WO2008075508A1

WO2008075508A1 - Medical image system and first server

Info

Publication number: WO2008075508A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/071637
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takanori Ando
Original assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
Priority date: 2006-12-21
Filing date: 2007-11-07
Publication date: 2008-06-26

Abstract

A medical image system for reading a medical image with high efficiency when the image is interpreted and medical examination is performed. The medical image system includes an image interpretation reading system and a reference medical reading system. Each reading system is composed of an image interpretation terminal for displaying a medical image and a management server for storing medical images captured by examination imaging, delivering the stored medical images to the image interpretation terminal, and transferring a part of the medical images to a delivery server. The reading system is composed of a reference terminal for displaying a medical image and the delivery server for storing the transferred medial images and delivering the stored medical images to the reference terminal.

Description

Specification

Medical image system and first server

Technical field

The present invention relates to a medical image system that stores medical images and distributes them to browsing terminals, and a first server that stores and manages medical images.

Background art

[0002] In a large-scale medical institution, medical images are often viewed by an interpreting doctor and a reference doctor. First, when a medical image is obtained by examination imaging, an interpretation doctor interprets all the obtained medical images and creates interpretation report information indicating the findings. The referring doctor explains the test results to the patient using the medical image while referring to the interpretation report information created by the interpreting doctor. In other words, the interpreting doctor is a doctor who interprets medical images, and the reference doctor is a doctor who mainly examines patients.

[0003] Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 21, the management server C manages all of the medical images, and the interpretation doctor or reference doctor moves from the reference terminal A and the interpretation terminal B, which are browsing terminals, to the management server. When a medical image is obtained by accessing and displayed on the reference terminal A or the interpretation terminal B for browsing, the system is adopted (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-101320

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in the conventional system configuration shown in FIG. 21, medical images are requested from a plurality of browsing terminals (referred to as interpretation terminal B and reference terminal A) to one management server C. Access is concentrated and the network load increases.

[0005] In addition, a single examination of a single patient often produces multiple medical images (especially as many as CT), but the referring physician can confirm the progress of the medical condition and Because medical images are used to explain the above, it is not necessary to browse all of the medical images obtained by imaging. However, in the conventional system configuration, medical images are acquired from the management server in units of patients or examinations. I don't know the power of interpretation and the medical image that is the basis of the interpretation report information. For this reason, the reference doctor had to select a medical image suitable for the examination and could not perform an effective examination.

[0006] Further, there are states (density, sharpness, etc.) suitable for interpretation when interpreting medical images. When interpreting a medical image, an interpreting doctor generally performs image processing at the interpretation terminal B and interprets it after making it suitable for interpretation. However, since the image processing is performed on the medical image acquired by the image interpretation terminal B from the management server C, the medical image stored in the management server C remains in the original state that has not been previously processed. It is. When the reference doctor views the medical image, the reference doctor browses the original medical image that is not optimal for reference because the medical image of the management server C is acquired from the reference terminal B. .

[0007] Therefore, it has been necessary to perform image processing to make the state suitable for reference again by the referring physician. The operation is complicated, and it takes time and time to see the referring physician.

[0008] Furthermore, since the management server C manages the medical image separately from the interpretation report information and the electronic medical record information, the reference terminal B can link the browsing of the medical image and the interpretation report, the electronic medical record, and the like. I couldn't get it. In other words, in the reference terminal B, the medical image, the interpretation report, the electronic medical record, and the like had to be acquired separately from the management server C. Interpretation reports are often viewed together with medical images! Therefore, it is preferable to link them together! /. However, in the conventional system, for example, when viewing an interpretation report while viewing a medical image, the interpretation report viewing software must be activated to obtain the interpretation report from the management server C, which is inefficient.

An object of the present invention is to provide a medical image system capable of efficiently browsing a medical image at the time of interpretation and examination.

Means for solving the problem

[0010] The invention of claim 1

A medical image system including a plurality of browsing systems capable of browsing medical images, wherein the first browsing system is:

A first browsing terminal having a display means for displaying a medical image; Storage means for storing medical images obtained by examination imaging, distribution means for distributing the stored medical images to the first browsing terminal, and transferring a part of the medical images to the second server A first server comprising a transfer means, and

The second browsing system is

A second browsing terminal having a display means for displaying a medical image;

A second server comprising: a storage unit that stores the medical image transferred from the first server; and a distribution unit that distributes the stored medical image to the second browsing terminal. Features.

[0011] The invention according to claim 2 is the medical image system according to claim 1,

The first browsing terminal includes an operation unit for selecting a medical image to be transferred to the second server from among the medical images stored in the second server, and the transfer of the first server The means transfers the medical image selected through the operation means at the first browsing terminal among all the medical images stored in the first server to the second server.

[0012] The invention according to claim 3 is the medical image system according to claim 2,

The operation means of the first browsing terminal is capable of designating the classification of the medical image selected as the medical image to be transferred,

The transfer means of the first server, when the medical image is selected and classified through the operation means in the first browsing terminal, the second medical image is displayed on the second medical image together with the classification information indicating the classification. Transfer to the server,

The distribution means of the second server distributes the medical image transferred from the first server to the second browsing terminal together with the classification information,

The second browsing terminal includes display control means for displaying the medical image distributed from the second server on the display means for each medical image classification based on the classification information. And

[0013] The invention according to claim 4 is the medical image system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first browsing terminal generates a confirmation image for confirming the selected medical image. And a display control means for displaying on the display means. [0014] The invention according to claim 5 is the medical image system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

The first browsing terminal includes a report generation means for generating interpretation report information of medical images,

The storage means of the first server stores the interpretation report information generated in the first browsing terminal together with the selected medical image, and the transfer means stores the medical image in the second server. In this case, the interpretation report information corresponding to the medical image is transferred.

[0015] The invention of claim 6 provides

A first server providing medical images to a first browsing terminal,

Storage means for storing medical images obtained by examination imaging;

Distribution means for distributing the stored medical image to the first browsing terminal, and transferring a part of the stored medical image to a second server that provides the medical image to the second browsing terminal Transfer means to

A special feature is that

[0016] The invention of claim 7 provides

A first browsing terminal having a display means for displaying a medical image;

A storage unit that stores medical images obtained by examination imaging, a distribution unit that distributes the stored medical images to the first browsing terminal, and a part of all the medical images. A first server comprising transfer means for transferring the image-processed one to the second server,

The second browsing system is

A second server comprising: a storage unit that stores the medical image transferred from the first server; and a distribution unit that distributes the stored medical image to the second browsing terminal. And [0017] The invention according to claim 8 is the medical image system according to claim 7, wherein the first server includes image processing means for performing image processing on all or part of the medical image to be transferred. ,

The transfer means transfers the medical image subjected to image processing by the image processing means to the second server.

[0018] The invention according to claim 9 is the medical image system according to claim 8,

The first browsing terminal selects a medical image to be transferred to the second server from among the medical images stored in the second server, and performs image processing on any of the selected medical images. With operating means for selecting whether to apply,

The image processing means of the first server is the image processing selected as the medical image selected via the operation means at the first browsing terminal among all the medical images stored in the first server. And

The transfer means transfers the medical image subjected to the image processing to the second server.

[0019] The invention according to claim 10 is the medical image system according to claim 7,

The first browsing terminal includes an operation means for designating an annotation image to be added to a medical image to be transferred to the second server,

The first server includes image processing means for synthesizing the annotation image specified in the first viewing terminal with the medical image to be transferred to the second server.

The transfer means transfers the medical image combined with the annotation image to the second server.

[0020] The invention according to claim 11 is the medical image system according to any one of claims 7 to 10;

The storage means of the first server stores the interpretation report information generated in the first browsing terminal together with the selected medical image,

The transfer means transfers the medical image to the second server when the medical image is transferred to the second server. Corresponding interpretation report information is also transferred together.

[0021] The invention of claim 12 provides

A first server providing medical images to a first browsing terminal,

Storage means for storing medical images obtained by examination imaging;

Distribution means for distributing the stored medical image to the first browsing terminal, and a part of all the stored medical images subjected to image processing to the second server A transfer means for transferring;

It is characterized by providing.

The invention's effect

[0022] According to the invention described in claim 1, since a plurality of medical image browsing systems are provided, and the first server and the second server for independent image management are provided, respectively, in order to obtain medical images. It is possible to prevent a single access point from being concentrated on the first server or the second server. Therefore, it is possible to provide an environment in which medical images can be easily browsed. In addition, not all the medical images stored in the first server are transferred to the first server and the second server, but a part of them is transferred. Only images can be transferred. For example, when the second browsing system is used for browsing by a reference doctor and the first browsing system is used for browsing by an interpreting doctor, only the medical images that the interpreting doctor considers important are transferred to the second server of the second browsing system. do it. Since the referring physician refers only to the medical images that the interpreting physician attaches importance to, the examination becomes smooth and efficient.

[0023] According to the invention described in claim 2, the medical image to be transferred to the second server can be selected by the first browsing terminal. Therefore, a doctor at the first browsing terminal can select and transfer a medical image that needs to be viewed on the second browsing terminal side while viewing the medical image.

[0024] According to the invention described in claim 3, medical images to be transferred to the second server can be classified in the first browsing terminal. Therefore, it is possible to classify medical images into meaningful groups while browsing medical images of the first browsing terminal. The second browsing terminal displays a medical image for each category, so the second browsing terminal Doctors can view medical images in an organized way. Therefore, the efficiency of the doctor's examination can be improved.

[0025] According to the invention described in claim 4, the doctor in the first browsing terminal can confirm the medical image selected as the transfer target. It is possible to review the selection again by confirmation.

[0026] According to the invention described in claim 5, the interpretation report information and the medical image can be displayed in cooperation with each other on the second browsing terminal. Therefore, the doctor at the second browsing terminal can browse the interpretation report information as part of the browsing of the medical image, instead of obtaining and displaying the medical image and the interpretation report information separately from the second server. Can

[0027] According to the invention described in claim 6, since not all of the medical images stored in the first server are transferred from the first server to the second server, a part thereof is transferred. Only the medical images that need to be viewed can be transferred by the doctor on the viewing system side. For example, when the second browsing terminal is used for browsing by a reference doctor and the first browsing terminal is used for browsing by an interpreting doctor, only the medical images that the interpreting doctor considers important are sent to the second server of the second browsing terminal. Just forward. Since the referring physician refers only to the medical images that the interpreting physician attaches importance to, the examination becomes smooth and efficient.

[0028] According to the invention described in claim 7, since a plurality of medical image browsing systems are provided, and the first server and the second server for independent image management are provided, respectively, in order to obtain medical images. It is possible to prevent a single access point from being concentrated on the first server or the second server. Therefore, it is possible to provide an environment in which medical images can be easily browsed. In addition, not all the medical images stored in the first server are transferred to the first server and the second server, but a part of them is transferred. The ability to transfer only images is possible. Furthermore, since the medical image that has been subjected to image processing is transferred, the doctor in the second browsing system can browse the medical image that has already been subjected to image processing and is easy to refer to. For example, when the second browsing system is used for browsing by a reference doctor and the first browsing system is used for browsing by an interpreting doctor, a medical image that the interpreting doctor regarded as important is subjected to optimal image processing for reference. To the second server of the second browsing system Just forward. The reference doctor can browse only the medical images that the interpreting doctor attaches importance to in a state suitable for reference, making the examination smooth and improving the efficiency of the examination.

[0029] According to the invention described in claim 8, the image processing can be applied to all or a part of the medical image to be transferred. Therefore, only necessary medical images can be subjected to image processing.

[0030] According to the invention of claim 9, the medical image to be transferred to the second server can be selected by the first browsing terminal. The first browsing terminal can also select whether or not to perform image processing on the medical image to be transferred. Therefore, while the doctor at the first browsing terminal browses the medical image, the medical image that needs to be browsed at the second browsing terminal and the medical image that needs image processing can be selected and transferred.

[0031] According to the invention of claim 10, the first browsing terminal can select whether or not to add an annotation image to the medical image transferred to the second server. Therefore, if there is a point to be noted when browsing the medical image while the doctor at the first browsing terminal is browsing the medical image, an annotation image indicating that fact can be added.

[0032] According to the invention described in claim 11, it is possible to display the! /, Image interpretation report information and the medical image in association with each other on the second browsing terminal. Therefore, the doctor at the second browsing terminal can browse the interpretation report information as part of the browsing of the medical image, instead of obtaining and displaying the medical image and the interpretation report information separately from the second server. Can

[0033] According to the invention of claim 12, since not all of the medical images stored in the first server are transferred from the first server to the second server, a part thereof is transferred. Only medical images that need to be viewed on the second viewing terminal can be transferred. Further, since the medical image that has been subjected to image processing is transferred, the doctor at the second browsing terminal can browse the medical image that has already been subjected to image processing and is easy to refer to. For example, when the second browsing terminal is used for browsing by the referring doctor and the first browsing terminal is used for browsing by the interpreting doctor, the medical image that the interpreting doctor regarded as important is subjected to optimal image processing for reference. Can be transferred to the second server. The reference doctor can browse only the medical images that the interpreting doctor attaches importance to in a state suitable for reference, making the examination smooth and improving the efficiency of the examination. Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a medical image system in a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the management server 10.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overall processing flow from generation of a medical image to distribution to a reference terminal in the medical image system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the flow of processing in the management server.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flow of processing performed when a reference medical image is selected in the management server and the interpretation terminal.

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen for displaying a medical image.

FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an example of a dialog screen displayed on the operation screen.

FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of the dialog screen.

FIG. 7B is a diagram showing an example of a report creation screen.

FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen displayed on the operation screen.

FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a state where a medical image is selected on the dialog screen.

FIG. 8C is a diagram showing a state where the selected medical image is displayed on the confirmation screen.

FIG. 9A is a diagram showing an example of a message screen for confirming transfer.

FIG. 9B is a diagram showing an example of a message screen notifying that transfer is in progress.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a medical image system in a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the management server 10.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an overall processing flow from generation of a medical image to distribution to a reference terminal in the medical image system.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the flow of processing performed when a reference medical image is selected in the management server and the interpretation terminal.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the flow of processing in the management server.

FIG. 15A is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen for displaying a medical image.

FIG. 15B is a diagram showing an example of a dialog screen displayed on the operation screen.

FIG. 16A is an enlarged view of the dialog screen. FIG. 16B is a diagram showing an example of a report creation screen.

FIG. 17A is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen displayed on the operation screen.

FIG. 17B is a diagram showing a state where a medical image is selected on the dialog screen.

FIG. 17C is a diagram showing a state where the selected medical image is displayed on the confirmation screen.

FIG. 18A is a diagram showing a state in which an image processing instruction operation is performed on a medical image displayed on a confirmation screen.

FIG. 18B is a diagram illustrating a state in which image processing is performed on a medical image on a dialog screen by an image processing instruction operation on a confirmation screen.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a medical image to which an arrow annotation image is added.

FIG. 20A is a diagram showing an example of a message screen for confirming transfer.

FIG. 20B is a diagram showing an example of a message screen notifying that transfer is in progress.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a conventional medical image system.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

First, the configuration will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of the medical image system 1 in the first embodiment. The medical image system 1 is a system that stores and manages medical images in a medical institution and provides the medical images to a browsing terminal.

As shown in FIG. 1, the medical image system 1 includes two browsing systems 30 and 60. These browsing systems 30, 60 are connected via a network N3. On the other hand, the browsing system 30 is a first browsing system that provides medical images mainly for viewing by an interpreting doctor. The browsing system 30 includes a management server 10 and a plurality of interpretation terminals 20 that are browsing terminals connected via a network N1. In addition, the management server 10 is connected to a modality installed in a medical institution.

The other browsing system 60 is a second browsing system that provides medical images mainly for browsing by a reference doctor. The browsing system 60 includes a distribution server 40 and a plurality of reference terminals 50 that are browsing terminals, and these are connected via a network N2. First, each component device of the browsing system 30 will be described.

The management server 10 is a first server that stores and manages all medical images in the medical institution. In addition, the management server 10 distributes the stored medical image to the interpretation terminal 20 and transfers the medical image selected by the interpretation terminal 20 among all the medical images to the distribution server 40.

FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the management server 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 11, operation unit 12, display unit 13, communication unit 14, storage unit 15, DB (

Data Base) 16 is configured.

[0039] The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory).

) Etc. The control unit 11 performs various calculations in cooperation with the control program stored in the storage unit 15. Alternatively, centralized control of each part is performed.

The operation unit 12 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, generates operation signals corresponding to these operations, and outputs them to the control unit 11.

[0041] The display unit 13 includes a display, and displays an operation screen and the like according to the control of the control unit 11.

[0042] The communication unit 14 includes a communication interface and the like, and communicates with external devices such as the image interpretation terminal 20 and the distribution server 40 connected via the networks N1 to N3.

[0043] The storage unit 15 is a hard disk or the like, and stores a control program, parameters necessary for executing the program, and the like.

[0044] The DB 16 is composed of a large-capacity memory. DB16 is a storage DB 161 for storing all medical images generated by radiography, a transfer DB 162 for temporarily storing medical images to be transferred to the distribution server 40, and a history information about transfer. The history is composed of DB163 and so on.

[0045] Interpretation terminal 20 is a first browsing terminal that displays a medical image for viewing by an interpreting doctor. Examples of the interpretation terminal 20 include a PC (personal computer) incorporating medical image viewing software and the like. Since the configuration of the interpretation terminal 20 is substantially the same as that of the management server 10 except that the management server 10 includes the DB 16, the illustration and description of the configuration are omitted here. In other words, the interpretation terminal 20 is a control unit, an operation unit, a display unit, a communication unit. Unit, a storage unit, and the like.

[0046] Next, the browsing system 60 will be described.

The distribution server 40 is a second server that stores and manages the medical images transferred from the management server 10 and distributes them to the reference terminal 50. That is, the distribution server 40 provides the reference terminal 50 with a part of the medical images managed by the management server 10 (only the medical image selected by the interpretation terminal 20).

Since the basic configuration of the distribution server 40 is substantially the same as that of the management server 10, the description thereof is omitted here. However, the DB of the distribution server 40 has only a storage DB and does not have a transfer DB or history DB.

[0047] The reference terminal 50 is a second browsing terminal that displays a medical image for browsing by a reference doctor. Examples of the reference terminal 50 include a PC that incorporates medical image viewing software and the like. Since the configuration of the reference terminal 50 is substantially the same as that of the image interpretation terminal 20, its configuration description is omitted. That is, the reference terminal 50 includes a control unit, an operation unit, a display unit, a communication unit, a storage unit, and the like.

Next, the operation of the medical image system 1 will be described.

First, an overall processing flow from image generation by inspection imaging to distribution to the reference terminal 50 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, first, when a photographic image is generated in the modality by inspection photographing, the modality transmits the photographic image to the management server 10 (step S1). Note that when a medical institution has a plurality of modalities, all of the captured images generated in each modality are transmitted to the management server 10.

[0049] The management server 10 generates a medical image of DIC OM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) from the captured image input from the modality by the control unit 11, and stores this in the storage DB 161 ( Step S2). In the present embodiment, DICOM-compatible images are referred to as medical images, and non-compatible images are distinguished as captured images. DI COM is a standard related to communication and management of medical images, and is a standard that allows medical images to be browsed between different medical institutions and different devices. In DICOM, when information related to medical images is attached to medical images, the information is provided for compatibility. There are provisions in the content and format of the report. Information related to medical images includes, for example, patient information (for example, patient name, patient ID, etc.), examination information (examination date, modality used, etc.), series information (information related to related images of medical images), detailed image information (Assignment bit, compression ratio, etc.).

The management server 10 distributes the medical image stored in the storage DB 161 to the interpretation terminal 20 in response to a request from the interpretation terminal 20.

Next, the management server 10 selects a reference medical image (medical image to be transferred to the distribution server 40) to be browsed by the reference doctor among all the medical images stored in the storage DB 161 in the control unit 11, This is transferred to the distribution server 40 (step S3). The selection of the medical image for reference is performed by the interpretation terminal 20, and the management server

10 follows the selection in the interpretation terminal 20.

With reference to FIG. 4, the processing in the management server 10 will be specifically described. As shown in FIG. 4, the processing in the management server 10 can be broadly divided into medical image generation and transfer processing.

In the management server 10, when a captured image gl is first input from the modality, the control unit 11 processes the additional information g3 according to DICOM to the captured image gl to generate a medical image g2 corresponding to DICOM. . The generated medical image g2 is stored in the storage DB 161. On the other hand, when interpretation report information g5 is generated in the interpretation terminal 20 as a result of interpretation by the interpretation doctor for the stored medical image g2, the interpretation report information g5 is associated with the medical image g2 to be interpreted. Save to DB161 for saving. After that, the control unit 11 sends the medical image g4 in the storage DB 161 to the interpretation terminal 20! /, The selected medical image g4 and the interpretation report information g5 corresponding to the medical image g4 to the transfer DB1 62. Write.

The control unit 11 performs transfer processing of the medical image g4 written in the transfer DB 162 at regular intervals. First, the selected medical image g4 and its interpretation report information g5 are read from the transfer DB 162. Then, the data set gg6 of the selected medical image g4 and interpretation report information g5 is created in association with each other, and then transmitted to the distribution server 40 by the communication unit 14. After the transmission, the control unit 11 generates history information related to the transfer of the medical image, and this is used as the history D. Save to B163. The history information includes information such as the transferred medical image (for example, the image number of the transferred medical image) and the transfer date and time.

[0053] Returning to FIG. 3, the description will be continued.

The distribution server 40 stores the medical image received from the management server 10 in the storage DB of the distribution server 40 (step S4). The distribution server 40 distributes the stored medical image to the reference terminal 50 in response to a request from the reference terminal 50 (step S5). The reference terminal 50 displays the distributed medical image.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, a process (a process corresponding to step S 3 in FIG. 3) performed when the management server 10 and the interpretation terminal 20 select a reference medical image will be described.

First, a DICOM compatible medical image is generated from the captured image in the management server 10 and stored in the storage DB 161 (step S11). Since this process has already been described above, its description is omitted here.

Next, the management server 10 delivers the medical image stored in the storage DB 161 to the interpretation terminal 20 (step S12). The medical image is distributed for each patient and for each examination.

[0055] The interpretation terminal 20 displays the medical image distributed from the management server 10 (step S13). FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an operation screen D1 as an example of the display. On the operation screen D1, a plurality of distributed medical images are displayed side by side. In addition, an instruction button D11 for selecting a medical image for reference is provided on the operation screen D1.

The interpreting doctor operates the instruction button D11 when there are medical images that should be emphasized while sequentially interpreting the medical images, and when the medical images are selected for reference.

In image interpretation terminal 20, in response to operation of instruction button D11, dialog screen D2 for selecting a medical image is displayed on operation screen D1, as shown in FIG. 6B. The dialog screen D2 displays medical images selected as reference medical images side by side. In the medical image displayed on the dialog screen D2, the image number assigned to each medical image is displayed. The interpreting doctor selects the reference medical image by moving the reference medical image from the medical image displayed on the operation screen D1 to the dialog D2 by dragging and dropping. When selecting a medical image for reference, it is possible to classify these medical images into series. A series is a group of units.

Figure 7A shows an enlarged view of dialog screen D2.

The dialog screen D2 is divided into a plurality of areas (division areas are indicated by symbols D21 to D24), and each of the division areas D21 to D24 corresponds to the series classification. In other words, the interpreting physician can specify the series classification to which the medical image belongs by moving the medical image to be classified into the same divided area D21 to D24.

[0058] Each divided area D21 to D24 is provided with an input area D27 for series description. The interpreting doctor makes a description about the series (for example, a description about the name and contents of the series). In this case, input operation should be performed in this input area D27! /.

Further, the dialog screen D2 is provided with an image confirmation button D25 for instructing confirmation display of the selected medical image and a transfer button D26 for instructing transfer of the selected medical image to the distribution server 40.

[0059] Further, an interpreting doctor can create interpretation report information while interpreting a medical image.

When the interpretation terminal 20 is instructed to create interpretation report information, the interpretation terminal 20 displays a report screen D3 as shown in FIG. 7B. The report screen D3 is divided into an area D31 for displaying a medical image to be interpreted and an area D32 for inputting the findings. The interpretation doctor interprets the medical image displayed in the area D31 and inputs the findings in the area D32. The interpretation terminal 20 generates interpretation report information according to the input (step S15).

On the other hand, the interpretation terminal 20 can confirm the medical image selected for reference. In other words, when the image confirmation button D25 is operated on the dialog screen D12 shown in FIG. 7A, the image interpretation terminal 20 displays the confirmation screen D4 on the operation screen D1 as shown in FIG. Display. When the medical image to be confirmed is selected and operated as shown in FIG. 8B, the confirmation target medical image (thumbnail) is selected from the selected medical image as shown in FIG. 8C. Image) is generated and displayed on the confirmation screen D4 (step S16). [0061] By interpreting the medical image displayed on the confirmation screen D4, the image interpretation doctor can confirm the image quality and the like of the medical image even after selecting the medical image. As a result of the confirmation, if it is determined that it is not suitable for reference, the medical image can be deleted from the dialog screen D2 and excluded from the selection range.

When transferring the selected medical image after confirming the image, the interpreting physician operates the transfer button D26 (see FIG. 7A) on the dialog screen D12.

In interpretation terminal 20, when transfer button D26 is operated, message screen D5 is displayed on operation screen D1 as shown in FIG. 9A. On the message screen D5, a message asking whether or not the selected medical image and interpretation report information can be transferred to the distribution server 40 is displayed. When an operation for instructing transfer is performed on the message screen D5, the image interpretation terminal 20 generates selection information for the medical image selected on the dialog screen D2. The selection information is information indicating a medical image selected as a reference medical image. For example, the selection information is information that can specify a medical image such as an image file name of the selected medical image and an image generation date and time. In addition, in the case of series classification, classification information indicating the classification is attached to each medical image. If the series description is set, the series description information is included in the classification information.

[0063] For example, if a plurality of selected medical images are classified into two series, and the series description is "Findings A" and "Findings B", the medical images corresponding to the "Findings A" series The information of the series “1/2” indicating that it is one of two series and the description “finding A” is attached as classification information. Similarly, the medical image corresponding to the “finding B” series is accompanied by the classification information of the series “2/2” and the series description “finding B”.

The image interpretation terminal 20 associates the selection information of the medical image with the image interpretation report information generated for the selected medical image and transmits it to the management server 10 (step S17). During this transmission, the interpretation terminal 20 displays a message screen D6 as shown in FIG. 9B. On the message screen D6, a message indicating that the medical image and the interpretation report information are being transferred is displayed.

The management server 10 stores the selection information received from the interpretation terminal 20 and the interpretation report information in the storage DB 161 in association with each other. Also, the selection received along with the interpretation report information. Based on the selection information, the medical image selected for reference among the medical images stored in the storage DB 161 is specified. Then, together with the specified medical image, the interpretation report information corresponding to the medical image is read from the storage DB 161 and transferred to the distribution server 40 (step S18). The details of the processing related to this transfer are as described with reference to FIG.

[0066] The distribution server 40 distributes the transferred medical image and interpretation report information to the reference terminal 50. The reference terminal 50 displays the medical image for each series classification according to the classification information attached to the medical image by display control of the control unit. Further, the interpretation report information received together with the medical image is displayed according to the instruction to display the interpretation report information.

[0067] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the browsing system capable of browsing medical images is divided into interpretation medical (browsing system 30) and reference medical (browsing system 60), and image management independent of each system. Server (management server 10, distribution server 40). As a result, it is possible to disperse a single point of access as long as the interpreting doctor accesses the management server 10 via the interpretation terminal 20 and the reference doctor accesses the distribution server 40 via the reference terminal 50. Therefore, the network load of the entire medical image system 1 can be reduced, and a medical image can be easily viewed!

[0068] Further, the distribution server 40 saves only some selected medical images among all the medical images managed by the management server 10. That is, the reference doctor browses only the selected medical image. Since the selected medical image is a medical image selected by the interpreting physician for reference, the referring physician can browse only the medical images that the interpreting physician regarded as important, and the examination efficiency is high.

Furthermore, the reference doctor can grasp that the medical image to be viewed is a medical image that the interpreting doctor attaches importance to, and can collaborate with the interpreting doctor in the examination.

[0069] In addition, the dialog screen D2 for selecting a medical image for reference has a screen configuration capable of classifying medical images for each series. Therefore, when the interpretation doctor selects a medical image for reference, the selected medical image can be classified for each series. According to this, the medical doctor can classify the medical images into meaningful groups, and can provide the medical images to the reference doctor in an organized manner. Therefore, it is easier for the referring physician to see V, can provide browsing environment.

[0070] Since the medical image selected for reference can be displayed on the confirmation screen D4, the medical image can be confirmed after the selection. Therefore, the interpreting doctor can reconsider whether or not the medical image is suitable for reference again after selection.

Further, the medical image selected for reference is transferred to the distribution server 40 together with the interpretation report information. Thereby, the reference doctor can browse the medical image and the interpretation report information corresponding to the medical image at the same time. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the efficiency of the reference doctor's examination.

Note that the above embodiment is a preferred example to which the present invention is applied, and the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, not only the medical image obtained by the current examination imaging but also the medical image obtained by the past examination imaging may be selected as the reference medical image. In this case, the past medical image can be displayed on the operation screen D1 shown in FIG. 6A, and the past medical image can be selected by moving to the dialog screen D2.

Since past medical images can also be selected, current and past medical images can be distributed to the reference terminal 50. Therefore, the reference doctor can compare the current and past medical images, and can improve the efficiency of the examination.

In the above-described embodiment, an example of the browsing systems 30 and 60 corresponding to each of the interpretation doctor and the reference doctor has been described. However, a plurality of browsing systems 60 are provided according to applications, and the management server 10 of the browsing system 30 is used. Therefore, the medical image may be distributed to the distribution server 40 installed in each of the plurality of browsing systems 60.

First, the configuration will be described.

FIG. 10 shows a system configuration of the medical image system 1 in the second embodiment.

The medical image system 1 is a system that stores and manages medical images in a medical institution and provides the medical images to a browsing terminal.

As shown in FIG. 10, the medical image system 1 includes two browsing systems 30 and 60. These browsing systems 30, 60 are connected via network N3. On the other hand, the browsing system 30 is a first browsing system that provides medical images mainly for viewing by an interpreting doctor. The browsing system 30 includes a management server 10 and a plurality of interpretation terminals 20 that are browsing terminals connected via a network N1. In addition, the management server 10 is connected to a modality installed in a medical institution.

The other browsing system 60 is a second browsing system that provides medical images mainly for browsing by a reference doctor. The browsing system 60 includes a distribution server 40 and a plurality of reference terminals 50 that are browsing terminals, and these are connected via a network N2.

First, each component device of the browsing system 30 will be described.

FIG. 11 shows the internal configuration of the management server 10.

As shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 11, the operation unit 12, the display unit 13, the communication unit 14, the storage unit 15, the DB

(Data Base) 16 is configured.

[0078] The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0079] The operation unit 12 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, generates an operation signal corresponding to these operations, and outputs the operation signal to the control unit 11.

[0080] The display unit 13 includes a display, and displays an operation screen and the like according to the control of the control unit 11.

The communication unit 14 includes a communication interface and the like, and communicates with external devices such as the image interpretation terminal 20 and the distribution server 40 connected via the networks N1 to N3.

The storage unit 15 is a hard disk or the like, and stores a control program, parameters necessary for executing the program, and the like! The DB 16 is composed of a large capacity memory. DB16 is a storage DB 161 for storing all medical images generated by radiography, a transfer DB 162 for temporarily storing medical images to be transferred to the distribution server 40, and a history information about transfer. The history is composed of DB163 and so on.

The interpretation terminal 20 is a first browsing terminal that displays a medical image for use by the interpreting doctor. Examples of the interpretation terminal 20 include a PC (personal computer) incorporating medical image viewing software and the like. Since the configuration of the interpretation terminal 20 is substantially the same as that of the management server 10 except that the management server 10 includes the DB 16, the illustration and description of the configuration are omitted here. That is, the radiogram interpretation terminal 20 includes a control unit, an operation unit, a display unit, a communication unit, a storage unit, and the like.

[0085] Next, the browsing system 60 will be described.

[0086] The reference terminal 50 is a second browsing terminal that displays a medical image for browsing by a reference doctor. Examples of the reference terminal 50 include a PC that incorporates medical image viewing software and the like. Since the configuration of the reference terminal 50 is substantially the same as that of the image interpretation terminal 20, its configuration description is omitted. That is, the reference terminal 50 includes a control unit, an operation unit, a display unit, a communication unit, a storage unit, and the like.

Next, the operation of the medical image system 1 will be described.

First, with reference to FIG. 12, an overall processing flow from image generation by inspection imaging to distribution to the reference terminal 50 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 12, first, when a captured image is generated in the modality by inspection imaging, the modality transmits the captured image to the management server 10 (step SS1). Medical When the medical institution has a plurality of modalities, all of the captured images generated in each modality are transmitted to the management server 10.

[0088] The management server 10 generates a DIC OM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) medical image from the captured image input from the modality by the control unit 11, and stores this in the storage DB 161 ( Step SS2). In this embodiment, DICOM-compatible images are referred to as medical images, and non-compatible images are distinguished as captured images. DICOM is a standard related to communication and management of medical images. It is a standard that allows medical images to be viewed between different medical institutions and different devices.

Next, the management server 10 selects the medical image for reference (medical image to be transferred) to be browsed by the reference doctor among all the medical images stored in the storage DB 161 with the control unit 11! ), And after performing image processing on this, it is transferred to the distribution server 40 (step SS 4). The selection of the medical image for reference and the selection of the contents of the image processing to be performed on the medical image are performed by the interpretation terminal 20, and the management server 10 selects and selects the medical image according to the selection at the interpretation terminal 20. Image processing is performed.

[0090] The distribution server 40 stores the medical image received from the management server 10 in the storage DB of the distribution server 40 (step SS5). The distribution server 40 distributes the stored medical image to the reference terminal 50 in response to a request from the reference terminal 50 (step SS6).

Next, referring to FIG. 13, the processing performed when the management server 10 and the interpretation terminal 20 select a reference medical image (processing corresponding to steps SS 3 and SS 4 in FIG. 12) is described. I will explain.

First, the management server 10 generates a DICOM compatible medical image from the captured image and stores it in the storage DB 161 (step SS 11).

With reference to FIG. 14, the process performed when the management server 10 stores the medical image will be specifically described. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing processing contents from generation of medical images to distribution in the management server 10. As shown in FIG. 14, the processing of the management server 10 can be broadly divided into those for generating and transferring medical images. First, when a captured image gl is input from the modality to the management server 10, the control unit 11 attaches additional information g3 according to DICOM to the captured image gl to generate a medical image g2 corresponding to DICOM. The generated medical image g2 is stored in the storage DB 161.

[0093] In DICOM, when information related to a medical image is attached to a medical image, the contents and format of the information are specified in order to provide compatibility. Information related to medical images includes, for example, patient information (eg, patient name, patient ID, etc.), examination information (examination date, modality used, etc.), series information (information related to related images of medical images), and detailed image information. (Assigned bits, compression rate, etc.).

Returning to FIG. 13, the description will be continued.

Next, the management server 10 delivers the medical image g2 stored in the storage DB 161 to the image interpretation terminal 20 (step SS12). The medical image is distributed for each patient and for each examination.

The interpretation terminal 20 displays the medical image distributed from the management server 10 (step SS13). FIG. 15A is a diagram showing an operation screen dl as an example of the display. In the operation screen dl, a plurality of distributed medical images are displayed side by side. In addition, an instruction button dl l for selecting a reference medical image is provided on the operation screen dl.

The interpreting doctor operates the instruction button dl l when there is a medical image that should be emphasized while sequentially interpreting the medical image, and when the medical image is selected for reference.

In interpretation terminal 20, in response to operation of instruction button dl l, dialog screen d2 for selecting a medical image is displayed on operation screen d 1 as shown in FIG. 15B (step SS14). The dialog screen d2 displays medical images selected as reference medical images side by side. The interpreting physician selects the reference medical image by moving the reference medical image to the dialog d2 by dragging and dropping the medical image displayed on the operation screen dl.

In selecting a medical image for reference, these medical images can be classified for each series. A series is a group of units.

Figure 16A shows an enlarged view of the dialog screen d2.

The dialog screen d2 is divided into a plurality of areas (the divided areas are indicated by symbols d2;! To d24), and each divided area d2;! To d24 corresponds to the series classification. That is, the interpreting physician is the same By moving the medical image to be classified to the same divided area d2;! To d24, it is possible to designate and operate the series classification to which the medical image belongs.

Each divided area d21 to d24 is provided with an input area d27 for series description. The interpreting physician may perform an input operation in this input area d27 if he / she wishes to describe the series.

On the other hand, the interpretation terminal 20 can confirm the medical image selected for reference. That is, when the image confirmation button d25 is operated on the dialog screen dl2 shown in FIG. 16A, the interpretation terminal 20 displays the confirmation screen d4 on the operation screen dl as shown in FIG. 17A. Then, when the medical image to be checked is selected on the dialog screen d2 as shown in FIG. 17B, the selected medical image is displayed on the confirmation screen d4 as shown in FIG. SS15).

[0100] By interpreting the medical image displayed on the confirmation screen d4, the image interpretation doctor can confirm the state of the medical image after the selection of the medical image. As a result of the confirmation, if it is determined that it is not suitable for reference, the medical image can be deleted from the dialog screen d2 and excluded from the selection range.

When the selected medical image is transferred after image confirmation, the interpreting physician operates the transfer button d26 (see FIG. 16A) on the dialog screen d12.

[0101] On the other hand, when a medical image is subjected to image processing for interpretation or an annotation image such as annotation is added, these operations can be performed on the confirmation screen d4. Note that an annotation image is an image that indicates items to be noted in a medical image, such as an image of a symbol such as an arrow or a circle indicating the position of an abnormal shadow found on a medical image, or a comment of an interpreting doctor. An image of a text.

First, a case where image processing is performed will be described.

In this case, the image interpretation doctor first selects the type of image processing. The image interpretation terminal 20 selects gradation processing for adjusting density, frequency enhancement processing for adjusting sharpness, etc. as the type of image processing. It can be selected. Next, the image interpretation doctor selects image processing conditions. For image processing conditions, for example, in the case of gradation processing, a condition set in which conditions such as a density range and a gradation conversion curve are set in advance according to the interpretation purpose is prepared, and this can be selected by the interpretation terminal 20. Just keep it. Examples of the condition set include those for which appropriate image processing conditions are determined according to the part to be interpreted, such as for lung field and mediastinum.

[0103] Furthermore, the interpretation terminal 20 can also select a range of medical images to be subjected to image processing. That is, similar image processing can be performed not only on the medical image displayed for confirmation on the confirmation screen d4 but also on the medical image displayed on the dialog screen d2.

As shown in Fig. 18A, on the confirmation screen d4, the selection items d41 of "subsequent images", "all images", and "one image" can be displayed as a pull-down display as the range of medical images to be subjected to image processing. . From the medical images displayed on the confirmation screen d4 for confirmation among the medical images displayed side by side in the divided areas d21 to d26 of one series classification in the dialog screen d2! This is an item for selecting to perform image processing only on the medical images lined up thereafter. On the other hand, “All images” is for all the medical images displayed on the dialog screen d2, and “1 image” is for only the medical images displayed on the confirmation screen d4. It is an item to select to apply.

[0104] Then, the image interpretation terminal 20 performs image processing on the medical image in the range selected in accordance with the selection operation of the image interpretation doctor (step SS16). That is, the selected image processing is performed on the medical image within the range selected by the interpretation doctor under the selected conditions.

For example, FIG. 18B shows a display result when the “subsequent image” selection item is selected for gradation processing. As shown in FIG. 18B, together with the medical image (image number 3) displayed on the confirmation screen d4, other medical images (image numbers 5, 7, 9) that are arranged after this medical image in the series classification of this medical image. · · · ·) Is displayed with the same image processing

Next, addition of an annotation image will be described.

The interpretation terminal 20 prepares an icon d42 for inputting text in addition to symbols such as arrows and circles as annotation images (see FIG. 19). Interpretation doctor can change the icon d42 The operation of selecting whether to add the symbol or whether to input text. In addition, a position for placing a symbol or text on a medical image is designated.

As shown in FIG. 19, the interpretation terminal 20 displays an image in which a specified symbol image or text image is placed at a specified position on the medical image on the confirmation screen d4 (step SS 17). . Figure 19 shows an example in which an annotation image with an arrow symbol is placed on a medical image.

Furthermore, the interpretation terminal 20 can also create an interpretation report while displaying the medical image subjected to the image processing as described above on the confirmation screen d4. The interpreting doctor can interpret the medical image in a state suitable for interpretation on the confirmation screen d4, and can further digitize the interpretation result.

[0107] When the interpretation terminal 20 is instructed to create interpretation report information, the interpretation terminal 20 displays a report screen d3 as shown in FIG. 16B. The report screen d3 is divided into an area d31 for displaying a medical image to be interpreted, and an area d32 for inputting the findings. The interpretation doctor interprets the medical image displayed in the area d31 and inputs the findings in the area d32. The interpretation terminal 20 generates interpretation report information in response to the input (step SS18).

[0108] When the selected medical image is to be transferred after image processing and annotation image addition, the interpretation doctor operates the transfer button d26 (see Fig. 16A) on the dialog screen dl2.

In the interpretation terminal 20, when the transfer button d26 is operated, a message screen d5 is displayed on the operation screen d1 as shown in FIG. 20A. In the message screen d5, a message asking whether or not the selected medical image and interpretation report information can be transferred to the distribution server 40 is displayed. When an operation for instructing transfer is performed on the message screen d5, the image interpretation terminal 20 generates selection information for the medical image selected on the dialog screen d2. The selection information is information indicating a medical image selected as a reference medical image. For example, the selection information is information that can specify a medical image such as an image file name of the selected medical image and an image generation date and time. In addition, in the case of series classification, classification information indicating the classification is attached to each medical image. If the series description is set, the series description information is included in the classification information. [0109] For example, when a plurality of selected medical images are classified into two series, and the series description is "Findings A" and "Findings B", the medical images corresponding to the series of "Findings A" The information of the series “1/2” indicating that it is one of two series and the description “finding A” is attached as classification information. Similarly, the medical image corresponding to the “finding B” series is accompanied by the classification information of the series “2/2” and the series description “finding B”.

[0110] Further, when image processing is performed on the selected medical image, the image interpretation terminal 20 generates image processing information indicating the content of the image processing. The image processing information is information (for example, an image number, an image file name, etc.) for specifying a medical image that has been subjected to image processing, and information indicating the type and condition of image processing.

Similarly, when an annotation image is added to a medical image, the interpretation terminal 20 generates annotation image information indicating the content of the annotation image. Annotation image information includes information that identifies the medical image to which the annotation image is added (for example, image number, image file name, etc.), annotation image type (symbol type, text), and placement of the annotation image in the medical image. If it is a position or text annotation image, it is information indicating the content of the text.

[0111] The interpretation terminal 20 associates the selection information, image processing information, and annotation image information of the medical image with the interpretation report information generated for the selected medical image, and transmits the association information to the management server 10 (Step 1). SS19). During this transmission, the interpretation terminal 20 displays a message screen _d6 as shown in FIG. 20B. On the message screen d6, a message indicating that the medical image and the interpretation report information are being transferred is displayed.

In the management server 10, the control unit 11 stores the selection information, image processing information, annotation image information, and interpretation report information received from the interpretation terminal 20 in association with each other in the storage DB 161. In addition, the control unit 11 specifies a medical image selected for reference from the medical images stored in the storage DB 161 based on the selection information received together with the interpretation report information (step SS20).

[0113] If there is image processing information corresponding to the specified medical image, the control unit 11 performs image processing on the medical image based on the image processing information. Similarly, if there is annotation image information corresponding to the specified medical image, the control unit 11 generates an annotation image based on the annotation image information and generates a processed image that is added (synthesized) to the medical image. . The management server 10 generates a compressed image (hereinafter referred to as a JPEG image) obtained by compressing a medical image or a processed image according to JPEG (step SS21).

Next, the management server 10 reads the interpretation report information corresponding to the current PEG image together with the JPEG image from the storage DB 161 and transfers it to the distribution server 40 (step SS22).

The processing related to the above transfer will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

The management server 10 stores the interpretation report information g5 received from the interpretation terminal 20 in the storage DB 161. Thereafter, the control unit 11 specifies the medical image g4 selected by the interpretation terminal 20 based on the selection information among the medical images g2 in the storage DB 161. Then, the specified medical image g4 and image interpretation report information g5 corresponding to the medical image g4 are written in the transfer DB 162.

[0115] The control unit 11 performs transfer processing of the medical image g4 written in the transfer DB 162 at regular intervals. First, the selected medical image g4 and its interpretation report information g5 are read from the transfer DB 162. Then, the control unit 11 extracts only the image portion from the medical image g4, and performs image processing based on the image processing information gl 1 received together with the interpretation report information g5. Next, in V, the control unit 11 adds (synthesizes) the annotation image to the medical image that has been subjected to image processing based on the annotation image information g7, and then performs compression processing to generate a JPEG image g9. To do.

[0116] Also, the control unit 11 generates new supplementary information glO for JPEG images according to image processing and JPEG processing, and attaches this to the JPEG image g9. Specifically, the detailed image information, which is a part of the supplementary information of the medical image g4, is rewritten based on the image processing information gl1 and the JPEG processing contents to obtain new supplementary information glO.

[0117] Then, the control unit 11 associates the JPEG image g9 and the interpretation report information g4 to create a data set gl2 of the JPEG image g9 and the interpretation report g5, and then transmits the data set gl2 by the communication unit 14 to the distribution server 40. To send to. After the transmission, the control unit 11 generates history information related to the transfer of the medical image and stores it in the history DB 163. The history information refers to information such as the transferred medical image (for example, the image number of the transferred medical image), the transfer date and time, and the like.

[0118] The distribution server 40 transmits the transferred medical image and interpretation report information to the reference terminal 50. In the reference terminal 50, the classification information attached to the medical image is controlled by display control of the control unit. Medical images are displayed for each series classification according to the information. Also, the interpretation report information is displayed according to the instruction to display the interpretation report information.

[0119] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the browsing system capable of browsing medical images is divided into medical interpretation medical (browsing system 30) and reference medical (browsing system 60), and image management independent of each system. Server (management server 10, distribution server 40). As a result, it is possible to disperse a single point of access as long as the interpreting doctor accesses the management server 10 via the interpretation terminal 20 and the reference doctor accesses the distribution server 40 via the reference terminal 50. Therefore, the network load of the entire medical image system 1 can be reduced, and a medical image can be easily viewed!

[0120] In addition, the distribution server 40 stores only a part of the selected medical images among all the medical images managed by the management server 10. That is, the reference doctor browses only the selected medical image. Since the selected medical image is a medical image selected by the interpreting physician for reference, the referring physician can browse only the medical images that the interpreting physician regarded as important, and the examination efficiency is high.

[0121] The dialog screen d2 for selecting a medical image for reference has a screen configuration that can classify medical images for each series. Therefore, when the interpretation doctor selects a medical image for reference, the selected medical image can be classified for each series. According to this, the medical doctor can classify the medical images into meaningful groups, and can provide the medical images to the reference doctor in an organized manner. Therefore, it is possible to provide a browsing environment that makes it easier for the referring physician to see.

[0122] Further, since the medical image selected for reference can be displayed on the confirmation screen d4, the medical image can be confirmed even after selection. Therefore, the interpreting doctor can reconsider whether or not the medical image is suitable for reference again after selection.

[0123] Furthermore, the medical image selected for reference is transferred to the distribution server 40 together with the interpretation report information. Thereby, the reference doctor can browse the medical image and the interpretation report information corresponding to the medical image at the same time. Therefore, more efficient examination of the reference doctor it can.

[0124] In addition, image processing and annotation image addition can be selected on the confirmation screen d4, and medical images transferred from the management server 10 to the distribution server 50 according to the selections can be selected according to the selection. Image processing and annotation image addition. Therefore, the medical image referred to by the reference doctor has already been subjected to image processing suitable for reference, and it is possible to grasp the points of particular interest by the interpreting doctor from the annotation image, so that the examination can be performed more efficiently. Can do.

[0125] When transferring to the distribution server 50, the image portion of the medical image is compressed by JPEG and transmitted. As a result, when displaying a JPEG image on the reference terminal 50, it is possible to reduce the time required for display. In addition, a general-purpose image viewer can be displayed instead of a dedicated medical image viewer, making browsing easier.

[0126] The above embodiment is a preferred example to which the present invention is applied, and the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, in the above description, an example in which one image process is performed on the medical image selected for reference in the management server 10 and the image is transferred to the distribution server 50 is not limited to this, and different image processes are performed. Two or more processed images may be generated and transferred to the distribution server 50.

In the examination, there are cases where the same medical image is subjected to comparative interpretation with different gradations. For example, pulmonary conditions in the chest area, or gradations that correspond to the contrast of the lung field, and contrast of the mediastinum (the median part of the thoracic cavity, including all the internal organs and structures except the lungs) Depending on the mediastinal condition, the image may be interpreted. In such a case, one medical image! /, One that has undergone image processing under lung field conditions and one that has undergone image processing under mediastinum conditions are generated and transmitted to distribution server 50. By doing so, the reference physician can compare medical images of two gradations, lung field condition and mediastinum condition.

[0127] In the above-described embodiment, examples of the browsing systems 30 and 60 corresponding to each of the interpretation doctor and the reference doctor are shown. However, a plurality of browsing systems 60 are provided depending on the use, and the management server 10 of the browsing system 30 is used. Therefore, the medical image may be distributed to the distribution server 40 installed in each of the plurality of browsing systems 60.

Industrial applicability [0128] The present invention can be used in the field related to storage and distribution of medical images. Explanation of symbols

[0129] 1 Medical imaging system

10 Management server

20 Interpretation terminal

30 browsing system

40 Distribution server

50 reference terminal

60 browsing system

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A medical image system including a plurality of browsing systems capable of browsing medical images, wherein the first browsing system includes:

Storage means for storing medical images obtained by examination imaging, distribution means for distributing the stored medical images to the first browsing terminal, and transferring a part of the medical images to the second server A first server comprising a transfer means, and

The second browsing system is

A second server comprising: a storage unit that stores the medical image transferred from the first server; and a distribution unit that distributes the stored medical image to the second browsing terminal. A medical imaging system featuring

[2] The first browsing terminal includes operation means for selecting a medical image to be transferred to the second server from among the medical images stored in the second server, The transfer means of the server transfers the medical image selected through the operation means at the first browsing terminal among all the medical images stored in the first server to the second server. The medical image system according to claim 1.

[3] The operation means of the first browsing terminal is capable of specifying and specifying the classification of the medical image selected as the medical image to be transferred,

The second browsing terminal includes display control means for displaying the medical image distributed from the second server on the display means for each medical image classification based on the classification information. The medical image system according to claim 2.

[4] The first browsing terminal generates a confirmation image for confirming the selected medical image. 4. The medical image system according to claim 2, further comprising display control means configured to display on the display means.

[5] The first browsing terminal includes a report generation unit that generates medical image interpretation report information.

The storage means of the first server stores the interpretation report information generated in the first browsing terminal together with the selected medical image, and the transfer means stores the medical image in the second server. 5. The medical image system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the interpretation report information corresponding to the medical image is transferred when transferring the medical image.

[6] A first server that provides medical images to the first browsing terminal,

Storage means for storing medical images obtained by examination imaging;

A first server characterized by comprising:

[7] A medical image system including a plurality of browsing systems capable of browsing medical images, wherein the first browsing system includes:

The second browsing system is

A second server comprising storage means for storing the medical image transferred from the first server, and distribution means for distributing the stored medical image to the second browsing terminal. Medical image system.

[8] The first server includes image processing means for performing image processing on all or part of the medical image to be transferred, 8. The medical image system according to claim 7, wherein the transfer unit transfers the medical image subjected to image processing by the image processing unit to the second server.

[9] The first browsing terminal selects a medical image to be transferred to the second server from among the medical images stored in the second server, and selects any of the selected medical images. An operation means for selecting whether to perform image processing is provided.

9. The medical image system according to claim 8, wherein the transfer unit transfers the medical image subjected to the image processing to the second server.

[10] The first browsing terminal includes an operation unit for designating an annotation image to be added to the medical image to be transferred to the second server,

8. The medical image system according to claim 7, wherein the transfer unit transfers the medical image combined with the annotation image to the second server.

[11] The first browsing terminal includes a report generation unit that generates medical image interpretation report information.

11. The transfer unit according to claim 7, wherein when the medical image is transferred to the second server, the transfer unit also transfers interpretation report information corresponding to the medical image. Medical imaging system.

[12] A first server for providing medical images to the first browsing terminal,

Storage means for storing medical images obtained by examination imaging;

Distribution means for distributing the stored medical image to the first browsing terminal, and a part of all the stored medical images subjected to image processing to the second server A transfer means for transferring; A first sano characterized by comprising: