchronization imaging, the contour of the left ventricular myocardium is extracted using this image data, the time change within one heartbeat of the left ventricular volume, etc. It is possible to obtain the cardiac function analysis data 14e.

  In addition to this, data output by such cardiac function analysis includes changes in myocardial wall thickness, cardiac output, ejection fraction, and “Bull's” that expresses these values in a development chart. There are various data such as an image called “eye”.

  Therefore, for example, a case where a spatial three-dimensional image is displayed in association with the left ventricular volume curve obtained by the cardiac function analysis function will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image browsing screen when displaying a cine MR image and a left ventricular volume curve.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in this case, the image browsing screen 200 is, for example, an image display area for displaying a spatial three-dimensional image and a user for receiving input information regarding the left ventricular volume curve cardiac time phase. It consists of an interface area.

  Here, in the image display area, for example, a cardiac cine MR image is displayed in the same manner as in the image browsing screen 100 shown in FIG. 2 (“heart multi-section cine image” shown in FIG. 5).

  On the other hand, in the user interface area, for example, the value of each time in one cardiac cycle is displayed as a graph for the left ventricular volume calculated by the post-processing as in the left ventricular volume curve 201 shown in FIG. . Further, a scale 202 indicating a cardiac phase, a slider 203 for designating the cardiac phase, and an input box 204 are displayed in the user interface area.

  According to this method, it becomes possible to observe the form of the heart according to the state of the heart volume. Furthermore, by displaying the input box 205 for designating the left ventricular volume (ml) corresponding to the vertical axis of the graph, the cardiac phase exhibiting the left ventricular volume of interest is selected, and the form of the heart at that time is selected. It can be observed as an image.

  The operator uses an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard of the input unit 16 to specify the time to be displayed. Based on the time information obtained by the input unit 16, the control unit 17 selects one of the n image data groups I1 to In of the image data 14c, to which the corresponding time information is assigned, and the data The MPR image that has undergone cross-sectional transformation in the processing unit 13 is output to the display unit 15. Or, if you want to display an image at a time when a specific left ventricular volume is present, you can select the desired image by displaying the value of the left ventricular volume corresponding to the vertical axis of the graph as a numerical value. is there.

  Other examples of post-processing when there is time-series data are the so-called dynamic curve obtained by plotting the pixel values in the region of interest specified on the image by the operator in the time axis direction, and the phase contrast method. There is a flow velocity curve in which the flow velocity of the spin in the region of interest is obtained from the obtained data and plotted in the time direction. These pieces of information are similarly held in the storage unit 14 as dynamic curves 14f and flow velocity data 14g. When the data processing unit 13 performs maximum value projection processing (MIP: Maximum Intensity Projection) on the image data, the maximum value projection image data 14 h obtained by the maximum value projection processing is held in the storage unit 14. The

  Thus, for example, a case where a spatial three-dimensional image is displayed in association with a dynamic curve or a flow velocity curve obtained by such post-processing will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an image browsing screen when displaying a dynamic MR image and a dynamic curve, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an image browsing screen when displaying a flow velocity image and a flow velocity curve. .

  First, a case where a spatial three-dimensional image is displayed in association with a dynamic curve will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, in this case, the image browsing screen 300 includes, for example, an image display area for displaying a spatial three-dimensional image, and a user interface area for receiving input information related to a dynamic curve. Is done.

  Here, in the image display area, for example, a three-dimensional dynamic MR image continuously displayed following a change in time after contrast agent injection is displayed (“dynamic image” shown in FIG. 6). FIG. 6 shows a case where a three-dimensional image of the abdomen is displayed. Further, a circular ROI (A and B shown in FIG. 6) is displayed on these images.

  On the other hand, in the user interface area, for example, a graph (dynamic curve) 301 representing the signal value of the region indicated by ROI set on the image in the image display area with time is displayed. Further, a scale 302 indicating the time, a slider 303 for specifying the time, and an input box 304 are displayed in the user interface area.

  The operator can observe the image contrast at that time by displaying an image corresponding to the time of interest or the signal value of the ROI using the above interface. In addition, the operator can observe the image while moving the slider 303, set the ROI on the time phase image that allows easy observation of the lesion, and view the dynamic curve of the site.

  In addition, although the example which observes the time change of the contrast effect was shown here, in addition, observation of the functional image by fMRI (functional MRI) using the BOLD (Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent) effect, or the therapeutic effect determination of the same patient It is also possible to perform image observation or the like when there is data obtained by imaging the same part over time for follow-up observation.

  Next, a case where a spatial three-dimensional image is displayed in association with the flow velocity curve will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, in this case, the image browsing screen 400 includes, for example, an image display area for displaying a spatial three-dimensional image and a user interface area for receiving input information related to a flow velocity curve. Is done.

  Here, in the image display area, for example, a flow velocity image and an absolute value image of a cardiovascular vessel obtained by PCMRA (Phase Contrast Magnetic Resonance Angiography) are displayed. In the example of FIG. 7, the left image is the flow velocity image, and the right image is the absolute value image. In addition, a circular ROI (A and B shown in FIG. 7) is displayed on these images. In general, the pixel value of each pixel in the flow velocity image reflects the flow velocity at that location.

  On the other hand, in the user interface area, for example, a flow velocity curve that displays the blood flow velocity in the ascending and descending aorta in the region indicated by the ROI set on the image in the image display area corresponding to the time phase in the cardiac cycle. 401 is displayed. Further, a scale 402 indicating the time, a slider 403 and an input box 404 for specifying the time, an input box 405 for specifying the ROI, and an input box 406 for specifying the flow velocity are displayed in the user interface area. .

  Similar to the image browsing screen 300 shown in FIG. 6, the operator displays an image corresponding to the time of interest or the flow velocity of the ROI, thereby changing the image contrast and form at that time to the flow velocity image and the absolute value, respectively. The image can be observed. Further, the operator can observe the image while moving the slider 403, set the ROI on the image of the time phase in which the blood vessel is easy to see, and display the flow velocity curve of that portion. In this example, since the image is a two-dimensional image by the data collection method, only the cross-sectional image is displayed.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the storage unit 14 stores image data in association with three-dimensional space and time. The input receiving unit 17a displays a spatial three-dimensional image and receives input information related to the cardiac phase. When the image display control unit 17b receives input information related to the cardiac phase by the input receiving unit 17a, the image display control unit 17b reads the image data corresponding to the cardiac phase from the image data stored in the storage unit 14. Since the spatial three-dimensional image is displayed based on the read image data, the spatial three-dimensional and the cardiac time phase can be associated with each other so that the image can be efficiently observed.

  In the above embodiment, the case where a spatial three-dimensional image is displayed in association with a dimension related to time has been described. However, the dimension of an image captured by an MRI apparatus is not limited to a dimension related to time, for example, there is a chemical shift. To do. Therefore, hereinafter, as Example 3, a case where an image is displayed in association with a chemical shift will be described.

  In addition, since the MRI apparatus according to the third embodiment also basically has the same configuration as the MRI apparatus 50 shown in FIG. A description will be given of the mutual relationship and data flow of the units included in the MRI apparatus according to the third embodiment, and an example of an image browsing screen displayed by the control unit 17 (input reception unit 17a).

  Specifically, in the third embodiment, imaging is performed by an MRSI (Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging) method in which phase encoding is performed in a spatial three-dimensional direction and a magnetic resonance signal is collected without applying a readout gradient magnetic field. Is assumed. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the interrelationships and data flows of the units included in the MRI apparatus according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the time domain data 14i obtained by this method is four-dimensional data obtained by adding one dimension of frequency to three-dimensional space, and when the four-dimensional Fourier transform is performed on the time domain data 14i. , Image data 14j to which spectrum information is added is obtained.

  Therefore, for example, a case where a spatial three-dimensional image is displayed in association with spectrum information obtained by the MRSI method will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image browsing screen when a chemical shift image and spectrum information are displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in this case, the image browsing screen 500 includes, for example, an image display area for displaying a spatial three-dimensional image and a user interface area for receiving input information related to spectrum information. Is done.

  Here, in the image display area, for example, a spatial three-dimensional chemical shift image obtained by the MRSI method is displayed. A square ROI 510 is displayed on these images.

  On the other hand, in the user interface area, for example, the proton spectrum 501 in the region indicated by the ROI 510 set on the image in the image display area is displayed. Here, the horizontal axis is the chemical shift, which is the amount of deviation with respect to the reference material. This amount of shift is expressed in units of ppm. Further, a scale 504 indicating the shift amount of the chemical shift, a slider 502 for designating the range of the chemical shift, and an input box 503 are displayed in the user interface area. Here, the two lines shown on the proton spectrum 501 are linked to the range of the chemical shift designated by the operator.

  The operator designates the range (position and width) of the chemical shift of interest via the input unit 16 and displays an image (CSI (Chemical Shift Image): chemical shift image) representing the distribution of substances in the frequency band. Can be displayed.

  Then, the operator uses an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard of the input unit 16 to observe the spatial distribution of components having a specific chemical shift in the data shown in FIG. The range of chemical shift of interest is selected by an operation on or input numerical values in the input box 503. At this time, the control unit 17 selects only the designated image data from the image data 14 j based on the chemical shift information input by the operator, and outputs the selected image data to the display unit 15.

  Here, the above process will be described in more detail. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining selection of image data based on chemical shift information. For example, it is assumed that the range of chemical shift input by the operator is ν1 to ν2. In that case, as shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 17 adds the pixel values from ν1 to ν2 of the same spatial coordinates in the image data 14j to create three-dimensional chemical shift image data 14k. Then, the control unit 17 outputs the created chemical shift image data 14k to the display unit 15.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the storage unit 14 stores image data in association with spatial three-dimensional and chemical shift. The input receiving unit 17a displays a spatial three-dimensional image and receives input information related to chemical shift. Then, when the input information regarding the chemical shift is received by the input receiving unit 17a, the image display control unit 17b reads out the image data corresponding to the chemical shift from the image data stored in the storage unit 14, and reads out the image data. Since a spatial three-dimensional image is displayed based on the obtained image data, it is possible to efficiently perform image observation by associating the spatial three-dimensional image with a chemical shift.

  By the way, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which image data is displayed by associating four dimensions obtained by adding one dimension of time or chemical shift to three dimensions in space. May have. For example, when a spatial three-dimensional chemical shift image is collected in time series, the data dimension is five dimensions, which is a combination of time and chemical shift in addition to spatial three dimensions. In the following, as a fourth embodiment, a case where two or more dimensions other than space are displayed will be described.

  Note that the MRI apparatus according to the fourth embodiment also basically has the same configuration as the MRI apparatus 50 shown in FIG. A description will be given of the mutual relationship and data flow of the units included in the MRI apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, and an example of an image browsing screen displayed by the control unit 17 (input reception unit 17a).

  Specifically, the fourth embodiment assumes a case where the MRSI method shown in FIG. 8 is repeated a plurality of times. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the mutual relationship and data flow of each unit included in the MRI apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in this case, the time domain data 14l stored in the storage unit 14 is further added with a time dimension to become five dimensions. Time-series MRSI image data 14m is obtained by the data processing unit 13 performing four-dimensional Fourier transform on the time domain data 141.

  Furthermore, a plurality of chemical shift image data 14n is obtained for each time of the MRSI image data 14m by the method described with reference to FIG. The data processing unit 13 performs cross-sectional transformation (MPR) on the image data 14m, whereby MPR image data 14o is obtained.

  Therefore, for example, a case where spectrum information obtained by such repeated MRSI method is output to the image browsing screen will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image browsing screen when two or more dimensions other than space are displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in this case, the image browsing screen 600 includes, for example, an image display area for displaying a spatial three-dimensional image and a user interface area for receiving input information related to spectrum information. Is done.

  Here, in the image display area, for example, a cine MR image is displayed in the same manner as the image browsing screen 100 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, for example, a slider 601 for setting time and a slider 602 for setting chemical shift are displayed in the user interface area. Thereby, the display which linked | related each dimension about the high-dimensional data is attained.

  Then, the operator designates the time to be observed via the input unit 16. At this time, the control unit 17 selects the image data at the designated time from the chemical shift image data 14 n and outputs the selected image data to the display unit 15.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the storage unit 14 stores image data in association with spatial three dimensions and other two or more dimensions. The input receiving unit 17a displays a spatial three-dimensional image and receives input information regarding other two or more dimensions. When the image display control unit 17b receives input information related to two or more other dimensions by the input receiving unit 17a, the image data corresponding to these dimensions is stored in the storage unit 14 in the image data stored in the storage unit 14. Since the spatial three-dimensional image is displayed based on the read image data read out from the inside, it is possible to efficiently perform image observation by associating the three-dimensional space with two or more other dimensions.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the concept of time and chemical shift is introduced into the image data in addition to the space has been described. However, in the imaging by the MRI apparatus, imaging conditions such as echo time (TE), Influences on image contrast such as version time (TI), flip angle, flip angle and frequency of fat suppression pulse, b value of extended weighted imaging (value indicating the strength of MPG pulse used in diffusion weighted imaging) In some cases, the same part is imaged a plurality of times by changing various imaging parameters that provide the same. In this case, the operator needs to observe the change in the contrast of the image while sequentially changing these imaging parameters. Thus, hereinafter, a case where imaging is performed by changing imaging parameters will be described as a fifth embodiment.

  Note that the MRI apparatus according to the fifth embodiment also basically has the same configuration as the MRI apparatus 50 shown in FIG. A description will be given of an interrelation between the units included in the MRI apparatus according to the fifth embodiment and a data flow, and an example of an image browsing screen displayed by the control unit 17 (input reception unit 17a).

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the mutual relationship and data flow of each part included in the MRI apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the time domain data 14p stored by the storage unit 14 includes different imaging parameters, for example, different inversion times TI (TI ₁ , TI ₂ , TI) in imaging by the inversion recovery (inversion recovery) method. ₃ ,... TI _n ), a plurality of data groups. Further, the storage unit 14 holds image data 14q of a plurality of TIs (TI ₁ , TI ₂ , TI ₃ ,... TI _n ) obtained by reconstructing the time domain data 14p. The inversion time TI here is the time from the application of the inversion pulse to the start of imaging.

  Therefore, for example, a case will be described in which images at respective parameter settings are displayed in two or more frames in order to compare images between two or more different imaging parameters. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image browsing screen when a plurality of images with different imaging parameters are displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in this case, the image browsing screen 700 is composed of, for example, an image display area for displaying two images and a user interface area for receiving input information related to imaging parameter information. Is done.

  Here, in the image display area, for example, two images (A and B shown in FIG. 14) with different imaging parameters are displayed. In addition, circular ROIs 710 and 720 are displayed on these images, respectively.

  On the other hand, in the user interface area, for example, pixel value curves 711 and 721 obtained by plotting average signal values in a region indicated by ROIs 710 and 720 set on the image in the image display area with respect to TI are displayed. . Furthermore, in the user interface area, for each image, sliders 712 and 722 for designating the time of TI, and a display box 714 for displaying the average pixel values in the input boxes 713 and 723 and ROIs 710 and 720 are displayed. And 724 are displayed. Here, the two images shown in FIG. 14 display two TI images designated by the sliders 712 and 722 among the images of the same cross section taken by a plurality of TIs.

  Specifically, the operator designates TI for each image by operating the slider 712 or 722 shown in FIG. 14 or by inputting a numerical value in the input box 713 or 723. At this time, the control unit 17 selects an image of the designated TI from the image data group of the image data 14q and outputs the selected image to the display unit 15.

  Further, the operator sets the ROIs 710 and 720 on the displayed image. At this time, the control unit 17 calculates the average value of the pixel values in the set ROIs 710 and 720, and stores the pixel value curve 14r in which the calculated average values are plotted against the TI in the storage unit 14. At the same time (see FIG. 13), the image is displayed on the display unit 15 together with the pixel average value in the ROIs 710 and 720 of the image of the TI designated by the slider 712 or 722 (pixel value curves 711 and 721 shown in FIG. 14).

  When the operator changes the position of the ROI 710 or 720, the control unit 17 calculates the pixel average value in the changed ROI 710 or 720, and stores the pixel value curve 14r stored in the storage unit 14. The pixel value curve 711 or 721 displayed in the user interface area of the image browsing screen is updated.

  Accordingly, the operator can easily compare the contrast of the two images by changing the TI of the other image while fixing the TI of one image, for example.

  Although the signal values of one ROI are plotted here, for example, two or more ROIs are designated on the image, and the difference or ratio of the signal values is calculated to calculate the CN ratio (contrast to noise ratio) or SN ratio. You may make it display what plotted (signal-to-noise ratio). Further, as a similar display method, it is possible to change a coefficient of post-processing performed after data collection represented by an image filter, instead of a parameter for capturing an image.

  As described above, in the fifth embodiment, the storage unit 14 stores the image data in association with the parameter value of the imaging parameter set at the time of imaging. In addition, the input receiving unit 17a displays an image of a predetermined dimension on the display unit 15 and receives input of parameter values of imaging parameters. When the image display control unit 17b receives an input of the parameter value of the imaging parameter by the input receiving unit 17a, the image display control unit 17b reads the image data corresponding to the parameter value from the image data stored in the storage unit 14. Since an image of a predetermined dimension is displayed based on the read image data, the image can be efficiently observed by associating the predetermined dimension with the imaging parameter.

  In the fifth embodiment, the case where an image is displayed according to the inversion time has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when displaying an image obtained by electrocardiogram-synchronized imaging or pulse-wave synchronized imaging, a delay time indicating the time from when a trigger waveform (such as an R wave) that triggers imaging occurs to the start of imaging is set. Accordingly, an image may be displayed.

  In recent years, various methods for imaging blood vessels without using a contrast agent have been developed (non-contrast blood vessel imaging). For example, by applying an inversion pulse to a predetermined area in the imaging area, the blood flow flowing into the labeled area or the blood flow flowing out from the labeled area is detected after the area is labeled. Thus, there is a method of imaging the blood flow dynamics in the imaging region (also called Time-SLIP (Spatial Labeling Inversion Pulse) method). When displaying an image captured by such a method, for example, according to an inversion time (also referred to as BBTI (TI of the black blood method)) indicating the time from application of an inversion pulse to imaging start. An image may be displayed.

  By the way, in the image browsing screen shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 in the first embodiment, the parameters other than the space are curves calculated from the image data, but the results calculated from the image data are two-dimensional. It may consist of the above information. Therefore, in the following, as an example of this case, a case where information related to cardiac time phase and cardiac wall thickness in a cine MR image of the heart is displayed will be described as a sixth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image browsing screen when information related to cardiac time phase and cardiac wall thickness in a cine MR image of the heart is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in this case, the image browsing screen 800 includes, for example, an image display area for displaying a cine MR image, and a user interface area for receiving input information related to time information and cardiac function information. Consists of

  Here, in the image display area, for example, an image of a certain cardiac phase is displayed among short axis images of different cross sections of the left ventricle obtained by cine MR (A shown in FIG. 15). In the image display area, an image of any one of the cardiac cine MR images is enlarged and displayed (B shown in FIG. 15).

  On the other hand, in the user interface area, for example, a development called “Bull's Eye” representing the amount of change in heart wall thickness created by performing post-processing on a cardiac cine MR image of a plurality of slices displayed in the image display area. A figure is displayed (D shown in FIG. 15). This developed view corresponds to a slice of concentric circles from the center to the apex and the outside from the origin.

  In the image browsing screen 800, when the operator sets an ROI 810 (black cross shown on D in FIG. 15) on the development view, the control unit 17 displays a slice image corresponding to the position of the ROI 810 as an image. The cine image displayed in the display area is specified, and the specified slice image is clearly displayed by highlighting or the like.

  At the same time, the control unit 17 displays an enlarged image obtained by enlarging the identified slice image in the image display area (B shown in FIG. 15). Further, the control unit 17 specifies a position corresponding to the ROI 810 designated on the development view in the displayed enlarged image, and displays the ROI 820 at the specified position (white cross shown on B in FIG. 15).

  Here, since the enlarged image displayed in the image display area is one section of the cine image, it has a dimension in the time direction. Therefore, as in the image browsing screen 100 shown in FIG. 2, a scale 801 indicating a cardiac phase, a slider 802 and an input box 803 for designating the cardiac phase, an input box 804 for designating a cardiac wall thickness, If a continuous display panel 805 or the like for operating continuous display of images is displayed in the user interface area, image selection and moving image display can be performed according to the cardiac phase.

  Thus, the operator can easily identify the region of interest on the post-processed development view, and can confirm in the original image which location the actual organ corresponds to.

  As described above, in the sixth embodiment, the storage unit 14 stores image data in association with three-dimensional space, cardiac time phase, and cardiac wall thickness. Further, the input receiving unit 17a displays a spatial three-dimensional image and receives input information related to the cardiac time phase and the cardiac wall thickness. When the image display control unit 17b receives input information related to cardiac phase or cardiac wall thickness by the input receiving unit 17a, the image data corresponding to those dimensions is stored in the storage unit 14 in the image data. Since the spatial three-dimensional image is displayed based on the read image data read from the inside, it is possible to efficiently perform image observation in association with the spatial three-dimensional, cardiac time phase, and cardiac wall thickness.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where a 2D image such as MPR image data or a cine image is displayed in the image display area has been described. However, for example, a 3D image projected with the maximum value may be displayed. Therefore, hereinafter, a case where a three-dimensional image projected with the maximum value is displayed will be described. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an image browsing screen when displaying a three-dimensional image projected with the maximum value.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in this case, the image browsing screen 900 includes, for example, an image display area for displaying a 3D image and a user interface area for receiving input information regarding a cardiac phase. .

  Here, in the image display area, for example, two images (hereinafter referred to as “MIP images”) obtained by performing 3D imaging of the head blood vessel by the Time Of Flight method and projecting the maximum value are displayed. These left and right images are images reconstructed using data collected in time phases corresponding to the systole and diastole of the heart, respectively. Here, the MIP images displayed in the image display area can be displayed simultaneously or independently and viewed from multiple directions.

  These images can be obtained by two imaging operations combined with electrocardiographic synchronization, or can be collected at once by a known technique as disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,505,064. It is. Regarding the clinical significance of this example, changes in the aneurysm diameter and morphology of the unruptured aneurysm as disclosed in the non-patent document “Ningen Dock Vol.21 NO.4 2006 p.30-35” It is to capture.

  On the other hand, in the user interface area, similarly to the image browsing screen 100 shown in FIG. 2, cardiac radio wave patterns 911 and 921 (including scales), sliders 912 and 922 for designating cardiac time phases, and an input box A continuous display panel 930 for operating continuous display of images 913 and 923 is displayed. By using these interfaces, it becomes possible to perform image selection and video display according to the cardiac phase.

  In the example shown in FIG. 16, two images are displayed at the same time in order to compare two time-phase images. However, the number of images may be one or three or more depending on the purpose. In addition, although the maximum value projection image is used for the three-dimensional display shown here, a 3D image created by another three-dimensional display method such as a volume rendering method or a surface rendering method may be used.

  Here, the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The operator operates the slider 912 or 922 via the input unit 16 or inputs a numerical value into the input box 913 or 923. When the time phase is designated by this, the control unit 17 selects the image data 14c of the designated time phase, and the projection direction designated by the operator via the input unit 16 based on the selected image data 14c. Maximum value projection image data 14h is created and output to the display unit 15 together with the electrocardiogram data 14b. When the operator changes the time phase or the projection direction, the control unit 17 performs selection of the corresponding image data 14c and maximum value projection processing according to the designation, and the maximum value projection is performed on the display unit 15. Image data 14h is output.

  As described above, in the seventh embodiment, the storage unit 14 stores image data in association with three-dimensional space and time. In addition, the input receiving unit 17a displays a 3D image and receives input information related to space and cardiac time phase. When the image display control unit 17b receives input information related to space or cardiac time phase by the input receiving unit 17a, the image data corresponding to those dimensions is stored in the image data stored in the storage unit 14. Since the 3D image is displayed based on the read and read image data, the image can be efficiently observed by associating the three-dimensional space with the other two or more dimensions while visually recognizing the 3D image. Become.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the MRI apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other image diagnosis such as an X-ray CT apparatus and a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) apparatus is possible. The same applies to the device.

  In addition, each component of each device illustrated in the present embodiment is functionally conceptual and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the specific form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof may be functionally or physically distributed or arbitrarily distributed in arbitrary units according to various loads or usage conditions. Can be integrated and configured.

  For example, the same applies to an image display system (such as PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System)) in which an image server device that stores various image data and a client device that displays image data are connected via a network. Can do.

  In this case, the image server apparatus stores image data captured by an image diagnostic apparatus such as an MRI apparatus or an X-ray CT apparatus, and the client apparatus acquires and displays image data from the image server apparatus. An input of a value related to at least one element among the multidimensional elements included in the image data is received, and image data corresponding to the received value is displayed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Static magnetic field magnet 2 Gradient magnetic field coil 3 Gradient magnetic field power supply 4 Bed 4a Top plate 5 Bed control part 6 Transmission RF coil 7 Transmission part 8 Reception RF coil 9 Reception part 10 Computer system 11 Interface part 12 Data collection part 13 Data processing part 14 Storage units 14a, 14i, 14l, 14p Time domain data 14b ECG data 14c, 14j, 14m, 14q Image data 14d, 14o MPR image data 14e Cardiac function analysis data 14f Dynamic curve 14g Flow velocity data 14h Maximum projection image data 14k, 14n Chemical shift image data 14r Pixel value curve 15 Display unit 16 Input unit 17 Control unit 17a Input reception unit 17b Image display control unit 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 Image browsing screen 101, 911 921 heart radio wave Shapes 102, 202, 302, 402, 504, 801 Scales 103, 203, 303, 403, 502, 601, 602, 712, 722, 802, 912, 922 Sliders 104, 204, 205, 304, 404, 405, 406 , 503, 713, 723, 803, 804, 913, 923 Input box 105, 805, 930 Continuous display panel 201 Left ventricular volume curve 301 graph (dynamic curve)
401 Flow velocity curve 501 Proton spectrum 510, 710, 720, 810, 820 ROI
711, 721 pixel value curve 714, 724 display box

Claims (6)

A storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of image data related to the imaging region of the subject in association with parameter values of imaging parameters set when imaging the imaging region;
A display unit for displaying the image data stored by the storage unit;
An input receiving unit that receives an input of a parameter value of the imaging parameter;
An image display control unit for reading image data corresponding to the parameter value from the storage unit and displaying the read image data on the display unit when the input of the parameter value is received by the input receiving unit;
An image display device comprising: The image data is image data obtained by imaging with a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus,
The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging parameter is an echo time. The image data is image data obtained by imaging with a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus,
The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging parameter is a b value indicating an intensity of an MPG pulse in imaging a diffusion weighted image. The image data is image data obtained by imaging with a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus,
The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging parameter is an inversion time indicating a time from application of an inversion pulse to imaging start in imaging by an inversion recovery method. The image data is image data obtained by imaging with a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus,
The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging parameter is a delay time indicating a time from when a trigger waveform is generated in electrocardiographic synchronization imaging or pulse wave synchronization imaging until imaging starts. The image data is image data obtained by imaging with a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus,
The imaging parameter is obtained by applying an inversion pulse to a predetermined area in the imaging area to label the area and image blood flow dynamics in the imaging area. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image display device is an inversion time indicating a time from application to start of imaging.