Display method of vascular subtraction image and graphical user interface device

Abstract

The present application provides a method for displaying a vascular subtraction image and a graphical user interface device. The display method includes displaying a reference image of a detected object on a first display area; during angiography, displaying a real-time subtraction image of the detected object on a second display area, and displaying a real-time perspective image corresponding to the real-time subtraction image on a third display area to form a first display state; and switching the image displayed on the first display area based on a reference image switching signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of medical detection, and in particular to a method for displaying a vascular subtraction image and a graphical user interface device. Background Art

[0002] Vascular disease is one of the major diseases that seriously affect human health. Obtaining accurate images of the patient's blood vessels is of great significance for diagnosis and treatment. Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) is a relatively mature diagnostic technology for vascular diseases. Angiography can be applied to C-arm systems, computed tomography (CT) systems, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, and other systems.

[0003] In a C-arm system, a perspective image of the object to be detected can be obtained by an X-ray imaging method, and a subtraction image of the blood vessels can be obtained based on a subtraction algorithm. Usually, the display of the C-arm system includes two equal-sized left and right screens. During or after angiography of the blood vessels, it is usually necessary to display the real-time subtraction image of the blood vessels on the left screen and the corresponding perspective image on the right screen to facilitate users to make relevant comparisons. However, in actual application, sometimes, it is also necessary to compare the real-time subtraction image with the reference image (for example, a previous vascular subtraction image of the same object to be detected) to determine whether the blood vessels of the object to be detected have changed. Sometimes, it is often necessary to compare the real-time subtraction image with the reference image and the perspective image at the same time. Sometimes, it is often necessary to replay the movie (cine) saved during the previous vascular subtraction image process. Summary of the invention

[0004] The invention provides a method for displaying a vascular subtraction image and a graphical user interface device.

[0005] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method for displaying a vascular subtraction image, which includes displaying a reference image of a detected object on a first display area; during angiography, displaying a real-time subtraction image of the detected object on a second display area, and displaying a real-time perspective image corresponding to the real-time subtraction image on a third display area to form a first display state; and switching the image displayed on the first display area based on a reference image switching signal.

[0006] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention further provides a graphical user interface device, which includes a display unit and an operation unit. The display unit includes a first display area, a second display area, and a third display area, and the display unit has a first display state, in which the first display area is configured to display a reference image of the detected object, the second display area is used to display a real-time subtraction image of the detected object, and the third display area is used to display a real-time perspective image corresponding to the real-time subtraction image. The operation unit is connected to the display unit, and the operation unit or the display unit is configured to send a reference image switching signal to switch the image displayed on the first display area.

[0007] Other features and aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present invention may be better understood by describing exemplary embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an imaging system according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0010] Figure 2 is based on Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a first display state of a display unit in the imaging system shown;

[0011] Figure 3 is based on Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a second display state of a display unit in the imaging system shown;

[0012] Figure 4 is based on Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a third display state of a display unit in the imaging system shown;

[0013] Figure 5 is based on Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a fourth display state of a display unit in the imaging system shown;

[0014] Figure 6 A flow chart showing a method for displaying a vascular subtraction image according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 7 A flow chart showing a method for displaying a vascular subtraction image according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0016] Figure 8 A flow chart showing a method for displaying a vascular subtraction image according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. It should be noted that in the specific description of these embodiments, in order to provide a concise description, it is impossible for this specification to provide a detailed description of all the features of the actual embodiments. It should be understood that in the actual implementation of any embodiment, just as in the process of any engineering project or design project, in order to achieve the specific goals of the developer and to meet system-related or business-related restrictions, various specific decisions are often made, and this will also change from one embodiment to another. In addition, it can also be understood that although the efforts made in this development process may be complex and lengthy, for ordinary technicians in the field related to the content disclosed by the present invention, some changes such as design, manufacturing or production based on the technical content disclosed in this disclosure are just conventional technical means, and should not be understood as insufficient content of this disclosure.

[0018] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in the claims and the specification shall have the usual meaning understood by persons with ordinary skills in the technical field to which the invention belongs. The words "first", "second" and similar words used in the patent application specification and the claims of the present invention do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. "One" or "one" and other similar words do not indicate a quantitative limitation, but indicate the existence of at least one. "Include" or "comprises" and other similar words mean that the elements or objects appearing before "include" or "comprises" include the elements or objects listed after "include" or "comprises" and their equivalent elements, and do not exclude other elements or objects. "Connected" or "connected" and other similar words are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, nor are they limited to direct or indirect connections.

[0019] Although in the present specification, the display method and the graphical user interface device are applied in a C-arm imaging system, it should be pointed out that, from the perspective of ordinary technicians in this field or related fields, such description should not be understood as limiting the present invention to only a C-arm imaging system. In fact, the display method and graphical user interface device described herein can be reasonably applied to other related occasions, for example, a CT system, an MRI system, etc.

[0020] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an imaging system 10 according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. Figure 1As shown, the imaging system 10 includes an X-ray source 21 for emitting X-rays, a detector 22 for detecting attenuated X-ray signals passing through an object to be detected, and a graphical user interface device 30. The X-ray source 21 and the detector 22 are connected via a C-arm unit 25. The object to be detected includes a human body or any object that can be imaged. The detector 22 includes, for example, a semiconductor image sensor using a cesium iodide phosphor (scintillator) on an amorphous silicon transistor or photodiode array, a charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor or other detectors that can directly convert X-rays into digital signals. Figure 1 Only a planar detector 22 is shown, but those skilled in the art should understand that the detector 22 may also be configured as a curved surface or other appropriate shapes.

[0021] The graphical user interface device 30 includes a display unit 42 and an operation unit 40 connected to the display unit 42. Figure 1 As shown, the display unit 42 includes a first display area 101, a second display area 102 and a third display area 103. In some embodiments, the first display area 101 is adjacent to the second display area 102 and is equal in size. The third display area 103 is located at a corner of the first display area 101. Preferably, the third display area 103 is located at the upper right corner of the first display area 101. In other embodiments, the third display area 103 can also be located at any suitable position in the display unit 42. In some embodiments, the display unit 42 includes two displays placed left and right, the first display area 101 is located in one display, and the second display area 102 and the third display area 103 are located in another display. In another embodiment, the display unit 42 includes a display, and the three display areas can be located in the same display. The three display areas on the display unit 42 can be configured to display different images, for example, simultaneously displaying real-time subtraction images, reference images, real-time perspective images and / or other types of images, so as to facilitate comparison of conditions such as blood vessels of the detected object, so as to make more effective diagnosis and / or treatment, and provide reference to the user during surgery. In some embodiments, display unit 42 may be, for example, a computer screen, a monitor, a flat-panel screen, a plasma screen, or any other known type of display device.

[0022] In some embodiments, the operation unit 40 or the display unit 42 is configured to send a reference image switching signal to switch the image displayed on the first display area 101 on the display unit 42, for example, to enlarge the image on the third display area to display on the first display area, so that the user can compare different images as needed. In some embodiments, the operation unit 40 or the display unit 42 includes an image switching module (for example, a switching button). Each time the switching button is pressed, it is equivalent to sending a reference image switching signal to the display unit once, and the image displayed on the first display area is switched once, that is, the display state is switched once. When the switching button is pressed repeatedly, the image displayed on the first display area 101 is repeatedly switched. In some embodiments, the operation unit 40 can be set on the display unit 42 to conveniently control the display unit 42. In some embodiments, the operation unit 40 can include a form of operator interface such as a keyboard, a mouse, a voice-activated controller, or any other suitable input device.

[0023] In some embodiments, the graphical user interface device 30 further includes a computer 36 and a storage unit 38. The computer 36 is connected to the C-arm unit 25 to control operations such as the movement and / or rotation of the X-ray source 21 and the detector 22. The computer 36 is further connected to an image reconstruction unit or an image processing unit (not shown) to receive a fluoroscopic image reconstructed based on the projection data sent by the detector 22 or a subtraction image obtained after the fluoroscopic image is subjected to subtraction and other operations. The computer 36 is further connected to the storage unit 38 to store the fluoroscopic image and / or subtraction image and / or a cine recorded during the angiography process. The computer 36 is further connected to the display unit 42, and the fluoroscopic image and / or subtraction image is displayed to the user through the display unit 42. The computer 36 is further connected to the operation unit 40 to receive commands, control signals or scanning parameters transmitted by the user, so as to control one or more of the units or modules such as the C-arm unit 25, the display unit 42, and the storage unit 38 to perform related operations.

[0024] although Figure 1 Only one operating unit 40 is shown, but multiple operating units may be connected to the computer 36, for example, for inputting or outputting system parameters, requesting examinations and / or viewing images, operating display parameters of the display unit, etc. Moreover, in some embodiments, the system 10 may be connected to one or more display units, printers, workstations, and / or similar devices located locally or remotely via one or more configurable wired and / or wireless networks, such as the Internet and / or a virtual private network.

[0025] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1A first display state 110 of the display unit 42 of the imaging system 10 is shown; Figure 3 Shown according to Figure 1 The second display state 120 of the display unit 42 is shown; Figure 4 Shown according to Figure 1 The third display state 130 of the display unit 42 is shown; Figure 5 Shown according to Figure 1 The fourth display state 140 of the display unit 42 is shown. Figure 2-5 As shown, the first display state 110 and the second display state 120 are two display states of the display unit 42 during the angiography process; the third display state 130 and the fourth display state 140 are two display states of the display unit 42 after the angiography process is completed. Figure 2-5 The related images with a clock as the detected object are only shown by way of example. From the perspective of ordinary technicians in this field or related fields, such description should not be understood as limiting the detected object of the present invention to static objects. The detected object may also be a human body or other objects that can be imaged.

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, in the first display state 110, the first display area 101 is configured to display a reference image 51 of the detected object, the second display area 102 is configured to display a real-time subtraction image 52 of the detected object, and the third display area 103 is configured to display a real-time perspective image 53 corresponding to the real-time subtraction image 52. In some embodiments, the real-time perspective image includes an image obtained by image reconstruction based on projection data of a region of interest of the detected object, or an image obtained after preprocessing the reconstructed image. In some embodiments, the real-time subtraction image 52 is obtained by subtracting a real-time perspective image obtained by the imaging system 10 from a mask based on a subtraction algorithm. In actual application, the influence of soft tissue and bone can be effectively eliminated by subtraction, and only the vascular image is retained.

[0027] In some embodiments, the user can select at least one image from the images displayed on the second display area 102 as the reference image 51. In some embodiments, the images displayed in the second display area 102 include the last image (Last Image Hold, LIH) displayed in the second display area at the end of the last angiography, the images manually saved by the doctor and stored in the storage unit during the angiography process, the set of real-time subtraction images (e.g., movies) automatically played back in the second display area after the end of the last angiography process, and the set of real-time subtraction images (e.g., movies) saved and recorded during the previous angiography process, etc. In some embodiments, during the playback of the set of real-time subtraction images, the playback of the set of real-time subtraction images can be paused based on a playback pause signal sent by the operation unit or the display unit, and the image currently displayed on the second display area defaults to the selected reference image.

[0028] In some embodiments, the display unit 42 may be configured to automatically copy the reference image selected in the second display area 102 to the first display area 101. In other embodiments, the display unit is configured to copy the reference image to the first display area 101 based on a screen switching signal sent by the display unit 42 or the operation unit 40. In some embodiments, at least one of the display unit and the operation unit may include a screen switching module, such as Figure 2 The switch button 104 on the display unit 42 is shown. Whenever the switch button 104 is pressed, the reference image selected in the second display area 102 can be copied to the first display area 101.

[0029] like Figure 3 As shown, in the second display state 120, the third display area 103 is closed, the real-time perspective image 53 is displayed on the first display area 101, and the real-time subtraction image 52 is displayed on the second display area. For ease of description and clear display, Figure 2 and Figure 3 The display unit 42 shown only exemplarily shows the subtraction image and the perspective image at a certain moment. However, those skilled in the art should understand that in the first display state and the second display state, the image displayed on the display area changes in real time according to the cycle time of image acquisition, and it should not be understood that the first display state and the second display state are limited to the state of displaying a static image at a certain moment.

[0030] During the angiography process, the display unit 42 can be Figure 2 The first display state 110 shown and Figure 3In some embodiments, the operation unit or the display unit is configured to send a reference image switching signal to switch between the first display state 110 and the second display state 120 in turn during angiography.

[0031] like Figure 4 As shown, in the third display state 130, the third display area 103 is closed, the reference image 51 is displayed on the first display area 101, and the set 54 of all real-time subtraction images displayed during the angiography process is replayed in the second display area 102. In some embodiments, the set 54 of real-time subtraction images is a movie, and is replayed in the second display area 102 according to the cycle time and sequence of image acquisition.

[0032] In some embodiments, when the angiography process is completed, the second display area 102 is configured to directly and automatically play back the set of real-time subtraction images. In other embodiments, when the angiography process is completed, the second display area 102 still displays the last subtraction image in the angiography process, and can play back the set of real-time subtraction images based on the playback control signal sent by the display unit or the operating unit.

[0033] like Figure 5 As shown, in the fourth display state 140, the third display area 103 is closed, the set of real-time subtraction images 54 is played back in the second display area 102, and the set of real-time perspective images 55 corresponding to the set of real-time subtraction images 54 is displayed in the first display area. In some embodiments, in the fourth display state 140, at any time, the real-time perspective image 55 displayed in the first display area is always one-to-one corresponding to the real-time subtraction image 54 displayed in the second display area, that is, when the second display area displays the subtraction image of the 90th frame, the first display area also displays the perspective image of the 90th frame. For ease of description and clear display, Figure 4 and Figure 5 The display unit 42 shown only exemplarily shows the subtraction image and the perspective image at a certain moment. However, those skilled in the art should understand that in the third display state and the fourth display state, the images displayed in the first display area 101 and / or the second display area 102 are changing in real time according to a specific time and sequence, and should not be understood as limiting the third display state and the fourth display state to the state of displaying a static image at a certain moment.

[0034] After the angiography process is completed, the display unit 42 can be displayed as follows Figure 4 The third display state 130 shown and Figure 5In some embodiments, the operation unit 40 or the display unit 42 is configured to send a reference image switching signal to switch between the third display state 130 and the fourth display state 140 in turn after the angiography process is completed.

[0035] Figure 6 FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a method 200 for displaying a vascular subtraction image according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 As shown, the display method 200 includes step 210 , step 220 and step 230 .

[0036] In step 210, a reference image of the detected object is displayed on the first display area. In some embodiments, the reference image is selected from at least one image displayed on the second display area. In some embodiments, the images displayed in the second display area include the last image (Last Image Hold, LIH) displayed in the second display area at the end of the last angiography, the image manually saved by the doctor and stored in the storage unit during the angiography process, the set of real-time subtraction images (e.g., movies) automatically played back in the second display area after the end of the last angiography process, and the set of real-time subtraction images (e.g., movies) saved and recorded in the previous angiography process, etc. In some embodiments, during the playback of the set of real-time subtraction images, the current playback can be paused based on the playback pause signal, which is equivalent to selecting the image currently displayed in the second display area as the reference image. In some embodiments, the reference image can be set to be automatically copied to the first display area, or the reference image can be copied to the first display area based on a screen switching signal.

[0037] In step 220, during the angiography process, a real-time subtraction image of the detected object is displayed on the second display area, and a real-time perspective image corresponding to the real-time subtraction image is displayed on the third display area to form a first display state. In some embodiments, the real-time subtraction image is obtained by subtracting the real-time perspective image obtained by the imaging system from the mask based on a subtraction algorithm. In actual application, the influence of soft tissue and bone can be effectively eliminated by subtraction, and only the vascular image is retained. In some embodiments, the images in the second display area and the third display area are changed in real time according to the cycle time of image acquisition. Those skilled in the art should understand that the first display state should not be limited to the state of displaying a static image at a certain moment.

[0038] In step 230 , the image displayed on the first display area is switched based on the reference image switching signal.

[0039] In some embodiments, step 230 includes the following steps:

[0040] In step 231, during the angiography process, based on the reference image switching signal, the third display area is closed, and the real-time perspective image is displayed on the first display area to form a second display state. In some embodiments, the images in the first display area and the second display area are changed in real time according to the cycle time of image acquisition. Those skilled in the art should understand that the second display state should not be limited to a state of displaying a static image at a certain moment.

[0041] In step 232, during the angiography process, the first display state and the second display state are switched alternately based on the reference image switching signal.

[0042] Figure 7 FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a method 300 for displaying a vascular subtraction image according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 As shown, Figure 6 The display method 200 shown in the figure is different in that, in the display method 300, the step 330 of switching the image displayed on the first display area based on the reference image switching signal is different from the step 331 of switching the image displayed on the first display area based on the reference image switching signal. Figure 2 The step 230 shown is different and includes a step 340 between the step 220 and the step 330:

[0043] In step 340, after the angiography process is completed, the third display area is closed, the reference image is displayed in the first display area, and the set of all real-time subtraction images displayed during the angiography process is played back in the second display area to form a third display state. In some embodiments, the set of real-time subtraction images is played back according to the cycle time and sequence of image acquisition. In some embodiments, when the angiography process is completed, the second display area is configured to automatically play back the set of real-time subtraction images in the angiography process. In other embodiments, the second display area is configured to display the last subtraction image in the angiography process and play back the set of real-time subtraction images according to the playback control signal. In some embodiments, the images in the second display area are all changing in real time according to the cycle time of image acquisition. Those skilled in the art should understand that the third display state should not be limited to the state of displaying a static image at a certain moment.

[0044] In some embodiments, step 330 includes:

[0045] In step 331, after the angiography process is completed, based on the reference image switching signal, a set of real-time perspective images corresponding to the set of real-time subtraction images is displayed on the first display area to form a fourth display state. In some embodiments, at any time, the real-time perspective image displayed in the first display area is always in one-to-one correspondence with the real-time subtraction image displayed in the second display area. In some embodiments, the images in the first display area and the second display area are changed in real time according to the cycle time of image acquisition. Those skilled in the art should understand that the fourth display state should not be limited to the state of displaying a static image at a certain moment.

[0046] In step 332, after the angiography process is completed, the third display state and the fourth display state are switched alternately based on the reference image switching signal.

[0047] Figure 8 FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a method 400 for displaying a vascular subtraction image according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 As shown, Figure 8 The display method 400 is Figure 6 The display method 200 and Figure 7 The combination of the display method 300 shown, and Figure 8 Step 430 of switching the image displayed on the first display area based on the reference image switching signal includes step 230 and step 330.

[0048] The display method of vascular subtraction images proposed in the present application can display different images in the three display areas of the display unit, for example, simultaneously displaying real-time subtraction images, reference images, real-time perspective images and / or other types of images, so as to facilitate comparison of conditions such as blood vessels of the detected object, so as to make more effective diagnosis and / or treatment, and provide reference for users during surgery. Furthermore, the display method proposed in the present application can switch the image in the first display area, so that the image on the third display area can be enlarged to the first display area as needed, for example, for relevant comparison.

[0049] As used herein, the term "computer" may include any processor-based or microprocessor-based system, including systems using microcontrollers, reduced instruction set computers (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), logic circuits, and any other circuits or processors capable of performing the functions described herein. The above examples are exemplary only, and are thus not intended to limit the definition and / or meaning of the term "computer" in any way.

[0050] Some exemplary embodiments have been described above, however, it should be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, if the described techniques are performed in a different order and / or if the components in the described systems, architectures, devices, or circuits are combined in different ways and / or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents, suitable results may be achieved. Accordingly, other implementations also fall within the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for displaying a vascular subtraction image, comprising: Displaying a reference image of the detected object on the first display area; During angiography, a real-time subtraction image of the detected object is displayed on the second display area, and a real-time perspective image corresponding to the real-time subtraction image is displayed on the third display area to form a first display state; During angiography, the third display area is closed, and the real-time perspective image is displayed on the first display area to form a second display state; as well as During angiography, the first display state and the second display state are switched alternately based on a reference image switching signal.

2. The display method according to claim 1, wherein: The reference image is selected from at least one image among the images displayed on the second display area.

3. The display method according to claim 2, wherein: The reference image is automatically copied to the first display area, or the reference image is copied to the first display area based on a screen switching signal.

4. The display method according to claim 1, wherein: The third display area is displayed on a corner of the first display area.

5. The display method according to claim 1, wherein: include: After the angiography process is completed, the third display area is closed, the reference image is displayed in the first display area, and a set of all real-time subtraction images displayed during the angiography process is played back in the second display area to form a third display state.

6. The display method according to claim 5, wherein: Playing back the set of all real-time subtraction images displayed during angiography in the second display area includes automatically playing back the set of real-time subtraction images in the second display area, or playing back the set of real-time subtraction images in the second display area based on a playback control signal.

7. The display method according to claim 5, wherein: Switching the image displayed on the first display area based on the reference image switching signal includes: After the angiography process is finished, based on the reference image switching signal, a set of real-time perspective images corresponding to the set of real-time subtraction images is displayed on the first display area to form a fourth display state.

8. The display method according to claim 7, wherein: After the angiography process is finished, the third display state and the fourth display state are switched alternately based on the reference image switching signal.

9. A graphical user interface device, comprising: A display unit, comprising a first display area, a second display area and a third display area, wherein in a first display state of the display unit, the first display area is configured to display a reference image of the detected object, the second display area is configured to display a real-time subtraction image of the detected object, and the third display area is configured to display a real-time perspective image corresponding to the real-time subtraction image, and in a second display state of the display unit, the third display area is closed, the real-time perspective image is displayed on the first display area, and the real-time subtraction image is displayed on the second display area; as well as an operating unit connected to the display unit, wherein the operating unit or the display unit is configured to send a reference image switching signal to switch the image displayed on the first display area, The operation unit or the display unit is configured to send the reference image switching signal to switch the first display state and the second display state alternately during angiography.

10. The graphical user interface device of claim 9, wherein: The third display area is located at a corner of the first display area.

11. The graphical user interface device of claim 9, wherein: The reference image is selected from at least one image among the images displayed on the second display area.

12. The graphical user interface device of claim 11, wherein: The reference image is automatically copied to the first display area, or the reference image is copied to the first display area based on a screen switching signal sent by the display unit or the operation unit.

13. The graphical user interface device of claim 9, wherein: When the display unit is in a third display state, the third display area is closed, the reference image is displayed on the first display area, and a set of all real-time subtraction images displayed during angiography is played back on the second display area.

14. The graphical user interface device of claim 13, wherein: The set of real-time subtracted images is automatically played back in the second display area, or the set of real-time subtracted images is played back in the second display area based on a playback control signal sent by the display unit or the operation unit.

15. The graphical user interface device of claim 13, wherein: In a fourth display state, the display unit turns off the third display area, plays back the set of real-time subtraction images in the second display area, and displays a set of real-time perspective images corresponding to the set of real-time subtraction images in the first display area.

16. The graphical user interface device of claim 15, wherein: The operation unit or the display unit is configured to send the reference image switching signal to switch between the third display state and the fourth display state in turn after the angiography process is completed.

Images