JP6466135B2 - Medical image management device - Google Patents

Description

  An embodiment as one aspect of the present invention relates to a medical image management apparatus.

  Medical imaging devices used in medical settings (hereinafter referred to as modality devices) can be diagnosed by looking at the inside of the body without damaging the body. Yes. With the development of modality devices and improvement of their performance, various types of modality devices have been developed according to various body parts and disease detection means. Furthermore, digitalization of medical images has progressed, and developments such as a centralized medical image management system (PACS: Picture Archiving and Communication Systems), a hospital information system (HIS), and a radiology information system (RIS) The environment surrounding medical care is becoming increasingly electronic. Accordingly, medical images acquired by the modality device are also converted into electronic data.

  In addition, various types of information can be acquired with the development of the modality device, and the number or data amount of medical images acquired by one imaging or one examination is increasing.

  A doctor or the like performs an image diagnosis based on the acquired medical image, and performs an operation called image interpretation for diagnosing a disease or determining a treatment policy. Interpretation is performed by reading from a medical image storage device that stores medical images as described above into an interpretation terminal that performs interpretation. Therefore, a technique is provided in which a necessary medical image is read in advance by an interpretation terminal using an uninterpreted examination list or the like before starting interpretation (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-9726 A

  However, since the image interpretation terminals independently request image acquisition from the image storage device, access may be concentrated on some image storage devices depending on circumstances. For example, when an image is transferred from the image storage device to the interpretation terminal, a medical image is searched by the image storage device, the searched medical image is read from the storage device of the image storage device, and the read medical image is transmitted via the network. At least the procedure is executed. Therefore, if access is concentrated on one medical image storage apparatus, one of the processes becomes a bottleneck, and the final throughput (image transfer amount per unit time) decreases.

  If the transfer rate of the medical image from the image storage device to the image interpretation terminal decreases in this way, a state in which a necessary medical image is not read in advance by the image interpretation terminal occurs. In that case, the image interpretation doctor or the like cannot start the image interpretation until the medical image is transferred to the image interpretation terminal, and the image interpretation efficiency is greatly reduced.

  Therefore, there is a demand for a medical image management apparatus that improves the interpretation efficiency by efficiently transferring medical images to a plurality of interpretation terminals.

  A medical image management apparatus according to the present embodiment is a medical image management apparatus that manages transfer of the plurality of medical images transferred from a plurality of medical image storage apparatuses storing a plurality of medical images to a plurality of interpretation terminals. A user information storage unit that stores user information of a user who performs interpretation on the interpretation terminal, an interpretation terminal information storage unit that stores terminal information of the interpretation terminal, and images of the plurality of medical images in the medical image storage device An image storage location information storage unit that stores storage location information, an image acquisition list creation unit that creates an image acquisition list based on the user information, the terminal information, and the image storage location information, and the image acquisition list A transfer schedule creation unit for creating a transfer schedule for transferring the plurality of medical images from the plurality of medical image storage devices to the plurality of interpretation terminals. Characterized in that and a transfer control unit which performs the transfer of the medical image to the plurality of the interpretation terminal from the plurality of medical image storage apparatus based on said transfer schedule.

1 is a conceptual configuration diagram illustrating an example of a medical image management apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example functional configuration of the medical image management apparatus according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the medical image management apparatus according to the embodiment. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of user use schedule information of the medical image management apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of user characteristic information of the medical image management apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of terminal information of the medical image management apparatus according to the embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of image storage location information of the medical image management apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a medical image acquisition list of the medical image management apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a transfer schedule adjustment method of the medical image management apparatus according to the embodiment.

  Embodiments of a medical image management apparatus will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(1) Configuration FIG. 1 is a conceptual configuration diagram illustrating an example of a medical image management apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the medical image management apparatus 1 is connected to a data center 2 and a hospital 3 via an electronic network. The medical image management apparatus 1 may be installed in the data center 2 or in the hospital 3. A plurality of medical image storage apparatuses 100 are connected to the data center 2 via an electronic network. A plurality of interpretation terminals 200 and a plurality of medical image storage apparatuses 100 are connected to the hospital 3 via an electronic network. The medical image acquired in the hospital 3 may be stored in the medical image storage device 100 of the hospital 3 or may be stored in the medical image storage device 100 existing in the data center 2. Further, the medical image storage device 100 may be configured by a cloud system that allows a plurality of medical image storage devices 100 to function as one medical image storage device 100. Furthermore, the medical image storage apparatus 100 may be a PACS, or may be configured by a file server called NAS (Network Attached Storage). The medical image management apparatus 1 includes a communication control device 10, a storage unit 20, a main control unit 30, an input unit 40, and a display unit 50. Although not shown, the medical image storage device 100 and the image interpretation terminal 200 are configured to include the communication control device 10, the storage unit 20, the main control unit 30, the input unit 40, and the display unit 50, respectively, similarly to the medical image management device 1. The Note that the medical image management apparatus 1 and the medical image storage apparatus 100 may not include the input unit 40 and the display unit 50.

  The communication control apparatus 10 implements various communication protocols according to the network form. Here, the electronic network means the entire information communication network using telecommunications technology. In addition to the hospital basic LAN, wireless / wired LAN and Internet network, telephone communication network, optical fiber communication network, cable communication network and satellite. Includes communication networks.

  The storage unit 20 includes a storage medium such as a RAM and a ROM, and includes a storage medium that can be read by the main control unit 30, such as a magnetic or optical storage medium or a semiconductor memory. You may comprise so that a part or all of the program and data in these storage media may be downloaded via an electronic network.

  By executing the program stored in the storage unit 20 by the main control unit 30, for example, the medical image management apparatus 1 generates a medical image acquisition list, and the medical image storage apparatus 100 searches for medical images. .

  The display unit 50 includes a general display device such as a liquid crystal display or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, and displays a medical image on the display according to the control of the main control unit 30.

  The input unit 40 is configured by a general input device such as a keyboard, a touch panel, a numeric keypad, and a mouse. The input unit 40 outputs an input signal corresponding to a user operation on the image interpretation terminal 200 to the main control unit 30.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the medical image management apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the medical image management apparatus 1 includes an image storage location information storage unit 21, a user information storage unit 23, an interpretation terminal information storage unit 25, an image acquisition list creation unit 31, a transfer schedule creation unit 33, and transfer control. A portion 35 is provided. Among these, the image acquisition list creation unit 31, the transfer schedule creation unit 33, and the transfer control unit 35 are functions realized when the main control unit 30 executes a program stored in the storage unit 20.

  The image storage location information storage unit 21 stores image storage location information of a plurality of medical images in the medical image storage device. The image storage location information includes at least a storage location management number for uniquely specifying the medical image storage device 100 in which the medical image is stored and a data amount of the medical image for each examination management number for uniquely specifying the examination. Information. The image storage location information will be described later.

  The user information storage unit 23 stores user information of a user who performs interpretation on the interpretation terminal 200. The user information storage unit 23 stores user characteristic information and user use schedule information as user information. The user characteristic information is information including at least the number of interpretation inspections per unit time of the user and the individual user information regarding the interpretation method of the user for each user management number that uniquely identifies the user. Further, the user use schedule information includes a date and time when the user uses the image interpretation terminal 200 and a user who uniquely identifies the user who uses the image interpretation terminal 200 for each terminal management number that uniquely identifies the image interpretation terminal 200 used by the user. Information including at least a management number. User characteristic information and user use schedule information will be described later.

  The interpretation terminal information storage unit 25 stores the terminal information of the interpretation terminal 200. The terminal information is information including at least the screen configuration of the interpretation terminal and application information installed in the interpretation terminal for each terminal management number that uniquely identifies the interpretation terminal. The terminal information will be described later.

  The image acquisition list creation unit 31 creates an image acquisition list based on user information, terminal information, and image storage location information. A method for creating an image acquisition list in the image acquisition list creation unit 31 will be described later.

  The transfer schedule creation unit 33 creates a transfer schedule for transferring a plurality of medical images from the plurality of medical image storage devices 100 to the plurality of interpretation terminals 200 based on the image acquisition list. A method for creating a transfer schedule in the transfer schedule creating unit 33 will be described later.

  The transfer control unit 35 transfers medical images from the plurality of medical image storage devices 100 to the plurality of interpretation terminals 200 based on the transfer schedule.

(2) Operation Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the medical image management apparatus 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the medical image management apparatus according to the embodiment.

  In ST 101, the image acquisition list creation unit 31 acquires user use schedule information from the user information storage unit 23.

  In ST 103, the image acquisition list creation unit 31 acquires user characteristic information from the user information storage unit 23.

  In ST105, the image acquisition list creation unit 31 acquires terminal information from the interpretation terminal information storage unit 25.

  In ST 107, the image acquisition list creation unit 31 acquires image storage location information from the image storage location information storage unit 21.

  In ST109, the image acquisition list creation unit 31 generates an image acquisition list.

  In ST111, the transfer schedule creation unit 33 calculates a transfer start time and a transfer completion time, rearranges the image acquisition list, and generates a transfer schedule.

  In ST113, the transfer control unit 35 transfers an image from the medical image storage apparatus 100 to the image interpretation terminal 200 based on the transfer schedule.

  First, user information, terminal information, and image storage location information used in the image acquisition list creation unit 31 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of user use schedule information of the medical image management apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. The top row of the table of FIG. 4 shows items of user use schedule information, and from the left, “terminal management number”, “scheduled use date”, “scheduled use time”, and “user management number” are shown.

  The “terminal management number” is a terminal ID for uniquely identifying the radiogram interpretation terminal 200. In the example of FIG. 4, it is indicated by a 4-digit number. “Scheduled use date” indicates a date on which a user such as an interpreting doctor uses the interpretation terminal 200. Note that when the user use schedule information is created for each scheduled use date, the scheduled use date column is not necessary. “Scheduled use time” indicates a time during which a user such as an interpreting doctor uses the interpretation terminal 200. Although FIG. 4 shows an example in which the use schedule is input in units of one hour, when using the same interpretation terminal 200 continuously, the time to be used may be input. The “user management number” is a user ID for uniquely identifying a user who uses the image interpretation terminal 200. In the example of FIG. 4, a 4-digit character string composed of a 2-digit alphabet and a 2-digit number is shown.

  The first level of the user use schedule information in FIG. 4 is the user's user who uses 20111/2/3 as the scheduled use date of the interpretation terminal 200 whose terminal management number is 0001, and 11: 00-12: 00 as the scheduled use time. XX01 is shown as the management number. Similarly, in the second row, 20111/2/3 is used as the scheduled use date of the interpretation terminal 200 whose terminal management number is 0001, 12: 00-13: 00 is used as the scheduled use time, and XX01 is used as the user management number of the user to be used. The third row is 20111/2/3 as the scheduled use date of the interpretation terminal 200 with the terminal management number 0002, 11: 00-12: 00 as the scheduled use time, and XX02 as the user management number of the user to be used. The second row is 20111/2/3 as the scheduled use date of the radiogram interpretation terminal 200 with the terminal management number 0002, the scheduled use time is 12: 00-13: 00, and the user management number XX02 is the fifth row. Is the scheduled use date of the interpretation terminal 200 whose terminal management number is 0003, 20111/2/3, and the scheduled use time is 10: 00-11: 00: 00. XX03 is the user management number of the user, and the sixth row is 20111/2/4 as the scheduled use date of the interpretation terminal 200 with the terminal management number 0001, 11: 00-12: 00 as the scheduled use time, XX01 is the user management number, the sixth row is 20111/2/4 as the scheduled use date of the image interpretation terminal 200 with the terminal management number 0002, the scheduled use time is 10: 00-11: 0, and the user management of the user to be used XX04 is shown as the number.

  The user use schedule information may be generated by each user through the user's terminal or based on the use reservation status of the interpretation terminal 200 directly input to the medical image management apparatus 1, or the user actually interprets the interpretation. It may be created by analyzing the results of using the terminal 200. For example, it may be created by analyzing the time zone when the user performs interpretation and the ID (terminal management number) of the interpretation terminal 200 and predicting the time zone and terminal when the interpretation is performed. Also, it may be created according to the working date and time of the user such as an interpreting doctor, or based on the free time of the doctor etc. using the interview schedule by the doctor registered in the HIS / RIS. The time for interpretation may be predicted and created.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of user characteristic information of the medical image management apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. The top row of the table of FIG. 5 shows items of user characteristic information, and from the left, “user management number”, “number of interpretation inspections per unit time (number of inspections / time)”, “user individual information 1 (same modality) "Comparison interpretation with"), "User individual information 2 (comparison interpretation with different modalities)", and "User individual information 3 (specialized part)". The “user management number” is a user ID for uniquely identifying a user such as an interpreting doctor as in FIG.

  The user characteristic information is a collection and list of information on interpretation styles such as parts, interpretation methods, habits, and habits that each interpretation doctor frequently interprets. For example, “the number of interpretation examinations per unit time (number of examinations / hour)” indicates the number of examinations that can be interpreted per unit time for each interpreting doctor. The interpretation time taken by one interpreting doctor for one examination does not change greatly even if examination contents (for example, differences in modality devices) and the number of images are different. For example, the interpretation time in one examination varies greatly between the case where several hundred slice images are acquired in one examination using X-ray CT and the case where several images are obtained in one examination using simple X-rays. Absent. This is because, in an examination such as X-ray CT, an interpretation method in which a slice image is turned at a high speed while searching for a portion having a difference from a normal anatomical shape is common, whereas in a simple X-ray image, an interpretation is performed. This is because the locations and viewpoints to be determined are determined, and even if there are several images, it is necessary to check each location. On the other hand, since the interpretation time for one examination depends on the experience and knowledge of the interpreting doctor, it differs for each interpreting doctor.

  “User individual information 1 (comparative interpretation with the same kind of modality)” indicates whether or not an image acquired by the same modality apparatus is comparatively interpreted. Comparative interpretation is a method of interpretation while comparing with similar cases in order to accurately diagnose, or when comparing follow-up observations, comparing the past and latest medical images. . “User individual information 2 (comparative interpretation with different modalities)” indicates whether or not images acquired by different modality apparatuses are comparatively interpreted. Since different modality devices have different information that can be acquired as images, there are cases where comprehensive image diagnosis is performed based on images acquired by different modality devices. “User individual information 3 (specialized part)” indicates a user's interpretation part. Interpretation requires a high level of expertise for each part to be interpreted, and each interpreting doctor has a specialized part.

  The user characteristic information may be updated by periodically analyzing the user's interpretation method. For example, if a user acquires a new image during interpretation or changes the image display method, what kind of image is newly acquired in what interpretation, or from what display The user characteristic information may be updated by analyzing the processing history of the user's interpretation such as whether the display has been changed.

  In the example of the user characteristic information in FIG. 5, a user whose user management number is XX01 in the first row is that the number of interpretation inspections per unit time is 2 inspections / hour, and CT (X (Line CT) In an examination imaged with an MRI apparatus, the comparative interpretation of the current and previous images is performed, and in the item of comparative interpretation with different modalities, “-” is shown and comparative interpretation is not performed. It is shown that the specialized part is the head. Similarly, a user whose user management number is XX02 in the second stage has an inspection inspection number per unit time of 1 inspection / hour, and is imaged by a CT (X-ray CT) apparatus in the item of comparative interpretation with the same kind of modality. In the case of the comparison inspection between the current and the previous and previous images in the inspection, and the comparative interpretation with different modalities, the image acquired by the CT (X-ray CT) apparatus when the inspection modality apparatus is an MRI apparatus It is shown that comparative interpretation is performed, and that the specialized site is the chest. For the user whose user management number is XX03 in the third stage, the number of interpretation inspections per unit time is 2 inspections / hour, and in the item of comparative interpretation with the same kind of modality, CT (X-ray CT) apparatus and MMG (mammography: mammography) ) In the inspection imaged by the device, comparative interpretation with the previous image is performed. In the case of comparative interpretation with different modalities, when the inspection modality device is a US (ultrasonography) device, comparative interpretation with the MMG device. And the specialized area is shown to be the chest. For the user whose user management number is XX04 in the fourth row, the number of interpretation inspections per unit time is 5 inspections / hour, and “-” is shown in the comparative interpretation item of the same type modality, and comparative interpretation is not performed. In the item of comparative interpretation with different modalities, it is shown that when the inspection modality apparatus is an MRI apparatus, comparative interpretation with a CT apparatus is performed, and the specialized part is an abdomen. The user whose user management number is XX05 in the fifth row is that the number of interpretation inspections per unit time is 3 inspections / hour, and in the comparative interpretation with the same kind of modality, in the inspection imaged by the MRI apparatus, In the item of comparative interpretation with different modalities, it is shown that when the inspection modality device is a CT (X-ray CT) device, comparative interpretation with the US device is performed, and the specialized parts are the head and chest. It is shown that.

  Thus, based on the user use schedule information stored in the user information storage unit 23 and the user characteristic information, the image acquisition list generation unit 31 creates an image acquisition list. From the user use schedule information, it is possible to extract information on when and at what terminal the user starts interpretation, and for how long. Further, from the user characteristic information, it is possible to extract information such as how many examinations the user performs interpretation per unit time, types of medical images necessary for interpretation, and examination parts that can be interpreted by the user. Based on such information, it is possible to create a list as to what kind of medical image and how much medical image needs to be transferred to which terminal.

  In addition, by using the terminal information stored in the interpretation terminal information storage unit 25, it is possible to further narrow down medical images to be used.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of terminal information of the medical image management apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. The top row of the table of FIG. 6 shows items of terminal information, and from the left, “terminal management number”, “screen configuration (number of monitors)”, “application 1 (MPR)”, “application 2 (3D display)” It is shown. The “terminal management number” is a terminal ID for uniquely identifying the interpretation terminal as in FIG. “Screen configuration (number of monitors)” indicates the number of monitors provided in the interpretation terminal. “Application 1 (MPR)” and “Application 2 (3D display)” are the applications installed in the interpretation terminal. Indicates the type. MPR (multi-planar reconstruction) is to generate and display a cross-sectional image when a 3D image (three-dimensional image) is cut along an arbitrary cross-section. In the 3D display, for example, an organ or a blood vessel can be displayed as a 3D image, and can be freely rotated and displayed.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the first-stage interpretation terminal 0001 has a screen configuration (number of monitors) of 2 and “application 1 (MPR)” installed, but “application 2 (3D display)” is installed. There are no examples shown. Similarly, in the second-stage interpretation terminal 0002, there is an example in which the screen configuration (number of monitors) is 3, “Application 1 (MPR)” is not installed, and “Application 2 (3D display)” is installed. The third-stage image interpretation terminal 0003 shows an example in which the screen configuration (number of monitors) is 2, and “application 1 (MPR)” and “application 2 (3D display)” are installed. In the image interpretation terminal 0004, the screen configuration (number of monitors) is 3, and “application 1 (MPR)” is installed, but “application 2 (3D display)” is not installed. The image interpretation terminal 0005 has a screen configuration (number of monitors) of 4 and “Application 1 (MPR)” is not installed. Example down 2 (3D display) "has been installed is a shown.

  Thus, the terminal information stores information related to the characteristics of the interpretation terminal. Based on such information, for example, when a user plans to use a terminal in which an application capable of 3D display is not installed in association with the user use schedule information, medical image data necessary for 3D display is unnecessary. It is possible to judge. In addition, the interpretation terminal selected by the user does not necessarily have the capability of displaying or analyzing all images. Therefore, the amount of image data to be transferred can be reduced by selecting and transferring necessary medical images according to the performance of the terminal.

  Further, as user characteristic information, information regarding what kind of image analysis and image diagnostic application is used at the time of interpretation may be stored. For example, in an MRI apparatus, imaging is performed using various imaging protocols, and various diagnostic imaging applications are developed accordingly. In one examination, a predetermined imaging protocol is prepared in advance for each examination purpose and examination site, and a predetermined imaging protocol is executed. On the other hand, in image diagnosis, there are cases where interpretation is performed without using images captured by all imaging protocols based on the experience and judgment of the interpretation doctor. In this way, by storing the imaging protocol used for interpretation in the user characteristic information that stores the interpretation method of the interpretation doctor, it is not necessary to transfer unnecessary images, so the amount of image data to be transferred is reduced. it can.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of image storage location information of the medical image management apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the top row of the table shows items of image storage location information. From the left, “inspection management number”, “storage destination management number”, and “data amount (number of images)” are shown. ing. The “inspection management number” is an inspection ID for uniquely specifying an inspection. In FIG. 7, ID which combined the alphabet and number which show the modality apparatus which performed the test | inspection is illustrated. For example, “CT” for an X-ray CT apparatus, “MR” for an MRI apparatus, “US” for an ultrasonic apparatus, “0X” for a simple X-ray apparatus, and “0X” for a mammography apparatus. An inspection ID may be set for each modality type, such as “MG”. “Storage location management number” is a storage location ID for uniquely identifying the medical image storage device 100. The storage destination ID is, for example, an ID for specifying the cloud system when stored in the cloud system, and an ID for specifying each server when stored in the NAS or PACS. “Data amount (number of images)” indicates the number of images included in each examination. Although FIG. 7 shows an example in which the data amount is indicated by the number of images, the data amount is not limited to the number of images and may be indicated by a data capacity such as the number of bytes.

  In the example of FIG. 7, the inspection management number CT-111 shown in the first row indicates that the storage destination management number is AAAA and the data amount is 300. Similarly, the inspection with the inspection management number MR-222 shown in the second row is the storage management number AAAA, the data amount is 200, and the inspection with the inspection management number US-333 shown in the third row is The inspection with the storage management number AAAA, the data amount 1000 and the inspection management number MG-444 shown in the fourth row is the inspection with the storage management number AAAA and the data amount shown in the fourth and fifth rows. The inspection with the management number 0X-555 is the storage management number BBBB, the data amount is 1, and the inspection management number MR-666 shown in the sixth row is the storage management number BBBB, the data amount Is the inspection management number CT-777 shown in the seventh row, the storage management number is CCCC, and the data amount is 100.

  The image storage location information is information regarding the medical image storage device 100 in which image data is stored, and the image acquisition list generation unit 31 indicates from which medical image storage device 100 the image interpretation terminal 200 should acquire an image. Information can be extracted. The image storage location information stores the data amount of one examination, and the image acquisition list generation unit 31 can calculate the time required to transfer the image for one examination.

  The image acquisition list creation unit 31 generates an image acquisition list based on the tables described with reference to FIGS. Hereinafter, a method for generating an image acquisition list will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a medical image acquisition list of the medical image management apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the top row of the table shows items in the medical image acquisition list. From the left, “terminal management number”, “scheduled acquisition start time”, “scheduled acquisition completion time”, “number of transfer images ( %) ”,“ Transfer time (seconds) ”,“ inspection management number ”, and“ storage destination management number ”.

The “terminal management number”, “examination management number”, and “storage destination management number” are used to uniquely identify the image interpretation terminal 200, the examination, and the medical image storage device 100 described in FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. ID.

The “scheduled acquisition start time” and “scheduled acquisition completion time” are prepared in advance in the interpretation terminal 200 by the user's scheduled use time if the acquisition of the medical image is started or completed at least at any time. It shows the time that can be kept. For example, the scheduled acquisition completion time can be set so that a predetermined time before the scheduled use time of the user is set and the image transfer is completed by that time. Further, the scheduled acquisition start time can be set as the time at which acquisition should be started in order to complete the acquisition of the image by the scheduled acquisition completion time based on the maximum time required for acquiring the medical image.

“Number of transferred images” indicates whether all the images included in the examination are images to be transferred. As described with reference to the terminal information in FIG. 6, necessary images are limited even for images acquired by one examination according to the performance of the interpretation terminal. In the example of FIG. 8 , the data amount of the image to be transferred is shown as a ratio to the total number of images, but may be indicated by the number of images actually transferred, or may be indicated by an image ID or the like.

  “Transfer time (seconds)” is the time taken to transfer each inspection from the image storage device 100 to the image interpretation terminal 200 based on the terminal performance of the image storage destination of the image storage information illustrated in FIG. Is shown. Based on the communication speed such as how much data amount (for example, the number of images) can be transferred per unit time, the time required for transfer can be calculated. For example, the type of electronic network connected to each medical image storage device 100 and the line speed differ depending on the type of medical image storage device 100. For example, the line speed differs depending on whether the storage destination is connected via an external public line such as a cloud system or if it is connected via a network line laid in a hospital such as NAS or PACS. come. Therefore, the line speed for each storage destination may be set in advance, and the image acquisition list creation unit 31 may calculate the transfer time based on the data amount of the image storage destination information.

  In the example of the image storage location information shown in FIG. 8, the scheduled image transfer start time to the image interpretation terminal 200 whose terminal management number is 0001 in the first row is 9:00, the scheduled image transfer completion time is 10:00, and the transferred image The number is 100%, the transfer time is 300 seconds, the inspection management number is CT-111, and the storage destination management number is AAAA. Similarly, in the second row, for the interpretation terminal 200 with the terminal management number 0001, the scheduled image transfer start time is 9:00, the scheduled image transfer completion time is 10:00, the number of transferred images is 80%, and the transfer time is 280 seconds. The inspection management number is MR-123P, the storage location management number is AAAA, the scheduled image transfer start time to the radiogram interpretation terminal 200 with the third stage terminal management number is 0001, and the image transfer completion schedule The time is 10:00, the number of transferred images is 100%, the transfer time is 200 seconds, the inspection management number is MR-222, the storage location management number is BBBB, and the fourth stage terminal management number is 0001. Image transfer start scheduled time to 9:00, image transfer completion scheduled time is 10:00, transfer image number is 60%, transfer time is 360 seconds, inspection management number is CT-456P, storage destination management number is AA For the interpretation terminal 200 whose terminal management number is 0001 in the fifth row, the image transfer scheduled start time is 10:00, the image transfer completion scheduled time is 11:00, the number of transferred images is 100%, and the transfer time is 1000 seconds, inspection management number UA-333, storage destination management number AAAA are shown, and the image transfer scheduled start time is 9:00 for image interpretation terminal 200 with terminal management number 0002 in the sixth row, image transfer The scheduled completion time is 10:00, the number of transferred images is 100%, the transfer time is 250 seconds, the inspection management number is MG-444, and the storage destination management number is AAAA. The image transfer start scheduled time is 9:00, the image transfer completion scheduled time is 10:00, the number of transferred images is 90%, the transfer time is 400 seconds, and the inspection management number for the interpretation terminal 200 whose terminal management number is 0002 in the seventh row. Is MG-789P, and the storage management number is BBBB.

  The image acquisition list shown in FIG. 8 is created by combining the user use schedule information, user characteristic information, terminal information, and image storage location information shown in FIGS. For example, the first level of the image acquisition list in FIG. 8 is the result of extracting information related to the image transferred to the image interpretation terminal 200 with the terminal management number 0001 from the tables shown in FIGS. Based on the user use schedule information shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to specify the scheduled use time and the user management number of the user to be used of the interpretation terminal 200 whose terminal management number is 0001. From the first stage of the user use schedule information in FIG. 4, it is possible to extract by what time the image needs to be transferred to the image interpretation terminal 200. The user in the first row of the user use schedule information in FIG. 4 is scheduled to perform interpretation on the interpretation terminal 200 with the terminal management number 0001 at 11: 00-12: 00 on 20111/2/3. Therefore, the image transfer needs to be completed at a time before 11:00. Further, the scheduled image acquisition start time may be calculated according to the time required for acquiring the image. For example, in the first row of the image acquisition list in FIG. 8, the scheduled acquisition start time of the image transferred to the radiogram interpretation terminal 200 with the terminal management number 0001 in FIG. 4 is 9:00, and the scheduled acquisition completion time is 10:00. ing. In this way, the image acquisition list calculates a rough image acquisition start schedule from the user usage information. In FIG. 8, a condition is set in advance such that the time required for transferring an image for one examination is 1 hour and the transfer is completed one hour before the scheduled use time, and the acquisition start scheduled time is set according to the condition. And an example of calculating the acquisition completion scheduled time is shown. This condition may be set by the user, or may be determined by analyzing the results of image transfer time.

  Further, it can be seen from the user use schedule information that the terminal management number 0001 is used by the user having the user management number XX01. Using the user management number of the user who uses the image interpretation terminal 200 as a key, the user characteristic information shown in FIG. 5 can be searched to obtain information on specialized parts. Based on these pieces of information, it is possible to assign which examination doctor is in charge of which examination from the examination waiting list stored in the HIS / RIS.

  Furthermore, from the user individual information of the user characteristic information, it is possible to extract the type of image to be referred to when interpreting the target examination, and what kind of image is read in addition to the target examination image It can be extracted whether it has to be transferred to 200. For example, it is shown that the user with the user management number XX01 shown in the first row of FIG. 5 performs comparative interpretation of the image acquired by the X-ray CT apparatus or the MRI apparatus with the previous image. As shown in the first and second stages of the medical image acquisition list in FIG. 8, the first stage is the X-ray CT image of the current examination (the examination management number is CT-111), and the second stage examination management number. As for the image of MR-123P, two images to be acquired are extracted, such as the image of the previous examination. Further, as shown in the number of transferred images in the medical image acquisition list of FIG. 8, the images to be transferred are narrowed down according to the performance of the interpretation terminal extracted from the user use schedule information based on the terminal information described in FIG. May be. For example, the transfer images in the image acquisition list in FIG. 8 show the required images in proportion from the images included in the examination. The number of transferred images in the first row of the image acquisition list in FIG. 8 is 100%, but the number of transferred images in the second row is 80%, and only a part of the images is transferred.

  Similarly, by using the user management number of the user to be used as a key, the user characteristic information shown in FIG. 5 can be searched to extract how many examinations the interpretation doctor can interpret per unit time. The terminal management number 0001 shown in the first row of FIG. 4 is scheduled to be used for a user whose user management number is XX01 from 11:00 to 12:00. It can be seen from the user characteristic information shown in FIG. 5 that the user of XX01 can interpret two examinations per hour. Therefore, the transfer for the two examinations needs to be completed at least before the time when the interpretation starts. In the example of FIG. 8, when the first and second stage images are for one examination, and the third and fourth stage images are for one examination, the first to fourth stage images are interpretation terminals. It is necessary to be transferred at a time before 11:00 when the use of 200 starts. The image in the fifth row in FIG. 8 is also an image transferred to the terminal management number 0001. However, since it is not used immediately in the interpretation from 10:00 to 11:00, the next scheduled use start time is 12:00. It is only necessary that the transfer is completed by the previous time. Note that image transfer processing may be executed in the background in parallel with the image interpretation by the user at the interpretation terminal 200, or image transfer processing using a time before the time when the user starts image interpretation. May be performed.

  The transfer time of the image acquisition list in FIG. 8 is calculated from the number of transferred images and the data amount of the image storage location information in FIG. As described with reference to FIG. 7, the performance such as the line speed differs for each image storage location, and the transfer time can be calculated based on the line speed set for each storage destination. For example, the image of the first management number CT-111 in the image acquisition list in FIG. 8 has a data amount of 300 from the first row in the image storage location information in FIG. When the line speed of the image storage management number AAAA can transfer images at a rate of one sheet per second, the time required to transfer 300 images is 300 seconds. Thus, the image acquisition list creation unit 31 of the image acquisition list can calculate the transfer time.

  Based on the image acquisition list created as described above, the transfer schedule creation unit 33 generates a transfer schedule. The transfer schedule is optimized by rearranging the acquisition lists listed in the image acquisition list so that accesses are not concentrated on the same medical image storage apparatus 100 at the same time. As shown in FIG. 8, the images transferred to the terminal management numbers 0001 or 0002 in the first, second, fourth, and sixth stages of the image acquisition list are all medical records whose storage management number is AAAA. It is stored in the image storage device 100. Also, the scheduled acquisition start time and the scheduled acquisition completion time of these images are set to the same time, and the same storage location is accessed simultaneously at the same time. If an image is simultaneously acquired from the same storage destination in this way, resources in the storage destination medical image storage apparatus 100 are distributed to processing such as search and transfer of a plurality of generated images, so that the final throughput is increased. The problem of deteriorating will occur. Therefore, the transfer schedule creation unit 33 calculates the transfer start time and the transfer completion time so that the timing at which the image transfer process is executed is distributed according to the performance of the image storage destination, and the image in the image acquisition list is calculated. Rearrange the order and adjust the transfer schedule.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a transfer schedule adjustment method of the medical image management apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. 9 shows transfer schedule items. From the left, “order”, “terminal management number”, “transfer start time”, “transfer completion time”, “inspection management number”, “storage destination management” are shown. Number "is shown.

  The number of processes that can be executed in parallel at one time is determined based on the performance such as the storage destination CPU and the line speed. Hereinafter, the number of processes that can be executed in parallel is referred to as the number of threads. Based on the number of threads, the transfer schedule creation unit 33 calculates the transfer start time and transfer completion time of the images listed in the image acquisition list, and rearranges the transfer order. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the images described in the first, second, fourth, and sixth stages of the image acquisition list are stored in the image storage destination (AAAAA) and transfer timing (scheduled start time of acquisition). And acquisition completion scheduled time) are the same. The transfer schedule adjustment method will be described by taking as an example a case where the number of threads of the storage destination AAAA is 2, that is, two processes can be performed in parallel at one time. First, it is possible to simultaneously perform the second stage processing of the first stage in the image acquisition list of FIG. When the acquisition start scheduled time is used as a reference, the transfer times are 300 seconds and 280 seconds, respectively. Therefore, the transfer start time of the first stage of the transfer schedule of FIG. 9 is 9:00, and the transfer completion time is 9:05, 2 The transfer start time at the stage can be calculated as 9:00, and the transfer completion time can be calculated as 9:05 (the time in seconds is rounded off). If these two processes are completed after 9:05, the process at the storage AAAA has been completed, so that another two processes can be started. Therefore, for the fourth and fifth image acquisitions in the image acquisition list of FIG. 8, the transfer times are 360 seconds and 1000 seconds, respectively, so the transfer start time of the fifth row of the transfer schedule of FIG. : 06, the transfer completion time is calculated as 9:12, the transfer start time of the sixth stage is calculated as 9:06, and the transfer completion time is calculated as 9:23. As described above, the transfer schedule creation unit 33 calculates the transfer start time and the transfer completion time, and creates a transfer schedule in which the order of the images listed in the image acquisition list is switched in the transfer start order.

  In the example of FIG. 9, the schedule is adjusted based on the acquisition start scheduled time in FIG. 8, but the schedule may be adjusted based on the acquisition completion scheduled time. In addition, the transfer start time or the like may be calculated in consideration of a time other than the image search time or transfer such as reading.

  Furthermore, by providing “priority” in the image acquisition list in FIG. 8 or the uninterpreted inspection list, transfer is started in the order of priority set even for images acquired from the same storage location. The transfer schedule may be adjusted. The priority is set based on, for example, the urgency level of the patient, the type of examination, the number of images, the user's specialized field, the user's specialized part, the examination execution date, and the like.

  The transfer control unit 35 transfers an image from the medical image storage device 100 to the image interpretation terminal 200 based on the created transfer schedule. For transfer of images, the transfer control unit 35 of the medical image management apparatus 1 may execute transfer processing on the medical image storage apparatus 100, or the transfer control unit 35 of the medical image management apparatus 1 starts transfer to the image interpretation terminal 200. The transfer process may be executed by instructing a time or the like.

  In this way, by distributing access to the medical image storage device 100 based on the transfer schedule, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the throughput of image transfer from the medical image storage device 100 to the image interpretation terminal 200 and to efficiently display images. It becomes possible to transfer. In addition, since the necessary images are transferred to the terminal by the necessary time, the interpretation can be started immediately at the scheduled time, and the interpretation can be performed efficiently.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Medical image management apparatus 2 Data center 3 Hospital 10 Communication control apparatus 20 Storage part 30 Main control part 40 Input part 50 Display part 21 Image storage location information storage part 23 User information storage part 25 Interpretation terminal information storage part 31 Image acquisition list preparation Unit 33 Transfer schedule creation unit 35 Transfer control unit 100 Medical image storage device 200 Interpretation terminal

Claims (7)

A medical image management apparatus for managing transfer of the plurality of medical images transferred from a plurality of medical image storage apparatuses storing a plurality of medical images to a plurality of interpretation terminals,
A user information storage unit for storing user information of a user who performs interpretation on the interpretation terminal;
An interpretation terminal information storage unit for storing terminal information of the interpretation terminal;
An image storage location information storage unit for storing image storage location information of the plurality of medical images in the medical image storage device;
An image acquisition list creation unit that creates an image acquisition list based on the user information, the terminal information, and the image storage location information;
A transfer schedule creating unit for creating a transfer schedule for transferring the plurality of medical images from the plurality of medical image storage devices to the plurality of interpretation terminals based on the image acquisition list;
A transfer control unit configured to transfer the medical image from the plurality of medical image storage devices to the plurality of interpretation terminals based on the transfer schedule;
With
The user information storage unit is the user information that includes, for each user management number that uniquely identifies the user, the number of interpretation inspections per unit time of the user and user-specific information regarding the interpretation method of the user. Memorize characteristic information,
The image acquisition list creation unit creates the image acquisition list so that a medical image required by the user is transferred to the interpretation terminal used by the user based on the user information.
Medical image management apparatus. A medical image management apparatus for managing transfer of the plurality of medical images transferred from a plurality of medical image storage apparatuses storing a plurality of medical images to a plurality of interpretation terminals,
A user information storage unit for storing user information of a user who performs interpretation on the interpretation terminal;
An interpretation terminal information storage unit for storing terminal information of the interpretation terminal;
An image storage location information storage unit for storing image storage location information of the plurality of medical images in the medical image storage device;
An image acquisition list creation unit that creates an image acquisition list based on the user information, the terminal information, and the image storage location information;
A transfer schedule creating unit for creating a transfer schedule for transferring the plurality of medical images from the plurality of medical image storage devices to the plurality of interpretation terminals based on the image acquisition list;
A transfer control unit configured to transfer the medical image from the plurality of medical image storage devices to the plurality of interpretation terminals based on the transfer schedule;
With
The interpretation terminal information storage unit stores the terminal information including the screen configuration of the interpretation terminal and application information installed in the interpretation terminal for each terminal management number that uniquely identifies the interpretation terminal.
The image acquisition list creation unit creates the image acquisition list so that a medical image required by the user is transferred to the interpretation terminal used by the user based on the terminal information and the user information.
Medical image management apparatus. The interpretation terminal information storage unit stores the terminal information including the screen configuration of the interpretation terminal and application information installed in the interpretation terminal for each terminal management number that uniquely identifies the interpretation terminal.
The image acquisition list creation unit creates the image acquisition list so that a medical image required by the user is transferred to the interpretation terminal used by the user based on the terminal information and the user information.
The medical image management apparatus according to claim 1 . The user information storage unit uniquely identifies the date and time when the user uses the interpretation terminal and the user who uses the interpretation terminal for each terminal management number that uniquely identifies the interpretation terminal used by the user. Memorize user use schedule information including user management number,
The image acquisition list creation unit sets the scheduled image acquisition start time and the scheduled image acquisition completion time so that the transfer of the medical image is completed by the date and time when the user starts interpretation to the interpretation terminal used by the user. Calculate
The transfer schedule creation unit optimizes and creates the transfer schedule based on the image acquisition scheduled start time and the image acquisition completion scheduled time.
The medical image management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medical image management apparatus is a medical image management apparatus. The image storage location information storage unit stores, for each examination management number that uniquely specifies an examination, a storage location management number that uniquely specifies the medical image storage device in which the medical image is stored, and data of the medical image Storing said image storage location information including quantity,
The image acquisition list creation unit calculates an image transfer time based on the image storage location information,
The transfer schedule creation unit calculates a transfer start time and a transfer end time based on the image transfer time, and creates the transfer schedule by optimization.
The medical image management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medical image management apparatus is a medical image management apparatus. The image acquisition list creation unit can set a priority for each examination,
The transfer schedule creation unit optimizes and creates the transfer schedule based on the priority;
The medical image management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medical image management apparatus is a medical image management apparatus. The priority is determined based on at least one of the examination date and time of the examination, the number of images acquired in the examination, the user's specialized field, and the urgency level of the patient on which the examination is performed.
The medical image management apparatus according to claim 6.

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