JPH04304569A - Picture reader for medical use - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simply utilize digital picture data for medical use at a low cost. CONSTITUTION:A general personal computer 10 is connected with a private processor 15 and the display device 17 of high resolution. The private processor 15 stores a picture, controls communication, has the function of processing the picture and is made to execute the processings as to massive picture data at high speed. An optical cable 16 for connection with another device is connected with the private processor 15.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] This invention is applicable to X-ray CT images and MR images.
The present invention relates to a medical image interpretation device that interprets medical digital images such as images.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, dedicated equipment has been used to interpret medical digital images such as X-ray CT images and MR images. This dedicated device has a built-in workstation and minicomputer, and has specifications that can withstand data processing of medical digital images with a large number of pixels and gradations.

0003

However, since conventional medical image-dedicated devices are constructed using high-performance workstations and minicomputers, they have the drawback of being extremely expensive. Furthermore, since only software for medical image interpretation is provided, it can only be used for displaying and processing medical images and cannot be used for other purposes.

[0004] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a medical image interpretation apparatus that is inexpensive and easy to use by using a general personal computer.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, a medical image interpretation apparatus according to the present invention has a personal computer capable of high-speed processing of a large amount of image data, and is capable of performing image storage, communication management, and image processing. A dedicated processor with functions and a high-resolution display device are connected,
A cable for connecting to other devices is connected to the dedicated processor. Therefore, since a dedicated processor can compensate for the lack of data processing capacity of a personal computer, even if an inexpensive personal computer is used, it can handle medical image data with the same level of processing power as conventional expensive medical imaging equipment. be able to. It is also possible to observe and process medical image data while exchanging image data with other devices in a network environment. As a result, it becomes possible to use inexpensive and simple medical digital image data.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows the appearance of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram conceptually showing the signal system of the embodiment. As shown in these figures, the personal computer 10 includes a keyboard device 11, a mouse 12, an optical disk or magneto-optical disk drive device 13 as an external storage device, and a CR.
This is a normal device equipped with a T display device 14. This personal computer 10 has a dedicated processor 15.
is connected.

As shown in FIG. 2, this dedicated processor 15 is comprised of an image memory 18, a network interface 19, a CPU 22, communication software 20, and image processing software 21. A high-resolution CRT display device 17 is connected to this dedicated processor 15, as well as an optical cable 16 for connecting to other devices such as medical image diagnostic devices such as X-ray CT devices and MR devices. There is.

[0008] Medical digital image data is stored on an optical disc,
It is supplied stored in a magneto-optical disk, a floppy disk, etc., or sent from another device via an optical cable 16. Optical disks and magneto-optical disks are read and written by an optical disk or magneto-optical disk drive device 13, and floppy disks are read and written by a floppy disk drive device built into the personal computer 10.

The dedicated processor 15 develops medical image data in response to commands from the personal computer 10 and displays it on the high-resolution CRT display device 17, or performs image processing such as image enlargement, reduction, and filtering processing. It is something. Communication is also performed by this dedicated processor 15, and image data is transmitted and received from other devices. Processing in these dedicated processors 15 is performed in response to instructions from the personal computer 10. In order to perform these processes, this embodiment is equipped with a CPU 22, image processing software 21, and communication software 20, but this CPU 22 may be a general-purpose one or a one dedicated to the image processing and communication performed here. Furthermore, it can also be configured with dedicated hardware that combines software and hardware. In any case, since the medical image data to be handled has a large number of pixels and a large number of gradations, it is necessary to configure the system so that it can be processed at high speed.

[0010] The operator uses the keyboard device 11 and the mouse 1.
2, etc., medical digital image data can be accessed. Observe the image,
If you wish to perform processing such as enlargement or reduction, you input this by operating the keyboard device 11 and mouse 12. Then, processing according to the input is performed on the software of the personal computer 10, and the dedicated processor 1
5 is generated. This instruction is sent to the dedicated processor 15, and the dedicated processor 15
Then, the control command is interpreted and processing such as image processing is executed.

[0011] Therefore, the dedicated processor 15 is in charge of the part that needs to process a large amount of data at high speed, and the personal computer 10 only generates simple control instructions, which means that even a general personal computer lacks the ability to do so. There isn't. By connecting the dedicated processor 15 to the personal computer 10, it is possible to compensate for the lack of data processing capability on the personal computer 10 side, so even if an inexpensive personal computer is used, it can be used in the same way as a conventional expensive medical imaging device. This provides a certain amount of processing power.

0012

[Effects of the Invention] As described above with respect to the embodiments,
According to the medical image interpretation apparatus of the present invention, since medical images are generally displayed and processed using a low-cost personal computer, even an individual can easily observe and process medical digital images. become. Furthermore, since the personal computer itself is in an environment where various software is distributed and can be used as desired, it is possible to prevent the usage from being limited.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram conceptually showing the signal system of the above embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Personal computer 11
Keyboard device 12 Mouse 13 Optical disk or magneto-optical disk drive device 14 CRT display device 15 Dedicated processor 16 Optical cable 17 High-resolution CRT display device 18
Image memory 19 Network interface 2
0 Communication software 21 Image processing software 22 CPU

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A personal computer equipped with a keyboard device, a dedicated processor connected to the personal computer and incorporating image storage means, communication management means, and image processing means, and a high-resolution display device connected to the dedicated processor. and a cable for connecting the dedicated processor to another device.