Medical system and medical equipment setup assistance method

Abstract

This medical system comprises: an external storage device in which is saved evidence information including information pertaining to evidence and information on setup data corresponding to the evidence; and a medical processing device that receives the evidence information from the external storage device. The medical processing device uses setup data corresponding to user-selected evidence information from among the received evidence information to set up medical equipment.

Description

Medical system and medical equipment setting support method

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical system and a medical device setting support method that effectively support various settings of medical devices.

[0002] In recent years, endoscopes have become widely used in fields such as the medical field. Different types of endoscopes are available for different observation sites, and observation or examination, and treatment using treatment tools, are performed using the endoscope appropriate for the observation site. Different types of endoscopes may be connected to a common signal processing device or light source device. In this case, these devices must be appropriately configured according to the type of endoscope. For example, signal processing devices are equipped with many functions for controlling image quality, and these various functions must be appropriately configured to enable observation with optimal image quality. However, because medical devices such as endoscopes have many functions, configuring them can be extremely cumbersome.

[0003] Therefore, image processing devices have been developed that detect the type of endoscope or the type of image sensor and display an appropriate image depending on the detected type, regardless of changes in the number of pixels of the image sensor. Also, for example, Japanese Patent No. 6010258 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) discloses an endoscope system that can automatically set multiple functions of the endoscope system to appropriate settings depending on the type of endoscope.

[0004] Patent No. 6010258

[0005] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, setting data can be set by inputting the observation site or medical department, or by inputting the endoscope type. However, even when using the technology of Patent Document 1, the user cannot know the basis for the setting, and the user cannot understand the clinical benefits of using that setting. Furthermore, when registering setting data from not only one facility but also other facilities, the number of similar setting data becomes extremely large. Even if the setting data is narrowed down by searching using the observation site, medical department, or endoscope type, the user must ultimately select setting data from the narrowed data group. In this case, the user does not know which setting will lead to clinical benefits, and therefore has difficulty deciding which of the narrowed setting data to adopt. The present invention aims to provide a medical system and a medical device setting support method that can present function settings used in clinical studies with a high level of evidence along with the basis for those settings, allowing the user to select function settings after recognizing the clinical benefits.

[0006] A medical system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an external storage device that stores evidence information including information about evidence and information about setting data corresponding to the evidence, and a medical processing device that receives the evidence information from the external storage device, and the medical processing device uses setting data corresponding to evidence information selected by a user from the received evidence information to configure a medical device.

[0007] A medical device setting support method according to one aspect of the present invention receives evidence information from an external storage device that stores evidence information including information about evidence and information about setting data corresponding to the evidence, displays an evidence display based on the information about the evidence and the information about the setting data on a display screen of a display device, accepts a user's operation to select evidence, and sets setting data corresponding to the evidence selected by the user to a medical device.

[0008] According to the present invention, by making it possible to present function settings used in clinical studies with a high level of evidence along with the reasons for those settings, it is possible to enable users to set functions after recognizing the clinical benefits.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a medical system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of evidence settings stored in an external storage device 4. FIG. 3 is an activity diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example. FIG. 5 is an activity diagram showing the operation adopted in the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment. FIG. 8 is an activity diagram for explaining the operation of the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a sixth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation flow adopted in the seventh embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining current user settings and evidence settings stored in a setting data memory 27. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an evidence level pyramid.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (First Embodiment) Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a medical system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, various types of evidence obtained through clinical research and the like are associated with setting items of medical devices, compiled into a database, and stored in an external storage device for use, and the database allows the user to recognize appropriate settings according to the observation site, medical department, endoscope type, etc., and their clinical benefits. Note that this embodiment will be described using an endoscopic system using an endoscope as an example of the medical system, but the present embodiment is not limited to endoscopic systems and can be applied to systems using various types of medical devices.

[0012] In FIG. 1 , the medical system 10 includes an in-hospital system 3 and an external storage device 4. The in-hospital system 3 is constructed, for example, in a hospital, and the external storage device 4 is constructed, for example, on the Internet (cloud) 5. The in-hospital system 3 includes an endoscope 1 and an endoscopic system 2. The endoscope 1 has an insertion section (not shown) that is inserted into the body, etc., and an imaging device (not shown) is provided, for example, at the tip of the insertion section. The imaging device has an optical system (not shown) that directs an optical image of a subject to an imaging surface of the imaging device. The imaging device is composed of a CCD or CMOS sensor, etc., and photoelectrically converts the optical image of the subject from the optical system to obtain a captured image (image signal) of the subject. The optical system may include lenses and apertures (not shown) for zooming and focusing, and may also have a zoom (magnification) mechanism, focus and aperture mechanisms (not shown) that drive these lenses. Image information of the captured image (endoscopic image) captured by the imaging device is supplied to the endoscopic system 2.

[0013] The endoscope system 2 as a medical processing device includes a function realization unit 20, a control unit 21, a network interface 22, a transmission / reception unit 23, a storage unit 24, a display unit 25, a function setting unit 26, and a setting data memory 27. The control unit 21 comprehensively controls the entire endoscope system 2. The control unit 21, the function realization unit 20, and the function setting unit 26 may be configured by a processor using a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like, may operate according to a program stored in a memory (not shown) to control each unit, or may realize some or all of the functions by a hardware electronic circuit.

[0014] The function realization unit 20 includes various components that realize various functions of the in-hospital system 3. For example, the function realization unit 20 includes a light source device that supplies illumination light to the endoscope 1 and an image processing device that performs image processing on endoscopic images. The functions realized by the function realization unit 20 include, for example, a function that realizes a mode corresponding to the type of endoscope 1 and a function that realizes various image processing. For example, the function realization unit 20 may have a function that generates illumination light corresponding to an observation mode such as a wideband imaging (WLI) mode, a narrowband imaging (NBI) mode, or an automatic fluorescence imaging (AFI) mode. The function realization unit 20 may also realize various functions such as noise reduction, AGC processing, a pre-freeze function, color correction, zoom processing, structure enhancement processing, mask size processing, brightness control, and frame rate adjustment.

[0015] User settings, which are setting data related to various functions implemented by the function implementation unit 20, are stored in a setting data memory 27. The setting data memory 27 is configured from various recording media, such as non-volatile storage media, and is controlled by the control unit 21 to store setting data from a function setting unit 26 (described later) as user settings.

[0016] The function realization unit 20 is controlled by the control unit 21 to receive an endoscopic image from the endoscope 1, perform predetermined signal processing on the received endoscopic image, and then provide the endoscopic image to the display unit 25 to display it. The display unit 25 has a display device configured by an LCD (liquid crystal display device) or the like. The display unit 25 can display the endoscopic image provided by the function realization unit 20 on a display screen (not shown). The display unit 25 is also controlled by the control unit 21 to display an evidence display, which will be described later.

[0017] The endoscope system 2 may include an input unit (not shown) that receives a user operation and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 21. A touch panel may be used as this input unit. For example, by providing a touch panel as the input unit on the display screen of the display unit 25, an operation signal can be generated in accordance with a position on the display screen pointed to by the user's finger. This allows the user to easily touch and designate a predetermined area in an image displayed on the display screen of the display unit 25.

[0018] The network interface 22 is configured by a device that can be connected to a public line wirelessly or via a wired connection, and is capable of transmitting and receiving data between the endoscope system 2 and the Internet 5. The transmitting / receiving unit 23 is controlled by the control unit 21 to transmit and receive data using a predetermined communication method. The transmitting / receiving unit 23 can provide data from the control unit 21 to the network interface 22 and transmit the data to the Internet 5. The transmitting / receiving unit 23 can also provide data received from the Internet 5 via the network interface 22 to the control unit 21, etc.

[0019] The storage unit 24 is configured with a predetermined storage medium such as a semiconductor storage medium, a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD), and is controlled by the control unit 21 to store evidence information, which will be described later.

[0020] The function setting unit 26 is controlled by the control unit 21 to update the user settings stored in the setting data memory 27 with the setting data corresponding to the evidence information in order to use the setting data for setting the medical device.

[0021] The external storage device 4 is a storage device provided on the Internet 5. A plurality of pieces of evidence information are stored in the external storage device 4. The evidence information includes scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness and efficacy of medical procedures such as diagnosis and treatment, i.e., information related to evidence. Such information on evidence is obtained through clinical trials, observational studies, and the like. In this embodiment, each piece of evidence information stored in the external storage device 4 includes information related to the evidence, such as an evidence name and evidence content, as well as evidence setting information related to the settings of the medical device. The evidence name is an ID that identifies the evidence. For example, the name of the document in which the evidence is described may be used as the evidence name. The evidence content includes information identifying the paper title, author name, journal, publication year, etc., as well as information related to the effectiveness of the medical procedure. The evidence setting includes information on the setting values ​​of various setting items of the medical device used in the medical procedure. Note that when medical devices are used in clinical trials, etc., the information on evidence may also include information related to the settings of the medical device used in the medical procedure, i.e., evidence setting information. It is also possible to store evidence information stored in the external storage device 4 by adding evidence setting information provided by manufacturers or researchers developing the medical devices.

[0022] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of evidence settings stored in the external storage device 4. The example in FIG. 2 shows evidence settings for evidence A to C. The example in FIG. 2 shows that the setting functions of the medical device include observation mode, structure emphasis, color tone, ACG (auto gain control), etc. In the observation mode, WLI indicates wideband observation mode, and NBI indicates narrowband light observation mode. For structure emphasis, there are setting values ​​such as A5, B5, and A8, and for color tone, the adjustment range for R (red) and B (blue) colors is shown. For AGC, the setting is shown as on or off.

[0023] Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as above will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is an activity diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment, and Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example. Fig. 3 shows the operations of the user, the endoscope system 2, and the external storage device 4, and explains the operations from the operation in which the user checks the evidence information to the operation in which settings based on the evidence settings are made.

[0024] When performing an examination or treatment, a user operating the endoscope system 2 makes various settings to the function realization unit 20. In this embodiment, evidence information stored in the external storage device 4 is used for this setting. The user performs a display operation for the evidence information in S1 of Fig. 3. For example, the user performs an operation to display a display of the evidence information (hereinafter referred to as evidence display) using a touch panel provided on the display screen of the display unit 25. Upon receiving this user operation, the control unit 21 controls the transmission / reception unit 23 to request the external storage device 4 to transmit the evidence information (S2).

[0025] The transmission request for evidence information is supplied to the external storage device 4 on the Internet 5 via the network interface 22. The external storage device 4 transmits the stored evidence information in accordance with this transmission request (S3). The evidence information transmitted from the external storage device 4 is received by the transmission / reception unit 23 via the network interface 22. The control unit 21 provides the evidence information received by the transmission / reception unit 23 to the storage unit 24 for storage. Note that if evidence information is already stored in the storage unit 24, the control unit 21 updates the recorded evidence information with the evidence information received by the transmission / reception unit 23 (S4). The control unit 21 controls the display unit 25 to display an evidence display based on the evidence information stored in the storage unit 24 (S5).

[0026] For example, by storing evidence information with a high level of evidence obtained through the latest research in the external storage device 4, it is possible to use evidence settings included in the evidence information with a high level of evidence when setting up medical devices in the endoscope system 2. For example, by storing evidence information in the external storage device 4 by manufacturers and researchers developing medical devices, general medical professionals will be able to use evidence settings with a high level of evidence.

[0027] Fig. 4 shows an example of an evidence display displayed on the display screen 25a of the display unit 25. In the example of Fig. 4, the evidence display includes a display area A1 that displays the evidence name, a display area A2 that displays the evidence content, and a display area A3 that displays the evidence settings. In addition, an operation button A4 for reflecting the evidence in the user settings is also displayed during the evidence display.

[0028] Display area A1 displays evidence names such as evidence A, evidence B, evidence C, etc., which correspond to each piece of evidence information. Display areas A2 and A3 display evidence content and evidence settings corresponding to one of the evidence names displayed in display area A1.

[0029] The user checks the evidence information using the evidence display on the display screen 25a (S6). That is, the evidence display allows the user to check the evidence recorded as a valid medical procedure in literature, etc., and the setting items of the medical device used to perform the medical procedure. In other words, the user can recognize the appropriate settings for performing the medical procedure and their clinical benefits.

[0030] The user selects the evidence that the user wants to reflect in the user settings, for example, based on the evidence name (S7). For example, the user can select the evidence that the user wants to display by touching any of the evidence names displayed on the display screen 25a. The display unit 25 displays the evidence that is selected.

[0031] In the example of Fig. 4, the display portion of the evidence name is enclosed in a rectangular frame to indicate that evidence C has been selected. The control unit 21 reads out the evidence content and evidence settings for evidence C from the storage unit 24 and causes the display unit 25 to display them in the display areas A2 and A3. In this way, the display of Fig. 4 is performed.

[0032] The user refers to the evidence name and evidence content in the evidence display in Fig. 4 to determine whether the evidence setting (recommended setting) should be selected. When the user wants to select the evidence setting of the selected evidence as the recommended setting, the user touches the operation button A4, for example. In response, the control unit 21 controls the function setting unit 26 to read the evidence setting of the selected evidence from the storage unit 24, and provides the setting data (recommended setting) indicated by the evidence setting to the setting data memory 27 as the user setting, thereby reflecting the setting in the user setting (S8).

[0033] As described above, in this embodiment, by using evidence information that associates evidence recorded as effective medical procedures in literature, etc. with setting items of medical devices, the user can recognize appropriate settings for performing the medical procedure and their clinical benefits. This allows the user to select appropriate settings while taking into account clinical benefits, even when a large amount of recorded evidence information is required. It is conceivable that the external storage device 4 collects and stores a large amount of evidence information, including setting data from not only the user's own facility but also other facilities. In this case, it is preferable to be able to use setting data from other facilities, such as those of well-known doctors. When using setting data from other people or other facilities, this embodiment presents evidence, making it easy to appropriately select setting data effective for the user's medical procedure.

[0034] Second Embodiment Fig. 5 is an activity diagram showing the operations employed in a second embodiment. In Fig. 5, the same steps as those in Fig. 3 are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. The hardware configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of Fig. 1. In this embodiment, the evidence information recorded in the external storage device 4 includes information on the observation site (examination site), medical department, medical purpose (examination purpose), and endoscope type (device information), and the control unit 21 in the endoscope system 2 can search for (narrow down) the evidence information based on at least one of predetermined items, such as the observation site (examination site), medical department, medical purpose (examination purpose), and endoscope type (device information).

[0035] Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as above will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 7. Fig. 5 shows the operations of the user, the endoscope system 2, and the external storage device 4 during the period from when the user confirms the evidence information to when the filtered evidence information is confirmed. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are explanatory diagrams showing display examples.

[0036] When performing an examination or treatment, a user operating the endoscope system 2 makes various settings to the function realization unit 20. In this embodiment, the user uses evidence information stored in the external storage device 4 for this setting. In S1 of Fig. 5, the user performs a display operation of the evidence information. Upon receiving this user operation, the control unit 21 controls the transmission / reception unit 23 to request the external storage device 4 to transmit the evidence information (S2). In response to this transmission request, the external storage device 4 transmits the stored evidence information (S3). The control unit 21 provides the evidence information received by the transmission / reception unit 23 to the storage unit 24 to update the evidence information (S4).

[0037] In this embodiment, the control unit 21 controls the display unit 25 to display an evidence filter display based on the evidence information stored in the storage unit 24 (S11). That is, the control unit 21 causes the display unit 25 to display an evidence filter display for searching evidence information using search keys such as the observation site, medical department, purpose of search or treatment, and type of endoscope, so that the evidence information can be searched.

[0038] Fig. 6 shows an example of an evidence filter display displayed on the display screen 25a of the display unit 25. In the example of Fig. 6, the evidence filter display includes a display area A11 that displays the evidence name, a filter area A12 that specifies the observation site and examination purpose among the search keys, and a filter area A13 that specifies the endoscope type among the search keys. The display area A11 includes a display of the evidence name of each piece of evidence information registered in the storage unit 24 and a scroll bar display A11a for scrolling the display of the evidence name and displaying it on the display screen 25a. Furthermore, the filter area A12 displays a display for specifying the observation site and a display for specifying the examination purpose. Furthermore, the filter area A13 displays a display for specifying the endoscope to be used. Furthermore, during the evidence filter display, a confirm button A14 for reflecting the filter results is also displayed.

[0039] The user inputs filter information such as a search key using the evidence filter display on the display screen 25a (S12). To input filter information, the user specifies the observation site in the display area A12 and the endoscope type in the display area A13. The user may be able to specify the observation site, endoscope type, etc. by touching any of the items displayed in the evidence filter display on the display screen 25a. In the example of FIG. 6 , the user selects "stomach" as the observation site and "GIF-XZ1200" as the endoscope type by enclosing them in a rectangular frame. As a result of this specification, the examination purpose for the endoscope type "GIF-XZ1200" is indicated as detection, detailed examination, or treatment. While the example of FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which the observation site and endoscope type are specified, it is sufficient to specify at least one of the observation site, examination purpose, and endoscope type.

[0040] When the user decides on the result of the narrowing down operation (filtering operation) in the display areas A12 and A13, the user operates the decision button A14. By, for example, touching the decision button A14, the filter information is decided, the corresponding evidence information is searched for based on the filter information specified by the user, and the evidence display ( FIG. 7 ) of the result of the narrowing down process (filtering process) is displayed (S13).

[0041] The evidence name in Fig. 7 displays the evidence name that identifies the evidence in the narrowed-down result. The user selects the evidence that they want to reflect in the user settings, for example, based on the evidence name. The display unit 25 displays a display to indicate the selected evidence. In the example of Fig. 7, the display portion of the evidence name is surrounded by a rectangular frame, indicating that evidence C has been selected. The control unit 21 reads out the evidence content and evidence settings for evidence C from the storage unit 24, and causes the display unit 25 to display them in the display areas A2 and A3. In this way, the display in Fig. 7 is performed. The user checks the evidence information (S6) and decides on the evidence settings to select.

[0042] Other functions are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0043] As described above, the present embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the evidence information includes information on the observation site (examination site), medical department, medical purpose (examination purpose), and endoscope type (device information), and this information can be used as a search key to search for evidence information and narrow down the desired evidence. Even when a large amount of evidence information, including setting data from not only one's own facility but also other facilities, is collected and stored in the external storage device 4, filtering can be used to reduce the number of pieces of evidence that the user must select. Displaying evidence allows the user to recognize the clinical benefits of each piece of evidence, enabling appropriate settings to be made taking these clinical benefits into consideration.

[0044] In the second embodiment, evidence information on the cloud is received and displayed by the endoscopic system, and then the user narrows down the evidence information by inputting filter information. However, it is also possible to have the endoscopic system receive only the evidence information narrowed down by the user first entering filter information, and then display the received evidence information.

[0045] (Third Embodiment) Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment. In Fig. 8, the same components as those in Fig. 1 are assigned the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. In the second embodiment, evidence information is searched by the user inputting filter information. In contrast, in this embodiment, the search process is automated.

[0046] The in-hospital system 3A in Fig. 8 differs from the in-hospital system 3 in Fig. 1 in that an endoscope system 2A is adopted in which an endoscope type detection unit 28 is added to the endoscope system 2. The endoscope type detection unit 28 detects the endoscope type of the endoscope 1. For example, the endoscope type detection unit 28 may be configured to be able to detect the endoscope type when the endoscope 1 is connected to the endoscope system 2A. The control unit 21 acquires device information of the endoscope 1 as the endoscope type detection result.

[0047] When the display operation of the evidence information is performed and the evidence information is stored in the storage unit 24, the control unit 21 performs a filter process (search process) based on the detection result of the endoscope type (device information).

[0048] Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as above will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is an activity diagram for explaining the operation of the third embodiment. Fig. 9 shows the operations of the user, the endoscope system 2A, and the external storage device 4 during the period from when the user operates to check the evidence information to when the filtered evidence information is checked.

[0049] The operations from receiving evidence information from the external storage device 4 in response to a user's operation to display evidence information (S1) to updating the storage unit 24 (S4) are the same as those in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the endoscope type detection unit 28 is controlled by the control unit 21 to detect the endoscope type of the endoscope 1 (S21). The endoscope type detection result is supplied to the control unit 21, and the control unit 21 uses the detected endoscope type to search (filter) the evidence information stored in the storage unit 24 and display an evidence display based on the evidence information corresponding to the endoscope type (S5). In this way, an evidence display similar to that shown in FIG. 7 is obtained.

[0050] In this embodiment, it is possible to present to the user evidence relating to medical procedures using the endoscope 1 of the detected endoscope type without requiring the user to perform a search operation.

[0051] Other functions are the same as those of the second embodiment.

[0052] In this way, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained in this embodiment. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the user can narrow down the evidence corresponding to the endoscope type being used without performing a search operation. This allows the user to recognize the clinical benefits of each piece of evidence corresponding to the endoscope being used without performing a filter operation, making it easier to make appropriate settings that take clinical benefits into consideration.

[0053] Furthermore, even when the user initially inputs filter information and the endoscopic system receives only the narrowed-down evidence information, the evidence information may be narrowed down and received based on the detected endoscope type, and the received evidence information may be presented to the user.

[0054] (Fourth Embodiment) Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment. In Fig. 10, the same components as those in Fig. 1 are assigned the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. In the first to third embodiments, the external storage device 4 was located on the Internet, and therefore the endoscope systems 2, 2A were required to have a function for accessing the Internet. In contrast, in this embodiment, a recording medium that does not require an Internet environment is used as the external storage device 4.

[0055] The in-hospital system 3B in Fig. 10 differs from the in-hospital system 3 in Fig. 1 in that an endoscope system 2B using a USB interface 29 is adopted instead of the network interface 22 of the endoscope system 2. Also, this embodiment differs from the in-hospital system 3 in Fig. 1 in that a USB recording medium 4A compatible with the USB interface 29 is adopted instead of the external storage device 4.

[0056] The USB interface 29 and the USB recording medium 4A can communicate with each other according to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard. Although Fig. 10 shows an example in which a device that communicates according to the USB standard is used, a device that communicates using other communication standards, such as Ethernet or a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), may also be used.

[0057] In the embodiment configured in this manner, the evidence information sent from the USB recording medium 4A is transmitted to the endoscope system 2B in accordance with the USB standard. Therefore, the endoscope system 2B does not need to be provided with an environment for accessing the Internet.

[0058] Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0059] Fifth Embodiment Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment. In Fig. 11, the same components as those in Fig. 1 are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, a management server that manages multiple endoscope systems is employed, and the acquisition of evidence information and the setting of setting data are realized by a PC (personal computer).

[0060] The in-hospital system 3C in Fig. 11 includes an endoscope 1, an endoscopic system 2C, a management server 6, and a PC 7. The endoscopic system 2C has the functions of the function realization unit 20 and the setting data memory 27, which are included in the functions of the endoscopic system 2 in Fig. 1. All functions of the endoscopic system 2 in Fig. 1 other than the functions of the function realization unit 20 and the setting data memory 27 are incorporated into the PC 7. The management server 6 is a server that manages the endoscopic system 2C. Note that although Fig. 11 shows only one endoscopic system 2C, the management server 6 can manage multiple endoscopic systems 2C.

[0061] The PC 7 as a medical processing device has the functions realized in the endoscope system 2 of Fig. 1, namely, the functions of receiving evidence information, displaying an evidence display, and acquiring setting data based on the received evidence setting as user settings. That is, the PC 7 receives evidence information from the external storage device 4 and updates the evidence information stored in the memory unit 24. The display unit 25 is controlled by the control unit 21 to display an evidence display based on the evidence information. Furthermore, the function setting unit 26 is controlled by the control unit 21 to acquire user settings based on the setting data included in the evidence information. These user settings are supplied to and stored in the setting data memory 27 of the endoscope system 2C via the management server 6.

[0062] In an embodiment configured in this manner, medical device settings can be performed using the PC 7 without operating the endoscope system 2C. That is, there is no need to provide a display unit, a function setting unit, etc. within the endoscope system 2C; evidence is displayed on the PC 7 external to the endoscope system 2C, and the acquired setting data is transmitted to the endoscope system 2C via the management server 6. In this embodiment, too, this setting data is acquired based on evidence information recorded as a valid medical procedure in literature, etc., and it is possible to enable the user to recognize appropriate settings for performing the medical procedure and their clinical benefits.

[0063] Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment. Another advantage of this embodiment is that it is possible to manage a plurality of endoscope systems using one PC.

[0064] (Sixth embodiment) Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a sixth embodiment. In Fig. 12, the same components as those in Fig. 4 are assigned the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. The hardware configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the embodiment in Fig. 1. In this embodiment, an image based on setting data is displayed in the evidence display.

[0065] In this embodiment, for each piece of evidence information, a sample image of an endoscopic image when the medical device is set to its default setting (hereinafter referred to as the default setting image) and a sample image of an endoscopic image when the medical device is set to its evidence setting (hereinafter referred to as the evidence setting image) are stored in the external storage device 4. When receiving evidence information, the control unit 21 receives the evidence information including the default setting image and the evidence setting image and stores the received evidence information in the storage unit 24.

[0066] When a display operation of evidence information is performed by the user, the control unit 21 controls the display unit 25 to display the evidence display shown in Fig. 12. The display unit 25 uses the information stored in the storage unit 24 to perform the evidence display of Fig. 12. That is, the display unit 25 displays an evidence display including an image display area A5 in addition to display areas A1 to A3 on the display screen 25a.

[0067] The image display area A5 includes a display area A5a for a default setting image and a display area A5b for an evidence setting image. The default setting image is an endoscopic image when the medical device is set to its default settings, and the evidence setting image is an endoscopic image when the evidence settings for the evidence selected by the user (evidence C in the example of FIG. 12) are set for the medical device. The user selects evidence by referring to these images. That is, in this embodiment, images can be used as evidence for recommended settings.

[0068] Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the use of images has the advantage that the basis for the recommended settings can be easily understood.

[0069] Seventh Embodiment Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation flow employed in a seventh embodiment. The hardware configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. In this embodiment, a plurality of images obtained by performing image processing using different settings on the same captured image obtained from the endoscope 1 are displayed and recorded.

[0070] The endoscope 1 supplies captured images (RAW images) acquired by an imaging device to the endoscope system 2. The function realization unit 20 of the endoscope system 2 performs signal processing on the input captured images based on user settings in the setting data memory 27. In this embodiment, the setting data memory 27 is configured to store multiple setting data including user settings based on current settings of a doctor or the like (current user settings) and user settings based on evidence settings (evidence settings).

[0071] The endoscope 1 is equipped with a release button (not shown), and the function realization unit 20 detects pressing of the release button. When the function realization unit 20 detects pressing of the release button, it performs a freeze process on the input captured image and records a still image in an image buffer (not shown) as a normal release operation. The function realization unit 20 performs image processing on the still image (RAW image) recorded in the image buffer based on two types of user settings stored in the setting data memory 27. That is, in this embodiment, two types of endoscopic images are obtained by different image processing based on both the current user setting by a doctor or the like and the evidence setting. These two types of endoscopic images can be displayed on the display screen of the display unit 25 and can be recorded by a recording device (not shown).

[0072] Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as above will be described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the current user settings and evidence settings stored in the setting data memory 27.

[0073] The setting data memory 27 stores the setting data shown in Fig. 14. In the example of Fig. 14, the setting data memory 27 stores current user settings, which are current settings set by a doctor or the like who is performing endoscopic observation using the endoscope 1, and evidence settings that have been registered in advance in the setting data memory 27 by the function setting unit 26.

[0074] That is, in the example of Fig. 14, the current user settings indicate that the WLI observation mode is wideband observation mode, structure emphasis is A5, color tone is R±0, B±1, and AGC is set to ON. Also, the evidence settings in Fig. 14 are the same as those for evidence B in Fig. 2.

[0075] Assume now that an observation of the inside of a body is being performed using the endoscope 1. A RAW image from the endoscope 1 is supplied to the endoscope system 2. The function realization unit 20 determines whether the release button of the endoscope 1 has been pressed (S31). When the release button is pressed by the user, the function realization unit 20 performs a freeze process (S32) and performs a normal release operation on the RAW image from the endoscope 1. That is, the frozen RAW image is stored in the image buffer (S33). Next, the function realization unit 20 performs image processing on the RAW image stored in the image buffer based on two types of user settings read from the setting data memory 27 (S34).

[0076] 14, the function realization unit 20 performs image processing according to the current user settings and image processing according to the evidence settings corresponding to evidence B. The function realization unit 20 displays and records the endoscopic images obtained by performing image processing using these different settings (S35). After recording these still images, the function realization unit 20 releases the freeze (S36).

[0077] As described above, the present embodiment also provides the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, the present embodiment can record and display two types of images that have been image-processed using both the current user settings of a doctor or other person currently observing the inside of the body and the evidence settings corresponding to pre-selected evidence information. Therefore, when capturing an image, the user can compare multiple images: images processed using the current settings (images viewed by the doctor in real time) and images processed based on the evidence settings. This comparison has the advantage of allowing the user to easily understand the clinical benefits of changing the settings.

[0078] (Level of Evidence) Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an evidence level pyramid. The level of evidence is an index that indicates how reliable the evidence (scientific basis) is. In the evidence pyramid of Figure 15, the level of evidence increases toward the top, and in medical care, the reliability of clinical practice guidelines increases. As shown in Figure 15, for example, in descending order of evidence level, there are systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, mere case reports or expert opinions based on experience, animal experiments, cell experiments, etc.

[0079] In each of the above embodiments, evidence information may include evidence level information. In this case, the control unit 21 may control the display unit 25 to include the evidence level information in the evidence display. In this case, the evidence level information makes it easier for the user to determine the evidence information to select.

[0080] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the components can be modified and embodied in practice without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some of the components shown in the embodiments may be omitted. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

[0081] Furthermore, among the technologies described herein, many of the controls and functions, primarily those illustrated in flowcharts, can be set by a program, and the above-described controls and functions can be realized by a computer reading and executing the program. The program can be recorded or stored, in whole or in part, as a computer program product on portable media such as a flexible disk, CD-ROM, or nonvolatile memory, or on storage media such as a hard disk or volatile memory, and can be distributed or provided at the time of product shipment, via portable media, or via a communication line. A user can easily realize the medical system and medical device configuration support method of this embodiment by downloading the program via a communication network and installing it on a computer, or by installing it on a computer from a recording medium.

Claims

1. A medical system comprising: an external storage device that stores evidence information including information on evidence and information on setting data corresponding to the evidence; and a medical processing device that receives the evidence information from the external storage device, wherein the medical processing device uses setting data corresponding to evidence information selected by a user from the received evidence information to configure a medical device.

2. The medical system according to claim 1, wherein the medical processing device narrows down the received evidence information by predetermined items and presents it to the user.

3. The medical system according to claim 1, wherein the medical processing device receives the evidence information narrowed down by predetermined items from the external storage device and presents it to the user.

4. The medical system according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined items are at least one of medical purpose, equipment information, and examination area.

5. The medical system according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined items are at least one of medical purpose, equipment information, and examination area.

6. The medical system according to claim 4, wherein the medical processing device detects the type of the medical device, acquires device information of the medical device, narrows down the evidence information based on the acquired device information, and presents the narrowed down evidence information to the user.

7. The medical system according to claim 5, wherein the medical processing device detects the type of the medical device and acquires device information of the medical device, narrows down and receives the evidence information based on the acquired device information, and presents the received evidence information to the user.

8. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the medical equipment includes an image processing device that processes images obtained by an imaging device, and the medical processing device displays images obtained from the image processing device when setting data corresponding to evidence information selected by the user is set in the image processing device.

9. The medical system of claim 1, wherein the medical processing device performs image processing on the images obtained by the imaging device using current settings and also performs image processing using setting data corresponding to pre-selected evidence information, and acquires and displays images obtained using the current settings and images obtained using setting data corresponding to pre-selected evidence information from the image processing device.

10. The medical system according to claim 1, wherein the evidence information includes information on the evidence level.

11. A medical device setting support method, comprising: receiving evidence information from an external storage device that stores evidence information including information about evidence and information about setting data corresponding to the evidence; displaying an evidence display based on the information about the evidence and the information about the setting data on a display screen of a display device; accepting an operation for selecting evidence by a user; and setting setting data corresponding to the evidence selected by the user in a medical device.

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