JPH10177642A - Image retrieving and information managing method, computer readable storage medium storing program for executing the same through computer and image retrieval information managing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily retrieve prescribed image data from a storage medium, in which plural medical image data files in different data formats are stored while being mixed, by generating image retrieval information which does not depend on the data format of medical image data file. SOLUTION: Based on the difference between the data formats of common standard 1 and common standard 2, a retrieval key read processing part 101 reads a retrieval key set out of the respective data files. A retrieval key shaping processing part 102 respectively transforms the data formats of retrieval keys in the retrieval key set to a preset data format. Based on preset hierarchy directory generation information, a file managing part 104 registers the respective retrieval keys on the directories of respective prescribed hierarchies. Since directory information is generated for managing the retrieval keys in hierarchical structure, the files of common standard 1 and common standard 2 can be efficiently retrieved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image retrieval information management method applicable to an electronic medical information storage system having an image retrieval function and a computer readable program storing a program for causing a computer to execute the method. More specifically, regarding a storage medium and an image search information management device, image search information independent of the data format of medical image data is generated, and a plurality of image data of different data formats are mixed using the generated image search information. The present invention relates to an image search information management method that enables predetermined image data to be easily searched for from a storage medium that stores therein, a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the method, and an image search information management apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the case of establishing a technical standard for storing medical images in an electronic medium and using an image-related device conforming to the standard, a magneto-optical device is used instead of an original such as an X-ray photograph and a CT photograph. Following the notice of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Ministry of Health and Welfare in 1994, which states that it is okay to store the information on a disk or other electronic medium, the "Common Standard for Electronic Storage of Medical Image Information" was enacted. The enactment of the “Common Standard for Electronic Storage of Medical Image Information” has made it possible to electronically store medical image information on magneto-optical disks. The "common standard for electronic storage of medical image information" includes a common standard 1 and a common standard 2. In the common standard 2, DICOM (Digital Image), which is a US medical image communication and storage standard, is used.
ng andCommunication in Me
dicine) data format.

Incidentally, a magneto-optical disk has a large capacity, but has an extremely low access speed as compared with a hard disk or the like. Therefore, a method for quickly searching for desired image data from a large amount of image data files stored in a magneto-optical disk is required.

Therefore, as a conventional technique for electronically storing and managing medical images, there is Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-114571, entitled "Medical and Administrative Data Search Method and Apparatus". This medical and management data search method and apparatus retrieves data corresponding to a search key from each file when searching for medical and management data, and, when displaying the data in the order of the content of the search key, displays the search criteria according to each search. The feature is that it can be set freely for each item.

[0005] In both the common standard 1 and the common standard 2, a method is provided for easily retrieving image data in a data format conforming to each standard. Particularly, since the common standard 2 employs the DICOM data format, image search information such as a patient name and examination date and time for searching each medical image data recorded on the storage medium can be easily obtained by using the DICOMDIR file. There is a feature that can be managed. This DIC
The OMDIR file manages image search information such as patient names and examination dates using a hierarchical directory structure.

[0006]

As described above, the "common standard for electronic storage of medical image information" includes the common standard 1 and the common standard 2 as described above. It is expected that files of the common standard 1 and files of the common standard 2 having different data formats are recorded in a mixed manner. However, JP-A-7-114
No. 571, "Medical and management data search method and apparatus" does not disclose a method of searching for image data when files of different data formats are mixed on the same storage medium. For example, the common standard 1 file and the common standard 2 file have different portions for recording image accompanying information such as a patient name and an examination date. Therefore, it is necessary to search for image data in a procedure corresponding to each data format. The search key needs to be read. However,
The medical and management data search method and apparatus described above do not have a function of absorbing a difference in data format and making it possible to search for specific image data. In the case where the file and the file of the common standard 2 coexist, there is a problem that a necessary search key cannot be read.

[0007] In addition, even if a required search key can be read from a file of a different data format, even if a search key having the same meaning is not converted to a common data format, a different search key is required. There was a problem that would be searched as. For example, when the search results are arranged in the order of the inspection date, a file having a search key of 1996.10.15 as an inspection date and a file having a search key of 19961015 are arranged separately.

[0008] In the common standard 2, DICOMD
Although image search information can be managed using an IR file, recording image search information in a DICOMDIR file is an optional function, and in all cases,
The image search information cannot be managed using the DICOMDIR file. That is, whether or not the optional function is supported can be selected only by the application that first generates the DICOMDIR file on the storage medium. If the application does not support the optional function,
Since then, other applications have been using the DICOMDI
Recording image search information in the R file is prohibited. Therefore, there is a problem that, despite the existence of a mechanism for managing the image search information, it cannot actually be used reliably.

In addition, when files of the common standard 1 and the common standard 2 are mixedly recorded on the same storage medium,
Image search information that can be recorded in the ICOMDIR file is
This is only image search information related to the file of the common standard 2. Therefore, there is a problem that the image search information cannot be uniformly managed for all the files on the same storage medium.

On the other hand, the method of searching for image data based on the common standard 1 also has a problem that image data of the common standard 1 and the common standard 2 cannot be uniformly managed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and generates image search information independent of the data format of a medical image data file, and uses the generated image search information to generate medical image data of a different data format. An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily search for predetermined image data from a storage medium in which a plurality of files are mixed and stored.

[0012]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image retrieval information management method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of medical image data files recorded in different data formats are stored in a storage medium in which a plurality of medical image data files are mixed. An image search information management method for managing image search information including a plurality of search items such as patient information, examination information, series information, and image information for searching data, the data format of the medical image data file. A search item reading step of reading the plurality of search items from each of the medical image data files based on the difference in the data format; and the plurality of search items read in the search item reading step. An item is input, and the plurality of input search items are respectively converted to a preset data format. Format conversion step, inputting the plurality of search items converted into a data format set in advance in the format conversion step, and based on the preset hierarchical directory generation information, the input plurality of search items respectively An image search information generating step of registering in a directory of a predetermined hierarchy and generating the image search information in which the plurality of search items are managed by a hierarchical structure, and an image search information generated in the image search information generating step. And a storage / management step of storing and managing in the storage medium.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image search information management method of the first aspect, the format conversion step converts the plurality of input search items into a preset data format. When converting, after determining whether or not the data format of the plurality of input search items is the same as the preset data format, only the search items having a data format different from the preset data format are determined. Is converted into the preset data format.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image search information management method according to the first aspect, the image search information generating step stores each of the plurality of search items in a directory of the predetermined hierarchy. At the time of registration, if any of the search items to be registered in the directory of the predetermined hierarchy is insufficient, a preset initial value is registered in the directory of the predetermined hierarchy as the insufficient search item. Is what you do.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image search information management method according to the first aspect, the storing / managing step includes storing the image search information generated in the image search information generating step. At the time of updating, if the predetermined directory becomes empty due to the deletion of the predetermined search item, the empty directory is also deleted at the same time.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image search information management method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein a plurality of medical images recorded in the storage medium in different data formats are provided. The image data file is
At least a medical image data file recorded in a data format conforming to the common standard 1 for electronic storage of medical image information and the common standard 2 for electronic storage of medical image information.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image search information management method according to the fifth aspect, when the image search information generating step generates the image search information, the common standard 2 is used. Each element constituting the DICOM FileID recorded in the medical image data file of the above is used as a directory name, and the DICOM File
The e-ID is used to generate the image search information by using the lowest-order element constituting the ID as a file name.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image search information management method according to the first or sixth aspect, when the image search information generating step generates the image search information, Based on the set hierarchical directory generation information, a plurality of image search information in which a hierarchical structure of the directory in which the input plurality of search items are registered are different from each other are generated.

An image retrieval information management apparatus according to claim 8 is a patient information / examination information / retrieval information for retrieving desired image data from a storage medium in which a plurality of medical image data files recorded in different data formats are mixed. An image search information management device for managing image search information including a plurality of search items such as series information and image information, wherein a type of a data format of the medical image data file is determined, and a difference between the data formats is determined. On the basis of,
Search item reading means for reading the plurality of search items from each of the medical image data files, and input the plurality of search items read by the search item reading means,
Format conversion means for respectively converting the plurality of input search items into a preset data format, and inputting the plurality of search items converted into the data format preset by the format conversion means, and Based on the generated hierarchical directory generation information, the input plurality of search items are respectively registered in directories of a predetermined hierarchy, and image search information in which the plurality of search items are managed by a hierarchical structure is generated. Image search information generation / management means for storing and managing image search information in the storage medium.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image search information management apparatus of the eighth aspect, the format conversion means converts the plurality of input search items into a preset data format. When converting, after determining whether or not the data format of the plurality of input search items is the same as the preset data format, only the search items having a data format different from the preset data format are determined. Is converted into the preset data format.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image search information management apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the image search information generation / management means stores the plurality of search items in each of the predetermined hierarchical levels. When registering in the directory, if any of the search items to be registered in the directory of the predetermined hierarchy is insufficient, an initial value set in advance is set as a directory of the predetermined hierarchy as the insufficient search item. It is to be registered.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image search information management apparatus according to the eighth aspect, wherein the image search information generation / management unit includes the image search information generation / management unit. When updating search information,
When the predetermined directory is emptied due to deletion of the predetermined search item from a directory of a predetermined hierarchy of the image search information, the emptied directory is also deleted at the same time.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image search information management apparatus according to any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects, wherein the plurality of medical information recorded in the storage medium in different data formats are stored. The image data file is a medical image data file recorded in a data format conforming to at least the common standard 1 for electronic storage of medical image information and the common standard 2 for electronic storage of medical image information.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image retrieval information management apparatus according to the twelfth aspect,
When the image search information generating / managing means generates the image search information, each element constituting the DICOM File ID recorded in the medical image data file of the common standard 2 is used as a directory name, and the DICOM
By using the lowest element constituting the File ID as a file name, the file ID is used for generating the image search information.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image search information management apparatus according to the eighth or thirteenth aspect, when the image search information generating / managing means generates the image search information, And generating a plurality of image search information having different hierarchical structures of the directories in which the plurality of input search items are registered, based on the preset hierarchical directory generation information.

A computer-readable storage medium according to a fifteenth aspect stores a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of the first to seventh aspects.

[0027]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image retrieval information management method according to an embodiment of the present invention; a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the method; This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The image retrieval information management method according to the present embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the method, and an image retrieval information management apparatus do not depend on the data format of a medical image data file. Generates image search information, manages the generated image search information, and uses the image search information to store a desired medical image data file from a storage medium in which a plurality of medical image data files of different data formats are mixed and stored. This makes it easy to search.
In the following description, the storage medium is a magneto-optical disk, and medical image data files of different data formats mixedly stored in the magneto-optical disk are shared by the common standards 1 and 2 related to electronic storage of medical image information described in the related art. Assuming that the image search information management method conforms to Common Standard 2, a computer-readable storage medium storing an image search information management method according to the present embodiment, a program for causing a computer to execute the method, and an image search information management apparatus are provided. explain.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image retrieval information management apparatus according to the present embodiment. The image search information management device shown in FIG. 1 reads out data recorded on a magneto-optical disk, and reads and writes data on the magneto-optical disk.
Search key read processing for reading search keys (search items) such as patient information, examination information, series information, and image information from a file recorded on a magneto-optical disk via the writing unit 100 and the reading / writing unit 100 Unit 101 (corresponding to a search item reading unit according to claim 8) and a search key reading processing unit 1
01, a search key shaping processing unit 102 (corresponding to a format converting means according to claim 8) for converting the search key read into a common data format, and a search key shaping processing unit 102 converting the search key into a common format. Directory information (image search information) is created on the main memory unit 103 using the search key thus created, the created directory information is recorded in a directory file on the magneto-optical disk, and the generated directory information is updated. Is a file management unit 104 for executing a search process of data recorded in the magneto-optical disk using the directory information read on the main memory unit 103 (corresponding to an image search information generation / management unit according to claim 8). And display the data retrieved by the file management unit 104 on the display unit 105 such as a display. Or a file processing unit 107 for executing processing such as outputting to an output unit 106 such as a printer, etc., and for inputting directory information creation / update / save instructions, search instructions and search result display instructions, and the like. An input unit 108 including a keyboard, a mouse, and the like;
And a main control unit 109 that controls the above units.

FIG. 2A shows a medical image file structure of a file format conforming to the common standard 1 for electronic storage of medical image information, and FIG. 2B shows the common standard 2 for electronic storage of medical image information. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a medical image file structure of a file format conforming to. A medical image file 2 of the common standard 1 shown in FIG.
00 comprises a header section 201 and a data section 202. The header section 201 includes a file ID, standard information indicating that this medical image file is a file of the common standard 1, and images such as a patient name, a patient ID, an examination date, an examination time, a series number, a modality name, and an image number. Additional information and the like are stored. On the other hand, the data section 202
Image data such as a photograph is stored.

The medical image file 210 according to the common standard 2 shown in FIG. 2B includes a header section 211 and a data section 212, like the medical image file 200 according to the common standard 1. The header section 211 includes a file I
D, standard information indicating that this medical image file is a file of the common standard 2, DICOM File ID, and the like are stored. On the other hand, in the data section 212, the patient name, patient ID, examination date,
Image accompanying information such as examination time, series number, modality name, and image number is stored.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of directory information as image search information generated by the image search information management device (file management unit 104) in FIG. The generation method will be described in detail below. In the directory information shown in FIG. 3, the data format of the DICOMDIR file of the common standard 2 is registered as image search information of a medical image data file conforming to both the common standards 1 and 2. The patient directory 300 and the examination directory 301 are located under the root directory.
・ Series directory 302 ・ Image directory 30
3 in a tree structure.

Each directory contains a patient name, a patient ID, and a patient ID read by the search key read processing unit 101 from medical image files of the common standard 1 and the common standard 2 shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). Inspection date, inspection time, series number, modality name, image number, file ID, etc. are registered. The directory information shown in FIG. 3 is configured to provide a method of searching for image data centering on a patient. A patient directory 300 is created for each patient under a root directory, and is stored therein. Is the patient name
Search data relating to the attributes of the patient, such as the patient ID, is registered.

The examination directory 301, which is a lower directory of the patient directory, includes a patient directory 3
Search data relating to examination attributes such as examination date and examination time when the patient registered at 00 is examined. If the same patient has performed a plurality of tests, a number of test directories 301 corresponding to the number of tests are created as directories under the patient directory 300.

Search data relating to series attributes such as a series number and a modality name are registered in a series directory 302, which is a directory below the inspection directory 301. Note that the series number is generally a single number because a plurality of CT photographs and the like are photographed in one examination in general. Also, the modality name means that the medical image data obtained by the examination is MR data.
This item indicates whether the image is a photograph or a CT photograph. Also in this series directory 302, directories corresponding to the number of series are created as directories under the inspection directory 301.

In an image directory 303, which is a lower directory of the series directory 302, search data relating to image data attributes such as an image number and a file ID are registered. By the way, in the case of DICOMDIR file, DICOMDIR file is
File ID is registered. DICOM File
The ID is a file name defined by the DICOM standard, and is a name that uniquely indicates a file stored in the magneto-optical disk. Specifically, "dicom @ c
t @ series1 @ image3 ". However, this DICOM File
The ID can be used only for the common standard 2 file. Therefore, in this embodiment, the common standard 1
In order to make the files No. and No. 2 searchable in a unified manner, the image directory 303 contains a number uniquely indicating the file stored in the magneto-optical disk, ie, FIG.
2A is a number for specifying image data stored in the data sections 202 and 212 in the files of the common standard 1 and the common standard 2 shown in FIG. 2 is registered with a common file ID. It should be noted that the file ID must be assigned when a file is recorded on the magneto-optical disk. The file ID may be an arbitrary number such as 1, 2, 3,..., And a different number must be assigned to each file.

The directory information described above is created in the main memory unit 103 by the file management unit 104,
It is stored as a directory file on the magneto-optical disk.

Note that the file management unit 104 generates directory information as shown in FIG. 3 based on preset hierarchical directory generation information. The generated directory information (directory file) is not limited to one, and a plurality of directory information (directory files) having different hierarchical directory structures can be generated. FIG. 3 shows directory information configured to provide a method of searching for image data centering on a patient. For example, the examination directory 301 is set as a higher-level directory, and a patient who performs an examination on the same day is examined. It is also possible to provide a method of searching for image data centering on the examination date and time, such that the patient directory 300 in which names and the like are registered is placed below the examination directory 301. Whether to generate a plurality of pieces of directory information (directory files) and how to make a hierarchical directory structure can be selected by the user before generating the directory information.

When generating directory information,
DI recorded in medical image data file of Common Standard 2
Each element constituting the COM File ID can be used as a directory name, and the lowest element constituting the DICOM File ID can be used as a file name. As described above, by using the structure of the DICOM File ID, directory information can be easily generated.

Next, the image search information management method by the image search information management apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described in the order of [image search information creation and update processing], [search processing], [image search information storage processing] explain.

[Creation and Update Processing of Image Search Information] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the creation and update processing of image search information by the image search information management apparatus according to the present embodiment.

First, the magneto-optical disk is connected to the read / write unit 10.
0, the main control unit 109 displays a dialog box on the display unit 105 to allow the user to select whether or not to use the directory information (image search information). Is selected (S401).

When the user selects to use the image search information in step S401, the file management unit 104 checks whether the directory information described with reference to FIG. A determination is made (S402). If it is determined that the directory information has been read into the main memory unit 103, the process of creating and updating the image search information ends.

In step S402, the main memory unit 1
If it is determined that the directory information has not been read on the file management unit 03, the file management unit 104
In step S403, it is determined whether the directory file described with reference to FIG.

If it is determined in step S403 that the directory file does not exist on the magneto-optical disk, the process proceeds to step S404, and the image search for all files in the magneto-optical disk is performed by the new image search information creation process described below. Information, that is, directory information is created on the main memory unit 103, and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the directory file exists on the magneto-optical disk, the process proceeds to step S405, and the directory information is read out to the main memory unit 103 by the image search information updating process described below, and To update the contents of the directory information, and ends the processing.

Here, both processes will be described in detail in the order of (1) new image search information creation processing (step S404 in FIG. 4) and (2) image search information update processing (step S405 in FIG. 4).

(1) New Image Search Information Creation Process FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the new image search information creation process by the image search information management device of the present embodiment.

First, the file management unit 104 initializes directory information on the main memory unit 103 (S50).
1). Next, the retrieval key read processing unit 101 returns the header read pointer to the head of the magneto-optical disk storing the file (S502). Note that the header read pointer indicates which header is being read.

The search key read processing unit 101 sequentially reads the header of the file from the position of the header read pointer via the read / write unit 100 (S503), and reads the data of the file from the contents of the read header. A process of determining whether the format type, that is, the data format conforms to the common standard 1 or the common standard 2 is executed (S504).

In step S505, when it is determined from the header read by the search key read processing unit 101 that the data format is the common standard 1, the patient name, patient ID, examination date, examination time, examination I are determined from the header data.
A search key (search item) set including D, series number, modality name, image number, and file ID is read (S506). FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a search key set. The search key set shown in FIG. 7 is divided into a tree structure as shown in FIG.
Is registered as directory information.

Thereafter, the search key shaping processing unit 102 receives the search key set from the search key read processing unit 101, and converts the data of each search key in the search key set by the following search key set shaping process. Convert to a common data format. (S507).

For a search key in which no value is stored in the search key set shown in FIG. 6, a default value (initial value) shown in FIG. 6 is set as the value of the search key.

The data representing the date of the search key is 199
If the format is such as 61017, it is converted to a format such as 1996.10.17.

Data representing the time of the search key is 151
In the case of a format such as 023.1013, it is converted to a format such as 15: 10: 23.1013.

However, the process may be executed when the file management unit 104 registers the search key in a predetermined directory. As described above, a process such as this is performed because a necessary search key may not exist depending on the type of image data. Therefore, even in the case of such image data, the search key is stored in the directory information. This is to enable registration. In addition, the procedure for converting the data format of the search key into the common data format is to prevent generation of a large number of directories representing the same search key due to different data formats. .

After performing the above-described search key set shaping processing, the search key shaping processing section 102 passes the search key set to the file management section 104. The file management unit 104
Each search key in the received search key set is associated so as to have a hierarchical structure as shown in FIG. 3 based on information about the creation of directory information set in advance, and registered as directory information in the main memory unit 103. (S
508).

On the other hand, in step S505, when the search key read processing unit 101 determines from the header read out that the data format is not the data format of the common standard 1, it is further determined whether the file is a DICOMDIR file (S509). ). In addition, DICOMDIR
The file is a file for managing the image search information of the file of the common standard 2, and is not a file storing the image data.

In step S509, if the search key read processing unit 101 determines that the file is a DICOMDIR file, the process returns to step S503, moves the header read pointer to the header of the next file, and searches the next file for the search key. Execute the process of reading the set.

In step S509, if the search key reading processing unit 101 determines that the file is not a DICOMDIR file (that is, it is a file of the common standard 2), the file ID of the file is read from the header part, and Register in the file ID list (S5
10). As is apparent from FIGS. 2A and 2B, the file structure of the common standard 1 and the file structure of the common standard 2 are different from each other. Instead, a process of temporarily registering the file ID of the file in the file ID list is executed.

The processes of steps S503 to S510 are repeatedly executed until the header read pointer reaches the end of the header area (S511).
It proceeds to step S512 shown in FIG.

The search key read processing unit 101 determines in step S
After executing the processes from 503 to S511, step S
File ID registered in the file ID list at 510
Is opened, the data section is read, a search key set such as the patient name and patient ID shown in FIG. 7 is read from the read data, and the file is closed (S512).

The search key shaping processor 102 receives the search key set read out by the search key read processor 101, converts it into a common format by the above-described search key set shaping process (S513), and converts the converted search key. The set is passed to the file management unit 104. File management unit 1
Reference numeral 04 relates the search keys in the received search key set to form a tree structure as shown in FIG. 3 based on information about the creation of directory information set in advance, and stores the directory information in the main memory unit 103. (S514).

The processes in steps S512 to S514 are executed for a file having a file ID registered in the file ID list generated in step S510 (S515).

Then, the file management unit 104 confirms that the above processing has been completed, sets a flag indicating that the directory information has been updated on the main memory unit 103 (S516), and executes the new image search information creation processing. To end.

(2) Image Search Information Update Processing Next, the image search information update processing shown in step S405 of FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are flowcharts showing an image search information update process by the image search information management device of the present embodiment.

First, the file management unit 104 turns down a flag indicating that directory information on the main memory unit 103 has been updated (S801). Next, the file management unit 104 reads a directory file, that is, directory information, from the magneto-optical disk via the read / write unit 100, and stores it in the main memory unit 103 (S802).

Thereafter, the file management unit 104 acquires information on the update date and time of the directory file and the update date and time of the magneto-optical disk (S803), and determines whether the update date and time of the magneto-optical disk matches the update date and time of the directory file. Is determined (S804). If it is determined in step S804 that the update date and time of the magneto-optical disk matches the update date and time of the directory file 1, the image search information update process ends.

On the other hand, if the update date and time of the magneto-optical disk does not match the update date and time of the directory file in step S804, the file management unit 104 acquires information on the update date and time of all the files stored on the magneto-optical disk. Update date and time file ID that associates the obtained update date and time with the file ID of each file
A list is created (S805). FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the update date / time file ID list.

Using the update date and time file ID list shown in FIG. 10, the file management unit 104 reads the file ID of a file having an update date and time that is later than the update date and time of the directory file, and creates an unupdated file ID list (S806). . FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the unupdated file ID list.

The file management unit 104 stores the file IDs registered in all the image directories 303 of the directory information shown in FIG.
And creates a registered file ID list (S
807). FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a registered file ID list.

Then, the file management unit 104
Compare the registered file ID list shown in FIG. 10 with the update date / time file ID list shown in FIG.
A file ID that exists in the list and does not exist in the update date / time file ID list is extracted, and a deletion target file ID list is created (S808). FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the deletion target file ID list.

In step S808, the ID of the file to be deleted
After creating the list, the file management unit 104 deletes the search key of the file corresponding to the file ID described in the deletion target file ID list shown in FIG. 13 from the directory information on the main memory unit 103 (S809).

Further, the file management section 104 deletes the search key of the file corresponding to the file ID described in the unupdated file ID list shown in FIG. 11 from the directory information on the main memory section 103 (S810). The process proceeds to step S811 shown in FIG.

If a directory becomes empty as a result of deleting the search key of a predetermined file,
The file management unit 104 also deletes the directory. Further, if a directory below the directory becomes empty as a result of deleting a directory, the directory above the directory is also deleted. For example, in FIG. 3, “image 1” and “image
When the directory of "image 2" is deleted, the directory of "series 1" which is the higher-level series directory 302 is also deleted. That is, the file management unit 104 deletes the search key (directory) of a certain file. Then, it is determined whether or not the directory that is higher than the directory should be deleted.By executing such processing, it is possible to prevent a useless directory from remaining.

In step S811 shown in FIG. 9, the retrieval key read processing unit 101 reads the header from the file corresponding to the file ID described in the unupdated file ID list shown in FIG. 11, and reads the file from the data in the header. The processing for determining the data format type is executed (S812).

If the search key read processing unit 101 determines in step S813 that the file format is the file format of the common standard 1, the process proceeds to step S814, where the search key read processing unit 101 reads the patient name and the like shown in FIG. Get search key set of.

The search key shaping processor 102 receives the search key set from the search key read processor 101, and converts the data of the search key set into a common data format by the above-described search key set shaping process (S81).
5).

After performing the search key set shaping process, the search key shaping processing unit 102 passes the converted search key set to the file management unit 104. The file management unit 104
Each search key in the received search key set is associated so as to form a tree structure as shown in FIG. 3 based on information about the creation of directory information set in advance, and registered in the directory information on the main memory unit 103. (S8
16).

On the other hand, if the search key read processing unit 101 determines in step S813 that the file format is not the file format of the common standard 1, that is, if it is determined that the file format is the file format of the common standard 2, the search key read processing unit 101 Read the data portion of the file (S8
17) The search key set such as the patient name shown in FIG. 7 is read from the read data part (S818).

The search key shaping processor 102 receives the search key set from the search key read processor 101, and converts the data of the search key set into a common data format by the search key set shaping process described above (S81).
9) The converted search key set is stored in the file management unit 104.
Pass to. The file management unit 104 associates each search key in the received search key set with a tree structure as shown in FIG. (S820).

The processes in steps S811 to S820 are executed for all files corresponding to the file IDs described in the unupdated file list created in step S806 in FIG. 8 (S821).

After the processes in steps S811 to S821 are completed, the file management unit 104
Then, a flag indicating that the directory information has been updated is set on 3 and the image search information updating process is terminated (S82).
2).

[Search Process] Next, image search information (directory information) created or updated as described above.
A method of searching for image data recorded on a magneto-optical disk by using the method will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a search process of image data by the image search information management device according to the present embodiment.

The file management unit 104 sets the current directory pointer to the root directory of the directory information on the main memory unit 103 (S140)
1). Here, the current directory pointer is a variable (value) indicating the directory to be selected in the directory information held on the main memory unit 103.

Subsequently, the file management unit 104 acquires information on directories existing under the current directory, displays the directory information list on the display unit 105, and allows the user to select a lower directory (S).
1402). For example, in the case of the directory information shown in FIG. 3, “Patient A” and “Patient B” in the patient directory 300
Is displayed on the display unit 105.

The file management unit 104 moves the current directory pointer to the directory selected by the user (S1403). Then, the above step S
The processes of 1402 and S1403 are repeatedly executed until the current directory pointer moves to the lowest directory (S1404). In the case of the directory information shown in FIG. 3, for example, image data search processing is performed in the order of patient A → examination 1 → series 1 → image 1. That is, by proceeding from the highest directory to the lowest directory, the file I registered in the lowest directory (image directory 303) is registered.
D can be obtained, and image data recorded on the magneto-optical disk can be displayed using the file ID.

Then, the file management unit 104 obtains information (file ID and the like) on the file from the selected current directory (lowest directory) (S1405), and the file processing unit 107 stores the obtained file ID. Then, the process ends (S1406).
Note that, when a button such as “open” displayed on the display unit 105 is pressed by the user, the file processing unit 107
The image data of the file corresponding to the file ID received from the file management unit 104 is read from the magneto-optical disk and displayed on the display unit 105.

[Saving Process of Image Search Information] Further, a process of saving the directory information created or updated as described above as a directory file on the magneto-optical disk will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a process of storing image search information by the image search information management device according to the present embodiment.

When the user requests to save a directory file (S1501), the file management unit determines whether directory information on the main memory unit has been updated (S1502). That is, the file management unit checks the directory information change flag on the main memory unit, determines that the directory information has been updated when the flag is set, and updates the directory information when the flag is not set. It is determined that there is not.

If the directory information has not been updated in step S1502, the file management unit 104 ends the process without performing the directory information saving process.

If the directory information has been updated in step S1502,
04 judges via the read / write unit 100 whether or not the directory file exists on the magneto-optical disk (S1503).

If the directory file exists on the magneto-optical disk, the file management unit 104 controls the read / write unit 100 to overwrite and save the directory information in the directory file, and ends the processing (S150).
4).

If the directory file does not exist on the magneto-optical disk, the file management unit 104 controls the read / write unit 100 to create a directory file on the magneto-optical disk (S1505) and create directory information. The file is stored in the directory file, and the process ends (S1506).

As described above, according to the image search information management method and the image search information management apparatus of the present embodiment, based on the difference between the data formats of the common standard 1 and the common standard 2, a search key is obtained from each data file. Reads the set, converts the data format of the search key in the search key set into a preset data format, and registers each search key in a directory of a predetermined hierarchy based on the preset hierarchy directory generation information. Then, since the directory information for managing the search keys in the hierarchical structure is generated, it is possible to obtain the directory information that can efficiently search for the files of the common standard 1 and the common standard 2.

The above-described image search information management method ([image search information creation and update processing], [search processing], [image search information storage processing]) is realized as an image search information management program. The program is provided by being stored in a storage medium such as a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, or a DVD, or is provided through a network or the like. When the computer executes this program, the image search information management method described above is executed.

[0096]

As described above, according to the image retrieval information management method of the present invention (claim 1), the type of the data format of the medical image data file is determined, and based on the difference between the data formats, A plurality of search items for reading a plurality of search items from the medical image data file, and inputting a plurality of search items read in the search item reading step, and converting the plurality of input search items into a preset data format. A format conversion step to be converted, and inputting a plurality of search items converted into a data format set in advance in the format conversion step,
Based on the hierarchical directory generation information set in advance,
Each of the plurality of input search items is registered in a directory of a predetermined hierarchy, and is generated in an image search information generating step of generating image search information in which a plurality of search items are managed by a hierarchical structure, and an image search information generating step. And a storage / management step of storing and managing the stored image search information in a storage medium, so that the image search information of medical image data files of different data formats can be unifiedly managed, and a unique method for each data format is provided. To obtain image search information that does not need to be searched. Therefore, it is possible to improve the search efficiency of the image file. In addition, since a plurality of search items input in the format conversion step are respectively converted into a preset data format, it is possible to prevent generation of a large number of directories representing the same information, thereby improving the efficiency of searching image files. Can be planned

Further, according to the image search information management method of the present invention (claim 2), in the image search information management method of claim 1, the format conversion step sets a plurality of input search items in advance. At the time of conversion into each data format, after determining whether or not the data format of the plurality of input search items is the same as the preset data format, search items of a data format different from the preset data format Since only the data format is converted to a preset data format, it is possible to prevent a large number of directories representing the same information from being generated, and to improve the efficiency of searching image files.

Further, according to the image search information management method of the present invention (claim 3), in the image search information management method according to claim 1, the image search information generating step includes a step of: When registering in the directory of
When any of the search items to be registered in the directory of the predetermined hierarchy is insufficient, all the search items to be registered are registered as the missing search items with the preset initial value in the directory of the predetermined hierarchy. Can be generated even if the file does not exist in the medical image data file, and a large amount of image data can be managed by the generated image search information.

According to the image search information management method of the present invention (claim 4), in the image search information management method according to claim 1, the storage / management step includes the step of storing the image generated by the image search information generation step. When updating the search information, if the specified directory is emptied due to deletion of the specified search item, the emptied directory is also deleted at the same time, improving the search efficiency of medical image data files. Can be achieved.

According to the image search information management method of the present invention (claim 5), in the image search information management method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, recording is performed in a storage medium in a different data format. The plurality of medical image data files are medical image data files recorded in a data format conforming to at least the common standard 1 for electronic storage of medical image information and the common standard 2 for electronic storage of medical image information. The image search information can be generated without being aware of the difference between the data formats of the common standard 1 and the common standard 2, and the search efficiency of the medical image data file of the common standard can be improved.

According to the image search information management method of the present invention (claim 6), in the image search information management method according to claim 5, when the image search information generating step generates the image search information, Each element constituting the DICOM File ID recorded in the medical image data file of the common standard 2 is used as a directory name and the DICOM File
e By using the lowest-order element constituting the ID as a file name and using it for generating image search information,
Image search information can be easily generated.

According to the image search information management method of the present invention (claim 7), in the image search information management method according to claim 1 or 6, the image search information generating step includes the steps of: In order to generate a plurality of image search information having different hierarchical structures of directories in which a plurality of input search items are registered, directory files storing different image search information can be selectively used. Can answer search requests.

According to the image retrieval information management device of the present invention (claim 8), the type of the data format of the medical image data file is determined, and based on the difference in the data format, the data format of each medical image data file is determined. Search item reading means for reading a plurality of search items, format conversion means for inputting a plurality of search items read by the search item reading means, and converting the plurality of input search items into a preset data format, respectively. Inputting a plurality of search items converted into a data format set in advance by the format conversion means, and registering the plurality of input search items in a directory of a predetermined hierarchy, respectively, based on preset hierarchy directory generation information And generates image search information in which a plurality of search items are managed in a hierarchical structure. Image search information generation / management means for storing and managing the obtained image search information in a storage medium, so that image search information of medical image data files of different data formats can be unifiedly managed, It is possible to obtain image search information that does not need to be searched by a specific method. Therefore, it is possible to improve the search efficiency of the image file. Further, since a plurality of search items input by the format conversion means are respectively converted into a preset data format, it is possible to prevent generation of a large number of directories representing the same information, thereby improving the efficiency of searching image files. Can be planned

According to the image search information management apparatus of the present invention, the format conversion means sets a plurality of input search items in advance. At the time of conversion into each data format, after determining whether or not the data format of the plurality of input search items is the same as the preset data format, search items of a data format different from the preset data format Since only the data format is converted to a preset data format, it is possible to prevent a large number of directories representing the same information from being generated, and to improve the efficiency of searching image files.

According to the image search information management apparatus of the present invention, the image search information generation / management means specifies a plurality of search items for each of the plurality of search items. When any of the search items to be registered in the directory of the predetermined hierarchy is insufficient when registering in the directory of the hierarchy, the initial value set in advance is set to the directory of the predetermined hierarchy as the missing search item. For registration, even if all the search items to be registered do not exist in the medical image data file, image search information can be generated, and a large amount of image data can be managed by the generated image search information. .

According to the image search information management apparatus of the present invention, the image search information generation / management means is generated by the image search information generation means. When updating the searched image search information, when a predetermined directory is emptied by deleting a predetermined search item from a directory of a predetermined hierarchy of the image search information, the emptied directory is also Since the deletion is performed, the search efficiency of the medical image data file can be improved.

According to the image retrieval information management apparatus of the present invention (claim 12), the image retrieval information management apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11 records on a storage medium in a different data format. The plurality of medical image data files that are recorded are medical image data files recorded in a data format conforming to at least the common standard 1 for electronic storage of medical image information and the common standard 2 for electronic storage of medical image information. The image search information can be generated without being aware of the difference between the data formats of the common standard 1 and the common standard 2, and the search efficiency of the medical image data file of the common standard can be improved.

According to the image search information management apparatus of the present invention, the image search information generation / management means may generate the image search information. In addition, each element constituting the DICOM File ID recorded in the medical image data file of the common standard 2 is used as a directory name,
By using the lowest-order element constituting the M File ID as a file name, the image search information can be easily generated because it is used for generating the image search information.

According to the image search information management apparatus of the present invention, the image search information generation / management means generates the image search information. In order to generate a plurality of image search information in which the hierarchical structure of a directory in which a plurality of input search items are registered is different based on preset hierarchical directory generation information, different image search information is stored. Since the directory file is available selectively, various search requests can be answered.

Further, according to the computer readable storage medium of the present invention (claim 15), a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is stored. By causing the computer to execute the program, image search information of medical image data files of different data formats can be managed in a unified manner, and it is not necessary to search for each data format by a specific method. Therefore, it is possible to improve the search efficiency of the image file. In addition, since a plurality of search items input in the format conversion step are respectively converted into a preset data format, it is possible to prevent generation of a large number of directories representing the same information, thereby improving the efficiency of searching image files. Can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image search information management device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2A shows a medical image file structure of a file format based on the common standard 1 for electronic storage of medical image information, and FIG. 2B shows a file format based on the common standard 2 for electronic storage of medical image information. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a medical image file structure in a file format.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of directory information as image search information generated by the image search information management device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of creating and updating image search information by the image search information management device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a new image search information creation process by the image search information management device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a new image search information creation process performed by the image search information management device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a search key set.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an image search information update process performed by the image search information management device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an image search information update process by the image search information management device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an update date / time file ID list.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a non-updated file ID list.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a registered file ID list.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a deletion target file ID list.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing image data search processing by the image search information management device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a process of storing image search information by the image search information management device of the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 read / write unit 101 search key read processing unit 102 search key shaping processing unit 103 main memory unit 104 file management unit 105 display unit 106 output unit 107 file processing unit 108 input unit 109 main control unit 200, 210 medical image file 201 , 211 Header 202, 212 Data 300 Patient Directory 301 Examination Directory 302 Series Directory 303 Image Directory

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of search items such as patient information, examination information, series information, and image information for searching for desired image data from a storage medium in which a plurality of medical image data files recorded in different data formats are mixed. An image search information management method for managing image search information, comprising: determining a type of a data format of the medical image data file, based on a difference between the data formats, from each of the medical image data files. A search item reading step of reading the plurality of search items; inputting the plurality of search items read in the search item reading step; and converting the input plurality of search items into a preset data format. A format conversion step, and a data format preset in the format conversion step. The plurality of search items converted into a list are input, and the plurality of input search items are respectively registered in a directory of a predetermined hierarchy based on hierarchical directory generation information set in advance, and the plurality of search items are registered according to a hierarchical structure. An image search information generation step of generating the image search information in which a plurality of search items are managed; and a storage / management step of storing and managing the image search information generated in the image search information generation step in the storage medium. And an image retrieval information management method. 2. When the format conversion step converts each of the plurality of input search items into a predetermined data format, the data format of the plurality of input search items is changed to the predetermined data format. 2. The image search method according to claim 1, wherein after determining whether the data format is the same as the data format, only search items having a data format different from the preset data format are converted into the preset data format. Information management method. 3. When the plurality of search items are respectively registered in the directory of the predetermined hierarchy in the image search information generation step, one of the search items to be registered in the directory of the predetermined hierarchy is insufficient. 2. The image search information management method according to claim 1, wherein when the search is performed, a preset initial value is registered in the directory of the predetermined hierarchy as the insufficient search item. 4. When the storage / management step updates the image search information generated in the image search information generation step, the predetermined directory becomes empty due to deletion of the predetermined search item. 2. The image search information management method according to claim 1, wherein when the occurrence occurs, the empty directory is deleted at the same time. 5. A plurality of medical image data files recorded in the storage medium in different data formats conform to at least a common standard 1 for electronic storage of medical image information and a common standard 2 for electronic storage of medical image information. 5. The image search information management method according to claim 1, wherein the image search information management file is a medical image data file recorded in a data format. 6. When the image search information generating step generates the image search information, a DICOM (Digital) recorded in a medical image data file of the common standard 2 is used.
Imaging and Communication
n in Medicine) Each element constituting the File ID is a directory name, and the DIC
6. The image search information management method according to claim 5, wherein the lowest order element constituting the OM File ID is used for generating the image search information by using it as a file name. 7. The image search information generating step includes, when generating the image search information, generating a plurality of pieces of image search information having different hierarchical structures of the directories in which the plurality of input search items are registered. 7. The image search information management method according to claim 1, wherein the method is performed. 8. A plurality of search items such as patient information, examination information, series information, and image information for searching for desired image data from a storage medium in which a plurality of medical image data files recorded in different data formats are mixed. An image search information management device for managing image search information comprising: determining a type of a data format of the medical image data file, and based on a difference between the data formats, from each of the medical image data files. Search item reading means for reading the plurality of search items; inputting the plurality of search items read by the search item reading means; and converting the input plurality of search items into a preset data format. A format converter, and a data format preset by the format converter. The plurality of search items converted into a set are input, and the plurality of input search items are respectively registered in a directory of a predetermined hierarchy based on hierarchical directory generation information set in advance, and the plurality of search items are registered according to a hierarchical structure. Image search information generating / managing means for generating image search information in which a plurality of search items are managed, and storing and managing the generated image search information in the storage medium. Management device. 9. When the format conversion unit converts each of the plurality of input search items into a predetermined data format, the data format of the plurality of input search items is the predetermined data format. 9. The image search method according to claim 8, wherein after determining whether or not the search format is the same as the search format, only search items having a data format different from the preset data format are converted into the preset data format. Information management device. 10. The image search information generating / managing means,
When each of the plurality of search items is registered in the directory of the predetermined hierarchy, if any of the search items to be registered in the directory of the predetermined hierarchy is insufficient, the search item is determined as the insufficient search item in advance. 9. The image search information management apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the set initial value is registered in the directory of the predetermined hierarchy. 11. The image search information generating / managing means,
When updating the image search information generated by the image search information generating means, the predetermined directory becomes empty due to deletion of the predetermined search item from a directory of a predetermined hierarchy of the image search information. 9. The image search information management device according to claim 8, wherein when the error occurs, the empty directory is deleted at the same time. 12. A plurality of medical image data files recorded in different data formats on the storage medium are at least a common standard 1 for electronic storage of medical image information
12. The image retrieval information management apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the medical image data file is a medical image data file recorded in a data format conforming to the common standard 2 for electronic storage of medical image information. 13. The image search information generating / managing means,
When generating the image search information, the DICOM (Dig) recorded in the medical image data file of the common standard 2 is used.
ital Imaging and Common
ationin Medicine) File ID
13. The image search information according to claim 12, wherein each element of the DICOM File ID is used as a directory name, and the lowest order element of the DICOM File ID is used as a file name. Image search information management device. 14. The image search information generating / managing means,
When generating the image search information, based on the preset hierarchical directory generation information, generate a plurality of the image search information having different hierarchical structures of the directories in which the plurality of input search items are registered. 14. The image retrieval information management device according to claim 8, wherein 15. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 1. Description: