JP2005080692A - Medical image processor and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical image processor and method which facilitate the automatic delivery of the image data inputted from a medical image reader once stored to give the operators the chances for checking the images. <P>SOLUTION: The medical image processor receives the image data acquired by reading the medical images recorded by imaging for the purpose of diagnosis to be distributed to external equipment. The processor includes a memory means 102 for temporarily storing the image data, a timing signal generation means 101b for generating the timing signals at the set time interval and a delivery control means 101c which counts the timing signal generated by a timing signal generation means after the completion of the reception of the image data and delivers the image data temporarily stored in the memory means to the external equipment when the counts become equal to the set value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical image processing apparatus and a medical apparatus that perform desired processing on image data obtained by imaging for diagnostic purposes such as radiography and output the processed image data to an external device such as an archive or a printer. The present invention relates to an image processing method.

  Conventionally, imaging methods using radiation (X-rays, α-rays, β-rays, γ-rays, electron beams, ultraviolet rays, etc.) have been used in various fields, and especially in the medical field, it is the most important for diagnosis. It has become one of the means. Since the first X-ray photography was realized, the X-ray photography method has been improved many times, and at present, a method combining a fluorescent screen and an X-ray film has become mainstream. On the other hand, in recent years, various digitized apparatuses such as X-ray CT, ultrasound, and MRI have been put into practical use, and the construction of diagnostic information processing systems and the like in hospitals is being promoted. Much research has been done to digitize X-ray images, but a radiographic method using a stimulable phosphor has been established and is attracting attention as a replacement for conventional X-ray photography.

  A stimulable phosphor (storable phosphor) is a part of its radiation energy that is stored when irradiated with radiation. After that, when it is irradiated with excitation light such as visible light, it emits light according to the stored energy. It has been known for a long time. A radiographic method using this is to capture and record a radiographic image of a subject such as a human body on a sheet coated with a photostimulable phosphor using an image taking device, and use the image reading device to capture the photostimulable fluorescence. When the body sheet is scanned with excitation light such as laser light, stimulated emission light is generated. Image data is obtained by photoelectrically reading this light. Furthermore, after appropriately processing this image data using an image processing apparatus, the image data can be output to a display such as a CRT, or printed on a film by a laser printer or the like to display a radiation image as a visible image.

  Such a radiographic method has performance comparable to that of a conventional X-ray photography method in terms of imaging sensitivity and image quality. For example, compared with the conventional X-ray photography method, the exposure area is extremely wide, and the response of the photostimulated light to the exposure amount is almost proportional over the entire exposure area. For this reason, no matter what radiation dose the subject is photographed, it is possible to capture the emission region where the image exists and normalize it into a digital signal without excess or deficiency. Further, by combining the signal obtained in this way with an appropriate image processing method, it is possible to provide a steady and high-quality image even under various shooting conditions. Furthermore, since the digitized image information is obtained directly, not only can a large amount of data be stored for a long period of time without causing image deterioration, but also development into a medical diagnosis information system is possible. Become.

  In general, image data obtained by the above radiographic method is delivered to the outside in accordance with an operator's instruction, and is stored in a recording medium, printed on a film, and the like. However, a series of radiographs such as CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance image) series of radiographs are obtained by imaging many parts of the same subject. When a large number of images are obtained, it is troublesome for the operator to instruct each time.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 below describes a radiation image capturing apparatus that reliably starts hard copy processing and communication processing while reducing the burden on the operator. According to this radiographic image capturing apparatus, the control means controls the image output means so as to perform hard copy when there is no instruction from the operator for a certain period of time. After a certain period of time, hard copy output and / or transmission processing to the host computer can be started.

  However, even when image data representing a plurality of images are continuously input, it is necessary to manage the elapsed time for each image, so that the structure of an application for realizing this is complicated and not efficient. There was a problem.

On the other hand, Patent Literature 2 below describes an image transmission apparatus that enables processing such as consistency check before outputting images of the same category and prevents forgetting to output. According to this image transmission device, the image supplementary information of the image data newly input from the modality is compared with the image supplementary information of the already input image data, and desired information in the image supplementary information is obtained. If they match, it is possible to perform various verifications such as checking the consistency by continuing to hold the already input image data. If they do not match, forgetting to send by automatically transmitting the already input image data Can be prevented. However, since the image data transmission processing is performed after completion of imaging of the examination unit or series, it may take time until the image data is transmitted.
Japanese Patent No. 2577742 (pages 2, 3 and 2) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-171376 (pages 1, 5, 7 and FIG. 4)

  Accordingly, in view of the above points, the present invention is a medical device that can easily realize that image data input from a medical image reading apparatus is temporarily stored and automatically delivered after giving an operator an opportunity to confirm an image. An object is to provide an image processing apparatus and a medical image processing method.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a medical image processing apparatus according to the present invention receives image data obtained by reading a medical image recorded by imaging for diagnostic purposes and delivers the image data to an external apparatus. The storage means for temporarily storing the image data, the timing signal generation means for generating the timing signal at a set time interval, and the timing signal generation means after the reception of the image data is completed. And a delivery control unit that counts the timing signal and delivers the image data temporarily stored in the storage unit to the external device when the count value becomes equal to the set value.

  The medical image processing method according to the present invention is a medical image processing method for receiving image data obtained by reading a medical image recorded by imaging for diagnostic purposes and delivering the image data to an external device. Are temporarily stored, and after the reception of the image data is completed, the timing signal generated at the set time interval is counted, and when the count value becomes equal to the set value, the step ( and (b) delivering the image data stored in a) to an external device.

  According to the present invention, the medical image is automatically delivered to the external device based on the count value of the timing signal after the reception of the image data is completed, so that the medical image can be obtained regardless of the completion of the examination or the series of imaging. It is easy to automatically deliver the image data input from the reading device after giving the operator an opportunity to confirm the image. Here, since the time until delivery is shortened, work efficiency is improved. In addition, since it is not necessary to manage the elapsed time from the completion of reception of image data until the delivery of image data for each image, the structure of application software Is simplified.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a medical image photographing system including a medical image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, this medical imaging system includes a hospital information management system (HIS) 10, a hospital reception terminal 20, and a radiology information management system (radiology information system installed in a radiology department). RIS) 30 via a network, and further, the RIS 30, a radiology reception terminal 40, a medical image photographing device 50, a medical image reading device 60, a medical image processing device 70, and an archive 80, The printer 90 is connected to the printer 90 via a network.

  The HIS 10 is used for managing the operations of the entire hospital. The reception terminal 20 is used for inputting patient information such as the name and patient ID of a patient who is a subject at the reception of a hospital, and when it is known that radiography is performed in advance, It is used for inputting examination information such as an imaging menu indicating an imaging region and the like, an inspection number, and an inspection date. The patient information and examination information may be input using the radiology reception terminal 40, the input unit 55 of the medical image capturing apparatus 50, or the input unit 71 of the medical image processing apparatus 70.

  In the radiology department, the RIS 30 is used to manage the execution of various tasks related to radiography. In the radiology department, a medical image photographing apparatus 50 that records a radiographic image on a recording sheet (stimulable phosphor sheet) 1 by irradiating a subject with radiation, and the recording sheet 1 records the radiation image. Medical image reading device 60 that photoelectrically reads information such as a radiation image and generates image data, and medical image processing that inputs image data and image supplementary information from the medical image reading device 60 and performs various processes on them An apparatus 70, an archive 80 for recording image data processed by the medical image processing apparatus 70 and image supplementary information, and a printer 90 for printing medical images on a film or the like are installed.

  The medical imaging apparatus 50 includes an imaging position raising / lowering mechanism 51 that moves the imaging position of the subject up and down by moving the position of the recording sheet 1 up and down, an imaging table 52 that determines the position of the subject's feet, A radiation generation unit 53 that irradiates the examiner, an imaging control unit 54 that controls the radiation generation unit 53 and the like in accordance with given imaging conditions, and an input unit 55 that is used to input various commands and imaging conditions And a barcode reader 56 for reading a barcode attached to the cassette for storing the recording sheet 1. The imaging control unit 54 is connected to a network, and can input patient information and examination information via the network and set imaging conditions based on the examination information. The barcode information read by the barcode reader 56 is associated with patient information and examination information.

  A recording sheet 1 used for radiography is coated with a stimulable phosphor material, and information on an object is recorded by irradiation with radiation. The subject is radiographed under predetermined imaging conditions, and the radiographic image is recorded on the recording sheet 1. After photographing, the recording sheet 1 is set at a predetermined position of the medical image reading device 60.

  In the medical image reading device 60, the light beam emitted from the laser light source 61 scans the surface of the recording sheet 1 through the optical scanning unit 62. By this scanning, a light beam is irradiated onto the recording sheet 1, and an amount of stimulated emission light corresponding to the radiation image information accumulated and recorded is generated from the portion irradiated with the light beam. The stimulated emission light is photoelectrically detected by a photomultiplier (photomultiplier tube) 63, output as an analog signal, amplified by an amplifier 64, and digitized by an A / D converter 65. Further, the barcode attached to the cassette is read by the barcode reader 66 and used as image supplementary information corresponding to patient information and examination information. The image data and the barcode information generated in this way are transmitted from the output unit 67 to the medical image processing apparatus 70 via the network.

  The medical image processing apparatus 70 includes an input unit 71 used for inputting various commands and the like, a display unit 72 that displays an image, and a processing unit 100. The processing unit 100 receives and processes image data and image supplementary information transmitted from the medical image reading device 60. The archive 80 records image data and image supplementary information transmitted from the medical image processing apparatus 70. The printer 90 prints a medical image on a film or the like based on the image data transmitted from the medical image processing apparatus 70.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the medical image processing apparatus shown in FIG. The processing unit 100 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 101, a memory 102 that temporarily stores input image data and image supplementary information, a hard disk 103 as a recording medium, and a hard disk control unit 104. The network interface 105 and the interface 106 are included. These units 101 to 105 are connected to each other via a bus line.

  The CPU 101 is connected to an input unit 71 such as a keyboard and a mouse and a display unit 72 such as a CRT display via an interface 106, and the medical image photographing device 50 and the medical image reading device 60 are connected via a network interface 105. Are connected to the archive 80 and the printer 90. The hard disk 103 stores software (program) for causing the CPU 101 to perform an operation. In addition to the built-in hard disk 103, an external hard disk, flexible disk, MO, MT, RAM, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or the like can be used as the recording medium.

Next, functional blocks 101a to 101d configured by the CPU 101 and software (program) will be described.
The image processing unit 101a performs necessary image processing on the image data received from the medical image reading device 60. The image data that has undergone necessary image processing is supplied from the output unit 101d to the display unit 102 via the interface 106, and an image is displayed on the display unit 102, and the image is confirmed by the operator. Further, the image data on which the necessary image processing has been performed is stored in the memory 102 and recorded on the hard disk 103 via the hard disk control unit 104 in accordance with an operator instruction.

  The delivery polling signal generator 101b generates a delivery polling signal as a signal for giving a timing at a set time interval (in this embodiment, 1 minute interval) regardless of reception of image data. The generation interval of the delivery polling signal may be set using the input unit 55 (see FIG. 1) of the medical image capturing apparatus 50 or the input unit 71 of the medical image processing apparatus 70.

  The delivery control unit 101c performs polling based on the delivery polling signal generated by the delivery polling signal generation unit 101b, and reads out the image data and the image supplementary information on which necessary processing has been performed according to the result. To the archive 80 or the printer 90. Here, polling is one of the methods for checking an event that occurs asynchronously, and it is determined whether or not a change related to the second event has occurred based on timing unrelated to the first event. Access other departments and confirm.

  In this embodiment, the timing at which reception of image data or the like is completed is independent of the timing at which a delivery polling signal is generated. After the reception of image data or the like is completed, the delivery control unit 101c counts the delivery polling signal generated in the delivery polling signal generation unit 101b based on the count control signal. Here, when the value of the count control signal is “0” representing automatic delivery, the delivery control unit 101c counts delivery polling, and the value of the count control signal is “1” representing stop of automatic delivery. In some cases, the delivery control unit 101c does not count delivery polling. The delivery control unit 101c delivers image data or the like to the archive 80 or the like when the count value of the delivery polling signal becomes equal to the set value. This set value may be set using the input unit 55 (see FIG. 1) of the medical image photographing device 50, the input unit 71 of the medical image processing device 70, or the like.

  The count value of the delivery polling signal is stored in the memory 102 or a separately provided register or the like for each of one or a plurality of images represented by the image data received by the medical image processing apparatus 70. According to the present embodiment, even if there are a plurality of images, the delivery polling signal may be common, so that the structure of the application software is simplified.

  When the reception of the image data or the like is completed, the delivery control unit 101c resets the count value corresponding to the image to the initial value “0”, and each time the delivery polling signal is confirmed, the count value is incremented by one. Increment and rewrite.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the medical image reading device 60 reads the image information from the recording sheet, and then transmits the image data and the image supplementary information to the medical image processing device 70. In the medical image processing apparatus 70, after the reception of image data or the like is completed, the delivery control unit 101c sets a count value (the number of polling times) corresponding to the image in synchronization with the delivery polling signal generated at intervals of 1 minute. Increment by one.

  In addition, the delivery control unit 101c automatically sends the image data and the image supplementary information to the archive 80 or the printer 90 for the image for which the number of polling has reached the set value (in this embodiment, the “2” th time). to deliver. Therefore, when the generation period of the delivery polling signal is 1 minute, the operator can confirm the medical image displayed on the display unit 72 for about 1 minute or more, so the minimum confirmation time required for the operator Is guaranteed. If the operator does not give any instruction during this time, the image data and the image supplementary information are automatically delivered within about 2 minutes.

  Here, as the setting value of the delivery polling signal generation cycle and the number of polling times, a value input using the input unit 71 or the like may be used, or a value recorded in advance on the hard disk 103 may be used. Also good. In the latter case, the delivery control unit 101c may set these in accordance with the subject and the region to be imaged based on the patient information or examination information.

  In this embodiment, the image processing unit 101a, the delivery polling signal generation unit 101b, the delivery control unit 101c, and the output unit 101d are configured by a CPU and software, but may be configured by a digital circuit or an analog circuit. good.

  Next, the operation of the medical image photographing system including the medical image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of this medical image photographing system.

  First, in step S1, an operator inputs patient information, examination information, and the like. Next, the radiographic image is photographed. When a region where it is difficult to obtain accurate image data is imaged, the operator automatically delivers image data and the like using the input unit 55 before photographing in step S2. By setting this stop, the imaging control unit 54 may output a count control signal indicating the stop of automatic delivery. As described above, when it is known that confirmation of an image is required at the time of shooting, it is possible to prevent unconfirmed delivery of image data by instructing to stop automatic delivery in advance.

  In step S3, based on the patient information and the examination information, a radiation image is captured by irradiating the subject with radiation using the medical image capturing apparatus 50, and the radiation image is recorded on a recording sheet. Next, the process proceeds to reading the recording sheet. If the subject seems to have moved during the photographing, the operator stops the automatic delivery of image data or the like using the input unit 55 before reading in step S4. , The count control signal indicating the stop of automatic delivery may be output from the imaging control unit 54.

  In step S5, the medical image reading device 60 generates image data by reading the radiation image recorded on the recording sheet 1, and transmits the generated image data to the medical image processing device 70 together with the image supplementary information.

  In step S <b> 6, the medical image processing apparatus 70 receives the image data and the image supplementary information, and temporarily stores the received image data and the image supplementary information in the memory 102. Here, when the reception of the image data and the image supplementary information is completed, the image processing unit 101a stores the polling number “0” in the memory 102 corresponding to the image. In addition, when a count control signal indicating the stop of automatic delivery is input to the medical image processing apparatus 70, the value of the count control signal indicating the stop of automatic delivery corresponding to the image data and the image supplementary information. When “1” is stored in the memory 102 and the count control signal indicating the stop of the automatic delivery is not input, the value of the count control signal indicating the automatic delivery corresponding to the image data and the image supplementary information “ “0” is stored in the memory 102.

  In step S7, the image processing unit 101a performs necessary image processing on the input image data. In step S8, a medical image is displayed on the display unit 72 based on the image data on which necessary image processing has been performed, and is confirmed by the operator.

  In step S9, when the medical image is displayed, for example, when it is determined that it is necessary to perform desired image processing on the image data, the operator stops the automatic delivery of the image data using the input unit 71. , The delivery control unit 101c rewrites the count control signal value “0” representing automatic delivery stored in the memory 102 to the count control signal value “1” representing suspension of automatic delivery. The automatic delivery of image data etc. is stopped. Thereafter, the operator performs desired image processing on the image processing unit 101a or other desired processing by the operation of the operator.

  In step S10, when the value of the count control signal is “0” indicating automatic delivery, the delivery control unit 101c sets the polling count to 1 in synchronization with the delivery polling signal generated by the delivery polling signal generation unit 101b. Increment only. On the other hand, when the value of the count control signal is “1” indicating the stop of automatic delivery, the delivery control unit 101c does not count delivery polling. Here, when the set value is “1”, when the delivery polling signal is generated within a predetermined period after the reception of the image data and the image supplementary information is completed, the polling count is incremented. Try to see it off only once. Thereby, time for an operator to confirm an image is securable.

  In step S11, the delivery control unit 101c determines whether or not the number of polling times is equal to the set value. If the number of polls is equal to the set value, the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if the number of delivery polls is not equal to the set value, the process returns to step S8.

  In step S12, the image data and the image supplementary information temporarily stored in the memory 102 are delivered to the archive 80 or the printer 90. When automatic delivery of image data or the like has been stopped, the operator instructs the delivery of image data or the like using the input unit 71 or automatically at the timing when the inspection is finished. The image data temporarily stored in is delivered to the external device.

  In the above, before the number of times of polling becomes equal to the set value, the operator may instruct delivery of image data or the like immediately using the input unit 71. On the other hand, even when the operator cannot see the display image due to the background input, the image data and the like are automatically delivered to the external device when the number of polling times becomes equal to the set value.

  In the present embodiment, when the count control signal value indicating the stop of automatic delivery is stored in the memory 102, the polling signal is not counted, so that the image data or the like corresponding to the count control signal is stored. The automatic delivery is stopped, and other image data and the like are automatically delivered to the external device in the background. The delivery polling signal generation unit 101b stops the generation of the delivery polling signal, thereby The confirmation time may be guaranteed for all the images.

  The present invention relates to a medical image processing apparatus and a medical apparatus that perform desired processing on image data obtained by imaging for diagnostic purposes such as radiography and output the processed image data to an external device such as an archive or a printer. It can be used for an image processing method.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a medical image photographing system including a medical image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the medical image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the medical image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the medical image imaging system shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Recording sheet (stimulable phosphor sheet)
10 HIS
20 Reception terminal 30 RIS
40 reception terminal 50 medical image photographing device 51 photographing position raising / lowering mechanism 52 photographing stand 53 radiation generation unit 54 photographing control unit 55 input unit 56 barcode reader 60 medical image reading device 61 laser light source 62 light scanning unit 63 photomultiplier (photoelectron increase) Double pipe)
64 Amplifier 65 A / D Converter 66 Barcode Reader 67 Output Unit 70 Medical Image Processing Device 71 Input Unit 72 Display Unit 80 Archive 90 Printer 100 Processing Unit 101 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
101a Image processing unit 101b Delivery polling signal generation unit 101c Delivery control unit 101d Output unit 102 Memory 103 Hard disk 104 Hard disk control unit 105 Network interface 106 Interface

Claims (8)

A medical image processing apparatus that receives image data obtained by reading a medical image recorded by imaging for diagnostic purposes and delivers the image data to an external device,
Storage means for temporarily storing image data;
Timing signal generating means for generating a timing signal at a set time interval;
After the reception of the image data is completed, the timing signal generated by the timing signal generating means is counted, and when the count value becomes equal to the set value, the image data temporarily stored in the storage means is stored. Delivery control means for delivering to an external device;
A medical image processing apparatus comprising:   2. The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image display means for displaying an image based on image data stored in the storage means prior to delivery of image data.   The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the delivery control unit sets a time interval at which the timing signal generation unit generates a timing signal based on patient information or examination information.   The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the delivery control unit sets the setting value based on patient information or examination information.   The said delivery control means does not count the timing signal generated within the predetermined period after reception of image data is completed when the said setting value is 1. 5. Medical image processing apparatus. A medical image processing method for receiving image data obtained by reading a medical image recorded by diagnostic imaging and delivering the image data to an external device,
A step (a) of temporarily storing image data;
After reception of the image data is completed, the timing signal generated at a set time interval is counted, and when the count value becomes equal to the set value, the image data stored in step (a) is sent to the external device. Delivering step (b);
A medical image processing method comprising:   The medical image processing method according to claim 6, further comprising a step of displaying an image based on the image data stored in step (a) prior to delivery of the image data.   8. The medical image processing method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein in step (b), when the set value is 1, timing signals generated within a predetermined period after reception of image data is not counted. .

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