JP4645249B2 - Breast imaging system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a breast image capturing system for capturing a breast image .

  An image acquired using radiation is widely used as a medical image for diagnosis, and in recent years, digitization of a medical image has been realized. For example, a CR (Computed Radiography) apparatus absorbs radiation transmitted through a subject to a phosphor plate on which a stimulable phosphor layer is formed, and then scans the phosphor plate with laser light to scan the phosphor layer. The radiation energy accumulated in is emitted as fluorescence, and this fluorescence is photoelectrically converted to obtain an image signal.

Conventionally, when taking a radiographic image of a patient, a radiographer records radiographic exposure information at the time of radiographing and the direction of the radiographic site on the management sheet, and the administrator later collects the management sheet. Hospital information management system (hereinafter referred to as HIS; Hospital Information System) that manages information in the hospital or radiology information management system (hereinafter referred to as R) that manages information in the radiology department.
IS: Radiology Information System. ) Was entered into the database and information management was performed for each patient. However, in this management method, since the shooting execution information is recorded on the management sheet every time shooting is performed, and the recorded shooting execution information is input to the HIS, the work procedure is complicated.

  In recent years, an image capturing device and a control device that controls the image capturing operation of the image capturing device are connected via a communication network, and the control device acquires image capturing information online from the image capturing device and uploads it to the HIS. An imaging system that facilitates management work is used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The imaging system using the photostimulable phosphor is roughly divided into a dedicated type that incorporates a phosphor plate and performs both photographing and image reading, and a cassette type that uses a portable cassette containing the phosphor plate. And classified. This cassette type photographing method will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 22, a cassette type breast image capturing system is an image capturing apparatus that captures a medical image of a patient using a cassette, a reading apparatus that reads a medical image from the cassette, and is read by controlling the reading apparatus. And a control device that acquires medical images. The control device is configured to be able to communicate with the HIS or RIS.

  In the breast imaging system configured as described above, in the HIS / RIS in advance of imaging, patient information such as the name of the patient to be imaged, gender, etc., imaging instructions such as imaging site, imaging method, etc. at the request of the doctor Imaging order information including information and other inspection information is issued and distributed to the control device. In the control device, shooting order information is displayed as a list during shooting.

Hereinafter, a shooting workflow in this shooting system will be described.
1) The imaging engineer selects imaging order information for imaging from imaging order information displayed as a list in the control device. The selection of the shooting order information may be before shooting or after shooting.
2) In order to clarify the correspondence between the cassette used for photographing and the photographing order information, the photographing engineer performs a work called cassette registration. The cassette is provided with identification information (hereinafter referred to as a cassette ID) for identifying the cassette from other cassettes. In the cassette registration operation, the cassette ID of the cassette associated with the selected photographing order information is controlled. Enter into the device. In the control device, the selected photographing order information is displayed, and the selected photographing order information is associated with the inputted cassette ID. The cassette registration may be performed after shooting. A method of performing cassette registration before photographing as in the former is called pre-registration, and a method of performing cassette registration after photographing as in the latter is referred to as post-registration.

3) The imaging technician confirms the patient to be imaged, the imaging region, and the like based on the displayed imaging order information, and performs imaging with the imaging apparatus. In the imaging apparatus, radiation is irradiated and a radiographic image is recorded in the cassette, and imaging execution information is transmitted to the control apparatus.
4) The imaging technician attaches the cassette to the reader and starts reading. In the reading device, the medical image and the cassette ID are read from the cassette, and the read medical image and the cassette ID are associated with each other and transmitted to the control device.
5) In the control device, the selected shooting order information is associated with the shooting execution information transmitted from the shooting device. Further, the imaging order information is associated with the medical image transmitted from the reading device based on the cassette ID. Eventually, the imaging order information and imaging execution information are associated with the medical image and transmitted to the HIS or RIS as supplementary information of the medical image.
JP 2003-88515 A

  However, in the above method, the imaging engineer must always select the imaging order information associated with the imaging execution information, and the selection operation is complicated. In particular, when a breast image is taken, a single patient is taken a plurality of times with different imaging locations and imaging directions, such as the left breast vertical direction, internal / external direction, right breast vertical direction, internal / external direction. It is common. In this case, each time shooting is performed, the reader moves toward the reading device and the cassette is loaded into the reading device, and then returns to the control device to select shooting order information and move toward the shooting device. The efficiency of shooting work is poor.

  An object of the present invention is to automate the association of each information of a breast image, imaging order information, and imaging execution information, and to improve the efficiency of imaging operation of the breast image.

The invention according to claim 1 is a mammography system.
A breast imaging apparatus that shoots a breast image of a patient by irradiating radiation and records the breast image in a cassette, and a reading apparatus that reads the breast image from the cassette acquires the read breast image Connected to
The breast imaging apparatus is
Identification information reading means for reading the identification information of the cassette used at the time of imaging of the breast image, and communication means for transmitting imaging execution information including the identification information of the read cassette to the control device,
The controller is
Storage means for storing imaging order information; input means for inputting cassette identification information used for imaging the breast image; and storing the input cassette identification information in association with the imaging order information. Based on the cassette identification information included in the imaging execution information transmitted from the breast imaging apparatus and the cassette identification information included in the stored imaging order information. And a control means for associating.

The invention described in claim 2 is the breast imaging system according to claim 1,
The reader is
When reading the breast image from the cassette, an identification information reading unit that reads the identification information of the cassette, and a communication unit that transmits the read breast image and the identification information of the cassette to the control device,
The control unit of the control device is configured to detect the breast image and the imaging based on the cassette identification information associated with the imaging order information and the cassette identification information associated with the breast image transmitted from the reading device. The order information and the shooting execution information are associated with each other.

The invention described in claim 3 is the breast imaging system according to claim 1 or 2,
The identification information reading means of the breast imaging apparatus reads identification information of the cassette in a state where the cassette is mounted on the breast imaging apparatus.

The invention described in claim 4 is the breast imaging system according to claim 3,
The identification information reading means of the breast imaging apparatus is configured integrally with an imaging table on which a cassette is mounted, and automatically reads the identification information of the cassette mounted on the imaging table.

The invention according to claim 5 is the breast imaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The identification information reading means of the breast imaging apparatus reads cassette identification information immediately before or after imaging.

The invention described in claim 6 is the breast imaging system according to claim 2,
A plurality of the readers;
The control device associates imaging order information and imaging execution information with each breast image acquired by controlling the plurality of reading devices.

The invention described in claim 7 is the breast imaging system according to claim 6,
A plurality of the control devices are provided, and each control device associates imaging order information and imaging execution information with each breast image acquired by controlling the plurality of reading devices.

The invention according to claim 8 is a breast imaging system,
A breast image capturing device that captures a breast image of a patient by irradiating radiation and records the breast image in a cassette, a reading device that reads the breast image from the cassette, and a control device that acquires the read breast image Consists of
The breast imaging apparatus is
Identification information reading means for reading cassette identification information used at the time of photographing the breast image, information generating means for generating photographing execution information including key information for associating the photographing execution information with the photographing order information, and for each photographing Communication information for transmitting to the control device the shooting execution information including the key information generated by the information generation means and the cassette identification information read by the identification information reading means,
The reader is
When reading the breast image from the cassette, an identification information reading unit that reads the identification information of the cassette, and a communication unit that transmits the read breast image and the identification information of the cassette to the control device,
The controller is
Based on storage means for storing imaging order information including key information, key information included in imaging execution information transmitted from the breast imaging apparatus, and key information included in the stored imaging order information, The imaging order information is associated with the imaging execution information and the cassette identification information received together with the imaging execution information, and the cassette identification information associated with the imaging order information and the cassette transmitted together with the breast image from the reading device And control means for associating the breast image with the imaging order information based on the identification information.

The invention described in claim 9 is the breast imaging system according to claim 8,
The key information is information on an imaging region and / or an imaging direction.

The invention described in claim 10 is the breast imaging system according to claim 9,
The key information is left / right information indicating which of the left and right breasts the imaging region is.

The invention described in claim 11 is the breast imaging system according to any one of claims 8 to 10,
Image processing means for performing image processing on the breast image based on the photographing execution information is provided.

The invention described in claim 12 is the breast imaging system according to any one of claims 8 to 10,
The image processing apparatus includes combining means for generating a combined image in which a series of breast images are arranged at predetermined positions based on the photographing execution information.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the breast image photographing apparatus includes the identification information reading means, and the cassette identification information read by the identification information reading means is transmitted to the control apparatus together with the photographing execution information. Then, it is possible to automatically associate shooting order information and shooting execution information based on cassette identification information. Accordingly, it is possible to omit the selection operation in which the imaging engineer selects the imaging order information to associate the imaging execution information before imaging, and the efficiency of the imaging operation can be improved. In the case of breast images in which multiple imaging is performed at different imaging sites and imaging directions, if the selection operation can be omitted, it is not necessary for the imaging technician to move toward the control device for the selection operation in the control device every imaging, especially The efficiency of shooting work can be improved.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the imaging order information and the imaging execution information are associated with the breast image based on the cassette identification information, the imaging order information and the imaging execution information can be associated as supplementary information regarding the breast image. It is possible to confirm later on various information related to the imaging of the breast image by the accompanying information. In addition, accurate image management can be performed.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the cassette identification information is read in a state where the cassette is mounted, the cassette identification information used at the time of photographing can be reliably read.

  According to the invention of claim 4, since the identification information of the cassette mounted on the photographing stand is automatically read, there is no work burden such as inputting the cassette identification information by the photographing engineer, and the convenience is high. It is possible to prevent mistakes due to human factors such as forgetting to input by the photographer.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the cassette identification information is read immediately before or after photographing, the cassette can be prevented from being mistaken and the cassette identification information used at the time of photographing can be reliably read.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, even when a plurality of readers are installed, imaging order information and imaging execution information are added to the breast image acquired from each reader using the cassette identification information. Can be associated.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, even when a plurality of reading devices and control devices are installed, each control device takes a breast image acquired from each reading device using the cassette identification information. Order information and shooting execution information can be associated with each other.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the mammography apparatus is provided with the identification information reading means, and the imaging execution information including the cassette identification information and key information read by the identification information reading means is transmitted to the control apparatus. Therefore, the control apparatus can associate the imaging order information and the imaging execution information based on the key information, and can associate the breast image and the imaging order information based on the cassette identification information. That is, breast images, imaging order information, and imaging execution information can be associated with each other. Accordingly, it is possible to omit the selection operation in which the imaging engineer selects the imaging order information to associate the imaging execution information before imaging, and the efficiency of the imaging operation can be improved. In the case of breast images in which multiple imaging is performed at different imaging sites and imaging directions, if the selection operation can be omitted, it is not necessary for the imaging engineer to move toward the control device for the selection operation in the control device every imaging, especially The efficiency of shooting work can be improved. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to register a cassette to be used for photographing in the control device, the registration work of the photographing engineer can be omitted. Further, it is not necessary to specify which imaging part and imaging direction are used for which cassette, and the efficiency of the imaging operation can be improved.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in breast image capturing in which a plurality of images are taken in different image capturing regions and image capturing directions, the image capturing region that is particularly useful information for associating image capturing order information with image capturing information and / Or the shooting direction can be used as key information.

  According to the invention described in claim 10, when imaging is performed once for each of the right breast and the left breast for one patient, or each of the right breast and the left breast is imaged a plurality of times in a plurality of imaging directions. Even in this case, since it is common to alternately photograph the right breast and the left breast, it is possible to associate the breast image, imaging order information, and imaging execution information with only the left and right information. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the photographing work particularly in photographing a breast image that is often photographed a plurality of times at different photographing parts and photographing directions.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the imaging region and the imaging direction of the breast image can be determined from the imaging region direction information included in the imaging execution information, and image processing corresponding to the imaging region or imaging direction is automatically performed. Can be done automatically. Therefore, the operator does not need to set an imaging region or an imaging direction for each breast image for image processing, and it is possible to avoid artificial setting mistakes and perform appropriate image processing accurately.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine the imaging region and the imaging direction for the breast image based on the imaging region direction information included in the imaging execution information, and a series of breast images according to the imaging region or the imaging direction. Can be generated in a suitable position. For comparative interpretation, the breast images of the left and right breasts may be output side by side on a single film, etc. According to the present invention, the breast image of the left or right breast is recognized by the imaging region direction information. Therefore, each breast image can be accurately arranged at an appropriate position. In addition, there is a case where the position of the breast image is moved so that the positions of the subject areas coincide with each other when they are adjacent to each other. is there. Therefore, each breast image can be arranged at a position where interpretation is easy by selecting an algorithm according to the imaging direction.

<First Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, identification information reading means for reading the identification information of the cassette used at the time of imaging in the mammography apparatus is provided, and the read identification information of the cassette is transmitted to the control device. An example of associating each information of the breast image, imaging order information, and imaging execution information based on the identification information will be described.

First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of a mammography system 100 according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the mammography system 100 includes a mammography apparatus 10, a control apparatus 30, and a reading apparatus 50, and the mammography apparatus 10 and the reading apparatus 50 are mutually connected to the control apparatus 30. Connected so that information can be sent and received.

  The breast image capturing apparatus 10 irradiates a patient's breast with radiation and captures a radiation image of the breast. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a photographing apparatus of a type that performs photographing using a cassette is applied.

FIG. 2 shows the mammography apparatus 10.
As shown in FIG. 2, the mammography apparatus 10 includes an imaging unit 1 that performs imaging by irradiating radiation, a support column 2, and a main body unit 3. The imaging unit 1 is configured to be movable up and down along the support column 2 so that the height can be adjusted according to the position of the breast of the patient (movable in the direction indicated by arrow A), and is further supported to change the imaging direction. The shaft 4 is configured to be rotatable (rotatable in the direction indicated by the arrow B). The rotation can be manually rotated by the imaging engineer, or the rotation can be instructed by operating the main body 3.

  In the imaging unit 1, a radiation source 5 that generates radiation and an imaging table 6 for mounting the breast are arranged opposite to each other, and the breast placed on the imaging table 6 is sandwiched to press the breast. A compression plate 7 is provided. FIG. 3 shows a side view of the photographing unit 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the photographing unit 1 is configured so that a cassette c can be mounted on the upper part of the photographing stand 6, and the photographing stand 6 includes a cassette holder (not shown) for fixing the cassette c. It has been. The cassette c incorporates a phosphor plate, absorbs radiation transmitted through the subject, and records the radiation image. The cassette c is preferably dedicated to mammography so that one side contacting the subject of the cassette c can be photographed to the bare chest wall of the subject.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the photographing stand 6 and the cassette c attached to the photographing stand 6.
As shown in FIG. 4, the cassette c is provided with an ID portion c1 on which a barcode indicating the cassette ID is displayed. On the other hand, the photographing stand 6 is provided with an ID reading unit 3f for reading a barcode displayed on the ID unit c1 of the cassette c. The ID portion c1 of the cassette c is provided on the back surface side of the radiographic image recording surface, that is, the surface in contact with the imaging table 6, and is provided at the center of one side on the far side in the cassette insertion direction so as not to overlap with the subject. ing. In addition, the ID reading unit 3f in the imaging stand 6 is provided at the center of the other side facing the subject on the surface on which the cassette c is mounted.

  Note that the installation positions of the ID section c1 and the ID reading section 3f are positions that coincide with each other when the cassette c is mounted on the photographing stand 6 and that do not affect the photographing of the subject, as shown in FIG. Not limited to. The cassette ID display in the ID section c1 may be any display method such as printing a barcode or attaching a barcode label.

  In addition, when imaging | photography by a phase contrast imaging method, the imaging | photography part 1 is comprised as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the photographing unit 1 is provided with two compression plates 7, and a photographing stand 6 is installed below the compression plate 7. The two compression plates 7 and the imaging stand 6 are configured to be movable up and down, and the height can be adjusted according to the position of the subject. Further, in the case of the phase contrast photographing method, the size of the cassette c used for photographing is larger than that in the case of the ordinary photographing method (in the case of the ordinary photographing method, generally six-cut size (8 × 10; inch size) In the case of the phase contrast imaging method, a half-cut size (14 × 17; inch size) is used.), And the imaging table 6 is also formed with its area enlarged.

  In addition, an angle detection unit 8 for detecting the angle at which the imaging unit 1 is rotated about the support shaft 4 as a rotation axis is provided inside the imaging unit 1. The angle detection unit 8 outputs information on the rotation angle detected at the time of shooting to the main body unit 3.

Next, the internal configuration of the main body 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the main body unit 3 includes a control unit 3a, an input unit 3b, a display unit 3c, a memory 3d, a communication unit 3e, and an ID reading unit 3f.

The control unit 3a is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, reads the first imaging processing program from the memory 3d, and adjusts, for example, the radiation irradiation timing and the exposure dose in the radiation source 5 in cooperation with the program. The imaging operation of each part of the mammography apparatus 10 such as the rotation control of the imaging unit 1 is comprehensively controlled. In addition, when the information on the rotation angle of the imaging unit 1 is input from the angle detection unit 8, the control unit 3 a determines the imaging region and the imaging direction (hereinafter referred to as the imaging region direction) based on the information on the rotation angle. .

  With reference to FIG. 7, an example of determining the imaging region direction will be described. FIGS. 7A and 7B are views of the compression plate 7 and the imaging stand 6 as viewed from the subject side. As shown in FIG. 7A, assuming that the angle of the fixed position where the imaging unit 1 is not rotated is 0 degree, in order to capture the oblique direction of the left breast from that state, for example, it is rotated 30 degrees counterclockwise When the rotation angle is set, the rotation angle is detected as “−30 degrees”. Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, for example, in the case of rotating clockwise by 30 degrees in order to capture the oblique direction of the right breast, the rotation angle is detected as “+30 degrees”. That is, when the detected sign of the rotation angle is “+”, it is determined that the imaging part is the right breast, and when the sign of the rotation angle is “−”, the imaging part is the left breast. Further, when the rotation angle is 0 to 15 degrees from the fixed position, it is determined as the vertical direction, when it is 15 to 75 degrees, the oblique direction, and when it is 75 to 90 degrees, the inside and outside directions are determined.

  In the first imaging process, the control unit 3a performs imaging in the imaging unit 1 after imaging, for example, the value of the tube voltage (unit: kV), the tube current (unit: mA) in the radiation source 5, and the radiation exposure amount. (Indicated by product of tube current value and exposure time (seconds). Unit: mAs), compression pressure by compression plate 7 (indicated by moving distance of compression plate 7. Unit: mm), imaging region direction (in character code) The first code indicates the imaging region, R: the right breast, L: the left breast, the next code indicates the imaging direction, CC: vertical direction, M: inward / outward direction, MLO: oblique direction. ) And the like are generated as shooting execution information. Then, the cassette ID information (barcode data) of the cassette c read at the time of shooting by the ID reading unit 3f is included in the generated shooting execution information and transmitted to the control device 30 via the communication unit 3e.

  The input unit 3b includes a key for inputting various shooting conditions, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operated key to the control unit 3a. For example, various keys such as numeric keys for inputting values of tube voltage, tube current, and rotation angle of the photographing unit 1 are provided.

  It should be noted that the radiographing part key for inputting left and right information indicating the radiographing part of the left breast or the right breast, the radiographing direction key for instructing and inputting the rotation angle of the radiographing unit 1, and the like may be provided. Good. For this shooting direction key, keys corresponding to up and down direction, inside / outside direction, oblique direction and each shooting direction are prepared, for example, when the inside / outside direction key is pressed, the shooting unit automatically rotates at the rotation angle to photograph the inside / outside direction. 1 is rotated. When this shooting direction key is provided, the shooting direction specified by the pressed shooting direction key is included in the shooting execution information.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 3c includes a display display 31c including an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various display information such as input information from the input unit 3b and processing results by the control unit 3a. This is displayed on the display 31c.

  The memory 3d includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), and stores various programs such as a breast image photographing program and a first photographing process according to the present invention. Further, the result of processing by the control unit 3a is temporarily stored, and various information such as shooting execution information is stored.

  The communication unit 3c includes a communication interface such as a network interface card (hereinafter referred to as NIC; Network Interface Card) or a modem. That is, a communication unit can be realized by connecting to the control device 30 by the communication unit 3c and transmitting shooting execution information including cassette ID information after shooting.

  The ID reading unit 3f is identification information reading means for reading a cassette ID. The ID reading unit 3f is configured to include a barcode scanner and the like, and automatically starts reading the cassette ID when the photographing engineer gives an instruction to shoot. The ID reading unit 3f of the cassette c mounted on the photographic stand 6 is The bar code displayed by the optical scanning and displayed on the ID section c1 is read, and the data is output to the control section 3a. In the present embodiment, the cassette ID is read using a barcode. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a wireless IC tag storing the cassette ID data is attached to the cassette c, and the ID reading unit 3f is set. The cassette ID data stored in the wireless IC tag may be read, and other reading methods may be employed.

Next, the control device 30 will be described.
FIG. 8 shows a functional configuration of the control device 30.
As shown in FIG. 8, the control device 30 includes a control unit 31, an input unit 32, a display unit 33, a communication unit 34, a RAM 35, and a storage unit 36.

  The control unit 31 includes a CPU and the like. In addition to the system program stored in the storage unit 36, the first imaging processing program (see FIG. 10) according to the present invention is expanded in the RAM 35, and the program is Centralized control of processing operations through collaboration.

  In the first photographing process, before photographing, when photographing order information is selected via the input unit 32 and a cassette ID is input, the cassette ID is associated with the photographing order information and stored in the order file 361. This is called cassette registration. Next, when imaging execution information is received from the mammography apparatus 10 after imaging, based on the cassette ID included in the received imaging execution information and the cassette ID included in the imaging order information of the selected patient. Then, the shooting execution information is stored in the order file 361 in association with the shooting execution information. Further, when the cassette ID associated with the breast image and the breast image is received from the reading device 50, based on the cassette ID, the breast image is associated with the imaging order information and the imaging execution information with the breast image in the image DB 362. Save and memorize. This is called image registration. That is, the control unit 31 can realize a control unit by associating the breast image, the imaging order information, and the imaging execution information.

  The input unit 32 includes a keyboard including numeric keys, character keys, and various function keys, and a touch panel configured integrally with the display unit 33, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operated key to the control unit 31. . That is, an input unit can be realized by operating the input unit 32 and inputting a cassette ID. The control device 30 may be provided with a barcode reader, and the cassette ID may be input by reading the ID portion c1 of the cassette c.

  The display unit 34 includes an LCD, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), and the like, and includes a list screen of imaging order information, a confirmation screen for checking the correspondence between breast images, imaging order information, and imaging execution information. Various display information such as various operation screens and processing results by the control unit 31 is displayed.

  The communication unit 34 includes a NIC, a modem, and the like, and transmits / receives information to / from an external device. For example, radiographing order information is received from HIS or RIS (not shown) before radiographing, radiographing execution information is received from breast image radiographing apparatus 10 after radiographing, and breast images and breast images are handled from reader 50. The attached cassette ID is received.

  The RAM 35 forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs executed by the control unit 31 and data related to these programs.

  The storage unit 36 is configured by a magnetic or optical storage medium or a semiconductor memory, and stores the first imaging processing program, data processed by each program, and the like in addition to the system program.

  The storage unit 36 is a storage unit that stores imaging order information including key information, and includes an order file 361 that stores imaging order information in an updatable manner. As shown in FIG. 9, the order file 361 stores shooting order information for each piece of identification information (hereinafter referred to as order ID) for individually identifying shooting order information. The imaging order information includes information related to the patient (hereinafter referred to as patient information) such as the patient ID and name of the patient to be imaged (hereinafter referred to as patient information), information related to imaging such as the direction of the imaging region and the imaging date (hereinafter referred to as imaging information). include. Further, each imaging order information is associated with a cassette ID of the cassette c used for imaging the imaging order information and imaging execution information.

Next, the reading device 50 will be described.
The reading device 50 reads a breast image recorded in the cassette c. The reading device 50 is displayed on the image reading means for reading a breast image by irradiating the phosphor plate of the loaded cassette c with excitation light and photoelectrically converting the stimulated light, or displayed on the ID section c1 of the cassette c. An identification information reading means for reading the cassette ID and a communication means (not shown) such as a NIC or a modem are provided. The medical image and the cassette ID are read from the cassette c according to control by the control device 30 and read. The cassette ID is associated with the medical image and transmitted to the control device 40.

Next, the operation of the mammography system 100 in the first embodiment will be described.
With reference to FIG. 10, the first imaging process performed by the breast image imaging system 100 will be described. As a premise for explanation, normally, when a breast image is taken, there is no overlap photography in the same region direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, a plurality of pieces of imaging order information are registered for one patient. The imaging part directions of the respective imaging order information are all different imaging part directions.

  In the first imaging process shown in FIG. 10, first, the control apparatus 30 displays a list of patients scheduled for imaging on the display unit 33 based on the imaging order information stored in the order file 361. When the imaging engineer selects and inputs a patient to be imaged through the input unit 32 among the patients displayed in the list, the imaging apparatus information corresponding to the selected patient is displayed in a list in the control device 30 (step S1). .

  Next, cassette registration of the cassette c used for imaging for the selected one patient is performed (step S2). First, when the imaging engineer inputs a cassette ID of the cassette c used for imaging to the control device 30 via the input unit 32, the control device 30 displays the imaging order displayed at the top of the imaging order information displayed in a list. The input cassette ID is stored in the order file 361 in association with the information. Here, in the selected patient, four pieces of imaging order information are registered in which the imaging part directions are different in the vertical direction, the internal and external directions for the left breast and the right breast, respectively, and cassette registration for 4 imagings is performed. Has been done.

  Next, the imaging technician moves to the imaging room where the breast image capturing apparatus 10 is installed with a plurality of cassettes c registered in the cassette, and on the imaging table 6 of the breast image capturing apparatus 10, the imaging order of the imaging target. A cassette c corresponding to the information, that is, registered for the photographing order information is attached. Then, the imaging technician puts the patient as the subject at the imaging position and adjusts the imaging region and imaging direction of the imaging object, and then inputs an imaging instruction via the input unit 3b. In the mammography apparatus 10, when the cassette c is mounted and an imaging instruction is input (step S3), the cassette ID of the cassette c mounted is read by the ID reading unit 3f (step S4). And it is discriminate | determined whether cassette ID was read normally in ID reading part 3f (step S5).

  As shown in FIG. 4, since the ID reading unit 3f is provided on the back side in the insertion direction of the cassette c, the cassette c is placed on the surface where the ID unit c1 contacts the imaging table 6 as shown in FIG. When the ID portion c1 is correctly mounted so as to be located on the back side in the insertion direction, reading is normally performed in the ID reading portion 3f. However, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the ID portion c1 of the cassette c is on the front side in the insertion direction so that the position of the ID portion c1 is reversed and inserted incorrectly, or FIG. When the cassette surface is erroneously inserted upside down as shown in FIG. 2 or when the cassette surface is not inserted to the back of the cassette c but is not mounted at the correct mounting position (not shown), the cassette c is placed in the reading range of the ID reading unit 3f. Since the ID part c1 is not located, the cassette ID is not normally read.

  Therefore, when the cassette c is erroneously mounted and the cassette ID cannot be read normally in the ID reading unit 3f (step S5; N), a message notifying the cassette ID reading error is displayed on the display unit 3c. A warning is given that the attachment is incorrect (step S6). After the warning, the process returns to step S3 and the cassette c is mounted again.

  On the other hand, when the cassette c is correctly attached and the cassette ID is normally read by the ID reading unit 3f (step S5; Y), the mammography apparatus 10 receives radiation according to an input of an imaging instruction from the input unit 3b. Is irradiated and shooting is performed. That is, one image is taken in one region direction (step S7). After the imaging, the mammography apparatus 10 generates imaging execution information including information on the cassette ID read by the ID reading unit 3f and transmits it to the control apparatus 30 (step S8).

  Next, when all the imaging for one patient has not been completed and there is imaging in the next imaging region direction (step S9; Y), the breast imaging apparatus 10 returns to the processing of step S3, and the next imaging is performed. The cassette c to be used is mounted and the above-described photographing operation (steps S3 to S8) is repeated. When all the shootings are finished (step S9; N), this process is finished.

  In the control apparatus 30 that has received the imaging execution information including the cassette ID information from the breast imaging apparatus 10, based on the received cassette ID and the cassette ID associated with the imaging order information of the selected patient. The shooting execution information is associated with the shooting order information and stored in the order file 361 (step S10).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12, there is imaging order information of A to D with different imaging region directions for one selected patient, and cassette registration is performed for each imaging order information A to D. Then, when imaging is performed using the cassette c in the order of the cassette IDs 10102, 10101, 10103, and 10104 in the mammography apparatus 10, the imaging is performed including information on the cassette ID used in each imaging order. Information W to Z is transmitted to the control device 30. In the control apparatus 30, the cassette ID 10101 is associated with the imaging order information A, the cassette ID 10102 is associated with the imaging order information B, the cassette ID 10103 is associated with the imaging order information C, and the cassette ID 10104 is associated with the imaging order information D. The shooting order information B and the shooting execution information W, the shooting order information A and the shooting execution information X, the shooting order information C and the shooting execution information Y, and the shooting order information D and the shooting execution information Z are sequentially associated with each other. .

  On the other hand, the imaging technician who has completed all of the plurality of imagings for one patient moves to the reading device 50 with all of the captured cassettes c, loads one of the captured cassettes c into the reading device 50, Enter reading instructions. In the reading device 50, when the cassette c is loaded (step S11), the breast image and the cassette ID are read from the loaded cassette c (step S12), and the read cassette ID is read in the header area of the breast image. The cassette ID is associated with the breast image by writing or the like. The breast images associated with the cassette ID are transmitted from the reading device 50 to the control device 30 in the order in which the breast images are read (step S13).

  Next, when reading of all cassettes c for one patient has not been completed and there is a cassette c to be read next (step S14; Y), the reading device 50 returns to the process of step S11, and then The reading operation of the loaded cassette c (steps S11 to S13) is repeated. When all the cassettes c have been read (step S14; N), this process ends.

  In the control device 30, when a breast image is received from the reading device 50, the received breast image is stored in the image DB 362, and the cassette ID associated with the breast image and the imaging order information are associated with each other. Based on the cassette ID, the breast image, imaging order information, and imaging execution information are associated (step S15). The imaging order information and imaging execution information associated with the breast image are attached to the image data as supplementary information of the breast image.

  Referring to the example shown in FIG. 12, a cassette ID 10102 is associated with the breast image data file mam1.jpg, a cassette ID 10103 is associated with the breast image mam2.jpg, a cassette ID 10101 is associated with the breast image mam3.jpg, and a cassette ID 10104 is associated with the breast image mam4.jpg. In this case, based on the cassette ID, imaging order information B and imaging execution information W are associated with the breast image mam1.jpg, and imaging order information C, imaging execution information Y, and breast are associated with the breast image mam2.jpg. Imaging order information A and imaging execution information X are associated with the image mam3.jpg, and imaging order information D and imaging execution information Z are associated with the breast image mam4.jpg.

  The imaging technician returns to the operation of the control device 30 when the reading operation of the cassette c is completed in the reading device 50. When the association between the breast image, the imaging order information, and the imaging execution information is completed, the control device 30 displays a confirmation screen (not shown) for confirming the associated breast image, imaging order information, and imaging execution information. The message is displayed on the display unit 33, and the present process is terminated.

  When the radiographer confirms the correspondence on the confirmation screen, the radiographer shifts to imaging for the next patient. In the mammography system 100, the first imaging process described above is repeated again from step S1.

  As described above, the mammography apparatus 10 is provided with the ID reading unit 3f that can read the cassette ID of the cassette c, and the cassette ID information read by the ID reading unit 3f is stored in the control apparatus 30 together with the imaging execution information. Since the transmission device is configured to transmit, the control device 30 can automatically associate the breast image, the imaging order information, and the imaging execution information based on the cassette ID. Accordingly, it is possible to omit the selection operation in which the imaging engineer selects the imaging order information to associate the imaging execution information before imaging, and the efficiency of the imaging operation can be improved.

  When breast images are taken, each of the left and right breasts is taken in one or a plurality of photographing directions, ie, in the vertical direction, the inside / outside direction, and the oblique direction, so that at least two breast images are obtained for one patient. Will be. Therefore, if the cassette registration is performed for all imaging for one patient before imaging, a plurality of imaging for that patient can be performed continuously, and during the imaging operation, the control device, the mammography device, and the reading device Since the camera technician only needs to move once to each of the devices, the burden of the camera operator's shooting work can be reduced.

  Further, since the association is performed using the cassette ID, it is not necessary for the imaging engineer to memorize which imaging part direction is imaged with which cassette c after imaging, and the workload of the imaging engineer is reduced. be able to.

  Further, in the mammography apparatus 10, the ID reading unit 3f is configured integrally with the imaging table 6, and automatically reads the ID unit c1 of the attached cassette c, so that the imaging engineer inputs the cassette ID and the like. There is no burden and high convenience, and it is possible to prevent mistakes due to human factors such as forgetting to input the cassette ID of the photographer. Further, if the cassette c is not properly installed and the cassette ID cannot be read normally, a warning is given to this effect, so that it is possible to prevent the cassette ID from being misread and to prevent a mistake in photographing due to the incorrect installation of the cassette c. Can be prevented.

Note that the description in the first embodiment is a preferred example of the mammography system 100 to which the present invention is applied, and is not limited thereto.
For example, in the above description, a case has been described in which a plurality of imaging cassette registrations registered for one patient are collectively performed and a continuous imaging workflow is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and cassette registration for one imaging is performed. It may be a workflow to take a picture. In this case as well, for each radiographing, the control device 30 associates the breast image, radiographing order information, and radiographing execution information based on the cassette ID.

  Moreover, although the example which performs cassette registration by pre-registration was demonstrated in the description mentioned above, post-registration may be sufficient. In the case of post-registration, after selecting a patient to be imaged, imaging is performed in the mammography apparatus 10 without performing cassette registration, and after the image reading in the reading apparatus 50 is completed, each of the patients selected in the control apparatus 30 is selected. The cassette registration of the cassette c used for the imaging order information is performed. In the control device 30, the breast image, the imaging order information, and the imaging execution information are associated with each other based on the cassette ID registered in the cassette and the cassette ID of the breast image acquired from the reading device 50.

  Also, as the cassette ID reading timing in the ID reading unit 3f, as described above, when reading before photographing, if reading is not performed normally, a reading error is warned and the cassette c is remounted before photographing. Although it is preferable because it is possible, it may be read after photographing. In any case, it is preferable to read without taking any time from shooting, such as immediately before or after shooting, in order to increase the certainty of the cassette ID used for shooting. Further, in the present embodiment, the ID reading unit 3f is configured integrally with the imaging stand 6. However, as a handy type configuration, the imaging engineer operates the ID reading unit 3f configured for the handy type at the time of shooting. The ID part c1 of the cassette c may be read.

  In the above-described breast imaging system 100, an example in which one control device 30 and one reading device 50 are installed has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of control devices 30 and reading devices 50 are installed. Thus, the present invention can be applied even to a system configuration in which each device is connected by the communication network N. In this case, since cassette registration can be performed by an arbitrary control device 30, a server SV for controlling which control device 30 returns a breast image read from the cassette c in each reading device 50 is installed. When the cassette registration is performed, each control device 30 transmits the registered cassette ID and a control device ID that is identification information for individually identifying the control device 30 for which the cassette registration has been performed to the server SV. . The server SV stores the cassette ID registered in the cassette from each control device 30 and the control device ID of the control device 30 in which the cassette registration has been performed in association with each other. Each reading device 50 inquires of the server SV about the transmission destination of the breast image based on the cassette ID of the cassette c at the time of reading, and the server SV transmits the control device ID corresponding to the inquired cassette ID to the reading device 50 as response information. To do. The reading device 50 transmits the breast image and the cassette ID to the control device 30 of the control device ID instructed from the server SV.

  As described above, even when a plurality of reading devices 50 and a plurality of control devices 30 are installed, each control device 30 controls the respective reading devices 50 to add imaging order information and imaging execution information to a breast image acquired. Can be associated.

  In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of the mammography system 100 according to the first embodiment can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Second Embodiment
In the second embodiment, the imaging part direction information is transmitted as key information together with the cassette identification information from the breast imaging apparatus to the control apparatus, and the control apparatus performs imaging on the imaging order information based on the imaging part direction information. An example of associating breast images, imaging order information, and imaging execution information without performing cassette registration by associating information with cassette identification information and associating breast images with imaging order information based on the cassette identification information will be described. .

First, the configuration will be described.
Since the mammography system in the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the mammography system 100 in the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and illustration thereof is omitted. That is, the mammography system 100 according to the second embodiment includes the mammography apparatus 10, the control apparatus 30, and the reading apparatus 50.

Since the configuration of the mammography apparatus 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 2 to 7), detailed description thereof is omitted here.
In the second embodiment, in the mammography apparatus 10, every time imaging is performed, imaging execution information is generated by the control unit 3 a and based on the rotation angle of the imaging unit 1 detected by the angle detection unit 8. The direction of the imaging region is determined by the control unit 3a. Then, the information on the determined imaging part direction is included in the imaging execution information as key information for associating the imaging execution information with the imaging order information, and is read at the time of imaging and the imaging execution information including the key information. Information on the cassette ID of the cassette is transmitted to the control device 30 by the communication unit 3e.

Since the configuration of the control device 30 is the same as that of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 8 and 9), detailed description thereof is omitted here.
In the second embodiment, every time imaging is performed, the control device 30 includes information on the imaging region direction included in the imaging execution information transmitted from the mammography apparatus 10 and the imaging order stored in the storage unit 36. Based on the information of the imaging part direction included in the information, the imaging execution information and the imaging order information are associated by the control unit 31. Further, when the breast image and the cassette ID information are received from the reading device 50, the reading device is based on the received cassette ID and the cassette ID included in the imaging execution information associated with the imaging order information. The breast image received from 50 is associated with the imaging execution information. That is, the breast image and the imaging order information are associated with each other based on the imaging execution information.

  Further, the control device 30 executes a synthesis process for synthesizing a series of breast images generated by imaging after imaging. In the composition processing, the imaging region direction information is read out from the imaging execution information corresponding to the breast image to be combined, and the imaging region or imaging direction is determined. Then, image processing corresponding to the imaging region or imaging direction is performed on the breast image, and a breast image is arranged at a position corresponding to the imaging region or imaging direction to generate a composite image.

  The reading device 50 reads a breast image recorded in the cassette c. Similar to the first embodiment, the reading device 50 includes an image reading unit, an identification information reading unit, and a communication unit, and a breast image and a cassette ID are obtained from a cassette loaded in the reading device 50 by the identification information reading unit. The information of the read breast image and cassette ID is transmitted to the control device 30 by communication means.

Next, the operation of the mammography system 100 in the second embodiment will be described.
With reference to FIG. 14, the second imaging process performed by the breast image imaging system 100 will be described. As a premise of explanation, when taking a breast image, there is usually no duplication in the same part direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, a plurality of pieces of imaging order information are registered for one patient. The imaging part directions of the respective imaging order information are all different imaging part directions.

  In the second imaging process shown in FIG. 14, first, the control apparatus 30 displays a list of patients scheduled for imaging on the display unit 33 based on the imaging order information stored in the order file 361. When the imaging engineer selects a patient to be imaged through the input unit 32 among the patients displayed in the list, the imaging apparatus information corresponding to the selected patient is displayed in a list in the control device 30 (step S101).

  When the imaging technician confirms the imaging order information of the imaging target patient displayed on the control device 30, the imaging technician moves to the imaging room in which the mammography apparatus 10 is installed with the cassette c used for imaging. An arbitrary cassette c is mounted on the imaging stand 6 of the imaging apparatus 10. Then, the imaging technician puts the patient as the subject at the imaging position and adjusts the imaging region and imaging direction of the imaging object, and then inputs an imaging instruction via the input unit 3b. In the mammography apparatus 10, when the cassette c is mounted and an imaging instruction is input (step S102), the cassette ID of the cassette c mounted is read by the ID reading unit 3f (step S103). And it is discriminate | determined whether cassette ID was read normally in ID reading part 3f (step S104).

  As shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C, when the cassette c is erroneously attached and the cassette ID cannot be read normally in the ID reading unit 3f (step S104; N), a cassette ID reading error is notified. Is displayed on the display unit 3c, and a warning is given that the cassette c is erroneously attached (step S105). After the warning, the process returns to step S102, and the cassette c is mounted again.

  On the other hand, when the cassette c is correctly mounted and the cassette ID is normally read by the ID reading unit 3f (step S104; Y), the mammography apparatus 10 receives radiation in response to an input of an imaging instruction from the input unit 3b. Is irradiated and shooting is performed. That is, one image is taken in one region direction (step S106). After imaging, the breast imaging apparatus 10 determines the imaging region direction from the rotation angle of the imaging unit 1 (step S107), and imaging execution information including information on the imaging region direction and cassette ID information read from the cassette c is obtained. It is generated and transmitted to the control device 30 (step S108).

  Next, when all the imaging for one patient has not been completed and there is imaging for the next imaging region direction (step S109; Y), the breast imaging apparatus 10 returns to the processing of step S102 and is used for the next imaging. The cassette c to be attached is mounted and the photographing operation as described above (steps S102 to S108) is repeated. When all the shootings are finished (step S109; N), this process is finished.

  When the imaging execution information including the cassette ID and the imaging part direction information is received from the mammography apparatus 10, the control device 30 receives the imaging part direction information included in the imaging execution information and the selected patient. The imaging execution information is associated with the imaging order information and stored in the order file 361 based on the imaging part direction information included in the imaging order information (step S110).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 15, A (imaging site direction; RCC), B (imaging site direction; RM), C (imaging site information; LCC), and different imaging site information for one selected patient, There is imaging order information of D (imaging site direction; LM), and imaging execution information W to Z including information on each imaging site direction is transmitted to the control device 30 in the imaging order. In the control device 30, the imaging order information B and the imaging execution information W, the imaging order information A and the imaging execution information X, the imaging order information C and the imaging execution information Y, the imaging order information D, and the imaging are performed so that the imaging region information matches. The execution information Z is sequentially associated.

  On the other hand, the imaging technician who has completed all of the plurality of imagings for one patient moves to the reading device 50 with all of the captured cassettes c, loads one of the captured cassettes c into the reading device 50, Enter reading instructions. In the reading device 50, when the cassette c is loaded (step S111), the breast image and the cassette ID are read from the loaded cassette c (step S112), and the read cassette ID is stored in the header area of the breast image. A cassette ID is associated with the breast image as it is written. Then, the breast image associated with the cassette ID is transmitted from the reading device 50 to the control device 30 (step S113).

  Next, when reading of all cassettes c for one patient has not been completed and there is a cassette c to be read next (step S114; Y), the reading device 50 returns to the processing of step S111 and then loads it. The reading operation of the cassette c thus performed (steps S111 to S113) is repeated. If all cassettes c have been read (step S114; N), this process ends.

  In the control device 30, when a breast image is received from the reading device 50, the received breast image is stored in the image DB 362, and the cassette ID associated with the breast image and the imaging order information are associated with each other. Based on the cassette ID included in the imaging execution information, the breast image, imaging order information, and imaging execution information are associated with each other (step S115). The imaging order information and imaging execution information associated with the breast image are attached to the image data as supplementary information of the breast image.

In the example shown in FIG. 15, a cassette ID 10102 is associated with the breast image data file mam1.jpg, a cassette ID 10103 is associated with the breast image mam2.jpg, a cassette ID 10101 is associated with the breast image mam3.jpg, and a cassette ID 10104 is associated with the breast image mam4.jpg. If it is, the imaging execution information W is in the breast image mam1.jpg, the imaging execution information Y is in the breast image mam2.jpg, and the imaging execution information X is in the breast image mam3.jpg, based on the cassette ID. Photographing execution information Z is associated with the breast image mam4.jpg. Since each piece of photographing order information A to D is already associated with each piece of photographing execution information W to Z, the breast image is based on the photographing execution information W to Z.
The mam1.jpg includes the imaging order information B and the imaging execution information W, the breast image mam2.jpg includes the imaging order information C and the imaging execution information Y, and the breast image mam3.jpg includes the imaging order information A and the imaging execution information X. However, the imaging order information D and the imaging execution information Z are associated with the breast image mam4.jpg.

  The imaging technician returns to the operation of the control device 30 when the reading device 50 finishes the reading operation of the cassette c for one patient. When the association between the breast image, the imaging order information, and the imaging execution information is completed, the control device 30 displays a confirmation screen (not shown) for confirming the associated breast image, imaging order information, and imaging execution information. The message is displayed on the display unit 33, and this process is terminated.

  When the radiographer confirms the correspondence on the confirmation screen, the radiographer shifts to imaging for the next patient. In the mammography system 100, the second imaging process described above is repeated again from step S101.

Next, a synthesis process for generating a composite image for output in the control device 30 from a series of breast images obtained by the second imaging process will be described with reference to FIG.
Note that conditions such as which breast image is arranged at which position when the breast images are combined are set in advance by the operator, and the control device 30 generates output control information according to the setting, and FIG. Assume that the output control table 363 as shown in FIG. The contents of the output control table 363 will be described later.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the composition process.
In the combining process shown in FIG. 16, it is first determined whether or not a series of breast images has been acquired from the reading device 50 (step T1). A series of breast images refers to all breast images generated in one examination. For example, when the left and right breasts are imaged a total of four times in the CC and MLO imaging directions, the four breast images are referred to as a series of breast images.

  When all the series of breast images are acquired (step T1; Y), the imaging execution information corresponding to the series of breast images is read from the order file 361 (step T2). Next, based on the imaging part direction information included in the imaging execution information, each breast image is subjected to image processing based on the imaging part direction information (step T3). For example, if the imaging direction of the breast image is determined to be MLO based on the imaging part direction information, it is expected that the image includes the chest wall region. Therefore, the chest wall region is extracted and the breast region excluding the region is extracted. A gradation conversion process is performed. On the other hand, when the imaging direction is CC, since the chest wall region is not included in the image, gradation conversion processing is performed on the breast region without extracting the chest wall region.

  When the image processing is finished, the output control table 363 is read from the storage unit 36 by the control unit 31, and output control information is acquired (step T4). In the output control table 363, as shown in FIG. 17, an output position (for example, indicated by an output position number) where a breast image is to be arranged and a rotation angle (in the range of 0 to 180 degrees) according to the imaging region direction. Output control information such as position control (for example, moving to the left side) is stored. For example, the breast image in the imaging direction MLO with the right breast R is set so that the output position is at the upper right and the rotation angle is 0 degrees (that is, the image is not rotated) and is moved to the left. Note that the output setting shown in FIG. 17 is an example, and the image may be arranged so that the output setting is designated by the operator each time.

  The control unit 31 determines the imaging region and imaging direction of each breast image based on the imaging region direction information of a series of breast images, and arranges each breast image at a position corresponding to the imaging region and imaging direction according to the output control information. Is done. Then, an alignment process is performed in which each breast image is moved up, down, left, and right according to the imaging region and the imaging direction, and a single composite image is generated (step T5).

FIG. 18 shows an example of a composite image in which four breast images for the left and right breasts in the imaging directions CC and MLO are arranged.
As shown in FIG. 18, in accordance with the output control information, each breast image has a breast image in the imaging direction MLO in the upper stage, a breast image in the imaging direction CC in the lower stage, and the left (L) breast image is On the left side, the right (R) breast image is arranged on the right. Note that output position numbers are shown at the four corners of the composite image. Each breast image is subjected to alignment processing so that the positions of the subject areas of adjacent images coincide with each other. In the alignment process, for example, the breast wall region, the position of the nipple, the center of the breast region, and the like are detected, and the breast image is moved up and down so that they match.

  Next, when the generated composite image is displayed and output on the display unit 33 for confirmation (step T6), this process ends.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the mammography apparatus 10 is provided with the ID reading unit 3f that can read the cassette ID of the cassette c, and the cassette ID information read by the ID reading unit 3f Since the imaging part direction information is included in the imaging execution information and transmitted to the control device 30, the control apparatus 30 associates the imaging order information with the imaging execution information based on the imaging part direction information, and further sets the cassette. By associating the imaging execution information with the breast image based on the ID, the breast image, imaging order information, and imaging execution information can be automatically associated. Accordingly, it is possible to omit the selection operation in which the imaging engineer selects the imaging order information to associate the imaging execution information before imaging, and the efficiency of the imaging operation can be improved.

  When breast images are taken, each of the left and right breasts is taken in one or a plurality of photographing directions, ie, in the vertical direction, the inside / outside direction, and the oblique direction, so that at least two breast images are obtained for one patient. Will be. Therefore, if a patient to be imaged is selected before imaging, a plurality of images for that patient can be continuously taken, and during the imaging operation, the control device, the mammography device, and the reading device are connected to each device. Since the shooting engineer only needs to be moved once, it is possible to reduce the burden of shooting work for the engineer.

  Further, there is no need to register the cassette c used for imaging, the work load on the imaging engineer can be reduced, and the breast image in which imaging region is recorded in the cassette c before imaging, or after imaging In this case, since it is not necessary for the imaging engineer to store the breast image in which imaging region direction is recorded in the cassette c, it is possible to further improve the efficiency of the imaging operation.

  Further, in the mammography apparatus 10, the ID reading unit 3f is integrated with the imaging table 6, and automatically reads the ID unit c1 of the attached cassette c, so that the imaging engineer inputs the cassette ID and the like. There is no burden and high convenience, and it is possible to prevent mistakes due to human factors such as forgetting to input the cassette ID of the photographer. Further, if the cassette c is not correctly mounted and the cassette ID cannot be read normally, a warning is given to this effect, so that it is possible to prevent a reading error of the cassette ID and to prevent a shooting mistake due to the incorrect mounting of the cassette c. Can be prevented.

  Further, when image processing is performed on a breast image, image processing based on imaging region direction information included in the imaging execution information is performed, so that appropriate image processing corresponding to the imaging region and imaging direction is automatically performed. be able to. In addition, for comparative interpretation of breast images, breast images of left and right breasts are often output side by side on a single film. At this time, alignment processing is often performed so that the positions of the breast regions of each breast image coincide with each other so that interpretation is easy, but conventionally, before performing image processing or alignment processing, an operator performs each breast image. An operation for setting an imaging region or an imaging direction was required. However, according to the present embodiment, the imaging part and imaging direction of each breast image can be determined from the imaging part direction information, so when a series of breast images are combined and output on a single film or the like. Each breast image can be rotated or automatically arranged at an appropriate position based on the determined imaging region and imaging direction. In addition, it is possible to avoid that each breast image is placed at an incorrect position due to a human error such as an imaging region or imaging direction setting mistake by the operator. In the above description, the control device 30 performs image processing and composite image generation. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a separate image processing device may be provided.

In addition, the description content in 2nd Embodiment is a suitable example of the mammography system 100 to which this invention is applied, It is not limited to this.
For example, as the cassette ID reading timing in the ID reading unit 3f, as described above, when reading is not performed normally, if reading is not performed normally, a reading error is warned and the cassette c is remounted before shooting. Although it is preferable because it is possible, it may be read after photographing. In any case, it is preferable to read without taking any time from shooting, such as immediately before or after shooting, in order to increase the certainty of the cassette ID used for shooting. Further, in the present embodiment, the ID reading unit 3f is configured integrally with the imaging stand 6. However, as a handy type configuration, the imaging engineer operates the ID reading unit 3f configured for the handy type at the time of shooting. The ID part c1 of the cassette c may be read.

  Also in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, a system configuration in which a plurality of control devices 30 and reading devices 50 are installed and each device is connected by a communication network N is applicable. In this case, since cassette registration can be performed by an arbitrary control device 30, a server SV for controlling which control device 30 returns a breast image read from the cassette c in each reading device 50 is installed. In the second embodiment, since cassette registration is not performed, each control device 30 receives imaging execution information including a cassette ID and imaging part direction information from the mammography apparatus 10, and is based on the imaging part direction information. When the shooting execution information and shooting order information are associated with each other, the server SV associates the order ID of the associated shooting order information and the cassette ID information included in the shooting execution information with its own control device ID. Will be sent to.

  The server SV stores the order ID, cassette ID, and control device ID received from each control device 30 in association with each other. Each reading device 50 inquires of the server SV about the transmission destination of the breast image based on the cassette ID of the cassette c at the time of reading, and the server SV transmits the control device ID corresponding to the inquired cassette ID to the reading device 50 as response information. To do. The reading device 50 transmits the breast image and the cassette ID to the control device 30 of the control device ID instructed from the server SV. As described above, even when a plurality of reading devices 50 and a plurality of control devices 30 are installed, each control device 30 controls the respective reading devices 50 to add imaging order information and imaging execution information to a breast image acquired. Can be associated.

  In the case of the system configuration shown in FIG. 13, in order to identify which control device 30 the imaging execution information generated in the breast imaging device 10 out of the plurality of control devices 30 is transmitted to, the breast imaging device 10 is configured to be communicable only with a predetermined specific control device 30 among a plurality of control devices 30, and the mammography apparatus 10 and the control device 30 are connected by 1: 1. This 1: 1 relationship is obtained, for example, when the photographing is performed from the control device 30 to the server SV at the time of photographing, and in response to the photographing request, the server SV sends a photographing request to the breast image photographing device 10 as a transmission destination of photographing execution information. This can be realized by designating the communication destination of each device by the server SV between the mammography apparatus 10 and the control device 30 such as designating the performed control device 30. The mammography apparatus 10 transmits imaging execution information including imaging part direction and cassette ID information to the specific control apparatus 30 set in this 1: 1 relationship every time imaging is performed.

  Alternatively, the server SV has a first communication mode in which the mammography apparatus 10 can communicate with a specific control apparatus 30 and a second communication mode in which the mammography apparatus 10 can communicate with an arbitrary control apparatus 30. From the control device 30, the second communication mode is set so that the mammography device 10 can communicate with an arbitrary control device 30 while imaging is not performed. When there is an imaging request, the mammography apparatus 10 switches to the first communication mode that can communicate only with the control apparatus 30 that made the imaging request, and the relationship between the mammography apparatus 10 and the control apparatus 30 is set to 1: 1. At the time of photographing, communication control may be performed so that the breast image photographing device 10 and the control device 30 have a 1: 1 relationship, such as switching to the second communication mode again when photographing is completed.

  Although FIG. 13 shows an example in which only one breast image capturing apparatus 10 is connected, a plurality of breast image capturing apparatuses 10 may be connected. In this case, in order to specify the transmission destination of the imaging execution information, each breast imaging apparatus 10 is configured to be able to communicate only with a specific control apparatus 30 determined in advance. Further, there may be a plurality of combinations in which the relationship between the mammography apparatus 10 and the control apparatus 30 is 1: 1. Alternatively, the communication mode is set by the server SV so that the specific breast image capturing apparatus 10 that performs the image capturing and the specific control apparatus 30 that requested the image capturing have a 1: 1 relationship only while the image capturing is performed as described above. It is also possible to control communication by switching. Note that any of the control devices 30 may have the above-described control function of the server SV without installing the server SV separately.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the breast image capturing apparatus 10 includes the ID reading unit 3f as the cassette ID identification information reading unit. However, when the breast image capturing apparatus 10 cannot include the ID reading unit 3f, As shown in FIG. 19A, a cassette ID reading device 70 having identification information reading means such as a barcode reader for reading the cassette ID displayed in the ID section c1 of the cassette c is connected to the mammography apparatus 10. It is good as well. As the cassette ID reader 70, a general-purpose computer having a CPU, a RAM, a storage unit, a display unit, an input unit, and the like can be applied.

The flow of imaging work in this system configuration will be described by taking as an example the case of taking breast images of L-MLO (left breast oblique direction) and R-MLO (right breast oblique direction).
1) First, the imaging engineer displays the imaging order information of the patient to be imaged by the control device 30 close to the imaging room, confirms the number of cassettes necessary for imaging based on the displayed imaging order information, and enters the imaging room.
2) The radiographer reads the cassette ID of the cassette c to be used by the cassette ID reader 70, and then attaches the cassette c to the imaging table 6, and the breast image is L-MLO (left breast oblique direction). The photographing unit 1 of the photographing apparatus 10 is set and a photographing instruction is input.
3) In the cassette ID reading device 70, the read cassette ID is transmitted to the mammography apparatus 10. In the mammography apparatus 10, after imaging is performed in accordance with the imaging instruction, the imaging region direction is determined, imaging execution information including the determined imaging region direction information is generated, and transmitted from the cassette ID reader 70. It is transmitted to the control device 30 together with the information of the cassette ID that has been obtained. In the control device 30, the imaging execution information and the cassette ID are associated with the imaging order information based on the imaging region direction (L-MLO) included in the received imaging execution information.
4) On the other hand, the radiographer reads the cassette ID of the cassette c to be used next by the cassette ID reader 70, and then attaches the cassette c to the imaging table 6, and R-MLO (right breast oblique direction) ) Sets the photographing unit 1 of the breast image photographing apparatus 10 and inputs a photographing instruction.
5) In the cassette ID reading device 70, the cassette ID is transmitted to the mammography apparatus 10 in the same manner as in 3), and the mammography apparatus 10 performs imaging in accordance with the imaging instruction, and then acquires imaging region direction information. The cassette ID information transmitted from the cassette ID reading device 70 together with the shooting execution information including (R-MLO) is transmitted to the control device 30.
6) After the photographing is finished, the photographing engineer sequentially loads the two cassettes c on which the breast images of L-MLO and R-MLO are recorded on the reading device 50 to perform reading. In the reading device 50, the cassette ID and the breast image are read from the loaded cassette c, and the cassette ID is associated with the read breast image and transmitted to the control device 30.
5) In the control device 30, the imaging order information and the imaging execution information are associated with the breast image based on the cassette ID associated with the received breast image.

  As described above, the cassette ID of the cassette c used for photographing by the photographing engineer is read by the cassette ID reading device 70 by the photographing engineer, so that the control device 30 captures the cassette ID and photographing in the photographing order information for each photographing. Since the information is associated, after the imaging for one patient is finished later, the cassette c used by the radiographer is loaded into the reading device 50 in a batch so that the control device 30 can capture the breast image and the imaging based on the cassette ID. Order information and shooting execution information are associated with each other.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 19B, a system configuration in which a cassette ID reading device 70 is interposed between the breast image capturing device 10 and the control device 30 may be employed. In this case, the imaging engineer causes the cassette ID reading device 70 to read the cassette ID of the cassette c for each shooting. In the mammography system 100, imaging execution information including information on the imaging region direction is transmitted from the mammography device 10 to the cassette ID reading device 70 for each imaging, and the cassette ID reading device 70 receives the information on the imaging region direction. The cassette ID information read together with the shooting execution information is transmitted to the control device 30. On the other hand, a breast image and a cassette ID are transmitted from the reading device 50 to the control device 30, and the control device 30 associates a breast image, imaging order information, and imaging execution information based on the imaging region direction and the cassette ID.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 20A, the cassette ID reading device 70 may be directly connected to the control device 30. In this case, the imaging engineer causes the cassette ID reading device 70 to read the cassette ID of the cassette c every time one image is taken. As soon as the cassette ID is read by the cassette ID reading device 70, the cassette ID is transmitted to the control device 30, and the mammography device 10 transmits imaging execution information including imaging region direction information to the control device 30 for each imaging. Is done. The control device 30 receives imaging execution information including information on the imaging region direction from the mammography apparatus 10 for each imaging, and receives a cassette ID from the cassette ID reader 70, so that the received imaging execution is performed. The imaging execution information and the cassette ID are associated with the imaging order information based on the imaging part direction information included in the associated imaging execution information. . Next, when a breast image and a cassette ID are received from the reading device 50, imaging order information and imaging execution information are associated with the breast image based on the cassette ID.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 20B, a system configuration in which only the cassette ID reading device 70 is connected to the control device 30 without connecting the breast image capturing device 10 to the control device 30 may be adopted. In this case, the imaging technician inputs the imaging execution result in the breast imaging apparatus 10, that is, the imaging execution information, to the cassette ID reading apparatus 70. Similarly, information on the imaging part direction is input and the cassette ID of the cassette c used for imaging is read. In the cassette ID reading device 70, the inputted imaging part direction information, imaging execution information, and read cassette ID information are transmitted to the control device 30. In the control device 30, when imaging part direction information, imaging execution information, and cassette ID information are received from the cassette ID reader 70, and when a breast image and cassette ID are received from the reader 50, the imaging part direction and cassette ID are set. Based on this, the breast image, the imaging order information, and the imaging execution information are associated with each other. In the case of this system configuration, the cassette ID reader 70 is installed in the same imaging room as the mammography apparatus 10, so that the imaging technician can move to capture the cassette c in the reading apparatus 50 for each imaging, This is preferable because it is not necessary to store the shooting order of the cassette c in order to load the cassette c in order.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 21A, a system configuration in which a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) 80 that can be carried by a photographing engineer can be connected to a specific control device 30 instead of the cassette ID reader 70 may be adopted. In this case, the imaging engineer inputs information on the imaging region direction, imaging execution information, and cassette ID information to the PDA 80 for each imaging. In the PDA 80, the inputted imaging part direction information, imaging execution information, and cassette ID information are transmitted to a specific control device 30. The control device 30 receives imaging part direction information, imaging execution information, and cassette ID information from the PDA 80. When the breast image and cassette ID are received from the reading device 50, the breast image is based on the imaging part direction and cassette ID. The shooting order information and the shooting execution information are associated with each other. In this system configuration, since the PDA is used, the photographing engineer can perform an input operation regardless of the place during the photographing work, which is highly convenient.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 21B, a system configuration in which a plurality of control devices 30, reading devices 50, and PDAs 80 are installed and each device is connected via a communication network N may be adopted. In this case, since an arbitrary control device 30 can be accessed from the PDA 80, the IP address of each control device 30 that can be accessed is registered in advance in the PDA 80, and the imaging engineer in the PDA 80 assigns to which control device 30. It is assumed that the cassette ID, the information on the imaging part direction, and the imaging execution information are to be transmitted. As described above, the server SV is installed and the server SV controls which of the control devices 30 the breast image read by each reading device 50 is returned to. In the PDA 80, the input information on the imaging part direction, the imaging execution information, and the cassette ID information are transmitted to the control device 30 designated by the imaging engineer.

  As described above, even when a plurality of control devices 30, reading devices 50, and PDAs 80 are installed, each control device 30 is acquired by each reading device 50 based on the imaging part direction and cassette ID information received from each PDA 80. Imaging order information and imaging execution information can be associated with the breast image that has been obtained.

  In the first embodiment as well, when the breast image capturing apparatus 10 cannot include the ID reading unit 3f, the system configuration shown in FIGS. 19 to 22 can be applied. The received breast image is associated with the imaging order information and the imaging execution information based on the cassette ID.

  In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of the mammography system 100 according to the first and second embodiments can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the system configuration | structure of the mammography system 100 in this Embodiment. 1 is an external view of a breast image capturing apparatus 10. FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view of the photographing unit 1 in which a cassette c is installed on the photographing stand 6. It is a figure which shows the imaging stand 6 provided with ID reading part 3f, and the cassette c provided with ID part c1. It is a side view of the imaging | photography part 1 at the time of applying a phase contrast imaging method. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a main body unit 3. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an imaging region and an imaging direction are determined from information on a rotation angle of the imaging unit 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control device 30. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of an order file 361. FIG. It is a figure explaining the 1st imaging | photography process performed in the breast image imaging system 100. FIG. (A) is a figure which shows the example of normal insertion of cassette c, (b), (c) is a figure which shows the example of incorrect insertion. It is a figure explaining matching of a breast image, imaging | photography order information, and imaging | photography implementation information. It is a figure which shows the system structural example to which the some control apparatus 30 and the reading apparatus 50 were connected. It is a flowchart explaining the 2nd imaging | photography process performed in the breast image imaging system 100 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining matching of a breast image, imaging | photography order information, and imaging | photography implementation information. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a synthesis process executed by the control device 30. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output control table 363. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a synthesized image of a series of breast images. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration when a cassette reading device 70 is installed in a breast image capturing system 100. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration when a cassette reading device 70 is installed in a breast image capturing system 100. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration when a PDA 80 is installed in a breast image capturing system 100. FIG. It is a figure which shows the system configuration | structure of the conventional mammography system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Mammography system 10 Mammography apparatus 1 Imaging | photography part 3 Main body part 3a Control part 3f ID reading part 6 Imaging stand 7 Compression board 8 Angle detection part c Cassette c1 ID part 30 Control apparatus 31 Control part 32 Input part 33 Display part 34 Communication unit 35 RAM
36 storage unit 361 order file 362 image DB
50 Reader

Claims (12)

A breast imaging apparatus that shoots a breast image of a patient by irradiating radiation and records the breast image in a cassette, and a reading apparatus that reads the breast image from the cassette acquires the read breast image Connected to
The breast imaging apparatus is
Identification information reading means for reading the identification information of the cassette used at the time of imaging of the breast image, and communication means for transmitting imaging execution information including the identification information of the read cassette to the control device,
The controller is
Storage means for storing imaging order information; input means for inputting cassette identification information used for imaging the breast image; and storing the input cassette identification information in association with the imaging order information. Based on the cassette identification information included in the imaging execution information transmitted from the breast imaging apparatus and the cassette identification information included in the stored imaging order information. A breast image photographing system comprising: a control unit for associating with the breast image photographing system. The reader is
When reading the breast image from the cassette, an identification information reading unit that reads the identification information of the cassette, and a communication unit that transmits the read breast image and the identification information of the cassette to the control device,
The control unit of the control device is configured to detect the breast image and the imaging based on the cassette identification information associated with the imaging order information and the cassette identification information associated with the breast image transmitted from the reading device. The mammography system according to claim 1, wherein the order information and the imaging execution information are associated with each other.   3. The breast image capturing system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information reading unit of the breast image capturing apparatus reads the identification information of the cassette in a state where the cassette is attached to the breast image capturing apparatus.   The identification information reading unit of the breast imaging apparatus is configured integrally with an imaging table on which a cassette is mounted, and automatically reads identification information of the cassette mounted on the imaging table. 3. The breast imaging system according to 3.   5. The breast image capturing system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information reading unit of the breast image capturing apparatus reads cassette identification information immediately before or after capturing. A plurality of the readers;
The breast image photographing system according to claim 2, wherein the control device associates photographing order information and photographing execution information with each breast image obtained by controlling the plurality of reading devices. .   7. A plurality of the control devices are provided, and each control device associates radiographing order information and radiographing execution information with respect to each breast image acquired by controlling the plurality of reading devices. The breast imaging system described in 1. A breast image capturing device that captures a breast image of a patient by irradiating radiation and records the breast image in a cassette, a reading device that reads the breast image from the cassette, and a control device that acquires the read breast image Consists of
The breast imaging apparatus is
Identification information reading means for reading cassette identification information used at the time of photographing the breast image, information generating means for generating photographing execution information including key information for associating the photographing execution information with the photographing order information, and for each photographing Communication information for transmitting to the control device the shooting execution information including the key information generated by the information generation means and the cassette identification information read by the identification information reading means,
The reader is
When reading the breast image from the cassette, an identification information reading unit that reads the identification information of the cassette, and a communication unit that transmits the read breast image and the identification information of the cassette to the control device,
The controller is
Based on storage means for storing imaging order information including key information, key information included in imaging execution information transmitted from the breast imaging apparatus, and key information included in the stored imaging order information, The imaging order information is associated with the imaging execution information and the cassette identification information received together with the imaging execution information, and the cassette identification information associated with the imaging order information and the cassette transmitted together with the breast image from the reader A breast image radiographing system comprising: control means for associating the breast image and radiographing order information based on the identification information.   The breast image capturing system according to claim 8, wherein the key information is information on an imaging region and / or an imaging direction.   10. The breast image capturing system according to claim 9, wherein the key information is left / right information indicating which of the right and left breasts is an imaging region.   The breast image photographing system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising image processing means for performing image processing on the breast image based on the photographing execution information.   The breast image photographing system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising combining means for generating a composite image in which a series of breast images are arranged at predetermined positions based on the photographing execution information.

Images