Information processing apparatus, information processing method, computer-readable storage medium, and medical imaging system

Abstract

The invention provides an information processing device, an information processing method, a computer-readable storage medium, and a medical imaging system capable of controlling the movement speed of a bed on which a subject can be placed in a medical imaging device to an appropriate speed. The information processing apparatus acquires at least one of examination information relating to an examination, subject information relating to a subject, and operator information relating to an operator, and derives a movement speed of a bed between an initial position and an imaging position on the basis of the acquired information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a medical image photographing system. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, with the progress of medical devices such as CT (Computed Tomography) devices and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) devices, higher-quality high-resolution three-dimensional images have been used for image diagnosis. In medical image photographing devices such as CT devices and MRI devices, a subject is placed on a bed at an initial position, and after moving the bed on which the subject is placed to a photographing position (for example, a position immediately in front of a gantry), medical image photographing is started.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which an operator inputs a moving direction and a moving speed of a bed via an input device such as a touch panel.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for assisting an operator in moving a bed by controlling the moving speed of the bed according to a force applied to a top plate of the bed by the operator.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-054388

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-068879

[0007] In the aforementioned medical image photographing device, if the bed can be automatically moved between the initial position and the photographing position, the image photographing efficiency can be improved. In this case, if the moving speed of the bed can be made high speed, the image photographing time can be shortened, which is therefore preferable. However, depending on various factors such as examinations, subjects, and operators, the optimal moving speed of the bed is different. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, an information processing program, and a medical image photographing system capable of controlling the moving speed of a bed on which a subject is placed in a medical image photographing device at an appropriate speed.

[0009] The information processing apparatus according to the first mode includes at least one processor and derives the moving speed of the bed of a medical image imaging system that images a subject placed on the bed. The processor performs the following processes: obtaining at least one of examination information related to an examination, subject information related to the subject, and operator information related to the operator; and deriving the moving speed of the bed between the initial position and the imaging position based on the obtained information.

[0010] Regarding the information processing apparatus according to the second mode, in the information processing apparatus according to the first mode, the processor controls the movement of the bed between the initial position and the imaging position according to the derived moving speed.

[0011] Regarding the information processing apparatus according to the third mode, in the information processing apparatus according to the first or second mode, the examination information includes an examination category.

[0012] Regarding the information processing apparatus according to the fourth mode, in the information processing apparatus according to the third mode, when the examination category indicates an examination in which a medical device is connected to the subject, the processor reduces the derived moving speed of the bed compared to the case where the examination is performed without connecting a medical device to the subject.

[0013] Regarding the information processing apparatus according to the fifth mode, in the information processing apparatus according to the first or second mode, the subject information includes at least one of information associated with the identification information of the subject, the living body information of the subject, the sound emitted by the subject placed on the bed, and the optical image obtained by imaging the subject placed on the bed.

[0014] Regarding the information processing apparatus according to the sixth mode, in the information processing apparatus according to the fifth mode, the processor performs the following processes: after deriving the moving speed of the bed before the start of the movement of the bed, deriving a moving speed for adjusting the derived moving speed of the bed based on at least one of the living body information, sound, and optical image obtained during the movement of the bed.

[0015] Regarding the information processing apparatus according to the seventh mode, in the information processing apparatus according to the first or second mode, the operator information includes at least one of information associated with the identification information of the operator, the sound emitted by the operator, and the optical image obtained by imaging the operator.

[0016] Regarding the information processing apparatus according to the eighth mode, in the information processing apparatus according to the seventh mode, the processor performs the following processes: after deriving the moving speed of the bed before the start of the movement of the bed, deriving a moving speed for adjusting the derived moving speed of the bed based on at least one of the sound and optical image obtained during the movement of the bed.

[0017] The information processing method of the ninth mode causes the processor of the information processing device to perform the following processing: obtaining at least one of inspection information related to an inspection, subject information related to a subject, and operator information related to an operator; and deriving the moving speed of the table between the initial position and the imaging position based on the obtained information. The information processing device includes at least one processor and derives the moving speed of the table of the medical image imaging system, and the medical image imaging system images a medical image of a subject placed on the table.

[0018] The information processing program of the tenth mode causes the processor of the information processing device to perform the following processing: obtaining at least one of inspection information related to an inspection, subject information related to a subject, and operator information related to an operator; and deriving the moving speed of the table between the initial position and the imaging position based on the obtained information. The information processing device includes at least one processor and derives the moving speed of the table of the medical image imaging system, and the medical image imaging system images a medical image of a subject placed on the table.

[0019] The medical image imaging system of the eleventh mode includes: a table on which a subject can be placed; a medical image imaging device that images a medical image of the subject; and the information processing device according to any one of the first mode to the eighth mode, which derives the moving speed of the table.

[0020] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to control the moving speed of the table on which the subject is placed in the medical image imaging device at an appropriate speed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing an outline of a CT device.

[0023] Figure 2 It is a view when observing the CT device from the side.

[0024] Figure 3 It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device.

[0025] Figure 4 It is a view showing an example of operator data.

[0026] Figure 5 It is a view showing an example of patient data.

[0027] Figure 6 It is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device.

[0028] Figure 7 It is a flowchart showing an example of table movement processing.

[0029] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing an example of initial moving speed derivation processing.

[0030] Symbol Explanation

[0031] 1 - CT apparatus, 2 - gantry, 3 - table, 3A - table part, 3B - base part, 3C - drive part, 4 - console, 5 - opening, 7 - camera, 10 - information processing device, 11 - CPU, 12 - memory, 13 - storage part, 14 - display, 15 - input device, 16 - network I / F, 17 - bus, 20 - information processing program, 22 - inspection instruction, 24 - operator data, 26 - patient data, 30 - acquisition part, 32 - derivation part, 34 - movement control part, H - patient, P1 - initial position, P2 - imaging position. Detailed Embodiment

[0032] Hereinafter, a mode example for implementing the technology of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] First, with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the structure of the CT apparatus 1 will be described. As shown in Figure 1 and Figure , the CT apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a gantry 2, a table 3, and a console 4. The combination of the gantry 2, the table 3, and the console 4 is an example of a medical image imaging system related to the technology of the invention.

[0034] The gantry 2 has a tunnel-shaped structure with an opening 5 at its center. Inside the gantry 2, an X-ray source unit that emits X-rays and a detection unit that detects X-rays and generates a radiation image (both not shown) are provided. The X-ray source unit and the detection unit can rotate along the circular shape of the gantry 2 while maintaining their opposed positional relationship. Also, a control unit for controlling the operation of the CT apparatus 1 is provided inside the gantry 2. The gantry 2 is an example of a medical image imaging device for photographing a subject's medical image.

[0035] A patient H as an example of a subject is placed on the table 3. The table 3 has a table part 3A on which the patient H lies horizontally, a base part 3B that supports the table part 3A, and a drive part 3C that reciprocates the table part 3A in the direction of arrow A. By the drive part 3C, the table part 3A can slide relative to the base part 3B in the direction of arrow A. When photographing a CT image as an example of a medical image, by sliding the table part 3A, the patient H lying horizontally on the table part 3A is transported into the opening 5 of the gantry 2.

[0036] As shown in ​As shown, regarding the bed 3, the patient H lies horizontally on the bed section 3A at the initial position P1. Then, through the drive unit 3C, the bed section 3A rises and slides, so that the bed 3 moves to the imaging position P2. After the bed section 3A slides to the imaging position P2, imaging starts. And after the imaging ends, through the drive unit 3C, the bed 3 moves from the imaging position P2 to the initial position P1. The initial position P1 is a position different from the imaging position P2. For example, it is farther from the gantry 2 than the imaging position P2 and is a position close to the ground. And the imaging position P2 is the position where the patient H is transported to the gantry 2 by sliding the bed section 3A when taking a CT image.

[0037] A camera 7 is provided on the ceiling above the bed 3. The camera 7 is a camera capable of taking RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color images by detecting the reflected light of the patient H. The camera 7 has imaging elements such as a lens and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and obtains a camera image as a moving image by imaging the patient H on the bed 3 at a preset frame rate, and outputs it to the console 4. In addition, the camera 7 can be a camera that integrates an RGB camera and an NIR (Near InfraRed) camera. In this case, the NIR camera is a stereo camera and can obtain information on the depth direction of the patient H through parallax. By setting the NIR camera of the camera 7 as a stereo camera, information on the depth direction of the patient H on the bed 3 can be obtained. In addition, the NIR camera can also take images in the case of insufficient light. Therefore, when the brightness in the examination room is insufficient for taking images with the RGB camera, the patient H can be imaged with the NIR camera. And the camera 7 can also be provided on the wall surface or the frame of the gantry 2, etc., instead of the ceiling. And the camera 7 can be provided at each of multiple locations.

[0038] The drive of the gantry 2, the drive of the bed 3, and the imaging of the subject by the camera 7 are performed by an input from an operator such as a technician from the console 4. The console 4 contains an information processing device related to the technology of the invention.

[0039] Reference ​ The hardware structure of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment will be described. As an example of the information processing device 10, a computer such as a personal computer or a server computer can be cited. As ​As shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a memory 12 serving as a temporary storage area, and a non-volatile storage unit 13. Further, the information processing apparatus 10 includes a display 14 such as a liquid crystal display, an input device 15 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a network I / F (InterFace) 16 connected to the CT apparatus 1. The CPU 11, the memory 12, the storage unit 13, the display 14, the input device 15, and the network I / F 16 are connected to a bus 17. The CPU 11 is an example of a processor related to publicly known technology. The display 14 and the input device 15 are also illustrated in ​ as well.

[0040] The storage unit 13 is implemented by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a flash memory, or the like. An information processing program 20 is stored in the storage unit 13 serving as a storage medium. After reading the information processing program 20 from the storage unit 13, the CPU 11 expands it into the memory 12 and executes the expanded information processing program 20.

[0041] Further, a check instruction 22, operator data 24, and patient data 26 are stored in the storage unit 13. The check instruction 22 is an example of check information related to a check. The check instruction 22 includes identification information of a patient H who is an object to be examined by the CT apparatus 1, that is, a patient ID (IDentifier), identification information of an operator who operates the CT apparatus 1 such as a radiological technologist, that is, an operator ID, and a check category, and the like. As an example of the check category, general photography, contrast photography, electrocardiogram synchronization photography, or the like can be cited. General photography refers to a check performed without connecting a medical device to the patient H. Contrast photography and electrocardiogram synchronization photography are checks performed by connecting medical devices such as a catheter and an electrocardiogram sensor to the patient H.

[0042] The operator data 24 is an example of operator information related to an operator. ​ An example of the operator data 24 is shown in ​ As shown, in the operator data 24, a correspondence is established between each operator and an operator ID, an operator name, and a moving speed of the bed 3. The moving speed of the bed 3 in the operator data 24 is the moving speed of the bed 3 desired by the operator.

[0043] The patient data 26 is an example of subject information related to a subject to be examined. ​ An example of the patient data 26 is shown in ​As shown, in the patient data 26, each group of patient H and the examination date is associated with the patient ID, the patient's name, the patient's age, the patient's gender, the patient's height, the patient's weight, the examination date, and the moving speed of the table 3. The moving speed of the table 3 in the patient data 26 is the moving speed of the table 3 between the initial position P1 and the imaging position P2 when examining patient H based on the CT apparatus 1 on the corresponding examination date.

[0044] The information processing apparatus 10 has a function of deriving the moving speed of the table 3 of the CT apparatus 1, and the CT apparatus 1 captures a medical image of patient H placed on the table 3.

[0045] Next, refer to ​ A description will be given of the functional structure of the information processing apparatus 10. As ​ shown, the information processing apparatus 10 includes an acquisition unit 30, a derivation unit 32, and a movement control unit 34. The CPU 11 functions as the acquisition unit 30, the derivation unit 32, and the movement control unit 34 by executing the information processing program 20.

[0046] The acquisition unit 30 acquires the examination instruction 22, the operator data 24, and the patient data 26 from the storage unit 13. Additionally, the examination instruction 22, the operator data 24, and the patient data 26 can be expanded to the memory 12 via the network I / F 16 and acquired from the memory 12. And the acquisition unit 30 sequentially acquires optical images (hereinafter referred to as "patient images") obtained by the camera 7 capturing patient H placed on the table 3 at a set frame rate. And the acquisition unit 30 acquires the living body information of patient H from the living body information sensor attached to patient H. Examples of the living body information include electrocardiogram, pulse, respiration, and blood oxygen concentration. And the acquisition unit 30 acquires the sound (hereinafter referred to as "patient sound") emitted by patient H via a sound input device (not shown) provided in the imaging room. The patient image, the living body information of patient H, and the patient sound are an example of the subject information related to the subject being examined.

[0047] And the acquisition unit 30 acquires an optical image (hereinafter referred to as "operator image") obtained by the camera 7 capturing the operator. And the acquisition unit 30 acquires the sound (hereinafter referred to as "operator sound") emitted by the operator via a sound input device provided in the imaging room. The operator image and the operator sound are an example of the operator information related to the operator.

[0048] The derivation unit 32 derives the moving speed of the bed 3 between the initial position P1 and the imaging position P2 based on the inspection instruction 22, operator data 24, patient data 26, patient images, living body information of patient H, patient voice, operator images, and operator voice acquired by the acquisition unit 30. Additionally, the derivation unit 32 may not use all of this information. That is, the derivation unit 32 may derive the moving speed of the bed 3 between the initial position P1 and the imaging position P2 based on a combination of one or more of the inspection instruction 22, operator data 24, patient data 26, patient images, living body information of patient H, patient voice, operator images, and operator voice. Hereinafter, a specific example of the derivation process of the moving speed of the bed 3 performed by the derivation unit 32 will be described.

[0049] First, before the movement of the bed 3 starts (i.e., when the bed 3 is in the initial position P1), the derivation unit 32 derives the moving speed of the bed 3 between the initial position P1 and the imaging position P2 based on the inspection instruction 22, operator data 24, and patient data 26. Hereinafter, the moving speed of the bed 3 derived before the start of the movement of the bed 3 will be referred to as the "initial moving speed".

[0050] Specifically, when the patient ID included in the inspection instruction 22 exists in the patient data 26, the derivation unit 32 uses the moving speed associated with the patient ID included in the patient data 26 as the initial moving speed. Additionally, when there are multiple patient IDs included in the inspection instruction 22 that exist in the patient data 26, the derivation unit 32 may use the moving speed associated with the most recent inspection date among the multiple moving speeds associated with each patient ID as the initial moving speed. And when the patient ID included in the inspection instruction 22 exists in the patient data 26, the derivation unit 32 may use a moving speed higher than the moving speed associated with the patient ID as the initial moving speed. This is because it is inferred that patient H with this patient ID is already accustomed to the examination using the CT apparatus 1.

[0051] And when the patient ID included in the inspection instruction 22 does not exist in the patient data 26, that is, when patient H with this patient ID undergoes the examination using the CT apparatus 1 for the first time, the derivation unit 32 refers to the operator data 24. In this case, and when the operator ID included in the inspection instruction 22 exists in the operator data 24, the derivation unit 32 sets the moving speed associated with the operator ID included in the operator data 24 as the initial moving speed.

[0052] When the patient ID does not exist in the patient data 26 and the operator ID does not exist in the operator data 24, the export unit 32 sets the preset standard speed as the initial movement speed. In addition, the export unit 32 can set different initial movement speeds corresponding to the standard speed according to the age of patient H. For example, when the age of patient H is below the first threshold or above the second threshold, the export unit 32 can set the initial movement speed to be lower than when the age of patient H exceeds the first threshold and is less than the second threshold. As the first threshold, for example, a value set as the upper limit of the age range of young children or other low-age children can be cited. As the second threshold, for example, a value set as the lower limit of the age range of the elderly can be cited.

[0053] Next, when the examination category included in the examination instruction 22 indicates an examination in which a medical device is connected to patient H, the export unit 32 reduces the initially exported initial movement speed. In this case, for example, the export unit 32 reduces the initial movement speed by a preset amount such as 5% or a preset speed amount such as 1 [mm / s]. That is, when the examination category indicates an examination in which a medical device is connected to patient H, the export unit 32 reduces the movement speed of the export bed 3 compared to the case where it indicates an examination in which a medical device is not connected to patient H.

[0054] Moreover, after the export unit 32 exports the initial movement speed of the bed 3 before the movement of the bed 3 starts, it exports a movement speed for adjusting the movement speed of the bed 3 based on the patient image, the living body information of patient H, the patient's voice, the operator image, and the operator's voice acquired by the acquisition unit 30 during the movement of the bed 3.

[0055] For example, when the behavior of patient H obtained by image analysis of the patient image corresponds to a behavior indicating that patient H is restless, such as irritable, the export unit 32 exports a movement speed for reducing the adjustment of the movement speed of the bed 3. And when the living body information of patient H is outside the normal value range such as the pulse being faster than normal, the export unit 32 exports a movement speed for reducing the adjustment of the movement speed of the bed 3. And when the patient's voice corresponds to a voice indicating that the patient is restless, the export unit 32 exports a movement speed for reducing the adjustment of the movement speed of the bed 3.

[0056] And when the gesture of the operator obtained by image analysis of the operator image corresponds to a gesture indicating an increase in the movement speed, the export unit 32 exports a movement speed for increasing the adjustment of the movement speed of the bed 3. And when the gesture of the operator obtained by image analysis of the operator image corresponds to a gesture indicating a decrease in the movement speed, the export unit 32 exports a movement speed for reducing the adjustment of the movement speed of the bed 3.

[0057] Further, when the operator's voice corresponds to the voice indicating an increase in the moving speed, the derivation unit 32 derives the moving speed for increasing the moving speed of the bed 3. Further, when the operator's voice corresponds to the voice indicating a decrease in the moving speed, the derivation unit 32 derives the moving speed for decreasing the moving speed of the bed 3.

[0058] As described above, when any one of the patient image, the living body information of the patient H, the patient voice, the operator image, and the operator voice acquired by the acquisition unit 30 during the movement of the bed 3 satisfies the condition for adjusting the moving speed, the derivation unit 32 derives the moving speed for adjustment based on this information. The adjustment of the moving speed is performed, for example, by increasing or decreasing the moving speed by a preset ratio such as 5% or by a preset speed amount such as 1 [mm / s].

[0059] The movement control unit 34 controls the movement of the bed 3 between the initial position P1 and the imaging position P2 at the moving speed derived by the derivation unit 32. Specifically, the movement control unit 34 outputs an instruction to start moving at the initial moving speed derived by the derivation unit 32 to the drive unit 3C. According to this instruction, the drive unit 3C moves the bed 3 from the initial position P1 toward the imaging position P2 at the initial moving speed.

[0060] Further, the movement control unit 34 outputs an instruction to change the moving speed of the bed 3 to the moving speed for adjustment derived by the derivation unit 32 during the movement of the bed 3 to the drive unit 3C. According to this instruction, the drive unit 3C changes the moving speed of the bed 3.

[0061] Further, when the bed 3 reaches the imaging position P2, the movement control unit 34 outputs an instruction to stop the bed 3 to the drive unit 3C. According to this instruction, the drive unit 3C stops the bed 3. The movement control unit 34 can determine whether the bed 3 has reached the imaging position P2 based on the optical image captured by the camera 7. Further, the movement control unit 34 can also determine whether the bed 3 has reached the imaging position P2 based on the output of the position sensor provided on the bed 3 and detecting the position of the bed 3. Further, this determination can also be made by the drive unit 3C. In this case, the movement control unit 34 may not output an instruction to stop the bed 3 to the drive unit 3C.

[0062] Next, refer to ​ The operation of the information processing device 10 will be described. The CPU 11 executes the information processing program 20 to execute ​ the bed movement process shown. The bed movement process is executed, for example, when an instruction to start execution is input by the operator.

[0063] In ​In step S10, acquisition unit 30 acquires inspection instruction 22, operator data 24, and patient data 26 from storage unit 13. In step S12, the ​ initial movement speed derivation process shown is executed.

[0064] In ​ step S50, derivation unit 32 determines whether the patient ID included in inspection instruction 22 exists in patient data 26. If this determination is an affirmative determination, the process transfers to step S52. In step S52, derivation unit 32 sets the movement speed associated with the patient ID included in patient data 26 as the initial movement speed. If the process of step S52 ends, the process transfers to step S60.

[0065] If the determination in step S50 is a negative determination, the process transfers to step S54. In step S54, derivation unit 32 determines whether the operator ID included in inspection instruction 22 exists in operator data 24. If this determination is an affirmative determination, the process transfers to step S56. In step S56, derivation unit 32 sets the movement speed associated with the operator ID included in operator data 24 as the initial movement speed. If the process of step S56 ends, the process transfers to step S60.

[0066] If the determination in step S54 is a negative determination, the process transfers to step S58. In step S58, derivation unit 32 sets a preset standard speed as the initial movement speed. If the process of step S58 ends, the process transfers to step S60.

[0067] In step S60, derivation unit 32 determines whether the inspection category included in inspection instruction 22 indicates an inspection performed by connecting a medical device to patient H. If this determination is an affirmative determination, the process transfers to step S62. In step S62, derivation unit 32 reduces the initial movement speed derived in step S52, step S56, or step S58. If the process of step S62 ends, the initial movement speed derivation process ends. On the other hand, if the determination in step S60 is a negative determination, the process of step S62 is not executed and the initial movement speed derivation process ends.

[0068] If the initial movement speed derivation process ends, [[ID=e20]] ​ step S12 ends and the process transfers to step S14. In step S14, movement control unit 34 outputs an instruction to start moving at the initial movement speed derived in step S12 to drive unit 3C. Thereby, bed 3 starts moving from initial position P1 toward imaging position P2.

[0069] In step S16, the acquisition unit 30 acquires a patient image, the living body information of patient H, the patient's voice, the operator image, and the operator's voice. In step S18, as described above, the derivation unit 32 determines whether any of the patient image, the living body information of patient H, the patient's voice, the operator image, and the operator's voice acquired in step S16 satisfies the condition for adjusting the moving speed. When this determination is an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0070] In step S20, as described above, the derivation unit 32 derives the adjusted moving speed based on the information that satisfies the condition in step S18 among the patient image, the living body information of patient H, the patient's voice, the operator image, and the operator's voice. In step S22, the movement control unit 34 outputs an instruction to change the moving speed of the bed 3 to the adjusted moving speed derived in step S20 to the drive unit 3C. When the process of step S22 ends, the process proceeds to step S24.

[0071] On the other hand, when the determination in step S18 is a negative determination, the processes of step S20 and step S22 are not executed and the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, the movement control unit 34 determines whether the bed 3 has reached the imaging position P2. When this determination is a negative determination, the process returns to step S16, and when this determination is an affirmative determination, the process proceeds to step S26. In step S26, the movement control unit 34 outputs an instruction to stop the bed 3 to the drive unit 3C. When the process of step S26 ends, the bed movement process ends.

[0072] After the above bed movement process ends, if an imaging start instruction is input by the operator, the bed unit 3A slides relative to the base unit 3B, and thus the patient H lying horizontally on the bed unit 3A is transported into the opening 5 of the gantry 2, and the CT image shooting is started.

[0073] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to control the moving speed of the bed on which the subject is placed in a medical imaging apparatus at an appropriate speed.

[0074] In addition, in the above embodiment, the case where the technology of the invention is applied to the control of the moving speed of the bed 3 when moving from the initial position P1 before image shooting by the CT apparatus 1 to the imaging position P2 has been described, but the technology of the invention is not limited to this mode. It may also be set as a mode in which the technology of the invention is applied to the control of the moving speed of the bed 3 when moving from the imaging position P2 after image shooting by the CT apparatus 1 to the initial position P1.

[0075] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the CPU 11 determines the operator of the CT apparatus 1 by including the operator ID in the inspection instruction 22 has been described, but the disclosed technology is not limited to this method. For example, it may be configured such that the CPU 11 determines the operator based on a signal transmitted from an IC (Integrated Circuit) identifier worn by the operator. Also, for example, it may be configured such that the CPU 11 determines the operator based on voiceprint information of the voice emitted by the operator. Also, for example, it may be configured such that the CPU 11 determines the operator by performing image analysis processing on the image captured by the camera 7.

[0076] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the CPU 11 determines the patient H who is the subject of the examination of the CT apparatus 1 by including the patient ID in the inspection instruction 22 has been described, but the inventive technology is not limited to this method. For example, it may be configured such that the CPU 11 determines the patient H based on a signal transmitted from an IC identifier worn by the patient H. Also, for example, it may be configured such that the CPU 11 determines the patient H based on voiceprint information of the voice emitted by the patient H. Also, for example, it may be configured such that the CPU 11 determines the patient H by performing image analysis processing on the image captured by the camera 7.

[0077] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the derivation unit 32 may derive the initial moving speed based on the disease suffered by the patient H, the treatment state of the disease, the administration information of the patient H, and the like. For example, when the patient H suffers from a specific disease, the derivation unit 32 may reduce the moving speed of the derivation bed 3 compared to the case where the patient does not suffer from the specific disease.

[0078] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the CPU 11 determines whether the examination is one in which a medical device is connected to the patient H based on the examination category included in the examination instruction 22 has been described, but the inventive technology is not limited to this method. For example, the CPU 11 may determine whether a medical device is connected to the patient H by performing image analysis processing on the patient image.

[0079] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the CPU 11 may be as follows: when an abnormality such as an earthquake, an object falling, or smoke is detected in the photography room, control to stop the movement of the bed 3 is performed, and the case where the abnormality is detected is notified.

[0080] Also, at least one of the functional units included in the information processing apparatus 10 in the above-described embodiment may be provided by other devices such as the control device included in the gantry 2 and the control device included in the drive unit 3C.

[0081] Also, in the above-described embodiments, for example, as the hardware structure of a processing unit (processing unit) that executes various processes like each functional unit of the information processing apparatus 10, various processors (processor) shown below can be used. In addition to the general-purpose processor, i.e., the CPU, which executes software (program) as described above and functions as various processing units, the above-mentioned various processors also include a programmable logic device (Programmable Logic Device: PLD), such as an FPGA, which is a processor whose circuit structure can be changed after manufacturing, and a processor with a circuit structure specifically designed for executing specific processes, i.e., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and other dedicated circuits.

[0082] One processing unit may be constituted by one of these various processors, or may be constituted by a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a combination of multiple FPGAs or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). Also, multiple processing units may be constituted by one processor.

[0083] As an example of constituting multiple processing units by one processor, first, as represented by computers such as clients and servers, there is a method in which a combination of one or more CPUs and software constitutes one processor, and this processor functions as multiple processing units. Second, as represented by a system on chip (System On Chip: SoC), etc., there is a method of using a processor that realizes the functions of the entire system including multiple processing units with one IC (Integrated Circuit) chip. Thus, for various processing units, as the hardware structure, one or more of the above-mentioned various processors are used to constitute them.

[0084] Furthermore, as the hardware structure of these various processors, more specifically, circuitry formed by combining circuit elements such as semiconductor elements can be used.

[0085] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the method of pre-storing (installing) the information processing program 20 in the storage unit 13 has been described, but it is not limited thereto. The information processing program 20 may also be provided in a form recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Further, the information processing program 20 may be configured to be downloaded from an external device via a network.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus includes at least one processor and derives a moving speed of a bed of a medical image capturing system that captures medical images of a subject placed on the bed, wherein, the processor performs the following processes: acquire at least one of inspection information related to an inspection, subject information related to the subject, and operator information related to an operator; and derive the moving speed of the bed between an initial position and a photographing position based on the acquired information.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the processor controls the movement of the bed between the initial position and the photographing position at the derived moving speed.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the inspection information includes an inspection category.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, when the inspection category indicates an inspection in which a medical device is connected to the subject, the processor reduces the derived moving speed of the bed as compared with a case where the inspection is performed without connecting the medical device to the subject.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the subject information includes at least one of information associated with identification information of the subject, living body information of the subject, sound emitted by the subject placed on the bed, and an optical image obtained by photographing the subject placed on the bed.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, the processor performs the following processes: after deriving the moving speed of the bed before the start of the movement of the bed, derive a moving speed for adjusting the derived moving speed of the bed based on at least one of the living body information, the sound, and the optical image acquired during the movement of the bed.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the operator information includes at least one of information associated with identification information of the operator, sound emitted by the operator, and an optical image obtained by photographing the operator.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, the processor performs the following processes: after deriving the moving speed of the bed before the start of the movement of the bed, derive a moving speed for adjusting the derived moving speed of the bed based on at least one of the sound and the optical image acquired during the movement of the bed.

9. An information processing method causes a processor of an information processing apparatus to perform the following processes: acquire at least one of inspection information related to an inspection, subject information related to a subject, and operator information related to an operator; and derive a moving speed of a bed between an initial position and a photographing position based on the acquired information, wherein the information processing apparatus includes at least one of the processors and derives the moving speed of the bed of the medical image capturing system that captures medical images of the subject placed on the bed.

10. A computer-readable storage medium stores an information processing program for causing a processor of an information processing apparatus to perform the following processing: Obtain at least one of inspection information related to inspection, subject information related to a subject, and operator information related to an operator; and Derive a moving speed of a bed between an initial position and a photographing position based on the obtained information, The information processing apparatus includes at least one of the processors and derives the moving speed of the bed of the medical image photographing system that photographs a medical image of the subject placed on the bed.

11. A medical image photographing system, comprising: A bed on which a subject can be placed; A medical image photographing device that photographs a medical image of the subject; And The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, which derives the moving speed of the bed.

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