JP3535199B2 - Image database system and database device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a database device for storing image data generated by a medical modality. The present invention also relates to an image database system including the database device and a terminal device for displaying an image sent from the database device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a medical examination in a clinical setting, when image data generated in the medical examination is stored in a file device and the image data is displayed on a display screen of a terminal device, for example, a patient name or Images are often specified from a list display of text data (character information) such as creation numbers.

On the other hand, a reduced image (also referred to as a multi-frame image) may be used for selecting image data. This is to display a list of images obtained by reducing the original image of the image data on the display screen of the terminal device, and directly specify the reduced image to call and display the original image of the image data.

Compared with the above-described image data selection method using text data, the image selection method using reduced images allows the contents of the image data to be visually confirmed not as characters but as an image, so that the characteristics of the target image data can be determined. There is an advantage that it can be grasped in advance and the image data can be efficiently selected.

Generally, the reduced image is created by a predetermined algorithm for image processing. That is, this reduced image is created by thinning out (or interpolating) the pixels (pixels) of the original image so as to reduce the size to a predetermined size.

Further, the time of creating the reduced image is (1): an arbitrary time, regardless of the image request such as image reference.
(2): There is a request for image reference from the terminal device, or the like.

In the case of (1), the created reduced image is connected to a file control device (database device) or the like in the same manner as the original image. An image management mechanism (predetermined program) that manages the original image and then stores the original image (for example, transfer, delete, sort, etc.) and links (for example, when deleting the original image, the reduced image Will also be managed).

In the case of (2), the reduced image is created in response to the image request from the terminal device, and is transferred to the terminal device after the creation is completed.

[0009]

However, in the case of the above (1), since the reduced image is stored and managed by the file control device in the same manner as the original image, a storage area for storing the reduced image separately from the original image is provided. It was necessary to secure it in the external storage device. At the same time, an image management mechanism for managing the relationship between the original image and the reduced image is also required, which causes a problem of a complicated configuration.

In the case of the above (2), since a reduced image is created when the terminal device refers to the original image (image data) of the file control device, only the time required for the creating process is requested from the image request. There was a problem that the waiting time (access time) before displaying was prolonged. Especially when the number of image data to be referred to is large (for example, when all the original images of a patient are referred to), the reduced images are created for the number of original images, so it is difficult to display the images even if requested. There was an inconvenience.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and a reduced image creating system which efficiently creates a reduced image for image selection and improves the efficiency of image data reference work. The purpose is to provide.

[0012]

To achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 1 provides a database device for storing image data generated by a medical modality, and a communicably connected database device, In an image database system including a terminal device that displays an image based on the image data transferred from the database device, the database device, storage means for storing the image data of the original image generated by the medical modality, The reduced image creating means for creating a plurality of reduced image data related to the original image and the reduced image data created by the reduced image creating means are temporarily stored in response to a transfer request of the original image received from the terminal device. a temporary storage means for storing in the image data of the transfer request original image, serial in the temporary storage means And a transfer means for transferring the reduced image data obtained by the terminal device, the terminal device includes display means for displaying the image data of the original image that has been transferred by said transfer means, it has been transferred by the transfer means And a list display means for displaying a list of the reduced image data,
The reduced image creating means includes means for instructing transfer of an image designated from the reduced images displayed by the list display means from the database device.
The reduced image is displayed while the original image is displayed by the display means.
It is characterized by creating an image .

The present invention according to claim 4 stores image data generated by a medical modality, and is configured to be communicable with a terminal device which displays an image based on the transferred image data. In the database device, storage means for storing the image data of the original image generated by the medical modality, and the requested image data of the original image in response to the transfer request of the original image received from the terminal device, to the terminal device. First transfer means for transferring, and the first
After the transfer by the transfer means, the original image is displayed on the terminal device.
Reduced image creating means for creating a plurality of reduced image data related to the patient of the original image while being displayed, and temporary storage means for temporarily storing the reduced image data created by the reduced image creating means And secondly transferring the reduced image data stored in the temporary storage means to the terminal device.
A transfer means is provided.

[0014]

[0015]

According to the present invention, when a transfer request for an original image is made, a reduced image is created and the original image and the reduced image are transferred, so that the reduced image can be created efficiently. Further, in the work of observing (interpreting) medical image data, the efficiency of diagnosing a patient can be improved and the diagnosis time can be shortened.

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

[0021]

[0022]

[0023]

[0024]

[0025]

[0026]

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that this one example was carried out for endoscopic examination.

First, the outline of the endoscopic examination will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the patient undergoes an endoscopic examination after being booked (for example, one week before) and accepted (the previous day or the same day). At this time, patient-specific information (patient name, patient number, etc.), examination information (date, device name, etc.), examination doctor name, etc. are registered in the endoscope data system, and an external storage device (magnetic disk device, etc.) is registered. Filed in.

Image data is generated by the endoscopic device by the endoscopic examination, and the image data is temporarily stored in the external storage device together with the supplementary information (patient-specific information, examination information, diagnostic information). At this time, a part of the living body is taken by forceps or the like from a region of interest to the doctor who is operating the endoscope while looking at the monitor screen (biopsy). If there is an affected area, a photograph of the affected area is also taken. When the endoscopic examination is completed, the recorded image is usually reproduced, and a part or all of the examination result is explained to the patient. In particular, if there is no disease, the examination ends at this stage.

A part of the collected living body is sent to a pathological examination, and the examination result becomes clear after a certain period. The examination result is written into the lesion site item or pathological examination item of the examination data (image data and incidental information) temporarily stored in the external storage device at an appropriate time. Similarly, the findings of the doctor are added and the findings in the examination data are filled.

On the other hand, although there is a suspicion of illness, there is a case where the conclusion cannot be reached only by the endoscopic examination and it is necessary to make a comprehensive diagnosis in comparison with the results of other examinations. in this case,
Usually a conference is held. In other words, a large number of doctors participate and the examination is conducted on the basis of the collected test results to give a comprehensive diagnosis result. This period varies depending on the hospital. This comprehensive diagnosis result is also added to the inspection data of the external storage device at an appropriate time.

When the test results are collected in this way, an interview with the patient is held and the medical condition is explained. In parallel with this, the inspection data is transferred / recorded and stored in a mass storage device such as a magneto-optical disk at an appropriate time.

In this embodiment, the work of observing (interpreting) the image data generated in the endoscopic examination immediately after the examination (for example, when explaining the patient in FIG. 6) is carried out.

FIG. 1 shows an example of an endoscope data system in which the reduced image creating system according to the present invention is integrally mounted.

The reduced image creation system 1 can be mounted on any of the components (described below) in the endoscope data system, and functionally creates a reduced image as shown in FIG. A determination command unit 2 (which constitutes the determination means of the present invention) that determines the time and commands the creation process, and the determination command unit 2
By specifying a creation processing unit 3 (which constitutes the creating means of the present invention) that creates a reduced image based on a predetermined algorithm related to image processing in response to a command from the It has a data management unit 4 (which constitutes the data management means of the present invention) which manages the reduced image so that the original image can be accessed and deletes the reduced image which is no longer necessary for image observation (interpretation) work. . These functional units can be processed in parallel (parallel) with data processing (transfer, etc.) of each component of the endoscope data system 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscopic data system 5 includes an endoscopic modality 6 for producing endoscopic image data.
(The reduced image creating system 1 of the present invention is incorporated), an endoscope data file system 7 for recording and storing this image data, and an endoscope workstation 8 for displaying this image data. Each of these components is
Connected for communication.

The endoscopic modality 6 includes an endoscopic device 9 for generating image data, and a control device 10 (which incorporates the reduced image creating system 1 of the present invention) for controlling a process of creating a reduced image. ing.

The endoscope device 9 has a predetermined configuration such as an image pickup unit such as an electronic scope (not shown), a control unit, an operation unit, and a recording unit (internal memory, magnetic disk device, etc.) for recording image data, and the like. Can be photographed and recorded, and the image data thereof can be output to the endoscope data file system 7.

The control device 10 is the reduced image creating system 1
This system 1 has a built-in
When the image data is captured and recorded by the endoscope device 9, the determination command unit 2 determines that it is time to create a reduced image and issues a command, and the creation processing unit 3 creates a reduced image, This reduced image is recorded in the recording unit of the endoscope device 9, and thereafter,
The data management unit 4 can manage data such as access. For example, if 20 original images were taken and recorded at the end of the examination, the same number of reduced images would be created and recorded at this point.

The endoscope data file system 7 is a CP
File controller 12 having U11 and examination data of each patient (consisting of image data and incidental information: see FIG. 2)
A magnetic disk device 13 and a magneto-optical disk device 14 for storing the data, and an input / output device 15.

The file controller 12 processes the examination data of each patient by the processing of the CPU 11 into the magnetic disk device 1.
3 and the magneto-optical disk device 14, the stored data can be read out and output to the endoscope workstation 8.

The magnetic disk device 13 and the magneto-optical disk device 14 are selectively used according to their characteristics (long access time, large storage capacity). That is, the inspection data obtained from the endoscope device during the inspection is temporarily stored in the magnetic disk device 13. Since this inspection data is likely to be accessed frequently thereafter and is likely to be added or changed, the inspection data is stored in the magnetic disk device 13 which has a short access time because it is desired to be processed quickly even in view of work efficiency. It On the other hand, the inspection data, for which necessary additions and changes have been completed, have a low possibility of future access, but are transferred and stored in the magneto-optical disk device 14 because they need to be stored in the future.

The endoscope workstation 8 has a CPU 1
6, and a magnetic disk device 18 for temporarily storing inspection data including image data.

The terminal device 17 stores the inspection data of the endoscope data file system 7 in the magnetic disk device 18 connected to the terminal device 17 by the processing of the CPU 16, while reading the stored data and displaying it on the display screen. It can be displayed.

Next, the overall operation will be described with reference to FIG.

First, it is assumed that the image data of the patient A is photographed by the endoscope device 9. This shooting time =
When the process ends at T1 (or T3), the original image of the image data is recorded in the recording unit (not shown) of the endoscope device. At this time = T1, the determination command unit 2 in the reduced image creation system 1 issues a command to the creation processing unit 3, and the creation processing unit 3 creates a reduced image. This creation is time = T2 (or T4)
At the end, the reduced image is recorded in the recording unit (not shown) of the endoscope device 9. The process of creating and recording the reduced image is performed in parallel with the process of recording the original image. For example,
If 20 original images of image data are taken and recorded for the examination of the patient A, at the end of the examination of the patient A, the same number of 20 reduced images as the original images are created and recorded.

Next, when the examination of the patient A is completed, the reduced image created by the reduced image creating system 1 is sent from the endoscope device 9 to the file controller 12 together with the original image. Is temporarily stored in the magnetic disk device 13 by the processing of the CPU 11.

After that, the original image and the reduced image of the patient A are
When the terminal device 17 requests the image data of the patient A from the file control device 12, the image data is sent from the magnetic disk device 13 to the terminal device 7 by the processing of the CPU 11 of the file control device 12.

Next, the original image and reduced image of patient A are
By the processing of the CPU 16 of the terminal device 17, the terminal device 17
Is temporarily stored in the magnetic disk device 18 connected to the.

After that, the terminal device 17 displays a list of reduced images of the patient A, selects an image from the list, and displays the entire image of the original image.

When the user's observation work is completed by repeating the above-described series of processing, the original image of the patient A becomes the terminal device 17.
Is transferred to the file control device 12 and stored in the magneto-optical disk device 14. Further, the reduced image of the patient A is not transferred from the terminal device 17 to the file control device 12,
To be deleted.

Since the above-described processing for creating a reduced image is carried out in the spare time of the examination, the user can access the already created reduced image at high speed when requesting a list of reduced images for image selection. , Can be displayed. Therefore, the diagnosis time required for the endoscopic examination is shortened. Also, since the reduced image is deleted after the observation work of the image data is completed, it is not necessary to set a storage area for storing the reduced image in the magneto-optical disk device, and only the minimum necessary image data is efficiently stored. become able to. Moreover, an image management mechanism (predetermined program) for linking and processing the original image and the reduced image is not required, so that the reduced image can be managed with a simple configuration.

Next, a first modification of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Observation of image data by the terminal device 17 (interpretation)
In the work to perform, there is a case where the examination data received in the past of a certain patient is transferred from the endoscope data file system 7 to the endoscope workstation 8 in advance (at the time of explaining the patient in FIG. 6 or at the patient interview). . For example, immediately before the endoscopic examination, when referring to past (previous) examination data for a patient scheduled to perform the examination, when the examination data is transferred on the day before the endoscopic examination (at the time of explaining the patient in FIG. 6). ).

In the first modification, the reduced image creating system 1 according to the present invention is integrally mounted on the endoscope workstation 8 of the endoscope data system 5 in the above-mentioned business.

In this case, the judgment command unit 2 of the reduced image creating system 1 built in the terminal device 17 in the endoscope workstation 8 outputs the original image of the image data to the magneto-optical disk device 14 (file controller 12). When it is transferred from the connection) to the magnetic disk device 18 (connected to the terminal device 17), it is determined that it is time to create a reduced image, and the creation processing is instructed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the original image of the image data photographed and recorded in the endoscopic examination is transferred to the file controller 12 and stored in the magneto-optical disk device 14 in advance.

Here, the terminal device 17 requests the file control device 12 to display the image data, and the file control device 12 sends the original image of the image data to the terminal device 17.

The terminal device 17 receives this original image, temporarily stores the original image in the magnetic disk device 18 each time the reception of the original image is completed (time = T5 or T7), and in parallel with this processing. A command is issued from the determination command unit 2 of the reduced image creation system 1 to the creation processing unit 3. In response to this command, the creation processing unit 3 creates a reduced image of the original image, and temporarily stores the reduced image in the magnetic disk device 18 each time the creation is completed (time = T6 or T8). For example, if 20 original images of image data are transferred from the file control device 12 to the terminal device 17, after the transfer is completed, the same number of reduced images as the original images are created, and the magnetic disk device 18 ( (Connected to the terminal device 17).

After that, the user requests the image data from the terminal device 17 at an appropriate time (when observing the image data). At this point in time, since the reduced images that have already been created are stored in the magnetic disk device 18, the reduced images are accessed at high speed on the screen of the terminal device 17 at the same time as the image request, and are displayed in a list. When an image is selected from the reduced images displayed in this list, the reduced image creating system 1
The original image stored in the magnetic disk device 13 is accessed and displayed by the data management unit 4 of FIG.

When the user's observation work is completed by repeating the above series of processing, the reduced image temporarily stored in the magnetic disk device 18 by the data management section 5 of the reduced image creating system 1 is deleted (note that , The original image is stored in the magneto-optical disk device 14).

Since the above-described reduced image creation processing is performed during the idle time for each image transfer, the user can access and display the reduced image at high speed. For example, since it is possible to set the transfer process to be performed in the background of the creation process, the time required to create the reduced image in this case does not matter so much that it can be ignored from the user's perspective. . Therefore, the diagnosis time required for the endoscopic examination is shortened.

Further, since the reduced image is deleted after the observation work of the image data is completed, it is not necessary to set a storage area for storing the reduced image in the magneto-optical disk device, and only the minimum necessary image data is stored. You will be able to save efficiently. Moreover, an image management mechanism (predetermined program) for linking and processing the original image and the reduced image is not required, so that the reduced image can be managed with a simple configuration.

Next, a second modification will be described.

The second modification is when observing a plurality of image data of a patient, and when the terminal device 17 first requests one original image of the file control device 12,
This is the case when a reduced image is created for the original image (including the subsequently requested original image) related to the patient.

In the second modification, the reduced image creating system 1 according to the present invention is integrally mounted on the endoscope data file system 7 of the endoscope data system 5 in the above-mentioned business. .

In this case, the judgment command section 2 of the reduced image creating system 1 incorporated in the file control device 12 in the endoscope data file system 7 designates a patient from the terminal device 17 and sends the image data of this patient. When only one of them is transferred to the terminal device 17, it is determined that it is time to create a reduced image, and a command to reduce all original images of the patient is set. Upon receipt of the instruction from the determination instruction unit 2, the creation processing unit 3 creates all the reduced images of the target patient, and after the creation is completed, the created reduced images are transferred to the terminal device 17 by the data management unit 4. .

For example, it is assumed that the original image of the image data photographed and recorded by the endoscope device 6 is transferred to the file control device 12 and already stored in the magneto-optical disk device 14 of the file control device 12.

Here, the terminal device 17 issues a request for displaying image data of a patient to the file controller 12. When the file control device 12 receives this request and transfers one original image of the image data to the terminal device 17, the terminal device 17 receives the original image and displays it on the screen.

After that, while the user is observing this one image, processing of the terminal device 17 (observation work of the user)
In parallel with this, the judgment command unit 2 of the reduced image creation system 1 built in the file control device 12 issues a command to the creation processing unit 3. In response to this instruction, the creation processing unit 3 creates a reduced image of all original images of the requested patient, and temporarily stores this reduced image in the magnetic disk device 13. When this process ends, the file control device 12 moves the terminal device 1
The created reduced image is transferred to 7.

When the terminal device 17 receives the reduced image,
This reduced image is temporarily stored in the magnetic disk device 18 and displayed as a list on the screen. When an image is designated from the reduced images displayed in this list (for example, the image number),
The file controller 12 accesses the original image designated by the data management unit 4 of the reduced image creating system 1.
Be instructed to. In response to this instruction, the file control device 1
When the original image designated by 2 is transferred to the terminal device 17, the terminal device 17 receives the original image and displays it on the screen.

When the user's observation work is completed by repeating the above-described series of processing, the reduced image temporarily stored in the magnetic disk device 13 (connected to the file control device 12) is instructed by the data management unit 4. Deleted (that is,
It is not stored in the magneto-optical disk device 14).

Since the above-described processing for creating a reduced image is performed while the terminal device is observing the image, the time required for creating the reduced image does not matter to the user. Therefore, the diagnosis time required for the endoscopic examination is shortened.

Further, since the reduced image is deleted after the observation work of the image data is completed, it is not necessary to set a storage area for storing the reduced image in the magneto-optical disk device, and only the minimum necessary image data is stored. You will be able to save efficiently. Moreover, an image management mechanism (predetermined program) for linking and processing the original image and the reduced image is not required, so that the reduced image can be managed with a simple configuration.

Next, a third modification will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b).

In the third modified example, as in the second modified example, the reduced image creating system 1 according to the present invention is integrally mounted on the endoscope data file system 7.

In this case, the reduced image creating system 1 which is integrally mounted on the file controller 12 in the endoscope data file system 7 creates a reduced image when the disc in the magneto-optical disc device 14 is mounted. The judgment command unit 2 is set so as to judge that it is time to issue a preparation command. Further, the creation processing unit 3 is set so that the number of reduced images to be created is one for each patient (for example, the first image data of a plurality of image data taken), and
As shown in FIG. 5A, the created reduced image is transferred to a terminal device as a part of a patient directory (text data) for image management, and the reduced image is connected to a magnetic disk device (connected to the terminal device). ), The data management unit 4 is also set to be temporarily stored in.

In this way, the reduced image creation system 1 is set
As shown in FIG. 5B, the terminal device 17 is
Displays the reduced image as part of the patient directory,
You can use this reduced image with textual information for image selection.
It

When the image selection process on the terminal device 17 is completed, the reduced image temporarily stored in the magnetic disk device 18 is stored in the data management unit 4 of the reduced image creating system 1.
Will be deleted according to the instructions.

Since the above-described processing of creating a reduced image is carried out when the disk in the magneto-optical disk device 14 is mounted, the time for creating a reduced image does not matter to the user. Therefore, the diagnosis time required for the endoscopic examination is shortened.

Further, since the reduced image is deleted after the observation work of the image data is completed, it is not necessary to set a storage area for storing the reduced image in the magneto-optical disk device, and only the minimum necessary image data is required. You will be able to save efficiently. Moreover, an image management mechanism (predetermined program) for linking and processing the original image and the reduced image is not required, so that the reduced image can be managed with a simple configuration.

The magnetic disk (hard disk) device of the above embodiment may be a storage device having a short access time, and may be, for example, an internal storage device (memory or image memory) provided inside the file control device. Good. Further, the magneto-optical disc device may be a large-capacity storage device, and may be, for example, an optical disc auto changer equipped with a plurality of optical discs.

Further, the reduced image creating system according to the present invention is not limited to the endoscopic examination, but may be applied to, for example, an ultrasonic examination or an ultrasonic endoscopic examination.

Furthermore, the reduced image creating system according to the present invention is not limited to medical use, and reduced images are displayed in a list for image selection, and the original image can be accessed by designating the reduced image. It is possible to integrally mount and apply to a general image database system.

[0085]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When a request to transfer the original image is made, a reduced image is created to create the original image.
Images and reduced images are transferred, so reduced images can be created efficiently
can do. Also, observe medical image data (interpretation)
Can improve the efficiency of patient diagnosis
The diagnosis time can be shortened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of an endoscope data system according to an embodiment (integrated with a reduced image creation system of the present invention).

FIG. 2 is a schematic functional block diagram of a reduced image creation system that is integrally installed in an endoscope data system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic timing chart showing a generation time of a reduced image according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic timing chart showing a generation time of a reduced image according to a first modification.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example according to a third modified example, (a) is a diagram showing an example of a patient directory, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of a reduced image list display screen.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of endoscopy.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Reduced image creation system 5 Endoscope data system 6 Endoscopic modality 7 Endoscope data file system 8 Endoscope workstation

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-5-73619 (JP, A) JP-A-4-253285 (JP, A) JP-A-62-74156 (JP, A) JP-A-58- 87660 (JP, A) JP 59-214959 (JP, A) JP 62-72068 (JP, A) JP 3-209574 (JP, A) JP 4-333974 (JP, A) JP-A-3-58282 (JP, A) JP-A-2-206876 (JP, A) JP-A-2-140875 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A database device that stores image data generated by a medical modality, and a terminal device that is communicatively connected to the database device and that displays an image based on the image data transferred from the database device. In the provided image database system, the database device, a storage unit for storing the image data of the original image generated by the medical modality, in response to a transfer request of the original image received from the terminal device, to the original image Reduced image creating means for creating a plurality of related reduced image data, temporary storage means for temporarily storing the reduced image data created by the reduced image creating means, and image data of the transfer-requested original image A transfer means for transferring the reduced image data stored in the temporary storage means to the terminal device. The terminal device includes a display unit that displays the image data of the original image transferred by the transfer unit, a list display unit that displays a list of the reduced image data transferred by the transfer unit, and the list. A means for instructing to transfer an image designated from the reduced images displayed by the display means from the database device, wherein the reduced image creating means is provided while the original image is being displayed by the display means. An image database system for creating the reduced image. 2. The image database system according to claim 1, wherein the database device has means for automatically deleting the reduced image data stored in the temporary storage means of the database device. 3. The image database system according to claim 1, wherein the medical modality is an endoscopic device. 4. A database device configured to store image data generated by a medical modality and communicable with a terminal device that displays an image based on the transferred image data, wherein the medical modality is used. Storage means for storing the image data of the original image generated by the above, and a first transfer means for transferring the requested image data of the original image to the terminal device in response to the transfer request of the original image received from the terminal device. , After the transfer by the first transfer means,
While the original image is being displayed, reduced image creating means for creating a plurality of reduced image data related to the patient of the original image, and the reduced image data created by the reduced image creating means are temporarily stored. A database device comprising: a temporary storage unit; and a second transfer unit for transferring the reduced image data stored in the temporary storage unit to the terminal device.