JP2005261844A - Medical image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To specify the directions of left and right mammary images easily and accurately and to provide the mammary image with a format which is suitable for a comparative diagnostic reading. <P>SOLUTION: A medical image processing system 100 is respectively fed with the image data of the mammary images of the left and right mammae which are individually photographed and acquired, wherein an image processing apparatus 30 discriminates whether the mammary image is the image of the left mamma or the image of the right mamma from the associated information of the input image data to apply the rotation processing corresponding to the left and right mammary images and generates a composite image in which the left and right mammary images are disposed to make the chest wall sides of the left and right mammary images face each other as the image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical image processing system that captures left and right breast images, records them on a recording medium, and outputs them.

  An image acquired using radiation is widely used as a medical image for diagnosis, and in recent years, digitization of a medical image has been realized. For example, a CR (Computed Radiography) apparatus absorbs radiation transmitted through a subject into a phosphor plate on which a stimulable phosphor layer is formed, and then scans the phosphor plate with laser light to form a phosphor layer. The accumulated radiation energy is emitted as fluorescence, and the fluorescence is photoelectrically converted to obtain an image signal.

  The imaging system using the photostimulable phosphor is roughly divided into a dedicated type that incorporates a phosphor plate and performs both photographing and image reading, and a cassette type that uses a portable cassette containing the phosphor plate. And classified. Here, a conventional cassette type photographing method will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, a cassette type medical image processing system includes an image capturing device that captures a medical image of a patient using a cassette, an image reading device that reads a medical image from the cassette, and an image on the read medical image. An image processing apparatus that performs processing, and an image recording apparatus that outputs a medical image processed by the image processing apparatus as a hard copy.

  In the medical image processing system, when a cassette is inserted into the image capturing apparatus by an engineer, a subject is photographed and a medical image is recorded in the cassette. Next, the cassette in which the medical image is recorded is inserted into the image reading apparatus, and when the medical image recorded in the cassette is acquired as digital image data, the acquired medical image is transmitted to the image processing apparatus via the network. Is done. The image data transmitted to the image processing apparatus is displayed on a monitor such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) after being subjected to various image processing including gradation processing, and is read and observed on the monitor by a doctor. (For example, see Patent Document 1). In addition, a medical image that has been subjected to various types of image processing by the image recording apparatus is recorded on a recording medium such as a film and is output as a hard copy, and is read and observed by a doctor on the Schacusten.

For example, when interpreting a medical image (mammography) of the breast, it is very rare that a mass appears on the left and right breasts at the same time. Comparative interpretation is often performed to interpret the presence or absence of abnormalities. In such a case, since the left and right breast images are output on a film or the like, the left and right breast images are arranged on the Schaukasten so that the chest wall sides of the two breast images are aligned.
JP 2002-158853 A JP 2002-156716 A

  However, when the left and right breast images are loaded side by side on the Schaukasten, the interpretation doctor needs to associate the left and right breast images corresponding to one patient and specify the top, bottom, left, and right in the breast image. Usually, in breast examination, four images are taken per patient (for example, right breast oblique direction: MLO-R, left breast oblique direction: MLO-L, right breast upper and lower direction: CC-R, left Since the upper breast direction (CC-L) is performed, a total of four breast images are acquired. Therefore, the doctor needs to associate these images according to the imaging direction (MLO, CC), and specify the top, bottom, left, and right in the breast image, and load them into the Schaukasten. Also, the management of films output separately on the left and right sides is very complicated.

  In addition, when a breast image is placed side by side on a Schaukasten, even if the doctor confirms the top, bottom, left, and right of the breast image, there is an error in the insertion direction of the cassette into the image capturing device when taking a medical image. If so, there arises a problem that the exact direction of the breast image cannot be specified. In the conventional close-contact photographing method, both the cassette in the screen film system and the CR system cassette are photographed by bringing one side of the cassette close to the chest wall of the patient. The wall thickness is thin, and the technicians who shoot are also loading cassettes while recognizing this point. However, at the time of magnified imaging such as phase contrast imaging, the setting position of the breast on the imaging table and the cassette loading position are separated from each other, and the structure of the cassette itself does not need a structure with a small thickness. Therefore, for example, a two-segment cassette (see, for example, Patent Document 2) that is used in combination with general imaging (for example, a chest) can be used. This type of cassette reduces the burden on the technician because the imaging device for general photography does not need to be aware of the cassette loading direction. On the other hand, in mammography, the right and left breast images are correctly combined due to incorrect loading. Cause no possibility. As a result, there arises a disadvantage that accurate comparative interpretation of a breast image cannot be performed.

  An object of the present invention is to easily and accurately specify the directions of left and right breast images and to provide breast images in a format suitable for comparative interpretation.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim 1 is
Image acquisition means for acquiring left and right breast images taken individually;
A discriminating means for discriminating whether the breast image is a left or right breast image on the basis of information indicating the left or right attached to the breast image;
Based on the determination result, image processing means for performing rotation processing for each of the left and right breast images and combining the left and right breast images into one image data;
A medical image processing system comprising:

The invention according to claim 2 is the medical image processing system according to claim 1,
The image synthesizing means synthesizes image data by arranging breast images at positions where the chest wall sides of the left and right breast images face each other.

The invention according to claim 3 is the medical image processing system according to claim 1,
An image recording means for recording the synthesized image data on a recording medium is provided.

The invention according to claim 4
In a medical image processing system that combines left and right breast images taken individually into one image data,
Holding means for detachably holding a radiation detector that detects a radiation image irradiated from a radiation source and passed through a subject;
Detecting means for detecting whether the radiation detector is held by the holding means in a predetermined direction;
It is characterized by comprising a mammography apparatus comprising

The invention according to claim 5 is the medical image processing system according to claim 4,
The breast imaging apparatus is
If the detection unit does not detect that the radiation detector is held in the holding unit in a predetermined direction, the detection unit includes a control unit that prohibits radiation irradiation.

The invention described in claim 6
Holding means for detachably holding a radiation detector that detects a radiation image irradiated from a radiation source and passed through a subject;
Detecting means for detecting whether the radiation detector is held by the holding means in a predetermined direction;
When the detection unit detects that the radiation detector is held by the holding unit in a predetermined direction, the radiation detector controls the irradiation of the radiation to the left and right to take a breast image, and the radiation detector Control means for recording a breast image for each left and right,
Image acquisition means for acquiring left and right breast images from the radiation detector;
Ancillary means for attaching information indicating whether the breast image is left or right;
A discriminating means for discriminating whether the breast image is a left or right breast image on the basis of information indicating the left or right attached to the breast image;
Based on the determination result, after performing a rotation process for each of the left and right breast images, an image synthesis means for synthesizing the left and right breast images into one image data;
It is characterized by having.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the breast image can be rotated in a direction that facilitates comparative interpretation according to whether the breast image is left or right, and the left and right breast images can be combined as one image data. Comparing and interpreting breast images arranged in the correct direction and position can be performed without performing complicated work related to the correspondence between the left and right breast images and the specification of the direction. Thereby, a quick and accurate diagnosis can be performed.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, since the breast images are arranged at positions where the chest wall sides of the left and right breast images face each other and the image data is synthesized, the left and right breast images are provided in a format suitable for comparative interpretation. Can do. Thereby, comparative interpretation of the left and right breast images can be easily performed, and the diagnostic accuracy can be improved.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the left and right breast images captured and acquired individually can be associated with each other and recorded on one recording medium. In addition, it is possible to save the trouble of considering the direction of the breast image. Thereby, comparative interpretation of breast images can be easily performed, and accurate and quick diagnosis can be performed. Moreover, management of the breast image recorded on the recording medium is facilitated.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, since it is possible to detect whether or not the radiation detector is held in the correct direction by the holding means, it is possible to prevent a breast image in the wrong direction from being taken. it can.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the radiation detector is not held in the correct direction by the holding means, it is impossible to take a breast image, so that a breast image in the wrong direction is prevented from being taken. be able to.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, when the radiation detector is not held in the correct direction by the holding means, it is impossible to take a breast image, so that a breast image in the wrong direction is prevented from being taken. When the left and right breast images are combined to generate image data, the right and left breast images whose exact positions and directions are specified can be output as one image data.

First, the configuration of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of a medical image processing system 100 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the medical image processing system 100 is configured so that the breast image capturing device 10, the image reading device 20, the image processing device 30, the image recording device 40, and the like can transmit and receive information to and from each other via a network N. It is connected to the. The medical image processing system 100 includes a hospital information management system (hereinafter referred to as HIS; Hospital Information System) that manages information in the hospital or a radiology information management system (hereinafter referred to as RIS;) that manages information in the radiology department. It is further connected to the Radiology Information System.)

Network N is a LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network),
Various line forms such as the Internet can be applied. Note that wireless communication or infrared communication may be used as long as it is permitted within a medical institution such as a hospital. However, since important patient information is included, it is preferable to encrypt information to be transmitted and received. Moreover, as a communication system in a hospital, the DICOM (Digital Image and Communications in Medicine) standard is generally used, and in the communication between each device on the network N described above, DICOM MWM (Modality Worklist Management). Or DICOM MPPS (Modality Performed Procedure Step).

  The breast image capturing apparatus 10 irradiates a patient's breast as a subject and radiates radiation, and captures radiation images of left and right breasts. In the present embodiment, an explanation will be given using an example in which a breast imaging apparatus that performs imaging such as phase contrast imaging, which is an imaging apparatus that performs imaging using a cassette as a radiation detector, is applied.

FIG. 2 shows an external perspective view of the breast image capturing apparatus 10.
As shown in FIG. 2, the mammography apparatus 10 includes an imaging unit 1 that performs imaging by irradiating radiation, a support column 2, and a main body unit 3. The imaging unit 1 is configured to be movable along a column (movable in the direction indicated by arrow A) so as to be adjusted to the height of the patient's breast, and further, with the support shaft 4 as an axis to change the imaging direction. It is configured to be rotatable (rotatable in the direction indicated by arrow B). The rotation can be manually rotated by the photographing engineer, or the rotation can be instructed by operating the main body 3.

  In the imaging unit 1, a radiation source 5 that generates radiation and an imaging table 6 for mounting the breast are arranged opposite to each other, and the breast placed on the imaging table 6 is sandwiched to press the breast. A compression plate 7 is provided. The photographing stand 6 is provided with a cassette holder 8a for fixing the cassette C, and the cassette C can be mounted inside the cassette holder. In addition, the imaging unit 1 is provided with a support shaft 9 extending downward, and a configuration specific to a breast image capturing apparatus that performs enlarged imaging such as phase contrast imaging is provided at a predetermined position of the support shaft 9. As shown, cassette holders 8b and 8c are provided. The cassette holders 8b and 8c are provided at positions spaced apart from the subject by a predetermined distance, and cause the cassette C to detect the radiation emitted from the radiation source 5 and transmitted through the subject.

  The cassette holders 8a to 8c will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a side cross-sectional view of the imaging unit 1. The cassette holder 8b is shown as an example, and the cassette holders 8a and 8c having the same configuration are not shown. As shown in FIG. 3, the cassette holder 8b is installed vertically below the imaging table 6, and a cassette C is fixedly mounted therein. Further, the cassette holder 8b is provided with a barcode reader 81b for reading a barcode provided on the surface of the cassette C.

  Here, the cassette C will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a two-part cassette C, and FIG. 4B is a top view thereof. As shown in FIG. 4, the cassette C is configured so that the front plate and the back plate incorporating the phosphor plate can be separated, and the locking means between the front plate and the back plate is released when the cassette C is loaded into the image reading device 20. Then, the fluorescence pair plate is separated from the front plate integrally with the back plate. The front plate and the back plate have a quadrangular shape, and the long sides 1C and 4C of the front plate and the back plate are colored so as to be distinguishable from the other long side. Furthermore, a barcode corresponding to a cassette ID for uniquely identifying the cassette C is affixed to a predetermined position on the other long side.

  Therefore, when the technician attaches the cassette C to the cassette holders 8a to 8c, for example, the long side with the barcode attached is opposed to the insertion slot of the cassette holder, and the colored long side is the front side. Then, by inserting the cassette C into the cassette holder, a breast image can be taken in the direction in which the chest wall is located on the side edge of the colored long side. Thereby, the direction of the subject recorded on the cassette C can always be specified in one direction.

  Further, by reading the barcode attached to the cassette C with the barcode readers 81a to 81c, it is possible to determine whether or not the cassette C is mounted in a predetermined direction. That is, when the cassette C is inserted into the cassette holders 8a to 8c in the insertion direction with the colored long side of the cassette C corresponding to the insertion slot of the cassette holder and the side to which the barcode is attached facing forward, Since the barcode is not arranged at a position where the code reader 81b can read, the barcode cannot be read. Thereby, the mammography apparatus 10 can promptly detect an erroneous insertion of the cassette C in accordance with the presence / absence of an input signal input from the barcode reader 81b.

Next, the internal configuration of the main body 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the main body unit 3 includes a control unit 3a, an input unit 3b, a display unit 3c, an I / F 3d, a memory 3e, a communication unit 3f, and the like, and each unit is connected by a bus.

The control unit 3a is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, reads various processing programs from the memory 3d, and cooperates with the programs to adjust, for example, the irradiation timing and exposure dose in the radiation source 5 and imaging. The imaging operation of each part of the mammography apparatus 10 is comprehensively controlled, such as rotation control of the unit 1 and barcode reading control from the barcode reader 81. Further, the control unit 3a determines whether or not the barcode is read from the cassette C attached to the cassette holders 8a to 8c via the I / F 3d, that is, based on whether or not a signal is input from the barcode reader 8. Then, it is determined whether or not the cassette C is correctly attached. Then, based on the determination result, when the cassette C is not correctly mounted, the irradiation control of the radiation source 5 is performed. Further, the control unit 3a generates shooting information based on the shooting conditions input from the input unit 3b after the shooting is finished, and displays the shooting information in association with the cassette ID input via the I / F 3d. To device 30.

  The input unit 3b includes a key for inputting various shooting conditions, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operated key to the control unit 3a. For example, various keys such as numeric keys for inputting values of tube voltage, tube current, and rotation angle of the photographing unit 1 are provided.

  The input unit 3b is provided with an imaging part key for inputting information on an imaging part of the left breast or the right breast, an imaging direction key for inputting a rotation angle of the imaging unit 1, and the like. It is good as well. As the shooting direction keys, keys corresponding to the shooting direction and the up / down direction, the inside / outside direction, and the diagonal direction are prepared. For example, when the inside / outside direction key is pressed, the shooting unit 1 automatically rotates at a rotation angle for shooting the inside / outside direction. Is rotated. When the photographing part key and photographing direction key are provided, the photographing part key and the photographing part specified by the photographing direction key and the photographing direction are included in the photographing information.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the display unit 3c includes a display display 31c including an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various display information such as input information from the input unit 3b and processing results by the control unit 3a. This is displayed on the display 31c.

  The I / F (Inter Face) 3d is an interface for connecting the barcode readers 81a to 81c and the main body unit 3, and the barcode input signals read by the barcode readers 81a to 81c are input to the control unit 3a. To enter.

  The memory 3e is composed of RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory), and stores various programs such as a breast image photographing program and photographing processing according to the present invention. Further, the result of processing by the control unit 3a is temporarily stored, and various information such as shooting information is stored.

  The communication unit 3f includes a communication interface such as a network interface card (hereinafter referred to as NIC; Network Interface Card) or a modem. The communication unit 3f transmits shooting information associated with the cassette ID to the image processing device 30 according to the control of the control unit 3a.

  The image reading device 20 is a device that reads a medical image recorded in the cassette C. The image reading device 20 irradiates the stimulable phosphor sheet of the cassette C with excitation light, photoelectrically converts the stimulated light emitted from the sheet, and A / D converts the obtained image signal, Obtain medical images. Further, the image reading device 20 reads the cassette ID from the barcode attached to the cassette C, and transmits the medical image and the cassette ID in association with each other to the image processing device 30. In addition, when loading the cassette into the image reading device 20, the loading error in the top / bottom direction or the vertical direction is detected by the inability to read the cassette barcode by a barcode reader (not shown), etc. Thus, the cassette loading direction is always constant (same direction).

  The image processing device 30 receives the breast image transmitted from the image reading device 20, performs various processes for improving the efficiency of interpretation diagnosis by a doctor, and performs a breast image synthesis process in a specified format.

  The image processing apparatus 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the image processing device 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the image processing apparatus 30 includes a control unit 31, an input unit 32, a display unit 33, a communication unit 34, a RAM 35, an image processing unit 36, a storage unit 37, and the like. It is connected.

  The control unit 31 reads a system program stored in the storage unit 37, develops it in a work area formed in the RAM 35, and controls each unit according to the system program. Specifically, the control unit 31 reads out an image composition processing program according to the present invention, various processing programs including the image processing program, and various application programs stored in the storage unit 37 and develops them in a work area. Various processes including the image composition process (see FIG. 8) to be executed are executed.

  Further, prior to the image composition process, the control unit 31 acquires imaging order information from RIS or HIS in advance, and stores this in the storage unit 37 in association with the cassette ID. Further, when acquiring the imaging information associated with the cassette ID from the breast imaging apparatus 10 via the communication unit 34, the control unit 31 associates the imaging information with the imaging order information stored in the storage unit 37. Remember. Then, when a breast image is acquired in association with the cassette ID from the image reading device 30 via the communication unit 34, imaging order information and imaging information corresponding to the cassette ID are acquired, and incidental information is generated. The image is attached to the image and stored in the storage unit 37.

  As the supplementary information of the medical image, for example, patient information on the patient such as the patient's name, patient ID, age, and sex taken, patient date, examination ID, imaging site, imaging information (left breast / right breast, imaging) Direction), image generation device (modality type) information, and the like.

  The input unit 32 includes a keyboard having cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, and the like, and a pointing device such as a mouse, and controls an instruction signal input by key operation or mouse operation on the keyboard. To 31. The input unit 32 may include a touch panel on the display screen of the display unit 33, and in this case, an instruction signal input via the touch panel is output to the control unit 31.

  The display unit 33 includes a monitor such as an LCD or a CRT, and displays an input instruction, data, or the like from the input unit 32 in accordance with an instruction of a display signal input from the control unit 31.

  The communication unit 34 includes a LAN adapter, a router, a TA, and the like, and controls communication with each device connected to the network N. Specifically, the communication unit 34 receives imaging order information, imaging information associated with a cassette ID, image data associated with a cassette ID, and the like via the network N.

  The RAM 35 temporarily stores a work area for temporarily storing various programs, input or output data, parameters, and the like that can be executed by the control unit 31 read from the storage unit 37 in various processes controlled by the control unit 31. Form.

  In accordance with an instruction from the control unit 31, the image processing unit 36 performs frequency processing for adjusting the sharpness of the image, gradation processing for adjusting the contrast, or an image with a wide dynamic range on the input image data. Various image processes such as a dynamic range compression process are performed so as to be within an easy-to-view density range without reducing the contrast of the image.

  The storage unit 37 includes an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and the like. The storage unit 37 includes a system program executed by the control unit 31, an image composition processing program corresponding to the system program, and an image processing program. Various processing programs, various application programs, various data, and the like are stored. These various programs are stored in the form of readable program codes, and the control unit 31 sequentially executes operations according to the program codes.

  The image recording device 40 is an image recording means, and is a hardware that reproduces a medical image as a visible image on a recording medium (here, a film) based on output image data received from the image processing device 30. A copy is output.

Next, the operation in this embodiment will be described.
Note that a program for realizing each function described in the flowchart described later is stored in the memory 3e of the mammography apparatus 10 or the storage device 37 of the image processing apparatus 30 in the form of a computer-readable program code. The control unit 3a of the mammography apparatus 10 or the control unit 31 of the image processing apparatus 30 sequentially executes operations according to the program code.

  First, imaging processing executed by the breast image capturing apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing imaging processing executed by the control unit 3a of the breast image capturing apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 7, when the cassette C is attached to the cassette holders 8a to 8c and a photographing instruction is input via the input unit 3b (step S1; YES), the control unit 3a is set to the cassette holders 8a to 8c. The bar code readers 81a to 81c installed in the PC are caused to read the bar code attached to the cassette C (step S2).

  Then, the control unit 3a detects whether or not a barcode input signal is input from the barcode readers 81a to 81c. If the input signal is not detected, it is determined that the barcode is not readable (step S3). NO), an error message is displayed on the display unit 31, and photographing is stopped (step S5). When barcode input signals are detected from the barcode readers 81a to 81c, it is determined that the barcode can be read (step S3; YES), and the radiation source 5 is controlled to photograph the subject. (Step S4).

  Next, the image composition process executed by the image processing apparatus 30 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an image composition process executed by the control unit 31 of the image processing apparatus 30. As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 31 acquires image data of a breast image from the storage unit 37 and inputs it to the image processing unit 36 (step S11), and controls the image processing unit 36 to control the image data. Image processing is performed (step S12).

  Here, for image processing, gradation processing to adjust the contrast of the image, frequency processing to adjust the sharpness, and dynamic to keep an image with a wide dynamic range within an easy-to-view density range without reducing the contrast of the details of the subject. Range compression processing and the like are included. Further, each of the left breast image and the right breast image is analyzed to recognize the subject area, and the area other than the subject area is set to a value that is a predetermined density value or higher, for example, a value that is higher than the minimum density value in the subject area. Perform density correction. This density correction is performed in order to suppress the influence of the light of Saucusten that passes through the film during observation.

  Next, the control unit 31 acquires supplementary information attached to the image data, and determines whether the input image data is a left breast image or a right breast image based on imaging information included in the supplementary information. It discriminate | determines (step S14). Here, when the input image data is a left breast image (step S14; YES), the control unit 31 specifies the top and bottom of the image data from the incidental information, rotates the image data 90 degrees counterclockwise, It is arranged on the left side of the image format (step S15). If the input image data is a right breast image (step S14; NO), the control unit 31 specifies the top and bottom of the image data from the accompanying information, rotates the image data 90 degrees clockwise, It is arranged on the right side of the format (step S16). Here, the image format is a format for combining two left and right breast images as one image.

  With reference to FIG. 9, the above-described rotation processing and arrangement position of the left and right breast images will be described. FIG. 9A is a diagram showing a left breast image before rotation processing, FIG. 9B is a diagram showing a right breast image before rotation processing, and FIG. 9C is a diagram after rotation processing. It is a figure which shows the left-right breast image arrange | positioned at the left-right position.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the left breast image is input with image data such that the chest wall side faces downward. This left breast image is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise and placed on the left side of the image format. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9B, the right breast image is input with image data so that the chest wall side faces downward. This right breast image is rotated 90 degrees clockwise and placed on the right side of the image format. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9C, a composite image is generated in which the left and right breast images are arranged on the left and right so that the chest wall sides face each other.

  Returning to FIG. 8, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the left and right breast images are arranged at the left and right positions (step S17). If the left and right breast images are not arranged (step S17; NO), step S1 is performed. Then, the image data of one breast image is input, and the processes of steps S1 to S6 are repeated. When the left and right breast images are respectively arranged (step S17; YES), one image data is generated using this as a combined image, and the image data of the generated combined image is stored in the storage unit 37 (step S8). Then, the image composition process is terminated.

  When the image data of the composite image described above is output from the image processing device 30 to the image recording device 40, the image recording device 40 records the image data of the composite image on one sheet of film as a hard copy. Output.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the medical image processing system 100 in which the left and right breasts are individually photographed and the image data of the acquired breast images are separately input, the image processing device 30 is input. Discriminating whether the breast image is a left breast image or a right breast image from the accompanying information of the image data, and performing rotation processing according to the left and right breast images, so that the chest wall sides of the left and right breast images face each other A composite image in which the left and right breast images are arranged is generated as image data.

  Therefore, since the image processing apparatus 30 can output the left and right breast images whose exact positions and directions are specified as one image data, the image recording apparatus 40 records the left and right breast images on one film. And hard copy output. Thereby, the doctor can easily perform comparative interpretation on the left and right breast images recorded on one film. That is, without taking into account the correspondence between the left and right breast images for the same patient, the identification of the direction of the breast image, etc., the film can be loaded into the Schaukasten for comparative interpretation, and accurate and quick diagnosis can be performed. it can. Alternatively, since the left and right breast images can be recorded on one film, the management of the film on which the breast images are recorded can be facilitated, and the cost associated with the film can be reduced.

  In addition, the cassette C for recording a breast image is colored so that one of the long sides of the quadrilateral can be distinguished from the other long side so that the mounting direction to the apparatus can be easily identified. When the cassette C is attached to the cassette holders 8a to 8c of the mammography apparatus 10, it is possible to prevent the cassette C from being attached in the wrong direction. Thereby, the direction of the breast image recorded on the cassette C at the time of imaging can be clarified, and various processes can be performed in the subsequent processing by specifying the accurate breast image direction. As a result, when the left and right breast images are synthesized and output on one film, the left and right breast images can be output in the correct direction.

  Further, a barcode indicating the cassette ID is affixed to the cassette C, and the barcode is read by the barcode readers 81a to 81c provided in the cassette holders 8a to 8c of the mammography apparatus 10. Here, when an imaging instruction is input to the mammography apparatus 10, barcode input signals input from the barcode readers 81a to 81c are detected, and when no input signal is detected, the cassette C is correctly mounted. It is determined that there is no image, and an error message is displayed on the display unit 31 and shooting is stopped.

  As a result, if the cassette C is not correctly mounted in the cassette holders 8a to 8c or if there is an error in the mounting direction, an error message is displayed and shooting cannot be performed. At the same time, it is possible to prevent the subject from being recorded in the cassette C that has been erroneously mounted and the subsequent processing to be performed in a state in which the direction of the breast image is incorrect. Thereby, the image processing apparatus 30 can synthesize the left and right breast images based on the image data input in the correct direction, and the doctor can perform an accurate diagnosis.

In addition, the description content in the said embodiment is a suitable example of the medical image processing system which concerns on this invention, and is not limited to this.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the breast image may be either a CC image obtained by photographing the breast in the vertical direction or an MLO image obtained by photographing the breast in the shooting direction, or an image obtained from other imaging region directions. May be.

  In the present embodiment, the cassette C has a configuration in which the direction of the cassette C is clarified by coloring one of the long sides of the square so that the cassette can be distinguished from the other long side. It is not limited to. For example, it is good also as a structure which can distinguish from the other long side by providing a protrusion shape in one of the long sides, or attaching a pattern etc.

  Alternatively, the case where the barcode attached to the cassette C is read by the barcode readers 81a to 81c to determine whether or not the cassette C is correctly attached to the cassette holders 8a to 8c has been described as an example. However, for example, by providing the cassette holders 8a to 8c and the cassette C with a fitting portion and a fitted portion that can be fitted to each other, the mounting direction of the cassette C to the cassette holders 8a to 8c is made uniform. It is good also as composition which makes it specify to a direction. As a result, a breast image can be recorded on the cassette C mounted in the correct direction, and the direction of the breast image can be accurately specified in subsequent processing. By coloring a part of the cassette, the direction of loading to the engineer is shown. When this is not noticed, an error message is displayed according to the presence or absence of input signals from the barcode readers 81a to 81c. Alternatively, the configuration in which the cassette is prevented from being erroneously mounted by stopping the shooting is described. However, either one of the means may be employed.

  Further, in the medical image processing system 100 described above, a case where a breast image is taken using a cassette C as an example of a radiation detector has been described. However, another radiation detector is used without using the cassette C. There may be. Examples of other radiation detectors include a flat panel detector (hereinafter referred to as FPD) and a phosphor plate.

  The FPD is a two-dimensional array of radiation detection elements that generate charges according to the intensity of irradiated radiation, and capacitors that store the charges generated by the radiation detection elements. The FPD is installed on the imaging stand 6, and an image signal obtained by the FPD is output to the main body unit 3 to generate image data in the main body unit 3. Therefore, according to this configuration, image data can be acquired without providing the image reading device 20. In the case of using a phosphor plate, a configuration may be provided in which a reading unit that detects radiation energy accumulated by irradiating the phosphor plate with laser light as fluorescence and photoelectrically converts it to obtain an image signal.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the case where the breast image capturing apparatus 10 is a breast image capturing apparatus that performs magnified imaging such as phase contrast imaging has been described as an example. It may be applied to an apparatus.

  In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each device constituting the medical image processing system 100 can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a medical image processing system 100 according to the present invention. It is an external view of the mammography apparatus 10 shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the imaging | photography part 1 shown in FIG. 2A is an external perspective view of a cassette C. FIG. (B) It is a top view of cassette C. FIG. It is a figure which shows the principal part structure of the main-body part 3 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the principal part structure of the image processing apparatus 30 shown in FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing imaging processing executed by the control unit 3a of the breast image capturing apparatus 10. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an image composition process executed by a control unit 31 of the image processing apparatus 30. It is a figure which shows the example of a synthesis | combination of the breast image synthesize | combined in an image synthesis process. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the conventional medical image processing system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Medical image processing system 10 Mammography apparatus 1 Imaging part 2 Support | pillar 3 Main body part 3a Control part 3b Input part 3c Display part 3d I / F
3e Memory 3f Communication unit 4, 9 Support shaft 5 Radiation source 6 Imaging base 7 Compression plate 8a-8c Cassette holder 81a-81c Barcode reader 20 Image reading device 30 Image processing device 31 Control unit 32 Input unit 33 Display unit 34 Communication unit 35 RAM
36 Image Processing Unit 37 Storage Unit 40 Image Recording Device C Cassette N Network

Claims (6)

Image acquisition means for acquiring left and right breast images taken individually;
A discriminating means for discriminating whether the breast image is a left or right breast image on the basis of information indicating the left or right attached to the breast image;
Based on the determination result, image processing means for performing rotation processing for each of the left and right breast images and combining the left and right breast images into one image data;
A medical image processing system comprising:   2. The medical image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image synthesizing unit synthesizes image data by arranging breast images at positions where the chest wall sides of the left and right breast images face each other.   The medical image processing system according to claim 1, further comprising image recording means for recording the synthesized image data on a recording medium. In a medical image processing system that combines left and right breast images taken individually into one image data,
Holding means for detachably holding a radiation detector that detects a radiation image irradiated from a radiation source and passed through a subject;
Detecting means for detecting whether the radiation detector is held by the holding means in a predetermined direction;
A medical image processing system comprising: a breast image capturing apparatus including: The breast imaging apparatus is
5. The medical image processing system according to claim 4, further comprising control means for prohibiting radiation irradiation when the detection means does not detect that the radiation detector is held by the holding means in a predetermined direction. Holding means for detachably holding a radiation detector that detects a radiation image irradiated from a radiation source and passed through a subject;
Detecting means for detecting whether the radiation detector is held by the holding means in a predetermined direction;
When the detection unit detects that the radiation detector is held by the holding unit in a predetermined direction, the radiation detector controls the irradiation of the radiation to the left and right to take a breast image, and the radiation detector Control means for recording a breast image for each left and right,
Image acquisition means for acquiring left and right breast images from the radiation detector;
Ancillary means for attaching information indicating whether the breast image is left or right;
A discriminating means for discriminating whether the breast image is a left or right breast image on the basis of information indicating the left or right attached to the breast image;
Based on the determination result, after performing a rotation process for each of the left and right breast images, an image synthesis means for synthesizing the left and right breast images into one image data;
A medical image processing system comprising:

Images