Image defect judgment support device and program

Abstract

To enable a user to accurately and efficiently determine whether a radiographic image is a defective image even when the radiographic image includes an imaging region that is difficult to determine. [Solution] The image failure judgment support devices 2, 4A, and 5 have an acquisition means for acquiring imaging site information (and the radiation image) regarding the imaging site of the radiation image I, and an output means for outputting (displaying) judgment support information (at least one of information regarding the orientation of the imaging site and information regarding the position of the imaging site, text T, paint P, and figure F) that supports the judgment of whether the radiation image I is an image failure, according to the imaging site information (and the analysis result of the radiation image) acquired by the acquisition means.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a defect determination support device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, general-purpose techniques for determining imaging defects based on the presence or absence of defects in the imaging region, the presence or absence of body movement, and the like are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a positioning judgment device that judges whether a radiological image has been taken with appropriate positioning, extracts predetermined features from image data of a specific region of the radiological image, and judges whether a specific part is missing based on the learning results of the features using a predetermined learning algorithm. Patent document 2 also describes an imaging control device that determines whether or not the subject is moving during tomosynthesis imaging, and if so, sets the imaging device to a second imaging condition for simple imaging. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-255061 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-000313 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there are various viewpoints for determining whether or not a radiographic image is a reject (rejection judgment), and these viewpoints differ depending on the region being imaged. Furthermore, in orthopedic radiography (especially when the joint is the imaging site), positioning the imaging site can be difficult, and users (technologists, etc.) may have difficulty determining whether the image is defective. However, conventional general-purpose techniques for determining whether an image is defective, such as those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, have not been able to provide sufficient support to users in cases such as those described above. For this reason, in conventional reject judgments, depending on the imaging area, judgment errors could occur, such as not classifying a radiological image that should be rejected as a reject, or conversely, classifying a radiological image that does not need to be rejected as a reject. On the other hand, as a result of carefully determining whether an image is defective in order to avoid such misjudgment, it sometimes took too much time to determine each individual image.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to enable a user to accurately and efficiently determine whether or not a radiographic image is a failure, even in the case of a radiographic image that shows an imaging region that is difficult to determine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the image defect determination support device according to the present invention comprises: an acquisition means for acquiring a radiographic image captured by the radiographic image capturing device and radiographic body part information relating to the body part captured in the radiographic image; a generating means for generating judgment support information for assisting in the judgment of whether the radiographic image is a failure or not, in accordance with the imaging body part information acquired by the acquiring means; a communication means for outputting the judgment support information generated by the generation means to an image management device; a control means for controlling the output of the decision support information by the communication means; Equipped with.

[0007] In addition, the program according to the present invention is The control unit of the computer an acquisition process for acquiring a radiographic image captured by the radiographic image capturing device and imaging site information relating to the imaging site of the radiographic image; a generation process for generating judgment support information for supporting a judgment as to whether or not the radiographic image is a reject, in accordance with the imaging body part information acquired in the acquisition process; a communication process for outputting the judgment support information generated by the generation process to an image management device; a control process for controlling output of the decision support information by the communication process; Execute the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a user can accurately and efficiently determine whether or not a radiographic image is a reject, even in the case of a radiographic image showing an imaging region that is difficult to determine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a radiation imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing another example of a radiation imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing another example of a radiation imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 is a block diagram showing a defect determination support device provided in the radiography system of FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of a reject determination support process executed by the reject determination support device of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 5 is a diagram showing an example of determination support information output by the defect determination support device of FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 7] 5 is a diagram showing an example of determination support information output by the defect determination support device of FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 8] 5 is a diagram showing an example of determination support information output by the defect determination support device of FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 9] 5 is a diagram showing a modified example of the operation of the reject determination support device of FIG. 4. [Figure 10] 5 is a diagram showing a modified example of the operation of the reject determination support device of FIG. 4. [Figure 11] 5 is a diagram showing a modified example of the operation of the reject determination support device of FIG. 4. [Figure 12]5 is a diagram showing a modified example of the operation of the reject determination support device of FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0011] <1. Radiography System> First, the schematic configuration of a radiation imaging system (hereinafter referred to as system 100) according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system 100 .

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 includes a radiation image capturing device (hereinafter referred to as a capturing device 1) and a console 2. The system 100 according to this embodiment further includes a radiation generating device (hereinafter referred to as a generating device 3) and an image management device 4. The devices 1 to 4 are capable of communicating with each other via, for example, a communication network N (such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the Internet).

[0013] The system 100 may be installed in an imaging room, or may be configured to be movable (for example, a medical examination cart). The system 100 also functions as a hospital information system (HIS), a radiology information system (RIS), and the like (not shown). Communication may be possible.

[0014] [1-1. Radiation Generator] The generating device 3 includes a generator 31 , an irradiation instruction switch 32 , and a radiation source 33 .

[0015] The generator 31 applies a voltage according to preset imaging conditions to a radiation source 33 (tube) based on the operation of an irradiation instruction switch 32 .

[0016] When a voltage is applied from the generator 31, the radiation source 33 generates radiation R (for example, X-rays) at a dose corresponding to the applied voltage.

[0017] The generating device 3 according to this embodiment is configured to generate radiation R in a manner that corresponds to the form of the radiation image to be generated (a still image, a dynamic image having a plurality of frames). In the case of a still image, radiation R is irradiated only once per depression of the irradiation instruction switch 32. In the case of dynamic images, each time the irradiation instruction switch 32 is pressed, the irradiation of pulsed radiation R is repeated multiple times per predetermined time (for example, 15 times per second), or the irradiation of radiation R is continued for a predetermined time.

[0018] [1-2. Radiation imaging device] The imaging device 1 generates digital data of a radiation image showing an imaging region of a subject. The imaging device 1 according to this embodiment is a portable FPD (Flat Panel Detector). do. Specifically, although not shown, the imaging device 1 according to this embodiment includes a sensor substrate on which image pickup elements that generate charges according to the radiation dose upon receiving radiation R and switch elements that store and release the charges are arranged two-dimensionally (in a matrix), a scanning unit that switches each switch element on and off, a readout unit that reads out the amount of charge released from each pixel as a signal value, a control unit that controls each unit and generates a radiographic image from the multiple signal values ​​read out by the readout unit, and a communication unit that transmits data on the generated radiographic image and various signals to other devices (the console 2, the generator 3, the image management device 4, etc.) and receives various information and signals from other devices.

[0019] The imaging device 1 generates image data of a still image (hereinafter referred to as still image data) or image data of a dynamic image (hereinafter referred to as dynamic image data) by storing and releasing electric charges and reading out signal values ​​in synchronization with the timing at which radiation R is irradiated from the generating device 3. When still image data is generated, a radiation image is generated only once per depression of the irradiation instruction switch 32. When dynamic image data is generated, the generation of frames constituting a dynamic image is repeated multiple times per predetermined time (for example, 15 times per second) for each depression of the irradiation instruction switch 32.

[0020] The imaging device 1 may be integrated with the generating device 3 (for example, a CT (Computed Tomography) device or the like). Furthermore, the imaging device 1 may be configured to display the generated dynamic image in real time on a display device connected to the imaging device 1 (for example, to perform fluoroscopy).

[0021] [1-3. Console] The console 2 sets various imaging conditions for at least one of the imaging device 1 and the generating device 3 . The console 2 is composed of a PC, a dedicated device, etc. The imaging conditions include, for example, conditions related to the subject S (imaged part, imaging direction, physique, etc.) and radiation This includes conditions related to the irradiation of the ray R (tube voltage, tube current, irradiation time, current-time product (mAs value), etc.). The console 2 may set the imaging conditions automatically based on imaging order information obtained from other systems (HIS, RIS, etc.), or may set them (manually) based on operations performed on the operation unit 25 by a user (e.g., a technician, etc.).

[0022] Moreover, the console 2 according to this embodiment also serves as a reject determination support device. That is, the console 2 has a function to assist the user in determining whether or not a radiographic image is a reject (reject determination). "Rejected image" refers to marking a failed radiographic image so that it cannot be used for diagnosis when the radiographic image has to be retaken due to a failed radiographic image. Details of this console 2 will be described later.

[0023] [1-4. Image management device] The image management device 4 manages the image data generated by the photographing device 1. The image management device 4 is a Picture Archiving and Communication System (hereinafter referred to as PACS), an image diagnosis workstation (hereinafter referred to as IWS), or the like.

[0024] [1-5. Shooting process] Photographing of the subject S using the system 100 configured in this manner is performed in the following manner. First, a user (technologist or the like) places the subject S between the radiation source 33 of the generating device 3 and the imaging device 1, which are arranged facing each other with a gap between them, and performs positioning. When the user operates the irradiation instruction switch 32, the radiation generator 3 irradiates the radiation R onto the region of the subject S to be imaged. The imaging device 1 generates a radiographic image (still image, dynamic image) of the imaging region when it receives radiation R from the generator 3, and transmits the image data (still image data, dynamic image data) to the console 2. When the console 2 receives the radiation image, it outputs decision support information corresponding to the radiation image based on the image data. The user determines whether or not to reject the radiographic image based on the decision support information. If it is determined that the photograph is a failure, the photograph is taken again from the positioning of the subject S by the user. On the other hand, if it is determined that the image is not a defective image, the console 2 transmits the image data to the image manager 4. The image manager 4 manages the received image data.

[0025] [1-6. Other] So far, the system 100 has been described in which the console 2 also functions as the reject determination support device, but a device other than the console 2 may also function as the reject determination support device. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the imaging device 1 and the generating device 3, the radiation imaging system 100A may be configured with a console 2A that does not have a defect determination support function, and an image management device 4A that also serves as a defect determination support device. The defect determination support device may also be provided independently. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the imaging device 1, the generating device 3, and the image management device 4, the radiation imaging system 100B may be configured with a console 2A that does not have a defect determination support function, and a defect determination support device 5.

[0026] <2. Details of the Image Defect Judgment Support Device> Next, the details of the failure determination support devices (console 2, image manager 4A, failure determination support device 5) included in the systems 100, 100A, 100B will be described using the console 2, which also serves as the failure determination support device, as an example. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the defect determination support devices 2, 4A, and 5, Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the defect determination support process executed by the defect determination support devices 2, 4A, and 5, and Figures 6 to 8 are figures showing examples of determination support information output by the defect determination support devices.

[0027] 2-1. Configuration of the image defect judgment support device As shown in FIG. 4, the console 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23. The console 2 according to this embodiment further includes a display unit 24 and an operation unit 25. The units 21 to 25 are electrically connected by a bus or the like.

[0028] The control unit 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory ), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The ROM stores various programs executed by the CPU and parameters required to execute the programs. The CPU reads out various programs stored in the ROM, loads them into the RAM, executes various processes in accordance with the loaded programs, and centrally controls the operations of each part of the console 2.

[0029] The storage unit 22 is configured by a non-volatile memory, a hard disk, or the like. The storage unit 22 is also capable of storing image data of radiographic images acquired from other devices (such as the imaging device 1 and the image management device 4). Moreover, the storage unit 22 according to this embodiment stores a plurality of trained models M. Each of the multiple trained models M is trained through machine learning (deep learning) using image data of a radiological image and correct decision support information (correct label) corresponding to the image data. When image data is input, the trained model M performs inference and outputs analysis results (described in detail below). Each trained model M is different for each piece of decision support information to be generated. The trained model M may be trained using information on the coordinates of the subject S in the radiographic image in addition to the image data and the correct label. This can improve the accuracy of the analysis results.

[0030] The communication unit 23 is composed of a communication module and the like. The communication unit 23 is configured to send and receive various signals and data to and from other devices (such as the photographing device 1, the generating device 3, and the image management device 4) connected via a communication network N by wire or wirelessly.

[0031] The display unit 24 is configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like. The display unit 24 displays a radiographic image or the like in accordance with the image signal received from the control unit 21 .

[0032] The operation unit 25 includes a keyboard (cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, etc.), a pointing device (mouse, etc.), a touch panel laminated on the surface of the display unit 24, etc. The operation unit 25 outputs a control signal to the control unit 21 in response to an operation performed by the user.

[0033] In addition, the console 2 may not be equipped with a display unit 24 or an operation unit 25, and may instead receive control signals from an input device provided separately from the console 2, for example, via a communication unit 23, or output image signals to a display device (monitor) provided separately from the console 2. Furthermore, if the other device (such as the image management device 4) has a display unit and an operation unit, it may be configured to receive control signals from the operation unit of the other device and output image signals to the display unit of the other device (the display unit and operation unit may be shared with the other device).

[0034] [2-2. Operation of the image defect judgment support device] The control unit 21 of the console 2 configured as above operates as follows.

[0035] For example, the control unit 21 is configured to execute a reject determination support process such as that shown in FIG. 5 when a predetermined condition is met. The specified conditions include, for example, that the power of the console 2 has been turned on, that the imaging device 1 has started generating and transmitting a radiographic image, that a specified control signal has been received from another device, and that a specified operation has been performed on the operation unit 25.

[0036] (Acquisition process) In this failure determination support process, the control unit 21 first executes an acquisition process (step S1). In this acquisition process, the control unit 21 acquires imaging region information relating to the imaging region of the radiographic image. In the acquisition process according to this embodiment, the control unit 21 extracts the imaging region information from the imaging order information. The control unit 21 may acquire the imaging area information by receiving it from another device via the communication unit 23, or may acquire it (manually) based on an operation performed by the user on the operation unit 25. The control unit 21 functions as an acquisition unit by executing the acquisition process described above.

[0037] (Information generation processing) After acquiring the imaging region information and the like, the control unit 21 executes an information generation process (step S2). In this information generation process, the control unit 21 generates judgment support information in accordance with the imaging region information acquired in the acquisition process. The "decision support information" is information that supports the user in determining whether or not a radiographic image is a reject. The reject determination is performed from different viewpoints for each imaging region. Therefore, in the information generation process according to this embodiment, the control unit 21 can generate a plurality of types of decision support information from different viewpoints. Furthermore, the control unit 21 generates, from among the multiple types of decision support information, a type of decision support information corresponding to the imaging region information (changes the algorithm for generating the decision support information according to the imaging region). In particular, when the imaging part is a joint, the control unit 21 generates, as the judgment support information, at least one of information relating to the position of the imaging part and information relating to the orientation of the imaging part at the time of imaging.

[0038] For example, when the imaging area is a joint (knee joint, elbow joint, ankle joint, etc.), the control unit 21 generates at least one of the following information as judgment support information: information regarding positioning, information regarding misalignment between the lateral malleolus and medial malleolus, information regarding incorrect area, etc. Furthermore, when the imaging region is a limb (hand, foot), the control unit 21 generates at least one of information regarding the left-right mismatch of the region, information regarding the mismatch of the region, and the like as the judgment support information. In addition, when the imaging area is the trunk (abdomen, abdomen, spine, hip joint), the control unit 21 generates at least one of information regarding saturation due to excessive radiation, information regarding body movement, information regarding an incorrect area, etc. as judgment support information. Furthermore, when the imaging region is the chest, the control unit 21 generates at least one of information regarding a lung field defect, information regarding an incorrect region, and the like as judgment support information.

[0039] In the information generation process according to this embodiment, the control unit 21 generates the decision support information in at least one of a text form and a graphic form. The judgment support information generated in the form of text is, for example, text such as "Position deviation XX mm", "Angle deviation △△ degrees", "Pay attention to left and right (left and right reversed)", etc. In addition, the judgment support information generated in the form of a graphic may be, for example, paint superimposed on areas in a radiological image where the lateral malleolus and medial malleolus are misaligned (one protruding from the other), or a graphic to draw attention. It should be noted that the judgment support information does not necessarily indicate the status of the obtained radiographic image as described above, but may instead indicate what should be improved (to reduce the generated deviation to 0) when re-imaging, such as "it would be better to tilt it x degrees to the right."

[0040] In the information generation process according to this embodiment, the control unit 21 generates decision support information according to the imaging region information and the analysis results of the radiographic image. Specifically, the control unit 21 first inputs the image data acquired in the acquisition process into one of the multiple trained models M stored in the memory unit 22 that corresponds to the imaging area information acquired in the acquisition process, and causes the trained model M to perform inference, thereby outputting an analysis result according to the imaging area. The trained model M in this embodiment outputs numerical values ​​as analysis results, such as "the probability that the subject S is photographed from the right (or left) is 0%" or "the deviation between the medial and lateral condyles is 0 mm." In addition, the trained model M may be trained to display segments of the judgment area when performing inference, or may be trained to highlight (e.g., color, enlarge, etc.) areas of interest using known methods (e.g., Grad-CAM, LIME, etc.).

[0041] Next, the control unit 21 generates decision support information based on the analysis result output by the trained model M. For example, when generating judgment support information regarding the photographing direction, the control unit 21 compares the probability that the subject S is photographed from the right with the probability that it is photographed from the left, and determines that it is photographed from the direction with the higher probability. If the result of the determination is different from the photographing direction set as the photographing condition, the determination support information "Pay attention to the left and right" is generated.

[0042] In addition, when generating judgment support information regarding the misalignment between the medial and lateral condyles, the control unit 21 generates the judgment support information in a form ranked according to the likelihood of the imaging failure based on the analysis results output in the form of numerical values. Specifically, the control unit 21 refers to a preset determination criterion (reference value) and assigns the generated analysis results to one of a plurality of ranks. In the information generation process according to this embodiment, the control unit 21 generates an "A rank (good)" if the generated analysis result is less than the first reference value (the possibility of imaging failure is lowest), a "B rank (acceptable)" if the generated analysis result is equal to or greater than the first reference value and less than the second reference value, and a "C rank (not acceptable)" if the generated analysis result is equal to or greater than the second reference value (the possibility of imaging failure is lowest). If the result is "highest probability of failure," it will be classified as "C rank (retake)." The rank may be two levels (one reference value) of "A, B rank" and "C rank" or may be four or more levels (three or more reference values). Furthermore, the control unit 21 may be configured to use the output analysis results (numerical values) as they are as the decision support information.

[0043] The control unit 21 serves as an information generating means by executing the information generating process described above. In addition, in the above information generation process, the control unit 21 may be configured not to generate judgment support information if the radiographic image to be judged as a defective image is different from normal (for example, if an artificial object is inserted in the imaging area, if there is a defect in the imaging area, etc.).

[0044] (Output processing) After generating the decision support information, the control unit 21 executes an output process (step S3). In this output process, the control unit 21 outputs the decision support information generated in the information generation process. That is, the control unit 21 outputs the decision support information according to the imaging region information acquired in the acquisition process. In the output process according to this embodiment, the control unit 21 causes the display unit 24 to display the decision support information. Specifically, the information is displayed on the display unit 24 in the form of text T as shown in Figures 6 and 7, paint P superimposed on the area where the lateral malleolus and medial malleolus are misaligned in the radiation image I as shown in Figure 8, or a figure F (icon) as shown in Figures 6 to 8.

[0045] Note that the text T may be in the form of a pop-up message. Also, when the paint P is displayed, the text T does not need to be displayed. Alternatively, only the figure F may be displayed. Also, the paint P may be configured to outline only the outline.

[0046] In this output process, the control unit 21 may output the decision support information as sound from a speaker (not shown). In addition, the control unit 21 may be configured to transmit an image signal for displaying the judgment support information to an independently provided display device or the display unit of another device, rather than displaying the judgment support information on the display unit 24. Furthermore, when outputting the decision support information, the control unit 21 may also output the image area that is the basis for the content of the decision support information. In this output process, the control unit 21 may write the judgment support information as supplementary information in the header or footer of the image data. In this way, the judgment support information can be referenced in a device other than the failure judgment support device 2 or in an image management system other than the system 100. Furthermore, in the above information generation process, if judgment support information is generated indicating that there is a low possibility of imaging failure (for example, if there is no mistake in the body part or left / right, or if the judgment support information generated in numerical form is below a first reference value), the judgment support information may not be output (judgment support information is output only when there is a high possibility of imaging failure). The control unit 21 functions as an output means by executing the output process described above.

[0047] [2-3. Other] In addition to the basic operations described above, the control unit 21 may also be configured to operate as follows.

[0048] (Setting the decision support information to be output) For example, the control unit 21 may be configured to execute the first setting process when a predetermined condition is met before the execution of the failure determination support process. The predetermined conditions include, for example, that the power supply of the console 2 is turned on, that a predetermined control signal is received from another device, that a predetermined operation is performed on the operation unit 25, and so on. In this first setting process, the control unit 21 sets in advance the type of decision support information to be output. Specifically, for example, on a setting screen as shown in FIG. 9, the type of decision support information to be output is switched ON / OFF for each imaging region based on an operation performed by the user on the operation unit 25. By executing the first setting process described above, the control unit 21 functions as a first setting means, and is able to output decision support information that better meets the needs of the user.

[0049] (Setting criteria) Furthermore, the control unit 21 may be configured to execute the second setting process when a predetermined condition is met before the execution of the failure determination support process. In this second setting process, the control unit 21 sets in advance criteria (first and second reference values) for determining which rank to assign to among the plurality of ranks (ranks A to C). Specifically, based on the operation performed by the user on the operation unit 25, the setting screen accepts input of a reference value as shown in FIG. 10(a), or accepts an increase or decrease in the reference value (movement of sliders S1 and S2) as shown in FIG. 10(b). The determination criteria may be set for each failure determination support device 2 in a facility at once, or may be set for each failure determination support device individually. The determination criteria may be set for each user who logs in to the failure determination support apparatus 2. In addition, regarding the target decision support information (for example, set to be output (ON) in the first setting process), By executing the second setting process described above, the control unit 21 functions as a second setting means, and is able to output decision support information that is more in line with the user's needs.

[0050] (Use of preprocessed images) 11, the control unit 21 also generates a preprocessed image I from the radiographic image I generated by the imaging device 1. P may be adapted to generate: In addition, the control unit 21 P When the generated value is stored in the storage unit 22, For example, if it becomes necessary to perform inference again (for example, if the photographing conditions are changed) and there is no need to perform preprocessing again, the preprocessed image I stored in the storage unit 22 is P may be input to the trained model M to perform inference again. Preprocessed image I P For example, resized images, automatic field masked images, This includes contrast-adjusted images, brightness-adjusted images, etc. If the masking of the outside of the irradiation field fails and the mask range is manually reset, the pre-processing image I is generated based on the manual settings. P and regenerate the preprocessed image I P Let us redo the reasoning using

[0051] (Change in the number of inferences) Furthermore, it is known that inference using deep learning increases in accuracy the more times the inference is repeated. On the other hand, excessive repetition of inference will result in processing taking a long time. Therefore, when the number of times the same result is obtained during repeated inference reaches more than half of the set maximum number of inferences, subsequent inferences may be stopped. In addition, when processing other than inference (for example, processing to display a radiographic image on the display unit 24) is completed, It may be possible to repeat the inference until the Furthermore, for subjects S for whom positioning of the imaging region is difficult (for example, elderly people), the number of inferences may be set to be greater than for other subjects S.

[0052] (Provide reason for photo rejection) In addition, in the output process, when outputting the judgment support information, the control unit 21 C may also be output together. In this case, the control unit 21 generates a list of a plurality of reject reasons R1·· as shown in FIG. 12, for example. In this case, the candidate reject reason R C is displayed at the top. In addition, the possible reasons for the photo loss are C Alternatively, in a list of multiple reject reasons R1··, reject reasons R1·· may be highlighted (displayed in bold, displayed in a different color, etc.). Then, based on a predetermined operation by the user (clicking or touching the candidate text or an OK button not shown), the candidate R C Register this as the official reason for the photo being discarded. do. In this way, the reason for the rejection can be easily determined.

[0053] (Save learning images) In addition, the control unit 21 may be configured to label (with header / footer) the image data of images for which judgment has failed among the multiple radiation images that have been taken so far, and store the images as separate images (resized and tone converted) in the memory unit 22 or transmit them to the image management device 4. A failed-to-judge image is an image for which the failure-to-shoot judgment support device 2 outputs judgment support information indicating a possible shooting failure, but the user judges that it is not a failure, and an image for which the failure-to-shoot judgment support device 2 outputs judgment support information indicating successful shooting, but the user judges that it is a failure. In this way, images of failed judgments can be used for future machine learning and user education. Furthermore, when machine learning is performed again, there will be less access to image data and additional information, which shortens processing time and reduces the risk of personal information being spread.

[0054] <3. Effects> The console 2 described above acquires imaging region information and outputs judgment support information in accordance with the acquired imaging region information. In this case, the console 2 selects an algorithm that is necessary and sufficient for the target imaging area to generate decision support information, thereby shortening the waiting time until the decision support information is output and preventing the output of unnecessary information. Furthermore, because this judgment support information is generated by software, the criteria for reject judgment are standardized, making it less likely that an error will occur when making a reject judgment for any radiographic image showing any part of the body. Furthermore, since it becomes easier to judge whether an image is defective or it is possible to prevent rework due to overlooking information when making a judgment on whether an image is defective, it is possible to make judgments on individual images in a short time. Therefore, the console 2 or the system 100 allows the user to accurately and efficiently determine whether or not a radiographic image is a defective image, even in the case of a radiographic image that shows an area that is difficult to determine. As a result, it is possible to prevent a defective image that should be rejected from being mistakenly sent to another device (such as the image management device 4). Furthermore, it is possible to reduce unnecessary re-photographing due to marking an image as a rejected image when it is not necessary to be rejected.

[0055] <4.Other> It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

[0056] For example, in the above description, examples have been disclosed 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, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. Other computer-readable media include portable recording media such as CD-ROMs. Furthermore, carrier waves are also applicable as a medium for providing data for the program according to the present invention via a communication line. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 100 Radiography System 1. Radiography equipment 2 Console (image quality assessment support device) 21 Control section 22 Memory section 23 Communications Department 24 Display section 25 Control section 3. Radiation Generator 31 Generator 32 Irradiation instruction switch 33 Radiation source 4 Image management device (PACS, IWS) N Communication Network R Radiation S Subject

Claims

1. an acquisition means for acquiring a radiographic image captured by the radiographic image capturing device and radiographic body part information relating to the body part captured in the radiographic image; a generating means for generating judgment support information for assisting in the judgment of whether the radiographic image is a defective image in accordance with the imaging body part information acquired by the acquiring means; a communication means for outputting the judgment support information generated by the generation means to an image management device; a control means for controlling the output of the decision support information by the communication means; A defective image judgment support device comprising:

2. The failure determination support device according to claim 1 , wherein the communication means outputs an image area of ​​the radiographic image that is the basis of the determination support information to the image management device.

3. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means writes the judgment support information in a header or a footer of image data of the radiation image.

4. 4. The failure determination support device according to claim 1, wherein the control means determines whether or not to output the determination support information based on the determination support information.

5. The control unit of the computer an acquisition process for acquiring a radiographic image captured by the radiographic image capturing device and imaging site information relating to the imaging site of the radiographic image; a generating process for generating judgment support information for assisting in the judgment of whether the radiographic image is a reject, in accordance with the imaging body part information acquired in the acquiring process; a communication process for outputting the judgment support information generated by the generation process to an image management device; a control process for controlling output of the decision support information by the communication process; A program that executes the following.

Images