JP4822640B2 - MEDICAL DEVICE SYSTEM, NETWORK TERMINAL, ITS CONTROL METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a medical device system, a medical image data acquisition system thereof, a network terminal, a control method thereof, a computer program, and a storage medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an X-ray CT (Computerized Tomography) device, a device having a donut-shaped cavity (generally called a gantry device) and a top plate on which a subject is placed are transported toward the cavity of the gantry device. And an operation console that gives various control signals to the gantry device and the transport device and reconstructs and displays an X-ray tomogram based on a signal (data) obtained from the gantry device.
[0003]
The gantry apparatus has an X-ray generation source (X-ray tube) provided with a subject interposed therebetween and an X-ray detector for detecting X-rays, and these are fixed to a rotating body. When scanning is performed, the X-ray tube is driven to rotate the rotating body, thereby transmitting a signal (transmission X) corresponding to the X-ray dose transmitted (attenuated) through the subject at different rotation angles. Line data).
[0004]
As described above, the operation console performs the control processing of the gantry apparatus and the transport apparatus. Among them, the processing capacity is most demanded in that the X-ray tomographic image based on the transmitted X-ray data received from the gantry apparatus is reproduced. It is a process to configure.
[0005]
Usually, in the X-ray CT system, by transferring a subject, a plurality of X-ray tomographic images along the transfer direction (generally referred to as the Z axis) are obtained. The load on the image reconstruction process is applied to the operation console.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The operation console is substantially the same as a so-called workstation or PC in terms of hardware, but because of the above processing, a high-speed processor (CPU) is required. In order to speed up the process of reconstructing an X-ray tomogram, one or more boards equipped with a digital signal processor (DSP or the like) are usually connected to a PCI bus provided in this apparatus. Thus, the operation console has a high processing capacity.
[0007]
However, the time required to leave the patient's CT room and leave the room is at most several minutes, and the actual scan for driving the X-ray tube during that time is about several tens of seconds. Focusing on the operation console, the time required to reconstruct one X-ray tomogram also has a processing capacity of several sheets per second, so the operation rate of the CPU of the operation console with respect to the time required for the actual scan Is a very short time.
[0008]
The present invention has been made paying attention to such a problem, and is a system in which a medical image data acquisition system that scans a subject to obtain data relating to a structure in the subject and obtains a tomographic image thereof is connected to a network. , A medical device system capable of realizing high-speed post-processing while simplifying the configuration of the terminal on the network, a medical image data acquisition system and network terminal thereof, a control method thereof, a computer program, and a storage medium Is to provide.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve this problem, for example, the medical device system of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A medical image data acquisition system that acquires data relating to a subject and reconstructs an image of the subject and a terminal that displays an image reconstructed by the medical image data acquisition system are connected via a network. A medical device system,
The medical image data acquisition system includes a scanning device for acquiring data relating to the inside of the subject, and an image is reconstructed by calculation based on the data obtained by the scanning device, and after performing post-processing An operation console provided with processing execution means,
The terminal includes instruction means for instructing post-processing for the reconstructed image, and request means for requesting the operation console for post-processing instructed by the instruction means.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0011]
In order to simplify the description, the embodiment describes a medical image system to which an X-ray CT system is applied as a medical image data acquisition system.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a medical image system according to the embodiment. In the figure, reference numerals 1000 to 1002 denote X-ray CT systems, and reference numeral 2000 denotes a file server for storing and managing X-ray tomographic images of patients obtained by the respective X-ray CT systems. Reference numerals 4000 to 4001 denote terminals installed in an examination room or the like, which are used for browsing X-ray tomograms stored in the file server 2000. Each of these devices is connected to the network 3000.
[0013]
The X-ray CT systems 1000 to 1002 are all assumed to have the same configuration in order to simplify the description. Here, the X-ray CT system 1000 will be described.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of the gantry apparatus 100, the operation console 200, and the transport apparatus 300 that constitute the X-ray CT system 1000.
[0015]
The gantry apparatus 100 has the following configuration including the main controller 1 that controls the entire system.
[0016]
2 is an interface for communicating with the operation console 200, 3 is a rotating body having a cavity for accommodating a subject (subject), and an X-ray tube as an X-ray generation source is provided inside. 4 (controlled by the X-ray tube controller 5), a collimator 6 having a slit for defining an X-ray irradiation range is provided.
[0017]
Further, the rotating body 3 includes an X-ray detection unit 9 including a plurality of detection elements that detect X-rays transmitted through the subject, and a data collection unit 10 that collects data obtained from the X-ray detection unit 9. Also equipped. The X-ray tube 4 and the X-ray detection unit 9 are provided at positions facing each other across the hollow portion, and are held by the rotating body 3 in a state in which the relationship is maintained, and rotate along the arrow A shown in the figure. It has become. This rotation is performed by the rotary motor 11 driven by a drive signal from the motor controller 12.
[0018]
Reference numeral 13 denotes a tilt motor for changing the tilt angle of the gantry apparatus 100, and reference numeral 14 denotes a motor controller that supplies a drive signal to the tilt motor 12 under the control of the main controller 1. An operation panel 15 is provided with various switches such as a gantry tilt angle change switch and ON / OFF of a positioning light. Reference numeral 16 denotes a positioning light that irradiates the subject with an optical mark for positioning the subject.
[0019]
The X-ray detection unit 9 may have either one row or multiple rows of detection elements. In this connection, a system composed of one row of detection element groups is called a single slice X-ray CT system, and a multi-row case is called a multi-slice X-ray CT system. In the embodiment, in order to simplify the description, a single-slice X-ray CT system having one row of detection elements will be described.
[0020]
The main controller 1 of the gantry apparatus 100 analyzes various commands received via the I / F 2 and outputs various control signals to the X-ray tube controller 5 and the motor controller 12 based on the analysis. . The main controller 1 also performs processing for sending the data collected by the data collection unit 10 to the operation console 200 via the I / F 2.
[0021]
On the other hand, the transport apparatus 300 includes the main controller 21 and the following configuration.
[0022]
Reference numeral 22 denotes an operation panel including an instruction switch for instructing raising and lowering of the transfer device 300, a switch for instructing movement of the top plate, and the like. 23 denotes a height of the top plate and a cavity portion of the gantry device 100 of the top plate. It consists of a sensor group that detects the amount of extension. Reference numeral 24 denotes a motor for changing the height of the apparatus including the top plate, and reference numeral 25 denotes a motor controller that applies the drive signal under the control of the main controller 21. Reference numeral 26 denotes a top plate on which the subject is placed. The material of the top plate is easy to transmit X-rays and has a strength to maintain the state where the subject is placed. Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics) etc. are used. Reference numeral 27 denotes a motor that carries the top plate 26 in the Z-axis direction, and 28 denotes a motor controller that applies a drive signal to the motor 27. Reference numeral 29 denotes an interface for connecting to the operation console.
[0023]
In the above configuration, the main controller 21 of the transport apparatus 300 controls the transport of the top plate 26 in the Z-axis direction in accordance with an instruction from the operation panel 22 or an instruction from the operation console 200. Further, in accordance with an instruction from the operation panel 22, the apparatus itself is moved up and down, that is, the table 26 is moved up and down.
[0024]
Next, the operation console 200 in the embodiment will be described.
[0025]
The operation console 200 is a so-called workstation. As shown in the figure, the operation console 200 includes a CPU 51 that controls the entire apparatus, a ROM 52 that stores a boot program and a BIOS, and a RAM 53 that functions as a main storage device. .
[0026]
The HDD 54 is a hard disk device, which is necessary as an operation console for X-ray CT for giving various instructions to the OS, the gantry apparatus 100 and the conveying apparatus 300 as shown in the figure and for X-ray tomographic image reconstruction. A control program and an auxiliary program (details will be described later) are stored.
[0027]
The display controller 55 is equipped with a video memory VRAM that develops image data to be displayed, and can be displayed on the CRT 56 by developing the image data and the like. Note that the display controller 55 has a display capability of XGA (1024 × 768 dots) or SXGA (1280 × 1024 dots) in order to display a gradation image such as an X-ray tomogram with high definition.
[0028]
Reference numerals 57 and 58 denote a keyboard and a mouse for performing various settings. Reference numeral 59 denotes an interface for communicating with the gantry apparatus 100, and reference numeral 60 denotes a digital signal processor (DSP) for calculating X-ray tomogram reconstruction processing at high speed, which performs matrix calculation and fast Fourier transform. Is to do. Although only one DPS is shown in the figure, a plurality of DPSs may be mounted for high-speed computation. Reference numeral 61 denotes a network interface for connecting to the network 3000.
[0029]
Since the operation of the X-ray CT system itself is known, the operation will be briefly described here.
[0030]
After the subject lies on the top plate 26 of the transport apparatus 300, the operator (physician or engineer) operates the operation console 200 to make settings related to the scan plan. There are various settings, but a typical one is a helical scan (scan that simultaneously carries the top plate 26 of the transport device 200 and a scan of the gantry device 100) or an axial scan (transport). Scanning method selection for whether to carry the top plate 26 of the apparatus 200 and scanning of the gantry apparatus 100 alternately, the scanning range of the Z-axis (conveyance direction of the subject), and X-rays to be reconfigured What is the slice thickness of the tomographic image, how many X-ray tomographic images are to be reconstructed, etc. In addition, information (patient name or ID) for specifying the subject described in the medical record is also included.
[0031]
After performing such setting, the operation console 200 outputs a drive instruction to the transport apparatus 300 and the gantry apparatus 100 at a predetermined timing according to the set contents. As a result, since X-ray data transmitted through the subject is received from the gantry apparatus 100, the CPU 51 of the operation console 200 performs X-ray tomographic image reconstruction processing while utilizing the DSP 60 based on the data. The result is displayed on the CRT 56. Note that the reconstructed X-ray tomogram is stored in the file server 2000 in a folder (directory) for specifying the subject, and the X-ray tomogram is centrally managed. Since the file server 2000 can be accessed from a terminal 4000 or the like installed in a separate room such as an examination room, a doctor can make a diagnosis by reading the image from the file server and performing operations such as display and printing. It becomes.
[0032]
Next, the structure of the file server 2000 in the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0033]
In the figure, reference numeral 2001 denotes a CPU that controls the entire file server 2000. An OS that realizes multi-user multitasking operates, and requests from clients (such as the operation console 200 and the terminal 4000 in each X-ray CT system). Accordingly, a database management system (generally, a DBMS) for performing processing for data management and retrieval is executed. Therefore, a DSP such as the operation console 200 is not necessary.
[0034]
Reference numeral 2002 denotes a ROM storing a boot program, and 2003 denotes a RAM used as a work area of the CPU 2001. A server OS (for example, UNIX developed by AT & T in the United States, Windows NT provided by Microsoft Corporation in the United States, etc.) Is loaded. Reference numeral 2004 denotes a hard disk drive (HDD) for storing the OS and a DBMS server program for storing and managing tomographic images from each X-ray CT system. However, the file server 2000 is assumed to have installed a RAID system (for example, RAID 5 or the like) in order to secure the file to be stored and managed.
[0035]
Reference numeral 2005 denotes a display controller, which includes a VRAM for expanding a display image, and the image expanded in the VRAM is displayed on the CRT 2006. However, since the file server 2000 is intended to write and read a file at the request from a client (such as the operation console 200 or the terminal 4000 in each X-ray CT system), the display quality may not be high. That is, the display capability of the VGA (640 × 480 dots) class is sufficient, and the display can be inexpensive. Reference numerals 2007 and 2008 denote a keyboard and a mouse. Reference numeral 2010 denotes a network interface for connecting to the network 3000.
[0036]
Next, the configuration of terminal 4000 (4001) in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0037]
As shown in the drawing, the configuration is logically the same as that of the file server 2000. In the figure, reference numeral 4001 denotes a CPU that controls the entire terminal 4000 (4001) as long as it operates a client OS. A ROM 4002 stores a boot program, and a RAM 4003 is a RAM used as a work area of the CPU 4001. A client OS (for example, UNIX developed by AT & T in the United States, Windows provided by Microsoft Corporation in the United States, etc.) is loaded here. Is done. A hard disk drive (HDD) 4004 stores a client program (described later) for accessing the OS and the file server 2000. Reference numeral 4005 denotes a display controller, which has a display capability similar to that of the operation console 200 in order to display an image in detail during diagnosis. Reference numeral 4006 denotes a CRT that displays an image developed in the VRAM of the display controller 4005. Reference numerals 4007 and 4008 denote a keyboard and a mouse. Reference numeral 4010 denotes a network interface for connecting to the network 3000.
[0038]
The above is the configuration of the X-ray CT systems 1000 to 1002, the file server 2000, and the terminals 4001 and 4002 constituting the medical image system shown in FIG.
[0039]
Next, post-processing that is a characteristic part in the embodiment will be described. Post-processing refers to processing in which a doctor or an engineer processes a reconstructed X-ray tomographic image according to the purpose. For example, for a reconstructed X-ray tomographic image, noise reduction processing, edge enhancement, creation of a 3D image, creation of an image of an arbitrary cross section, creation of a moving image, and the like can be given. Also included are Fusion (image superposition) and IVI (Interactive Vascular Imaging).
These processes are literally image processes, but the calculation is almost the same as the case of reconstructing an X-ray tomogram, or in some cases, is a process that is much more complicated and time-consuming. A representative example of the time-consuming process is a moving image creation process. In particular, a high calculation capability is required for a 3D moving image. A 3D moving image is briefly described as follows.
[0040]
When a 1 mm thick X-ray tomographic image is reconstructed every 1 mm along the Z-axis (which refers to the direction in which the subject is transported), the 3D object is obtained by connecting these images along the Z-axis position. Can be defined. For example, when this object is changed from a certain viewpoint position (start viewpoint position) on the x, y, z axis coordinate system to another viewpoint position (end viewpoint position), how the 3D object looks In order to check this, it is necessary to create two-dimensional images at several viewpoint positions between the start viewpoint position and the end viewpoint position. For example, in order to reproduce a natural moving image, it is necessary to reproduce it at about 30 frames / second. Therefore, even if a 1D 3D moving image is created, 1800 (= 30 × 60) frames are actually created. It will be a calculation that must be done.
[0041]
The same applies to edge enhancement processing when it is performed on a large number of X-ray tomographic images at once.
[0042]
Usually, in these post-processing, a doctor who operates the terminal 4000 (or 4001) gives an instruction on the spot. Therefore, the CPU 4001 of the terminal 4000 (4001) is required to have a high-speed processor, and in some cases, it is necessary to mount one or more DSPs.
[0043]
The feature of this embodiment is that the terminal 4000 does not require such high-speed and high-speed hardware. Hereinafter, the realization means will be described in detail.
[0044]
The inventor paid attention to the presence of an operation console in each of the X-ray CT systems 1000 to 1002 in the medical imaging system as shown in FIG. In other words, each operation console pays attention to the fact that it has a necessary calculation capability only for reconstructing an X-ray tomogram, and intends to utilize this. In addition, the most burdensome process in each operation console 200 is an X-ray tomographic image reconstruction process, and the time is extremely short. When other scan plans are set, the load on the CPU 51 is as follows. It is light and substantially close to 0 in the standby state.
[0045]
Therefore, when an operator (physician or the like) of the terminal 4000 accesses the file server 2000 and displays an X-ray tomographic image of a required patient and then instructs post-processing, the load is relatively large at that time. An operation console for a few X-ray CT systems was found, and image processing as post-processing was requested with the operation console.
[0046]
This is a method to find an operation console with a low load. However, in a network using UNIX (TCP / IP protocol), it is possible to detect the CPU load factor of the machine by using the ps command at the login destination machine. In the embodiment, this is used to detect the load factor of the partner machine (the operation console in the embodiment). Since there are other known techniques for detecting the load factor of the CPU in the machine, it is of course possible to utilize them, and the present invention is not limited thereby. In particular, in the system environment as in the embodiment, the operation rate per unit time of the CPU in the operation console of the X-ray CT system is maximized during the reconstruction process of the X-ray tomogram as described above. Therefore, in practice, it is only necessary to detect a rough load factor as to whether or not an X-ray tomographic image is reconstructed. Therefore, hereinafter, the load factor of the CPU of each operation console will be described using an expression indicating whether an appropriate threshold is set and whether it is larger than that, that is, whether the load factor is high or low.
[0047]
When a post-processing instruction is issued on the terminal 4000, the load factor for the operation console of each X-ray CT system connected to the network 3000 is obtained as described above, and the post-processing is requested accordingly. Determine the operation console. The maximum number of operation consoles to be requested is the number of operation consoles with a low load factor at that time. For example, when edge enhancement processing is performed on one X-ray stage image layer, the requested operation console is rather One is enough. Further, when edge enhancement processing is performed on a plurality of X-ray tomograms, division is performed by the number of operation consoles having a low load factor, and the number of edge enhancement processing is distributed to each operation console. In any case, when requesting edge enhancement processing, data indicating the location of the X-ray tomographic image to be edge-enhanced (the address and file name of the file storing the X-ray tomographic image in the file server 2000) and The parameter indicating the degree of edge enhancement is notified to each operation console. In addition, since the X-ray tomogram after the edge enhancement processing is not sent back to the terminal 4000 but is used as the file server 2000, the address of the file server 2000 is designated as the storage destination. The same applies to other image processing.
[0048]
In the case of creating a 3D moving image, it is more convenient to create continuous frames with one operation console. Therefore, for example, when a moving image of 1 minute is created and two operation consoles with a low load factor are found, the first half and the latter half 30 seconds may be requested to each operation console. At this time, data (data indicating the storage position of the original X-ray tomographic image) and parameters (such as the start position and end position of the viewpoint) necessary for moving image creation are notified to the respective operation consoles. In addition, the file server 2000 is designated as a storage location for partial moving images that have been shared and shared, as in the edge enhancement process described above. As a moving image file format, MPEG which can reduce the file size and is excellent in image quality is desirable, but of course other formats may be used.
[0049]
In order to realize the above processing, the operation console of each X-ray CT system 1000 to 1002 needs to store a program for realizing post-processing requested from the terminal 4000, 4001, or the like. The auxiliary program shown in FIG. 2 is a program for this processing. That is, this auxiliary program performs subsequent processing when there is a request from the terminal 4000 or the like.
[0050]
Therefore, first, the operation processing procedure of the auxiliary program in the operation console 200 will be described, and then the operation processing procedure of the terminal 4000 (same for 4001) will be described. Note that the operation process itself in the operation console 200 as an X-ray CT system is a known procedure as described above, and its reconfiguration process is also known, so the description thereof is omitted here. However, the processing for storing in the file server 2000 the X-ray tomogram that has been reconstructed and the data relating to the scan (data relating to the patient name or scan plan) at that time has already been performed by the operator. To do.
[0051]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the auxiliary program in the operation console in each X-ray CT system 1000 to 1002.
[0052]
First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not there has been a post-processing request from the terminals 4000, 4001, etc. on the network. If it is determined that a post-processing request has been made, the process proceeds to step S2 to receive data necessary for the post-processing requested. The content of the received data includes the type of post-processing, parameters for performing post-processing, for example, a parameter indicating the degree of edge enhancement for edge enhancement processing, and the number of frames for generating a moving image for moving images. The location of the target X tomographic image, such as the viewpoint start position and end position, and its file name (s), and the storage destination address when the post-processing is completed (directory name and file name of the file server 2000) is there.
[0053]
In step S3, the received data is analyzed, and what kind of post-processing is performed is analyzed.
[0054]
In step S4, post-processing is performed based on the analysis result. In the post-processing in step S4, the X-ray tomographic image file to be designated is read (downloaded) from the file server 2000, and various image processing is performed based on the read X-ray tomographic image. .
[0055]
In step S5, it is determined whether the requested post-processing is completed. If not, the process returns to step S4 and the post-processing is continued. Note that the determination in step S5 may be made based on whether processing for the requested number of X-ray tomographic images has been completed or the like.
[0056]
In this way, when the post-processing is completed, the processing result is stored (uploaded) in the storage destination (file server 2000) obtained by analyzing in the previous step S3, and this processing is finished.
[0057]
Next, the operation processing procedure of the terminal 4000 (same for 4001) in the embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0058]
First, in step S11, a list of file names of X-ray tomographic images of the target patient stored in the file server 2000 is displayed, and a desired file is selected (for example, double-clicked with the mouse 4008). Thus, the browsing process of displaying the X-ray tomographic image is performed.
[0059]
While the file name list is displayed, the mouse 4008 is used to perform a “post-processing” pull-down menu on the display screen, such as noise reduction, edge enhancement, 3D image creation, arbitrary cross-sectional image creation, or moving image creation. When it is detected that the information is designated by the above (step S12), the process proceeds to step S13.
[0060]
Next, the selected file to be processed is selected from the file list. One or a plurality of files may be selected. In addition, when all files in a certain holder (directory) are selected, it is realized by selecting the holder itself.
[0061]
When this selection operation is completed, the process proceeds to step S14, and an operation console with a low load factor is searched from the operation consoles of the respective X-ray CT systems on the network 3000. The way to search for a low load factor operation console is as described above. When an operation console with a low load factor can be found as a result, the IP address of the operation console on the network is temporarily stored in the RAM 4003.
[0062]
Next, the process proceeds to step S15, and the selected operation console for requesting post-processing is determined. When the number n of target X-ray tomograms is in a relationship of n <m with respect to the number m of operation consoles having a low load factor, 1 is assigned to the top n operation consoles having a preset priority. Two X-ray tomograms are decided to be requested for post-processing. In the case of n> m, n / m X-ray tomographic images are equally allocated to m operation consoles. However, since there may be a remainder in n / m, it is decided to request the remainder to the operation console at the higher priority. When creating a 3D moving image, it is necessary to provide a common X-ray tomographic image file to all operation consoles determined to have a low load.
[0063]
When the operation console requesting post-processing is determined in this way, in step S16, for each operation console, a post-processing request message (the type of post-processing to be requested, the parameters used for it, the location of the file to be processed) , And the storage destination and file name when post-processing is completed). Next, in step S17, each request message is transmitted to the operation console determined in step S15.
[0064]
As a result, the requested operation console starts post-processing according to the requested content in accordance with the procedure described above (FIG. 5). Accordingly, in step S18, the terminal 4000 waits for whether the requested file is stored with the specified file name at the specified location of the file server 2000.
[0065]
If it is found that the file is stored, the process proceeds to step S19, displayed on the CRT 4006, and the process is terminated. In the case of a moving image, a plurality of partial moving image files are created. Therefore, the process of connecting individual partial moving image files may be performed on the terminal 4000 side.
[0066]
As described above, according to the present invention, when post-processing is performed on an X-ray tomogram obtained by reconstruction with an X-ray CT system, high-speed hardware is mounted on the requesting terminal. Even if it is not, the result of the subsequent processing can be reproduced in a short time. In addition, it is possible to increase the operating rate of the CPU 51 in each operation console in the X-ray CT system.
[0067]
In particular, as described in the above embodiment, when a plurality of X-ray CT systems are introduced, since post-processing is distributed to each operation console, the result of post-processing is obtained. This time can be further shortened.
[0068]
In the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether or not the target file is stored in the file server 2000 in step S18. However, for example, a mail server is introduced into the file server 2000, and the mail server is updated later. A notification of processing completion may be sent to the terminal 4000 by e-mail.
[0069]
In addition, it is quicker to select a console if it is possible to know in advance how many consoles can be distributed. Therefore, for example, it is desirable to enter the IP of each console in advance in a text file called “etc / hosts” in the system drive.
[0070]
Further, when the ps command is used, the priority of the process consuming the CPU time is known in addition to the CPU operating rate. Therefore, it is also determined whether a process with higher priority than post-processing (for example, scanning) is operating. If a process with higher priority than post-processing is operating, the console should be excluded. Is desirable.
[0071]
In the embodiment, an example in which a request is made from the terminal 400 series to the console 200 series has been described, but a request from the 200 series to the 200th series or from the 200 series to the 400th may be performed.
[0072]
Further, in the embodiment, the local network has been described. However, a console connected to the outside (such as the Internet) may be distributed. In this case, it is desirable that the distance of the external console can be confirmed with a ping command.
[0073]
If there is no other console that can perform distributed processing, it may be performed by its own device.
[0074]
In the above embodiment, an X-ray CT system is taken as an example of a medical image data acquisition system, and a medical image system including a plurality of X-ray CT systems has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this point. Absent. For example, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) system scans a subject and reconstructs a tomographic image thereof, and the calculation has a high-speed calculation capability like an operation console in X-ray CT. Therefore, an MRI system may be applied instead of the X-ray CT system.
[0075]
Further, it may be adapted to a system in which different medical image data acquisition systems such as an X-ray CT system and an MRI system are mixed. In this case, it is only necessary to install the above auxiliary program in the operation console in each system.
[0076]
In the embodiment, the file server 2000 and the terminal 4000 (4001) have been described as separate devices. However, the terminal 4000 and the file server 2000 may be realized by the same device, and the operation console functions as a file server. It does not matter if
[0077]
In addition, although the embodiment requires hardware such as a network, they only need to utilize existing resources, and most of the functions for realizing the embodiment are largely based on programs installed in a terminal or an operation console. is there. Therefore, the present invention also includes a program having such a function. In addition, when a program is introduced into a computer, a storage medium such as a floppy disk or CD-ROM is usually set in the apparatus and copied or installed in an HDD. Therefore, such a storage medium is also included in the scope of the present invention. It is what
[0078]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in a system in which a medical image data acquisition system that scans a subject to obtain data related to the structure in the subject and obtains a tomographic image thereof is connected to the network, the network It is possible to realize high-speed post-processing while simplifying the configuration of the upper terminal.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a medical image system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of an X-ray CT system in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram of a file server in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block configuration diagram of a terminal in the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an auxiliary program installed in the operation console in the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a terminal in the embodiment.

Claims (10)

A plurality of medical image data acquisition systems that acquire data relating to a subject and reconstruct an image of the subject, and a terminal that displays an image reconstructed by the medical image data acquisition system via a network A medical device system to be connected,
The plurality of medical image data acquisition systems include a scanning device for acquiring data related to the inside of the subject, and reconstructs an image by calculation based on the data obtained by the scanning device, and performs post-processing An operation console each having post-processing execution means for
The terminal includes an instruction means for instructing post-processing for the reconstructed image, and an operation console for requesting the post-processing based on an operating status of the CPU of the operation console. A medical device system, comprising: a determining unit that determines at least one of the requesting unit; and a requesting unit that requests post-processing instructed by the instructing unit to the operation console determined by the determining unit . The medical device system according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines an operation console that requests the post-processing according to the content of the instructed post-processing . Is connected to the network, the medical device system according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a file server that stores the reconstructed image in the medical image data acquisition system. The post-processing, noise reduction processing, edge enhancement processing, the creation of 3D images, according to claim 1 to claim 3, characterized in that included at least one of creating and creating a video image an image of arbitrary cross section The medical device system according to any one of the above. The scanning device is a medical image data acquisition system of claim 1 to claim 4, characterized in that a gantry apparatus in an X-ray CT. Based on the data from the scanning device, the scanning device for acquiring data related to the internal structure of the subject, the transport device for transporting the subject toward the scanning device, the scanning device and the transporting device A plurality of medical image data acquisition systems each configured with an operation console connected to a network while reconstructing a tomogram,
A network terminal in a medical device system connected to the network and configured with a file server that stores and manages tomograms reconstructed by the medical image data acquisition system,
Instructing means for instructing post-processing on the reconstructed tomogram stored in the file server;
Determining means for determining at least one operation console for requesting the post-processing based on the operating status of the CPU of the operation console from among the operation consoles in the plurality of medical image data acquisition systems;
Request means for requesting the operation console determined by the determination means to perform post-processing instructed by the instruction means;
A network terminal for a medical device system, comprising display means for displaying a requested post-processing result. The network terminal for a medical device system according to claim 6 , wherein the post-processing includes noise reduction processing, edge enhancement, creation of a 3D image, creation of an image of an arbitrary cross section, and creation of a moving image. . Based on the data from the scanning device, the scanning device for acquiring data related to the internal structure of the subject, the transport device for transporting the subject toward the scanning device, the scanning device and the transporting device A plurality of medical image data acquisition systems each configured to reconstruct a tomographic image and an operation console connected to a network, and a tomographic image connected to the network and reconstructed by the medical image data acquisition system A network terminal control method for a medical device system configured with a file server for storing and managing images,
An instruction step for instructing post-processing on the reconstructed tomogram stored in the file server;
A determination step of determining at least one operation console for requesting the post-processing based on the operating status of the CPU of the operation console from among the operation consoles in the plurality of medical image data acquisition systems;
A requesting step for requesting the operation console of the medical image data acquisition system determined by the determining means to perform post-processing instructed in the indicating step;
A network terminal control method for a medical device system, comprising: a display step of displaying a requested post-processing result. A scanning device for acquiring data relating to the internal structure of the subject, a transport device for transporting the subject toward the scan device, and the scan device and the transport device, and based on data from the scan device A plurality of medical image data acquisition systems each configured by reconstructing a tomogram and an operation console connected to the network, and a tomogram connected to the network and reconstructed by the medical image data acquisition system A computer program for a network terminal in a medical device system configured with a file server for storing and managing
A program code of an instruction process for instructing post-processing for the reconstructed tomogram stored in the file server,
A program code of a determining step for determining at least one operation console for requesting the post-processing based on the operating status of the CPU of the operation console from among the operation consoles in the plurality of medical image data acquisition systems;
A program code of a requesting step for requesting the post-processing instructed in the indicating step to the operation console of the medical image data acquisition system determined by the determining means ;
A computer program for a network terminal in a medical device system, comprising: a program code for a display process for displaying a requested post-processing result. A storage medium storing the computer program according to claim 9 .

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