JP6591147B2 - Medical image management system and medical image observation apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relates to a medical image management system and the medical image observation equipment.

  There are a wide variety of data types referred to in hospitals besides medical images. Data types other than medical images include, for example, medical information provision documents, medical certificates, pathological examination results, papers of the hospital, referral letters from other hospitals, copies of insurance cards, electronic medical records, and the like. Many of these objects are managed in a data format that does not comply with DICOM (digital imaging and communication in medicine) standards such as WORD (registered trademark), EXEL (registered trademark), text, and PDF. An object having a data format that does not conform to the DICOM standard is displayed on a computer monitor using a dedicated application corresponding to the data format of the object. Therefore, when it is desired to refer to an object having a plurality of data formats, a dedicated application must be activated for each data format, which is troublesome. In addition, as the application activation time is accumulated, the work time related to data reference becomes longer. An object having a data format not conforming to the DICOM standard and an object having a data format conforming to the DICOM standard cannot be associated with each other. For this reason, the efficiency of the search for the object to be referred to is low, and when referring to objects of a large number of data formats, the work time related to data reference is prolonged.

The purpose is to provide a medical image management system and the medical image observation equipment that enables improved efficiency regarding data reference.

The medical image management system according to the present embodiment displays a registration target object having a data format not conforming to the DICOM standard on the first display device, and a data format conforming to the DICOM standard related to the registration target object. A display unit that displays a medical image on the second display device; and a drag-and-drop operation of the registration target object displayed on the first display device to the second display device. As a trigger, an acquisition unit that acquires a unique identifier related to the registration target object , and a data format that does not conform to the DICOM standard of the registration target object is triggered by the fact that the drag and drop operation has been performed. A conversion unit that converts data into a data format that conforms to the standard, and that conforms to the DICOM standard. A generating unit that generates a data set in which the registration target object having the data format is associated with the unique identifier, and a storage unit that stores the data set.

1 is a diagram showing a network configuration of a medical image management system according to an embodiment. The figure which shows the structure of the medical image storage apparatus of FIG. 1, and a medical image observation apparatus. The figure which shows the typical flow of operation | movement of the medical image management system of FIG. The figure which shows the concept of the series number numbered by the numbering part in step S2 of FIG. The figure which shows the concept of the image number numbered by the numbering part in step S2 of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the management data set produced | generated in step S4 of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating utilization of the management data set which concerns on this embodiment, and is a figure which shows an example of the comparison screen of a day test and a past test | inspection. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the management data set which concerns on the application example 1. FIG. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the management data set which concerns on the application example 3. FIG. The figure which shows the structure of the medical image storage apparatus and medical image observation apparatus which concern on a modification.

  Hereinafter, a medical image management system, a medical image observation apparatus, and a medical image storage apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration of a medical image management system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the medical image management system 1 includes a medical image photographing device 3, a medical image storage device 5, and a medical image observation device 7 connected to each other via a network. As information communication between devices included in the medical image management system 1, industry standard TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) communication is typically employed. Information is transmitted and received in units of packets (basic unit of information to be transferred) via the network. The medical image management system 1 may include devices other than the medical image photographing device 3, the medical image storage device 5, and the medical image observation device 7.

  The medical imaging apparatus 3 performs a medical examination of a patient according to an operation by a radiologist. Specifically, the medical image capturing apparatus 3 performs medical imaging on a patient and generates medical image data related to the patient. The medical image data is generated by the medical image photographing apparatus 3 in a data format conforming to the DICOM standard. The medical image photographing device 3 transfers the medical image data to the medical image storage device 5.

  The medical image storage device (server device) 5 stores medical objects of various data types. The data format of the medical object according to the present embodiment includes a data format compliant with the DICOM standard (referred to as a DICOM compliant data format) and a data format not compliant with the DICOM standard (referred to as a DICOM non-compliant data format). are categorized. The medical image storage device 5 stores a file in a data format conforming to the DICOM standard. The DICOM standard-compliant data format refers to a format for encoding image data. An example of a DICOM-compliant data format is the JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) method. Examples of data types of medical objects having a DICOM-compliant data format include medical images (still images and moving images) and SR reports. Examples of the data format that does not conform to DICOM include WORD (registered trademark), EXEL (registered trademark), text, PDF, and moving image. Examples of the data types of medical objects having a non-DICOM-compliant data format include medical information provision documents, medical certificates, pathological test results, papers of own hospitals, referral letters from other hospitals, copies of insurance cards, electronic medical records. Etc.

  The device (client device) 7 for observing the medical image may be a general-purpose PC (personal computer) 7-1 or an image observation called a viewer 7-2 (concepts such as reference and interpretation). Dedicated device). Hereinafter, the general-purpose PC 7-1 and the viewer 7-2 are simply referred to as the medical image observation apparatus 7 without being distinguished from each other. The medical image observation device 7 acquires various medical objects from the medical image storage device 5 in accordance with an operation by an interpretation doctor or the like, and displays the acquired medical objects.

  The medical image management system 1 according to the present embodiment generates a new data set that facilitates subsequent data management based on a medical object having a non-DICOM-compliant data format, and uses the generated data set as a medical image. Register in the storage device 5. Hereinafter, a medical object to be registered in the medical image storage device 5 is referred to as a registration target object. The data type of the registration target object may be any data type as long as it is a data type having a data format not conforming to DICOM. A new data set generated based on the registration target object will be referred to as a management data set.

  Next, the medical image storage device 5 and the medical image observation device 7 which are main parts of the medical image management system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the medical image storage device 5 and the medical image observation device 7.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the medical image storage device 5 includes a communication unit 51, a storage unit 52, and a control unit 53. The communication unit 51 performs information communication with the medical image observation apparatus 7 via a network. The storage unit 52 is a storage device such as a semiconductor storage device or an HDD (hard disk drive). The storage unit 52 holds a database for managing medical objects. For example, the storage unit 52 individually stores medical objects having a DICOM-compliant data format and medical objects having a DICOM-noncompliant data format using different management systems. The storage unit 52 may store a medical object having a DICOM-compliant data format and a medical object having a non-DICOM-compliant data format in the same management system, or may store them without distinction between management systems. good. The control unit 53 functions as the center of the medical image storage device 5.

  The medical image observation apparatus 7 includes an information processing unit 71, a communication unit 72, a storage unit 73, a display unit 74, an operation unit 75, and a control unit 76.

  The information processing unit 71 executes information processing related to the registration target object in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 76. Specifically, the information processing unit 71 includes a UID acquisition unit 711, a numbering unit 713, a data format conversion unit 715, a patient information generation unit 717, a tag information generation unit 719, a management data set generation unit 721, and a correction unit 723. have.

  The UID acquisition unit 711 acquires a unique identifier (UID: unique ID) related to a registration target object having a DICOM non-compliant data format. The unique identifier is defined in the DICOM standard and is a unique identifier all over the world. As is well known, in the DICOM standard, medical objects are divided into a plurality of layers such as examinations, series, and images. The unique identifier is numbered separately for each layer. In the present embodiment, the unique identifier is specifically subdivided into a unique identifier related to the examination hierarchy, a unique identifier related to the series hierarchy, and a unique identifier related to the image hierarchy.

  The numbering unit 713 issues at least one of the series number and the image number of the registration target object. The series number is a number uniquely assigned to the series to which the registration target object belongs in the series hierarchy. The image number is a number uniquely assigned to the registration target object in the image hierarchy. Specifically, the numbering unit 713 issues a series number and an image number according to a numbering rule corresponding to the data type of the registration target object. The numbering rule is defined in advance.

  The data format conversion unit 715 converts the DICOM non-compliant data format of the registration target object into a DICOM compliant data format.

  The patient information generation unit 717 automatically or manually generates patient information related to the registration target object. Patient information is information about a patient targeted by a registration target object. As patient information, patient ID, a patient's name, a date of birth, age, etc. are mentioned, for example.

  The tag information generation unit 719 automatically or manually generates tag information based on the DICOM standard related to the registration target object. For example, in the DICOM standard, tag information is classified into essential tags and private tabs. The tag information generation unit 719 may generate tag information related to at least the essential tag. As tag information according to the present embodiment, all tag information other than patient information, for example, examination date, pixel data (pixel data), photometric (RGB), storage bit, modality code, SOP (Service Object Pair) class , Transfer syntax, etc.

  The management data set generation unit 721 associates a registration target object having a DICOM-compliant data format with the UID acquired by the UID acquisition unit 711, the series number issued by the issue unit 713, and the image number. Generate a set. The management data set generation unit 721 can also associate information other than the UID, series number, and image number.

  The correction unit 723 corrects the numbering rule of the series number and the image number managed by the numbering unit 713 in accordance with an instruction from the user via the operation unit 75.

  The communication unit 72 performs information communication with the medical image storage device 5 via a network. The storage unit 73 is a storage device such as a semiconductor storage device or an HDD (hard disk drive). The display unit 74 displays the medical object on the display device. As the display device, for example, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a plasma display, or the like can be used as appropriate. The operation unit 75 receives various instructions from the user via the input device. As the input device, a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball, a selection device such as a mode switch, or an input device such as a keyboard can be used as appropriate. The control unit 76 functions as the center of the medical image observation apparatus 7.

  Next, an operation example of the medical image management system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a typical flow of the operation of the medical image management system 1. It is assumed that this operation example is performed, for example, when a medical object is imaged.

  First, the registration target object is displayed by the medical image observation apparatus 7 (step S1). In step S1, the display unit 74 of the medical image observation apparatus 7 displays, for example, a registration target object. Typically, first, the display unit 74 displays an examination list in which specific information of a plurality of examinations is arranged. The user designates an examination to be imaged from a plurality of examinations via the operation unit 75. When the examination is designated, the display unit 74 displays medical image data related to the designated examination on the first display device. On this first display device, only medical image data relating to a single examination may be displayed, or medical image data corresponding to a plurality of examinations may be displayed. For example, for comparison, medical image data relating to the current examination and medical image data relating to the past examination may be displayed side by side on the first display device. Further, the display unit 74 displays, for example, a registration target object related to a patient who is a subject of the medical image data on the second display device. An example of the registration target object is an electronic medical record. The user observes the displayed registration target object and confirms the arrangement, orientation, density, and the like of the registration target object.

  When step S1 is performed, the medical image observation apparatus 7 acquires the examination UID (that is, examination UID, series UID, image UID) to which the registration target object belongs (step S2). The processes after step S2 may be started upon receiving an instruction from the user via the operation unit 75. For example, the medical image observation apparatus 7 performs the processes in and after step S2 triggered by a drag-and-drop operation of the registration target object displayed on the second display device via the operation unit 75 to the first display device. Start.

  Hereinafter, the UID acquisition process performed by the UID acquisition unit 711 of the medical image observation apparatus 7 in step S2 will be described in detail. For example, when the UID acquisition unit 711 considers that the UID of the registration target object is the same as the UID of the medical image data displayed together with the registration target object, the UID of the medical image data is the UID of the registration target object. Get as. Specifically, the examination UID and series UID associated with the medical image data are acquired. Further, the UID acquisition unit 711 issues an image UID based on a management number that does not comply with DICOM regarding the registration target object. Alternatively, the UID acquisition unit 711 may issue an inspection UID and a series UID based on a management number that does not comply with DICOM regarding the registration target object. Examples of the management number that does not conform to DICOM include a patient ID, a reception number, and an examination date. The numbering rule may be any algorithm as long as the inspection UID, series UID, and image UID are unique numbers all over the world. For example, a character string obtained by adding an identification code of each layer to a character string of various management numbers may be used as the UID. Further, a character string in which a character string of a management number, an identification code of each layer, and a vendor identification number are added may be used as a UID. At this time, the UID acquisition unit 711 may acquire patient information in addition to the UID.

  When step S2 is performed, the medical image observation apparatus 7 issues a series number and an image number of the registration target object (step S3). In step S3, the numbering unit 713 issues a series number and an image number according to a numbering rule corresponding to the data type of the registration target object. The numbering rule is constructed so as to satisfy the following condition, for example. 1. Different series numbers are issued to all series included in the same examination. 2. When the data type of the registration target object is an electronic medical record or a report, a number different from the series number of the medical image is issued as the series number of the registration target object. 3. Different image numbers are issued to all the medical objects included in the same series. The content of the numbering rule can be arbitrarily set by the user via the operation unit 75. Further, the contents of the numbering rule can be arbitrarily corrected by the correction unit 723 in accordance with an instruction from the user via the operation unit 75. For example, the numbering rule for the series number may be changed so that the registration target object displayed on the display unit 74 and the medical image data belong to the same series. Thus, by making it possible to freely modify the numbering rule, it is possible to assign a series number or an image number according to the user's preference to the registration target object.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the concept of the series number. As shown in FIG. 4, each test includes one or more series. Each series includes one or more medical objects. Each series may include only medical objects of a single data type, or may include medical objects of a plurality of data types. For convenience, series numbers such as series number 1 and series number 2 are assigned to each series. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the series of series number 1 includes three CT images and one electronic medical record. The series with series number 2 includes three CT images. In this way, a plurality of series included in the same inspection is identified by the series number. When displaying the medical object belonging to the examination to be displayed, a plurality of series belonging to the examination is displayed or arranged in order in series according to the series number.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the concept of image numbers, and is a diagram illustrating medical objects included in the series 1 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, each series includes one or more medical objects. Each medical object is assigned an image number such as image number 1 or image number 2 for convenience. A plurality of medical objects included in the series are distinguished by image numbers. For example, the series 1 shown in FIG. 5 includes three CT images and one electronic medical record. The CT image I1 is assigned image number 1, the CT image I2 is assigned image number 2, the electronic medical record C1 is assigned image number 3, and the CT image I3 is assigned image number 4. When displaying medical objects belonging to the display target series, a plurality of medical objects belonging to the series are displayed or arranged in order according to the image number.

  When step S3 is performed, the data format of the registration target object is converted by the medical image observation apparatus 7 (step S4). In step S4, the data format conversion unit 715 automatically converts the data format of the registration target object received in step S1 from a DICOM non-compliant data format to a DICOM compliant data format. Examples of data formats that are not DICOM compliant include WORD (registered trademark), EXEL (registered trademark), text, and PDF. For example, medical information provision documents, medical certificates, pathological examination results, papers of your own hospital, referral letters from other hospitals, copies of insurance cards, electronic medical records, etc. are not in DICOM compliant data format but in PDF format There are many. The conversion from the DICOM non-compliant data format to the DICOM compliant data format may be performed by an existing method. For example, the data format conversion unit 715 converts a registration target object having a non-DICOM-compliant data format displayed by the display unit 74 into data encoded by the JPEG method or the like according to the DICOM standard by the screen capture function. As a result, for example, DICOM non-DICOM-compliant PDF data such as medical information provision documents, medical certificates, pathological examination results, papers from our hospital, referral letters from other hospitals, copies of insurance cards, electronic medical records, etc. It becomes possible to convert into data having a compliant data format. Note that data conversion by the data format conversion unit 715 can also be applied to moving images. When the registration target object is a moving image, the data format conversion unit 715 considers moving image data having a non-DICOM-compliant data format as image data of a plurality of time-series frames, and converts the moving image data to a DICOM non-compliant for each frame. The data format is converted into data encoded by the JPEG method or the like according to the DICOM standard. As a result, the data format conversion unit 715 can convert the moving image data having a non-DICOM compliant data format into moving image data having a DICOM compliant data format.

  When step S4 is performed, patient information is generated by the medical image observation apparatus 7 (step S5). In step S5, the patient information generation unit 717 automatically or manually generates patient information regarding the patient targeted by the registration target object. For example, the patient information generation unit 717 automatically acquires patient information included in the registration target object by image processing. For example, when the registration target object is an object including patient information such as an electronic medical record, the patient information generation unit 717 automatically acquires character information recognized by performing character recognition processing on the registration target object as patient information. . Moreover, when patient information is associated with the registration target object, the patient information may be automatically acquired. The patient information generation unit 717 may acquire patient information designated by the user. For example, when an examination desired to be associated with the registration target object is designated by the user via the operation unit 75, the patient information generation unit 717 acquires patient information regarding the designated examination. The patient information generation unit 717 may generate character information directly input by the user via the operation unit 75 as patient information.

  When step S5 is performed, tag information is generated by the medical image observation apparatus 7 (step S6). In step S6, the tag information generation unit 719 generates tag information related to the registration target object automatically or manually. For example, the tag information generation unit 719 may generate tag information according to a preset rule. Hereinafter, generation of tag information will be described using a modality code as a specific example. As is well known, the modality code is in principle an identification code of the modality type that generated the medical image data. In the DICOM standard, CT, US, etc. are defined as modality codes. CT indicates that the medical image data is a CT image generated by an X-ray computed tomography apparatus. US indicates that the medical image data is ultrasonic image data generated by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. In DICOM, SC (secondary capture) is defined as a modality code. SC indicates that the actual data is secondary data. Secondary data means a medical object other than the original medical image data generated by various modalities. The tag information generation unit 719 sets a modality code for the registration target object according to the initial setting. Since the registration target object according to the present embodiment is a medical object other than the original medical image data, the modality code associated with the registration target object is SC. That is, the default data value of the modality code is preferably set to SC. Further, OT is defined as a modality code. OT means entity data captured by the image scanner. OT may be assigned as an initial data value. Whether to assign SC or OT as the initial data value can be set or switched as appropriate by the user. Tag information other than the modality code, for example, transfer syntax may be automatically set according to the initial setting. The initial data value may be arbitrarily set by the user via the operation unit 75. The tag information generation unit 719 may set an arbitrary data value designated by the user via the operation unit 75 as tag information.

  When step S6 is performed, the medical image observation apparatus 7 generates a management data set based on the registration target object having a DICOM-compliant data format (step S7). In step S7, the management data set generation unit 721 adds the UID (inspection UID, series UID, and image UID) acquired in step S2 to the registration target object having the DICOM-compliant data format generated in step S4, step 3 The series number and image number issued in step S5, the patient information generated in step S5, and the tag information generated in step S6 are associated with each other. A data set in which a registration target object having data encoded according to the DICOM standard (such as JPEG), a UID, a series number, and an image number is associated is managed as data in a format compliant with the DICOM standard. Note that a series number, an image number, patient information, and tag information do not necessarily have to be associated with the registration target object.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the management data set. As shown in FIG. 6, the management data set includes registration target objects and DICOM supplementary information associated with each other. The registration target object is entity data of the management data set. The registration target object is an object generated in step S4, and has data encoded by the JPEG method or the like according to the DICOM standard.

  The DICOM supplementary information is management information of the registration target object. The DICOM incidental information is defined by a management system according to the DICOM standard. As shown in FIG. 6, DICOM supplementary information includes patient information and tag information in addition to examination UID, series UID, image UID, series number, and image number. As described above, the patient method includes, for example, the patient ID, the patient's name, date of birth, age, and the like, and the tag information includes, for example, the examination date, pixel data (pixel data), photometric (RGB), and storage bit. , Modality code, SOP class, transfer syntax, etc.

  When step S7 is performed, the management data set generated in step S7 is transmitted to the medical image storage device 5 by the communication unit 72 of the medical image observation device 7 (step S8). The transmitted management data set is received by the communication unit 51 of the medical image storage device 5.

  When step S8 is performed, a management data set is stored by the medical image storage device 5 (step S9). In step S <b> 9, the control unit 53 of the medical image storage device 5 registers the management data set received by the communication unit 51 in step S <b> 9 in the data set of the storage unit 52 and stores it in the storage unit 52. As a result, the registration target object can be managed so as to belong to the same examination and series as the medical image data displayed together in step S1.

  When step S9 is performed, the management data set generation process according to the present embodiment ends.

  The registration target object included in the management data set is assumed to be a medical object that does not initially have a DICOM non-compliant data format for convenience of explanation. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. The management data set has a data structure according to the DICOM standard. Accordingly, it can be said that a medical object having data encoded by the JPEG method or the like according to the DICOM standard is initially incorporated in the management data set. For example, the medical image data displayed in step S1 is incorporated in the management data set as a registration target object of the management data set. That is, a medical object having data encoded by the JPEG method or the like according to the DICOM standard initially and a medical object having data encoded by the JPEG method or the like generated in the present embodiment after the DICOM standard Have the same data structure in conformity with the DICOM standard.

  The information processing unit 71 can convert a registration target having a data format that does not conform to DICOM into a management data set that can be managed by the management system of the DICOM standard by the above-described management data set generation processing. Conventionally, a medical object having a non-DICOM-compliant data format and a medical object having a DICOM-compliant data format cannot be associated with each other with a common UID, even in a common examination / series. The information processing unit 71 according to the present embodiment converts the data format of a registration target object from a DICOM non-compliant data format to a DICOM compliant data format, and assigns a UID to the registration target object after the data format conversion, thereby performing registration. The data structure of the target object is converted into a data structure according to the DICOM standard. As a result, the information processing unit 71 can centrally manage the data formats of medical objects of various data types using the management data set.

  Next, the use of the management data set will be described by taking the display phase of the management data set as a specific example. FIG. 7 is an example of a comparison screen between the current day inspection and the past inspection. As an example, it is assumed that the day inspection and the past inspection are CT inspections. As shown in FIG. 7, the comparison screen has a day inspection display area R1 and a past inspection display area R2. The day inspection display area R1 has a series display area R1S and an image display area R1I. Similarly, the past examination display area R2 has a series display area R2S and an image display area R2I. In the series display areas R1S and R2S, representative images IS of a plurality of series included in the display target inspection are displayed. For example, the series display area R1S displays the series 1 representative image IS11 related to the current day inspection, and the series display area R2S displays the series 1 representative image IS21 and the series 2 representative image IS22 related to the past inspection. . In the image display areas R1I and R2I, medical objects (registration target objects) included in a specified series among a plurality of series displayed in the series display areas R1S and R2S are displayed. For example, in the image display region R1I, a CT image I11 included in the series 1 of the day inspection is displayed. In the image display area R2I, a CT image I21, a CT image I22, and an electronic medical chart D21 included in the series 1 of the past examination are displayed. CT image I11, CT image I21, and CT image I22 initially have a DICOM-compliant data format. The electronic medical chart D21 is a registration target object converted from the PDF format to the JPEG format by the data format conversion unit 715.

  When comparing the current day test and the past test, the user designates the current day test and the past test to be displayed via the operation unit 75. For example, by inputting the inspection UID of the current day inspection to be displayed and the inspection UID of the past inspection, the current day inspection and the past inspection are input. The communication unit 72 transmits the input inspection UID of the current day inspection and the inspection UID of the past inspection to the medical image storage device 5. The communication unit 51 of the medical image storage device 5 receives the inspection UID of the current day inspection and the inspection UID of the past inspection from the medical image observation device 7, and the control unit 53 receives the inspection UID of the current day inspection and the inspection UID of the past inspection. Is used as a keyword to search the storage unit 52, and a management data set relating to the inspection UID of the current day inspection and the inspection UID of the past inspection is read out. The read management data set for the current examination and the management data set for the previous examination are transmitted to the medical image observation apparatus 7 by the communication unit 51. The transmitted management data set for the current day examination and the management data set for the previous examination are received by the communication unit 72 of the medical image observation apparatus 7 and displayed on the display unit 74 according to the layout of the comparison screen. The display unit 74 arranges representative images of a plurality of series for the day inspection and the past inspection in the series display area RS according to the series number.

  The user designates a representative image of a series to be displayed among representative images of a plurality of series via the operation unit 75. The display unit 74 displays medical objects included in the series to which the designated representative image belongs in the image display areas R1I and R2I. For example, when the representative image IS21 included in the series display area R2S of the past examination is designated, a plurality of medical objects belonging to the series 1 of the past examination are displayed or arranged in the image display area R2I according to the image number. Specifically, the series 1 of the past examination includes a CT image I21, a CT image I22, and an electronic medical chart D21. CT image I21 and CT image I22 initially have a DICOM-compliant data format. The electronic medical chart D21 initially has, for example, a non-DICOM-compliant PDF format, and is converted from the PDF format to the JPEG format by the data format conversion unit 715. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the CT image I21 and the CT image I22 that initially have a DICOM-compliant data format and the electronic medical record D21 that has a non-DICOM-compliant PDF format belong to the same series, It can be displayed or arranged as a medical object belonging to a single series.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a medical object that initially has a DICOM non-compliant data format is converted to a medical object having a DICOM compliant data format, and managed according to the management system of the DICOM standard. Can do. Therefore, the medical image observation apparatus 7 can display medical objects of various data types with a single application (DICOM viewer application) without complicated operations. In addition, since registration target objects that initially have a DICOM non-compliant data format can be managed in the DICOM standard, it is easy to search for the registration target objects, and the interpretation efficiency of the registration target objects is higher than in the past. And report creation efficiency.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the efficiency with respect to data reference is improved.

  Next, various application examples according to the present embodiment will be described.

[Application Example 1]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a management data set according to the application example 1. As shown in FIG. 8, the DICOM supplementary information according to the application example 1 has a disclosure flag in addition to the examination UID, series UID, image UID, series number, image number, patient information, and tag information.

  The disclosure flag is a code indicating whether or not the registration target object can be disclosed. When the disclosure flag is ON, the registration target object can be disclosed, and when the disclosure flag is OFF, it means that the registration target object cannot be disclosed. According to a predetermined disclosure flag changing condition, the disclosure flag is selectively set to ON or OFF by the management data set generation unit 721. The disclosure flag changing condition includes, for example, whether or not the verification has been completed, whether or not the AE title, the registration elapsed time, and whether or not the predetermined data has been registered. The following individual disclosure flag changing conditions will be described.

  First, a case where the disclosure flag change condition is verified has been described. When the registration target object is unverified, the registration target object should not be disclosed, and only when the registration target object has been verified, the registration target object should be disclosed. For example, the disclosure flag is initially set to OFF. When the user inputs information indicating that the verification has been completed via the operation unit 75 of the medical image observation apparatus 7, the disclosure flag is set to ON.

  Next, a case where the disclosure flag change condition is an AE title will be described. For example, ON / OFF of the disclosure flag is set according to the type of AE title associated with the registration target object. The AE title is, for example, TM_OT_TFS_01. The disclosure flag is set to ON or OFF according to the type of the AE title.

  Next, the case where the disclosure flag change condition is the registration elapsed time will be described. The registration elapsed time is an elapsed time from the time when the management data set is registered in the database of the storage unit 52. When the registration elapsed time does not exceed the threshold, the disclosure flag is set to OFF, and when the registration elapsed time exceeds the threshold, the disclosure flag is preferably set to ON. The threshold can be arbitrarily set by the user.

  Next, a case where the disclosure flag change condition is whether or not the predetermined data has been registered will be described. This disclosure flag change condition is a condition for setting ON / OFF of the disclosure flag depending on whether or not a predetermined medical object related to the examination or series to which the registration target object belongs is registered in the database of the storage unit 52. is there. For example, there may be an appropriate observation direction in the volume data depending on the region to be imaged. Therefore, it is desirable that the information is disclosed on the condition that three-dimensional images with the viewing direction as the line of sight are prepared based on the volume data. Therefore, when the registration target object is volume data and a 3D image based on the volume data is not registered in the database of the storage unit 52, the disclosure flag is set to OFF and the 3D image is registered in the database. In this case, the disclosure flag may be set to ON. Moreover, ON / OFF of the disclosure flag may be set according to whether or not the collection result data of the endoscopic examination is registered in the database of the storage unit 52. That is, when the screening result data is not registered in the database of the storage unit 52, the disclosure flag is set to OFF, and when the screening result data is registered in the database, the disclosure flag is preferably set to ON.

  The confirmation processing of the disclosure flag may be performed by the display unit 74 of the medical image observation device 7 or may be performed by the control unit 53 of the medical image storage device 5. For example, a case where the confirmation process is performed by the display unit 74 will be described. When displaying the registration target object to be displayed, the display unit 74 specifies whether the disclosure flag associated with the registration target object is ON or OFF. When the disclosure flag is ON, the display unit 74 displays a display target registration target object. When the disclosure flag is OFF, the display unit 74 does not display the registration target object to be displayed, and displays a message indicating that it cannot be displayed. Next, the case where it is performed by the control unit 53 of the medical image storage apparatus 5 will be described. When the management image set display request is transmitted by the medical image observation apparatus 7, the control unit 53 searches the storage unit 52 and identifies the management data set requested to be displayed. Then, the control unit 53 specifies whether the disclosure flag included in the DICOM supplementary information of the specified management data set is ON or OFF. When the disclosure flag is ON, the control unit 53 controls the communication unit 51 to transmit the specified management data set to the medical image observation apparatus 7. The display unit 74 of the medical image observation apparatus 7 displays the registration target object of the transmitted management data set. When the disclosure flag is OFF, the control unit 53 controls the communication unit 51 and transmits a message indicating non-disclosure. The display unit 74 of the medical image observation apparatus 7 displays the transmitted non-disclosure message.

  The DICOM supplementary information may include a disclosure range in addition to the disclosure flag. The disclosure range can be arbitrarily set in accordance with an instruction from the user via the operation unit 75. For example, the scope of disclosure includes in-hospital and no restrictions. For example, when reading the management data set to be displayed, the control unit 53 of the medical image storage apparatus 5 specifies the contents of the disclosure range included in the management data set. Then, it is determined whether or not the display requesting medical image observation apparatus 7 is within the disclosure range. If it is determined that it is within the disclosure range, the control unit 53 causes the communication unit 51 to transmit the management data set to the medical image observation apparatus 7 that is the display request source. The management data set is received by the communication unit 72 of the medical image observation apparatus 7 and displayed by the display unit 74. If it is determined that the information is not within the disclosure range, the control unit 53 causes the communication unit 51 to transmit a message indicating that the information cannot be disclosed to the medical image observation apparatus 7 that is the display request source. The message is received by the communication unit 72 of the medical image observation apparatus 7 and displayed on the display unit 74.

  As described above, the management data set according to the application example 1 includes the disclosure flag. By including the disclosure flag in the management data set, the management data set can be displayed at an appropriate time and range.

[Application 2]
The numbering unit 713 may determine the series number and the image number according to the layout displayed on the display screen of the display unit 74. For example, when a plurality of representative images respectively corresponding to a plurality of series are arranged on the display screen, the numbering unit 713 sets the series according to the display position of the representative image of the series to which the registration target object belongs with respect to another representative image. Determine the number. More specifically, the series number may be determined in the display order from the reference position of the representative image of the series to which the registration target object belongs. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the representative image IS21 of the series to which the registration target object belongs is displayed first from the left end on the display screen, the series number is determined to be 1. The reference position is not limited to the left end, and may be the upper end, the right end, the lower end, or the like. The reference position can be arbitrarily set or changed via the operation unit 75. In addition, when a plurality of medical objects are arranged on the display screen, the numbering unit 713 determines an image number according to the display position of the registration target object with respect to other medical objects. More specifically, the series number may be determined in the display order from the reference position of the registration target object. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the registration target object D21 is displayed first from the left end on the display screen, the image number is determined to be 1. The reference position is not limited to the left end, and may be the upper end, the right end, the lower end, or the like. The reference position can be arbitrarily set or changed via the operation unit 75.

  The display position of the registration target object and the representative image of the series to which the registration target object belongs can be arbitrarily changed by the user via the operation unit 75. For this reason, the numbering unit 713 may start the numbering of the series number and the image number in response to a user's instruction to start numbering through the operation unit 75. For example, the numbering unit 713 issues a series number and an image number according to the above method when the numbering start button displayed on the display screen by the user is pressed through the operation unit 75. .

  As described above, according to the application example 2, the image number and the series number can be issued according to the display positions of the registration target object and the series to which the registration target object belongs according to the user's preference.

[Application Example 3]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a management data set according to the application example 3. As shown in FIG. 9, the management data set according to the application example 3 includes DICOM incidental information, a DICOM-compliant data format registration target object, and a DICOM non-compliant data format registration target object that are associated with each other. Yes.

  As described above, in the application example 3, the registration target object in the original data format is associated with the registration target object in the DICOM-compliant data format. For example, an original PDF electronic medical record is associated with a JPEG electronic medical record. As another example, referral letter data in the original PDF format may be associated with referral letter data from another hospital in JPEG format. The registration target object having the original data format is stored in the storage unit 52 so as to be displayed by the display unit 74 as a result of an arbitrary operation or procedure.

  That is, according to the application example 3, the registration target object in the DICOM-compliant data format and the registration target object in the original data format can be centrally managed by the management information of the single management system. Therefore, even when the registration target object in the original data format is to be confirmed while observing the registration target object in the DICOM-compliant data format, the medical image observation apparatus 7 according to the present embodiment can easily perform the original registration. It is possible to display registration target objects in the data format.

  Note that the management data set according to the application example 3 may include management information that is not compliant with DICOM. That is, the registration target object in the DICOM-compliant data format may be associated with the DICOM supplementary information, the DICOM non-compliant management information, and the registration target object in the DICOM non-compliant data format.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, the information processing unit 71 is provided in the medical image observation apparatus 7. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. The information processing unit 71 according to the modification is provided in the medical image storage device 5. Hereinafter, a medical image management system according to a modification will be described. In the following description, components having substantially the same functions as those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundant description is provided only when necessary.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a medical image storage device 5 ′ and a medical image observation device 7 ′ according to a modification of the present embodiment. The medical image storage device 5 ′ and the medical image observation device 7 ′ are connected to each other via a network.

  The medical image storage device 5 ′ includes an information processing unit 71 in addition to the communication unit 51, the storage unit 52, and the control unit 53. The information processing unit 71 according to the modified example performs medical information processing related to the registration target object according to control by the control unit 53. The medical image observation apparatus 7 ′ includes a communication unit 72, a storage unit 73, a display unit 74, an operation unit 75, And a control unit 76. The communication unit 72 transmits various instructions by the user via the operation unit 75 to the medical image storage device 5 ′ via the network.

  The medical image storage device 5 ′ executes the management data set generation process in accordance with an instruction from the medical image observation device 7 ′ by the user. Specifically, the UID acquisition unit 711 of the medical image storage device 5 ′ acquires a UID related to a registration target object having a data format that is not compliant with DICOM specified in the operation unit 75 of the medical image observation device 7 ′. The numbering unit 713 issues the series number and image number of the registration target object. Typically, the numbering unit 713 issues a series number and an image number according to the numbering rules described above. The data format conversion unit 715 converts the data format of the registration target object from a DICOM non-compliant data format to a DICOM compliant data format. The patient information generation unit 717 automatically or manually generates patient information related to the registration target object. The tag information generation unit 719 automatically or manually generates tag information based on the DICOM standard related to the registration target object. The management data set generation unit 721 generates a management data set in which a registration target object having a DICOM-compliant data format is associated with a UID, a series number, and an image number. If the series number or image number is not required, the series number or image number does not have to be associated with the registration target object. The storage unit 52 of the medical image storage device 5 ′ registers and stores the generated management data set in a database. The correction unit 723 corrects the numbering rule of the series number and the image number managed by the numbering unit 713 in accordance with an instruction from the user via the operation unit 75 of the medical image observation apparatus 7 ′.

  Thus, according to the modification of the present embodiment, the efficiency with respect to data reference is improved.

In addition, as described above, the medical image management system according to the modification includes the information processing unit 71 in the medical image storage device 5 ′ instead of the medical image observation device 7 ′. With this configuration, since it is not necessary to provide the information processing unit 71 for each medical image observation apparatus 7 ′, the management data set is generated as compared with the case where the information processing unit 71 is provided for each medical image observation apparatus 7 ′. Cost can be reduced,
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 novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Medical image management system, 3 ... Medical image imaging device, 5 ... Medical image storage apparatus, 7 ... Medical image observation apparatus, 51 ... Communication part, 52 ... Memory | storage part 52 ... Control part, 71 ... Information processing part, 72 ... Communication unit 73 ... Storage unit 74 ... Display unit 75 ... Operation unit 711 ... UID acquisition unit 713 ... Numbering unit 715 ... Data format conversion unit 717 ... Patient information generation unit 719 ... Tag information generation unit 721 ... management data set generation unit 723 ... correction unit.

Claims (9)

A registration target object having a data format not conforming to the DICOM standard is displayed on the first display device, and a medical image having a data format conforming to the DICOM standard related to the registration target object is displayed on the second display device. A display unit to
An acquisition unit that acquires a unique identifier for the registration target object triggered by a drag-and-drop operation of the registration target object displayed on the first display device to the second display device; ,
Triggered by the drag-and-drop operation, a numbering unit that issues at least one of a series number of the series to which the registration target object belongs and an image number of the registration target object;
A conversion unit that converts a data format that does not conform to the DICOM standard of the registration target object into a data format that conforms to the DICOM standard, triggered by the drag-and-drop operation;
A generating unit that generates a data set in which the unique identifier and the number are associated with the registration target object having a data format compliant with the DICOM standard;
A storage unit for storing the data set;
A medical image management system comprising: The unique identifier belonging to the first management system corresponding to the D ICOM standards,
The generation unit includes a management information belonging to the first management system including the unique identifier in the registration target object having a data format compliant with the DICOM standard, and a second different from the first management system. Generating the data set by associating with management information belonging to a management system;
The medical image management system according to claim 1.   The generation unit generates the data set by further associating the registration target object having a data format not conforming to the DICOM standard with the registration target object having a data format conforming to the DICOM standard. Item 2. The medical image management system according to Item 1.   The medical image management system according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates the data set by associating a modality code corresponding to a secondary capture with the registration target object having a data format conforming to the DICOM standard.   The generation unit generates the data set by associating information indicating that disclosure is possible or disclosure prohibition with the registration target object having a data format compliant with the DICOM standard. The medical image management system described.   The unique identifier is at least one of an examination unique identifier of an examination to which the registration target object belongs, a series unique identifier of a series to which the registration target object belongs, and an image unique identifier of the registration target object. Medical image management system. A patient information generation unit that automatically or manually generates patient information related to the registration target object,
The generation unit generates the data set by associating the registration target object having a data format conforming to the DICOM standard with the unique identifier, the number, and the patient information.
The medical image management system according to claim 1. A tag information generation unit that automatically or manually generates tag information based on the DICOM standard related to the object to be registered;
The generation unit generates the data set by associating the registration target object having a data format conforming to the DICOM standard with the unique identifier, the number, and the tag information.
The medical image management system according to claim 1. In a medical image observation apparatus connected via a network to a medical image storage apparatus that stores medical image data,
A receiving unit for receiving a registration target object having a data format not conforming to the DICOM standard from the medical image storage device;
The registration target object having a data format not conforming to the DICOM standard is displayed on a first display device, and a medical image related to the registration target object and having a data format conforming to the DICOM standard is displayed on a second display device. A display section to be displayed on
An acquisition unit that acquires a unique identifier for the registration target object triggered by a drag-and-drop operation of the registration target object displayed on the first display device to the second display device; ,
Triggered by the drag-and-drop operation, a numbering unit that issues at least one of a series number of the series to which the registration target object belongs and an image number of the registration target object;
A conversion unit that converts a data format that does not conform to the DICOM standard of the registration target object into a data format that conforms to the DICOM standard, triggered by the drag-and-drop operation;
A generating unit that generates a data set in which the unique identifier and the number are associated with the registration target object having a data format compliant with the DICOM standard;
A transmission unit for transmitting the data set to the medical image storage device;
A medical image observation apparatus comprising: