KR20130135800A - Medical device and image displaying method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A medical device for displaying additional images to which various types of image processing are applied, and a method for displaying the images. The medical device includes a receiving unit for receiving an image of a target object, a control unit for processing an image through various predetermined image processing upon receipt of the image of the target object at the receiving unit, a control unit for generating an object of each processed image, As shown in FIG.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION [0002] MEDICAL DEVICE AND IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD USING THE SAME [0003]

More particularly, to a medical device for displaying a processed image through image processing and a method for displaying the image.

In general, clinical diagnosis in medical practice is a large part of treating patients, and the development of medical technology is helping to make accurate clinical diagnosis, and its dependence will continue to increase.

Therefore, medical imaging devices such as computer tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), x-ray device, and ultrasonic device have become indispensable devices in modern medicine.

However, the medical service in the past was an ineffective structure in which a lot of time and manpower were injected until the final diagnosis of the medical diagnosis was made by the medical image equipment, the abnormal part of the patient was photographed, There was a problem that the patient could not receive prompt and accurate treatment.

Meanwhile, as the computer and communication technologies have developed, medical systems have been researching and developing systems for providing medical services using computers and data communication technologies. For example, a computer network is installed in all hospitals and all X- Ray image of a desired patient through a computer monitor in each examination room, when necessary, by converting the digital data into digital data and storing it in a large-sized storage medium connected to the server 2, Respectively.

Images acquired through medical imaging equipment are subjected to image processing to remove artifacts and the like resulting from the physical structure of the equipment and to provide better quality images.

In this way, the medical staff can further process the processed images themselves according to the situation. Processing is performed separately in the post-processing of image processing in order to reconsider image quality such as contrast, sharpness, and the like.

Since this image processing of the medical staff is important for more accurate and rapid clinical diagnosis, development of a user interface capable of processing images more conveniently and intuitively is required.

In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a medical device for displaying additional images to which various types of image processing are applied, and a method for displaying the images.

A medical device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a receiving unit for receiving an image of a target object; A control unit for processing the image through various predetermined image processing and generating an object of the processed image when the receiving unit receives the image of the object; And a display unit for displaying objects of the processed images.

Alternatively, when a command for the object is input, the control unit may enlarge and display the processed image represented by the object on the display unit.

Alternatively, the medical device includes an input unit including a remote controller, a mouse, a keyboard, a voice recognition device, and a motion recognition device, and a command for the object may be input through the input unit.

Alternatively, the display unit may use a touch screen, and a command for the object may be input through a touch of an object displayed on the display unit.

Alternatively, the object may comprise a thumbnail of the processed image according to a predetermined variety of image processing or text representing the characteristic of the image processing

Alternatively, the image processing may include post-processing of an image subjected to pre-processing.

Alternatively, the display unit may display a full image of the object, information about the image, a list of images that can be browsed, a tool capable of processing the image, and objects of each image processed according to the predetermined various image processing, When a command for an object is input, the command can display a processed image represented by the input object.

A control method of a medical device according to another embodiment of the present invention includes: receiving an image of a target object; Upon receiving the image of the object, processing the image through various predetermined image processing; An object of each image processed according to the various image processing is generated and displayed on the display unit of the medical device.

In addition, when a command for the object is input, the processed image represented by the object to which the command is input can be enlarged and displayed on the display unit.

In addition, the medical device may include an input unit including a remote controller, a mouse, a keyboard, a voice recognition device, and a motion recognition device, and a command for the object may be input through the input unit.

Also, the display unit may use a touch screen, and a command for the object may be input through a touch of an object displayed on the display unit.

In addition, the object may include a thumbnail of the processed image according to a predetermined variety of image processing, or text representing the characteristic of the image processing.

In addition, upon receiving the image of the object, the entire image of the object can be displayed.

Further, the object can be displayed on the display unit of the medical device together with the entire image of the object.

In addition, when the image of the object is received, processing the image through various predetermined image processing may include processing the image when the image of the object is received; Separately processing the received image in accordance with a predetermined variety of image processing, separately from the processing of the image.

One aspect of the present invention provides a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for implementing a method of controlling a medical device is recorded.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of displaying an image on a medical device, the method comprising: displaying the processed image on a display unit of a medical device by processing the image when receiving an image of the object; Separately processing the received image according to a predetermined various image processing while the image is being processed, and displaying an object of the processed image on the display unit; And displaying the enlarged image on the display unit when the command for the object is input.

Also, the display unit may use a touch screen, and a command for the object may be input through a touch of an object displayed on the display unit.

In addition, the medical device may include an input unit including a remote controller, a mouse, a keyboard, a voice recognition device, and a motion recognition device, and a command for the object may be input through the input unit.

In addition, the object may include a thumbnail of an image processed according to a predetermined variety of image processing, or text indicating characteristics of the image processing.

In addition, the image processing may include post-processing of an image subjected to pre-processing.

In addition, the post-processing may be performed on brightness, contrast, sharpness, saturation, film-effect, or window of the image subjected to the pre-processing. / Level < / RTI > (window / level).

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for implementing a method of displaying a medical image.

According to an aspect of the present invention, various post processing results for an image can be intuitively recognized and selected. Therefore, the user can process the image more quickly and conveniently, thereby enabling more accurate clinical diagnosis.

1 and 2 are views showing the configuration of a medical image system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are diagrams showing a configuration of a user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a diagram illustrating an interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart illustrating an image display method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are views showing a configuration of a medical image system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are views showing the configuration of a user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 1, the medical image system includes an image acquiring device 1 for acquiring an object, for example, an image of a patient, an image acquiring device 1 for acquiring images of the object, And a medical device 3.

The medical instrument 3 is a workstation for controlling the overall operation of the medical image system, and processes the image obtained by the image acquisition apparatus 1 and displays the processed image.

Also, the medical device may be a Picture Arching Communication System (PACS) viewer that receives the image acquired from the image acquisition device from the server or directly from the image acquisition device, processes the received image, and displays the processed image.

The medical instrument 3 includes a communication unit 5 for receiving image information of a target object from the image acquisition apparatus 1 through communication with the image acquisition apparatus 1, an input unit 6 controls the overall operation of the medical imaging system including the medical device 3 and the image acquisition device 1 in accordance with an instruction inputted through the input unit 6 and controls the operation of the image of the target object received by the communication unit 5 A storage unit 21 for storing processed images and various kinds of information and a status and various information of the medical device 3 or the image acquiring device 1 and displaying the processed and processed information in the control unit 7, And a display unit 8 for displaying an image.

Such a medical device 3 may include a PC or a portable smart phone or a tablet PC, and may include a PACS viewer supporting DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) protocol.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image acquisition device 1 is an apparatus capable of acquiring an image of a subject, for example, a patient, and includes MRI, CT, X-ray, ultrasound device, and the like.

The image acquiring device 1 acquires images of a target object, particularly an image of a target object according to functions of the respective devices.

The image data of the object can follow the standard protocol, DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) protocol.

The communication unit 5 receives the images of the object from the image acquisition device 1 but receives various medical images from the server 2 in which the images acquired by the various image acquisition devices 1 are stored and stored, ) Or from another computer or other medical device (3).

It is also possible to transmit a control command of the control unit 7 for controlling the operation of the image acquisition apparatus 1 to the image acquisition apparatus 1 or to transmit various information modified or processed by the control unit 7 to the server 2, (4) or other medical devices (3).

Here, the server may be a PACS server supporting the DICOM protocol.

The communication unit 5 can employ various wired and wireless communication methods known in communication with external devices.

The input unit 6 provides an interface so that a user of the medical device 3 can manipulate the overall function of the medical imaging system including the medical device 3 and the image acquisition device 1, A remote controller, a mouse, a keyboard, a voice recognition device, or a motion recognition device.

The medical staff can appropriately manipulate the overall functions of the medical image system according to needs through the unique functions of the various input devices described above.

It goes without saying that, when the display unit 8 uses the touch screen, the functions of the medical device 3 can be operated by directly touching various icons displayed on the display unit 8. [ That is, the display unit 8 may perform the function of the input unit 6 in addition to the function of displaying various information.

The display unit 8 provides a user interface, which may be composed of a plurality of areas in which windows of various sizes and shapes having unique functions are displayed.

A user interface according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an environment in which an image of a target object, that is, information related to image processing, is provided and a user can perform an operation related to image processing.

2 and 3, the user interface provided by the display unit 8 includes a first area 13 for displaying an object 17 of each image processed according to predetermined various image processing, A second area 12 for displaying the processed image, a third area 10 for displaying information on the image of the object, a fourth area 11 for displaying a list of selectable image files, and a second area 12 And a fifth area 14 for providing a processing tool capable of processing the image displayed on the display area.

Information on the object may be displayed in the third area 10. Assuming that the subject is a patient, information such as the patient's personal information and illness record is displayed and can be referred to by the user.

The fourth region 11 may display a list of image files that the user can view. Not only the image transmitted from the image acquiring apparatus 1 but also the images transmitted from the other medical device 3, the Internet 4, the server 2 and the like can be displayed.

The images may be organized for each device or medium that receives the image and the images may be organized and displayed according to the device or media selected by the user.

The user can touch or click the file to be browsed among the image files displayed in the list so that the corresponding image file is displayed in the second area 12 to confirm the selected image.

In the fifth area 14, a video image processing tool is displayed so that the user can process the image displayed in the second area 12 as desired.

For example, a tool capable of adjusting the size of an image displayed on the display unit 8, a tool capable of rotating an image, a tool capable of cutting a desired image, and a tool capable of enlarging or reducing a desired portion can be displayed have.

These tools can be displayed in the form of symbolic icons that can intuitively represent the tool's capabilities. When the display unit 8 uses the touch screen, the user can touch the icon representing the tool or click the input unit 6 to process the image according to the function of the tool. When the image is processed by the tool selected by the user, the processed image is displayed in the second area 12.

The first area 13 may be designed to share the same area on the user interface with the fifth area 14, where the user may select a first area 13 or a fifth area 14, An area for providing a desired content can be selected through tabs 15 and 16 that can be selected. Of course, the first area 13 and the fifth area 14 may be displayed in different areas, but the first area 13 and the fifth area 14 perform similar functions for image processing Since the contents are provided, it is possible to make the user understand the configuration of the interface more easily by displaying the contents in the same area. By designating the user interface in a simpler structure by allowing the user to select a content to be displayed in the corresponding area have.

The second region 12 for displaying the processed image in accordance with the image processing and the first region 13 for displaying the object 17 of the processed image in accordance with the predetermined various image processing, I will explain about performance.

The control unit 7 controls the medical image system 1 including the medical instrument 3 and the image acquisition apparatus 1 according to the information received through the communication unit 5 and the external command inputted through the input unit 6 or the display unit 8. [ Lt; / RTI >

The control unit 7 controls the display unit 8 to display a medical image or a diagnostic record or the like and stores it in the storage unit 21 when the medical image or the diagnostic record is modified or updated, And may be transmitted to the server 2 and stored in the server 2.

When the control unit 7 receives the image of the object transmitted from the image acquisition device 1 through the communication unit 5, the control unit 7 basically performs image processing on the image to provide a higher quality image.

Image processing can be divided into pre-processing and post-processing.

The pre-processing is a process for eliminating artifacts or errors that may occur in the physical structure of the image acquiring apparatus 1. The post-processing is a process for improving the image quality of the preprocessed image. Contrast, sharpness, brightness and the like are determined.

The control unit 7 displays the processed image on the display unit 8 through image processing. The image thus subjected to the basic image processing is displayed in the second area 12 of the user interface provided by the display unit 8. [

The control unit 7 performs various kinds of image processing predetermined for the received image separately from the above-described image processing performed basically for the received image. More specifically, various kinds of post-processing are performed on the preprocessed image.

For example, brightness, contrast, sharpness, saturation, film-effect, and window / picture effects are applied to an image from which distortion or error is removed through pre-processing. Level (window / level), and so on. Hereinafter, the above-described basic image processing will be referred to as first image processing, and the predetermined various kinds of image processing performed separately will be referred to as second image processing.

That is, when the image is received, the control unit 7 corrects distortion or error of the image through pre-processing, performs first post-processing on the pre-processed image to perform first image processing, And performs the second image processing by performing each of the above-described various kinds of second post processing on the preprocessed image. The type of second post processing may include all post processing that can be processed in the image. Further, the frequency of post processing selected by the user may be calculated to select the post processing mainly used by the user, and the second post processing may be configured with the selected post processing.

The control unit 7 performs the second image processing to generate various processed images and displays these objects 17 in the first area 13 of the display unit 8. [

Here, the object 17 includes a thumbnail of each image in which various kinds of post-processing are performed, or a text indicating characteristics of each post processing. The text representing the characteristics of the post processing means, for example, if the post processing applied to the image is a change in the contrast degree, the image subjected to the post processing is expressed as a feature of the corresponding post processing such as "contrast" Quot; text ". In order to allow the user to intuitively recognize and predict the result of the post-processing, it is desirable to display the object 17 as a thumbnail or to display the thumbnail and the text together.

The second image processing is performed on an image that has been pre-processed together with the first image processing, and the second image processing is performed on each of the various kinds of post processing as described above, unlike the first image processing, It is possible to take more time than the first image processing because it generates various processed images.

When the first image processing is completed, the image in which the first image processing is performed is displayed in the second area 12 of the user interface. If the second image processing is not yet completed, the thumbnail of the image can not be displayed, The object 17 may be displayed as text in the first area 13 until the second image processing is completed and the text may be displayed as a thumbnail or displayed together with the thumbnail and text when the second image processing is completed. Of course, when the second image processing is completed with or before the first image processing, the object 17 can be directly displayed as a thumbnail.

Since each object 17 represents an image to which various kinds of post processing are respectively applied, when the user inputs a command for the object 17, the processed image represented by the object 17 in which the command is input is displayed on the display unit 8 ).

For example, when the user wants to change the contrast of the image displayed in the second area 12, when the user touches or clicks the thumbnail of the image whose contrast is changed among the various thumbnails, (12).

As described above, if the post-processing is performed by displaying the post-processing image as an object 17 that can intuitively recognize the post-processing to be performed, such as a thumbnail, the user can directly touch or click the thumbnail to display the post- Can be confirmed.

It is possible to directly process the post-processed image in a thumbnail form without touching or clicking on the parameter in advance without troublesome work such as adjusting the parameters directly. Therefore, it is possible to easily and simply process the image as desired.

In terms of the user interface, an image to which the first image processing is applied is displayed in the second area 12, and a thumbnail of each image to which the second image processing is applied is displayed in the first area 13. Tabs 15 and 16 for selecting the first region 13 among the first region 13 displayed in the same region and the fifth region 14 providing a processing tool capable of processing the image When the user touches or clicks the content, the content provided by the first area 13 is displayed in the corresponding area. That is, the first area 13 displays a thumbnail of each image to which the second image processing is applied. When the thumbnail to which the desired post processing is applied is touched or clicked among the various thumbnails, the processed image represented by the thumbnail is enlarged and displayed in the second area 12.

The second region 12 may be provided with a window 22 in which an image before being changed to another image is displayed in the second region 12. If the window is touched or clicked, have. That is, the image before the change can be compared with the image after the change, and the image can be switched immediately. The window 22 in which the image before the change is displayed can be provided in a small size at the corner of the second area 12 if the emphasis is placed on the display of the image after the change. If the emphasis is placed on the comparison of the images before and after the change, It may be arranged to occupy the same or similar size as the changed image. This can be adjusted according to the user's setting change.

In the first area 13, the parameter adjustment window 18 can be displayed so that the user can manipulate when the user desires finer post processing. The user can input specific parameter values in the numerical value input window 20 displayed in the parameter adjustment window or adjust the parameters by dragging the drag icon 19.

5 is a diagram illustrating a user interface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

It is possible to select the first region 13 out of the tabs 15 and 16 that can select any one of the first region 13 and the fifth region 14 When the tab 16 with a touch is clicked or clicked, the content provided by the first area 13 is displayed, as shown in Fig.

At the upper part of the first area 13, various predetermined image processing, i.e., the second image processing, is performed and the thumbnail 17 and the text of the processed images are displayed together. As described above, the user can touch or click on the thumbnail 17 to which the desired image processing has been applied among the displayed thumbnails 17 to confirm the processed image represented by the corresponding thumbnail 17 in the second region 12. [

In the lower portion of the second area, a parameter adjustment window 18 is displayed so that the user can manipulate when the user desires finer post processing. The user can input specific parameter values in the numerical value input window 20 displayed in the parameter adjustment window or adjust the parameters by dragging the drag icon 19.

5 is an embodiment of FIG. 4. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications are possible.

6 is a flowchart illustrating an image display method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, an image of a target object is received (30).

The communication unit 5 receives an image of a target object from the image acquisition device 1, another medical device 3, the Internet 4, or the server 2. [

Upon receiving the image of the target object, the control unit 7 performs pre-processing on the received image (31). The pre-processing is basically performed on the received image by a process of eliminating errors such as a distortion or an error that may occur in the physical structure of the image acquiring device 1. [

When the preprocessing of the image of the object is completed, the control unit 7 performs the first post-processing on the pre-processed image (32).

The pre-processing and the first post-processing correspond to the first image processing described above with the image processing performed basically to improve the quality of the received image when the image is received.

When the first post-processing is completed, the control unit 7 displays the image in which the first post-processing is performed in the second area 12 of the user interface (33).

In addition, when the preprocessing of the image of the object is completed, the control unit 7 performs the second post-processing on the pre-processed image (34).

As described above, the preprocessed image is subjected to brightness, contrast, sharpness, saturation, film-effect, window / level, and the like And performs various types of post-processing such as displaying various kinds of effects to process images. Therefore, images with different effects are generated depending on the type of post processing applied.

When the second post-processing is completed, the controller 7 generates a thumbnail of each image and displays it on the first area 13 of the user interface (35). Steps 34 and 35 are performed together with steps 32 and 33. Only a thumbnail may be displayed, or a text indicating the characteristics of the thumbnail and the post processing may be displayed together.

The image to which the first post processing is applied in the second area 12 is displayed with the thumbnails of the image to which the second post processing is applied in the first area 13 and the command for the thumbnail displayed in the first area 13 is input (36) The controller 7 enlarges and displays the processed image indicated by the thumbnail in the second area 12 (37).

The command for the thumbnail is input through a touch of a thumbnail when the display unit 8 employs a touch screen or through a input unit 6 including a remote controller, a mouse, a keyboard, a voice recognition device, Can be input by clicking.

When the thumbnail is touched or clicked, the processed image represented by the thumbnail is enlarged and displayed in the second area 12. [ For example, when a user touches or clicks on a thumbnail of an image whose contrast has been changed from among several thumbnails displayed in the first area 13, an image whose contrast is changed by the thumbnail is enlarged and displayed in the second area 12 do. The enlargement means that the image represented by the thumbnail is displayed according to the size of the second area 12, which does not mean that the specific part is enlarged and displayed.

A medical device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a user interface for displaying various types of post-processing images in a thumbnail format. When a user desires to apply a desired effect to an image displayed on the display unit 8, the user touches or clicks a thumbnail on which a desired effect is implemented among various thumbnails on which various post-processing is performed, without directly changing parameters or inputting numerical values The image can be processed. Thumbnails can be used to intuitively predict how the desired effect is implemented, thus making it easier and easier for the user to process the image.

1: Image acquisition device
2: Server
3: Medical devices
4: internet
5:
6: Input section
7:
8: display

Claims (23)

A receiving unit for receiving an image of a target object;
A controller configured to process the image through a variety of predetermined image processing and to generate an object of each of the processed images when the receiver receives an image of the object; And
Medical device including a display unit for displaying the object of each processed image The method of claim 1,
When the command for the object is input, the control unit enlarges and displays the processed image represented by the object on the display unit. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the medical device includes an input unit including a remote controller, a mouse, a keyboard, a voice recognition device, and a motion recognition device,
The command for the object is input through the input unit. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the display unit uses a touch screen,
The command for the object is input through the touch of the object displayed on the display. The method of claim 1,
The object may include a thumbnail of an image processed according to a variety of predetermined image processing, or a text including text indicating a characteristic of the image processing. The method of claim 1,
The image processing includes post-processing on an image on which pre-processing has been performed. The method of claim 1,
The display unit displays an entire image of the object, information about the image, a list of viewable images, a tool capable of processing the image, and an object of each image processed according to the predetermined various image processing. The medical device displaying the processed image represented by the object to which the command is input when a command is input. Receiving an image of the object;
When the image of the object is received, processes the image through various predetermined image processing;
And generating and displaying an object of each image processed according to the various image processing and displaying the object on a display unit of the medical device. 9. The method of claim 8,
And when the command for the object is input, enlarges and displays the processed image represented by the object on which the command is input. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the medical device includes an input unit including a remote controller, a mouse, a keyboard, a voice recognition device, and a motion recognition device,
And a command for the object is input through the input unit. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the display unit uses a touch screen,
And a command for the object is input through a touch of an object displayed on the display unit. 9. The method of claim 8,
And the object comprises a thumbnail of an image processed according to a variety of predetermined image processing or text indicating a characteristic of the image processing. 9. The method of claim 8,
And displaying the entire image of the object upon receiving the image of the object. 9. The method of claim 8,
And displaying the object on the display unit of the medical device together with the entire image of the object. 9. The method of claim 8,
Receiving the image of the object, processing each of the image through a variety of predetermined image processing,
Upon receiving the image of the object, processing the image;
In addition to the processing of the image, the control method of a medical device comprising processing each of the received image according to a variety of predetermined image processing. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for implementing a method for controlling a medical device according to any one of claims 8 to 15. Receiving the image of the object, processing the image and displaying the processed image on the display unit of the medical device;
Separately while the image is processed, the received image is processed according to a variety of predetermined image processing to display an object of the processed image on the display unit;
And displaying a processed image of the object on the display unit when the command for the object is input. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the display unit uses a touch screen,
And a command for the object is input through a touch of an object displayed on the display unit. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the medical device includes an input unit including a remote controller, a mouse, a keyboard, a voice recognition device, and a motion recognition device,
And a command for the object is input through the input unit. 18. The method of claim 17,
The object may include a thumbnail of an image processed according to a variety of predetermined image processing, or an image display method of a medical device including text representing a feature of the image processing. 18. The method of claim 17,
The image processing includes post-processing an image on which pre-processing has been performed. The method of claim 21,
Post-processing may be performed on the image subjected to the preprocessing using brightness, contrast, sharpness, saturation, film-effect, or window / level and a parameter including a window / level of the at least one parameter. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for implementing an image display method of a medical device according to any one of claims 17 to 22.

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