KR101664432B1 - Computer tomography apparatus and method for displaying a computer tomography image thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A tomographic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an image processor for reconstructing a tomographic image using a plurality of image data acquired in a plurality of partial periods included in the heartbeat cycle, And a display unit including the tomographic image and displaying a screen in which the plurality of partial periods are associated with a section of the tomographic image corresponding thereto.

Description

 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a tomographic imaging apparatus and a tomographic image display method using the same,

The present invention relates to a tomographic imaging apparatus and a tomographic image display method therefor.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a tomographic imaging apparatus for performing CT imaging using a heartbeat cycle and a tomographic image display method using the same.

The medical imaging device is a device for acquiring the internal structure of an object as an image. The medical image processing apparatus is a non-invasive examination apparatus, which captures and processes structural details in the body, internal tissues and fluid flow, and displays them to the user. A user such as a doctor can diagnose the health condition and disease of the patient by using the medical image outputted from the medical image processing apparatus.

Computed Tomography (CT) apparatus is a representative example of a tomographic imaging apparatus for irradiating a patient with radiation and capturing an object.

A CT (Computerized Tomography) device of a medical image processing apparatus can provide a cross-sectional image of a target object and can represent the internal structure of the target object (for example, elongation, lung, etc.) It has advantages and is widely used for precise diagnosis of diseases. Hereinafter, a medical image obtained by a tomographic imaging apparatus is referred to as a tomographic image.

In taking a tomographic image, artifacts in the tomographic image may occur due to the motion of the patient to be imaged. For example, when a heart is photographed, motion artifacts may occur due to heartbeat motion of the heart.

In order to prevent such motion defects, it is possible to use a method of reconstructing an image using data acquired during a period in which movement of the heart is minimized, taking the heartbeat period into consideration. In this case, the data is obtained for each section in which the movement of the heart is minimized in the heartbeat cycle, and the final tomographic image representing the entire object is restored using the obtained data.

If defects occur in some sections of the final tomographic image, the CT scan should be retried in full. The user can determine whether a defect has occurred in the image after the final tomographic image is read after the final tomographic image is reconstructed.

Therefore, when a defect occurs in the image, the data obtained in the previous CT scan can not be used, and the re-shot time consumes and the user and the patient are inconvenienced.

Therefore, there is a need to provide an apparatus and method for quickly recognizing defects occurring in a tomographic image during a CT scan and easily correcting defects in a tomographic image.

The present invention aims to provide a tomographic imaging apparatus and a tomographic image display method that can intuitively grasp a data section used for reconstructing a tomographic image.

Specifically, the present invention aims to provide a tomographic imaging apparatus capable of quickly and easily recognizing and correcting defects occurring in a tomographic image, and a tomographic image display method therefor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tomographic imaging apparatus including: an image processor for reconstructing a tomographic image using a plurality of image data acquired in a plurality of partial periods included in a heartbeat cycle; And a display unit for displaying the screen including the plurality of partial periods and the section of the corresponding tomographic image in association with each other, the information including the heartbeat period and the tomographic image.

In addition, the display unit may display the screen in which the video segments corresponding to at least one partial period of the plurality of partial periods are visually associated with each other.

In addition, the tomographic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a monitoring unit for acquiring information on an ECG signal indicating the heartbeat period.

The image processing unit processes the predetermined phase interval of the electrocardiogram signal by ECG gating to acquire the plurality of partial periods and displays the plurality of partial periods on the electrocardiogram signal as a window display Can be controlled.

In addition, when the defect occurs in the tomographic image, the notification unit may notify the user of the defect.

The display unit may display a marker on at least one of a period corresponding to a defect occurring in at least one video section included in the tomographic image and at least one video section in which the combination occurs, can do.

In addition, the image processor may extract at least one period in which the defect occurs in the tomographic image in the heartbeat cycle when a defect occurs in the tomographic image, So that the user interface screen for outputting the user interface screen is displayed.

The apparatus may further include a user interface unit for selecting at least one of the recommended at least one period through the user interface screen. In addition, the image processing unit may recover a tomographic image segment including an image segment including the defect using the image data obtained in the selected at least one period.

In addition, the image processor may automatically generate a defect in the tomographic image, automatically correct a partial period corresponding to the combination, and use the image data obtained in the modified partial period to automatically .

In addition, a tomographic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention outputs a menu for reselecting a partial period corresponding to an image section in which the combination occurs in the tomographic image, and the partial period is reselected through the menu And may further include a user interface unit. In addition, the image processing unit may automatically correct an image segment including the defect using the image data obtained in the reselected partial period.

The image processing unit may acquire a plurality of projection data in the plurality of partial periods, reconstruct a plurality of partial images using the plurality of projection data, and generate a final tomographic image representing the object using the plurality of partial images Can be generated.

In addition, the tomographic image may be a three-dimensional CT image.

Also, the image processor may acquire a reconstructed first tomographic image based on the plurality of image data, and may generate a final tomographic image by performing image correction of a defect occurring in at least one image section included in the first tomographic image .

In addition, the screen may further include the final tomographic image.

In addition, the tomographic image included in the screen may be the first tomographic image or the final tomographic image.

A tomographic imaging apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention reconstructs a tomographic image using a plurality of image data acquired in a plurality of partial periods included in a heartbeat cycle, and when a defect occurs in the tomographic image, An image processing unit which recovers an image region including the defect in the tomographic image using the correction image data obtained in another partial period for the defect region; And a display unit for displaying a screen including the tomographic image and updating and displaying in real time an image segment including the defect in the tomographic image.

When the defect occurs in the tomographic image, the image processor obtains positional information of the other partial period, which prevents the defect from occurring in the heartbeat cycle, and outputs the corrected image data based on the positional information Can be obtained.

The display unit may include information indicating the heartbeat cycle and the tomographic image, wherein the display unit associates the video segments corresponding to at least one partial period of the plurality of partial periods included in the heartbeat cycle, Lt; / RTI >

Also, the display unit may display the screen in which the updated video segment and the non-updated video segment are displayed separately.

In addition, the display unit may display and display a marker indicating the updated video segment on the screen.

Also, the display unit may display the screen displaying the modified partial period within the information indicating the heartbeat period.

In addition, the display unit may display the screen in which the partial cycle corresponding to the defect and the modified partial cycle are distinguished from each other in the information indicating the heartbeat cycle.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, when a defect occurs in the tomographic image, the tomographic imaging apparatus outputs a menu screen recommending at least one of the other partial periods to prevent the defect from occurring, And a user interface unit for receiving at least one of the other partial periods.

In addition, the image processing unit may reconstruct an image segment including the defect using the corrected image data obtained in the selected partial period, and may generate the updated tomographic image.

In addition, the tomographic imaging apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a monitoring unit for acquiring information monitoring the electrocardiogram signal indicating the heartbeat period.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tomographic image display method comprising: reconstructing a tomographic image using a plurality of image data acquired in a plurality of partial periods included in a heartbeat cycle; And information indicating the heartbeat period and the tomographic image, and displaying a screen displaying the plurality of partial periods in association with the section of the tomographic image corresponding thereto.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of displaying a tomographic image, comprising the steps of: extracting at least one period in which a defect occurs in the tomographic image in the heartbeat cycle when a defect occurs in the tomographic image; And outputting a user interface screen for recommending the extracted at least one period to a user.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of displaying a tomographic image, the method including automatically adjusting a partial period corresponding to an image interval in which the combined image is generated when a defect occurs in the tomographic image, And automatically correcting an image section including the defect using data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tomographic image display method comprising: reconstructing an initial tomographic image using a plurality of image data acquired in a plurality of partial periods included in a heartbeat cycle; Displaying a screen including the tomographic image; If the defect occurs in the tomographic image, re-capturing an image section including the defect in the tomographic image using corrected image data obtained in another partial period to prevent the occurrence of a defect; Updating the video segment including the defect to the re-restored video segment; And displaying the result of the update.

A tomographic imaging apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a tomographic imaging apparatus that reconstructs a tomographic image corresponding to a predetermined region in a medical image using a plurality of image data obtained in a plurality of partial periods included in a heartbeat cycle A processor; And a display unit displaying the medical image and information indicating the heartbeat period, and displaying a screen in which the plurality of partial periods are associated with intervals of the predetermined region corresponding thereto.

In addition, the screen may further include at least one partial image included in the reconstructed tomographic image.

In addition, each of the at least one partial image may be a cross-sectional two-dimensional tomographic image according to a transverse view.

In addition, the medical image may be a scout image that represents the object as a whole, and each of the at least one partial image may be a 2D sectional image included in the reconstructed tomographic image.

The scout image may be a scout image according to an anteroposterior view or a lateral view, and the at least one partial image may be a tomographic image according to a transverse view.

In addition, the screen may visually associate the at least one partial image with a section of the predetermined area corresponding to the at least one partial image.

In addition, the display may visually associate the at least one partial image with a partial period corresponding to the at least one partial image.

In addition, the tomographic imaging apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a user interface unit that receives a predetermined period or a predetermined period of the predetermined period or the plurality of partial periods of the predetermined region, It is possible to control the tomographic image corresponding to the selected predetermined point or predetermined period to be displayed on the screen.

Also, as the tomographic image is reconstructed, the reconstructed tomographic image can be updated and displayed in real time.

In addition, the screen may display the updated tomographic image in association with an interval of the predetermined region corresponding thereto.

In addition, the screen may visually associate the updated tomographic image with a corresponding partial period.

In addition, the screen may display the updated tomographic image, which is the updated tomographic image, and the previously reconstructed previous tomographic image of the updated tomographic image, overlaid.

Further, the screen may further include a three-dimensional tomographic image corresponding to the restored tomographic image, and may display a plurality of partial periods and a plurality of partial periods included in the corresponding three-dimensional tomographic image in association with each other . And a video section including a video section defect including an video section defect including an video section defect including a video section defect including a defect, and associating the video section defect with a video section including a defect, Associating them with each other, associating them with each other, and associating them

1A is a schematic diagram of a typical CT system 100. FIG.
1B is a diagram illustrating the structure of a CT system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
1C is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication unit.
2 is a view illustrating a tomographic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a scan method used in an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram illustrating another scanning method used in an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a diagram showing an electrocardiogram signal.
6 is a view for explaining a tomographic image restoration operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a view illustrating a screen displayed on a tomographic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a view illustrating another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
9A is a diagram illustrating another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
9B is a view illustrating another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a view illustrating another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
13 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
15 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
16 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
17 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
18 is a flowchart showing a method of displaying a tomographic image according to an embodiment of the present invention.
19 is a flowchart showing a method of displaying a tomographic image according to another embodiment of the present invention.
20A is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
20B is a view for explaining a scout image.
20C is a diagram illustrating another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
21 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
22 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
23 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
24 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
25 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
26 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
27 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
28 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings The advantages and features of the present invention, and how to accomplish them, will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. To fully disclose the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

The terms used in this specification will be briefly described and the present invention will be described in detail.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Also, in certain cases, there may be a term selected arbitrarily by the applicant, in which case the meaning thereof will be described in detail in the description of the corresponding invention. Therefore, the term used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term, not on the name of a simple term, but on the entire contents of the present invention.

When an element is referred to as "including" an element throughout the specification, it is to be understood that the element may include other elements as well, without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Also, as used herein, the term "part " refers to a hardware component such as software, FPGA or ASIC, and" part " However, 'minus' is not limited to software or hardware. The " part " may be configured to be in an addressable storage medium and configured to play back one or more processors. Thus, by way of example, and not limitation, "part (s) " refers to components such as software components, object oriented software components, class components and task components, and processes, Subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays and variables. The functions provided in the components and "parts " may be combined into a smaller number of components and" parts " or further separated into additional components and "parts ".

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In order to clearly explain the present invention in the drawings, parts not related to the description will be omitted.

As used herein, the term "image" may refer to multi-dimensional data composed of discrete image elements (e.g., pixels in a two-dimensional image and voxels in a three-dimensional image). For example, the image may include a medical image or the like of the object obtained by the CT photographing apparatus.

In the present specification, the term " tomography image " means an image obtained by tomographic imaging of a target object in a tomography apparatus, an image imaged using projected data after irradiating a light beam such as an x-ray to a target object. Specifically, the "CT (Computed Tomography) image" may refer to a reconstructed sectional image using a plurality of x-ray images obtained by photographing an object while rotating around at least one axis of the object. Also, it may refer to a reconstructed 3-D tomographic image using a sectional image.

As used herein, an " object "may include a person or an animal, or a portion of a person or an animal. For example, the subject may include a liver, a heart, a uterus, a brain, a breast, an organ such as the abdomen, or a blood vessel. The "object" may also include a phantom. A phantom is a material that has a volume that is very close to the density of the organism and the effective atomic number, and can include a spheric phantom that has body-like properties.

As used herein, the term "user" may be a doctor, a nurse, a clinical pathologist, a medical imaging specialist, or the like, and may be a technician repairing a medical device.

A CT system or the like can provide a cross-sectional image to a target object. Therefore, the advantage of being able to express the internal structure of a target object (for example, elongation, lung, etc.) have.

Specifically, the tomography system 100 may include all tomography devices such as CT (computed tomography) devices, OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography), or PET (positron emission tomography) CT devices.

Hereinafter, the CT system will be described as an example of the tomographic imaging system 100. FIG.

The CT system can obtain a relatively accurate sectional image with respect to a target object by, for example, acquiring image data of 2 mm or less in thickness at several tens or hundreds of times per second. Conventionally, there has been a problem that only the horizontal section of the object is expressed, but it has been overcome by the appearance of the following various image reconstruction techniques. Three-dimensional reconstruction imaging techniques include the following techniques.

- SSD (Shade surface display): A technique to represent only voxels having a certain HU value by the initial 3D image technique.

- MIP (maximum intensity projection) / MinIP (minimum intensity projection): A 3D technique that represents only those with the highest or lowest HU value among the voxels that make up the image.

- VR (volume rendering): A technique that can control the color and transparency of voxels constituting an image according to a region of interest.

- Virtual endoscopy: A technique capable of endoscopic observation on reconstructed 3-D images using VR or SSD techniques.

- MPR (multi planar reformation): An image technique that reconstructs into other sectional images. It is possible to reconstruct the free direction in the direction desired by the user.

- Editing: Several techniques for organizing surrounding voxels to more easily observe the region of interest in the VR.

- VOI (voxel of interest): A technique that expresses only the selected region by VR.

A computed tomography (CT) system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may be described with reference to FIG. The CT system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include various types of devices.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a typical CT system 100. FIG. 1A, a CT system 100 may include a gantry 102, a table 105, an X-ray generator 106, and an X-ray detector 108.

The gantry 102 may include an X-ray generating unit 106 and an X-ray detecting unit 108.

The object 10 can be placed on the table 105. [

The table 105 can be moved in a predetermined direction (e.g., at least one of up, down, left, and right) in the CT photographing process. In addition, the table 105 may be tilted or rotated by a predetermined angle in a predetermined direction.

Also, the gantry 102 may be inclined by a predetermined angle in a predetermined direction.

1B is a diagram illustrating the structure of a CT system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The CT system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a gantry 102, a table 105, a control unit 118, a storage unit 124, an image processing unit 126, an input unit 128, a display unit 130 ), And a communication unit 132. [

As described above, the object 10 may be located on the table 105. [ The table 105 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be moved in a predetermined direction (e.g., at least one of up, down, left, and right) and the movement can be controlled by the control unit 118. [

The gantry 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a rotating frame 104, an X-ray generating unit 106, an X-ray detecting unit 108, a rotation driving unit 110, a data acquiring circuit 116, And may include a transmitter 120.

The gantry 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a rotating frame 104 in the form of a ring that is rotatable based on a predetermined rotation axis RA. In addition, the rotating frame 104 may be in the form of a disk.

The rotating frame 104 may include an X-ray generating unit 106 and an X-ray detecting unit 108 arranged to face each other with a predetermined field of view (FOV). In addition, the rotating frame 104 may include an anti-scatter grid 114. Scattering prevention grid 114 may be positioned between the X-ray generation unit 106 and the X-ray detection unit 108.

 In medical imaging systems, X-ray radiation reaching the detector (or photosensitive film) includes attenuated primary radiation, which forms useful images, as well as scattered radiation, which degrades the quality of the image . An anti-scatter grid may be placed between the patient and the detector (or photosensitive film) to transmit the majority of the radiation and attenuate the scattered radiation.

For example, the anti-scatter grid may include strips of lead foil, solid polymer material, solid polymer and fiber composite material, etc. And the interspace material of the interlayer material may be alternately stacked. However, the form of the scattering prevention grid is not necessarily limited thereto.

The rotation frame 104 receives a drive signal from the rotation drive unit 110 and can rotate the X-ray generation unit 106 and the X-ray detection unit 108 at a predetermined rotation speed. The rotation frame 104 can receive a driving signal and power from the rotation driving unit 110 through a slip ring (not shown) in a contact manner. In addition, the rotation frame 104 can receive a driving signal and power from the rotation driving unit 110 through wireless communication.

 The X-ray generator 106 receives voltage and current from a power distribution unit (PDU) (not shown) through a slip ring (not shown) through a high voltage generator (not shown) . When the high voltage generating section applies a predetermined voltage (hereinafter referred to as a tube voltage), the X-ray generating section 106 can generate X-rays having a plurality of energy spectra corresponding to this predetermined tube voltage .

The X-ray generated by the X-ray generator 106 can be emitted by adjusting the width of the X-ray beam by the collimator 112.

The X-ray detector 108 may be positioned to face the X-ray generator 106. The X-ray detecting unit 108 may include a plurality of X-ray detecting elements. A single x-ray detector element may form a single channel, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The X-ray detector 108 senses X-rays generated from the X-ray generator 106 and transmitted through the object 10, and can generate an electric signal corresponding to the intensity of the sensed X-rays.

The X-ray detector 108 may include an indirect method for detecting and converting radiation into light, and a direct method detector for detecting and converting the radiation directly into electric charge. An indirect X-ray detector can use a Scintillator. In addition, a direct-type X-ray detector can use a photon counting detector. A Data Acquisition System (DAS) 116 may be coupled to the X-ray detector 108. The electrical signal generated by the X-ray detector 108 may be collected at the DAS 116. The electrical signal generated by the X-ray detector 108 may be collected at the DAS 116 either wired or wirelessly. The electrical signal generated by the X-ray detector 108 may be provided to an analog / digital converter (not shown) via an amplifier (not shown).

Only some data collected from the X-ray detector 108 may be provided to the image processor 126 or only some data may be selected by the image processor 126 depending on the slice thickness or the number of slices.

The digital signal may be provided to the image processing unit 126 through the data transmission unit 120. The digital signal may be transmitted to the image processing unit 126 via the data transmission unit 120 in a wired or wireless manner.

The controller 118 according to an embodiment of the present invention can control the operation of each module of the CT system 100. [ For example, the control unit 118 includes a table 105, a rotation driving unit 110, a collimator 112, a DAS 116, a storage unit 124, an image processing unit 126, an input unit 128, 130, the communication unit 132, and the like.

The image processing unit 126 may receive data obtained from the DAS 116 (e.g., pure data before processing) through the data transmission unit 120 and perform pre-processing.

The preprocessing may include, for example, a process of non-uniformity of sensitivity correction between channels, a sharp decrease in signal intensity or a process of correcting loss of signal due to an X-ray absorber such as a metal.

The output data of the image processing unit 126 may be referred to as raw data or projection data. Such projection data can be stored in the storage unit 124 together with shooting conditions (e.g., tube voltage, shooting angle, etc.) at the time of data acquisition.

The projection data may be a set of data values corresponding to the intensity of the X-ray passing through the object roll. For convenience of explanation, a set of projection data simultaneously obtained with the same shooting angle for all the channels is referred to as a projection data set.

The storage unit 124 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (SD, XD memory, etc.), a RAM (Random Access Memory) SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory) And may include at least one type of storage medium.

Also, the image processing unit 126 can reconstruct the cross-sectional image of the object using the acquired projection data set. Such a cross-sectional image may be a three-dimensional image. In other words, the image processing unit 126 may generate a three-dimensional image of the object using a cone beam reconstruction method based on the acquired projection data set.

External inputs for X-ray tomography conditions, image processing conditions and the like can be received through the input unit 128. For example, the X-ray tomography conditions include a plurality of tube voltages, energy value setting of a plurality of X rays, selection of a photography protocol, selection of an image reconstruction method, FOV area setting, number of slices, slice thickness, Processing parameter setting, and the like. The image processing condition may include resolution of the image, setting of the attenuation coefficient for the image, and setting of the combination ratio of the image.

The input unit 128 may include a device or the like for receiving a predetermined input from the outside. For example, the input unit 128 may include a microphone, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a touch pad, a touch pan, a voice, and a gesture recognition device.

The display unit 130 may display an X-ray image reconstructed by the image processing unit 126. FIG.

Transmission and reception of data, power, etc. between the above-described elements can be performed using at least one of wired, wireless, and optical communication.

The communication unit 132 can perform communication with an external device, an external medical device, or the like through the server 134 or the like. This will be described later with reference to FIG. 1C.

1C is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication unit.

The communication unit 132 may be connected to the network 301 by wire or wirelessly to perform communication with an external device 138 such as a server 134, an external medical device 136, or a portable device. The communication unit 132 can exchange data with other medical devices in the hospital server or the hospital connected through the PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System).

Also, the communication unit 132 may perform data communication with the external device 138 or the like in accordance with the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) standard.

The communication unit 132 can transmit and receive data related to diagnosis of the object through the network 301. [ Also, the communication unit 132 can transmit and receive medical images and the like acquired from other medical devices 136 such as an MRI apparatus and an X-ray apparatus.

Further, the communication unit 132 may receive the diagnosis history or the treatment schedule of the patient from the server 134, and may utilize it for clinical diagnosis of the patient. The communication unit 132 may perform data communication with the user 134 or the portable device 138 of the patient as well as the server 134 and the medical device 136 in the hospital.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a tomographic imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, a tomographic imaging apparatus 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an image processing unit 220 and a display unit 230. The tomographic imaging apparatus 200 may be included in the CT system 100 described in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The tomographic imaging apparatus 200 may also be included in the medical device 136 or the portable device 138 described in FIG. 1C and may operate in conjunction with the CT system 100.

Specifically, the tomographic imaging device 200 may be any medical imaging device that reconstructs an image using data acquired using light rays transmitted through the object. That is, the tomographic imaging device 200 may be any medical imaging device that reconstructs and displays an image using projection data obtained using light rays transmitted through the object. Specifically, the tomographic imaging apparatus 200 may be a computed tomography (CT) apparatus, an optical coherence tomography (OCT), or a positron emission tomography (PET) -cT apparatus. Therefore, the tomographic image obtained in the tomographic imaging apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be a CT image, an OCT image, a PET image, or the like. In the drawings referred to below, a CT image is attached as a tomographic image as an example.

When the tomographic imaging apparatus 200 is included in the CT system 100, the image processing unit 220 and the display unit 230 shown in FIG. 2 correspond to the image processing unit 126 and the display unit 130 ). ≪ / RTI >

The tomographic imaging apparatus 200 may further include at least one of a monitoring unit 210, a user interface unit 240, a storage unit 250, and a notification unit 260.

When the tomographic imaging apparatus 200 is included in the CT system 100, the user interface unit 240 and the storage unit 250 shown in FIG. 2 correspond to the input unit 128 of FIG. 1B, (124). ≪ / RTI >

The monitoring unit 210 acquires information indicating the heartbeat period of the patient to be CT imaging. Specifically, the monitoring unit 210 monitors information on the period and rhythm of the heartbeat of the patient, or the motion of the patient's heart. Specifically, the monitoring unit 210 can continuously acquire the interval information on the partial period in which the movement of the heart is minimized during the heartbeat period. In addition, the monitoring unit 210 may acquire information indicating a heartbeat cycle itself, or may receive information indicating a heartbeat cycle from the outside.

Specifically, the monitoring unit 210 may acquire information monitoring an electrocardiogram signal indicating a heartbeat period. For example, the monitoring unit 210 may be formed of an electrocardiogram (not shown) itself, and may acquire an electrocardiogram signal itself. Also, the monitoring unit 210 may receive an electrocardiogram signal from an externally connected electrocardiogram (not shown).

In addition, the monitoring unit 210 may acquire various types of bio-signals indicating the motion of the heart. As another example, a cardiac Doppler signal may be acquired to extract the time at which the motion of the heart is minimized.

In addition, the monitoring unit 210 can acquire information including all bio-signals indicating motion of a target object region to be imaged. For example, when photographing the abdominal CT, information indicating the motion of the respiration may be obtained.

Hereinafter, the case where the monitoring unit 210 acquires an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal as information indicating a heartbeat period will be described as an example. For example, the monitoring unit 210 may measure and monitor an ECG (Electrocardiography) signal. Hereinafter, a case where the monitoring unit 210 measures and uses an electrocardiogram signal to monitor a heartbeat period will be described as an example. In addition, the monitored electrocardiographic signal will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

The image processing unit 220 reconstructs a tomographic image using a plurality of image data acquired during a plurality of partial periods included in a heartbeat cycle.

The patient's heart is continuously moved. Motion artifacts may occur in a tomographic image due to motion of the heart during CT imaging. Due to errors in reconstructed tomographic images due to motion defects, users such as physicians can not properly read medical images.

Therefore, at the time of tomographic imaging, the tomographic image is reconstructed using the acquired data for each time interval during which the movement of the heart is minimized.

Accordingly, the image processing unit 220 can reconstruct a tomographic image using a plurality of image data obtained in at least one partial period included in a heartbeat cycle and in which movement of a heart is minimized. Here, the image data may be projection data, which is raw data. When the rotating frame 104 described in FIG. 1B photographs the object while rotating the X-ray detecting unit 108 at predetermined angles, the projection data obtained for each angle is projected from a predetermined angular interval, for example, 0 degree Or may be a sinogram obtained by combining in an angle section of up to 180 degrees.

Here, a plurality of partial periods will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

The display unit 230 includes information indicating a heartbeat period and a tomographic image, and displays a screen in which at least one partial period of a plurality of partial periods and a section of a corresponding tomographic image are associated with each other. Here, 'associate display' means to indicate that the partial period and the video interval are related to each other. Specifically, the display unit 230 displays a screen in which at least one partial period of a plurality of partial periods and a section of the corresponding tomographic image are visually associated with each other.

Embodiments of screens displayed on the display unit 230 will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 7 to 28. FIG.

The user interface unit 240 generates and outputs a user interface screen for receiving a predetermined command or data from the user, and receives a predetermined command or data from the user through the user interface screen. Also, the user interface screen output from the user interface unit 240 is output to the display unit 230. Then, the display unit 230 can display a user interface screen. The user can view the user interface screen displayed through the display unit 230, recognize predetermined information, and input predetermined commands or data.

For example, the user interface unit 240 may include a mouse, a keyboard, or an input device including hard keys for a predetermined data input. For example, the user can input at least one of a mouse, a keyboard, and other input devices included in the user interface unit 240 to input predetermined data or commands.

In addition, the user interface unit 240 may be formed of a touch pad. Specifically, the user interface unit 240 includes a touch pad (not shown) coupled with a display panel (not shown) included in the display unit 230, Output the interface screen. When a predetermined command is inputted through the user interface screen, the touch pad detects the predetermined command and recognizes the predetermined command inputted by the user.

Specifically, when the user interface unit 240 is formed of a touch pad, the user interface unit 240 senses a touched point when the user touches a predetermined point on the user interface screen. Then, the sensed information can be transmitted to the image processing unit 220. Then, the image processing unit 220 recognizes the user's request or command corresponding to the menu displayed at the detected point, and can perform the recognized request or command.

The storage unit 250 may store a plurality of image data obtained according to the CT photographing. Specifically, the storage unit 250 may acquire a plurality of image data used for reconstructing a tomographic image. More specifically, it is possible to store projection data which is ROI data. In addition, the storage unit 250 may store various data, programs, and the like necessary for restoration of the tomographic image, and may store the reconstructed tomographic image. The storage unit 250 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (SD, XD memory, etc.), a RAM (Random Access Memory) SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read- And an optical disc.

The notification unit 260 notifies the user of predetermined data or information. Specifically, the notification unit 260 may include at least one of a speaker, an LED lamp, an alarm, and the like.

The notification unit 260 may output a signal indicating the occurrence of a defect when a defect occurs in the reconstructed tomographic image.

Here, the notification unit 260 may include any notification providing device that outputs a signal that the user can recognize through at least one of the auditory, visual, and tactile occurrences of the defect. For example, the notification unit 260 may include a speaker (not shown) to output a voice message indicating the occurrence of a defect. It is possible to output a physical vibration signal indicating a defect occurrence, including a vibration motor.

The image data acquired in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may be acquired according to various scan modes or scan methods. Specifically, the scan mode used in the tomographic scan is exemplified by a prospective mode and a retrospective mode, which will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. In addition, the scan method used in the tomographic imaging includes an axial scan method and a helical scan method, and will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. In addition, the CT system described in FIGS. 1A and 1B can perform tomography according to a scan mode and a scan mode to be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 below.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a scan method used in an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a view for explaining a tomography according to a helical scanning method. 3 is a view for explaining a tomography according to a retrospective mode.

The scan mode can be distinguished depending on whether the heartbeat period of the patient to be imaged is constant or not. In addition, ECG gating can be used to acquire RO data used for image reconstruction. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the table (105 in FIG. 1B) is moved in the axial direction of the patient 305 and the tomography is performed.

Referring to FIG. 3, a helical scan method is a tomographic method in which a photograph is continuously performed while moving a table (105 in FIG. 1B) from t = 0 to t = end for a predetermined time. Specifically, the table (105 in FIG. 4) on which the patient 305 including the object is located is continuously moved at a constant speed for a predetermined time, and while the table is being moved, the X-ray is continuously irradiated to the object to perform imaging. Accordingly, the movement locus 350 of the X-ray light source becomes a helix shape.

Also, referring to FIG. 3, when the heartbeat period of the heart is not constant as in an arrhythmia patient, the regularity of the heartbeat period is decreased, and periodic detection can not be performed at regular intervals as in the probing mode. In this case, the electrocardiogram signal 360 is gated irregularly in the retrospective mode. The retro-spective mode acquires data by irradiating X-rays to an object in every period of the electrocardiogram signal or in a successive period of the period, and then selects partial periods for tomographic image reconstruction.

In the retro-spective mode, after partial cycles 361, 362, and 363 are detected by individually setting the partial periods to be used for image restoration by the user, the data obtained in the detected intervals are used for the tomographic image restoration. In other words, the image processing unit 220 obtains the raw data 381 obtained during the partial period 361, the raw data 382 obtained during the partial period 362, and the raw data 382 obtained during the partial period 363 in the entire data 380 The reconstructed tomographic image 383 can be used to reconstruct the tomographic image. For example, the image processing unit 220 restores a tomographic image indicating a target object at a predetermined time point included in the partial period 361 using the raw data 381 obtained during the partial period 361, Layer image representing a target object at a predetermined time point included in the partial period 362 by using the raw data 382 obtained during the partial period 362.

Specifically, in the retro-spective mode, imaging is continued by irradiating X-rays continuously from t = 0 to t = end, which is a constant time. In addition, the table (105 in FIG. 4) can be continuously moved at a constant speed for a certain period of time to perform tomography. In this case, the movement locus 350 of the X-ray source becomes a helix shape.

4 is a diagram illustrating another scanning method used in an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4A, in the axial scanning method, an X-ray is irradiated while photographing the table (105 in FIG. 1B) in a stopped state, the table is moved by a predetermined interval 401-402, And radiographic data is acquired by irradiating the X-ray during the predetermined section 422. FIG. The tomographic imaging apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention can acquire image data obtained according to an axial scan method.

4 (a), in the case of a person having a constant heartbeat cycle, the electrocardiogram signal 410 is gated regularly by applying a prospective mode. The pro- spective mode automatically selects or extracts a predetermined section 421 at a time point t3 that is a predetermined time away from the R peak 411. [ During the predetermined period 421, X-rays are applied to the target object to obtain data. Then, the predetermined section 422 at the time t4, which is a predetermined time away from the subsequent R peak 412, is automatically selected. At this time, the X-ray is irradiated and photographed while the table (105 of FIG. 1B) is stopped. After the table is moved by the predetermined interval 401-402 again, x- do.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the length direction in the image data 460 obtained in one section (for example, 421 or 422) selected or extracted corresponds to time. That is, the data 460 may be data acquired from the time t41 to the time t42. Generally, more data is acquired than the image data required for tomographic image restoration. More specifically, if the amount of image data necessary for reconstructing the tomographic image is the first data amount 461, additional data is further acquired in the first padding period 471, and the second padding period 475 ). ≪ / RTI >

In a tomography, a patient with irregular heartbeat period can perform a tomography by applying a retro-spective mode in a helical scan mode. Further, in the case of a patient having a constant heartbeat cycle, tomographic imaging can be performed by applying the prospective mode in the axial scan method. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and tomographic imaging may be performed by applying the prospective mode in the helical scanning mode, and tomographic imaging may be performed by applying the retrofocus mode in the axial scanning mode. 5 is a diagram showing an electrocardiogram signal.

The heart collects the blood and supplies it to the whole body again, and performs the supply operation of the blood by beating at regular intervals. These heart beating cycles can be perceived using electrical signals from the heart. Specifically, electrical signals generated from the sinoauricular node in the heart can be recognized through electrocardiography. Here, the electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test for recognizing the electrical signal of the heart through the electrode attached to the skin and graphically displaying the recognized electrical signal. The graph obtained through an electrocardiogram can be called an ECG (Electrocardiogram) signal. The electrocardiogram signal has periodic information of the heartbeat, and the user can analyze the ECG signal to determine the interval in which the movement of the heart is minimized. Also, by analyzing the electrocardiogram signal, it is possible to grasp irregular, fast, and slow rhythm of the heart.

Therefore, an electrocardiogram signal can be used to reduce motion artifacts occurring in a tomographic image during CT imaging. Specifically, the electrocardiogram signal can be used to acquire a partial period in which movement of the heart is minimized, and reconstruct a tomographic image using the acquired image data during the obtained partial period. As described above, an operation of selecting a part of a cycle in an electrocardiogram signal and acquiring image data in a selected cycle (hereinafter, referred to as a 'partial cycle') is referred to as an ECG-gating operation.

Specifically, the image processing unit 220 processes a predetermined phase interval (for example, P1) of the electrocardiogram signal by ECG-gating to acquire a plurality of partial periods P1 and P2 do. In addition, the image processing unit 220 can control the display of a plurality of partial periods in the window in the electrocardiogram signal.

5, the x-axis represents time, and the y-axis represents the magnitude of the electrocardiogram signal as a voltage (V) value.

Referring to FIG. 5, the electrocardiogram signal 510 includes several singularities every one period 520. For example, a singular point such as an R peak, a Q peak 512, and an S peak 513 may be included in the period 520. In the heartbeat period, the period from the time point t1 at which one R peak occurs to the time point t2 at which a subsequent R peak occurs is one cycle 520.

The mode of operation of electrocardiographic gating can be distinguished by whether the heartbeat period is constant or not. For example, if a person has a constant heart rate, gating the electrocardiogram signal in a prospective mode. The prospective mode automatically selects a predetermined section P1 at a time t3 that is a predetermined time t4 away from the R peak 511. [ That is, in the pro- spective mode, the R peak 511 is detected for each period, and then a predetermined section at a time point separated from the detected R peak by a predetermined time is detected, and the image data Is used for tomographic image reconstruction.

As another example, if the heartbeat period is not constant, such as arrhythmia patients, the regularity of the heartbeat cycle may be reduced, so that periodic detection can not be uniformly performed as in the probing mode. In this case, the electrocardiogram signal is gated in a retrospective mode. The retrospective mode acquires image data by irradiating the X-ray in every period of the electrocardiogram signal or in a successive period of the period, and then partially selects partial periods for image reconstruction. That is, in the retro-spective mode, the user selects partial periods to be used for image reconstruction and detects the partial periods P1 and P2, and uses the image data obtained in the detected intervals for the tomographic image restoration.

Thus, by monitoring the electrocardiogram signal, a plurality of partial periods P1 and P2 can be obtained in which the movement of the heart is minimized.

Hereinafter, the electrocardiogram signal will be described as an example of information indicating the heartbeat period.

6 is a view for explaining a tomographic image restoration operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the image processing unit 220 reconstructs a tomographic image using image data obtained in a plurality of partial periods.

6A, the image processing unit 220 performs a restoration operation for each section of a tomographic image using the image data obtained in each of the partial periods P1 and P2 detected from the electrocardiogram signal 611 do.

The portion 610 shows the monitored electrocardiogram signal and the partial periods, and the portion 620 shows the reconstructed image.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 6A, the first image section 621 is reconstructed from the tomographic image using the image data obtained in the P1 period, for example, projection data.

6A illustrates an example of restoring a predetermined image section 621 using image data obtained in one partial period P1. However, the image processing section 220 may include a plurality of partial periods (For example, the P1 and P2 periods), the predetermined video section 621 may be restored.

Subsequently, the second video section 622 adjacent to the first video section 621 is restored using the image data obtained in the P2 period gated following the P1 period.

Referring to FIG. 6 (b), following the restoration of the second video section 622, the second video section 622 is adjacent to the second video section 622 using the video data obtained in the P3 period gated following the P2 period The third video section 623 is restored.

7 is a view illustrating a screen displayed on a tomographic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 7A and 7B show examples of screens 700 and 750 displayed by the display unit 230. FIG.

The display unit 230 displays a plurality of partial periods and a corresponding tomographic image interval in association with each other. Specifically, the display unit 230 may display at least one partial period of a plurality of partial periods and a corresponding video interval in association with each other.

In FIG. 6, a reconstructed tomographic image is a three-dimensional tomographic image that expresses a target object in a voluminous manner. In addition, the reconstructed three-dimensional tomographic image can be reconstructed to represent various views according to an anteroposterior view, a lateral view, or a transaxial view.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the screen 700 includes information 705 indicating a heartbeat period and a tomographic image 720. The electrocardiogram signal 710 shown in FIG. 5 is shown as an example of the information 705 indicating the heartbeat period. Here, the tomographic image 720 included in the screen 700 is shown as an example of a tomographic image showing the entire heart as a target. However, the tomographic image included in the screen 700 may be a tomographic image showing a part of the heart For example, 820 shown in FIG. 8).

In addition, a plurality of partial periods P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5 included in the heartbeat cycle are displayed in association with the corresponding interval images 721 to 725 of the tomographic image 720.

In addition, the image processing unit 220 may control the display of the plurality of partial periods in the window display 711 in the electrocardiogram signal.

For example, the image processing unit 220 may recover one image segment using the image data obtained in one partial period.

Specifically, the image processing unit 220 restores the first image section 721 using the image data obtained in the P1 period, restores the second image section 722 using the image data obtained in the P2 period, , And restores the third image section 723 using the image data obtained in the P3 period. The fourth image section 724 is restored using the image data obtained in the P4 period, and the fifth image section 725 is restored using the image data obtained in the P5 period.

Displaying the partial periods and the corresponding video sections in association with each other means displaying the partial periods and corresponding video sections so that the user can easily recognize that they are related to each other. For example, in order to display the relation between the partial period and the corresponding video interval, the screen 700 may display the corresponding video interval for each partial period using the connecting line 730 as shown in FIG. Also, in order to show the relation between the partial period and the corresponding video interval, the partial period and the corresponding video interval may be displayed using the same color, the same frame shape, the same marker, the same icon, the same pattern, or the like.

For example, the P1 period and the border of the first video section 721 may be displayed in the same color, the same pattern, or the same shape. In addition, the P2 period and the border of the second video section 722 can be displayed in the same color, the same pattern, or the same shape. In addition, each partial period will be displayed in different colors, borders, markers, icons, patterns, and the like for each partial cycle. For example, in a case where the first period and the first video section 721 are indicated by a red frame, the second period and the second video section 722 may be represented by an orange frame.

Referring to FIG. 7B, the screen 750 includes information 755 representing a heartbeat period and a tomographic image 760.

In addition, a plurality of partial periods P1 to P10 included in the heartbeat cycle are displayed in association with the corresponding interval images 761 to 765 of the tomographic image 720.

For example, the image processing unit 220 may restore one image segment using image data obtained in a plurality of partial periods.

Specifically, the image processing unit 220 restores the first video segment 761 using the image data obtained in the P1 period and the P2 period, and restores the second image segment 761 using the image data obtained in the P3 and P4 periods And restores the third video section 763 using the image data obtained in the periods P5 and P6. The fourth image section 764 is restored using the image data obtained in the periods P7 and P8, and the fifth image section 765 is restored using the image data obtained in the periods P9 and P10.

The screen 750 may display a corresponding video section for each partial period using a connecting line 770 as shown in FIG. Also, the partial periods P1 and P2 corresponding to one video interval (for example, 761) may be displayed as a block display 756 and displayed.

8 is a view illustrating another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The image processing unit 220 may control the restoration operation of the partial image performed for each of the partial periods included in the heartbeat cycle to be updated and displayed in real time.

8A, the image of the first video section 821 in the tomographic image is restored by using the image data obtained in the P1 period in the electrocardiogram signal 815, for example, projection data, And restores the second video section 822 adjacent to the first video section 821 using the video data obtained in the P2 period gated following the P1 period.

The display unit 230 displays a screen 810 showing a periodically restored video segment in real time. 8 (a) and 8 (b) in FIG. 8 (b) as the restoration operation of each section image is performed in real time, Can be controlled to be displayed.

Referring to FIG. 8B, after the restoration of the second video section 822, the second video section 822 is adjacent to the second video section 822 using the video data obtained in the P3 period gated following the P2 period The third video section 823 is restored.

The display unit 230 may display and update a screen 840 including a video segment that is subsequently reconstructed in real time after the screen 810 is displayed.

In addition, if an image defect occurs in the reconstructed image section, the image processing section 220 may correct and display the image section including the defect.

Here, the defect means all the image errors that interfere with the user's reading of the image.

Specifically, image errors include volume gap, stair artifact, inconsistency of tissue included in a target object, image breakage, and the like. The volume gap or the stair artifact means that the object included in the second video segment 822 and the object included in the segment as a whole are inconsistent as in the third video segment 823. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of description, the discrepancies of the boundary lines such as the volume difference in the image, the stepped defect, and the like are collectively referred to as 'stair artifact'.

Further, when a discontinuity of a corpuscle artery, for example a corpuscle, contained in a target body appears, it can be judged that a defect has occurred in the image.

For example, the image processing unit 220 extracts and tracks a blood vessel or a coronary artery, which is a detail subject included in the subject's heart, and checks whether a discontinuity occurs in the detailed target object, thereby generating a defect in the reconstructed tomographic image . Alternatively, the image processing unit 220 may extract a point where the image signal value in the reconstructed tomographic image suddenly changes, and determine whether a defect has occurred. In addition, the image processing unit 220 can acquire a defect occurrence site using various image processing methods.

Specifically, the image processing unit 220 can automatically correct a partial period corresponding to a point where a coupling in a tomographic image occurs, and automatically correct a point where a defect occurs using the image data obtained in the modified partial period.

Hereinafter, a case where a defect is a volume gap defect in the third video section 823 will be described as an example. Referring to FIG. 8B, a discontinuity section 826 is generated between the third video section 823 and the second video section 822 due to the volume gap defect.

For example, the image processing unit 220 automatically corrects P3, which is a partial period corresponding to the third video interval 823, which is an image interval including a defect, to a period of P3R, And automatically corrects an image section including a point where a defect occurs using data.

Also, the image processing unit 220 can display the correction process in real time.

Referring to FIG. 8C, a process of automatically correcting the partial period corresponding to the defect and automatically correcting the video segment including the defect may be displayed on the screen 870.

Specifically, a window 880 indicating a modified partial period P3R is displayed, and a third video section 830 in which a defect is corrected is updated by updating a third video section 823 in which a defect occurs.

In addition, when a defect occurs in a predetermined section of the reconstructed tomographic image, the image processing unit 220 displays a notification signal to enable the user to visually or audibly recognize the occurrence of a defect, (230).

For example, when the notification unit 260 includes a speaker (not shown), the notification unit 260 may output a notification broadcast or a warning sound indicating that a defect has occurred.

When the notification unit 260 includes a warning or the like, for example, an LED lamp, the notification unit 260 lights the LED lamp so that the user can visually recognize the occurrence of a defect.

Also, the display unit 230 may display and display a user interface screen or a marker indicating the occurrence of a defect on the screen.

9A is a diagram illustrating another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9A, a screen 900 includes an electrocardiogram signal 910, which is information indicating a heartbeat period, and a reconstructed tomographic image 920.

When a defect occurs in the reconstructed tomographic image, the image processing unit 220 may control the marker to be displayed on at least one of the period corresponding to the defect and the video segment in which the combination in the tomographic image occurs.

9A, a display unit 230 displays markers 930 and 931 on at least one of a partial period P3 corresponding to an image interval including a defect and an image interval 923 including a defect. (900).

In addition, the image processing unit 220 may include a message 940 on the screen 900 indicating that an error has occurred in the video segment 923 including a defect.

9B is a view illustrating another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 9B, the same components as those in Fig. 9A are indicated by the same reference numerals, and a description overlapping with that in Fig. 9A is omitted.

In addition, the image processing unit 220 can automatically perform image correction when a video section 923 including a defect occurs. For example, if a staircase defect occurs, an image correction for removing a staircase defect in the image segment 923 in which a staircase defect occurs may be performed to generate an image segment 971 from which a stair defect has been removed.

9B, the image processing unit 220 automatically corrects an image in which a defect occurs (for example, a video section corresponding to three periods), and the image-corrected tomographic image 970 is displayed on the screen 950. [ As shown in FIG. In addition, when the image processing unit 220 performs image correction, a message 960 indicating that image correction has been performed on the screen 950 may be output. Further, it is possible to display the marker 931 indicating the cycle in which the defect is generated.

10 is a view illustrating another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10, a screen 1000 includes an electrocardiogram signal 1010, which is information indicating a heartbeat period, and a reconstructed tomographic image 1020.

In addition, the image processing unit 220 controls to output a menu for reselecting the partial period corresponding to the video interval in which the combining occurs in the tomographic image. In addition, the image processing unit 220 can automatically correct an image segment including a defect using the image data obtained in the reselected partial period.

Accordingly, the user interface unit 240 outputs a menu for reselecting the partial period corresponding to the video interval in which the coupling in the tomographic image occurs, and reselects the partial period through the menu.

Referring to FIG. 10, the screen 1000 may include a menu window 1050 for restoring and reconstructing an image segment 1023 including a defect in the tomographic image 1020. Specifically, the menu window 1050 may include at least one of an auto-correct menu 1051 and a period reset menu 1052. [

In the above example, when the automatic correction menu 1051 is selected, the automatic correction operation according to the period reselection described in FIG. 9A is performed. Also, when the automatic correction menu 1051 is selected, the automatic correction operation described with reference to FIG. 9B can be performed. In addition, when the image processing unit 220 automatically corrects the third video section 1023 in which a defect occurs, the user can visually recognize the corrected partial period P3R automatically acquired. Accordingly, the display unit 230 can display and display the window 1040 indicating the modified partial period P3R on the screen.

In addition, the period reset menu 1052 is a menu for reselecting a partial period corresponding to an image section in which the combining occurs in the tomographic image. If the period reset menu 1052 is selected, the user can subsequently manually reset and enter the partial period.

Also, when the period reset menu 1052 is selected, the user interface unit 240 outputs a user interface screen for presenting modified partial periods for period reset to the user, so that at least one modified partial period Can be selected.

9A, the screen 1000 includes at least one of a partial period P3 corresponding to an image interval including a defect and an image interval 1023 including a defect, (1030, 1031) can be displayed.

11 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 11, a screen 1100 includes an electrocardiogram signal 1110, which is information indicating a heartbeat period, and a reconstructed tomographic image 1120.

In addition, when a defect occurs in the tomographic image, the image processor 220 extracts at least one period for preventing a defect from occurring in the tomographic image in the heartbeat cycle, and outputs the extracted at least one period to the user The interface screen can be controlled to be outputted. Accordingly, the display unit 230 displays a user interface screen for periodic recommendation.

11, a user interface screen 1100 for period recommendation includes a period recommendation menu 1140 for modifying a period P3, which is a partial period corresponding to a third video interval 1123 in which a defect occurs in the tomographic image 1120, ).

11, the recommended at least one partial period (for example, P3R) is displayed, and the user can select one of the recommended partial periods through the user interface unit 240 At least one can be selected. In FIG. 11, the P3R cycle, which is one partial cycle, is shown as an example. However, it is apparent that a plurality of partial cycles may be recommended.

For example, as described with reference to FIG. 4 (b), when acquiring image data by performing tomographic imaging using the axial scan method, the first and second padding Additional data is obtained in the sections 471 and 475. [ When the third period P3 of FIG. 11 corresponds to the acquired time period of the first data amount 461, the recommended partial period P3R may be a predetermined time interval from the time t41 to the time t42 . For example, the recommended partial period P3R may be a time period 481 including a part of the first padding period 471 and may be a time period 481 including a part of the second padding period 475 482).

In addition, depending on which section of the image data 460 is used for image restoration, artifacts may appear differently due to a change in the heart rate. Accordingly, the image processing unit 220 can provide a section in which the artifacts are small in a recommended partial period P3R.

In the case of acquiring image data by performing tomography by the helical scanning method, since the image data is acquired in consecutive time intervals as described with reference to FIG. 3, the artifacts during the entire time period t = 0 to t = The user can select or extract a section that appears less frequently and provide it as a recommended partial period (P3R).

Then, the image processing unit 220 may recover the tomographic image section including the image section including the defect using the image data obtained in the selected at least one period.

Also, after the restoration of the tomographic image showing the entire object is completed, the image processing unit 220 may detect the image segment including the defect and restore the image segment including the defect. After the restoration of the tomographic image showing the entire object is completed, the re-restoration operation will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 12 and FIG.

12 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 12, a screen 1200 includes an electrocardiogram signal 1210, which is information indicating a heartbeat period, and a reconstructed whole tomographic image 1220.

12, the image processor 220 reconstructs the first image interval 1221 using the image data obtained in the P1 period, and outputs the second image interval 1222 using the image data obtained in the P2 period. And restores the third video segment 1223 using the image data obtained in the P3 period. The fourth image section 1224 is restored using the image data obtained in the P4 period, and the fifth image section 1225 is restored using the image data obtained in the P5 period. Then, the reconstructed tomographic image 1220 is displayed. Here, the tomographic image 1220 is an entire tomographic image showing the entire object.

The image processing unit 220 may extract an image segment including a defect in the entire tomographic image 1220 and display the markers 1241 and 1243 in at least one of the extracted image segment and the corresponding partial period have.

Then, the image processing unit 220 can control to display a warning message 1242 indicating that a correction is required to the image section 1223 including a defect.

13 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 13, a screen 1300 includes an electrocardiogram signal 1310, which is information indicating a heartbeat period, and a reconstructed whole tomographic image 1320.

The image processing unit 220 may control the display of the menu window 1350 for correcting the video section 1323 including the defect.

The menu window 1350 may include at least one of an auto-correct menu 1351, a cycle reset menu 1352, and a cycle recommendation menu 1353. Since the automatic correction menu 1351, the cycle reset menu 1352 and the cycle recommendation menu 1353 correspond to the automatic correction menu 1051, the cycle reset menu 1052 and the cycle recommendation menu 1140 described above, Is omitted.

In the conventional tomographic image restoration, an image defect can be recognized after the entire tomographic image showing the entire object is reconstructed. Therefore, even if a defect occurs only in a part of the entire tomographic image, the whole tomographic image must be acquired again, and the time for acquiring a defect-free CT is prolonged. Also, the time taken for the patient to be exposed to radiation was increased due to re-imaging, and the patient was harmed.

As described above, the tomographic imaging apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention associates and displays the partial periods included in the heartbeat cycle and the corresponding video sections to be restored, And it is possible to confirm the partial period corresponding to the video section including the defect in real time. Accordingly, even before the entire tomographic image representing the entire object is reconstructed, the user can take measures for eliminating the defect, so that the tomographic image in which the defect is removed earlier can be acquired more quickly.

In addition, if a defect occurs in the video section by checking the mapped partial period in real time, only the partial period corresponding to the video section can be selectively corrected and the corresponding video section can be restored. Accordingly, in the case where a defect occurs, it is possible to reduce the time for acquiring a defect-free tomographic image by performing the re-restoration operation only partially without performing the entire tomographic image restoration operation.

In addition, the image processing unit 220 according to the embodiment of the present invention reconstructs a tomographic image using a plurality of image data acquired in a plurality of partial periods included in a heartbeat cycle. If a defect occurs in the tomographic image, the image segment including the defect in the tomographic image can be automatically restored using the corrected image data obtained in the corrected partial period. The display unit 230 displays a screen including the reconstructed tomographic image, and can update the image segment including the defect in the displayed tomographic image to the reconstructed image segment in real time and display it.

14 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 14A, the display unit 230 displays a screen 1400 including a defect image 1420 having a defect in a predetermined section. Referring to FIG. 14B, the display unit 230 displays a screen 1450 including a tomographic image 1460 updated in real time.

Referring to FIG. 14A, in a reconstructed tomographic image 1420, a defect is generated in a predetermined image section 1421 among a plurality of image sections 1421, 1422, and 1423 reconstructed corresponding to a plurality of partial periods As shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the predetermined video section 1421 will be referred to as a defective video section 1421. [

The discontinuity sections 1431 and 1432 are generated in the object due to the volume gap generated in the defective image section 1421. [

Referring to FIG. 14B, when a defect occurs in the tomographic image, the image processing unit 220 automatically restores the defective image segment 1422 using the corrected image data obtained in the modified partial period, The video segment 1461 can be generated. The display unit 230 may display the screen 1450 including the reconstructed tomographic image 1460 by updating the defective image segment 1422 in real time.

Accordingly, in the updated screen 1450, the discontinuity sections 1431 and 1432 existing in the screen 1400 are removed, and a defect-free tomographic image 1460 is displayed.

Specifically, when a defect occurs in the reconstructed tomographic image 1420, the image processing unit 220 can obtain position information on the modified partial period so that a defect does not occur in the heartbeat cycle. Then, based on the obtained position information of the modified partial period, the defect image section 1422 can be restored using the corrected image data obtained during the modified partial period.

Here, the correction position information can be obtained by the image processing unit 220 itself by analyzing the electrocardiogram signal.

The modified position information can be input from a user or the like through the user interface unit 230. When the correction position information is inputted externally, the user interface unit 240 outputs a menu screen (not shown) recommending at least one modified partial period for preventing a defect from occurring, At least one modified partial period may be selected. When the modified partial period is selected and input, the image processing unit 220 can reconstruct the image segment including the defect using the corrected image data obtained during the selected modified partial period, and generate the updated tomographic image.

15 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 15, the display unit 230 displays a screen 1500 including a faulty tomographic image 1520 in a predetermined section.

Referring to FIG. 15, a video interval 1522 including a defect and a video interval 1521 and 1523 without a defect can be separately displayed on the screen 1500. Specifically, the display section 1500 displays a highlight section 1522 including a defect in the display section 1532. In addition, a marker 1531 indicating a defect may be displayed adjacent to an image section 1522 including a defect on the screen 1500.

16 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 16, the display unit 230 displays a screen 1600 including a tomographic image 1620 updated in real time by restoring an image segment 1522 including a defect.

Referring to FIG. 16, the updated video section 1622 and the un-updated video sections 1621 and 1623 on the screen 1600 can be displayed separately.

Specifically, a message 1630 indicating that the updated video section 1622 has been updated can be displayed. Also, as described with reference to FIG. 15, the updated video section 1622 can be highlighted (not shown) and displayed. In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 15, it is also possible to display a marker (not shown) notifying that the video is updated adjacent to the updated video section 1622.

 17 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 17, a screen 1700 displayed on the display unit 230 may further include information (for example, an electrocardiogram signal 1710) indicating a heartbeat period as compared with FIG. 15 or 16 .

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 13, the screen 1700 may display the video segments corresponding to at least one partial period among a plurality of partial periods included in the heartbeat period, in association with each other.

17, the image interval 1721 is restored using the image data obtained in the P1 period and the image interval 1722 is restored using the image data obtained in the P2 period, ) And display the at least one partial period in association with the corresponding video interval.

In addition, when a defect occurs in the reconstructed tomographic image 1720, markers 1731 and 1732 indicating defects can be displayed in at least one of the video section 1722 including the defect and the partial period P2 corresponding thereto have.

In addition, when automatically correcting the video section 1722 including a defect using the modified partial period P2R, the window 1742 can be displayed and displayed in the modified partial period P2R. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, on the screen 1700, the partial period P2 used for restoring the video section 1722 is changed to the modified partial period P2R, P2 is changed to the window 1742 indicating the modified partial period P2R by using arrows.

As described above, when a defect occurs in a tomographic image, the tomographic imaging apparatus 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention uses correction image data obtained in a correction partial period to generate a defect image in the tomographic image, And reconstructs the reconstructed tomographic image in real time and displays it.

Accordingly, the tomographic imaging apparatus 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention can selectively correct only a partial period corresponding to a corresponding video section in which a defect occurs, and restore the corresponding video section. Accordingly, in the case where a defect occurs, it is possible to reduce the time for acquiring a defect-free tomographic image by performing the re-restoration operation only partially without performing the entire tomographic image restoration operation.

18 is a flowchart showing a tomographic image display method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The tomographic image display method 1800 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed through the tomographic imaging apparatus 200 described with reference to FIG. In addition, the operational configuration of the tomographic image display method 1800 includes the same technical concept as the operational configuration of the above-described tomographic imaging apparatus 200. [ Therefore, a description overlapping with those in Figs. 2 to 13 will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 18, the tomographic image display method 1800 monitors the heartbeat period (Step 1810). The operation of step 1810 may be performed in the monitoring unit 210.

In operation 1820, the tomographic image is reconstructed using a plurality of image data obtained in the plurality of partial periods included in the heartbeat period monitored in operation 1820. The operation of step 1820 may be performed in the image processing unit 220.

Then, a screen including information indicating a heartbeat cycle and a tomographic image is displayed (Step 1830). Here, on the screen, a plurality of partial periods and a section of the corresponding tomographic image are mapped and displayed. The operation of step 1830 may be performed by the display unit 230 under the control of the image processing unit 220.

Specifically, the screen displayed in step 1830 may correspond to each of the screens illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 13.

In addition, if the defect is generated in the tomographic image included in the screen displayed in step 1830, the tomographic image display method 1800 may include extracting at least one period in which the defect does not occur in the tomographic image in the heartbeat period (Not shown), and outputting a user interface screen for recommending the extracted at least one period to the user (step not shown). Specifically, the user interface screens 1100 and 1300 for recommending the extracted at least one period described with reference to FIG. 11 or FIG. 13 can be displayed.

In addition, when a defect occurs in a tomographic image, the tomographic image display method 1800 automatically corrects a partial period corresponding to an image segment in which the combined image is generated, and uses the image data obtained in the modified partial period to include a defect And automatically modifying the video segment (step not shown).

19 is a flowchart showing a method of displaying a tomographic image according to another embodiment of the present invention. The tomographic image display method 1900 according to another embodiment of the present invention can be performed through the tomographic imaging apparatus 200 described with reference to FIG. The operational configuration of the tomographic image display method 1900 includes the same technical idea as the operational configuration of the tomographic imaging apparatus 200 described above. Therefore, a description overlapping with those in Fig. 2 and Figs. 14 to 17 is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 19, a tomographic image display method 1900 may monitor a heartbeat period (Step 1910). The operation of step 1910 may be performed in the monitoring unit 210.

In operation 1920, a tomographic image is reconstructed using a plurality of image data obtained in a plurality of partial periods included in a heartbeat cycle. The operation of step 1920 may be performed in the image processing unit 220.

If a defect occurs in the reconstructed tomographic image in step 1920, the reconstructed image section including the defect in the tomographic image is reconstructed using the corrected image data obtained in the modified partial period in step 1930. And may be performed in the image processor 220 of step 1930.

And displays a screen including the reconstructed tomographic image in step 1920. [ In operation 1940, the image section including the defect is updated and displayed using the reconstructed image section in operation 1940. The operation of step 1940 may be performed by the display unit 230 according to the control of the image processing unit 220.

20A is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 20A shows an example of a screen 2000 displayed by the display unit 230 under the control of the image processing unit 220. FIG.

In addition, the image processing unit 220 may use a plurality of image data obtained in a plurality of partial periods included in the heartbeat cycle to generate a tomographic image corresponding to a predetermined region 2011 in the medical image 2010 including the object Can be restored.

Referring to FIG. 20A, a tomographic image showing a target object included in a region of interest (ROI), which is a predetermined region of the medical image 2010, can be reconstructed. Here, the medical image 2010 is a scout image obtained by photographing a whole object, and an X-ray image, an ultrasound image, an MRI image, a three-dimensional tomographic image, or the like can all be used. In Fig. 20A, the case where the subject is the chest and the X-ray scout image is used as the medical image 2010 is shown as an example.

In addition, the ROI 2011 can be set by the user through the user interface unit 240. In addition, the image processing unit 220 may automatically extract and set ROIs.

Then, the tomographic image corresponding to the set region of interest is reconstructed. Specifically, as described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 17, a tomographic image representing a target object is restored for each section using image data obtained in each of partial periods of a heartbeat cycle. 20A, image data obtained from a plurality of partial periods P1, P2, P3, and P4 is used to reconstruct a tomographic image corresponding to a predetermined region 2011. In FIG.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 20A, the first section 2071 is restored using the image data obtained during the P1 period, the second section 2072 is restored using the image data obtained during the P2 period, and the P3 period The third section 2073 is restored using the image data obtained during the fourth interval 2074, and the fourth section 2074 is restored using the image data obtained during the interval P4.

Here, the reconstructed tomographic image can be a tomographic image. Specifically, the reconstructed tomographic image can be a tomographic image of a cross section according to a transverse view. For example, if the subject is the abdomen of the patient, the reconstructed tomographic image may be a tomographic image indicative of the abdominal section.

The display unit 230 includes the medical image 2010 and the information 2031 indicating the heartbeat period 2030. The display unit 230 associates the plurality of partial periods with the interval of the predetermined region 2011 corresponding thereto The screen 2000 can be displayed. That is, the screen 2000 may include a region 2001 in which the medical image 2010 is displayed and a region 2005 in which information indicating the heartbeat period 2031 is displayed. In Fig. 20A, the electrocardiogram signal 2031 is shown as an example of information indicating the heartbeat period.

For example, as shown in FIG. 20A, the mapping display may be a color mapping display in which partial periods corresponding to respective sections of the predetermined area 2011 are displayed in the same color. Concretely, the P1 period of the electrocardiogram signal 2030 and the first section 2071 of the medical image 2010 are displayed in the same color 2032, 2012, and the P2 period of the electrocardiogram signal 2030 and the medical image 2010 are displayed, (2033, 2013) of the second section 2072 of the second color image. The P3 cycle of the electrocardiogram signal 2030 and the third section 2073 of the medical image 2010 are represented by the same colors 2034 and 2014 and the P4 cycle of the ECG signal 2030 and the The fourth section 2074 can be displayed with the same color (2035, 2015). In addition, as a mapping display, various methods may be used in which the periods of the electrocardiogram signal 2030 corresponding to the respective regions of the predetermined region 2011 are displayed in association with each other. As another example, the period information 2062 can be annotated and displayed for each section of the predetermined area 2011.

In addition, the screen 2000 may further display at least one partial image 2020 of the tomographic image reconstructed by the image processing unit 220.

The partial image 2020 may be a tomographic image of a cross section according to a transverse view as described above. In FIG. 1B0, the object is the abdomen of the patient, the reconstructed tomographic image is a tomographic image showing the abdominal section, and the displayed partial image 2020 is the abdominal sectional image.

Also, on the screen 2000, an image section and / or a partial period in which a current tomographic image restoration operation is performed can be displayed. For example, when an image reconstruction operation is performed for the period 2072, at least one of the period and the period may be highlighted (2050, 2040) as shown. Accordingly, the user can easily recognize the currently restored video section.

Also, the partial image 2020 may be an image included in an image section in which a restoration operation is currently performed.

In addition, the screen 2000 can display the partial image 2020 in association with a section of a predetermined region 2011 corresponding thereto. Specifically, the partial image 2020 may additionally display a display of the video segment being currently restored. Specifically, since the currently restored video section corresponds to the P2 period, the 'P2' marker 2060 can be added to the partial video 2020 and displayed.

20B is a view for explaining a scout image.

The medical image 2010 included in the screen 2000 shown in FIG. 20A can be a variety of view images. That is, the medical image 2010 can be a view-based image that can confirm the position of the predetermined region 2011.

For example, the medical image 2010 included in the screen 2000 may be a scout image 2080 representing an anteroposterior view as shown in FIG. 20B. In addition, the medical image 2010 included in the screen 2000 may be a scout image 2085 according to a lateral view as shown in (b) of FIG. 20B.

20C is a diagram illustrating another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 20C, the same components as those in Fig. 20A are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a description overlapping with that in Fig. 20A is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 20C, the screen 2090 may correspond to the screen 2000 of FIG. 20A.

The screen 2090 may include a restored tomographic image 2091 instead of the medical image 2010. [ Here, the tomographic image 2091 is updated in real time according to the image restoration operation, and may be a tomographic image including the reconstructed image section to date. The screen 2090 can display the restored tomographic image 2091 in association with the partial period included in the heartbeat period. Specifically, in the tomographic image 2091, a marker (for example, P2 2092) indicating a corresponding partial period can be displayed for each video segment. Further, in order to distinguish one partial cycle used for restoration of the tomographic image 2091 from the adjacent partial cycle, a line 2093 may be displayed as shown.

21 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 shows an example of a screen 2100 displayed by the display unit 230 under the control of the image processing unit 220. FIG. The screen 2100 in Fig. 21 corresponds to the screen 2000 shown in Fig. 20A. In Fig. 21, the drawings and the drawing symbols overlapping with Fig. 20A are the same as those in Fig. 20A. Therefore, a description overlapping with that in Fig. 20A is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 21, a screen 2100 can display a region where a current restoration operation is performed in a predetermined region 2011. [0154] FIG. In addition, the partial screen 2020 can display the reconstructed cross-sectional image.

Specifically, in the tomographic image restoration, the sectional images are restored at predetermined intervals. For example, after reconstructing a tomographic image of a section of the 2110 section, a tomographic image of the section of the 2120 section may be subsequently reconstructed. The screen 2100 can display a tomographic image of a cross section of the section 2120 currently being reconstructed as a partial image 2020. Accordingly, as the restoration proceeds, the partial image 2020 can be updated and displayed in real time. In addition, by displaying the point and direction restored in the predetermined area 2011 with the arrow 2150 as shown in the figure, the user can more easily grasp the restoration point. In addition, the updated tomographic image and the segment of the predetermined region 2011 corresponding to the updated tomographic image can be displayed in association with each other. In addition, the updated tomographic image and the corresponding partial period of the heartbeat cycle can be displayed in association with each other.

22 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 shows an example of a screen 2200 displayed by the display unit 230 under the control of the image processing unit 220. FIG. The screen 2200 of FIG. 22 corresponds to the screen 2100 shown in FIG. 21, and the drawing marks and the drawing symbols overlapping with FIG. 21 in FIG. 22 are the same as those in FIG. Therefore, the description overlapping with that in Fig. 21 will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 22, as the reconstruction of a tomographic image included in a predetermined section 2011 proceeds, at least one tomographic tomographic image reconstructed immediately before, including a currently reconstructed tomographic tomographic image, is included on a screen 2200 . Specifically, at least one tomographic image 2221, 2222, 2223, 2224 including at least one tomographic tomographic image 2224 currently reconstructed in the region 2020 can be displayed.

Further, as shown by the portion 836 in FIG. 8, the probability of occurrence of a stepped defect of an image in a section where the partial period is changed is high. Accordingly, a tomographic image corresponding to a section within a predetermined region 2011, which has a high probability of occurrence of a stair-step defect, can be displayed on a predetermined region 2020 of the screen 2200.

Specifically, a plurality of tomographic tomographic images corresponding to an area between a second section 2072 and a third section 2073, which are image portions in which a partial period is changed, can be displayed within the region 2020. In addition, cross-section tomographic images corresponding to the cross-section in the predetermined region 2020 may be matched and displayed. For example, the markers 2251 and 2252 displaying the same cross section can additionally be displayed in the cross section and the tomographic tomographic image 2224 in the predetermined area 2020.

23 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 23 shows an example of a screen 2300 displayed by the display unit 230 under the control of the image processing unit 220. As shown in FIG. The screen 2300 in FIG. 23 corresponds to the screen 2000 shown in FIG. 20A. In FIG. 23, the drawings and the drawing symbols overlapping with FIG. 20A are the same as those in FIG. 20A. Therefore, a description overlapping with that in Fig. 20A is omitted.

The screen 2300 may display a highlight 2050 of a section where the current tomographic image restoration is proceeding within the predetermined area 2011, as shown in FIG.

Here, the screen 2300 is included in the image section 2072 in which the restoration operation is currently performed, and the currently reconstructed tomographic image can be displayed in the predetermined area 2320. Specifically, the currently reconstructed tomographic tomographic image 2322 can be displayed by overlaying the reconstructed tomographic tomographic image 2321 immediately before the reconstructed tomographic tomographic image 2322. More specifically, the reconstructed tomographic tomographic image 2321 is displayed as a dotted line image, and the reconstructed tomographic tomographic image 2322 can be displayed as a solid line image.

Accordingly, the user can easily recognize whether a mismatch occurs between the immediately previous reconstructed tomographic image 2321 and the currently reconstructed tomographic image 2322. Specifically, when a step defect occurs, the degree of discrepancy between the tomographic image 2321 of the section and the tomographic image 2322 of the tomographic image 2322 which is currently restored is increased. Therefore, if there is a large discrepancy between the tomographic image 2321 and the reconstructed tomographic image 2322, the user determines that a step defect has occurred, resets the partial period, or aborts the CT imaging and image restoration operations Action can be taken.

24 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 24 shows an example of a screen 2400 displayed by the display unit 230 under the control of the image processing unit 220. FIG. The medical image 2410, the partial image 2420 and the heartbeat period information 2431 of FIG. 24 correspond to the medical image 2010, the partial image 2020, and the heartbeat period information 2031 of FIG. 21, respectively . Therefore, the description overlapping with that in Fig. 21 will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 24, in the display 2400, a plurality of partial periods and a section of a predetermined area 2411 corresponding to the partial periods are displayed in association with each other. As shown in FIG. 7, can do.

25 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 25A and 25B illustrate examples of screens 2500 and 2570 displayed by the display unit 230 under the control of the image processing unit 220. FIG.

The user interface unit 240 may select a predetermined region or a predetermined region of a predetermined region 2511 or a predetermined period among a plurality of partial periods of a heartbeat cycle.

Then, the image processing unit 220 may control the display unit 2500 to display a selected region or point of the reconstructed tomographic image, or a tomographic image corresponding to the predetermined period, on the screen 2500.

25A, when the user selects the video section 2545 in the predetermined area 2511 using the cursor 2540, the tomographic tomographic image 2520 included in the selected section is displayed have. Also, when the user selects one point in the predetermined area 2511 using the cursor 2540, a tomographic tomographic image 2520 corresponding to the selected section may be displayed.

If the user selects the P2 period 2563, which is a predetermined partial period of the electrocardiogram signal 2530, using the cursor 2541, at least one of the tomographic images reconstructed using the acquired image data in the P2 period 2563 One partial image 2520 may be displayed on the screen 2500.

Referring to FIG. 25B, when the user changes the selection of the partial period or the video interval through the user interface, at least one partial video 2580 corresponding to the selected partial period or video interval is displayed on the screen 2570 ≪ / RTI >

More specifically, when the user selects another image section 2586 through the cursor 2575, at least one partial image 2580 corresponding to the selected image section 2586 may be displayed on the screen 2570 have. Alternatively, if the user selects the third period (P3) 2578 of the electrocardiogram signal 2530 through the cursor 2576, the restored partial image 2580 using the image data obtained in the third period is displayed on the screen 2570). ≪ / RTI >

26 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 26 shows an example of a screen 2600 displayed by the display unit 230 under the control of the image processing unit 220. FIG. In FIG. 26, the portion 2601 corresponds to each of the screens 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, and 2400 shown in FIGS. 20A to 24, so that the description overlapping with FIGS. 20A to 24 is omitted.

26, the screen 2600 may include at least one of patient information 2641 and various screen editing menus 2650, 2660, 2670, and 2680 of the screen 2600. For example, the patient information 2641 may include personal information such as the patient's name, disease history of the patient, previous medical image retrieval items of the patient, ID of the patient, and the like.

The screen edit menu includes a menu 2640 for setting the layout of the screen, a menu 2650 for setting the display grid of the medical image 2610 or the partial image 2620, A menu 2660 for converting an image of a medical image, a menu 2670 for configuring a cine using a restored image, a menu 2680 for adjusting an ROI setting on the screen, and the like have.

By using the screen edit menu 2650, it is possible to generate a medical image meeting the user's intention.

27 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 27, the same components as those in Fig. 20A are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, a description overlapping with Fig. 20A is omitted in describing the configuration shown in Fig.

27, the screen 2700 includes a medical image 2010, information indicating a heartbeat period 2031, and at least one partial image 2020, and a three-dimensional tomographic image 2710 restored in real time, As shown in FIG.

Here, the three-dimensional tomographic image 2710 can be displayed so that the partial periods corresponding to each section can be easily recognized. Referring to FIG. 27, a marker (for example, 2721) indicating a partial period corresponding to each video segment of the 3D tomographic image 2710 can be displayed. In addition, a highlight 2722 indicating the video segment 2013 in which the current restoration operation is performed can be displayed.

28 is a view showing another screen displayed in the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 28, the same components as those in Fig. 20A are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, a description overlapping with Fig. 20A is omitted in describing the configuration shown in Fig.

28, the screen 2800 includes an initially reconstructed three-dimensional tomographic image 2810 in addition to a medical image 2010, information indicating a heartbeat period 2031, and at least one partial image 2020, And a corrected tomographic image (2820). The reconstructed three-dimensional tomographic image 2810 and the corrected tomographic image 2820 may be the tomographic image 1420 and the reconstructed tomographic image 1460 illustrated in FIG. 14, respectively.

As described above, when a defect occurs in the tomographic image 2810, the image processing unit 220 can correct the image itself to remove the defect. Specifically, the image processing unit 220 can reuse the image segment including the defect using the data obtained in the reset period of the period and the reset period. In addition, the image processing unit 220 may perform an image correction operation without resetting the period to correct the tomographic image from which the defect has been removed, thereby generating a corrected tomographic image. The corrected tomographic image 2820 may be a tomographic image corrected by the image processing unit 220 or a reconstructed tomographic image as described above. As shown in the figure, in the initial reconstructed tomographic image 2810, there are stepped defects 2811 and 2812, but stepped defects 2811 and 2812 are present in the corrected tomographic image 2820 as in the areas 2821 and 2822 Can be removed.

The reconstructed three-dimensional tomographic image 2810 and the corrected tomographic image 2820 included in the screen 2800 can be displayed so that a correlation with the partial period of the heartbeat cycle is displayed for each video section . For example, markers 2813 and 2823 may be displayed to allow recognition of a heartbeat cycle associated with each video segment. As described above, the tomographic imaging apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention and the tomographic image display method according to the embodiments of the present invention display and associate the heartbeat cycle and the corresponding reconstructed image. Specifically, in the present invention, at least one section included in a reconstructed tomographic image is associated with a plurality of partial periods included in a heartbeat cycle, thereby intuitively grasping a data section used for reconstructing a tomographic image . Accordingly, when a defect occurs in the reconstructed tomographic image, the user can immediately grasp the reconstruction of the image segment including the defect using the acquired data during the heartbeat period.

Accordingly, the user can immediately take a predetermined action to correct defects in the image, thereby reducing the time required for ultimately obtaining a defect-free tomographic image.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention can be embodied in a general-purpose digital computer that can be embodied as a program that can be executed by a computer and operates the program using a computer-readable recording medium.

The computer readable recording medium may be a magnetic storage medium such as a ROM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, etc., an optical reading medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD and a carrier wave such as the Internet Lt; / RTI > transmission).

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, It will be understood. It is therefore to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive.

100: System
102: Gantry
104: Rotating frame
105: Table
106: X-ray generator
108: X-ray detector
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112: collimator
114: Spawning prevention grid
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120: Data transmission unit
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128:
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134: Server
136: Medical devices
301: Network
400: tomographic imaging device
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440: User interface section
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Claims (42)

An image processor for reconstructing a tomographic image using a plurality of image data acquired in a plurality of partial periods included in a heartbeat cycle; And
And a display unit including information indicating the heartbeat period and the tomographic image, and displaying a screen in which the plurality of partial periods and the section of the tomographic image corresponding thereto are displayed in association with each other. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit
Wherein the display unit displays the image by visually associating a video segment corresponding to at least one partial period of the plurality of partial periods. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a monitoring unit for acquiring information on an electrocardiogram signal indicating the heartbeat period. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the image processing unit
Wherein the control unit performs window processing of a predetermined phase interval of the electrocardiogram signal by electrocardiogram gating to acquire the plurality of partial periods and controls the display unit to display the plurality of partial periods in the window display in the electrocardiogram signal Tomographic imaging device. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a notification unit for informing a user of the defect when the defect occurs in the tomographic image. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit
A marker is displayed on at least one of a period corresponding to a defect occurring in at least one video section included in the tomographic image and at least one video section in which the combination has occurred according to the control of the image processing section Tomographic imaging device. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the image processing unit
A user interface screen for extracting at least one period in which the defect is not generated in the tomogram when the defect occurs in the tomographic image and recommending the extracted at least one period to the user, And outputs the output signal. 8. The method of claim 7,
And a user interface unit for selecting at least one of the recommended at least one period through the user interface screen,
The image processing unit
And reconstructs the tomographic image section including the image section including the defect using the image data obtained in the selected at least one period. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image processing unit
A defect is generated in the tomographic image, a partial period corresponding to the combination is automatically corrected, and an image section including the defect is automatically corrected using the image data obtained in the modified partial period Lt; / RTI > The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a user interface unit for outputting a menu for reselecting a partial period corresponding to an image interval in which the association occurs in the tomographic image and reselecting the partial period through the menu,
The image processing unit
And automatically corrects an image section including the defect using the image data obtained in the reselected partial period. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image processing unit
A plurality of partial images are obtained from the plurality of partial periods, a plurality of partial images are restored using the plurality of projection data, and a final tomographic image representing the object is generated using the plurality of partial images Lt; / RTI > 2. The method of claim 1,
Dimensional tomographic image is a three-dimensional CT image. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image processing unit
And reconstructing a reconstructed tomographic image based on the plurality of image data, and generating a final tomographic image by performing image correction of defects occurring in at least one image section included in the initially preserved tomographic image, Imaging device. 14. The method of claim 13,
Further comprising the final tomographic image. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the tomographic image
Wherein the first tomographic image or the final tomographic image is the first tomographic image or the final tomographic image. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete Reconstructing a tomographic image using a plurality of image data obtained in a plurality of partial periods included in a heartbeat cycle; And
And displaying a screen displaying the heartbeat cycle information and the tomographic image in association with the plurality of partial periods and the section of the tomographic image corresponding thereto. . 27. The method of claim 26,
Extracting at least one period in which the defects do not occur in the tomographic image in the heartbeat cycle when a defect occurs in the tomographic image; And
Further comprising the step of outputting a user interface screen for recommending the extracted at least one period to a user. 27. The method of claim 26,
And automatically corrects the partial period corresponding to the video section in which the coupling occurs, and automatically corrects the video section including the defect using the video data obtained in the adjusted partial period, The method further comprising the step of: delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the image processing unit comprises:
Reconstructing a tomographic image corresponding to a predetermined region in a target object in a medical image,
The display unit includes:
Wherein the display unit displays the medical image and information indicating the heartbeat period, and displays a screen in which the plurality of partial periods and the section of the predetermined region corresponding thereto are displayed in association with each other. 32. The method of claim 30,
Further comprising at least one partial image included in the reconstructed tomographic image. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein each of the at least one partial image
Wherein the tomographic image is a cross-sectional two-dimensional tomographic image according to a transverse view. 32. The method of claim 31,
The medical image
A scout image showing the object as a whole,
Each of the at least one partial image
Wherein the reconstructed tomographic image is a two-dimensional tomographic image included in the reconstructed tomographic image. 34. The method of claim 33,
The scout image
A scout image according to an anteroposterior view or a lateral view,
The at least one partial image
Wherein the tomographic image is a tomographic image in cross section according to a transverse view. The method of claim 32,
Wherein the at least one partial image and the section of the predetermined region corresponding thereto are visually associated with each other and displayed. The method of claim 32,
Wherein the at least one partial image and the corresponding partial period are visually associated with each other and displayed. 32. The method of claim 31,
Further comprising a user interface unit for selecting a predetermined period or a predetermined region or point of the predetermined region or the predetermined period of the plurality of partial periods,
The image processing unit
And a tomographic image corresponding to the selected predetermined point or a predetermined period of the reconstructed tomographic image is displayed on the screen. 32. The method of claim 31,
Wherein the reconstructed tomographic image is updated and displayed in real time as the tomographic image is reconstructed. 39. The method of claim 38,
And displays the updated tomographic image in association with an interval of the predetermined region corresponding thereto. 39. The method of claim 38,
Wherein the updated tomographic image and the corresponding partial period are visually associated with each other and displayed. 39. The method of claim 38,
Wherein the updated tomographic image and the previously reconstructed previous tomographic image of the updated tomographic image are overlaid and displayed. 32. The method of claim 30,
Further comprising a three-dimensional tomographic image corresponding to the restored tomographic image, wherein the plurality of partial periods and a plurality of partial periods included in the corresponding three-dimensional tomographic image are displayed in association with each other. .

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