JP7047806B2 - Dynamic analysis device, dynamic analysis system, dynamic analysis program and dynamic analysis method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dynamic analysis device, a dynamic analysis system , a dynamic analysis program, and a dynamic analysis method .

Conventionally, a bone movement vector or movement amount map is created based on an X-ray motion image relating to a bone shadow of the chest, and an image obtained by superimposing the calculated movement vector or movement amount map on one X-ray still image is generated. The technique is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-43894

By the way, the movement of many structures such as lung parenchyma, airway, blood vessel, muscle, and osseous thorax contributes to the respiratory function, and since these structures move with breathing, between these structures. It is effective to grasp the relationship of the movements in time series for diagnosing the state of respiratory function (normal / abnormal, degree of disease, etc.). However, Patent Document 1 generates an image in which a bone movement vector or a movement amount map is superimposed on one X-ray still image, and even if this image is observed, the structures between structures in time series are generated. I can't grasp the relationship between movements. Therefore, it was insufficient to grasp the state of respiratory function.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to grasp the state of respiratory function by making it possible to grasp the relationship between the movements of structures accompanying respiration from a chest dynamic image in chronological order.

In order to solve the above problems, the dynamic analysis device of the present invention is used.
The first measurement target point and the first measurement target point and the first on one structure of the subject in one frame image among a plurality of frame images constituting the dynamic image acquired by irradiating the subject with radiation. Setting means for setting the measurement target point of 2 and
A plurality of tracking target points corresponding to the first measurement target point are acquired in a predetermined section of the plurality of frame images in the time direction , and the tracking target points are based on the plurality of tracking target points and the first measurement target point . The first time-series data including at least one of the movement amount and the movement direction of the first measurement target point in the time direction is calculated, and the second measurement target in the predetermined section of the plurality of frame images. A plurality of tracking target points corresponding to points are acquired, and at least the movement amount and the movement direction of the second measurement target point in the time direction based on the plurality of tracking target points and the second measurement target point . A calculation means for calculating a second time-series data including one,
A display means for displaying the first graph based on the first time-series data and the second graph based on the second time-series data in a comparable manner.
To prepare for.

Further, the dynamic analysis system of the present invention is used.
An imaging device that acquires the dynamic image, and
The dynamic analysis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
To prepare for.

Further, the dynamic analysis program of the present invention is
On the computer
The first measurement target point and the first measurement target point and the first on one structure of the subject in one frame image among a plurality of frame images constituting the dynamic image acquired by irradiating the subject with radiation. The first process of setting the measurement target point of 2 and
A plurality of tracking target points corresponding to the first measurement target point are acquired in a predetermined section of the plurality of frame images in the time direction , and the tracking target points are based on the plurality of tracking target points and the first measurement target point . The first time-series data including at least one of the movement amount and the movement direction of the first measurement target point in the time direction is calculated, and the second measurement target in the predetermined section of the plurality of frame images. A plurality of tracking target points corresponding to points are acquired, and at least the movement amount and the movement direction of the second measurement target point in the time direction based on the plurality of tracking target points and the second measurement target point . The second process of calculating the second time-series data including one, and
A third process of displaying the first graph based on the first time-series data and the second graph based on the second time-series data on the computer in a comparable manner.
To execute.

Further, the dynamic analysis method of the present invention is:
A first measurement target point and a first measurement target point and a first structure on one structure of the subject in one frame image among a plurality of frame images constituting the dynamic image acquired by irradiating the subject with radiation. The first step of setting the measurement target point of 2 and
A plurality of tracking target points corresponding to the first measurement target point are acquired in a predetermined section of the plurality of frame images in the time direction , and the tracking target points are based on the plurality of tracking target points and the first measurement target point . The first time-series data including at least one of the movement amount and the movement direction of the first measurement target point in the time direction is calculated, and the second measurement target in the predetermined section of the plurality of frame images. A plurality of tracking target points corresponding to points are acquired, and at least the movement amount and the movement direction of the second measurement target point in the time direction based on the plurality of tracking target points and the second measurement target point . The second step of calculating the second time-series data including one, and
A third step of displaying the first graph based on the first time-series data and the second graph based on the second time-series data on the display means in a comparable manner.
To prepare for.

According to the present invention, since the relationship between the movements of the structures accompanying respiration can be grasped in chronological order from the chest dynamic image, it is possible to grasp the state of respiratory function.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the dynamic analysis system in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the shooting control processing which is executed by the control part of the shooting console of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the image analysis processing which is executed by the control part of the diagnostic console of FIG. It is a figure which shows the setting example of the measurement point. It is a figure for demonstrating the calculation method of the movement amount and the movement direction. (A) is a graph showing a time change of an unsigned movement amount, (b) is a graph showing a time change of a signed movement amount, and (c) is a graph showing a time change of a signed cumulative movement amount. It is a graph. It is a figure which shows an example of the assignment of the code based on the movement direction. A graph showing the diaphragm position calculated from each frame image of the chest dynamic image in time series, and (b) is a graph showing the differential value of the diaphragm position in (a) in time series. (A) is a graph showing the movement amount of each measurement point in chronological order when the measurement points are set at two points on the outside and the inside of the diaphragm with respect to the chest dynamic image of a certain respiratory normal person. b) is a graph showing the amount of movement of each measurement point in chronological order when measurement points are set at two points on the outside and inside of the diaphragm with respect to a chest dynamic image of a patient with a respiratory disease. .. (A) is a graph showing the movement amount of each measurement point in chronological order when the measurement points are set at the upper and lower points of the outer thoracic cavity with respect to the chest dynamic image of a certain respiratory normal person. b) is a graph showing the movement amount of each measurement point in chronological order when the measurement points are set at the upper and lower points of the outer thoracic on the chest dynamic image of a certain respiratory disease patient. be. (A) is a graph showing the movement directions of the measurement points in chronological order when the measurement points are set at two points on the ribs and the diaphragm with respect to the chest dynamic image of a certain respiratory normal person. b) is a graph showing the movement directions of the measurement points in chronological order when the measurement points are set at two points on the ribs and the diaphragm with respect to the chest dynamic image of a certain respiratory disease patient. .. (A) is a graph showing the movement amount of each measurement point in chronological order when the measurement points are set at two points on the ribs and the diaphragm with respect to the chest dynamic image of a certain respiratory normal person. b) is a graph showing the movement amount of each measurement point in chronological order when the measurement points are set at two points on the ribs and the diaphragm with respect to the chest dynamic image of a certain respiratory disease patient. .. (A) is a graph showing the amount of movement of each measurement point in chronological order when measurement points are set at two points on the lung field region center of gravity and the diaphragm with respect to a chest dynamic image of a certain respiratory normal person. , (B) show the movement amount of each measurement point in chronological order when the measurement points are set at two points on the lung field region center of gravity and the diaphragm with respect to the chest dynamic image of a certain respiratory disease patient. It is a graph. (A) is a diagram schematically showing the case where the tracking frame image interval is set to each frame image, and (b) is a diagram schematically showing the case where the tracking frame image interval is set to 4. It is a figure which shows the display example of the graph when the dynamic image is a three-dimensional image. It is a figure which shows typically the area tracking method. It is a figure which shows the display example of the graph when the area is set as a measurement target.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

[Structure of dynamic analysis system 100]
First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the dynamic analysis system 100 in this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the dynamic analysis system 100, the imaging device 1 and the imaging console 2 are connected by a communication cable or the like, and the imaging console 2 and the diagnostic console 3 are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like. It is configured to be connected via the communication network NT of. Each device constituting the dynamic analysis system 100 conforms to the DICOM (Digital Image and Communications in Medicine) standard, and communication between the devices is performed according to DICOM.

[Structure of imaging device 1]
The imaging device 1 is an imaging means for photographing the dynamics of the chest having a periodicity (cycle), for example, morphological changes of lung expansion and contraction accompanying respiratory movements, heart beats, and the like. In dynamic imaging, radiation such as X-rays is pulsed and repeatedly irradiated at predetermined time intervals (pulse irradiation), or low dose rate is continuously irradiated (continuous irradiation). By doing so, it means to acquire a plurality of images showing the dynamics. A series of images obtained by dynamic photography is called a dynamic image. Further, each of the plurality of images constituting the dynamic image is called a frame image. In the following embodiment, a case where dynamic imaging of the chest is performed by pulse irradiation will be described as an example.

The radiation source 11 is arranged at a position facing the radiation detection unit 13 with the subject M interposed therebetween, and irradiates the subject M with radiation (X-rays) under the control of the radiation irradiation control device 12.
The radiation irradiation control device 12 is connected to the radiography console 2 and controls the radioactivity source 11 based on the radiation irradiation conditions input from the radiography console 2 to perform radiography. The radiation irradiation conditions input from the shooting console 2 are, for example, pulse rate, pulse width, pulse interval, number of shooting frames per shooting, X-ray tube current value, X-ray tube voltage value, additional filter type, etc. Is. The pulse rate is the number of irradiations per second, which is the same as the frame rate described later. The pulse width is the irradiation time per irradiation. The pulse interval is the time from the start of one irradiation to the start of the next irradiation, and is consistent with the frame interval described later.

The radiation detection unit 13 is composed of a semiconductor image sensor such as an FPD. The FPD has, for example, a glass substrate or the like, and detects radiation emitted from a radiation source 11 and transmitted through at least the subject M at a predetermined position on the substrate according to its intensity, and the detected radiation is an electric signal. A plurality of detection elements (pixels) that are converted into and accumulated in a matrix are arranged in a matrix. Each pixel is configured to include, for example, a switching unit such as a TFT (Thin Film Transistor). The FPD has an indirect conversion type in which X-rays are converted into an electric signal by a photoelectric conversion element via a scintillator and a direct conversion type in which X-rays are directly converted into an electric signal, and either of them may be used.
The radiation detection unit 13 is provided so as to face the radiation source 11 with the subject M interposed therebetween.

The read control device 14 is connected to the photographing console 2. The reading control device 14 controls the switching unit of each pixel of the radiation detection unit 13 based on the image reading condition input from the photographing console 2 to switch the reading of the electric signal stored in each pixel. Then, the image data is acquired by reading the electric signal stored in the radiation detection unit 13. This image data is a frame image. Then, the reading control device 14 outputs the acquired frame image to the shooting console 2. The image reading conditions are, for example, a frame rate, a frame interval, a pixel size, an image size (matrix size), and the like. The frame rate is the number of frame images acquired per second, and is consistent with the pulse rate. The frame interval is the time from the start of one frame image acquisition operation to the start of the next frame image acquisition operation, and coincides with the pulse interval.

Here, the radiation irradiation control device 12 and the reading control device 14 are connected to each other and exchange synchronization signals with each other to synchronize the radiation irradiation operation and the image reading operation.

[Configuration of shooting console 2]
The imaging console 2 outputs radiation irradiation conditions and image reading conditions to the imaging device 1 to control radiation imaging and radiation image reading operations by the imaging device 1, and also captures a dynamic image acquired by the imaging device 1 as a camera operator. It is displayed for confirmation of positioning by the photographer and confirmation of whether or not the image is suitable for diagnosis.
As shown in FIG. 1, the photographing console 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an operation unit 23, a display unit 24, and a communication unit 25, and each unit is connected by a bus 26.

The control unit 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).
) Etc. The CPU of the control unit 21 reads out the system program and various processing programs stored in the storage unit 22 and expands them in the RAM in response to the operation of the operation unit 23, and performs the shooting control processing described later according to the expanded program. Various processes such as the above are executed, and the operation of each part of the photographing console 2 and the irradiation operation and the reading operation of the photographing apparatus 1 are centrally controlled.

The storage unit 22 is composed of a non-volatile semiconductor memory, a hard disk, or the like. The storage unit 22 stores data such as parameters or processing results required for processing by various programs and programs executed by the control unit 21. For example, the storage unit 22 stores a program for executing the shooting control process shown in FIG. Further, the storage unit 22 stores the irradiation conditions and the image reading conditions corresponding to the imaging site (here, the chest). Various programs are stored in the form of a readable program code, and the control unit 21 sequentially executes an operation according to the program code.

The operation unit 23 is configured to include a keyboard equipped with cursor keys, number input keys, various function keys, and a pointing device such as a mouse, and controls an instruction signal input by key operation on the keyboard or mouse operation. Output to 21. Further, the operation unit 23 may be provided with a touch panel on the display screen of the display unit 24, and in this case, the instruction signal input via the touch panel is output to the control unit 21.

The display unit 24 is composed of a monitor such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), and displays input instructions, data, and the like from the operation unit 23 according to the instruction of the display signal input from the control unit 21. do.

The communication unit 25 includes a LAN (Local Area Network) adapter, a modem, a TA (Terminal Adapter), and the like, and controls data transmission / reception with each device connected to the communication network NT.

[Configuration of diagnostic console 3]
The diagnostic console 3 is a dynamic analysis device for acquiring a dynamic image from the imaging console 2 and displaying the acquired dynamic image and the analysis result of the dynamic image to support the diagnosis of a doctor.
As shown in FIG. 1, the diagnostic console 3 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an operation unit 33, a display unit 34, and a communication unit 35, and each unit is connected by a bus 36.

The control unit 31 is composed of a CPU, RAM, and the like. The CPU of the control unit 31 reads out the system program and various processing programs stored in the storage unit 32 and expands them in the RAM in response to the operation of the operation unit 33, and performs image analysis described later according to the expanded program. Various processes including the process are executed, and the operation of each part of the diagnostic console 3 is centrally controlled. The control unit 31 functions as a setting means, a calculation means, and a processing means.

The storage unit 32 is composed of a non-volatile semiconductor memory, a hard disk, or the like. The storage unit 32 stores data such as parameters or processing results necessary for executing the processing by various programs and programs including a program for executing the image analysis processing in the control unit 31. These various programs are stored in the form of a readable program code, and the control unit 31 sequentially executes an operation according to the program code.

The operation unit 33 is configured to include a keyboard equipped with cursor keys, number input keys, various function keys, and a pointing device such as a mouse, and controls an instruction signal input by key operation on the keyboard or mouse operation. Output to 31. Further, the operation unit 33 may include a touch panel on the display screen of the display unit 34, and in this case, the instruction signal input via the touch panel is output to the control unit 31.

The display unit 34 is composed of a monitor such as an LCD or a CRT, and performs various displays according to instructions of a display signal input from the control unit 31.

The communication unit 35 includes a LAN adapter, a modem, a TA, and the like, and controls data transmission / reception with each device connected to the communication network NT.

[Operation of dynamic analysis system 100]
Next, the operation in the dynamic analysis system 100 will be described.

(Operation of shooting device 1 and shooting console 2)
First, a shooting operation by the shooting device 1 and the shooting console 2 will be described.
FIG. 2 shows a shooting control process executed by the control unit 21 of the shooting console 2. The photographing control process is executed in cooperation with the program stored in the control unit 21 and the storage unit 22.

First, the operation unit 23 of the imaging console 2 is operated by the photographing operator, and the patient information (patient's name, height, weight, age, gender, etc.) and the imaging site (here, the chest) of the imaging target (subject M) are operated. Is input (step S1).

Next, the radiation irradiation condition is read from the storage unit 22 and set in the radiation irradiation control device 12, and the image reading condition is read out from the storage unit 22 and set in the reading control device 14 (step S2).

Next, the instruction of radiation irradiation by the operation of the operation unit 23 is waited for (step S3). Here, the photographer arranges the subject M between the radiation source 11 and the radiation detection unit 13 for positioning. Further, in the present embodiment, since the image is taken under the breathing state, the subject (subject M) is instructed to make it easier and the subject (subject M) is instructed to take a resting breath. Alternatively, deep breathing may be instructed. When the shooting preparation is completed, the operation unit 23 is operated to input the irradiation instruction.

When the radiation irradiation instruction is input by the operation unit 23 (step S3; YES), the imaging start instruction is output to the radiation irradiation control device 12 and the reading control device 14, and the dynamic imaging is started (step S4). That is, radiation is irradiated by the radiation source 11 at the pulse interval set in the radiation irradiation control device 12, and a frame image is acquired by the radiation detection unit 13.

When the imaging of a predetermined number of frames is completed, the control unit 21 outputs an instruction to end the imaging to the radiation irradiation control device 12 and the reading control device 14, and the imaging operation is stopped. The number of frames to be photographed is the number of sheets that can be photographed for at least one breath cycle.

The frame images acquired by shooting are sequentially input to the shooting console 2, stored in the storage unit 22 in association with a number (frame number) indicating the shooting order (step S5), and displayed on the display unit 24. (Step S6). The photographer confirms the positioning and the like from the displayed dynamic image, and determines whether the image suitable for the diagnosis is acquired by the image (shooting OK) or the re-shooting is necessary (shooting NG). Then, the operation unit 23 is operated to input the determination result.

When a determination result indicating that shooting is OK is input by a predetermined operation of the operation unit 23 (step S7; YES), an identification ID for identifying the dynamic image is assigned to each of the series of frame images acquired by the dynamic shooting. , Patient information, imaging site, irradiation condition, image reading condition, number indicating imaging order (frame number), etc. are attached (for example, written in the header area of image data in DICOM format), and the communication unit 25 is It is transmitted to the diagnostic console 3 via (step S8). Then, this process ends. On the other hand, when a determination result indicating shooting NG is input by a predetermined operation of the operation unit 23 (step S7; NO), a series of frame images stored in the storage unit 22 is deleted (step S9), and this process is performed. finish. In this case, re-shooting is required.

(Operation of diagnostic console 3)
Next, the operation in the diagnostic console 3 will be described.
In the diagnostic console 3, when a series of frame images of dynamic images are received from the photographing console 2 via the communication unit 35, the figure is shown in cooperation with the program stored in the control unit 31 and the storage unit 32. The image analysis process shown in 3 is executed.

Hereinafter, the flow of the image analysis process will be described with reference to FIG.
First, 1 is set in the variable n (step S11).

Next, a plurality of measurement points are set on one or a plurality of structures that move with the respiration of the nth frame image (step S12).
In step S12, the first frame image may be displayed on the display unit 34, and a plurality of measurement points may be set by the operation of the operation unit 33 by the user.
Alternatively, the control unit 31 may automatically extract one or a plurality of predetermined structures and set measurement points at a plurality of predetermined feature points on the extracted one or a plurality of structures. good. Any known method may be used for extracting the structure. For example, it can be performed by using a region partitioning algorithm such as template matching or graph cutting, or machine learning such as neural network, feature extraction and clustering.

FIGS. 4A to 4D show an example of setting measurement points in step S12. For example, a plurality of measurement points may be set on the same structure such as the outside and the inside of the diaphragm shown in FIG. 4 (a) and the upper and lower sides of the rib cage shown in FIG. 4 (b). A plurality of measurement points may be set for each of a plurality of different structures, such as the ribs and the diaphragm shown, and the center of gravity and the diaphragm of the lung field region shown in FIG. 4 (d).

In this embodiment, the case where the measurement point is set in the first frame image will be described as an example, but the measurement point can be set in any frame image, not limited to the first frame image.

Next, n + 1 is set in n (step S13), each measurement point is tracked in the nth frame image, and the tracking point corresponding to each measurement point is extracted (step S14).
For example, in the nth frame image, the pixel extracted as the tracking point in the n-1st frame image (in the case of n = 2, the pixel set as the measurement point in the n-1st frame image) is the center. A search area is set in an area consisting of M × N pixels (M and N are positive integers, for example, 3 × 3), and the pixel value is extracted as a tracking point in the n-1th frame image in the search area. The pixel closest to the pixel value of the pixel is extracted as a tracking point.

The frame image to be tracked may be an image that has been subjected to any of sharpening processing, smoothing processing, and dynamic range compression processing in advance. By performing these processes in advance, the measurement structure becomes clear and easy to track.

Next, the movement amount and / or the movement direction from the tracking point extracted in the n-1st frame image is calculated for each tracking point corresponding to each measurement point extracted in the nth frame image (step). S15).
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the tracking point moves from At to At + 1, the distance from At to At + 1 is the amount of movement, and the angle between the line connecting At and At + 1 and the x-axis direction. θ is calculated as the moving direction. As a result, the movement amount and / or the movement direction between the frame images of each measurement point is calculated.

As shown in FIG. 6 (a), the movement amount may be calculated simply by using the distance moved without taking into account the movement direction of the measurement point, or as shown in FIG. 6 (b). May be calculated by adding + and-signs depending on the moving direction. The reference numerals are, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, that the inward movement of the lung is-, the outward movement is +, the upward movement is-, the downward movement is +, and the like. , Standards can be set in advance. Further, as shown in FIG. 6 (c), the cumulative movement amount may be calculated as the movement amount. As for the cumulative movement amount, the movement amount may be simply accumulated, or the movement amount including the + and-signs depending on the movement direction may be accumulated.

Next, the calculated movement amount and / or movement direction of each measurement point is recorded in the RAM as time-series data in association with the frame number (step S16).

Steps S13 to S16 are repeatedly executed until n reaches the number of frame images of the dynamic image, and when n reaches the number of frame images (step S17; YES), the calculation result of the movement amount and / or the movement direction of the plurality of measurement points. (Time series data) is graphed on the same coordinate plane and displayed on the display unit 34 (step S18).

Further, based on the time-series data of the movement amount and / or the movement direction of the plurality of measurement points, an index value indicating the synchrony of the movement of the measurement points is calculated for each set of the two measurement points (step S19). An index value indicating the synchronization of the calculated movements of the measurement points is displayed on the display unit 34 (step S20), and the image analysis process ends.
The index value indicating the synchrony of the movements of the two measurement points is an index value indicating how similar the movements (movement amount and movement direction) of the two measurement points are, for example, of the two measurement points. The mutual correlation coefficient of time series data and the degree of cosine similarity can be mentioned.

Here, the graph display and the calculation of the index value may be displayed and calculated separately for the expiratory phase and the inspiratory phase.
The respiratory phase can be specified, for example, by the following procedures (1) to (5). In the following description, the upper left coordinate of the image is set to (0, 0), and the coordinate value increases toward the right side and the lower side of the image.
(1) First, the position of the diaphragm is calculated from each frame image of the dynamic image (see FIG. 8A).
For example, the lower edge portion of the lung field region of each frame image is extracted as the diaphragm boundary portion, a reference point is set at a certain x-coordinate position of the diaphragm boundary portion, and the y-coordinate of the set reference point is set as the diaphragm. It can be obtained as a position. The lung field region may be extracted using any known method. For example, a threshold value is obtained by discriminant analysis from a histogram of the pixel values of each pixel, and a region having a signal higher than this threshold value is primarily extracted as a lung field region candidate. Next, edge detection is performed near the boundary of the primary extracted lung field region candidate, and the boundary of the lung field region can be extracted by extracting the point where the edge is maximum in the small region near the boundary along the boundary. can.
(2) Calculate the highest and lowest positions of the diaphragm.
(3) Calculate the differential value of (1) (see FIG. 8 (b)).
(4) Regarding the expiratory phase, the first inflection point (point with a differential value of 0) where the differential value becomes “+” → “-” after the highest frame image is set as the “expiratory phase start”, and the expiratory phase starts. The inflection point where "-" → "+" is changed first is called "expiration phase end". In consideration of the influence of noise, "i-frame (i is a positive integer) derivative value 0 continues" may be added to the start / end condition.
(5) Regarding the intake phase, the first inflection point where the differential value becomes “-” → “+” after the lowest frame image is set as “intake phase start”, and the first “+” → after the start of the intake phase. The inflection point that becomes "-" is defined as "end of intake phase". In consideration of the influence of noise, "the i-frame derivative value 0 continues" may be added to the start / end condition.

As described above, in the above image analysis processing, a plurality of measurement points set on one or a plurality of structures that move with respiration of an arbitrary frame image of the chest dynamic image are framed in the same section of the chest dynamic image. Tracking is performed on the image, a plurality of tracking points corresponding to each of the plurality of measurement points are acquired in the time direction, and the movement amount and / or the movement direction from the tracking points adjacent to the time direction is calculated for each acquired tracking point. Therefore, time-series data of the movement amount and / or the movement direction of a plurality of measurement points is acquired.
Therefore, a user such as a doctor can grasp the relationship between the movements of one structure moving with breathing at different positions or the relationship between the movements between the plurality of structures in a time series in the chest dynamic image. It is possible to grasp the state of respiratory function (normal / abnormal, degree of disease, etc.) from the chest dynamic image. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the patient due to the respiratory examination. In addition, the time-series data can be used for confirming the effect of the treatment effect, and can support the planning of the treatment plan.

Further, the movement amount and / or the calculation result (time series data) of the movement amount and / or the movement direction of a plurality of measurement points can be graphed on the same coordinate plane and displayed on the display unit 34, or a plurality of measurement points can be displayed based on the time series data. By calculating an index value indicating the synchronism of the movements of the above and displaying the calculation result on the display unit 34, the user can more easily grasp the state of the respiratory function.

Here, an example of the calculation result (graph, index value indicating synchrony) displayed by the image analysis process will be described with reference to a specific example.

(Specific example 1)
People with normal breathing tend to have synchronized movements on the outside and inside of the diaphragm. Patients with respiratory illness tend to have out-of-sync movements on the outside and inside of the diaphragm.
9 (a) shows an image analysis process of FIG. 3 when measurement points are set at two points on the outside and inside of the diaphragm shown in FIG. 4 (a) with respect to a chest dynamic image of a certain respiratory normal person. It is a graph which showed the movement amount of each measurement point arranged in chronological order, and the figure which shows the calculation result of the index value which shows the synchrony. 9 (b) is an image analysis of FIG. 3 when measurement points are set at two points on the outside and the inside of the diaphragm shown in FIG. 4 (a) with respect to a chest dynamic image of a patient with a respiratory disease. It is a figure which shows the calculation result of the index value which shows the synchronism, and the graph which showed the movement amount of each measurement point calculated by the process side by side in time series. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, when the amount of movement of the outside and the inside of the diaphragm of the respiratory normal person is analyzed by the above image analysis processing, the synchronization of the respiratory normal person is high and the synchronization of the respiratory disease patient. The result is that the sex is lower than that.

(Specific example 2)
People with normal breathing tend to have synchronized movements above and below the external thorax. Patients with respiratory illness tend to have unsynchronized movements above and below the external thorax.
FIG. 10 (a) shows an image analysis of FIG. 3 when measurement points are set at two points above and below the external thoracic cavity shown in FIG. 4 (b) with respect to a chest dynamic image of a certain respiratory normal person. It is a figure which shows the calculation result of the index value which shows the synchronism, and the graph which showed the movement amount of each measurement point calculated by the process side by side in time series. FIG. 10 (b) is an image of FIG. 3 when measurement points are set at two points above and below the external thorax shown in FIG. 4 (b) with respect to a chest dynamic image of a patient with a respiratory disease. It is a graph which showed the movement amount of each measurement point calculated by an analysis process side by side in time series, and the figure which shows the calculation result of the index value which shows the synchronism. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, when the amount of movement above and below the outer thorax of a normal respiratory person is analyzed by the above image analysis processing, the synchronization of the normal respiratory person is high, and the respiratory disease patient has a high degree of synchronization. The result is that the synchrony is lower than that.

(Specific example 3)
People with normal breathing tend to move in the same direction as the ribs and diaphragm. Patients with respiratory illness tend to be out of sync with the direction of movement of the ribs and diaphragm.
FIG. 11A shows an image analysis process of FIG. 3 when measurement points are set at two points on the ribs and the diaphragm shown in FIG. 4C for a chest dynamic image of a certain respiratory normal person. It is a graph which showed the moving direction (angle) of each measurement point arranged in chronological order, and the figure which shows the calculation result of the index value which shows the synchronism. FIG. 11B shows an image analysis of FIG. 3 when measurement points are set at two points on the ribs and the diaphragm shown in FIG. 4C for a chest dynamic image of a patient with a respiratory disease. It is a graph which showed the movement direction (angle) of each measurement point calculated by processing arranged in time series, and is the figure which shows the calculation result of the index value which shows the synchronism. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, when the movement directions of the ribs and the diaphragm of the respiratory normal person are analyzed by the above image analysis processing, the synchronization of the respiratory normal person is high and the synchronization of the respiratory disease patient is high. The result is lower than that.

(Specific example 4)
People with normal breathing tend to have synchronized movements of the ribs and diaphragm. Patients with respiratory illness tend to have out-of-sync rib and diaphragm movements.
FIG. 12A shows an image analysis process of FIG. 3 when measurement points are set at two points on the ribs and the diaphragm shown in FIG. 4C for a chest dynamic image of a certain respiratory normal person. It is a figure which showed the calculation result of the index value which shows the synchrony, and the graph which showed the movement amount of each measurement point arranged in chronological order. FIG. 12 (b) is an image analysis of FIG. 3 when measurement points are set at two points on the ribs and the diaphragm shown in FIG. 4 (c) with respect to a chest dynamic image of a patient with a respiratory disease. It is a figure which showed the calculation result of the index value which shows the synchronism, and the graph which showed the movement amount of each measurement point calculated by processing side by side in time series. As shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b), when the amount of movement of the ribs and the diaphragm of the respiratory normal person is analyzed by the above image analysis processing, the synchronization of the respiratory normal person is high and the synchronization of the respiratory disease patient is high. The result is lower than that.

(Specific example 5)
People with normal breathing tend to have the center of gravity of the lung field region synchronized with the amount and direction of movement of the diaphragm. Patients with respiratory diseases tend to have a dissynchronization between the center of gravity of the lung field region and the amount and direction of movement of the diaphragm.
FIG. 13 (a) is an image of FIG. 3 when measurement points are set at two points on the center of gravity of the lung field region and the diaphragm shown in FIG. 4 (d) with respect to a chest dynamic image of a certain respiratory normal person. It is a graph which showed the movement amount of each measurement point calculated by an analysis process side by side in time series, and the figure which shows the calculation result of the index value which shows the synchronism. FIG. 13 (b) shows the chest dynamic image of a patient with a respiratory disease in the case where measurement points are set at two points on the center of gravity of the lung field region and the diaphragm shown in FIG. 4 (d). It is a graph which showed the movement amount of each measurement point calculated by an image analysis process arranged in a time series, and is a figure which shows the calculation result of the index value which shows the synchronism. As shown in FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b), when the amount of movement of the center of gravity of the lung field region and the diaphragm of the respiratory normal person is analyzed by the above image analysis processing, the synchronization of the respiratory normal person is high, and the respiratory disease patient The result is that the synchrony is lower than that.

That is, as shown in (Specific Example 1) to (Specific Example 5), one or a plurality of structures that move with respiration, which are obtained by analyzing the chest dynamic image of the subject by the above image analysis process. By observing the graph showing the movement amount or movement direction of the plurality of measurement points set above in chronological order, and the index value showing the movement amount or movement direction synchronization of the plurality of measurement points, the user can receive the image. It is possible to grasp whether the examiner's respiratory function is normal or abnormal.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the description in the present embodiment is an example of a suitable dynamic analysis system according to the present invention, and is not limited thereto.
For example, in the above embodiment, it is decided to acquire time-series data by tracking a plurality of measurement points from the frame image of the entire section of the chest dynamic image, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a part of the chest dynamic image is obtained. Time series data may be acquired by tracking a plurality of measurement points from the frame image of the section. In this case, tracking of a plurality of measurement points is performed in the same section of the chest dynamic image, and time-series data of the same section is acquired. In the present invention, tracking and time-series data may be acquired in the same section at a plurality of set measurement points, and in addition, tracking and time-series data may be performed in other sections at some measurement points. It does not prevent you from getting.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14A, in the above embodiment, a case where the measurement points are tracked for each frame image, the movement amount and / or the movement direction is calculated, and recorded as time-series data has been described as an example. However, as shown in FIG. 14 (b), the interval of the frame image for tracking the measurement point and calculating the movement amount and / or the movement direction is not limited to this, and may be every n frames (n ≧ 2). good. As a result, the analysis processing time can be shortened.
It is preferable that the interval between the frame images for calculating the movement amount and / or the movement direction of the measurement point can be arbitrarily set by the operation of the operation unit 33 of the user.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where each frame image of the dynamic image is a two-dimensional image has been described as an example, but for example, a three-dimensional image may be used as in the dynamic image obtained by dynamic CT.
The tracking method in the case of a three-dimensional image is substantially the same as in the case of a two-dimensional image. For example, in the nth frame image, the voxel extracted as the tracking point in the n-1st frame image (in the case of n = 2, the voxel set as the measurement point in the n-1st frame image) is the center. A search area is set in an area consisting of M × N × O pixels (M, N, O are positive integers, for example, 3 × 3 × 3), and the voxel value is the n-1th frame in the search area. The voxel closest to the voxel value of the voxel extracted as the tracking point in the image is extracted as the tracking point.
When displaying the movement amount and / or the movement direction of the measurement points in the three-dimensional space in a graph, as shown in FIGS. 15A to 15C, the movement amount and / or the movement direction of each measurement point is The time-series changes (indicated by A and B in FIG. 15) may be projected onto the xy plane, the yz plane, and the xz plane in two dimensions and displayed as a graph.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which a plurality of measurement points are set and tracked, and time-series data of the movement amount and / or the movement direction is acquired and graphed has been described. It may be set and tracked, and time-series data of the movement amount and / or the movement direction of each area may be acquired and graphed. This makes it possible to capture the movement in each area.
When a region is specified, as shown in FIG. 16, the movement amount and / or the movement direction may be calculated at each point on the contour of the set region. The calculation method is the same as in the case of the above-mentioned measurement points. Further, as shown in FIG. 17A, the graph when the area is set is the time-series data of the movement amount or the movement direction of all the points set in each area (for example, points 1 to 3 of the area A, the area). Points 1 to 3) of B may be represented on one graph, or as shown in FIG. 17 (b), the movement amount or the representative value of the movement direction of all the points set in each area for each frame image. May be obtained and the time series data of the representative value may be graphed for each area. Further, the index value indicating the movement amount of the plurality of regions and the synchrony in the movement direction may be calculated, for example, for each of the two regions based on the time-series data of the representative values. Further, in each frame image of the chest dynamic image, each point in the region set as the measurement target may be colored and the tracking result of each point may be displayed as a moving image.

Further, for example, in the above description, an example in which a hard disk, a non-volatile memory of a semiconductor, or the like is used as a computer-readable medium of the program according to the present invention is disclosed, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As another computer-readable medium, a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM can be applied. Further, a carrier wave is also applied as a medium for providing data of the program according to the present invention via a communication line.

In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each device constituting the dynamic analysis system 100 can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

100 Dynamic analysis system 1 Imaging device 11 Radioactive source 12 Radiation irradiation control device 13 Radiation detection unit 14 Reading control device 2 Imaging console 21 Control unit 22 Storage unit 23 Operation unit 24 Display unit 25 Communication unit 26 Bus 3 Diagnostic console 31 Control Unit 32 Storage unit 33 Operation unit 34 Display unit 35 Communication unit 36 Bus

Claims (14)

The first measurement target point and the first measurement target point and the first on one structure of the subject in one frame image among a plurality of frame images constituting the dynamic image acquired by irradiating the subject with radiation. Setting means for setting the measurement target point of 2 and
A plurality of tracking target points corresponding to the first measurement target point are acquired in a predetermined section of the plurality of frame images in the time direction , and the tracking target points are based on the plurality of tracking target points and the first measurement target point . The first time-series data including at least one of the movement amount and the movement direction of the first measurement target point in the time direction is calculated, and the second measurement target in the predetermined section of the plurality of frame images. A plurality of tracking target points corresponding to points are acquired, and at least the movement amount and the movement direction of the second measurement target point in the time direction based on the plurality of tracking target points and the second measurement target point . A calculation means for calculating a second time-series data including one,
A display means for displaying the first graph based on the first time-series data and the second graph based on the second time-series data in a comparable manner.
A dynamic analysis device equipped with. The calculation means calculates an index value indicating the synchronization between the first measurement target point and the second measurement target point based on the first time-series data and the second time-series data .
The dynamic analysis device according to claim 1 , wherein the display means displays the index value . The dynamic analysis apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the structure is a diaphragm or a bone . The dynamic analysis device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the display means displays the first graph and the second graph on the same coordinate plane . The dynamic analysis device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the display means displays the dynamic image. The dynamic analysis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the interval in the time direction of the frame image when the calculation means calculates the calculation result can be arbitrarily set. The dynamic analysis according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a processing means for performing at least one of sharpening processing, smoothing processing, and dynamic range compression processing on the frame image corresponding to the predetermined section. Device. An imaging device that acquires the dynamic image, and
The dynamic analysis apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
A dynamic analysis system equipped with. On the computer
The first measurement target point and the first measurement target point and the first on one structure of the subject in one frame image among a plurality of frame images constituting the dynamic image acquired by irradiating the subject with radiation. The first process of setting the measurement target point of 2 and
A plurality of tracking target points corresponding to the first measurement target point are acquired in a predetermined section of the plurality of frame images in the time direction , and the tracking target points are based on the plurality of tracking target points and the first measurement target point . The first time-series data including at least one of the movement amount and the movement direction of the first measurement target point in the time direction is calculated, and the second measurement target in the predetermined section of the plurality of frame images. A plurality of tracking target points corresponding to points are acquired, and at least the movement amount and the movement direction of the second measurement target point in the time direction based on the plurality of tracking target points and the second measurement target point . The second process of calculating the second time-series data including one, and
A third process of displaying the first graph based on the first time-series data and the second graph based on the second time-series data on the computer in a comparable manner.
A dynamic analysis program that runs. In the second process, an index value indicating the synchronization between the first measurement target point and the second measurement target point is calculated based on the first time-series data and the second time-series data. death,
The third process is the dynamic analysis program according to claim 9, wherein the index value is displayed on the computer . The dynamic analysis program according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the structure is a diaphragm or bone . The dynamic analysis program according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the third process displays the first graph and the second graph on the same coordinate plane . The third process is the dynamic analysis program according to any one of claims 9 to 12, which displays the dynamic image on the computer. A first measurement target point and a first measurement target point and a first structure on one structure of the subject in one frame image among a plurality of frame images constituting the dynamic image acquired by irradiating the subject with radiation. The first step of setting the measurement target point of 2 and
A plurality of tracking target points corresponding to the first measurement target point are acquired in a predetermined section of the plurality of frame images in the time direction , and the tracking target points are based on the plurality of tracking target points and the first measurement target point . The first time-series data including at least one of the movement amount and the movement direction of the first measurement target point in the time direction is calculated, and the second measurement target in the predetermined section of the plurality of frame images. A plurality of tracking target points corresponding to points are acquired, and at least the movement amount and the movement direction of the second measurement target point in the time direction based on the plurality of tracking target points and the second measurement target point . The second step of calculating the second time-series data including one, and
A third step of displaying the first graph based on the first time-series data and the second graph based on the second time-series data on the display means in a comparable manner.
A dynamic analysis method.

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