JP3149071B2 - How to display medical images - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display method for dividing and displaying a medical image. 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a medical image management system has been introduced in the medical industry in which medical images are digitized and easily searched anytime and anywhere by anyone. At this time, it is desired that a series of images photographed for each patient be divided and displayed on a screen in association with each medically significant image attribute (for example, type).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a doctor inputs diagnostic conditions and selects one examination, images taken of the affected part of a patient are sequentially displayed on a CRT.
The diagnosis is displayed on the display. At this time, generally, about 20 images are generated by an X-ray CT scanner in one inspection, and MRI is performed.
(Each magnetic resonance apparatus) image may generate 100 images.

[0003] These images are sequentially generated one by one by CR.
In this case, the image is displayed on the screen T, or the image is sequentially displayed in a fixedly divided portion in the order of image generation.

[0004]

If conventional images are displayed on a CRT one by one in the order in which they are generated, it is necessary to watch carefully until a desired image is reached. There is a problem that the display cannot show the change before and after.

[0005] In addition, if images are displayed in the order in which the images are fixedly divided on the screen in the order of occurrence, the images are not displayed in a medically meaningful order, and there is a problem that it is difficult to see. These issues are summarized below.

(1) It is not possible to grasp the entire image for each inspection. (2) The order in which images are displayed is the order of occurrence, and is medically discontinuous. (3) Instead of diagnosing only one image, it is necessary to compare images before and after the slice, and the images to be compared are not displayed simultaneously in a medically meaningful order.

[0007] The present invention solves these problems,
Images taken for each examination are classified and sorted according to medically meaningful image attributes (for example, types), and the screen is dynamically divided according to the number of images and displayed for each image attribute. It is intended to facilitate the diagnosis by displaying the whole image of each of the images in order of medically significant image attributes in good order at a glance.

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a sort process 4 sorts and sorts a plurality of images taken in one examination by medically meaningful image attributes (for example, types).

The screen dividing process 5 divides a screen for each image attribute according to the number of a plurality of images photographed in one inspection. The image display processing 6 displays an image having a corresponding image attribute on each portion obtained by dividing the screen for each image attribute.

[0010]

According to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of images photographed in one examination by the sorting process 4 are classified into medically significant image attributes (for example, types T1 and T2 ). The screen is divided according to the number of a plurality of images photographed in one examination by the screen dividing process 5 , and the screen is divided for each of the image attributes T1 and T2 , and the image display process 6 divides the screen into each portion divided for each image attribute. , Display the image of the corresponding image attribute,
A plurality of images taken by the inspection, is an image attribute on the screen
The display is made in order in the portion divided for each of T1 and T2 .

At this time, the sorting process 4 sorts a plurality of images photographed in one examination in the order of photographing or photographing position for each image attribute. Therefore, images taken for each examination are classified and sorted according to medically significant image attributes (eg, types), and the screen is dynamically divided according to the number of images and displayed for each image attribute. This makes it possible to display the whole image of one examination in order for each medically significant image attribute to facilitate diagnosis.

[0012]

Next, the structure and operation of an embodiment of the present invention will be sequentially described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of the present invention. FIG.
The diagnostic apparatus 1 is an apparatus for photographing an affected part of a patient, and is, for example, an X-ray CT scanner, an MRI (nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus), or the like. Images captured by the diagnostic apparatus 1 are assigned image numbers in the order of generation (imaging order) as shown in FIG. 3A described later, and are collected and stored as image data 7 for each examination.

The medical image management system 2 stores an image for each examination taken by the diagnostic apparatus 1 as image data 7 or stores a plurality of images for each examination in response to a search condition input from the keyboard 10. Classification is performed for each type that is a medically meaningful image attribute, and the image is divided and displayed on the screen in order (photographing order or position order) for each type. It is composed of storage 3, sort processing 4, screen division processing 5, image display processing 6, and the like.

The image collection / storage 3 assigns image numbers in the order of occurrence to a plurality of images taken for each examination taken from the affected part of the patient by the diagnostic device 1 and stores image attributes such as medically significant types and locations. Together, they are stored as image data 7.

In the sorting process 4, a plurality of images of each patient taken out of the image data 7 for each examination which match the search condition input from the keyboard 10 are classified by type and the order of photographing, photographing position, etc. (See FIG. 2). The following description is based on the type of image as the image attribute.

The screen division processing 5 divides the screen for each type according to the number of a plurality of images for each inspection (see FIG. 4). The image display processing 6 displays a corresponding image on each part on the screen divided for each type by the screen division processing 5 (see FIG. 3C and FIG. 5).

The image data 7 is obtained by adding image attributes such as an image number, a type, and a location to a plurality of images for each examination taken by the diagnostic apparatus 1 and storing the images. The display 8 displays a screen 9.

The screen 9 is for displaying a plurality of images for each inspection by dividing the images for each type. The keyboard 10 is used for key input of various data, characters, and the like. Here, the keyboard 10 is used to input search conditions for the image data 7.

Next, the operation of the configuration of FIG. 1 will be described in detail according to the order shown in the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 2, S1 gives a photographing instruction. In this case, the operator inputs imaging conditions from the keyboard 11 or the like, and instructs, for example, the imaging of an X-ray tomographic image of the affected part of the patient by the X-ray CT scanner device, which is the diagnostic device 1 in FIG.

In step S2, a photograph is taken. In step S3, the imaging data is transferred. This is performed by transferring the image of FIG. 3A together with the image attributes, such as the image number, type, and location assigned to the images in the order of generation of the images obtained in S2 and obtained in S2, as the image data 7. I do.

In step S4, it is determined whether or not the image has been shot.
If YES, the process ends. If NO, S2,
S3 is repeated. A search condition is input from the keyboard 10 of the medical image management system 2 to obtain a desired image.

In step S5, the types are classified. This is done by classifying the type of the image stored in S3, for example, T
1. Classify the image for each type of T2. Here, for example, T2: image numbers 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 T1: image numbers 9, 7, 5, 3, 1 are classified.

In step S6, sorting is performed. This sorts in ascending or descending order for each type classified in S5. S7 is
Split the screen. This involves dividing the screen according to the number of images of each type sorted in S6 (described later with reference to FIG. 4).

In step S8, various images are displayed in each division. This is because the screen is divided by type in S7,
The images of the corresponding type are displayed in a predetermined order (the order of photographing or the position of photographing) (described later with reference to FIGS. 5 and 3C).

As described above, a plurality of images for each examination are classified into medically significant types, sorted in the order of photographing or photographing position, and divided on the screen for each type. Display in order. As a result, it is possible to dynamically divide and display on the screen according to the number of images for each type that is medically significant, and in a related order such as the order of imaging and the order of imaging. Can be observed as a whole, and the medically meaningful image can be observed before and after.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the present invention. FIG.
(A) shows an example of an image. This is an example of an image when a patient is placed on a bed and imaged by a nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus as shown in FIG. Here, the image numbers are assigned as 10, 9,. At the same time, the T1, T2 type and location notified from the nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus are added as attribute information to the image and stored according to the illustration as shown. Here, T1 represents a time constant required to return to a state of thermal equilibrium with the surrounding environment after the spin system is excited.

T2 represents the time constant of the rate at which transverse magnetization decays due to the mutual action of nuclear spins. As shown in FIG. 6, the location is position information sequentially assigned as 12, 13,...

FIG. 3B shows an example of sorting. This is obtained by classifying the images of FIG. 3A by type T2 and T1, and then sorting them in descending order. here,
The result is as shown below.

T2: 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 T1: 9, 7, 5, 3, 1 FIG. 3C shows a display example. This is shown in FIG.
Here, the screen is divided into two in the vertical direction for each of the sorted types T2 and T1, and further divided in the horizontal direction by the number of images, and the images are displayed in descending order of the location in each divided portion.

As shown in the display example of FIG. 3C, the image for each inspection is dynamically divided and displayed in descending order of location for each type T2 and T1, and the image for each inspection is displayed. For each type that is medically significant, and for each type, it is possible to display in the order of medically relevant locations. Thus, the doctor can make an efficient diagnosis while viewing the entire image of one examination on the screen and comparing the front and rear relations.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for dividing a screen according to the present invention. In FIG. 4, S11 divides the vertical direction by the number of types. For example, in the case of the image for each inspection shown in FIG. 3A, there are two types, T2 and T1, so that the screen is divided into two in the vertical direction (see FIG. 7A).

In step S12, each different screen is divided into squares (or rectangles). This is divided into two squares, for example, as shown in FIG. In step S13, it is determined whether all the images of the type can be displayed. For example, in the case of the image shown in FIG. 3A, since there are five images of type T2 and five images of type T1, both images cannot be displayed here, and the result is NO. FIG. 7 with the number of divisions + 1
As shown in (b) of FIG. Then, similarly, the division into squares in the horizontal direction in S12 is repeated. On the other hand, in the case of YES in S13, since all the images can be displayed in each part divided into squares for each type on the screen, the screen division ends.

As described above, in the case of the image example of FIG. 3A, there are two types T2 and T1, so the first time, as shown in FIG. T1 2
7 and the horizontal direction is divided into two squares. In the second time, as shown in FIG.
Is divided into two parts and four parts into squares in the horizontal direction. In this case, images can be displayed respectively.
End the screen division. Then, as shown in FIG. 7 (b-1), the images of the type corresponding to each portion divided on the screen are displayed in the order of location as shown in the drawing. When the image cannot be displayed in the divided portion on the screen even in the second time, it is necessary to further divide the image into three in the vertical direction and six in the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. Repeat until can be displayed. Thus, it is possible to dynamically divide the screen according to the number of images of each type for each examination, and to sort and display the images in a medically relevant order such as an imaging order or an imaging position order for each type.

FIG. 5 shows an image display flowchart of the present invention. This is a procedure in a case where an image is displayed in association with each part of each type that is dynamically divided according to the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 5, in step S21, one image is taken from the top of the sorted images. This is to take out one top image 10 sorted by type, for example, sorted by type T2 in FIG. 3B.

In step S22, assignment is made to an unassigned position from the upper left. This is, for example, the type T2 on the screen of FIG.
Are assigned to unassigned positions from the upper left of the image (the first image 10 of the type T2 is assigned to the unassigned position shown in the upper left of the screen).

In S23, it is determined whether or not the processing is completed. If yes, it ends. If NO, the next image is extracted in S24, and S22 is performed. As described above, the corresponding images are sequentially allocated from the upper left for each type of the screen divided in the flowchart of FIG. 4 and displayed. As a result, for example, as shown in the display example of FIG. 3C, the data is displayed at the divided positions on the screen in the descending order of the location for each type.

FIG. 6 shows an example of photographing an image according to the present invention. Here, the patient is placed on a bed as shown in the figure, and is sequentially transported to the gantry, and a tomographic image is taken by a nuclear magnetic resonance apparatus. This shooting position is shown in the locations 11, 1
2. Photographing is sequentially performed in association with the positions of 20.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining division of a screen according to the present invention. This is an example of screen division according to the flowchart of FIG. Here, the solid line represents division for each type, and the dotted line represents division within the type.

FIG. 7A shows an example of the first screen division. This is because when the type is two in T11 and T2 in S11 of FIG. 4 (in the case of the image example of FIG. 3A), the vertical direction of the screen is divided into two, and then in S12 An example in which the screen is divided into two squares is shown. In the division of FIG. 7A, since the image of each type shown in FIG. 3A is not included, the process proceeds to FIG. 7B.

FIG. 7B shows a second example of screen division. This shows an example in which the number of divisions in the vertical direction is incremented by 1 in S14 of FIG. 4 and divided into two here for each type, and then the various screens are divided into four squares in S12. Since the image of each type shown in FIG. 3A is included in the division shown in FIG.
(B-1).

FIG. 7 (b-1) shows an example in which the contents are displayed sequentially from the upper left. This is shown on the screen of FIG.
Images 10, sorted in descending order of location by type T2,
The images 9, 7, 5, 3, and 1 sorted in descending order of location by 8, 6, 4, 2, and type T1 are displayed in order from the upper left.

FIG. 7C shows a third example of screen division. This is because if the image does not fit even in the division of FIG. 7B, the number of divisions in the vertical direction is further increased by 1 in S14 of FIG. 4 and divided into three here for each type. Is divided into six squares. If no image is included even in the horizontal division 6, the vertical division and the horizontal division are further repeated until the image is entered, and the screen is dynamically divided.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Images taken for each examination are classified and sorted according to medically meaningful types, and the screen is divided according to the number of images and displayed for each type. Images can be displayed in order for each type that is medically meaningful to facilitate diagnosis. Thereby, (1) The whole image of one inspection can be grasped.

(2) Since the images displayed on the screen are grouped by medically meaningful types, it is possible to easily grasp how the images change. (3) Since the images of each type displayed on the screen are in a medically meaningful order (order of occurrence, order of imaging position), it is easy to observe the images by comparing the context.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a screen division flowchart of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an image display flowchart of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a photographing example of an image of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of division of a screen according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Diagnostic device 2: Medical image management system 3: Image collection and storage 4: Sorting process 5: Screen splitting process 6: Image display process 7: Image data 8: Display 9: Screen 10, 11: Keyboard

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-297242 (JP, A) JP-A-62-253043 (JP, A) JP-A-63-229040 (JP, A) 38564 (JP, A) Hikaru 2-149456 (JP, U) JP 4-60533 (JP, B2)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A display method of displaying by dividing the medical image, for a plurality of images taken by first inspection, Oh image attribute
And a time constant T1 required to return to a state of thermal equilibrium with the surrounding environment after the spin system is excited , and a time constant T2 of a rate at which transverse magnetization attenuates due to mutual magnetic action of nuclear spins. and sorting process for sorting each said T1 and every T2, according to the number of the plurality of images taken by the first inspection, and the screen division processing for dividing the screen into T1 and each T2 is an image attribute, the image image of these screens each part obtained by dividing for each attribute, and an image display processing for displaying an image of the corresponding image attribute, said plurality of images taken by first inspection, the portion divided before each SL image attribute on the screen sorting A method for displaying medical images, characterized in that the images are displayed in the specified order. 2. The medical image display according to claim 1, wherein a sorting process is provided for sorting a plurality of images taken in one examination in the order of photographing or photographing position for each image attribute. Method.