JP2018114070A - Medical image storage device and medical image storage system - Google Patents

Abstract

A medical image storage device and a medical image storage system capable of realizing efficient storage of medical images are provided. An image storage unit stores a plurality of medical images and a plurality of types of incidental information attached to each of the plurality of medical images. The specifying unit compares at least one of a plurality of types of incidental information attached to the stored medical image with at least one incidental information attached to the received medical image, and determines the received medical image. A medical image that can be regarded as the same as the received medical image is specified from among the plurality of medical images stored in the image storage unit. The determination unit determines a medical image to be stored from among the received medical image and the specified medical image based on the rules for image storage in the image storage unit. The control unit stores the determined medical images to be stored in the image storage unit, and deletes the medical images that are not to be stored from the image storage unit. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a medical image storage device and a medical image storage system.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a medical image diagnostic apparatus that generates a medical image related to a subject by imaging the subject generates a medical image having a higher resolution than a medical image having a normal resolution that is conventionally used. Is becoming possible. On the other hand, for peripheral devices that do not support medical images having high resolution, medical images having normal resolution that are conventionally used are also generated together with medical images having high resolution. A medical image having a normal resolution and a medical image having a high resolution generated by the medical image diagnostic apparatus are stored in a medical image storage apparatus, and are viewed and managed.

  Since the medical image storage apparatus stores the medical image received from the medical image diagnostic apparatus as it is, for example, a plurality of medical images that should be handled as the same are stored. As a result, there is a problem that the storage capacity of the medical image storage apparatus is limited in a short period of time. In addition, medical images having a resolution that cannot be handled by a medical image processing apparatus (workstation) or the like that is connected to the medical image storage apparatus and executes predetermined image processing using the medical images stored in the medical image storage apparatus are stored. There is a problem of end.

JP 2009-211637 A

  An object of the present embodiment is to provide a medical image storage device and a medical image storage system that can realize efficient storage of medical images.

  According to the embodiment, the medical image storage device includes an image storage unit that stores a plurality of medical images and a plurality of types of supplementary information attached to each of the plurality of medical images, and a medical image generated in an external device. And at least one of the plurality of types of supplementary information attached to the stored medical image, and a receiving unit that receives the plurality of types of supplementary information attached to the medical image generated in the external device Two pieces of supplementary information and the at least one piece of supplementary information attached to the received medical image are stored, and a medical image that can be regarded as the same as the received medical image is stored in the image storage unit Based on the specifying unit specified from among the plurality of medical images, and the rules for storing images in the image storage unit, among the received medical images and the specified medical images, the storage target medical device A determination unit for determining an image, stores the medical image storage target the determined in the image storage unit comprises a control unit for erasing the medical image is not a storage object from the image storage unit.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a medical image storage system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the medical image diagnostic apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the medical image storage apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of supplementary information attached to the medical image stored in the image database shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of image storage in the medical image storage apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of image storage in the medical image storage apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating medical images actually stored in the medical image storage device in the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of image storage in the medical image storage apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating medical images actually stored in the medical image storage device in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the flow of image storage in the medical image storage apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating medical images actually stored in the medical image storage device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating a modified example of the flow of image storage in the medical image storage apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of image storage in the medical image storage apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating medical images actually stored in the medical image storage device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating a modified example of the flow of image storage in the medical image storage apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating medical images actually stored in the medical image storage device according to the embodiment 5-1. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating medical images actually stored in the medical image storage device according to the embodiment 5-2. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating medical images actually stored in the medical image storage device according to the embodiment 5-3. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the medical image storage system according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of image storage in the medical image storage apparatus according to the sixth embodiment. 21 is a table showing image storage rules set in units of medical request hospitals or in units of medical request departments of hospitals stored in the storage circuit shown in FIG. 1 in the sixth embodiment. FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating the flow of image storage in the medical image storage apparatus according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram illustrating the flow of image storage in the medical image storage apparatus according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 24 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of image storage in the medical image storage apparatus according to the ninth embodiment. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a browsing screen for medical images transmitted to the medical image storage apparatus displayed on the display of the medical image diagnostic apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 in the second embodiment. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a browsing screen for medical images transmitted to the medical image storage device displayed on the display of the medical image diagnostic device shown in FIG. 1 in the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a medical image storage device and a medical image storage system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
(Explanation of medical image storage system)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a medical image storage system according to the first embodiment. The medical image storage system shown in FIG. 1 has a network system for managing medical images taken in medical institutions such as hospitals and clinics. For example, the medical image storage system shown in FIG. 1 includes a medical image diagnostic apparatus 1, a medical image storage apparatus 100, and a medical image processing apparatus 200. The medical image diagnostic apparatus 1, the medical image storage apparatus 100, and the medical image processing apparatus 200 are connected to each other via a network NW.

  The medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 images a patient who has visited a medical institution such as a hospital or a clinic with a predetermined imaging device, and generates a medical image. For example, the medical diagnostic imaging apparatus 1 includes an X-ray computed tomography (CT) apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnostic apparatus, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and the like. A modality capable of generating a medical image related to a patient.

  The medical image storage apparatus 100 is a computer, workstation, or server that manages a plurality of medical images and incidental information attached to the plurality of medical images. In the first embodiment, the medical image storage apparatus 100 stores medical images captured by the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 and incidental information attached to the plurality of medical images.

  The medical image processing apparatus 200 performs predetermined image processing using the medical images captured by the medical image capturing apparatus 10 and stored in the medical image storage apparatus 100. For example, the medical image processing apparatus 200 is a computer for performing interpretation on a medical image by an interpretation doctor, or a computer (viewer) for viewing a medical image.

(Description of medical image diagnostic device)
Here, each configuration of the medical image storage system will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 includes a medical image imaging apparatus 10, an arithmetic circuit 51, a display 53, an input circuit 55, a storage circuit 57, and a communication circuit 59.

  The medical image imaging apparatus 10 is a predetermined imaging device that collects data necessary for generating the medical image. For example, when the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 is an X-ray computed tomography apparatus, the medical image imaging apparatus 10 corresponds to a gantry including an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector. When the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 is an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, the medical image imaging apparatus 10 corresponds to an arm including an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector. Note that the X-ray computed tomography apparatus and the X-ray diagnosis apparatus described above as the medical image diagnosis apparatus 1 are merely examples, and the medical image diagnosis apparatus 1 corresponds to a predetermined imaging device in the other modalities described above.

  The arithmetic circuit 51 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. as hardware resources. And a memory. The arithmetic circuit 51 implements an image generation function 511, an image processing function 513, an accompanying information editing function 515, an accompanying information display function 517, and a system control function 519 by executing various programs.

  In the image generation function 511, the arithmetic circuit 51 performs a predetermined process on the data collected by the medical image capturing apparatus 10, and generates a medical image corresponding to the collected data. For example, when the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 is an X-ray computed tomography apparatus, the arithmetic circuit 51 performs preprocessing such as logarithmic conversion on the raw data collected by the gantry. The raw data after preprocessing is called projection data. The arithmetic circuit 51 generates a CT image representing the spatial distribution of CT values related to the subject based on the generated projection data. The arithmetic circuit 51 transmits the generated medical image to the medical image storage device 100 via the network NW.

  Here, the arithmetic circuit 51 generates a CT image conforming to the DICOM (Digital Imaging Communication in Medicine) standard. That is, in addition to image information, a plurality of types of incidental information associated with the CT image are attached to the CT image. The arithmetic circuit 51 also transmits incidental information attached to the generated medical image to the medical image storage apparatus 100 via the network NW. Here, the supplementary information is information representing conditions set when the medical image capturing apparatus 10 collects data necessary for generating the medical image. For example, when the generated medical image is a CT image, imaging conditions, reconstruction conditions, display conditions, and the like are attached to the CT image as the plurality of types of auxiliary information.

  In the image processing function 513, the arithmetic circuit 51 performs various image processing on the medical image generated by the image generation function 511. For example, when a CT image is generated, the arithmetic circuit 51 performs 3 rendering such as volume rendering, surface volume rendering, image value projection processing, MPR (Multi-Planer Reconstruction) processing, CPR (Curved MPR) processing on the CT image. Dimensional image processing is performed to generate a display image.

  In the incidental information editing function 515, the arithmetic circuit 51 displays on the display 53 an editing screen for incidental information incidental to the generated medical image. In the incidental information display function 517, the arithmetic circuit 51 displays the incidental information added to the medical image on the display 53.

  In the system control function 519, the arithmetic circuit 51 performs overall control of the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. Specifically, the arithmetic circuit 51 reads out the control program stored in the storage circuit 57 and develops it on the memory, and controls each part of the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the developed control program.

  The image generation function 511, the image processing function 513, the incidental information editing function 515, the incidental information display function 517, and the system control function 519 may be implemented by the arithmetic circuit 51 of one board, or may be implemented on a plurality of boards. The arithmetic circuit 51 may be used in a distributed manner.

  The display 53 displays various data and the medical images. Specifically, the display 53 includes a display interface circuit and a display device. The display interface circuit converts data representing a display target into a video signal. The video signal is supplied to the display device. The display device displays a video signal representing a display target. Examples of the display device include a CRT display (Cathode Ray Tube Display), a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL display (OELD), a plasma display, or others known in the art. Any display can be used as appropriate.

  The input circuit 55 inputs various commands from the operator. Specifically, the input circuit 55 includes an input device and an input interface circuit. The input device accepts various commands from the user. As input devices, trackballs, scroll wheels, switch buttons, mice, keyboards, touchpads that perform input operations by touching the operation surface, and touch panel displays that integrate the display screen and touchpad can be used. is there. The input interface circuit supplies an output signal from the input device to the arithmetic circuit 51 via the bus BUS. In the first embodiment, the input circuit 55 is not limited to one having physical operation parts such as a trackball, a scroll wheel, a switch button, a mouse, and a keyboard. For example, an example of the input circuit 55 includes an electric signal processing circuit that receives an electric signal corresponding to an input operation from an external input device provided separately from the apparatus and outputs the electric signal to the arithmetic circuit 51. .

  The storage circuit 57 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or an integrated circuit storage device that stores various information. In addition to the magnetic disk such as an HDD, the storage circuit 57 may use a magneto-optical disk and an optical disk such as a CD (Compact Disc) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). The storage area of the storage circuit 57 may be in the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 or in an external storage device connected by the network NW. For example, the storage circuit 57 stores medical image data and display image data. The storage circuit 57 stores the control program according to the first embodiment.

  The communication circuit 59 is a circuit for communicating with an external device by wire or wireless. The external device is, for example, a server included in a system such as another modality, a radiation department information management system (RIS), or a hospital information system (HIS), or another workstation. . In the first embodiment, the communication circuit 59 is connected to the medical image storage device 100 and the medical image processing device 200 via the network NW.

(Description of medical image storage device)
Next, the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the medical image storage apparatus 100 shown in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the medical image storage device 100 includes an arithmetic circuit 101, a display 103, an input circuit 105, a storage circuit 107, a communication circuit 109, and an image database (image storage unit) 117. The arithmetic circuit 101, the display 103, the input circuit 105, the storage circuit 107, the communication circuit 109, and the image database 117 are connected to each other via a bus BUS provided in the apparatus.

  The image database 117 includes a non-temporary storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and an SSD (Solid State Drive) that can store a relatively large amount of data, and a temporary storage medium such as a memory. The image database 117 stores a plurality of medical images generated by the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 and a plurality of types of incidental information attached to each of the plurality of medical images. The image database 117 temporarily or non-temporarily stores a medical image transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 and a plurality of types of incidental information attached to the medical image in an image storage process to be described later. To do. In addition to the memory of the image database 117, the arithmetic circuit 101 is used as a temporary storage location for the medical image transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 and a plurality of types of incidental information attached to the medical image. You may utilize the memory which has.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of supplementary information attached to the medical image stored in the image database 117 shown in FIG. The image database 117 in the first embodiment stores accompanying information shown in FIG. 4 together with medical images. The image database 117 according to the first embodiment includes, for example, slice information, slice position, contrast medium, imaging region name, image matrix size, imaging range, raw data ID, imaging protocol name, imaging method, phase, and imaging as incidental information. Request department, image pixel size, inspection UID, series UID, image UID, service class UID, tube current, tube voltage, reconstruction filter, reconstruction method, FOV (Field of View) size, instance creation date, instance creation time store. Note that the accompanying information shown in FIG. 4 indicates the accompanying information attached to the CT image, and the accompanying information attached to the medical image differs depending on the modality.

  The arithmetic circuit 101 includes, as hardware resources, a processor such as a CPU or MPU and a memory such as a ROM or RAM. The arithmetic circuit 101 realizes a specific function 111, a determination function 113, and a system control function 115 by executing various programs.

  In the specific function 111, the arithmetic circuit 101 includes at least one additional information of a plurality of types of additional information attached to the medical image stored in the image database 117 and at least one additional attached to the received medical image. By comparing with the information, a medical image that can be regarded as the same as the received medical image is specified from among a plurality of medical images stored in the image database 117. For example, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares at least one supplementary information excluding SOPUID (Service Object Pair Unique ID) attached to the stored medical image and the received medical image, and determines the medical image that can be regarded as the same. Identification is made from among a plurality of medical images stored in the image database 117. Here, the SOPUID in the first embodiment is a UID (for example, an image UID) assigned to all medical images generated in the DICOM standard.

  In the determination function 113, the arithmetic circuit 51 determines a medical image to be stored among the received medical images and the specified medical images based on the rules for image storage in the image database 117.

  In the system control function 115, the arithmetic circuit 101 performs overall control of the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Specifically, the arithmetic circuit 101 reads out the control program stored in the storage circuit 107 and develops it on the memory, and controls each part of the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the developed control program. In the system control function 115, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the determined medical image to be stored in the image database 117, and deletes the medical image that is not the storage target.

  Note that the specific function 111, the determination function 113, and the system control function 115 may be implemented by the arithmetic circuit 101 of one board, or may be implemented by being distributed by the arithmetic circuits 101 of a plurality of boards.

  The display 103 displays various data, the medical image, and the like. Specifically, the display 103 includes a display interface circuit and a display device. The display interface circuit converts data representing a display target into a video signal. The video signal is supplied to the display device. The display device displays a video signal representing a display target. As the display device, for example, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, a plasma display, or any other display known in the art can be used as appropriate.

  The input circuit 105 inputs various commands from the operator. Specifically, the input circuit 105 includes an input device and an input interface circuit. The input device accepts various commands from the user. As input devices, trackballs, scroll wheels, switch buttons, mice, keyboards, touchpads that perform input operations by touching the operation surface, and touch panel displays that integrate the display screen and touchpad can be used. is there. The input interface circuit supplies an output signal from the input device to the arithmetic circuit 101 via the bus BUS. In the first embodiment, the input circuit 105 is not limited to one having physical operation parts such as a trackball, a scroll wheel, a switch button, a mouse, and a keyboard. For example, an example of the input circuit 105 includes an electric signal processing circuit that receives an electric signal corresponding to an input operation from an external input device provided separately from the apparatus and outputs the electric signal to the arithmetic circuit 101. .

  The storage circuit 107 is a storage device such as an HDD, an SSD, or an integrated circuit storage device that stores various types of information. Further, the storage circuit 107 may use a magneto-optical disk and an optical disk such as a CD or DVD in addition to a magnetic disk such as an HDD. The storage area of the storage circuit 107 may be in the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 or in an external storage device connected by a network. For example, the storage circuit 107 stores medical image data and display image data. The storage circuit 107 stores a control program according to the first embodiment.

  The communication circuit 109 is a circuit for communicating with an external device by wire or wireless. The external device is, for example, a server included in a system such as another modality, RIS, or HIS, or another workstation. In the first embodiment, the communication circuit 109 is connected to the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 and the medical image processing apparatus 200 via the network NW.

  Here, the operation of the medical image storage apparatus 100 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of image storage in the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 shows an image storage method for preventing a plurality of medical images to be handled as the same from being stored. Here, it is assumed that the received medical image and a plurality of types of additional information attached to the received medical image are temporarily stored in a memory included in the image database 117. Hereinafter, the same applies to the embodiments.

  In step S <b> 1, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 compares the received supplementary information of the medical image with the supplementary information of the medical image stored in the image database 117. In step S <b> 2, the arithmetic circuit 101 specifies a medical image that can be regarded as the same as the received medical image from the plurality of medical images stored in the image database 117 based on the comparison result in step S <b> 1.

  In step S3, when a medical image that can be regarded as the same as the received medical image cannot be identified from a plurality of medical images stored in the image database 117 (No in step S2), the arithmetic circuit 101 receives the received medical image. The medical image is stored in the image database 117.

  In step S4, when a medical image that can be regarded as the same as the received medical image can be identified from a plurality of medical images stored in the image database 117 (Yes in step S2), the arithmetic circuit 101 determines that the image database Based on the image storage rule set in 117, a medical image to be stored is determined from the received medical images and the specified medical images.

  In step S6, when the received medical image is to be stored (Yes in step S5), the arithmetic circuit 101 deletes the specified medical image from the image database 117. Furthermore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received medical image in the image database 117 as in step S3. In step S7, when the received medical image is to be stored (No in step S5), the arithmetic circuit 101 erases the received medical image from the image database 117.

  Further, a specific example of image storage shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

Example 1
Assume that the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is an X-ray computed tomography apparatus. The arithmetic circuit 51 according to the first embodiment generates a medical image having a higher resolution than that of a medical image having a normal resolution. For example, the arithmetic circuit 51 generates a medical image having an image matrix size “1024” as a medical image having a high resolution. The arithmetic circuit 51 generates a medical image having a normal resolution together with the medical image having the high resolution for a peripheral device that does not support the medical image having a high resolution. The arithmetic circuit 51 generates a medical image having an image matrix size “512” as a medical image having a normal resolution. Hereinafter, in the embodiment, a medical image having an image matrix size “512” is referred to as a normal image. A medical image having an image matrix size “1024” is referred to as a high-resolution image.

  Further, the arithmetic circuit 101 according to the first embodiment compares the generation date of the medical image attached to the medical image with the generation time as the auxiliary information. The arithmetic circuit 101 identifies a medical image having the same generation date and generation time as the generation date and generation time of the received medical image from among a plurality of medical images stored in the image database 117. That is, the arithmetic circuit 101 recognizes that the specified medical image is the same as the received medical image.

  Normally, in the DICOM standard, medical images having the same SOPUID are determined as the same medical image. The SOPUID is assigned a different number depending on the image transmission timing. That is, in the conventional medical image storage device, medical images having different SOPUIDs are not recognized as the same. On the other hand, as described above, the arithmetic circuit 101 according to the first embodiment specifies the same medical image based on the generation date and generation time of the medical image. For this reason, the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment can recognize that medical images having different SOPUIDs (in other words, different image resolutions) are the same.

  In addition, the arithmetic circuit 101 according to the first embodiment has a capacity priority mode for preferentially storing medical images having a low resolution and an image quality priority mode for preferentially storing medical images having a high resolution, depending on the purpose of use. Set one of these. For example, the arithmetic circuit 101 is connected to the medical image storage device 100 and uses a capacity priority mode, or a capacity priority mode, depending on the available resolution in the medical image processing device 200 that executes predetermined image processing using the stored medical images. Set one of the image quality priority modes. As a result, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the medical image in the image database 117 based on the set image storage mode.

  Here, it is assumed that the medical image processing apparatus 200 according to the first embodiment does not support high-resolution images, but only normal images. That is, in the first embodiment, the arithmetic circuit 101 sets the capacity priority mode in which medical images having a low resolution are preferentially stored. The arithmetic circuit 101 determines a medical image to be stored among the received medical image and the specified medical image based on the first rule that preferentially stores a medical image having a low resolution. .

  FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of image storage in the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the first embodiment, a plurality of medical images having different resolutions are sequentially transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus (transmission side) 1 to the medical image storage apparatus (reception side) 100. For example, in the first image transmission, the normal image is transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100. Further, in the second image transmission, the high-resolution image is transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100. In the first embodiment, in addition to the normal image and the high resolution image, the positioning image (scano image) is transferred from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100 before the normal image and the high resolution image are transmitted. Send. In the first embodiment, in addition to the normal image and the high resolution image, a summary is transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100 after transmitting the normal image and the high resolution image. The summary is, for example, a summary regarding imaging conditions, reconstruction conditions, imaging protocols in one examination, and the like set in the process of generating a medical image.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating medical images actually stored in the medical image storage device 100 in the first embodiment. In FIG. 7, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits medical images to the medical image storage apparatus 100 in the order of “scano image → normal image → high resolution image → summary”.

  First, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a scanogram to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After transmitting the scanogram, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 compares the generation date and generation time of the received scanogram with the generation date and generation time of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, there is no medical image having the same generation date and generation time as the received scano image in the image database 117. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received scano image in the image database 117.

  Next, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a normal image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After transmitting the normal image, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 compares the generation date and generation time of the received normal image with the generation date and generation time of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, there is no medical image having the same generation date and generation time as the received normal image in the image database 117. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received normal image in the image database 117.

  Next, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a high resolution image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the transmission of the high resolution image, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the generation date and generation time of the received high resolution image with the generation date and generation time of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, a normal image having the same generation date and generation time as the received high-resolution image exists in the image database 117. For this reason, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines a medical image to be stored among the received high-resolution image and the specified normal image based on the image storage rule. In the first embodiment, the image database 117 is set to the capacity priority mode as described above. Since the arithmetic circuit 101 preferentially stores medical images having a low resolution, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines the specified normal image as a medical image to be stored based on the first rule. The arithmetic circuit 101 deletes the received high resolution image from the image database 117 because the medical image to be stored is a normal image identified.

  Finally, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a summary to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the summary is transmitted, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the received generation date and generation time of the summary with the generation date and generation time of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, a medical image having the same generation date and generation time as the received summary does not exist in the image database 117. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received summary in the image database 117.

  According to the above configuration, the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment stores the scanano image, the normal image, and the summary in the image database 117 through the process illustrated in FIG. The medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment can prevent duplicate storage of high-resolution images that are treated as being the same as the normal image only with different resolutions.

  In the first embodiment, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits medical images to the medical image storage apparatus 100 in the order of “scano image → normal image → high resolution image → summary”. However, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 is not limited to the first embodiment and may transmit medical images in an arbitrary order. For example, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 may switch the transmission order of the normal image and the high resolution image.

(Example 2)
It is assumed that the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment is an X-ray computed tomography apparatus. The arithmetic circuit 51 in the second embodiment generates a normal image and a high-resolution image as in the first embodiment. Further, the arithmetic circuit 101 according to the second embodiment compares the generation date of the medical image attached to the medical image with the generation time as the auxiliary information.

  Further, it is assumed that the medical image processing apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment supports high-resolution images. In other words, in the second embodiment, the arithmetic circuit 101 sets the image quality priority mode in which medical images having high resolution are preferentially stored. The arithmetic circuit 101 determines a medical image to be stored among the received medical image and the specified medical image based on the second rule that preferentially stores the medical image having a high resolution. .

  FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of image storage in the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the normal image is transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100 in the first image transmission. Further, in the second image transmission, the high-resolution image is transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100. In the second embodiment, in addition to the normal image and the high resolution image, a positioning image (scan image) is transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100 before transmitting the normal image and the high resolution image. In the second embodiment, the summary is transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100 after transmitting the normal image and the high resolution image in addition to the normal image and the high resolution image.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating medical images actually stored in the medical image storage device 100 in the second embodiment. In FIG. 9, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits medical images to the medical image storage apparatus 100 in the order of “scano image → normal image → high resolution image → summary”.

  First, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a scanogram to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After transmitting the scanogram, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 compares the generation date and generation time of the received scanogram with the generation date and generation time of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, there is no medical image having the same generation date and generation time as the received scano image in the image database 117. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received scano image in the image database 117.

  Next, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a normal image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After transmitting the normal image, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 compares the generation date and generation time of the received normal image with the generation date and generation time of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, there is no medical image having the same generation date and generation time as the received normal image in the image database 117. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received normal image in the image database 117.

  Next, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a high resolution image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the transmission of the high resolution image, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the generation date and generation time of the received high resolution image with the generation date and generation time of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, a normal image having the same generation date and generation time as the received high-resolution image exists in the image database 117. For this reason, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines a medical image to be stored among the received high-resolution image and the specified normal image based on the image storage rule. In the second embodiment, the image database 117 is set to the image quality priority mode as described above. Since the arithmetic circuit 101 preferentially stores medical images having high resolution, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines the received high resolution image as a medical image to be stored based on the second rule. The arithmetic circuit 101 deletes the specified normal image from the image database 117 because the medical image to be stored is a high-resolution image received. Further, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received high resolution image in the image database 117.

  Finally, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a summary to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the summary is transmitted, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the received generation date and generation time of the summary with the generation date and generation time of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, a medical image having the same generation date and generation time as the received summary does not exist in the image database 117. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received summary in the image database 117.

  According to the above configuration, the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment stores a scano image, a high resolution image, and a summary in the image database 117 through the process shown in FIG. The medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment can prevent duplicate storage of normal images that are treated as being the same as the high-resolution image only with different resolutions.

  In the second embodiment, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits medical images to the medical image storage apparatus 100 in the order of “scano image → normal image → high resolution image → summary”. However, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 is not limited to the second embodiment and may transmit medical images in an arbitrary order. For example, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 may switch the transmission order of the normal image and the high resolution image.

(Example 3)
It is assumed that the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 in Example 3 is an X-ray computed tomography apparatus. The medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment collects imaging data using a non-contrast or contrasted subject as an imaging target. The arithmetic circuit 51 according to the third embodiment generates a non-contrast normal image, a contrast normal image, a non-contrast high-resolution image, and a contrast high-resolution image based on the collected imaging data. The non-contrast normal image, the contrast normal image, the non-contrast high-resolution image, and the contrast high-resolution image are captured by the single-slice medical image diagnostic apparatus 1, for example. In addition, the arithmetic circuit 101 according to the third embodiment compares the raw data ID attached to the raw data from which the medical image attached to the medical image is generated as the auxiliary information. The arithmetic circuit 101 identifies a medical image having the same raw data ID as that of the received medical image from among a plurality of medical images stored in the image database 117. That is, the arithmetic circuit 101 recognizes that the specified medical image is the same as the received medical image. As a result, the arithmetic circuit 101 is the same even in the case of medical images having different SOPUIDs (in other words, different image resolutions) due to the common point of the raw data ID from which the medical images are generated. Can be recognized.

  In addition, it is assumed that the medical image processing apparatus 200 according to the third embodiment does not support high-resolution images but only normal images. That is, in the third embodiment, the arithmetic circuit 101 sets the capacity priority mode in which medical images having a low resolution are preferentially stored. The arithmetic circuit 101 determines a medical image to be stored among the received medical image and the specified medical image based on the first rule.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of image storage in the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the third embodiment, the normal image is first transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After transmitting the normal image, the high-resolution image is transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100. In the third embodiment, in addition to the normal image and the high resolution image, a scanogram is transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100 before transmitting the normal image and the high resolution image. In the third embodiment, in addition to the normal image and the high resolution image, a summary is transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100 after the normal image and the high resolution image are transmitted.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating medical images actually stored in the medical image storage device 100 in the third embodiment. In FIG. 11, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 displays medical images in the order of “scano image → normal image (non-contrast) → normal image (contrast) → high resolution image (non-contrast) → high resolution image (contrast) → summary”. It transmits to the medical image storage apparatus 100.

  First, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a scanogram to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After transmitting the scanogram, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 compares the received raw image ID of the scanogram with the raw data ID of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, there is no medical image having the same generation date and generation time as the received scano image in the image database 117. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received scano image in the image database 117.

  Next, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a non-contrast normal image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the contrast normal image is transmitted, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 compares the received raw data ID of the non-contrast normal image with the raw data ID of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, no medical image having the same raw data ID as the received non-contrast normal image exists in the image database 117. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received non-contrast normal image in the image database 117.

  Next, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a normal contrast image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the transmission of the non-contrast high-resolution image, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the received raw data ID of the contrasted normal image with the raw data ID of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, there is no medical image in the image database 117 that is identical to the received contrast normality image and raw data ID. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received normal contrast image in the image database 117.

  Next, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a non-contrast high-resolution image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the transmission of the non-contrast high-resolution image, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the received raw data ID of the non-contrast high-resolution image with the raw data ID of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, a non-contrast normal image having the same raw data ID as the received non-contrast high-resolution image exists in the image database 117. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines a medical image to be stored among the received non-contrast high-resolution image and the specified non-contrast normal image based on the rule of image storage. In the third embodiment, the image database 117 is set to the capacity priority mode as described above. Since the arithmetic circuit 101 preferentially stores medical images having a low resolution, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines the specified non-contrast normal image as a medical image to be stored based on the first rule. The arithmetic circuit 101 deletes the received non-contrast high-resolution image from the image database 117 because the medical image to be stored is a non-contrast normal image specified.

  Next, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a contrast high-resolution image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After transmission of the contrast high-resolution image, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the received raw data ID of the contrast high-resolution image with the raw data ID of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, a contrast normal image having the same raw data ID as the received contrast high-resolution image exists in the image database 117. For this reason, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines a medical image to be stored among the received high-resolution image of contrast and the specified normal image of contrast based on the rule of image storage. In the third embodiment, the image database 117 is set to the capacity priority mode as described above. Since the arithmetic circuit 101 preferentially stores medical images having a low resolution, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines the specified contrast normal image as a medical image to be stored based on the first rule. The arithmetic circuit 101 deletes the received high-resolution image of the contrast from the image database 117 since the medical image to be stored is a normal contrast image that is specified.

  Finally, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a summary to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the summary is transmitted, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 compares the received summary raw data ID with the raw data ID of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, there is no medical image in the image database 117 that has the same received summary and raw data ID. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received summary in the image database 117.

  According to the above-described configuration, the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment includes a scan image, a normal image (non-contrast), a normal image (contrast), and a summary in the image database 117 through the process illustrated in FIG. Stored. The medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment can prevent redundant storage of high-resolution images that are treated as being the same as the normal image with only different resolutions.

  In the third embodiment, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 sends a scan image → normal image (non-contrast) → normal image (contrast) → high resolution image (non-contrast) → high resolution image ( Medical images are transmitted in the order of “contrast) → summary”. However, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 is not limited to the third embodiment, and may transmit medical images in an arbitrary order as shown in FIG. For example, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 may transmit a non-contrast image first and then a contrast image.

  Here, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 sends the “scano image → normal image (non-contrast) → high resolution image (non-contrast) → normal image (contrast) → high resolution image (contrast) → summary” to the medical image storage apparatus 100. When medical images are transmitted in this order, one pair of a normal image (non-contrast image) and a normal image (contrast image), or a high-resolution image (non-contrast image) and a high-resolution image (contrast image) is stored in the image database 117. The other pair is not deleted from the image database 117 until it is stored. That is, the medical image storage apparatus 100 immediately captures a high-resolution image (non-contrast) even if a high-resolution image (non-contrast) is transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 in the next step of the normal image (non-contrast). Do not delete from database 117. The medical image storage apparatus 100 stores a high-resolution image (non-contrast) in the image database 117 until a pair of a normal image (non-contrast) and a normal image (contrast) is stored in the image database 117. Thereafter, when a pair of a normal image (non-contrast) and a normal image (contrast) is stored in the image database 117, the medical image storage apparatus 100 deletes the high-resolution image (non-contrast) from the image database 117.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the non-contrast normal image, the contrast normal image, the non-contrast high resolution image, and the contrast high resolution image are captured by the multi-slice medical image diagnostic apparatus 1. Also good.

Example 4
Assume that the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment is an X-ray computed tomography apparatus. As in the third embodiment, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment collects imaging data using a non-contrast or contrasted subject as an imaging target. The arithmetic circuit 51 according to the fourth embodiment generates a non-contrast normal image, a contrast normal image, a non-contrast high-resolution image, and a contrast high-resolution image based on the collected imaging data. The non-contrast normal image, the contrast normal image, the non-contrast high-resolution image, and the contrast high-resolution image are captured by the single-slice medical image diagnostic apparatus 1. In addition, as in the third embodiment, the arithmetic circuit 101 according to the fourth embodiment compares the raw data ID attached to the raw data from which the medical image attached to the medical image is generated as the additional information. . The arithmetic circuit 101 identifies a medical image having the same raw data ID as that of the received medical image from among a plurality of medical images stored in the image database 117.

  Further, it is assumed that the medical image processing apparatus 200 according to the fourth embodiment supports high-resolution images. That is, in the fourth embodiment, the arithmetic circuit 101 sets the image quality priority mode in which medical images having high resolution are preferentially stored. In addition, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines a medical image to be stored among the received medical image and the specified medical image based on the second rule.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of image storage in the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the fourth embodiment, the normal image is first transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After transmitting the normal image, the high-resolution image is transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100. In the fourth embodiment, in addition to the normal image and the high-resolution image, a positioning image (scano image) is transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100 before transmitting the normal image and the high-resolution image. In the fourth embodiment, in addition to the normal image and the high resolution image, a summary is transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100 after the normal image and the high resolution image are transmitted.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating medical images actually stored in the medical image storage device 100 in the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 14, as in the third embodiment, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 “scano image → normal image (non-contrast) → normal image (contrast) → high resolution image (non-contrast) → high resolution image (contrast) → The medical images are transmitted to the medical image storage apparatus 100 in the order of “summary”.

  First, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a scanogram to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After transmitting the scanogram, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 compares the received raw image ID of the scanogram with the raw data ID of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, there is no medical image having the same generation date and generation time as the received scano image in the image database 117. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received scano image in the image database 117.

  Next, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a non-contrast normal image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After transmitting the non-contrast normal image, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 compares the received raw data ID of the non-contrast normal image with the raw data ID of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, no medical image having the same raw data ID as the received non-contrast normal image exists in the image database 117. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received non-contrast normal image in the image database 117.

  Next, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a normal contrast image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After transmission of the contrast normal image, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 compares the received contrast normal image raw data ID with the medical image raw data ID stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, there is no medical image in the image database 117 that is identical to the received contrast normality image and raw data ID. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received normal contrast image in the image database 117.

  Next, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a non-contrast high-resolution image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the transmission of the non-contrast high-resolution image, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the received raw data ID of the non-contrast high-resolution image with the raw data ID of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, a non-contrast normal image having the same raw data ID as the received non-contrast high-resolution image exists in the image database 117. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines a medical image to be stored among the received non-contrast high-resolution image and the specified non-contrast normal image based on the rule of image storage. In the fourth embodiment, the image database 117 is set to the image quality priority mode as described above. In order to preferentially store medical images having high resolution, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines the received non-contrast high-resolution image as a storage target medical image based on the second rule. Since the medical circuit 101 is a non-contrast high-resolution image from which the medical image to be stored is received, the arithmetic circuit 101 deletes the specified non-contrast normal image from the image database 117, and the received non-contrast high-resolution image is displayed. Stored in the image database 117.

  Next, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a contrast high-resolution image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After transmission of the contrast high-resolution image, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the received raw data ID of the contrast high-resolution image with the raw data ID of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, a contrast normal image having the same raw data ID as the received contrast high-resolution image exists in the image database 117. For this reason, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines a medical image to be stored among the received high-resolution image of contrast and the specified normal image of contrast based on the rule of image storage. In the fourth embodiment, the image database 117 is set to the image quality priority mode as described above. Since the arithmetic circuit 101 preferentially stores medical images having high resolution, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines the received high-resolution image of contrast as a medical image to be stored based on the second rule. The arithmetic circuit 101 deletes the specified normal contrast image from the image database 117 and stores the received high contrast image received from the image database 117 because the medical image to be stored is the specified high resolution image. Keep in.

  Finally, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a summary to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the summary is transmitted, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 compares the received summary raw data ID with the raw data ID of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, there is no medical image in the image database 117 that has the same received summary and raw data ID. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received summary in the image database 117.

  According to the above configuration, the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the fourth embodiment passes through the process illustrated in FIG. 11 and stores the scan database, the high-resolution image (non-contrast), the high-resolution image (contrast), A summary is stored. The medical image archiving apparatus 100 according to the fourth embodiment can prevent redundant storage of high-resolution images that are treated as being the same as the normal image with only different resolutions.

  In the fourth embodiment, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 sends a scan image → normal image (non-contrast) → normal image (contrast) → high resolution image (non-contrast) → high resolution image ( Medical images are transmitted in the order of “contrast) → summary”. However, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 is not limited to the fourth embodiment, and may transmit medical images in an arbitrary order as shown in FIG. For example, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 may transmit a non-contrast image first and then a contrast image.

  Here, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 sends the “scano image → normal image (non-contrast) → high resolution image (non-contrast) → normal image (contrast) → high resolution image (contrast) → summary” to the medical image storage apparatus 100. When medical images are transmitted in this order, one pair of a normal image (non-contrast image) and a normal image (contrast image), or a high-resolution image (non-contrast image) and a high-resolution image (contrast image) is stored in the image database 117. The other pair is not deleted from the image database 117 until it is stored. In other words, the medical image storage apparatus 100 does not send a medical image in the order of “normal image (non-contrast) → high resolution image (non-contrast) → normal image (contrast) → high resolution image (contrast)”. The normal image (non-contrast image) and the normal image (contrast image) are not immediately deleted from the image database 117. The medical image storage apparatus 100 stores the normal image (non-contrast) and the normal image (contrast) in the image database 117 until a pair of high-resolution image (non-contrast) and high-resolution image (contrast) is stored in the image database 117. Keep it. Thereafter, when a pair of a high-resolution image (non-contrast) and a high-resolution image (contrast-enhanced) is stored in the image database 117, the medical image storage device 100 displays the normal image (non-contrast) and the normal image (contrast-enhanced). Delete from the database 117.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the non-contrast normal image, the contrast normal image, the non-contrast high resolution image, and the contrast high resolution image are captured by the multi-slice medical image diagnostic apparatus 1. Also good.

(Example 5)
FIGS. 16 to 18 are diagrams showing medical images actually stored in the medical image storage device 100 in the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, an operator may arbitrarily set a rule for storing images in the image database 117. The arithmetic circuit 101 according to the fifth embodiment determines a medical image to be stored based on an arbitrarily set image storage rule in the image database 117. Specific examples will be described in Example 5-1 to Example 5-3.

(Example 5-1)
The arithmetic circuit 51 according to the embodiment 5-1 generates a thick slice normal image and a high resolution image with a large slice thickness, and a normal image and a high resolution image with a small slice thickness based on the collected imaging data. Whether the slice thickness is thick or thin is determined based on the imaging conditions, the set value of the slice thickness, the raw data ID, the reconstruction function, and the like. In addition, as in the first and second embodiments, the arithmetic circuit 101 in the embodiment 5-1 compares the generation date and the generation time of the medical image attached to the medical image as the auxiliary information. The arithmetic circuit 101 identifies a medical image having the same generation date and generation time as the generation date and generation time of the received medical image from among a plurality of medical images stored in the image database 117.

  In the embodiment 5-1, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 sets the capacity priority mode for preferentially storing medical images having a low resolution. That is, the arithmetic circuit 101 according to the embodiment 5-1 determines a medical image to be stored among the received medical image and the specified medical image based on the first rule. In addition, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the image types of the medical image attached to the medical image as the auxiliary information, and the received medical image matches the rule of image storage in the arbitrary image database 117. Judge whether or not.

  In FIG. 16, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits medical images to the medical image storage apparatus 100 in the order of “thick cut images (normal and high resolution images) → thin cut images (normal and high resolution images)”, for example. In FIG. 16, “thick cut: normal image is stored, thin cut: not stored” is set as a rule for storing the image in the image database 117 that is arbitrarily set.

  First, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a thick cut normal image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the transmission of the thick slice normal image, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the generation date and generation time of the received thick slice normal image with the generation date of the medical image stored in the image database 117 and the generation time. Further, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the image types of the medical image attached to the medical image to determine whether the received thick sliced normal image conforms to an arbitrary image storage rule. In the image database 117 according to the embodiment 5-1, since it is a rule to store only the normal image for the thick cut medical image, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received normal image for the thick cut in the image database 117.

  Next, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits the thick cut high resolution image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the transmission of the thick sliced high resolution image, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 compares the generation date of the received thick sliced high resolution image, the generation time, the generation date of the medical image stored in the image database 117, and the generation time. To do. Further, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the image types of the medical image attached to the medical image, and determines whether or not the received thick cut high-resolution image matches an arbitrary image storage rule. In the image database 117 according to the embodiment 5-1, since it is a rule to store only the normal image of the thick sliced medical image, the arithmetic circuit 101 deletes the received thick sliced high resolution image from the image database 117.

  Next, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits the sliced normal image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the transmission of the sliced normal image, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the generation date of the received sliced normal image, the generation time, the generation date of the medical image stored in the image database 117, and the generation time. Furthermore, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the image types of the medical image attached to the medical image to determine whether the received sliced normal image conforms to any image storage rule. Since the image database 117 according to the embodiment 5-1 has a rule that does not store sliced medical images, the arithmetic circuit 101 deletes the received sliced normal images from the image database 117.

  Finally, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits the sliced high-resolution image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the transmission of the sliced high resolution image, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the generation date and generation time of the received sliced high resolution image with the generation date of the medical image stored in the image database 117 and the generation time. Further, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 determines whether or not the received sliced high-resolution image matches an arbitrary image storage rule. Since the image database 117 according to the embodiment 5-1 has a rule not to store sliced medical images, the arithmetic circuit 101 deletes the received sliced high-resolution image from the image database 117.

  In the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to Example 5-1, the thick cut normal image is stored in the image database 117 through the process shown in FIG.

(Example 5-2)
In the same way as in Example 5-1, the arithmetic circuit 51 in Example 5-2, based on the collected imaging data, the thick sliced normal image and the high resolution image with the large slice thickness, the normal image with the thin slice thickness, and High resolution image is generated. In addition, as in the first and second embodiments, the arithmetic circuit 101 in the embodiment 5-2 compares the generation date and the generation time of the medical image attached to the medical image as the auxiliary information. The arithmetic circuit 101 identifies a medical image having the same generation date and generation time as the generation date and generation time of the received medical image from among a plurality of medical images stored in the image database 117.

  In the embodiment 5-2, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 sets the image quality priority mode for preferentially storing medical images having a high resolution. In other words, the arithmetic circuit 101 according to the embodiment 5-2 determines a medical image to be stored among the received medical image and the specified medical image based on the second rule. In addition, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the image type of the medical image attached to the medical image as the auxiliary information, and sets the rule for image storage in the image database 117 in which the received medical image is arbitrarily set. Determine if they match.

  In FIG. 17, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits medical images to the medical image storage apparatus 100 in the order of “thick cut images (normal and high resolution images) → thin cut images (normal and high resolution images)”, for example. In FIG. 17, “thick cut: do not store, thin cut: store high resolution image” is set as a rule for storing images in the image database 117 that is arbitrarily set.

  First, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a thick cut normal image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the transmission of the thick slice normal image, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the generation date and generation time of the received thick slice normal image with the generation date of the medical image stored in the image database 117 and the generation time. Further, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the image types of the medical image attached to the medical image to determine whether the received thick sliced normal image conforms to an arbitrary image storage rule. In the image database 117 according to the embodiment 5-2, since it is a rule not to store a thick sliced medical image, the arithmetic circuit 101 deletes the received thick sliced normal image from the image database 117.

  Next, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits the thick cut high resolution image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the transmission of the thick sliced high resolution image, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 compares the generation date of the received thick sliced high resolution image, the generation time, the generation date of the medical image stored in the image database 117, and the generation time. To do. Further, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the image types of the medical image attached to the medical image, and determines whether or not the received thick cut high-resolution image matches an arbitrary image storage rule. In the image database 117 according to the embodiment 5-2, since it is a rule not to store a thick sliced medical image, the arithmetic circuit 101 deletes the received thick sliced high resolution image from the image database 117.

  Next, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits the sliced normal image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the transmission of the sliced normal image, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the generation date of the received sliced normal image, the generation time, the generation date of the medical image stored in the image database 117, and the generation time. Furthermore, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the image types of the medical image attached to the medical image to determine whether the received sliced normal image conforms to any image storage rule. In the image database 117 according to the embodiment 5-2, the thin sliced medical image has a rule of storing only the high-resolution image. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 deletes the received thin sliced normal image from the image database 117.

  Finally, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits the sliced high-resolution image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the transmission of the sliced high resolution image, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the generation date and generation time of the received sliced high resolution image with the generation date of the medical image stored in the image database 117 and the generation time. Further, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 determines whether or not the received sliced high-resolution image matches an arbitrary image storage rule. In the image database 117 according to the embodiment 5-2, since it is a rule that thin sliced medical images are stored only in high resolution images, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received thin slice high resolution images in the image database 117.

  In the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to Example 5-2, the sliced high-resolution image is stored in the image database 117 through the process shown in FIG.

(Example 5-3)
The medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 in Example 5-3 collects imaging data using, for example, the chest and head of the subject as imaging targets. The arithmetic circuit 51 in Example 5-3 generates a normal image and a high-resolution image related to the chest and head of the subject based on the collected imaging data. Further, as in the first and second embodiments, the arithmetic circuit 101 in the embodiment 5-3 compares the generation date and the generation time of the medical image attached to the medical image as the auxiliary information. The arithmetic circuit 101 identifies a medical image having the same generation date and generation time as the generation date and generation time of the received medical image from among a plurality of medical images stored in the image database 117.

  In addition, the arithmetic circuit 101 in Example 5-3 compares the name of the protocol that collects the imaging data that is the original of the medical image attached to the medical image as the auxiliary information with the name of the part to be imaged of the subject. Then, it is determined whether the received medical image conforms to an arbitrary image storage rule.

  In FIG. 18, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 reads “chest image (normal and high resolution image, scan data is collected by scan and helical scan (Helical)) → head image (normal and high resolution image, scan and dynamic volume scan). The medical images are transmitted to the medical image storage apparatus 100 in the order of “collecting imaging data by Dynamic-Volume, expressed as Dy-Vol in FIG. 18)”. In FIG. 18, “Rule 1: Protocol name” and “Rule 2: Part name” are set as rules for storing images in an arbitrary image database 117. Rule 1 includes “Protocol 1: Store Scan / High Resolution Image, Helical / High Resolution Image” and “Protocol 2: Store Scan / Normal Image, Store Dynamic Volume / Normal Image”. Rule 2 includes “Store chest / high resolution image” and “Store head / normal image”.

  First, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a chest normal image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After transmitting the normal chest image, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 determines whether the received normal chest image matches any image storage rule. In the image database 117 in Example 5-3, it is assumed that the chest medical image is a rule for storing a high-resolution image generated from imaging data based on the protocol 1, for example. For this reason, the arithmetic circuit 101 deletes the received chest normal image from the image database 117.

  Next, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a chest high resolution image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After transmitting the chest high-resolution image, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 determines whether the received chest high-resolution image matches an arbitrary image storage rule. In the image database 117 in Example 5-3, it is assumed that the chest medical image is a rule for storing a high-resolution image generated from imaging data based on the protocol 1, for example. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received chest high resolution image in the image database 117.

  Next, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits the head normal image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the head normal image is transmitted, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 determines whether the received head normal image matches an arbitrary image storage rule. In the image database 117 in Example 5-3, it is assumed that the head medical image is a rule for storing a normal image generated from imaging data based on the protocol 2, for example. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received head normal image in the image database 117.

  Finally, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits the head high resolution image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the head high-resolution image is transmitted, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 determines whether the received head high-resolution image matches an arbitrary image storage rule. In the image database 117 in Example 5-3, it is assumed that the head medical image is a rule for storing a normal image generated from imaging data based on the protocol 2, for example. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 deletes the received head high resolution image from the image database 117.

  The medical image storage apparatus 100 according to Example 5-3 stores the chest high-resolution image and the head normal image in the image database 117 through the process shown in FIG.

  According to the above configuration, the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the fifth embodiment stores medical images that match any image storage rule in the image database 117. Thereby, the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the fifth embodiment can store medical images more suited to the purpose of use.

(Example 6)
As shown in FIG. 19, the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the sixth embodiment is provided with two image databases 117. One image database 117 stores normal images. The other image database 117 stores high resolution images. In the sixth embodiment, an image storage rule is set for each medical request hospital unit or each hospital medical department. The arithmetic circuit 101 determines a medical image to be stored among medical images transmitted from a medical request hospital or a medical request department of a hospital based on the set image storage rule. The arithmetic circuit 101 sorts and stores the medical images transmitted from the medical requesting hospital or the medical request department of the hospital into the normal resolution image database 117 or the high resolution image database 117.

  Here, it is assumed that the received medical image and a plurality of types of additional information attached to the received medical image are temporarily stored in a memory included in the image database 117. For example, the received normal image and a plurality of types of incidental information attached to the received normal image are temporarily stored in a memory included in the image database 117 for normal resolution. Also, the received high resolution image and a plurality of types of incidental information attached to the received high resolution image are temporarily stored in a memory included in the high resolution image database 117.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of image storage in the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 21 is a table showing image storage rules set in the medical request hospital unit or the medical request department unit stored in the storage circuit 107 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 20, the medical image storage apparatus 100 receives a medical image from each hospital or the department of each hospital in the order of “normal image → high resolution image”. First, a case where a medical image transmitted from A hospital is received in the order of “normal image → high resolution image” will be described.

  The medical image storage apparatus 100 receives a normal image transmitted from A hospital. After receiving the normal image, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 compares the generation date and generation time of the received normal image with the generation date and generation time of the medical image stored in the image database 117, as in the first embodiment. . As a result of the comparison, there are no medical images having the same generation date and generation time as the received normal image in the two image databases 117. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received normal image in the image database 117 for normal resolution.

  Next, the medical image storage apparatus 100 receives the high resolution image transmitted from the hospital A. After receiving the high-resolution image, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 compares the generation date and generation time of the received normal image with the generation date and generation time of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, a normal image having the same generation date and generation time as the received high resolution image exists in the image database 117 for normal resolution. For this reason, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines a medical image to be stored among the received high-resolution image and the specified normal image based on the set image storage rule. As shown in FIG. 21, the arithmetic circuit 101 is set to the capacity priority mode for the medical image transmitted from the hospital A. Since the arithmetic circuit 101 preferentially stores medical images having a low resolution, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines the specified normal image as a medical image to be stored based on the first rule. The arithmetic circuit 101 deletes the received high-resolution image from the high-resolution image database 117 because the medical image to be stored is a normal image that is specified.

  Next, a case where a medical image transmitted from Hospital B is received in the order of “normal image → high resolution image” will be described.

  The medical image storage apparatus 100 receives a normal image transmitted from Hospital B. After receiving the normal image, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 compares the generation date and generation time of the received normal image with the generation date and generation time of the medical image stored in the image database 117, as in the first embodiment. . As a result of the comparison, there are no medical images having the same generation date and generation time as the received normal image in the two image databases 117. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received normal image in the image database 117 for normal resolution.

  Next, the medical image storage apparatus 100 receives a high-resolution image transmitted from Hospital B. After receiving the high-resolution image, the arithmetic operation circuit 101 compares the generation date and generation time of the received normal image with the generation date and generation time of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, a normal image having the same generation date and generation time as the received high resolution image exists in the image database 117 for normal resolution. As shown in FIG. 21, Hospital B is set to the image quality priority mode. For this reason, the arithmetic circuit 101 preferentially stores medical images having a high resolution, and therefore determines the received high resolution image as a medical image to be stored based on the second rule. The arithmetic circuit 101 deletes the specified normal image from the normal resolution image database 117 because the medical image to be stored is a high-resolution image received. Further, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received high resolution image in the high resolution image database 117.

  The flow of image storage for medical images transmitted from each department of Hospital C is substantially the same as the flow of image storage for medical images transmitted from Hospital A and Hospital B, and therefore detailed description thereof is omitted.

  According to the above configuration, the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the sixth embodiment stores the normal image transmitted from the hospital A in the normal resolution image database 117 through the process shown in FIG. In the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the sixth embodiment, the high resolution image transmitted from the hospital B is stored in the high resolution image database 117. The medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the sixth embodiment can prevent redundant storage of medical images handled as the same. Further, the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the sixth embodiment can store a desired medical image in units of medical request hospitals or in units of medical request departments of hospitals.

  In the sixth embodiment, the medical image storage apparatus 100 transmits medical images in the order of “normal image → high resolution image”. However, the medical image storage apparatus 100 is not limited to the sixth embodiment, and may receive medical images in an arbitrary order. For example, the medical image storage apparatus 100 may switch the reception order of the normal image and the high resolution image.

  In the sixth embodiment, the medical image storage apparatus 100 includes an image database 117 for normal resolution and an image database 117 for high resolution. However, the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the sixth embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the sixth embodiment may provide the image database 117 in units of medical care request hospitals or in units of medical care request departments of hospitals.

(Example 7)
Assume that the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the seventh embodiment is an X-ray diagnostic apparatus. The arithmetic circuit 51 according to the seventh embodiment generates a speed-prioritized medical image and an image quality-prioritized medical image. For example, the arithmetic circuit 51 generates an 8-bit medical image (moving image) as a speed-prioritized medical image. In addition, the arithmetic circuit 51 generates a 10-, 12-, or 16-bit medical image as a medical image with priority on image quality. Hereinafter, in the embodiment, an 8-bit medical image (moving image) is referred to as a speed priority image. A 10, 12 or 16-bit medical image is referred to as an image quality priority image.

  In addition, as in the first and second embodiments, the arithmetic circuit 101 according to the seventh embodiment compares the generation date and the generation time of the medical image attached to the medical image as the auxiliary information. The arithmetic circuit 101 identifies a medical image having the same generation date and generation time as the generation date and generation time of the received medical image from among a plurality of medical images stored in the image database 117.

  In addition, the arithmetic circuit 101 according to the seventh embodiment sets the capacity priority mode. In other words, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines a medical image to be stored among the received medical images and the specified medical images based on the first rule that preferentially stores medical images having a low resolution. .

  FIG. 22 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of image storage in the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the seventh embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 22, in the seventh embodiment, for example, in the first image transmission, the speed priority image is transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the transmission of the speed priority image, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the generation date and generation time of the received speed priority image with the generation date and generation time of the medical image stored in the image database 117. There is no medical image in the image database 117. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received speed priority image in the image database 117.

  Further, in the second image transmission, the image quality priority image is transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the transmission of the image quality priority image, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the generation date and generation time of the received image quality priority image with the generation date and generation time of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, a speed priority image having the same generation date and generation time as the received image quality priority image exists in the image database 117. For this reason, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines a medical image to be stored among the received image quality priority image and the identified speed priority image based on the image storage rule. In the seventh embodiment, the image database 117 is set to the capacity priority mode as described above. Since the arithmetic circuit 101 preferentially stores medical images having a low resolution, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines the identified speed priority image as a medical image to be stored based on the first rule. The arithmetic circuit 101 deletes the received image quality priority image from the image database 117 because the medical image to be stored is a speed priority image that has been identified.

  According to the above configuration, the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the seventh embodiment stores the speed priority image in the image database 117 through the process shown in FIG. The medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the seventh embodiment can prevent duplicate storage of image quality priority images that are treated as the same as the speed priority image only with different resolutions for other modalities.

(Example 8)
The medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the eighth embodiment is assumed to be an X-ray diagnostic apparatus as in the seventh embodiment. The arithmetic circuit 51 according to the eighth embodiment generates a speed priority image and an image quality priority image.

  In addition, as in the first and second embodiments, the arithmetic circuit 101 according to the eighth embodiment compares the generation date and the generation time of the medical image attached to the medical image as the auxiliary information. The arithmetic circuit 101 identifies a medical image having the same generation date and generation time as the generation date and generation time of the received medical image from among a plurality of medical images stored in the image database 117.

  In addition, the arithmetic circuit 101 according to the eighth embodiment sets the image quality priority mode. That is, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines a medical image to be stored among the received medical image and the specified medical image based on the second rule that preferentially stores the image quality priority image.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of image storage in the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the eighth embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 23, in the eighth embodiment, for example, in the first image transmission, the speed priority image is transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the transmission of the speed priority image, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the generation date and generation time of the received speed priority image with the generation date and generation time of the medical image stored in the image database 117. There is no medical image in the image database 117. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received speed priority image in the image database 117.

  Further, in the second image transmission, the image quality priority image is transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the transmission of the image quality priority image, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the generation date and generation time of the received image quality priority image with the generation date and generation time of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, a speed priority image having the same generation date and generation time as the received image quality priority image exists in the image database 117. For this reason, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines a medical image to be stored among the received image quality priority image and the identified speed priority image based on the image storage rule. In the eighth embodiment, the arithmetic circuit 101 is set to the image quality priority mode as described above. In order to preferentially store the image quality priority image, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines the identified speed priority image as a medical image to be stored based on the second rule. Since the medical image to be stored is the received image quality priority image, the arithmetic circuit 101 deletes the identified speed priority image from the image database 117 and stores the received image quality priority image in the image database 117.

  According to the above configuration, the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the eighth embodiment stores the image quality priority image in the image database 117 through the process shown in FIG. The medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the eighth embodiment can prevent redundant storage of speed priority images that are treated as being the same as the image quality priority images only with different resolutions for other modalities.

Example 9
The medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the ninth embodiment can also be applied to medical images captured during emergency imaging. In the ninth embodiment, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 generates a medical image based on imaging data collected at the time of emergency imaging. In the following ninth embodiment, a medical image generated based on imaging data collected at the time of emergency imaging is referred to as an emergency image. The medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits an emergency image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. The image database 117 of the medical image storage apparatus 100 stores the received emergency image. At a later date, in the medical image storage apparatus 100, editing of the incidental information attached to the emergency image is performed. For example, the patient ID and the patient name are input by the operator via the input circuit 55. The arithmetic circuit 51 edits the patient ID and the patient name attached to the emergency image based on the input operation by the operator via the input circuit 55. After editing the incidental information, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits an emergency image with the additional information edited to the medical image storage apparatus 100. In the following embodiment 9, an emergency image in which incidental information is edited is referred to as an edited image.

  The medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the ninth embodiment prevents duplicate storage of an emergency image transmitted in the past and an edited image that is treated as the same as the emergency image transmitted in the past only by editing the incidental information. .

  The arithmetic circuit 101 according to the ninth embodiment compares the generation date of the medical image attached to the medical image with the generation time as the auxiliary information. The arithmetic circuit 101 identifies a medical image having the same generation date and generation time as the generation date and generation time of the received medical image from among a plurality of medical images stored in the image database 117.

  In the arithmetic circuit 101 according to the ninth embodiment, as a rule for image storage, a third rule for preferentially storing medical images that are captured during emergency imaging and whose accompanying information is edited is set. In other words, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines a medical image to be stored among the received medical image and the specified medical image based on the third rule.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of image storage in the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the ninth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 24, in the ninth embodiment, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits an emergency image taken at the time of emergency imaging to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the transmission of the emergency image, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the generation date and generation time of the received emergency image with the generation date and generation time of the medical image stored in the image database 117. There is no medical image in the image database 117. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 stores the received emergency image in the image database 117.

  At a later date, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits the edited image to the medical image storage apparatus 100. After the edited image is transmitted, the arithmetic circuit 101 compares the generation date and generation time of the received edited image with the generation date and generation time of the medical image stored in the image database 117. As a result of the comparison, an emergency image having the same generation date and generation time as the received edited image exists in the image database 117. Therefore, the arithmetic circuit 101 determines the received edited image as a medical image to be stored based on the third rule. The arithmetic circuit 101 deletes the identified emergency image from the image database 117 and stores the received edited image in the image database 117 since the medical image to be stored is the received edited image.

  According to the above configuration, the medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the ninth embodiment stores the edited image in the image database 117 through the process shown in FIG. The medical image storage apparatus 100 according to the ninth embodiment can recognize an emergency image whose supplementary information has been edited later as the same emergency image stored at the time of emergency imaging, and prevent duplicate storage. .

(Summary)
As described above, the medical image storage device and the medical image storage system according to the first embodiment include an image storage unit, a reception unit, a specifying unit, a determination unit, and a control unit. The image storage unit stores a plurality of medical images and a plurality of types of incidental information attached to each of the plurality of medical images. The receiving unit receives a medical image generated in the external device and a plurality of types of incidental information attached to the medical image generated in the external device. The specifying unit receives at least one additional information of a plurality of types of additional information attached to the stored medical image and at least one additional information attached to the received medical image. A medical image that can be regarded as the same as the medical image is identified from a plurality of medical images stored in the image storage unit. The determination unit determines a medical image to be stored among the received medical image and the specified medical image based on a rule for image storage in the image storage unit. The control unit stores the determined medical image to be stored in the image storage unit, and deletes the medical image that is not the storage target from the image storage unit.

  With the above configuration, the medical image storage device and the medical image storage system according to the first embodiment can prevent duplicate storage of medical images handled as the same. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the storage capacity of the medical image storage apparatus from becoming tight in a short period of time. The medical image storage device and the medical image storage system according to the first embodiment store medical images in a format that can be used by a medical image processing device or the like that performs post-processing after storage in the medical image storage device. Can do. That is, the medical image storage apparatus and medical image storage system according to the first embodiment can store medical images according to the purpose of use.

  Thus, the medical image storage apparatus and medical image storage system according to the first embodiment can realize efficient storage of medical images.

  In the first embodiment, a medical image having a normal resolution and a medical image having a high resolution are described. However, the medical image storage system according to the first embodiment is not limited to this. The medical image storage system according to the first embodiment is not limited to two medical images of high resolution and normal resolution, and includes, for example, a medium resolution medical image having a resolution between high resolution and normal resolution. A plurality of resolution medical images may be transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 to the medical image storage apparatus 100.

  Further, the medical image having the normal resolution and the medical image having the high resolution are not limited to the image matrix sizes “512” and “1024”, respectively, and include those having a relatively different resolution. The image matrix size may be a square matrix such as “512 × 512”, “1024 × 1024”, etc., or “512 × 256”, “ Non-square matrix such as “1024 × 512” may be used.

  In the first embodiment, the medical image may be erased at an arbitrary timing such as when a duplicate image is received or at a timing suitable for the purpose (for example, it is not erased until they are aligned in series). Further, the medical image to be erased is displayed on the display 103, and the operator selects the medical image to be erased displayed on the display 103 via the input circuit 105. Thereby, the medical image to be erased may be erased.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the medical image storage device 100 of the medical image storage system determines a medical image to be stored among the received medical images and the specified medical images based on the image storage rules. To do. When the medical image to be stored is a received medical image, the medical image storage device 100 deletes the specified medical image from the image database 117 and stores the received medical image in the image database 117. In addition, when the medical image to be stored is a specified medical image, the medical image storage device 100 deletes the received medical image from the image database 117.

  The medical image storage system according to the second embodiment displays the storage status of the medical image in the image database 117 of the medical image storage apparatus 100 on the display 53 of the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 that is the transmission source of the medical image. 25 and 26 are diagrams showing a browsing screen for medical images transmitted to the medical image storage device 100 displayed on the display 53 of the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 25, when the arithmetic circuit 51 of the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 transmits a medical image to be transmitted, transmission of the medical image to be transmitted to the medical image storage apparatus 100 is completed. The transmitted mark M1 indicating that it has been displayed is displayed on the display 53.

  Next, the arithmetic circuit 51 of the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 requests the medical image storage apparatus 100 to notify the storage status of the transmitted medical image. The arithmetic circuit 101 of the medical image storage apparatus 100 transmits the received medical image storage status to the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 in response to a request from the arithmetic circuit 51. For example, when the received medical image is deleted from the image database 117, the arithmetic circuit 101 transmits image deletion information indicating that the received medical image is deleted from the image database 117 to the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1. To do. Further, when the received medical image is replaced with the specified medical image and stored in the image database 117, the arithmetic circuit 101 replaces the received medical image with the specified medical image and stores it in the image database 117. The image replacement information indicating that this has been done is transmitted to the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1.

  The medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 receives at least one of the image erasure information and the image replacement information from the medical image storage apparatus 100. When the arithmetic circuit 51 of the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 receives the image replacement information, the display circuit 53 displays a replacement mark M2 indicating that the transmitted medical image is replaced and stored in the image database 117, as shown in FIG. indicate. On the other hand, when receiving the image erasure information, the arithmetic circuit 51 hides the transmitted mark M1 displayed on the display 53.

  According to the above configuration, the medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment receives a medical image storage status from the medical image storage apparatus 100. The medical image diagnostic apparatus 1 displays a mark corresponding to the storage status of the received medical image on the display 53. Thereby, the medical image diagnosis apparatus 1 side can grasp the storage state of the medical image transmitted to the medical image storage apparatus 100.

  Here, the term `` predetermined processor '' used in the above description is, for example, a dedicated or general-purpose processor, circuit (circuitry), processing circuit (circuitry), operation circuit (circuitry), arithmetic circuit (circuitry), or Application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), programmable logic device (for example, simple programmable logic device (SPLD), complex programmable logic device (CPLD)), and field programmable gate It means an array (FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array), etc. Each component (each processing unit) of the present embodiment is not limited to a single processor, and may be realized by a plurality of processors. In addition, multiple components (multiple processing units) It may be realized by the processor.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, these embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Medical diagnostic imaging apparatus, 10 ... Medical imaging device, 51 ... Arithmetic circuit, 53 ... Display, 55 ... Input circuit, 57 ... Memory circuit, 59 ... Communication circuit, 100 ... Medical image storage apparatus, 101 ... Arithmetic circuit, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 103 ... Display, 105 ... Input circuit, 107 ... Memory circuit, 109 ... Communication circuit, 111 ... Specific function, 113 ... Determination function, 115 ... System control function, 117 ... Image database (image storage part), 200 ... Medical image processing Device, 511 ... Image generation function, 513 ... Image processing function, 515 ... Additional information editing function, 517 ... Additional information display function, 519 ... System control function, BUS ... Bus, M1 ... Sent mark, M2 ... Replacement mark, NW …network.

Claims (20)

An image storage unit for storing a plurality of medical images and a plurality of types of incidental information attached to each of the plurality of medical images;
A receiving unit that receives a medical image generated in an external device and a plurality of types of incidental information attached to the medical image generated in the external device;
The at least one additional information of the plurality of types of additional information attached to the stored medical image is compared with the at least one additional information attached to the received medical image, and the reception is performed. A specifying unit that specifies from among the plurality of medical images stored in the image storage unit a medical image that can be regarded as the same as the medical image that has been performed;
A determination unit that determines a medical image to be stored among the received medical image and the specified medical image based on a rule of image storage in the image storage unit;
A controller that stores the determined medical image to be stored in the image storage unit, and erases a medical image that is not a storage target from the image storage unit;
A medical image storage apparatus comprising:   The specifying unit compares the stored medical image and the at least one supplementary information excluding the SOPUID attached to the received medical image, and determines the medical image that can be regarded as the same to the image storage unit. The medical image storage device according to claim 1, wherein the medical image storage device is specified from among the plurality of stored medical images.   The identification unit identifies a medical image generated based on the same raw data as the received medical image and having at least different resolutions from among the plurality of medical images stored in the image storage unit. 2. The medical image storage device according to 2.   The medical image storage device according to claim 3, wherein the specifying unit compares the generation date and the generation time of the medical image attached to the medical image as the auxiliary information.   The medical image storage apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the specifying unit compares, as the incidental information, a raw data ID attached to raw data that is a source for generating the medical image attached to the medical image. The controller is
When the determined medical image to be stored is the received medical image, the received medical image is stored in the image storage unit and the specified medical image is deleted from the image storage unit,
If the determined medical image to be stored is the specified medical image, the received medical image is deleted from the image storage unit;
The medical image storage apparatus according to claim 1.   When the control unit cannot identify a medical image that can be regarded as the same as the received medical image from the plurality of medical images stored in the image storage unit, the control unit stores the received medical image in the image storage The medical image storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medical image storage apparatus is stored in a unit.   The medical image storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the received medical image and the specified medical image have at least different resolutions.   9. The medical image storage device according to claim 8, wherein the rule for storing images is a first rule for preferentially storing medical images having a low resolution, or a second rule for preferentially storing medical images having a high resolution. .   The medical image storage device according to claim 9, wherein, when the first rule is used, the determination unit determines a medical image having a low resolution as the medical image to be stored that is stored in the image storage unit.   The medical image storage device according to claim 9, wherein when the second rule is used, the determination unit determines a medical image having a high resolution as the medical image to be stored that is stored in the image storage unit.   The determination unit is configured to determine the first rule or the second rule according to the resolution that can be used in a medical image processing apparatus that executes predetermined image processing using the medical image stored in the image storage unit. The medical image storage apparatus according to claim 9, wherein any one of them is used. The received medical image and the identified medical image are medical images captured during emergency imaging,
The medical image storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the received medical image is the specified medical image in which the incidental information is edited after imaging at the time of emergency imaging.   The medical image storage device according to claim 13, wherein the image storage rule is a third rule that preferentially stores a medical image that is captured at the time of emergency imaging and in which the supplementary information is edited.   15. The medical image storage apparatus according to claim 14, wherein, when the third rule is used, the determination unit determines the received medical image as the medical image to be stored that is stored in the image storage unit.   The determining unit is configured to store a medical image to be stored among the received medical image and the specified medical image based on a rule of image storage in the image storage unit arbitrarily set by an operator. The medical image archiving apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the medical image is determined.   Image erasure information indicating that the received medical image is erased from the image storage unit, and indicates that the received medical image is stored in the image storage unit in place of the specified medical image The medical image storage apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a transmission unit that transmits image replacement information to the external apparatus that is a transmission source of the received medical image. A medical image diagnostic apparatus that generates a medical image; and a medical image storage apparatus that receives the medical image generated by the medical image diagnostic apparatus and stores the medical image,
The medical image storage device includes:
An image storage unit for storing a plurality of medical images and a plurality of types of incidental information attached to each of the plurality of medical images;
A receiving unit that receives a medical image transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus and a plurality of types of incidental information attached to the medical image transmitted from the medical image diagnostic apparatus;
The at least one additional information of the plurality of types of additional information attached to the stored medical image is compared with the at least one additional information attached to the received medical image, and the reception is performed. A specifying unit that specifies from among the plurality of medical images stored in the image storage unit a medical image that can be regarded as the same as the medical image that has been performed;
A determination unit that determines a medical image to be stored among the received medical image and the specified medical image based on a rule of image storage in the image storage unit;
A controller that stores the determined medical image to be stored in the image storage unit, and erases a medical image that is not a storage target from the image storage unit;
A medical image storage system. The medical image storage device replaces the received medical image with image identification information indicating that the received medical image has been deleted from the image storage unit, and the received medical image with the specified medical image. A transmission unit that transmits image replacement information indicating that the medical image is stored to the medical image diagnostic apparatus that is a transmission source of the received medical image;
The medical image diagnostic apparatus comprises:
A receiving unit for receiving at least one of the image erasure information and the image replacement information from the medical image storage device;
When the transmitted mark indicating that the transmission of the medical image to be transmitted to the medical image storage device has been completed is displayed and the image replacement information is received, the transmitted medical image is replaced and the image storage is performed. A display unit for displaying a replacement mark indicating that the unit has been stored in the unit;
The medical image storage system according to claim 18.   The display unit, when receiving the image erasure information and displaying the transmitted mark corresponding to the medical image to be transmitted, hides the corresponding transmitted mark. Item 20. The medical image storage system according to Item 19.