KR100915330B1 - Apparatus of Measuring Bone Mineral Density having Selected Initial State - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring bone density in which an initial state is selected, and to provide a diagnostic terminal for providing a user interface for setting a first region of interest for a spinal bone density image of a subject or a second region of interest for a femoral bone mineral density image. And a spinal bone density image of the subject to be measured, the first region of interest including a plurality of preset areas in the spine image is displayed, and when an input of a tilt adjustment point and a height adjustment point is detected, When the first region of interest is corrected and the femoral bone density image of the subject is output, when the input of the position adjustment point and the rotation control point is detected, the second region of interest is corrected according to the input.

According to the present invention, the present invention provides a user interface for easily manipulating and outputting a bone density value for diagnosing bone density and osteoporosis, and preventing the initial state of the cancer part from being disturbed by other operations performed around the bone density measuring device. A bone density measuring apparatus in which an initial state is selected can be provided.

Description

Apparatus of Measuring Bone Mineral Density having Selected Initial State}

The present invention relates to a device for measuring bone density in which an initial state is selected. Specifically, the present invention provides a user interface for manipulating a region of interest for a measured bone density image for accurate bone density diagnosis, and provides an initial state of the device for measuring bone density. The present invention relates to a bone density measuring apparatus in which an initial state is selected to be selected and changed according to the surrounding environment.

Osteoporosis refers to a condition in which bone is weakened and broken easily due to abnormal decrease in bone mass due to various causes. In addition, the state before osteoporosis is called osteopenia (Osteopenia), and the bone is thinned and lightened until the hole is opened.

In general, younger people have a balanced absorption of bone production, but older adults have lowered estrogen secretion, which leads to decreased bone resorption, and especially in postmenopausal women, the incidence of osteoporosis increases.

This osteoporosis rarely causes any particular outward symptoms, especially bone loss once lost is very difficult to recover. Therefore, prevention and early diagnosis are very important and periodic inspections are needed after at least 50s.

Conventional bone density measuring system uses Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) to examine X-rays with dual energy on the subjects and analyzes the difference in X-ray absorption. Its excellent reproducibility makes it widely used for diagnosing osteoporosis.

However, using the conventional bone density meter as described above, it is possible to simply diagnose osteoporosis, but there is no method other than the method of diagnosing bone density using an X-ray image of a predetermined region of interest.

In addition, when the bone density diagnosis by the method as described above, there is a difference in the bone anatomy morphological differences for each subject, there is a problem that can not accurately diagnose the bone density diagnosis using only the automatically set portion.

In addition, the conventional bone density measuring device has a problem that the volume is large and interferes with other operations performed in the vicinity of the bone density measuring device.

An object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to extract the region with the lowest bone density value and the region with the highest bone density value from the region of interest of the X-ray image taken by the bone density measuring apparatus to diagnose bone density and osteoporosis or The present invention provides a device for measuring bone density, in which an initial state is selected to provide a user interface for easily manipulating and outputting a bone density value of a specific region.

In addition, another object of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, by selecting the initial state of the arm portion of the bone density measuring device to one side or the other side to fix the initial operation so as not to interfere with other work in the vicinity of the bone density measuring device It is to provide an apparatus for measuring bone density in which an initial state in which a state is selected is selected.

Bone density measurement apparatus is selected in the initial state of the present invention for achieving the above object, the lower portion is provided with an X-ray generating unit for scanning the reciprocating movement of the spine or thigh of the subject in the X-axis direction, the spine or thigh An X-ray detecting unit detects an X-ray and generates a spinal bone density image or a femoral bone density image. An arm is provided on the upper surface, and a bed is formed on an upper surface thereof. A frame for reciprocating in the Y-axis direction, provided on one side of the arm portion, and by changing the firmware, the first control unit and the X-ray detection unit to change the initial state of the arm portion to one side or the other end of the frame by changing the firmware Bone mineral density image or femoral bone density A diagnostic terminal configured to receive an image and provide a user interface for setting a first region of interest for a spinal bone density image of a subject or a second region of interest for a femoral bone mineral density image, wherein the user interface includes: When the terminal outputs the spinal bone density image of the subject to be measured, lines for dividing the plurality of regions to display a first region of interest including a plurality of regions preset in the spine image and to correct the first region of interest Provides a tilt control point for adjusting the inclination at both sides of the and a height adjustment point for adjusting the height at the center of the line separating the plurality of areas, respectively, and when the input of the tilt control point and the height adjustment point is detected To correct the first region of interest according to its input. The user interface, when outputting the femoral bone mineral density image of the subject measured by the diagnostic terminal, a rectangular neck window including the neck portion of the thigh is formed, the position of the neck window in the center of the neck window up, down, left and right Position adjustment point that can be adjusted to, the rotation control point for rotating the neck window is provided at the corner of the neck window, if the arbitrary cross point is set outside the thigh, the point where the cross point is a right angle of the right triangle And a right triangle is formed such that the lower side of the long side of the neck window is in contact with the hypotenuse of the right triangle, and a wars window is formed at a point where the hypotenuse of the right triangle and the neck window are in contact with each other. Is a straight line, so that the second interest is divided into a plurality of areas When the inverse is displayed and the input of the position control point and the rotation control point is sensed, the second region of interest is corrected according to the input. do.

As described above, according to the present invention, in order to diagnose bone density and osteoporosis, the region having the lowest bone density value and the region having the highest bone density value are extracted from the region of interest of the X-ray image photographed by the bone density measuring apparatus or the bone density of a specific region. It is possible to provide a device for measuring bone density in which an initial state is selected that provides a user interface for easily manipulating and outputting a value.

And, as described above, according to the present invention, by selecting the initial state of the arm portion to one side or the other side of the bone density measuring device to be fixed so that the initial state is selected so as not to interfere with other work in progress around the bone density measuring device A measuring device can be provided.

1 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for measuring bone density in which an initial state is selected according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a detailed view showing the bone density measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,

3 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for measuring bone density in which an initial state is selected according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is an exemplary view showing a zigzag scan method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

5 is an exemplary view showing an initial state of the bone density measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,

6 is a flowchart showing a method for measuring bone density according to an embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a flowchart showing the measurement of spinal bone density according to an embodiment of the present invention,

8 is an exemplary view showing a region of interest of a spine image according to an embodiment of the present invention;

9 is an exemplary view illustrating region of interest correction of a spine image according to an embodiment of the present invention;

10 is a flowchart showing the femoral bone density measurement according to an embodiment of the present invention,

11 is an exemplary view illustrating a region of interest of a femoral image according to an embodiment of the present invention;

12 illustrates an ROI correction of a femoral image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention.

1 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for measuring bone density in which an initial state is selected according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a detailed view showing a device for measuring bone density according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a zigzag scan method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The apparatus for measuring bone density in which the initial state is selected in which the initial state is selected according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, includes a bone density measuring apparatus 1000 and a diagnostic terminal 2000.

The bone density measuring apparatus 1000 is provided with a square frame 900 in which a bed 950 is formed so that a subject (not shown) may lie down or lie down on an upper surface thereof, and a 'c' is formed inside the frame 900. Arm-shaped arm 400 is coupled.

An X-ray generator 450 for generating an X-ray to scan a measurement part of a person to be measured (not shown) is provided below the arm unit 400, and an X-ray generator 450 is provided above the arm unit 400. X-ray detection unit 600 for detecting the X-rays for scanning the measurement site of the subject to be converted into an analog signal is provided.

Here, the lower portion of the arm 400 is preferably coupled to the inside of the frame, and the upper portion of the arm 400 is positioned above the bad 950.

Therefore, the arm unit 400 is preferably formed such that the X-ray generator 450 and the X-ray detector 600 are spaced apart by a predetermined interval, and when the X-ray generator 450 is moved, the X-ray detector 600 connected together is also the same. Will move.

The X-ray generator 450 used in the present invention uses a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (hereinafter referred to as 'DEXA').

The principle of DEXA is to scan Dual Energy X-rays in two energy domains at the measurement site of the subject, and the X-ray spectra of the two energy bands show different attenuation ratios. The difference in the attenuation ratio is used to calculate the bone density of the subject.

In the present invention, a K-edge filter 470 is provided to make a dual energy X-ray, and the X-ray is divided into two regions and scanned.

In the present invention, although Samariun is used as the material of the K-edge filter 470, other rare earth materials, such as cerium, may be used.

Thus, when the X-ray generator 450 generates the X-rays, the X-ray spectra that pass through the K-edge filter 470 and are divided into regions of high and low are scanned while measuring the measurement area of the subject. Each is attenuated differently. The X-ray detector 600 detects the attenuated X-ray spectra and converts the attenuated X-ray spectra into analog signals.

In addition, the power consumed by the X-ray generating unit 450 used in the present invention is 0.2 [0] to 0.28 [mA] or 88 [kv] to 92 [88 [kv] to 92 [kv] depending on the measurement site. kv] is used at a power of 0.88 [mA] to 0.96 [mA].

The X-ray generator 450 may reciprocate a predetermined distance in the X (X) axis direction from the inside of the lower part of the arm part 400 by the first driving part 300 provided on the lower side of the arm part 400. Thus, when the subject is lying or lying on the bed 950, the X-ray may be generated to scan the measurement area in the X-axis direction.

In addition, one side of the frame 900 is provided with a second driving unit 350 for reciprocating the arm 400 at a predetermined distance.

That is, the arm unit 400 is reciprocally linearly moved in the Y-axis direction by the second driver 350 while the X-ray generator 450 reciprocates linearly in the X-axis direction by the first driver 300. .

As the first driving unit 300 and the second driving unit 350, a stepping motor (not shown) equipped with a gear box (not shown) is used.

For reference, the first driving unit 300 and the second driving unit 350 may use a step motor of the A53K-M566-G5 model of Autonics Inc. Also, a motor driver necessary for driving the step motor may also be used. The motor driver of the KR-55MC model can be used.

Therefore, the rotational force by the step motor is changed to the reciprocating linear motion of the X-ray generator 450 and the arm 400, and the movement distance of the reciprocating linear motion of the X-ray generator 450 and the arm 400 is controlled by the movement detector. Adjusted by 500.

In the present invention, a magnetic switch and a magnetic switch are used as the movement detector 500.

Thus, when the X-ray generator 450 is moved to the end of the X-axis, it is no longer moved by the movement detector 500, and when the arm 400 is also moved to the end of the Y-axis, it is further moved by the movement detector 500. It will not move anymore.

The first controller 100 is provided at one side of the arm 400 between the X-ray generator 450 and the X-ray detector 600. The first controller 100 drives the first driver 300 to cause the X-ray generator 450 to reciprocate on the X-axis to generate the X-ray, and drives the second driver 350 to drive the arm 400 to the Y-axis. Move back and forth.

Then, the operation of the bone density measuring apparatus 1000, such as converting the analog signal detected by the X-ray detector 600 into a digital signal, and inputting the digital signal to a separate computing device 700 to determine whether or not osteoporosis To control.

It is preferable to measure the spine and the femur of the measurement site of the subject to be measured using the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 according to the present invention.

Thus, the X-ray generator 450 moves reciprocally linearly at a predetermined distance in the X-axis direction from the lower portion of the frame 900, in which case the X-ray generator 450 is connected together. The X-ray detector 600 also moves.

In addition, the arm 400 is a reciprocating linear movement a predetermined distance in the y-axis direction.

That is, the X-ray generating unit 450 and the X-ray detecting unit 600 should be located at the spine when measuring the spine of the subject, and should be located at the femoral region of the subject to measure the femoral region of the subject.

Accordingly, the linear reciprocating movement of the X-ray generating unit 450 in the X-axis direction is made through the first driving unit 300, and the arm unit 400 is moved in the Y-axis direction through the second driving unit 350. By performing a linear reciprocating movement, the X-ray generating unit 450 may be positioned at the bone density measurement site of the subject.

When the X-ray generating unit 450 is positioned at the measurement site of the subject, the X-ray generating unit scans the measurement site by generating X-rays, and the scanned X-rays are scanned in a zigzag form as shown in FIG. 4. It is preferable to be.

That is, the X-rays generated by the X-ray generating unit 450 through the first driving unit 300 are scanned slowly while reciprocating in the X-axis direction, and slowly moving the arm unit 400 in the Y-axis direction through the second driving unit 350. The measurement site of the subject can be scanned in a zigzag form.

By scanning the measurement site of the subject in a zigzag like this, the vibration of the bone density measuring device is small and the measurement speed is also increased. Therefore, since the measurement device has less vibration, the accuracy of the measurement is increased and the measurement speed is faster, thereby reducing the time for which the subject is exposed to the X-ray, which is radiation.

On the other hand, when moving the X-ray generating unit 450 to the measurement site of the subject to be measured can be moved through a separate operation unit 200 provided in the bone density measuring apparatus.

Therefore, when the X-ray generating unit 450 is moved to the measurement site of the target to be measured, the first driving unit 300 and the second driving unit 350 may be driven using the direction keys provided in the operation unit 200. Therefore, the X-ray generator 450 may be positioned at a desired portion to be measured.

In this case, in order to know whether the X-ray generating unit 450 is properly positioned at the measurement site, a separate display such as a laser point (not shown) appears so that the measurement site can be easily designated.

When the measurement site is designated as described above, the first driving unit 300 is driven through the first control unit 100, the X-ray generating unit 450 generates the X-ray, and the second driving unit 350 is driven to drive the arm unit 400. While moving, the measurement area of the subject is scanned in a zigzag form.

When the scan is finished to the measurement site of the subject, the X-ray detected by the X-ray detector 600 is converted into an analog signal, the analog signal is converted into a digital signal by the first controller 100, and the digital signal is measured using the digital signal. Determine if you have osteoporosis

The determination of osteoporosis is calculated by measuring the bone mineral density (BMD) measurement value by inputting the digital signal converted by the first control unit 100 to the diagnostic terminal 2000 separately connected to the bone density measuring apparatus 1000, the bone density measurement value This can be converted into a tee score (T-Score) and a jet score (Z-Score) to determine normal or osteoporosis.

The diagnostic terminal 2000 refers to a terminal device capable of performing arithmetic processing such as a PC and a notebook computer, and is preferably connected to the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 by an Ethernet interface.

Here, the tee score indicates the degree of bone density compared to young people in their 20s, and directly compares the measured BMD of the measured subjects with the BMD distribution of young people in their 20s.

The jet score represents the degree of bone density compared to the same age group, and is compared with a statistical mean value of the same age as the subject.

In addition, the diagnostic terminal 2000 may be provided with an input unit 710 such as a start button for generating an X-ray from the X-ray generator 450. Therefore, when the X-ray generator 450 moves to the measurement position of the subject, the X-ray generator 450 may generate an X-ray by operating the start button provided in the diagnostic terminal 2000.

Generating X-rays through the diagnostic terminal 2000 may reduce the X-ray exposure of the measurer.

In addition, the diagnostic terminal 2000 is further connected to the output unit 720.

The output unit 720 displays an operating state of the bone density measuring apparatus 1000, a digital X-ray image generated by the X-ray detector 600, a screen for determining whether osteoporosis is determined by the diagnosis terminal 2000, and the like.

The output unit 720 may print a digital x-ray image generated by the x-ray detector 600 and a screen for determining whether osteoporosis is generated by the diagnosis terminal 2000.

On the other hand, the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 is provided with a signal device (not shown) that simply indicates the state of the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 in the first control unit 100. For example, using seven segments, as shown in Table 1, numbers or letters may be displayed according to the state of the bone density measuring apparatus 1000.

Segment Display Action 0 Initailize One Lager point 'ON' and Enable External Move Control 2 Spectrum Data Acquisition 3 Count Data Acquisition 4 Scan Data Acqusition 5 Initial Moving 6 Position set 7 Move to top 8 Move to bottom 9 Move to left A (a) Move to right B (b) Test Mode Auto Scan Delay F Position TX

The bone density measuring apparatus 1000 is provided with a power supply unit 800. The power supply unit 800 converts the AC power of 210 to 230 volts into a high voltage DC power used in the bone density measuring apparatus 1000, and the X-ray generator 450, the X-ray detector 600, and the first controller 100 Supply driving power so that the lamp can be driven.

In addition, the power supply unit 800 may include a signal device (not shown) such as a plurality of LEDs, so that the state of the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 can be easily recognized. For example, using 16 LEDs, as shown in Table 2, the number of LEDs to be lit can be varied according to the state of the bone density measuring apparatus 1000.

LED Display Action One Shutter ON 2 X-ray Generator ON 3 Motor Driver ON 4 Motor Driver ON 5 -15V 6 + 15V 7 + 5V 8 SMPS ON 9 FAN ON 10 X-ray Generator ON 11 Motor Driver ON 12 Motor Driver ON 13 -15V 14 + 15V 15 + 5V 16 SMPS ON

In addition, the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 is provided with an emergency switch (not shown). Thus, when an emergency or an accident occurs, the emergency switch may be operated to cut off the power of the bone mineral density measuring apparatus 1000 to prevent a safety accident.

In addition, the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 is provided with a storage unit 150, and the storage unit 150 stores pseudo information, measured information, and measured bone density X-ray images of the measured subject. In this case, the bone density X-ray image of the subjects stored in the storage unit 150 is preferably stored in a table for each doctor measured.

In addition, the storage unit 150 may be provided with various storage media, such as an EPROM, a flash memory, or an external memory, depending on the capacity of data to be stored.

Figure 5 is an exemplary view showing an initial state of the bone density measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 is not used or after measuring the bone density of the subject using the bone density measuring apparatus 1000, the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 maintains a preset initial state.

As shown in FIG. 5A, when the bone density measuring apparatus is installed at the left edge of the wall surface 10, the arm part 400 moves to one side end corresponding to the left side of the frame 900. It is moved and fixed to a stationary state.

And the other initial state of the bone density measuring apparatus 1000, as shown in Fig. 5b, when the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 is installed at the right edge of the wall surface 10, the arm portion 400 is the right side of the frame 900 It is moved to the other end corresponding to and fixed in the stopped state.

In this way, according to the position where the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 is installed, a fixed position of the arm 400 which is the initial state of the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 may be appropriately selected. In order to be moved to one of the right side, the firmware included in the first control unit 100 must be changed.

Thus, when the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 is installed at the left edge of the wall surface 10, the first control unit 100 moves the initial state of the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 so that the arm 400 moves to the left side of the frame 900. Is to save the firmware in advance.

When the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 is installed at the right edge of the wall surface 10, the first control unit 100 moves the initial state of the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 so that the arm unit 400 moves to the right side of the frame 900. Is to save the firmware in advance.

On the other hand, when the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 should be installed in a hospital or facility, the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 may be installed at the left edge of the wall surface 10 or the right edge of the wall surface 10 according to the state of the space to be installed. have. Therefore, it is necessary to change the initial state of the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 according to the position where the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 is installed.

Thus, the initial state change unit 250 in the form of a switch is provided so that the initial state of the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 can be easily selected as a desired place. By operating the initial state changing unit 250, the initial state of the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 may be changed to a desired position through the first control unit 100.

For example, in the state where the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 is installed on the left wall surface 10 and the arm portion 400 is fixed to the left end of the frame 900 in the initial state of the bone density measuring apparatus 1000, Depending on the utilization state, the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 may need to be installed by moving to the right wall surface 10. In this case, the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 is moved to the right wall surface, and then the initial state changing unit 250 is manipulated so that the arm unit 400 is fixed to the right end of the frame 900.

Of course, when the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 is installed on the left wall surface 10 as needed, the arm 400 is moved to the initial state of the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 by operating the initial state changing unit 250. 900 may be fixed to the right end. On the contrary, when the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 is installed on the right wall surface 10, the arm 400 is moved to the initial state of the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 by operating the initial state changing unit 250. It can also be fixed to the left end.

Here, although the initial state change unit 250 has been described as being provided separately, it may be configured to be included in the operation unit 200.

For example, the arm 400 may be selectively moved by operating the 'L' button, the 'R' button, or the arrow keys by providing a direction key using an 'L' button and an 'R' button or an arrow on the operation unit 200. It is.

In this manner, when the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 is not used or after the bone density measurement, the initial state of the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 is selected according to the surrounding state, so that the other work around the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 may be performed. Easier

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for measuring bone density according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 which is in an initial state is adjusted to manipulate the operation unit 200 provided in the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 so that the X-ray generating unit 450 is positioned at a desired portion to be measured.

In this case, it is possible to check whether the measurement position is properly aligned by displaying the measurement portion on the measurement target by a display device such as a laser point. In addition, one or more sites to be measured can be selected, that is, the spine, the left thigh, the right thigh or the spine and the left thigh and the right thigh can be simultaneously selected.

In this way, after selecting the measurement site, by operating the start button and the like provided in the diagnostic terminal 2000 to the X-ray generating unit 450 to generate an X-ray (step S110).

When the X-ray generation unit 450 generates an X-ray, the measurement area is scanned in zigzag (step S120), and the X-ray passing through the measurement site of the subject is detected by the X-ray detection unit 600 and converted into an analog signal (step S130). .

Subsequently, the first control unit 100 converts the analog signal into a digital signal (step S140), and inputs the digital signal to the diagnostic terminal 2000 to calculate a bone density measurement value (step S150).

Subsequently, the bone density measurement value may be converted into a tee score and a jet score to determine whether osteoporosis is performed (step S160).

If it is determined whether or not osteoporosis and the measurement is finished in the bone density measuring apparatus (step S170), the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 is switched to the initial state (step S180).

The initial state of the bone mineral density measuring apparatus 1000 is switched to a preset state, in which case the position of the initial state is not appropriate and may interfere with other work around (step S185).

Then, the initial state switching unit 250 is operated to change the initial state so as not to disturb other operations around (step S180).

Subsequently, when the initial state of the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 does not interfere with other work around (step S185), the power supply of the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 is terminated (step S190).

On the other hand, from the pathological symptoms and characteristics of osteoporosis, it can be seen that the bone density of a particular clinically significant site is very important. Actually, in the hospital, the bone density is measured by the spine, thigh, wrist, etc. Achieve. The reason for this is that there are differences in the composition of specific areas, for example, 66% of the spine is composed of the skull surface, while the thigh is 75% of the cortical bone.

In addition, there are major causes of changes in bone density in certain areas.For example, postmenopausal osteoporosis is a cause of marked changes in the skeletal plane, Cushing's disease is caused by loss of the osseous bone of the spine, and hyperthyroidism is cortical bone. Change is the main cause.

Therefore, in order to evaluate the amount of bone density associated with a particular disease, it is necessary to measure the bone density of a specific site.

In addition, the diagnosis terminal 2000 receives the bone density X-ray image of the spine and the thigh of the subject from the bone density measuring apparatus 1000, and based on this, whether the disease is as described above (eg, osteoporosis, hyperthyroidism, Cushing's disease, etc.). Diagnose)

In this case, the diagnosis terminal 2000 may determine a region of interest (hereinafter, referred to as a region of interest (ROI)) of bone density X-ray images of the spine and thighs received from the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 in order to accurately diagnose the diseases. An ROI biotope 750 that can be manipulated is provided. Accordingly, the ROI generation unit 750 provides a user interface that allows the user to easily manipulate the ROI of the spine and thigh bone density X-ray images.

The input unit 710 of the diagnostic terminal 2000 receives a user's request.

In the present invention, the input unit 710 receives an operation signal for manipulating the ROI of the spine and thigh bone density X-ray images in a state in which the spine and thigh bone density X-ray images of a specific subject are output through the output unit 720.

The input unit 710 is provided with an icon or a button for receiving various operations and menu settings for performing the above functions.

However, in order to manipulate the ROI while the bone density X-ray image of the spine and thigh is output to the output unit 720, the touch panel may be provided with a touch panel capable of simultaneously performing input and display functions.

In addition, when the ROI generation unit 750 is a spinal bone density X-ray image (hereinafter referred to as a "vertebral image") and a femoral bone density x-ray image (hereinafter referred to as a "femoral image"), the ROI for each image is calculated. Provides a user interface for operation.

7 is a flowchart showing a measurement of spinal bone density according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is an exemplary view showing a region of interest of a spine image according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a region of interest correction of a spine image. FIG.

When a specific user (eg, a doctor, a laboratory staff, etc.) wants to diagnose osteoporosis using the spine image of the subject, the spine image of the subject received from the BMD 1000 is output to the output unit 720. do.

When the spine image is output, the basic ROI (refer to FIG. 8, the first region, the second region, the third region, and the fourth region information) is also output.

On the other hand, since the default ROI is automatically set by the diagnosis terminal 2000, even if there is a difference in the anatomical shape of the bone of the subject, there is a problem in that it cannot be reflected.

Therefore, the ROI generator 750 corrects the difference in the anatomical shape of the bone of the subject and provides a user interface that can easily manipulate the ROI manually for accurate bone density diagnosis.

In more detail, the user interface includes a tilt adjustment pointer (see FIG. 8) to manipulate a basic ROI (ie, first to fourth regions) while the spine image is output to the output unit 720. For reference, A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1, D2, E1, E2, and height adjustment pointers at both ends of the lines separating the plurality of areas (see FIG. 8, the plurality of areas are distinguished). H1, H2, H3, H4, and H5) in the center of the lines are provided, the input of the pointer is sensed, and the ROI is manipulated based on the detection result.

As described above, it is possible to easily manipulate the ROI of the spine image according to the anatomical characteristics of the bone of the subject, and accordingly, there is an advantage in that the bone may be bent according to the shape of the bone of the subject.

First, the diagnosis of bone density in the spine of the subject will be described as an example.

First, the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 detects a driving signal for measuring bone density of a specific subject.

Then, the first controller 100 receives pseudo information for measuring bone density of the subject and detailed information of the subject.

Thereafter, the X-ray generator 400 generates X-rays, and the filter 470 separates the spectrum of the X-rays into a high region and a low region, and then the bed of the bone density measuring apparatus 950. ) Penetrate the vertebral bones of a particular subject lying in the

At this time, the high region X-ray and the low region X-ray are attenuated differently while penetrating the vertebral bone of the subject, and the X-ray detector 600 detects each of the attenuated X-ray spectra and converts the spectrum into an analog signal.

The first controller 100 receives the analog signal and stores the image of the spine of the subject, which is converted into a digital signal, in the storage 150 (step S300).

In this case, the spine image of the subject may be stored in a table for each doctor who measured the bone density of the subject. In addition, it is preferable to grant the right to view only the doctor in charge of the spine image of the subject.

In addition, the first controller 100 controls a communication unit (not shown) to transmit the measured spine image of the measured person to the diagnosis terminal 2000.

Then, the diagnostic terminal 2000 outputs the user interface while outputting the received spine image of the measured subject (step S310).

Then, a first ROI for the spine image is generated (step S315), and then, the ROI generation unit 750 queries the user whether to change the ROI currently set in the spine image (step S320).

If the user inputs a signal to manipulate the ROI from the query result of operation 320, the ROI generator 750 provides a user interface as shown in FIG. 8.

As shown, the user interface is provided with a pointer for adjusting the tilt and the height so as to manipulate the ROI for the spine image (step S330).

When the ROI generation unit 750 detects the input of the pointer, the ROI generation unit 750 processes the ROI of the spinal bone density image to be corrected based on the detection result (step S340).

Subsequently, the user is queried whether the ROI operation is completed (step S350), and upon receiving a response from the user, the ROI corrected by the user is stored (step S360).

To help understand the description with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, for example, if the vertebral bone of the subject is bent and the ROI of the first region needs to be corrected, the user may use the input unit 710. You can easily correct the ROI by manipulating the A2 tilt pointer (eg, drag and drop with a mouse).

9 shows that the A2 pointer, ie, the tilt pointer, is moved by the user to a curved portion of the subject's spine. As shown in the drawing, it can be seen that the first region is easily changed by a simple operation of the mouse.

Meanwhile, as described above, each of the regions (the first region, the second region, the third region, and the fourth region) is divided into the region having the lowest bone density value and the region having the highest bone density value among the regions, or This is to output the bone density value of a specific area.

The user interface of the present invention is designed to output bone density information for each area when each area is clicked.

10 is a flowchart showing femoral bone mineral density measurement according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11 is an exemplary view showing a region of interest of a femoral image according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is an embodiment of the present invention. It is an exemplary view showing correction of a region of interest of the femoral image.

Hereinafter, the function of the ROI generator 750 when the thigh image is output will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12.

When a specific user (eg, a doctor, a laboratory staff, etc.) wants to diagnose osteoporosis using the femoral image of the subject, the femoral image of the subject received from the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 is output to the output unit 720. do.

In this case, when the diagnostic terminal 2000 outputs the femoral bone mineral density image of the subject, as illustrated in FIG. 11, a rectangular neck window including the neck portion of the thigh is formed, and the center of the neck window is formed. Position adjustment point (a1) that can adjust the position of the neck window up, down, left and right, a rotation control point (b1) for rotating the neck window is provided at the corner of the neck window.

When an arbitrary cross point c1 is set outside the thigh, a right triangle is formed in which the hypotenuse is in contact with the neck window while the cross point c1 becomes a point perpendicular to the triangle.

Subsequently, a second war region (second ROI) divided into a plurality of regions is formed by forming a wars window at a point where the hypotenuse and the neck window of the right triangle are in contact with each other. Is displayed.

Subsequently, when the input of the position adjusting point a1 and the rotation adjusting point b1 is detected, the second region of interest is corrected according to the input.

In this way, the ROI generation unit 750 corrects the difference in the anatomical shape of the subject's thigh so that a user interface as shown in FIG. 12 can be easily manipulated manually for the accurate bone density diagnosis. to provide.

That is, the output unit 720 outputs the position adjustment pointer a1 and the rotation control pointer b1 together at the basic position together with the femoral image, and the user adjusts the position control pointer a1 and the rotation control pointer b1. By manipulating the position of the, it will be detected so that the ROI of the thigh can be easily manipulated based on the detection result.

Hereinafter, the diagnosis of bone density in the thigh of the patient will be described as an example.

First, the bone density measuring apparatus 1000 detects a driving signal for measuring bone density of a specific patient.

Then, the first control unit 100 receives the doctor information for measuring the bone density of the patient and the detailed information of the patient.

Thereafter, the X-ray generator 400 generates X-rays, and the filter 470 separates the spectrum of the X-rays into a high region and a low region, and then the bed of the bone density measuring apparatus 950. ) To penetrate the femoral bones of a particular patient lying in the

At this time, the high region X-ray and the low region X-ray are attenuated differently while penetrating the femoral bone of the patient, and the X-ray detector 600 detects each of the attenuated X-ray spectra and converts it into an analog signal.

The first control unit 100 receives the analog signal and stores the femoral part image of the patient converted into a digital signal in the storage unit 150 (step S510).

The first controller 100 controls the communication unit to transmit the measured femoral part image of the patient to the diagnosis terminal 2000.

Then, the diagnostic terminal 2000 outputs the thigh image of the received patient (step S520), and a second ROI for the thigh image is generated (step S525).

Next, the user is queried whether or not to operate the ROI currently set in the thigh image (step S530).

If, as a result of the query of step 530 receives a signal to the user to manipulate the ROI, as shown in Figure 11, the ROI generation unit 750, the position adjustment pointer (a1) so that the user can manipulate the ROI of the femoral image It provides a user interface that is displayed, the rotation control pointer (b1).

Subsequently, if an arbitrary cross point c1 is set outside the thigh, a right triangle is formed such that the cross point c1 becomes a point perpendicular to the triangle while the hypotenuse is in contact with the neck window.

Then, the wars window is automatically formed at the point where the hypotenuse of the right triangle and the neck window contact each other, and the second point of interest divided into a plurality of areas is displayed by connecting the cross point c1 and the center of the wars window in a straight line. do.

That is, in detail, referring to FIG. 11, in the first step, when a request for outputting a thigh image is received from a user, a position adjusting pointer a1 and a rotation adjusting pointer (a1) are formed on the neck of the thigh image along with the thigh image. It is shown that the neck window including b1) is formed.

In the second step, the user moves the position control pointer a1 (eg, drag and drop using a mouse) to correct the position of the ROI.

In the third step, the angle of the ROI is illustrated by manipulating the rotation control pointer b1. Thereafter, in the fourth step, the cross point c1 becomes a point perpendicular to the triangle, a right triangle is formed in which the hypotenuse is in contact with the neck window, and the portion having the lowest bone density is displayed at the point in which the hypotenuse is in contact with the neck window. The wars window is automatically formed.

In this way, the neck window is divided into a first region in the second region of interest, a right triangle is divided into a second region and a third region in the second region of interest, and the wars window is set as a fourth region in the second region of interest. The figure is shown.

Subsequently, when the input of the position adjustment point a1 and the rotation adjustment point b1 is sensed while the second region of interest is displayed, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the ROI generation unit 750 receives the position adjustment pointer from the user. (a1), an operation signal for operating the rotation control pointer b1 is input (step S540), and processing is performed such that the ROI of the femoral bone density image is corrected based on the operation signal (step S550).

Thereafter, the user is queried whether the ROI operation is completed (step S560), and when the response from the user is received, the ROI and the thigh image corrected by the user are stored (step S570).

 As described above, when the user sets the region of interest of the thigh with the position adjusting pointer a1 and the rotation adjusting pointer b1, even if there is a difference in the anatomical form of the patient's bone, the anatomy of the patient's bone with a simple input. By correcting the differences in the enemy form has the advantage of accurate bone density diagnosis.

In the above description, the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains does not depart from the technical spirit of the present invention. It will be readily appreciated that various substitutions, modifications and variations can be made.

Claims (1)

An X-ray generation unit is provided at the lower part to scan the spine or the femoral region of the subject by reciprocating in the X-axis direction, and an X-ray detection unit generating the spinal bone density image or the femoral bone mineral density image by detecting the X-ray scanning the spine or thigh region at the upper part. Arm portion is provided; A frame formed on an upper surface of the frame, and coupling a lower portion of the arm portion therein to allow the arm portion to reciprocate in the y-axis direction with respect to the X-axis direction; A first control unit provided at one side of the arm unit and configured to move an initial state of the arm unit to one side end or the other end of the frame by changing firmware; And A diagnostic terminal providing a user interface for receiving a spinal bone density image or a femoral bone mineral density image from the x-ray detection unit and setting a first region of interest for a spine bone density image of a subject or a second region of interest for a femoral bone density image; Including, The user interface, when outputting the spinal bone density image of the subject measured by the diagnostic terminal, to display a first region of interest including a plurality of areas preset in the spine image, to correct the first region of interest, Provides an inclination adjustment point for adjusting the inclination at both sides of the lines separating the plurality of areas, and a height adjustment point for adjusting the height in the center of the lines for separating the plurality of areas, respectively, and an inclination control point and height When the input of the adjustment point is detected, the first region of interest is corrected according to the input, When the user interface outputs the femoral bone mineral density image of the subject in the diagnostic terminal, a rectangular neck window including a neck portion of the thigh is formed, and the position of the neck window is adjusted up, down, left, and right in the center of the neck window. Position adjustment point, a rotation control point for rotating the neck window is provided at the corner of the neck window, If an arbitrary cross point is set to the outside of the thigh, the cross point becomes a point perpendicular to the right triangle, and a right triangle is formed such that the lower side of the long side of the neck window is in contact with the hypotenuse of the right triangle, A wars window is formed at the point where the hypotenuse and the neck window of the right triangle are in contact with each other. By connecting the cross point and the wars window in a straight line, a second region of interest divided into a plurality of regions is displayed. And a second state of interest is corrected according to the input, when the input state is detected, wherein the initial state is selected.