JP5289797B2 - Cell image display system, cell image display device and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a cell image display system, a cell image display device, and a computer program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a cell image display system capable of observing a specimen at a place different from a place where a microscope is installed using a virtual slide (specimen image) distributed via the Internet ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

  The cell image display system described in Patent Document 1 includes an image providing device and an image display device, and displays a virtual slide (specimen image) transmitted from the image providing device via the Internet or the like on the image display device. It is possible. In addition to the virtual slide, the image providing device of the cell image display system can transmit a thumbnail image (cell image) for observing individual cells in the virtual slide to the image display device. It is configured. As a result, the thumbnail image transmitted from the image providing device can be displayed on the image display device.

JP 2006-49964 A

  However, in the cell image display system described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to display thumbnail images (cell images) on the image display device. On the other hand, in addition to the virtual slide (specimen image) from the image providing device, Since it is necessary to transmit thumbnail images, the transmission load increases, and as a result, there is a disadvantage that it takes time to display an image on the image display device. For this reason, a cell image display system having a high image display speed is desired.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide a cell image display system, a cell image display device, and a cell image display device capable of reducing the time required for image display. An object is to provide a computer program.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

In order to achieve the above object, a cell image display system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an image providing device and an image display device, and the image providing device stores a first sample image including a plurality of cells. First specimen image storage means, specimen image transmission means for transmitting the first specimen image stored by the first specimen image storage means to the image display device, and a cell image including cells to be observed in the first specimen image Position information transmitting means for transmitting position information indicating the position of the plurality of cell images to the image display device, the image display device receiving the first sample image transmitted by the sample image transmitting means Means, position information receiving means for receiving position information, second sample image storing means for storing the first sample image received by the sample image receiving means, and position information receiving means. Based on the position information based on the plurality of cell images, extracts a plurality of cell images from the first sample image stored in the second sample image storage means, and a cell image displaying means for displaying a plurality of cell images extracted only including, a first sample image storage means, in addition to the first sample image, including all second specimen image magnification is smaller than the first sample image that contains all first sample image, the second sample image The third specimen image having a smaller magnification than the second specimen image is stored, and the specimen image transmitting means transmits the second specimen image and the third specimen image in addition to the first specimen image, and an image display device The specimen image receiving means receives the second specimen image and the third specimen image in addition to the first specimen image, and the second specimen image storage means receives the second specimen image in addition to the first specimen image. A third specimen image, and the image display device stores the first specimen image. Further comprising a specimen image display means for displaying an image and a second specimen image and the third specimen image.

In the cell image display system according to the first aspect, as described above, the image providing device is provided with the sample image transmitting means for transmitting the first sample image including a plurality of cells to the image display device, and the image display device. A cell image display means for extracting a cell image including a cell to be observed from the first specimen image stored in the second specimen image storage means and displaying the extracted cell image; Since the cell image can be displayed on the image display device using the first sample image transmitted by the sample image transmission means, it is not necessary to transmit the cell image from the image providing device to the image display device. Thereby, compared with the case where both the first specimen image and the cell image are transmitted from the image providing apparatus, the transmission load is reduced, so that the time required for image display can be reduced. Further, since the cell image need not be stored in the second specimen image storage means, the storage area of the second specimen image storage means can be reduced. In addition to the first specimen image, the second specimen image and the third specimen image can be displayed on the image display device, so that the second specimen image and the third specimen image are used to surround the first specimen image. An image can be easily visually recognized.

  In the cell image display system according to the first aspect, the cell image display means of the image display device is preferably configured to display a list of a plurality of extracted cell images.

In this case, preferably, the image display device includes a selection region setting means for setting a selection area on the first sample image displayed by the target the image display means, corresponding to the selection area set by the selection region setting means Position information registration means for registering the position as position information is further included. If comprised in this way, the positional information registration means can register the positional information of a desired cell by setting a selection area | region with respect to the cell which a user desires to observe. Thereby, based on the registered positional information, a desired cell image can be easily displayed on the image display device.

  In the cell image display system according to the first aspect, preferably, the image display device further includes a comment input unit that receives an input of a comment regarding the cell image displayed by the cell image display unit. If comprised in this way, the comment regarding a cell image can be confirmed with a cell image in an image display apparatus. Thus, for example, when a plurality of users use the different image display devices to observe the same cell image, information exchange regarding a predetermined cell image can be performed using the comment input by the comment input unit. it can.

In the cell image display system according to the first aspect, preferably, the image display device includes the specified cell image when at least one of the plurality of cell images displayed by the cell image display means is specified. Display control means for controlling display by the specimen image display means so as to display the first specimen image is further included.

In the cell image display system according to the first aspect, preferably, the sample image display means is configured to display a position display indicating the position of the second sample image in the entire sample on the third sample image. . If comprised in this way, the user can recognize the position of the 2nd sample image in a 3rd sample image easily.

In the cell image display system according to the first aspect described above, preferably, the first specimen image storage means stores, in addition to the first specimen image, a first specimen image and a fourth specimen image having a different magnification. The image transmitting means transmits a fourth specimen image in addition to the first specimen image, the specimen image receiving means receives the fourth specimen image in addition to the first specimen image, and the second specimen image storage means In addition to the first specimen image, the fourth specimen image is stored, and the specimen image display means of the image display device is configured to selectively display the first specimen image and the fourth specimen image. If comprised in this way, in addition to a 1st sample image, since the 4th sample image from which an enlargement magnification differs from a 1st sample image can be displayed with an image display apparatus, a user can change several magnification factors from which an enlargement magnification differs. The specimen image can be viewed with an image display device.

  In this case, preferably, the specimen image display means is configured to switch between the first specimen image and the fourth specimen image in accordance with the selected tab. If comprised in this way, the user can visually recognize the sample image from which expansion magnification differs, switching a 1st sample image and a 4th sample image easily by selecting a tab.

  In the configuration in which the first specimen image storage unit stores the fourth specimen image, preferably, the first specimen image and the fourth specimen image each have a plurality of specimen images having different magnifications, and the image display device includes: And a display switching accepting means for accepting an instruction to switch the display of the plurality of specimen images of the first specimen image and an instruction to switch the display of the plurality of specimen images of the fourth specimen image. Based on the instruction to switch the display of the specimen image received by the receiving means, the display of the plurality of specimen images of the first specimen image and the fourth specimen image is switched. With this configuration, the user can visually recognize a plurality of sample images having different magnifications while switching between the plurality of sample images according to a display switching instruction.

A cell image display device according to a second aspect of the present invention stores a first sample image including a plurality of cells, and expands the first sample image including all the first sample images in addition to the first sample image. A sample image storage means for storing a second sample image having a small magnification and a third sample image having a smaller magnification than a second sample image including all the second sample images; and a first sample image including a plurality of cells. Based on the position information receiving means for receiving the position information indicating the position of the cell image including the cell to be observed for the plurality of cell images, and the position information based on the plurality of cell images received by the position information receiving means. It extracts a plurality of cell images from the first sample image stored in the image storage means, and a cell image displaying means for displaying a plurality of cell images extracted, the first sample image and the second sample image Comprising 3 a specimen image display means for displaying the specimen image.

In the cell image display device according to the second aspect, as described above, the cell image including the cells to be observed is extracted from the first sample image stored in the sample image storage means, and the extracted cell image is displayed. By providing the cell image display means, the cell image can be displayed on the image display device using the first specimen image, so that it is not necessary to transmit the cell image from the image providing device or the like to the image display device. Thereby, compared with the case where both the first specimen image and the cell image are transmitted from an image providing device or the like, the transmission load is reduced, and therefore the time required for image display can be shortened. Further, since the cell image need not be stored in the sample image storage unit, the storage area of the sample image storage unit can be reduced.

A computer program according to a third aspect of the present invention stores a first specimen image including a plurality of cells in a computer, and in addition to a first specimen image including all the first specimen images in addition to the first specimen image. Specimen image storage means for storing a second specimen image having a small magnification and a third specimen image having a smaller magnification than a second specimen image including all the second specimen images, and a first specimen image including a plurality of cells Based on position information based on the plurality of cell images received by the position information receiving means, the position information receiving means for receiving the position information indicating the position of the cell image including the cell to be observed in the plurality of cell images, It extracts a plurality of cell images from the first sample image stored in the sample image storing means, and a cell image displaying means for displaying a plurality of cell images extracted, first target Image and a to be functional second specimen image and specimen image display means for displaying a third sample image.

In the computer program according to the third aspect, as described above, the computer extracts a cell image including cells to be observed from the first sample image stored in the sample image storage unit, and extracts the extracted cell image. By functioning as a cell image display means for displaying, for example, if this computer is used in an image display device, a cell image can be displayed on the image display device using the first specimen image, so that an image providing device, etc. Therefore, it is not necessary to transmit the cell image to the image display device. Thereby, compared with the case where both the first specimen image and the cell image are transmitted from an image providing device or the like, the transmission load is reduced, and therefore the time required for image display can be shortened. Further, since the cell image need not be stored in the sample image storage unit, the storage area of the sample image storage unit can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an image display system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image display device of the image display system according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3-6 is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the image display system by one Embodiment shown in FIG. First, the configuration of the image display system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image display system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an image display device 2, an image creation device 3, and an image providing device 4. The image display device 2, the image creation device 3, and the image providing device 4 are connected by a communication network such as a LAN or the Internet so that data communication can be performed. The image creating device 3 and the image providing device 4 are provided in a medical institution such as a hospital or a pathological examination facility, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image display device 2 is configured by a computer including a main body unit 21, an image display unit 22, and an input unit 23. The main body 21 mainly includes a CPU 21a, a ROM 21b, a RAM 21c, a hard disk 21d, a reading device 21e, an input / output interface 21f, a communication interface 21g, and an image output interface 21h.

  The CPU 21a is provided for executing computer programs stored in the ROM 21b and the hard disk 21d. Further, the CPU 21a can execute a computer program loaded in the RAM 21c.

  The ROM 21b is configured by a mask ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or the like, and stores a computer program executed by the CPU 21a.

  The RAM 21c is configured by SRAM, DRAM, or the like. The RAM 21c is used to read out computer programs stored in the ROM 21b and the hard disk 21d. The RAM 21c is used as a work area for the CPU 21a when executing these computer programs.

  The hard disk 21d is installed with various computer programs to be executed by the CPU 21a, such as an operating system and application programs, and data used for executing the computer programs. A computer program 24a for functioning as the image display device of the present embodiment is also installed in the hard disk 21d.

  The reading device 21e is configured by a flexible disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD-ROM drive, and the like, and can read a computer program or data stored in the portable recording medium 24. Thereby, for example, the computer program 24a can be read from the portable recording medium 24 using the reading device 21e, and the read computer program 24a can be installed in the hard disk 21d. The computer program 24a is not only provided by the portable recording medium 24, but also from an external PC or the like that is communicably connected to the image display device 2 according to the present embodiment, regardless of whether it is wired or wireless. ). For example, a computer program 24a is stored in the hard disk of a server computer on the Internet. The image display device 2 according to the present embodiment accesses this server computer through an electric communication line and downloads the computer program 24a. It is also possible to install the computer program 24a on the hard disk 21d. The hard disk 21d is installed with an operating system that provides a graphical user interface environment such as Windows (registered trademark) manufactured and sold by US Microsoft. Note that the computer program 24a according to the present embodiment operates on the above-described operating system.

  The input / output interface 21f is, for example, a serial interface such as USB, IEEE 1394, or RS-232C, a parallel interface such as SCSI, IDE, or IEEE 1284, or an analog interface including a D / A converter, an A / D converter, or the like. It is configured. The input / output interface 21f is configured to be connected to an input unit 23 including a keyboard and a mouse. Is possible.

  The communication interface 21g is, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface, and connects the image display device 2 to a communication network using a predetermined communication protocol. As a result, data can be transmitted and received between the image display device 2 and the image providing device 4 connected to the communication network.

  The image output interface 21h is connected to an image display unit 22 configured by an LCD or CRT, and is configured to output a video signal corresponding to image data given from the CPU 21a to the image display unit 22. . The image display unit 22 is configured to display an image based on the video signal output from the image output interface 21h.

  The image creation device 3 is provided for creating a virtual slide obtained by imaging a blood cell contained in a blood smear with high magnification. The image creating apparatus 3 includes an optical microscope 31 having a plurality of objective lenses, a 3CCD camera 32 that captures an image, an automatic stage 33 for a microscope that can automatically adjust the position in the XYZ directions, A control device 34 and a joystick 35 for performing position control of the automatic stage 33, and a computer 36 for performing position control of the automatic stage 33 and performing focus synthesis are included. The computer 36 is connected to the 3CCD camera 32 via an image signal transmission cable 37 and is connected to the control device 34 and the joystick 35 via a control signal transmission cable 38.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the image creating apparatus 3 is configured to create a plurality of virtual slides having different magnifications using a plurality of objective lenses. Specifically, the image creating apparatus 3 creates a first virtual slide 101 with an enlargement magnification equivalent to about 100 times and a first virtual slide 102 with an enlargement magnification equivalent to about 200 times as low-magnification images. It is configured. In addition, the image creation device 3 includes all the areas of the first virtual slides 101 and 102, the second virtual slide 103 having an enlargement magnification smaller than that of the first virtual slides 101 and 102 (enlargement magnification corresponding to about 1 time), and The third virtual slide 104 is constructed so as to include the entire area of the second virtual slide 103 and have a lower magnification than the second virtual slide 103 (an enlargement magnification corresponding to about 0.2 times). The third virtual slide 104 is created so as to include almost the entire blood smear imaged by the image creation device 3.

  Further, the image creating apparatus 3 is configured to display, as a high-magnification image, a first virtual slide 105 having an enlargement magnification equivalent to about 100 times, a first virtual slide 106 having an enlargement magnification equivalent to about 200 times, and an enlargement magnification equivalent to about 400 times. The first virtual slide 107 and the first virtual slide 108 having an enlargement magnification equivalent to about 600 times are created. The image creating apparatus 3 includes all the areas of the first virtual slides 105 to 108, the second virtual slide 109 having a smaller magnification than the first virtual slides 105 to 108 (equivalent to a magnification of about 3 times), and The third virtual slide 110 is configured so as to include the entire area of the second virtual slide 109 and have a smaller magnification than the second virtual slide 109 (the magnification is approximately 0.2). The third virtual slide 110 is created so as to include almost the whole blood smear imaged by the image creation device 3.

  The computer 36 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like, and the hard disk stores a computer program for performing position control of the automatic stage 33, focus synthesis, and image tiling. The computer 36 has a built-in communication interface connected to a communication network, and is configured to be able to perform data communication with other devices such as the image display device 2 and the image providing device 4.

  The image providing device 4 is provided for managing the virtual slide created by the image creating device 3 and providing the virtual slide to an external device such as the image display device 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the image providing device 4 includes a computer 4 a that includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a hard disk 44, a reading device 45, and a communication interface 46.

  The CPU 41 can execute computer programs stored in the ROM 42 and computer programs loaded in the RAM 43. Then, when the CPU 41 executes these computer programs, the computer 4a functions as the image providing device 4 of the present embodiment.

  The ROM 42 is configured by a mask ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or the like, and stores a computer program executed by the CPU 41.

  The RAM 43 is configured by SRAM, DRAM or the like. The RAM 43 is used to read out computer programs stored in the ROM 42 and the hard disk 44. The RAM 43 is used as a work area for the CPU 41 when executing these computer programs.

  The hard disk 44 is installed with various computer programs to be executed by the CPU 41 such as an operating system and application programs, and data used for executing the computer programs. Note that a computer program 47 a for functioning as the image providing apparatus of this embodiment is also installed in the hard disk 44.

  In the present embodiment, the hard disk 44 is provided with a low-magnification virtual slide database 44a and a low-magnification cell image database 44b as low-magnification image databases, and as a database for high-magnification images. A high-magnification virtual slide database 44c and a high-magnification cell image database 44d are provided. Further, a patient information database 44e is provided in the hard disk 44, and these databases 44a to 44e store various data in association with identification information such as specimen numbers.

  In the low-magnification virtual slide database 44a, as shown in FIG. 4, each image data of the first virtual slides 101 and 102, the second virtual slide 103, and the third virtual slide 104 created by the image creation device 3 is stored. Stored. In the high-magnification virtual slide database 44c, as shown in FIG. 5, each image of the first virtual slides 105 to 108, the second virtual slide 109, and the third virtual slide 110 created by the image creation device 3 is stored. Data is stored.

  In the low magnification cell image database 44b, as shown in FIG. 6, cell image numbers, position information (X and Y directions), and image type numbers are stored in association with each other. Here, the cell image number is a number corresponding to nine cell image frames in the cell image display area 225 of the low-magnification registration screen 220 (see FIG. 12) described later. The position information is coordinates indicating the position of the display center of each cell image displayed in the cell image display area 225. In the present embodiment, the coordinate origin is set to the upper left end point of the second display area of each screen. The image type number is a number for identifying image data used for a cell image displayed in the cell image display area 225. Specifically, when the image type number is “1”, the first virtual slide 101 corresponding to an enlargement magnification of about 100 times is used for the corresponding cell image, and when the image type number is “2”. This means that the first virtual slide 102 having an enlargement magnification equivalent to about 200 times is used for the corresponding cell image. In the high-magnification cell image database 44d, regarding the image type number, unlike the low-magnification cell image database 44b, which image data of the first virtual slides 105 to 108 is the image data used for the cell image. , “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4”. Specifically, “1” corresponds to the first virtual slide 105 having an enlargement magnification of approximately 100 times, and “2” corresponds to the first virtual slide 106 having an enlargement magnification of approximately 200 times. “3” corresponds to the first virtual slide 107 having an enlargement magnification of approximately 400 times, and “4” corresponds to the first virtual slide 108 having an enlargement magnification of approximately 600 times. About another structure, it is the same as that of the low magnification cell image database 44b.

  The reading device 45 includes a flexible disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD-ROM drive, and the like, and can read a computer program or data stored in a portable recording medium 47. The portable recording medium 47 stores a computer program 47a for causing the computer to function as the image providing apparatus of the present embodiment. The computer 4a reads the computer program 47a from the portable recording medium 47 and reads the computer program 47a. It is possible to install the issued computer program 47 a in the hard disk 44.

  The computer program 47a is not only provided by the portable recording medium 47, but also from an external PC or the like that is communicably connected to the image providing apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment. It is also possible to provide it through For example, a computer program 47a is stored in the hard disk of a server computer on the Internet. The computer 4a can access this server computer, and the computer program 47a can be downloaded and installed on the hard disk 44. is there.

  The communication interface 46 is, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface, and connects the image providing apparatus 4 to a communication network using a predetermined communication protocol. Thereby, data can be transmitted and received between the image providing device 4 and the image display device 2 and the image creating device 3 connected to the communication network.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing image display processing of the image display device and the image providing device of the image display system according to the embodiment shown in FIG. Next, the image display processing of the image display device 2 and the image providing device 4 of the image display system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S1 of FIG. 7, the virtual slides 101 to 110 created by the image creation device 3 are stored in the corresponding databases 44a to 44d of the image providing device 4, respectively. At this time, each virtual slide is stored in association with patient information stored in the patient information database 44e.

  In step S11, the image display device 2 determines whether or not there is a display instruction from the user. If there is a display instruction, the virtual slide and the position information transmission request signal are transmitted via the communication network in step S12. It is transmitted to the providing device 4.

  In step S2, the image providing apparatus 4 determines whether a virtual slide and a position information transmission request signal has been received, and this determination is repeated until it is received. When received, in step S3, the virtual slides 101 to 110 and cell image position information stored in the various databases 44a to 44d are transmitted to the image display device 2 via the communication network. At this time, for the cell image, image data is not transmitted, and only position information having a relatively small data capacity is transmitted. The position information is transmitted in association with the cell image number and the image type number.

  In step S13, it is determined whether or not the transmitted virtual slides 101 to 110 and the position information are received by the image display device 2. If received, in step S14, the received virtual slides 101 to 110 are received. The position information is temporarily stored in the RAM 21c. On the other hand, if not received, the operation proceeds to step S15. Note that the operations of step S3 in the image providing device 4 and steps S13 and S14 in the image display device 2 are continuously performed until a shutdown instruction is received from the user in step S17. Thus, for example, even when new cell image information is added to the cell image database 44b or 44d of the image providing device 4, the latest information is always stored in the RAM 21c of the image display device 2.

  Thereafter, in step S15, it is determined whether or not the web browser tabs 201 to 205 (see FIG. 10) displayed on the image display unit 22 of the image display device 2 are selected. In the present embodiment, the virtual slides 101 to 110 and the cell image can be displayed on the image display unit 22 of the image display device 2 using a Web browser. If a tab is selected, a display process is performed in step S16, and if a tab is not selected, the process proceeds to step S17.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the display process in step S16 of the image display process shown in FIG. Here, the display process in step S16 of the image display process shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S21 of FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the Web browser observation (low magnification area) tab 201 is selected. If not selected, registration (low magnification) is sequentially performed in steps S22 to S25. It is determined which of the (area) tab 202, the observation (high magnification area) tab 203, the registration (high magnification area) tab 204, or the patient information tab 205 is selected. In steps S26 to S30, display processing of each screen is performed in accordance with the selected tab.

  Here, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the display process of the low magnification observation screen in step S26 of the display process shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a view showing a low-magnification observation screen displayed on the image display device of the image display system according to the embodiment shown in FIG. Next, the display process of the low-magnification observation screen 210 in step S26 of the display process shown in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, in step S31 shown in FIG. 9, it is determined whether the observation (low-magnification region) tab 201 is selected for the first time after the apparatus is started, or is changed and selected from another tab. If it is selected for the first time, the initial area of the first virtual slide 101 is displayed in the first display area 211 (see FIG. 10) of the low magnification observation screen 210 in step S32. In the first display area 211, only a partial area of the first virtual slide 101 is displayed. In step S <b> 33, the second virtual slide 103 is displayed in the second display area 212 of the low-magnification observation screen 210. In the second display area 212, all areas of the second virtual slide 103 are displayed. At this time, a cross mark 212a is displayed at the corresponding position on the second virtual slide 103 in the second display area 212 so that the position of the first virtual slide 101 displayed in the first display area 211 can be recognized. Is done. Note that the initial region of the first virtual slide 101 is a region having the coordinate origin as the display center, and the cross mark 212a displayed on the second virtual slide 103 is positioned at the upper left corner of the second display region 212. This is the area displayed when

  On the other hand, if the observation (low-magnification area) tab 201 is changed from another tab and selected, it is determined in step S39 whether the change is from the registration (low-magnification area) tab 202 or not. . In the case of a change from the registration (low magnification area) tab 202, the first display area 221 displayed in the first display area 221 of the low magnification registration screen 220 (see FIG. 12) immediately before the tab change in step S40. The display area of the virtual slide 101 is displayed in the first display area 211 of the low magnification observation screen 210. That is, when the display screen of the image display unit 22 is switched from the low-magnification registration screen 220 to the low-magnification observation screen 210, the low-magnification registration is performed in the first display area 211 of the low-magnification observation screen 210. The first virtual slide 101 is displayed in the same area as that displayed in the first display area 221 of the screen 220. The first display area 211 of the low-magnification observation screen 210 has a displayable area size different from that of the first display area 221 of the low-magnification registration screen 220, but the center points of the respective display areas coincide with each other. As described above, the first virtual slide 101 is displayed in the first display area 211 of the low magnification observation screen 210. When the first virtual slide 102 having an enlargement magnification equivalent to about 200 times is displayed on the low magnification registration screen 220, the enlargement magnification is set to about 1 in the first display area 211 of the low magnification observation screen 210. A corresponding area of the first virtual slide 102 equivalent to 200 times is displayed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S33.

  If it is determined in step S39 that it is not a change from the registered (low-magnification area) tab 202, when the observation (low-magnification area) tab 201 was previously selected in step S41, another tab is selected. The first virtual slide 101 or 102 is displayed in the first display area 211 of the low-magnification observation screen 210 in the same area as that displayed immediately before the change. Thus, for example, after the user displays a predetermined observation area of the first virtual slide 101 on the low magnification observation screen 210, the user once selects the patient information tab 205 to confirm the patient information, and then Even when the observation (low-magnification area) tab 201 is selected again, the above-described predetermined observation area of the first virtual slide 101 is displayed in the first display area 211 of the low-magnification observation screen 210. As a result, it is not necessary for the user to find a predetermined observation area again, thereby reducing the burden on the user. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S33.

  In step S <b> 34, the third virtual slide 104 is displayed in the third display area 213 of the low-magnification observation screen 210. In the third display area 213, all areas of the third virtual slide 104 are displayed. At this time, a rectangular mark 213a indicating the display area of the second virtual slide 103 is displayed on the third virtual slide 104 in the third display area 213 so that the position of the second virtual slide 103 can be recognized. Note that the display area of the second virtual slide 103 is determined as an optimal area for observation under the instruction of a doctor or the like when an image is created by the image creation device 3. Thereafter, in step S35, it is determined whether or not the display area of the first virtual slide 101 displayed in the first display area 211 has been changed.

  Here, a method for changing the display area of the first virtual slide 101 or 102 displayed in the first display area 211 will be described. Only a part of the first virtual slide 101 or 102 is displayed in the first display area 211, and the user can use the movement key 214 displayed on the low-magnification observation screen 210 to perform the first operation. The area displayed in the display area 211 can be changed to a desired area. Specifically, eight directional keys in the up / down / left / right directions are displayed as the movement key 214, and the movement amount is small in one direction and the movement amount is small with two clicks (indicated by two triangles). Two movement keys with a key (one triangle display) are provided. By operating these movement keys, the area displayed in the first display area 211 can be changed to a desired area of the first virtual slide 101 or 102. Similarly to the case where the movement key 214 is used, the user changes the area displayed in the first display area 211 to a desired area of the first virtual slide 101 or 102 using the cross key on the keyboard. It is possible. In addition, a position information display area 215 is provided at the upper left corner of the first display area 211, and the position information display area 215 includes the center coordinates of the display area currently displayed in the first display area 211. Is displayed. The user can also input the coordinate value directly into the position information display area 215 and click the switch button 216 to change the area displayed in the first display area 211 to the desired area of the first virtual slide 101 or 102. It is possible to change. This method is effective, for example, when the user knows the coordinate value of a desired area in advance. In the position information display area 215, an X coordinate value, a Y coordinate value, and an image type number are displayed in order from the left side.

  If it is determined in step S35 that the display area has not been changed, the process proceeds to step S37. On the other hand, if changed, in step S36, the display area of the first virtual slide 101 or 102 is changed, and the cross mark 212a on the second virtual slide 103 displayed in the second display area 212 is The first virtual slide 101 or 102 displayed in the first display area 211 is moved so as to correspond to the display area.

  Thereafter, in step S37, it is determined whether or not there has been an instruction from the user to enlarge or reduce the first display area 211. If there is no instruction, the display processing operation is ended as it is. If there is an instruction to enlarge or reduce, the first virtual slide 101 or 102 is switched in step S38. Specifically, the user can issue an enlargement or reduction instruction using the enlargement button 217 a and the reduction button 217 b provided at the center of the movement key 214. For example, when the first virtual slide 101 whose magnification is about 100 times is displayed in the first display area 211, when the magnification button 217a is clicked, the first virtual slide 102 whose magnification is about 200 times is displayed. The center coordinates are displayed in the first display area 211 in the same state. That is, an image showing the same position is enlarged and displayed twice. Thereafter, when the reduction button 217b is clicked, the first virtual slide 101 having an enlargement magnification equivalent to about 100 times is displayed again. In the low-magnification screen (low-magnification observation screen 210 and low-magnification registration screen 220), as the first virtual slide, the first virtual slide 101 corresponding to an enlargement magnification of about 100 times and the enlargement magnification are Since two images of the first virtual slide 102 equivalent to about 200 times are stored in the low-magnification virtual slide database 44a, images with different magnifications are provided in two stages (two stages equivalent to about 100 times or about 200 times). It is possible to switch with. Also, the user can switch the image displayed in the first display area 211 even if the image type number is directly input in the image type number column of the position information display area 215. Then, the display processing operation of the low magnification observation screen 210 is ended.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the display process of the low magnification registration screen in step S27 of the display process shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a view showing a low-magnification registration screen displayed on the image display device of the image display system according to the embodiment shown in FIG. Next, the display process of the low-magnification registration screen 220 in step S27 of the display process shown in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, in step S51 shown in FIG. 11, it is determined whether the registration (low-magnification area) tab 202 is selected for the first time after the apparatus is activated, or is changed and selected from another tab. If it is selected for the first time, the initial area of the first virtual slide 101 is displayed in the first display area 221 (see FIG. 12) of the low magnification registration screen 220 in step S52. In step S53, the second virtual slide 103 is displayed in the second display area 222 of the low-magnification registration screen 220. At this time, a cross mark 222a is displayed at the corresponding position on the second virtual slide 103 in the second display area 222 so that the position of the first virtual slide 101 displayed in the first display area 221 can be recognized. Is done.

  On the other hand, if the registered (low-magnification area) tab 202 is changed from another tab and selected, it is determined in step S67 whether the change is from the observation (low-magnification area) tab 201. . In the case of a change from the observation (low magnification area) tab 201, in step S68, the first display area 211 displayed on the first display area 211 of the low magnification observation screen 210 (see FIG. 10) immediately before the tab change. The display area of the virtual slide 101 is displayed in the first display area 221 of the low magnification registration screen 220. That is, when the display screen of the image display unit 22 is switched from the low-magnification observation screen 210 to the low-magnification registration screen 220, the low-magnification observation is displayed in the first display area 221 of the low-magnification registration screen 220. The first virtual slide 101 is displayed in the same area as that displayed in the first display area 211 of the screen 210. When the first virtual slide 102 with an enlargement magnification equivalent to about 200 times is displayed on the low magnification observation screen 210, the first display area 221 of the low magnification registration screen 220 has an enlargement magnification of about A corresponding area of the first virtual slide 102 equivalent to 200 times is displayed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S53.

  If it is determined in step S67 that the change is not the change from the observation (low-magnification area) tab 201, in step S69, when the registration (low-magnification area) tab 202 was previously selected, another tab is selected. The first virtual slide 101 or 102 is displayed in the first display area 221 of the low-magnification registration screen 220 in the same area that was displayed immediately before the change. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S53.

  In step S54, the third virtual slide 104 is displayed in the third display area 223 of the low-magnification registration screen 220. At this time, a rectangular mark 223a indicating the display area of the second virtual slide 103 is displayed on the third virtual slide 104 in the third display area 223 so that the position of the second virtual slide 103 can be recognized. The same display as the second display area 212 and the third display area 213 of the low-magnification observation screen 210 is displayed in the second display area 222 and the third display area 223 of the low-magnification registration screen 220, respectively.

  In step S55, a selection area mark 221a is displayed in a predetermined area in the display center portion of the first virtual slide 101 displayed in the first display area 221. Thereafter, in step S56, it is determined whether or not there is a registered cell image. If there is, a cell image extraction and display operation is performed in step S57. Here, the presence of a registered cell image means that the cell image associated with the position information and the image type number exists in the low magnification cell image database 44b (see FIG. 6) of the image providing device 4. That is, for each cell image associated with the position information and the image type number, the cell image is extracted from the first virtual slide 101 or 102 based on the position information and the image type number. The extracted cell image is displayed in the cell image display area 225 of the low magnification registration screen 220. In addition, nine cell images can be displayed in the cell image display area 225. In order to correspond to the cell image numbers stored in the low-magnification cell image database 44b, the upper row 1 Cell image numbers are assigned from No. 9 to No. 9. Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the position information of the first cell image stored in the low magnification cell image database 44b is the X direction 2350 and the Y direction 394, and the image type number is “1”. In the first cell image frame of the cell image display area 225, the corresponding area (center coordinates are X direction 2350 and Y direction 394) of the first virtual slide 101 corresponding to an enlargement magnification of about 100 times is displayed. Is done. At this time, the cell image displayed in the cell image display area 225 does not use separate image data for cell images, but uses the first virtual slide 101 displayed in the first display area 221. As a cell image, only a corresponding region (center coordinates are X direction 2350 and Y direction 394) in the first virtual slide 101 is displayed. Even when a plurality of cell images are registered, a cell image having a corresponding number is displayed in the cell image display area 225 in the same manner as described above. The center coordinates of each cell image displayed in the cell image display area 225 are displayed in a position information display area 225a provided for each cell image frame.

  Next, in step S58, it is determined whether or not the registration button 225b has been clicked. If it has been clicked, the selection area mark displayed on the first virtual slide 101 in the first display area 221 in step S59. The center coordinates of 221a are temporarily stored in the RAM 21c as the position information of the cell image having the number corresponding to the clicked registration button 225b. In step S60, similarly to step S57, cell image extraction and display operations are performed. Thus, for example, when the user finds a desired cell using the movement key 224 and changes the display area so that the desired cell is arranged in the selection area mark 221a, the cell image display area 225 is displayed. When the registration button 225b in the fifth cell image frame is clicked, an image including a desired cell surrounded by the selection area mark 221a is displayed as the fifth cell image. The position information temporarily stored in the RAM 21c is transmitted to the image providing apparatus 4 via the communication network and stored in the low magnification cell image database 44b. Further, an image type indicating whether the image data used for the cell image is the first virtual slide 101 corresponding to an enlargement magnification of about 100 times or the first virtual slide 102 equivalent to about 200 times. The number is also transmitted to the image providing apparatus 4 in association with the cell image number together with the position information.

  In addition, a comment field 225c is provided for each cell image frame in the cell image display area 225, and the user can input a comment for each cell image. The comment information is also associated with each cell image and transmitted to the image providing apparatus 4 via the communication network. In the image display system 1, as described above, information regarding each cell image is collectively managed by the image providing device 4, and continues between the image providing device 4 and the image display device 2 via the communication network. Various data are transmitted and received.

  Next, in step S61, it is determined whether or not the display button 225d has been clicked. If the button has been clicked, a cell image corresponding to the clicked display button 225d is displayed in the first display area 221 in step S62. As described above, the display area of the first virtual slide 101 or 102 displayed in the first display area 221 is changed. For example, when the display button 225d for the fourth cell image is clicked, the first virtual image is displayed so that the display region for the fourth cell image is arranged in the selection region mark 221a of the first display region 221. The display area of the slide 101 is changed. At this time, the cross mark 222a in the second display area 222 is also moved to the corresponding position.

  In step S63, it is determined whether or not the display area of the first virtual slide 101 or 102 displayed in the first display area 221 has been changed. The display area changing method is the same as the changing method on the low magnification observation screen 210 described above. If the display area has not been changed, the process proceeds to step S65. On the other hand, if changed, the display area of the first virtual slide 101 or 102 is changed in step S64, and the cross mark 222a on the second virtual slide 103 displayed in the second display area 222 is The first virtual slide 101 or 102 displayed in the first display area 221 is moved so as to correspond to the display area.

  Thereafter, in step S65, it is determined whether or not there has been an instruction to enlarge or reduce the first display area 221 from the user. If there is no instruction, the display processing operation is ended as it is. If there is an instruction for enlargement or reduction, the first virtual slide 101 or 102 is switched in step S66. The specific switching operation is the same as the operation on the low magnification observation screen 210 described above. Then, the display processing operation of the low-magnification registration screen 220 is terminated.

  13 is a diagram showing an observation screen for high magnification displayed on the image display device of the image display system according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 14 is an image according to the embodiment shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed the registration screen for high magnifications displayed on the image display apparatus of a display system. Next, with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the display process of the high-magnification observation screen 230 in step S28 of the display process shown in FIG. 8 and the display process of the high-magnification registration screen 240 in step S29 will be described. To do. The display processing of the high-magnification observation screen 230 and the high-magnification registration screen 240 is substantially the same as the display processing of the low-magnification observation screen 210 and the low-magnification registration screen 220 described above. To do. First, regarding the high-magnification observation screen 230, if the selection of the observation (high-magnification area) tab 203 is a change from the registration (high-magnification area) tab 204, the high-magnification registration screen 240 is displayed immediately before the tab change. The display area of the first virtual slide 105 displayed in the first display area 241 is displayed in the first display area 231 of the high magnification observation screen 230. When the selection of the registration (high-magnification area) tab 204 is a change from the observation (high-magnification area) tab 203 with respect to the high-magnification registration screen 240, immediately before the tab change, The display area of the first virtual slide 105 displayed in the first display area 231 is displayed in the first display area 241 of the high magnification registration screen 240.

  In addition, the high magnification screen (the high magnification observation screen 230 and the high magnification registration screen 240) differs from the low magnification screen (the low magnification observation screen 210 and the low magnification registration screen 220) about 100. Since four images corresponding to double magnification, equivalent to about 200 times, equivalent to about 400 times, or equivalent to about 600 times are stored in the high-magnification virtual slide database 44c, when the user gives an instruction to enlarge or reduce the magnification, Are switched in four stages (four stages corresponding to about 100 times, about 200 times, about 400 times, or about 600 times). The other display processing of the high-magnification observation screen 230 and the high-magnification registration screen 240 is the same as the display processing of the low-magnification observation screen 210 and the low-magnification registration screen 220 described above.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a patient information screen displayed on the image display device of the image display system according to the embodiment shown in FIG. Next, the display process of the patient information screen 250 in step S30 of the display process shown in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG. When the patient information tab 205 is selected, a patient information screen 250 is displayed as shown in FIG. In the patient information display area 251 of the patient information screen 250, various patient information such as the patient's name, sex, age, blood test results, and findings are displayed. Thereby, the user can confirm patient information immediately.

  After performing the display process of step S16 described above, in step S17 shown in FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not there is a shutdown instruction. If there is no shutdown instruction, the process proceeds to step S11. If there is a shutdown instruction, the image display processing operation is terminated.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the CPU 41 of the image providing device 4 is configured to transmit the first virtual slide 101 including a plurality of cells to the image display device 2, and the CPU 21a of the image display device 2 is From the image providing apparatus 4, the cell image including the cells to be observed is extracted from the first virtual slide 101 stored in the RAM 21 c and the extracted cell image is displayed in the cell image display region 225. Since the cell image can be displayed on the image display device 2 using the transmitted first virtual slide 101, it is not necessary to transmit the cell image from the image providing device 4 to the image display device 2. Thereby, compared with the case where both the first virtual slide 101 and the cell image are transmitted from the image providing device 4, the transmission load is reduced, so that the time required for image display can be shortened. In addition, since the cell image need not be stored in the RAM 21c, the storage area of the RAM 21c can be reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, information related to each cell image is collectively managed by the image providing device 4 and various data are continuously transmitted and received between the image providing device 4 and the image display device 2 via the communication network. By performing the above, the latest various data such as cell images that are collectively managed by the image providing device 4 can be shared by the plurality of image display devices 2. Thereby, for example, a plurality of users can observe the same cell image using different image display devices 2 and can exchange information regarding a predetermined cell image using the comment field 225c. .

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 21a is configured to display the first virtual slide 101, the second virtual slide 103, and the third virtual slide 104 on the image display device 2, whereby the second virtual slide 103 and the third virtual slide 103 are displayed. An image around the first virtual slide 101 can be easily visually recognized using the slide 104.

  The embodiments and examples disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments and examples but by the scope of claims for patent, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, a virtual slide using a blood smear is shown as an example of a sample image. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any sample that can be imaged by an image imaging device, for example, a pathology ( It may be a virtual slide using a tissue) specimen.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the image display apparatus which can register nine cell images was shown as an example of an image display apparatus, this invention is not restricted to this, The number of cells smaller than nine It may be an image display device capable of registering images, or an image display device capable of registering more than nine cell images.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the image display apparatus which does not have a function which changes the display order (display arrangement | sequence) of nine cell images as an example of an image display apparatus was shown, this invention is not restricted to this, You may use the image display apparatus which has a function in which the user can change arbitrarily the display order of nine cell images.

  In the above embodiment, as an example of the selection area, a selection area mark having a constant selection area size is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the selection area mark has a variable selection area size. May be. In this case, the size of the cell image may be changed according to the size of the selection region mark, the size of the cell image is constant, and the magnification of the cell image is changed according to the size of the selection region. You may do it.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the image display apparatus comprised only the display area of the 1st virtual slide displayed on the 1st display area as an example of an image display apparatus was shown, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the image display device may be configured so that the display area of the cell image displayed in the cell image display area can be changed.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the image display apparatus comprised so that the comment column displayed on a cell image display area might be provided for every cell image as an example of an image display apparatus, this invention was shown. For example, the image display device may be configured such that a plurality of comment columns are provided for each cell image, and a comment column in each row is assigned to a plurality of users. Thereby, each user can recognize easily which user's comment is among several users.

  In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which separate databases for low magnification and high magnification are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and image data for both low magnification and high magnification is collectively displayed. One database that can be stored may be provided.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image display system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image display apparatus of the image display system by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image provision apparatus of the image display system by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the low magnification virtual slide database of the image provision apparatus of the image display system by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the high magnification virtual slide database of the image provision apparatus of the image display system by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the database for low magnification cell images of the image provision apparatus of the image display system by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the image display process of the image display apparatus of the image display system by one Embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and an image provision apparatus. It is the flowchart which showed the display process in step S16 of the image display process shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a display process for an observation screen for low magnification in step S26 of the display process shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed the observation screen for low magnifications displayed on the image display apparatus of the image display system by one Embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing display processing for a low-magnification registration screen in step S27 of the display processing shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed the registration screen for low magnification displayed on the image display apparatus of the image display system by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed the observation screen for high magnifications displayed on the image display apparatus of the image display system by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed the registration screen for high magnifications displayed on the image display apparatus of the image display system by one Embodiment shown in FIG. It is the figure which showed the patient information screen displayed on the image display apparatus of the image display system by one Embodiment shown in FIG.

1. Image display system (cell image display system)
2 Image display device (cell image display device)
4 Image providing device 21a CPU (specimen image receiving means, cell image display means, position information receiving means, sample image display means, selection area setting means, position information registration means, comment input means, display control means)
21c RAM (second specimen image storage means)
24a Computer program 41 CPU (specimen image transmission means, position information transmission means)
44 Hard disk (first specimen image storage means, specimen image storage means)
101, 102 First virtual slide (first specimen image)
103, 109 Second virtual slide (second specimen image)
104, 110 Third virtual slide (third specimen image)
105, 106, 107, 108 First virtual slide (fourth specimen image)
201, 202, 203, 204, 205 Tab 213a Rectangular mark (position display)
217a Enlarge button (display switching accepting means)
217b Reduction button (display switching accepting means)

Claims (11)

An image providing device;
An image display device,
The image providing device transmits a first sample image storage unit that stores a first sample image including a plurality of cells, and the first sample image stored by the first sample image storage unit to the image display device. Specimen image transmission means; and position information transmission means for transmitting position information indicating the position of a cell image including cells to be observed in the first sample image to the image display device for the plurality of cell images,
The image display device is received by the specimen image receiving means for receiving the first specimen image transmitted by the specimen image transmitting means, the positional information receiving means for receiving the positional information, and the specimen image receiving means. Based on the position information based on the plurality of cell images received by the position information receiving means, the second sample image storing means for storing the first sample image, and stored in the second sample image storage means It extracts a plurality of said cell image from the first sample image, viewing including the cell image display means for displaying a plurality of the cell images extracted,
In addition to the first sample image, the first sample image storage means stores all of the second sample image and the second sample image having a smaller magnification than the first sample image including all the first sample images. A third specimen image having a lower magnification than that of the second specimen image,
The specimen image transmission means transmits the second specimen image and the third specimen image in addition to the first specimen image,
The specimen image receiving means of the image display device receives the second specimen image and the third specimen image in addition to the first specimen image,
The second specimen image storage means stores the second specimen image and the third specimen image in addition to the first specimen image,
The image display device further includes a sample image display means for displaying the first sample image, the second sample image, and the third sample image .   The cell image display system according to claim 1, wherein the cell image display means of the image display device is configured to display a list of the plurality of extracted cell images. The image display device includes a selection region setting means for setting a selection area before Symbol specimen image display the first specimen image displayed by means position corresponding to the selection area set by the selection region setting means The cell image display system according to claim 2, further comprising position information registration means for registering a position information as the position information.   The cell image display system according to claim 1, wherein the image display device further includes a comment input unit that receives an input of a comment related to the cell image displayed by the cell image display unit. When the image display device designates at least one of the plurality of cell images displayed by the cell image display means, the first specimen image including the designated cell image is displayed. The cell image display system according to claim 1, further comprising display control means for controlling display by the specimen image display means. The cell image display system according to claim 1 , wherein the sample image display means is configured to display a position display indicating a position of the second sample image in the entire sample on the third sample image. The first sample image storage means stores, in addition to the first sample image, a first sample image and a fourth sample image having a different magnification.
The specimen image transmission means transmits the fourth specimen image in addition to the first specimen image,
The specimen image receiving means receives the fourth specimen image in addition to the first specimen image,
The second specimen image storage means stores the fourth specimen image in addition to the first specimen image,
The cell image display system according to claim 1, wherein the specimen image display means of the image display device is configured to selectively display the first specimen image and the fourth specimen image.   The cell image display system according to claim 7, wherein the sample image display means is configured to switch between the first sample image and the fourth sample image in accordance with a selected tab. Each of the first sample image and the fourth sample image has a plurality of sample images having different magnifications,
The image display device further includes a display switching accepting unit that accepts a switching instruction to display a plurality of specimen images of the first specimen image and a switching instruction to display a plurality of specimen images of the fourth specimen image,
The specimen image display means switches the display of a plurality of specimen images of the first specimen image and the fourth specimen image based on a specimen image display switching instruction accepted by the display switching acceptance means. The cell image display system according to claim 7, which is configured. Storing a first specimen image including a plurality of cells, and in addition to the first specimen image, a second specimen image having a smaller magnification than the first specimen image including all the first specimen images; A specimen image storage means for storing a third specimen image having a magnification smaller than that of the second specimen image including all the two specimen images ;
Position information receiving means for receiving, for the plurality of cell images, position information indicating a position of a cell image including cells to be observed in the first specimen image including the plurality of cells;
Based on the position information based on the plurality of cell images received by the position information receiving unit, the plurality of cell images are extracted from the first sample image stored in the sample image storage unit, and the plurality of extracted cells Cell image display means for displaying the cell image of
And a specimen image display means for displaying said first sample image and said second sample image and said third sample image, a cell image display apparatus. Computer
Storing a first specimen image including a plurality of cells, and in addition to the first specimen image, a second specimen image having a smaller magnification than the first specimen image including all the first specimen images; A specimen image storage means for storing a third specimen image having a magnification smaller than that of the second specimen image including all the two specimen images ;
Position information receiving means for receiving, for the plurality of cell images, position information indicating a position of a cell image including cells to be observed in the first specimen image including the plurality of cells;
Based on the position information based on the plurality of cell images received by the position information receiving unit, the plurality of cell images are extracted from the first sample image stored in the sample image storage unit, and the plurality of extracted cells Cell image display means for displaying the cell image of
Computer program for operating as a specimen image display means for displaying said first sample image and said second sample image and said third sample image.

Images