JP2006006793A - Medical image output unit and medical image output method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate an output film assortment operation in a medical image output unit and a medical image output method which form the medical image of a patient on the film to output. <P>SOLUTION: When the medical image of an object of the output and its output indication information are inputted through a communication section 54, a control section 51 refers to the attached information on the input medical image and identifies a patient whose medical image is captured. Then, it determines whether or not a plural number of film outputs of the medical images for one patient are indicated on the basis of the output indication information, sets the order of the outputs of the individual medical images, which order is opposite to the order of the inputs when the number is plural, and generates the image data for the output (an image to be generated is a figure in three dimensions) in which the individual medical images and the attached information on the same are disposed in the set output order following a prescribed output format. Also, when a single film output is indicated, the control section 51 generates the image data for the output (an image to be generated is a reflected image) in which the medical image and the attached information on the same are inverted and disposed. An exposure section 57 and a development section 58 execute the image formation on the basis of the image data for the output and the film on which the image is formed is discharged on a tray by a discharge section 59. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical image output apparatus and a medical image output method for forming and outputting a medical image of a patient on a film.

In the medical field, a medical image obtained by examination imaging is output to a film by a medical image output device, and a diagnosis is performed by observing the film by an interpretation doctor. Conventionally, as a film output method for improving the efficiency of interpretation work, when outputting medical images of a plurality of patients, a method of outputting films by changing the output order of medical images so that they are continuously output for each patient ( For example, see Patent Document 1). In addition, the film is formed by coating an emulsion containing a photosensitive material on a support, and depending on the material, gloss may occur on the surface of the support or the emulsion surface coated with an emulsion layer. A method is also disclosed in which a medical image can be inverted and its erect image or mirror image film output can be performed so that interpretation can be performed on a film surface selected according to the interpretation doctor's preference (for example, patents) Reference 2).
JP-A-9-114903 Japanese Patent No. 2844281

  However, a single medical image output device is often shared by a plurality of interpreting physicians, and when film output according to instructions from a plurality of interpreting physicians is concentrated at one time, it is first output on the tray of the medical image output device. Since the films are accumulated in order from the ones that have been printed, the film groups on the tray contain the outputs from each of the image interpretation doctors, and it takes time and effort to sort the ones output from these. Usually, the film includes a medical image, the patient's name and patient ID (identification information given to individually identify the patient) of the patient from whom the medical image was taken as supplementary information, and the medical image for that patient. In many cases, the interpretation order and the total number of outputs are output. Therefore, each reading doctor can search for the output from the stored film group by this incidental information, but it is troublesome because the name of the patient must be confirmed one by one.

  In particular, in the case of examination imaging such as CT (Computed Tomography) and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), the number of images to be taken is much larger than in the case of CR (Computed Radiography), and thus medical images obtained by such CT and MRI. If a small number of CR medical images are interrupted during the film output, the sorting operation is difficult.

  Further, in the medical image output apparatus, film output is performed in the order in which normal medical images are input, and the film output later is superimposed on the previously output film on the tray. When the film is output by the medical image output apparatus having the configuration shown in a), when the film discharged on the tray is viewed from the A direction, the medical image film formed on each film as shown in FIG. The order from the top (hereinafter referred to as film order) is opposite to the interpretation order. When observing a film on a Schaukasten, it is often arranged from left to right in the order of interpretation as shown in FIG. 10 (c), and when the film is output in the output form as shown in FIG. 10 (b) Operations such as once changing the order of the films are required. However, as described above, in the case of CT or MRI, since the number of shots is large, the operation of changing the film order is a rather complicated operation.

  An object of the present invention is to facilitate sorting of output films.

The invention described in claim 1
In a medical image output device for outputting a medical image of a patient to a film,
An output means for outputting the medical image and its accompanying information as a film;
A reversal process for reversing the medical image and the incidental information into an erect image or a mirror image is executed so that the output form of the film is different between the case of outputting a plurality of medical images and the case of outputting a single medical image. Output control means for causing the output means to output film with the accompanying information;
It is characterized by providing.

The invention according to claim 2 is the medical image output apparatus according to claim 1,
When the output control means outputs a plurality of medical images for one patient, when the medical image formed on the output film is viewed as an erect image, the medical image formed on the film is displayed. A replacement process is performed in which the output order of medical images is changed so that the order matches the interpretation order, and the film is output by the output means in the changed output order.

The invention according to claim 3 is the medical image output apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The film is characterized in that the gloss levels on both sides thereof are substantially the same.

The invention according to claim 4 is the medical image output apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The film having substantially the same glossiness is a heat developing film having a photosensitive layer on a substantially transparent support.

The invention described in claim 5
A medical image output method for outputting a medical image of a patient and its accompanying information to a film,
Executing a reversal process for reversing the medical image and the incidental information into an erect image or a mirror image so that the output form of the film differs between when outputting a plurality of medical images and when outputting a single image; and
Outputting the inverted medical image and accompanying information to a film by an output means;
It is characterized by including.

  According to the first and fifth aspects of the invention, since the output form of the film is different between the plurality of outputs and the singular output, the operator outputs the singular output with the plurality of output film groups due to the difference in the output form of the film. Can be easily sorted. In addition, since the incidental information is inverted together with the medical image so that the output form is different, the boundary between the plural output and the single output can be easily distinguished by the output position of the incidental information on the film. Work efficiency is good.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, in the case of a plurality of outputs, the medical image formed on the film is an upright image, and the films are output in a state of being superimposed in the order of interpretation. Erecting medical images can be arranged in the order of interpretation simply by taking out the films and arranging them one by one on the Schaukasten in order from the top, so that work efficiency can be improved.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, a film having substantially the same glossiness on both sides is used. When a medical image is reversed, the surface on which the image is formed is not necessarily the surface on which the interpretation is performed, but using a film with a small gloss difference does not give the interpretation physician a sense of incongruity.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, a film for heat development can be used as a film having substantially the same gloss level.

  In the present embodiment, the inversion processing of the medical image and its incidental information is controlled so that the output form of the film is different between when outputting a plurality of medical images for one patient and when outputting a single medical image, and outputs a plurality of medical images. In this case, the output order of the medical images is set so that the film order matches the interpretation order of each medical image when the medical images formed on the plurality of output films are viewed as erect images. An example of controlling replacement processing to be replaced will be described.

  Depending on the material of the film, gloss may occur on the support surface or the emulsion surface, which is the image forming surface, and it may vary depending on the interpretation doctor. . In the present invention, a medical image and a mirror image in which the incidental information is inverted or an upright image that is not inverted is output to the film so that the output form of the film differs depending on whether the number of output films is plural or singular. Interpretation is not always performed from the beginning, and interpretation may be performed from the support surface side. In other words, if there is a difference in gloss on both sides of the film, it is not always possible to perform interpretation from a surface having gloss according to the interpretation doctor's preference, and there may be cases where the demand of the interpretation doctor cannot be met. Therefore, if the present invention is applied when using a film having a small difference in glossiness on both sides, the glossiness of the film is substantially the same regardless of whether the image is read from the support surface or the image forming surface. Regardless, the output form of the film can be freely controlled. In the present embodiment, a dry medical image output apparatus (so-called dry imager) that outputs a medical image using a heat developing film as a film having substantially the same gloss level will be described as an example.

First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a medical image output apparatus 50 in the present embodiment.
The medical image output apparatus 50 forms and outputs a medical image on a film based on medical image data, and is an upper type medical image output apparatus in which a tray 61 is installed on the upper part of the apparatus main body. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, a medical image output apparatus 50 contains a film 1 made of photosensitive and heat-sensitive recording material (hereinafter referred to as “photosensitive heat-sensitive material”), supplies a film container 55, and supplies laser light to the film 1. , The exposure unit 57 for forming a latent image of a medical image, the heated film 1 is heated, and the latent image formed by the exposure is visualized (developed), developed, The tray 61 holds and accumulates the discharged film 1.

  The film 1 is a film in which a photosensitive layer is formed by coating an emulsion containing a light and heat sensitive material on a support such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate). A protective layer may be further provided on the upper surface of the photosensitive layer.

  When a medical image is formed on the film 1, the emulsion surface on which the photosensitive layer is formed is exposed, that is, a medical image is always formed on the emulsion surface (hereinafter, the photosensitive layer side on which the medical image is formed). Is called the image forming surface). Therefore, in the case of the medical image output apparatus 50, the film 1 is rotated about once around the inside of the apparatus, and then the conveyance path is configured to be reversed and discharged, so that the image forming surface of the film 1 is on the upper side. Are discharged onto the tray 61.

Hereinafter, the internal configuration of the medical image output apparatus 50 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the medical image output apparatus 50 includes a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, an image memory 53, a communication unit 54, a film storage unit 55, a transport mechanism 56, an exposure unit 57, a development unit 58, and a discharge unit 59. It is composed of

  The control unit 51 reads various control programs stored in the storage unit 52 and the film output processing program according to the present invention, and centrally controls the operations of the respective units according to the control program.

  In the film output process, when a medical image to be output and its output instruction information are input via the communication unit 54, a medical image is captured by referring to the incidental information written in the header area of the input medical image. To identify patients. The medical image usually includes various types of medical images such as patient information (for example, patient name and patient ID) related to the imaged patient and imaging information related to the imaging (for example, modality ID of the modality that generated the medical image). Information is attached as incidental information. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that various information related to the medical image is written and attached to the header area of the medical image. The output instruction information refers to instruction information related to film output of medical images. In the case of outputting specified information such as film size and enlargement rate (or reduction rate) of medical images, and medical images for the same patient together, The patient ID, the image ID of each medical image to be continuously output, and information on the interpretation order designated for these medical images are included.

  Next, it is determined whether or not film output of a plurality of medical images is instructed for one patient based on the output instruction information, and in the case of a plurality, the output order is set in the reverse order of the input order of each medical image, Output image data (the image to be formed is an erect image) in which each medical image and its supplementary information are arranged according to an output format corresponding to an erect image in the set output order is generated, and by each unit based on the output image data Have the image formed. On the other hand, when a film output of a single medical image is instructed for one patient, the output image data arranged in accordance with the output format corresponding to the mirror image by inverting the medical image and its accompanying information (the image to be formed is a mirror image) , And image formation is performed by each unit based on the output image data. That is, the output control means can be realized by the cooperation of the control unit 51 and the film output processing program.

  The storage unit 52 is composed of a magnetic or optical recording medium, a semiconductor memory, or the like, and stores various control programs, parameters used during processing, data such as processing results, and the like.

  The image memory 53 stores data of an output target medical image input via the communication unit 54.

  The communication unit 54 includes a communication interface such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) and a modem, and performs data communication with each device on the communication network. For example, the communication unit 54 communicates with an image server that stores and manages taken medical images in a database via a communication network, and receives data of medical images to be output. Alternatively, it communicates with various modalities such as CR, CT, MRI, etc., and receives medical image data taken with each modality. The received medical image data is output to the image memory 53.

  The film storage unit 55 includes a tray in which the unexposed film 1 is stacked and stored, and a pickup mechanism that picks up the film 1 from the tray and sends it out to the transport path, and is stored in the tray according to an instruction from the control unit 11. The film 1 is sent out to the conveyance path.

  The transport mechanism 56 includes a plurality of transport roller pairs along the transport path of the film 1, and the film 1 sent from the film storage unit 55 onto the transport path is transferred to the exposure unit 57, the developing unit 58, and the discharge unit 59 at a predetermined speed. In order to carry.

  The exposure unit 57 includes a laser oscillator that oscillates the laser light irradiated on the film 1, a light amount modulation unit that changes the light amount of the laser light oscillated from the laser oscillator according to medical image data to be visualized, and the laser light on the film 1. A polygon mirror to be scanned with a precision feed mechanism, a precision feeding mechanism, a condensing lens for condensing laser light, an optical system such as an fθ lens, and the like.

  When the film 1 is transported from the film storage unit 55 to the exposure unit 57, laser light is oscillated from the laser oscillator and medical image data is input to the light amount modulation unit. The light amount modulation unit outputs laser light according to the medical image data. Is modulated. When the modulated laser beam enters a polygon mirror that rotates at a predetermined speed, the laser beam is scanned at a predetermined cycle in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the film 1 by reflection. This scanning direction is called a main scanning direction. On the other hand, since the film 1 is transported at a predetermined speed in the transport direction by the precision feed mechanism, the entire surface of the film 1 is scanned with laser light. The scanning direction in the conveyance direction of the film 1 is referred to as a sub-scanning direction with respect to the main scanning direction.

  The developing unit 58 includes a heat roller for heating the film 1 exposed by the exposure unit 57, a counter roller for bringing the film 1 into close contact with the heat roller, and the like. The heat roller has a built-in heater, is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a latent image formed on the film 1 by exposure by maintaining the film 1 at a predetermined heat development time and a predetermined minimum heat development temperature on the outer periphery thereof. Is formed as a visible image.

The discharge unit 59 includes a tray 61 and a film feeding mechanism (not shown). The discharge unit 59 conveys the film 1 thermally developed in the developing unit 58 and discharges it to the tray 61. The film 1 discharged to the tray 61 is sequentially accumulated on the film 1 previously outputted to the film.
That is, an output unit can be realized by the exposure unit 57, the development unit 58, and the discharge unit 59.

Next, the operation in the medical image output apparatus 50 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a film output process executed by the medical image output apparatus 50.

  In the film output process shown in FIG. 3, first, input of a medical image to be output is awaited, and it is determined whether or not medical image data and output instruction information are input via the communication unit 54 (step S1). When it is determined that the medical image and the output instruction information are input (step S1; Y), the supplementary information of the medical image is read from the header area of the input medical image, and the read auxiliary information is read. The patient whose medical image was taken is determined based on the patient ID information included in (step S2).

  Next, the output instruction information input together with the medical image is referred to, and it is determined whether or not all the medical images for one patient have been input (step S3). When continuous output of multiple medical images is instructed for one patient (hereinafter, multiple output of multiple medical images is referred to as multiple output), and all the medical images for which output has been instructed have not yet been input (Step S3; N), the process returns to Step S1, and input of the next medical image is awaited.

  On the other hand, when one patient is instructed to output one medical image, that is, a single film output (hereinafter, outputting a single medical image is referred to as a single output), or when a medical image for one patient is input, or When a plurality of outputs are instructed for one patient and all of the instructed medical images are input (step S3; Y), it is determined whether a plurality of outputs are instructed for the input medical images. It is determined whether the output is instructed (step S4).

First, a case where single output is instructed will be described.
When single output is instructed (step S4; single), mirror image data obtained by inverting one input medical image is generated (step S5). Next, an image is formed on the film by exposure processing and development processing according to a predetermined output format. There are two output formats, one corresponding to the erect image shown in FIG. 4A and one corresponding to the mirror image shown in FIG. 4B. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in each format, an image area 1a in which a medical image is formed and an incidental information area 1b in which additional information text relating to the medical image is formed are set. The positions of the format image area 1a and incidental information area 1b are mirror images of each other. That is, since the image area 1a is located at the center portion of the film 1, the position does not change between the erect image and the mirror image. In the output format corresponding to the mirror image, it is located at the lower left of the film 1 and is in a mirror image relationship. In the case of single output, the output format corresponding to the mirror image in FIG. 4B is applied at the time of image formation, and the medical image is formed at a position corresponding to the image area 1a on the film 1 based on the image data of the mirror image of the generated medical image. A mirror image of the image is formed, and a number indicating the patient ID, patient name, interpretation order / total number of outputs is formed at a position corresponding to the incidental information area 1b (lower right of the film 1) (step S6). . Then, when the film 1 on which the image is formed is discharged onto the tray 61, the present process is terminated.

Next, a case where a plurality of medical images for one patient are output will be described.
When a plurality of outputs of medical images for one patient are instructed (step S4; a plurality), the output order n is set in the order opposite to the input order for the plurality of input medical images for one patient. (Step S7). Next, the output order n is set to an initial value n = 1 (step S <b> 8), and medical image data in the set output order n is read from the image memory 53. Next, image formation on the film is performed by exposure processing and development processing in accordance with an output format (see FIG. 4A) corresponding to an erect image. First, an erect image of a medical image is formed at a position corresponding to the image area 1a defined in the output format on the film 1 based on the read image data of the medical image, and also defined in the output format. At the position corresponding to the incidental information area 1b (lower right of the film 1), the patient ID, the patient name, the interpretation order / the number indicating the total number of outputs is formed as an image (step S9).

  When the image-formed film 1 is discharged onto the tray 61, it is determined whether film output has been completed for all medical images for one patient (step S10), and film output is still performed for all medical images. Is not completed (step S10; N), the parameter in the output order n is incremented by 1 (step S11), and the process returns to step S9. That is, the parameters in the output order n are sequentially incremented until all the film outputs are completed, and film output of the output image data in the incremented output order n is performed.

  When the film output of all output image data is completed (step S10; Y), it is determined whether or not the next patient's medical image is input (step S12), and the medical image for the next patient is obtained. If it has already been input (step S12; Y), the process returns to step S1 and the processes of steps S1 to S10 are repeated. On the other hand, when the medical image for the next patient has not been input (step S12; N), this process ends.

An example of the film output by the above film output process is shown in FIG.
In FIG. 5, film output of medical images is instructed in the order of patients “Yamada”, “Tanaka”, and “Suzuki”, and multiple outputs of three medical images E, F, and G for patient “Yamada”, patient “Tanaka” When a single output of one medical image J for the patient, and a plurality of outputs of five medical images K,... For the patient “Suzuki” are instructed, the film group discharged and stored on the tray is stored as the film. It is a figure which shows the state arranged in order. In FIG. 5, the film surrounded by a black frame is a view seen from the image forming surface. In addition, when the texts of E to G, J, and K indicating the medical image and the accompanying information are indicated by solid lines, they are erect images, and when they are indicated by dotted lines, they are mirror images.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the film is discharged so that the image forming surface is at the top in either of the multiple outputs or the single output, but the medical images of each of the multiple outputs are output as erect images. The single medical image of the output film is output as a mirror image. Since the incidental information of medical images is also output in film in the same output format, the text is an erect image in the case of multiple outputs, and the position is the lower right of the film, but in the case of single output, the text Is the mirror image, which is at the lower left of the film. The plurality of output films have the same film order and interpretation order.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the case of a plurality of outputs, the film formed on the tray 61 is viewed from above so that the image formed on the film becomes an erect image. In the case of single output, the film output is made so that the image formed on the film becomes a mirror image, so that the output form of the film differs between multiple outputs and single outputs. The film group can be easily discriminated by taking out the film group and confirming the output position of the accompanying information. For example, in the case of the film group shown in FIG. 5, when it is taken out from the tray 61, it is accumulated as shown in FIG. Therefore, the operator checks the position of the incidental information while turning the lower end of the film, and if there are multiple outputs, finds the film in which the incidental information is located in the lower right. And take it out. In this case, since the pattern recognition (whether the text is located on the left or the right) may be used instead of the character recognition (whether the character of the text is inverted), the search becomes easier.

  Therefore, even if the number of output sheets such as CT or MRI is large and the number of output sheets such as CR is small, the desired film can be easily taken out from the film group, and the film sorting operation is performed. Can be made easier.

  In general, a medical image output device compliant with DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) standard, which is a standard for medical digital images and communication, has a function of overlaying incidental information such as a patient ID. Even if there are different medical image output devices from different manufacturers, it is possible to perform a special process such as forming an image on the film with a marker indicating that the patient has been switched each time the patient is switched. The film of each patient can be easily discriminated only by setting.

  In addition, when the present invention is applied, the image forming surface is not necessarily a surface on which image interpretation is performed, and image interpretation may be performed from the support surface side. For example, SD-P manufactured by Konica Minolta, Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Films for heat development such as DI-HL and DI-AL made in general have a difference in gloss on both sides compared to conventional wet processing films (for wet medical image output devices using chemical processing solutions). There are few, and it does not give an uncomfortable feeling to the interpretation doctor even if the interpretation is performed from either the image forming surface or the support surface.

  In addition, in the case of multiple outputs, the output order of each medical image is switched so that the film order and the interpretation order match, so when placing the film on the Schaukasten, special film operations such as turning the film over and changing the order It is possible to take out the films in order from the top and arrange them on the Schaukasten, without increasing the efficiency of the work.

  In the above embodiment, output control is performed so that an erect image is obtained in the case of a plurality of outputs and a mirror image in the case of a single output, but vice versa (a mirror image in the case of multiple outputs and an erect image in the case of singular outputs). The output may be controlled so that the output form is not particularly limited as long as the output form is different.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example of the upper type medical image output apparatus 50 in which the tray 61 is installed on the upper part of the apparatus main body and the film is output so that the image forming surface is on the upper side has been described. It is not limited to this as long as the output form of the film can be different from the output.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the present invention can also be applied to a side-type medical image output apparatus 60 in which a tray is installed on the side surface of the apparatus body and the film is output so that the image forming surface faces down. . In the case of the configuration of the medical image output device 60, when the film 1 discharged onto the tray 61 is viewed from the upper direction (A direction), the support surface is located on the operator side. Therefore, the medical image formed on the film 1 Is a mirror image. Therefore, when a single output is instructed, an erect image of a medical image and its accompanying information is formed and output on the film 1 as usual, and when a plurality of outputs are instructed, the medical image and its accompanying information are inverted. The mirror image is formed on the film 1 and the output order is set in the reverse order of the input order of the respective medical images. Thus, when the film group accumulated on the tray 61 is viewed from the A direction, each of the plurality of output films 1 for one patient is an upright image, and the single output of the film 1 for one patient is a mirror image. The output form is different. Therefore, even when the film 1 on which medical images for a plurality of patients are formed is accumulated on the tray 61, the operator can easily determine a desired film from the film group.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the present invention is applicable even when a plurality of trays 61 to 63 are installed and have a sorter function. In this case, each time the patient is switched, the trays 61 to 63 for discharging the film are switched. In the film output for the same patient, for example, a plurality of CT medical images and a CR medical image are output as a single. By sorting the film by switching the output form of the film, the operator's film sorting work can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the output control is performed in the medical image output device 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the upper type medical image output device 50 or the side type medical image output device. The control apparatus 20 may perform output control in the medical image output system 100 in which 60 are included. In this case, in the control device 20, the characteristics of the output form of each of the medical image output devices 50 and 60 (whether the image forming surface is discharged in the vertical direction or the film discharged on the tray is viewed from above). Output form information indicating whether the image is an erect image or a mirror image) is stored, and when the medical image to be output is provided to the medical image output device 50 or 60, each of the medical image output devices 50 or 60 is stored. Based on the output form information, the presence / absence of inversion processing of the medical image and its accompanying information and the output order of the medical image are set so that the output forms of the single output and the multiple output are different from each other. Then, the setting information is transmitted as output instruction information to the medical image output apparatus 50 or 60 together with the medical image to be output, and the film is output.

  In the above embodiment, output control is performed so that the output form differs between the case of multiple outputs and the case of single output. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the output form may be switched every time the patient is switched. It is good also as switching not with a unit but with the instruction | indication unit of a film output. For example, since an instruction for film output is given for each interpreting doctor, by switching the output form for each instruction unit for film output, even if a large number of films are output, the film for which each interpreting doctor has instructed the output itself A group can be distinguished at a glance.

  In the case of the medical image output system 100 shown in FIG. 9, a film output instruction operation is performed at the image interpretation terminal 30, and the control apparatus 20 instructs the medical image output apparatus 50 or 60 to output a film according to the instruction operation. Because of the configuration, the interpretation doctor is authenticated when a film output instruction operation is performed at the interpretation terminal 30, and the authenticated interpretation doctor information is transmitted to the control device 20 together with the film output instruction information. The apparatus 20 may perform output control so that the output form of the film is switched every time the interpretation doctor is switched. Thereby, in the medical image output apparatus 50 or 60, since the output film differs in output form for each interpretation doctor, each interpretation doctor can discriminate at a glance the film group that he / she has instructed to output.

  Moreover, it is good also as switching the output form of a film whenever the modality 10 switches. When a medical image is generated in the modality 10, the modality ID (information for individually identifying each modality) of the modality 10 that generated the medical image is attached. Accordingly, the modality type is determined from the modality ID attached to the medical image instructed to be output by the control device 20, and output control is performed so that the output form of the film is switched every time the modality is switched. Multiple medical images generated by modalities such as CT and MRI are often output, and a single medical image generated by modalities such as CR is often output. Therefore, by switching the output form for each modality, Therefore, it becomes easy to discriminate a film group by modality from among a large number of output film groups.

It is a figure which shows the medical image output apparatus 50 (upper type) in this Embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a medical image output apparatus 50. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a film output process executed by the medical image output apparatus 50. It is a figure which shows the output format example of a medical image and its incidental information. It is a figure which shows an example of the film group output by the film output process. It is a figure which shows the film group by which the output film was accumulated | stacked and accumulated. It is a figure which shows the medical image output device 60 (side surface type) in other embodiment. (A) It is a figure which shows the medical image output apparatus 50 in which the several trays 61-63 were installed, (b) It is a figure which shows the medical image output apparatus 60 in which the several trays 61-63 were installed. 1 is a diagram showing a medical image output system 100 to which the present invention is applied. (A) It is a figure which shows the conventional medical image output apparatus, (b), (c) is a figure which shows the output form of the film.

Explanation of symbols

50 Medical image output device (upper type)
51 Control Unit 52 Storage Unit 53 Image Memory 54 Communication Unit 55 Film Storage Unit 56 Transport Mechanism 57 Exposure Unit 58 Development Unit 59 Ejection Unit 61-63 Tray

Claims (5)

In a medical image output device for outputting a medical image of a patient to a film,
An output means for outputting the medical image and its accompanying information as a film;
Inversion processing for inverting the medical image and the incidental information into an erect image or a mirror image is performed so that the output form of the film differs between when outputting a plurality of medical images and when outputting a single medical image, Output control means for causing the output means to output film with the accompanying information;
A medical image output apparatus comprising:   When the output control means outputs a plurality of medical images for one patient, when the medical image formed on the output film is viewed as an erect image, the medical image formed on the film is displayed. 2. The medical image according to claim 1, wherein a replacement process for switching a medical image output order is executed so that the order matches an interpretation order, and the film is output by the output unit in the replaced output order. Output device.   The medical image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the film has substantially the same glossiness on both sides.   The medical image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the film having substantially the same gloss level is a heat developing film having a photosensitive layer on a substantially transparent support. . A medical image output method for outputting a medical image of a patient and its accompanying information to a film,
Executing a reversal process for reversing the medical image and the incidental information into an erect image or a mirror image so that the output form of the film differs between when outputting a plurality of medical images and when outputting a single image; and
Outputting the inverted medical image and accompanying information to a film by an output means;
A medical image output method comprising:

Images