Medical image charging system, medical image charging device, medical image charging method, and program

Abstract

To provide a medical image charging system, a medical image charging device, a medical image charging method and a program, which enable more appropriate measured-rate charging for image processing of medical images.SOLUTION: A medical image charging system 100 for charging for image processing performed on medical images sent from an information processing device 12 serving as a first device, comprises: a control unit 31 functioning as a determination unit for determining whether or not a medical image subjected to image processing of an object of measured-rate charging is a medical image other than the object of measured-rate charging; and a computation unit 37 for computing a measured-rate charging amount for the image processing on the basis of a result of the determination by the determination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical image billing system, a medical image billing device, a medical image billing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, image processing systems have been known that perform predetermined image processing on acquired medical images and charge for the image processing fee. For example, Patent Document 1 describes one such image processing system that employs a so-called pay-per-use system in which the image processing fee is charged according to the number of medical images that have undergone image processing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-357134 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, such an image processing system does not have a means for distinguishing between image processing for testing a series of image processing flows and image processing for actually obtaining diagnostic images from medical images of a patient, and therefore there is a risk that image processing fees will be incurred even for image processing such as the former image processing, which should not be subject to image processing fee claims.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a medical image billing system, a medical image billing device, a medical image billing method, and a program that can more appropriately implement pay-per-use billing for image processing of medical images. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 1 is: A medical image billing system that bills for image processing performed on a medical image transmitted from a first device, a determination unit that determines whether a medical image that has undergone image processing that is subject to pay-per-use charges is a medical image that is not subject to pay-per-use charges; and a calculation unit that calculates a pay-per-use fee for the image processing based on the determination result of the determination unit.

[0007] The invention described in claim 2 is the medical image billing system described in claim 1, The apparatus includes a transmitting unit that transmits the medical image and a processed medical image after image processing to a second apparatus that is a different apparatus from the first apparatus.

[0008] The invention described in claim 3 is the medical image billing system described in claim 2, The first device and the second device are located in different facilities.

[0009] The invention described in claim 4 is the medical image billing system described in claim 1, The determination unit determines that a medical image that has undergone image processing that is subject to pay-per-use charges is a medical image that is not subject to pay-per-use charges if the medical image is the same medical image as a medical image that has undergone image processing in the past, if the medical image is a medical image for operation confirmation, or if the medical image is a medical image for service use.

[0010] The invention described in claim 5 is the medical image billing system described in claim 4, The determining unit determines whether or not the medical image is not subject to pay-per-use charges based on account information assigned to the medical image.

[0011] The invention described in claim 6 is the medical image billing system described in claim 4, The determining unit determines whether or not the medical image is not subject to pay-per-use charges based on the presence or absence of a billing flag in the medical image.

[0012] The invention described in claim 7 is the medical image billing system described in claim 6, a display control unit that switches a user interface displayed on a display unit of the first device according to an account; The display control unit displays a switching unit on the medical image that allows the billing flag to be individually set according to the account.

[0013] The invention described in claim 8 is the medical image billing system described in claim 4, the medical image includes a main data section including image data and a header section including supplementary information associated with the main data section; The determination unit determines whether the medical image is not subject to pay-per-use charges based on the supplementary information of the medical image.

[0014] The invention described in claim 9 is the medical image billing system described in claim 4, unique identification information for identifying the medical image is transmitted together with the medical image; The determination unit determines whether the medical image is not subject to pay-per-use charges based on the unique identification information.

[0015] The invention described in claim 10 is A medical image billing device that bills for image processing performed on a medical image transmitted from a first device, a determination unit that determines whether a medical image that has undergone image processing that is subject to pay-per-use charges is a medical image that is not subject to pay-per-use charges; and a calculation unit that calculates a pay-per-use fee for the image processing based on the determination result of the determination unit.

[0016] The invention described in claim 11 is A medical image billing method by a medical image billing device that bills for image processing performed on a medical image transmitted from a first device, comprising: a determining step of determining whether or not the medical image on which image processing subject to pay-per-use charges has been performed is a medical image not subject to pay-per-use charges; and a calculation step of calculating a pay-per-use fee for the image processing based on the determination result of the determination step.

[0017] The invention described in claim 12 is a program, a computer of a medical image billing device that bills for image processing performed on a medical image transmitted from the first device; a determination unit that determines whether a medical image that has undergone image processing that is subject to pay-per-use charges is a medical image that is not subject to pay-per-use charges; The image processing device functions as a calculation unit that calculates a pay-per-use fee for the image processing based on the determination result of the determination unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, pay-per-use billing for image processing of medical images can be implemented more appropriately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a medical image billing system. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a medical image. [Figure 2B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an AI image, which is an example of a processed medical image. [Figure 2C] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a BS image, which is an example of a processed medical image. [Figure 3] 10 is a ladder chart of a medical image transmission process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] A medical image billing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. In the following description, components having the same functions and configurations will be assigned the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0021] [Overall configuration of medical image billing system] 1 shows an example of the configuration of a medical image billing system 100. The medical image billing system 100 includes an imaging system 10, an in-hospital system 20, and a medical image billing device 30. The imaging system 10 and the medical image billing device 30, and the in-hospital system 20 and the medical image billing device 30 are connected via a network N so that data can be transmitted and received.

[0022] 1 illustrates a configuration in which one medical image charging device 30 is provided with one imaging system 10 and one in-hospital system 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, one medical image charging device 30 may be provided with a plurality of imaging systems 10 and / or in-hospital systems 20.

[0023] Furthermore, the devices constituting the imaging system 10 and the in-hospital system 20 comply with the HL7 (Health Level Seven) and DICOM (Digital Image and Communications in Medicine) standards. Therefore, communication between the devices constituting the imaging system 10 and the in-hospital system 20 is performed in accordance with HL7 and DICOM.

[0024] (Photography system) The imaging system 10 is configured, for example, by a medical checkup bus. The imaging system 10 visits a predetermined facility other than the medical facility that constitutes the in-hospital system 20 and takes medical images at the requested facility. The imaging system 10 also transmits the taken medical images to the in-hospital system 20 via a medical image billing device 30. The imaging system 10 includes a modality 11 and an information processing device 12.

[0025] {Modality} The modality 11 captures an image of a subject in a specific facility and generates image data of a medical image. The modality 11 is, for example, computed radiography (CR), digital radiography (DR), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography (US), nuclear medicine (NM), or endoscope (ES).

[0026] {Information processing device} The information processing device 12, which is the first device, accesses the medical image billing device 30 via the network N, uploads images captured by the modality 11, and sets up image processing, which will be described later. The information processing device 12 can be used not only by users (photographers) of the modality 11, but also by service personnel who perform maintenance and operation of the medical image billing system 100.

[0027] The information processing device 12 includes a control unit 121, a storage unit 122, an operation unit 123, a display unit 124, and a communication unit 125. In addition, the information processing device 12 has installed therein a web browser or a program capable of displaying various screens on the display unit 124.

[0028] <Control Unit> The control unit 121 is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The CPU of the control unit 121 reads out the system program and various programs stored in the storage unit 122 in response to an operation of the operation unit 123, and loads them into the RAM. The CPU of the control unit 121 performs centralized control of the operations of each unit of the information processing device 12 in accordance with the loaded programs.

[0029] <Storage part> The storage unit 122 is configured by a non-volatile semiconductor memory, a hard disk, etc. The storage unit 122 stores various programs executed by the control unit 121, parameters required for executing processes by the programs, data such as processing results, etc.

[0030] <Operation section> The operation unit 123 is configured to include a keyboard having cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, etc., and a pointing device such as a mouse. The operation unit 123 outputs instruction signals input by the user operating the keyboard or the mouse to the control unit 121. The operation unit 123 may also include a touch panel on the display screen of the display unit 124. In this case, the operation unit 123 outputs instruction signals input via the touch panel to the control unit 121.

[0031] <Display> The display unit 124 is configured by a monitor such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), etc. The display unit 124 displays input instructions, data, etc. from the operation unit 123 in accordance with instructions of a display signal input from the control unit 121.

[0032] <Communications Department> The communication unit 125 transmits and receives various data to and from external devices connected to the network N. In particular, the communication unit 125 transmits the medical image captured by the modality 11 to the medical image billing device 30 together with a predetermined reception number.

[0033] (In-hospital system) The in-hospital system 20 automatically acquires (downloads) medical images and processed medical images, which are medical images that have undergone image processing, from the medical image billing device 30. The in-hospital system 20 also associates the acquired medical images and processed medical images with the photographed subject. In the in-hospital system 20, an image interpretation doctor performs image interpretation based on the medical images and processed medical images. The in-hospital system 20 includes an image management server 21 and a terminal device 22.

[0034] {Image Management Server} The image management server 21 stores and manages image data of medical images and processed medical images acquired from the medical image billing device 30. The image management server 21 may be, for example, a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System).

[0035] {Terminal Device} The second device, terminal device 22, is a computer device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a tablet. Terminal device 22 is used by a user such as a doctor when interpreting medical images and processed medical images. Terminal device 22 includes a control unit 221, a storage unit 222, an operation unit 223, a display unit 224, and a communication unit 225.

[0036] <Control Unit> The control unit 221 is configured with a CPU, RAM, etc. The CPU of the control unit 221 reads out the system program and various processing programs stored in the storage unit 222 in response to an operation of the operation unit 223, and loads them into the RAM. The CPU of the control unit 221 centrally controls the operation of each unit of the terminal device 22 in accordance with the loaded programs.

[0037] <Storage part> The storage unit 222 is configured by a non-volatile semiconductor memory, a hard disk, etc. The storage unit 222 stores various programs executed by the control unit 221, parameters required for executing processes by the programs, or data such as processing results.

[0038] <Operation section> The operation unit 223 is configured to include a keyboard having cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, etc., and a pointing device such as a mouse. The operation unit 223 outputs instruction signals input by the user operating the keyboard or mouse to the control unit 221. The operation unit 223 may also include a touch panel on the display screen of the display unit 224. In this case, the operation unit 223 outputs instruction signals input via the touch panel to the control unit 121.

[0039] <Display> The display unit 224 is configured with a monitor such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), etc. The display unit 224 displays input instructions, data, etc. from the operation unit 223 in accordance with instructions of a display signal input from the control unit 221.

[0040] <Communications Department> The communication unit 225 transmits and receives various data to and from external devices connected to the network N. In particular, the communication unit 225 functions as a receiving unit that receives image data of medical images and processed medical images from the medical image billing device 30.

[0041] Furthermore, the terminal device 22 associates patient information and examination information based on the reception numbers linked to the medical images and processed medical images downloaded from the medical image billing device 30, and stores them in the image management server 21. Note that patient information includes, for example, name, date of birth, and age. Furthermore, examination information includes the examination date, the examination area, and, if the image processing is an analysis process, the type of analysis.

[0042] (Medical image billing device) The medical image charging device 30 performs image processing on medical images acquired from the imaging system 10 to generate processed medical images. The medical image charging device 30 also automatically transmits the medical images and processed medical images to the in-hospital system 20. The medical image charging device 30 also determines whether the image processing performed is subject to charging and calculates the charging amount. The medical image charging device 30 according to this embodiment is a cloud server provided on a network. The medical image charging device 30 includes a control unit 31, a memory unit 32, a communication unit 35, an image processing unit 36, and a calculation unit 37.

[0043] {Control Unit} The control unit 31 is composed of a CPU, RAM, etc. The CPU of the control unit 31 reads out the system program and various processing programs stored in the storage unit 32 and loads them into the RAM. The CPU of the control unit 31 centrally controls the operation of each unit of the medical image billing device 30 in accordance with the loaded programs.

[0044] {Storage section} The storage unit 32 is composed of a non-volatile semiconductor memory, a hard disk, etc. The storage unit 32 stores various programs executed by the control unit 31, parameters required for executing processing by the programs, data such as processing results, etc. The storage unit 32 also includes a medical image DB 321 that stores medical images acquired from the imaging system 10. The storage unit 32 also includes a processed medical image information DB 322 that stores information related to processed medical images. Information related to processed medical images includes, for example, the date and time of image processing, the data size of the processed medical images, the storage destination of the original medical images, account information linked to the original medical images, and whether the original medical images are subject to pay-per-use charges.

[0045] The storage unit 32 also stores a web server program that communicates with a web browser installed in the information processing device 12 using the HTTP protocol to realize the function of a web server that provides various web contents. The storage unit 32 also stores a web application program that runs on the web server and generates web screens for displaying various screens on the display unit 124 of the information processing device 12 via the web browser.

[0046] The storage unit 32 also stores a predetermined account table 323 in which account information is associated with whether the account information belongs to the photographer or the service person.

[0047] {Communications Department} The communication unit 35 transmits and receives various data to and from external devices connected to the network N. In particular, the communication unit 35 functions as a transmission unit that transmits image data of medical images and processed medical images to the in-hospital system 20.

[0048] {Image processing section} The image processing unit 36 ​​generates a processed medical image by performing image processing on the medical image acquired from the imaging system 10. The image processing includes, for example, AI (Artificial Intelligence) processing and BS (Bone Suppression) processing.

[0049] AI processing AI processing is the process of generating AI images from acquired medical images. AI images can be obtained by performing image diagnosis or image analysis on medical images, including the detection of lesion candidates using Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD).

[0050] Specifically, the storage unit 32 stores a detection program with a detection algorithm corresponding to the type of abnormal shadow (lesion). A known algorithm can be used to detect abnormal shadow candidates. For example, the FCN (Fully Convolutional Networks) method, which is a deep learning method, can be used. The image processing unit 36 ​​detects abnormal shadow candidates in cooperation with the program. For example, in a chest X-ray image such as that shown in FIG. 2A, nodules suspected of lung cancer and infiltrates suspected of pneumonia or tuberculosis are marked as shown in FIG. 2B. This process prevents abnormal shadows from being overlooked.

[0051] <BS processing> BS processing is a process for generating a BS image (bone attenuation image) from an acquired medical image. BS images can be obtained by recognizing bone regions in a medical image and then applying a known bone attenuation process that attenuates the signal components of the bones and changes their transparency. For example, for the chest X-ray image shown in Figure 2A, the signals of the anterior and posterior ribs are attenuated as shown in Figure 2C. This process improves the visibility of the areas of the lung field that overlap with the skeletal structure.

[0052] {Calculation section} The calculation unit 37 refers to the processed medical image information DB 322 in the storage unit 32 and calculates the billing amount for image processing by the medical image billing device 30 based on information related to the processed medical images. For example, the calculation unit 37 calculates a pay-per-use billing amount according to the number of processed medical images that are subject to pay-per-use billing among the generated processed medical images. The calculation unit 37 calculates a total billing amount by adding the pay-per-use billing amount to the fixed-amount billing amount for transmitting medical images from the information processing device 12 to the terminal device 22 and transmitting medical images and processed medical images from the medical image billing device 30 to the terminal device 22. The calculation unit 37 calculates the total billing amount at a predetermined timing (for example, once a month). The control unit 31 transmits the total billing amount calculated by the calculation unit 37 to the terminal device 22 via the communication unit 35.

[0053] [Medical image transmission processing] A series of operations related to the medical image transmission process in the medical image billing system 100 will be explained with reference to the ladder chart shown in Fig. 3. This ladder chart starts when a user (photographer or service person) using the information processing device 12 inputs a specific URL represented by the IP information or the like of the medical image billing device 30 into a web browser, submits account information, and undergoes login authentication.

[0054] A user takes a medical image of a patient at a specific facility using the modality 11 (step S101). The control unit 121 attaches account information corresponding to the currently logged-in user to the image data of the medical image taken by the modality 11 (step S102). In this way, the control unit 121 functions as an attaching unit that attaches the account information to the medical image.

[0055] The control unit 121 transmits the medical image with the account information attached to it, together with the sequentially issued reception number, to the medical image billing device 30 via the communication unit 125 (step S103).

[0056] The control unit 31 of the medical image billing device 30, which has acquired the image data of the medical image via the communication unit 35, stores the medical image in the medical image DB 321 (step S104). Then, the control unit 31 performs predetermined image processing on the acquired medical image using the image processing unit 36. After the image processing, the control unit 31 stores information related to the generated processed medical image in the processed medical image information DB 322 (step S105). Then, the control unit 31 transmits the medical image and the processed medical image to the in-hospital system 20 via the communication unit 35 (step S106).

[0057] The control unit 221 of the terminal device 22 that has received the medical image and processed medical image from the communication unit 225 associates the patient information and examination information based on the reception number and stores them in the image management server 21 (step S107).

[0058] [Chargeable determination process] The control unit 31 of the medical image billing device 30 functions as a determination unit that executes billing determination processing in parallel with such medical image transmission processing. The billing determination processing is processing that determines whether the medical image on which the image processing unit 36 ​​performs image processing is subject to pay-per-use charging. When the billing determination processing is executed in parallel with the medical image transmission processing, the execution timing is not particularly limited as long as it is executed after step S103 when the medical image billing device 30 acquires the medical image. When the medical image satisfies predetermined conditions, the control unit 31 determines that the image processing performed on the medical image is not subject to pay-per-use charging.

[0059] The predetermined condition is, for example, that the medical image is the same as the medical image that previously generated the processed medical image. In this case, it is considered that the photographer, who is the user of the information processing device 12, mistakenly retransmitted a medical image that he or she previously transmitted to the medical image billing device 30. Therefore, it is appropriate for the control unit 31 to determine that the medical image is not subject to pay-per-use billing.

[0060] The control unit 31 can determine whether or not the acquired medical image is identical to the medical image in the medical image DB 321, for example, by comparing the binary data. Alternatively, the control unit 31 can determine whether or not the acquired medical image is identical by comparing all pixels of the medical image. Alternatively, for example, if additional information is set in the header of the medical image, the determination can be made based on the examination ID, etc., included in the additional information.

[0061] Furthermore, the predetermined condition is, for example, that the medical image is a medical image for operation confirmation. When initially setting up the medical image billing system 100, when a malfunction occurs, when settings are changed, etc., the service person needs to test a series of processes related to the transmission of medical images and processed medical images from the imaging system 10 to the in-hospital system 20. Therefore, when the image processing unit 36 ​​performs image processing on a medical image sent by the service person, the control unit 31 determines that the image processing is not subject to pay-per-use billing.

[0062] In detail, the control unit 31 verifies whether the account information linked to the medical image is the account information of the service technician by referring to the processed medical image information DB 322 and the account table 323. If the result of the verification shows that the account information linked to the medical image matches the account information of the service technician, the control unit 31 determines that the medical image is a medical image for operation check and satisfies predetermined conditions.

[0063] Note that the transmission of medical images for operation check is not limited to the operation of a serviceman. The imaging system 10 may automatically transmit medical images to the medical image billing device 30 at startup every morning to test a series of processes related to the transmission of medical images and processed medical images to the in-hospital system 20. Therefore, even if the image processing unit 36 ​​performs image processing on medical images automatically transmitted by the imaging system 10, the control unit 31 may determine that the image processing is not subject to pay-per-use charges.

[0064] In detail, for example, the information processing device 12 includes a clock unit having a clock circuit that measures the current date and time. The information processing device 12 also includes a flag setting unit that sets a predetermined billing flag on medical images transmitted by the photographer. When the information processing device 12 is started up, the control unit 121 of the information processing device 12 acquires the current date and time from the clock unit, and if it is the first time the information processing device 12 is started up that day, the control unit 121 automatically transmits medical images for which no billing flags have been set to the medical image billing device 30 via the communication unit 125. Because no billing flags have been set for the medical images, the control unit 31 of the medical image billing device 30 determines that the image processing performed on the medical images is not subject to pay-per-use billing.

[0065] After determining whether or not the image is subject to billing, the control unit 31 stores the determination result in the processed medical image information DB 322 of the storage unit 32.

[0066] [Effects of the embodiment] As described above, the medical image billing system 100 according to this embodiment includes a control unit 31 that functions as a determination unit that determines whether a medical image that has undergone image processing that is subject to pay-per-use charges is a medical image that is not subject to pay-per-use charges. The medical image billing system 100 also includes a calculation unit 37 that calculates the pay-per-use charge for the image processing based on the determination result of the determination unit. With this configuration, when calculating the pay-per-use charge, a control is inserted that determines whether the medical image that has undergone image processing is subject to payment. This allows for more appropriate pay-per-use billing for image processing of medical images.

[0067] [Variations] The above-described embodiment is a preferred example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this.

[0068] For example, in the above example, the imaging system 10 transmits only medical images to the medical image billing device 30, but this is not limiting. If the imaging system 10 is equipped with an electrocardiograph, a spirometer, or the like, it may also transmit test data including the measurement values ​​of these devices.

[0069] In addition, the control unit 31 may function as a display control unit that displays a different user interface (UI) on the display unit 124 depending on whether the account information in the login authentication received from the information processing device 12 belongs to a service person.

[0070] In the above description, the flag setting unit of the information processing device 12 sets a billing flag on a medical image to be transmitted in response to an operation by the photographer, but this is not limited to this. When displaying different UIs on the display unit 124 depending on account information, the control unit 31 may display a switching unit that allows individual setting of a billing flag only for the UI for the service technician. Furthermore, even if the logged-in user is a service technician, the flag setting unit may set a billing flag on a medical image if the setting is configured to set a billing flag. With this configuration, when the service technician is assisting the photographer, for example, medical images subject to billing can be transmitted even when the service technician is logged in.

[0071] In the above description, the control unit 31 determines that the image processing performed on a medical image is not subject to pay-per-use charges if the medical image to be processed is the same as the medical image that previously generated a processed medical image, or if the medical image is a medical image for operation confirmation. However, this is not limited to this. For example, if the medical image is acquired during a specified service period, the control unit 31 may determine that the image processing performed on the medical image is not subject to pay-per-use charges. Furthermore, if the image processing unit 36 ​​fails to perform image processing, the control unit 31 also determines that the image processing is not subject to pay-per-use charges.

[0072] In the above description, if the account information associated with a medical image is that of a service technician, the image is determined to be for operation confirmation. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 121 may function as a setting unit that sets unique incidental information only in the header of the medical image for operation confirmation. The control unit 31 may then determine whether the medical image is not subject to pay-per-use charges based on the incidental information.

[0073] Alternatively, the control unit 31 may determine whether the medical image is not subject to pay-per-use charges based on the reception number transmitted together with the medical image. For example, if the reception number is within a predetermined range, the control unit 31 determines that the medical image is not subject to pay-per-use charges.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above description, the calculation unit 37 calculates the pay-per-use fee based on the number of processed medical images generated by the image processing unit 36, but this is not limited to this. For example, the calculation unit 37 may calculate the pay-per-use fee based on the data volume of the processed medical images generated by the image processing unit 36. Furthermore, the calculation unit 37 may calculate the pay-per-use fee based on the data volume of the processed medical images transmitted by the communication unit 35 to the terminal device 22. Furthermore, if the medical image billing device 30 includes an output unit that outputs an image processing result report, the calculation unit 37 may calculate the pay-per-use fee based on the number of the image processing result reports.

[0075] In the above example, the medical image is manually transmitted to the medical image billing device 30 by the photographer or serviceman, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the medical image billing system 100 is started up or when a software update is performed, the control unit 121 may automatically transmit a medical image that is not subject to pay-per-use charges to carry out a test.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above description, the image processing unit 36 ​​generates AI images and / or BS images as processed medical images, but of course, this is not limited to this. For example, the image processing unit 36 ​​may generate TS images as processed medical images by performing temporal subtraction processing based on multiple medical images. Furthermore, in the above description, an example was given of a configuration in which the image processing unit 36 ​​performs only image analysis processing, but this is not limited to this.

[0077] In addition, although the above example illustrates the case where the medical image billing device 30 is a cloud server, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the medical image billing device may be an on-premise server that has a physical entity.

[0078] Although the above describes an example in which a hard disk or a semiconductor nonvolatile memory is used as a computer-readable medium for the program according to the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this example. Other computer-readable media include portable recording media such as CD-ROMs. Furthermore, a carrier wave can also be used as a medium for providing the program data according to the present invention via a communication line.

[0079] Furthermore, the detailed configuration and operation of the medical image billing system 100 can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 100 Medical Image Billing System 12 Information processing device (first device) 22 Terminal device (second device) 30 Medical image billing device 31 Control unit (determination unit) 35 Communication unit (transfer unit) 37 Calculation section

Claims

1. A medical image billing system that bills for image processing performed on a medical image transmitted from a first device, comprising: a determination unit that determines whether a medical image that has undergone image processing that is subject to pay-per-use charges is a medical image that is not subject to pay-per-use charges; a calculation unit that calculates a pay-per-use fee for the image processing based on the determination result of the determination unit.

2. 2. The medical image billing system according to claim 1, further comprising a transmitting unit that transmits the medical image and a processed medical image after image processing to a second device that is different from the first device.

3. 3. The medical image billing system according to claim 2, wherein the first device and the second device are installed in different facilities.

4. The medical image charging system of claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that a medical image that has undergone image processing subject to pay-per-use charges is not subject to pay-per-use charges if the medical image is the same medical image as a medical image that has undergone image processing in the past, is a medical image for operation confirmation, or is a medical image for service.

5. 5. The medical image billing system according to claim 4, wherein the determining unit determines whether the medical image is not subject to pay-per-use billing based on account information assigned to the medical image.

6. 5. The medical image billing system according to claim 4, wherein the determining unit determines whether the medical image is not subject to pay-per-use billing based on the presence or absence of a billing flag in the medical image.

7. a display control unit that switches a user interface displayed on a display unit of the first device according to an account; The medical image billing system according to claim 6 , wherein the display control unit displays a switching unit on the medical image that allows the billing flag to be individually set according to the account.

8. the medical image includes a main data section including image data and a header section including supplementary information associated with the main data section; 5. The medical image billing system according to claim 4, wherein the determining unit determines whether the medical image is not subject to pay-per-use billing based on the supplementary information of the medical image.

9. unique identification information for identifying the medical image is transmitted together with the medical image; 5. The medical image billing system according to claim 4, wherein the determining unit determines whether the medical image is not subject to pay-per-use billing based on the unique identification information.

10. A medical image billing device that bills for image processing performed on a medical image transmitted from a first device, a determination unit that determines whether a medical image that has undergone image processing that is subject to pay-per-use charges is a medical image that is not subject to pay-per-use charges; a calculation unit that calculates a pay-per-use fee for the image processing based on the determination result of the determination unit.

11. 1. A medical image billing method by a medical image billing device that bills for image processing performed on a medical image transmitted from a first device, comprising: a determining step of determining whether or not the medical image on which image processing subject to pay-per-use charges has been performed is a medical image not subject to pay-per-use charges; a calculation step of calculating a pay-per-use fee for the image processing based on the determination result of the determination step.

12. a computer of a medical image billing device that bills for image processing performed on a medical image transmitted from the first device; a determination unit that determines whether a medical image that has undergone image processing that is subject to pay-per-use charges is a medical image that is not subject to pay-per-use charges; a program that functions as a calculation unit that calculates a pay-per-use fee for the image processing based on the determination result of the determination unit;

Images