JP6602607B2 - Medical image display device and mammography device - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a medical image display apparatus and a mammography apparatus.

  The mammography apparatus captures an X-ray image in a state where the breast as the subject is pressed. The captured image is interpreted and used to confirm the presence or absence of a lesion such as breast cancer. Further, there is a tomosynthesis imaging method that uses a mammography apparatus to capture a three-dimensional image (tomosynthesis image) including a tomographic image group of a breast as a subject.

  The tomosynthesis imaging method uses a mammography apparatus in which an X-ray tube and an X-ray detection unit are opposed to each other with a subject (pressed breast) in between, moving the X-ray tube to the subject. In contrast, this is a method of performing X-ray imaging a plurality of times from different directions. By reconstructing projection data obtained by multiple X-ray imaging, a three-dimensional image including a tomographic image group of a breast is generated.

  As described above, about 50 tomographic images having an image thickness of about 1 mm may be captured. When interpreting an imaged tomographic image, an image reference person such as an interpreting doctor searches for a tomographic image in which a lesioned part is depicted while switching and displaying a number of tomographic images, and the lesioned part and cross-sectional position in the tomographic image By grasping (tomographic position), the position of the lesioned part in the three-dimensional image was grasped. As a result, the image referer may take a long time to detect the lesioned part and grasp the position, and the interpretation efficiency may be reduced.

  Moreover, it is generally said that abnormal shadows representing lesions such as breast cancer often appear in the mammary gland. Therefore, an image referencer may make a diagnosis by observing the mammary gland region during interpretation. The distribution state of the mammary gland in this mammary gland region has a large individual difference for each subject, and the appearance of abnormal shadows differs depending on the distribution state of the mammary gland. When a tomographic image with a small amount of mammary gland is interpreted, the abnormal shadow is easy to find because the density difference between the abnormal shadow and the mammary gland is large. On the other hand, when a tomographic image having a large amount of mammary gland is interpreted, the density difference between the abnormal shadow and the mammary gland is small, so that the abnormal shadow is difficult to find. For example, when an image viewer interprets a tomographic image having a large amount of mammary gland, it is necessary to carefully observe the mammary gland region. As a result, the time required for detecting the lesioned part and grasping the position becomes longer, and the interpretation efficiency may decrease.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-65857

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a medical image display device and a mammography device capable of improving the interpretation efficiency.

The medical image display device of the embodiment displays a tomographic image group of a compressed breast. The medical image display device includes a mammary gland amount calculation unit, a graph information generation unit, a display control unit, a storage unit, and a correspondence information generation unit . The mammary gland amount calculating unit calculates the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image. The graph information generation unit generates graph information representing a correspondence relationship between a tomographic position and a mammary gland amount for each tomographic image. The display control unit displays the tomographic image and the graph information, and superimposes and displays a graph marker representing the tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image on the graph information. The storage unit stores in advance a schema that schematically represents a breast in a non-compressed state. The correspondence information generation unit generates tomographic correspondence information in which a tomographic position for each tomographic image of a compressed breast is associated with a position in a non-compressed schema. The display control unit displays a schema based on the tomographic correspondence information, and displays a tomographic marker that represents a tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image on the schema.

The block diagram which shows the function structure of the mammography apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the outline of a movement of the X-ray tube which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the outline of the compression direction of the breast which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the outline of the graph information which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the example of a display of the tomographic image which concerns on 1st Embodiment, graph information, and a graph marker. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mammography apparatus according to the first embodiment. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the mammography apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the outline of the non-compression dimension which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the outline of the compression dimension which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The table | surface which shows the outline of the value calculated by the corresponding | compatible information generation part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the outline of the fault correspondence information which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The table | surface which shows the mammary gland amount for every tomographic image which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The table | surface which shows the value which the corresponding | compatible information generation part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment calculates. The schematic diagram which shows the tomographic position changed in the tomography corresponding | compatible information which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the example of a display of the graph information which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and a schema. The schematic diagram which shows the example of a display of the graph information which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and a schema. The schematic diagram which shows the example of a display of the tomographic image which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, a schema, and a tomographic marker. The schematic diagram which shows the example of a display of the graph information which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, a schema, and a tomographic image. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the mammography apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the function structure of the medical image display apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a mammography apparatus and a medical image display apparatus according to embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the mammography apparatus according to the first embodiment. The mammography apparatus of this embodiment includes a support base 1, a compression plate 2, an X-ray tube 3, an X-ray detection unit 4, an image generation unit 5, a mammary gland amount calculation unit 6, and a graph information generation unit 7. A display control unit 8, a display unit 9, an operation unit 10, and a system control unit 11. In addition, since “image” and “image data” correspond one-to-one, they may be identified with each other.

  The support base 1 supports the placed breast P. An X-ray detection unit 4 is provided at the subsequent stage of the support base 1.

  The compression plate 2 is provided to face the support base 1. The compression plate 2 is configured to be movable in a direction approaching or separating from the support base 1. Thereby, the breast P is compressed.

  The X-ray tube 3 generates X-rays. The X-ray tube 3 is provided so as to be movable with respect to the compressed breast P. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the movement of the X-ray tube 3. The X-ray tube 3 rotates from a position (start position) inclined at one angle α to the vertical direction of the X-ray detector 4 to a position inclined at an angle α with respect to the vertical direction on the opposite side of the start position. It is provided so as to be movable along the direction β. The value of the angle α is predetermined such as “15 degrees” and “20 degrees”.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the compression direction of the breast P. In the example of FIG. 3, the direction D1 is the body axis direction of the subject. The compression plate 2 and the support base 1 are provided so as to be rotatable about the front-rear direction of the subject. Thereby, the compression plate 2 and the support base 1 can compress the breast P in a plurality of compression directions. Examples of the compression direction include a CC (Cranio-Caudal) direction and an MLO (Media-Lateral Oblique) direction.

  The compression direction is determined by an input from the operator at the time of shooting, and compression direction information indicating the compression direction is attached to the captured image data. Further, when photographing in the MLO direction is performed, angle information indicating the angle θ of the compression plate 2 and the support base 1 is attached to the photographed image data.

  The X-ray detection unit 4 detects incident X-rays. This X-ray includes an X-ray transmitted through the breast P. For example, the X-ray detection unit 4 is configured by a direct conversion type or indirect conversion type flat detector. The flat panel detector converts the incident X-rays into electric signals and outputs the electric signals to the image generation unit 5.

  The image generation unit 5 generates a tomographic image group of the breast P compressed in the determined compression direction. At this time, the image generation unit 5 performs A / D conversion on the electrical signal from the X-ray detection unit 4. The digital signal after A / D conversion is referred to as detection data. The image generation unit 5 performs reconstruction processing such as shift addition processing on the detection data, and generates a tomographic image group having a cross section perpendicular to the compression direction. The image thickness of the generated tomographic image is set as appropriate. The image generation unit 5 also adds the compression direction information input through the operation unit 10 and the system control unit 11, the image thickness information indicating the set image thickness, and the tomographic position information indicating the tomographic position to the tomographic image group. Include in information. When the compression direction is the MLO direction, the image generation unit 5 further includes angle information in the incidental information.

  The mammary gland amount calculating unit 6 calculates the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image. At this time, the mammary gland amount calculation unit 6 reads the tomographic image group from the image generation unit 5. For example, the mammary gland amount calculation unit 6 detects a skin line of a tomographic image by a typical edge detection method. By detecting the skin line, the breast region and the non-breast region in the tomographic image are identified. The mammary gland amount calculation unit 6 divides the breast region into a mammary gland region, a fat region, and a pectoral muscle region by a typical clustering method such as a K-means method. The mammary gland amount calculating unit 6 calculates a ratio (percentage or the like) of the area of the mammary gland to the area (number of pixels) of the fat region as the mammary gland mass. Further, the mammary gland amount calculating unit 6 may calculate a value obtained by multiplying the ratio by the image thickness as the mammary gland amount. The mammary gland amount calculating unit 6 calculates the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image.

  The graph information generation unit 7 generates graph information indicating the correspondence between the tomographic position and the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image. At this time, the graph information generation unit 7 reads the image thickness information, the tomographic position information, and the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image from the image generation unit 5 and the mammary gland amount calculation unit 6 to generate graph information. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the graph information G1. In the example of FIG. 4, it is assumed that the horizontal axis represents the fault position and the vertical axis represents the mammary gland mass. The coordinate interval of the axis representing the tomographic position (horizontal axis) corresponds to the image thickness for each tomographic image.

  Note that when the tomographic image group is generated for a plurality of compression directions, the graph information generation unit 7 generates the graph information G1 for each compression direction. The axis representing the tomographic position (horizontal axis) corresponds to the compression direction of the tomographic image group.

  The display control unit 8 displays the tomographic image and the graph information G1, and superimposes and displays a graph marker representing the tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image on the graph information G1. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display example of the tomographic image G2, the graph information G1, and the graph marker GM. The display control unit 8 reads the graph information G1 from the graph information generation unit 7 and displays the graph information G1. When the tomographic image group is generated for a plurality of compression directions, the display control unit 8 reads out the graph information G1 corresponding to the compression direction of the tomographic image group and displays the graph information G1. The display control unit 8 reads the tomographic image group generated by the image generation unit 5 and displays a predetermined tomographic image G2. At this time, the display control unit 8 refers to the tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image G2 and the coordinate of the axis representing the tomographic position of the graph information (the coordinate of the horizontal axis in the example of FIG. 5) to determine the rice position. The graph marker GM to be displayed is superimposed on the graph information G1.

  In addition, when an image reference person such as an image interpretation doctor interprets a captured tomographic image G2, it interprets images while switching and displaying a large number of tomographic images G2. Each time the display control unit 8 receives an instruction to switch the tomographic image G2 via the operation unit 10 and the system control unit 11, the display control unit 8 displays the graph marker GM corresponding to the tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image G2 with the coordinates of the tomographic position. To display.

  The display unit 9 displays the graph information G1, the tomographic image G2, and the graph marker GM based on the control signal from the display control unit 8. The display unit 9 is configured by a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display.

  The operation unit 10 receives an operation by an operator such as a doctor or an engineer, and inputs a signal or information corresponding to the operation content to each unit of the apparatus. The operation unit 10 includes operation devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a trackball. Further, the operation unit 10 may be configured by a touch panel including a GUI (Graphical User Interface) displayed on the display unit 9.

  The system control unit 11 controls the operation of each unit of the mammography apparatus. For example, the system control unit 11 stores a computer program for executing the function of each unit of the mammography apparatus. The system control unit 11 realizes the above functions by executing this computer program. For example, the system control unit 11 stores and executes a computer program representing the following operation.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mammography apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  Step S101: The image generation unit 5 generates a tomographic image group of the breast P compressed in a predetermined compression direction. The image thickness of the generated tomographic image is set as appropriate. The image generation unit 5 also adds the compression direction information input through the operation unit 10 and the system control unit 11, the image thickness information indicating the set image thickness, and the tomographic position information indicating the tomographic position to the tomographic image group. Include in information. When the compression direction is the MLO direction, the image generation unit 5 further includes angle information in the incidental information.

  Step S102: The mammary gland amount calculation unit 6 calculates the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image. At this time, the mammary gland amount calculation unit 6 reads the tomographic image group from the image generation unit 5. The mammary gland amount calculating unit 6 calculates a ratio (percentage or the like) of the area of the mammary gland to the area (number of pixels) of the fat region as the mammary gland mass. Further, the mammary gland amount calculating unit 6 may calculate a value obtained by multiplying the ratio by the image thickness as the mammary gland amount.

  Step S103: The graph information generation unit 7 generates graph information representing the correspondence between the tomographic position and the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image. The graph information generation unit 7 reads the image thickness information, the tomographic position information, and the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image from the image generation unit 5 and the mammary gland amount calculation unit 6, and generates graph information.

  Step S104: The display control unit 8 reads the graph information G1 from the graph information generation unit 7, and displays the graph information G1.

  Step S105: The display control unit 8 reads the tomographic image group generated by the image generation unit 5 and displays a predetermined tomographic image G2.

  Step S106: The display control unit 8 refers to the tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image G2 and the coordinates of the axis representing the tomographic position of the graph information.

  Step S107: The display control unit 8 superimposes and displays the graph marker GM representing the tomographic position on the graph information G1.

  Step S108: When the display control unit 8 receives an instruction to switch the tomographic image G2 (step S108; YES), the operation of this embodiment returns to step S105. When the display control unit 8 does not receive an instruction to switch the tomographic image G2 (step S108; NO), the operation of this embodiment proceeds to step S109.

  Step S109: When an end instruction for ending the interpretation (referring to the tomographic image) is input (step S109; YES), the operation of this embodiment is ended. When the end instruction is not input (step S109; NO), the operation of this embodiment returns to step S108.

  The mammography apparatus according to the first embodiment displays graph information representing a correspondence relationship between a tomographic position and a mammary gland amount for each tomographic image, and a graph marker GM representing a tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image as graph information G1. Superimposed display. Thereby, an image reference person such as an interpretation doctor can perform interpretation while visually recognizing the position where the graph marker GM is displayed and easily grasping the mammary gland amount of the displayed tomographic image. Therefore, it is possible to provide a mammography apparatus that can improve the interpretation efficiency.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the mammography apparatus according to the second embodiment. The mammography apparatus according to this embodiment is configured to be able to associate a tomographic position for each tomographic image on a schema that schematically represents the breast P in a non-compressed state. Hereinafter, content different from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Description of the same contents as in the first embodiment may be omitted.

  The storage unit 12 stores in advance a schema that schematically represents the breast P in a non-compressed state. As a schema, one or more schematic diagrams representing clinically representative breast shapes (non-compressed state) are input in advance by a medical worker.

  The dimension acquisition unit 13 acquires a non-compressed dimension that is a dimension of the breast P in a non-compressed state. At this time, the dimension in the compression direction is acquired as a non-compression dimension for a plurality of predetermined acquisition positions. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the non-compression dimension. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the compression direction is the MLO direction. For example, a plurality of acquisition positions (Ma, Mb, Mc, Md, Me, Mf, Mg) are determined in a direction (referred to as acquisition position direction D2) orthogonal to the compression direction and the front-rear direction of the subject. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the number of acquisition positions is “7”, but the number of acquisition positions is not limited to “7”, and may be plural.

  Moreover, the coordinate value in the acquisition position direction D2 of each acquisition position is designed suitably. However, at least one acquisition position is determined as a reference position for specifying the positional relationship between the breast P and the acquisition position and the scale of the breast P and the schema. For example, among the plurality of acquisition positions (Ma, Mb,..., Mg), the acquisition position Md is determined as the position of the nipple center Nc of the breast P in the acquisition position direction D2.

  The dimension acquisition unit 13 determines the dimension in the direction parallel to the compression direction (measurement direction D3) for each acquisition position (Ma, Mb,..., Mg) and the non-compression dimension (Za, Zb, Zc, Zd, Ze, Zf). , Zg). The acquisition position direction D2 and the measurement direction D3 are orthogonal to each other. The non-compressed dimension information indicating the non-compressed dimensions (Za, Zb,..., Zg) includes acquired position information indicating each acquired position (Ma, Mb,..., Mg) and a measurement direction indicating the measurement direction D3. D3 information and non-compressed dimensions (Za, Zb,..., Zg) at each acquisition position are included.

  The non-compression dimension information according to the embodiment of the present specification may be information specifying the acquisition position, the measurement direction D3, and the non-compression dimension (Za, Zb,..., Zg). The measuring method of (Za, Zb, ..., Zg) is not limited. For example, as the non-compressed dimensions (Za, Zb,..., Zg), information measured by a medical worker's hand using a ruler may be input and measured by a known optical three-dimensional measuring instrument. Information may be entered. The dimension obtaining unit 13 obtains non-compressed dimensions (Za, Zb,..., Zg) by receiving the non-compressed dimension information thus measured. The dimension acquisition unit 13 outputs the non-compressed dimension information to the correspondence information generation unit 14.

  In addition, the dimension acquisition unit 13 acquires a compression dimension that is the dimension of the breast P in a compressed state. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the compression dimension Z ′. FIG. 9 shows an example in which the compression direction is the MLO direction. The dimension acquisition part 13 measures the space | interval of the support stand 1 and the compression board 2, and acquires the measured space | interval as compression dimension Z '. The dimension acquisition unit 13 outputs the compression dimension information to the correspondence information generation unit 14.

  The correspondence information generation unit 14 generates tomographic correspondence information in which the tomographic position for each tomographic image is associated with the position in the schema based on the non-compressed dimensions (Za, Zb,..., Zg) and the compressed dimension Z ′. To do. At this time, the correspondence information generation unit 14 calculates a ratio between the non-compressed dimensions (Za, Zb,..., Zg) and the compressed dimensions Z ′.

  FIG. 10 is a table showing an outline of values calculated by the correspondence information generation unit 14. The correspondence information generation unit 14 reads the non-compressed dimension information from the dimension acquisition unit 13 and the non-compressed dimension (Za, Zb,..., Zg) for each acquisition position (Ma, Mb,..., Mg). Is identified. The correspondence information generation unit 14 reads the compression dimension information from the dimension acquisition unit 13 and specifies the compression dimension Z ′. Then, the correspondence information generation unit 14 calculates the ratio (Za / Zb) between the non-compression dimension (Za, Zb,..., Zg) and the compression dimension Z ′ for each acquisition position (Ma, Mb,..., Mg). Z ′, Zb / Z ′,..., Zg / Z ′) are calculated.

  The correspondence information generation unit 14 reads the image thickness δ from the image generation unit 5. The correspondence information generation unit 14 multiplies the ratio (Za / Z ′, Zb / Z ′,..., Zg / Z ′) for each acquisition position and the image thickness δ to obtain the width of the graph marker GM (δZa / Z ′, δZb / Z ′,..., ΔZg / Z ′) are calculated.

  The correspondence information generation unit 14 generates tomographic correspondence information by associating the tomographic position for each tomographic image with the position in the schema for each acquisition position. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of fault correspondence information. The correspondence information generation unit 14 reads the schema SH designated by an operator such as a doctor or an engineer from the storage unit 12. For example, the correspondence information generation unit 14 reads the acquisition position direction D2 from the dimension acquisition unit 13 and creates a reference line L1 that passes through the nipple center Nc of the schema SH in the acquisition position direction D2.

  The correspondence information generation unit 14 reads the coordinate values for each acquisition position (Ma, Mb,..., Mg) from the dimension acquisition unit 13 and reflects these coordinate values on the reference line L1. At this time, the correspondence information generation unit 14 obtains the scale of the breast P and the schema SH based on the non-compression dimension Zd at the acquisition position Md, and obtains this scale for each acquisition position (Ma, Mb,..., Mg). By applying to the coordinate values, these coordinate values are reflected on the reference line L1. This scale is appropriately set. Here, for explanation, it is assumed that the scale is “1: 1”.

  The correspondence information generation unit 14 reads the measurement direction D3 from the dimension acquisition unit 13, and calculates the width of the graph marker GM calculated from each acquisition position (Ma, Mb,..., Mg) reflected on the reference line L1. Dots dt are arranged in the measurement direction D3 at intervals of (δZa / Z ′, δZb / Z ′,..., ΔZg / Z ′). In FIG. 11, a part DT of the set of dots dt is shown enlarged for explanation. In this arrangement, the interval in the measurement direction D3 between the dots dt is the width of the graph marker GM for each acquisition position (Ma, Mb,..., Mg) (δZa / Z ′ = δa, δZb / Z ′ = δb, ..., [Delta] Zg / Z '= [delta] g). The dot dt represents the image boundary of the tomographic image in the measurement direction D3. In other words, between the dots dt in the measurement direction D3 represents the tomographic position of the tomographic image.

  By arranging the dots dt on the schema SH in this way, coordinate information in which the tomographic position for each tomographic image is associated with the position in the schema SH is generated. The correspondence information generation unit 14 outputs tomography correspondence information in which the tomographic position for each tomographic image is associated with the position in the schema SH to the display control unit 8.

  The correspondence information generation unit 14 may connect dots dt indicating the same image boundary with a known smooth line. In this case, the convergence point E1 of the smooth line may be set at the intersection of the image end T1 in the acquisition position direction D2 and the reference line L1. The image end T1 is specified by obtaining the distance from the nipple center Nc based on the set scale. Here, an example has been described in which the dot dt is arranged with reference to the reference line L1, but the dot dt may be arranged with reference to the smooth line L2 in contact with the edge of the schema SH.

  In addition, the correspondence information generation unit 14 performs tomographic correspondence based on the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image such that the larger the mammary gland amount, the thinner the width (length in the direction of the tomographic position axis) of the graph marker GM of the tomographic image. Change the fault location in the information. FIG. 12 is a table showing mammary gland masses (μ1, μ2, μ3,...) For each tomographic image (S1, S2, S3,...). Here, for the sake of explanation, it is assumed that each of the mammary gland masses (μ1, μ2, μ3,...) Has a value of “1” or more. FIG. 13 is a table showing values calculated by the correspondence information generation unit 14. The correspondence information generation unit 14 reads the mammary gland amount (μ1, μ2, μ3,...) For each tomographic image (S1, S2, S3,...) From the mammary gland amount calculation unit 6.

  For example, the correspondence information generation unit 14 multiplies the width (δZa / Z ′) of the graph marker GM at the acquisition position Ma by the reciprocal of the mammary gland mass (μ1, μ2, μ3,...), And changes the graph. The width of the marker GM (δZa / μ1Z ′, δZa / μ2Z ′, δZa / μ3Z ′,...) Is calculated. The correspondence information generation unit 14 calculates the width of the graph marker GM that is similarly changed for the acquisition positions (Mb, Mc,..., Mg).

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the fault position changed in the fault correspondence information. Here, for the sake of explanation, the order of the tomographic images is the order of the tomographic image S1, the tomographic image S2, the tomographic image S3, the tomographic image S4,... In the part DT of the set of dots dt. Suppose that The correspondence information generation unit 14 sets the interval of the measurement direction D3 between the dots dt to the width of the changed graph marker GM (δZa / μ1Z ′ = Δa1, δZa / μ2Z ′ = Δa2, δZa / μ3Z ′ = Δa3,. Change to (shown as).

  In general, when the breast is compressed, it is said that the smaller the amount of mammary gland, the easier it is to collapse, and the larger the amount of mammary gland, the harder it is to collapse. Therefore, by changing the tomographic position so that the image thickness in the non-compressed state becomes thinner as the tomographic image has a larger amount of mammary gland, the tomographic position corresponding to the ease of collapsing (the difficulty of collapsing) due to the mammary gland amount is associated with the schema SH. Can do.

  The display control unit 8 displays the graph information G1 and the schema SH. Further, the display control unit 8 changes the tomographic position in the graph information based on the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image G2 so that the width of the graph marker GM of the tomographic image G2 becomes thinner as the mammary gland amount increases. Information G1 is displayed.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display example of the graph information G1 and the schema SH. The display control unit 8 reads the graph information from the graph information generation unit 7 and displays the graph information G1 (see the display frame SC1). The display control unit 8 reads the schema SH designated by the operator from the storage unit 12 and displays the schema SH (see the display frame SC1). At this time, the coordinate width for each tomographic image (S1, S2, S3,...) On the axis (horizontal axis) indicating the tomographic position of the graph information G1 is the image thickness δ.

  When the operator selects an acquisition position in the schema SH via the operation unit 10, the display control unit 8 changes the coordinate width for each tomographic image to the width of the graph marker GM changed for the selected acquisition position. To do. A display example when the acquisition position Mb is selected is shown in the display frame SC2. The display control unit 8 receives a signal indicating that the acquisition position Mb is selected, and the width of the graph marker GM changed for the acquisition position Mb (δZb / μ1Z ′, δZb / μ2Z ′, δZb / μ3Z ′,... .) Is read from the correspondence information generation unit 14. The display control unit 8 changes the coordinate width for each tomographic image (S1, S2, S3,...) For the acquisition position Mb on the axis (horizontal axis) indicating the tomographic position of the graph information G1. The graph information G1 is displayed by changing the width (δZb / μ1Z ′, δZb / μ2Z ′, δZb / μ3Z ′,...).

  FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display example of the graph information G1 and the schema SH when the acquisition position Ma is selected after the acquisition position Mb is selected. The display control unit 8 receives a signal indicating that the acquisition position Ma has been selected, and the width of the graph marker GM changed for the acquisition position Ma (δZa / μ1Z ′, δZa / μ2Z ′, δZa / μ3Z ′,... .) Is read from the correspondence information generation unit 14. The display control unit 8 sets the coordinate width of each tomographic image (S1, S2, S3,...) On the axis (horizontal axis) indicating the tomographic position of the graph information G1 with respect to the acquisition position Ma. The graph information G1 is displayed with the width changed (δZa / μ1Z ′, δZa / μ2Z ′, δZa / μ3Z ′,...) (See display frame SC3).

  Further, the display control unit 8 displays the tomographic image G2 and the schema SH based on the tomographic correspondence information, and displays a tomographic marker SL representing the tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image G2 on the schema SH. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display example of the tomographic image G2, the schema SH, and the tomographic marker SL.

  The display control unit 8 reads the designated schema SH from the storage unit 12 and displays the schema SH. The display control unit 8 reads the tomographic image group generated by the image generation unit 5 and displays a predetermined tomographic image G2. At this time, the display control unit 8 refers to the tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image G2 and the width of the changed graph marker GM included in the tomographic correspondence information, and displays the tomographic marker SL representing the tomographic position as a schema SH. Is superimposed on the screen. By referring to the changed width of the graph marker GM, the display control unit 8 can display the tomographic marker SL at a position corresponding to the ease of collapsing (the difficulty of collapsing) due to the amount of mammary gland.

  In FIG. 17, the tomographic marker SL is indicated by a solid line, and the tomographic position other than the displayed tomographic image G2 is indicated by a broken line. Thus, the display control unit 8 may display the tomographic marker SL indicating the tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image G2 and the tomographic position other than the displayed tomographic image G2 in different display modes. Only the tomographic marker SL representing the tomographic position of the tomographic image G2 may be superimposed on the schema SH. At least the display control unit 8 may display the tomographic marker SL so that the positional relationship between the tomographic marker SL representing the tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image G2 and the schema SH can be visually recognized.

  When reading an imaged tomographic image G2, an image reference person such as an interpretation doctor interprets images while switching and displaying a number of tomographic images G2. Each time the display control unit 8 receives an instruction to switch the tomographic image G2 via the operation unit 10 and the system control unit 11, the tomographic marker SL corresponding to the tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image G2 is superimposed on the schema SH. To do.

  Further, the display control unit 8 may further display the graph information G1, and may superimpose and display the graph marker GM indicating the tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image on the graph information G1. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display example of graph information G1, schema SH, and tomographic image G2. The display control unit 8 reads the graph information G1 from the graph information generation unit 7 and displays the graph information G1.

  When the acquisition position is selected, the display control unit 8 changes the width of the graph marker GM in which the coordinate width for each tomographic image is changed for the selected acquisition position on the axis (horizontal axis) indicating the tomographic position of the graph information G1. And the graph information G1 is displayed. FIG. 18 shows an example in which the acquisition position Mb is selected.

  When the acquisition position is not selected, the display control unit 8 displays the coordinate width for each tomographic image (S1, S2, S3,...) On the axis (horizontal axis) indicating the tomographic position of the graph information G1. The graph information G1 with the thickness δ is displayed.

  The display control unit 8 superimposes the graph marker GM corresponding to the tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image G2 on the graph information G1 every time an instruction to switch the tomographic image G2 is received via the operation unit 10 and the system control unit 11. indicate.

  Note that the display control unit 8 extracts a tomographic image G2 having a breast mass exceeding or equal to a predetermined threshold from the tomographic image group based on the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image G2, and displays the extracted tomographic image G2. May be. For example, the threshold value is determined by an input by the operator. The display control unit 8 refers to the threshold value and the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image G2, and extracts a tomographic image G2 having a mammary gland amount exceeding or exceeding the threshold value from the tomographic image group. The display control unit 8 switches and displays the tomographic image G2 included in the extracted tomographic image group every time an instruction to switch the tomographic image G2 is received via the operation unit 10 and the system control unit 11.

  Further, the display control unit 8 may switch and display the tomographic images G2 in descending order of the mammary gland amount based on the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image G2. For example, the display control unit 8 refers to the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image G2, so that every time a tomographic image G2 switching instruction is received via the operation unit 10 and the system control unit 11, the tomographic image G2 is switched and displayed.

  In general, when a tomographic image having a large amount of mammary gland is interpreted, since the density difference between the abnormal shadow and the mammary gland is small, the abnormal shadow is difficult to find and careful observation is performed. Accordingly, there are cases where the radiogram interpreter wants to extract and observe a tomographic image with a large amount of mammary gland, or to observe a tomographic image in order of increasing mammary gland amount. According to the mammography apparatus of this embodiment, it is possible to improve the interpretation efficiency when it is desired to extract and observe a tomographic image having a large amount of mammary gland. Further, according to the mammography apparatus of this embodiment, it is possible to improve the interpretation efficiency when it is desired to observe tomographic images in descending order of mammary gland volume.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mammography apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  Step S201: The dimension acquisition unit 13 acquires a non-compressed dimension that is a dimension of the breast P in a non-compressed state. At this time, the dimension acquisition part 13 acquires the dimension of a compression direction as a non-compression dimension about several defined acquisition positions.

  Step S202: The dimension acquisition unit 13 acquires a compression dimension that is the dimension of the breast P in a compressed state. The dimension acquisition part 13 measures the space | interval of the support stand 1 and the compression board 2, and acquires the measured space | interval as compression dimension Z '.

  Step S203: The image generation unit 5 generates a tomographic image group of the breast P compressed in the determined compression direction. The image thickness of the generated tomographic image is set as appropriate. The image generation unit 5 also adds the compression direction information input through the operation unit 10 and the system control unit 11, the image thickness information indicating the set image thickness, and the tomographic position information indicating the tomographic position to the tomographic image group. Include in information. When the compression direction is the MLO direction, the image generation unit 5 further includes angle information in the incidental information.

  Step S204: The correspondence information generation unit 14 reads the non-compression dimension information from the dimension acquisition unit 13, and the non-compression dimension (Za, Zb,...) For each acquisition position (Ma, Mb,..., Mg). , Zg). The correspondence information generation unit 14 reads the compression dimension information from the dimension acquisition unit 13 and specifies the compression dimension Z ′. Then, the correspondence information generation unit 14 calculates the ratio (Za / Zb) between the non-compression dimension (Za, Zb,..., Zg) and the compression dimension Z ′ for each acquisition position (Ma, Mb,..., Mg). Z ′, Zb / Z ′,..., Zg / Z ′) are calculated.

  Step S205: The correspondence information generation unit 14 reads the image thickness δ from the image generation unit 5. The correspondence information generation unit 14 multiplies the ratio (Za / Z ′, Zb / Z ′,..., Zg / Z ′) for each acquisition position and the image thickness δ to obtain the width of the graph marker GM (δZa / Z ′, δZb / Z ′,..., ΔZg / Z ′) are calculated.

  Step S206: The correspondence information generation unit 14 generates tomographic correspondence information by associating the tomographic position for each tomographic image with the position in the schema SH for each acquisition position. The correspondence information generation unit 14 outputs tomography correspondence information in which the tomographic position for each tomographic image is associated with the position in the schema SH to the display control unit 8.

  Step S207: The mammary gland amount calculation unit 6 calculates the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image. At this time, the mammary gland amount calculation unit 6 reads the tomographic image group from the image generation unit 5. The mammary gland amount calculating unit 6 calculates a ratio (percentage or the like) of the area of the mammary gland to the area (number of pixels) of the fat region as the mammary gland mass. Further, the mammary gland amount calculating unit 6 may calculate a value obtained by multiplying the ratio by the image thickness as the mammary gland amount.

  Step S208: The correspondence information generation unit 14 changes the tomographic position in the tomographic correspondence information based on the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image so that the width of the tomographic image graph marker GM becomes thinner as the mammary gland amount increases. For example, the correspondence information generation unit 14 multiplies the width (δZa / Z ′) of the graph marker GM at the acquisition position Ma by the reciprocal of the mammary gland mass (μ1, μ2, μ3,...), And changes the graph. The width of the marker GM (δZa / μ1Z ′, δZa / μ2Z ′, δZa / μ3Z ′,...) Is calculated. The correspondence information generation unit 14 calculates the width of the graph marker GM that is similarly changed for the acquisition positions (Mb, Mc,..., Mg).

  Step S209: The graph information generation unit 7 generates graph information representing the correspondence between the tomographic position and the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image. The graph information generation unit 7 reads the image thickness information, the tomographic position information, and the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image from the image generation unit 5 and the mammary gland amount calculation unit 6, and generates graph information G1.

  Step S210: The display control unit 8 reads the designated schema SH from the storage unit 12, and displays the schema SH. The display control unit 8 reads the graph information G1 from the graph information generation unit 7 and displays the graph information G1.

  Step S211: The display control unit 8 reads out the tomographic image group generated by the image generation unit 5 and displays a predetermined tomographic image G2.

  Step S212: The display control unit 8 refers to the tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image G2 and the tomographic correspondence information received from the correspondence information generating unit 14. The display control unit 8 refers to the tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image G2 and the coordinates of the axis representing the tomographic position of the graph information.

  Step S213: The display control unit 8 superimposes and displays the tomographic marker SL representing the tomographic position on the schema SH. Further, the display control unit 8 superimposes and displays the graph marker GM representing the tomographic position on the graph information G1.

  Step S214: When the display controller 8 receives an instruction to switch the tomographic image G2 (step S214; YES), the operation of this embodiment returns to step S211. When the display control unit 8 does not receive an instruction to switch the tomographic image G2 (step S214; NO), the operation of this embodiment proceeds to step S215.

  Step S215: When an end instruction for ending the interpretation (referring to the tomographic image) is input (step S215; YES), the operation of this embodiment ends. When the end instruction is not input (step S215; NO), the operation of this embodiment returns to step S214.

  The mammography apparatus according to the second embodiment associates a tomographic position for each tomographic image on a schema schematically representing a breast in a non-compressed state, and represents a first tomographic position that represents a tomographic position corresponding to the displayed tomographic image. Marker is superimposed on the schema. Furthermore, the mammography apparatus according to the second embodiment changes the tomographic position so that the image thickness in the non-compressed state becomes thinner as the tomographic image has a larger amount of mammary gland. It is possible to associate a tomographic position corresponding to the schema. Therefore, an image reference person such as an image interpretation doctor visually recognizes the tomographic marker, and the positional relationship between the tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image and the uncompressed breast is easy to be crushed by the amount of mammary gland It can be a clue to grasp according to.

  In addition, the mammography apparatus according to the second embodiment displays graph information indicating a correspondence relationship between a tomographic position and a mammary gland amount for each tomographic image, and displays a graph marker GM indicating a tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image as graph information. Superimposed on G1. Furthermore, the mammography apparatus according to the second embodiment can display the tomographic marker SL at a position corresponding to the ease of collapse (difficulty of collapse) depending on the amount of mammary gland. Accordingly, an image reference person such as an image interpretation doctor visually recognizes the position at which the graph marker GM is displayed, and grasps the mammary gland amount of the displayed tomographic image according to the ease of collapsing by the mammary gland amount (hardness of collapsing). Interpretation can be performed.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the medical image display apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment. The medical image display apparatus 100 of this embodiment is connected to the mammography apparatus 200 via a network N so as to be communicable. The mammography apparatus 200 generates a tomographic image group of a defined breast. The medical image display device 100 is a device that displays this tomographic image group, and is used for interpretation. Hereinafter, content different from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Description of the same contents as in the first embodiment may be omitted.

  The communication unit 15 reads various information from the mammography apparatus 200 and outputs the various information to each unit of the medical image display apparatus 100. For example, the communication unit 15 reads out a tomographic image group from the mammography apparatus 200 and outputs it to the mammary gland amount calculation unit 6. The communication unit 15 reads the image thickness information and the tomographic position information from the mammography apparatus 200 and outputs them to the graph information generation unit 7. The communication unit 15 reads a tomographic image group from the mammography apparatus 200 and outputs the tomographic image group to the display control unit 8.

  The medical image display apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment displays graph information representing a correspondence relationship between a tomographic position and a mammary gland amount for each tomographic image, and a graph marker GM representing a tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image. It is displayed superimposed on the information G1. Thereby, an image reference person such as an interpretation doctor can perform interpretation while visually recognizing the position where the graph marker GM is displayed and easily grasping the mammary gland amount of the displayed tomographic image. Therefore, it is possible to provide a medical image display device that can improve the interpretation efficiency.

  According to the mammography apparatus and the medical image display apparatus of at least one embodiment described above, the interpretation efficiency can be improved.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Support stand 2 Compression board 3 X-ray tube 4 X-ray detection part 5 Image generation part 6 Mammary gland amount calculation part 7 Graph information generation part 8 Display control part 9 Display part 10 Operation part 11 System control part 12 Storage part 13 Size acquisition Unit 14 correspondence information generating unit 15 communication unit 100 medical image display device 200 mammography device

Claims (7)

A medical image display device that displays a group of tomographic images of a compressed breast,
A mammary gland mass calculating unit for calculating the mammary gland mass for each tomographic image;
A graph information generating unit that generates graph information indicating a correspondence between a tomographic position for each tomographic image and the mammary gland mass;
A display control unit for displaying the tomographic image and the graph information, and superimposing and displaying a graph marker representing the tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image on the graph information;
A storage unit that stores in advance a schema that schematically represents the breast in a non-compressed state;
A correspondence information generating unit for generating tomographic correspondence information in which a tomographic position for each tomographic image of the compressed breast is associated with a position in the schema in a non-compressed state;
Have
The display control unit displays the schema based on the tomographic correspondence information, and displays a tomographic marker representing the tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image in a superimposed manner on the schema. apparatus. Non compression dimension is the dimension of the breast non compressed state, and further has a dimension acquisition unit that acquires compression dimension is the dimension of the breast compression state,
The correspondence information generation unit, on the basis of the non-compression dimensions and the compression size, wherein the tomographic correspondence information tomographic position of each tomographic image associated with the position in the schema of the non-compressed state of oppressed the breast you generate a,
The medical image display device according to claim 1, wherein the this.   The correspondence information generation unit changes the tomographic position in the tomographic correspondence information based on the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image such that the larger the mammary gland amount is, the thinner the width of the graph marker of the tomographic image is. The medical image display device according to claim 2.   The display control unit displays the schema and, based on the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image, the width of the graph marker of the tomographic image becomes thinner as the mammary gland amount increases. The medical image display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the graph information is displayed by changing a tomographic position.   The display control unit extracts, from the tomographic image group, the tomographic image of the mammary gland amount exceeding a predetermined threshold or more based on the mammary gland amount for each tomographic image, and extracts the extracted tomographic image. The medical image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medical image display apparatus displays the medical image.   The medical display according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the display control unit switches and displays the tomographic images in descending order of the mammary gland mass based on the mammary gland mass for each of the tomographic images. Image display device. An image generation unit for generating a group of tomographic images of a compressed breast;
A mammary gland mass calculating unit for calculating the mammary gland mass for each tomographic image;
A graph information generating unit that generates graph information indicating a correspondence between a tomographic position for each tomographic image and the mammary gland mass;
A display control unit for displaying the tomographic image and the graph information, and superimposing and displaying a graph marker representing the tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image on the graph information;
A storage unit that stores in advance a schema that schematically represents the breast in a non-compressed state;
A correspondence information generating unit for generating tomographic correspondence information in which a tomographic position for each tomographic image of the compressed breast is associated with a position in the schema in a non-compressed state;
Have
The display control unit displays the schema based on the tomographic correspondence information, and superimposes and displays a tomographic marker representing the tomographic position of the displayed tomographic image on the schema .

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