Medical information processing device, medical information processing method, and program

Abstract

To reduce processing waste in an application.SOLUTION: A medical information processing device has a selection unit, an execution unit, a setting unit, and an update unit. The selection unit automatically selects an execution application to be executed for a medical image being a processing object, out of a plurality of applications. The execution unit executes the execution application. The setting unit sets execution information related to execution of processing of the processing object using the execution application, on the basis of a result of referring to inspection termination determination rules for incidental information incident to the medical image. The update unit updates the inspection termination determination rules based on results of processing using the execution application in the past.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in the present specification and drawings relate to a medical information processing device, a medical information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of medical image diagnosis, analytical applications are being provided that perform image processing on images captured by modalities such as X-ray CT scanners and MRI scanners. These analytical applications perform various analyses and calculations on behalf of doctors and other medical professionals. Medical institutions are introducing such analytical applications to improve the efficiency of medical treatment.

[0003] Furthermore, various analysis applications are available depending on the type of medical image and the purpose of processing (analysis), and a platform has been developed that selects an analysis application that will appropriately execute medical images captured using multiple modalities. For example, a modality outputs medical images to be used in an examination. An examination typically involves multiple examination items (examination series, hereafter referred to as a series), and the modality outputs medical images for each series. The platform selects an analysis application that will appropriately process each of the output medical images for each series.

[0004] For example, the first series may be a series that does not require analysis, the second series may be a series that can be appropriately processed by analysis application A, and the third series may be a series that can be appropriately processed by analysis application B. Alternatively, all of the first to third series that are output may be series that can be appropriately processed by analysis application A. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-073363 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In conventional platforms, for example, an analysis application is selected and processing is executed each time a series of medical images is processed. In this case, if all of the first to third series are series that can be appropriately processed by analysis application A, analysis application A will process each of the first to third series individually, which is inefficient.

[0007] To address this issue, for example, there is a control system that starts processing when a timeout occurs without a series being output after one analysis application has been selected and the series being processed by the same analysis application has not been output.With this type of control, even if a series to be processed simultaneously is not output later, the processing by the analysis application must wait until the timeout occurs, which wastes the time required for processing overall and affects performance.

[0008] The problem to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is to reduce unnecessary processing in an application. However, the problem to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is not limited to the above problem. Problems corresponding to the effects of each configuration shown in the embodiments described below can also be positioned as other problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The medical image processing device of the embodiment has a selection unit, an execution unit, a setting unit, and an update unit. The selection unit automatically selects an executable application to be executed on a medical image to be processed from among a plurality of applications. The execution unit executes the executable application. The setting unit sets execution information related to the execution of processing of the processing target by the executable application based on a result of referring to an examination termination determination rule based on incidental information attached to the medical image. The update unit updates the examination termination determination rule based on past results of processing by the executable application. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a usage environment and functional blocks of a medical information processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of an inspection termination determination rule ERL. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a DICOM tag output by the modality 20. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing in the medical information processing apparatus 100. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing in the medical information processing apparatus 100. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing in the medical information processing apparatus 100. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, a medical information processing apparatus, a medical information processing method, and a program according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a usage environment and functional blocks of a medical information processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. The medical information processing apparatus 100 provides a function to execute each of a plurality of analysis applications (hereinafter also referred to as applications) and a function to select an application that matches a series supplied by a modality.

[0013] Applications perform various analytical processes on medical images to be analyzed according to their purpose. Examples of applications include clinical applications for detecting lesions in patients, applications for performing body part segmentation, applications for checking tumors, applications for determining the progression of lesions, and applications for detecting the location of specific lesions such as cerebral infarction. Applications are, for example, machine learning models generated by learning processes using machine learning techniques such as deep learning.

[0014] The medical information processing device 100 is placed in, for example, a medical institution such as a hospital. The medical information processing device 100 may be, for example, a workstation, a server, etc. The medical information processing device 100 is connected to, for example, at least one terminal device 10, at least one medical image diagnostic device (hereinafter, referred to as modality) 20, an image archiving and communication system (PACS: Picture Archiving and Communication System) 30, etc. via a communication network NW so as to be able to transmit and receive data.

[0015] The communication network NW refers to all information and communication networks that utilize telecommunications technology. It includes wireless / wired LANs such as hospital backbone LANs (Local Area Networks), the Internet, telephone communication networks, optical fiber communication networks, cable communication networks, and satellite communication networks.

[0016] The terminal device 10 is a device for using the functions of the AI ​​platform provided by the medical information processing device 100. The terminal device 10 is, for example, a personal computer or a mobile terminal such as a tablet or smartphone. The terminal device 10 is operated by, for example, a doctor, a technician, or the like. A dedicated application program or a browser is launched on the terminal device 10, and various types of information provided by the medical information processing device 100 are provided to the doctor, or the like.

[0017] The modality 20 captures an image of a patient (subject) to be diagnosed and generates a medical image. The modality 20 is, for example, an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) device, an X-ray diagnostic device, a magnetic resonance imaging device, an ultrasound diagnostic device, a nuclear medicine diagnostic device, etc. The modality 20 generates an image to which supplementary information is added.

[0018] The modality 20 generates, for example, images that comply with the DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine) standard (hereinafter referred to as DICOM images). DICOM images are assigned DICOM tags as supplementary information. The DICOM tags include examination information related to the examination. The examination information includes, for example, processing priority, imaging time, a device ID that identifies the modality, the examination area, the presence or absence of a contrast agent, the protocol number for imaging, the protocol name, a patient ID that identifies the patient, an examination ID that identifies the examination, information about the facility where the device is located, the device manufacturer, and information manually entered by the device operator (e.g., a technician) ("series description"), etc.

[0019] The PACS 30 stores various images generated by the modality 20. The PACS 30 stores, for example, CT images, MR (Magnetic Resonance) images, ultrasound images, etc. for each patient. The PACS 30 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, a hard disk, or an optical disk.

[0020] The medical information processing device 100 includes, for example, a communication interface 110, an input interface 120, a display 130, a processing circuit 140, and a memory 150. The communication interface 110 communicates with external devices such as the terminal device 10, the modality 20, and the PACS 30 via a communication network NW. The communication interface 110 includes, for example, a communication interface such as a NIC (Network Interface Card).

[0021] The input interface 120 accepts various input operations from the operator of the medical information processing device 100, converts the accepted input operations into electrical signals, and outputs the electrical signals to the processing circuitry 140. For example, the input interface 120 includes a mouse, a keyboard, a trackball, a switch, a button, a joystick, a touch panel, etc. The input interface 120 may also be a user interface that accepts audio input from a microphone, etc.

[0022] In this specification, the input interface is not limited to an interface having physical operation parts such as a mouse, keyboard, etc. For example, an example of an input interface also includes an electrical signal processing circuit that receives an electrical signal corresponding to an input operation from an external input device provided separately from the device and outputs this electrical signal to a control circuit.

[0023] The display 130 displays various types of information. For example, the display 130 displays images generated by the processing circuit 140, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for receiving various input operations from an operator, etc. For example, the display 130 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc.

[0024] The processing circuitry 140 includes, for example, an acquisition function 141, a selection function 142, an execution function 143, a setting function 144, a display control function 145, an update function 146, and an estimation function 147. The processing circuitry 140 realizes these functions by, for example, a hardware processor (computer) executing a program stored in a memory 150 (storage circuit).

[0025] The hardware processor refers to a circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (e.g., a simple programmable logic device (SPLD) or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA)). Instead of storing the program in the memory 150, the program may be directly embedded in the circuit of the hardware processor. In this case, the hardware processor realizes its function by reading and executing the program embedded in the circuit. The program may be stored in the memory 150 in advance, or may be stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as a DVD or CD-ROM, and installed in the memory 150 from the non-transitory storage medium by inserting the non-transitory storage medium into a drive device (not shown) of the medical information processing device 100. The hardware processor is not limited to being configured as a single circuit, but may be configured as a single hardware processor by combining multiple independent circuits to realize each function, or multiple components may be integrated into a single hardware processor to realize each function.

[0026] The acquisition function 141 acquires DICOM data transmitted by the modality 20 or the PACS 30 via the communication network NW. The DICOM data is data including a DICOM image. The acquisition function 141 stores the acquired DICOM data in the memory 150.

[0027] The selection function 142 automatically selects an application to be executed on a DICOM image to be processed (hereinafter referred to as an execution application) from among multiple applications in response to a request from the terminal device 10. The selection function 142 selects the execution application based on an application selection rule ARL, which is a rule engine stored in the memory 150. The selection function 142 is an example of a selection unit.

[0028] The execution function 143 includes, for example, an automatic execution function 161 and a manual execution function 162. The automatic execution function 161 executes the execution application selected by the selection function 142 on the DICOM image. The manual execution function 162 accepts an instruction (hereinafter, manual execution instruction) sent by the terminal device 10 from a doctor or the like (hereinafter, user) to use the manual execution function 162. After accepting the manual execution instruction from the user, the manual execution function 162 executes the execution application on the DICOM image in accordance with an input operation by the user to the terminal device 10. The execution function 143 is an example of an execution unit.

[0029] The setting function 144 references the DICOM tag attached to the DICOM image to the examination end determination rule. Based on the result of referencing the DICOM tag to the examination end determination rule, the setting function 144 sets execution information regarding the execution of processing to be processed by the executable application. The execution information includes, for example, the time when the processing by the executable application starts (hereinafter referred to as the processing start time), the time when the processing by the executable application ends (hereinafter referred to as the processing end time), and a timeout time when the acceptance period for accepting medical images to be processed collectively by the executable application ends. The setting function 144 is an example of a setting unit.

[0030] The display control function 145 transmits the processing results of the application executed by the execution function 143, the execution information set by the setting function 144, etc. to the terminal device 10. The display control function 145 transmits the execution information to the terminal device 10, thereby causing the execution information to be displayed on a display provided in the terminal device 10.

[0031] The update function 146 performs an update process to update the inspection end determination rule ERL based on the results of processing by the past executable application. After the user issues a manual execution instruction, the update function 146 updates the inspection end determination rule based on the results of processing by the executable application that the user manually operated. Alternatively, the update function 146 updates the inspection end determination rule based on the results of processing by the executable application after a certain period of time has elapsed since the processing by the executable application ended. The update function 146 is an example of an update unit.

[0032] The estimation function 147 estimates the processing time required for processing a DICOM image by an executed application. The estimation function 147 estimates the processing time based on, for example, information about the DICOM image, such as the resolution and number of pixels of the DICOM image, and information about the executed application, such as the content of the processing in the executed application. The estimation function 147 is an example of an estimation unit.

[0033] The memory 150 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as RAM or flash memory, a hard disk, or an optical disk. These non-transitory storage media may also be realized by other storage devices connected via a communication network NW, such as a NAS (Network Attached Storage) or an external storage server device.

[0034] The memory 150 may also include a non-transitory storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a register. The memory 150 stores, for example, an application selection rule ARL, an inspection termination determination rule ERL, an application AP, history information H, etc. The application AP includes a first application AP1, a second application AP2, a third application AP3, etc. that perform various analysis processes according to the purpose. In addition, the memory 150 stores programs, parameter data, and other data used by the processing circuitry 140.

[0035] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the examination end determination rule ERL. The examination end determination rule ERL defines reference information corresponding to the DICOM tag attached to the DICOM image output by the modality 20. The DICOM tag referenced in the examination end determination rule ERL is the DICOM tag attached to the DICOM image of the first series in the examination series.

[0036] The reference information defines, for example, the number of series in an examination and the timeout period. For example, when the device ID of the DICOM tag is "CT" and the examination region is "HEAD," the number of series as execution information is defined as "3" and the timeout period is defined as 18 minutes. The reference information is read by the setting function 144 and used to set the execution information. The reference information is updated by the update function 146.

[0037] The setting function 144 may set the execution information based on the similarity between all DICOM tags attached to the DICOM images output by the modality 20 and all DICOM tags defined in the examination end determination rule ERL. For example, the setting function 144 uses reference information linked to a DICOM tag (a set of DICOM tags) that is most similar to the DICOM tag attached to the DICOM images output by the modality 20 in the examination end determination rule ERL to set the execution information. A known similarity determination technique based on natural language processing or the like may be used to determine the similarity. The setting function 144 may also weight each of the multiple DICOM tags (by type) and calculate the similarity based on the weighted multiple DICOM tags. For example, the setting function 144 may weight the DICOM tags so that the contribution of DICOM tags that identify the content of the examination itself (e.g., protocol name, series description, device ID, etc.) is high and the contribution of other DICOM tags (e.g., patient ID, etc.) is low.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of DICOM tags output by the modality 20. DICOM tags are output each time a series is completed. The example shown in FIG. 3 shows DICOM tags up to the third series. Of the DICOM tags, the "Device ID," "Examination Area," "Contrast Agent (presence or absence)," etc. of the first series are referenced in the examination end determination rule ERL. The priority and imaging time are used to set execution information in the setting function 144.

[0039] The history information H records the results of processing by the execution application that the user manually operated after issuing a manual execution instruction from the user of the terminal device 10, and the history of the inspection termination determination rule that was updated based on the results of the processing. The history information H includes multiple execution histories of the processing results and the updated inspection termination determination rules.

[0040] Next, various processes of the medical information processing device 100 according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processes in the medical information processing device 100. The processes shown in Fig. 4 are executed when the medical information processing device 100 receives a processing request transmitted from the terminal device 10 based on an operation by a doctor or the like, for example.

[0041] First, in response to a processing request from the terminal device 10, the acquisition function 141 acquires DICOM data including a first series of DICOM images and DICOM tags of a patient to be analyzed from the PACS 30 (step S101), and stores the data in the memory 150. The acquisition function 141 acquires the DICOM data from the PACS 30, for example, based on the patient ID included in the processing request. When the terminal device 10 is used for emergency surgery or the like and DICOM images captured by the modality 20 are to be displayed on the terminal device 10 as they are, the acquisition function 141 acquires the DICOM data from the modality 20.

[0042] Next, the selection function 142 automatically selects an application suitable for processing the DICOM image as the application to be executed (step S103). The selection function 142 reads, for example, an application selection rule ARL stored in the memory 150. The selection function 142 compares a DICOM tag included in the acquired DICOM data with the read application selection rule ARL. Based on the comparison result between the DICOM tag and the application selection rule ARL, the selection function 142 automatically selects an application suitable for processing the DICOM image as the application to be executed.

[0043] Next, the setting function 144 reads out the DICOM data and the examination end determination rule ERL stored in the memory 150 (step S105). The setting function 144 references the DICOM tag included in the DICOM data acquired by the acquisition function 141 to the examination end determination rule ERL read out from the memory 150. Based on the result of referencing the referenced DICOM tag to the examination end determination rule ERL, the setting function 144 performs an execution information setting process to set execution information when the execution application is executed (step S107).

[0044] In the execution information setting process, the setting function 144 sets, for example, the number of test series, the timeout period, the processing start time, and the processing end time. In the execution information setting process, the setting function 144 may set some of the number of test series, the timeout period, the processing start time, and the processing end time. The execution information setting process will be described in further detail below.

[0045] Next, the automatic execution function 161 automatically executes processing of the DICOM image in accordance with the execution information set by the setting function 144 (step S109). While the processing by the automatic execution function 161 is being executed, the manual execution function 162 determines whether or not a manual execution instruction transmitted by the terminal device 10 has been accepted (step S111).

[0046] If it is determined that the manual execution instruction has been received, the manual execution function 162 performs manual execution to execute the execution application on the DICOM image in response to an input operation by the user to the terminal device 10 (step S113). If it is determined that the manual execution function 162 has not received the manual execution instruction, the automatic execution function 161 determines whether the automatic execution of the processing of the DICOM image has ended (step S115).

[0047] If it is determined that the automatic execution of the DICOM image processing has not ended, the automatic execution function 161 returns the process to step S109 and continues the automatic execution. If the automatic execution function 161 determines that the automatic execution of the DICOM image processing has ended, the update function 146 performs an update process to update the examination end determination rule ERL (step S117). The update process of the update function 146 will be described in further detail later. In this way, the medical information processing device 100 ends the process shown in FIG. 4.

[0048] Next, the execution information setting process will be described. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow in the medical information processing device 100. Fig. 5 mainly describes an example of the execution information setting process executed in step S107 of the flowchart in Fig. 4 in the medical information processing device 100.

[0049] In the execution information setting process, the setting function 144 sets the number of series of the examination and the timeout time by referring to the examination end determination rule ERL for the DICOM tag acquired by the acquisition function 141 (step S201). Subsequently, the setting function 144 determines whether the set timeout time has elapsed (step S203).

[0050] If it is determined that the set timeout period has not elapsed, the setting function 144 determines whether the next series of DICOM data has been acquired by the acquisition function 141 (step S205). If it is determined that the next series of DICOM data has not been acquired by the acquisition function 141, the setting function 144 returns the process to step S203.

[0051] If it is determined that the next series of DICOM data has been acquired by the acquisition function 141, the acquisition function 141 stores the acquired DICOM data in the memory 150 (step S207). Next, the setting function 144 determines whether the number of series for which DICOM data has been acquired has reached the number of series set in step S201 (step S209).

[0052] If the setting function 144 determines that the acquired number of series has not reached the set number of series, it returns the process to step S203. If the setting function 144 determines that the acquired number of series has reached the set number of series in step S201, it proceeds to step S211. Also, if the setting function 144 determines that the timeout period has been reached in step S203, it proceeds to step S211.

[0053] The setting function 144 determines whether the number of test series acquired by the acquisition function 141 is multiple (step S211). If the setting function 144 determines that the number of test series acquired by the acquisition function 141 is not multiple (is single), the processing proceeds to step S217.

[0054] If the setting function 144 determines that the number of examination series acquired by the acquisition function 141 is multiple, the estimation function 147 estimates the processing time for each series based on information about the DICOM images of each series and information about the running application (step S213).

[0055] Next, the setting function 144 sets the execution order of each series based on the priority included in the DICOM tag in the stored DICOM data and the processing time estimated by the estimation function 147 (step S215). The setting function 144 sets the execution order of each series, for example, in descending order of priority.

[0056] Alternatively, for example, when processing of a later acquired (hereinafter, subsequent) DICOM image by an executing application is completed before the time when processing of an earlier acquired (hereinafter, preceding) DICOM image can be started (hereinafter, processing start time), the setting function 144 sets the time for processing the later acquired DICOM image to be before processing of the preceding DICOM image, regardless of priority. Both the preceding DICOM image and the subsequent DICOM image can be processed by the executing application. The preceding DICOM image is an example of a first medical image, and the subsequent DICOM image is an example of a second medical image.

[0057] For example, suppose the priority included in the DICOM tag for the first series is "high" and the imaging time is "15 minutes," while the priority included in the DICOM tag for the second series is "low" and the estimated processing time is "5 minutes." In this case, if only the priorities were compared, the processing for the first series would be executed first, but the processing time for the second series is shorter than the imaging time for the first series. In this case, the processing for the second series can be executed while waiting for the imaging of the first series to finish, so the processing for the second series is executed first, prioritizing the processing for the first series.

[0058] The processing start time is calculated based on, for example, the imaging time (hereinafter referred to as the preceding imaging time) included in the DICOM tag attached to the preceding DICOM image. The processing start time may be, for example, the time when the preceding imaging time has elapsed from the present, the time when the preceding imaging time has elapsed from the time when the modality 20 started to capture the preceding DICOM image, or a time obtained by appropriately correcting these.

[0059] Next, the setting function 144 sets the execution start time and execution end time of each series based on the set execution order and the processing time estimated by the estimation function 147 (step S217). In this way, the medical information processing apparatus 100 ends the process shown in Fig. 5 and proceeds to step S109 in Fig. 4.

[0060] Next, an examination termination determination rule update process will be described. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow in the medical information processing device 100. Fig. 6 mainly describes an example of the examination termination determination rule update process executed in step S117 of the flowchart in Fig. 4 in the medical information processing device 100.

[0061] In the examination end determination rule update process, the update function 146 first determines whether manual execution has occurred when processing by an execution application is performed (step S301). If manual execution has occurred, the update function 146 analyzes, for example, the first series of DICOM data (DICOM tags and DICOM images) used in the manual execution, and updates the examination end determination rule ERL based on the analysis results (step S303).

[0062] When determining that there was no manual execution during processing by the executable application, the update function 146 determines whether a certain period of time has elapsed since the time when processing by the executable application of the DICOM image series last acquired by the acquisition function 141 actually ended (hereinafter referred to as actual end time) (step S305). The certain period of time may be set appropriately, and may be set to, for example, a period of several hours such as one hour or five hours, one day, or several days.

[0063] If it is determined that a certain period of time has not passed since the actual end time, the update function 146 returns the process to step S301. If it is determined that a certain period of time has passed since the actual end time, the update function 146 determines that the examination has ended, and analyzes, for example, the first series of DICOM data used in the examination, and updates the examination end determination rule ERL based on the analysis results (step S307).

[0064] For example, suppose an examination includes two series, the first series includes feature α, the second series does not include feature α, and the executed application for both the first and second series is application A. Here, for example, suppose history information H includes a history of executing the processing of the first series by application A through automatic execution and then executing the processing of the second series by manual execution. In this case, the update function 146 determines that the number of series is 2 because the first series includes feature α, or updates the examination termination determination rule ERL to the timeout time obtained by adding the timeout times for the first and second series.

[0065] Alternatively, suppose an examination includes three series, the first series includes the feature γ, the second and third series do not include the feature γ, and in automatic execution, the first series is processed first, followed by the second and third series. In this case, when the first series includes the feature γ, the update function 146 updates the examination end determination rule ERL by determining that the number of series in the examination is three.

[0066] In this way, the medical information processing apparatus 100 ends the processing shown in Figure 6. In the medical information processing apparatus 100 of the above embodiment, the examination termination determination rule ERL is updated based on the results of processing by previously executed applications. This makes it possible to reduce unnecessary processing in the application. Furthermore, since it is possible to avoid setting an unnecessary timeout period, it is possible to prevent the overall time required for processing from being wasted and reduce the impact on performance.

[0067] In the above embodiment, when processing DICOM images of multiple series in an examination, a processing order is set among the multiple series, but for example, when processing DICOM images of multiple examinations, an order may be set among the multiple examinations. Also, an order may be set among multiple series in an examination and among multiple examinations.

[0068] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, the medical information processing device has a selection function that automatically selects an executable application to be executed on the medical image to be processed from among multiple applications, an execution unit that executes the executable application, a setting unit that sets execution information regarding the execution of processing of the target to be processed by the executable application based on the result of referring to the ancillary information attached to the medical image in an examination termination determination rule, and an update unit that updates the examination termination determination rule based on the results of processing by the executable application in the past, thereby reducing wasted processing in applications.

[0069] The setting function 144 of the medical information processing apparatus 100 described above may be implemented in the terminal device 10, which displays various information provided by the medical information processing apparatus 100. For example, a dedicated application program (viewer) installed in the terminal device 10 executes the setting function 144 and sets execution information (e.g., the number of examination series, timeout period, processing start time, processing end time, etc.) by referencing DICOM tags and examination termination determination rules ERL attached to DICOM images output by the modality 20. The information on these DICOM tags and examination termination determination rules ERL may be provided by the medical information processing apparatus 100. The display control function of the terminal device 10 displays the execution information set by the setting function 144 on the viewer screen (display unit). A user, such as a doctor, can understand the details of the analysis processing performed by the medical information processing apparatus 100 (e.g., the timing at which all analysis results are available) by checking the screen including the execution information displayed on the terminal device 10. In this configuration, the terminal device 10 is an example of a "medical information processing apparatus that displays the results of medical image processing by an application."

[0070] Although several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 10 Terminal Equipment 20 Medical imaging diagnostic equipment (modality) 30 Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) 100 Medical information processing device 110 Communication Interface 120 input interface 130 Display 140 Processing Circuit 141 Acquisition Function 142 Selection Function 143 Executive Function 144 Setting Function 145 Display Control Function 146 Update function 147 Estimation Function 150 memory 161 Autorun function 162 Manual execution function ERL inspection completion decision rule H History Information NW communication network

Claims

1. a selection unit that automatically selects an application to be executed on a medical image to be processed from among a plurality of applications; an execution unit that executes the executable application; a setting unit that sets execution information regarding execution of the processing of the processing target by the execution application based on a result of referring to an examination end determination rule for incidental information incidental to the medical image; an update unit that updates the test completion determination rule based on a result of a process performed by the application in the past. Medical information processing equipment.

2. the update unit updates the inspection termination determination rule based on a result of processing by the execution application that has been manually operated by a user. The medical information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the update unit updates the inspection completion determination rule based on a result of the processing by the executable application after a certain period of time has elapsed since the processing by the executable application was completed. The medical information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. the examination end determination rule includes a timeout time at which an acceptance period for accepting the medical images to be collectively processed by the execution application ends, the setting unit sets execution information for starting the processing of the processing target by the executable application when the timeout period has elapsed. The medical information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. the setting unit sets, as the execution information, at least one of a timing to start processing by the executable application, a timing to end processing by the executable application, and the timeout period; The medical information processing device according to claim 4 .

6. the setting unit sets an execution order for executing the plurality of medical images when the plurality of medical images are executed by the execution application; The medical information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. The supplementary information includes a priority regarding an order of execution of the medical images. The medical information processing device according to claim 6 .

8. an estimation unit that estimates a processing time required for processing the medical image by the execution application; the setting unit sets an execution order for executing the plurality of medical images based on the priority and the processing time. The medical information processing device according to claim 7 .

9. the processing object can be processed by the executable application and includes a first medical image acquired earlier and a second medical image acquired later; When the processing of the second medical image by the executable application is completed before the time when the processing of the first medical image can be started, the setting unit sets the time when the processing of the second medical image by the executable application is to be started before the processing of the first medical image by the executable application, regardless of the priority. The medical information processing device according to claim 8 .

10. The supplementary information includes a DICOM tag, the setting unit sets the execution information based on a similarity between a DICOM tag attached to the medical image and a DICOM tag defined in the examination end determination rule. The medical information processing device according to claim 1 .

11. the setting unit assigns a weight to each of a plurality of DICOM tags and calculates the similarity based on the weighted plurality of DICOM tags. The medical information processing device according to claim 10.

12. A medical image processing device that displays the results of processing a medical image by an application, a setting unit that sets execution information regarding the execution of processing of the medical image by the application based on a result of referring to an examination end determination rule for incidental information incidental to the medical image; a display control function for displaying the set execution information on a display unit, Medical information processing equipment.

13. The computer Among multiple applications, the application to be executed for the medical image to be processed is automatically selected and executed. setting execution information regarding execution of the processing of the processing target by the execution application based on a result of referring to an examination termination determination rule for the incidental information incidental to the medical image; and updating the examination termination determination rule based on a result of past processing by the execution application. Medical information processing method.

14. A computer of a medical information processing device that displays the results of processing medical images by an application, setting execution information regarding the execution of processing of the medical image by the application based on a result of referring to the incidental information incidental to the medical image in an examination end determination rule; displaying the set execution information on a display unit; Medical information processing method.

15. On the computer, Among multiple applications, the application to be executed for the medical image to be processed is automatically selected and executed. setting execution information regarding execution of the processing of the processing target by the execution application based on a result of referring to an examination termination determination rule for the incidental information incidental to the medical image; and updating the examination termination determination rule based on a result of past processing by the execution application. program.

16. A computer of a medical information processing device that displays the results of processing medical images by an application, setting execution information regarding the execution of processing of the medical image by the application based on a result of referring to the incidental information incidental to the medical image in an examination end determination rule; displaying the set execution information on a display unit; program.

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