JP5449682B2 - Medical image storage device, medical image display system, and medical image observation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a medical image storage apparatus and a medical image display system for storing medical images, and more particularly to distribution and display of medical images when comparative interpretation is performed for comparing a plurality of medical images.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image storage device that stores medical images taken by an image diagnostic device such as an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) device, an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) device, or a CR (Computed Radiography) device, and the image storage device There is a diagnostic imaging workstation that acquires a medical image via a network and displays the acquired medical image to support creation of a diagnostic report.

  When performing an examination using these devices, the interpreting physician operates the diagnostic imaging workstation to obtain and obtain the medical image captured by the examination from the medical images stored in the image storage device. Interpret medical images. When interpreting such medical images, the interpreting doctor usually performs “comparison interpretation” that compares the medical image captured in the current examination with the medical image captured in the past examination. A medical image that is an object of interpretation in such comparative interpretation is hereinafter referred to as “interpretation image”, and a medical image that is compared with the interpretation image is hereinafter referred to as “comparison image”.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining comparative interpretation using a conventional image storage device and diagnostic imaging workstation. This figure shows a case where the head of the subject P is imaged using an X-ray CT apparatus in an examination. Here, in the image storage device, as a medical image related to the subject P, a CT image of the head imaged in the current examination (medical image imaged by the X-ray CT apparatus) and an image obtained in the previous examination are taken. Assume that the CT image of the head, the CR image of the chest taken in the past examination (medical image taken by the CR device), and the CT image of the breast taken in the past examination are stored respectively. .

  When comparative interpretation is performed in this examination, first, under the operation of the interpretation doctor, an image diagnosis workstation issues a display request for requesting display of an interpretation image that is a medical image captured in the current examination. Sent to storage device. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the diagnostic imaging workstation transmits a display request regarding the CT image of the head of the subject P imaged in the current examination to the image storage device.

  Upon receiving this display request, the image storage device acquires the requested interpretation image from the medical images stored therein, and distributes the acquired interpretation image as examination information to the image diagnosis workstation. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the image storage device acquires a CT image of the head of the subject P and distributes it to the diagnostic imaging workstation as examination information.

  At this time, normally, the image storage apparatus prepares not only the requested interpretation image but also all the medical images that can be the comparison image in preparation for the comparative interpretation performed in the diagnostic imaging workstation, that is, all the medical images related to the subject P. An image is acquired and distributed as examination information to a diagnostic imaging workstation. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the image storage device captures the CT image of the head imaged in the previous examination, the CR image of the chest imaged in the past examination, and the past examination. The chest CT image is further distributed to the diagnostic imaging workstation.

  When the examination information is distributed from the image storage device, the diagnostic imaging workstation displays an interpretation image among the medical images distributed as the examination information. At this time, if there are a plurality of interpretation images in the distributed medical image, the image diagnostic workstation, for example, as shown in FIG. The captured CT image of the head is displayed as a thumbnail on the screen. When one interpretation image is selected by the operator from the displayed interpretation images, the image diagnosis workstation displays the selected interpretation image on the screen in a predetermined size.

  Subsequently, when the image workstation is requested by the image interpretation doctor to display a medical image captured in a past examination for comparative interpretation, the image workstation is requested from the medical images distributed from the image storage device. An image is acquired, and the acquired medical image is displayed as a comparison image together with an interpretation image. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 (4), the diagnostic imaging workstation arranges the CT image of the head imaged in the previous examination by arranging the CT image of the head imaged in the current examination, which is an interpretation image. Display as a comparative image.

  Thus, when the image interpretation workstation and the comparison image are displayed by the image diagnosis workstation, the image interpretation doctor performs comparative image interpretation using the respective medical images. In the above example, the case where the same CT image as the interpretation image is used as the comparison image has been described. However, depending on the type of examination, the image was captured by another image diagnostic apparatus (for example, CR apparatus or MRI apparatus). A medical image may be used as a comparative image. Thus, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for improving the efficiency of comparative interpretation by efficiently arranging and displaying medical images captured by a plurality of types of diagnostic imaging apparatuses on the same screen.

JP 2007-144151 A

  However, in the conventional technique described above, when the examination information is distributed in response to a display request from the diagnostic imaging workstation, the image storage apparatus not only uses the medical image captured in the current examination but also the past examination. Since all medical images of the same imaged subject are distributed to the diagnostic imaging workstation, unnecessary medical images that are not actually used as comparative images in comparative interpretation are also distributed to the diagnostic imaging workstation. As a result, the load when the diagnostic imaging workstation performs processing related to image display increases, and comparative interpretation cannot be performed efficiently.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, and a medical image storage device and a medical image display that enable efficient comparative interpretation without distributing unnecessary medical images. The purpose is to provide a system.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is a medical image storage device for storing medical images, and stores information indicating a combination of medical images used in comparative interpretation for comparing a plurality of medical images as an interpretation rule. When a rule storage unit and a display request regarding an interpretation image are received from the medical image observation apparatus, the interpretation image stored in the interpretation rule storage unit is acquired from the stored medical image and the interpretation image is acquired. An image acquisition unit that acquires a comparison image to be compared with the interpretation image, and an inspection information distribution unit that distributes the interpretation image and the comparison image acquired by the image acquisition unit to the medical image observation apparatus as inspection information And.

Further, the present invention is an image display system including a medical image storage device that stores medical images, and a medical image observation device that displays medical images stored in the medical image storage device, The medical image observation apparatus includes display request transmission means for transmitting a display request for an interpretation image used for comparative interpretation to the medical image storage apparatus, and the medical image storage apparatus is used for comparative interpretation for comparing a plurality of medical images. Interpretation rule storage means for storing information indicating a combination of medical images to be read as an interpretation rule, and when the display request for the interpretation image is received from the medical image observation device, the interpretation image from the stored medical images Image acquisition for acquiring a comparison image to be compared with the interpretation image based on the interpretation rule stored in the interpretation rule storage means. And means, characterized by comprising a inspection information distribution means for distributing the medical image observation apparatus the interpretation of images and comparative images acquired as the inspection information by the image acquiring means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently perform comparative interpretation without distributing unnecessary medical images.

  Exemplary embodiments of a medical image storage device and a medical image display system according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, the present invention is applied to an image diagnosis system configured by connecting an image diagnosis apparatus such as an X-ray CT apparatus, an MRI apparatus, and a CR apparatus, an image storage apparatus, and an image diagnosis workstation via a network. In this embodiment, the “image storage device” corresponds to the medical image storage device according to the present invention, and the “image diagnosis workstation” corresponds to the medical image observation device according to the present invention. A portion including both devices corresponds to the medical image display system according to the present invention.

  First, an outline of the diagnostic imaging system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the outline of the diagnostic imaging system according to the present embodiment. This figure shows a case where the head of the subject P is imaged using an X-ray CT apparatus in a certain examination, as in the example shown in FIG. Here, in the image storage device, as a medical image related to the subject P, a CT image of the head imaged in the current examination, a CT image of the head imaged in the previous examination, and an image obtained in the past examination are taken. Assume that the chest CR image and the chest CT image captured in the past examination are stored.

  When comparative interpretation is performed in this examination, the diagnostic imaging workstation displays the interpretation image and the comparison image in the same procedure as in FIGS. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 (1) to (4), the diagnostic imaging workstation displays the CT image of the head of the subject P imaged in the current examination as an interpretation image and is imaged in the previous examination. The CT image of the head of the subject P is displayed as a comparative image. Then, using the interpretation image and comparison image displayed on the image diagnosis workstation, the interpretation doctor performs comparative interpretation using the medical image displayed on the image diagnosis workstation.

  In the image diagnosis system according to the present embodiment, after the interpretation doctor performs, for example, comparative interpretation, a combination of the interpretation image and the comparison image actually used in the comparative interpretation, and display when the medical images are displayed. The image diagnosis workstation can be requested to store (register) the format as an “interpretation rule”.

  When this interpretation rule registration request is received from the interpreting physician, the diagnostic imaging workstation requests that the combination of the interpretation image and comparison image currently displayed and the display format of these images be registered as interpretation rules. A registration request for sending is sent to the image storage device. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 (5), the diagnostic imaging workstation displays a combination of the CT image of the head and the CT image of the head imaged in the previous examination, and the medical images side by side. A registration request with the display format as an interpretation rule is transmitted to the image storage device.

  Upon receiving the interpretation rule registration request from the diagnostic imaging workstation, the image storage device associates the combination of the interpretation image and comparison image requested to be registered as the interpretation rule with the display format, and stores it in the storage unit as the interpretation rule. sign up. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 (6), the image storage device displays a combination of the CT image of the head and the CT image of the head imaged in the previous examination and the medical images side by side. The format is associated and registered in the storage unit as an interpretation rule.

  Thereafter, when a new examination is performed in which a CT image of the head of the same subject P is taken, the image storage device receives a request for displaying an interpretation image, and then stores the medical image in the stored medical image. In addition to acquiring the requested interpretation image from the image, the comparison image to be compared with the interpretation image is acquired based on the stored interpretation rule, and the acquired interpretation image and the comparison image are used as examination information to the image diagnosis workstation. To deliver.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7 (7), when receiving a display request regarding a CT image of the head in a new examination, the image storage device acquires the requested CT image of the head as an interpretation image and stores it. Based on the interpretation rules, the CT image of the head imaged in the previous examination, that is, the examination of this time is acquired as a comparison image, and the display format for displaying each medical image side by side is displayed. As shown in FIG. 8 (8), the acquired interpretation image, comparison image, and display format are distributed to the image diagnosis workstation as examination information.

  When receiving the examination information, the diagnostic imaging workstation displays the interpretation image and the comparison image received as the examination information according to the display format that is also distributed. For example, as shown in FIG. 9 (9), the diagnostic imaging workstation displays a CT image of the head imaged in the new examination and a CT image of the head imaged in the current examination side by side. To do.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the image storage device narrows down and distributes the medical image to be the comparison image based on the stored interpretation rule, so that only the necessary medical image is efficiently and rapidly imaged. Thus, it is possible to perform comparative interpretation efficiently at the diagnostic imaging workstation. In addition, when the image storage device distributes the interpretation image and the comparison image, it also distributes the display format for displaying each medical image, so that an operator such as an interpretation doctor displays it on the diagnostic imaging workstation. It is possible to display the interpretation image and the comparison image in a state where the comparison interpretation can be performed without performing the operation relating to the above.

  Next, the configuration of the diagnostic imaging system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating the configuration of the diagnostic imaging system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, this diagnostic imaging system includes an diagnostic imaging apparatus 10 such as an X-ray CT apparatus, an MRI apparatus, and a CR apparatus, an image storage apparatus 100, and an diagnostic imaging workstation 200 via a network 20, respectively. Connected and configured.

  Note that, here, a case where an X-ray CT apparatus, an MRI apparatus, and a CR apparatus are connected as the diagnostic imaging apparatus 10 one by one is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and images of the same type are used. A plurality of diagnostic apparatuses may be connected, and other image diagnostic apparatuses such as an X-ray diagnostic apparatus may be connected.

  The image storage device 100 is a device that stores medical images taken by the diagnostic imaging apparatus 10. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image storage device 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image storage device 100 includes an interface unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

  The interface unit 110 is a processing unit that controls transmission / reception of data exchanged with other devices via a network. For example, the interface unit 110 receives a medical image display request from the diagnostic imaging workstation 200 or transmits examination information to the diagnostic imaging workstation 200.

  The storage unit 120 is a storage unit that stores various programs and various data for realizing the processing performed by the control unit 130. The functional units related to the present invention include an image storage unit 120a and an image DB unit 120b. And an interpretation rule storage unit 120c.

  The image storage unit 120a is a storage unit that stores various medical images picked up by the image diagnostic apparatus 10, and the image DB unit 120b is an image storage unit such as a medical image storage location and an image compression rate in the image storage unit 120a. It is a memory | storage part which memorize | stores the various management information regarding the medical image memorize | stored by the part 120a.

  The interpretation rule storage unit 120c is a storage unit that stores information indicating a combination of medical images used in comparative interpretation for comparing a plurality of medical images as an interpretation rule. 4 and 5 are diagrams (1) and (2) showing an example of the interpretation rule stored by the interpretation rule storage unit 120c.

  Specifically, the interpretation rule storage unit 120c receives an interpretation rule that associates attribute information about the interpretation image, attribute information about the comparison image, and information indicating the display format when displaying the interpretation image and the comparison image. Remember for each specimen. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the interpretation rule storage unit 120c has a management ID (ID) for uniquely identifying the interpretation rule, a date and time (CREATE_DATETIME) when the interpretation rule was created, and the interpretation rule was last updated. Date and time (UPDATE_DATETIME), operator ID (OPE_ID) for identifying the operator who created the interpretation rule, the name of the operator who created the interpretation rule (OPE_NAME), and the comment entered by the operator who created the interpretation rule (OPE_NAME) OPE_COMMENT), an image index (IMAGE_INDEX) indicating the storage location of a medical image serving as an interpretation image, a modality that captured the medical image serving as an interpretation image (MODELITY), a device type name indicating the format of the modality (MODELNAME), and registration of interpretation rules Imaging that sent the request Station name (STATION) indicating a workstation, medical image inspection part (BODYPART) as an interpretation image, information on a comparison image to be compared with the interpretation image, and operation parameters for setting the display format of the interpretation image and the comparison image ( PARAM) and the like are stored.

  Here, the operation parameters include, for example, the same CT image of the head imaged in the previous examination as the MR image of the head imaged in the same examination when a certain interpretation image is comparatively interpreted. When the cervical CT images imaged in each examination are used as comparison images, as shown in FIG. 5, attribute information (examination time, modality, examination site) indicating each comparison image is set. The

  Further, for example, when performing comparative interpretation, the operation parameter is divided into two parts, the upper and lower sides and the left and right sides, the interpretation image is displayed on the upper left, and the first comparison image is displayed on the lower right. When the second comparative image is displayed on the upper right and the third comparative image is displayed on the lower left, as shown in FIG. 5, the display screen division format and the position where each image is displayed are displayed. Set as

  Returning to the description of FIG. 3, the control unit 130 is a processing unit that performs overall control of the image storage device 100, and as functional units related to the present invention, an image acquisition unit 130 a, an inspection information distribution unit 130 b, It has an interpretation rule receiving unit 130c and an interpretation rule registration unit 130d.

  The image acquisition unit 130a is a processing unit that acquires an interpretation image and a comparison image from medical images stored in the image storage unit 120a. Specifically, the image acquisition unit 130a, based on the management information stored by the image DB unit 120b, when receiving a display request regarding the interpretation image from the image diagnosis workstation 200 via the interface unit 110, The requested interpretation image is acquired from the medical images stored in the image storage unit 120a.

  Further, the image acquisition unit 130a acquires an interpretation image, and the image acquisition unit 130a includes information indicating the subject, modality, and examination site included in the received display request in the interpretation rule stored in the interpretation rule storage unit 120c. Check whether there is an interpretation rule corresponding to. If there is a corresponding interpretation rule, the image acquisition unit 130a refers to the operation parameter of the interpretation rule and stores it by the image storage unit 120a based on the information related to the comparative image set therein. A comparison image to be compared with the requested interpretation image is acquired from the medical images that have been received.

  For example, when the operation parameters are set as shown in FIG. 5, the image acquisition unit 130 a uses the head image captured in the previous examination as a comparison image to be compared with the interpretation image captured this time. The CT image, the MR image of the head imaged in the current examination, and the CT image of the neck imaged in the current examination are respectively acquired from the medical images stored in the image storage unit 120a. .

  Further, the image acquisition unit 130a acquires a comparison image and also acquires information indicating a display format from the operation parameter of the referred interpretation rule. For example, when the operation parameters are set as shown in FIG. 5, the image acquisition unit 130a divides the display area into two parts, up and down and left and right, displays an interpretation image on the upper left, and displays the image on the lower right. A CT image of the head imaged in the previous examination is displayed, an MR image of the head imaged in the current examination is displayed in the upper right, and a CT image of the neck imaged in the current examination is displayed in the lower left. The information indicating the display format for displaying each is acquired.

  The image acquisition unit 130a has an interpretation rule corresponding to information indicating the subject, modality, and examination site included in the received display request, among the interpretation rules stored in the interpretation rule storage unit 120c. If there is no corresponding interpretation rule at the time of confirmation, all medical images relating to the same subject as the requested interpretation image are acquired as comparison images.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 3, the inspection information distribution unit 130 b is a processing unit that distributes inspection information to the diagnostic imaging workstation 200. Specifically, the examination information distribution unit 130b is acquired when the image acquisition unit 130a acquires information indicating a display format when displaying an interpretation image and a comparison image and medical images thereof. This information is distributed as inspection information to the diagnostic imaging workstation 200 via the interface unit 110.

  The interpretation rule receiving unit 130 c is a processing unit that receives an interpretation rule registration request from the diagnostic imaging workstation 200. Specifically, when the interpretation rule receiving unit 130c receives a registration request for an interpretation rule from the image diagnosis workstation 200, the interpretation rule receiving unit 130c transmits attribute information about the interpretation image and the comparison image transmitted together with the registration request, and their medical use Information indicating the display format of the image is delivered to the interpretation rule registration unit 130d.

  The interpretation rule registration unit 130d is a processing unit that registers the interpretation rule in the interpretation rule storage unit 120c. Specifically, the interpretation rule registration unit 130d receives attribute information indicating the combination of the interpretation image and the comparison image and information indicating the display format of these images from the interpretation rule reception unit 130c. Are registered in the interpretation rule storage unit 120c as interpretation rules.

  The diagnostic imaging workstation 200 is a device that acquires and displays medical images from the image storage device 100. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the diagnostic imaging workstation 200 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the diagnostic imaging workstation 200 includes an input unit 210, a display unit 220, an interface unit 230, a storage unit 240, and a control unit 250.

  The input unit 210 is an input device that inputs information related to various instructions given by an operator such as an interpretation doctor, and is realized by, for example, a keyboard or a mouse. The display unit 220 is an output device that displays a medical image acquired from the image storage device 100, and is realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display.

  The interface unit 230 is a processing unit that controls transmission / reception of data exchanged with other devices via a network. For example, the interface unit 230 transmits a medical image display request to the image storage device 100 and receives examination information from the image storage device 100.

  The storage unit 240 is a storage unit that stores various programs and various data for realizing the processing performed by the control unit 250, and includes a test information storage unit 240a as a functional unit related to the present invention. The inspection information storage unit 240a is a storage unit that stores the inspection information transmitted from the image storage device 100.

  The control unit 250 is a processing unit that performs overall control of the diagnostic imaging workstation 200. Functional units related to the present invention include an examination information receiving unit 250a, an image display control unit 250b, and an interpretation rule registration requesting unit 250c. And have.

  The inspection information receiving unit 250a is a processing unit that receives the inspection information transmitted from the image storage device 100. Specifically, the examination information receiving unit 250a stores, via the interface unit 230, examination information including an interpretation image and a comparison image, and information indicating a display format for displaying the interpretation image and the comparison image. When received from the apparatus 100, the received examination information is handed over to the image display control unit 250b.

  The image display control unit 250b is a processing unit that receives various instructions from an operator such as an interpreting doctor, acquires a medical image from the image storage device 100 based on the received various instructions, and displays the medical image on the display unit 220. Specifically, when the image display control unit 250b receives an interpretation image display request from the operator via the input unit 210 in comparative interpretation, the image display control unit 250b sends the interpretation image display request to the image storage device 100. Send to. The display request transmitted here includes information for acquiring an interpretation image requesting display, and attribute information indicating the subject, modality, and examination site regarding the interpretation image.

  When the image display control unit 250b receives the inspection information distributed from the image storage device 100 in response to the transmitted display request via the inspection information reception unit 250a, the image interpretation control image and the comparison image distributed as the inspection information. The image interpretation image and the comparison image are displayed based on the information indicating the display format when displaying the medical images.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, based on the operation parameters, the CT image of the head imaged in the current examination is distributed as the interpretation image, and the CT image of the head imaged in the previous examination is used as the comparison image. The image, the MR image of the head imaged in the current examination, and the cervical CT image imaged in the current examination are distributed, and the display format when displaying these medical images is the image storage device 100. Suppose that it was delivered from.

  In this case, the image display control unit 250b divides the display area of the display unit 220 into two parts, upper and lower, left and right, and displays the CT image of the head imaged in the current examination as an interpretation image on the upper left. Below, the CT image of the head imaged in the previous examination is displayed as the first comparison image, and the MR image of the head imaged in the current examination is displayed as the second comparison image in the upper right. In the lower left, a CT image of the cervix imaged in this examination is displayed as a third comparative image.

  In addition, when an instruction regarding switching of image display such as additional display of a comparison image or change of display format is received from the operator, the image display control unit 250b distributes from the image storage device 100 according to the received instruction. A new comparison image is acquired from the comparison images thus displayed and is additionally displayed, or the display format of the interpretation image and comparison image is changed.

  The interpretation rule registration request unit 250 c is a processing unit that receives an interpretation rule registration request from an operator such as an interpreting physician and transmits the interpretation rule registration request to the image storage apparatus 100. Specifically, when the interpretation rule registration request unit 250c receives an interpretation rule registration request from an operator via the input unit 210, the interpretation displayed at that time by the image display control unit 250b. An interpretation rule registration request including attribute information regarding images and comparative images and information indicating the display format of these images is transmitted to the image storage device 100 via the interface unit 230.

  Next, processing procedures of the image storage device 100 and the diagnostic imaging workstation 200 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of the image storage apparatus 100 and the image diagnosis workstation 200 according to the present embodiment. Here, processing procedures of the image storage device 100 and the image diagnosis workstation 200 when comparative interpretation is performed will be described.

  As shown in the figure, in the diagnostic imaging system according to the present embodiment, when comparative interpretation is performed, first, in the diagnostic imaging workstation 200, the image display control unit 250b responds to a request from the operator. The interpretation image display request is transmitted to the image storage device 100 (step S101).

  When the interpretation image display request is transmitted, in the image storage device 100, the image acquisition unit 130a acquires the requested interpretation image from the image storage unit 120a (step S102), and further, the interpretation corresponding to the interpretation image. It is confirmed whether or not the rule is registered in the interpretation rule storage unit 120c (step S103).

  Here, when the interpretation rule corresponding to the requested interpretation image is not registered (step S103, No), the image acquisition unit 130a retrieves all medical images related to the same subject as the requested interpretation image. Obtained as a comparison image (step S104).

  On the other hand, when an interpretation rule corresponding to the requested interpretation image is registered (step S103, Yes), the image acquisition unit 130a narrows down the medical image based on the interpretation rule and compares the narrowed medical image. Obtained as an image (step S105). At this time, the image acquisition unit 130a further acquires information indicating the display format for displaying the acquired interpretation image and comparison image from the interpretation rule storage unit 120c (step S106).

  Subsequently, in the image storage device 100, the examination information distribution unit 130b uses the interpretation image and the comparison image acquired by the image acquisition unit 130a and information indicating the display format when displaying the medical images as the examination information. The image is distributed to the diagnostic imaging workstation 200 (step S107).

  When the examination information is distributed, in the diagnostic imaging workstation 200, the examination information receiving unit 250a receives the examination information, and the image display control unit 250b displays an interpretation image and a comparison image based on the examination information (step S108). ).

  When the image display control unit 250b receives an instruction from the operator regarding switching of the image display such as additional display of a comparison image or change of the display format (step S109, Yes), according to the received instruction, The comparative image is additionally displayed and the display format is changed (step S110).

  After that, in the image diagnosis workstation 200, when the interpretation rule registration request unit 250c receives an interpretation rule registration request from the operator (step S111, Yes), the interpretation image and comparison image displayed at that time, A request for registering an interpretation rule including information indicating the display format is sent to the image storage device 100 (step S112).

  When an interpretation rule registration request is transmitted from the diagnostic imaging workstation 200, in the image storage apparatus 100, the interpretation rule reception unit 130c receives the registration request, and the interpretation rule registration unit 130d receives the registration request. The obtained information is registered in the interpretation rule storage unit 120c as an interpretation rule (step S113).

  Here, in the case where the image storage apparatus 100 acquires an interpretation rule corresponding to the requested interpretation image in the interpretation rule storage unit 120c, the image storage device 100 immediately acquires the comparison image based on the interpretation rule. As described above, for example, when a plurality of interpretation rules corresponding to the requested interpretation image are registered in the interpretation rule storage unit 120c, the plurality of interpretation rules are once transmitted to the image diagnosis workstation 200. The operator may select the image and use the selected interpretation rule to acquire the comparison image.

  As described above, in the diagnostic imaging system according to the present embodiment, in the diagnostic imaging workstation 200, the image display control unit 250b transmits a display request for an interpretation image used for comparative interpretation to the image storage device 100. Then, in the image storage device 100, the interpretation rule storage unit 120c stores information indicating a combination of medical images used in comparative interpretation for comparing a plurality of medical images as an interpretation rule, and the image acquisition unit 130a stores the interpretation image. When a display request is received from the diagnostic imaging workstation 200, the requested interpretation image is acquired from the stored medical images, and based on the interpretation rule stored in the interpretation rule storage unit 120c, The comparison image to be compared with the interpretation image is acquired, and the inspection information distribution unit 130b distributes the interpretation image and the comparison image acquired by the image acquisition unit 130a to the image diagnosis workstation 200 as inspection information. As a result, in this embodiment, since the medical image to be the comparison image is narrowed down and distributed, only the necessary medical image is efficiently and rapidly distributed to the diagnostic imaging workstation 200. Therefore, it is possible to perform comparative interpretation efficiently.

  In the image diagnostic system according to the present embodiment, in the image storage device 100, the interpretation rule storage unit 120c further stores information indicating a display format when a plurality of medical images are displayed in comparative interpretation as an interpretation rule. The image acquisition unit 130a further acquires the display format when the interpretation image and the comparison image are displayed based on the interpretation rule stored by the interpretation rule storage unit 120c, and the examination information distribution unit 130b The display format acquired by 130a is further distributed as inspection information. Thus, in this embodiment, when the interpretation image and the comparison image are distributed, the display format for displaying each medical image is also distributed. It is possible to display the interpretation image and the comparison image in a state where the comparison interpretation can be performed without the operator performing an operation related to the display.

  Conventionally, in order to perform comparative interpretation on the image diagnostic workstation 200, an operator such as an interpretation doctor needs to perform a number of operations, which requires a lot of preparation time. However, in the image diagnosis system according to the present embodiment, since the medical image can be displayed in a state where the image diagnosis workstation 200 can perform comparative interpretation, operations and preparation time conventionally required for comparative interpretation are possible. Becomes unnecessary, and the interpretation time can be shortened. In addition, since only medical images to be interpreted can be preferentially extracted and displayed, an efficient interpretation environment can be provided with few operations.

  In the image diagnostic system according to the present embodiment, in the image storage device 100, the interpretation rule receiving unit 130c receives information indicating a combination of medical images used in comparative interpretation from the diagnostic imaging workstation 200, and registers the interpretation rule. The unit 130d registers the information received by the interpretation rule receiving unit 130c as the interpretation rule in the interpretation rule storage unit 120c. As a result, in this embodiment, it becomes possible to learn interpretation rules in response to a request from an operator such as an interpretation doctor, and it is possible to perform comparative interpretation flexibly based on various interpretation rules. Become.

  In addition, each component of each apparatus illustrated in the present embodiment is functionally conceptual and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the specific form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof may be functionally or physically distributed or arbitrarily distributed in arbitrary units according to various loads or usage conditions. Can be integrated and configured.

  As described above, the medical image storage apparatus and the medical image display system according to the present invention are useful for comparative interpretation in which a plurality of medical images are compared and interpreted, and in particular, an unnecessary medical image is used as a medical image observation apparatus. It is suitable for cases where efficient comparative interpretation is required without delivery.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the outline | summary of the diagnostic imaging system which concerns on a present Example. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the diagnostic imaging system which concerns on a present Example. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the image storage apparatus which concerns on a present Example. It is a figure (1) which shows an example of the interpretation rule memorize | stored by the interpretation rule memory | storage part. It is FIG. (2) which shows an example of the interpretation rule memorize | stored by the interpretation rule memory | storage part. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the diagnostic imaging workstation which concerns on a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the image storage apparatus and image diagnostic workstation which concern on a present Example. It is a figure for demonstrating the comparative interpretation using the conventional image storage apparatus and an image diagnostic workstation.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image diagnostic apparatus 20 Network 100 Image storage apparatus 110 Interface part 120 Storage part 120a Image storage part 120b Image DB part 120c Interpretation rule storage part 130 Control part 130a Image acquisition part 130b Examination information distribution part 130c Interpretation rule reception part 130d Interpretation rule registration Unit 200 diagnostic imaging workstation 210 input unit 220 display unit 230 interface unit 240 storage unit 240a inspection information storage unit 250 control unit 250a inspection information reception unit 250b image display control unit 250c interpretation rule registration request unit

Claims (7)

A medical image storage device for storing medical images,
Interpretation rule storage means for storing, as an interpretation rule, information indicating a combination of the first interpretation image and the first comparison image used in the past comparative interpretation for comparing a plurality of medical images;
When a display request related to the second interpretation image is received from the medical image observation apparatus, the second interpretation image is acquired from the stored medical images and compared with the second interpretation image . An image acquisition means for acquiring a medical image based on the interpretation rule from among medical images related to the second interpretation image as a second comparison image;
And examination information distribution means for distributing the medical image observation apparatus the second interpretation of images and the second comparison image acquired by the image acquiring means as the examination information,
A medical image storage device comprising: The interpretation rule storage means further stores information indicating the display format for the first interpretation of images with the first comparative image is displayed in the comparative reading as the interpretation rules,
It said image acquisition means, based on the stored image interpretation rules by the interpretation rule storage means further acquires the display format for the second interpretation of images and the second comparative image is displayed,
The medical image storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the examination information distribution unit further distributes the display format acquired by the image acquisition unit as the inspection information. Interpretation rule receiving means for receiving, from the medical image observation apparatus, information indicating a combination of the first interpretation image and the first comparison image used in the comparison interpretation;
Interpretation rule registration means for registering the information received by the interpretation rule reception means in the interpretation rule storage means as an interpretation rule;
The medical image storage apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Display format receiving means for receiving, from the medical image observation device, information indicating a display format when the plurality of medical images are displayed in the comparative interpretation;
Display for registering information indicating the display format received by the display format receiving unit, the first interpretation image and information correlating information indicating a combination of the first comparison image to the interpretation rule storage means Format registration means;
The medical image storage apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A medical image display system configured to include a medical image storage device that stores medical images and a medical image observation device that displays medical images stored in the medical image storage device,
The medical image observation apparatus comprises:
A display request transmission unit configured to transmit a display request for a second interpretation image used for comparative interpretation to the medical image storage device;
The medical image storage device comprises:
Interpretation rule storage means for storing, as an interpretation rule, information indicating a combination of the first interpretation image and the first comparison image used in the past comparative interpretation for comparing a plurality of medical images;
When the display request for the second interpretation image is received from the medical image observation apparatus, the second interpretation image is acquired from the stored medical images and compared with the second interpretation image. Image acquisition means for acquiring a medical image based on the interpretation rule from medical images related to the second interpretation image as a second comparison image,
And examination information distribution means for distributing the medical image observation apparatus the second interpretation of images and the second comparison image acquired by the image acquiring means as the examination information,
A medical image display system comprising: Receiving means for receiving an interpretation rule indicating a combination of the first interpretation image and the first comparison image used in the comparison interpretation for comparing a plurality of medical images from the medical image storage device;
Display control means for displaying a medical image distributed from the medical image storage device on a display unit based on the interpretation rule received by the receiving means;
A medical image observation apparatus comprising:   The medical image observation apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising instruction means for instructing the medical image storage apparatus to change the interpretation rule.

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