JP2006141640A - Medical imaging marker - Google Patents

Abstract

When photographing a patient with a medical imaging device, the specific part of the patient is accurately reflected in the photographed image, and the specific part of the photographed patient image is associated with the position of the actual patient. It is desirable to have a medical imaging marker that can be used to perform this very accurately.
An inner layer (51, 52, 53) is formed in a spherical shape, made of a predetermined first material, and composed of three spheres arranged at predetermined intervals. The three spheres 51, 52, 53 are surrounded by an outer layer 54 formed of a second material different from the material. On the surface of the outer layer 54, three position information notations 61, 62, and 63 corresponding to the respective center points of the three spheres 51, 52, and 53 are described.
[Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present invention is used for obtaining positional information of photographing data by attaching to a subject (human body) when photographing a human body as a subject with various medical photographing equipment such as X-ray, CT, MRI, SPECT, and PET. The present invention relates to a medical imaging marker.

In recent years, advances in medical imaging equipment such as CT, MRI, SPECT, and PET have led to the visualization of information related to the form and function of the patient's body necessary for diagnosis and treatment, and clinical applications have been attempted in all clinical departments. Yes.
However, when a patient is photographed with a medical imaging device and an attempt is made to make a diagnosis based on the photographed image, the contents of the photographed image are slightly different for each photographing depending on photographing conditions such as positioning of the patient at the time of photographing. There was a problem that it was difficult to make an accurate diagnosis.

In particular, even in the same patient, there is a problem that the coordinate system of the image data is different for each photographing, and it is difficult to correctly compare and evaluate a plurality of photographing data with different times of the same patient.
In addition, in order to use the captured image in clinical practice, it is necessary to correctly associate the orientation of the image with the entity (patient) and the position. However, the accurate association between the captured image and the entity (patient) There was a problem that could not be done with images.

  By the way, as a prior art, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-24582 (Patent Document 1) proposes a medical imaging marker that can be used even when different types of medical image diagnostic apparatuses are used. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-339666 (Patent Document 2) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-170072 (Patent Document 3) propose a technique related to image alignment using a marker.

However, any of the above prior arts does not sufficiently solve the above-described problem, and an improved new medical imaging marker is desired.
JP 2004-24582 JP 2003-339666 A JP 2001-170072

The present invention has been made based on the above-described background. When a patient is imaged by a medical imaging apparatus, the specific region of the patient is accurately reflected in the captured image, and the specific region of the captured patient image The main object of the present invention is to provide a medical imaging marker that can be used for extremely accurately associating the position with the actual patient.
In addition, the present invention can be used for imaging of various medical imaging devices such as CT, MRI, SPECT, PET, and the like, and is a medical imaging marker that can be clearly displayed on the captured image and display the position information of the image For other purposes.

The invention described in claim 1 is a spherical inner layer formed of a predetermined first material, and an outer layer surrounding the inner layer and formed of a second material different from the material forming the inner layer. It is a medical imaging marker for mounting on a subject at the time of medical imaging.
The invention according to claim 2 is the medical imaging marker according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer includes a spherical layer formed concentrically with the inner layer.

The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the outer layer has a multilayer structure having at least a first layer surrounding the inner layer and a second layer surrounding the first layer. The medical imaging marker according to claim 1 or 2.
The invention according to claim 4 is the medical imaging marker according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an outer surface (outermost layer) of the outer layer has an arbitrary shape.

The invention according to claim 5 is the medical imaging marker according to claim 4, wherein the shape of the outer surface (outermost layer) of the outer layer is a polyhedron.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the outer layer includes a spherical layer having a center point at a position different from the center point of the inner layer, and is on a straight line passing through the center points of the inner layer and the outer layer, and the center of the outer layer The first specific point located at a predetermined distance from the point toward the center point of the inner layer and / or the first specific point located at a predetermined distance from the center point of the inner layer toward the center point of the outer layer. 2. The medical imaging marker according to claim 1, wherein two specific points can be defined.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the outer layer has a multi-layer structure including the spherical layer and an outermost layer having a polyhedral outer shape surrounding the spherical layer, and the first outer layer is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outermost layer. 7. The medical imaging marker according to claim 6, wherein a specific point and / or a second specific point exists.
The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the first specific point and / or the second specific point is located at a tip of a projection forming a part of the outermost layer. This is a medical imaging marker.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the marker according to the first aspect of the present invention has a connecting structure in which two outer layers are connected to each other and are connected to each other on a straight line passing through the center points of the two inner layers. A first specific point is defined at a predetermined distance from the central point of the other inner layer toward the other inner layer, and / or a predetermined distance from the central point of the other inner layer toward the one inner layer The second specific point is defined, and the first specific point and / or the second specific point is located at the tip of a sharp-pointed protrusion formed in the outer layer.

  A tenth aspect of the present invention is a spherical material that is formed of a predetermined first material, and that surrounds the three inner layers arranged at a predetermined distance from each other and surrounds the three inner layers to form the inner layer. An outer layer formed of a second material different from the above, and three position information notations provided on the surface of the outer layer and corresponding to the center points of the three inner layers, respectively, at the time of medical imaging It is a medical imaging marker for mounting on a subject.

The invention according to claim 11 is the medical imaging marker according to claim 10, wherein the three inner layers are formed so as to be distinguishable.
The invention described in claim 12 is the medical imaging marker according to claim 11, wherein the three inner layers have different diameters.
The invention described in claim 13 is the medical imaging marker according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the three inner layers have different colors.

The invention according to claim 14 is the medical imaging marker according to claim 11, wherein the three inner layers are formed so as to be identifiable in a positional relationship with the outer layer.
A fifteenth aspect of the invention is the medical imaging marker according to the tenth aspect, characterized in that a mark for mounting on the subject is written on the surface of the outer layer.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a medical imaging marker capable of imaging with good contrast at the outer edge of the inner layer (the boundary between the inner layer and the outer layer). In particular, when photographing with a plurality of photographing devices of different methods, it becomes a medical photographing marker that can be captured with good contrast in an image photographed by any device.
For example, the outer layer of this marker is formed of a X-ray contrast resin, and the inner layer is a layer filled with water. When a marker having such a configuration is photographed by CT, the outer layer has high value data, and the inner layer has low value data. Further, when this marker is photographed by MRI, the inner layer is displayed strongly (darker) and the outer layer is displayed weakly (lightly). Therefore, regardless of whether CT or MRI imaging equipment is used, the marker is projected with good contrast at the outer edge of the inner layer (the boundary between the inner layer and the outer layer), and the position of the marker positioned on the patient Can be clearly grasped in relation to

Also, by filling the inner layer not with water but with a radiopharmaceutical used in SPECT or PET (sometimes called an isotope or tracer), CT imaging and SPECT or PET imaging, MRI imaging and SPECT or PET are used. It can be set as the medical imaging | photography marker which can be shared with different imaging | photography apparatuses, such as imaging | photography.
As described above, by appropriately combining the materials of the inner layer and the outer layer, the contour of the inner layer is clearly displayed in the video imaged by the photographing apparatus, and the form of the marker and, consequently, the position of the marker can be accurately grasped. The grasped marker position can be easily and accurately associated with the position in the patient's entity.

Furthermore, since the inner layer and the outer layer are made of different materials, it is possible to provide a marker having a contrast property that can be easily identified for different types of imaging devices such as CT, MRI, SPECT, and PET. And by making the shape and size of a marker into the same standard, what can be used and utilized in common for different photographing devices can be provided.
Furthermore, since it has at least a two-layer structure having an inner layer and an outer layer, the boundary between the marker and the human body on which the marker is installed does not become unclear. For example, if an X-ray contrast marker is attached to a tooth and photographed, both the marker and the tooth have a high X-ray contrast property, so the boundary between the two cannot be distinguished, and an image captured as a series of structures is obtained. . Similarly, when an image is taken with a marker embedded in the bone, the image is a single image of the bone and the marker, and the position of the marker is often unknown. However, in the marker of the present invention, even if the outer layer of the marker is integrated with the teeth and bones in the photographed image, the boundary between the outer layer and the inner layer of the marker is clearly projected. Therefore, it can be set as the marker for medical imaging | photography which does not select an installation place with respect to a patient's body.

When the outer layer includes a spherical layer formed concentrically with the inner layer, the outline of the inner layer can be more easily grasped on the photographed image.
Further, as described in claim 3, by forming the outer layer as a multi-layer structure having the first layer and the second layer, it is possible to provide a marker that can be applied to a wider variety of photographing devices, and the photographed marker. In this image, a plurality of boundary portions between the layers are projected, the boundary portions between the layers can be identified with good contrast, and the relationship between the marker position and the patient's part can be more easily understood.

Furthermore, even if the outer surface (outermost layer) of the outer layer has an arbitrary shape as in claim 4, the contour between the inner layer and the outer layer is projected as a sphere having a certain standard dimension, so that the position can be determined based on the marker image. Accurately grasp. And when an outermost layer is made into arbitrary shapes, it can make it easy to attach a marker with respect to a patient.
In particular, as described in claim 5, by making the outer surface (outermost layer) of the marker polyhedral, there is an advantage that it is easy to attach the marker to the patient (substance).

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a spherical inner layer and a spherical outer layer are obtained as a photographed marker image. The center points of the inner layer and the outer layer thus obtained are obtained, and predetermined positions existing on a straight line passing through the two center points can be defined as the first specific point and the second specific point. For example, the first specific point can be defined as a point at a predetermined distance from the center point of the outer layer toward the center point of the inner layer, and the second specific point can be defined as the center point of the outer layer from the center point of the inner layer. It can be defined as a position at a predetermined distance toward. Since the defined first specific point and second specific point are determined in the direction and position with respect to the marker, it is effective in associating the position on the patient's entity with the position in the captured image. Can be used.

By adding the configuration of claim 7 to the configuration of claim 6, the first specific point and the second specific point are located on the outer surface of the marker, so that when the marker is attached to the patient, the outer surface of the outer layer The first specific point or the second specific point existing above can be adjusted to a specific position of the patient, such as a mole, so that the marker can be easily positioned at the time of wearing.
Then, in the photographed image, the specific point can be accurately obtained from the center point of the outer layer of the marker and the center point of the inner layer (usually, the specific point does not appear clearly on the photographed image. This is because it can be accurately grasped using the center point of the inner layer and the center point of the inner layer.)

  As described in claim 8, when the first specific point and the second specific point exist in the outermost layer of the marker, the outermost layer of the marker protrudes, and the tip thereof is the first specific point and the second specific point. If it becomes, it can be set as the marker which is easier to mount | wear. This is because the tip protrusion of the marker is the first specific point or the second specific point, so that the tip protrusion can be fitted to a specific part of the patient, such as a mole or the end of the eyebrows.

  In the ninth aspect, similarly to the eighth aspect, it is possible to correctly grasp the first specific point and the second specific point based on the center point of the inner layer of the marker in the photographed image. And on the patient's entity, the first specific point or the second specific point of the marker is the tip of the protrusion formed on the outer layer, so that the tip is aligned with a specific position of the patient's entity, for example, mole it can. Therefore, it is possible to correctly associate the positional relationship between the patient's substance and the captured image. As a result, a doctor can perform treatment by incising an appropriate position while confirming a photographed image, such as when incising a patient's body during surgery.

According to the inventions of claims 10 to 15, there is an effect that the correspondence between the data obtained by measuring the substance of the patient with the position measuring device and the image data of the photographed patient can be accurately performed.
More specifically, the marker according to claim 10 is attached to the outer surface of the patient, and the image data obtained by photographing the patient includes three inner layers included in the marker. Based on the center points of the three inner layers, the coordinate axes of the image data can be specified.

On the other hand, on the outer layer surface of the marker affixed to the patient, there are three position information notations corresponding to the respective center points of the three inner layers. By measuring these three pieces of position information notation with a position measuring device such as a pointer, the position coordinates relating to the patient's substance can be determined.
Then, by associating the position coordinates in the determined image data with the position coordinates in the entity, it is possible to accurately associate the patient's entity with the image data.

Since the marker of claim 10 is a single marker having three inner layers in one outer layer, the handling is convenient and the mounting position on the patient is not selected. That is, the marker may be attached to any location on the patient's outer surface and is not restricted to having a specific location. Therefore, it is possible to make the marker versatile and easy to use.
By forming the three inner layers included in the marker so as to be identifiable as in claims 11 to 13, the mounting direction of the marker is not mistaken when the marker is mounted on the patient.

In particular, as in claim 14, if the inner layer can be identified in relation to the outer layer, the marker can be easily attached to the patient.
Furthermore, if the mark at the time of affixing is described in the outer surface of a marker like Claim 15, it will become a marker which is easier to handle.

  FIG. 1 is a view for explaining a medical imaging marker according to an embodiment of the present invention. The marker 1 has a two-layer structure of an inner layer 10 and an outer layer 20. The inner layer 10 has a spherical shape, and the outer layer 20 has a spherical shape formed concentrically with the inner layer 10. As for the size, the diameter of the outer layer 20 is 10 mm or less. The diameter of the outer layer 20 may be about 1 to 0.1 mm. Such a minimal marker 1 can be used not only on the patient's skin surface but also embedded in the patient's body. For example, it can be used by adhering to a desired position on the bone surface or by embedding in a desired position in the bone.

The inner layer 10 of the marker 1 is formed of water (pure water), air, or a material having contrast properties in MRI imaging.
On the other hand, the outer layer 20 is made of a resin having X-ray contrast properties.
As a modification, the inner layer 10 can be made of a material containing a radiopharmaceutical used in SPECT or PET imaging.

  With this configuration, a marker used for imaging with two or more types of imaging apparatuses such as CT and MRI, or CT and SPECT (or PET), or MRI and SPECT (or PET) can do. In particular, when the marker 1 is an extremely small marker and is embedded in the patient's body, the patient can be photographed with an optimal photographing device according to the patient's symptoms and the content to be photographed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing another example of the marker according to the embodiment of the present invention, and (A) to (D) show different form examples.
In the marker 1a shown in FIG. 2A, the inner layer 10 has a spherical shape and the outer layer 20 has a cubic shape. The inner layer 10 and the outer layer 20 are formed of different materials. The center point of the outer layer 20 and the center point of the inner layer 10 do not necessarily coincide with each other, but it is preferable that the center points of both are the same.

  FIG. 2B shows a marker 1b having a three-layer structure. The marker 1 b has a spherical inner layer 10, a first outer layer 21 (spherical shape) surrounding the inner layer 10, and a spherical second outer layer 22 surrounding the first outer layer 21. The inner layer 10, the first outer layer 21, and the second outer layer 22 are formed of different materials, respectively, and the boundary of each layer is captured with a clear contrast in the photographed image.

  A marker 1c shown in FIG. 2C has a spherical inner layer 10 and an arbitrarily shaped outer layer 20 surrounding the periphery. The inner layer 10 and the outer layer 20 are formed of different materials. Even if the shape (outer shape) of the outer layer 20 is an arbitrary shape, the image of the marker 1c is shown with a clear contrast between the inner layer 10 and the outer layer 20, so that the center of the inner layer 10, that is, the position of the marker There is no hindrance in the identification.

By making the outer layer 20 into an arbitrary shape, the marker 1c can be easily attached to the patient. For example, when the marker 1c is affixed to the patient's skin surface, if the outer layer 20 is shaped to be easily affixed, the marker 1c is easy to use.
The marker 1d shown in FIG. 2D surrounds the spherical inner layer 10, the spherical first outer layer 21 formed concentrically with the inner layer 10 and the first outer layer 21. The second outer layer 22 is a hexahedron. As described above, the inner layer 10 needs to be spherical, but the outer layer has a plurality of layers, and the shapes of the outer layers of the plurality of layers can take various shapes.

The shape of the marker shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D is merely an example, and a shape other than this shape may be used.
In short, the inner layer 10 is spherical, and the outer layer 20 surrounding the inner layer 10 is a single layer or a plurality of layers, and the shape thereof can be any shape. What is important is that the material of the inner layer 10 and the outer layer 20 (if the outer layer 20 has a plurality of layers, each of these layers) is made of a material that has different contrast levels when photographed with a medical photographing device and that can obtain different photographing data values. That's what it means.

  Thereby, the boundary between the inner layer 10 and the outer layer 20, that is, the outline of the inner layer 10 and the boundary of the outer layer are obtained as a clear contrast image, and the position of the marker in the photographed patient image is accurately grasped. Can do. FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the configuration of a medical imaging marker 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The marker 2 includes an inner layer 11 and an outer layer 23 formed of different materials, and the inner layer 11 and the outer layer 23 are positioned so that the center point 12 of the inner layer 11 and the center point 24 of the outer layer 23 are different from each other. Is formed. Note that the center points 12 and 24 are described for convenience of explanation, and are not points that exist visually but points that are calculated.

  The marker 2 is located on a straight line L1 passing through the center points 12 and 24, and a point that is a predetermined distance A1 away from the center point 24 of the outer layer 23 toward the center point 12 of the inner layer 11 is a first specific point 31. It is defined as Further, a point on the straight line L1 that is a predetermined distance A2 away from the center point 12 of the inner layer 11 toward the center point 24 of the outer layer 23 is defined as the second specific point 32. Thus, by aligning the first specific point 31 or the second specific point 32 with a predetermined position on the patient's body, for example, a mole, the positional relationship between the patient's body and the photographed image can be obtained using the marker 2 as a medium. Can be accurately associated.

  FIG. 4 shows an embodiment that further embodies the embodiment of FIG. The medical imaging marker 3 shown in FIG. 4 has an inner layer 11 and an outer layer 23 made of different materials as in the configuration of FIG. The inner layer 11 and the outer layer 23 are both spherical, the inner layer 11 is covered with the outer layer 23, and the center points 12 and 13 of both are in different positions. The outer layer 23 is further completely covered with the outermost layer 25. The outermost layer 25 is formed of a material different from that of the outer layer 23.

  In this marker 3, a predetermined distance on the straight line L 1 passing through the center point 12 of the inner layer 11 and the center point 13 of the outer layer 23 from the center point 13 of the outer layer 23 toward the center point 12 of the inner layer 11. A first specific point 31 at A1 and a second specific point 32 on the straight line L1 and at a predetermined distance A2 from the center point 12 of the inner layer 11 toward the center point 13 of the outer layer 23, respectively. The outermost layer 25 is positioned at a corner (edge). That is, the first specific point 32 exists at the apex of the upper right rear corner of the outermost layer 25 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. In addition, the second specific point 32 is a protrusion 26 that protrudes from one end on the lower left side of the outermost layer 25, and exists at the top of the tip of the protrusion 26.

With this configuration, when the medical imaging marker 3 is attached to the patient's skin surface or the like, the first specific point 31 or the second specific point 32 is specified to be present on the patient's skin surface. It can be attached so as to match a visible mark such as a part, such as a mole, nipple, or heel.
For example, in a state where the marker 3 is attached with the second specific point 32 aligned with a specific part of the patient, the position measuring device for measuring the position of the patient's entity such as the 3D measuring device. By measuring with this, there is an advantage that the data measured by the position measuring instrument and the captured data can be accurately associated.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the configuration of a medical imaging marker 4 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The medical imaging marker 4 shown in FIG. 5 (A) has a configuration in which two medical imaging markers 1 described with reference to FIG. 1 are joined side by side and protrusions 14 and 15 are formed at both ends. ing.
That is, two markers 4 having a two-layer structure of an inner layer 10 and an outer layer 20 formed concentrically are arranged on the left and right. The material of the inner layer 10 and the material of the outer layer 20 are formed of different materials, so that a difference in contrast is caused during medical imaging. Therefore, the contours of the inner layer 10 and the outer layer 20 are copied by a good controller. The protrusions 14 and 15 are formed of the same material as the outer layer 20. The protrusions 14 and 15 are formed so that the tips thereof are positioned on a straight line L2 passing through the center point 16 of the left inner layer 10 and the center point 17 of the right inner layer 10. The length (distance) A3 between the center points 16 and 17, the length (distance) A4 between the center point 16 and the tip of the protrusion 14, and the length (distance) A5 between the center point 17 and the tip of the protrusion 15 are: , And a predetermined length (distance).

With such a configuration, as in the case of the marker 3 described with reference to FIG. 4, the positional relationship between the position on the patient's entity wearing the marker 4 and the position on the captured image of the patient including the marker 4 can be accurately determined. Can be associated.
The marker 4 shown in FIG. 5 (B) is basically the same as the configuration of the marker 4 shown in FIG. 5 (A), and the differences are as follows.

  That is, in the marker 4 shown in FIG. 5B, the left inner layer 10 has a larger diameter, and the right inner layer 10 has a smaller diameter. In accordance with the diameter of the inner layer 10, the outer layer 20 also has a large left side and a small right side. Further, the left and right markers are connected so that the outer layers 20 partially overlap each other. It is functionally the same as the marker 4 shown in FIG. 5A except for the above points.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which a plate 42 is attached to a plurality of teeth 41 provided on the upper jaw 40. The marker 4 described with reference to FIG. 5A is provided at a predetermined position of the plate 42. That is, the marker 4 is attached in a state of being positioned with respect to the plate 42, and the tip of one projection 14 of the marker 4 points to a point 43 on the entity to be specified.

As described above, the marker 4 having the configuration described with reference to FIG. 5 is used together with the dental plate 42 as a marker for specifying a position (position on the substance) to be specified in the patient's oral cavity. be able to.
And in the image | photographed image, the position of the specific point 43 can be correctly positioned on the basis of the marker 4. Therefore, it is possible to correctly associate an image with an entity.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a medical imaging marker 5 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. The medical imaging marker 5 shown in FIG. 7A is formed of a predetermined first material (for example, water, a liquid filled with a specific radioactive substance, or a resin to which a specific radioactive substance is added). It has three spheres 51, 52, 53 arranged at a predetermined interval from each other, and an outer layer 54 surrounding the three spheres 51, 52, 53. The outer layer 54 is formed of a second material that is different from the three spheres 51, 52, and 53, for example, a resin having a radioactive characteristic different from that of the spheres 51, 52, and 53. The outer layer 54 is a polyhedron whose outer surface is partitioned by a plurality of planes.

  For example, the bottom surface 55 of the outer layer 54 is an adhesive surface to be attached to the outer surface of the patient, and three position information notations 61, 62, and 63 are described on the upper surface 56 located on the opposite side. . The three position information notations 61, 62, and 63 are described at positions having a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the center points of the spheres 51, 52, and 53, respectively. These three position information notations 61, 62, and 63 can be read by a medical position measuring device such as a 3D measuring instrument. The position coordinates of the read position information notations 61, 62, and 63 can be used as position coordinates related to the patient's substance.

  On the other hand, the three spheres 51, 52, 53 arranged in the outer layer 54 function as inner layers in the marker 5, and the spheres 51, 52, 53 are photographed together with the patient's entity on the medical imaging base material. Is displayed as a clearly projected sphere. Therefore, the center points of the spheres 51, 52, and 53 in the captured image can be obtained correctly, and the coordinates of the center points of the spheres 51, 52, and 53 in the captured image can be grasped.

Then, by associating the position coordinates of the spheres 51, 52, and 53 in the photographed image with the position coordinates of the position information notations 61, 62, and 63 obtained on the patient entity, the patient entity and the photographed image are associated with each other. It is possible to correctly grasp the positional relationship.
Further, in the marker 5 in FIG. 7A, one corner of the outer layer 54 may be sharpened and the corner may be used as the specific point 60. This specific point 60 can be used when positioning the marker 5 to a feature point on the body surface such as a mole of the patient.

  FIG. 7B is a view for explaining the medical imaging marker 5 according to the modified example of FIG. In the medical imaging marker shown in FIG. 7B, the outer layer 54 has a thin rectangular shape, and the three spheres 51, 52, 53 arranged therein have different sizes (different diameters). It can be distinguished. Position information notations 61, 62, and 63 on the surface of the outer layer 54 associated with the three spheres 51, 52, and 53 are attached to the corners of the upper surface of the outer layer 54, respectively. The materials of the spheres 51, 52, 53 and the outer layer 54 are formed of different materials as in FIG.

According to the marker 5 shown in FIG. 7 (B), since the spheres 51, 52, 53 can be identified when attached to the patient, the sticking direction of the marker 5 can be grasped, and the marker can be made easier to handle. it can.
In the drawings for explaining the respective embodiments described above, the outer layer is drawn like a transparent body. However, this is for the convenience of illustration and explanation, and the inner layer is actually visible with the naked eye. There is no need.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a state in which, for example, the marker 5 shown in FIG. For example, when a feature point such as a mole exists on the patient's forehead, the marker 5 is mounted so that the specific point 60 of the marker 5 is aligned with the feature point such as the mole. Thereby, a patient's feature point (mole etc.) can be specified accurately at a stable position.
In contrast with the conventional marker, the conventional marker is, for example, a simple sphere, and the center of the sphere is a specific point. For this reason, even if the marker can be pasted close to a feature point (such as a mole) in the patient's body, the position of the marker itself, that is, the center of the sphere, and the mole will be shifted by several millimeters or more. .

For this reason, in the captured image which image | photographed the patient with which the marker was mounted | worn, the position of a marker has shifted | deviated from the position of a patient's feature point (mole etc.). Therefore, there is a problem in that the captured image cannot be accurately associated with the substance, and the position where the doctor incises with a scalpel cannot be accurately determined on the basis of a feature point such as a mole in surgery or the like.
In the case of the marker 5 shown in FIG. 7A, since the specific point 60 can be overlaid with the patient's feature point (such as a mole), the entity and the captured image can be accurately associated with each other.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining another method for associating a patient's entity with a captured image using the marker shown in FIG.
When the feature point on the patient's face is, for example, a mole on the tip of the nose, it may be difficult to wear the marker 5 according to the mole. That is, when it is desired to specify a specific point at a site where it is difficult to mount the marker 5, three position information notations 61, 62, and 63 described on the upper surface 56 of the marker 5 are used.

The marker 5 itself is mounted at a position where it is easy to mount, such as a patient's forehead. Then, the patient's body on which the marker 5 is mounted is measured with a medical three-dimensional position measuring instrument or the like, and the positional relationship between the three position information notations 61, 62, 63 in the marker 5 and the feature points (such as moles) is determined. I ask for it.
Thereafter, when the patient is photographed, three spheres 51, 52, and 53 included in the marker 5 appear in the photographed image of the patient. Therefore, the center points of the three spheres 51, 52, and 53 are obtained, and the three center points are associated with the three position information notations 61, 62, and 63 previously obtained by the position measuring device. Further, the position of the mole (not shown in the image) in the photographed image is correctly specified by obtaining the relationship between the three position information notations 61, 62, 63 and the patient's feature points (such as the mole). be able to.

As described above, by using the marker 5 described with reference to FIG. 7, a plurality of feature points in the patient's body can be obtained by this marker regardless of the part on the patient's body surface where the marker 5 is mounted. It is possible to specify.
In addition, when it is difficult to attach the marker 5 on the patient's body surface, for example, the patient can use the marker 5 by attaching the marker 5 to the side of the patient's head or to a fixed base during photographing. It is possible to accurately position the feature points on the body surface in the captured image.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

It is a figure for demonstrating the medical imaging | photography marker which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of the marker for medical imaging | photography which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and is a figure which shows four different form examples. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the marker for medical imaging | photography which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the medical imaging marker which actualized embodiment of FIG. 3 more. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the marker for medical imaging | photography which concerns on further another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the structural example of the dental marker built-in type plate using the medical imaging marker shown to FIG. 5 (A). It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the marker for medical imaging | photography which concerns on further another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the usage example in the case of grasping | ascertaining the patient's feature point using the medical imaging | photography marker shown to FIG. 7 (A). It is a figure for demonstrating the usage example for grasping | ascertaining the patient's feature point by the method different from FIG. 8 using the marker shown to FIG. 7 (A).

Explanation of symbols

1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 2, 3, 4, 5 Marker 10, 11 Inner layer 12, 16, 17, 24 Center point 14, 15, 26 Protrusion 20, 23, 54 Outer layer 21 First outer layer 22 Second Outer layer 25 Outermost layer 31 First specific point 32 Second specific point 51, 52, 53 Sphere (inner layer)
61, 62, 63 Location information notation

Claims (15)

An inner layer having a spherical shape and formed of a predetermined first material;
An outer layer surrounding the inner layer and formed of a second material different from the material forming the inner layer;
A medical imaging marker for attaching to a subject at the time of medical imaging characterized by comprising:   The medical imaging marker according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer includes a spherical layer formed concentrically with the inner layer.   The outer layer is a multilayer structure having at least a first layer surrounding the inner layer and a second layer surrounding the first layer. Medical imaging marker.   The medical imaging marker according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an outer surface (outermost layer) of the outer layer has an arbitrary shape.   The medical imaging marker according to claim 4, wherein the shape of the outer surface (outermost layer) of the outer layer is a polyhedron. The outer layer includes a spherical layer having a center point at a position different from the center point of the inner layer,
A first specific point on a straight line passing through the center points of the inner layer and the outer layer and located at a predetermined distance from the center point of the outer layer toward the center point of the inner layer, and / or the center of the inner layer 2. The medical imaging marker according to claim 1, wherein a second specific point located at a predetermined distance from the point toward the center point of the outer layer can be defined. The outer layer has a multilayer structure including the outermost layer in which the outer shape surrounding the spherical layer and the spherical layer is a polyhedron,
The medical imaging marker according to claim 6, wherein the first specific point and / or the second specific point exist on an outer peripheral surface of the outermost layer.   The medical imaging marker according to claim 7, wherein the first specific point and / or the second specific point is located at a tip of a projection forming a part of the outermost layer. The marker according to claim 1 has a combined structure in which two outer layers are connected to each other,
A first specific point is defined on a straight line passing through the center points of the two inner layers, at a predetermined distance from the center point of one inner layer toward the other inner layer, and / or A second specific point is defined at a predetermined distance from the center point of the inner layer toward one inner layer,
The medical imaging marker, wherein the first specific point and / or the second specific point is located at a tip of a pointed protrusion formed in the outer layer. Three inner layers that are spherical and formed of a predetermined first material and are spaced apart from each other;
An outer layer surrounding the three inner layers and formed of a second material different from the material forming the inner layer;
Three position information notations provided on the surface of the outer layer and corresponding to the center points of the three inner layers,
A medical imaging marker for mounting on a subject at the time of medical imaging.   The medical imaging marker according to claim 10, wherein the three inner layers are formed so as to be identifiable.   The medical imaging marker according to claim 11, wherein the three inner layers have different diameters.   The medical imaging marker according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the three inner layers have different colors from each other.   The medical imaging marker according to claim 11, wherein the three inner layers are formed so as to be identifiable with respect to a positional relationship with the outer layer.   11. The medical imaging marker according to claim 10, wherein a mark for mounting on the subject is described on a surface of the outer layer.

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