JP2010099159A - Medical image processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical image processing apparatus and program capable of easily acquiring the presence/absence of or the content of a correction by an image inspection. <P>SOLUTION: This medical image processing apparatus 30 displays correction information indicating the presence/absence of or the content of the correction of each information of patient information, examination information, serial information and image information included in the medical information, on a screen. This medical image processing apparatus 30 includes a storage section 35 storing each information of the patient information, the examination information, the serial information and image information, and correction information of each information into a database D1 hierarchized by class, and a control section 31 adapted to display correction information which is defined as a lower hierarchy than the correction information to be displayed, on the screen when displaying either of correction information on the screen out of the correction information of the patient information, the examination information, the serial information and image information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical information processing apparatus and a program.

In a medical field, a plurality of medical images are generated by a plurality of imaging devices, and the generated medical images are used for image diagnosis of an interpretation doctor.
Generally, “image inspection” is performed before being used for image diagnosis by an interpreting physician. Image inspection means checking whether or not the generated medical image is appropriate for interpretation or storage, or correcting it to an appropriate content if it is not appropriate. Examination can reduce the burden on the interpreting physician and prevent misdiagnosis.

  In recent years, it has become a problem whether or not appropriate quality is ensured for a medical image that has undergone image inspection. In other words, when the user who performs image inspection performs improper image detection, it becomes a problem how to recognize an error and re-image, or how to reduce the occurrence of improper image detection. ing.

According to Patent Document 1, a technique capable of grasping the overall correction in image inspection that has been performed in the past is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).
The technique of Patent Document 1 is intended to make it possible to easily grasp a correction tendency by accumulating correction information relating to correction in a correction history database and collecting the accumulated correction information into a design.
JP 2007-236603 A

  However, the technique of Patent Document 1 does not easily grasp that improper image inspection has been performed. Even if it is possible to grasp the tendency of correction due to incorrect image detection and reduce the occurrence of improper image detection, it is necessary to grasp the presence or content of correction by image inspection in real time and determine whether it is appropriate or not. I can't.

  The subject of this invention is providing the medical information processing apparatus and program which can grasp | ascertain easily the presence or absence or the content of the correction by image inspection visually.

According to the present invention, in a medical information processing apparatus that displays correction information on a screen for patient information, examination information, series information, or image information included in a medical image,
Each of the patient information, examination information, series information or image information, and a storage unit that stores correction information of each information by a database;
When any correction information among the correction information of the patient information, examination information, series information and image information is displayed on the screen, correction information in a lower hierarchy than the correction information to be displayed is also displayed on the screen. A control unit,
Is provided.

  According to the present invention, the presence / absence or content of correction by image inspection can be easily grasped visually. Whether or not the correction by the image inspection is appropriate can be easily determined in real time. If the correction is not appropriate, the correction by the image inspection can be performed again. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the quality of the imaged medical image.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
First, FIG. 1 shows an image processing system 100 as an overall configuration.
The image processing system 100 includes an RIS 10, a modality 20, a medical information processing apparatus 30, a PACS 40, a viewer 50, and the like. The image processing system 100 uses the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) standard for exchanging medical images.

The RIS 10 is an abbreviation for “Radiology Information System” and is a radiology information system that manages information in the radiology department. The RIS 10 receives the input of order information by the operator and registers the order information. The order information mainly includes patient information and examination information. Patient information is information for specifying a patient such as a patient name and a patient ID. The examination information is information relating to examinations such as an imaging region, an imaging direction, and an imaging method, and specifically includes information such as “imaging site: chest, imaging direction: front AP, imaging method: expiration”, and the like. is there.
The RIS 10 transmits the registered auto information to one of the imaging devices (for example, the CR device 21) in the modality 20 and also to the medical information processing device 30.

  The modality 20 is an imaging device that obtains transmitted X-rays transmitted through a patient and generates a medical image. For example, a CR (Computed Radiography) device 21, an FPD (Flat Panel Detector) device 22, a CT (Computed Tomography) device. 23, MR (Magnetic Resonance) device 24, US (Ultra Sound) device 25, and the like.

  The medical image generated by the modality 20 includes incidental information in addition to patient image information. The incidental information is a part of the order information, for example, patient information and examination information. That is, the modality 20 generates a medical image including patient information, examination information, and image information, and transmits the generated medical image to the medical information processing apparatus 30.

  The medical information processing apparatus 30 receives the order information transmitted from the RIS 10 and receives the medical image generated by the modality 20. The medical information processing apparatus 30 checks whether or not the received medical image is appropriate for interpretation or storage, and corrects the content to an appropriate content if it is inappropriate (hereinafter referred to as image inspection). )I do. In the present embodiment, among the processes included in the image inspection, a process of storing correction information indicating whether correction by image inspection is stored in a database hierarchized by type will be described.

FIG. 2 shows an internal configuration of the medical information processing apparatus 30.
The medical information processing apparatus 30 includes a control unit 31, an input unit 32, a display unit 33, a communication unit 34, a storage unit 35, and the like, and each unit is connected by a bus 36.

  The control unit 31 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like (not shown). The control unit 31 reads out various programs such as a system program and a processing program stored in the storage unit 35 and develops them in the RAM, and comprehensively controls the processing operation in cooperation with the read out various programs.

  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. The input unit 32 outputs, to the control unit 31, a key pressing signal that has been pressed by the keyboard and an operation signal from the mouse as input signals.

  The display unit 33 includes, for example, a monitor such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display unit 33 displays various screens according to instructions of display signals input from the control unit 31.

  The communication unit 34 includes a network interface or the like. The communication unit 34 transmits / receives data to / from an external device connected to a communication network (not shown), and receives order information and medical images. In addition, the communication unit 34 transmits the imaged medical image to the PACS 40 or the viewer 50.

The storage unit 35 includes an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), a semiconductor nonvolatile memory, or the like. The storage unit 35 stores various programs including a system program executed by the control unit 31, and stores data processed by the various programs.
In addition, the storage unit 35 stores patient information, examination information, series information, and image information information included in one medical image of one patient and correction information of each information in a database hierarchized by type.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the hierarchized database D1.
The database D1 has a hierarchical structure in which patient information, examination information, series information, image information, and an image change information table are hierarchized according to type. According to the database D1 in the present embodiment, patient information / examination information is stored in the highest hierarchy, and thereafter, each information is hierarchically stored in the order of series information, image information, and image change information table.

The patient information includes information for identifying and specifying a patient, and specifically includes a patient name, a patient ID, and the like.
The inspection information includes information for identifying and specifying the inspection, and specifically includes an inspection instance UID, an inspection date and time, an inspection ID, and the like.
The series information includes information for identifying and specifying the series, and specifically includes a series instance UID, an order comment, an imaging region, and the like.
The image information includes information for identifying and specifying a medical image, and specifically includes an image ID, an SOP instance UID, and the like.
The image change information table includes information for identifying and specifying the table, and specifically includes a table ID, values before and after correction, and the like.

According to the database D1, when each of the above information is corrected by image inspection, the correction information is stored in the same hierarchy (level) as the corrected information. For example, when the image ID is corrected, the correction information is stored at the level of the image information.
In the database D1 shown in FIG. 3, the patient information / examination information has the same hierarchy, but these may be further hierarchized so that the patient information is higher and the examination information is lower.

With reference to FIG. 4, a series of processes from generation to storage of a medical image will be described.
The RIS 10 registers the order information (step S1), and transmits the registered order information to the modality 20 (step S2). The RIS 10 also transmits the registered order information to the medical information processing apparatus 30 (step S3). The registered order information includes patient information, examination information, and the like. Specifically, patient ID, examination instance UID, order comment, etc. are included (see FIG. 3).

The modality 20 captures a patient based on the order information and generates a medical image (step S4). A part of the order information is attached as supplementary information to the header portion of the generated medical image. A part of the attached order information includes the above-described examination ID, examination instance UID, order comment, and the like, and new information is attached when a medical image is generated. The accompanying new information includes, for example, an image ID.
The modality 20 transmits a medical image to the medical information processing apparatus 30 (step S5).

The medical information processing apparatus 30 receives the medical image and performs image inspection processing (step S6).
The image inspection process refers to a process of checking whether or not the image is suitable for interpretation or storage and correcting it to an appropriate content if it is inappropriate. Specifically, there is a process of checking consistency between order information and medical images, changing the display order of medical images, and the like.

  When any of the patient information, the examination information, the series information, the image information, and the image change information table is corrected as a result of the image inspection process performed on the medical image, the medical information processing apparatus 30 corrects the correction information. Is generated.

  The medical information processing apparatus 30 stores correction information for each piece of information such as patient information in the storage unit 35 using the database D1 (step S7).

FIG. 5 shows a process of storing correction information by the database D1.
The control unit 31 determines whether patient information has been corrected (step S71).
When the patient information is corrected (step S71; Y), the control unit 31 generates the correction information of the patient information, and stores and stores the correction information in the patient information / examination information level of the database D1 (step S72). ).
When there is no correction of patient information (step S71; N), the control part 31 transfers to step S73.

The control unit 31 determines whether or not the inspection information is corrected (step S73).
When the examination information is corrected (step S73; Y), the control unit 31 generates the correction information of the examination information, and stores and stores the correction information in the patient information / examination information level of the database D1 (step S74). ).
When the inspection information is not corrected (step S73; N), the control unit 31 proceeds to step S75.

The control unit 31 determines whether or not the series information is corrected (step S75).
When the series information is corrected (step S75; Y), the control unit 31 generates the correction information of the series information, and stores and stores the correction information in the series information level of the database D1 (step S76).
When the series information is not corrected (step S75; N), the control unit 31 proceeds to step S77.

The control unit 31 determines whether or not the image information is corrected (step S77).
When the image information is corrected (step S77; Y), the control unit 31 generates the correction information of the image information, and stores and stores the correction information in the image information level of the database D1 (step S78). Then, the process of storing the correction information by the database D1 is terminated.
Even when there is no correction of the image information (step S77; N), the control unit 31 ends this process.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the medical information processing apparatus 30 attaches each correction information of the patient information, examination information, series information, image information, and image change information table to the header portion of the received medical image (step S <b> 8).

The medical information processing apparatus 30 transmits the medical image with the correction information attached to the header part to the PACS 40 or the viewer 50 (step S9).
The medical information processing apparatus 30 stores the medical image with the correction information attached to the header portion until a predetermined period elapses or until the storage capacity of the storage unit 35 reaches a predetermined amount or more.

The PACS 40 receives medical images and stores them in a storage unit (not shown). Similar to the storage unit 35, the storage unit of the PACS 40 stores correction information using the database D1.
In addition, the viewer 50 displays the received medical image on the screen (step S10). Thereby, a series of processing from generation to storage of the medical image is completed.

FIG. 6 shows correction information display processing.
The correction information display process is performed after the correction information is stored and stored in the database D1. Specifically, it is performed after processing by the medical information processing apparatus 30 (see FIG. 4; steps S6 to S8). In the present embodiment, the medical information processing apparatus 30 performs the process. However, the PACS 40 or the viewer 50 that stores the database D1 in the storage unit may perform the process.

The control unit 31 determines whether there is an instruction to display the correction information via the input unit 32 on the option screen (see FIG. 7) displayed on the display unit 33 (step S11).
When there is no instruction to display (step S11; N), the control unit 31 stands by.
When there is an instruction to display (step S11; Y), the control unit 31 displays a search condition input screen (see FIG. 8) on the display unit 33 (step S12).

  The control unit 31 determines whether a search condition is input via the input unit 32 and whether there is a search instruction (step S13).

When there is no search instruction (step S13; N), the control unit 31 stands by with the search condition input screen displayed on the display unit 33.
When there is a search instruction (step S13; Y), the control unit 31 determines whether or not the medical image to be searched is stored in the storage unit 35 (step S14).

When stored in the storage unit 35 (step S14; Y), the control unit 31 acquires a medical image to be searched from the storage unit 35 (step S15).
When not memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 35 (step S14; N), the control part 31 acquires the medical image of search object from PACS40 via the communication part 34 (step S16).

For each examination, the control unit 31 displays the correction information of the patient information, examination information, and image information in the acquired medical image on the screen (step S17).
Specifically, the control unit 31 identifies and displays whether or not patient information, examination information, and image information are corrected on the screen (see FIG. 9).

  The control unit 31 determines whether or not one examination is designated via the input unit 32 and there is an instruction to acquire detailed information of the designated examination (step S18).

  When there is no instruction to acquire detailed information (step S18; N), the control unit 31 stands by while displaying each correction information on the screen.

When there is an instruction to acquire detailed information (step S18; Y), the control unit 31 displays each correction information of the inspection information and the image information on the screen for each series in the specified one inspection (step S18). S19).
Specifically, the control unit 31 identifies and displays on the screen whether or not the order comment is corrected and whether or not the medical image is corrected (see FIG. 10).

  The control unit 31 determines whether one series is designated via the input unit 32 and whether there is an instruction to acquire detailed information of the designated series (step S20).

  When there is no instruction to acquire detailed information (step S20; N), the control unit 31 stands by with each correction information displayed on the screen.

When there is an instruction to acquire detailed information (step S20; Y), the control unit 31 generates a thumbnail image of a medical image in the designated series (step S21).
Then, the control unit 31 displays the thumbnail image and the correction information of the image information on the screen for each medical image in the designated series (step S22).
Specifically, the control unit 31 identifies and displays the presence / absence of correction of gradation, black-and-white reversal, annotation, rotation, reversal, and masking (see FIG. 11).

  The control unit 31 determines whether one medical image is designated via the input unit 32 and there is an instruction to acquire detailed information of the designated medical image (step S23).

  When there is no instruction to acquire detailed information (step S23; N), the control unit 31 stands by with each correction information displayed on the screen.

When there is an instruction to acquire detailed information (step S23; Y), the control unit 31 displays the correction information of the designated one medical image on the screen using another window (step S24).
Specifically, the control unit 31 displays the details of the modification of one designated medical image, more specifically, the modification history on the screen using another window (see FIG. 12).
Thus, the correction information display process ends.

Screen examples will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, FIG. 7 shows an option screen G1.
The option screen G1 includes a plurality of buttons for performing various settings. On the option screen G1, a button B1 for displaying a correction history is displayed among a plurality of buttons.
When button B1 is pressed, the screen shifts from the option screen G1 to the search condition input screen.

FIG. 8 shows a search condition input screen G2.
The search condition input screen G2 includes a plurality of frames for displaying the correction information by type. On the search condition input screen G2, a frame F1 for inputting patient information such as a patient ID and a patient name among a plurality of frames is displayed.
When patient information is input in the frame F1 and the search button B2 is pressed, the screen shifts from the search condition input screen G2 to the examination search result screen.

FIG. 9 shows an inspection search result display screen G3.
The examination search result display screen G3 is configured by displaying whether or not patient information, examination information, and image information are corrected for each examination of one patient in the frame F2.
When one inspection is designated in the frame F2 and the button B3 for acquiring detailed information is pressed, the display shifts from the inspection search result display screen G3 to the series search result display screen G4.

FIG. 10 shows a series search result display screen G4.
The series search result display screen G4 is configured by displaying, in the frame F3, whether or not the inspection information and the image information are corrected for each series of inspections in different colors.
The series in which the inspection information is corrected or the image information is corrected is identified and displayed by adding a color other than the background color.

Further, the series in which only the inspection information is corrected is colored in the column C1 in the frame F3, and the series in which only the image information is corrected is colored in the column C2 in the frame F3. A series in which both the inspection information and the image information are corrected is colored in both the column C1 and the column C2.
When one series is designated in the frame F3 and the button B4 for acquiring detailed information is pressed, the display screen G5 for the series search result is shifted to the display screen G5 for the image search result.

FIG. 11 shows an image search result display screen G5.
The image search result display screen G5 is configured by displaying the contents of the correction of the image information for each medical image of one series with the icon ic1 in the frame F4. The icon ic1 has a different symbol, pattern, shape, and color depending on the content of the correction.
The image search result display screen G5 is configured by displaying a thumbnail image T1 for each medical image of one series in the frame F4.
When the button B5 for acquiring detailed information is pressed on the image search result display screen G5, the screen shifts to a detailed search result display screen G6 displayed with another window superimposed.

FIG. 12 shows a detailed search result display screen G6.
The detailed search result display screen G6 is configured by displaying another window W1 in a superimposed manner.
The separate window W1 displays the patient information and the examination information by comparing the contents before and after the correction.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the correction information is stored in the storage unit 35, the correction information can be stored in a hierarchy by type by the database D1. Therefore, when displaying the correction information of the upper hierarchy on the display unit 33, the correction information of the lower hierarchy can also be displayed on the same screen, and the presence / absence or content of the correction by the image inspection can be easily grasped.

  In addition, when displaying the correction information of one patient on the display unit 33, the correction information of the patient information, the examination information, and the image information can be displayed on the display unit 33 for each examination. Accordingly, it is possible to easily grasp the presence or absence or the content of correction by image inspection for each inspection.

  Further, when displaying the correction information of one patient on the display unit 33, the correction information of the series information and the image information can be displayed on the display unit 33 for each series at the same time. Therefore, for each series, it is possible to easily grasp the presence / absence or content of correction by image inspection.

  Moreover, when displaying the correction information of one patient on the display unit 33, the correction information of the image information can be displayed on the display unit 33 and the thumbnail image can be displayed for each medical image. Therefore, for each medical image, it is possible to easily grasp the presence / absence or content of correction by image inspection.

  Further, the presence / absence of correction information can be identified by a predetermined icon, color or another window and displayed on the display unit 33.

  Moreover, a predetermined icon can be made into a different symbol, pattern, shape, color, etc. depending on the content of the correction.

  Further, the correction information is attached to the header portion of the medical image and stored in the storage unit 35, and stored in an external storage device such as the PACS 40 after a certain period of time has elapsed or the storage capacity of the storage unit 35 exceeds a certain amount. Can be made. Thereby, the storage capacity of the storage unit 35 can be reduced, and the operation of the medical information processing apparatus 30 can be stabilized.

It is a figure which shows an image processing system. It is a functional block diagram of a medical information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of a database. It is a figure which shows a series of processes from the production | generation to storage of a medical image. It is a figure which shows a correction information storage process. It is a figure which shows correction information display processing. It is a figure which shows an example of an option screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a search condition input screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a test | inspection search result. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a series search result. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of an image search result. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of a detailed search result.

Explanation of symbols

100 Image processing system 10 RIS
20 modality 30 medical information processing device 31 control unit 32 input unit 33 display unit 34 communication unit 35 storage unit 40 PACS
50 viewers

Claims (8)

In a medical information processing apparatus that displays correction information on a screen for patient information, examination information, series information, or image information included in a medical image,
Each of the patient information, examination information, series information or image information, and a storage unit that stores correction information of each information by a database;
When any correction information among the correction information of the patient information, examination information, series information and image information is displayed on the screen, correction information in a lower hierarchy than the correction information to be displayed is also displayed on the screen. A control unit,
A medical information processing apparatus. The database has a hierarchical structure that stores correction information of the image information in a lower hierarchy than correction information of the patient information and examination information,
When displaying the patient information and the correction information of the examination information on the screen for each examination of one patient, the control unit displays the image information of the lower hierarchy than the patient information and the correction information of the examination information to be displayed. The medical information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction information is also displayed on the screen. The database has a hierarchical structure for storing correction information of the image information in a lower hierarchy than correction information of the series information,
When displaying the correction information of the series information on the screen for each series of one patient, the control unit also displays the correction information of the image information at a lower hierarchy than the displayed series information on the previous period screen. The medical information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   The said control part produces | generates and displays the thumbnail image of the said medical image to display, when the correction information of the said image information is displayed on the said screen for every medical image of one patient. The medical information processing apparatus according to one item.   The medical information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit identifies the correction information by an icon, a color different from a background color, or another window and displays the correction information on the screen.   The medical information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the icons have different symbols, patterns, shapes, and colors depending on the contents of correction. The storage unit stores a medical image having the correction information and the correction information in a header part,
The said control part deletes the medical image which has the said correction information in a header part from the said memory | storage part, and memorize | stores it in an external storage device after the fixed capacity passage after the fixed period progress or the storage capacity of the said memory | storage part exceeded. The medical information processing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 6. In a program for displaying on a screen correction information indicating the presence or absence of correction of patient information, examination information, series information or image information included in a medical image or the content of correction,
Computer
Storage means for storing the patient information, examination information, each information of series information or image information, and correction information of each information by a database hierarchized into types,
When any correction information among the correction information of the patient information, examination information, series information and image information is displayed on the screen, correction information in a lower hierarchy than the correction information to be displayed is also displayed on the screen. Control means,
Program to function as.

Images