JP2001346765A - Patient identification information inputting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve efficiency in imaging or identifying the images in a patient identifying information inputting device for inputting information for putting the photographed images to each patient. SOLUTION: This patient discrimination information inputting device is provided with a patient discrimination information inputting means 21 for inputting patient discrimination information for putting photographed images to each patient, an imaging menu inputting means 22 for inputting imaging menu information in photographing radial ray images of the patient, and a display control means 23 to read past images related to the inputted patient discrimination information, etc., among images stored in a file server 40 corresponding to the patient discrimination information or the imaging menu to be displayed in an image display means 39. The past images related to the inputted patient discrimination information can be automatically displayed, and by using the displayed past images as support, determination of a necessary part for imaging or proper imaging conditions, or checking of the images can be conducted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a patient identification information input device used for a radiographic imaging device, an image reading device for reading a medical image, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, when a radiographic image such as an X-ray image is taken, a radiographic image is provided at a reception window or the like in order to manage the photographed film in association with a patient (examinee) who is the subject. Using a writing device, an ID card is recorded in which patient identification information for identifying a patient such as a patient name, gender, age, and the like and a patient code (ID code) are recorded in association with each other, and the patient identification is performed before imaging. An ID card is read by a card reader of an information input device (ID terminal) to acquire patient identification information and a patient code, and a bar code of a film used for photographing is read to associate the film with the patient, thereby obtaining a correspondence between the photographed image and the patient. Are associated with each other.

On the other hand, when taking a radiographic image, it is common to take a radiographic image according to a radiographing menu representing a radiographic part, radiographic conditions, and the like recorded on the ID card after an inquiry by a diagnostician.

[0004]

However, even when the photographing is performed according to the photographing menu, a preferable photographing result may not always be obtained.
For example, if the previous or previous imaging was performed and the current imaging is for follow-up observation, the imaging conditions must be set so that the target area is securely placed in the imaging range and the image is suitable for image interpretation. Is required to be adjusted, but since the shooting menu does not always include detailed information, such a request may not be satisfied in some cases.

In such a case, if an image obtained in the past (hereinafter also referred to as a past image) of the patient can be displayed, fine adjustments are made while checking the displayed past image, and photographing is performed under preferable conditions. However, since the current photographing apparatus is not provided with a device for displaying such a past image, the photographing efficiency is not always good.

The above problem is not limited to radiographic image capturing.
This also occurs when acquiring (photographing) an RI image or acquiring (photographing) a CT image.

[0007] Not only image capturing, but also a CR (computed radiography) device as an image reading device for reading a radiation image stored and recorded on an imaging plate as an image recording medium having a stimulable phosphor, for example. In an apparatus that reads a radiation image recorded on a solid-state radiation detector mainly composed of a semiconductor such as a-Se,
It may be preferable to check a past image of the same patient corresponding to the patient identification information recorded on the ID card. For example, by reading each radiographic image taken in time series for a diseased part of a patient on each imaging plate with a CR device, and comparing and reading the read image obtained by this reading, the progress of the disease and the healing status can be determined. It may be preferable to understand and consider the treatment policy. Here, it is preferable to confirm in advance after reading an image before the comparative image reading whether or not a portion necessary for the comparative image reading has been properly taken, but the reading device has a display device for displaying the read image. Although provided, a device for displaying a past image that has already been read is not necessarily provided as in the case of the above-described photographing device, and in reality, it is not possible to confirm in advance after reading an image. The efficiency of confirmation of images and the efficiency of comparative reading are not necessarily good.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an apparatus capable of improving the efficiency of photographing and image confirmation.

[0009]

As described above, an image capturing apparatus that captures a radiation image, an MRI image, or a CT image, and an image reading apparatus (CR apparatus) that reads a captured imaging plate to obtain a radiation image are provided as described above. A patient identification information input device is used to associate a patient with a patient.
Therefore, if the patient identification information input device is provided with an image display means for displaying an image, and when the patient identification information is input, a previously acquired past image relating to the same patient is automatically displayed. Regardless of the type of the apparatus or the image reading apparatus, it is possible to set photographing conditions appropriately and check the read image appropriately while always checking the past image. The present invention has been made based on such findings.

That is, a first patient identification information input device of the present invention comprises: patient identification information input means for inputting patient identification information for associating an image to be photographed with a patient who is the subject of the image; Image display means for displaying an image,
When the patient identification information is input, an image related to the input patient identification information is image-stored among a large number of already-acquired captured images stored in a predetermined image storage unit in association with the patient identification information. Display control means for reading from the means and displaying on the image display means.

The first patient identification information input device further includes a photographing menu input means for inputting a photographing menu for photographing a patient image, and further comprises a display control means for inputting a photographing menu. It is preferable that a photographed image relating to the menu is read from the image storage means and displayed on the image display means.

Here, it is assumed that the photographing menu includes at least a photographing part.

A second patient identification information input device of the present invention associates a radiation image to be read and stored in an image recording medium having a stimulable phosphor with a patient who is the subject of the radiation image. Patient identification information input means for inputting patient identification information, image display means for displaying an image, and when the patient identification information is input, the information is stored in a predetermined image storage means in association with the patient identification information. And a display control unit for reading an image relating to the input patient identification information from the image storage unit and displaying the image on the image display unit among a large number of already read images.

In the second patient identification information input device, when information representing a photographing menu at the time of photographing a patient image is attached to the read image, the read image related to the photograph menu is read from the image storage means. It is preferable that the data is read out and displayed on the image display means.

In the second patient identification information input device of the present invention, a recording medium having a stimulable phosphor or a solid-state radiation detector mainly composed of a semiconductor such as a-Se is used as a radiation radiation image recording medium. can do.

The second patient identification information input device of the present invention further comprises a photographing menu inputting means for inputting a photographing menu for photographing a patient image, and a display control means for inputting a display control means. It is preferable that the read image related to the photographing menu is read out from the image storage means and displayed on the image display means. Also in this case, it is assumed that the photographing menu includes at least the photographing site.

In the first and second patient identification information input devices of the present invention, it is preferable that the display control means causes the image display means to display additional information relating to the image displayed on the image display means. .

Here, the supplementary information is additional information relating to the image, for example, information indicating the result of interpretation by a radiologist, a diagnostic comment by a doctor, or an image displayed on an image display means. Information indicating the measurement processing result obtained by the analysis, and information on the abnormal shadow obtained by analyzing the obtained image.

The measurement process is a process of performing a geometrical analysis while looking at an image displayed on the image display means. For example, the length of a line segment between two points designated on the display surface is actually measured. A process of converting into a distance on an image (for example, an imaging plate), a process of obtaining an angle between two straight lines (intersecting lines) specified on a display surface, a process of obtaining a length ratio between two line segments,
Alternatively, there is a process of obtaining the area of an arbitrary polygonal region.

On the other hand, the information on the abnormal shadow is information obtained by detecting an abnormal shadow candidate considered to be an abnormal shadow based on image data, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-294479. For example, information quantitatively indicating a characteristic of the detected abnormal shadow candidate, a sign such as an ROI frame or an identification number attached to the detected abnormal shadow candidate portion,
Alternatively, it is a local image representing an image of a local region including the abnormal shadow candidate portion. This local image is desirably a processed local image that has been subjected to image enhancement processing such as gradation processing, frequency processing, or enlargement processing to improve the interpretation performance of abnormal shadow candidate portions.

[0021]

According to the first patient identification information input device of the present invention, patient identification information input for inputting patient identification information for establishing correspondence between an image to be photographed and a patient who is the subject of the image. Means and when patient identification information is entered,
Display control means for reading out the image relating to the input patient identification information from the image storage means and displaying the image on the image display means, among the many photographed images,
Regardless of the type of imaging device, past images related to the input patient identification information can be automatically displayed, and with the help of the displayed past images, the target area can be reliably placed in the imaging range and suitable for interpretation. It is possible to perform photographing by appropriately adjusting the photographing conditions so as to obtain an image having a sharp image.

Further, the apparatus further comprises a photographing menu input means for inputting a photographing menu for photographing a patient image, and a display control means for changing a photographed image relating to the inputted photographing menu from the image storing means. If the image is read out and displayed on the image display means, the past image of the same imaging part of the same patient can be automatically displayed together with the input of the imaging menu.

Further, according to the second patient identification information input device of the present invention, the radiation image to be read and stored in the image recording medium having the stimulable phosphor and the patient who is the subject of the radiation image are read. Patient identification information input means for inputting patient identification information for taking correspondence, and when the patient identification information is input, an image related to the input patient identification information is read out of the image storage means from among a large number of read images. Display control means for causing the image display means to display the past image related to the input patient identification information, regardless of the type of the reading device. With the help of the image, it is possible to confirm whether the necessary part is properly and reliably photographed. Thus, for example, it is possible to check in advance whether an image suitable for comparative reading has been obtained after reading the image, and it is possible to improve the efficiency of checking the read image and the efficiency of comparative reading.

In the first and second patient identification information input devices, if the display control means causes the image display means to display incidental information relating to the image displayed on the image display means, the display is performed. In addition to the past images that have been displayed, the displayed supplementary information can also be used to help determine the parts necessary for shooting and the appropriate shooting conditions, and to confirm that the necessary parts are being shot properly and reliably. Can be.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a medical network system provided with an embodiment of the patient identification information input device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the patient identification information input device of the present invention ( (A) and an external view (B).

In the system shown in FIG. 1, a radiographic image of a patient is accumulated and recorded on an imaging plate (accumulative phosphor sheet) IP having an accumulative phosphor by an imaging device 10 provided in each imaging room. The radiation image stored and read is read by a reading device 30 provided in a reading room near the imaging room, and the read image is displayed on an image display means 3 such as a CRT.
9 (soft copy), temporarily stores the image data in the file server 40 as an image storage means via the network 90, reads out the image data from the file server 40, and performs image diagnosis by the image diagnostic apparatus 50. The image recording apparatus 60 using a laser scanner or the like is configured to output a hard copy on a film or the like.

The reading device 30 scans an imaging plate IP, on which a transmitted radiation image of a subject is stored and recorded as energy information, with a laser beam as excitation light, and emits light with an amount of light corresponding to the stored energy. A CR device that obtains a transmitted radiation image of a subject as a digital image by photoelectrically reading emitted light, and is widely used in medical institutions such as hospitals.

The digital image obtained by the reading device 30 is displayed between the reading device 30 and the network 90 before being stored in the file server 40 to check the image quality such as image density and contrast, and to determine the photographing range. A QA-WS (work station for image quality check) for checking such as the above may be provided.

The image diagnostic apparatus 50 is disclosed in, for example,
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 79, there is provided an image display means such as a CRT, which has both functions of the whole image display means and the local image display means, and is provided with an abnormal shadow detection algorithm based on morphological processing. An apparatus that detects a shadow candidate of a calcified portion (hereinafter referred to as a microcalcification shadow candidate) and detects a shadow candidate of a tumor portion (hereinafter referred to as a tumor shadow candidate) by an abnormal shadow detection algorithm based on iris filter processing, A whole image showing the whole radiographic image of the subject, a whole image with a sign,
And an image of a local region (hereinafter, referred to as a local image) including an abnormal shadow candidate such as a microcalcification shadow candidate or a tumor shadow candidate detected based on digital image data representing the entire image (hereinafter, referred to as overall image data). This is an apparatus that displays a processed local image that has been subjected to a predetermined image enhancement process on an image display means in a predetermined layout.

The image diagnostic apparatus 50 receives a digital image and patient identification information (or an ID code) from the reading apparatus 30 or the file server 40 via the network 90, and detects an abnormal shadow candidate. Then, information quantitatively indicating characteristic abnormal shadow candidates detected by the image diagnostic apparatus 50, an electronic report of the interpretation result, an ROI frame indicating the local area including the detected abnormal shadow candidate portion, an identification number, and the like. The file server 4 associates the entire image with the mark of the mark or a local image representing the image of this local area with the ID code as supplementary information of the image data.
0 is stored. The local image is stored in the file server 40 as a processed local image that has been subjected to an image enhancement process for improving the interpretation performance of an abnormal shadow candidate portion such as a gradation process, a frequency process, or an enlargement process. Is preferred.

The distance on the actual image between two points, the angle of intersection, and the length of the line segment measured while looking at the image displayed on the image display means (not shown) provided in the image diagnostic apparatus 50. The ratio, the area of an arbitrary polygonal area, and the like are stored in the file server 40 in association with the ID code as supplementary information of the image data.

On the other hand, the patient identification information input device 20 of the present invention is connected to the reading device 30 so that the patient identification information for associating the image to be imaged with the patient and the image of the patient can be taken. The user can input a shooting menu. That is, the patient identification information input device 2
0 indicates patient identification information input means 21 for inputting patient identification information for associating an image to be imaged with a patient, as shown in FIG. 2 (A); The imaging menu input unit 22 for inputting imaging menu information, and when patient identification information and an imaging menu are input, among the already acquired images stored in the file server 40 in association with the patient identification information and the imaging menu, A display control unit 23 is provided for reading out image data carrying the past image relating to the input patient identification information and the photographing menu from the file server 40 and displaying the read out past image on the image display unit 39.

As shown in FIG. 2 (B), the patient identification information input device 20 has patient identification information for identifying the patient such as the patient's name, gender and age, and a patient code (ID).
A card reader 25 for reading an ID card in which the ID code (corresponding to the patient identification information and the patient code is collectively referred to as ID information) is recorded.
A bar code reader 26 for reading a bar code indicating a P number, a key input unit 27 such as a numeric keypad, and a display unit 28 made of a liquid crystal or the like for displaying various types of information are provided. Means 21
And the function of the photographing menu input means 22.

It should be noted that this patient identification information input device 20
The image display means 39 for outputting a read image connected to the reading device 30 is used as an image display means for displaying a past image described later.
Apart from this, an image display means for displaying a past image on the patient identification information input device 20 may be provided exclusively. This image display means may be separate or integral with the apparatus main body. When integrated, the display unit 28 may have a function of an image display unit for displaying a past image.

Next, the operation of the medical network system having the above configuration will be described.

The ID information of the patient is recorded on the ID card by an ID card writing device provided at a reception desk of a hospital or the like.

The patient receives the ID card and receives a diagnosis and a medical inquiry from a doctor in a predetermined medical department. An imaging menu is determined according to the result of the diagnosis and the inquiry, and the imaging menu information is additionally recorded on the ID card.

The photographing menu is divided for each photographing part such as the head, chest, abdomen, limbs and the like, and for photographing methods such as simple photographing, contrast photographing, tomographic photographing, magnifying photographing, and the like. Menu code) is assigned. Note that the shooting menu in the present embodiment includes
It shall include at least the imaging site. As described later, the code of the selected shooting menu is stored as additional information of the image.

Next, the patient goes to the radiology department and hands the ID card to a radiologist waiting in the reading room. The radiologist reads the ID card with the card reader 25. As a result, the patient ID information and the imaging menu information are input to the display control means 23. The input ID information and photographing menu information are displayed on the display unit 28.

The radiologist reads the barcode of the imaging plate IP for imaging with the barcode reader 26. This makes it possible to associate the imaging plate IP used for imaging with the patient and the imaging menu.

In the patient identification information input device 20, when ID information or photographing menu information is inputted to the display control means 23, the display control means 23 stores the information in the file server 40 in association with the ID information or photographing menu information. Among the acquired images, the past image related to the input ID information and the photographing menu information is read out from the file server 40 with reference to the supplementary information of the image data D, and displayed on the image display means 39.

Here, since the radiographing menu contains at least information relating to the radiographed site, a past image of the same radiographed site for the same patient to be radiographed is automatically read from the file server 40 and displayed. It is displayed on the means 39.

The output image is not limited to the image that has been shot and read in the past, but may be an image that has been subjected to desired image processing. At this time, the condition of the normalization process for converting the image data range corresponding to the desired reading range of the X-ray irradiation amount into the constant data range (the condition of the EDR process; see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-108175 by the present applicant)
And image processing conditions are set for each shooting menu, so that an image that has been subjected to predetermined processing by setting the normalization conditions and image processing conditions using shooting menu information (menu code) attached to the image is set. Output.

When the photographing menu information is not included as the supplementary information or ID information of the image data, a list of past images of the same patient is displayed on the display unit 28. The radiologist uses the key input unit 27, a pointing device (not shown), or the like to select a past image of the same imaging region as the imaging region to be imaged from the list. As a result, the selected image is displayed on the image display means 39.

When the supplementary information of the image data includes information relating to the image measurement result and information relating to the abnormal shadow, the display control means 23 further controls the image related to the image displayed on the image display means 39. The information about the measurement result and the information about the abnormal shadow are also displayed on the image display means 39. In particular, information relating to abnormal shadows is displayed on the image display means 3.
In the case where the abnormal shadow candidate is displayed, information indicating a characteristic of the detected abnormal shadow candidate quantitatively, a marker such as an ROI frame or an identification number attached to the detected abnormal shadow candidate portion, or an abnormal shadow candidate portion Is displayed, for example, a local image representing an image of a local region including. At this time, with respect to the local image, a processed local image that has been subjected to image enhancement processing for improving the interpretation performance of an abnormal shadow candidate portion such as gradation processing, frequency processing, or enlargement processing is displayed. In order to cope with the case where the image data representing the processed local image is not stored in the file server 40, a means for performing the image enhancement processing may be provided in the patient identification information input device.

In this way, if the previous or previous imaging was performed and the current imaging is for follow-up observation, the radiologist will display the displayed past image and additional information related to this past image. On the basis of the confirmed determination result, the target region can be surely put into the imaging range, and imaging can be performed by appropriately adjusting the imaging conditions so as to obtain an image suitable for image interpretation. In other words, the past image and the supplementary information can be used to assist in determining what part is necessary for photographing and under what photographing conditions.

The radiologist who has made this confirmation mounts the imaging plate IP on the imaging device 10 and takes a radiation image of the patient. After this imaging, the reading device 30 reads the imaging plate IP in which the transmitted radiation image of the patient is stored and recorded as energy information, thereby acquiring the transmitted radiation image as a digital image.

At this time, if imaging and reading of the same patient are not performed consecutively, the radiologist reads the ID card with the card reader 25 and scans the image before reading as in the case of imaging. The barcode of the used imaging plate IP is read by the barcode reader 26.
Read with. Thereby, the imaged imaging plate IP is associated with the patient and the imaging menu, and the digital image obtained as a result can be associated with the patient and the imaging menu. The obtained digital image is displayed on the image display means 39. After confirming the image, the radiologist transfers and stores the image data to the file server 40. At this time, the transfer destination of the image may be changed by referring to the supplementary information of the image data D, for example, by transferring only the image of the imaging menu of the breast to the computer-aided image diagnostic apparatus for the breast.

Here, when the ID card is read, the display control means 23 reads out the past image and incidental information relating to the input ID information and the photographing menu information from the file server 40 and displays them on the image display means 39. The radiologist can use the past image displayed as a judgment material for confirming whether a necessary part is properly and reliably photographed. This makes it possible to check in advance whether an image suitable for comparative reading has been obtained after reading the image before comparative reading, and it is possible to improve the efficiency of checking the read image and the efficiency of comparative reading.

Although the preferred embodiment of the patient identification information input device of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment.

For example, in the above embodiment, the reading device 3
0, the patient identification information input device 20 of the present invention is connected, and the past image and incidental information are confirmed in the reading room,
With the help of the displayed past images and incidental information, it is possible to determine necessary parts for photography and appropriate photography conditions, and to confirm whether necessary parts are properly and reliably photographed. However, if an image display means for displaying at least the past image and the supplementary information is provided in each of the photographing rooms, it is possible to perform the fine adjustment while confirming the displayed past image and the supplementary information and perform photographing under preferable conditions. Can be performed, and the imaging efficiency can be improved.

The patient identification information input device 20 of the present invention may be provided for each imaging room, and the patient identification information input device 20 and the imaging device 10 may be connected.

In the above embodiment, the imaging plate IP having a stimulable phosphor is used as a recording medium for recording a radiation image. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A solid-state radiation detector mainly composed of a semiconductor may be used.

Various types of radiation solid state detectors have been proposed, but any type may be used. For example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 11-267442 and 11-299206, the applicant of the present invention has a light conversion process in which a latent image charge carrying image information is generated in a detector. There are two types, a direct reading type and a direct reading type. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of a charge reading process for reading out charges according to the amount of latent image charges stored in the power storage unit, a TFT (thin film transistor) reading method is used. And an optical readout method, any of which can be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a medical network system including an embodiment of a patient identification information input device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram (A) and an external view (B) showing the configuration of the patient identification information input device of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Imaging device 20 Patient identification information input device 21 Patient identification information input means 22 Imaging menu input means 23 Display control means 25 Card reader 26 Barcode reader 27 Key input unit 28 Display unit 30 Reading device 39 Image display unit 40 file server 50 image diagnostic device 60 image recording device 90 network

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takeshi Okubo Takeshi 798 Address, Kaisei-cho, Kaigara-gun, Kanagawa, Japan Fuji Photo Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H013 AC14 4C093 AA26 CA18 EB05 EB13 FG07 FH08 FH09 4C096 AB39 AD16 DE03 DE08 DE09 5B050 AA02 BA15 BA20 DA05 FA02 FA13 GA08

Claims (7)

[Claims] A patient identification information input unit for inputting patient identification information for associating an image to be photographed with a patient who is a subject of the image; an image display unit for displaying an image; When the information is input, an image related to the input patient identification information is stored in the image storage among a large number of already-acquired captured images stored in a predetermined image storage unit in association with the patient identification information. Display control means for reading from the means and displaying the image on the image display means. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a photographing menu input unit for inputting a photographing menu for photographing the patient image, wherein the display control unit transmits the photographed image related to the inputted photographing menu from the image storing unit. 2. The patient identification information input device according to claim 1, wherein said device is read out and displayed on said image display means. 3. A patient identification information input means for inputting patient identification information for associating a radiation image to be read recorded on a radiation image recording medium with a patient who is a subject of the radiation image, and displaying the image. An image display unit that performs, when the patient identification information is input, the input patient among a large number of already-read images that are already acquired and stored in a predetermined image storage unit in association with the patient identification information. A display control unit for reading an image relating to the identification information from the image storage unit and displaying the image on the image display unit. 4. The patient identification information input device according to claim 3, wherein the radiation radiation image recording medium is a recording medium having a stimulable phosphor or a solid radiation detector. 5. A photographing menu input unit for inputting a photographing menu when the patient image is photographed, wherein the display control unit reads the read image related to the inputted photographing menu from the image storage unit. 5. The patient identification information input device according to claim 3, wherein the patient identification information is read out and displayed on the image display means. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control means causes the image display means to display additional information related to the image displayed on the image display means. Patient identification information input device. 7. The method according to claim 7, wherein the supplementary information is information obtained by geometrically analyzing an image displayed on the image display means, or information on an abnormal shadow obtained by analyzing the obtained image. 7. The patient identification information input device according to claim 6, wherein: