WO2014192505A1 - 画像処理装置及びプログラム - Google Patents
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Definitions
- the present invention relates to an image processing technique for a dynamic image in which a human or animal body is photographed.
- a dynamic image can be taken for a subject area including a diagnosis target area by using a semiconductor image sensor such as an FPD (flat panel detector)
- a semiconductor image sensor such as an FPD (flat panel detector)
- FPD flat panel detector
- pathological analysis and diagnosis resulting from motion analysis of the diagnosis target region and the like For example, in the dynamic analysis of the X-ray chest, the functional state of the target region is grasped by using the change in luminance in the lung field for each position in the lung field, and the diagnosis / treatment of a user such as a doctor is supported (CAD for X-ray dynamic image) ) Is also being studied.
- Patent Document 1 discloses an image processing apparatus that facilitates comparison by displaying a plurality of diagnostic images side by side and synchronizing operations.
- each part of the fetus is measured in the obstetrics and gynecology department, and a standard statistical value is generated when determining the degree of growth of the fetus and the presence or absence of normality or abnormality.
- a technique for displaying a value and a measured value together with an ultrasonic image is disclosed.
- JP 2011-83619 A JP-A-6-142100
- the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and at first glance, the difference between an analysis value in a dynamic image of a body to be diagnosed and a statistical value calculated from a plurality of bodies different from the body.
- An object is to provide an image processing technique that can be grasped.
- the image processing apparatus sets the state of the dynamic cycle in which the physical state of the target region in the body of the human or animal object changes periodically.
- a reference dynamic image acquisition means for acquiring a reference dynamic image sequentially photographed in a direction, and an overall analysis value in the entire target region by performing image analysis processing on a plurality of frame images constituting the reference dynamic image And a statistical analysis process for performing a statistical analysis process on the whole or a part of the target region using the whole analysis value, and obtaining a first analysis value representing the diagnosis region.
- the invention according to claim 2 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising region setting means for performing region setting processing for setting the diagnostic region from the target region, wherein the statistical analysis unit comprises The first analysis value is obtained by selectively performing the statistical analysis processing on the diagnostic region set in the region setting processing among the entire analysis values.
- the invention according to claim 3 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display means further performs a process of displaying a whole analysis image based on the whole analysis value,
- the whole analysis image includes an analysis still image configured as a still image based on the plurality of frame images.
- the invention of claim 4 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display means further performs a process of displaying a whole analysis image based on the whole analysis value,
- the whole analysis image includes an analysis dynamic image configured as a dynamic image based on the plurality of frame images.
- the invention according to claim 5 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first analysis value includes a plurality of first analysis values calculated based on the plurality of frame images.
- the display means sequentially displays the plurality of first analysis values corresponding to the shooting times of the plurality of frame images, and temporally associates the analysis dynamic image with the plurality of first analysis values. The display process is further performed.
- the invention according to claim 6 is the image processing device according to claim 5, wherein the display means displays a graph in which the plurality of first analysis values are plotted in the imaging time direction. Further, the graph is temporally related to the analysis dynamic image.
- the invention according to claim 7 is the image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the reference statistical value indicates unique information of the plurality of objects.
- Imaging target parameter, disease information parameter indicating presence / absence of disease and state of the plurality of objects, imaging environment parameter indicating imaging environment in which the reference dynamic image is captured, and the reference dynamic image being captured It includes a statistical value after classifying at least one of the respiratory state parameters indicating the respiratory state of the object as a parameter.
- the invention according to claim 8 is the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the image analysis processing is performed by changing luminance in corresponding pixels between the plurality of frame images.
- the invention according to claim 9 is the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the reference statistical value is a reference dynamic image of the plurality of past objects.
- the average value, the maximum value, the minimum value, the maximum value and the minimum value It includes at least one value of the range and the degree of variation.
- the invention according to claim 10 is the image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the target area includes a lung field area.
- the invention according to claim 11 is the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the generation instruction information includes a diagnosis region, image analysis information, statistical analysis information, and It is at least one piece of parameter information.
- a program that causes a computer to function as the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects when executed by a computer included in the image processing apparatus. It is.
- any one of claims 1 to 11 statistical analysis processing is performed on the entire analysis value obtained by performing image analysis processing on a plurality of frame images constituting the reference dynamic image.
- the first analysis value is obtained, and the first analysis value and the reference statistical value to be compared with the first analysis value are displayed together. That is, the first analysis value of the body of the target object currently diagnosed and the reference statistical value calculated using the reference dynamic images of a plurality of past target objects other than the target object are simultaneously displayed. It becomes possible. Thereby, since it is possible to grasp at a glance a difference from the reference statistical value calculated from a plurality of past objects, it can be diagnostic support information for a user such as a doctor. For this reason, the diagnosis time can be shortened, and the dynamic diagnosis can be performed appropriately and efficiently.
- the area setting process for setting the diagnosis area from the target area is performed. Thereby, the user can set a desired area (for example, an abnormal area) as a diagnostic area.
- the statistical analysis means obtains a first analysis value by selectively performing a statistical analysis process on the diagnostic region set in the region setting process among the entire analysis values. That is, it is possible to obtain the first analysis value of the diagnosis area and the reference statistical value of the diagnosis area. For example, when there is an abnormality only in a part of the target area subjected to the image analysis processing, by setting the area having the abnormality as a diagnostic area, a first analysis value effective for diagnosis can be obtained at the same time. A statistical value for reference specialized in the region having the abnormality is obtained. That is, since the first analysis value and the reference statistical value are values that vary depending on the set region, it is possible to obtain information appropriate and significant for diagnosis by narrowing down the diagnosis region.
- the display means further performs a process of displaying an entire analysis image based on the entire analysis value, and the entire analysis image is an analysis still image configured as a still image based on a plurality of frame images. including.
- the user can set a desired region (for example, a region with an abnormality) as a diagnostic region while viewing the analysis still image.
- the first analysis value and the reference statistical value can be compared, and at the same time, an abnormality or the like can be confirmed on the analysis still image.
- the display means further performs a process of displaying the entire analysis image based on the entire analysis value, and the entire analysis image is an analysis dynamic image configured as a dynamic image based on a plurality of frame images. including.
- the user can set a desired region (for example, a region having an abnormality) as a diagnostic region while viewing the analysis dynamic image.
- analysis dynamic image and the diagnostic image are viewed at the same time, it is possible to compare the plurality of first analysis values with the reference statistical value, and simultaneously confirm abnormality or the like on the analysis dynamic image. .
- the display means sequentially displays the plurality of first analysis values corresponding to the photographing times of the plurality of frame images, and displays the analysis dynamic image and the plurality of first analysis values as time.
- a process of displaying in association with each other is further performed. That is, the display of the first analysis value can be changed and displayed in synchronization with the analysis dynamic image changing every moment. This makes it possible to diagnose in which time zone an anomaly occurs and in which time zone the anomaly disappears (whether it becomes normal) with the time axis.
- the display means further performs a process of displaying a graph in which the plurality of first analysis values are plotted in the imaging time direction, and the graph is temporally associated with the analysis dynamic image.
- the display of the analysis dynamic image and the first analysis value is synchronized with the momentary change. Therefore, it is possible to grasp at a glance which position (time) the currently displayed frame image corresponds to on the graph. Thereby, it becomes possible to confirm the time with abnormality through the graph.
- the statistical value for reference is a statistical value after at least one parameter is classified as a parameter among the imaging target parameter, the disease information parameter, the imaging environment parameter, and the respiratory condition parameter. including. That is, for one of the above four parameters, or a combination thereof, an appropriate reference for the purpose of diagnosis is selected from the statistical values of multiple patterns calculated by changing the parameter in various ways. Statistical values can be selected and displayed. Alternatively, according to the purpose of diagnosis, the statistical value for reference can be calculated and displayed by changing the parameter according to any one of the above four parameters or a combination thereof.
- the reference statistical value employs a statistical value calculated using a plurality of healthy persons as a plurality of objects as a parameter
- the statistical value for reference may be a statistical value calculated using a plurality of patients with the specific disease as a plurality of objects as parameters. In this way, the parameter of the reference statistical value can be changed according to the purpose of diagnosis.
- the image analysis processing is at least one of a luminance change value, a distance indicating the size of the target area, a specific position coordinate, an area of the target area, and a movement amount of the specific position. Including the process of calculating one. Accordingly, it is possible to comprehensively diagnose the target region from various angles by calculating different first analysis values depending on the diagnosis or by calculating a plurality of types of first analysis values. Thus, it is possible to provide diagnosis support information effective for the user.
- the reference statistical values are obtained by performing a plurality of second statistical values obtained by performing the same process as the image analysis process and the statistical analysis process on the reference dynamic images of a plurality of past objects.
- the dynamic diagnosis can be performed while comparing the diagnosis of whether or not the lung field region is abnormal with the reference statistical value.
- an abnormal region in the lung field region can be determined efficiently, the time required for dynamic diagnosis can be shortened, and it can be performed appropriately and efficiently.
- the eleventh aspect of the present invention it is possible to obtain a reference statistical value corresponding to at least one condition of diagnosis area, image analysis information, statistical analysis information, and parameter information, which is generation instruction information.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a radiation dynamic image capturing system 100 according to a first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the image processing apparatus 3 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the dynamic image image
- the radiation dynamic image capturing system captures a radiation image in a situation in which the physical state of a target region of a subject periodically changes over time using a human or animal body as a subject.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a radiation dynamic image capturing system according to the first embodiment.
- the radiation dynamic image capturing system 100 includes an image capturing device 1, an image capturing control device 2 (imaging console), and an image processing device 3 (diagnosis console).
- the imaging device 1 and the imaging control device 2 are connected by a communication cable or the like, and the imaging control device 2 and the image processing device 3 are connected via a communication network NT such as a LAN (Local Area Network).
- NT such as a LAN (Local Area Network).
- Each device constituting the radiation dynamic image capturing system 100 conforms to the DICOM (Digital Image and Communication Communications in Medicine) standard, and communication between the devices is performed according to the DICOM standard.
- DICOM Digital Image and Communication Communications in Medicine
- the imaging apparatus 1 is configured by, for example, an X-ray imaging apparatus or the like, and is an apparatus that captures the chest dynamics of the subject M accompanying breathing. Dynamic imaging is performed by acquiring a plurality of images sequentially in time while repeatedly irradiating the chest of the subject M with radiation such as X-rays. A series of images obtained by this continuous shooting is called a dynamic image. Each of the plurality of images constituting the dynamic image is called a frame image.
- the imaging apparatus 1 includes an irradiation unit (radiation source) 11, a radiation irradiation control device 12, an imaging unit (radiation detection unit) 13, and a reading control device 14. .
- the irradiation unit 11 irradiates the subject M with radiation (X-rays) according to the control of the radiation irradiation control device 12.
- the illustrated example is a system for the human body, and the subject M corresponds to the person to be inspected.
- the subject M is also referred to as a “subject”.
- the radiation irradiation control device 12 is connected to the imaging control device 2 and performs radiation imaging by controlling the irradiation unit 11 based on the radiation irradiation conditions input from the imaging control device 2.
- the imaging unit 13 is configured by a semiconductor image sensor such as an FPD, and converts the radiation irradiated from the irradiation unit 11 and transmitted through the subject M into an electrical signal (image information).
- a semiconductor image sensor such as an FPD
- the reading control device 14 is connected to the photographing control device 2.
- the reading control device 14 controls the switching unit of each pixel of the imaging unit 13 based on the image reading condition input from the imaging control device 2, and switches the reading of the electric signal accumulated in each pixel.
- the image data is acquired by reading the electrical signal accumulated in the imaging unit 13.
- the reading control device 14 outputs the acquired image data (frame image) to the imaging control device 2.
- the image reading conditions are, for example, a frame rate, a frame interval, a pixel size, an image size (matrix size), and the like.
- the frame rate is the number of frame images acquired per second and matches the pulse rate.
- the frame interval is the time from the start of one frame image acquisition operation to the start of the next frame image acquisition operation in continuous shooting, and coincides with the pulse interval.
- the radiation irradiation control device 12 and the reading control device 14 are connected to each other, and exchange synchronization signals with each other to synchronize the radiation irradiation operation and the image reading operation.
- the imaging control device 2 outputs radiation irradiation conditions and image reading conditions to the imaging device 1 to control radiation imaging and radiographic image reading operations by the imaging device 1, and also captures dynamic images acquired by the imaging device 1. Displayed for confirmation of whether the image is suitable for confirmation of positioning or diagnosis.
- the photographing control device 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an operation unit 23, a display unit 24, and a communication unit 25, and each unit is connected by a bus 26. ing.
- the control unit 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like.
- the CPU of the control unit 21 reads the system program and various processing programs stored in the storage unit 22 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 23, expands them in the RAM, and performs shooting control processing described later according to the expanded programs.
- Various processes including the beginning are executed to centrally control the operation of each part of the imaging control device 2 and the operation of the imaging device 1.
- the storage unit 22 is configured by a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, a hard disk, or the like.
- the storage unit 22 stores various programs executed by the control unit 21 and data such as parameters necessary for execution of processing by the programs or processing results.
- the operation unit 23 includes a keyboard having cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, and the like, and a pointing device such as a mouse.
- the operation unit 23 is input via a keyboard key operation, a mouse operation, or a touch panel.
- the indicated instruction signal is output to the control unit 21.
- the display unit 24 is configured by a monitor such as a color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays an input instruction, data, and the like from the operation unit 23 in accordance with an instruction of a display signal input from the control unit 21.
- a monitor such as a color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
- LCD Liquid Crystal Display
- the communication unit 25 includes a LAN adapter, a modem, a TA (Terminal Adapter), and the like, and controls data transmission / reception with each device connected to the communication network NT.
- the image processing device 3 acquires the dynamic image transmitted from the imaging device 1 via the imaging control device 2 and displays an image for a doctor or the like to perform an interpretation diagnosis.
- the image processing apparatus 3 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an operation unit 33, a display unit 34, a communication unit 35, and an analysis unit 36. They are connected by a bus 37.
- the control unit 31 includes a CPU, a RAM, and the like.
- the CPU of the control unit 31 reads the system program and various processing programs stored in the storage unit 32 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 33, expands them in the RAM, and executes various processes according to the expanded programs.
- the operation of each part of the image processing apparatus 3 is centrally controlled (details will be described later).
- the storage unit 32 is configured by a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, a hard disk, or the like.
- the storage unit 32 stores various programs executed by the control unit 31 and data such as parameters necessary for execution of processing by the programs or processing results.
- the storage unit 32 stores an image processing program for executing image processing to be described later.
- These various programs are stored in the form of readable program codes, and the control unit 31 sequentially executes operations according to the program codes.
- the operation unit 33 includes a keyboard having cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, and the like, and a pointing device such as a mouse.
- the operation unit 33 is input via a keyboard key operation, a mouse operation, or a touch panel.
- the instruction signal is output to the control unit 31.
- the display unit 34 is composed of a monitor such as a color LCD, and displays an input instruction from the operation unit 33, data, and a display image to be described later in accordance with an instruction of a display signal input from the control unit 31.
- the communication unit 35 includes a LAN adapter, a modem, a TA, and the like, and controls data transmission / reception with each device connected to the communication network NT.
- the information storage device 5 includes a database server using, for example, a personal computer or a workstation, and includes a database (reference statistical value storage unit) 51. Data is transmitted / received via 36.
- the database 51 stores in advance a collection of reference statistical values in consideration of assumed imaging information and the like (details will be described later).
- statistical values of analysis results are calculated in advance from X-ray dynamic images of a plurality of subjects (for example, a plurality of healthy persons, patients with a specific disease, etc.) suitable for diagnostic use.
- the statistical value is intended to be displayed together with the analysis result of the subject M to be diagnosed.
- the image processing device 3 of the radiation dynamic imaging system 100 displays the difference between the analysis value of the body to be diagnosed and the statistical value calculated from a plurality of bodies different from the body. This makes it possible to shorten the diagnosis time for dynamic diagnosis.
- FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration realized by the control unit 31 together with other configurations in the image processing apparatus 3 in the radiation dynamic image capturing system 100 when a CPU or the like operates according to various programs. Note that the image processing apparatus 3 of this embodiment uses a dynamic image in which the chest including the heart and both lungs is mainly captured.
- the control unit 31 mainly includes a reference dynamic image acquisition unit 200, an image analysis unit 300, a region setting unit 400, a statistical analysis unit 500, and a display image generation unit 600. Further, the control unit 31 transmits / receives data to / from the reference statistical value generation unit 550 (corresponding to the information storage device 5 having the reference statistical value storage unit 51 described above) via the bus 36.
- control unit 31 As shown in FIG. 3 will be described as being realized by executing a preinstalled program, but it may be realized with a dedicated hardware configuration. .
- Reference dynamic image acquisition unit 200 In the reference dynamic image acquisition unit 200, the state of the dynamic cycle in which the physical state of the target region in the body of the subject M photographed by the reading control device 14 of the imaging device 1 periodically changes in order in the time direction. A reference dynamic image composed of a plurality of photographed frame images is acquired.
- the target region in the present embodiment is assumed to be a lung field region. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the imaging control device 2 is interposed between the imaging device 1 and the image processing device 3, and the detection data (a plurality of frame images) stored in the storage unit 22 of the imaging control device 2. SI) is output to the communication unit 35 of the image processing apparatus 3 via the communication unit 25.
- FIG. 3 is a diagram exemplifying a reference dynamic image captured by radiodynamic image capturing with respect to the dynamics of the chest of the subject M accompanying breathing.
- the frame images S1 to S10 (SI) acquired by the reference dynamic image acquisition unit 200 are obtained by continuously capturing one cycle of the respiratory cycle at a fixed imaging timing.
- the image analysis unit 300 obtains an overall analysis value AN in the entire lung field region by performing image analysis processing on the plurality of frame images SI constituting the reference dynamic image.
- the image analysis processing here means (i) a luminance change value in a corresponding pixel between a plurality of frame images SI, (ii) a distance indicating a size of a lung field region for each of the plurality of frame images SI, and (iii) a plurality of Specific position coordinates in the lung field region for each frame image SI, (iv) Area of the lung field region for each of the plurality of frame images SI, and (v) Movement of a specific position corresponding among the plurality of frame images SI This is a process of calculating at least one of the quantities.
- image analysis information IF1 are referred to as “image analysis information IF1”.
- the image analysis processing calculates the luminance change value (i), the size of the lung field region (ii), and the area of the lung field region (iv) will be described as an example.
- 4 and 5 are schematic diagrams for explaining the image analysis processing.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a case where the image analysis process calculates the luminance change value of (i) and obtains the entire analysis value AN in the entire lung field region.
- SI ′ difference image S1 ′
- the difference image SI ' is expressed for convenience of explanation, and it is not actually necessary to generate it as an image, and only a difference value between the frame images SI is required.
- This difference value corresponds to the luminance change value.
- FIG. 4B shows an image obtained by extracting and plotting a luminance change value that takes the maximum value among the luminance change values between corresponding pixels in each difference image SI ′.
- the image analysis unit 300 obtains an overall analysis value AN by performing processing for extracting the maximum value among the luminance change values between corresponding pixels calculated by the image analysis processing as the entire lung field region, and displays a display image described later.
- the data is output to the generation unit 600.
- the overall analysis value AN has been described by extracting the maximum value among the luminance change values between the corresponding pixels.
- the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the total value of the luminance change values of the corresponding pixels.
- the average value of the luminance change values of the corresponding pixels, the minimum value among the luminance change values between the corresponding pixels, or the median value among the luminance change values between the corresponding pixels may be used.
- FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B exemplify a case where the image analysis processing calculates the area of the lung field region (iv).
- the image analysis processing calculates the area of the lung field region (iv).
- FIGS. 5A and 5B it is possible to extract the contour of the lung field and define the number of pixels in the region surrounded by the contour as the area of the lung field.
- the lung field is extracted as a contour including the heart and spine regions as shown in FIG. May be.
- 5C and 5D illustrate an example in which the image analysis processing calculates the distance (distance between feature points of the lung field region) indicating the size of the lung field region of (ii).
- the image analysis process calculates the distance between the feature points of the lung field region for each of the plurality of frame images SI. That is, the lung field is extracted in the same manner as the above method (see FIGS. 5A and 5B), and two feature points are obtained from the extracted region, and the distance between the two points is calculated. It is detected as a distance indicating the size of the lung field region.
- FIG. 5C and FIG. 5D are diagrams illustrating positions of feature points in the lung field when the contour OL of the lung field in FIG. 5A is employed.
- the apex of the lung is the upper end LT of the lung region, and from the apex to the body axis direction.
- FIG. 5D shows an example in which the intersection of the straight line and the diaphragm is extracted as the lower end LB of the lung region.
- the apex of the lung is extracted as the upper end LT of the lung region and the lateral angle is extracted as the lower end LB of the lung region. This is an example.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the respiratory phase PH showing, in time series, feature quantities such as lung field area values or distances between feature points calculated by image analysis processing. The result of monitoring.
- one cycle PC of the breathing cycle (breathing cycle) is composed of inspiration and expiration, and consists of one expiration and one inspiration.
- inspiration cycle the area of the lung field in the thorax increases as the diaphragm lowers and breathes in.
- the maximum inhalation time B1 is when the maximum amount of breath is inhaled (the conversion point between inspiration and expiration).
- expiration the region of the lung field becomes smaller as the diaphragm rises and exhales, but when exhaling to the maximum (conversion point between exhalation and inspiration) becomes the maximum exhalation time B2.
- the region setting unit 400 performs region setting processing for setting the diagnosis region AR from the lung field region (see FIG. 2).
- the area setting process there is a method of setting based on the setting information input by the operation unit 33. That is, the setting information input by the operation unit 33 refers to setting information that designates a part of the lung field region as the diagnosis region AR, and the user operates the operation unit 33 while viewing the entire analysis image IG1 described later. input. Any method such as rectangle designation, ellipse designation, or freehand designation may be adopted as the method designated by the user.
- an area prepared in advance as an area obtained from information such as the structure of the lung field can be used for the diagnostic area AR of interest.
- the candidates for the diagnosis area AR for example, “all lung field”, “right lung field or left lung field”, “upper lobe, middle lobe, lower lobe (in the case of right lung field)”, “upper lobe, lower lobe” (In the case of the left lung field) "," A region where the lung field is equally divided in the direction of gravity ",” A region calculated based on the distance from the hilum ", etc., these candidates are only examples, and Not limited.
- FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the region setting process.
- “upper lobe, middle lobe, lower lobe (in the case of the right lung field)” is selected as a candidate for the diagnosis region AR.
- FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram for explaining the case where “the lung field is equally divided in the direction of gravity” and the case where FIG. 7C is “the region calculated based on the distance from the hilum”. .
- FIGS. 7A to 7C show the entire analysis image IG1 for convenience of explanation, when an area prepared in advance is used as the area setting process, the entire analysis image IG1 is displayed on the display unit 34. Do not show.
- the right lung region of the entire analysis image IG1 can be classified into an upper lobe AR1a, a middle lobe AR2a, and a lower lobe AR3a, and a diagnosis region AR can be set. That is, it is possible to set by preparing these standard models and deforming and collating the standard models.
- the reason why the region is divided along the direction of gravity is that the luminance value changes between the regions AR1b to AR3b as the size of the alveoli changes due to gravity.
- the distance in the gravity direction of the entire right lung region is defined as the distance from the lung apex to the diaphragm. However, the distance is not limited to this and may be defined by other distances.
- the regions AR1c, AR2c, and AR3c are changed according to the distance. It is possible to classify and set the diagnosis area AR. For example, as in FIG. 7A, detection of the hilar can be performed by preparing a standard model and deforming and collating the standard model. This setting method is effective mainly when blood flow analysis is assumed.
- the diagnosis area set in the past for the subject M is held in the storage unit 32, A method of reusing the diagnosis area AR may be adopted.
- diagnosis area AR is treated as an “area”, it can be treated as a “point” instead of an area. Even if it is a point, it is set as a point obtained from information such as the structure of the lung field (for example, a point a certain distance below the apex of the lung, a point a certain distance above the diaphragm, etc.) Alternatively, it may be specified by the user.
- the statistical analysis unit 500 uses the entire analysis value AN to perform a statistical analysis process on the entire lung field region or a part of the diagnosis region AR, thereby obtaining a first analysis value ANs that represents the diagnosis region AR. .
- the area setting unit 400 outputs the diagnosis area AR set in the area setting process to the statistical analysis unit 500, the statistical analysis unit 500 is set in the area setting process among the entire analysis values AN.
- the first analysis value ANs is obtained by selectively performing statistical analysis processing on the diagnosis area AR (see FIG. 2).
- the statistical analysis process refers to a process of calculating any one of an average value, a total value, a maximum value, a minimum value, a median value, etc., of the entire analysis value AN in the diagnosis area AR. Therefore, the statistical analysis unit 500 can select any of the average value, total value, maximum value, minimum value, median value, and the like (hereinafter referred to as “statistic analysis information IF2”) of the entire analysis value AN in the diagnosis area AR. Is obtained as the first analysis value ANs representative of the diagnosis region AR.
- the statistical analysis unit 500 outputs the diagnosis area AR, image analysis information IF1, statistical analysis information IF2, and parameter information IF3 described later to the information storage device 5 (see FIG. 2).
- the information storage device 5 outputs the reference statistical value SV based on generation instruction information including at least diagnostic information.
- the generation instruction information IF is a generic term for the diagnosis area AR, image analysis information IF1, statistical analysis information IF2, and parameter information IF3 described later.
- the reference statistical value SV here is a plurality of second analysis values obtained by performing the same image analysis processing and statistical analysis processing as described above on the reference dynamic images of a plurality of past subjects. It is a statistical value whose main purpose is to judge the quality of the first analysis value ANs calculated based on the above. For example, when the first analysis value ANs is an average value of the luminance change values of the corresponding pixels, the plurality of second analysis values are average values of the plurality of luminance change values of the corresponding pixels in a plurality of past subjects. Even when it is determined that the first analysis value ANs is defective (or not) by comparison with the reference statistical value SV, it is healthy depending on the degree of difference between the reference statistical value SV and the first analysis value ANs. It can be recognized how far away from the person's value.
- the reference statistical value SV is obtained by using a plurality of second analysis values, an average value, a maximum value, a minimum value, a range between the maximum value and the minimum value, and a variation degree (standard deviation, A variance value, etc.).
- the past “plural subjects” in the reference dynamic image refers to a third party other than the subject M currently being diagnosed.
- the information storage device 5 receives the generation instruction information IF (diagnosis area AR, image analysis information IF1, statistical analysis information IF2, and parameter information IF3 described later) from the statistical analysis unit 500 (see FIG. 2).
- the reference statistical value SV that meets these conditions is generated. That is, the reference statistical value SV can be switched according to the conditions of the diagnostic area AR, the image analysis information IF1, the statistical analysis information IF2, and the parameter information IF3 described later.
- the parameter information IF3 in the generation instruction information IF will be described. That is, with regard to the parameter information IF3, “imaging target parameter IO” indicating information specific to a plurality of subjects, “disease information parameter IS” indicating presence / absence of diseases and states of the diseases, see At least one parameter of “imaging environment parameter IE” indicating the imaging environment in which the dynamic image is captured and “respiratory state parameter IB” indicating the respiratory state of the subject in which the reference dynamic image is captured is a parameter. It is information instructing to classify as. Each parameter is further classified from the following viewpoints.
- the “imaging target parameter IO” is classified into sex, age, body type, body thickness, etc.
- the “disease information parameter IS” is a healthy person, a patient with a specific disease (for example, a COPD patient, etc.)
- the tube voltage, tube current, shooting time, dose, shooting distance, shooting direction PA (rear front image) or AP (front and rear image) It is classified into a body position (standing position, supine position [supposed position, lateral position, prone position]), etc.
- “respiratory condition parameter IB” is classified into exhalation, inspiration, breath holding, and the like.
- the breathing state such as exhalation and inspiration can be acquired from the dynamic image by the method shown in FIG. 6 described above, for example.
- the parameter candidates are not limited to the parameters IO, IS, IE, and IB described above, and other parameters may be provided. In addition, it is possible to generate the reference statistical value SV with various patterns of parameters by combining these parameters.
- the reference statistical value SV is preferably generated by changing the parameter according to the diagnostic information.
- Which parameter is used to generate the reference statistical value SV can be specified by the statistical analysis unit 500 outputting the parameter information IF3 to the information storage device 5 (see FIG. 2). That is, the parameter information IF3 is specified by any one of the above-described parameters IO, IS, IE, IB, or a combination thereof.
- the input method of the parameter information IF3 may be directly designated by the user via the operation unit 33, or may be automatically output from the imaging control device 2, for example. A configuration or the like may be adopted.
- the reference statistical value storage unit (database) 51 is stored in a manner that allows grouping based on the diagnosis area AR, the image analysis information IF1, the statistical analysis information IF2, and the parameter information IF3. That is, the database 51 stores a collection of reference statistical values SV corresponding to the attribute indicated by the generation instruction information IF input from the statistical analysis unit 500, and for reference that matches the generation instruction information IF.
- Statistical value SV can be output. That is, attribute information is attached in advance to the aggregate of the reference statistical values SV and stored in the database 51 for each group, for example.
- the attribute information here is, for example, information related to sex, age, weight, height, body type, body thickness, etc. in the case of the imaging target parameter IO of the parameter information IF3.
- the information on the diagnosis area AR, the image analysis information IF1, and the statistical analysis information IF2 in the generation instruction information IF is fixed, and the description is focused on the conceptual structure of the parameter information IF3.
- the diagnosis area AR, the image analysis information IF1, and the statistical analysis information IF2 have the same conceptual structure.
- a collection of reference statistical values SV is stored in groups, for example, based on the imaging target parameter IO, the disease information parameter IS, the imaging environment parameter IE, and the respiratory condition parameter IB. Has been.
- the imaging target parameter IO is “sex”
- the disease information parameter IS is “normal or non-healthy”
- the imaging environment parameter IE is “imaging orientation PA (back anterior image) or AP (front and back image)”. This will be described using the most simplified example when the breathing state parameter IB is set to “exhalation or inspiration”.
- FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of hierarchized parameter information in the database 51.
- the generation instruction information IF the diagnosis area AR is the right lung field
- the image analysis information IF1 is a luminance change value
- the statistical analysis information IF2 is an average value. It will be explained specifically.
- “male IO1 or female IO2” of the imaging target parameter IO “healthy person IS1 or non-healthy person IS2” of the disease information parameter IS, “post-anterior image IE1 or front and rear images” of the imaging environment parameter IE.
- the most important concept is the “shooting direction” of the shooting environment parameter IE.
- the two parameter information IE1 and IE2 of “backfront image” and “front and back image” are large.
- the reference statistical values SV are grouped and stored (accumulated).
- the “sex” of the imaging target parameter IO is a higher concept than the “healthy or non-healthy person” of the disease information parameter IS
- the value SV is stored in the parameter information IE1, IE2. Since the “healthy person or non-healthy person” of the disease information parameter IS is a higher concept than the “exhalation or inspiration” of the respiratory condition parameter IB, the two parameter information IS1, “healthy person” and “non-healthy person”
- the reference statistical value SV of IS2 is stored in the parameter information IO1 and IO2, respectively. Further, reference statistical values SV of the two pieces of parameter information IB1 and IB2 of “expiration” and “inspiration” are stored in the parameter information IS1 and IS2, respectively.
- the diagnosis area AR is the right lung field
- the image analysis information IF1 is a luminance change value
- the statistical analysis information IF2 is an average value.
- Parameter information when the IO is “male IO1”, the disease information parameter IS is “non-healthy person IS2”, the imaging environment parameter IE is “rear anterior image IE1”, and the respiratory condition parameter IB is “expiration IB1” is shown in FIG. This corresponds to the parameter information IF30 indicated by.
- the imaging target parameter IO, the disease information parameter IS, the imaging environment parameter IE, and the respiratory condition parameter IB are each configured by a plurality of attribute information. Is done.
- the highest concept is the imaging environment parameter IE and the lowest concept is the breathing state parameter IB.
- the concept is not limited to this, and varies depending on the combination of attribute information.
- the database 51 includes not only the parameter information IF3 but also combinations of attribute information of the diagnosis area AR, the image analysis information IF1, and the statistical analysis information IF2, the actual database 51 has a considerably complicated structure.
- a set of reference statistical values SV is stored in the database 51 in such a manner that each information indicated by the generation instruction information IF (IF1 to IF3) has an attribute.
- a mode in which the information storage device 5 has the following statistical processing function is also conceivable. That is, the information storage device 5 uses only the information that matches the information instructed by the generation instruction information IF among the collection of reference statistical values SV stored in the database 51 as information that becomes a parameter of the statistical processing, Statistical processing may be executed, and the reference statistical value SV to be compared with the statistical analysis type of the first analysis value ANs indicated by the image analysis information IF1 and the statistical analysis information IF2 may be output.
- Display Image Generation Unit 600 performs display image generation processing for generating the diagnostic image IG2 so that the first analysis value ANs and the reference statistical value SV to be compared with the first analysis value ANs are displayed together. Do. And in the display part 34, the process which displays diagnostic image IG2 is performed. That is, on the display unit 34, the first analysis value ANs and the reference statistical value SV are displayed so as to be comparable.
- the display image generation process further performs a process of generating the entire analysis image IG1 based on the entire analysis value AN,
- the display unit 34 performs a process of displaying the entire analysis image IG1 before performing the statistical analysis process.
- the entire analysis image IG1 in the present embodiment is a still image based on a plurality of frame images SG (specifically, when the image analysis process is a luminance change value, the difference image SG ′). It is the analysis still image comprised.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining that the entire analysis image IG1 and the diagnostic image IG2 generated by the display image generation processing are displayed on the display unit 34.
- 9A shows an entire analysis image (analysis still image) IG1
- FIG. 9B shows a diagnostic image IG21 (IG2) in which the reference statistical value SV and the first analysis value ANs are displayed as numerical values.
- FIG. 9C shows a diagnostic image IG22 (IG2) in which the reference statistical value SV and the current and past first analysis values ANs are displayed as a graph.
- the statistical analysis unit 500 uses the diagnostic region AR as the upper lobe of the right lung field (see FIG.
- the image analysis information IF1 as the luminance change value
- the statistical analysis information IF2 as the generation instruction information IF.
- the average value and the parameter information IF3 are given a condition of “healthy person” in the imaging target parameter IO to the information storage device 5, and the information storage device 5 uses the reference statistical value SV corresponding to these conditions for display image generation processing. Assume that it is returned.
- FIG. 9A shows the result of setting the upper lobe of the right lung field as the diagnosis area AR for the analysis still image IG1.
- the set diagnosis area AR is displayed on the image in such a way as not to interfere with the display of the analysis still image IG1.
- “2.3” corresponding to the first analysis value ANs in the diagnostic image IG21 is the diagnosis area AR (FIG. 9 ( a) average value of reference).
- “3.5 to 7.7 (average: 5.6)” corresponding to the reference statistical value SV “5.6” indicates the diagnosis area AR calculated for each of a plurality of healthy subjects. It is a numerical value obtained by averaging the average values of the luminance change values, and “3.5 to 7.7” is the maximum value and the minimum value of the average value of the calculated luminance change values. Indicates a numeric value with a value.
- the first analysis value ANs is displayed as a numerical value in this way, the first analysis value ANs is between the maximum average value and the minimum average value of the reference statistical value SV for healthy subjects.
- the display color may be changed such as blue display, otherwise red display.
- the diagnostic image IG2 is a diagnostic image IG21 displayed as a numerical value as shown in FIG. 9B, or a diagnostic image IG22 displayed as a graph as shown in FIG. 9C. There may be.
- the numerical value of the first analysis value AVs analyzed this time and the reference statistical value SV are also displayed, and it becomes possible to understand at a glance what value is compared with the healthy person.
- the first analysis value ANs is not only the result of this time but also the diagnosis target.
- Past results may be displayed together with the reference statistical value SV, such as the previous first analysis value ANsP1 of the subject M and the first analysis value ANsP2 of the previous time.
- the first analysis value ANsP2 of the previous time, the first analysis value ANsP1 of the previous time, and the first analysis value ANs of this time approach the healthy reference statistics SV. Therefore, you can see how he is heading for recovery. In this way, it is possible to grasp at a glance the progress from the past (whether it has improved or has deteriorated).
- the reference statistical value SV is generated using the parameter information IF3 as a parameter of a patient having a specific disease such as “COPD patient” in the imaging target parameter IO
- the reference statistical value SV and the first analysis are generated.
- the first analysis value ANs is within the range in which the COPD patient reference statistical value SV is recognized, the possibility that the subject M is suffering from COPD is suggested. .
- the information storage device 5 outputs the reference statistical value SV using only the information that matches the information specified by the generation instruction information IF as the parameter of the statistical processing.
- the reference statistical value SV that meets the conditions is generated by performing normalization using the existing attribute information. Is also possible.
- the information of the subject M currently to be diagnosed has only the body thickness, and it is desired to generate the reference statistical value SV on the condition of the body thickness, but the weight and height as attribute information of the imaging target parameter IO are stored in the database 51.
- normalization as described above is performed. That is, the information storage device 5 newly calculates the body thickness based on the weight and height, which are the attribute information of the imaging target parameter IO, and matches the body thickness of the subject M to meet the conditions.
- the reference statistical value SV having the weight and the height can be output from the aggregate of the reference statistical values SV stored in the database 51.
- the information storage device 5 may be able to guide the corresponding attribute information by performing some calculation process (normalization).
- FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a basic operation realized in the image processing apparatus 3 according to this embodiment. Since the individual functions of each unit have already been described (see FIG. 2), only the overall flow will be described here.
- step S ⁇ b> 1 the reference dynamic image acquisition unit 200 of the control unit 31 captures a reference dynamic image (a plurality of frame images SI) captured by the reading control device 14 of the imaging device 1. Obtained via the control device 2 (see FIG. 3).
- step S2 the image analysis unit 300 performs image analysis processing on the plurality of frame images SI acquired in step S1 to obtain an overall analysis value AN (see FIG. 4).
- step S3 the display image generation unit 600 generates an entire analysis image (analysis still image) IG1 based on the entire analysis value AN obtained in step S2.
- step S4 the display unit 34 displays the analysis still image IG1 generated in step S3 (see FIG. 9A).
- step S5 when the user designates the diagnostic area AR via the operation unit 33 for the analysis still image IG1 displayed in step S4 (see FIG. 9A), the area setting unit 400 performs the area setting process. I do.
- step S6 the statistical analysis unit 500 selectively performs statistical analysis processing on the diagnosis area AR set in step S5, thereby obtaining the first analysis value ANs and generating instruction information IF (diagnostic area).
- AR, image analysis information IF1, statistical analysis information IF2, and parameter information IF3) are output to the information storage device 5 (see FIG. 2).
- step S7 the information storage device 5 receives the generation instruction information IF output in step S6, and from the aggregate of reference statistical values SV stored in the database 51, for reference that meets the conditions of the generation instruction information IF. A statistical value SV is generated.
- step S8 the display image generation unit 600 generates the diagnostic image IG2 so that the first analysis value ANs obtained in step S6 and the reference statistical value SV obtained in step 7 are displayed together (step S8). (Refer FIG.9 (b) and FIG.9 (c)).
- diagnostic image IG2 may be generated as a numerical value as shown in FIG. 9B, or may be generated as a graph as shown in FIG. 9C.
- step S9 the display image generation unit 600 outputs the diagnostic image IG2 generated in step S8 on the display unit 34 (see FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C), and this operation flow Is terminated.
- the statistical analysis process is performed on the entire analysis value AN obtained by performing the image analysis process on the plurality of frame images SI constituting the reference dynamic image.
- the first analysis value ANs is obtained, and the first analysis value ANs and the reference statistical value SV to be compared with the first analysis value ANs are displayed together. That is, it was calculated using the first analysis value ANs of the body of the subject M (target) as the current diagnosis target and the reference dynamic images of a plurality of past subjects other than the subject M.
- the reference statistical value SV can be displayed simultaneously.
- the difference from the reference statistical value SV calculated from a plurality of past subjects can be grasped at a glance, it can be diagnostic support information for a user such as a doctor. For this reason, the diagnosis time can be shortened, and the dynamic diagnosis can be performed appropriately and efficiently.
- an area setting process for setting the diagnosis area AR from the lung field area is performed.
- the user can set a desired area (for example, an abnormal area) as the diagnosis area AR.
- the statistical analysis unit 500 obtains the first analysis value ANs by selectively performing the statistical analysis process on the diagnosis area AR set in the area setting process among the entire analysis values AN. That is, it is possible to obtain the first analysis value ANs of the diagnosis area AR and the reference statistical value SV of the diagnosis area AR. For example, when there is an abnormality only in a part of the lung field region subjected to the image analysis processing, the first analysis value ANs effective for diagnosis is obtained by setting the abnormal region as the diagnosis region AR.
- a reference statistical value SV specialized for the region having the abnormality is obtained.
- the first analysis value ANs and the reference statistical value SV are values that vary depending on the set region, it is possible to obtain appropriate and significant information for diagnosis by narrowing down the diagnosis region AR.
- the display unit 34 further performs a process of displaying an entire analysis image based on the entire analysis value AN, and the entire analysis image is an analysis still image IG1 configured as a still image based on a plurality of frame images SI.
- the user can set a desired area (for example, an abnormal area) as the diagnosis area AR while viewing the analysis still image IG1. If the analysis still image IG1 and the diagnostic image IG2 are simultaneously viewed, the first analysis value ANs and the reference statistical value SV are compared, and at the same time, an abnormality or the like is confirmed on the analysis still image IG1. be able to.
- the reference statistical value SV is classified by using at least one parameter among the imaging target parameter IO, the disease information parameter IS, the imaging environment parameter IE, and the respiratory condition parameter IB as the parameter information IF3. Includes later statistics. That is, for one of the above four parameters, or a combination thereof, an appropriate reference for the purpose of diagnosis is selected from the statistical values of multiple patterns calculated by changing the parameter in various ways.
- the statistical value SV can be selected and displayed. For example, when the object to be diagnosed is a healthy person, the reference statistical value SV is a patient with a specific disease to be diagnosed while adopting a statistical value calculated using a plurality of healthy persons as a parameter. In this case, as the reference statistical value SV, a statistical value calculated using a plurality of patients with the specific disease as a parameter can be adopted. In this way, the parameter of the reference statistical value SV can be changed according to the purpose of diagnosis.
- the image analysis process performs any one of the luminance change value, the distance indicating the size of the target area, the specific position coordinates, the area of the target area, and the movement amount of the specific position. That is, similarly to the first analysis value ANs, the second analysis value and the reference statistical value SV are also calculated as the above values. This makes it possible to calculate different first analysis values ANs depending on the diagnosis. Thus, it is possible to provide diagnosis support information effective for the user.
- the reference statistical value SV is a plurality of second analysis values obtained by performing the same process as the image analysis process and the statistical analysis process on the reference dynamic images of a plurality of subjects in the past.
- the average value, the maximum value, the minimum value, the range of the maximum value and the minimum value, and the degree of variation are at least one of the values, the lung field region is compared with the first value ANs. It is possible to efficiently determine whether or not it is normal. Thereby, it is possible to provide diagnosis support information effective for the user.
- the dynamic diagnosis can be performed while comparing the diagnosis of whether or not the lung field region is abnormal with the reference statistical value SV.
- an abnormal region in the lung field region can be determined efficiently, the time required for dynamic diagnosis can be shortened, and it can be performed appropriately and efficiently.
- Second Embodiment> In the image processing apparatus 3 ′ according to the second embodiment of the present invention, since the entire analysis image IG1 is configured as a dynamic image in the image processing apparatus 3 according to the first embodiment, the region setting unit 400 ′ and the statistical analysis unit 500 are used. The reference statistical value generation unit 550 ′ and the display image generation unit 600 ′ (not shown) are changed as described below. The remaining configuration is the same as that of the image processing apparatus 3.
- FIG. 11 shows an overall analysis image IG1 ′ (FIG. 11A) generated by the display image generation unit 600 ′ (display image generation processing) and diagnostic images IG21 ′ to IG23 ′ (IG2 ′) (FIG. 11B). And FIG. 11 (c)).
- the overall analysis value AN, the first analysis value ANs, and the reference statistical value SV are luminance change values
- the analysis value ANs is shown
- the graph of the diagnostic image IG23 ′ shows the reference statistical value SV
- the vertical axis of both shows the luminance change value.
- the horizontal axis of the graph of the diagnostic image IG22 ' indicates the imaging time.
- Region setting unit 400 ′, display image generation unit 600 ′> First, an overall analysis value AN in the entire lung field region is obtained by performing an image analysis process similar to that of the image analysis unit 300.
- the entire analysis image IG1 ′ is converted into a plurality of frame images SI.
- An analysis dynamic image configured as a dynamic image is generated based on the above. That is, the display image generation process performs a process of generating an analysis dynamic image IG1 (overall analysis image) based on the total analysis value AN, and the display unit 34 displays the analysis dynamic image IG1 before performing the statistical analysis process. I do.
- the region setting unit 400 ′ performs region setting processing for each frame image constituting the analysis dynamic image IG ⁇ b> 1 ′.
- the frame image constituting the analysis dynamic image IG1 ′ is the difference image SI ′ when the entire analysis value AN is (i) the luminance change value and (v) the movement amount of a specific position. (See FIG. 4), and the total analysis value AN is the above (ii) the distance indicating the size of the lung field, (iii) the specific position coordinates, and (iv) the area of the lung field (Refer to FIG. 5 for example).
- the diagnostic area AR may be designated sequentially for each frame image SI (or difference image SI ′) constituting the analysis dynamic image IG1 ′.
- the user designates only the first frame image SI (or difference image SI ′) constituting the analysis dynamic image IG1 ′, and automatically sets the diagnosis area AR in the remaining frame image SI (or difference image SI ′). It is efficient if a setting method is adopted.
- the shape of the lung field changes for each frame image SI. Accordingly, the display of the diagnostic area AR on the entire analysis image IG1 also changes. Therefore, for example, the shape of the lung field region changes according to the respiratory state change or the influence of the heartbeat, and the first analysis value ANs corresponding to the range of the diagnostic region AR is obtained. Thus, it is necessary to set the diagnosis area AR accurately. Therefore, in order to set the diagnosis area AR, for example, the diagnosis area AR can be automatically obtained by tracking and matching the movement of the lung field area between the frame images SI (or the difference images SI ′). it can. As a method of tracking and associating between the respective frame images SI (or difference images SI ′), for example, a corresponding point search process which is an existing method can be employed.
- Statistical analysis unit 500 ′, reference statistical value generation unit 550 ′ > Further, in the statistical analysis unit 500 ′, statistical analysis processing is performed on each diagnosis region AR set for each frame image SI (or difference image SI ′) constituting the analysis dynamic image IG1 ′. That is, the first analysis value ANs is a plurality of first analysis values calculated based on a plurality of frame images SI (or difference images SI ′), and is calculated for each frame image SI (or difference image SI ′). can get. Further, the statistical analysis unit 500 ′ outputs the generation instruction information IF to the reference statistical value generation unit 550 ′.
- the plurality of first analysis values ANs for example, a plurality of luminance change values that are average values of the luminance change values in the diagnosis area AR of each of the plurality of frame images can be considered.
- the reference statistical value generation unit 550 ′ receives the generation instruction information IF from the statistical analysis unit 500 ′, and generates a reference statistical value SV that meets these conditions.
- the reference statistical value SV is a single statistical value as in the first embodiment. That is, the second analysis value is a single value obtained using all the frame images constituting the reference dynamic image, and a plurality of values calculated for each frame image like the first analysis value ANs. Not a value.
- Display image generation unit 600 ′ > Subsequently, the diagnostic image is displayed so that the display image generation unit 600 ′ displays the plurality of first analysis values ANs together with the reference statistical value SV generated from the reference statistical value generation unit 550 ′. Display image generation processing for generating IG2 ′ (IG21 ′ to IG23 ′) is performed.
- the plurality of first analysis values ANs are sequentially displayed corresponding to the imaging times of the plurality of frame images SI, and the analysis dynamic image IG1 ′ (see FIG. 11A) and a plurality The diagnostic image IG2 ′ is generated so that the first analysis value ANs (see FIG. 11B) is temporally related and displayed.
- the overall analysis value AN output from the image analysis unit 300 ′ and the first analysis value ANs output from the statistical analysis unit 500 ′ are temporally related (hold temporal information). This can be realized by being output to the display image generation unit 600 ′.
- the display image generation process further performs a process of generating a graph (diagnosis image IG22 ') obtained by plotting the plurality of first analysis values ANs in the imaging time direction (see FIG. 11C). That is, the diagnostic image IG22 ′ is a graph showing the temporal change of the first analysis value ANs, and this graph is temporally related to the analysis dynamic image IG1 ′ (FIG. 11A and FIG. 11). c)). Note that a point P1 is plotted on the graph of the diagnostic image IG22 'so that the correspondence with the display frame of the currently displayed analysis dynamic image can be seen. Thereby, by comparing the point P1 with the reference statistical value SV of the healthy person in the diagnostic image IG23 ', the comparison with the healthy person can be performed at a glance.
- the display image generation unit 600 outputs the diagnostic image IG2' (IG21 'to IG23') on the display unit 34, and displays the diagnostic image IG2 'on the display unit 34.
- the reproduction display of the analysis dynamic image IG1 ′ shown in FIG. 11A changes every moment, and the first analysis value ANs of the diagnostic image IG21 ′ shown in FIG.
- the first analysis value ANs on the graph of the diagnostic image IG22 ′ shown in FIG. 11C is displayed to change in synchronization therewith. Since the reference statistical value SV is a single statistical value as in the first embodiment, it does not move on the diagnostic images IG21 and IG22 (FIGS. 11B and 11C). reference).
- the display unit 34 further performs a process of displaying the entire analysis image based on the entire analysis value AN, and the entire analysis image is based on a plurality of frame images.
- Analysis dynamic image IG1 ′ configured as a dynamic image. Accordingly, the user can set a desired region (for example, a region with an abnormality) as the diagnosis region AR while viewing the analysis dynamic image IG1 '. Further, if the analysis dynamic image IG1 ′ and the diagnostic image IG2 ′ are simultaneously viewed, the plurality of first analysis values ANs and the reference statistical value SV are simultaneously compared with each other on the analysis dynamic image IG1 ′. Abnormality can be confirmed.
- the display unit 34 sequentially displays the plurality of first analysis values ANs corresponding to the imaging times of the plurality of frame images, and temporally displays the analysis dynamic image IG1 ′ and the plurality of first analysis values ANs. Further processing for displaying in association is performed. That is, the display of the first analysis value ANs can be changed and displayed in synchronization with the analysis dynamic image IG1 'changing every moment. This makes it possible to diagnose in which time zone an anomaly occurs and in which time zone the anomaly disappears (whether it becomes normal) with the time axis. Therefore, it is possible to visually grasp the temporal change of the two-dimensional space on the frame image while comparing it with the reference statistical value SV.
- the display unit 34 further performs a process of displaying a graph obtained by plotting the plurality of first analysis values ANs in the imaging time direction, and the graph is temporally associated with the analysis dynamic image IG1 '.
- the display is such that the frame image of the currently displayed analysis dynamic image IG1 ′ can be seen on the graph (for example, the point P in FIG. 11C), the analysis dynamic image IG1 ′ and the second image are displayed.
- the display of one analysis value ANs changing every moment, it becomes possible to grasp at a glance which position (time) the currently displayed frame image corresponds to on the graph. . Thereby, it becomes possible to confirm the time with abnormality through the graph.
- the reference statistical value SV is a single statistical value and is not moved on the diagnostic images IG21 ′ and IG23 ′.
- the reference statistical value SV may be displayed so as to move from moment to moment.
- the reference statistical value SV includes a plurality of first analysis values. It is assumed that the database 51 holds a plurality of reference statistical values SV corresponding to ANs.
- the statistical analysis unit 500 ′ sequentially outputs the generation instruction information IF to the reference statistical value generation unit 550 for each frame image SI (or difference image SI ′), for example.
- the reference statistical value generation unit 550 ′ sequentially generates and displays a plurality of reference statistical values SV corresponding to these conditions by sequentially receiving the generation instruction information IF from the statistical analysis unit 500 ′.
- the image is output to the image generator 600 ′.
- the display image generation process is a process of generating diagnostic images IG21 ′ to IG23 ′ (IG2 ′) so as to sequentially display a plurality of reference statistical values SV in association with a plurality of first analysis values ANs.
- the reproduction display of the analysis dynamic image IG1 ′ shown in FIG. 11A changes every moment, and the first analysis value ANs of the diagnostic image IG21 ′ shown in FIG. And the reference statistical value SV, and the first analysis value ANs on the graph of the diagnostic image IG22 ′ shown in FIG. 11C and the reference statistical value SV of the diagnostic image IG23 ′ are synchronized with each other.
- the display changes.
- the display image generation process performs diagnosis so that a plurality of reference statistical values SV are sequentially displayed in association with a plurality of first analysis values ANs.
- Processing for generating the image IG2 ′ is performed. That is, the analysis dynamic image IG1 ', the first analysis value ANs, and the reference statistical value SV can be displayed in association with each other in terms of time. Therefore, it is possible to display not only the first analysis value ANs but also the reference statistical value SV in synchronization with the analysis dynamic image IG1 'changing every moment. Thereby, since comparison with the reference statistical value SV that changes at each photographing time can be performed, more detailed dynamic diagnosis can be performed.
- FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the control unit 31A used in the image processing apparatus 3A configured as the third embodiment of the present invention.
- the control unit 31A is used as an alternative to the control unit 31 (see FIG. 2) in the image processing apparatus 3 of the first embodiment.
- the difference from the first embodiment is that the information storage device 5A includes the reference dynamic image storage unit 51A and the control unit 31A includes the reference statistical value calculation unit 560 in accordance with the change to the reference statistical value generation unit 550A. Furthermore, it is a point provided.
- the remaining configuration is the same as that of the image processing apparatus 3.
- Reference statistical value generation unit 550A > The reference statistical value generation unit 550A in the third embodiment includes a reference dynamic image storage unit 51A and a reference statistical value calculation unit 560.
- the generation instruction information IF is input from the statistical analysis unit 500 (see FIG. 12)
- a plurality of reference dynamic images RI corresponding to the parameter information IF3 from the database 51A are obtained based on the parameter information IF3.
- the result is output to the reference statistical value calculation unit 560.
- the reference statistical value calculation unit 560 the plurality of reference dynamic images RI input from the reference dynamic image storage unit 51A, the diagnostic area AR, the image analysis information IF1, and the statistical analysis information input from the statistical value analysis unit 500
- the reference statistical value SV to be compared with the first analysis value ANs is calculated and generated.
- FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an operation flow of the image processing apparatus 3A according to the third embodiment.
- steps SA1 to SA6, SA9, and SA10 are the same as steps S1 to S6, S8, and S9 in FIG.
- the reference statistical value generation unit 550 (information storage device 5) is replaced with a reference statistical value generation unit 550A (information storage device 5A and reference statistical value calculation unit 560), so that reference is made.
- the addition of the reference statistical value calculation unit 560 that did not exist in the first embodiment changes only the following steps.
- the reference dynamic image storage unit 51A receives the parameter information IF3 input in step SA6.
- the reference dynamic image RI that matches the parameter information IF3 is output to the reference statistical value calculation unit 550A, and the statistical value analysis unit 500 refers to the diagnosis area AR, the image analysis information IF1, and the statistical analysis information IF2. Is input to the statistical value calculation unit 560 (see FIG. 12).
- step SA8 the reference statistical value calculation unit 560 uses the reference dynamic image RI, the diagnosis area AR, the image analysis information IF1, and the statistical analysis information IF2 input in step SA7 to perform the first analysis.
- the reference statistical value SV is calculated, and the reference statistical value SV is output to the display image generation unit 600 (see FIG. 12). The remaining steps are the same as in the first embodiment.
- the reference statistical value SV is calculated by changing the parameter of the reference dynamic image RI based on the parameter information IF3 according to the purpose of diagnosis.
- the reference statistical value SV can be calculated from the unit 560 and displayed. For example, when the diagnosis target is a healthy person, the reference statistical value SV is calculated using a reference dynamic image RI of a plurality of healthy persons as a parameter, while the reference is calculated when the diagnosis target is a patient with a specific disease.
- the statistical value SV can be calculated using a plurality of patients with the specific disease as parameters. In this way, the parameter of the reference dynamic image RI for calculating the reference statistical value SV can be changed according to the purpose of diagnosis.
- the image processing apparatus 3A In the image processing apparatus 3A according to the third embodiment, the case where the entire analysis image is changed based on the configuration of the first embodiment in the case where the entire analysis image is configured from the analysis still image IG1 has been described. You may change based on the structure of 2nd Embodiment when comprised from dynamic image IG1 '.
- the image processing devices 3, 3 ′, 3A are described separately for each embodiment so that they are individually executed. However, these individual functions may be combined with each other as long as they do not contradict each other. .
- FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a diagnostic image IG2B made up of a partial diagnostic image IG22B (FIG. 14A) and a partial diagnostic image IG23B (FIG. 14B) generated by the display image generation process.
- the reference statistical value SV is a statistical value obtained for a healthy person, and is shown in the partial diagnostic image IG23B.
- the vertical axis represents the area of the lung field in (iv) above, and the horizontal axis represents the imaging time.
- the vertical axis of the graph of the partial diagnosis image IG23B in FIG. 14B indicates the luminance change value of the above (i).
- first analysis values ANs1 are obtained by selectively performing the statistical analysis process on the diagnosis area AR set in the area setting process among the entire analysis values AN1 and AN2. , ANs2 respectively.
- the first analysis value ANs1 here corresponds to the area of the lung field region
- the first analysis value ANs2 corresponds to the luminance change value.
- the first analysis value ANs1 corresponding to the area of the lung field region is displayed as a graph of the partial diagnosis image IG22B. Processing is performed so that the first analysis value ANs2 corresponding to the luminance change value is finally displayed as a plot of the partial diagnosis image IG23B.
- the graph of the partial diagnosis image IG22B is different from the reference statistical value SV of the healthy person in the partial diagnosis image IG23B (in FIG. 14A, the graph of the partial diagnosis image IG22B is the lung
- the reference statistical value SV of the healthy person in the partial diagnosis image IG23B is the luminance change value at the area of the field, that is, the first analysis value ANs1, and the first analysis value ANs2 is initially omitted).
- the analysis value that can compare the first analysis value ANs with the reference statistical value SV in FIG. 14B, the point P1 of the first analysis value ANs1 is separately compared with the reference statistical value SV of a healthy person.
- the display method can be switched as a possible luminance change value, that is, the point P2 of the first analysis value ANs2 is included in the partial diagnosis image IG23B.
- the image analysis processing performs plural types of processing among the brightness change value, the distance indicating the size of the target region, the specific position coordinates, the area of the target region, and the movement amount of the specific location.
- a plurality of types of first analysis values ANs can be calculated.
- diagnosis support information effective for the user.
- the area setting unit 400 is provided, but the area setting unit 400 may not be provided. That is, the statistical analysis unit 500 selectively performs the statistical analysis process on the diagnosis area AR set in the area setting process among the entire analysis values AN to obtain the first analysis value ANs. If 400 is not provided, the first analysis value ANs can be obtained by performing statistical analysis processing by setting the entire diagnosis region AR (total analysis value AN) or the like.
- the subject (object) M may be not only a human body but also an animal body.
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Abstract
Description
本発明の第1実施形態に係る放射線動態画像撮影システムについて以下説明する。
第1実施形態に係る放射線動態画像撮影システムは、人体または動物の身体を被写体として、被写体の対象領域の物理的状態が周期的に時間変化する状況に対して放射線画像の撮影を行う。
撮影装置1は、例えば、X線撮影装置等によって構成され、呼吸に伴う被写体Mの胸部の動態を撮影する装置である。動態撮影は、被写体Mの胸部に対し、X線等の放射線を繰り返して照射しつつ、時間順次に複数の画像を取得することにより行う。この連続撮影により得られた一連の画像を動態画像と呼ぶ。また、動態画像を構成する複数の画像のそれぞれをフレーム画像と呼ぶ。
撮影制御装置2は、放射線照射条件や画像読取条件を撮影装置1に出力して撮影装置1による放射線撮影及び放射線画像の読み取り動作を制御するとともに、撮影装置1により取得された動態画像を撮影技師によるポジショニングの確認や診断に適した画像であるか否かの確認用に表示する。
画像処理装置3は、撮像装置1から送信された動態画像を、撮影制御装置2を介して取得し、医師等が読影診断するための画像を表示する。
図1に示すように、情報蓄積装置5は、例えばパーソナル・コンピュータまたはワークステーションを用いたデータベースサーバからなり、データベース(参照用統計値記憶部)51を備えて構成され、制御部31とはバス36を介してデータの送受信を行う。データベース51には、想定される撮影情報等を考慮した参照用統計値の集合体が予め記憶されている(詳細は後述する)。
この実施形態における画像処理装置3の詳細を説明する前提として、動態診断を行う際における問題点について説明しておく。
本発明の第1実施形態における放射線動態画像撮影システム100の画像処理装置3は、診断対象となる身体の解析値と該身体とは異なる複数の身体から算出された統計値との差異を表示することにより、動態診断の診断時間の短縮化を図ることが可能となる。
図2は、放射線動態画像撮影システム100における画像処理装置3において、CPU等が各種プログラムに従って動作することにより制御部31で実現される機能構成を他の構成とともに示す図である。なお、この実施形態の画像処理装置3は、主として心臓および両肺を含む胸部が撮影された動態画像を使用する。
基準動態画像取得部200では、撮像装置1の読取制御装置14によって撮影された被検者Mの身体内部における対象領域の物理的状態が周期的に変化する動態周期の状態を時間方向に順次に撮影された複数のフレーム画像から構成される基準動態画像を取得する。本実施形態における対象領域とは、肺野領域を想定する。すなわち、図2で示されるように、撮像装置1と画像処理装置3との間に、撮影制御装置2が介在し、撮影制御装置2の記憶部22に記憶された検出データ(複数のフレーム画像SI)が通信部25を介して、画像処理装置3の通信部35に出力される。
画像解析部300では、基準動態画像を構成する複数のフレーム画像SIに対して画像解析処理を行うことで、肺野領域全体における全体解析値ANを得る。ここでいう画像解析処理とは、(i)複数のフレーム画像SI間の対応画素における輝度変化値、(ii)複数のフレーム画像SI毎における肺野領域のサイズを示す距離、(iii)複数のフレーム画像SI毎における肺野領域内の特定の位置座標、(iv)複数のフレーム画像SI毎における肺野領域の面積、及び、(v)複数のフレーム画像SI間で対応する特定の位置の移動量のうち、少なくとも何れか1つを算出する処理である。なお、(i)~(v)を、以下では、「画像解析情報IF1」と称する。
領域設定部400では、肺野領域から診断領域ARを設定する領域設定処理を行う(図2参照)。領域設定処理の一例として、操作部33により入力された設定情報に基づき設定する方法がある。すなわち、操作部33により入力された設定情報とは、肺野領域の一部を診断領域ARとして指示する設定情報をいい、ユーザが後述の全体解析画像IG1を見ながら操作部33を介して操作入力する。ユーザによって指定する方法は、矩形指定、楕円指定、フリーハンドでの指定など、どのよう方法を採用しても良い。
統計解析部500では、全体解析値ANを用いて肺野領域の全体または一部の診断領域ARに対して統計解析処理を行うことで、診断領域ARを代表する第1の解析値ANsを得る。本実施形態では、領域設定部400が領域設定処理にて設定された診断領域ARを統計解析部500に出力するので、統計解析部500は、全体解析値ANのうち領域設定処理にて設定された診断領域ARに対して選択的に統計解析処理を行うことで、第1の解析値ANsを得る(図2参照)。
情報蓄積装置5では、少なくとも診断情報を含む生成指示情報に基づき参照用統計値SVを出力する。また、生成指示情報IFとは、診断領域AR、画像解析情報IF1,統計解析情報IF2及び後述のパラメータ情報IF3を総称していう。
続いて、参照用統計値記憶部(データベース)51について説明する。データベース51では、例えば、本実施形態に係る参照用統計値SVが診断領域AR、画像解析情報IF1,統計解析情報IF2、及び、パラメータ情報IF3に基づいてグループ分け可能な態様で格納されている。すなわち、データベース51は、統計解析部500から入力される生成指示情報IFで指示される属性に対応させて参照用統計値SVの集合体を格納しており、生成指示情報IFに合致した参照用統計値SVが出力可能である。すなわち、参照用統計値SVの集合体には、属性情報が予め付されて、例えば、グループ別にデータベース51にて格納されている。ここでいう属性情報とは、例えば、パラメータ情報IF3の撮影対象パラメータIOの場合であれば、性別、年齢、体重、身長、体型・体厚等に関係する情報をいう。
表示画像生成部600では、第1の解析値ANsと、第1の解析値ANsと比較すべき参照用統計値SVとを合わせて表示するように診断用画像IG2を生成する表示画像生成処理を行う。そして、表示部34では、診断用画像IG2を表示する処理を行う。すなわち、表示部34では、第1の解析値ANsと参照用統計値SVとが比較可能に合わせて表示される。
図10は、本実施形態に係る画像処理装置3において実現される基本動作を説明するフローチャートである。なお、既に各部の個別機能の説明は行ったため(図2参照)、ここでは全体の流れのみ説明する。
本発明の第2実施形態における画像処理装置3’は、第1実施形態の画像処理装置3のうち、全体解析画像IG1が動態画像として構成されるため、領域設定部400’、統計解析部500’、参照用統計値生成部550’、表示画像生成部600’(不図示)に以下で説明するように変更される。なお、残余の構成は画像処理装置3と同様である。
まず、画像解析部300と同様の画像解析処理を行うことで、肺野領域全体における全体解析値ANを得るが、表示画像生成部600’では、全体解析画像IG1’を、複数のフレーム画像SIに基づいて動態画像として構成される解析動態画像を生成する。すなわち、表示画像生成処理は、全体解析値ANに基づく解析動態画像IG1(全体解析画像)を生成する処理を行い、表示部34は、統計解析処理を行う前に解析動態画像IG1を表示する処理を行う。
また、統計解析部500’では、解析動態画像IG1’を構成するフレーム画像SI(または差分画像SI’)毎に設定された診断領域ARに対してそれぞれ統計解析処理が行われる。すなわち、第1の解析値ANsは、複数のフレーム画像SI(または差分画像SI’)に基づいて算出される複数の第1の解析値であり、フレーム画像SI(または差分画像SI’)毎に得られる。また、統計解析部500’が、生成指示情報IFを参照用統計値生成部550’に出力する。
続いて、表示画像生成部600’が、該複数の第1の解析値ANsと、参照用統計値生成部550’から生成された参照用統計値SVとを合わせて表示するように診断用画像IG2’(IG21’~IG23’)を生成する表示画像生成処理を行う。
上記の第2実施形態では、参照用統計値SVを単一の統計値とし、診断用画像IG21’,IG23’上で不動としたが、時々刻々動くように表示してもよい。
図12は、本発明の第3実施形態として構成された画像処理装置3Aで用いられる制御部31Aの機能構成を示す図である。この制御部31Aは、第1実施形態の画像処理装置3における制御部31(図2参照)の代替として使用される。第1実施形態と異なる点は、参照用統計値生成部550Aに変更されることに伴い、情報蓄積装置5Aが参照動態画像記憶部51Aを備え、制御部31Aが参照用統計値算出部560を更に備える点である。なお、残余の構成は画像処理装置3と同様である。
第3実施形態における参照用統計値生成部550Aは、参照動態画像記憶部51Aと参照用統計値算出部560とから構成される。
続いて、図13は、第3実施形態に係る画像処理装置3Aの動作フローを例示した図である。なお、図13のうち、ステップSA1~SA6,SA9,SA10は図10のステップS1~S6,S8,S9と同様であるため、その説明は省略する。
以上、本発明の実施形態について説明してきたが、本発明は、上記実施形態に限定されるものではなく、様々な変形が可能である。
2 撮影制御装置
3,3’,3A 画像処理装置
31,31A 制御部
34 表示部
100 放射線動態画像撮影システム
200 動態画像取得部
300 画像解析部
400 領域設定部
500 統計解析部
550,550A 参照用統計値生成部
600 表示画像生成部
M 被写体(被検者)
SI フレーム画像
SI’ 差分画像
IF 生成指示情報
IF1 画像解析情報
IF2 統計解析情報
IF3 パラメータ情報
AR 診断領域
AN 全体解析値
ANs 第1の解析値
SV 参照用統計値
IG1 全体解析画像、解析静止画像、解析動態画像
IG2 診断用画像
Claims (12)
- 人体または動物の対象物の身体内部における対象領域の物理的状態が周期的に変化する動態周期の状態を時間方向に順次に撮影された基準動態画像を取得する基準動態画像取得手段と、
前記基準動態画像を構成する複数のフレーム画像に対して画像解析処理を行うことで、前記対象領域全体における全体解析値を得る画像解析手段と、
前記全体解析値を用いて前記対象領域の全体または一部の診断領域に対して統計解析処理を行うことで、前記診断領域を代表する第1の解析値を得る統計解析手段と、
生成指示情報に基づき、過去の複数の対象物の参照動態画像を用いて算出された参照用統計値を出力する参照用統計値生成手段と、
前記第1の解析値と、前記第1の解析値と比較すべき前記参照用統計値とを合わせて表示する表示手段と、
を備える、
画像処理装置。 - 請求項1に記載の画像処理装置であって、
前記対象領域から前記診断領域を設定する領域設定処理を行う領域設定手段、
を更に備え、
前記統計解析手段は、
前記全体解析値のうち前記領域設定処理にて設定された前記診断領域に対して選択的に前記統計解析処理を行うことで、前記第1の解析値を得る、
画像処理装置。 - 請求項1または請求項2に記載の画像処理装置であって、
前記表示手段は、
前記全体解析値に基づく全体解析画像を表示する処理、
を更に行い、
前記全体解析画像は、
前記複数のフレーム画像に基づいて静止画像として構成される解析静止画像、
を含む、
画像処理装置。 - 請求項1または請求項2に記載の画像処理装置であって、
前記表示手段は、
前記全体解析値に基づく全体解析画像を表示する処理、
を更に行い、
前記全体解析画像は、
前記複数のフレーム画像に基づいて動態画像として構成される解析動態画像、
を含む、
画像処理装置。 - 請求項4に記載の画像処理装置であって、
前記第1の解析値は、前記複数のフレーム画像に基づいて算出される複数の第1の解析値を含み、
前記表示手段は、
前記複数の第1の解析値を前記複数のフレーム画像の撮影時間に対応して順次表示し、前記解析動態画像と前記複数の第1の解析値とを時間的に関連づけて表示する処理、
を更に行う、
画像処理装置。 - 請求項5に記載の画像処理装置であって、
前記表示手段は、
前記複数の第1の解析値を前記撮影時間方向にプロットしたグラフを表示する処理、
を更に行い、
前記グラフは、前記解析動態画像と時間的に関連づけられている、
画像処理装置。 - 請求項1ないし請求項6のうち、いずれか1項記載の画像処理装置であって、
前記参照用統計値は、
前記複数の対象物の固有の情報を示す撮影対象パラメータ、
前記複数の対象物の疾病の有無及び疾病の状態を示す疾病情報パラメータ、
前記参照動態画像が撮影された撮影環境を示す撮影環境パラメータ、及び、
前記参照動態画像が撮影された前記対象物の呼吸状態を示す呼吸状態パラメータ
のうち、少なくとも1つのパラメータを母数として分類された後の統計値を含む、
画像処理装置。 - 請求項1ないし請求項7のうち、いずれか1項記載の画像処理装置であって、
前記画像解析処理は、
前記複数のフレーム画像間の対応画素における輝度変化値、
前記複数のフレーム画像毎における前記対象領域のサイズを示す距離、
前記複数のフレーム画像毎における前記対象領域内の特定の位置座標、
前記複数のフレーム画像毎における前記対象領域の面積、及び、
前記複数のフレーム画像間で対応する前記特定の位置の移動量
のうち少なくとも何れか1つを算出する処理を含む、
画像処理装置。 - 請求項1ないし請求項8のうち、いずれか1項記載の画像処理装置であって、
前記参照用統計値は、
前記過去の複数の対象物の参照動態画像に対して、前記画像解析処理及び前記統計解析処理と同様の処理を行って得られた複数の第2の解析値における、
平均値、最大値、最小値、前記最大値と前記最小値との範囲、及び、バラツキ度合い、のうち少なくとも何れか1つの値を含む、
画像処理装置。 - 請求項1ないし請求項9のうち、いずれか1項記載の画像処理装置であって、
前記対象領域は肺野領域を含む、
画像処理装置。 - 請求項1ないし請求項10のうち、いずれか1項記載の画像処理装置であって、
前記生成指示情報は、診断領域、画像解析情報、統計解析情報、及びパラメータ情報の少なくともひとつである、
画像処理装置。 - 画像処理装置に含まれるコンピュータによって実行されることにより、前記コンピュータを、請求項1ないし請求項11のうち、いずれか1項記載の画像処理装置として機能させるプログラム。
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