Diagnosis support system and method for controlling the same, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique allowing a doctor to carry out an appropriate diagnosis of an affected part in a short time.SOLUTION: A diagnosis support system comprises storage means that stores the names of diseases and parameters related to the names of diseases, and supports diagnosis of an affected part. The diagnosis support system infers the name of a disease of the affected part from an image of the affected part (S602), determines a disease name list including candidates for the name of a disease of the affected part on the basis of a result of the inference (S603), determines the degree of priority of diagnostic items for narrowing down the name of a disease of the affected part on the basis of the disease name list and the names of diseases and parameters stored in the storage means (S605), outputs the disease name list and a diagnostic item based on the degree of priority (S604 and S606), updates the disease name list on the basis of an answer to the output diagnostic item (S609), and outputs the next diagnostic item based on the degree of priority according to the updated disease name list (S610).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a diagnosis support system, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Dermatologists gather information not only by visually examining the affected area, but also by questioning and palpation to determine possible disease names and the next course of examination. For example, when using AI to assist in image diagnosis, it is common for the AI to infer the name of the disease from images of the affected area and present the doctor with a list of disease names with a certainty above a threshold (disease name list). The doctor must then narrow down the disease name from the list presented by the AI by questioning and palpation of the affected area.

[0003] However, currently, it is often not easy to consult with a dermatologist in community or home medical care settings, and as a result, doctors other than dermatologists (such as family doctors) are unable to determine which interview and examination to begin with in order to narrow down the diagnosis in a short amount of time, which can result in examinations taking a long time.

[0004] As one means for solving such problems, Patent Document 1 extracts a medical examination action (such as medical interview or palpation) corresponding to an input disease name, and a doctor performs the medical examination. Patent Document 1 then narrows down the disease name using information obtained from the doctor's medical examination, extracts a test method corresponding to the narrowed down disease name, and performs the test. Patent Document 1 also describes a technology for further narrowing down the disease name using information obtained from the test. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-139221 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The technology described in Patent Document 1 simply extracts the medical examination actions (medical interview and palpation) that correspond to the input disease name. For this reason, the technology described in Patent Document 1 has the problem that doctors do not know which medical interview and palpation they should start with, making it difficult to make an appropriate diagnosis of the affected area in a short time.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a technique that enables a doctor to make an appropriate diagnosis of an affected area in a short period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The diagnostic support system of the present disclosure is a diagnostic support system that supports the diagnosis of an affected area, and includes: a storage means for storing each disease name and parameters related to each disease name; an inference means for inferring the disease name of the affected area from an image of the affected area; a first determination means for determining a disease name list including candidate disease names of the affected area based on the result of inference by the inference means; a second determination means for determining the priority of diagnostic items for narrowing down the disease name of the affected area based on the disease name list and each disease name and the parameters stored in the storage means; a first output means for outputting the disease name list and the diagnostic items based on the priority; and a second output means for updating the disease name list based on the answers to the diagnostic items output by the first output means, and outputting the next diagnostic item based on the priority according to the updated disease name list. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, a doctor can make an appropriate diagnosis of an affected area in a short period of time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a diagnosis support system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a client-side information processing device and a server-side information processing device illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dermatology diagnostic workflow that can be used in a diagnosis support system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen that can be used in the diagnosis support system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a database that can be used in a diagnosis support system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in a control method of a diagnosis support system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, modes (embodiments) for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a diagnosis support system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The diagnosis support system 100 is a system that supports the diagnosis of an affected area of a patient. As shown in FIG. 1, the diagnosis support system 100 includes a client-side information processing device 110, a server-side information processing device 120, and a network 130.

[0013] The client-side information processing device 110 is an information processing device operated and used by a doctor. The server-side information processing device 120 is an information processing device that provides services, information, etc. to the client-side information processing device 110 via a network 130 as needed. The network 130 connects the client-side information processing device 110 and the server-side information processing device 120 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0014] In the example shown in FIG. 1, a doctor uses a client-side information processing device 110 to transmit images of an affected area, which is the subject of the doctor's diagnosis, text information, etc., to a server-side information processing device 120 via a network 130. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the server-side information processing device 120 analyzes the images of the affected area, text information, etc., transmitted from the client-side information processing device 110 using AI (Artificial Intelligence) or the like. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the server-side information processing device 120 transmits information, such as a list of disease names of the affected area inferred by the analysis and information on the medical history and palpation to be performed on the affected area, to the client-side information processing device 110 via the network 130. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the client-side information processing device 110 processes the information, such as the list of disease names of the affected area and the medical history and palpation to be performed on the affected area, transmitted from the server-side information processing device 120, and outputs (displays) the processed results on a display unit or the like.

[0015] In the example shown in Fig. 1, the form of the server-side information processing device 120 is not particularly limited. For example, the server-side information processing device 120 may be the same device as the client-side information processing device 110. The server-side information processing device 120 may also be another device physically present in the hospital, or may further be a server on the cloud. Thus, in the example shown in Fig. 1, diagnostic support is provided when the doctor diagnoses the affected area by processing information exchanged between the client-side information processing device 110 used by the doctor and the server-side information processing device 120.

[0016] Furthermore, two types of aspects are assumed for the diagnostic support system 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. The first aspect is a diagnostic support system in which, as in the example shown in FIG. 1 , the server-side information processing device 120 transmits the results of analytical inference to the client-side information processing device 110, and the client-side information processing device 110 processes and outputs (displays) the received results. The second aspect is a diagnostic support system in which the client-side information processing device 110 also performs analytical inference, processes the inferred results, and outputs (displays) them. That is, the second aspect is an aspect in which the client-side information processing device 110 independently realizes the diagnostic support system 100.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the client-side information processing device 110 and the server-side information processing device 120 shown in Fig. 1. That is, both the client-side information processing device 110 and the server-side information processing device 120 have the hardware configuration shown in Fig. 2.

[0018] The client-side information processing device 110 and the server-side information processing device 120 each include a display unit 201, a VRAM 202, a BMU (bit move unit) 203, a keyboard 204, a PD (pointing device) 205, a CPU 206, and an HDD 207. Furthermore, the client-side information processing device 110 and the server-side information processing device 120 each include a ROM 208, a RAM 209, a memory card 210, a microphone 211, a speaker 212, a network I / F 213, and a bus 214.

[0019] The display unit 201 displays, for example, live view video (moving images), icons, messages, menus, and other user interface information. The VRAM 202 generates data such as moving images to be displayed on the display unit 201. The data such as moving images generated in the VRAM 202 is transferred to the display unit 201 in accordance with a predetermined rule, and is thereby displayed on the display unit 201.

[0020] The BMU 203 controls, for example, data transfer between memories and between memories and each I / O device. The keyboard 204 has various keys for inputting characters, etc. The PD 205 is used, for example, to point to icons, menus, and other content displayed on the display unit 201, or to drag and drop objects.

[0021] 2 based on an OS and programs stored in the HDD 207, ROM 208, or memory card 210. The HDD 207 stores various programs and various data to be temporarily stored. The ROM 208 stores various programs and various data required when the CPU 206 performs various processes. The RAM 209 is a memory that has a work area for the CPU 206, a data save area for error processing, a load area for various programs, etc. The memory card 210 stores various programs and various data to be temporarily stored.

[0022] The microphone 211 acquires various sounds (voices). The microphone 211 may be configured as a device separate from the information processing device. The speaker 212 emits various sounds (voices). The speaker 212 may be configured as a device separate from the information processing device. The network I / F 213 communicates with other information processing devices via the network 130. The bus 214 includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus. Various programs can be provided to the CPU 206 from the HDD 207, ROM 208, or memory card 210 via the bus 214, or from other information processing devices via the network I / F 213 and the network 130.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a dermatology diagnostic workflow that can be used in the diagnosis support system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] In the dermatology diagnostic workflow shown in Fig. 3, first, a doctor performs a visual examination (type) 301 and a visual examination (position, distribution) 302. For example, the doctor may perform a visual examination to determine that the patient has erythema all over his body.

[0025] Next, in the dermatology diagnostic workflow shown in Fig. 3, the doctor conducts a medical interview (chief complaint, complications, medical history) 303 and a medical interview (time, conditions) 304. For example, the doctor may ask if the patient feels itchy after dinner.

[0026] Next, in the dermatology diagnostic workflow shown in Figure 3, the doctor performs palpation 305. For example, the doctor may feel that the patient's skin is rough during palpation. If the doctor is still unable to determine the name of the disease in the affected area, the doctor performs pathological observation 306. For example, a biopsy may be performed. Since the results of pathological observation 306 are often not available until several weeks later, the doctor narrows down the name of the disease to some extent based on the results of the diagnoses (301 to 305) up to this point and prescribes a therapeutic drug 307. Then, several weeks later, the doctor determines the final diagnosis and severity 308 based on the results of pathological observation 306 and the effect of therapeutic drug 307.

[0027] 4 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen 400 that can be used in the diagnosis support system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The UI screen 400 is displayed on the display unit 201 of the client-side information processing device 110, for example.

[0028] The UI screen 400 shown in Fig. 4 has a display area 410 that displays an image of the affected area to be used for diagnosis, a display area 420 that displays a list of disease names and the next medical interview / examination to be performed, and a display area 430 that displays the medical interview / examination that has already been performed and an exclusion list. The UI screen 400 shown in Fig. 4 is merely an example, and the content and layout displayed on the UI screen 400 are not limited to the form shown in Fig. 4.

[0029] 4, in a display area 410 that displays an image of the affected area to be used for diagnosis, the doctor can select the image of the affected area to be used for diagnosis by clicking an "Image Selection" button 412. When the doctor clicks the "Image Selection" button 412, an image 411 of the selected affected area is displayed in a predetermined position in the display area 410 that displays the image of the affected area to be used for diagnosis. If there is no problem with this image 411 of the affected area, the doctor clicks an "Image Diagnosis" button 413.

[0030] In the display area 420 shown in Figure 4, which displays a list of disease names and the next medical interview and examination to be performed, when the "Image diagnosis" button 413 is clicked, a list of disease names 421 and the next medical interview and examination to be performed 422 are output (displayed).

[0031] The disease name list 421 includes disease names and test methods for confirming whether or not a patient actually has that disease. Here, the disease name is displayed to the right of a symbol with a number in a circle, and the test method is displayed to the right of the symbol ":". In the example shown in FIG. 4, the number 4211 in parentheses to the right of the disease name in the disease name list 421 indicates the accuracy of the disease name inferred from the image 411 of the affected area (in this example, the disease name of the affected area is inferred using AI). Also, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the symbol "*" 4212 in the disease name list 421 indicates that the disease name is a malignant or irreversible disease. The reason for adding the symbol "*" 4212 to output (display) the fact that the disease is a malignant or irreversible disease is to prevent patients with the affected area from realizing that the disease name is a malignant or irreversible disease, and is to output (display) in a form that only a doctor can understand. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the severity of a malignant or irreversible disease name is output (displayed) in a form indicated by the number of "*" symbols 4212. The reason why the severity of a malignant or irreversible disease name is output (displayed) in this number of "*" symbols 4212 is to prevent the patient with the affected area from understanding the severity of the malignant or irreversible disease name, and to output (display) it in a form that only a doctor can understand.

[0032] The next medical interview / palpation 422 to be performed includes diagnostic items 4221 and an answer field for writing answers 4222 to the diagnostic items 4221. The doctor makes a diagnosis in accordance with the displayed diagnostic items 4221, inputs answers 4222, and then clicks an "input answer" button 423. When the doctor clicks the "input answer" button 423, the disease name list 421 and the next medical interview / palpation 422 to be performed are updated based on the content written in the answer 4222 and output (displayed).

[0033] In the display area 430 shown in FIG. 4, which displays the completed interview / palpation and the exclusion list, when the “Enter answer” button 423 is clicked, the completed interview / palpation 431 and, if necessary, the exclusion list 432 are output (displayed).

[0034] In the completed interview / palpation 431, the diagnostic items in the completed interview / palpation (diagnostic items corresponding to the diagnostic items 4221) and the answers to those diagnostic items (answers corresponding to the answers 4222) are output (displayed).

[0035] In the exclusion list 432, the excluded disease name, the interview and palpation for the diagnostic item when the disease name was excluded (the diagnostic item corresponding to diagnostic item 4221), and the answer to that diagnostic item (the answer corresponding to answer 4222) are output (displayed). Specifically, the exclusion list 432 is a list that displays the diagnostic item of the interview and palpation performed, the answer, and the excluded disease name when the doctor excludes a disease name by conducting an interview and palpation. For example, the exclusion list 432 shown in Figure 4 indicates that the disease name "dyshidrotic eczema" was excluded when the answer to the diagnostic item "Do you have sweat accumulation?" was "no."

[0036] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of databases that can be used in the diagnosis support system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates a first database 510 and a second database 520 as databases that can be used in the diagnosis support system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. When used in processing in the client-side information processing device 110, the first database 510 and the second database 520 illustrated in FIG. 5 can be stored in, for example, the HDD 207 of the client-side information processing device 110. When used in processing in the server-side information processing device 120, the first database 510 and the second database 520 illustrated in FIG. 5 can be stored in, for example, the HDD 207 of the server-side information processing device 120.

[0037] The first database 510 stores each disease name 511 and parameters related to each disease name 511, such as a medical department 512, a testing method 513, rarity 514, malignancy 515, irreversibility 516, diagnostic items 517, and symptoms 518. The second database 520 stores diagnostic items 521, answers 522, and excluded disease names 523. In the present disclosure, there may be multiple diagnostic items 517 and symptoms 518 corresponding to the same disease name 511. The types of diagnostic items 517 and 521 are not limited, but the example shown in FIG. 5 assumes a medical interview or palpation.

[0038] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in a control method for the diagnosis support system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that the following description of the flowchart in Fig. 6 will be given assuming an example in which the client-side information processing device 110 independently realizes the diagnosis support system 100 (the above-mentioned "second aspect"). Note that when this aspect is applied, the first database 510 and the second database 520 shown in Fig. 5 are stored and saved in, for example, the HDD 207 of the client-side information processing device 110. In this case, for example, the HDD 207 of the client-side information processing device 110 constitutes the "storage means" in the present disclosure.

[0039] In step S601, when the doctor clicks on the "select image" button 412 using the PD 205 or the like of the client-side information processing apparatus 110, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing apparatus 110 inputs an image 411 of the selected affected area.

[0040] Next, in step S602, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 infers the name of the disease of the affected area from the input image 411 of the affected area. At this time, the method for inferring the name of the disease of the affected area is not particularly limited, and for example, AI or a rule base may be used. The CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 may also infer the name of the disease of the affected area using at least one of position information and distribution information of the affected area. In this case, the position information and distribution information of the affected area may be input using the keyboard 204 or PD 205 of the client-side information processing device 110. The position information and distribution information of the affected area may also be acquired from the image 411 of the affected area using AI or the like. The CPU 206 that performs the process of inferring the name of the disease of the affected area in step S602 constitutes the "inference means" in the present disclosure.

[0041] Next, in step S603, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 determines a disease name list containing candidate disease names for the affected area to be output (displayed) based on the inference result of the disease name of the affected area in step S602. The criteria for determining the disease name list containing candidate disease names for the affected area to be output (displayed) are not particularly limited, but an example will be described below. As a first example, when a disease name is inferred from the image 411 of the affected area using AI, a degree of accuracy is often output. Therefore, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 includes, for example, disease names with an accuracy equal to or greater than a threshold in the disease name list as candidate disease names for the affected area. As a second example, because malignant or irreversible diseases are often better treated early, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 includes, for example, malignant or irreversible disease names with an accuracy equal to or less than the threshold in the disease name list as candidate disease names for the affected area. However, as described with reference to FIG. 4 , to prevent the patient from realizing that a malignant or irreversible disease name has been inferred, a “*” symbol 4212 is placed next to the disease name, and the number of “*” symbols 4212 indicates the severity of the disease name, so that the display is visible only to the doctor. As a third example, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 includes not only disease name candidates but also test methods corresponding to each disease name candidate in the disease name list, for example, for the purpose of assisting the doctor. When including these test methods in the disease name list, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 references, for example, the disease name 511 and the test method 513 in the first database 510 stored in the HDD 207. When including test methods in the disease name list, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 determines the disease name list so that disease name candidates with the same test method are output (displayed) together to enable the doctor to perform tests efficiently. In the present disclosure, the disease name list may be determined by adopting at least one of the first to third examples described above. The CPU 206 that performs the process of determining the disease name list including disease name candidates for the affected area in step S603 constitutes the "first determination means" in the present disclosure.

[0042] Subsequently, in step S604, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 outputs (displays) the disease name list determined in step S603 on the display unit 201. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 outputs (displays) the disease name list 421 on the UI screen 400 displayed on the display unit 201.

[0043] Next, in step S605, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 determines the priority of diagnostic items so that the doctor can narrow down the disease name of the affected area in a short time. Specifically, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 determines the priority of diagnostic items based on the disease name list determined in step S603 and, for example, the first database 510 stored in the HDD 207. In the present disclosure, the criteria for determining the priority are not particularly limited, but an example will be described below. As a first example, in order to shorten the diagnosis time, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 refers to the disease names 511 and diagnostic items 517 in the first database 510 and prioritizes diagnostic items 517 that can determine a large number of disease names 511. As a second example, it is taken into consideration that when doctors determine a disease name, they usually start with common disease names. That is, as a second example, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 refers to the disease name 511 and rarity 514 in the first database 510 and increases the priority of the diagnostic item 517 that can determine a common disease name. As a third example, it is considered that the priority of diagnostic items may differ depending on the medical department. That is, as a third example, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 refers to the disease name 511, medical department 512, and diagnostic item 517 in the first database 510 and changes the priority of the diagnostic item 517 depending on the medical department 512. In this third example, if the medical department 512 is an emergency department, for example, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 increases the priority of the diagnostic item 517 related to the disease name 511 that is life-threatening. As a fourth example, it is considered that it is often better to treat malignant or irreversible diseases early. That is, as a fourth example, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 refers to the disease name 511, malignancy 515, and irreversibility 516 in the first database 510, and assigns a higher priority to the diagnostic item 517 that can determine whether the disease name 511 is malignant or irreversible. In the present disclosure, at least one of the first to fourth examples described above may be adopted to determine the priority of the diagnostic item 517. The CPU 206 that performs the process of determining the priority of the diagnostic item in step S605 constitutes the "second determination means" in the present disclosure.

[0044] Subsequently, in step S606, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 outputs (displays) the diagnostic items on the display unit 201 based on the priorities determined in step S606. Specifically, in the example shown in Fig. 4, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 outputs (displays) the diagnostic item 4221 with the highest priority on the UI screen 400 displayed on the display unit 201. Here, the CPU 206 that outputs (displays) the disease name list on the display unit 201 in the above-mentioned step S604 and performs the process of outputting (displaying) the diagnostic items based on the priorities on the display unit 201 in this step S606 constitutes a "first output means" in the present disclosure.

[0045] Subsequently, in step S607, when the doctor makes a diagnosis in accordance with the diagnosis items 4221 on the display unit 201 and inputs an answer 4222 using the keyboard 204 or PD 205, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 detects this.

[0046] Next, in step S608, first, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 compares the answer 4222 to the diagnostic item 4221 with the symptoms 518 of the first database 510. If the comparison results in a diagnosis that the disease name has not been excluded, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 outputs (displays) the diagnostic item and the answer on the display unit 201. Furthermore, if the comparison results in a diagnosis that the disease name has not been excluded, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 saves the diagnostic item and the answer in the second database 520. On the other hand, if the comparison results in a diagnosis that the disease name has been excluded, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 outputs (displays) the excluded disease name in addition to the diagnostic item and the answer as an exclusion list 432 on the display unit 201. Furthermore, if the comparison results in a diagnosis that the disease name has been excluded, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 saves the excluded disease name in addition to the diagnostic item and the answer in the second database 520.

[0047] Next, in step S609, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 updates the disease name list to be output (displayed) in the disease name list 421 of the display unit 201 based on the answers 4222 to the diagnostic items 4221. At this time, the disease name list may be updated taking into consideration the result of whether or not the disease name obtained as a result of the comparison in step S608 was excluded.

[0048] Next, in step S610, first, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 determines the priority of the diagnostic items by the same process as in step S605, according to the disease name list updated in step S609. Next, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 outputs (displays) the diagnostic items to be performed next (next diagnostic items) on the display unit 201 based on the priorities determined in this step. For example, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 outputs (displays) the diagnostic item 4221 with the highest priority on the UI screen 400 displayed on the display unit 201. Here, the CPU 206 performing the processes of step S608, step S609, and outputting (displaying) on the display unit 201 in step S610 constitutes a "second output means" in the present disclosure. Note that steps S608 to S610 may be performed simultaneously.

[0049] Next, in step S611, the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 determines whether or not an instruction to confirm the disease name has been received from the doctor, for example, using the keyboard 204 or the PD 205. If the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 determines that an instruction to confirm the disease name has not been received from the doctor, the process returns to step S607, and the processes from step S607 onwards are performed again. On the other hand, if the CPU 206 of the client-side information processing device 110 determines that an instruction to confirm the disease name has been received from the doctor, the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 ends.

[0050] In the description of FIG. 6 above, all of the processes of steps S601 to S611 are performed by the client-side information processing device 110, which is a single information processing device. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, it is also possible to apply a configuration in which the processes of steps S601 to S611 in FIG. 6 above are shared and performed by the server-side information processing device 120, which is a first information processing device, and the client-side information processing device 110, which is a second information processing device (the "first configuration" described above). In this case, for example, the processes of steps S602, S603, and S605 in FIG. 6 are performed by the server-side information processing device 120, and the processes of steps S601, S604, and S606 to S611 in FIG. 6 are performed by the client-side information processing device 110 (although some of the processes may be performed by the server-side information processing device 120).

[0051] According to the diagnosis support system 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a doctor can make an appropriate diagnosis of an affected area in a short time.

[0052] (Other embodiments) In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which an affected area on the skin of a patient is assumed, but the affected area to be treated is not limited to the skin.

[0053] The present disclosure can also be realized by providing a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. This program and a computer-readable storage medium storing the program are included in the present disclosure.

[0054] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely examples of specific embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure, and the technical scope of the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited by these embodiments. In other words, the present disclosure can be carried out in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features.

[0055] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program. [Configuration 1] A diagnosis support system for supporting diagnosis of an affected area, a storage means for storing each disease name and parameters related to the each disease name; inferring means for inferring the name of a disease in the affected area from the image of the affected area; a first determination means for determining a disease name list including disease name candidates for the affected area based on the result of the inference by the inference means; a second determining means for determining the priority of diagnostic items for narrowing down the disease name of the affected area based on the disease name list and the disease names and the parameters stored in the storage means; a first output means for outputting the disease name list and the diagnostic items based on the priority; a second output means for updating the disease name list based on the answers to the diagnostic items output by the first output means, and outputting the next diagnostic item based on the priority corresponding to the updated disease name list; A diagnostic support system comprising: [Configuration 2] the first output means outputs the diagnostic item with the highest priority; The second output means outputs the diagnostic item with the highest priority. 2. The diagnostic support system according to configuration 1, [Configuration 3] The storage means stores, as the parameters, at least one piece of information among the medical department, examination method, rarity, malignancy, irreversibility, diagnostic items, and symptoms for each of the disease names. 3. The diagnosis support system according to configuration 1 or 2. [Configuration 4] The storage means is If there is no disease name that has been excluded based on the answer, the diagnostic items and the answers to the diagnostic items are further stored; If there is a disease name that has been excluded based on the answer, the diagnostic item, the answer to the diagnostic item, and the excluded disease name are further saved. 4. The diagnosis support system according to any one of configurations 1 to 3. [Configuration 5] The second output means further outputs the excluded disease names if any are excluded based on the response. 5. The diagnosis support system according to any one of configurations 1 to 4. [Configuration 6] The second output means, when outputting the excluded disease name, further outputs the diagnostic items and the answers related to the excluded disease name. 6. The diagnostic support system according to configuration 5, [Configuration 7] The inference means infers the name of the disease in the affected area by using at least one of the position information and distribution information of the affected area. 7. The diagnosis support system according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, [Configuration 8] When outputting the disease name list, the first output means outputting a disease name for which the accuracy of the inference made by the inference means is equal to or greater than a threshold; outputting a name of a malignant or irreversible disease even if the accuracy of the disease name is equal to or less than a threshold value; outputting a test method corresponding to the disease name candidate; At least one of the following outputs is generated: 8. The diagnosis support system according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, [Configuration 9] When the first output means outputs the disease name list, if the malignant or irreversible disease name is output, the first output means outputs the list with a symbol attached so that the patient cannot recognize the name. 9. The diagnostic support system according to configuration 8, [Configuration 10] When the first output means outputs the disease name list, if the malignant or irreversible disease name is output, the first output means outputs the severity of the malignant or irreversible disease name by the number of the symbols. 10. The diagnostic support system according to configuration 9, [Configuration 11] When outputting the disease name list, if the test methods corresponding to the disease name candidates are output, the first output means outputs the disease name candidates having the same test methods together. 9. The diagnostic support system according to configuration 8, [Configuration 12] The second determination means, when determining the priority of the diagnostic items, To give a higher priority to the diagnostic items that can determine the names of many diseases; High priority is given to the diagnostic items that can determine common diseases; Changing the priority of the diagnostic items depending on the medical department; To give a higher priority to the diagnostic items that can determine whether a disease is malignant or irreversible; Do at least one of the following: 12. The diagnosis support system according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, [Configuration 13] an information processing device having the storage means, the inference means, the first determination means, the second determination means, the first output means, and the second output means; 13. The diagnosis support system according to any one of configurations 1 to 12. [Configuration 14] a first information processing device having the storage means, the inference means, the first determination means, and the second determination means; a second information processing device having the first output means and the second output means; 13. The diagnosis support system according to any one of configurations 1 to 12. [Method 1] A control method for a diagnosis support system that supports diagnosis of an affected area, the control method comprising: storing means for storing each disease name and parameters related to each disease name; an inference step of inferring a disease name of the affected part from the image of the affected part; a first determination step of determining a disease name list including disease name candidates for the affected area based on the result of the inference by the inference step; a second determination step of determining the priority of diagnostic items for narrowing down the disease name of the affected area based on the disease name list and the disease names and the parameters stored in the storage means; a first output step of outputting the disease name list and the diagnostic items based on the priority; a second output step of updating the disease name list based on the answers to the diagnostic items output by the first output step, and outputting the next diagnostic item based on the priority corresponding to the updated disease name list; A method for controlling a diagnosis support system, comprising: [Program 1] A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the diagnostic support system according to any one of configurations 1 to 14. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 100: diagnosis support system, 110: client-side information processing device, 120: server-side information processing device, 130: network, 201: display unit, 202: VRAM, 203: BMU (bit move unit), 204: keyboard, 205: PD (pointing device), 206: CPU, 207: HDD, 208: ROM, 209: RAM, 210: memory card, 211: microphone, 212: speaker, 213: network I / F, 214: bus

Claims

1. A diagnosis support system for supporting diagnosis of an affected area, a storage means for storing each disease name and parameters related to the each disease name; inferring means for inferring the name of a disease in the affected area from the image of the affected area; a first determination means for determining a disease name list including disease name candidates for the affected area based on the result of the inference by the inference means; a second determining means for determining the priority of diagnostic items for narrowing down the disease name of the affected area based on the disease name list and the disease names and the parameters stored in the storage means; a first output means for outputting the disease name list and the diagnostic items based on the priority; a second output means for updating the disease name list based on the answers to the diagnostic items output by the first output means, and outputting the next diagnostic item based on the priority corresponding to the updated disease name list; A diagnostic support system comprising:

2. the first output means outputs the diagnostic item with the highest priority; The second output means outputs the diagnostic item with the highest priority.

2. The diagnosis support system according to claim 1.

3. The storage means stores, as the parameters, at least one piece of information on the medical department, the test method, the rarity, malignancy, irreversibility, diagnostic items, and symptoms for each of the disease names.

2. The diagnosis support system according to claim 1.

4. The storage means is If there is no disease name that has been excluded based on the answer, the diagnostic items and the answers to the diagnostic items are further stored; If there is a disease name that has been excluded based on the answer, the diagnostic item, the answer to the diagnostic item, and the excluded disease name are further saved.

2. The diagnosis support system according to claim 1.

5. The second output means further outputs the excluded disease names if any are excluded based on the answers.

2. The diagnosis support system according to claim 1.

6. The second output means, when outputting the excluded disease name, further outputs the diagnostic items and the answers related to the excluded disease name.

6. The diagnosis support system according to claim 5.

7. The inference means infers the name of the disease in the affected area by using at least one of the position information and distribution information of the affected area.

2. The diagnosis support system according to claim 1.

8. When outputting the disease name list, the first output means outputting a disease name for which the accuracy of the inference made by the inference means is equal to or greater than a threshold; outputting a name of a malignant or irreversible disease even if the accuracy of the disease name is equal to or less than a threshold value; outputting a test method corresponding to the disease name candidate; At least one of the following outputs is performed:

2. The diagnosis support system according to claim 1.

9. When the first output means outputs the disease name list, if the malignant or irreversible disease name is output, the first output means outputs the list with a symbol attached so that the patient cannot recognize the name.

9. The diagnosis support system according to claim 8.

10. When the first output means outputs the disease name list, if the malignant or irreversible disease name is output, the first output means outputs the severity of the malignant or irreversible disease name by the number of the symbols. The diagnosis support system according to claim 9 .

11. When outputting the disease name list, if the test methods corresponding to the disease name candidates are output, the first output means outputs the disease name candidates having the same test methods together.

9. The diagnosis support system according to claim 8.

12. The second determining means, when determining the priority of the diagnostic items, To give a higher priority to the diagnostic items that can determine the names of many diseases; High priority is given to the diagnostic items that can determine common diseases; Changing the priority of the diagnostic items depending on the medical department; To give a higher priority to the diagnostic items that can determine whether a disease is malignant or irreversible; Do at least one of the following:

2. The diagnosis support system according to claim 1.

13. an information processing device having the storage means, the inference means, the first determination means, the second determination means, the first output means, and the second output means; 2. The diagnosis support system according to claim 1.

14. a first information processing device having the storage means, the inference means, the first determination means, and the second determination means; a second information processing device having the first output means and the second output means; The diagnosis support system according to claim 1, further comprising:

15. A control method for a diagnosis support system that supports diagnosis of an affected area, the control method comprising: storing means for storing each disease name and parameters related to each disease name; an inference step of inferring a disease name of the affected part from the image of the affected part; a first determination step of determining a disease name list including disease name candidates for the affected area based on the result of the inference by the inference step; a second determination step of determining the priority of diagnostic items for narrowing down the disease name of the affected area based on the disease name list and the disease names and the parameters stored in the storage means; a first output step of outputting the disease name list and the diagnostic items based on the priority; a second output step of updating the disease name list based on the answers to the diagnostic items output in the first output step, and outputting the next diagnostic item based on the priority corresponding to the updated disease name list; A method for controlling a diagnosis support system, comprising:

16. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the diagnosis support system according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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