JPH11235334A - Medical imaging equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a medical image capturing apparatus such as an X-ray computed tomography apparatus (X-ray CT), a magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus, a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus, etc. An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily and easily set a huge number of parameters required for image generation and image display. A medical image capturing apparatus according to the present invention includes a signal collecting device,
A disk unit 6 for storing a plurality of reference images respectively associated with a plurality of parameters relating to image generation and image display, a display 3 for displaying the plurality of reference images in a list, and a plurality of the displayed reference images And a mouse 9 for the operator to selectively designate any one of the reference images. A signal is collected from the subject in accordance with the parameter associated with the designated reference image, and the collected signal is acquired. And generates a medical image, and displays the generated medical image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a medical image photographing apparatus such as an X-ray computed tomography apparatus (X-ray CT), a magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus, a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus, and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a subject is photographed by a medical image photographing apparatus, preparatory work is required. In this preparation,
The operator sets the signal collection conditions. Signal collection conditions include
Dozens of parameters are included. The number of these parameters has been steadily increasing with the trend of multifunctionality in recent years.

In the case of X-ray CT, signal acquisition conditions (scan conditions) include scan type (single slice scan / helical scan (volume scan)), slice thickness, slice interval, volume size, gantry tilt angle, and tube voltage. , Tube current, imaging area size, scan speed, and other parameters.

It is too inefficient and impractical to manually set several, or even tens, of such signal collection parameters manually each time a picture is taken. Therefore, the preset function is used. This preset function is to store a signal collection parameter set recommended by a manufacturer and a signal collection parameter set that has been used in the past, and reproduce them immediately by operating a button. That is, signals are collected according to the signal collection parameter set selected by the operator.

[0005] However, the problem with the preset function is that it is not simply necessary to increase the number of preset buttons. The main reason is that 100
Although it is easy to increase the number of buttons, it is very difficult to understand which signal collection conditions are registered for which preset buttons, and on the contrary, the convenience is reduced. can give.

[0006] In recent years, along with the multi-function of signal collection, multi-function of image generation and image display has been advanced.
For this reason, the number of parameters related to image generation and image display that the operator must or can specify has become enormous.

Therefore, even if the setting of the signal acquisition parameters is simplified by the preset function, the time required for setting the image generation parameters and the image display parameters is significantly reduced. In order to reduce the labor required for the operator to prepare in advance, it is necessary to consider not only the signal acquisition parameters but also the labor for setting the image generation parameters and the image display parameters.

[0008] However, although the number of signal collection parameters alone is enormous, it is impossible to make them correspond to preset buttons, including image generation parameters and image display parameters. This is because it is impossible to understand at all what kind of signal collection, image generation and image display parameter set is registered in which preset button.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a medical image photographing apparatus such as an X-ray computed tomography apparatus (X-ray CT), a magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus, a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus, etc. An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily and easily set a huge number of parameters required for image generation and image display.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a medical image photographing apparatus or a parameter setting support apparatus for the medical image photographing apparatus, wherein a plurality of parameters relating to signal collection, image generation and image display are associated with each other. A plurality of reference images are displayed in a list, and when an arbitrary one of the plurality of reference images is selectively designated by the operator, the subject is inspected according to the parameters associated with the designated reference image. , A medical image is generated from the collected signal, and the generated medical image is displayed.

According to the present invention, there is provided a medical image photographing apparatus or a parameter setting support apparatus for the medical image photographing apparatus, wherein plans including a plurality of parameters relating to signal collection, image generation and image display are associated with each other. A plurality of reference images representing the associated plan are displayed in a list, and when any one of the displayed plurality of reference images is selectively designated by the operator, the designated In accordance with the parameters included in the plan associated with the reference image, a signal is collected from the subject, a medical image is generated from the collected signal, and the generated medical image is displayed.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a medical image photographing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a medical image photographing apparatus according to this embodiment includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1, a display interface 2, a display 3, a memory 4, a disk interface 5, a disk unit 6, an image processor 7, It comprises a data interface 8, a mouse 9, and a data collection unit 100.

When the present invention is considered as a parameter setting support device for a medical image photographing device, the parameter setting support device includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1 and a display interface 2 except for a data collection unit 100. ,
It comprises a display 3, a memory 4, a disk interface 5, a disk unit 6, an image processor 7, and a data interface 8. However, here, the present invention will be described as a medical image capturing apparatus.

The medical image photographing apparatus is any one of an X-ray computed tomography apparatus (X-ray CT), a magnetic resonance diagnostic apparatus (MRI), a nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus (gamma camera), and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Each medical image capturing apparatus has a function of collecting a signal that is a source of an image from a subject (a signal collecting function), a function of generating a medical image from the collected signal (an image generating function), and a function of generating a medical image. Function to display by applying processing such as zooming and coloring (image display function)
And basically have.

Here, for convenience of explanation, the explanation will be made assuming that the medical image photographing apparatus is an X-ray computed tomography apparatus. Under this assumption, the data collection unit 10
0 corresponds to a scanner equipped with an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector, a rotation mechanism, a DAS (data acquisition system), and the like.

When the projection data of the subject is collected by scanning by the scanner 100, the projection data is sent to the image processor 7 via the data interface 8, where the tomographic image data is reconstructed. The image processor 7 includes a function of constructing three-dimensional image data, maximum intensity projection (MIP) image data, and the like, a function of reconstructing tomographic image data, and a function of tomographic image data, three-dimensional image data, and the like. And a function of generating reference image data. The tomographic image data and the like obtained here are sent to the disk unit 6 via the disk interface 5 and stored.

The reference image data generated by the image processor 7 is associated with a plurality of parameter data relating to signal processing, image generation and image display, and title data, as described later, via the disk interface 5. The data is sent to the disk unit 6 and stored.

The reference image data and the title data stored in the disk unit 6 are read from the disk unit 6 at the time of preparation work and displayed on the display 3 via the display interface 2 as a list. A mouse 9 or a pointing device equivalent to the mouse 9 is provided in order to selectively designate an image desired by the operator from the reference images displayed in the list.
A plurality of parameters relating to signal collection, image generation, and image display associated with the reference image specified using the mouse 9 are loaded from the data interface 8 to the CPU 1. The CPU 1 sets the signal acquisition conditions of the scanner 100 in the loaded signal processing parameters, sets the image generation conditions of the image processor 7 in the loaded image generation parameters, and sets the image display conditions of the display interface 2 in the loaded image display parameters. Set.

As described above, a plurality of parameters are involved in the operation of collecting projection data by the scanner 100. Similarly, a plurality of parameters are involved in an image generating operation of generating a tomographic image from a collected signal and an image displaying operation of displaying a reconstructed tomographic image. Examples of the signal acquisition parameters include an imaging region (whole body, head, chest, lung field, lower limb, etc.), scan type (single slice scan / multi slice scan / helical scan (volume scan)), slice thickness, slice interval, and volume. The size, gantry tilt angle, tube voltage, tube current, imaging area size, scan speed (rotation speed of the X-ray tube and detector), the amount of movement of the couch moving during one rotation of the X-ray tube, and the amount of couch movement is there. Examples of the image generation parameters are a reconstruction method (two-dimensional / three-dimensional), a reconstruction area size, a reconstruction matrix size, and a threshold for extracting a site of interest. Examples of the image display parameters are a window level, a window width, a display magnification, and a multiplanar (sagittal / coronal / oblique).

In order to complete a series of inspection sequences from signal acquisition to final display of an image through image generation, a plurality of signal acquisition parameters, a plurality of image generation parameters, and a plurality of image display parameters described above are required. Each is required to be set. Here, the set plurality of signal acquisition parameters, the set plurality of image generation parameters, and the set plurality of image display parameters are collectively referred to as a plan. That is, if a plurality of signal acquisition parameters, including a plurality of image generation parameters and a plurality of image display parameters, are registered in advance as a plan, the above-described series of sequences can be easily executed by selecting a plan. Can be.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of plans are registered in the disk unit 6, and the operator selectively designates a desired plan using the mouse 9 from the plurality of registered plans. In addition to a plurality of signal acquisition parameters, a plurality of image generation parameters and a plurality of image display parameters, which could not be conventionally obtained, can be set quickly.

Further, in order for the operator to selectively designate a desired plan, the operator must determine the relationship between each plan, that is, a plurality of parameters included in the plan and the medical image finally obtained. I have to understand. Given that each plan has dozens, and sometimes hundreds, of parameters related to signal collection, image generation and image display, it is not effective to present these parameters to the operator in full text.

In this embodiment, the relationship between each plan and the finally obtained medical image is provided by a reference image 200 and a title 300 as shown in FIG.

The reference image 200 is a reduced image of a medical image in which a plurality of parameters relating to signal acquisition, image generation, and image display constituting the corresponding plan are completely or partially common, or a schematic image of the medical image. It is a typical picture. That is, the reference image is provided as information indicating a medical image in which a plurality of parameters related to signal acquisition, image generation, and image display associated therewith are wholly or partially common. Therefore, the operator can infer from the reference image a medical image finally obtained by a plurality of parameters related to signal collection, image generation, and image display associated with the reference image.

The title 300 includes at least some characteristic parameters, such as parts, which may be useful for selecting a plan from among a plurality of parameters related to signal acquisition, image generation, and image display constituting the corresponding plan. ,
It indicates the scan type and the reconstruction method.

The display of the plan list, the selection of the plan, the registration of the plan, and the registration of the reference image are performed as shown in FIG.
1, 12, 13, and 14 implemented or supported.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be realized by hardware.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of the medical image photographing apparatus configured as described above. First,
A primary preparation operation is performed (Step S1). This primary preparation involves registration of a plan and a reference image. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the primary preparation operation.
In step S10, the user selects either plan registration or reference image registration. (Reference Image Registration) FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of the reference image registration screen. This reference image registration is executed by the reference image registration program code 14 of the CPU 1. First, in step S30, an original image 31 from which a reference image is created is selected from a medical image that has been installed in advance and a past medical image that has been actually captured. Next, in step S31, the selected original image 31 is converted into the reference image 3 by the image processor 7.
Converted to 2. For example, the reference image 32 is generated as a reduced image of the original image 31 or a schematic picture obtained by performing graphic processing on the original image 31. Then, in step S32, the reference image 32 is registered in the reference image candidate list 30, and stored in the disk unit 6. Note that the reference image is not limited to a still image, and may be a moving image. (Plan Registration) When plan registration is selected in step S10 of FIG. 5, a plan editing operation is executed (step S20). Editing of this plan can be done by the operator specifying multiple parameters for signal acquisition, image generation and image display one by one, or as it is or slightly modifying multiple parameters for signal acquisition, image generation and image display used in the past It is done by doing.

Next, in step S21, a reference image is associated with the edited plan. This process
This is performed by the operator selecting an arbitrary reference image 21 from the reference image candidate list 30 as shown in FIG. At this time, the title 20 is also input automatically or manually.

Then, in step S22, the edited plan is stored in the disk unit 6. At this time, the selected reference image 21 and the input title 20 are associated with the plan.

After the primary preparation work S1, a secondary preparation work S2 is performed. This secondary preparation work S2 is a work that is performed immediately before actually starting shooting, and is a primary preparation work S2.
This is an operation for selectively designating a desired plan from the plans registered in step 1.

In this primary preparation work, first, FIG.
As shown in (2), the plan list is displayed on the display 3 together with the reference image 200 and the title 300.
The operator refers to the reference image 200 and the title 300 and selectively designates a desired plan from the plan list by double-clicking the display area of the reference image 200 or the title 300 with a mouse button. .

When a plan is selected, its reference image 20
A plurality of parameters related to signal collection, image generation, and image display associated with 0 are loaded from the disk unit 6 to the CPU 1.

Then, a signal acquisition operation is executed by the scanner 100 according to the loaded signal processing parameters (step S3), and a medical image (tomographic image) is generated (reconstructed) by the image processor 7 according to the loaded image generation parameters. (Step S4) Then, a medical image is displayed on the display 3 according to the loaded image display parameters.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, first, a plurality of reference images are displayed in a list. Parameters relating to signal acquisition, image generation, and image display are associated with each of the plurality of reference images. When the operator selects one desired reference image from the list, signals are collected, an image is generated, and the image is displayed according to the parameters associated with the selected reference image.

Since this reference image indicates a medical image in which a plurality of parameters are completely or partially common,
From the reference image, the operator converts the medical image that will ultimately be obtained according to the parameters associated with it,
With substantial understanding, a desired plan can be selectively specified.

Therefore, the only task required for the operator is to select a reference image that is visually close to the desired medical image. Detailed signal collection parameters, image generation parameters, and image display parameters that other operators do not need to know are automatically set on the device side.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be implemented in various modifications. For example, in the above description, the reference image and the title are displayed in pairs, but the title list may not be displayed, and only the reference image list may be displayed. Instead of displaying the reference image list, only the title list may be displayed.

[0040]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. First, a plurality of reference images are displayed in a list. Parameters relating to signal acquisition, image generation, and image display are associated with each of the plurality of reference images. When the operator selects one desired reference image from the list, signals are collected, an image is generated, and the image is displayed according to the parameters associated with the selected reference image. The only task required for the operator is to select a reference image that is visually close to the desired medical image. Detailed signal collection parameters, image generation parameters, and image display parameters that other operators do not need to know are automatically set on the device side.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a medical image capturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a plan list displayed on the display of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view showing types of program codes executed by the CPU of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a series of operations from a preparation operation to an image display in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a primary preparation work in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a reference image registration screen shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a plan registration screen of FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Central processing part (CPU), 2 ... Display interface, 3 ... Display, 4 ... Memory, 5 ... Disk interface, 6 ... Disk unit, 7 ... Image processor, 8 ... Data interface, 9 ... Mouse, 100 ... Data collection Department.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 7/18 G06F 15/62 390B

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A means for storing a plurality of reference images each associated with a plurality of parameters relating to signal collection, image generation, and image display; and means for displaying the stored plurality of reference images in a list. Means for the operator to selectively designate any one of the displayed plurality of reference images, and collecting signals from the subject according to parameters associated with the designated reference image. Means for generating a medical image from the collected signals and displaying the generated medical image. 2. The medical image photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference image is a reduced image of a medical image in which a plurality of parameters associated therewith are entirely common. 3. The medical image photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference image is a reduced image of a medical image in which a plurality of parameters associated therewith are partially common. 4. The medical image photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference image is a schematic picture of a medical image in which a plurality of parameters associated therewith are entirely common. 5. The medical image photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference image is a schematic picture of a medical image in which a plurality of parameters associated therewith are partially common. 6. The medical image photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference image has a smaller data amount than the medical image. 7. The medical image photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference image is displayed together with a title including a part of a plurality of parameters associated with the reference image. 8. A means for processing an actually photographed medical image into a reference image, and a signal collection, image generation, and image display for using the processed reference image to obtain the actually photographed medical image. 2. The medical image photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for storing a plurality of parameters in association with each other. 9. A means for storing a plurality of reference images each associated with a plan including a plurality of parameters relating to signal collection, image generation, and image display, and storing the plurality of reference images representing the associated plan. Means for displaying a plurality of reference images displayed in a list, means for the operator to selectively designate any one of the plurality of displayed reference images, and the designated reference image Means for acquiring a signal from a subject according to parameters included in a plan associated with the medical device, generating a medical image from the collected signal, and displaying the generated medical image. apparatus. 10. A plurality of reference images associated with a plurality of parameters relating to signal acquisition, image generation, and image display, wherein the plurality of associated parameters represent a medical image that is at least partially common. Means for displaying a list of the plurality of stored reference images, and means for allowing an operator to selectively designate an arbitrary one of the plurality of displayed reference images. And a means for outputting a parameter associated with the designated reference image to a medical image photographing apparatus. 11. A means for associating a plan including a plurality of parameters relating to signal collection, image generation, and image display, and for storing a plurality of reference images representing the associated plan. Means for displaying a plurality of reference images in a list, means for the operator to selectively designate any one of the plurality of displayed reference images, and Means for outputting a parameter of an associated plan to a medical image capturing apparatus. A parameter setting support apparatus for a medical image capturing apparatus.