JP2018187310A - Dynamic image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a workload for setting up a region of interest and stably set up the region irrelevant to a user's competence and experience, in diagnosis using a dynamic image.SOLUTION: According to a dynamic image processing system 100, when a reference region of interest is set up, in a region-of-interest setup screen 341, from a dynamic image by an operation part 33 and at least a condition of a concentration waveform of another region of interest to the concentration waveform of the reference region of interest is input as a setup condition when setting up another region of interest in the dynamic image on the basis of the reference region of interest, a control part 31 of a diagnosis console 3 extracts a region satisfying the input setup condition from the dynamic image and sets up the extracted region as the region of interest.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a dynamic image processing system.

  In contrast to conventional radiographic (X-ray) still image photography and diagnosis using conventional films / screens and photostimulable phosphor plates, a dynamic image of the region to be diagnosed using a semiconductor image sensor such as an FPD (flat panel detector) Attempts have been made to take images and apply them to diagnosis. Specifically, the pulsed radiation is continuously emitted from the radiation source in accordance with the read / erase timing of the semiconductor image sensor, utilizing the speed of read / erase response of the image data of the semiconductor image sensor. The dynamics of the site to be diagnosed are imaged multiple times per second. By displaying a series of a plurality of images acquired by imaging, a doctor can observe a series of movements of a diagnosis target part (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 5157918

  By the way, in the interpretation diagnosis using a dynamic image, it is essential to compare density changes at a plurality of locations. Conventionally, a plurality of regions of interest for comparing density changes are set visually by a user. However, the setting of the region of interest by visual inspection takes a lot of work time and is a burden on the user. In addition, in order to accurately set a plurality of regions of interest that satisfy the conditions effective for diagnosis visually, it is necessary to have competence and experience, and there is a possibility that the setting of the regions of interest may vary depending on the user.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to reduce the work load for setting a region of interest in diagnosis using dynamic images, and to enable the region of interest to be set stably regardless of the user's ability and experience. .

In order to solve the above-described problem, a dynamic image processing system according to claim 1 is provided.
A reference region-of-interest setting means for setting a region of interest as a reference by the user in a dynamic image obtained by radiographing the dynamics of the subject;
A concentration waveform generating means for generating a concentration waveform indicating a time change of the concentration value in the reference region of interest;
As a setting condition for setting another region of interest in the dynamic image based on the region of interest serving as the reference, at least a condition of the concentration waveform of the other region of interest with respect to the concentration waveform of the region of interest serving as the reference is input. Setting condition input means for
A region of interest setting means for extracting a region satisfying the setting condition input by the setting condition input unit from the dynamic image and setting the extracted region as a region of interest;
Is provided.

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1,
The setting condition input means inputs a relational expression between the feature value of the density waveform of the region of interest serving as the reference and the feature value of the density waveform of the other region of interest as the setting condition.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2,
The characteristic amount of the density waveform is at least one of amplitude, phase, frequency, or waveform slope.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The setting condition input means inputs a correlation value range between the concentration waveform of the region of interest serving as the reference and the concentration waveform of the other region of interest as the setting condition.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The reference concentration waveform of the region of interest and the concentration waveform of the other region of interest are concentration waveforms that have been subjected to filtering in the time direction.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The setting condition input means can further input the position condition of the other region of interest based on the structure included in the dynamic image as the setting condition.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 6,
The dynamic image is a chest dynamic image,
The structure is any one of a lung, a bronchus, a pulmonary blood vessel, a clavicle, and a rib.

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The reference region-of-interest setting means is for the user to set the reference region of interest from the frame image of any of the dynamic images,
The image processing apparatus includes a correcting unit that automatically corrects the position of the reference region of interest in a frame image other than the frame image in which the reference region of interest is set according to the movement of the structure included in the dynamic image.

The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Storage means for storing the setting conditions previously input by the setting condition input means in association with the subject attribute information;
The setting condition input means reads from the storage means the setting condition previously input by the setting condition input means for the subject based on the subject attribute information and automatically inputs it as the setting condition in the dynamic image.

The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
Past image storage means for storing dynamic images captured in the past in association with subject attribute information;
Based on the subject attribute information, a past dynamic image of the subject is read from the past image storage means, and a region that satisfies the setting condition input by the setting condition input means is extracted from the read dynamic image and extracted. Second region-of-interest setting means for setting a region that has been set as a region of interest in a past dynamic image of the subject;
Is provided.

The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
Past image storage means for storing dynamic images captured in the past in association with subject attribute information;
A dynamic image of another subject having similar subject attribute information to the subject is read from the past image storage unit, and an area satisfying the setting condition input by the setting condition input unit is extracted from the read dynamic image, Second region-of-interest setting means for setting the extracted region as a region of interest in the read dynamic image;
Is provided.

The invention according to claim 12 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
A correction unit is provided for the user to correct the position of the region of interest set by the region of interest setting unit.

The invention according to claim 13 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
Display means for displaying the region of interest set by the region of interest setting means on the frame image of the dynamic image.

The invention according to claim 14 is the invention according to claim 13,
Selection means for selecting a region of interest to be processed from the region of interest displayed on the display means.

  According to the present invention, in a diagnosis using a dynamic image, it is possible to reduce the work load of setting a region of interest and to set the region of interest stably regardless of the user's ability and experience.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a dynamic image processing system in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a lung lobe model. It is a figure which shows an example of a bronchial model. It is a figure which shows an example of a pulmonary blood vessel model. It is a figure which shows an example of a clavicle / rib model. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a shooting control process executed by a control unit of the shooting console of FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the diagnostic assistance process performed by the control part of the diagnostic console of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a region-of-interest setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a region-of-interest setting screen when the past use condition input is designated in the input method designation field. It is a figure which shows typically the filtering process performed to a density | concentration waveform. It is a figure for demonstrating the feature-value of a density waveform. It is a figure which shows an example of the region of interest setting screen on which the region of interest set automatically was displayed. It is a figure which shows typically correction | amendment of the region of interest by user operation. It is a figure which shows typically selection of the region of interest of the process target by user operation. It is a figure which shows an example of the region-of-interest setting screen which can display the image for a comparison.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

[Configuration of Dynamic Image Processing System 100]
First, the configuration of the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a dynamic image processing system 100 in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, in the dynamic image processing system 100, an imaging device 1 and an imaging console 2 are connected by a communication cable or the like, and the imaging console 2 and the diagnostic console 3 are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network). Etc., and connected via a communication network NT. Each device constituting the dynamic image processing system 100 conforms to the DICOM (Digital Image and Communications in Medicine) standard, and communication between the devices is performed according to DICOM.

[Configuration of the photographing apparatus 1]
The imaging device 1 is an imaging unit that images dynamics of a living body, such as changes in the shape of lung expansion and contraction associated with respiratory motion, heart pulsation, and the like. Dynamic imaging is to irradiate a subject repeatedly with a pulse of X-ray radiation (pulse irradiation) or continuously with a low dose rate without interruption (continuous irradiation). In other words, obtaining a plurality of images showing the dynamics of the subject. A series of images obtained by dynamic imaging is called a dynamic image. Each of the plurality of images constituting the dynamic image is called a frame image. In the following embodiment, a case where dynamic imaging of the chest is performed by pulse irradiation will be described as an example.

The radiation source 11 is disposed at a position facing the radiation detection unit 13 with the subject M (subject) in between, and irradiates the subject M with radiation (X-rays) under the control of the radiation irradiation control device 12.
The radiation irradiation control device 12 is connected to the imaging console 2 and controls the radiation source 11 based on the radiation irradiation conditions input from the imaging console 2 to perform radiation imaging. The radiation irradiation conditions input from the imaging console 2 are, for example, pulse rate, pulse width, pulse interval, number of imaging frames per imaging, X-ray tube current value, X-ray tube voltage value, additional filter type, etc. It is. The pulse rate is the number of times of radiation irradiation per second, and matches the frame rate described later. The pulse width is a radiation irradiation time per one irradiation. The pulse interval is a time from the start of one radiation irradiation to the start of the next radiation irradiation, and coincides with a frame interval described later.

The radiation detection unit 13 includes a semiconductor image sensor such as an FPD (Flat Panel Detector). The FPD has, for example, a glass substrate or the like, detects radiation that has been irradiated from the radiation source 11 and transmitted through at least the subject M at a predetermined position on the substrate according to its intensity, and detects the detected radiation as an electrical signal. A plurality of detection elements (pixels) converted and stored in a matrix are arranged in a matrix. Each pixel includes a switching unit such as a TFT (Thin Film Transistor). The FPD includes an indirect conversion type in which X-rays are converted into electric signals by a photoelectric conversion element via a scintillator, and a direct conversion type in which X-rays are directly converted into electric signals, either of which may be used.
The radiation detection unit 13 is provided to face the radiation source 11 with the subject M interposed therebetween.

  The reading control device 14 is connected to the imaging console 2. The reading control device 14 controls the switching unit of each pixel of the radiation detection unit 13 based on the image reading condition input from the imaging console 2 to switch the reading of the electrical signal accumulated in each pixel. Then, the image data is acquired by reading the electrical signal accumulated in the radiation detection unit 13. This image data is a frame image. The pixel signal value of the frame image represents a density value. Then, the reading control device 14 outputs the acquired frame image to the photographing console 2. The image reading conditions are, for example, a frame rate, a frame interval, a pixel size, an image size (matrix size), and the like. The frame rate is the number of frame images acquired per second and matches the pulse rate. The frame interval is the time from the start of one frame image acquisition operation to the start of the next frame image acquisition operation, and coincides with the pulse interval.

  Here, the radiation irradiation control device 12 and the reading control device 14 are connected to each other, and exchange synchronization signals to synchronize the radiation irradiation operation and the image reading operation.

[Configuration of the shooting console 2]
The imaging console 2 outputs radiation irradiation conditions and image reading conditions to the imaging apparatus 1 to control radiation imaging and radiographic image reading operations by the imaging apparatus 1, and also captures dynamic images acquired by the imaging apparatus 1. The image is displayed for confirming whether the image is suitable for confirmation of positioning or diagnosis by a photographer.
As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging console 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an operation unit 23, a display unit 24, and a communication unit 25, and each unit is connected by a bus 26.

The control unit 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).
) Etc. The CPU of the control unit 21 reads the system program and various processing programs stored in the storage unit 22 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 23, expands them in the RAM, and performs shooting control processing described later according to the expanded programs. Various processes including the beginning are executed to centrally control the operation of each part of the imaging console 2 and the radiation irradiation operation and the reading operation of the imaging apparatus 1.

  The storage unit 22 is configured by a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, a hard disk, or the like. The storage unit 22 stores various programs executed by the control unit 21 and data such as parameters necessary for execution of processing by the programs or processing results. For example, the storage unit 22 stores a program for executing the shooting control process shown in FIG. The storage unit 22 stores the radiation irradiation condition and the image reading condition in association with the examination target part (here, the chest). Various programs are stored in the form of readable program code, and the control unit 21 sequentially executes operations according to the program code.

  The operation unit 23 includes a keyboard having a cursor key, numeric input keys, various function keys, and the like, and a pointing device such as a mouse. The control unit 23 controls an instruction signal input by key operation or mouse operation on the keyboard. To 21. In addition, the operation unit 23 may include a touch panel on the display screen of the display unit 24. In this case, the operation unit 23 outputs an instruction signal input via the touch panel to the control unit 21.

  The display unit 24 is configured by a monitor such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), and displays an input instruction, data, or the like from the operation unit 23 in accordance with an instruction of a display signal input from the control unit 21. To do.

  The communication unit 25 includes a LAN adapter, a modem, a TA (Terminal Adapter), and the like, and controls data transmission / reception with each device connected to the communication network NT.

[Configuration of diagnostic console 3]
The diagnostic console 3 is a dynamic image processing device that acquires a dynamic image from the imaging console 2 and displays the acquired dynamic image by performing image processing.
As shown in FIG. 1, the diagnostic console 3 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an operation unit 33, a display unit 34, and a communication unit 35, and each unit is connected by a bus 36.

  The control unit 31 includes a CPU, a RAM, and the like. The CPU of the control unit 31 reads out the system program and various processing programs stored in the storage unit 32 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 33 and expands them in the RAM, and performs diagnosis support processing according to the expanded programs. Various processes including the beginning are executed to centrally control the operation of each part of the diagnostic console 3. The control unit 31 functions as a region-of-interest setting unit, a concentration waveform generation unit, a correction unit, and a setting condition input unit.

  The storage unit 32 is configured by a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, a hard disk, or the like. The storage unit 32 stores various programs including a program for executing diagnosis support processing by the control unit 31, parameters necessary for execution of processing by the program, or data such as processing results. These various programs are stored in the form of readable program codes, and the control unit 31 sequentially executes operations according to the program codes.

Further, in the storage unit 32, a dynamic image taken in the past includes identification ID, patient information (subject attribute information. For example, patient ID, patient (subject) name, height, weight, age, gender, etc.), examination information. (For example, examination ID, examination date, examination target part (here, chest), etc.) are stored in association with each other. In addition, the dynamic image in which the region-of-interest setting condition is input further stores the region-of-interest setting date and the input region-of-interest setting condition in association with each other.
The storage unit 32 functions as a storage unit and a past image storage unit.

  Furthermore, the storage unit 32 stores a lung lobe model shown in FIG. 2A, a bronchial model shown in FIG. 2B, a lung blood vessel model shown in FIG. 2C, and a clavicle / rib model shown in FIG. 2D. As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, each model is an image representing an area and a name for each area of the structure.

The operation unit 33 includes a keyboard having cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, and the like, and a pointing device such as a mouse. The operation unit 33 receives an instruction signal input by a key operation or a mouse operation on the keyboard by the user. Output to the control unit 31. The operation unit 33 may include a touch panel on the display screen of the display unit 34, and in this case, an instruction signal input via the touch panel is output to the control unit 31.
The operation unit 33 functions as a reference region-of-interest setting unit, a setting condition input unit, a correction unit, and a selection unit in cooperation with the region-of-interest setting screen 341.

  The display unit 34 is configured by a monitor such as an LCD or a CRT, and performs various displays according to instructions of a display signal input from the control unit 31.

  The communication unit 35 includes a LAN adapter, a modem, a TA, and the like, and controls data transmission / reception with each device connected to the communication network NT.

[Operation of Dynamic Image Processing System 100]
Next, the operation of the dynamic image processing system 100 in the present embodiment will be described.

(Operation of the photographing apparatus 1 and the photographing console 2)
First, the photographing operation by the photographing apparatus 1 and the photographing console 2 will be described.
FIG. 3 shows photographing control processing executed in the control unit 21 of the photographing console 2. The photographing control process is executed in cooperation with the control unit 21 and a program stored in the storage unit 22.

  First, the operation section 23 of the imaging console 2 is operated by the imaging operator, and patient information and examination information of the subject (subject M) are input (step S1).

  Next, the radiation irradiation conditions are read from the storage unit 22 and set in the radiation irradiation control device 12, and the image reading conditions are read from the storage unit 22 and set in the reading control device 14 (step S2).

  Next, a radiation irradiation instruction by the operation of the operation unit 23 is waited (step S3). Here, the imaging operator places the subject M between the radiation source 11 and the radiation detection unit 13 to perform positioning. Further, the subject (subject M) is instructed to breathe (deep breathing, rest breathing, breath holding, etc.). When preparation for imaging is completed, the operation unit 23 is operated to input a radiation irradiation instruction.

  When a radiation irradiation instruction is input by the operation unit 23 (step S3; YES), a photographing start instruction is output to the radiation irradiation control device 12 and the reading control device 14, and dynamic photographing is started (step S4). That is, radiation is emitted from the radiation source 11 at a pulse interval set in the radiation irradiation control device 12, and a frame image is acquired by the radiation detection unit 13.

  When photographing of a predetermined number of frames is completed, the control unit 21 outputs a photographing end instruction to the radiation irradiation control device 12 and the reading control device 14, and the photographing operation is stopped. The number of frames to be captured is the number of frames that can be captured for at least one respiratory cycle.

  The frame images acquired by shooting are sequentially input to the shooting console 2, stored in the storage unit 22 in association with a number (frame number) indicating the shooting order (step S5), and displayed on the display unit 24. (Step S6). The imaging operator confirms the positioning and the like from the displayed dynamic image, and determines whether an image suitable for diagnosis is acquired by imaging (imaging OK) or re-imaging is necessary (imaging NG). Then, the operation unit 23 is operated to input a determination result.

  When a determination result indicating photographing OK is input by a predetermined operation of the operation unit 23 (step S7; YES), an identification ID for identifying a dynamic image or each of a series of frame images acquired by dynamic photographing is displayed. Information such as patient information, examination information, radiation irradiation conditions, image reading conditions, imaging order number (frame number) is attached (for example, written in the header area of the image data in DICOM format), and the communication unit 25 is To the diagnostic console 3 (step S8). Then, this process ends. On the other hand, when a determination result indicating photographing NG is input by a predetermined operation of the operation unit 23 (step S7; NO), a series of frame images stored in the storage unit 22 is deleted (step S9), and this processing is performed. finish. In this case, re-shooting is necessary.

(Operation of diagnostic console 3)
Next, the operation in the diagnostic console 3 will be described.
In the diagnostic console 3, when a series of frame images of the dynamic image is received from the imaging console 2 via the communication unit 35, the series of frame images of the received dynamic image are identification ID, patient information, and examination information. Are stored in the storage unit 32 in association with each other. When one dynamic image is selected from the dynamic images stored in the storage unit 32 by the operation unit 33 and the execution of diagnosis is instructed, the control unit 31 and the program stored in the storage unit 32 The diagnosis support process shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the diagnosis support processing will be described with reference to FIG.

In the diagnosis support process, first, a region of interest setting screen 341 is displayed on the display unit 34 (step S11).
FIG. 5 shows an example of the region of interest setting screen 341. The region-of-interest setting screen 341 is used when the user sets a reference region of interest (referred to as a reference region of interest) from the dynamic image and automatically sets other regions of interest as dynamic images based on the set reference region of interest. It is a screen for inputting the setting conditions.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the region-of-interest setting screen 341 includes an image display field 341a for displaying a dynamic image to be diagnosed, an arrow button 341b for switching a frame image to be displayed in the image display field 341a, An input method designation field 341c for designating an input method of a region of interest setting condition, a basic condition input field 341d for inputting a basic setting condition of the region of interest, and a detailed condition for inputting a detailed setting condition of the region of interest And an input field 341e.

  In the image display field 341a, for example, a plurality of frame images of a dynamic image to be diagnosed are displayed so as to be sequentially switchable according to the operation of the arrow button 341b by the operation unit 33, and the user operates the arrow button 341b. Thus, the frame image used for setting the reference region of interest can be displayed, and the reference region of interest can be set by the operation unit 33 from the displayed frame image.

  The input method designation field 341c can display a pull-down menu. When the user selects an input method of the region of interest setting condition from the pull-down menu by operating the operation unit 33, the input method of the region of interest setting condition is input. Is possible. In the present embodiment, either “new input” or “past use condition input” can be selected. When “Past usage condition input” is input, as shown in FIG. 6, a date input field for designating a setting date of a past region of interest is displayed, and when a date is input from the date input field, Based on the attribute information, the region-of-interest setting conditions set for the chest dynamic image of the same subject on the input date are read from the storage unit 32 and automatically displayed on the region-of-interest setting screen 341 by the control unit 31. Input to each item.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the basic condition input field 341d is provided with input fields for ROI (region of interest) shape, ROI size, number of set conditions, and target function. Each input field can display a pull-down menu, and can be input by the user selecting the content of each item from the pull-down menu by operating the operation unit 33. In the present embodiment, any one of “square”, “rectangle”, “circle”, “polygon”, and “automatic selection” can be selected as the ROI shape. In the case of “polygon”, the user inputs a number. As the “target function”, any one of “ventilation”, “blood flow”, and “not specified” can be selected.

  The detailed condition input field 341e is used for inputting detailed setting conditions when another region of interest is automatically set as a dynamic image based on the reference region of interest. When the set condition number is input in the basic condition input field 341d, the detailed condition input field 341e displays the input fields from condition 1 to condition n according to the input number n. In each of the input fields of condition 1 to condition n, a concentration / structure selection field for selecting whether the setting condition is a concentration waveform condition or a position condition based on a structure, and a setting condition An input field for information to be used (input field for information to be used), a setting condition input field for inputting specific setting conditions (for example, a relational expression with a reference region of interest, a location of a position to be set, etc.) , Is provided.

In the input column for information to be used, the information displayed in the pull-down menu (that is, inputable information) is changed based on the content selected in the concentration / structure selection column.
For example, when the concentration is selected in the concentration / structure selection field, any of “amplitude”, “phase”, “frequency”, “waveform slope”, and “correlation value” is entered in the information input field to be used. A pull-down menu for selecting is displayed. Here, “amplitude”, “phase”, “frequency”, and “waveform slope” refer to “amplitude”, “phase”, “frequency”, and “waveform slope” of the concentration waveform in the reference region of interest. The “correlation value” indicates a correlation value R (for example, a cross-correlation coefficient) between the density waveform of the reference region of interest and the concentration waveform of the region of interest that is automatically set.
For example, when a structure is selected in the concentration / structure selection field, information fields used for extraction include “lung lobe model”, “bronchial model”, “pulmonary blood vessel model”, “clavicle / rib model”. A pull-down menu for selecting one of the following is displayed.

In the setting condition input field, the information displayed in the pull-down menu (that is, the information that can be input) changes based on the information input in the information input field to be used.
For example, when “Amplitude”, “Phase”, “Frequency”, or “Waveform slope” is selected in the selection column of information to be used, “match (within 5% error)” is displayed in the setting condition input column. ”,“ Match (within 10% error) ”,“ Mismatch (40% or more divergence) ”...“ Disagreement (100% or more divergence) ”,“ above standard ”or“ below standard ” A pull-down menu is displayed.
For example, when “Correlation value” is selected in the selection column of information to be used, “R ≧ 0.9”... “R ≧ 0.6”, “R ≦ 0.5” ... A pull-down menu for selecting one of “R ≦ 0” is displayed.

For example, select “Amplitude”, “Phase”, “Frequency”, or “Slope of waveform” in the selection column of the information to be used, and enter one of the choices in the setting condition input column. It is possible to input as a setting condition a relational expression between the feature amount of the density waveform of the region (“amplitude”, “phase”, “frequency” or “slope of waveform”) and the feature amount of the concentration waveform of the region of interest that is automatically set. it can.
For example, by selecting “Correlation value” in the selection column of information to be used and selecting one of the formulas in the setting condition input column, the correlation value between the concentration waveform of the reference region of interest and the concentration waveform of the region of interest that is automatically set The range of R can be input as a setting condition. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the input of the condition of the concentration waveform is essential.

For example, when “lung lobe model” is selected in the selection column of information to be used, the setting condition input column includes “on right lung S ¹ ”, “on top right lung S ¹⁰ ”, and “left lung S”. ^{1 + 2} above "..." left lung S ¹⁰ on "any area of lobes models such as or" distance from the right extrapulmonary thorax ", for selecting one of the" distance from Hidarihaigai thoracic " Pull-down menu is displayed. When “distance from right outer lung ribcage” or “distance from left lung outer ribcage” is input, the user can input a numerical value.
For example, when it is selected "bronchial Model" in the selection column of information used, the setting condition input section, "right main on bronchus" ..., "B ¹ up", ..., "left main on bronchus "..., a pull-down menu for selecting one of the areas of the" B ^{1 + 2} above "bronchial models such as ... are displayed.
For example, if the "pulmonary vascular model" in the selection column of the information to be used is selected, the setting condition input field, "on the right pulmonary artery" ..., "right lung A ¹ up", ..., "left pulmonary artery A pull-down menu for selecting any area of the pulmonary blood vessel model such as “up”..., “Left lung A ¹ up”.
For example, when “clavicle / rib model” is selected in the selection column of information to be used, “on the right clavicle”, “on the first right rib”,... A pull-down menu for selecting any area of the clavicle / rib model such as “on the first left rib”, etc., or “between ribs” is displayed. When “between ribs” is input, the user inputs the rib number.

  For example, select one of “lung lobe model”, “bronchial model”, “pulmonary blood vessel model”, and “clavicle / rib model” in the selection column of information to be used, and enter one of the options in the setting condition input column. Therefore, it is input as a position condition of the region of interest that automatically sets the position between the structures or from the structure on the structure specified based on any of the lung lobe model, bronchial model, pulmonary blood vessel model, and clavicle / rib model can do.

  When the reference region of interest is set by the operation unit 33 in the image display field 341a of the region of interest setting screen 341 (step S12), and the region of interest setting condition to be automatically set based on the reference region of interest is input (step S13). A region satisfying the setting condition is extracted from each frame image of the dynamic image (step S14). Note that if “past usage condition input” is designated in the input method designation field 341c, the reference region of interest is automatically set at the same position as the past.

The process of step S14 is performed by the following (1) to (4).
(1) First, the position of the reference region of interest in other frame images other than the frame image in which the reference region of interest is set is automatically corrected according to the movement of the structure included in the dynamic image. For example, template matching is performed using the set image of the reference region of interest as a template, and the position of the reference region of interest in another frame image is corrected.

(2) Next, a representative value (for example, an average value, a median value, a maximum value, etc.) of pixel signal values (density values) in the reference region of interest is calculated, and a density waveform indicating a temporal change of the calculated representative value is obtained. Generated. Here, when the target function of the basic condition input field 341d is set to “ventilation”, as shown in FIG. 7, the generated concentration waveform is generated by a time-direction low-pass filter (for example, a cutoff frequency of 0.85 Hz). Filtered. As a result, a high-frequency component due to pulmonary blood flow or the like can be removed, and a concentration waveform of a signal component of lung ventilation can be acquired. When the target function in the basic condition input field 341d is set to “blood flow”, the generated concentration waveform is generated by a high-pass filter in the time direction (for example, a cutoff frequency of 0.80 Hz) as shown in FIG. Filtered. Thereby, the low frequency component by ventilation etc. can be removed and the concentration waveform of the signal component of pulmonary blood flow can be acquired.

(3) Next, “density” is selected in the density / structure selection field of the detailed condition input field 341e, and the feature quantity of amplitude, frequency, phase, or waveform slope is selected from the selection field of information to be used. When input, the input feature amount is calculated for the concentration waveform generated in (2) (if the target function is ventilation or blood flow, the concentration waveform after filtering) (see FIG. 8). As the gradient of the concentration waveform, for example, the maximum value of the gradient of the concentration waveform is calculated. The frequency is the peak frequency when the concentration waveform is subjected to frequency analysis by Fourier transform or the like.

(4) Next, it is determined whether or not “structure” is selected in the concentration / structure selection field of the detailed condition input field 341e, and if it is determined that “structure” is selected, use Using the structure model input in the information input field, the position of the structure input in the setting condition input field is identified from the frame image in which the reference region of interest is set. For example, the "lobe model" is inputted as information to be used, if the "right lung S ¹⁰ up" as the setting condition inputted, lobes model is read out from the storage unit 32, lung field area of the lobe model by warping process Is aligned with the lung field region of the frame image. Then, based on the lobe model, a position specified as a setting condition from the frame image of the reference region of interest is set (upper right lung S ¹⁰ in this case) is identified. The same applies when a model other than the lung lobe model is used. Next, the ROI having the shape and size specified in the basic condition input field 341d is set by shifting one pixel at a time, for example, from the upper left of the specified area, and a time-varying concentration waveform of the set ROI pixel signal value is generated. Is done. Then, the feature quantity selected by “use information” in the detailed condition input field 341e is calculated from the generated density waveform, and the calculated feature quantity sets the setting condition for the feature quantity of the density waveform of the reference region of interest. If so, the ROI is set as the region of interest. When “correlation value” is input as information to be used, the correlation value R between the set ROI concentration waveform and the concentration waveform of the reference region of interest is calculated, and the calculated correlation value R satisfies the setting condition The ROI is set as the region of interest.
On the other hand, if it is determined in the detailed condition input field 341e that the condition of the position for setting the region of interest is not input, the lung field region is extracted from the frame image in which the reference region of interest is set. Any method may be used to extract the lung field region. For example, a threshold value is obtained by discriminant analysis from a histogram of signal values of each pixel of the frame image, and a region having a signal higher than this threshold value is first extracted as a lung field region candidate. Next, edge detection is performed in the vicinity of the boundary of the first extracted lung field region candidate, and the boundary of the lung field region can be extracted by extracting along the boundary the point where the edge is maximum in a small region near the boundary. it can. Next, for example, from the upper left of the extracted lung field region, the ROI having the shape and size specified by the basic conditions is set while being shifted one pixel at a time, and the time-varying concentration waveform of the set ROI pixel signal value is generated. Is done. Then, the feature quantity selected by “use information” in the detailed condition input field 341e is calculated from the generated density waveform, and the calculated feature quantity sets the setting condition for the feature quantity of the density waveform of the reference region of interest. If so, the ROI is set as the region of interest. When “correlation value” is input as the information to be used, the correlation value R between the set ROI concentration waveform and the concentration waveform of the reference region of interest is calculated, and the calculated correlation value R satisfies the setting condition , The ROI is set as the region of interest.

When a region satisfying the setting condition is extracted, the extracted region is set as a region of interest, and an annotation is displayed at the position of the region of interest on the frame image displayed in the image display field 341a (step S15).
FIG. 9 shows an example in which the automatically set region of interest is displayed as an annotation on the region of interest setting screen 341. Here, when the automatically set region of interest is displayed, on the region of interest setting screen 341, as shown in FIG. 9, a “position correction mode” button 341f, a “processing object selection mode” button 341g, and “ The “execute processing” button 341h is displayed. The “position correction mode” button 341f is a button for instructing to correct the position of the region of interest that is automatically set. The “processing target selection mode” button 341g is a button for instructing to select a processing target region of interest from among the set regions of interest. The “process execution” button 341h is a button for instructing execution of a process on the region of interest.

  When the “position correction mode” button 341f is pressed by the operation unit 33 and the position correction of the region of interest is instructed (step S16; YES), as shown in FIG. 10, the user operates the operation unit 33 in the image display field 341a. The position of the region of interest is corrected according to the cursor operation (step S17).

  When the “processing target selection mode” button 341g is pressed by the operation unit 33 to instruct the selection of the region of interest to be processed (step S18; YES), it is displayed in the image display field 341a as shown in FIG. Among the regions of interest, the region selected by the operation unit 33 is set as the region of interest to be processed (step S19). Note that if the region of interest to be processed is not selected by pressing the “processing object selection mode” button 341g, all of the set regions of interest are set as processing targets.

  When the “execution of processing” button 341h is pressed by the operation unit 33 (step S20; YES), the concentration waveform of the region of interest to be processed is displayed on the display unit 34 (step S21), and the diagnosis support process ends. The region-of-interest setting condition and the set information of the region of interest are stored in the storage unit 32 in association with the incidental information such as the identification ID, patient information, and examination information, and the dynamic image.

  In step S21, for example, an image in which the region of interest to be processed (including the reference region of interest) is indicated by annotation on the frame image, and the density waveform of each region of interest are displayed. An annotation and a density waveform on the frame image are displayed in association with each other by, for example, the same identification number.

As described above, in the region-of-interest setting screen 341, as a setting condition when the user sets a reference region of interest from a dynamic image by the operation unit 33 and sets another region of interest as a dynamic image based on the reference region of interest. When at least the condition of the concentration waveform of the other region of interest with respect to the concentration waveform of the reference region of interest is input, the control unit 31 extracts the region satisfying the input setting condition from the dynamic image, and the extracted region is of interest. Set as area.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the work load of the region of interest setting by the user and to stably set the region of interest regardless of the user's ability and experience.

  Further, in the region of interest setting screen 341, in addition to the condition of the concentration waveform, it is possible to input the position condition of another region of interest based on the structure included in the dynamic image, and the control unit 31 can input the input position. A region of interest is set in a region that satisfies the condition. Therefore, it is possible to automatically set the region of interest on the structure where the user wants to set the region of interest, between the structures, or from the structure to the region having a predetermined positional relationship.

  In the case where setting conditions input in the past are stored in the storage unit 32 in association with the subject attribute information, and the operation unit 33 instructs the region of interest setting screen 341 to use the past setting conditions. In addition, the control unit 31 reads the setting conditions input for the same subject in the past from the storage unit 32 and automatically inputs them as the setting conditions in the dynamic image. Therefore, it is possible to easily set the region of interest under the same conditions as the past setting conditions.

  Further, when the “position correction mode” button 341f is pressed on the region-of-interest setting screen 341, the control unit 31 corrects the position of the set region of interest according to the user operation. Therefore, when the region of interest is set at a position unintended by the user, the position can be corrected.

  Further, when the “processing target selection mode” button 341g is pressed on the region of interest setting screen 341, the control unit 31 sets the region of interest selected by the user operation from the displayed regions of interest as the processing target. Select as region of interest. Therefore, it is possible to improve processing efficiency by excluding unnecessary regions of interest from the processing target.

  In addition, the description content in the said embodiment is a suitable example of this invention, and is not limited to this.

  For example, in the region-of-interest setting screen 341, as shown in FIG. 12, in addition to the items described in the above embodiment, a selection field 341i for selecting whether or not to display a comparative image, and a comparative image It is also possible to provide a selection column 341j for selecting the type of image and a comparison image display column 341k for displaying a comparison image. When “display” is selected in the selection column 341i by the operation unit 33 and “past dynamic image” is selected in the selection column 341j, the control unit 31 further selects the past of the subject M based on the subject attribute information. Are read from the storage unit 32 and displayed in the comparative image display field 341k, and a region satisfying the setting conditions input from the basic condition input field 341d and the detailed condition input field 341e is extracted from the read past dynamic image. The extracted region may be set as a region of interest in the past dynamic image and displayed on the dynamic image displayed in the comparison image display field 341k (second region of interest setting means). As a result, the region of interest can be automatically set and displayed for the current and past dynamic images of the same subject under the same setting conditions, so that the region of interest is set in the current and past dynamic images for comparison. It is possible to reduce the burden on the user at the time and to set the region of interest stably regardless of the user's ability and experience.

  In the region of interest setting screen 341 shown in FIG. 12, when “display” is selected in the selection column 341i by the operation unit 33 and “other image with similar subject attribute information” is selected in the selection column 341j, control is performed. The unit 31 further reads out a dynamic image of another subject (other person) whose subject attribute information is similar to that of the subject M from the storage unit 32 and displays it in the comparison image display field 341k. An area satisfying the setting condition input from the basic condition input field 341d and the detailed condition input field 341e is extracted, and the extracted area is set as a region of interest in the other person's dynamic image and displayed in the comparison image display field 341k. It may be displayed on a dynamic image (second region of interest setting means). As a result, a region of interest can be automatically set and displayed under the same setting conditions for a dynamic image of another person with similar subject attribute information. It is possible to reduce the work burden on the user when setting and comparing areas, and to set the area of interest stably regardless of the user's ability and experience.

  For example, in the above description, an example in which a hard disk, a semiconductor nonvolatile memory, or the like is used as a computer-readable medium of the program according to the present invention is disclosed, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As another computer-readable medium, a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM can be applied. A carrier wave is also applied as a medium for providing program data according to the present invention via a communication line.

  In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each device constituting the dynamic analysis system can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Dynamic image processing system 1 Imaging device 11 Radiation source 12 Radiation irradiation control device 13 Radiation detection part 14 Reading control device 2 Imaging console 21 Control part 22 Storage part 23 Operation part 24 Display part 25 Communication part 26 Bus 3 Diagnosis console 31 Control unit 32 Storage unit 33 Operation unit 34 Display unit 35 Communication unit 36 Bus

Claims (14)

A reference region-of-interest setting means for setting a region of interest as a reference by the user in a dynamic image obtained by radiographing the dynamics of the subject;
A concentration waveform generating means for generating a concentration waveform indicating a time change of the concentration value in the reference region of interest;
As a setting condition for setting another region of interest in the dynamic image based on the region of interest serving as the reference, at least a condition of the concentration waveform of the other region of interest with respect to the concentration waveform of the region of interest serving as the reference is input. Setting condition input means for
A region of interest setting means for extracting a region satisfying the setting condition input by the setting condition input unit from the dynamic image and setting the extracted region as a region of interest;
A dynamic image processing system comprising:   2. The dynamic image according to claim 1, wherein the setting condition input unit inputs, as the setting condition, a relational expression between the characteristic amount of the concentration waveform of the region of interest serving as the reference and the characteristic amount of the concentration waveform of the other region of interest. Processing system.   The dynamic image processing system according to claim 2, wherein the feature amount of the density waveform is at least one of an amplitude, a phase, a frequency, and a slope of the waveform.   The said setting condition input means inputs the range of the correlation value of the concentration waveform of the region of interest used as the reference and the concentration waveform of the other region of interest as the setting condition. Dynamic image processing system.   The dynamic image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the density waveform of the reference region of interest and the density waveform of the other region of interest are density waveforms that have been subjected to filtering in the time direction. .   The said setting condition input means can further input the positional condition of the said other region of interest based on the structure contained in the said dynamic image as said setting condition. Dynamic image processing system. The dynamic image is a chest dynamic image,
The dynamic image processing system according to claim 6, wherein the structure is any one of a lung, a bronchus, a pulmonary blood vessel, a clavicle, and a rib. The reference region-of-interest setting means is for the user to set the reference region of interest from the frame image of any of the dynamic images,
A correction unit that automatically corrects the position of the reference region of interest in another frame image other than the frame image in which the reference region of interest is set according to movement of a structure included in the dynamic image. The dynamic image processing system according to any one of 1 to 7. Storage means for storing the setting conditions previously input by the setting condition input means in association with the subject attribute information;
The setting condition input means reads from the storage means the setting conditions previously input by the setting condition input means for the subject based on the subject attribute information and automatically inputs them as setting conditions in the dynamic image. Item 9. The dynamic image processing system according to any one of Items 1 to 8. Past image storage means for storing dynamic images captured in the past in association with subject attribute information;
Based on the subject attribute information, a past dynamic image of the subject is read from the past image storage means, and a region that satisfies the setting condition input by the setting condition input means is extracted from the read dynamic image and extracted. Second region-of-interest setting means for setting a region that has been set as a region of interest in a past dynamic image of the subject;
A dynamic image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9. Past image storage means for storing dynamic images captured in the past in association with subject attribute information;
A dynamic image of another subject having similar subject attribute information to the subject is read from the past image storage unit, and an area satisfying the setting condition input by the setting condition input unit is extracted from the read dynamic image, Second region-of-interest setting means for setting the extracted region as a region of interest in the read dynamic image;
A dynamic image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.   The dynamic image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a correction unit for a user to correct the position of the region of interest set by the region of interest setting unit.   The dynamic image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising display means for displaying the region of interest set by the region of interest setting means on a frame image of the dynamic image.   The dynamic image processing system according to claim 13, further comprising a selection unit that selects a region of interest to be processed from a region of interest displayed on the display unit.