JPH01107742A - Radiation damage diagnostic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable comparison of a radiation image for diagnosis under observation with a past radiation image for diagnosis without using hard copies, by refreshing and displaying side by side both a radiation image for diagnosis based on a radiation image signal for diagnosis input by a retrieval means and a read means and a radiation image for comparison based on a radiation image signal for comparison obtained by the retrieval means. CONSTITUTION:A radiation image signal S1 carrying radiation image information is obtained from a storage medium by a read means 1, subjected to an image processing by an image processing means 2, and sent to a display means 3. The radiation image signal S1 is also sent to and stored in a storage means 6. A piece of ID information S2 of a subject corresponding to the radiation image signal S1 is sent from an ID information input means 4 to a storage means 6 and stored in it. When the ID information S2 is sent from the ID information input means 4 to a retrieval means 5, a radiation image signal S3 for comparison of the same subject as that of the radiation image signal S1 for diagnosis is obtained from radiation image signals stored in the storage means 6. The radiation image signal S3 for comparison is subjected to an image processing by an image processing means 2 and sent to a display means 3. The display means 3 refreshes and displays the radiation image for diagnosis and the radiation image for comparison side by side.

Description

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

(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. Reproducing and displaying the radiographic image of the subject on a display means based on this has been conventionally performed.

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 such as light, 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. , a radiation image information recording and reproducing apparatus has already been proposed which 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. 55-12
No. 429, No. 5B-11395, etc.).

Usually, in such a device, radiographic images are transferred to a CRT.
When playing back and displaying on a display or other display means, only one image is displayed at a time, so if you want to compare two radiographic images to observe the progress of a disease, etc., make a hard copy of each image and observe them side by side. was.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In order to take 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. The most frequent of these comparative observations is the comparison between the currently observed image and past images of the same subject.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a radiation image diagnostic apparatus that can compare the currently observed image with a past image of the same subject without making a hard copy. shall be.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The radiographic image diagnostic apparatus of the present invention includes a reading means for obtaining a radiographic image signal carrying radiographic image information from a recording medium in which radiographic image information of a subject is recorded, and an ID of the subject.
ID information input means for inputting information, storage means for storing past radiation image signals and ID information corresponding to the past radiation image signals, radiation image signals obtained by reading means and information read from the storage means. image processing means for performing image processing on the radiation image signal obtained by the reading means; A search for one or more comparative radiographic image signals obtained before the time when the diagnostic radiographic image signal was obtained, of the same subject as the subject of the diagnostic radiographic image signal, from among the radiographic image signals of and a diagnostic radiographic image based on the diagnostic radiographic image signal inputted from the reading means and a comparative radiographic image based on the comparative radiographic image signal obtained by the searching means, arranged and reproduced so that they can be observed at the same time. The present invention is characterized in that it includes a display means for displaying the information.

(Function) The radiographic image diagnostic apparatus of the present invention selects a diagnostic radiographic image signal from among a large number of past radiographic image signals stored in the storage means based on ID information corresponding to the diagnostic radiographic image signal. By having a search means for searching for past comparative radiation image signals of the same subject as the diagnostic radiation image signal, it is possible to find past comparative radiation image signals of the same subject as the diagnostic radiation image signal. In addition, this device
The display means reproduces and displays the diagnostic radiographic image based on the diagnostic radiographic image signal and the comparative radiographic image based on the comparative radiographic image signal found as described above so that they can be observed at the same time. Therefore, without having to make a hard copy, it is possible to compare the diagnostic radiographic image of the same subject currently being observed with the comparative radiographic image, which is a past image, and examine changes over time.

Further, since the present apparatus includes the image processing means, it is possible to perform appropriate image processing on both the diagnostic radiation image signal and the comparison radiation image signal so as to facilitate the comparison.

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the radiation image diagnostic apparatus of the present invention.

For example, by the reading means 1 as shown in the example described later,
A radiation image signal S1 carrying radiation image information of a subject is obtained from a recording medium on which radiation image information of the subject is recorded. This obtained radiation image signal Sl is a diagnostic radiation image signal that is currently being observed. The radiation image signal Sl is input to the image processing means 2,
The image processing means 2 performs appropriate image processing according to the radiation image signal, and the diagnostic radiation image signals S, Z that have been subjected to image processing are sent to the display means 3.

Further, for comparison with a radiographic image signal newly obtained by the reading means 1, the radiographic image signal Sl is sent to the storage means 6 and stored together with ID information to be described later.

The ID information input means 4 outputs ID information S2 of the subject corresponding to the radiation image signal S1 obtained by the reading means 1.
is input, and the input ID information S2 is input to the search means 5. Here, the ID information S2 refers to information for identifying the subject, such as a person's name, photographing date, photographed body part, etc. when used for diagnosing a human disease, for example. The ID information S2 is also sent to the storage means 6 and is stored together with the radiation image signal S1 as described above.

The storage means 6 stores a large number of radiation image signals of a large number of subjects read by the reading means 1 in the past, and ID information input from the ID information input means 4 in correspondence with each radiation image signal. has been done. Note that a large number of radiation image signals and ID information stored in this storage means 6 are stored in the reading means 1 and ID information input means 4 shown in this figure.
The information is not limited to those obtained by the above method, but may be obtained from other reading means and stored in the storage means 6 via a magnetic disk, magnetic tape, etc., for example.

When the ID information S2 is sent from the ID information input means 4 to the search means 5, the search means 5 selects one of the many past radiation image signals stored in the storage means 6 based on the information S2. One or more comparative radiation image signals S of the same subject as the subject of the diagnostic radiation image signal S1 that is currently in question, read by the reading means 1
3 is required.

The one or more comparative radiation image signals S3 obtained in this way are sent to the image processing means 21, where necessary image processing is performed, and then sent to the display means 3 together with the diagnostic radiation image signal S1. Sent.

Based on the transmitted diagnostic radiation image signal S1' and comparison radiation image signal 83', the display means 3 arranges the diagnostic radiation image and the comparison radiation image so that they can be observed simultaneously in a manner described later. Play and display.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a reading means and an ID information input means.

The reading means 1 shown in this example uses a stimulable phosphor sheet as described above. The sheet conveying means 13 conveys (sub-scans) in the direction of arrow Y. On the other hand, the excitation light 15 emitted from the laser light source 14 is transmitted to the rotating polygon mirror 1B which rotates at high speed in the direction of the arrow.
is reflected and deflected by a focusing lens 17 such as an fθ lens.
After passing through, the optical path is changed by a mirror 18, and the light enters the sheet 11, and is main-scanned in the direction of arrow X, which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of sub-scanning (direction of arrow Y). From the part of the sheet 11 irradiated with this excitation light 15, stimulated luminescence light 19 is emitted in an amount corresponding to the radiographic image information stored and recorded.
This stimulated luminescence light 19 is collected by a condenser 20, and a photomultiplier (photomultiplier tube) serves as a photodetector.
21 photoelectrically detected. The light collector 20 is made by molding a light-guiding material such as an acrylic plate, and has a linear incident end surface 20a extending along the main scanning line on the stimulable phosphor sheet ll. The light-receiving surface of the photomultiplier 21 is coupled to the output end surface 20b formed in an annular shape. The above-mentioned entrance end surface 20a
The stimulated luminescent light 19 that has entered the condenser 20 from above travels through the interior of the condenser 20 through repeated total reflection, and reaches the output end face 20.
The light is emitted from b and is received by the photo multiplier 21,
The photomultiplier 21 detects the amount of stimulated luminescence light 19 carrying the radiation image information.

The analog signal S output from the photomultiplier 21 is amplified by an amplifier 22 and digitized by an A/D converter 23 at a predetermined recording scale factor. The signal digitized in this manner is input to the image processing means 2 as the diagnostic radiation image signal S1, as described above.

Note that the reading means 1 is not limited to a device that uses a stimulable phosphor sheet as in this example; for example, it scans a conventional X-ray photographic film on which an X-ray image is recorded.
It may be a device that reads an image signal carrying this X-ray image information. Furthermore, in recent years, diagnostic equipment such as CT and US has been widely used, and the present invention may be a device that reads image signals from a film on which images output from these equipment are recorded.

Around the time when the radiation image information is read from the stimulable phosphor sheet 11 in FIG. is input. This ID information S2 is sent to the search means 5 and the storage means 6 as described above.

Figures 3A to 3C are diagrams showing the collapse of the display means. Here, for the sake of simplicity, the symbols st', s, and ' representing image signals are also used when representing an image.

FIG. 3A shows a diagnostic radiographic image Sl' based on a diagnostic radiographic image signal 81' and a comparative radiographic image 8 based on a comparative radiographic image signal 83' on one CRT display.
3' are displayed side by side. If there are a plurality of comparative radiological images 83' to be displayed, each image is made smaller and the plural comparative radiographic images S,' are arranged together with the diagnostic radiographic image 81' on one CRT display. They may be displayed at the same time, but if each image becomes too small, the diagnostic radiological image S' will always be displayed, and the multiple comparative radiological images 83' will be displayed one after another. You may also do so. When displaying this sequentially, among the plurality of comparative radiological images 83', the comparative radiographic image 83' closest to the imaging date of the diagnostic radiographic image 81' is displayed first, and then the comparative radiographic images 83' are displayed sequentially over time. However, by displaying the past comparative radiographic image 83', it is easy to understand changes over time between the diagnostic radiographic image 81' and the comparative radiographic image 83'.

FIG. 3B shows a diagnostic radiographic image 81' displayed on one of two CRT displays, and a comparative radiographic image 83' displayed on the other.
′ is displayed. If there are a plurality of comparative radiographic images 83', the plurality of images may be displayed on one CRT display as shown in FIG. 3A, or one comparative radiographic image 83' may be displayed as described above. They may be displayed one after another.

FIG. 3C shows an example in which three CRT displays are arranged side by side for display. If there is only one comparison radiographic image 83', one CRT display is not used and two
Only the stand needs to be used. When there are a plurality of comparison radiographic images 83', this display means displays the diagnostic radiographic images 5. /
and the number that can be displayed simultaneously (in this example, 2
The comparison radiographic image 83' of 1) is the diagnostic radiographic image 8
1' is displayed at the same time. As for the comparative radiation images 83' to be displayed at the same time, it is preferable to select images taken sequentially over time from the most recently photographed images in order to examine the latest changes as much as possible.

Further, the comparative radiation images 83' which cannot be displayed simultaneously 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, the image diagnostic apparatus of the present invention has the following features:
Based on the ID information input from the ID information input means,
From among the past radiation image signals stored in the storage means,
It has a search means for finding one or more comparative radiological image signals of the same subject as the subject of the diagnostic radiological image obtained by the reading means, and the display means is configured to display the diagnostic radiological image and the comparative radiological image. Since the images are reproduced and displayed side by side so that they can be observed simultaneously, it is possible to easily compare the currently observed image of the same subject with past images without having to make a hard copy. In addition, when comparing both images, this device performs appropriate image processing on both the diagnostic radiation image signal and the comparative radiation image signal using an image processing means to facilitate the comparison before displaying them. Can be done.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the radiation image diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a reading means and ID information input means, and FIGS. 3A to 3C are each of display means. It is a figure showing a side. 11... Stimulable phosphor sheet 14... Laser light source 15... Excitation light 1
9... Stimulated luminescent light 20... Focusing light body 21
...Photo multiplier 24...Keyboard

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A reading means for obtaining a radiation image signal carrying radiation image information of a subject from a recording medium on which this radiation image information is recorded, an ID information input means for inputting ID information of the subject, and a past radiation image signal; storage means for storing ID information corresponding to this past radiation image signal; image processing means for performing image processing on the radiation image signal obtained by the reading means and the radiation image signal read from the storage means; Based on the ID information inputted from the ID information input means corresponding to the diagnostic radiation image signal obtained by the reading means, the diagnostic radiation image signal is selected from among the past radiation image signals stored in the storage means. a search means for finding one or more comparative radiographic image signals of the same subject as the subject of the radiographic image signal, obtained before the time when the diagnostic radiographic image signal was obtained; and
A diagnostic radiation image based on the diagnostic radiation image signal inputted from the reading means and a comparison radiation image based on the comparison radiation image signal obtained by the search means are reproduced side by side so that they can be observed simultaneously. A radiation image diagnostic apparatus characterized by comprising a display means for displaying information. (2) When a plurality of comparative radiographic image signals are obtained by the searching means, the display means displays a plurality of comparative radiographic image signals based on the plurality of comparative radiological image signals together with the diagnostic radiographic image. Among the images, the display means simultaneously displays one or more comparison radiographic images that can be displayed simultaneously with the diagnostic radiographic image. The radiographic diagnostic imaging device described. (3) The display means displays a comparative radiographic image based on a comparative radiographic image signal obtained at a time closest to this point before the diagnostic radiographic image signal, or this comparative radiation image. The radiation image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that a plurality of comparative radiation images sequentially traced back over time are arranged chronologically and simultaneously displayed together with the diagnostic radiation image. . (4) When a plurality of comparative radiological image signals are obtained by the searching means, the displaying means reproduces and displays the diagnostic radiological image and displays a plurality of comparative radiological image signals based on the plurality of comparative radiological image signals. 3. The radiation image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radiation image diagnosis apparatus sequentially displays comparative radiation images. (5) The display means reproduces and displays a comparative radiographic image based on a comparative radiographic image signal obtained at a time closest to this point before the time when the diagnostic radiographic image signal is obtained; 5. The radiographic image diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the radiographic image diagnosis apparatus reproduces and displays past comparative radiological images sequentially going back over time.