JPH01266673A - Medical picture recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To save pictures to which identification data are given in either a hard copy equipment or a recording medium such as an optical disk and to use the pictures for a time sequential comparative diagnosis, etc., by providing a means to input the identification data to picture information. CONSTITUTION:A picture signal from an endoscope processor 20 is introduced through an A/D converter 63 into a video memory 70 and after that introduced through a buffer switching circuit 64 into a first frame memory 66 and a second frame memory 68. Next, the pieces of the picture information in the memories 66 and 68 are introduced into buffer switching circuits 72 and 74, an optical disk 56, and a hard copy equipment 54 and introduced through a buffer switching circuit 76 and the memory 70 into an adder 78. In this case, the pieces of identification information of a patient's name, etc., are introduced from a CRT controller IC 80 into the adder 78, which are to be superimposed on the foregrounds of the pictures, and the pieces of identification information are displayed through a D/A converter 82 onto a monitor 52. These pictures can be used for the time sequential comparative diagnosis, etc., through the equipment 4 and the disk 56 by inserting the identification data into the pictures to the disk 56.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a medical image recording system;
For example, medical image information output from a medical endoscope that is inserted into the stomach of a human body for external observation or diagnosis, or medical image information obtained using X-rays, includes the patient name, affected area name, and date of imaging. This relates to a medical image recording system configured to insert identification data such as the following information and store it in a hard copy or an optical disk.

[Background of the Invention] For example, endoscopes are widely used in the medical field to observe the inside of a patient's body cavity or hollow organ.

In this case, the endoscope is basically constructed by bundling a plurality of fibrous optical fibers, an insertion section provided at one end is sent out to the observation site, and an eyepiece section attached to the other end. Diagnosis of the affected area is performed by directly visualizing the observed area.

Recently, this type of endoscope has been equipped with a CCD or MO in the insertion section.
2. Description of the Related Art So-called video endoscopes are becoming popular, which are equipped with an image sensor such as S, and are configured to display image information of an observation site received by the image sensor on a monitor. This is because the observed area is enlarged and displayed on the monitor, which allows the observed area to be diagnosed easily and accurately, and the monitor allows a large number of doctors to participate in the diagnosis at the same time.

By the way, in the field of medical diagnosis, it is necessary not only to visually see the image on the monitor during the consultation, but also to refer the patient to another hospital or to view it together with the patient after the consultation, as well as the effectiveness of treatment. Since there is a need to compare the images over time to confirm the nature of the images, there is a demand for storing images displayed on a monitor in an image recording medium such as an optical disk.

However, since the above-mentioned identification data such as the patient's name, affected area salt, date of birth, and date of photography are not inserted into the image on the monitor, there is a drawback that the image cannot be identified in its original form. Existing.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned technical problem, and the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned technical problem.
By using the RT controller IC, it is possible to superimpose identification data in real time (hereinafter referred to as superimposition), and a predetermined address of the frame memory that records the image displayed on the monitor corresponds to the identification data. For medical use, it is possible to replace the text with character font data, and to store the image with the identification data in a hard copy or in a recording medium such as an optical disk for use in comparative diagnosis over time, etc. The purpose is to provide an image recording system.

[Means for achieving the object] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a medical image recording system that records medical image information transferred from an image input/output device on an image recording medium. It is characterized by comprising a frame memory for temporary storage and a means for inputting identification data of the medical image information to a predetermined address of the frame memory, and recording the medical image information to which the identification data is attached on the image recording medium. .

The present invention also provides a medical image recording system that records medical image information transferred from an image input/output device on an image recording medium, including a video memory that temporarily stores the medical image information, and a medical image recorded on the video memory. It is characterized by comprising a monitor that displays information, and means for superimposing identification data of the image on medical image information displayed on the monitor.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a medical image recording system that records medical image information transferred from an image input/output device on an image recording medium, including a frame memory for temporarily storing the medical image information, and a frame memory that stores the medical image information at a predetermined address of the frame memory. means for inputting identification data of image information; a video memory for temporarily storing the medical image information; a monitor for displaying the medical image information recorded in the video memory; and means for superimposing image identification data. .

[Embodiments] Next, preferred embodiments of the medical image recording system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 indicates a video endoscope system incorporating a medical image recording system according to the present embodiment. The video endoscope system 10 includes an endoscope 12, and the endoscope 12 includes, for example, an insertion section 14 inserted into a body cavity, an operation section 16 that allows the insertion angle of the insertion section 14 to be freely adjusted. It basically consists of

As shown in FIG. 2, an optical fiber east 18 for light projection is housed in the insertion section 14, and this optical fiber east 18 is connected to the endoscope processor through the operation section 16 of the endoscope 12. It is connected to a light source 22 disposed within 20 . Further, the distal end portion 14a of the insertion portion 14 is provided with an image sensor that is an area sensor (two-dimensional sensor), for example, a CCD 24, and an optical system 26 for forming an image of the subject A on the CCD 24. . Next, the output signal line 28 connected to the CCD 24 is connected to the adapter 3 via the operation section 16.
It extends to 0. In this case, the operation unit 16 sends information to display an image taken by the endoscope 12 as a still image on a monitor (to be described later) and to send a signal to save the image on a hard copy or optical disk. An image capture switch 36 is provided for command via a signal line 34. Further, an adapter 30 connected to the operating section 16 is connected to the endoscope processor 20.

The endoscope processor 20 displays an image signal obtained from a signal line 28 connected to a CCD 24 on a monitor 38 and introduces it into an image filing device 40. In this case, the image signal introduced from the signal line 28 is subjected to amplification processing, gradation correction processing, etc. in the signal processing section 44 under the control of the CPU 42, and then converted into a digital signal in the A/D converter 46. The signal is introduced into the D/A converter 48 through a through signal line 47 that is switched by interlocking switches 510a and 510b. Then, the output signal of the D/A converter 48 is introduced to the monitor 38, and images are continuously displayed on the monitor 38. Note that the output signal of the D/A converter 48, in other words, continuous image information, is introduced into the monitor 38 and also introduced into the image filing device 40.

On the other hand, when the operator of the endoscope 12, that is, the doctor, needs a still image to sufficiently observe the examination site, by pressing the image capture switch 36, the interlocking switch 510a, 5lOb is switched to the frame memory 50 side under the control of the CPU 42, and the image signal is introduced into the frame memory 50. frame memory 50
Still image information from is introduced into the monitor 38 or image filing device 40.

Next, the image filing device 40 edits the image captured by operating the image capture switch 36 of the endoscope 12 and displays it on a separate monitor 52, and also displays it on a separate monitor 52, as well as a color hard copy device 54 as necessary. and optical disc 56
The image signal is sent to the A keyboard 58 and a mouse 60 are connected to the image filing device 40, and the keyboard 58 is used to write identification data such as the examination site, patient's name, diagnosis date, etc. into the image. The mouse 60 is used to select a predetermined image while referring to the image information displayed on the monitor 52 when making a hard copy of the images recorded on the optical disc 56, for example.

FIG. 3 is an electrical circuit block diagram of the video endoscope system 10 including the detailed configuration of the image filing device 40.

In FIG. 3, the same components as in FIGS. 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

The image signal from the endoscope processor 20 is converted into digital data again by the A/D converter 63 that constitutes the image filing device 40, and the output data is introduced into a video memory 70 that operates at high speed, and then , are introduced into a low-speed and inexpensive first frame memory 66 or second frame memory 68 via a buffer switching circuit 64.

In this case, the first frame memory 66, second frame memory 68, and video memory 70 store image information for one screen captured on the CCD 24 disposed at the distal end 14a of the endoscope 12. 50 or directly via the through signal line 47.

The image information recorded in the first frame memory 66 and the second frame memory 68 is transferred to the buffer switching circuit 72.7.
4, is introduced into the optical disk 56 and the hard copy device 54, and is also introduced into the video memory 70 via the buffer switch 76.

The image information stored in the video memory 70 is introduced into one input terminal of an adder 78, in which case the other input terminal of the adder 78 is inputted from the CRT controller IC 80 to the patient to be superimposed on the foreground of the image. Identification information such as first name has been introduced. Therefore, image information superimposed with the identification information is displayed on the monitor 52 via the D/A converter 82.

On the other hand, a character 7 ont generator 84 corresponding to the identification information
and an address designation circuit 8 for enlarging or reducing the character font and specifying an address for inputting the identification information to the first frame memory 66 or the second frame memory 68.
6, the same identification information as the identification information displayed on the monitor 52 is introduced into a predetermined address of the first frame memory 66 or the second frame memory 68. the result,
Image information with identification information inserted into a predetermined address of the first or second frame memory 66, 68 is introduced into the optical disk 56 or hard copy device 54 through the first frame memory 66, second frame memory 68, color buffer switching circuit 72 or 74. be done.

Note that although this embodiment describes a mode in which image information is introduced from the endoscope processor 20 to the image filing device 40, medical image information is introduced from the endoscope processor 20 to the image filing device 40. When not installed, it is also possible to transfer the image information recorded on the optical disc 56 to the hard copy device 54.

The components constituting the image filing device 40, the monitor 52, the hard copy device 54, and the optical disk 56 each operate under the control of a master CPU 88.

The video endoscope system incorporating the medical image recording system according to this embodiment is basically configured as described above, and its operation and effects will be explained next.

First, a doctor or the like operates the operating section 16 of the endoscope 12 to adjust the angle of the insertion section 14 of the endoscope 12 while inserting the insertion section 14 into a body cavity of a patient or the like.

At that time, when the light source 22 installed in the endoscope processor 20 is turned on, the tip 14a of the optical fiber 18 is transmitted from the adapter 30 to the optical fiber 18 housed in the insertion section 14.
Irradiation light La is derived from the object A. Then, the reflected light Lb of the subject A is formed as an image on the CCD 24 via the optical system 26.

Next, the image signal formed on the CCD 24 is sent to the signal processing section 44 in the endoscope processor 20 through the output signal line 28.
The signal is supplied to the A/D converter 46, subjected to gradation correction processing, etc., and then output to the A/D converter 46. The output signal of the A/D converter 46 is normally displayed as an image on the monitor 38 via the interlocking switch 510a, the through signal line 47, the interlocking switch 510b, and the D/A converter 48. Therefore, the doctor or the like operates the operating section 16 of the endoscope 12 while observing the image of the subject displayed on the monitor 38 to continue observing the desired part of the subject A.

At this time, if there is a part that requires more careful observation, the image capture switch 36 is driven, and the interlocking switches 510a and 510b are connected to the frame memory 50 side under the control of the CPU 42 to output the output signal of the frame memory 50. A still image may be displayed on the monitor 38.

When images are observed continuously or stationarily on the monitor 38 in this manner, if the diagnosis site A is found to be normal, the diagnosis using the endoscope 1 is terminated unless it is particularly necessary.

On the other hand, if the diagnosis is a diagnosis of an affected area, it is necessary to store images of the diagnosed area on the optical disk 56 or a hard copy obtained by the hard copy device 54. In this case, by operating the image capture switch 36 again, the D/A converter 48 constituting the endoscope processor 20 is transferred to the image filing device 40.
The image information is introduced. On the negative side, this image information is again converted into digital data via the A/D converter 63, and after being taken into the high-speed video memory 70, it is transferred via the buffer switching circuit 64 to the first frame memory 66 or to the first frame memory 66. 2 frame memory 68. In this case, the video memory 70 is an image memory that records digital image signals at high speed, and the output signal of the video memory 70 is transmitted to one signal path of the adder 78 and to the D/A converter 82.
The image is displayed on the monitor 52 in substantially real time (see FIG. 4a). In this case, the other input terminal of the adder 78 is introduced with identification information such as the patient name, examination site, photographing date, photographing number, etc., which is set using the keyboard 58, and the CRT controller IC 80 is connected to the video memory 70.
The identification information is superimposed on the foreground of the image introduced from the image and sent to the D/A converter 82. Therefore, a medical image is displayed on the monitor 52 with the image information acquired by the endoscope 12 as the background and the identification data input from the CRT controller IC 80 as the foreground (see FIG. 4). In this case, since the monitor 52 employs the high-speed video memory 70 as described above, it is possible to display image information acquired by the endoscope 12 in substantially real time. On the other hand, the first frame memory 66 or the second
After the image is captured in the frame memory 68, character information identical to the identification information is sequentially introduced into the first frame memory 66 or the second frame memory 6B via the character font generator 84 and the enlargement/reduction addressing circuit 86. image information is automatically introduced at the predetermined address.

The image information with identification information inserted into the first frame memory 66 or the second frame memory 68 in this way is introduced into the optical disk 56 via the buffer switching circuit 72 and recorded, or transferred via the buffer switching circuit 74 into a hard copy. It is introduced into the device 54 and output as a hard copy.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the identification data of the image can be displayed in characters on the image on the monitor using the superimposition method, and the identification data of the image to be hard-copied or the image to be recorded on the optical disc can be displayed in characters. The identification data of the image is inserted into the frame memory by data conversion. Therefore, when observing an image on a monitor, it is possible to input identification data of the image in text almost simultaneously with inputting the image, which is expected to shorten the time required for medical diagnosis. On the other hand, the identification data displayed on the images recorded on the optical disk and the images hard-copied can be displayed in extremely fine characters, so that the accuracy of diagnosis using the images is greatly improved.

In other words, by configuring a medical image recording system in this way, it is possible to extremely reduce the amount of time each patient spends exclusively using a system that employs the image recording device, such as a video endoscope system. A large number of patients can be diagnosed in a short time, and the speed of diagnosis is ensured. Furthermore, diagnostic information can be stored as recorded information on hard copies or optical discs, etc.
Using this recording medium, it becomes possible to transmit the recovery status of the affected area over time or the status of the affected area to other hospitals, etc., which has the effect of increasing the efficiency of medical diagnosis, increasing the accuracy of diagnosis, and reducing medical costs. etc., extremely large effects can be obtained.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.
Of course, various improvements and changes in design are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention, such as omitting the monitor 38 and replacing it with the monitor 52.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a video endoscope system incorporating a medical image recording system according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 includes a detailed configuration of an endoscope processor in the video endoscope system shown in FIG. 3 is a detailed configuration explanatory diagram of an image filing device incorporating an image recording system according to the main part of the present invention in the video endoscope system, and FIG. 4 aSb is a configuration diagram of the video endoscope system. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a display image on a monitor. 10...Video endoscope system 12...Endoscope 20...Endoscope processor 40...Image filing device 52...Monitor 54...Bartco T'-installation R56.
...Optical disk 66.68...Frame memory 70...Video memory 80...CRT controller IC FIG, 4(α) FIG, 4(b)

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In a medical image recording system that records medical image information transferred from an image input/output device on an image recording medium,
A frame memory for temporarily storing the medical image information and a means for inputting identification data of the medical image information into a predetermined address of the frame memory, and recording the medical image information to which the identification data has been added onto the image recording medium. A medical image recording system characterized by: (2) In a medical image recording system that records medical image information transferred from an image input/output device on an image recording medium,
A video memory for temporarily storing the medical image information, a monitor for displaying the medical image information recorded in the video memory, and means for superimposing identification data of the image on the medical image information displayed on the monitor. A medical image recording system characterized by: (3) In a medical image recording system that records medical image information transferred from an image input/output device on an image recording medium,
a frame memory for temporarily storing the medical image information; a means for inputting identification data of the medical image information into a predetermined address of the frame memory; a video memory for temporarily storing the medical image information; 1. A medical image recording system comprising: a monitor for displaying medical image information displayed on the monitor; and means for superimposing identification data of the image on the medical image information displayed on the monitor.