JP6639970B2 - Image analysis support apparatus, image analysis support method, and image analysis support program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image analysis support apparatus, an image analysis support method, and an image analysis support program, and more particularly, to a plurality of image files each containing a captured image in which an inspection region appears and inspection region information for identifying the inspection region. The present invention relates to an image analysis support device, an image analysis support method, and an image analysis support program that support image analysis for at least one of the images.

  An X-ray image photographed by the general radiographic examination is subjected to image examination by an image examiner before transmission to the PACS. Here, the image inspection is performed from the viewpoint of whether or not the X-ray image is suitable for a doctor's diagnosis. If it is determined that the X-ray image is suitable for a doctor's diagnosis, the examiner transmits the X-ray image to the PACS as it is. On the other hand, if the examiner determines that the X-ray image is not suitable for a doctor's diagnosis, the examiner operates the inspection terminal to correct the X-ray image, and sends the corrected X-ray image to the PACS. Send.

  The correction is performed in the following manner. In other words, when the display angle of the X-ray image deviates from the display angle suitable for a doctor's diagnosis, the examiner rotates the X-ray image so as to eliminate the deviation of the display angle.

  In particular, in the case of an X-ray image of a long bone such as a femur or a lower leg, two shots (a frontal shot and a side shot) are often performed in one examination. In such a case, the angle of the long bone greatly differs between the two X-ray images, resulting in that at least one of the two X-ray images deviates from the display angle suitable for a doctor's diagnosis. The examiner rotates at least one of the two X-ray images in order to eliminate the resulting shift.

  When the center position of the imaging target (inspection site) appearing in the X-ray image is shifted from the center position of the image display field, the examiner views the X-ray image so that the shift of the center position is eliminated. Also perform the work of moving.

JP 2010-82296 A

  Since the work of correcting the X-ray image increases the burden on the examiner, in Patent Literature 1, it is determined whether the X-ray image is vertically or horizontally, horizontally, or not, and the display of the X-ray image is appropriately performed. And

  However, the angle of the imaging target that appears in the X-ray image reflects the angle of the imaging target with respect to the imaging device. The angle also shifts. Similarly, the position of the imaging target appearing in the X-ray image also reflects the position of the imaging target with respect to the imaging device. Will also shift.

  In Patent Literature 1, such a deviation of the angle / position is not determined, and the displayed angle / position of the photographing target is deviated from a correct angle / position. In order to eliminate such a shift, a repair work by the examiner is required, and the burden on the examiner still remains.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide an image-analysis support apparatus, an image-analysis support method, and an image-analysis support method that can reduce the work load on the image examiner for correcting the deviation of the angle of the inspection part appearing in the captured image. To provide an image support program.

  An image analysis support apparatus according to the present invention (10: a reference numeral corresponding to the embodiment; the same applies hereinafter) is used for a plurality of image files each containing a photographed image in which an inspection part appears and inspection part information indicating the inspection part. An image analysis support device (10) for assisting image analysis for at least one of the following, wherein a rectangle circumscribing an inspection region on a photographed image stored in a target image file is defined based on a pixel value: Defining means (S63 to S69), first angle detecting means (S75) for detecting an angle of a side forming a rectangle defined by the defining means, an inspection part indicating the correspondence between each of the plurality of inspection parts and the angle. With reference to the angle information (TBL1), the angle is detected by the second angle detecting means (S77) for detecting an angle corresponding to the inspection part indicated by the inspection part information contained in the target image file, and by the first angle detecting means. Detected by the angle and the second angle detecting means. As predetermined angle condition between the angles is established, comprising an angle adjusting means for adjusting the viewing angle of the photographed image contained in the target image file (S79, S81).

  Preferably, a control unit for controlling permission / restriction of the processing of the angle adjustment unit with reference to the inspection site / adjustment necessity information (TBL2) indicating the correspondence between each of the plurality of inspection sites and the necessity of the angle adjustment (TBL2) S57) is further provided.

  Preferably, an addition unit (S17) for adding angle information indicating an adjustment angle by the angle adjustment unit to the target image file, and a transfer unit (S19) for transferring the target image file to the image server (90) after the processing of the addition unit Is further provided.

  Preferably, updating means (S91, S93) for updating the captured image contained in the target image file with the captured image subjected to angle adjustment by the angle adjusting means, and an image server (S91) after updating the target image file by the updating means. Further, there is further provided a transfer means (S95) for transferring the data to (90).

  Preferably, an update unit (S21 to S43) for updating the correspondence indicated by the examination region / angle information for each examination region in accordance with an update operation is further provided.

  Preferably, the defining means is a converting means (S63) for converting the photographed image into a binarized image, and a first rectangular frame (FRb) circumscribing a chunk region of the black image on the binarized image converted by the converting means. Based on the pixel value, and a second rectangular frame circumscribing the lump area of the white image appearing inside the first rectangular frame defined by the first rectangular frame defining means A second rectangular frame defining means (S67, S69) for defining (FRw) based on the pixel value is included.

  Preferably, the captured image stored in the target image file is set such that a predetermined coordinate condition is satisfied between the central coordinates of the captured image stored in the target image file and the central coordinates of the rectangle defined by the defining unit. Position adjusting means (S71, S73, S81) for adjusting the display position is further provided.

  The image analysis support method according to the present invention supports image analysis for at least one of a plurality of image files in which a captured image in which an inspection region appears and inspection region information indicating the inspection region are respectively stored. An image analysis support method executed by a processor (102) of an image analysis support apparatus (10), wherein a rectangle circumscribing an inspection region on a captured image stored in a target image file is defined based on a pixel value. A defining step (S63 to S69), a first angle detecting step (S75) for detecting an angle of a side forming a rectangle defined by the defining step, an inspection part / angle indicating a correspondence relationship between each of the plurality of inspection parts and the angle A second angle detecting step (S77) for detecting an angle corresponding to the inspection part indicated by the inspection part information contained in the target image file with reference to the information (TBL1), and an angle detected by the first angle detecting step And the second corner An angle adjusting step (S79, S81) of adjusting a display angle of a captured image contained in the target image file is provided so that a predetermined angle condition is satisfied with the angle detected by the degree detecting step.

  An image analysis support program according to the present invention supports an image analysis for at least one of a plurality of image files in which a captured image in which an inspection region appears and inspection region information indicating the inspection region are respectively stored. A definition step (S63 to S69) for defining a rectangle circumscribing an inspection part on a captured image contained in a target image file based on a pixel value in a processor (102) of an image analysis support apparatus (10). A first angle detection step (S75) of detecting an angle of a side forming a rectangle defined by the test part / angle information (TBL1) indicating a correspondence relationship between each of the plurality of test parts and the angle, and A second angle detecting step (S77) for detecting an angle corresponding to the inspection part indicated by the inspection part information contained in the image file, and the angle detected by the first angle detecting step and the angle detected by the second angle detecting step The angle adjustment step (S79, S81) for adjusting the display angle of the captured image contained in the target image file so that the predetermined angle condition is satisfied between is there.

  The image file contains a photographed image in which the inspection region has appeared and inspection region information indicating the inspection region. The inspection part / angle information indicates the correspondence between each of the plurality of inspection parts and the angle.

  Based on this, the angle of the side of the rectangle circumscribing the inspection site on the captured image stored in the target image file is detected. In addition, for the inspection part indicated by the inspection part information contained in the target image file, an angle corresponding to the inspection part is detected with reference to the inspection part / angle information.

  The captured image is displayed in a posture in which a predetermined angle condition is satisfied between the two angles thus detected. As a result, it is possible to reduce the work load on the image examiner for correcting the deviation of the angle of the inspection part appearing in the captured image.

  The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

It is a block diagram showing an example of the composition of the medical system applied to this example. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a client terminal for an image technician illustrated in FIG. 1. (A) is an illustrative view showing one example of a structure of a DICOM file, and (B) is an illustrative view showing another example of the structure of a DICOM file. FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing one example of a basic screen displayed on the viewer shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 9 is an illustrative view showing one example of a display angle selection screen multiplexed on the basic screen; FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing one example of a table referred to by a CPU shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 13 is an illustrative view showing one example of another table referred to by the CPU shown in FIG. 2; (A) is an illustrative view showing an example of a CR image in which the front of the lower leg appears, (B) is an illustrative view showing an example of the CR image in which the side surface of the lower leg appears, and (C) is a tibia. FIG. 3D is an illustrative view showing one example of a CR image in which the front surface of the tibia appears; FIG. 4D is an illustrative view showing one example of a CR image in which the right side surface of the tibia appears; FIG. FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing one example of a CR image; FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing one example of a state where a CR image is developed in a work area of the DRAM shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing one example of a state where a binarized image is developed in a work area of the DRAM shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is an illustrative view showing one example of an arrangement of a rectangular frame circumscribing a lump area of a black image appearing in a binarized image; FIG. 4 is an illustrative view showing one example of a state where a blackening process is performed on a binarized image; FIG. 4 is an illustrative view showing one example of an arrangement of a rectangular frame circumscribing a lump area of a white image appearing in a binarized image; FIG. 9 is an illustrative view showing one example of a distribution state of center coordinates of a binarized image and center coordinates of a rectangular frame; FIG. 4 is an illustrative view showing a magnitude of an angle of a long side forming a rectangular frame; FIG. 4 is an illustrative view showing one example of a state in which a position and an angle of a CR image developed in a work area are corrected; FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing another example of the basic screen displayed on the viewer shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the CPU shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing another portion of the operation of the CPU shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing another portion of the behavior of the CPU shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing yet another portion of the behavior of the CPU shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing another portion of the operation of the CPU shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the CPU provided in the client terminal of another embodiment.

[Example 1]
Referring to FIG. 1, the medical system of this embodiment includes an image server 20, an HIS server 30, an RIS server 50, a modality console 70, and a PACS 90 connected to each other by an in-hospital LAN 100. An image technician client terminal (image analysis support device) 10 is connected to the image inspection server 20, a physician client terminal 40 is connected to the HIS server 30, and an imaging technician client terminal 60 is connected to the RIS server 50. The modality 80 is connected to the modality console 70.

  Note that the modality 80 is specifically a radiation imaging apparatus, and is configured by a radiation tube that emits radiation toward an inspection site, and a cassette that detects radiation transmitted through the inspection site by a CR (Computed Radiography) method. You.

  When the attending physician creates an examination order by operating the client terminal 40, the HIS server 30 notifies the RIS server 50 of the created examination order via the in-hospital LAN 100. The radiographer operates the client terminal 60 to accept the examination order, places the patient to be subjected to the radiological examination at the modality 80, and operates the modality console 70 to photograph the patient's examination site. As a result, one or more CR images in which the inspection site appears are obtained.

  The modality console 70 creates one or more DICOM files each containing one or more CR images, and transfers the created one or more DICOM files to the imaging server 20 via the hospital LAN 100. .

  Each of the transferred one or more DICOM files contains file information, patient information, an examination code, and the like in addition to the CR image (see FIG. 3A). One or more DICOM files to be transferred are accompanied by radiological examination information including items such as the number of images, patient ID, patient name, gender, and date. The examination code is a code for identifying which part of the patient was photographed from which direction, and may be referred to as “examined part information”.

  The image technician operates the client terminal 10 to perform image inspection on one or two or more DICOM files imported into the image inspection server 20. One or more DICOM files to be imaged and the associated radiological examination information are stored in the PACS 90 via the in-hospital LAN 100 after the completion of the image analysis.

  The attending physician obtains one or more DICOM files and radiation examination information stored in the PACS 90 through the HIS server 30. The CR image in the acquired DICOM file is referred to for diagnosis by the attending physician.

  The client terminal 10 for the radiographer is configured as shown in FIG. According to FIG. 2, a communication I / F 101, a CPU 102, a keyboard / mouse 103, a viewer 104, a DRAM 105, and an HDD 106 are connected to the bus BS1. The inspection server 20 is connected via the communication I / F 101.

  The CPU 102 executes processing according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Note that control programs (image analysis support programs) corresponding to these flowcharts are stored in the HDD 106.

  Referring to FIG. 18, in step S 1, a basic screen is created based on the radiological examination information taken into image inspection server 20, and the created basic screen is developed in viewer area 105 v of DRAM 105. The developed basic screen is read by the viewer 104 and displayed in the manner shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the basic screen includes a heading display column IDX1 arranged in the upper part, an image display part IMG1 arranged in the middle part, and a plurality of parts arranged between the heading display part IDX1 and the image display part IMG1. Button.

  Among them, the heading display column IDX1 is a column for displaying a plurality of tabs and an examination list corresponding to any one of the tabs. The image display column IMG1 is a column for arranging and displaying one or more CR images obtained by a certain radiological examination. The examination list is formed by a plurality of columns respectively corresponding to the plurality of radiation examinations, and the corresponding radiation examination information is reflected in the description of each column.

  Returning to FIG. 18, in step S3, it is determined whether or not an angle setting operation has been performed using the keyboard / mouse 103, and in step S5, a CR image selecting operation (in the heading display column IDX1, the "CR" tab Is clicked and a desired column on the examination list is clicked), and in step S7, it is determined whether another operation is performed by the keyboard / mouse 103.

  If all of the determination results in step S3, step S5, and step S7 are NO, the process returns to step S3. On the other hand, if the decision result in the step S3 is YES, the process proceeds to a step S21. If the decision result in the step S5 is YES, the process proceeds to a step S9. If the decision result in the step S7 is YES, the process proceeds to another process. .

  In step S9, one or more DICOM files created by the radiation inspection of the clicked column are acquired from the image inspection server 20 through the communication I / F 101. In step S11, an image display process is executed on one or more obtained DICOM files. As a result, one or more CR images are displayed side by side in the image display section IMG1 (details will be described later).

  In step S13, it is determined whether or not the “image completion” button displayed between the heading display column IDX1 and the image display column IMG1 has been clicked by the keyboard / mouse 103. In step S15, it is determined whether another operation has been performed by the keyboard / mouse 103.

  If both the determination result in step S13 and the determination result in step S15 are NO, the process returns to step S13. If the determination result in step S13 is YES, the process proceeds to step S17. If the determination result in step S15 is YES, the process proceeds to step S17. Proceed to processing.

  In step S17, offset information having the moving direction, moving amount, and rotation angle set in steps S59 and S61 or steps S73 and 79 described later as items is created, and the created offset information is stored in a CR image to be set. To the DICOM file. As a result, the structure of the DICOM file is updated from FIG. 3 (A) to FIG. 3 (B).

  In step S19, the one or more DICOM files subjected to the processing in step S17 are transferred to the image inspection server 20 through the communication I / F 101, and the storage of the transferred one or more DICOM files in the PACS 90 is checked. Request to the image server 20. The image inspection server 20 accesses the PACS 90 via the in-hospital LAN 100, and stores one or more DICOM files transferred from the client terminal 10 in the PACS 90 according to a storage request. Upon completion of the process in the step S19, the process returns to the step S3.

  One or more DICOM files stored in the PACS 90 are then transferred to the attending physician's client terminal 40 via the in-hospital LAN 100 and the HIS server 30. The attending physician makes a diagnosis with reference to the CR image in the acquired DICOM file. In this embodiment, the client terminal 40 has a function of adjusting the display position and angle of the CR image with reference to the offset information added to the DICOM file. Therefore, the CR image is displayed in a posture suitable for the diagnosis of the attending physician.

  In step S21 shown in FIG. 19, the angle setting screen shown in FIG. 5 is multiplexed on the basic screen developed in the viewer area 105v of the DRAM 105. The multiplexed angle setting screen is read by the viewer 104 together with the basic screen. As a result, the angle setting screen is multiplexed on the basic screen.

  Referring to FIG. 5, the angle setting screen includes three menu items M1 to M3 provided in the middle row so as to be arranged side by side, an inspection code column CIP1 provided in the lower left, and “Settings” provided in the lower right. Button and a "close" button. Each of the menu items M1 to M3 is a menu item for instructing the display angle of the examination region (in short, a long bone) appearing in the CR image.

  “50 °” is assigned as the display angle to the menu item M1, “130 °” is assigned as the display angle to the menu item M2, and “90 °” is assigned as the display angle to the menu item M3.

  A desired inspection code is displayed in the inspection code column CIP1, and the selection frame SF1 is displayed so as to surround any one of the menu items M1 to M3. However, when the angle setting screen is displayed, the inspection code column CIP1 is blank, and the selection frame SF1 is not displayed.

  Returning to FIG. 19, in step S23, it is determined whether or not an inspection code input operation (an operation of inputting a desired inspection code into the inspection code column CIP1) has been performed using the keyboard / mouse 103. If the determined result is NO, the process directly proceeds to a step S35, and if the determined result is YES, the process proceeds to the step S35 via steps S25 to S33.

  In step S25, the inspection code is displayed in the inspection code column CIP1 (updated if already displayed). In step S27, the table TBL1 shown in FIG. 6 provided in the image inspection server 20 is accessed, and the display angle θs corresponding to the input inspection code is searched from the table TBL1.

  Referring to FIG. 6, inspection code "800" is a code corresponding to an image representing the front of the lower leg, and inspection code "801" is a code corresponding to an image representing the right side of the lower leg. “803” is a code corresponding to the image representing the left side surface of the lower leg bone. The display angle θs is set to “50 °” for each inspection code. In addition, the table TBL1 may be referred to as inspection site / angle information indicating the correspondence between each of the plurality of inspection sites and the angle.

  In step S29, it is determined whether or not the display angle θs corresponding to the input inspection code has been found. If the determined result is YES, the process proceeds to a step S31 to display the selection frame SF1 so as to surround the menu item corresponding to the found display angle θs (if it is already displayed, move it). On the other hand, if the decision result is NO, the process proceeds to a step S33 to hide the selection frame SF1.

  In step S35, it is determined whether or not a menu item selection operation (an operation of clicking one of menu items M1 to M3) has been performed using the keyboard / mouse 103. If the determined result is NO, the process directly proceeds to a step S39. If the determined result is YES, the following process is executed in a step S37, and then the process proceeds to the step S39. That is, in step S37, the selection frame SF1 is displayed so as to surround the clicked menu item (if it is already displayed, it is moved).

  In a step S39, it is determined whether or not the “setting” button is clicked by the keyboard / mouse 103, and in a step S41, it is determined whether or not the inspection code has been input (whether or not the inspection code has been displayed in the inspection code column CIP1). Is determined, and in a step S45, it is determined whether or not the “close” button is clicked by the keyboard / mouse 103.

  If all of the determination results in step S39, step S41, and step S45 are NO, the process returns to step S23. On the other hand, if both the determination result of step S39 and the determination result of step S41 are YES, the following process is performed in step S43, and then the process proceeds to step S47, in which the determination result of step S39 or the determination of step S41 is performed. If the decision result is NO and the decision result in the step S45 is YES, the process directly proceeds to a step S47.

  In step S43, the display angle θs described in the table TBL1 corresponding to the input inspection code is updated by the display angle assigned to the menu item surrounded by the selection frame SF1. For example, when the inspection code “802” is input to the inspection code column CIP1 and the setting button is clicked with the selection frame SF1 set to the menu item M2, the display angle θs assigned to the inspection code “802” in the table TBL1 is changed. Updated to “130 °”.

  In step S47, the angle setting screen is deleted from the viewer area 105v. As a result, the angle setting screen is not displayed, and the basic screen is entirely displayed on the viewer 104. Upon completion of the process in the step S47, the process returns to the step S3.

  The image display processing in step S11 shown in FIG. 18 is executed according to a subroutine shown in FIGS. In this subroutine, a table TBL2 shown in FIG. Also, here, the description will be given on the assumption that five DICOM files each containing the five CR images shown in FIGS. 8A to 8E have been acquired in step S9.

  According to FIG. 7, the table TBL2 shows the correspondence between the inspection code and the necessity of the display posture. Specifically, for the inspection codes “800”, “801”, and “802”, the adjustment of the display attitude is set to “necessary”. On the other hand, for the inspection codes “900”, “901”, and “902”, the adjustment of the display attitude is set to “unnecessary”. Therefore, the table TBL2 may be referred to as inspection site / adjustment necessity information indicating the correspondence between each of the plurality of inspection sites and the necessity of angle adjustment.

  Note that the inspection code “900” is a code corresponding to a cervical vertebra image captured in a posture in which the patient faces front, and the inspection code “901” is a code corresponding to a cervical vertebra image captured in a posture in which the patient faces left oblique. The inspection code “902” is a code corresponding to a cervical vertebra image captured in a posture where the patient faces right oblique.

  FIG. 8A is an example of a CR image in which the front of the lower leg appears, FIG. 8B is an example of a CR image in which the right side of the lower leg appears, and FIG. FIG. 8D is an example of a CR image in which the front of the bone appears, and FIG. 8D is an example of a CR image in which the oblique right front of the tibia appears. FIG. It is an example of a CR image.

  Referring to FIG. 21, in step S51, variable K is set to "1", in step S53, the inspection code stored in the K-th DICOM file is obtained, and in step S55, the inspection code stored in the K-th DICOM file is obtained. A CR image (hereinafter, referred to as a “K-th CR image”) is developed in the work area 105w1 on the DRAM 105 in the manner shown in FIG.

  In step S57, the inspection code acquired in step S53 is compared with the table TBL2, and it is determined whether or not the display posture of the CR image developed in step S55 needs to be adjusted. If the determination result is NO, the moving direction and the moving amount of the K-th CR image are set to “0” in step S59, and the rotation angle of the K-th CR image is set to “0 °” in step S61. Upon completion of the process in the step S61, the process proceeds to a step S83.

  If the decision result in the step S57 is YES, the process advances to a step S63 to convert the K-th CR image into a binary image. The converted binarized image is developed in the work area 105w2 on the DRAM 105 in the manner shown in FIG. Here, the size of the work area 105w2 matches the size of the work area 105w1, and the development position and development angle of the binarized image match the development position and development angle of the CR image.

  In step S65, the block region of the black image is specified from the binarized image based on the value of each pixel forming the binarized image, and a rectangular frame FRb circumscribing the specified block region is defined on the work area 105w2. The rectangular frame FRb is defined as shown in FIG.

  In step S67, of the binarized image on the work area 105w2, the image of the area outside the rectangular frame FRb defined in step S65 is painted black. The blackened image created in this way is represented as shown in FIG. In step S69, the block region of the white image is specified based on the values of the pixels forming the blackened image created in step S67, and the rectangular frame FRw circumscribing the specified block region is defined in the work area 105w2. The rectangular frame FRw is defined as shown in FIG.

  In a step S71, the center coordinates of the rectangular frame FRw defined in the step S69 are calculated. A shift shown in FIG. 14 occurs between the calculated center coordinates and the center coordinates of the blackened image. In step S73, the moving direction and the moving amount of the K-th CR image are set based on the deviation of the center coordinates. The moving direction is a direction in which the central coordinates of the rectangular frame FRw are directed toward the central coordinates of the blackened image, and the moving amount is an amount in which the central coordinates of the rectangular frame FRw overlap the central coordinates of the blackened image.

  In step S75, an angle θ1 (see FIG. 15) formed by the long side of the rectangular frame FRw with respect to the horizontal axis is calculated. In step S77, the display angle θs corresponding to the inspection code acquired from the K-th DICOM file is detected from the table TBL1. In step S79, a difference Δθ (= θs−θ1) between the display angle θs detected in step S77 and the angle θ1 calculated in step S75 is calculated, and the calculated difference Δθ is set as the rotation angle of the K-th CR image. Set.

  In step S81, the position and angle of the CR image developed in the work area 105w1 are corrected according to the settings in steps S73 and S79 (see FIG. 16). As a result, the center coordinates of the rectangular frame FRw match the previous center coordinates of the CR image, and the angle of the long side forming the rectangular frame FRw matches the display angle θ1. That is, a predetermined coordinate condition is established between the two coordinates of interest, and a predetermined angle condition is established between the two angles of interest.

  In step S83, the K-th CR image is read from the work area 105w1, and the read CR image is stored in the viewer area 105v (more specifically, the image display section IMG1) based on the positional relationship between the work area 105w1 and the CR image. expand. As a result, the K-th CR image is displayed at a position according to the setting in step S59 or S73 at an angle according to the setting in step S61 or S79.

  In a step S85, the variable K is incremented, and in a step S87, it is determined whether or not the variable K exceeds a maximum value Kmax (= the total number of DICOM files acquired in the step S9). If the determined result is NO, the process returns to the step S53, and if the determined result is YES, the process returns to the upper hierarchy routine. When the CR images shown in FIGS. 8A to 8E are displayed, the maximum value Kmax is set to “5”, and these CR images are displayed in the image display column IMG1 as shown in FIG. .

  As can be understood from the above description, each of the plurality of DICOM files created by the modality console 70 contains a CR image in which an inspection part appears and an inspection code indicating the inspection part. The CPU 102 provided in the client terminal 10 for the image analysis technician executes the following processing to support the image inspection for at least one DICOM file.

  First, the CPU 102 defines a rectangular frame FRw circumscribing the inspection site on the CR image contained in the target DICOM file based on the pixel values forming the CR image (S63 to S69). Subsequently, the CPU 102 detects the angle of the long side that forms the defined rectangular frame FRw (S75), and detects the display angle θs corresponding to the inspection code contained in the target DICOM file from the table TBL1 (S77). Then, the CPU 102 adjusts the display angle of the CR image so that the angle of the long side forming the rectangular frame FRw matches the display angle θ1 (S79, S81).

As a result, it is possible to reduce the work load of the image technologist for correcting the deviation of the angle of the inspection part appearing in the CR image.
[Example 2]

  In this embodiment, offset information having the moving direction, the moving amount, and the rotation angle set in steps S59 and S61 or steps S73 and 79 as items is added to the setting target DICOM file, and the additional processing is performed. One or more DICOM files including the DICOM file are stored in the PACS 90 (S17, S19).

  However, the CR image stored in the DICOM file to be set is updated with the CR image subjected to the correction processing in step S81, and one or more DICOM files including the updated DICOM are stored in the PACS 90. You may do so. In this case, steps S17 and S19 shown in FIG. 18 are replaced with steps S91 to S95 shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 23, in step S91, a DICOM file corresponding to the CR image whose position and angle have been corrected is detected from one or more DICOM files acquired in step S9. In step S93, the CR image stored in the detected DICOM file is updated with the CR image subjected to the correction processing in step S81.

  In step S95, one or more DICOM files including the DICOM file subjected to the processing in step S93 are transferred to the image inspection server 20 via the communication I / F 101, and transferred to the PACS 90 of the transferred one or more DICOM files. Is requested to the image analysis server 20.

In the above-described embodiment, it is necessary to provide the client terminal 40 with a function of adjusting the display position and angle of the CR image by referring to the offset information added to the DICOM file. However, in this embodiment, since the CR image contained in the DICOM file is updated by the CR image that has been subjected to the correction processing in step S81, even if a function for adjusting the display position and angle of the CR image is not provided, The CR image can be displayed in a posture suitable for the diagnosis of the attending physician.
[Example 3]

  In the above-described embodiment, a CR type cassette is used as the radiation detector constituting the modality 80. However, a DR (Digital Radiography) type cassette may be used instead. .

10… Client terminal (for image technician)
20 ... image analysis server 80 ... modality 90 ... PACS
101 Communication I / F
102 ... CPU
103: Keyboard / Mouse 104: Viewer 105: DRAM
106… HDD

Claims (9)

An image analysis support apparatus that supports an image inspection for at least one of a plurality of image files in which a captured image in which an inspection region appears and inspection region information indicating the inspection region,
Definition means for defining a rectangle circumscribing an examination region on a captured image contained in a target image file based on pixel values,
First angle detection means for detecting an angle of a side forming a rectangle defined by the definition means,
A second angle detection for detecting an angle corresponding to the inspection part indicated by the inspection part information contained in the target image file with reference to the inspection part / angle information indicating a correspondence relationship between each of the plurality of inspection parts and the angle; Means, and a captured image stored in the target image file such that a predetermined angle condition is satisfied between the angle detected by the first angle detection means and the angle detected by the second angle detection means. An image analysis support device comprising an angle adjusting means for adjusting a display angle of the image.   A control unit for controlling permission / restriction of processing of the angle adjusting unit with reference to inspection site / adjustment necessity information indicating a correspondence relationship between each of the plurality of inspection sites and necessity of angle adjustment. Item 4. The image analysis support apparatus according to Item 1. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an adding unit configured to add angle information indicating an adjustment angle by the angle adjusting unit to the target image file; and a transfer unit configured to transfer the target image file to an image server after the processing of the adding unit. 2. The image inspection support device according to 2. Updating means for updating the captured image contained in the target image file with the captured image subjected to the angle adjustment by the angle adjusting means; and transferring means for transferring the target image file to an image server after the processing of the updating means The image analysis support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The inspection support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an updating unit configured to update the correspondence indicated by the inspection region / angle information for each inspection region in accordance with an update operation.   A conversion unit configured to convert the captured image into a binarized image; a first rectangular frame circumscribing a block region of the black image on the binarized image converted by the conversion unit based on a pixel value; First rectangular frame defining means to be defined, and a second rectangular frame circumscribing a lump area of a white image appearing inside the first rectangular frame defined by the first rectangular frame defining means are defined based on pixel values. The image inspection support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second rectangular frame defining unit.   The photographed image contained in the target image file is stored such that a predetermined coordinate condition is established between the center coordinates of the captured image contained in the target image file and the center coordinates of the rectangle defined by the definition means. The image inspection support apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a position adjustment unit that adjusts a display position. Executed by the processor of the image analysis support apparatus that supports the image inspection for at least one of the plurality of image files in which the captured image in which the inspection region appears and the inspection region information indicating the inspection region are respectively stored. Image analysis support method,
A definition step of defining a rectangle circumscribing an examination region on a captured image contained in a target image file based on pixel values
A first angle detecting step of detecting an angle of a side forming a rectangle defined by the defining step;
A second angle detection for detecting an angle corresponding to the inspection part indicated by the inspection part information contained in the target image file with reference to the inspection part / angle information indicating a correspondence relationship between each of the plurality of inspection parts and the angle; And a captured image stored in the target image file so that a predetermined angle condition is satisfied between the angle detected by the first angle detection step and the angle detected by the second angle detection step. An image analysis support method, comprising an angle adjusting step of adjusting a display angle of the image. The processor of the image analysis support device that supports the image inspection for at least one of the plurality of image files in which the captured image in which the inspection region has appeared and the inspection region information indicating the inspection region are respectively stored,
A definition step of defining a rectangle circumscribing the examination region on the captured image contained in the target image file based on the pixel value;
A first angle detecting step of detecting an angle of a side forming a rectangle defined by the defining step;
A second angle detection for detecting an angle corresponding to the inspection part indicated by the inspection part information contained in the target image file with reference to the inspection part / angle information indicating a correspondence relationship between each of the plurality of inspection parts and the angle; And a captured image stored in the target image file so that a predetermined angle condition is satisfied between the angle detected by the first angle detection step and the angle detected by the second angle detection step. An image analysis support program for executing an angle adjusting step of adjusting the display angle of the image.

Images