JP2012045289A - Radiographic image capture and display method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

When displaying a plurality of stereoscopic images related to the same subject or the like so that they can be comparatively interpreted, the stereoscopic images are displayed with the same sense of depth.
The same subject is photographed as a plurality of images having parallax with each other, and this photographing is performed n times (2 ≦ n) for one subject, each of which is composed of a plurality of images ML1, MR1 (ML2, MR2). In a radiographic imaging display system that displays n stereoscopic images 41 and 42 so that they can be comparatively interpreted, the parallax between the plurality of images ML1 and MR1 (ML2 and MR2) is converted into the plurality of images ML1 and MR1 (ML2 and ML2). MR2) and stored in the storage means, and when displaying the stereoscopic images 41 and 42 on the display means 3B, a plurality of images ML1 that generate at least one of the n stereoscopic images. MR1 is shifted from each other in the direction in which the parallax between the plurality of images approaches the parallax between the plurality of images ML2 and MR2 that generate other stereoscopic images based on the stored parallax. That.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a radiographic imaging display method and a radiographic imaging display system that implements the radiographic imaging display method, and more particularly, a radiographic imaging display method that allows a plurality of radiographic images to be compared with each other and displayed as stereoscopic images. And the system.

  Conventionally, it is known that stereoscopic viewing can be performed using parallax by displaying a plurality of images in combination. Such a stereoscopically viewable image (hereinafter referred to as a stereoscopic image or a stereo image) is generated based on a plurality of images having parallax obtained by photographing the same subject from different positions.

  Such generation of stereoscopic images is used not only in the fields of digital cameras and televisions, but also in the field of medical image display such as radiographic images as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. That is, the subject is irradiated with radiation from different directions, the radiation transmitted through the subject is detected by the radiation image detector, and a plurality of radiation images having parallax are obtained, and based on these radiation images A stereoscopic image is generated. By generating a stereoscopic image in this way, a radiographic image having a sense of depth can be observed, and a radiographic image more suitable for diagnosis can be observed.

  The radiographic image capture and display as described above is widely applied to the capture and display of breast images (mammographs) as shown in Patent Document 1 described above. In capturing and displaying the breast image, radiation image capturing is usually performed in a state where the breast is pressed and flattened with a compression plate.

  On the other hand, as shown in, for example, Patent Document 2, when displaying a medical image such as a radiographic image on a display unit, a plurality of images related to the same subject at different imaging time points are displayed in a state where they can be read in comparison with each other. Has been done.

  Displaying a plurality of images in such a manner that they can be comparatively interpreted is not only a display of a plurality of images at different imaging time points, but also a two-dimensional radiation image showing each of the left and right breasts as shown in Patent Document 3, for example. It has also been applied to cases. More specifically, in Patent Document 3, it is shown that radiographic images of a pair of left and right breasts are displayed on a display unit in a line-up back to back.

JP 2010-110571 A JP-A-8-146540 JP 2001-204721 A

  With reference to the descriptions in Patent Documents 1 to 3 described above, it may be possible to display a plurality of stereoscopic images related to the same subject or similar subjects such as the left and right breasts so that they can be comparatively interpreted. When doing so, in addition to displaying a plurality of stereoscopic images side by side on the same display screen, different display screens (that is, screens displayed with a time interval on one display means or different displays) Display on the screen of the means.

  However, in a conventional radiographic imaging display system, when a plurality of stereoscopic images related to the same subject or similar subjects such as the left and right breasts are comparatively readable and displayed on the display means, the sense of depth of these stereoscopic images is mutually related. May be displayed differently. In such a state, comparative interpretation is difficult to cause a problem such as misdiagnosis, and moreover, in the case where a plurality of stereoscopic images are displayed on the same display screen, it is difficult to perform stereoscopic vision and the reader is read. This causes problems such as the eyes becoming more tired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when a plurality of stereoscopic images related to the same subject or similar subjects are displayed in a comparatively readable manner, each stereoscopic image is displayed with a sense of depth. An object of the present invention is to provide a radiographic imaging display method that can be used.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a radiographic imaging display system that can implement such a radiographic imaging display method.

The radiographic imaging display method according to the present invention includes:
Shoot the same subject or similar subjects as multiple images with parallax,
This shooting is performed n times (2 ≦ n) for one subject,
In a radiographic imaging display system for displaying n stereoscopic images each consisting of the plurality of images on a display unit so that they can be compared with each other for interpretation.
The parallax between the plurality of images and / or shooting conditions for determining the parallax are stored in a storage unit in association with the plurality of images,
When displaying the n stereoscopic images on the display unit, a plurality of images that generate at least one of the n stereoscopic images are displayed based on the stored parallax and / or the shooting conditions. In addition, a process of shifting pixels from each other in a direction in which the parallax between the plurality of images approaches the parallax between the plurality of images that generate another stereoscopic image is characterized.

  In the radiographic image capturing and displaying method of the present invention, the distance between the radiation sources when capturing two of the plurality of images is D, the distance from the radiation source to the subject center is t1, and the radiation detection from the subject center is performed. It is desirable that the parallax is obtained as D (t2 / t1) where the distance to the means is t2.

  In the radiographic image capturing / displaying method of the present invention, the parallax may be obtained from feature points of images in two of the plurality of images.

  In the radiographic image capturing and displaying method of the present invention, the pixel size of a plurality of images that generate at least one of the n stereoscopic images and the pixel size of a plurality of images that generate other stereoscopic images. Are different from each other, it is desirable to set the pixel shift amount of the pixel shift processing in consideration of the difference between the two pixel sizes.

  In the radiographic image capturing / displaying method of the present invention, a plurality of images that generate at least one of the n stereoscopic images may be enlarged / matched with a plurality of images that generate other stereoscopic images. It is desirable to perform reduction processing.

  Furthermore, in the radiographic image capturing and displaying method of the present invention, when a plurality of display means for separately displaying at least two of the n stereoscopic images are used as the display means, It is desirable to perform enlargement / reduction processing to match the display size with the plurality of images for generating the stereoscopic image on the other display means, on the plurality of images for generating the stereoscopic image on at least one of the display means.

On the other hand, the radiographic imaging display system according to the present invention is:
Shoot the same subject or similar subjects as multiple images with parallax,
This shooting is performed n times (2 ≦ n) for one subject,
In a radiographic imaging display system for displaying n stereoscopic images each consisting of the plurality of images on a display unit so that they can be compared with each other for interpretation.
Storage means for storing parallax between the plurality of images and / or photographing conditions for determining the parallax in association with the plurality of images;
When displaying the n stereoscopic images on the display unit, a plurality of images that generate at least one of the n stereoscopic images are displayed based on the stored parallax and / or the shooting conditions. In addition, image processing means for performing pixel shift processing in a direction in which the parallax between the plurality of images approaches the parallax between the plurality of images that generate other stereoscopic images is provided.

  According to the inventor's research, the problem of the prior art that a plurality of stereoscopic images that are displayed in a comparatively readable manner are displayed with different depths is a problem when shooting a plurality of images that generate a stereoscopic image. It was found that this was caused by the parallax of these multiple images becoming mixed. In other words, the shooting conditions may not be constant between a plurality of images with different shooting time points because they are shot with different shooting devices, and the shooting conditions can be changed even when a common shooting device is used. Therefore, this causes a disparity in parallax, from which the sense of depth of a plurality of stereoscopic images is different.

  In view of this knowledge, the radiographic imaging display method of the present invention stores parallax between a plurality of images and / or imaging conditions for determining the parallax in association with the plurality of images in a storage unit, and When displaying n stereoscopic images on the display means, a plurality of images that generate at least one of n (2 ≦ n) stereoscopic images are stored in the stored parallax and / or the photographing. Based on the conditions, since the parallax between the plurality of images is shifted from each other in a direction approaching the parallax between the plurality of images generating another stereoscopic image, the n stereoscopic images to be displayed are displayed. The parallax of a plurality of images constituting the images can be made constant or close to that between images, and n stereoscopic images can be displayed with a sense of depth.

  In particular, the radiographic image capturing and displaying method of the present invention is a pixel size of a plurality of images that generates at least one of the n stereoscopic images and a pixel of a plurality of images that generate other stereoscopic images. When the size is different from each other and the pixel shift amount is set in consideration of the difference between the two pixel sizes, the n stereoscopic images have a better sense of depth. Will be displayed.

  In addition, the radiographic image capturing and displaying method of the present invention particularly enlarges a plurality of images that generate at least one of the n stereoscopic images to a size that matches a plurality of images that generate other stereoscopic images. In the case where the reduction process is performed, the size of the n stereoscopic images can be made uniform, so that a plurality of stereoscopic images that are easier to compare and interpret can be displayed.

  In the radiographic image capturing and displaying method of the present invention, in particular, when a plurality of display means for separately displaying at least two of the n stereoscopic images are used as the display means, Same when a plurality of images for generating a stereoscopic image in at least one of the display means are subjected to enlargement / reduction processing to match the display size with a plurality of images for generating a stereoscopic image in other display means Even when the display sizes for the image data are different for each display means, the display sizes of the n stereoscopic images can be made uniform and displayed in a state in which they can be more easily comparably read.

The radiographic image capturing and displaying system according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores parallax between the plurality of images and / or imaging conditions for determining the parallax in association with the plurality of images,
When displaying the n stereoscopic images on the display unit, a plurality of images that generate at least one of the n stereoscopic images are displayed based on the stored parallax and / or the shooting conditions. And the image processing means for performing pixel shift processing on each other in a direction in which the parallax between the plurality of images approaches the parallax between the plurality of images that generate other stereoscopic images. The shooting display method can be implemented.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a medical image information system provided with a radiographic imaging display system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Side view showing a breast imaging apparatus used in the radiographic imaging display system Front view showing the breast imaging apparatus Block diagram showing a part of the breast imaging apparatus and a configuration for controlling their operation Schematic showing an example of the display state of two images that are comparatively interpreted The block diagram which shows the principal part of the radiographic imaging display system of this invention Schematic which shows another example of the display state of two images comparatively interpreted

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a medical image information system in which a radiographic imaging display system according to an embodiment of the present invention is introduced. This medical image information system is based on the examination order from the doctor in the department, imaging and storage of the examination target part of the subject, interpretation of the image taken by the radiology interpreter and creation of the interpretation report, It is a system for viewing interpretation reports and detail observation of radiographic images by a physician.

  As shown in the figure, this medical image information system includes an imaging apparatus 1 that captures radiographic images, a computer system 2 that controls radiographic imaging by the radiographic image capturing apparatus 1, a radiology workstation 3, and a medical department workstation. 4, an image information management server 5, an image information database 6, an interpretation report server 7, and an interpretation report database 8 are connected and configured to be communicable with each other via a network 9. Each device is controlled by a program installed from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  The radiology workstation 3 is a computer that a radiology interpreting doctor uses to interpret images and create interpretation reports. The CPU, main storage device, auxiliary storage device, input / output interface, communication interface, input device, data A well-known hardware configuration such as a bus is provided, and a well-known operation system or the like is installed. More specifically, the radiology workstation 3 includes a computer main body 3A, two displays (display means) 3B and 3C, keyboards 3D and 3E as input devices, a mouse 3F, and a solid body connected to the computer main body 3A. It has visual glasses 3G and the like.

  This radiology workstation 3 constitutes the radiographic imaging display system of this embodiment. Here, the image browsing request to the image information management server 5 and the display of the image received from the image information management server 5 are displayed. , Automatic detection and highlighting of a lesion-like portion in an image, support for creation of an interpretation report, a request for registering or viewing an interpretation report to the interpretation report server 7, display of an interpretation report received from the interpretation report server 7, etc. Is performed based on a predetermined software program.

  The medical department workstation 4 is a computer that is used by a doctor in the medical department for detailed observation of images, reading of interpretation reports, reading and inputting of electronic medical records, and the like. It consists of two displays (display means) 4B, 4C and the like.

  The image information management server 5 is a general-purpose computer having a relatively high processing capability and incorporating a software program that provides a function of a database management system (DataBase Management System: DBMS). The image information management server 5 includes a large-capacity storage that constitutes the image information database 6.

  In the image information database 6, image data representing subject images and incidental information are registered. The incidental information includes, for example, information such as an image ID for identifying individual images, a patient ID for identifying a subject, patient information, an imaging region, and imaging conditions.

  When receiving a registration request for image information from the imaging control computer system 2, the image information management server 5 arranges the image information in a database format and registers it in the image information database 6. When the image information management server 5 receives a browsing request from the workstation 3 or 4 via the network 9, the image information management server 5 searches the image information registered in the image information database 6 and requests the extracted image information. Sent to original workstation 3 or 4

  The radiology workstation 3 and the medical department workstation 4 are instructed to the image information management server 5 when an operation for requesting reading of an image to be interpreted and observed is performed by a user such as an image diagnostician or a medical doctor. A browsing request is transmitted and necessary image information is acquired. Then, the image information is displayed on the monitor screen, and an automatic lesion detection process or the like is executed in response to a request from the user.

  The radiology workstation 3 displays a report creation screen for supporting the creation of an interpretation report on, for example, the display 3B. When text indicating interpretation findings or the like is input by the radiologist using the keyboard 3D or the mouse 3F, An interpretation report recording the input information and the interpretation target image is generated. The radiology workstation 3 transfers the generated interpretation report to the interpretation report server 7 via the network 9 and issues a request to register the report in the interpretation report database 8. The interpretation report will be described in detail later.

  When receiving the interpretation report registration request from the radiology workstation 3, the interpretation report server 7 arranges the interpretation report in a database format and registers it in the interpretation report database 8. The interpretation report database 8 includes, for example, an image ID for identifying an image to be interpreted or a representative image, an interpreter ID for identifying an image diagnostician who has performed interpretation, position information of a region of interest, findings, and certainty of findings. Such information is registered.

  Next, the photographing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 showing the side shape and the front shape, respectively. The imaging apparatus 1 is, for example, a breast image (mammography) imaging apparatus, particularly an apparatus that can capture a plurality of images constituting a stereoscopic image (stereo image), and there is a network 9 shown in FIG. The main body 2A of the computer system 2 is connected.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the mammography apparatus 1 includes a base 11, a rotary shaft 12 that can move in the vertical direction (Z direction) with respect to the base 11, and that can rotate. The arm part 13 connected with the base 11 is provided. FIG. 3 shows the front shape of the arm 13 viewed from the right direction in FIG.

  The arm portion 13 has an alphabet C shape, and a radiation table 16 is attached to one end of the arm portion 13 so as to face the imaging table 14 at the other end. The rotation and vertical movement of the arm unit 13 are controlled by an arm controller 31 incorporated in the base 11.

  A radiographic image detector 15 such as a flat panel detector and a detector controller 33 that controls reading of a charge signal from the radiographic image detector 15 are provided inside the imaging table 14. Further, in the imaging table 14, a charge amplifier that converts the charge signal read from the radiation image detector 15 into a voltage signal, a correlated double sampling circuit that samples the voltage signal output from the charge amplifier, a voltage A circuit board or the like provided with an AD conversion unit for converting a signal into a digital signal is also provided, but detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The imaging table 14 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the arm unit 13, so that even when the arm unit 13 is rotated about the rotation axis 12 with respect to the base 11, the imaging table 14 is Is maintained in a certain orientation.

  The radiation image detector 15 can repeatedly perform recording and reading of a radiation image, and may use a so-called direct type radiation image detector that directly receives radiation and generates charges. Alternatively, a so-called indirect radiation image detector that converts radiation once into visible light and converts the visible light into a charge signal may be used. As a radiation image signal readout method, a radiation image signal is read out by turning on / off a TFT (thin film transistor) switch, or a radiation image is emitted by irradiating reading light. It is desirable to use a so-called optical readout system in which a signal is read out, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other systems may be used.

  The radiation irradiation unit 16 is provided with a radiation source 17 and a radiation source controller 32. The radiation source controller 32 controls the timing of irradiating radiation from the radiation source 17 and the radiation generation conditions (tube current, time, tube current time product, etc.) in the radiation source 17.

  At the center of the arm 13, a compression plate 18 that is disposed above the imaging table 14 and presses and compresses the breast M, a support unit 20 that supports the compression plate 18, and a support unit 20 in the vertical direction (Z And a moving mechanism 19 that moves in a direction). The position of the compression plate 18 and the compression pressure are controlled by the compression plate controller 34.

  Next, the above-described computer system 2 that controls the operation of the mammography apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The computer system 2 includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a storage device such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, and an SSD. More specifically, the computer main body 2A, an input unit 2B such as a keyboard connected thereto, The monitor 2C is connected to the computer main body 2A.

  The computer main body 2A constitutes the control unit 2a and the radiation image storage unit 2b shown in FIG. The control unit 2a outputs a predetermined control signal to the various controllers 31 to 34 described above to control the entire photographing apparatus. Specific control will be described in detail later. The radiation image storage unit 2b stores a radiation image signal for each imaging angle acquired by the radiation image detector 15.

  The input unit 2B is composed of a pointing device such as a keyboard or a mouse, for example, and accepts input of shooting conditions, an operation instruction, and the like by a photographer. On the other hand, the monitor 2C is used for confirming the shooting range of the subject and, in some cases, for reproducing and displaying a stereoscopic image to be described later.

  Next, imaging processing in the breast image capturing apparatus 1 will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 2, the breast M is disposed on the imaging table 14, and the breast M is compressed with a predetermined pressure by the compression plate 18. At this time, the arm unit 13 is set to an initial position that faces in a direction perpendicular to the imaging table 14, that is, a position indicated by a solid line in FIG.

  Next, various imaging conditions for each photographer are input by the input unit 2B, and an input for instructing whether to capture a radiographic image for displaying a breast stereoscopic image or a normal radiographic image is input. Is made. When there is an instruction input to perform the former imaging, the control unit 2a reads a preset imaging angle θ1 (an angle formed by the radiation irradiation axis with respect to the radiation detection surface normal: see FIG. 3) from the internal memory, Information on the photographing angle θ1 is output to the arm controller 31.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that θ1 = ± 2 ° is stored in advance as information on the photographing angle θ1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other angles of about ± 2 ° to ± 5 ° may be applied to the photographing angle θ1. In the present embodiment, the arm portion 13 is configured to rotate around the rotation shaft 12, and the rotation shaft 12 is disposed at substantially the same height as the radiation image detector 15. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the radiation irradiation axes of the radiation sources 17 at different rotational positions intersect each other in the vicinity of the radiation image detector 15. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The arm portion 13 may be rotated so that the radiation irradiation axes intersect each other.

  Next, the arm controller 31 receives the information of the shooting angle θ1 output from the control unit 2a, and based on the information of the shooting angle θ1, outputs a control signal for rotating the arm unit 13 by + θ1 = + 2 ° from the initial position. Output. Therefore, the arm portion 13 rotates + 2 ° in accordance with this control signal.

  Subsequently, the control unit 2a outputs a control signal to the radiation source controller 32 and the detector controller 33 so as to perform radiation irradiation and readout of the radiation image signal. Therefore, radiation is emitted from the radiation source 17 in accordance with this control signal, and a radiation image obtained by photographing the breast from the + 2 ° direction is detected by the radiation image detector 15. Next, a radiographic image signal is read from the radiographic image detector 15 by the detector controller 33, and predetermined radio signal processing is performed on the radiographic image signal to obtain radiographic image data. The data is the radiographic image of the computer main body 2A. It is stored in the storage unit 2b.

  Next, the arm controller 31 once returns the arm unit 13 to the initial position, and then outputs a control signal for rotating the arm unit 13 from the initial position by −θ1 = −2 °. As a result, the arm 13 rotates by −2 ° from the initial position.

  Subsequently, the control unit 2a outputs a control signal to the radiation source controller 32 and the detector controller 33 so as to perform radiation irradiation and readout of the radiation image signal. Therefore, radiation is emitted from the radiation source 17 in accordance with this control signal, and a radiation image obtained by photographing the breast from the −2 ° direction is detected by the radiation image detector 15. Next, a radiographic image signal is read from the radiographic image detector 15 by the detector controller 33, and predetermined radio signal processing is performed on the radiographic image signal to obtain radiographic image data. The data is the radiographic image of the computer main body 2A. It is stored in the storage unit 2b.

  The data relating to the two images temporarily stored in the radiation image storage unit 2b as described above respectively carry radiation images having parallax with each other. In the image information database 6 shown in FIG. The image data relating to one is stored as image data for the right eye image and the image data relating to the other is stored as image data for the left eye together with the auxiliary information. This supplementary information will be described in detail later. The image data relating to these two radiographic images is provided to display a stereoscopic image (stereo image) of the subject at the radiology workstation 3 and the clinical department workstation 4 shown in FIG.

  The above imaging is performed n times (2 ≦ n) with respect to one breast of the same subject, that is, the same subject, at different imaging time points. Therefore, n sets of image data indicating two radiation images are generated as described above, and all of them are stored in the image information database 6.

  Next, display of a stereoscopic image on the radiology workstation 3 will be described. When a browsing request for a desired radiographic image is transmitted from the radiology workstation 3 to the image information management server 5 via the network 9, the image information management server 5 stores the image information registered in the image information database 6. The retrieved image information is transmitted to the requesting radiology workstation 3. When the browsing request is for two sets of radiographic image data among the n sets described above, the two sets of radiographic image data are sent to the radiology workstation 3.

  One of the two sets of radiographic image data indicates a radiographic image whose imaging time is earlier, and the other indicates a radiographic image whose imaging time is later. The former radiographic image includes, for example, a so-called past image taken on the day prior to the date when the browsing request is issued, and the latter radiographic image is, for example, the same day as the date when the browsing request is issued. The so-called current image taken in Such two sets of radiation image data are sent to the radiology workstation 3.

  The computer body 3A of the radiology workstation 3 temporarily stores the two sets of radiation image data sent thereto in the internal memory, and then shows breast images 41 and 42 indicated by the data in FIG. In this way, they are displayed side by side on the display 3B. Here, the breast image 41 whose photographing time is earlier is composed of a right eye image MR1 and a left eye image ML1 having a parallax, and the breast image 42 whose photographing time is later is also a right eye image MR2 and a left eye image having a parallax. It consists of ML2. These right-eye images MR1 and MR2 and left-eye images ML1 and ML2 are alternately switched and displayed at a cycle of, for example, (1 / several tens) seconds, such as right-eye image, left-eye image, right-eye image, left-eye image, and so on. Is done.

  On the other hand, the stereoscopic glasses 3G connected to the radiology workstation 3 have shutters made up of liquid crystal shutters or the like that open and close independently of each other for the right eye portion and the left eye portion. These shutters are displayed by the computer main body 3A of the radiology workstation 3 while the right-eye images MR1 and MR2 are displayed while the right-eye portion is open and the left-eye portion is closed, and on the contrary, the left-eye images ML1 and ML2 are displayed. During the period, the opening / closing control is performed in synchronization with the switching display of the right eye images MR1, MR2 and the left eye images ML1, ML2, so that the left eye portion is open and the right eye portion is closed.

  Therefore, when a radiology interpreter or the like wears the stereoscopic glasses 3G and observes the display 3B, only the right eye images MR1 and MR2 are visible to the right eye, and only the left eye images ML1 and ML2 are visible to the left eye. The breast images 41 and 42 are each displayed as a stereoscopic image having a depth. Further, since the breast image 41 and the breast image 42 are displayed side by side, an interpreting doctor or the like can interpret the two breast images 41 and 42 at different imaging time points while comparing them.

  In this embodiment, two radiographic images constituting a stereoscopic image are taken by changing the radiation irradiation direction in the XZ plane shown in FIG. 3, but the radiation irradiation is performed in other directions. A plurality of radiation images may be taken by changing the direction. That is, for example, a plurality of radiation images may be taken by changing the radiation irradiation direction in the YZ plane shown in FIG. 2, and a stereoscopic image is displayed from the plurality of radiation images thus obtained. It is also possible.

  In the breast images 41 and 42 displayed as described above, the parallax between the right eye image MR1 and the left eye image ML1 and the parallax between the right eye image MR2 and the left eye image ML2 may be different from each other. There is. Such a situation occurs when the imaging conditions differ between when the breast image 41 is captured and when the breast image 42 is captured. In particular, in the case of mammography, the degree of breast compression by the compression plate 18 varies for each imaging.

  When the two parallaxes are different from each other in this way, the feeling of depth of the breast image 41 and the feeling of depth of the breast image 42 are different from each other, and as a result, it is difficult to compare and interpret the breast images 41 and 42. In addition, when two stereoscopic images are displayed on the same display screen as in the present embodiment, there is a problem that stereoscopic viewing becomes difficult.

  Hereinafter, a configuration for solving this problem will be described. FIG. 6 schematically shows a configuration provided in the computer main body 3A of the radiology workstation 3 to solve the above problem. As shown in the figure, this configuration includes a control unit 3a, a table storage unit 3b connected to the control unit 3a, and a data acquisition unit 3c also connected to the control unit 3a.

  The data acquisition unit 3c outputs the radiation image data indicating the right eye image MR1 and the left eye image ML1 for generating the breast image 41 output from the breast image capturing apparatus 1, and similarly the right eye image for generating the breast image 42. The radiation image data indicating MR2 and left-eye image ML2 is received together with the accompanying information and sent to the control unit 3a. In addition, since these radiation image data and incidental information are output from the mammography apparatus 1, it is basically stored in the mammography apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. When the medical image information system as shown in FIG. 1 is configured, it may be stored and registered in the image information database 6 and then sent to the data acquisition unit 3c via the network 9 from there.

  The supplementary information is usually generated by the input unit 2B shown in FIG. In general, the incidental information includes the image ID as described above, but in the present embodiment, in addition to them, two images taken at the above-described + θ1 and −θ1 are used. The parallax of the radiation image (that is, the right eye image and the left eye image) is also included. The parallax Q as the supplementary information is stored and registered in, for example, the image information database 6 as described above in association with the radiographic image data indicating the two radiographic images.

  The parallax Q is, for example, when the distance between the radiation sources when taking the two radiation images is D, the distance from the radiation source to the subject center is t1, and the distance from the subject center to the radiation detection means is t2. , D (t2 / t1). That is, in the case of the present embodiment, when the control unit 2a shown in FIG. 4 captures the two radiation images, the parallax Q = D from the values of D, t1, and t2 input from the input unit 2B. (T2 / t1) is obtained and stored in the image information database 6 or the like as described above, for example. Further, the parallax Q may be obtained by extracting feature points of an image such as a nipple or a skin line and comparing the right eye image MR and the left eye image ML.

  The values of D, t1, and t2 are partly or entirely determined when two radiographic images that generate the breast image 41 are captured and when two radiographic images that generate the breast image 42 are captured. It may be different. When the breast images 41 and 42 are displayed on the display means so as to be comparatively readable based on the radiographic images taken in such a state, the parallax between the breast images 41 and 42 is different. Problems can occur.

  The table storage unit 3b shown in FIG. 6 associates the difference between the two values of the parallax Q that can occur as described above with the pixel shift amount (number of pixels) T for eliminating the difference, I remember it in the form of an uptable. The relationship between the difference between the two parallax values and the appropriate pixel shift amount T can be obtained based on experiments or experience.

  When generating and displaying the breast images 41 and 42, the control unit 3a shown in FIG. 6 associates with the two radiographic images that generate the breast image 41, for example, in the breast image capturing apparatus 1 or the image information database 6. The parallax Q1 stored and the parallax Q2 stored in, for example, the breast imaging apparatus 1 or the image information database 6 in association with the two radiographic images that generate the breast image 42 are received, and the difference between them (Q2− The table storage unit 3b is referred to from Q1), and the pixel shift amount T associated with the value of the difference (Q2-Q1) in the lookup table is obtained. When the control unit 3a displays the right eye image MR1 and the left eye image ML1 that generate the breast image 41 and the right eye image MR2 and the left eye image ML2 that generate the breast image 42, for example, the control unit 3a displays the right eye image MR2 and the left eye image ML2 with each other. Perform pixel shift processing. In the pixel shifting process, one of the right eye image MR2 and the left eye image ML is shifted by T pixels so that the parallax between the right eye image MR2 and the left eye image ML2 is reduced by T. That is, in the present embodiment, an appropriate pixel shift amount T that aligns the sense of depth of the two breast images 41 and 42 is T = (Q2−Q1) / H. Here, H represents the pixel size of the photographing apparatus.

  Contrary to the above, such pixel shifting processing may be performed so that the parallax between the right eye image MR1 and the left eye image ML1 is increased by T, and further, the case and the result thereof. In order to obtain the same effect, it may be performed both between the right eye image MR1 and the left eye image ML1 and between the right eye image MR2 and the left eye image ML2.

  By performing the above image shifting process, on the display screen of the breast images 41 and 42, the parallax between the right eye image MR1 and the left eye image ML1 that generate the breast image 41 and the right eye image MR2 that generates the breast image 42 are displayed. Since the parallax between the left-eye image ML2 and the left-eye image ML2 is aligned, the breast images 41 and 42, which are stereoscopic images, are displayed with their respective senses of depth aligned. Therefore, since the breast images 41 and 42 have different depth feelings, it is difficult for them to be comparatively read and to prevent the breast images 41 and 42 displayed on the common display screen from being stereoscopically viewed. Is done.

  As is clear from the above description, in this embodiment, the control unit 3a shown in FIG. 6 constitutes an image processing means in the radiographic image capturing and displaying system of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, the relationship between the difference in parallax value (Q2−Q1) and the pixel shift amount T is stored in the form of a lookup table, and the pixel shift amount corresponding to the difference (Q2−Q1) is stored from the table. Although T is obtained, an appropriate pixel shift amount T may be calculated and obtained from the parallax values Q2 and Q1 for each pixel shift process.

In the above description, for example, the case where the pixel size of the breast image 41 that is the above-described past image matches the pixel size of the breast image 42 that is the above-described current image, for example, When the images are taken by different photographing devices, the pixel sizes of the two images may be different from each other. In such a case, the parallax between the right eye image MR1 and the left eye image ML1 that generate the breast image 41, and the pixel sizes Q1 and H1, respectively, and the parallax between the right eye image MR2 and the left eye image ML2 that generate the breast image 42 If the enlargement / reduction ratio M = H1 / H2 is defined when the pixel sizes are Q2 and H2, respectively, the display feeling of the breast images 41 and 42 is matched, and the sense of depth of the two breast images 41 and 42 is obtained. The appropriate pixel shift amount T to be aligned is
T = (Q2 / H2)-(Q1 / H1) M
And it is sufficient.

In addition, even if the image sizes of the breast images 41 and 42 match each other, if the pixel size of the display means for displaying them separately is different, the breast images 41 and 42 are displayed on each display means. At this time, the display sizes of the breast images 41 and 42 are different from each other. In that case, in order to align the image sizes of the breast images 41 and 42 displayed on the respective display means, the former pixel size is H1, the latter pixel size is H2, and the pixel size of the former display means is F1, When the pixel size of the display means for the latter display is defined as F2 and the enlargement / reduction ratio N = F1 / F2, the depth feeling of the two breast images 41 and 42 is made while matching the display sizes of the breast images 41 and 42. The appropriate pixel shift amount T for aligning
T = (Q2 / H2)-(Q1 / H1) N
And it is sufficient.

  In the above-described embodiment, the breast images 41 and 42 are displayed side by side on the same display screen. However, they are displayed on different display screens (that is, screens that are displayed with time on one display means, Alternatively, the images may be displayed one by one on different display means. FIG. 7 exemplifies one of such display screens, and here shows an example in which a breast image 41 composed of a right eye image MR1 and a left eye image ML1 is displayed. Even in such a case, it is possible to comparatively interpret the breast images 41 and 42 displayed with a time interval. The present invention can also be applied to such display, and the effects as described above can be achieved. Note that reference numeral 130 in FIG. 7 denotes an image interpretation report display area opened as a window.

  In the embodiment described above, one stereoscopic image is displayed from two images, but one stereoscopic image can be displayed from three or more images. In such a case, the present invention can also be applied, and in that case, the effects as described above can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the value of the parallax Q is stored in the storage unit. However, the shooting conditions for determining them, that is, the values of D, t1, and t2 described above, for example, are stored in the storage unit. From this, the value of the parallax Q may be calculated and obtained.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a case where two images representing a breast are stereoscopically displayed so that they can be comparatively interpreted. However, the subject is not limited to the breast and may be the same subject. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a case where similar subjects, that is, images of the left and right breasts of one subject are displayed so as to be comparatively readable. In this case, the same effects as described above can be obtained. is there.

  Further, the method for displaying a stereoscopic image is not limited to the method using the stereoscopic glasses described above, and a polarization filter method can also be applied.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mammography apparatus 2 Computer system 2A, 3A, 4A Computer main body 2B Input part 2C Monitor 2a, 3a Control part 2b Radiation image memory | storage part 3, 4 Workstation 3B, 3C, 4B, 4C Display 3D, 3E Keyboard 3F Mouse 3G Stereoscopic glasses 3b Table storage unit 3c Data acquisition unit 13 Arm unit 14 Imaging unit 15 Radiation image detector 16 Radiation irradiation unit 17 Radiation source 18 Compression plate 31 Arm controller 32 Radiation source controller 33 Detector controller 34 Compression plate controller 41, 42 Breast image (stereoscopic image)
M breast (subject)
MR1, MR2 Right eye image ML1, ML2 Left eye image

Claims (7)

Shoot the same subject or similar subjects as multiple images with parallax,
This shooting is performed n times (2 ≦ n) for one subject,
In a radiographic imaging display system for displaying n stereoscopic images each consisting of the plurality of images on a display unit so that they can be compared with each other for interpretation.
The parallax between the plurality of images and / or shooting conditions for determining the parallax are stored in a storage unit in association with the plurality of images,
When displaying the n stereoscopic images on the display unit, a plurality of images that generate at least one of the n stereoscopic images are displayed based on the stored parallax and / or the shooting conditions. A radiographic image capturing and displaying method, wherein the parallax between the plurality of images is shifted from each other in a direction approaching the parallax between the plurality of images generating another stereoscopic image.   When the distance between the radiation sources when taking two of the plurality of images is D, the distance from the radiation source to the subject center is t1, and the distance from the subject center to the radiation detection means is t2, the parallax 2. The radiographic imaging display method according to claim 1, wherein D (t2 / t1) is set.   The radiographic image capturing and displaying method according to claim 1, wherein the parallax is obtained from a feature point of the image in two of the plurality of images.   When the pixel size of a plurality of images that generate at least one of the n stereoscopic images and the pixel size of a plurality of images that generate other stereoscopic images are different from each other, The radiographic image capturing and displaying method according to claim 1, wherein a pixel shift amount of the pixel shift processing is set in consideration of a difference.   2. An enlargement / reduction process for matching a size with a plurality of images for generating other stereoscopic images is performed on the plurality of images for generating at least one of the n stereoscopic images. 5. The radiographic imaging display method according to any one of 4 to 4. When a plurality of display means for separately displaying at least two of the n stereoscopic images are used as the display means,
The plurality of images for generating a stereoscopic image in at least one of the plurality of display means are subjected to enlargement / reduction processing to match the display size with the plurality of images for generating a stereoscopic image in other display means, The radiographic imaging display method according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Shoot the same subject or similar subjects as multiple images with parallax,
This shooting is performed n times (2 ≦ n) for one subject,
In a radiographic imaging display system for displaying n stereoscopic images each consisting of the plurality of images on a display unit so that they can be compared with each other for interpretation.
Storage means for storing parallax between the plurality of images and / or photographing conditions for determining the parallax in association with the plurality of images;
When displaying the n stereoscopic images on the display unit, a plurality of images that generate at least one of the n stereoscopic images are displayed based on the stored parallax and / or the shooting conditions. Radiographic imaging display comprising: image processing means for performing pixel shift processing on each other in a direction in which the parallax between the plurality of images approaches the parallax between the plurality of images generating another stereoscopic image system.

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