JP5305700B2 - Image diagnosis support system and image diagnosis support method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to information set in past imaging (imaging information), information about an image (key image) used as a basis for diagnosis, and past referred to at the time of imaging in an examination performed using a medical image diagnostic apparatus. The present invention relates to an image diagnosis support system and an image diagnosis support method for generating and managing a shared object having information related to the examination as content.

    In recent years, specialized fields of medical practice have been subdivided. For example, work in image diagnosis is divided into acquisition of a diagnostic image of a patient, interpretation of the acquired diagnostic image and report generation, explanation of a diagnosis result based on the report result, treatment policy, and the like. Each work is handled by each specialist (a doctor in charge or an engineer in charge), and medical actions such as diagnosis for a patient are achieved by all these works. Each expert performs each work by referring to past diagnosis information and the like as appropriate based on information created by other experts in the previous work. These operations include, for example, medical image diagnostic apparatuses such as X-ray CT apparatuses and MRI apparatuses that acquire diagnostic images, PACS servers that store diagnostic images, image reference apparatuses for interpreting diagnostic images, and image diagnostic report creation support It is performed in an apparatus or the like.

  In recent years, in image diagnosis in which such work is subdivided, a system for efficiently using information specifying past examinations has been proposed (for example, see Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-319356). This is to share, as information, an object having as its contents information used in past photographing, information relating to a key image, and information relating to a past examination referred to at the time of photographing. The user can know the key image and the imaging condition used for the past diagnosis by referring to the shared object at an arbitrary timing in an arbitrary device. For example, the user can take an image suitable for comparative interpretation by reproducing past examinations with high accuracy. In addition, since examinations photographed with reference to past information also hold the reference history in the shared object, it is possible to automatically specify and display a comparison target to be referred to from the information at the time of interpretation. Accordingly, the preparation for interpretation by the interpreting physician is greatly reduced.

  However, tests already performed before the introduction of a system that uses shared objects do not hold shared objects. Therefore, the user must perform the same work as before the introduction. Therefore, the work has the following problems, for example.

  When photographing an examination suitable for comparative interpretation with the previous photographing, it is necessary for an engineer to perform photographing work while referring to and confirming an interpretation report of the previous examination, so that accuracy and examination efficiency are lowered. Further, at the time of image interpretation, for example, preparatory work for starting comparative image interpretation, such as selection of a key image and setting of image parameters, is required, so that the efficiency of image interpretation is reduced. These problems are particularly noticeable in large hospitals that spend most of their daily examinations compared to past examinations such as follow-up. Therefore, it is urgently desired that the shared object can be used even in the examination already taken.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image diagnosis support system and an image diagnosis support method capable of generating a shared object afterwards even for an examination or series performed before a system using a shared object is introduced. It is to be.

The diagnostic imaging support system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a specifying unit that specifies specific information for specifying a specific examination or series that is a generation target of an object composed of image information and incidental information ; on the basis of the related information related to a particular test or series specified by the specific information, prior Symbol particular test査又is a stamp tough you determine whether the reference image is present in series, the reference A first generation unit configured to generate the object based on the reference image and the related information when it is determined that the image for use exists .

The diagnostic imaging support method according to the second aspect of the present invention specifies specific information for specifying a specific examination or series that is a generation target of an object composed of image information and incidental information, and the specific information Based on related information related to a specific examination or series specified by, it is determined whether there is a reference image in the specific examination or series, and if it is determined that the reference image exists, Generating the object based on the reference image and the related information.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an image diagnosis system and an image diagnosis support method that can generate a shared object afterwards even for examinations or series performed before a system that uses a shared object is introduced. It becomes possible.

  Hereinafter, an image diagnosis support system and an image diagnosis support method according to first, second, and third embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be given only when necessary.

  In the following description, a case where the medical image storage apparatus has an image diagnosis support function described later to realize the image diagnosis support system according to the first, second, and third embodiments of the present invention will be described. To do. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a report creation support device, a medical image observation device, a medical image diagnostic device (X-ray computed tomography device (X-ray CT device), magnetic resonance imaging device, ultrasonic diagnostic device, nuclear medicine diagnosis) The image diagnosis support system according to the first, second, and third embodiments of the present invention can be realized by mounting the image diagnosis support function on other devices such as a device, an X-ray diagnosis device, etc. Good.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a medical image storage apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the medical image storage apparatus 1 includes a program storage unit 10, an image storage unit 11, a report storage unit 13, a data management unit 15, a control unit 17, an information acquisition analysis unit 19, a shared object generation unit 21, An operation unit 23 and a transmission / reception unit 25 are provided.

  The program storage unit 10 stores various programs such as a dedicated program for realizing an image diagnosis support function, which will be described later, and a program for reproducing a shared object.

  The image storage unit 11 stores various medical images acquired by the medical image diagnostic apparatus. The medical image conforms to the DICOM standard, for example. The medical image is managed for each examination or each series as necessary.

  The report storage unit 13 stores a report created using the report creation support device. The report is created for images (key images) belonging to a certain examination. The user compiles the findings of the current examination into a report by comparing and interpreting the current image taken in the current examination that is the target of report creation and the past image taken in the past examination. The report has findings as text information. Also, the report usually has link information that specifies the storage location of the past image to be compared. For example, link information is embedded in a specific character string included in the findings. Thereby, the past image and the specific character string in which the link information is embedded are associated (hyperlinked). By selecting a character string embedded with link information on the screen, the past image of the link destination is displayed on the screen. The link information is, for example, address information indicating an image storage location in the image storage unit 11.

  The data management unit 15 stores a storage location table in which each storage location of the DICOM object acquired in each examination is defined, and manages the updating of the contents. The DICOM object is an image, supplementary information, a shared object, a report, or the like according to the DICOM standard. In addition, the data management unit 15 stores a similarity determination table for determining the similarity between examinations, and manages the updating of the contents.

  The control unit 17 comprehensively controls the static or dynamic operation of the medical image storage device 1. Further, the control unit 17 implements an image diagnosis support function to be described later by developing a dedicated program in a memory (not shown).

  The information acquisition / analysis unit 19 uses the storage location table stored in the data management unit 15 to acquire various types of information necessary for generating the shared object afterwards. In addition, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 analyzes various types of acquired information and identifies information to be added to the shared object. In addition, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 analyzes the various pieces of acquired information and determines whether there is an image for generating a reference image of the shared object. The reference image is an image for indicating at least one of an imaging range and a key image position as a basis for diagnosis in an examination or series that is a generation target of the shared object. Hereinafter, an image for generating a reference image is referred to as a reference image. When the reference image does not exist, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 analyzes the various pieces of acquired information and generates a reference image from the captured image as necessary.

  A series is an index for managing information: time (when it was generated), space (where it was generated), and clinical characteristics of information (what clinical significance it has) ) As a code. In general, images acquired in one examination are classified and managed by a plurality of series. The series UID and the inspection UID (study UID) are managed in association with each other. In addition, the reference images may be common (identical) or may be different among a plurality of series belonging to the same examination.

  The shared object generation unit 21 generates a shared object composed of image information and incidental information according to an image diagnosis support function described later. The shared object effectively uses, for example, information used at the time of medical practice such as a reference image, a shooting position, a shooting range, a shooting condition, an image generation condition, information on a key image, information on a report, link information, and the like. Is generated. The shared object will be described in detail later.

  The operation unit 23 includes a keyboard, various switches, a mouse, a button (for example, a GUI), and the like, and is a device that can input an instruction from an operator. The operation unit 23 has a dedicated I / F for instructing execution of an image diagnosis support process described later.

  The transmission / reception unit 25 receives or transmits image, shared object, report entity data, various information necessary for generating the shared object, and the like from other devices via the network.

  In the first embodiment, the medical image storage device 1 includes the direct image storage unit 11 and the report storage unit 13. However, regardless of this, the image storage unit 11 and the report storage unit 13 may be provided in another device on the network capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from the medical image storage device 1.

(Shared object)
Next, the shared object will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the shared object. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the shared object includes image information I1 and incidental information I2. The shared object is generated and managed as an image conforming to the DICOM standard, for example, for each examination or each series.

[Image information]
As shown in FIG. 2, the image information I1 includes one or a plurality of reference images Ia1 and Ia2 in which the range R and the position are indicated. The reference images Ia1 and Ia2 are, for example, a scanogram used in an X-ray CT apparatus, a coronal image obtained by a pilot scan in an MRI apparatus, and the like. The reference image is sometimes called a “scout image” or “Localizer”. The range R is a physical range that is actually subjected to signal detection or image generation based on the energy supplied by the medical diagnostic imaging apparatus using X-rays or high-frequency waves, and the detector. For example, in the case of the X-ray CT apparatus 1, the range R is a range in the body axis direction reconstructed based on projection data detected by the detector, that is, a reconstruction range. The range R is a scan range in the case of an MRI apparatus, for example. The range R is generally indicated by dotted lines or the like on the reference images Ia1 and Ia2 acquired before scanning, and may be indicated together with a line indicating the image generation pitch in the body axis direction. In addition, in this image information I1, a marker L indicating the key image position is drawn on the reference images Ia1 and Ia2, or the key image itself (substance data of the key image) is drawn as necessary. There is also.

  When editing processing is permitted in an image diagnosis support function to be described later, the entity data of the key image managed as the image information, the key image position L on the reference images Ia1 and Ia2, and the like are stored in the medical report creation support system. Edited according to the editing instructions received from.

[Attached information]
As shown in FIG. 2, the incidental information I2 includes inspection / series specific information corresponding to the shared object, inspection / series specific information referred to in the inspection, report specific information regarding the inspection corresponding to the shared object, Information on the key image of the inspection corresponding to the shared object and the reproduction information of the inspection / series corresponding to the shared object can be roughly classified into five types. Hereinafter, each information will be described.

[Attached information 1: Examination / series specific information corresponding to the shared object]
This incidental information is information for distinguishing the shared object from other shared objects. This supplementary information includes an identifier (object UID) of the (shared) object, a management target series identifier (management target series UID), and a management target inspection identifier (management target inspection UID).

  The object UID is information for distinguishing (specifying) the object from other objects. The object UID is issued by the object generation unit of each device so as not to overlap when the shared object is generated. The management target series UID is information for specifying a series that is a management target of the shared object. The management object inspection UID is information for specifying an inspection to be managed by the shared object.

[Supplementary information 2: Specific information of inspection / series referenced in the inspection]
This accompanying information is information for indicating the relationship between the shared object and other shared objects. This incidental information includes a parent (shared) object identifier (parent object UID), a related series identifier (related series UID), the series UID, and a related inspection identifier.

  The parent object UID is information for specifying an object (parent object) referred to for generating the object. The related series UID is information for specifying a series using the same conditions as the shared object (for example, shooting conditions, reference images, etc.). There may be a plurality of related series UIDs in the object unique information. The series UID is information for specifying a series in which shooting conditions and the like are indicated by the shared object.

  A link is established between data specified by each UID. Therefore, by accessing the link destination data based on each UID, it is possible to quickly follow the derivation process of the image group. Further, the creation date and creation time of the shared object may be included in the object unique information.

[Attachment information 3: Specific information of report on examination corresponding to the shared object]
This incidental information is an identifier (report identifier) for specifying a report generated in the examination. Note that a report once created for a predetermined examination may be corrected later or a new report may be generated separately. When different identifiers are issued to these reports, all report identifiers or report identifiers selected according to a predetermined condition are included.

[Auxiliary information 4: Information on inspection key image corresponding to the shared object]
This incidental information includes information (for example, DICOM standard SOP instance UID) for identifying a key image used in image interpretation and image diagnosis by the component on the medical image storage apparatus 1 side, entity data of the key image, key image This is information for specifying a position, a direction, etc. (for example, information such as a z-axis coordinate position, an observation direction, an enlargement ratio, and WW / WL). When the key image is an MPR image, the incidental information may include the position and direction of the MPR image serving as the key image, the generation condition, and the like, similar to the image generation condition.

  In the image diagnosis support process to be described later, whether or not the editing process is possible and the type of the editing process are determined according to the combination of the report creator and the device used for the report creation, and the incidental information is determined according to the determination result. Is managed.

[Attachment information 5: Examination or series reproduction information corresponding to the shared object]
This incidental information is information for reproducing the processing executed in the past examination or series. This incidental information includes shooting conditions, image generation conditions, and the like.

  The imaging conditions are physical conditions necessary for collecting physical data from which an image is generated from a patient by an imaging operation. The content of this condition depends on the type of modality. For example, the imaging conditions of the X-ray CT apparatus are a scan start position, a scan range (couch movement amount), an X-ray tube KV / mA, and a beam pitch. The beam pitch is the amount of movement of the bed during one rotation of the X-ray tube with respect to the total width of the obtained image slice.

  However, the contents of the photographing conditions are not limited to this example. For example, the imaging conditions include the patient's insertion direction at the time of the examination (information on whether the device enters from the foot or the head), the presence or absence of contrast medium administration, the dosage of the contrast medium, the type of drug, the patient's position (bed) (The direction and posture of sleeping). There is a function of automatically controlling KV / mA so as to obtain a constant image quality in order to reduce the exposure dose. In this case, image noise (SD value) as a control amount may be included in the imaging conditions.

  The imaging conditions of the MRI apparatus are, for example, imaging range, patient insertion direction and posture, magnetic field strength, pulse sequence, detection coil type, detection coil installation location, electrocardiogram synchronization, respiratory synchronization presence, presence of bed ventilation The body part of the photographing center and the mounting position.

  The image generation condition is a parameter for reconstructing an image from physical data obtained by photographing. For example, the image generation conditions include a reconstruction processing range, time phase, image position, direction, thickness, FOV (magnification ratio), filter processing parameters such as a reconstruction function, and the like. The image generation conditions include conditions used in image processing such as volume rendering and MPR processing executed in various medical image diagnostic apparatuses and image reference apparatuses. For example, in the case of MPR processing, reference coordinates, normal vector, slice thickness, range, and the like.

  Note that the reconstruction range may be defined by a reference image indicating the reconstruction range. In this case, one shared object has a plurality of reference images each indicating a plurality of reconstruction ranges.

  The shared object holds the above supplementary information, so that an image that can be compared with the previous image at the start of inspection can be properly captured without omission. Note that the shared object does not need to have all the information shown above. If the information used at the time of medical practice can be used effectively, the shared object can be used according to the device used and the purpose. The contents can be variously changed. For example, the incidental information in the shared object used for the medical image diagnostic apparatus may include patient ID, position information related to the scan range (reconstruction range), and landmarks. Further, the incidental information in the shared object used for PACS may include the patient ID and the position information / landmark of the key image. In addition, when a reference image is not required and only a past shooting condition or the like is required, the shared object may have a configuration including only incidental information including the shooting condition and the like.

(Image diagnosis support function)
Next, the image diagnosis support function according to the first embodiment will be described. This function is to create and manage shared objects afterwards for inspections that were conducted before the system that used shared objects was introduced.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing (image diagnosis support processing) according to the image diagnosis support function according to the first embodiment, which is executed under the control of the control unit 17. As shown in FIG. 3, the image diagnosis support process includes a shared object generation instruction reception process (step S <b> 1), an examination or series specific information acquisition process (step S <b> 2), and an examination / series related information acquisition / analysis. Processing can be broadly classified into processing (step S3), shared object generation processing (step S4), and shared object storage processing (step S5). Hereinafter, the contents of each step will be described.

[Reception of shared object generation instruction: Step S1]
First, the control unit 17 receives a shared object generation instruction by a predetermined input by the user via the operation unit 23 (step S1).

[Identification of information (specific information) for specifying examination or series: step S2]
When the generation instruction is received, the control unit 17 causes the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 to specify the specific information of the examination or series that is the target of the subsequent generation of the shared object (step S2). Specific examples of the specific information include examination instance IDs, series UIDs, patient IDs, examination UIDs, time information relating to examinations such as examination dates and examination times, and the like. Note that the specific information may be input by the user via the operation unit 23 when receiving the generation instruction in step S1.

[Acquisition / analysis of information (related information) related to examination or series specified by specific information: step S3]
The related information acquisition / analysis process includes a process A for acquiring related information, a process B for acquiring information for specifying a reference image, and a process C for acquiring past test / series specific information related to the test. It is divided roughly into. First, process A and process B will be described together, and then process C will be described.

<Process A for Acquiring Related Information & Process B for Acquiring Information for Specifying Reference Image>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of related information acquisition / analysis processing (processing A & processing B) executed by the information acquisition analysis unit 19 in step S3. As shown in FIG. 4, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 uses the specific information specified in step S2 to access the storage location defined in the storage location table in the data management unit 15, and displays related information. Obtain (step S31a).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a storage location table stored in the data management unit 15. For example, when acquiring the UID of the series related to the examination or series specified by the specific information, the information acquisition analysis unit 19 refers to the storage location table and the image storage unit that is the storage destination (acquisition destination) 11 and the series UID managed as the identifier “0020,002e” is acquired as related information. Similarly, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 uses the storage location table to specify information (for example, series instance UID) for specifying the examination or series configuration specified by the related information, imaging conditions, and image generation. DICOM supplementary information including conditions (for example, image position, image direction, image type, imaging range, tube voltage, tube current, image generation parameter, etc.) and information for specifying a key image are acquired as related information.

  Upon acquiring the related information, the information acquisition analysis unit 19 analyzes the acquired related information and determines whether or not a reference image exists in the images acquired in the past (step S32a). That is, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 classifies the related information for each series based on the series instance UID, analyzes the image type, image position, image direction, and the like of each image for each series. It is determined whether or not exists.

  In general, the image position and image direction of a reference image are different from the image position and image direction of an image that is not a reference image. In the case of CT or MR imaging series, for example, the reference image is a sagittal section or a coronal section, but the other plurality of images are often axial sections.

  Therefore, if the image direction and image position of a plurality of images included in the CT imaging series are analyzed and an image indicating a sagittal cross section or a coronal cross section can be identified, the information acquisition analysis unit 19 uses the reference for the examination or series. It is determined that an image exists. Further, for example, when an image type indicating a reference image is specified, the information acquisition analysis unit 19 determines that a reference image exists in the examination or series.

  When it is determined that the reference image does not exist (step S32a: NO), the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 executes a reference image generation process.

  In the reference image generation process, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 analyzes the image position, image direction, image type, photographing range, and the like for each series from the acquired related information, and determines whether or not a reference image can be generated ( Step S33a). If it is determined that the reference image can be generated (step S33a: YES), the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 acquires the entity data of the image in series units, and generates an MPR image using the acquired entity data of the image. (Step S34a). Subsequently, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 determines the optimum cross-section for the reference image (that is, the optimum cross-section) among the generated MPR images based on the acquired information such as the image position and image direction of each series of image data. A reference image is generated by cutting out (MPR image) (step S35a). The generated reference image is stored in the image storage unit 11. The storage location of the reference image is registered in a storage location table included in the data management unit 15. When step S35a ends, the information acquisition analysis unit 19 proceeds to step S36a.

  When it is determined in step S33a that the reference image cannot be generated (step S33a: NO), the information acquisition analysis unit 19 proceeds to step S36a.

  When it is determined in step S32a that a reference image exists (step S32a: YES), the information acquisition analysis unit 19 proceeds to step S33a.

  When it is determined in step S32a that a reference image exists, or when a reference image is generated in step S35a, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 acquires the information for specifying the reference image and the information in step S31a. The related information is transmitted to the shared object generation unit 21 (step S36a). If it is determined in step S33a that the reference image cannot be generated, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 transmits the related information acquired in step S31a to the shared object generation unit 21. This is the end of the description of process A & process B.

<Processing C to acquire past inspection / series specific information related to the inspection>
Next, a description will be given of the process of acquiring identification and specific information of the past examination related to the examination from the report stored in the report storage section 13 which is executed by the information acquisition analysis section 19 in step S3. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of processing for acquiring link information. As shown in FIG. 6, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 accesses the report storage unit 13 (or a predesignated report creation support device) with reference to the storage location table, and the patient ID, examination date, modality of the examination. Using the collection number (Accession number), etc., obtain a report of the relevant examination. (Step 31b).

  Next, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 analyzes the content of the acquired report and determines whether the report has an association (hyperlink) with a past image (step S32a).

  When it is determined in step S32b that no hyperlink exists (step S32b: NO), the information acquisition analysis unit 19 ends the process of acquiring link information.

  When it is determined in step S32b that a hyperlink exists (step S32b: YES), the information acquisition analysis unit 19 acquires link information to the latest past image among the past images linked by the hyperlink ( Step S33b). Specifically, the link information includes specific information on the examination or series to which the image belongs. When the link information is acquired, the information acquisition analysis unit 19 extracts specific information such as an inspection UID and a series UID from the acquired link information (step S34b). The acquired specific information is specific information for specifying the examination or series to which the latest past image belongs. And the information acquisition analysis part 19 transmits the extracted specific information to the shared object production | generation part 21 as related information (step S35b). This is the end of the description of process C.

  It should be noted that both <Process A & Process B> and <Process C> may be performed, or one of them may be performed. This selection can be arbitrarily set by the user via the operation unit 23.

[Generation of Shared Object: Step S4]
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the shared object generation unit 21 generates a shared object, for example, for each target series or each series belonging to a target examination, based on the related information received from the information acquisition analysis unit 19. .

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the concept of a shared object. First, the shared object generation unit 21 acquires the entity data of the reference image Ib based on information specifying the reference image Ib that is related information. Then, the shared object generation unit 21 generates the reference image Ia by drawing the shooting range R and the key image position L on the acquired reference image Ib. This drawing is performed by a method such as overlay or additional drawing directly on the pixel.

  The shared object generation unit 21 generates a shared object by generating DICOM supplementary information including shooting conditions, image generation conditions, link information, and the like using the related information received from the information acquisition / analysis unit 19.

  Note that such generation of a shared object is repeatedly executed in series units or inspection units.

[Save Shared Object: Step S5]
The generated shared object is stored in the image storage unit 11 as a new DICOM object related to the examination or series. The shared object storage location is registered in the storage location table of the data management unit 15. After registration, a process completion notification is displayed on the display unit, for example, and a series of generation processes is completed.

(effect)
According to the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  The medical image archiving apparatus 1 uses the image data acquired in the past examination or series, the accompanying information, and the accompanying information such as a report, based on the examination or series specifying information that is the generation target of the shared object. Or, obtain related information related to the series. The image type, image direction, image position, imaging range, etc. included in the acquired related information are analyzed, and the medical image storage apparatus 1 selects a reference image from image data related to the examination or series. The medical image storage apparatus 1 acquires a reference image by drawing a photographing range, a key image, and the like on the selected reference image. Using the acquired related information and the reference image, the medical image storage apparatus 1 can generate a shared object for the examination or series, for example, in units of series. Therefore, the medical image storage apparatus 1 can generate a shared object afterwards even for an examination performed before the system using the shared object is introduced. By using this post-generated shared object, past examinations or series can be reproduced with high accuracy, for example, when diagnosing a postoperative course or observing changes over time of a tumor. It is possible. Further, there is no need to perform work such as reference and confirmation of the interpretation report of the previous examination, which can contribute to the improvement of the work flow of the radiology department.

  When there is no reference image, the medical image storage apparatus 1 generates, for example, a suitable MPR image from existing image data, and uses this as a reference image to generate a reference image included in the shared object. Therefore, the medical image storage apparatus 1 can generate a shared object including a reference image afterwards even when there is no reference image. As a result, the medical image storage apparatus 1 can generate a shared object for any examination or series afterwards. Thus, the medical image archiving apparatus 1 can contribute to an improvement in the work efficiency of image diagnosis, an improvement in the reproducibility of past image diagnosis, and the like.

  The medical image storage apparatus 1 can acquire link information to a past image existing in the report from a report related to the shared object, and include the acquired link information in the shared object. As a result, the medical image storage apparatus 1 can create a relationship with a past image in the shared object even when the shared object is generated afterwards.

(Second Embodiment)
In general, in the management of image data and the like according to the DICOM standard, information defined in the standard DICOM standard is not sufficient as the shooting condition. For this reason, the missing information is held as a private tag.

  However, since this private tag portion is device-specific information, it is generally difficult to generate it afterwards.

  The medical image storage apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment specifies a past examination or series similar to an examination or series for which a shared object is to be generated later, and a shared object corresponding to the specified examination or series By using the information contained in, the content of the shared object generated afterwards is further enhanced.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of image diagnosis support processing executed under the control of the control unit 17 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, in the image diagnosis support process according to the second embodiment, a similar shared object utilization process (step S3b) is added.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the process executed by the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 in step S3b of FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, first, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 acquires a shared object that is a candidate for a similar shared object (step S31c). The acquisition of a candidate shared object is intended to supplement device-specific information (that is, private tag portion), so the station name, imaging part, etc. of DICOM supplementary information for inspection that is the target of subsequent generation of the shared object Is executed on the image storage unit 11. There may be one or more shared objects acquired in step S31c.

  Next, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 calculates the similarity of the acquired shared object (step S32c). That is, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 calculates the similarity with reference to, for example, the similarity determination table shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the similarity determination table. For example, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 compares the value of the item “tube voltage” included in the shared object A to be generated with the value of the item “tube voltage” included in the acquired shared object B. If the values match, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 adds 5 points to the similarity of the shared object A. If the values do not match, the information acquisition analysis unit 19 does not add points. In this way, the similarity is calculated by comparing the item values for all items included in the shared object A. In other words, the similarity of the shared object A is the sum of the addition weights assigned to all items of the shared object A having the same value as the value of the item included in the shared object B.

  When the similarity is calculated, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 determines whether any of the calculated similarities exceeds a predetermined threshold (step S33c).

  When it is determined that there is no similarity exceeding the predetermined threshold (step S33c: NO), the information acquisition analysis unit 19 ends the similar shared object use processing, and proceeds to step S4.

  When it is determined that there is a degree of similarity exceeding a predetermined threshold (step S33c: YES), the information acquisition analysis unit 19 has the highest degree of similarity among the shared objects acquired in step S31c. Are determined to be similar shared objects (step S34c). Next, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 acquires information included in a similar shared object (that is, reference information, supplementary information including a private tag portion, etc.) (step S35c). And the information acquisition analysis part 19 transmits the information acquired in step S35c to the shared object production | generation part 21 (step S36c).

  According to the configuration described above, the medical image storage apparatus 1 uses information (particularly, information related to the private tag portion) included in the shared object having the highest similarity when the shared object is subsequently generated. Can do. As a result, the medical image archiving apparatus 1 can include information unique to the apparatus and the like, and can generate a shared object that sufficiently includes information for reproducing past examinations or series. .

(Third embodiment)
For example, the shared object acquired in step S31c according to the second embodiment does not include entity data (or information for specifying the entity data) related to shooting conditions, reference images, and the like, and is referred to instead. Information for identifying other shared objects that should be included (for example, information indicating the UID or location of the other shared objects, link information, and the like) may be included. In this case, the medical image storage apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment further accesses another shared object to be referred to, and uses the information included in the accessed shared object to generate the sharing generated later. It is intended to further enhance the contents of the object. Hereinafter, other shared objects to be referred to are referred to as alternative shared objects.

  The diagnostic imaging support process executed under the control of the control unit 17 according to the third embodiment is the same as that in FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a substitute shared object utilization process executed by the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 in step S3b of FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 first acquires a shared object that is a candidate for a similar shared object (step S31d). Step S31d is the same process as step S31c of the similar shared object use process according to the second embodiment. Next, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 determines whether or not the acquired shared object includes identification information of a replacement shared object (step S32d).

  If it is determined that the specific information of the replacement shared object is not included (step 32d: NO), the information acquisition analysis unit 19 proceeds to step S4.

  When it is determined that the specific information of the replacement shared object is included (step 32d: YES), the information acquisition analysis unit 19 accesses the shared object for replacement and is included in the accessed shared object for replacement. Information is acquired (step S33d). Then, the information acquisition / analysis unit 19 transmits the acquired information to the shared object generation unit 21 (step S34d).

  Note that when the shared object accessed in step S33d includes the specific information of another shared object to be referred to, another shared object may be accessed as necessary. It is preferable that how far other shared objects are traced can be arbitrarily set by, for example, a predetermined I / F provided in the operation unit 23 or the like.

  According to the configuration described above, entity data related to shooting conditions, reference images, and the like are not stored in other shared objects to be referenced, and instead, specific information of a shared object for replacement is stored. However, the medical image storage apparatus 1 can trace back to the shared object from which necessary information can be acquired. As a result, the medical image storage apparatus 1 can subsequently generate a shared object that sufficiently includes information for reproducing past examinations or series.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Specific examples of modifications are as follows.

  The functions according to the first, second, and third embodiments of the present invention can also be realized by installing a program for executing the processing in a computer such as a workstation and expanding the program on a memory. it can. At this time, a program capable of causing the computer to execute the technique is stored in a recording medium such as a magnetic disk (floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), or a semiconductor memory. It can also be distributed.

  In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  Thus, according to the first to third embodiments, an image diagnosis support system that can generate a shared object afterwards even for an examination or series performed before the system that uses the shared object is introduced. And an image diagnosis support method.

  In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the medical image storage apparatus which concerns on the 1st-3rd embodiment of this invention. The figure for demonstrating the structure of the shared object produced | generated by the shared object production | generation part shown in FIG. The flowchart of the image diagnosis assistance process which concerns on 1st Embodiment performed under control of the control part shown in FIG. The flowchart of the acquisition / analysis process of the relevant information performed in step S3 shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the storage location table used in the acquisition / analysis process of the relevant information shown in FIG. The flowchart of the process which acquires the link information to a past image from the report memory | storage part performed in step S3 shown in FIG. The figure for demonstrating the concept of the reference image produced | generated from the image for a reference, an imaging | photography range, a key image position, etc. by the shared object production | generation part shown in FIG. The flowchart of the image diagnosis assistance process which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention performed under control of the control part of FIG. The flowchart of the utilization process of the similar shared object which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention performed in step S3b of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the similarity determination table used in the utilization process of the similar shared object shown in FIG. The flowchart of the utilization process of the shared object for substitution based on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention performed in step S3b of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Medical image storage apparatus, 10 ... Program storage part, 11 ... Image storage part, 13 ... Report storage part, 15 ... Data management part, 17 ... Control part, 19 ... Information acquisition analysis part, 21 ... Shared object production | generation part, 23 ... operation unit, 25 ... transmission / reception unit

Claims (10)

A specifying unit that specifies specific information for specifying a specific examination or series that is a generation target of an object composed of image information and incidental information ;
And determine tough based on the related information related to a particular test or series specified, before Symbol particular test査又is it determined whether the reference image is present in series by the specifying information,
A first generation unit that generates the object based on the reference image and the related information when it is determined that the reference image exists;
An image diagnosis support system comprising: The image diagnosis support system according to claim 1 , wherein the specific information is any one of examination instance ID, series UID, patient ID, examination UID, and time information related to examination . The image diagnosis support system according to claim 2, wherein the time information regarding the examination is one of an examination date and an examination time. The related information is any one of information for specifying a series instance ID, an image position, an image direction, an image type, a photographing range, a tube voltage, a tube current, an image generation parameter, and a key image. The diagnostic imaging support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The determination unit analyzes image directions or image positions of a plurality of images included in a CT series, and when an image indicating a sagittal section or a coronal section is specified, an image for reference exists in the inspection or series. The image diagnosis support system according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made. If it is determined that the reference image does not exist, at least one of the incident information, the imaging condition, the imaging range, and the key image position, and at least one related to the specific examination or series by using the image, the image diagnosis support system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a further second generator for generating a reference image. Based on the identification information, the specific further to comprise a first acquisition unit that acquires information included in the object of inspection or series similar to the test or series, before Symbol first generating unit has been the acquisition The image diagnosis support system according to claim 1, wherein an object for the specific examination or series is generated using information. Wherein the first obtaining unit, when the information about the other objects to be referred to the acquired information is contained, according to claim, characterized in that to obtain the information contained in other objects to be the reference 7 The diagnostic imaging support system described. A second acquisition unit for acquiring a report related to the specific examination or series;
On the obtained report includes the further a second determining unit that determines whether link information indicating a storage location is present in the image associated with different other examination or series and the particular test or series ,
The first generation unit claims, characterized in that inclusion of information the link information when it is determined that there, for identifying the image associated with the other test or series extracted from further to the link information The diagnostic imaging support system according to 1.   Specify specific information for specifying a specific examination or series that is the object of creation of an object consisting of image information and incidental information,
  Determining whether a reference image exists in the specific examination or series based on related information related to the specific examination or series specified by the specific information;
  When it is determined that the reference image exists, the object is generated based on the reference image and the related information.
  An image diagnosis support method characterized by comprising:

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