JP5395393B2 - Diagnostic imaging equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image diagnostic apparatus that captures and analyzes an image used for medical diagnosis, such as a tomographic image of a subject.

As an image diagnostic apparatus used for medical diagnosis, for example, X-ray CT (computed
tomography) and MRI (magnetic)
resonance imaging) devices are known. In these X-ray CT apparatuses and MRI apparatuses, a tomographic image crossing the body axis of the subject is taken and the inside of the subject is output as an image.
Hereinafter, a device that captures tomographic images and scanogram images used for medical diagnosis and outputs them as images, and performs analysis processing on these images as necessary and outputs them will be referred to as an image diagnostic device.

In the above-described image diagnostic apparatus, the number of images that can be acquired for each examination is increasing due to recent advances in imaging technology. For example, as an X-ray CT apparatus, a multi-slice CT apparatus that enables tomographic imaging of a plurality of columns with one X-ray irradiation has been developed. For this reason, the examination time is shortened and the burden on the patient is reduced, while the amount of data collected in one examination increases and the number of images tends to increase.
Therefore, in order to facilitate image search, a technique has been developed in which predetermined information is added to a captured image and an image used for analysis processing later is stored in an easy-to-understand manner (Patent Document 1).
On the other hand, there is a technology that makes it easy to visually recognize the inside of a subject by performing various image processing such as 3D processing, MPR processing, addition processing, cine display processing, etc. on the image taken by the diagnostic imaging apparatus. The number of images that are being developed and managed by diagnostic imaging apparatuses is increasing.

JP 2004-261225 A

However, as described above, imaging technology and image analysis processing technology have advanced, and while the examination time has been shortened and the visibility of image data has been improved, the number of images stored in the image diagnostic apparatus becomes enormous. Its management was difficult.
For example, after taking a tomographic image of the subject, the tomographic image is stored in a predetermined storage area. Next, when another doctor reads out the tomographic image for diagnosis, an image reference application is first activated. Then, a necessary tomographic image is selected from a plurality of tomographic images by an image reference application and displayed. At that time, when the number of stored images is enormous, there is a problem that it is difficult for the doctor to instantaneously determine which tomographic image includes a lesion site.

  The object of the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an image diagnostic apparatus that facilitates management of an image including a lesion site and can easily search and refer to an image including a lesion site. It is to be.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the first invention is an imaging means for taking a scanogram image and a tomographic image of a subject, and performing an image analysis process on the tomographic image taken by the imaging means to obtain an analysis processed image. Image processing means to be created; storage means for storing the scanogram image, the tomographic image, and the analysis processed image; and incidental information of the tomographic image and the analysis processed image as image identification information, examination identification information, test object In addition to the person identification information, the imaging position information indicating the slice position, the information indicating the analysis processing type, and the lesion information indicating whether or not the lesion location is included, it is added to all the images stored in the storage means. The image identification information, the examination identification information, the imaging position information, the lesion information, and the information indicating the analysis processing type are managed in association with the subject identification information. An image storage means to be registered as a report, and an object indicating a slice position of a tomographic image or an analysis processing image including the lesion information based on the imaging position information by referring to the incidental information and the management information. A lesion location display means for displaying on the image and displaying the analysis processing type together with the object, and a tomographic image having a slice position corresponding to the object as the imaging position information when the object is selected When a plurality of analysis processing images are generated for the same slice position as a lesion image display unit that reads out and displays the analysis processing image from the storage unit, the analysis processing image is displayed on the screen on which the object is displayed. Menu that displays the menu screen for selecting the display format It includes a flat-panel display unit, wherein the lesion image display means, in the menu selected display format from screen, an image diagnostic apparatus, characterized in that for displaying the analysis image.

The second invention is a photographing means for photographing a scanogram image and a tomographic image of a subject, an image processing means for performing an image analysis process on the tomographic image photographed by the photographing means, and creating an analysis processed image, Storage means for storing the scanogram image, the tomographic image, and the analysis processed image; and image identification information, examination identification information, subject identification information, and slice position as supplementary information of the tomographic image and the analysis processed image Imaging position information, information indicating analysis processing type, and lesion information indicating whether or not a lesion location is included, and the image identification information added to all images stored in the storage means, the examination Image storage means for registering identification information, imaging position information, lesion information, and information indicating the analysis processing type as management information in association with the subject identification information And by referring to the incidental information and the management information, based on the imaging position information, tomographic image including the lesion information or an object indicating the slice position of the analysis processing image is displayed on the scanogram image, The lesion location display means for displaying the analysis processing type together with the object, and the tomographic image having the slice position corresponding to the object as the imaging position information or the analysis processing image when the object is selected and stored. A lesion image display means that is read out from the means and displayed, and when a plurality of examinations are selected for the subject to be interpreted, and those examinations are the same imaging site, the lesion location display means includes: An option that shows the lesion location in a different display format for each examination on the same scanogram image. An image diagnostic apparatus and displaying the object.

  A third aspect of the invention is an imaging means for capturing a scanogram image and a tomographic image of a subject, an image processing means for performing an image analysis process on the tomographic image captured by the imaging means and creating an analysis processed image, Storage means for storing the scanogram image, the tomographic image, and the analysis processed image; and image identification information, examination identification information, subject identification information, and slice position as supplementary information of the tomographic image and the analysis processed image Imaging position information, information indicating analysis processing type, and lesion information indicating whether or not a lesion location is included, and the image identification information added to all images stored in the storage means, the examination Image storage means for registering identification information, imaging position information, lesion information, and information indicating the analysis processing type as management information in association with the subject identification information And by referring to the incidental information and the management information, based on the imaging position information, tomographic image including the lesion information or an object indicating the slice position of the analysis processing image is displayed on the scanogram image, The lesion location display means for displaying the analysis processing type together with the object, and the tomographic image having the slice position corresponding to the object as the imaging position information or the analysis processing image when the object is selected and stored. A lesion image display means that is read out from the means and displayed, and when a plurality of examinations are selected for the subject to be interpreted, and the examination sites are different, the lesion location display means Each scanogram image for the region is displayed, and for each scanogram image An image diagnostic apparatus and displaying an object that indicates varying locations.

Further, the storage means includes a lesion image storage area for storing a tomographic image having the lesion information or an analysis processing image, and the lesion location display means and the lesion image display means access the lesion image storage area. Thus, it is desirable to extract a tomographic image or an analysis processed image including the lesion information.

The lesion location display means has the lesion information among the tomographic image or the analysis processing image associated with the displayed scanogram image at the stage where the scanogram image is displayed by the image display means. A determination unit that determines whether or not there is a lesion, and when the determination unit determines that there is the lesion information, based on the imaging position information of the tomogram or the analysis processing image having the lesion information The object is preferably displayed at a corresponding slice position of the scanogram image.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while managing the image containing a lesioned part easily, the image diagnostic apparatus which can search and refer the image containing a lesioned part easily can be provided.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the present embodiment, an example in which the diagnostic imaging apparatus of the present invention is applied to an X-ray CT apparatus 1 is shown. In addition to the X-ray CT apparatus, the present invention can also be applied to an image diagnostic apparatus that captures and outputs a medical image, such as an MR apparatus.

First, the configuration of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is an external view showing the overall configuration of the X-ray CT apparatus 1, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the X-ray CT apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 includes a scanner 2, a bed 3, a console 4, a display device 7, and an operation device 8. The X-ray CT apparatus 1 acquires the transmitted X-ray data of the subject 6 by carrying the subject 6 fixed to the bed 3 into the opening of the scanner 2 and scanning it. Further, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 is communicatively connected to the DICOM server 10 via the network 9.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the scanner 2 includes an X-ray tube 201, an X-ray control device 202, a collimator 203, an X-ray detector 205, a data collection device 206, and a gantry 207.

  The X-ray tube 201 is an X-ray source, and is controlled by the X-ray tube control device 202 to irradiate the subject 6 with X-rays continuously or intermittently. The X-ray tube control device 202 controls the X-ray tube voltage and the X-ray tube current applied and supplied to the X-ray tube 201.

  The collimator 203 irradiates the subject 6 with X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 201 as X-rays such as a cone beam (conical or pyramidal beam), for example, and is controlled by a collimator control device. . X-rays transmitted through the subject 6 enter the X-ray detector 205.

  The X-ray detector 205 is disposed so as to face the X-ray tube 201 with the subject 6 interposed therebetween. The X-ray detector 205 detects X-rays emitted from the X-ray tube 201 and transmitted through the subject 6, and outputs the detected transmitted X-ray data to the data collection device 206. The configuration of the X-ray detector 205 will be described later.

  The data collection device 206 is connected to the X-ray detector 205 and collects transmission X-ray data detected by individual X-ray detection elements of the X-ray detector 205.

  On the gantry 207, an X-ray tube 201, a collimator 203, an X-ray detector 205, and a data acquisition device 206 are mounted. The gantry 207 is controlled by the gantry control device 209 and rotated by the driving force transmitted through the drive transmission system.

  The bed 3 includes a table for fixing the subject 6, and the table is moved up and down or back and forth under the control of the bed control device 301. Thereby, the subject 6 is carried into and out of the X-ray irradiation space of the scanner 2.

  The console 4 includes a display device 7, an operation device 8, a system control device 401, an image calculation device 402, a storage device 404, and a communication interface 406. The system control device 401 of the console 4 is connected to the X-ray control device 202, the bed control device 301, and the gantry control device 209 of the scanner 2.

  The display device 7 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal panel and a CRT monitor, and a logic circuit for executing display processing in cooperation with the display device, and is connected to the system control device 401. The display device 7 displays a reconstructed image output from the image reconstructing device 402 or an image obtained by analyzing the reconstructed image (hereinafter referred to as a tomographic image), a scanogram image, and various information handled by the system control device 401. To display.

  The operation device 8 includes, for example, an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a numeric keypad, and various switch buttons. The operation device 8 outputs various instructions and information input by the operator to the system control device 401. The operator interactively operates the X-ray CT apparatus 1 using the display device 7 and the operation device 8.

  The system control device 401 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and includes an X-ray control device 202 in the scanner 2, a bed control device 301, and a gantry control device. 209 is controlled. Further, the system control device 401 controls the display device 7, the operation device 8, the image calculation device 402, the storage device 404, and the communication interface 406 of the console 4 to perform image capturing processing performed in the X-ray CT apparatus 1, Various processes such as an image analysis process and an image reference process are executed.

  Further, the system control apparatus 401 executes processing for adding (setting) a lesion flag 111 to a tomographic image including a lesion site, and processing for referring to a lesion image. Processing relating to the setting of the lesion flag 111 and reference to the lesion image will be described later (see FIGS. 5 and 11 to 13).

  The image calculation device 402 acquires data collected by the data collection device 206 in the scanner 2 under the control of the system control device 401. At the time of scanogram imaging, a scanogram image is created using the scanogram projection data collected by the data collection device 206. At the time of scanning, a tomographic image is reconstructed using X-ray projection data of a plurality of views collected by the data collection device 206.

  The storage device 404 is configured by a hard disk or the like, and is connected to the system control device 401. The storage device 404 stores the acquired scanogram projection data, a scanogram image generated from the scanogram projection data, a tomographic image generated by the image calculation device 402, and the like. When image analysis processing such as 3D processing, MPR processing, cine display processing, or the like is performed based on the tomographic image, the analysis processing image is stored.

  Hereinafter, the tomographic image and the analysis processing image of the tomographic image are referred to as an image 100. An image to which the lesion flag 111 is added is referred to as a lesion image, and is denoted by 100F. In the case where the presence / absence of the lesion flag 111 is not particularly distinguished, it is assumed that the image 100F also includes the lesion image 100F to which the lesion flag 111 is added. Further, as in the images 100a, 100b,... (FIG. 6, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, etc.), the symbols of the individual images 100 may be added with lowercase letters. When it is not necessary, it is represented as an image 100.

  The storage device 404 may include a lesion image storage area for storing the image 100F having the lesion flag 111 in addition to the area for storing the image 100. When referring to a lesion image 100F when executing an image reference application described later, the system control apparatus 401 can quickly extract a desired lesion image 100F by accessing the lesion image storage area.

The storage device 404 also stores image management information 500 (see FIG. 3) for managing images, the name of the subject 6 (subject ID 112), the examination name (examination ID), the imaging date and time, the imaging ID 114, and the like. Data such as inspection management information 600 (see FIG. 4) relating to the inspection is stored. The image management information 500 and the inspection management information 600 are referred to by the system control device 401 when an image processing application described later or an image reference application is executed.
In addition to these various data, the storage device 404 stores various programs for realizing the functions of the X-ray CT apparatus 1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data configuration of an image 100 (lesion image 100F) handled by the X-ray CT apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the image management information 500 stored in the storage device 404.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the inspection management information 600 stored in the storage device 404.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the data of the image 100 includes an image information header part 110 and an image information entity part 120. The image information entity 120 is image data itself such as a tomographic image and an analysis processing image.

  In the X-ray CT apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to set the lesion flag 111 in the image information header portion 110 of the desired image 100 when executing the image processing application that generates the image 100. The lesion flag 111 is set to “ON” when a lesion site is included in the image 100. Details of the lesion flag 111 setting process will be described later (see FIGS. 6 and 11). In addition to the lesion flag 111, the image information header 110 includes, as supplementary information of the image 100, for example, a subject ID 112 that is identification information of the subject 6, an examination ID 113 that is identification information of the examination, such as an examination name. In addition to the imaging ID 114 that is identification information for each imaging and the image ID 115 that is identification information such as the file name of the image, data such as an imaging part 116 of the image, an imaging position (slice position) 117, and an analysis processing type 118 are included.

Further, the storage device 404 stores image management information 500 for managing all the stored images 100.
The image management information 500 includes various information about all the images 100 stored in the storage device 404. As shown in FIG. 3, in the image management information 500, a subject ID 112, an examination ID 113, an imaging ID 114, an image ID 115, and the like are registered in association with each other.

In addition, the storage device 404 stores inspection management information 600.
As shown in FIG. 4, the examination management information 600 includes a subject ID 112, an examination ID 113, an imaging ID 114, an image ID 115, an imaging part 116, an imaging position 117, and an analysis process for the examination performed by the X-ray CT apparatus 1. Information such as type 118 is registered in association with each other.

The communication interface 406 of FIG. 1 is configured by a communication control device, a communication port, and the like, and controls communication with the DICOM server 10 connected via the network 9.
DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication In
Medicine) server 10 is a server that complies with medical digital image and communication standards, and is installed in hospitals, medical centers, and the like. The DICOM server 10 is connected to an image diagnostic apparatus such as an X-ray CT apparatus 1 or an MRI apparatus, and collectively manages data such as images captured by individual apparatuses.

Next, a lesion flag setting function, an image processing function, and an image reference function of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the X-ray CT apparatus 1.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for the lesion flag 111.
FIG. 7 is a display example of a lesion line when a plurality of examinations are performed on the same site.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a lesion line when examinations are performed on different parts.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a display example of a lesion line and a lesion image corresponding to the lesion line.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an analysis processing image selection screen and an MPR processing image.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the system control device 401 of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 includes an image capturing processing unit 41, an image processing unit 42, and an image reference processing unit 43. Each of these units reads a program and data related to the image capturing process, the image process, and the image reference process from the storage device 404, and executes a process according to the program and data.

  The image photographing processing unit 41 includes a photographing condition setting unit 411 and a photographing processing unit 412 and executes various processes for photographing a tomographic image of the subject 6. That is, the system control unit 401 controls the scanner 2, the bed 3, the image calculation device 402, and the like of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 to capture a tomographic image of the subject 6.

  In general, in imaging by the X-ray CT apparatus 1, a scanogram image of the subject 6 is acquired prior to imaging (scanning) to obtain a tomographic image. The acquired scanogram image is used when the scan range and scan conditions of the subject 6 are input.

  Here, the scanogram image is, for example, an X-ray image transmitted from the back to the front as viewed from one direction. When taking a scanogram image, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 moves the table of the bed 3 and the gantry 207 relative to each other along the body axis of the subject 6 without rotating the X-ray tube 201. The person 6 is irradiated with X-rays from one direction (for example, from the back to the front), and scanogram projection data is acquired by the X-ray detector 205. The X-ray CT apparatus 1 sends the acquired scanogram projection data to the image calculation apparatus 402 via the system control apparatus 401. The image calculation device 402 creates a scanogram image 710 based on the scanogram projection data, stores it in the storage device 404 and displays it on the display device 7.

  Further, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 allows the operator to input information related to the examination prior to imaging. The system control device 401 registers information such as the name of the subject 6, the date and time of imaging, and the examination content (imaging site) input from the operation device 8 in the storage device 404 as examination management information 600.

  The system control apparatus 401 uses the shooting condition setting unit 411 to execute processing for receiving input of shooting conditions. Imaging conditions include scan start position, scan end position, tube voltage setting value, tube current setting value, time per scanner rotation (hereinafter referred to as scan time), X-ray collimation condition, type of reconstruction filter function, field of view. Various setting values such as size are included.

  In addition, the system control device 401 controls the X-ray control device 202, the bed control device 301, the gantry control device 209, and the like by the imaging processing unit 412 based on the imaging conditions set in the imaging condition setting unit 411. 6 is irradiated with X-rays. Further, the transmission X-ray data detected by the X-ray detector 205 is collected by the data collection device 206, and the tomographic image of the subject 6 is reconstructed by the image calculation device 402 based on the transmission X-ray data. The system control device 401 assigns a subject ID 112, an image ID 115, an examination ID 113, an imaging ID 114, and the like to the reconstructed tomographic image, adds the supplementary information to the image information header unit 110, and stores the tomographic image in the storage device 404. Remember. Further, the assigned image ID 115, examination ID 113, imaging ID 114, etc. are associated with the subject ID 112 and registered in the image management information 500 and the examination management information 600, respectively.

  The image processing unit 42 is an application that performs image analysis processing, lesion flag 111 setting, and the like for a captured image, and includes an image analysis processing unit 421, a lesion flag setting unit 422, and an image storage unit 423. That is, the system control unit 401 reads an image processing program and necessary data from the storage device 404, and executes image processing based on the image processing program and data.

  The system control apparatus 401 executes image analysis processing by the image analysis processing unit 421. That is, the tomographic image photographed by the above-described image photographing processing unit 41 is read from the storage device 404 and displayed on the display device 7, and analysis processing according to the operator's instruction operation input via the operation device 8 is performed. . As the analysis processing, for example, 3D processing for three-dimensionalizing a tomographic image from imaging data of a plurality of slices, sagittal image (image of a surface that divides the body into left and right), coronal image (body in front (front) and rear ( MPR (Multi Planar reconstructions) that generates three sets of images (image of the surface along the body axis direction) divided into the back surface) and axial image (image of the surface that divides the body into the upper part (head) and the lower part (foot)) ) Various image analysis processing such as processing.

  In addition, the system control apparatus 401 uses the lesion flag setting unit 422 to execute processing for setting the lesion flag 111 (see FIG. 2) in the image 100. That is, when a doctor or the like diagnoses that there is a lesion in the image 100 and an instruction to add the lesion flag 111 is input from the operation device 8, the lesion flag 111 in the image information header 110 of the corresponding image 100 is set to “ON”. To "".

It is desirable that the lesion flag 111 is set by an interactive operation with the operator.
Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, on the display screen displaying a plurality of images 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d, the system control device 401 sets the lesion flag 111 to “ON” on the display screen. The button 701 is set to “” and the operator presses the button 701 with a click operation or the like of the operation device 8 in a state where the image is selected. An instruction to add 111 is input.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, when a right-click operation of the operation device 8 is performed on a display screen displaying a plurality of images 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d, a pop-up menu 702 is displayed on the display screen. You may make it make it. The pop-up menu 702 includes a menu for setting the lesion flag 111 to “ON”. When the selection operation of the lesion flag “ON” menu is performed from the operation device 8, the system control device 401 sets the lesion flag 111 to “ON”. In addition, when the lesion flag 111 is set to “ON”, the system control apparatus 401 indicates that the lesion flag 111 is set in the images 100a and 100d in which the lesion flag 111 is set, as illustrated in FIG. May be displayed so that the operator can confirm it.

  Further, the system control apparatus 401 adds analysis processing type information 118 to the image information header section 110 of the image (analysis processing image) 100 subjected to the analysis processing in the image storage section 423, and stores the image 100 in the storage device 404. save. The analysis processing image may be stored by updating the original tomographic image. Alternatively, a new image ID 115 different from the original tomographic image may be assigned and stored in the storage device 404 as a new image 100. Further, the system control device 401 stores the image 100F (the images 100a and 100d in FIG. 6) in which the lesion flag 111 is set in the lesion image storage area of the storage device 404.

  In addition, the system control device 401 stores the image 100 in the storage device 404 and updates the image management information 500 and the inspection management information 600 in the image storage unit 423.

  An image reference processing unit 43 illustrated in FIG. 5 is an application for referring to a captured tomographic image or an analyzed image, and includes an image reference instruction input unit 431, a scanogram image acquisition unit 432, and a scanogram image display unit 433. A lesion location display unit 434, a selection instruction input unit 435, a lesion image acquisition unit 436, and a lesion image display unit 437. That is, the system control device 401 controls the storage device 404 and the display device 7 in accordance with instructions input from the operation device 8, and executes various processes for referring to images stored in the storage device 404.

  That is, the system control apparatus 401 receives an instruction to refer to the image 100 for the subject 6 to be interpreted in the image reference instruction input unit 431. At this time, the system control device 401 reads the examination management information 600 from the storage device 404 and displays a list of the subject IDs 112 managed by the examination management information 600 so as to be selectable. Further, the system control device 401 extracts the examination ID 113 associated with the selected subject ID 112 from the examination management information 600 and displays the list on the display device 7. At this time, a plurality of examination IDs 113 may be selected.

Further, the system control device 401 reads a scanogram image from the storage device 404 in the scanogram image acquisition unit 432. That is, the scanogram image 150 corresponding to the subject ID 112 selected by the image reference instruction input unit 431 is read from the storage device 404. When the selected subject 6 performs a plurality of examinations and the examinations are different imaging parts, the scanogram images 150 are different in each part, so the scanogram image 150 corresponding to each part is read out.
Further, the system control device 401 causes the display device 7 to display the read scanogram image 150 in the scanogram image display unit 433.

When the actually captured scanogram image 150 is not stored in the storage device 404, a simulated scanogram image 150b (see FIG. 8B) in which a default image of each part is represented by an illustration or the like is displayed. You may make it make it. It is assumed that the simulated scanogram image 150b is stored in advance in the storage device 404 for various parts such as the chest and the head.
In the following description, the actually captured scanogram image 150 and the simulated scanogram image 150b are referred to as a scanogram image 150.

  In the lesion site display unit 434, the system control device 401 executes processing for displaying identification information (object) indicating the lesion site on the displayed scanogram image 150. That is, the system control apparatus 401 refers to the lesion image storage area of the storage device 404 and determines whether or not there is a lesion image 100F associated with the subject ID 112 to be interpreted (the lesion flag 111 is set). Whether or not there is an image 100 that is present). If there is an image in which the lesion flag 111 is set, an object (for example, 710a in FIG. 7) indicating the lesion location at a corresponding position in the scanogram image 150 based on the imaging position information 117 (slice position) of the lesion image 100F. , 710b).

  Here, the shooting position 117 of the image is represented by z position coordinates in which the body axis direction is the z direction. The z position coordinate can be calculated from the scan range (z range) of the image 100, the number of shots, and the slice width. Further, the z position coordinate of the image 100 (tomographic image, analysis processing image) matches the z position coordinate of the scanogram image 150.

In the present embodiment, the object indicating the lesion site is displayed as a line. An object displayed in a line is called a lesion line 710.
In the following description, the lesion line 710 is expressed by various line types and shapes, and different signs (FIGS. 7 to 10; 710a, 710b, 710c, 710d, 710e, 710f) , 710g, 710h, 710i, 710j). In the case where the shape of the lesion line and the like are not particularly distinguished, a description of “710” will be given.

  As the display format of the lesion line 710, various line types such as a solid line, a broken line, a wavy line, a double line, and a thick line may be used, or different colors may be used for each examination or for each type of image processing. Good.

  When a plurality of examinations are selected for the subject 6 to be interpreted, and these examinations are the same imaging site, the system controller 401 uses the same scanogram in the lesion location display unit 434 as shown in FIG. The lesion lines 710a and 710b are displayed on the image 150 in different colors and formats for each examination.

In addition, when a plurality of examinations are selected for the interpretation target subject 6 and the examination parts are different, the system control device 401, as shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b), The scanogram images 150 and 150b for the region are displayed.
8A is a diagram showing an example in which a scanogram image 150 including the chest of the subject 6 and lesion lines 710c and 710d are displayed, and FIG. 8B includes a head of the subject 6. It is a figure which shows the simulated scanogram image 150b and the lesion lines 710e and 710f. The direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 8 is the z direction (body axis direction), and the z coordinate on the screen corresponds to the z position (slice position) of the tomographic image photographing position information.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the system control apparatus 401 displays each lesion line 710 displayed on each scanogram image 150, 150b so as to have a different shape, color, etc., and the image 100 corresponding to each lesion line 710 has a different examination. You may show that it was obtained by. From these scanogram images 150 and 150b and lesion lines 710c, 710d, 710e, and 710f shown in FIG. 8, the operator instantaneously finds that there are two images 100F including lesion sites for this subject 6 at different sites. I can judge.

  Further, when the lesion image 100F has been subjected to analysis processing, the system control device 401 indicates the analysis processing type 712 together with the lesion line 710. The type of analysis processing is, for example, “3D”, “MPR”, etc. (FIG. 9B). Further, the system control device 401 may display the lesion line 710 so that the color and shape of the lesion line 710 are different for each type of analysis processing.

  The system control apparatus 401 accepts a selection instruction for a lesion line 710 by a click operation of the operation apparatus 8 or the like in the selection instruction input unit 435 of FIG. When a selection instruction for the lesion line 710 is input, the system control device 401 uses the subject ID 112, the examination ID 113, and the image ID 115 as keys to display the image 100 corresponding to the selected lesion line 710 in the lesion image of the storage device 404. Read from the save area. Further, the system control apparatus 401 causes the lesion image display unit 437 to display the lesion image 100 </ b> F acquired by the lesion image acquisition unit 436 on the display device 7. At this time, the system control apparatus 401 also displays incidental information (subject ID 112, examination ID 113, imaging ID 114, image ID 114, imaging site 116, imaging position 117, analysis processing type 118, etc.) of the lesion image 100F. Also good.

  The selection instruction to the lesion line 710 in the selection instruction input unit 435 may be multiple selection or full selection. When a plurality or all of the selection instructions are input, the lesion image acquisition unit 436 and the lesion image display unit 437 acquire all of the selected plurality of lesion images 100F and display these lesion images 100F as cine. Or display them side by side. In addition, when the image 100F is displayed or the display image 100F is selected, the system control device 401 changes the color of the lesion line 710 or the like for the currently displayed or selected image 100F, and displays it. I will let you. Thus, if the currently selected image 100F is identified and displayed, the operator can easily confirm which part of the entire image is being referred to.

  In FIG. 9, (a) shows lesion lines 710g and 710h, and shows that lesion images 100g and 100h correspond to the lesion lines 710g and 710h, respectively. FIG. 9B displays lesion lines 710i and 710j and an analysis processing type 712, and shows that a lesion image 100j corresponds to the lesion line 710j.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, when two lesion lines 710g and 710h are displayed on the scanogram image 150, the images 100g and 100h taken at the slice positions correspond to the lesion lines 710g and 710h, respectively. It means that it is attached.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, when there is an analysis processing image in which the lesion flag 111 is set, it is displayed with lesion lines 710i and 710j having a display format different from the normal (FIG. 9A), Further, the analysis processing type 712 is displayed in the vicinity of the lesion line 710j. The example shown in FIG. 9B shows that there is a lesion image 100j obtained by imaging the position of the lesion line 710j of the scanogram image 150, and the lesion image 100j is an analysis that has been “3D” processed from the analysis processing type 712. It can be seen that this is a processed image.

  Further, when a plurality of analysis processed images are generated focusing on the same z position as in the MPR process, the display format of the image is selected during the display of the scanogram image 150 as shown in FIG. The menu screen 720 to be displayed may be displayed. For example, in the case of MPR processing, three types of images, a sagittal image, a coronal image, and an axial image, are generated for the same position of interest. In this case, since there are three types of analysis processing images corresponding to the lesion line 710 displayed on the scanogram image 150, the display format of the image can be selected. That is, the system control device 401 displays “3 set images” for displaying all types simultaneously, “2 set images” for displaying two types of combinations, “sagittal images” for displaying each analysis processing image individually, and “coronal”. A selection menu screen 720 such as “image” or “axial image” is displayed on the display device 7.

  FIG. 10B is a display screen example when “3 set images” is selected on the selection menu screen 720 of FIG. 10A, and three types of tomographic images 100m, 100n, and 100o are displayed. An example is shown. FIG. 10C shows an example of a display screen when “2 set images” is selected, and shows an example in which two types of tomographic images 100m and 100n are displayed. FIG. 10D shows an example in which the selected tomographic image 100m is displayed when any one of “sagittal image”, “coronal image”, and “axial image” is selected.

Next, the operation of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the lesion flag setting process of the X-ray CT apparatus 1, FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the lesion image reference process of the X-ray CT apparatus 1, and FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of this lesion line display process.

  First, the lesion flag setting process executed by the X-ray CT apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The system control device 401 of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment reads a program and data related to lesion flag setting from the storage device 404 and executes a lesion flag setting process based on the program and data.

  In the lesion flag setting process, first, the system control device 410 reads a list of subject IDs 112 from the examination management information 600 stored in the storage device 404, displays the list on the display device 7, and inputs a selection instruction for the subject ID 112. Accept. When an instruction to select the subject ID 112 is input from the operation device 8 (step S101), the system control device 410 refers to the image management information 500 and the image ID 115 associated with the selected subject ID 112 is selected. Is displayed (step S102). Alternatively, the plurality of images 100 associated with the subject ID 112 may be reduced and displayed in a list on the same screen.

When the desired image 100 is selected and input via the operation device 8 in step S102, the system control device 410 reads the selected image (tomographic image) 100 from the storage device 404 and causes the display device 8 to display it (step S102). S103).
With the image 100 displayed, the operator performs an analysis process while referring to the displayed image 100 (step S104). At this stage, a doctor or the like diagnoses whether there is a lesion in the image 100.

  In step S104, with the image (tomographic image) 100 displayed on the display screen, the system control device 410 displays a button 701 for setting the lesion flag 111 and a pop-up menu 702 (see FIG. 6). Then, operations on these buttons 701 and pop-up menu 702 are accepted. When the setting operation of the lesion flag 111 is performed by the operation device 8 via the button 701 or the pop-up menu 702 (step S105; Yes), the system control device 401 sets the lesion flag 111 in the image information header portion 110 of the image 100. ON ”(step S106), and this lesion image 100F is stored in the lesion image storage area of the storage device 404 (step S107). If there is no instruction to set the lesion flag 111 (step S105; No), step S106 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S107.

  Thereafter, when an instruction to end the image analysis processing is input from the controller device 8 (step S108; Yes), the system control device 401 ends the image analysis processing and proceeds to step S109. When the image analysis process is continued (step S108; No), the process returns to step S102, and the lesion flag 111 setting process and the analysis process for the other image 100 are performed.

  Next, when a transfer instruction to the DICOM server 10 is input from the operation device 8, the system control device 401 transfers the image 100F in which the lesion flag 111 is set to the DICOM server 10 via the communication interface 406 and the network. (Step S109), the lesion flag setting process is terminated.

  Next, a lesion image reference process and a lesion line display process executed by the X-ray CT apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. The system control device 401 of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment reads a program and data related to a lesion image reference process from the storage device 404, and executes a lesion image reference process based on the program and data.

  In the lesion image reference process, first, the system control device 410 reads a list of the subject IDs 112 from the examination management information 600 stored in the storage device 404, displays the list on the display device 7, and inputs a selection instruction for the subject ID 112. Accept. Also, the examination ID 113 associated with the selected subject ID 112 is read from the examination management information 600 and displayed on the display device 7 as a list, and an instruction to select the examination ID 113 is received. When an instruction to select the subject ID 112 and the examination ID 113 is input from the operation device 8 (step S201), the system control device 401 refers to the image management information 500 and is associated with the selected subject ID 112. The scanned scanogram image 150 is read (step S202) and displayed on the display device 7 (step S203). If the scanogram image 150 is not captured in advance, the simulated scanogram image 150b may be read from the storage device 404 and displayed in steps S202 and S203. When a plurality of examination IDs 113 are selected, the system control device 401 reads out and displays the scanogram images 150 corresponding to the imaging parts of the examination (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

  Next, the system control apparatus 401 refers to the image management information 500 and selects a lesion in the image information header unit 110 from the image 100 associated with the currently selected subject 6 (target subject 6). It is determined whether there is a lesion image 100F for which the flag 111 is set (step S204).

  When there is a lesion image 100F in which the lesion flag 111 is set (step S204; Yes), the system control apparatus 401 displays a lesion line 710 based on the imaging position 117 (lesion position) of the lesion image 100F. Is performed (step S205).

  Here, the lesion line display processing will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, in the lesion line display process, first, the system control apparatus 401 acquires the imaging position information 117 from the image 100F in which the lesion flag 111 is set (step S301). Also, the analysis processing type information 118 is acquired from the image 100F in which the lesion flag 111 is set (step S302). The shooting position information 117 and the analysis processing type information 118 are written as supplementary information in the image information header section 110. The system control apparatus 401 displays the lesion line 710 at a position corresponding to the imaging position information 117 on the displayed scanogram image 150 (or 150b). Also, an analysis processing type 712 is displayed in the vicinity of the lesion line 710 (step S303; lesion lines 710, 710a to 710j in FIGS. 7 to 10, analysis type 712, etc.).

  When the display processing of the lesion line 710 ends, the process returns to step S206 in FIG. Next, the system control apparatus 401 waits for an input of a selection instruction for the lesion line 710 displayed on the scanogram image 150 (or 150b) (step S206). When a selection instruction is input for the lesion line 710 (step S206; Yes), the system control device 401 acquires the lesion image 100F associated with the lesion line 710 from the storage device 404 (step S207). The image is displayed on the display device 7 (step S208), and the lesion image reference process is terminated.

  As described above, in the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the system control apparatus 401 includes a lesion site in the taken tomographic image or the analyzed tomographic image by an instruction operation from the operation device 8. A lesion flag 111 indicating this is added and stored in the image storage area of the storage device 404. When the image 100 is referred to by the image reference application, the scanogram image 150 (or the simulated scanogram image 150b) of the subject to be interpreted 6 is displayed, and the lesion position is indicated on the scanogram image 150 (or 150b). A lesion line 710 is displayed. When the lesion line 710 is selected by operating the operation device 8, the lesion image 100F associated with the lesion line 710 is read from the storage device 8 and displayed.

  As a result, even when there are an enormous number of images, the operator can easily manage images including lesions. Further, when referring to an image such as a tomographic image of the subject to be interpreted, the operator can instantly grasp the presence or absence of an image including a lesion site. Further, the operator can read out a desired lesion image from the storage device 8 and refer to it with a simple operation.

  In the above-described embodiment, since the body axis direction is the z direction and the tomographic image obtained by scanning is mainly the z position cross section, the imaging position information is determined based on the z position information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a cross-sectional tomographic image that is divided from the body axis in the left-right direction (x direction) or the front-back direction (y direction). In that case, x position information and y position information are acquired as imaging position information, and a lesion line is displayed at a corresponding position on the scanogram image according to the position information. Also in this case, the x position or y position on the scanogram image coincides with the x position or y position of the tomographic image, respectively.

  The preferred embodiment of the X-ray CT apparatus according to the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. In addition, it is obvious for those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea disclosed in the present application, and these naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood.

External view showing the entire configuration of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 3 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of an image 100. FIG. The figure which shows the image management information 500 memorize | stored in the memory | storage device 404. The figure which shows the test | inspection management information 600 memorize | stored in the memory | storage device 404. Functional block diagram of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 The figure which shows an example of the setting screen of a lesion flag The figure which shows the example of the lesion line when a plurality of examinations are performed in the same part The figure which shows the example of the lesion line when the examination in the different part is done The figure explaining the image display corresponding to a lesion line The figure which shows the display example of the selection screen of a MPR process image, and a MPR process image Flow chart showing the procedure of lesion flag setting processing Flow chart showing the procedure of lesion image reference processing Flow chart showing the procedure of lesion line display processing

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... X-ray CT apparatus 2 ... Scanner 3 ... Sleeper 4 ... Operation desk 5 ... Top plate 6 ... Test subject 7 ... Display device 8 ... Operation device 201 ... X-ray tube (X-ray source)
205 ... X-ray detector 401 ... System control device 402 ... Image arithmetic unit 404 ... Storage device 41 ... Image capture processing unit 42 ... Image processing unit 43 ... Image reference processing unit 100... Image (tomographic image or analysis processed image)
110: Image information header part 111 ... Lesion flag 150 ... Scanogram image 710 ... Lesion line (object)

Claims (5)

An imaging means for capturing a scanogram image and a tomographic image of the subject;
Image processing means for creating an analysis processed image by performing image analysis processing on the tomographic image captured by the imaging means;
Storage means for storing the scanogram image, the tomographic image, and the analysis processing image;
Whether incidental information of the tomographic image and the analysis processing image includes image identification information, examination identification information, subject identification information, imaging position information indicating a slice position, information indicating an analysis processing type, and a lesion location And information indicating the image identification information, the examination identification information, the imaging position information, the lesion information, and the analysis processing type added to all the images stored in the storage unit Image storage means for registering as management information in association with the subject identification information,
By referring to the incidental information and the management information, a tomographic image including the lesion information based on the imaging position information or an object indicating a slice position of the analysis processing image is displayed on the scanogram image and the analysis is performed. A lesion location display means for displaying a processing type together with the object;
A lesion image display means for reading out and displaying a tomographic image having the slice position corresponding to the object as the imaging position information or the analysis processing image when the object is instructed to be selected;
A menu screen display means for displaying a menu screen for selecting a display format of the analysis processing image within a screen on which the object is displayed when a plurality of analysis processing images are generated for the same slice position;
The lesion image display means displays the analysis processing image in a display format selected from the menu screen . An imaging means for capturing a scanogram image and a tomographic image of the subject;
Image processing means for creating an analysis processed image by performing image analysis processing on the tomographic image captured by the imaging means;
Storage means for storing the scanogram image, the tomographic image, and the analysis processing image;
Whether incidental information of the tomographic image and the analysis processing image includes image identification information, examination identification information, subject identification information, imaging position information indicating a slice position, information indicating an analysis processing type, and a lesion location And information indicating the image identification information, the examination identification information, the imaging position information, the lesion information, and the analysis processing type added to all the images stored in the storage unit Image storage means for registering as management information in association with the subject identification information,
By referring to the incidental information and the management information, a tomographic image including the lesion information based on the imaging position information or an object indicating a slice position of the analysis processing image is displayed on the scanogram image and the analysis is performed. A lesion location display means for displaying a processing type together with the object;
A lesion image display means for reading out and displaying a tomographic image having the slice position corresponding to the object as the imaging position information or the analysis processing image when the object is instructed to be selected ;
When a plurality of examinations are selected for the subject to be interpreted, and these examinations are the same imaging site, the lesion location display means displays lesions in different display formats for each examination with respect to the same scanogram image. An image diagnostic apparatus characterized by displaying an object indicating a location . An imaging means for capturing a scanogram image and a tomographic image of the subject;
Image processing means for creating an analysis processed image by performing image analysis processing on the tomographic image captured by the imaging means;
Storage means for storing the scanogram image, the tomographic image, and the analysis processing image;
Whether incidental information of the tomographic image and the analysis processing image includes image identification information, examination identification information, subject identification information, imaging position information indicating a slice position, information indicating an analysis processing type, and a lesion location And information indicating the image identification information, the examination identification information, the imaging position information, the lesion information, and the analysis processing type added to all the images stored in the storage unit Image storage means for registering as management information in association with the subject identification information,
By referring to the incidental information and the management information, a tomographic image including the lesion information based on the imaging position information or an object indicating a slice position of the analysis processing image is displayed on the scanogram image and the analysis is performed. A lesion location display means for displaying a processing type together with the object;
A lesion image display means for reading out and displaying a tomographic image having the slice position corresponding to the object as the imaging position information or the analysis processing image when the object is instructed to be selected ;
When a plurality of examinations are selected for the subject to be interpreted, and the examination sites are different, the lesion location display means displays a scanogram image for each examination site, and for each scanogram image And displaying an object indicating a lesion site. The storage means includes a lesion image storage area for storing a tomographic image having the lesion information or an analysis processing image,
The lesion portion display unit and the lesion image display means, claims 1 to 3, characterized by extracting a tomographic image or analysis image includes the lesion information by accessing the lesion image storage area The diagnostic imaging apparatus according to any one of the above. The lesion location display means includes
Determining whether there is an image having the lesion information among the tomographic image or the analysis processing image associated with the displayed scanogram image at the stage of displaying the scanogram image by the image display means With means,
When it is determined by the determination means that there is one having the lesion information, the object is located at a corresponding slice position of the scanogram image based on the tomographic image having the lesion information or the imaging position information of the analysis processing image. The diagnostic imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the image diagnostic device is displayed.

Images