JP2002074328A - Method and system for processing picture - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make an MRI image (magnetic resonance imaging tomographic image) into the picture of a stable concentration range with a simple operation in a picture processing system. SOLUTION: The system is provided with a picture display device 1 displaying the magnetic resonance tomographic image P obtained by photographing by an MRI device 20, a concerned area setting means 2 for setting a concerned area P0 in the tomographic image P displayed on the display device 1, a concerned area processing condition setting means 3 for automatically setting the processing condition of a picture processing so that the concerned area P0 which is set by the concerned area setting means 2 becomes a picture fitted to the interpretation of radiogram and a picture processing means 4 processing the tomographic image P in accordance with the processing condition which is set by the concerned area processing condition setting means 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image processing method and an image processing system, and more particularly, to an image processing method and an image processing system for a magnetic resonance tomographic image (MRI image).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the medical field, radiation images, CT images, MRI images (magnetic resonance tomograms) have been used to diagnose internal conditions of the body.
Is widely used.

[0003] Here, a CT apparatus and an MRI apparatus are apparatuses for obtaining a tomographic image of a body using radiation or magnetic resonance.
The CT apparatus performs a tomographic image (C) by performing calibration based on radiation transmittance of water and air.
T image) can be an image in a certain density range by the CT value.

On the other hand, an MRI apparatus cannot always obtain a tomographic image (MRI image) in a certain density range due to fluctuations in the detected magnetic field strength and the like and differences in the type of image forming method. The actual situation is that the technologist performs image processing on each of the obtained image signals by trial and error to create MRI images suitable for image reading one by one, which is extremely troublesome. Work. In addition, the MRI image
It is not necessary to create only one tomographic image, and it is necessary to form a large number of tomographic images obtained by a series of photographing operations. It is necessary to adjust the density range to some extent even between a plurality of images obtained by the shooting operation described above. For this reason, the work time required for image processing is very long,
Labor saving and time reduction are strongly desired.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is capable of converting an MRI image (magnetic resonance tomographic image) by a simple operation.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing method and an image processing system capable of forming an image in a stable density range.

[0006]

According to a first image processing method of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method for performing image processing according to image processing conditions on a magnetic resonance tomographic image (MRI image). Automatically set the processing conditions of image processing that the set region of interest becomes an image suitable for image interpretation,
The image processing is performed on the tomographic image by using the processing condition as the image processing condition.

[0007] As described above, by automatically setting the image processing conditions in which the region of interest becomes an image suitable for image interpretation and performing the image processing, an image interpreter such as a photographing technician can perform trial-and-error analysis. It is no longer necessary to perform image processing under different processing conditions, and the magnetic resonance tomographic image can be converted into an image in a stable density range by a simple operation. In particular, by automatically setting image processing conditions for a region of interest based on the region of interest itself, image processing conditions can be set more stably.

Here, as a method of automatically setting the processing conditions of image processing in which a region of interest becomes an image suitable for image interpretation, for example, standardization processing of image density and contrast according to JP-A-60-156055 (EDR processing; Exposure D
Ata Recognizer) is preferably applied. This E
In the DR process, the image signal representing the image is subjected to histogram analysis, and image processing is performed on the image signal so that the desired region of interest has the optimum density and contrast for image interpretation when reproduced on an image reproduction medium. This is the processing to be performed, and the processing conditions of the image processing can be automatically set without bothering the image interpreter.

The region of interest may be manually set by a radiogram interpreter in a temporarily displayed raw image.
The image is usually the desired region of interest (eg, head, liver, etc.)
At the time of imaging, the region of interest is input to the MRI apparatus, so that the MRI apparatus captures the area of interest at an optimal slice interval. Therefore, information of the region of interest input to the MRI apparatus is used. Automatic setting based on the MRI image by template matching processing or the like is preferable because a simpler operation can be realized.

[0010] A first image processing system of the present invention is a system for implementing the first image processing method of the present invention,
In an image processing system including an image processing unit that performs image processing on a magnetic resonance tomographic image according to image processing conditions, a region of interest set for the tomographic image is analyzed, and the image of the region of interest is suitable for interpretation. Further comprising a region-of-interest processing condition setting means for automatically setting a processing condition of image processing to be, wherein the image processing unit sets the processing condition set by the region-of-interest processing condition setting unit as the image processing condition, The tomographic image is subjected to image processing.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a region-of-interest setting means for setting a region of interest of the tomographic image based on the tomographic image. The processing conditions for the region of interest are:
It is preferable to set based on the region of interest.

Although a plurality of MRI images are obtained by a series of photographing operations, the density may not always be stable among a plurality of MRI images obtained by such a series of photographing operations. Is an image processing for individual MRI images, and the density range is adjusted to some extent even among a plurality of MRI images obtained by a series of photographing operations. .

A fourth image processing method according to the present invention is a method for solving such a problem. An image processing method in which a region of interest set for one tomographic image of the plurality of MRI images becomes an image suitable for image interpretation. Automatically set processing conditions for
Among the plurality of tomographic images, the processing conditions of the image processing are set such that the regions of interest of all the tomographic images other than the one tomographic image have substantially the same interpretation performance as the region of interest of the one tomographic image. Separately and automatically set, the image processing is performed on the one tomographic image with the processing condition set for the one tomographic image as the image processing condition, and the other tomographic images are respectively By performing image processing using the processing conditions set individually for the respective image processing conditions, the density becomes stable even among a plurality of MRI images obtained by a series of imaging operations. The labor of image processing can be further reduced, and the processing time can be reduced.

[0014] Also in this case, it is preferable to set the region of interest of one tomographic image based on the tomographic image.
Further, it is preferable to set the processing conditions for the region of interest of one tomographic image based on the region of interest.

A fourth image processing system according to the present invention is a system for implementing the fourth image processing method according to the present invention, and is used for a plurality of magnetic resonance tomographic images obtained by a series of imaging operations. In an image processing system including image processing means for performing image processing according to image processing conditions,
Analyzing a region of interest set for one tomographic image of the plurality of magnetic resonance tomographic images, automatically setting processing conditions for image processing in which the region of interest becomes an image suitable for interpretation, setting a region of interest processing condition Means for setting the condition-of-interest processing condition, wherein the region of interest of all of the plurality of tomographic images other than the one tomographic image is a region of interest of the one tomographic image. The processing conditions of the image processing so that the image reading performance becomes substantially the same as that of the region are automatically set separately, and the image processing means is set for the one tomographic image for the one tomographic image. The image processing is performed using the processing conditions as the image processing conditions, and the processing conditions set separately for the other tomographic images are respectively used as the image processing conditions. Is characterized in that those applying.

Here, the region of interest of the one tomographic image is
It is preferable that the apparatus further comprises a region of interest setting means for setting based on the tomographic image, and as the region of interest processing condition setting means, the processing condition for the region of interest of the one tomographic image is set as the region of interest. It is preferable to set based on the area.

According to a second image processing method of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method for performing image processing on a magnetic resonance tomographic image in accordance with image processing conditions. It is characterized in that processing conditions are automatically set.

Here, it is preferable that the photographing conditions include at least the magnetic field strength or the sensitivity of the detection coil. Fluctuations in the magnetic field strength and the sensitivity of the detection coil are considered to be factors that cause the density of the MRI image to become unstable. By automatically setting the image processing conditions based on the magnetic field strength and the sensitivity of the detection coil, the density is reduced. This is because a stable MRI image can be obtained.

As a method for automatically setting the image processing conditions based on the photographing conditions at the time of photographing, an MRI image obtained for each of various different photographing conditions using a predetermined reference (phantom) is read. The processing conditions of the image processing that are suitable for the image are obtained, and the photographing conditions and the conditions of this image processing are stored in a memory or the like as a reference table in advance, and the MRI image of the subject obtained under the predetermined photographing conditions The processing condition corresponding to the shooting condition may be obtained by referring to the reference table.

A second image processing system according to the present invention is a system for implementing the second image processing method according to the present invention, and performs image processing on magnetic resonance tomographic images according to image processing conditions. In the image processing system including the image processing unit, the image processing system further includes an image processing condition setting unit that automatically sets the image processing condition based on an imaging condition at the time of capturing the tomographic image. .

Here, the photographing conditions preferably include at least the magnetic field strength or the sensitivity of the detection coil.

According to a third image processing method of the present invention, in the image processing method for performing image processing on a magnetic resonance tomographic image according to image processing conditions, the image processing conditions are set in advance. The preset image processing condition is corrected based on at least one of the type of the tomographic image forming method, the type of the imaging site, and the information on the characteristics of the subject, and the image processing condition obtained by the correction is corrected. The image processing is performed on the tomographic image according to

Here, the type of the method of forming a tomographic image is M
The RI image has many types of image formation. For example, the RI image is referred to as a t1 image, a t2 image, or the like depending on a difference in the degree of enhancement, and means the type (attribute) of such an enhanced image. Also, the types of imaging parts are head, neck, chest,
The abdomen, waist, hands, feet, etc., and the abdomen further includes the type of organ such as the liver as a region of interest. Further, the information on the characteristics of the subject includes the gender, height, and weight of the subject.

The type of tomographic image forming method, the type of imaging site, and the characteristics of the subject affect the magnetic field strength and the sensitivity of the detection coil, which are considered to be factors that cause the MRI image density to become unstable. It is presumed to be a cause, and an MRI image with a stable density can be obtained by correcting image processing conditions set in advance based on these causes.

A third image processing system according to the present invention is a system for implementing the image processing method according to the present invention.
An image processing system comprising image processing means for performing image processing on a magnetic resonance tomographic image in accordance with image processing conditions, a storage medium storing the image processing conditions, a type of a method of forming the tomographic image, an imaging site And a processing condition correction unit that automatically corrects the image processing condition stored in the storage medium based on at least one of the type and the information on the feature of the subject, wherein the image processing unit includes: The image processing is performed on the tomographic image in accordance with the image processing conditions obtained by the correction by the processing condition correction means.

[0026]

According to the first image processing method and the first image processing method of the present invention,
According to the image processing system of the above, by automatically setting the conditions of image processing in which the region of interest becomes an image suitable for image interpretation and performing the image processing, an image interpreter such as a photographer can be trial and error. It is not necessary to change the processing conditions many times to perform image processing, and the magnetic resonance tomographic image can be converted into an image in a stable density range by a simple operation. In particular, by automatically setting image processing conditions for a region of interest based on the region of interest itself, image processing conditions can be set more stably.

According to the second image processing method and the second image processing system of the present invention, the image processing conditions are automatically set based on the tomographic image photographing conditions and the image processing is performed. It is no longer necessary for an image interpreter such as a radiographer to perform image processing by changing the processing conditions many times by trial and error, and the magnetic resonance tomographic image can be converted into an image in a stable density range by a simple operation. .

According to the third image processing method and the third image processing system of the present invention, the type of tomographic image forming method,
A preset image processing condition is automatically corrected based on at least one of the type of the imaging region and the information on the characteristics of the subject, and the image processing is performed based on the corrected image processing condition. Is performed, image radiologists and other image interpreters do not have to perform image processing by changing the processing conditions many times by trial and error, and the magnetic resonance tomographic image can be converted into an image having a stable density range by a simple operation. It can be.

According to the fourth image processing method and the fourth image processing system of the present invention, a region of interest set for one tomographic image among a plurality of MRI images becomes an image suitable for image reading. The processing conditions are automatically set, and the image processing conditions such that the region of interest of another tomographic image has substantially the same interpretation performance as the region of interest of this one tomographic image are automatically set. By performing image processing in accordance with the processing conditions set individually for each image, it is possible to stabilize the density range of each of a plurality of MRI images obtained by a series of imaging operations, and to obtain a plurality of MRI images. In this case, the density range between the regions of interest can be stabilized in substantially the same range, and the labor of image processing by the photographing technician can be further reduced, and the processing time can be reduced.

[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Specific embodiments of an image processing method and an image processing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a first image processing system for implementing the first image processing method of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example in which image processing is performed by the image processing system shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an MRI image (magnetic resonance tomographic image) P to be obtained.

The illustrated image processing system 10 includes an image display device 1 for displaying a magnetic resonance tomographic image P obtained by photographing with an MRI device 20 connected via a network 80, and an image displayed on the display device 1. In the tomographic image P, the region of interest setting means 2 for setting the region of interest P0, and the region of interest P0 set by the region of interest setting means 2 in the tomographic image P is an image of density and contrast suitable for image interpretation. A region-of-interest processing condition setting unit 3 that automatically sets processing conditions for image processing, and an image processing unit 4 that image-processes a tomographic image P in accordance with the processing conditions set by the region-of-interest processing condition setting unit 3. It is a configuration provided.

Here, the region-of-interest setting means 2 includes, for example, various pointing devices for indicating the range of the region of interest P0 on the display surface of the display device 1, and the outline of the region of interest P0 is manually drawn by the pointing device. By tracing, a completely manual method in which the inside of the closed curve which is the locus of the pointing device is set as the region of interest P0 may be used, or one point in the region of interest P0 to be set is designated by the pointing device. (For example, by clicking with a mouse), the contour of the region of interest P0 is automatically obtained by applying a dynamic contour extraction process (such as JP-A-10-11588) based on the SNAKES model, and the inside of the contour is automatically determined as the region of interest P0. The image signal representing the tomographic image P input from the MRI apparatus 20 may be a semi-automatic type that is set. And imaged site and imaging purposes is a header information, based on the shape of the histogram of the image signal S histogram analysis, interest in the tomographic image P region P0
May be of a fully automatic type in which is automatically set.

The automatic setting of the image processing conditions by the region-of-interest processing condition setting means 3 is performed by analyzing the histogram of the image signal S representing the tomographic image P, specifying the signal range of the region of interest P0 based on the histogram, and Automatically as a processing condition for normalizing the image signal S such that an image portion of this signal range, that is, a region of interest P0 has a density and a contrast suitable for image reading according to a dynamic range, a luminance characteristic, and the like of the display device 1. (See JP-A-60-156)
No. 055). For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a histogram of the image signal S is created, and the maximum value S0max and the minimum value S0min of the image signal S0 in a portion corresponding to the region of interest P0 in the histogram are respectively set to predetermined values Q0max, Q0min.
The image signal S may be converted so that Further, the average value m (= (ΣS
0) / M; M is the number of image signals (number of pixels) in the region of interest P0)
The image signal S may be converted in accordance with the following equation based on the standard deviation σ and the standard deviation σ.

S ′ = (Sin−m) × gain / σ + offset
(Gain, offset: constant) Then, the image processing unit 4 normalizes the image signal S in accordance with the processing conditions set by the region of interest processing condition setting unit 3 so that the region of interest P0 is suitable for image interpretation. The image signal S ′ representing the density and contrast image P ′ is converted into an image signal S ′, and the converted image P ′ is output to the image display device 1.

Next, the operation of the image processing system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

First, an MRI image P0 generated by the MRI apparatus 20, which is an image generation modality, is input to the image display apparatus 1 of the image processing system 10 of the present embodiment via the network 80, and FIG. Are displayed on the image display device 1 as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, in order to clarify the operation, a description will be given assuming that a single MRI image is displayed. However, as shown in FIG. May be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the operator, such as a technician, who has viewed the tomographic image P displayed on the image display device 1 can use the pointing device (the arrow shape in FIG. (Cursor) is used to manually trace the contour of the region of interest P0 in the tomographic image P. The region-of-interest setting means 2 sets the inside of the closed curve which is the locus of the pointing device as the region of interest P0.

The set region of interest P0 is inputted to the region-of-interest processing condition setting means 3, and is set to the region-of-interest processing condition setting unit 3.
Automatically sets image processing conditions such that the input region of interest P0 has a contrast and density suitable for image interpretation. Then, the set image processing conditions are input to the image processing means 4.

The image processing means 4 adjusts the contrast / density of the image signal S representing the tomographic image P input via the network 80 according to the image processing conditions input from the region of interest processing condition setting means 3. Normalization processing to be performed (this image processing is generally Wind in the field of MRI equipment)
ow (contrast) / Lebel (density) adjustment)
And the processed image signal S ′ is output to the image display device 1. The image display device 1 displays the processed image P ′ represented by the input image signal S ′ as shown in FIG.

The processed image P 'displayed on the image display device 1 is an image that has been subjected to Window / Lebel adjustment so that the region of interest P0 has a density / contrast suitable for image interpretation. Can be said to be an image in a stable density range. Then, the operator such as a photographing technician simply specifies the region of interest, and automatically performs Window / Lebel adjustment to provide a stable density range for the region of interest P0.
/ Lebel adjustment is not required, so that the time required for the adjustment work can be reduced and labor can be saved, and an image reading terminal of an image diagnostic interpreter such as a doctor connected to the network 80 in a short time (shown in FIG. ) And a printer (not shown) connected to the network 80 can transmit the tomographic image P ′ on which the appropriate Window / Lebel adjustment has been performed.

Note that the above-described image processing system 10
An image display device 1, a region of interest setting unit 2, a region of interest processing condition setting unit 3, and an image processing unit 4 are gathered in one place, for example, in an image processing room. Is the same as that of the case where the interpreter who finally observes the image is the same. For example, the operator who sets the region of interest and the interpreter are not the same person (for example, the operator is a photographer, and the interpreter is a doctor. Case) In addition, the operator performs an operating operation in the imaging preparation room or the image processing room, and when the radiologist performs image interpretation in the examination room, the image display device 1 and the region of interest setting means 2 are arranged in the imaging preparation room or the like. The region-of-interest processing condition setting means 3, the image processing means 4, and an additional monitor device (image display device for image interpretation diagnosis) are arranged in an examination room or the like, and these are arranged via a network. It may form connect Te. Also in this embodiment, the region of interest P0 set by the region-of-interest setting unit 2 may be attached to the image P and transmitted to the region-of-interest processing condition setting unit 3 or the monitor device via the network.

The image processing system 10 according to the present embodiment
Has been described as an image processing system that automatically performs appropriate Window / Lebel adjustment only for a single tomographic image P, but an image generated by the MRI apparatus 20 is a plurality of tomographic images obtained by a series of imaging operations. Since the images are obtained at the same time, the image display device 1 may display these tomographic images P1 to P6 at the same time as shown in FIG. The plurality of tomographic images P1 to P6 displayed as described above may be individually subjected to image processing by the image processing system 10 of the above embodiment. In this case, the images P1 ′ to P1 ′ after the image processing are performed. P6 '
May not always have the same contrast / density.

The operator sets the region-of-interest processing condition setting means 3 to one tomographic image (a tomographic image in FIG. 5) which is arbitrarily selected by the operator from the plurality of tomographic images P1 to P6 and is enlarged and displayed on the image display device 1. The processing conditions for the region of interest P0 set for the image P1) to be an image suitable for image interpretation are automatically set, and the remaining five tomographic images P2 to P6 are set.
The processing conditions of the image processing such that the region of interest P0 has substantially the same interpretation performance (density and contrast) as the region of interest P0 of the selected one tomographic image P1 are defined by the respective tomographic images P2, P
3, P4, P5, and P6 are automatically set, and the image processing means 4 sets the selected one tomographic image P1 to the processing conditions set for this tomographic image P1. Window / Lebel adjustment according to the above, and the remaining five tomographic images P2, P3, P4, P
5 and P6, the window / Lebel adjustment may be performed in accordance with the processing conditions set individually for each.

This image processing system is an embodiment of the fourth image processing method and the fourth image processing system of the present invention, and as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of tomographic images obtained by a series of photographing operations. It is possible to obtain processed images P1 'to P6' having substantially the same density range between P1 and P6, and it is possible to further reduce labor and shorten the image processing operation of the operator. Note that a plurality of tomographic images P1 to P6
May be manually set one by one by the operator. For example, the region of interest
By having a function of automatically finding each region of interest P0 of all the remaining tomographic images P2 to P6 based on the position information of the region of interest P0 set for one image P1, the operator can obtain all the images P1. It is not necessary to set the region of interest for P1 to P6 one by one, and if the region of interest P0 is manually set only for one image P1, the region of interest setting means 2 can be set for the remaining tomographic images P2 to P6 even if the operator does not set it. To automatically set each region of interest P0,
Operator work can be further reduced.
This effect becomes more remarkable as the number of tomographic images P obtained by a series of photographing operations increases. In this case, as the region of interest P0,
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a specific structure (organ or the like) of interest may be set, or as shown in FIG. 7, a region of interest set in the selected tomographic image P1. An area P0 having the same position, the same shape, and the same size as P0 may be set.

A series of tomographic images P11 to P1 of the same patient (patients having the same ID number) relating to the same site and obtained in the past and stored in the database 30
6 and a series of tomographic images P21 to P2 obtained this time
As shown in FIG. 8, the image processing system 10 of the above-described embodiment can also display and observe the image of the region of interest P2 of the current tomographic image P21.
The processing conditions of the image processing such that the image reading performance becomes substantially the same as 0 are set to the region of interest P1 of the series of past tomographic images P11 to P16.
0 for each tomogram P
Window / Lebel adjustment is performed by the image processing means 4 in accordance with the processing conditions set corresponding to 11 to P16, so that the past images P11 to P16 and the current images P21 to P26 are displayed as shown in FIG. Region of interest P10,
Images P11 'to P1 in which P20 has substantially the same density range
6 'and P21 to P26. In this case as well, the work of the operator can be reduced and the work time can be reduced. Note that the present invention is also applicable to a case where the past image and the current image are each a single image.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a second image processing system for implementing the second image processing method of the present invention. The illustrated image processing system 10 ′ includes an image display device 1 that displays a tomographic image P, and an MRI device 20 input from the MRI device 20 via a network 80.
Based on the imaging conditions at the time of imaging the tomographic image P by
Image processing condition setting means 5 for automatically setting image processing conditions such that the tomographic image P becomes an image having a density and contrast suitable for image reading, and processing conditions set by the image processing condition setting means 5 And an image processing means 4 for performing image processing on the tomographic image P.

Here, the imaging conditions input from the MRI apparatus 20 are the magnetic field strength and the sensitivity of the detection coil.

The image processing condition setting means 5 is a processing condition for image processing in which tomographic images obtained under various different photographing conditions by using a predetermined reference (phantom) in advance become images of density and contrast suitable for image reading. Is stored in advance as a reference table, and the processing condition corresponding to the input photographing condition is set with reference to the reference table.

Next, the image processing system 10 'of this embodiment
The operation of will be described.

First, an MRI image P0 generated by the MRI apparatus 20, which is an image generation modality, is transmitted via the network 80 to the image processing system 10 'of the present embodiment.
Is input to the image display device 1 and is displayed on the image display device 1, and the imaging conditions at the time of imaging the tomographic image P are as follows:
Similarly, the image data is input to the image processing condition setting means 5 of the image processing system 10 'of the present embodiment via the network 80.

The image processing condition setting means 5 sets image processing conditions according to the input photographing conditions by the above-described operation, and inputs the set image processing conditions to the image processing means 4.

The image processing means 4 outputs an image signal S representing a tomographic image P input via the network 80 according to the image processing conditions input from the image processing condition setting means 5.
Window / Lebe to adjust contrast / density for
The adjusted image signal S ′ is output to the image display device 1 after the adjustment process. The image display device 1 displays a processed image P ′ represented by the input image signal S ′ instead of the displayed tomographic image P.

Since the processed image P 'displayed on the image display device 1 is an image subjected to Window / Lebel adjustment so as to have a density / contrast suitable for image interpretation, it is an image having a stable density range. Can be. Then, the operator simply checks the processed image P ′ displayed on the image display device 1 and does not perform any operation on the Window / Lebel.
Since there is no need to make adjustments, the time required for the adjustment work can be reduced and labor can be saved, and an image reading terminal (not shown) of an image diagnosis interpreter such as a doctor connected to the network 80 in a short time. ) And a printer (not shown) connected to the network 80 can transmit the tomographic image P ′ after the appropriate Window / Lebel adjustment.

When imaging is performed using the MRI apparatus 20 in which the imaging technician can arbitrarily set the above-described magnetic field strength and the sensitivity of the detection coil, in the image processing system 10 ′ of this embodiment, the image processing system 10 ′ By storing the input radiographing conditions in a predetermined storage medium or database in association with a tomographic image P obtained by radiographing under the radiographing conditions, the database can be used at the next radiographing for the same part of the same patient. From the above, the above-mentioned imaging conditions corresponding to the stored tomographic image P are read out, and the same imaging conditions as those at the time of imaging the tomographic image P are set in the MRI apparatus 20, so that the same as the previous imaging is obtained. A new tomographic image can be photographed under the photographing conditions described above, and this can be useful for matching the density range between images photographed in time series.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a third image processing system that implements the third image processing method of the present invention. The illustrated image processing system 10 ″ includes an image display device 1 that displays a tomographic image P, a storage medium 6 in which predetermined predetermined image processing conditions are stored, and a predetermined image processing condition stored in the storage medium. To the type or attribute (t1 image, t2 image) of the emphasized image generated by the MRI apparatus 20.
Image processing condition correction means 7 for automatically correcting according to information about the subject's characteristics such as the subject's shooting site, the subject's gender, the subject's height and weight,
An image processing unit 4 ′ that performs image processing on the tomographic image P in accordance with the image processing conditions corrected by the image processing condition correction unit 7.

Here, the predetermined image processing conditions stored in the storage medium 6 are such that the subject to be imaged by the MRI apparatus 20 is a specific gender, a specific height, a specific weight, and a specific imaging region. When image processing is performed on a specific type of emphasized image (tomographic image) Px generated by the MRI apparatus 20, the image processing is such that the tomographic image Px becomes an image having a density and contrast suitable for image interpretation. The image processing condition correction means 7 includes information on the type of the emphasized image (tomographic image) P actually generated by the MRI apparatus 20, the imaging region of the subject, and the characteristics of the subject. (Gender, height, and weight)
The preset processing conditions are automatically corrected so that the tomographic image P obtained by actually photographing the image has a density and a contrast suitable for image reading. In addition, it is efficient to convert the information regarding the type of the emphasized image, the imaging region of the subject, and the feature of the subject into, for example, a three-digit code as shown in FIG.
In the first digit, the symbol or number corresponding to the type of
A symbol or a number corresponding to the imaging part is input as a digit, and a symbol or a number corresponding to information on the characteristics of the subject is input as a third digit, and the MRI apparatus 2 is input as a three-digit code.
It may be sent from 0. For example, "A4
The code “5” is “A” representing information on the characteristics of the subject (sex male, height 175 cm, weight 65 kg), “4” representing the imaging part (liver), and “5” representing the type of the emphasized image (T1 image). The image processing condition correcting means 7 stores correction parameters corresponding to each of the three-digit codes, and corrects the processing conditions using the correction parameters. In addition, the image processing condition correcting means 7 is provided with at least one of the information on the characteristics of the subject, the photographed part, the type of the emphasized image, and the like.
Depending on the type, the image processing condition may be corrected.

Next, the image processing system 10 ″ of the present embodiment is described.
The operation of will be described.

First, an MRI image P0 generated by the MRI apparatus 20, which is an image generation modality, is transmitted via the network 80 to the image processing system 10 ″ of the present embodiment.
Is input to the image display device 1 and displayed on the image display device 1, and information on the type of the tomographic image P, the imaging region of the subject, and the above-described characteristics of the subject is also transmitted via the network 80 in the present embodiment. Is input to the image processing condition correction means 7 of the image processing system 10 ″ of the embodiment.

The image processing condition correcting means 7 operates the storage medium 6 according to the type of the input tomographic image P, the photographing site of the subject, and the information on the characteristics of the subject by the above-described operation.
Is corrected, and the image processing conditions obtained by the correction are input to the image processing means 4 '.

The image processing means 4 ′ performs contrast / contrast with respect to the image signal S representing the tomographic image P input via the network 80 in accordance with the corrected image processing conditions input from the image processing condition correction means 7. Adjust the density
Window / Lebel adjustment processing, processed image signal S '
Is output to the image display device 1. The image display device 1 displays a processed image P ′ represented by the input image signal S ′ instead of the displayed tomographic image P.

Since the processed image P 'displayed on the image display device 1 is an image subjected to Window / Lebel adjustment so as to have a density / contrast suitable for image interpretation, it is an image having a stable density range. Can be. Then, the operator simply checks the processed image P ′ displayed on the image display device 1 and does not perform any operation on the Window / Lebel.
Since there is no need to make adjustments, the time required for the adjustment work can be reduced and labor can be saved, and an image reading terminal (not shown) of an image diagnosis interpreter such as a doctor connected to the network 80 in a short time. ) And a printer (not shown) connected to the network 80 can transmit the tomographic image P ′ after the appropriate Window / Lebel adjustment.

In the present embodiment, the type of the tomographic image P, the imaging region of the subject, the gender of the subject, and the height and weight of the subject have been described as being input from the MRI apparatus 20. In the case where is not input to the MRI apparatus 20 at the time of imaging by the MRI apparatus 20, an input terminal or the like for inputting these by the operator is provided separately on the network 80 or as one element constituting the image processing system 10 '. The image processing condition correction means 7 stores the image stored in the storage medium 6 according to the type of the tomographic image P input to the input terminal, the imaging region of the subject, the gender of the subject, and the height and weight of the subject. What is necessary is just to correct processing conditions.

The image processing condition correcting means 7 outputs the tomographic image P
Are stored, and a plurality of types of collective patterns in which at least one of the subject's imaging region, the subject's gender, the subject's height and the weight is changed are stored, and the image is stored so as to correspond to each collective pattern. The correction pattern of the processing condition is also stored in advance, and a batch pattern having the closest type of the tomographic image P, the imaging region of the subject, the gender of the subject, and the height and weight of the subject is determined for the input tomographic image P. The image processing conditions stored in the storage medium 6 may be corrected using a correction pattern corresponding to the determined collective pattern.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a first image processing system that implements a first image processing method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an MRI image (magnetic resonance tomographic image) P on which image processing is performed by the image processing system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining an example of setting processing conditions by histogram analysis;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the image processing system.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining an operation when a tomographic image to be subjected to image processing is a plurality of tomographic images obtained by a series of photographing operations (part 1);

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining an operation when a tomographic image to be subjected to image processing is a plurality of tomographic images obtained by a series of photographing operations (part 2);

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining another method of setting a region of interest.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining an operation when a tomographic image to be subjected to image processing is a past image and a current image (part 1)

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining an operation when a tomographic image to be subjected to image processing is a past image and a current image (part 2);

FIG. 10 shows a second image processing method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Showing the configuration of an embodiment of the image processing system of FIG.

FIG. 11 shows a third image processing method according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
Showing the configuration of an embodiment of the image processing system of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining an example of coding of information relating to the type of the emphasized image, the imaging region, and the characteristics of the subject;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image display apparatus 2 Region of interest setting means 3 Region of interest processing condition setting means 4 Image processing means 10 Image processing system 20 MRI apparatus 30 Database 80 Network

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takeshi Okubo Takeshi, 798, Miyagi, Kaisei-cho, Ashigara-gun, Kanagawa F-Term (in reference) 4C096 AB37 AB38 AD14 DC01 DC28 DC30 DC40 DD08 EA02 5B057 AA09 BA06 BA19 CA12 CA16 CB12 CB16 CH11 DA03 DA04 DA08 DA16 DB02

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. An image processing method for performing image processing according to image processing conditions on a magnetic resonance tomographic image, comprising: setting a processing condition of an image processing in which a region of interest set for the tomographic image is an image suitable for image interpretation. An image processing method, wherein the image processing is automatically set, and image processing is performed on the tomographic image using the processing condition as the image processing condition. 2. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein a region of interest of the tomographic image is set based on the tomographic image. 3. The image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the processing condition for the region of interest of the tomographic image is set based on the region of interest. 4. An image processing method for performing image processing according to image processing conditions on a magnetic resonance tomographic image, wherein the image processing conditions are automatically set based on a photographing condition at the time of photographing the tomographic image. An image processing method characterized by the following. 5. The image processing method according to claim 4, wherein the imaging condition includes at least a magnetic field strength or sensitivity of a detection coil. 6. An image processing method for performing image processing on a magnetic resonance tomographic image according to image processing conditions, wherein the image processing conditions are set in advance, and the preset image processing conditions are: The tomographic image is automatically corrected based on at least one of the type of the tomographic image forming method, the type of the imaging part, and the information on the characteristics of the subject, and the tomographic image is corrected in accordance with the image processing conditions obtained by the correction. Image processing method, wherein image processing is performed on the image. 7. The image processing method according to claim 6, wherein the information on the characteristics of the subject includes at least sex, weight, or height of the subject. 8. An image processing method for performing image processing according to image processing conditions on a plurality of magnetic resonance tomographic images obtained by a series of imaging operations, wherein one tomographic image of the plurality of magnetic resonance tomographic images is provided. Automatically set processing conditions of image processing in which a region of interest set for an image becomes an image suitable for image interpretation, and, among the plurality of tomographic images, interest of all tomographic images other than the one tomographic image Image processing conditions are automatically set individually such that the region has substantially the same interpretation performance as the region of interest of the one tomographic image, and the one tomographic image is set for the one tomographic image. The image processing is performed using the processed processing conditions as the image processing conditions, and the image processing is performed on the other tomographic images using the individually set processing conditions as the image processing conditions. An image processing method comprising: 9. The image processing method according to claim 8, wherein a region of interest of the one tomographic image is set based on the tomographic image. 10. The image processing method according to claim 8, wherein the processing condition for the region of interest of the one tomographic image is set based on the region of interest. 11. An image processing system comprising image processing means for performing image processing according to image processing conditions on a magnetic resonance tomographic image, wherein an area of interest set for the tomographic image is analyzed, and The image processing apparatus further includes a region-of-interest processing condition setting unit that automatically sets a processing condition of image processing to be an image suitable for image interpretation, wherein the image processing unit sets the processing condition set by the region-of-interest processing condition setting unit to An image processing system, wherein image processing is performed on the tomographic image as an image processing condition. 12. The image processing system according to claim 11, further comprising a region of interest setting means for setting a region of interest of the tomographic image based on the tomographic image. 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the region-of-interest processing condition setting means sets the processing condition for the region of interest of the tomographic image based on the region of interest. Image processing system. 14. An image processing system comprising image processing means for performing image processing on a magnetic resonance tomographic image according to the image processing condition, wherein the image processing condition is set based on a photographing condition at the time of photographing the tomographic image. An image processing system further comprising image processing condition setting means for automatically setting. 15. The image processing system according to claim 14, wherein the imaging condition includes at least a magnetic field strength or a sensitivity of a detection coil. 16. An image processing system comprising image processing means for performing image processing on a magnetic resonance tomographic image according to image processing conditions, a storage medium storing the image processing conditions, and a method for forming the tomographic image And a processing condition correcting means for automatically correcting the image processing conditions stored in the storage medium based on at least one of the information on the type of the subject, the type of the imaging site, and the characteristics of the subject. An image processing system, wherein the processing means performs image processing on the tomographic image in accordance with the image processing conditions obtained by the correction by the processing condition correction means. 17. The image processing system according to claim 16, wherein the information on the characteristics of the subject includes at least sex, weight, or height of the subject. 18. An image processing system comprising image processing means for performing image processing according to image processing conditions on a plurality of magnetic resonance tomographic images obtained by a series of imaging operations, wherein the plurality of magnetic resonance tomographic images are provided. The apparatus further includes a region-of-interest processing condition setting unit that analyzes a region of interest set for one tomographic image of the images and automatically sets a processing condition of image processing in which the region of interest becomes an image suitable for image interpretation. The region-of-interest processing condition setting means may further include, among the plurality of tomographic images, a region of interest of all tomographic images other than the one tomographic image having substantially the same interpretation performance as the region of interest of the one tomographic image. The image processing means automatically sets processing conditions for each of the image processing such that
The image processing is performed using the processing conditions set for one tomographic image as the image processing conditions, and the processing conditions set separately for the other tomographic images are respectively set as the image processing conditions. An image processing system for performing the image processing. 19. The image processing system according to claim 18, further comprising a region of interest setting means for setting a region of interest of said one tomographic image based on said tomographic image. 20. The region-of-interest processing condition setting means sets the processing condition for the region of interest of the one tomographic image to:
20. The image processing system according to claim 18, wherein the setting is performed based on the region of interest.