JPH0981715A - Image contrast display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the trouble of operation for referring to an affected part photographic image in an image filing device for an observation of condition progress. SOLUTION: An operator displays a patient list F1 on the CRT of the image filing device (1) and when 'Taro Fuji' (a person's name) is specified (1)', an examination list F2 of Taro Fuji's examination days is displayed (2). When April 15th of 1995 is specified (3), the photographic device list F3 of this day is displayed (4), a retrieval information description table 10 is generated in a main storage (a), and April 15th is written in the data item of an item No.1 (b). Then when the device CT, mediastinal, and the image quantity of 16 of the list F3 are specified (5), the specified contents are written in respective items of 12, 13, and 15 of the item No.1 of the table 10 (d) and then data of examination dates of April 1st and March 15th corresponding to the item No.1 are written in items No.2 and No.3 of the table 10; and a group F4 of specified 16 images is displayed 16 and on the basis of the table 10, a contrast display of an image group of the item No.2 or No.3 can be made.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention searches for an image filing device that collects CT images for medical diagnosis, for example, and displays a desired image on a CRT display or the like. The present invention relates to an image contrast display device as a calculation control device having a function of displaying side by side based on a simple operation.

[0002] In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of an image reference procedure in an image filing device in the medical field. In the figure, the rectangles F1 to F5 connected by arrows are the display screens on the CRT, and (1) to (11) correspond to the screens when the screens are switched via the operating means such as a mouse. This is the step number of the display operation. Next, FIG. 3 will be described together with the step numbers of this display operation.

(1) Display the patient list screen F1,
Instruct the patient to be observed. (2) The screen F2 of the inspection list is displayed, and the inspection date of this time is instructed. (3) Display the screen F3 of the photographing device list and select the examined photographing device. (4) The corresponding image group F4 taken this time is displayed. (5) The screen F2 of the inspection list is displayed again, and the inspection date of the previous inspection is designated.

(6) Display the screen F3 of the photographing device list and select the examined photographing device. (7) The corresponding image group F4 taken last time is displayed. (8) The image groups according to the operations (4) and (7) are displayed side by side on one screen, and both are compared. (9) One of the images of this inspection is enlarged and displayed as the enlarged image F5.

(10) One of the images of the previous inspection is enlarged and displayed as an enlarged image F5. (11) The enlarged images obtained by the operations (9) and (10) are displayed side by side in one screen, and both are compared. As described above, conventionally, when performing follow-up observation of a tumor or the like, first, the images taken in this examination are displayed via the patient list F1, examination list F2, and imaging device list F3, and then the images taken in the previous examination are displayed. This time, the procedure was the same as for the inspection image, and the image was displayed after the inspection list and imaging device list. Then, the images taken this time and the time before were compared to observe the progress of the medical condition, and the image was enlarged and displayed as necessary for observation.

FIG. 4 shows an example of connection of data in the image filing apparatus shown in FIG.

[0008]

However, in this image contrast method, after displaying the inspection image this time, it is necessary to retrieve the previous or previous inspection image by the same procedure.
It takes a lot of time and labor to search for the target image, and there is a problem that the efficiency of the work of follow-up is reduced.

Therefore, in the present invention, when comparing images for follow-up observation or the like with an image filing apparatus, when the inspection image is searched this time, the trouble of searching the previous or previous inspection images in the same procedure is saved. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image contrast display device capable of displaying an image.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the image contrast display device according to claim 1 is arranged in time series.
Alternatively, a plurality of images generated collectively for each one of a plurality of periods (hereinafter referred to as a collectively generated image group), and the collectively generated image groups in which the collectively generated image groups have mutually corresponding images or image groups A designated operation means (mouse, etc.) for searching and designating a specific image or image group within a specific batch-generated image group, and a display for displaying the specified specific image or image group In a device (image filing device, etc.) equipped with means (CRT, etc.), a series of designated operation data (item No. 1) designated via the designated operating means for displaying this particular image or group of images.
Data 11 to 15 for each item) are described in a table (search information description table 10), and an image or an image group corresponding to the specific image or the image group in another batch generation image group (hereinafter, this image). Or, the image group is referred to as a comparison image or an image group), and the designated operation data corresponding to the designated operation data for displaying on the display means (item No.
2 or 3 item-specific data 11 to 15) are described in the table, and a specific image or a group of images currently displayed on the display unit through the table and the designation operation unit, together with the image or the image. A means for displaying the image for comparison or the group of images with the number of operations less than the number of operations of the designated operating means required for displaying the group.

According to a second aspect of the image contrast display device of the present invention, in the image contrast display device of the first aspect, the corresponding images or image groups of the collectively generated image groups are a common object (a part of a patient's affected area). Etc.). Further, in the image contrast display device according to claim 3, in the image contrast display device according to claim 2, the corresponding images or image groups of the collectively generated image groups are further common imaging means (CT, MRI, X-ray). Image pickup device, etc.).

Further, in the image contrast display device according to a fourth aspect, in the image contrast display device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the image is an image for medical diagnosis. That is, in the present invention, a search information description table is provided in which the contents for the present inspection image search instructed by the operator and the items of the contents necessary for the previous or previous inspection image reference are described, and the image contrast display device is provided. Describes the contents operated by the operator in the search information description table, and at the same time searches for the item of the previous or previous examination corresponding to the instructed item and describes it in the table. Then, when the operator searches for the target image, the previous image or the previous image corresponding to it is ready to be displayed at the same time, and the image can be immediately displayed at the request of the operator.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation as an embodiment of the present invention. The vertical column on the left side of the figure shows the flow of the screen, and the vertical column on the right side of the figure is the left side screen. The flow of description (that is, writing to the table) of the search information description table corresponding to the flow of FIG. In FIG. 1, F1 is a patient list display screen, F2 is an examination list display screen, F3 is an imaging device list display screen, and F4 is an image group display screen.
F5 is a display screen of a single enlarged image.

In this example, the birth date and sex by patient name are registered in the patient list F1. Also inspection list F2
The examination date for each patient name is registered in. In the imaging device list F3, the devices used for imaging by patient name and examination date are X-ray CT (X-ray computed tomography), M
"Name of the imaging device" indicating which of the various methods such as RI (nuclear magnetic resonance imaging) and X-ray, the imaging site is mediastinum, lung field, stomach, etc. Each set of data including each item of “region” and “number of images” indicating that is registered.

FIG. 2 shows a specific structure of the search information description table 10. That is, this table 10 shows item numbers. Separately, the date 11, the photographing device 12, the image group (that is, the range of individual image numbers that configure the image group) 13, the image number (the number of individual images) 14, the number of images (that is, the individual images that configure the image group 13) In this example, the data set consisting of item number 15 is the item number. Item No. 1 to No. It is possible to fill in 3 groups up to 3.

Next, the operation of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. It is to be noted that the symbols # attached to the screens F1 to F5 indicate step numbers of the display operation, and (1) to (6) in the description flow of the search information description table 10 indicate step numbers of the table description operation. Here, it is assumed that the patient name Fujitaro will be followed up. First, the operator displays the patient list F1 on the CRT of the image filing device and displays 1
Select the Fujitaro of the patient name displayed in the second '. In this image contrast display device, the inspection date of Fujitaro is retrieved from the disc. Then, the inspection date and time is displayed on the inspection list F2. Here, it is assumed that the inspection is performed three times. That is, April 15, 1995, April 1, 3
It is the 15th of the month.

At this time, the apparatus creates the search information description table 10 in the main memory (1). Next, the operator designates the date of the inspection performed this time from the displayed inspection list F2. This inspection date is April 15, 1995, and this is selected. At that time, the device is the item N of the inspection information description table 10.
o. Write "April 15th" in the date item 11 of 1 (2). Further, the past (remaining) inspection date of the table 10, that is, April 1, 1995, and March 15, 1995, are item numbers respectively. 2 and item number. Write in date item 11 of 3 (3).

After the operator's instruction, a photographing device list F3 showing the contents performed on the instructed examination day is displayed.
Thereafter, the operator observes the mediastinum and instructs the mediastinum of the X-ray CT. The device will apply the appropriate X based on this instruction.
Numbers of images forming the line CT image group, that is, CT0415
CT041516 is acquired from 01 to prepare for image display. At the same time, the item No. of the search information description table 10 is set. "CT" is written in the item of the imaging device 12 of 1.
Similarly, in the item of image group 13, the image number of the image group, that is, "C
“T041501 to CT041516” is written, and “16” is written in the item of the number of images 14 (4). After that, the apparatus searches for CTs on the other inspection days, that is, the inspections on April 1 and March 15, and writes the search result in the table 10 (5). Here the equipment is April 1st, March 1st
CT is searched from the inspection on the 5th, and the item No. 2, "CT" is written in the item of the image capturing apparatus 12, "CT040101 to CT040116" is written in the item of the image group 13, and "16" is written in the item of the image number 15 similarly. Similarly, item No. "CT" in the item of the imaging device 12 of No. 3 and "CT031501 to CT0315" in the item of the image group 13 similarly.
16 "is also written in each of the items having 15 images. Note that this state is tentatively called an image group accessible state on another examination day.

On the other hand, since the preparation for displaying the image group designated by the operator in the step is completed inside the apparatus, it is applicable, but the image group (that is, image numbers CT041501 to CT0415) is displayed.
16 images) F4 is displayed on the CRT. In this state, the operator observes the image and wants to compare it with the previously examined image. Currently, the image groups of other inspection days are accessible, the image numbers of the image groups of the previous inspection have already been written in the table 10, and if requested by the operator,
It is possible to immediately display the past inspection image group.

In this example, if the operation is further advanced, the operator designates the first (upper left) image of the displayed image group F4 in order to observe the enlarged view of the image. Based on this instruction, the apparatus determines that the first image, that is, image number CT0415.
Prepare the image display of 01. At that time, the image number, that is, “CT041501” is set as the item number of the table 10. 1
It writes in the item of the image number 14 of. At the same time, the first image number in the image group of another examination date is also searched, and the item No. 2 and item number. It writes in the item of the image number 14 of 3 respectively (6). That is, item N of table 10
o. The item of image number 14 of 2 is "CT040101"
Item No. The item of image number 14 of 3 is "CT03
Write 1501 "respectively.

In this way, the preparation for displaying the image instructed by the operator in the step is completed inside the apparatus, so that the first enlarged image F5 is displayed on the CRT. And
At this time, if there is a request from the operator, since the enlarged image number of the past examination corresponding to the enlarged image of the present examination is already described in the table, the enlarged image of the past examination can be displayed immediately.

As an operation method for displaying the past image side by side with the current image, for example, the search information description table 1
A method in which 0 is displayed in a window on the CRT screen and the corresponding item is designated by a mouse or the like can be considered.

[0023]

According to the present invention, a search information description table is added to the image filing device, and the contents of the data item instructed by the operator for referring to the image captured this time and the corresponding data item corresponding to this By providing a means to automatically record past data items in this table, it is possible to display the past image corresponding to the captured image of this time by a simple operation through this table. You can save the trouble of displaying the image taken in the same procedure as the current image, and when you display the inspection image group or image this time, you can immediately access the corresponding past inspection image. A person can perform follow-up work without lowering work efficiency.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a flow of a screen according to an image reference procedure in an image filing device as an embodiment of the present invention and a flow of description of a search information description table corresponding to the screen flow.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a search information description table shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a screen flow associated with an image reference procedure in a conventional image filing device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a connection of each data stored in the image filing device of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 F1 Patient list (screen) F2 Exam list (screen) F3 Imaging device list (screen) F4 Image group (screen) F5 Enlarged image (screen) 10 Search information description table 11 Date item 12 Imaging device item 13 image Group item 14 Image number item 15 Image number item

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of images (hereinafter referred to as a collectively generated image group) generated collectively for each one of one or a plurality of periods arranged in time series, wherein the collectively generated image groups correspond to each other, or A collective operation image group having an image group is collected, and a specifying operation unit for searching for and specifying a specific image or image group in a specific collective occurrence image group, and the specified specific image or In a device provided with a display means for displaying an image group, a series of designated operation data designated through the designated operating means for displaying the specific image or image group is described in a table, and another batch The specified operation data for displaying an image or an image group corresponding to the specific image or the image group in the generated image group (hereinafter, this image or image group is referred to as a comparison image or image group) on the display means. Corresponding to Means for describing designated operation data in the table, and the specified image or image group currently displayed on the display means via the table and the designated operation means, together with the designation required for displaying this image or image group An image contrast display device comprising means for displaying the image or images for comparison with a smaller number of operations than the operation means. 2. The image contrast display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding images of the batch-generated image groups or the image groups are images of a common object. Display device. 3. The image contrast display device according to claim 2, wherein the images or image groups corresponding to each other in the collectively generated image groups are:
Further, the image contrast display device is characterized by being imaged through a common imaging means. 4. The image contrast display device according to claim 1, wherein the image is an image for medical diagnosis.