JPH0698859A - Ophthalmic image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To achieve a shortening of required diagnosing time by digitizing a cornea image data gained from reflected light obtained by admitting a light beam into the eyegrounds to transfer a part alone specified except for a margin. CONSTITUTION:Light beam of a halogen lamp 4 as light source for observation of a lighting optical system 1 is made to irradiate the eyegrounds Eq of an eye 3 to be inspected through various optical devices such as lenses, filters, slits and mirrors to observe the eyegrounds Ef. Then, the light source is switched to a xenon lamp 6 to irradiate the eyegrounds Ef. The reflected light from the eyegrounds Eq forms an image on an area CCD 30A of a TV camera 30 through various optical members of an observation image pickup optical system 2 and is displayed on a monitor TV 31 through a camera control circuit 40. The camera removes a margin in a perimeter from an eyegrounds image to extract a necessary part alone at the center thereof and performs an image processing. Then, the image is transferred to display. This constitution enables the shortening of image processing time and diagnosing time.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ophthalmic image processing system capable of transferring a designated portion of an ophthalmic image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an ophthalmologic apparatus such as a fundus camera, an ophthalmic image is electronically photographed using a solid-state image pickup device such as an area CCD, and image data from the area CCD is controlled by a still video apparatus or a floppy disk apparatus. It is considered that the image data is transferred to a recording device such as an optical disk device and the transferred image data is recorded on a recording medium such as a still video disk, a floppy disk or an optical disk.

In this fundus camera, in order to distinguish which of the left and right eyes the captured fundus image is, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1 (a), a mask M having a circular hole a and a notch mark b at a specific position of its peripheral portion is arranged in the middle of the photographing optical system.

Then, the fundus image G picked up using the mask M is, as shown in FIG.
A circular image is formed at the center of 0. Moreover, the fundus image G photographed through the mask M is an arithmetic control circuit (not shown).
It is designed to be displayed in a circle in the center of the monitor TV screen.

[0005]

By the way, the area CC
The image data from D60 includes the data of the circular fundus image G as shown in FIG. 11B and the data of the blank space H around it. Of these data, only the data of the fundus image G needs to be transferred.

However, conventionally, since the data of the fundus image G and the data of the margin portion H around the fundus image G are all transferred at the time of displaying on the monitor TV and recording / reproducing, there is a problem that the transfer takes time. It was

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an ophthalmologic image processing system capable of transferring only necessary data out of image data and reducing the time required for the data transfer.

[0008]

To achieve this object, the invention of claim 1 provides an image input means for inputting digitized image data including an ophthalmic image, and image data from the image input means. Ophthalmic image having image data transfer means for processing and transferring the image data, image processing means for image processing the image data transferred from the image data transfer means, and image output means for outputting the image from the image processing means In the processing system, the image data transfer means is an ophthalmologic image processing system provided so as to extract and transfer only designated data of the image data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the image data includes ophthalmic image data and blank image data around the ophthalmic image, and the image data transfer means transfers only the ophthalmic image as the designated data. It is characterized in that it is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, image input means for inputting digitized image data including an ophthalmic image, and image data transfer means for processing and transferring the image data from the image input means. An ophthalmic image processing system having image processing means for performing image processing on the image data transferred from the image data transfer means, and image display means for displaying an image from the image processing means, wherein the image transfer means comprises: The ophthalmologic image processing system is provided so that only designated data in the image data can be extracted and transferred, and a plurality of the designated data thus extracted can be simultaneously transferred to and displayed on the image display means. Characterize.

[0011]

【Example】

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 shows an optical system of a fundus camera (photographing apparatus). In FIG. 1, 1 is an illumination optical system of the fundus camera, 2 is an observation / photographing optical system of the fundus camera,
Reference numeral 3 is an eye to be inspected.

[Illumination Optical System] The illumination optical system 1 has an observation illumination optical system and a photographing illumination optical system.

This photographing illumination optical system includes a xenon lamp 6, a condenser lens 7, a small-diameter light-shielding plate 8, a ring-shaped diaphragm 9, a small-diameter light-shielding plate 10, a relay lens 11, and a reflecting mirror 1.
2, relay lens 13, black dot plate 14, relay lens 1
5, optical components such as a perforated mirror 16 and an objective lens 17 are provided in this order. Then, the photographing illumination light from the xenon lamp 6 is projected on the fundus Ef of the eye 3 to be examined through the optical components from the condenser lens 7 to the objective lens 17.
Moreover, between the xenon lamp 6 and the condenser lens 7, an exciter filter E1 for visible fluorescence and an E2 for infrared fluorescence are removably provided.

The observation illumination optical system has optical components including a halogen lamp 4 as a light source for observation, a condenser lens 5, a condenser lens 7 and an objective lens 17. Then, the observation illumination light from the halogen lamp 4 is projected onto the fundus oculi Ef via the optical components from the condenser lens 7 to the objective lens 17.

The small-diameter light-shielding plate 8 is conjugated with the cornea 25, the ring slit 9 is conjugated with the pupil 28, the small-diameter light-shielding plate 10 is conjugated with the rear surface 26a of the lens 26, and the black spot plate 14.
The reflected light on the surface of the objective lens 17 is a perforated mirror 16
It is a light-shielding member that does not pass through the hole 16a.

[Observation / shooting optical system] Observation / shooting optical system 2
Is an objective lens 17 facing the eye 3 to be inspected, a focusing lens 19,
It has an imaging lens 20, a mirror 21, a field lens 22 conjugate with the fundus oculi Ef, a reflection mirror 23, a relay lens 24, and the like. Moreover, a barrier filter B1 for visible fluorescence and a barrier filter B2 for infrared fluorescence are detachably arranged between the perforated mirror 16 and the focusing lens 19.

Then, the fundus image by the reflected light from the fundus Ef of the eye 3 to be inspected, the optical components from the objective lens 17 to the imaging lens 20, the mirror 21, the field lens 22 conjugate with the fundus Ef, and the reflection mirror 23. , Relay lens 24,
The area CCD 3 of the TV camera 30 through the mask 36
0a (image input means, image pickup means) forms an image. As shown in FIG. 5A, the mask 36 has a circular hole 36a located at the center and a notch mark 36b located at the periphery of the circular hole 36a.

The image signal from the area CCD 30a is normally supplied to an arithmetic control circuit 41 of a camera control circuit 40, which will be described later.
It is input to the monitor television 31 (image display means) as image output means via the contact a of the changeover switch 41a and the D / A converter 41b, and the fundus image is displayed on the monitor television 31 in real time (see FIG. 2). . In addition, a monitor television of a type having a circuit corresponding to the changeover switch 41a and the D / A converter 41b is a monitor television 3
It can also be used instead of 1.

[Fixation Target Optical System] The fixation target optical system A includes a half mirror 32 that is detachably arranged between the imaging lens 20 and the mirror 21, and a small hole 33a as a fixation target. A mask 3 for a fixation target, which is provided and is arranged conjugate with the fundus oculi Ef
3. A fixation target light source 34, such as a light emitting diode, is disposed so as to face the small hole 33a. The mask 33 and the fixation target light source 34 are a fixation target driving device 3 such as an XY table (not shown) electrically driven and controlled by a pulse motor or the like.
The left and right eye detection means 35 'attached to the device 5 determines the position of the device as to whether the eye to be photographed is the left eye or the right eye.
2 to detect the nipple 71 and the macula 7 as shown in FIG.
2 is moved so as to be positioned at a substantially equal distance from the center O of the screen.

[Camera Control Circuit 40] Camera Control Circuit 40
Has an arithmetic control circuit 41 as image data transfer means as shown in FIG. The arithmetic control circuit 41 includes an ON signal from the photographing switch 42, a photographing condition information signal from a photographing condition input device 43 such as a keyboard, a photographing position input device such as a mouse, a keyboard or a light pen (a photographing range designating means). A photographing position signal or the like from 44 is input. As the photographing switch 42, one that is turned on by a one-step (half-push) operation to output a control signal and outputs a photographing start signal by a two-step (full-push) operation is used.

Further, in the arithmetic control circuit 41, a frame memory 45, an image processing circuit 46 as an image processing means, a focusing lens drive motor 47 ', and observation / photographing are performed from the left and right positions of the camera body having the above optical system. Left and right eye detecting means 35 'for detecting whether the eye to be inspected is right or left, and the light emission control circuit 49
Are connected.

Further, in the arithmetic control circuit 41, mirror driving means 51 such as a solenoid for inserting / removing the half mirror 32 into / from the photographing optical path, a mode setting switch 52 in the observation / photographing mode, a memory 53 such as a RAM, a ROM. Memory 5 etc.
4, an information recording / reproducing device 55 (image input means) such as an optical disk device or a floppy disk device is connected, and the area CCD 30a and the monitor television 3 are connected.
1 is connected.

Moreover, the arithmetic control circuit 41 records the fundus image (medical electronic image) photographed by the area CCD 30a, which is an image pickup means, on a recording medium such as an optical disc or a floppy disc via the information recording / reproducing device 55. The medical electronic image is displayed on the screen 31A (display screen) of the monitor television 31 (electronic image display device).

Next, the data transfer function of the arithmetic control circuit 41 for photographing, recording, reproducing, etc. will be described.

(1) New photographing / recording and reproduction thereof [Observation] When a power source (not shown) of the apparatus is turned on, the arithmetic control circuit 41 turns on the halogen lamp 4. In this state,
When the alignment work and the focusing work are performed on the fundus Ef of the eye to be inspected, and when this work is completed, the illumination light from the halogen lamp 4 is projected onto the fundus Ef of the eye to be inspected 3 via the illumination optical system 1 and reflected.

Further, the left and right eye detecting means 35 'outputs a signal for identifying whether the currently observed fundus is left or right, and the arithmetic control circuit 41 outputs the left and right identification data from this identification signal. It is stored in the memory 53.

On the other hand, the reflected light from the fundus Ef of the subject's eye 3 is
From the objective lens 17 of the observation / photographing optical system 2 to the imaging lens 2
Optical components up to 0, a mirror 21, a mask 36 conjugate with the fundus oculi Ef, a field lens 22, a reflection mirror 23,
It is guided to the area CCD 30a (imaging means) of the television camera 30 via the relay lens 24 and the like.

As a result, an image (fundus image) 37 of the fundus Ef is formed on the area CCD 30a as shown in FIG. 5 (b). This fundus image 37 is the circular hole 3 of the mask 36 shown in FIG.
It has a circular portion 37a corresponding to 6a and a portion 37b corresponding to the notch mark 36b. Moreover, area CCD3
The margin portion 3 by the mask 36 is provided around the fundus image 37 of 0a.
8 results.

When a signal for identifying the left and right eyes from the left and right eye detecting means 35 'is input, the arithmetic control circuit 41 constructs the image data for the first frame,
The entire area CCD 30a is scanned to read the image data including the fundus image 37 and the blank portion 38 for one frame, and the image data is stored in the frame memory 45.

At this time, the arithmetic control circuit 41 determines that the area CC
The address data of each pixel of D30a and the light amount data, or the address data of the boundary line 39 between the fundus image 37 and the margin portion 38 is calculated from the light amount difference from the data of the frame memory 45, and the address data of this boundary line 39 is calculated as described above. The data is stored in the memory 53 in association with the left and right eye identification data. By thus obtaining the boundary line 39, it is determined that the range in which the ophthalmologic image to be transferred, that is, the fundus image data exists is inside the boundary line 39.

The operation of obtaining the boundary line 39 is performed only once at the time of capturing the first image at the time of observation, and the data of the boundary line 39 is used for transferring the image from the next time. The data of the boundary line 39 is recorded in advance as information.
An optical disc, a floppy disc,
Record on a recording medium such as a still video disc,
It is also possible to use this data.

Then, the arithmetic control circuit 41 is provided with a blank space 36
Only the fundus image data on the inside is transferred from the frame memory 45 to the image processing circuit 46, and the fundus image 37 is displayed on the monitor television 31 via the image processing circuit 46.

Thereafter, the arithmetic control circuit 41 determines that the area CC
The image data of D30a is read and the frame memory 45
And the image for one frame is constructed in the frame memory 45. Then, the arithmetic control circuit 41 transfers only the fundus image data of the frame memory 45, that is, only the fundus image data (ophthalmologic image data) within the boundary line 39 to the image processing circuit 46, and the fundus image 37 as shown in FIG. The image is displayed on the monitor television 31 via the image processing circuit 46.

When the address data of the boundary line 39 of the image photographed by the mask 36 is known, this data is stored in the ROM or the like in advance so that the image reading of the first one frame is also possible. , The fundus image 37 is sufficient. In this case, since the notch of the mask 36 is different for the left and right eyes, the data of the boundary line 39 corresponding to the left and right eyes is stored in the ROM.
It is stored in advance in association with the identification signal from the left and right eye detecting means 35 '.

During such observation, the changeover switch 41a
Is on the contact a side. And the area CCD 30a
The digital signal from is input to the D / A converter 41b via the arithmetic control circuit 41 and the changeover switch 41a, converted into an analog signal, and then input to the monitor television 31. As a result, the fundus image is displayed on the monitor television 31 in real time.

[Visible color photography] Also, after such observation,
While the changeover switch 41a is switched to the contact b side, various filters (not shown) are provided in each optical system, and then the emission control of the xenon lamp 6 is performed, and the photographing light from the xenon lamp 6 is transmitted through the illumination optical system 1 to the fundus. The fundus photographing is performed by guiding the reflected light from the fundus Ef to the area CCD 30a through the observation / photographing optical system 2 while being guided to the Ef.

The digital image signal of the area CCD 30a is input to the monitor television 31 via the control circuit 41 and the changeover switch 41a, and a digital fundus image is displayed on the monitor television 31. Even during this fundus photographing, the image transfer is only the fundus image within the boundary line 39, as described above.

When the fundus is imprinted, the photographing data 110 is imprinted on the portion covered with the mask, that is, the margin 38. The photographing data 110 is the same as the ophthalmologic image within the boundary line 39. You may make it transfer by a process.

[Fluorescence Imaging] During visible fluorescence imaging of the fundus Ef, while fluorescein for visible fluorescence is intravenously injected into the patient, the changeover switch 41a is switched to the contact b side after the observation described above, and an exciter filter for visible fluorescence is used. Insert E1 into the optical path between the xenon lamp 6 and the condenser lens 7, and attach the barrier filter B1 to the perforated mirror 16
It is inserted in the optical path between the lens and the focusing lens 19.

Next, when the emission control of the xenon lamp 6 is performed, visible excitation light having a wavelength that excites fluorescein in the photographing light from the xenon lamp 6 is guided to the fundus Ef via the illumination optical system 1 and the exciter filter E1. And the fundus Ef
Illuminate.

This visible excitation light is absorbed by the fluorescein in the blood vessel of the fundus Ef to excite the fluorescein. As a result, visible fluorescence is emitted from the fluorescein, and this visible fluorescence is transmitted through the observation / photographing optical system 2 to the area CCD.
You will be guided to 30a. As a result, the area CCD 30a
A fundus blood vessel image by visible fluorescence is imaged as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (c), and visible fluorescence imaging of the fundus blood vessel is performed.

In FIG. 3, (a) is a fundus vascular image relatively early from the start of fluorescence imaging, and shows a state in which time has elapsed from the start of fluorescence imaging as it goes to (b) and (c). Moreover,
The interior shown by the line 71 ′ in FIG. 3 (a) is the portion of the teat 71, but is imagewise darker than the periphery of the line 71 ′. Further, in FIG. 3 (b), the fluorescent agent from the capillaries also reaches the teat 71 and emits fluorescence.
Is relatively brighter than its surroundings. Furthermore, FIG.
In (c), the amount of the fluorescent agent reaching the nipple portion 71 is larger than that in the fundus vascular image 100, and the fluorescence amount in the nipple portion 71 is larger than the fluorescence amount in the portion within the nipple 71 in the fundus blood vessel image 100. Has become.

Further, in FIG. 3, (a1) shows the amount of fluorescence near the nipple along the line AA in (a), and (b1) shows the amount of fluorescence near the nipple along the line BB in (b). Shows the amount of fluorescence, (c1) shows the amount of fluorescence near the papilla along the line C-C of (c), (b2) shows the amount of fluorescence of the neovascular part 100a in (b), (c2 ) Is (c)
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the amount of fluorescence from the water bubble part 102 around the laser coagulation part 101 in FIG. In the figure, 100a shows a bleeding part from a new blood vessel in the fundus. In addition, (a) to (c), the nipple portion 71, the fundus oculi blood vessel image 38, the blistering portion 1
02, symbol V attached to the bleeding part 100a from the new blood vessel
1 to V11 are V1 to V11 such as (a1) to (c1), (b2) and (c2)
It shows the portion corresponding to.

In addition, during visible fluorescence imaging of the fundus blood vessels, the digital image signal of the area CCD 30a is controlled by the control circuit 4.
1 is input to the monitor television 31 via the changeover switch 41a, and a visible fluorescent image 37 'is displayed on the monitor television 31 as shown in FIG. 2 (b). In FIG. 2B, 100 is a fundus blood vessel image of a visible fluorescence image.

Even when this fundus blood vessel is photographed, the area CCD 30 is used.
The transfer of the image from a becomes only the fundus oculi image 100 within the boundary line 39 as in the above. Moreover, since the address of the boundary line 39 is known, only the inside of the boundary line 39 is scanned to transfer the image data to the area CCD 30a.
The address data and the light amount of the pixel whose address is equal to or higher than the predetermined level L1 are transferred to the arithmetic control circuit 41. Then, the arithmetic control circuit 41 causes the frame memory 45 to construct the fundus blood vessel image 100 by visible fluorescence based on the transferred data, and displays this fundus blood vessel image 100 on the monitor television 31.

Here, in this transfer, the area CC
Of the pixels of D30a, the value of the address data of the pixel whose address is equal to or higher than the predetermined level L1 is set to "1", and the value is transferred to the arithmetic control circuit 41, and the value of the portion below the predetermined level L1 is set to "0". Alternatively, the fluorescence image of the fundus oculi may be image-processed as signals of “0” and “1”. In FIG. 3, the slice level is the level L including the fluorescence from the nipple 71.
Although it is set to 1, it may be set to a level L2 that does not include fluorescence from the teat 71.

Similarly, during infrared fluorescence imaging of the fundus oculi Ef, ICG (indocyanine green) for infrared fluorescence is intravenously injected into the patient, while the changeover switch 41a is switched to the contact point b side after the observation described above to change the infrared light. Exciter filter for fluorescence
E2 is inserted in the optical path between the xenon lamp 6 and the condenser lens 7, and the barrier filter B2 is inserted in the optical path between the perforated mirror 16 and the focusing lens 19.

Next, when the xenon lamp 6 is controlled to emit light, infrared excitation light of a wavelength that excites the ICG in the photographing light from the xenon lamp 6 reaches the fundus Ef via the illumination optical system 1 and the exciter filter E1. You are guided and illuminate the fundus Ef.

This infrared excitation light is the ICG in the blood vessel of the fundus Ef.
Are excited by the ICG. As a result, infrared fluorescence is emitted from the ICG, and this infrared fluorescence is guided to the area CCD 30a via the observation / photographing optical system 2. As a result, a fundus blood vessel image is formed on the area CCD 30a by infrared fluorescence, and infrared fluorescence imaging of the fundus blood vessel is performed.

At this time, the digital image signal of the area CCD 30a is input to the monitor television 31 via the control circuit 41 and the changeover switch 41a, and an infrared fluorescent image is displayed on the monitor television 31.

Even when this fundus blood vessel is photographed, the area CCD 30 is used.
The image transfer from a is only the fundus blood vessel image of the infrared fluorescence image within the boundary line 39 as in the above. Moreover, the boundary line 39
Since the address of the area CCD is known, only the inside of the boundary line 39 is scanned to transfer the image data to the area CCD.
The address data and the light amount of the pixel of the address of 30a of which the light amount is equal to or higher than the predetermined level L1 (slice level) are transferred to the arithmetic control circuit 41. Then, the arithmetic control circuit 41 causes the frame memory 45 to construct a fundus blood vessel image by infrared fluorescence based on the transferred data, and displays the fundus blood vessel image on the monitor television 31.

At the time of transferring the fundus blood vessel image at the time of infrared fluorescence imaging by the ICG, the area CCD 30a is used.
Of the pixels of which the light amount is equal to or higher than the predetermined level L1, the value of the address data is set to “1”, and the value is transferred to the arithmetic control circuit 41, and the value of the portion below the predetermined level L1 is set to “0” The fluorescence image of the fundus oculi may be image-processed simply as signals of “0” and “1”.

The ophthalmic image data at the time of such fluorescence photographing, that is, the fluorescence images such as the fundus oculi blood vessel image, the new blood vessel image, the blister image, etc., have different widths and shapes. That is, the blood vessel image of the fundus is elongated and continuous, and the bleeding image of the fundus spreads as a mass of a constant width or a constant diameter, and the blisters around the laser coagulation part of the fundus retina have a ring shape of a substantially constant diameter. is doing. Therefore, by performing image processing as signals of "0" and "1" in this way, the arithmetic control circuit 41 automatically detects and judges diseased parts such as neovascularization and laser coagulation parts of the fundus retina. Can be recorded.

In fact, since the fluorescence from the fundus blood vessel has a different level of fluorescence brightness (light intensity) depending on the thickness of the blood vessel, the state after a certain elapsed time is shown in, for example, FIG. 3 (b1 '). Like In this FIG. 3 (b1 ′), P1 indicates the fluorescence luminance from a relatively thick fundus blood vessel, P2 indicates the fluorescence luminance from a medium-thickness fundus blood vessel, and P3 indicates the fluorescence luminance from a capillary blood vessel. . As described above, since the fluorescence brightness actually differs from P1 to P3 depending on the thickness of the fundus blood vessel, the set slice levels are L1, L2, and L3 (L3>L2> L1).
, The fundus blood vessels of brightness P1 to P3 are slice levels L
1 to L3, the image of a thick fundus blood vessel only, or the image of a medium fundus blood vessel, or only the image of a capillary blood vessel is selectively extracted and displayed as an image. The diagnosis of the diseased part of the fundus blood vessel can be facilitated. Incidentally, such an image extraction and judgment is performed by the arithmetic control circuit 4
Done by 1. In particular, in the latter stage of fluorescence, the bleeding portion can be used for determining the presence or absence of fundus bleeding.

[Recording / reproduction] The visible color fundus image data thus photographed is the fundus image 37 within the boundary line 39.
Only the data relating to the identification data is recorded on the recording medium such as an optical disc, a floppy disc, a still video disc, etc. via the information recording / reproducing device 55 in correspondence with the identification data.

On the other hand, in the data of the fundus blood vessel image obtained by the fluorescence photography, only the address data and the light amount data of the pixels of the address of the area CCD 30a where the light amount is the predetermined level or more are transferred to the information recording / reproducing device 55 and recorded. It is recorded on the medium.

Therefore, information recording and
Even when the reproduction apparatus 55 is used to reproduce an ophthalmologic image from a recording medium, only the data relating to the fundus image or the fundus blood vessel image is read from the recording medium.

(2) Reproduction from old image data including margin and ophthalmic image The image data also includes old image data including margin and ophthalmic image. In addition, there are a number of pieces of recording information such as the old image data and the shooting condition information corresponding to the respective image data recorded on a recording medium such as an optical disk, a floppy disk, a still video disk, or the like. As the photographing condition information, for example, a patient ID number, name, age, sex, distinction between right and left eyes, photographing light amount, kind of filter at the time of photographing, and the like can be considered.

In a large number of old image data recorded on such a recording medium, the mask shape and size for a large number of left ophthalmic images or the mask shape and size for a large number of right ophthalmic images are the same. It is possible that This is because, of course, it is considered that the same fundus camera is used for image capturing.

Therefore, when the old image data recorded on such a recording medium is reproduced, the boundary line between the margin portion formed by the mask used for the image data and the fundus image is defined by the left and right eyes. Only the first one is calculated by the arithmetic control circuit 41.

In this case, first, the operation control circuit 41 controls the operation of the information recording / reproducing device 55 as the image input means, the old image data recorded on the recording medium is read by the information recording / reproducing device 55, and the frame is read. Input to memory 45.

At this time, the arithmetic control circuit 41 obtains the address data of the boundary line 39 between the fundus image 37 and the margin portion 38 from the data of the frame memory 45 by the arithmetic operation from the difference in the amount of light in the same manner as described above, and at the same time, in the mask 36. Notch mark 36
The right and left eyes are discriminated from the portion corresponding to b, and the address data of the boundary line 39 is stored in the memory 53 together with the left and right eye identification data.

By obtaining the boundary line 39 in this way, it is determined that the range in which the ophthalmologic image to be transferred, that is, the fundus image data exists is inside the boundary line 39. The operation of obtaining the boundary line 39 is performed only once for the left and right eyes when the old image data is first fetched into the frame memory 45 as described above.

Then, the arithmetic control circuit 41 is provided with a blank space 36
Only the fundus image data on the inside is transferred from the frame memory 45 to the image processing circuit 46, and the fundus image 37 is displayed on the monitor television 31 via the image processing circuit 46.

When the image data for the left and right eyes is transferred, only the data within the boundary line 39 is transferred to the monitor television 31 based on the address data for the boundary line 39 obtained as described above.

<Reproduction / Transfer of Fluorescence Imaging Data> The old image data described above also includes imaging data of fundus blood vessel images by visible fluorescence or infrared fluorescence. Whether or not it is the fluorescence photographing data can be determined from the type of filter of the photographing condition information.

Therefore, the arithmetic control circuit 41 controls the operation of the information recording / reproducing device 55 as the image input means, the old image data recorded on the recording medium is read by the information recording / reproducing device 55, and the old image data is recorded in the frame memory 45. When the input is input to, the arithmetic and control circuit 41 is made to judge whether or not it is the fluorescent photographing based on the type of the filter of the photographing condition information.

At this time, even when the arithmetic control circuit 41 determines that the fluorescence photographing is performed, the arithmetic control circuit 41 uses the data in the frame memory 45 to demarcate the boundary line 39 between the fundus image 37 and the margin portion 38 in the same manner as described above. The address control data is calculated from the light amount difference, and the arithmetic control circuit 441 discriminates the left eye and the right eye from the portion corresponding to the notch mark 36b of the mask 36, and the address data of the boundary line 39 is discriminated between the right eye and the left eye. It is stored in the memory 53 together with the data. still,
The operation of obtaining the boundary line 39 is performed only once for the left and right eyes when the old image data is first fetched into the frame memory 45 as described above.

On the other hand, the arithmetic control circuit 41 obtains the address data and the light quantity in which the light quantity of the data within the boundary line 39 thus obtained is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. That is, the address data and the light amount of a portion having fluorescence emitted from the fundus blood vessel, or a portion emitting fluorescence due to leakage from the fundus blood vessel are obtained.

Further, the data of the boundary line 39 or the address data and the light quantity of the fundus oculi blood vessel image due to the fluorescence thus obtained are recorded in a new recording medium by the information recording / reproducing device 55 and used for data retrieval. Will be done.

<Second Embodiment> In the embodiment described above,
An example has been shown in which all the fundus image data within the boundary line 39 is transferred and recorded / reproduced, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a part (lesion, etc.) of the fundus image may be designated, and only this part may be transferred and recorded / reproduced. Here, as a method of designating a part of the fundus image, the fundus image is divided into four, and a selection menu of upper left, lower left, upper right, lower right, etc. is displayed on the monitor TV 31, and one of these is used as a keyboard. A method of selecting with a transfer range designating means such as a cursor key or a mouse, or a method of designating an arbitrary range with a mouse may be adopted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a system including the control circuit 40 having the above-mentioned configuration is referred to as a host computer system 60, and this host computer system 60 is used.
To the host computer system 60 via the telephone line 64 and connected to the host computer system 60 via the input / output circuit 61 and the cable 62, and recorded as described above. The fundus images accumulated in the host computer system 60 are used as terminal devices 63 or 6
Search operation from 5 or host computer system 6
It is also possible to cause 0 to record a fundus image from the terminal device 63 or 65. In this case, as described above, only the part of the fundus image or only part of the fundus image is transferred, whereby the time for searching and recording can be sufficiently shortened.

When using in this way,
For example, the host computer system 60 is installed in a computer room or the like of a general hospital, the terminal device 63 is installed in each examination room of the general hospital or a room of a doctor in charge, and the terminal device 6 is installed.
It is conceivable to install 5 in a local hospital and use it.

<Third Embodiment> FIGS. 7 to 10 show a third embodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, only specific parts such as the nipple and the macula are extracted (cut out) from each image data, and the images of the large number of specific parts are simultaneously displayed on the monitor television 31 as shown in FIG. Let monitor TV 3
The target image can be searched out from a large number of images displayed on the screen 1 and displayed or transferred.

In this case, a mode selection menu such as "1. search 2. display 3. transfer" is displayed on the monitor TV 31.

A. Cutting out with a mouse or cursor keys When the "search" mode is selected with the mouse or keyboard, the arithmetic control circuit 41 reads the first one of the fundus images recorded on the recording medium with the information recording / reproducing device 55. And display it on the monitor TV 31.

(Specifying the cutout area by the grid line) At this time,
As shown in FIG. 8, a grid line 80 for cutting is superimposed and displayed on the fundus image 37. In this “search” mode, the arithmetic control circuit 4
1 displays the "grid moving image cutout" mode selection menu.

Further, the mode selection menu in the "search" mode is displayed on the monitor TV 31, and the "search" mode is displayed.
By selecting the "movement of grid lines" mode in the mode with a keyboard or a mouse, this grid line 80 can be moved with respect to the fundus image 37 by a mouse which is one of the photographing position input devices 44 or a cursor key of the keyboard. To be installed. Then, in this mode, the nipple portion 71 that is the cutout portion
The grid lines 80 are moved so that the lines enter one grid formed by the grid lines 80.

In this state, the cutout range designation mode is designated by the mode selection menu so that the cursor mark 81 is displayed on the screen of the monitor television 31 as shown in FIG.
A cursor, which is one of the photographing position input devices 44, or a cursor key of a keyboard, is used to move the cursor mark 81 to one of the portions surrounded by the grid line 80, for example, the square where the nipple 71 is located.

Next, when the image cutout of the mode selection menu is selected with the mouse or the cursor key of the keyboard, the operation control circuit 41 cuts out the inside of the square with the cursor mark 81, and the cutout image of the nipple. The data is recorded by the arithmetic control circuit 41 on the information recording / reproducing device 5
Temporarily save it on the hard disk of 5 or the like.

Such image cut-out can be performed for those having the same shooting position and shooting angle of view.

Therefore, when the fundus image is photographed and recorded, the data of the photographing position and the photographing angle of view are recorded in advance in the recording medium together with the fundus image data as photographing condition information, so that the above-mentioned cutout portion can be specified only once. After that, the papilla can be cut out from the fundus image at the same shooting position and the same shooting angle of view.

The cut-out image data of the nipple is sequentially stored in the hard disk by the arithmetic control circuit 41. This saving can be done for a specified range or for all data.

Then, when the "display" mode of the mode selection menu is selected, the arithmetic control circuit 41 transfers the image data of the nipple portion temporarily stored in the hard disk to the frame memory 45 for every predetermined number and transfers one frame. Minutes image is constructed, this image is transferred to the monitor television 31, and the image a of the nipple as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b) is displayed on the monitor television 31.
Display a large number of 1, a2, a3 ...

When the "transfer" mode in the mode selection menu is selected, the arithmetic control circuit 41 displays a plurality of transfer destinations on the monitor TV 31, and when one of the transfer destinations is selected, it is temporarily stored in the hard disk. The stored image data of the nipple is transferred to the selected transfer destination.

(Cutout Area Designation by Mouse or Cursor Keys of Keyboard) The cutout area of the image in the "search" mode can be designated by only the mouse or keyboard cursor key without using the grid line 81. it can.

At this time, the arithmetic control circuit 4 is set in the "search" mode.
1 displays the "range specified image cutout" mode selection menu.

Further, the mode selection menu in the "search" mode is displayed on the monitor TV 31, and the "search" is selected.
Select the "range specification" mode in the mode with the keyboard or mouse. As a result, the arithmetic control circuit 31 first displays the cursor mark 81 and the frame 82 on the screen of the monitor television 31 as shown in FIG. In addition, this frame 82 is
For example, the size can be freely changed at any position by operating a mouse or a keyboard.

In this state, the frame 82 of the screen of the monitor TV 31 is moved by the mouse, which is one of the photographing position input devices 44, or the cursor keys of the keyboard, to move the nipple 7
The portion 1 is designated by a frame 82.

After this designation, by selecting the image cutout from the mode selection menu, the arithmetic control circuit 41 cuts out the papilla 71 of the fundus image data (ophthalmic image data) within the boundary line 39.

The image data of the cut nipple portion is temporarily stored in the hard disk of the information recording / reproducing device 55 by the arithmetic control circuit 41.

Such image cutting can be performed for the same shooting position and shooting angle of view. Further, addresses may be added in the vertical and horizontal directions to the square area as a matrix on the screen, and the transfer range may be specified by the vertical and horizontal addresses.

Therefore, also in this case, the data of the photographing position and the photographing angle of view are recorded in the recording medium together with the fundus image data in advance as the photographing condition information at the time of photographing and recording the fundus image.
The nipple portion can be cut out from the fundus image at the same shooting position and the same shooting angle of view after only specifying the cutout portion once.

The cut-out image data of the nipple portion is sequentially stored in the hard disk by the arithmetic control circuit 41. This saving can be done for a specified range or for all data.

When "Display" is selected from the mode selection menu, the arithmetic control circuit 41 causes the image data of the nipple portion temporarily stored in the hard disk to be stored in the frame memory 45.
Image data for one frame is transferred to the monitor TV 31 by transferring a predetermined number of frames to the monitor TV 31, and the image a1 of the nipple as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b) is displayed. a
Display a large number of 2, a3 ...

When the "transfer" mode in the mode selection menu is selected, the arithmetic control circuit 41 displays a plurality of transfer destinations on the monitor TV 31, and when one of the transfer destinations is selected, it is temporarily stored in the hard disk. The stored image data of the nipple is transferred to the selected transfer destination.

7 (a) and 7 (b) show the size of the display frame 90 displayed by clipping, and the size of the display frame can be switched with a mouse, keyboard, light pen or the like. This can be performed by using the photographing position input device (photographing range designation means) 44. At this time, magnification change is displayed on the mode selection menu, and a desired magnification is selected by a photographing position input device (photographing range designating means) 44 such as a mouse, a keyboard, or a light pen, thereby performing magnification switching.
When switching the display frame, the display magnification can be changed without changing the display content in the display frame, or the display range in the display frame can be changed with the same display magnification. Further, this cutout can be performed on the macula 72, or on other portions.

B. Clipping when images with different shooting positions and shooting angles of view are included. When cutting out specific parts such as the nipple and the macula when images with different shooting positions and shooting angles of view are included, the grid lines 80 and the mouse are used as described above. , A range is designated by a keyboard or the like, all the images are cut out as described above based on the range designation, and all the cut-out images a1, a2, a3 ...
May be displayed on the multiple monitor television 31 as shown in FIG.

Further, in the case where the cutout is the nipple, when the light amount level of the cutout portion is below a predetermined level according to the photographing magnification, the arithmetic control circuit 41 determines that it is not the nipple and does not cut it out. Good. Similarly, when the cutout is the macula, when the light amount level of the cutout portion is equal to or higher than a predetermined level according to the photographing magnification, the arithmetic control circuit 41 may determine that the cutout is not the macula, and may not cut out.

C. Cutout display of the nipple portion due to the difference in light amount Further, in the fundus image, the portion of the nipple portion 71 has a larger reflected light amount than the other portions, so that the nipple portion can be cut out by this light amount difference.

That is, when the "search" mode of the mode selection menu is selected, the arithmetic control circuit 41 controls the operation of the information recording / reproducing device 55 to read the fundus image of the recording medium into the frame memory 45, and the frame memory 45. The light amount of the fundus image constructed in step 1 is sequentially detected for each address.

Then, the arithmetic control circuit 41 calculates the change in the light amount level from the detected light amount, and the portions a1 and a2 where the change in the light amount on the low level side shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B becomes small.
Then, the positions b1 and b2 having a constant width to the left and right from this portion are calculated according to the photographing magnification.

Next, the arithmetic control circuit 41 determines the size of the image cutout frame from the positions b1 and b2 thus obtained, cuts out an image including the nipple 71 and its periphery, and records the information. The data is temporarily stored in the hard disk or the like of the playback device 55.

The cut-out image data of the nipple portion is sequentially stored in the hard disk by the arithmetic control circuit 41. This saving can be done for a specified range or for all data.

When "display" is selected from the mode selection menu, the arithmetic control circuit 41 causes the image data of the nipple portion temporarily stored in the hard disk to be stored in the frame memory 45.
The image for one frame is constructed by transferring every predetermined number to the monitor television 31, and this image is transferred to the monitor television 31 and a large number of images of the nipple as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b) are displayed. Display at the same time.

In the case of image processing, the light amount of each pixel may be checked and only pixel data of a predetermined light amount may be transferred.

When the "transfer" mode in the mode selection menu is selected, the arithmetic control circuit 41 displays a plurality of transfer destinations on the monitor television 31, and when one of the transfer destinations is selected, it is temporarily stored in the hard disk. The stored image data of the nipple is transferred to the selected transfer destination.

At this time, the ID number of each image is displayed on each image at the same time. As a result of the search, the ID number is designated by the transfer range designating means such as a mouse or a keyboard, so that a detailed image (all pixel data Is displayed on the monitor TV 31 for diagnosis and the like.

[0110]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to transfer only necessary data out of image data and reduce the time required to transfer the data.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an optical system of a fundus camera used in an ophthalmologic image processing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged explanatory view of the monitor television shown in FIG.

3 (a) to (c) are explanatory views schematically showing a temporal change of a fundus blood vessel during fluorescence imaging, (a1) to (c1) are explanatory views of fluorescence luminance from the fundus blood vessel, and (b1) ′) Is an explanatory diagram when the slice level is increased with respect to the fluorescence intensity from the actual fundus blood vessel, (b
2) is an explanatory view of fluorescence brightness from a new blood vessel, and (c2) is an explanatory view of fluorescence brightness from a water bubble portion generated around the laser coagulation portion of the retina after laser coagulation.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a control circuit of the fundus camera shown in FIG.

5A is an explanatory view of the mask shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory view showing an image formation state of a fundus image on the area CCD shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a use explanatory diagram using the ophthalmic image processing system shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a third embodiment of the ophthalmic image displayed on the monitor television by the ophthalmic processing system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the image cutout of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the image clipping of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing still another example of the image clipping of FIG. 7.

11A is an explanatory view showing an example of a conventional mask used for photographing a fundus image, and FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram of a fundus image on an area CCD using the mask of FIG. 11A. is there.

[Explanation of symbols]

 30a ... Area CCD (image input means) 31 ... Monitor TV (image output means) 37 ... Fundus image (ophthalmic image) 38 ... Margin 39 ... Boundary 41 ... Operation control circuit (image data transfer means)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image input unit for inputting digitized image data including an ophthalmic image, an image data transfer unit for processing and transferring the image data from the image input unit, and an image data transfer unit. In an ophthalmologic image processing system having image processing means for image-processing the transferred image data and image output means for outputting an image from the image processing means, the image data transfer means is designated data in the image data. An ophthalmologic image processing system, which is provided so that only the extracted data can be transferred. 2. The image data includes data of an ophthalmic image and data of a margin image around the ophthalmic image, and the image data transfer means is provided so that only the ophthalmic image can be transferred as designated data. The ophthalmic image processing system according to claim 1. 3. An image input unit for inputting digitized image data including an ophthalmic image, an image data transfer unit for processing and transferring the image data from the image input unit, and an image data transfer unit. In an ophthalmologic image processing system having image processing means for image-processing the transferred image data and image display means for displaying an image from the image processing means, the image transfer means is designated data in the image data. An ophthalmologic image processing system in which only the extracted designated data can be extracted and transferred, and a plurality of the specified data thus extracted can be simultaneously transferred to and displayed on the image display means.