JP2014100302A - Medical image inspection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical image inspection apparatus for positioning a left breast image and a right breast image by a simple operation.SOLUTION: An image storage unit 13 is stored with left breast image data on a left breast and right breast image data on a right breast. A display unit 19 displays a left breast display image based on the left breast image data and a right breast display image based on the right breast image data in juxtaposition on a display window in a screen. An object point setting unit 25 sets an object point, in accordance with an instruction from a user, on at least one of left breast image data and right breast image data. A target point setting unit 27 sets a target point in accordance with an instruction from a user. A display control unit 15 positions the left breast display image and the right breast display image by making use of an object point and a target point.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a medical image observation apparatus.

  The left breast image and the right breast image taken by the mammography apparatus are displayed side by side by the medical image observation apparatus at the time of observation. For easy observation of the left breast image and the right breast image, automatic alignment processing is performed by image processing based on the shape of the nipple (nipple) region in both images. As a result, both images are displayed with the heights in the display area of the nipple area aligned. However, this automatic alignment process can be used only when the shape of the nipple area is clear. When the shape of the nipple region is unclear, alignment is performed by a troublesome image operation such as drag and drop by the user.

  An object is to provide a medical image observation apparatus capable of aligning a left breast image and a right breast image with a simple operation.

  The medical image observation apparatus according to this embodiment includes a storage unit that stores left breast image data regarding the left breast and right breast image data regarding the right breast, a left breast display image based on the left breast image data, and the right breast image. A display unit that displays a right breast display image based on the data side by side in a display area in the screen, and at least one breast image data of the left breast image data and the right breast image data according to an instruction from a user A target point setting unit that sets a target point in the display area according to an instruction from a user, the left breast display image and the right point using the target point and the target point A display control unit for aligning the breast display image.

The figure which shows the structure of the medical image observation apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the typical flow of the alignment process performed under control of the system control part which concerns on 1st Example of this embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a display of the initial display of the left breast display image and right breast display image which are performed by the display control part in step SA2 of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the left breast image data and right breast image data which are memorize | stored in the image memory | storage part of FIG. The figure for demonstrating the setting process of the target point and target point by the target point setting part which concerns on 1st Example. The figure for demonstrating the registration process of the left breast display image and right breast display image which concern on 1st Example. The figure which shows the left breast display image and right breast display image after the alignment by the display control part which concerns on 1st Example. The figure for demonstrating the typical flow of the alignment process performed under control of the system control part which concerns on 2nd Example. The figure for demonstrating the setting process of the 1st object point by the object point setting part which concerns on 2nd Example, a 2nd object point, and a target point. The figure for demonstrating the alignment process of the left breast display image and right breast display image which concern on 2nd Example. The figure for demonstrating the other setting process of the 1st object point which concerns on a 2nd Example, a 2nd object point, and a target point.

  The medical image observation apparatus according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The medical image observation apparatus according to the present embodiment is a computer apparatus for a user to observe a breast image (mammography image). As the medical image observation apparatus, for example, a viewer used for image interpretation or an image inspection apparatus for inspecting whether or not a breast image is correctly captured are appropriate.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a medical image observation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the medical image observation apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes an information processing processor 10. The information processing processor 10 includes an image storage unit 13 and a display control unit 15 with the system control unit 11 as a center.

  The image storage unit 13 stores medical image data related to the left breast of the subject and medical image data related to the right breast. Hereinafter, medical image data relating to the left breast is referred to as left breast image data, and medical image data relating to the right breast is referred to as right breast image data. The left breast image data and the right breast image data are taken by a medical image diagnostic apparatus such as an X-ray diagnostic apparatus or a magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus. A typical X-ray diagnostic apparatus is a mammography apparatus (mammography apparatus) that captures an X-ray image with the right and left breasts sandwiched between compression plates. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the left breast image data and the right breast image data are two-dimensional image data photographed by a mammography apparatus. The left breast image data is associated with a code indicating the left breast, and the right breast image data is associated with a code indicating the right breast. Imaging conditions are associated with the left breast image data and the right breast image data. As the imaging conditions, in addition to the tube voltage value and the tube current value, information related to the imaging direction is associated. Examples of the imaging direction include a head-to-tail direction (CranioCaudal projection: CC), an inside / outside direction (MedioLateral projection: ML), and an inside / outside oblique direction (MedioLateral Oblique projection: MLO). In the case of shooting by a shooting method using a specific shooting direction, information regarding the shooting method may be used as information regarding the shooting direction.

  The display control unit 15 causes the display unit 19 to display the display image based on the left breast image data and the display image based on the right breast image data via the output IF unit 17. Hereinafter, a display image based on the left breast image data is referred to as a left breast display image, and a display image based on the right breast image data is referred to as a right breast display image. The display control unit 15 executes various display control processes such as alignment for displaying the left breast display image and the right breast display image. The display control unit 15 can also display a medical report on the display unit 19 via the output IF unit 17 as necessary.

  The system control unit 11 functions as the center of the medical image observation apparatus 1. The system control unit 11 controls each unit in the medical image observation apparatus 1 according to the display program for the left breast display image and the right breast display image. Further, the system control unit 11 controls each unit in the medical image observation apparatus 1 in accordance with various commands and information input input from the operation unit 23 via the input IF unit 21.

  A display unit 19 is connected to the information processing processor 10 through an output IF unit 17, and an operation unit 23 is connected through an input IF unit 21.

  The display unit 19 includes a medical image reference monitor 191 and a medical report monitor 193. On the screen of the medical image reference monitor 191, a left breast display image and a right breast display image are displayed according to control by the display control unit 15. A medical report is displayed on the screen of the medical report monitor according to control by the display control unit 15. As the monitor, for example, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a plasma display, or the like can be used as appropriate.

  The operation unit 23 receives various commands and information input from the user by the input device. As an input device, a keyboard 231, a mouse 233, various switches, and the like can be used.

  The medical image observation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment enables alignment of the left breast display image and the right breast display image with a simple operation. In order to execute this simple alignment, the medical image observation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment further includes a target point setting unit 25, a target point setting unit 27, and a coordinate storage unit 29.

  The target point setting unit 25 sets a target point at an arbitrary position in at least one of the left breast image data and the right breast image data according to an instruction from the user via the operation unit 23. The target point corresponds to a slide movement target point in the alignment process.

  The target point setting unit 27 sets a target point at an arbitrary position in an image display area provided on the screen of the medical image reference monitor 191 in accordance with an instruction from the user via the operation unit 23. The target point corresponds to the target arrival point of the slide of the target point in the alignment process.

  The coordinate storage unit 29 stores the coordinates of the target point on the breast image data and the coordinates of the target point on the image display area. The coordinates of the target point and the coordinates of the target point are associated with the left breast image data and the right breast image data. Specifically, the coordinates of the target point and the coordinates of the target point are converted into, for example, a DICOM / GSPS (Gray Scale Presentation State) data format conforming to the DICOM standard, and DICOM / GSPS data. The format is associated with the left breast image data and the right breast image data. The data format of the coordinates of the target point and the coordinates of the target point is not limited to the DICOM / GSPS data format conforming to the DICOM standard, but may be other data formats conforming to the DICOM standard, or conform to the DICOM standard. Data formats that are not required may be used.

  When the target point and the target point are set, the display control unit 15 aligns the left breast display image and the right breast display image using the target point and the target point.

  Hereinafter, the alignment process performed under the control of the system control unit 11 will be described in detail. The mode of the alignment process differs depending on the number of target points set. Hereinafter, an alignment process when the set number of target points is 1 in the first embodiment will be described, and an alignment process when the set number of target points is 2 in the second embodiment will be described.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a typical flow of the alignment process performed under the control of the system control unit 11 according to the first embodiment. It is assumed that the left breast image data and the right breast image data are already transmitted from the mammography apparatus to the medical image observation apparatus 1 and stored in the image storage unit 13 at the start of step SA1.

  In step SA1, the system control unit 11 waits to receive an image display request (step SA1). The image display request is made, for example, when creating a medical report. The user inputs an image display request via the operation unit 23.

  When an image display request is made in step SA1 (step SA1: YES), the system control unit 11 causes the display control unit 15 to perform initial display (step SA2). In step SA2, the display control unit 15 initially displays the left breast display image based on the left breast image data and the right breast display image based on the right breast image data in a predetermined layout in the image display area.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the initial display of the left breast display image and the right breast display image executed by the display control unit 15 in step SA2. As shown in FIG. 3, the screen SC includes an image display area (hereinafter referred to as a display window) DW. The display window DW is divided into a left display window DW1 and a right display window DW2. The left breast display image DI1 is displayed in the left display window DW1, and the right breast display image DI2 is displayed in the right display window DW2.

  Each display window DW is defined by a vertical axis (y axis) and a horizontal axis (x axis). The vertical axis direction coincides with the height direction of the screen SC.

  Here, detailed processing of the initial display will be described. In step SA2, the display control unit 15 first reads the left breast image data and the right breast image data to be observed from the image storage unit 13. The display control unit 15 recognizes image data associated with a code indicating the left breast as left breast image data, and recognizes image data associated with a code indicating the right breast as right breast image data. To do. The display control unit 15 generates an initial left breast display image based on the read left breast image data, and generates an initial right breast display image based on the read right breast image data.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the left breast image data MI1 and the right breast image data MI2 stored in the image storage unit 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the left breast image data MI1 has an image area (hereinafter referred to as a left breast area) RM1 relating to the left breast of the subject. The right breast image data MI2 has an image area (hereinafter referred to as a right breast area) RM2 relating to the right breast of the subject. The left breast region RM1 has an image region (hereinafter referred to as a left nipple region) RN1 related to the left nipple. The right breast region RM2 has an image region (hereinafter referred to as a right nipple region) RN2 related to the right nipple. Note that the left nipple region RN1 does not necessarily include the left breast image data MI1, and similarly, the right nipple region RN2 does not necessarily include the right breast image data MI2. Typically, the direction of the left breast region RM1 in the left breast image data MI1 and the direction of the right breast region RM2 in the right breast image data MI2 are the same. An image region RB1 on the chest side of the left breast image data MI1 corresponds to an image region related to a region other than the living body region, that is, an indifferent region. Similarly, the right breast image data MI2 corresponds to an image area other than the living body area, that is, an indifference area. The left breast image data MI1 and the right breast image data MI2 stored in the image storage unit 11 are still photographed, and the coordinates of the left nipple area RN1 in the left breast image data MI1 and the right nipple area This is different from the coordinates in the right breast image data MI2 of RN2. Note that the XY plane corresponds to the plane of the compression plate of the mammography apparatus. For example, the major axis direction of the compression plate may be defined as the Y axis direction, and the minor axis direction may be defined as the X axis direction.

  In the display image generation process in step SA2, the display control unit 15 sets the display region of interest RD1 in the left breast image data MI1, and sets the display region of interest RD2 in the right breast image data MI2. Each breast display image DI1, DI2 is generated from image data in the set display region of interest RD1, RD2 according to a predetermined display condition. The height direction (Y-axis direction) of the display region of interest RD1, RD2 corresponds to the height direction (y-axis direction) of the display window, and the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) of the display region of interest RD1, RD2 is the display window SC. Corresponds to the horizontal direction (x-axis direction). Initially, each display region of interest RD1, RD2 is set to occupy the same coordinate range in each breast image data MI1, MI2. In addition, each display region of interest RD1, RD2 is set so as to exclude the non-interest regions RB1, RB2. Examples of display conditions include window width and window level. The display control unit 15 generates the breast display images DI1 and DI2 by converting the pixel values in the display regions of interest RD1 and RD2 into gray values or color values according to a predetermined window width and window level. Note that the matrix sizes of the display regions of interest RD1, RD2 and the display windows DW1, DW2 may or may not be the same. If they are not the same, enlargement or reduction may be performed so that each of the breast display images DI1, DI2 fits in the display windows DW1, DW2. When the left breast display image DI1 and the right breast display image DI2 are generated in this way, the display control unit 15 displays the left breast display image DI1 in the left display window DW1 and the right breast display image DI2 in the right display window DW2. indicate. At this time, the display control unit 15 horizontally inverts each breast display image DI1, DI2 as necessary so that the left breast region RM1 faces the left and the right breast region RM2 faces the right. For example, in the case of FIG. 4, the left breast region RM1 faces right. For this reason, the display control unit 15 horizontally inverts the left breast display image DI1 so that the left breast region RM1 faces the left. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3, the left breast display image DI1 and the right breast display image DI2 are displayed so that the left breast region RM1 and the right breast region RM2 are back to back in the display window DW.

  However, in step SA2, the heights of the left nipple area and the right nipple area in the screen do not match, and the left breast display image DI1 and the right breast display image DI2 need to be aligned.

  When step SA2 is performed, the system control unit 11 waits for the user to specify the position of the target point via the operation unit 23 (step SA3). If the user determines that the alignment is necessary, the user designates the position of the target point on one of the left breast display image DI1 and the right breast display image DI2 via the operation unit 23. The designation of the position of the target point is executed by operating the mouse 233, for example.

  When the position of the target point is specified (step SA3: YES), the system control unit 11 causes the target point setting unit 25 to perform setting processing (step SA4). In step SA4, the target point setting unit 25 sets the target point at the position specified in step SA3.

  When step SA4 is performed, the system control unit 11 waits for the user to specify the position of the target point via the operation unit 23 (step SA5). When the user finishes specifying the position of the target point, the user then specifies the position of the target point in the display window via the operation unit 23. The designation of the position of the target point is executed by operating the mouse 233, for example, in the same manner as the designation of the position of the target point.

  When the position of the target point is designated (step SA5: YES), the system control unit 11 causes the target point setting unit 27 to perform setting processing (step SA6). In step SA6, the target point setting unit 27 sets a target point at the position specified in step SA5.

  When step SA6 is performed, the system control unit 11 causes the coordinate storage unit 29 to perform storage processing (step SA7). In step SA7, the coordinate storage unit 29 stores the coordinates on the image data of the target point set in step SA4. In step SA7, the coordinate storage unit 29 stores the coordinates on the display window of the target point set in step SA6.

  When step SA7 is performed, the system control unit 11 causes the display control unit 15 to perform alignment processing (step SA8). In step SA8, the display control unit 15 aligns the left breast display image and the right breast display image using the target point and the target point. More specifically, the display control unit 15 aligns the left breast display image and the right breast display image so that the height coordinate of the target point matches the height coordinate of the target point in the display window. The coordinates to be aligned may be not only the height coordinates but also the x-axis and X-axis directions (horizontal axis directions).

  Next, the alignment of the left breast display image DI1 and the right breast display image DI2 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining setting processing of the target point PT and the target point PG. As shown in FIG. 5, in step SA3, the user moves the mouse cursor MC by operating the mouse 233 to designate the position of the target point PT. In FIG. 5, the position of the target point PT is designated in the left nipple region RN1 of the left breast display image DI1. The coordinates on the left breast image data corresponding to the designated position are set as target points by the target point setting unit 25. Next, the user moves the mouse cursor MC by operating the mouse 233 to specify the position of the target point PG. In FIG. 5, the position of the target point PG is designated in the right nipple region RN2 of the right breast display image DI2. The coordinates on the display window DW corresponding to the designated position are set to the target point PG by the target point setting unit 27.

  In order to mechanically distinguish the designation of the position of the target point PT and the position of the target point PG, a predetermined rule may be provided for the designation of the position of the target point PT and the position of the target point PG. For example, the designation of the position of the target point PT may be executed by a single quick operation with the mouse 233, and the designation of the position of the target point PG may be executed by a double quick operation with the mouse 233. Further, the designation of the position of the target point PT and the position of the target point PG may be confirmed by clicking the confirm button after designating the position of the target point PT and the position of the target point PG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of alignment between the left breast display image DI1 and the right breast display image DI2 when the target point PT and the target point PG are set as illustrated in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the left breast display image DI1 in which the target point PT is set is slid along the height direction (y direction) so that the target point PT is located at the height coordinate of the target point PG. . At this time, the right breast display image DI2 in which the target point PT is not set is not slid. Further, the left breast display image DI1 does not have to be slid along the horizontal axis direction (x direction). By sliding the left breast display image DI1 on which the target point PT is set so that the target point PT matches the height coordinate of the target point PG, as shown in FIG. 7, the left breast display image DI1 and the right breast display image DI1 The breast display image DI2 is aligned.

  In the above description, the target point setting target image is the left breast display image. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. The target point setting target image is not limited to the left breast display image, and may be a right breast display image. The target point setting target area is not limited to the nipple area, and may be any area (point) in the display image. The target point setting target image is not limited to the right breast display image, and may be a left breast display image. The target point setting target region is not limited to the nipple region, and may be any region (point) in the display window. Further, the target point and the target point do not need to be set to different breast display images, and may be set to the same breast display image.

  This is the end of the description of the alignment processing performed under the control of the system control unit 11 according to the first embodiment.

  According to the first embodiment, only one target point is set. Accordingly, the left breast display image and the right breast display image can be aligned by a simpler operation than in the second embodiment in which two target points are provided.

  As described above, in the case of a typical imaging direction, the indifference region is oriented in the vertical direction in each breast image data. However, there is a photographing direction in which the indifference region does not face the height direction. In this case, in order to display the left breast region and the right breast region back to back, the medical image observation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment further includes a determination unit 31.

  The determination unit 31 is activated in accordance with control by the system control unit 11 during initial display of the left breast display image and the right breast display image. The determination unit 31 analyzes information regarding the imaging direction associated with the left breast image data and the right breast image data, and specifies the imaging directions of the left breast image data and the right breast image data. Then, the determination unit 31 determines whether or not to rotate the left breast display image and the right breast display image according to the specified imaging direction. For example, the determination unit 31 includes a table in which a code indicating a rotation angle is associated with the shooting direction. A rotation angle of 0 ° corresponds to no rotation. The determination unit 31 determines the presence / absence of rotation using the table from the specified shooting direction, in other words, the rotation angle.

  When the determination unit 31 determines that it is necessary to rotate, the display control unit 15 rotates each breast display image around the center coordinates of each breast image data. Then, the display control unit 15 displays the rotated left breast display image and right breast display image on the display window. As a result, the left breast region in the left breast display image and the right breast region in the right breast display image are displayed back to back.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a typical flow of the alignment process performed under the control of the system control unit 11 according to the second embodiment.

  In step SB1, the system control unit 11 waits to receive an image display request (step SB1). Since step SB1 is the same as step SA1, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  When an image display request is made in step SB1 (step SB1: YES), the system control unit 11 causes the display control unit 15 to perform initial display (step SB2). Since step SB2 is the same as step SA2, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  When step SB2 is performed, the system control unit 11 waits for the user to designate the position of the first target point via the operation unit 23 (step SB3). When the user determines that the alignment is necessary, the user designates the position of the first target point on one of the left breast display image and the right breast display image via the operation unit 23. The designation of the position of the first target point is executed by operating the mouse 233, for example.

  When the position of the first target point is specified (step SB3: YES), the system control unit 11 causes the target point setting unit 25 to perform setting processing (step SB4). In step SB4, the target point setting unit 25 sets the first target point at the position specified in step SB3.

  When step SB4 is performed, the system control unit 11 waits for the user to designate the position of the second target point via the operation unit 23 (step SB5). When the user finishes specifying the position of the first target point, the user specifies the position of the second target point on the other breast display image of the left breast display image and the right breast display image via the operation unit 23. . The designation of the position of the second target point is executed by operating the mouse 233, for example, as with the first target point.

  When the position of the second target point is specified (step SB5: YES), the system control unit 11 causes the target point setting unit 25 to perform setting processing (step SB6). In step SB6, the target point setting unit 25 sets the second target point at the position specified in step SB5.

  When step SB6 is performed, the system control unit 11 waits for the user to specify the position of the target point via the operation unit 23 (step SB7). When the user finishes specifying the position of the second target point, the user then specifies the position of the target point on the display window via the operation unit 23. The designation of the position of the target point is executed by operating the mouse 233, for example, in the same manner as the designation of the position of the target point.

  When the position of the target point is specified (step SB7: YES), the system control unit 11 causes the target point setting unit to perform setting processing (step SB8). In step SB8, the target point setting unit 27 sets the target point at the position specified in step SB7.

  When step SB8 is performed, the system control unit 11 causes the coordinate storage unit 29 to perform storage processing (step SB9). In step SB9, the coordinate storage unit 29 stores the coordinates on the image data of the first target point set in step SB4 and the coordinates on the image data of the second target point set in step SB6. In step SB9, the coordinate storage unit 29 stores the coordinates on the display window of the target point set in step SB8.

  When step SB9 is performed, the system control unit 11 causes the display control unit 15 to perform alignment processing (step SB10). In step SB10, the display control unit 15 aligns the left breast display image and the right breast display image using the first target point, the second target point, and the target point. More specifically, the display control unit 15 displays the left breast so that the height coordinate of the first target point and the height coordinate of the second target point coincide with the height coordinate of the target point in the display window. Slide the image and the right breast display image against the display window.

  Next, the alignment of the left breast display image and the right breast display image according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining processing for setting the first target point, the second target point, and the target point. As shown in FIG. 9, in step SB3, the user moves the mouse cursor MC by operating the mouse 233 and designates the position of the first target point PT1. In FIG. 9, the position of the first target point PT1 is designated in the left nipple region RN1 of the left breast display image DI1. The coordinates on the left breast image data at the designated position are set to the first target point PT1 by the target point setting unit 25. Next, in step SB5, the user moves the mouse cursor MC by operating the mouse 233 and designates the position of the second target point PT2. In FIG. 9, the position of the second target point PT2 is designated in the right nipple region RN2 of the right breast display image DI2. The coordinates on the right breast image data at the designated position are set to the second target point PT2 by the target point setting unit 25. The first target point PT1 and the second target point PT2 are set to different breast display images DI1 and DI2. Next, the user moves the mouse cursor MC by operating the mouse 233 to specify the position of the target point PG. In FIG. 9, the position of the target point PG is designated at the center height of the right display window DW2. The coordinates on the screen window DW at the designated position are set to the target point PG by the target point setting unit 27. Note that the position of the target point PG may be specified on the right breast display image DI2, or may be specified on the left breast display image DI1.

  In order to mechanically distinguish the designation of the position of the first target point PT1, the position of the second target point PT2, and the position of the target point PG, the position of the first target point PT1 and the second target point A predetermined rule may be provided for designating the position of PT2 and the position of the target point PG. For example, the position of the first target point PT1 is specified by a single quick operation using the mouse 233, the position of the second target point PT2 is specified by a double quick operation using the mouse 233, and the position of the target point PG is specified by the mouse 233. It may be executed by a quick operation of the wheel. In addition, after the designation of the position of the first target point PT1, the position of the second target point PT2, and the position of the target point PG, the confirmation button is clicked, whereby the position of the first target point PT1, the second The designation of the position of the target point PT2 and the position of the target point PG may be confirmed.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of alignment between the left breast display image DI1 and the right breast display image DI2 when the first target point PT1, the second target point PT2, and the target point PG are set as shown in FIG. FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the left breast display image DI1 in which the first target point PT1 is set so that the first target point PT1 and the second target point PT2 are located at the height coordinate of the target point PG. Is slid along the height direction, and the right breast display image DI2 in which the second target point PT2 is set is slid along the height direction. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8, the left breast display image DI1 and the right breast display image DI2 are aligned.

  This is the end of the description of the alignment processing performed under the control of the system control unit 11 according to the second embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, two target points are set. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, both the left breast display image and the right breast display image are slid to a desired target point height as compared with the first embodiment in which one target point is set. be able to.

  In the above description, it is assumed that the first target point and the second target point are set at positions manually designated individually by the user. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. The second target point may be automatically set to a position according to the position of the first target point.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining another setting process of the first target point PT1, the second target point PT2, and the target point PG according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, in step SB3, the user moves the mouse cursor MC by operating the mouse 233 and designates the position of the first target point PT1. In FIG. 11, the position of the first target point RT1 is designated in the left nipple region RN1 of the left breast display image DI1. The coordinates on the image data at the designated position are set to the first target point PT1 by the target point setting unit 25.

  When the first target point PT1 is set, the target point setting unit 25 places the second target point PT2 ′ at a position on the right breast display image DI2 that is anatomically identical to the position of the first target point PT1. Set automatically. For example, the target point setting unit 25 sets the local region of interest including the first target point PT1 as the left breast display image DI1 or the left breast image data, and calculates the pixel value distribution in the reference local region of interest. Next, the target point setting unit 25 sets a plurality of comparison local regions of interest in the right breast display image or right breast image data, and calculates a pixel value distribution for each comparison local region of interest. Then, the target point setting unit 25 identifies a comparative local region of interest having a pixel value distribution that is most similar to the pixel value distribution of the reference local region of interest among the plurality of comparative local regions of interest, and the identified comparative local region of interest A second target point is set to.

  In this way, the target point setting unit 25 can automatically set the second target point according to the first target point. Therefore, compared with the case where the user designates both the position of the first target point and the position of the second target point, the user's labor is reduced.

(Modification)
In the above description, the coordinates of the target point and the coordinates of the target point are stored in association with the left breast image data and the right breast image data. The medical image observation apparatus 1 according to the modification uses the stored coordinates of the target point and the coordinates of the target point to initially align and display the left breast display image and the right breast display image.

  For example, when an image display request is made by the user via the operation unit 23, the target point setting unit 25 is associated with at least one of the left breast image data and the right breast image data. Specify the coordinates of the target point. Then, the target point setting unit 25 sets the target point at the specified coordinates of the breast image data associated with the coordinates of the target point. Similarly, the target point setting unit 27 specifies the coordinates of the target point associated with at least one of the left breast image data and the right breast image data. Then, the target point setting unit 27 sets a target point at the specified coordinates in the display window. Then, the display control unit 15 aligns the left breast display image and the right breast display image by the same processing as described above using the set target point and target point.

  As described above, the medical image observation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the image storage unit 13, the display unit 19, the target point setting unit 25, the target point setting unit 27, and the display control unit 15. The image storage unit 13 stores left breast image data regarding the left breast and right breast image data regarding the right breast. The display unit 19 displays the left breast display image based on the left breast image data and the right breast display image based on the right breast image data side by side in a display window on the screen. The target point setting unit 25 sets a target point in accordance with an instruction from the user in at least one of the left breast image data and the right breast image data. The target point setting unit 27 sets a target point in the display window according to an instruction from the user. The display control unit 15 aligns the left breast display image and the right breast display image using the target point and the target point.

  With the above configuration, the medical image observation apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can align the left breast display image and the right breast display image by performing point designation operations twice or three times. According to the alignment method according to the present embodiment, the target point and the target point can be set at arbitrary positions. Therefore, the medical image observation apparatus 1 sets the target point to the nipple area and sets the target point to a position where the nipple area is to be moved, thereby matching the two nipple areas with the desired height coordinates of the display window. A breast display image and a right breast display image can be displayed.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to align the left breast image and the right breast image with a simple operation.

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

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Medical image observation apparatus, 10 ... Information processing processor, 11 ... System control part, 13 ... Image storage part, 15 ... Display control part, 17 ... Output IF part, 19 ... Display part, 21 ... Input IF part, 23 ... Operation unit, 25 ... target point setting unit, 27 ... target point setting unit, 29 ... coordinate storage unit, 31 ... determination unit, 191 ... medical image reference monitor, 193 ... medical report monitor, 231 ... keyboard, 233 ... mouse

Claims (7)

A storage unit for storing left breast image data regarding the left breast and right breast image data regarding the right breast;
A display unit that displays a left breast display image based on the left breast image data and a right breast display image based on the right breast image data side by side in a display area in a screen;
A target point setting unit that sets a target point in accordance with an instruction from a user in at least one breast image data of the left breast image data and the right breast image data;
A target point setting unit for setting a target point in the display area according to an instruction from the user;
A display control unit for aligning the left breast display image and the right breast display image using the target point and the target point;
A medical image observation apparatus comprising:   The display control unit aligns the left breast display image and the right breast display image so that reference coordinates of the target point coincide with reference coordinates of the target point in the display area. Medical image observation device. The target point setting unit sets the target point in one image data of the left breast image data and the right breast image data according to an instruction from a user,
The display control unit is configured to display the one of the left breast display image and the right breast display image so that a reference coordinate of the target point on the one image data matches a reference coordinate of the target point. Slide display image based on image data,
The medical image observation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The target point setting unit sets a first target point in the left breast image data and sets a second target point in the right breast image data according to an instruction from a user,
The display control unit is configured such that the reference coordinates of the first target point on the left breast image data and the reference coordinates of the second target point on the right breast image data match the reference coordinates of the target point. To slide the left breast display image and the right breast display image,
The medical image observation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The target point setting unit sets a first target point in one of the left breast image data and the right breast image data according to an instruction from a user, and sets the left breast image data and the right breast Setting a second target point at the same anatomical point as the first target point of the other image data of the image data;
The display control unit is configured such that the reference coordinates of the first target point on the left breast image data and the reference coordinates of the second target point on the right breast image data match the reference coordinates of the target point. To slide the left breast display image and the right breast display image,
The medical image observation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   The medical image observation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a coordinate storage unit that stores the coordinates of the target point and the coordinates of the target point. A determination unit;
The image storage unit stores the left breast image data and the right breast image data in association with information related to an imaging direction,
The determination unit determines whether to rotate the left breast display image and the right breast display image according to the imaging method or imaging direction,
When it is determined that the display control unit rotates the display control unit, the left breast region in the left breast display image and the right breast region in the right breast display image are displayed back to back with each other. When the left breast display image and the right breast display image are individually rotated and the determination unit determines not to rotate, the left breast display image and the right breast display image are not rotated.
The medical image observation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

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