JP5122751B2 - Image display device, image display method, and image display program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display device that adds color to a displayed image, and more particularly to a technique for displaying information for setting a desired display color in a procedure that is intuitively easy to operate.

In a conventional image display device, a color scheme is determined in advance before an image is displayed. Specifically, the range of the pixels constituting the image is colored in proportion to the magnitude of the signal and the amount of information.
Therefore, there is a need for the operator to change the color scheme in order to record the result of interpretation of the colored color or to use it as a document for presentation in academic research. This technique for changing the color scheme is described in Patent Document 1, for example.

The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is described in the following procedure. First, from the first image data composed of the first color scheme, the frequency of use in the pixel data of the first image data out of the color scheme table number which is an index of the first color scheme is a predetermined value or more Extract things. Next, the extracted result is reconstructed as a second color arrangement table, and converted into second image data configured using the second color arrangement table.
JP 2001-357393 A

  However, Patent Document 1 has problems such as reducing the number of color table numbers in the color table while reducing image quality degradation even when using a general color table, and reducing the size of the entire image data. It is merely eliminated, and no consideration is given to displaying a procedure for easily operating information for setting a desired display color intuitively.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image display device capable of displaying a procedure for easily operating information for setting a desired display color intuitively.

In order to achieve the above object, an image display device of the present invention displays an image to be colored with a desired display color on a display screen, and includes pixels having a value range set among pixel values of the displayed image. Color bar generating means for coloring a color bar for displaying a value range to which a desired display color is assigned, and a pixel value of the displayed image. of within the range, the first display color to pixels having a first value range is selected, along with the color adhesive based on the pixel values in that range, the first range of the generated color bar Coloring control means for coloring with the first display color is provided , and the colored color bar and the colored image are displayed on the display screen.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to display a procedure for easily operating information for setting a desired display color intuitively.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an overall configuration example of an MRI apparatus that employs the technology of the image display apparatus of the present invention.

  The MRI apparatus is for obtaining a tomographic image of a subject using a magnetic resonance phenomenon, and includes a static magnetic field generation means 101, a gradient magnetic field generation means 102, a transmission system 103, a reception system 104, a signal processing system 105, and a control unit. 106, a central processing unit 107 and an operation unit 108.

The static magnetic field generating means 101 generates a uniform static magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to or parallel to the body axis around the subject 108 from a magnet arranged in a wide space around the subject 108.
The gradient magnetic field generating means 102 applies a gradient magnetic field in the X, Y, and Z axial directions to the subject 108. The imaging cross section of the subject 108 is set by applying the gradient magnetic field.

  The transmission system 103 includes a high-frequency oscillator 111, a modulator 112, a high-frequency amplifier 113, and a high-frequency irradiation coil 114, and the atomic nuclei constituting the biological tissue of the imaging cross section of the subject 108 set by the gradient magnetic field generating means 102. In order to excite and cause nuclear magnetic resonance, the high-frequency pulse output from the high-frequency oscillator 111 is amplified by the high-frequency amplifier 113, and then supplied to the high-frequency irradiation coil 114 installed in the vicinity of the subject 108. Irradiate.

  The reception system 104 includes a high-frequency reception coil 115, a reception circuit 116, and an analog / digital (hereinafter referred to as “A / D”) converter 117, and the subject 108 due to electromagnetic waves irradiated from the high-frequency irradiation coil 114 of the transmission system 103. An NMR signal, which is an echo signal generated by magnetic resonance of the nuclei of a living tissue, is detected by a high-frequency receiving coil 115 disposed close to the subject 108 and input to an A / D converter 117 via a receiving circuit 116. Then, the signal is converted into a digital signal, and the signal is sent to the signal processing system 105 as collected data sampled at a timing according to a command from the control unit 106.

  The control unit 106 operates under the control of the CPU 107 to repeatedly generate slice encoding, phase encoding, and frequency encoding gradient magnetic fields and high-frequency magnetic field pulses in a predetermined pulse sequence, and tomographic image data of the subject 108 Various commands necessary for acquisition are sent to the gradient magnetic field generating means 102, the transmission system 103, and the reception system 104.

The signal processing system 105 includes a CPU 107 that performs Fourier transform and control of the sequencer 106 on the collected data, a signal processing device 118 that performs correction calculation and processing necessary to reconstruct the collected data into a tomographic image, temporal image analysis Stores processing and specified measurement sequence programs and parameters used when executing them. Measurement parameters obtained from prior measurements performed on the subject and NMR signals detected by the receiving system 104 are stored. A memory 119 for temporarily storing collected data and an image used for setting the region of interest and storing parameters for setting the region of interest, and a magnetic disk 120 and an optical disk 121 serving as a data storage unit for storing reconstructed image data And an MRI image obtained by performing an image reconstruction operation using the NMR signal detected by the receiving system 104. Displaying MRI images Ray 122.
The operation unit 123 includes a trackball, a mouse, a keyboard, and the like, and inputs control information for processing performed by the signal processing system 105.

Next, a configuration example for the cooperative operation of the image processing apparatus of the present invention by the operation unit, the image processing unit, and the image display unit will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example in which the operation unit, the image processing unit, and the image display unit in FIG.
Here, the operation unit 123 is a mouse 201, the signal processing device 118 includes a display color control unit 202 and a color bar generation unit 203, and the display 122 includes a display region of an image 204, a display region of a color map 205, A display area of the color bar 206 is prepared on the display screen.

The mouse 201 moves the mouse cursor on the screen, and the amount of movement of the cursor is detected by the circle coder. The area of the image displayed on the screen can be specified and the color map 205 Move the color specification etc. and click the button to enter. The color bar generation unit 203 generates a color bar 206 on the screen and delivers information to the signal processing device 118 so that the display 122 displays the screen. The display color control unit 202 colors the display color in the corresponding region of the image 204 by the region of the image 204 corresponding to the range of the color bar 206 designated by the mouse 201 and the display color of the color map 205. The display color control unit 202 also colors the color bar 206 generated by the color bar generation unit 203 with the same color as the designated area of the image 205. This coloring is graded according to the signal intensity of the designated area of the image 205.

Next, a specific display color setting procedure will be described with reference to FIG.
In this way, the image 204 and the color map 205 captured by the MRI apparatus are simultaneously displayed on the screen. The operator sets a range of signal values (a range including the maximum pixel value and the minimum pixel value in the range) in the color bar 206. For example, the operator clicks the place corresponding to the x1 value on the color bar 206 with the mouse 201. (Step S301)

The operator uses the mouse 201 to click the first color for which a desired panel (or palette) is desired to be specified from the color map 205. (Step S302)
The display color control unit 202 colors the range from the maximum value of the color bar 206 to x1 with the designated first color. (Step S303)
The display color control unit 202 simultaneously displays the color bar 206 colored in the previous step and the image 204 colored for the pixel value corresponding to the color bar 206. (Step S304)

The operator proceeds to step S301 again by selecting Yes when further coloring is desired for the colored image, and ends by selecting No when coloring is not desired. (Step S305)
Here, when selecting Yes, the operator further corresponds to the x2 value of the color bar 206 with the mouse 201 in order to associate the signal value (x2 to x1) with the second color of another color that displays it. Click the location, and then click the second color you want to specify from the color map 205 panel with the mouse 201. In this way, the second color is colored from the designated value (x2) to the previously designated value (x1).
Further, if coloring is repeated in the third, fourth,..., The color map can be intuitively colored.

Next, as a specific display example, the color bar and the image are associated with each other, the three colors of red, green, and blue are colored with the color bar and the image, and finally the smoothing process is performed with reference to FIGS. Will be described.
Here, the color to be colored in the contrast perfusion image obtained by the MRI apparatus is described as red, green, and blue, but the color to be colored is not limited to these colors.
A contrast perfusion image is an image that is used for diagnosis of a brain tumor or the like because the magnetic susceptibility changes when the contrast agent reaches a capillary when a contrast agent is injected into the blood vessel.

(1) As shown in FIG. 4, the display color control unit 202 displays a cerebral blood flow image 401 and a color map 402 obtained by the MRI apparatus on the screen.
(2) As shown in FIG. 5, the operator clicks the color bar 503 with the mouse 201 and inputs the x1 value in order to associate the signal value range (x1 to max) with the color for displaying it. In the example, x1 is 181 and the maximum value is 255.
(3) The operator clicks red from the panel of the color map 502.
(4) The display color control unit 202 colors red in the portion 603r of the color bar 603 as shown in FIG.
(5) The operator clicks the mouse 201 on the “Apply” button on the color map 602. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the display color control unit 202 displays an image 701 in which pixels 181 to 255 are changed to red based on the current color map.

(6) As shown in FIG. 8, the operator clicks the color bar 803 with the mouse 201 and inputs the x2 value in order to associate the signal value range (x2 to x1) with the color for displaying it. In this example, x2 is 104.
(7) The operator clicks green from the color map 802 panel.
(8) The display color control unit 202 colors green in the portion 903r of the color bar 903 as shown in FIG.
(9) The operator clicks the mouse 201 on the “Apply” button on the color map 902. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the display color control unit 202 displays an image 1001 in which pixels of 104 or more and less than 181 are changed to green based on the current color map.
(10) As shown in FIG. 11, the operator clicks the color bar 1103 with the mouse 201 and inputs the x3 value in order to associate the signal value range (x3 to x2) with the color for displaying it. In this example, x3 is 22.

(11) The operator clicks blue from the color map 1102 panel.
(12) The display color control unit 202 colors blue in the portion 1203b of the color bar 1203 as shown in FIG.
(13) The operator clicks the mouse 201 on the “Apply” button on the color map 1202. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the display color control unit 202 displays an image 1301 in which the pixels 1301b that are 22 or more and less than 104 change to blue based on the current color map.
(14) The operator clicks the mouse 201 on the “Smoothing” button on the color map 1302. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, a color gradation is created based on the range of colors set in (1) to (13) above, and the signal intensity is displayed in color based on the created color gradation. To do.

When the color bar is clicked with the mouse 201, a line for guiding the set value is displayed on the color bar. The line can be linked with the movement of the mouse 201.
Further, when a color display color is designated from the color map panel with the mouse 201, the designated color can be changed or the coloring can be canceled.
Further, in this embodiment, the example in which the color bar is created from above has been described, but it can be created from below.

  In the embodiment described above, an example in which an MRI image is colored has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a medical image including other CT images, ultrasonic images, and PET images is colored. It can also be applied when coloring images created by secondary processing such as 3D images and maximum value projection (MIP) images obtained by further image processing of medical images including MRI and CT images. .

1 is a block diagram of an overall configuration example of an MRI apparatus that employs the technology of an image display apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing that an operation unit, an image processing unit, and an image display unit in FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a cooperative operation of the operation unit, the image processing unit, and the image display unit in FIG. The figure which shows the example of a screen display of the initial state before coloring. The figure which shows the example of a screen display which sets the red value range to the color bar 503r. The figure which shows the example of a screen display by which the color bar 603r is colored red. The figure which shows the example of a screen display by which the pixel value area | region of the image 701 corresponding to the color bar 703r is colored red. The figure which shows the example of a screen display which sets the green value range to the color bar 803g. The figure which shows the example of a screen display by which the color bar 903g is colored green. The figure which shows the example of a screen display by which the pixel value area | region of the image 1001 corresponding to the color bar 1003g is colored green. The figure which shows the example of a screen display which sets the blue value range to the color bar 1103b. The figure which shows the example of a screen display by which the color bar 1203b is colored blue. The figure which shows the example of a screen display by which the pixel value area | region of the image 1301 corresponding to the color bar 1303b is colored blue. The figure which shows the example of a screen display which smoothed FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  201 mouse, 202 coloring control unit, 203 color bar generation unit, 204 images 204, 205 color map, 206 color bar

Claims (8)

In an image display device that displays an image to be colored in a desired display color on a display screen, and displays a pixel having a value range set among the pixel values of the displayed image in a desired display color.
Color bar generating means for generating a color bar for displaying a value range to which a desired display color is assigned;
Among the range of the pixel values of the displayed image, the color of the first display color to pixels having a first range of values, as well as color deposition based on the pixel values in that range, which is the generated selected A coloring control means for coloring the first value range of the bar with the first display color ;
An image display device that displays the colored color bar and the colored image on the display screen. The coloring control means selects a second value range different from the first value range in the displayed image, and sets the second display color to the signal intensity in the value range in the pixel of the selected second value range. the image display apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that on the basis of wear colors. The coloring control means, wherein the number of colors to be colored by the desired display color when there are a plurality, and repeating the coloring of the said image color bar with respect to their color number of plurality of Item 3. The image display device according to any one of Items 1 and 2.   The color control means arranges the value range of the first display color and the value range of the second display color adjacent to each other in the generated color bar. The image display device according to item. 5. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein when the color bar is colored, the color control unit changes the color gradation. The image display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second value range in the generated color bar is colored with the second display color. Displaying an image to be colored with a desired display color on a display screen;
A step of displaying a pixel having a set range among pixel values of the displayed image by coloring it in a desired display color;
Coloring and generating a color bar for displaying a value range to which a desired display color is assigned;
Among the range of the pixel values of the displayed image, the first display color to pixels having a first value range is selected, along with the color adhesive based on the pixel values in that range,
Coloring the first range of the generated color bar with the first display color; and displaying the colored color bar and the colored image on the display screen. An image display method characterized by the above. Displaying an image to be colored with a desired display color on a display screen;
A step of displaying a pixel having a set range among pixel values of the displayed image by coloring it in a desired display color;
Coloring and generating a color bar for displaying a value range to which a desired display color is assigned;
Among the range of the pixel values of the displayed image, the color of the first display color to pixels having a first range of values, as well as color deposition based on the pixel values in that range, which is the generated selected Coloring the first range of bars with the first display color;
An image display program for causing a computer to execute the step of displaying the colored color bar and the colored image on the display screen.

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