WO2009107644A1

WO2009107644A1 - Medical image management device, printing screen display method and program

Info

Publication number: WO2009107644A1
Application number: PCT/JP2009/053384
Authority: WO
Inventors: 由紀綱本
Original assignee: コニカミノルタエムジー株式会社
Priority date: 2008-02-29
Filing date: 2009-02-25
Publication date: 2009-09-03
Also published as: JPWO2009107644A1

Abstract

This object aims to make it possible to quickly and precisely select a medical image of a printing subject and determine a printing layout. A medical image management device (3) arranges a thumbnail image of medical images displayed an image display column (73) on a viewer screen (351) as medical images used for diagnosis in accordance with an operation of an operation unit (34) to a display order and displays the arranged images on an output image selection column of an output screen (a host output screen (352), a media output screen (353), an imager printing screen (354), a universal printing screen (355)) as an output subject candidate (a printing subject candidate). Further, the imager printing screen (354) and the universal printing screen (355) display a printing image at every page arranged in accordance with a designated printing layout on the printing image display column (98) in respect of a diagnostic image of the medical image selected by the operation unit (34) as a printing subject.

Description

MEDICAL IMAGE MANAGEMENT DEVICE, PRINT SCREEN DISPLAY METHOD, AND PROGRAM

The present invention relates to a medical image management apparatus, a print screen display method, and a program.

Conventionally, various techniques have been proposed for a user to specify an image to be output to a printer or the like and an output order. For example, in Patent Document 1, in a copying machine or the like, a thumbnail image of a series of images read by an image reading device is displayed on a display unit, and a thumbnail image displayed by a user is dragged and dropped to a predetermined position. A technique that enables selection of an image to be output, specification of an output order, specification of an output layout, and the like is described.
JP 11-252326 A

By the way, in the medical field, an image generating device such as CR (Computed Radiography), CT (Computed Tomography), or an endoscopic imaging device is used to take an image of a diagnosis target part of a patient, and a doctor interprets the obtained medical image. Interpretation diagnosis is performed. In recent years, interpretation work on a monitor has become common, and on a diagnostic screen for interpretation, a doctor uses a mouse, keyboard, or other operation means to perform medical images necessary for diagnosis from among the captured medical images. The images are rearranged as appropriate, and the images used for diagnosis are displayed in a display order that is easy to diagnose and diagnostic interpretation is performed.

The medical image used for diagnostic interpretation is printed on film by an imager for delivery to another medical facility, or printed on paper by a printer for informed consent to the patient. Conventionally, when a medical image is printed by an imager, a printer, or the like, an image to be printed is selected on a print screen different from the diagnostic screen, and a layout or the like is designated. For example, thumbnail images of captured medical images are displayed in chronological order on the print screen, and it is common to select a medical image to be printed from the displayed thumbnail images using an operation means such as a mouse. Is.

Here, since the medical image is used for diagnosis, an image selection error is not allowed. However, in many cases, a medical image of the same part of the same patient is taken for the follow-up of the lesioned part, and a plurality of medical images of the same part of the same patient are taken in CT or the like. For this reason, there is a problem in that it is difficult to distinguish between the thumbnail images displayed on the print screen, and it takes time to select a medical image to be printed. In addition, the medical image selected as the print target is a medical image used by the doctor for diagnosis on the diagnostic screen, and a medical image that is not used for diagnosis is rarely selected. In addition to the diagnostic medical image, it is necessary to select the image to be printed again, which is complicated. Furthermore, if the screen for selecting the medical image to be printed is different from the screen for displaying the print image, the print image on the print layout cannot be confirmed immediately after selecting the medical image to be printed. There is a problem that the selection of the target image and the determination of the print layout cannot be performed accurately and quickly.

An object of the present invention is to enable selection of a medical image to be printed and determination of a print layout quickly and accurately.

In order to solve the above problem, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a medical image management apparatus comprises:
Storage means for storing medical images, operation means,
Display means for displaying a diagnostic screen for displaying a medical image used for diagnosis, and a print screen for selecting a medical image to be printed and specifying a print layout by operation of the operation means;
When selecting the medical image stored in the storage unit on the diagnostic screen as the medical image used for diagnosis and changing the display order by operating the operation unit, and selecting the medical image to be printed on the print screen The medical images displayed as the medical images used for diagnosis on the diagnostic screen are arranged and displayed in the display order on the diagnostic screen, and the medical images selected as the printing targets by the operation means are Control means for displaying a print image for each page arranged based on the print layout designated by the operation means;
Is provided.

Preferably, the control unit displays a medical image selected as a print target by the operation of the operation unit among the print target candidates displayed on the print screen in distinction from other unselected medical images.

It is preferable that the control unit sets the medical image selected by the operation unit from the print target candidates displayed on the print screen as a medical image to be printed.

Preferably, the control means further sets a medical image selected by an operation of the operation means from medical images displayed as medical images used for the diagnosis on the diagnostic screen as a medical image to be printed. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a print screen display method includes:
A diagnostic screen display step for displaying a diagnostic screen for displaying a medical image used for diagnosis on the display means;
In the diagnostic screen, a diagnostic image display step of selecting a medical image stored in the storage means as a medical image used for diagnosis by operating the operation means and changing the display order;
A print screen display step for displaying on the display means a print screen for selecting a medical image to be printed and specifying a print layout by operating the operation means;
On the print screen, as the print target candidates when selecting the medical image to be printed, the medical images displayed as the medical images used for diagnosis on the diagnostic screen are arranged and displayed in the display order on the diagnostic screen. A candidate printing process for displaying a print image for each page in which medical images selected as print targets by the operation means are arranged based on the designated print layout;
including.

In the print candidate display step, it is preferable that the medical image selected as the print target by the operation of the operation unit among the print target candidates displayed on the print screen is displayed separately from other unselected medical images. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the program is
Computer
Storage means for storing medical images;
Display means for displaying a diagnostic screen for displaying a medical image used for diagnosis, and a print screen for selecting a medical image to be printed and specifying a print layout by operating the operation means,
When selecting and changing the display order of the medical image stored in the storage unit on the diagnostic screen as the medical image used for diagnosis by operating the operation unit, and selecting the medical image to be printed on the print screen The medical image displayed as the medical image used for diagnosis on the diagnostic screen is arranged and displayed in the display order on the diagnostic screen as the print target candidate, and the medical image selected as the print target by the operation unit is Control means for displaying a print image for each page arranged based on the print layout designated by the operation means;
To function as.

According to the present invention, selection of a medical image to be printed and determination of a print layout can be performed quickly and accurately.

In addition, any medical image selected as a print target by operating the operation unit among the print target candidates displayed on the print screen is displayed separately from other unselected medical images. It becomes possible for a user such as a doctor to easily grasp whether or not it has been selected.

In addition, by setting a medical image selected by operating the operation means from among the medical images displayed as a medical image used for diagnosis on the diagnostic screen as a medical image to be printed, the print target is also displayed on the diagnostic screen. It is possible to select all or part of the medical image.

It is a figure which shows the example of whole structure of the small-scale diagnosis system in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning in the medical facility of each apparatus at the time of applying the small-scale diagnosis system shown in FIG. It is a principal part block diagram which shows the functional structure of the medical image management apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the viewer screen displayed on the display part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the display output control process performed by the control part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the display output control process performed by the control part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the image taking-in process performed in step S2 of FIG. 5A. It is a figure which shows an example of the display image arrangement | sequence produced | generated by RAM in step S101 of FIG. FIG. 7B is a diagram showing an example of writing information to the display image array when an instruction to add image ID = A4 to A7 is instructed from the state where the diagnostic image is displayed based on the display image array shown in FIG. 7A. . FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of information deletion from the display image array when deletion of an image ID = A3 is instructed from a state in which a diagnostic image is displayed based on the display image array shown in FIG. 7B. It is a figure which shows an example of a display image arrangement | sequence when the replacement of the display order of image ID = A2 and A6 is instruct | indicated from the state which displays the diagnostic image based on the display image arrangement | sequence shown to FIG. 7C. It is a figure which shows an example of a display image arrangement | sequence when it is instruct | indicated that image ID = A7 is inserted behind A6 from the state which is displaying the image for a diagnosis based on the display image arrangement | sequence shown to FIG. 7D. It is a flowchart which shows the diagnostic image designation | designated process performed in step S3 of FIG. 5A. It is a figure which shows an example of a display at the time of displaying the medical image taken in on the viewer screen shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a display when the image of output object is selected from the diagnostic images currently displayed on the image display column of a viewer screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the display image arrangement | sequence after selection of the output image in FIG.5A step S5. It is a figure which shows an example of the output image arrangement | sequence produced | generated by RAM in step S8 of FIG. 5A. FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating an example of an output image array when an instruction to add images with image ID = A4, A6, and A7 as an output image is input in the state of the output image array illustrated in FIG. 11A. FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating an example of an output image array when an instruction to deselect an image with an image ID = A4 is instructed in the state of the output image array illustrated in FIG. 11B. It is a figure which shows an example of the host output screen displayed on the display part of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the media output screen displayed on the display part of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the imager print screen displayed on the display part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the output image setting process performed in step S14 of FIG. 5B. It is a flowchart which shows the output image setting process performed in step S14 of FIG. 5B.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

[Configuration of small-scale diagnostic system 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a small-scale diagnosis system 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows an arrangement example of each apparatus in a medical facility when the small-scale diagnosis system 1 is applied. is there.

The small-scale diagnosis system 1 is a system applied to a relatively small-scale medical facility such as a practitioner or a clinic. As shown in FIG. 1, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (US: ultrasonography) 2a that is an image generation apparatus 2 , An endoscope (ES) 2b, a CR reading device 2c, a medical image management device 3, a receiving device 4, an imager 5, a general-purpose printer 6, and a client PC (Personal Computer) 7. ing. Each device constituting the small-scale diagnosis system 1 is connected to a communication network (hereinafter simply referred to as “network”) 8 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) via a switching hub (not shown), for example. The medical image management apparatus 3 is preferably a WS (workstation) provided in an examination room where a doctor is resident. The WS that operates as the medical image management apparatus 3 may be configured to control activation of each image generation apparatus 2, processing conditions, and the like.

In general, the DICOM (Digital Image and Communications in Medicine) standard is used as a communication method in hospitals. For communication between devices connected to a LAN, DICOM MWM (Modality Worklist Management) and DICOM MPPS ( Modality Performed Procedure Step) is used. Note that the communication method applicable to this embodiment is not limited to this.

In a small medical facility such as a practitioner or a clinic, each device is arranged as shown in FIG. 2, for example.
That is, when entering the entrance 10, there are a reception 11 and a waiting room 12 for receiving a patient. The receptionist 11 is arranged with a counter person in charge, and the person in charge gives a reception number tag printed with a reception number for distinguishing individual patients in the order of reception, for example. The reception device 11 is provided with a reception device 4, and the window manager listens to the patient's name, and inputs the correspondence between the reception number and the patient name to the reception device 4.

Next to the waiting room 12, there is provided an examination room 13 where a doctor examines and diagnoses a patient across a door or the like. For example, a medical image management apparatus 3 for displaying a medical image or the like obtained by photographing a diagnosis target part of a patient for diagnosis by a doctor is arranged on a consultation desk (not shown) in the examination room 13. Yes. In the examination room 13, an imager 5 for printing medical images, a general-purpose printer 6, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2a that is less necessary in a space isolated from the viewpoint of privacy, and the like are installed.

In addition, a radiation imaging room 15 for performing radiography is provided opposite to the examination room 13 across the corridor 14. In the radiation imaging room 15, a radiation imaging apparatus 22 that captures an image using a CR cassette, a CR reader 2c that reads an image from the CR cassette in which the image is recorded, and a client PC 7 are disposed. Further, an examination room 16 is provided next to the radiation imaging room 15, and an endoscope 2 b and a client PC 7 are disposed in the examination room 16.

[Device configuration of each device of the small-scale diagnosis system 1]
Hereinafter, each apparatus which comprises the small-scale diagnosis system 1 is demonstrated.
The image generation apparatus 2 is an image generation unit (modality) that performs imaging using a patient's diagnosis target region as a subject, and digitally converts the captured image to generate a medical image. A medical image is an image used for interpretation diagnosis in the medical field.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (US) 2a, an endoscope (ES) 2b, and a CR reader 2c are provided as an image generation apparatus (modality) 2. Note that the image generation apparatus 2 is not limited to this, and for example, a CT imaging apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (MRI), or the like may be provided as the image generation apparatus 2. In addition, a digital camera or the like that captures the appearance of the body such as skin may be used as the image generation device 2.
Furthermore, it is good also as a structure provided with two or more image generation apparatuses 2 of the same kind, for example including two CR readers 2c. Further, the combination of the image generation devices 2 provided in the small-scale diagnosis system 1 is not limited to the one exemplified here.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2a is an ultrasonic probe that outputs ultrasonic waves, and an electronic device that is connected to the ultrasonic probe and converts sound waves (echo signals) received by the ultrasonic probe into image data of a captured image of the internal tissue. (Both not shown). The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2a sends an ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic probe into the body, receives the sound wave (echo signal) reflected by the body tissue again by the ultrasonic probe, and uses the electronic device to capture a captured image corresponding to the echo signal. It is designed to generate.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 a is connected to a conversion device 21 that is a conversion means (converter) that performs conversion from an analog signal to a digital signal. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2 a is connected to the network 8 via the conversion device 21. It is connected to the. Thus, even when data in a format that does not conform to the standards (for example, communication protocol) of other external devices connected to the network 8 is output from the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus 2a, the conversion apparatus 21 appropriately converts the data. Thus, data can be transmitted / received to / from an external device connected to the network 8.

In the present embodiment, the conversion device 21 has a function of giving a medical image a UID (unique ID) for specifying a medical image in the small-scale diagnosis system 1 in a format conforming to the DICOM standard. The UID is composed of identification information (hereinafter referred to as “modality ID”) of the image generation device 2, numbers indicating the shooting date and time, and the like. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the modality ID includes information indicating the type of the image generation device 2.

The conversion device 21 includes an input unit (not shown) such as a keyboard having character input keys, numeric input keys, and the like, and also serves as input means for inputting patient information for specifying a patient to be imaged. ing.
Here, patient information includes information such as patient ID, patient name (kanji / kana / ASCII), gender, date of birth, age, etc., as well as treatment date, imaging time, reception number, doctor in charge, etc. The patient information input in the conversion device 21 includes, for example, the patient ID, the patient name, the sex, and the date of birth. Note that it is not necessary to input all of these in the conversion device 21, and no patient information may be input. When the conversion device 21 is designed to input only the patient ID as patient information, the input unit of the conversion device 21 may be a numeric keypad, for example.

The UID and patient information given by the conversion device 21 become supplementary information attached to the medical image generated by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2a.

The endoscope 2b is a tube in which a small photographing device is provided at the distal end portion of a flexible tube (both not shown), and the photographing device includes an objective optical system including, for example, an optical lens and the like. And an imaging unit arranged at the imaging position of the objective optical system, and an illumination unit that is configured by an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like and performs illumination necessary for imaging (not shown) . The imaging unit includes a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor), for example, and photoelectrically converts it into an electrical signal of an amount corresponding to the amount of incident light. The objective optical system is configured to condense an area illuminated by the illuminating unit with an optical lens and form an image on a solid-state imaging device included in the imaging unit, and light incident on the solid-state imaging device is photoelectrically converted. As a result, the image data of the captured image is output as an electrical signal.

The CR reader 2c reads image data from a CR cassette (not shown), which is a radiographic image conversion medium in which radiographic image information obtained by imaging a diagnostic target region is recorded.
The CR cassette incorporates, for example, a radiation image conversion plate including a stimulable phosphor sheet that accumulates radiation energy, and a radiation irradiation region irradiated from a radiation source (not shown) of the radiation imaging apparatus 22 at the time of imaging. Placed inside. The CR cassette accumulates an amount of radiation in the stimulable phosphor layer of the stimulable phosphor sheet in accordance with the radiation transmittance distribution of the site to be diagnosed when irradiated with radiation. Record the radiological image information of the site to be diagnosed.

The CR reader 2c irradiates the stimulable phosphor sheet in the CR cassette loaded in the apparatus with excitation light when the CR cassette in which the radiographic image information of the diagnosis target region is recorded is loaded. The stimulated light emitted from the sheet is photoelectrically converted, and the obtained image signal is A / D converted to generate image data.
The CR reading device 2c may be an integrated device integrated with the radiation imaging device 22.

The endoscope 2b and the CR reading device 2c have a function of giving the above-described UID to the generated medical image.
In addition, the endoscope 2b and the CR reader 2c include an input unit (not shown) such as a keyboard having character input keys, numeric input keys, and the like, and patient information for specifying a patient to be imaged. Input is possible.
In addition, the patient information input in the input part of each apparatus is not specifically limited, It can also be set as not inputting patient information at all. In the case where the apparatus has a specification for inputting only a patient ID as patient information, the input unit may be a numeric keypad, for example.

The UID and patient information are incidental information attached to a medical image generated by each image generation device 2. In the present embodiment, each image generation device 2 connected to the network 8 transmits a medical image to the medical image management device 3 in a DICOM file format conforming to the DICOM standard. The DICOM file is composed of an image part and a header part. In the image portion, image data of a medical image is written, and in the header portion, incidental information related to the medical image is written.
When the image generation device 2 is a device that does not conform to the DICOM standard such as a digital camera, the image generation device 2 transmits a medical image in the JPEG format to the medical image management device 3. In this case, the UID is given to the medical image in the medical image management apparatus 3 based on the shooting date and time of the medical image.

The medical image management apparatus 3 is installed in, for example, the examination room 13 and stores the medical image generated by the image generation apparatus 2 in association with patient information in the image DB 331, or the doctor displays an image or the like to interpret an image. Or a device having a higher definition than a monitor (display unit) used in a general PC (Personal Computer).

As shown in FIG. 3, the medical image management apparatus 3 includes a control unit 31, a RAM 32, a storage unit 33, an operation unit 34, a display unit 35, a communication unit 36, a media drive 37, and the like. They are connected by a bus 38.

The control unit 31 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, reads various programs such as a system program and a processing program stored in the storage unit 33, expands them in the RAM 32, and displays outputs described later according to the expanded programs. Various processes including a control process (see FIGS. 5A to 5B) are executed.

The RAM 32 temporarily stores a work area for temporarily storing various programs, input or output data, parameters, and the like that can be executed by the control unit 31 read from the storage unit 33 in various processes controlled by the control unit 31. Form.

The storage unit 33 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a semiconductor nonvolatile memory, or the like. In addition to storing various programs as described above, the storage unit 33 stores image processing parameters for adjusting a medical image to an image quality suitable for diagnosis (a lookup table defining a gradation curve used for gradation processing). , Frequency processing enhancement level, etc.) are stored.
The storage unit 33 includes an image DB (Data Base) 331. The image DB 331 is an imaging target for a medical image (referred to as an original image) transmitted from the image generation device 2, a diagnostic image (described later in detail) created from the original image, and a thumbnail image created from the original image. These pieces of information associated with the patient information of the patient, the above-described UID, and the like are stored as key information so as to be searchable.

The operation unit 34 includes a keyboard having cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, and the like, and a pointing device such as a mouse, and a key pressing signal pressed by the keyboard and an operation signal by the mouse. Is output to the control unit 31 as an input signal.

The display unit 35 is configured to include a monitor such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various screens according to instructions of a display signal input from the control unit 31.

The communication unit 36 is configured by a network interface or the like, and transmits / receives data to / from an external device connected to the network 8 via a switching hub.

The media drive 37 is a device that reads or writes data from / to a portable recording medium M such as a CD-R (Compact Disk-Recordable), DVD-R (Digital Versatile Disk-Recordable), or MO (Magnet-Optical) disk. .

The reception device 4 is a computer device for performing registration, accounting, insurance score calculation, etc. of patients who come to the hospital, and is composed of a storage unit composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., an input composed of a keyboard, a mouse, etc. , A display unit configured by a CRT, an LCD, and the like, a communication unit (none of which is shown) that controls communication with each device connected to the network 8, and the like. When receiving a reception input screen is instructed from the input unit, the reception device 4 displays a reception input screen (not shown) on the display unit by software processing in cooperation with the CPU and a program stored in the storage unit. When reception information (reception number + patient name, etc.) is input by the input unit via this reception input screen, a patient information list of the received patients is created (updated), stored in the storage unit, and transmitted by the communication unit. It transmits to the medical image management apparatus 3 as appropriate.

The imager 5 records a latent image by laser exposure on a transmission type recording medium (film) based on the medical image transmitted from the medical image management device 3, and visualizes the latent image by thermal phenomenon processing. Printer.

The general-purpose printer 6 is a printer that records an image on a reflective recording medium (paper medium, sticker, etc.) by an ink jet method or a laser method.

The client PC 7 is a computer device that displays a medical image transmitted from the medical image management device 3, for example.

[Diagnosis flow]
Next, the flow of diagnosis for one patient in a small-scale medical facility to which the small-scale diagnosis system 1 is applied will be described.

When the patient comes to the hospital, a reception number tag is given to the patient at the reception 11, and various patients constituting the patient information list such as the patient reception number and the patient name received by the operation of the input unit at the reception device 4. Information input (acceptance input) is performed. In the reception device 4, when a patient reception number, patient information, and the like are input, a list of patient information (patient information list) is generated (updated) and stored in a predetermined area of the storage unit in the reception device 4. . The patient information list is generated, for example, when the first patient of the day is received and input, and is updated to a new patient information list every time the next patient is received and input. The patient information list is appropriately transmitted from the storage unit in the reception apparatus 4 to the medical image management apparatus 3 and stored in the RAM 32 of the medical image management apparatus 3.

When the patient to whom the reception number is assigned moves to the examination room 13, the doctor makes an inquiry to the patient and determines whether or not to perform imaging and which image generation apparatus 2 to perform imaging. If it is determined that imaging is necessary, the doctor in the medical image management apparatus 3 displays a patient information list screen (not shown) that displays the patient information list transmitted from the reception apparatus 4 by a predetermined operation of the operation unit 34. ) On the display unit 35, and by selecting the patient information of the patient to be diagnosed from the displayed patient information list, the viewer screen 351 for the patient is displayed on the display unit 35.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the viewer screen 351. The viewer screen is a diagnostic screen for displaying a medical image used for diagnosis and allowing a doctor to perform interpretation diagnosis. As shown in FIG. 4, the viewer screen 351 has a patient display column 71 that displays the patient ID and patient name of the patient selected as a diagnosis target, and it is visually recognized which patient viewer screen 351 is currently displayed. It can be done. If the list screen button 72 is operated, it is possible to return to the patient information list screen.

The viewer screen 351 includes an image display field 73 for displaying medical images used for diagnosis among the medical images of the patient to be diagnosed, and a thumbnail image display field 74 for displaying a list of thumbnail images of the medical images of the patient to be diagnosed. Is provided. The generation of the thumbnail image will be described later.

In addition, the viewer screen 351 is provided with an image capture button 81a and an image capture button 81b.
The image capture button 81a captures a medical image transmitted from the various image generation devices 2 connected to the network 8 as an image of a patient (a patient displayed in the patient display column 71) currently being diagnosed. It is a button for instructing. In the present embodiment, the image capture button 81a corresponds to the type of the image generation device 2 connected to the network 8 (ultrasound diagnosis device (US) 2a, endoscope (ES) 2b, CR reader 2c). The three types “CR”, “US”, and “ES” are arranged on the viewer screen 351. When the image generation apparatus 2 of another type (for example, CT or MRI) is connected to the network 8, an image capture button 81a corresponding to the image generation apparatus 81 is provided.
The image capture button 81b is used to display a medical image transmitted from the image generation apparatus 2 such as a digital camera via an interface such as a USB (not shown) of a patient who is currently diagnosed (a patient displayed in the patient display column 71). This is a button for instructing to capture as an image.

When any of the

image capture buttons

81a or 81b is pressed (clicked) on the viewer screen 351 by the operation unit 34, the viewer screen 351 of the patient to be diagnosed is closed or the capture button is released. In the meantime, the medical image transmitted from the image generating device 2 of the type corresponding to the pressed

image capturing button

81a or 81b is captured as the medical image of the patient to be diagnosed, and the captured medical image is the original image as the patient. Are stored in the image DB 331 in association with the patient information. The captured medical image is displayed in the image display field 73 as a medical image used for diagnosis, and the thumbnail image is generated and displayed in the thumbnail image display field 74 (see FIG. 9A).

Note that when a medical image is transmitted from the type of image generation device 2 in which the

image capture button

81a or 81b is not pressed, the medical image is stored in an undetermined image storage unit (not shown) provided in the storage unit 33. Is done.

Further, the viewer screen 351 is provided with a date button 75. When any of the date buttons is pressed, a thumbnail image of a medical image taken on the date indicated by the date button pressed by the patient to be diagnosed is read from the image DB 331, and the read thumbnail image is displayed as a thumbnail image. It is additionally displayed in the column 74.

The viewer screen 351 is provided with various tool buttons 83 for displaying the images displayed in the image display field 73 in an easy-to-see manner. Examples of the tool button 83 include various image processing buttons for performing image processing such as density contrast adjustment processing, black-and-white reversal processing, and enlargement / reduction processing on the displayed diagnostic image, and annotations to be superimposed on the lesion portion of the diagnostic image. There are buttons for selecting the shape.

The viewer screen 351 further includes an image output button 82a for designating the imager 5 as a medical image output destination, an image output button 82b for designating the general-purpose printer 6 as a medical image output destination, and a medical image output destination. An image output button 82c for designating a recording medium, and an image output button 82d for designating an external device (here, the client PC 7 or the like) as a medical image output destination.

When the viewer screen 351 is displayed, the doctor presses the

image capture button

81a or 82b corresponding to the image generation apparatus 2 that performs imaging of the patient by the operation unit 34. An imaging operator such as a radiographer or nurse takes the patient in front of the imaging device 2 (ultrasound diagnostic device 2a, endoscope 2b) or radiation imaging device 22 that performs imaging. Imaging is performed using a patient's diagnosis target region as a subject. For example, the radiographer performs imaging with the radiation imaging apparatus 22, sets a cassette imaged in the radiation imaging apparatus 22 in the CR reader 2 c, and reads a radiation image recorded in the cassette. In the image generation device 2, a medical image is generated based on the photographing and is transmitted to the medical image management device 3.

In the medical image management apparatus 3, when the medical image transmitted from the image generation apparatus 2 is received, the image of the transmission source of the medical image is referred to by the reference of the UID attached to the received medical image, the reception path, or the like. It is determined whether the

image capture button

81a or 81b corresponding to the type of the generation device 2 has been pressed in advance. When the

image capture button

81 a or 81 b corresponding to the type of the image generation apparatus 2 that is the transmission source is pressed in advance, the received medical image is displayed as the patient medical image displayed in the patient display column 71 of the viewer screen 351. Captured and displayed in the image display field 73.

Upon completion of imaging, the patient returns to the examination room 13, and the doctor performs image diagnosis of the patient based on the diagnostic image displayed on the viewer screen 351.

[Operation of Medical Image Management Device 3]
Next, the operation of the medical image management apparatus 3 will be described in detail.
5A to 5B, a display output control process executed by the control unit 31 when patient information of a patient to be diagnosed is selected from the patient information list screen displayed on the display unit 35 by the operation unit 34. The flow is shown. The processing is realized by software processing through cooperation between the control unit 31 and a program stored in the storage unit 33.

First, a viewer screen 351 for the patient selected on the patient information list screen is displayed on the display unit 35 (step S1). Next, an image capturing process is executed (step S2).

FIG. 6 shows a flow of the image capturing process executed in step S2 of FIG. 5A. The processing is realized by software processing through cooperation between the control unit 31 and a program stored in the storage unit 33.

The

image capture button

81a or 81b is pressed by the operation unit 34, and a medical image transmitted from the image generation device 2 corresponding to the pressed

image capture button

81a or 81b is received via the communication unit 36 or an interface (not shown). (Step S100), a display image array is generated in the RAM 32, and the image ID and reception order of the received medical images are stored as initial values of the display image array (Step S101).

7A to 7E show examples of display image arrays. The display image array is an array for storing display information (image ID, order) of medical images in the image display field 73 of the viewer screen 351. As shown in FIG. 7A, the display image array includes array NO. In addition, a number indicating the display order (order), an image ID for identifying an image, and information indicating a selection state as an output target (print target) image are stored in association with each other. In step S101, first, an array for the number of received (captured) medical images is generated, and “No” is set as the initial value in the “selected state”. Next, for each medical image, a number indicating the reception order of the medical image is sequentially stored in “sequence” of the array, and an image ID is stored in “image ID”. For example, when the medical images received in step S100 are three images ID = A1, A2, and A3, and received in the order of A1, A2, and A3, the display image array is the array shown in FIG. 7A. . In this example, for convenience, the image IDs are A1, A2, and A3. However, in this embodiment, the UID is used as the image ID.

Next, the received medical image is associated with the patient information of the patient selected on the patient information list screen, and is registered (stored) in the image DB 331 as an original image (step S102).

Next, a diagnostic image is generated based on the original image (step S103), and is registered (stored) in the image DB 331 in association with the selected patient information and the original image (step S104). Here, the diagnostic image is an image used when displayed in the image display field 73 on the viewer screen 351, and the original image is stored in the image DB 331 as received. When image processing is performed in accordance with a doctor's operation, the image processed image is overwritten and saved. In step S103, another file in which the file name of the original image is changed is created.

Next, the original image is reduced to generate a thumbnail image (step S105), and is registered (stored) in the image DB 331 in association with the selected patient information, original image, and diagnostic image (step S106). The process proceeds to step S3 in FIG. 5A.
For example, the image DB 331 has an image information table with items such as UID, patient ID, patient name, original image file storage location, diagnostic image file storage location, thumbnail image file storage location, etc. When each image is registered, information is also registered in the image information table. As a result, the original image, the diagnostic image and the thumbnail image created from the original image are associated with the patient information and the UID, and stored so as to be searchable by the patient information, the type of the image generation device 2 and the imaging date.

When the image capture process is completed, a diagnostic image designation process is executed (step S3).

FIG. 8 shows a flow of the diagnostic image designation process executed in step S3 of FIG. 5A. The processing is realized by software processing through cooperation between the control unit 31 and a program stored in the storage unit 33.

First, the captured medical image is displayed on the viewer screen 351 (step S201). That is, based on the display image arrangement stored in the RAM 32, the diagnostic image of the medical image captured by the image capture process is read from the image DB 331 and displayed in the image display field 73, and the corresponding thumbnail image is displayed. Are read out and displayed in the thumbnail image display field 74 in the order of shooting date and time. FIG. 9A shows an example of the viewer screen 351 displayed in step S201.

When an instruction to change the diagnostic image displayed on the image display field 73 is input by the operation unit 34 on the viewer screen 351 (step S202; YES), the diagnostic image displayed on the image display field 73 is added. When it is determined whether or not the instruction is an instruction to add, and it is determined that the instruction is not an instruction to add a diagnostic image (step S203; NO), the process proceeds to step S206. When it is determined that the instruction is an instruction to add a diagnostic image (step S203; YES), information of the image instructed to be additionally displayed is added to the display image array of the RAM 32 (step S204), and the image display is performed. The diagnostic image instructed to be added is displayed at the end of the column 73 (step S205). An instruction to add a diagnostic image to be displayed in the image display field 73 can be given by, for example, selecting the thumbnail image to be added in the thumbnail image display field 74 by double-clicking with the operation unit 34. The thumbnail image displayed in the thumbnail image display field 74 can be added if other medical images of the same patient are stored in the image DB 331. For example, when a desired date is pressed with the date button 75 by the operation unit 34, a thumbnail image of the patient to be diagnosed taken on the date is displayed in the thumbnail image display field 74.

FIG. 7B shows an example of writing information to the display image array when the operation unit 34 instructs to add a diagnostic image. For example, in the state where the diagnostic image is displayed based on the display image arrangement shown in FIG. 7A, when an additional display of diagnostic images with image ID = A4 to A7 is instructed, the display image arrangement is shown in FIG. 7B. Changed to the array shown.

In step S <b> 206, it is determined whether or not the instruction input by the operation unit 34 is an instruction to delete any of the diagnostic images displayed in the image display field 73 from the image display field 73. If it is determined that it is not an instruction to delete the diagnostic image from (step S206; NO), the process proceeds to step S209. When it is determined that the instruction is an instruction to delete the diagnostic image from the image display field 73 (step S206; YES), the information of the image instructed to be deleted is deleted from the display image arrangement in the RAM 32 (step S206). In step S207, the diagnostic image instructed to be deleted is deleted from the image display field 73 (step S208). The instruction to delete the diagnostic image displayed in the image display field 73 from the image display field 73 is, for example, selected by clicking the operation unit 34 on the diagnostic image to be deleted in the image display field 73, and the tool button 83. This can be done by pressing the “select and clear display” button.

FIG. 7C shows an example of deletion of information from the display image array when the operation unit 34 instructs the deletion of the diagnostic image. For example, in the state where the diagnostic image is displayed based on the display image arrangement shown in FIG. 7B, when deletion of the diagnostic image with the image ID = A3 is instructed, the display image arrangement is changed to the arrangement shown in FIG. 7C. Be changed.

In step S209, it is determined whether or not the instruction input by the operation unit 34 is an instruction to change the display order of the diagnostic images displayed in the image display field 73, and the instruction is the display order of the diagnostic images. If it is determined that it is not a change instruction (step S209; NO), the process returns to step S202. When it is determined that the instruction is an instruction to change the display order of the diagnostic images (step S209; YES), the “order” of the images to be changed is changed in the display image array of the RAM 32 (step S210). The display order of the diagnostic images displayed in the image display field 73 is changed (step S211). An instruction to change the display order of the diagnostic images displayed in the image display field 73 is, for example, dragging and dropping one image from the image display field 73 to another image whose display order is to be changed. One image can be performed by dragging and dropping it on a boundary line between images to be inserted.

FIG. 7D shows an example of changing the information in the display image arrangement when an instruction to change the display order of diagnostic images is given. For example, in the state where the diagnostic image is displayed based on the display image arrangement shown in FIG. 7C, when the display order of the image IDs A2 and A6 is instructed, the display image arrangement is the arrangement shown in FIG. 7D. Changed to FIG. 7E shows an example of a change in the display image arrangement when the diagnosis image is displayed based on the display image arrangement shown in FIG. . For example, when it is instructed to insert an image with the image ID A7 behind A6, the display image arrangement is changed to the arrangement shown in FIG. 7E.

On the other hand, in step S202, when the instruction to change the diagnostic image displayed on the viewer screen 351 is not input by the operation unit 34 (step S202; NO), the process proceeds to step S4 in FIG. 5A.

According to the above-described diagnostic image designation processing, it is possible to designate a medical image used for diagnosis and a display order in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 34.

In step S4 of FIG. 5A, various processing for diagnosis (image processing and annotation display) and the like are performed on the diagnostic image displayed on the viewer screen 351 in accordance with the input from the operation unit 34. The diagnostic image file subjected to the image processing is overwritten on the image after the image processing and stored in the image DB 331. In the file subjected to image processing, the image itself may be overwritten, or the image processing parameters may be overwritten on the accompanying information.

When one or more images among the diagnostic images displayed in the image display field 73 are selected as an output target (print target) image (referred to as an output image) by the operation unit 34 on the viewer screen 351 ( In step S5; YES, the “selected state” of the display image array is changed from “No” to “Yes” for the selected image (step S6). For example, in step S5, when images with image ID = A1, A2, A5 are selected on the viewer screen 351 displayed based on the display image arrangement shown in FIG. 7E, the display image arrangement is as shown in FIG. Be changed. The selection of the diagnostic image displayed in the image display field 73 can be performed by, for example, clicking with the operation unit 34 or clicking with the Shift key held down to select a plurality of images. Also, as shown in FIG. 9B, the selected image among the diagnostic images displayed in the image display field 73 is displayed separately from other unselected images, such as surrounded by a thick color frame.

When any one of the image output buttons 82a to 82d is pressed by the operation unit 34 (step S7), an output image for setting an output image in the RAM 32 based on the content of the “selected state” of the display image array. An array is generated (step S8).

FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C show examples of output image arrays. As shown in FIG. 11A, the output image array is an array for setting an output image. The output order (order) and the image ID are stored. In step S8, an array for the selected output image is generated. In the display image array, the image ID of the array whose “selection state” is Yes is “image ID”, and the display is performed between the selected images on the viewer screen 351. A number indicating the order is stored in “order” as the output order. For example, when the display image array is in the state shown in FIG. 10, the output image array generated in step S8 is the array shown in FIG. 11A. Thus, the image selected as the output image by operating the operation unit 34 on the viewer screen 351 is set as the output image in the output image array.

Next, the image output destination is determined based on the pressed image output button. When it is determined that the image output destination is an external device (step S9; host output), a host output screen 352 is displayed on the display unit 35 (step S10).

FIG. 12 shows an example of the host output screen 352. As shown in FIG. 12, the host output screen 352 includes a transmission destination selection button 91, an output image selection field 92, a transmission button 93, and the like. The transmission destination selection button 91 is an operation button for selecting an external device (registered in advance, for example, the client PC 7) as a transmission destination of the output image. The output image selection field 92 is an area for selecting an image to be output to an external device, and a list of thumbnail output images of candidate images to be output to the external device. The transmission button 93 is an operation button for instructing transmission of an output image.

In step S10, the thumbnail image of the diagnostic image displayed in the image display field 73 of the viewer screen 351 immediately before switching to the host output screen 352 is displayed based on the display image arrangement stored in the RAM 32. Displayed in the output image selection field 92 in the displayed order. For example, when the display state of the image display field 73 on the viewer screen 351 is the state shown in FIG. 9B, the output image selection field 92 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. In this way, the image used by the doctor for the diagnosis on the viewer screen 351 is displayed as an output target candidate without losing the display order. Therefore, the doctor can output an output image to be transmitted to the external device from the images used for the diagnosis. It becomes possible to select easily, and the operability at the time of output image selection can be improved.
In step S 10, the selection state of the output image on the viewer screen 351 is taken over by the host output screen 352 based on the display image arrangement stored in the RAM 32, and is selected on the viewer screen 351 in the output image selection field 92. The output image thus displayed is displayed separately from other unselected images. For example, it is highlighted by being surrounded by a thick color frame.

When it is determined that the image output destination is a recording medium (step S9; media output), a media output screen 353 is displayed on the display unit 35 (step S11).

FIG. 13 shows an example of the media output screen 353. As shown in FIG. 13, the media output screen 353 is provided with a write destination designation field 94, an output image selection field 95, a write button 96, and the like. The write destination designation field 94 is an area for designating an output (write) destination of the output image. The output image selection field 95 is an area for selecting an image to be output to the recording medium, and a list of images to be output to the recording medium is displayed as thumbnail images. The write button 96 is an operation button for instructing output (writing) of an output image to a recording medium.

In step S11, the thumbnail image of the diagnostic image displayed in the image display field 73 of the viewer screen 351 immediately before switching to the media output screen 353 is displayed based on the display image arrangement stored in the RAM 32. Are displayed in the output image selection field 95 in the displayed order. For example, when the display state of the image display field 73 on the viewer screen 351 is the state shown in FIG. 9B, the output image selection field 95 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. In this way, the image used by the doctor for the diagnosis on the viewer screen 351 is displayed as an output target candidate without losing the display order. Therefore, the doctor outputs an output image to be output to the recording medium from the images used for the diagnosis. It becomes possible to select easily, and the operability at the time of output image selection can be improved.
In step S11, the selection state of the output image on the viewer screen 351 is taken over by the media output screen 353 based on the display image arrangement stored in the RAM 32. In the output image selection field 95, the viewer screen 351 The selected output image is displayed separately from other unselected images. For example, it is highlighted by being surrounded by a thick color frame.

When it is determined that the image output destination is an imager (step S9; imager output), an imager print screen 354 is displayed on the display unit 35 (step S12).

FIG. 14 shows an example of the imager print screen 354. As shown in FIG. 14, the imager print screen 354 includes an output image selection field 97, a print image display field 98, a page number display field 99, a print layout selection button 100, a print button 101, an image clear button C3, and the like. ing. The output image selection column 97 is an area for selecting an image to be output to the imager 5, that is, an image to be printed in the imager 5, and a list of images to be printed is displayed as thumbnail images. . The print image display field 98 is an area for displaying an image for each page printed by the imager 5. The page number display field 99 is an area for displaying the page number of the page displayed in the print image display field 98 and instructing page feed. A print layout selection button 100 is an operation button for designating a layout (print layout) of an image output from the imager.

In step S12, the thumbnail image of the diagnostic image displayed in the image display field 73 of the viewer screen 351 immediately before switching to the imager print screen 354 is displayed based on the display image arrangement stored in the RAM 32. Are displayed in the output image selection field 97 in the displayed order. For example, when the display state of the image display field 73 on the viewer screen 351 is the state shown in FIG. 9B, the output image selection field 97 shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. As described above, the image used by the doctor for the diagnosis on the viewer screen 351 is displayed as a candidate for printing without losing the display order. Therefore, the doctor outputs an output image to be printed by the imager 5 from the images used for the diagnosis. It becomes possible to select easily, and the operability at the time of output image selection can be improved.
In step S12, the selection state of the output image on the viewer screen 351 is taken over by the imager print screen 354 based on the display image arrangement stored in the RAM 32, and is selected on the viewer screen 351 in the output image selection field 97. The output image thus displayed is displayed separately from other unselected images. For example, the output image selected on the viewer screen 351 is highlighted by being surrounded by a thick color frame. Further, in the print image display column 98, diagnostic images of images selected as print targets in the viewer screen 351 and the output image selection column 97 are arranged and displayed in the order determined by the output image arrangement based on the print layout. Is done. In step S12, the print image display field 98 is displayed based on a default print layout (for example, 3 × 3, 4 × 4, etc.) by default, and the print layout information is stored in the RAM 32. .

As described above, the imager print screen 354 displays an output image selection field 97 for selecting an output image that is an image to be printed, and a print image for each page in which the selected output image is arranged based on the print layout. Since a print image display field 98 is provided, a user such as a doctor can immediately check the diagnostic image and the print image of the print target image on the same screen after selecting the print target image. It is possible to quickly and accurately select an image to be printed and to determine a print layout.

When it is determined that the image output destination is a general-purpose printer (step S9; general-purpose printer output), a general-purpose print screen 355 is displayed on the display unit 35 (step S13). Since the general-purpose print screen 355 is the same except that the heading is different from the imager print screen 354, description and illustration are omitted.

When the output screens 352 to 354 corresponding to the image output buttons 82a to 82d pressed by the operation unit 34 are displayed on the display unit 35, an output image setting process is executed (step S14).

15A to 15B show a flow of the output image setting process executed in step S14 of FIG. 5B. The processing is realized by software processing through cooperation between the control unit 31 and a program stored in the storage unit 33. In the following description, the output screens 352 to 355 displayed on the display unit 35 are collectively referred to as output screens.

First, the output destination of the image is determined, and if it is determined that the output destination of the image is an external device or a recording medium (step S301; host output, media output), the process proceeds to step S305. When it is determined that the image output destination is the imager 5 or the general-purpose printer 6 (step S301; imager output, general-purpose printing), the print layout selection button 100 is operated by the operation unit 34, and the print layout is selected. It is determined whether or not a change has been instructed (step S302). When it is determined that a print layout change has been instructed by pressing one of the print layout selection buttons 100 by the operation unit 34 (step S302; YES), information indicating the print layout instructed by the operation unit 34 is displayed. The information is stored (overwritten) in the print layout information in the RAM 32 (step S303), and the image arrangement number in the print image display field 98 is changed to the designated print layout image arrangement number (step S304). Then, the process proceeds to step S305.

When an instruction to change the output image is input by the operation unit 34 (step S305; YES), it is determined whether or not the instruction is an instruction to add an output image, and is not an instruction to add an output image. If so (step S306; NO), the process proceeds to step S311. If it is determined that the instruction is an instruction to add an output image (step S306; YES), an instruction to add to the output image array stored in the RAM 32 is selected (selected as an additional output image). Image information is additionally written in the output image array (step S307, see FIG. 11B). Further, the thumbnail image of the image instructed to be added displayed in the output image selection column (output

image selection column

92, 95, or 97; the same applies hereinafter) is highlighted by, for example, being surrounded by a thick color frame. (Step S308). Furthermore, when the output destination is the imager 5 or the general-purpose printer 6 (step S309; YES), the image instructed to be added is displayed at the end of the print image display field 98 (step S310), and the process proceeds to step S311. Transition. An instruction to add an output image can be given, for example, by double-clicking and selecting a thumbnail image displayed in the output image selection field using the operation unit 34.

FIG. 11B shows an example of writing information to the output image array when an instruction to add an output image is given. For example, in the state where thumbnail images are displayed based on the output image arrangement shown in FIG. 11A, when an instruction to add images with image ID = A4, A6, A7 as an output image is input, the output image arrangement is The arrangement is changed to that shown in FIG. 11B.

In step S311, it is determined whether or not the instruction input by the operation unit 34 is an instruction to cancel the selection state as the output image, and it is determined that the instruction is not an instruction to delete the selection state as the output image. When done (step S311; NO), the process returns to step S301. If it is determined that the instruction is an instruction to cancel the selection state as an output image (step S311; YES), information on the image for which selection is instructed is deleted from the output image arrangement in the RAM 32 (step S312). ), The highlighted display of the thumbnail image of the image instructed to be deselected in the output image selection column is canceled (step S313). Further, when the output destination is the imager 5 or the general-purpose printer 6 (step S314; YES), the image instructed to be deselected is deleted from the print image display field 98 (step S315), and the process proceeds to step S301. Return. The instruction to cancel the selection as an output image is performed by, for example, selecting a thumbnail image to be deselected in the output image selection field by clicking on the operation unit 34 and pressing the “clear selected image” button (image clear button C3). It can be done by doing.

FIG. 11C shows an example of deleting information from the output image array when an instruction to cancel the selection as an output image is input. For example, in the state where the thumbnail image is displayed based on the output image arrangement shown in FIG. 11B, when an instruction to deselect the image with the image ID A4 is instructed, the output image arrangement is changed to the arrangement shown in FIG. 11C. The

On the other hand, when the instruction to change the output image is not input by the operation unit 34 (step S305; NO), the process proceeds to step S15 in FIG. 5B.
By the output image setting process, an image selected from the output target candidates by the operation unit 34 can be set as an output image.

When an output button (send button 93, write button 96, print button 101) on the displayed output screen is pressed by the operation unit 34 (step S15), the image (diagnosis) selected as the output image as the output destination Image) is output (step S16).
For example, when the output destination is an external device, an external device (for example, client PC 7) in which an image (diagnosis image file) set as an output image in the output image array is designated via the communication unit 36 is used. Sent to.
When the output destination is a recording medium, an image (diagnosis image file) set as an output image in the output image array is written to the recording medium M loaded in the designated media drive 37.
When the output destination is an imager, an image (diagnosis image file) set as an output image in the output image array is transmitted to the imager 5 through the communication unit 36 together with the print layout information. Alternatively, the diagnostic image to be printed is synthesized based on the output image arrangement and the designated print layout, and the synthesized image is transmitted to the imager 5.
When the output destination is a general-purpose printer, an image (diagnosis image file) set as an output image in the output image array is transmitted to the general-purpose printer 6 through the communication unit 36 together with the print layout information. Alternatively, the diagnostic image to be printed is synthesized based on the output image arrangement and the designated print layout, and the synthesized image is transmitted to the general-purpose printer 6.

When an instruction to close the output screen is input by the operation unit 34 (step S17), the screen of the display unit 35 returns to the viewer screen 351 (step S18), and when the end button 84 is clicked on the viewer screen 351 (step S18). S19), this process ends.

As described above, according to the medical image management apparatus 3 in the present embodiment, the thumbnail image of the medical image displayed as the medical image used for diagnosis in the image display field 73 of the viewer screen 351 according to the operation of the operation unit 34. Are arranged in the display order in the image display field 73 and displayed as print target candidates in the output image selection field of the print screen (imager print screen 354, general-purpose print screen 355). Further, the print image for each page in which the diagnostic image of the medical image selected as the print target by the operation unit 34 is arranged on the print screen based on the designated print layout is displayed in the print image display column 98.

Therefore, thumbnail images of images used for diagnosis on the viewer screen 351 by the user such as a doctor are displayed on the print screen as print target candidates without losing the display order. In particular, it is possible to easily select a medical image to be output to the outside, and to improve operability when selecting an image to be printed.

Further, in the viewer screen 351, it is possible to specify an image to be displayed as a print target candidate and a display order while viewing a diagnostic image instead of a thumbnail image having a small image size. It becomes easy to distinguish images, reprinting due to image selection mistakes can be reduced, and resources such as film and paper and waste of time can be reduced.

Also, on the print screen, among the medical images displayed as print target candidates, the thumbnail image selected as the print target is highlighted with a color frame or the like so as to be distinguished from the thumbnail images of other unselected images. A user such as a doctor can easily recognize whether an image has been selected, and the operability when selecting an output image can be improved.

In addition, an image selected by a predetermined operation of the operation unit 34 from images displayed as medical images used for diagnosis can be set in the image display field 73 of the viewer screen 351 as an image to be printed. Since the setting is transferred to the print screen, a user such as a doctor can select all or a part of the image to be printed while viewing a diagnostic image larger than the thumbnail image on the viewer screen 351. The operability at the time of image selection can be improved.

Further, the imager print screen 354 and the general-purpose print screen 355 include an output image selection field 97 for selecting an image to be printed, and a print image for each page in which diagnostic images of the selected image are arranged based on the print layout. And a print image display field 98 for displaying a print target candidate image (thumbnail image) used for diagnosis, an image selected as a print target (diagnosis image), and a print image for each page. Provided on one screen. Therefore, a user such as a doctor can immediately check the diagnostic image and the print image of the image to be printed on the same screen after selecting the image to be printed, and can quickly and accurately select the image to be printed. It is possible to determine the print layout.

In addition, the description in this Embodiment mentioned above is an example of the suitable small-scale diagnosis system which concerns on this invention, and is not limited to this.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the external device serving as the output destination of the medical image has been described as the client PC in the medical facility. For example, a configuration may be used in which a medical image is transmitted to a system of another medical facility that is linked via a WAN (Wide Area Network), the Internet, or the like.

For example, in the above description, an example in which a hard disk, a semiconductor nonvolatile memory, or the like is used as a computer-readable medium of the program according to the present invention is disclosed, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As another computer-readable medium, a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM can be applied. Further, a carrier wave is also applied as a medium for providing program data according to the present invention via a communication line.

In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each device constituting the small-scale diagnosis support system can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It should be noted that the Japanese Patent Application No. 1993 filed on February 29, 2008, including the description, claims, drawings and abstract. The entire disclosure of 2008-050254 is incorporated in its entirety into this application.

In the medical field, there is a possibility of using a medical image management apparatus for displaying a medical image for diagnosis by a doctor and selecting a medical image to be printed based on a user operation.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Small-scale diagnostic system 2 Image generation apparatus 2a Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 2b Endoscope 2c CR reader 3 Medical image management apparatus 4 Reception apparatus 5 Imager 6 General-purpose printer 7 Client PC
8 Network 21 Conversion device 22 Radiography device 31 Control unit 32 RAM
33 storage unit 331 image DB
34 Operation unit 35 Display unit 351 Viewer screen 352 Host output screen 353 Media output screen 354 Imager print screen 36 Communication unit 37 Media drive 38 Bus 73 Image display field 74 Thumbnail image display field

Claims

Storage means for storing medical images;
Operation means;
Display means for displaying a diagnostic screen for displaying a medical image used for diagnosis, and a print screen for selecting a medical image to be printed and specifying a print layout by operation of the operation means;
When selecting the medical image stored in the storage unit on the diagnostic screen as the medical image used for diagnosis and changing the display order by operating the operation unit, and selecting the medical image to be printed on the print screen The medical images displayed as the medical images used for diagnosis on the diagnostic screen are arranged and displayed in the display order on the diagnostic screen, and the medical images selected as the printing targets by the operation means are Control means for displaying a print image for each page arranged based on the print layout designated by the operation means;
A medical image management apparatus comprising:
The said control means displays the medical image selected as a printing target by operation of the said operation means among the printing target candidates displayed on the said printing screen, distinguishing from the other medical image which is not selected. Medical image management device.
3. The medical image management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets a medical image selected by the operation unit from among print target candidates displayed on the print screen as a medical image to be printed.
The control means further sets a medical image selected by an operation of the operating means from medical images displayed as medical images used for the diagnosis on the diagnostic screen as a medical image to be printed. The medical image management apparatus described in 1.
A diagnostic screen display step for displaying on the display means a diagnostic screen for displaying a medical image used for diagnosis;
In the diagnostic screen, a diagnostic image display step of selecting and changing the display order of the medical image stored in the storage unit as a medical image used for diagnosis by operating the operation unit;
A print screen display step for displaying on the display means a print screen for selecting a medical image to be printed and specifying a print layout by operating the operation means;
On the print screen, as the print target candidates when selecting the medical image to be printed, the medical images displayed as the medical images used for diagnosis on the diagnostic screen are arranged and displayed in the display order on the diagnostic screen. A candidate printing process for displaying a print image for each page in which medical images selected as print targets by the operation means are arranged based on the designated print layout;
Print screen display method including.
The said printing candidate display process distinguishes and displays the medical image selected as a printing object by operation of the said operation means among the printing object candidates displayed on the said printing screen from the other medical image which is not selected. The print screen display method described in 1.
Computer
Storage means for storing medical images;
Display means for displaying a diagnostic screen for displaying a medical image used for diagnosis, and a print screen for selecting a medical image to be printed and specifying a print layout by operating the operation means,
When selecting the medical image stored in the storage unit on the diagnostic screen as the medical image used for diagnosis and changing the display order by operating the operation unit, and selecting the medical image to be printed on the print screen The medical image displayed as the medical image used for diagnosis on the diagnostic screen is arranged and displayed in the display order on the diagnostic screen as the print target candidate, and the medical image selected as the print target by the operation unit is Control means for displaying a print image for each page arranged based on the print layout designated by the operation means;
Program to function as.
The said control means displays the medical image selected as a printing object by operation of the said operation means among the printing object candidates displayed on the said printing screen, distinguishing from other unselected medical images. Program.
The program according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the control unit sets a medical image selected by the operation unit from among print target candidates displayed on the print screen as a medical image to be printed.
The control means further sets a medical image selected by operating the operating means from medical images displayed as medical images used for the diagnosis on the diagnostic screen as a medical image to be printed. The program described in.