JPH01107740A - Radiation image diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable comparison of a radiation image under observation, which is based on a radiation image signal read from a retrieval means and a storage means, with a standard image, which is based on a standard image signal obtained by the retrieval means, without preparation of any hard copy, by refreshing and displaying the two images side by side. CONSTITUTION:When a radiation image signal S1 to be displayed from a direction input part 2b in a retrieval means 2 toward a retrieval part 2a is designated, designated radiation image signal S1 and information S2 related to the type of radiation image signal S1 are read from among a large number of radiation image signals stored in a first memory 1a, and the radiation image signal S1 is sent to a display means 3. A standard image signal S3 corresponding to the radiation image signal S1 is obtained out of a large number of standard image signals stored in a second memory 1b based on the information S2. The standard image signal S3 is sent to the display means 3. By means of the display means 3, a radiation image and a standard image are refreshed and displayed based on the sent radiation image signal S1 and the standard image signals S3, side by side in a simultaneously observable manner.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a radiation image diagnostic apparatus that reproduces and displays a radiation image of a subject on a display means.

(Prior art) A radiographic image signal carrying radiation image information of the subject is obtained by irradiating a subject with radiation such as X-rays, and various algorithms related to image processing are applied to this image signal. It has been conventionally practiced to reproduce and display the radiation image of the subject on a display means based on the above-mentioned radiation image.

The applicant also believes that when a stimulable phosphor is irradiated with radiation (X-rays, α-rays, β-rays, γ-rays, electron beams, ultraviolet rays, etc.), part of this radiation energy is accumulated in the phosphor, and then becomes visible. Taking advantage of the fact that when irradiated with excitation light, etc., the phosphor exhibits stimulated luminescence according to the accumulated energy, radiation image information of the human body is partially recorded on the sheet-shaped stimulable phosphor, and then , this stimulable phosphor sheet is scanned with excitation light such as a laser beam to generate stimulated luminescence light, this stimulated luminescence light is read photoelectrically to obtain an image signal, and this image signal is subjected to image processing. , has already proposed a radiation image information recording and reproducing system that outputs a radiation image of a subject as a visible image to a recording material such as a photographic light-sensitive material or a display means such as a CRT based on the image signal subjected to image processing. (Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 55-
No. 12429, No. 5B-11395, etc.).

When this radiographic image information recording and reproducing system is used in a system that collects a large number of radiographic images while moving, such as a mobile group medical examination using a bus, the interior of the bus is small and there is no need to diagnose immediately inside the bus. Normally, this bus is equipped with only a radiographic imaging/reading device, and the bus takes images of the subject and reads the radiation image information accumulated and recorded from this imaging to obtain an image signal.This image signal is transferred to a magnetic disk, After performing the steps up to storing the image signals on a storage medium such as a tape, and after returning to the hospital etc., an image based on the image signal stored on the storage medium is displayed using a radiation image diagnostic apparatus installed at the hospital etc. and a diagnosis is made. configured to do so.

Normally, in such a radiation image diagnostic apparatus, when reproducing and displaying radiation images on a display means such as a CRT display, only one image is displayed, so when comparing with other radiation images, at least one radiation image is displayed. /% of the image - Tocobees were prepared and observed side by side.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In order to make a hard copy as described above for comparative observation, it is necessary to have a reproduction means capable of obtaining a hard copy. When hard copies are not required in daily work, a problem arises in that equipment costs are high if a reproduction means for obtaining hard copies is provided just for this comparative observation. Furthermore, even if a reproduction means for obtaining a hard copy is provided, it is not enough to take the trouble of making a hard copy and compare it, but there may be cases where one would like to make some comparative observations.

Furthermore, even if radiographic images are prepared and stored in advance for comparative observation, there is a problem in that they may become difficult to view due to scratches or dirt. One of the most frequent types of comparative observation is the comparison between the radiographic image currently being observed and a standard image representing the standard state of this radiographic image.

Here, the standard state refers to, for example, the state before pressurization or the standard deformation state when examining the internal deformation state of a specific machine part due to pressure application using radiographic images, or the state before pressure is applied or the standard deformation state of a specific part of the human body. When a lesion is examined by radiographic images, the standard way the disease appears in the radiographic image, or the multiple standard deformation states and lesion states at each deformation stage and each progression stage of the above deformities and diseases, etc. say.

In this specification, each group, such as classification by machine parts, human body part, disease name, etc., is referred to as a "type", and multiple standard states of change within the same type, such as machine parts, are referred to as "types". Multiple standard deformation stages of a part, each progressive stage of a disease, etc. are called "stages".

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention provides a radiation image diagnostic apparatus that can compare a radiation image currently being observed with a standard image representing the standard state of this radiation image without preparing a hard copy. The purpose is to provide

゛ (Means for solving the problem) Of the present invention,
The radiation image diagnostic apparatus of the first invention provides a radiation image signal obtained from a radiation image of a subject, a type corresponding to this radiation image signal, and a standard image obtained from a standard image indicating a standard state of the radiation image. a storage means for storing an image signal, and a search means for finding one or more standard image signals corresponding to the radiation image signal stored in the storage means, based on the type of the radiation image signal stored in the storage means. and display means for reproducing and displaying a radiographic image based on the radiographic image signal read from the storage means and a standard image based on the standard image signal obtained by the retrieving means so that they can be viewed simultaneously. It is characterized by:

Further, in the present invention, the second radiation image diagnostic apparatus is configured to detect a radiation image signal obtained from a radiation image of a subject, a type corresponding to this radiation image signal, and a standard of several levels of radiation images for each of a large number of types. a storage means for storing a large number of standard image signals obtained from standard images showing a typical state; a search means for searching one or more standard image signals corresponding to the above-mentioned stage of the radiation image signal stored in the storage means based on the type and the automatically identified stage; and from the storage means. The apparatus is characterized by comprising display means for reproducing and displaying a radiation image based on the read radiation image signal and a standard image based on the standard image signal obtained by the search means side by side so that they can be observed simultaneously. be.

(Function) Of the present invention, the radiation image diagnostic apparatus of the first invention performs the following based on the type of radiation image signal stored in the storage means:
Since it has a search means for finding one or more standard image signals corresponding to the radiation image in question from the standard image signals stored in the storage means, it is possible to search for standard image signals of the same type as the radiation image signals. can be found. In addition, since the display means of this device reproduces and displays the radiographic image based on the radiographic image signal and the standard image based on the standard image signal side by side so that they can be observed at the same time, it is possible to display the radiographic image based on the radiographic image signal and the standard image based on the standard image signal. Compare the radiographic image you are observing in question with a standard image that shows the standard state of this radiographic image, and find out how much this radiographic image differs from the standard image, or how much this radiographic image differs from the standard image. You can know what stage you are in.

Of the present invention, the second radiation image diagnostic apparatus is provided in a case where the storage means stores a large number of standard image signals obtained from standard images representing several levels of standard states for each of a large number of types. , automatically identifies the stage for each type of radiation image signal currently in question, and creates a standard image signal stored in the storage means based on the type of radiation image signal and the automatically identified stage. The present invention includes a search means for finding one or more standard image signals corresponding to the radiographic image signal currently in question, and the display means displays the radiographic image and the standard image as in the first invention. , because they are reproduced and displayed side by side so that they can be observed at the same time, so there is no need to prepare a hard copy.The radiographic image currently being observed and the same radiographic image obtained as described above can be displayed without the need to prepare a hard copy. Compare with a standard image representing a stage, or two standard images representing these two stages when this radiographic image is in the middle of two stages, and identify any peculiar points that this radiographic image has that are not found in the standard image. ,
Differences from standard images can be recognized.

As mentioned above, the invention of T.2 has the function of automatically recognizing the stage of each type of radiographic image signal, so it is compared with the first invention which does not have this function. Then, when there are many stages for each type and standard image signals exist for each of these many stages, in the first invention, by comparing the radiographic image with the many standard images obtained by the search means, , it is complicated because the observer needs to judge in what stage the radiation image is located, but in the second invention, the above-mentioned complexity is avoided because a standard image signal that approximates the radiation image signal is obtained. This can shorten the time required for diagnosis.

(Embodiments) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an embodiment of a radiation image diagnostic apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention.

For example, a large number of radiographic image signals S1 carrying radiographic image information of a large number of subjects obtained by a radiographic image capturing/reading apparatus as shown in FIG. 2 described later, and information S2 regarding the type of each radiographic image signal S1. is stored in the first memory 1a of the storage means 1. Here, the information S2 regarding the type refers to information for specifying the group to which the subject of the radiographic image signal S belongs, such as the region to be imaged and the name of the disease when used for diagnosing a disease in the human body, as described above. .

Further, the second memory lb of the storage means 1 stores, based on many years of experience, for example, radiographic images showing standard ways in which various diseases appear in radiological images, and typical patterns for each stage of progression of a specific disease. A radiographic image signal corresponding to a standard radiographic image is selected from a large number of radiographic image signals obtained from a radiographic image capturing/reading device, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, and is stored as a standard image signal. Note that the standard image signal stored in this second memory lb is not limited to that obtained by the radiographic image capturing/reading device shown in FIG. 2, but may be obtained from other reading means, such as a magnetic disk, It may be stored in the second memory lb via a magnetic tape or the like.

In addition to selecting from a large number of radiographic image signals as described above, if a ready-made standard image is available, it may be obtained and read with an image digitizer or the like to obtain a standard image signal. .

Of course, the first and second memories la and lb may or may not be physically separated, and here they are merely assumed to be conceptually separated for the convenience of the following explanation. It's something that doesn't exist.

Instruction input unit 2, such as a keyboard, in the search means 2
When a radiographic image signal S1 to be displayed on the display means 3 is specified from b to the search unit 2a in the search unit 2, the search unit 2a selects a large number of radiographic images stored in the first memory laE. A designated radiation image signal S1 and information S2 regarding the type of this radiation image signal S1 are read out from the signals, and the radiation image signal S1 is displayed on the display means 3.
Based on the information S2 regarding the type, the radiographic image signal S1, which is currently in question, is read out from the first memory la from among the large number of standard image signals stored in the second memory 1b. One or more standard image signals S3 corresponding to .

One or more standard image signals S3 obtained in this way are sent to the display means 3. Based on the sent radiation image signal S1 and standard image signal S3, the display means 3 reproduces and displays the radiation image and the standard image side by side so that they can be observed simultaneously in a manner described later.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram of an embodiment of a radiation image diagnostic apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention.

Components that are the same as those in FIG. 1A are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

Instruction input unit 2, such as a keyboard, in the search means 2'
When the radiation image signal S1 to be displayed on the display means 3 is specified from b' to the search unit 2a' in the search unit 2', the signal S1 is stored in the first memory la by the search unit 2a'. A designated radiographic image signal S1 and information S2 regarding the type of this radiographic image signal S1 are read out from among the large number of radiographic image signals, and the radiographic image signal S1 is sent to the display means 3. Information regarding S2
and the read radiation image signal S1, the stage of each type of radiation image signal sl is automatically identified, for example, by a method described later.

Thereafter, from among the large number of standard image signals stored in the second memory lb based on the type of the radiographic image signal S1 and the automatically identified stage, one corresponding to the stage of the radiographic image signal S1 is selected. One or more standard image signals S3 are obtained. One standard image signal S3 refers to, for example, the standard image signal 83 at the same stage as the stage to which the radiation image signal S1 belongs, and the plurality of standard image signals S3 refers to, for example, the standard image signal 83 at the same stage as the stage to which the radiation image signal St belongs. This refers to the standard image signal 83 of these two stages when there is a medium level.

One or more standard image signals S3 obtained in this way are sent to the display means 3 in the same way as in the first invention, and on the display means 3, the radiographic image and the mark image are simultaneously observed. They are displayed side by side so that they can be played.

Note that the radiographic image diagnostic apparatus shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B does not have an image processing means for performing image processing on radiographic image signals, but for example, a radiographic image capturing and reading device described later may process radiographic image signals. If the radiographic image signal after the image processing is delivered to the radiographic image diagnostic apparatus of the present invention after appropriate image processing, the radiographic image diagnostic apparatus does not require an image processing means. of course,
It is also possible to configure a radiation image diagnostic apparatus having an image processing means.

Next, a method for automatically identifying the stage of each type of radiation image signal S1 in the search unit 2a' will be described.

Any known method may be used for this automatic identification method, but here, we will treat pneumoconiosis radiological images as one type and exemplify a method for automatically identifying stages within this type. is briefly explained below.

Pneumoconiosis is a disease in which dust is inhaled and deposited in the lungs, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath and asthma, and the affected area is seen as spots on radiographic images of the lung field, and the spots are related to the severity of the disease. Multiple standard stages are defined depending on the number of etc.

A method for automatically identifying the stages of radiological images of pneumoconiosis is a method using a co-occurrence matrix (IEEE TRANS
ACTIONS SYSTEMS, MAN, AND C
YBERNETIC8゜SMC-4, pages 40-49,
(1974), a method using the average density change of the extracted region (IEEE TRANSACTIONSON
COMPUTER8, C-25, pages 95-97, 19
1976), a method based on a linear prediction method (Medical Electronics and Biomedical Engineering, Vol. 20, No. 5, September 1980), etc., but here, a method using a co-occurrence matrix will be explained.

First, a co-occurrence matrix p (i, j, a, d) is created by archiving all the image data in the lung field.
・Calculate (1). , where i and j each represent the concentration level and take values from 0 to 7 (
The entire concentration range is classified into eight levels. ) a represents the direction (angle) of the pixel whose density level is j as seen from the pixel whose density level is i, and is 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°.
The pixels in the direction are adopted.

d represents the distance from a pixel whose density level is i to a pixel whose density level is j, and pixels at distances of 1, 3, and 7°11 are employed.

Next, the co-occurrence matrix p (
i, j, a, d), the following five feature quantities TL
Find (a, d) to T5 (a, d).

Tz (a, d)-Σ Σ (i-j) 2p (i,
j, a, d) −(31...(5)...(6) Tt (a, d) ~ T5 (a
, d), then the following mean Mh (d), range R* (d), variance Vk (d) (k-1,
2, −・・・・・5) is found.

Mk (d) −1Σ T, (a, d)
−(7) Rh (d) −a+ax Tk(a, d
) -win Tk(a, d) -(8) where -1
,2,...,5, and also 0@.

a-1 for each direction of 45@, 90@, 135°
, 2°3.4.

For a total of 60 equations (7) to (9), or some characteristic quantities determined from these, numerical values are calculated according to the above calculation formula, and each stage is determined in advance based on a large number of pneumoconiosis images. Compared to the numerical values of the feature quantities classified in
The rank to which the pneumoconiosis image in question belongs is identified. For example, when classifying into four stages, R
a(3), M, (1), R3(7), Va(3), M
5(3), V5(31, Mt(3)) are used.

By performing the above calculations in the search unit 2a', the stage of the radiological image of pneumoconiosis is automatically identified, and then the standard image signal corresponding to this stage is read out from the second memory lb and displayed on the display unit 3. The standard image is reproduced and displayed on the display means 3 together with the radiographic image of pneumoconiosis.

By replaying and displaying the standard images corresponding to the stages in this way together with the radiological images, it is possible to see whether there are symptoms specific to this pneumoconiosis patient that are not present in the standard images, and whether the symptoms are milder or more severe even if they are within the same stage compared to the standard images. etc., or when the radiographic image is in the middle of two stages, it is possible to compare and find out which of the two standard images of each stage it is closer to.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a radiographic image capturing and reading device that obtains a radiographic image signal received and delivered to the radiographic image diagnostic apparatus of the present invention and information regarding the type of this radiographic image signal. This example is a device using the stimulable phosphor sheet described above.

In this radiographic image capturing and reading device, three stimulable phosphor sheets 12 are fixed to an endless belt conveyor 11 at equal intervals. The conveyor 11 that fixes the stimulable phosphor sheet 12 has a driving roller 13 and a driven roller 1.
4 and rotated by a drive device (not shown), the drive roller 13 travels in the direction of the arrow in the figure. A radiation source 15 is disposed near the driven roller 14 so as to face the conveyor 11 stretched between the driven roller 14 and the driving roller 13 . This radiation source 1
Reference numeral 5 includes, for example, an X-ray source, which projects a transmitted radiation image of the subject 1B placed between the stimulable phosphor sheet 12 and this radiation source 15 onto the stimulable phosphor sheet 12. Near the drive roller 13, there is an excitation light source 17 that emits excitation light, such as a laser beam, and this excitation light source 17.
an optical deflector 18, such as a galvanometer mirror, which scans the excitation light emitted from the conveyor 11 in the width direction of the conveyor 11, and a photodetector which reads the stimulated luminescence light emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet 12 excited by the excitation light. 19 are arranged. The photodetector 19 is, for example, a head-on type photomultiplier tube, a photomultiplier channel plate, or the like, and photoelectrically detects the stimulated luminescence light guided by the light transmission means 2o. The aforementioned radiation source 15, excitation light source 17,
An erasing light source 21 is provided at a position facing the conveyor 11 on the opposite side to the side where the photodetector 19 and the like are provided. This erasing light source 21 is a stimulable phosphor sheet 1.
2, the stimulable phosphor sheet 12 is irradiated with light included in the excitation wavelength range of the phosphor sheet 12.
For example, a tungsten lamp, a halogen lamp, an infrared lamp, or a laser light source as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-11392 may be used. Note that the radiation energy stored in the stimulable phosphor sheet 12 can also be released by heating the stimulable phosphor sheet, as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-12599, for example. The erasing light source 21 may be replaced by heating means. A cylindrical cleaning roller 22 is provided at a position facing the driven roller 14 across the conveyor 11. This cleaning roller 22 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing by a drive device (not shown), and the cleaning roller 22 is rotated counterclockwise in the figure to remove dust and flakes adhering to the surface of the stimulable phosphor sheet 12 that moves while contacting the cleaning roller 22. The dust is removed from the surface of the body sheet, and if necessary, it may be formed to adsorb the dust and dirt using electrostatic phenomenon.

Regarding the material, structure, and usage of the light transmission means 20, please refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. 55-87970 and 5B-11397.
issue.

5B-11398, 5B-11394, 5B
-11398, 5B-11395, etc. can be used as they are.

The operation of the radiographic image capturing and reading apparatus having the above structure will be explained below. The conveyor 11 is intermittently fed by a driving roller 13 by 1/3 of its total length. Here, the stopping position of the conveyor 11 is set so that one stimulable phosphor sheet 12 faces the radiation source 15 when the conveyor stops. Radiation source 1 when conveyor conveyor 11 stops
5 is turned on, and a transmitted radiation image of the subject 1B is accumulated and recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet 12 which is stopped at a position facing the radiation w and 15. After radiographic image recording is completed, the conveyor 1 is moved by 1/3 of a revolution and then stopped. Then, the stimulable phosphor sheet 12 on which the radiation image has been recorded stops at a position facing the aforementioned optical deflector 18, photodetector 19, etc. The stimulable phosphor sheet 12 stopped at this position is scanned by excitation light emitted from the excitation light source 17. The excitation light is scanned in the width direction of the conveyor 1 by the optical deflector 18 (main scanning), and a stage (not shown) fixes the excitation light source 17, the optical deflector 18, the photodetector 19, and the optical transmission means 20. However, conveyor 11
By moving in the length direction of the conveyor 11, it is also scanned in the length direction of the conveyor 11 (sub-scanning). A stage that moves as described above can be easily formed using a known linear movement mechanism.

When irradiated with the excitation light, the stimulable phosphor sheet 12
emits stimulated luminescence according to the image information stored and recorded. This stimulated luminescent light is inputted to the photodetector 19 via the light transmission means 20, and the photodetector 19 outputs a radiation image signal S corresponding to the radiation image stored and recorded on the stimulable phosphor sheet 12. Output. This radiation image signal S is input to the image processing means 23, subjected to necessary image processing by the image processing means 23 in response to instructions from the keyboard 24, and stored in a storage medium such as a magnetic disk by the storage means 25. be done.

Further, from the keyboard 24, ID information for identifying the radiographic image signal S, such as the photographing date of the subject of the read radiographic image signal S, as well as information regarding the type, such as the disease name, are entered manually. will be remembered along with the

When the image is read in this manner, the conveyor 11 is further moved by 1/3 of a turn and then stopped, and the stimulable phosphor sheet 12 from which the image has been read stops facing the erasing light source 2I. Stimulable phosphor sheet 1 stopped at this position
2 is caused by radiation energy irradiated by the erasing light source 21 and remaining after the reading operation, radiation emitted from radioactive isotopes such as 22sRa and 40 contained in trace amounts in the stimulable phosphor, or environmental radiation. emits radioactive energy. Therefore, the radiation image formed on this stimulable phosphor sheet 12 is erased,
In addition, in cases where the device has not been used for a long time, the radiation energy from the radioactive isotopes or environmental radiation accumulated in the stimulable phosphor sheet 12 is also released, making it possible to reuse it. be forced to return to a normal state. Next, the conveyor 11 is moved 173 times, and the erased stimulable phosphor sheet 12 is exposed to radiation r.
During the movement, the stimulable phosphor sheet 12 is swept away by a cleaning roller 22 to remove fine chips and dirt from the surface. The stimulable phosphor sheet 12 from which the radiation image has been erased in this manner and from which dust and agglomerates have also been removed is sent to a position facing the radiation source L5 and reused for recording the radiation image. Note that the character display 26 is used to check whether the information input from the keyboard 24 is correct.

The radiation image signal S stored in a storage medium such as a magnetic disk by the storage means 25 in this way and the corresponding ID information and information regarding the type are stored in FIG. 1A or 1B via this storage medium. It is stored in the storage means 1 of the radiation image diagnostic apparatus of the present invention as shown.

Note that the radiographic image capturing and reading device is not limited to a device that uses a stimulable phosphor sheet as in this example; for example, after recording an X-ray image on a conventional X-ray photographic film, It may also be a device that scans and reads X-ray image information.

Further, as described above, it is not always necessary to store the radiation image signal, ID information, and information regarding the type in the storage means 1 via a storage medium such as a magnetic disk. The diagnostic device and the radiation image capturing/reading device shown in FIG. 2 may be connected through a communication line, and the obtained radiation image signal may be directly stored in the storage means 1 via this communication line.

Figures 3A-3C are diagrams showing each side of the display means. Here, for the sake of simplicity, when representing an image, symbols sl and s representing an image signal will be used.

Can also be used.

FIG. 3A is an example in which a radiation image S1 based on the radiation image signal S1 and a standard image S3 based on the standard image signal S3 are displayed side by side on one CRT display. If there are multiple standard images S3 to be displayed, each image may be made smaller and the multiple standard images S3 may be displayed simultaneously on one CRT display together with the radiation image S. If each image becomes too small, the radiographic image S1 may be always displayed, and the plurality of standard images S3 may be sequentially displayed one by one. When displaying this sequentially, among the plurality of standard images S3, the standard image S3 corresponding to the endmost stage when arranged in the order of stages is displayed first, and then the standard images S3 of adjacent stages are sequentially displayed.
3 is displayed, it is easy to understand which standard image S3 the radiation image Sl is approximated to.

Figure 3B shows a radiation image S! on one of the two CRT displays! This is an example in which one screen is displayed and the standard image S3 is displayed on the other side. If there are multiple standard images S3, the multiple images may be displayed on one CRT display as shown in FIG. 3A, or the standard images S3 may be sequentially displayed one by one as described above. You may also do so.

FIG. 3C shows an example in which three CRT displays are arranged side by side for display. If there is only one standard image S3, it is sufficient to use only two CRT displays instead of one CRT display. When there are a plurality of standard images S3, the number of standard images S3 (two in this example) that can be simultaneously displayed by this display means together with the radiation image SL are displayed simultaneously with the radiation image SL. As the standard image S3 to be displayed at the same time, it is preferable to select an image that is as close to the radiation image S1 as possible. Furthermore, if there are standard images S that cannot be displayed simultaneously, they may be displayed sequentially as described above.

In addition, although all of FIGS. 3A to 3C use CRT display devices as display means, the number of CRT display devices constituting the display means is not limited to 1 to 3, and the number can be changed as necessary. can be determined. The display means is not limited to a CRT display device either.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained in detail above, in the radiation image diagnostic apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the radiation image signal is stored in the storage means based on the type of radiation image signal stored in the storage means. It has a search means for finding one or more standard image signals corresponding to the radiation image signal from among the standard image signals, and the display means reproduces and displays the radiation image and the standard image side by side so that they can be observed at the same time. Therefore, it is possible to easily compare the image currently being observed as a problem with the standard image corresponding to this image without having to make a hard copy.

Furthermore, a second aspect of the present invention provides for automatically identifying the stage for each type of radiation image signal, and based on the type of radiation image signal and the automatically identified stage,
It has a search means for finding a standard image signal corresponding to the stage of this radiographic image signal, and the display means reproduces and displays the radiographic image and the standard image side by side. You can easily compare the image currently being observed in question with the standard image corresponding to this image, without having to take the . Further, in the case where there are many stages within each type and standard image signals exist for each of these many stages, in this second invention, the standard image signal that is similar to the radiation image signal is automatically recognized. This eliminates the need for the observer to select a standard image signal similar to the radiographic image signal from among many standard image signals within the same type as the radiographic image signal, reducing the time required for diagnosis. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the first radiation image diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the radiation image diagnostic apparatus of the second invention of the present invention. 2 are perspective views showing examples of reading means and type input means, and FIGS. 3A to 3C are views showing six examples of display means. 1... Storage means 2, 2'... Search means 3
...Display means 12...Stimulative phosphor sheet I5...Radiation source 16...Subject 17...
-Excitation light source 18...Light deflector 19...Photodetector 21...Erasing light source 22...Cleaning roller 23...Calculating means 24...Keyboard 25
...Storage means 26...Character display

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) Storage means for storing a radiation image signal obtained from a radiation image of a subject, a type corresponding to this radiation image signal, and a standard image signal obtained from a standard image indicating a standard state of the radiation image. , a search means for searching one or more standard image signals corresponding to the radiation image signal stored in the storage means, based on the type of the radiation image signal stored in the storage means, and the storage means The present invention further comprises display means for reproducing and displaying a radiographic image based on the radiographic image signal read out from the means and a standard image based on the standard image signal obtained by the searching means so that they can be viewed at the same time. Features of radiographic imaging equipment. (2) The standard image signal stored in the storage means is
2. The radiation image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparatus includes a plurality of standard image signals representing each stage of pneumoconiosis. (3) A radiographic image signal obtained from a radiographic image of the subject, a type corresponding to this radiographic image signal, and a number of standard images obtained from standard images showing several standard states of the radiographic image for each of the multiple types. a storage means for storing a standard image signal of the standard image signal; a storage means for automatically identifying a stage for each type of radiation image signal stored in the storage means; and a storage means for storing a standard image signal of a search means for determining one or more standard image signals corresponding to the stage of the radiation image signal stored in the storage means based on the above, and the radiation image signal read from the storage means; 1. A radiation image diagnostic apparatus comprising: a display means for reproducing and displaying a radiation image based on the standard image signal and a standard image based on the standard image signal obtained by the search means side by side so that they can be observed at the same time. (4) The standard image signal stored in the storage means is
4. The radiation image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the apparatus includes a plurality of standard image signals representing each stage of pneumoconiosis.