JP2005218847A - Medical image communication system, medical image communication apparatus and medical image communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain optimization of a post scan command process. <P>SOLUTION: A picture archiving and communication system (PACS) practically optimizes the post scan command process according to the preference specified by a user, and further processes a set of selected image data which are collected by a medical image diagnostic apparatus such as a CT scanner and an MRI scanner, and are stored in storage units distributed on a network. The preference specified by the user includes the shortest response time, the minimum cost and the minimum network traffic. The preference specified by the user is fixed by optional selection in some preferable embodiment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to medical image diagnosis, and more specifically, a post-scan command process in a picture archiving and communication system (PACS: picture archiving and communication system) for storing and communicating medical images obtained by imaging with a medical image diagnostic apparatus. The present invention relates to a system, software, method, and apparatus for substantially optimizing the same processing.

  In recent years, advances in computer technology have led to the use of computer systems in hospitals and offices. Most large hospitals have hospital information systems. Similarly, medical imaging devices are widely used, including X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanners, emission computed tomography scanners, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices, and digital x-ray devices. included.

  Although image diagnostic apparatuses are widespread, stored image data is not managed in computer systems at many facilities. Rather, medical images are still viewed on conventional hardcopy media such as film. The following problems are associated with conventional management of medical images. It takes time to search for a desired hard copy. The large amount of accumulation requires a physically large accumulation area and often results in film loss.

  In order to solve the above problem, an image archiving communication system (PACS) has been developed. For example, TOPSPACE view (TWS-2000) is commercially available from Toshiba Medical Systems. PACS accumulates medical image data in a database on a file server or other storage device, and allows desired images to be accessed online over the network from offices, outpatient offices, and hospitals.

  In addition, medical images are used in combination with computer-aided diagnosis (CAD). Particular portions of the scanned image are processed by a predetermined software program to isolate abnormal areas. In the above-described use, the PACS is used to obtain desired image data from the file server via the network in preparation for input to the CAD. Therefore, this environment includes a file server for storing image data collected from medical image diagnostic devices such as X-ray diagnostic devices, CT scanners, and MRI scanners in all medical facilities. This environment also includes a central facility where a predetermined set of processing software is centrally managed and centralized. For example, the software processes the scanned image data to generate a three-dimensional image, an image combining the selected portions, and an organized image. Finally, the environment further includes a distributed observation where authorized users request specific image data over the network and issue the desired post-scan command process to further process the requested image data ( viewing) Contains a cluster of terminals or consoles.

  In the distributed environment described above, the system cannot adapt well in certain situations. In response to the processing request for the designated image data set from the observation console, the central control unit determines the file server in which the designated image data is stored, and sends the designated image data to the center device. Send the transfer request to the file server. The center apparatus performs a designated post-scan command process on the transferred image data, and returns the processed image data to the observation console. Due to the large capacity of medical image data, a large amount of data is transferred between the file server and the center apparatus via the network. Image data may be transferred prior to a specific post-scan command process to minimize response time, but it is impossible to predict all post-scan command processes. As a result of the increased network traffic, the response time at the observation console is undesirably long.

  In relation to the prior art, the following disclosure specifically teaches several techniques for improving some aspects of the above-mentioned problems. Patent Document 1 discloses an image storage communication system. After the access from the observation terminal is permitted at the image data storage facility, the observation terminal not only receives the requested medical image data in a compressed format, but also receives a predetermined observation program. Downloaded software, such as a JAVA applet, allows only authorized users to view the requested medical image by decoding and decompressing the downloaded image data. An authorized user can create a report and upload it in encoded or compressed form. After the access is completed, the downloaded JAVA applet is invalidated or deleted in the observation terminal.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an image storage communication system. Medical image data is collected locally at a client device or modality and centrally stored on a file server via a network. The user takes out a medical image from the file server for observation at a local terminal connected to the file server via the network. During viewing, the user issues post-scan processing commands that include parameters indicating specific commands such as noise reduction or edge enhancement of the X-ray scanned image data. In response to the post-scan processing command, the system determines a client device that currently has the lightest processing load and can perform the requested post-scan processing. The selected client device receives the designated image data from the central file server. Since each client device has a local copy of the processing software program, it performs the specified post-scan processing. The processed image data is sent to the storage address requested by the parameter and stored.

  Patent Document 3 discloses an image storage communication system. Medical image data is collected locally at a client device or modality and centrally stored on a file server via a network. To avoid duplication of medical images in the central storage unit, based on a specific combination of a predetermined set of criteria such as ID numbers attached to the images, image time stamps, or differences between images, Incoming images are checked for. Since the overlapping image data is substantially reduced, the storage unit can efficiently store the image data and can efficiently transfer the requested image data on the network without duplication.

JP 2002-230165 A JP 2003-102721 A JP-A-8-315119

  Despite the prior art attempts described above, PACS still desires to optimize the post-scan command process. Because the PACS environment is not static and user priorities change, PACS can optimize the post-scan command process in a flexible and cost-effective manner without increasing network traffic and response time. It must be possible.

  In order to solve the above and other problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for storing, processing and communicating image data over a network includes a processing software program on a second device on the network. A step of storing, a step of storing image data in a first device on the network, a step of requesting information on a medical image from a third device on the network to a second device, and a request from the third device If processing of the image data of the medical image is required, a step is required to process the image data, a step of transferring information from the second device to the first device, and processing is required. If so, transferring a selected one of the processing software programs associated with the requested processing from the second device to the first device. If processing is required, the step of executing the transferred processing software program by processing the image data in the first device to generate processed image data of the processed medical image Performing steps.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, image data is stored and processed via a network, a mobile device that stores processing software programs on the network, and a first device that stores image data and related information on the network, And a method of communicating includes: requesting relevant information from a mobile device to a first device; displaying relevant information on the mobile device; and selecting at least one medical image based on the relevant information on the mobile device. Receiving a portion of the image data of the selected medical image from the first device at the mobile device, and selecting at the mobile device a process to be performed on the image data by one of the processing software programs Depending on the step and the decision result, the selected medical image in the second device And a step of inquiring the second apparatus regarding the presence or absence of a software program corresponding to the selected processing, receiving the inquiry result, inquiring, and information and selection regarding the medical image selected based on the inquiry result A combination of software programs for performing the processed processing from the mobile device to the second device, and a step of executing the transferred software program in the second device, the image of the selected medical image Processing the data to generate processed image data.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method for storing, processing, and communicating image data over a network includes the steps of maintaining first information about a processing software program on the network, and a plurality of medical devices on the network. Holding second information relating to the image data, requesting first information relating to a selected one of the medical image data in the first device on the network, and in the second device Requesting second information about a selected one of the processing software programs to be performed on the selected image data, and comparing the first information with the second information, A comparison step that generates a comparison result indicating the selected medical image data to be transferred or the selected processing software program. And transferring the selected medical image data to the second device or the selected processing software program to the first device based on the comparison result, and executing the selected processing software program And processing the selected image data to generate processed image data.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method for storing, processing, and communicating image data over a network includes processing software program and first information relating to static elements including a plurality of medical image data on the network. A step of holding, a step of holding second information on a dynamic element including a transmission rate on the network, and a second device on the network among the medical image data on the first device on the network. Issuing a post-scan processing command including a selected one to be processed by a selected one of the processing software programs and a user-defined priority; and a first for the selected medical image data Requesting information and second information relating to the selected processing software program; Image data selected according to the optimized user-defined priority, the step of optimizing the user-defined priority based on the information and the second information, and the step of executing the selected processing software program And processing to generate processed image data.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a system for storing, processing and communicating image data via a network includes a first device on the network for storing image data and a network for storing processing software programs. Sends a request to the second device for information relating to the second device and information relating to the medical image, and if processing of image data of the requested medical image is required, information relating to processing to be performed on the image data. A third device on the network, and upon request, the second device provides information and, if processing is requested, a selected one of the processing software programs associated with the processing, The first device executes the transferred processing software program to process the image data when processing is requested. Te, and generates the processed image data of the processed medical images.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a system for storing, processing, and communicating image data over a network includes: a first device on the network that stores image data of medical images and related information; A second device on the network for storing image data and a processing software program and processing the image data by the processing software program; and a mobile device on the network for storing the processing software program. An image list request to the first device for receiving the related information, displaying related information for the user to select a set of image data of at least one medical image and one of the processing software programs; Selected medical images and selected processing software programs Inquires about the presence or absence of the second device, receives the inquiry result, and transfers the selected image data and the selected combination of processing software programs to the second device based on the inquiry result. Executes the transferred processing software program to process the selected image data to generate processed image data.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a system for storing, processing, and communicating image data over a network comprises: a first device on the network that stores image data and optionally processes the image data; A second apparatus on the network that stores the processing software program and optionally processes the image data, and a network that holds the first information on the processing software program and the second information on the plurality of medical image data on the network For the selected image data of the database above, the first information about the selected one of the medical image data in the first device, and the processing software program in the second device A third device on the network requesting second information about the selected one to be performed, and The device compares the first information with the second information to generate a comparison result indicative of the selected medical image data to be transferred or the selected processing software program; The second apparatus transfers the medical image data selected based on the second apparatus, and the second apparatus transfers the processing software program selected based on the comparison result to the first apparatus. The second apparatus executes the selected processing software program based on the comparison result, processes the selected image data, and generates processed image data.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a system for storing, processing, and communicating image data via a network includes a first device on the network for storing medical image data and a network for storing processing software programs. The second apparatus, the first information related to the static element including the processing software program and the plurality of medical image data is held on the network, and the second information related to the dynamic element including the transmission speed is held on the network. A database on the network, user-defined priority, and medical image data on the first device to be processed by a selected one of the processing software programs on the second device A third device on the network issuing a post-scan command process, including And a third device requests first information relating to the selected medical image data and second information relating to the selected processing software program, and user-defined based on the first information and the second information. The priority is optimized and the selected processing software program is executed to process the selected image data according to the optimized user-defined priority and generate processed image data.

  These novel and various other advantages and features which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the present invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained therewith, it is a further part of this specification and the accompanying description that illustrates and describes preferred embodiments of the invention. And refer to.

  According to the present invention, the post-scan command process can be optimized in a flexible and cost-effective manner without increasing network traffic and response time.

  In the present invention, a program is a program for three-dimensionally processing an image data group, a program for adding (stacking) an image data group selected from the image data group, CAD (Computer Diagnosis Support System: Cancer) Program for automatic detection of abnormal parts such as FUSION (combination of pet images and CT images, MR image and CT images), CPR (cardiac coronary analysis) program, CT perfusion (cerebral blood flow) Analysis) program, gradation conversion processing program, edge enhancement processing program, and the like. One or more of these programs are converted. The program for three-dimensional processing refers to programs such as surface rendering, volume rendering, MIP (maximum value projection processing), and MPR (cross section conversion processing).

  Referring now to the drawings, like numerals indicate corresponding structures throughout the views. With particular reference to FIG. 1, the figure illustrates a preferred embodiment of a system for storing, processing, and communicating medical image data according to the present invention. The system includes a first control unit 1 for accumulating image data generated from a medical image diagnostic apparatus such as a computed tomography (CT) scanner 14, a second control unit 2 for processing various tasks, and an observation. A third control unit 3 that controls the terminal or display unit 33 and a network 4 such as a local network (LAN), an intra network, and / or the Internet that connects the control units 1, 2, and 3 are included. The first control unit 1 further includes a first central processing unit (CPU) 12 that controls the CT scanner 14, a first storage unit 13 that stores image data scanned by the CT scanner 14, and a first A first network interface (I / F) unit 11 that interfaces the control unit 1 and the network 4 is included. For example, the first control unit 1 is a file server in a medical facility where a medical image diagnostic apparatus such as a CT scanner 14 can be used. The first CPU 12 executes instructions for reading and writing image data to the storage unit 13 and functions as a database server. The first CPU 12 also executes a command for receiving image data from the network 4 via the network I / F 11. Next, the CPU 12 performs specific designated processing on the image data read from the storage unit 13 or received from the network, and generates processed image data in the first control unit 1. Finally, the first CPU 12 transmits the processed image data to the network 4 via the network I / F 11 or stores the processed image data back to the storage unit 13. Therefore, the first control unit 1 is also called an image file server 1.

  Still referring to FIG. 1, the second control unit 2 further stores a second central processing unit (CPU) 22 that performs a specific designated process and a second program that stores a software program that performs a predetermined process. The storage unit 23 includes a second network interface (I / F) unit 21 that interfaces the second control unit 2 and the network 4. The CPU 22 executes a software program stored under certain specific conditions. An exemplary software program performs a CAD process (such as a process of automatically detecting cancer in a computer diagnosis support system) on image data. Other software programs generate three-dimensional images, images that combine selected parts, and organized images of certain parts. The CPU 22 also functions as a database by executing instructions for reading and writing software programs to the second storage unit 23. Further, the CPU 22 executes a command for transmitting the software program stored in the storage unit 23 to the network 4. In a specific situation, the CPU 22 also executes a command for receiving image data from the network 4 via the network I / F unit 21. When receiving image data from the network 4, the CPU 22 performs specific designated processing on the received image data in the second control unit 2 to generate processed image data. The second control unit 2 usually determines how and where to process the requested task. Although one file server (first control unit) 1 and one terminal device (third control unit) 3 are shown in the figure, a plurality of file servers 1 and terminal devices 3 are controlled by the control unit 2. Connected to network 4 below. The second control unit 2 manages the image data stored in the plurality of image file servers 1 and functions as a central command post that communicates with the third control unit 3. Therefore, the second control unit 2 is also called a center device 2.

  Finally, with reference to FIG. 1, the third control unit 3 further includes a third central processing unit (CPU) 32 that controls the display unit or console 33, and a third control unit 3 that interfaces the third control unit 3 and the network 4. 3 network interface (I / F) units 31. The display unit 33 functions as a terminal device used by the user to observe a medical image received from the network 4 via the network I / F 31. The third control unit 3 further includes an input device such as a keyboard and / or a mouse, issues a command including a post-scan processing command, and the command is transmitted to the center device 2 via the network 4. The third control unit 3 includes a CPU 32, which is an inexpensive processor that is optional and does not need to be powerful enough to perform the specific processing specified by the post-scan command on the image data. is there. Therefore, the third control unit 3 is also called a terminal device 3.

  Referring now to FIG. 2, a flowchart illustrates a first control unit or image file server 1, a second control unit or center device 2, and a third control unit or terminal in one preferred process according to the present invention. The steps performed between the devices 3 are shown. To describe the preferred process, reference will be made to the units or components of FIG. 1, but the implementation of the preferred process of FIG. 2 is not limited to those units or components of FIG. It is assumed that the image file server 1, the center device 2, and the terminal device 3 operate independently on the same network 4 in the initial stage. In the flowchart, solid lines indicate transitions between steps within the same unit, and dotted lines indicate data transmission between units. In step 1, the terminal device 3 transmits a first image transmission request to the center device 2 using a parameter set including an image data ID and / or a processing ID (or processing program ID). The image data ID may include other information that identifies the network address of the image data file or its storage location. The parameter set may automatically include the address of the terminal device 3 that transmits the first image transmission request, and the address is used as the return address of the requested image.

  In response to the first image transmission request, the center device 2 determines whether or not the storage location of the requested image (image data) is specified in the first transmission request in step S2. If it is determined in step S2 that the address is not specified by a parameter, the center apparatus 2 determines the address of the requested image data file based on the image data ID in step S3. The second control unit 2 functions as a database manager that manages a table regarding the location of image data files stored in a plurality of image file servers 1. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the address is specified by the parameter, the center apparatus 2 proceeds to step S4. Alternatively, the center device 2 does not play the role of the database manager, and the center device 2 inquires the image file server 1 about the presence or absence of the requested image data file based on the image data ID. Further, in step S4, the center device 2 determines whether or not the requested image data should be processed based on the processing ID. If it is determined in step S4 that the process ID is not present or not specified, the center apparatus 2 proceeds to step S9, and in step S9, the first image transmission request is transmitted to the image file server 1, and The session ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the process ID is designated, the center apparatus 2 takes out the software program corresponding to the process ID from the second storage unit 23 in step S5. Further, the center device 2 generates a second image (image data) transmission request based on the processing ID, and transmits the second image transmission request and the extracted processing software to the image file server 1 in step 5. The second image transmission request specifies that the extracted processing software is executed on the image data specified by the first image transmission request, and the second image data is generated in the image file server 1. The second image transmission request further specifies that the second image data is returned to the terminal device 3 that has issued the first image transmission request.

  Still referring to FIG. 2, in step S25, the image file server 1 determines whether or not the second image transmission request and the processing software program have been received from the center apparatus 2. If it is determined in step 25 that the second image transmission request and processing software program have not been received, the preferred process proceeds to step S26. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S25 that the second image transmission request and the processing software program have been received, the image file server 1 retrieves the designated image data from the storage unit 13 in accordance with the second image transmission request, In step S6, the received processing software program is executed on the extracted image data to generate second image data. For example, the second image transmission request specifies a plurality of sets of image data, and the extracted processing software program generates a three-dimensional image as the second image data by combining the plurality of sets of image data.

  In step S8, after the execution of the processing software program is confirmed within a predetermined time, in step S7, the image file server 1 sends the second request to the terminal device 3 without passing through the center device 2 in accordance with the second image transmission request. The image data is returned directly and the session ends. In step S8, if the execution of the processing software program is not confirmed within a predetermined time, the preferred process proceeds to step S27, an error message is sent to the terminal device 3 in step S27, and then proceeds to step S26. Finally, in step S26, it is determined whether or not the first image transmission request has been received. If it is determined in step S26 that the first image transmission request has been received, the first image data is returned to the terminal device 3 in step S10, and the preferred process ends the current session. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S26 that the first image transmission request has not been received, the preferred process ends the current session.

  The above exemplary process for generating a three-dimensional image reduces network traffic under certain circumstances. For example, if the number of image data obtained by scanning a lung area of 40 mm with a slice thickness of 0.5 mm is 800 and each image includes 512 Kbytes of image data, the data size exceeds about 400 Mbytes. . The processing program is usually relatively smaller than the above image data. In accordance with the preferred process of the present invention, network traffic is substantially reduced because large original image data does not need to be transmitted over the network when the corresponding smaller processed image data is required. . As a result, the preferred process also substantially reduces response time in network-based distributed medical image storage and communication systems.

  In addition to database management of the location of image data files, another preferred embodiment of the center device 2 is optionally a dynamic relating to the transmission speed and processing speed of the processing software program in the image file server 1 and / or the center device 2. Manage information as well. That is, in response to an image transmission request from the terminal device 3, the center device 2 selects a processing software program and a transmission path according to a user-specified priority criterion or a user-specified criterion set, thereby processing the image transmission request. Refer to this information to optimize. The information to be managed is not limited to the information described above, and includes other related information when optimizing the image transmission request from the terminal device 3. Some information such as the usage rate of the CPU 13 of the image file server 1 is dynamic, and other information such as the physical memory size is static for a long time. In a preferred embodiment, the information is managed in a predetermined format such as a table.

  As a result of the information management described above, in certain circumstances, it is more efficient to process the requested image data in the image file server 1 in which the requested image data is not stored. In other words, in a specific situation, the requested image data is sent from the first image file server in which the image data is stored to the second image file server that has received the processing software program designated from the center device 2. Is more efficient and / or according to user priority. Therefore, the requested image data is processed by the second image file server before being returned to the requesting terminal device 3 to generate second image data.

  In an alternative embodiment of the above-described system according to the invention, the terminal device 3 is directly connected to the center device 2 and / or the image file server 1. As long as the terminal device 3 is specified in the network 4 and can communicate with the center device 2 and the image file server 1 via the network I / F 31, the terminal device 3 is connected to the network 4 by other methods.

  Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which illustrates a second preferred embodiment of a system for storing, processing and communicating medical image data according to the present invention. The system includes a large hospital first or large server system LH, a smaller hospital or attached clinic second or small server system SH, and a mobile terminal f for accessing the second server system SH; A network 4 such as a local network (LAN), an intra network, and / or the Internet, which connects the file server systems LH and SH and the terminal f. The first server system LH further controls the first image file server a, the second image file server b, the third image file server c, and the first image file servers a, b, and c. And a network interface (I / F) 121 connected to the network 4. Image file servers a, b, and c store large amounts of X-ray, CT, ultrasound, or MRI image data collected at other hospitals, including large or small hospitals. The stored image data is associated with the patient name, scan date and time, modality or scanning device, and other relevant information. Image file servers a, b, and c include any combination of magnetic, optical, and magneto-optical storage media. Although not shown, the first file server system LH is connected to a CT scanner, and the CT scanner generates scanned image data stored in the image file server a, b, or c. Each of the control unit d and the image file servers a, b, and c includes a general-purpose computer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic storage device, an input device such as a keyboard and / or a mouse, and a display.

  The first control unit d executes instructions for writing and reading image data to and from the image file servers a, b, and c, and functions as a database manager. The first control unit d also executes a command for receiving image data stored from the second server system SH via the network 4 and the network I / F 121. The first control unit d also communicates with the image file servers a, b, and c to inquire about the presence or absence of designated image data and the load status of the CPU. The first control unit d further selects one of the image file servers a, b, and c based on a predetermined criterion or user priority, and selects one of the image file servers a, b, and c. A specific processing program is executed on the image data designated in the selected one. Finally, the first control unit d transmits the processed image data to the network 4 via the network I / F 121 and / or accumulates the processed image data back to the image file server a, b, or c. .

  Still referring to FIG. 3, the small server system SH further includes a second network interface (I / F) for interfacing the small file system SH and the network 4 with an image file server e that performs specific designated processing. Unit 131. The image file server e includes a general-purpose computer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic storage device, an input device such as a keyboard and / or a mouse, and a display. The image file server e functions to communicate with the mobile terminal f and the large server system LH. The image file server e executes instructions for writing and reading information to and from its memory storage unit. The information includes at least a part of the image information stored in the image file servers a, b, and c. Information also includes patient name, date and time of scan, modality or scanning device, and other relevant information associated with the image data stored in the image file servers a, b, and c. The memory storage device of the image file server e includes any combination of magnetic, optical, and magneto-optical storage media.

  Finally, with reference to FIG. 3, the mobile terminal f further includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, magnetic storage device, input device such as a keyboard and / or mouse, a display, and a network interface that interfaces the mobile terminal f with the network 4 . The mobile terminal f is connected to the network 4 by radio or a specific line. The mobile terminal f functions as a terminal device used by the user to observe medical images stored in the image file server e of the small server system SH via the network 4. To do this, the user selects specific image data from the mobile terminal f. Further, the user designates a specific process to be performed on the selected image data. The mobile terminal f stores a specific predetermined software program that processes the image data selected by the mobile terminal f. In other words, the CPU of the mobile terminal f is powerful enough to locally perform a selected one of the processing software programs on the image data received from the image file server e. One exemplary software program processes the image data and generates a predetermined form of input from the image data to the CAD. Other exemplary software programs generate three-dimensional images, images that combine selected parts, and images that are organized over time for a particular part. However, under certain conditions or based on user-specified criteria, the mobile terminal f determines that the selected process is performed externally. In the case of external processing, if the processing software program for performing the selected processing is not in the small server system SH, the CPU of the mobile terminal f executes an instruction to transmit the processing software program to the control unit d via the network 4 To do. In the figure, one large server system LH, one small server system SM, and one mobile terminal f are shown, but a plurality of large server systems LH, small server systems SM, and / or mobile terminals f are connected to the network 4. Is done.

  Referring now to FIG. 4, a flowchart illustrates the steps involved in a second preferred process for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to the present invention. To describe the second preferred process, reference will be made to the units or components of FIG. 3, but the second preferred process of FIG. 4 is not limited to those units or components of FIG. In step S12, the user logs in to the image file server e of the small server system SH from the mobile terminal f via the network by inputting the user ID and password. If the login is successful, in step S13, the user requests a list of a plurality of images, that is, an image list (an image list) from the mobile terminal f. The request is optionally limited to a combination of patient name, scan date, attending physician, and other relevant information. In step S14, in response to the image list request, the image file server e selects a list of matching information and transmits the selected image list to the mobile terminal f. The mobile terminal f displays the image list transmitted from the image file server e, and the user selects a specific image. When a series image or a three-dimensional image is desired, the first image or representative image is selected to save the amount of image data to be transmitted over the network. In S14, the mobile terminal f requests the image file server e for the selected image. In S15, in response to the selected image request, the image file server e returns the selected image data to the mobile terminal f, and the mobile terminal f displays the transmitted image.

  In step S15, the mobile terminal f also displays an icon representing a special process. The three-dimensional processing includes surface rendering, volume rendering, three-dimensional processing such as MIP (maximum intensity planar), gradation conversion processing, edge enhancement processing, and computer-aided diagnosis (CAD). CAD processes image data to detect abnormal portions of the image. If the user selects one of the icons and inputs a corresponding parameter, it is determined in step S16 whether or not the selected process is performed outside the external device, that is, the mobile terminal f. For example, the above three-dimensional processing is performed externally in the second preferred process. If it is determined in step S16 that the requested process is not processed externally, that is, the mobile terminal f is internally processed, in step S17, the CPU of the mobile terminal f is designated as stored in the mobile terminal f. Execute the processing program. In step S29, the mobile terminal f displays the processed image data on its display. In this way, the second preferred process ends the current session.

  Still referring to FIG. 4, if it is determined in step S16 that the requested process is externally processed outside the mobile terminal f, in step S18, the mobile terminal f displays the corresponding image and the selected software. The control unit d is inquired whether the program is in the server system LH. The control unit d transmits an answer message to the mobile terminal f. In step S19, if there is no corresponding image data in the image file server a, b, or c due to the response message, in step S20, the mobile terminal f displays an error message and the preferred process ends the current session. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S19 that the corresponding image data is in the image file server a, b, or c, but it is determined in step S21 that the selected software is not in the server system LH, step S28 is performed. It is further determined whether or not the processing software program needs to be transferred. If it is determined in step S28 that the processing software program does not need to be transferred, the preferred process proceeds to step S23. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S28 that the processing software program needs to be transmitted, in step S22, the mobile terminal f transmits the selected software and associated processing parameters to the control unit d via the network 4. The preferred process then proceeds to step S24. Finally, if it is determined in step S21 that the selected software is in the server system LH, only the relevant processing parameters are sent to the control unit d in step S23. After the control unit d performs the specified process on the selected image data of the server system LH, the control unit d transmits processed image data with a special ID to the mobile terminal f. The mobile terminal f receives the processed image data in step S24, and when the image requested by the special ID is confirmed, displays the processed image in step S29. In this way, the second preferred process ends the current session.

  Referring now to FIG. 5, a flowchart shows a set of steps in control unit d in a second preferred process for storing, processing and communicating image data according to the present invention. The following steps are performed when the mobile terminal f inquires the control unit d regarding the presence of the image data and the processing software program in step S18 of FIG. In response to the inquiry from the mobile terminal f, in step S31, the control unit d receives the image data and information regarding the processing software. In step S32, the control unit d inquires of the image file servers a, b, and c regarding the presence of image data and / or processing software. Next, in step S33, the control unit d transmits an answer from the image file servers a, b, and c to the mobile terminal f, and the session ends.

  FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing another set of steps in control unit d in a second preferred process for storing, processing and communicating image data according to the present invention. The following steps are performed when the mobile terminal f transmits the processing software program and related parameters to the control unit d in step S22 of FIG. In step S41, after receiving information about the designated processing parameter and the selected software program from the mobile terminal f, in step S42, the control unit d determines whether the designated image data and the presence or absence of the selected software program are present. Queries file servers a, b, and c. If one of the image file servers a, b, and c processes the image data instead of the control unit d, in step S42, the control unit d also determines the image file servers a, b regarding the current usage level or processing load. And c. Based on the responses from the image file servers a, b and c, in step S43, the control unit d determines which image file server is being used. In step S44, the control unit d sends the software program and / or parameters to the selected one of the image file servers a, b, and c. If necessary, in S45, the image data to be processed is transmitted to a selected one of the image file servers a, b, and c. In step S45, after successful processing on a selected one of the image file servers a, b, and c, in step S46, the control unit d receives the processed image data and sends it to the mobile terminal f. Send.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a set of steps in an image file server a, b, or c in a second preferred process for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to the present invention. The following steps are performed when the control unit d inquires the image file servers a, b, and c regarding the presence of the image data and the processing software program in step S32 of FIG. Each of the image file servers a, b, and c receives an inquiry from the control unit d in step S51, and then makes an inquiry in step S52 and responds to the control unit d. The response includes the designated image data and the presence or absence of the processing software program.

  FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating another set of steps in an image file server a, b, or c in a second preferred process for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to the present invention. The following steps are performed when the program specified in the selected one or more of the image file servers a, b, and c is executed externally, as started in step S44 of FIG. . In the following steps, it is assumed that the control unit d determines whether it is necessary to transmit image data and / or a processing software program between the image file servers a, b, and c. Alternatively, it is assumed that the control unit d has received image data and / or a processing software program to be transferred to a selected one of the image file servers a, b, and c. The selected one or more of the image file servers a, b, and c receive the processing parameters and processing software program in step S61, and then receive the image data in step S62. Subsequently, the selected one or more of the image file servers a, b, and c execute a software program on the image data according to the processing parameters in step S63, and in step S64, the processed image data Is returned to the control unit d.

  As described with respect to FIGS. 3-8, the second preferred embodiment and process allows the PACS to flexibly store, process, and communicate image data. This flexibility optimizes the efficiency of user-specified post-scan processing on the image data by utilizing the best available resources in the system. Other aspects of the optimization described above are further described in the following preferred process.

  Referring now to FIG. 9, a flowchart illustrates the general steps involved in a third preferred process for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to the present invention. The following steps are generally described rather than referring to specific elements or units of the first and second preferred embodiments of FIG. 1 or FIG. 3, but this is because the third preferred process is This is because it is implemented by any of the first and second preferred embodiments or other related systems. In step S100, it is determined whether a post-scan processing command has been issued by an authorized user who has logged into the system according to the present invention. If a post-scan processing command has not been issued in step S100, the third preferred process waits for the command. On the other hand, if a post-scan processing command has been issued in step S100, the post-scan processing command is analyzed in step S102. The post-scan processing command includes a command ID, an image data ID, and a processing parameter associated with the command ID. The command ID specifies a specific processing software program or processing software program group stored in a known location associated with the command ID. The image data ID specifies one specific image data or set of image data stored in a known location associated with the image data ID. A processing parameter is a set of values that indicate a particular mode or method in which specified processing software is executed.

  Still referring to FIG. 9, based on the parameters analyzed in step S102, the file size of the image data is compared with the file size of the designated software program in step S104. The file size of the image data and the specified software program is obtained from a specific memory location or table before accessing the actual image data and software program file. For example, the table includes information including the file size of the image data file and the software program file, and the location of the table is known to the system. Assume that the software program specified by the post-scan command is in a first device that is connected to a common network but is different from the second device that contains image data to be processed. Further, it is assumed that the first and second devices can independently execute a software program so as to process image data. Based on the comparison in step S104, it is determined whether the software program file size is larger than the image data file size. If it is determined in step S104 that the program file is larger than the image data file, the image data is transferred to the apparatus including the software program in step S106. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the program file is not larger than the image data file, the software program is transferred to the apparatus including the image data in step S108. Finally, in step S110, a software program is executed to perform post-scan processing on the image data. In a third preferred process, based on the comparison result in step S104, a minimum amount of information is transferred over the network in step S106 or S108 before the image data is processed in step S110.

  Referring now to FIG. 10, a flowchart illustrates the general steps involved in a fourth preferred process for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to the present invention. The following steps are generally described rather than referring to specific elements or units of the first and second preferred embodiments of FIG. 1 or FIG. 3, but this is because the fourth preferred process is This is because it is implemented by either the first and second preferred embodiments or other related systems. In step S200, it is determined whether a post-scan processing command has been issued by an authorized user who has logged into the system according to the present invention. If no post-scan processing command has been issued in step S200, the fourth preferred process waits for a command. On the other hand, if a post-scan processing command has been issued in step S200, the post-scan processing command is analyzed in step S202. The post-scan processing command includes a command ID, an image data ID, and a processing parameter associated with the command ID. The command ID specifies a specific processing software program or processing software program group stored in a known location associated with the command ID. The image data ID specifies one specific image data or set of image data stored in a known location associated with the image data ID. A processing parameter is a set of values that indicate a particular mode or method in which specified processing software is executed.

  Still referring to FIG. 10, based on the parameters analyzed in step S202, the priority or processing criteria are determined in step S204. The priority or processing criteria is a set of values specified by the user in the processing parameters to indicate how to execute the specified processing software program. For example, the user specifies that the post-scan command is executed and completed within the shortest time. This priority means that the user wants to receive the comparison results as soon as possible, regardless of the costs associated with executing the processing software program. In another example, the user specifies that the post-scan command is to be executed and terminated most inexpensively. This priority allows the user to minimize the costs associated with performing specified post-scan processing if the use of various network resources such as CPU time is imposed on the user. Means that. In yet another example, the user specifies that post-scan commands are executed and terminated with minimal network traffic. This priority means that the amount of network traffic associated with program execution is the least and therefore has the least adverse effect on the network. The priorities described above are merely exemplary and are not exhaustive of the practice of the invention. Finally, in the fourth preferred process, the software program designated for the specific image data in step S206 is processed according to the priority determination result in step S204. In a fourth preferred process, a specific combination of the above priorities is used.

  Referring now to FIG. 11, a flowchart illustrates further steps associated with process step S206 of FIG. 10 in a fourth preferred process for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to the present invention. In step S300, related information is collected according to the user-specified priority determined in step S204 of FIG. For example, the user specifies that the post-scan command is executed and completed within the shortest time. First, the file size of designated image data is determined based on the image data ID. As will be described later, for all existing image data, a predetermined information set including the data file size is centrally maintained in a predetermined location in a specific format such as a table (centrally maintained). Therefore, the file size or data size can be obtained without actually finding the image data itself. Similarly, for all predetermined post-scan processing commands, a predetermined information set is centrally held at a predetermined location in a specific format such as a table. The information includes identification information of various software programs that perform substantially the same processing identified by the command ID. The information also includes execution speeds or times corresponding to various software programs. If the execution speed is non-linear with respect to the amount of image data, the execution speed is indicated for a predetermined amount of data.

  The image data file size and processing execution speed are relatively static information that does not change frequently. When information is stored in a predetermined location, its value does not change over a relatively short period of time, such as a program execution period. Compared to the relatively static information above, some other information is more dynamic. For example, the transmission rate between devices changes more rapidly and frequently depending on network traffic. If the information transmission rate between devices is centrally kept in the table, the transmission rate is updated in the table as needed.

  As another method of the above-described information collecting step S300, related information is collected on the fly. Instead of accumulating relevant information in advance in a predetermined format such as a table, in an alternative embodiment of the information gathering step S300, a related query is made to the database manager or the utilization manager according to a user-specified priority. Information is collected. For example, if the user specifies the shortest execution as a priority, a series of queries are made to the utility to collect the current transmission rate between devices. On-demand information collection is efficient for specific information such as transmission rate. Relatively static information such as execution speed and file size can also be collected on demand by sending queries to database managers related to the processing of image data files and processing software programs, but over the network Frequent queries increase unnecessary traffic and cause some undesirable effects.

  With continued reference to FIG. 11, optimization is performed in step S302 based on the collected information. If the priority is to minimize execution time as described with respect to step S300, one aspect of time optimization is the association in step S302 that has the fastest execution speed for the data size of the specified image data. This is accomplished by selecting a software program identification of the software program. Another aspect of time optimization is also achieved in step S302 by minimizing the transmission time for transmitting the selected software program and / or selected image data over the network during the process. A location is identified based on the identification of the selected software program and image data. When the selected software program and / or image data needs to be transmitted through the network, the transmission path is selected from paths available for minimizing the transmission time. Similarly, after image data has been processed, if the processed image data needs to be sent over the network to a destination specified by the processing parameters, the delivery transmission path is also used to minimize the transmission time. Selected. To determine the optimization of the process sub-steps, the time from all aspects of post-scan command execution is summed.

  Finally, in step S304, the above-described optimized processing is performed based on the information selected in step S302 according to the priority specified by the user. As described above with respect to the example of the shortest execution time, the sub-step is selected in step S302. For example, when it is determined in step S302 that the shortest command execution time is achieved by executing the Nth software program associated with the same command ID, in step S304, the Nth software program is executed. The specified image data is processed. Exceptions to the execution of already selected substeps include certain situations where optimized processing cannot be performed on already selected substeps. For example, when there is a considerable time lag between step S302 and step S304, the transmission rate of the selected transmission path is substantially changed. In such a similar situation, the optimization step S302 is repeated when the user-specified priority is better served.

  Referring now to FIG. 12, a flowchart illustrates further steps associated with execution step S304 of FIG. 11 in a fourth preferred process for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to the present invention. In general, as described above, the execution steps follow what has already been established. If it is already determined in step S400 that the selected image data and / or software program is to be transmitted between the devices via the network, a file transfer is performed. After the file transfer of the image data and / or software program selected in step S400 is completed, the software program is executed by the selected central processing unit (CPU) and / or selected display processing unit (DPU) in step S402. Executed in memory. In step S402, after the processed image data is generated, in step S404, the processed image data is distributed to the destination specified by the processing parameter via the already selected transmission path. Sub-steps S400, S402, and S404 are merely illustrative and do not cover execution step S304.

  Referring to FIG. 13, an exemplary table shows information in a predetermined table format used in the above preferred process according to the present invention. Table 1 includes the execution time by a predetermined processor A available on the network. Further, when determining the execution time, processor A is dedicated to executing the designated processing software program, i.e. fully available. Table 1 includes information regarding the approximate execution time of each processing software program that processes data of a known size. For example, if processor A is fully dedicated, it takes 0.15 milliseconds for processor A to execute the instructions of program B to process 512 kilobytes of data. Actually, when other processors available on the same network can use the same table, the processor A to the processor C share the network resources for the execution time assumed above, and any processor If it is not dedicated to a specified task, it is not practical to select a processor according to the priority indicating the shortest execution time. On the other hand, if there is an image data size (given), Table 1 is useful for selecting the fastest processing program of the processor A. Furthermore, if there is a processing software program, Table 1 is useful for determining the optimum image data size for processor A to process. Since the information in Table 1 is relatively static, the information is not updated frequently.

  Referring to FIG. 14, an exemplary table shows information in a predetermined table format used in the above preferred process according to the present invention. Table 2 includes information on the image data file in the file server A. The information includes an image data ID, a corresponding data size or file size, a scan date, a physical memory file location, a network file location, or the like. The information in Table 2 is used in various ways by the system for storing, processing and communicating image data according to the present invention. For example, referring to the data size of Table 2 to determine the amount of data to be transferred with the image data ID = 1, it can be seen that it is 400 megabytes. The information in Table 2 is also relatively static, but the information can be updated from time to time. For example, the location of the image data can change over time.

  Tables 1 and 2 described above are stored in a predetermined network location as part of a system for storing, processing and communicating image data according to the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the contents of the table are accessed and maintained via a database manager. In another preferred embodiment, the contents of the table are accessed directly by reading a specific memory location with a certain predetermined offset value. In any case, the table is one form of central information management that can be implemented in other ways according to the present invention.

  With reference to FIGS. 15-20, the following tables 3-8 are used to describe in more detail certain steps in the preferred process described above with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6 according to the present invention. As shown in Table 3, when the control unit d receives information about the processing software in step S41 of FIG. 6, the information includes the file size of the processing software program and the processing speed of the processing software. The processing software size is obtained from the table 3 shown in FIG. Table 3 also includes additional information regarding the processing description and standard processing time. Standard processing time is processing standard image data of a predetermined size, such as 10 megabytes (MB), when a predetermined CPU performs only processing of known image data using a predetermined processing software program identified by a program ID. It is defined as the number of seconds to do. Therefore, the information received in step S41 includes the standard processing time of the processing software program. In the following description of the illustrated steps, it is assumed that the data ID of the image data is D, the data size is 300 MB, the program ID for performing “3D_MPR” is 2, the program size is 10 MB, and the standard processing time is 30 seconds. .

  Next, referring to FIG. 16, server information as shown in Table 4 is generated based on static information such as a file location and dynamic information such as a CPU usage rate. In step S42 of FIG. 6, the control unit d inquires the image file servers a, b, c, and e about the percentage of the load or CPU utilization rate and the file size of the designated image data. The image data size is obtained from the table 2 shown in FIG. In step S42, the control unit d also inquires the image file servers a, b, c, and e regarding the presence / absence of the designated image data and the selected software program. Table 4 also includes an entry for mobile terminal f. In addition to the above information, the control unit d also receives the following information: In this example, the table 4 indicates that the designated image data D is in the image servers b and e, and the processing software program 2 is in the image file server a and the mobile terminal f. The CPU usage rate is highest for the file servers a and c and lowest for the mobile terminal f.

  Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, further static and dynamic information is received at the control unit d. Table 5 shows the relative CPU performance levels and memory sizes among the image file servers a, b, c, and e and the mobile terminal f. If the image file servers a and e have the same performance level represented by the value 100, the highest performance level is indicated by a number greater than 100 and the lowest performance level is represented by less than 100. The memory size is indicated in MB. Table 6 shows dynamic information such as transmission rate in megabits per second (Mbps) in various segments of the network. Various transmission rate segments are within large hospitals (LH), between large hospitals and small hospitals (LH-SH), within small hospitals (SH), between large hospitals and mobile terminals (LH-M), and between small hospitals and mobile It includes the transmission speed between terminals (SH-M). The above transmission rate changes with time.

Referring now to FIG. 19, based on the information in Tables 4, 5, and 6, the following transmission times shown in Table 7 according to the present invention are estimated. For each of the segments described with respect to Table 6, the image data transmission time, the program transmission time, and the processed image data transmission time are indicated. The image data transmission time is defined by the following equation.
Image data size (MB) / (Transmission speed (Mbps) / 8)
Similarly, the program data transmission time is defined by the following equation.
Processing software program size (MB) / (Transmission rate (Mbps) / 8)
Finally, the image processing time is defined by the following equation.
Standard processing time × (processed image data size / standard image data size) / {(1-CPU utilization) × relative CPU performance level}
In order to calculate the above various transmission times, the image data size is assumed to be the same as the standard image data size. Furthermore, it is assumed that the processed image data size is 5 MB.

  Next, referring to FIG. 20, in order to execute the program ID = 2, that is, “3D_MPR” for the image data ID = D based on the information in the tables 3 to 7, the turnaround time, that is, the total response time of each processing entity. Is calculated. For each of the image file servers a, b, c, and e, and the mobile terminal f, the table 8 includes image data transmission time, software program transmission time, image processing CPU processing time, processed image data transmission time, and the above The response time including 4 times is shown. Among the above processing entities, the image file server c has the shortest overall response time, ie 36.48 seconds. Therefore, in step S43 of FIG. 6, the control unit d determines that the image file server c performs a processing task based on the shortest total response time.

  As shown in Table 4, the image file server c stores neither the image data D nor the processing software program 2. In order for the image file server c to perform processing, the control unit d transmits a command to transfer the image data D from the image file server b to the image file server c. The image data D is in the image file servers b and e, but the image file server b is selected because the transmission time from the image file server b to the image file server c is shorter. Similarly, the control unit d transmits a command to transfer the processing software program 2 from the image file server a to the image file server c. The processing software program 2 is in the image file server a and the mobile terminal f, but the image file server a is selected because the transmission time from the image file server a to the image file server c is shorter. After the control unit d transmits the processing parameters to the image file server c, the image file server c executes the processing software program 2 on the image data D according to the processing parameters. After executing the program, the image file server c next transmits the processed image data to the control unit d in step S64 of FIG. When the mobile unit m requests the above image processing for the designated image data, in step S33 of FIG. 5, the control unit d determines that both the designated image data and the processing program are in the image processing entity. Respond to mobile unit m. Finally, the control unit d transmits processed image data to the mobile unit m.

  With regard to the above-described image processing process, the large hospital LH and the small hospital SH share certain specific image data. Given that the two groups of hospitals LH and SH are cooperating or collaborating, there is a relationship established between them to treat and refer to the patient. For example, if the medical problem is advanced to treat in a small hospital SH, the patient is referred to a partner large hospital LH to receive treatment, including examination and major surgery. The test result is returned from the large hospital LH to the small hospital SH. After examination and treatment at the large hospital LH, the patient returns to the original small hospital SH for further treatment or rehabilitation. At this time, the information returned from the large hospital LH is used in the small hospital SH during the continuous treatment or follow-through period.

  The PACS has some redundant data storage device according to the present invention. In the above situation, clinical data including image data is accumulated in the large hospital LH and the small hospital SH. Because small hospitals SH typically have only a small data storage capacity, it is impossible to have a complete copy of large hospital image data. For example, the image data capacity of the small hospital SH may be limited and may include only the latest image data set. In the example described with reference to the tables 3 to 8, the image data D is accumulated in the image file server b of the large hospital LH and the image file server e of the small hospital SH. When the attending physician of the small hospital SH requests the patient's image data D from the mobile terminal f, in the above example, the image data D of the image file server e of the small hospital SH and the processing program 2 of the mobile terminal f can be used. Nevertheless, it has been determined that image processing is performed with an optimal response time in the image file server c of the large hospital LH.

  However, although many features and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, this disclosure is only exemplary and, in particular, part shapes, sizes, and configurations, and software, Changes in detail may be made with respect to the implementation of the hardware, or a combination of both, but such changes are within the principles of the invention as long as the broader terms used in the appended claims indicate. Should be understood.

The gist of the invention described in this specification and the drawings is appended below.
In an image processing system in which a plurality of storage means for storing image data generated from a medical image diagnostic apparatus and a display means capable of displaying the image data are connected by communication means, the image data is stored in the plurality of storage means. The storage location of the image, the data amount of the image, the storage location of the program for image processing of the image data, the storage means capable of image processing using the program, the processing capacity of the storage means, and the communication of the communication means And a management unit that manages the capability, and transfers at least one of the image data of the processing request and the program of the processing request to any of the plurality of storage units in response to the processing request of the image data by the display unit. An image processing system characterized by that.

An image server for reading and writing the first image information in the first storage means, and a network connection with the image server. Second storage means for storing a program for image processing the first image information into predetermined second image information, and an image viewer having display means for displaying the second image information. The image viewer transmits the program together with a transmission request to the image server, and the image server responds to the transmission request by the received program according to the first image information. The medical image communication system is characterized in that the second image is generated by image processing and the generated second image is returned to the image viewer.
In the above, the image viewer performs image processing by the program according to the data amount of the image information to be processed, the data amount of the program, the communication capability of the network, and the processing capability of the image viewer. And a determination unit for determining whether to execute the process on the image server.

  First storage means for storing image data generated from the medical image diagnostic apparatus, second storage means for storing a program capable of image processing the image data, execution means for executing the program, and the image data In an image processing system in which display means capable of display is connected by communication means, image data and the program are arranged in the execution means in response to a request for processing image data by the display means, and the execution means An image processing system that outputs the processing result obtained by the above-mentioned display means.

  A first storage means for storing image data generated from the medical image diagnostic apparatus; a second storage means for storing a program capable of image processing the image data; and a display means capable of displaying the image data; In the image processing system connected by the communication means, the image data and the program are obtained in response to the image data processing request by the display means, and the result corresponding to the processing request is obtained in the display means in the shortest time. An image processing system, wherein the image processing system is arranged at a place to be stored.

1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a system for storing, processing, and communicating medical image data according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating steps performed between an image file server, a center device, and a terminal device in one preferred process according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 shows a second preferred embodiment of a system for storing, processing and communicating medical image data according to the present invention. Figure 5 is a flow chart showing the steps involved in a second preferred process for storing, processing and communicating image data according to the present invention. Figure 3 is a flow chart showing a set of steps in a control unit in a second preferred process for storing, processing and communicating image data according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating another set of steps in a control unit in a second preferred process for storing, processing and communicating image data according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a set of steps in an image file server in a second preferred process for storing, processing and communicating image data according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating another set of steps in an image file server in a second preferred process for storing, processing and communicating image data according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the general steps involved in a third preferred process for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the general steps involved in a fourth preferred process for storing, processing, and communicating image data in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating further steps associated with the processing steps of FIG. 10 in a fourth preferred process for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to the present invention. 12 is a flow chart illustrating further steps associated with the execution steps of FIG. 11 in a fourth preferred process for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to the present invention. 4 is an exemplary table showing information in a predetermined table format regarding processing speeds of processing programs for various data sizes used in the above preferred process according to the present invention. Fig. 4 is an exemplary table showing information in a predetermined table format relating to the data size, scan date, and location of an image data file used in the above preferred process according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an exemplary table showing information in a predetermined table format regarding file size, description, standard processing speed, and location of processing software used in the above preferred process according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 6 is an exemplary table showing information in a predetermined table format regarding the presence / absence of a designated image data file and a designated processing program file in a processing entity and a CPU usage rate used in the above preferred process according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 4 is an exemplary table showing information in a predetermined table format regarding the relative CPU performance level and memory size of processing entities used in the above preferred process according to the present invention. FIG. Fig. 4 is an exemplary table showing information in a predetermined table format relating to the transmission rate of a network segment used in the above preferred process according to the present invention. 4 is an exemplary table showing information in a predetermined table format relating to image data transmission time, processing program transmission time, and processing image data transmission time of a network segment used in the above preferred process according to the present invention. Processing entity image data transmission time, first corresponding network segment, processing program transmission time, second corresponding network segment, CPU processing time, processed image data transmission time used in the above preferred process according to the present invention And an example table showing information in a predetermined table format regarding the total response time.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st control unit 2 2nd control unit 3 3rd control unit 4 Network 11 1st network interface (I / F) unit 21 2nd network interface (I / F) unit 31 3rd network interface (I / F) unit 12 First central processing unit (CPU)
22 Second central processing unit (CPU)
32 Third central processing unit (CPU)
13 First storage unit 23 Second storage unit 33 Display unit 14 Computed tomography (CT) scanner

Claims (48)

A method for storing, processing, and communicating image data over a network, comprising:
Storing a processing software program in a second device on the network;
Storing image data in a first device on the network;
Requesting information about a medical image from a third device on the network to the second device;
Requesting the image data to be processed when the image data of the medical image requested from the third device is required;
Transferring the information from the second device to the first device;
If the process is requested, transferring a selected one of the process software programs associated with the requested process from the second device to the first device;
If the processing is requested, executing the transferred processing software program, processing the image data in the first device to generate processed image data of the processed medical image Performing, storing and processing and communicating image data.   The method of storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 1, further comprising determining a storage location of the image data of the requested medical image. Further transferring the processed image data to the third device;
The method of storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 1, further comprising: displaying the processed medical image from the processed image data on the third device. Transferring the image data of the requested medical image to the third device;
The method of storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 1, further comprising: displaying the requested medical image on the third device.   The image data is stored and processed according to claim 1, wherein the image data is collected by any one of a CT scanner, a positron emission CT scanner, an MRI scanner, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, and an ultrasonic scanner. , And how to communicate.   The processing software program stores image data according to claim 1, including: a predetermined format input to a computer-aided diagnosis program; a three-dimensional image; a composite image; and one that generates images arranged over time. How to process and communicate. A method of storing, processing, and communicating image data via a network, a mobile device that stores processing software programs on the network, and a first device that stores image data and related information on the network,
Requesting the relevant information from the mobile device to the first device;
Displaying the related information on the mobile device;
Selecting at least one medical image based on the related information on the mobile device;
Receiving at the mobile device a portion of image data of the selected medical image from the first device;
Selecting a process to be performed on the image data by one of the processing software programs in the mobile device;
Querying the second device for the presence or absence of a software program corresponding to the selected medical image and the selected process in a second device, receiving a query result; querying;
Transferring a combination of information about the selected medical image and the software program for performing the selected process from the mobile device to the second device based on the inquiry result;
Executing the transferred software program in the second device by processing the image data of the selected medical image to generate processed image data; A method of storing, processing, and communicating image data, including.   The method of storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 7, further comprising the step of determining a storage location of the image data of the selected medical image. Transferring the processed image data to the mobile device;
8. The method of storing, processing and communicating image data of claim 7, further comprising: displaying the processed medical image from the processed image data on the mobile device.   The image data is stored and processed according to claim 7, wherein the image data is collected by any one of a CT scanner, a positron emission CT scanner, an MRI scanner, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, and an ultrasonic scanner. , And how to communicate.   The processing software program stores image data according to claim 7, including: a predetermined format input to a computer-aided diagnosis program; a three-dimensional image; a composite image; How to process and communicate.   8. The method of storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 7, wherein the second device includes a plurality of image file servers, and the query result indicates at least one of the image file servers.   Further comprising transferring a combination of information relating to the selected medical image and the software program for performing the selected processing to one of the image file servers indicated in the inquiry result from the mobile device. A method for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 12.   A further step of determining whether or not the processing is performed externally in the second device on the network, further comprising a step of determining by generating a determination result, in response to the determination result The method for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 7, wherein the inquiry is performed. A method for storing, processing, and communicating image data over a network, comprising:
Holding second information on the processing software program on the network;
Holding first information on a plurality of medical image data on the network;
Requesting the first information for a selected one of the medical image data in a first device on the network;
Requesting the second information for a selected one of the processing software programs in a second device to be performed on the selected image data;
Comparing the first information with the second information, comparing by generating a comparison result indicative of the selected medical image data or the selected processing software program to be transferred; ,
Transferring the selected medical image data to the second device or the selected processing software program to the first device based on the comparison result;
Storing, processing, and processing the selected processing software program comprising: processing the selected image data to generate processed image data; and How to communicate.   The first information and the second information include a file size, and the comparison result is the smaller of the selected file size of the selected medical image data and the selected processing software program. A method for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 15.   The method of storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 15, further comprising determining a storage location of the selected image data and the selected processing software program. Transferring the processed image data to a third device;
16. The method of storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 15, further comprising: displaying on the third device a processed medical image based on the processed image data.   16. The medical image data is stored according to claim 15, wherein the medical image data is collected by any one of a CT scanner, a positron emission CT scanner, an MRI scanner, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, and an ultrasonic scanner. How to process and communicate.   16. The storage software program according to claim 15, wherein the processing software program includes a predetermined format input to a computer-aided diagnosis program, a three-dimensional image, a composite image, and one that generates images arranged over time. How to process and communicate. A method for storing, processing, and communicating image data over a network, comprising:
Holding on the network first information about a static element including a processing software program and a plurality of medical image data;
Maintaining on the network second information about dynamic elements including transmission rate;
Of the medical image data on the first device on the network, the selected one to be processed by a selected one of the processing software programs on the second device on the network; Issuing post-scan processing commands, including user-defined priorities;
Requesting the first information and the second information relating to the selected medical image data and the selected processing software program;
Optimizing the user-defined priority based on the first information and the second information;
Executing the selected processing software program by processing the selected image data according to the optimized user-defined priority to generate processed image data; A method for storing, processing, and communicating image data, including: Generating a comparison result indicating the selected medical image data to be transferred or the selected processing software program based on the first information and the second information;
22. The method of storing, processing and communicating image data according to claim 21, further comprising the step of transferring the selected medical image data or the selected processing software program based on the comparison result.   The method of storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 21, wherein the user-defined priority indicates a combination of minimum execution time, minimum network traffic, and minimum cost. Transferring the processed image data to a third device;
The method of storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 21, further comprising: displaying a medical image processed by the processed image data on the third device. A system for storing, processing, and communicating image data over a network,
A first device on the network for storing image data;
A second device on the network for storing processing software programs;
A third information on the network that transmits information relating to the medical image and a request relating to processing to be performed on the requested image data to the second device when processing of the requested image data of the medical image is necessary. And in response to the request, the second device receives the information and a selected one of the processing software programs related to the processing if the processing is requested, And when the processing is requested, the first device executes the transferred processing software program, processes the image data, and processes the processed medical image. A system for storing, processing, and communicating image data that generates processed image data.   26. The system for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 25, wherein the second device determines a storage location of the image data of the requested medical image.   The first device transfers the processed image data to the third device, and the third device displays the processed medical image based on the processed image data on the third device. 26. A system for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 25.   The first device transfers the image data of the requested medical image to the third device, and the third device displays the requested medical image on the third device; 26. A system for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 25.   The image data storage and processing according to claim 25, further comprising any one of a CT scanner, a positron emission CT scanner, an MRI scanner, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, and an ultrasonic scanner that collect the image data. , And a system to communicate.   26. The image processing software program according to claim 25, wherein the processing software program includes a predetermined format input to a computer-aided diagnosis program, a three-dimensional image, a composite image, and one that generates images arranged over time, A system that processes and communicates. A system for storing, processing, and communicating image data over a network,
A first device on the network for storing medical image image data and related information;
A second device on the network for storing the image data of the medical image and a processing software program, and processing the image data by the processing software program;
A mobile device on the network for storing the processing software program, the mobile device sending an image list request to the first device to receive the related information, and image data of at least one medical image; Displaying the relevant information for a user to select a set with one of the processing software programs, and regarding the presence of the selected medical image and the selected processing software program in the second device; 2 is inquired, receives the inquiry result, and based on the inquiry result, transfers the combination of the selected image data and the selected processing software program to the second device, and the second device The apparatus executes the transferred processing software program to select the selected. Image data by processing, and generates the processed image data, storing the image data, processing, and communications systems.   32. The system for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 31, wherein the mobile device displays the selected medical image before the user selects one of the processing software programs.   32. The device of claim 31, wherein the second device transfers the processed image data to the mobile device, and the mobile device displays a medical image processed by the processed image data on the mobile device. A system that stores, processes, and communicates image data.   The image data storage and processing according to claim 31, further comprising any one of a CT scanner, a positron emission CT scanner, an MRI scanner, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, and an ultrasonic scanner that collect the image data. , And system to communicate.   32. The image processing software program according to claim 31, wherein the processing software program includes a predetermined format input to a computer-aided diagnosis program, a three-dimensional image, a composite image, and one that generates images arranged over time, A system that processes and communicates.   32. The system for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 31, wherein the second device further comprises a plurality of image file servers, and the query result indicates at least one of the image file servers.   37. The image of claim 36, wherein the mobile device forwards the combination of information about the selected image data and the selected processing software program to one of the image file servers indicated in the query result. A system that stores, processes, and communicates data.   The mobile device determines whether the processing is performed externally in the second device on the network, generates a determination result, and in response to the determination result, the mobile device 32. A system for storing, processing, and communicating image data as recited in claim 31, wherein the second device is queried for selected image data and the presence of the selected processing software program. A system for storing, processing, and communicating image data over a network,
A first device on the network for storing image data and optionally processing the image data;
A second device on the network for storing processing software programs and optionally processing the image data;
A database on the network that holds first information on the processing software program and second information on a plurality of medical image data on the network;
For the selected image data of the second information relating to the selected one of the medical image data in the first device and the processing software program in the second device. And a third device on the network requesting the first information on the selected one to be performed, the third device comparing the first information with the second information Generating a comparison result indicating the selected medical image data to be transferred or the selected processing software program, and the first device converts the selected medical image data based on the comparison result to the Transferring to the second device, the second device transferring the selected processing software program based on the comparison result to the first device, and the first device or the first device. The apparatus executes the selected processing software program based on the comparison result, processes the selected image data to generate processed image data, stores and processes image data, and A system that communicates.   The first information and the second information include a file size, and the comparison result indicates which of the selected image data and the selected processing software program has a smaller file size to be transferred. 40. A system for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 39.   40. The system for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 39, wherein the first information and the second information include a storage location of the selected image data and the selected processing software program. .   40. The image data of claim 39, further comprising a fourth device on the network that receives the processed image data and displays a medical image processed by the processed image data on the third device. A system that stores, processes, and communicates.   40. The image data storage and processing according to claim 39, further comprising any one of a CT scanner, a positron emission CT scanner, an MRI scanner, an X-ray diagnostic apparatus, and an ultrasonic scanner that collect the image data. , And a system to communicate.   40. The image processing software program according to claim 39, wherein the processing software program includes: a predetermined type of input to a computer-aided diagnosis program; a three-dimensional image; a composite image; A system that processes and communicates. A system for storing, processing, and communicating image data over a network,
A first device on the network for storing medical image data;
A second device on the network for storing processing software programs;
On the network, a first information regarding a static element including a processing software program and a plurality of medical image data is retained on the network, and a second information regarding a dynamic element including a transmission rate is retained on the network. Database of
User-defined priority and selected one of the medical image data in the first device to be processed by a selected one of the processing software programs in the second device And a third device on the network that issues a post-scan processing command, the third device including the first information relating to the selected medical image data and the selected processing software program And requesting the second information, optimizing the user-defined priority based on the first information and the second information, and executing the selected processing software program to optimize the The selected image data is processed according to user-defined priorities, and processed image data is generated. Image data is stored, processed, and processed. System to fine-communication.   The third apparatus generates a comparison result indicating the selected medical image data or the selected processing software program to be transferred based on the first information and the second information. 45. A system for storing, processing, and communicating the image data according to 45.   46. The system for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 45, wherein the user-defined priority indicates a combination of minimum execution time, minimum network traffic, and minimum cost. 46. The system for storing, processing, and communicating image data according to claim 45, wherein the third device displays a medical image processed by the processed image data.

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