JP3650653B2 - CT apparatus and image display apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a computed tomography (CT) apparatus and an image display apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a CT apparatus and an image display apparatus that can efficiently diagnose a very large number of examinees and can be suitably used for applications such as mass screening for lung cancer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In conventional mass screening for lung cancer, an X-ray machine is installed in an examination car and the company goes to a company, where the X-ray machine takes a chest photo of a large number of subjects, returns to the hospital, and sees each chest photo taken one by one. Diagnosis methods have been used. However, this method has not always achieved satisfactory results.
Therefore, recently, I went to a company etc. with an X-ray CT device installed in the examination car, took cross-sectional images of the breasts of many examinees with the X-ray CT device, returned to the hospital, and looked at the taken cross-sectional images A method of diagnosis has attracted attention.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the X-ray apparatus, there was one chest photograph for one examinee, so even if 120 examinees were taken a day, only 120 chest photographs were needed. On the other hand, in the X-ray CT apparatus, 10 to 60 cross-sectional images are obtained for one examinee. Therefore, when 120 examinees are imaged per day, 1200 to 7200 cross-sectional images are obtained. turn into.
However, when it becomes such a large number of cross-sectional images, it becomes a problem how to view it efficiently.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a CT apparatus that can record a large amount of cross-sectional images by converting a large amount of cross-sectional images into a form that can be efficiently viewed, and an image display that can efficiently view a large amount of cross-sectional images. To provide an apparatus.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a CT apparatus that scans a subject and generates cross-sectional image data. The cross-sectional image data of a plurality of subjects can be converted into digital image data and bibliographic data can be added. A CT apparatus comprising a digital image data recording means for recording on a portable digital recording medium is provided.
In the CT apparatus according to the first aspect, the cross-sectional image data of a plurality of subjects is converted into digital image data and recorded on a portable digital recording medium. When digital image data is used, various data compression techniques can be used. Therefore, a large amount of cross-sectional image data can be recorded efficiently. In addition, since bibliographic data is added and recorded on a portable digital recording medium, bibliographic data and digital image data are read out in a predetermined order using bibliographic data as a key, and a bibliographic information image and a cross-sectional image are read at predetermined time intervals. Paging to display can be performed easily. Therefore, a cross-sectional image obtained by imaging a large number of examinees can be efficiently viewed, and is particularly useful for mass screening of lung cancer.
The CT apparatus specifically means an X-ray CT apparatus, an NMR-CT apparatus, a microwave CT apparatus, a body temperature CT apparatus, an ultrasonic CT apparatus, and the like.
[0005]
In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a CT apparatus configured as described above, wherein the digital image data is compressed image data based on JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), and the portable digital recording medium is an MO (Magneto Optical) disc. Provided is a CT apparatus characterized by the above.
Use of JPEG and MO discs is very convenient because it enables cross-sectional images to be viewed using widely used personal computers and workstations.
[0006]
In a third aspect, the present invention provides a storage device that stores bibliographic data and cross-sectional image data for a plurality of subjects in a CT apparatus that scans the subject and generates cross-sectional image data of the subject, Paging recording means for reading bibliographic data and image data in a predetermined order from the storage means, converting them into video data for displaying a bibliographic information image and a cross-sectional image at predetermined time intervals, and recording them on a portable sequential recording medium. A CT apparatus is provided.
In the CT apparatus of the third aspect, bibliographic data and cross-sectional image data about the subject are stored in the storage means, and when a large number of cross-sectional image data is stored, the bibliographic data is used as a key in a predetermined order. The data and the cross-sectional image data are read out, converted into video data for displaying the bibliographic information image and the cross-sectional image for each predetermined time, and recorded on a portable sequential recording medium. Therefore, when video data is reproduced from a portable sequential recording medium, paging for displaying a bibliographic information image and a cross-sectional image is automatically performed for a predetermined time. Therefore, a cross-sectional image obtained by imaging a large number of examinees can be efficiently viewed, and is particularly useful for mass screening of lung cancer.
[0007]
In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a CT apparatus characterized in that, in the CT apparatus configured as described above, the video data is a video signal, and the portable sequential recording medium is a video cassette tape.
If a video signal is recorded on a video cassette tape, it becomes possible to view a cross-sectional image using a widely used video cassette player, which is very convenient.
[0008]
In a fifth aspect, the present invention reads bibliographic data and digital image data in a predetermined order from a portable digital recording medium on which bibliographic data and digital image data are recorded. Provided is an image display device comprising paging reproduction means for displaying a cross-sectional image.
In the image display apparatus according to the fifth aspect, bibliographic data and digital image data are read out in a predetermined order from a portable digital recording medium obtained from the CT apparatus according to the first aspect or the second aspect. The image can be viewed efficiently.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited thereby.
[0010]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The X-ray CT apparatus 100 includes a scanner device 1, a processing device 2, a mass storage device 3, a display device 4, an input device 5, a digital recording / reproducing device 11, and a sequential recording device 12. Configured.
When the operator instructs a normal scan from the input device 5, the scanner device 1 rotates the X-ray tube and the detector around the subject H at one imaging position to generate cross-sectional image data. Collect raw data for multiple views you need. On the other hand, when the operator instructs a helical scan from the input device 5, the X-ray tube and the detector are linearly moved with respect to the subject H along one axis (the subject H is moved). In some cases, the image data is rotated and the view raw data corresponding to the photographing position is collected for each of a plurality of photographing positions on the axis. In addition, when the operator instructs a cine scan from the input device 5, the X-ray tube and the detector are rotated with respect to the subject H to correspond to the imaging time for each of a plurality of imaging times. Collect raw data for the selected view. In some cases, only the X-ray tube is rotated and the detector is not rotated.
[0011]
The processing device 2 includes a data acquisition unit 2a, a sectional image data generation unit 2b, an image display unit 2c, a digital image data recording unit 2d, and a paging recording unit 2e.
The data acquisition unit 2a receives raw data collected by the scanner device 1, arranges it into data necessary for generating cross-sectional image data, and passes it to the cross-sectional image data generation unit 2b.
The cross-sectional image data generation unit 2 b generates cross-sectional image data by back projection calculation and accumulates it in the mass storage device 3. At this time, bibliographic data such as the imaging location, imaging date and time, and the name of the subject are added.
The image display unit 2c displays a cross-sectional image based on the cross-sectional image data on the display device 4 according to an operator's instruction.
[0012]
The digital image data recording / reproducing unit 2d reads the cross-sectional image data from the large-capacity storage device 3, converts it into digital image data based on JPEG, and records it on a portable digital recording medium by the digital recording / reproducing device 11. At this time, bibliographic data such as the imaging location, imaging date and time, and the name of the subject are added. Further, bibliographic data and digital image data recorded on a portable digital recording medium are read from the digital recording / reproducing device 11 based on an instruction from the operator, and a bibliographic information image and a cross-sectional image are reproduced and displayed. Note that the image data may be converted into digital image data based on EPS (Encapsulated PostScript format), GIF (Graphic Interchange Format), PCD (Photo CD format), or the like.
[0013]
The paging recording unit 2e reads bibliographic data and a plurality of cross-sectional image data concerning the subject H from the large-capacity storage device 3, for example, in order of the name of the subject H based on an instruction from the operator, Is converted into video data of a television system (NTSC, PAL, SECAM, Hi-Vision) for displaying a static information image and a cross-sectional image, and recorded on a portable sequential recording medium by the sequential recording device 12. At this time, the bibliographic information image and the cross-sectional image are displayed for each predetermined time based on an instruction from the operator. It may be converted into video data (moving picture data) based on Motion JPEG, MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group), Video for Windows, Quick Time for Windows, or the like.
[0014]
The mass storage device 3 is, for example, a hard disk device.
The digital recording / reproducing device 11 is, for example, an MO disk device. In addition to this, a CD (Compact Disk) device, a PD (phase change type magneto-optical disk) device, or the like may be used. In order to quickly extract the cross-sectional image data of the desired examinee, it is preferable to use a random access type recording / reproducing apparatus.
[0015]
The sequential recording device 12 is a video cassette recorder that records video data on, for example, an 8 mm video cassette tape (or VHS video cassette tape). In addition, an MO disk device, a CD device, a PD device, or the like may be used.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a procedure for recording cross-sectional image data in group examination using the X-ray CT apparatus 100.
In step ST <b> 1, the operator inputs scanning parameters using the input device 5. The scan parameters include bibliographic data, a scan site (head, chest, abdomen,...), A scan type (normal scan, helical scan, cine scan), the number of scans, and a slice thickness.
In step ST2, steps ST3 and ST4 are repeated for all examinees to which the scanning parameters can be applied and for the designated number per person.
In step ST3, data is acquired by scanning based on the scanning parameters.
In step ST4, cross-sectional image data is generated, and bibliographic data is added and stored in the mass storage device 3.
[0017]
In step ST5, the cross-sectional image data stored in the large-capacity storage device 3 is read out, converted into digital image data, bibliographic data is added, and the digital recording device 11 uses a portable digital recording medium (for example, MO disk) MOD. Record.
[0018]
In step ST <b> 6, the operator uses the input device 5 to input paging recording parameters. The paging recording parameters are a paging order, a paging speed, and the like.
In step ST7, the cross-sectional image data stored in the large-capacity storage device 3 is read in the order specified by the paging recording parameter, and the bibliographic information image (for example, 2 seconds / second) is incremented by the time specified by the paging recording parameter. 1 examinee) and a cross-sectional image (for example, 1 second / 1 cross-sectional image) are converted into video data to be displayed, and are recorded on a portable sequential recording medium (for example, a video cassette tape) VCT by the sequential recording device 12. Simultaneously with the paging recording, the display device 4 may perform paging display.
[0019]
For example, when the portable sequential recording medium VCT is a 120-minute video cassette tape and the number of cross-sectional images per examinee is 10 to 60, the video time per examinee is 12 to 62 seconds. Therefore, 600 to 116 people can be recorded on one 120 minute video cassette tape.
The doctor plays the video cassette tape on the video cassette player and makes a diagnosis by viewing the cross-sectional image. If any abnormal cross-sectional image is found, take note of the examinee data of the cross-sectional image (extracted from bibliographic data and displayed at the edge of the screen).
Then, the portable digital recording medium MOD that records the memorandum of the examinee's digital image data is set in the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 11 of the X-ray CT apparatus 100, and the digital image data of the examinee is read out to make a precise diagnosis. To do. Since digital image data can be easily subjected to image processing such as enhancement, smoothing, 3D (three-dimensional), and IP (Intensity Projection), it can be diagnosed accurately.
[0020]
In the X-ray CT apparatus 100, the digital image recording / reproducing unit 2 d and the paging recording unit 2 e are built in the processing device 2, but these may be optional devices separate from the processing device 2.
In the X-ray CT apparatus 100, both the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 11 and the sequential recording apparatus 12 are provided, but only one of them may be used. In the case where only the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 11 is provided, as will be described later, paging is performed by the digital recording image display apparatus 200 shown in FIG. Further, when only the sequential recording device 12 is provided, a video cassette player or a personal computer reproduces the video and diagnoses it, and the examinee who has found an abnormality may be reexamined.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a digital recording image display apparatus 200 that reproduces a cross-sectional image from a portable digital image recording medium and displays it by paging.
The digital recorded image display device 200 includes a processing device 22, a display device 24, an input device 25, and a digital playback device 31.
The processing device 22 includes a paging reproduction unit 22a, a manual reproduction unit 22b, an image processing unit 22c, and an image display unit 22d.
[0022]
The paging reproduction unit 22a reads bibliographic data and a plurality of digital image data for the examinee from the portable digital image recording medium in order of the name of the examinee based on the operator's instructions, The information image and the cross-sectional image are displayed on the image display unit 22d.
[0023]
The manual reproduction unit 22b reads bibliographic data and a plurality of digital image data concerning the examiner designated by the operator from a portable digital image recording medium, and displays the bibliographic information image or cross-sectional image designated by the operator as an image. It is displayed on the part 22d.
[0024]
The image processing unit 22c reads bibliographic data and a plurality of digital image data concerning the examiner designated by the operator from a portable digital image recording medium, and an image such as emphasis, smoothing, 3D, IP designated by the operator. Processing is performed, and an image obtained by the image processing is displayed on the image display unit 22d.
[0025]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a diagnostic procedure using the digitally recorded image display device 200.
In step SU <b> 1, the operator inputs paging reproduction parameters using the input device 25. The parameters for paging reproduction are a paging range, a paging order, a paging speed, and the like.
In step SU2, steps SU3, SU4, and SU5 are repeated for all examinees in the range specified by the paging parameter and for the designated number per person.
In step SU3, the bibliographic data of one examinee and a plurality of digital image data concerning the examinee are read from the portable digital image recording medium in the order specified by the paging reproduction parameter.
In step SU4, the bibliographic information image is displayed for a time (for example, 2 seconds) specified by the paging reproduction parameter.
In step SU5, a plurality of cross-sectional images are reproduced from a plurality of digital image data applied to the examinee, and are automatically paged and displayed for a time specified by the paging reproduction parameter (for example, 1 second / 1 cross-sectional image). If the operator does not perform a stop operation (for example, pressing the return key or left-clicking the mouse) during this automatic paging display, the process returns to step SU2 and repeats steps SU3, SU4 and SU5 for the next examinee. To do. On the other hand, if the operator performs a stop operation during automatic paging display, the process proceeds to step SU6.
[0026]
In step SU6, when the operator designates a bibliographic information image or a cross-sectional image, the designated image is displayed. On the other hand, when the operator designates an image processing method such as emphasis, smoothing, 3D, or IP, the designated image processing is performed and the obtained image is displayed. When the operator performs a restart operation (for example, presses the shift key + return key or right-clicks the mouse), the process returns to the step SU2, and the steps SU3, SU4, SU5 are repeated for the next examinee.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
According to the CT apparatus of the present invention, a large amount of cross-sectional images can be recorded by converting them into a form in which a large amount of cross-sectional images can be viewed efficiently. Moreover, according to the image display apparatus of the present invention, a large amount of cross-sectional images can be viewed efficiently. Therefore, it is particularly useful for mass screening of lung cancer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an X-ray CT apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a procedure for recording cross-sectional image data in a mass examination using the X-ray CT apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a digitally recorded image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is an explanatory diagram of a diagnostic procedure using the digitally recorded image display device of FIG. 3;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Scanner apparatus 2,22 Processing apparatus 2a Data acquisition part 2b Cross-sectional image data generation part 2c, 22d Image display part 2d Digital image data recording / reproducing part 2e Paging recording part 3,31 Mass storage apparatus 4,24 Display apparatus 5,25 Input device 11 Digital recording / reproducing device 12 Sequential recording device 22a Paging reproducing unit 22b Manual reproducing unit 22c Image processing unit 100 X-ray CT device 200 Digital recording image display device

Claims (5)

In a CT apparatus that scans a subject and generates image data of a cross section of the subject,
Storage means for storing bibliographic data and cross-sectional image data for a plurality of subjects;
Paging recording means for reading bibliographic data and image data in a predetermined order from the storage means, converting them into video data for displaying a bibliographic information image and a cross-sectional image for a predetermined time, and recording them on a portable sequential recording medium;
An input means for an operator to input a paging order and a paging speed as paging recording parameters;
The paging recording means reads bibliographic data and digital image data in the input paging order, displays a bibliographic information image for a predetermined time at the input paging speed, and then displays a predetermined time cross-sectional image. A CT apparatus which converts video data to be displayed and performs paging display simultaneously with the paging recording. The CT apparatus according to claim 1,
The CT apparatus, wherein the portable sequential medium is an 8 mm video cassette tape or a VHS video cassette tape. The CT apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
Digital that converts the cross-sectional image data of the plurality of subjects into digital image data, adds bibliographic data, records the data on a portable digital recording medium, and reproduces the data recorded on the portable digital recording medium Further comprising image data recording / reproducing means,
A CT apparatus for reading out specific cross-sectional image data recorded on the portable digital recording medium and displaying the cross-sectional image. Paging reproduction means for reading bibliographic data and digital image data in a predetermined order from a portable digital storage medium in which bibliographic data and digital image data are recorded, and displaying a bibliographic information image and a cross-sectional image for each predetermined time;
An input means for an operator to input a paging range, paging order and paging speed as paging playback parameters;
The paging reproduction means reads bibliographic data and digital image data in the inputted paging order, displays a bibliographic information image for a predetermined time at the input paging speed, and then displays a predetermined time cross-sectional image. An image display device characterized by automatically paging and displaying, and repeating these reading and display within the inputted paging range. The image display device according to claim 4,
An image display device, wherein the portable digital storage medium is an MO disk.

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