JP4528596B2 - Medical image management system, medical image management method, and medical image management program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical image management system, a medical image management method, and a medical image management for storing tomographic image data reconstructed using medical diagnostic information of a subject collected by an image diagnostic apparatus such as an X-ray CT apparatus. Regarding the program.

  With the advent of an X-ray computed tomography apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “X-ray CT apparatus”), a three-dimensional image can be obtained by imaging a plurality of tomographic images.

  In recent years, with the advent of the so-called helical scan method, it has become possible to collect images more quickly.

  More recently, a large number of tomographic images can be obtained relatively easily, and the use of three-dimensional images has increased. Although a three-dimensional scan can be performed by taking a number of two-dimensional tomographic images, the development of a multi-slice X-ray CT apparatus has made it possible to collect a two-dimensional image of a subject at a time.

  Conventionally, tomographic image data is created by designating reconstruction parameters (reconstruction conditions) for medical diagnostic information (projection data) collected by an X-ray CT apparatus and performing reconstruction. Data was stored and managed in a storage device. Then, the radiogram interpreter reads the tomographic image data stored in the storage device and interprets it (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-296461 A (paragraphs [0020]-[0045], FIG. 1)

  However, with the technique described in Patent Document 1, with the spread of multi-slice CT capable of high-speed scanning, the number of image data generated in the X-ray CT apparatus becomes enormous. In the medical image network, a method for storing and operating an enormous number of image data is a problem.

  For example, if the image of 1000 images is generated by helical scanning of the chest and abdomen 50 cm with a slice thickness of 0.5 mm, the total data size is 0.5 GB.

  Further, if five types of reconstruction are performed by performing filter processing or using a plurality of reconstruction functions, the number of images is 5000 and the total data size is 2.5 GB.

  Accordingly, an increase in the capacity of a storage device installed in a server of a medical image network or the size of a database decreases the response to an image request on the network. Therefore, a medical image management system having an efficient reconstruction function has been demanded. It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an efficient reconstruction function that eliminates a decrease in response to an image request caused by an increase in the capacity of a storage medium of a server or a database size. To provide a medical image management system, a medical image management method, and a medical image management program provided.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a medical image management system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a medical diagnostic information acquisition unit that acquires projection data by imaging a subject, and a tomographic image data of the subject. A first storage means for storing the reconstruction parameters including the conditions to be configured and the projection data; and acquiring the medical diagnosis information stored in the first storage means in response to an image acquisition request from the client device Reconstructing means for reconstructing tomographic image data from projection data corresponding to the identification information of the means and reconstruction parameters; and second storage means for temporarily storing the tomographic image data to be output to the client device. It is characterized by having.

  The medical image management system according to claim 2 for solving the above-described problem is a medical diagnostic information acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of projection data by imaging a subject, and tomographic image data of the subject. In response to the identification information of the medical diagnostic information acquisition means in response to a request for image acquisition from a client device, a storage means for storing a plurality of reconstruction parameters including a condition for reconfiguring the plurality of projection data Reconstructing one tomographic image data from one projection data and reconstruction parameters stored in the first storage means, and relating to the one projection data based on identification information of the medical diagnostic information acquisition means Reconstructing means for reconstructing other tomographic image data from other projection data and reconstruction parameters, and the other tomographic data to be output to the client device. And having a second storage means for temporarily storing until it receives a request for reconfiguration of the other projection data.

  In order to solve the above problem, the medical image management system according to the invention described in claim 3 is the medical image management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first storage means includes a plurality of client devices in advance. The reconfiguration parameter is stored in correspondence with the identification information, and the reconfiguration unit reads out the corresponding reconfiguration parameter from the first storage unit based on the identification information of the requested client device, and reconfigures the reconfiguration parameter. It is characterized by doing.

  The medical image management method according to the invention described in claim 4 for solving the above-described problem includes a projection data acquired by imaging a subject and a condition including a condition for reconstructing the tomographic image data of the subject. Projection data corresponding to the identification information of the medical diagnostic information acquisition means stored in the storage device in response to a first storage process of storing the configuration parameters in the storage device and an image acquisition request from the client device A reconstruction process for reconstructing tomographic image data from the reconstruction parameters, a second storage process for temporarily storing the reconstructed tomographic image data, and transmission for transmitting the tomographic image data to the client device Including a process.

  In order to solve the above problem, a medical image management method according to claim 5 is provided with a plurality of projection data acquired by imaging a subject and a condition for reconstructing tomographic image data of the subject. In response to a first storage process for storing a plurality of reconstruction parameters including a storage device in a storage device and an image acquisition request from a client device, the identification information of the medical diagnostic information acquisition means stored in the storage device Reconstructing one tomographic image data from one corresponding projection data and reconstruction parameter, and from other projection data and reconstruction parameters related to the one projection data based on the identification information of the subject A reconstruction process for reconstructing other tomographic image data; a second storage process for temporarily storing the reconstructed one tomographic image data and other tomographic image data; and A first transmission process for transmitting the tomographic image data as described above and a second transmission for transmitting the other tomographic image data to the client device upon receipt of an image acquisition request for the other projection data Including a process.

  In order to solve the above problem, the medical image management method according to the invention described in claim 6 is the medical image management method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the reconfiguration step is performed by the client device that has made the request. Based on the identification information, a corresponding reconstruction parameter is read and reconstructed.

  The medical image management program according to the invention of claim 7 for solving the above-mentioned problem is a reconstructed program including projection data acquired by imaging a subject and conditions for reconstructing tomographic image data of the subject. Projection data corresponding to the identification information of the medical diagnostic information acquisition means stored in the storage device in response to a first storage process of storing the configuration parameters in the storage device and an image acquisition request from the client device A reconstruction process for reconstructing tomographic image data from the reconstruction parameters, a second storage process for temporarily storing the reconstructed tomographic image data, and transmission for transmitting the tomographic image data to the client device It is characterized by making a computer function a process.

  A medical image management program according to an eighth aspect of the present invention for solving the above-described problems includes a plurality of projection data acquired by imaging a subject and a condition for reconstructing tomographic image data of the subject. In response to a first storage process for storing a plurality of reconstruction parameters including a storage device in a storage device and an image acquisition request from a client device, the identification information of the medical diagnostic information acquisition means stored in the storage device Reconstructing one tomographic image data from one corresponding projection data and reconstruction parameter, and from other projection data and reconstruction parameters related to the one projection data based on the identification information of the subject A reconstruction process for reconstructing other tomographic image data, a second storage process for temporarily storing the reconstructed one tomographic image data and other tomographic image data, and the client And a second transmission step of transmitting the other tomographic image data to the client device upon receipt of an image acquisition request for the other projection data. It is characterized by making a computer function the transmission process.

  The medical image management program according to the invention described in claim 9 for solving the above-described problem is the medical image management program according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the reconfiguration process is performed by the client device that has made the request. Based on the identification information, a corresponding reconstruction parameter is read and reconstructed.

  According to the present invention, projection data (raw data) acquired by the medical diagnostic information acquisition unit is stored in the server in advance, and an acquisition request is received from the client device using the series information based on the medical diagnostic information acquisition unit as a key. The requested client is reconstructed with the projection data (raw data) that is likely to be reconstructed later based on the series information before being requested. The image data (tomographic image data) reconstructed quickly can be provided to the apparatus. Therefore, there are provided a medical image management system, a medical image management method, and a medical image management program having an efficient reconstruction function that eliminates a decrease in response to an image acquisition request caused by an increase in the storage medium capacity or database size of a server. be able to.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Constitution)
A configuration of an embodiment of the medical image management system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the medical image management system of the present embodiment.

  The medical image management system of the present embodiment includes an X-ray CT apparatus 20 that scans a subject and acquires medical diagnosis information (raw data) including projection data, and reconstructs the projection data (raw data) to obtain a tomographic image. And a client device 30 for a radiographer to interpret the tomogram are connected by a network. The X-ray CT apparatus 20 corresponds to medical diagnostic information acquisition means in this claim.

  Note that the medical image management system of the present embodiment is constructed by, for example, the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) standard created by the ACR-NEMA Committee.

  This DICOM standard is a standard for realizing an object-oriented medical image information network system. The content and data structure of various diagnostic information such as CT image information, examination information, and patient information, and their diagnostic information are A procedure for exchanging as a message (a procedure for requesting a service such as image storage, retrieval, printing, or inquiry) is defined.

  Further, in the DICOM standard, the classification standard of the three layers of study, series, and image is defined at the lower level of each patient information. Here, the study corresponds to, for example, the concept of the date of the patient's examination, and the series refers to the examination performed on the patient by various image recording modalities such as CT, MRI, and CR described above. -If recorded, it corresponds to these modalities. The image corresponds to an individual image (medical image) itself taken and recorded by the various image recording modalities described above.

  In other words, a study represents an examination of a patient on a certain date, a series is a modality, and an image is an individual image (medical image) taken and recorded by the modality. The DICOM standard is configured such that image search can be easily performed by using individual identification information (Unique ID) based on image classification criteria hierarchized into three layers based on these pieces of information. In the present invention, when an image request is made in the client device, identification information based on a series, that is, modality is used instead of identification information based on an image, that is, an image.

  The client device 30 includes an input device including a keyboard or the like and a display device, for example, and the radiogram interpreter sends the identification information (DICOM specifying the series) to the image data acquisition request receiving unit 3 from the input device. The acquisition of tomographic image data is requested using the tag (SeriesInstanceUID) as a key. The tomographic image data reconstructed by the image reconstruction unit 8 in response to this request is displayed on the display device of the client device 30 and can be interpreted.

  Further, the client device 30 may be installed in different rooms or wards, for example, in the same hospital. Specifically, even if the diagnostic room where the X-ray CT apparatus is installed and the interpretation room are separated from each other, it is possible to request reconstruction or tomogram interpretation by connecting via a network such as a LAN. Is possible.

  The server 10 includes a projection data receiving unit 1 that receives projection data (raw data) transmitted from the X-ray CT apparatus 20 via the network, a hard disk, a memory, and the like that store the received projection data (raw data). And a projection data storage unit 2 which is a storage device composed of

  The server 10 is also provided with an image reconstruction unit 8 for reconstructing tomographic image data of the subject from the projection data (raw data) stored in the projection data storage unit 2 and the reconstruction parameters.

  Here, not only projection data (raw data) but also reconstruction parameters are transmitted together from the X-ray CT apparatus 20 (medical diagnostic information acquisition means). The transmitted reconstruction parameter is output from the image data acquisition request receiving unit 3 to the image reconstruction unit 8. The reconstruction parameters input by the image data acquisition request receiving unit 3 are stored and stored in the projection data storage unit 2 together with the projection data.

  The “reconstruction parameter” includes a reconstruction method (reconstruction function), slice thickness, number of slices, reconstruction interval (reconstruction pitch). When reconstructing, these parameters are designated, and a plurality of two-dimensional images (tomographic images) are created.

  Receiving the tomographic image acquisition request from the client device 30, the image data acquisition request receiving unit 3 sends an instruction for reconstruction processing to the image reconstruction unit 8, and the reconstructed tomographic image data is transmitted to the image reconstruction unit 8. The image data (tomographic image data) transmission unit 5 received from the client outputs the tomographic image data to the client device 30.

  In addition, the medical image management system according to the present embodiment includes an image data storage unit 6 in addition to a memory such as a RAM and a ROM in which various setting conditions and a medical image management program for controlling the medical image management system are stored. In addition, a client device information storage unit 9 is installed.

  In the present invention, the projection data storage unit 2 is storage means (“first storage means” in the present claims) for “storing” projection data (raw data). The unit 6 is a storage means (“second storage means” in the present claims) for “temporarily storing” image data (tomographic image data). The term “temporarily stored” refers to storing until requested by the client device 30 so as to transmit “image data to be reconstructed in advance” (“other tomographic image data” in the claims), which will be described later. Means. Therefore, the image data reconstructed by receiving the request from the client device 30 (“one tomographic image data” in the claims) is transmitted to the client device 30 without being stored in the image data storage unit 6. May be.

(Operation)
Next, the operation of the medical image management method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, projection data (raw data) as medical diagnostic information of a subject is acquired by scanning the subject using the X-ray CT apparatus 20 (step S1). This projection data (raw data) is output from the X-ray CT apparatus 20, received by the projection data receiving unit 1, and stored in the projection data storage unit 2 (step S2).

  At this time, a reconstruction parameter for reconstructing the projection data is output from the X-ray CT apparatus 20 together with the projection data, and stored in the projection data storage unit 2 together with the projection data.

  Thereafter, as an image acquisition request from the client device, the control unit 4 receives the reconfiguration parameter corresponding to the series information (DICOM tag identifying the series; Series Instance UID) input to the image data acquisition request receiving unit 3. Is output to the image reconstruction unit 8 (step S3), and the projection data (raw data) that is the source of the image data requested to be acquired by the operator (reader) is retrieved from the projection data storage unit 2 (step S4). ).

  Thereafter, the control unit 4 performs a reconstruction process on the image reconstruction unit 8 using the projection data (raw data) stored in the projection data storage unit 2 and the input reconstruction parameter. The tomographic image data of the subject is generated and the generated tomographic image data is stored in the image data (tomographic image data) storage unit 6 (step S5).

  The reconstruction parameter is associated with the projection data (raw data) to be reconstructed with the reconstruction parameter, and is stored in the projection data storage unit 2 together with the reconstruction history in step S5. For example, a table in which the reconstruction parameter is associated with the projection data (raw data) to be reconstructed is created by the control unit 4, and the table is stored in the projection data storage unit 2 as a set with the reconstruction parameter. The In the present invention, the associated projection data and reconstruction parameters may be stored in the reconstruction parameter storage unit 7 separate from the projection data storage unit 2.

  When an operator (reader) interprets a tomogram of a subject, the client device 30 requests to read the tomogram. For example, the reconstruction history in step S5 is displayed on the display device of the client device 30. Specifically, the number of the tomographic image to be reconstructed, an icon corresponding to the tomographic image, and the like are displayed on the display device. If a plurality of reconstructions are performed in step S5, a plurality of histories are displayed, and a history can be selected.

  The tomographic image data reconstructed by the image reconstruction unit 8 is output to the control unit 4, and is output from the control unit 4 to the client device 30 (step S6). Then, the tomographic image is displayed on the display device of the client device 30 and is interpreted by a radiogram interpreter.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the medical image management method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the control unit 4 not only instructs the image reconstruction unit 8 to reconstruct the image data requested for acquisition by the image data acquisition request reception unit 3, but also reconstructs other related image data in advance. The image data is stored in the image data storage unit 6 to prepare for the next image data acquisition request.

  As shown in FIG. 3, first, medical diagnostic information (raw data) of the subject is acquired by scanning the subject using the X-ray CT apparatus 20 (step S11). This projection data (raw data) is output from the X-ray CT apparatus 20, received by the projection data receiving unit 1, and stored in the projection data storage unit 2 (step S12).

  Also at this time, a reconstruction parameter for reconstructing the projection data is output from the X-ray CT apparatus 20 together with the projection data, and is stored in the projection data storage unit 2 together with the projection data.

  Thereafter, as an image acquisition request from the client device, the control unit 4 receives the reconfiguration parameter corresponding to the series information (DICOM tag identifying the series; Series InstanceUID) input to the image data acquisition request receiving unit 3 Is output to the image reconstruction unit 8 (step S13), and the projection data (raw data) that is the source of the image data requested to be acquired by the operator (reader) is retrieved from the projection data storage unit 2 (step S14). ).

  Thereafter, the control unit 4 instructs the image reconstruction unit 8 to perform reconstruction processing using the projection data (raw data) and the reconstruction parameters stored in the projection data storage unit 2, The tomographic image data of the subject is created, and the created image data (tomographic image data) is stored in the image data storage unit 6 (step S15).

  The tomographic image data reconstructed by the image reconstruction unit 8 is output to the control unit 4, and is output from the control unit 4 to the client device 30 (step S16). Then, the tomographic image is displayed on the display device of the client device 30 and is interpreted by the radiogram interpreter.

  At this time, referring to the series information (Series Instance UID), the projection data (raw data) associated with the requested projection data (raw data) is also searched (step S17). When the associated image data is in the projection data storage unit 2 (S17-Yes), the projection data (raw data) is reconstructed by the image reconstruction unit 8 and stored in the image data storage unit 6. Then, it is prepared to prepare for the next image data acquisition request (step S18). At this time, the image data storage unit 6 functions as a “prefetching reconstruction buffer”.

  Here, the related projection data (raw data) is searched and reconstructed, for example, when a request for obtaining simple CT image data of a subject is received, an image of the subject's contrast CT The projection data (raw data) of the contrast CT is searched in anticipation that the data also exists, and if it exists, reconstruction of the contrast CT is started or an acquisition request of ECG-synchronized image data of a certain phase is received If the client device is an image interpretation device used for pre- and post-operative comparison, check the existence of raw data examined in the past. Start reconfiguration, etc.

  Therefore, if the client device 30 requests the image data belonging to the same series as the tomographic image data already transmitted in step S16 ("contrast CT image" for the above-mentioned "simple CT image") from the client device 30 again, it corresponds. The control unit 4 reads the image data from the image data storage unit 6 (step S19), and outputs it to the client device 30 (step S20). Thereby, when an image acquisition request is made from the client device 30 for an image related to an image reconstructed in the past, it is possible to quickly deal with the image.

  For example, the size of projection data (raw data) is about 1.8 GB in the case of the above example (chest and abdomen 50 cm, 0.5 mm), which is smaller than 2.5 GB when five types of reconstruction are performed. . Also, the number of database registrations is one in the case of raw data (projection data), compared to 5000 in the case of image data (tomographic image data). In addition, the load on the network is greatly reduced compared to the case where 5000 images are transferred. Furthermore, since the client device can access the server of the present invention using a standard protocol such as DICOM, the existing configuration can be used as it is.

  As another embodiment of the medical image management system according to the present invention, the control unit 4 includes a client device information storage unit 9 and reconstructs image data according to the client device that has requested acquisition of image data. May be instructed to the image reconstruction unit 8. For example, when one client device 30 can perform three-dimensional processing, a large number of image data is reconstructed at a fine pitch as image data for the client device. When the other client device 30 is a remote device via the inter-hospital network, a small number of image data is reconstructed at a rough pitch.

  At this time, the reconstruction parameter used for the reconstruction of the image data is input by the image reader using the input means of the client device. The input reconstruction parameter is output from the image data acquisition request receiving unit 3 to the image reconstruction unit 8. The reconstruction parameter input by the image data acquisition request receiving unit 3 is stored and saved in the reconstruction parameter storage unit 7.

  The medical image management program according to the present invention is configured by configuring the operation of the medical image management method described above as a program, and the embodiment causes the control unit 4 as a CPU to execute the above-described operation. It is.

  Alternatively, the operation of the medical image management method described above configured as a program may be recorded on a recording medium, and the contents of the recording medium may be read and executed by the CPU.

  Each above-mentioned embodiment is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to each embodiment. In the present embodiment, the X-ray CT apparatus has been exemplified as the medical diagnosis information acquisition means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It can be changed.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration in a first embodiment of a medical image management system according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation in the first embodiment of the medical image management method according to the present invention. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation in the second embodiment of the medical image management method according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Projection data reception part 2 Projection data storage part 3 Image data acquisition request reception part 4 Control part 5 Image data transmission part 6 Image data storage part 7 Reconstruction parameter memory | storage part 8 Image reconstruction part 9 Client apparatus information storage part 10 Server 20 X-ray CT device 30 Client device

Claims (9)

Medical diagnostic information acquisition means for acquiring projection data by imaging a subject;
First storage means for storing reconstruction parameters including conditions for reconstructing tomographic image data of the subject and the projection data;
In response to a request for image acquisition from the client device, tomographic image data is reconstructed from projection data and reconstruction parameters corresponding to the identification information of the medical diagnostic information acquisition means stored in the first storage means. Reconstruction means;
A medical image management system comprising: second storage means for temporarily storing the tomographic image data output to the client device. Medical diagnostic information acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of projection data by imaging a subject;
Storage means for storing a plurality of reconstruction parameters including conditions for reconstructing the tomographic image data of the subject and the plurality of projection data;
Upon receiving an image acquisition request from the client device, one tomographic image data from one projection data and reconstruction parameter stored in the first storage unit according to the identification information of the medical diagnostic information acquisition unit Reconstructing means for reconstructing other tomographic image data from other projection data and reconstruction parameters related to the one projection data based on the identification information of the medical diagnostic information acquisition means,
And a second storage unit for temporarily storing the other tomographic image data to be output to the client device until a request for reconstruction of the other projection data is received. .   The first storage means stores the reconfiguration parameter in advance corresponding to the identification information of a plurality of client devices, and the reconfiguration means stores the reconfiguration parameter based on the identification information of the requested client device. The medical image management system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a configuration parameter is read from the first storage unit and reconstructed. A first storage step of storing, in a storage device, projection data acquired by imaging a subject and reconstruction parameters including conditions for reconstructing tomographic image data of the subject;
A reconstruction process for reconstructing tomographic image data from projection data and reconstruction parameters corresponding to the identification information of the medical diagnostic information acquisition means stored in the storage device in response to a request for image acquisition from a client device When,
A second storage process for temporarily storing the reconstructed tomographic image data;
A medical image management method comprising: a transmission process of transmitting the tomographic image data to the client device. A first storage step of storing in a storage device a plurality of projection data acquired by imaging a subject and a plurality of reconstruction parameters including conditions for reconstructing the tomographic image data of the subject;
Upon receipt of an image acquisition request from a client device, one tomographic image data is reconstructed from one projection data and reconstruction parameters corresponding to the identification information of the medical diagnostic information acquisition means stored in the storage device And reconstructing another tomographic image data from other projection data and reconstruction parameters related to the one projection data based on the identification information of the subject,
A second storage process for temporarily storing the reconstructed tomographic image data and other tomographic image data;
A first transmission step of transmitting the one tomographic image data to the client device;
A medical image management method comprising: a second transmission step of transmitting the other tomographic image data to the client device upon reception of an image acquisition request for the other projection data.   6. The medical image management method according to claim 4, wherein in the reconfiguration process, a corresponding reconfiguration parameter is read out based on the identification information of the requested client device and reconfiguration is performed. A first storage step of storing, in a storage device, projection data acquired by imaging a subject and reconstruction parameters including conditions for reconstructing tomographic image data of the subject;
A reconstruction process for reconstructing tomographic image data from projection data and reconstruction parameters corresponding to the identification information of the medical diagnostic information acquisition means stored in the storage device in response to a request for image acquisition from a client device When,
A second storage process for temporarily storing the reconstructed tomographic image data;
A medical image management program that causes a computer to function a transmission process of transmitting the tomographic image data to the client device. A first storage step of storing in a storage device a plurality of projection data acquired by imaging a subject and a plurality of reconstruction parameters including conditions for reconstructing the tomographic image data of the subject;
Upon receipt of an image acquisition request from a client device, one tomographic image data is reconstructed from one projection data and reconstruction parameters corresponding to the identification information of the medical diagnostic information acquisition means stored in the storage device And reconstructing another tomographic image data from other projection data and reconstruction parameters related to the one projection data based on the identification information of the subject,
A second storage process for temporarily storing the reconstructed tomographic image data and other tomographic image data;
A first transmission step of transmitting the one tomographic image data to the client device;
A medical image management program for causing a computer to function as a second transmission step of transmitting the other tomographic image data to the client device upon receiving an image acquisition request for the other projection data . 9. The medical image management program according to claim 7, wherein the reconfiguration process reads out a reconfiguration parameter corresponding to the identification information of the requested client device and reconfigures it.

Images