Imaging device, control method, and program

Abstract

To allow security of medical information to be improved even in a situation where an image of an affected part remains in an imaging device due to poor communication conditions of a network within a medical institution or the like.SOLUTION: An imaging device includes acquisition means for acquiring information regarding the disease name or location of images of an affected part regarding a plurality of images of the affected part obtained by photographing the affected part of a patient, determination means for determining the priority of the plurality of images of the affected part based on the information acquired by the acquisition means, and control means for performing control to transmit the plurality of images of the affected part to an external device based on the order of priority and delete the transmitted images of the affected part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Imaging devices and imaging systems that capture images of affected areas to record progress and assist in diagnosis are known in the medical field. The imaging device transmits the captured images of the affected area of ​​a patient to an information processing device in a hospital via a network, and the images of the affected area are stored as treatment records or medical records. Since the images of the affected area are treated as medical information, care must be taken in managing the images of the affected area from the viewpoint of security. Here, there are cases in which the images of the affected area cannot be transmitted to the information processing device due to poor communication conditions in the hospital network, etc., and remain in the imaging device. In such cases, since the imaging device is easily portable, there are concerns about the security management of medical information.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for detecting a specific part in a captured image that needs to be concealed to protect personal information, and masking the image according to the detection accuracy. Patent Document 2 discloses a method for inputting information about the affected part via a display unit of an imaging device, and storing the image of the affected part in association with the information about the affected part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-64718 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6202827 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the conventional technologies disclosed in the above-mentioned patent documents provide means for concealing images of the affected area or for storing the captured images in association with the affected area, but do not address situations in which the images of the affected area cannot be transmitted to an information processing device due to poor communication conditions within the hospital network, etc., and the images of the affected area remain in the imaging device, which raises concerns about the security management of medical information.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device, a control method, and a program that make it possible to improve the security of medical information even in a situation where an image of the affected area cannot be sent to an information processing device due to poor communication conditions in a network within a medical institution such as a hospital, and the image of the affected area remains in the imaging device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve this problem, for example, an imaging device of the present invention has the following configuration. An acquisition means for acquiring information on the disease name or site of a plurality of images of an affected area of ​​a patient; a determining means for determining priorities of the plurality of diseased area images based on the information acquired by the acquiring means; The method further comprises a control means for controlling so as to transmit the plurality of affected area images to an external device based on the order of priority and to delete the affected area images that have already been transmitted. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the security of medical information even in a situation where an image of an affected area remains in an imaging device due to poor communication conditions in a network within a medical institution or the like. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a medical system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 13 illustrates an example of a hospital policy table in the embodiment. [Diagram 5] 13 illustrates an example of a patient information table in the embodiment. [Figure 6] 13 illustrates an example of a diagnostic information table in the embodiment. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing a basic operation of photographing an image of an affected area according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a priority determination process based on a hospital policy according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart showing a priority determination process shared among medical departments according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10A] 11 is a flowchart showing a department-specific priority determination process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10B] 11 is a flowchart showing a dermatology-specific priority determination process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10C] 11 is a flowchart showing a dental-specific priority determination process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing transmission queue processing of an affected area image according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing a basic operation of photographing an image of an affected area according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing a priority determination process based on parts that an individual does not want to be seen according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14A] 4 is an example of dental chart information of intraoral information in an embodiment. [Figure 14B] 13 is an example of an intraoral view of intraoral information in an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0011] [System Configuration] 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a medical system according to this embodiment. The medical system according to this embodiment is made up of devices that perform the following processes.

[0012] The imaging device 101 captures an image of an affected area 111 of a patient to generate visible light image data. Hereinafter, the visible light image and the visible light image data obtained by capturing an image of the affected area 111 of a patient will be referred to as an affected area image.

[0013] The imaging device 101 is preferably small and easily portable, similar to commercially available digital cameras. The imaging device 101 has a display device that allows the captured image to be checked, and an input / output device for various operations such as selection of patient information. The imaging device 101 communicates with other devices in the medical system via a network 102 to which it is connected when the imaging device 101 is powered on by the photographer. The imaging device 101 maintains a communicable state until it is powered off.

[0014] The network 102 is a communication means, and is an inter-device network for wireless data transmission, wired data transmission, various controls, etc. Various communication protocols are possible, such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP), Universal Serial Bus (USB), Local Area Network (LAN), Health Level Seven (HL7), Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM), and any of them may be used as long as image data, text, control data, etc. can be communicated.

[0015] The imaging device management system 103 communicates with the imaging device 101, and acquires electronic medical record information including patient information and diagnosis information from an electronic medical record system 106. The imaging device management system 103 is also connected to an imaging device setting information database 104, and is capable of acquiring settings to be applied to the imaging device 101 from the imaging device setting information database 104.

[0016] The imaging device setting information database 104 is a database that stores and manages setting information applied to the imaging device 101 .

[0017] The electronic medical record display terminal 105 accepts inputs from users such as medical staff regarding the creation, editing, and display of electronic medical record information, and transmits them to the electronic medical record system 106. The electronic medical record display terminal 105 obtains electronic medical record information from the electronic medical record system 106 and displays it.

[0018] The electronic medical record system 106 receives a request from the electronic medical record display terminal 105, creates, edits, and displays electronic medical record information, and transmits and receives patient information and diagnosis information included in the electronic medical record information in association with the processing.

[0019] The patient information database 107 is a database that stores a patient ID for identifying a patient and personal information of the patient.

[0020] The diagnostic information database 108 is a database for storing diagnostic information by a doctor for the illness or symptoms of each patient. The diagnostic information database 108 stores diagnostic information linked to a patient ID defined in the patient information database 107.

[0021] The image management system 109 receives the affected area image captured by the imaging device 101 via the imaging device management system 103 and stores the image in the image information database 110. At this time, the image management system 109 stores the affected area image in association with the patient ID. Then, when the image management system 109 receives an image data acquisition request specifying a patient ID from the electronic medical record system 106, it transmits the affected area image of the specified patient ID.

[0022] The image information database 110 is a database that stores images of affected areas. In the image information database 110, images of affected areas linked to patient IDs defined in the patient information database 107 are stored.

[0023] The affected area 111 of the patient is the part to be imaged by the imaging device 101. The imaged part varies depending on the medical department. For example, in dermatology, various parts such as the face, palms, head, arms, and chest are imaged to image parts with burns or diseases. In dentistry, the oral cavity is the main part to be imaged. However, even in dentistry, when correcting malocclusion such as a strong forward tilt of the front teeth (when performing orthodontic treatment), the face is imaged because the facial features are affected.

[0024] The operation of the medical system in this embodiment will be explained below.

[0025] When displaying electronic medical record information on the electronic medical record display terminal 105, the following process is performed to display the electronic medical record information of the patient. In order to treat the affected area 111 of the patient, which is the part of the patient to be examined, the doctor specifies the patient ID of the patient to be examined on the electronic medical record display terminal 105 to display the electronic medical record information. The electronic medical record information to be displayed is generated by the electronic medical record system 106. Specifically, when the electronic medical record system 106 receives the patient ID for generating the electronic medical record information, it acquires patient information including the patient name, sex, age, etc. linked to the patient ID from the patient information database 107, and transmits the electronic medical record information including the patient information to the electronic medical record display terminal 105 for display. The electronic medical record system 106 acquires diagnostic information such as the department, disease name, and diagnosed part of the patient linked to the patient ID received from the diagnostic information database 108, and transmits the electronic medical record information including the diagnostic information to the electronic medical record display terminal 105 for display. The electronic medical record system 106 specifies a patient ID and sends an image data acquisition request to the image management system 109, thereby acquiring an image of the affected area linked to the patient ID, and transmits electronic medical record information including the image of the affected area to the electronic medical record display terminal 105 for display.

[0026] The image of the affected part 111 of the patient captured by the imaging device 101 is stored in the image information database 110 by carrying out the following process. When a photographer such as a doctor sets a patient ID in the imaging device 101 and captures the affected part 111 of the patient with the imaging device 101, the affected part image is stored in the imaging device 101. At this time, the imaging device 101 stores the affected part image in association with the patient ID. When the imaging of the affected part is completed, the imaging device 101 transmits the affected part image to the imaging device management system 103 according to the priority of transmission and deletion described later. In the following description, when the term "priority" is simply written, it indicates the priority of transmission and deletion. When the imaging device 101 completes the transmission of the affected part image, it deletes the affected part image. The imaging device management system 103 transmits the received affected part image to the image management system 109. Then, the image management system 109 stores the affected part image in the image information database 110. In the embodiment, the priority is expressed as a positive numerical value, and the higher the value, the higher the priority of transmission and deletion of the affected part image. Therefore, the imaging device 101 transmits and deletes images of the affected area having higher priority levels.

[0027] [Imaging device] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the imaging device 101 according to the embodiment.

[0028] In the imaging device 101, a CPU 201, a memory 202, a non-volatile memory 203, an image processing unit 204, a display 205, an operation unit 206, a recording medium I / F 207, a communication unit 209, a file generation unit 210, and a camera unit 220 are connected via an internal bus 250 so as to be able to send and receive data among each other.

[0029] The CPU 201 executes a predetermined control program in the imaging device 101 to control each unit and realize functions. Specifically, the CPU 201 loads the control program from the non-volatile memory 203 or the like into the memory 202 and executes it to realize multiple functions. For example, the CPU 201 reads an imaging processing program for an affected area image, and functions as an acquisition means for acquiring information about the disease name or site of the affected area image for multiple affected area images of a patient, a determination means for determining the priority of the multiple affected area images based on the acquired information, and a control means for transmitting the affected area images in order of priority, transmitting the multiple affected area images to an external device, and deleting the transmitted affected area images. The CPU 201 also controls each unit of the imaging device 101 using the memory 202 as a work memory.

[0030] The memory 202 is a volatile memory that uses semiconductor elements such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0031] The non-volatile memory 203 stores image data, audio data, other data, and various programs for operating the CPU 201. The non-volatile memory 203 is configured, for example, with a hard disk (HDD (Hard Disk Drive)) and a ROM (Read Only Memory).

[0032] The image processing unit 204 performs various image processing on image data stored in the non-volatile memory 203 or the recording medium 208, image data acquired via the communication unit 209, etc., under the control of the CPU 201. The image processing performed by the image processing unit 204 includes A / D conversion processing, D / A conversion processing, image data encoding processing, compression processing, decoding processing, enlargement / reduction processing (resizing), noise reduction processing, color conversion processing, etc. The image processing unit 204 may be configured with a dedicated circuit block for performing a specific image processing. Also, depending on the type of image processing, the CPU 201 can perform image processing according to a program without using the image processing unit 204.

[0033] The display 205 displays images, a GUI screen constituting a GUI (Graphical User Interface), and the like under the control of the CPU 201. The CPU 201 generates a display control signal according to a program, and controls each unit of the imaging device 101 to generate a video signal for display on the display 205 and output it to the display 205. The display 205 displays an image based on the output video signal. Note that the imaging device 101 itself is only provided with an interface for outputting a video signal for display on the display 205, and the display 205 may be configured as an external monitor.

[0034] The operation unit 206 is a device for inputting instructions and information from the photographer to the imaging device 101. The operation unit 206 is composed of, for example, a power button, a shutter button, a mode dial, etc. The mode dial is a dial for switching between operation modes such as shooting mode. The operation unit 206 includes a touch panel. The touch panel is configured as a flat panel overlaid on the display 205, and is an input device that outputs coordinate information according to the touched position.

[0035] A recording medium 208 such as a hard disk, a memory card, a CF card, an SD card, or a USB memory can be attached to the recording medium I / F 207. The recording medium I / F 207 reads data from the attached recording medium 208 and writes data to the recording medium 208 based on the control of the CPU 201.

[0036] The communication unit 209 is a communication unit that is connected to the network 102 by a wired cable or wirelessly, and that inputs and outputs video signals and audio signals. The communication unit 209 receives medical information such as patient information and diagnosis information, and imaging device setting data such as settings to be applied to the imaging device, via the network 102. The communication unit 209 also transmits data such as images of the affected area captured by photographing the affected area and medical information added to the images of the affected area, via the network 102.

[0037] The file generating unit 210 converts image data into a general-purpose still image format or video format to generate an image file. Furthermore, the file generating unit 210 can add additional information to the image file. For example, if the image file is a JPEG image, the file generating unit 210 adds information according to the EXIF ​​format. Note that the image format to which additional information can be added is not limited to JPEG images. If the image file is a DICOM image, which is a medical image format, the file generating unit 210 can also add additional information to a DICOM tag.

[0038] The camera unit 220 is a camera unit composed of an imaging element (imaging sensor) composed of a CCD or CMOS element that converts an optical image into an electric signal. The camera unit 220 includes a lens group (photographing lens) including a zoom lens and a focus lens, a shutter with an aperture function, an imaging element, an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output from the imaging element into a digital signal, and a barrier that covers the imaging system to prevent dirt and damage. The image processing unit 204 performs resizing processing such as predetermined pixel complementation and reduction and color conversion processing on the data of the image captured and acquired by the camera unit 220. The CPU 201 performs exposure control, distance measurement control, and AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the calculation result obtained by the image processing unit 204. The image captured by the camera unit 220 and processed by the image processing unit 204 is displayed on the display 205.

[0039] Image data such as an image of an affected area captured by the camera unit 220 is once A / D converted by an A / D converter and stored in the memory 202. The digital signal of this stored image data is converted to analog by a D / A converter and sequentially transferred to the display 205, whereby a live view is displayed on the display 205. The live view can be displayed while waiting to capture a still image, while waiting to capture a video, and while recording a video, and the captured image of the subject is displayed in almost real time.

[0040] The CPU 201 starts operations such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and AWB processing in response to a shooting preparation instruction based on a user operation performed on the operation unit 206, and controls the camera unit 220 and the image processing unit 204. In response to a shooting instruction, the CPU 201 controls a series of shooting processing (main shooting) operations, from performing main exposure and reading out a signal from the image sensor, processing the captured image in the image processing unit 204, generating an image file in the file generation unit 210, and recording the image on the recording medium 208. The shooting instruction can be issued by a user operation on the operation unit 206. The camera unit 220 is capable of shooting still images and moving images.

[0041] [Information processing device] 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, which performs the processes described below by executing a predetermined control program.

[0042] In the embodiment of the present invention, the information processing device constitutes each of the imaging device management system 103, the electronic medical record display terminal 105, the electronic medical record system 106, and the image management system 109.

[0043] The CPU 301 controls the entire information processing apparatus.

[0044] ROM 302 is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory, and stores operation processing procedures for CPU 301 (for example, programs for processing information processing device, basic input / output processing, etc.).

[0045] RAM 303 is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory, and functions as the main memory (main temporary storage means) of CPU 301, but may be another storage means. For example, it may be configured with a non-volatile memory device such as Read Only Memory (ROM) or Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM). Various programs including a control program for realizing the processes described below are loaded from ROM 302 or the like into RAM 303 and executed by CPU 301. RAM 303 also provides a work area when CPU 301 executes various processes.

[0046] The input unit 304 is a pointing device such as a keyboard having various keys for inputting characters, etc., a mouse, a touch panel, etc. For example, the input unit 304 is used for an operation of inputting setting information for a program, and an operation of selecting icons, menus, etc. displayed on the display 305.

[0047] The display 305 is a display unit, and displays interfaces with an operator, such as windows, icons, messages, menus, and the like.

[0048] The recording medium I / F 306 is an interface for reading and writing data from and to an external recording medium 307 such as an external HDD or USB memory.

[0049] The HDD 308 is an abbreviation for Hard Disk Drive, and is a non-volatile storage device that stores data.

[0050] The communication unit 309 is a network interface (communication means) and is connected to the network 102. In this embodiment, the imaging device 101, the imaging device management system 103, the electronic medical record display terminal 105, the electronic medical record system 106, and the image management system 109 transmit and receive data to and from each other via the network 102.

[0051] The CPU bus 350 is a bus that includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus, and connects the CPU 301, the ROM 302, the RAM 303, the input unit 304, the display 305, the recording medium I / F 306, the HDD 308, and the communication unit 309.

[0052] Here, the data stored in the HDD 308 of the imaging device management system 103, the electronic medical record system 106, and the image management system 109 in this embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0053] The imaging device setting information database 104 is stored in the HDD 308 of the imaging device management system 103. The CPU 301 of the imaging device management system 103 is configured to be able to read and write data from and to the imaging device setting information database 104.

[0054] A patient information database 107 and a diagnostic information database 108 are stored in the HDD 308 of the electronic medical record system 106. The CPU 301 of the imaging device management system 103 is configured to be able to read and write data from and to the patient information database 107 and the diagnostic information database 108.

[0055] An image information database 110 is stored in the HDD 308 of the image management system 109. A CPU 301 of the image management system 109 is configured to be able to read and write data from and to the image information database 110. In this embodiment, the image information database 110 stores images of affected areas of patients captured by the imaging device 101 in association with patient IDs, which are identification information for identifying the patients. This allows a user to selectively refer to affected area images associated with the patient IDs by transmitting the patient IDs to the image information database 110. Details of the imaging device setting information database 104, the patient information database 107, and the diagnosis information database 108 in this embodiment will be described later.

[0056] [Hospital Policy Table] 4 is an example of a hospital policy table according to the embodiment. The hospital policy table includes information that can be referenced when the imaging device 101 refers to the imaging device setting information database 104 via the imaging device management system 103. The setting item 401 is an item that is set, such as a hospital policy. The setting value 402 indicates whether or not setting is required by the priority determination process of the option 403. The option 403 indicates the priority determination process that determines the priority.

[0057] The hospital policy table will be described with reference to FIG. 4 as an example. The hospital policy table is information on a priority determination process for setting the priority of an affected area image captured by the imaging device 101. When the setting value of the option "priority common to all medical departments" is set to "set", the imaging device 101 determines the priority of an affected area image based on the priority common to all medical departments. When the setting value of the option "priority specific to medical departments" is set to "set", the imaging device 101 determines the priority of an affected area image based on the priority specific to medical departments. When the setting value of the option "not set" is set to "set", the imaging device 101 determines the priority of an affected area image by a method selected by the photographer for each imaging device 101 or in the order of shooting. The setting value "set" may be set in both the option "priority common to all medical departments" and the option "priority specific to medical departments". The priority determination process will be described in detail later.

[0058] [Patient information table] FIG. 5 is an example of a patient information table in an embodiment. The patient information table is stored in the patient information database 107. The patient information table is a table that holds personal information such as the patient's name and gender, and a unique patient ID is defined for each patient. The patient ID 501 is identification information for uniquely identifying a patient. The name information 502 indicates the patient's designation. The gender information 503 indicates the patient's gender. The age information 504 indicates the patient's age.

[0059] The patient information table will be explained using Fig. 5 as an example. The patient information table is a table for associating patient IDs with personal information of patients. For example, it can be seen that the patient with patient ID 0001 is named Ichiro Kawasaki, is male, and is 30 years old.

[0060] [Diagnostic information table] FIG. 6 is an example of a diagnostic information table in an embodiment. The diagnostic information table is stored in the diagnostic information database 108. The diagnostic information table is a table in which diagnostic information related to the condition of a patient is accumulated and recorded. Since the patient ID defined in the patient information table is included, a user can read out diagnostic information of a specific patient using the patient ID. The patient ID 601 is the same as the patient ID 501, and is identification information for uniquely identifying a patient. The medical department information 602 indicates the medical department that is diagnosing the condition of the patient. The disease name information 603 indicates the name of the patient's disease. The site information 604 indicates the affected site where the disease is developed. Here, the disease name information 603 and the site information 604 of the diagnostic information are examples of decision information.

[0061] The diagnostic information table will be described with reference to Fig. 6 as an example. The diagnostic information table is a table for associating patient IDs with the diagnostic information of patients. For example, it can be seen that a patient with a patient ID of 0001 is in the dental department, has an affected area in the oral cavity, and is being treated for malocclusion (=improper bite alignment). Since the diagnostic information table contains all of the diagnostic information of patients, it is not limited to the example of Fig. 6, and the diagnostic information may also contain information such as the attending doctor, the date of treatment, and the next scheduled visit date (not shown).

[0062] [Oral information] FIG. 14A is an example of dental chart information of intraoral information in an embodiment. FIG. 14B is an example of an intraoral diagram of intraoral information in an embodiment. The intraoral information is stored in the diagnostic information database 108. The intraoral information is information in which dental chart information of a patient in dentistry is recorded. The intraoral information is recorded in association with a patient ID, and a user can read out the intraoral information of a specific patient by using the patient ID.

[0063] The dental chart information 1401 shows information to be useful for treatment, such as the presence or absence of cavities and missing teeth (areas without teeth) in each oral cavity, treatment history, prosthetic appliances, etc. The intraoral chart 1402 shows the positions and conditions of the teeth.

[0064] The intraoral information will be described with reference to Fig. 14A and Fig. 14B. For example, if the dental formula described in the dental formula information 1401 shown in Fig. 14A indicates that the tooth row with FMC (full metal crown) is the fifth tooth on the upper left, it is understood that the fifth tooth on the upper left side of the diagram shown in the intraoral diagram 1402 in Fig. 14B has a metal cap. In addition to the dental formulas included in Fig. 14A and Fig. 14B, there are various symbols indicating the condition of the teeth, and the condition of each tooth can be known.

[0065] <First embodiment> In the first embodiment, the priority of transmission and deletion of images of an affected area of ​​a patient is determined based on a priority determination process selected by a user from among a plurality of priority determination processes. The process of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7 to 11. In the first embodiment, the priority of transmission and deletion is determined using a department-wide priority and a department-specific priority selected by a user with reference to a hospital policy. The process of the flowcharts of Figs. 7 to 11 is stored as software in the non-volatile memory 203 of the imaging device 101. The software stored in the non-volatile memory 203 is deployed in the memory 202 and executed by the CPU 201, and is realized by the CPU 201 controlling each unit of the imaging device 101.

[0066] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of capturing an image of an affected area using the imaging device 101 according to the first embodiment.

[0067] In step S701, the CPU 201 of the imaging device 101 connects to the network 102 via the communication unit 209, and performs connection processing with the imaging device management system 103. The CPU 201 may also perform connection processing with the electronic medical record system 106 and the patient information database 107 in step S701.

[0068] In step S703, the CPU 201 performs a process of acquiring a patient ID before starting imaging in order to link the affected area image with the patient. When the CPU 201 acquires the patient ID by input by the user, the photographer may input the patient ID from an input screen (not shown) provided in the imaging device 101.

[0069] In step S704, the CPU 201 determines whether or not there is a user request to input body part information related to the affected area 111. For example, the CPU 201 may cause the imaging device 101 to display an input screen (not shown) on which body part information indicating a body part such as the face, legs, eyes, or chest can be set, so that the user can input the body part information as input information by selecting it. If there is an input request, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S705, and if there is no input request, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S710.

[0070] In step S705, the CPU 201 acquires the part information input by the user regarding the affected area 111. The part information input by the user is an example of decision information.

[0071] In step S710, the CPU 201 acquires diagnosis information including the medical department information 602, disease name information 603, and part information 604 regarding the affected area 111 associated with the patient ID 601 acquired in step S703 from the diagnosis information table shown in Fig. 6 via the imaging device management system 103, and proceeds to step S711. If the part information regarding the affected area 111 has already been acquired in step S705, the CPU 201 may proceed to step S711 without performing step S710.

[0072] In step S711, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the user has input an instruction to capture the affected area 111. If an instruction to capture the image has been input, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S712, and if an instruction to capture the image has not been input, the CPU 201 returns to step S711. The instruction to capture the image by the user is assumed to be input by operating the operation unit 206, for example, by pressing the shutter button or operating a touch panel.

[0073] In step S712, the CPU 201 controls the camera unit 220 to perform imaging processing of the affected area 111. The CPU 201 stores the affected area image in the memory 202 or the recording medium 208 in the imaging device 101 in a state where the affected area image is linked to the patient ID through imaging processing. Here, the CPU 201 may acquire site information by image analysis of the affected area image captured in step S712, or may acquire details of the site information by image analysis based on the already acquired site information. The site information by image analysis of the affected area image is an example of the determination information. For example, when the acquired site information 604 is "face", the CPU 201 may further acquire detailed site information on how many parts of the face, such as eyes, nose, mouth, and ears, are included and the size of each part in the affected area image by image analysis of the affected area image. Furthermore, when the acquired site information is "intraoral", the CPU 201 may further acquire detailed site information on the number of teeth included in the affected area image and the size in the affected area image by image analysis of the affected area image. Furthermore, when the part information 604 of the acquired diagnostic information is "intraoral cavity" or the disease name information 603 is "malocclusion", the captured affected part may be a face or a whole body image other than the intraoral cavity. In this case, the CPU 201 may perform image analysis on the captured image of the affected part to further acquire part information, and when the acquired part information is not intraoral cavity, may adopt detailed and appropriate part information acquired from the image of the affected part as new part information. Furthermore, when the part information 604 of the diagnostic information is "intraoral cavity" and the part information acquired from the image analysis of the image of the affected part includes a face, the CPU 201 may adopt the intraoral cavity including the face as new detailed part information.

[0074] In step S713, the CPU 201 sets an initial value of the priority of the affected area image captured in step S712, and proceeds to step S714. The initial value of the priority is not particularly limited, but may be the median value between the maximum and minimum priority values.

[0075] In step S714, the CPU 201 associates the area information on the affected area 111 acquired in step S710 with the disease name information acquired from the diagnosis information, the initial priority value set in step S713, and the affected area image captured in step S712, and stores the associated information in the non-volatile memory 203 or the recording medium 208. Alternatively, the CPU 201 may include the area information and disease name information in the supplementary information of the affected area image generated by the file generation unit 210.

[0076] In step S720, the CPU 201 acquires the setting value 402 and the options 403 from the hospital policy table shown in FIG. 4 stored in the imaging device setting information database 104 via the imaging device management system 103, and sets the priority of the affected area image based on the hospital policy in accordance with the flowchart described in FIG. 8.

[0077] In step S722, the CPU 201 stores the priority of the affected area image determined in steps S721 and S722 in the non-volatile memory 203 or the recording medium 208 in association with the affected area image, instead of the initial priority value, and proceeds to step S723. The new priority may be part of the additional information of the image generated by the file generation unit 210.

[0078] In step S723, the CPU 201 executes a transmission queue process for transmitting the affected area images captured according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 11 to the imaging device management system 103 via the communication unit 209 and the network 102. The CPU 201 performs a process for deleting the affected area images from the imaging device 101 in the order in which the transmission of the affected area images is completed, and proceeds to step S724. The CPU 201 may process the transmission and deletion of all the stored affected area images in parallel with other steps. In other words, the CPU 201 may proceed to step S724 while processing step S723 without completing it.

[0079] In step S724, the CPU 201 performs processing related to erasing the information of the patient ID acquired in step S703, and ends the processing.

[0080] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the selection of the priority determination process based on the hospital policy in step S720 according to the first embodiment.

[0081] In step S801, the CPU 201 acquires the setting values ​​402 and the options 403 of the hospital policy table stored in the imaging device setting information database 104 via the communication unit 209, the network 102, and the imaging device management system 103.

[0082] In step S802, the CPU 201 determines whether the setting value 402 of the "Priority common to all medical departments" in the option 403 is "Set". If the setting value 402 is "Set", the CPU 201 proceeds to step S803, and if it is "Do not set", the CPU 201 proceeds to step S804.

[0083] In step S803, the CPU 201 executes priority determination processing common to all medical departments in accordance with the flowchart shown in Fig. 9, updates the priority of the affected area image, and proceeds to step S804. The priority determination processing common to all medical departments can be said to determine the priority of the affected area image based on the part that can identify an individual.

[0084] In step S804, the CPU 201 determines whether the setting value 402 of the "department-specific priority" of the option 403 is "set." If the setting value 402 is "set," the CPU 201 proceeds to step S805, and if it is "not set," the process ends.

[0085] In step S805, the CPU 201 executes department-specific priority determination processing according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 10A, and ends the hospital policy-based priority setting processing. The department-specific priority determination processing can be said to determine the priority of the affected area image according to the importance of the department information. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the CPU 201 processes step S805 without processing step S803.

[0086] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the priority determination process common to all medical departments in S803 according to the first embodiment.

[0087] In step S901, the CPU 201 determines whether the part information on the affected area 111 acquired in step S705, step S710, or step S712 is a face that can identify an individual. If the part information is a face, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S905, and if it is not a face, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S902.

[0088] In step S902, the CPU 201 determines whether the part information on the affected area 111 acquired in step S705, step S710, or step S712 is a hand, including a palm. If it is a hand, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S903, and if it is not a hand, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S907.

[0089] In step S903, CPU 201 determines whether or not the part information 604 regarding affected area 111 acquired in step S705, step S710, or step S712 is a hand including a palm. If it includes a palm, CPU 201 proceeds to step S906, and if it does not include a palm, CPU 201 proceeds to step S907.

[0090] In step S905, because the affected area 111 is a face that is easily identifiable, the CPU 201 sets the priority of the affected area image to a larger value than the initial value (adding a preset positive value), and ends the priority determination process shared by all medical departments. In step S905, if there is information regarding the number of eyes, noses, mouths, ears, etc. in the face in the affected area image whose area was determined in step S712 and the imaging size of each, the CPU 201 may adopt a value proportional to the number and size as a value to be added to the priority. In the following, raising and lowering the priority refer to adding and subtracting a preset positive value.

[0091] In step S906, because the part of the affected part 111 is a palm including a fingerprint that makes it easy to identify an individual, CPU 201 sets the priority of the affected part image to a larger value than the initial value, and ends the priority determination process shared by all medical departments. Note that in step S906, CPU 201 may set the priority value to a larger value in proportion to the size of the palm and fingerprint parts in the affected part image whose part was determined in step S712.

[0092] In step S907, if the part is other than the face or palm where it is difficult to identify the individual, the CPU 201 sets the priority of the affected part image to a small value lower than the initial value, and ends the priority determination process shared among all medical departments.

[0093] In addition, in steps S905, S906, and S907, CPU 201 may increase the priority if the acquired part information includes part information that can identify an individual, such as dentition, iris, or blood vessels, and may decrease the priority if the part information includes parts of the hand other than the palm, arms, or legs.

[0094] FIG. 10A is a flowchart showing the department-specific priority determination process in S805 according to the first embodiment.

[0095] In step S1001, the CPU 201 determines whether the medical department information 602 related to the affected area 111 acquired in step S710 is “dermatology.” If it is “dermatology,” the CPU 201 proceeds to step S1003, and if it is not “dermatology,” the CPU 201 proceeds to step S1002.

[0096] In step S1002, the CPU 201 determines whether the medical department information 602 related to the affected area 111 acquired in step S710 is “dentistry.” If it is “dentistry,” the CPU 201 proceeds to step S1004, and if it is not “dentistry,” the CPU 201 ends the priority determination process specific to the medical department.

[0097] In step S1003, the CPU 201 sets the priority of the affected area image according to the flowchart of the priority determination process specific to the dermatology department shown in FIG. 10B, and ends the priority determination process specific to the medical department.

[0098] In step S1004, the CPU 201 sets the priority of the affected area image according to the flowchart of the priority determination process specific to dental department shown in FIG. 10C, and ends the priority determination process specific to the medical department.

[0099] FIG. 10B is a flowchart showing the dermatology-specific priority determination process in step S1003 according to the first embodiment.

[0100] In step S1010, the CPU 201 determines whether the disease name information 603 regarding the affected area 111 acquired in step S710 is "degree II burn" or "degree III burn." If it is "degree II burn" or "degree III burn," the CPU 201 proceeds to step S1012, and if it is not "degree II burn" or "degree III burn," the CPU 201 proceeds to step S1011.

[0101] In step S1011, the CPU 201 determines whether the disease name information 603 regarding the affected area 111 acquired in step S710 is "First degree burn." If it is "First degree burn," the CPU 201 proceeds to step S1013, and if it is not "First degree burn," ends the dermatology-specific priority determination process.

[0102] In step S1012, if the burn is of a "degree II burn" or a "degree III burn," which indicates that an individual is likely to be identified by the burn contained in the image of the affected area, the CPU 201 increases the priority of the image of the affected area to a higher priority, and terminates the dermatology-specific priority determination process.

[0103] In step S1013, if the burn is "degree I" and the burn contained in the affected area image is unlikely to identify an individual, the CPU 201 lowers the priority of the affected area image to a low priority and terminates the dermatology-specific priority determination process.

[0104] FIG. 10C is a flowchart showing the dental-specific priority determination process of step S1004 according to the first embodiment.

[0105] In step S1019, the CPU 201 acquires intraoral information including the dental chart information 1401 shown in FIG. 14A via the imaging device management system 103, and proceeds to step S1020.

[0106] In step S1020, the CPU 201 determines whether or not there is a treatment mark, a missing tooth, a denture, or a cap on the tooth in the affected area image using the dental chart information 1401. If there is a treatment mark, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S1022, and if there is no treatment mark, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S1021.

[0107] In step S1021, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the affected area 111 is a single tooth based on the number of teeth included in the affected area image of the affected area 111 acquired in step S705, step S710, or step S712. If the affected area is a single tooth, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S1023, and if the affected area is not a single tooth, the dental-specific priority determination process ends.

[0108] In step S1022, since there is a high possibility that a treatment scar or the like included in the affected area image may identify an individual, the CPU 201 increases the priority of the affected area image to a high priority, and ends the priority determination process specific to dentistry. Note that the priority set in step S1022 may be set to a high value proportional to the number or size of teeth included in the affected area image acquired in step S710.

[0109] In step S1023, if the affected area image contains only a single tooth, the CPU 201 sets the priority of the affected area image to a low priority since the possibility of identifying an individual is low, and ends the dental-specific priority determination process.

[0110] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the transmission queue process for affected area images in S723 according to the first embodiment.

[0111] In step S1101, the CPU 201 checks the priority of images of the affected area that have not been completely transmitted to the imaging device management system 103 and remain in the memory 202 or recording medium 208 in the imaging device 101, and proceeds to step S1102.

[0112] In step S1102, the CPU 201 selects the image with the highest priority from among the untransmitted images, and the process proceeds to step S1103.

[0113] In step S1103, the CPU 201 reads out the affected area image with the highest priority selected in step S1102 from the memory 202 or the recording medium 208, transmits it to the imaging device management system 103 via the communication unit 209 and the network 102, and proceeds to step S1104.

[0114] In step S1104, the CPU 201 performs processing related to deleting the affected area image, for which transmission has been completed, from the memory 202 in the imaging device 101 or the recording medium 208, and the process proceeds to step S1105.

[0115] In step S1105, the CPU 201 determines whether or not all of the affected area images confirmed in step S1101 that have not yet been transmitted have been transmitted. If not all of the images have been transmitted, the process returns to step S1101. If all of the images have been transmitted, the process ends.

[0116] As described above, according to the imaging device 101 of the embodiment, affected area images are transmitted and deleted in order of priority determined based on at least one of the disease name and the site of the affected area image, so that even if the network condition in the hospital deteriorates during transmission and all affected area images cannot be transmitted, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of affected area images with high priority remaining in the imaging device 101. As a result, the imaging device 101 can improve the security of medical information.

[0117] By setting a high priority for images of affected areas that can identify an individual, the imaging device 101 is less likely to retain images of affected areas that can easily identify an individual, thereby enabling the imaging device 101 to improve the security of medical information.

[0118] The imaging device 101 obtains information about the site from analysis information of the affected area image, diagnosis information obtained from the diagnosis information database, and input information input by the user, and therefore can obtain the site of the affected area image more appropriately.

[0119] According to the imaging device 101 of the embodiment, based on the information on the part acquired from any one of the information on the analysis of the affected part image, the diagnosis information, and the information input by the user, more detailed part information on the part can be acquired from the other information. For example, when the part information acquired from the user input or the diagnosis information is different from the part included in the actual image and when a more detailed judgment is required, the imaging device 101 can more appropriately determine the priority by part by acquiring detailed part information by image analysis. Specifically, when the part indicated by the diagnosis information is the hand, the imaging device 101 can increase the priority to a higher level than that of the hand if it is determined by image analysis that the affected part image contains a fingerprint. This allows the imaging device 101 to reduce the number of images that are easily identified by individuals, thereby improving security.

[0120] Since the imaging device 101 acquires the diagnosis information including the site, disease name, medical department, sex, and age from the diagnosis information database 108, the site and disease name of the affected area image can be more easily identified.

[0121] The imaging device 101 can select and employ one or more priority determination processes from a plurality of priority determination processes according to a hospital policy. This allows the imaging device 101 to set a hospital policy for priority on a hospital-by-hospital basis, thereby improving the degree of freedom in the priority determination process to be employed according to the hospital's policy and characteristics, thereby improving security.

[0122] In the hospital policy, the imaging device 101 sets the setting values ​​for both the option "Priority common to all medical departments" and the option "Priority specific to medical departments" to "Set." This allows the imaging device 101 to set a high priority common to all medical departments while combining judgments specific to each medical department, thereby improving security while responding to situations specific to each medical department.

[0123] Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, an example of determining the priority of images of an affected part of a patient according to parts that the patient does not want others to see will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8 to 13. The steps in Figures 8 to 11 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore their description will be omitted.

[0124] 12 and 13 is stored as software in the non-volatile memory 203 of the imaging device 101. The software stored in the non-volatile memory 203 is expanded in the memory 202 and executed by the CPU 201, and is realized by the CPU 201 controlling each unit of the imaging device 101.

[0125] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of photographing an image of an affected area according to the second embodiment.

[0126] Since each step from step S701 to step S705 is the same process as in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0127] After step S704 or step S705 is performed, the process proceeds to step S1210.

[0128] In step S1210, CPU 201 acquires any one or all of the necessary information of medical department information 602, disease name information 603, and site information 604 related to the affected area 111 associated with patient ID 601 described in the diagnosis information table shown in Fig. 6 and the patient ID acquired in step S703. Also, acquires gender information 503 and age information 504 of the patient associated with patient ID 601 described in the patient information table shown in Fig. 5 and the patient ID acquired in step S703, and proceeds to step S711.

[0129] Since each step from step S711 to step S714 is the same process as in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0130] After step S714 is performed, the process proceeds to step S1220.

[0131] In step S1220, the CPU 201 determines priorities based on parts that the individual does not want to be seen, in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, for the initial priority values ​​of the affected area images set in step S713, and proceeds to step S722.

[0132] Since each step from step S722 to step S724 is the same process as in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0133] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a priority determination process based on parts that an individual does not want others to see according to the second embodiment.

[0134] In step S1301, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the part information regarding the affected area 111 is the pubic area. If it is the pubic area, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S1305, and if it is not the pubic area, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S1302.

[0135] In step S1302, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the part information regarding the affected area 111 is the chest. If it is the chest, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S1303, and if it is not the hand, the CPU 201 proceeds to step S1308.

[0136] In step S1303, CPU 201 determines whether or not the patient is female using patient gender information 503 acquired in step S1210. If the patient is female, CPU 201 proceeds to step S1304, and if not, proceeds to step S1308.

[0137] In step S1304, CPU 201 determines whether the patient's age is a predetermined age of n or more using patient age information 504 acquired in step S1210. If the patient's age is n or more, CPU 201 proceeds to step S1306, and if the patient's age is not n or more, CPU 201 proceeds to step S1307.

[0138] In step S1305, the CPU 201 increases the priority of the affected area image by a first increase value, and ends the priority determination process.

[0139] In step S1306, the CPU 201 increases the priority of the affected area image by a second increase value, and ends the priority determination process. Note that the second increase value to be increased in step S1306 may be equal to the first increase value used in step S1305.

[0140] In step S1307, the CPU 201 increases the priority of the affected area image by a third increase value that is smaller than the second increase value, and sets the priority, and ends the priority determination process.

[0141] In step S1308, the CPU 201 does not change the priority of the affected area image, and ends the priority determination process.

[0142] The priority increase values ​​set in steps S1305, S1306, and S1307 may be set to larger values ​​when the acquired medical department information 602 and disease name information 603 are medical departments and disease names that should not be known to others.

[0143] As described above, the imaging device 101 of this embodiment transmits and deletes images in the order of the set priorities, so even if the network condition in the hospital deteriorates during transmission and all affected area images cannot be transmitted, affected area images with high priorities set according to gender, age, and body part can be preferentially transmitted and deleted. This allows the imaging device 101 to reduce the amount of affected area images that are not personally desired to be seen remaining, thereby improving the security of medical information.

[0144] The various controls described above as being performed by CPU 201 may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or the entire device may be controlled by a plurality of hardware components such as a plurality of processors or circuits that share the processing.

[0145] In addition, although the present invention has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-mentioned embodiments merely shows one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be appropriately combined.

[0146] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is applied to an imaging device, but the present invention is not limited to this example and can be applied to any device having a communication function between an imaging means and a server, etc. In other words, the present invention can be applied to a personal computer, a PDA, a mobile phone terminal, a portable image viewer, etc.

[0147] (Other Examples) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0148] The disclosure of this specification includes the following imaging device, control method, and program. (Item 1) An acquisition means for acquiring information on the disease name or site of a plurality of images of an affected area of ​​a patient; a determining means for determining priorities of the plurality of diseased area images based on the information acquired by the acquiring means; a control unit that controls the transmission of the plurality of affected area images to an external device based on the order of priority and the deletion of the affected area images that have already been transmitted. (Item 2) 2. The imaging device according to item 1, wherein the determining unit increases the priority when the part is capable of identifying an individual. (Item 3) 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit increases the priority when the part is a part that the user does not want to be seen by the user. (Item 4) The acquisition means includes: 4. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising: acquiring information about the affected area from any one of analysis information obtained by analyzing the image of the affected area, diagnosis information including information about the affected area, and input information input by a user. (Item 5) The imaging device described in item 4, characterized in that the acquisition means acquires more detailed information about the part by referring to other information based on information about the part acquired from any one of the analysis information, the diagnosis information, and the input information. (Item 6) 6. The imaging device according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the acquisition means acquires diagnostic information including the location of the affected area, a disease name, a medical department, a gender, and an age. (Item 7) The imaging device according to any one of items 1 to 6, characterized in that the determination means sets the priority based on a priority determination process selected from a table in which a plurality of priority determination processes for determining the priority are associated with the necessity of setting the priority determination process. (Item 8) The imaging device described in item 7, characterized in that the determination means determines the priority by selecting the priority determination process from the multiple priority determination processes, which include a department-common priority determination process that sets priorities using a method common to all departments, and a department-specific priority determination process that sets priorities using a method for each department. (Item 9) A recording means for recording the image of the affected area obtained by imaging on a recording medium, 9. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control means controls the imaging device to transmit the plurality of images of the affected area recorded on the recording medium to an external device based on the order of priority, and to delete the transmitted images of the affected area from the recording medium. (Item 10) An acquisition step of acquiring information on the disease name or site of the affected area image from a plurality of images of the affected area of ​​a patient; a determining step of determining priorities of the plurality of diseased area images based on the information acquired by the acquiring step; a control step of transmitting the affected area images to an external device based on the order of priority, and deleting the affected area images that have already been transmitted. (Item 11) A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to item 10 by reading and executing the program by the computer.

[0149] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 101 ... imaging device, 111 ... affected area, 107 ... patient information database, 108 ... diagnosis information database, 201 ... CPU, 202 ... memory, 203 ... non-volatile memory, 402 ... setting value, 403 ... option, 603 ... disease name information, 604 ... body part information

Claims

1. An acquisition means for acquiring information on the disease name or site of a plurality of images of an affected area of ​​a patient; a determining means for determining priorities of the plurality of diseased area images based on the information acquired by the acquiring means; a control unit that controls the transmission of the plurality of affected area images to an external device based on the order of priority and the deletion of the affected area images that have already been transmitted.

2. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit increases the priority when the part is capable of identifying an individual.

3. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit increases the priority when the part is a part that the user does not want to be seen by the user.

4. The acquisition means includes: The imaging device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a diagnostic unit for acquiring information about the region from any one of analysis information obtained by analyzing the image of the affected area, diagnosis information including information about the region, and input information input by a user.

5. The imaging device according to claim 4, characterized in that the acquisition means acquires more detailed information about the region by referring to other information based on information about the region acquired from any one of the analysis information, the diagnosis information, and the input information.

6. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquiring means acquires diagnostic information including the location of the affected area, a disease name, a medical department, a sex, and an age.

7. The imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that the determination means sets the priority based on a priority determination process selected from a table in which a plurality of priority determination processes for determining the priority are associated with whether or not the process is required to be set.

8. The imaging device described in claim 7, characterized in that the determination means determines the priority by selecting the priority determination process from the multiple priority determination processes, which include a department-common priority determination process that sets priorities using a method common to all departments, and a department-specific priority determination process that sets priorities using a method for each department.

9. A recording means for recording the image of the affected area obtained by imaging on a recording medium, 2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the transmission of the plurality of images of the affected area recorded on the recording medium to an external device based on the order of priority, and the deletion of the transmitted images of the affected area from the recording medium.

10. An acquisition step of acquiring information on the disease name or site of the affected area image from a plurality of images of the affected area of ​​a patient; a determining step of determining priorities of the plurality of diseased area images based on the information acquired by the acquiring step; a control step of transmitting the affected area images to an external device based on the order of priority, and deleting the affected area images that have already been transmitted.

11. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to claim 10 by reading and executing the program by the computer.

Images