Radiography control apparatus, control method thereof, and program

Abstract

To provide a technology to give a user a warning at an appropriate timing concerning a problematic event.SOLUTION: A radiography control apparatus includes: an operation flow acquisition part 202 for acquiring an operation flow indicating operational procedures of a user in a protocol on the basis of the protocol of radiography that has been demanded; a problematic information acquisition part 203 for acquiring problematic information including notification timing information on a notification timing in the operation flow, which is the information acquired from a problem of the protocol, on the basis of the protocol of the radiography that has been demanded; and a notification part 210 for performing notification for giving the user a warning at the notification timing in the notification timing information when an operation in the operation flow is performed from the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a radiographic imaging control device, a control method therefor, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Ensuring medical safety has become increasingly important in recent years. Medical professionals must always be aware of how to respond to near misses and prevent medical errors when performing their duties. Similarly, various efforts are being made to respond to near misses and prevent medical errors when taking radiological images used in medical settings. One such effort involves holding conferences among medical professionals to discuss measures to prevent recurrence of medical incidents and share information on near miss cases.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 describes a technology for providing a medical information system and a medical information provision method that prevents similar problems from occurring by informing workers of problems that have occurred in the past in similar medical procedures. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-128302 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 only displays a malfunction that occurs in association with a specified inspection at the timing when the inspection to be performed is specified, making it difficult to display a warning to the user at a timing directly related to the malfunction. In other words, the technology described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is not possible to notify the user of a warning at an appropriate timing related to the malfunction.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a technology that can notify a user of a warning at an appropriate time related to a malfunction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The radiography control device disclosed herein includes a first acquisition means for acquiring, based on a requested radiography protocol, an operation flow indicating the user's operation procedures in the protocol; a second acquisition means for acquiring, based on the requested radiography protocol, defect information including notification timing information regarding the notification timing in the operation flow, which is information obtained from a defect in the protocol; and a notification means for issuing a warning to the user at the notification timing in the notification timing information when the user performs an operation in the operation flow. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to notify the user of a warning at an appropriate time related to the malfunction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a radiation imaging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2 illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure and is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a control application realized by a control unit and a storage unit included in the radiation imaging control apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 illustrates the embodiment of the present disclosure and is a diagram showing an example of a control application screen displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a sequence illustrating an example of a processing procedure for radiography of a subject that can be applied to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5]10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in a control method for a radiation imaging control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an operation flow that can be acquired in step S502 of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of defect information that can be acquired in step S503 of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 2 illustrates the embodiment of the present disclosure and is a diagram illustrating an example of risk level notification method correspondence information stored in the storage unit illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not limit the scope of the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential means for solving the problems described in the present disclosure.

[0011] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a radiation imaging system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The radiation imaging system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a radiation generating device 110, a radiation imaging device 120, a radiation imaging control device 130, an imaging ordering device 140, an image diagnostic device 150, an image storage device 160, a hospital information system 170, and a network 180.

[0012] A radiation generating device 110, a radiation imaging device 120, and a radiation imaging control device 130 are installed in an imaging room where radiation imaging of the subject H is performed. The radiation generating device 110 irradiates radiation R from a radiation generating unit 111 toward the subject H and the radiation imaging device 120 under the control of the radiation imaging control device 130. The radiation imaging device 120 has a radiation detecting unit 121 that detects the incident radiation R (including radiation R that has passed through the subject H) as an electrical signal related to a radiation image (radiation image signal). The radiation imaging control device 130 comprehensively controls the operation of the radiation imaging system 100, and performs various controls and processes in the radiation imaging system 100. For example, when performing radiation imaging of the subject H, the radiation imaging control device 130 exchanges control information with the radiation generating device 110 and the radiation imaging device 120. As shown in FIG. 1, the radiation imaging control device 130 includes a display unit 131, an operation unit 132, a control unit 133, and a storage unit 134. The display unit 131 displays various types of information (including images) under the control of the control unit 133. The operation unit 132 is a component for inputting operation input from a user U, such as a medical professional who performs an examination (radiography, etc.) on a subject H, to the control unit 133. The control unit 133 comprehensively controls the operation of the radiation imaging control device 130 and performs various types of control and processing in the radiation imaging control device 130. The storage unit 134 stores programs and various types of information (including images) required when the control unit 133 performs various types of control and processing. The storage unit 134 also stores various types of information (including images) obtained as a result of the control unit 133 performing various types of control and processing.

[0013] The radiography ordering device 140 transmits radiography orders to the radiation radiography control device 130 as necessary. The image diagnostic device 150, for example, diagnoses radiographic images of the subject H obtained by the radiation radiography device 120. The image storage device 160, for example, stores radiographic images of the subject H obtained by the radiation radiography device 120. The hospital information system 170 is, for example, a computer system that supports the operations of a hospital including the radiography room shown in FIG. 1. The network 180 is a computer network that communicatively connects the radiography control device 130, the radiography ordering device 140, the image diagnostic device 150, the image storage device 160, and the hospital information system 170.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure and is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a control application 200 implemented by the control unit 133 and storage unit 134 included in the radiation imaging control device 130 shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The control application 200 shown in FIG. 2 has the functional configuration of a protocol determination unit 201, an operation flow acquisition unit 202, a malfunction information acquisition unit 203, an operation flow storage unit 204, and a malfunction information storage unit 205. Furthermore, the control application 200 shown in FIG. 2 has the functional configuration of a notification condition determination unit 206, a notification method determination unit 207, an operation determination unit 208, a notification determination unit 209, and a notification unit 210. In FIG. 2, for example, the control unit 133 shown in FIG. 1 executes a program stored in the storage unit 134 shown in FIG. 1, thereby implementing the functional configurations 201 to 203 and 206 to 210. 2, for example, an operation flow storage unit 204 and a defect information storage unit 205 are realized by the storage unit 134 shown in FIG.

[0015] The protocol determination unit 201 determines the examination and protocol requested for radiography from the radiography order sent from the radiography ordering device 140. Here, the protocol includes the part of the subject H to be radiographed and parameters required for radiography of that part. The parameters here also include radiography conditions, radiographic image processing conditions, etc. In addition, an electronic medical record system (not shown) may be used instead of the radiography ordering device 140. Furthermore, the requested radiography protocol may be determined by the user U operating and selecting via the operation unit 132 in the radiography control device 130 without linking with an external device.

[0016] The operation flow acquisition unit 202 acquires an operation flow stored in association with the protocol determined by the protocol determination unit 201 from among a plurality of operation flows stored in the operation flow storage unit 204. Here, the operation flow is a description of the operation procedures of the user U that can be identified by the radiation imaging control device 130, and indicates the operation procedures for performing radiation imaging using the associated protocol.

[0017] The malfunction information acquisition unit 203 acquires malfunction information stored in association with the protocol determined by the protocol determination unit 201 from among the multiple pieces of malfunction information stored in the malfunction information storage unit 205. Here, the malfunction information is information obtained from malfunctions that have occurred in the past in the associated protocol.

[0018] For example, a common example of a malfunction is a protocol error. Here, a protocol error refers to, for example, the case where a radiography is performed on a body part other than the desired protocol. There are multiple possible causes of a protocol error. For example, a physician user U may make a mistake in ordering an imaging order. Another example is a case where a radiographer user U mistakenly performs a radiography on the abdomen instead of the chest, when the intended radiography should have been performed. Another example of a malfunction is the subject H being positioned on the wrong side during radiography, or the direction of incidence of the radiation R on the subject H being incorrect. Another example of a malfunction is the subject H's body movement. Here, body movement refers to the subject H moving at the moment the radiation R is applied, resulting in blurring of the radiographic image. Another example of a malfunction is the presence of a foreign object. Here, the presence of a foreign object refers to the image of a foreign object, such as a necklace or metal part of underwear that the subject H forgot to remove, appearing in the radiographic image.

[0019] The operation flow storage unit 204 stores a plurality of operation flows associated with a plurality of protocols for radiation imaging that may be requested. This operation flow storage unit 204 may be a general database or file storage unit, and may be in a form that allows the operation flow to be acquired from the information of the determined protocol.

[0020] The defect information storage unit 205 stores a plurality of pieces of defect information associated with a plurality of protocols for radiation imaging that may be required. The defect information storage unit 205 may be a general database or file storage unit, and may be in a form that allows defect information to be acquired from information on the determined protocol.

[0021] The notification condition determination unit 206 determines the notification conditions based on setting information of the radiation imaging control device 130 (e.g., information stored in the storage unit 134), etc. One example of the notification conditions is a condition that the top three protocols with the highest probability of malfunction among those held by the radiation imaging control device 130 are notified. Another example of the notification conditions is a condition that the top 5% of protocols held by the radiation imaging control device 130 are notified in terms of the failure rate or re-shooting rate. Here, a failure refers to a situation where a radiographic image has been captured once, but the captured image is not treated as if it had not been captured. Furthermore, re-shooting literally refers to a situation where radiographic images have been captured two or more times. Another example of the notification conditions is a condition that notifies when a protocol switching operation has been performed. Here, a protocol switching operation refers to a case where a protocol has been used incorrectly, and radiographic images captured using the incorrect protocol are re-processed as radiographic images using a different protocol. Furthermore, it is also possible to classify malfunction cases by risk level, and to notify those with a high risk according to the risk level. Furthermore, because the type and frequency of mistakes vary depending on the skill level, such as the proficiency of the user U, it is desirable to set notification conditions individually for each user U, rather than uniformly in the system. For example, in the case of a user U with a low skill level, the probability of a malfunction occurring tends to be higher than for other users, and there are also fewer aspects that require attention, so it is desirable to adjust the conditions so that more notifications are issued.

[0022] The notification method determination unit 207 determines the notification method in the protocol based on the operation flow acquired by the operation flow acquisition unit 202, the malfunction information acquired by the malfunction information acquisition unit 203, and the notification conditions determined by the notification condition determination unit 206. An example of a notification method for alerting the user U will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0023] Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure and is a diagram showing an example of a control application screen 300 displayed on the display unit 131 shown in Fig. 1. The control application screen 300 includes an image display area 310 that displays a radiographic image, a protocol list display area 320 that displays a list of protocols, an add examination button 330 that is operated when adding an examination, and an end examination button 340 that is operated when ending the examination. Furthermore, the control application screen 300 includes various display areas 301, 303 to 306.

[0024] In Fig. 3, display area 301 is an area in which attention-calling information is displayed (notified) to draw attention when an application has an information display area. This display area 301 is an area in which information is displayed without interfering with the operation of user U. In the following description, the method of notifying user U of an attention call using display area 301 will be referred to as "Notify(301)" as necessary.

[0025] In FIG. 3, the protocol display area 302 shows one protocol, but other notification methods such as changing the display color or font size as a display effect can be considered for other protocol display areas in the protocol list display area 320.

[0026] 3, display area 303 is a display area arranged below image display area 310. This display area 303 is an area that notifies attention information by overlaying it on image display area 310. In the following description, the method of notifying user U of an attention using display area 303 will be referred to as "Annotation (303)" as necessary.

[0027] In Fig. 3, display area 304 is a display area located in the lower right corner of image display area 310. This display area 304 is a display method known as a balloon, and is an area for notifying alert information by a pop-up. In the following description, the method of notifying alert to user U using display area 304 will be referred to as "Balloon (304)" as necessary.

[0028] In Fig. 3, the display area 305 is an area for displaying (notifying) a warning icon. When the user U visually recognizes the warning icon in the display area 305, the user U can understand that a warning has been issued, and can check the details of the warning by clicking the warning icon at a desired timing. In the following description, the method of notifying the user U of a warning using the display area 305 will be referred to as "Warning (305)" as necessary.

[0029] In FIG. 3, display area 306 is an area where an error dialog is displayed. Display area 306 is displayed as a pop-up on top of control application screen 300 to interrupt the work of user U and request action from user U. Displaying display area 306 is an interruption to user U's operations, and is therefore a fairly forceful method of notification. In the following description, the method of alerting user U using display area 306 will be referred to as "Warning Dialog (306)" as necessary.

[0030] Here, we return to the explanation of FIG. The operation determination unit 208 determines what operation the user U performed from information on the user U's direct operation of the operation unit 132 of the radiation imaging control device 130, the operation history log, or the communication history notified when the operation was performed on another device.

[0031] The notification determination unit 209 determines whether or not to issue a warning to the user U, based on the notification method determined by the notification method determination unit 207 and the operation of the user U determined by the operation determination unit 208.

[0032] When the notification determination unit 209 determines that a warning should be issued to the user U, the notification unit 210 displays (notifies) the warning to the user U on the display unit 131 using the notification method shown in FIG.

[0033] 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing procedure for radiography of a subject H that can be applied to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this Fig. 4, the same components as those shown in Fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0034] First, in step S401 of FIG. 4, the user U performs an operation to transmit an imaging order from the imaging ordering device 140 to the radiation imaging control device .

[0035] In step S431 of FIG. 4, the protocol determination unit 201 of the radiation imaging control device 130 determines a protocol from the imaging order transmitted from the imaging ordering device 140. The imaging order may include multiple protocols, but in this case, the protocol determination unit 201 determines the first protocol as the protocol for performing the requested radiation imaging. Note that the user U may change the imaging order or start imaging midway through the process. In this case, the protocol determination unit 201 determines the protocol selected by the user U as the protocol for performing the requested radiation imaging. Next, the operation flow acquisition unit 202 of the radiation imaging control device 130 acquires an operation flow stored in association with the protocol determined by the protocol determination unit 201 from among the multiple operation flows stored in the operation flow storage unit 204. Next, the malfunction information acquisition unit 203 of the radiation imaging control device 130 acquires malfunction information stored in association with the protocol determined by the protocol determination unit 201 from among the multiple malfunction information stored in the malfunction information storage unit 205. It does not matter in which order the operation flow acquisition unit 202 acquires the operation flow and the defect information acquisition unit 203 acquires the defect information. Next, the radiation imaging control device 130 transmits a request for imaging preparation to the radiation generation device 110 and the radiation imaging device 120.

[0036] 4, the radiation generating device 110 prepares for radiation imaging based on the request for preparation for imaging transmitted from the radiation imaging control device 130. Similarly, in step S421 in FIG. 4, the radiation imaging device 120 prepares for radiation imaging based on the request for preparation for imaging transmitted from the radiation imaging control device 130.

[0037] Next, in step S402 of FIG. 4, the user U changes the radiation conditions. Specifically, the user U mainly fine-tunes the tube voltage, tube current, and radiation exposure time of the radiation tube in the radiation generating unit 111 by operating the user interface of the radiation generating device 110 in step S412 of FIG. 4. For example, the user U changes the radiation conditions in accordance with the thickness of the subject H. Information regarding the changed radiation conditions is notified from the radiation generating device 110 to the radiation imaging control device 130. Next, in step S432 of FIG. 4, the radiation imaging control device 130 detects that the user U is performing an operation to set the radiation conditions on the radiation generating device 110 by being notified of the radiation conditions from the radiation generating device 110.

[0038] Next, in step S403 of FIG. 4, the user U adjusts the position of the subject H for radiography. Specifically, the user U first determines the radiography method to be used depending on the part of the subject H to be radiographed, the condition of the subject H's illness, the health condition of the subject H, and so on. Here, the user U determines whether to perform radiography in a standing position, in a supine position in which the subject H is lying on a bed, or using a portable radiation detection unit 121 called a cassette. Then, based on the determined radiography method, the user U adjusts the position so that the radiation detection unit 121 captures the radiation R while the radiation detection unit 121 and the radiation generation unit 111 are properly positioned opposite each other. Furthermore, the user U invites the subject H into the radiography room and has him or her prepare for radiography. Specifically, for example, the user U may have the subject H change into simple examination clothes. This is because decorated clothing can cause the decorations to appear in the captured radiographic image, interfering with the examination and diagnosis. Once the subject H is dressed in a state suitable for examination, the user U adjusts the position and orientation of the subject H so that the subject H is captured by the radiation detection unit 121 using radiation R. The timing of inviting the subject H into the radiography room varies depending on the condition of the subject H and the hospital's policy, but it is sufficient that the subject H is invited in before the position of the subject H is adjusted for radiography.

[0039] The processing procedures of steps S402 and S403 in FIG. 4 performed by the user U may be reversed depending on the situation of the radiation imaging.

[0040] Furthermore, when the user U adjusts the position in step S403 of Fig. 4, the position of the radiation generation device 110 is also adjusted in S413 of Fig. 4, and the position of the radiation imaging device 120 is also adjusted in step S422 of Fig. 4. When the position of the radiation generation device 110 is adjusted in S413 of Fig. 4, the radiation generation device 110 notifies the radiation imaging control device 130 of the position information. Similarly, when the position of the radiation imaging device 120 is adjusted in S422 of Fig. 4, the radiation imaging control device 130 notifies the radiation imaging control device 130 of the position information. Subsequently, when the radiation imaging control device 130 receives notifications of the position information from the radiation generation device 110 and the radiation imaging device 120, the radiation imaging control device 130 detects that a position adjustment operation has been performed.

[0041] Next, in step S404 of FIG. 4, the user U performs an operation to irradiate the radiation generation device 110 with radiation R. In response to the operation by the user U in step S404 of FIG. 4, the radiation generation device 110 irradiates the subject H and the radiation imaging device 120 with radiation R in step S414 of FIG. 4. Next, in step S423 of FIG. 4, the radiation imaging device 120 captures a radiation image of the subject H based on the incident radiation R (including radiation R that has passed through the subject H). The radiation imaging device 120 then transmits the radiation image obtained by imaging to the radiation imaging control device 130. Next, in step S434 of FIG. 4, the radiation imaging control device 130 performs various image processing on the radiation image transmitted from the radiation imaging device 120, and then displays the processed radiation image on the display unit 131. The radiation image here can be displayed, for example, in the image display area 310 of FIG. 3.

[0042] Next, in step S405 of Fig. 4, the user U checks the radiographic image displayed on the display unit 131 in step S434 and makes any necessary image adjustments to the radiography control device 130. Next, in step S405 of Fig. 4, the radiography control device 130 performs image processing of the radiographic image based on the image adjustments from the user U. Examples of image processing of the radiographic image here include processing to cut out the radiographic image using a cutout frame 311 as necessary, processing to adjust the position of the radiographic image within the cutout frame 311, and image processing such as adjusting known image processing parameters.

[0043] In addition, in step S436 of FIG. 4, the radiation imaging control device 130 automatically operates after the previous imaging is completed. For example, if the imaging order received in advance in step S401 of FIG. 4 includes multiple protocols, the radiation imaging control device 130 requests the user U to perform imaging preparation processing for the next protocol from among the multiple protocols. In addition, if the imaging order received in step S401 of FIG. 4 does not include the next protocol, the radiation imaging control device 130 requests the user U for the next imaging order. In this case, in step S406 of FIG. 4, the user U performs an operation to acquire the next imaging order. Then, the procedure after acquiring the next imaging order in step S406 of FIG. 4 is the same as the process from step S401 onwards in FIG. 4 described above. In this way, the image adjustment procedure in step S405 of FIG. 4 and the procedure for the next imaging order from step S406 onwards in FIG. 4 may be performed in parallel.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure in a control method for the radiation imaging control apparatus 130 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] First, in step S501 of FIG. 5, the protocol determination unit 201 of the radiation imaging control device 130 determines the radiation imaging protocol requested from the imaging order transmitted from the imaging ordering device 140, for example.

[0046] Next, in step S502 of Fig. 5, the operation flow acquisition unit 202 of the radiation imaging control device 130 acquires, from the operation flow storage unit 204, an operation flow stored in association with the protocol determined by the protocol determination unit 201 in step S501. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an operation flow that can be acquired in step S502 of Fig. 5. Specifically, Fig. 6(a) shows an operation flow illustrating the operation procedures of a user U from steps S611 to S614, which are associated with the limb protocol of the subject H. Fig. 6(b) shows an operation flow illustrating the operation procedures of a user U from steps S621 to S625, which are associated with the pelvis AP protocol of the subject H. Fig. 6(c) shows an operation flow illustrating the operation procedures of a user U from steps S631 to S636, which are associated with the chest AP rounds protocol of the subject H.

[0047] Here, we return to the explanation of FIG. Next, in step S503 of Fig. 5, the malfunction information acquisition unit 203 of the radiation imaging control device 130 acquires, from the malfunction information storage unit 205, malfunction information stored in association with the protocol determined by the protocol determination unit 201 in step S501. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of malfunction information that may be acquired in step S503 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7(a) shows, as information obtained from a malfunction of protocol error 710, risk level information 711 indicating the risk level of the malfunction, notification count information 712 indicating the number of times a warning has been issued, and important operation information 713 indicating important operations in the operation flow. Fig. 7(b) shows, as information obtained from a malfunction of body movement 720, risk level information 721 indicating the risk level of the malfunction, notification count information 722 indicating the number of times a warning has been issued, and important operation information 723 indicating important operations in the operation flow. 7(c) shows information obtained from the defect of the foreign object 730, including risk level information 731 indicating the risk level of the defect, notification count information 732 indicating the number of times a warning will be issued, and important operation information 733 indicating important operations in the operation flow. The risk level information 711-731, notification count information 712-732, and important operation information 733 shown in FIGS. 7(a)-7(c) can be customized as needed. In this embodiment, the notification count information 712 and important operation information 713 shown in FIG. 7(a) constitute notification timing information regarding the timing of issuing a notification to alert the user U of the defect of the protocol error 710. In this embodiment, the notification count information 722 and important operation information 723 shown in FIG. 7(b) constitute notification timing information regarding the timing of issuing a notification to alert the user U of the defect of the body movement 720. In this embodiment, the notification count information 732 and important operation information 733 shown in FIG. 7C constitute notification timing information regarding the timing of issuing a notification to alert the user U to the problem of the foreign object 730.

[0048] Here, we return to the explanation of FIG. Subsequently, in step S504 of FIG. 5, the notification condition determination unit 206 of the radiation imaging control device 130 determines notification conditions from setting information of the radiation imaging control device 130 (for example, information stored in the storage unit 134) and the like.

[0049] 5, the notification method determination unit 207 of the radiation imaging control device 130 determines a notification method in the protocol based on the operation flow acquired in S502, the malfunction information acquired in S503, and the notification conditions determined in S503. Specifically, the notification method determination unit 207 determines the notification method using the operation flow indicating the operation procedure of the user U acquired in S502, the risk level information, the number of notifications information, and the important operation information included in the malfunction information acquired in S503, and the notification conditions determined in S503.

[0050] A specific example of the notification method determination process by the notification method determination unit 207 in step S505 of Fig. 5 will be described below. For simplicity of explanation, the operation flow acquired in step S502 of Fig. 5 is assumed to be the operation flow showing the operation procedures of the user U from step S621 to step S625 associated with the pelvic AP protocol of the subject H shown in Fig. 6(b). Furthermore, the malfunction information acquired in step S503 of Fig. 5 is assumed to be all of the malfunction information, namely, the malfunction information of the protocol error 710 shown in Fig. 7(a), the malfunction information of the body movement 720 shown in Fig. 7(b), and the malfunction information of the foreign body 730 shown in Fig. 7(c).

[0051] First, an example of determining a notification method for a warning based on the malfunction information for protocol error 710 shown in Fig. 7(a) will be described. According to the malfunction information for protocol error 710 shown in Fig. 7(a), the number of notifications shown in notification count information 712 is "3 times," and the important operation shown in important operation information 713 is "none." In the operation flow showing the operation procedures of user U in the pelvic AP protocol for subject H shown in Fig. 6(b), there are four operation procedures from step S621 to step S624, excluding the operation procedure for radiation irradiation in step S625. Here, for example, in order to issue a warning for an operation with a high probability of being performed in the operation procedures up to radiation irradiation in S625 in Fig. 6(b), the notification method determination unit 207 determines to issue a warning when the last three operations of S622, S623, and S624 shown in Fig. 6(b) are performed. In the example described here, it is assumed that a different operation may interrupt the operations of steps S621 to S625 shown in Fig. 6(b) or that the procedure may be deviated from midway, and therefore the notification is given for the latter operation, which is more likely to be performed. Subsequently, the notification method determination unit 207 determines the notification level for issuing a warning when the operations of S622 to S624 shown in Fig. 6(b) are performed.

[0052] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure and is a diagram illustrating an example of risk level notification method correspondence information 800 stored in storage unit 134 illustrated in FIG. 1. In risk level notification method correspondence information 800 illustrated in FIG. 8, a correspondence relationship is defined between risk levels corresponding to risk level information 711 to 731 in FIG. 7 and notification methods corresponding to display areas 301, 303 to 306 in FIG. 3. Specifically, in risk level notification method correspondence information 800 illustrated in FIG. 8, "Warning Dialog (306)" is set as the notification method corresponding to risk level "Very High risk" 801. Furthermore, in risk level notification method correspondence information 800 illustrated in FIG. 8, "Warning (305)" is set as the notification method corresponding to risk level "High risk" 802. Furthermore, in risk level notification method correspondence information 800 illustrated in FIG. 8, "Annotation (303)" is set as the notification method corresponding to risk level "Moderate risk" 803. 8, "Notify (301)" is set as the notification method corresponding to the risk level "Low risk" 804. Also, in the risk level notification method correspondence information 800 of FIG. 8, "Balloon (304)" is set as the notification method corresponding to the risk level "Near miss" 805. Here, in the risk level notification method correspondence information 800 of FIG. 8, "Very High risk" 801 indicates the highest risk level, and "Near miss" 805 indicates the lowest risk level. Note that the risk level notification method correspondence information 800 shown in FIG. 8 is merely an example, and the present disclosure is not limited to what is shown in FIG. 8. Also, in the risk level notification method correspondence information 800 of FIG. 8, notification methods are defined according to risk levels, but may be individually customized for each malfunction information.

[0053] The malfunction information for the protocol error 710 shown in Fig. 7(a) stores "Moderate risk" 803 shown in Fig. 8 as risk level information 711, which corresponds to the notification method of "Annotation (303)" according to Fig. 8. For example, when S625 is operated (for example, when the operation of S624, which precedes S625, is performed), the notification method determination unit 207 determines, as the notification method, notification (display) to alert the user of the protocol error in "Annotation (303)" in Fig. 3. Furthermore, for example, when S624 is operated (for example, when the operation of S623, which precedes S624, is performed), the notification method determination unit 207 determines, as the notification method, notification to alert the user of the protocol error in "Notify (301)" which has a risk level one level lower in Fig. 8. Furthermore, when S623 is operated (for example, when the operation of S622 before S623 is performed), the notification method determination unit 207 determines that the notification method is to alert the user to a protocol error using ``Balloon (304)'', which has a risk level one level lower than that of Figure 8.

[0054] Next, an example of determining a notification method for a warning based on malfunction information for body movement 720 shown in FIG. 7(b) will be described. According to the malfunction information for body movement 720 shown in FIG. 7(b), the number of notifications indicated in notification count information 722 is "2 times," and the important operation indicated in important operation information 723 is "radiation irradiation." According to the malfunction information for body movement 720 shown in FIG. 7(b), "High risk" 802 shown in FIG. 8 is stored as the risk level information 721. In the malfunction information for body movement 720 shown in FIG. 7(b), since the important operation information 723 is "radiation irradiation," when the operation of S624, which is one step before the operation of S625, is performed, a notification corresponding to "High risk" 802 shown in FIG. 8 is made. That is, when the operation of S624 is performed, for example, the notification method determination unit 207 determines that the notification method is to be "Warning (305)" in FIG. 3. For example, when the user U operates and selects "Warning (305)" in FIG. 3, the notification method for alerting the user to body movement may be determined to be "Warning Dialog (306)" one level above. According to the malfunction information for body movement 720 shown in FIG. 7(b), the number of notifications is "twice." Therefore, when the operation of the immediately preceding step S623 is performed, for example, the notification method for alerting the user to body movement may be determined to be "Annotation (303)" in FIG. 8, which has a risk level one level lower. By individually customizing the risk level notification method correspondence information 800 in FIG. 8 for each malfunction information, it is also possible to determine the notification method for when the operation of step S623 is performed to be an alert for a risk level lower than "Annotation (303)."

[0055] Next, an example of determining a notification method for alerting based on the malfunction information of the foreign object 730 shown in FIG. 7(c) will be described. According to the malfunction information of the foreign object 730 shown in FIG. 7(c), the number of notifications indicated in the notification count information 732 is "1," and the important operation indicated in the important operation information 733 is "manipulation." According to the malfunction information of the foreign object 730 shown in FIG. 7(c), "Low risk" 804 shown in FIG. 8 is stored as the risk level information 731. In the malfunction information of the foreign object 730 shown in FIG. 7(c), the important operation information 733 is "manipulation." Therefore, when the operation of S623, which is one operation before the manipulating operation of S624, is performed, a notification corresponding to "Low risk" 804 shown in FIG. 8 is performed. That is, for example, when the operation of S623 is performed, the notification method determination unit 207 determines the notification method to be "Notify (301)" in FIG. 3, which alerts the user to a foreign object.

[0056] In addition, when it is necessary to issue a notification to alert the user to multiple malfunctions in the same step of the pelvic AP protocol operation flow shown in Figure 6(b), various forms can be adopted, such as a form in which multiple malfunctions are notified simultaneously or a form in which the malfunctions are notified at different times.

[0057] 7, in this embodiment, the locations where incidents or near misses occur are set as important operations. This is intended to issue a warning before an incident or near miss occurs. Therefore, depending on the system design, an operation that should be notified may be defined as an important operation, and in any case, it is important to be able to identify the operation that will cause a problem and the operation that should be notified.

[0058] Here, we return to the explanation of FIG. When the process of step S505 in Fig. 5 is completed, the process proceeds to step S506. When the process proceeds to step S506 in Fig. 5, the operation determining unit 208 of the radiation imaging control apparatus 130 waits for an operation input by the user U.

[0059] When an operation by the user U is input, the process proceeds to step S507 in Fig. 5. When the process proceeds to step S507 in Fig. 5, the operation determination unit 208 of the radiation imaging control device 130 determines whether the operation by the user U corresponds to any of the operations in the operation procedure in the operation flow of the protocol acquired in step S502.

[0060] 5, if the operation by the user U corresponds to any of the operations in the operation procedure in the operation flow of the protocol acquired in step S502 (S507 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S508. When the process proceeds to step S508 in FIG. 5, the notification determination unit 209 of the radiation imaging control device 130 determines whether to issue a warning notification to the user U based on the notification method determined in step S505 and the operation of the user U determined by the operation determination unit 208.

[0061] As a result of the determination in step S508 in FIG. 5, if a warning notification is to be issued to the user U (S508 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S509. When the process proceeds to step S509 in FIG. 5, the notification unit 210 of the radiation imaging control device 130 displays (notifies) a warning to the user U on the display unit 131 based on the notification method determined in step S505. Note that when it is necessary to notify the user U of multiple malfunctions using the same notification method, the multiple malfunctions may be notified simultaneously or may be notified sequentially at different times. In this case, if it is absolutely impossible to notify the user U of multiple malfunctions, it is advisable to, for example, prioritize the malfunctions that have been notified less frequently or the malfunctions with a higher risk level.

[0062] When the processing of step S509 in Fig. 5 is completed, the process proceeds to step S510. Also, when the result of the determination in step S507 in Fig. 5 is that the operation by the user U does not correspond to any of the operations in the operation procedure in the operation flow of the protocol acquired in step S502 (S507 / No), the process proceeds to step S510. Furthermore, when the result of the determination in step S508 in Fig. 5 is that a warning is not to be issued to the user U (S508 / No), the process proceeds to step S510. When the process proceeds to step S510 in Fig. 5, the control unit 133 of the radiation imaging control device 130 determines whether the operation by the user U is continuing without deviating from the operation flow of the protocol acquired in step S502.

[0063] As a result of the judgment in step S510 of Figure 5, if the operation by user U does not deviate from the operation flow of the protocol acquired in step S502 and is continuing (S510 / Yes), return to step S507 and perform the processing from step S507 onwards again.

[0064] Furthermore, if the result of the determination in step S510 in Fig. 5 is that the operation by user U deviates from the operation flow of the protocol acquired in step S502 and is not being continued (S510 / No), the notification process ends, and the process in the flowchart in Fig. 5 ends. For example, if the operation by user U is an operation to cancel the ready state of the protocol, or if a completely different system setting is made and the operation flow is no longer in a continuation state, it is determined that the operation flow has deviated and is not being continued, and the process in the flowchart in Fig. 5 ends.

[0065] In the notification method determination process in step S505 of Fig. 5 described above, the notification of a warning is determined in a manner in which operations are performed in order from the end of the operation flow until the number of notifications in the notification count information is reached, and the end of the operation has a higher risk level. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this manner. For example, the present disclosure also includes a manner in which the notification of a warning is determined in order from the end of the operation flow until the number of notifications in the notification count information is reached, and the end of the operation has a higher risk level.

[0066] 5, the notification method is determined before the important operation of the important operation information in the operation flow, until the number of notifications in the notification count information. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the present disclosure also includes a form in which the notification of the attention is determined before and after the important operation of the important operation information in the operation flow, until the number of notifications in the notification count information.

[0067] In addition, in the notification method determination process in step S505 of Fig. 5 described above, a form has been described in which the notification of a warning is determined in successive operations in the operation procedure of the operation flow until the notification count in the notification count information is reached. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this form. For example, the present disclosure also includes a form in which, when determining the notification count in the notification count information, the notification of a warning is determined by leaving an interval between operations in the operation procedure of the operation flow.

[0068] Furthermore, in the notification method determination process in step S505 of Fig. 5 described above, the risk level in the risk level notification method correspondence information 800 of Fig. 8 may be adjusted according to the proficiency of the user U. For example, in the case of user U who is less proficient than an average user, a notification method may be used in which the risk level is increased by one level in the risk level notification method correspondence information 800 of Fig. 8. Furthermore, in the case of user U who is more proficient than an average user, a notification method may be used in which the risk level is decreased by one level in the risk level notification method correspondence information 800 of Fig. 8.

[0069] In the radiography control device 130 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure described above, the operation flow acquisition unit 202 acquires an operation flow indicating a user's operation procedure in a requested radiography protocol, based on the requested radiography protocol. The operation flow acquisition unit 202, which performs processing to acquire this operation flow, constitutes a first acquisition unit in the present disclosure. Furthermore, the defect information acquisition unit 203 acquires defect information, based on the requested radiography protocol, obtained from a defect in the protocol and including notification timing information regarding the notification timing in the operation flow. Here, the notification timing information includes notification count information indicating the number of notifications shown in FIG. 7 and important operation information indicating important operations in the operation flow. Furthermore, the defect information further includes risk level information indicating the risk level of the defect, shown in FIG. 7, in addition to the notification timing information described above. The operation flow acquisition unit 202, which performs processing to acquire this defect information, constitutes a second acquisition unit in the present disclosure. Furthermore, when a user U performs an operation in the operation flow, the notification unit 210 notifies the user U of a warning at the notification timing indicated in the notification timing information. The notification unit 210 that issues this warning notification constitutes the notification means in the present disclosure. According to this configuration, it is possible to notify the user U of a warning at an appropriate timing related to the malfunction, thereby enabling the user U to reduce the occurrence of the malfunction.

[0070] (Other embodiments) 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program. [Configuration 1] a first acquisition means for acquiring an operation flow indicating a user's operation procedure in the protocol based on the requested radiography protocol; a second acquiring means for acquiring defect information based on the requested radiography protocol, the defect information being information obtained from a defect in the protocol and including notification timing information regarding notification timing in the operation flow; a notification means for notifying the user of an alert at the notification timing in the notification timing information when the user performs an operation in the operation flow; A radiation imaging control device comprising: [Configuration 2] the notification timing information includes notification count information indicating the number of times of the notification and important operation information indicating important operations in the operation flow, The notification means notifies the user at the notification timing based on the notification count information and the important operation information. 2. The radiation imaging control device according to configuration 1, [Configuration 3] The defect information further includes risk level information indicating a risk level of the defect in addition to the notification timing information, The notification means performs the notification in a manner in which the operation flow starts from the last operation until the number of notifications in the notification number information is reached, and the last operation has a higher risk level. 3. The radiation imaging control device according to configuration 2. [Configuration 4] The notifying means performs the notification from before the important operation in the important operation information until the notification number in the notification number information in the operation flow. 4. The radiography control device according to configuration 2 or 3. [Configuration 5] The notification means performs the notification before and after an important operation in the important operation information in the operation flow. 5. The radiation imaging control device according to configuration 4. [Configuration 6] The defect information further includes risk level information indicating a risk level of the defect in addition to the notification timing information, The notification means performs the notification in order from the previous operation in the operational flow until the number of notifications in the notification number information is reached, in a manner in which the previous operation has a higher risk level. 3. The radiation imaging control device according to configuration 2. [Configuration 7] The notification means, when notifying the number of notifications in the notification count information, performs the notification with an interval between operations in the operation procedure of the operation flow. 7. The radiography control device according to any one of configurations 2 to 6, [Configuration 8] The defect information further includes risk level information indicating a risk level of the defect in addition to the notification timing information, The notification means displays the warning on a display unit as the notification, and displays the warning at different positions on the display unit depending on the risk level. 8. The radiography control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, [Configuration 9] The risk level is adjusted according to the user's level of expertise. 9. The radiation imaging control device according to configuration 8, [Configuration 10] The notification means terminates the notification process when the user's operation deviates from the operation flow. 10. The radiography control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9. [Configuration 11] a first storage means for storing a plurality of said operational flows respectively associated with a plurality of said protocols; a second storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of said failure information respectively associated with a plurality of said protocols; and the first acquisition means acquires the operation flow associated with the requested radiography protocol from the first storage means; The second acquisition means acquires the defect information associated with the requested radiography protocol from the second storage means. 11. The radiography control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10. [Method 1] a first acquisition step of acquiring an operation flow indicating a user's operation steps in a protocol based on a requested radiography protocol; a second acquisition step of acquiring defect information based on the requested radiography protocol, the defect information being information obtained from a defect in the protocol and including notification timing information regarding notification timing in the operation flow; a notification step of notifying the user of an alert at a notification timing in the notification timing information when the user performs an operation in the operation flow; 10. A method for controlling a radiography control device, comprising: [Program 1] 12. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the radiography control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 100: Radiography system, 110: Radiation generator, 111: Radiation generator, 120: Radiography apparatus, 121: Radiation detector, 130: Radiography control device, 131: Display unit, 132: Operation unit, 133: Control unit, 134: Storage unit, 140: Radiation ordering device, 150: Diagnostic imaging apparatus, 160: Image storage unit, 170: Hospital information system, 180: Network, 201: Protocol determination unit, 202: Operation flow acquisition unit, 203: Malfunction information acquisition unit, 204: Operation flow storage unit, 205: Malfunction information storage unit, 206: Notification condition determination unit, 207: Notification method determination unit, 208: Operation determination unit, 209: Notification determination unit, 210: Notification unit, H: Subject, R: Radiation, U: User

Claims

1. a first acquisition means for acquiring an operation flow indicating a user's operation procedure in a protocol based on the requested radiography protocol; a second acquiring means for acquiring defect information based on the requested radiographic protocol, the defect information being information obtained from a defect in the protocol and including notification timing information regarding notification timing in the operation flow; a notification means for notifying the user of an alert at the notification timing in the notification timing information when the user performs an operation in the operation flow; A radiation imaging control device comprising:

2. the notification timing information includes notification count information indicating the number of times of the notification and important operation information indicating important operations in the operation flow, The notification means notifies the user at the notification timing based on the notification count information and the important operation information.

2. The radiography control device according to claim 1,

3. The defect information further includes risk level information indicating a risk level of the defect in addition to the notification timing information, The notification means performs the notification in a manner in which the operation flow starts from the last operation until the number of notifications in the notification number information is reached, and the last operation has a higher risk level.

3. The radiography control device according to claim 2.

4. The notifying means performs the notification from before the important operation in the important operation information until the notification number in the notification number information in the operation flow.

3. The radiography control device according to claim 2.

5. The notification means performs the notification before and after an important operation in the important operation information in the operation flow.

5. The radiography control device according to claim 4.

6. The defect information further includes risk level information indicating a risk level of the defect in addition to the notification timing information, The notification means performs the notification in order from the previous operation in the operational flow until the number of notifications in the notification number information is reached, in a manner in which the previous operation has a higher risk level.

3. The radiography control device according to claim 2.

7. The notification means, when notifying the number of notifications in the notification count information, performs the notification with an interval between operations in the operation procedure of the operation flow.

3. The radiography control device according to claim 2.

8. The defect information further includes risk level information indicating a risk level of the defect in addition to the notification timing information, The notification means displays the warning on a display unit as the notification, and displays the warning at different positions on the display unit depending on the risk level.

2. The radiography control device according to claim 1,

9. The risk level is adjusted according to the user's level of expertise.

9. The radiography control device according to claim 8.

10. The notification means terminates the notification process when the user's operation deviates from the operation flow.

2. The radiography control device according to claim 1,

11. a first storage means for storing a plurality of the operational flows respectively associated with a plurality of the protocols; a second storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of said failure information respectively associated with a plurality of said protocols; and the first acquisition means acquires the operation flow associated with the requested radiography protocol from the first storage means; The second acquisition means acquires the defect information associated with the requested radiography protocol from the second storage means.

2. The radiography control device according to claim 1,

12. a first acquisition step of acquiring an operation flow indicating a user's operation procedure in a requested radiography protocol based on the protocol; a second acquisition step of acquiring defect information based on the requested radiography protocol, the defect information including notification timing information regarding notification timing in the operation flow, the defect information being information obtained from a defect in the protocol; a notification step of notifying the user of an alert at a notification timing in the notification timing information when the user performs an operation in the operation flow; 10. A method for controlling a radiography control device, comprising:

13. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the radiography control device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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