JP2014064774A - Medical photographing guide display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently use shooting guidance of a shooting technique required by a user.
A plurality of X-ray imaging systems are connected to a server. When each X-ray imaging system 10 inputs data into the input fields of the metadata creation field, the image data entry field, and the text data entry field of the GUI for creating guidance, a new imaging guidance is generated based on the input data. Created and stored in server 20. Each X-ray imaging system 10 can browse imaging guidance created by other X-ray imaging systems 10 by accessing the server 20.
[Selection] Figure 14

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical imaging guidance display device that guides an imaging technique when imaging a medical image.

  As medical imaging devices that capture medical images, for example, X-ray imaging apparatuses and ultrasonic imaging apparatuses are widely known. Training to some extent may be required for the use of these medical imaging devices and the imaging techniques including the relative positioning (positioning) of the medical imaging device and the imaging target. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 describes an apparatus that displays photographing guidance for guiding photographing techniques using a medical photographing apparatus.

  The apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 has a storage unit that stores in advance shooting guidance composed of moving images, and the shooting guidance can be read from the storage unit and displayed on a display.

JP 2001-276061 A

  However, for example, in X-ray imaging, there are various imaging regions such as the head, chest, and extremities, and imaging techniques such as a positioning method may differ depending on the imaging region. In particular, when the subject to be photographed is an animal other than a human, the photographing technique varies depending on the type of animal because the body shape differs depending on the type of animal even if the photographing region is the same.

  It is actually difficult to prepare imaging guidance for all imaging regions of various animals in advance because it takes a lot of time. Also, all users who use medical imaging equipment rarely use all of the various imaging techniques. Therefore, even if a manufacturer of medical imaging equipment prepares imaging guidance in advance, it is inefficient to prepare all imaging guidance that is less frequently used. Patent Document 1 does not specify or suggest such a problem and its solution.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a medical imaging guidance display device capable of efficiently using imaging guidance for imaging techniques required by a user. And

  In order to achieve the above object, the medical imaging guidance display device of the present invention is a medical imaging guidance display device that displays imaging guidance for guiding imaging techniques in medical imaging. A guidance storage unit, a display control unit that displays a creation screen for creating the shooting guidance on a display, and an input of information constituting the shooting guidance through the creation screen, and the input based on the input information A guidance creation unit for creating shooting guidance; a guidance registration unit for registering shooting guidance created by the guidance creation unit in the shooting guidance storage unit; and a guidance providing unit for providing the registered shooting guidance to an external device; It is characterized by having.

  The external device may include a device that is communicably connected via a network.

  The external device may include a server, and the guidance providing unit may have a function of uploading the shooting guidance registered in the shooting guidance storage unit to the server.

  The guidance providing unit may have a function of accepting a request for providing the shooting guidance from an external device and distributing the shooting guidance to the external device.

  The external device may include a removable medium, and the guidance providing unit may include an output function for outputting the shooting guidance to the removable medium.

  The information constituting the shooting guidance may include a still image, a moving image, an image including at least one of animation, and characters.

  The creation screen may be provided with a plurality of input fields for inputting the images and characters.

  The data constituting the shooting guidance may include layout information related to the layout of the input field provided on the creation screen.

  A template storage unit that stores a template that predefines the layout; the display control unit displays the creation screen based on the template; and the guidance creation unit includes the shooting guidance based on the template. You may create

  The template storage unit stores a plurality of the templates having different layouts of the input fields, and the display control unit displays the creation screen based on a template selected from the plurality of templates. You may do it.

  The guidance creation unit may include a function of extracting the target identification information from a medical image that has been captured and includes target identification information for identifying the imaging target.

  The guidance creating unit may have a function of previewing the created shooting guidance before registration.

  The shooting guidance may guide shooting procedures for animals other than humans.

  The shooting guidance may be registered with object identification information for identifying the breed of the animal to be imaged.

  The guidance storage unit may be a server connected via a network.

  The medical guidance display device may be incorporated in a console that controls a medical imaging device that captures a medical image.

  The medical imaging apparatus may be an X-ray imaging apparatus that captures an X-ray image to be imaged.

  According to the present invention, since the user can create and register the shooting guidance, the shooting guidance of the shooting technique required by the user can be used efficiently.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of a X-ray imaging system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the usage condition of an X-ray imaging system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the usage condition of an X-ray imaging system. It is explanatory drawing of imaging | photography guidance. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of imaging | photography guidance. It is a schematic block diagram of a console. It is a function explanatory view of a console. It is explanatory drawing which shows GUI for work selection. It is explanatory drawing which shows GUI for imaging | photography operation. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state by which imaging | photography guidance was displayed. It is explanatory drawing which shows GUI for guidance preparation. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state by which the input column was added by GUI for guidance preparation. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state by which the imaging | photography guidance from which a layout pattern differs was displayed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which connected the some X-ray imaging system to the server. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a guidance display process. It is a list of the length and weight of an animal for which shooting guidance exists. FIG. 5 is a distribution diagram showing the relationship between the body length and weight of an animal in which imaging guidance exists and an animal that desires imaging guidance, with the horizontal axis representing body length and the vertical axis representing body weight.

  In FIG. 1, an X-ray imaging system 10 includes an X-ray generator 12, an electronic cassette 14, and a console (medical imaging guidance display device) 16, and a server (guidance storage unit) 20 via a network 18. It is connected to the. The X-ray imaging system 10 is used in a veterinary hospital, takes various types of animals as imaging targets H (see FIGS. 2 and 3), and captures X-ray images of these imaging targets.

  The X-ray generator 12 is a portable X-ray generator, and the X-ray source, the X-ray source control device that controls the X-ray source, and the irradiation field limitation that limits the X-ray irradiation field inside the housing 12a. A communication unit that communicates with the device (collimator) and the console 16 is built-in. An irradiation switch 22 is connected to the X-ray generator 12, and the X-ray generator 12 emits X-rays in response to the operation of the irradiation switch 22. Imaging conditions such as X-ray irradiation conditions (irradiation intensity, irradiation time, irradiation field) can be manually set by operating an operation member provided on the surface of the casing 12a, and the console 16 can be set via a communication unit. Can also be set.

    The electronic cassette 14 is a portable X-ray imaging apparatus, and includes a communication unit that communicates with the console 16, a memory that stores a cassette ID, and the like in addition to an FPD (Flat Panel Detector) inside the housing 14a. ing. The electronic cassette 14 receives the X-ray irradiated from the X-ray generator 12 and transmitted through the imaging target H, and images the imaging target H. Thereby, an X-ray image of the imaging target H is obtained, and the obtained X-ray image is sent to the console 16.

  The console 16 is composed of, for example, a notebook personal computer, and is communicably connected to the X-ray generator 12 and the electronic cassette 14 by a wired method or a wireless method. The console 16 is an operation terminal that controls the X-ray generator 12 and the electronic cassette 14. In addition to setting imaging conditions for the X-ray generator 12, the console 16 also sets imaging conditions and FPD signal processing conditions (stored). X-ray image capturing is controlled by setting a gain of an amplifier that amplifies a voltage in accordance with the signal charge. The console 16 performs well-known image processing such as image correction on the photographed X-ray image, and then stores it in the server 20 via the network 18.

  The network 18 is, for example, a LAN or the Internet. The server 20 is a database for accumulating various medical information. For example, the server 20 is installed in an animal hospital and stores an X-ray image captured by the X-ray imaging system 10. A doctor of an animal hospital can view an X-ray image by accessing the server 20 via the network 18 from his / her own terminal (not shown) installed in an examination room or the like. The server 20 stores imaging guidance for guiding imaging techniques for each animal breed, and an operator (user) of the X-ray imaging system 10 accesses the server 20 from the console 16 so that the imaging guidance is provided on the console 16. Can be viewed.

  In the X-ray imaging system 10, since the X-ray generator 12 and the electronic cassette 14 are portable, as shown in FIG. 2, the electronic cassette 14 is horizontally placed on the supine imaging table 24 and imaging in the lying position is performed. The subject H is irradiated with X-rays from above, and as shown in FIG. 3, the electronic cassette 14 is vertically disposed behind the imaging subject H in a standing posture and irradiated with X-rays from the side. Can shoot. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the imaging target H is a dog and the imaging region is an abdomen. The example shown in FIG. 3 is an example in which the imaging target H is a horse and the imaging region is a leg.

  In addition to this, by adjusting the relative positional relationship (positioning) of the X-ray generator 12, the electronic cassette 14, and the imaging target H, it is possible to support imaging of various types of animals. Furthermore, since the X-ray imaging system 10 can also move the console 16, the entire system can travel outside the hospital and support imaging at a business trip destination.

  On the other hand, while the X-ray imaging system 10 can perform various imaging, imaging techniques such as imaging with optimal positioning and imaging conditions according to the type of animal are diverse and difficult. For this reason, the X-ray imaging system 10 assists imaging by displaying imaging guidance for the imaging target H on the console 16 and guiding imaging techniques.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, nine types of shooting guidance A1 to E1 are provided, and these shooting guidance A1 to E1 are provided for each breed of animal and are grouped for each race. . Further, as shown in FIG. 5, each shooting guidance includes image data 30 for illustrating the shooting technique, sentence data 32 for explaining the shooting technique, as well as breed, race, body length, weight, and the like. This is object identification information for identifying a shooting target, metadata 34 used for searching for shooting guidance, and the display position (layout) and display mode (font (character size, display color, etc.) of each data. Including the display information 36 that defines)).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the console 16 is configured by installing a control program such as an operating system and an application program (AP) 40 for causing the computer to function as the console 16 based on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. Is done.

  The console 16 includes a display 42, an input device 44, a storage device (template storage unit) 46, a memory 48, a CPU 50, and a communication I / F 52. These are connected via a data bus 54. The display 42 is a liquid crystal monitor or the like. The input device 44 is a keyboard or a mouse. Further, a touch panel type input device integrated with the display 42 may be used.

  The storage device 46 is a hard disk drive, for example, and is an internal storage built in the main body of the console 16. The storage device 46 is a display for displaying a control program, an AP 40 such as console software, and images and messages displayed when the console software is executed, and a GUI (Graphical User Interface) as an operation screen. Data 56 and the like are stored. The GUI includes a template for displaying an input field (to be described later) in a predetermined layout (the storage device 46 functions as a template storage unit).

  The memory 48 is a work memory for the CPU 50 to execute processing. The CPU 50 loads the control program stored in the storage device 46 into the memory 48 and executes processing according to the program, thereby comprehensively controlling each part of the computer.

  The communication I / F 52 includes an interface for communicating with the X-ray generator 12 and the electronic cassette 14, and the console 16 communicates with these via the communication I / F 52. The communication I / F 52 includes a network interface that performs transmission control with the network 18, and the console 16 communicates with the server 20 through the communication I / F 52 and the network 18.

  The console software is a program for causing a computer to execute various functions such as an input / output control function, a shooting control function, a shooting guidance display function, and a shooting guidance registration function. The CPU 50 loads the console software stored in the storage device 46 into the memory 48 and executes processing according to the program, thereby comprehensively controlling each part of the computer.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the console software is activated, the CPU 50 cooperates with the memory 48 to input / output control unit 60, shooting control unit 62, shooting guidance display unit 64, shooting guidance creation / registration unit ( It functions as a guidance creation unit and guidance registration unit) 66.

  The input / output control unit 60 performs input / output control based on the GUI, that is, outputs (displays) the GUI to the display 42 and receives an operation instruction from the input device 44 made via the GUI. The storage device 46 stores a work selection GUI 70, a shooting operation GUI 72, and a guidance creation GUI 74 as GUIs. The input / output control unit 60 accesses the storage device 46 to read the data of these GUIs 70, 72, 74 and display them on the display 42.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the work selection GUI 70 is a GUI for selecting whether to perform shooting or to create / register a new shooting guidance, and is displayed first when the console 16 is activated. GUI. When shooting, the user selects the shooting tag 70a through the input device 44 such as a mouse. When creating and registering a new shooting guidance, the user selects the guidance creation tag 70b.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the shooting operation GUI 72 is displayed when the shooting tag 70 a is selected by the work selection GUI 70. The shooting operation GUI 72 is provided with an input field 72a, and when an animal breed, race, body length, weight, etc. (that is, object identification information) are input to the input field 72a as information related to the imaging target H, a next screen tag 72b. And a guidance display tag 72c are displayed.

  In FIG. 9, when the next screen tag 72b is selected, a shooting condition designation screen (not shown) based on the shooting operation GUI 72 is displayed, and the shooting conditions can be input. When the target identification information is input and the imaging conditions are set, the imaging control unit 62 activates the irradiation switch 22, and responds to the operation of the activated irradiation switch 22 in response to the X-ray generator 12 and the electronic device. The cassette 14 is controlled to perform photographing. Then, the imaging control unit 62 performs image processing on the X-ray image obtained by imaging, and adds the object identification information input in the input field 72a to the X-ray image and causes the server 20 to store it.

  On the other hand, when the guidance display tag 72c is selected in FIG. 9, the shooting guidance display unit 64 (FIG. 7) is activated. The shooting guidance display unit 64 accesses the server 20 through the communication I / F 52, reads the shooting guidance registered in the server 20, and displays the read shooting guidance on the display 42. Specifically, first, the shooting guidance display unit 64 accepts the target identification information input in the input field 72a as a search condition for searching for shooting guidance from the shooting guidance registered in the server 20. Then, the shooting guidance display unit 64 transmits a search request to the server 20 together with the received search condition.

  Upon receiving the search request from the shooting guidance display unit 64, the server 20 searches for shooting guidance that matches the search condition. The shooting guidance registered in the server 20 is attached with the object identification information as the metadata 34 as described above. The server 20 compares the search condition received from the shooting guidance display unit 64 with the target identification information attached to the registered shooting guidance in the server 20 to search for a shooting guidance that matches the search condition. The server 20 extracts shooting guidance that matches the search conditions and distributes it to the shooting guidance display unit 64. The shooting guidance display unit 64 displays the distributed shooting guidance on the display 42.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the target identification information (animal breed) input in the input field 72a is the Dutch dwarf, the shooting guidance display unit 64 displays the shooting guidance A1 for the Dutch dwarf that matches the target identification information. Is read from the server 20 and displayed on the display 20.

  The server 20 is based on a personal computer or a workstation similarly to the console 16, and the hardware configuration is the same as the hardware configuration of the console 16 shown in FIG. In the case of the server 20, database software is installed as the AP 40. When the database software is activated, the CPU of the server 20 receives a request from a client terminal such as the console 16, executes a process according to the request, and returns a response result to the request source.

  In this example, when receiving a new shooting guidance registration request from the console 16, the server 20 executes processing for storing the shooting guidance in a storage device in the server 20. In addition, as described above, when a search request for the shooting guidance registered in the server 20 is received from the console 16, the shooting guidance that matches the search condition is searched and the extracted shooting guidance is distributed to the console 16. That is, the server 20 functions as a guidance storage unit that stores shooting guidance, and also functions as a search unit that searches for shooting guidance based on an input search condition in cooperation with the shooting guidance display unit 64 of the console 16. To do.

  Note that the storage device 46 of the console 16 may function as a guidance storage unit. In this case, only the shooting guidance display unit 64 functions as a search unit.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the shooting guidance A1 includes a metadata display area 80 for displaying the metadata 34, image data display areas 82a to 82c for displaying the image data 30, and a text data display area 84a for displaying the text data 32. 84c is reproduced and displayed in a layout based on the display information 36 of the shooting guidance A1. The shooting guidance A1 guides the shooting technique of the Netherlands Dwarf, and examples of the shooting technique include a holding method and holding posture of an imaging target, presence / absence of anesthesia, whether or not to use a fixture, and how to use it when used. The method of using the X-ray imaging system 10 (method of setting imaging conditions, appropriateness, setting values, etc.) and the method of using imaging assistive devices such as the supine imaging table 24 are guided.

  Similarly, in the other shooting guidances A2 to E1, the metadata 34, the image data 30, and the text data 32 constituting each shooting guidance A2 to E1 are reproduced and displayed in a layout based on the display information 36, whereby each shooting guidance A2 to E1. The types of shooting techniques corresponding to the guidance A2 to E1 are guided. When the shooting guidance does not fit on one screen, a slide bar is displayed on the side of the shooting guidance, and the screen can be scrolled by operating this slide bar.

  Thus, by displaying the shooting guidance and guiding the shooting technique, even a user unfamiliar with shooting can perform shooting smoothly and accurately. However, there are a variety of animal varieties, and it is difficult to provide shooting guidance for animals of all varieties. For this reason, the X-ray imaging system 10 allows the user to newly register imaging guidance.

  When creating / registering shooting guidance, the guidance creation tag 70b is selected in FIG. When the guidance creation tag 70b is selected, the shooting guidance creation / registration unit 66 operates. The shooting guidance creation / registration unit 66 displays the guidance creation GUI 74 on the display 42 via the input / output control unit 60 in accordance with the operation.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the guidance creation GUI 74 is a creation screen for accepting input of images and characters, which is information constituting shooting guidance, and creating and registering shooting guidance. The guidance creation GUI 74 is provided with a metadata input field 74a, an image data input field 74b, and a text data input field 74c. The guidance creation GUI 74 is generated according to a predetermined template that defines the layout of each of the input fields 74a to 74c (the same layout as the shooting guidance A1). Input to each of the input fields 74a to 74c is possible by inputting characters directly from the keyboard constituting the input device 44, or by using a known technique such as drag and drop or copy and paste by mouse operation from the data storage destination. (Still images or moving images (including animation)) can be input.

  The guidance creation GUI 74 displays an input field addition tag 74d and a completion tag 74e. When the input field addition tag 74d is selected, an image data input field 74b and a document data input field 74c are added as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the completion tag 74e is selected, the shooting guidance creation / registration unit 66 creates a new shooting guidance based on the input information.

  Specifically, the shooting guidance creation / registration unit 66 sets the information input in the metadata input field 74a as the metadata 34, the information input in the image data input field 74b as the image data 30, and the text data input field. The information input to 74c is used as the text data 32, and information indicating the display layout such as the layout (display position) of each of the input fields 74a to 74c and the font input to each of the input fields 74a to 74c is displayed as display information. A shooting guidance of 36 is created.

  Then, when the completion tag 74e is selected, the shooting guidance creation / registration unit 66 uploads and stores the new shooting guidance created in this way to the server 20 through the communication I / F 52 and the network 18. Thereby, the registration operation of a new shooting guidance is completed.

  As described above, in the X-ray imaging system 10, since the number of imaging guidance can be increased by the user registering new imaging guidance, imaging guidance is prepared on the maker side so as to cover all breeds of animals. Compared to the case of doing so, more photographing techniques can be guided without taking time and effort. In addition, since shooting guidance for the types required by the user can be registered at any time, it is more efficient than registering shooting guidance for all types including shooting guidance for types that are not used.

  In the above embodiment, the example has been described in which the user inputs the metadata 34 of the shooting guidance, that is, the mode identification information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In many cases, X-ray images that have already been taken include object identification information (variety, race, body length, weight) as supplementary information. It may be input.

  In this case, when creating a new imaging guidance, the user is allowed to select an X-ray image that has been captured using the GUI, and the console 16 accesses the server 20 to extract additional information of the selected X-ray image. What is necessary is just to input as the metadata 34 of the imaging | photography guidance newly produced. Of course, not only the captured X-ray image is used for inputting the metadata 34 but also the captured X-ray image used for inputting the metadata 34 is added to the imaging guidance to be newly created as a reference image. May be.

  In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a new shooting guidance including the image data 30 and the text data 32 as components is created and registered. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by providing a voice input field for inputting voice data in the guidance creation GUI 74 to input voice data, providing a playback tag for playing back voice data when shooting guidance is displayed, and selecting the playback tag. Audio data may be reproduced. Similarly, when moving image data is input as image data, the moving image data may be reproduced by selecting a reproduction tag displayed in the shooting guidance.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which a new shooting guidance is created according to a template whose input field layout is predetermined as a template for registering shooting guidance. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, in addition to a template (see FIGS. 10 to 12) in which text is laid out next to an image as described in the above embodiment, a template in which text is laid out below the image as shown in FIG. 46, the user may select which template to use when creating a new shooting guidance. Of course, the number and types of templates provided are not limited to the two described above, and can be freely set. Further, the layout of the image and character input fields on the template may be changed by the user. In the description using FIG. 13 and subsequent drawings, members similar to those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In addition, after inputting necessary information in the template, a preview of the shooting guidance to be registered may be displayed before registration. In this case, for example, when the completion tag 74e is selected, a preview of the shooting guidance is displayed, and a Yes / No tag for confirming the presence / absence of registration is displayed. If Yes is selected, registration is performed as it is, and No is selected. In such a case, the registration may be canceled and the state before the completion tag is pressed may be restored. Of course, a preview tag may be displayed on the guidance creation GUI 74 (see FIGS. 11 and 12), and a preview may be displayed by selecting the preview tag.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which one X-ray imaging system 10 is connected to the server 20 has been described (see FIG. 1). However, as illustrated in FIG. System 10 may be connected. In this way, imaging guidance registered from a plurality of X-ray imaging systems 10 is accumulated in one server 20.

  If the server 20 is set so that the collected imaging guidance can be viewed by anyone other than the registration source, when the server 20 receives a search request from the X-ray imaging system 10, the server 20 As a response, imaging guidance registered from another X-ray imaging system 10 can be distributed (that is, the server 20 functions as a guidance providing unit). This makes it possible to share the imaging guidance registered by the X-ray imaging systems 10 with each other. Therefore, more imaging guidance can be used more efficiently than when each X-ray imaging system 10 monopolizes registered imaging guidance.

  Further, when the imaging guidance is stored in the storage device 46 in each console 16, the storage devices 46 in each console 16 can be mutually accessed between the plurality of X-ray imaging systems 10. Good. In this case, an area for storing imaging guidance in the storage device 46 of each console 16 is set to be shared, and access from the consoles 16 of other X-ray imaging systems 10 is permitted. When each X-ray imaging system 10 receives access from another X-ray imaging system 10, the X-ray imaging system 10 delivers imaging guidance to the request source (that is, the console 16 functions as a guidance providing unit).

  Note that the method for sharing the shooting guidance is not limited to the above. For example, the shooting guidance is sent from the console 16 to another device via the network 18, the shooting guidance is written on the medium (CDROM or memory card) in the console 16, the medium is connected to the other device, and the shooting guidance stored in the medium A method is also conceivable in which this is read out to another device. In these cases, the console 16 functions as a guidance providing unit.

  Further, when shooting guidance created by users as described above is shared between users, the reliability and completeness of shooting guidance vary depending on the level of proficiency of the creators. Therefore, as an index for grasping the reliability and completeness of the shooting guidance, the name of the creator and the field of expertise of the creator are displayed as supplementary information of the shooting guidance, or other users can input the evaluation of the shooting guidance. This may be displayed as supplementary information of the shooting guidance. Of course, before displaying the shooting guidance, the creator of the shooting guidance scheduled to be displayed, the specialist field of the creator, and the evaluation from other users may be notified to select whether or not to display the shooting guidance.

  Even if a new shooting guidance can be created and registered as in the above-described embodiment, there are cases where a desired shooting guidance does not exist because there are various animal varieties. In such a case, it is preferable to display shooting guidance similar to the desired shooting guidance. In this case, the shooting guidance display unit 64 described in the above embodiment may be caused to execute the guidance display process shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 15, when the guidance display tag 72 c is selected in the shooting operation GUI 72 (see FIG. 9), the shooting guidance display unit 64 receives the input target identification information as a search condition. Then, the input search condition is transmitted to the server 20 to make a search request to the server 20. The server 20 searches for shooting guidance based on the received search condition, and if there is no shooting guidance that matches the search condition, the server 20 searches for shooting guidance with high similarity based on the search condition. Specifically, if there is no shooting guidance for the same breed, the server 20 checks whether there is shooting guidance for the same race. If there is shooting guidance for the same race, the server 20 extracts this shooting guidance. To the console 16. On the other hand, if there is no shooting guidance for the same race, the server 20 extracts shooting guidance for the animal having the closest body length and weight and distributes it to the console 16. In the console 16, the shooting guidance display unit 64 displays the shooting guidance distributed from the server 20 on the display 42.

  For example, when the server 20 receives a search request using the target identification information of Chihuahua (race: dog, body length: 25 cm, weight: 2.3 kg) as search conditions, there is no shooting guidance for Chihuahua in this embodiment. The server 20 searches for shooting guidance of the same race, that is, shooting guidance B1, B2, and B3 of Pomeranian, Shibanui, and Miniature Ducks, and distributes them to the console 16 (see FIG. 4). In addition, even when information on the classification of races (for example, a dog is classified into a small dog and a large dog) is stored in the metadata 34 of the imaging guidance, the imaging guidance of animals belonging to the same category can be searched. Good.

  Further, for example, when the server 20 receives a search request using the target identification information of English (race: guinea pig, body length: 24 cm, weight: 0.8 kg) as a search condition, in this embodiment, there is no English shooting guidance. Furthermore, there is no shooting guidance for the same race (see FIG. 4). In this case, as shown in FIG. 16, the server 20 extracts data on body length and weight from the metadata 34 of the existing shooting guidances A1 to E1.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 17, the server 20 vertically calculates the values extracted from the metadata 34 (that is, the body length and weight values of the animals for which shooting guidance exists) and the English body length and weight values. The imaging guidance A1 of the Netherlands dwarf with the shortest distance from English is retrieved from the data obtained by plotting the weight and length of each product type on a graph with the body weight on the axis and the body length on the horizontal axis, and delivered to the console 16 .

  As described above, when there is no shooting guidance that matches the search condition, by displaying the shooting guidance similar to the shooting guidance, the registered shooting guidance can be used efficiently.

  Further, the method for searching for shooting guidance similar to the shooting guidance desired by the user from the registered shooting guidance is not limited to the above, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, images such as photographs or illustrations of animals whose shooting techniques are guided by the shooting guidance are stored as shooting guidance metadata 34, and this photograph is used when there is no shooting guidance of the kind desired by the user. You may search for the photography guidance of the animal of the breed nearest to. In this case, the user takes a picture of an animal of a breed for which shooting guidance is desired, and sends a taken image and a search request using the image as a search condition to the server 20 via the console 16. The server 20 compares the image of the photograph sent from the console 20 with each of the images stored as the metadata 34 of the photographing guidance, and the photographing guidance with the highest degree of coincidence (that is, the photographing guidance of the animal with the closest appearance). ) The degree of coincidence of images is obtained by a known image analysis method such as pattern recognition.

  In addition, it is also possible to search for a shooting guidance similar to the shooting guidance desired by the user in consideration of only the animal breed and race (without considering the body length, weight, and appearance (image matching degree)). In this case, information indicating similarity of animal breeds and races is increased in the server 20 (for example, when using a dog as a reference, the similarity increases in the order of “cat> rabbit> chicken”, and when using a turtle as a reference, “ Information such as the similarity increases in the order of parakeet> rabbit) is stored. Then, the server 20 determines the similarity between the shooting guidance desired by the user and the registered shooting guidance based on the information indicating the similarity, and searches for the shooting guidance with the highest similarity.

  Similarly, the server 20 may search for shooting guidance similar to the shooting guidance desired by the user in consideration of only the length and weight. Further, the server 20 may search for the shooting guidance in consideration of only the appearance (image matching degree).

  Furthermore, taking a plurality of factors such as race, length, weight, appearance and the like into consideration, a shooting guidance similar to the shooting guidance desired by the user may be searched. In this case, the server 20 points out the difference in breed and race between the shooting guidance desired by the user and the registered shooting guidance based on the information indicating the similarity of the animal breed and race described above (similarity). The higher the value, the higher the points. Similarly, the server 20 points the difference in body length and weight (such as increasing the point as the distance is closer when plotted as shown in FIG. 17). Further, the server 20 also points the difference in appearance (the higher the matching degree of images, the higher the point, etc.). Then, the server 20 adds these points and searches for the shooting guidance with the highest point.

  In the above embodiment, an example of creating and registering a new shooting guidance has been described. However, in addition to (or instead of) this function, part or all of the registered shooting guidance is edited (contents). A function of adding or changing, changing the layout of the input field) may be provided.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which shooting guidance is created / registered for each animal breed, but shooting guidance is created / registered for each animal race, or for each shooting site such as a hand, foot, or head. Shooting guidance may be created and registered.

  Moreover, although the example in which the present invention is applied to an X-ray imaging system used in an animal hospital has been described, the present invention is applied to an X-ray imaging system used in various medical institutions other than an animal hospital (such as a hospital where a person is examined and treated). May be applied. Furthermore, although the example in which the present invention is applied to the X-ray imaging system has been described, the present invention may be applied to imaging systems other than this (such as an ultrasonic imaging system). Further, the present invention may be applied to other than the imaging system (for example, a medical examination apparatus). Even if the subject to be imaged or examined is a person, special procedures are often required for medical imaging or examination depending on the part to be imaged, the contents of the examination, body type, age, sex, and the like. Therefore, the present invention is effective for medical imaging and inspection of animals including humans.

10 X-ray imaging system 12 X-ray generator 14 Electronic cassette 16 Console (medical imaging guidance display device)
18 network 20 server (guidance storage unit)
30 Image data 32 Text data 34 Metadata 36 Display information 40 AP
42 Display 44 Input device 46 Storage device (template storage unit)
50 CPU
56 Display Data 60 Input / Output Control Unit 62 Shooting Control Unit 64 Guidance Display Unit 66 Shooting Guidance Creation / Registration Unit (Guidance Creation Unit, Guidance Registration Unit)
70 Work selection GUI
72 GUI for shooting operation
74 GUI for creating guidance

Claims (17)

In a medical imaging guidance display device for displaying imaging guidance for guiding imaging techniques in medical imaging,
A shooting guidance storage unit for storing the shooting guidance;
A display control unit for displaying a creation screen for creating the shooting guidance on a display;
A guidance creation unit that accepts input of information constituting the shooting guidance through the creation screen and creates the shooting guidance based on the input information;
A guidance registration unit for registering the shooting guidance created by the guidance creation unit in the shooting guidance storage unit;
A medical imaging guidance display device, comprising: a guidance providing unit that provides the registered imaging guidance to an external device.   The medical imaging guidance display device according to claim 1, wherein the external device includes a device that is communicably connected via a network. The external device includes a server;
3. The medical imaging guidance display device according to claim 2, wherein the guidance providing unit has a function of uploading the imaging guidance registered in the imaging guidance storage unit to the server.   4. The medical imaging guidance according to claim 2, wherein the guidance providing unit has a function of accepting a request for providing the imaging guidance from an external device and delivering the imaging guidance to the external device. Display device. The external device includes removable media,
The medical imaging guidance display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guidance providing unit has an output function of outputting the imaging guidance to a removable medium.   The medical imaging guidance display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the information constituting the imaging guidance includes an image including at least one of a still image, a moving image, and an animation, and characters. .   The medical imaging guidance display device according to claim 6, wherein the creation screen includes a plurality of input fields for inputting the image and characters.   8. The medical imaging guidance display device according to claim 7, wherein the data constituting the imaging guidance includes layout information related to a layout of an input field provided on the creation screen. A template storage unit that stores a template that predefines the layout;
The display control unit displays the creation screen based on the template,
9. The medical imaging guidance display device according to claim 8, wherein the guidance creating unit creates the imaging guidance based on the template. The template storage unit stores a plurality of templates having different layouts of the input fields,
The medical imaging guidance display device according to claim 9, wherein the display control unit displays the creation screen based on a template selected from the plurality of templates.   The said guidance preparation part is provided with the function to extract the said object identification information from the medical image already image | photographed with the object identification information for identifying imaging | photography object. Any of the medical imaging guidance display devices.   The medical imaging guidance display device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the guidance creating unit has a function of previewing the created imaging guidance before registration.   The medical imaging guidance display device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the imaging guidance guides imaging procedures of animals other than humans.   14. The medical imaging guidance display apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the imaging guidance is registered with object identification information for identifying a breed of an animal to be imaged.   The guidance display device according to claim 1, wherein the guidance storage unit is a server connected via a network.   16. The medical imaging guidance display device according to claim 1, wherein the medical imaging guidance display device is incorporated in a console that controls a medical imaging device that captures a medical image.   17. The medical imaging guidance display apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the medical imaging apparatus is an X-ray imaging apparatus that captures an X-ray image to be imaged.

Images