JP3471247B2 - Parameter management method and parameter management system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention changes the parameters indicating the image processing conditions and the like of the medical images output to each of the image output devices connected to the network for outputting the medical images by one device. The present invention relates to a parameter management method and a parameter management system that can reflect the changed contents in other devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the medical field, various diagnostic image generating apparatuses utilizing X-rays have been used.
CR (Computed Radiography) device, CT
(Computer tomographic imaging) apparatus, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) apparatus and the like are put to practical use. Then, after the image (image data) generated by each of these devices is subjected to desired image processing such as frequency processing and gradation processing, NTSC
CRT display (hereinafter simply referred to as "CRT") as a visible image after being converted into a TV image signal of a system etc.
Is displayed on the screen, or is output to the film by an LP (laser printer).
It is used for diagnosis such as the presence or absence of lesions and injuries, and their understanding.

Here, the CR device means that a part of the radiation energy is accumulated by the irradiation of the radiation, and then, the excitation light such as visible light or infrared light is irradiated, and the accumulated radiation energy is changed. The stimulable luminescent light generated by recording radiation image information of a subject such as a human body on a stimulable phosphor showing stimulable luminescence and scanning this stimulable phosphor with excitation light. Means a radiation image recording / reading device that photoelectrically reads an image signal and has become widespread in recent years.
It has been put to practical use (JP-A-62-18536).

Further, a diagnostic workstation (image output device) equipped with a CRT, LP or the like is installed at a remote place so that a diagnosis or the like can be performed at a place remote from each of the image generating devices. A connected system is also provided.

In this system, the generated image is usually output together with the original image data before the image processing with the image processing parameters representing the conditions of the image processing performed in the image generating device as supplementary information of the original image data. The transferred original image data and the transferred image processing parameters are temporarily stored in a storage device provided in the image output device. In the image output device, the original image data and the image processing parameter are read from the storage device, the original image data is subjected to image processing under the image processing condition corresponding to the read image processing parameter, and after the processing, The image is displayed or output on a CRT or the like based on the image data of. Then, the doctor can check the displayed image, or perform different image processing so as to make the image easier to use for diagnosis while looking at the displayed image, thereby outputting an image having desired characteristics. The parameter indicating the condition of this image processing is stored as a database in the storage device provided in the image output device.

Further, with the advancement of communication technology and computer technology in recent years, each of the above-mentioned devices has been conventionally used only in a form in which an image generation device and an image output device are connected in a one-to-one connection (standalone). As for the apparatus, a system (medical network system) in which an image generation apparatus and an image output apparatus are connected in a one-to-many or a plurality-to-many manner by using a computer even in a hospital is constructed.

[0007]

In this medical network system, each of the image output devices has a database relating to the image output device and parameters, and each device reads out the parameters from the database and performs image processing. By further changing the parameter value and changing the image processing condition, for example, a desired image output quality can be obtained according to the preference of the diagnostic doctor. The changed parameters can be saved by updating the previously saved database or in the form of new registration.

Therefore, in the conventional medical network system, it is needless to say that each of the plurality of image output devices can have the same parameter.
There is an advantage that the same image generated by the image generating device can be individually output as an image subjected to image processing under image processing conditions with different parameters. On the other hand, when a parameter is changed in a certain device, if the same parameter as the changed parameter is reflected in all other devices and is output, the parameter will be the same for each device. There was a problem that had to be changed. In addition, the work of changing the parameters for each individual device is troublesome,
The omission was easy to occur, and the process of the whole system was inconsistent.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has the advantage of the conventional medical network system that the parameter can be changed for each individual device, and when the parameter is changed by one device, An object of the present invention is to provide a parameter management method and a parameter management system that can reflect the changed contents easily and without exception in all other devices or a specific device.

[0010]

According to the parameter management method of the present invention, in a system comprising a plurality of image output devices connected to a network for outputting medical images, image processing of medical images output to each of the image output devices is performed. A method of managing a parameter indicating a condition or the like, wherein a parameter changed in one of the image output devices is transferred to another image output device, and each of the other image output devices receives the transferred parameter and the already-applied device. It is characterized in that image processing is performed by selectively using the parameters possessed by.

In transferring the changed parameters, among other image output devices, individual devices, device types, medical treatment items, devices having images of the same patient name, devices having images of the same examination, etc. The image may be transferred to the image output device specified under a predetermined condition.

When specifying the transfer destination device, it is assumed that the parameter corresponds to the index information indicating the photographing menu of the medical image output to the image output device, and is the same as the index information of each of the plurality of image output devices. Information for specifying the image output device having the index information of is registered in advance, and the registered information is referred to,
It is also possible to specify another image output device having index information corresponding to the changed parameter and transfer the changed parameter to the specified image output device.

The "photographing menu" indicates the type of medical image photographed, and includes, for example, the photographing device, the photographing date and time, the medical treatment subject, the patient name, and the type of examination (group examination, detailed examination). Etc.), items to be changed according to image processing conditions such as an examination site (chest, stomach, etc.). The “index information” means, for example, a code number or the like assigned to each of the various shooting menus so that these various shooting menus can be distinguished.

The parameter management system according to the present invention comprises:
A parameter management system that implements the above-described parameter management method, that is, a plurality of network-connected image output devices that output medical images, and sets parameters indicating image processing conditions for medical images output to each of the image output devices. The management system, in which each of the image output devices
Parameter changing means for changing the parameters, transfer means for transferring the changed parameters to another image output device, and receiving means for receiving the transferred parameters,
It is characterized in that it has an image processing means for performing image processing by selectively using the received parameters and the parameters already possessed by itself.

As the transfer means of this parameter management system, the changed parameter may be transferred to another image output device specified under a predetermined condition.

In a system having a transfer means for specifying another image output device, the parameter corresponds to index information indicating a photographing menu of medical images output to the image output device, and the image output is performed. Each of the devices is provided with a registration unit that registers in advance information that identifies the image output device having the same index information as the index information that each image output device has, and the transfer unit registers the information registered by the registration unit. With reference to, another image output device having the index information corresponding to the changed parameter may be specified, and the changed parameter may be transferred to the specified image output device.

The method for saving the parameters is as follows, as long as the parameters can be arbitrarily used when performing image processing or the like in each image output device. It doesn't matter. In particular, from the viewpoint of facilitating the management of parameters, it is desirable to save the data as a database in a storage device such as a hard disk provided in each image output device.

The image output device used in the above system may be any device capable of outputting a visible image, and a device equipped with various soft copy devices such as a CRT is mainly used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one provided with various hard copy devices such as LP can also be used.

Further, the parameter management method and system of the present invention is a system comprising a plurality of image output devices connected to a network and a database for storing and managing image processing parameters of all images. In a method or system for managing parameters indicating image processing conditions of output images, when each image output device receives image information from the outside, a database that stores and manages image processing parameters of all images is provided. It is characterized by inquiring about the image, receiving the latest information about the image processing parameter from the database, and updating it.

Further, the parameter management method and system of the present invention manages parameters indicating image processing conditions of an image output to each image output device in a system including a plurality of image output devices connected to a network. In the method or system, when each image output device receives an image, the image processing parameter internally held by the device is compared with the image processing parameter held by the received image, and the difference between the two is output. It is characterized in that the image processing parameters held in the device are changed based on the above, whereby once the image with the changed image processing passes through the system, it is held in the related devices. It is characterized in that it is possible to update the parameter group that has been set.

[0021]

According to the parameter management method and system of the present invention, when a parameter is changed in one of the image output devices, the changed contents are transferred to another image output device and the receiving device receives the changed contents. In the above, since the image processing is performed by selectively using the received parameter and the parameter already possessed, the same parameter as the parameter changed in one device may be used in another device as necessary. It can be used reliably, and it does not take time and effort to change parameters. Also,
If you make sure to select the received parameters, you will not lose any changes.

Further, if the transfer destination image output device is specified and transferred, the device for which the parameter is updated can be designated by the transfer source. When specifying the image output device of the transfer destination, the transfer destination can be specified by using the index information indicating the type of the captured image as a clue, so that not only the device unit but also an image of a certain patient, the same examination It is also possible to specify a desired image and the type of the image and transfer the image.

Furthermore, when each image output device receives image information from the outside, it makes an inquiry about the image to a database that stores and manages the image processing parameters of all the images, and the latest information about the image processing parameter is sent from the database. In the case of the one that receives and updates the information of the above, the inquiry can always update the image processing parameters to the latest information when necessary, so that the latest image processing is always performed in each image output device. Can be managed to retain parameters.

Further, when each image output device receives an image, it compares the image processing parameter internally held by the device with the image processing parameter held by the received image, and finds a difference between the two. In the case where the image processing parameter held in the device is changed based on the above, the image processing parameter held in the device can be changed only when there is a difference between the two. .
Further, as a result, when an image whose image processing has been changed once passes through the system, it is possible to update the parameter group held in the related apparatus.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a parameter management method and a parameter management system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a parameter management system according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the parameter management system according to the present embodiment is a CR for capturing an image of a subject and acquiring image data carrying the image.
An image that receives image data output from the device 10 and the CR device 10, performs predetermined image processing on the image data, and displays the image on a CRT or the like (not shown) based on the processed image data after the image processing. Output devices 20, 30, and 40 are provided, and the devices are mutually connected via a network line.

The image output device 20 is a storage device for temporarily storing the image data transferred from the CR device 10 and the parameters indicating the conditions of the image processing performed in the CR device 10.
24, the receiving means 21 for receiving the parameters transferred from the other image output devices 30, 40, the parameters read from the storage device 24 and the read parameters are changed, and the changed parameter P22 already exists. Parameter changing means 23 for inputting the parameter P21 before change (that is, existing) to the image processing means 25, and parameter changing means
The image data D read out from the storage device 24 is selectively used by using the parameters P21 and P22 inputted by 23.
Image processing means 25 for performing image processing on 20 and registration means
The transfer means 22 for transferring the changed parameter P22 to another image output device specified by 26. The image output devices 30 and 40 also have the same configuration as the image output device 20. It should be noted that, in FIG. 1, means or devices corresponding to the device 20 in each device are such that the last digit of the reference number is the same as the last digit of the device 20 and the second digit corresponds to each device.
Shown after changing to 30s or 40s.

A method of managing parameters in the parameter management system having the above configuration will be described below.

The CR device 10 photographs an object to obtain image data carrying an image, performs standardization processing and predetermined image processing, and then performs standardization processing on the original image data before the image processing and the image processing. And the parameters indicating the conditions are transferred to the image output devices 20, 30, 40. Image output device 20, 30,
The storage devices 24, 34, 44 provided in each of the 40 temporarily store the transferred original image data and parameters. As a result, each of the image output devices 20, 30, 40 has the same original image data and the same parameters. In addition, the parameters are the device that was photographed, the date of photography, the medical treatment subject,
A database is stored so as to correspond to index information indicating the type of image (imaging menu) such as patient name and type of examination.

The image output devices 20, 30 and 40 individually perform image processing using the stored original image data D20 and the parameters P21 and the like, and output the images to a CRT (not shown). Also,
The parameter P22 is changed to a parameter different from the saved parameter according to the operator's preference and the like.
It is possible to individually output the images that have been subjected to the image processing under the image processing conditions such as the above, and it is also possible to change the existing parameters to the changed parameters and save them. This corresponds to updating the parameters. Further, if the index information number different from the existing one is taken and saved, both the existing parameter P21 and the changed parameter P22 can be saved.

In this way, the storage device after the image processing is performed while appropriately changing the parameters in each device
FIG. 2 shows an example of the parameters stored in the databases 24, 34 and 44 and stored in the database. The storage device 24 stores the parameters corresponding to each of the index information 1, 2, 3, and 4, and the storage device 34 stores the index information 1,
The parameters corresponding to each of 2, 4, 6 are stored, and the storage device 44 stores the parameters corresponding to each of the index information 1, 3, 5, 7. Storage device
The parameter corresponding to the index information 1 of 24, 34, and 44 is <1234>. In FIG. 2, the storage device
The parameter corresponding to 24 index information 1 is <13
57>, but this is because it indicates a changed parameter described later, and here <1234>.
Is. Further, other parameters corresponding to the index information are omitted and left blank.

Next, a method of changing the parameter corresponding to the index information 1 in the image output device 20 and reflecting the changed parameter in the image output devices 30 and 40 will be described.

Information (transfer destination specifying information) for specifying another storage device having the same index information as the index information of each of the storage devices 24, 34, 44 is registered by the registering means 2
Register in advance for each of 6,36,46. The individual devices may be registered in this way, but they may be collectively registered in a specific device (for example, the storage device 24) or other storage means (server or the like).

When the parameter is changed in the image output device 20 and reflected in another image output device, first, in order to specify the image output device of the transfer destination, first,
By referring to the transfer destination specifying information registered in the registration means 26, another storage device having the same index information as the index information corresponding to the changed parameter is specified.

For example, when the parameter corresponding to the index information 1 stored in the storage device 24 is changed from <1234> to <1357>, the storage devices having the same index information 1 are the storage devices 34 and 44. It can be seen that the image output devices 30 and 40 are the image output devices to which the changed parameters are to be transferred.

In this way, when another image output device to which the changed parameter should be reflected is known, information indicating the other image output device (for example, flag or key code; hereinafter referred to as "flag information"). And the changed parameter <1357> is output to the network line via the transfer means 22.

The image output device 30 receives the flag information and the changed parameter transferred via the network line by the receiving means 31, and determines whether the received parameter is transferred to itself. The flag information is referred to for determination, and when the flag is for itself, the received parameter P30 and index information 1 are temporarily stored in the storage device 34 so that they can be recognized. The image output device 40 also performs similar processing. In the above example, the changed parameter <1357> corresponds to the index information 1, and the parameter <1357> is stored in both the storage devices 34 and 44. At this time, a predetermined warning or display may be given so that the operator knows that the parameter has been received.

As described above, the fact that the existing parameter is not immediately updated to the received parameter is adversely affected because the parameter is changed while the received image output apparatus is performing image processing using the existing parameter. This is to prevent the reception of data and to allow the existing one and the received one to be selectively used. Therefore, if there is no problem in updating the received parameters immediately, the parameters may be automatically updated as soon as they are received.

When the received parameters are used in the image output devices 30 and 40, the parameters are read from the storage devices 34 and 44, and the read parameters are used as the changed parameters P32 and P42 of the device and the image processing means 35. ，
Enter in 45. The image processing means 35 uses the existing parameter P.
31 <1234> and changed parameter P32 <1357
> Is selectively used to perform image processing on the image data D30 read from the storage device 34, and similarly, the image processing means 45 causes the existing parameter P41 <1234> and the changed parameter P42 <1357. > Is selectively used to perform image processing on the image data D40 read from the storage device 44.

Then, in the image output apparatus 30, the existing parameter P31 <1234> is changed to the changed parameter P.
If it is determined that the value may be changed to 32 <1357>, the parameter P31 <1234> stored in the database
Is changed to this changed parameter P32 <1357> (corresponding to updating of the database). Further, if the index information number different from the index information 1 corresponding to the parameter P31 is taken and the parameter P32 <1357> changed corresponding to this is stored in the database, the existing parameter P31 <1234> is saved. You can leave it. The same process may be performed in the image output device 40.

It is needless to say that the parameters can be changed on the other image output devices 30 and 40 side and the changed parameters can be transferred to the image output device 20 in the same manner as described above.

As described above, according to the parameter management method and the parameter management system of the present invention, when a parameter is changed in one device, the changed contents can be easily reflected in all other devices or a specific device. In addition, unless the transferred parameter is determined to be unnecessary, the parameter can be surely reflected in the device.

Although the above description refers to the registration means, the one in which the changed parameter is transferred to all the image output devices provided with the storage device having the index information corresponding to the changed parameter has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any method may be used as a method of identifying the transfer destination device. For example, the device may be further limited and transferred from the devices having the same index information. Further, without specifying the transfer destination by the registration means, the changed parameter and the index information corresponding to the changed parameter are indiscriminately transferred to a device or the like installed in a specific medical department, and are transferred to the receiving side. The device may refer to the received index information and receive and use the transferred parameters only for the same index information as the device itself.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a parameter management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of parameters in the parameter management system.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 CR device 20, 30, 40 image output device 21, 31, 41 Receiving means 22, 32, 42 Transfer method 23, 33, 43 Parameter change means 24, 34, 44 storage 25, 35, 45 image processing means 26,36,46 Registration method

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Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method for managing parameters indicating image processing conditions and the like of medical images output to each of the image output devices in a system including a plurality of network-connected image output devices for outputting medical images. The parameter corresponds to index information indicating a shooting menu of the medical image, and information for specifying an image output device having the same index information as the index information of each of the plurality of image output devices is registered in advance. However, when the parameter is changed in one of the image output devices, the other image output device having the index information corresponding to the changed parameter is identified by referring to the registered information. Transferring the changed parameter to the specified image output device, the other image output device Each is, it transferred the parameters already parameter management method characterized in that the image processing by selectively using the parameters which the device has. 2. A system comprising a plurality of network-connected image output devices for outputting medical images, which manages parameters indicating image processing conditions and the like of medical images output to each of the image output devices, The parameter corresponds to index information indicating a shooting menu for the medical image, and each of the image output devices has the same parameter changing means for changing the parameter and the index information included in each image output device. Registration means for pre-registering information specifying an image output device having index information; and referring to the information registered by the registration means, the index information corresponding to the parameter changed by the parameter changing means. Identify another image output device,
Transfer means for transferring the changed parameters to the specified image output device, reception means for receiving the parameters transferred by the transfer means, and selection of the received parameters and the parameters already possessed by itself. A parameter management system, comprising: