JPH1153510A - Medical image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically start a processing order corresponding to the kind of image for each image signal. SOLUTION: On a setting picture displayed on an image display means 20, a setting means 30 sets the processing order through an instructor such as a mouse and stores that set processing order in a memory corresponding to the kind of image. The image signal is inputted from an image input means 40 to a signal processing means 10 and an input means 50 for inputting the kind of image. An input means 50 reads the kind of image from the option information of the image signal and inputs the read kind of image to the signal processing means 10. The signal processing means 10 reads the processing order corresponding to the kind of image inputted from the input means 50 from the memory, performs prescribed processing according to the read processing order and displays the result as a visible image on the image display device 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a medical image display device for reproducing medical image information, and more particularly, to a medical image of a subject such as an X-ray image, an RI image, an ultrasonic image, a CT image, and an MRI image. The present invention relates to a medical image display device capable of displaying an image on which a plurality of processes such as a gradation conversion process, a frequency process, an enlargement / reduction process, an image display format setting, and the like have been performed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, X-ray images, RI
Image, CT (Computed Tomography) image,
Various medical images such as an ultrasonic image and an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) image are widely used in the medical field. When radiation is applied, a part of the radiation energy is accumulated, and thereafter, when irradiation with excitation light such as visible light or laser light is performed, a stimulable phosphor (stimulable phosphor) that emits stimulated emission according to the accumulated radiation energy. Radiation image information of a subject such as a human body is temporarily recorded on a sheet-like stimulable phosphor (accumulative phosphor sheet) using the stimulable phosphor sheet, and the stimulable phosphor sheet is excited by laser light or the like. A radiation image recording and reading system (CR;) which scans with light to generate photostimulated light and photoelectrically reads the obtained photostimulated light to obtain an image signal.
Computed radiography) is well known.

In these systems, image processing such as gradation processing and frequency processing is performed on an image signal obtained by reading, and observation image interpretation (diagnosis) is performed based on the image signal after the image processing. A radiographic image can be obtained by recording a diagnostic visible image with excellent aptitude) on a photographic material (film or the like) or by temporarily recording the image signal on a recording medium and displaying it on an image display device such as a CRT. It is regenerated and used for diagnosis. For example, image processing performed in reproducing radiation image information of a human body includes gradation processing, soft parts,
There are known frequency emphasis processing for emphasizing each part such as a bone and a mediastinum, display processing of a soft or bone part by energy subtraction, enlargement / reduction processing, and the like. The method has been appropriately selected and performed according to the site of the subject, and also the imaging method such as simple imaging and contrast imaging. For example, the gradation processing and the frequency processing are performed under different conditions (parameters such as the basic shape of the gradation, the rotation center, the rotation amount, and the density shift amount) according to the target image. Such processing conditions are often determined to some extent according to the imaging region, the type of image, the preference of the radiogram interpreter, and the like. Therefore, a medical image display device that stores a plurality of predetermined image processing conditions in advance and selectively performs image processing according to a desired processing condition among the stored image processing conditions has already been proposed ( JP-A-62-92072, etc.).

[0004]

However, in a conventional medical image display apparatus, before displaying an image signal obtained by reading in a form suitable for diagnosis, for example, first, based on information accompanying the image, Display the processed image, and then select and execute one of multiple types of processing, such as changing the gradation processing and frequency processing, enlarging, or viewing the whole image. Needed.
Normally, a desired process is selected and executed by using a pointing device such as a mouse or a pointing device such as a keyboard from a pop-up menu on the screen, so it is troublesome to complete a process for one image many times. Operation had to be performed.

On the other hand, the types of a plurality of processes and the order of the processes are determined by the types of devices for reading images (CT, MRI, CR).
Etc.), imaging site (head, chest, breast, etc.), imaging method (simple imaging, contrast imaging, tomography, etc.), type of examination (health checkup, detailed examination, etc.), imaging method of radiographer In many cases, it is very inefficient to perform similar operations each time.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in a medical image display apparatus used for CT, MRI, CR, and the like, the processing order of a plurality of processes relating to an image signal is simply set, and the processing order is set. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus capable of displaying an image processed by the above.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a medical image display apparatus, comprising: a signal processing unit capable of performing various predetermined processes on an image signal input by an image input unit representing a medical image; A medical image display device including image display means such as a CRT display device for displaying the image signal after the image signal is displayed as a visible image, wherein the signal processing means performs processing corresponding to each of a plurality of image types. Setting means for setting a plurality of processing types and the processing order of the predetermined various processing to be obtained for each type of the image; and input means for inputting the type of the image for each of the input image signals. Wherein the signal processing means comprises:
The plurality of processes are performed according to the setting corresponding to the type of image input by the input unit.

[0008] Here, the "medical image" is an image used for medical diagnosis, such as a radiation image of a human body or an image of a human body taken by MRI, CT, or the like. The "predetermined process" refers to a process for an image signal such as an image display process such as a display screen format, a gradation process, a frequency process, an enlargement / reduction process, an observation region setting process, and a diagnosis doctor regarding image information. It also includes a report creation process for creating text information such as findings as incidental information of the image signal or information associated with the image signal. Also,
"Image type" means devices such as CT, MRI, and CR,
It represents the type of image to be displayed, such as an imaging part such as a head, a chest, and a breast, an imaging method such as a simple imaging, a contrast imaging, a tomography, and a type of examination such as a health checkup and a detailed inspection.

Further, the "input means for inputting the type of image" may be any means as long as it can input the type of image for each image signal. A supplementary information indicating the type may be provided, and the type of the image may be read from the supplementary information and the type of the read image may be automatically input together with the input of the image signal. It may be input by an input device.

In the medical image display apparatus according to the present invention, similarly to the above, a signal processing means capable of performing various kinds of predetermined processing on an image signal input by an image input means representing a medical image, and the processing is performed. Image display means for displaying the image signal after the image signal as a visible image, and a plurality of the predetermined various processing that can be performed by the signal processing means corresponding to each of a plurality of radiographers Setting means for setting the type of processing and the processing order for each radiologist, and input means for inputting information indicating the radiologist, wherein the signal processing means, with respect to the image signal, by the input means The plurality of processes may be performed in accordance with the settings corresponding to the input interpreter.

Here, the "radiographer" refers to a doctor or technician who observes an image displayed on the image display means. Further, the "input means for inputting information indicating the interpreter" may be any means as long as the information indicating the interpreter can be input. For example, the image information is supplementary information indicating the interpreter. It may be a device that reads a radiogram interpreter from the supplementary information and automatically inputs information indicating the radiogram interpreter read together with the input of the image signal, or an input device such as a keyboard that inputs the information indicating the radiogram interpreter. May be input.

[0012]

According to the medical image display apparatus of the present invention, the processing order of a plurality of processes is set in advance for each type of image, and when the type of image is input, the type of image is automatically changed to that type. Since the processing order set correspondingly is activated and the image processed in accordance with the processing order is displayed, when performing a plurality of processes, it has been necessary every time to display the screen in the related art. It is possible to save the trouble of "selecting and executing one by one from a plurality of types of processes".

As means for inputting the type of image,
It is assumed that the image information includes additional information indicating the type of the image, and the type of the image can be automatically input based on the additional information. Better and more efficient.

Further, according to the medical image display apparatus of the present invention, the processing order of the plurality of processes is set in advance for each of the plurality of radiologists, and information such as an ID code indicating the radiologist is stored. If input, the processing order corresponding to the interpreter is automatically activated, and the image processed according to the processing order can be displayed, so that the setting of the processing procedure can be omitted in the same manner as described above.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of a medical image display device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first medical image display device according to the present invention. This medical image display device
A signal processing means 10 and image display means 20 such as a CRT display device connected to the signal processing means 10, an image output means 22,
It comprises a setting means 30, an image input means 40, and an input means 50 for inputting an image type.

The signal processing means 10 performs so-called gradation processing and frequency processing (collectively referred to as "gradation / frequency processing") on an image signal input via the image input means 40.
Enlargement processing for enlarging a display image, reduction processing for conversely reducing a display image (collectively referred to as “enlargement / reduction processing”), image display format (display of a display image in two or four frames or stack display) Various signal processings such as a format setting processing for setting an image signal, and a report creation processing are performed. The image input unit 40 reads image information of a subject to obtain an image signal and obtains an image signal. An image signal from an image reading device such as a CT device, an MRI device, a CR device, a computer device, or a storage device connected to a network line. Is input to the signal processing means 10. The image signal is provided with additional information indicating the type of the image.

The image display means 20 displays, as a visible image, an image signal on which the plurality of signal processes have been performed by the signal processing means 10 in a predetermined processing order.
A T display device or the like is used. Further, the image output means 22 includes:
It serves as an intermediary for outputting an image signal visualized by the signal processing means 10 or a desired image signal subjected to the above various processes as digital image data to a device connected on a network line. The image data output from the image output means 22 is stored in a storage medium such as an optical disk, or sent to another image processing device or computer. When it is not necessary to output image data to various devices connected on the network line, the image output unit 22 may not be provided.

The setting means 30 sets the processing order of the various processings in association with the type of image. For example, on a setting screen displayed on the image display means 20, a pointing device such as a mouse is used. By using a so-called drag-and-drop operation using, a desired process is selected (drag) from various processes displayed on the screen, and the process is pasted on a portion of the screen where the processing order is displayed ( A desired processing order is set by repeating the drop) operation, and by indicating that the setting is completed, the set processing order is set (stored) in, for example, a memory (not shown) in a memory or the like. You. Therefore, by repeating the above operation for each type of image, the processing order of the various processes can be set reliably and easily corresponding to the type of image.

As described above, the setting means 30 can be used to set, for example, devices such as CT, MRI, and CR, imaging sites such as the head, chest, and breast, imaging methods such as simple imaging, contrast imaging, tomography, health examination, and precision. The optimum processing order can be set in association with the type of image determined by the type of inspection such as inspection.

The input means 50 for inputting the type of image captures a part of the image signal input to the signal processing means 10,
The type of the image is read from the supplementary information provided in the image signal, and the type of the read image is input to the signal processing unit 10, whereby the type of the image is automatically determined based on the supplementary information of the image signal. This allows the signal to be input to the signal processing means 10. The signal processing means 10 reads the processing order corresponding to the type of the input image from the memory of the setting means 30, and performs a predetermined signal processing according to the read processing order.

The operation of the image display device having the above configuration will be described below with reference to FIGS. Note that FIG.
FIG. 3 shows an example of a setting screen displayed on the image display means 20 when setting the processing order. FIG. 3 shows an example of the processing order in association with the type of image. Figure 3
FIG. 3A shows the processing order of an image (CT image) captured by a CT device, and FIG. 3B shows the processing order of an image (CR image (chest)) of a chest of a subject captured by a CR device. C) shows the processing order of an image (CR image (breast)) of the subject's breast captured by the CR device.

When a mode in which the processing order can be set by the setting means 30 (here, a mouse or a keyboard) is set, the image format selection (FORMAT setting) processing A and the condition A of the condition A are displayed on the left side of the screen of the image display means 20. Gradation frequency processing B, gradation frequency processing C of condition B, enlargement processing D, reduction processing E, window width and window level adjustment processing F, energy subtraction (energy sub) processing (soft part display)
G, energy sub processing (bone display) H, data compression processing I,
Image display means together with Roman characters corresponding to various types of processing, such as an interpretation report creation processing J and an image output processing K for recording image data on an optical disk or a laser printer LP.
Appears on 20. First, as an instruction to indicate that the image type is a CT image, the fact that the image type is a CT image is input to the image type installation section at the upper right of the display screen using a keyboard. Next, from among the various types of processing displayed on the left side of the image display means 20, an operation called drag and drop using a mouse is performed to set the processing order setting section in the center right part of the screen in the CT order.
Paste the desired processing type (corresponding to the Roman character) in this order so that the image processing order (see FIG. 3 (A)) is reached. By doing so, the processing order corresponding to the CT image is stored in a storage device (for example, a memory) provided in the setting unit 30. At this time, by inputting the parameter values in each process from the keyboard, not only the processing order but also desired parameters can be set. Similarly, the processing order of the chest image CR image (see FIG. 3B) and the processing order of the breast image CR image (see FIG. 3C) are set. In this way, when the setting of the processing order corresponding to the various image types is completed, the display of the image type setting screen is erased by a mouse instruction.

Next, an image signal is fetched from the device connected to the network line to the signal processing means 10 via the image input means 40. Input means for inputting the type of image;
50 captures a part of the image signal input to the signal processing means 10, reads the type of the image from the supplementary information provided in the image signal, and inputs the read image type to the signal processing means 10.

The signal processing means 10 reads out the processing order corresponding to the type of the input image from the memory of the setting means 30, performs predetermined processing in accordance with the processing order, and then converts the processed image signal into an image. Display means 20 and image output means
Output to 22. Therefore, the image signal is transmitted to the image input means 40.
Input to the signal processing means 10 and the input means 50 for inputting the type of image via the
The images processed according to the processing order set in advance by the setting means 30 corresponding to the type of the image, such as the CR image of the chest and the CR image of the breast, are automatically displayed.

As described above, by providing the image signal with the additional information indicating the type of the image, the type of the image is read from the additional information, and the preset processing corresponding to the type of the read image is performed. The processing can be automatically performed according to the order, and the interpreter is free from the troublesome operation of setting the same processing order every time an image is displayed.

In the above description, the case where the type of image is read from the additional information provided in the image signal and the type of image is automatically input has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the type of image may be input by key input using a keyboard or the like. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image display device in which the type of an image is input by key input from the keyboard. The input unit 52 is independent of the image input unit 40 and is independent of the signal processing unit. Connected to 10. In FIG. 4, the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted unless otherwise required.

The input means 52 for inputting the type of image shown in FIG. 4 has a keyboard (not shown). The input means 52 inputs the type of image input from the keyboard to the signal processing means 10. Is what you do.

The operation of the image display device shown in FIG. 4 will be briefly described below. Similarly to the image display device according to the above-described first embodiment, the setting unit 30 sets the processing order on the setting screen displayed on the image display unit 20 by a pointing device such as a mouse on the screen, The set processing order is stored for each type of image.

Next, an image signal is fetched from the device connected to the network line to the signal processing means 10 via the image input means 40. Further, the interpreter inputs a key of the image type from the keyboard of the input unit 52 in accordance with the type of the image input to the signal processing unit 10. The input unit 52 inputs the type of the image input by the key to the signal processing unit 10.

The signal processing means 10 reads out the processing order corresponding to the type of the input image from the memory of the setting means 30, performs predetermined processing in accordance with the processing order, and converts the processed image signal into an image. Display means 20 and image output means
Output to 22.

As described above, the signal processing can be automatically performed in accordance with the preset processing order only by inputting the type of the image using the keyboard or the like.
The interpreter who operates the image display device is released from the troublesome operation of setting the same processing order every time an image is displayed.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the medical image display apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this medical image display apparatus, the setting means 32 sets the processing order of a plurality of predetermined processes for each of the plurality of image readers of the medical image display apparatus for each of the image readers.
Is for inputting information such as an ID code indicating an interpreter, and the signal processing means 12 performs a plurality of processes in accordance with the processing order set in the setting means 32 corresponding to the interpreter input by the input means 54. This is different from the medical image display apparatus according to the first embodiment in that it is performed. In FIG. 5, the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted unless otherwise required.

The image processing suitable for image interpretation may differ depending on the image interpreter. In the medical image display apparatus according to the second embodiment, the processing order is set according to the image interpreter.
By inputting the interpreter information, the processing is automatically performed according to the processing order corresponding to the interpreter. The method of setting the processing order corresponding to the image reader is a method in which the image type is replaced by the image reader, and is not different from the method of setting the processing order corresponding to the image type.

As the input means 54, any means can be adopted as long as it is used to input information such as an ID code indicating the interpreter. For example, the ID code indicating the interpreter may be input by inserting a different key for each card or the card on which the ID code is set, or the ID code indicating the interpreter may be input using a keyboard.

The operation of the image display device having the above configuration will be described below. In the following description, the input means 54
It is assumed that a card in which an ID code indicating an image reader is set is inserted. When a card in which an ID code is set first is inserted into the input means 54, a mode in which a processing order can be set is set, and the first image is displayed on the image display means 20.
The types of various processes are displayed in the same manner as in the image display device according to the embodiment, and the radiogram interpreter name is also displayed. This interpreter name may be considered as a replacement of the image type of the image display device according to the first embodiment. Less than,
The method of setting the processing order corresponding to the radiologist is the same as that of the image display device according to the first embodiment. When the setting of the processing order corresponding to the radiologist is completed, the setting operation is completed by removing the card from the input means 54.

Next, an image signal is fetched from the device connected to the network line to the signal processing means 10 via the image input means 40. When the card is inserted again into the input means 54, the input means 54 reads an ID code (that is, information indicating an image reader) and inputs the ID code to the signal processing means 12.

The signal processing means 10 reads out the processing order corresponding to the input ID code from the storage device of the setting means 32, performs predetermined processing in accordance with the processing order, and converts the processed image signal into an image. Display means 20 and image output means
Output to 22. Therefore, the image signal is transmitted to the signal processing unit 10.
The image processed by the image processing means 20 is automatically displayed in the image processing means 20 in accordance with the processing order preset in the setting means 32 corresponding to the image interpreter, and the image interpreter performs image display. This eliminates the troublesome operation of setting the same processing order every time.

In the above description, as the input means for inputting the information indicating the image interpreter, a method for inputting the information indicating the image interpreter using a card in which an ID code indicating the image interpreter is set will be specifically described. In addition, it has been described that the input may be performed by inserting a different key for each interpreter, or information (such as an ID code) indicating the interpreter may be input using a keyboard. Also in the embodiment, similarly to the above-described first embodiment,
Assuming that the image signal accompanies information indicating the image interpreter, the information indicating the image interpreter is read from the supplementary information provided in the image signal, and the information indicating the image interpreter is automatically input to the signal processing unit 10. Of course, it can be configured.

Further, the image display device according to the present invention comprises:
Input means for inputting the type of image as in the image display device according to the first embodiment described above, and input means for inputting information of an interpreter as in the image display device according to the second embodiment described above It is also possible to configure as both of these means. With such a configuration having both input means, the processing order can be set by the combination of the image type and the interpreter. For example, even if the image type is the same, the processing order differs depending on the interpreter. Can be set in advance and automatically displayed with an image processed according to the set processing order.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen of a processing order in the image display device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a processing order corresponding to a type of an image in the image display device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the image display device using another form of input means for inputting an image type;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 12 Signal processing means 20 Image display means 30, 32 Setting means 40 Image input means 50, 52 Input means for inputting the type of image 54 Input means for inputting information of image readers

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a signal processing unit configured to perform predetermined various processes on an input image signal representing a medical image; and an image display unit configured to display the image signal after the processing as a visible image. In the medical image display device, a plurality of types of the predetermined various processes that can be performed by the signal processing unit corresponding to each of a plurality of image types and a processing order thereof are set for each of the image types. Setting means, and input means for inputting the type of the image for each input image signal, wherein the signal processing means corresponds to the type of the image input by the input means with respect to the image signal A medical image display device, wherein the plurality of processes are performed according to the settings. 2. An image processing apparatus comprising: a signal processing unit capable of performing various kinds of predetermined processing on an input image signal representing a medical image; and an image display unit displaying the image signal after the processing is performed as a visible image. In the medical image display apparatus, a setting for setting a plurality of types and a processing order of a plurality of the predetermined processes that can be performed by the signal processing unit in correspondence with each of a plurality of image readers for each image reader Means, and input means for inputting information indicating the interpreter, wherein the signal processing means performs the plurality of processes on the image signal according to the setting corresponding to the interpreter input by the input means. A medical image display device characterized by the above-mentioned.