JP6873296B2 - Image processing equipment, radiation imaging system, image processing method, and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a radiation imaging system, an image processing method, and an image processing program.

There is known a radiation imaging system that captures a radiation image of a subject by a radiation imaging device that detects the radiation emitted from the radiation irradiation device and transmitted through the subject with a radiation detector.

In this type of radiographic imaging system, auxiliary lines may be added to the radiographic image to assist the doctor's interpretation.

As a technique for adding an auxiliary line to this radiation image, for example, a plate for adding an auxiliary line in which a grid pattern is formed by metal is provided between the subject and a radiation image capturing device, and the grid pattern is radiated. The technology to make it appear in the image is known.

Further, for example, a technique is known in which a grid-like auxiliary line generated by executing software processing or the like is added to a radiographic image and displayed instead of taking an image using an actual auxiliary line addition plate. ing. As a technique of this type, Patent Document 1 states that the radiographic image is rotated according to the inclination angle of the aorta in the radiographic image to be the traveling direction of the aorta, the vertical direction, or a predetermined direction corresponding to the procedure, and then the grid lines are provided. A technique for superimposing and displaying on a radiographic image is described.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-135832

However, in the actual plate for adding the auxiliary line, for example, grooves are placed in a grid pattern on an acrylic base, and a material having a high shielding property against radiation such as metal is provided in the formed grooves. Therefore, when taking a picture using an actual board for adding an auxiliary line, it may not be easy to install the board for adding an auxiliary line because the weight is relatively heavy. Further, it is not easy to install the auxiliary line addition plate at the position where the auxiliary line is reflected at an appropriate position of the radiographic image. In this way, when taking a picture using an actual board for adding an auxiliary line, an operator such as a doctor or a technician is burdened. Therefore, it is desired to improve the work procedure of the operator.

In addition, when performing a relatively large and long image, for example, a so-called long image of the spine, lower limbs, etc., the entire image is taken by joining the radiation images taken by each of the plurality of radiation detectors. Radiation images may be taken. In this case, if an image is taken using an actual auxiliary line addition plate, when the radiation images taken by each radiation detector are joined, it is obtained by the auxiliary line addition plate in the joint correction process. There is a high possibility that an artifact will occur in the image part of the auxiliary line.

On the other hand, when the auxiliary line is added without using the actual auxiliary line adding plate, the above-mentioned artifact does not occur. However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, although the radiographic image is rotated, it may be difficult to rotate the radiographic image obtained by the above-mentioned long imaging because the radiographic image itself is large. Therefore, with the technique described in Patent Document 1, it may be difficult to display the auxiliary line at an appropriate position in the radiographic image.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an image processing apparatus, a radiographic imaging system, an image processing method, and an image processing program capable of displaying an auxiliary line for assisting image interpretation at an appropriate position of a radiographic image. And.

To achieve the above object, the image processing apparatus of the present disclosure includes at least one processor and a memory for storing instructions that can be executed by the processor, each of which has a plurality of detection surfaces for detecting radiation. The detection surfaces of the radiation detectors are arranged side by side, and the radiation images of the subject captured by each of the radiation detectors of the radiation imaging apparatus having a wider imaging surface than one detection surface are stitched together. A radiographic image is acquired, information representing the purpose of interpretation is acquired, and the purpose of interpretation, the reference material, and an auxiliary line are obtained according to at least one of the reference object according to the purpose of interpretation and the information representing the purpose of interpretation in the acquired radiographic image. The auxiliary line addition method is specified by referring to the auxiliary line addition information which is the information indicating the correspondence relationship of the addition methods, and the predetermined auxiliary line is used as the reference image of the radiation image by the specified auxiliary line addition method. Add to the position.

At least one type of reference object in the image processing apparatus of the present disclosure may be predetermined for each image interpretation purpose before photographing.

The reference object in the image processing apparatus of the present disclosure is the bone of the subject, and the processor extracts the image of the reference object from the radiographic image and determines it by a method according to at least one of the image of the reference object and the information representing the purpose of interpretation. The auxiliary line to be added may be added to the radiographic image.

The processor of the image processing apparatus of the present disclosure accepts the designation of the reference object, and when the designation of the reference object is accepted, it is determined by a method corresponding to at least one of the reference object corresponding to the accepted designation and the information indicating the purpose of interpretation. Auxiliary lines may be added to the radiographic image.

In the processor of the image processing apparatus of the present disclosure, when the auxiliary line is an auxiliary line in which a plurality of lines are combined in a grid pattern, the reference object according to the image interpretation purpose and the grid-like auxiliary line at an angle derived from the information representing the image interpretation purpose. The line may be rotated and added to the radiographic image.

When an auxiliary line is added to a plurality of radiographic images, the processor of the image processing apparatus of the present disclosure uses the same method as that for adding an auxiliary line to one of the plurality of radiographic images. Auxiliary lines may also be added to the radiographic image.

The processor of the image processing apparatus of the present disclosure may add an auxiliary line only to the image of the object of interest determined by the purpose of interpretation in the radiographic image.

In order to achieve the above object, the radiation imaging system of the present disclosure is arranged in a state in which the detection surfaces of a plurality of radiation detectors, each having a detection surface for detecting radiation, are arranged side by side, and have a wider range than one detection surface. The present-disclosure image processing apparatus for adding an image of an auxiliary line to a radiation image photographed by the radiation image photographing apparatus is provided.

The radiation imaging system of the present disclosure may further include a display device that displays a radiation image to which an image of an auxiliary line is added by an image processing device.

In order to achieve the above object, the image processing method of the present disclosure is an image processing method executed by a computer, in which the detection surfaces of a plurality of radiation detectors, each having a detection surface for detecting radiation, are arranged side by side. Obtains a radiation image in which the radiation images of the subject taken by each of the radiation detectors of the radiation image capturing apparatus, which are arranged and have a wider imaging surface than one detection surface, are joined together and information indicating the purpose of interpretation is acquired. Auxiliary line addition information, which is information indicating the correspondence between the purpose of interpretation, the reference material, and the method of adding the auxiliary line, is provided according to at least one of the reference object according to the purpose of interpretation and the information representing the purpose of interpretation in the acquired radiographic image. This includes specifying the auxiliary line addition method with reference to the reference, and adding a predetermined auxiliary line to the position of the reference object of the radiographic image by the specified auxiliary line addition method.

In order to achieve the above object, the image processing program of the present disclosure arranges the detection surfaces of a plurality of radiation detectors, each having a detection surface for detecting radiation, in an arranged state, and has a wider range than one detection surface. A radiation image in which the radiation images of the subject taken by each of the radiation detectors of the radiation image capturing device having a photographing surface are joined together and information indicating the purpose of interpretation are acquired, and the information indicating the purpose of interpretation is obtained according to the purpose of interpretation in the acquired radiation image. The auxiliary line addition method is specified by referring to the auxiliary line addition information which is the information indicating the correspondence between the reference object and the auxiliary line addition method according to at least one of the information indicating the reference object and the image interpretation purpose. This is for causing a computer to perform a process including adding a predetermined auxiliary line to a position of an image of a reference object of a radiographic image by a specified auxiliary line adding method.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an image processing device, a radiation imaging system, an image processing method, and an image processing program capable of displaying an auxiliary line for assisting image interpretation at an appropriate position of a radiation image. Can be done.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the radiation image taking system of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the radiation imaging system of this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the auxiliary line additional information of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which showed the flow of the radiographic image taking operation by the radiographic image taking system of this embodiment. It is a flowchart showing the flow of the image generation / display process executed by the console of this embodiment. This is an example of a schematic diagram in the case where an auxiliary line is added to a radiographic image obtained by photographing the entire spine of the subject in Example 1. In Example 2, this is an example of a schematic diagram in which an auxiliary line is added to a radiographic image obtained by photographing the entire spine of the subject. In Example 3, this is an example of a schematic diagram in which an auxiliary line is added to a radiographic image obtained by photographing the hip joint of a subject. In Example 4, this is an example of a schematic diagram in which an auxiliary line is added to a radiographic image obtained by photographing the front of all lower limbs of a subject. In Example 5, it is an example of the schematic diagram in the case where the auxiliary line is added to the radiation image obtained by photographing the side surface of the lumbar spine of the subject. In the fifth embodiment, it is an example of a schematic diagram in the case where an auxiliary line is added to a radiographic image obtained by photographing the side surface of the lumbar spine of a subject after surgery. In Example 6, this is an example of a schematic diagram in which an auxiliary line is added to a radiographic image obtained by photographing the side surface of the lumbar spine of a subject. In Example 7, this is an example of a schematic diagram in which an auxiliary line is added to a radiographic image obtained by photographing the side surface of the lumbar spine of a subject.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment does not limit the present invention.

First, the configuration of the radiation imaging system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the radiation imaging system 10 of the present embodiment includes a radiation imaging device 12, a radiation irradiation device 16, and a console 20. The radiographic imaging system 10 of the present embodiment is based on an imaging menu acquired by the console 20 from an external system such as RIS (Radiology Information System), an imaging menu input by an operator such as a doctor or an engineer, or the like. Then, the radiological image is taken by the operation of the operator. In the present embodiment, a doctor, a technician, or the like who captures a radiation image with the radiation image capturing device 12 is referred to as an operator.

As shown in FIG. 2, the radiation irradiation device 16 of the present embodiment includes a radiation source control unit 40, a radiation source 42, and an I / F (Interface) unit 44. The radiation source control unit 40, the radiation source 42, and the I / F unit 44 are connected to each other via a bus 47 such as a system bus or a control bus so that information and the like can be exchanged. The radiation irradiation device 16 irradiates the imaging portion (for example, chest, abdomen, etc.) of the subject W with the radiation R from the radiation source 42 under the control of the console 20.

The radiation source 42 includes a tube (not shown), and emits radiation R according to the control of the radiation source control unit 40. In the following description, the position of the tube is assumed to be equal to the position of the radiation source 42.

The radiation source control unit 40 controls the radiation source 42 based on the irradiation conditions of the radiation R such as the tube voltage, the tube current, and the irradiation time. The radiation source control unit 40 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 40A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 40B, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 40C. A program or the like executed by the CPU 40A is stored in the ROM 40B in advance. The radiation irradiation device 16 controls the radiation R emitted from the radiation source 42 by executing the program stored in the ROM 40B on the CPU 40A. The RAM 40C temporarily stores various data.

Further, the I / F unit 44 transmits and receives various information to and from the console 20 by wireless communication, wired communication, or the like.

The radiation irradiation device 16 includes an operation input unit for the operator to manually set the irradiation conditions directly to the radiation irradiation device 16, and a display unit for displaying the set irradiation conditions and the like. May be good. Further, the radiation irradiation device 16 has information indicating that the irradiation conditions have been manually set by the operator, the set value by the manual setting, and the current status (standby state, ready state, during exposure, end of exposure, etc.). Etc. are transmitted to the console 20.

The radiographic imaging apparatus 12 of the present embodiment is a so-called DR (Digital Radiography) cassette for long radiography. The term "long photography" as used herein refers to photography of relatively large and long parts such as the entire spine and all lower limbs of the subject W, and "for long photography" means that the subject W is used for long photography. Say. However, the radiographic image capturing apparatus 12 is not used exclusively for long-length imaging, but may be used for imaging other than long-length imaging of the chest, head, and the like.

As an example shown in FIG. 1, the radiation imaging apparatus 12 of the present embodiment includes a radiation detector group 15 in a housing 13, and the radiation detector group 15 has three radiation detectors 14 _{1 to} 14. Has _3. Hereinafter, the case of collectively radiation detector 14 _{1-14 3} omits the sign of the end showing the individual, "radiation detector 14 '. The number of radiation detectors 14 is not limited to the number of the present embodiment.

When taking a radiation image, the radiation image is taken by the total radiation detector 14 by one emission of the radiation R (so-called one shot).

The radiation detector 14 of this embodiment, the detection surface 19 _1-19 3 _(region of the effective pixel (not shown) in shooting) is disposed in a state facing the object W. Hereinafter, the case of collectively detecting surface 19 _{1-19 3} omits the sign of the end indicating the individual as "detection surface 19 '. In the radiation imaging apparatus 12 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the end portion of each radiation detector 14 is arranged so as to overlap with the end portion of the adjacent radiation detector 14.

If the ends of the adjacent radiation detectors 14 are separated from each other, some parts of the subject W may not be photographed, and due to manufacturing variations of the radiation detectors 14, the adjacent radiation detectors 14 may not be photographed. It may be difficult to bring the ends of 14 into close contact with each other and arrange them without gaps. Therefore, in the radiation detector group 15 of the radiation imaging apparatus 12 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the end of the detection surface 19 of the radiation detector 14 and the detection surface 19 of the adjacent radiation detector 14 And the end of the are overlapped and arranged. Specifically, the detection surfaces 19 at the ends of the adjacent radiation detectors 14 are overlapped in the incident direction of the radiation R. The range (size) of the detection surface 19 of the overlapping portion on which the radiation detector 14 is overlapped is predetermined according to the degree of oblique penetration of the radiation R emitted from the radiation irradiation device 16.

Since the radiation imaging device 12 of the present embodiment has a plurality of radiation detectors 14 arranged as described above, the radiation imaging device 12 as a whole is more than the detection surface 19 in one radiation detector 14. It will have a long detection surface.

The radiation R transmitted through the subject W is applied to the radiation detector 14 of the radiation imaging apparatus 12. Each radiation detector 14 of the radiation imaging apparatus 12 generates an electric charge according to the dose of the radiation R transmitted through the subject W, and the image data of the radiation image (hereinafter referred to as "radiation image") is based on the generated charge amount. ) Is generated and output.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the radiographic imaging apparatus 12 of the present embodiment further includes a detector control unit 30, a storage unit 32, and an I / F unit 34. Detector control section 30, the radiation detector 14 _{1-14 3,} the storage unit 32 and the I / F unit 34, is connected can exchange such information to each other via a bus 37 such as a system bus or a control bus ing.

The detector control unit 30 controls the entire radiation imaging device 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the detector control unit 30 of this embodiment includes a CPU 30A, a ROM 30B, and a RAM 30C. A program or the like executed by the CPU 30A is stored in the ROM 30B in advance. The radiation image capturing apparatus 12 controls the radiation detector 14 by executing the program stored in the ROM 30B on the CPU 30A.

The storage unit 32 stores a radiation image or the like taken by the radiation detector 14.

Further, the I / F unit 34 transmits / receives various information to / from the console 20 by wireless communication, wired communication, or the like.

In the present embodiment, the radiation image taken by the radiation image capturing apparatus 12 is input to the console 20 via the I / F unit 34.

The console 20 of this embodiment is a server computer. As shown in FIG. 2, the console 20 of the present embodiment includes an overall control unit 50, a storage unit 52, a display unit drive unit 54, a display unit 56, an operation input detection unit 58, an operation unit 60, and an I / F unit 62. I have. The overall control unit 50, the storage unit 52, the display unit drive unit 54, the display unit 56, the operation input detection unit 58, the operation unit 60, and the I / F unit 62 mutually via a bus 65 such as a system bus or a control bus. It is connected so that information can be sent and received. In the present embodiment, the console 20 functions as the image processing procedure of the present disclosure.

The console 20 uses PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System:) to capture at least one of the radiation image processed by the overall control unit 50 (details will be described later) and the radiation image (before image processing) acquired from the radiation image capturing device 12. Image storage communication system) 22 is transmitted. The PACS 22 manages the radiographic image received from the console 20. The radiographic image managed by the PACS 22 is displayed on at least one of the display unit (not shown) of the image interpretation device 24 and the display unit 56 of the console 20 in response to an instruction from a doctor who interprets the radiographic image. The image interpretation device 24 is a device used for interpreting a captured radiographic image, and is not particularly limited, but is a so-called PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) for personal computers, tablet terminals, smartphones, etc. used by viewers and doctors. Mobile information terminal device) and the like. In addition, in this embodiment, "interpretation" is not limited to the case of making a diagnosis, but also includes the case of observing the affected part, the part of interest, etc. by radiographic images.

The overall control unit 50 controls the overall operation of the console 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the overall control unit 50 includes a CPU 50A, a ROM 50B, and a RAM 50C. Various programs and the like executed by the CPU 50A are stored in the ROM 50B in advance. The RAM 50C temporarily stores various data.

The overall control unit 50 of the console 20 of the present embodiment controls the radiation imaging device 12 and the radiation irradiation device 16 by using a photographing menu and various other information acquired from an external system or the like via wireless communication or the like. I do. Further, the overall control unit 50 of the console 20 performs a plurality of predetermined image processes on the radiation image acquired from the radiation image capturing device 12. Hereinafter, the image processing executed by the overall control unit 50 of the present embodiment will be described.

As described above, the radiation imaging apparatus 12 of the present embodiment performs imaging by the so-called step-like overlapping radiation detectors 14. Since a radiation image is taken by each of the three radiation detectors 14, the overall control unit 50 is taken by each radiation detector 14 in order to obtain a long radiation image of the radiation image capturing device 12 as a whole. Image processing (hereinafter referred to as "joining processing") is performed to join the radiation images.

Further, among the overlapping radiation detectors 14, the shadow of the radiation detector 14 on the side close to the radiation irradiation device 16 is reflected as a step image in the radiation image taken by the radiation detector 14 on the side far from the radiation irradiation device 16. It may get crowded. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 1, the captured radiographic image in the radiation detector 14 _2, the end of the radiation detector 14 ₁ is glare as a step image, captured radiation image radiation detector 14 ₃ the end portion of the radiation detector 14 ₂ is visible on captured as a step image. Therefore, the overall control unit 50 performs image processing (hereinafter, referred to as “step removing process”) for removing the step image from the radiation image.

The image processing methods of the joining process and the step removing process are not particularly limited. For example, the step removing process can be performed as follows.

In the step removing process of the present embodiment, since the radiation image taken by the radiation detector 14 on the side far from the radiation irradiation device 16 includes the step image, the step removal process is taken by the radiation detector 14 on the side far from the radiation irradiation device 16. It is performed on the radiological image. The method by which the overall control unit 50 recognizes whether the radiation image acquired from the radiation detector group 15 is taken by the radiation detector 14 on the far side or the near side from the radiation irradiation device 16 is particularly limited. Not done. For example, information indicating whether each radiation detector 14 itself is a radiation detector 14 on the side farther or closer than the adjacent radiation detector 14 may be added to the radiation image and output to the console 20.

When correcting the step image, the overall control unit 50 first detects the position of the step image from the radiation image. The method of detecting the position of the step image is not particularly limited. As a specific example, the overall control unit 50 of the present embodiment detects the position of the boundary between the step image and the normal image by detecting an image representing a straight line from the radiation image, and based on the position of the detected boundary, Detects the position of the step image. In the following, the boundary between the step image and the normal image is simply referred to as a "boundary". The method for detecting a straight line is not particularly limited, and a general method may be used, for example, a Hough transform or the like may be used. Further, the method of detecting the position of the step image from the position of the boundary is not particularly limited, and for example, the area from the position of the boundary to a predetermined end of the radiation image may be detected as the step image.

When detecting the position of the boundary from the radiation image, the process of detecting the position of the boundary with respect to the entire radiation image may be performed, or the area estimated to include the position of the boundary is set as the search range and searched. The position of the boundary may be detected by searching within the range. As the search range, for example, a range in which the position of the step image (the position of the boundary) can be taken in the radiographic image may be obtained by design or experiment, and this range may be applied. Detecting the position of the boundary within the estimated search range can improve the detection accuracy and shorten the detection time as compared with the case of detecting the position of the boundary with respect to the entire radiographic image. can do.

When the overall control unit 50 detects the position of the step image, it next corrects the step image included in the radiation image. The overall control unit 50 of the present embodiment corrects the step image by performing correction to reduce the density difference between the density of the step image and the density of the normal image. By performing offset correction, gain correction, defect pixel correction, and the like on the radiation image before performing the correction for reducing the density difference, the step correction can be performed more accurately.

In addition, the overall control unit 50 of the present embodiment stores an image of an auxiliary line suitable for the purpose of image interpretation by a doctor (hereinafter, referred to as “image interpretation purpose”) in the storage unit 52 in advance of the auxiliary line additional information 53 (hereinafter referred to as “interpretation purpose”). Based on (see FIG. 3), image processing (details will be described later) to be added to the radiographic image is performed. In the present embodiment, the method by which the overall control unit 50 adds an auxiliary line to the radiographic image differs depending on the purpose of interpretation, the reference object, and the type of the auxiliary line. The "interpretation purpose" in the present embodiment includes observation of the alignment of the subject W with respect to the bone and observation of the affected part or the like according to the case of the subject W. Further, the "reference object" is an object that serves as a reference such as the position of the auxiliary line to be added, and may be different from the affected part or the object of interest itself that the doctor wants to observe. Further, the "type of auxiliary line" is a type of auxiliary line added to the radiographic image, and details will be described later, and examples thereof include perpendicular lines, diagonal lines, and curves.

In the present embodiment, "adding" the auxiliary line to the radiographic image is not particularly limited as to how to add the auxiliary line. For example, it may be added by adding an auxiliary line to the radiation image itself, or the image of the auxiliary line is superimposed on the radiation image (for example, the layer of the auxiliary line image is superimposed on the layer of the radiation image). It may be added by the fact.

On the other hand, the display unit driving unit 54 shown in FIG. 2 controls the display of various information on the display unit 56. The display unit 56 displays a photographing menu, a photographed radiation image, and the like. The operation input detection unit 58 detects the operation state of the operator or the like with respect to the operation unit 60. The operation unit 60 is used for the doctor to input an instruction operation for taking a radiation image, an instruction regarding image processing of the photographed radiation image, and the like. The operation unit 60 may have a keyboard form as an example, or may have a touch panel form integrated with the display unit 56.

Further, the I / F unit 62 transmits and receives various information between the PACS 22 and the RIS by wireless communication or the like. Further, the I / F unit 62 transmits and receives various information between the radiation imaging device 12 and the radiation irradiation device 16.

Further, the storage unit 52 stores and holds a radiographic image and various other data. The storage unit 52 of the present embodiment stores and holds the auxiliary line additional information 53 shown in FIG. 3 as an example. The auxiliary line addition information 53 is information related to the auxiliary line to be added to the radiographic image, and as shown in FIG. 3, the correspondence between the purpose of interpretation, the reference object, the imaging type, the type of the auxiliary line, and the auxiliary line addition method. Information that represents. In the present embodiment, the "auxiliary line addition method" refers to information describing a specific method for adding an auxiliary line, and examples of such information include so-called subprograms. When the subprogram is treated as the auxiliary line addition method, the subprogram is stored in another storage location of the storage unit 52, and the auxiliary line addition information 53 contains information indicating the file name, storage location, etc. of the subprogram. May be associated with other information such as the purpose of interpretation. For example, in the auxiliary line additional information 53 shown as an example in FIG. 3, "*** 1-1" to "*** 4-3" represent the file names of the subprograms. The "shooting type" refers to a type of shooting related to the imaging site, such as "whole spine lateral imaging" and "total lower limb imaging".

Next, the operation when a radiographic image is taken by the radiographic image taking system 10 of the present embodiment will be described.

First, the entire flow of radiographic image capture by the radiographic image capture system 10 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 shows a flowchart showing the overall flow of radiographic image imaging by the radiographic image imaging system 10 of the present embodiment.

In step S100 of FIG. 4, the overall control unit 50 of the console 20 acquires a shooting menu. The imaging menu includes the imaging order from the doctor who requested the imaging, the tube voltage of the radiation source 42, and the product (mAs) of the dose of radiation R emitted toward the subject W (tube current (mA) and time (sec)). Value)) and other shooting conditions and information about the subject W are included. For example, the overall control unit 50 may acquire the shooting menu from an external system or the like via the I / F unit 62, or may acquire the shooting menu input by the operator by the operation unit 60.

In the next step S102, the operator positions the subject W.

In the next step S104, the overall control unit 50 of the console 20 emits radiation R from the radiation irradiation device 16 according to the acquired imaging menu, and causes the radiation detector 14 to detect the radiation R transmitted through the subject W. A radiation image is taken by the image taking device 12.

In the next step S106, the overall control unit 50 of the console 20 executes the image generation / display process shown in FIG.

In step S200 shown in FIG. 5, the overall control unit 50 acquires a radiographic image. Specifically, the overall control unit 50 acquires a radiation image taken by each radiation detector 14 of the radiation detector group 15 from the storage unit 52.

In the next step S202, the overall control unit 50 performs the above-mentioned joining process and step removing process. By performing these processes, a long radiographic image of the entire radiographic imaging apparatus 12 can be obtained. The radiographic image obtained in this step may be stored in the storage unit 52. By storing the radiation image that has been subjected to the joining process and the step removing process in the storage unit 52 in this way, it is possible to acquire the radiation image that has been subjected to the joining process and the step removing process when the radiation image is displayed again. Therefore, this step can be omitted.

In the next step S204, the overall control unit 50 acquires the image interpretation purpose (information indicating the image interpretation purpose). The method by which the overall control unit 50 acquires the image interpretation purpose may be determined in advance and is not particularly limited. For example, when the image-reading purpose is included in the shooting menu, the image-reading purpose may be acquired from the photographing menu acquired in step S100. Further, the image interpretation purpose input by the operator may be acquired via the operation unit 60.

In the next step S206, the overall control unit 50 extracts an image of the bone of the subject W from the radiation image. The method by which the overall control unit 50 extracts the bone image may be predetermined and is not particularly limited. For example, a reference bone image (hereinafter referred to as “reference image”) corresponding to the age, gender, image interpretation purpose, imaging type, imaging site, etc. of the subject W is stored in the storage unit 52 in advance, and a radiographic image is obtained. The bone image may be extracted from the radiographic image by performing pattern matching using a reference image that matches at least one of the image interpretation purpose, the imaging type, and the imaging site.

In the next step S208, the overall control unit 50 determines whether or not to automatically set the reference object. In the console 20 of the present embodiment, in a normal case, the reference object is automatically set, and only when an instruction to set the reference object is received from the doctor via the operation unit 60, the reference object is manually set by the doctor. Set things. Therefore, if the instruction to set the reference object via the operation unit 60 is not accepted even after the lapse of a predetermined time, an affirmative determination is made and the process proceeds to step S210.

In step S210, the overall control unit 50 determines a reference object corresponding to the image interpretation purpose acquired in step S204. Specifically, the overall control unit 50 determines a reference object corresponding to the purpose of image interpretation with reference to the auxiliary line additional information 53. In the auxiliary line additional information 53, when a plurality of different reference objects are associated with each other for the same interpretation purpose, one selected by the overall control unit 50 from the corresponding plurality of different reference objects is selected. , Determined as a reference. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the reference object of the control number "1-1", which has a common purpose of interpretation for "adult spinal deformity", is "7th cervical vertebra, upper edge of posterior wall of sacrum". The reference object of the control number "1-2" is "1st thoracic vertebra, acetabulum", the reference object of the control number "1-3" is "9th thoracic vertebra, acetabulum", and the control number "1". The reference object of "-4" is "1st thoracic vertebra, femoral head", and the reference object of control number "1-5" is "9th thoracic vertebra, femoral head". That is, in this case, five types of reference objects are associated with one image interpretation purpose. The overall control unit 50 determines one selected from these reference objects as the reference object. The selection method is not particularly limited, but in the console 20 of the present embodiment, a reference material corresponding to a control number designated in advance by a doctor or the like is selected.

In the next step S212, the overall control unit 50 extracts the image of the reference object determined in the process of step S210 from the radiation image, and then proceeds to step S220. The method by which the overall control unit 50 extracts the image of the reference object may be predetermined and is not particularly limited. For example, the same method as the pattern matching described as the method for extracting the bone image from the radiographic image may be used for the process of step S206. Further, for example, depending on the reference object, the approximate position in the radiographic image may be identifiable depending on the physical characteristics such as the age and gender of the subject W. For example, when the femoral head is determined as a reference object, the center of the body (spine) of the subject W is often located in the center of the radiographic image, and the approximate distance from the center to the femoral head can be obtained in advance. .. In this case, the position of the femoral head is set at a position separated from the center of the radiographic image by a distance obtained in advance, and the image of the bone around the femoral head can be extracted as the image of the femoral head.

On the other hand, if the instruction to set the reference object via the operation unit 60 is received in the step S208 within the predetermined time, a negative determination is made and the process proceeds to the step S214.

In step S214, the overall control unit 50 causes the display unit 56 to display a radiation image. When the radiation image is displayed on the display unit 56, the doctor designates a reference object from the radiation image displayed on the display unit 56 via the operation unit 60. Therefore, in the next step S216, the overall control unit 50 makes a negative determination until the doctor specifies the reference object via the operation unit 60, makes an affirmative determination when the reference object is specified, and proceeds to step S218.

In step S218, the overall control unit 50 extracts a bone image including an image of a designated object designated by a doctor from the radiographic image as a reference object, and then proceeds to step S220.

In step S220, the overall control unit 50 adds an auxiliary line to the radiographic image by an addition method corresponding to the image interpretation purpose and the reference object obtained by the above processing. Specifically, the overall control unit 50 refers to the auxiliary line additional information 53, and corresponds to the image interpretation purpose acquired in step S204, the reference object determined in step S210, or the reference object extracted in step S218. Auxiliary lines are added to the radiographic image by the auxiliary line addition method. For example, when the purpose of image interpretation is "hip dysplasia" and the reference object is "femoral head", the overall control unit 50 refers to the control number "2" of the auxiliary line addition information 53, and uses the auxiliary line addition method as the auxiliary line addition method. Auxiliary lines are added to the radiographic image by executing the subprogram whose file name is "*** 2".

In the next step S222, the overall control unit 50 causes the display unit 56 to display a radiation image to which an auxiliary line is added. In the present embodiment, as auxiliary lines, a pair of white lines and black lines is displayed on the display unit 56. That is, in the present embodiment, the two black and white lines are treated in the same manner as one line, so that the auxiliary lines can be easily seen even on a black and white radiographic image. The color of the auxiliary line is not particularly limited, and may be another color such as red, or may be changed according to a doctor's instruction.

In the next step S224, the overall control unit 50 has a method other than the method of adding the auxiliary line in the process of the above step S220, that is, the method of adding the auxiliary line to the radiation image displayed on the display unit 56 at this point. It is determined whether or not there is a method of adding an auxiliary line corresponding to the purpose of interpretation and the reference object. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, when the auxiliary line is added by the method of adding the auxiliary line associated with the control number “2” in the process of step S220, there is no other method of adding the auxiliary line. A negative determination is made, and the process proceeds to step S230. On the other hand, for example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, when the auxiliary line is added by the method of adding the auxiliary line associated with the control number "1-1" in the process of step S220, another method of adding the auxiliary line. Since there is a method of adding auxiliary lines associated with the control numbers "1-2" to "1-5", a positive determination is made in this step, and the process proceeds to step S226. If an affirmative determination is made here, the overall control unit 50 relates to information indicating that there is an addition method other than the method of adding an auxiliary line to the radiation image displayed at this time, and other addition methods. The information is displayed on the display unit 56.

In step S226, the overall control unit 50 determines whether or not to change the method of adding the auxiliary line. When the doctor who confirmed the auxiliary line added to the radiographic image displayed on the display unit 56 receives an instruction to change the addition method via the operation unit 60 and an instruction regarding the addition method to be changed, a positive judgment is made. The process proceeds to step S228. In step S228, the overall control unit 50 changes the auxiliary line added to the radiographic image displayed on the display unit 56 to the auxiliary line added by the method instructed by the doctor, and then proceeds to step S230. Further, in step S226, if the instruction to change the addition method and the instruction regarding the addition method to be changed is not received even after the lapse of a predetermined time, or the user has provided the additional assistance via the operation unit 60. When the instruction not to change the line (determine the position of the auxiliary line) is received, a negative determination is made and the process proceeds to step S230.

In step S230, the overall control unit 50 determines whether or not to change the position of the auxiliary line. In the console 20 of the present embodiment, the doctor can change the position of the auxiliary line added to the radiographic image. In the console 20 of the present embodiment, the position of the auxiliary line image on the radiographic image (hereinafter, simply referred to as “the position of the auxiliary line”) can be changed in a direction parallel to the imaging surface 35 of the radiographic image capturing apparatus 12. In the console 20 of the present embodiment, when the position of the auxiliary line is changed, the doctor instructs the position of the changed auxiliary line via the operation unit 60. For example, a pointing device such as a mouse is used as the operation unit 60, and the image of the auxiliary line added to the radiation image displayed on the display unit 56 is moved to a position to be changed by using the operation unit 60 such as the pointing device. The position of the auxiliary line after the change may be instructed by (so-called drag and drop).

In this step S230, when an instruction of the position of the auxiliary line after the change is received from the doctor, a positive determination is made and the process proceeds to step S232.

In step S232, the overall control unit 50 moves the image of the auxiliary line added to the radiation image displayed on the display unit 56 to the position of the auxiliary line instructed by the doctor, and then proceeds to step S234. Specifically, the overall control unit 50 derives the movement amount of the auxiliary line by subtracting the position of the auxiliary line before the change from the position of the auxiliary line after the change received from the doctor, and responds to the derived movement amount. And change the position of the auxiliary line.

On the other hand, in step S230, if the instruction of the position of the auxiliary line after the change is not accepted via the operation unit 60 even after a lapse of a predetermined time, a negative determination is made and the process proceeds to step S234.

In step S234, the overall control unit 50 determines whether or not to display another radiographic image. For example, in order to observe changes in the affected area, when comparing the radiation image of the subject W at this time point with the radiation image of the same subject W taken in the past, or when comparing the radiation images of the affected area before and after the operation. , And when comparing a radiation image obtained by photographing the front surface of the subject W with a radiation image obtained by photographing the side surface, a radiation image other than the radiation image displayed on the display unit 56 at this time is displayed on the display unit 56. In that case, a positive determination is made, and the process proceeds to step S236. The doctor may specify whether or not to display another radiation image on the display unit 56 via the operation unit 60, or whether or not to display a plurality of radiation images on the display unit 56 in advance. It may be set by a doctor or the like.

In step S236, the overall control unit 50 acquires another radiographic image to be displayed on the display unit 56 from the storage unit 52. Here, when a radiation image that has already been subjected to the joining process and the step removing process is acquired from the storage unit 52, the acquired radiation image is displayed on the display unit 56, but each of the radiation detector group 15 When the radiation image captured by the radiation detector 14 is acquired, the joining process and the step removing process executed in the process of step S202 are executed on the acquired radiation image.

In the next step S238, the overall control unit 50 adds an auxiliary line to the radiation image acquired in step S236 by the same addition method as the auxiliary line added to the radiation image displayed on the display unit 56. Specifically, the overall control unit 50 of the present embodiment refers to the auxiliary line addition information 53, and is a reference used when adding an auxiliary line added to the radiographic image displayed on the display unit 56. An auxiliary line is added to the radiographic image acquired in the process of step S236 above by using the object and the auxiliary line addition method.

In the next step S240, the overall control unit 50 ends the image generation / display process after displaying another radiation image to which the auxiliary line is added on the display unit 56. In the present embodiment, when displaying another radiographic image to which the auxiliary line is added, the radiographic image to which the auxiliary line is added is displayed side by side with the radiographic image displayed in the process of step S222.

On the other hand, if no other radiation image is displayed in step S234, a negative determination is made and the image generation / display process is terminated. The overall control unit 50 may store a radiographic image in a state where an auxiliary line is added in the storage unit 52.

When the image generation / display process is completed in this way, the overall operation of photographing the radiation image is completed.

Hereinafter, the addition of auxiliary lines by the processing of steps S220 and S238 of the image generation / display processing executed on the console 20 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to specific examples according to the purpose of image interpretation.

(Example 1)
First, a case where the purpose of interpretation is "adult spinal deformity" and the reference material is "7th cervical vertebra, upper edge of posterior wall of sacrum" will be described. In this case, according to the auxiliary line additional information 53 shown as an example in FIG. 3, the control number "1-1" corresponds, the imaging type is "whole spinal lateral surface", and the auxiliary line type is "perpendicular line". , The method of adding the auxiliary line corresponds to the method by the subprogram whose file name is "*** 1-1". FIG. 6 shows an example of a schematic diagram in the case where an auxiliary line is added to the radiation image 80 obtained by photographing the entire spine of the subject W in this embodiment.

Generally, there is SVA (Sagittal Vertical Axis) as an index for diagnosing adult spinal deformity, and an SVA of less than 40 mm is regarded as a normal value. As shown in FIG. 6, SVA refers to the horizontal distance from the perpendicular line of the 7th cervical vertebra (the line drawn in the direction of gravity) to the upper edge of the posterior wall of the sacrum. Therefore, in this embodiment, the overall control unit 50 adds an auxiliary line to the radiographic image to make the SVA easier for the doctor to understand. In the example shown in FIG. 6, since the auxiliary line 81-4, which is a perpendicular line passing through the center of the 7th cervical vertebra, is important in the diagnosis of adult spinal deformity, the auxiliary line 81-4 is an essential auxiliary line. Therefore, the overall control unit 50 adds another auxiliary line 81 in parallel with the auxiliary line 81-4 as a reference. How the other auxiliary line 81 is added is arbitrary, but it is preferable to add the auxiliary line 81-2 that passes through the upper edge of the posterior wall of the sacrum. Other auxiliary lines 81 (auxiliary line 81-3 in the example shown in FIG. 6) and auxiliary line 81-1 between the auxiliary lines 81-2 and 81-4 are optional and do not need to be added. However, when adding, the intervals between the auxiliary lines parallel to each other are preferably equal, and in consideration of the diagnosis of a doctor, the intervals are preferably 3 to 5 cm in the real space.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the overall control unit 50 has a plurality of parallel auxiliary lines 82 (82-1 to 82) intersecting the auxiliary line 81 (orthogonal in the example shown in FIG. 6) on the radiation image 80. -10) is added. The distance between the auxiliary lines 82 is not particularly limited, and may be equal or non-equal. When the distance between the auxiliary lines 82 is equal, for example, the distance between the auxiliary lines 81 may be the same as the distance between the auxiliary lines 81, or the distance is adjusted to the size of a predetermined sacral body (a sacral body of a typical size). Auxiliary lines 82 passing through the 7th cervical vertebra and auxiliary lines 82 passing through the upper edge of the posterior wall of the sacrum may be added at predetermined intervals, or a predetermined number of auxiliary lines may be provided. It may be added. When the distance between the auxiliary lines 82 is unequal, for example, the auxiliary line 82 passing through the center of each vertebral body may be added, or the distance between the auxiliary lines 82 may be the distance between the vertebral bodies. It may be adjusted to.

Here, the case where the overall control unit 50 adds the auxiliary line 81 and the auxiliary line 82 to the radiation image 80 separately has been described, but the method of adding the auxiliary line is not limited to this, and for example, a plurality of lines are added. The grid-like auxiliary lines in which the above are combined in advance may be superimposed on the radiation image 80. In this case, the overall control unit 50 may add a grid-like auxiliary line with reference to the position of the auxiliary line 81-4, and if the grid spacing is variable, further adjust the grid spacing. An auxiliary line may be added to the position of the auxiliary line 81-2.

Further, the overall control unit 50 may derive an SVA from the radiation image 80 and display the derived SVA on the display unit 56.

(Example 2)
The case where the purpose of interpretation is "adult spinal deformity" and the reference material is "9th thoracic vertebra, upper edge of posterior wall of sacrum" will be described. In this case, according to the auxiliary line additional information 53 shown as an example in FIG. 3, the control number "1-5" corresponds, the imaging type is "whole spinal lateral surface", and the auxiliary line type is "2". The method of adding diagonal lines connecting points and the method of adding auxiliary lines corresponds to the method by a subprogram whose file name is "*** 1-5". FIG. 7 shows an example of a schematic diagram in the case where an auxiliary line is added to the radiation image 84 obtained by photographing the entire spine of the subject W in this embodiment.

Generally, in the diagnosis of adult spinal deformity, the degree of curvature of the spine is observed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the overall control unit 50 adds an auxiliary line to the radiographic image for presenting the degree of curvature of the spine to the doctor in an easy-to-understand manner. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the auxiliary line 85-4, which is an oblique line connecting (passing) two points between the center of the 9th spine and the center of the femoral head, is an important auxiliary line for observation. Therefore, the overall control unit 50 adds another auxiliary line 85 in parallel with the auxiliary line 85-4 as a reference. How the other auxiliary line 85 is added is arbitrary. The other auxiliary lines 85-1 to 85-3, 85-5, and 85-6 are optional and do not need to be added, but when they are added, the intervals between the auxiliary lines parallel to each other are evenly spaced. It is preferable that the interval is 3 to 5 cm in a real space in consideration of a doctor's diagnosis and the like.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the overall control unit 50 has a plurality of parallel auxiliary lines 86 (86-1 to 8) intersecting the auxiliary line 85 (non-orthogonal in the example shown in FIG. 7) on the radiation image 84. 86-13) is added. The auxiliary line 86 is the same as the auxiliary line 82 of the first embodiment described above, and the distance between the auxiliary lines 86 is not particularly limited.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the overall control unit 50 further adds a perpendicular line passing through the center of the ninth thoracic vertebra as an auxiliary line 87, but the addition of the auxiliary line 87 is optional.

Further, as described above, since the auxiliary line 85-4 is an important auxiliary line, it may be displayed in a different color, thickness, etc. from the other auxiliary lines 85 and 86 so as to be conspicuous.

Here, the case where the overall control unit 50 adds the auxiliary line 85 and the auxiliary line 86 to the radiation image 84 separately has been described, but the method of adding the auxiliary line is not limited to this, and for example, the first embodiment. In the same manner as described in the above, a grid-like auxiliary line in which a plurality of lines are combined in advance may be superimposed on the radiation image 84. In this case, the overall control unit 50 may rotate and add a predetermined grid-like auxiliary line with reference to the position of the auxiliary line 85-4.

In this embodiment, the case where the purpose of interpretation is "adult spinal deformity" and the reference material is "9th thoracic vertebra, upper edge of posterior wall of sacrum" has been described, but the purpose of interpretation is the same but the reference material is different. As for the control numbers "1-2" to "1-4", since the reference material is different from that of the present embodiment, only the reference material is changed from this embodiment, and the overall control unit 50 describes the above. Auxiliary lines can be added in the same manner as above.

(Example 3)
The case where the purpose of interpretation is "hip dysplasia" and the reference material is "femoral head" will be described. In this case, according to the auxiliary line additional information 53 shown in FIG. 3 as an example, the control number "2" corresponds, the shooting type is "hip joint", the auxiliary line type is "perpendicular line", and the auxiliary line. The addition method corresponds to the method by the subprogram whose file name is "*** 2". FIG. 8 shows an example of a schematic diagram in the case where an auxiliary line is added to the radiation image 88 obtained by photographing the hip joint of the subject W in this embodiment.

Generally, there is a CE (Central Edge Angle) angle as an index for diagnosing dysplasia of the acetabulum, and a CE angle of 25 degrees or less is regarded as a normal value. The CE angle is the angle formed between the line drawn vertically from the center of the femoral head (vertical line) and the line connecting the center of the femoral head and the outer upper edge of the acetabulum as shown in FIG. Say that. Therefore, in this embodiment, the overall control unit 50 adds an auxiliary line to the radiographic image for presenting the CE angle to the doctor in an easy-to-understand manner. In the example shown in FIG. 8, since the auxiliary lines 89-3 and 89-7, which are perpendicular lines passing through the center of the femoral head, are important, the auxiliary lines 89-3 and 89-7 are set as essential auxiliary lines. Therefore, the overall control unit 50 adds another auxiliary line 89 in parallel with the auxiliary lines 89-3 and 89-7 as a reference. How to add the other auxiliary line 89 is arbitrary, but it is preferable to add the auxiliary line 89-5 corresponding to the center of the body of the subject W. Other auxiliary lines 89 (auxiliary lines 89-1, 89-2, 89-4, 89-6, 89-8, 89-9 in the example shown in FIG. 8) are optional and do not need to be added. However, as in Examples 1 and 2 described above, when the auxiliary lines 89 are added, the intervals between the auxiliary lines parallel to each other are preferably equal, and considering the diagnosis of a doctor or the like, It is preferably spaced 3 to 5 cm apart in real space.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the overall control unit 50 has a plurality of parallel auxiliary lines 90 (90-1 to 90) intersecting the auxiliary line 89 (orthogonal in the example shown in FIG. 8) on the radiation image 88. -7) is added. The auxiliary line 90 is the same as the auxiliary line 82 of the first embodiment and the auxiliary line 86 of the second embodiment described above, and the distance between the auxiliary lines 90 is not particularly limited.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the overall control unit 50 further adds lines connecting the center of the femoral head and the outer upper edge of the acetabulum as auxiliary lines 91-1 and 91-2, but the auxiliary lines are added. The addition of 91-1 and 91-2 is optional.

The overall control unit 50 may derive a CE angle from the radiation image 88 and display the derived CE angle on the display unit 56.

(Example 4)
The case where the purpose of interpretation is "varus of the knee joint" or "misalignment" and the reference object is "femoral head" will be described. In this case, according to the auxiliary line additional information 53 shown as an example in FIG. 3, the control number "3" corresponds, the shooting type is "all lower limbs front", and the auxiliary line type is "perpendicular line". The method of adding the auxiliary line corresponds to the method by the subprogram whose file name is "*** 3". FIG. 9 shows an example of a schematic diagram in the case where an auxiliary line is added to a radiation image 92 obtained by photographing the front of all lower limbs of the subject W in this embodiment.

Generally, in the diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis such as varus of the knee joint, the degree of bending of the tibia with respect to the axis of the femur is observed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the overall control unit 50 adds an auxiliary line to the radiographic image for presenting to the doctor the degree of bending of the tibia with respect to the axis of the femur in an easy-to-understand manner. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the auxiliary lines 93-2 and 93-4, which are perpendicular lines passing through the center of the femoral head, are important auxiliary lines for observation. Therefore, the overall control unit 50 adds another auxiliary line 93 in parallel with the auxiliary lines 93-2 and 93-4 as a reference. How to add the other auxiliary line 93 is arbitrary. The other auxiliary lines 93-1, 93-3, and 93-5 are optional and do not need to be added, but when they are added, the intervals between the auxiliary lines parallel to each other are preferably equal. In addition, considering the diagnosis of a doctor and the like, it is preferable that the intervals are 3 to 5 cm in the real space.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 9, the overall control unit 50 has a plurality of parallel auxiliary lines 94 (94-1 to 94) intersecting the auxiliary line 85 (orthogonal in the example shown in FIG. 8) on the radiation image 92. -14) is added. The auxiliary line 94 is the same as the auxiliary line 82 of the first embodiment, the auxiliary line 86 of the second embodiment, and the auxiliary line 90 of the third embodiment described above, and the distance between the auxiliary lines 94 is not particularly limited.

In this embodiment, the case where the purpose of interpretation is "varus of the knee joint" or "improper alignment" has been described, but for example, when the purpose of interpretation is other osteoarthritis of the knee joint such as valgus of the knee joint. Also, the auxiliary line 93 and the auxiliary line 94 may be added as in the present embodiment.

(Example 5)
The case where the purpose of interpretation is "slip disease" and the reference material is "fourth lumbar vertebrae" will be described. In this case, according to the auxiliary line additional information 53 shown in FIG. 3 as an example, the control numbers "4-1" to "4-3" correspond to each other. In this embodiment, a case where an auxiliary line corresponding to the control number "4-1" is added from these will be described. In the case of control number "4-1", the shooting type corresponds to "whole spine lateral or lumbar lateral", the auxiliary line type is "straight line", and the auxiliary line addition method has a file name of "*** 4-1". The subprogram method is applicable. FIG. 10 shows an example of a schematic diagram in the case where an auxiliary line is added to the radiation image 96 obtained by photographing the side surface of the lumbar spine of the subject W in this embodiment.

In general, slip disease means that the lumbar spine slides forward or backward (shifts), and is mainly found in the 4th lumbar spine, and it is said that there are many anterior slip diseases that slide forward. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the case where the fourth lumbar vertebra is displaced anteriorly is shown. In the diagnosis of slip disease, the degree of displacement of the displaced lumbar vertebra (fourth lumbar vertebra in FIG. 10) is observed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the overall control unit 50 adds an auxiliary line to the radiographic image for presenting the degree of displacement of the fourth lumbar vertebra to the doctor in an easy-to-understand manner.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, a straight line (diagonal line) passing through the lower end of the upper lumbar vertebra (third lumbar vertebra) and the upper end of the lower lumbar vertebra (fifth lumbar vertebra) with the fourth lumbar vertebra as a reference. The auxiliary line 97-3 is an important auxiliary line for observation. The doctor can recognize the degree of displacement of the 4th lumbar vertebra by observing the position of the 4th lumbar vertebra with respect to the auxiliary line 97-3. Therefore, the overall control unit 50 adds another auxiliary line 97 in parallel with the auxiliary line 97-3 as a reference. How the other auxiliary line 97 is added is arbitrary. The other auxiliary lines 97-1 and 97-2 are optional and do not need to be added, but when they are added, the intervals between the auxiliary lines parallel to each other are preferably equal, and the doctor In consideration of the diagnosis of the above, it is preferable that the interval is the same as the size of a typical lumbar spine or the interval is 3 to 5 cm in the real space.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the overall control unit 50 has a plurality of parallel auxiliary lines 98 (98-1 to 98-1) intersecting the auxiliary line 97 (non-orthogonal in the example shown in FIG. 10) on the radiation image 96. 98-4) is added. The auxiliary line 98 is the same as the auxiliary line 82 of Example 1, the auxiliary line 86 of Example 2, the auxiliary line 90 of Example 3, and the auxiliary line 94 of Example 4, and the distance between the auxiliary lines 98 is the same. Etc. are not particularly limited.

Further, FIG. 11 shows an example of a schematic diagram in which an auxiliary line is added to the radiographic image 100 obtained by photographing the side surface of the lumbar spine of the subject W after applying the operation (spinal fusion) to the spondylolisthesis. .. The auxiliary lines 101 (101-1 to 101-4) and the auxiliary lines 102 (102-1 to 102-4) shown in FIG. 11 are radiated by the same addition method as those of the auxiliary lines 97 and 98 described above. It is added to the image 100. For example, when an affirmative determination is made in step S234 of the image generation / display process described above and each process of steps S236 to S240 is performed, the overall control unit 50 is provided with auxiliary lines 97 and 98 shown as an example in FIG. The radiation image 96 and the radiation image 100 to which the auxiliary lines 101 and 102 shown in FIG. 11 are added are displayed on the display unit 56.

Comparing the position (deviation) of the 4th lumbar vertebra with respect to the auxiliary line 97-3 in the radio image 96 and the position (displacement) of the 4th lumbar vertebra with respect to the auxiliary line 101-3 in the radio image 100, the radio image 100 has a better position. It can be seen that the amount of deviation is small. That is, it can be seen that the deviation was suppressed by the surgery.

The method of adding the auxiliary lines 101 and 102 to the radiation image 100 is not limited to the above. For example, at least one of the interval between the auxiliary line 101 and the auxiliary line 97 and the interval between the auxiliary line 102 and the auxiliary line 101 may be the same. In addition, auxiliary lines 97 and 98 may be added to the radiographic image 100 in order to assist in observing changes in the amount of displacement of the fourth lumbar vertebra before and after surgery.

(Example 6)
In this embodiment, as in Example 5, the case where the purpose of image interpretation is "slip disease" and the reference material is "fourth lumbar vertebrae" will be described. In this embodiment, a case where an auxiliary line corresponding to the control number "4-2" is added will be described. In the case of control number "4-2", the shooting type corresponds to "whole spinal lateral or lumbar lateral", the auxiliary line type is "partial straight line", and the auxiliary line addition method has a file name of "*** 4". -2 ”subprogram method is applicable. FIG. 12 shows an example of a schematic diagram in the case where an auxiliary line is added to the radiation image 104 obtained by photographing the side surface of the lumbar spine of the subject W in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the fourth lumbar vertebra corresponds to an example of the featured material of the present disclosure.

In the example shown in FIG. 12, the fourth lumbar vertebra is used as a reference, and every other linear auxiliary line is added to a predetermined number of lumbar vertebrae before and after the fourth lumbar vertebra. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the overall control unit 50 serves as an auxiliary line 105, which is an auxiliary line 105-1 passing through the lower end of the first lumbar vertebra and the upper end of the third lumbar vertebra, and the lower side of the second lumbar vertebra. An auxiliary line 105-2 passing through the end and the upper end of the 4th lumbar vertebra, and an auxiliary line 105-3 passing through the lower end of the 3rd lumbar vertebra and the upper end of the 4th lumbar vertebra are added to the radiographic image 104. It shows the case where. Further, the overall control unit 50 adds an auxiliary line 106 (106-1 to 106-7) to the radiation image 104, but the auxiliary line 106 is optional, and is added, for example, in the same manner as in the fifth embodiment. You may.

By adding the auxiliary line 105 in this way, the degree of displacement of the fourth lumbar vertebra can be compared with that of other lumbar vertebrae.

(Example 7)
In this embodiment, as in Examples 5 and 6, a case where the purpose of image interpretation is "slip disease" and the reference material is "fourth lumbar vertebrae" will be described. In this embodiment, a case where an auxiliary line corresponding to the control number "4-3" is added will be described. In the case of control number "4-3", the shooting type corresponds to "whole spine lateral or lumbar lateral", the auxiliary line type is "curve", and the auxiliary line addition method has a file name of "*** 4-3". The subprogram method is applicable. FIG. 13 shows an example of a schematic diagram in the case where an auxiliary line is added to the radiation image 108 obtained by photographing the side surface of the lumbar spine of the subject W in this embodiment.

In the overall control unit 50 of this embodiment, the fourth lumbar vertebra is used as a reference, and an auxiliary line which is a curve connecting the other lumbar vertebrae excluding the fourth lumbar vertebra is added. In the example shown in FIG. 13, an auxiliary line 109 connecting the lower ends of the lumbar vertebrae other than the fourth lumbar vertebrae is added to the radiographic image 108. Specifically, the auxiliary line 109-1 is an auxiliary line connecting the lower side of the other lumbar vertebrae excluding the fourth lumbar vertebra and the right end when the radiographic image 108 is viewed from the front, and the auxiliary line 109-2. Is an auxiliary line connecting the lower side of the other lumbar vertebrae except the fourth lumbar vertebrae and the left end portion when the radiographic image 108 is viewed from the front. Further, the auxiliary line 109-3 is an auxiliary line along the spinal cord.

In this way, by adding the auxiliary line 109 based on a part other than the fourth lumbar vertebra having a large deviation, the degree of deviation of the fourth lumbar vertebra can be recognized by observing the position of the fourth lumbar vertebra with respect to the auxiliary line 109.

Further, the overall control unit 50 adds an auxiliary line 110 (110-1 to 110-7) to the radiation image 108, but the auxiliary line 110 is optional. For example, the auxiliary line 110 is added in the same manner as in the fifth embodiment. May be good.

The addition of the auxiliary line by the overall control unit 50 is not limited to the above Examples 1 to 7, and may be added according to the purpose of image interpretation and the addition method according to the reference object. In addition, the auxiliary line may be any auxiliary line that is useful for the doctor performing the interpretation to make a diagnosis, etc., depending on the purpose of the interpretation (case, etc.), and the specific method of adding the auxiliary line is particularly limited. Not done.

For example, when the purpose of interpretation is "adult spinal deformity", the reference material, addition method, and the like are not limited to Examples 1 and 2. For example, the overall control unit 50 adds an auxiliary line to the radiographic image to present the bump angle, lumbar lordosis angle, thoracic kyphosis angle, etc., which are used as indicators for diagnosing adult spinal deformity, to the doctor in an easy-to-understand manner. You may.

Further, when the purpose of image interpretation is "hip dysplasia", the reference material, the addition method, and the like are not limited to Example 3. For example, the overall control unit 50 tells the doctor the sharp angle (the angle at which the line connecting the outer upper edge of the acetabulum and the tear scar is the line connecting the left and right tear scars) used as an index for diagnosing dysplasia of the acetabulum. Auxiliary lines for easy-to-understand presentation may be added to the radiographic image.

Further, when the purpose of interpretation represents a case related to knee osteoarthritis such as "varus of the knee joint" or alignment, the reference material, addition method, etc. are not limited to the fourth embodiment. For example, the overall control unit 50 provides a radiographic image of an auxiliary line for presenting an FTA (Femoro Tibial Angle: angle formed by the femur and tibia), which is used as an index for diagnosing osteoarthritis of the knee, to a doctor in an easy-to-understand manner. May be added to.

Further, when the purpose of image interpretation is "slip disease", the method of adding the reference material is not limited to Examples 5 to 7. For example, the method of adding the auxiliary line may be different depending on the anterior spondylolisthesis, the posterior spondylolisthesis, and the segregation. Further, in Examples 5 to 7, since slippage is mainly observed in the 4th lumbar vertebra, the 4th lumbar vertebra is used as a reference, but the reference is not limited to the 4th lumbar vertebra. For example, other lumbar vertebrae such as the 5th lumbar vertebra may be displaced. Therefore, the reference material is not limited to the "fourth lumbar vertebra", but may be the "lumbar vertebra with the largest amount of deviation". The method for detecting the lumbar vertebra with the largest amount of deviation from the radio image is not particularly limited. For example, a straight line passing through the lower end of the upper lumbar vertebra sandwiching one lumbar vertebra selected from the radio image and the upper end of the lower lumbar vertebra (Fig. The lumbar vertebra with the largest amount of displacement may be detected by performing a process of detecting the amount of displacement of the selected lumbar vertebrae with respect to the auxiliary line 97-3 of 10) for all the lumbar vertebrae.

As described above, the overall control unit 50 of the console 20 of the present embodiment is arranged in a state in which the detection surfaces 19 of the plurality of radiation detectors 14 each having a detection surface 19 for detecting radiation are arranged side by side. A radiation image obtained by joining the radiation images of the subject photographed by each of the radiation detectors 14 of the radiation image capturing apparatus 12 having a photographing surface 35 wider than the detection surface 19 is acquired. In addition, the overall control unit 50 acquires information indicating the purpose of image interpretation. Further, the overall control unit 50 adds a predetermined auxiliary line to the radiographic image by a method according to at least one of the reference object according to the image interpretation purpose and the information representing the image interpretation purpose in the acquired radiographic image.

As described above, in the radiation image capturing system 10 of the present embodiment, since the overall control unit 50 of the console 20 adds an auxiliary line to the radiation image, it is used for actually adding the auxiliary line to be reflected in the radiation image. No need for a board. As a result, according to the console 20 of the present embodiment, the work procedure of the operator can be improved and the load on the operator can be reduced.

Further, in the radiation imaging system 10 of the present embodiment, since the radiation imaging device 12 includes a plurality of radiation detectors 14, the overall control unit 50 performs a joining process and a step removing process. When an actual auxiliary line addition plate is used to add the auxiliary line, there is a concern that an artifact may occur in the reflected image of the auxiliary line addition plate in these image processings. For example, in the case of a plate for adding an auxiliary line in a grid pattern, there is a high possibility that an artifact will occur in the grid portion. However, according to the console 20 of the present embodiment, since the plate for adding the auxiliary line is not actually used, there is no concern that the above-mentioned artifact will occur.

As described above, according to the console 20 of the radiation imaging system 10 of the present embodiment, a predetermined auxiliary line is provided by a reference object according to the image interpretation purpose and an auxiliary line addition method according to the information indicating the image interpretation purpose. Since it is added to the radiographic image, an auxiliary line for assisting the interpretation can be displayed at an appropriate position in the radiographic image.

Further, in the radiation imaging system 10 of the present embodiment, since the auxiliary line can be added without using the actual auxiliary line adding plate, the cost required for the auxiliary line adding plate can be reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, the subprogram is treated as an auxiliary line addition method, and the overall control unit 50 adds the auxiliary line to the radiographic image by executing the subprogram. Therefore, according to the console 20 of the present embodiment, the method of adding the auxiliary line can be easily and appropriately updated by updating the subprogram. Therefore, according to the console 20 of the present embodiment, the auxiliary line can be added more appropriately.

In the radiation imaging system 10 of the present embodiment, the case where the overall control unit 50 of the console 20 functions as each part of the image processing device of the present disclosure has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and for example, the image interpretation device 24 Etc., other devices may include some or all of the functions of each part of the image processing device. Further, for example, the device that performs the above-mentioned image generation / display processing (see FIG. 5) and the display device that displays a radiation image to which an auxiliary line is added may be different. For example, the console 20 may perform the image generation / display process (see FIG. 5), and the radiographic image to which the auxiliary line is added may be displayed on the image interpretation device 24.

In the present embodiment, the case where the reference material is bone has been described, but the reference material is not limited to bone. For example, it may be a part of another subject W, or may be a fixture such as a screw embedded inside the subject W by an operation or the like.

Further, the radiation detectors 15 of the present embodiment, the side close to the radiation detector 14 ₁ and most radiation irradiation device 16, although the radiation detector 14 ₃ is disposed on the side far from the most radiation irradiation device 16, The arrangement of the radiation detector 14 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the radiation detector 14 _1, 14 ₃ are closer to the radiation irradiating apparatus 16, the radiation detector 14 ₂ is disposed on the side far from the irradiation apparatus 16, may be arranged in a so-called terrace shape. Further, for example, the radiation detector 14 _1, 14 ₃ on the far side to the irradiation device 16, the radiation detector 14 ₂ is arranged closer to the radiation irradiating apparatus 16, may be arranged in a so-called terrace shape .. Further, in the radiation detector group 15 of the present embodiment, the ends of the radiation detectors 14 are overlapped with each other, but the detection surfaces 19 of the radiation detectors 14 are arranged on the same plane without overlapping the ends. Each radiation detector 14 may be arranged in the state. Further, the radiation detectors 14 may be arranged in a matrix such as 2 × 2.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where a plurality of radiation detectors 14 (radiation detector group 15) are provided in one housing 13 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each radiation detector 14 may be provided in a different housing.

The radiation R of the present embodiment is not particularly limited, and X-rays, γ-rays, and the like can be applied.

Further, the configuration of the radiation imaging system 10, the radiation detector group 15, the radiation detector 14, the console 20, and the like described in the present embodiment is an example, and depending on the situation within a range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say, it can be changed.

10 radiation image capturing system 12 radiographic apparatus 13 housing ₁₄ (14 1 _{to 14} 3) Radiation detector 15 the radiation detectors 16 radiation apparatus ₁₉ (19 1 _{to 19} 3) the detection surface 20 console 22 PACS
24 Interpretation device 30 Detector control unit 30A, 40A, 50A CPU
30B, 40B, 50B ROM
30C, 40C, 50C RAM
32, 52 Storage unit 34, 44, 62 I / F unit 35 Imaging surface 37, 47, 65 Bus 40 Source control unit 42 Radiation source 54 Display unit Drive unit 56 Display unit 58 Operation input detection unit 60 Operation unit 80, 84 , 88, 92, 96, 100, 104, 108 Radiation images 81 (81-1 to 81-4), 82 (82-1 to 82-10), 85 (85-1 to 85-6), 86 (86) -1 to 86-13), 87, 89 (89-1 to 89-9), 90 (90-1 to 90-7), 91 (91-1, 91-2), 93 (93-1 to 93) -5), 94 (94-1 to 94-14), 97 (97-1 to 97-3), 98 (98-1 to 98-4), 101 (101-1 to 101-4), 102 ( 102-1 to 102-4), 105 (105-1 to 105-3), 106 (106-1 to 106-7), 109 (109-1 to 109-3), 110 (110-1 to 1110-) 7) Auxiliary line R Radiation W Subject

Claims (11)

With at least one processor
It comprises a memory for storing instructions that can be executed by the processor.
The processor
The radiation detectors of a radiation imaging apparatus having the detection surfaces of a plurality of radiation detectors each having a detection surface for detecting radiation arranged side by side and having a wider imaging surface than one detection surface. Acquire a radiation image by joining the radiation images of the subject taken by each.
Obtain information that represents the purpose of interpretation,
Auxiliary lines that represent the correspondence between the image interpretation purpose, the reference object, and the auxiliary line addition method according to at least one of the reference object according to the image interpretation purpose and the information representing the image interpretation purpose in the acquired radiographic image. An image processing apparatus that specifies an auxiliary line addition method with reference to additional information, and adds a predetermined auxiliary line to the position of the image of the reference object of the radiation image by the specified auxiliary line addition method. At least one type of the reference material is predetermined for each purpose of interpretation, which is predetermined before photographing.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The reference object is the bone of the subject,
The processor
Claim 1 or claim that an image of the reference object is extracted from the radiation image, and an auxiliary line determined by a method corresponding to at least one of the image of the reference object and the information representing the interpretation purpose is added to the radiation image. Item 2. The image processing apparatus according to Item 2. The processor
Accepting the designation of the standard,
When the designation of the reference object is accepted, an auxiliary line determined by a method corresponding to at least one of the reference object corresponding to the accepted designation and the information representing the interpretation purpose is added to the radiographic image.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The processor
When the auxiliary line is a combination of a plurality of lines in a grid pattern, the grid-shaped auxiliary line is rotated to an angle derived from the reference object according to the interpretation purpose and the information representing the interpretation purpose. To be added to the radiographic image,
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The processor
When an auxiliary line is added to a plurality of radiographic images, the auxiliary line is also applied to another radiographic image by the same method as the method of adding the auxiliary line to one radiographic image among the plurality of radiographic images. To add,
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The processor
The auxiliary line is added only to the image of the object of interest determined by the purpose of interpretation in the radiographic image.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A radiation imaging apparatus in which the detection surfaces of a plurality of radiation detectors each having a detection surface for detecting radiation are arranged side by side and have a wider imaging surface than one detection surface.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an image of an auxiliary line is added to a radiation image taken by the radiation imaging apparatus.
Radiation imaging system equipped with. A display device for displaying the radiation image to which the image of the auxiliary line is added by the image processing device is further provided.
The radiographic imaging system according to claim 8. An image processing method performed by a computer
The radiation detectors of a radiation imaging apparatus having the detection surfaces of a plurality of radiation detectors, each having a detection surface for detecting radiation, arranged side by side and having a wider imaging surface than one detection surface. Acquire the radiation image obtained by joining the radiation images of the subjects taken by each, and the information indicating the purpose of interpretation.
Auxiliary lines, which are information representing the correspondence between the interpretation purpose, the reference object, and the auxiliary line addition method according to at least one of the reference object corresponding to the image interpretation purpose and the information representing the image interpretation purpose in the acquired radiographic image. The auxiliary line addition method is specified with reference to the additional information, and a predetermined auxiliary line is added to the position of the reference object in the radiation image by the specified auxiliary line addition method.
Image processing methods including that. The radiation detectors of a radiation imaging apparatus having the detection surfaces of a plurality of radiation detectors, each having a detection surface for detecting radiation, arranged side by side and having a wider imaging surface than one detection surface. Acquire the radiation image obtained by joining the radiation images of the subjects taken by each, and the information indicating the purpose of interpretation.
Auxiliary lines, which are information representing the correspondence between the interpretation purpose, the reference object, and the auxiliary line addition method according to at least one of the reference object corresponding to the image interpretation purpose and the information representing the image interpretation purpose in the acquired radiographic image. The auxiliary line addition method is specified with reference to the additional information, and a predetermined auxiliary line is added to the position of the reference object in the radiation image by the specified auxiliary line addition method.
An image processing program that allows a computer to perform processing including that.

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