JP6021468B2 - Medical image display device - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a medical image display apparatus that displays a medical image.

  A plurality of medical images generated by modalities such as an X-ray computed tomography apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an X-ray CT apparatus) and a nuclear magnetic imaging apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an MRI apparatus). Are stored in a server device or the like via a local area network (hereinafter referred to as LAN) together with supplementary information such as information specifying a patient, imaging conditions, and interpretation results by a doctor. An interpreting doctor such as a doctor can access a server device via a LAN using a portable terminal such as an electronic medical record and read a medical image related to a patient to be examined. Then, the read medical image is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal and used for the patient's examination. In recent years, with the evolution of modalities, the number of medical images and the types of medical images used for patient examinations are increasing. Therefore, an interpreting doctor needs to interpret and examine a plurality of medical images efficiently within a limited examination time. Therefore, companies that develop modalities provide various methods for efficiently browsing a plurality of medical images. One of them is a method of displaying a list of thumbnails obtained by reducing a plurality of medical images on a display screen. With this method, the interpreting doctor can observe the first lesion on the displayed thumbnails, and thus the interpretation efficiency can be improved. However, with thumbnails obtained by simply reducing all the medical images, the lesions themselves included in the medical images are also reduced. For this reason, it is difficult for a radiographer to confirm a lesion and observe the contrast of the lesion on the display thumbnail, which may reduce the interpretation efficiency.

JP 2007-29248 A JP 2003-284690 A

  An object is to provide a medical image display apparatus that realizes improvement in interpretation efficiency.

[1] According to the embodiment, a storage unit that stores data of a plurality of medical images related to a subject, an image generation unit that generates a plurality of reduced images respectively corresponding from the plurality of medical images, and the subject A correspondence table storage unit that stores a correspondence table in which a plurality of reduced image generation conditions are associated with a plurality of imaging regions, and a condition determination unit that determines the generation conditions of each of the plurality of reduced images according to the correspondence table; And a display unit that displays the plurality of reduced images as a list.

[2] According to the embodiment, a storage unit that stores data of a plurality of medical images related to a subject, an image generation unit that generates a plurality of reduced images respectively corresponding to the plurality of medical images, and the plurality of reductions A display unit that displays images as a list, and the generation condition of at least one reduced image of the plurality of reduced images applies any of the generation conditions of other reduced images. Providing equipment.

[3] According to the embodiment, a storage unit that stores data of a plurality of medical images related to a subject, an image generation unit that generates a plurality of reduced images respectively corresponding to the plurality of medical images, and the plurality of reductions A display unit that displays images as a list, and each of the plurality of reduced images corresponds to a partial range centered on a lesion position designated on one specific medical image in the plurality of medical images. A medical image display device characterized by the above is provided.

[4] According to the embodiment, a storage unit that stores data of a plurality of medical images related to a subject, an image generation unit that generates a plurality of reduced images respectively corresponding to the plurality of medical images, and the plurality of reductions A display unit that displays images as a list, and each of the plurality of reduced images corresponds to a partial range surrounding a plurality of lesion positions designated on a plurality of medical images in the plurality of medical images. A medical image display device is provided.

[5] According to the embodiment, a storage unit that stores data of a plurality of medical images related to a subject, an image generation unit that generates a plurality of reduced images respectively corresponding to the plurality of medical images, and the plurality of reductions A display unit that displays images as a list, and each of the plurality of reduced images corresponds to a partial range including a lesion range designated on one specific medical image in the plurality of medical images. A medical image display device is provided.

[6] According to the embodiment, a storage unit that stores data of a plurality of medical images related to a subject, an image generation unit that generates a plurality of reduced images respectively corresponding to the plurality of medical images, and the plurality of reductions A display unit that displays images as a list, and each of the plurality of reduced images corresponds to a partial range including a plurality of lesion ranges designated on a plurality of medical images in the plurality of medical images. A medical image display device is provided.
[7] According to the embodiment, the medical image display device according to the above [3] or [5], wherein the specific medical image has a higher degree of lesion progression than other medical images. provide.
[8] According to the embodiment, the medical image display device according to the above [3] or [5] is provided, wherein the specific medical image has a new photographing time with respect to other medical images. To do.

[9] According to the embodiment, a storage unit that stores data of a plurality of medical images related to a subject, a classification unit that classifies the plurality of medical images into a plurality of medical image groups according to imaging regions, and the plurality of the plurality of medical images An image generation unit that generates a plurality of corresponding reduced images from a medical image, a condition determination unit that individually determines reduced image generation conditions for the plurality of medical image groups, and a display of the plurality of reduced images as a list And a medical image display device comprising: a display unit configured to display the medical image.

[10] According to the embodiment, the image processing apparatus includes a reduced image storage unit that stores a plurality of reduced images respectively corresponding to data of a plurality of medical images, and a display unit that displays a list of the plurality of reduced images. A plurality of reduced images that are displayed include a first image size and a second image size, and a medical image display device is provided.
[11] According to the embodiment, a standard reduced image generating unit that generates a plurality of standard reduced images obtained by reducing the whole of the plurality of medical images to a preset size from the plurality of medical images, and the plurality of the plurality of medical images. [1] to [6], further comprising a switching unit for switching display of the standard reduced image and the plurality of reduced images to the display unit. The medical image display apparatus described in 1. is provided.

It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration | structure of the medical image display apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the medical image display apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the image type classification table memorize | stored in the correspondence table memory | storage part 14 of the medical image display apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the thumbnail generation condition table memorize | stored in the corresponding | compatible table memory | storage part 14 of the medical image display apparatus 3 which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart regarding the operation procedure on the display screen of the medical image display apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display layout of the display screen of the medical image display apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode of the thumbnail displayed with the medical image display apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the procedure in which the medical image display apparatus which concerns on this embodiment determines the enlargement ratio reference | standard thumbnail conditions of each image group. It is a figure for demonstrating the enlargement rate reference | standard thumbnail condition determination method in case there exists an image which accompanies the information of a lesion area in the selected image group. It is a figure for demonstrating the enlargement ratio reference | standard thumbnail condition determination method in case there exists the image which accompanies the information of a lesion position in the selected image group. It is a figure for demonstrating the enlargement ratio reference | standard thumbnail condition determination method in the case where there is no image which accompanies the information which specifies a lesion range or a lesion position in the selected image group. It is a figure which shows an example of the procedure in which the thumbnail generation condition determination part of the medical image display apparatus which concerns on this embodiment calculates an integrated lesion area | region from several lesion areas.

  The medical image display apparatus according to this embodiment will be described below 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.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a medical image display apparatus according to the present embodiment. The medical image display device 3 is a portable terminal or a general-purpose personal computer having a display device for displaying a medical image. The medical image display device 3 is connected to the medical image photographing device 1 and the medical image storage device 2 through an electronic communication line, typically a LAN.

  The medical image photographing apparatus 1 is, for example, an X-ray CT apparatus or an MRI apparatus. The medical image photographing apparatus 1 has a communication function and can perform data communication via a LAN. The medical image photographing apparatus 1 photographs a subject based on a preset photographing range and photographing method. The medical image photographing apparatus 1 outputs medical image data in which incidental information is added to the generated medical image to the medical image storage apparatus 2. The incidental information includes examination date / time information, patient information, examination information, series information, image information that is a unique number of medical images, image attribute information, and the like according to DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) standards.

  The patient information is information for specifying the imaged subject. The inspection information is information for specifying the inspection content. The series information is information used for classifying a plurality of generated medical images. The series information is, for example, information such as the part of the imaged subject, the image generation time, the slice thickness, the image generation method, the image capturing condition and the imaging position, or the presence or absence of a contrast agent. The image attribute information is information for specifying the type of medical image. The image attribute information is, for example, a modality name, a modality manufacturer, an apparatus serial number, and information for specifying a part of a subject to be examined.

  The medical image storage device 2 includes a hard disk drive (Hard Disk Drive: hereinafter referred to as HDD) for storing a plurality of medical images, a NAS (Network Attached Storage), and the like. The medical image storage device 2 receives medical image data generated by the medical image photographing device 1 via the LAN. The medical image storage apparatus 2 classifies the received medical image data based on the incidental information according to the DICOM standard, and manages the data in a hierarchical manner.

  For example, the medical image storage device 2 and the medical image display device 3 communicate with each other using a protocol based on the DICOM standard. Specifically, the medical image display device 3 transmits a medical image list acquisition request to the medical image storage device 2 via the LAN in accordance with an instruction from the operator. Upon receiving the list acquisition request, the medical image storage apparatus 2 creates list data in response to the acquisition request, and transmits the created list data to the medical image display apparatus 3 via the LAN. Further, the medical image display device 3 transmits a medical image acquisition request to the medical image storage device 2 via the LAN in accordance with an instruction from the operator. Upon receiving the medical image acquisition request, the medical image storage device 2 reads the medical image data corresponding to the acquisition request. The read medical image data is transmitted to the medical image display device 3 via the LAN. Although it is described that the medical image handled in this embodiment conforms to the DICOM standard, it may conform to another standard.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the medical image display apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the medical image display device 3 includes an operation unit 11, a system control unit 12, a reception unit 13, a correspondence table storage unit 14, an image storage unit 15, an image type determination unit 16, and a thumbnail. The generation condition determination unit 17, the image generation unit 18, the display control unit 19, and the display unit 20 are included.

  The operation unit 11 includes input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard, for example. Note that the input device may include a trackball, a touch panel, a switch, and the like. The operation unit 11 is used when an operator inputs instruction information to the medical image display device 3 and functions as an interface. The system control unit 12 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory circuit, and the like, and comprehensively controls the medical image display device 3. Specifically, the system control unit 12 receives information input from the operation unit 11 and temporarily stores the input information in the memory circuit. Based on this input information, the system control unit 12 transmits a control signal to the reception unit 13, the correspondence table storage unit 14, the image storage unit 15, the thumbnail generation condition determination unit 17, the image generation unit 18, and the display control unit 19. .

  The receiving unit 13 is an external interface for receiving medical image data from the medical image storage device 2 or the medical image photographing device 1 to the medical image display device 3 in accordance with a control signal from the system control unit 12. The method for accessing the other device via the LAN from the medical image display device 3 may be wired or wireless. For example, the receiving unit 13 includes a connector unit for connecting apparatuses with a LAN cable. The receiving unit 13 may include an antenna unit for wirelessly connecting devices and a wireless signal processing unit for transmitting and receiving data.

  The image storage unit 15 and the correspondence table storage unit 14 are a semiconductor storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) configured by a semiconductor integrated circuit, a flash SSD (Solid State Disk) that is a semiconductor storage element, an HDD, and the like. The image storage unit 15 and the correspondence table storage unit 14 may be a common storage device.

  The correspondence table storage unit 14 stores an image type classification table, a thumbnail generation condition table, and a standard thumbnail size. The standard thumbnail size can be changed according to input information from the operator via the operation unit 11. In addition, the correspondence table storage unit 14 may store in advance a standard reduction ratio for the medical image size instead of the standard thumbnail size. Note that the thumbnails described in the present embodiment indicate each of the images that are reduced in order to display a list of a plurality of medical images.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an image type classification table stored in the correspondence table storage unit 14 of the medical image display apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image type classification table is a table for specifying the image type of the medical image according to the supplementary information of the medical image. In the image type classification table of the present embodiment, the incidental information is hierarchized into first to fourth hierarchies. The first hierarchy 31 stores imaging part information. The imaging part information is, for example, information on the chest and abdomen. Under the first hierarchy 31, modality information obtained by taking a medical image is stored as a second hierarchy 32. The modality information is information such as an X-ray CT apparatus and an MRI apparatus. Under the second hierarchy 32, imaging condition information of medical images is stored as a third hierarchy 33. The imaging condition information may be information specifying the imaging direction such as front imaging or side imaging, or information specifying the presence or absence of a contrast agent, for example. Under the third hierarchy 33, medical image examination information is stored as a fourth hierarchy 34. The examination information is, for example, information related to past diagnosis results of the target medical image. Diagnosis results include, for example, stomach cancer, lung cancer, brain tumor, cerebral infarction, and the like. Under the fourth hierarchy 34, image types for classifying medical images are stored in association with each other. In the present embodiment, the image type classification table is hierarchized into four layers for each item of the incidental information, but the hierarchy may not be four layers. In addition, items indicating each hierarchy are not limited to the items described in the present embodiment. Furthermore, the image type classification table may not be hierarchized.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the thumbnail generation condition table stored in the correspondence table storage unit 14 of the medical image display apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the thumbnail generation condition table stores image processing conditions in association with individual image types. The image processing conditions are, for example, a partial magnification rate, an overall magnification rate, and a lesion margin. The partial enlargement ratio and the overall enlargement ratio are enlargements based on the standard thumbnail. The partial enlargement ratio is used when the range to be enlarged is a partial range of the standard thumbnail. The partial range includes a lesion range. However, when only the lesion area is enlarged, the positional relationship with the surrounding tissue becomes difficult to understand. Therefore, the partial area needs to include the surrounding area in addition to the lesion area. The index for determining the peripheral range is the lesion margin. The overall enlargement ratio is used when the enlargement target is the entire standard thumbnail. These image processing conditions are input in advance by the operator via the operation unit 11. The partial enlargement rate, the overall enlargement rate, and the lesion margin may be linked to the degree of progression of the lesion. The determination of the degree of progression of the lesion is made from a code or the like for specifying the degree of progression of the lesion included in the accompanying information. Alternatively, it may be read from the medical image storage device 2 in which a report corresponding to the medical image is stored. For example, when the lesion information attached to the medical image is lung cancer or the lesion has progressed, the partial enlargement ratio or the entire enlargement ratio is lowered. When the enlargement ratio is lowered, the periphery of the lesion can be viewed widely, so that it is easy to determine whether cancer has spread to surrounding tissues. Note that the image processing conditions can be changed according to an instruction from the operator via the operation unit 11.

  The image type determination unit 16 individually specifies the image types of a plurality of medical images according to the control signal from the system control unit 12. For this purpose, the image type determination unit 16 refers to the incidental information of each of the plurality of medical images and the image type classification table stored in the correspondence table storage unit 14. Then, the image type determination unit 16 individually specifies the image types of the plurality of medical images according to the items of the first to fourth layers of the incidental information and the image type classification table. Image type information associated with the fourth hierarchy 34 is assigned to each of the classified medical images. For example, a medical image that includes (11) in the first hierarchy 31, (21) in the second hierarchy 32, (31) in the third hierarchy 33, and (401) in the fourth hierarchy 34 as supplementary information is It is classified into an image type (AA). A code (AA) for specifying the classified image type is added to the incidental information of the medical image.

  The image storage unit 15 stores a plurality of medical images captured by the medical image display device 3 via the receiving unit 13 according to a control signal from the system control unit 12, and information on the image type attached by the image type determination unit 16. Manage based on. The image storage unit 15 stores a standard thumbnail, a thumbnail generated based on the enlargement ratio (enlargement ratio reference thumbnail), and a thumbnail generated based on the thumbnail size (size reference thumbnail). Each thumbnail is managed based on the image type information of the medical image that has been generated. Thereby, for example, the standard thumbnail, the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail, and the size reference thumbnail generated from the medical image A are stored in association with the generation-source medical image A and its accompanying information. Note that the image storage unit 15 may store each thumbnail temporarily, for example, until a specific operation of the operator through the operation unit 11 is performed, or each thumbnail is displayed on the display unit 20. These thumbnails may be deleted when they are no longer available.

  The thumbnail generation condition determination unit 17 generates conditions for generating an enlargement ratio reference thumbnail from a standard thumbnail (enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition) and a size reference thumbnail from the standard thumbnail according to a control signal from the system control unit 12. Conditions (size reference thumbnail conditions) are individually determined for a plurality of image groups classified by image type. The procedure for determining each condition will be described later. Each condition determined individually for a plurality of image groups is added to the incidental information of a plurality of medical images respectively constituting a plurality of image groups.

  The image generator 18 generates a standard thumbnail corresponding to each of the plurality of medical images in accordance with a control signal from the system controller 12. Further, an enlargement ratio reference thumbnail and a size reference thumbnail corresponding to each of the plurality of standard thumbnails are generated. The generation method and timing of each thumbnail will be described later.

  The display control unit 19 displays each thumbnail, medical image, and supplementary information stored in the image storage unit 15 on the display unit 20 according to a control signal from the system control unit 12 under a preset display rule. The display layout on the display unit 20 will be described later.

  Next, the layout of the display screen of the medical image display apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment and the operation of the medical image display apparatus 3 according to operations on the display screen will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart regarding the operation procedure of the medical image display apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display layout in the enlargement ratio reference mode of the medical image display apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  First, a patient list is displayed on the display screen 51 (step S11). The patient list is created by the medical image storage device 2 and is taken into the medical image display device 3 via the LAN. The operator selects a patient with reference to the displayed list. Then, the medical image display device 3 transmits an acquisition request for patient information of the patient selected by the operator via the operation unit 11 to the medical image storage device 2 via the LAN. The medical image storage device 2 identifies a patient based on the selected patient ID and patient name, and the patient information is transmitted from the stored medical image database to the medical image display device 3 via the LAN. The The patient information is, for example, a patient name, sex, ID, age, and the like. Then, the patient information is displayed in the patient information display area 52 of the display screen 51.

  Then, medical information is displayed on the display screen 51 (step S13). The medical information is a hierarchical item that the medical image storage apparatus 2 manages in a hierarchical manner, such as patient imaging part information, modality information, imaging condition information, and lesion information. The operator selects medical information necessary for the examination on the display screen 51. For example, when the operator selects the lung cancer of the lesion information on the display screen 51, the medical image display device 3 transmits a medical image acquisition request related to the lung cancer to the medical image storage device 2 via the LAN. The medical image storage device 2 specifies a medical image including information on lung cancer in the incidental information from the medical image database based on a code for specifying lung cancer. Then, the data of the plurality of specified medical images is transmitted from the medical image storage device 2 to the medical image display device 3 via the LAN (step S15).

A plurality of medical images taken into the medical image display device 3 via the LAN are individually identified based on the correspondence table (classification into a plurality of medical image groups ) (step S17). Then, an enlarged thumbnail generation condition for each image group is determined based on the incidental information of the image. (Step S18). Details of the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail generation condition in step S18 will be described later. The determined enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition is added to the accompanying information of each of a plurality of medical images constituting the image group . Next, a plurality of standard thumbnails respectively corresponding to the plurality of medical images are generated (step S19). Details of the generation of the standard thumbnail will be described later. A plurality of standard thumbnails are stored in the image storage unit 15 in association with a plurality of image types, together with a medical image as a generation source. Then, according to the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition for each image group determined in step S18, the image generation section 18 generates a plurality of enlargement ratio reference thumbnails corresponding respectively from the plurality of standard thumbnails constituting each image group. (Step S20). A plurality of generated enlargement ratio reference thumbnails are stored in the image storage unit 15 in association with a plurality of image types, together with a standard thumbnail of the generation source. Then, a thumbnail in the enlargement ratio reference mode (enlargement ratio reference thumbnail) is displayed in the thumbnail display area 54 (step S21). Date / time information such as the shooting date / time or past interpretation date / time attached to the medical image of the thumbnail generation source displayed in the thumbnail display area 54 is displayed in the date / time display area 53.

  The medical image display device 3 according to the present embodiment can switch the display mode of the thumbnail display area 54 in accordance with an instruction from the operator. For example, when the standard button 57 on the display screen 51 is clicked by the operator via the operation unit 11 (step S23), the thumbnail display mode in the thumbnail display area 54 is switched to the standard mode (step S24).

  When the size reference button 59 on the display screen 51 is clicked by the operator via the operation unit 11 (step S26), the image generation unit 18 uses the enlargement rate reference for each image type determined in step S18. In accordance with the thumbnail condition and the standard thumbnail size, a plurality of corresponding size reference thumbnails are generated from the plurality of standard thumbnails (step S27). Details of the generation of the size reference thumbnail will be described later. The generated plurality of size reference thumbnails are stored in the image storage unit 15 in association with the image type together with the generation standard thumbnail. Then, thumbnails in the size reference mode (size reference thumbnails) are displayed in the thumbnail display area 54 (step S29). Although not described in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the display mode can be switched any number of times by pressing each button on the display screen 51. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, a standard button 57 for switching to the standard mode is also displayed on the display screen 51. When the display mode is the enlargement ratio reference mode, the standard button 57 and the size reference button 59 are active, and when the display mode is the standard mode, the enlargement ratio reference button 58 and the size reference button 59 are active. The description of the characteristics of each display mode will be described later.

  The operator selects a display mode from each mode via the operation unit 11 in consideration of the type of medical image, the size of the display screen, and the like. Then, the operator moves the pointer 60 on the display screen 51 via the operation unit 11 and selects the thumbnail to be enlarged and displayed (step S30). If the display thumbnail does not fit in the display screen 51, for example, if the number of display thumbnails is large or the thumbnail size is large, the operator may move the thumbnail display area 54 via the scroll 56. it can.

  Then, the medical image corresponding to the thumbnail selected by the pointer 60 is displayed in the interpretation area 55 together with the accompanying information (step S31). The operator interprets the medical image and incidental information displayed in the interpretation area 53. Then, steps S30 to S31 are repeatedly performed until the interpretation is finished (step S32). Even during the repeated reading of thumbnails, the display mode can be changed via each button. Further, the size of the entire display thumbnail may be changed together with the thumbnail display area 54 by a specific operation using the input device of the operation unit 11, for example, a double tap. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, the generation of the size reference thumbnail by the image generation unit 18 is performed when the operator performs a click operation via the operation unit 11 of the size reference button 59, but the enlargement rate reference thumbnail in step S20 is generated. It may occur at the timing.

  Next, features of each display mode will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a thumbnail display mode displayed on the medical image display apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, three types of display modes are handled. The incidental information of the plurality of medical images constituting the image group 1 classified as the image type 1 does not include lesion information. A lesion area is included in the incidental information of a plurality of medical images constituting the image group 2 classified as the image type 2. The lesion position is included in the incidental information of a plurality of medical images constituting the image group 3 classified as the image type 3.

  The standard mode is a mode in which a plurality of standard thumbnails are displayed. As shown in FIG. 7, the standard thumbnail reduces the entire medical image to a preset size, so that the lesion is also reduced.

  The enlargement ratio reference mode is a mode in which a plurality of enlargement ratio reference thumbnails are displayed. As shown in FIG. 7, the enlargement rate reference thumbnails of image group 2 and image group 3 that include lesion information in the accompanying information are thumbnails obtained by enlarging the lesions included in the standard thumbnail and the area necessary for interpretation of the lesion peripheral area. is there. Further, the enlargement rate reference thumbnail of the image group 1 whose lesion information is not included in the accompanying information is a thumbnail obtained by enlarging the standard thumbnail to a size larger than the standard thumbnail size. Therefore, in the enlargement rate reference mode, it is easier for a radiogram interpretation doctor to check lesions on the displayed enlargement rate reference thumbnails than in the standard mode. Also, the image processing for each image group is different, and the thumbnail sizes of related images are the same, so comparative interpretation of lesion changes on the thumbnails displayed in a list is easier than in the standard mode.

  The size reference mode is a mode in which a plurality of size reference thumbnails are displayed. The size reference thumbnail is a thumbnail in which the thumbnail size of the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail is made uniform. As shown in FIG. 7, different thumbnail sizes in the individual image groups shown in the enlargement ratio reference mode are equalized to the standard thumbnail size in the size reference mode. On the other hand, the size reference thumbnails of the image group 2 and the image group 3 including lesion information are thumbnails obtained by enlarging only the area necessary for interpretation from the standard thumbnail so as to have the standard thumbnail size. Therefore, in the size reference mode, it is easier to check the lesion than the standard mode while maintaining the display list of the standard mode.

  Next, a method for generating various thumbnails displayed on the medical image display apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. First, a method for generating a standard thumbnail will be described. The image generation unit 18 generates a plurality of standard thumbnails corresponding respectively from a plurality of medical images that respectively configure a plurality of image groups stored in the image storage unit 15. The standard thumbnail is a thumbnail obtained by reducing the entire medical image. The image generation unit 18 reads the standard thumbnail size or the reduction rate from the correspondence table storage unit 14. Then, based on the read standard thumbnail size or reduction ratio, a standard thumbnail obtained by reducing the entire image from the medical image is generated. The standard thumbnail size or the image reduction rate may be the standard thumbnail size or the reduction rate input by the operator via the operation unit 11 when generating the standard thumbnail.

  Next, a method for generating an enlargement ratio reference thumbnail will be described. The image generation unit 18 generates a corresponding enlargement ratio reference thumbnail from the plurality of standard thumbnails stored in the image storage unit 15. The enlargement ratio reference thumbnail is generated from the standard thumbnail based on the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition. The enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition is determined for each of a plurality of image groups. That is, the same enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition is applied to a plurality of medical images constituting the image group. The enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition is a condition that defines the enlargement ratio from the standard thumbnail and the display range on the standard thumbnail.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of a procedure in which the medical image display apparatus according to the present embodiment determines the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition for each image group. First, one image group is selected (step S41). Then, a plurality of medical images constituting the selected image group are read from the image storage unit 15. Next, the thumbnail generation condition determination unit 17 identifies whether there is at least one image attached with the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition among the plurality of read medical images (step S42). If there is an image accompanying the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition, the latest enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition is determined as the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition of the selected image group (step S43). When there is no image attached with the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition, the thumbnail generation condition determination unit 17 includes at least one image attached with lesion range information among the plurality of read-out medical images. Is identified (step S46).

  When there is an image accompanied by information on the lesion area, the thumbnail generation condition determination unit 17 determines the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition based on the lesion area of the latest incidental information. First, the partial enlargement ratio and the lesion margin are determined as the partial enlargement ratio and the lesion margin corresponding to the image type of the image group selected in the thumbnail generation condition table (step S47). Next, the display range is determined based on the determined lesion margin and the lesion range of the accompanying information (step S49). A detailed description of the procedure for determining the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition in step S47 and step S49 will be described later.

  If there is no image attached with lesion area information, the thumbnail generation condition determination unit 17 determines whether there is at least one image attached with lesion position information among the plurality of read medical images. Is identified (step S50). In the case where there is an image accompanying the information on the lesion position, the thumbnail generation condition determination unit 17 determines the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition based on the information on the lesion position of the latest incidental information. First, the partial enlargement ratio is determined to be a partial enlargement ratio corresponding to the image type of the image group selected in the thumbnail generation condition table (step S51). Next, a display range centering on the lesion position is determined based on the preset standard thumbnail size and the determined partial enlargement ratio (step S53). The enlargement ratio reference thumbnail size is a preset standard thumbnail size. A detailed description of the procedure for determining the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition in step S51 and step S53 will be described later.

  When there is no image accompanying the information on the lesion position, the thumbnail generation condition determination unit 17 determines that there is no information for specifying the lesion range and the lesion position in the plurality of read medical images, The display range is determined for the entire standard thumbnail (step S55). Then, the overall enlargement ratio is determined to be the overall enlargement ratio corresponding to the image type of the image group selected in the thumbnail generation condition table (step S57). A detailed description of the procedure for determining the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition in step S55 and step S57 will be described later.

  As described above, the thumbnail generation condition determination unit 17 determines the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition of the selected image group (step S59). The determined enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition is added to the supplementary information of a plurality of medical images constituting the image group. Then, the thumbnail generation condition determination unit 17 searches for an image group for which the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition has not been determined (step S60). The above procedure is repeated until there are no more image groups for which the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition has not been determined.

  Next, the procedure for determining the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition in step S47 and step S49 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition determination method in a case where there is an image with information on a lesion area in the selected image group. First, the partial enlargement ratio and the lesion margin are determined from the image type information of the target standard thumbnail and the thumbnail generation condition table. Next, the display range on the standard thumbnail is determined from the lesion range and the lesion margin of the incidental information. Then, the determined display range is enlarged at the partial enlargement ratio determined from the thumbnail generation condition table, and an enlargement ratio reference thumbnail is generated from the standard thumbnail. Thus, the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition (the partial enlargement ratio from the standard thumbnail and the display range on the standard thumbnail) is determined.

  Next, the procedure for determining the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition in step S47 and step S49 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition determination method in a case where there is an image accompanying lesion position information in the selected image group. As shown in FIG. 10, the lesion position is specified by annotation, for example. First, the partial enlargement ratio and the lesion margin are determined from the image type information of the target standard thumbnail and the thumbnail generation condition table. Next, the standard thumbnail is enlarged by the determined partial enlargement ratio. In the enlarged standard thumbnail, a display range in which the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail size becomes the standard thumbnail size is determined around the lesion position, and the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail is generated from the standard thumbnail. Therefore, the thumbnail size of the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail generated based on the lesion position information is the standard thumbnail size. Thus, the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition (the partial enlargement ratio from the standard thumbnail and the display range on the standard thumbnail) is determined.

  Next, the procedure for determining the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition in step S55 and step S57 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition determination method in the case where there is no image attached with information specifying the lesion range or lesion position in the selected image group. First, since there is no information for specifying the lesion range and the lesion position, the entire standard thumbnail is determined as the display range. Then, the entire standard thumbnail is enlarged by the overall enlargement ratio determined from the image type information of the target standard thumbnail and the thumbnail generation condition table, and the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail is generated from the standard thumbnail. Thus, the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition (the overall enlargement ratio from the standard thumbnail and the display range on the standard thumbnail) is determined.

  In step S43, step S49, and step S53, it is described that the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition is determined based on the supplementary information of the latest medical image. However, in each processing step, when there is information on a plurality of lesion ranges or information on a plurality of lesion positions in the selected image group, the operator generates an enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition via the operation unit 11. The incidental information may be selected. In addition, for example, when there are a plurality of medical images with information on a lesion area in the selected image group, the thumbnail generation condition determination unit 17 calculates an integrated area obtained by integrating the plurality of lesion areas. The integrated range is defined as the lesion range.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a procedure by which the thumbnail generation condition determination unit of the medical image display apparatus according to the present embodiment calculates an integrated lesion range from a plurality of lesion ranges. The thumbnail generation condition determination unit 17 refers to the lesion ranges 62 and 64 included in the supplementary information of the first standard thumbnail 61 and the second standard thumbnail 63. The thumbnail generation condition determination unit 17 calculates the maximum x range and the maximum y range of the lesion including both the lesion range 62 and the lesion range 64. A rectangular region surrounded by the calculated maximum x range and maximum y range of the lesion is an integrated lesion range. Then, this integrated lesion area may be used as the lesion area used in step S49.

  Here, the method for determining the lesion area when there are a plurality of medical images accompanying the lesion area information in the selected image group has been described. However, the same applies to the case where there are a plurality of medical images with information on the lesion position in the selected image group. In this case, the thumbnail generation condition determination unit 17 sets the lesion position necessary for generating the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition as an integrated lesion position that is the center of gravity of each lesion position. Then, this integrated lesion position may be used as a lesion position used in step S53.

  The image generation unit 18 generates a plurality of enlargement rate reference thumbnails from a plurality of standard thumbnails constituting each image group based on the enlargement rate reference thumbnail conditions determined for each image group.

  Next, a method for generating a size reference thumbnail will be described. The size reference thumbnail is a thumbnail in which different thumbnail sizes for each image type of the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail generated from the standard thumbnail are made uniform to the standard thumbnail size. Therefore, the size standard thumbnail may be converted from the thumbnail size of the enlargement ratio standard thumbnail generated from the standard thumbnail to the standard thumbnail size. The thumbnail generation condition determination unit 17 determines the size standard thumbnail for each image group from the enlargement rate reference thumbnail condition determined for each of the plurality of image groups and the standard thumbnail size stored in advance in the correspondence table storage unit 14. Determine the conditions. Then, the image generation unit 18 generates a size reference thumbnail from a plurality of standard thumbnails constituting each image group based on the size reference thumbnail condition determined for each of the plurality of image groups.

  The enlargement ratio reference thumbnail size in the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail condition determined based on the lesion position information is a standard thumbnail size. Therefore, when the enlargement ratio reference thumbnail conditions of all selected image groups are determined based on the lesion position information, the enlargement ratio reference mode and the size reference mode are the same display mode.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a medical image display apparatus that realizes improvement in interpretation efficiency. The embodiments describing the present invention have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope of the invention and in the equivalent scope thereof, as well as in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Medical imaging device, 2 ... Medical image storage apparatus, 3 ... Medical image display apparatus, 11 ... Operation part, 12 ... System control part, 13 ... Reception part, 14 ... Correspondence table memory | storage part, 15 ... Image memory part, 16 ... Image type determination unit, 17 ... Thumbnail generation condition determination unit, 18 ... Image generation unit, 19 ... Display control unit, 20 ... Display unit

Claims (4)

A storage unit for storing data of a plurality of medical images related to the subject;
An image generator for generating a plurality of reduced images respectively corresponding from the plurality of medical images;
A correspondence table storage unit that stores a correspondence table in which a plurality of reduced image generation conditions are associated with a plurality of imaging regions related to the subject;
A condition determining unit for determining a generation condition for each of the plurality of reduced images according to the correspondence table;
A display unit for displaying the plurality of reduced images as a list;
A medical image display device comprising: A storage unit for storing data of a plurality of medical images related to the subject;
An image generator for generating a plurality of reduced images respectively corresponding from the plurality of medical images;
A display unit for displaying the plurality of reduced images as a list;
The medical image display apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein any one of the other reduced image generation conditions is applied as the generation condition of at least one reduced image of the plurality of reduced images. A storage unit for storing data of a plurality of medical images related to the subject;
A classification unit for classifying the plurality of medical images into a plurality of medical image groups according to the imaging region;
An image generator for generating a plurality of reduced images respectively corresponding from the plurality of medical images;
A condition determining unit that individually determines reduced image generation conditions for the plurality of medical image groups;
A medical image display device comprising: a display unit that displays the plurality of reduced images as a list. A standard reduced image generator for generating a plurality of standard reduced images, each of the plurality of medical images being reduced to a preset size from the plurality of medical images;
A switching unit for switching display of the plurality of standard reduced images and the plurality of reduced images to the display unit;
The medical image display device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a.

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