WO2015198680A1

WO2015198680A1 - Protocol distribution system, medical image diagnostic apparatus and protocol distribution method

Info

Publication number: WO2015198680A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/060935
Authority: WO
Inventors: 健太櫻木
Original assignee: 株式会社日立メディコ
Priority date: 2014-06-24
Filing date: 2015-04-08
Publication date: 2015-12-30
Also published as: JPWO2015198680A1; JP6622199B2

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to facilitate good image pickup by downloading a desired protocol from the protocol database of a server. The present invention is a protocol distribution system: with which at least one medical image diagnostic apparatus and a server provided with a protocol database, in which data for multiple protocols are stored, are connected to each other via a network; and in which the protocol database can be searched for good protocols for a search objective from the medical image diagnostic apparatus, and detailed data for a desired protocol selected from the search results can be downloaded to the medical image diagnostic apparatus from the protocol database. The protocol database stores supplementary information for each protocol. The server transmits the supplementary information for each protocol to the medical image diagnostic apparatus. The medical image diagnostic apparatus displays the supplementary information for each protocol when displaying the protocols or when a desired protocol is selected.

Description

Protocol distribution system, medical image diagnostic apparatus, and protocol distribution method

The present invention relates to a protocol distribution service for a medical image diagnostic apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for providing a protocol distribution service to a plurality of magnetic resonance imaging (hereinafter referred to as “MRI”) apparatuses.

When clinically using an MRI device, the user selects the necessary pulse sequence (hereinafter simply referred to as “sequence”) from a number of types for each examination, and matches the body type and symptoms of the subject. It is necessary to change the imaging condition (sequence parameter value) and take an image for diagnosis. In addition, many advanced imaging methods have been proposed for MRI devices, and selection of an imaging method appropriate for the examination, customization of the imaging method for each examination, and selection of an applicable imaging method are determined during the examination. To do so, a lot of knowledge and experience is required.

On the other hand, in recent years, MRI apparatuses have been widely used, and MRI apparatuses have come to penetrate even in emerging countries. For this reason, the number of users has increased with the increase in the number of installed MRI apparatuses, but the difference in skill level between users has also increased.

Therefore, it is necessary for users with limited knowledge and experience and users who cannot receive a full training service to select and operate the inspection protocol (hereinafter simply referred to as `` protocol '') appropriately and simply. is there.

For example, in Patent Document 1, a medical image diagnosis apparatus and an information providing server of a plurality of medical institutions are connected by a wide area network, and the information providing server registers in advance a protocol including information related to image diagnosis, and each medical image diagnosis Searches and provides a protocol in response to a request from the device.
As a result, on the medical image diagnostic apparatus side, it is possible to use a protocol set by another apparatus in addition to the protocol set by itself.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0082845

However, in Patent Document 1, although the user can search for a protocol that matches the search condition from the protocols registered in the information providing server, there is no information that can determine whether the searched protocol is useful. difficult. Regarding the protocol, if the usage frequency and recommended information in other medical image diagnostic apparatuses can be browsed, the user can easily select a useful protocol.

Accordingly, the present invention is to download a desired protocol from a protocol database of a server with reference to information from a plurality of other medical image diagnostic apparatuses and an information providing server, and easily enable suitable imaging. .

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, one or more medical image diagnostic apparatuses and a server including a protocol database storing data of a plurality of protocols are connected to each other via a network. The protocol database is searched for a protocol suitable for the examination purpose, the detailed data of the desired protocol selected from the search results is downloaded from the protocol database, and a medical image is taken using the downloaded desired protocol. This is a protocol distribution system.

The protocol database stores incidental information about the protocol for each protocol, the server transmits incidental information for each protocol to the medical image diagnostic apparatus, and the medical image diagnostic apparatus displays the protocol at the time of displaying the protocol or a desired one. When a protocol is selected, incidental information for each protocol is displayed.

In addition, the medical diagnostic imaging apparatus includes a console having a display and an input device, and the console displays the protocol for each protocol when displaying a plurality of downloaded protocols (protocol list) on the display. The incidental information is displayed. In particular, when the medical image diagnostic apparatus is an MRI apparatus, the protocol is a combination of a plurality of sequences.

Further, the protocol distribution server is provided with a protocol database storing data of a plurality of protocols, and the protocol database stores incidental information of the protocol for each protocol.

According to the present invention, a protocol suitable for examination purposes can be selected with reference to protocols and recommended information created by a plurality of other medical image diagnostic apparatuses, and an unfamiliar beginner or use of an advanced imaging method can be selected. Even an expert who is required to perform imaging can easily perform imaging using a protocol suitable for inspection purposes.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the protocol distribution system according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the protocol database (US-PDB) of Example 1 (a) is a figure which shows an example of GUI for displaying on the display 108 of the console 102 of Example 1, and accepting the input of the search condition by a user. (b) is a diagram showing an example of a protocol list display on the display 108 of the console 102 of the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of each function of the CPU 103 of the console 102 according to the first embodiment. (b) is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of each function of the CPU 111 of the protocol distribution server 110 of the first embodiment. The flowchart which shows the processing flow which CPU103 of the console 102 of Example 1 performs. The flowchart which shows the processing flow which CPU111 of the protocol delivery server 110 of Example 1 performs. A flowchart showing a processing flow of search processing executed by the CPU 111 of the protocol distribution server 110 of the first embodiment. Functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of each function of the CPU 103 of the console 102 according to the second embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the display of the protocol list on the display 108 of the console 102 of Example 2, and the agreement degree display between protocols. The flowchart which shows the processing flow which the coincidence degree calculation part 401 of Example 2 performs. (a) is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the protocol database (US-PDB) of the third embodiment. (b) is a diagram showing an example of a protocol list display on the display 108 of the console 102 of the third embodiment. Flowchart illustrating a processing flow executed by the CPU 103 of the console 102 according to the third embodiment. A flowchart showing a processing flow executed by the CPU 111 of the protocol distribution server 110 of the third embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the whole structure of the protocol delivery system of Example 4 The figure which shows an example of the display of the protocol list on the display 108 of the console 102 of Example 4. The figure which shows an example of the agreement display between protocols on the display 108 of the console 102 of Example 4. FIG. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of the protocol database (MS-PDB) of Example 5 The figure which shows an example of the display of the protocol list on the display 108 of the console 102 of Example 5. The figure which shows an example of the whole structure of the protocol delivery system of Example 6 The figure which shows an example of the data structure of post-processing database (PPDB) of Example 5 The figure which shows an example of the post-processing list | wrist displayed on the display 108 of the console 102 of Example 6. The figure which shows an example of the execution screen of the post-process of Example 6 (a) is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of each function of the CPU 103 of the console 102 according to the sixth embodiment. (b) is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of each function of the CPU 111 of the protocol distribution server 110 of the sixth embodiment. (a) is a flowchart showing a processing flow executed by the CPU 103 of the console 102 of the sixth embodiment, and (b) shows a processing flow executed in cooperation with each function of the server CPU.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the protocol distribution system and the protocol distribution method of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In all the drawings for explaining the embodiments of the present invention, those having the same function are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanation thereof is omitted.

First, the outline of the present invention will be described. A protocol distribution system and a protocol distribution method according to the present invention include one or more medical image diagnostic apparatuses and a server (information providing server, protocol distribution server) including a protocol database storing data of a plurality of protocols. For example, they are connected to each other via the Internet. The medical diagnostic imaging apparatus searches the protocol database for a protocol suitable for the examination purpose, downloads detailed data of the desired protocol selected from the search results from the protocol database, and uses the downloaded desired protocol. Take medical images. Alternatively, the medical image diagnostic apparatus uploads a recommended protocol to the protocol database to enable use by other medical image diagnostic apparatuses.

The protocol database stores incidental information about the protocol for each protocol, and the server transmits the incidental information for each protocol to the medical image diagnostic apparatus. The medical image diagnostic apparatus displays incidental information for each protocol when the protocol is displayed or when a desired protocol is selected. Here, the incidental information is information derived from (derived from) the protocol by the user's selection of the protocol or information related to the protocol. This incidental information is stored in the protocol database in association with each protocol. With such a configuration, the user can easily evaluate and select the protocol by referring to the incidental information for each protocol.

Hereinafter, examples of the incidental information according to the present invention will be described in detail by taking an MRI apparatus as an example of a medical image diagnostic apparatus.

Embodiment 1 of the protocol distribution system and protocol distribution method of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, protocol download count (hereinafter referred to as “DL count”) and execution count are used as supplementary information. Specifically, when selecting a desired protocol from the protocol database of the protocol distribution server and downloading the detailed data, the user can refer to the DL count of each protocol and the execution count of each MRI device. To do. This facilitates user evaluation and selection of protocols. Hereinafter, Example 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3C.

First, as a protocol distribution system of the first embodiment, an overview of an overall configuration in which an MRI apparatus including an MR imaging unit 101 and an operation console 102 and a protocol distribution server 110 are connected via a network (for example, the Internet) 116. Will be described with reference to FIG.

Each console 102 and protocol distribution server 110 of a plurality of MRI apparatuses are connected to a network 116, and each console 102 can access the protocol distribution server 110 via the network 116.

The console 102 is a CPU (arithmetic processing unit) 103 that controls the MR imaging unit 101 and performs various calculations, a memory 104, an external storage device 105 such as an HDD, an input device 106 that receives input from a user, and a display 108 An external display function 107 that controls and stores the contents to be transmitted, and a communication control device 109 that controls information transmission and reception with the network 116. Further, the console 102 transmits pal sequence control data to the MR imaging unit 101 and receives reconstructed image data from the MR imaging unit 101.

The protocol distribution server 110 is a CPU (arithmetic processing unit) 111 that controls the entire server and performs various calculations, a large-capacity memory 112, a large-sized external storage device (such as an HDD) 113, and a protocol database (hereinafter, 114 and a communication control device 115 for controlling information transmission / reception with the network 116.

Here, the protocol in the MRI apparatus is configured by combining multiple sequences.Specifically, each sequence type (SE, FSE, EPI, etc.), the execution order of each sequence, and each sequence It includes information on the values of prescribed imaging parameters (for example, repetition time (TR), echo time (TE), etc.). A plurality of such protocols are prepared according to the inspection purpose, and are stored in advance in the external storage device 105 of each console 102 and the large external storage device 113 of the protocol distribution server 110. Therefore, by selecting and using a protocol suitable for the inspection purpose, an image that meets the inspection purpose can be obtained, and such an image can contribute to highly accurate diagnosis.

Next, information communication between the console 102 and the US-PDB 114 in the protocol distribution server 110 via the network 116 will be described with reference to FIG.

The user accesses the US-PDB 114 of the protocol distribution server 110 via the network 116 from the console 102 of the MRI apparatus during and during the examination registration of the subject. At that time, on the console 102, the user inputs a search condition for searching a protocol suitable for the inspection purpose, and a protocol that matches the input search condition is extracted from the US-PDB 114, and the extraction is performed. The list of protocols that have been displayed is displayed on the display 108. Then, the detailed data of the selected protocol selected by the user from the displayed protocol list is downloaded from the US-PDB 114 to the console 102.

Next, the data structure of US-PDB 114 will be described using FIG. 2A. FIG. 2A shows an example of the data structure of US-PDB 114. As shown in FIG. The US-PDB 114 has a data structure in which one or more protocols are stored for each medical department information, examination information, and subject physique information, and the DL count and the usage count are stored for each protocol.

Here, clinical department information of examination is information about specialized fields of medical treatment such as internal medicine, surgery, and brain surgery, and subject physique information is related to physique of subjects such as adults, children, infants, etc. Information, test information is disease content and test order, DL count is the number of times the protocol has been downloaded from US-PDB 114 to console 102 of each MRI device, and usage count is The number of times the protocol has been executed on each MRI device.

When the protocol information is downloaded from the US-PDB 114 to the console 102, the number of DLs and the number of executions of the protocol are downloaded together with the sequence information constituting the protocol for each protocol.

In Example 1, examination department information, subject physique information, and examination information are used, but the protocol database of the present invention is not limited to these items, and other items are used. May be.

Next, items used as search conditions for searching for a protocol suitable for inspection purposes from a plurality of protocols will be described. The search condition item of the first embodiment corresponds to an item constituting the protocol database US-PDB 114, and includes at least one of examination department information, subject physique information, and examination information. Use. Preferably, the search condition is a combination of these. When at least one of these search conditions is input on the console 102, the search condition information is transmitted from the console 102 to the protocol distribution server 110, and the protocol distribution server 110 matches the search condition from the US-PDB 114. A protocol search is performed.

FIG. 2B (a) shows an example of a GUI that is displayed on the display 108 of the console 102 and accepts input of search conditions by the user. For each search condition item, the choice can be selected from a pull-down menu. For example, for clinical examination departments, options such as internal medicine, surgery, and brain surgery are prepared. For the physique, options for adults, children, infants, etc. are prepared. Options such as order B and inspection order C are prepared. After the user sets at least one of the items of the search conditions via the input device 106, the user can press the “Search” button to search for a protocol that matches the set search conditions. It is executed in US-PDB114.

Next, the display of the protocol list, which is the search result obtained by searching US-PDB 114, on display 108 of console 102 will be described with reference to FIG. 2B (b). FIG. 2B (b) is a diagram illustrating an example of a protocol list display according to the first embodiment.

For each protocol, the type of sequence that constitutes the protocol and the value of the imaging parameter that specifically defines the sequence for each sequence are displayed in a table format. By such display, the user can easily grasp the details of the protocol suitable for the inspection purpose. Furthermore, the number of DLs and the number of executions are also displayed for each protocol. These values facilitate the selection of the protocol because the user can easily evaluate the usefulness of the protocol. It should be noted that sorting is possible for each item in the protocol list, and the selected protocol can be easily extracted.

When the operator selects a desired protocol from the protocol list via the input device 106 and presses the “execute selected protocol” button, the selected protocol is executed (imaging is performed).

Next, the configuration of each function of the CPU 103 of the console 102 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to a functional block diagram shown in FIG. 2C (a). The CPU 103 of the console 102 according to the first embodiment receives a search condition input for searching a protocol suitable for the inspection purpose in the US-PDB 114, and transmits the search condition data to the protocol distribution server 110. The protocol setting server 201 receives the protocol list data as a search result from the condition setting unit 201 and the protocol distribution server 110, displays the protocol list, and displays the specific information of the selected protocol selected from the displayed protocol list. Protocol processing unit 202 that transmits to the protocol distribution server 110 and receives the detailed data of the selected protocol from the protocol distribution server 110, an imaging execution unit 203 that executes imaging using the selected protocol, and information on the protocol processing result at the console 102 And an incidental information processing unit 204 for uploading to the US-PDB 114.

The configuration of each function of the CPU 111 of the protocol distribution server 110 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to a functional block diagram shown in FIG. 2C (b). The CPU 111 of the protocol distribution server 110 according to the first embodiment receives the search condition from the console 102, searches the US-PDB 114 based on the search condition, and transmits the protocol list data as the search result to the console 102. In the US-PDB 114, the protocol search unit 251, the detailed data acquisition unit 252 that receives the specific information of the selected protocol from the console 102, acquires the detailed data of the selected protocol from the US-PDB 114, and transmits it to the console 102 A database update unit 253 for updating the data.

The details of the processing contents of each functional unit will be clarified in the description of the processing flow described later.

Next, a processing flow executed in cooperation with each function of the CPU 103 of the console 102 for downloading and executing (imaging) detailed data of a desired protocol from the US-PDB 114 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 3A. To do. This processing flow is stored in advance in the external storage device 105 as a program, and is executed by the CPU 103 reading the program from the external storage device 105 and executing it.

In step 301a, the search condition setting unit 201 displays a search condition setting GUI on the display 108 via the external display function 107, and accepts input of search conditions for searching for a protocol suitable for the inspection purpose. The user inputs a search condition to the search condition setting GUI via the input device 106. As described above, at least one of examination department information, examination information, and subject physique information is input as a search condition.

In step 302a, the search condition setting unit 201 transmits the search condition data input in step 301a for searching for a protocol suitable for the inspection purpose to the protocol distribution server 110.

In step 303a, the protocol processing unit 202 receives data of a protocol list as a search result from the protocol distribution server 110.

In step 304a, the protocol processing unit 202 saves the protocol list data received in step 303a in the memory 104 and displays it on the display 108 via the external display function 107. A specific display example of the protocol list is as shown in FIG. 2B (b).

In step 305a, the user selects a desired protocol from the protocol list displayed on the display 108 via the input device 106. The protocol processing unit 202 accepts selection of a desired protocol.

In step 306a, the protocol processing unit 202 transmits the specific information of the selected protocol selected in step 305a to the protocol distribution server 110.

In step 307a, the protocol processing unit 202 receives the detailed data of the selected protocol from the protocol distribution server 110, saves it in the memory 104, and stores it in the external storage device 105 as one of the protocols provided in the console 102. By storing the detailed data of the selected protocol in the external storage device 105 in this way, it becomes possible to read out the detailed data and repeat the selected protocol freely thereafter. As described above, this detailed data includes information on the type of each sequence constituting the selection protocol, the execution order of each sequence, and the value of the imaging parameter that specifically defines each sequence.

In step 308a, the imaging execution unit 203 generates control data for each sequence constituting the selection protocol based on the detailed data of the selection protocol received in step 307a.
Then, the generated control data is transmitted to the MR imaging unit 101, and the MR imaging unit 101 is caused to execute imaging using the selection protocol.

In step 309a, the incidental information processing unit 204 notifies the protocol distribution server 110 that the protocol distribution server 110 has performed imaging using the selected protocol.

The above is the description of the processing flow executed by the CPU 103 of the console 102 for downloading and capturing detailed data of a desired protocol.

Note that when the user performs imaging using the selected protocol selected from the protocol list of the console 102 without downloading the protocol from the protocol distribution server 110, detailed data of the executed selected protocol is transmitted to the protocol distribution server 110. Notify As a result, the selected protocol is registered in the US-PDB 114 and the number of executions thereof is set.

Next, each function of the CPU 111 of the protocol distribution server 110 for searching for a suitable protocol for the inspection purpose is executed in cooperation with the above processing flow executed in cooperation with each function of the CPU 103 of the console 102. The processing flow to be described will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 3B. This processing flow is stored in advance in the large external storage device 113 as a program, and is executed by the CPU 111 reading the program from the large external storage device 113 and executing it.

In step 301b, the protocol search unit 251 receives search condition data for searching for a protocol suitable for the inspection purpose transmitted from the console 102 in step 302a.

In step 302b, the protocol search unit 251 searches the US-PDB 114 based on the search condition received in step 301b, and creates protocol list data as a search result. Details of the search process will be described later.

In step 303b, the protocol search unit 251 transmits the protocol list data, which is the search result created in step 302b, to the console 102. As a result, step 303a is executed.

In step 304b, the selection protocol specific information transmitted from the console 102 in step 306a is received.

In step 305b, the detailed data acquisition unit 252 extracts the detailed data of the selected protocol from the US-PDB 114 based on the selection protocol specific information received in step 304b, and transmits it to the console 102.

In step 306b, the database update unit 253 reads out the DL count of the selected protocol that transmitted the detailed data from the US-PDB 114, adds 1 to the value, and sets the DL count of the selected protocol in the US-PDB 114 as the added value. Update.

In step 307b, the database update unit 253 receives the execution of the selected protocol notified from the console 102 in step 309a, reads out the execution count of the selected protocol from the US-PDB 114, adds 1 to the value, -Update the execution count of the selected protocol in PDB114 with the added value.

The above is the description of the processing flow executed by the CPU 111 of the protocol distribution server 110 for searching for a protocol suitable for the inspection purpose.

Next, the processing flow of search processing executed by the protocol search unit 251 in step 302b will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 3C. This processing flow is stored in advance in the large external storage device 113 as a program, and is executed by the CPU 111 reading the program from the large external storage device 113 and executing it. The search process here searches the US-PDB 114 for protocols having the same clinical department information, subject physique information, and examination information.

In step 301c, clinical department data is acquired from the search conditions received in step 301b.

In step 302c, based on the data of the department obtained in step 301c, the protocol of the department is extracted from the US-PDB 114, and list data of the extraction result is created (referred to as first list data).

In step 303c, the inspection information data is acquired from the search conditions received in step 301b.

In step 304c, based on the examination information data extracted in step 303c, the protocol of the examination information is extracted from the first list data created in step 302c, and the list data of the extraction result is created (second list) Data).

In step 305c, the data of the subject physique information is acquired from the search conditions received in step 301b.

In step 306c, based on the data of the subject physique information extracted in step 305c, the protocol of the subject physique information is extracted from the second list data created in step 304c and the list data of the extraction result is created (3rd list data) This third list data becomes the protocol list data that is the final search result.

The above is the description of the processing flow of the search processing executed by the CPU 111 of the protocol distribution server 110. In the above description, the search process using all three of the examination department information, the examination information, and the subject physique information has been described, but the search condition for at least one of these three items is If so, the search can be performed. For items with no data, the search for that item is skipped.

As described above, in the first embodiment, when a desired protocol is selected from the protocol database of the protocol distribution server and the detailed data is downloaded, the user can execute the DL number of each protocol or the execution by each MRI apparatus. Make the number of times visible. As a result, the user can easily evaluate the usefulness of the protocol, thereby facilitating selection of the protocol. As a result, even an inexperienced beginner or an expert who is required to use an advanced imaging method can easily perform imaging using a protocol suitable for inspection purposes.

Embodiment 2 of the protocol distribution system and protocol distribution method of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the degree of coincidence between the desired protocol selected by the user and the protocol downloaded from the protocol distribution server to the console is used as the incidental information. Specifically, the CPU (arithmetic processing unit) of the console compares the protocol selected by the user on the console with the protocol downloaded from the protocol distribution server, and calculates the degree of coincidence between them.

And, when displaying the protocol list downloaded from the protocol distribution server, this matching degree is displayed for each protocol. Here, the protocol selected by the user is a protocol selected by the user from protocols pre-installed in the console or a protocol selected by the user from the protocols downloaded from the protocol distribution server. .

This helps the user to select the desired protocol from the protocols downloaded from the protocol distribution server. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

First, the method for calculating the agreement between protocols will be described. In calculating the degree of coincidence between protocols, the types of sequences constituting the protocols and their execution order, the types and values of parameters defining the sequences, are respectively compared. Then, the degree of coincidence is evaluated so that the degree of coincidence increases when these values are the same, and the degree of coincidence decreases when these values are different.

In order to calculate the degree of matching between protocols, the following steps 1) and 2) are repeated for each sequence constituting the protocol to obtain the degree of matching between sequences.

1) Determine whether the sequence types are the same.
2) If the sequence types are the same, the degree of coincidence between sequences is calculated. If the sequence types are not the same, the sequence matching degree is set to 0 (zero).

Finally, the addition value of the matching degree between sequences is used as the matching degree of the protocol.

The degree of coincidence between sequences is calculated based on whether or not the type of imaging parameter that defines the sequence matches its value. Specifically, the number of imaging parameters whose types and values match between sequences is counted, and the imaging parameter matching degree is calculated as follows.
Imaging parameter match =
(Number of imaging parameters whose type and value match) / (Number of all imaging parameters) x 100%

Based on the imaging parameter matching degree calculated in this way, the matching degree between sequences is calculated as follows. That is, when one sequence belongs to a protocol composed of M sequences and the other sequence belongs to a protocol composed of N sequences,
Sequence coincidence = (total imaging parameter coincidence) x [1 / max (M, N)]
Here, max (M, N) is a function that takes a larger value of M and N. In addition, a present Example is not limited to the said calculation method, Another calculation method may be used.

Next, the overall configuration of the protocol distribution system according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. However, since the configuration of each function of the CPU 103 of the console 102 according to the second embodiment is slightly different from that of the first embodiment, the configuration of each function of the CPU 103 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition to the functions shown in FIG. 2C (a) described in the first embodiment, each function of the CPU 103 of the console 102 according to the second embodiment is further calculated as a degree of agreement between protocols as described above. The matching degree calculation unit 401 is provided. Note that the configuration of each function of the CPU 111 of the protocol distribution server 110 is the same as each function shown in FIG. 2C (b) described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Details of the processing content of each function in the second embodiment will be clarified in the description of the processing flow to be described later.

Next, the display of the protocol list including the matching degree between protocols in the second embodiment on the display 108 of the console 102 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a protocol list. The protocol list (A) extracted from the external storage device 105 of the console 102 is displayed on the upper stage of the display 108, and the protocol list (B) downloaded from the US-PDB 114 is displayed on the middle stage of the display 108. When the user selects a desired protocol from the protocol list (A), the selected protocol is highlighted in the list.

Also, the degree of coincidence is calculated between the selected protocol and each protocol in the protocol list (B) as described above, and the degree of coincidence is displayed for each protocol in the protocol list (B). Each time the user changes the protocol selected from the protocol list (A), the calculation and display of the matching degree between the selected protocol and each protocol in the protocol list (B) is repeated. .

Furthermore, the lower part of the display 108 graphically shows the comparison result between protocols. FIG. 5 shows an example in which, when the user selects a protocol from the protocol of the console 102 and the protocol downloaded from the US-PDB 114, the comparison result between the selected protocols is graphically displayed in the lower part of the display 108. . Here, an example will be described in which the degree of coincidence for each imaging parameter to be compared is graphically shown. As imaging parameters to be compared, scan time, contrast, SAR, S / N, and the like are suitable. The degree of coincidence of these imaging parameters is represented by a bar graph.

Next, the processing flow executed by the coincidence calculation unit 401 for calculating the coincidence between protocols will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. This processing flow is stored in advance in the external storage device 105 as a program, and is executed by the CPU 103 reading the program from the external storage device 105 and executing it.

In this processing flow, it is assumed that one protocol is selected on the console 102 side and N protocols are downloaded from the US-PDB 114. Note that one protocol selected on the console 102 side is, for example, a protocol selected by the user from protocols stored in advance in the external storage device 105 of the console 102. It is assumed that one protocol selected on the console 102 side is composed of M sequences.

In step 601, the loop counter m of the sequence (A, m) constituting the protocol A of the console is set to 1 (m = 1, m ≦ M).

In step 602, the m-th sequence (A, m) of protocol A of the console is acquired.

In step 603, the loop counter n (n ≦ N) of protocol B downloaded from US-PDB 114 and the loop counter p (p ≦ P (n)) of the sequence constituting the nth protocol B (n) are checked. Each is set to 1 (n = 1, p = 1). Here, it is assumed that the protocol B (n) is composed of P (n) sequences.

In step 604, the p-th sequence (B; n, p) of the n-th protocol B (n) is acquired.

In step 605, it is determined whether or not the sequence (A, m) acquired in step 602 and the sequence (B; n, p) acquired in step 604 are the same sequence type. If the sequence type is the same (Yes), the process proceeds to step 606. If the sequence type is not the same (No), the process proceeds to step 607.

In step 606, since the same sequence type is determined in step 605, the degree of coincidence between the imaging parameters defining the sequence (imaging parameter coincidence degree) is calculated. The method for calculating the degree of coincidence of the imaging parameters is as described above.

In step 607, since it is determined in step 605 that the sequence types are not the same, the sequence matching degree is set to 0, and the process proceeds to step 609.

In step 608, the degree of coincidence (sequence coincidence) is calculated between the sequence (A, m) and the sequence (B; n, p). Here, the method for calculating the sequence coincidence is as described above.

In step 609, it is confirmed whether or not the loop counter p is equal to P (n). If they are equal (Yes), the process proceeds to step 610, and if they are not equal, the process proceeds to step 611.

In step 610, the sequence coincidence calculated in step 608 is added to the coincidence of the nth protocol B (n).

In

step

611, 1 is added to the loop counter p (p = p + 1), and the process proceeds to step 604.

In step 612, it is confirmed whether or not the loop counter n is equal to N. If they are equal (Yes), the process proceeds to Step 613. If they are not equal (No), the process proceeds to Step 614.

In step 613, it is confirmed whether or not the loop counter m is equal to M. If they are equal (Yes), the process ends. If they are not equal, the process proceeds to Step 615.

In

step

614, 1 is added to the loop counter n (n = n + 1). Further, the loop counter p is initialized (p = 1). Then, the process proceeds to step 604.

In

step

615, 1 is added to the loop counter m (m = m + 1). Then, the process proceeds to step 602.

The above is the description of the processing flow of the coincidence calculation unit 401 for calculating the coincidence between protocols.

As described above, the second embodiment calculates the degree of matching between protocols, and displays this degree of matching for each protocol when the protocol list downloaded from the US-PDB 114 is displayed. Thus, the user can easily evaluate the downloaded protocol with reference to the matching degree for each protocol. As a result, even an inexperienced beginner or an expert who is required to use an advanced imaging method can easily perform imaging using a protocol suitable for inspection purposes.

Embodiment 3 of the protocol distribution system and protocol distribution method of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, preference information about a protocol selected as a preference protocol by the user is used as the accompanying information. Specifically, when the user selects a favorite protocol on the console, information about the favorite protocol is notified to the protocol distribution server, and preference information for each protocol is stored in the protocol database of the protocol distribution server. Further, the protocol information including preference information is downloaded from the protocol database of the protocol distribution server, and the preference information is displayed together with the detailed contents of the protocol on the console. As a result, the user can easily determine the protocol preferred by other users. The overall configuration of the protocol distribution system of the third embodiment is the same as the configuration of FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described in detail based on FIGS. 7, 8A, and 8B.

First, the data structure of US-PDB 114 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7 (a). FIG. 7A shows an example of the data structure of the US-PDB 114 of the third embodiment. Similar to the data structure of US-PDB 114 shown in FIG. 2A described in Example 1 above, US-PDB 114 of this Example 3 includes 1 for each department information, examination information, and physique information. More than one protocol is stored. The total number of preferences is stored for each protocol. This total number of preferences is a value obtained by totaling preference information for each protocol transmitted from the console 102 of a plurality of MRI apparatuses. When protocol information is downloaded from the US-PDB 114, the total number of preferences for each protocol is also downloaded. Note that, as described in the first embodiment, the US-PDB 114 may be downloaded together with the total number of preferences having the DL count and the execution count for each protocol.

Next, the display of the protocol list downloaded from the US-PDB 114 on the display 108 of the console 102 will be described with reference to FIG. 7 (b). FIG. 7B is a diagram showing an example of a protocol list display. For each protocol, the type of sequence constituting the protocol and the value of the imaging parameter that specifically defines the sequence for each sequence are displayed in tabular form. Further, the total number of preferences is displayed for each protocol. The value of the total number of preferences allows the user to easily determine the protocol preferred by other users, so that the protocol can be easily selected.

When the user selects a favorite protocol from the protocol list via the input device 106 and presses the “Determine favorite protocol” button, the user is informed that the selected protocol is preferred. The preference information is transmitted from the console 102 to the protocol distribution server 110. Then, the protocol distribution server 110 updates the value of the total number of preferences related to the selected protocol in the US-PDB 114 with a value obtained by adding 1 to the value. As a result, preference information of a plurality of users is reflected in each protocol in the US-PDB 114.

Next, the configuration of each function of the CPU 103 of the console 102 and the CPU 111 of the protocol distribution server 110 according to the third embodiment will be described. Each function of the CPU 103 of the console 102 of the third embodiment is the same as the functional configuration shown in FIG. 2C (a) described in the first embodiment. Further, the configuration of each function of the CPU 111 of the protocol distribution server 110 of the third embodiment is the same as the configuration of the function shown in FIG. 2C (b) described in the first embodiment. Details of the processing content of each function in the third embodiment will be clarified in the description of the processing flow described later.

Next, with regard to selection of preference protocol and display of preference information for each protocol, a processing flow executed in cooperation with each function of the CPU 103 of the console 102 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 8A. This processing flow is stored in advance in the external storage device 105 as a program, and is executed by the CPU 103 reading the program from the external storage device 105 and executing it. In this processing flow, as described in the first embodiment, the user searches the US-PDB 114 by setting a search condition, downloads a protocol list as a search result, and downloads the downloaded protocol. It is assumed that the list is displayed on the display 108 of the console 102.

In step 801a, the user selects a preferred protocol via the input device 106 from the protocol list downloaded from the US-PDB 114 displayed on the display 108 of the console 102, and the input device 106 Then press the “Determine preferred protocol” button. The incidental information processing unit 204 accepts selection of a favorite protocol.

In step 802a, the incidental information processing unit 204 transmits information on the preference protocol selected in step 801a to the protocol distribution server 110.

In step 803a, the incidental information processing unit 204 receives from the protocol distribution server 110 an updated value of the total number of preferences of the preference protocol selected in step 801a.

In step 804a, the protocol processing unit 202 updates the preference total number of the preference protocol designated in step 801a displayed on the display 108 with the updated value of the preference total received in step 803a.

The above is the description of the processing flow executed by the CPU 103 of the console 102 regarding the selection of the favorite protocol and the updating and display of the total number of preferences.

Next, each function of the CPU 111 of the protocol distribution server 110 for updating the preference total number of the favorite protocol is executed in cooperation with the above processing flow executed in cooperation with each function of the CPU 103 of the console 102. The processing flow will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 8B. This processing flow is stored in advance in the large external storage device 113 as a program, and is executed by the CPU 111 reading the program from the large external storage device 113 and executing it.

In step 801b, the database update unit 253 receives the preference protocol information transmitted from the console 102 in step 802a.

In step 802b, the database update unit 253 reads the preference total for the preference protocol received in step 801b from the US-PDB 114, adds 1 to the read preference total, and uses the added preference total in the preference in the US-PDB 114. Update the total number of protocol preferences.

In step 803b, the database updating unit 253 transmits the preference total number of preference protocols updated in step 802b to the console 102.

The above is the description of the processing flow executed by the CPU 111 of the protocol distribution server 110 for updating the total number of preference protocols.

As described above, the CPU 103 of the console 102 and the CPU 111 of the protocol distribution server 110 perform processing, so that the total number of preferences is displayed on the display 108 of the console 102 for each protocol. As a result, the user can easily determine the protocol preferred by other users.

As described above, in the third embodiment, when the user selects a favorite protocol on the console, preference information for each protocol is stored in the protocol database of the protocol distribution server. Preference information is displayed. As a result, the user can easily determine the protocol preferred by other users. As a result, even an inexperienced beginner or an expert who is required to use an advanced imaging method can easily perform imaging using a protocol suitable for inspection purposes.

Embodiment 4 of the protocol distribution system and protocol distribution method of the present invention will be described. In the fourth embodiment, a protocol database (MS-PDB) storing protocols recommended by a third party is prepared separately, and protocols recommended by a third party are uploaded to the MS-PDB in advance if necessary. . Then, the console downloads the protocol from the protocol database (US-PDB) and the protocol database (MS-PDB) and displays it on the display. This allows the user to browse and download not only US-PDB protocols but also third-party recommended protocols from the console. As a third party, for example, an MRI apparatus manufacturer, a university, a research institution, or the like is preferable. Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment will be described in detail based on FIGS.

First, the data structure of MS-PDB will be explained. The data structure of the MS-PDB may be the same as the data structure of the US-PDB shown in FIG. 2A described in the first embodiment. That is, the MS-PDB has a data structure in which one or more protocols are stored for each medical department information, examination information, and subject physique information, and the DL count and the usage count are stored for each protocol. As described above, the data structure for storing the number of DLs and the number of executions for each protocol facilitates the evaluation and selection of the usefulness of each protocol performed by the user. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments described above, the number of DLs of the protocol, the number of executions, and the degree of coincidence are used as incidental information.

Next, the overall configuration of the protocol distribution system according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. The overall configuration of the fourth embodiment is a configuration in which a third party server 801 connected to a network (for example, the Internet) 116 is further added to the overall configuration of FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment. The configuration of the third party server 801 includes a CPU 802, a large-capacity memory 803, a communication control device 805, and a large-sized external storage device 806 including an MS-PDB 807, like the protocol distribution server 110. Note that the MS-PDB 807 storing a protocol recommended by a third party may be arranged in the large-sized external storage device 113 of the protocol distribution server 110. In this case, the third party server 801 is connected to the protocol distribution server 110. To manage the contents of MS-PDB807. The fourth embodiment will be described below assuming that the MS-PDB is arranged in the large external storage device 806 of the third party server 801.

In such an overall configuration, the user accesses the protocol distribution server 110 or the third party server 801 from the operation console 102 via the network 116 and downloads desired protocol data to the operation console 102. At this time, the access authority to each server is managed by a code (password) possessed only by the customer.

Further, the configuration of each function of the CPU 103 of the console 102 of the fourth embodiment is the same as the configuration of each function shown in FIG. 2C (a) described in the first embodiment. Further, the configuration of each function of the CPU 802 of the third-party server 801 of the fourth embodiment is the configuration of each function of the CPU 111 of the protocol distribution server 110 illustrated in FIG. 2C (b) described in the first embodiment. The same. Details of the processing content of each function in the fourth embodiment will be clarified in the following description.

Next, the display of the protocol list, which is the search result obtained by searching US-PDB 114 or MS-PDB 807, on display 108 of console 102 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a protocol list on the display 108 of the console 102 according to the fourth embodiment.

This protocol list display process is performed by the protocol processing unit 202. The display 108 includes a protocol list stored in the external storage device 105 of the console 102, a protocol list downloaded from the US-PDB 114 of the protocol distribution server 110, and a protocol downloaded from the MS-PDB 807 of the third party server 801. The list is displayed separately on tabs of “operation console database”, “protocol distribution server database”, and “third party recommended database”.

FIG. 10 shows an example in which the protocol list downloaded from the MS-PDB 807 of the third party server 801 is displayed especially when the tab of the third party recommended database is selected. Each protocol list may be a download of search results obtained by entering protocol search conditions on the console search screen described in Example 1 above, or display a list of protocols stored in each database. You can do it. In addition, sorting is possible for each item, and a search for a desired protocol is facilitated.

11, as in FIG. 5, the protocol stored in the external storage device 105 of the console 102 and the US-PDB 114 or third party server 801 of the protocol distribution server 110 are displayed on the display 108 of the console 102. Of the comparison result with the protocol downloaded from MS-PDB807 and the graphical display of the comparison result are shown. On the display 108, the protocol list of the console 102 is displayed at the top, and the protocol list downloaded from the US-PDB 114 of the protocol distribution server 110 and the protocol list downloaded from the MS-PDB 807 of the third party server 801 are displayed at the bottom. In this example, each tab is divided into separate tabs and the comparison result is graphically displayed in the lower part.

The user selects the desired protocol (A) from the protocol list of the console via the input device 106, and then selects either the tab of the protocol distribution server 110 or the tab of the third party server 801. Then, the coincidence calculation unit 401 of the CPU 103 of the console 102 calculates the coincidence between the protocol (A) and each protocol (B) in the protocol list of the selected tab. Display in association with protocol (B). Here, the calculation method described in the second embodiment is used for calculating the degree of coincidence. The comparison result is graphically displayed as described in the second embodiment.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, a protocol database storing protocols recommended by a third party is prepared separately, and the user recommends the protocol recommended by the third party from the console, the number of DLs and the number of executions. , And the degree of coincidence so that it can be viewed and downloaded. As a result, a third-party recommended protocol can be used, and the user can easily evaluate the usefulness of the third-party recommended protocol as in the first embodiment. , Protocol selection becomes easier. As a result, even an inexperienced beginner or an expert who is required to use an advanced imaging method can easily perform imaging using a protocol suitable for inspection purposes.

Embodiment 5 of the protocol distribution system and protocol distribution method of the present invention will be described. In the fifth embodiment, related information about an option protocol that is a device option is used as incidental information. Specifically, the third party uploads the option protocol of the device option to the protocol database (MS-PDB) and stores it in advance, and the operator console provides information related to the option protocol when the user selects the option protocol. Allows browsing, purchasing, and downloading. Hereinafter, the fifth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

First, the data structure of MS-PDB will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the MS-PDB. The data structure of the MS-PDB is obtained by adding option information to the data structure of the US-PDB shown in FIG. 2A described in the first embodiment. Specifically, the MS-PDB stores one or more protocols for each medical department information, examination information, and subject size information, and further stores option information for each protocol. Here, the option information is, for example, information on whether or not the protocol is an optional protocol of the device option (Yes), and if it is an optional protocol (Yes), the use of the option protocol purchased. Includes a link to a database or file that records information about the person (customer). Here, the information related to the user (customer) who purchased the option protocol is the customer identification information (customer ID), the identification information of the MRI apparatus (option ID) on which the option protocol is installed, the purchase date of the option protocol, and will be described later. Includes license type information for optional protocols.

Note that the MS-PDB may store the DL count and the usage count for each protocol, as in the first embodiment. The example of FIG. 12 shows this case.
The overall configuration of the fifth embodiment is the same as the entire configuration of FIG. 9 described in the fourth embodiment.

Further, the configuration of each function of the CPU 103 of the console 102 of the fifth embodiment is the same as the configuration of each function shown in FIG. 2C (a) described in the first embodiment. The configuration of each function of the CPU 111 of the protocol distribution server 110 of the fifth embodiment and the CPU 802 of the third party server 801 is the same as the CPU 111 of the protocol distribution server 110 illustrated in FIG. 2C (b) described in the first embodiment. Is the same as the configuration of each function. The details of the processing contents of each functional unit in the fifth embodiment will be clarified in the description described later.

Next, a display example of the protocol list on the display 108 of the console 102 will be described with reference to FIG. The protocol processing unit 202 performs this protocol list display process. Similar to the display of the protocol list in FIG. 10 described in the fourth embodiment, various protocol lists are displayed on the display 108 separately for each tab.

Specifically, the protocol list stored in the external storage device 105 of the console 102 is displayed on the tab of the console database, and downloaded from the US-PDB 114 of the protocol distribution server 110 on the tab of the protocol distribution server database. The protocol list downloaded from the MS-PDB 807 of the third party server 801 is displayed on the tab of “Third Party Recommended Database”. FIG. 13 shows an example in which the protocol list downloaded from the MS-PDB 807 of the third party server 801 is displayed when the tab of the third party recommended database is selected. Each protocol list may be a search result obtained by inputting a protocol search condition on the search screen of the console 102 described in the first embodiment, or a list of protocols stored in each database.

In particular, the protocol list downloaded from the MS-PDB 807 of the third-party server 801 displays, for each protocol, option information of the protocol along with each sequence information constituting the protocol. Here, as option information, whether the protocol is a device option (that is, an option protocol) (`` Yes '') or not (`` No ''), if it is a device option, the current user has already purchased (`` purchased '') Whether or not ("not purchased") is displayed. This display indicates that the option protocol has been downloaded to the console 102 if it has been purchased (“Purchased”), and has not yet been downloaded to the console if it has not been purchased (“Not purchased”). Means. The display control of the option information is performed by the protocol processing unit 202 referring to the option information for each protocol stored in the MS-PDB 807 for determination.
When the user selects one of the protocols from the protocol list and the selected protocol is a device option protocol, the incidental information processing unit 204 performs the following processing for the option protocol.

First, at the bottom of display 108,
-A message indicating that this is a device option: "The selected protocol is optional"
-Buttons that enable browsing of related information on the selected option protocol-If a license for the selected option protocol has not been purchased, a GUI for purchasing the license is displayed.

∙ As related information about the optional protocol, a function overview of the optional protocol and a sample image obtained by executing the optional protocol are provided by a third party. The user can press the “Browse function overview and sample image” button to display the information on the display 108 for browsing. In addition, if there are academic papers or conference presentation materials about the optional protocol, when the “Browse academic papers / conference presentations” button is pressed, a link (URL) to the home page that posted those documents is displayed. Since the posted screen is displayed, the user can select a desired link and jump to the linked home page to view the corresponding document. Alternatively, the MS-PDB 807 may directly store the material data and provide it for the user's browsing.

When purchasing an optional protocol license, the user first selects a license type on the license purchase GUI. The option protocol has various usage frequencies ranging from advanced imaging methods to those used in normal examinations. For example, the following option types are prepared so that the user (customer) can select them.

a) Type 1 = License that can be used permanently After purchase, the license can be used permanently without additional charge. By selecting “Acquire Permanent License”, you can purchase with this license type.

b) Type 2 = License charged for each use After purchase, select “Acquire license to add the number of times” for the license charged for the number of uses. Become.

c) Type 3 = License that can be used up to a predetermined number of times in a predetermined period After purchase, a license that can be used up to a predetermined number of times in a predetermined period, for example, a license that can be used up to 100 times per month. By selecting “Acquire a license that can be used a fixed number of times in a month”, you can purchase with this license type.

When any of the above license types is selected and the “Acquire License” button is pressed, an input screen for various information necessary for purchasing the license is displayed. The user enters the necessary information. The license is purchased, and the detailed data of the corresponding optional protocol is downloaded to the console 102. Then, the information of the customer who purchased the option protocol and the contents of the downloaded option protocol are transmitted from the console 102 to the third party server 801, and the user is requested to pay the protocol fee. Further, when the MS-PDB807 stores the DL count for each protocol, when the download of this optional protocol is executed, the database update unit 253 of the CPU 802 of the third-party server 801 causes the option in the MS-PDB807 to Update the DL number of the protocol to the value added by 1.

As described above, in the fifth embodiment, a third party uploads a device option protocol in advance to a third party protocol server, and allows the option protocol to be viewed, purchased, and downloaded from the console. As a result, the user can easily evaluate the usefulness of the option protocol, and can easily purchase and download it as necessary. As a result, even an inexperienced beginner or an expert who is required to use an advanced imaging method can easily perform imaging using a protocol suitable for inspection purposes.

Embodiment 6 of the protocol distribution system and protocol distribution method of the present invention will be described. In the sixth embodiment, post-processing related to the protocol is executed by the console, or the server receives the processing result by the server. The server has a post-processing database (PPDB) that stores details of post-processing software and execution files in the storage device, and the protocol database (PDB) holds post-processing related to each protocol in association with each other. The medical image diagnostic apparatus selects post-processing of an image obtained by the executed protocol from post-processing associated with the protocol, requests the server to execute the post-processing, and performs processing from the server. Receive the result. Hereinafter, the sixth embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

First, an example of the overall configuration of the protocol distribution system according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. The overall configuration of the sixth embodiment is a configuration in which an image processing server 117 connected to a network (for example, the Internet) 116 is further added to the overall configuration of FIG. 9 described in the fourth embodiment. Then, the console 102, the protocol distribution server 110, or the third party server 801 requests post-processing from the image processing server 117, and the image processing server 117 notifies the requester of the processing result. Note that the post-processing software may be executed directly by a server that stores the post-processing software, or may be executed by the console 102.

Further, the configuration of each function of the CPU 103 of the console 102 in the sixth embodiment is the same as the configuration of each function illustrated in FIG. 2C (a) described in the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. In addition, a post-processing unit 601 is provided.

In addition, the configuration of each function of the CPU of the image processing server 117, the CPU 111 of the protocol distribution server 110, and the CPU 802 of the third party server 801 according to the sixth embodiment is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment as illustrated in FIG. In addition to the configuration of each function included in the CPU 111 of the protocol distribution server 110 illustrated in FIG. Details of the processing content of each function in the sixth embodiment will be clarified in the following description.

Next, the data structure of PPDB will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the PPDB. The PPDB stores a usage status, a post-processing execution destination, an execution file name, a sample image, and the like for each post-processing. The usage status indicates whether the subsequent processing is an option or the usage status (for example, during trial use, purchased, not purchased). The execution destination represents where the processing software is to be executed thereafter, and represents any one of an image processing server, a console, the server itself having this PPDB, and the like. The executable file represents the executable file name. The sample image is a sample of an image obtained by this post-processing. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the post-processing DKI (Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging) is in trial and is a post-processing executed by the image processing server, the execution file is “DKI.exe”, and the post-processing MRS ( Magnetic (Resonance (Spectroscopy)) has been purchased and executed on the console, and the executable file is "MRS.exe".

Next, the display of the post-processing list on the display 108 of the console 102 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 shows an example of a post-processing list displayed on the display 108 of the console 102.

In this example, one or more protocols are selected on the protocol list as shown in FIG. 13 obtained by searching the MS-PDB 807 of the third party server 801, and the selected protocol is executed. When the radio button “post processing” is selected later, the display is switched to the display of the post processing list associated with the selected protocol. The meaning of each item in the list is as described in FIG. Here, the case where one of the protocol lists obtained by searching the MS-PDB 807 is selected and executed is shown. However, the protocol list stored in the external storage device 105 of the console 102 (the console database ) Or US-PDB114, one of the protocol lists obtained by searching may be selected and executed. Other displays are the same as in FIG.

Then, when one post-processing is selected from the post-processing list, the selected post-processing is highlighted and a message about the usage status is displayed below the list. The example of FIG. 16 shows an example in which post-processing DKI is selected and a message “Selected post-processing is optional (during trial)” is displayed. If the radio button “protocol” is selected, the display is switched again to the protocol list as shown in FIG.

Finally, when the “Execute post-processing” button is pressed, the selected post-processing execution screen appears.

Next, post-processing execution will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 shows an example of a post-processing execution screen. In the post-processing execution screen, the content of the selected post-processing, the target image to be post-processed and its imaging condition, the post-processing execution destination, and the post-processing output destination are designated.

As the execution destination, one of the image processing server 117, the protocol distribution server 110, the third party server 801, and the console 102 is selected. The execution destination stored in the PPDB is selected by default. When the console 102 is selected as the execution destination, the post-processing execution file is downloaded to the console 102, and the execution file downloaded by the console 102 is executed.

As the output destination, one of the image processing server 117, the protocol distribution server 110, the third party server 801, and the console 102 is selected. In addition, when other than the console is selected, the processing result is downloaded from the selected output destination by the console 102 after the post-processing.

When the “Execute Process” button is pressed after setting the above items, post-processing is executed at the specified execution destination, and the processing result is output and saved at the specified output destination.

At the start of post-processing execution, the protocol specifying information that acquired the target image for the post-processing is transmitted to the protocol distribution server 110 or the third party server 801. The number of protocol executions may be counted for each post-processing. Then, when displaying the post-processing list on the display 108 of the console 102, the protocol specifying information is sent to the server, the post-processing having a large count number of the protocol is searched from the PPDB, and the post-processing list is displayed on the display 108 of the console 102. When displaying the processing list, the number of executions of each protocoil may be displayed for each post-processing.

Next, a processing flow executed in cooperation with each function of the CPU 103 of the console 102 when executing the post-processing of the sixth embodiment will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 19 (a). This processing flow is stored in advance in the external storage device 105 as a program, and is executed by the CPU 103 reading the program from the external storage device 105 and executing it. This processing flow describes the processing flow after an image is obtained by executing the selected protocol. The processing flow from executing the selected protocol to obtaining an image may be any of the above-described embodiments.

In step 1901, the operator selects a radio button “post-processing” on the screen shown in FIG. 16 displayed on the display 108 of the console 102. Receiving this selection, the post-processing unit 601 transmits the specific information of the executed protocol to the server (the protocol distribution server 110 or the third party server 801).

In step 1902, the post-processing unit 601 receives post-processing list information associated with the executed protocol from the server, and displays the post-processing list as shown in FIG.

In step 1903, the operator selects a desired post-process from the post-process list displayed on the display 108, and presses the “execute post-process” button. As a result, the post-processing unit 601 displays an execution processing setting screen including the processing target image for the selected post-processing as shown in FIG.

In step 1904, the operator sets an execution destination for executing the post-processing and an output destination for receiving the processing result on the post-processing execution processing setting screen, and presses the “process execution” button. As a result, the post-processing unit 601 notifies the set execution destination of the various execution processing information set, and requests the execution destination to execute post-processing.

In step 1905, the post-processing unit 601 receives the processing result of the post-processing from the execution destination or receives the processing result of the post-processing from the output destination and displays the received processing result on the display 108 as necessary. To do. If a console is specified for both the execution destination and the output destination in step 1904, the console 102 performs processing by itself and displays the processing result as necessary.

The above is the outline of the processing flow executed by each function of the CPU 103 of the console 102 in cooperation with each other.

Next, in response to the processing flow executed by the functions of the CPU 103 of the console 102 in cooperation, a server (image processing server 117 or protocol distribution server 110 or a third party server 801) that is a post-processing execution destination. A processing flow executed in cooperation by the CPU functions will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This processing flow is stored in advance in the storage device of the server as a program, and is executed by the CPU reading and executing the program from the storage device.

In step 1951, the post-processing unit 651 receives protocol specific information from the console 102.

In step 1952, based on the protocol specific information received in step 1951, the post-processing unit 651 searches the PPDB for post-processing associated with the protocol, and creates post-processing list information. At that time, post-processing with a large number of executions of the protocol may be preferentially arranged at the top of the list.

In step 1953, the post-processing unit 651 notifies the console 102 of the post-processing list information created in step 1952.

The above is the outline of the processing flow executed by the functions of the server CPU in cooperation.

In the above description, an example in which both the protocol distribution server 110 and the third party server 801 are provided has been described, but only one of them may be used.

As described above, in the sixth embodiment, a desired post-process is selected from the post-processes associated with the protocol, and the selected post-process is executed by the console itself or by the server. The operation console receives the processing result. As a result, the operator can select a desired post-processing and can select a processing destination according to the amount of post-processing load, so that it is possible to enjoy the selection of the optimal post-processing and the rapid reception of the processing results.

The embodiments of the protocol distribution system and the protocol distribution method of the present invention have been described above, but the medical image diagnosis apparatus and the protocol distribution server that constitute the protocol distribution system also have the following characteristics.

The medical diagnostic imaging apparatus includes an operation console having a display and an input device. The operation console displays a plurality of downloaded protocols (protocol list) on the display when the protocol is attached to each protocol. Information is displayed, and the incidental information is information derived from the protocol or related information of the protocol when the protocol is selected. In particular, when the medical image diagnostic apparatus is a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, the protocol is a combination of a plurality of sequences.

Further, the protocol distribution server includes a protocol database storing data of a plurality of protocols, and the protocol database stores incidental information of the protocol for each protocol, and the incidental information is obtained by selecting a protocol. It is information derived from the protocol or related information of the protocol.

101, MR imaging unit, 102, console, 103, CPU (arithmetic processing unit), 104, memory, 104, external storage device, 106, input device, 107, external display function, 108, display, 109, communication control device 110, protocol distribution server, 111, CPU (arithmetic processing unit), 112, large-capacity memory, 113, large external storage device, 114, protocol database (US-PDB), 115, communication control unit, 116, Internet, 801 , Third-party server, 802, CPU (arithmetic processing unit), 803, memory, 805, communication control unit, 806, large external storage unit, 807, protocol database (MS-PDB)

Claims

One or more medical diagnostic imaging apparatuses and a server including a protocol database (US-PDB) storing data of a plurality of protocols are connected to each other via a network,
The medical diagnostic imaging apparatus searches the protocol database for a protocol suitable for an examination purpose, downloads detailed data of a desired protocol selected from the search results from the protocol database, and downloads the desired protocol A protocol distribution system for taking medical images using a protocol,
The protocol database stores incidental information about the protocol for each protocol,
The server transmits the incidental information for each protocol to the medical image diagnostic apparatus,
The protocol distribution system, wherein the medical image diagnostic apparatus displays the incidental information for each protocol when the protocol is displayed or when a desired protocol is selected.
In the protocol distribution system according to claim 1,
The protocol distribution system, wherein the incidental information is information derived from the protocol when the protocol is selected or information related to the protocol.
In the protocol distribution system according to claim 2,
The protocol distribution system, wherein the incidental information is a protocol download count or execution count.
In the protocol distribution system according to claim 2,
The medical image diagnostic apparatus includes an arithmetic processing unit that calculates a degree of coincidence between the selected desired protocol and a protocol downloaded from the protocol database to the medical image diagnostic apparatus,
The protocol distribution system, wherein the incidental information is the degree of coincidence.
In the protocol distribution system according to claim 2,
The protocol distribution system, wherein the incidental information is preference information about a protocol selected as a preference protocol.
In the protocol distribution system according to claim 2,
It has a protocol database (MS-PDB) that stores protocols recommended by third parties.
The protocol distribution system, wherein the medical image diagnostic apparatus downloads a protocol from the protocol database (US-PDB) and the protocol database (MS-PDB).
In the protocol distribution system according to claim 6,
The protocol database (MS-PDB) stores an option protocol that is a device option and related information of the option protocol,
The incidental information is related information of the optional protocol,
The protocol distribution system, wherein the medical image diagnostic apparatus displays related information of the option protocol when the option protocol is selected.
The protocol distribution system according to claim 7,
The protocol database (MS-PDB) stores whether the optional protocol has been purchased,
The medical image diagnostic apparatus displays whether or not the selected optional protocol has been purchased.
The protocol distribution system according to claim 7,
The protocol distribution system, wherein the related information is at least one of a function summary, a sample image, and an academic paper / conference presentation material for the optional protocol.
In the protocol distribution system according to claim 6,
The protocol distribution system, wherein the protocol database (MS-PDB) is arranged in either the server or a server provided by another third party.
In the protocol distribution system according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The protocol database stores post-processes related to the protocol in association with each other,
The medical image diagnostic apparatus selects post-processing of an image obtained by the executed protocol from post-processing associated with the protocol, and requests the server to execute the selected post-processing. Feature protocol distribution system.
A medical diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising a console having a display and an input device,
The console displays, when displaying a plurality of protocols (protocol list) downloaded to the display, the incidental information of the protocol for each protocol,
The medical image diagnostic apparatus, wherein the supplementary information is information derived from the protocol when the protocol is selected or information related to the protocol.
The medical image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 12,
The medical image diagnostic apparatus is a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus,
The medical image diagnostic apparatus, wherein the protocol is formed by combining a plurality of sequences.
A protocol distribution method in a protocol distribution system in which one or more medical image diagnostic apparatuses and a server having a protocol database storing data of a plurality of protocols and auxiliary information for each protocol are connected to each other via a network. There,
Searching the protocol database for a protocol suitable for examination purposes in the medical image diagnostic apparatus;
Downloading a plurality of protocols (protocol list) and their incidental information as a result of the search from the server to the medical image diagnostic apparatus;
In the medical image diagnostic apparatus, displaying the protocol list downloaded from the server and the incidental information for each protocol;
Receiving a selection of a desired protocol from the protocol list downloaded from the server;
Transmitting detailed data of the selected desired protocol from the server to the medical image diagnostic apparatus;
A protocol distribution method comprising: