JP6768473B2 - Medical image diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a medical diagnostic imaging apparatus.

Medical image diagnostic equipment such as X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) equipment, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) equipment, PET (Positron Emission computed Tomography) equipment, and SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) equipment photographed and collected subjects. Image data is reconstructed based on the data. For example, an X-ray CT apparatus performs radiography and image reconstruction under various scan and reconstruction parameters. In addition, the operator can change parameters such as matrix size, slice thickness, and filter according to the purpose of diagnosis. Here, the reconstruction time required for image reconstruction varies depending on the parameters. Further, in recent years, due to an increase in matrix size, new reconstruction methods such as successive approximation reconstruction (IR) and the emergence of complicated filtering, fluctuations in reconstruction time due to parameter selection have become large. However, since the reconstruction time is not displayed in the conventional medical diagnostic imaging apparatus, the operator cannot grasp the reconstruction time that fluctuates depending on the parameter selection, and the reconstruction is performed more than the operator expected by the parameter selection. The time becomes long, which may affect the diagnosis after the reconstruction process is completed. In the following description, the scan parameters are also described as shooting conditions. The reconstruction parameters are also described as reconstruction conditions.

Japanese Patent No. 5049283

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a medical diagnostic imaging apparatus capable of improving the efficiency of examination.

The medical image diagnostic apparatus of the embodiment includes a calculation unit and a display control unit. The calculation unit calculates the reconstruction time required for the reconstruction process of the image data based on the signal collected from the subject based on the imaging conditions and the reconstruction conditions. The display control unit causes the display unit to display information regarding the reconstruction time calculated by the calculation unit.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the X-ray CT apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of the reconstruction time according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a display example of the reconstruction time according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a display example of the reconstruction time according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of the reconstruction time according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of the reconstruction time according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a display example of the reconstruction time according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a display example of the reconstruction time according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6C is a diagram showing a display example of the reconstruction time according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processes of the X-ray CT apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a series of flow of adjusting the reconstruction time according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an imaging plan for each part according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10A is a diagram for explaining the setting of the portion according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10B is a diagram for explaining the setting of the portion according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of the reconstruction time for each part according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of the reconstruction time for each part according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining photography for each part according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a series of flow of adjusting the reconstruction time according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15A is a diagram for explaining the resolution of the image data according to the third embodiment. FIG. 15B is a diagram for explaining the resolution of the image data according to the third embodiment. FIG. 15C is a diagram for explaining the resolution of the image data according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display example of the reconstruction time according to the third embodiment. FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining a series of flow of adjusting the reconstruction time according to the third embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a display example of the communication time according to the fourth embodiment.

Hereinafter, the medical image diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, an X-ray CT apparatus will be described as an example of a medical image diagnostic apparatus.

(First Embodiment)
First, an example of the configuration of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment includes a high voltage generator 101, an X-ray source 102, a rotating frame 103, a top plate 104, and an X-ray detector 105. , A display 106, an input circuit 107, a storage circuit 108, and a processing circuit 109.

The high voltage generator 101 generates a high voltage under the control of the processing circuit 109, and supplies the generated high voltage to the X-ray source 102. The X-ray source 102 is an X-ray tube that generates X-rays using a high voltage supplied from the high-voltage generator 101, and X-ray irradiation for the purpose of reducing the exposure dose to the subject P and improving the image quality of the image. It is equipped with an X-ray filter that controls the field. The rotating frame 103 is an annular frame that holds the X-ray source 102 and the X-ray detector 105 so as to face each other with the subject P in between, and rotates in a circular orbit centered on the subject P. .. The top plate 104 is a bed on which the subject P is placed, and is arranged on a bed (not shown).

The X-ray detector 105 has a plurality of X-ray detection elements, detects signal intensity distribution data for X-rays transmitted through the subject P, and transmits the detected intensity distribution data to the processing circuit 109. The display 106 is a monitor referred to by the operator, and displays shooting conditions, reconstruction conditions, various image data, and the like under the control of the processing circuit 109. In addition, the display 106 displays information regarding the reconstruction time required for the reconstruction process. The display of information on the reconstruction time will be described later.

The input circuit 107 has a mouse, keyboard, trackball, switch, button, joystick, etc. used for inputting various instructions and various settings, and transfers information on instructions and settings from the operator to the processing circuit 109. For example, the input circuit 107 transfers the information of the input operation of the predetermined time condition and the setting related to the condition, and the information of the determination operation for determining the reconstruction time to the processing circuit 109. The predetermined time conditions, setting and determination operations related to the conditions will be described later. The storage circuit 108 stores data used when the processing circuit 109 controls the entire processing by the X-ray CT apparatus 1. For example, the storage circuit 108 stores each program executed by the processing circuit 109. Further, the storage circuit 108 stores various image data.

The processing circuit 109 executes the calculation function 109a, the display control function 109b, the reception function 109c, the control function 109d, and the reconstruction function 109e. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each processing function performed by the component calculation function 109a, display control function 109b, reception function 109c, control function 109d, and reconstruction function 109e is stored in the form of a program that can be executed by a computer. Recorded in circuit 108. The processing circuit 109 is a processor that realizes a function corresponding to each program by reading a program from the storage circuit 108 and executing the program. In other words, the processing circuit 109 in the state where each program is read has each function shown in the processing circuit 109 of FIG. Although it has been described in FIG. 1 that the processing functions performed by the calculation function 109a, the display control function 109b, the reception function 109c, the control function 109d, and the reconstruction function 109e are realized by a single processing circuit. A processing circuit may be formed by combining a plurality of independent processors, and the functions may be realized by each processor executing a program.

The term "processor" used in the above description means, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a programmable logic device (for example,). It means a circuit such as a simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPLD). The processor realizes the function by reading and executing the program stored in the storage circuit 108. Instead of storing the program in the storage circuit 108, the program may be directly incorporated in the circuit of the processor. In this case, the processor realizes the function by reading and executing the program embedded in the circuit. It should be noted that each processor of the present embodiment is not limited to the case where each processor is configured as a single circuit, and a plurality of independent circuits may be combined to form one processor to realize its function. Good. Further, the plurality of components in FIG. 1 may be integrated into one processor to realize the function.

The calculation function 109a in the first embodiment is an example of a calculation unit within the scope of claims. Further, the display control function 109b in the first embodiment is an example of a display control unit within the scope of claims. Further, the reception function 109c in the first embodiment is an example of a reception unit within the scope of claims.

The processing circuit 109 controls the entire processing by the X-ray CT apparatus 1. The processing by the X-ray CT apparatus 1 is a series of processing related to inspection using image data, such as imaging, reconstruction processing, and communication of image data. For example, the processing circuit 109 controls the collection process of projection data in capturing a positioning image (scano image), an image used for diagnosis, and the like. The processing circuit 109 can capture a positioning image (scano image) in two dimensions or three dimensions.

Further, for example, the processing circuit 109 reconstructs the image data using the collected projection data. Specifically, the processing circuit 109 reconstructs image data from positioning images (scano images) and projection data of images used for diagnosis. Here, as the reconstruction method, there are various methods, and examples thereof include a back projection process. Further, as the back projection process, for example, a back projection process by the FBP (Filtered Back Projection) method can be mentioned. Alternatively, the processing circuit 109 can reconstruct the image data using the successive approximation reconstruction (IR).

Further, for example, the processing circuit 109 performs various image processing on the reconstructed image data to generate an image for display. Then, the processing circuit 109 stores the reconstructed image data and the image generated by various image processing in the storage circuit 108. Further, the processing circuit 109 calculates the reconstruction time required for the reconstruction process for each combination of the imaging condition and the condition related to the reconstruction time in the reconstruction condition, and displays the information on the reconstruction time on the display 106. The display of information on the reconstruction time by the processing circuit 109 will be described later.

The overall configuration of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment has been described above. Under such a configuration, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment calculates the reconstruction time for each combination of conditions, and presents the calculated information on the reconstruction time to the operator to perform the inspection. Improve efficiency.

Here, first, a conventional X-ray CT apparatus will be described. In the conventional X-ray CT apparatus, information on the reconstruction time required for the reconstruction process is not displayed, and the operator cannot grasp the time required for the reconstruction process to be completed, so that the inspection efficiency may decrease. .. In addition, in the case of an emergency, etc., if you want to complete the imaging and reconstruction processing quickly, which of the imaging conditions and the reconstruction conditions should be changed and how, the reconstruction time can be sufficiently shortened. It was difficult for the operator to judge whether or not.

Therefore, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment calculates the reconstruction time for each combination of conditions and displays the information on the reconstruction time on the display 106 to improve the efficiency of the inspection. Further, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 further improves the efficiency of the inspection by accepting the adjustment of the reconstruction time in addition to displaying the information regarding the reconstruction time. Hereinafter, the processing performed by the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail. In the following description, the conditions related to the reconstruction time in the shooting conditions and the reconstruction conditions are also described as the conditions related to the reconstruction time, or simply the conditions.

First, the calculation function 109a extracts the conditions related to the reconstruction time from the photographing conditions and the reconstruction conditions. As an example, the calculation function 109a extracts the scan mode, scan speed, FOV (Field Of View), shooting slice thickness, shooting range, pitch, etc. from the shooting conditions as conditions related to the reconstruction time. .. Although the calculation function 109a does not directly affect the reconstruction time, it affects other imaging conditions or reconstruction conditions, so that the imaging conditions indirectly related to the reconstruction time (for example, a contrast medium). (Such as the presence or absence of) can also be the target of extraction.

Further, as an example, the calculation function 109a includes the image slice thickness, the reconstruction interval, whether or not it is an urgent reconstruction, and the enlarged reconstruction as the conditions related to the reconstruction time from the reconstruction conditions. The vari-area, reconstruction center, reconstruction start and end positions, matrix size, interpolation method, reconstruction parameter set, etc. are extracted. The enlarged reconstruction is a process of reconstructing only the image data corresponding to the region (vari area) to be read in detail in the image data.

Further, the reconstruction parameter set can be set as a group for parameters such as reconstruction function, reconstruction processing, filter type, WW (Window Width), WL (Window Level), and Boost ON / OFF. It was done. As an example, a plurality of patterns (“Brain”, “Neck”, etc.) are preset for each parameter, and when “Brain” is selected, for example, each parameter is set according to the pattern of “Brain”. The number of selected patterns may be plural. Here, the calculation function 109a may extract the reconstruction parameter set as one condition, or may extract each of the parameters included in the reconstruction parameter set as individual conditions.

Next, the calculation function 109a calculates the reconstruction time for each combination of the extracted conditions. That is, the calculation function 109a calculates the reconstruction time when the reconstruction is performed under each condition. As an example, the calculation function 109a is a combination of conditions in which the exposure reduction mode is "ON", the filter used is "filter 1", the slice thickness is "0.5 mm", and the matrix size is "512". Calculate the reconstruction time for. Further, the calculation function 109a is reconfigured for a combination of conditions in which the exposure reduction mode is "ON", the filter used is "filter 1", the slice thickness is "0.5 mm", and the matrix size is "1024". Calculate the time. That is, the calculation function 109a calculates the reconstruction time according to the specific contents of each of the conditions related to the reconstruction time. In the following description, the imaging condition and the reconstruction condition will be described as indicating the imaging condition and the reconstruction condition extracted as the conditions related to the reconstruction time.

Here, the calculation function 109a can calculate the reconstruction time by any method. For example, the calculation function 109a can calculate the reconstruction time from the type of the filter used, the value of the slice thickness, and the like, according to the processing capacity of the processor that executes the reconstruction function 109e. Further, for example, the calculation function 109a can calculate the reconstruction time from the past results. As an example, a combination of conditions of the reconstruction process executed in the past and a record of the reconstruction time are stored in the storage circuit 108. Then, the calculation function 109a acquires a record of the combination of conditions and the reconstruction time from the storage circuit 108, and calculates the reconstruction time based on the correspondence between the combination of conditions included in the acquired record and the reconstruction time. can do.

In addition, the calculation function 109a can calculate the reconstruction time for any combination of conditions. Here, the arbitrary condition may be, for example, a condition automatically set by the X-ray CT apparatus 1 or a condition set by the operator. As an example, the calculation function 109a can calculate the reconstruction time in a combination of conditions preset in the scan protocol. Further, to give an example, the calculation function 109a can calculate the reconstruction time in the combination of conditions after the operator makes changes to the preset conditions. The calculation function 109a can further calculate the shooting time based on the shooting conditions. In addition, the calculation function 109a can further calculate the communication time required to communicate the image data to an external device (server device or the like) based on the shooting conditions and the reconstruction conditions.

Next, the display control function 109b causes the display 106 to display information regarding the reconstruction time calculated by the calculation function 109a. Here, the display control function 109b may display the calculated reconstruction time as it is or may display a value based on the calculated reconstruction time as information regarding the reconstruction time. For example, the display control function 109b displays, as information on the reconstruction time, a value obtained by rounding the reconstruction time calculated by the calculation function 109a. Further, for example, the display control function 109b predicts an error that occurs in the reconstruction time calculated by the calculation function 109a based on the comparison between the reconstruction time calculated in the past processing and the reconstruction time actually required. , Display the reconstruction time with error added. Alternatively, the display control function 109b displays a figure or a graph that can recognize the reconstruction time calculated by the calculation function 109a as information regarding the reconstruction time. In the following, a case where the display control function 109b displays the calculated reconstruction time as it is as information regarding the calculated reconstruction time will be described.

For example, the display control function 109b causes the display 106 to display the scan screen R1 and further displays the areas R2 to R6 on the scan screen R1 as shown in FIG. Note that FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of the reconstruction time according to the first embodiment. Here, the area R2 and the area R3 indicate an area in which a positioning image (scano image), image data for diagnosis, and the like are displayed. Further, the area R4 indicates an area in which shooting conditions (shooting start position, shooting end position, shooting mode, etc.) are displayed for each scheduled shooting. Further, the area R5 indicates a display area of various shooting conditions and reconstruction conditions. The shooting conditions and reconstruction conditions displayed in the areas R4 and R5 may be changed by the operator. Further, the area R6 indicates an area in which the reconstruction time calculated by the calculation function 109a is displayed.

Here, the display control function 109b can display the calculated reconstruction time in association with a combination of conditions. For example, the display control function 109b causes the area R5 to display all or part of the shooting conditions and the reconstruction conditions, and causes the area R6 to display the reconstruction time “41 min”. The display control function 109b may be used in the case where the shooting conditions and the reconstruction conditions are grouped in the area R5 and displayed by switching each group with a tab or the like. Further, the display control function 109b may be a case where the area R5 displays what is specified by the operator among the shooting conditions and the reconstruction conditions. In addition, the display control function 109b can display the conditions related to the reconstruction time among the shooting conditions and the reconstruction conditions in the area R5. As shown in FIG. 2, the display control function 109b may further display the shooting time “1 min” in the area R6. Further, the display control function 109b may be used to further display the communication time.

The reconstruction time displayed on the display 106 is referred to by the operator and is used, for example, as information necessary for making an inspection plan. Further, for example, the operator determines whether or not the displayed reconstruction time is suitable for the purpose of the inspection. For example, in an emergency examination, it is necessary to quickly acquire image data to make a diagnosis, and a long reconstruction time does not meet the purpose of the examination. To give another example, in the case of an inspection that requires detailed image data and there is time to spare from imaging to diagnosis, a short reconstruction time does not meet the purpose of the inspection. In general, it is possible to reconstruct more detailed image data by performing the reconstruction process in a longer reconstruction time, and it is possible to improve the inspection efficiency as the image data is more detailed.

When the reconstruction time displayed on the display 106 does not meet the purpose of the inspection, or when the operator determines that it is necessary, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is further displayed on the display 106. It is possible to accept a determination operation for determining the reconstruction time to be used for the reconstruction based on the reconstruction time. In the following, a series of processes related to the operation for determining the reconstruction time will be described as adjustment of the reconstruction time, or simply as adjustment.

Specifically, first, the reception function 109c receives an instruction as to whether or not to adjust the reconstruction time from the operator who has referred to the reconstruction time via the input circuit 107. Here, when the operator does not receive the instruction for adjusting the reconstruction time, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 performs the reconstruction process at the reconstruction time displayed on the display 106 without adjusting the reconstruction time. Execute. Note that the case where the operator does not accept the instruction for adjusting the reconstruction time means, for example, the case where the determination operation to start the inspection is accepted at the displayed reconstruction time, or the case where the shooting is started without receiving the adjustment instruction. This is the case when the operation (pressing the exposure button, etc.) is performed.

On the other hand, when the operator receives an instruction for adjusting the reconstruction time, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 starts adjusting the reconstruction time. For example, the reception function 109c accepts an operation of selecting the column of the reconstruction time “41 min” in the area R6 shown in FIG. 2 as an instruction for adjusting the reconstruction time. Further, when the display control function 109b receives the adjustment instruction of the reconstruction time, the display 106 displays the information used for adjusting the reconstruction time.

For example, when the display control function 109b receives an instruction for adjusting the reconstruction time, the display 106 displays an alternative reconstruction time and conditions as information used for adjusting the reconstruction time. As an example, the display control function 109b causes the display 106 to further display the area R7 as shown in FIG. 3A. Here, FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a display example of the reconstruction time according to the first embodiment. Then, as shown in FIG. 3A, the display control function 109b has the reconstruction time S11 to the reconstruction time S15 and the reconstruction time S21 to the reconstruction time S25 calculated by the calculation function 109a for each combination of conditions in the region R7. Can be displayed in association with a combination of conditions.

Here, the calculation function 109a calculates the reconstruction time for each combination of conditions for each of the plurality of reconstruction processes for the same signal, and the display control function 109b is calculated for each of the plurality of reconstruction processes. The reconstruction time can be displayed on the display 106 in association with the combination of conditions. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the reconstruction process A1 and the reconstruction process A2 are executed twice for a predetermined shooting, the display control function 109b is used for the reconstruction process A1. The reconstruction time S11 to the reconstruction time S15 can be displayed as an option of the reconstruction time, and the reconstruction time S21 to the reconstruction time S25 can be displayed as an option of the reconstruction time used for the reconstruction process A2.

In FIG. 3A, “1 min” of the reconstruction time S11 indicated by the diagonal line is selected as the reconstruction time used for the reconstruction process A1. Further, as the reconstruction time used for the reconstruction process A2, “40 min” of the reconstruction time S25 indicated by the diagonal line is selected. The reconstruction time S11 and the reconstruction time S25 selected in FIG. 3A correspond to, for example, the reconstruction time in a combination of conditions preset in the scan protocol. Here, the display control function 109b can display, for example, in the area R6, the reconstruction time "41 min" which is the sum of the reconstruction time used for the reconstruction process A1 and the reconstruction time used for the reconstruction process A2. ..

Further, the display control function 109b can display the reconstruction time calculated by the calculation function 109a on the display 106 in association with a combination of conditions related to the reconstruction time. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the display control function 109b displays four conditions related to the reconstruction time: exposure reduction mode, filter, slice thickness, and matrix. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the display control function 109b displays the reconstruction time S11 to the reconstruction time S15 and the reconstruction time S21 to the reconstruction time S25 for each combination of the four conditions.

Next, the reception function 109c accepts a determination operation for determining the reconstruction time used for the reconstruction process. For example, the reception function 109c accepts, as a determination operation, an operation of selecting a reconstruction time to be used for reconstructing image data from the reconstruction times for each condition displayed on the display 106. As an example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the reception function 109c selects the reconstruction time S11 as the reconstruction time used for the reconstruction process A1 and sets the reconstruction time S21 as the reconstruction time used for the reconstruction process A2. The operation to be selected is accepted as a decision operation. Note that FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a display example of the reconstruction time according to the first embodiment.

Then, the display control function 109b causes the display 106 to display the reconstruction time determined by the determination operation. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the display control function 109b displays the selected reconstruction time S11 “1 min” and reconstruction time S21 “1 min” in the area R7, respectively. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the display control function 109b displays the reconstruction time “2 min”, which is the sum of the reconstruction time S11 “1 min” and the reconstruction time S21 “1 min”, in the area R6. Let me.

As described above, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment can accept the adjustment of the reconstruction time while presenting the reconstruction time to the operator. As an example, the reconstruction time before adjustment is “41 minutes” shown in the region R6 of FIG. 3A, and the reconstruction time after adjustment is “2 minutes” shown in the region R6 of FIG. 3B. In this case, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 can shorten the reconstruction time by "39 minutes".

The decision operation received by the reception function 109c according to the first embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned operation. For example, when the reception function 109c accepts an operation of changing the condition related to the reconstruction time as a determination operation after the reconstruction time is selected from the reconstruction time displayed on the display 106 for each condition. There may be. As an example, when the reconstruction time that the operator wants to use for the reconstruction process A2 is similar to the reconstruction time S21 shown in FIG. 3A, but the slice thickness is desired to be "0.5 mm" instead of "0.25 mm". First, as shown in FIG. 3B, the reception function 109c accepts the operation of selecting the reconstruction time S21. Then, the reception function 109c can accept the operation of changing the slice thickness value of the reconstruction time S21 shown in FIG. 3B from "0.25 mm" to "0.5 mm" as a determination operation.

When the operation of changing the conditions related to the reconstruction time is accepted, the calculation function 109a calculates the reconstruction time for each combination of the changed conditions. Here, the calculation function 109a may calculate the reconstruction time after the change after accepting the operation to be changed, or may calculate it in advance before accepting the operation to be changed. Then, the display control function 109b can display the reconstruction time calculated for each combination of the changed conditions on the display 106.

Further, the reception function 109c according to the first embodiment can receive various input operations related to the reconstruction time displayed on the display 106. For example, the reception function 109c accepts an input operation of a predetermined time condition. Here, the predetermined time condition is an upper limit value or a lower limit value of the reconstruction time used for the reconstruction process, and means a time setting such as "60 minutes or less" or "10 minutes or more and 30 minutes or less". To do. Further, in the following, the predetermined time condition is also described as "completion time".

For example, upon receiving an instruction to adjust the reconstruction time, the display control function 109b displays the area R7 as shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of the reconstruction time according to the first embodiment. Then, the reception function 109c can receive an input operation of a predetermined time condition (completion time) in the area R7 shown in FIG. The reception function 109c can also accept the input operation of the completion time before receiving the instruction for adjusting the reconstruction time. Further, the reception function 109c may be a case where the input operation of the completion time by the operator is received via the input circuit 107 as the input operation of the completion time, or RIS (Radiology Information System) or HIS (Hospital Information). It may be a case of accepting an automatic input operation of the completion time determined by the inspection reservation information of System).

As an example, the reception function 109c accepts an input operation having a completion time of "60 minutes or less" as shown in FIG. Then, the display control function 109b causes the region R7 to display the reconstruction time T11 to the reconstruction time T13 satisfying the completion time "60 minutes or less" in association with the combination of conditions. For example, "36 minutes" in the reconstruction time T11 shown in FIG. 4 is the total of the reconstruction time "10 minutes" used for the reconstruction process A1 and the reconstruction time "26 minutes" used for the reconstruction process A2. Satisfy the completion time of "60 minutes or less".

In addition, the reception function 109c can accept an input operation of settings related to conditions. Hereinafter, the input operation of the setting related to the condition will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of the reconstruction time according to the first embodiment. For example, the display control function 109b displays the area R8 as shown in FIG. 5 when the button in the “filter” column of the area R7 is selected. Here, the display control function 109b displays, for example, various settings related to the filter and check boxes in the area R8. Then, the reception function 109c can accept the input operation of the setting related to the condition through the check in the check box displayed in the area R8.

Here, the setting related to the condition is a specific setting content of the condition used for reconstructing the image data. For example, the reception function 109c has "filter 1", "filter 2", or "filter 2" as shown in FIG. It is possible to accept an input operation of a setting that uses any one of the "filters 4" as a filter used for reconstruction. Further, for example, the reception function 109c can accept an input operation in which the exposure reduction mode is set to "ON", the slice thickness is set to "0.5 mm", and the matrix is set to "512".

Then, the display control function 109b can display the reconstruction time satisfying the setting related to the condition on the display 106. For example, in the display control function 109b, as shown in FIG. 5, the exposure reduction mode is "ON", and the filter used for the reconstruction is one of "filter 1", "filter 2", and "filter 4". The reconstruction time T21 to the reconstruction time T23 in which the slice thickness is "0.5 mm" and the matrix is "512" can be displayed on the display 106.

As described above, the display control function 109b causes the display 106 to display the reconstruction time calculated by the calculation function 109a. Here, the display control function 109b may display only the reconstruction time, or may further display the shooting time “1 min” calculated by the calculation function 109a as shown in FIG. May be good. Further, the calculation function 109a further calculates the communication time required for image data communication based on the shooting conditions and the reconstruction conditions, and the display control function 109b causes the display 106 to display the shooting time, the reconstruction time, and the communication time. It may be the case.

In addition, the display control function 109b can display the reconstruction time and the like in various display methods. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the display control function 109b may display the time required for each of the photographing (exposure), the reconstruction process, and the communication, and the total time of these together. .. Further, for example, the display control function 109b may display the time when each of the photographing (exposure), the reconstruction process, and the communication is completed, as shown in FIG. 6B. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 6C, the display control function 109b may display a diagram such as a timeline showing time information corresponding to the execution period of photographing (exposure), reconstruction processing, and communication. You may. 6A, 6B and 6C are diagrams showing a display example of the reconstruction time according to the first embodiment.

Alternatively, the display control function 109b may display the time required for each of the shooting and the reconstruction processing together with the total time, or the time when each of the shooting and the reconstruction processing is completed. May be displayed, or a diagram such as a timeline showing time information corresponding to the execution period of the shooting and reconstruction processing may be displayed. Further, the display control function 109b may display the time when the reconstruction process is completed, or may display a diagram such as a timeline showing the time information corresponding to the execution period of the reconstruction process. There may be.

Then, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 executes imaging and reconstruction processing when the above-mentioned adjustment of the reconstruction time is completed or when the adjustment instruction of the reconstruction time is not received. Specifically, upon receiving the shooting start request, the control function 109d controls the shooting system including the high voltage generator 101, the X-ray source 102, the rotating frame 103, the top plate 104, and the X-ray detector 105. , Take a picture of the subject P. Then, the reconstruction function 109e executes the reconstruction process of the image data based on the signal derived from the X-ray transmitted through the subject P.

Next, an example of the processing procedure by the X-ray CT apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processes of the X-ray CT apparatus according to the first embodiment. Step S1200 is a step corresponding to the calculation function 109a. Step S1300 is a step corresponding to the display control function 109b. Step S1100, step S1400, step S1600 and step S1900 are steps corresponding to the reception function 109c. Step S1700 is a step corresponding to the control function 109d. Step S1800 is a step corresponding to the reconstruction function 109e.

First, the processing circuit 109 determines whether or not the inspection start request has been received from the operator (step S1100). When the inspection start request is not accepted (step S1100 is denied), the processing circuit 109 is in the standby state. On the other hand, when the inspection start request is received (step S1100 affirmative), the processing circuit 109 calculates the reconstruction time for each combination of conditions (step S1200), and displays the calculated reconstruction time on the display 106 (step S1300). ).

Here, the processing circuit 109 determines whether or not a request for adjusting the reconstruction time has been received from the operator (step S1400). When the adjustment request is accepted (step S1400 affirmative), after the reconstruction time adjustment (step S1500) is executed, or when the adjustment request is not accepted (step S1400 negative), has the processing circuit 109 accepted the shooting start request? Whether or not it is determined (step S1600). When the shooting start request is not accepted (step S1600 is denied), the processing circuit 109 is in the standby state. On the other hand, when the imaging start request is received (step S1600 affirmative), the processing circuit 109 executes imaging on the subject P (step S1700).

Then, the processing circuit 109 executes the reconstruction process of the image data based on the signal collected from the subject P (step S1800), and determines whether or not the end command is received from the operator (step S1900). When the end command is not accepted (step S1900 is denied), the processing circuit 109 goes into a standby state. On the other hand, when the end command is received (step S1900 affirmative), the processing circuit 109 ends the processing.

If the subject P has been photographed in advance and the signal collection from the subject P has been completed, it is determined whether or not the imaging start request in step S1600 has been accepted, and the imaging in step S1700 is performed. It may not be. Further, after receiving the inspection start request in step S1100 affirmation, the reconstruction time of step S1500 shall be adjusted, the reconstruction time of step S1200 shall be calculated, the reconstruction time of step S1300 shall be displayed, and the adjustment request of step S1400 shall be performed. It may not be determined whether or not it has been accepted.

The flow of processing of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment has been described above. Next, the process of adjusting the reconstruction time according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a series of flow of adjusting the reconstruction time according to the first embodiment. Here, FIG. 8 shows the process corresponding to step S1500 of FIG.

In FIG. 8, step S1501 is a step corresponding to the calculation function 109a. Step S1502 is a step corresponding to the display control function 109b. Step S1503, step S1504, step S1505 and step S1506 are steps corresponding to the reception function 109c.

First, the processing circuit 109 calculates a plurality of reconstruction times for each combination of conditions (step S1501), and displays the calculated plurality of reconstruction times on the display 106 (step S1502). Next, the processing circuit 109 accepts an operation of selecting the reconstruction time to be used for reconstructing the image data from the reconstruction time for each condition displayed on the display 106 (step S1503).

Here, the processing circuit 109 determines whether or not the adjustment end command has been received from the operator (step S1504). When the adjustment end command is received (step S1504 affirmative), the processing circuit 109 ends the processing. On the other hand, when the adjustment end command is not accepted (denial in step S1504), the processing circuit 109 accepts an operation for changing the conditions related to the selected reconstruction time (step S1505). Here, the processing circuit 109 determines whether or not the adjustment end command has been received from the operator (step S1506). If the adjustment end command is not accepted (denial in step S1506), the processing circuit 109 shifts to step S1502 again. On the other hand, when the adjustment end command is received (step S1506 affirmative), the processing circuit 109 ends the processing.

If the plurality of reconstruction times displayed in step S1502 are calculated in step S1200 of FIG. 7, step S1501 may not be performed. Further, when the adjustment end command is not accepted in step S1506 and the process proceeds to step S1502 again, a plurality of reconstruction times different from the plurality of reconstruction times already displayed may be displayed. Further, step S1505 and step S1506 may not be performed, and if the adjustment end command of step S1504 is not accepted, the process may be shifted to step S1502 again.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the calculation function 109a determines the reconstruction time required for the reconstruction process of the image data based on the signal collected from the subject P based on the imaging conditions and the reconstruction conditions. calculate. Further, the display control function 109b causes the display 106 to display information regarding the reconstruction time calculated by the calculation function 109a. Therefore, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment can improve the efficiency of the examination by presenting the reconstruction time to the operator and making it possible to estimate the time required for the diagnosis.

Further, as described above, according to the first embodiment, the reception function 109c accepts a determination operation for determining the reconstruction time based on the reconstruction time displayed on the display 106. Further, the display control function 109b causes the display 106 to display the reconstruction time determined by the determination operation. Therefore, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment executes the image data reconstruction process at an appropriate reconstruction time by presenting the reconstruction time to the operator and enabling the adjustment thereof. , The efficiency of inspection can be improved.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the reception function 109c can accept an operation for shortening the reconstruction time displayed on the display 106. Therefore, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment shortens the reconstruction time as necessary even in the examination of an emergency case, and the reconstruction process takes a long time, which affects the diagnosis. Can be avoided.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the reception function 109c can accept an operation for extending the reconstruction time displayed on the display 106. Therefore, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment allocates sufficient time for the reconstruction process when there is time to make a diagnosis, and generates detailed image data to improve the efficiency of the examination. Can be improved.

Further, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment accepts an input operation of a predetermined time condition, and displays the reconstruction time satisfying the predetermined time condition on the display 106. Therefore, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment can efficiently adjust the reconstruction time after eliminating the reconstruction time that does not meet the purpose of the inspection in advance, further improving the efficiency of the inspection. Can be improved.

Further, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment accepts an input operation of the setting related to the condition, and displays the reconstruction time satisfying the setting related to the condition on the display 106. Therefore, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment has a condition related to the reconstruction time, if there is a setting required according to the purpose of the inspection, for each condition that does not satisfy the necessary setting. After eliminating the reconstruction time in advance, the reconstruction time can be adjusted efficiently, and the efficiency of the inspection can be further improved.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the display control function 109b displays not only the reconstruction time but also the shooting time and the communication time on the display 106 together with the reconstruction time. Therefore, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment can further improve the efficiency of the examination by directly presenting the actual time required for the diagnosis to the operator.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the display control function 109b sets the reconstruction time, the shooting time, and the communication time as the required time of each process, the time when each process is completed, or the execution period of each process. It is presented to the operator as a diagram showing the time information corresponding to. Therefore, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment can facilitate the understanding of the reconstruction time by the operator and further improve the efficiency of the inspection.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment described above, the case of displaying the reconstruction time for the subject P has been described. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the case where the reconstruction time for each part of the subject P is displayed will be described. The X-ray CT apparatus according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and has a calculation function 109a, a display control function 109b, and a reception. The processing in the function 109c and the control function 109d is partially different. Therefore, the points having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Specifically, first, the reception function 109c according to the second embodiment can accept the input of the photographing plan. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the reception function 109c inputs an imaging plan in which the head and chest are imaged at high resolution, the abdomen is standard imaged, and other parts are not imaged. Accept. Note that FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an imaging plan for each part according to the second embodiment. Here, the resolution of the image data is one of the conditions related to the reconstruction time.

Next, the calculation function 109a according to the second embodiment sets the imaging range corresponding to each part of the subject P. For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, the calculation function 109a sets an imaging range for each of the sites Q1 to Q4 of the subject P1. Further, for example, the calculation function 109a sets an imaging range for each of the sites Q5 to Q8 of the subject P2, as shown in FIG. 10B. Here, FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the setting of the portion according to the second embodiment. The subject P1 and the subject P2 are examples of the subject P, respectively.

Here, the method in which the calculation function 109a sets the shooting range is arbitrary. For example, the calculation function 109a can set each imaging range by extracting each part of the subject P from the positioning image by using an analysis application that acquires the position information of the part based on the anatomical feature point. it can. Here, the calculation function 109a can set and optimize the imaging range according to the position and physique of the subject P by using the analysis application and the positioning image. For example, although the physique of the subject P1 shown in FIG. 10A and the subject P2 shown in FIG. 10B are different, the calculation function 109a is like the parts Q1 to Q4 shown in FIG. 10A and the parts Q5 to Q8 shown in FIG. 10B. In addition, the imaging range can be appropriately set according to the physique of each subject. The imaging range of the subject P can also be set by the operator on the positioning image.

Then, after setting the imaging range, the calculation function 109a calculates the reconstruction time for each combination of conditions related to the reconstruction time for each part of the subject P. For example, after setting the site Q1 to the site Q4 as shown in FIG. 10A, the calculation function 109a determines the reconstruction time for the site Q1, the reconstruction time for the site Q2, the reconstruction time for the site Q3, and the reconstruction time for the site Q4. Reconstruction time of each is calculated.

Next, the display control function 109b according to the second embodiment causes the display 106 to display the reconstruction time calculated by the calculation function 109a for each part of the subject P. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the display control function 109b associates the reconstruction time calculated for each of the site Q9, the site Q10, and the site Q11 of the subject P with the resolution and the imaging range of each site. Display each. Note that FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of the reconstruction time for each part according to the second embodiment.

Further, the display control function 109b uses the reconstruction time calculated by the calculation function 109a for each part of the subject P for the part of the subject P specified on the positioning image as a combination of conditions related to the reconstruction time. In association with this, the display 106 may be displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the display control function 109b displays a positioning image in the area R2 on the scan screen R1 and displays the parts Q12 to Q14 on the positioning image. Note that FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of the reconstruction time for each part according to the second embodiment. Next, the reception function 109c accepts a part designation operation by the operator via the input circuit 107. Here, for example, when the portion Q12 shown in FIG. 12 is designated, the display control function 109b displays the region R9 on the scan screen R1 as shown in FIG. 12, and the region R9 collects the region Q12. The reconstruction time required for the reconstruction process of the image data based on the signal can be displayed for each combination of conditions.

Here, the reception function 109c according to the second embodiment can further receive a determination operation for determining the reconstruction time for each part of the subject P. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the reconstruction process A3 and the reconstruction process A4 are executed for the part Q12, the reception function 109c sets the reconstruction time used for the reconstruction process A3 as the determination operation. It is possible to accept an operation of selecting from S31 to the reconstruction time S35 and selecting the reconstruction time to be used for the reconstruction process A4 from the reconstruction time S41 to the reconstruction time S45.

In addition, the reception function 109c can accept the reconstruction time determination operation for other parts after receiving the reconstruction time determination operation for any part. For example, the reception function 109c can accept the designation operation of the part Q13 after receiving the operation of determining the reconstruction time for the part Q12. Then, the display control function 109b can display the reconstruction time for the part Q13 for each combination of conditions, and the reception function 109c can receive the operation for determining the reconstruction time for the part Q13. The display control function 109b can display, for example, the total reconstruction time "10 min" for each of the parts Q12 to Q14 in the area R6 of FIG.

When the adjustment of the reconstruction time is completed, or when the adjustment instruction of the reconstruction time is not received, the reconstruction is executed at the reconstruction time displayed on the display 106 by the display control function 109b. Here, as shown in FIG. 13, the control function 109d can control the imaging system so that imaging is executed while switching imaging for each part of the subject P. Note that FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the photographing of each part according to the second embodiment. The part Q15 shown on the left side of FIG. 13 indicates a part to be imaged, the part Q16 and the part Q17 shown on the right side of FIG. 13 indicate the part where the imaging has been completed, and the part Q18 indicates the part to be imaged.

For example, the control function 109d sets the upper end of the portion Q16 shown in the right figure of FIG. 13 as the start point of imaging, and controls the execution of high-resolution imaging on the portion Q16 according to the imaging plan. When the imaging of the portion Q16 is completed, the control function 109d switches the imaging from the high-resolution imaging to the standard imaging and controls the execution of the standard imaging for the portion Q17, for example. Then, the control function 109d controls the execution of the imaging for the portion Q18 while switching the imaging in the same manner, and ends the imaging. Then, the reconstruction function 109e executes the reconstruction process of the X-ray image data based on the signal detected by the X-ray detector 105.

Next, the adjustment of the reconstruction time according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a series of flow of adjusting the reconstruction time according to the second embodiment. Here, FIG. 14 shows the process corresponding to step S1500 of FIG.

In FIG. 14, step S2501 is a step corresponding to the calculation function 109a. Step S2503 is a step corresponding to the display control function 109b. Step S2502, step S2504, step S2505, step S2506, step S2507 and step S2508 are steps corresponding to the reception function 109c.

First, the processing circuit 109 calculates a plurality of reconstruction times for each part of the subject P for each combination of conditions (step S2501). Next, the processing circuit 109 accepts the designation of the site of the subject P on the positioning image (step S2502), and displays a plurality of reconstruction times for the designated site on the display 106 (step S2503). Then, the processing circuit 109 accepts an operation of selecting the reconstruction time to be used for the reconstruction of the image data from the reconstruction time displayed on the display 106 (step S2504).

Here, the processing circuit 109 determines whether or not the adjustment end command has been received from the operator (step S2505). If the adjustment end command is not accepted (denial in step S2505), the processing circuit 109 accepts an operation to change the conditions involved in the selected reconstruction time (step S2506). Here, the processing circuit 109 determines whether or not the adjustment end command has been received from the operator (step S2507). When the adjustment end command is not accepted (step S2507 is denied), the processing circuit 109 shifts to step S2503 again.

On the other hand, when the adjustment end command is accepted (step S2505 affirmative or step S2507 affirmative), the processing circuit 109 determines whether or not an operation for adjusting the reconstruction time of another part is accepted from the operator (step S2508). .. Here, when the processing circuit 109 accepts the operation of adjusting the reconstruction time of another portion (affirmation in step S2508), the process proceeds to step S2502 again and accepts the selection of the portion. On the other hand, when the operation of adjusting the reconstruction time of the other portion is not accepted (step S2508 is denied), the processing circuit 109 ends the processing.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the calculation function 109a calculates the reconstruction time for each combination of conditions for each part of the subject P. Further, the display control function 109b causes the display 106 to display the reconstruction time calculated by the calculation function 109a for each part of the subject P. Therefore, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment can present the reconstruction time to the operator for each part of the subject P and improve the efficiency of the examination.

Further, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment accepts an input of an imaging site at the time of imaging planning, so that imaging can be performed for each site under effective imaging conditions, and the efficiency of inspection is improved. Can be done. Further, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment can perform the reconstruction process of the image data based on the signal collected for each imaging site under the effective reconstruction conditions for each site, and can be used for inspection. Efficiency can be improved.

Further, according to the second embodiment, the control function 109d can control the imaging system so that imaging is executed while switching imaging for each part of the subject P. Therefore, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment can reduce unnecessary exposure and avoid re-imaging.

(Third Embodiment)
In the first embodiment described above, an example shown in FIG. 5 has been described for setting the conditions. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, variations of settings related to conditions will be described. The X-ray CT apparatus according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and is processed by the display control function 109b and the reception function 109c. Is partially different. Therefore, the points having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The reception function 109c according to the third embodiment can accept, for example, an input operation of a setting related to the resolution (image quality) of image data as an input operation of a setting related to a condition. Here, the resolution of the image data will be described with reference to FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C. 15A, 15B and 15C are diagrams for explaining the resolution of the image data according to the third embodiment.

As shown in the left figure of FIG. 15A, the resolutions of the image data include the resolutions in the X and Y directions perpendicular to the body axis direction of the subject P and the resolutions in the Z direction which is the body axis direction of the subject P. is there. Further, in the generation of the three-dimensional image data as shown in FIG. 15B, a predetermined number of image data of the cross section of the subject P (hereinafter, also simply referred to as image data) is required. Here, the predetermined number of sheets is data for the actual size. For example, as shown in the right figure of FIG. 15A, if the pixel size of the subject P in the body axis direction (Z direction) is "0.5 mm" and the imaging range is "200 mm", it is equivalent to "400 images". Image data is required. On the other hand, if the actually reconstructed image data is "100 images", it is necessary to interpolate the insufficient "300 images" of image data.

The number of image data to be interpolated depends on the number of image data actually reconstructed. For example, as shown in FIG. 15C, when "400 images" of image data are reconstructed under the condition of high image quality, interpolation becomes unnecessary. Further, for example, when "320 images" of image data are reconstructed under normal conditions, it becomes necessary to interpolate "80 images" of image data, and the interpolation rate is "20%". Similarly, the interpolation rate when the image data of "200 images" is reconstructed under the condition of low image quality 1 is "50%", and the image data of "100 images" is reconstructed under the condition of low image quality 2. The interpolation rate is "75%". Here, the higher the interpolation rate (the smaller the number of image data to be reconstructed), the lower the image quality of the subject P in the body axis direction (Z direction).

Here, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment can be set to high image quality in the X direction and the Y direction perpendicular to the body axis direction (Z direction) of the subject P. For example, high-resolution image data (high-resolution image) having a matrix of "1024 x 1024" can be reconstructed. On the other hand, as described above, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 cannot acquire detailed three-dimensional image data if the resolution is low in the Z direction even if the resolution is high in the X and Y directions. ..

Therefore, the reception function 109c according to the third embodiment is involved not only in the resolution in the direction perpendicular to the body axis direction (Z direction) of the subject P but also in the resolution in the body axis direction (Z direction) of the subject P. It is possible to accept the input operation of the setting to be performed. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the display control function 109b displays the high-quality check box R10 and the high-quality check box R11 in the area R7 on the scan screen R1, and the reception function 109c uses a check on the check box. Therefore, it is possible to accept input operations for settings related to resolution. Note that FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display example of the reconstruction time according to the third embodiment.

For example, as shown in FIG. 16, when the high image quality check box R11 is checked, the display control function 109b sets the reconstruction process A6 to the high image quality mode, and the reconstruction time S61 to reconstruct corresponding to the high image quality condition. The configuration time S65 can be displayed. Here, each of the reconstruction time S61 to the reconstruction time S65 shown in FIG. 16 has the resolution in the direction perpendicular to the body axis direction (Z direction) of the subject P and the subject when the three-dimensional image data is generated. It is preferable that the content has the same height as the resolution in the body axis direction (Z direction) of the sample P.

Then, the reception function 109c accepts a determination operation for determining the reconstruction time. Here, regarding the reconstruction process A6 set to the high image quality mode, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 has high image quality regardless of which of the reconstruction times S61 to the reconstruction time S65 shown in FIG. 16 is selected by the operator. The reconstruction process can be executed in the reconstruction time corresponding to the combination of the above conditions. That is, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 can generate detailed three-dimensional image data having high resolution in any direction.

Next, the adjustment of the reconstruction time according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining a series of flow of adjusting the reconstruction time according to the third embodiment. Here, FIG. 17 shows the process corresponding to step S1500 of FIG.

In FIG. 17, step S3501 is a step corresponding to the calculation function 109a. Step S3502 and step S3504 are steps corresponding to the display control function 109b. Step S3503, step S3505, step S3506, step S3507 and step S3508 are steps corresponding to the reception function 109c.

First, the processing circuit 109 calculates a plurality of reconstruction times for each combination of conditions (step S3501), and displays the calculated plurality of reconstruction times on the display 106 (step S3502). Here, the processing circuit 109 determines whether or not an operation for setting the high image quality mode has been accepted from the operator (step S3503). Then, when the processing circuit 109 accepts the operation for setting the high image quality mode (step S3503 affirmative), after displaying a plurality of reconstruction times satisfying the high image quality condition on the display 106 (step S3504), the processing circuit 109 is high. When the operation for setting the image quality mode is not accepted (denial in step S3503), the operation of selecting the reconstruction time to be used for the reconstruction of the image data is accepted as it is from the reconstruction time for each condition displayed on the display 106. (Step S3505).

Here, the processing circuit 109 determines whether or not the adjustment end command has been received from the operator (step S3506). When the adjustment end command is received (step S3506 affirmative), the processing circuit 109 ends the processing. On the other hand, when the adjustment end command is not accepted (denial in step S3506), the processing circuit 109 accepts an operation for changing the conditions related to the selected reconstruction time (step S3507). Here, the processing circuit 109 determines whether or not the adjustment end command has been received from the operator (step S3508). If the adjustment end command is not accepted (denial in step S3508), the processing circuit 109 shifts to step S3502 again. On the other hand, when the adjustment end command is received (step S3508 affirmative), the processing circuit 109 ends the processing.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the reception function 109c accepts an input operation of a setting related to the resolution of the image data. Therefore, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment can improve the efficiency of inspection by displaying and adjusting the reconstruction time and then reconstructing the image data satisfying the set resolution. it can.

Further, according to the third embodiment, the reception function 109c displays the reconstruction time in association with the combination of high image quality conditions. Therefore, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment has high image quality by causing the operator to use the high image quality mode while presenting the reconstruction time even in an examination having a time constraint such as an emergency case. Detailed image data can be generated and the efficiency of inspection can be improved while avoiding the situation where the long reconstruction time of the mode affects the diagnosis later.

Further, according to the third embodiment, the reception function 109c accepts an input operation of a setting related to the resolution of the image data by checking the high image quality check box. Therefore, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment can facilitate the input operation of the setting by the operator, and can further improve the efficiency of the inspection.

Further, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment receives an input of a setting related to the resolution in the body axis direction (Z direction) of the subject P. Therefore, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment has detailed three-dimensional image data having high resolution not only in the direction perpendicular to the body axis direction of the subject P but also in the body axis direction of the subject P. Can be generated to improve the efficiency of inspection.

(Fourth Embodiment)
In the first embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 3A and the like, a case where information on the reconstruction time is displayed on the display 106 in association with a combination of shooting conditions and reconstruction conditions has been described. On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, a case will be described in which information on the communication time of image data to an external device (server device or the like) is displayed on the display 106 in association with a combination of shooting conditions and reconstruction conditions. To do. The X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and has a calculation function 109a, a display control function 109b, and the like. The processing in the reception function 109c is partially different. Therefore, the points having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The calculation function 109a calculates the communication time required to communicate the image data to the external device in addition to the calculation of the reconstruction time described above. Here, the communication time is, for example, the time until the image data transmitted from the X-ray CT device 1 is stored in an external device (such as a server that manages the image data). In addition to the time required to transmit the image data, the communication time includes communication for confirming the availability information of the server and communication for notifying that the storage of the image data is completed. It may include time for various communications between the device and an external device. Further, the X-ray CT device 1 may be capable of bidirectionally communicating with an external device, or may be capable of communicating with an external device in only one direction.

The calculation function 109a calculates the communication time of the image data to the external device based on the communication time calculation condition including the shooting condition and the reconstruction condition. Here, other communication time calculation conditions of the shooting condition and the reconstruction condition include, for example, a transfer rate (Mbps), an image type (StandardCT, EnhancedCT, etc.), a time zone, a network segment, and a device type (PACS (Picture Archiving and). Communication System), Workstation, X-ray CT equipment, etc.).

For example, the calculation function 109a first determines the imaging conditions such as scan mode, scan speed, FOV, imaging slice thickness, imaging range, pitch, presence / absence of contrast medium, image slice thickness, reconstruction interval, and urgent reconstruction. Communicates to external devices based on reconstruction conditions such as presence or absence, vari-area in expanded reconstruction, reconstruction center, reconstruction start and end positions, matrix size, interpolation method, reconstruction parameter set, etc. Calculate the data size and number of image data to be used.

Next, the calculation function 109a calculates the communication time according to the transfer rate when communicating the image data. Here, the calculation function 109a calculates the transfer rate based on the transfer time calculation conditions such as the image type, time zone, network segment, and device type. For example, the calculation function 109a calculates the transfer rate based on the past time zone and the time zone in which the image data communication is executed. As an example, first, based on the result of image data communication executed in the past, the transfer rate of "Monday 9:00 to 10:00" is "20 Mbps", and "Monday 10:00 to 10:00". Data such that the transfer rate of "11:00" is "8 Mbps" and the transfer rate of "Tuesday 9:00 to 10:00" is "12 Mbps" is stored in the storage circuit 108. Here, when the time zone for executing the image data communication is "Monday 9:00 to 10:00", the calculation function 109a is based on the transfer rate for each past time zone stored in the storage circuit 108. Therefore, it is derived that the transfer rate is "20 Mbps". Here, the calculation function 109a may correct the derived transfer rate "20 Mbps" according to the image type, network segment, and device type. Then, the calculation function 109a calculates the communication time by dividing the data size of the image data (if there are a plurality of image data, the total of the data sizes of the plurality of image data) by the transfer rate.

As described above, the calculation function 109a calculates the reconstruction time and the communication time. That is, the calculation function 109a calculates the time required to complete the workflow of generating image data and communicating the generated image data with an external device. Next, the display control function 109b causes the display 106 to display the information regarding the communication time calculated by the calculation function 109a in association with the shooting condition and the reconstruction condition. Hereinafter, the display of the communication time will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a display example of the communication time according to the fourth embodiment. In the following, the sum of the reconstruction time and the communication time is also described as the total time. The total time is an example of information on the reconstruction time and an example of information on the communication time.

As shown in FIG. 18, the display control function 109b causes the display 106 to display the scan screen R1 and displays the area R3 and the area R6 on the scan screen R1. Here, the display control function 109b displays the total time "35 min" calculated by the calculation function 109a in the area R6. As shown in FIG. 18, the display control function 109b may further display the shooting time “1 min” in the area R6.

Further, the display control function 109b causes the display 106 to display the area R7 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 18, the display control function 109b associates the total time S71 to the total time S75 and the total time S81 to the total time S85 calculated by the calculation function 109a for each combination of conditions in the area R7 in association with the combination of conditions. Display each.

In FIG. 18, “20 min” of the total time S71 indicated by the diagonal lines is selected as the total time related to the reconstruction process A7. Further, as the total time related to the reconstruction process A8, “15 min” of the total time S81 indicated by the diagonal lines is selected. FIG. 18 shows that under the currently selected shooting conditions and reconstruction conditions, it takes "20 minutes" to reconstruct the image data by the reconstruction process A7 and transmit the reconstructed image data to an external device. Further, it means that it takes "15 min" to reconstruct the image data by the reconstruction process A8 and transmit the reconstructed image data to an external device. Further, FIG. 18 shows that it takes "35 minutes" until the transfer of the image data is completed under the currently selected shooting conditions and reconstruction conditions.

Here, the display control function 109b displays the breakdown of the total time as shown in FIG. For example, in the display control function 109b, the total time S71 "20 min" is the sum of the reconstruction time "10 min" and the communication time "10 min", and the total time S81 "15 min" is the reconstruction time "10 min" and the communication time "5 min". Is displayed as the sum of. That is, the display control function 109b displays the reconstruction time calculated by the calculation function 109a in association with the combination of the shooting condition and the reconstruction condition, and displays the communication time calculated by the calculation function 109a in the shooting condition and the reconstruction condition. It is displayed in association with the combination of.

Then, the reception function 109c accepts a determination operation for determining the total time. That is, the reception function 109c referred to the imaging conditions and reconstruction conditions (ON / OFF of exposure reduction mode, filter type, slice thickness, matrix, etc.), reconstruction time, communication time, and total time shown in FIG. An operation of selecting one of the total time S71 to the total time S75 and selecting any of the total time S81 to the total time S85 from the operator is accepted as a determination operation.

In FIG. 18, the case where the reconstruction time, the communication time, and the total time are displayed in the area R7 has been described, but the items to be displayed are arbitrary. For example, the display control function 109b displays only the reconstruction time, displays only the communication time, displays only the total time, displays the reconstruction time and communication time, and communicates and totals based on the operation received from the operator. Modes can be switched and displayed, such as time display, reconstruction time and total time display, reconstruction time, communication time and total time display.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the calculation function 109a calculates the communication time of the image data to the external device based on the combination of the photographing condition and the reconstruction condition. Further, the display control function 109b displays the information regarding the communication time calculated by the calculation function 109a in association with the combination of the shooting condition and the reconstruction condition. Therefore, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment presents to the operator the time required to complete the workflow from the generation of the image data to the completion of the communication of the image data, and provides appropriate imaging conditions and appropriate imaging conditions. By enabling the selection of reconstruction conditions, the efficiency of inspection can be improved.

The calculation function 109a according to the first to fourth embodiments may calculate the reconstruction time displayed for adjusting the reconstruction time even when receiving an instruction for adjusting the reconstruction time. Alternatively, the calculation may be performed without instructing the adjustment of the reconstruction time. Further, the calculation function 109a is not limited to the case of calculating only the reconstruction time displayed on the display 106, and may be the case of calculating a plurality of reconstruction times including the reconstruction time not displayed on the display 106. .. In other words, the calculation function 109a may calculate a plurality of reconstruction times in advance, and the display control function 109b may appropriately display a part of the plurality of calculated reconstruction times.

Each component of each device according to the first to fourth embodiments is a functional concept, and does not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. That is, the specific form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or part of the device is functionally or physically dispersed / physically distributed in an arbitrary unit according to various loads and usage conditions. It can be integrated and configured. Further, each processing function performed by each device may be realized by a CPU and a program analyzed and executed by the CPU, or may be realized as hardware by wired logic.

Further, the control method described in the first to fourth embodiments can be realized by executing a control program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This control program can be distributed via a network such as the Internet. Further, this control program can also be executed by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, flexible disk (FD), CD-ROM, MO, or DVD, and being read from the recording medium by the computer.

According to at least one embodiment described above, the efficiency of inspection can be improved.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention as well as the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 X-ray CT device 109a Calculation function 109b Display control function 109c Reception function 109d Control function 109e Reconstruction function

Claims (15)

A calculation unit that calculates the reconstruction time required for the reconstruction process of image data based on the signal collected from the subject based on the combination of imaging conditions and reconstruction conditions.
A display control unit that displays information on the reconstruction time calculated by the calculation unit on the display unit in association with a plurality of combinations of the shooting condition and the reconstruction condition .
Medical image diagnostic device equipped with. The calculation unit calculates the reconstruction time for each combination of the imaging condition and the reconstruction condition for each part of the subject.
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit displays information on the reconstruction time calculated for each part of the subject by the calculation unit on the display unit. The calculation unit calculates the reconstruction time for each combination of the imaging condition and the reconstruction condition for each part of the subject.
The display control unit claims that the display unit displays information on the reconstruction time calculated for each part of the subject by the calculation unit for the part of the subject designated on the positioning image. the medical image diagnostic apparatus according to 1. The calculation unit further calculates the communication time of the image data to an external device based on the combination of the shooting condition and the reconstruction condition.
Any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the display control unit displays information on the communication time calculated by the calculation unit on the display unit in association with a combination of the shooting condition and the reconstruction condition. The medical diagnostic imaging apparatus described in. Further provided with a reception unit that accepts a determination operation for determining the reconstruction time based on the reconstruction time displayed on the display unit.
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the display control unit displays information on the reconstruction time determined by the determination operation on the display unit. As the determination operation, the reception unit receives an operation of selecting the reconstruction time to be used for reconstructing the image data based on the information on the reconstruction time displayed on the display unit.
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the display control unit displays information on the selected reconstruction time on the display unit. As the determination operation, the reception unit is an operation of changing at least one of the shooting condition and the reconstruction condition related to the reconstruction time selected based on the information on the reconstruction time displayed on the display unit. Accept,
The calculation unit calculates the reconstruction time for each combination of the shooting condition and the reconstruction condition after at least one of them has been changed.
The medical use according to claim 5 , wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display information on the reconstruction time calculated for each combination of the imaging condition and the reconstruction condition after at least one of them has been changed. Diagnostic imaging device. The reception unit further accepts an input operation of a predetermined time condition,
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7 , wherein the display control unit displays information on the reconstruction time satisfying the predetermined time condition on the display unit. The reception unit further accepts input operations for settings relating to at least one of the shooting condition and the reconstruction condition.
The medical image diagnosis according to any one of claims 5 to 7 , wherein the display control unit displays information on the imaging condition satisfying the setting and the reconstruction time for each reconstruction condition on the display unit. apparatus. The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the reception unit receives an input operation of the setting related to the resolution of the image data. The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the resolution is the resolution in the body axis direction of the subject in the image data. The calculation unit calculates the reconstruction time for each combination of the imaging condition and the reconstruction condition for each of the plurality of reconstruction processes for the same signal.
The item according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the display control unit displays information on the reconstruction time calculated by the calculation unit for each of the plurality of reconstruction processes on the display unit. Medical diagnostic imaging equipment. The display control unit causes the display unit to display a diagram showing time information corresponding to the time when the reconstruction process is completed or the execution period of the reconstruction process based on the reconstruction time. The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to any one of 12 . The calculation unit further calculates the shooting time required for shooting based on the shooting conditions.
The display control unit is at least one of the figures showing the shooting time and the reconstruction time, the time when the shooting and the reconstruction processing are completed, or the time information corresponding to the execution period of the shooting and the reconstruction processing. The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein one is displayed on the display unit. The calculation unit further calculates the communication time required for communicating the image data to an external device based on the combination of the shooting condition and the reconstruction condition.
The display control unit is set to the shooting time, the reconstruction time and the communication time, or the time when the shooting, the reconstruction process and the communication are completed, or the execution period of the shooting, the reconstruction process and the communication. The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein at least one of the figures showing the corresponding time information is displayed on the display unit.