Medical image display device, medical image display method, and program

Abstract

To enable a user to suitably refer to a high resolution medical image even in a case where the number of pixels in a display area is smaller than the number of pixels in the whole of the high resolution medical image.SOLUTION: A medical image display device comprises an acquisition part, a specification part, and a display control part. The acquisition part acquires a first medical image. On the basis of the matrix size of a display area capable of displaying the first medical image in a display part, the specification part specifies the sizes of a target range displayable in the display area. The display control part causes a portion corresponding to the target range set in the first medical image to be displayed in the display area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings relate to a medical image display device, a medical image display method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, medical image diagnostic devices such as X-ray computed tomography (CT) devices have been providing increasingly higher resolution medical images. However, depending on the performance or size of the display area of ​​a display device, it may be difficult to display a high-resolution medical image at its original resolution. For example, the number of pixels on the screen of a display device that displays a high-resolution medical image may be smaller than the number of pixels of the high-resolution medical image. In addition, when various pieces of medical information are displayed on the same screen, such as in an integrated viewer, even if the number of pixels on the entire screen of the display device is large, the area that can be secured for displaying each piece of information may be limited, and as a result, only images with normal resolution may be displayed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-114070 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] One of the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings is to enable a user to appropriately view a high-resolution medical image even when the number of pixels in the display area is smaller than the number of pixels in the entire high-resolution medical image. However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments disclosed in this specification and the drawings are 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]

[0005] A medical image display device according to an embodiment includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a display control unit. The acquisition unit acquires a first medical image. The determination unit determines the size of a target range that can be displayed in the display area based on a matrix size of a display area in which the first medical image can be displayed on the display unit. The display control unit displays a portion of the first medical image that corresponds to the set target range in the display area. The number of pixels in the display region is smaller than the number of pixels in the entire first medical image. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a medical information system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a first display area and a second display area according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display target range of a high-resolution image according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the conversion process according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a high resolution image and a normal resolution image are displayed according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in the display range of a high-resolution image according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of medical image display processing according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a medical information system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display target range on a high-definition image according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a part of a high-resolution image according to the second embodiment is displayed. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a notification according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of medical image display processing according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a medical information system according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an X-ray CT apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a high-resolution image according to the first modification is displayed. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of an integrated viewer according to the second modification. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a high-resolution image according to the third modification is displayed. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a warning according to the fourth modification is displayed. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a high resolution image and a normal resolution image according to the sixth modification are displayed. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a high resolution image and a normal resolution image according to the seventh modification are displayed. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a high resolution image and a normal resolution image according to the eighth modification are displayed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, embodiments of a medical image display device, a medical image display method, and a program will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0008] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a medical information system S100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the medical information system S100 includes a medical image display device 100, a medical image storage device 200, and a medical image diagnostic device such as an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) device 1.

[0009] The medical image display device 100 is communicably connected to a medical image storage device 200 and an X-ray CT device 1 via a network 300 such as an in-hospital LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

[0010] The medical information system S100 may further include other server devices, etc. Although only one medical image display device 100 is illustrated in Fig. 1, the medical information system S100 may include multiple medical image display devices 100. Each device included in the medical information system S100 may be installed in one medical institution, or some of them may be installed in a doctor's home, another medical institution, etc.

[0011] The X-ray CT device 1 captures an X-ray CT image of a subject. The X-ray CT image is an example of a medical image in this embodiment. The X-ray CT device 1 in this embodiment is also capable of acquiring a high-resolution X-ray CT image. The high-resolution X-ray CT image is, for example, an X-ray CT image with a resolution about four times that of an X-ray CT image with a normal resolution. For example, the number of pixels of an X-ray CT image with a normal resolution is 512×512, and the number of pixels of an X-ray CT image with a high resolution is 1024×1024. In this embodiment, the number of pixels of an image or a display area on a screen is called a matrix size. The difference between the above-mentioned X-ray CT image with a normal resolution and the high-resolution X-ray CT image is an example, and is not limited to four times.

[0012] The medical image storage device 200 is, for example, a server device of a PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System), and stores medical images in a format conforming to DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine). The medical image storage device 200 of this embodiment stores high-resolution X-ray CT images captured by the X-ray CT device 1.

[0013] The medical image display device 100 is, for example, a terminal device such as a portable tablet terminal, but is not limited thereto. For example, the medical image display device 100 may be a laptop type PC (Personal Computer) or a desktop type PC. In this embodiment, the user of the medical image display device 100 is a doctor such as a diagnostician or an image interpreter, or a technician.

[0014] The medical image display device 100 includes a NW (network) interface 110, a storage circuitry 120, an input interface 130, a display 140, and a processing circuitry 150.

[0015] The NW interface 110 is connected to the processing circuit 150, and controls the transmission and communication of various data between the medical image display device 100, the medical image storage device 200, and the X-ray CT device 1. The NW interface 110 is realized by a network card, a network adapter, a NIC (Network Interface Controller), or the like.

[0016] The memory circuitry 120 stores in advance various types of information used by the processing circuitry 150. The memory circuitry 120 also stores various programs. The memory circuitry 120 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, an optical disk, a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD). The memory circuitry 120 may be located within the medical image display device 100, or may be located within an external storage device connected via a network. The memory circuitry 120 is an example of a memory unit in this embodiment.

[0017] The input interface 130 is realized by a trackball, a switch button, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch pad that performs an input operation by touching the operation surface, a touch screen in which a display screen and a touch pad are integrated, a non-contact input circuit using an optical sensor, a voice input circuit, etc. The input interface 130 is connected to the processing circuit 150, and converts an input operation received from an operator into an electric signal and outputs it to the processing circuit 150. Note that in this specification, the input interface 130 is not limited to an interface having physical operation parts such as a mouse and a keyboard. For example, an electric signal processing circuit that receives an electric signal corresponding to an input operation from an external input device provided separately from the device and outputs the electric signal to the processing circuit 150 is also included as an example of the input interface 130.

[0018] The display 140 is a dot-matrix electronic display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electro-luminescence (OEL) display. The input interface 130 and the display 140 may be integrated. For example, the input interface 130 and the display 140 may be realized by a touch panel. The display 140 is an example of a display unit in this embodiment. The display 140 may be provided separately from the medical image display device 100, for example, connected to a network 300.

[0019] The processing circuitry 150 is a processor that reads out programs from the memory circuitry 120 and executes them to realize functions corresponding to each program. The processing circuitry 150 of this embodiment includes an acquisition function 151, a specification function 152, a conversion function 153, a display control function 154, and a reception function 155. The acquisition function 151 is an example of an acquisition unit. The specification function 152 is an example of a specification unit. The conversion function 153 is an example of a conversion unit. The display control function 154 is an example of a display control unit. The reception function 155 is an example of a reception unit.

[0020] Here, for example, each processing function of the acquisition function 151, the identification function 152, the conversion function 153, the display control function 154, and the reception function 155, which are components of the processing circuit 150, is stored in the storage circuit 120 in the form of a program executable by a computer. The processing circuit 150 is a processor. For example, the processing circuit 150 reads out a program from the storage circuit 120 and executes it to realize the functions corresponding to the respective programs. In other words, the processing circuit 150 in the state of having read out each program will have each function shown in the processing circuit 150 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, although the processing functions performed by the acquisition function 151, the identification function 152, the conversion function 153, the display control function 154, and the reception function 155 are described as being realized by a single processor, it is also possible to configure the processing circuit 150 by combining a plurality of independent processors, and each processor realizes the functions by executing a program. Also, in FIG. 1, although a single storage circuit 120 is described as storing the programs corresponding to the respective processing functions, it is also possible to configure the processing circuit 150 to read out the corresponding programs from individual storage circuits by distributing and arranging a plurality of storage circuits.

[0021] In the above description, an example has been described in which the "processor" reads out and executes a program corresponding to each function from a storage circuit, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The term "processor" refers to a circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (e.g., a Simple Programmable Logic Device (SPLD), a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), and a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)). When the processor is, for example, a CPU, the processor realizes a function by reading out and executing a program stored in the storage circuit 120. On the other hand, when the processor is an ASIC, instead of storing a program in the storage circuit 120, the function is directly incorporated as a logic circuit in the circuit of the processor. Note that each processor in the present embodiment is not limited to being configured as a single circuit for each processor, and may be configured as one processor by combining multiple independent circuits to realize the function. Furthermore, multiple components in FIG. 1 may be integrated into one processor to realize the functions thereof.

[0022] The acquisition function 151 acquires high-resolution X-ray CT image data from the medical image storage device 200. The high-resolution X-ray CT image data is an example of a first medical image in this embodiment. The acquisition function 151 stores the acquired high-resolution X-ray CT image in the memory circuitry 120. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the X-ray CT image data will be simply referred to as an X-ray CT image, unless it is specifically stated that it is data.

[0023] The source of acquisition of the X-ray CT image is not limited to the medical image storage device 200. For example, the acquisition function 151 may acquire a high-resolution X-ray CT image from the X-ray CT device 1. In addition, when the reconstruction process of the X-ray CT image is executed by a reconstruction processing server device other than the X-ray CT device 1, the acquisition function 151 may acquire a high-resolution X-ray CT image from the reconstruction processing server device.

[0024] The identification function 152 identifies the size of a target range that can be displayed in a display area on the display 140 based on the matrix size of the display area in which a high-resolution X-ray CT image can be displayed. The target range is the range of the high-resolution X-ray CT image that is displayed in the display area. Specifically, the matrix size of the display target range on the high-resolution X-ray CT image is assumed to match the matrix size of the display area.

[0025] In addition, in this embodiment, the matrix size of the display area is smaller than the matrix size of the entire high-resolution X-ray CT image. The matrix size of the display area is stored in, for example, the storage circuitry 120. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the target range of the high-resolution X-ray CT image that can be displayed in the display area is referred to as the display target range.

[0026] Hereinafter, in this embodiment, a high-resolution X-ray CT image may be simply referred to as a "high-resolution image," and an X-ray CT image with a normal resolution, which is an image converted by the conversion function 153 described below, may be simply referred to as a "normal resolution image."

[0027] More specifically, in this embodiment, the display 140 includes a first display area and a second display area. The first display area is an area for displaying a normal resolution image, which will be described later. The second display area is an area for displaying a high resolution image. The first display area and the second display area may be collectively referred to simply as the display area.

[0028] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the first display area 141 and the second display area 142 according to the first embodiment. For the sake of explanation, Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram in which the matrix sizes of the first display area 141 and the second display area 142 are each 4 × 4. The actual matrix sizes of the first display area 141 and the second display area 142 may be larger.

[0029] The matrix size of the second display area 142 is smaller than the matrix size of the high-resolution image. Therefore, when the high-resolution image is not reduced, the second display area 142 can display only a part of the high-resolution image, not the entire image. The identification function 152 identifies the size of the display target range of the high-resolution image that can be displayed in the second display area 142 without being reduced.

[0030] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the display target range 60a of the high-resolution image 71 according to the first embodiment. For example, when the matrix size of the second display area 142 is 4 x 4 as shown in Fig. 2, the specification function 152 specifies the size of the display target range 60a of the high-resolution image 71 that can be displayed in the second display area 142 as a size equivalent to the matrix size of 4 x 4, as shown in Fig. 3. As a result, the pixels included in the second display area 142 correspond one-to-one to the pixels of the high-resolution image 71 that correspond to the display target range 60a, so that a part of the high-resolution image 71 can be displayed in the second display area 142 while maintaining high resolution.

[0031] Returning to FIG. 1, the conversion function 153 converts the high-resolution image 71 into a converted image having a lower resolution than the high-resolution image 71. The resolution of the converted image is, for example, equivalent to that of an X-ray CT image having a normal resolution. Hereinafter, the converted image is also referred to as a normal resolution image. The normal resolution image is an example of a second medical image in this embodiment.

[0032] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the conversion process according to the first embodiment. For the sake of explanation, Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram in which the matrix size of the high-resolution image 71 is 8×8 and the matrix size of the normal-resolution image 72 is 4×4.

[0033] The conversion function 153 converts a plurality of pixels included in the high-resolution image 71 into the normal resolution image 72 by thinning out or bundling. In FIG. 4, the conversion function 153 converts four pixels 81a-81d included in the high-resolution image 71 into one pixel 82 of the normal resolution image 72. This conversion reduces the number of pixels to one-fourth. Although FIG. 4 illustrates four pixels 81a-81d, all pixels included in the high-resolution image 71 are converted into one pixel 82 for each unit number. In FIG. 4, the number of pixel units in the conversion process is set to four, but this is not limited to this.

[0034] Among the conversion methods, thinning processing refers to deleting pixel data at a fixed rate for each unit number. For example, if three pixels 81b-81d are deleted from four pixels 81a-81d, the number of pixels becomes one-fourth.

[0035] Among the conversion methods, the bundling process is a process of integrating pixel data for each unit number into 1. For example, the conversion function 153 may set the average value of the pixel values ​​of the four pixels 81a to 81d as the pixel value of one pixel 82.

[0036] 1, the display control function 154 displays in the display area a portion of the high-resolution image 71 that corresponds to the display target range 60a. More specifically, in this embodiment, the display control function 154 displays the normal resolution image 72 in the first display area 141, and displays in the second display area 142 a portion of the high-resolution image 71 that corresponds to the display target range 60a.

[0037] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a high resolution image 71 and a normal resolution image 72 according to the first embodiment are displayed. In Fig. 5, the normal resolution image 72 is displayed in the first display area 141, and a part of the high resolution image 71 is displayed in the second display area 142.

[0038] In this embodiment, the matrix size of the normal resolution image 72 is equal to the matrix size of the first display area 141. In this case, the display control function 154 can display the entire normal resolution image 72 in the first display area 141 without reducing the normal resolution image 72. Note that the matrix size of the normal resolution image 72 and the matrix size of the first display area 141 do not necessarily have to be equal to each other.

[0039] In this embodiment, the matrix sizes of the first display area 141 and the second display area 142 are equal, and the normal resolution image 72 and a part of the high resolution image 71 are displayed without being reduced in the first display area 141 and the second display area 142, respectively. Therefore, if the resolution of the normal resolution image 72 is one-fourth the resolution of the high resolution image 71, when displayed on the display 140, the high resolution image 71 will be an image obtained by enlarging the normal resolution image 72 by four times.

[0040] Furthermore, the display control function 154 causes an indicator 90a indicating the position and size of the display target range 60a to be displayed on the display 140. In this embodiment, the display control function 154 causes the indicator 90a indicating the position and size of the display target range 60a to be displayed on the normal resolution image 72 displayed in the first display area 141. The indicator 90a is an example of a first indicator image in this embodiment.

[0041] The indicator 90a is, for example, a frame that surrounds a part of the normal resolution image 72 displayed in the first display area 141. Note that the display mode and shape of the indicator 90a are not limited to the example shown in FIG.

[0042] The indicator 90a indicates which part of the high resolution image 71 displayed in the second display area 142 corresponds to which part of the normal resolution image 72 displayed in the first display area 141. In other words, the display control function 154 indicates, by the indicator 90a, the range of the normal resolution image 72 that corresponds to the display target range 60a of the high resolution image 71. In this embodiment, the size of the frame that is the indicator 90a corresponds to the size of the display target range 60a determined by the above-mentioned specification function 152.

[0043] The correspondence between each pixel contained in the high-resolution image 71 displayed in the second display area 142 and each pixel of the normal resolution image 72 displayed in the first display area 141 is similar to the correspondence between each pixel contained in the high-resolution image 71 and each pixel of the normal resolution image 72 in the thinning or bundling process by the conversion function 153.

[0044] In FIG. 5, the upper left portion of the normal resolution image 72 of the high resolution image 71 displayed in the first display area 141 is displayed in the second display area 142.

[0045] In the initial display, the display target range 60a may be provided at a predetermined position on the high resolution image 71. The position of the display target range 60a in the initial display may be determined by the above-mentioned specification function 152 or the display control function 154.

[0046] In addition, the high resolution image 71 may not be displayed in the initial display, and only the normal resolution image 72 may be displayed. In this case, when an indicator 90a is placed by a user operation, a part of the high resolution image 71 corresponding to the indicator 90a is displayed in the second display area 142.

[0047] The position of the indicator 90a can be changed by the user using a mouse or the like. The position of the display target range 60a of the high-resolution image 71 changes when the user moves the indicator 90a on the normal resolution image 72 displayed in the first display area 141. When the position of the display target range 60a is changed by the user, the display control function 154 displays in the second display area 142 a portion of the high-resolution image 71 that corresponds to the display target range 60a after the position has been changed.

[0048] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in the display target range 60a of the high resolution image 71 according to the first embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the indicator 90a has moved from the position shown in Fig. 5 to the upper right part of the normal resolution image 72.

[0049] The display control function 154 displays a portion of the high-resolution image 71 that corresponds to the display target range 60a provided at a position designated by the user in the second display area 142. Therefore, in FIG. 6, the upper right portion of the high-resolution image 71 is displayed in the second display area 142. In this embodiment, since the position of the indicator 90a on the normal resolution image 72 corresponds to the display target range 60a of the high-resolution image 71 displayed in the second display area 142, the user can easily grasp the position and size of the part of the high-resolution image 71 displayed in the second display area 142 in the entire high-resolution image 71.

[0050] Returning to FIG. 1, the reception function 155 receives various operations by the user via the input interface 130. For example, the reception function 155 receives a user operation to change the position of the indicator 90a. Since the position of the indicator 90a corresponds to the position of the display target range 60a of the high resolution image 71, in other words, the reception function 155 receives a user designation of the position of the display target range 60a on the normal resolution image 72 displayed in the first display area 141. The reception function 155 sends the received operation to change the position of the indicator 90a to the display control function 154.

[0051] Next, a flow of medical image display processing executed by the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment configured as above will be described.

[0052] 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of medical image display processing according to the first embodiment. The processing of this flowchart starts, for example, when a user performs an operation to instruct a query for medical images.

[0053] First, the acquisition function 151 acquires the high-resolution image 71 from the medical image storage device 200 (S1).

[0054] Then, the specifying function 152 specifies the size of the display target range 60a in the high resolution image 71 based on the matrix size of the second display area 142 of the display 140 (S2). In addition, the specifying function 152 may determine an initial position of the display target range 60a on the high resolution image 71.

[0055] Next, the conversion function 153 converts the high-resolution image 71 into the normal resolution image 72 (S3). Note that the acquisition of the high-resolution image 71 by the acquisition function 151 and the conversion by the conversion function 153 may be performed in advance before the user performs an operation to instruct a medical image inquiry.

[0056] Next, the display control function 154 displays the normal resolution image 72 in the first display area 141 and a part of the high resolution image 71 in the second display area 142 (S4). At this stage, the display control function 154 displays, for example, a part of the high resolution image 71 that corresponds to the initial position of the display target range 60a determined by the specification function 152 in the second display area 142. In addition, the display control function 154 displays an indicator 90a that corresponds to the position and size of the display target range 60a of the high resolution image 71 on the normal resolution image 72 displayed in the first display area 141.

[0057] Next, the reception function 155 determines whether or not a change in the position of the display target range 60a of the high resolution image 71 by the user has been received (S5).

[0058] For example, when the reception function 155 does not receive a user operation to move the position of the indicator 90a on the first display area 141, it determines that the user's change in the position of the display target range 60a of the high resolution image 71 has not been received (S5 "No"). In this case, the reception function 155 returns to S5 and waits for a user operation.

[0059] In addition, when the reception function 155 receives a user operation to move the position of the indicator 90a on the first display area 141, it determines that it has received a user request to change the position of the display range 60a of the high-resolution image 71 (S5 “Yes”).

[0060] In addition, the identification function 152 identifies the position of the display target range 60a on the high resolution image 71, which corresponds to the position of the indicator 90a changed by the user (S6). Note that this identification process may be executed by the display control function 154.

[0061] Then, the display control function 154 causes a portion of the high resolution image 71 that corresponds to the specified display target range 60a to be displayed in the second display area 142 (S7). As a result, a portion of the high resolution image 71 that is desired by the user is displayed in the second display area 142.

[0062] Then, the display control function 154 judges whether or not to end the display of the medical image (S8). For example, when the reception function 155 receives an operation by the user to close the inquiry screen of the medical image, or an operation to save or transmit the image interpretation report, the display control function 154 judges to end the display of the medical image (S8 "Yes"). In this case, the process of this flowchart ends.

[0063] Moreover, if the display of the medical image is not to be ended (S8 "No"), the process returns to S5, and the reception function 155 waits for a user operation.

[0064] In this way, the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment specifies the size of the display target range 60a based on the matrix size of the display area in which the high-resolution image 71 can be displayed on the display 140, and displays the portion of the high-resolution image 71 that corresponds to the display target range 60a in the display area. Therefore, according to the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment, even if the number of pixels in the display area is smaller than the number of pixels of the entire high-resolution image 71, the user can appropriately refer to the high-resolution image 71.

[0065] For example, a clinician may examine a patient while checking medical images using a portable tablet terminal. In general, the display 140 of a tablet terminal often has a smaller number of pixels than a desktop PC or the like. Even if the display 140 of a desktop PC has a smaller number of pixels than the high-resolution image 71 depending on the specifications. For example, when a radiologist performs radiological interpretation while working from home, it may be difficult to display the entire high-resolution image 71 without changing the resolution with the specifications of the display 140 of the PC at home. Even if the number of pixels of the entire display 140 is large, when the screen area for displaying information other than medical images is large or when multiple medical images are displayed simultaneously, the display area for displaying each medical image is small, and it may be difficult to display the entire high-resolution image 71. Even in such a case, the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment can display the high-resolution image 71 as it is, regardless of the number of pixels of the display area of ​​the display 140 that can display the high-resolution image 71.

[0066] Furthermore, when the position of the display target range 60a is changed by the user, the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment displays in the display area a portion of the high-resolution image 71 that corresponds to the display target range 60a after the position has been changed. Therefore, the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment allows the user to refer to a desired portion of the high-resolution image 71.

[0067] Furthermore, the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment specifies the display target range 60a so that the matrix size of the display target range 60a in the high-resolution image 71 matches the matrix size of the display area. Therefore, according to the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment, it is possible to display a part of the high-resolution image 71 in the display area while maintaining the high resolution.

[0068] Furthermore, the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment displays an indicator 90a indicating the position and size of the display target range 60a on the display 140. Therefore, according to the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment, the user can easily grasp the size and position of a part of the high-resolution image 71 displayed in the display area relative to the entire high-resolution image 71.

[0069] Moreover, the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment converts the high-resolution image 71 into a normal resolution image 72 having a lower resolution than the high-resolution image 71, displays the normal resolution image 72 in the first display area 141, and displays a portion of the high-resolution image 71 that corresponds to the display target range 60a in the second display area 142. Therefore, according to the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment, the user can grasp the entire image of the medical image at the normal resolution and at the same time view a part of the medical image at high resolution.

[0070] Furthermore, the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment accepts a user's designation of the position of the display target range 60a on the normal resolution image 72 displayed in the first display area 141, and displays a portion of the high-resolution image 71 that corresponds to the display target range 60a provided at the position designated by the user in the second display area 142. Therefore, according to the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment, the user can inquire at a high resolution about a desired position selected on the normal resolution image 72.

[0071] Furthermore, the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment displays an indicator 90a indicating the position and size of the display target range 60a on the normal resolution image 72 displayed in the first display area 141. Therefore, according to the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment, the user can easily grasp which position and range on the normal resolution image 72 corresponds to which part of the high resolution image 71 displayed in the second display area 142.

[0072] Second embodiment In the above-described first embodiment, medical images of two different resolutions, a high-resolution image 71 and a normal-resolution image 72, are displayed. In this second embodiment, the high-resolution medical image is displayed in a state in which it can be enlarged or reduced by a user operation.

[0073] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a medical information system S200 according to the second embodiment. The medical information system S200 of this embodiment includes a medical image display device 100, a medical image storage device 200, and a medical image diagnostic device such as an X-ray CT device 1, as in the first embodiment.

[0074] Moreover, the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment includes a NW interface 110, a storage circuitry 120, an input interface 130, a display 140, and a processing circuitry 150, similarly to the first embodiment.

[0075] The processing circuitry 150 of the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment includes an acquisition function 151 , a specification function 1152 , a display control function 1154 , and a reception function 1155 .

[0076] For example, the processing circuitry 150 of this embodiment, like the first embodiment, reads out the programs from the storage circuitry 120 and executes them to realize the functions corresponding to the programs. In this embodiment, the processing circuitry 150 in a state in which each program has been read out has each function shown in the processing circuitry 150 of FIG.

[0077] The acquisition function 151 has the same function as in the first embodiment.

[0078] The identification function 1152 of this embodiment identifies a display target range 60b on the high resolution image 71, which does not depend on the matrix size of the display area on the display 140. The position and size of the display target range 60b may be predetermined and registered in, for example, the storage circuitry 120. Furthermore, the settings of the position and size of the display target range 60b may be changeable by the user.

[0079] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display target range 60b on a high-resolution image 71 according to the second embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 9, a range of a predetermined size centered on the center of the high-resolution image 71 is set as the display target range 60b. Note that the position and size of the display target range 60b are not limited to the example shown in Fig. 9. For example, the specific function 1152 may set the entire high-resolution image 71 as the display target range 60b.

[0080] Returning to FIG. 8, the display control function 1154 of this embodiment causes at least a part of the high resolution image 71 to be displayed in the display area of ​​the display 140.

[0081] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a part of the high resolution image 71 according to the second embodiment is displayed. The display control function 1154 displays a part of the high resolution image 71 that corresponds to the display target range 60b in the display area 143 of the display 140. Note that the part of the high resolution image 71 that corresponds to the display target range 60b may be referred to as a display image.

[0082] In this embodiment, since the matrix size of the display area 143 and the matrix size of the display target range 60b do not necessarily match, the display control function 1154 may reduce or enlarge the portion of the high-resolution image 71 that corresponds to the display target range 60b to fit the display area 143.

[0083] The display area 143 in this embodiment is a screen area surrounded by a frame 143a.

[0084] Furthermore, the display control function 1154 causes an indicator 90b indicating the enlargement or reduction ratio of the high resolution image 71 or a part of the high resolution image 71 displayed in the display area 143 to be displayed on the display 140 including the display area 143. The indicator 90b is an example of a second indicator image in this embodiment.

[0085] 10, the indicator 90b includes a scale indicating the numerical value of the enlargement or reduction ratio, a slider 901b, and a mark 902b. The slider 901b indicates the enlargement or reduction ratio of the high resolution image 71 or a part of the high resolution image 71 currently displayed in the display area 143. The mark 902b indicates the enlargement or reduction ratio at which the matrix size of the display area 143 and the matrix size of the high resolution image 71 match.

[0086] When the high resolution image 71 is enlarged by the user, the proportion of the display target range 60b on the high resolution image 71 becomes smaller. When the high resolution image 71 on the display area 143 is enlarged, the matrix size of the display target range 60b of the high resolution image 71 becomes smaller than the matrix size of the display area 143, and the image displayed on the display area 143 may become coarse. When the high resolution image 71 is reduced by the user, the proportion of the display target range 60b on the high resolution image 71 becomes larger. For example, if a part of the high resolution image 71 is set as the display target range 60b in the initial display, the user can view the entire image by reducing the high resolution image 71 on the display area 143.

[0087] It should be noted that the indicator 90b does not have to include the mark 902b.

[0088] Furthermore, the display control function 1154 enlarges or reduces the high resolution image 71 or a part of the high resolution image 71 displayed in the display area 143 based on a user operation accepted by a later-described acceptance function 1155. Furthermore, the display control function 1154 notifies when the matrix size of the display area 143 and the matrix size of the high resolution image 71 or a part of the high resolution image 71 displayed in the display area 143 match.

[0089] When the matrix size of the display area 143 and the matrix size of the display target range 60b of the high-resolution image 71 match, each pixel of the high-resolution image 71 corresponds one-to-one to each pixel of the display area 143, so that the high-resolution image 71 can be displayed while maintaining high resolution.

[0090] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a notification according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the display control function 1154 may change the display mode of the frame 143a of the display area 143 when the matrix size of the display area 143 and the matrix size of the display target range 60b of the high resolution image 71 match. For example, the display control function 1154 may change the color, thickness, or type of line of the frame 143a of the display area 143. The notification mode is not limited to this. For example, the mark 902b of the indicator 90b may be an example of the notification. The display control function 1154 may display a message on the display 140 indicating that the matrix size of the display area 143 and the matrix size of the display target range 60b of the high resolution image 71 match.

[0091] In this embodiment, the function of notifying is a part of the display control function 1154, but the processing circuit 150 may be provided with a notification function that notifies separately from the display control function 1154. The notification function is an example of a notification unit.

[0092] 8, the reception function 1155 of this embodiment receives a user operation to enlarge or reduce the high resolution image 71 or a part of the high resolution image 71 displayed in the display area 143. The enlargement or reduction operation may be, for example, a scroll operation of the mouse or an operation of dragging the slider 901b of the indicator 90b. The reception function 1155 sends the received user operation to the display control function 1154.

[0093] Next, a flow of medical image display processing executed by the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment configured as above will be described.

[0094] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of medical image display processing according to the second embodiment.

[0095] First, the acquisition function 151 acquires the high-resolution image 71 from the medical image storage device 200 (S1).

[0096] Then, the identification function 1152 identifies a display target range 60b of a predetermined size on the high resolution image 71 (S101).

[0097] Next, the display control function 1154 causes the portion of the high resolution image 71 that corresponds to the display target range 60b to be displayed in the display area 143 as a display image (S102).

[0098] Then, the reception function 1155 judges whether or not an operation to enlarge or reduce the display image by the user has been received (S103). When the reception function 1155 judges that an operation to enlarge or reduce the display image by the user has not been received (S103 "No"), the reception function 1155 returns to the process of S103 and waits for a user operation.

[0099] If the reception function 1155 determines that a user operation to enlarge or reduce the display image has been received (S103 "Yes"), the display control function 1154 enlarges or reduces the display image in accordance with the received user operation (S104).

[0100] Then, the display control function 1154 judges whether or not the matrix size of the display image matches the matrix size of the display area 143 (S105). When the display control function 1154 judges that the matrix size of the display image does not match the matrix size of the display area 143 (S105 "No"), it returns to the process of S103.

[0101] In addition, if the display control function 1154 determines that the matrix size of the display image and the matrix size of the display area 143 match (S105 "Yes"), it notifies the user that the matrix size of the display image and the matrix size of the display area 143 match (S106).

[0102] Then, the display control function 154 judges whether or not to end the display of the medical image (S8). For example, when the reception function 155 receives an operation by the user to close the inquiry screen of the medical image, or an operation to save or transmit the image interpretation report, the display control function 154 judges to end the display of the medical image (S8 "Yes"). In this case, the process of this flowchart ends.

[0103] Moreover, if the display of the medical image is not to be ended (S8 "No"), the process returns to S103, and the reception function 155 waits for a user operation.

[0104] In this way, the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment enlarges or reduces the high resolution image 71 or a part of the high resolution image 71 displayed in the display area 143 based on a user's operation, and notifies the user when the matrix size of the display area 143 matches the matrix size of the high resolution image 71 or a part of the high resolution image 71 displayed in the display area 143. Therefore, according to the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the user can view the high resolution image 71 at a desired enlargement or reduction ratio, and can easily grasp the enlargement or reduction ratio at which the high resolution image 71 can be viewed with high image quality.

[0105] Furthermore, the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment displays an indicator 90b, which indicates the enlargement or reduction ratio of the high resolution image 71 or a part of the high resolution image 71 displayed in the display area 143, on the display 140 including the display area 143. Therefore, according to the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment, the user can easily grasp the enlargement or reduction ratio of the high resolution image 71 or a part of the high resolution image 71 displayed in the display area 143.

[0106] (Third embodiment) In the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, a technique has been described in which a user inquires about a desired part of a high-resolution image 71 in a high-resolution state using the medical image display device 100. In this third embodiment, a display condition based on a user's operation is stored in association with the high-resolution image 71.

[0107] 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a medical information system S300 according to the third embodiment. The medical information system S300 of this embodiment includes a medical image display device 100, a medical image storage device 200, and a medical image diagnostic device such as an X-ray CT device 1, as in the first embodiment.

[0108] Moreover, the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment includes a NW interface 110, a storage circuitry 120, an input interface 130, a display 140, and a processing circuitry 150, similarly to the first embodiment.

[0109] The processing circuitry 150 of the medical image display device 100 of this embodiment includes an acquisition function 151, a specification function 152, a conversion function 153, a display control function 154, and an image processing function 156. The image processing function 156 is an example of an image processing unit.

[0110] The acquisition function 151, the identification function 152, the conversion function 153, the display control function 154, and the reception function 155 have the same functions as those in the first embodiment.

[0111] The image processing function 156 stores the display conditions related to the high-resolution image 71 in the storage circuitry 120 in association with the high-resolution image 71. For example, the image processing function 156 may store the display conditions as additional information conforming to the DICOM standard with the high-resolution image 71. The method of association is not limited to this. For example, the image processing function 156 may store the display conditions as a data file separate from the high-resolution image 71, and may associate the high-resolution image 71 with the display conditions of the high-resolution image 71 by identification information or the like capable of identifying the high-resolution image 71. The image processing function 156 may be a function included in the image interpretation viewer.

[0112] The display conditions include the position and size of the display target range 60a on the high-resolution image 71. For example, when the reception function 155 receives an operation for setting the position of the display target range 60a by the user, the image processing function 156 stores the position of the display target range 60a set by the user in association with the high-resolution image 71.

[0113] Furthermore, when the high-resolution image 71 is an X-ray CT image, the display conditions may include a window width (WW) and a window level (WL). The window width and the window level define the range of CT values ​​of the X-ray CT image displayed on the display 140. Specifically, the window width represents the display contrast of the X-ray CT image. Furthermore, the window level represents the central value of the display brightness. The window width and the window level are associated with the position and size of the display target range 60a of the high-resolution image 71 displayed in the second display area 142 at the time when the window width and the window level are set.

[0114] In addition, the display conditions are not limited to the above examples, and when the high-resolution image 71 is an X-ray CT image, the display conditions may include the slice pitch, slice position, slice inclination, etc. of the line CT image. In addition, the display conditions may differ depending on the type of medical image that is the high-resolution image 71.

[0115] Furthermore, a plurality of display conditions may be associated with one high-resolution image 71. For example, when the high-resolution image 71 is continuously displayed in the second display area 142 under the same display conditions for a period of time equal to or longer than a threshold, the image processing function 156 stores the display conditions in the memory circuitry 120 in association with the high-resolution image 71. The threshold for the display time is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, one minute.

[0116] For example, when the display control function 154 displays an image reading viewer including the second display area 142, in addition to the window width and window level finally saved by the saving function of the image reading viewer, the window width and window level selected by the user during the image reading may also be saved.

[0117] The user may be able to specify the display conditions to be associated with the high resolution image 71. The user may be able to select not to associate the high resolution image 71 with any display conditions.

[0118] Generally, in the case of the additional information conforming to the DICOM standard, only one set of window width and window level can be saved. Therefore, the image processing function 156 may associate one set of window width and window level as the additional information of the high-resolution image 71, and may associate the second and subsequent sets of window width and window level with the high-resolution image 71 in a data format different from that of the additional information.

[0119] The image processing function 156 stores the high-resolution image 71 in association with the display conditions when, for example, the reception function 155 receives an operation to end the display of the medical image by the user. Alternatively, the image processing function 156 may store the high-resolution image 71 in association with the display conditions when the user performs an arbitrary save operation.

[0120] Furthermore, the image processing function 156 may associate the display conditions with the high-resolution image 71 and transmit it to the medical image storage device 200 or other information processing device. For example, when the high-resolution image 71 is included in an image interpretation report, the image processing function 156 may associate the display conditions of the high-resolution image 71 with the image interpretation report and transmit it to the medical image storage device 200 or other information processing device.

[0121] The display control function 154 of this embodiment has the same functions as those of the first embodiment, and when a display condition is associated with the high resolution image 71, displays the high resolution image 71 in the second display area 142 according to the display condition. When a plurality of display conditions are associated with the high resolution image 71, the display control function 154 may display on the display 140 a selection screen that allows the user to select one of the display conditions.

[0122] The reception function 155 of this embodiment has the same functions as those of the first embodiment, and receives a user's operation for setting the display conditions of the high resolution image 71. For example, the reception function 155 of this embodiment receives a user's operation for setting a window width and a window level.

[0123] In addition, the reception function 155 receives a selection of a display condition by the user when multiple display conditions are associated with the high resolution image 71 by the user. The reception function 155 sends the contents of the received operation to the display control function 154 and the image processing function 156.

[0124] Thus, the medical image display device 100 of the present embodiment stores the display conditions for the high-resolution image 71 in the storage circuit 120 in association with the high-resolution image 71. Therefore, according to the medical image display device 100 of the present embodiment, for example, when the user queries the high-resolution image 71 stored in the storage circuit 120 again, it can be displayed under the same display conditions as the previous time. Also, according to the medical image display device 100 of the present embodiment, when a plurality of users query the high-resolution image 71, the high-resolution image 71 can be queried under the display conditions specified by any one of the users. For example, when the user who specifies the display conditions is a radiologist, when a clinician queries the high-resolution image 71, the high-resolution image 71 can be queried under the display conditions specified by the radiologist.

[0125] Also, the display conditions of the present embodiment include the position and size of the display target range 60a of the high-resolution image 71. Therefore, according to the medical image display device 100 of the present embodiment, for example, a clinician can query the high-resolution image 71 at the position and size of the display target range 60a specified by a radiologist when the radiologist reads the high-resolution image 71.

[0126] Also, the display conditions of the present embodiment include the window width and window level. Therefore, according to the medical image display device 100 of the present embodiment, when the high-resolution image 71 is an X-ray CT image, a clinician can query the X-ray CT image at the window width and window level specified by a radiologist when the radiologist reads the X-ray CT image.

[0127] In the present embodiment, the case where the image processing function 156 is combined with the medical image display device 100 of the first embodiment has been described, but the image processing function 156 may be combined with the medical image display device 100 of the second embodiment. In this case, the display conditions may include the magnification or reduction ratio of the high-resolution image 71 displayed in the display area 143.

[0128] (Fourth Embodiment) In the above-mentioned first to third embodiments, the medical image display device 100 is a device different from the medical image diagnostic device. In contrast, in this fourth embodiment, a case will be described in which the medical image diagnostic device has the functions of the medical image display device.

[0129] 14 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 will be described as an example of a medical image diagnostic apparatus and a medical image display apparatus.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 14, the X-ray CT apparatus 1 includes a gantry 10, a bed device 30, and a console device .

[0131] In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the rotation axis of the rotating frame 13 in a non-tilted state is defined as the Z-axis direction, the direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and from the center of rotation toward the support column supporting the rotating frame 13 is defined as the X-axis, and the direction perpendicular to the Z-axis and the X-axis is defined as the Y-axis. Note that, for convenience of explanation, multiple gantry devices 10 are drawn in Fig. 14, but the actual configuration of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 includes only one gantry device 10.

[0132] The gantry device 10 is an apparatus having an imaging system that irradiates an object P with X-rays and collects projection data from detection data of the X-rays that have passed through the object P. The gantry device 10 has an X-ray tube 11, an X-ray detector 12, a rotating frame 13, an X-ray high voltage device 14, a control device 15, a wedge 16, a collimator 17, and a DAS (Data Acquisition System) 18.

[0133] The X-ray detector 12 detects X-rays irradiated from the X-ray tube 11 and passing through the subject P, and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of X-rays to the DAS 18. The X-ray detector 12 has, for example, a plurality of rows of detector elements in which a plurality of detector elements are arranged in the channel direction along one arc with the focus of the X-ray tube 11 as the center. The X-ray detector 12 of this embodiment has a number of detector elements corresponding to the imaging of a high-resolution X-ray image. The X-ray CT device 1 has various types, such as a Rotate / Rotate-Type (third generation CT) in which the X-ray tube 11 and the X-ray detector 12 rotate together around the subject P, and a Stationary / Rotate-Type (fourth generation CT) in which a large number of X-ray detector elements arrayed in a ring shape are fixed and only the X-ray tube 11 rotates around the subject P, and any of these types can be applied to this embodiment. The X-ray detector 12 may be a direct conversion type detector having a semiconductor element that converts the incident X-rays into an electrical signal, or a photon counting type X-ray detector.

[0134] The DAS 18 has an amplifier that performs an amplification process on the electrical signals output from each X-ray detection element of the X-ray detector 12, and an A / D converter that converts the electrical signals into digital signals, and generates detection data. The detection data generated by the DAS 18 is transferred to the processing circuit 44.

[0135] The console device 40 includes a memory 41, a display 42, an input interface 43, and a processing circuit 44. Data communication between the memory 41, the display 42, the input interface 43, and the processing circuit 44 is performed, for example, via a bus (BUS). Note that the console device 40 will be described as being separate from the gantry device 10, but the gantry device 10 may include the console device 40 or some of the components of the console device 40.

[0136] The memory 41 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, an optical disk, a HDD, an SSD, etc. The memory 41 stores various information and various programs used by the processing circuit 44. The memory 41 is an example of a storage unit in this embodiment.

[0137] The display 42 is an example of the display unit in the present embodiment. The display 42 may be a desktop type, or may be configured as a tablet terminal or the like capable of wireless communication with the console device 40 main body. Further, the display 42 may be provided on the gantry device 10.

[0138] The input interface 43 receives various input operations from the user, converts the received input operations into electrical signals, and outputs them to the processing circuit 44. The user of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 is, for example, a technician.

[0139] The processing circuit 44 controls the operation of the entire X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to, for example, the electrical signals of the input operations output from the input interface 43. For example, the processing circuit 44 has, as hardware resources, a processor such as a CPU, MPU, or GPU, and a memory such as a ROM or RAM. The processing circuit 44 executes, by a processor that executes a program developed in the memory, a system control function 441, a preprocessing function 442, a reconstruction processing function 443, a specific function 445, a conversion function 446, a display control function 447, a reception function 448, and an image processing function 449 as shown in FIG. 14. Note that each function is not limited to being realized by a single processing circuit. It may be configured that a plurality of independent processors are combined to form a processing circuit, and each processor executes a program to realize each function shown in FIG. 14.

[0140] The system control function 441 is an example of a control unit. The preprocessing function 442 is an example of a preprocessing unit. The reconstruction processing function 443 is an example of a reconstruction processing unit. The specific function 445 is an example of a specific unit. The conversion function 446 is an example of a conversion unit. The display control function 447 is an example of a display control unit. The reception function 448 is an example of a reception unit. The image processing function 449 is an example of an image processing unit.

[0141] The system control function 441 controls each function of the processing circuitry 44 based on an input operation received from an operator via the input interface 43. The system control function 441 also reads out a control program stored in the memory 41, expands it on the memory in the processing circuitry 44, and controls each part of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 according to the expanded control program.

[0142] The pre-processing function 442 generates data by performing pre-processing such as logarithmic conversion processing, offset correction processing, inter-channel sensitivity correction processing, beam hardening correction, etc. on the detection data output from the DAS 18. The data before pre-processing is called pure raw data, and the data after pre-processing is called projection data.

[0143] The reconstruction processing function 443 generates high-resolution CT image data by performing reconstruction processing using a filtered back projection method (FBP method) or the like on the projection data generated by the pre-processing function 442. The CT image data is an example of a first medical image in this embodiment.

[0144] The system control function 441, the preprocessing function 442, and the reconstruction processing function 443 are examples of an acquisition unit in this embodiment. In this embodiment, collecting detection data detected by irradiating the subject P with X-rays and generating CT image data from the detection data is also referred to as "acquiring a medical image."

[0145] The identification function 445, the conversion function 446, the display control function 447, the reception function 448, and the image processing function 449 have functions similar to those of the identification function 152, the conversion function 153, the display control function 154, the reception function 155, and the image processing function 156 of the third embodiment, respectively, for example.

[0146] Also, for example, the image processing function 449 of this embodiment may store in the memory 41 the display conditions when a technician who is a user of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 inquires about the high-resolution image 71 on the display 42 of the console device 40 in association with the high-resolution image 71. Also, the image processing function 449 may transmit to the medical image storage device 200 or other information processing devices the display conditions when a technician who is a user of the X-ray CT apparatus 1 inquires about the high-resolution image 71 on the display 42 of the console device 40 in association with the high-resolution image 71.

[0147] Also, for example, the display control function 447 may display an interpretation viewer including a display area for the high-resolution image 71 on the display 42. Also, the display control function 447 may display identification information for identifying the technician who is the user, and a button or icon for receiving an operation input by the technician, together with the high-resolution image 71, on the display 42. Also, the display control function 447 changes the display mode of the high-resolution image 71 on the display 42 in response to the technician's operation input to the button or icon.

[0148] The reception function 448 may also receive display conditions for the image interpretation viewer in response to an operation input by a technician using a button or icon on the image interpretation viewer.

[0149] As described above, in this embodiment, since the X-ray CT device 1 has a function as a medical image display device, a technician operating the X-ray CT device 1 can set appropriate display conditions for the high-resolution image 71 and then store the display conditions in association with the high-resolution image 71. For example, a skilled technician may have knowledge of image interpretation, and by associating appropriate display conditions with the high-resolution image 71, it is possible to reduce the effort and time required for a doctor or the like who subsequently interprets the high-resolution image 71 to set the high-resolution image 71 to an appropriate display state.

[0150] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the X-ray CT device 1 has functions equivalent to those of the medical image display device 100 of the third embodiment, but the X-ray CT device 1 may also have functions equivalent to those of the medical image display device 100 of the first or second embodiment.

[0151] In this embodiment, the X-ray CT device 1 capable of imaging the subject P in a lying position has been exemplified, but the X-ray CT device 1 may be capable of imaging the subject P in a standing or sitting position. Also, the X-ray CT device 1 does not need to include the bed device 30.

[0152] (Variation 1) In the first embodiment described above, both the first display area 141 in which the normal resolution image 72 is displayed and the second display area 142 in which the high resolution image 71 is displayed were displayed on the display 140, but the normal resolution image 72 and the high resolution image 71 do not have to be displayed simultaneously.

[0153] 15 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a high resolution image 71 according to Modification 1 is displayed. The display 140 is provided with one display area 144 in which the high resolution image 71 or the normal resolution image 72 is displayed.

[0154] 15, the display control function 154 of this modified example displays a portion of the high resolution image 71 corresponding to the display target range 60a in the display area 144 of the display 140. For example, the display control function 154 may switch the display between the high resolution image 71 and the normal resolution image 72 in response to a user operation accepted by the acceptance function 155.

[0155] The display control function 154 also causes an indicator 90c indicating the position and size of the display target range 60a to be displayed on the display 140. The indicator 90c is an example of a first index image in this embodiment. The indicator 90c includes, for example, a rectangle 901c that simulates the high-resolution image 71, and a frame 902c that indicates the position and size of the display target range 60a on the high-resolution image 71.

[0156] The user can change the position of the display target range 60a by moving the position of the frame 902c.

[0157] According to this modification, it is easier to ensure the size of display area 144 for displaying high resolution image 71 on display 140, compared to the case where two display areas are arranged side by side.

[0158] This modification may be applied not only to the first embodiment but also to, for example, the third embodiment or the fourth embodiment.

[0159] (Variation 2) The display control function 154 may also cause the display 140 to display an integrated viewer that displays multiple pieces of medical information.

[0160] 16 is a diagram showing an example of an integrated viewer 145 according to Modification 2. The integrated viewer 145 includes a plurality of display areas 145a to 145d. In this modification, the display area 145a capable of displaying the high resolution image 71 is included in the plurality of display areas 145a to 145d in the integrated viewer 145. Note that the screen layout of the integrated viewer 145 is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

[0161] 16, the display control function 154 displays a portion of the high-resolution image 71 that corresponds to the display target range 60a in the display area 145a. In addition, the display control function 154 may display a normal resolution image 72 in the display area 145a in response to a user operation accepted by the acceptance function 155.

[0162] In such an integrated viewer 145, since a plurality of display areas 145a to 145d are displayed on the display 140, the display area 145a displaying the high-resolution image 71 may become narrow. Even in such a case, the medical image display device 100 can specify the size of the display target range 60a of the high-resolution image 71 that can be displayed in the display area 145a based on the matrix size of the display area 145a, for example, by using a function similar to that of the first embodiment, and can display the part of the high-resolution image 71 that corresponds to the display target range 60a in the display area 145a. Therefore, according to the medical image display device 100 of this modification, the high-resolution image 71 can be displayed as it is in high resolution, regardless of the number of pixels of the display area 145a.

[0163] This modification may be applied not only to the first embodiment but also to, for example, the second embodiment or the third embodiment.

[0164] (Variation 3) Furthermore, the display control function 154 may cause the display 140 to display information indicating the range of the high resolution image 71 that has been displayed in the display area 144 .

[0165] Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a high-resolution image 71 according to Modification 3 is displayed. As shown in Fig. 17, the display control function 154 of this modification displays a portion of the high-resolution image 71 corresponding to the display target range 60a in the display area 144 of the display 140, and displays an indicator 90d near the display area 144. The indicator 90d is an example of information indicating a range that has been displayed in the display area 144 in the high-resolution image 71 in this modification.

[0166] For example, the indicator 90d shows a rectangle 903 which simulates the high-resolution image 71, an image 404a which shows a portion of the high-resolution image 71 which has been displayed in the display area 144, and a frame 904b which shows the position and size of the display target range 60a which is currently displayed in the display area 144. In the example shown in Fig. 17, the lower right portion of the high-resolution image 71 has never been displayed in the display area 144. Note that the display mode of the indicator 90d shown in Fig. 17 is merely an example and is not limited thereto.

[0167] In this way, the medical image display device 100 of this modified example displays, on the display 140, information indicating the range of the high-resolution image 71 that has been displayed in the display area 144, thereby reducing the chance that the interpreting doctor or the like misses out on checking part of the high-resolution image 71.

[0168] (Variation 4) The method of reducing the failure to check a part of the high-resolution image 71 is not limited to the modified example 3. For example, when interpretation is about to end without displaying the high-resolution image 71, the display control function 154 may output a warning to notify the fact.

[0169] Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a warning according to Modification Example 4 is displayed. In the example shown in Fig. 18, a normal resolution image 72 is displayed in a display area 144 of a display 140. In this state, if a user presses a report completion button 53 indicating the end of interpretation without a high resolution image 71 being displayed even once, a display control function 154 causes a pop-up image 50 to be displayed on the display 140.

[0170] The pop-up image 50 shown in Fig. 18 is an example of a warning in this modified example. For example, the pop-up image 50 includes a message M1 prompting the user to confirm, such as "The image is not displayed in high resolution. Do you want to complete the report anyway?" If the user presses the OK button 51, the reception function 155 accepts the end of interpretation. In this case, the display control function 154 ends the display of the display area 144.

[0171] Furthermore, when the user presses the cancel button 52, the reception function 155 cancels the interpretation end operation input by pressing the report completion button 53. In this case, the display control function 154 continues displaying the display area 144.

[0172] 18 is merely an example, and is not limited to this. Instead of the report completion button 53, a report transmission button capable of receiving an instruction to transmit the image interpretation report to the medical image storage device 200 or other information processing device may be used.

[0173] (Variation 5) The specification function 152 may also specify the size of the display target range 60a of the high resolution image 71 according to the pixel density (ppi) of the display 140.

[0174] For example, if the pixel density of the display 140 becomes too high, it may exceed the resolution of the human eye. In general, it is said that the pixel density that humans can see is around 300 ppi, and at most 450 ppi. Even if the pixel density becomes higher than the level that humans can see, and even if the matrix size of the display area and the matrix size of the display target range 60a of the high-resolution image 71 are combined, humans cannot see the difference between individual pixels, and therefore the effect of increasing the resolution is not fully realized.

[0175] For example, if the pixel density of the display 140 is "P_d1" and the pixel density of the resolution limit of the human eye is "Th_ppi", the specific function 152 acquires the pixel density P_d1 of the display 140 and determines whether P_d1 exceeds Th_ppi.

[0176] When it is determined that P_d1 exceeds Th_ppi, the specific function 152 sequentially determines whether the value obtained by multiplying P_d1 by 4 (2×2), 9 (3×3), or i^2 exceeds Th_ppi. For example, when the specific function 152 determines that the value obtained by multiplying P_d1 by 4 does not exceed Th_ppi, it specifies the size of the display target range 60a in which one pixel of the high-resolution image 71 can be displayed in four pixels (2×2) on the display area of the display 140.

[0177] Also, due to such adjustment of the display size, the pixels of the high-resolution image 71 displayed on the display area of the display 140 may appear rough. Therefore, a second display target range in which the correspondence between the pixels of the high-resolution image 71 and the pixels on the display area of the display 140 becomes finer than the specified display target range 60a may be specified. For example, the specific function 152 may specify the size of the second display target range in which one pixel of the high-resolution image 71 can be displayed in one pixel on the display area of the display 140.

[0178] Note that the pixel density of the display 140 may be stored in the memory circuit 120 as "P_d1", and the pixel density of the resolution limit of the human eye may be stored as "Th_ppi".

[0179] (Modification Example 6) In the above-described first embodiment, one normal-resolution image 72 and one high-resolution image 71 corresponding to the normal-resolution image 72 were displayed on the display 140. However, a plurality of pairs of normal-resolution images 72 and high-resolution images 71 may be displayed on the display 140.

[0180] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which high-resolution images 71a and 71b and normal-resolution images 72a and 72b according to Modification Example 6 are displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 19, a first display area 141, a second display area 142, a third display area 146, and a fourth display area 147 are provided on the display 140.

[0181] The display control function 154 causes the normal resolution image 72a to be displayed in the first display area 141, and causes a portion of the high resolution image 71a corresponding to the normal resolution image 72a to be displayed in the second display area 142. In addition, the display control function 154 causes the normal resolution image 72b to be displayed in the third display area 146, and causes a portion of the high resolution image 71b corresponding to the normal resolution image 72b to be displayed in the fourth display area 147.

[0182] Moreover, the display control function 154 displays an indicator 901a indicating the position and size of the display target range of the high-resolution image 71a on the normal resolution image 72a displayed in the first display area 141. Moreover, the display control function 154 displays an indicator 902a indicating the position and size of the display target range of the high-resolution image 71b on the normal resolution image 72b displayed in the third display area 146. In other words, the indicator 901a on the normal resolution image 72a indicates which part of the high-resolution image 71a displayed in the second display area 142 corresponds to which part of the normal resolution image 72a displayed in the first display area 141, similar to the indicator 90a in the first embodiment. Moreover, the indicator 902a on the normal resolution image 72b indicates which part of the high-resolution image 71b displayed in the fourth display area 147 corresponds to which part of the normal resolution image 72b displayed in the third display area 146. The user can operate the indicator 901a and the indicator 902a separately.

[0183] The normal resolution image 72a and the normal resolution image 72b may be different images or may be the same image. Although an example in which two pairs of high resolution image 71 and normal resolution image 72 are displayed is shown in Fig. 19, three or more pairs of high resolution image 71 and normal resolution image 72 may be displayed on the same screen.

[0184] (Variation 7) Also, multiple portions of one high resolution image 71 may be displayed on the same screen. Fig. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a high resolution image 71a and a normal resolution image 72 according to Modification 7 are displayed. In this modification, in addition to the first display area 141 and the second display area 142 similar to those in the first embodiment, a third display area 148 in which the high resolution image 71 is displayed without being reduced like the second display area 142 is provided on the display 140.

[0185] Similarly to the first embodiment, the indicator 90a on the normal resolution image 72 indicates which part of the high resolution image 71 displayed in the second display area 142 corresponds to which part of the normal resolution image 72 displayed in the first display area 141. The indicator 90e on the normal resolution image 72 indicates which part of the high resolution image 71 displayed in the third display area 148 corresponds to which part of the normal resolution image 72 displayed in the first display area 141. The user can operate the indicator 90a and the indicator 90e separately, and the display control function 154 changes the areas of the high resolution image 71 displayed in each of the second display area 142 and the third display area 148 in response to the user's operation.

[0186] (Variation 8) Also, the high-resolution image 71 may be displayed on multiple displays. For example, when a user uses multiple displays with different matrix sizes, the display control function 154 may display a part of the high-resolution image 71 according to each matrix size of the multiple displays.

[0187] Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a high resolution image 71 and a normal resolution image 72 according to Modification 8 are displayed. In the example shown in Fig. 21, the medical image display device 100 is a desktop PC. In this modification, in addition to the display 140 included in the medical image display device 100, a display 140a externally attached to the medical image display device 100 is used. Note that the display 140a may also be configured to be included in the medical image display device 100.

[0188] The matrix size of third display area 149 on display 140a is different from that of second display area 142 on display 140. In the example shown in FIG. 19, the matrix size of third display area 149 in this modification is larger than that of second display area 142.

[0189] The display control function 154 displays a part of the high resolution image 71 corresponding to the normal resolution image 72 in each of the second display area 142 and the third display area 149. As in the first embodiment, an indicator 90a on the normal resolution image 72 indicates which part of the high resolution image 71 displayed in the second display area 142 corresponds to which part of the normal resolution image 72 displayed in the first display area 141. Also, an indicator 90f on the normal resolution image 72 indicates which part of the high resolution image 71 displayed in the third display area 149 corresponds to which part of the normal resolution image 72 displayed in the first display area 141.

[0190] The user can operate indicator 90a and indicator 90f separately, and display control function 154 changes the area of ​​high resolution image 71 displayed in each of second display area 142 and third display area 149 in response to the user's operation.

[0191] (Variation 9) In addition, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, a high-resolution X-ray CT image is taken as an example of the first medical image, but the medical image is not limited to this. For example, the first medical image may be a high-resolution X-ray image, a high-resolution magnetic resonance image, or a high-resolution ultrasound diagnostic image. The definition of high resolution may vary depending on the type of medical image.

[0192] Furthermore, the medical image diagnostic device that captures the first medical image may be a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device, an X-ray diagnostic device, an ultrasonic diagnostic device, a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) device, a Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) device, etc. Furthermore, these medical image diagnostic devices may be an example of a medical image display device.

[0193] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the medical image display device 100 described in each of the above embodiments may be executed in a cloud environment.

[0194] The various data handled in this specification are typically digital data.

[0195] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, even if the number of pixels in the display area is smaller than the number of pixels in the entire high-resolution medical image, the user can appropriately view the high-resolution medical image.

[0196] Although some 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, modifications, and combinations of embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims, as well as in the scope and spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0197] 1 X-ray CT device 41 Memory 50 Pop-up Images 60a, 60b Display range 71,71a,71b High resolution images 72,72a,72b Normal resolution images 90a~90f,901a,902a Indicators 100 Medical image display device 120 Memory circuit 140,140a,42 Display 141 First display area 142 Second display area 146,148,149 Third display area 147 Fourth Display Area 143,144,145a~145d Display area 145 Integrated Viewer 150,44 Processing circuit 151 Acquisition Function 152,445,1152 Specific Functions 153,446 conversion functions 154,447,1154 Display control function 155,448,1155 Reception function 156,449 Image processing functions 200 Medical image storage device S100, S200, S300 Medical Information System

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires a first medical image; a display control unit that displays at least a portion of the first medical image in a display area; a reception unit that receives a user's operation to enlarge or reduce the first medical image or a part of the first medical image displayed in the display area, the display control unit enlarges or reduces the first medical image or a portion of the first medical image displayed in the display area based on an operation of the user, and notifies when a matrix size of the display area and a matrix size of the first medical image or a portion of the first medical image displayed in the display area match; the number of pixels in the display region is smaller than the number of pixels in the entire first medical image; Medical image display device.

2. the display control unit causes a second index image indicating an enlargement ratio or a reduction ratio of the first medical image or a part of the first medical image displayed in the display area to be displayed on a display unit including the display area. The medical image display device according to claim 1 .

3. An acquisition step of acquiring a first medical image; a display control step of displaying at least a part of the first medical image in a display area; a receiving step of receiving a user's operation to enlarge or reduce the first medical image or a part of the first medical image displayed in the display area; a notification step of enlarging or reducing the first medical image or a part of the first medical image displayed in the display area based on an operation of the user, and notifying when a matrix size of the display area and a matrix size of the first medical image or a part of the first medical image displayed in the display area match; Including, the number of pixels in the display region is smaller than the number of pixels in the entire first medical image; Medical image display method.

4. An acquisition step of acquiring a first medical image; a display control step of displaying at least a part of the first medical image in a display area; a receiving step of receiving a user's operation to enlarge or reduce the first medical image or a part of the first medical image displayed in the display area; a notification step of enlarging or reducing the first medical image or a part of the first medical image displayed in the display area based on an operation of the user, and notifying when a matrix size of the display area and a matrix size of the first medical image or a part of the first medical image displayed in the display area match; on the computer, the number of pixels in the display region is smaller than the number of pixels in the entire first medical image; program.

Images