JP7584958B2 - Simulator, simulator control method, and simulation program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a simulator, a method for controlling the simulator, and a simulation program.

Patent Document 1 discloses a simulator that includes a prediction unit that predicts changes in pixel values of each tissue over time and a display unit that displays a schematic predicted image of each tissue. The display unit is controlled by a display control unit to change the shading of each compartment according to changes in pixel values over time. As an example, in an image of each tissue immediately after injection of a contrast agent into an upper limb vein, the upper limb vein is shown with its natural pixel value (dark gray). All blood vessels, including the abdominal aorta and celiac artery, are shown with their natural pixel value (dark gray). In an image of each tissue taken about 25 seconds after the start of injection, the abdominal aorta, celiac artery, internal jugular vein, etc. are shown in particular white, while the upper limb vein is shown in light gray. Furthermore, in an image of each tissue taken about 120 seconds after the start of injection, the entire tissue is shown in light gray compared to the image immediately after injection.

International Publication No. 2016/084373

In the simulator described in Patent Document 1, the shade of the image of each tissue changes according to the change over time in the pixel value of each tissue. This allows the operator to visually recognize the change in the image of each tissue. However, the operator cannot determine from the image of each tissue whether the desired pixel value is being obtained in the area selected as the imaging area.

To solve the above problem, a simulator as an example of the present invention includes a prediction unit that simulates pixel values at a selected site when a contrast agent is injected according to predetermined injection conditions, a determination unit that determines whether the pixel value is higher than an upper limit value and whether the pixel value is lower than a lower limit value based on the simulation results by the prediction unit, and a display control unit that causes a first image to be displayed on a display unit when the pixel value is higher than the upper limit value, and causes a second image, the display mode of which is different from that of the first image, to be displayed on the display unit when the pixel value is lower than the lower limit value.

To solve the above problem, a control method for a simulator as an example of the present invention simulates pixel values at a selected site when a contrast agent is injected according to specified injection conditions, and determines whether the pixel value is higher than an upper limit value and whether the pixel value is lower than a lower limit value based on the simulation results, and displays a first image when the pixel value is higher than the upper limit value and displays a second image with a different display mode from the first image when the pixel value is lower than the lower limit value.

To solve the above problem, a simulation program as an example of the present invention causes a simulator computer to function as a prediction unit that simulates pixel values at a selected site when a contrast agent is injected according to specified injection conditions, a determination unit that determines whether the pixel value is higher than an upper limit value and whether the pixel value is lower than a lower limit value based on the simulation results by the prediction unit, and a display control unit that causes a first image to be displayed on a display unit when the pixel value is higher than the upper limit value and a second image having a different display mode from the first image to be displayed on the display unit when the pixel value is lower than the lower limit value.

This allows the operator to determine whether the desired pixel value is being obtained in the selected area.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an injection system and an imaging system. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a simulator. 13 is a confirmation screen displayed on the display unit. 13 is a simulation screen in the case where pixel values within a desired range are obtained. 13 is a simulation screen when the pixel value falls below the lower limit. 13 is a simulation screen in which the pixel value exceeds the upper limit. 13 is a flowchart showing a display of a determination result.

Below, exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of components described in the following embodiments are arbitrary and can be changed according to the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied or various conditions. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments specifically described below.

Unless otherwise specified, the term contrast agent includes both the contrast agent alone and a drug solution containing other solvents and additives in addition to the contrast agent. In the following, unless otherwise specified, the term pixel value includes the CT value, the sum or average of the CT values of the pixels contained in the region of interest (ROI), or the SD value (standard deviation value) of the region of interest in the selected region to be imaged. Furthermore, pixel value includes values obtained by subtracting values in tissues not imaged (e.g., CT values of the imaged region in a simple CT) from these values. The region of interest is either preset or can be selected by the operator.

[First embodiment]
With reference to Fig. 1, which is a schematic diagram of the injection system 120 and the imaging system 130, a system including a simulator 40 (Fig. 2) that simulates pixel values at a selected site will be described. For example, the simulator 40 is provided in one of the injection system 120 and the imaging system 130. Alternatively, the simulator 40 may be an external device separate from the injection system 120 and the imaging system 130. The external device may be connected to at least one of the injection system 120 and the imaging system 130 by wire or wirelessly. An example in which the injection system 120 includes the simulator 40 will be described below.

The injection system 120 includes an injection head 20, which is an example of an injection device that injects a contrast agent according to an injection protocol, and a touch panel 26, which is an example of a display unit. The injection head 20 injects medicinal liquids, such as saline and various contrast agents, filled in a syringe into a subject. The injection system 120 also includes a stand 22 that holds the injection head 20, and a console 23 that is connected to the injection head 20 by wire or wirelessly.

The console 23 functions as a control device that controls the injection head 20, and also functions as a simulator 40 that predicts changes in pixel values over time at a selected site. Alternatively, the injection system 120 may include a computer device that functions as the simulator 40, separate from the console 23. The computer device may be connected to the injection head 20 by wire or wirelessly. The console 23 also includes a touch panel 26 that functions as a display unit and an input unit, and can communicate with the injection head 20 and the imaging device 30 by wire or wirelessly. The touch panel 26 can display the injection protocol, the input state of the device, the setting state, the injection result, various information, and the like. The operator can also input drug solution information, injection protocol, site information, subject information, and target values using the touch panel 26. The target values are the target pixel value and the target maintenance time, which is the maintenance time for maintaining the target pixel value. Alternatively, the injection system 120 may include a display as a display unit and an input device such as a keyboard or a numeric keypad as an input unit, instead of the touch panel 26.

In addition, instead of the console 23, the injection system 120 may have a control device connected to the injection head 20, and a display unit (e.g., a tablet terminal or a touch panel display) connected to the control device and separate from the control device that displays the injection status of the medicinal liquid. In this case, the control device functions as a simulator 40 that predicts changes in pixel values over time. The injection head 20 and the control device can also be configured integrally with the stand 22. Furthermore, a ceiling suspension member can be provided instead of the stand 22, and the injection head 20 can be suspended from the ceiling via the ceiling suspension member.

The injection head 20 may also have a remote control device (e.g., a hand switch or a foot switch) for remotely controlling the injection head 20. This remote control device can remotely control the injection head 20 to start or stop injection. Furthermore, the injection head 20 may have a power source or a battery. This power source or battery can be provided in either the injection head 20 or the control device, or can be provided separately from these.

The injection head 20 includes a syringe holder on which a syringe filled with a liquid medicine is mounted, and a drive mechanism that pushes out the liquid medicine from the syringe according to an injection protocol. The injection head 20 also includes an operation unit 28 for inputting the operation of the drive mechanism. The operation unit 28 includes, for example, a forward button for the drive mechanism, a reverse button for the drive mechanism, and a final confirmation button. The injection head 20 may also include a head display that displays the injection conditions, injection status, input status of the device, setting status, and various injection results. For example, the head display is installed on the side of the injection head 20 or is built into the injection head 20. The head display may also be a touch panel type display that can be operated by an operator. In this case, the head display may display the screens shown in Figures 3 to 6.

When the contrast medium is injected, an accessory such as an extension tube is connected to the tip of the syringe mounted on the injection head 20. Then, when preparation for injection is complete, the operator presses the final confirmation button on the operation unit 28. Alternatively, the operator may touch the final confirmation button displayed on the touch panel 26. This puts the injection head 20 into a standby state in which injection can begin. When injection is then started, the contrast medium pushed out of the syringe is injected into the subject via the extension tube.

The injection head 20 may also be capable of mounting various syringes, as well as prefilled syringes having data carriers such as RFID chips, IC tags, or barcodes. The data carriers store medicinal liquid information related to the medicinal liquid. When a syringe having a data carrier can be mounted, the injection head 20 is equipped with a reading unit that reads the data carrier attached to the syringe. Furthermore, the injection head 20 may have three or more syringe holding units, or may have only one syringe holding unit.

The injection head 20 can receive information from an external storage device (not shown), such as a server S (FIG. 2), and can also transmit information to the server S. The imaging device 30 of the imaging system 130 can also receive information from the server S and can also transmit information to the server S. This server S is, for example, a Radiology Information System (RIS), a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), or a Hospital Information System (HIS).

The server S stores an examination order in advance. This examination order includes subject information on the subject and examination information on the examination contents. The server S can also store information on the imaging results, such as image data sent from the imaging device 30, and information on the injection results sent from the injection head 20. Note that an external image inspection system or an image creation workstation can also be used to operate the injection head 20 and the imaging device 30. Furthermore, a device (e.g., a tablet terminal) that can remotely operate the injection head 20 may be installed inside or outside the hospital.

The imaging system 130 includes a medical imaging device 30 that captures an image of a subject, and the imaging device 30 is connected to the injection system 120 by wire or wirelessly. Examples of the imaging device 30 include various medical imaging devices such as an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) device, a CT (Computed Tomography) device, an angio imaging device, a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) device, a SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) device, a CT angio device, an MR angio device, an ultrasound diagnostic device, and a vascular imaging device. Below, an example in which the imaging system 130 includes a CT device will be described.

The imaging device 30 has an imaging section 31 that images the subject according to an imaging plan, and a control device 32 that controls the entire imaging device 30. The imaging plan includes, for example, the imaging site, effective tube voltage, model name, manufacturer name, imaging time, tube voltage, imaging range, rotation speed, helical pitch, exposure time, dose, and imaging method. The control device 32 controls the imaging section 31 to image the subject according to the imaging plan. Furthermore, the control device 32 may also function as a simulator 40 that predicts changes in pixel values over time in a selected site. The control device 32 can communicate with the imaging section 31, the injection head 20, and the server S via wired or wireless communication. The simulator 40 of the imaging device 30 may perform a more accurate simulation by further considering information included in the imaging plan.

The imaging unit 31 has a bed, an X-ray source that irradiates the subject with X-rays, and an X-ray detector that detects the X-rays that have passed through the subject. The imaging unit 31 irradiates the subject with X-rays and captures a fluoroscopic image of the subject by back-projecting the inside of the subject's body based on the X-rays that have passed through the subject.

The imaging device 30 has a display 33. The display 33 is connected to the control device 32 and displays the input state, setting state, imaging results, and various information of the device. When the control device 32 also functions as a simulator 40, the display 33 also functions as a display unit that displays a simulation screen described below. Alternatively, the control device 32 and the display 33 can be configured integrally. Furthermore, the imaging device 30 has an interface 34 such as a keyboard that functions as an input unit. An operator can input information including drug solution information, injection protocol, tissue information, subject information, target values, etc., from the interface 34 to the imaging device 30. The display 33 may be a touch panel that functions as an input display unit. In this case, the display 33 also functions as a substitute for the interface 34.

[simulator]
2, a simulator 40 (e.g., a perfusion simulator) that predicts changes over time in pixel values at a selected site selected by an operator as an imaging site from among tissues of a subject will be described. The console 23 includes the simulator 40 and a touch panel 26 as an input display unit. The simulator 40 includes a control unit 41 and a storage unit 42 that stores a control program PG. When the console 23 functions as the simulator 40 as a whole, the simulator 40 includes the touch panel 26 as a display unit.

As an example, the control unit 41 is configured as a computer that combines a processor that executes various calculation processes and operation control according to a predetermined program, an internal memory required for the operation of the processor, and other peripheral devices. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), and controls the entire injection system 120 based on the control program PG stored in the memory unit 42, and also controls various processes in a comprehensive manner. In this embodiment, the CPU executes various calculations, control, discrimination, and other processing operations according to the control program PG stored in the memory unit 42. In addition, a touch panel 26 is connected to the control unit 41 as an input unit for inputting predetermined commands and data. The touch panel 26 also functions as a display unit that displays the input state, setting state, measurement results, and various information of the device. Furthermore, the control unit 41 may perform control according to a program stored in a portable recording medium such as a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a CF (Compact Flash) card, or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or in an external storage medium such as a server S connected to the Internet or a LAN.

The control unit 41 controls each part of the simulator 40 according to the control program PG stored in the memory unit 42. The control unit 41 has an information acquisition unit 43, an injection condition acquisition unit 44, a target value acquisition unit 45, a prediction unit 46, a judgment unit 47, and a display control unit 48. Each part is a logical device realized by a combination of the hardware resources of the control unit 41 and the control program PG as a software resource. At least some of these logical devices may be provided outside the console 23. In this case, the control unit 41 has only some of these logical devices.

The storage unit 42 is a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. The storage unit 42 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a system work memory for the processor of the control unit 41 to operate, as well as storage devices such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs and system software, a HDD (Hard Disc Drive), and an SSD (Solid State Drive).

The memory unit 42 also stores a control program PG, which also functions as a simulation program that simulates pixel values at a selected site. This control program PG causes the control unit 41, which is a computer, to function as an information acquisition unit 43, an injection condition acquisition unit 44, a target value acquisition unit 45, a prediction unit 46, a judgment unit 47, and a display control unit 48. The control program PG can also be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium. The memory unit 42 further stores reference data RD that is referenced during simulation and display of a simulation screen. For example, the reference data RD includes threshold value specification information that specifies the upper or lower limit of pixel values, an image used to display the simulation results (e.g., an image that mimics an organ), and information indicating the display mode of the image according to the judgment results (e.g., brightness).

The information acquisition unit 43 acquires site information, subject information, drug solution information, and examination information related to the examination. For example, the information acquisition unit 43 acquires various information input by the operator via the touch panel 26. Specifically, the information acquisition unit 43 acquires the name of the site that identifies the selected site as the site information input by the operator. As an example, the names of the sites are head, brain, chest, coronary artery, right ventricle, left ventricle, abdomen, lower limbs, upper limbs, lungs, liver, stomach, spleen, pancreas, intestines, kidneys, ascending aorta, descending aorta, and abdominal aorta. Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 43 may acquire various information from an external device connected to the console 23. For example, the information acquisition unit 43 may acquire the heart rate as subject information from a pulse oximeter as a measuring device that acquires biological information of the subject.

The information acquisition unit 43 may also acquire various pieces of information from the memory unit 42 of the simulator 40 or the server S. When acquiring information from the server S, the console 23 and the server S function as the simulator 40 as a whole. Examples of the server S include a RIS, a PACS, an HIS, an image inspection system, and a workstation for creating images. The server S is configured as one logical server S by combining multiple server units as computers. However, the server S may also be configured from a single server unit. Alternatively, the server S may be configured logically using cloud computing. The server S is configured as a computer that combines a processor that executes various types of arithmetic processing and operation control according to a specified program, an internal memory required for the operation of the processor, and other peripheral devices.

In addition, the information acquisition unit 43 may acquire various information from the imaging device 30 or the injection head 20. For example, the injection head 20 acquires the iodine content as medicinal solution information from a reading unit built into the injection head 20. The information acquisition unit 43 then acquires the iodine content from the injection head 20. As one example, the reading unit is a non-contact reading device that reads medicinal solution information from a data carrier attached to a syringe mounted on the injection head 20.

The site information acquired by the information acquisition unit 43 may include tissue information of the subject in addition to information identifying the selected site. The tissue includes the heart, right ventricle, left ventricle, blood vessels, kidneys, ureters, other organs, and muscles. As an example, the tissue information includes the number of divided compartments in blood vessels and organs as tissues, the volume of the tissue, the volume of the vascular cavity, the volume of the capillaries, the volume of the extracellular fluid cavity, the blood flow rate per unit tissue, the blood flow velocity per unit tissue, the seepage rate of the contrast agent in the tissue, the capillary permeable surface area, the seepage rate of the contrast agent in the tissue, the capillary permeable surface area, and the inherent pixel value of the tissue. The number of compartments may be set to be greater for tissues with larger volumes than for tissues with smaller volumes.

The subject information acquired by the information acquisition unit 43 includes, for example, the amount of iodine per unit of body weight, sex, body weight, height, body surface area, cardiac function, heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, hemoglobin amount, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), creatinine level, age, lean body mass, body mass index, circulating blood volume, subject number, subject ID, the subject's disease and side effect history, subject name, date of birth, blood volume, and blood flow rate. The drug solution information acquired by the information acquisition unit 43 includes, for example, the iodine content, the amount of iodine per unit of body weight, viscosity, osmotic pressure ratio, filling amount, product ID, product name, chemical classification, ingredients, concentration, expiration date, syringe capacity, syringe pressure resistance, cylinder inner diameter, piston stroke, and lot number.

The examination information acquired by the information acquisition unit 43 includes, for example, information identifying the imaging site, pressure limit, amount of iodine per body weight per unit time (hereinafter also referred to as amount of iodine used), tube voltage (kV), examination number, examination ID, examination date and time, type of medicinal solution, name of medicinal solution, and characteristics of the imaging device 30. The information identifying the imaging site is information that can identify the site or range selected as the imaging target. For example, the information identifying the imaging site includes the name of the examination site, the name of the imaging method, or the distance from the injection site of the medicinal solution to the examination site. Note that if not required for the simulation, the information acquisition unit 43 does not need to acquire any of the site information, subject information, medicinal solution information, and examination information.

The injection condition acquisition unit 44 acquires an injection protocol, which is an injection condition for the contrast agent. As an example, the injection condition acquisition unit 44 generates an injection protocol based on various information acquired from the information acquisition unit 43, and thereby acquires the injection protocol. The injection condition acquisition unit 44 may also acquire an injection protocol input by an operator via the simulator 40. The injection condition acquisition unit 44 may also acquire an injection protocol from the memory unit 42, the server S, the injection head 20, or the imaging device 30. As an example, the injection protocol includes an injection time and an injection speed of the medicinal liquid. Furthermore, the injection protocol may be composed of a plurality of injection phases. For example, the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 3 displays an injection protocol consisting of a first phase for injecting a contrast agent, a second phase for injecting a contrast agent and saline, and a third phase for injecting saline.

For example, the injection protocol may include information such as the injection method, injection site of the medicinal liquid, injection amount, mixed injection ratio, injection timing, contrast agent concentration, injection pressure, injection speed acceleration, injection time and injection speed of each medicinal liquid, whether or not to use a boost injection of contrast agent with saline, increase or decrease in injection speed, whether or not to use a cross injection, whether or not to use a link speed setting, and the volume of the injection tube. Cross injection is an injection method in which contrast agent is injected at a speed faster than the injection speed of saline until a set time has elapsed from the start of injection, and then contrast agent is injected so that the injection speed gradually decreases, and saline is simultaneously injected so that the injection speed gradually increases. Also, link speed setting is a setting that links the injection speeds of the contrast agent and saline so that they are the same.

Furthermore, the injection condition acquisition unit 44 may generate an injection protocol based on the target value acquired by the target value acquisition unit 45. In this case, the injection condition acquisition unit 44 may generate an injection protocol that realizes the simulation result (e.g., a time-concentration curve or a time-enhancement curve) by the prediction unit 46. Furthermore, the injection condition acquisition unit 44 may generate an injection protocol based on the test information, the subject information, and the drug solution information.

The target value acquisition unit 45 acquires, as a target value, a target pixel value required for interpretation of the imaging site. The operator can input the target pixel value from the touch panel 26. The target value acquisition unit 45 may also acquire, as a target value, a desired target maintenance time for maintaining the target pixel value. The operator can input the target maintenance time from the touch panel 26. Alternatively, the target value acquisition unit 45 may acquire the target value from the injection head 20, the imaging device 30, the memory unit 42, or the server S. If the operator does not input a target value, or before the operator inputs a target value, the target value acquisition unit 45 may acquire a preset target value. The preset target value is stored in the memory unit 42. This makes it possible to obtain a simulation result even if the operator does not input a target value.

The prediction unit 46 simulates pixel values at the selected site when the contrast agent is injected according to a specified injection condition. For example, the prediction unit 46 acquires an injection protocol from the injection condition acquisition unit 44 as the specified injection condition. As an example, the injection condition acquisition unit 44 calculates the injection time and injection rate of the contrast agent and saline as the injection protocol based on the selected site, the subject's weight, and the amount of iodine in the contrast agent. In addition, the prediction unit 46 acquires site information, subject information, drug solution information, and examination information from the information acquisition unit 43, and simulates the change over time in pixel values in each tissue of the subject. An example of a simulation by the prediction unit 46 is described below.

Each tissue of the subject is divided into multiple compartments along the blood flow direction according to the number of compartments of the tissue based on the tissue information acquired by the information acquisition unit 43. The prediction unit 46 divides the volume of the tissue including the compartment of each tissue to be predicted, the capillary volume of the tissue, and the extracellular fluid volume of the tissue by the number of compartments to predict the change in pixel value over time for each compartment. The tissue of the subject also includes the right ventricle, aorta, vein, artery, brain (or head), upper limbs, myocardium (e.g., myocardium dominated by the right coronary artery, myocardium dominated by the anterior descending branch, and myocardium dominated by the circumflex branch), lung, liver, stomach, spleen, pancreas, intestine, kidney, ureter, lower limbs, left ventricle, ascending aorta, descending aorta, and abdominal aorta. The contrast medium injected through the veins of the upper limbs travels to each organ via the right ventricle, lungs, left ventricle, and aorta (e.g., the ascending aorta and descending aorta), and then reaches the right ventricle via the veins. The contrast medium injected into the body is then excreted from the body via the kidneys and ureters.

The prediction unit 46 uses a differential equation such as the following Equation 1 to obtain the change in pixel value of each tissue as a function of time. Here, the concentration of the contrast agent flowing into a compartment is _C1 , the concentration of the contrast agent flowing out of the compartment is _C2 , the volume of the compartment is V, and the blood flow rate (blood flow velocity) per unit tissue in the compartment is Q.

Furthermore, in order to obtain changes in pixel values in the right ventricle, the left ventricle, and tissues other than blood vessels, the prediction unit 46 takes into consideration the seepage speed when the contrast agent permeates from the capillaries to the extracellular fluid space and the seepage back speed when the contrast agent permeates from the extracellular fluid space to the capillaries. For this purpose, the prediction unit 46 uses differential equations such as the following Equation 2 and Equation 3. Here, the volume of the extracellular fluid space is Vec, the concentration of the contrast agent in the extracellular fluid space is Cec, the volume of the capillaries is Viv, the concentration of the contrast agent in the capillaries is Civ, the seepage speed is _PS1 , and the seepage back speed is _PS2 .

The prediction unit 46 solves the differential equation to obtain the time elapsed from the start of injection and the change in the contrast agent concentration corresponding to the pixel value as a function of time. Furthermore, the prediction unit 46 may calculate the amount of contrast agent discharged based on a predetermined discharge rate and perform a simulation by subtracting the discharged amount from the contrast agent in the renal capillaries. In this way, a simulation is performed in which a portion of the contrast agent that reaches the kidney is subtracted from the total amount of contrast agent in the entire body (in the plasma). By simulating the discharge of the contrast agent, the total amount of contrast agent in the entire body decreases over time, making it possible to perform a more accurate simulation. Alternatively, the prediction unit 46 may perform a simulation using a known pharmacokinetic model, such as the method described in Japanese Patent No. 3553968.

When the simulation is completed, the prediction unit 46 sequentially stores the simulation results in the storage unit 42. The simulation results include information on pixel values for each time associated with each tissue. The tissue corresponding to the selected region can be identified based on the region information. The simulation results may also include a time concentration curve (TDC) or a time enhancement curve (TEC) showing the change in pixel values over time in the examination region. In addition, the simulation results may include information on pixel values for each time associated with the tissue. Furthermore, the simulation results may include the length of time (e.g., the number of seconds) during which the pixel values of the selected region are maintained in a state lower than the upper limit value and higher than the lower limit value. Alternatively, the prediction unit 46 may use other known methods for simulating the systemic circulation of the contrast agent.

Furthermore, the prediction unit 46 may receive, as subject information, from the information acquisition unit 43, hemoglobin amount (g/dL), weight (kg), height (cm), cardiac function (%), heart rate (bpm), body surface area (m ² ), cardiac output (L/min), and eGFR. This allows the prediction unit 46 to perform a more accurate and high-precision simulation based on more information. As a result, for example, to perform a surgery simulation or to determine a treatment plan, an image with higher image quality can be captured or a three-dimensional image can be created. The prediction unit 46 may calculate at least one of the body surface area, cardiac output, and estimated glomerular filtration rate and use it in the simulation. For example, the body surface area can be calculated by the Fujimoto formula, Dubois formula, or Shintani formula based on the weight and height. The cardiac output can be calculated based on the body surface area, cardiac function, and heart rate. The eGFR can be calculated based on the creatinine value, age, and sex.

The determination unit 47 determines whether the pixel value is higher than the upper limit value and whether the pixel value is lower than the lower limit value based on the simulation results by the prediction unit 46. For example, the determination unit 47 acquires information identifying the selected part as part information from the information acquisition unit 43, and identifies the tissue corresponding to the selected part. The determination unit 47 also acquires threshold identification information for the selected part by referring to the reference data RD. The determination unit 47 then acquires the target pixel value from the target value acquisition unit 45, and identifies the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the pixel value based on the threshold identification information.

The threshold specification information is set for each tissue of the subject. As an example, in the case of a coronary artery, the information specifying the upper limit is "plus 50 HU" and the information specifying the lower limit is "minus 50 HU". Therefore, when the target pixel value is 400 HU, the upper limit is 450 HU and the lower limit is 350 HU. The threshold specification information may be the upper or lower pixel value, for example, the information specifying the upper limit may be "450 HU" and the information specifying the lower limit may be "350 HU". Furthermore, the threshold specification information may be a percentage of the target pixel value, for example, the information specifying the upper limit may be "plus 10%" and the information specifying the lower limit may be "minus 10%". In this case, when the target pixel value is 400 HU, the upper limit is 440 HU and the lower limit is 360 HU.

For example, the determination unit 47 compares the peak value of the pixel value during the target maintenance time with the upper limit value and the lower limit value to determine whether the pixel value is higher than the upper limit value and whether the pixel value is lower than the lower limit value. Alternatively, the determination unit 47 may compare the average value or median value of the pixel value during the target maintenance time with the upper limit value and the lower limit value. The determination unit 47 may also compare the pixel value at the imaging timing when the imaging device 30 performs imaging with the upper limit value and the lower limit value. In this case, the imaging timing may be determined by the determination unit 47, or may be acquired by the determination unit 47 from the imaging device 30, the storage unit 42, the server S, or the injection head 20. As an example, the injection head 20 can acquire the imaging timing by detecting a sound or the like during exposure using a built-in or connected sensor.

Furthermore, the determination unit 47 may determine, as the imaging timing, a predetermined timing during the maintenance time during which the pixel value of the selected area is maintained in a state lower than the upper limit value and higher than the lower limit value. In an imaging device 30 such as a CT device, the imaging timing is the exposure timing at which X-rays are irradiated. For example, the determination unit 47 determines the timing in the middle of the maintenance time as the imaging timing. Alternatively, the determination unit 47 may determine, as the imaging timing, the timing at which the pixel value reaches a peak value during the maintenance time. The determination unit 47 passes, for example, the elapsed time from the start of injection to the imaging timing, or the time of the imaging timing, to the display control unit 48 as information specifying the determined imaging timing.

Based on the judgment result by the judgment unit 47, when the pixel value in the selected part is higher than the upper limit value, the display control unit 48 causes the touch panel 26 to display the first part image 61A (FIG. 6), which is an example of the first image. When the pixel value in the selected part is lower than the lower limit value, the display control unit 48 causes the touch panel 26 to display the second part image 61B (FIG. 5), which is an example of the second image having a different display mode from the first part image 61A. As a result, if neither the first part image 61A nor the second part image 61B is displayed, the operator can determine that the pixel value in the selected part satisfies the desired condition. In other words, if neither the first part image 61A nor the second part image 61B is displayed, the pixel value in the selected part is maintained within a predetermined range from the target pixel value. Furthermore, when the pixel value at the selected site is higher than the upper limit, the display control unit 48 may cause the touch panel 26 to display a character string indicating that the pixel value is higher than the upper limit, and when the pixel value at the selected site is lower than the lower limit, the display control unit 48 may cause the touch panel 26 to display a character string indicating that the pixel value is lower than the lower limit. In these cases, the injection condition acquisition unit 44 may generate an injection protocol that realizes an optimal time-density curve or time-enhancement curve. The display control unit 48 causes the generated injection protocol to be displayed.

In addition, when the pixel value of the selected part is lower than the upper limit value and higher than the lower limit value, the display control unit 48 causes the touch panel 26 to display the third part image 61C (FIG. 4), which is an example of a third image having a different display mode from the first part image 61A and the second part image 61B. As a result, if the third part image 61C is displayed, the operator can determine that the pixel value of the selected part satisfies the desired condition. In other words, if neither the first part image 61A nor the second part image 61B is displayed, but the third part image 61C is displayed, the pixel value of the selected part is maintained within a predetermined range from the target pixel value. The first part image 61A, the second part image 61B, and the third part image 61C may be an image imitating an organ, an image imitating a human body, an image imitating a part of a human body, or any other arbitrary image. Furthermore, the first part image 61A, the second part image 61B, and the third part image 61C may be displayed in a superimposed manner on the image imitating a human body.

Furthermore, the display control unit 48 displays the first part image 61A and the second part image 61B so that the first part image 61A has a higher brightness than the second part image 61B, thereby differentiating the display modes of the two images. The display control unit 48 also displays the first part image 61A, the second part image 61B, and the third part image 61C so that the first part image 61A has a higher brightness than the third part image 61C, and the second part image 61B has a lower brightness than the third part image 61C, thereby differentiating the display modes of each image. Alternatively, the display control unit 48 may display the first part image 61A, the second part image 61B, and the third part image 61C so that the size, brightness, density, saturation, contrast, or resolution of each image is different from each other. Furthermore, the display control unit 48 may change the display mode so as to highlight the third part image 61C more than the first part image 61A and the second part image 61B. Examples of the highlighting mode include changing the color, shape, or size of the image, blinking the image, and moving the image.

The display control unit 48 also causes the touch panel 26 to display a length image 62 (FIG. 4) as an image indicating the length of time during which the pixel value of the selected site is maintained in a state lower than the upper limit value and higher than the lower limit value, with the size corresponding to the length of the maintenance time. That is, the display control unit 48 causes the length image 62 to be displayed in a larger or longer size if the maintenance time is longer, and in a smaller or shorter size if the maintenance time is shorter. For example, the display control unit 48 causes the length image 62 to be displayed on an axis indicating the elapsed time from the start of injection. This allows the operator to grasp the length of time during which the pixel value is maintained within a predetermined range from the target pixel value. Furthermore, the display control unit 48 may cause the touch panel 26 to display a character string indicating the length of the maintenance time (e.g., the number of seconds).

Furthermore, the display control unit 48 displays an instruction image 63 (FIG. 4) on the touch panel 26 as information indicating the imaging timing. For example, the display control unit 48 acquires the elapsed time from the start of injection to the imaging timing from the determination unit 47 as information specifying the imaging timing. Then, the display control unit 48 displays, for example, an instruction image 63 indicating the imaging timing as information indicating the imaging timing, so as to be aligned with an axis indicating the elapsed time from the start of injection. Note that the imaging timing may be one point in time within the maintenance time, or may be a predetermined time range within the maintenance time. For example, when the imaging timing is a time range, the imaging timing is a range consisting of a predetermined length of time before the center of the maintenance time and a predetermined length of time after the center. Alternatively, the display control unit 48 may display a character string (e.g., seconds) indicating the elapsed time from the start of injection to the imaging timing on the touch panel 26 instead of or in addition to an image as information indicating the imaging timing. Note that the display control unit 48 may acquire information specifying the imaging timing, for example, the time of the imaging timing, from a device external to the console 23, for example, the imaging device 30.

[Screen Description]
The display control unit 48 displays the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 3 on the touch panel 26 before displaying the simulation screens shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. The display control unit 48 displays the confirmation screen when the operator selects a site on the initial screen (not shown). The display control unit 48 displays the initial screen on the touch panel 26 when the injection head 20 is started. For example, a silhouette image imitating a human body is displayed on the initial screen, and the operator touches the site of the silhouette image. This allows the operator to select the site touched as the selected site. Then, when the selected site is selected, an input screen for inputting subject information, examination information, target values, and the like is displayed on the initial screen. For example, the operator touches a numeric keypad image displayed on the input screen to input the weight as subject information, the pressure limit and the amount of iodine used as examination information, and the target pixel value and target maintenance time as target values. The operations by the operator may be touch operations, tap operations, flick operations, swipe operations, pinch-in operations, and pinch-out operations, or may be operations using an operating device such as a mouse or a keyboard.

After the operator inputs the subject information and the like and a certain period of time has elapsed, the display control unit 48 causes the touch panel 26 to display the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 3. The display control unit 48 may display the confirmation screen instead of the initial screen, or may display the confirmation screen together with the initial screen. Alternatively, the display control unit 48 may display the confirmation screen in response to an operation by the operator to display the confirmation screen. The confirmation screen is provided with a liquid medicine information field 51 in which liquid medicine information is displayed. For example, the display control unit 48 causes the liquid medicine information field 51 to display the contrast agent and saline solution filling amount filled in the syringe mounted on the injection head 20 as the liquid medicine information acquired from the information acquisition unit 43. In the example of FIG. 3, the contrast agent filling amount of 140 mL and the saline solution filling amount of 150 mL are displayed in the liquid medicine information field 51. Furthermore, the confirmation screen is provided with an examination information field 52 in which examination information is displayed. For example, the display control unit 48 causes the examination information field 52 to display the pressure limit and the amount of iodine used as the examination information input by the operator. In the example of FIG. 3, a pressure limit of 300 psi and an iodine volume of 22.2 mgI/kg/sec as the amount of iodine used are displayed in the examination information field 52. Note that input of the next information (e.g., examination information or target value) may be restricted until the operator inputs subject information such as weight. If the operator does not perform any operation for a certain period of time after each piece of information is input, the display control unit 48 may automatically display the registered icon or information input screen.

The confirmation screen is provided with an injection time field 53 in which the injection time is displayed. In the example of FIG. 3, the injection time of the contrast agent, 15 seconds, is displayed in the injection time field 53. The injection time field 53 may display the injection time of the saline solution, the injection time of the mixed injection, or the total injection time of all the liquid medicines. Furthermore, the confirmation screen is provided with a subject information field 54A in which the subject information is displayed. For example, the display control unit 48 displays the weight in the subject information field 54A as the subject information entered by the operator. In the example of FIG. 3, the weight of 58 kg is displayed in the subject information field 54A. Furthermore, the confirmation screen of FIG. 3 is provided with a bioinformation field 54B in which the bioinformation of the subject is displayed. For example, the display control unit 48 displays the heart rate in the bioinformation field 54B as the bioinformation acquired by the information acquisition unit 43 from the measurement device. In the example of FIG. 3, the heart rate of 60 bpm is displayed in the bioinformation field 54B. However, if the bioinformation is not acquired from the measurement device, the bioinformation field 54B may be omitted. Furthermore, the confirmation screen is provided with a liquid medicine name field 55 in which the product name of the contrast agent is displayed as the liquid medicine name. For example, the display control unit 48 displays the product name of the contrast agent filled in the syringe as the liquid medicine name acquired from the information acquisition unit 43 in the liquid medicine name field 55. In the example of FIG. 3, the product name "ABC" is displayed in the liquid medicine name field 55. The name or logo of the manufacturer of the liquid medicine may also be displayed, and the product name and the name or logo of the manufacturer may be displayed after the reading unit of the injection head 20 reads the liquid medicine information. Furthermore, the amount of iodine per unit of the contrast agent may be displayed.

The confirmation screen also has a selection site field 56 in which information identifying the selected site is displayed. For example, the display control unit 48 displays the site name and an image indicating the site in the selection site field 56 as information identifying the selected site input by the operator. In the example of FIG. 3, an image indicating the chest in a silhouette image of a human body and the site name "Coronary Artery" are displayed in the selection site field 56. The confirmation screen also has an injection condition field 57 in which the injection conditions are displayed. For example, the display control unit 48 displays an injection protocol in the injection condition field 57 as the drug solution information acquired from the injection condition acquisition unit 44. In the example of FIG. 3, an injection protocol consisting of a first phase in which the injection rate of the contrast agent is 6.4 mL/sec and the injection amount is 58 mL, a second phase in which the injection rates of the contrast agent and the saline are 2.2 mL/sec and the injection amount is 13 mL, and a third phase in which the injection rate of the saline is 2.5 mL/sec and the injection amount is 20 mL is displayed. Furthermore, for example, when a contrast agent and saline solution are mixed and injected, a mark M or a character string indicating the recommended device (for example, "SPIRAL FLOW (registered trademark)" manufactured by Nemoto Kyorindo Co., Ltd.) may be displayed. By using this device, the medicinal liquid can be mixed with high precision. In the second phase, 26 mL of the mixed solution of contrast agent and saline solution is injected at an injection speed of 4.4 mL/sec.

Furthermore, the confirmation screen displays an air check button 58 and a start or display simulation button 59. The operator can complete preparation for injection by touching the air check button 58. When the operator touches the air check button 58, the display control unit 48 displays a start button (not shown) instead of the air check button 58. The operator can start injection by touching the start button. The operator can also start injection by pressing a start switch provided on the operation unit 28 of the injection head 20. Furthermore, the operator may be able to start injection by operating a remote control device.

When the operator flicks the start or display button 59, the display control unit 48 causes the touch panel 26 to display the simulation screen shown in Figs. 4 to 6. When the operator does not perform any operation on the simulation screen for a certain period of time, the display control unit 48 causes the confirmation screen to be displayed again. In this case, the display control unit 48 may display the confirmation screen instead of the simulation screen, or may display the confirmation screen together with the simulation screen.

As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, the simulation screen is provided with an examination information column 52, an injection time column 53, a biological information column 54B, a selected region column 56, and an injection condition column 57. The display control unit 48 displays these columns in the same manner as the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 3, so the description thereof will be omitted. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the simulation screen is provided with a result column 60 showing the judgment result. The display control unit 48 displays the result column 60 so that it is expanded in synchronization with the operator's flick operation. Alternatively, the display control unit 48 may display the result column 60 in a pop-up so as to be superimposed on the confirmation screen. In this result column 60, an image simulating the heart including the coronary artery is displayed as the third region image 61C. When the judgment unit 47 judges that the pixel value of the selected region is lower than the upper limit value and higher than the lower limit value, the display control unit 48 displays the third region image 61C.

The prediction unit 46 starts the simulation when the display control unit 48 displays the confirmation screen. That is, the prediction unit 46 starts the simulation when the operator inputs the subject information and a certain time has passed. Then, when the simulation ends, the prediction unit 46 stores the simulation result in the memory unit 42. Also, the judgment unit 47 executes judgment at any timing after the end of the simulation and stores the judgment result in the memory unit 42. Then, the display control unit 48 develops the result column 60 in which the first part image 61A, the second part image 61B, or the third part image 61C is displayed according to the judgment result. Alternatively, the prediction unit 46 may start the simulation when the operator operates the start or display button 59. In parallel, when the operator operates the start or display button 59, the display control unit 48 develops the result column 60. Then, the judgment unit 47 executes a judgment after the simulation is completed, and depending on the judgment result, the display control unit 48 displays the first part image 61A, the second part image 61B, or the third part image 61C in the expanded result field 60.

In addition, the display control unit 48 displays a length image 62 indicating the length of the maintenance time on an axis indicating the time elapsed from the start of injection in the result field 60. In the example of FIG. 4, the maintenance time is shown as 15 seconds between the timing when 20 seconds have elapsed from the start of injection and the timing when 35 seconds have elapsed from the start of injection. Furthermore, the display control unit 48 displays an instruction image 63 indicating the imaging timing in line with the axis in the result field 60. Note that at least one of the display of the length image 62 and the instruction image 63 may be omitted.

Furthermore, the display control unit 48 displays the target pixel value, the target retention time, and the tube voltage in the result field 60. In the example of FIG. 4, a target CT value of 400HU is displayed as the target pixel value, a retention time of 15 sec is displayed as the target retention time, and a tube voltage of 120 kVp is displayed as the tube voltage. The display control unit 48 may display a simulation screen so that the operator can change at least one of the target pixel value, the target retention time, and the tube voltage. For example, when the operator touches a value to be changed, the display control unit 48 pops up a numeric keypad image for input. When a change is made, a re-simulation may be performed. When the biological information (e.g., heart rate) of the subject acquired by the measuring device changes, a re-simulation may be performed. In these cases, the judgment unit 47 performs a judgment after the simulation is completed, and depending on the judgment result, the display control unit 48 displays the first part image 61A, the second part image 61B, or the third part image 61C in the expanded result field 60.

In the simulation screen shown in FIG. 5, the display control unit 48 displays each column in the same way as in the simulation screen shown in FIG. 4, except for the result column 60. Therefore, the result column 60 will be described below. In the result column 60 shown in FIG. 5, an image simulating the heart including the coronary arteries is displayed as the second part image 61B. When the determination unit 47 determines that the pixel value in the selected part is lower than the lower limit value, the display control unit 48 displays the second part image 61B.

In the simulation screen shown in FIG. 6, the display control unit 48 displays each column in the same way as in the simulation screen shown in FIG. 4, except for the result column 60. Therefore, the result column 60 will be described below. In the result column 60 shown in FIG. 6, an image simulating the heart including the coronary arteries is displayed as the first part image 61A. When the determination unit 47 determines that the pixel value in the selected part is higher than the upper limit value, the display control unit 48 displays the first part image 61A.

As shown in the result column 60 in Figs. 4 to 6, the display control unit 48 displays one of the first part image 61A, the second part image 61B, and the third part image 61C according to the judgment result. The first part image 61A shown in Fig. 6 is brighter and displayed whiter than the second part image 61B shown in Fig. 5 and the third part image 61C shown in Fig. 4. This allows the operator to intuitively and visually recognize the simulation result that the pixel value in the selected part is higher than the upper limit value. The second part image 61B shown in Fig. 5 is brighter and displayed blacker than the first part image 61A shown in Fig. 6 and the third part image 61C shown in Fig. 4. This allows the operator to visually recognize the simulation result that the pixel value in the selected part is lower than the lower limit value.

Furthermore, the third part image 61C shown in FIG. 4 is displayed darker and less bright than the first part image 61A shown in FIG. 6, and is displayed whiter and more bright than the second part image 61B shown in FIG. 5. This allows the operator to visually recognize the simulation result that the pixel value in the selected part is in the range between the upper limit and the lower limit. The display control unit 48 may make the display mode of only a part of the first part image 61A, the second part image 61B, and the third part image 61C different from the other images. For example, the display control unit 48 may make only the part of the first part image 61A, the second part image 61B, and the third part image 61C corresponding to the coronary artery different from the other images. Similarly, in an example in which the selected part is the right ventricle, the display control unit 48 may make only the part corresponding to the right ventricle different from the other images. The display control unit 48 may also display images that mimic the organs corresponding to the selected part as the first part image 61A, the second part image 61B, and the third part image 61C. For example, when the selected part is the liver, the display control unit 48 may display images that mimic the liver.

In addition, the result field 60 shown in FIG. 5 displays the second position image 64B as another example of the second image. In addition, the result field 60 shown in FIG. 6 displays the first position image 64A as another example of the first image in a different display mode from the second position image 64B. The second position image 64B has a different display mode from the first position image 64A in that the display positions are different. That is, the second position image 64B is displayed below the target pixel value. This allows the operator to intuitively and visually recognize the simulation result that the pixel value in the selected area is lower than the lower limit value. In addition, the first position image 64A has a different display mode from the second position image 64B in that the display positions are different. That is, the first position image 64A is displayed above the target pixel value. This allows the operator to visually recognize the simulation result that the pixel value in the selected area is higher than the upper limit value. Note that the first position image 64A and the second position image 64B may have different display modes, such as blinking.

[Display flow of judgment results]
When the operator loads a syringe after turning on the power of the injection head 20, the reading unit of the injection head 20 reads, for example, a product ID as liquid medicine information and sends it to the simulator 40. The information acquisition unit 43 of the simulator 40 then acquires the liquid medicine information read by the reading unit. The display control unit 48 also reads the manufacturer name, the product name based on the product ID, and the filling amount from the storage unit 42 and displays them on the initial screen. The information acquisition unit 43 also stores the acquired product ID in the storage unit 42 as liquid medicine information. Next, the operator selects a desired part from the silhouette image displayed on the initial screen and performs a touch operation. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the information acquisition unit 43 acquires information specifying the part selected by the operator as the selected part as part information and stores it in the storage unit 42 (S701).

When the operator selects the part, the display control unit 48 displays the input screen (S702), and the operator inputs the subject information, test information, target value, etc. Then, the information acquisition unit 43 acquires each piece of information such as the subject information, test information, and target value, and temporarily stores it in the storage unit 42 (S703). The amount of iodine used in the test information may be calculated and acquired by the information acquisition unit 43 based on the subject's weight. Then, when a certain amount of time has passed since the operator inputted the subject information, etc. (YES in S704), the display control unit 48 displays a confirmation screen on the touch panel 26 (S705). On the other hand, until the certain amount of time has passed (NO in S704), the display control unit 48 displays the input screen. The order in which the liquid medicine information, test information, and subject information, etc. are acquired or input can be changed as appropriate.

In parallel with the display of the confirmation screen, the prediction unit 46 starts a simulation of the change in pixel value over time (S706). That is, the prediction unit 46 starts the simulation when a certain amount of time has passed since the operator inputted the subject information. Then, when the simulation ends, the prediction unit 46 stores the simulation result in the storage unit 42. In addition, the judgment unit 47 executes a judgment after the simulation ends (S707) and stores the judgment result in the storage unit 42. Next, when the operator flicks the start simulation or display button 59, the display control unit 48 displays a simulation screen on the touch panel 26.

Here, the display control unit 48 refers to the judgment result by the judgment unit 47. If the judgment unit 47 judges that the pixel value in the selected part is higher than the upper limit (YES in S708), the display control unit 48 displays the first part image 61A and the first position image 64A on the simulation screen (S709). If the judgment unit 47 judges that the pixel value in the selected part is lower than the lower limit (YES in S710), the display control unit 48 displays the second part image 61B and the second position image 64B on the simulation screen (S711). If the judgment unit 47 judges that the pixel value in the selected part is lower than the upper limit and higher than the lower limit (NO in S710), the display control unit 48 displays the third part image 61C on the simulation screen (S712). The display of each image completes the display of the judgment result. After that, when the time during which the operator does not perform any operation reaches a certain time, the display control unit 48 displays the confirmation screen again.

The operator then checks the display contents of the confirmation screen, and if there are no changes, selects the air check button 58. Alternatively, the start of injection may be restricted until the operator changes the settings and the third part image 61C is displayed. For example, the display of the air check button 58 may be restricted until the third part image 61C is displayed. The display control unit 48 then displays the start button on the confirmation screen. This completes preparation for injection, and the injection head 20 waits in an injection-enabled state. Alternatively, the operator may press the final confirmation button on the operation unit 28 of the injection head 20. The operator then touches the start button, and the injection head 20 begins injection.

According to the invention of the first embodiment described above, the operator can determine whether or not the desired pixel value is obtained in the part selected as the imaging part. That is, the first image, the second image, or the third image is displayed on the simulation screen. Therefore, the operator can visually recognize whether or not the pixel value is within the desired range by the displayed image.

The present invention has been described above with reference to each embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. The present invention also includes inventions that have been modified without violating the present invention, and inventions that are equivalent to the present invention. Furthermore, each embodiment and each modified form can be appropriately combined without violating the present invention.

For example, the display control unit 48 may display the judgment result at a timing when an arbitrary time has elapsed since the start of injection on the simulation screen in response to the operator's operation. As an example, the operator can move the instruction image 63 left and right in the figure along the axis. The judgment unit 47 compares the pixel value at the timing indicated in the instruction image 63 with the upper limit value and the lower limit value. The judgment unit 47 then judges whether the pixel value is higher than the upper limit value and whether the pixel value is lower than the lower limit value. Thereafter, the display control unit 48 displays the first image, the second image, or the third image on the simulation screen in response to the judgment result of the judgment unit 47.

At this time, the display control unit 48 may gradually change the display mode of the image when changing the first image, the second image, or the third image to another image. For example, when changing from the third image to the first image, the brightness of the third image may be gradually increased to change it to the first image. Also, when changing from the third image to the second image, the brightness of the third image may be gradually decreased to change it to the second image. Alternatively, the display control unit 48 may display a slider image on the axis line. In this case, the operator moves the slider image to display the first image, the second image, or the third image as the judgment result at any timing. In addition, the display control unit 48 may have a mode in which the image is displayed so that the shading of the image of each tissue changes according to the change over time in the pixel value of each tissue, with reference to the simulation result.

The simulator 40 may also be mounted on an external computer that is connected by wire or wirelessly to at least one of the imaging device 30 and the injection head 20. In this case, the simulator 40 transmits the simulation results to the imaging device 30 or the injection head 20.

26: Display unit, 40: Simulator, 41: Computer, 46: Prediction unit, 47: Determination unit, 48: Display control unit, 61A: First image, 61B: Second image, 61C: Third image, 62: Image showing length, 63: Information showing imaging timing, 64A: First image, 64B: Second image, PG: Simulation program

Claims (7)

a prediction unit that simulates pixel values at a selected site when a contrast agent is injected according to a predetermined injection condition;
a determination unit that determines whether the pixel value is higher than an upper limit value and determines whether the pixel value is lower than a lower limit value based on a simulation result by the prediction unit , and stores the determination result in a storage unit ;
A simulator comprising: a display control unit that causes a first image to be displayed on a display unit when the pixel value is higher than the upper limit value, and causes a second image having a display mode different from that of the first image to be displayed on the display unit when the pixel value is lower than the lower limit value. The simulator of claim 1, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display a third image having a different display mode from the first image and the second image when the pixel value is lower than the upper limit value and higher than the lower limit value. a prediction unit that simulates pixel values at a selected site when a contrast agent is injected according to a predetermined injection condition;
a determination unit that determines whether the pixel value is higher than an upper limit value and determines whether the pixel value is lower than a lower limit value based on a simulation result by the prediction unit;
a display control unit that causes a first image to be displayed on a display unit when the pixel value is higher than the upper limit value, and causes a second image having a display mode different from that of the first image to be displayed on the display unit when the pixel value is lower than the lower limit value,
The display control unit displays the first image so as to have a higher brightness than the second image. The simulator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display an image indicating the length of time during which the pixel value is maintained in a state lower than the upper limit value and higher than the lower limit value, the image being sized according to the length of the maintenance time. The determination unit determines a timing during the maintenance time as an imaging timing,
The simulator according to claim 4 , wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display information indicating the image capture timing. simulating pixel values at the selected site when a contrast agent is injected according to a predetermined injection condition;
determining whether the pixel value is higher than an upper limit value and whether the pixel value is lower than a lower limit value based on a simulation result, and storing the determination result in a storage unit ;
A method for controlling a simulator, which displays a first image when the pixel value is higher than the upper limit value, and displays a second image having a display manner different from that of the first image when the pixel value is lower than the lower limit value. The simulator computer
a prediction unit for simulating pixel values at a selected site when a contrast agent is injected according to a predetermined injection condition;
a determination unit that determines whether the pixel value is higher than an upper limit value and determines whether the pixel value is lower than a lower limit value based on a simulation result by the prediction unit, and stores the determination result in a storage unit ;
A simulation program that functions as a display control unit that displays a first image on a display unit when the pixel value is higher than the upper limit value, and displays a second image, having a display mode different from that of the first image, on the display unit when the pixel value is lower than the lower limit value.

Images