JPH04307034A - Medical image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the realizing of the setting of the optimum window processing conditions with an easy operation when the setting is done by selecting an interest area to make a specified part easy to view in an image display. CONSTITUTION:In the displaying of an image processed based on an image processing parameter set previously, an operator touchs on a display image 6, for example, with a finger 11 to select an interest area. The area alone touched with the hand is processed by the image processing parameter to be displayed. This only requires the touching a screen with the hand and allows the displaying of an image with a simple operation. Besides, a clear display of an object part is accomplished by finly adjusting a window level, brightness and the like of the display image 6.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[Purpose of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medical image display device that selects and displays a region of interest only in a desired region of a medical image.

0002

[Background Art] When making a diagnosis by displaying medical images (hereinafter simply referred to as images) taken with various medical devices on a monitor such as a CRT, a region of interest is selected to make it easier to see only a specific region. It is common practice to perform image processing, for example window processing, only on a region based on image processing parameters.

[0003] This is because the contrast of CRT monitors, which are most widely used for image display, is low, so when you want to observe a patient's chest X-ray image, for example, it is difficult to observe the same lung field or mediastinum, which has different brightness and contrast. This is because it is difficult to observe under window processing conditions. For example, when processing is performed using window processing conditions that make it easy to observe lung field A, as shown in Figure 3, an image that makes it difficult to observe mediastinum B is displayed; When processed under these conditions, an image in which the lung field A is difficult to observe will be displayed. Therefore, when observing the lung fields and mediastinum, it is necessary to select regions of interest on each display image and independently set and process optimal window processing conditions.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in conventional medical image display devices, when setting the optimal window processing conditions each time a region of interest is selected, a complicated operation is required each time, making the operation time-consuming. There is a problem. That is, in order to set the optimal window processing conditions, it is necessary to operate operation buttons, a mouse, etc. each time a region of interest is selected, and find a state in which, for example, the lung field or mediastinum can be most easily observed.

The present invention has been made in response to the above-mentioned problems, and provides a medical image display device that can easily display a desired image in an easy-to-see manner by simply performing an operation to select a region of interest. The purpose is to

[Configuration of the invention]

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a medical image display device that displays medical images photographed by an image photographing device on a monitor, in which a selected region of interest is set in advance. A first display means that displays a medical image processed based on processing parameters, or a second display means that displays only an image of a selected region of interest of a medical image processed based on preset image processing parameters.
A region of interest selection means for selecting the region of interest by touching the displayed image directly, and an input means for finely adjusting the display level of the displayed image of the region of interest. It is characterized by:

[0008]

[Operation] When displaying an image by selecting a region of interest in a medical image that has been image-processed based on image processing parameters for each region of interest, or a medical image that has been image-processed based on image processing parameters, The operator selects the region of interest, for example by direct contact. Further, by finely adjusting the window level of the displayed image or the brightness of the monitor, blood vessels and the like in the displayed image can be clearly observed. This allows the desired image to be displayed easily and easily by simply selecting the region of interest on the displayed image, and since all the operator has to do is touch the displayed image, the operator does not have to take his or her eyes off the image. Therefore, diagnostic efficiency can be improved.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the medical image display device of the present invention, and 1 is a CPU (central processing unit).
2 is a memory for controlling the entire control operation, and 2 is a memory for storing image processing parameters corresponding to a region of interest such as the lung field or mediastinum. 3 is an image processor, 4 is an image memory, and 5 is a multi-display system, each of which is connected in parallel. Reference numeral 6 denotes a monitor consisting of a CRT for displaying images, 7 a touch panel disposed on the surface of the monitor 6, and 8 a keyboard. The touch panel 7 and the keyboard 8 constitute input means. Note that 9 indicates a high-speed data bus.

On the touch panel 7, while an image is being displayed on the monitor 6, the operator can touch a region of interest such as the lung field or the mediastinum with a finger 11 as shown in FIG.
A region of interest, such as the mediastinum or lung field, can be automatically selected by touching an arbitrary region. Alternatively, the operator may make contact using a touch pen or the like. Also, the monitor 6 has a brightness fine adjustment knob 6.
A or contrast fine adjustment knob 6B is provided in the front position for easy handling by the user, and these knobs 6A or 6B are finely adjusted while the image of the selected region of interest is displayed on the monitor 6. As a result, the brightness or contrast of the displayed image can be finely adjusted. Further, the keyboard 8 is provided with a window level fine adjustment switch 8A, and by similarly finely adjusting this switch 8A, the window level of the displayed image can be finely adjusted. By finely adjusting the display level of the displayed image by finely adjusting the knob or switch in this manner, it becomes possible to observe in detail a portion of the displayed image of the region of interest, such as a blood vessel.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

The operator first selects the patient I from the keyboard 8.
Enter D. As a result, the MDS 5 interrupts the CPU 1, and the input patient ID is read into the CPU 1. Based on this, the address and size of the image corresponding to the patient ID is searched from the table in MEM2, and this image is transferred from IM4 to MDS5 via high-speed data bus 9.
MA (Direct Memory Access) transfer is performed. At this time, the CPU 1 reads the region code of the transferred image from the MEM 2. As a result, the image to be processed is displayed on the monitor 6.

With the image displayed on the monitor 6, the operator directly touches, for example, a region of interest, such as the lung field or the mediastinum, with the finger 11 on the touch panel 7 as shown in FIG. As a result, data on the coordinates (X, Y) of the tentacled position is input to the MDS 5, and the CPU 1 reads the coordinate data via the MDS 5. Next, the CPU
1 refers to a pre-stored coordinate-image processing parameter correspondence table corresponding to the retained part code, learns, for example, gamma table type A as an image processing parameter corresponding to the input coordinate data, and selects it from MEM2. and set the IP3 gamma table parameter register to its gamma table type A.

Next, the CPU 1 transfers the image data to be processed from the IM4 to the IP3, processes the image data based on the image processing parameters, and then returns the processed image data from the IP3 to the IM4. Next, the CPU 1 transfers this image data to the MDS 5, and the MDS 5 transfers the image data to the monitor 6. As a result, the image of the region of interest specified by the finger 11 is displayed on the monitor 6 after being subjected to desired image processing.

Next, while the image of the region of interest is displayed on the monitor 6, turn the brightness fine adjustment knob 6A or the contrast fine adjustment knob 6B connected to the monitor 6.
, or finely adjust the window level fine adjustment switch 8A connected to the keyboard 8. For example, assume that the window level adjustment switch 8A is operated in the direction in which fine adjustment is desired. This window level data is MDS
5 to the CPU 1, the CPU 1 sends the corresponding image data in the IM 4 and the input window level to the IP 3. Processed image data is IM
After being sent to the MDS 5 via the MDS 4, it is displayed on the monitor 6.

[0017] The image of the region of interest displayed on the monitor 6 is thereby subjected to window processing, so that some parts such as blood vessels are displayed in detail. The same effect can be obtained when the brightness or contrast of the displayed image is finely adjusted by operating the brightness fine adjustment knob 6A or the contrast fine adjustment knob 6B instead.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when displaying a medical image that has been image-processed based on image processing parameters for each region of interest, all that is required is to select the region of interest on the displayed image on the monitor. A desired image can be easily displayed in an easy-to-see manner, and all that is required is for the operator to touch the displayed image, for example, by touching the displayed image. Further, by performing processing such as finely adjusting the window level of the displayed image, it is possible to observe a part of the image in detail. Therefore, the operator does not have to take his/her line of sight off the image each time and can continue observing the image, thereby improving diagnostic efficiency.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the configuration of FIG. 1, the IM 4 stores the processed and unprocessed images of the selected region of interest, and the MDS 5 has a monitor 6 and a memory for selecting the processed image of the region of interest. Information will be inputted, and other parts will have the same functions as in FIG.

First, the CPU 1 checks the unprocessed image of the region of interest in the IM 4. Further, the CPU 1 selects an image processing parameter in the MEM 2 corresponding to the unprocessed image of the region of interest, and writes this image processing parameter to the parameter register of the IP 3. Next, the unprocessed image in IM4 is
The unprocessed image is transferred to P3, and after image processing is performed using image processing parameters, it is returned to IM4 and stored there. At this time, the leading edge address and data length of the processed image stored in IM4 are transmitted to CPU1, and MEM2
is memorized.

Next, with the image displayed on the monitor 6 as shown in FIG. 2, the operator points out a region of interest with his finger 11, thereby inputting the coordinate data of the tentacle position into the MDS 5. This coordinate data is read into the CPU 1, and based on this input data, the tip address and data length of the processed image of the desired region of interest are determined from the MEM 2. Based on the leading address and data length thus obtained, the processed image of the region of interest in the IM 4 is transferred to the MDS 5.

[0023]Subsequently, by performing processing such as finely adjusting the window level of the displayed image in the same manner as in the above embodiment,
Similar to the embodiment described above, a part of the image displayed on the monitor 6 can be observed in detail.

As described above, in this embodiment, even when displaying an image by selecting a region of interest in a medical image that has already been image-processed based on image processing parameters, it is only necessary to perform the same operations as in the previous embodiment. A similar effect can be obtained.

[0025] In this text, an example is shown in which a region of interest is selected when observing the mediastinum and lung field, but the target region can be set arbitrarily.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, when an operator selects a region of interest on a display image, the operator selects the region by touching the desired position, and then finely adjusts the display level of the display image. This makes it possible to select a region of interest with a simple operation that does not require any effort, and furthermore, it is possible to observe a part of the displayed image in detail, thereby improving diagnostic efficiency.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a medical image processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the device of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an image processing method by a conventional device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an image processing method by a conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2 Memory 3 Image processor 4 Image memory 5. Multi-display system 6. Monitor 6A Brightness fine adjustment knob 6B Contrast fine adjustment knob 7 Touch panel 8A Window level fine adjustment switch 11 Finger

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: A medical image display device that displays a medical image captured by an image capturing device on a monitor, wherein a selected region of interest is image-processed based on image processing parameters set in advance. a second display means that displays only an image of a selected region of interest of a medical image processed based on preset image processing parameters; A medical image display apparatus comprising: a region of interest selection means for selecting the region of interest; and an input means for finely adjusting the display level of the displayed image of the region of interest.