JP6569305B2 - Medical image transfer system, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a medical image transfer system , and a control method and program technology thereof.

  According to the guidelines on the safety management of the medical information system of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, it is described that network communication between bases such as medical images secures a secure environment.

For example, in Patent Document 1, an imaging device mounted on a car and a diagnostic console device are connected by a wireless line, and medical image data captured by the imaging device is transmitted to a remote diagnostic desk device via a wireless line. Techniques to do this are disclosed.
However, Patent Document 1 is a technique for simply transmitting medical image data taken in a car via a wireless line, and no consideration is given to the safety of the communication line.

JP 2002-306463 A

  When a router that builds a secure communication environment is installed in a moving vehicle, the router needs to be connected to the network by wireless connection within the moving vehicle, and the transfer status of the router in the secure communication environment cannot be properly grasped in real time. There's a problem.

An object of this invention is to provide the structure which transfers the DICOM image image | photographed within the moving vehicle to the inside of a facility in a secure communication environment.

The present invention includes a first VPN router which is provided in the moving vehicle and a first VPN router intends line communication using a radio wave communication carrier telephone network, by a second VPN router in the facility Via the constructed VPN , the first information processing apparatus in the moving vehicle connected to the first VPN router is connected to the medical image management system which is a PACS in the facility so as to be communicable. A medical image transfer system for transferring a DICOM image captured by a modality in the moving vehicle to a second information processing apparatus in the facility connected to the second VPN router, wherein the modality is , comprising a first transmission means for transmitting the DICOM image to the first information processing apparatus as SCU, the first information processing apparatus, said transmitted by the first transmission means The ICOM image, a first receiving means for receiving from the modality as SCP, the data of the DICOM image received by said first receiving means, in the file format can be transferred in FTP, via the VPN, Transfer means for transferring to the second information processing apparatus by the FTP , wherein the second information processing apparatus receives the data in the file format transferred by the transfer means. And second transmission means for restoring the data received by the second reception means and transmitting the DICOM image obtained by the restoration as the SCU to the medical image management system. The medical image management system receives the DICOM image transmitted by the second transmission unit as an SCP from the second information processing apparatus. And a management means for managing the DICOM image received by the third reception means .

The present invention includes a first VPN router which is provided in the moving vehicle and a first VPN router intends line communication using a radio wave communication carrier telephone network, by a second VPN router in the facility Via the constructed VPN , the first information processing apparatus in the moving vehicle connected to the first VPN router is connected to the medical image management system which is a PACS in the facility so as to be communicable. , the second of the second information processing apparatus of the facility that is connected to the VPN router, there in your Keru control method to the medical image transfer system for transferring DICOM image captured by modality in the mobile vehicle Te, the modality, comprises a first transmission step of transmitting the DICOM image to the first information processing apparatus as SCU, the first information processing apparatus, the first transmission step Said DICOM image transmitted, a first reception step of receiving from the modality as SCP, the DICOM image received by said first reception step, in the file format can be transferred in FTP, via the VPN Te, and a transfer step of transferring by the FTP to the second information processing apparatus, the second information processing apparatus, the second for receiving the data transferred the file format by the transfer process A second transmission step of restoring the data received by the second reception step and transmitting the DICOM image obtained by the restoration to the medical image management system as an SCU; And the medical image management system uses the DICOM image transmitted in the second transmission step as the SCP as the second information processing apparatus. And a management step for managing the DICOM image received in the third reception step .
Further, the present invention is a program for causing a function as the above-described medical image transfer system .

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mechanism for transferring a DICOM image taken in a moving vehicle to a facility in a secure communication environment.

The system block diagram with which each hardware apparatus used with the medical image transfer system of this invention cooperates, and the figure which shows the concept of the transfer method of a DICOM image. The figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the processing program performed in the mobile vehicle for health check of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the processing program performed in the medical examination facility of this invention The figure which shows the block diagram inside each hardware apparatus used with the medical image transfer system of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the setting file which a user sets the conditions used as a judgment criterion of transfer mode switching of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the management table which manages the transfer condition of the DICOM image transferred by this invention.

  Referring to FIG.

  Via the VPN connection established by the VPN router 303 provided in the moving vehicle 100 and the VPN router 400 provided in the facility 200, it is connected to the VPN router 400 and provided in the facility 200. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a medical image transfer system that transfers a medical image 301 captured by a modality device 300 in a moving vehicle 100 to an information processing apparatus 401. FIG.

  The mobile vehicle 100 is, for example, a bus that is dispatched from a health examination facility to a health examination venue at the time of a health examination, and an X-ray digital inspection device that captures X-ray images of the chest and abdomen is installed in the office. . The X-ray digital inspection apparatus is a suitable example of the modality apparatus 300 in the present invention.

A medical image (DICOM image) photographed by the modality device 300 is connected to the information processing device 302 via a wired network cable. Even if wireless communication is performed at a short distance such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). Good.
The information processing apparatus 302 and the VPN router 303 have a LAN built in a moving vehicle.

  The VPN router 303 is for constructing a VPN environment with the VPN router 400, and is also called an Internet VPN. It is possible to perform data mutual communication between the two while suppressing wiretapping of data communicated between the two.

  The facility 200 is, for example, a medical checkup medical center that manages the results of a medical checkup. However, the facility 200 is not limited to a medical facility such as a hospital. It may be a data center or the like that is a facility to be managed.

The medical image management server (information processing device) 403 is, for example, a PACS (medical image management system), and stores, browses, and manages image data received from an image photographing device (modality) such as CT or MRI.
Dongle device 304 functions as a communication means for data communication using radio waves transmitted from a communication carrier telephone network. The dongle device 304 is connected to the VPN router 303 via USB, can receive LTE (4G) and 3G radio waves transmitted from a communication carrier, and performs data communication using LTE (4G) and 3G radio waves. It can be performed.

In this embodiment, the dongle device 304 is USB-connected to the VPN router 303 and each is a separate device. However, as a modification, the dongle device 304 may be a VPN router 303 with a built-in dongle device 304.
FIG. 2 will be described.
<Operation by Modality 300>

By executing a program that can be read and executed by the CPU of the modality 300, an operation instruction for each step is given, and each step (process) shown in the figure is executed.
In S101, the modality 300 captures a medical image (DICOM image file) of the patient.

Modality 300 in S102 transmits a DICOM image file 301 taken on the information processing apparatus 302 as SC U (Service Class Us er) .

It is assumed that the CPU of the information processing apparatus 302 executes a program that can be read and executed, thereby instructing operation of each step and executing each process (process) shown in the figure.
The information processing apparatus 302 in step S103 receives the DICOM image file sent as SC P (Service Class Provid er) .
In step S104, the information processing apparatus 302 stores the received DICOM image file in a predetermined folder.

In step S105, the information processing apparatus 302 starts compression processing of the DICOM image file stored in the folder. This is to reduce the size of the DICOM image file captured by the modality 300 in the moving vehicle, and compresses the DICOM image file by a predetermined compression process (compression unit). Since the predetermined compression processing is decompressed at the facility side, it may be any reversible compression, and for example, a compression of the DICOM image file size in the ZIP format or the like is preferable. The size of the DICOM image file before compression is on average 16 to 20 MB per file.
In S106, the information processing apparatus 302 determines whether or not the compression process has been completed. If it is determined that the compression process has ended (YES), the process proceeds to S107.

  In step S107, the information processing apparatus 302 stores the compressed DICOM image file (compressed image file) in a storage unit (for example, a hard disk drive) of the information processing apparatus 302 (storing unit).

Furthermore, when it is first determined in S116 that the transfer rate is not good, the transfer is temporarily stopped. Therefore, after it is determined in S116 that the transfer rate is not good, the transfer rate is good again in S116. Until the determination, the compressed image file captured by the modality 300 in the moving vehicle may be temporarily stored in the storage unit. After it is determined again in S116 that the transfer speed is good, the temporarily stored compressed image file may be transferred.
In S108, the information processing apparatus 302 receives the latest radio wave strength acquired by the dongle apparatus 304 from the VPN router 303 (reception unit).

  In S109, the information processing apparatus 302 determines whether or not the transfer status of the compressed image file captured by the modality 300 to the information processing apparatus 401 is good based on the strength and weakness received in S108 (first determination unit). ). Thus, control is performed so that the transfer mode to the information processing apparatus 401 in S110 is switched in accordance with the transfer status determined in S109 (control means).

If it is determined in S109 that the transfer status is good (YES), the process proceeds to S115, and if it is determined in S116 that the transfer status is not good (No), the process proceeds to S111.
In S115, the information processing apparatus 302 measures the data communication speed using the radio wave that the VPN router 303 performs data communication (measurement means).

  Furthermore, based on the communication speed measured here, communication speed information that can identify whether or not the transfer speed of the compressed image file captured by the modality 300 to the information processing apparatus 401 is good is displayed on the screen of the information processing apparatus 302 ( (Not shown) display (display means).

  In S116, the information processing apparatus 302 determines whether the transfer speed of the compressed image file captured by the modality 300 to the information processing apparatus 401 is good based on the communication speed measured in S115 (second determination unit). ). If it is determined in S116 that the communication speed is good (YES), the process proceeds to S110. If it is determined in S116 that the communication speed is not good (No), the process proceeds to S111.

  In S110, the information processing apparatus 302 uses the radio waves that the VPN router 303 performs data communication to store the compressed image file photographed by the modality 300 in the moving vehicle in the information processing apparatus 401 using FTP (File Transfer Protocol). Transfer to a file path of a folder created in advance (transfer means).

  In S111, the information processing apparatus 302 determines that the transfer speed is not good in S116. Therefore, until the transfer speed is determined to be good again in S116, the information captured by the modality 300 in the moving vehicle is compressed. The transfer of the image file is paused (pause means).

In step S113, the information processing apparatus 302 searches for a folder in which the compressed image file is stored, and determines whether there is another compressed image that has not been transferred. If it is determined that there is another compressed image file (YES), the process returns to S107, and the processes after S108 are repeated. If it is determined that there is no other compressed image file (NO), the process waits until a new DICOM image of the patient is created in S101 (S114).
<Operation by VPN router 303>

It is assumed that the CPU of the VPN router 303 executes a program that can be read and executed, thereby instructing the operation of each step and executing each process (process) shown in the figure.
In S201, the dongle device 304 receives a radio wave (LTE or 3G) transmitted from the communication carrier telephone network.

  In S202, the VPN router 303 acquires the radio wave level (LTE or 3G) of the radio wave (LTE or 3G) received by the dongle device 304 as needed (acquisition means). The acquired radio wave level (strong / weak state) is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 302 as needed via a LAN cable. In this way, in S108, the information processing apparatus 302 monitors the latest radio wave level (strength situation).

In S203, the VPN router 303 communicates dummy test data for measuring the communication speed with the VPN router 400 according to an instruction from the information processing apparatus 302 or a periodic program. After the measurement, the communication result of the dummy test data is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 302.
In step S112, the VPN router 303 routes the compressed image file instructed by the information processing apparatus 302 to FTP transfer in step S110 to the VPN router 400.
FIG. 3 will be described.
<Operation by VPN router 400>

It is assumed that the CPU of the VPN router 400 executes a program that can be read and executed, thereby instructing operation of each step and executing each process (process) shown in the figure.
In S301, the VPN router 400 is connected to a LAN in a facility capable of Internet communication.
In S <b> 302, the VPN router 400 routes the compressed image file instructed by the information processing apparatus 302 to FTP transfer in S <b> 110 to the information processing apparatus 401.
<Operation by Information Processing Device 401>

By executing a program that can be read and executed by the CPU of the information processing apparatus 401, an operation instruction for each step is given, and each process (process) shown in the figure is executed.
In step S <b> 303, the information processing apparatus 401 receives the compressed image file transferred by FTP from the information processing apparatus 302.
In step S304, the information processing apparatus 401 stores the received compressed image file in a folder in the information processing apparatus 401 predetermined in step S110.

In step S <b> 305, the information processing apparatus 401 starts decompression processing of the compressed image file stored in the folder. This is to restore the original DICOM image file size captured by the modality in the moving vehicle, and decompress the compressed image file by a predetermined decompression process (decompression means).
In step S306, the information processing apparatus 401 determines whether or not the decompression process has ended. If it is determined that the processing has ended (YES), the processing proceeds to step S307.
In step S <b> 307, the information processing apparatus 401 saves the decompressed DICOM image file in a storage unit (for example, a hard disk drive) of the information processing apparatus 401.

The information processing apparatus 401 at S308, and transmits to the server apparatus 403 a DICOM image file 402 stored as SC U (Service Class Us er) .

In step S <b> 310, the information processing apparatus 401 searches for a folder in which the DICOM image file is stored, and determines whether there is another DICOM image file that has not yet been transferred to the server apparatus 402. If it is determined that there is another DICOM image file (YES), the process returns to S307, and the processes after S308 are repeated. If it is determined that there is no other DICOM image file (NO), the process waits until a new compressed image of the patient is received in S303 (S311).
<Operation by Server Device 403>

  By executing a program that can be read and executed by the CPU of the server apparatus 403, an operation instruction for each step is given, and each process (process) shown in the figure is executed.

Server apparatus 403 in S309 receives the DICOM image file sent as SC P (Service Class Provid er) . The server device 403 manages the received DICOM image file as a medical image for each patient.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus applicable to the information processing apparatus 302, the information processing apparatus 401, and the medical image management server 403 illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU, which comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 4. Further, the ROM 2 or the external memory 11 is necessary to realize a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as an OS) that is a control program of the CPU 1 and a function executed by each server or each PC Various programs to be described later are stored.

  Reference numeral 3 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, work area, and the like of the CPU 1. The CPU 1 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for execution of processing from the ROM 2 or the external memory 11 into the RAM 3 and executing the loaded program.

  An input controller 5 controls input from a keyboard (KB) 9 or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown). A video controller 6 controls display on a display such as a CRT display (CRT) 10. In FIG. 2, although described as CRT10, the display device is not limited to the CRT, but may be another display device such as a liquid crystal display. These are used by the administrator as needed.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a memory controller, which is installed in an external storage device (hard disk (HD)), flexible disk (FD), or PCMCIA card slot for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. Controls access to an external memory 11 such as a CompactFlash (registered trademark) memory connected via an adapter.

  A communication I / F controller 8 connects and communicates with an external device via a network LAN, and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  The CPU 1 enables display on the CRT 10 by executing, for example, outline font development (rasterization) processing on a display information area in the RAM 3. Further, the CPU 1 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 10.

  FIG. 5 shows a setting file stored in the information processing apparatus 302, and the transfer status condition 5001 in the setting file is used as the threshold value of the transfer status determined in S109. Note that the transfer status condition 5001 can be freely changed by the user rewriting the transfer status condition 5001 in the setting file. For example, when the strength of the received radio wave is low and the transfer status condition 5001 is medium, it is determined in S109 that the transfer status is not good (NO).

Further, the communication speed condition 5002 in the setting file is used as the threshold value of the transfer status determined in S116. Note that the communication speed condition 5002 can be freely changed by the user rewriting the communication speed condition 5002 in the setting file. For example, when the measured radio wave communication speed is 2 Mbps (bits per second) and the communication speed condition 5002 is 100 kbps (bits per second), it is determined that the communication speed is good (YES) in S116. For example, when transferring a DICOM image file having a capacity of 10M in a state of 100 kbps, it takes 100 seconds per file to complete the transfer. Since many patients continuously perform X-ray imaging in the medical examination, the communication speed condition 5002 may be set to an imaging interval for each patient. For example, when the X-ray imaging interval (frequency) for each patient is set in advance in the setting file of FIG. 5 as 100 seconds, and a DICOM image file having a capacity of 10M (preliminary setting value) is transferred for each patient, The communication speed condition 5002 may be automatically calculated, automatically set to 100 kbps (bits per second) or more, and registered, so that the communication speed condition 5002 optimum for the imaging interval for each patient may be automatically calculated.
FIG. 6 is a transfer management table for DICOM images managed by the information processing apparatus 302, and is a table for managing the current transfer status for each captured DICOM image.
Reference numeral 6001 denotes a management ID assigned to each photographed patient.
Reference numeral 6002 denotes a management ID assigned to each captured DICOM image.
Reference numeral 6003 denotes a folder path (save location) where the captured DICOM image is saved, and the path is automatically saved in the path designated here.

  Reference numeral 6004 denotes the status of the latest transfer status, which is updated during the process of S105, compressed during the process of S110, transferred during the process of S110, and updated at any time if the transfer has already been completed.

  Various programs to be described later for realizing the present invention are recorded in the external memory 11 and are executed by the CPU 1 by being loaded into the RAM 3 as necessary. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used when executing the program are also stored in the external memory 11, and detailed descriptions thereof will be described later.

  The program according to the present invention is a program that can be read and executed by the computer according to the processing method of the flowchart shown in FIGS. It is remembered.

  As described above, a recording medium that records a program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by executing reading. In this case, the program itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon A disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on an instruction of the program is actually It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board is based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or an apparatus constituted by one device. It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a case where the invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

Furthermore, by downloading and reading a program for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network using a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.
In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

100 mobile vehicle 200 health check facility
300 Modality 301 Medical Image 302 Information Processing Device (Transfer Device)
303 VPN router 304 dongle device 400 VPN router 401 information processing device 402 medical image 403 medical image management server (information processing device)

Claims (9)

A first VPN router which is provided in the moving vehicle and a first VPN router intends line communication using a radio wave communication carrier telephone network, which is constructed by a second VPN router in the facility VPN Via the first information processing device in the moving vehicle connected to the first VPN router, the second information device connected to the medical image management system which is a PACS in the facility so as to be communicable A medical image transfer system that transfers a DICOM image captured by a modality in the moving vehicle to a second information processing apparatus in the facility connected to the VPN router of the facility,
The modality is
A first transmission unit configured to transmit the DICOM image to the first information processing apparatus as an SCU;
The first information processing apparatus includes:
First receiving means for receiving the DICOM image transmitted by the first transmitting means from the modality as an SCP;
Transfer means for transferring the data of the DICOM image received by the first reception means to the second information processing apparatus via the VPN to the second information processing apparatus in a file format that can be transferred by FTP ;
With
The second information processing apparatus
Second receiving means for receiving the data in the file format transferred by the transferring means;
Second transmission means for restoring the data received by the second reception means and transmitting the DICOM image obtained by the restoration to the medical image management system as an SCU;
With
The medical image management system includes:
Third receiving means for receiving the DICOM image transmitted by the second transmitting means as an SCP from the second information processing apparatus;
Management means for managing the DICOM image received by the third receiving means ;
A medical image transfer system comprising: The first VPN router is
It is detachable from a dongle device that performs communication using radio waves of the communication carrier telephone network,
An acquisition means for acquiring radio wave information indicating the radio wave status of the dongle device from the dongle device;
The first information processing apparatus includes:
Fourth receiving means for receiving the radio wave information acquired by the dongle device from the first VPN router;
Control whether to transfer the DICOM image received by the first receiving means to the second information processing apparatus by the transferring means based on the radio wave information received by the fourth receiving means. Control means;
The medical image transfer system according to claim 1, further comprising: The medical image transfer system according to claim 2 , wherein the radio wave information is information relating to strength of radio waves. The first information processing apparatus includes:
Measuring means for measuring a communication speed of data communicated by the first VPN router;
The control means determines whether or not to transfer the DICOM image captured by the modality in the moving vehicle to the second information processing apparatus by the transfer means according to the communication speed measured by the measurement means. medical image transfer system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that control. The first information processing apparatus includes:
Display means for displaying communication speed information that can identify whether or not the transfer speed of the DICOM image captured by the modality to the first information processing apparatus is good according to the communication speed measured by the measuring means. The medical image transfer system according to claim 4 , further comprising: The first information processing apparatus includes:
If the transfer condition for transferring the DICOM image by the transfer means is not satisfied, the storage means further stores a DICOM image taken by the modality in the moving vehicle until the transfer condition is satisfied,
Wherein, wherein, when the transfer condition is satisfied, the medical image transfer according to DICOM images stored by the storing means to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that forwarding by the forwarding means system. The first information processing apparatus includes:
Further comprising compression means for compressing a DICOM image taken by the modality in the moving vehicle;
The transfer means transfers the DICOM image compressed by the compression means to the second information processing apparatus,
The second information processing apparatus
The medical image transfer system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , further comprising decompression means for decompressing a DICOM image photographed by the modality. A first VPN router which is provided in the moving vehicle and a first VPN router intends line communication using a radio wave communication carrier telephone network, which is constructed by a second VPN router in the facility VPN Via the first information processing device in the moving vehicle connected to the first VPN router, the second information device connected to the medical image management system which is a PACS in the facility so as to be communicable of the second information processing apparatus connected to said facility in VPN router, a Contact Keru control method to the medical image transfer system for transferring DICOM image captured by modality in the mobile vehicle,
The modality is
A first transmission step of transmitting the DICOM image to the first information processing apparatus as an SCU;
The first information processing apparatus includes:

A first reception step of receiving the DICOM image transmitted in the first transmission step from the modality as an SCP;
A transfer step in which the DICOM image received in the first reception step is converted into a file format that can be transferred by FTP and transferred to the second information processing apparatus via the VPN via the FTP ;
With
The second information processing apparatus
A second receiving step of receiving the data in the file format transferred by the transferring step;
A second transmission step of restoring the data received by the second reception step and transmitting the DICOM image obtained by the restoration to the medical image management system as an SCU;
With
The medical image management system includes:
A third reception step of receiving the DICOM image transmitted in the second transmission step from the second information processing apparatus as an SCP;
A management step of managing the DICOM image received by the third reception step ;
A control method for a medical image transfer system , comprising: Program Ru to function as a medical image transfer system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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