JP4968916B2 - Radiation image processing apparatus, radiation image processing method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiation image processing apparatus and a radiation image processing method for processing a plurality of radiation images taken by irradiating a subject with radiation, and a program for causing a computer to execute the radiation image processing method.

  Conventionally, a radiographic image processing apparatus that processes a radiographic image captured using radiation represented by X-rays has been realized.

  In recent years, as an example of a radiographic image processing apparatus, in an X-ray image diagnostic apparatus (X-ray image processing apparatus) used for medical use, a method of performing a diagnosis using a digital image from a conventional analog imaging diagnosis has become widespread. . In such a digital X-ray image diagnostic apparatus, the X-rays emitted from the X-ray generator pass through the subject (subject) and are converted into X-ray image data by the sensor. The image data of the X-ray image taken in this way is temporarily stored in a semiconductor memory built in the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus. Then, after image processing and image analysis are performed on the image data of the X-ray image as necessary, the image data is displayed on a monitor provided in or connected to the X-ray image diagnostic apparatus and used for diagnosis and treatment. ing.

  Furthermore, as the resolution of the sensor and the frame rate increase, the amount of X-ray image data to be taken has increased.

  On the other hand, in the prior art, there is one that determines the order in which data is written in accordance with the importance of the data when the data is written in the nonvolatile storage means (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2000-132464 A

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, the transfer of the image data of the X-ray image to the image server is performed after the completion of imaging, so if a trouble such as a power interruption occurs during imaging, the imaging has been performed until then. The image data of the X-ray image will be lost.

  Since the possibility of power interruption during imaging cannot be excluded and is unpredictable, in order to completely avoid such risks, the image data of the X-ray image is stored in a nonvolatile storage means at the same time as imaging. Need to back up.

  However, in order to back up the image data of the X-ray image to the non-volatile storage means at the same time as imaging, a high-speed and expensive storage means such as RAID or a disk array is required, which is a problem in terms of cost.

  For these reasons, when a limited cost is required, it is difficult to back up all X-ray image data simultaneously with imaging. Therefore, limited and selective X-ray image backup during imaging is required.

  In this case, since the X-ray images to be backed up during imaging must be limited, the method for selecting the X-ray images to be backed up becomes important.

  Further, since it is actually difficult to artificially select an X-ray image to be backed up during imaging in real time, it is desirable that the X-ray image to be backed up is automatically selected appropriately.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and even when a sudden power interruption occurs, a radiation image processing apparatus and a radiation that realizes prevention of loss of important radiation images as much as possible An object is to provide an image processing method and a program.

  The radiographic image processing apparatus of the present invention is a radiographic image processing apparatus that processes a radiographic image obtained by a sensor that detects radiation applied to a subject, and the radiographic image obtained from the sensor is stored in a first storage unit. Control means for storing, image analysis means for performing image analysis processing on the radiation image stored in the first storage means, and importance for the radiation image based on the result of the image analysis processing And the control means stores the radiation image stored in the first storage means in the second storage means based on the importance by the importance determination means. And the importance level determination unit updates the importance level of the radiographic image stored in the first storage unit based on the radiographic image stored in the second storage unit. To.

  According to the present invention, even when a sudden power interruption occurs, it is possible to prevent loss of important radiological images as much as possible.

Next, embodiments of the radiation image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
In the following description of embodiments of the radiographic image processing apparatus according to the present invention, an example of an X-ray image processing apparatus (X-ray image diagnostic apparatus) to which X-rays are applied as radiation is shown. Is not limited to this. The radiation of the present invention is not limited to X-rays, and includes, for example, α-rays, β-rays, γ-rays, and the like, and an apparatus for processing a radiographic image captured using these radiations is also included in the present invention. Shall be.

(First embodiment)
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an X-ray image processing system (radiation image processing system) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray image processing system includes an X-ray image processing apparatus 100, an X-ray generation apparatus 210, a monitor 220, a touch panel 230, and a keyboard / switch 240. The X-ray image processing apparatus 100 includes a controller 110 and a sensor 120.

  The X-ray generator 210 irradiates the subject (subject) 300 with X-rays 211 based on the control of the controller 110.

  The controller 110 of the X-ray image processing apparatus 100 controls the overall operation of the X-ray image processing system. The controller 110 is connected to an X-ray generator 210, a sensor 120, a monitor 220, a touch panel 230, and a keyboard / switch 240. Then, the controller 110 controls each component (X-ray generation device 210, sensor 120, monitor 220, touch panel 230, and keyboard / switch 240) of the X-ray image processing system as necessary.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 110 includes a CPU 110a, a memory 110b, an image memory 110c, a hard disk 110d, and a bus 110e. The CPU 110a reads out, for example, programs and data stored in the memory 110b, and controls the entire X-ray image processing system based on these. In the memory 110b, for example, the CPU 110a stores the processing shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, which will be described later, and programs and data necessary for controlling other X-ray image processing systems. The image memory 110c is made of, for example, a volatile storage medium, and corresponds to a first storage unit that temporarily stores image data of each X-ray image (each radiation image) generated by the sensor 120. The image memory 110c may be a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk. The hard disk 110d corresponds to second storage means that is a nonvolatile storage medium for storing image data of each X-ray image (each radiation image) as backup data. The bus 110e connects the devices 110a to 110d so that they can communicate with each other.

  The sensor 120 of the X-ray image processing apparatus 100 detects an X-ray 211 irradiated from the X-ray generation apparatus 210 and transmitted through the subject 300 under the control of the controller 110 to generate an X-ray image. In particular, the sensor 120 according to the present embodiment is suitable for generating a plurality of radiation images continuously shot by continuously irradiating the subject 300 with X-rays 211.

  The monitor 220 is a display device that displays an X-ray image captured by the sensor 120, an operation UI, and the like based on the control of the controller 110. The touch panel 230 is a pointing device that is attached to the monitor 220 and detects pressing of a button configured on the monitor 220. The keyboard / switch 240 is a keyboard and a switch that are operated when performing an operation input to the X-ray image processing system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the controller 110 of the X-ray image processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In the present embodiment, for example, the image analysis unit 112, the importance level determination unit 113, and the image transfer unit 114 illustrated in FIG. 2 are configured from the programs of the CPU 110a and the memory 110b illustrated in FIG. Further, the first storage unit 111 shown in FIG. 2 is configured from the image memory 110c shown in FIG. 1, and the second storage unit 115 shown in FIG. 2 is configured from the hard disk 110d shown in FIG.

  As described above, the controller 110 comprehensively controls the operation of the X-ray image processing system, and the sensor 120 detects the X-ray 211 irradiated from the X-ray generator 210 and transmitted through the subject 300. Then, an X-ray image is generated.

  The controller 110 includes a first storage unit (first storage unit) 111, an image analysis unit (image analysis unit) 112, an importance level determination unit (importance level determination unit) 113, and an image transfer unit (image transfer unit) 114. The second storage unit (second storage unit) 115 is included as a functional configuration.

  A plurality of continuous captured images (X-ray images) generated by the sensor 120 by continuous imaging are accumulated (stored) in the first storage unit 111.

  The image analysis unit 112 performs image analysis of all captured images (X-ray images) stored in the first storage unit 111.

  The importance determination unit 113 assigns importance to each captured image (X-ray image) from the image analysis result obtained by the image analysis unit 112. Further, the importance level determination unit 113 notifies the image transfer unit 114 of the ID of the captured image (X-ray image) to be transferred based on a request from the image transfer unit 114. Further, when receiving the notification of the transfer result from the image transfer unit 114, the importance level determination unit 113 reviews the importance level of each captured image (X-ray image) and updates the importance level.

  When the image transfer unit 114 is ready to transfer the captured image (X-ray image) stored in the first storage unit 111, the image transfer unit 114 inquires of the importance determination unit 113 about the captured image (X-ray image) to be transferred. . Then, based on the notification of the captured image (X-ray image) to be transferred from the importance determination unit 113, the image transfer unit 114 transmits the captured image (X-ray image) to be transferred from the first storage unit 111. The data is read out and transferred to the second storage unit 115 for storage. At this time, the image transfer unit 114 notifies the importance level determination unit 113 of the transfer result.

Next, the image capturing process of the X-ray image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of image capturing processing of the X-ray image processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when X-rays 211 are irradiated from the X-ray generator 210, the X-rays 211 pass through the human body that is the subject (subject) 300, and the X-ray intensity is detected by the sensor 120. Then, the sensor 120 quantizes the detected X-ray intensity and converts it into image data of an X-ray image, and the controller 110 temporarily stores the image data of the X-ray image in an image memory 110c (first storage unit). 111) for accumulation (step S301).

  Subsequently, in step S302, the CPU 110a (image analysis unit 112) performs image processing of image data of each X-ray image (each radiation image) stored in the image memory 110c (first storage unit 111).

  Subsequently, in step S303, the CPU 110a (image analysis unit 112) performs image recognition processing (image analysis processing) on the image data of each X-ray image subjected to image processing in step S302. Specifically, in this step S303, the CPU 110a (image analysis unit 112) is used for the purpose of photographing the subject 300 (for example, photographing an angiogram shown in FIG. 5 or a subject having periodicity in movement shown in FIG. 9). Accordingly, image analysis processing is performed on the image data of each X-ray image.

  Subsequently, in step S304, the CPU 110a (importance determination unit 113) performs importance determination processing for determining the importance of each X-ray image from the result of image recognition (image analysis) performed in step S303. Then, the CPU 110a (importance level determination unit 113) reviews the importance levels of the X-ray images individually assigned so far, and assigns importance levels to the respective X-ray images. The processing by the CPU 110a (importance level determination unit 113) corresponds to an importance level assignment step.

  Through the processes in steps S301 to S304 described above, the image capturing process of the X-ray image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is completed.

Next, image transfer processing of the X-ray image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of image transfer processing of the X-ray image processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. When there is an X-ray image to be transferred, the X-ray image processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment transitions to the flowchart of the image transfer process shown in FIG.

  First, in step S401, the CPU 110a (image transfer unit 114) determines whether or not the X-ray image stored in the image memory 110c (first storage unit 111) can be transferred. If it is determined that the X-ray image cannot be transferred, the process waits in step S401 until the X-ray image can be transferred.

  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S401 is that X-ray image transfer is possible, the process proceeds to step S402. In step S402, the CPU 110a (image transfer unit 114) performs a selection process for selecting the X-ray image having the highest importance based on the result of the importance determination process performed in step S304.

  Subsequently, in step S403, the CPU 110a (image transfer unit 114) converts the X-ray image selected in step S402 into a hard disk 110d (second storage unit 115) that is a non-volatile storage medium in the X-ray image processing apparatus 100. ) Is transferred.

  Subsequently, in step S404, the CPU 110a (importance level determination unit 113) performs the importance level determination process again on the untransferred X-ray image stored in the image memory 110c (first storage unit 111). Do. The processing in step S404 is to update the importance by reconsidering the importance in the untransferred X-ray image when the X-ray image having the highest importance is transferred. The processing by the CPU 110a (importance level determination unit 113) corresponds to an update step.

  Next, an example of the image recognition process (image analysis process) in step S303 and the importance determination process in step S304 in the image capturing process of the X-ray image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of image capturing processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and illustrating an example of image recognition processing (image analysis processing) and importance determination processing by angiography. The processing of the image analysis unit 112 and the importance level determination unit 113 of the angiography X-ray image processing apparatus (X-ray image diagnostic apparatus) 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In imaging of angiography, a catheter is inserted to the vicinity of the visual field area, that is, to the vicinity of the image area to be imaged, and the contrast agent is injected into the blood vessel. Thereby, the contrast agent flows in the blood vessel together with the blood. Angiography is to observe the blood vessels by photographing the flow of the contrast medium.

  X-ray images 501, 502, 503, 504, and 505 in FIG. 5 are perspective images generated by the sensor 120 of the X-ray image processing apparatus 100. FIG. 5 also shows a blood vessel 506, an angiographic contrast agent 507 injected into the blood vessel 506, and a blood vessel 508 outside the visual field. Further, FIG. 5 shows an importance graph 509 by the importance determination unit 113.

  When imaging using the X-ray 211 is started, first, since the blood vessel contrast agent 507 does not reach the visual field (in the image range), an image as shown in the X-ray image 501 is generated. Thereafter, when the blood vessel contrast agent 507 reaches the blood vessel 506 in the visual field (in the image range), the blood vessel contrast agent 507 diffuses through the blood vessel 506 in the visual field as in the X-ray images 502, 503, and 504. An image showing the state is generated. The X-ray image 505 is an image showing a state where the head of the angiographic contrast agent 507 passes through the visual field (image range) and goes out of the visual field range (outside the image range).

  From the X-ray images 501 to 505 photographed in this way, the image analysis unit 112 performs recognition processing when the head of the angiographic contrast agent 507 enters the blood vessel 506 in the visual field, so that the X-ray images 501 to 501 are processed. An image analysis process 505 is performed. Specifically, the image analysis unit 112 recognizes that X-ray images 502, 503, and 504 are approaching and that the X-ray images 501 and 505 recognize that there is no entry for the entry of the blood vessel contrast medium 507 by image analysis processing. .

  The importance level determination unit 113 sets the importance level of the X-ray images (502, 503, and 504) when the angiographic contrast agent 507 enters the blood vessel 506 in the field of view based on the image analysis result by the image analysis unit 112 to a high level. And update the importance. On the other hand, the importance level determination unit 113 sets the importance level of the X-ray images (501 and 505) in the no-entry state low based on the image analysis result by the image analysis unit 112, and updates the importance level. As described above, the importance updated by the importance determination unit 113 is as shown in the graph 509 in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of image capturing processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and illustrating an example of a graph indicating a change in importance by the importance determination unit 113. The importance level update by the importance level determination unit 113 shown in FIG. 6 is processing performed after an X-ray image is taken and the importance level is given to the X-ray image. This is to review the importance of X-ray images taken before that time.

  The importance level determination unit 113 captures an X-ray image, and assigns an importance level to the X-ray image based on the image analysis result (results of image processing and image recognition processing) by the image analysis unit 112. Then, based on the image analysis result of the X-ray image captured after that, the importance level determination unit 113 reviews the importance level of the previously captured X-ray image, and updates the importance level.

  In FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C, the vertical axis indicates importance by the importance determination unit 113, and the horizontal axis indicates time.

  First, a period [A] shown in FIG. 6A indicates a period from when angiography of the region 1 is performed until the angiographic contrast agent 507 flows into the image field of view and then exits. The importance level determination unit 113 sets the importance level of the X-ray image captured during this period [A].

  Next, a period [B] illustrated in FIG. 6B is a period during which angiography of the part 2 having a higher importance than the part 1 is performed, unlike the part 1. In this case, the importance level determination unit 113 lowers the importance level of the X-ray image captured during the period [A], and lowers the period [B] than the X-ray image captured during the period [A]. ], The importance level of the X-ray image taken during the period is set high, and the importance level is updated.

  Next, a period [C] illustrated in FIG. 6C indicates a period in which angiography of the part 1 in the same part as the period [A] is performed. In this case, since the importance determination unit 113 captures the same part 1, the importance of the X-ray image captured during the period [A] is set to the same value as the normal X-ray image and updated. To do.

Next, an example of image transfer processing of the X-ray image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 7 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of image transfer processing of the X-ray image processing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  An X-ray image 701 shown in FIG. 7 shows an image taken first. In addition, an X-ray image 702 shown in FIG. 7 shows an image having high importance. An X-ray image 703 shown in FIG. 7 shows an image having a medium importance level. Further, an X-ray image 704 shown in FIG. 7 shows an image having a low importance.

  The image transfer unit 114 (CPU 110a) constantly monitors whether or not X-ray images can be transferred, selects an X-ray image having the highest importance when X-ray images can be transferred, Transfer line images.

  More specifically, the first X-ray image 701 is transferred simultaneously with the imaging. Thereafter, when the transfer of the X-ray image 701 is completed, the X-ray image 702 having the highest importance is selected, and the image is transferred. In the example shown in FIG. 7, when there is no X-ray image having a high importance level at the time when the X-ray image can be transferred next, the X-ray image 703 having a medium importance level is selected and transferred. It will be.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of image transfer processing according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and an example of a graph illustrating a change in importance by the importance determination unit 113. The importance level update by the importance level determination unit 113 shown in FIG. 8 is performed by transferring the X-ray image to be transferred from the image memory 110c (first storage unit 111) to the hard disk 110d (internal storage medium). This process is performed after transfer to the second storage unit 115).

  In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the importance determination unit 113 reduces the importance of X-ray images of several frames before and after the transferred X-ray image.

  8A to 8C, the vertical axis indicates the importance level by the importance level determination unit 113, and the horizontal axis indicates time. In addition, the X-ray image 802 shows an image with high importance, and the X-ray images 801 and 803 show images with low importance.

  Graph 1 shown in FIG. 8A is a graph showing the importance before transferring an X-ray image.

  A graph 2 shown in FIG. 8B is a graph showing the importance level of the X-ray image 802 when the importance level determination unit 113 performs updating by reviewing the importance level after the transfer image 8021 is transferred. is there.

  A graph 3 shown in FIG. 8C is a graph showing the importance level of the X-ray image 802 when the importance level determination unit 113 performs updating by reviewing the importance level after the transfer image 8022 is transferred. is there.

  First, when the transfer image 8021 is transferred, the importance level determination unit 113 sets the importance level of the transfer image 8021 itself to 0, as shown by the graph 2 in FIG. Further, the importance level determination unit 113 performs a process of reducing the importance level of X-ray images (801a and 802a) of several frames before and after the transfer image 8021 (four frames before and after in the example shown in FIG. 8B).

  Next, when the transfer image 8022 is transferred, the importance level determination unit 113 sets the importance level of the transfer image 8022 itself to 0, as shown by the graph 2 in FIG. Further, the importance level determination unit 113 performs a process of reducing the importance level of X-ray images (802a and 802b) of several frames before and after the transfer image 8022 (four frames before and after in the example shown in FIG. 8C).

  In this way, in the X-ray image processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the loss of an important X-ray image is prevented as much as possible by always automatically selecting and transferring an X-ray image having a high importance level. The reliability as an X-ray image processing apparatus is improved.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
Here, the schematic configuration of the X-ray image processing system according to the second embodiment is the same as the schematic configuration of the X-ray image processing system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. The functional configuration of the X-ray image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as the functional configuration of the X-ray image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. Further, the image capturing process and the image transfer process of the X-ray image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment are respectively the image capturing process and the image capturing process of the X-ray image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. This is the same as the flowchart of the image transfer process.

An example of image shooting processing in the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
As an example of the second embodiment, a case will be described in which an X-ray image is taken for diagnosis of a subject (subject) 300 having periodicity in motion such as the heart and lungs.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image capturing process according to the second embodiment of the present invention and showing an example of an X-ray image showing a lung expansion / contraction operation associated with respiration.

  In FIG. 9, an X-ray image 901 is an image of a lung 901a in which the lung of a subject (subject) 300 is most contracted, and an X-ray image 904 is an image of the lung 904a in which the lung is most expanded. . By performing inspiration, the lungs continue to expand gradually from the state of the lung 901a shown in the X-ray image 901, and after passing through the states of the lungs 902a and 903a shown in the X-ray images 902 and 903, the lungs appear in the X-ray image 904. The most expanded lung 904a is shown. On the other hand, by performing exhalation, the lungs gradually contract from the state of the lungs 904a shown in the X-ray image 904, and after passing through the states of the lungs 905a and 906a shown in the X-ray images 905 and 906, It returns to the state of the most contracted lung 901a.

  As described above, by breathing, the lung sequentially repeats the expansion and contraction operation from the state shown in the X-ray image 901 to the state shown in the X-ray image 906, and always performs a periodic autonomous operation.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of image capturing processing in the second embodiment of the present invention, and shows an example of image recognition processing (image analysis processing) and importance determination processing of a periodic subject (subject) 300. It is a schematic diagram. Specifically, FIG. 10A shows a periodic graph 1001 representing a size when a lung having movement periodicity is a subject (subject) 300. FIG. 10B shows an importance level graph 1002 representing the importance level given by the importance level determination unit 113.

  The lung expansion / contraction operation in one cycle T of the periodic graph 1001 shown in FIG. 10A corresponds to the lung expansion / contraction operation from the X-ray images 901 to 906 shown in FIG. In the periodic graph 1001 shown in FIG. 10A, a state 1003 indicates a state where the lung shown in the X-ray image 904 is most expanded, and a state 1004 indicates a state where the lung shown in the X-ray image 901 is most contracted. .

  Based on the contents shown in FIG. 10, the image recognition process (image analysis process) and the importance determination process of the periodic subject (subject) 300 will be described.

  First, in this example, in order to recognize the period of a subject (subject) 300 having periodicity such as lungs and heart, X-ray images in which a radiographing target area is continuous are captured. Here, for example, X-ray images 901 to 906 shown in FIG. 9 are taken. Then, the image analysis unit 112 recognizes the period based on continuously taken X-ray images and performs image analysis processing of the X-ray images.

  Then, the importance determination unit 113 assigns importance to each X-ray image based on the image analysis result by the image analysis unit 112. Specifically, the importance level determination unit 113 sets the importance level of the X-ray image in one period T, which is the first one period of the periodic graph 1001, as shown in the importance level graph 1002 of FIG. To do. Usually, if one period of X-ray images having a periodicity remains among consecutive X-ray images, the remaining X-ray images are repetitions of the one period. The importance of X-ray images for other periods is set low.

In the X-ray image processing apparatus 100 of each embodiment of the present invention, in the image transfer unit 114, the X-ray image stored in the first storage unit 111 is selected based on the importance level by the importance level determination unit 113. An X-ray image to be transferred to the second storage unit 115 is selected. Further, the importance level determination unit 113 updates the importance level of the untransferred X-ray image stored in the first storage unit 111 based on the X-ray image transferred by the image transfer unit 114. Yes.
According to this configuration, an important X-ray image (radiation image) can be automatically selected and transferred to the second storage unit 115 which is a nonvolatile storage medium, and a sudden power failure has occurred. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent loss of important radiological images as much as possible.

  Each component in FIG. 2 (and FIG. 1) constituting the X-ray image processing apparatus (radiation image processing apparatus) 100 according to the present embodiment described above has a program stored in a ROM (for example, the memory 110b) of a computer. It can be realized by operating. 3 and 4 showing the X-ray image processing method (radiation image processing method) by the X-ray image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment described above are also stored in the ROM (for example, the memory 110b) of the computer. It can be realized by operating the programmed program. This program and a computer-readable storage medium storing the program are included in the present invention.

  Specifically, the program is recorded in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, or provided to a computer via various transmission media. As a storage medium for recording the program, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a magneto-optical disk, a nonvolatile memory card, and the like can be used in addition to the CD-ROM. On the other hand, as the transmission medium of the program, a communication medium in a computer network (LAN, WAN such as the Internet, wireless communication network, etc.) system for propagating and supplying program information as a carrier wave can be used. In addition, examples of the communication medium at this time include a wired line such as an optical fiber, a wireless line, and the like.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to an aspect in which the function of the X-ray image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is realized by executing a program supplied by a computer. When the function of the X-ray image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is realized in cooperation with an OS (operating system) or other application software running on the computer, such a program is included in the present invention. included. In addition, when all or part of the processing of the supplied program is performed by the function expansion board or function expansion unit of the computer and the functions of the X-ray image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment are realized, such program Are included in the present invention.

  In addition, all of the above-described embodiments are merely examples of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. . That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an X-ray image processing system (radiation image processing system) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a controller of an X-ray image processing apparatus (radiation image processing apparatus) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the image imaging process of the X-ray image processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the image transfer process of the X-ray image processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the Example of the image imaging process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and shows an example of the image recognition process (image analysis process) by angiography, and an importance determination process. It is a schematic diagram which shows the Example of the image shooting process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and shows an example of the graph which shows the change of the importance by an importance determination part. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the image transfer process of the X-ray image processing apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the Example of the image transfer process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and shows an example of the graph which shows the change of the importance by an importance determination part. It is a schematic diagram which shows the Example of the imaging process in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and shows an example of the X-ray image which shows the expansion-contraction operation | movement of the lung accompanying respiration. It is a schematic diagram which shows the Example of the image imaging process in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and shows an example of the image recognition process (image analysis process) and importance determination process of a periodic subject (subject).

Explanation of symbols

100 X-ray image processing device (radiation image processing device)
110 Controller 110a CPU
110b Memory 110c Image memory 110d Hard disk 110e Bus 111 First storage unit 112 Image analysis unit 113 Importance determination unit 114 Image transfer unit 115 Second storage unit 120 Sensor 210 X-ray generator (radiation generator)
211 X-ray (radiation)
220 Monitor 230 Touch Panel 240 Keyboard / Switch 300 Subject (Subject)

Claims (10)

A radiographic image processing apparatus that processes a radiographic image obtained by a sensor that detects radiation applied to a subject,
Control means for storing a radiation image obtained from the sensor in a first storage means;
Image analysis means for performing image analysis processing on the radiation image stored in the first storage means;
Based on the result of the image analysis process, and an importance determination means for assigning importance to the radiation image,
The control means stores the radiation image stored in the first storage means in the second storage means based on the importance by the importance determination means,
The importance level determination unit updates the level of importance of the radiographic image stored in the first storage unit based on the radiographic image stored in the second storage unit. apparatus.   The radiographic image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image analysis unit performs image analysis processing on the radiographic image according to a purpose of photographing the subject.   When the purpose of the imaging is angiography, the image analysis means, as the image analysis process, indicates that a contrast agent has entered the image range of the radiographic image, and the contrast agent passes through the image range. The radiation image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein recognition processing is performed for recognizing that the image is out of the image range.   The image analysis means performs recognition processing for recognizing a cycle of movement of the subject as the image analysis processing when the purpose of the shooting is shooting of a subject having periodicity in movement. The radiation image processing apparatus according to 2.   The importance level determination unit assigns an importance level to the radiographic image based on a result of an image analysis process performed by the image analysis unit according to a purpose of photographing the subject, and the control unit controls the After the radiographic image is stored in the second storage unit, the importance of the radiographic image that is not stored in the second storage unit among the radiographic images stored in the first storage unit is updated. The radiographic image processing apparatus according to claim 2.   The importance level determination means indicates the importance level of the radiographic image when the contrast medium enters the image range, and the radiation level when the contrast medium passes through the image range and goes out of the image range. The radiographic image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the radiological image processing apparatus is higher than the importance of the image.   5. The importance level determination unit makes the importance level of the radiation image for the first one period in the movement period of the subject higher than the importance level of the radiation image for the other period. The radiation image processing apparatus described.   8. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects a radiation image having the highest importance from the first storage unit, and transfers and stores the selected radiological image to the second storage unit. The radiographic image processing apparatus of any one of Claims. A radiographic image processing method of a radiographic image processing apparatus for processing a radiographic image obtained by a sensor that detects radiation applied to a subject,
An image analysis step for performing an image analysis process on the radiation image obtained from the sensor stored in the first storage means;
Based on the result of the image analysis process, an importance level assigning step for giving importance level to the radiation image,
A control step of storing the radiation image stored in the first storage unit in the second storage unit based on the importance level in the importance level assigning step;
An update step of updating the importance of the radiographic image stored in the first storage means based on the radiographic image stored in the second storage means in the control step. Image processing method. A program for causing a computer to execute a radiographic image processing method of a radiographic image processing apparatus that processes a radiographic image obtained by a sensor that detects radiation applied to a subject,
An image analysis step for performing an image analysis process on the radiation image obtained from the sensor stored in the first storage means;
Based on the result of the image analysis process, an importance level assigning step for giving importance level to the radiation image,
A control step of storing the radiation image stored in the first storage unit in the second storage unit based on the importance level in the importance level assigning step;
A program for causing a computer to execute an update step of updating the importance of the radiographic image stored in the first storage unit based on the radiographic image stored in the second storage unit in the control step .

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